It wasn't until Mei Chong'er's figure gradually disappeared in the dim forest that Xiao Tong took his hand off the hilt of the sword at his waist.
It was getting late at this time, and the sun was almost setting. If we didn't leave here, I might not be able to find the way down the mountain.
"Old Ma, let's go!" Xiao Tong patted Ma Fonian on the shoulder and said.
"Sir, I am a rough man, but I know that the gelding is not a good person. His words cannot be trusted."
Xiao Tong smiled calmly: "I know what happened today. When I get back, I will report it to my father and ask him to make a decision."
"That's great. Young Master, do you think it's just as the eunuch said just now? Is it just a coincidence that we meet here?"
Xiao Tong shook his head.
"I don't think so. The fact that he can call me by my first name shows that he has been prepared for it. I'm afraid every move we make in Jiankang is being monitored by this person!"
"Then what on earth does he want to do here? Look at his sickly appearance, dragging his body that can't even walk, just for the young master to persuade you to rebel? It's ridiculous! I have been fighting for half my life, How could he know that war is not as simple as lip service? Doesn’t he know that war consumes a lot of money and food, and people die in war?"
"Of course he knows."
"Tell me, young master, what exactly does he want to do?"
"He wants us to know that their forces still exist in Daqi's territory."
"Is this why you put so much effort into climbing to the top of the mountain?"
"This person is good at discerning people's hearts. Because of this, his intentions are more sinister and more hateful than ordinary people!"
After Xiao Tong said that, he went straight down the mountain.
Ma Fo was thinking about asking something else, so he opened his mouth and hurriedly followed.
…
Near midnight.
In Tongxia, there is a brightly lit house in Princess Yongning's mansion.
"Haha, Xiao Dalang, you are blocked by me again, let's see where you can run!"
Prince Consort Pan Duo looked excited. He pointed at the chessboard and shouted at Xiao Yu. He was immersed in this new game called "Gomoku".
Next to him sat several guests from the eldest princess's palace, and they were watching chess with great interest.
Xiao Yu looked tired, hung his head and said: "No more, no more, I'm really sleepy, I have to go back to sleep."
"Why go back to bed? Is it possible that Qingxue is still waiting for you in your bed?"
Everyone laughed.
Xiao Yu said with a bitter face: "Don't talk nonsense, it will damage the reputation of other girls."
"I'm tired of seeing you men stealing and women prostitutes. It's just a maid in the house. I can do whatever I want with her. Isn't it tiring to watch you pretending to be affectionate all day long?" Pan Duo shouted, "If there is no beauty in bed It's better to play chess here...Besides, Xiao Dalang, you are so discouraged when you encounter a slight setback. Is this what a man does? Come on, come on, play a few more games with me, and find some ground. .”
Xiao Yu raised his eyes to look at the excited Prince Consort Captain, then looked down at the black and white chess pieces on the chessboard for him to use as backgammon, and he looked hopeless again.
Just about two or three hours ago, Xiao Yu broke into this room accidentally. His original intention was to find Yang Hua.
Unexpectedly, he encountered several people, including Consort Pan, who were holding two chessboards and talking about the game.
When he saw that Yang Hua was not here, he was about to leave, but he was stayed by an elderly guest who could not refuse the hospitality. He said, "I heard that the young prince has extraordinary talents and is different from others." He wanted to reset the chessboard. Have a game of chess.
Xiao Yu has never played Go, and he can play backgammon just fine.
So Xiao Yu taught the guest to play backgammon.
This thing was novel, and I had never seen it done this way before. Unexpectedly, the guest was really immersed in it.
After a few rounds of playing, the half-hundred-person guest frowned and scratched his head from time to time, but he still couldn't win a single game against Xiao Yu.
He twirled his gray beard and said: "This chess game is exquisite. There is a whole world hidden in just a few pieces, which makes people unable to understand it for a moment!"
Xiao Yu's mouth twitched involuntarily, being told something so mysterious by the old man.
There are not so many truths in this backgammon game. It is just for children to develop their intelligence, improve their observation and insight, and develop their patience.
When Xiao Yu was feeling proud, he looked up and found that everyone, including Prince Consort Pan, had gathered around to watch the game of "backgammon" at some point.
In particular, Prince Consort Pan looked at it very seriously, and kept writing something in his hand, as if he could really figure out some mystery.
The guest couldn't get enough of it, pinched his beard, shook his head and said, "I have to go back and read the details carefully..."
"Okay, that's it for today, you guys have fun, I'm leaving first!"
There is no one who wants to move after winning the chess game.
