Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 26 Silver Frost (2)
"No! They just found out that I didn't go with the fourth prince, and they might not know that we are together. I will deal with it. They won't do anything to me. You go into the house to hide."

Tianji was still hesitating, Xiuxiu pushed him hard into the house.Hearing the footsteps outside getting closer and closer, Tianji entered the room helplessly. After hesitating for a while, he gritted his teeth and got under the bamboo bed.

Uncle Fu led his men to push open the small courtyard door.Xiuxiu was squatting under the wall and fiddled with the potted flowers. She seemed to be startled by the sudden intrusion of outsiders, and her face was full of panic.

"Miss, what are you doing here?" Uncle Fu asked with sharp eyes.

Xiuxiu stood up, stroked her hair calmly, and said coldly: "What I do is my business, can you control it?"

Uncle Fu hummed silently, glanced across the hut, motioned for others to guard the wooden door, and strode inside by himself.Xiuxiu's heart was pounding with nervousness, and she followed involuntarily.Uncle Fu entered the room and looked around the layout, and said with a very soft smile: "Miss is waiting for that Chu Tianji?"

There was no trace of Tianji in the house, Xiuxiu calmed down, and her tone became a little tough: "Why are you following me? Can't I just come out to get some air? Even if it's waiting for Chu Tianji, he came from my natal family, and talking and breaking the law together Is it? What is he in your way?"

Uncle Fu is usually used to seeing Xiuxiu's resignation, seeing her become so eloquent, his face darkened, and said: "Miss, this is what the master ordered. You are not allowed to deal with outsiders before you choose the third concubine. The master expects to climb Naturally, being a member of the royal family is a bit stricter for you, you must not let the master down!"

Xiuxiu said coldly: "Master's thinking is too absurd. Even if you want to, the third prince has no intention at all, so what can you do? The third prince is arrogant and domineering, and doesn't care about you at all, so please don't worry about it, master." .”

"It's your naivety, miss."

Uncle Fu was not angry, and stood in front of Xiuxiu with his hands behind his back, with a malicious smile on his face: "You can choose whether you choose the third prince. He has a handle in the hands of the master. If the master uses it to frighten him at will, he will obediently refuse to do so." No."

"What's the reason?" Xiuxiu asked in surprise.

"Do you still remember the last time Ji Mingyou tried every means to dig something out of your mouth? Yang Jian, the escaped general of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, was recovering from his injuries in the palace. The three princes kept secrets. Only the master knows about this. Of course, Miss is You were the first to know about this, but you kept your mouth shut, which naturally aroused the third prince's affection for you. Yang Jian's injury has not yet healed, and he is surrounded by enemies. The third prince's palace is his safest hiding place. If this matter If someone stabbed him out, the court would become restless, and the third prince would talk endlessly about whether he could be crowned prince, and this prince's identity might not be preserved."

Xiuxiu thought about it, and then she understood, she clenched her hands tightly to suppress her anger, and said, "No wonder the third prince invited me to the theater, it turned out that the master forced him!"

"Miss, you will be the third concubine sooner or later. Now that you understand these principles, please go home with this old slave and obediently prepare to be the third concubine. As for Chu Tianji, is it not enough for him to be taught a lesson? Chu Tianji suffers less, you have to go back to the Shen Mansion, right? The old slave ugly said before, if Chu Tianji appears, this fist will not recognize anyone!"

A haze flashed in Uncle Fu's eyes, he walked out of the hut, and said to the house slave guarding the door: "Send Miss home."

Xiuxiu bit her lip, gave Uncle Fu a hard look, then looked under the wooden bed, and left the room helplessly, following Uncle Fu and the others obediently.

Empty and condensed, there is no trace for thousands of miles.The bamboo shadows outside the window swayed and tangled together.

Everyone is gone, leaving only Tianji alone.

His eyes were awe-inspiring, and the flames in his heart were burning and spreading boundlessly, and he said to himself almost ferociously: "Shen Buyu, this is your wishful thinking! What do you think of Xiuxiu! Yes, I am I have no money or power, but I like Xiuxiu, and I am not afraid of you! I will not let Xiuxiu be pushed into the pit of fire by you!"

