Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 10
The two brothers looked at each other almost at the same time, and Xiao Kui asked suspiciously: "How come there are soldiers from the Northern Zhou Dynasty in this place? Something must have happened!" Then he ordered the guards to go to investigate and report any abnormalities.

Xiao Hao was anxious, and said: "Third brother, it seems that we have taken a big joke. The two of them are on the other side of the mountain. If they run into the Northern Zhou soldiers..."

"Go and search!" Xiao Kui took the long sword handed by Jiang Chen, turned around and left.

A group of people crossed the ravine and saw wisps of blue smoke rising from the depths of the mountain.Xiao Hao was overjoyed and praised: "Miss Xiuxiu must have done it. Although she comes from a farm family, she knows how to make fire by drilling a stick, so we can find them immediately!"

When they reached the burning place, there was only burnt firewood, and there was no one around.Xiao Kui pondered for a while, and said decisively: "They obviously attracted the soldiers of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and they had to flee in embarrassment. Things don't look good, so let's go find them separately. Brother Hao, you take a few guards to the front. Jiang and I Chen go over there, hurry up!"

The crowd took their orders away.

Xiao Kui took Jiang Chen alone and searched carefully along the mountain forest.As soon as he entered a dark populus euphratica forest, he heard the sound of fighting in the oblique stab.The two sneaked quietly, only to see several Northern Zhou soldiers surrounding a young man and fighting in full swing.Under the slight shadow of swords and swords, all the soldiers of the Northern Zhou Dynasty were in black iron leather armor, and the swords in their hands were glowing blue, with a mighty and murderous look.But the young man fighting alone, wearing a warrior crown on his head and a bundle of hair, and his white robe was stained with a lot of blood, but he moved and moved freely, his stern face was calm and calm.

"Excellent swordsmanship!" Xiao Kui praised secretly.

He gave Jiang Chen a wink, Jiang Chen understood, and the two split up and surrounded them, the swords in their hands fluttering wildly.After a tragic fight, several Northern Zhou soldiers died one after another.

The young man put away his long sword and was about to cup his fists to thank him, but accidentally touched the wound and let out a muffled grunt.

Xiao Kui supported him with one hand, and said with great emotion: "The strong man must have been injured a lot, so there is no need for this gift. Just now I saw the strong man's swordsmanship elegant and agile, and he swung it freely, and I felt admiration. Jiang Chen, hurry up and help the strong man to the hunting ground, the imperial doctor Serve!"

"Your Highness, there are so many people talking in the hunting ground, isn't it exposing this strong man?"

Hearing this, the young man was shocked and asked, "Could it be that you are the prince of the Liang Dynasty, His Highness Xiao Kui?"

Xiao Kui nodded with a smile.

The young man turned his head and bowed: "The villain is Yang Jian, a military general of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Because Emperor Wu Wenyong was suspicious, he had to avoid his hometown, but he was chased all the way here."

"It turned out to be Brother Yang."

Xiao Kui's eyes lit up for a moment, and he laughed out loud with excitement.

Xiuxiu and the others were found by Xiao Hao.At that time, she was walking hard in the mountains with Yizhen on her back, and Yizhen was so tired and tired that she fell asleep lying on Xiuxiu's back, which added to Xixiu's load.

When Xiao Hao found them, Xiuxiu couldn't walk anymore, and a few strands of hair and sweat were sticking to his forehead.She looked at him with a faint smile on her lips.There seemed to be a warm current flowing over her chest, Xiao Hao was a little moved, and couldn't help reaching out to support her shoulders.

"It's fine, it's fine." He breathed a sigh of relief.

Yizhen woke up, recalling the shocking scene just now, muttering non-stop.Xiao Hao was deeply ashamed of this cousin, and when going down the mountain, he carefully supported her.This time it went smoothly, and soon the hunting ground was far away.

According to the itinerary, the convoy set off in the afternoon, so that they could reach Jiangling before dark.The accident in the morning disrupted the plan, the Third Prince was still missing, the tents that had been set up had not yet been withdrawn, and the carriages and horses were all parked outside the enclosure.

