Late at night.
Xia Houxuan, who always slept very lightly, found it even more difficult to fall asleep tonight.
In the back garden, he looked at the pond in the garden, and suddenly felt a sense of misery in his heart. He couldn't help but burst into tears. Had he finally become a human being?
For some reason, he suddenly remembered the deserted Yishouting Hou Mansion in Yu Guina many years ago, which was like an ancient temple.
This is how the world changes. No matter how prominent your family background and status are, you often cannot escape the final loneliness.
He seemed to have an illusion. In the originally silent courtyard, a breeze suddenly blew up, so that the remaining snow on the treetops in the courtyard fell.
Xia Houxuan knew that this was not the natural wind, but the powerful energy carried by extremely skilled martial arts practitioners.
Xia Houxuan felt that the energy of the visitor was no less than that of his master Yu Gui, and even exceeded that of his father and uncle Cao Zhen.
"Brother Ai, since you're here, why don't you come out and talk?"
Although Xia Houxuan didn't know that his seventh cousin Cao Ai's martial arts had reached this level, he still guessed it. After all, at this moment, no one else should be looking for him.
At this time, a vague but not ambiguous sound from the dark sky came to Taichu's ears:
"This is the clue to the tomb of Weihou that my brother copied on sheepskin. All the secrets of the people behind the scenes who killed King Deng Ai and Weihou are contained in it. My wife, Mingyue, Yun'er, and Liangchen have all been safely hidden in the East. Two things my brother has entrusted me with. , I have completed everything. I have been practicing Taoism for many years. I have long since lost my mind to the worldly world. I no longer have any desire for revenge or obsession. Now I will go to the Taoist temple in the south of the Yangtze River and continue to live quietly in the mountains with Senior Brother Zhang. Brother, please do your own thing..."
Cao Ai did not show up to meet Xia Houxuan. After he said these words, he threw down a volume of parchment letters and never heard any reply.
The snowy night was quiet, and from time to time there was the sound of books being read in the courtyard.
"Sima Yi..."
Xia Houxuan's eyes were like torches, and he looked up at the sky, as if he wanted to pierce the night:
"I, Xia Houxuan, swear here today that I will kill this old thief and avenge my Cao family!"
——————————
As early as a few months ago, when Li Feng learned that Sima Yi had rebelled and arrested He Yan, Ding Mi, Deng Yang and others, he was so frightened that he could not stand upright.
He has been pretending to be sick for many years, but this time he was really frightened into falling ill.
After Xu Yun heard the news that Li Feng was seriously ill, he immediately came to visit with his sons Xu Qi and Xu Meng, but Li Feng, who was like a frightened bird, did not even dare to see his best friend Xu Yun at this moment.
While Xu Yun was waiting for him in the main hall, his friends Cui Zan and Yuan Liang also came to the main hall of Li Mansion with their children Cui Hong and Yuan Can.
Seeing that his father was unable to meet friends, Li Tao, the consort of Princess Qi, had no choice but to take his father's place to receive old friends who came to visit him.
"Uncle, I'm really sorry. My father is really ill this time and can't even get out of bed..."
Cui Zan and Yuan Liang nodded and comforted Li Tao:
"My dear nephew, tell your father to rest in peace and recuperate, and don't think too much. We have always obeyed our obligations and never disobeyed. Mr. Sima will not do anything to us."
After Xu Yun heard this, he sighed helplessly. He looked lovingly at the teenagers Xu Qi, Xu Meng, Cui Hong, and Yuan Can playing outside the hall, and then he said as if mumbling to himself:
"With the current situation, where should we go..."
——————————
Wuyanghou Mansion.
On this day, after Yang Huiyu taught her children about female beauty, she came to her husband's study again.
Yang Huiyu saw that the door to the study room was open, and realized that her husband was not discussing any confidential matters, so she felt relieved and entered the room.
Master Sima, who had been busy for more than half a month, finally gave himself a day off. As soon as Yang Huiyu entered the study room, carrying a bowl of lotus seed and white fungus soup, he saw her husband, who had just taken a bath and rested, and was wearing a robe and was obsessed with something. Yang Huiyu was fascinated by reading "Shang Jun Shu". Yang Huiyu didn't dare and couldn't bear to disturb him. He just stayed aside and waited quietly. After a while, Master Sima noticed his wife standing beside him. His originally gloomy face At this moment, a rare warmth appeared:
"Huiyu, when did you come?"
"I think your husband has been working too hard recently, so I asked the chef to stew some white fungus soup for you. It's still warm. Please drink it, husband."
Master Sima took the soup and took a sip. He seemed to like the sweet but not greasy taste of the soup. He raised the jade bowl and drank the white fungus soup in one go. Over the years, he has developed the habit of eating quickly due to his military life and busy chores.
After the couple chatted about trivial matters at home for a while, Yang Huiyu had the courage to mention Yirong's marriage:
"Husband, I heard that you and your father want to arrange a marriage for Yirong?"
Master Sima raised his eyes and looked at Yang Huiyu calmly:
"Yirong told you?"
Master Sima's casual look made Yang Huiyu feel a slight shock in her heart. She calmed down slightly and then replied:
"Yirong mentioned it to me."
Yang Huiyu paused for a while, organized his words for a while, and then said again:
"Sir, most of the people who are married to our family are literati families. Would it be more beneficial to our family if we find a talented martial artist for Yi Rong this time?"
This was the first time that Yang Huiyu could take the initiative to consider and offer suggestions for the Sima family. While Master Sima was surprised, he was also obviously very happy. He smiled and asked his wife:
"Has Madam already found someone you like?"
