As dusk falls, the setting sun in the sky is like blood, and the color among the clouds gradually becomes darker and darker than that of the morning light.
The huge Shangjing Imperial Palace is shrouded in this red sunset, like a river of spring water illuminated by golden light, half river rustling and half river red; the magnificent nine-layer palace is also surrounded by red fire clouds, shining even more dazzlingly. The light seemed to be enveloped in a red mist, appearing and disappearing.
After leaving Xianyang Hall, Xiao Changling walked alone in the depths of this stern palace, seeming to be looking for a way out of the palace, and wandering aimlessly; that slender figure, accompanied by Dressed in spotless white clothes, reflected in the sinking dusk, she looked so lonely, desolate and sad...
At this time, there was no one around Xiao Changling. Long Xifeng and the three Tiefutu had already returned to the camp. There was neither a forest guard in front of them to clear the way, nor a servant to guide them. Only him, dressed in white, was alone.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the white royal road of the palace, like a gem sunk into the sea, glowing with brilliance and gradually gushing out.
The setting sun pours down, and the palace becomes more and more deep, as if the Penglai Fairy Mountain from overseas stands alone on an isolated island. There are few people moving around, except for some scattered maids and palace guards patrolling back and forth. It’s hard to see redundant people anymore.
The lonely city in all directions and the nine heavens are closed in a deathly silence, just like the emperor's house, which has no trace of warmth, is bone-chillingly cold. In the world, there is only the man in white clothes who beats the snow, wearing a black ancient sword, walking alone; on the corners of his white clothes, there are still blood stains left when he killed someone, and his whole body exudes a terrifying The smell of blood.
Xiao Changling's movements were like traveling through clouds and mist, erratic and without a fixed direction. After he came out of Xianyang Hall, he first walked through the wide square. After passing the square, he passed the long alley when he entered the palace.
Originally, it stands to reason that after passing Yongxiang, you can come out of the inner palace, and then walk a short distance, and as long as you exit Yongping Gate, you will be where the outer city of the palace is; however, Xiao Changling did not leave the palace just like that. , but along the tall palace wall, slowly heading west, west and west again.
He didn't know how long he had been walking, maybe it was a long time, maybe it was a short time, maybe even he didn't know it clearly. Moreover, Xiao Changling's expression looked very tired. His clear and elegant face, reflected in the pale sunset, was as red as blood. Not only that, he seemed to have lost his soul. Blue and black as iron, his eyes were faintly blood red, as dark as blood.
Xiao Changling walked slowly, not too hurriedly. Rather than strolling in the courtyard, he was more like visiting the imperial palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty. His footsteps wandered through the Imperial Garden, Jinming Pond, and the Star Observation Deck. At this moment, he had unknowingly reached the Dongyuan area where the concubines of the harem lived, and he was not even aware of it. .
The imperial palace in Beijing during the Great Zhou Dynasty was mainly composed of three parts: Taiji Palace, Changle Palace, and the East and West Gardens. Together they outline the basic outline of the Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty, dotted with stars, located in the deep palace of blue bricks, black tiles and red walls.
There are three major palace complexes. Taiji Palace is where emperors of all dynasties of the Great Zhou Dynasty held regular court meetings and summoned foreign heads of state and envoys. Taiji Palace is the main palace, Wude Palace is the auxiliary palace, and Changle Palace is where the Taihu Emperor Three palaces stand in between the residences of the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother, and the Queen, namely the Queen Mother's Kunning Palace, the Queen Mother's Shoukang Palace, and the Queen's Chongde Palace; as for the East and West Gardens, they are where the concubines of the harem gather. , countless palaces and palaces, like bright stars in the night sky, are scattered in every corner of the palace.
To be precise, the layout of the palace is very large, so large that it is beyond ordinary people's imagination. Since Xiao Changling came out of Xianyang Hall, he has been walking in the labyrinth-like palace as leisurely as he is now. Sitting and strolling, it seemed that everything happening around him had nothing to do with him. Little by little, he reached the deepest part of the palace.
At this moment, a gust of cool wind blew towards Xiao Changling's face. The wind blew up silently and clung to Xiao Changling's body. He felt an unintentional invasion inexplicably, making people feel numb all over his body. Shivered.