He roared at the sky a few times, Tianji suddenly remembered something, and said: "Yes, don't you want to keep that secret? I'll tell Mr. Ji right now! I promised the eldest prince that the position of crown prince must be his! The eldest prince will be Future Emperor!"

Thinking of this, Tianji's pupils burned extremely brightly, he no longer hesitated, and rushed out of the wooden door like an arrow.

two

A light rain fell on Jiangling, the weather cleared up after dusk, the sky was clear, and a crescent moon hung slantingly in the west.

In the depths of the palace, Yang Jian had stood there for a while.

Xiao Kui stepped up the steps, and the broken leaves on the ground made a slight rustling sound under his feet.

For more than half a year, he has been by Yang Jian's side, eagerly absorbing the way of raising soldiers, and delving into the foundation of the national policy.Yang Jian has profound knowledge and insight into subtleties, just like his good teacher and helpful friend.The two share similar interests together, and there are always endless topics to talk about.

The Milky Way is full of stars, and the moonlit night is like a dream, Xiao Kui said with a faint smile: "The moon is so bright, does Brother Yang think of your Dugu Jialuo?"

"The road ahead is boundless, and a gentleman is sad." Yang Jian looked at the starry sky and sighed, "I am here, my heart is in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and I have never stopped thinking about my relatives. It is a pity that the royal family of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was incompetent, and everyone suffered. It's funny to think about it."

"The current situation is unpredictable, and Brother Yang will eventually return to Beizhou to develop his ambitions. In my judgment, Brother Yang is born with a dragon-like domineering spirit, and has a lot of insight into the suffering of the world. He will eventually rule the country."

"Emperor Zhou Xuan, Yu Wenyun, is licentious and immoral. He often suspects that I am plotting wrongdoing. There are also villains in the court. Those royal relatives and relatives are mediocre and frivolous, and they are greedy for money. It's all over!"

Hearing this, Xiao Kui's face was dignified, and he nodded frequently: "Houliang is just a subsidiary state. It is rumored that the Northern Zhou's general in Jiangling has accepted bribes from Mu's party members. If there is a change in the court situation, they will immediately report to the Northern Zhou court to support us. Eldest brother came to the throne. Zheng Wei is in the position of Marquis, he has a large army in Huanyi, Shen Buyu and other important ministers are in high positions, they will not sit back and watch the country be replaced by the Mu family. I know that they are called Baohuang, and they are actually ready to move. My father Your Majesty is in danger."

"There is a heavy responsibilities and a long way to go, Your Highness is more difficult than me." Yang Jian patted Xiao Kui on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Your Highness is still young, you must have the endurance of Gou Jian's ten years of hard work, and guard against restlessness. Your father Promise each other with benevolence and love, the future will last forever, don't let your father down."

Xiao Kui came to his senses in horror, he cupped his hands and said: "Xiao Kui will always remember the words of gold and stone, brother Yang."

Yang Jian held Xiao Kui's hand, his eyes twinkled like stars, and he couldn't help saying: "If one day I, Yang Jian, take over the world, I will cancel the Northern Zhou Jiangling Supervisor and let you handle the affairs of the Houliang by yourself."

The two hands clasped together tightly again.

The moonlight is like practice, and the breeze brings the fragrance of flowers and plants.Yang Jian smiled easily and changed the subject: "You seldom go to Jiaofang, those girls must be impatient. How, is there anyone you like?"

Xiao Kui's expression dimmed in an instant, without the heroic spirit he had before.

"We'll talk about this matter next year, and I will do what my father wants." He whispered.

Yang Jian grinned, knowing that Xiao Kui was hesitating to speak, and there must be a hidden secret behind it, but he didn't point it out, he just said slowly: "When Dugu Jialuo married me, he was only 14 years old. He was innocent and free-spirited." At first I thought she was young, and apart from being disappointed, I even looked down on her a bit. After getting along with her for a long time, I realized that she is smart, strong and independent. She is the only one who can become my helper. Wandering around. It turns out that the so-called happy couples are those who can share the joys and sorrows together, and walk side by side through the wind and dust and frost!"

These words hinted at something, and the moonlight reflected Xiao Kui's face brightly.This time, he fell silent, thoughtful.

Yang Jian wanted to say something else, but at this time, a strong wind blew from nowhere, and the lanterns hanging under the eaves were extinguished.There were chaotic footsteps from the path, and soon, the guard Jiang Chen appeared.

