Spring Breeze Crossing Guanshan

Chapter 29

The guard of honor of Champion Hou passed slowly through the streets of Chang'an City. In normal winter, there would be no one around outside at this time, but when Champion Hou entered the city today, the streets were full of people who wanted to see Da Zhou. The people with the true face of the unrivaled prince stretched their necks, whispering and watching the convoy firmly guarded by Zhou Xingwei. The golden sword above the leading black chariot was particularly dazzling in the cold wind.

Guan Junchen closed his eyes expressionlessly, and folded his hands in the sleeves of his robe.

Although he seemed to be resting his eyes with his eyes closed, his slanted sword eyebrows seemed to be covered with a faint layer of frost.

As soon as he entered Chang'an City, Guan Junchen became very silent, even Yan Chunxi couldn't say a few words to him.

Yan Chunxi didn't want to bother Guan Junchen, so he just quietly raised a corner of the brocade curtain and looked outside——

This is the official road that Guan Junchen said is enough for nine carts to go parallel... The setting sun at dusk shone on the bluestone slab, and the shattered frost and snow fell on it, and was soon trampled into mud by the guards in iron armor with military boots.

The common people stood on both sides, perhaps because the road was too wide, he could hardly see their expressions clearly.

Yan Chunxi took a breath cautiously, this is Chang'an... He couldn't help turning his head again, looking at Guan Junchen who was silent at the side.

At this moment, the chariot suddenly stopped slowly, only to hear an announcement from outside: "My lord, your mansion has arrived."

Guan Junchen opened his eyes, raised the hem of his brocade robe without saying a word, and stepped off the chariot with one step.

Yan Chunxi followed behind him, and after getting off the car, he saw a huge and magnificent mansion standing in front of him, between the two stone lions was a vermilion gate, and the three characters "Ning Wangfu" hung above his head.

While the servants were busy setting up Guan Junchen's things in the mansion, Guan Junchen also hurried into the inner house, as if he had something to deal with.

Yan Chunxi was a little at a loss, he just stood in the porch of the vestibule in a daze.

At this time, he suddenly saw Cheng Yixuan wearing a white robe coming down from the carriage behind and standing in the vestibule.

The young man seemed to be unable to bear the cold wind, and kept shivering, but he just stood there and didn't leave.

What is he waiting for?

Yan Chunxi couldn't help being a little puzzled, and waited for a long time, until Yan Chunxi couldn't help but want to leave, and suddenly saw Cheng Yixuan move.

I saw the young man's face looking in the direction of the gate, and there seemed to be a flash of light in his eyes from a distance. Yan Chunxi followed his gaze and found that it was Wang Jinzhi.

Obviously, Wang Jinzhi had just settled the things outside before he stepped into the door, shaking off the snowflakes from the hem of his long gown, and did not see Cheng Yixuan.

And Cheng Yixuan stood trembling in the snow for so long and finally saw Wang Jin, but he didn't go up to speak.The young man just lowered his head, smiled faintly in satisfaction, then turned around and hurriedly walked back to the inner courtyard.

He did it just to see it.

Yan Chunxi's eyes were a little perplexed, he vaguely felt that there were many inexplicable things hidden in the scene just now.

And when Cheng Yixuan turned around and walked away like this, he suddenly saw - it turned out that on the other side, in the corridor far away from Cheng Yixuan, there was a figure quietly watching all this.

Night fell unconsciously, and Yan Chunxi couldn't tell who that person was among the graceful snow shadows, but he could feel with an intuition that the person had been standing there watching for a long time.

Perhaps it was because the snow in Chang'an was so cold that Yan Chunxi shivered unconsciously.

For some reason, he felt that Chang'an—everything inside and outside the mansion made him very uneasy.

Yan Chunxi couldn't help tightening his clothes, turned around and walked in, he asked the servants, and only then did he find this study in Prince Ning's Mansion.

After opening the door and entering, Yan Chunxi vaguely felt relieved when he saw Guan Junchen who was sitting in front of the desk, holding a brush and contemplating.

