People who think I'm ugly are so sweet

As Xu Taihe said, news of Mrs. Zhang's death came the next day, saying that she died of illness.But all the servants said that although Zhang was crazy, he was always in good health, how could he suddenly die suddenly for no reason.How the Zhang family died, probably only Xu Taihe knows.

Xu Taihe took care of Mrs. Zhang's funeral in a calm manner.A mourning hall was set up in the front yard, white cloth and paper lanterns were hung on the beams, and Zhang's memorial tablet was also carried into the ancestral hall. Everything was done according to the standard of Xu's official wife, and on the surface, Zhang was given the last dignity.

After Mrs. Zhang died, according to the custom, Xu Taihe had to observe filial piety for one year.Although there are many people who marry their stepmothers immediately after the death of their wives, but in this precarious time, the Xu Mansion can no longer stand any delays. Even a copy of the fifth-rank Yushi may become the basis for burning the Xu Mansion to death in the future. A spark of ashes.Therefore, Mrs. Xie had to sit in the position of noble concubine for another year, but the servants had already removed the word "Xie" from addressing her, and called her "Madam".That's right, she is the only wife in Xu's mansion now.

In addition to carrying a human life on Xu Xuanying's body, there is also the crime of collusion with Shen's.The Holy One is sympathetic to Xu Taihe as an old minister, who has made contributions and hard work over the years. For his sake, Xu Xuanying was spared, removed from his official position, and exiled to the Western Region for twenty years.The western region is a barren land, full of yellow sand all day long, with a shortage of water sources, and many people die of thirst every year.Xu Xuanying was exiled to such a place, whether he will survive 20 years or not is a question.In order to distance himself from Shen Shi, Xu Taihe forbade anyone to send him off.

The day Xu Xuanying left Beijing was a sunny day, with the scorching sun in the sky and the singing of cicadas in midsummer.Compared with the unkempt Shen family who were kicked out of the capital, Xu Xuanying's body is still clean.He was dressed in a rough Tsing Yi, with a lun scarf on his head, like a down-and-out scholar who went to Beijing to rush for an exam but accidentally failed the exam.The two officials who escorted him were quite polite, "Let's go, Mr. Xu."

When stepping out of the city gate, Xu Xuanying looked back at the plaque on the city gate—Shangjing, the place where he grew up, was full of rich and powerful, and he had witnessed the prosperity and decline of many aristocratic families. If he was lucky enough to return, he would not know What will it be like to go to the capital at that time?

Suddenly, his eyes froze, and he was firmly locked on the person standing on the city gate.The man was wearing a jade crown and a black robe with a coiled collar and narrow sleeves. The golden coiled dragons on the front, back and shoulders fluttered in the wind.Beside him, there was another person, wearing a black official uniform with a lifelike mandarin duck embroidered on it, making his face extraordinarily bright under the scorching sun.

"Master Xu." The official urged, Xu Xuanying looked away and said, "Let's go."

It wasn't until Xu Xuanying's back disappeared from sight that Xu Xilu said: "Thank you, my lord, for accompanying me this trip, otherwise I might not even be able to climb this tower."

"There is no need to thank you between us." Song Yanqing said, "I heard that you were the one who arranged for Xu Xuanying to escort him. Why did you do this? Don't you hate him?"

Xu Xilu smiled openly in the wind, "If Xu Xuanying knew that he owed me a favor, I'm afraid it would be even more difficult. After all, it was just a few taels of silver plus a few words, and it was Shen Zixian's life-saving gift at that time. "Now Xu Xilu is an upstart in the Ministry of War. He was single-handedly promoted by Prince Duan, and the Holy Majesty also appreciates him a lot. For his sake, the petty official will definitely not criticize Xu Xuanying too much.

"My lord, let's go, I invite you to drink."

Song Yanqing said disdainfully: "Go to Qinghui Tower again? Can you change the place?" After the Shen family collapsed, everyone was waiting for Xie Qingsu to return to the capital to revive the Xie clan. Qinghui Tower became a dignitary again. A great place to eat and drink outside.

"Is Qinghui Building not good?" Xu Xilu smiled, "If you go late, there will be no seats."

