This can be remembered

Chapter 10
Qifeng Terrace is located by the Feilong Pool. When the first emperor was in the area, it was only a high platform for enjoying the scenery. Pavilion, so this place is almost deserted.However, after Shen Xiyao came to the throne, he liked it very much. Because he was facing a vast pool of clear water, he looked far away and was very grand. White jade surrounds layers of railings, and under the mahogany porch pillars is the long clear water, reflecting the golden leaves on the roof of the hall.The golden leaf winds continuously and turns into a golden dragon. Looking from the surface of the water, it looks like a swimming dragon diving to the bottom, which is extremely spectacular.There is a huge candle with one arm in the hall, and the bright flame will not go out all night.After it was completed, Shen Xiyao personally inscribed the plaque on the palace, but gave it the name "Xifengtai".Take the meaning of dragon and phoenix.

At this time, the lotus flowers on the Feilong Pond are showing signs of decay, but the lotus leaves are very good. There are always bright red and golden koi wandering among them, and there are also white birds sitting on them, so light that they are not like ordinary things.An old man who has stayed in the palace for a long time said that it came from Peng Island.

Pass through the Hanging Flower Gate, and you will see the Xifeng Terrace in front of you, resplendent and resplendent under the dazzling sunlight.Zhang Dehai led Ling Hongjian through the flowers and willows and walked along a green bamboo plank road built on the water. There were twists and turns, and willow silk hanging down to the water surface hit the robe with the wind from time to time. It was not like late summer, but more bright like spring .

It was Ling Hongjian's first time entering the inner court of the imperial garden, and he was naturally attracted by the beautiful scenery in front of him, but because it was the inner court, he didn't dare to look around.There was a woman's delicate laughter coming from a distance, and occasionally, there would be a flash of crimson and green among the flowers and trees in the distance, and the luster reflected from the hairpin ring, which flashed but dazzled people's eyes.

Ling Hongjian thought to himself that Shen Xiyao must be looking for him because of the southwest front. He had heard that the war seemed to be bad the day before yesterday, and King Yu was defending Cannes.The emperor and King Yu are deeply in love with each other, how could they see their brothers in distress, but they cannot save them even if they can.It is inevitable for ordinary people to save brothers in trouble, let alone the king of a country.

It's just that I tried to persuade my father many times, but it didn't work at all.Now, I just hope that my sister in Jiangnan can think of something.Otherwise, it would be fine if King Yu returned safely, but the emperor was very dissatisfied.If something happened to King Yu, according to Shen Xiyao's young age, maybe the Ling family should be buried with him?
The more Ling Hongjian thought about it, the more frightened he became. He was thinking about how to deal with it, but suddenly he heard a Xiao Yin, which was mellow and strange, and it sounded familiar. When he listened carefully, he couldn't help being surprised. It was clearly his sister who often stayed in the residence. The tune played in the middle, the flowing water and floating lights.This piece was composed by Qingliuzi when he was a guest in Ling's mansion in the early years, for He Lingxuewei and Yan.Qingliuzi loves Ling Xuewei very much, since the piece was composed for Ling Xuewei, he never played it again.On the contrary, Ling Xuewei often played duets with Ling Wangshu and Xiao Huang, causing everyone in the family to listen attentively and clap their hands in praise.

At this time, Ling Hongjian listened to the song and thought of the lyrics just now, feeling puzzled and uneasy.

This imperial palace is as deep as the sea, and the fight between women is more dangerous than the court. My sister is so quiet and good, she doesn't like fighting, she doesn't like power, she absolutely can't adapt to it.

"Lord Ling, we're here." Zhang Dehai walked beside Ling Hongjian, secretly looking at him from time to time along the way.Ling Hongjian's expression was ever-changing during this short journey, surprise, surprise, doubt, puzzlement, worry... However, his brows became more and more wrinkled, like mountains and mountains.

Ling Hongjian was taken aback when he heard the sound, then raised his head, and saw twelve white jade steps in front of him, with a towering palace at the end, and the big golden characters "Xifeng" hanging high, but because of the lightly raised corners of the eaves, he was in awe of the majesty. Exudes lightness.