Yang Huiyu saw that this was the right moment, so he nervously and cautiously said in a suggestive tone:
"The famous generals of our dynasty are often the descendants of the Cao family or the Xiahou family of the clan who serve as the commander-in-chief of the four directions. Nowadays, the talents of the clan are withering, and there are quite a few generals with foreign names. It is a pity that many of them are the nephews of Nanxiang Marquis Wang Yanyun and Anyi Marquis Wuqiu Zhonggong. After getting married, Zhuge Liang, the child of Zhuge Gongxiu, is too young. If you want to settle for the second best, there are still famous generals in this dynasty: Man, Tian, Qian and Guo. Man Boning, the Marquis of Jing in Changyi, has long passed away, and the Marquis of Tian Guo in Changle Ting Rang is already very old, and the two nephews have also gotten married. The Marquis of Sheyang Pavilion, Guo Boji, has a good relationship with our family, so there is no need for marriage. Apart from this, the only family left is the Lian family..."
Yang Huiyu didn't dare to tell the truth directly, so after naming all the foreign generals in the dynasty, he mentioned the Lian family.
After Master Sima pondered for a moment, he thought about it carefully, and then suddenly remembered who the children of the Qian family were:
"Qian Zi Jing has two sons. I remember the eldest is named Qian... Qian Jia. He has some literary talent. He started his career in the Yulin Camp in Taichu and joined the army a few years ago. Later he was in charge of the Hu Army Camp. The account books were settled with him when I took over the Zhonghu Army a few years ago. As for the other one, I have never dealt with him and I don’t remember his name..."
Seeing that Master Sima didn't remember it, Yang Huiyu felt anxious and finally said:
"Husband, the second son of the Qian family, if I remember correctly, his name should be Qian Hong. I heard my uncle [Yang Hu's cousin] mention it before."
Master Sima slapped his forehead and said continuously:
"Yes, yes, his name is Qianhong. I mentioned him when Su Mu and I were chatting. Su Mu said that this Qianhong has extraordinary martial arts skills and can be regarded as a leader among the underachievers. I heard that Taichu has been able to control a certain amount of real power in Chang'an in recent years. , Qianhong’s contribution is indispensable!”
Seeing that her husband had a good impression of the Qian family's children, Yang Huiyu hurriedly struck with the leader while the iron was hot and asked:
"Then what do you think of the Lian family?"
When he thought of marrying the Lian family, Master Sima pondered again. He knew in his heart that what the Sima family needed at this moment was people's hearts.
The power to control people's hearts can only be possessed by a wealthy family like the Xun family, which has many talents and deep roots, and is full of orchids and jade trees. Although Qianzhao is considered a famous general of his generation, he once stabilized the Eastern Territory and shocked the Northern Territory, but once he came He was not from a well-established family, and had little family heritage and voice. Secondly, he died early, and he was only a Marquis of Guan Nei, and his family did not accumulate much wealth.
The two sons have been working hard on their own for many years. If Xia Houxuan goes up all the way, maybe the two of them will ascend to heaven. But now that Xia Houxuan himself has been deprived of power, the two of them have naturally completely lost their shelter.
Thinking of this, Master Sima finally shook his head:
"Qianzhao has been dead for many years, and he was a close friend of Liu Bei in his early years. He has a brotherly relationship, so I'm afraid he is not suitable for marriage with our Sima family."
Yang Huiyu felt anxious after hearing this, but she understood that once her husband Sima Shi made a decision, no one could persuade him to come back, so when the words came to her lips, she could only swallow them again.
After Yang Huiyu retreated, Master Sima, who had only rested for half a day, suddenly thought of something that needed to be dealt with urgently, so he immediately called Sima Zhao and went to his father's main room together.
"Father, news came from the school officials in Chang'an that Xiahou Zhongquan had indeed fled into Xishu. I heard that Xiahou Zhongquan fled all the way south and accidentally strayed into a death valley on Yinping Mountain Road. He lost control of his advance and retreat. He even injured his legs and feet after falling, and after eating the dry food, he even killed his beloved horse, and now his life or death is uncertain!"
Xiahou Ba was the father-in-law of Yang Hu, Sima Shi's brother-in-law, so Sima Shi retained respect for him and did not call Xiahou Ba by his first name.
Sima Yi, whose beard and hair were almost completely white, and whose face was covered with age spots, looked much weaker than he had in the previous two years. After hearing this, he didn't have much reaction, but asked his two sons for their opinions.
Seeing his father's question, Sima Zhao hurriedly expressed his opinion:
"Father, Xiahou Ba ran away in embarrassment and lost the face of his Xiahou family. Moreover, Xiahou Ba is over sixty years old and suffers from injuries. He is not a threat to our Sima family, and his son Xiahou Xian has been quite honest these years. In my opinion, it’s better to forgive his family’s death penalty and sentence him to exile.”
After Sima Zhao finished speaking, he cast a sly look at his elder brother Sima Shi. Of course Sima Shi understood his brother's care for him, so he took advantage of the situation and walked down the slope:
"What Zishang said makes sense, and we have just dealt with Cao Shuang's party. The killing method can shock people's hearts once. If we kill continuously in a short period of time, I am afraid it will trigger local changes. I also think that for now, Plan, recuperate and win over people’s hearts are the top priorities!”
Sima Yi looked a little sleepy at the moment. He yawned lazily and seemed to have no objection to Master Sima's decision:
"Since you have an idea, just figure it out yourself."
After Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, who wanted to win over Yang Hu and Xia Houxuan respectively by forgiving the Xiahouba family, heard this, a stone fell from their hearts.
Yongzhou, in the mountain road of Yinping County.
The howling of wild beasts caused the blood in the wound on the old man's left foot to flow faster, and the still cold spring breeze in the valley also made the wound on his left foot more painful.
Xiahou Ba, who left his family behind and rode into Shu alone, never expected that he would be at the end of his rope before he entered Yizhou territory.
At this moment, he felt a trace of regret in his heart.
According to his original guess, the Sima family might forgive Xian'er for the sake of Yang's in-laws, but at this moment, he missed his outstanding son more than ever.
Xiahou Ba lost more and more blood. Gradually, the extremely painful wound from the sharp stone seemed to be less painful. Xiahou Ba felt a wave of sleepiness sweeping over him.
He had never felt so stuck.
Just when he was about to pass out completely, a barbarian with a hero's knot on his head and a load of firewood on his shoulders saw Xiahou Ba:
"Old man, wake up quickly. What's wrong with you?"
