Hello Chang’an

The spring sun setting in the west is still blazing, dyeing the clouds red and scattering clear golden powder, floating between the sky and the earth.

The wind in late spring is always mixed with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and at this time, the sound of the wind and the fragrance of flowers flowing through the air seems to be amplified and slowed down thousands of times in Cui Jing's perception.

This hug seemed to come without any warning.

Such intimate contact has always been very unfamiliar to Cui Jing. He did not have the experience to deal with it. When he finally started to think about what to do, he found that he had already stretched out a hand.

The response came almost from the heart and had not been judged by the brain at all.

The young man stretched out an arm and hugged the person in front of him from one side. His calloused palm first touched the soft clothes, and when he pressed them tightly, he could even feel the temperature of the skin under the clothes.

In addition, she hugged him with both hands and rested her face on his shoulder. Her hair was blown by the wind, and the scent of calligraphy ink and ink pad brushed his nose.

The world seemed to be still, but also seemed to be turbulent with his heartbeat. Only his body remained motionless.

Cui Jing was no longer able to think rationally about anything, but the hand holding Li Suining still used full and steady strength unconsciously. This strength did not confine all of her body, but controlled and protected her from the outside. Save her from the risk of falling.

Sensing the strength of that arm, Li Suining relaxed more and more, hugging him with both hands with peace of mind, and asked him: "Do you still remember what you promised me in the mountains of Youzhou last year?"

Cui Jing didn't need to answer, she said on her own: "Cui Ling'an, I want you to be safe."

Hearing the sound of "Cui Ling'an", the young man stared at the sky in front of him and said in a low voice: "I shouldn't have said that every time His Highness calls my name, it seems as if he is casting a curse on me."

To him, this seemed to be the shortest, yet most powerful spell in the world.

It was enough to bind his body and soul, making him driven by her for the rest of his life.

The gods used words as a spell, which mortals could not resist and regarded as an honor. He was destined to linger in this spell all his life.

Hearing this statement, Li Suining did not refute: "Since it is a curse, I guess it can be effective."

Cui Jing responded seriously: "Yes, His Highness's spell will not be broken."

Li Suining wanted to straighten up and say something, but the arm holding her showed no sign of letting go. The young man's voice was low and clear: "Your Highness, don't move yet."

As he spoke, he raised his other hand and gently picked off the tiny petals from her hair.

This action is probably just an excuse, a simple and clumsy excuse.

But holding a person like this under the setting sun, without using any strength, and letting him take care of the trivial details in the hair, made Li Suining feel very happy and comfortable, like a big cat sleeping with its plush belly exposed in the sun. It's like a tiger squinting its eyes and letting someone catch lice. It doesn't matter what it looks like. In short, it's warm, soft and safe.

The big hand that helped her pick off the petals had clear joints, and even the fingertips were covered with thin calluses. That hand often held a knife and a pen. It killed countless people with the knife, but the pen could also write beautiful words that are rare in the world. Calligraphy, but the only thing I have never done is such a small and delicate thing as picking flower petals for others.

But Cui Jing was very serious at this time. He was always very serious when facing her. He was willing to do such small things for her, and he was also willing to protect her from wind and rain, remove thorns, and break through catastrophes.

Admittedly, he may not have done as well as her, but he never held back.

Even at this time, he was also asking: "Is there anything I need to do before leaving?"

It was extremely dangerous for him to go, but he only asked her what else he could do before leaving.

Li Suining raised his head and looked up at him right in front of him. He thought about it and said, "There is indeed such a thing."

As she spoke, she turned to look at the setting sun and said with a smile: "While the setting sun is still here, Cui Jing, show me how to dance your sword."

Before the sun sets, a young man in black robe stands on the roof tiles of a high pavilion. The sword in his hand is as bright as lightning, and his movement skills are as outstanding as lightning. The shadow of the sword roars like the wind. The clear sword energy cuts through the deep dusk. The blade of the sword depicts the sunset, exuding a chivalrous spirit. .

Li Suining sat on the wall and watched.

People were coming out of the house one after another under the wall, looking around.

While A Dian was applauding, some officials marveled at the young man's amazing body and sword skills.

There were also whispers, saying that the rebellious Governor Cui was openly flattering the Crown Princess here...

"Could it be that Governor Cui wants to be the queen's husband?" A young official couldn't help but whisper.

A hand was placed on the young official's shoulder, and a voice sounded at the same time: "What's wrong with wanting to be a concubine? You know, not everyone dares to dream of this position."

