The prince is very fierce

Boom

Boom

The sound of bells resounded throughout the majestic imperial city and the streets. Thick dark clouds hovered over Chang'an City with the force of pressing down on the city. Occasionally, a thunder struck across the sea of ​​clouds, adding a bit of depression and solemnity to Chang'an on February 18th.

Dark clouds cover the sky, and a storm is coming.

The dreary weather did not affect the various living things under the sky. Civil and military officials, princes, princes and ministers, dressed in court uniforms, neatly passed through the royal road under the palace gate.

The people in the market were even more excited. They gathered in the markets near the imperial city before dawn, talking about the grand meeting that was going to be held today.

Dayue's martial ethos is integrated into his flesh and blood. Nothing can attract more attention than a battle between warriors. Once this matter is placed between the two countries, it will not be as simple as just watching the excitement.

From ancient times to the present, nothing can be more inspiring than a strong national power, and showing off one's might before converting foreign barbarians is naturally the best way to demonstrate a strong national power in peacetime. It seems to be just an ordinary competition to make friends with martial arts, but the result concerns the hearts and minds of the whole country.

A few days ago, the envoys of the Northern Qi Dynasty implored the emperor to send a few of his peers to compete in front of the palace, which was equivalent to a bloodless war. The competition in the imperial city had not yet begun, and the entire Chang'an warriors focused their attention on the palace walls. Although ordinary people cannot watch, being able to listen to the news from well-connected people in wine shops and teahouses can be regarded as participating.

Major gambling houses have also opened their markets one after another, and countless people have participated in betting. However, the bets are obviously not on who will lose or who will win, but on who is likely to appear and who will ultimately determine the victory.

As for losing?

In the capital of Dayue, before the emperor arrives, there are millions of warriors in Chang'an. If they are beaten to the ground by a barbarian, they will no longer need to practice martial arts. They can all go home and herd cattle. The emperor will probably be punished. The imperial edict came to examine why the warrior's spine was broken ten years ago.

The common people in the market are enthusiastic, and so are the princes and sons of Kuishou Street.

Wenquyuan of the Imperial College had a rare day off, because today all the princes and nobles in Wenquyuan were absent from class, and there was not a single student.

Song Yufu came over to study early, and when she found no one there, she skipped class with a bit of excitement, trotted back to the alley of Zhuji Street, and slapped on the closed courtyard door:

"Uncle Xu, Uncle Xu..."

dong dong dong

The knock on the door was like beating a drum. After a while, the courtyard door opened, and Xu Danqing looked at his niece outside the door with some helplessness:

"What's wrong?"

Song Yufu said excitedly: "Uncle Xu promised to help me draw a portrait last time. Today, Crown Prince Xu will also go to the palace to watch the warriors fight. Let's go over and have a look. You can stand by and draw secretly..."

There was a hint of sadness in Xu Danqing's eyebrows: "Painting and writing poetry are all about a flash of inspiration. Last time the Queen Mother came over and almost beat my uncle to death, I have been in no mood these past few days..."

Song Yufu smiled coquettishly: "A gentleman should be tolerant. This is not the first time that Uncle Xu has been bullied by the Queen Mother. Just get used to it... Let's just go and see the martial arts. Uncle Xu is also a Jianghu man. …”

Xu Danqing sighed: "What's so interesting about the younger generation's fighting? That's all. Let me go with you. Don't blame uncle if you can't draw it..."

Then he took out the oil-paper umbrella from the house and closed the door.

The two walked through the neighborhoods together, and after arriving at the imperial city, they found Song Baiqing who had entered the palace. Under Song Baiqing's leadership, they came to the verandah on the side of Tai Chi Palace.

It was still early, and there were still umbrellas and chairs arranged outside the majestic Tai Chi Hall. The white jade square in front of the hall was spotless, with swords, guns, swords and halberds placed around it. Behind it was the grandstand, with several dragon flags planted on the fence of the grandstand. A lot of people had gathered by then, including civil and military officials, princes and ministers, but most of them were young ladies from wealthy families who came with their parents to join in the fun. Most of the people had no seats and could only stand.

Xu Danqing is very famous and belongs to the class of celebrities. At this time, people from Mo Danqing arrived in the imperial city and came to greet him politely. Song Yufu followed her father and uncle to the stands near the stands filled with celebrities and scholars. She leaned out of the fence and took a few glances. There were six of the seven vassal princes. In the direction where the Northern Qi envoys were sitting, there was a young man from the Imperial City carrying a sword. The person should be Zuo Yezi, who was sent by Northern Qi to call the formation.

Being far away, Song Yufu squinted her eyes and looked carefully. The young man was about twenty years old. He was wearing a black robe and had a feminine face. The hair is loose and only tied up with cloth ropes.

As the saying goes, etiquette begins with formal attire, and this "crown" refers to the hair crown. Strictly speaking, the Northern Qi Dynasty is also a native of the Central Plains, and its customs are exactly the same as those of Dayue. However, after Jiazi lost the Central Plains and was driven to Mobei, the men of the Northern Qi Dynasty all wore their hair disheveled to show that they did not forget the shame. They vowed not to raise their crowns until they regained the Central Plains. It has become a habit after Jiazi.

Song Yufu was not interested in warriors. After a quick glance, she moved her gaze to the left and right sides of the Tai Chi Hall. Unfortunately, she could not find any sign of Xu Buling. She sat down sadly and looked around in boredom, waiting...