Xiao Yu was about to run away, but was pushed back by several enthusiastic "chess fans".
"I'll try it too, my consort!"
Pan Duo said, then sat down opposite Xiao Yu and cleaned up the mess.
Don't underestimate Consort Pan, he seems to have found some tricks.
In the first three games, Xiao Yu, who had won the second prize in the school's backgammon competition when he was in elementary school, lost two games.
As soon as Xiao Yu's competitive spirit came back, he played against Pan Duo game after game for most of the night. In the end, he failed to win a game. The fragile confidence he had just established to crush the ancients was shattered. .
It seems that Consort Pan is really a genius when it comes to piano and chess.
The time returned to just now. Xiao Yu couldn't stop shouting. As soon as he got up, a guest with itchy hands sat in his seat.
Xiao Yu let out a long yawn, stretched, and walked to the window.
The night was silent, and the bright moonlight fell on the earth through the clouds, coating the courtyard outside the window with a silvery light, just like daytime.
Xiao Yu looked at the watery moonlight in a trance, and the voice of Consort Pan came from behind: "Xiao Dalang, come here and teach him!"
"Teach it yourself! I really can't do it anymore, I have to go back to sleep!"
"Okay!" Pan Duo's eyes never left the chessboard, and he said a few perfunctory words: "Then you go back! Can I find a boy to see you off?"
"That's not necessary. Anyway, it's not far from my residence. But...why don't you see Yang Hua?"
"How come he is here?" one of the court guests replied, "I know Brother Bai is happy, but he doesn't live with me, so the eldest princess specially arranged a separate courtyard for him."
Only then did Xiao Yu realize that he had wasted a night here.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
One of the court guests looked puzzled: "Don't you know, the young prince, that this is originally a chess room?"
Xiao Yu was speechless.
He straightened his loose sleeves and was about to leave.
Consort Pan's voice came from behind again: "Xiao Dalang, is there anything else fun?"
Xiao Yu blinked: "I'll teach you how to play mahjong another day!"
…
Amidst the discussion of everyone not knowing what mahjong was, Xiao Yu left the room and walked on the way back to his residence in the night.
The moonlight was like a wash, and the ground was silvery white.
Unknowingly, he walked to the second courtyard door and saw that the courtyard door was closed. He pushed it and found out that the door was bolted.
In desperation, he patted the door again with his hand. Seeing that there was no response from the door, he guessed that the concierge was already asleep.
What should I do next, go back to the chess room and continue hanging out with those people until dawn?
Xiao Yu doesn't have the habit of staying up late, he just falls asleep when the time comes.
Suddenly he remembered the side door he passed by during the day.
Behind the side door is a nursery garden, and along the winding path in the garden it seems that you can branch back to the small courtyard where he lives.
And he remembered that the lock behind the door was already rusty and had not been used for a long time. In other words, it should not be locked there.
Thinking of this, he walked east along the base of the wall.
After walking for a while, the side door is right in front of you.
At this time, his raised foot suddenly stopped in mid-air, and he seemed to hear something.
Soon the voice suddenly became clear, and a rustling sound of footsteps was approaching him.
Then in the night fog, a man in black wearing night clothes became increasingly clear.
And the man in black was quickly approaching him.
Xiao Yu's heart suddenly rose to his throat.
More than half a month has passed, and the capital city has been searched countless times. Why is there still a masked killer?
They had the courage to go to the palace to assassinate him.
Xiao Yu was a little scared when he thought about how cruel these people were, and he was about to turn around and run away.
But unexpectedly, the man in black suddenly stopped a dozen steps away from Xiao Yu.
He stood there and looked around, but not at Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu suddenly realized that he was standing in the shadow of the wall, and the other party didn't see him at all.
He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and looked at the man in black again.
I just feel that his body is a bit small, and his actions are more like a woman.
I'm afraid it's a female assassin.
Xiao Yu was afraid that she had other companions, so he didn't dare to act rashly for the time being, hiding in the darkness and observing carefully.
Just when the small man in black didn't know where to go, suddenly a faint sound of cave flutes floated through the air.
Xiao Yu didn't understand the music, but he still heard the sadness in the Xiao's voice, which seemed to be telling an unspeakable pain and helplessness.
The small figure in black trembled slightly, her lonely figure leaning against a wall. She held on to the wall, her body twitched slightly, and she let out a woman's sob.
She is indeed a woman!
Xiao Yu couldn't understand this situation more and more, but the woman's miserable back made him feel unspeakable sadness, which only made him pity her more.
After a while, the woman wiped her face with her sleeves and disappeared behind the side door.