"Take me to see His Majesty the Han Dynasty, to see Queen Xiahou..."
After Xiahou Ba tried his best to finish these words, he finally lost consciousness.
The Yi people were kind-hearted people. Seeing that Xiahou Ba's hands and feet were cold and his lips were white, they hurriedly lit a pile of firewood, took out the iron bowl, boiled some hot water, fed Xiahou Ba some water, and then cooked it on the bonfire. After eating the game he had hunted, Xiahouba finally regained some energy after using some barbecue hot water. At this moment, he only had one simple idea, and that was to survive.
At this moment, there was a sound of horse hooves on the path outside the mountain forest to the south:
"Is Old General Xiahou here? Old General Xiahou, we were sent by His Majesty to pick you up!"
Xiahou Ba, who was biting into a piece of barbecue, felt an indescribable excitement in his heart after hearing the visitor's Sichuan dialect, so much so that he almost choked. At this moment, he swallowed the barbecue in his mouth fiercely, and then used He shouted in an extremely loud voice:
"I'm Xiahou Ba, I'm here!"
[Note 1: Pei Songzhi's annotation "Three Kingdoms·Volume 9·Weishu 9·Xiahou Cao Zhuan Ninth" quotes Wei Lue as saying: At the time of the expedition to the west, General Xiahou Xuan was Yu Ba's son, and Xuan Yu was Cao Shuang's younger brother. When King Xuan of Sima executed Cao Shuang, he summoned Xuan, who came to the east. When Ba heard that Cao Shuang had been executed and Xuan conquered the west, Ba You felt uneasy and so he fled to Shu. Going south toward Yinping, he lost his way and entered a poor valley. When he ran out of food, he killed his horse and walked, his feet were broken, and he lay down under a rock, asking people to seek the way, but he didn't know where he was. When Shu heard about it, he sent people to welcome the hegemony. 】
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After returning to Luoyang with Xia Houxuan, Xia Houxian, who was unwilling to defect with his father, was detained by Zhong Yu of the Tingwei Mansion. In Huyunfang on Changmen Street, I bought a small and exquisite two-entry house worth 200,000 yuan, and lived separately from Xia Houxuan.
On this day, after Zhong Yu received the order from Wuyang Hou Mansion to exile Xia Houxian and his clan to Lelang County, Youzhou, he announced the verdict of Xia Houxian in public. Zhong Yu naturally understood that Xia Houba and Sima Shi's wife clan Yang Xia Houxian was not in trouble, and he was allowed to say goodbye to his relatives and friends in Changting before leaving.
After the two brothers Xia Houxuan and Xia Houfeng heard that Xia Houxian was spared death, they were sad but also very relieved. After all, Xia Houxian's life was saved.
In the hut outside the pavilion, the soldiers escorting the Xiahou Xian clan were enjoying the cooked meat and wine brought by brothers Xiahou Xuan and Xia Houfeng.
In the pavilion, the spring breeze from the east ruffled the corners of Xiahou Xuansu's white mantle, but it could not lift Xiahou Xuan's ice-condensed brows.
Xia Houxian, who was dressed in prison uniform, shackled and with a desolate expression, looked as if he was more than ten years older at the moment. Many new white hairs were vaguely visible in his sparsely-tied bun and temples, and his messy beard was accompanied by Blue and red scars.
Xia Houxuan looked at the embarrassed and gloomy appearance of his once high-spirited and glorious disciple, who had almost become a lonely minister. He suddenly thought of his master Yu Gui, his sister Yuanrong, Cao Shuang, Cao Xi, Cao Xun and other outstanding officials. Brothers and friends and old friends such as Deng Yang, He Yan, and Ding Mi.
The brothers and friends who once drank and chatted and vowed to live and die together have long been separated from him, and the brothers whose blood is thicker than water are now separated from each other. This makes Xia Houxuan feel an indescribable sadness in his heart. This sadness is as surging as the waves of the sea, and it is as unavoidable as the cold wind that penetrates the bones. Xia Houxuan, who has never been afraid of thunder and fire, has always been unfazed by favors and humiliations, and does not shed tears easily, is extremely sad at this moment, and he can't stop crying. His eyes welled up.
The three brothers were speechless. After a moment, Xia Houxuan suddenly realized that he would never see his brothers again, so he raised the wine bottle on the table in the pavilion and brought it to Xia Houxian. Xia Houxian also had tears in his eyes. With his hands in shackles, he couldn't hold the wine, so he could only put his mouth next to the wine bottle and drink the hot wine in one go.
Xia Houxuan and Xia Houfeng fed their brother his favorite Bingzhou beef jerky and hot wine. Not long after, the well-fed soldiers outside the pavilion came to the pavilion and urged:
"Hey, eat quickly, eat quickly, it's time to hit the road!"
Xia Houxuan and Xia Houfeng ignored the soldiers on the side and continued to feed Xia Houxian with wine and meat unhurriedly. They didn't put down their chopsticks and wine bottles until Xia Houxian was full.
Xiahou Xuanming, whose tears had long dried, moved two boxes of gold and silver jewelry, several bags of pocket five-baht coins, some shelf-stable preserved meats, and fine wine collected in Changlinghou's residence to the person responsible for escorting Xiahou. After presenting the grain cart of the general, Xia Houfeng and Xia Houfeng tightly held the scarred hand of his brother:
"Brother, no matter what, you must live well, cherish it, cherish it!"
——————————
Since the Qian brothers returned to Beijing with Xia Houxuan, they followed Xia Houxuan's warning and settled down peacefully.
Although Qianjia inherited the title of Marquis of Guannei from his father, the rent and taxes were low, so like Qianhong, his family had no money. However, thanks to his father's kindness, the Qian family still had an apartment near Xijin City in Luoyang City, so the two brothers Settled here for the time being.
Ever since he heard about the Sima family's marriage for their eldest granddaughter Sima Yirong, Qianhong, who had been caring about Yirong for many years, suddenly became nervous.