At this time, he didn't care about disturbing or not, so he walked over quickly and hugged Guan Junchen's neck in a cold wind.

Guan Junchen was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but put down the pen in his hand.

Yan Chunxi snuggled into his arms, Guan Junchen had no choice but to lower his head, he looked at the young man in his arms, his frowning brows slightly eased, then he reached out and gently stroked Yan Chunxi's kitten-like cool face.

He sighed, picked up the teacup with ginger slices on the side, half-feeding and half-coaxing Yan Chunxi to take a sip, and then said in a hoarse voice: "Chang'an is not as cold as Jinling, it's bitingly cold, don't freeze—you know?" .”

"En." Yan Chunxi leaned into Guan Junchen's arms, hesitated for a moment before softly saying: "Brother Cheng, I feel a little confused... Just now, I saw Mr. Cheng."

He wanted to endure it, but being hugged so tightly by Guan Junchen, he couldn't bear the desire to have a good talk with Guan Junchen.

But there were too many things entangled in his mind, the matter of Zhou Yingdi and Cheng Yixuan, as soon as he spoke, he suddenly felt that it was not appropriate to speak about Cheng Yixuan and Wang Jinzhi just now, so he couldn't help but pause.

"I brought Cheng Yixuan and Shuanglin to Chang'an to avoid people's eyes and ears. I have no other thoughts. You don't have to think about it."

Guan Junchen obviously misunderstood what Yan Chunxi meant when he mentioned Cheng Yixuan at this time, even though it was the situation at this time, he still patiently explained something calmly.

"I, I didn't mean that, it's just..." Yan Chunxi couldn't help but stumbled to explain, but then he felt that it was inappropriate to talk more about Cheng Yixuan.

He just raised his head and rubbed Guan Junchen's chin lightly, and said in a low voice: "I'm so confused, I want to help my brother, but I'm really useless, I, I'm very annoyed."

As the young man said this, a trace of sadness that had been borne for a long time but was finally uncontrollable floated in those clear almond eyes.

Now, how could he be willing to bother Guan Junchen with these messy things.

He had said a lot of beautiful words before, he said something to grow up, he thought so well, but who can wait for him.

Emperor Zhou Ying will not wait, and neither will the turbulent plots and current events.

He doesn't know martial arts, and he is not a minister who can play an important role in the court.

As soon as he entered Chang'an, the crisis hit his face like this storm, and he couldn't stop it no matter what.

Only now did he realize how useless he was.

He watched Guan Junchen's complexion becoming more and more serious along the way, he had rarely shown a smile, and his cheeks also faintly showed signs of weight loss.

He only hated himself for being a little arrogant, but he really only had that little ability to pamper and serve him.

He can't help Guan Junchen, he is so redundant, even acting like a baby is awkward.

Guan Junchen shook his head, he understood what the young man was thinking, of course he didn't think Yan Chunxi was useless, but he couldn't comfort him at this moment.

He touched the young man's forehead, hesitated for a moment, and still said in a low voice with some bluntness: "Xi'er, you are tired, I'll ask someone to take you back to your room, let's sleep for a while."

Yan Chunxi bit his lower lip, but then stood up obediently and nodded obediently.

Guan Junchen rubbed his forehead tiredly, he knew that sending the boy away like this at this time was really hurtful.

If possible, he would of course be willing to hold the boy in his arms, patiently tell him everything about this place, and tell Yan Chunxi that he is the most willing person in the world to wait for him to grow up, but he doesn't have the slightest effort now.

At this moment, he was in danger in this city of Chang'an, and every step he took, he might lose everything.

All he thought about in his mind was about his wealth, and he was really unable to distract himself from the romance. When he picked up the writing brush in his hand again, Wang Jinzhi knocked on the door suddenly and walked in.

"My lord, there's a letter from the palace—"

Upon hearing this, Guan Junchen and Yan Chunxi couldn't help turning their heads to look at Wang Jinzhi.

"The Holy Majesty is ill and said that he will not be able to see you tonight."

