That year, that cicada, that sword

Chapter 573

Xu Beiyou walked out of Feishuang Palace, and saw Zhang Baisui who was smiling but not smiling.

Zhang Baisui put his hands behind his back, his toes turned outward, like a prison officer who was presiding over the court staff, and said with a half-smile, "Nangui, I didn't hear anything today."

Xu Beiyou smiled gratefully.

Zhang Baisui turned around and walked forward, Xu Beiyou followed behind, after walking a not too far distance, the Ganquan Palace was already visible in the distance.

The palace should have a yellow roof and red walls, together with a white Xumizuo, the colors are distinct.

It's just that the Xiao family advocated black. After several reconstructions, the overall layout of the entire Ganquan Palace has not changed, but it has become dominated by black tones.

Ganquan Palace is the main hall of the inner court, including Yu Que, Qian Yu Que, Yingmen, Qiandian, Zidian, Taishidian, Tongtiantai, Tongxiantai, Wangfengtai, Yishou Pavilion, Yanshou Pavilion, Mingguang Palace, Living Room, and Bamboo Palace. , Zhaoxian Pavilion, Gaoguang Palace, Tonglingtai and other palaces and pavilions. The main hall, Mingguang Palace, is named after the first emperor Xiao Yu, with the emperor's throne in the middle and warm pavilions at both ends. It handles government affairs, summons officials, and holds inner court ceremonies and family banquets here, second only to Weiyang Palace.

According to the original plan, there was a banquet for Han Xuan and Xu Beiyou in Weiyang Palace, but because His Majesty changed his mind temporarily, he decided to hold a banquet in Gaoguang Palace, and other women, including Xiao Zhinan, Qin Mumian, and Xiao Yuyi, went to Feiyang Palace. In the Frost Palace, the queen hosted a banquet.

Under the guidance of Zhang Baisui, Xu Beiyou entered through the answering door, bypassed the front hall, and came to the Purple Hall, where he met his prospective father-in-law, who is also the current master of the world, Great Qi Taiping Emperor Xiao Xuan.

This was Xu Beiyou's first time meeting the emperor. It has to be said that the father and son of the Xiao family were very similar. When Xu Beiyou saw Xiao Xuan, he could almost imagine what Xiao Bai would look like decades later.

Xu Beiyou saluted respectfully.

"Be flat." The emperor's voice was not as majestic as imagined, but very peaceful.

Xu Beiyou stood up, his hands drooping, his eyes watching his nose, his nose and his heart.

"I've heard about you, Mr. Xu, a long time ago. I asked Mr. Han Ge about it a few days ago. I remember that you were born in the first year of Taiping?" Xiao Xuan asked.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I was indeed born in the first year of Taiping, but the exact month is unknown." Xu Beiyou replied respectfully, not only because he was His Majesty the Emperor, but also because he was his old Taishan.

Xiao Xuan nodded, "In the 20th year of Taiping, you have only just reached the crown, and you went to Jiangnan alone. It is rare to be able to achieve such a great reputation."

Xu Beiyou said softly: "Your Majesty's praise."

Xiao Xuan stretched out his hand and pressed down slightly, and said: "Sit down, I have been friends with your master Gongsun Zhongmou for a long time, and we also met once, and you are the adopted son of Han Ge, my son-in-law, so there is no need to be too formal."

After Xu Beiyou thanked him, he only sat halfway on the embroidered pier according to the rules.

Xiao Xuan said slowly: "I remember that in the eighth year of Taiping, Gongsun Zhongmou entered the imperial capital secretly after being recommended by the King of Lingwu County, and met me in this purple palace. At that time, he had a lot of conversations with me. , the rise and fall of the sect, the political affairs of the temple, and the general trend of the world, it can be regarded as a very happy conversation."

Xu Beiyou didn't interrupt rashly, and waited for the next article.

Xiao Xuan paused for a moment, and then said: "At that time, I had been on the throne for eight years, and I said no more, and said less, and it was the critical time to implement the New Deal. I would like to invite Gongsun Zhongmou to stay in the temple and treat him with the courtesy of a gentleman, but unfortunately Mr. Gongsun declined my invitation on the grounds that the timing was not enough, and he left the palace the next day. Later, we occasionally contacted each other through letters. Looking back now, that was the first time I met Mr. Gongsun, and it was also the last time."

