Lie down and eat melon in the protagonist group

Chapter 35 Thirty-five Gold and Jade 1
The carriage drove into Jingkou Avenue and saw a towering spire rising out of the lush mountains. I already knew that it was Changtai Temple. There were many temples around it and it was adjacent to the imperial mausoleum.

Near the Beili Gate is the boundary of Kyoto. On the right side is Fuxiang Mountain, on which the Palace Academy is built, where children from various clans in Kyoto gather. On the left is a large mountain, Zhongshan, where the royal family went on hunting trips and provided a place for Miyagi to sleep on.

At the foot of Fuxiang Mountain is the Royal Garden, which is heavily guarded by thorns. During the hot summer season, the masters of the palace would move in there to enjoy the cool weather. They would stay there for the whole of February and March, and all the summons would come from here.

The palace city is located in the north of Kyoto, and the remaining three sides have three cities and military guards, namely Dongfu, Nanjun, and Xishiyao.

The two southeastern cities are full of aristocratic families. Just drop a brick and kill three or five nobles. They are full of wealth and splendor. The west city is cold and forbidding, with heavy troops stationed at the emperor's command.

The Ling family's carriage crossed the Second Bridge and drove along the Qingxi River into the eastern suburbs.

Ling Qiong has already sent people to tidy up the house. It occupies a compact area and is smaller than the ancestral house in Shangfucheng. The price has increased several times.

"There are seven bridges in Qingxi. You must remember it. In front of the bridge is Dongfu City. Ahead of the Bianhuai Storehouse is close to Zhuque Gate. There is Nanjun City. There is a wide alley in the city called Jinyu Mantang, which houses many people. There are two big clans, Si and Xie. It is also the busiest there, including Nanshi, Dongchangqian, Zhuquehang... there are shops all over the place, and it costs money to go in and take a breather."

Ling Qiong took out Zhang Jingdu's map book and unfolded it, pointing at the two major clans in Jin Yutang alley, and emphatically sounded the alarm to Ling Cen.

"The disease has changed. You should list out a map of the relationships between the nobles in Kyoto. It would be best if you have portraits so that everyone in the family can recognize them. Especially you, Acen, please listen carefully to me. Money is tight for you to spend, so don't wander around." Ask less and don't ask. Gong Xue has already taken care of it. Follow Ah Huai closely during school, follow whatever he does, and interrupt less where Ah Huai can talk!"

Ling Cen covered his forehead to prevent Ling Qiong from poking him with her finger again, and frowned very unhappy, "Since you are afraid that I will get into trouble, can't you not go to the palace to study? Can't you hire a wife to stay at home?"

Ling Jing had no idea what to do with him and shook her head, "If you don't study, you won't even be able to speak up when others scold you."

Ling Cen curled his lips, "Everyone here is rich and wealthy, but I'm just a grandson. How can I dare to talk back?"

In the fourth year of Changping, in mid-June, Emperor Zhou died of illness in Youyuan. His powerful and virtuous name was Wu, and his posthumous title was Dingwu.

The cicadas in June made me feel thirsty. I was greedy for coolness and secretly ate a lot of cold drinks behind my back. I had a stomachache in the middle of the night. At noon in the day, I spread my limbs on the bamboo couch with a thin blanket on my belly and slept under the window screen to bask in the sun. Drive away the cold.

Ling Jing held a round fan to fan him, while Ling Dang peeled open the lychees and removed the cores. A cup full of crystal clear white preserved fruits made Fu'an greedy and eager to eat. The fourth sister kept calling.

"No, your fifth brother assigned you to memorize the book yesterday. Can you memorize it?" Ling Dang took it aside and said, "If you can't memorize it, you won't be fed."

Fu'an learned to move around, "I'll tell my mother to go."

Pei Zhanqing is a single person in Fu'an. He is spoiled to no limit and has a spoiled temperament. As long as someone doesn't do what he wants, he will complain to his mother if he opens his mouth or shuts up.

Ling Dang deliberately kept a straight face and said: "Xiao Qi, if you threaten people with these words in the future, we will ignore you. Huh, no one wants to play with ignorant children, especially those who are lazy and lazy."

Ling Jing echoed her, "Yes, no one likes bad kids."

