Spring thunder rumbles.
Spring rain is like crisp.
The continuous spring rain all night long, warm, soft and misty, with a layer of rain as thin as cicada gauze, came as scheduled under the spring breeze and moonlight, and fell on Shangjing City under the dark night; tonight's spring rain, not only It is like a downpour, not as cold as autumn rain, but there is a unique sense of clarity on a rainy night, as if a misty coat has been put on this silent world.
This is the first rain since the beginning of spring, and also the first spring rain in the sixth year of Yongxing. It is like a stream of rain. After a few faint spring thunders, accompanied by the patter of rain, it gradually tears apart the dense rain. The rain and mist of spider webs sprinkled over the palaces of the imperial city, gently tapping the rows of glazed green tiles, one after another from far to near, just like the slender jade-like fingers of a girl, quietly stroking the strings and playing the music. An indescribable melody and movement.
The soft rain, the patter of rain, and the pleasant air bring a lingering spring rain; the wet mist, carrying the warm night wind, like smoke and clouds, seems to be sweeping away this magnificent nine-story palace. , shrouded in a hazy artistic conception.
Although the spring rain fell, it did not cover up the grandeur of the palace itself; after a night of spring rain, at dawn, the rain gradually subsided. Although the gray sky had not faded away from the fog, there was a hint of light hidden in the gaps in the clouds. The light has already been cast quietly, reflecting the outlines of countless palaces and palaces.
From Yong'an Palace to Changle Palace, the winding road is spectacular. At a glance, you can see the endless palace buildings, colorful bricks and black tiles, carved pavilions and pavilions, and gilded auspicious animals with high eaves and teeth, washed away by the rain. It feels so fresh, as if it had just been completed.
Standing high in the imperial city, looking far into the distance, and taking a bird's-eye view of the layout and spring scenery inside and outside the imperial palace, you can clearly see that Yong'an Palace and Changle Palace are located in the southeast of the imperial city, and the other is located in the northwest of the imperial city. Like two shallow curves of the Milky Way, the stars are looming over the moon, highlighting the sanctity of the "Tai Chi Palace" and "Wude Palace" where the temples of the Zhou Dynasty are located.
Taiji Palace, Yong'an Palace, and Changle Palace, the three palaces are magnificently built with thousands of palaces standing between them, accounting for one-third of the area of Shangjing. There is also a royal road in the middle that only the Emperor's car can drive through. The road extends from the East Palace to Fanglin Gate, and even leads directly to the main hall of Wude Hall. It almost crosses the large square and long compound road in front of Taiji Hall, which could accommodate 100,000 tigers in its heyday, and almost covers the whole area. Most of the inner city of the palace is full of the magnanimity of the heavenly family.
At this moment, a palace facing the lake with its back against the Taiye Pool looked calm and simple under the drizzle. It stood on the west bank of "Beihaizi" deep in the palace. The palace was surrounded by vast blue water. The sky is the same color, and the moist sea breeze blows softly across the wide poolside, evaporating a dense layer of water vapor, which makes your whole body feel comfortable, as if you are in the Shuiyue Cave that only appears in paintings, enjoying the beauty of nature to your heart's content of moisture.
On the lake, the rain fell gently, and the raindrops, as thin as a cow's hair, fell silently, like pearls whose strings were torn off, falling continuously into the lake, but they did not cause huge splashes, but made a huge splash. After creating a circle of white ripples, it quickly calmed down, much like the loving eyes of a pair of lovers.
The sparkling lake water, blown by the drizzle and breeze, is rippling and flowing, like a bright mirror that can reflect people's eyes, reflecting the magnificence and wonder of the hall, as well as the empty mountains in the distance. color……
Here is Xiao Changling's residence in the palace, and it is also the inner palace room known as the first of the "Three Main Halls of Xiyuan", the "Purple Chen Hall".
According to the ritual system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, except for the crown prince who lives in the East Palace, other royal children can only leave the palace and open a mansion if they are named princes or have reached adulthood. He had to live in the palace; although Xiao Changling, who was sixteen years old at the time, was already the famous commander of the Beida Battalion of the three armies and the general of Zhenbei with great military exploits, he was still just a county king after all and had not been officially awarded the title. Prince, although everyone knows that it will be a matter of time for Xiao Changling to be crowned king, but for now, the court's rules cannot be broken for him. Therefore, before Xiao Changling was crowned king, he still had to live in the palace, and Xiao Changling's residence in the palace was the Zichen Palace located by the "Beihaizi" pool.
