Yun Chuan stayed up all night.
Thinking back to the snow lotus in Wei Xu's room, it seems that a few petals are missing from the flower. If you compare the petals picked by Yang Qingyun, you can tell. Huang Bei may have used this method to hide the truth, but it is no longer important. , the most important thing now is to find the real century-old snow lotus.
Yun Chuan took out a black pearl from his waist. This black pearl had a deep luster and was rare in the world. She just found this accidentally under the carpet of Wei Xu's yurt. She took a closer look at Mingcheng's outfit. Although she later changed into simple clothes, the black pearl was obviously missing from one of the earrings. It was probably hers. I dropped it tonight when I was alone with Wei Xu. The incident about Hanayue that was overheard made Yunchuan feel depressed. If she hadn't heard it with her own ears, she wouldn't have been able to believe that this was the sister Mingcheng who had grown up with her since childhood.
Mingcheng is the daughter of former Xiayi general Bai Heng and grew up with Shengze and Yunchuan. Although he is only three years older than the two of them, Mingcheng is precocious by nature. He followed his father Bai Heng to the battlefield at the age of 12 and went on missions to various tribes to give orders. He has long been able to stand alone in complex ethnic conflicts. In addition to her charming appearance, she is also known as the "iron lady" who is not inferior to men on the grasslands.
During the time they grew up together, Mingcheng was the big sister in Yun Chuan's heart. She was sensible, generous and decent. Every time Mingcheng came back from a mission, he would always bring them interesting things and novel stories; when he and Shengze quarreled, Mingcheng could always protect him. But all this changed after Bai Heng's rebellion a year ago.
A year ago, Bai Heng was stripped of his official position by Hada Khan, stripped of his palm seal, and given thirty beatings with a cane by military law due to poor handling of a tribal civil strife. After receiving the punishment, Bai Heng, who had not yet recovered, secretly took Ming Cheng to Huangbei. A month later, I heard that Bai Heng had become the commander-in-chief of Huang Bei, and that Ming Cheng would marry Shangdu Khan, who was over sixty years old, and become the only princess.
Yun Chuan was sure that Ming Cheng was not a man who was greedy for power, but was coerced by Bai Heng into marrying an old Khan who was more than forty years older than him. Moreover, she had known that Mingcheng's feelings for Shengze were not as simple as brother and sister. As an adult, Shengze was always flirting with women outside, and Mingcheng was often secretly angry and uncomfortable about this. Although I don’t know whether Shengze has any affection for Mingcheng as a child, the friendship between childhood sweethearts is very real. The night before Mingcheng's wedding, Shengze and Yunchuan sneaked into Huangbei to rescue Mingcheng.
When she saw Mingcheng that night, she was crying in front of the candle, with a pair of phoenix tears streaming down her face. When she saw the two people coming unexpectedly, her eyes were full of surprise and excitement, and she choked up while holding their hands.
That night, Yunchuan and Shengze learned that Hada Khan and Bai Heng had long had a quarrel, and that the quelling of the civil strife this time was just an excuse to get rid of Bo Heng. Shangdu Khan had long admired Bai Heng's talents and had a good impression of Ming Cheng. In order to gain a foothold in Huangbei, Bai Heng took the initiative to offer his daughter, whom he had always been proud of.
This undoubtedly aroused greater anger among Yunchuan and Shengze. If Mingcheng hadn't held them back, they would have rushed out to find Monk Bai Heng to ask for an explanation.
Yun Chuan still vividly remembers what happened that night.
Yunchuan said angrily: "I will go back and ask my father to raise an army to attack Huang Bei and ask them to hand over sister Mingcheng. This Shangdu Khan is so shameless. Don't you know how old he is?!"
Mingcheng covered Yunchuan's mouth in panic and said: "Yunchuan, please lower your voice. This is Huang Bei. If you want them to know that you are insulting their Khan behind your back, they will do anything."
Yun Chuan sneered: "Sister, don't be afraid! Follow me back to Tusang, we Tusang can protect you!"
Mingcheng wiped his tears and sighed: "In the current situation, my father has betrayed Xia Yi. How can Tusang tolerate me due to the relationship between Tusang and Xia Yi?"
Yun Chuan looked stubborn: "What does Uncle Bai Heng's matter have to do with you? Don't worry, I will go and talk to my father."
Mingcheng stroked Yunchuan's hand and said: "With my current status, I am afraid that few people in the grassland are willing to take me in. Who would make an enemy of the entire Huangbei for an insignificant person?"
