return to peace

After Chu Zexi and Chu Lingshang reconciled, he resumed his usual intimacy, never mentioned the events of the day, and often secretly went to the National Teacher's Mansion to tease Xiao Wuyou.Chu Lingshang was naturally very pleased. Only when the monarch and his subjects work together can the country be governed well. Moreover, he watched Chu Zexi grow up since he was a child, and he couldn't bear to let go of his affection for so many years.

Since that brief reunion with Ji Fan, half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.The situation in the court of Chen State was changing, and the Fourth Prince Chen was demoted from the capital for accepting bribes from ministers. He guarded a barren fief and became his prince safely, but he no longer had the chance to become a prince.After Chu Lingshang learned about it, recalling the obedient appearance of the fourth prince, he couldn't help sighing: "Maybe, for him, this is the best ending." Since then, only the third of the four sons of Chen Wang has remained by his side.King Chen's health hasn't improved since the last visit, and the third prince is acting as the agent for all major government affairs.A group of ministers jointly wrote a letter requesting to make the third prince the crown prince, but King Chen refused.All the officials knelt outside the sleeping hall for three consecutive days. During the time when Chen Wang was lingering on the sick bed, all he heard were requests for the appointment of a prince. Knowing that his situation was over, he finally agreed.The battle for the heir apparent that has been going on for nearly ten years has finally come to an end with the victory of the third prince.

Chen Jingxuan was officially canonized as the crown prince, and Xiao Yonghuan, the daughter of Xiao Su, was awarded the title of crown prince, which was a complete secure position.Under Chen Jingxuan's strong recommendation, Ji Fan was promoted to General Sima, and Xiao Su was promoted to be the new prime minister.Chen Guochaotang, Fang's lineage, disappeared completely; Wen's children, because of Wen Ruyu's departure, gradually declined; Xiao's family of the empress dowager's natal family, after being suppressed by King Chen for many years, revived again; The power of a generation of generals is gradually rising.Chen Jingxuan's new official took office three times, purge the imperial court, recruit wise men, and reorganize the reform system created by Wen Ruyu. Although there are many difficulties, it has achieved some results.

Chu Lingshang knew that Chen Jingxuan was not a simple person, from the fire dragon incident when he was envoy to Chen country, to the Ma Lingpo assassination case that shocked the two countries, to the demotion of the fourth prince from Beijing, step by step was orderly.Although these incidents have not been clarified, there are many doubts, all pointing to Chen Jingxuan.Unfortunately, he didn't have any definite evidence, and he didn't dare to tell Ji Fan casually.

Besides, in Xiliang, the political situation has stabilized.After the initial clean-up, there was no two minds in the court, the order from the top to the bottom, and the politics were clear.Chu Lingshang also implemented the imperial examination system to recruit virtuous people.People of insight from all over the world defected to Xiliang one after another. Xiliang's economy and politics developed rapidly, and its national strength increased greatly.But there were faint rumors that Chu Lingshang used iron fists, and the regent, the young Xiliang King, was a puppet.Just a day or two after the rumor started, it was cut off by Chu Lingshang, but it also gave him a wake-up call.Although Chu Zexi trusted him, he still decided to let Chu Zexi make his own decisions step by step and gradually transfer the power to him.

The weather has entered autumn, the sky and the earth are full of desolation, and the maple leaves on the riverside are red again, swaying in the slightly cold autumn wind.It was the evening, and the autumn sunset shone on the water through the cool clouds, shining sparklingly, casting a wave of warmth in the cool atmosphere.

Compared to spring when everything recovers, Chu Lingshang always prefers autumn.Spring is full of hope and is too lively, while autumn is full of tranquility and comfort, allowing people to abandon everything and return to their heart.

He was sitting on the stone platform by the river, holding a fishing rod in his hand, looking at the water surface quietly, not caring if the fishing rod moved, and letting himself go, a little yellow dog lay quietly beside him , sticking out his tongue lazily.

"Alin, it's time to eat."

Wen Run came with a cold male voice, and Chu Lingshang looked back, Wen Ruyu was standing at the door of the wooden house, her silver hair shone in the light of the setting sun.

"Daddy, let's eat outside."

"Alright."

Chu Lingshang put down his fishing rod and got up to help serve the dishes.There is a stone table outside the wooden house, which happens to be in the yard.The father and son didn't talk much, after arranging the dishes, they ate quietly.The little yellow dog was under the table, and Chu Lingshang took an empty bowl and gave it some ribs.The evening sunset reflected Wen Ruyu's side face, peaceful and indifferent.The father and son chatted a few words occasionally, and in such a peaceful day, Chu Lingshang couldn't help but feel a little joy from the bottom of his heart.