The case of Shen's is coming to an end, all those who should be liquidated have been liquidated, and the ruling and opposition parties have taken on a new look.In Xu's mansion, Zui Xueju, where Lin Ruyun and Xu Xuanying used to live, was vacated, and all the servants inside were sent away.In the huge mansion, there are only four serious masters left.Half of the time Xu Taihe stayed in the Fuqu Pavilion, and half of the time he spent the night alone in the study.Same as in the past 20 years, one or two days a month, he would still go to the yard where Mrs. Liu lived, look at her old things, and sit for a whole day.

Once the filial piety period is over, Xu Anning will be considered older among unmarried girls. It is best to make a marriage arrangement now, so that there is no need to be too anxious in the future.After all, Xu Anning is a concubine, and her health is broken. The Xie family does not expect her to marry a man with both talents and looks like Lin Luo who came from a duke's family. As long as she has a good character, treats Xu Anning well, and is self-motivated, That's pretty much it.

These days, Mrs. Xie has selected many candidates for her future husband.Xu Taihe never cared much about his youngest daughter, so he let Mrs. Xie figure it out, so Mrs. Xie took the list to discuss with Xu Xilu. After reading it, Xu Xilu said: "These people my mother chose are all pretty good to me. , why not let An Ning choose for herself, after all, she is the one who gets married, not me."

Mrs. Xie couldn't help laughing, "She's a girl, what can she understand? I know you love her, so let's take care of her." After Xu Xilu agreed, she said again: "To be honest, you are not young anymore. , how many children do you usually have for a son of a family like you... Sigh."

Xu Xilu quickly changed the subject: "Mother, I came back from court today and brought you a new snack from Qinghui Tower. Come and try it."

Mrs. Xie knew that Xu Xilu had ideas, and she couldn't persuade herself, so she sighed and said, "Forget it, your career is going well now, let's see in a few years." With his talent and appearance, there must be a good girl who only wants to marry him.

At the end of the month, Xu Changying gave birth to a daughter, and Yu Rongbei, who got his wish, was so happy that he couldn't hold his tongue from ear to ear all day long. Xu Xilu sent many gifts there, and Mrs. Xie also took Xu Anning to visit General Zhenyuan's mansion.The days in Xu's mansion are quite peaceful and beautiful, and everything seems to be developing in a good direction.For Xu Xilu, if there were no three peach blossoms, he would really have nothing to criticize in this day.

In the early court, Yao Min and others made a statement again, saying that the Shen family has been eliminated, and the Xie family has contributed a lot. They implore the Holy Admiral to transfer Xie Qingsu back to the capital for other uses.

Song Yanche was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, and he saw the expressions of all civil and military officials one by one, "I have already said this matter, let me consider it."

Lord Jingguo stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, we are currently employing people. There are vacancies in the Six Departments, Yushitai, and Dali Temple. Xie Qingsu has both political integrity and talent. He is the only son of the late Master Xie. He made a lot of contributions in this case, if I let him stay in Huaishui, it will be a loss for me, I hope Your Majesty will think twice."

With a slight smile on Song Yanche's face, he could see that this group of veterans was determined to fight for Xie Qingsu. "Prince Duan," he looked at Song Yanqing, "What do you think of Xie Qingsu?"

Song Yanqing stood in the forefront of the civil servants, and after some consideration, he said reluctantly: "Xie Qingsu, you can take on the big job." On the one hand, he was still thinking about the old things about Xu Xilu and Xie Qingsu, and he didn't want Xie Qingsu to come back to make things difficult for him; On the other hand, he also had to admit that it was indeed a waste to let Xie Qingsu stay in Huaishui to do nothing.

Song Yanche nodded lightly, and his peripheral vision fell on Xu Xilu in the back row.The black official uniform looked very good on him, bright but not alluring, and he didn't know what kind of seductive body he had inside the official uniform.Xu Xilu stared ahead with a calm expression, as if he had no interest in what the ministers were discussing.

"Don't worry, my loves, I will use Xie Qingsu. But I have to think carefully about what position I want to give him." Song Yanche paused and asked, "Xu Shangshu, what's your opinion?"

Xu Xilu's heart sank, he knew that His Majesty seemed to be asking his father, but he was actually beating him.