When Wang Jinzhi said this, he took another step forward, paused for a moment before lowering his voice and said: "My lord, the letter from our people from the palace said that almost all the famous doctors in the Taiyuan Hospital have entered the palace this afternoon. I'm racking my brains for Lord Xia, so it's not surprising that I don't see you."

After Guan Junchen heard this, although he didn't respond, the corners of his mouth were slightly curled up.

He put down his pen, and looked out of the window with a pair of Danfeng eyes gloomy.

At that moment, he seemed to vaguely look at the inner garden of the palace city of the Great Zhou Emperor through the layers of palaces——

Tonight is the time when the snow-breaking tide is poisonous. Is his imperial brother also guarding Lord Xia's side?

……

The heavy snow in Chang'an has not stopped, and in the middle of the night in the Great Zhou Palace, the magnificent Chengming Palace facing south is still brightly lit.

Eunuchs and maids of honor shuttled in and out of the vermilion palace, and more than a dozen imperial physicians in dark blue court uniforms also stood in front of the main palace and discussed in low voices.

Everyone's face was solemn, and even their voices were deliberately lowered when they spoke, the atmosphere was really abrupt.

Chengming Palace is the emperor's residence. According to common sense, if there is such a situation that alarms the entire imperial hospital, it must be because Emperor Zhou Ying's dragon body is ill.

But at this time, under the white marble corridor of Chengming Palace, there stood a tall figure in a bright yellow robe inlaid with dragon patterns.

Emperor Zhou Ying stood in front of the corridor with his hands behind his back, looking intently at the snow falling outside the corridor. A gust of cold wind blew by, and although his sleeves were blown up, he didn't respond in any way.

The chief executive Wen Jiannan had stood behind and hesitated for a long time, and finally stepped forward cautiously and said, "Your Majesty, it's cold at night, it's easy to catch cold standing here, you'd better go back to the hall—"

Emperor Zhou Ying stood still, without the slightest intention to speak.

Seeing this, Wen Jiannan had no choice but to salute, and didn't dare to say more, bowed and retreated to the dark place.

Emperor Ying of Zhou was afraid of the cold, and he almost needed a car when he went out in winter, but now he was standing in the midwinter's cold wind, frost and snow, how could it not make Wen Jiannan and his servants worry.

But they also know that tonight is really different, the person who is lying in Chengming Palace's bedroom at this moment is not the Empress of Great Zhou, nor other concubines, but just a courtier of the fifth rank.

Of course, this is not in line with Zhou etiquette, but the meaning of the emperor is the biggest rule.

At this time, the old doctor Yan, the head of the imperial hospital, came up slowly. He stood behind Emperor Zhou Ying and saluted respectfully, before saying in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I have discussed with several imperial physicians for a long time, and it is over. It can be concluded that Master Xia's body at this time is undoubtedly Duanxuetide. This poison is a strange poison in the world. It was brought by the old man Hanmi from outside the pass a hundred years ago, but it only appeared in the Central Plains for a few months, and then disappeared. Now only I am afraid that there are very few people in the world who know about this poison, and there are few records about this poison in the imperial palace, and there is no way to find an antidote. An antidote can be developed, but now the situation is urgent..."

"Is he okay?"

Emperor Zhou Ying suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Master Xia, he..."

When Imperial Physician Yan talked about Xia Baimei, he couldn't help lowering his head slightly, sighed, and then continued: "Lord Xia, he is really hard to endure tonight. The snow-breaking tide is extremely vicious. When it occurs, it is like thousands of silver needles." The bone seams pierced deeply into the whole body are like stirring wantonly. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is heart-piercing. Master Xia has passed out several times just now, and the bedding is soaked in cold sweat. Get over it."

"When the pain was so severe, Lord Xia scratched his arm bleeding, and bit his lips so bloody, the maids couldn't hold him down, and the ministers were powerless, so they had to tie Lord Xia's limbs tightly, mouth It was also stuffed with silk. I ask the emperor to forgive me for such an abrupt move. However, tonight is just the first time the snow-breaking tide broke out. If it happens again after seven days, I am afraid that Lord Xia will not wait until 49 days. ..."

