nighttime

"Ping Ye Lan" Author: Wang Tiedan

Copywriter:

[Eternal regret is not mine, when will I forget about it.The night is quiet and the wind is calm.Xiao Zhou passed away, and Jiang Hai sent the rest of his life. 】

Antique short story he

They met each other when they were young, depended on each other, and their status is poor, but it doesn't matter.

Jiangshu ("Jiang" is the pronunciation of the surname Jiang) X Cen Xiaozhou

Content tags: Marquis of the court has a special liking for childhood sweethearts near the water

Search keywords: Protagonist: Jiang Jiangshu, Cen cén Xiaozhou┃Supporting role: ┃Others:

One-sentence introduction: The down-and-out prince and the little eunuch

Conception: Imperial power and wealth are fleeting, only true love can comfort the long night.

☆, one

In early spring and February, the ice melts and the snow melts.Flocks of swallows returning from the south flitted over Yiyang, circling around the high wall made of white and blue bricks and tiles in Miyagi.The ice surface in the Yuhuayuan Lake shattered, but still gave off some bone-freezing chill, and the servants did not dare to take off their winter clothes.In the houses of the masters, the windows are still closed and the screens are separated, and the fire is carefully burned to warm the floor, lest the nobles catch cold.

In the majestic palace of Yuqing Palace, General Shu is wearing a long coat, standing in front of the desk practicing calligraphy.

His age is young, his face is on the verge of teenager and youth.With deep eyebrows, a handsome face, and a silent and serene expression, like a piece of washed black jade.

The hand holding the pen holder was not very delicate, with scars and thin calluses on it.But the knuckles are slender and the muscles and bones are vigorous and powerful, forming a special scene with the black pen holder.

Raise your wrist and hook back.

The pen tip subconsciously stopped here, but saw that the last ink mark on the rice paper was still intact.

Only then did Jiang Shu remember that the earth dragon was burning in the room, it was warm and warm, and the ink on the tip of the pen was still not solidified.

He was silent, turned Mo Feng, and continued writing.

It was the warmest winter in my memory.

Through the carved window, Jiang Shu could vaguely hear the maids on duty in the porch outside the window whispering, chirping like annoying sparrows.

"...Our Sixteenth Highness is really lucky, don't you know? His biological mother who died young was a court lady like us. She used to serve in Li Zhaoyi Palace. Today, Your Majesty There are more than 30 princes, as usual, if he comes from such a background, without power and favor, no one will remember it."

"But even so, he has a good uncle. He first joined the army as a small soldier, and he has not heard from him for more than ten years. He broke the enemy's country in his early days, and now he is a mighty and mighty general! My elder sister who entered the palace in the early years, at the reward banquet, she didn’t want to be a marquis, nor did she ask for gold or silver, but only asked for family reunion, which is admirable.”

"Our Ning Kingdom has had no generals for many years, and this mighty general is the No. 1 military general! His Majesty even conferred the title of Concubine Hui on that one. Your Sixteenth Highness is also having a good life right now."

"It's just what I heard - His Royal Highness the Sixteenth was raised in the Li Zhaoyi Palace since childhood. That empress is... a fiery temper. Since the back seat is vacant, no one in the palace can control her." She, His Highness the Sixteenth must have suffered a lot over the years, and His Majesty never took care of it. I don't know if His Highness the Sixteenth will hold grudges against His Majesty after suffering so much."

"How could it be, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the father of His Highness the Sixteenth..."

There was no wave on Jiang Shu's face, and he slowly made his last stroke.The ink was exhausted, and the pen was put down, as if it had never heard anything.

The handwriting on the paper gradually dried out, the iron was painted with silver hooks, and the ink color was baked into the white paper.

"Click-"

As soon as the palace door opened and closed, a white-faced and beardless eunuch walked in. He was a young man, only about fourteen or fifteen years old.He was wearing a maroon round-neck robe and a eunuch cap, with red lips and white teeth, looking fair and festive.

"Your Highness." Xiao Cenzi respectfully saluted General Shu before walking over.

"It's cold, and the imperial dining room said that there are copper stoves and pots, so you can pass the meal to scald beef and mutton at noon." When he said this, he accidentally laughed out two small dimples.