Next to Taiji Palace, Changle Palace still looked deserted. Dark clouds obscured the sky, making the palace with only a few people even more deserted. Only a few maids walked around occasionally.

Xu Buling stood in the corridor of the Queen Mother's chamber, standing with his hands behind his hands and waiting quietly. Because he was attending a palace gathering today, he was dressed more formally. He wore a white gold-rimmed prince's robe with auspicious beasts outlined on it, a jade pendant hanging around his waist, and a crown between his hair. With a gold hairpin and a stern face, it seems that he is not angry and has a strong sense of authority.

Mrs. Lu was not interested in martial arts competitions and did not come with her today. She was still chattering with Ning Yu at home.

Thinking of this, Xu Buling felt a little funny. Mrs. Lu asked Ning Yuhe to be his master on a whim, but she seemed to regret it after returning home. Perhaps because she felt it was too hasty, she forced Ning Yuhe to stay at Xiao's house for a few days, probably for inspection.

Xu Buling was still worried about how to contact Ning Yuhe, but the result was good. He couldn't even see Ning Yuhe after returning home. It is estimated that Mrs. Lu would not be able to complete the inspection in less than ten days and a half.

Xu Buling didn't have any objections to this. He was happy without having to contact Ning Yuhe, and of course he had no intention of actively looking for him.

Today there is a competition in the imperial city, and the Queen Mother will go there to watch it later. She invited him a few days ago, so he naturally came over early. He thought he could be alone with the Queen Mother for a while, but he didn't expect there was a light bulb next to him.

In the verandah outside the palace, Young Master Xiao Ting, dressed in a yellow robe, holding a white jade folding fan, chattered endlessly:

"Old Xu, your martial arts skills are pretty good. Who do you think has a better chance of winning today? I bet Tang Jiu'er a thousand taels of silver on him to lose. This money is all my aunt's private money. I'm feeling very nervous right now. Please comfort my uncle. …”

Xu Buling came back to his senses and glanced at Xiao Ting. Because of the Queen Mother, he was now much more polite to Xiao Ting:

"Zuo Yezi studied under the Northern Qi State Master Zuo Qingqiu. Zuo Qingqiu's swordsmanship ranks among the top three in the Northern Qi Dynasty. The apprentices he taught are not bad. Tang Jiuer is the face of the Tang family, but the name of the Tang family's sword comes from a shady origin, and the actual background is far inferior. Other aristocratic families. I met Tang Jiuer last time. He is more conceited and difficult to win. Situ Huyu is much more stable."

Xiao Ting felt relieved immediately and patted his chest: "That's good, I feel relieved with your words..."

Xu Buling was a little helpless: "Dayue and Northern Qi competed. If the person you bet on Dayue loses, wouldn't it mean that he has more ambition?"

"Hey~" Xiao Ting waved his hand, as if he had come before:

"Don't you understand this? The person I bet on Dayue loses. If Tang Jiuer wins, he will feel happy after losing money. If Tang Jiuer loses, he will not feel happy but makes money. It can be said that it is a guaranteed profit without losing money. …”

"Then you should bet on Situ Huyu for the finale..."

"If I take Situ Huyu, I will lose money without any suspense. What's the point of playing... These one thousand taels are to buy rouge for my aunt. If I lose..."

"Xiao Ting!"

While he was speaking, a trembling scolding sounded from behind.

Xiao Ting jumped three feet in the air, held his head and said incoherently: "Auntie, I'm just kidding, I haven't spent any money, don't stew me..."

Xu Buring turned around and saw the Queen Mother standing under the eaves of the palace with her eyes wide open, looking like she hated the iron.

Because she was attending a formal occasion, the Queen Mother dressed extremely solemnly. She wore a red dress, a phoenix crown on her head, and a belt around her waist. Her gourd-like figure was fully displayed, but she was not at all frivolous and unrestrained, both inside and out. Beauty and elegance.

The Queen Mother was a little angry at first and wanted to let the palace maid pull Xiao Ting down to stew. After seeing Xu Buring turn around, her expression slowly softened and she just snorted lightly:

"It's not easy for me to save some money. If you take money from me all day long, why don't you ask your father for it?"

Xiao Ting's face was full of horror, and he whispered: "Auntie, you live in the palace, it's useless to ask for money..."

snap

Xu Buling raised his hand and slapped Xiao Ting on the forehead.

Xiao Ting groaned, still a little innocent: "Xu Buling, why are you beating me? My aunt is standing here, how could it be that you don't even pay attention to the Queen Mother..."

The Queen Mother's face turned red with anger. If she hadn't finally packed up her clothes, she would have gone up to Xiao Ting in person.

Xu Buling couldn't stand these idiots, so he stepped forward with a smile and said, "Queen Mother, it's almost time, I'll send you there."

As the saying goes, 'I'm afraid of comparison,' but the Queen Mother's comparison made her feel that God is not very discerning. She glared at Xiao Ting and said, "Get away as far as you can, or else I will go hang in the garden."

As if Xiao Ting had been pardoned, he turned around and ran away without saying a word.

Xu Buling secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He called the chariot with a smile and asked the Queen Mother to come up. Then he walked beside the chariot and headed to the Tai Chi Hall together...——

Two chapters of 6,000 words are equivalent to three chapters.

The plot behind is relatively big. Today I coded 17,000 words. I really can’t hold it anymore. I’ll make up for it after sorting it out during the day. If I haven’t sorted it out, it will be tomorrow.

The acknowledgments will be posted tomorrow.