Mountains and rivers fall into red

Chapter 48
Xiuxiu raised her eyes, her face was full of tears, and the corners of her mouth kept trembling: "Second Madam, I want to go back..."

"Alright, let's go back together." Liu Rulan patted her shoulder lightly.

She looked around suspiciously, but there was no one in the area.This child has been out for so long, what frightened him?
"What's going on?" Shen Buyu, dressed in auspicious clothes, came over, seeing Xiuxiu sobbing, his face became serious.

Liu Rulan helped Xiuxiu explain: "I think I've eaten too much, and I feel a little uncomfortable."

Only then did Shen Buyu relax his expression, and said, "Go back first. I'll come back later."

"Yes, sir."

The night is long, the carts and horses are rumbling.Xiuxiu leaned against Liu Rulan's side, and seemed to have regained her composure.Liu Rulan lowered her eyes cautiously, and saw that Xiuxiu's lips were tightly pursed, the glazed gauze lamp outside the curtain was slowly flowing, and the brilliance cast a thin shadow on her face, and there seemed to be something bright between her eyes It was flickering, just for a moment, and dripped silently.

At the end of the second watch, sporadic lights adorn the palace.On such a quiet night, outsiders would not have guessed that Yang Jian was staying in Xiao Kui's palace.

The moon is white and the wind is clear, the stars are shifting, and there are loud laughter from time to time.

Xiao Kui and Yang Jian leaned on the railing to drink, and the two were not tired, and the joy of reunion was overflowing on their faces.

When talking about political affairs at this time, Yang Jian put down his wine cup and said solemnly: "The crown prince is the foundation of the country, and we need to plan early. There is no urgent war at present, so we should establish a crown prince according to the law. After I came, I didn't say a word about establishing a crown prince. I only do it properly for you. Think carefully, the current situation in the Liang Dynasty, the royal family and ministers who are in charge of the government have differences in their minds. The Mu family relied on the foundation of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and made great efforts to follow the establishment of the lineage to grow and not to be virtuous, intimidating you Your father appointed Xiao Shao as the heir. And your father is all about supporting you, but he doesn't want to violate the law. The ministers in the court have different thoughts, if I say it clearly, I'm afraid things will be unpredictable!"

"Brother Yang's sentences are solid and accurate, and his scruples are all for my consideration. Thank you Xiao Kui here." Xiao Kui said sincerely.

"Your father is eager to understand, please forgive me."

"Father is dedicated to me, and suffers many ups and downs, and chronic illnesses are also unpredictable. I am very worried, and everything I do is for him."

"Everything needs to be weighed before proceeding. In their eyes, although you are young and outstanding, you are still fledgling, and you have no outstanding military exploits. Even if you are canonized as the prince, you are not enough to convince others."

After hearing this, Xiao Kui suddenly got up, cupped his hands and said, "Only Brother Yang understands my heart! But please tell Brother Yang clearly, Xiao Kui should obey orders."

"Okay!" Yang Jian was pleased to take the case, and smiled crisply, "I came here this time because I really have selfish intentions. The current situation in the Northern Zhou Dynasty is chaotic and unstable. Except for the fact that Yuchi Jiong's army has been unable to attack for a long time, the Southern Dynasty and Chen's rebellion frequently threatened the Northern Zhou Dynasty. You are really devastated! If you and I form a continuous force to destroy these thieves one by one, the Northern Zhou Dynasty will be consolidated, and your name will be engraved in the majestic history, and you will have a deep foundation for the government and the public!"

Xiao Kui's eyes were bright, and he said with emotion: "It's God's will! Xiao Kui invites the teacher!"

"His Royal Highness has the overall situation, and Yang has his own way to manage it properly. He has established military exploits and is loved by his subjects, so why should His Highness be hindered by the emperor's hegemony?"

The two clapped their hands and looked uplifted.

At this time, there was movement outside the hall, and there were indistinct sounds of beating and cursing.Xiao Kui's eyes narrowed, and he said loudly, "Who is making noise outside?"

Not long after, the servant came to report: "Your Highness, it is the concubine who wants to come in. Qiuyue refused to let in, so she was slapped..."