Jiang Shu raised his head and gave a "hmm", then turned around and sat down on the couch by the window, there were some noises as he walked around, and the faint whisper outside the window suddenly became quiet.

Xiao Cenzi went forward to tidy up his pen and ink skillfully, and carefully folded the ink-stained paper. When he saw the words on it, his dimples appeared again: "His Royal Highness wrote these two words again."

Xiao Cenzi was illiterate, but after seeing it a lot, he still saw it familiarly, so he casually asked Jiang Shu what this was?

"Xiao Zhou." Jiang Shu lowered his eyes and said softly between his lips and teeth.Xiao Cenzi didn't hear clearly, turned around and asked with a confused face: "What did Your Highness say?"

There will be silence, no answer.He casually picked up the book on the side and read two pages, then asked after a while, "Is anyone still visiting the door these two days?"

Xiao Cenzi shook his head, and answered him again: "The things sent by those princes earlier, as well as the invitation cards, I have refused according to your instructions."

Jiang Shu casually hummed.

Today, the Holy One has many heirs, but for the sake of the so-called balance and restraint, no crown prince has been established so far, so the party and the masses are fighting each other, and the harem is secretly turbulent.

At the beginning of the current year, seeing the body of the dragon chair gradually weakening, the wolves, tigers and leopards entrenched below couldn't hold back their thoughts.

——If you want to talk about the competition for the throne, the most promising of the many heirs are nothing more than three.The first prince who died early in the Yuan Dynasty, the nine princes born to Concubine Min, and the fifteen princes born to Li Zhaoyi.

The eldest prince is the legitimate eldest son, but he has a meek personality, ordinary and moderate, and is not loved by the emperor.What's more, the empress of the Yuan Dynasty has passed away, and the descendants of the outer family have withered, and there are only a few veterans in the court who support her.

And the Ninth Prince has always been virtuous, and has a good reputation among the court and the people.Concubine Min's mother's family is even more aristocratic and powerful, and they help each other, and they are in the limelight.

The fifteenth prince is the youngest among them, and his biological mother, Li Zhaoyi, has been favored for many years despite her humble background.The fifteenth prince also grew up under the emperor's knees, so he was very much loved.

In the past, Jiang Shu never had the opportunity to participate in this battle for the heir apparent, but by accident, now his uncle is the cornerstone of the imperial court, with the word military power, but Jiang Shu rushed into this chaotic battle like a dark horse.

All of a sudden, those who are afraid and those who win over are overwhelmed and emerge in endlessly.

After lunch, Jiang Shu took a nap, and after getting up, he read books and practiced martial arts as usual.Xiao Cenzi was busy getting everything done in Yuqing Palace, made a pot of tea for Jiang Shu, and sat on the stone steps to watch happily.

As the sun was setting and the sky was slightly lower, at noon time, the eunuch next to the emperor came to the door and saluted him with a smile.After talking about a bunch of nonsense, Gu Zuo said in a soft voice:

"Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince, Your Majesty loves your uncle's family, and is very concerned about the marriage of the younger generation. But I heard that the mighty general's daughter made a baby kiss when she was young... Your Majesty thinks that the general's position is high and powerful. That ordinary man, Gao Pan, wants you to go out of the palace to persuade him."

"As for the man, His Majesty will order others to deal with it."

Jiang Shu couldn't see any emotion on his face, he nodded and said: "Report to Father, and say that I understand.

The eunuch's old face was full of smiles, and he left with satisfaction.

Standing in the hall, Jiang Shu looked at his back with coldness gradually creeping up in his eyes.

The army of Ning State was weak in this generation, and was repeatedly bullied by neighboring countries on the border. Since the last old marshal passed away, it took nearly 20 years for the Manchu Dynasty to look forward to the only general.So no matter what, it must be reused.

My cousin is my uncle's only daughter, she grew up with her fiancé, her childhood sweetheart, and she has a very good relationship. The three books and six rituals are almost halfway through, and they were originally scheduled to get married next year.It's just that his good father didn't see that the military power would fall by the wayside, so he must beat the pair of mandarin ducks with a stick, and tie the mighty general's mansion with the royal family layer by layer by those boring in-law methods.

I don't know if it will be His Royal Highness the fifteenth prince who is held in the palm of the emperor's palm.

