The East Palace is located one mile east of the imperial palace, with direct access to the inner palace Yunlong Gate to the west, and the connection with the palace is extremely convenient.
Duke Cao Rui of Qi is the eldest son of His Majesty. But for some reason, His Royal Highness, the eldest son of the Emperor, who is almost sixteen years old, has not yet been canonized as Crown Prince.
However, being able to live in the East Palace at least shows that he is the most promising one among the candidates for the throne.
Cao Xi has been waiting in the pavilion outside the hall since he entered, and he is already a little impatient. His eldest brother Cao Shuang was Qi Gong's playmate since childhood, so the brothers had always had close contact with the East Palace.
It's not that Qi Gong deliberately neglected him today, it's just that he came at the wrong time, just in time for His Highness Cao Lin, the Fifth Highness, to pay a visit to the East Palace.
Cao Xi played with the porcelain cup in his hand, thinking a lot. He thought to himself: Although His Highness Cao Lin is young, he has always been deeply loved by His Majesty and has never concealed his ambition to compete for the throne. Therefore, his relationship with His Highness Duke Qi has never been good. How come today, there is Did Kong come to the East Palace?
Cao Xi slowly approached the main hall of the East Palace with curiosity...
In the main hall of the East Palace, Cao Rui was sitting on the throne. The expression on his face was as calm as lake water, as calm as his father's. However, his soft brows were very similar to his mother's, making him a little more gentle. .
In front of the east-facing table, a handsome young man of twelve or thirteen years old was serving himself tea and sipping. Looking at his clothes, although he was not a prince, he knew that his status was not low.
He is Cao Rui's young master, Cao Zhao, and his father is the Dongyang Tinghou and Zhennan general Cao Xiu and Cao Wenlie, known as the "Thousand Mile Horse" of the Cao family.
On the side, sat an arrogant young man wearing a vermilion gauze robe, a white curved collar, and a white gauze tunic with a white edge.
This is His Highness Cao Lin, the fifth son of the emperor.
The imperial robes he wears when traveling far away are the clothes used by the crown prince and other kings. Cao Lin is neither a prince nor a king, which shows his arrogance and arrogance.
Cao Rui seemed careless, but in fact he was thinking about how to deal with his fifth brother Cao Lin. He couldn't help but sigh when he thought that he, a fifteen-year-old boy, had to think so carefully about a few words with his brother.
"Brother, why are you sighing?" Cao Lin asked quietly, holding the cyan porcelain cup in his palm, with a somewhat provocative tone.
Cao Rui heard the other party's strange aura. He probably also knew the purpose of Cao Lin's coming here today. Recently, rumors have spread in the palace that my mother, Queen Zhen, has fallen out of love with Your Majesty because of her complaints. Cao Lin usually hated himself, so now he would naturally find an opportunity to humiliate himself.
"Actually, it's only a matter of time before Her Majesty the Queen falls out of favor." Cao Lin smiled and picked up the tea cup. His understatement made people feel uncomfortable: "Brother, you don't need to take it to heart." [Note 1 : During the Three Kingdoms period, the queen was respectfully addressed as Her Highness. 】
Sure enough! Cao Rui suppressed the anger in his heart and forced out a stiff smile: "The queen is Gu's mother. It is Gu's duty to worry about Her Highness the Queen's affairs, so I won't worry about you Lin."
This sentence is extremely clever, implying that he is the queen's legitimate son, and the other party is a son of a commoner, so he has no right to make irresponsible remarks here.
Seeing Cao Rui's clever response, Cao Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, raised his tea cup and took a sip. He understood that today Cao Lin came to humiliate and make things difficult for His Majesty Qi Gong. If His Majesty made a mistake in anger or got into a fight, if the news reaches His Majesty's ears, it may be fatal to both the Queen and Cao Rui. The blow!
After hearing what Cao Rui said, Cao Lin's lips turned purple with anger, and he dropped the tea cup heavily on the table. He then sneered: "However, Her Royal Highness the Queen is really extremely generous and admirable. Master Meng said: 'Wealth and honor cannot be fornicated, and poverty and lowliness cannot be removed.' I hope Her Majesty the Queen can continue to maintain it!"