The official looked sideways and saw that it was Cui Lang. He looked at the young man dancing the sword above the attic with a happy smile in his eyes.

"Taifu, Taifu..." Some officials rushed to Taifu Chu to complain: "That Cui Jing of the Xuance Mansion danced the sword for the princess, which caused a lot of discussion..."

Master Chu just said "tsk": "If the Cui family's old guys find out about this, they won't be angry at all."

"But…"

Mrs. Chu flipped through the official documents nonchalantly: "He dances his way, why are you in a hurry? If you want to dance, just dance yourself."

The official couldn't help but look embarrassed. He didn't even have the ability to climb up, let alone dance.

"How many years can a person be younger?" Taifu Chu sighed to himself: "Let them do it."

Cui Jing's sword dance in the high pavilion for the emperor's daughter became a rumor in Taiyuan City that night.

After Changji heard this, he even skipped a bowl of rice.

When he saw his husband coming back, he quickly asked: "... Governor Cui openly showed his kindness to the Crown Princess. What do you think of it?"

"I climbed up and watched quietly." Wei Shuyi exclaimed and praised: "Cui Ling'an's style at that time was truly unparalleled in the world."

Cui Jing's graceful sword dancing was also noticed by Madam Lu and others. At that time, Madam Lu was accompanying a group of ladies from Taiyuan City to talk. After hearing "Da Lang Dancing with the Sword", they all lifted up their skirts and went out to the high pavilion. And look.

That night, many girls returned home, and they seemed to see the heroic figure of the young man in black robes dancing a sword in the sunset. They told their mothers that they would also find such a husband to marry in the future.

Mothers in every family felt very sad after hearing this.

Cui Jing didn't know that he had become a "disaster". At dawn the next morning, he left Taiyuan and rode northward.

He left early, and Li Suining never sent him off - this time, she didn't need to send him off either.

On this day, Li Suining still listened to the officials' discussions and arranged various matters.

At the end of the afternoon, the officials dispersed one after another. Li Suining walked out of the hall with his teacher. Before he could step down the stone steps, he saw an **** coming at the right time. He stepped forward to salute and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, please let me Come and send a message to His Majesty - If Your Majesty is free someday, you can go and talk to His Majesty."

As the **** in front of the emperor, the messenger tried his best to remain calm and decent, but fear still seeped out of his bones.

"Yes." The voice of the woman above her was casual. She walked down the steps and said, "Lead the way."

The **** was startled for a moment, and then he realized that she was going to go there immediately. He didn't dare to think too much and hurriedly saluted and led the way.

Taifu Chu looked at the departing figure and slowly walked down the stone steps, humming in a low voice: "If you dare to be stupid again, let's see if I can break your unlucky head..." The person who came to deliver the message did not think of Li Suining. If you will "obey and cooperate" like this, you will immediately go to meet the saint - after all, this is the second time since the saint came to Taiyuan. The other party was so arrogant before that he didn't give him any face.

Li Suining had never thought about it so much. He didn't see her before because he didn't need to see her, but he went to see her now because he had time. That's all.

Because Li Suining came in a "hurry", the messenger didn't have the chance to rush back to report, so the empress was unprepared.

When Li Suining approached the residence of Emperor Shengce, he met Ma Xingzhou who had just left the empress with several officials.

Ma Xingzhou and others stopped and raised their hands to salute Li Suining.

Li Suining smiled and nodded to them without stopping to talk.

Seeing the female figure walking away, several officials exchanged glances in the dusk.

"See Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess!"

Following the salutes of the maids, the sound of the report was also sent to the Holy Emperor.

The Holy Emperor was sitting on the Arhat bed next to the window, with one elbow propped up on the small table, leaning on his temples and closing his eyes to rest. When he heard the sound, he opened his eyes and slowly sat up straight: "Xuan -"

A maid stepped forward to help, and another maid took the dragon-headed golden staff and sent it to the empress.

The empress stood quietly on crutches, looking at the bead curtain that had been drawn up, and the figure who walked in shortly after.

The visitor has golden hair **** in a bun, and is wearing a moon-white robe covered with a light orange round-neck gauze dress. He is clean and bright.

The lights had just been turned on in the room, but it was not completely dark outside. The light and shadow intertwined, and the eyes of the Holy Emperor were in a trance. Looking at the eyebrows and eyes that were much deeper than when he "first met" in the capital, he seemed to have returned to many years ago.