The night was foggy, and Xiao Yu stood there thoughtfully. The mournful flute played in his ears for three days.
At this time, two red lights floated towards us not far away. They were two guards keeping watch at night.
They originally wanted to turn into the courtyard along the side door, but were startled when Xiao Yu walked out of the darkness.
When they saw that it was the prince of Jiangxia, they hurriedly bowed and saluted.
"Where does the sound of the cave flute come from?" Xiao Yu asked.
The two guards looked at each other, and one of them stepped forward to report: "Back to the young prince, the sound came from the courtyard of General Yang Hua, the guest of honour. It must be General Yang playing the flute here."
"Does he often play the flute at night?"
"Exactly."
Another person stepped forward: "If this whistle disturbs the young prince's rest, I will go and inform General Yang immediately."
Xiao Yu waved his hand: "No need, this whistle is sad and sad, and it makes me sympathize. Just let General Yang play for a while longer, and I can appreciate this whistle for a while longer."
The two nursing staff looked surprised. After hearing what Xiao Yu said, they resigned and went to the next inspection point.
Before leaving, Xiao Yu once again told them not to disturb General Yang's elegance.
The two of them clasped their fists and agreed.
Xiao Yu stayed there for a moment until the two night guards walked away.
He just walked to the place where the woman was standing before. He touched the wall and ducked into the side door.
Hearing the sad sound, Xiao Yu approached a quiet courtyard wall.
The sound of Xiao suddenly stopped, but a quiet conversation between a man and a woman came from the courtyard.
Xiao Yu found the courtyard door, stood in front of it and peered inside.
The moonlight is like a wash, reflecting the scenery in the courtyard brightly.
The woman is alone in the courtyard.
Yang Hua looked surprised and stood up slowly from the steps. The flute dropped to the ground and rolled along the steps in front of the woman.
With tears in his eyes, he called softly: "Xianzhen..."
The woman slowly bent down, picked up the flute, and wiped it carefully in her hands.
A gust of night wind blew by, and the woman took off her veil, revealing her beautiful face in the night.
The woman stared at him and said nothing for a long time.
Yang Hua slowly walked down the steps and stretched out his arms, as if he wanted to grab the nothingness in front of him.
"Xianzhen, is it really you?"
"It's me." The woman stepped back and said in a cold tone, "Yang Hua, I heard that you are getting married, so I came here to ask for a glass of wedding wine."
The joy on Yang Hua's face disappeared, and it was filled with sorrow. He opened his mouth slightly, as if he had something to say but seemed speechless.
He only softly called out two words,
"Xianzhen..."
Then he fell into endless choking again.
The woman's body was also trembling slightly, and her words were cold and trembling.
"Yang Hua, what do you have to say now? The news has spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jiankang City that Princess Jincheng is going to marry you. The new leading general's mansion will be completed soon. As your New home.
"The Emperor of Southern Qi is truly graceful, and Princess Jincheng is as tender as water and as beautiful as a fairy. No wonder you are eager to leave the Wei Dynasty and go to Jiankang, where you can enjoy high official status, wealth, and fame in this gentle and wealthy town. Hum. Hum, I can’t give you anything Princess Jincheng can give you!
The woman's tone was plaintive, and the anger in her eyes grew stronger.
"But Yang Hua, I don't hate you for surrendering to the enemy and betraying the country, nor do I hate you for abandoning me and being in love with someone else. I just hate you for leaving without saying a word. In your eyes, I'm just a burden. If you abandon me, I'll be like a worn out shoe." .”
"Xianzhen... why are you talking about this now?" Yang Hua stopped in his footsteps and sighed, "Why do you come here again? I feel the sorrow of Xianzhen, but who knows my sorrow. Seven years ago Yang Hua, who first entered the Chongxun Palace as a guard, died a long time ago. He died of internal fighting in the palace, scheming by the government, brother fighting, and separation of flesh and blood. Now he is just a lonely trace of an empty body wandering in the Southern Dynasties. Soul, why does the Queen Mother need to press hard against you?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yu was shocked. Could it be that the woman in front of him was... the Empress Dowager Hu who held the real power in the Northern Dynasty!
How much courage did she have to take such a big risk and appear at the residence of Princess Yongning of the Southern Dynasty to meet her former lover?
"Forcing each other? Haha, when will I force you? You are so heartless."
Hu Xianzhen shook his head in absolute disbelief.
I saw Yang Hua looking at the vast stars with a painful face, as if tears were falling from his cheeks.
"Xianzhen, whether we force each other or are ruthless, our fate is over. Go back to the Northern Dynasty! The regent mother who controls the world should not appear in the land of the Southern Dynasty because of her children's affair."