Riches and honors cannot be kinky, poverty and lowliness cannot be moved! Cao Rui's eyes turned red instantly. He gritted his teeth and endured. Was he laughing at his mother who was now in a high position but not favored by her? Was he laughing at his mother who once had a low status? !
so what!
Where did he, Cao Lin, have the qualifications to be so presumptuous!
Veins popped up on Cao Rui's forehead and he clenched his fists tightly. Cao Zhao was shocked when he saw this. He quickly left the table and stood up. He was already prepared. Once Cao Rui lost control of his mood, he would risk his life to hold him back. He would never let Cao Lin succeed!
"Squeak..." At this critical moment, the wooden door of the main hall slowly opened, and the three of them saw a child dressed in black and Hufu walking in, but it was Cao Xi.
"I never thought that His Highness Cao Lin, as a prince, would be so rude and ridiculous, don't you feel ashamed and shameful?" Cao Xi launched an attack directly without any polite words. Cao Lin was already angry with Cao Rui, and now he had nowhere to vent his worries. He thought that Cao Xi was nothing more than a bastard from a distant clan, so there was nothing to be afraid of, so he stood up and punched him! Cao Xi was shocked and hurriedly dodged. Rui and Zhao also hurriedly came to protect him.
Unexpectedly, Cao Lin used too much force and was dodged by Cao Xi. His center of gravity slipped and he fell to the ground. In the chaos just now, a few tea sets were broken, and there were broken porcelain pieces everywhere on the ground, so Cao Lin was instantly injured all over his body!
"Cao Rui... How dare you let someone hit me!" Although Cao Lin was covered with injuries, his eyes were full of pride: "I'll tell my father right now!" After saying that, Cao Lin slowly He stood up slowly and limped out of the hall.
Cao Rui and Cao Zhao looked at each other and knew that disaster was inevitable.
"Brother Xi...you have caused a big disaster this time!" Cao Zhao sighed helplessly.
"This matter is not Xidi's fault." Cao Rui frowned deeply: "It was Cao Lin who took action first, but this time Cao Lin returned with injuries. I'm afraid it is unreasonable..."
"Brother Yuan Zhong..." Cao Xi looked down at the messy cases and broken porcelain pieces on the ground and stayed for a long time.
The appointed time has not yet arrived. Xia Houxuan left the palace gate and hurried to the agreed place. He looked at the treasure he had asked for from His Majesty. This was the Baipi Lumo Sword that Your Majesty had treasured for many years. It was given to him today, which shows how much Your Majesty relies on his father. minus the current year.
At Sihui Road, Cao Xizheng was waiting for Xia Houxuan quietly, looking very lonely.
Xia Houxuan was surprised. This boy was always late, but why was he here waiting for him in advance this time? As he got closer, he realized that Cao Xi's expression was very ugly. Thinking about what happened in the palace in recent days, he had roughly guessed the reason.
"Axuan..." Cao Xi looked at his cousin as if asking for help: "His Royal Highness Cao Lin was in the East Palace. He had a scuffle with me and was injured. Now he probably went to His Majesty to complain. What should I do?"
"Ah?..." Xia Houxuan, who originally thought it was some insignificant matter, was startled. He understood that what His Majesty is most taboo about today is brothers fighting each other. But now that the matter is over, let’s make my cousin happy first.
"Don't worry, His Highness Qi Gong will handle these matters." Xia Houxuan smiled, raised the device in his hand, and pulled out half of the blade: "Brother Xi, look, what is this."
Cao Xi's eyes were instantly attracted, and he saw the Lumo Dao emitting a dazzling red dragon-patterned halo under the sunlight. He looked at the inscription on the Lumo sword engraved on the scabbard, which was written by His Majesty himself: "Yu Shuo is a good sword. When Hu Lianqiu was in power, he opened all the scales and corners. He was able to do whatever he wanted. No matter what happened, he would not be the same. He would keep it forever. Use it to defend yourself." Whifridge. [Note 2: "Dian Lun": "Prince Pi of Wei made hundreds of precious swords,... and also made Lumo sword, also known as Dragon Scale sword." It is three feet and two inches long, shaped like a dragon pattern, and is called Dragon Scale. 】
It's dragon scales! Cao Xi couldn't help being surprised.