Xu Taihe was also very surprised. After Xu Xuanying was convicted, he acted more low-key than before, and he hardly spoke in the court. What position will be given to Xie Qingsu? In fact, he is a minister of the Ministry of Industry.If you say it too low, you will offend Lord Yasukuni; if you say it too high, you will easily be jealous of the Holy One.At this time, Xu Tai and Qihu were in trouble, and they never thought that they were cheated by their son. "I, I think that Xie Qingsu has the demeanor of Mr. Xie back then, and it would be a good fit for me to come to Dali Temple or the Ministry of Criminal Justice."

"Huh?" Song Yanche frowned, with a gentle and wise look on his face, "Then you think it's inappropriate for me to let him be at Yushitai?"

Xu Taihe quickly knelt down, "I dare not."

Song Yanche smiled and said: "I just said casually, Xu Shangshu need not be nervous, just get up."

Having said that, Xu Taihe was already in a cold sweat, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the morning court ended, Song Yanqing took the lead and walked out of the Zhengde Hall. He deliberately slowed down, waiting for Xu Xilu who was the last to come out and walked side by side with him. "What's the matter, my lord?" Xu Xilu asked him.

Song Yanqing's expression turned a little awkward, "At the beginning of next month, it will be my 19th birthday."

"Yeah, the little prince is already 19 years old," Xu Xilu smiled like an aunt, "it can be considered an adult."

Song Yanqing frowned slightly, "What's the matter with your elder tone? Anyway, on that day, Brother Huang will hold a banquet for me in the palace, and invite some clan officials in Shangjing."

Xu Xilu said with some regret, "Then am I not qualified to attend the banquet? It's a pity."

Song Yanqing coughed lightly, "Since you have said so, I will go back to the palace earlier that day and reward you with a chance to celebrate my king's birthday."

"...Then thank you, my lord."

Song Yanqing said worriedly: "You remember to prepare a gift."

Xu Xilu asked: "What gift does the lord want?"

Song Yanqing ordered arrogantly, "Think for yourself."

"Yes, my little lord." Xu Xilu stopped when he saw Xu Taihe who was walking ahead, "Your lord, let's go first, I think I have something to say to you."

Song Yanqing didn't ask much, "See you later."

After bidding farewell to Song Yanqing, Xu Xilu came to the Hall of Qinzheng and asked for a face-to-face.Liu Jinzhong saw him and said with a smile: "Master Xu, you are finally here." These days, the emperor was uncharacteristically, neither going out of the palace to see Xu Xilu, nor announcing him to come to see him, just waiting for him to come "to throw himself into a trap." ".Liu Jinzhong has served the emperor for many years, and he knows his temperament well. When dealing with the prey he is bound to win, what His Majesty lacks most is patience.

Xu Xilu pursed his lips, "I'll trouble you, father-in-law, to inform you."

"The old slave is going now, please wait a moment, Mr. Xu."

Said to wait, Xu Xilu waited for half an hour.The scorching sun was in the sky, and after only standing there for a moment, thin beads of sweat appeared on the tip of his nose. The official uniform was thick and airtight, and soon his back was soaked and drenched with sweat.Xu Xilu licked his lips, and began to miss the mung bean and lotus seed soup made by Xing Nong at home. At this time, he would definitely be able to drink three bowls in one go.

Before Xu Xilu became in a trance, Liu Jinzhong finally came out, "Master Xu, the emperor invites you in."

"Thank you, father-in-law." As soon as he walked into the hall, there was no direct sunlight, and Xu Xilu felt less uncomfortable.Song Yanche was not in good health, and he was afraid of the cold but not the heat. There was no ice in the Hall of Qinzheng, and it was not cool inside.

Song Yanche was still wearing the dragon robe from the early dynasty. When he saw Xu Xilu whose face was flushed from the sun, he smiled leisurely and said, "I thought you wouldn't come."

"If the emperor is angry, it's fine to sprinkle it on the courtiers. Why bother to embarrass my father?"

"But I also said that I will let you take the initiative to come to my side. Look, aren't you here?"

After only saying a few words, Xu Xilu felt that his throat was about to burst into flames. He couldn't help but glanced at the purple sand teapot on the table, and then quickly looked away.

Song Yanche saw his movements, "Come here."