Qianhong really wanted to go to Sima's family to propose marriage, but his family was powerless now, and he couldn't even get a decent marriage proposal gift, which made Qianhong feel a little inferior in his heart.
Maybe I have never been in the same world as her!
When Qian Hong thought about this, his mood turned from excitement and nervousness to depression and irritability. He picked up the wooden sword he used to practice martial arts on weekdays, took out his beloved horse that had been fighting with him for many years in the stable, and began to move around in the small back garden. He wielded his wooden sword and chopped down the wooden mannequins in the courtyard, trying to eliminate the frustration, helplessness and depression in his heart.
At this moment, Qianjia, who went to the gold market to buy some wine and meat and went home, heard the sound of horse hooves and the sound of hacking in the backyard. He thought something had happened at home, so he put down the wine and meat in his hands and hurried into the backyard of Erjinjian. :
"Second brother, why are you crazy? I thought there was a thief in the family!"
Seeing that the eldest brother he had disturbed was worried for no reason, Qianhong immediately got off his horse and put down his wooden sword. Then he came to the eldest brother's side and bowed to apologize:
"Brother, it's my fault. I shouldn't be so excited."
When Qianjia heard Qianhong say "emotional", his heart suddenly moved. He thought about it and immediately understood:
"I understand. You must be worried about the eldest lady of the Sima family looking for a bride, right?"
Qianhong's face turned slightly red after hearing this.
Qianhong has been talking to his eldest brother about everything over the years, so Qianjia naturally knows that his brother is infatuated with Yirong. He patted Qianhong's shoulder, and then said warmly:
"You silly boy, eldest brother has known your thoughts for a long time. Although the eldest brother, the Marquis of Guannei, has little income and taxes, he has accumulated hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past few years. He originally planned to give it to us in a good land. I want to buy a big house, but it seems that I can’t buy it now. Let’s go, pack up, follow my elder brother to the gold market to pick out two decent gifts, and then go to Sima’s house to propose marriage!”
After hearing what his eldest brother said, Qianhong was moved and his eyes turned red:
"Brother, thank you!"
Qianjia laughed loudly and hit his brother's solid chest:
"You silly boy, do you and your brother need to say thank you?"
Qian Hong turned his worry into joy and took action immediately. He first went to the gold market and picked out a suitable gift. Then he immediately went home to wash up and tidy up. Finally, he mustered up the courage to come outside the Sima family's house. .
Qianhong looked at the door of the Sima family's luxurious mansion made of red wood, blue tiles and white stones. He was frightened for a moment. He stared blankly at the pair of majestic white stone housekeepers at the door, and then raised his eyes to look at the door. In the middle, there is a huge plaque written by a famous artist, with gold lacquer as ink and mahogany paper. The golden characters of 'Wuyang Hou Mansion' are like four huge stones, pressing heavily on Qianhong's chest. The pressure was so heavy that Qianhong couldn't breathe.
Qian Hong, who was brave and brave on the battlefield, hesitated outside the door of Sima Mansion for half an hour!
Seeing that it was getting late, Qianhong plucked up the courage again, grabbed the animal head knocker on the side door and knocked on the door. The red door leaf made a deep and sweet thumping sound, but Qianhong felt even more nervous. got up.
Not long after, the side door opened with a creak. In the past two days, there were many people who came to propose marriage to General Wei Sima Shi. Therefore, the servant waiting at the gate was not surprised. He glanced at Qianhong and the handbags in Qianhong's hands. gift, we directly understand Qianhong’s purpose of coming here:
"This young master must be here to propose marriage. Suqing, you can take this young master to meet the eldest son!"
After the man named Suqing responded, he politely led Qianhong through the screen wall, corridor, and garden, and all the way to the outside of Master Sima's study. Suqing asked Qianhong to stay temporarily in the pavilion outside the room. After a while, Su Qing greeted Qian Hong.
The tension in Qianhong's heart at this moment once again soared to an extreme. He hurriedly adjusted his clothes according to the water shadow in the pond, and then walked quickly towards the study.
After Qianhong entered the door, he immediately paid homage to Master Sima with the courtesy of a junior.
"Junior Qianhong has met the Marquis of Changping Township."
"Well, my dear nephew, there's no need to be polite. Let's sit down and have a cup of hot tea first."
As soon as Master Sima saw Qian Hong, he had a good impression of this young man with good appearance, thick eyebrows, big eyes, heroic spirit and thorough etiquette. Rumors said that he had extraordinary martial arts skills. Seeing his steady and vigorous steps, Master Sima knew that his fame was not in vain.
Qian Hong couldn't help but think: This Sima Ziyuan is indeed the same as the rumors said, with a somewhat sinister appearance. But after Qianhong took a closer look, he felt that the outline of his facial features was not bad. The reason why he looked intimidating was all because of his ferocious left eye and sinister temperament.
After the two chatted for a while, Master Sima wanted to test Yu Qianhong's character, so he used the words they just talked about to deliberately praise:
"Your father led Zi Jing and guarded Yanmen for many years in the Wei Dynasty. He defeated Xianbei many times and made the barbarians dare not peek into our northern border. He was so majestic and powerful that I had heard about it when I was young. As the saying goes, 'a tiger's father has no dog's son', my nephew's military strategy must have its origins in his family!"
Qianhong felt happy when he saw Master Sima's praise, but he did not show it, but replied sincerely:
"Uncle Sima has received an award from Xian Kao for his merits. Hong dare not be complacent about it. Hong has been taught by Xian Kao since he was a child, but he also wants to serve the country like his father. If there is an opportunity in the future, Hong is also willing to learn from Xian Kao and guard the country. , To defend the country against foreign invaders, even if the body is wrapped in horse leather, it will not be in vain for a man's seven-foot body!"
After Qianhong said this, he suddenly regretted it. He was afraid that Master Sima would think his words were frivolous, and since the Sima family planned to choose a husband for Yi Rong, it would be even more taboo for him to talk about shrouds in horse leather, but no matter what, his words It has been exported, even if Qianhong regrets it, it is useless.