At that time, Prince Pi chose the best craftsmen from Chu and Yue to build more than ten excellent weapons. The Baipilumo sword in front of him was three feet long and two feet long, and shaped like a dragon pattern. It is exactly the dragon scale that is his Majesty's favorite thing today. Brother, he actually begged for himself.
"Brother Xi, does this count as compensation for the sword that I cut off last time?"
"Okay, then shall we go to the restaurant in Qingmingmen, cousin?"
"Idiot, you forgot that Chen Hou Cao Ren was promoted to general. We are going to Chen Hou's house to congratulate him. We will have enough food for you then."
"Great!"
There was an instant burst of laughter and laughter on the streets of Luoyang, like a warm wind, adding a bit of warmth to the entire city of Luoyang.
This summer seems to be hotter than previous years.
Even the cool moon that had just risen could not eliminate the sultry summer heat.
The East Palace was as quiet as ever.
Cao Rui, who had just returned from the Chonghua Hall in the palace, was staring at the letters on the case in a daze. The aroma of magnolia in the room made him a little dizzy, so he opened the carved wooden window a slit.
He thought that his father would punish him severely, and he was even ready to be demoted, but... his father actually only punished himself, copying the Analects of Confucius, and remembering the principle of respect between brothers, friends, and brothers.
It’s not that I thought my punishment was too light, it’s just that my father didn’t punish me severely this time. I’m afraid he wanted to hold his mother accountable! In this way, wouldn't it be playing into the hands of Qiu Zhaoyi and Cao Lin, their mother and son.
Thinking about this, Cao Rui couldn't sit still. Otherwise... let's go to the palace again and explain clearly to my father the whole story. He was about to get up and change his clothes when he saw a maid coming in a hurry.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is here."
―――
"Third brother, please lend me your dragon scale sword to play with." Cao Xun felt bored and came to the back garden. When he saw the sword being wiped in Cao Xi's hand, he immediately became interested.
Cao Xizheng was so absorbed that he didn't notice anyone entering the back garden. His fourth brother's sudden words startled him.
"Ah Xun, it turns out it's you," Cao Xi coughed lightly: "If you don't go to study, what are you doing here?"
"Third brother, I have already mastered the "Sima Fa" you taught me to read." Cao Xun patted his chest proudly: "If you don't believe it, I will recite it to you." [Note 3: "Sima Fa": a military work from the pre-Qin period , was written about the Warring States Period, and was compiled into a book by Sima Ranju, a general of the Qi State during the Warring States Period. 】
Cao Xi nodded. He had four younger brothers. The fourth brother, Cao Xun, was good at military affairs, and the sixth brother, Cao Yan, liked poetry. Therefore, people seldom worried about poetry, writing, riding and shooting.
As Cao Xun spoke, he began to shake his head and memorize the book, but Cao Xi seemed a little absent-minded.
I heard that brother Yuan Zhong was punished after meeting the saint today. I wonder how he is doing now...
"In ancient times, benevolence was the basis, and justice was defined as governing with righteousness. Righteousness is power if it is not obtained by intention. Power comes from war, not from middlemen. Therefore, it is okay to kill people to appease them. Attack the country and love its people. It is possible to attack; to stop the war by fighting, even though it is possible to fight. Therefore, benevolence sees kinship, righteousness sees the saying, wisdom sees reliance, courage sees oneself, faith sees trust. If you get love inside, you defend it; if you get majesty outside, you get it. Zhan Ye.…”
Cao Xi was still thinking a lot and frowning. This matter was all caused by his interference. Otherwise, he would go to the East Palace to see Brother Yuan Zhong later.