Yun Chuan looked at the distressed Shengze beside him and said anxiously: "Shengze, think about it, is there any other good solution?"
Mingcheng raised his eyes and looked at Shengze, with mixed feelings in his heart. He stopped talking and lowered his eyebrows. Shengze said slowly: "Sister Mingcheng, is it true that Uncle Bai Heng can't look back?"
Mingcheng Shengze smoothed his hair from his temples and said: "The tribes that rebelled this time have surrendered to the Wei Dynasty. Not only did my father fail to quell the civil strife, he also suffered heavy losses. Hada Khan removed my father's official position and demoted him to He was appointed as the chief bodyguard, and was ordered not to lead troops for life. Although my father made mistakes, how could it be that my father did not buy back most of Xiayi's country with his blood? How can my father turn back after being humiliated like this? "
Shengze thought for a moment and asked, "What if my brother can take back his will?"
Mingcheng sneered: "Do you think it's possible? Will your brother let go of this military power? Besides, your brother has long felt that my father is respected by others because he saved the old Khan. My father's temper is also a bit unreasonable. Man, it's only a matter of time before your brother takes action." Mingcheng sighed, and then said: "Your brother is ten years older than me. Although he belongs to the same generation according to seniority, I never dare to regard him as my brother. Wang is The king is merciless. I can't be by your side in the future, so you must put away your royal temperament, stay away from the royal power, and keep yourself safe for life, which is more important than anything else."
Yun Chuan banged the table and said, "What should we do? We can't go back to Xiayi, and we can't go to Tusang. My sister has long been famous in the grassland, where else can we go?"
Mingcheng looked at Yunchuan and Shengze who had anxious faces, but comforted them and said: "Everyone has his own destiny. You don't have to worry about your sister. I won't be able to take care of you all the time in the future. You must not make me worry. .”
"Sister, let me take you to Weichao. No one will know you when you arrive in Dawei." In helplessness, Shengze's abrupt words broke the silence. Mingcheng and Yunchuan looked at Shengze in surprise. Yun Chuan thought for a moment and clapped his hands: "Shengze is right, sister, just go to Dawei. I heard that it is a good place with vast land, rich resources and pleasant climate."
"Dawei?" Mingcheng raised his head, the tears in his eyes were shining with crystal light, his cheeks were twitching, and he muttered these two words in a low voice. Mingcheng thought for a moment, shook his head, pursed his lips and lowered his head, whispering: "My father will definitely not go. I left my hometown alone. What's the difference between leaving my hometown alone and marrying someone I don't like? They are both lonely after all." It’s just old age.”
"Sister, how can you think so? Even if Uncle Bai Heng doesn't go with you, he won't blame you. Besides, the marriage he arranged for you didn't have your consent. When you arrive in Dawei, you can remain anonymous and stable. Well, I will send you money, and you can find someone you like, and you will definitely live a happy life..." Yun Chuan took a step closer and took Mingcheng's hands to comfort him.
"If parents all over the world were equally kind, there wouldn't be so many distant marriages, don't you think?" Mingcheng interrupted Yunchuan, looked at Shengze, and said, "Yunchuan, with my status, I will You can’t help yourself. From now on, hey, I hope you can control your own happiness.”
"Sister, I know that we are in the home of princes, generals and prime ministers, and we have too many missions on our shoulders. You used to often say to us, 'The king raises his army, repairs my armor, and goes with his son.' If it is to protect the family, We agree to abandon our own happiness, but we force you to marry an old Khan in his sixties. Which family and country are you doing this for?" Yunchuan said indignantly.
"I..." Mingcheng stopped talking and turned his back, "You go away, just think that I am a vain woman. It is not a bad thing to become Huang Bei's princess, and I can still save my life." I and my father will live a prosperous life..."
"Sister!" Yunchuan shouted, knowing full well that this was not Ming's intention.
"Sister, let's go to Weichao together, and let's travel around the world incognito!" Shengze stood behind Yunchuan and Mingcheng, looking at their backs and said.
Yunchuan and Mingcheng turned around in shock and looked at Shengze who looked indifferent. Mingcheng's originally tangled heart was beating hard, and tears filled his eyes again. He felt happy and uncomfortable at the same time: It turned out that he had always understood his heart, but did he really want to abandon the gift of childbirth like this?