When Ling Hongjian entered Qifeng Terrace, he saw Shen Xiyao standing on the protruding terrace. The terrace was made of ebony. At this time, there were early chrysanthemums of various colors planted in golden pots, but there was a pot of pink and tender flowers, which looked like Golden thread double-petalled cherry blossoms, but it is impossible, after all, the season is already past the flowering season, and the cherry trees will not grow so delicate and small.

"I see the emperor." Ling Hongjian went down to salute. The ground was a huge black rock that could be seen, with golden curtains hanging on both sides, and the sky light receded here, which seemed to be cool.

"You don't need to be too polite, get up." Shen Xiyao's voice was flat, but he was still looking at the pool of blue waves, without turning around.

Seeing him like this, Ling Hongjian didn't dare to go forward, but just stood aside respectfully. Although the etiquette rules did not allow it, he still couldn't help but look around. The main hall of Xifeng Terrace was very spacious, and nothing was placed there.The golden curtains are slightly fluttered by the wind, and a light and refreshing fragrance spreads in it. Bronze gold-plated Chi beast twisting ear incense tripods are placed in the corners of the four halls. The platform is like a palace of a fairy house.

"When I was young, I used to play with Xihe in Linyue. Because my father didn't like it here, there were few people to care about it, so I had more fun." Shen Xiyao's voice came from afar, with a bright smile, very It's a nostalgic tone: "It's just that such a time may be hard to come by again."

Ling Hongjian was startled, sure enough, Shen Xiyao came to see him on behalf of King Yu.

"The emperor and the prince have grown up, so some things can't be the same as before." Ling Hongjian said with a smile.

"Yeah, I... I've grown up..." Shen Xiyao turned around, with a slightly sarcastic smile on the corner of his mouth: "But why do I think it's better not to grow up?"

"Why does the emperor think so?" Ling Hongjian asked softly.

Shen Xiyao shook his head with a smile, his eyes drifted away, and fell on the little flower, he said for a while, "We haven't played chess together for a long time, how about a game?"

Ling Xuewei sat in the cabin of the boat, silently looking at the vast and vast river outside the window, which was slightly blue.Xia'er sat by the side mending a blue silk cloak, looking at Ling Xuewei who was resting her chin in meditation from time to time.

"Miss, you've been sitting by this window all day." Xia'er put down the cloak that she accidentally scratched when she got on the boat, and said with a slight pout, "It's been raining for three days now." , when will it be a head?"

Ling Xuewei smiled at her, turned her gaze back, but her voice came: "Xia'er, don't you think that this pool of water in the river is vast and majestic?"

Xia'er sighed, and looked at the slightly gloomy sky outside: "Beauty is beauty, I'm afraid it won't be good if the rain doesn't stop and the water rises."

Ling Xuewei also looked at the leaden sky, feeling a little worried: "I wanted to go faster by water, but now I'm afraid I won't be able to go back to Beijing as soon as possible."

Seeing that her brows were slightly furrowed, Xia'er got up and poured a cup of tea, and asked puzzledly: "Why is Miss returning home in such a hurry? Didn't the housekeeper of the third son say that he will be back soon? You are here this time, Isn't it just to meet the third son?"

Ling Xuewei nodded: "It's true that I came to see the third brother, but now that there is something at home, I still have to go back." She said that she picked up the teacup from the fine porcelain powder kiln, and said: "I hope It's not too late."

Seeing what she said, Xia'er didn't want to ask again, she changed the subject after thinking about it and said, "I thought Miss Haoyue would bring Miss Haoyue when I came out this time."

Ling Xuewei looked up at her, her beautiful eyes were full of gentleness: "Your ancestral home is in the south of the Yangtze River, but you have never been here, and I don't know if there will be another chance in the future, so I took you out here." Xia'er was taken aback, her eyes slightly sore, But he still said obediently: "I thought it was because Miss Haoyue was ill before and didn't get well."

Ling Xuewei shook her head: "Since it's good, I should bring you here. What's more, my father intends to let Yue'er come here to take care of the girl in the third brother's house. I'm afraid she will think she will live in Jiangnan for a long time."

Xia'er tilted her head and said: "So that's how it is, but I heard from the servants at home that in the future, Miss Haoyue must be accompanied by Miss Haoyue when she enters the palace."

Ling Xuewei widened her eyes in surprise when she heard her say this: "Entering the palace? Who said I'm going to enter the palace?"

