Xiao Qinghuan

Jiang Ying waited for a long time with the carriage at the door, and it was not until noon that Jiang Xiaohan's figure appeared on the palace road in the distance.

When Jiang Xiaohan walked out of Zichen Palace, his mood had already changed.

When he entered the palace, he was still thinking about how to persuade Ning Zongyuan, but after walking around the Zichen Palace, he suddenly understood what Xie Yongming's words meant. .

Any double-dragon fight is a pretense.Ning Zongyuan has already taken a fancy to Ning Yan, since Ning Yan was raised in Prince Gong's Mansion; from Shuangzi Jianguo to Xie's family; even from Jiang Xiaohan's inspection of Liangjiang, he has been paving the way for Ning Yan.

The tangled schemes of civil and military affairs in the Manchu Dynasty are all a joke.

He closed his eyes, only feeling that Ning Zongyuan's words were still in his ears.

"Master Shaoguo suspects that Xie Yongming is in his prime, and the Xie family's army was picked up by their Xie family. I can't help but guard against it." Ning Zongyuan coiled the beads in his hand one by one, understating it, as if the Xie family was nothing worth mentioning Shrimp soldiers and crab soldiers.

"But the Xie family's army can't have no successors." The aged old emperor's eyes were cloudy, and he laughed twice: "I have to leave a sharp knife for my son, guard the country for him, and smooth out obstacles for him. "

"My son is thinking big and wants to interfere with my military power, I know it." Ning Zongyuan said: "But I also know that no matter what, for Xie Liuyi's sake, you will protect Xie Jue."

"It's just right to keep Xie Jue. His surname is Xie, and the Xie family's army will recognize him. But he is not strong enough to hold this knife steadily. If he wants to stand firm, he has to grow up step by step with his teeth gritted." Ning Zongyuan In a good mood: "But when he grows up and can lead Xie's army on his own, Ning Yan will have grown up too."

"Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that I will tell Xie Jue the truth?" Jiang Xiaohan couldn't help asking at that time.

"You won't." Ning Zongyuan smiled resolutely: "Ming Yuan, I watched you grow up. You know better than anyone else the feeling of 'involuntary'. Ning Yan is still young and has a good temperament. With you With Huaijin as an assistant, you will be a wise king in the future. In addition, Xie Jue is pure and kind-hearted, and will not take his anger out on him... If you tell him, it will only cause him troubles. So after thinking about it, you will only think about these things Rotten in my heart."

Jiang Xiaohan remained silent.

Because what Ning Zongyuan said was not bad at all, he would just rot everything in his stomach - this is the best choice so far.

The noon sun fell on Jiang Xiaohan's body, but he only felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and his whole body was icy cold.He once thought that he was a chess player, but he was also a particle on the chessboard of others.

Ning Zongyuan was not asking for his opinion at all, everything today was a trial from beginning to end.If he was in the palace just now, and he had even a slight preference for Ning Yu, I am afraid that Ning Zongyuan would not tell him the truth.Ning Zongyuan will use his hands to deal with Wen Zui and He Liuyun, and at the last moment will get rid of him, a restless power minister, for Ning Yan.

At this point, Jiang Xiaohan finally understood what the "big gift" Xie Yongming was talking about - Xie Yongming personally asked him to settle the account on Ning Zheng, and committed suicide at such a juncture, which made Ning Yu suspicious of him.And when Ning Yu became suspicious, he would reveal his flaws.

In any case, Jiang Xiaohan would not want to be manipulated by others, and since he had a feud with Ning Zheng, he could only pin his hopes on the prince next to him.

——Xie Yongming tried his best to block two roads for him, leaving only one way out.

Jiang Xiaohan walked out along the palace road step by step, his legs were as heavy as lead, and when the palace people passing around stopped to salute him, he mostly just turned a blind eye.

How did Xie Yongming find out that something was wrong.Maybe it was when Ning Zongyuan sent someone to deliver the message, or maybe earlier, but Jiang Xiaohan has no way of knowing.

