Lei Yue Longmen

The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet is finally over. Although I didn't take the stage this time, I feel more tired than in previous years.

When Cen Zhu returned to the house, he heard that the old lady had already rested, so he didn't bother her.Thinking of not having to go to the Yamen to work for the next two days off, I was really happy.He planned to visit Master tomorrow and stay overnight on the mountain to enjoy the night view of Qixia Mountain. Early the next morning, Li Pinghong sent envoys to call her into the palace.

Cen Zhu's eyes were darkened, and he couldn't take the vacation anymore.When you put on your official uniform and left with the envoys, did you still think that there would be no one else in the court?Why do you keep looking for her?He didn't dare to show any resentment on his face.After entering the Huafeng Gate, the servants did not lead her to the imperial study, but led her all the way to Fangde Hall.Hearing this name for the first time, Master Cen, who was still sleepy, woke up immediately.

Fangde Hall, that is the most famous hall in the harem, is located on the west bank of Yuqing Lake in the hinterland of the harem, and it was the living place of the former empress Haishi.As a foreign minister, it was the first time in her life that she stepped here. She held her breath and focused her attention along the way, fearing that she would bump into some noble person and bear an abrupt charge in vain.

But when she got there, she thought, since it was the palace of the former empress, maybe Li Jingchen lived here often when she was a child? She secretly glanced at the surrounding buildings, and couldn't help feeling distracted again.Looking at it from a distance, Fangde Hall really lives up to the name of the three major halls of the harem. Although it is less majestic than Fuyi Palace, it is another kind of gorgeous and elegant existence.Not only is it because orchids are planted all over the front and back of the hall, and even a hundred steps away is full of fragrant wind, but also because the Chilan Flying Bridge erected on the flat ground on both sides is like the jade arms of a beauty, soft and graceful, flying to the clouds.The clouds are reflected in the water, and at the bottom is a row of finely woven emerald green tiles. Under the green tiles, the vertical and horizontal bucket arches connect with the jade pillars, supporting the paper windows with painted screens.There seems to be bluegrass painted on the paper window, which looks like a lotus when it is broken in the water. It is cold and aloof, making people secretly admire but dare not approach it abruptly.

Cen Zhu thought of the jade statue of the previous empress that he had admired in the imperial mausoleum, and a gentle, noble, cold and lonely woman appeared in his mind. He once stood on the flying bridge connected by blue tiles and looked at the steaming sunset and the sky full of colorful clouds.She has a face similar to that of Li Jingzhu, with gentle eyebrows and eyes, as quiet as orchid, and also has a maternity and upright demeanor, is kind to others, and is lonely in her heart.Such a beautiful woman, but her life will always stay at 32 years old.Pain and regret, I will never return.

After entering the hall, she finally understood the reason why the emperor declared her to be here. It turned out that the mother and son of the Zhou family in the northwest were there, and it seemed that they were going to discuss Li Jingxi's marriage. It seemed that there was no reason for me, the middleman involved in it, to be absent.

After saluting in turn, he was a little surprised to find that Jiang Xunxin was also sitting on the first seat under the king.Thinking about Li Pinghong taking her by his side on such an important occasion, she is really favored.

Mrs. Zhou talked to her very warmly and generously, and she didn't have the slightest air of being condescending. Cen Zhu had learned this from when she donated money to the household department last year.As a lady of a prince who dominates one side, it is really rare to have such an honest and simple style without arrogance or indulgence.If Li Jingxi was able to marry into the Zhou family, it would be a blessing, at least he would not be made things difficult by his wicked mother-in-law.Cen Zhu was planning for Li Jingxi in his heart.

As for the rightful princess, Princess Kant, there is still no sign of her.

Presumably Mrs. Zhou also felt Li Jingxi's rejection of this marriage, and she looked a little embarrassed, but she did not let go of giving up.It seems that Li Jingxi, the daughter-in-law, has really fallen in love with her, and she has reached the point where she is determined to win.

On the other hand, the young master of the Zhou family, who was on the opposite side, had been looking ahead calmly, neither humble nor happy, neither contentious nor angry.Faced with the frequent wine giving today, he can respond calmly every time.Judging from his slightly approving expression, he must be extremely satisfied with this son-in-law.

Even Cen Zhu was surprised, it's only been a short year, how come the Zhou family seems to be a different person this time.From an ignorant boy, he has grown into a mature and stable soldier.This week's family is worthy of being a military family, and it really can forge people.

Not to mention Li Pinghong, even Cen Zhu wanted to pull Li Jingxu over and let her have a good look at the person before thinking about it.Although the young master of the Zhou family is not impressive in appearance, his aura and demeanor are by no means comparable to that of ordinary men.Nothing? Even Tu Yuanshan lamented that the Tu family was far inferior to Zhou Hou in terms of descendants alone.

