We saw each other off last year. Outside Yuhang, the snow was falling like poplar flowers.
This spring is over, the poplar flowers are like snow, but they have not returned home yet.
As the north city gate of Lin'an City, Wulin Gate was built in the Sui Dynasty and flourished in the Southern Song Dynasty. It is the southern end of the thousands-mile Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Emperor Gaozong Zhao of the Song Dynasty established his capital in Hangzhou and called it "Yuhangmen", but the people still call it Wulinmen.
Since Wulin Gate is the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, it has always been a place where merchants gather, with clouds of boats and oars and tourists. It is bustling with people, and it is also very lively during the Lantern Festival.
In a restaurant near the Wulin Gate, three young scholars of similar age sat around a table by the window. They all wore long robes and were neatly dressed. They were neither shabby nor luxurious. They were eating and chatting. The relationship seems to be good.
"After all the walking around outside, Lin'an City is better!"
The man who spoke was named Zhang Jin. He was twenty-six years old, tall and thin with a horse face. He was sitting on a low stool, which was a bit awkward for his long legs.
"Yes! It's great to be able to catch up with the Lantern Festival!"
Another round-faced man, Zhu Liang, has an average build but fairer skin.
"Lin'an City is better off, but the people of the Song Dynasty from other walks of life are having a hard time."
Another handsome and cold young man said softly. He picked up the wine glass and drank slowly, thoughtfully.
"Zhou Ping, Mr. Zhou, don't worry about the country and the people all the time and make yourself so tired. There are so many injustices in the world, how much can you care about? You should take care of your own stomach first."
The horse-faced Zhang Jin shook his head and continued to eat.
From childhood to adulthood, Zhou Ping has been jealous of evil and has the world in his heart. This is what Zhou Ping has been like.
"Yes! It seems that along the way, corrupt officials and constant wars have prevented the people from having a good life. The world is as dark as crows, so you should be more open-minded."
The round-faced Zhu Liang also comforted Zhou Ping.
Sometimes it is painful to be too ambitious and ambitious.
The three of them went to Jinling to relax and unwind, but what they saw was that corrupt officials were rampant and people's livelihood was in decline, which was really heartbreaking.
"Having said that, I still feel uncomfortable in my heart!"
Zhou Ping drank tea and spoke softly, seemingly unwilling to do so.
Even though he knew he couldn't change anything, Zhou Ping still felt resentful and uncomfortable.
"Shi Miyuan is authoritative, grovels to the outside world, and preys on the common people at home. Husbandry is rampant, and the people are struggling to make a living. What can you do? You and I brothers have no way to serve the country, and our ambitions are hard to realize. We can only drift with the crowd."
Zhang Jin said helplessly and drank a glass of bitter wine.
"Forget it, what nonsense is fame, what is serving the country and the people! After eating and drinking, go back to spend time with your family, everyone performs their duties, and everyone settles down with their destiny!"
Zhu Liang added self-deprecatingly, clinking the wine glasses with Zhang Jin and Zhou Ping, and drank each.
The three of them were full of thoughts and drinks, and the atmosphere became dull for a while.
"...The green mountains are still there, and the sunsets are red several times. The white-haired fishermen and woodcutters on the river are used to watching the autumn moon and the spring breeze, with a pot of turbid wine..."
Zhou Ping saw that his two friends were red in the face after drinking. Just as he was about to persuade them to drink, an artist sang with impassioned songs, which made Zhou Ping and others startled.
"Who wrote the lyrics for this?"
"I do not know!"
"Never heard of it!"
The three people faced each other, all confused. Zhou Ping called out to the shopkeeper.
"Shopkeeper, do you know who created this new tune?"
Such heroic and open-mindedness is really heartbreaking.
The shopkeeper stepped forward with a smile and introduced with joy:
"The high-ranking officials must have come from other places. This is the song "Moon on the West River" composed by Duke Ji, which has now spread throughout Lin'an City. There is also a song "Swordsman", which is even more popular. How about giving it to me? Can you call me over and play a couple of songs?"
"Dong Ji Guo? That Duke Ji Guo?"
Zhou Ping was startled again.
Lord Ji Guo? Isn't he that morally corrupt shameless bastard?
"A high-ranking official, who else could it be, the Duke of Ji, the current prince of the official family, Duke of Ji, Zhao Hong!"
The shopkeeper said with a smile.
"he?"
The surprise in Zhou Ping's eyes was even worse.
"Master, do you want to call someone over and play a couple of songs for you?"
"Then it's the shopkeeper's fault!"
Zhou Ping nodded. He wanted to hear what kind of two pieces of music this bastard could make.
"Zhou Ping, is this Zhao Hong from Xiu Niang?"
Zhang Jin asked softly.
Zhou Ping nodded slightly without saying a word.
Zhang Jin and Zhu Liang looked at each other and said nothing.
Zhou Ping's sister Zhou Xiuniang was the concubine of Zhao Hong, Duke of Ji. However, Zhao Hong was not good to Zhou Xiuniang, and Zhou Ping also hated this so-called brother-in-law. I just didn't expect that this Zhao Hong had some talent.
