blue bird song

Chapter 44
In the winter of the 17th year of Chenghua, the capital, Nanning Princess Palace.

The eldest princess of Nanning is the daughter of the former emperor, and the same father as the current emperor, and her status is extremely noble.Her salary is equal to that of the prince, and her mansion is also the most exquisite among the princesses' mansions.Pavilions, terraces and pavilions, carved beams and painted columns, are magnificent.

The third day of November is the [-]th birthday of Princess Nanning. As early as the beginning of October, there was an endless stream of gift givers. Consorts, princesses, concubines, princesses, princes, and officials sent grand congratulatory gifts one after another.On the day of the day, there are even more congratulatory guests, and it is very lively.

Those who can enter Nanning Princess Changfu's mansion and be regarded as guests are either relatives of the emperor, noble ministers, or close friends of her husband's Anluhou's mansion.Those whose status is so low at 01:30 can't enter Nanning Princess Palace at all.

In the big flower hall of the outer courtyard, the husband-in-law of the eldest princess of Nanning, Marquis Anlu, and consort Wu Wen personally invited a congratulatory guest to the table.Who is it?Lord Wu Hou valued it so much?The relatives present here couldn't help looking at the person who came.

He was about in his early thirties, wearing a red official uniform, embroidered with leaping leopards in bright colors and graceful lines.He himself is tall and strong, with firm eyes and a face like a knife and axe, tough and resolute.

This person is a third-rank military officer; this person has been battle-tested and fought many tough battles.No matter what status you are here, your vision and knowledge are not bad, and you already know it in your heart at a glance.

However, what is a third-rank military officer in An Luhou's eyes, why should he be treated so courteously?The Marquis of Anlu's Mansion was originally a founding noble, with deep roots and luxuriant leaves, and married the good daughter-in-law of Nanning Princess, which is even more like a tiger.Wu Wen, Marquis of Anlu, has always had a high vision.

This person came late, and was invited in by An Luhou personally, so it seemed that he had a lot of background.

The military officer had just entered the table, and the crown prince, fourth prince, fifth prince and others came to pay respects to his aunt, and Marquis Anlu rushed out to greet her.

Most of the people sitting with this military officer were relatives, who were always arrogant, so they asked him for his name with a smile.He bowed his hands politely, and said in a calm voice, "I am the commander of the [-] Battalion, Qi Zhen."

Qi Zhen, this is the famous Qi Zhen!Many people turned their attention to him.

Qi Zhen, this is a legendary figure that everyone in the capital, from princes and nobles to ordinary people, old and young, wise and foolish, has been talking about for half a year!

This summer, Mongolian Ada Khan invaded Xuanfu and Datong.Yu Mingji, the general of Datong, and Shen Fu, the general of the Xuanfu, could not hold out. Adakhan led his army to attack Gubeikou, trying to cross the Great Wall through Gubeikou and approach the capital.

Gubeikou is the fortress of the Great Wall between Shanhaiguan and Juyongguan. It is the throat for Liaodong and Mongolia to enter the Central Plains.

The iron gate of Gubeikou can only allow one car and one rider to pass through, so the terrain is dangerous.Such a majestic pass, when the Mongols invaded on a large scale, the guards were greedy for life and afraid of death, so they abandoned the pass and fled!At that time, Qi Zhen was just a little-known small family, but he dared to fight. He led more than 100 soldiers and general banners under him to fight bloody battles and defend Gubeikou to the death.

It took tens of thousands of Mongolian soldiers two days and two nights of hard work, but they failed to break through the iron gate guarded by more than 100 Chinese soldiers.

On the third day, Ding Quan, the commander of Jizhou Guard, arrived with a large number of reinforcements. Seeing that there was no hope of attacking, the Mongolian cavalry withdrew their troops.

Fifteen of Qi Zhen's soldiers were killed in battle, and those who survived were also wounded in many places and exhausted.Qi Zhen himself suffered countless arrow wounds and knife wounds, and became a bloody man.

Ding Quan, the commander of the Jizhou Guards, is a veteran. He has experienced many thrilling battles, and seen many killings, casualties, and blood in his life. His heart is already as hard as iron.But that day, on the winding, ups and downs of the Gubeikou Great Wall, seeing Qi Zhen who was still standing strong like a man of blood, he burst into tears. "The Great Wall, this is the real Great Wall of China!" Commander Ding made the old man burst into tears.

Ding Quan asked for credit for Qi Zhen and his soldiers.According to the practice of this dynasty, the military exploits against Mongolia are the most important, and Qi Zhen should be rewarded heavily.After several deliberations, the Ministry of War intends to make an exception and promote Qi Zhen to be a fourth-rank General Guangwei.