In order to invite the princess to the banquet, the emperor sent four or five groups of people, but they all returned without success.When Cen Zhu came, he vaguely heard the servants whispering that the princess had blocked everyone from the door, and threatened to break the legs of anyone who dared to come in and say something.Cen Zhu felt dizzy for Li Pinghong.

After another two cups of tea, Li Pinghong's beard was almost bald, but the Lord still didn't come.The servant didn't reply either, seeing that the scene would be ugly if it froze any longer. At this time, Jiang Meiren, who had been blank and expressionless, stood up and said to Li Pinghong, "Let's go as a concubine. The princess must be shy." The sentence was said to Mrs. Zhou with a smile, and the tone and demeanor seemed to be true.Cen Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, but curled his lips in secret, she was really good at putting on a show, and she was ashamed of her ability to play tricks every now and then.

It's just that not long after Jiang Meiren left, a servant hurried in and whispered a few words in Manager Cai's ear.Manager Cai's expression changed, and he immediately reported to Li Pinghong.The emperor frowned slightly, and seemed to whisper "Nonsense!" After thinking about it again and again, as if he had compromised, he explained some things.

Without changing his face, he said to Mrs. Zhou: "I heard that Mr. Ling's literary and military strategy is not clear. It just so happened that today the Ministry of War held a banquet in the Hall of Martial Arts to give lectures on frontier defense. I intend to invite him to attend the lecture at the Hall of Martial Ying. What do you think?" When Young Master Zhou heard the name of the Hall of Martial Arts, his eyes lit up, he glanced at Mrs. Zhou, and without waiting for her reply, he immediately kowtowed to thank her.On the contrary, Zhou's mother was very embarrassed, even saying that the child has no shape, and she has been a martial arts idiot since she was a child. Once she heard the name of the Hall of Martial Arts, she couldn't care about anything.It's okay to laugh today.

After a while, Concubine Wen came to invite Mrs. Zhou to visit the lake. It had been agreed long ago. Mrs. Zhou bid farewell to the present, and the present readily agreed.Zhou's mother took her son to tell him again and again, and then she resigned with confidence.Afterwards, Li Pinghong went to the side hall to change clothes, leaving Young Master Zhou and Cen Zhu alone at the table. Cen Zhu wanted to have a chat with the other party and explore his temperament by the way. After two or three sentences, I have nothing to say.Cen Zhu was rather bored, thinking to himself, this Mr. Zhou is good in everything, but he seems to be a dull gourd who doesn't like to talk.Will we be able to chat with Li Jingxi's kind of chatterbox in the future?She was a little worried.

"Master Cen, don't be too busy, this Mr. Zhou is a man of noble speech, so he won't talk about it easily."

Cai Ya watched for a long time, and when Li Pinghong called Zhou Xiaoshan in, he smiled and persuaded her.

Cen Zhu laughed at himself while pinching the wine cup: "Boss Cai said that Mr. Zhou's words are indeed expensive this year, but I remember that he was not like this at the Mid-Autumn Festival last year. This year... a lot has changed."

Cai Ya smiled: "The world is changing, how can people stay the same."

Cen Zhu was thinking about the meaning of his words, but saw his robe sleeves stretched out,

"Master Cen, please take the opportunity to speak, the emperor has something to explain to you."

He immediately tensed up, put down the cup, and followed him to the side corridor.

"Ms. Jiang just sent a message to the servant. Princess Kant asked to see Mr. Zhou's family alone. If the emperor refuses, I'm afraid the princess will never give up. So... I also invite Master Cen to accompany Mr. Zhou. one trip."

Cen Zhu said nothing, as if Li Pinghong was standing next to her, pressing her shoulders and confessing: "My boss is so self-willed that I have to test her son-in-law first, and I'm afraid that if I agree to her, something will happen. But if I don't Promise, she will definitely cause trouble. You always know the general situation and take the overall situation into consideration. Marriage with the Northwest is related to the stability of the frontier. You must take care of it for me. Later? Okay, no, don’t let the princess lose her sense of proportion ..."

What can she do?If she doesn't agree, it means resisting the order.She is now a bustard, doing matchmaking for others.

When Cen Zhu was walking towards Yuqing Garden, he carefully observed the security around him, and found that it was really as Director Cai said, most of the palace maids on duty had already been removed today for fear of spreading gossip.Still, she feels stressed.Walking to a fork in the road, she subconsciously walked to one side, but was patted on the shoulder. Turning around, Zhou Xiaoshan looked at her expressionlessly, and decisively pointed in the other direction.