"After the Battle of Biyou Island, the bad news came, and I felt very sad. I thought that the Jianzong who had just improved a little bit would go silent, and the agreement between me and Mr. Gongsun would also come to an end. I will see Mr. Gongsun's successor again after two years. I think it's God's will. Speaking of Mr. Gongsun's misfortune on Biyou Island, I can't escape the responsibility. In the future, when you return to Jiangdu, offer a toast for me in front of Mr. Gongsun's grave Water wine."

Xu Beiyou's mood has gradually calmed down now, and he said in a deep voice, "No."

Xiao Xuan glanced at the sundial outside the door, "It's almost time for the banquet, come with me."

Xu Beiyou got up quickly, and followed behind Xiao Xuan together with Zhang Baisui.

The three of them left the Purple Palace and went to the Gaoguang Palace.

In the Gaoguang Palace at this time, all the kings had already gathered together.

Qi Wang Xiaobai, Zhao Wang Xiaoqi, Yan Wang Xiaoli, Liao Wang Mutangzhi, Liangwu County Wang Xiao Quji, Lingwu County Wang Xiao Mahe.

Coupled with Han Xuan, the cabinet minister, it is no less than moving half of the temple here.

Xiao Bai, whose color of royal robe was the closest to that of the emperor's robe, stood in the frontmost position, as if he was half the owner of this place, standing with his hands behind his back, looking up at the central hall of peace in the world, dazed.

Everyone knew that Xiao Bai's crown prince status was a certainty, that is, he was the crown prince, so this Gaoguang Palace, and even the entire Oasis Palace, would be in his pocket sooner or later.

As for the central hall of peace in the world, it was written by the late emperor, and it is one of the few calligraphy treasures of the late emperor left in the world.

Not far from King Qi Xiaobai is King Zhao Xiaoqi, this prince who has no fiefdom but has lived in the imperial capital all year round stands beside King Qi, with lowered eyes and eyebrows, respectful, not like an elder, but like a courtier.

Then there was Yan Wang Xiaoli, the vassal king who had always had a gap with Qi Wang, who was resting with his eyes closed, his face sinking like water.

Then there is Wang Mutangzhi, the only one with a different surname who is not inferior to Xiao Bai's handsome face. When he was young, he was taken into the palace by the current Majesty to raise him personally. He grew up with Xiao Bai and became king together. He is half of the Xiao family. Man, if it wasn't for the lack of women of the right age, he should have become Da Qi's third son-in-law.

In addition to the four princes, there are two county kings.

If it is pushed forward a few decades, the titles of Liangwu County King and Lingwu County King can be said to be known to everyone. Their power is so great that they are not only worthy of the title of important officials of the clan, but also they are both civil and military. His subordinate Tuogu important ministers, after Han Xuan, and the first assistant Lan Yu, fought against each other, helping Xiao Xuan, who had just ascended the throne, to stabilize his position, and made great contributions.

However, today is not as good as in the past. The king of Lingwu County, Xiao Mahe, is alright. Even if he is not as good as his father Xiao Shu, he is still His Majesty's confidant. The bleak scene of the setting sun on the western mountain, Xiao Quji standing behind Xiao Mahe, was really inconspicuous.

In addition to the six kings, there is Han Xuan. In terms of age, Han Xuan can be said to be the oldest among all the people. In terms of seniority, Han Xuan, who had followed the late emperor long before the founding of Da Qi, is unmatched; Power position, the center of the cabinet, the second assistant of the court, and the control of the situation in the temple, even more than the kings, so even if he has no royal title and is "just" a duke, in terms of momentum, he is not inferior to the kings at all. king.

At this moment, Han Xuan looked out the door, thoughtful.

There were seven people in the hall, when Xiao Xuan, Zhang Baisui, and Xu Beiyou walked into Gaoguang Palace, there were ten people.

Xiao Xuan, who was walking in the front, looked around, raised his hand to stop everyone from saluting, and said with a smile: "Today is a family banquet, so don't pay attention to those complicated rules, let's take our seats."

Xu Beiyou subconsciously turned his head to look, and it happened that Han Xuan also looked over.

The father and son's eyes met, and then they staggered away without a trace.

(End of this chapter)