Yun Chuan looked at the expressions of the two people and felt a little confused. The relationship between Mingcheng and Shengze has always been confusing. Although he often made fun of them, they never openly admitted their feelings for each other. Shengze, in particular, is young but has a rich love history, and many women come to settle affairs with him. If Shengze really has this intention for Mingcheng, Yunchuan only hopes that Shengze will never let Mingcheng down in the future.
"Shengze, what did you say?" Mingcheng still couldn't believe his ears.
"Sister, I said I would go with you. I, Shengze, can do it. You hurry up and pack your things. We will set off now. I have long wanted to leave the world behind and wander around the world." Shengze finished calmly. , couldn't help but glance at Yunchuan with his peripheral vision.
Yun Chuan looked at Shengze's calm face and thought, "This might not be a good ending." Then he pulled Mingcheng to the couch and urged her to pack her things quickly and leave now. Then he told Shengze: "After you get there and settle down, you must give me news and I will come to see you."
"Okay." Shengze replied calmly.
Mingcheng looked back at Shengze, hesitating in his heart, hesitating to speak, and couldn't help but slow down to pack his clothes. "Sister, what are you still hesitating about? We have to leave quickly before dawn." Yunchuan urged again, "By the way, don't bring these clothes, just bring some money. Tell me what you need after you settle down. I will Go give it to you. Fortunately, we have learned to read Chinese characters since we were young, so it comes in handy."
"Oh, then, don't take all these clothes with you?" Mingcheng looked at Shengze, remembering what he just said "let's go together", his heart started pounding, and he suddenly felt the shyness of a little girl, a little... At a loss, he asked with concern, "Shengze, what about your luggage?"
"I don't want luggage. With this pearl on my head, I can buy a big yard in the Central Plains." Shengze said freely.
"Okay, then..." Mingcheng felt infinite sweetness and longing for having a big courtyard with him. Isn't this a scene that often appears in her dreams? I never thought it would come true! She will remain anonymous and wander around the world. From now on, there will be no Nagus Mingcheng in this world. All matters of filial piety and protecting the family have nothing to do with her. But at this time, why was there still a faint pain in her heart? Mingcheng secretly said to himself: Can you be selfish, be brave once, and chase the happiness that you are about to get?
"We're done packing, let's go." Yun Chuan picked up the package, blew out the candlelight, and pulled the two of them out of the yurt without any hesitation. The three of them came to the stables, stole three fast horses, and ran south. No one spoke on the road, there was only the sound of horse hoofbeats. The three of them passed by Tusang, and Yun Chuan separated from them.
Shengze whispered to Yunchuan: "Yunchuan, you have to take care of yourself in the future." Shengze's usually unruly eyes turned indifferent and melancholy.
"I know, and so do you." Yun Chuan felt extremely reluctant to leave. Overnight, he and his two close friends were separated from each other by the world. He never knew when or where they would see each other again in this life. Yun Chuan lowered his head and replied, "After you settle down, you must find a way to notify me. And Shengze, you can no longer follow your own temper. You have to take good care of sister Mingcheng and don't make her angry again."
"Well, don't worry, I will take good care of myself and Shengze." Mingcheng looked at Shengze. Shengze's eyes were filled with tears. He raised his head slightly and looked at the night sky, pursed his lips and remained silent. . Mingcheng thought that Shengze might be reluctant to leave this grassland, but she didn't want to delve into it. She would be able to grow old hand in hand with Shengze soon, and it might never be possible to miss this opportunity again.
In the two days after the three separated, Yunchuan kept trying to find out about Huang Bei and Xia Yi. I heard that Huang Bei sent many troops to chase Mingcheng after dawn, but there was no movement from Xia Yi. But it's not surprising. Shengze has always liked to travel around and leave whenever he wants. It's normal for him to be missing for ten and a half days. In the past two days, Yunchuan has been on tenterhooks, praying to the Immortal God to bless Shengze and Mingcheng to arrive safely in Dawei. As long as they enter the Central Plains in disguise and remain anonymous, unless Huang Bei asks Dawei to help search, they can think of it with their own strength. It is basically difficult to find people in the Central Plains.
However, on the third day, Shengze and Mingcheng were still captured.
By the time Yunchuan got the news, Shengze had been sent back to Xiayi. Yunchuan rushed to Xiayi, and Shengze was being scolded by Hada Khan, who bluntly said that Shengze's actions had made the entire Xiayi lose face on the grassland.
Yunchuan walked up to Hada Khan and said: "Khan, we only did this to save Mingcheng's sister. Her father betrayed Xia Yi, but she was not wrong. You watched us grow up, and I think you don't want Mingcheng either. Sister, let the sheep fall into the tiger's mouth."