Xiao Kui frowned, and said dissatisfiedly: "Go and tell her, don't put on airs like a concubine. I have a distinguished guest here, so I told her to go back and rest, and don't come here anymore!"

Then, he muttered softly: "It's so annoying!"

Yang Jian saw it, and asked with a smile: "Did your Highness marry her because of your father?"

Xiao Kui seemed to have been stabbed at a vital point, but he was silent for a long time.

Yang Jian seemed to be aware of Xiao Kui's thoughts, he sighed deeply, and said earnestly: "Yang has also heard about the matter of choosing a concubine. Guan Guan Jujiu is in the river island. A gentle lady, a gentleman likes a good girl. Yang Looking back, Dugu Jialuo married me at the age of 14. We love and respect each other, and we are of the same mind. Yang has never thought of taking a concubine. I was in a difficult situation, and she worried and anxious for me. I was deeply astray. Solve my worries and problems without any surprises. It is a great fortune in Yang's life to have this woman! Your Highness is a hero in the world, and there is no shortage of admirers. What is lacking is someone who is willing to have one heart and never leave her head!"

After saying these words, Xiao Kui's finely crafted face was stained with a layer of frustration, and he cast his eyes on the bottomless black sky, and murmured: "I'm not as lucky as Brother Yang."

"Your Highness doesn't want to have it, or did you not fight for it?"

Xiao Kui was in a trance for a moment, paused blankly, and suddenly laughed indifferently.

"In my eyes, women... are all the same." After finishing speaking, he drank the wine in his hand.

Yizhen did not leave, but was still sitting under the pillar leading to Xiao Kui's bedroom.

When she came, she had carefully arranged her makeup, and her figure became even thinner under the heavy pendants.She had just cried, and she didn't care that the makeup on her face was all over, and she was still sobbing.

Becoming the third concubine is the ultimate pursuit of all women.A great happy event fell on her head, like a dream, she was looking forward to the day of getting married as soon as possible.She had imagined countless times that as his first wife, she could stand beside him in a bright red dress, and everyone would praise her for her incomparable charm and beauty.

What a luxurious wedding ceremony.Through the tulle red hijab, she stared at him without shyness.The person holding her hand is the person I rely on for the rest of my life.At that time, her happy heart was full and bulging, almost overflowing.

On the wedding night in the bridal chamber, her beautiful face was blushing, waiting nervously for him.Thinking of the way she saw him before, domineering, with an evil smile...

He came, already half drunk, staggered in front of her, and picked up the red hijab with his fingertips.He bent over and narrowed his eyes to get closer to her, the candlelight reflected between his smiling brows, the dazzling brilliance made her heart beat faster and faster.

With watery eyes, she boldly met him.He raised her chin carelessly, and slowly pressed his lips against her, whispering something she couldn't understand.

"I don't choose you..."

Her heart twitched violently, and his kiss seemed like a superficial touch.Then he straightened up, gave her a sideways glance, and went out.

In a panic, she didn't care about anything else, and grabbed his sleeve from behind.

"Where is Your Highness going?"

"I have to go, go to my bedroom." He said a little confused.

"Your Highness, this is our bedroom, and tonight is our wedding night." She tried to remind him.

He avoided her hand: "I see, let's talk about it in a few days."

"Where does the Highness go, where does the concubine follow."

Hearing this, he frowned and changed his face, almost angry: "You are not allowed to enter my bedroom, do you hear me?" After saying that, he shook his sleeves and left without any nostalgia.

For a moment, as if falling from the sky to the bottom of the valley, she stood in a daze and gritted her silver teeth.

He doesn't like her, without any reason.

That night, the mandarin duck pillow was wet with tears.

"Miss."

There was Jiang Chen's voice in a trance, Yizhen shook his head from the memory, raised his hand to wipe away the tears hanging on his face, and said impatiently: "Don't drive me away, I will go back."

"It's cold at night, Your Highness asked me to give this to you."

Jiang Chen bent over and handed over the cloak, and the maid put it on Yizhen from behind.Yizhen's fingers touched the surface of the robe, and it was warm, but it seemed to be too cold to feel.Just like the person who made her sad, sometimes he is good on a whim, and sometimes he is indifferent to the bone.

