return to peace

For the next period of time, Chen Lingshang stayed behind closed doors. Firstly, he had visitors, and secondly, he was afraid of meeting Ji Fan by chance. Furthermore, the incident of being assassinated that day still made him vigilant.

During this period, Fang's family and Xiao's family came to the door one after another.Chu Lingshang had expected that they would come, so it was necessary to find out the truth.But he never expected that Yiwen Ruyu's cold temper would also come to visit her.So when he received Wen Ruyu's post, he almost knocked over the water that Chu Zexi handed him.

"Come in quickly."

However, not only Wen Ruyu, but also Ji Fan came.

When he saw Ji Fan following Wen Ruyu, he was taken aback for a moment, and then lowered his eyes a little guilty, after all, he broke the appointment.

Ji Fan was obviously taken aback, but he secretly hid his thoughts and did not recognize him.

"Miss Wen, I'm sorry, I'm rude, I'm rude. This one must be Hussar General Ji, right?" He looked at Ji Fan pretending not to know him.

"Exactly, Ji Fan was ordered to welcome the ambassador. I think I'll bring him to meet you first." Wen Ruyu still had a clear and cold temper, a little serious, and her white hair pierced Lingshang's eyes.

"I've seen Master Guoshi." Ji Fan's eyes were full of the indifference of a stranger, not at all defenseless like that day.

Presumably he still blamed him.Chen Ling presented the host's courtesy, politely: "I have heard the name of General Ji for a long time, and I saw you today. He really is a young hero. Please come in."

He welcomed them in, and some of his servants had already made good Pu'er for them.

"I don't know why you two are here?" Amidst the wafting fragrance of tea, Chu Lingshang asked.

Wen Ruyu looked at him, hesitant to speak.Now Chu Lingshang felt a little strange. In his impression, Wen Ruyu had always been decisive and resolute.

After a while, Wen Ruyu still asked: "I don't know if I may take the liberty to ask, what is the age of the national teacher?"

Suddenly, the alarm bells in Chu Lingshang's heart rang out: "Twenty out of four."

Wen Ruyu nodded: "Young and promising. Maybe it's a bit presumptuous for me to ask this. It is rumored that the national teacher is the adopted son of the king of Xiliang. I don't know when the national teacher was adopted?"

Ji Fan was startled, he could hear it now, did Wen Ruyu suspect that Chu Lingshang was Wen Lin?He took a closer look at Chu Lingshang's eyebrows and eyes. It is true that when he saw him for the first time, he felt a strong sense of familiarity, but if Chu Lingshang was really Wen Lin, why didn't he recognize him?Why did the king of Xiliang adopt the son of the prime minister of the enemy country?Most importantly, they found Wen Lin's bloody clothes by the river.

"I can't remember exactly, maybe eight or nine years old." Chu Lingshang's voice cooled down, clearly expressing his displeasure with this topic.

"If the national teacher doesn't mind." Wen Ruyu paused, as if hesitating, "Can I see your left arm?"

Ji Fan suddenly felt very nervous. He remembered that there was a heart-shaped red birthmark on Wen Lin's left arm.The color is so light that even he himself may not know it.

Chu Lingshang did not answer, but silently pulled up the sleeve of his left hand.

Wen Ruyu stared at his left hand persistently, even Ji Fan couldn't help holding his breath.

Fair skin, no blemishes, no red birthmarks.

Heavy disappointment flooded in like a tide, Wen Ruyu closed her eyes, feeling infinitely sad.This is a thorn in his heart, which has been in his heart for 15 years. Fifteen years ago, his only son was gone and he could not believe he was dead.After waiting for 15 years, he saw Chu Lingshang, and the sense of familiarity he had never had before rekindled his hope.Father and son are connected, he stubbornly believes in his intuition, the familiar facial features, the familiar feeling, let him continue to find reasons to convince himself that Chu Lingshang is Wen Lin, even if he has been studying for 15 years, he is ashamed to be right for 15 years year son.So, he cast aside all scruples and asked frankly, however, just this one glance shattered all his hopes.

Ji Fan was also a little dazed, hoping that the disappointment in the future would be even more uncomfortable.

"May I ask why?" Chu Lingshang put down his sleeves with a cold expression.

Wen Ruyu seemed to have lost the strength to speak, and remained silent.He is particularly vicissitudes with a full head of white hair.

Ji Fan replied: "I used to have an elder brother who was my father's only son. He was murdered by a traitor when he was a child, but he has never been found..." Ji Fan paused, unable to bear to mention that word: "...so, we all I wonder if he's still alive."

"So you suspect that I'm him? Why, because I look like him?"

"The eyebrows and eyes are very similar, and it feels very familiar." Ji Fan nodded.

"Then if I really am, why don't I recognize you?"

Wen Ruyu and Ji Fan were silent.

After being silent for a while, Wen Ruyu stood up with the chair supported, and said a little tiredly: "I'm very sorry for disturbing the national teacher. Farewell."

Chu Lingshang also stood up: "I'll take you out."