Yizhen was frightened, and lay listlessly on the couch, barely drank a few mouthfuls of porridge, and fell asleep again.Although Xiuxiu was unresolved, she stayed by Yizhen's side, seeing that she was sleeping deeply, and then went back to her tent to pack her bags with peace of mind.

Before entering the tent, he heard a slight sound of feet stepping on decaying grass.Looking up, Xiao Kui appeared at some point, and Jiang Chen followed behind him like a shadow.The expressions of the two were very calm, and they stood in front of Xiuxiu like a ghost.Xiuxiu didn't lower her head to evade, but just glanced at them indifferently, and wanted to go back to the tent.

"Miss Hugh."

Xiao Kui stopped her, and as if on a whim, he said something very polite: "Thank you for your hard work today."

"Your Highness, as long as you have had enough fun," Xiuxiu replied.

Xiao Kui looked at her in surprise, a smile slowly emerged from the corner of his mouth, and said, "I really annoyed Miss Xiuxiu. It's just that I didn't think well enough. Fortunately, it was just a false alarm, otherwise it would be bad for Mr. Shen." Explain. How about this, you can take my carriage when you go back, it will be comfortable and warm, okay?"

Xiuxiu didn't care about such casual words.She knew that the temper of the third prince was used to hot and cold, and she had already learned it after only knowing him for a few days, so she naturally ignored it.Seeing that Xiuxiu was silent, Xiao Kui assumed that he agreed, turned around and walked away.

With the order of the third prince, the camp began to dismantle the tents and prepare to leave.Xiuxiu came out with her luggage and met Xiao Hao.Xiao Hao seemed to be looking for her intentionally, and said with a smile: "Third brother let you ride in his carriage, so that you won't be lonely. After returning to Jiangling, I will come to you when I have time."

He wanted to take the luggage and help move it to the carriage, but Xiuxiu insisted on refusing, so Xiao Hao had no choice but to give up and go on his own.Xiuxiu didn't refuse him on purpose, but didn't want to ride Xiao Kui's carriage at all.

Hmph, what's so great about the prince.You say that the wind is the rain, and you can do whatever you want, but this time I won't listen to you!It scares us for a long time, but there is no half apology, I can't understand this.Dad said, although we are poor, we must be ambitious!
She made up her mind and went straight to her carriage.The carriage was inconspicuous among the convoy, but she recognized it quickly, lifted the curtain, put the luggage on it, and entered by herself.

When we were leaving, the car was full of sundries, but when we got back, it was much empty, only soft items such as brocade quilts and pillows were piled up in a mess in the corner.Just as Xiuxiu sat on it, there was a sudden movement in the brocade quilt, and before she could recover, a cold light fell across her neck.

"Shut up!"

Xiuxiu never expected that there was a person hiding in the car, most of his soul flew away and he closed his eyes.

The person inside is Yang Jian.Yang Jian didn't mean to kill Xiuxiu, but warned in a low voice: "Girl, don't shout, I won't hurt you. If you say it, I'm sorry."

Before Xixiu opened her eyes, suddenly, with a gust of cool wind rushing in, a person appeared beside her.Xiuxiu opened her eyes and saw that it was Xiao Kui.

Xiao Kui looked at her with a frown, and said very dissatisfied: "So you are here. This strong man is my friend, and he wants to go back with us. Since you found out, you should stay here and serve me well. Remember, you are not allowed to tell it after you go back, and you must keep your adoptive father a secret, if a little bit of information leaks out, don't blame me for being rude!"

The two young men gave the same warning to Xixiu, and Xixiu kept nodding in agreement.Only then did Xiao Kui feel relieved, said a few brief words to Yang Jian, jumped off the carriage, and turned back to order the convoy to return.

Dusk gradually fell, and the full moon loomed in the west.Xiuxiu was sitting in the car, listening to the sound of the car and the sound of horseshoes, rumbling and continuous, interspersed with the occasional voices of the guards.Looking through the curtain of the car, the heavy city walls of Jiangling can be seen in the distance.The hunting team meanders along the Sangyu Ancient Road, and dissolves in the thin night fog.