Fu'an puffed up his cheeks, turned over and ran out, crying: "I don't want you, I'm going to find my mother! I don't like the third sister and the fourth sister anymore! Wuwu..."

Ling Dang stood at the door and gloated: "Aunt Qing went out early in the morning, don't waste your efforts."

Mrs. Zhang Dong came to the corridor with an ice basin in her hands. Fu'an rushed towards her and complained in tears, "Mr. Zhang Dong..."

"My darling, please stop crying." Madam Zhang Dong quickly put down the basin, hugged Fu Anxin and coaxed her sweetheart, "Fourth Miss, the young master is still young. Children have good memories, so be careful if he takes this matter with you. I will remember you forever."

Pei Zhanqing is the number one favorite, and Zhang Dong's wife is the second. She treats Fu'an as if she is her grandson, and she protects her baby very well every day.

"If you don't remember to treat him well, it's okay to remember that I'm bad." Ling Dang stuffed a mouthful of lychees into his mouth and said in a straight voice, "This will save him from having anyone in the house that he's afraid of."

The sky turned red, completely disappearing from the western mountains, and the stars formed a crooked moon. The Ling family gathered around the table to finish dinner, and the maids each brought tea to clear their mouths.

Pei Zhanqing was a little distracted. The tea bowl hit several corners and almost fell to the ground.

"Did you get burned?" Ling Jing held the handkerchief and hurried forward, turning the back of Pei Zhanqing's palm and checking it back and forth.

Pei Zhanqing shook her head, with fear in her eyes. She held Ling Jing's hand and said, "The crown prince has ascended the throne and granted amnesty to the world. Zhang Gaoxuan has been postponed until next autumn. I'm worried..."

Ling Jing smiled when she heard this and said slowly: "Don't worry, he won't be able to get out. I have already taken care of everything. Just postpone it. You have been in jail for more than a year. It's just right. Let him try you too." He has been severely tortured. Let him breathe before being executed."

On a sweltering summer night, Ling Dang took two sips of hot tea and still felt a chill on his back.

He glanced at Ling Jing several times, and suddenly he didn't recognize her.

How could a person who could make a name for himself in the backyard of a deep palace be just a quiet, gentle and soft-tempered person? Although the peony is a national beauty, it only blooms for one season, while the rose is elegant and blooms all year round, making it the queen of flowers.

At the top of the moon, Ling Jing is tending to the potted rose plants, putting down the flower shears, and Ling Huai enters the house leisurely.

"How do you say it?" Ling Jing stroked the spikes on the stalk.

"Princess Yiyang died suddenly. The young emperor was furious and ordered the second prince, Lin Yilong, to lead troops to Ganzhou City to attack the Northern Territory with the intention of regaining the state." Ling Huai picked up a recliner and got into his body. "Guess, the Northern Territory will send troops this time." Which capable general will take up the challenge?"

"General of the Northern Kingdom, Qin Qiu." Ling Jing closed the window, "Your biological uncle."

Ling Huai carried a pot and poured tea, "I have a good memory."

Ling Jing felt regretful and said: "It's a pity. Princess Yiyang's life was so short. She had no choice but to be born in the royal family. She couldn't help her life, and she couldn't help her death. When Emperor Wu of Zhou died, the young emperor was not as good as the weak crown. How could such a young emperor frighten the world? The Northern Territory had no control over it. How could we not find a reason to start a fight?"

Ling Huai put the pot down and said, "Young Emperor Lin Yiheng is warlike by nature, and he and the princess will not live long."

Ling Jing asked with a smile: "Do you want to go to the battlefield? Maybe Qin Qiu will retreat as soon as he sees you, and maybe he can see your mother."

"She is dead." Ling Huai greeted, looking at the moon through the window pane, "She died a long time ago."

Ling Jing was stunned.

"No matter how favored you are, you are just a noble concubine." Ling Huai smiled, a heartless smile, "Why do you think Qin Qiu lost this battle? Let me tell you - the relatives in the Northern Territory have exclusive power, and Qin Qiu has a heavy army. How could the small imperial court, headed by the empress, allow the emperor to win over Qin Qiu and compete with them?"