Zichen Hall is built near the lake and is divided into a front hall and a back garden. The front hall has a very broad view. There is a tide-watching pavilion outside the hall. Standing in the pavilion and looking up, you will see the rippling Beihaizi in front of you. Farther away is the larger Taiye Pond, and even further away is the endless green mountains, with lakes and mountains all in sight... Around the hall, a large number of imperial guards stand, and scattered raindrops float on their gleaming golden armor. , glowing with bright luster, which actually blends with the luster of the lake.
Compared with the vast world of the front hall, the back garden of Zichen Hall has a different kind of scenery. It is a slightly quiet garden with rockeries scattered around, lush earth and trees, and a gurgling stream in the middle. The stream flows down the edges of the rocks until it merges into a small spring, making a "swishing" sound.
This garden is called "Lin Garden". It is the back garden personally selected by Xiao Changling. It is also where Xiao Changling stayed in Zichen Palace. The forest garden is full of flowers, especially the corridor of Tianxin Pavilion, which is full of pink peach blossoms. , although at this time, the flowering period of the peach blossoms has not yet arrived, several apricot blossoms in the flowers have already bloomed. Under the blowing of the spring rain, they exude a faint floral fragrance, and when the breeze blows, they roll up large pieces of fluttering flowers. Rain of petals.
Behind the rockery, there is a rather elegant pavilion, which looks antique. If you sit there, you can just take a look at the rich spring scenery of apricot flowers in March, which makes people forget to leave.
Spring rain, breeze, apricot blossoms, all the beautiful things in the world are found in the forest garden.
Rain brings dusk.
The flower energy is overwhelming.
Under the pavilion, Xiao Changling was holding a volume of books and standing against the railing, letting the rainwater stick to his plump forehead. I saw that today, he was dressed in white and had a graceful demeanor. Two handsome eyebrows were inserted diagonally into his temples. His eyes were piercingly bright, like stars shining brightly in the night sky. They were clear and spiritual, sweeping away the iron-blooded and decisive fighting on the battlefield, which reflected the noble look and majestic weapons of this young prince. Yu, his handsome appearance, and his manner of holding a book in his hand are even more eye-catching, adding a bit of elegance and elegance to his masculine and wild nature.
In the minds of many people, Xiao Changling's image has always been that of a general in white on horseback with a sword. Everyone is often used to his heroic appearance with swords and swords, but it is rare to see him reading; perhaps, among courtiers, In their eyes, he was the rising general of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the mainstay of the empire; in the eyes of foreign enemies, he was an invincible general and a Great Wall guarding the gates of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. However, he did not know that he had taken off his armor stained with dust and his weather-beaten battle robe. , the God of War on the horse, is also a man of love, this is him Xiao Changling, a Xiao Changling of flesh and blood.
Strings of rain curtains in the sky, mixed with a little drizzle, blew in the wind to where Xiao Changling was standing, and slowly hit his handsome face, leaving a layer of wet water marks, as if The raindrops covered the features, and the eyes seemed to be covered with dew, shining with extremely bright water; the petals of the apricot blossoms were flying all over the sky, falling on Xiao Changling Linghan Aoshuang's white clothes, and also It fell on the ancient book in his hand that smelled faintly of ink.
At that moment, Xiao Changling was dressed in white clothes and stood quietly reading under the pavilion. The expression on his face was extremely conspicuous. It seemed that the annoying spring rain of apricot blossoms did not disturb his enjoyment of reading. On the contrary, it made him calm and calm; however, although Xiao Changling's eyes were focused on the book in his hand, a trace of light in the corner of his eye moved away from the book and glanced at the hazy sky in the distance. .
The spring rain has not stopped.
The rain and mist filled the air, and the crystal-like raindrops were strung into countless colorful bead curtains, and they were like thousands of silks, falling slowly, falling on the colorful flowers in the forest garden, and falling on the creek under the rockery. , and fell on the green and furry grass, making a "swishing" sound, and soon a blurry curtain of water rose up.