At this moment, something new happened.Huben Zuowei commanded Lu Xiong, who went to the Ministry of War to accuse Qi Zhen of being a deserter, "His real name is not Qi Zhen, but he is Mo Dayou. He should have died in the third year of Chenghua!"

In the third year of Chenghua, Dragon and Tiger General Qi Baoshan led [-] cavalry to fight against [-] Mongolian cavalry in Haili, and died unyielding.None of the soldiers under his command survived.

Lu Xiong used to serve in the Qi Baoshan Army, and was a colleague of Mo Dayou.He naturally remembered Mo Dayou's voice and smile; if Mo Dayou appeared in front of him again, he would naturally recognize him.

As soon as Lu Xiong said this, the ruling and opposition parties were shocked.What's the matter?The hero who resisted the Mongol invasion suddenly turned into a despicable deserter?If Qi Zhen really had great potential and was really a deserter, he wouldn't even think about being promoted, and he would have to go to jail and be punished.

Running away is a felony.

Of course, like the guard at Gubeikou, although he also escaped before the battle, but because his surname is Wan, he is a member of Concubine Wan Gui.Therefore, the Ministry of War did not dare to pursue him seriously, it was just a bluff.

Lu Xiong is a commander of the guards, a fourth-rank military officer, and his words are somewhat powerful.Qi Zhen is a well-known hero in the capital, and the "Great Wall" praised by General Ding. For a while, the situation is quite strange.

You know, if there was no Qi Zhen at that time, the Mongolian army would have driven in.Break through Gubeikou and move southward, and you will be able to approach the capital directly.The contribution of guarding Gubeikou really cannot be ignored.But deserters and generals will be severely punished according to the law.Even if you don't punish severely, you can't be promoted and rewarded.

Qi Zhen remained silent and said nothing.

Mrs. Yang Wuhou personally went to the Ministry of War and asked to see the Minister of the Ministry of War, "Qi Zhen was originally my servant, and he has been serving my Qi family loyally. Since his birth, his surname has been Qi! After the death of my father and brother, everything in the Qi family depends on him. Before my mother left, she took him as her foster son and sent him to the barracks. My lord, Qi Zhen is my foster brother!"

Who doesn't know Madam Yang Wuhou's strength of character?

"How could Mrs. Yangwuhou lie? Lu Xiong, you've got the wrong person." The Ministry of War already thought that Lu Xiong was making troubles, and with Qi Yu's words, he became even more impatient with Lu Xiong.Lu Xiong was a soldier with a very winking look, seeing that the situation was wrong, he didn't dare to persist.

He insisted that "Qi Zhen is a deserter, and Qi Zhen's original name was Mo Dayou", even if he accused Qi Yu of lying, he was clearly fighting against the Yangwuhou Mansion.A Qi Zhen is nothing, but Yangwuhou's mansion can't afford to offend him.What's more, it would be embarrassing for civil servants to doubt the integrity of Mrs. Yang Wuhou.

Mrs. Yang Wuhou's ten-thousand-word letter requesting the burning of Jinyiwei's torture tools is still talked about by civil officials.It takes a lot of energy for such a noble lady to accuse her of lying and cheating.

This turmoil ended quietly.Soon after, Qi Zhen was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor, and in response to the decree, he was exceptionally promoted to the commander of the [-] Battalion, becoming a third-rank military officer.From one hundred households to the commander of the three thousand battalion, Qi Zhen was promoted rapidly.

This is Qi Zhen, who has been famous for a long time, and today he finally meets the real person!Zhang Dashao, the younger brother of Concubine Zhang De, Jin Chaoxing, the son of Princess Fuqing, and others raised their glasses to toast Qi Zhen, saying things like "I have admired your name for a long time, and it is like thunder in my ears", talking and laughing happily.

In the large flower hall of the inner courtyard, there are noble ladies surrounded by pearls and emerald greens, with fragrant clothes and shadows on the temples, and clusters of flowers.Among them, there is a young lady who is the most eye-catching, her skin is as radiant as snow, her eyebrows are as distant as mountains, and her pair of autumnal eyes seem to be able to speak, so charming.

"Madame Yangwuhou lives up to her reputation, she is really a great beauty!" "Yes, you can't accept it. Do you know that she has a son and a daughter, and the daughter is five or six years old!" "What does she look like, she has a slim figure Duozi, she really doesn't look like a mother who has given birth to two children."

A beautiful young woman with a mole between her eyebrows laughed sarcastically.Not only has she given birth to two children, but she also has an unknown eldest daughter.If the child was alive, he would be at least ten years old!Yu'er, Yu'er, the world looks at you so glamorous and eye-catching, who has seen you when you were down and out?Who has seen your true face?
The young beautiful woman has been staring at Mrs. Yang Wuhou, with envy and jealousy in her eyes.Seeing Mrs. Yang Wuhou getting up to change clothes, she also stood up gracefully and followed out with a smile.