Master Sima did not feel disgusted with Qian Hong's words. He had always been involved in the military and always liked to select talents, so at this moment, his impression of Qian Hong could be said to be very good.
But one thing goes for another. Although Master Sima admires Qianhong, it does not mean that he is willing to marry Yirong to him.
After all, the Qian family was in decline at this time, and there was no need for him to marry a daughter.
Sima Shi originally wanted to reject it outright like he would reject other children of aristocratic families who he did not want to marry, but then he thought about it, Qianhong, a young man with great potential, was completely worth winning over, so he planned to say it tactfully and sincerely:
"My dear nephew, to be honest, although I admire you very much, my old man already has a clear candidate for his grandson-in-law. This recruitment is actually just to test the attitude of the court nobles towards our Sima family. I’m afraid we won’t be able to become husband-in-law this time!”
Although the matter of recruiting a bride was just to test the attitude of the central government, it was not a huge secret, but Sima Shi was willing to confess to Qianhong, a young man from a humble family who met him for the first time, which showed his full sincerity.
To be favored by the eldest son of the most powerful official in the dynasty, if it had been anyone else, I would have been overjoyed.
But Qianhong, who failed to propose marriage, could not feel the slightest joy at this moment. After learning that the sweetheart of his heart was about to marry him, the originally brave and strong Qianhong felt as if he was struck by thunder and lost his soul. It took him a long time to return. He heard what Master Sima said.
"That's it, that's it..."
Qianhong resisted the urge to shed tears at this moment, and tried his best to maintain the last trace of calmness and grace:
"Thank you uncle for your kindness, Hong. I have another question that I would like to ask my uncle..."
Master Sima nodded, hummed, and signaled Qianhong to just ask.
"My nephew wants to know what kind of person Sima Taifu, the grandson-in-law in his heart is..."
Master Sima knew people were ruthless and could see the deep sadness in Qianhong's heart at a glance. He didn't quite understand why Qianhong cared so much about Yirong.
Even at this moment, deep in his heart, he actually had the idea of recruiting him as his son-in-law.
He likes Qianhong's emphasis on love and justice, and his flesh-and-blood character.
This is not only because Qianhong is very similar to his younger self, but the deeper reason is because this type of person is the best to control.
But his reason did not allow him to do such an enlightened and emotional thing. He gently patted Qianhong's shoulder, gave Qianhong some comfort, and then said to him in a soft voice:
"We plan to marry the Xun family and marry Yirong to Xun Lingjun's grandson, Xun Yu."
After Qian Hong heard this, even his eyes became distracted, and he muttered in despair:
"So that's it, it turns out that it's the Xun family who has the orchids and jade trees all over the courtyard..."
At this moment, Master Sima showed rare kindness as an elder. After seeing Qian Hong's reaction, Master Sima inevitably thought of his former love in life, Yuan Rong. He stroked Qianhong's bun and comforted him softly:
"Thank you for your great love for my nephew. I hope you won't be too disappointed. There are many good women in the world. I will look out for a good marriage for my nephew in my spare time!"
Master Sima now firmly believed that sooner or later he would be able to completely control Qian Hong.
Thinking of this, Master Sima's mouth inadvertently revealed an imperceptible smile.
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Yirong's residence is a five-story building called Nanmeng Xiaozhu, located in the southwest corner of Sima Mansion.
This small building is arranged in order from bottom to top.
Her boudoir is located on the fifth floor. Among the five rooms, Yirong's boudoir is the only one with carved windows facing north, offering a panoramic view of the bustling Jin Market and the majestic Jin Yong City in the distance.
Whenever the southwest wind carrying the fragrance of distant flowers passes through the north window from the south window in warm spring or midsummer, Yi Rong will be reminded of the touching poem by Cao Zhi, the king of Chen Si of this dynasty:
"Originally it was the southwest wind, and it passed away forever into your arms..."
Yi Rong has lost her mother since she was a child, and has heard many rumors circulating in Luoyang city about her father poisoning her mother. As a result, her character has gradually become withdrawn. Many times she is unwilling to communicate with others, preferring to lean against the window alone. While looking at the bustling streets to the south and the noisy Gold Market to the north.
Sometimes, she suddenly feels that she does not belong to this world, as if she is just a bystander.
After Yi Rong just heard the news that she might marry into the Xun family, maybe she didn't want to believe it deep down in her heart, so she didn't react much.
Throughout the afternoon, Yi Rong stayed in her small Nanmeng house. It was as if a big piece of something was missing in her heart, and she kept looking at the bustling crowds in the gold market in the distance.
Until the warm light of the setting sun reflected into her window lattice, until the sun disappeared and the lights first came on, until she saw the young couple in the distant market, holding a daughter and son, with happy smiles on their faces, Only then did she suddenly think again of the winter when she first met Qian Hong many years ago.
"Today, no matter what time, I am in the middle of the island. Today, no matter what time, I have to be in the same boat with the prince.
...
There are trees in the mountains, and the trees have branches. My heart says that you are here, but you don’t know. "
When he inadvertently sang the "Yue People's Song" that his mother often sang back then, she suddenly felt an uncontrollable sadness in her heart.
She took out the handkerchief that Houyang Huiyu taught him to sew and wanted to wipe away the tears running down her cheeks. But when she saw the mandarin ducks embroidered on the crimson and dragon brocade handkerchief, a wave of waves surged in her heart again. The sadness that was usually overwhelming seemed to have been drained of her strength at this moment, and it was difficult for her to cry happily even if she wanted to.
The maid who has always been by Yirong's side and taken care of Yirong as she grew up, just like Yirong's mother, saw that Yirong did not go to eat at meal time. She guessed that Yirong was ill, so she came with a food box. Nanmeng Xiaozhu:
"Miss, are you feeling unwell? It's already dinner time, so why aren't you going to eat? I brought you some food. If you don't want to go downstairs, you can eat in the room."