"No need, national teacher, please stay." Wen Ruyu refused him. The existence of Chu Lingshang reminded him all the time that Jiuquan's son might have been killed, and he couldn't bear it.

He led Ji Fan out, and when he crossed the threshold, he stumbled accidentally.

"Father!" Ji Fan hurriedly supported him.Looking at their backs, Chen Lingshang silently swallowed the word "be careful" that welled up in his throat.

After they left, Chu Lingshang sat on the chair for a long time without moving.

He sneered in his heart, how could there be any marks on his body, all the marks on his body that would reveal his identity were all removed by him.

On the tenth day of March, when the sky was clear and the wind was breezy, King Chen drove to Yanshan Mountain in the western suburbs to hold the annual spring hunting.The spring hunt lasted for three days. During these three days, the dignitaries and children of high-ranking officials in the capital gathered together.Therefore, this can be regarded as one of the most prominent events of the year in Chen Guo.

As Xiliang State Teacher, Chu Lingshang was naturally a distinguished guest of Chen Guo, so he was also invited to participate in this grand event.His tent was arranged next to Ji Fan's tent. Ji Fan was recognized by Chen Guo as the young general with the strongest martial arts. This was also for the sake of Chu Lingshang's personal safety.After all, as long as Chu Lingshang was in Chen Guo for one day, Chen Wang would only be more worried about his safety than himself.

Because it was a grand royal event, the idlers were strictly controlled, so Chu Lingshang only brought Lin Feng with him. Lin Feng stayed by his side all year round, was familiar with his diet and daily life, and was able to protect his safety. For the sake of Chu Zexi's safety, Chu Lingshang decided to keep him in Cuiran Residence.Because of this, Chu Zexi lost his temper for a while, but he couldn't help it, so he could only stay at home listlessly.

Yanshan Mountain in the western suburbs, flags swaying, horseshoes neighing, an annual grand event is about to kick off.Before the opening, the emperor naturally wanted to encourage him. Chu Lingshang stood under the emperor and looked at Chen Jingyu and Chen Jingxuan who were the leaders. In terms of appearance, Chen Jingyu was more refined, but in terms of momentum, Chen Jingxuan far surpassed Chen Jingyu.It's a pity that one is incompetent and the other needs to be honed.Standing behind the eldest prince was the fourth prince, looking weak and unbearable, and standing behind Chen Jingxuan was Ji Fan.

Chen Lingshang looked over, but happened to meet a pair of clear eyes, black and white, looking straight at him.He was startled, his face remained calm, and he turned his eyes away.

With three drum beats, the most promising young talents of Dachen rode their horses into the hunting ground one after another, and a battle of heroes was officially staged.

"Master, why don't you try it out?" Chen Wang leaned against the cushion and looked at Chen Lingshang with a pair of cloudy eyes.

Chu Lingshang smiled, "Your Majesty doesn't know something. Lingshang has been weak since he was a child. This kind of horseback riding and archery has always been impossible."

"Since we are here, let's go and have a look, otherwise, wouldn't we have let down such a grand event?" A charming voice sounded, and Concubine Fang Gui on the side interjected.As soon as the words fell, Chen Wang glanced at her displeasedly, she lowered her head, bit her lips and said: "The concubine has surpassed."

Chu Lingshang smiled and said, "It's good to go and have a look, so that Lingshang can learn a lot."

These words saved Wang Chen's face a little. His expression softened a little, and he asked someone to bring a horse to Chu Lingshang. It was all white, but there was a strand of fiery red hair on its forehead. The purebred sweat-blooded horses presented by the Fan Kingdom are quite humane, and I love them very much, let them serve as mounts for the national teacher today."

Chu Lingshang stroked the horse's fur. The white horse enjoyed it so much that it snorted comfortably.

Chu Lingshang found it funny, it seemed that this horse was also destined for him, so he thanked Chen Wang, got on the horse and walked slowly into the forest.A few guards followed far behind, presumably to protect him.

Yanshan Mountain in the western suburbs has been a hunting resort since the founding of Chen State. There are many wild animals, but few ferocious beasts. Before hunting, someone will clear the forest to prevent the pillars of the empire from being hurt.

Chu Lingshang rode his horse leisurely, and the sunlight poured down on him gently through the cracks in the trees. Occasionally, he could see a deer or a hare, and they would run away as soon as they saw him. Now, there seemed to be human voices all around, but in the middle of the jungle, they couldn't really hear them.

Perhaps this kind of claustrophobic space gave Chu Lingshang a feeling of trance. Walking to a clearing in the forest, there were rare scattered wild flowers growing around, and the sunlight shone through the gaps in the tree crowns. Closing his eyes, raising his head slightly, letting his body bathe in the sunlight, he suddenly felt very relaxed. The past that he couldn’t let go of, the doomed future, seemed to have passed away in an instant. At this moment, he was just himself, Both Wen Lin and Chu Lingshang.