As if the matter had nothing to do with him, he continued in a low voice: "I took advantage of the re-conquest of Ganzhou City to send General Qin Qiu to lead a group of old, weak, sick and disabled guards to fight against the Zhou Kingdom. The defeat was certain, but it was Qin's fault. Qiu led his troops to the expedition and resisted for half a year."

"My unsatisfactory biological father has been soft-hearted all his life. Although he has the virtue of discerning talents, he has no iron-blooded skills. He can't protect children, women, loyal ministers and good generals, and he is destined to be unable to become a great weapon. His relatives control the government and secretly embezzle food and reinforcements. , so that the emperor would fall out of harmony. Then he secretly conveyed the imperial edict and poisoned the imperial concubine to death. Qin Qiu was so exhausted after hearing the bad news, how could he go into battle? In this way, Qin Qiu, such a serious problem, has been eliminated. "

Ling Huai said it lightly, but Ling Jing felt heartbroken when she heard it.

Ling Jing sat on the stool, shaking her fan, and said, "Your father is not as unbearable as you say. There is a tall building in the North that can embrace the moon with one hand, so it is named Yongyue Tower. It was built by the Northern Emperor in memory of his late concubine Xu Yue. Since then, the building was built, and the emperor stayed in the high pavilion every night. Later... he set himself on fire while holding the portrait of his deceased concubine. It is rare to find an infatuated man in the world."

"Infatuation? A coward's infatuation can be described as a burden." Ling Huai sneered, "If only he had waited a few days to seek life and death, he wouldn't have left such a big mess for me."

The resentment was deep, and every family had its own sutras that were difficult to recite, not to mention the emperor's family. Ling Jing couldn't explain it, so she turned away the conversation with a flick of her wrist. She said: "Qin Qiu disappeared during the battle in Ganzhou City. Is he dead or in hiding?"

Ling Huai said: "He changed his appearance, sneaked into the northern guard, and became the commander of the imperial guard. When envoys came to Zhou, he was among them. He also communicated with me secretly, protected me, and helped me seize the throne." . This is the only time Beidi used his brain correctly."

"No wonder." Ling Jing realized, "No wonder you were able to hide Ah Dang for seven years."

She envied: "You have a good uncle."

Ling Huai raised his lips and smiled happily, and suddenly asked her: "What do you think of the Zhu family? Once the three-year filial piety period is over, the young emperor will grant a marriage, and your good half-sister will not marry Lin Yilong. The emperor's order cannot be violated, it's time to take a dangerous move. Are you sure you can avoid it?"

Ling Jing frowned and thought for a long time before speaking: "What do you think about me recruiting a wife?"

Ling Huai raised his eyebrows and nodded happily: "Very good."

She became interested for a moment and went on to say: "Please help me pay close attention when you are outside. First of all, the appearance must be eye-catching, not too thin, and the bones of the body must be strong. I don't want to be literary, Taoist, or military, and at least have some breasts." "When reciting poems and painting, we don't ask for good works; when we burn incense and play the harp, we don't ask for mountains and rivers; we just ask for red sleeves to add fragrance, and honey to mix oil, so that we can live a smooth and moist life."

Ling Huai: "..."

Ling Jing stopped counting her fingers, turned to him and asked, "For now, let's just follow this request."

Men who meet her requirements usually have good family backgrounds, and if they can marry, they will not be married. Ling Huai looked away and declined politely, "You ask eldest sister to help you with your eyes. She is well-informed."

"No, the eldest sister is only looking at the monk." Ling Jing shook her head, "Last night, I saw the eldest sister being drunk and sick and entering the house. She went in and didn't come out. The next day. Early in the morning, Ji Ji changed his clothes and went out to boxing in the yard. The eldest sister slept until three o'clock in the morning, filled her stomach, and hooked up with Ji Ji and went out again. "

Ling Huai: "..."

"Ji is already the new son-in-law of our Ling family. I don't know when the eldest sister will officially accept the appointment and welcome him in." Ling Jing sighed, glanced at Ling Huai again, and quickly added, "I have so many twists and turns in my mind. I don’t want to go around too much.”

"Ha." Ling Huai stood up and walked out, "Okay, I'll try to find a decent idiot for you."