After Yirong heard Zijin's voice, the longing for her deceased mother was aroused in her heart. She felt even more sad, but she didn't want Zijin to worry about her, so she didn't turn around. He said in as calm a tone as possible:
"Aunt Zijin, I feel a little uncomfortable. Please put the food here. I will eat it later..."
Zi Jin, who had an aging face and gray hair on his temples, looked at Yi Rong again with worried eyes. After placing the food on the sandalwood table, he went down to the attic.
——————————
After nightfall, Xia Houxuan, who was obsessed with avenging his cousin and expelling the Cao family's old hatred, was quite upset. Unable to sleep, he simply put on a black robe with dark patterns and quietly left the Changling Marquis Mansion. Courtyard wall.
He performed the "Cloud Walking Rain Step" light skill passed down from his family, hiding in the shadows all the way, and by some strange combination of circumstances, he arrived outside the courtyard wall of Sima's house.
After thinking of his relatives, friends and brothers who had died and been exiled, Xia Houxuan's desire for revenge suddenly became stronger again. He looked at the seemingly unattainable wall of the Wuyang Hou Mansion that could not stop him, and thought about execution. The plan to destroy Sima.
At this moment, the carved wooden window on the top floor of the five-story attic inside the courtyard wall suddenly opened, and a girl in her twenties suddenly jumped down towards the attic!
Although Xia Houxuan couldn't see the girl's face clearly in the night, he knew that most of the female relatives of this age in the Sima Mansion were his nieces. Xia Houxuan did not dare to hesitate and immediately performed the "Cloud Walking Rain Step", the best light skill among them. Suddenly, he stepped onto the wall of Sima Mansion with one quick step, and then used his strength to head towards the direction where his niece fell. Fortunately, the force of the fall from the fifth floor was not very terrifying, and with the Xiahou Xuan family's The technique of 'Cloud Walk and Rain Step' was extremely mysterious, and he finally caught the falling girl without any danger.
After Xia Houxuan landed smoothly, he took a closer look and realized that the person he had saved was his niece Sima Yirong.
Xia Houxuan looked at his niece with tears on her face. He couldn't bear to blame him at this moment, but asked warmly:
"Yirong, why did you fall from the attic? Was it accidental?"
Yi Rong was sad all afternoon. She was so simple-minded that she couldn't bear the pain in her heart, so she suddenly had the will to die at night. But when she jumped down from the attic, she suddenly thought of Weng Weng, who was over seventy years old. There is a father whose temples are turning gray from overwork, a few lovely sisters, and Qianhong who is still alive.
At that moment, she suddenly felt very regretful. If she died like this, not only would it cause heartache to her relatives and bring shame to the family, but she would also never be able to see Qianhong again, and she would never be able to experience this beautiful and cruel world again. .
At this critical moment, Yirong saw a ghost-like black shadow flying towards him. After landing, he could see the face of the person clearly. It turned out that it was his uncle Xia Houxuan who saved him.
Yi Rong went from death to life at this moment, and the sadness in her heart was greatly dissipated by the joy of surviving the catastrophe. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and then said truthfully to her uncle:
"Uncle, Yi Rong is confused and trapped by love. He doesn't want to give up his personal relationship because of marriage, so he has thoughts of committing suicide. If my uncle hadn't been here just now, Yi Rong would have died. Yi Rong would like to thank my uncle... ..."
As soon as Yirong finished speaking, Xia Houxuan, who was anxious and angry, waved his palm. But when he saw Yirong's face that looked exactly like his late sister Yuan's face, the raised palm slowly dropped again:
"Yirong, your mother was pregnant in ten months, how hard it was to give birth to you. Your mother protected you like a treasure during your lifetime. It's better for you. A single thought will destroy the life your mother gave you. You Why are you so confused!"
Yi Rong felt regretful and sad at the moment, lowered his head and said nothing.
After a while, Xia Houxuan's anger dissipated and he said to Yi Rong in a warm voice:
"Let's go. My uncle will take you upstairs. I'm afraid the maid and servants will be surprised if they don't see you later. Hold on to my arm and don't let go."
Yi Rong nodded and grabbed his uncle's arm according to words. Xia Houxuan used the 'Cloud Walk and Rain Step' and carried the light Yi Rong skillfully from the flower room on the first floor of Nanmeng Xiaozhu to the second floor of Nanmeng Xiaozhu. He jumped up on the eaves of the study room, the tea room on the third floor, and the piano room on the fourth floor, and finally sent Yi Rong safely into the carved window on the fifth floor. Xia Houxuan did not leave just yet, he flew up and sat down On the branch of a tall flower tree outside the fifth floor, he said softly:
"Uncle, I want to say a few words to you before leaving. Yi Rong, Qian Zi and I have fought side by side and had friendships. Qian Hong has also been with me for many years. Of course I know that he is a person worth trusting for life, but you Have you ever thought that your marriage to the Xun family is already a certainty? If you are still disconnected from Qianhong Ou, how will you face the Xun family in the future? Isn't Qianhong's life and future in doubt? "
Yi Rong has always been smart, but this time she was trapped by love, so she didn't want to think deeply about certain things. Now that Xia Houxuan has figured out the key to this matter, how can she continue to have her own way?
You must know that Weng Weng and his father have always killed decisively. If you remove the tricks of the Qing Dynasty for the Sima family and Xun's, it is naturally easy.
Xia Houxuan saw Yirong recovering a few sisters, so he continued:
"Recalling Rong, have you ever heard of the past of the Xun family?"
Yi Rong read poems since childhood, and Sima Shi has also told him many old and dynasties.
"Yi Rong listened to Weng Weng and his father, and said that it was the family of Ling Lingjun [荀 彧]. When Emperor Shun and Emperor Han Yan were all famous in the world and were respected by the world as the 'Godjun'. I heard that even the famous Confucian Confucianism at the time was rushing to worship under the gate of the prince. Famous in the world, only learned from the world, and high -quality, was called the "荀 八 八" by the world.