Jiang Xiaohan only knew that Xie Yongming and his son had two lives, one was to repay the debt owed by the Xie family to the Jiang family, and the other was what Xie Yongming called a "big gift" in exchange for him to protect Xie Jue.

Ning Zongyuan's meaning today is very clear - he will keep Xie Jue, but at best it will be a good-looking vase in Beijing. In the end, Xie Jiajun will break it up and hand it over to Ning Yan.

But this can't work, Xie Jiajun is loyal to His Majesty, and it's only natural to be a sword in His Majesty's hands, but Xie Jue can't just give up like this.

Jiang Xiaohan thought, he had to be worthy of Xie Yao and Xie Yongming's two unanimous "credibility".

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Xiaohan had already made up his mind.

He had to find a way to protect Xie Jue from going to the border, to protect him to make contributions in the desert, and to protect him from carrying Xie Yongming's flag of handsomeness.

Jiang Ying couldn't enter the palace, so she could only wait at the gate of the palace for Jiang Xiaohan to come out by herself.Seeing that Jiang Xiaohan's face was not looking well, he asked, "Master, are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Xiaohan shook his head to indicate that he was fine, and helped him get into the car by his hand.

The gate of the palace is not a place to talk, so Jiang Ying didn't ask any more questions. Jiang Xiaohan didn't knock on the door until the carriage reached the main road.

"Go back and tell Jiang Mo to deliver a message to Prince Gong's mansion."

Jiang Ying said: "Yes."

Although Prince Gong Ning Huaijin was crowned Prince and seemed to be a favorite, he was actually only 17 years old this year. He was about the same age as Xie Jue. He was still a half-old child and rarely interacted with courtiers in Beijing.

Jiang Xiaohan's every move is now watched by someone, and if he goes out casually, he will be interpreted into thousands of different meanings by interested people, so he naturally dare not go to see Ning Huaijin with great fanfare.So I just asked Jiang Mo to go cautiously with a famous post, and bluntly said that we would meet again after nightfall.

Ning Huaijin had obviously heard about the reputation of this lord Zuo Xiang for a long time, and she didn't hesitate when she saw his famous post, so she wrote a reply letter in response.

After nightfall, a low-key two-wheeled carriage stopped at the side entrance of Prince Gong's Mansion.The old housekeeper of the palace came up with a lantern and led Jiang Xiaohan into the courtyard.

The entourage behind Jiang Xiaohan was holding the child in his arms. The entourage looked young and was wearing a solid black suit. The hood covered most of his face, and only his slightly pointed chin was exposed.

The garden and furnishings of the Prince's Mansion are naturally much higher than those of the Prime Minister's Mansion. There are many plum trees planted in the garden, and it is estimated that they will bloom in more than a month.Jiang Ling obediently lay on Xie Jue's shoulder, his eyes were full of wandering eyes, everything he saw was fresh.

Before seeing Ning Huaijin, Jiang Xiaohan first met Ning Yan who was raised in the palace in the garden.

Ning Yan is about the same age as Jiang Ling this year, probably due to the support of Jingui, who is half a head taller than Jiang Ling.He was holding a delicate little sword in his hand, and he was gesticulating in the garden in style.

Jiang Xiaohan stopped and signaled Xie Jue behind him to put Jiang Ling down.

Ning Yan had obviously seen the group of them, and was looking at them curiously as he put away his sword.

Jiang Xiaohan stepped forward to salute: "I have seen His Highness Six."

Ning Yan was wearing a tight-colored dress, he was beautiful and pleasing, his cheeks were slightly pimple, and his skin was fair, like a snowy and tender little white dumpling.

Xiaobai Tuanzi looked at Jiang Xiaohan curiously, although he didn't know him, he didn't show timidity: "Who are you?"

The palace attendant beside Ning Yan was about to come up to introduce him, Jiang Xiaohan lifted his robe and knelt on the ground first, so that Ning Yan didn't have to look up at him.

Jiang Xiaohan said gently: "Your Highness has never met the minister, and the minister's name is Jiang Xiaohan."

