It's been a month, and Yin Shang's reply still hasn't arrived.
Jiang Yixue's remaining illness was still lingering on the bed, but with sustenance and diligence every day, he kept eating and drinking medicine, so his body gradually recovered.
It was close to the beginning of spring, but it was still snowing outside the house. When Li Min entered the house, he looked at the charcoal fire and brought the soup to him.
The wound on my hand had the gauze removed a few days ago, and it has healed well. The doctors followed King Dongpei's instructions and worked hard to prepare some medicine for removing scars. Although it was very painful, the medicine was very effective. Now there are only some pale marks left on the fingertips.
Li Min helped him up, adjusted his backrest, and tucked him in, and then put the warm decoction into his hand.
Jiang Yixue held the medicine bowl in both hands and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing that there was no one in the house, Jiang Yixue couldn't help but asked softly: "Is there still no one today?"
Li Min took the empty bowl and responded softly: "No news."
The expectation on Jiang Yixue's face instantly turned into disappointment. Li Min couldn't bear it and comforted him: "It's been a while since the snowy weather has been slippery recently, making the post journey difficult."
Jiang Yixue's eyes moved slightly, as if she had reluctantly accepted this statement. She paused for a few breaths, leaned against the bedside as if exhausted, and said, "Go down."
Li Min responded respectfully and stepped back gently.
The windows were closed and there was no view from the bed, but Jiang Yixue still stared at that place blankly, her heart sinking uncontrollably.
Qihui and Dongpei are adjacent. No matter how difficult it is to travel in snowy weather, half a month is enough for a round trip, but now it has been a month.
He knew he shouldn't think too much, couldn't think too much, but it was really too long...for more than a month, he didn't get a word from her.
Does she remember him?
Will she forget him?
Was she unable to reply to him, or did she not want to reply to him?
Is she tired of him?
Is there anyone else around her?
…
These questions kept lingering in his mind one after another, making him uncontrollably fall into panic and anxiety.
Will she...will come to him again...
The fear in her heart was suddenly amplified. Jiang Yixue reached under the pillow with trembling hands and took out the piece of letter paper that she had touched countless times.
He has engraved every word, every stroke on this letter, and even the tiny dots of ink accidentally spattered on it - he relies on the memories with her to keep warm, relying on this as his only Think about it.
...I will protect you...Don't think about it...Do not miss it...
This sentence came into view again, slightly soothing the unbearable anxiety in his heart.
He stretched out his hand again and gently touched the word "Yin Shang" at the end of the letter. His eyes were slightly red, but a soft smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
————————————————
The people from Yin Shang are no longer in Qi Hui.
Three days ago, she secretly entered the territory of Yuezhi via Dongpei, and yesterday she arrived at the capital of Yuezhi, Cunyi.
Today was the time for her appointment with Suo Qianjing. At dusk, Yin Shang took Lin Boyu to the place she mentioned in her letter - Room 1, Wutai Tianzi, Pingshan South Street.
However, as soon as he stepped into this street, Yin Shang had a rough idea of what kind of business was done here, and he was speechless for a moment.
Lin Boyu blushed a little, looked at the disheveled men and women in front of each door, and muttered something softly.
Yin Shang was quite calm. He stood there and glanced at the plaques on the left and right before stepping in step by step.
It was getting dark, the whole street started to light up, and more and more people were walking around.
The sounds of soliciting customers kept ringing in his ears, and Yin Shang sidestepped to avoid the pairs of naked hands probing at his clothes, while silently searching for his destination.
It wasn't until she reached the middle of the street that she saw a small storefront, hidden between the left and right, inconspicuous. When she got closer, she saw the eight characters engraved on the door plaque: Hold the mist and embrace the moon, drink. There is a snow-eating flower, and below it is an exquisite plaque with the word "Wutai" written on it.
When several men and women soliciting guests saw the two Yinshang approaching, they rushed to greet them with a smile, and said in a sweet voice: "Guest sir, please come in, is there anyone who is familiar with you?"
Yin Shang followed them into the store, and passed through a hanging flower curtain. He saw flowers, flowing water, branches and leaves rockery on the high platform in the hall, and mist lingering on it. There was a skylight above his head, which brought out the bright moonlight in the sky. The whole hall It's like a fairyland on earth.
It deserves to be called the Wutai.
She sighed secretly in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face. When she saw someone in charge coming, she told her what Suo Qianjing had told her in the letter: "Let Yiyu accompany me tonight."
The man's expression did not change, he smiled, stretched out his hand to guide the way, and said, "Please."
He respectfully led the way until he reached the third floor. He found the door of a secluded room, gently opened the door for her, and then said: "Please come in, Yiyu is in the room."
Yin Shang nodded and said, "Thank you." After saying that, she and Lin Boyu stepped into the room together.
The wooden door was lightly closed, cutting off the noise downstairs, leaving only silence.