"Your Highness, it's bad! A large number of Northern Zhou soldiers rushed in outside the palace gate!"

Xiao Kui and Yang Jian looked at each other with astonishment on their faces.

"How many people are here?" Xiao Kui asked anxiously.

"About a hundred people. They came prepared, and we only have twenty or so people who are no match for them. Your Highness, please think of a way!"

As soon as Jiang Chen's words fell, there were noisy sounds not far away, there was the screeching of sword scabbards, and the sound of footsteps kicking. It felt like the entire ground of the palace was shaking.Immediately afterwards, a fire dragon made of torches was winding towards this side quickly.

Xiao Kui's hand had already pressed the spring of the sword scabbard, and the sword energy came out of the sheath, and the cold light flickered.

"Brother Yang, wait inside, I'll deal with them!"

Yang Jian stopped Xiao Kui and said: "It seems that I have been exposed, the soldiers of the Northern Zhou Dynasty came to arrest me. Your Highness, let me go out, I don't want brothers to make unnecessary sacrifices!"

"No! You listen to me here!"

Xiao Kui showed no fear, grabbed Yang Jian and pushed him into the hall, waved his hand, and said to Jiang Chen beside him, "Let's go."

As soon as the two of them left the hospital, a group of Northern Zhou soldiers rushed in and surrounded them.Almost at the same time, Xiao Kui's bodyguards also protected the master, and the two sides were at war with each other.

The torches lit up the sky and made the surroundings as bright as day.

The general manager of the Northern Zhou Dynasty came out with his hands behind his back, with a smug expression on his face: "Your Highness, the third prince, you are hiding a fugitive from the court. The crime is not light! How about it, is it Yang Jian who surrendered himself, or should we arrest him?"

Xiao Kui sneered and said, "I have to settle accounts with you if you break into the palace without permission!"

"Don't be arrogant, Your Highness the Third Prince. Every plant and tree in Jiangling was originally under the jurisdiction of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. You have to obey it, and you have to obey it if you don't! Now the palace is surrounded by us so tightly that not even a fly can escape. Tell Yang Jian to come out!"

"If you want Yang Jian, pass me first!"

Xiao Kui suddenly flashed his sword, and the sound of the sword clanged.The other party seemed to be as calm as winning, hundreds of people moved, only to hear a series of screams, and the guards around Xiao Kui fell down one after another.

Not far away, there were the panicked cries of the maids and the wanton laughter of the Northern Zhou soldiers.

At this time, Xiao Kui's face was terribly ferocious, he raised his sword and slashed with a loud roar, and several Northern Zhou soldiers surrounding him were bloody and bloody, screaming again and again.The manager of the Northern Zhou Dynasty smiled sharply and shouted: "Xiao Kui, you don't want to toast or eat fine wine! Come here, kill these dog slaves!"

"stop!"

It was obviously a person's cry, but it shook like thunder.

Xiao Kui couldn't help shivering, closed his eyes in despair, and slowly dropped the sword in his hand.

Yang Jian appeared at the gate of the courtyard, his eyes were frosty, and even his voice was inexplicably cold: "Aren't you going to arrest me, Yang Jian? It's none of their business, I'll go with you!"

"Death crimes can be pardoned, but living crimes are inevitable." The Northern Zhou Chief raised his head high, his eyes under the torch showing cold sarcasm, "Your Highness, the third prince, just wait to be dealt with. General Yang Jian, just follow us , Emperor Xuan is looking for you everywhere, haha!"

Northern Zhou soldiers began to cheer.

Xiao Kui's eyes were red, and he looked at Yang Jian helplessly, watching him being tied up and escorted away by five flowers.

Yang Jian struggled to turn around, and shouted at the throat: "Your Highness, don't forget what I said, and don't be restless!" Soon, the voice and the figure disappeared in the procession of torches.

Xiao Kui stood still, opened his mouth, but what he spit out was only restrained anger, scattered in the moonlight.

night, quiet.

It was just dawn, and a few dark clouds floated over the palace.

In the Lingde Hall, the incense burner on the top of the crane ignited white smoke, and the officials prostrated and knelt all over the ground.Liang Emperor Xiao Xi sat slumped on the Dragon Throne, the muscles on his face convulsed endlessly.