"I've heard of you." Ning Yan raised her face slightly and said with a smile, "Lord Zuoxiang."

"Your Highness is smart." Jiang Xiaohan also smiled: "I just saw that Your Highness made some mistakes in sword practice, so I don't know if I can have the audacity to give some pointers."

Ning Yan's eyes lit up.

It's not that he hasn't met other adults, it's just that most of the civil servants in Beijing are similar, either treating him politely or turning a blind eye to him.Occasionally, as long as enlightened gentlemen saw him practicing swords, they would hide away from him for fear of getting hurt. Afterwards, they would complain to Ning Zongyuan, saying that a rich body should not be addicted to martial arts, which is very boring.

Ning Yan was delighted in his heart, and he couldn't help showing three points on his face.He nodded his head pretending to be steady, and kept glancing at Jiang Xiaohan.

"Naturally."

"I'm offending you." Jiang Xiaohan said as he bent down slightly and reached out to hold Ning Yan's wrist. Young children often make mistakes when practicing swords, and they only use their wrists to control the sword.In this way, although the sword energy seems to be powerful, but the foundation is not stable, and the sword body is easy to deflect.

Jiang Xiaohan carefully helped Ning Yan rub the muscles on his arm and taught him how to hold a sword.

Jiang Ling was holding Xie Jue's leg and hid behind him, only showing his eyes to stare at Ning Yan. After watching for a long time, he didn't seem to feel that Ning Yan had more noses and fewer eyes than others, and gradually he was no longer afraid. Jue moved out behind him step by step.

Jiang Ling came to Jiang Xiaohan's side, stretched his neck to look, and suddenly said: "My father is amazing. My arm hurts after practicing swords, and my father cured it."

Ning Yan looked at her upon hearing the sound, Jiang Ling blinked, and tilted his head to look at Ning Yan.Ning Yan's clothes are exquisite, and she is also handsome. In addition, she doesn't have the arrogance of the royal relatives, so she looks cute and courteous.Jiang Ling hadn't seen a child of the same age for a long time, so he was so happy that he wanted to hold Ning Yan's hand.

Jiang Xiaohan hurriedly let go of Ning Yan, pulled Jiang Ling and shook his head at her: "Don't be rude, call yourself Your Highness."

"It's okay." A warm voice came from behind: "Your Highness may not have seen children of the same age for a long time, let them play."

Jiang Xiaohan got up and turned around, only to find that Ning Huaijin had walked into the garden at some point.

The other party was wearing dark green clothes, but he didn't look young and old at all, on the contrary, he added a bit of extravagance for no reason.

Jiang Xiaohan and Ning Huaijin had met on several occasions, mostly during palace banquets or autumn hunting.I don't know if it's because he started the house at a young age, the young man has a calmness that doesn't match his age, compared with Xie Jue, he seems to be a generation behind.

"Prince." Jiang Xiaohan said: "Come here late at night, I'm bothering you."

"It's okay." Ning Huaijin stretched out his hand and said, "They are playing here, let's talk in the flower hall."

Jiang Xiaohan readily agreed.

After the tea was finished drying in the flower hall, Ning Huaijin spoke first, "I think I know a little about the purpose of my lord's visit today. It's just that my lord may not know that Yan'er has been by my side since two years ago. It's just a recent news. It’s all just released... I’m exaggerating, it’s also considered a kindness to him in nurturing him, I regard him as a close relative, and I don’t want him to walk on that thorny road.”

Jiang Xiaohan was taken aback—Ning Huaijin didn't know that Ning Zongyuan had already chosen Ning Yan.

"My lord Xu didn't know that the Third Highness was benevolent and virtuous, and there was no hope of reunification." Jiang Xiaohan said: "Tomorrow, His Majesty will go to court in person and crown the Third Highness as king."

This seal of the king is to tell the world that he has no possibility of succession.Ning Huaijin was in the royal family, so he naturally understood these twists and turns, and he frowned slightly, showing a look of embarrassment.