Listening to the sound of rain, Xiao Changling's thoughts gradually broke away from the perfect words and gorgeous poems in the book, and entered a misty fantasy world; he raised his eyes slightly, and saw through the thin lines of drizzle. The silver thread stares deeply towards the horizon. The misty rain and mountains in the distance are like a lifelike ink painting, reflected in the depths of the eyes of the young man in white. The gaze that used to be as cold as a sword is now like a river of spring water. So gentle, not at all like a commander-in-chief who swept thousands of armies, but more like a passionate young man...
At this moment, shallow ripples suddenly appeared in front of Xiao Changling's eyes. In the haze, a graceful girl, a beautiful silhouette, was covered with a plain and elegant tulle, with a purse under her lips. With a bright smile, she walked towards her; her charming face, slim figure, flowing long hair, white wrists, soft clear pupils, as delicate and gentle as natural carvings, make people feel She fell in love with her at just one glance; the girl is so beautiful that nothing can describe her beauty. The beauty of the country, the beauty of the country, the beauty of the city, the beauty of the fish and the geese are no longer enough to describe her beauty. In Xiao Changling's eyes, she is the snow lotus on the top of the Tianshan Mountains and a poet. The beautiful figure in the painting is the only woman in his life who makes his heart beat.
Although he only had a one-time relationship with her, since that day when Yudaihe said goodbye, her frown, smile, look back, and smile were just like her name, deeply imprinted on Xiao Changling's heart. It lingers, as if it has become a part of his life.
Xiao Changling smiled when he saw that graceful figure.
is her.
Yes, it's her!
Is she really here?
So, Xiao Changling slowly stretched out his hand, trying to gently touch the girl's thin cheek, but he couldn't touch it. Just when his hand was about to touch the woman's body, he saw a strong wind blowing, and that The pure and pure figure gradually became blurred, and suddenly turned into a stream of frost, scattered in the vast sea of clouds.
It wasn't until this moment that Xiao Changling suddenly woke up. There was no longer the madness on his handsome face that was as crazy as before. It turned out that all this was just an illusion and his own wishful thinking, but he acted so lost. He couldn't help but be dissatisfied with his own lack of promise. This young and famous prince of the Tian family never retreated even half a step when facing the ferocious Rouran cavalry on the bloody battlefield. Unexpectedly, today he would be... a hero in the world. , all say that love is sad, but now it seems that this statement is true.
Xiao Changling laughed at himself, staring straight ahead with his eyes blankly, and his face was covered with a look of melancholy, full of heavy sadness and lovesickness, among which the lovesickness of the man was the most obvious.
"Your Highness..."
"Your Highness..."
Dong Yu, the female official in charge of Zichen Palace, saw Xiao Changling with his back turned to her, looking at the continuous rainy day in such a trance that he almost dropped the book in his hand; therefore, while laying out breakfast, she softly called to Ren Cheng who was distracted. king.
For a moment, Xiao Changling concentrated, his mind slowly calmed down, and he turned to look at Dong Yu.
"Your Highness, breakfast is ready." Dong Yu said softly.
"good."
After saying that, Xiao Changling held the scroll and walked slowly to a stone case in the pavilion, placed the book on the case, and then slowly sat down.
Breakfast has been prepared, including a bowl of porridge, a plate of steamed buns, three home-cooked side dishes (pickled cucumbers, pickled salted bamboo shoots, and potherb mustard), and a pot of honey syrup similar to apricot wine. There is also a sparkling silver bottle placed next to it. The small wine glass must be a drinking vessel used to pour wine.
However, Xiao Changling was not in a hurry to cut chopsticks. He dusted off the rain stains on his body and wiped off the rain on his cheeks. He brushed his fingers over the smooth bluestone tabletop and still looked at the continuous spring rain outside the pavilion with his deep eyes. There is no hesitation at all, as if I have just changed the place to enjoy the rain. Just now I was leaning on the railing to watch the rain, and now I am leaning on the table and listening to the rain. The same rain, but a different state of mind.
Seeing Xiao Changling looking at the rain lovingly, Dong Yu, who was standing aside to serve, pursed his lips and smiled slightly, and said softly.