For a short moment, Xiao Changling was slightly startled. The strong wind brought some dust in the air and rushed into his eyes at an unexpected speed, pulling at his eyebrows and teasing him. His eyelashes were spinning back and forth wantonly inside.
The wind and sand entered the eyes. This was such a subtle, almost imperceptible dull pain, like fine cracks, gradually tearing apart along the old wounds that had been healed, until the already scabbed wounds were torn apart again. Drenched with blood.
So, Xiao Changling blinked his eyes, gradually gathered his thoughts, and slowly raised his head.
Opposite is the palace that he once seemed familiar with but is now completely unfamiliar to him. It is dusk and the sky is sinking. All he can see is that the bricks and tiles of the palace are shining with colorful colors in the reflection of the setting sun. It increasingly highlights the nobility of being the head of the six eastern palaces of the inner court, and also indirectly shows the noble identity of the owner inside.
But outside the palace, there were green trees and flowing water, surrounded by a lush and prosperous sycamore forest. The breeze was blowing in front of me, blowing the golden leaves on the trees, mixed with crisp sounds, and rising calmly. , but it dispelled the sadness caused by the late autumn season.
A pond of gently rippling water divides the palace and the parasol forest into two parts. It is active and undulating, with a gurgling sound that is both natural and harmonious, elegant and brisk, creating a wonderful sound of nature. One after another, it is pleasant to listen to.
The sound of water is endless. A small arched stone bridge, shaped like a crescent moon, lies across the water, leading directly to the palace on the other side. The small bridge, flowing water, rockery, and the surrounding carved corridors and waterside pavilions , pavilions, and the lush sycamore forest, such a picture can only be seen in the ink paintings written by everyone in the world. It is also rare to see such beautiful landscapes in the palace.
Listening to the slow flow of water, Xiao Changling raised his eyes and stared at the other side. Three eye-catching characters came into his eyes - "Chengqian Palace".
At this moment, Xiao Changling's face became extremely solemn. This solemn expression was not the joy when galloping outside the Northern Pass, nor the cold arrogance when facing the Emperor of Zhou Dynasty, nor the arrogance when he was waving in the Xianyang Palace. The ruthlessness of the knife when killing people; this is a very complicated expression, melancholy, loneliness, loss, and a touch of lovesickness.
Across a pool of stream, Xiao Changling stood facing the wind, with silence in his eyes, staring at Chengqian Palace quietly, letting the cool wind of late autumn blow up his white clothes, but he just looked at it with a sad face. Looking there, looking at it, the whole person's expression was actually a kind of gloom that he had never seen before.
Because she lives there.
The owner of this palace is the woman he once had a childhood sweetheart with, whom he has loved and guarded for half his life. And in this world, she is the only person Xiao Changling can care about in this rolling world of mortals. , she is the only one...
It's been ten years, but I don't know how she has been doing these years?
After all, he and she had an extremely beautiful past, memories of knowing each other when they were young; but now, he could only watch the woman he had loved for many years trapped in this gorgeous "golden cage" forever. ; But now, although there is only a shallow stream between him and her, it seems like they are separated by mountains.
At this moment, he really wanted to cross the small stone bridge, hold her catkin hand, and hear her call him "Erlang", and he also wanted to call her "Wan'er" gently again, just like before; However, reason told Xiao Changling that he could not do this. Once he took this step, he would never be able to look back. That would only push his beloved woman into the abyss...
Suddenly, Xiao Changling felt a huge sense of loss in his heart. He recalled the first half of his life and couldn't help but smile to himself. He felt as if everything was not his, the throne was not his, the country was not his, even his childhood sweetheart had become his brother's woman, and the only thing he had now was A cold military talisman, the military power of 400,000 soldiers, and the empty prestige of a "Great Zhou God of War", apart from these, he had nothing.
Thinking of this, Xiao Changling sighed softly and turned around. Under the reflection of the setting sun, a sad figure was left behind, preparing to leave here.
At this moment, a wisp of quiet and elegant Guqin sound, like the gurgling stream, is long and distant, coming from the other side. It makes people intoxicated. Even if there are thousands of miles of mountains in front of them, they will still be intoxicated by this sound. Conquered by the sound of the piano, which is like the sound of nature.
