This can be remembered

Chapter 23
The country roads are winding and winding. Although it is autumn, there are still many wild flowers peeking out from the side of the road.It will take a few days before Ling Xiang returns to Beijing because he wants to investigate the flood.Ling Xuewei was found immediately, and there was no serious problem. I wanted Li Xian to send her back to Beijing first, but Ling Xuewei seemed to prefer to stay with her father. Ling Xiang has always doted on this daughter, and the weather in the fields and countryside is quite pleasant. It only takes a few days. So he sent a servant back to report that he was safe, and he took other people to find a small courtyard near Aunt Liu's house and rent it.

Ling Xuewei wakes up every morning, and she doesn't feel inconvenient without a maid by her side. She fetches water to freshen up, and then puts on simple clothes.The dress she brought with her was destroyed in the fire, and when she came out she was only wearing a nightgown, so for several days she was wearing clothes borrowed by Aunt Liu from a nearby family with a daughter.

This day when she got up in the morning, she saw that the countryside was shrouded in mist, the sky was slightly cloudy, but it was also very bright, and the air was extremely fresh, so she thought of going out for a walk.After reporting to his father, Ling Xiang saw that the weather was very good, so he agreed, and only asked to come back early.

She walked along the country road all the way, and the wild flowers bloomed very well on the roadside, all of which were elegant little chrysanthemums, delicate and lovely.Ling Xuewei snapped off a flower and pinned it between her temples.Turning a sharp turn, Ling Xuewei exclaimed.There is a clear water in front of me, surrounded by maple trees, red or yellow leaves are covered with branches, swaying with the wind, and some fallen leaves are swirling, as if they are stepping on the lightest and most elegant dance steps, falling down one after another, pointing at the calm water On the green Bitan, there are circles of delicate and soft ripples.

Ling Xuewei was stunned for a moment, but she couldn't help walking to the water's edge, bent down to pick up a piece, and turned it over in her hand. There were thin veins on the leaf, and her fingers like green onions slid one by one, sitting casually. By the water, looking at the autumn scenery of the mountains, he chanted casually: "The red leaves are cold on the first day of October in the mountains, and the frosty leaves are new for a while. It seems that burning is not caused by fire, like flowers that don't wait for spring. Line up crimson tents in rows, and cut red scarves randomly. Jieyu basket Look, there is only one person before the wind."

There was great compassion in her chest, and two lines of tears slowly flowed down her stunning face, and finally she couldn't help but lay down on a rock on the bank and began to cry.

A line of geese spread their wings in the high and clean sky, and there was an ethereal sound coming from afar, accompanied by the wind rustling through the forest. Ling Xuewei raised her head, and she was alone in the silence. She took off the wild chrysanthemum on her temples and slowly put it into the water. Seeing the little piece of golden yellow drifting along the water to the distance, she got up and patted her skirt, planning to straighten her face with the lake water, but she was startled by the sight in the water.

Looking at the reflection of another person in the water, Ling Xuewei couldn't help being taken aback, but she immediately calmed down and turned around with a smile: "Brother Li, why is it you?"

Li Xian smiled embarrassedly: "Master Ling said it's getting late, let me come out and find you, Miss."

Ling Xuewei nodded, only to realize that the sun was already high, and she had been out for two hours before she knew it.Then he smiled apologetically, like the beautiful scenery all over the mountain: "I was so infatuated with the beautiful scenery for a while, and I forgot the time. Thank you, Brother Li." Then he bowed his head and saluted: "For the life-saving grace of that day, Xuewei No thanks yet. Thanks in advance."

Li Xian hurriedly stretched out his hand to help, but he retracted his hand halfway, wiped his body, and smiled "hehe": "This is what I should do, miss."

Ling Xuewei raised her head and looked at this simple farmer: "What's the name of this place, I didn't expect such a beautiful scenery in Yuqiu Town." Said and set foot on the way home.

Li Xian followed her and said slowly: "Few people come here, but not many people know about it. Most of us are farmers here, and we have never read books and don't know how to appreciate them. We only know that autumn is beautiful, but we don't know What is the name of the person? It's not like your big family in Beijing."

Ling Xuewei smiled embarrassingly: "Xiaoshishan in the east of the capital is red like a fire in autumn, and families of dignitaries and dignitaries go to visit every day. However, it has lost its natural purity."

Li Xian didn't understand, but still nodded.

Walking slowly all the way like this, Ling Xuewei's light blue skirt swept across the slightly withered grass leaves on the side of the path. On the skirt, she embroidered a few pairs of butterflies with multicolored silk thread, and the wings were about to fly, lifelike.Li Xian looked at those pairs of butterflies. Although he didn't understand them, he still felt that they were so ingenious, as if they were real.

