Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 12
Xiao Hao came in, saw the miserable scene, frowned and said: "Third brother, I watched you leave my uncle's house in a rage, what happened? Why did you take your anger out on your guards as soon as you came back? "

"Don't worry about it!" Xiao Kui couldn't listen at all.

"Of course I can't control it. But third brother, according to the great punishment laws of this dynasty, abuse of punishment in the palace will result in confinement. If you beat them to death, how will father protect you?"

"I'll be responsible for killing you!"

"Third brother, tell me what to say about you? At the banquet, I saw with my own eyes that you deliberately refused to let Xiuxiu toast, embarrass Mr. Shen, and when you came back, you were furious. What's the matter with you? I only know that you have been jealous of Mr. Shen since you were young. It’s a bad thing, but it’s just a little bit of emotional trouble when I was a child. Mr. Shen has high morals, even I respect him, why don’t you change your attitude? He is still from your mother’s concubine’s natal family after all.”

"I just hate him, what's the matter? You said a lot, didn't you just speak for his goddaughter? If you admit that you were seduced, just say so, don't go around!"

"Third Brother! You..." Xiao Hao was at a loss for words for a moment, and was so angry that he stood speechless.

For the first time, the brothers had an argument.

At this moment, the eldest prince Xiao Shao came in through the door, with a look of horror on his face, and exclaimed: "Third brother, why did you get bloody? I heard the call for help from a long distance away. Didn't you make everyone in the palace panic?" Did you hear that? I saw Concubine Rong rushing this way, and my father probably knew about it too. Stop! Stop!"

Hearing what the eldest prince said, Qiuyue slightly touched Xiao Kui's sleeve.Xiao Kui's mind was much clearer, and then he said lightly: "Stop first, and we'll talk about how to deal with it tomorrow." After speaking, he flicked his sleeves and went into the hall.

Xiao Hao still stood angry, Xiao Shao grabbed his arm and said, "Oh, fourth brother, what are you doing so stupidly? Concubine Rong is coming soon, do you want to get involved too? Run quickly."

Sure enough, Concubine Rong's admonition to her son didn't work, and Xiao Kui knelt down in Xiao Xi's imperial study not long after.

"Ku'er, do you know the crime?"

Although Xiao Xi's words were lacking in spirit at this moment, they were very severe.He pointed at his son, his chest heaved and heaved, and his breathing gradually became heavy: "Father pampered you so much, it really hurt you. You are young and arrogant, and you don't respect your teacher. This is a crime; you are arrogant and unruly!" , abuse of punishment, this is the second crime. Let me ask you again, are you guilty?"

"The child is guilty."

Xiao Kui knelt upright, and the last word was slightly procrastinated, showing that he was 1 reluctant.As usual, when Xiao Kui did something wrong, Xiao Xi felt sorry for his son, but he just reprimanded him for putting on a show.But this time when it involved the law of the palace, and hearing that Xiao Kui had such an arrogant attitude towards Shen Buyu, Xiao Kui was really angry.

"If the king treats his ministers like brothers and feet, then the ministers will treat him like his heart; if he treats his ministers like dogs and horses, then his ministers will treat him like a countryman; if he treats his ministers like dirt, then his ministers will treat him like a bandit. You are not merciful. Dao, the only way to torture with strict laws is the principle of controlling the subordinates? The emperor taught you the way of governing the subordinates for so many years, is it not in vain? The only way between monarchs and ministers is to respect each other and be modest and cautious. Only then can the Xiliang dynasty be cheered up. The so-called reciprocating peaches and rewards, the scholar dies for his confidant. If the enemy turns against each other and both sides suffer, then the ruler will not be the ruler, and the minister will not be a minister. Do you understand these principles?"

Xiao Kui's young face was solemn, he no longer resisted, and he prostrated himself on the ground: "My child understands."

"Starting today, I will be confined for two months, give me a good reflection!"

The queen sits on a gilt-carved phoenix seat, with court ladies standing on both sides.

"Now the third prince is really getting more and more rampant. You are the master of the harem, queen, and you should take care of him. He openly whipped the servants, but Zhou Yu beat Huang Gai, one willing to beat the other, and it was for the whole palace to see. The concubine fell out of favor and couldn't control the third prince, could it be that the queen's heart has also softened?"