Xiao Changling was about to leave, but was attracted by the wisps of music. The melodious sound of the piano came from the other side of the small stone bridge and gently floated into his ears. Xiao Changling lowered his head silently, looking at the clear stream in front of him, and as if obsessed, he listened to the beautiful movement played by the strings. What a familiar sound it was. He had not heard it for a long time. Such beautiful piano music.
Therefore, Xiao Changling's steps to leave immediately stopped, and then he slowly turned around, his eyes becoming clearer.
As the music gradually spread, a beautiful note, accompanied by a resentful melody, turned into a waterfall pouring down in an instant, making Xiao Changling hear it more and more clearly.
Xiao Changling suddenly raised his head, followed the sound of the piano and looked at the woman who was playing the piano under the pavilion in the middle of the lake, a smile slowly appeared on the corner of his mouth. This is not a cold smile, but a heartfelt, sincere smile.
Xie Wanxin bowed her head slightly, sitting under the pavilion, gently stroking the guqin, with her bright wrists covered with frost and snow, and her slender and elegant slender jade fingers, gently twirling and slowly wiping, like flowing clouds and flowing water, playing with it at will. Playing the seven strings of the guqin seemed so skillful and calm.
The sound of the guqin is sometimes high-pitched and exciting, like the sea water at high tide, lapping at the coast full of reefs; sometimes it is euphemistic and low-pitched, like an old mother calling to wandering wanderers; sometimes it is crisp and clear. Smoothly, like a gentle breeze blowing through a lush green bamboo forest.
The sound of the piano never stopped, and Xie Wanxin played a piece of "Three Plum Blossoms". The melody was gentler than before, and the rhyme was more sad than usual.
The wind suddenly picked up and ruffled a pool of spring water. The calm water surface, when the autumn wind blows, appears with a few sparkling lights. How could such a beautiful scenery, coupled with the sad piano music, not make people think about it.
There is a peach tree planted next to the pavilion. The peach blossoms on the tree are in gorgeous bloom. The peach blossoms were fluttering in the wind like rain, and a piece of peach blossom petals fell on Xie Wanxin's long dress, adding a touch of beauty to the elegance, and in fact, it further highlighted her cold temperament.
The sky was about to get dark, but Xie Wanxin was still sitting alone in the pavilion, stroking the strings of the piano selflessly. Mingyu stood behind him, saying nothing, enjoying the superb piano skills of the imperial concubine.
Just when Xie Wanxin poured all her energy into the strings of the guqin in front of her, what she didn't know was that not far away, a pair of gentle eyes were watching her affectionately; what she didn't even know was that this affectionate gaze The person who loves her is the man she has been waiting for for ten years, her young man, the only love in her heart...
He saw Xiao Changling with his back to the setting sun, looking there quietly. Xie Wanxin's delicate and tranquil face, but still unable to hide her beautiful face, was deeply engraved in his heart; he had not seen her for ten years, and his face was deeply imprinted in his heart. Wan'er, she still emerges from the mud without being stained, and washes through the clear ripples without being evil.
In Xiao Changling's eyes, Xie Wanxin was not wearing any fancy clothes today. She was just wearing a simple and elegant light-colored dress. Her black and silky hair was tied up in a flowing bun, which made her look even more elegant and elegant.
Listening to the piano sound that sounded like resentment, admiration, and tears, Xiao Changling's expression gradually became a little confused. It seemed that the sound of Wan'er's piano brought him back to his past memories. He still remembered that in the past, she liked to play the song "Three Plum Blossoms" the most. Whenever she played this song, he would be by the side. With flute accompaniment, one flute and one piano, they look like a pair of fairy couples.
But now, time has passed, and when he hears this familiar tune again, he is filled with sadness and sadness. The various emotions caused Xiao Changling to hold his breath and contemplate, and slowly closed his eyes.
The song is over.
Xie Wanxin's appearance did not change. There was just a slight frown on her frosty face. Her jade fingers, shining with clear luster, gently moved the strings away.
"Your Majesty, you play so beautifully. I wonder what kind of music this is?" Mingyu asked curiously.
Xie Wanxin raised her head leisurely and placed her hands on the strings of the piano. Her movements were very, very light. Her skin, which was originally as white as jade, became even more hazy at this moment, like a silvery moonlight that filled the entire earth.