After Wen Ruyu faked her death, she lived in seclusion in a small fishing village in the south of the Yangtze River. There was a wooden house, a garden, several vegetable fields, and a yellow dog.He grows vegetables by himself, catches fish by himself, cooks by himself, grows flowers and weeds by himself, and lives peacefully at sunrise and sunset. Those old grievances and treacherous affairs in the court are all gone like a passing cloud.

When Chen Ling was free, he would visit him and bring some calligraphy, paintings and flower seeds.Every time he came, children from various families in the village would gather at the wooden house, and he would give them some sweets and snacks that he brought with him.The children got these uneaten treasures and ran home happily. After a while, their parents brought fish and meat to thank them.It was a long time since Chu Lingshang had experienced such enthusiasm and simplicity.

Ji Fan sometimes came to see Wen Ruyu, but because he was in the Chen Guochaotang and had a special status, he came in a hurry and secretly every time.Chu Lingshang had never bumped into him either.

After not seeing him for more than half a year, Chu Lingshang missed him a little. Hearing that he had been promoted to a general, he was so busy that he never touched the ground every day. The weekly letter to him was only two or three sentences short.He knew that he shouldn't doubt the relationship between them, but he was unavoidably a little scared. Did Ji Fan get tired of getting together like this?

After eating, Chu Lingshang went to wash the dishes. He used to be a rich man who never touched the spring water with his fingers. He also learned how to wash dishes in this small fishing village in the south of the Yangtze River.The slightly cool water passed between his fingers, arousing his yearning for ordinary life.

In the evening, Chen Ling made a pot of tea, and the father and son watched the moon in the garden.The little yellow dog is playing with a wooden stick at the door of the wooden house.Chu Lingshang briefly talked about the recent situation between the two countries, and told Wen Ruyu about Chen Jingxuan.

Wen Ruyu frowned, and muttered: "The third prince Chen seems straightforward and pure, but it may not be the case after I have been in contact with him for so many years. Sometimes, I can't see through him."

"Yes, so now I feel that my initial impression of him may be wrong. There are so many things happening, and there is his shadow behind him, but it is impossible to catch people. Such a scheming and city government is quite scary. .”

"Is Xiaofan still by his side?"

"Well, the five-year period has not yet expired."

"You have to tell him to be careful."

Chu Lingshang hesitated: "Xiaofan, he has a deep relationship with the Third Prince Chen. I don't have any evidence. Tell him like this rashly, and he may feel disgusted."

Wen Ruyu shook her head: "A Lin, you are confused. Think about it, Xiao Fan believes in you, or in him? Do you have so little confidence in yourself?"

In fact, it's not that Chu Lingshang lacks confidence. He's afraid that if he says something, in the end, the mastermind is not Chen Jingxuan, and Ji Fan will blame him and alienate their friendship. If there is no perfect evidence, he will still choose not to explain.He loves him, so he doesn't want to leave bad things in his heart, even if there is only a little bit.But it's not easy to tell Wen Ruyu clearly, so he smiled wryly and said, "Then I'll remind him next time."

Wen Ruyu nodded and asked, "How is Xiliang?"

"Everything is going well. Just wait until the time is right."

"Actually, I'm very proud." Wen Ruyu said this suddenly, and Chu Lingshang turned to look at him in surprise.

"I have been aiming at the world since I was a child. For this reason, I gave up a lot of things, and I still haven't finished it. But I am very proud that my son is about to finish it."

Wen Ruyu's voice was not high, but it cast a huge stone in Chen Lingshang's calm heart, causing ripples and ripples endlessly.

"Daddy..." He didn't know what to say, since he was young, he had never heard Wen Ruyu praise him so sincerely.He had always wanted his approval, and the moment his dream came true, he felt a little dazed instead.

Wen Ruyu turned her head, with a soft smile on the corner of her mouth: "Alin, you have always been great. I won't say it, but I can see it. You can fly as high as you want. Daddy will always support you. you."

Chu Lingshang took Wen Ruyu's cool hand on the side of the chair and held it tightly. The father and son looked at each other and smiled.

In the next few years, when he was struggling in pain and confusion, it was Wen Ruyu's words from the bottom of his heart that night that supported him through those dark days.