Xu Xilu hesitated for a moment, not daring to resist the order, and walked to Song Yanche. The latter poured a cup of tea with his own hands, took a sip himself, grabbed Xu Xilu's front and pulled him over, and poured the tea into the other party's mouth with his mouth.

The tea was lukewarm, and the temperature was just right. It flowed into Xu Xilu's throat, finally extinguishing the fire in his body.Song Yanche let him go, licked his lips, "Is the tea... delicious?"

Xu Xilu backed away like a rabbit, gasping for breath, "Your Majesty."

Song Yanche looked at him tenderly, "You, as long as you are soft on me, you can save a lot of suffering. But why do you have to make it difficult for yourself?"

Xu Xilu collected himself, and said calmly: "The world belongs to the emperor, and all the people in the world belong to the emperor. If the emperor... If you want a subject, you only need to give an order. If you don't want to die, you will naturally not resist the order."

Song Yanche's eyes dimmed, "So, if you force me, you will give in?"

"Yes," Xu Xilu said sternly, "I am a man, and I don't have any iron bones. It doesn't matter who I sleep with. If the emperor wants to sleep with me, I just accept it. I absolutely dare not complain."

Song Yanche was quiet for a while, and said lightly: "If I only want a bed warmer, three thousand in the harem, why should I have you?"

"Yes," Xu Xilu laughed at himself, "Why does the emperor insist on me?"

Song Yanche stared at him and remained silent for a long time.

Xu Xilu took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, I only ask for two things. First, I hope that the Emperor will stop embarrassing my father. He is old and cannot bear to make troubles; second, I hope that the Emperor can put aside the personal relationship between his children. , give Xie Qingsu a fair decision."

Song Yanche walked up to him, leaned over and whispered in his ear: "If I agree to your request, what do you plan to pay back?"

Smelling the faint scent of medicine on Song Yanche's body, Xu Xilu stretched out his hand, and the palm slowly slid down from his shoulder, then he bent his knees, and at the same time his hand came to Song Yanche's waist and stopped still.

Song Yanche lowered his head and lowered his eyes, his expression unchanged.When Xu Xilu was about to untie his belt, he suddenly grabbed his hand.

Xu Xilu looked up at him, "Isn't this what the emperor wants?"

Song Yanche's eyes were firmly locked on Xu Xilu, his face was almost distorted, "Xu Xilu, you are really a genius who hurt me." He let go of his hand suddenly, turned his back to Xu Xilu, and said after a long time, "Jin Zhong."

Liu Jinzhong walked in slowly, "Your Majesty."

"My lord Xiao Xu had a very happy conversation with me, and I want to keep him in the palace to be my companion."

Liu Jinzhong was taken aback, "Your Majesty?"

"Let him live in the side hall of the Jingxin Hall," Song Yanche smiled, "let me see him at any time."

Xu Xilu was not afraid at all, and cupped his hands, "Resignation." He followed Liu Jinzhong out of the Palace of Qinzheng, his heart still beating like a drum, and his palms were sweaty.Xu Xilu is a man, and he has never been entangled in this aspect. Letting him sleep with someone he doesn't like is not a big deal.However, when he has someone in his heart, someone he likes, he doesn't want to get in close contact with anyone else.It's just that he escaped this time, what about next time?Song Yanche wove an airtight net around him, he couldn't hide, he couldn't escape, could he just watch himself being eaten away bit by bit?

The Jingxin Hall is the emperor's bedroom, where the emperor stayed overnight when he was not in the harem.Liu Jinzhong asked the maid to tidy up the side hall, and said, "Master Xu, let's rest here for the time being."

Xu Xilu nodded, "Thank you, Eunuch."

Liu Jinzhong looked at him, hesitantly said: "The emperor is just a whim, Mr. Xu, it is better to follow the emperor first, otherwise Longyan will be furious, and there will be no good fruit."

Xu Xilu smiled faintly, "Eunuch Xie made a point. I just don't know if my father-in-law can tell the Xu family, otherwise my parents will be very anxious and look for me everywhere when they see that I haven't returned."

Liu Jinzhong sighed, "The old slave will find an opportunity to spread the news."