However, Xie Wanxin's eyes were still as quiet as ever; after a moment, she spoke lightly and exhaled like a blue breath.
"This is "Plum Blossom Three Lanes". This was my favorite piece to play when I was young."
After saying that, although her face was still calm, she still couldn't hide the look of sadness. As for Xie Wanxin's true thoughts, what she wanted to say was that this was Erlang's favorite song.
However, Xie Wanxin suddenly lowered her head, her broad sleeves covering the guqin, and her light-colored clothes, driven by the autumn wind, looked elegant and beautiful.
"Empress, look, it's His Highness King Qin..." Mingyu pointed to the opposite side in shock.
Unexpectedly, Xie Wanxin was not surprised when she heard Mingyu's words, and she didn't even raise her head. She felt that this little girl must be teasing her, so she just said it very coldly.
"Mingyu, what's wrong with you today? Are you deliberately making fun of me?"
Seeing that the empress didn't believe it, Mingyu looked anxious and became at a loss. He even spoke incoherently, "Empress, it's true... I didn't lie to you. I am really His Highness the King of Qin."
Xie Wanxin was a little impatient by what she said, so she followed the direction of her finger and turned her head to look.
The moment she looked back, Xie Wanxin was stunned. She slowly stood up and looked across the blue pool.
At this moment, she couldn't believe her eyes.
It's him.
Isn't that the lover she thinks about day and night? Isn't it the Erlang she longs for? Now, he was standing there, very close to him, but yet seemed to be a world away. The same as Xiao Changling's reaction, at this moment, she really wanted to run over desperately and throw herself into his warm arms. She didn't care about the identity of the imperial concubine, nor was she afraid of the obstacles ahead. She had already endured it. After ten years, this time, she wanted to be willful.
But, she can't.
Suddenly, large traces of moisture appeared in Xie Wanxin's eyes, and a layer of mist covered her beautiful eyes; her eyes were clear for a while, and blurred for a while. She didn't know if this was an illusion. Is it really him?
The two of them looked at each other across the small stone bridge, speechless and choked.
On this side of the bridge, he is dressed in white;
On the other side of the bridge is her in a long skirt.
…
The two stared at each other for a long time. Xiao Changling looked at the beautiful figure under the pavilion and smiled; similarly, Xie Wanxin also cried with joy and cast an extremely tender look at his young man in white.
In the past ten years, she has never looked at Xiao Changyao with such loving eyes. Perhaps, only when facing the most important person in her heart can she awaken her numb emotions and show her truest side. .
For both Xiao Changling and Xie Wanxin, the stream in front of them is an insurmountable gap in front of them, and it is also a high wall in their hearts.
They were once a beautiful couple, a couple, the sun and moon in the sky, their hearts matched each other, and they had been in love for half their lives. They thought that relying on the affection they had known each other since they were young, they would always be able to withstand the criticism of the world and eventually achieve success. , spend a lifetime together hand in hand. But today, they have discovered that they are too simple. No matter how deep their love is, they cannot compete with the majestic imperial power or an imperial edict.
That year, an imperial edict granting marriage completely broke their white-headed covenant. From that day on, the lovers who were in love with each other, with the eternal sigh of separation, parted ways and were separated by the end of the world.
Ten years have passed, everything has changed, and they are no longer who they used to be. When they meet again, their identities are no longer the pure lovers they used to be. Now, one of them is the King of Qin and the other is a noble concubine; in ten years, she has become his brother's woman and is deeply favored by the emperor; but he is still alone, standing alone in this vast world, unable to love each other after all. Stay together.
Time may be able to erase everything, but the only thing that cannot be erased is the care that the two have for each other and their undying love.
Finally, Xiao Changling averted his gaze, took a deep breath, exuded a charming smile, and slowly walked up the small stone bridge towards the pavilion.
In a daze, Xie Wanxin looked over there, her tearful eyes gradually glowing with light, and she saw that handsome and upright white figure getting closer and closer to her, just like the invincible young man in white back then. , riding a horse, slowly approaching her, she smiled, the smile of a woman when she sees her lover.
However, when he walked up to her, Xie Wanxin was a little confused for a moment. She didn't know how to face the man in front of her.
The two of them were speechless again.
"Er..." Xie Wanxin instinctively wanted to call him "Erlang", but she stopped mid-sentence.
