Broken Iron Clothes

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The mundane things are like the pages of a book, which fly by day by day.

A year later, Yan Youqian, Song Bing and others jointly filed a memorial to prove that Gu Qinghe disappeared for a period of time after the incident of the prince's fall into the river. evidence.

Gu Qinghe denied it but refused to confess where he went when he disappeared. In the end, he was sentenced to exile in the Northwest because of his inability to refute, and was poisoned to death on the way.

In the same year, Dami withdrew from the border between the two countries, neither attacking nor defending, the western border was pacified, and there was no war.Until New Year's Eve, Lu Sheng was stationed in Yingzhou, and Lu Xianyun and Lu Xianhong returned to Yancheng to celebrate the New Year together.

For more than a year, Jiang Shiqing has been doing everything as usual except for the strange makeup on his face all day long, except that he talks less than before.He would occasionally walk out of the room to shine in the sun, but he never showed his true face to others.The little prince of Wei Xu Palace disappeared from everyone's sight just like that. When others mentioned him, they would only say that he was a madman who was out of order. Some people even joked that he could pretend to be an evil person when exorcising Nuo on New Year's Eve. Ghost parade.

Of course the joke didn't come true, Jiang Shiqing still stayed in Wei Xu's mansion on New Year's Eve, no matter how far he walked, he never went out of the front yard, just sat next to Lu Xianyun and Lu Xianhong, not talking much.

Lu Xianyun and Lu Xianhong had inquired about the Guozijian before returning home, and went out to the market early on New Year's Eve.After dinner, Lu Xianhong put on a cloak for Jiang Shiqing, and led him into the yard: "Xianfeng, let's go, big brother and second brother will take you to play something else."

When he came to the door, Jiang Shiqing put his foot against the threshold, but he didn't want to step outside. Lu Xianhong looked back at him and asked, "Don't want to see anyone?"

Jiang Shiqing nodded, and Lu Xianhong immediately smiled at him: "We don't see anyone."

Seeing Jiang Shiqing's hesitation, Lu Xianyun put his shoulders on him and said, "Let's stay in the yard without going out, okay?"

Only then did Jiang Shiqing move his legs away, and followed them into the courtyard.

The sound of firecrackers came from outside the courtyard wall, suddenly near and now far away, the joy of exploding spread in the sound, dispelling a lot of cold air.The courtyard is spacious, and when you look up, you can still see a few sky lanterns dangling in the distance, colliding with the stars.

It was rare for Jiang Shiqing to see such a scene, and he looked up engrossed.

Lu Xianhong saw that he was interested in sky lanterns, so he smiled and said, "You haven't been on the roof, come on, let us take you there once."

As they said that, the two of them led him up to the roof. The tiles under their feet were all tiles, and some of them would be lifted up from time to time, and they would make a sound when they loosened their feet.

Jiang Shiqing was a little timid at first, holding the arms of the other two tightly with both hands and not daring to let go, but after standing for a while, he got used to it, and dared to step on it relaxedly.

After blowing the wind for a while, the three of them sat down on the ridge of the roof. Lu Xianhong patted Jiang Shiqing's forehead lightly, and said, "It's been a long time since I saw you, why don't you say hello to my brothers? Is it possible that you don't miss us at all?" both?"

Jiang Shiqing lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Thought."

The young man beside him looked thin, Lu Xianyun stretched out his hand and squeezed his shoulder, and all he felt were hard bones.He sighed secretly: "I ran to the barracks all these years and left you out in the cold. It's my fault for being a big brother."

Lu Xianhong frowned and said in distaste: "What are you talking about sensationalizing, why don't we just sit here and watch the night view?"

Lu Xianyun sighed helplessly, then turned his head to look into the distance.The roof is not high, but looking around, you can see a lot of eaves and ridges, but it is dark at night, and the only things you can see most clearly are the bright lights on the streets and alleys.

The fireworks flickered, like starlight falling on the streets and alleys, giving a flowing light to the world.Looking at the night like this, Jiang Shiqing always felt that it was a charity from God, and he was a little moved for a while.

"I haven't been back in the past two years, so looking at Wei Xu's palace, it doesn't seem to have changed much," Lu Xianyun said, rubbing Jiang Shiqing's shoulder, "But our Xianfeng has grown up."