The young man fell asleep with his eyes closed, his face pale with blood loss.His left chest was injured, but luckily it didn't hurt the vitals, but he bled a lot. Huxiu changed his dressing and bandaged him along the way, and gave him water.Slowly, he let go of his guard against her, and even had a smile on his face.

Xiuxiu couldn't figure out the identity of this person, but she vaguely felt that he was related to those Northern Zhou soldiers.

When the convoy arrived at the city gate, it was already dark, the full moon was hanging in the sky, and the red hydrangea lights on the watchtower were swaying in the wind.The continuous sound of wheels stopped, and the carriage stopped slowly.Yang Jian had already woken up, his vigilant eyes lit up.Xiuxiu sat up straight and wanted to find out what happened. At this time, half of the car curtain was raised, and Xiao Kui got into the car quietly.

He told Yang Jian softly: "It seems that the news has reached Jiangling. The gates of the city are tightly guarded, and the soldiers of the Northern Zhou Dynasty are checking one by one. I am the prince, and they dare not do anything. Be careful in everything to avoid accidents."

Jiang Chen is negotiating with Northern Zhou soldiers.The other party heard that it was the hunting convoy of the third prince of the Liang Dynasty returning to the city, and after roughly lighting it with a lantern a few times, he allowed it to go.Just as Xiao Kui and the others breathed a sigh of relief, they heard a sharp shout: "Emperor Wu has a decree, no matter the city, the village, the emperor's relatives or relatives, all vehicles and horses entering and leaving will be strictly inspected, and there will be no omissions!"

Xiao Kui heard that it was the commander-in-chief of the guards who was talking, snorted coldly, and leaned forward to tell the guards: "Let Jiang Chen talk to them less, and give them a box of five baht, and say that the third prince has less money for hunting, and I will reward them later. Brothers."

After a while, the Chief Constable thought that he had already received the box money, and his tone became more polite: "You two princes, forgive me for being rude. The servants live on their salary, and the emperor's order must not be violated! The third prince has always been generous, and I will forgive you next time. , so that I can return to my mission."

Xiao Kui replied "It's okay to say" in the car, but frowned and cursed secretly.The commander-in-chief led a few guards, carrying lanterns, and walked along the car to look over, spitting obscenities constantly in their mouths.Everyone in the car, including Xiao Hao, knew that the guards were brutal and violent, so they had to swallow their anger and keep silent.

Seeing these people getting closer and closer, Xiuxiu was so nervous that his spine shivered.Suddenly, Xiao Kui's fingers slid on her waist, and then pulled hard, the long belt tied by Xixiu came loose, and the whole Luo skirt slipped from her shoulders, revealing the thin tube top inside.Before she could understand, she had already fallen into his arms.In the blink of an eye, without the slightest hesitation, a piece of warmth and softness pressed over her, and the cool lips kept licking her bare neck and shoulders, and one hand had already covered her chest.

Xiuxiu's mind was buzzing, and his eyes felt dizzy.The curtain of the car moved, and the dim interior of the car lit up in an instant, and Xiuxiu could clearly hear the leader's laughter.

"It's just strange. His Highness the Third Prince didn't sit in his good car, so why did he get into the palace lady's car? It turns out that the scenery here is beautiful! Haha! Third Highness, don't be angry, sorry for your rudeness."

Soon, all the light in front of me disappeared.Xiuxiu's body stiffened, feeling that Xiao Kui's big hands were confining her like iron tongs, making her unable to move at all.

With a few shouts, the convoy started and slowly entered the city gate.After the danger was eliminated, Xiuxiu came to his senses and struggled vigorously.Almost at the same time, Xiao Kui's force like iron pincers loosened.Just as he hugged her without hesitation, now he let her go without hesitation.

Xiuxiu was already in a hurry, she didn't know where the courage came from, she raised her hand and slapped him!
"You dare to hit me?" Xiao Kui's slightly surprised voice sounded.

"Your Highness, I think she might be overly frightened, so don't embarrass her." Yang Jian thought that Xiao Kui was going to lose his temper, so he pleaded for Xiuxiu.

Xiao Kui snorted contemptuously, and then ordered in a deep voice: "Pack up your clothes and send you to the prime minister's residence first."