"The sheep fell into the tiger's mouth? I think you are the little sheep, and you must have fallen into the tiger's mouth." Hada Khan said.
"What happened to us?" Yun Chuan asked in confusion.
"We were naive and stupid, and we were bitten by a tiger!" Shengze said angrily.
Yun Chuan looked at the two of them doubtfully, completely confused. Hada Khan sighed and said: "Usually, I ask you two not to just have fun, read more history books, and learn to deal with ethnic affairs, but neither of you can listen. Are you being tricked this time? And you stayed up all night. Going to Huangbei to snatch a bride, what are you thinking! Mingcheng has always been ambitious, sharp and decisive. If she has the opportunity to become the best among people, will she give up easily?" Hada Khan pointed at Shengze and said angrily: "You You, you usually like to provoke little girls, but I turn a blind eye, why are you provoking us Xia Yi traitors? Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Khan Hada, Shengze did it all to save sister Mingcheng. I can testify to this. But I still don't understand. If Mingcheng doesn't want to give up her position as princess, there is absolutely no need for her to follow us! She followed us voluntarily! And sister Mingcheng doesn't want to be Princess Huangbei at all!" Yunchuan pulled Hada Khan's hand pointing at Shengze and calmed his angry mood.
Hada Khan shook off Yunchuan's hand, and his anger could not go away: "Let Shengze decide for himself! Is Mingcheng willing to be the princess? You unite with traitors, and you can't distinguish between friends and foes; you can't distinguish between right and wrong when you snatch relatives and abscond; you can't tell the difference between good and bad when you are used by others. There is no distinction between evil and evil; there is no distinction between severity and severity when it involves the ethnic group. If my father were still alive, he would definitely give you a hundred big blows according to law!"
"Then brother, just give me a hundred blows according to the law!" Shengze turned his head and said uninhibitedly.
"You!" Hada Khan's lips trembled with anger, and he was about to raise his hand to slap him.
Seeing the situation, Yunchuan quickly took Hada Khan's raised hand, helped him sit aside, poured a glass of water and handed it to him to calm down. I thought that this hundred-dollar battle was no small matter. If I kept fighting for several months, I wouldn't be able to get up. A good man wouldn't suffer the immediate loss, not to mention that he was facing his own brother. He quickly pretended to reprimand and said to Shengze: "Shengze, what are you doing? Hada Khan is also good for us. What happened to you after that? You didn't say it well before you left, how could you do this!"
Shengze still looked arrogant and did not give any explanation. Hada Khan looked at his brother's arrogant look and really hated the iron. He put down the tea cup and said angrily: "You thought you were saving someone from the fire, but you didn't expect to make her wedding clothes." Mingcheng said Shengze had admired her since childhood, and when he learned that she was going to marry Shangdu, he threatened Mingcheng with the idea of seizing Bai Heng's head, forcing Mingcheng to elope with him. Mingcheng had to take the overall situation into consideration and had to commit himself to obey Shengze first, but later along the way He left a mark and a letter before leaving, which led Huang Bei to rescue Mingcheng."
"Impossible! I was on the scene at the time, and she obviously volunteered. For her, Shengze gave up his identity as a prince and was willing to accompany her around the world. How could she bite back like this! I don't believe that Sister Mingcheng would be like this, I'll go to Huangbei and ask for details!" Yunchuan couldn't believe that Mingcheng would do this.
"You don't have to ask! It's indeed what Mingcheng said. In fact, she changed her mind the next day and didn't want to go forward. This was originally my suggestion, so I really forced her to go to Dawei together. Do you remember Before we left, she went back and said she had something important to pick up. She probably left the letter at that time. She used this trick to completely gain Huang Bei's trust. I heard that Bo Heng was promoted to deputy commander today. Already." Shengze stopped Yunchuan and said lightly.
"You two!! You think you are smart and went to Huangbei to snatch the bride. How well do you know Mingcheng? She has led the army since she was a child and has been involved in the affairs of various ethnic groups. How much can you think of the city? Now that Bai Heng has successfully entered Huangbei, Do you think it was just a coincidence that Mingcheng ascended to the position of princess? The two of them had been working together a few years ago!" Hada Khan couldn't suppress his anger when he saw Shengze not taking it seriously.
"Although we are not as good as Sister Mingcheng in handling ethnic affairs, the friendship between her and us for so many years cannot be fake. She is like a brother to Shengze. Why would she damage Shengze's reputation and sincerity like this? I have to go find out." Yun Chuan broke away from Kai Shengze's hand and was about to leave.