Jiang Shu looked at him and sneered in a low voice.

It's ridiculous to say that it's his own biological father, and he didn't care about it for more than ten years.Now he finally pays attention to him, but he wants to appease his uncle, so that the mighty general will continue to resist the enemy for the Ningguo Jiangshan, throwing his head and blood, so that His Majesty in the high hall can continue to enjoy the peace in the rear. His peace and happiness.

Jiang Shu thought sarcastically, what if there is no uncle?

How absurd that emperor is.He dotes on the beautiful Li Zhaoyi, and he will rely on her in everything, no matter how arrogant and wicked she is, he will not care about her.But when she was pregnant, she raped her court lady to make her pregnant.

The fifteenth prince was congenitally weak at birth, so Li Zhaoyi became even more crazily jealous of the "betrayal" of the people around her, and killed the court lady after she gave birth.She acted like a baby in front of the emperor, so the prince who was born also asked her to adopt her and named her Shu, saying that she wanted him to live in the world for his mother to forgive her sins.

Jiang Shu's eyes were lonely and cold, Xiao Cenzi happened to see it, and was slightly startled, but then worriedly asked, "Your Highness?"

"No problem." Jiang Shu hastily lowered his eyelashes, covering those emotions.He raised his hand again to stop Xiao Cenzi's words: "Go get ready, I'll go out of the palace."

Little Cenzi couldn't let go and said, "I'll go with you."

Jiang Shu came back to his senses, his eyes paused on him, and he nodded.

☆, two

Jiang Shu simply took two or three attendants, and then went out of the palace in a carriage.It was almost time for dinner, and the guards at the gate of the palace were a little surprised to see them. While looking at them, they verified their identities and let them go out.

Xiao Cenzi was serving in the carriage, chatting with General Shu all the time.

The carriage drove fast for half a stick of incense, and Xiao Cenzi dozed off a little.But at this moment, the carriage suddenly jolted violently, then stopped abruptly, and there was a noisy sound outside.

"who?!"

"Ugh—!"

Jiang Shu's complexion changed, he reached out and grabbed Xiao Cenzi's arm in a blink of an eye, and the two jumped out from the window of the carriage together.

The next moment, a long sword pierced from the roof of the carriage,

I saw the carriage stopped in a remote alley on the way, the coachman had been stabbed to death with a knife, blood spattered all over the ground, the two or three attendants stood beside him, their faces were both startled and terrified.And a group of masked men with long knives in their hands blocked both entrances of the alley with a fierce aura.

In Yiyang City, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, such a group of killers with knives appeared out of thin air.

"What are you going to do!" Xiao Cenzi was clearly terrified, but he stepped in front of Jiang Shu, staring at those people vigilantly.

The leader of the killers sneered, and shouted: "I'll make His Highness the Sixteenth always be an honest and responsible person!"

The four words of honesty and duty were bitten so hard, Jiang Shu's face darkened, and he quickly understood.

He has no intention of participating in the struggle for imperial power and throne, so he does not communicate with any party, but some people are cruel, and he is afraid that he will not let go of even a chance.

Everyone is innocent, but pregnant is guilty.Therefore, even if he is killed in the heavily guarded capital, and he is destroyed without return, he must be wiped out.

As soon as the words fell, the killer stabbed at Xiao Cenzi who stood in front of him.Xiao Cenzi screamed, but fortunately he was short, so he avoided it by rubbing the top of his head.But immediately after being kicked in the abdomen, his whole body flew out, and fell under the carriage with a painful groan, unable to move.

Jiang Shu looked cold and stern, turned sideways to avoid the blade, and picked up a broken wooden stick on the ground to resist the attack.Although he has learned martial arts well in recent years, he can barely deal with these dead soldiers who are fighting desperately.In less than a quarter of an hour, his body was wounded and bloody, and several followers fell to the ground dead or wounded.

Jiang Shu fought bloody with his back against the stone wall of the alley, panting without saying a word, like a bloody lone wolf in the siege.

But at this moment, the sound of quick footsteps at the entrance of the alley sounded.

The leader of the killer's complexion changed, he turned his head and said angrily, "Why did the imperial army come so fast?!"

As soon as the words fell, I saw a team rushing into the alley, like magic soldiers descending from the sky, with thin silver helmets, but they were not forbidden soldiers, but the mighty general's personal guards!

