The moon rises above the Dongshan Mountain, and a layer of mist rises from the distant mountains. Through the lights on Jianye and the Qinhuai River, the sky and the earth are hazy.
It became dark early on the mountain. Liu Qi drank tea and had no intention of falling asleep. In this ancient time when the sun rose and the sun set, he was still not used to going to bed early.
I had nothing to do, so I took a walk in the mountain breeze. Ever since I traveled to the present, I was either acting with others or sending troops to fight. I have never been so completely free.
In this troubled world where swords are flashing and clouds are treacherous, every step is taken with caution, as if walking on thin ice. How can you have time to enjoy peace and quiet?
Walking out of the courtyard, he saw a bluestone path winding towards the top of the mountain. Liu Qi stood under an ancient pine tree, listening to the sound of the pine waves, and was hesitating whether to go to the top of the mountain to have a look.
At this moment, a faint flute sound suddenly came, accompanied by the lingering clouds and mist, as if blending with it, rising and falling, low and ethereal.
Music, chess, calligraphy and painting are compulsory courses for children of every aristocratic family. Liu Qi has been influenced by Liu Biao since he was a child. Although he doesn't like music very much, he still has to be arty, so he can understand it.
After listening silently for a moment, Liu Qi turned around and saw Zhao Yun, dressed in white robe, standing at the gate of the courtyard with his sword pressed, watching from afar like the pine and cypress.
Zhao Yun is such a reassuring person, taciturn and meticulous in his work. He is careful and thoughtful without disturbing others, and may even ignore his existence.
Such a considerate guard may be better than Dian Wei or Xu Chu. No wonder Liu Daer prefers to take him with him when he goes out.
"It's still early and it's really boring here. Why don't you go up and have a look?"
Liu Qike never regarded Zhao Yun as a servant and respected him as much as he did Guan Zhang. Except for the more formal service in the army, he treated Zhao Yun as a family member.
Zhao Yun kept silent and walked forward. Liu Qi suddenly became more courageous. The two of them walked up the mountain along the path under the moonlight.
Liu Qi was also curious. Zhang Zhao clearly said that there was no one else in the back mountain and it was absolutely safe. Where did the sound of the flute come from? Could it be some kind of trick?
But since the other party has laid the bait, it would be a pity not to find out what is going on. I want to see who is here.
When we reached the top of the mountain, we saw an octagonal pavilion, surrounded by pines and cypresses, blocking the mountain wind. The flowerbeds were neat and tidy, obviously taken care of, and there was a faint fragrance of magnolia floating in the air.
In the pavilion, a person is sitting alone and playing the flute. Judging from the figure, she should be a woman. She is dressed in plain clothes and gauze, and she seems to blend into the moonlight.
Liu Qi stepped forward gently, while Zhao Yun stood at the intersection, looking around for warning, silently taking down his bow and arrow, so that if something unexpected happened, he could be rescued in time.
"What a skill!" Liu Qi came to the pavilion and clapped his hands in praise.
The woman turned back suddenly, but she was wearing a veil. She seemed a little surprised: "Who are you? Why is there a man in another courtyard?"
Liu Qi listened to her gentle voice, like a clear spring in the mountain. Although he was shocked, he was not confused. He clasped his fists and said, "I am Liu Qi. I live in another courtyard at the foot of the mountain. I came late and had nothing to do. When I heard the sound of the flute, I came up to find out. The girl seemed to be filled with worry. Knot?"
"Girl?" The woman seemed to be in a trance and stood up: "Young Master is the Lord of Jingzhou, the Marquis of Xiangyang?"
"Not bad!" Liu Qi nodded and smiled, "Can I take the liberty of asking the girl for her name?"
"I... am already a woman!" The woman sighed quietly, paused, and then slowly took off her veil, staring at Liu Qi with her bright eyes: "Young master, you really don't recognize me?"
"Are you——Da Qiao?" Liu Qi looked at this flawless face and was shocked.
He and Da Qiao met twice in Luoyang. One was at Qiao Xuan's home, which was just a quick glance, and the other was in the palace. Da Qiao once worked as a musician in Yuefu, specializing in teaching music to the concubines.