Jiang Xiaohan said again: "Let's not mention the temperament of His Highness the Fourth, whether he can treat his brothers well after he ascends the throne... The prince has never thought about why His Majesty keeps His Highness the Sixth by your side."

Ning Huaijin obviously thought about it, he sighed: "To be honest, I have also thought about this matter, the emperor's brother handed over Yan'er to me, maybe there is another meaning... But Yan'er after all Too young, how could Brother Huang make such an idea."

Not only Ning Huaijin, Jiang Xiaohan himself couldn't figure this out either.For Jiang Xiaohan, Ning Yan was chosen because the remaining two sons could not be emperors, but not for Ning Zongyuan. He seemed to be optimistic about Ning Yan from the very beginning, so that he could raise and abolish the remaining two sons for him.

Ning Zheng and Ning Yu were never in Ning Zongyuan's consideration, they were just a sharpening stone on Ning Yan's way to the throne.

"I can't figure out what your majesty wants, and no one can figure it out. Naturally, a minister just obeys orders." Jiang Xiaohan shook his head: "I came here today to ask the prince for something."

It is a big taboo to talk shallowly and deeply. Jiang Xiaohan does not want to talk too much about Ning Zongyuan with Ning Huaijin, and the other party does the same.

Jiang Xiaohan's face has always been easy to use in Beijing, and Ning Huaijin just smiled and said: "My lord is straightforward."

The entourage behind Jiang Xiaohan suddenly stepped forward and pulled down the hood covering his head—it was Xie Jue.

Ning Huaijin was shocked.

"This matter has nothing to do with the government." Jiang Xiaohan said seriously: "I am here to beg the prince today, please take Xie Jue and Jiang Ling in temporarily."

Ning Huaijin was dumbfounded: "This—"

"The sky in this court is about to change, and the prince knows in his heart that no one can be alone." Jiang Xiaohan said: "This world needs a wise king, but your highness is young, and the power of one person is weak... I am willing to fight for your highness. "

Ning Huaijin quickly came back to his senses. He bit his lip and thought for a moment before he reluctantly said: "I'm really sorry about the Xie family. I can only promise my lord to keep him in the mansion. As for others I'm just an idle prince, there's nothing more I can do."

Jiang Xiaohan knew that Ning Huaijin would agree to him.Ning Huaijin also experienced experience in the frontier before becoming king a few years ago, and had friendship with Xie Jiajun. Although this friendship is not deep, it is still easy to change.

Jiang Xiaohan couldn't keep Xie Jue and Jiang Ling by his side - as soon as the morning dawned, there would be a bloody storm in the court.Ning Zongyuan's confession was conditional. Jiang Xiaohan had to stand by Ning Yu's side and help Ning Yan clean up the current filthy court.What's more, with him and Ning Zongyuan around, Ning Yan is already an undisputed emperor. If Xie Jue wants to gain a firm foothold in the Xie family's army, so as to prevent Xie's family from suffering from the emperor's suspicion again, he must start with Ning Yan.

Ning Zongyuan was afraid that Ning Huaijin would plot against Ning Yan if he knew his intentions, and wanted them to develop a relationship first, which would make Jiang Xiaohan cheaper.Ning Huaijin's status meant that he could only assist Ning Yan in the future, but he could not work for Ning Yan in the current court.Jiang Xiaohan made up for this gap, and maybe he could exchange some of Ning Huaijin's gratitude.

Ning Huaijin is open-minded and gentle, with a word from him, Jiang Xiaohan has a place to retreat.

When Jiang Xiaohan came, he was dragging his family with him, but when he went out, there was only one person left.The old butler was afraid that he might not be able to see the way when it was dark, so he replaced him with a new lantern.

There was a thin layer of frost on the bluestone steps in front of the palace gate, and when one stepped on it, it split like a spider's web.

Layers of dark clouds piled up, and the waning moon was trapped in the circle formed by the clouds. The moonlight was completely swallowed by the surrounding dark clouds. Looking up, only a dim circle of light could be seen.

It's going to snow.