Lu Xianhong smiled and said: "What's so strange about this, Xianfeng is growing up at this age, maybe he will be half a head longer than both of us in the future, you think Yuan Mucheng in Prince Jingping's mansion, now that hair He's about to catch up with his big brother."

Lu Xianyun replied: "Yes, yes, you are right, you are right."

"Tch, every time I'm perfunctory like this," Lu Xianhong slapped Jiang Shiqing's shoulder, "Look at Xianfeng, this is our elder brother."

Jiang Shiqing followed with a slight smile, but Lu Xianhong suddenly sighed at An Ye, and when he was about to lie down with his arms on his pillow, he felt uncomfortable no matter how he lay down, so he sat up again and said, "Speaking of Prince Jingping's mansion." , I really want to be friends with Yuan Mujie and the others, but it's a pity..."

Hearing Prince Jingping's mansion, Jiang Shiqing's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but ask, "What's the pity?"

Lu Xianhong turned to look at him seriously, and said: "This is a long story, because we... Brother, you should explain to Xianfeng, I'm stupid."

Lu Xianyun accepted his words: "Let's put it this way, have you ever weighed your father's armor?"

Jiang Shiqing thought for a while and said, "I touched it."

Lu Xianyun continued: "Armor can withstand some blades and swords on the battlefield, but only the wearer knows how heavy this armor is. Sometimes just wearing that armor to walk hundreds of miles can consume most of your energy. And For Dali, the Yuan and Lv families are like this armor, which is both protection and a heavy burden. The soldiers go to the battlefield with swords, but food and grass cost money, weapons and armor, medical treatment and wound healing all cost money, and the imperial government spent a lot of money on supporting the army , so what they are most afraid of is that the army they raise will have a different heart."

As he said that, Lu Xianyun's tone gradually became serious: "Prince Jingping and our father are princes with different surnames, and they also share the military power. If our two families become close, people will see the needles and give the Yuan and Lu families an unwarranted alliance and rebellion. Charges. Everyone knows that King Jingping and our father are life-and-death friends, but in order to prevent the tree from attracting rumors, it is best for us juniors not to have too much contact, so as not to give others the opportunity to spread rumors and make trouble."

"But it's okay, the three of us also have a companion," Lu Xianhong put his arms around Jiang Shiqing's shoulders, and continued, "When this year is over, our Weixu Palace will all move to Yingzhou. You are a bit older, but you are comfortable, and then my eldest brother and I will take you to the barracks to meet the brothers."

"Go to Yingzhou," Jiang Shiqing opened his eyes slightly, he felt that he should be happy, but felt a strange sense of loss, "...Really?"

Lu Xianhong said: "His Majesty has allowed you to lie to me, and we will leave after the first lunar month."

Lu Sheng had already discussed with the eldest princess in a letter before the two of them returned to visit, and they would all be taken to Yingzhou after the first month.It just so happened that Lu Sheng had helped Zhong Dingshan get out of trouble in the dust before. At that time, Zhong Dingshan was traveling in the western region of Dali. He was already famous for his superb medical skills. After he was rescued, he agreed to Lu Sheng. Then I went to Yingzhou to see Jiang Shiqing.

The wind blew harder again, Lu Xianyun closed up the cloak for Jiang Shiqing, and said: "However, the affairs at hand of Xianhong and I can't be delayed for too long, we have to leave earlier, and then you can come with mother and the others." , I will pick you up when you arrive in Ningzhou."

Jiang Shiqing nodded, but Lu Xianhong suddenly tilted his head and asked him meaningfully: "Xianfeng, do you want to set off firecrackers?"

-

Amidst the continuous sound of firecrackers, Feng's mansion was alone among them, deserted, only Feng Ruoping and Feng Han sat under the lamp to toast and drink.

Feng Ruoping took a sip and thought about it for a long time before saying, "Ah Han, how did you go with what you told me last time?"

Feng Han has been serving as an escort officer in the court for five years. Seeing that Wu Xiao, who joined him at the same time, has been favored by Lu Sheng and recommended to the Dudu Mansion, he feels that his ambition is not rewarded, and he is quite dissatisfied. Qiu Yiji has been remembered for nearly five years.

After the prince drowned in the Bianwu River, he hit it off with Xu Bing, who was also suppressed by Jiang Yu in his official career. The two planned for nearly two years, and now they finally waited for a good time to turn around.