"I……"

Emperor Zhou Ying stopped the conversation after only one word.

In the night, his tall figure involuntarily shook heavily, almost falling to the ground.

Both Wen Jiannan and Imperial Physician Yan turned pale with shock, and Wen Jiannan hurried up to support Emperor Zhou Ying: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, take care of the dragon body."

Zhou Yingdi shook his head, he stood up slowly, first waved his hand to signal Imperial Physician Yan to step back, then turned his head to look at Wen Jiannan.

"I want to ask you something."

Emperor Zhou Ying's voice was deep and deep, and in the quiet night, every word was extremely clear: "From your point of view, the martial arts of Prince Ning and Bai Suhan in his house - can these two people catch Xia Baimei together?"

Hearing this strange question, Wen Jiannan raised his head involuntarily, and when he met Zhou Yingdi's dark eyes, which were as deep as a pool of cold pools, he was startled for some reason. Dare to have any hesitation and thinking.

"According to my opinion," Wen Jiannan lowered his head slightly, and said softly, "Master Xia's martial arts are improving day by day, and now he has steadily entered the top ten list of masters in the university. Among the tiger and crane double-shaped kung fu, the tiger Strong and fierce in shape, light and nimble in crane shape, Lord Xia has profound attainments in crane shape and excellent lightness kung fu. Prince Ning and Bai Suhan are both masters in the world, but even if they join forces, they can defeat Lord Xia, but—I'm afraid they can't capture him. "

Zhou Yingdi stared at Wen Jiannan, and after a long time, he actually showed a cold smile.

"I think so too."

……

It snowed heavily for several days, and the entire city of Chang'an was shrouded in a vast expanse of whiteness.

When the sky was still dark that day, a chariot slowly passed by the official road until it reached Guang'an Gate, the first outer city of the imperial city. No one in the chariot came down, and only sent people to negotiate with the guards. After a few words, he drove straight in.

If the pawns and peddlers who watched from afar had some knowledge, they would immediately know that this was an official of the second rank and above of the Great Zhou Dynasty court.

The chariot passed two more palace gates before finally stopping in front of Zhengyang Gate.

When it was close to Mao, most of the courtiers were already standing in front of Zhengyang Gate and waiting for Emperor Zhou Ying to go to court. When they saw a chariot stopped, they couldn't help but looked at each other.

The official ranks of the Great Zhou Dynasty were very strict, and the honor of the county king was only second rank, and there were very few courtiers who were able to reach the second rank. All of them were high-ranking officials and extremely high-ranking ministers, and there were only a handful of people who lived in Chang'an for a long time. The time will be estimated, those who were present, those who were not present, and then think about the recent major events in Beijing, everyone guessed it in their hearts, and they already guessed that Prince Ning must have arrived.

As soon as the chariot stopped, one of the two gray-robed servants lifted up the curtain rolled in gold, while the other knelt down neatly on the ground.

The man in the chariot raised the hem of his robe and stepped on the shoulders of the attendants, a pair of black military boots were firmly on the ground.

"See Prince Ning—"

When the ministers saw the person coming down from the chariot, they all bowed slightly and respectfully performed the ceremony.

Guan Junchen didn't speak, but he still nodded his head in return.

I saw him wearing a purple upper third grade gown with wide sleeves and a large skirt, and a light gray fox fur coat.

A head of black hair was gathered into a tall martial arts crown, a bright jade was hung on a gold and jade belt around his waist, black boots and white socks.After standing still for a while in the white snow, a graceful fragrance of incense wafted from the body.

His expression was quite cold, when he raised his head slightly, and looked at the three big characters "Zhengyangmen" that opened and closed vertically and horizontally in the middle of his head, the look in his pair of Danfeng eyes couldn't help but become more gloomy.

——He has not been to this Great Zhou Dynasty Hall for many years.

He immediately looked away, glanced in the direction of the officials, and only paused on a few of them.