From behind the screen of peony flowers and birds came a somewhat insolent male voice.The man was still kneeling at first, then slowly stood up.Wearing an official robe of a red crane, this person is Ji Mingyou, Minister of the Book.

"Isn't he imprisoned? I heard that it's because he neglected Mr. Shen." The queen closed her eyes and frowned, opened her eyes after a while, a light flashed in her pupils, and then said calmly, "Mr. Shen used to be the teacher of the third prince. , tell me, why did the third prince do something disrespectful?"

"It's because Shen Buyu's goddaughter wants to toast." Speaking of this matter, Ji Mingyou still had a bit of disdain, and sneered, "I heard that Shen Buyu recruited a daughter a while ago, and everyone knows his intentions." What's the intention. The third prince doesn't seem to like it at all, and he doesn't even give him face. Shen Buyu just touched his nose this time, and made a joke."

The queen heard this, and couldn't help laughing out loud: "The third prince is young, and has always been impulsive, who knows which is more important? He needs Shen Buyu's help anyway, but he doesn't appreciate it, and kills each other. Thinking about this, don't mention it too much." interesting."

I haven't heard good news for a long time, and the haze in my heart has been lingering for a long time. Today, good things continue one after another, and the queen can't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

"We need to beware of old ministers like Shen Buyu and Zheng Wei. The more powerful they are, the more disadvantageous they are to us. The reason why the emperor hasn't established the position of prince for a long time is because this gang of mobs are secretly instigating dissension. My heart is always uneasy. Not to mention three The prince has been confined, and Shen Buyu must have become a coward during these days, it is really beneficial for us if they don't move out."

"This minister has exactly this intention. The weather is getting colder now, and next year will be spring again. During the exam, I will absorb more fresh blood and expand the reserve force for my Mu family's use."

"It's a very good thing."

"Empress, I have one more important matter to report." Ji Mingyou waited for the queen to retreat from the maids on the left and right before he said cautiously, "There is a secret letter from the Northern Zhou Dynasty, in which a military general Yang Jian fled to Xiliang. This person inherited his father's title, although he is young and unknown , but the appearance is the opposite, I am afraid that he is not a man. Emperor Wu has a lot of suspicion about him, if he finds out, he must get rid of him."

When the queen heard the words, a cold light shot from her eyes, and she said in a deep voice, "This is the best time to express my love to Bei Zhou. Pass on the order by word of mouth, and once you find Yang Jian's whereabouts, report it quickly, and no one else can hide it."

"Wei Chen understands."

Not long after Ji Mingyou resigned, the eldest prince Xiao Shao came to greet his mother.When the queen saw her own son, she would inevitably reprimand him again.

"I saw your third brother again? He's in confinement. You're fine. Go visit him every few days. Do you still have the prestige of a big brother? He still eats and drinks spicy food in there. Look at how he doesn't care."

Xiao Shao didn't care what his mother said, and said with a simple smile: "You also know that the third brother has always been like this. Isn't it just two months that he can't leave the palace? He can hold it back."

"When will your brain be enlightened?" The queen said angrily, "After two months, the decoration of the palace will be finished, and he just happens to go there to enjoy himself."

"That's great! At that time, the child will also join in the fun." Xiao Shao said happily.

The queen turned pale with anger, and poked her son's forehead and scolded: "Why did I give birth to such a stupid son like you! You are married and have children, and you are still staying in the palace. Why did your father ever think about it for you? Are you a big brother?" Prince, establish a heir to be long but not virtuous, and establish a son to be noble and not to be long. This palace, this position of heir, is of course all yours!"

Xiao Shao has heard these words countless times, he wondered: "Queen Mother, Hai'er has already said that Hai'er is not made to be an emperor, let the third younger brother do it."

"You are too disappointing!" The queen's eyes were burning, and she raised her sleeves to wake up her son.

Xiao Shao hugged her head, bowed, and ran out of the palace gate in a hurry.

Panting heavily, the queen returned to the gilt and carved phoenix seat, and sat down heavily.

After the third watch, there was silence in the palace.