"Stop, you want to involve several major ethnic groups in the grassland to find it exciting and fun, right?" Hada Khan shouted sternly, "This is originally the grudge between us Xiayi and Huangbei. You usually ignore your own affairs. Just have fun, don't add anything to it now. Now that the Emperor of Wei Dynasty is old and the court is fighting for power, it is a great opportunity for the development of our grassland nation. You think the current situation is as polite as what you see? , a group of peace'? Do you know how many people are eager for you to stir up trouble and take advantage?"
"Sister Mingcheng..." Yunchuan knew very well that Hada Khan always felt that second-generation prairie people like her were naive and naive in their minds and greedy for pleasure. She didn't want to argue with these at this moment, but for Mingcheng who had grown up together , Yunchuan could not believe that Mingcheng would blame Shengze in this way.
"Yunchuan, you don't need to ask for confirmation. We can't give Mingcheng what she wants. She wants to firmly occupy the position of Princess Huang Bei in the future, so she went along with the flow and put on such a good show with me. To show her love for Huang Bei. Secondly, it makes me lose my temper, kills Xia Yi's spirit, and relieves the resentment in her father's heart. She knows that Xia Yi will not send troops for my romantic affairs, and I, maybe she thinks this matter is harmful to me. It doesn't matter. There are hundreds of benefits and no harm, so why not do it?" Shengze stopped the excited Yunchuan and said calmly.
Hada Khan said to Yunchuan: "You should believe what Shengze said. Even though Mingcheng is similar in age to you, she has more opinions than you and knows what is best for her. If she really Running to Dawei with Shengze and living a mediocre life is really not Mingcheng’s character!"
Although Yunchuan Shengze was quite famous in this generation, with a handsome man and beautiful woman, a cheerful personality, and was favored by his elders and brothers, in the eyes of Hada Khan, he had always been a playboy. Hada Khan said with a sneer: "I finally put down Bai Heng's defection and regained control of the Xiayi military power. I originally planned to rest for a while and then go to Huangbei to question the traitor for an explanation. You are doing well now. I am If we send troops, it will definitely be rumored that our young prince failed to steal his bride and become angry, but I, a dignified Xiayi, have to bear such a ridiculous name, how do you expect me to take it seriously?"
Only then did Yun Chuan suddenly realize that Mingcheng's plan was so clear. This move was not a risky move, but it hit the target directly. It not only prevented Xia Yi from pursuing Bai Heng, but also showed his sincerity through Sheng Ze. Mingcheng can play with all emotions and turn all factors into favorable conditions for himself. Maybe he has never really understood Mingcheng. The one who has never been soft on conquering tribes since childhood, the one who is gentle and considerate in front of Yunchuan and Shengze, which one is true and which one is false?
"Shengze, for the sake of the overall situation, you have to be punished. Those soldiers who follow us must have laws to follow and rules to remember, but I will let them show off." Hada Khan walked into Shengze, Patted him on the shoulder and whispered.
"If you want to fight, don't show off. Not only will no one believe you, but I won't be able to remember it either." Shengze said still arrogantly.
"Well, you just know this truth. Come here, the young prince Shengze is lawless. He will beat him with a hundred big boards and take him to the top of the snow mountain to think about it for a month." Hada Khan said sternly, he was really heartless. noodle.
"Brother Hada!" Yunchuan on the side immediately begged for mercy, but Shengze held Yunchuan back and showed no intention of backing down.
Just three days after Shengze was beaten, Mingcheng married Huang Bei's Shangdu Khan with great grace and became Shangdu's only princess, just one step away from the position of queen. I heard that the wedding scene was extremely grand, and Mingcheng was also glamorous.
On the same day, Yunchuan put all the gifts that Mingcheng had given them since childhood, including hats, clothing, weapons and daggers, into a box and sent them to the wedding banquet. He also ordered someone to read a meaningful letter of breaking up the relationship on the spot: " On the banks of the Zhongyuan River, people are thinking about moving; the bright moon swears to each other, and they are kind; they climb up the branches, but fall; the phoenix crowns and the rosy pei, are you still at peace?" The elopement of Princess Huangbei and the young prince Shengze before marriage was already a hot topic. This letter of renunciation from a "close friend" added a layer of ambiguity. From the time Mingcheng came to the throne to the present, the rumors about her and Sheng Ze, whether they were talking after dinner or deliberately sarcastic, have never stopped.