She struggled to stand up, trembling.Immediately a maid came up to support her, she waved her hand, Jiang Chen understood, and stepped forward to gently support her.

Yizhen put his hand on Jiang Chen's arm, exhaled slowly, and said, "Jiang Chen, just walk back with me."

Several people walked in a meandering manner, their steps falling slowly and silently.The third prince and concubine were shut down not once or twice, and everyone pretended nothing happened, but they also acted cautiously.

The fire in Yizhen's heart was slowly extinguished, she became sad, and said in a hoarse voice: "Jiang Chen, have you followed the Third Highness since childhood?"

"Yes."

"Your parents are gone?"

"Yes."

She always approached this taciturn guard intentionally or unintentionally.Because he knows Xiao Kui best and is closest to Xiao Kui.In this deep palace, apart from talking to this guard, she has nothing to comfort her distress.

"Which woman did His Highness have the closest relationship with before marriage?"

Jiang Chen bowed unhurriedly, and said slowly: "The villain doesn't know."

Yi is really disappointed and can't help feeling discouraged.He took off the cloak and threw it to Jiang Chen, and went to the wedding hall with his maid.

Xiuxiu's abnormal behavior at that night banquet made Liu Rulan suspicious.On this day, she sent Cuihong to call Yanxi over.

"Yanxi, you have to tell the truth, since the selection of the prince and concubine, has the lady been in contact with the third prince?"

"Go back to madam, it's true. The young lady fell ill later, and then went back to her hometown. This time the master picked her up, and the slaves have been by her side all the time, not even the shadow of the third prince."

Liu Rulan thought to herself: This is strange.Xiuxiu was frightened in the palace, she must have run into someone.Seeing that she was silent, it was hard for him to ask.It seems that she still treats herself as an outsider, or she usually neglects her.

So she asked one more question: "Who does Miss usually associate with?"

"Miss usually gets along well with the young master, but Chu Tianji is the only one outside. There is no one else."

"Chu Tianji...Nurse's son?" Liu Rulan's eyes lit up, and she asked with great interest, "How is your character?"

"In the first half of last year, I was admitted to the Jinshi of Jiake and served as the director of the Ministry of Punishment. I can be regarded as a moderate official. I read well, and I am handsome. I am a filial son at home."

Liu Rulan was amused, and said: "It seems to be perfect, but there must be something unsatisfactory?"

"He's a bit stubborn, sometimes he's too brainy, and can't make a turn. Since she has a house, Miss has to go more frequently." Seeing Liu Rulan's kindness, Yan Xi told the truth.

"Will you accompany her when she goes?"

"The servants only went there once, and most of the ladies went alone."

Liu Rulan groaned after hearing this, and sighed: "Chu Tianji first arrived in Jiangling, the Shen family should take care of him, but I have always felt sorry for being treated coldly by the master. Now that the master doesn't care about it, Xiuxiu can't bear to stay in the courtyard all day long." Stay. I just heard you say that Chu Tianji is a good-looking talent. As long as Xiuxiu likes it and forgets the previous troubles, I will not object to the relationship between the two of you. Hello, Miss Waiting, please report if there is anything unusual."

Yan Xi returned to Juxin Courtyard, observed the young lady, saw that she was as calm as water, without any emotion, so she put aside the madam's exhortation.

This day is Mr. Tao's Yinshou, so Xiuxiu woke up early, and went to the suburban temple to offer incense as usual like last year.Since she already knew that Mr. Tao was not her biological father, she did not disturb the people in the mansion, but only ordered the coachman to wait outside.The two dressed up roughly and left the mansion quietly.

Originally, he made an appointment with Tianji to accompany them, but it happened that there was something to be done in the government office today, Tianji asked them to go ahead, and when he finished his work, he would go to the temple to find them.

Xiuxiu smiled tolerantly, and joked: "What a coincidence. I was afraid that you would not be there, and a big tiger would jump out halfway and eat me in one bite."

Tianji didn't play tricks on her as before, he hesitated a bit, and his tone was a little heavy: "Master Ji called me, it seems that there is something important."

He didn't dare to tell the real reason why Ji Mingyou called him, the wealthy salt and iron businessman Mr. Liu had taken a fancy to him, and this time he was discussing the details of the blind date with him.