The windows of Xiao Kui's bedroom were still wide open, and the night wind blew past the window lattices, and the curtains and curtains all over the hall surged like waves wrapped with beautiful flower stamens.As the last lantern flower turned to wither, the surroundings dimmed.

Qiuyue half leaned on the bed, closely following his even breathing, quietly looking at Xiao Kui beside her.The moonlight was veiled, and a faint halo was painted between his eyebrows.She stared obsessively, and could hear her own heartbeat in a trance.

This is the person I have served for ten years. Her heart and body have been completely handed over to him.Whenever such a night, she is happy, so happy that she is about to cry out.How nice it would be to keep him forever like this!
It's a pity that in two years, she will reach the age of leaving the palace.

The wind was getting tighter, and the curtains made a rustling sound.Xiao Kui slightly opened his eyes and moved.

Qiuyue understood, and said softly: "Your Highness, do you want to close the window?"

"No, I like to sleep with the window open." Xiao Kui muttered.

Qiuyue pulled out carefully, wanting to sleep on the carpet under the bed as usual, but Xiao Kui somehow held her down.

"How about Jiang Chen and the others?" He asked in a low voice.

Qiuyue also answered in a low voice, almost in a whisper: "After applying some good ointment, it will be fine in ten or so days."

"Where is the palace?"

"General Yang has already learned about His Highness's situation, and he will rest assured to recover from his injuries. The slaves will pass by regularly, don't worry, no one will find out."

Xiao Kui turned over and looked at the flipped curtains, his eyes became bright under the moonlight.He pondered in silence for a while, then sighed silently.

"Your Highness, after much deliberation, the servants still think that Jiang Chen and the others are innocent. If they leaked the news, it would not be so peaceful, and the emperor would not know it at all."

"I thought so too." Xiao Kui groaned, and couldn't help cursing bitterly, "Shen Buyu threatened me with this matter."

Qiuyue took the opportunity to say: "Miss Xiuxiu is the one who knows the most about General Yang, except for those in the palace. Mr. Shen is her godfather, and she will tell it out of ten to please him. The slaves privately think that Xiuxiu Miss is the most suspicious."

"She must have told the secret!"

Xiao Kui said decisively, with fire burning in his eyes: "Wait and see, I will let her suffer a little bit. Shen Buyu, let you be proud first."

Qiuyue laughed silently.

Xiao Kui rested his face on her thigh, and stroked her skin inch by inch with his fingers, caressing her tenderly.Qiuyue's mouth slowly loosened, and she let out a low moan... As if feeling Qiuyue's skin was burning, Xiao Kui showed a happy smile on her face, and pressed her down childishly.

In a remote alley in Jiangling, it was drizzling.In the wet alley, traces of carriages run over.In the capital city on a rainy day, there is a hint of chill in the humid air.As soon as Xixiu got out of the car, he trembled terribly.

"Is it this one?" She pointed to the inconspicuous door in front of her and asked Shen Xinyang softly.

"That's right, I've followed Uncle Fu three times, and I'm sure this is his home." Shen Xinyang nodded affirmatively.

After finishing speaking, Shen Xinyang stepped forward and knocked on the door.

After a while, there was a knock at the door, and a crack in the door flashed through.A woman rolled her eyes at them from inside, and then the door opened wide, and the man exclaimed in surprise, "It's the young master!"

Shen Xinyang smiled and said, "Mama Liu, do you still recognize me after all these years?"

"I recognize it. The young master is a handsome man, and he still looks handsome when he was a child! The old servant was confused and didn't see clearly just now. How did the young master come to the humble house? It's raining outside, please come in."

The corners of Liu Ma's eyes burst into laughter, and she respectfully welcomed the two of them into the house.Xiuxiu and Shen Xinyang sat down, while Liu Ma was pouring tea for them, while secretly looking at Xiuxiu with her eyes.

She served tea, rubbed her hands, and laughed: "Master, may I ask who this girl is..."

"The newly recognized younger sister is from Mengmao County, named Xiuxiu." Shen Xinyang put it bluntly, "Xiuxiu's parents worked in my house more than ten years ago. Her father just passed away a few months ago. My father Bring her to Jiangling."