After a few breaths, a joyful voice came from the screen, calling: "Sister Yin!"
A figure quickly walked around the screen and plunged into her arms.
Yin hugged him back and said with a smile, "I haven't seen you for a few months, and you've grown a lot taller."
Hearing this, Suo Qianyu raised the corners of his mouth happily and said, "I am already fourteen, so I have naturally grown taller."
Yin Shang smiled and touched his bright smiling face and said, "Well, he has grown up too."
Just as he was talking, another slender figure slowly walked out from behind the screen. Yin Shang raised her eyes and saw that it was none other than Changwang Jisuo Qianjing who she had personally sent back to Yuezhi earlier.
Her originally protruding belly had disappeared, and her whole body appeared to be slender, with an upright posture, neatly dressed, and a calm face, completely different from how she looked a few months ago.
Seeing Yin Shang again, Suo Qianjing was also a little excited. He walked forward and took her hand. He pursed his lips but said no words.
Yin Shang patted her hand comfortingly and said, "There is no need to say more words of thanks. Time is limited. Let's talk about business first."
Suo Qianjing nodded, led her sideways to sit by the window, and poured her a cup of hot tea himself.
The three of them sat separately. Suo Qianjing took out a simple map and several secret reports she had obtained from her arms. She spread them on the table without hesitation and said: "You have been on the road these days, and the news may be delayed. The battle of Dingzhou is already clear.”
She paused and said, "Emperor Yongzai's son and daughter are both dead."
Yin Shang was stunned for a moment, his face became serious, and he asked: "Are you sure?"
Suo Qianjing nodded and said: "Zhou Li had withdrawn from the Battle of Dingzhou and was temporarily under house arrest in the Forbidden Palace. One day, he was seriously injured by the guards around Zhou Tai. Hearing that Zhou Tai was heartbroken, he killed him on the spot. The guards, but in the end there was still no medical officer to save Zhou Li."
"Furthermore, after Xu Yong's death, Zhou Tai had no one available, and he quickly fell into a disadvantage. Zhou Wan entered the palace with great momentum and killed Zhou Tai in public, so that he could easily get the throne of Zhou."
Yin Shang said: "But she didn't take it."
Suo Qianjing nodded and said, "Emperor Yongzai's lineage was completely wiped out. When Xi Di King Dong Shaochang heard this, he was so frightened that he sent dozens of edicts to ask Zhou Wan to go back."
Yin Shang said: "Although the throne is vacant this time, except for Xi Di, other countries are also eyeing it. This position is now a hot potato. Anyone who takes it will be criticized by the public."
Suo Qianjing said: "Yes, but Zhou Wan obviously doesn't want the throne, at least not now. She found an eight-year-old child from nowhere, claimed to be the posthumous son of the first prince, and helped him ascend the throne."
Yin Shang asked: "The first prince? Is he the first prince who was killed by Emperor Yongzai?"
Suo Qianjing said: "Yes, it's Zhou Yi, the cousin of Zhou Wan's mother's family, the brother who was murdered by Emperor Yongzai when he seized the throne."
Yin Shang thought for a long time and said, "Then who is in power in Dingzhou now?"
Suo Qianjing said: "Su Yuquan, the Prime Minister on the left side of the Chancellor's desk."
Yin Shang frowned and said, "Is this person from the late prince's mother's family?"
Suo Qianjing said: "Yes, the late Crown Prince Zhou Yi's mother, Su Yuhui, was originally a queen. She became a monk after Emperor Yongzai took over the throne. Su Yuquan is the younger brother of Empress Su, and can also be regarded as Zhou Wan's uncle."
Yin Shang said: "I remember that after Emperor Yongzai seized the throne, the Su family has been suppressed. Su Yuquan's official position is not high, but now he is getting ahead."
Suo Qianjing said: "Not only him, Zhou Wan's father also controls the court. He was originally the son of the Dingzhou clan, and this time it is even more justified."
Yin Shang smiled and said: "That means that although she has not sat on the throne, she has actually taken power?"
Suo Qianjing nodded in affirmation, but then said: "Even so, Dingzhou has long been at the end of his strength, an empty shell, infested with beetles from top to bottom, vulnerable to a blow, even if he is in power, he can't do anything. "
Yin Shang said: "There is no need to do anything. Having a name is justifiable." She took a sip of hot tea and said: "The imperial power of Dingzhou exists in name only, and the fifteen kingdoms are scattered. Now, who can stand in that position? That position belongs to whom."
Suo Qianjing said: "The one with the most obvious intention to seize power now is Lingzi."
Yin Shang said: "The first one he has to deal with is Dongpei, and Dongpei lies between Yuezhi and Lingzi. If Dongpei dies, Yuezhi will also lose his lips and teeth."