[Note 2: "Three Kingdoms · The Tenth Biography of Jia Ying You Jia Ying": Grandfather Shu, Zi Jihe, Langling Ling. Between Hanshun and 桓, well -known. There are eight sons, named Ba Long. Father, Jinan phase. Uncle is cool, Si Kong. Continuing Hanshu said: Shu has high talents, Wang Chang and Li Yan all thought they were teachers, and they were Langling Houxiang, known as the prince. Zhang Yanhan Ji said: Shu Bo learns to have a high behavior, friendly with Comrade Li Gu and Li Yan, pulling Li Zhao in the small official, friend Huang Shudu to young children, righteousness with virtuous recipes, and cutting the Liang Ling Hou Xiang. Die official. Eight sons: frugality, 靖, Jing, 焘, 诜, Shuang, Susu, 旉. Sound. 】
At this moment, Xia Houxuan looked up at the stars hidden between the flowers and branches, nodded, and said in God:
"Yes. Ling Jun himself, there is also Wang Zuozhi, he tried his best to assist the Emperor Wu in his life. There was no strategy, and he chose to be able to do wing him. The room, the man of the building, but the emperor of the martial arts in the world, the Ling Junjun finally committed himself for the sake of the big man ... "
Yi Rong was curious about the mysterious and high -clean family of the Xun family at this moment. Only listening to Xia Houxuan continued:
"Yi Rong had heard a friend of his uncle, 粲 粲 荀“ 倩 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀 荀
Yi Rong nodded:
"Xun Fengqian is the young son of Ling Lingjun. He heard that he was talented, but I heard that it had died a long time ago ..."
Xia Houxuan's thoughts were full of thoughts on dead friends. He said to Yirong:
"The wife of Feng Fengqian was the daughter of General Cao Hong and Cao Zilian. Eleven years ago, Cao was suffering from fever. Still taking Cao's life, Feng Qian was weak, and the snow was stained with cold and cold. In addition to missing Cao's excessive, the next year, he died ... "
The family of Xun family regarded the love that died for love as the shame of the family. Sima Yi and Sima Shi naturally did not tell Yi Rong's real cause of death. At this moment, after listening to the past, her heart I can't help but be moved.
"Yi Rong, my uncle tells you to tell you that the door of Xun's door is excellent, and most of the children are Chi Lan Yushu. The mind of the heart, the mind of the heart! "
After listening to the words of his uncle, although his heart was still full of reluctance, after all, his mind was sober, and he no longer thought about death.
"Recalling Rong, you are so good and self -cherished, and you go back to the house ..."
After the remembrance of the Mufu, Xia Houxuan had gone for a moment.
After Yi Rongxin knotted a little bit, she was finally fell asleep slowly.
She had a long dream. In the dream, she saw Gu Hong's brilliant smile, riding a white high -headed Malaysia, wearing a big red flower on her chest. After a while, she dreamed that they would travel to the end of the world again. When she woke up, Yiru suddenly dreamed that Gu Hong fell into a deep and unsightly abyss. She was shocked. After exhaling, he woke up when he boarded it.
After the dream woke up, a sweaty memory was full of tenderness and panic left in the dream. She was fortunate that this was just a dream, and at the same time she was disappointed by this dream.
Yirong opened the carved window and found that it was still on the eve of dawn at this moment.
Before dawn, the fish belly was white on the dark sky of the east.
After a while, the sky was slightly lighted a little, and Yi Rong saw Guan Hong, who was lonely on the empty street. Looking at him, Yirong knew that he might not fall asleep overnight.
Thinking of this, Yirong's heart was full of reluctance and distress, but reason told her that she could not give Gentong any hope at this moment.
Yi Rong was cruel, took out the farewell letter written on the plain white silk last night, and took out a brief and flawless jade cricket from the makeup. Throw it out.
Genthong's skills were healthy, and a jumper stubborn hand caught the jade and silk.
'Jun is a thousand miles, and Su Shu Bai Yuben has no trace.
Today, he will leave with the king, and you can report to the monarch in the next life. '
That year, the teenager missed the moonlight in his eyes.
That year, the girl lost a few affection in her heart.
On the day of Yi Rong's marriage, Sima Shi, who always seemed to be iron -stitched, and no longer shed tears for many years, and looked at the daughter who was about to board the sedan, even wiped into tears secretly.
Yi Rongjian was always like a strong father, and his tears couldn't help slipping his cheeks:
"Father, don't cry, your daughter is just married. In the future, my daughter will often come to visit and take care of you ..."
"Silly boy......"
Sima Shi was afraid that the people outside the house saw that they were crying, and held up their tears. After he calmed down, he continued to say to Yirong:
"You have to remember that after marrying, you are the people of the Xun family. There is another thing. You must keep in mind that if ... if there is one day in the future, what will happen to the Sima family? Be sure to clarify the relationship with the family. If you are there, the blood of my Sima family will be there! "
After listening to my father's words, Yirong suddenly felt that the burden on her body was heavier. She would not only be a high -hanging puppet, and she must learn to watch the sixth way to listen to the eight parties at any time. Planning for the family and the husband's family is the only thing. I heard that the mother -in -law of the year also often planned big things for his father. How can he ignore it?
"Father, you can rest assured, Yirong will try to protect the Sima family and Xun family, so as not to let Weng Weng and you disappoint!"
Sima nodded praise, and the evaluation of the eldest daughter in her heart was a little higher.
At this moment, the team of Xun's welcoming relatives had blown and fought and came to the door of Sima's mansion. What, but did not speak.
He didn't come, and he suddenly remembered the dead daughter -in -law Xia Houhui. At this moment, the fierceness and poison of the old man's heart were temporarily hidden, and replaced the rare concern and guilt.
I hope this child can live a better life, the old man said so.
——————————
Spring has come again, and in a blink of an eye, it has reached the winter of Jiaping for two years.
This cold wind is more cold and lonely compared with the memories of many people in the memory of many people.
In addition, Guan Hong has been working on the Longxi Taishou for more than half a year.
In the south of Luoyang, I bought a few two sugar cakes from Nanshi, and bought a roasted goose and a few yellow wine. .