In the darkness, Xiuxiu couldn't see Xiao Kui's expression, only his bright eyes were flickering.She quickly tidied up her clothes and straightened her messy temple hair, all the way silent.

She didn't know if the "General Yang" hiding behind had seen the scene just now, Xiao Kui's actions just now were purely to cover him, she was just a shield in Xiao Kui's hands.But the scene just now was too thrilling, and her rapid heartbeat could not be calmed down for a long time.

At the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Xiao Kui put down and rested without even saying a word, without the slightest pause, the motorcade drove away.Standing alone, Xiuxiu saw Xiao Hao leaning out of the car and waved goodbye to her.

The convoy quickly disappeared into the night, and the sound of rattling wheels was still ringing in Xiuxiu's ears.This hunting experience is like a dream, but it has actually existed.

Hugh thought: I won’t have such an opportunity in the future, right?

two

After the court was over, Shen Buyu walked alone on the royal road leading to the palace gate.In the quiet place, the fallen leaves are silent under the white jade fence, and the black cypress is growing vigorously, and the thick leaves cover the sight of outsiders.A black shadow flashed out soundlessly, and the flying insects that lived on the ground fled away like ghosts.

The black shadow lowered his voice, and whispered to Shen Buyu like this.

Shen Buyu's expression changed in surprise, and he asked, "Where is Yang Jian now?"

"In the lower palace of the Third Highness that is being built."

"Understood, you must keep it a secret so as not to alert the emperor. This matter must not be heard by the Mu family, otherwise there will be a big incident in the court."

"As ordered."

Shen Buyu went out of the palace gate, got into his carriage, and then let out a breath slowly.He touched the back of his neck, felt sticky sweat there, and thought to himself: Xiao Kui is really bold...

In the Suxin Courtyard, Xiuxiu spent a lot of effort to weave the red silk thread into a belt and run it through the gardenia stamen jade, carefully hanging it on the neck and hanging on the chest.She looked in the bronze mirror and smiled with satisfaction.

The jade that her father gave her can be worn by her at any time.

After returning from the hunting ground, she thought that Shen Buyu would bring it up, and she was ready to answer.Unexpectedly, a few days had passed, and Shen Buyu didn't take this matter to heart at all.Even the second wife, Liu Rulan, only simply greeted her with a few words.As if hunting was just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.In this way, Xiuxiu let go of the burden in his heart and became more lively.

There are many fallen leaves in the palm garden, and the wind in Jiangling is already chilly. Although the Suxin courtyard is quiet, you can always hear the rustling sound of leaves falling at night.When Xiuxiu was feeling lonely, Liu Rulan suddenly invited a teacher to teach the "Women's Training" and "Women's Principles" that officials and officials usually have to learn.

Fortunately, Xiuxiu was taught to read by her father since she was a child, and Tianji has taught her a lot in recent years, and she has a sense of understanding, so the teacher always leaves satisfied.After studying like this for a few days, Shen Buyu appeared in the courtyard.

"September [-]th is the birthday of Grand Servant Zheng De. Many princes and ministers are invited. Zheng De is the uncle of the fourth prince. Thinking of the brotherhood, the third prince will go to the birthday banquet in person. Those ministers have caught up It’s a good opportunity, so I’m bound to squeeze in with my daughter. I didn’t want you to show your face, but now that you’re here, you’ll be surprised if you don’t go. Fortunately, you know the third prince and the fourth prince, so don’t be cautious, just follow me when the time comes that is."

That hunting experience was still vivid in her memory, and when she thought of seeing that kind fourth prince again, and Miss Yizhen, who was in trouble together, she didn't say anything, but the trace of joy hung on her face without any concealment.But thinking of Xiao Kui again, I felt an inexplicable feeling in my heart.

Shen Buyu saw it, said nothing more, and walked away with his hands behind his back.

Two days before September [-]th, Shen Xinyang ran into the Juxin Courtyard.

"Young master, the master has ordered that outsiders are not allowed to intrude into the Juxin courtyard. If the second lady finds out, be careful and be punished." Yan Xi wanted to drive Shen Xinyang away.

Shen Xinyang just sat down, and pouted childishly: "This is the yard of my new sister, why am I an outsider? You damn girl don't chew your tongue, who would know?"