"Didn't such a beautiful rain scene arouse His Highness's interest in poetry?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Changling was stunned for a moment, and then he withdrew his penetrating gaze. His piercing eyes, set off by his two handsome sword-shaped eyebrows, were clear and distinct, and a bright smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Speaking of which, this female official named Dong Yu, her biological mother Liang, was once the personal maid of Queen Dugu Yuanji, and also the wet nurse of Xiao Changling. Later, with the gift of the Queen, she was able to leave the palace to marry, and was granted the title of third-grade imperial concubine. Even with Xiao Changling's current status, if he meets his wet nurse, he must respectfully call him "Mom"; and Dongyu is Mrs. Liang's daughter, two years older than Xiao Changling. She has been with Xiao Changling since she was a child and watched him grow from a little prince who was inexperienced in the world to the all-powerful young commander today; therefore, Xiao Changling naturally treats her more kindly than other maids.
"That's what a scribe should do. I don't have such a refined taste." Xiao Changling smiled happily and stared at the wine utensils on the table indifferently.
Dong Yu smiled without saying a word and poured a cup of newly brewed honey syrup for Xiao Changling.
Xiao Changling picked up the silver cup and looked at the golden wine pulp in the cup. He couldn't help but feel curious, so he put it under his nose and smelled it. He only felt that the taste of the wine was different from ordinary wine. It had the elegant aroma of apricot flowers. , and there is the mellow agarwood of Jiangmi.
"Is this wine?"
Unexpectedly, Dong Yu actually laughed, "Your Highness, you are confused. You can't drink alcohol when you get up early in the morning. It will easily hurt your stomach. This is the pulp I asked someone to mix with apricot nectar and glutinous rice soup. Please try it, Your Highness." how?"
"Oh, that's interesting." Xiao Changling smiled, with a look of surprise on his face.
After drinking it, the mellow and rich honey slurry stuck in his mouth. Xiao Changling felt that the taste was really different, sour and sweet, sweet and fragrant. A different kind of taste lingered between his lips and teeth. It spreads into the lungs instantly, making the whole person feel refreshed.
"Okay, sweet and sour, all the flavors of life, you have to taste them..."
Speaking of this, the expression on Xiao Changling's face suddenly changed subtly; this change was not that he was surprised by the sweet and sour taste of honey, but a kind of tenderness and sweetness that he had never experienced before, and infinite affection. And attachment flowed down the tip of his eyebrows, forming an endless river, and in his eyes, there was no confusion or confusion, but only the warmth and elegance of a man.
However, Xiao Changling put down his wine glass and looked at Dong Yu beside him with a solemn expression.
"Sister Dong, do you believe in love at first sight?"
Faced with Xiao Changling's sudden words, Dong Yu was a little at a loss. She looked at her Highness in a foggy manner. She didn't react for a long time, and then she asked timidly after a while.
"Your Highness, what did you say?"
However, Xiao Changling seemed not to have heard anything. He was like a tall iron tower, sitting quietly in front of the case, letting the moist wind pass by his cheeks and brush his ears, highlighting his wind-like demeanor. .
Looking at this man who was two years younger than herself, Dong Yu watched him silently. In her eyes, King Ren Cheng was not only her master, but also her brother and her relative. At this time, she spoke with a smile.
"Your Highness must have a sweetheart."
Xiao Changling still said nothing. Dressed in white, he sat alone in the pavilion listening to the sound of rain.
"This servant is just curious, which girl can make His Highness so obsessed with you?"
Thinking of the scene when the two first met at the Yudai River that day, the fourth lady of the Xie family's temperament was as vivid as yesterday. Xiao Changling smiled again, and his eyes were as if they were under the spring sun. The snow that has just melted is bright with a touch of gentleness, and cold with a touch of affection.
"She is a strange woman in this world. I have never seen a woman like her before."
The rain is pouring down, the crisp sound of rain, the dense raindrops, the clear and graceful singing of the girl, and the trickling stream of lovesickness.
…
As dusk approached, the spring rain that lasted all day finally stopped.
