During these days, as soon as the emperor went to court in the morning, he would definitely go to Yongshou Palace to visit his grandmother, Queen Mother Bian.
After taking off the heavy twelve-chapter-patterned court uniform, Cao Rui suddenly felt a lot more relaxed. At this moment, wearing ordinary clothes, he even had the illusion that he was just the young son of a powerful family in Luoyang. Taking a stroll in my backyard.
Cao Rui remembered that when he was very young, his grandfather, Emperor Wu Cao Cao, and his grandmother, Bian, were very fond of his grandson.
At that time, my grandfather was not yet the King of Wei. When I was four years old, not long after my grandfather was enshrined as prime minister by Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, my grandfather suffered a huge defeat that year. Later, when I grew up, I understood The battle that made my grandfather depressed all day long was the legendary Battle of Chibi.
It was in that year that his brother-in-law, his grandfather's favorite son, Cao Cangshu [Cao Chong] died of illness. My grandfather was very strict every day and always scolded my father thoroughly. But every time he saw me, his grandfather was extremely kind. At that time, my grandfather would often hold himself in his arms and say with a smile: "With this little grandson, our Cao family can at least maintain its legacy for three generations."
He still remembered that when he was a child, all kinds of rare treasures and many delicious delicacies were brought as tribute from the local area. Although his grandfather strictly ordered the Cao family's children to be frugal, his grandmother always secretly left these to him, so every time he went to When he visits his grandmother, he can eat lots of delicious food that he can't usually see.
In his childhood, he was happy, with the love of Weng Weng and his grandmother, as well as the care of his father and mother. Although he is now the Ninth Five Supreme Being, everything has changed back then. His mother died tragically, his father and he gradually became separated from each other, and there are not many close people around him anymore.
Not long after, Cao Rui had arrived at the Yongshou Palace of Empress Dowager Bian.
"Brother Emperor, you are finally here!"
As soon as Cao Rui entered the palace, he heard the voice of his sister, Princess Cao Ling of Dongxiang. He smiled and said:
"If I had known that you were chattering here, I wouldn't have to worry about my grandmother being bored all alone."
[Note 1: Princess Dongxiang is the sister of Cao Rui and her mother. Her birth and death dates and name are unknown, so they are fictitious here. 】
Cao Ling was just about the same age as Dou Kou and had a naughty personality. When her brother teased her, she was not afraid of her brother's status as emperor. She made a very funny face and successfully made the otherwise serious Cao Rui laugh.
"Grandma Imperial, my grandson sees that you look much better. That Miss Li is indeed well-deserved and has extraordinary medical skills."
In front of his grandmother, Cao Rui didn't look like an emperor at all. At this moment, he was just a well-behaved and sensible grandson.
"Rui'er, you have been busy these past two days, always coming and going in a hurry. Grandma is always looking forward to your coming. These past two days, grandma always dreams about you when you were young, and then you wake up. , I always find that my Rui'er has grown so big."
Queen Mother Bian looked cheerful and kept laughing. After a while, the old man seemed to suddenly remember something. She slowly grabbed Cao Rui's hand and said to her grandson in a serious voice:
"Rui'er, there are some things you have to think about. When this person gets old, he will begin to decline, just like a flower. When it withers, no matter how much fertilizer you give it, it will not help it." No matter how many insects you remove, you will not be able to prolong its flowering period. So is it true for people. If one day, I die, Rui'er must remember not to anger the doctor."
"Rui'er has taken note of what the Imperial Grandmother said." Cao Rui held the old man's hand and gave a rare warm smile. This kind of smile was the kind of smile he often showed when he was a boy and when his mother was still alive.
Li Huigu, who had just administered acupuncture and medicine to the Empress Dowager and was standing by, understood that what Empress Dowager Bian said was true. No matter how advanced the medical skills were, they would not be able to prolong a person's life. Just like the falling grass and trees, it was a number determined by heaven and could not be violated. She also understood that Empress Dowager Bian was paving the way for herself, a civilian medical woman who came from all over the country, to prevent the emperor from venting his anger on her one day.
"As for Xuan'er and Xi'er's two children, it's been several months since they left the capital. They haven't come to Yongshou Palace to see the Ai family. The Ai family really misses them."
"Brother Xi must be on duty with Uncle Zhao [Cao Shuang] to guard the palace at the moment. As for Xiahou Taichu, this boy never likes to be restrained. Among my Sanqi Shilang and Sanqi Changshi, he has been to the palace many times. The least one."
Thinking of these two cousins with strong personalities, Cao Rui couldn't help but shook his head.
"Hahahaha..." Queen Mother Bian couldn't help laughing after hearing this, and said with a smile: "Rui'er, among your cousins, Xuan'er seems to have a calm temper, but in fact, this boy has the wildest and most wild temper. He is too willful, now that he has reached the age of weakness, it is time to arrange a marriage for him, so that he can be more restrained and not be too sharp all day long."
"Grandma Huang, don't worry, Rui'er will take care of their marriage."
Cao Rui understood that her grandmother's health was deteriorating day by day. She wanted to see her grandchildren find where they belonged before her death. As the legitimate son of the late emperor, he had been married as early as the age of his hair. Zhaobo [Cao Shuang], as the eldest son of the general, had also married Princess Liu of the Han Dynasty years ago. Now, only Xi Di and Tai Chu are left. Cao Rui thought that if he fulfilled one of his grandmother's wishes before her death, it would be considered as his filial duty. Considering his grandmother's condition, Cao Rui couldn't help but feel sad.
