After the New Year, students on vacation returned to Zhixingyuan one after another. Listening to the students who had not returned home talking about the wonderful competition not long ago, and then seeing the library that was burned beyond recognition by the fire, they couldn't accept the facts in front of them for a while.
Libie went from being admired by others to being reviled and criticized in just ten days.
Along with the fire in the library, his past glory and glory were also burned together.
All the students began to praise He An, and even regretted that He An did not beat Li Bie to death in the ring.
For a time, the name He An once again resounded throughout Zhixingyuan.
"He An, this brat, is good at everything, but... he is not decisive enough in killing. If I had known this, I should have kicked that beast Li Bie to death!"
In Zhixing Pavilion, Cheng Ziya was so angry that he punched his leg with his big hand and said, "Brother, I really can't believe that this beast dared to burn down the library!"
"The matter has come to this, and it's our fault for being too negligent... I asked Qiu Chi to re-deploy isolation and protective formations in several important buildings in the courtyard. This kind of thing must never happen again..."
Wei Zhilin frowned, a look of worry appeared on his face, sighed and continued: "My mentor went overseas alone, and there is no news so far. Although he is an old man with great merit, he is old after all... I am really worried! "
"Brother, don't worry too much!"
Cheng Ziya rested his hands on the ground, sat back on the floor, reached out and grabbed the wine jar on the table, took a sip and said: "Master, what he is capable of, not to mention those few old monsters... is to look at the whole world. , who is his opponent?"
"Having said that... before my mentor left, he handed over Zhixingyuan to you and me. Now... the library was burned down, and early this morning, someone from the palace also sent a decree!"
As Wei Zhilin spoke, he took out the bright yellow silk imperial edict from the desk next to him and handed it to Cheng Ziya.
"oh……"
Cheng Ziya raised his thick eyebrows and said, "Brother, you know I don't like to see these mothers-in-law. Just tell me, what did the emperor's eldest nephew say?"
At that time, Wei Zhilin taught the two princes for the imperial master, and Cheng Ziya also taught them martial arts in his spare time. He had a bold personality and was not as strict as Wei Zhilin, so the two princes liked to be close to him. Cheng Ziya jokingly called them "big" nephew.
Although the second prince at that time was now a ninety-five-year-old prince, in Cheng Ziya's mind, the emperor was still a vigorous young man, so the title remained unchanged in private.
"The imperial edict says... His Majesty is very worried when he learned that the library of Zhixingyuan was burned. This matter is not only a loss for Zhixingyuan, but also a loss for the Chen Empire. Moreover, it is related to the face of the imperial court. His Majesty requested a thorough investigation of the matter and Relevant criminals will be severely punished..."
Wei Zhilin knitted his brows into the Chinese character "Sichuan", stroking three strands of his long beard, and added worriedly: "Your Majesty feels that Mr. Guoshi taught you so earnestly in those days. He can't sleep at night every time he thinks about it. But now that Mr.'s hard work has been burned down, Your Majesty is heartbroken. Zhixingyuan The head of the hospital also made some oversights..."
Cheng Ziya held the wine jar in his arms and said, "What my nephew said... I mean it sincerely. I'll punish myself with three drinks first!"
After saying that, he raised his head and drank a few big sips.
Wei Zhilin looked at Cheng Ziya, shook his head, and said with a wry smile: "The imperial edict finally said that diligence is better than playfulness. In order to prevent Zhixing Academy from being slack, during the Qingming Festival, there will be a school competition with Longmen Academy to select the best ones. …”
"This..."
Cheng Ziya's eyes widened, he interrupted Wei Zhilin's words, turned over and sat up.
"Such a moth has come, so I said, given his temperament, how could it be... It turns out that it is a cat crying and a mouse pretending to be compassionate, hehe... let us compete with Longmen Academy, senior brother, we must not lose!"
"Yes, if we lose to Longmen Academy, which was established less than a year ago...what will His Majesty and all the forces in the court think of me, Zhixingyuan? By then...I'm afraid we..."