"I didn't expect Kui'er to cause trouble like this. Since Bei Zhou knew about it, this disaster can't be avoided. Please think of a perfect plan."

Ji Mingyou came out and said: "The third highness is determined to go his own way, hiding the criminals of the Northern Zhou Dynasty privately. What is the reputation of Houliang? In order to prevent Quanliang from falling into the quagmire, I ask the third highness to escort the third highness to the Northern Zhou Dynasty to meet Emperor Xuan of Zhou in order to ask for leniency. "

Xiao Xi felt dizzy for a while, her heart was beating violently, she tried her best to calm down, and looked at Shen Buyu.Shen Buyu understood, cupped his hands and said: "People are not sages, so who can do without fault? The Third Highness is only 19 years old. He has always had his own opinions and knowledge, and he is already a hero! It is inevitable for young people to be biased if they are young. Escorting His Highness to the Northern Zhou Dynasty, how is it different from being sentenced to death?"

A minister came out to refute: "That Yang Jian has been hiding in the palace for more than half a year, which shows that His Royal Highness is not restless for a while. There are many risks in our dynasty. His Highness always opposes the Northern Zhou Dynasty. The future of Houliang is very worrying and confused."

Ji Mingyou also sarcastically said: "As we all know, although the Third Highness has the courage to fight, he is also more capable of lusting and lusting. Mr. Shen is the teacher of the Third Highness. If he is taught and induced to be like this, even a real hero is afraid that he will be deceived." Obliterated?"

"You—" Shen Buyu was so angry that he couldn't speak for a moment.

At this time, the imperial servant Zheng De also stepped forward and said: "The third highness is rich and honored, how can he be tied up and let others slaughter him? The emperor and the old minister advised that the only way to use the treasury's silver is to send a flexible and generous envoy to use words to influence Emperor Xuan of Zhou and calm down the situation. His anger can only end this matter."

Only then did Xiao Xie's brows calm down, and his face showed a slightly warm look, and asked: "This strategy is very good, I wonder which love Qing would like to go?"

Shen Buyu knelt down and said seriously: "I would like to be entrusted with a test."

"Okay." Xiao Qi smiled, "As long as Kui'er doesn't go to the Northern Zhou Dynasty, this disaster will be over. Shen Aiqing will go smoothly, and I will be able to govern the country with peace of mind."

At this time, a strong wind passed by, and the eaves of the temple in the distance were clanking.Then, the faint sound of iron hooves came from the direction of the palace gate.The people in the hall looked at each other with different expressions.Xiao Qi's face was pale, and he was about to fall down. He tried his best to hold on to the handrail beside him, and stared intently at the gate of the palace.

Not long after, a deacon chief hurriedly entered the hall and reported: "Your Majesty, soldiers from the Northern Zhou Dynasty rushed into the palace. The general also said that if the emperor does not severely punish the third highness with the law, they will definitely destroy the palace." , bloodbathed the entire city of Jiangling!"

Xiao Qi trembled all over, panted heavily and said, "You tell them to wait... Chuan Kui'er..."

Ji Mingyou said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, please seek long-term plans. If you ignore the safety of the people in Jiangling, you will cause endless troubles. The gains outweigh the losses!"

"Please take the emperor's society as the most important thing, and kill relatives with righteousness!"

"Keep me safe!"

All the ministers knelt down one after another and echoed.

"I know!" Xiao Cha yelled sharply.

There was a dead silence in the hall.

With tears in his eyes, Xiao Xi slowly got up.He waved his sleeves to the crowd, and before he could stand up, he collapsed limply on the red carpet.

The soldiers of the Northern Zhou Dynasty temporarily withdrew outside the palace gate, and the morning in the palace was quiet. The short silence before the monstrous waves made people feel even more gloomy and suffocating.

Outside the bedroom of Emperor Liang Xiao Xie, the maids and servants hurried about, and the imperial physician came in and out without making a sound.Occasionally, the sound of crows passed by, and the palace guards outside the door suddenly felt ominous, so they raised a long pole to drive away the crows, and an inexplicable strong wind came again, knocking on the crows in panic, shaking the branches and leaves restlessly.

At this time, the queen appeared on the corridor leading to the bedroom.