Queen Mother Bian laughed happily when she thought of happy things, while Princess Cao Ling of Dongxiang blushed slightly when her grandmother and brother mentioned Xia Houxuan. She still remembers that eight years ago, that is In the third year of his father's reign in the early days of Huang Chu, that young man who was not afraid at all and spoke eloquently in front of his father was striving to continue the title of Jiazuo for the Yu family of Yishouting Marquis. She clearly remembered that Xia Houxuan was the only boy besides her brother that she admired.
After hearing what Empress Dowager Bian and the Emperor said, Li Huigu seemed a little distracted. She lowered her head and said nothing. She just kept playing with her nails in her sleeves intently, as if she was thinking about something.
————
On the wall in the northwest corner of the imperial city, Cao Xi, the deputy general of the Armed Guards, was currently wearing a pair of black sleeve-collared armor, with a military-standard ring-head sword hanging from his waist. He was not wearing a helmet, but a general's headgear. Tucked under the arm and around the waist. At this moment, he was looking at Jinyong City in the distance, which was connected by three small cities.
He remembered that after his cousin Cao Rui ascended the throne four years ago, he followed the experience of his grandfather, Emperor Wu Cao Cao, in building the "Three Platforms" of Bronze Bird, Golden Tiger and Ice Well in the northwest of Ye City, and also built this majestic tower in the northwest corner of Luoyang City. The solid golden city.
This Jinyong City is about two miles long from north to south and about half a mile from east to west. It is divided into three parts, north, south and middle. There are doorways connecting each of the three parts for convenient communication.
In fact, this is a military castle that protects the capital. Because it is located on Mang Mountain in the north and has a high terrain, you can overlook the entire city of Luoyang from below and guard the six gates of the capital from above. Therefore, this Jinyong City was also called "Luoyang" by the Forbidden Army soldiers. base". For military defense needs, His Majesty the Emperor also built many piers and platforms between the outer wall of the northwest wall of Luoyang City and the outer wall of Jinyong City. This method of building fortresses can also be described as a great innovation for the construction of city systems in later generations.
Cao Xi turned to look at the gold market in the west of the city. He saw the pedestrians going between the markets like running water. In the distant wilderness on the outskirts of the city, an unknown child was flying paper kites, faintly Cao Xi could even hear the laughter of the children.
For no reason, Cao Xi thought of that moonlit night in the early years of the Huang Dynasty. At the beginning of Taichu, he was riding the little 'White Bird' he had just acquired. He held the bridle in one hand and the kite in the other, and rode into the wind like this. Hui'er, 'Ah Mo' and himself were chasing closely behind. On that moonlit night, the laughter of the three of them filled the streets and streets of Luoyang...
The past is over.
Cao Xi couldn't help but smile bitterly, wondering why he still couldn't forget what happened back then after so many years.
"Miss Wei Yuan..." At this time, in the distance, several imperial guards under Cao Xi saw a girl wearing a curtain hat and climbing on the city wall. They all bowed to her and saluted, even though the person who came was wearing a face covering. They also recognized the curtain hat. This was Wei Zhen, the daughter of Wei Gongzhen, an important official of the dynasty and Minister of Civil Affairs, and Wei Yuan, the sister of Shangshu Lang Wei Lie. [Note 2: Fictional character. 】.
She often comes to this place, so several of the Imperial Guards who often guard here have recognized her. And the reason why she likes to come to this place is because this is where the deputy general of the Wuwei camp and their boss Cao Xi are on duty.
"Shh!" Wei Yuan smiled mischievously, and then tiptoed towards Cao Xi.
"Brother Zhaoshu!" She suddenly patted Cao Xi's shoulder coldly. As expected, Cao Xi, who was lost in thought, was startled, and the iron helmet under his side also fell to the ground with a clang.
"Hahahaha..." Wei Yuan looked at Cao Xi's stupid appearance, unable to bend down to pick up the helmet, and he couldn't help laughing: "Brother Zhao, why are you so cute, hahaha..."
Seeing Cao Xi's clumsy and shy appearance in the distance, which was already laughing like the second lady of the Wei family, several Forbidden Army soldiers standing guard couldn't help but almost laughed out loud, but they were afraid of being seen by Cao Xi, so After they smiled, they immediately pretended to be looking at the distant scenery and turned away.
"Yuan'er, you're naughty again." Cao Xi looked around and found that no forbidden soldiers were paying attention, so he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Brother Zhao, every time I come to see you, you are always in a trance. Of course you will be scared by me." Wei Yuan pursed her lips and smiled secretly. She took out a colorful paper kite from behind like a magic trick. Put it into Cao Xi's hand:
"Now, I remember you always talked about paper kites in front of me before. You like it so much, so I'll give you one. Do you want to give it a try?"
Cao Xi understood that it was summer now and it was difficult to buy paper kites in the market. She must have traveled to Dongshi, Jinshi and Nanshi before buying this one. Thinking of this, Cao Xi He couldn't help feeling warm in his heart, and he smiled and said:
"It's a pity that I'm still standing guard and can't play around as I please."
"It's okay. If you want to see the kite, I'll let you see it. You don't need to move around, hehe..."
As Wei Yuan spoke, he began to untie the spool and trotted back and forth on the city wall. He saw the colorful kite immediately taking off with the wind and soaring into the blue clouds. The gentle and elegant young soldiers in black armor at the top of the city were smiling as they watched the lively and cute little girl pulling silk threads and herding kites. This scene was naturally so eye-catching that the soldiers standing at the top of the city in the distance were mesmerized by the sight.
Wei Yuan trotted into the wind, looking back at Cao Xi with a smile, and saw that her every smile was filled with inner happiness and satisfaction.