The jade hairpin was loosely wrapped in black hair, hanging on the shoulders, some broken hair fluttered in the breeze, Ruyu's face looked like a god under the sunlight, surrounded by fine dust, fascinated Ji Fan's eyes.His heart moved, and he inexplicably remembered that when he was a child, in winter, Wen Lin always liked to hold him and lie in the courtyard to bask in the sun, letting the sun shine all over his body, making even his eyelids hot.

But he wasn't the only one fascinated.There was the sound of horseshoes coming slowly ahead, not heavy, but with an aggression.Chu Lingshang opened his eyes and saw Chen Jingyu walking out from the shadow of the forest.The corner of the mouth is smiling, so frivolous.

He put away the soft emotions in his heart, his face turned cold, and he nodded in greeting: "The eldest prince."

Chen Jingyu smiled like a spring breeze, but the picturesque scene he saw before made his heart really itch.

"The national teacher is also gone?" He approached with a smile.

Chu Lingshang really didn't want to communicate with him more, so he wanted to dismiss him early: "No, it's just that I came to take a look at His Majesty's invitation."

"Oh? Is the national teacher willing to go with Jing Yu? It's not very interesting to hang out alone, is it?"

He happened to be in the wrong position with Chen Lingshang at this time, and the two horses were very close to each other.

Chu Lingshang was displeased, and miraculously, his best horse seemed to sense his emotions, and also took a few steps to the side.

"Ling Shang has been weak since he was a child, and he can't ride a fast horse. I'm afraid it will delay the eldest prince. The eldest prince should go quickly, lest someone else take the lead."

This "exit order" has been clearly issued, but Chen Jingyu turned a deaf ear to it, "It's okay to do nothing, the national teacher is a distinguished guest, so naturally the national teacher is more important, let me accompany the national teacher for a stroll."

As he was talking, he suddenly leaned towards him. Chen Lingshang subconsciously leaned back slightly and tilted his head, but the pinna of his ear still touched his lips.

"The national teacher smells so fragrant, it smells so good." Chen Jingyu pretended to sniff.

At this moment, Chu Lingshang was furious, and a killing intent flashed in his eyes in an instant. Before he could speak, he heard the sound of horseshoes coming from the side.

"National Teacher, First Prince, what are you doing here?"

Chu Lingshang turned his head and saw Ji Fan, dressed in riding attire, which made his thin figure even taller.

Ji Fan saw everything just now, he thought they were just meeting by chance and talking normally, but he didn't expect Chen Jingyu to act so frivolously.He remembered the rumors about the eldest prince's masculinity, he thought that he had no time, and rode his horse out.

Seeing Ji Fan, Chu Lingshang's mood eased a little, "General Ji."

"Eldest prince, how is your record? I just came from the west and saw the third prince took a lot of prey."

Chen Jingyu was inexplicably displeased when he heard the "Third Prince", thinking that he and his brother should have been enemies in the previous life, otherwise why would they look at each other and hate each other in this life.

With Ji Fan present, Chen Jingyu couldn't do anything.He thought to himself that Ji Fan was doing something bad, and he was worried that he was falling too far behind Chen Jingxuan, so he didn't have the mood to make fun of it, so he left in a hurry, and hurried away with his entourage.

"Thank you, General Ji, for making the rescue."

Ji Fan was a little curious now, "Eh? How do you know I'm helping you out?"

Chu Lingshang smiled, and replied: "First of all, when you see me with the eldest prince, you should avoid us, it is inappropriate for you to disturb me rashly; secondly, you mention the third prince as soon as you come up, and you successfully give the eldest prince to me." It’s not intentional. If you didn’t save the siege on purpose, then you must be reckless and innocent, but according to my observation, General Ji is definitely not a reckless and ignorant person.”

"Oh? How do you know that I'm not a reckless and ignorant person? If I'm really smart, I won't think you're just an ordinary person."

He was really brooding.Chen Lingshang sighed insignificantly, and said helplessly, "This is my fault. Because of my special status, I have no choice but to cover it up."

"Forget it, I didn't treat each other honestly, and I didn't tell my real name."

For a while, the two sides were silent, and they didn't know what to say, and finally Ji Fan broke the silence.

"I... Actually, I went to see you that day, but the manager said that Baizhi Garden has never had a guest named Chen Ling. I knew that you must be not an ordinary tourist. But I still never expected that, You are actually the national teacher of Xiliang."

"I never thought that the one who rescued me was the well-known little general Ji of Chen Guo." On this point, Chu Lingshang lied.

Ji Fan smiled, and showed his youthful appearance again: "That's it, let's get to know each other again. My name is Ji Fan, an ordinary Fan."

"My name is Chu Lingshang, Ling of Ling Yun's lofty ambitions, and Shang of Gongshang."

The two looked at each other and smiled, the laughter and sadness in those old days were gone with the wind, and the new time has just begun.

"Let's go, I'll take you for a stroll. It's rare to come to Chen Guo once, so I'll treat you as a landlord."

"Okay." Chu Lingshang pulled back the broken hair on his face behind his ears.He is still not used to being alone with Ji Fan, and always thinks of him when he was a child.

The two rode side by side, with the sunlight shining behind them all the way.