The queen walked slowly, her skirt inlaid with gold embroidery dragging on the ground.After entering the inner courtyard, I saw a person kneeling outside the bedroom, with clouded temples and hairpin tassels rippling like water waves.

When Concubine Rong first entered the palace, the emperor praised her for her delicacy, elegance and tranquility, with a charm like a lotus, and even set up a lotus pond to share with her.The queen regarded him as the biggest enemy of the harem several times, especially after the birth of the third prince Xiao Kui.Over the past twenty years, this lotus-like woman has become lonely. No matter how good her son is, he can't stop the emperor from lingering in the flowers.Unlike me, as a regular wife, she can freely enter and exit her husband's bedroom.Those unparalleled glamorous women have changed batch after batch, but they can't shake her position as queen.

Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a little pity for the woman kneeling in front of her, she smiled silently, and said slowly: "Concubine Rong knelt so early, does the emperor not want to see you?"

Concubine Rong raised her head, her face was as pale as paper, and her eyes were sad.Her expression was a little dazed, and she murmured: "I beg the emperor to show mercy, don't hurt Kui'er..."

"What can I exchange for it?" the queen said coldly.

"The concubine is willing to exchange her wealth and life."

With a cold snort inadvertently, the queen frowned, and her voice was extremely cold: "What's the use of changing you? Ten concubines are not as good as a third prince. The people of the Northern Zhou Dynasty are targeting him. You and I, including the subjects of Houliang, are restrained." Yu Bei Zhou. His Highness the Third Highness violated the law, so he will be severely punished, not even the emperor can shield him."

Concubine Rong's voice trembled, she kowtowed and cried: "I beg the queen to find a way, if I can save Kui'er's life, I will do anything."

The queen wondered: "A woman can't control the government affairs of the court. I go in and talk to the emperor about family matters. You can just kneel like this. Whether the emperor wants to see it or not depends on your fate."

After finishing speaking, he slowly walked up the steps of the bedroom.

All the maids and servants in the palace avoided, only a few senior imperial doctors were waiting in front of the dragon couch.Seeing the queen come in, they all knelt down to salute.

The Empress looked at Emperor Liang who was motionless inside the curtain, and asked, "How is your Majesty?"

"Reporting to Empress, the emperor was just shocked for a while, and the blood was so strong that the old disease relapsed. Take a few doses of medicine, and take care of your diet."

"Let's all go back."

After the imperial doctor withdrew, the queen stepped forward and slowly rolled up the silk curtain.Under the clear light and shadow, the first thing that catches the eye is a thin cheek and Xiao Xi's deep eyes.

Although the eyes were sunken in, they still shone brightly.The queen was a little panicked for a moment, she hurriedly lowered her eyes guiltily, and sat in front of the bed.

"You want to ask me how to deal with Kui'er?"

Xiao Xi's voice was a little hoarse, as indifferent as usual.

The queen's breath was stagnant, and she quickly said calmly: "It is also the duty of a concubine to protect my country and society."

"what do you want?"

"Either hand it over to the Northern Zhou people, or punish him severely until the Northern Zhou people are satisfied."

"I have known for a long time that you are colluding with the people of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. The purpose is to let Shao'er sit on the throne. Now that Kui'er has been caught, it is exactly what you want. You go and tell the people of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and I will destroy it with my own hands. The entire back beam will not let Kui'er die!"

Xiao Xi's eyes shone sharply, his voice was calm, but his hand pointing at the queen was trembling.

The queen was horrified and stood up suddenly, the anger in her heart erupted like magma.

"What Shao'er has learned, said, and done is worse than Kui'er? He is honest, he does not love luxury, and he is upright! If he is polished and mellow, he may not be able to complete the great cause of the post-Liang Dynasty! Now Kui'er has made a big mistake. It's also due to the emperor's indulgence and partiality! If it weren't for me, Mrs. Mu, to deal with it, the people of the Northern Zhou Dynasty would have flattened the palace long ago, how could Kui'er be allowed to be at ease?"

The light alternated between light and dark, the sharpness in Xiao Xi's eyes dissipated, and a ray of helplessness and frustration floated on his face.

The queen came to Xiao Xi step by step. At this time, she became stronger and more ruthless than before.Those words shot into Xiao Xi's chest like arrows leaving the string.

(End of this chapter)