Xia'er consciously said something wrong, but under Ling Xuewei's gaze, she had no choice but to answer: "They all said that the master was the prime minister, and the emperor added officials to the two sons from time to time, and gave the master a salary, but always If there is a head, at that time, the only thing is to let the young lady enter the palace."

Ling Xuewei lowered her head: "Entering the palace... No," she raised her head, "Father won't let me go. Me, I won't go either." She said she was very firm in the last paragraph, and then Zhaoxia The child smiled brightly.

Xia'er lowered her head: "But, master often argues with the emperor..."

Ling Xuewei didn't wait for her to finish speaking, she got up and walked to the door of the boathouse to have a look: "This rain should come, it will always come. But you have to believe, it will definitely stop one day."

The white pieces on the chessboard had occupied most of the land, Ling Hongjian held a black piece in his hand, frowned for a long time, and finally put the piece back into the chess box slowly, sighed, and clasped his fists at the person in front of him: " The subject lost, Your Majesty."

Hearing what he said, Shen Xiyao smiled and picked up the folding fan that was set aside, and opened it with a "wow" with a twist of his wrist. On the fan was an exquisite picture of flying swallows, drizzle and wet clothes, and a line of small letters with hairpin flowers , The bones are clear and strange, and the euphemisms are endless.

Ling Hongjian didn't dare to look at it, although he only glanced at it, he knew that the painting should be made by the emperor himself, but the calligraphy was not in Shen Xiyao's style.He didn't care about it in his heart, but carefully waited for Shen Xiyao's thoughts later.

"Master Ling gave way to me." Shen Xiyao looked at the chess board and said with a smile.

"The Emperor's strength is profound, and the subject is far inferior. He has tried his best." Ling Hongjian said cautiously, but his eyes fell on the pink flower that he had seen earlier beside Shen Xiyao.

Because it is next to a vast lake, there is always a wind blowing, and they are sitting on the terrace facing the lake.The other early chrysanthemums sway with the wind from time to time, trembling, dancing with infinite youthfulness, feeling the bright sky.But the plant next to Shen Xiyao didn't move, it was always there in the same way, quietly exuding a very soft luster.

Ling Hongjian was taken aback for a moment, and he realized that this plant should be a newly made item of Zhenqi Pavilion.

"Don't think that I don't know your accomplishments in Go. Everyone says that it can be called the crown of my Great Xi. Now that I have won you easily, how dare you say that I didn't give way on purpose?" Shen Xiyao looked at Ling Hongjian slightly lowered Nodding his head, he said jokingly, "Let's play another game. If you deliberately hide this time again, don't blame me for punishing you for deceiving the emperor." When he said the last sentence, although the corners of his mouth were raised, his eyes became serious.

Seeing that Shen Xiyao was serious, Ling Hongjian didn't dare to hide any more, so he had to use his usual chess skills. After one game, the sun outside was already in the middle, so it took a lot of effort.

It is true that Ling Hongjian's chess skills are extraordinary, he is very talented in Go, and he himself was often taught by famous teachers since he was a child, so he is naturally very good.Shen Xiyao is not very interested in Go, but as a prince, he is naturally proficient.If everything is done seriously, it will not be easy to tell the winner.

When Zhang Dehai rushed forward with a roll of plain onyx, Shen Xiyao sighed and put down the white pieces in his hand, but he smiled sincerely: "I lost, Hongjian is worthy of being my number one chess player in Daxi."

Ling Hongjian raised his head to look at Shen Xiyao, with a modest smile on his face: "Your Majesty is over-reputed, Daxi is full of talents, and I dare not be a minister." Shen Xiyao shook his head: "You are too modest and prudent." He also frowned as he spoke. wrinkled.

Ling Hongjian smiled brightly: "I'm not being modest. I said this because I've never won a single person before." After speaking, it seemed that he had made a mistake in self-examination, and his complexion changed slightly, turning pale.

Shen Xiyao let out an "oh", and asked curiously, "Who is that person?"

Ling Hongjian lowered his head and lowered his voice, a little flustered: "It's a friend of yours, Your Majesty."

Shen Xiyao didn't seem to notice something wrong with Ling Hongjian's voice, and didn't ask any more questions. He just stared at Ling Hongjian for a while, then looked at Zhang Dehai again: "What's wrong?"

Only then did Zhang Dehai come forward and bowed to Ling Hongjian, but he didn't answer Shen Xiyao after that, he just said the word "Emperor", slightly raised the plain onyx on his hand, and said nothing more.