"With Xu Bing's help, it's considered a deal," Feng Han lowered his voice, and continued, "Da Bing asked to give them Yingzhou, and agreed to follow my arrangement after taking Ningzhou, and then wait for the opportunity to leave Ningzhou. The state withdrew its troops and helped me make a contribution.”

Feng Ruoping nodded, and said: "The adults are insidious and cunning, you have to leave a way out for yourself, a mere city may not be able to feed their stomachs."

"Father, don't worry, the reason why the elders will negotiate with me this time is because I have enough bargaining chips. What they want is not only Yingzhou, but also the heads of Lu Sheng and Qinghui Army. As long as Lu Sheng With Sheng dead, the Qinghui Army is gone, and the iron wall in the west of Dali can be broken through, how could they not be moved?"

The alcohol made Feng Han's cheeks flushed, and even his tone of voice became a little indulgent: "If I can take Lu Sheng's place in the Western Region, then pretend to continue to form an alliance with Da Mo to delay time, and then slowly cultivate my own army , recharge your energy, what does it matter if the eighth prince is the prince or not? As long as we are strong enough, the throne will be in the pocket of the Feng family sooner or later. When my good cousin becomes the emperor, who should I remember? He must be thinking of his good uncle and cousin day and night."

Feng Ruoping felt relieved, but thinking that everything was not yet a foregone conclusion, he restrained himself a bit: "Wei Xu's palace will move to Yingzhou at the beginning of next month, and this is the only opportunity to make good use of it, you must be fully prepared. "

"At the beginning of next month, I should go to Yingzhou to deliver the military rations. The right time, place and people are all available." Feng Han raised his glass and touched Feng Ruoping, "How can I live up to God's kindness?"

-

Lu Xianyun seldom messes around, but tonight he just tolerated Lu Xianhong, and when he slipped out of the mansion, he was the queen of the two of them.

Lu Xianhong hung a string of firecrackers around his neck, and led Jiang Shiqing around various alleyways, finally arriving outside a courtyard.He ran a few steps and easily climbed up the wall, then rode on it and stretched out his hands to pull Jiang Shiqing, while Lu Xianyun supported Jiang Shiqing underneath, helped him climb up the courtyard wall, and then stood underneath to protect him.

Jiang Shiqing rode on it and looked in for a while before realizing that this was the backyard of Yan's mansion, and a nausea suddenly felt in his stomach.

Lu Xianhong patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to keep quiet, and after confirming which room Yan Lingyong was staying in, he jumped down lightly and placed the string of firecrackers on the threshold of the door.

He blew on the torch, knocked on the door, and immediately lowered himself to touch the lead wire on the ground, then retreated to the wall to watch the show.

The timing was just right, the moment Yan Lingyong opened the door, the gunfire roared, his face turned pale with shock, he fell straight to the ground, and crawled into the room helplessly without even forgetting to close the door.

In the end, the three of them galloped into the alley amidst Yan Lingyong's yelling, and the young man's heart became alive, like a horse that had run loose, becoming more selfless and happier under the temptation of freedom.

After running around a corner, the three of them were panting against the wall, but when they looked at each other, they laughed in unison.Jiang Shiqing laughed along with the two of them, but the more he laughed, the more he lost control, until the end of the laugh he bit his jaw and cried silently. The self in his heart who didn't know how long he had been shut up in his heart was finally released for a short time by taking this opportunity.

Seeing his appearance, Lu Xianhong couldn't help comforting him: "The days are still long, if you find an opportunity in the future, the eldest brother and the second brother will vent your anger on you."

Jiang Shiqing lowered his head and supported his knees, his voice trembling: "One day I will..."

"What?" Lu Xianyun bent down to hear more clearly.

Jiang Shiqing wiped his face, leaned against the wall and straightened up. The rouge on his brows and eyes had been mixed with tears, but those eyes were not funny at all, but full of hatred.

Holding back his tears, he gritted his teeth and said, "One day I will kill him with my own hands."

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Characters in this chapter

Lu Xianyun: 25, elder brother Lu Xianfeng, the son of Wei Xu Palace

Lu Xianhong: 23, the second brother of Lu Xianfeng

Feng Han: 26, only son of Feng Ruoping, cousin of Liu Zhaobi