Looking at the butterfly, Li Xian seemed to remember something, took out something from his pocket, and called Ling Xuewei: "Miss, please return this thing to that young master."

Ling Xuewei was startled, and turned around with a puzzled look on her face: "What?" Li Xian was already handing something in front of her.

The object was wrapped in a piece of red cloth, which had been opened at this time, revealing the fine and exquisite workmanship and texture.Ling Xuewei looked carefully, she had never seen that thing before, but she knew it was a priceless treasure.

A piece of high-quality jade carved a unicorn with bulging eyes and a lion's nose and a big mouth in the sea of ​​clouds. It is very exquisite and valuable.It was exactly what Shen Xiyao thanked Li Xian that day.

Ling Xuewei has been out for a long time and has traveled a long way.At this time, the two of them were standing in an open place among the mountains, surrounded by yellow wild chrysanthemums that are common in the mountains, with a slightly bitter fragrance lingering around.

Ling Xuewei stared at the jade ornament, and didn't look away for a long time.

"This..." She looked up at Li Xian with a confused look on her face.

Li Xian believed in his heart that the young master must also be the one in Miss Ling's heart, and Ling Xuewei would definitely understand if he just said a little bit.What's more, they met in Ling's mansion. From his point of view, the Ling's mansion has dense courtyards and heavy guards. It is definitely not an ordinary family.Those who can get in must be people who are acquainted with the Ling family.

"It's that young master, Miss must know." Li Xian smiled ambiguously: "At your house, he gave me this as a thank you for saving you, but how can I accept it? I wanted to give it back to him, but at that time The housekeeper came to look for me and said that Mr. Ling had something important to ask, so I left. Now I have to ask Miss to help me return it to that young master. It is right to save people, how can I take such a precious thing of gratitude. "As he said, he stretched his hand forward and put the jade beast in Ling Xuewei's hand.

Ling Xuewei looked at the object in her hand, which is definitely something that no one can have.Even if it is the jewel in the palm of Xiangfu, she rarely sees such finely carved jade ornaments.I turned it over carefully trying to find some clues, but found nothing.Not even the name of the company where it was made is engraved in the corner.

Ling Xuewei sighed, and she also understood that Li Xian had misunderstood.But, who is that mysterious son?
"That son..." Ling Xuewei hesitated for a moment and said, "But what else did you say?"

"He just thanked me for saving you, and then asked me where you are now, and then asked me to keep it secret, and then left." Li Xian replied.In fact, recalling that evening, he also had a lot of doubts.If it was someone who admired each other with Miss Ling's family and was familiar with the Ling family, why didn't they come with them?And why do you want to hide it from the master of the Ling family?Li Xian scratched his head, suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and gave himself an answer.

It must be so.It must be that the master of the Ling family disagreed with the matter between the two of them, that's why the young master secretly inquired.It's just that, such a leader among people, everyone likes it, how can anyone not like it?However, he, a grassroots person, would not be clear about those affairs of the big mansion.

Ling Xuewei nodded dejectedly: "He asked where you and I are..." Suddenly everything seemed clear and clear like thunder in the clear sky.The man who rescued her at the inn should be the son Li Xian was talking about.

"That son..." Ling Xuewei asked a little shyly, "What does it look like?"

Li Xian was startled, looked at Ling Xuewei's little daughter-like expression, and smiled heartily: "I'm a rough person, but the heaven and man that the storyteller talks about should be like him."

"Heaven and man are in this world..." Ling Xuewei said slowly, "It's like cutting like weaving, like cutting like grinding, like gold like tin, like jade like jade, majestic and handsome, with a majestic bearing." A shallow smile slowly bloomed on the stunning face.

It must be him, the man who conversed with her in the bamboo forest, the man who left the purple jade pendant she regarded as a treasure, the man who tightened his hand in the sea of ​​fire, the man who walked with him for a long time in the rainy night The man... also had crystal clear tears, but I didn't even know his name or appearance, which was sad and lamentable.

The farmhouse they lived in was already visible from a distance, with smoke lingering in the forest, Ling Xuewei grasped the jade ornaments in her hand, and gave Li Xian a bright smile like a sunny day.

Ling Xiang pretended to be a businessman, saying that he also had goods on the water, so he worried about inquiring about the flood, but after a few days, he had some clues.However, if it is really involved, I am afraid that the matter will be serious and many people in the court will be involved.He was not afraid, but it seemed that some officials above noticed that someone was secretly investigating the matter, and the situation gradually became tense.He didn't dare to act rashly, and he hadn't collected complete evidence, so he stayed in Yuqiu Town.

Shen Xiyao also received a few memorials to report floods in the court hall, but kept them silent, but he was calm.It's just that he also had a vague premonition in his heart that many people would be involved in this case.I also have some doubts in my heart.