"Master and wife are both Bodhisattva-hearted." Mama Liu said "Amitabha", "Miss Xiuxiu is so cute, but who are her parents?"

"Mama Liu must know her. Xiuxiu's mother's name is Cao Guizhi, and her father's surname is Tao."

Having said that, Mama Liu's expression changed drastically, and she stared at Xiuxiu and muttered: "No wonder, it looks so like..."

Speaking of her parents, Xiuxiu stood up and saluted slightly, with tears in her eyes, and said, "Mama Liu, does it mean that Xiuxiu looks like her mother? My mother is still in Mengmata County, but my father died a few months ago. Xiuxiu and his father have been dependent on each other since they were young, and they have a close relationship, and they are deeply saddened by his father's death. I want to disturb Liu Ma today, and I just want to learn about some of my father's past conditions with you, so as to relieve my missing."

Liu Ma's eyes trembled suddenly, and she sighed softly: "It turns out that Mr. Tao passed away..."

"You are familiar with my father, right?" Xiuxiu said in surprise.

At this moment, Mama Liu came to her senses. She shook her head in a panic, and said, "This old servant is only a fire-cutter in the kitchen of the Prime Minister's mansion. He has only heard Mr. Tao's name, and has never spoken to him face-to-face. Miss Xiuxiu, The servants and maids in the Prime Minister's Mansion obey the rules, and they perform their own duties without interfering with each other. If you are looking for this old slave today, I am afraid you are asking the wrong person."

"So it's like this..." Xiuxiu felt deeply disappointed, and couldn't help asking, "How did father know mother? It is said that mother is a maid. A maid who serves the master, and a craftsman who specializes in mud and water, how could they be here? How about together?"

Xiuxiu just asked casually, and Mama Liu became even more absent-minded.She couldn't bear it a bit, and replied bluntly: "This kind of thing is even more ignorant of this old slave. Young master, Miss Xiuxiu, you better go, if my old man finds out, this old slave will have his legs broken It is a big taboo to gossip in private!"

"Who did Xiuxiu's mother serve before?" Shen Xinyang continued to ask unwillingly.

"The old slave only knows that Cao Guizhi is a maid brought by the concubine Rong from her natal home. Later, when the empress entered the palace, Cao Guizhi stayed in the prime minister's mansion. As for who to serve, how does the old slave know about the front yard? Young master, please , don't ask any more."

Mama Liu refused to say anything more, and almost knelt down to beg for mercy in the end.The two had no choice but to say goodbye and leave.

As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he heard the wooden door slam shut behind him.

The two stood under the autumn rain, Shen Xinyang asked Xiuxiu: "It seems that there is nothing to ask, what should I do?"

Xiuxiu smiled wryly: "Forget it. For so many years, there have been people coming and going in the prime minister's mansion. My father is just an ordinary craftsman. Who would remember him? Liu Ma can tell my father's name, so why not?" His name is 'Mr. Tao', which shows that my father is respected. Just based on this, I am already very satisfied."

Another thing surprised her, it turned out that her mother had served Concubine Rong before, no wonder she was so arrogant in her dealings with others.

After returning, Xiuxiu continued to be her daughter of the Xiangfu.Unexpectedly, Shen Xinyang would be troubled by going out this time.

Yan Xi ran in in a panic, and told Xiuxiu: "It's bad, miss! The young master was locked in his own yard, and the master punished him not to go out for half a step before the year!"

Xiuxiu heard about the word "confinement" from Xiao Kui's incident not long ago.When she came back from that birthday banquet in despair, Shen Buyu didn't blame her, but just scolded Xiao Kui for being disrespectful.Her heart was astringent and tasteless, but when she heard that Xiao Kui was fined and confined, she felt sympathetic to him.Today's confinement also happened to Shen Xinyang, she was horrified, and asked quickly: "Why?"

"It's not because I took you out privately."

"What did the second lady say?"

"The master is angry, how dare the second lady intercede for the young master? Besides, the second lady is counting on the young master to get a good grade in the spring exam next year, and she hopes that he will work hard and stay behind closed doors. Maybe the confinement this time is also the second lady's intention."