At that time, this was the case every time Ashang came back from outside and went to the palace to see her.

Ashang attaches great importance to filial piety. If he has not returned to the capital for a long time, he will always kneel down and worship, raise his face and call him "Mother Concubine" or "Mother Queen".

During the years when he called his mother and concubine, Ashang's raised face was lively and smiling. Later, when she called her mother, her demeanor gradually became calmer, until only respect remained.

At this time, the figure who walked in did not kneel down, but raised his hand to salute, and calmly called her: "I have seen the Holy One."

The Holy Emperor came back to his senses, looked into those eyes, and looked at each other. Li Suining did not avoid it.

As the Holy Emperor raised his hand, all the maids and chambermaids in the room bowed and left silently.

The empress looked at the young woman in front of her quietly.

Li Suining was also looking back at the empress quietly.

In fact, since her rebirth, she has never looked directly at this female king as seriously as she does now.

The person in her sight at this time had a neat bun that was almost completely white, and the loose robe could not hide the emaciation of his figure.

Li Suining suddenly realized that she was really old, even though she should have to wait two years to turn sixty.

She obtained the throne and sacrificed herself to the throne.

The old and the weak will always make people feel pity, and the old age of the king is more likely to make people feel sad, not to mention a king who lost his capital and was exiled to Taiyuan. Especially this king deliberately lowered his majesty at this time and slowly called out. One sound:

"Ashan."

After hearing these two words from the other party for a long time, Li Suining suddenly realized what Cui Jing said yesterday - words are like curses.

And if the same name is spoken by different people, it will be a different curse.

At this time, the word "A Shang", when called out by the person in front of her, is like the most convenient spell in the world to trap her soul. With innate power, the runes are painted with bright red blood. Once touched, The body makes it difficult for people to escape forever.

"Your Majesty is confused." She corrected seriously: "My name is Li Suining, and my nickname is A Li."

Facing those overly calm eyes, the Holy Book Emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded and said: "That's fine, Ah Li..."

"A Li." She called again and said, "Now that you are here, please sit down and talk to me."

She held the golden dragon staff and slowly sat down beside Arhat's bed.

Li Suining found a chair nearby and sat down, and took the initiative to speak: "Your Majesty, do you want to talk to me about returning to the clan and being crown prince?"

The Holy Emperor did not comment, but looked at the woman who spoke with a gentle expression.

"It is said that many officials are saying privately that your majesty helped me return to the clan and proposed to make me the crown princess. It was a generous act of concession. I should be grateful and grateful-" Li Suining said this and smiled slightly: "Ke Erchen believes , As wise as the Holy One is, he will certainly not think so.”

"The Holy One took the initiative to help me, not me, but the Holy One himself." She said: "As the Crown Prince, I will always be more gentle to Your Majesty than others. And if I become the Crown Prince, the Saint can safely live behind me. , all overt and covert attacks will be directed at me first."

The Holy Emperor stared at the emotionless girl: "Ah Li, in your eyes, are these the only calculations in my heart?"

Li Suining did not avoid this question, and said calmly: "At least this is the case when you still want to be emperor."

Listening to these calm words of affirmation, the Holy Emperor slightly tightened his hold on the dragon staff, his old eyes showing a rare blankness.

"But the Holy One took the initiative to help, and I accept this kindness." Li Suining said: "I came here this time to tell the Holy One that as long as the Holy One continues to act like this, I will not commit indiscriminate killings."

Just not killing indiscriminately.

More, but it is impossible.

The meaning of her words was very clear, leaving no room for imagination.

All the prepared words were completely meaningless. The Holy Emperor suppressed the hollow self-mockery in his heart and did not answer directly. Instead, he asked: "A Li, what can I do for you?"

Li Suining shook his head lightly without thinking.

"What I want, I can take."

While speaking, she stood up and said:

"A saint only needs to think about himself—"

"Thinking about how to survive."

After all, she will sweep away everyone who tries to stand in her way.

After Li Suining explained his purpose of coming, he no longer looked at the reaction of the Holy Emperor, raised his hand and saluted, and was about to leave.

"Ashan."

The Holy Book Emperor stood up with her staff in hand. Her figure was a little shaky. I don't know whether it was because of her illness or because she was trying her best to suppress her emotions. There was even a tremor in her voice. She asked the standing figure from behind:

"Do you...hate me, my mother-in-law?" (End of Chapter)