Wei Zhilin said, taking a porcelain bowl from the cabinet, taking the wine jar and pouring a glass.
This wine jar is made of clay and is very thick. It has a wide mouth and a big belly. With the wine inside, it may weigh more than a few dozen kilograms. Wei Zhilin clasped the mouth of the jar with two fingers, raised his arms and hung his wrists, and the wine turned into a thin line and poured out, filling it up. A bowl, not even a drop of it was spilled.
"Brother, good work!"
Cheng Ziya praised loudly from the side.
Wei Zhilin picked up the bowl, took a sip, frowned deeply, and continued: "Over the years, I know that the disciples in the academy have either entered the court as officials, joined the army, or been sent to various places for official business. Right now... they can compete with Longmen. I'm afraid there aren't many outstanding disciples competing in the academy... This is something that Ziya should put more thought into. After all, there are so many students who are better and worse in martial arts. As the head of the martial arts academy, you are more familiar with them than I am."
Cheng Ziya stood up, with his beard and hair flaring, and said in a voice like thunder: "Brother, don't worry, let's choose a few good players to teach that Longmen Academy a lesson. Even if we lose...that nephew, how will he be treated? I'm pissed off." I, I will go to the Jinluan Palace and beat him!"
"Junior brother, don't talk nonsense!"
Wei Zhilin looked sullen, put down his wine bowl and said, "When will you change your reckless temperament!"
…………
Dingding Street is busier than ever, with many shop entrances filled with lanterns of various shapes.
Vendors selling food shouted loudly, and teams of lion dancers and stilt walkers passed by, attracting pedestrians on the street to watch. The noisy atmosphere diluted the cold wind in winter...
Today is the Lantern Festival, the most lively festival in the New Year.
Zhixingyuan has been very uneasy recently. Yesterday, a secret agent reported that Li Bie had defected to Xiliang and was now the scout commander of the Qinzhou Border Guard Army.
This explosive news, like a spring thunder, shocked Zhixingyuan. It is said that the head of the academy knew about it and smashed the fine pear wood table with one palm in anger.
At noon, the news reached the palace. It was said that His Majesty was having a meal and he threw the ivory and gold chopsticks in his hand angrily. For a moment, the government and the public were shaken...
The students of Zhixing Academy were furious, and Li Bie became the target of public criticism again. Some even shouted that they wanted to go to the border to kill this beast.
Because of her relationship with Li Bie, Jin Caiyun was also scolded and despised by the students of Aiwujiwu. Some people thought of the incident where He An molested Jin Caiyun not long ago, and suddenly felt that things were a little strange.
Who is He An? That was a hero who almost killed Li Bie, a heinous traitor. How could he do such a cruel thing? Thinking of this, when people looked at Jin Caiyun, their eyes became a little strange...
…………
During the Lantern Festival, Zhixingyuan took a day off to rest. Students took to the streets one after another, visited temple fairs, watched lanterns and scenery, and felt the endless prosperity of the imperial capital Luoyang.
At dusk, the colorful sheds erected on the street are lit up with colorful lanterns, and there are lights everywhere, and sometimes you can see fireworks blooming.
Ding Wenruo, dressed in a white dress and fox fur, stood at the door of Zhixingyuan with a thoughtful look on her face. Her beautiful eyes looked inside from time to time. After hesitating for a long time, she finally mustered up the courage to walk in.
On the night of the Yuan Dynasty, all the lanterns in Luoyang City are lit up, the golden light shines together, and the beautiful colors shine in it. It is said that His Majesty will have fun with the people tonight, and many fireworks will be set off in the palace.
On such a romantic and intoxicating night, many men and women met and traveled hand in hand.
Ding Wenruo originally wanted to ask He An to go to the lantern festival with him, but the girl's unique reserve made her a little shy.
There were many students coming in and out of Zhixingyuan. Ding Wenruo walked until she was near the dining hall, and finally saw that familiar figure. A joyful look appeared on her face, and she walked forward to meet him with brisk steps.