Several folk artists came over and played "Swordsman" and "Xijiang Moon". After listening to this, Zhou Ping and the others remained silent.
"Shopkeeper, this Ji Guo Gong Zhao Hong is very famous now?"
Zhou Ping opened his mouth and asked what happened.
I haven't been back for only two or three months, and so many new things have happened.
"Official, to tell you the truth, the most prosperous person in Lin'an City right now is this prince! His lyrics are in Fengle Tower, and countless people come to watch them every day. The business of Fengle Tower is very good. Yes! If a high-ranking official buys one or two tabloids, they will know everything!"
The shopkeeper said excitedly, with envy and jealousy in his eyes.
With a tabloid in hand, several people were shocked when they read it.
"The river was suddenly surging up and down. Silver snakes were dancing in the mountains, and wax figures were riding in the wild... How could this Duke of Ji have such talent?"
Sweat broke out on Zhang Jin's head.
"The soul of the soldiers has been wiped out and the soul of the country is empty... A man of all ages is so bold! He hits the nail on the head and makes people's blood boil!"
Zhu Liang shook his head repeatedly. He was mostly awake from the wine. He looked at Zhou Ping with a trace of doubt in his eyes.
How could such a passionate and good man become a bastard who abandoned his wife?
"You are just looking at the good things, haven't you seen the following? Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, has brilliant colors in the room, and the red light shines like the sun in the middle of the sky. When he sleeps during the day, dragon scales appear on his body."
Zhou Ping pointed to a place in the tabloid.
"The lies are misleading the public and have ulterior motives. It seems that someone is building momentum for the heir of King Yi!"
"Zhao Hong, Duke of Ji Guo, may have a rival in the future."
Zhang Jin and Zhu Liang continued to speak, and they both raised their glasses, and then another.
"Stop drinking! Let's go back now."
For some reason, Zhou Ping felt like he was on fire and in a mess.
"What's the rush? Have another drink!"
Zhu Liang and Zhang Jin drank two drinks in a row, and then they stumbled downstairs with Zhou Ping, singing in harmony:
"...Jingkang is ashamed, but there is still no snow...Driving a long car, crossing the gap in Helan Mountain...The green mountains are still there, and the sunset is red several times...Haha..."
The shopkeeper looked at the backs of several people and shook his head secretly.
There are fewer and fewer such pretentious, generous and tragic young people in Lin'an City.
It was already dusk, in the study of Duke Ji's Mansion.
After returning from Wu Mansion, Zhao Hong was worried, pacing back and forth uneasily, frowning.
The situation was more serious than he thought. Zhao Hong, this idiot, had completely offended the Wu family and there was no room for recovery.
His uncle's punch was fierce and full of hatred in his eyes.
"Your Highness, do you really want to take your wife back?"
Li Tang asked softly with a dark face.
He could also feel the annoyance in Zhao Hong's heart.
"Of course I have to take him back, no matter who I live with. Maybe there is still room for redemption."
Zhao Hong frowned, but there was still hope in his heart.
"Your Highness, having said that, my wife may not be the same lady as before."
Li Tang said cautiously.
"You mean, Madam Hongxing cheated on her and already has a lover?"
Li Tang's little thoughts were all on his face.
A young woman from a good family who has been away from home for more than a year will probably not be alone anymore.
People always have needs, maybe he has been put on a green hat. But he doesn't care.
For him, all the women he had had had nothing to do with him now, they were all strangers.
In this case, why care about whether the head is green or not.
"His Highness already knows, so is it still necessary to find Madam back?"
Li Tang smiled with a black face, his eyes full of surprise.
It is truly admirable that His Highness is able to endure what others cannot endure, and His Highness has a broad mind.
"We need to find her! Not only do we need to find her, but we also need to make the publicity bigger. Didn't someone say that Madam went to Jinling? Send people to Jinling to look for her, and let the people who care know!"
Zhao Hong subconsciously felt that his wife would never come back.
According to the Wu family's attitude towards him, they may know about Wu's affairs and do not intend to let Wu have anything to do with him again.
What happened to make the relationship between him and Wu reach such an irreconcilable point.
The purpose of retrieving the Wu family is just to improve the relationship with Queen Yang Guizhi, so that he can smoothly become the prince, so that Shi Miyuan can no longer "change the civet cat for the prince".
The reason why he didn't want to make a fuss in the tabloids was because he was worried about Wu's reputation.
He suddenly remembered the story of the immortal couple on the Fuyang River in later generations.
"Ms. Yingxia's Note: It is normal for men and women to be separated in troubled times. Your relationship with a certain gentleman, as well as the fine clothes, cash, money, deeds, etc. that you moved there are not a problem. However, your mother and children miss you very much. , begging for an address. Sincerely, Duff."
In a fit of anger, Mr. Duff made the scandal public to the world, which disgraced Ms. Yingxia and made it impossible for them to reconcile. In the end, they were separated and both sides suffered losses.