But the most important thing for him right now is not the flood. After all, Prime Minister Ling is investigating, so he feels relieved.He personally investigated the real culprit who killed Ling Xuewei and his party that night.In fact, Shen Xiyao understood in his heart, from the conversation between the leader and other people that night on the cliff, he already knew that the one who bought the murder was the father of Wu Guiren in the palace.

But to really judge guilt, you have to find conclusive evidence.The group of people were all killed in the fire, and the witnesses were lost.In addition, whether nobleman Wu participated, and how much he knew, he had to explore carefully.

After the court, Shen Xiyao returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation due to his injuries, sat on the shoulders and walked along the long palace road, still thinking about court affairs.There was the sound of wearing rings from the front, and a soft and moving voice said: "My concubine pays my respects to the emperor."

Shen Xiyao raised his head from his trance, only to see a graceful figure under the bright sun, bowing respectfully.Shen Xiyao was startled for a moment, then smiled: "Why is Jieyu here?"

Liu Jieyu raised her head, her well-groomed face was as bright as a bright moon, and she wore a blue brocade dress with peonies contending for fragrance and lake water, which made her look even more human like spring willows and early warblers. Normal size, round and shiny, dangling in the hair, making the black hair like a cloud, and dotted with a few peony-like pearl flowers.The color of this suit was obviously dressed up on purpose.

Hearing Shen Xiyao's question, Liu Jieyu smiled: "I planned to go to Sister Feng's place, but I never thought I would meet the emperor."

Shen Xiyao nodded, knowing in her heart that she deliberately chose this time to be here.After all, Feng Shuyi's Wuxue Palace and Liu Jieyu's Feixu Palace are both in the West Sixth Palace, so there is no need to bother to come here.But he always didn't pay much attention to Liu Jieyu's "little cleverness" and didn't pursue it.What's more, after all, he hasn't set foot in the harem for many days, those concubines must have thought a lot about "encountering" him.

Shen Xiyao smiled, looked at Liu Jieyu and said, "If you want to go to Shuyi's place, don't delay."

Liu Jieyu was taken aback, she didn't expect the emperor to say that.According to her original thinking, since they met, the emperor should go for a walk with her and gossip, so that she can also ask for the evening by the way.She raised her head to see Shen Xiyao's expression, as before, calm, with wisdom shining in her eyes, but a cold light flashed past.Startled, she bowed to salute, and from the corner of her eye, she saw the bright yellow shoulders gradually drifting away, so she slowly got up.Pei'er who was beside her helped her up, seeing the confusion and sadness on Liu Jieyu's face, she hurriedly comforted her: "Your Majesty, the Emperor must have important matters to deal with, I will see you today, and I will definitely turn over your name at night."

Liu Jieyu didn't say a word, just clenched the jade pendant on her skirt and walked forward.

"Where are you going, Ma'am?" Pei'er hurriedly followed.

"Go to Feng Shuyi's place." Liu Jieyu said lightly, "Where else can I go?"

When Shen Xiyao returned to the imperial study, there was a stack of memorials on the imperial table with ebony openwork carvings of nine dragon opera beads, all of which were woven with blue, blue, yellow, red, black or three-color silk, piled up on the imperial table.He applied a cool wet handkerchief to his face, and the injury on his foot was still aching.However, he still sat on the throne and buried himself in the criticism.

Zhang Dehai came in with a cup of jade dew, followed by Wang Yuanjue. "Your Majesty," he softly called the man on the throne, "The court judge has come to change your medicine."

The inner part of the imperial study room is Shen Xiyao's occasional resting place, but after all, it is the resting place of the holy driver, so all the exhibits are available.Pushing away the maids guarding inside, Shen Xiyao, supported by Zhang Dehai, sat on a small purple-leaf sandalwood carved dragon going out to sea couch, took off his dragon boots, and ordered the court to clean and change his dressing for him.The clear autumn sunlight came in through the silver window screens, casting fine rays of sunshine on Shen Xiyao's body, and the bright yellow dragon robe that had not been replaced gave off a dazzling golden light.

Shen Xiyao kept looking at the golden teak antique shelf next to him. It was so rare, but his eyes only fell on the cherry blossoms in the middle of the shelf, showing a light and relaxed smile.Zhang Dehai followed his gaze quietly, and understood in his heart what the emperor's smile was for, and such a sincere smile also dispelled his uneasy thoughts about Miss Ling's current situation.It was a sigh of relief.

Shen Xiyao thought of something, and said to Zhang Dehai who was standing beside him, "Is the queen mother here today?"

Zhang Dehai nodded with a smile: "The empress dowager came here in the morning. At that time, the emperor was discussing matters with several ministers, so he went back to the Palace of Compassion."

"What did the queen mother ask?" Shen Xiyao still didn't take his eyes off the cherry tree.