At dusk after the rain, the air is fresh, moist, cool, and pleasant, mixed with the fragrance of luxuriant grass and a faint smell of earth. The abundant rain has soaked all living things in the world.
A bright red sunset hung slanting in the mid-air, reflecting the scene in Beijing after the rain; the slightly dark purple sky was filled with large white clouds, which gradually spread out from the sky under the setting sun. Melting into the depths of the setting sun, this world-famous brilliant imperial capital is included in the flaming red.
At this time, it was still half an hour before the lanterns came on, but the sky had already darkened, making it extremely gloomy and depressing.
To the east of the city, Situ Mansion.
This is a majestic mansion. The owner of the mansion is none other than Situ Xie Hao, the leader of the civil servants of the dynasty, one of the top three princes, and known as the "Wenzong of the Great Zhou Dynasty".
A spring rain has just ended, and a cool breeze is blowing. From the courtyards, wing rooms, corridors, and gardens of Xie Zhai, you can clearly feel the coolness blowing on your face. It is the coolness of a golden breeze. .
Toward the west wing is the boudoir of Miss Xie Xie Wanxin - "Jade Qiong Garden".
In Yuqiong Garden, the lights are shining and the decoration is extremely elegant and natural. The windows are bright and clean. It is less of the indulgence of wealthy families, but more of the bookish atmosphere unique to the house of poetry and calligraphy. In the incense burner with carved dragons and silver carvings, Burning the best concentration incense, the green smoke curls up, blending into a quiet and quiet atmosphere.
Xie Wanxin was wearing a light blue gauze skirt, with long hair shawl, leaning lazily on the soft couch, leaning on a ten-scented pillow, holding a volume of books in her hand, and beside her, there were There is a mandarin duck brocade quilt.
The light in the boudoir was slightly dim, and the shadowy lights were swaying on the screen; Mingyu stood in front of the candlestick, adding wicks bit by bit, while another maid, Xiang'er, half-knelt beside Xie Wanxin, gently The fourth lady squeezed her legs.
Maybe she had been reading for a long time, and Xie Wanxin's eyes could not help but feel a little tired, with a hint of sadness and sleepiness. She put down the book in her hand and blinked lightly. When she saw a painting hanging on the wall in front of her, , those soft and bright eyes were suddenly confused and unexpected for a moment, and their eyes were filled with all kinds of amorous feelings of a young girl.
It is a beautiful painting, more like a portrait than a painting: the man in the painting is handsome, handsome, elegant, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, dressed in white clothes, riding a horse and wielding a sword, with every gesture, It shows a majestic and majestic posture; just by looking at the painting, you can tell at a glance, who is the man in this painting? The delicate brushstrokes and exquisite painting techniques all contain the painter's unspoken affection and longing for the man in the painting.
At this time, Xie Wanxin slowly sat upright and stared at the man in white in the painting. Her bright eyes seemed to be dancing with a passionate fire of love, which could not be extinguished for a long time, but became more and more intense.
The handsome eyebrows, the handsome face, the regular facial features, the tall bridge of the nose, and the straight body shape, all the time, affect Xie Wan's budding love, and stir up the little deer in the girl's heart.
Recalling that day at Yudai River, facing the onslaught of horse bandits, he was fearless and swung his sword in front of him without hesitation. His high-spirited look, soaring heroic spirit, and exciting voice are still like a warm current, filling his heart. , which made her miss her so much.
That night, Xie Wanxin lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep at night. The fourth lady could never forget that handsome figure in her mind. She recalled his smile before leaving, "As long as we are destined to meet again, we will see you again"... She could no longer sleep, so she lit the candle alone and stood there. In front of the desk in the dead of night, I spread out rice paper and painted stroke by stroke according to the fluttering white clothes in my dream.
Standing in front of the portrait of the man in white, staring at the cold eyes shining with the light of the sun, moon and stars, Xie Wanxin's beautiful face showed a touch of beautiful spring light, just like the morning glow in March, shining on the warm earth. She slowly stretched out her jade-white catkin, gently caressed the bright moon-like brows of the man in the painting, and murmured to herself.
"You...how did you steal my heart?"
…
This night was destined to be a sleepless night for him and her.
How lucky it is for a pair of infatuated people to meet each other in this mortal world!
