king and his guard

He stood on the cold marble floor of the palace, covered in plain white, with his slender fingers hanging quietly by his side. Occasionally, the wind passed through the huge hall, blowing the tassels of jade around his waist, closing the curtains and streamers all over the floor. Rhythm floating in the air.

There were palace people and concubines kneeling behind him, all dressed in linen and filial piety, with lowered eyebrows and lowered eyes.Among them, there were inevitably three or two sobbing and mourning, which seemed particularly abrupt in the silent palace.

In front of him was a large coffin of golden nanmu lacquered flowers, in which was his mother who had just been buried.

His mother is the queen of Nan'an, and he is the queen's only son, Prince Nan Xueai.

The night was deep, the weeping person had no strength, and the tears on his face had already dried up. He waved to the people underground: "Everyone retreat."

Everyone got the order, kowtowed and retreated.The pale candlelight elongated his shadow on the ground, and his face was as pale as the firelight, his eyelids were covered with thick eyelashes, and his straight nose carried the coldness of the world.

A faint figure slanted behind him, silently.He turned his head, looked at the owner of the shadow and said, "Dan, why haven't you returned to the palace?"

The voice of a young man behind him was more demure than Luohua, gentler than flowing water: "You are too lonely by yourself."

Dan is Xue Ai's half brother. Although he is only 15 years old, his slender figure is obviously much taller than boys of the same age.

Everyone in the palace was intimidated by Xue Ai's status, and would only say flattering and flattering words in person, hypocritical and vulgar.Fortunately, You Dan was unrestrained in front of him, speaking freely, and the days did not feel lonely.

After a moment of distraction, he patted Dan on the thin shoulder and said warmly: "I will keep watch tonight, you should go back first."

But Dan held on to his sleeve: "You are too tired, go back with me and rest for the night, don't let your body collapse!"

Xue Ai couldn't resist his persuasion, so she called a few eunuchs to watch over her, and followed him back to the palace to rest.

Xue Ai was so sleepy that she fell asleep as soon as she went to bed.But Dan couldn't fall asleep for a long time, looking at his brother's sleeping face, an indescribable feeling arose quietly.

I remember in the midsummer of last year, I was playing peek-a-boo with my brother among thousands of flowers, and my finger was accidentally pricked by a rose thorn. It was my brother who put his injured finger in his mouth and sucked it gently. There was infinite in his eyes. Beloved, that look was so deeply engraved in Dan's heart, the fingertips no longer hurt, but were wrapped in a burst of heartbeat and desire.

In this era where masculinity is not prevalent, coupled with the barriers of family affection, all he can do is to secretly stare at his brother's face while he is asleep.

The greatest blessing in this life is to become attached to you. No matter what the future holds, I will stand by your side.

Xue Ai slept all night, and Dan stayed with him all night.The next morning, when Xue Ai got up, Dan fell asleep. Xue Ai couldn't bear to wake him up, so she quietly went outside to wash.

Suddenly, I saw a lot of people outside the bedroom, and the sound of footsteps was soft, and a maid came to report: "The beautiful concubine has arrived."

Concubine Anshi is Dan's mother. Because of the queen's death, she is wearing very plain clothes today, with a little powder and black, and lightly sweeping her eyebrows, which makes her more attractive.

Concubine Mei approached gracefully all the way, and seeing Xue Ai was there, she couldn't help being a little surprised, so she bowed slightly and saluted: "Good morning, Your Highness."

Xue Ai bowed her head in return, and Concubine Mei couldn't help asking: "When did Your Highness come?"

Xue Ai replied truthfully: "Last night."

Concubine Mei frowned slightly, and said sternly: "Your Highness, forgive me for speaking bluntly, you should have kept a filial piety for your mother in the queen's palace last night, so that you can show your filial piety and benevolence, and make the world admire you. It is a rule that you are not allowed to sleep with others for half a month during the mourning period, don't you know?"

Xue Ai also felt that she was being rude, so she was very embarrassed. When she didn't know what to answer, she suddenly heard Dan's voice behind her: "Mother, don't blame brother, it is my son who insisted on him coming."

Looking around, Dan was wearing a loose thin shirt, approached Xue Ai and gave a gift to his mother.

Before Meifei opened her mouth, Xue Ai took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty taught me the lesson, Xue Ai will definitely correct it in the future, so I am leaving!" After finishing speaking, she turned and walked away.

Concubine Mei let out a cold snort, but a condensed smile curled up at the corner of her mouth.

In the blink of an eye, the queen's funeral has passed for a few days, and the harem cannot be left alone for a day. Those flattering ministers took the opportunity to say to the king: "Your Majesty, the beautiful concubine is graceful, luxurious and talented, and she manages the entire harem in an orderly manner. I hope your majesty As soon as possible, the concubine Mei will be established as the queen, and the mother will honor the world! Our country will surely prosper and the people will live and work in peace and contentment!"

Every word of these words was spoken in the king's heart. He had already made up his mind about the matter of becoming a successor, and the minister's advice was just to push the boat along with the flow.

In fact, there is another important reason for this, that is, Concubine Mei came from a famous family with a prominent family background, and her father, An Yujing, was the grand master of the court.

On the day of the Queen's Sealing Ceremony, the palace was covered with red and green, decorated with lanterns and festoons, and there was singing and dancing everywhere. The festive atmosphere swept away the sorrow and depression that had passed away one after another.

Xue Ai couldn't be happy at all. In just a few days, her mother was completely forgotten by her husband and her subjects. How much affection remained between her parents?The world is impermanent, this is the impermanence of the world!

Sighing secretly, his heart was filled with desolation. After a long silence, he suddenly got up and ordered: "Prepare your armor, bows and arrows, and your horse!"

Concubine Mei, no, it's time to call her Empress Ann.Empress An has already dressed and is sitting on the phoenix couch, just waiting for the moment of the grand ceremony to come.

The maid Yun'er bowed and approached, and asked her after Ann, "Is everyone here?"

Yun'er stepped forward and replied: "Reporting to Madam, all the ministers, marquises and wives have arrived, it's just..."

An Hou asked, "Just what?"

Yun'er said: "Prince Ai said that he was unwell, so he couldn't come."

Empress An remained calm, and said with a slight inclination: "I think he is seriously ill, right? He is the crown prince, so don't neglect him. You take some fruits that were tributed by the foreign kingdom and go to see him quickly, and take the word of my palace, so that His Highness can heal well when he is sick. keep."

Yun'er agreed to go.Not long after, An Rong, the elder brother of the hussars, came to the palace to pay homage, and the empress hurriedly helped him to excuse him.An Rong asked with concern: "Your Majesty, are you all ready?"

An Hou nodded and hummed, An Rong said angrily: "Everyone who should come from the court has come, but Xue Ai is missing, how important is today? This kid is too ignorant of the general situation, it is simply unreasonable!"