Master Ji's kindness to him is as great as a mountain, how can he refuse?

The royal temple is located at the northern foot of Tiaoshan Mountain, ten miles away from the city. There are towering stones, green peaks, deep trees and beautiful scenery. It has always been a good place for the royal family and nobles to burn incense and worship Buddha.

The sky is full of colorful clouds, the red sun shines on the high forests, and there are few cars, horses and pedestrians along the road.Walking to the small road leading to the temple, the mountains are bright and clean, the green hills are glowing, and the distant bells and chimes are fading and appearing.

While speaking, a group of chariots and horses approached calmly, not in a hurry.Seeing that they were about to meet the Shen family's carriage, the other party stopped in the middle of the road without dodging or evading.

The coachman of Shen's residence was used to being arrogant, he raised his long whip and pointed at the other party and cursed loudly: "Look carefully, this is the carriage from the prime minister's residence, who dares to stop it?"

There was a burst of laughter on the opposite side, and someone sneered: "It really belongs to the Shen residence, there is no one in their eyes."

Someone said in a deep voice again: "This is the third prince's carriage."

Xiuxiu and Yanxi were in the car together, their eyes widened in surprise.Listening carefully to the voice, it turned out to be Xiao Kui's guard Jiang Chen.

Yan Xi glanced at Xiuxiu, saw that her face had changed, and her hand began to tighten, and said: "I bumped into the third prince, let's not let him." After speaking, he lifted the curtain and ordered the coachman not to back down.

There was a stalemate, and there was another sound of horseshoes.But when he saw Jiang Chen galloping over, he cupped his hands and opened his mouth first: "I disturbed Miss Xiuxiu."

Yan Xi poked his head out, and said sneeringly: "It's not possible to scare us to death in the deep mountains and wild forests? You have a lot of people, and we only have a carriage, so why not get out of the way?"

Jiang Chen didn't answer, turned his gaze to the inside of the curtain, and bowed his hands again: "Miss Xiuxiu, my third highness invites you to come over and talk."

"Your Highness Third?" Yan Xi sneered, and said in a mean voice, "Why don't you come to invite me in person? You're putting on airs."

"The Third Highness said that it is inconvenient to talk here, please ask the lady to go to the front pavilion to talk, and the Third Highness is waiting for the young lady over there."

Yan Xi was about to push him, when Xiuxiu, who was silent at the side, said leisurely, "Thank you, Jiang's guard, I have nothing to say to him, so don't worry about it."

Jiang Chen went back to report, and then came back again.

"Third Highness ordered the villain to invite the young lady over."

Yan Xi replied angrily: "There's no need to do that. We still have things to do." After speaking, he told the coachman, "Let's go."

The coachman was in the front, wondering: "Miss Yanxi, the third prince's carriage is in the middle, so I can't get through."

"Rogue!" Yan Xi cursed at Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen persisted, without any disturbance on his face.

Xiu Xiu was helpless, and said to Yan Xi: "If he is free, it will take a few hours, and we missed the matter. I will come back after listening to his nonsense."

She got out of the carriage and walked slowly towards the pavilion.The mountain breeze blew slightly, and the ribbons on her skirt fluttered in the wind. Xiao Kui's proud face was reflected in his eyes, and his smile was deep and unpredictable.She seemed to have seen a sneer at the corner of his mouth.

"Don't be afraid of what he may say, don't pay attention to it." She encouraged herself secretly, keeping her back straight.

There was no one under the pavilion, so Xiuxiu looked around, and when he reached the edge of the pool, he heard a soft call: "Xiuxiu."

When she turned her head, a few wisps of rain drifted by, and the small waterfall in the mountain stream streaked across countless streams of broken shadows. Xiao Kui stood there with his hands behind his back, his thin lips raised, and those familiar eyes looked at her with joy on his face.

"I've been waiting for you here for a long time," he said.

Xiuxiu was slightly shocked, and was about to kneel down immediately, Xiao Kui bent down to help her up as if nothing had happened.Xiuxiu retreated to dodge it, and still greeted generously: "My maidservant has seen His Royal Highness the Third Prince."