There was a golden light in Shen Xiyao's eyes, but his expression didn't change, he just said "hmm" and said, "Put it in my bedroom first, and I'll look at it later when I go back." Hearing this, Ling Hongjian looked at it with a little curiosity. Zhang Dehai glanced at the plain black in his hand, and it was vaguely a figure.

Ling Hongjian looked at the sky, it was almost noon, and then he saw Shen Xiyao sitting on the edge of the terrace, gently stroking the potted flower with his hand, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then looked towards him and said, "You were on duty last night, you worked hard, morning Go back soon."

Ling Hongjian bowed down hurriedly, then got up and saw the folding fan that Shen Xiyao had just opened, and there was only one line of poetry written in that beautiful small script: "Swallows don't come back, spring is late, a misty rain and apricot blossoms are cold."

My heart sank.People retreated slowly, the golden and thin veil moved with the wind, and it was surrounded by green smoke. Step by step, the sky light became less and less, and only the light-like ground reflected his figure. Sensen felt chilly.

Zhang Dehai's low voice came from afar, so unreal: "The servant spent a lot of time to get this portrait..."

Although it was late summer, the weather was still hot, so there were not many people in the market at noon. Ling Hongjian rode his horse and thought about what he saw and heard in the palace today. The more he thought about it, the more confused he became. Can't figure it out.That horse is one of the best in a hundred, and he knows the way, so I don't want him to drive it.The Ling Mansion in the palace is not far away, just a few streets away.The horse stopped in front of the gate of the mansion, and a young man guarding the gate stepped forward, but he saw that Ling Hongjian was thoughtful, and he didn't even know he had arrived home, but he couldn't be bothered, so he had to stand where he was.

The housekeeper, Liu Fu, was ordered by Prime Minister Ling to wait for the eldest son. After waiting for a long time, he came out anxiously. He saw the situation at a glance, let out a "hi" and coughed lightly. Then Ling Hongjian raised his head. I don't know how long it has been parked in front of the house.

"Eldest son, you are back." Liu Fu saw Ling Hongjian's expression was not right, and his heart skipped a beat. He was good at observing facial expressions. From this point of view, the two masters who are still in the house now may be in their hearts. Everything is wrong.

"Is daddy there?" Ling Hongjian asked hurriedly, handing the whip to the boy.

"Master is in the study." Before Liu Fu finished speaking, Ling Hongjian had strode into the gate of Ling's mansion.

"Father." Ling Hongjian walked into the study, and saw Ling Xiang standing in front of a red sandalwood bookshelf with his backlit, reading an ancient book in his hand.The long windows facing the garden are half-opened, the sunlight shines in through the gaps between the flowers and trees, and the square bricks printed with famous calligraphy on the ground reflect a faint golden color.It is the word "hehe" in different ways.

"Isn't it night duty? Why did you come back at this time?" Ling Xiang didn't turn around, and his voice also passed away.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor summons someone to report to the family in time." Ling Hongjian walked up to his father and stood upright.

"At this time of year, there should be early chrysanthemums in the waterside pavilion and flower capital." Ling Xiang asked casually, but his eyes stayed on the book in his hand.

Smiling, Ling Hongjian took off the crown on his head and replied, "Today is not in the water pavilion, the emperor summoned his son to Xifeng Terrace."

Ling Xiang was taken aback when he heard the words: "Qifengtai..." He and Shang Shang held the books, turned around, and his eyes flashed: "But for the matter of King Yu?"

Ling Hongjian shook his head: "The emperor just called his son to play chess, but he occasionally mentioned the matter of being young with King Yu in the conversation, which made him very emotional." After speaking, he looked at Ling Xiang: "Father, did you follow the emperor's order?" The meaning is to increase troops to support. After all, King Yu is also a nobleman of the emperor, if something goes wrong, I'm afraid..." This is the first time that Ling Hongjian persuaded his father, but Ling Hongjian didn't know why at this time. I have some grasp.

Ling Xiang didn't answer directly, but looked at Ling Hongjian, not like a father looking at his son, but more like a court official, the prime minister looked at other officials: "Did you, what did you say to Wei'er?"