Guan Shanyue still looked lazy, Guan Junchen had a tacit understanding with him, even though he only took a quick look, he could tell that this childhood friend was not as relaxed as he seemed.

Tan Menglin, Shaoqing of Dali Temple, stood beside Guan Shanyue, standing upright with his hands behind his back. When he looked at Guan Junchen, his eyes were quite complicated.

Guan Junchen hadn't seen Tan Menglin for many years. He was born in poverty, but he was talented and talented.

Guan Junchen had a deep impression on him. In the palace examination that year, although he was sitting high beside the late emperor, he could still see Tan Menglin at a glance among the students in the palace.

This person has thin eyebrows and red lips, and his appearance can be said to be extremely beautiful.But there is no trace of delicate and feminine, which is all because of the pair of long and narrow dark eyes - clear, but with a bit of bitterness.

At that time, Tan Menglin's civilian clothes had already been patched several times, but there was no trace of embarrassment on his face, and there was still no trace of nervousness in front of the emperor.

The first emperor wanted to test him, so he talked about Legalism in public, and he talked eloquently for two cups of tea.The people who spoke did not blush, but the people who listened were thirsty.

No one else is the champion.

When Guan Junchen was still young and absurd at that time, when discussing with the late emperor, he also strongly recommended Tan Menglin. Among the reasons for this recommendation, [-]% of the reasons for his recommendation were talent and learning, and [-]% because of his beauty.

Later, he also tried Tan Menglin a few times, but this man really had the pride and coldness washed in the cold pool, and he didn't buy it at all.

Guan Junchen is romantic by nature, but he doesn't like to be entangled. Seeing that Tan Menglin is dedicated to serving as an official, he also knows from the bottom of his heart that Tan Menglin is really talented and has a strong character, so he doesn't care about the past accusations of being face-saving, and supports him with all his strength.As time passed, he gradually took this number one scholar under his wing.

I haven't seen him for many years now. Although Tan Menglin is still in his 30s, his cold eyes and straight back have not changed in the cold wind, but his face has become a little haggard.

The young man who talked about Legalism in the palace examination back then has now become the Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and he is only one step away from being in charge of one of the three divisions.

It's just that this Dali Temple still has some dignity in the court affairs, but it is open to discussion.

The traitor Pingnan Wang Guan Chengkun was imprisoned in Chang'an. Such a major case should have been tried by the three divisions and checked carefully.

However, under the rule of Emperor Zhou Ying, Wuyi Lane should only listen to the heavens and handle cases beyond the rules. Once a major treason case is involved, Dali Temple is like a fake. In recent years, Tan Menglin has repeatedly mentioned it in the correspondence with Guan Junchen, and he is extremely dissatisfied.

Guan Junchen entered Beijing this time, although the court is still quite powerful, but the situation in Chang'an is delicate at this time, and few people dare to visit the mansion directly, but Tan Menglin seems to have no taboo, Guan Junchen sent a greeting card on the second day after entering Beijing .

Guan Junchen knew that he was pure and straightforward, but he still excused himself because he was unwell.

In the past few days, he was always worried in the mansion.

When he entered the capital this time, he already had the intention of being insecure, and if he could, he only wanted to take Yan Chunxi with him and retreat.

But every time I think about Tan Menglin and other officials in the court who have been attached to him for several years, I can't help feeling depressed. If he retreats, what will happen to these people?

At this moment, only three crisp sounds of cleaning whips came from the palace.

"The emperor has arrived, all the ministers have entered the court—"

The officials lined up in two rows according to their official status, and slowly walked into the Zhengyang Gate.

The first ray of sunlight in winter shone down, and the white marble steps that stretched for nearly ten meters became more and more translucent. At first glance, it looked like solid ice condensed in this cold sky and snow.

Guan Junchen raised his head along the long stairs, looking at the palace that was almost covered in clouds and mist.

He is the prince of the current dynasty, only under the third prince, so naturally he stepped up first.

Changming Hall.

The real power center of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Guan Junchen stood in front of this magnificent palace, paused slightly, and then stepped in gently.