The leader of the killer was stunned, turned his head suddenly and said fiercely to Jiang Shu: "The eyes and ears are so clever, your uncle and nephew are really ambitious!"

The sound of the helmets and shoes shook, and the reinforcements approached quickly. The leader of the killer was full of grief and anger, knowing that he had reached a dead end.Suddenly angry and violent, he approached him and stabbed Jiang Shu with a knife.

The shining sword is dazzling, but Jiang Shu leans his back against the alley wall, it is inevitable...

"Your Highness!!" A hoarse voice sounded in the alley.

Xiao Cenzi didn't know where the strength came from, he got up from the ground and threw himself in front of him.

That moment seemed longer than half a lifetime——

The sword is sharp, and the voice is suddenly far away.

Tick.

Tick.

It was the sound of blood falling to the ground along the blade.

Jiang Shu was stunned, staying in place like a stone, the emotions overflowing in his eyes were surging like a storm, and all the shackles were wiped away.

The soft body in his arms is very thin and light, like a fallen leaf that will disappear without a sound.Jiang Shu looked at Xiao Cenzi with his head down, slowly slipping down from his arms.

Vaguely, Jiang Shu heard the man whisper at last: "Your Highness is living a good life, but you can't... just ruin it like this..."

Jiang Shu's heartbeat suddenly seemed to be clenched, and the pain went deep into his bones and blood.In the boundless loneliness, his complexion was pale, and his intense emotion was like a beast rushing out of a cage.He grabbed Xiao Cenzi's clothes suddenly, pulled him to prevent him from falling to the ground, and tremblingly pulled him towards himself.

"Xiao Zhou." He called his name hoarsely.

"Small boat."

The sun was fading, the surroundings were dark, and the trees were caressed by the wind, making the sound of their branches and leaves, as if there were only the two of them left in this small world.

In the darkness shrouded in the shadow of the alley wall, people of all kinds rushing around, subdued, and all kinds of people were all smeared into black shadows, reminding me of the days and nights I have spent countless times.When I was young, in the coldest courtyard in Li Zhaoyi Palace, there was no one to take care of me, and I had few food and clothing in those days.

——It was really difficult.

In that huge imperial city, he lived like a stray dog, helpless and lingering.I don't know the year and month, but only look for the day and night, seeing all the indifference and numbness of this glorious emperor's house...

He remembered the day when this person came to him again.

That day when he was standing by the well, he suddenly didn't want to fetch water.After all, life doesn't seem to be much fun, and the days are smelly and long, and it's hard to come to an end.

His mother had been killed long ago, and his father had never heard of it. He was born between heaven and earth, like an orphan.

I want to find my mother, although Jiang Shu has never met her, but maybe she will be a very gentle person.

Maybe she will tell herself how to face these pains and tribulations.

The door of the side courtyard was kicked open suddenly, Jiang Shu suddenly turned his head, and saw the housekeeper of the palace carrying a thin and small person in.

...Oh, the one who came last month stole the jewelry left by his mother, and probably exchanged it for money to please the steward, and was finally transferred. Change it.

The steward glanced at Jiang Shu again, and said in a sly voice, "Look, this is our sixteenth prince! Little Cenzi, you idiot is used to making the nobles angry, and you just happen to have the same smell as our sixteenth prince! From now on From now on, you will follow the Sixteenth Prince!"

General ignored those taunting words, his eyes followed the words and fell on the thin and small man.It was a little eunuch, looking very young, probably two years younger than Jiang Shu.He buried his head and didn't dare to make a sound, and listened to the training honestly.

The steward sneered a few more words, then snorted, and Shi Shiran left.

The little eunuch huddled by the door, probably because he hadn't heard the news and didn't know what kind of hard life he would have in the future.He didn't cry or make trouble, he came over like a quail, said that the slave is Xiao Cenzi, and greeted His Highness.

Jiang Shu saw that his eyes were very beautiful, like glass.The eyes are timid, but as simple as a deer.

Jiang Shu glanced at Jing, paused and looked up at him: "What is your full name?"

The little eunuch was ignorant, so he responded obediently: "My slave's name is Xiaozhou, Cen Xiaozhou."