As he spoke, he pulled Yanxi's braid.Yan Xi suffered from the pain, and slapped him fiercely. Shen Xinyang couldn't dodge it in time, and got hit hard on the head.He kept stroking the sore spot, Yanxi burst out laughing when he saw him baring his teeth.Shen Xinyang was never annoyed, but smiled softly.

Xiuxiu personally made a cup of tea, brought it to Shen Xinyang, and said with a smile: "You are only a few months older than me, and I really can't pronounce the word 'brother'. Brother Tianji is much older than me. They still call him 'Four Treasures', but it was only changed to 'Brother' two years ago."

Shen Xin and Yang Xinsheng were envious, and sighed: "It's good to play together since childhood, this is called childhood sweetheart. Why am I not so lucky? I want to hear you call 'Brother', but you don't."

"What's so good about being an older brother? You grow up all of a sudden and get old." Yan Xi interjected.

"I hope that I will grow up soon, leave my father's control, and fly freely like a bird. It's the most boring like it is now, this will not work, and that will not work."

After listening to Shen Xinyang's complaints, Xiuxiu asked, "You must have something to tell me when you came here early in the morning. Madam knew what happened last time, right?"

"I came here just for this." Shen Xinyang blinked mysteriously, and did not treat Yanxi as an outsider, and said directly, "I have inquired carefully, the handyman employed more than ten years ago was dead, Married, married, there is really nothing left. Uncle Fu has been serving the master since he was a child, so he can't ask anything from him. However, his wife, Liu Ma, was also a servant in the mansion, and it is said that she also served my mother. I asked for the address of Uncle Fu's house, so we can go to Mama Liu to find out."

"This is great!" Xiuxiu couldn't help clapping her hands and said with joy.

Shen Xinyang came out of Juxin Courtyard with a happy smile on his face.Huanye Yingchi had only walked half a circle, and a person slowly stepped out from under the willow tree.

His father came suddenly, and Shen Xinyang was stunned for a moment.He calmed down, lowered his eyebrows and said respectfully: "Father."

Shen Buyu's face was covered with a haze, he looked at his son dissatisfied, and spoke in a long voice: "You haven't studied your homework well recently, what are you busy with?"

Shen Xin Yang Xin knew that she couldn't hide it from her father, so she muttered: "Xiuxiu's parents are originally from the mansion, but I just want to help her find out..."

Before he finished speaking, Shen Xinyang saw his father's hand raised high, and swung it down face to face.There was a slap, and there was a burning pain on his face.Shen Xinyang closed his eyes and plopped down on the green brick.

"People are dead, why do you still ask? Now Xiuxiu is from the Shen family, and I am her father! I am doing everything I can to make her a veritable daughter of the prime minister's mansion, and you just messed up my good business! Listen! , if you continue to care about such messy things, be careful that I will lock you up and you are not allowed to go out for half a step!"

Shen Xinyang had never seen his father get so angry, he couldn't help shivering in fear, and replied with a trembling voice: "My child understands."

"Go back to your own yard and stay well!"

After training his son, Shen Buyu thought he had business to go out, so he flung his sleeves and left.

Shen Xinyang just stood up, looked at the back of his father leaving, stroked his face, and took a deep breath.

"Even if Xiuxiu's father is dead, it won't be so serious if you ask her about it? My father has always been steady and open-minded, why is he so angry?"

On September [-]th, Xiuxiu never expected that Xiao Hao would step into the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Shen Buyu heard the news, straightened his clothes and went to greet him.Xiao Hao stood in front of the screen wall without even a cloak on, and the draft swept over the corners of the eaves, shaking his brocade robe.Shen Buyu couldn't help but stop, and Zheng Meiren, who was in a trance, stood in front of him in a palace dress embroidered with lotus brocade, and her skirt was blown by the wind.Emperor Liang beside him looked at her with his head slightly lowered, and said something softly.Zheng Meiren narrowed her eyes half-annoyed and smiled very sweetly.

"I'll pick you up." Xiao Hao said shyly.

He behaves and speaks like his dead mother and concubine.

(End of this chapter)