Xiuxiu shook his head sadly, with pain in his eyes, and said slowly: "It seems that the young master and Mama Liu have been involved. Although the prime minister didn't say anything, he actually warned me not to ask about my father's affairs, otherwise it would harm my father." More people. Is it that serious? Or is it because I am a member of the Shen family that I have to forget my father?"

That day, she cried for a long time alone.

She had to admit that her father was gone and had left her.She can only plant the love for her father in a certain corner of her heart.That way, she will always remember him.

This is a lonely late autumn, with high winds, sparse leaves and falling frost, and the sound of geese chilling.

The wind swirls on the Yeying Pond, with dead leaves and lotus everywhere.Xiuxiu always stands on the waterside pavilion, watching the long smoke and sunset, and the chaotic clouds and sunset.Apart from Yan Xi, there was no one else to accompany her.

She prayed that the remaining winter days would not be too long, and that when the spring breeze blew, the sky would appear in front of her.

"When can I go back? How is the gardenia tree at home?" She said to herself.

"Why don't you ask how I am?"

A friendly voice came from behind.Xiuxiu turned around, only to see Xiao Hao in travel attire, with the wind blowing his cloak.Although he didn't smile, there was unstoppable tenderness overflowing from his brows and eyes.

His graceful demeanor blurred the waves of autumn water in the pond, and also blurred Xiuxiu's eyes.

"I'm here to say goodbye to you. Before the snow comes, I must go back to Huanyi." Xiao Hao's voice was full of helplessness.

Xiuxiu couldn't help turning his eyes to look outside the waterside pavilion, there were a few figures under the willow tree not far away, with black robes fluttering.

Her nose was sour, thinking: Is he going to be confined too?

Xiao Hao seemed to have guessed her thoughts, and smiled faintly: "I will go back with my uncle, and he is waiting for me outside the door. There is also Master Shen. I know, they don't want me to approach you, but I still insist on seeing you .I don’t know when I will come back after this trip, I hope we can meet soon.”

He said fiercely, putting his hands on her thin shoulders.Childish look, without a trace of hidden stubbornness.

Such a candid man.

Xiuxiu couldn't help being moved, and went back to the hunting time in a trance. He found her who was missing and hugged her excitedly.She smiled, and said in a very low voice: "I think princes are the most honorable, and they can do whatever they want."

"This is all on the surface. In fact, compared with ordinary people, the prince will have more constraints and controls. For the sake of the five rituals and the rules, for the sake of the country, the prince will sometimes lose his freedom and even his life."

Xiao Hao stared intently at Xiuxiu, a trace of melancholy flashed in his eyes, and he became relaxed again in a blink of an eye, and said: "Of course, I am also the most carefree prince. I like talking to you, you remind me of the vast and boundless grassland , the breeze is blowing, the grass is green, and there is a faint fragrance of flowers."

Xiuxiu blushed from the description, and said embarrassingly: "Your Highness is joking, how can I be so good?"

"I'm talking about my feelings." Xiao Hao said seriously, "One day in the future, I want you to follow me to the ends of the world, can you?"

"No, Your Highness, I haven't thought about it. At least now...I can't." Xiuxiu's face was flushed, she seemed at a loss, and she refused as if she was talking to herself.

Xiao Hao froze for a moment, then smiled softly.

"I'm not forcing you now, I'm talking about the future. Just because you reject me now doesn't mean you'll reject me in the future, right? I'll leave this sentence for you, just remember it. "

He let go of her grip, unfolded the cyan brocade cloak with bucket patterns, and formally bid farewell to her with a free and easy gesture of clasping his fists.

"Third brother has a grudge against Mr. Shen. I always thought it was because of Mr. Shen's strict teachings when I was a child. Now that I think about it, it's not the case. Third brother must have a secret in his heart, but he just can't tell it. I'm worried that he is being stupid. I'm more worried about hurting you..."

Standing on the waterside pavilion, Xiuxiu watched Xiao Hao and his party meandering in the wind, thinking about his last words.At the moment when Xiao Hao was about to disappear, he turned around again and waved to her.

Xixiu raised her sleeves, pursed her lips, and thought lightly: "What more secrets can there be?"

(End of this chapter)