I will forgive you,

The name sounds a little silly.

People also look stupid.

Cen Xiaozhou then followed him.When he was injured, he was given medicine while crying with snot and tears.When he was punished by Li Zhaoyi to kneel, she staggered on her feet to shield him from the sun.

But Jiang Shu still often scolded in his heart, how stupid.

Jiang Shu knew earlier that Li Zhaoyi and her son treated him like a dog.And the servants in this palace are all cunning and hypocritical for profit, bullying the weak and fearing the hard to flatter the master. He has tasted all kinds of evil since he was a child.

Only Cen Xiaozhou... was so stupid, he couldn't learn other people's tricks, and he didn't know how to find a new owner, so he just followed him to endure hardships in a daze.

He also doesn't know how to look at people's faces. In such a huge imperial city, he is the only one who is foolish and waits for forgiveness with all his heart and soul.

Jiang Shu remembered a time when Li Zhaoyi's son locked him and Cen Xiaozhou in an old room in a remote cold palace.

The reason was that he was injured at the time, and the imperial doctor said that he must apply medicine every day and rest carefully.So that "good brother" became interested and decided to lock him up overnight, wanting to see if he would die?

It was Lidong that day, there was no snow, but it was terribly cold.He was lying half dead in the corner of the old house, bleeding from the wounds on his body.Cen Xiaozhou patted the door and called for help, crying louder and louder.

"Save Your Highness! Please save Your Highness!" He cried hoarsely.

"Please, let him out!!"

The little eunuch was pawing at the door, mournful and desperate, his whole body trembling with emotion.

"He's got a fever! He's going to die!!"

But there was silence all around, and no one responded.

It's not that he can't hear it, but because in this cold deep palace, no one wants to meddle in other people's business, and no one wants him to live.

Cen Xiaozhou cried until his voice became hoarse and he couldn't make a sound.The fingers that slapped the wooden door were bloody and bloody, with bones visible, and the blood stains left a glaring red mark on the wooden door.

Jiang Shu called him several times anxiously and angrily, but Cen Xiaozhou finally gave up dejectedly.Sitting down beside him, her small face was as white as a piece of paper, but she still breathed out stammeringly, saying that he would definitely, definitely let His Highness be well.

Jiang Shu's heart was sore with bitterness, and he showed a cold face and said to him: "Don't waste your energy, you can just stay by yourself. Get some sleep and wait until they let you out tomorrow. Later... later Change to a job that is not bad, and find a master who can protect you. Don't worry about me, anyway, I don't want to live anymore."

Cen Xiaozhou suddenly raised his head and stared at him, his eyes were as red as a rabbit.His hands were covered in blood, his chest heaved violently, and suddenly he lowered his head and hit him hard with his head.That was the first time in Cen Xiaozhou's life that he became angry.

It's fierce and pitiful.

The bruised hand grabbed the corner of his clothes, clenched tightly, and refused to let go no matter what.

Kneeling beside him, shaking his head, shaking his head, saying no.

With tears in his eyes, Jiang Shu turned his head away from him, and after a long time he choked up and cursed, "You're so stupid."

Cen Xiaozhou tried every means to clean up the inflamed wound for him, his face turned pale and his little face was stubborn.

But at night, things got worse.In the cold wind with deeper dew, Jiang Shu burned out of his mind.Cen Xiaozhou almost went blind from crying, while hoarsely calling him not to sleep, he clumsily hugged him, trying to convey the meager warmth from his body.

The next morning, the nurse on duty opened the door and saw the two breathing weakly, curled up like kittens, and somehow survived.

--

☆, three

Maybe it's because I have suffered enough in the first half of my life, and God has leaked a little good luck from my fingers.The old genius doctor in the mighty general's mansion, known as the ghost hand, came in time and said that the killer's sharp blade missed by half an inch and did not hurt the vitals.

Jingui's medicinal herbs were life-threatening, Cen Xiaozhou was in a coma for half a month, and finally woke up one afternoon.

Jiang Shu has been staying in Yuqing Palace, but when he saw him for the first time, his lips trembled for a long time and he was speechless.After a long time, he sternly reprimanded him for making his own decisions.

Cen Xiaozhou was dumb, and after a while he stumbled and argued, "Then, that slave girl, I can't just watch him hurt you."