Cen Zhu followed his bony fingers to look, and a hundred-foot-high tower appeared in his field of vision.It is the famous tallest tower by Yuqing Lake, Yuqing Tower.It is said that it was the former residence of Empress Taiciren, but now it is a forbidden area for the royal family.Yuqing Garden is located at the foot of the tower.I was thinking wildly all the way just now, and almost passed by.

Immediately, they quickly apologized to each other, and the two walked along another path to Yuqing Garden.

The garden was very quiet, and Cen Zhu could feel it as soon as he entered the arched gate. He saw two rows of lush pines and cypresses, both of which were over a hundred years old, extending to the bottom of Yuqing Tower. There is also a person who is thin and thick.It is said that these trees were planted by Empress Taiciren back then, and later ancestors and filial ancestors.There are also many precious flowers planted under the tower, which are said to be the seeds left by Empress Taiciren.In order to preserve these ancient trees and flowers, a high wall was specially erected outside Yuqing Building to enclose this quiet garden, which is managed by carefully selected professionals.Since Xiaozu, all lights are prohibited in the garden, and the rules are stricter than those in the imperial mausoleum.

Cen Zhu walked side by side to observe the garden, inexplicably, he smelled a familiar smell.This is a rare thing, logically speaking, she has never set foot here? She shouldn't have this immersive feeling, as if she has traveled through this forest countless times.Could it be that I have heard too many legends, and what I thought happened to overlap with reality?At the moment, she couldn't help but think carefully, and continued to walk along the dense bush shade.

Having said that, Li Pinghong was really worried. In order to keep it secret, he arranged the meeting place in such a secluded place.Fearing that Mr. Zhou's family would be uncomfortable, Cen Zhu racked his brains to calm down the atmosphere and said, "Actually, Princess Kant is straightforward and friendly, and she is well-known in the court." A feathered arrow flew past her head and landed on the ground with a "bang".Immediately afterwards there was a roar, "Whoever dares to report the news, next time I will shoot not a hat, but his head!" When Cen Zhu turned his head, he saw that the arrow was indeed tied with a three-mountain hat that people in the palace often wear. , Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

The young master of the Zhou family pursed his lips and seemed to be looking into the depths of the jungle.

In the gap between the trees a hundred paces away, stood a tall, straight woman wearing a flaming red arrow-sleeved shirt, holding a full moon bow in her hand, with feathered arrows hanging from her waist and back, commanding the forest. Walking up and down, yelling at people around.Ready to face the enemy.

Cen Zhu was a little embarrassed, so he could only explain: "Just now it was just an accident. The princess has been practicing martial arts since she was a child, so she is good at archery. I think she will be able to hold a similar case with the young master in the future."

As soon as the words fell, there was another "clank", as if the arrow had stabbed hard into the tree:

"Hmph! As soon as the surname Zhou arrives, this princess will let him die without a place to bury him. If you want to be my princess' son-in-law, let's make his big dream come true!"

Cen Zhu: "..."

Xu Mou, "Actually, the princess..."

The young master of the Zhou family said without changing his face: "Your Excellency Cen, there is no need to say any more, I know that the princess does not want to marry into the Zhou family."

"Uh……"

"But this matter is not only related to her. There are also thousands of innocent people who are spared from the suffering of war and displacement. This is not fun at all."

Hearing this, Cen Zhu felt a little moved in his heart, but he looked at him with admiration.

"Lord Cen, just send it here? Well, I can walk the rest of the way alone. There is no need for another person to die for me. If something happens to me, please tell my mother, Lord Cen, this matter has nothing to do with the princess. , please don’t blame anyone.”

After speaking, he bowed his hands and made a military salute, then walked into the forest with his head held high.Cen Zhu did not expect that the young master of the Zhou family would have such a heart and insight.Don't run away when things happen, dare to take responsibility? He seems to take the world as his own responsibility in his speech.It's hard not to feel good about it.

"Wait, Mr. Zhou was joking, why is it so serious? Don't worry, the princess is just scaring you. The minister is here to promote the friendship between the two Qin and Jin, so naturally he won't? Let Mr. Zhou have any accidents. This trip The trip to the mountain, I'm done. Please don't refuse, my lord. Besides, I don't believe that she can penetrate the two of us with an arrow?"

Zhou Xiaoshan saw her rushing up, with a smile on his face, and he lifted the weight lightly.Every step is like a painting, showing a handsome and unrestrained indifferent demeanor, as if all kinds of heavy things can be gently put down on her, don't take it seriously.

She raised her eyebrows, smiled lightly, and did not insist anymore, and the two walked into the forest together.

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happy New Year!