Ling Hongjian was taken aback. It seemed that his father knew about the fact that he sent people to Jiangnan.I feel a little uneasy in my heart. After all, my father loves my sister almost to the extreme, and he doesn't want her to be exposed to any sinister and dark things in the world, nor does he want her to get involved or participate in any disputes.I really had no other choice, so I quietly sent someone to go.

"Father..." Ling Hongjian lowered his head, waiting for Prime Minister Ling's next words.

Ling Xiang just sighed softly, took out a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Ling Hongjian.The elegant lower script with hairpin flowers on the letter paper seems to have at least ten years of skill, smooth and elegant yet gentle and elegant.It was Ling Xuewei's handwriting.

"It's a daily reading of "Rizhilu". The first part is Confucianism, the second part is Governing Dao, and the second part is Bowen. There are more than [-] volumes in total. A king rises up, and he will act according to what he sees, so as to be among the world and govern the ancients. That's why you know how to protect the world, and then you know how to protect the country. The king of a country is very important. His virtues are bestowed on the people, he is convinced by the people, his actions are effective for the people, and his intentions are for the people. The country is solid, and the king is the same. Those whose intentions and deeds are the same as those of the emperor. In this way, emphasizing quality, advocating magnificence and restraining superficiality, honoring honesty, advocating honesty, and frugality, the country will surely prosper, and the people will also."

Ling Hongjian looked at it, and a smile could not help but appear on the corner of his mouth.I feel in my heart that it is a pity that my younger sister, who is so talented and ambitious, was born as a daughter.

"Of course I know that the emperor and King Yu are brothers. However, General Meng is old, and the other generals are either stationed at the border or have passed their forties. There are no generals in the country, but King Yu is a plastic material. If you don't go Experience, how can you grow." Ling Xiang said with a sullen expression: "In my opinion, the battle ahead, although it seems dangerous, but with the talent of King Yu, it can definitely be resolved. It also happens to be an opportunity. If we send troops to reinforce, then this Do we have to wait until the next battle to practice? I'm afraid it will be too late by then."

Ling Hongjian lowered his head and listened, so he understood his father's intentions, but the emperor had to understand the painstaking efforts.What's more, this King Yu is different from others, and the war is also unpredictable.It was also a dilemma for a while.

"You have persuaded my father a few times to know that it is for the good of the Ling family, but being a father should not only be considered for my Ling family, but also for the sake of the Daxi River and Mountains. If the Southwest is not guarded by King Yu today, I am afraid that the emperor will not I'm so anxious. However, I can't ruin my Daxi's long-term stability in the future because of brotherhood." Ling Xiang continued, took out another letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Ling Hongjian.

Ling Hongjian took it with a puzzled look on his face, and then opened it. The flowing, flowing, endlessly flowing handwriting was exactly the style of the third brother Ling Wangshu's pen.Trembling in my heart, I hurriedly opened it and took a closer look. After seeing it, my heart suddenly became clear.Ling Wangshu reported in the letter that he was in the northwest, but he had sent his confidants with a lot of money to buy off a leader of the rebel army, who secretly sold his food and grass to Ling Wangshu's confidants, and under Ling Wangshu's arrangement Under the circumstances, he has already brought a lot of money to Jinling.In this way, the rebels would not survive for half a month.

"Although your third younger brother has not entered an official position, he is my Ling family after all, and he has a country in his heart. This action is not within my instructions." Ling Xiang looked at the two letters in Ling Hongjian's hand: "In this case, your three I also understand the meaning of my younger brother and younger sister. The troops are dispatched at this time. It is estimated that the news will be sent back before reaching the southwest, and I will send troops to reinforce tomorrow." After Ling Xiang finished speaking, a soft light flashed in his eyes, but it was replaced by sternness in an instant. "As a father, I always love Wei'er and don't want her to be invaded by worldly things. This time you are also anxious, so let it be, but there will be no next time." Ling Xiang's voice became majestic, and he was always strict with the eldest son.What's more, he knew in his heart that everyone in the Ling family doted on their little daughter deeply.If it is true, the eldest son in front of him loves his younger sister even more than his father.

Ling Hongjian had let go of the big stone in his heart, and was annoyed at his recklessness. Thinking of his sister, what he had seen and heard in the palace during the day all came to his mind, and he was inexplicably uneasy, but he didn't say anything to his father, only deeply sighed. Ju: "The son knows, father."

(End of this chapter)