Once Liu Qi followed Liu Biao to the palace to discuss matters, and stayed in the Imperial Garden where he met Liu Xie. At that time, Liu Xie had just been taken to the palace and was lawless, so he lied and took him to Yuefu to practice piano.
This guy grew up in a Taoist temple. He had no upbringing as a royal child. He was frivolous and arrogant. He often teased palace maids and was reprimanded many times by the Emperor Ling. He heard that the Yuefu musicians were beautiful and good at dancing, so he had been coveted for a long time. Today, he happened to be the one to support him.
Da Qiao was present at that time, and he was immediately fascinated. If Liu Qi had not stopped him with his right words, he would have taken him to the palace to play the flute for him alone.
The Da Qiao in front of her is no longer as charming as she was when she was a palace maid. Her temples are held high, her neck is as long as a swan, her eyebrows are sad, her red lips are cold, and she looks more cold and resentful.
"At a quick glance, I didn't expect that the young master actually remembered it." Da Qiao smiled faintly, and the beauty under the moon was even more touching.
"Gu... Madam is of heavenly beauty and outstanding beauty. I think anyone who has seen her will never forget it." Liu Qi sighed with emotion and joked: "I heard that Cao Cao has never forgotten the two ladies. This time when he went to Jiangdong, there were Half of them are here for your sisters!"
"Cao Mengde?" Da Qiao looked into the distance and said with a sad smile: "By then, I will be the trophy snatched away by the winner, right?"
"I mean no offense!" Liu Qi hurriedly waved his hand and said: "The thief Cao has retreated. It was just a joke. Madam, please forgive me!"
I wanted to liven up the awkward atmosphere, but unexpectedly, I touched on the person's pain point, and Liu Qi sincerely apologized.
The speaker did not mean it, but the listener meant it. It was really inappropriate to offend others. Liu Qi would not say that others could not take a joke.
Da Qiao stared at Liu Qi, seeing that his attitude was sincere, and asked: "When we met in the palace in the past, Duo Meng spoke up and frightened the prince away. How come he got to Jingzhou and was known as lustful and greedy for money?"
"If a tree is beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy it!" Liu Qi sighed helplessly, "When a person reaches a high position, he will naturally be envied by others. There will be more people who will slander and spread rumors to cause trouble. No one will tell anyone's back, and no one will tell anyone's behind. people?"
Da Qiao was slightly startled: "It makes sense."
Liu Qi asked doubtfully: "I heard that my wife was guarding the rebellious general in the temple. She was so infatuated and touching. How come she is here in the back mountain?"
"Infatuation?" Da Qiao looked up at the bright moon and said faintly: "My love for you has already been paid to the bright moon and the breeze."
Liu Qi looked around and asked: "Zhang Zhao arranged for me to stay in another courtyard. He said that there were no outsiders on the mountain, but he heard the sound of flutes on the mountain. I came here out of curiosity, but I didn't want to disturb my wife. Could it be that Zhang Zhao also arranged for you?" Are you waiting here to pay homage to the rebellious general the next day?"
Da Qiao didn't answer but asked: "What do you think of General Sun?"
Liu Qi pondered for a moment and replied: "Sun Bofu started an uprising with three thousand troops. He went to Jiangdong at the age of eighteen and wiped out Jiangdong in a few years. The grass was in the wind and ruins. He created such a huge foundation with his own hands at such a young age. How many people can there be in ancient times? It's a pity that God is jealous of talents and falls into the hands of young people. If it hadn't been for an accident, with his ability, he would have already entered the Central Plains and fought against Cao's thieves!"
Da Qiao raised his eyebrows slightly: "So, the young master also admires General Sun?"
"That's natural!" Liu Qi nodded seriously: "The title of Little Overlord is worthy of its name!"
Liu Qi still deeply admires Sun Ce's ability. Throughout the ages, eighteen-year-old boys have been basically under the protection of their parents, dreaming about changing the world. Sun Ce has already put it into action!
However, the hard steel family has doomed his fate. He is an enemy of the times, as if a person who goes against the turbulent waves will be unable to move forward.
"General Sun's memorial tablet is in the heart of this mountain!" Xiao Qiao pointed to the cliff behind him, "Sir, would you like to burn a stick of incense?"
"In the mountains?" Liu Qi suddenly became alert. Could the trap be in the mountains?