He couldn't do such a stupid thing. Not only would Wu's face be disgraced, the Wu family would be embarrassed, Yang Guizhi would also be angered, and the situation would become even worse.
It’s better not to do stupid things that harm others but not yourself.
"Your Highness, I will immediately arrange for someone to go to Jinling to find my wife."
Li Tang quickly asked for orders.
"Li Tang, I'll leave this matter to you. I'll arrange for someone to do it after the Lantern Festival."
Zhao Hong nodded and changed the topic.
"I asked you to find out the details of that little lady Yan, have you found out?"
Yan Chun was so interested in Zhao Hong that Zhao Hong also felt that Yan Chun was mysterious and mysterious, and was also looking for details about him.
After all, he doesn't really wake up to his handsomeness every day.
"Your Highness, we only found out that Yan Chun is a military surname in Gaoyou, Huainan. Both her parents are dead. She and a distant uncle, shopkeeper Xu, are the only ones in the family. There is no other news yet."
Li Tang's words made Zhao Hong frown slightly.
Gaoyou Army is already on the border of Chuzhou. Years of wars have displaced people and resulted in many casualties. Yan Chun was from the Gaoyou Army, so it was impossible to tell his true identity and authenticity.
"Your Highness, I'm not a mean person to talk too much. You and that Yan Chun are not suitable for you."
Li Tang said carefully with a grimace on his face.
"Why is this?"
Zhao Hong couldn't help being stunned.
He was a dignified prince of the Song Dynasty, young and rich, handsome in appearance, innocent in wealth, and good at literary and military skills. How could he not accept Yan Chun?
"Your Highness, that Yan Chun is unruly and willful, vulgar and disrespectful, and has not read many books. He is not a good match for you."
Li Tang boldly spoke out.
Zhao Hong looked at Li Tang and said nothing.
The first encounter between a man and a woman is full of incomprehensible impulses and throbs.
Could it be said that he is also a fan of the authorities?
"Your Highness, although Madam is unruly and jealous, she comes from a wealthy family after all. She is much better at playing, playing, chess, calligraphy and painting than Yan Chun. As for Xu Ji, she has evil intentions and is definitely not a good match for Your Highness..."
Li Tang hesitated to speak, but Zhao Hong immediately urged him.
"Speak quickly if you have something to say, don't hesitate!"
The kid's dark face had twinkling eyes, and he was filled with bad feelings at the first glance.
"Your Highness, as a villain, you should hurry up and bring Ms. Zhou back. She has a good temper, is gentle and virtuous, and has been with you for so long."
Sure enough, Li Tang mustered up the courage to speak out.
"Now?"
Zhao Hong hesitated for a while. If we take him back now, will it happen like in history that the child died two months after birth?
"Your Highness, the Wu family is not here now, and Xu Ji has ulterior motives and just happened to take the Zhou family back to the house. The Zhou family has your flesh and blood. It is difficult for the royal family to have heirs, and the imperial grandson is the barrier for your highness to live and work."
Li Tang's words were like thunder hitting the Tianling Cap, making Zhao Hong's body burnt on the outside and tender on the inside.
The emperor's grandson is his biggest barrier!
It seems that he has no choice but to accept the precious female legacy left by his predecessor and become a father directly.
"Your Highness, the royal family of the Song Dynasty is very thin, and Your Highness has no heirs yet. If the Zhou family gives birth to Lin'er for Your Highness, Your Highness's position as prince will be secure, and he may even be promoted to Crown Prince. There are pros and cons that no one needs to talk about. Alright."
As Li Tang talked, Zhao Hong sweated on his forehead and felt excited in his heart when the cold wind blew.
These romantic debts have advantages and disadvantages. No matter what debt they are, he, the "scapegoat", has to pay for them.
"Walk!"
Just do it, Zhao Hong stood up immediately.
"Your Highness, where are you going?"
"Where did you say you were going? You asked even though you knew it!"
Zhao Hong stepped forward without looking back.
Not only did he have Mrs. Wu as his head wife, but he also had a concubine named Mrs. Zhou.
Although the Song Dynasty practiced monogamy and paid attention to well-matched families, it did not object to concubines. The status of concubines was lower than that of wives and higher than that of slaves. There was no official matchmaker to marry, it was just a contract.
With a wife, a concubine, a beautiful concubine, and two maidservants, this Zhao Hong is really romantic.
What a great body! What a pair of kidneys!
"Your Highness, you should have gone a long time ago! Without an heir, everything your Highness has done is in vain!"
Li Tang rambled on, and Zhao Hong was secretly frightened. His good brother Xu Liang said the same thing.
It is difficult for the royal family to have heirs. With the royal grandson, his position as prince will be stable, and the crown prince is not impossible.
Having the emperor's grandson and keeping the emperor's grandson may be a huge help.
Subconsciously, Zhao Hong felt that he was a bit ugly and dirty.
However, in the current situation, there is no other way. Even if he doesn't go to see Mrs. Zhou, Mrs. Zhou will come to him because of the child.