Ling Jing waved her fan and chased after him, "What idiot? I want Young Master Pianpian."

"Then you wait for the rest of your life."

Ling Huai closed the door, covered Ling Jing who was about to push him out, and left quickly.

There was a war in Ganzhou, and Ling Feng, who was stationed in the city, cut off his family letters.

From the hot summer to the cold winter, and as the New Year approaches, a letter is sent back. Ling Feng was appreciated and became a junior general. He said that he had achieved three consecutive victories in the war, regained the lost state, and also captured two adjacent cities in the northern region. He won a great victory and was expected to go to Beijing to receive the reward at the beginning of the year.

There were red plum branches in the yard. Ling Cen climbed up the tree and picked the most beautiful branch. Ling Dang put it in a bottle, stored water and put it on the bedside to raise it, filling the room with fragrance.

Ling Dang has been dreaming a lot at night lately.

Once I fell asleep, I kept having the same nightmare.

In the dream, there were eight-year-old her, five-year-old Ling Cen, and the infant Xiao Qi Fu'an.

She carried Xiao Qi, who was tied up with a straw rope, on her back, and held Ling Cen in one hand, and walked through the dense forest grass that was 10 feet tall. Not far behind her, she was hotly pursued by three fierce-looking adults, all of whom held torches and sticks in their hands.

"Fuck him! You little bastard can run! Don't let me catch you!" The man's rough voice rang in his ears, and with the sound of branches snapping, he followed him all the way deep into the jungle, "Come out! I'm going to catch you!" Saw it!"

The shouts and curses came one after another, and after a while, they changed directions, and after a while, they heard something being destroyed by them, making bursts of banging and banging sounds.

After nightfall, there was fog in the forest, and there were the sounds of various birds and beasts. She dragged Ling Cen and ran forward, tearing away the grass like a headless fly. Her only thought was that she could not stop and could not be caught. arrive.

Xiao Qi lay on her back and was very obedient, neither crying nor fussing. Ling Cen was sweating profusely, his clothes were in tatters, and his face was stained with blood. Those injuries were all cut by grass, beaten by branches, and bruised after falling. .

She didn't remember how long she had been running, but she finally lost strength and lost stability on her feet. She rushed forward and fell to the ground. Her chin hit a stone, her mind was reeling, and there was a burning pain in her palms, elbows and legs.

Ling Cen fell to the ground after her, and a bloody gash suddenly appeared on his forehead.

He took a breath of air, gritted his teeth and said nothing, and still managed to get up and help her.

She was kneeling on the ground and couldn't stand up. She wasn't sure whether it was because she was afraid or because she simply had no strength. She couldn't get up the energy.

"Fourth sister..." Ling Cen was anxious, worried, and scared, his voice trembling along with his thin body.

The curses following them came from far away.

Ling Dang knew he couldn't get up, so he lowered his voice and said, "Acen, I can't run anymore. You can take Xiao Qi and run."

Ling Cen knelt down and called her with suppressed cries: "Fourth sister, get up..."

He hunched his back and squatted in front of her again, "I still have the strength, I will carry you..."

Ling Dang untied Xiao Qi with trembling hands, tied the straw rope around Ling Cen's back, pushed him with all his strength, and said with a smile: "Obey, don't delay, run forward with Xiao Qi, I'll lead them away." .Leave me alone, don’t look back, don’t stop, run, don’t stop, don’t look back, run, run..."

Ling Cen ran forward with two jet-black tear tracks, turning back three times with each step, sobbing, and running forward with somersaults all the way.

Ling Dang waited until they could no longer be seen, then she lay down, tried her best to crawl in the other direction, climbed out of the way, and started yelling at the top of her voice, attracting the dealers who were chasing them to find her.

She was caught.

"Run! Keep running!" He kicked her in the chest, causing her to roll on the ground in pain.

"There's another one?! Say it!" Another slap in the face made her dizzy and her ears were ringing.

But she raised her hand with all her strength and pointed to a road going in the opposite direction, "Then..."

Her bloody hand fell to the ground, and a white light flashed in front of her eyes, followed by blackness, and she fainted completely.

It was completely dark in the dream.

Lingdang suddenly opened his eyes, it was dawn.

(End of this chapter)