Jiang Shu was silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "I won't allow it again in the future."

Cen Xiaozhou felt a little uncomfortable at what he said, quietly wronged, and lowered his head with a hum.Looking at the round head, Jiang Shu stopped for a while, and then whispered after a while: "I'm just in a hurry... I shouldn't have said anything about you."

The little eunuch was timid and still kept his head buried.

Jiang Shu looked at him, the emotion in his eyes was helpless and distressed, he coaxed softly: "I missed it this time, when you recover, I will take you out of the palace to play again."

Sure enough, Cen Xiaozhou raised his head suddenly, his eyes lit up.

"But..." He thought of something, and he hesitated while being excited.

Jiang Shu knew that he was afraid of being assassinated.

Jiang Shu paused, rubbed his head, and said softly: "It will never happen again."

----

Cen Xiaozhou lay on the bed for a long time because of his muscles and bones, and he was flustered every day.Jiang Shu found the old palace man who used to be a clerk by Yuan and Empress, and taught Cen Xiaozhou to read and write in the room.

Cen Xiaozhou was learning happily, but Jiang Shu was getting busy day by day. There were countless letters and transcriptions on the desk in the study, and he came in and out frequently and in a hurry.But he would come back to see Cen Xiaozhou every night, and the two sat by the bed talking, Jiang Shu would sometimes say things that Cen Xiaozhou didn't quite understand.

For example, the assassination they encountered at that time.The emperor was "outraged" when he heard about it, and ordered a strict investigation with a wave of his big hand, but after going to the harem, he raised it high and put it down again.The real culprit behind the scenes has not been found so far, but probably no one cares.After this incident, the Forbidden Army was completely changed, and the patrols inside and outside the imperial city became more stringent.

Another example is the marriage of my cousin.The fiancé's family was charged with trumped-up charges and exiled to the border, and the mighty general's mansion didn't say a word.But Jiang Shu knew that his fierce cousin, wearing a wedding crown and battle armor, knelt in front of her father's hall for a day and a night, speaking sonorously and sternly saying that she was so inhumane.

The uncle who loved his daughter like his life was silent for a long time, and finally made that decision.

Cen Xiaozhou is very concerned about these things, but he often only understands the first half of the paragraph, and the latter gradually becomes foggy.He doesn't understand the secret competition between the various forces.

But Jiang Shu touched his head and said in a low voice, "It's okay, it's fine if you don't understand."

"We're all tired, and we won't have to go through this anymore."

"I will protect you."

---

Extending the medicine, the fineness will nourish, so slowly, Cen Xiaozhou is almost healed, at least he can get out of bed.One night after drinking the medicine, he paced in front of the house with nothing to do, measuring the moonlight with the soles of his feet.Suddenly, he heard a few loud noises in the air, he was startled, and looked to the sky, only to see bright fireworks in full bloom in the night sky.

Cen Xiaozhou was taken aback, counted the days with his fingers, and said happily to himself, "So it's already the New Year's Eve."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard footsteps behind him.

When I looked back, I saw that I was going to forgive you.

In the night and cold dew, the man stood tall and tall, standing in front of the carved door of the courtyard.The face is like jade, with strong eyebrows and eyes, and there is an imperceptible smile in Ruxing's eyes.

He was wearing two outer shirts on his arms, not like the style in the palace.

"Go, let's take you to play."

In the distance, gorgeous fireworks burst out again.

Cen Xiaozhou's eyes lit up all of a sudden.

--

The two of them disguised themselves in different clothes and went out without taking anyone with them, which seemed a bit strange.Cen Xiaozhou was still a little nervous when he passed the palace gate, but he didn't expect the guards to let him go without stopping him.

He followed behind Jiang Shu, slightly relieved.The two walked to Jieshi. Yiyang on the Lantern Festival is full of sparkling golden trees, silver willow lanterns, and the atmosphere of peace is thick.

This is the first time for Cen Xiaozhou to change clothes and leave the palace, and he is both curious and timid.The crowd was crowded, so he quickly stuck behind Jiang Shu like a little tail, for fear of getting lost.