According to the rituals of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the courtiers were allowed to look up at the emperor after they kowtowed first.

After waiting for all the officials to enter the hall, Guan Junchen lifted up his court clothes, and immediately knelt down together with the other officials.

"Your servants will see my emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live, long live."

"Pingshen—"

When Guan Junchen got up again, he raised his head, and he finally saw the face of his imperial brother.

Emperor Zhou Ying wore a bright yellow dragon robe and sat on a high dragon chair.

His eyes, like a cold pool, were staring at Guan Junchen at the same time, and at this moment, neither Guan Junchen nor Zhou Yingdi's eyes moved in the slightest.

They have come here step by step, and there is really no need to hide anything.

The days when I was studying and playing with the prince together, and we also went out to the palace for spring and autumn hunting together, such a good spring, such a pair of brothers, will never return after all.

"My brother received the order a month ago, and he never dared to delay for a moment. He rushed to Chang'an, but the journey is long, and he only entered Beijing in winter. Please don't blame the emperor."

"What's the matter, Prince Ning, I called you to Beijing urgently, and you were exhausted all the way."

Emperor Zhou Ying's voice was deep and deep, and he was still staring at Guan Junchen, but he didn't mention the so-called summoning at all in his sentence, but said lightly: "Chang'an is no better than Jinling, it's extremely cold in season, you should pay attention to your body. The house in the middle of the capital, live Are you still used to it?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, my brother is fine in Beijing, but the day I first entered Beijing, Your Majesty's dragon body was not feeling well, I wonder if it's all right now?"

"I had a cold wind that day, and nothing else was a problem, but I had a terrible headache that night, and I even missed the banquet with Prince Ning."

Guan Junchen observed Zhou Yingdi's expression carefully, but he couldn't see anything unusual.

The two of them clearly knew in their hearts that thanks to the snow-breaking tide he set, Xia Baimei must have experienced a night of torment in Chengming Palace three days ago.

Xia Baimei was in such pain that Emperor Ying of Zhou had no choice but to cancel all the banquets that had been planned, knowing that it was wrong.

Guan Junchen could almost be sure that Xia Baimei was the only concern in this world in his brother's heart who had almost no mortal feelings.

However, during today's probing, Guan Junchen had no way of seeing the slightest trace on the emperor's face, as if that night, Emperor Zhou Ying really just fell ill due to the wind.

Guan Junchen suddenly felt a gust of cold wind blowing past his heart.

He gathered the sleeves of his robe, and glanced slightly back at Tan Menglin on the right.

And that person didn't seem to need him to mention it, he had already stepped forward, bowed and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I handed in the memorial two days ago. Regarding the case of Pingnan Wang Guan Chengkun, the traitor has now been arrested in Phoenix. After several months in prison, Wu Yixiang still can't produce half of the files, and if there is no evidence, he will be convicted, which is inconsistent with the law. The rebellion of the emperor's relatives is a shocking case, and if you don't act cautiously, it will be even more contrary to human relations!"

"I invite the emperor to order Wuyixiang to transfer the traitor Guan Chengkun to the prison of Dali Temple, and then follow the law of the Great Zhou—the three departments work together to investigate and deal with it, and order the three princesses to interrogate!"

Guan Chengkun has been imprisoned for several months, but he has been unable to convict him for so long. This is something that is inconsistent with etiquette and law, and there have been many discussions in the court.It's just that everyone knows that this matter is too sinister, and it involves Prince Ning who is about to enter Beijing. Naturally, no one wants to get involved in such a sinister vortex when the situation is unknown.

The huge Changming Palace was extremely quiet at first, but Tan Menglin's words sounded like a sharp sword flashing with a biting cold light, and it made the sound of being drawn out of its sheath with a clang.

Although he was asking the emperor to order Wuyixiang every sentence, but no one in the court of the Great Zhou Dynasty knew that the birdyixiang only obeyed the will of Zhou Yingdi, and the will of Zhou Yingdi was the will of Wuyixiang——

Tan Menglin's melody is really clearly pointing to the Great Zhou Emperor!