She stood quietly under the pavilion, delicate and soft, like a small phoenix flower, bringing out a sense of elegance and elegance, with a sense of alienation that she had never experienced before. There was a burst of sadness in her eyes, but she still tried her best to keep it. Wear a dignified manner.
"King Qin."
If the title King of Qin were spoken by others, Xiao Changling would think it was nothing. But now, when it was spoken from the mouth of his most beloved woman, this unyielding man felt a huge surge of excitement. Heartache.
Xiao Changling smiled, a tearing smile, with countless broken lights flashing in his eyes.
Mingyu stood behind Xie Wanxin, bowed and bowed to Xiao Changling, then silently retreated.
After a brief moment of sorrow, Xiao Changling stared at those beautiful eyes, tried his best to calm down the turbulent thoughts in his heart, and responded softly.
"Concubine."
It is unimaginable that these lovers, who were once close to each other and had promised each other countless times, are now so alienated. Although they are close at hand, they seem to be far away.
Not long after, Xie Wanxin raised her head and looked at that handsome and familiar face that was both familiar and unfamiliar. She smiled sadly, with tears in her eyes, but she still tried not to let the tears flow out, trying to ease the embarrassment between the two. situation, he said softly.
"I heard that King Qin came to Beijing recently. I wonder if the journey will be smooth?"
"It's better to be alone with the noble concubine in mind." Xiao Changling replied calmly, with no change visible on his face, only a look of indifference.
"That's good." Xie Wanxin nodded, with a hint of sadness in her tone.
Finally, Xiao Changling put away his indifference, and the tight cheek muscles gradually relaxed. The coldness in his eyes turned into tenderness at this moment. "You..., how have you been these past few years?"
However, what greeted Xiao Changling was not his lover's rosy face, but the same coldness and numbness as before. Xie Wanxin did not speak or respond, only the silence with a face ashen as death.
The cool breeze came, gently blowing over Xie Wanxin's beautiful face, lifting the green hair on her cheeks, and a refreshing fragrance hit her face.
Being blown by the wind, her hair was obviously a little messy. Seeing this, Xiao Changling's heart moved slightly, and he subconsciously raised his hand to tidy up the hair on her cheeks.
Faced with such an intimate gesture, Xie Wanxin was shocked. Just before Xiao Changling's hand was about to touch her cheek, she suddenly regained all her rationality and immediately turned her head to the side, appearing a little defensive.
"King Qin, please respect yourself."
Xiao Changling slowly approached and stared at him calmly. The deep look in his eyes made Xie Wanxin deeply feel that although she was close to him, she was so far away.
Suddenly, Xiao Changling's generous and strong hands gently touched Xie Wanxin's thin shoulders and said in a deep voice.
"Wan'er, do you and I have to be like this?"
An ordinary sentence, vaguely revealing a sense of sadness.
Until this moment, Xie Wanxin's face was covered with wet tears, but she still endured the pain in her heart and broke away from Xiao Changling's hands.
"Erlang, we are no longer children, and we can no longer be willful. I don't deserve this. You should have your own life, marry a beautiful princess, and live peacefully. From now on, you should forget about me. Bar."
After saying that, Xie Wan shook off Xiao Changling's hand without looking back, and turned to leave.
Seeing his beloved turn and leave, Xiao Changling's expression was filled with stubbornness and unwillingness. His eyes as he stared at Xie Wanxin were like sharp arrows shot at the enemy, sharp, swift, and unstoppable.
"Wan'er, I will never give up. One day, I, Xiao Changling, will take back everything that belongs to me. When that day comes, I will give you the kingdom of Zhou as a betrothal gift. I I want to be with you upright, and I want to marry you!"
Pearl-like tears turned into two gurgling streams, slowly trickling down Xie Wanxin's misty eyes. She was already in tears, and her lower lip trembled slightly, making a choking sound.
"Erlang's gift is too heavy, Wan'er can't bear it..."
After saying a few words, Xie Wanxin wiped away a few tears and walked heavily into Chengqian Palace.
Looking at the beautiful figure who decided to leave, Xiao Changling's eyes remained motionless, just looking at her silently, but his heart was filled with infinite sadness.
"Wan'er, am I not qualified to even look at you now?"