Hu Xianzhen smiled sadly. There seemed to be sadness, sorrow and unwillingness in his laughter.
"Yang Hua, you dare not look at me, you are lying. In my eyes, Yang Hua has always been a good and outspoken man. When did he become tainted by the duplicity of people in the Southern Dynasties? Tell me, this is very What's on your mind, right?
"Did you know that during the time when you left me, my heart was broken and my tears were dry. I never regretted having you in my heart and liked you, but I couldn't stand your ruthlessness."
Yang Hua turned around and stood with his hands behind his back so that no one could see his expression.
"My heart is broken. It's good to be an immortal, and it's good for the Wei Dynasty. Please return to Luan, the Queen Mother, and don't force me to do anything."
Hu Xianzhen's sad face showed a wry smile: "Could it be that the Southern Dynasty Emperor's high official position and generous salary, and the tenderness of Princess Jincheng made you really forget about Xianzhen! Forgot the oath you and I will never break!"
"Princess Jincheng treats me very well, and the emperor of the Southern Dynasty treats me like a humerus."
"You are lying, you are lying to me, if not, why don't you dare to look at me!"
Yang Hua looked at the sky and remained silent.
Hu Xianzhen's whole body suddenly slumped, and she said quietly: "People in the Southern Dynasties say that Princess Jincheng is kind-hearted and beautiful like a fairy, but my appearance has faded, and I am no longer what I used to be. Princess Jincheng... Could it be that Princess Jincheng has really taken over your heart?" .”
Hu Xianzhen's despair and dejection were touching. Xiao Yu, who was standing in front of the door, couldn't help but sigh.
Yang Hua slowly turned around, and his sad eyes were no longer filled with tears, but blood.
The line of defense in his heart could no longer hold on and was about to collapse.
He rushed forward and hugged tightly the young queen mother who held all the power in the world.
"Xianzhen, I have you in my heart, and I can no longer pretend to be her... Yang Hua, a seven-foot man, feels ashamed of his affection for Princess Jincheng."
Hu Xianzhen saw that there was a turn for the better, and she looked at Yang Hua with her beautiful face.
"If you still have immortality in your heart, then follow me back to Luoyang. No matter what you have done? I will find a way to eliminate it for you!"
"Xianzhen really doesn't understand me." Yang Hua shook his head decisively: "When I was young, I had the power to lift a cauldron, outstanding martial arts, and bravely championed the three armies. I could have become a famous general like my father, and was granted the title of marquis and prime minister. But I didn't. It was expected that the lingering and misplaced love between Xianzhen and I would put both Xianzhen and me at the forefront of the storm. Yang Hua's life was frivolous, but Xianzhen was the queen mother, and now the court was surrounded by wolves, and Xianzhen didn't pay attention. Then he will fall into eternal catastrophe, how can Yang Hua bear the suffering of Xin Xianzhen?"
Hu Xianzhen's eyes showed determination: "I'm not afraid, I have the means to check and balance them!"
"Xianzhen, once upon a time, there was only one person in my heart. If I can't protect the love in my heart, Yang Hua will be a man in vain."
"Yang Hua..."
Yang Hua suddenly pushed Hu Xianzhen away, retreating inch by inch, holding a short blade in his hand.
Hu Xiuzhen's eyes trembled, and she said in a trembling voice: "Yang Hua, you... what are you going to do?"
The sharp dagger was suddenly pointed at his heart, and Yang Hua showed determination: "Yang Hua is not a person who is greedy for beauty and power. Living like this, Yang Hua only feels that life is worse than death. Seeing the immortal side today has put an end to one of my worries. Yang Hua wishes Die in front of Xianzhen, clarify your ambition with death, and remain loyal to Xianzhen until death."
"No...Yang Hua...no!!!"
A stream of hot blood flew into the vast sky, and the woman's shrill scream shook the world.
Xiao Yu's eyes were filled with tears. He didn't care about anything and rushed to Yang Hua.
Hu Xianzhen was in a state of confusion. She looked at Yang Hua who fell to the ground in pain with a scorched face, but she didn't know what to do.
At this time, there were endless sounds of barking dogs inside and outside the courtyard wall, and a large number of night patrol guards came here.
Xiao Yu tightly covered Yang Hua's wound, his beautiful man's energy was like gossamer, and his melancholy eyes never left Hu Xianzhen's beautiful face.
Xiao Yu raised his head, looked at the young queen mother who was unparalleled in the Northern Dynasty, and forcefully squeezed out two words: "Quickly leave!"