The news of Xu Xilu's stay in the palace spread to Xu's residence, Xu Taihe and Xie looked at each other, thinking that their son had committed something.The little eunuch who came to pass the news said with a weird expression: "Master Xu, don't worry, Mr. Xu has won His Majesty's favor, and nothing will happen. Also, if anyone else asks, you can say that Mr. Xu accidentally got infected The wind is cold, and I have to rest at home for a few days. Do your lord and madam understand what the Holy Majesty means?"

Xu Taihe was full of doubts and worries, but he didn't dare to ask more questions, so he said, "I understand."

Xu Xilu lived in the Jingxin Hall for several days, except for the maids and eunuchs, he never saw anyone else.Song Yanche had never been here before, and even Xu Xilu couldn't guess what he wanted to do.

In the empty and quiet deep palace, the maids and eunuchs seem to have the same face, with blank expressions and no words.Palace lanterns are lit all the time in the dormitory, and light incense is burning.Xu Xilu ate and slept, slept and ate, every time he opened his eyes, he didn't know whether he was in a dream or in reality.When it was really unbearable, he took out the person in his heart and thought about it, and it seemed that it was not so difficult.

Xu Xilu didn't know that on the third day of his stay in the palace, Xie Qingsu, who was far away in the Huaishui River, received an order from the Holy Majesty himself, that he would return to Shangjing and take up the post of Shaoqing of Dali Temple.

Xie Qingsu stayed in Huaishui for a year as an imperial envoy. After Du Jinglun's case was resolved, the imperial envoy became a idle job.After receiving the transfer order, he didn't have anything to hand over, so he simply packed his luggage and set off for Beijing without delay.

"My lord, do we need to hurry?" Guan Yan, who had been on the road all night, yawned, "Why don't we leave tomorrow morning..."

Xie Qingsu looked at the vast night outside the carriage, and said to himself: "I can't wait any longer."

Xu Xilu was mentioned in every letter sent by Xie Qingshen. Xie Qingsu knew that he was framed and imprisoned, but he could do nothing.When Xu Xilu needed him the most, he was thousands of miles away from him, and he couldn't even give him a word of comfort—he had had enough of this helpless frustration.

He was very afraid, afraid that Xu Xilu would no longer see him in his eyes, and also afraid that he had forgotten himself.

Xie Qingsu traveled day and night and arrived in the capital five days later.Xie Qingxin and Mrs. Xie received the news and went to pick him up at the gate of the city in person.When Mrs. Xie saw her nephew whom she had not seen for a year, she wanted to speak and shed tears, "Qingsu, you have suffered."

Xie Qingxin patted him on the shoulder, "It looks like he's recovering well, but he's lost a little weight."

Xie Qingsu nodded at them, and looked behind Xie Qingshen over Xie Qingshen. "Don't look, Xilu didn't come." Xie Qingshen said, seeing that Xie Qingsu was a little disappointed, he comforted him: "He has been ill in bed recently, and it is inconvenient to go out, otherwise he will definitely come to pick you up."

"Ill?" Xie Qingsu's heart sank, and she looked at Mrs. Xie.Mrs. Xie wiped away her tears, and reluctantly said: "Yes, Xilu has caught a cold. The doctor said... that his illness will be extraordinary. Let him rest at home and he will recover in a few days."

"I'm going to see him."

"Qingsu!" Mrs. Xie hurriedly pulled him back, "You just came back, so many eyes are staring at you. If you don't go back to Mrs. Xie and run to Xu's residence, what will others think?"

Xie Qingxin also persuaded: "Since the doctor said that Xilu needs to rest, don't bother him yet. When he recovers, you can disturb him however you want."

Xie Qingsu hesitated for a moment, then said: "Then listen to my aunt and go home first."

The three of them rode in the same carriage and rushed back to Xie's mansion.Guanyan shouted excitedly: "Young Master, we are back." Xie Qingsu pushed open the car door, looked at the two painted red doors in front of him, and the plaque with the word "Xie's Mansion" hanging on it, for a moment, it seemed like a lifetime away. .

In a daze, he seemed to see the back of his father walking into the house through this door every day, saw the white silk hanging on the plaque last year fluttering in the cold wind, and saw the bright and bright man under the withered peach tree. His eyes—he finally came back.