Halfway on the way, Jiang Shu said that he would buy him a lantern, because the boys and girls of his age on the road had it in their hands.Cen Xiaozhou picked one out at the stall, it was not a novelty, it was a small red lantern, the size of a palm, it looked festive and cute.When Cen Xiaozhou took it in his hand, he was so happy that he carried it cheerfully.

Jiang Shu looked at him happily, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised a smile.

The two walked along with the crowd, the street was very lively, and there were various stalls and shops on both sides.Everyone had smiles on their faces, and the lanterns in their hands were shining, showing the prosperity of the capital.

Cen Xiaozhou followed the rules closely at first, but after walking for a long time, there were too many people, so he held his arm for some reason.

Jiang Shu didn't say anything, just held him indifferently.Walking all the way, watching the lantern riddles, juggling, carvings and carvings.

So novel, so beautiful.Cen Xiaozhou thought to himself.

Jiang Shu was walking in front of him, he didn't know what he saw, and suddenly stopped in his tracks.He turned sideways and said something to the people on the street, and then took out the money with the other hand and handed it over.

There were too many people, and Cen Xiaozhou was thin and thin. He was only as high as His Highness's chest on weekdays. He was blocked by the shadow for a while and couldn't see anything.

He didn't say a word, he obediently led his highness by the hand, and waited honestly.After a while, Jiang Shu turned his head and stuffed something into his hand.

"Ah! Candied haws!" Cen Xiaozhou was pleasantly surprised, his eyes widened, black and bright.

The red candied haws, the big and round hawthorn fruits are sealed in golden syrup, like a string of small lanterns.

He was a little embarrassed, why does His Highness always buy things for him.But the other party didn't say anything, just took him by the hand, and walked forward slowly without moving his head.

Cen Xiaozhou followed behind him, looking up at him, the candlelight in front of him depicted the other person's figure, warm and sacred - that is the person he has depended on and respected for many years.Surrounded by turbulent crowds, bustling and bustling, amidst the dance of fish and dragons, the noise quietly concealed this peaceful moment.

Cen Xiaozhou lowered his head, obediently led by him, and took a small bite of the candied haws.

Sweet and sour.

Going forward is the market, there are many vendors of all kinds, selling flowers, shortbread, tea, and silk, all kinds of flowers are fascinating.

The folk snacks don't look as exquisite as those in the palace, but the fragrance makes Cen Xiaozhou cry.Reluctantly and amusedly, Jiang bought him one by one, and watched his snow-white face turn pink by the heat, and eat like a little squirrel with bright black eyes.

After eating so much that his face was blurred, he wiped him with a handkerchief full of disgust.

Cen Xiaozhou squinted his eyes and smiled, his dimples were so cute.

Strolling along the way, Cen Xiaozhou saw everything novel, and Jiang Shu would buy him everything without hesitation.Talking and laughing, they slowly walked to the end of the market.There was an old lady selling pottery puppets, which looked very delicate.

"Is this a mandarin duck?" Cen Xiao moved over curiously, pointing to a small pottery puppet on the booth.

"It's a mandarin duck." The proprietress said with a smile, and picked up the one next to it, and put them together.

Cen Xiaozhou didn't favor mandarin ducks, and turned his head to look at other things, but Jiang Shu picked it up and looked at it: "It looks good."

The proprietress smiled and said to Jiang Shu: "Mandarin ducks have a good meaning. This young man looks like he is about to get married. Why don't you buy this pair of pottery dolls and give them to your wife in the future."

Jiang Shu didn't know what he thought of when he heard the words, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, he took out the silver and bought the couple, and stuffed it in Cen Xiaozhou's arms.Without saying much, she took his hand and walked forward very naturally.

Cen Xiaozhou froze for a moment, followed him to a place where there were few people, and then quietly asked: "Is Your Highness getting married?"

Jiang Shu's footsteps paused slightly, and he looked sideways at him, with no emotion in his eyes: "Do you want me to get married?"

Cen Xiaozhou unconsciously grabbed the pair of mandarin ducks and pottery puppets through his sleeves, feeling a little unhappy for some reason.

He lowered his head, blinked his eyes and said in a low voice, "This... depends on His Majesty's arrangement."

Looking ahead, Jiang Shu said in a low voice, "I don't want to listen to his arrangement."

Cen Xiaozhou was taken aback, only to hear Jiang Shu pause, and then added: "I only want to marry the person I love.