Xiao Kuiding looked at Xiuxiu without being annoyed, and smiled casually: "I'm an old acquaintance, so there's no need to be so polite. What a coincidence, I ran into you again today. I saw you at the night banquet, and I just wanted to talk to you." , I didn’t expect you to run away in the blink of an eye.”

Mentioning that night, Xiuxiu felt an inexplicable pain in his heart.His face was still breathtakingly exquisite, but she didn't have the courage to stay there.

Turning her face away, she quickly calmed down and said flatly: "We won't meet again in the future."

He didn't seem to hear, he walked up to her and stood still, his eyes cast on her face: "Long time no see, you look a lot lighter."

One sentence made Xixiu's chest and abdomen hurt like being hollowed out.The distance between the two was so close, his steady breathing, mixed with the familiar scent of Ruinaoxiang, made her paralyzed so much that she almost couldn't control herself.

After a long while, her voice seemed hoarse, and she said, "What can your Highness want to say to me?"

He sneered, and wrote lightly: "I don't have anything to say, I just want to see you."

"seen?"

"seen."

"Then I'm leaving." She turned around and wanted to leave.

He stopped her, and his voice became urgent: "When will we meet again?"

Feeling inexplicable, she flatly refused, "That's impossible."

"Why?" He opened his eyes wide, with a hint of panic in them, and laughed again after a while, "You are angry with me, aren't you?"

She clenched her fists and said in a hard voice, "Why should I be angry with you? I'm just afraid of you, really afraid of you."

"why?"

This is the second time he asked her why.

She choked and didn't want to say it, really didn't want to say it.She just thought sadly, he hurt her so deeply, but he looked at peace of mind, it would be better not to see him, not to talk about it.

All the pent-up emotions, be it hatred or resentment, at this moment she can't vent to such Xiao Kui.

She must leave him, stay away from him forever.

He said to himself, "Do you still remember that small mountain village in the countryside? It's not far from here, and the yard is still empty. It's a good place to talk. I'll be there on the ninth day of next month. You want to come."

A gust of wind blew by, and the red leaves and yellow flowers fell in pieces. She subconsciously raised her head and met Xiao Kui's gaze.His eyes were black as lacquer, with a gentle smile that could not be refused.At that moment, Xiuxiu felt that what she saw was that sentimental Xiao Kui again, luring her to go deeper step by step...

Yanxi's call came from afar.

She woke up with a start and said in an unusually firm tone: "Sorry, I won't go."

After finishing speaking, he flicked his sleeves and turned around.He quickly grabbed her, pulled her in front of him, stared into her eyes with a determined expression.

"Are you pretending to be angry on purpose? It's okay, I know you always like me in your heart." He smiled, and his hot and humid breath passed across her face.

She stared fiercely, then snapped his hands apart, and ran forward as if fleeing.

He didn't chase after him, and his high-pitched voice was left behind, echoing in the empty valley: "You will definitely come!"

In the temple, smoke and incense are lingering, and Sanskrit sounds burst out.

When Tianji entered Liangdian, Xiuxiu had knelt down for a long time.Some dim light shone on her body, she clasped her hands and closed her eyes, an indescribable tranquility glowed on her face.Tianji didn't dare to look at her anymore, knelt down beside her slowly, clapped his hands together and recited silently following the sound of the chime.

Opening her eyes again, Xiuxiu's eyes seemed blurred, and she said softly, "I miss my father."

"I miss my dad too. If he is here, he will teach me what to do." He was at a loss.

Xiuxiu didn't hear the implication, but just smiled at him gently.

The abbot of the temple accompanied Xiuxiu to worship Mr. Tao, and walked out of Liangdian slowly.

At the entrance of the ginkgo tree-lined road in the temple, the dense trees are all yellow in one piece. Under the bright sunlight, against the clear sky without dross, it always feels bright to people's hearts.

"Master, Buddhists often use ginkgo wood to carve Buddha statues, right?" Xiuxiu asked.

The host folded his hands together and said yes.

Ginkgo biloba is tall and long-lived, and does not attract insects. It is used to carve the nails of Buddha statues.

"Miss came earlier. After half a month, the tree will be full of fruits, and there will be a harvest at that time. Then it is very likely that after the autumn wind passes overnight, the fallen leaves will return to their roots. Amitabha." The host smiled meaningfully.

(End of this chapter)