"He...he An!"
Ding Wenruo shouted as quietly as a mosquito, and a blush appeared on his cheeks.
"Wen Ruo, why are you here? But what's wrong with Teacher Ding?"
He An saw Ding Wenruo's blushing cheeks and slight sweat on his forehead, thinking that the teacher Ding Feiyong asked her to come find him, so he couldn't help but asked worriedly.
"No...father is fine. Tonight is the night of the Yuan Dynasty. I...I...don't know...do you have any free time?"
Ding Wenruo twisted his clothes awkwardly and wanted to ask He An to go to the lantern festival together, but he couldn't say anything.
"I have nothing to do tonight. I just want to go out to watch the lanterns. Why don't we come together?"
He An's answer made Ding Wenruo feel extremely happy and couldn't help but smile.
"Great, Wen Ruo is here too. Let's go together. I'll treat everyone to candied haws."
Fan Dazhi emerged from behind He An with a smile, and waved his fat hand eagerly to greet him.
Ding Wenruo covered his lips with his sleeves and couldn't help but smile. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the woman walking to He An's side with Fan Dazhi, and a smile quietly condensed on his face.
I saw Han Chanjuan wearing a long orange-red gauze skirt and a rose-red brocade jacket with snow-white rabbit fur sewn on the corners. Her brocade-like hair was tied into a falling moon hairpin with a red jade coral hairpin. On her pretty face made of pink and jade, a pair of eyes smiled like crescent moons, making her appear charming and charming.
"Oh...I still...have something to do. You can go ahead...I'll take my leave now!"
Ding Wenruo felt a little disappointed for a moment and spoke incoherently. Without waiting for He An to speak, he turned around and left quickly...
She didn't know how far she had walked before Ding Wenruo slowed down. The inexplicable sadness in her heart made her eyes gleam.
She walked in despair, walked out of Zhixingyuan, and walked into the crowd of people on the street...
Gu Qingzhou rode a tall horse and walked slowly among the crowd. He wore a golden crown with jewels on his head. He had two dragons on his eyebrows and wiped his forehead with beads. He wore a golden red arrow sleeve with hundreds of butterflies and flowers, and tied with a colorful flower knot. She wears a long palace ribbon and wears green satin and powder-soled court boots.
Gu Qingzhou was already handsome, and this outfit made him even more handsome, handsome, and suave, making many women look back on him.
Gu Qingzhou was in high spirits. He sat on the horse and looked around. Suddenly he saw a familiar figure in the crowd. After careful inspection, he found that it was Ding Wenruo who had been dreaming about him.
"Oh! Wen Ruo, why are you alone? You look so bad, are you sick?"
Gu Qingzhou hurriedly jumped off his horse, separated from the crowd, ran to Ding Wenruo, and asked with concern.
"No... Oh... maybe... I didn't sleep well last night..." Ding Wenruo felt a little embarrassed when he met an acquaintance and tidied his hair on his temples with his delicate hands.
Gu Qingzhou didn't expect Wen Ruo to talk to him so kindly. He was immediately elated and followed her step by step. He smiled flatteringly and said: "There are so many people tonight. It's not safe for you to be alone. I heard that there will be fireworks at the palace later, why not?" Shall I accompany you to take a look?"
Ding Wenruo thought about the scene of He An and Han Chanjuan traveling together hand in hand, and there was no way to relieve the sadness in her heart. She said angrily: "Okay... let's go and see..."
Gu Qingzhou was overjoyed. He waved to the servants and several friends who gathered behind him, telling them to get away, and then followed Ding Wenruo in a hurry.
This sudden great happiness made Gu Qingzhou a little dizzy, and he murmured: "Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming?... Happiness came so suddenly... Wen Ruo... I... I'm so happy..."
Looking at Ding Wenruo's straight and beautiful neck, Gu Qingzhou shouted excitedly...