Today is his birthday, but he has not done great exercise. On the one hand, there is no habit. The other is because his wife Sima Yirong is pregnant for two months. He knew that his wife had always liked to be quiet.
"Fujun, if you tell you, what about someone else?"
Basically, she has basically accepted the Ying Rong of Xie Yu who looks very careful at this moment, and she seems to regret saying this.
After listening to the words of his wife's words that did not look like a joke, the wind and cloud smiled lightly:
"Really noble, I also admired other women when I was a young man, but now, you are the only one in the eyes of your husband!"
After listening to this, Yirong seemed to be deeply moved, and she couldn't say anything for half a while.
The snow outside the house became more and more urgent, but the ice and snow in Yirong seemed to melted a lot.
——————————
Donghai County.
In the East China King's Mansion, Cao Lin, who was over half a year old and half -lifetime, finally collapsed, lying on the sick couch, he couldn't afford it. During this time, he often dreamed of his father Cao Yu and his elder brother Cao Rui.
At the edge of the couch, Cao Feng, the eleven -year -old Gaogui Township, was waiting for his father's East China King Cao Lin, comforting his father.
"Father, you will take a good rest, it will be fine."
"Yan Shi" Cao Feng's word "..."
Cao Lin's eyes on the sick couch had been scattered, but still looked at the Luoyang emperor's capital from the west outside the window. In his heart, he should be the owner there.
"Yan Shi, do you remember ... why do you ..., always looking at the west ..."
Cao Lin looked at the intelligent, literary and strong child in front of him, and exposed a satisfactory smile.
"Fantry remembers that the father and king once said that Luoyang on the west is our real home, so the father and king often look at Luoyang to the west!"
Cao Feng's eyes were like a star, holding his father's dry hand, and said firmly.
"So fashionable ..., you are right ..., cough ..."
Cao Lin nodded and worked hard to continue:
"It's just, Keke ... It's just that the father and king's life, I'm afraid that I can't go back to home again ..., Huaer, you promise your father and king ... if you have a lifetime, you must return to Luoyang ..."
After Cao Lin finished this sentence, he let go.
He didn't seem to be unwilling, because he firmly believed that he would definitely make his children the Lord of the Dawei.
Eleven -year -old Cao Fang found a dead father with a trace of peace on his face.
He was crying like an ordinary child, and he was panicked, but showed a calmness beyond ordinary people.
In his eyes, he was full of perseverance that did not match age.
"Father, Fuma promised you, in his lifetime, he must be the owner of this Luoyang, and you no longer have to succumb to anyone!"
On the day of Jiachen, the East China King Cao Lin passed away, and he said that Donghai Dingwang.
————————————
As the Bingbing was in the middle, I learned that the Dawei Temple was indeed overwhelming.
After the news of General Zheng Yan Wang Wenshu learned the news, he reported to the court for the first time. After getting the center of the center, he decisively led the army to take advantage of the spring day and the river flowing slowly, and quickly crossed the river and broke through. After Wu Jun's several camps, he killed hundreds of Wu Bing.
During the first month, Jingzhou Assassination History Wang Ji and Xincheng Taishouzhou Thailand broke through Wu Jun again, and there were thousands of people from the Wu people.
Sima Yi feels that the number of Qi Qi has been exhausted, and it is not worried. In this case, there is no need to keep Wang Ling, an obedient old thing.
January, Sima Shi'an's school officials were inserted in Yangzhou, and the news that General Wang Ling had frequently sent messengers to send messengers.
In the Taifu Mansion, Sima Yi, who was fully white, took his eyes in the study, kept his eyes closed, and thought about something.
Sima Yi is thinking at this moment, what excuses should he find Wang Ling.
He became more and more felt that his body in the past two years was not as big as before, so he planned to do his best before he died and try to remove one thorns for his descendants.
"Father, do you call your children?"
At this time, Sima Yi's seven sons came to the hall.
Sima Shi, Sima Zhao, and Sima Qian stood in the front row by the sister -in -law of the original wife Zhang Chunhua, while the other sister -in -law: Sima Liang, Sima Jing, Sima Jing, Sima Jun, and Mrs. Zhang Six brothers born to Sima and Mrs. Bai, who were born, were served behind the three brothers.
"Everyone is here?"
After a while, Sima Yi slowly opened his eyes.
"I call you today for your Father, and you have to ask you."
Sima Yi took a sip of tea and continued:
"If the father is gone one day, can anyone be able to defeat Wang Ling?"
Sima Yi was so direct to scare a few sons.
Both Sima Shi and Sima Zhao and Sima Jun were silent.
As for Sima Liang, Sima Lun and others, they looked at each other and shook their heads.
After a while, Sima Shi replied:
"Qixu's father, Wang Yanyun has been in Yangzhou for many years, with a very wide confidant, and using soldiers like God, and his nephew Luzhou assassin, Linghu Fox, and leading the Luzhou army. If one day really competed with it, the child would not be sure. "
Sima Yi put down the tea cup and nodded with a smile.
"Know the father, you all go down."
"Yes, the child waits for retreat."
Sima Yi ’s original old face was suddenly full of murder, making his wrinkled and dark spots look particularly embarrassed.
————————————
On this day, an uninvited guest wearing a snow -proof cloak and unknown identity came to Xia Houxuan's Changling Houfu late at night.
Xia Houxuan often purchases some Buddhist scriptures from the Western Regions in the well in Luoyang City, and most of those monks who sent books on Xia Houxuanfu are mostly similar to the appearance of people. Therefore The school affairs did not cause too much doubt.
Even Xia Houxuan himself thought that the person should be a monk who came to the government to send a book to the government the day before.
But when the person opened the cloak and revealed the true face, Xia Houxuan suddenly recognized the identity of the person in front of him. He couldn't help surprised:
"Brother Gongyuan, why are you here?!"
This person is not someone else. It is the general of Zhengnan General, the Wang Ling and Wang Yanyun of Nanxiang Hou Wang Ling, and the eldest son of the proton in Luoyang ————— Shang Shu Wang Guang and Wang Gongyuan.