"The empress dowager asked about the emperor's food and daily life these days, nothing else." Zhang Dehai replied respectfully: "But the old slave was sweating a lot at that time."

Shen Xiyao laughed, but his brows were frowned: "It seems that it won't be long, and I haven't gone to pay my mother's greetings for many days."

Zhang Dehai raised his hand and wiped his forehead: "This old slave thinks of a way, if the emperor goes now, the queen mother will definitely find out."

Shen Xiyao nodded, his eyes flashed, but he didn't say anything, just smiled to himself, with a sense of relief.

In the imperial garden in the middle of the night, the shadows of the trees are whirling, and the flowers and branches are slanting, casting mottled and chaotic black shadows on the ground. Because there are no lights, it is somewhat infiltrating.

A group of guards walked by at night, one of them seemed to notice something, turned his head suddenly, his expression was tense, and the halberd in his hand pointed at an open wood not far away: "Who is it?" The others also turned around quickly , gathered in a row.There was no movement for a while, they listened intently, but there was no sound at all.

"Brother, you read it wrong. Don't be scary, this place." One person shrugged and patted the guard's shoulder.

"Obviously I saw something flash by." The man also touched his head: "It's weird, could it be dizziness?"

Just as they were about to leave, there was another low moaning sound from the forest. It was faint and hard to distinguish, but it was still clear in the still night.

Several people suddenly felt creepy, but they were palace guards after all, with extraordinary courage and skill, they slowly stepped forward and tightly grasped the halberd in their hands.

Sure enough, there were people, and a horse.

A man was sitting under a tree in the forest. The moonlight was clear and bright, casting on him through the gaps between the dense branches and leaves.A half-sized horse lying on the ground next to it did not move at this time.

"Who is it?" With a flash of silver light, a guard has already stepped forward.Walking in the Forbidden Palace late at night, dressed like a guard eunuch, and in a secluded place like the Imperial Garden, it is impossible to be an assassin.

The man lazily raised his head, his face was like a crown of jade, and there was an awe-inspiring nobleness between his brows, but there was also a little bit of pain.

"I accidentally fell off my horse and hurt my foot, so hurry up and call someone." The voice was unmistakable, and it was the Emperor Daxi, Shen Xiyao.

The guards headed by "Emperor...Emperor..." obviously recognized the person in front of him by virtue of the moonlight. He was dressed in black robes and decorated with vermilion dragon patterns. tattoo?
There were already other guards rushing to call for people, and after a while, groups of bright yellow palace lanterns came in a hurry, and Zhang Dehai was the leader.

The horse was still a half-grown colt, with an iron trap clamped on its hoof, bleeding profusely.It is no longer moving.The emperor just sat under the tree and didn't ask the guards to help him up, but only by the sparse moonlight, he could also find that the dragon boot on the emperor's right foot had been removed, and his ankle was swollen and high. , but the sweat has been slowly flowing down the forehead.

This is golden autumn and October.

"The emperor's master..." Zhang Dehai knelt down on the ground when he saw Shen Xiyao, with tears streaming down his face: "You want the life of this old slave..."

Shen Xiyao was sweating from the pain, but his expression remained the same, he just waved his hands casually: "It's okay, send me back to my bedroom."

Someone had already carried the torch, and there were even more guards holding the torch, which stretched on both sides of the stone path in the imperial garden. The flames stretched into the distance like two winding dragons.

Zhang Dehai saw that Shen Xiyao was only wearing a blue brocade robe with lapel collar and narrow sleeves during the day, and it was inevitable that he would catch a cold in the night wind, and he could see the sweat dripping from the emperor's forehead. His back was already wet, and he couldn't help but drip with cold sweat. He hurriedly put an ink-colored velvet cloak with a flat gold medal pattern that he brought over Shen Xiyao's body carefully.

Shen Xiyao was already extremely exhausted when he got on the shoulders. In order not to make the Queen Mother suspicious, he had to find a reasonable reason for the foot, so he had to hide it from everyone and come up with this cruel trick. illusion.It's just that the night wind was cold. He sat under the tree for a long time, and the ointment and bandages on his feet were all removed. The pain hit him one after another, and he was sweating all over his body. The wind blew it on his body, and he was very cold. .Suddenly, his body felt warm, it was the big velvet cloak, Shen Xiyao gave Zhang Dehai a forced smile, then closed his eyes and leaned against the bright yellow cushion on his shoulders, his drowsiness enveloped him immediately.

There are twists and turns in the imperial garden, with gravel paths and white jade paths as smooth as a mirror.The shoulder pads used by the emperor were very comfortable, and the four people carrying the paddles walked even more smoothly, and they arrived in the Hall of Mental Cultivation not long after.

(End of this chapter)