"...We don't raise armies in winter and summer, so we love the people at the same time. Although our country is big, if we like war, we will perish. Although the world is safe, if we forget to fight, we will be in danger..."
But going to the East Palace at this time might just add to the chaos. Cao Xi sighed.
"The rule of the previous kings was based on the way of heaven, the appropriate establishment of the land, the virtues of the officials and the people, and the correct names and governance of things. ... Secondly, the virtuous king formulated the rituals, music, and laws, which were the five punishments. ... The six reasons why the king governed the princes: The land is organized into princes; the princes are calmed by political orders; the princes are recorded with rituals and trust; the princes are pleased with materials and strength; the princes are defended by herdsmen; the princes are subdued by military reforms. The princes are united by sharing the same troubles and benefits, and the princes are harmonious by comparing small things to big things. ... External and internal strife , animals behave like animals. Then destroy them."
Cao Xun actually memorized nearly a thousand words of "Sima Fa·Volume 1·Renben No. 1" in one breath. He originally expected to be praised, but suddenly found that the other party had been lost in thought!
"Third brother!" Cao Xun shouted dissatisfied.
"Huh?... Have you finished reciting it? Oh... It's very good, but the art of war is more important than being able to recite it..." Before Cao Xi could finish his sentence, the dragon scale in his hand had been taken away by the opponent.
Seeing Third Brother's face instantly filled with displeasure, Cao Xun hurriedly and cleverly found a topic: "Oh, by the way, Third Brother, don't you... go take a look outside Qingming Gate?"
"Qingming Gate? What's going on?" Cao Xi has been staying in the mansion for the past few days, so he doesn't know anything.
"I heard that outside Qingming Gate, by the Yangqu River, a gentleman who interprets dreams and reads fortunes recently came here." Cao Xun carefully admired the luster of the dragon scales under the moonlight: "It seems to be called... what is his name Zhou Konghe? Come on, many people say that this gentleman’s interpretation of dreams and fortune telling is very effective.”
"Zhou Konghe?" Cao Xi murmured thoughtfully, "Could it be that Le'an County official, Mr. Zhou Xuanzhou?"
―――
Cao Rui entered the main hall and saw that his father's expression was no longer as fierce as before. He instantly breathed a sigh of relief and felt relieved.
"I, I pay my respects to my father..." [Note 4: During the Three Kingdoms period, princes called themselves ministers in front of the emperor. 】
Before Cao Rui could bow down, Cao Pi helped the child up. His eldest son, who had just turned fifteen and had his hair tied back, had a childish look on his soft brows and looked very much like his mother. [Note 5: In ancient times, it was considered the age of adulthood to have one’s hair tied at the age of fifteen. 】
"I understand, it's not Rui'er's fault." Cao Pi touched the top of the child's hair and said with a smile, "Come, daddy will take you to a place."
After hearing the word 'dad', Cao Rui was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily.
I remember that when he was a child, his father would always take him to the roof and look at the night sky. At that time, his father was not yet the Supreme; he would often call his father 'daddy'.
The stars in the sky twinkled like pairs of clear and innocent eyes...
The emperor climbed up to the top of the palace with great difficulty and touched his forehead with his sleeve: "Rui'er has grown up, but my father is getting old soon."
"How could it be? I wonder how my father can be considered old when he is still young." Cao Rui supported his father and sat on the ridge of the palace.
"Although people are not old, their hearts are tired..." The emperor sighed, and he looked at the fairy-backed beast reflected by the cold moon not far away. The main hall of the East Palace is not very short. From here, you can not only overlook the entire East Palace, but also the Royal Palace in the distance.
"Rui'er knows that it's really tiring to be alone in this family."
Cao Rui nodded, seeming to understand. Although he didn't know the feelings of the Supreme Being, for a fifteen-year-old boy like him, it was indeed very annoying to be immersed in such intrigues and intrigues all day long.
"Na Rui'er, don't be a loner in the future."