Hearing this, Suo Qianjing frowned slightly and said, "Yes, your second king, Qing Zhanlu, is really a talented general. If he leads his troops, he will be almost undefeated. Dongpei is in danger but not good, and Yue Zhi is also in danger."
After a few breaths of silence, Yin Shang turned around and said: "Actually, Zhou Wanzhi is not on the throne." She tapped her fingertips on the table, her face became more serious: "She would rather be seriously injured than to kill Yongzai Emperor's lineage. In the final analysis, it is to give Zhou Wanzhi Revenge is over, the grudge is over, and she can barely maintain the operation of Dingzhou. As long as someone takes a step forward, she will stop immediately. "
She continued: "Now, it's up to us to see who can lose control and be the leader first."
Suo Qianjing looked at her with deep eyes for a long time before saying, "Lingzi."
"Yes," Yin Shang smiled and said, "They are in the light and we are in the dark. Except for Yue Zhi, I will go to Xidi soon to negotiate with Zhou Wan and Zhou Xiangxun."
Suo Qianjing asked: "Then Dongpei, do we want to support him?"
Yin Shang shook his head and said: "Zhan Lu is really a talented general, but his reincarnation was not good. His eldest brother Zhan Lu Bo was self-willed, surly and jealous. His father made King Zi lustful, dissolute and immoral, and he confronted him head-on. It's better to let them take a bite first to build up their arrogance. From now on, we don't even need to be pushovers. They will have countless internal conflicts." She paused, then slowly circled the rim of the cup with her fingertips, and then said: "What's more, Those in Dongpei are not good things either.”
Suo Qianjing nodded and said, "Then what should I do next?"
Yin Shangdao: "Integrate the army, stabilize the court, and win the position of prince."
Hearing this, Suo Qianjing said: "The canonization ceremony is approaching, but my father has not stated who will be the heir apparent."
Yin Shang smiled, looked at her, then at Suo Qianyu, and said, "No matter who you are, I trust you all."
As soon as these words came out, Suo Qianjing's eyes immediately turned red, she pursed her lips and stood up, then knelt down with her knees bent, and said solemnly and sincerely: "At that time, I was in a hurry, Jing was not in good health, and I hadn't had a good time with the prince yet. Thank you." She held Yin Shang's hand that wanted to help her, her eyes were slightly red, and she said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your helping hand and saving Jing from danger."
Yin Shang hurriedly helped her up and said, "I have received your thanks. There is no need to say more."
Suo Qianjing nodded gratefully, held her hand tightly, stared into her eyes intently, and said softly: "Your Highness's kindness is like the sea, and it is difficult for Jing to repay it. Now that the power of the emperor is overturned, Jing is willing to take the lead for you."
Yin Shang smiled, held her hand back, and said, "If you come with me, I won't be afraid of long obstacles."
…
Several people conspired until late at night before Yin Shang walked out of the Wutai. Lin Boyu was like a loyal shadow, following her without saying a word.
It wasn't until he returned to his residence that Yin Shang stretched tiredly, washed up and fell asleep under Lin Boyu's service.
There was no one in the middle of the night, and everything was quiet. They had just planned something big, and Yin Shang was a little sleepy. He lay on the bed and looked in the direction of the window. Through the window paper, he could faintly see the bright moonlight outside the window.
After an unknown amount of time, she got out of bed, walked to the window, and gently opened a gap.
This is not Purantai, not Shaotian Cangfu, but a strange foreign country.
But it's always the same moon.
She looked up through the gap in the window for a long time, then blinked her sore eyes, closed the window, and walked to the table.
A pile of documents and files were piled up in a mess on the desk.
Yin Shang stretched out his hand, sorted them out one by one, put them aside, and fumbled for a moment before pulling out a thin piece of letterhead from the stacked pages.
She lit a candle, lit it in the dim light, and tore it apart bit by bit.
The handwriting that caught my eye was about 40-50% similar to hers, and she had taught it myself.
This is a short letter.
Yin Shang unfolded it completely and looked at it silently.
"Yin Shang:
Seeing letters is like meeting each other, and showing them is soothing.
I am safe, don’t think about it.
It has been more than ten days since we separated, and my heart has been hanging for a long time. Seeing this letter is comforting.
When I returned to Dongpei, I saw my deceased mother's body and buried it. She later became seriously ill, but she is now fine. After this incident, I just feel that the world is falling apart and it is difficult to survive in this world. I miss you especially and look forward to seeing you soon.
I have understood the situation in Dongpei. I am here to send troops to the border. War is about to break out. Although the storm is coming, as long as you have me in your heart, I will not be afraid of any overturn.
I know that you have plans in your heart, your ambition is in the sky, and you are taking care of everything every day. However, although I have nothing important to do, I still have thoughts in my heart. If you have time, reply to this letter and give me a few words, which can be considered as your sustenance.
I hope you take care of yourself and stay safe and healthy.
I hope you can reply, I am eager to hear from you.
Ashue. "