Qi Yu walked to the cold and lonely plum tree with slanting branches, and saw the jade platform standing proudly facing the wind shining in the water, tenderness flashed in his eyes.How noble and beautiful the jade platform shines on the water.

With a smile on her lips, the young beautiful woman walked towards her with a smile on her face.

"Yu'er!" She smiled lightly, with a gentle voice.

"Amo." Qi Yu nodded politely, her voice flat and slightly hoarse.

"We haven't seen each other for more than ten years, right?" Shen Mo smiled sweetly, "We haven't seen each other for a long time, and I miss you very much. Yu'er, fortunately, you still have the same demeanor."

Qi Yu's tone was polite and distant, "Amo, you are the same, you haven't changed a bit."

A gust of wind blows, with the faint fragrance of plum blossoms in the wind, cold and refreshing.For the two standing opposite each other under the plum tree, Shen Mo smiled all over her face, while Qi Yu looked indifferent.Shen Mo's bright beauty reveals a bit of vulgarity, and Qi Yu is truly stunning, with an elegant and elegant temperament.

"Yu'er, I heard that you got a new foster brother?" Shen Mo asked affectionately.

"For more than ten years, I have always had a righteous brother." Qi Yu said slowly: "Not only the righteous brother, but also a righteous sister-in-law. The one you recognize is Yingniang."

"Maidservant to be righteous sister-in-law?" Shen Mo covered her mouth and smiled, "Yu'er, you are really... informal."

Shen Mo's eyes were full of sarcasm.

Qi Yu smiled lightly, what are you talking to her, Xia Chong can't talk to Bing.

"I have a son and a daughter, both of whom are ten years old this year." Shen Mo showed off her achievements over the past ten years, "My son is called Zhihan, and he will inherit Ningguo's mansion in the future and become the majestic Ningguogong. My daughter is called Zhiping , virtuous and virtuous, will marry into a famous family in the future, and live a life of peace and wealth."

"How about you, Yu'er? How about your children?" Shen Mo looked at Qi Yu with a smile and asked with great interest.

Qi Yu reached out and grabbed a branch of plum blossom, and sniffed it lightly, "I have two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, Xue Hu, is the son of my husband's original wife, the son of the Marquis of Yangwu. The eldest daughter, Xue Yang, and the second son, Xue Hui, are I am born."

Shen Mo covered her mouth and smiled again, "Yu'er, you really... people don't know what to say. You treat other people's children as your own. Yu'er, other people's flesh can't stick to your body."

Qi Yu let go of the plum branches, smiled lightly, and walked slowly to the flower hall.Her graceful back hurt Shen Mo's eyes, and hurt Shen Mo's heart even more.Ever since I was a child, I have always been the one who has followed Yu'er and paid attention to it. Is it possible that I have worked so hard to survive until today, but I am still far inferior to her?

Unwilling, Shen Mo chased after her, "Yu'er, my son can become a nobleman, but your son doesn't have this blessing. Thinking about it carefully, it's really a pity for your son."

Qi Yu's expression remained unchanged, "The title was also earned by the ancestors. If the ancestors could do it, why do you think my son can't do it? If he wants to be rich and famous, and to keep his wife and son, he can earn it by himself."

Shen Mo glared at Qi Yu fiercely.Is your title really easy to earn?Yu'er, your fairy-like appearance, who doesn't eat the fireworks of the world, is really annoying!
Shen Mo slowed down, stared at Qi Yu's beautiful face, and smiled softly, "Yu'er, you still have an eldest daughter! She is also the flesh that fell from your body, have you forgotten her?"

Qi Yu didn't even look at her, and said coldly, "She's surnamed Deng, what has she got to do with me, Qi Yu?"

Qi Yu walked away, leaving Shen Mo standing alone in the cold wind, her heart was cold.

In the winter of this year, Wang Peng wrote a fierce letter to the incident, claiming that due to the merits of Ning Guogong and Deng Yong, he should not be hereditary as the Duke of the state.After the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Officials, and the Ministry of Rites have passed the court meetings, they report to the emperor, "I will stop you from succeeding me, and I will be a prince later." The imperial edict is acceptable.

Deng Yonghui has always been the Duke of Ningguo, and the eldest son Deng Hui can inherit the title of Duke of Ningguo.When it came to Deng Hui's son, Deng Qi, he was demoted to the Marquis of Funing, and later became the Marquis of Funing.