"Admiration?" Cen Xiaozhou opened his eyes slightly, "Is there anyone you admire, Your Highness?"

Jiang Shu didn't answer him, just kept walking in silence.The evening wind blew through the hair tips of the two of them, bringing a little bit of coolness, and making it disturb the heart.

The lights outside the market were dim, and after turning a corner, we came to the riverside—the night was quiet, but the water was like a Milky Way, with thousands of bright light spots reflecting on the water surface, which was as bright as a painting.

This is the custom of the Shangyuan Festival. Legend has it that people put down lotus lanterns for wishing in the water together, and the gods in the sky will see their wishes floating along the river.

Jiang Shu asked Cen Xiaozhou to wait where he was, and went to a distant vendor to buy two lamps and brought them back. The two of them put the lotus lanterns together silently, and no one said a word.

Cen Xiaozhou stood by the water, feeling empty and at a loss.He looked at the river and thought to himself——if His Highness has someone he admires, then please ask the fairy goddess to bless them to be together well, stay together, and grow old together.

Maybe she will be a beautiful and kind girl who will treat His Royal Highness very well. They will have children together and have a full house of children and grandchildren, and His Highness will live happily.

Anyway... Anyway, His Highness will probably have a small room in his new home in the future.

That's good enough.

At least he can stay with His Highness all the time.

"He and I met when we were young, and we depended on each other for life."

Jiangshu's voice suddenly rang in his ears, Cen Xiaozhou was startled, he responded, and looked up.

In the quiet night, Jiang Shu was also looking at him.On that handsome and indifferent face that Cen Xiaozhou was familiar with, there were emotions that Cen Xiaozhou could not understand.

"Your Highness?" Cen Xiaozhou realized that Jiang Shu was answering his question just now.

Jiang Shu looked at his eyes wide open, and those eyes were bright and warm that he rarely saw in his years of hardship.

"But I'm too useless to protect him, and let him suffer a lot with me." Jiang Shu said softly.

Cen Xiaozhou's left chest was throbbing violently. He looked at Jiang Shu at a loss, and Jiang Shu also bent down slightly, looking at each other seriously.

"Xiao Zhou." General Shu called him.

"I'm too greedy, and I always feel that it's not enough. I'm obsessed with him and in love with him. Seeing his silly enthusiasm, I want to do my best to treat him well."

"I want to take him out and never make him sad again. I want to grow old with him and sew the two hearts together."

"Cen Xiaozhou—" Jiang Shu called his full name, and asked him patiently, as if there were brilliant stars in his eyes.

"Now, do you know what I mean?"

Cen Xiaozhou's tears burst out of his eyes without warning.

He couldn't speak for a moment, but nodded clumsily, and kept nodding.Whimpering and whispering, "I know."

He cried until his face was blurred, but he was in a hurry and hurriedly, as if he had finally found the answer to the confusion that had been pent up for a long time, and answered urgently and choked up: "I am, too. I want to be with His Highness, I just want to be with His Highness, no matter what."

All the fiery emotions, sweet and sour ambiguities in childhood have found their answers in front of thousands of wishing lamps.

Feeling unacceptable, going deeper.

The emotions between them are too complicated.

The family love that depends on each other, the kindness that takes care of each other, and the hot and sincere heart of a young man.

Cen Xiaozhou cried so hard that he couldn't breathe, the scene in front of him was blurred, his tears couldn't stop, he was extremely clumsy.

But Jiang Shu hugged him gently, like hugging a precious baby, stroking the back of his head, and slowly patting his back.

Cen Xiaozhou felt the warmth of his chest, and his tears became more intense.His shoulders trembled, his head buried in Jiang Shu's arms, tears soaked the front of his chest,

The man didn't say anything, just stayed with him quietly.The palm of his hand lightly pressed against the side of his face, telling him to raise his head, and wiped away his tears bit by bit.

Cen Xiaozhou looked at him with red eyes, and there was a little helplessness on Jiang Shu's face.

Then the dazzling Lotus Lantern River was blocked.

A kiss with the coolness of the night landed on the corner of his mouth.

---

It was past time when I came back.

Yuqing Palace still kept the lights on, and the attendants were also waiting.Cen Xiaozhou did not expect