"Silly boy..." Cao Pi looked at the child, his eyes full of pity for a moment. In fact, this child has always been his successor in his mind. However, he didn't want him to become the target of public criticism prematurely, so he kept the position of crown prince vacant. Not being established as the crown prince can be regarded as a kind of weak freedom.
"Some things cannot be avoided."
Cao Pi raised his eyes and looked at the most dazzling Beichen star in the sky.
"Only when you stand at the highest point can you use the power in your hands to protect those around you and yourself..."
After an unknown amount of time, the child fell asleep on his father's shoulder.
"Daddy..." Cao Rui murmured in his sleep.
The emperor, who was usually as cold as ice, could not control his tears at this moment. My child, it has been a long, long time since I called myself daddy like this.
No one can let Ruier get involved in the disputes in the harem, not even the mother of her own child! Cao Pi secretly made up his mind.
The moon reaches the zenith, and the East Palace of Luoyang is surprisingly quiet at the moment. Under the bright cold moon, you can vaguely see the shadows of two people, one big and one small, leaning on each other.
―――
In the east of Luoyang City, the green willow branches and leaves that have been burned by the scorching sun during the day are now floating in the wind under the warmth of the cold moon.
Yangqushui is a section of Luoyang's East Moat. The vendors who were hawking nearby during the day have already returned home, leaving only a few scattered tourists wandering nearby.
Cao Xi hurried outside Qingming Gate and searched for a while on the bank of Yangqushui, but he didn't even see the shadow of the so-called dream interpreter. Could it be that that boy Ah Xun deceived him? Probably not. Maybe it was because the heat was too high during the day, so Mr. Zhou went to a tea shop to enjoy the cool weather.
Cao Xi thought like this and unconsciously walked towards the nearby tea shop.
There were a lot of people gathered in the tea shop, but there was no noise. The boss rolled up his sleeves and poured herbal tea for the guests, while talking about something with excitement, so that everyone listened in silence.
"By the way, Mr. Zhou Xuan Zhou Konghe was a county official in Le'an County more than ten years ago."
"At that time, the Yellow Turbans were rising, and wars were raging everywhere. As for Le'an County, it was later occupied by the Yellow Turbans and fell tragically."
"One day, Yang Pei, the governor of Le'an, had a dream, and Mr. Zhou became famous because he could interpret this dream." The boss said with a dry mouth and took a sip of herbal tea.
"Then what did Governor Yang dream about?" A tea guest couldn't restrain his curiosity and asked.
"Hahahahaha, Governor Yang Peiyang, he dreamed that a man said to himself: 'On August 1st, Duke Cao will arrive. He will give you his staff and drink medicinal wine.'"
"However, the prefect couldn't figure out what the man in the dream wanted to say and how to interpret these sentences. He heard that there was a man named Zhou Xuan named Kong He who was good at interpreting dreams, so he invited Mr. Zhou. Tell him in a dream. Guess what Zhou Xuan’s explanation was?"
"Mr. Zhou explained: The husband's staff will lift up the weak, and the medicine will cure the disease. On August 1st, the thieves will be wiped out!"
"As a result, on August 1 of that year, the army of the late King Cao Gong marched to Le'an and really wiped out the Yellow Turban Army here! Tell me, isn't this Mr. Zhou a man of extraordinary ability?"
"Furthermore, I heard that Mr. Zhou came to Beijing this time, but in the inner city of the imperial city and in the palace, I don't know who invited him."
After leaving the tea shop, before the curfew, Cao Xi continued to walk along Yangqushui. Not far away, after passing the East Market, was the Jianchun Gate not far from the East Palace. Cao Xi thought to himself, why not stop by and see Brother Yuan Zhong...
―――
You waited alone outside the house for a long time before you saw an old servant slowly opening the door.
"Sorry, my master never receives wandering warlocks." When the old servant saw that he was dressed as a Taoist, he planned to close the door and leave.
"Is Lian Xia no exception?" The man didn't show any sullenness at all, but asked with a smile.
"Your Excellency, who is..." the old servant asked cautiously with hesitation on his face.
"Please tell Brother Yu that my old friend Zhou Konghe is here to visit."