The Xun family is a stable wife of the Duke, and the Sun family will also be a wife of the Duke in the future.When it comes to Shen Mo, if she can live to Deng Qi's attack, she will be a marquis.

Although Ningguo Gong Deng Yong is old, his body is still very strong, and it seems that he can live another ten or twenty years without any problem.The eldest son Deng Hui, like his father, has a good body and will live a long life.It will be three or forty years before Deng Qi takes over the throne.In other words, if Shen Mo can live another three or forty years in peace, she can be a Marquis just like her former boudoir friend Qi Yu.

As for whether Shen Mo can live another three to forty years, who knows? "The ups and downs of the future will never end." Who can predict what will happen in the future.

In the spring of the 18th year of Chenghua, the emperor summoned Mr. Yang Ge, who had already retired, to Beijing for advice on government affairs.There were two times before this kind of call, and Mr. Yang Ge refused, but this time he readily agreed.

In late spring, Yang Ge came to the capital.When he met the emperor, he didn't have any reason to protect the country and the people. He just mentioned it like a family matter, "It is not humiliating for a man in the world to be able to leave the inheritance passed down by his ancestors to his son." The emperor deeply agreed.

The emperor benefited a lot from talking about the affairs of the court and China.The emperor wanted to appoint Mr. Yang Ge as a scholar of Dongge University, but Mr. Yang resigned firmly, "he is too old and weak to be useful."Give thousands of banknotes and a hundred silks, as the capital of honor and support.

Yang Gelao's two grandsons, Yang Daqi and Yang Dacheng, one served as a doctor in the Ministry of Officials, and the other served as Shaoqing in Dali Temple.When Yang Ge left the palace, the carriages of Yang Daqi and Yang Dacheng were already waiting at the gate of the palace to take their grandfather home.

"No need." Elder Yang Ge waved his hand wearily, "I have an appointment with Mr. Ningguo, take me to Jingfu Temple." Yang Daqi and Yang Dacheng saw that their grandfather's expression was not right, so they didn't dare to say anything, and obediently accompanied their grandfather to Jingfu temple.

The carriage was walking slowly on the mountain road, bumping and shaking, and Yang Ge sat in the carriage with a sad mood.At that time, Niu Niu was a child who was only seven or eight years old when she was riding a carriage up the mountain.

Walking halfway, Ning Guogong and Deng Qi chased after him on horseback, silently followed Yang Ge's carriage, went up the mountain, and went to the other courtyard of Deng's house.Elder Yang Ge insisted on seeing the stone house where Niuniu stayed overnight, so they could only accompany him.

After getting off the carriage, Yang Ge looked at this exquisite courtyard in the deep mountains, and couldn't move for a long time.It's here, Niu Niu was brought here by her grandmother, and then she gave away half of her life here.

Poor girl.Yang Ge always thought of the little green bird holding a twig and scratching on the ground with its little butt pouted, thinking of the little green bird sitting in his arms and listening attentively to the lecture, thinking of the little green bird peeling a soft, waxy and sweet Chestnuts, smiling sweetly and sending them to his own mouth, there were tears in his eyes.

Ning Guogong and Deng Qi didn't dare to look at Yang Ge's expression, and with shame on their faces, they let Yang Ge go to the front of the stone house.

When Yang Ge saw the lonely and terrifying stone house in the wilderness, his anger surged up.Is this a place for prisoners, or a place for your granddaughter?Qingque, in the eyes of your Deng family, is she a child or an enemy? !
"Show me the place where Qingque escaped." Yang Ge said slowly and word for word, his tone unquestionable.

Ning Guogong and Deng Qi had nothing to say, so they bit their heads and led Yang Ge to the back of the stone house.The iron window behind the stone house, the iron bars cut by sharp knives, and the iron nails on the ground are still in their original state according to Elder Yang Ge's request.

"Niu Niu, did you escape from here?" Old Yang Ge pointed at the iron nails on the ground, his arms were trembling, and his voice was also trembling.Deng Qi had a sore nose, and replied in a low voice: "Yes, Mr. Ge Boss."

Old Yang Ge stared at the iron nails on the ground for a while, then cast his eyes into the distance, "Where is the creek? Show me." Deng Qi's legs softened and he almost knelt on the ground.The creek, from here to the creek, is a very, very long distance.

Elder Yang Ge followed Deng Qi and walked slowly to the creek.Standing for a while by the stream with a sad expression, he walked back slowly and step by step.

Ning Guogong stood there motionless, too ashamed to speak.Deng Qi walked this trip, as if he was being tortured, and gradually felt uncomfortable.Every time he took a step, he would think of the figure of Little Qingque struggling to get out little by little, and he was so distressed that he was about to go crazy.

(End of this chapter)