Between the vast sea of ​​clouds

Qingping only felt that she slept very soundly that night. When she woke up, it was still snowing outside, and the candles in the room had already been extinguished.She suddenly remembered that she was going to find someone to repair the door today, so she quickly got dressed and went to do it.This is the troublesome part of having no one to serve you, you have to do everything yourself.Fortunately, she has been used to being served by others in recent years as an official, but she has not lost her ability to live alone in the past. She went to the street to find a repairman on light snow, and bought two new winter clothes.Seeing someone selling charcoal on the side of the road, she thought it was cold in the house, so she bought a bag and asked someone to deliver it to the alley next to her house.

When she got home, she saw a few people standing in front of the door. They seemed to be very interested in the open yard, and they all gathered around to watch.Qing Ping was about to ask, when one of them suddenly turned around and said excitedly, "My lord, you are back!"

Mr. Li held his winter clothes in one hand and two bags of charcoal in the other, watching the steward of his house rushing towards him in a dazed way. The steward was in tears, seeing her was like seeing a relative.Seeing her appearance, she was extremely shocked, and said almost in fear, "Master... Sir?"

Qingping didn't know how she found it, looked at her, then at the things in his hand, hesitated for a while and asked: "You want it?"

Of course the manager doesn't want it, but she not only doesn't want it, but when she saw the courtyard, she begged Qingping to go back with a bitter face: "My lord, how can this place...be worthy of my status as a lord? How can my lord live here!"

She jumped angrily, sat on the stool calmly and said, "Why can't I live, don't you think I live well. This house was repaired by someone yesterday, and it looks fine to me."

The steward glanced at the room where she was sleeping, as if struck by lightning, he said urgently, "How can I sleep well! It's so cold in the room, how can an adult bear it when it gets colder!"

Qingping's ears were numb from her noise, and he couldn't avoid it, so he could only pretend that he didn't hear anything.Unexpectedly, the manager suddenly changed the subject, Qi Qi earnestly said: "My lord dislikes me for not doing well in the mansion. If my lord is not satisfied, I will resign and find a good one for my lord. Please go back, my lord." .”

Qingping really didn't want to go back. In her opinion, that place didn't belong to her, and she felt uncomfortable doing anything.But after the manager said that, she couldn't say anything, so she said something to comfort her, and insisted: "It's fine for me to live here, and I don't want to change it. You can go back."

She was so reticent, she said all the good and bad things about the matter, and left with a determined heart. Suddenly, she turned her head and said to Qingping: "Since your lord lives here, why don't I come here to take care of you?" After speaking, he hurriedly led the people away.Qingping thought it was wrong, but he didn't stop her, and watched the steward run away.

In the afternoon, the steward came with people. First, the door was replaced with new ones, and then all the old roof tiles were replaced with new ones. The yard was also painted and new furniture was bought.The small courtyard was completely new, and the caretaker was not only worried about the people, but even the old tree in the courtyard. She was worried about the cold winter, so she specially asked someone to wrap the tree around with straw rolls.She was so caring, Qingping thanked her first, and then said: "I won't be here in the future, if you don't want to be the manager anymore, just tell the person who ordered you to do it, she won't make it difficult for you."

The steward said in surprise, "What are you talking about, my lord? I—"

But the dodging eyes still betrayed her, Qingping knew that she had just come back, no matter how well-informed she was in charge, it was impossible to find out the next day, and if no one told her where it was, it was all up to her After inquiring, Na Qingping really admired him to the extreme.

As for who this person is, the answer is already coming out.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door, and someone went to open the door, and a middle-aged woman asked outside the door: "Excuse me, is Master Li there?"

Qing Ping went out from the house and saw a simple carriage parked outside the door, the woman saluted and said: "Lord Li, my master invites you to come to the house for a while." government.

Qingping was a little surprised what Yan Minghua asked her to do, so he ignored all the people in the courtyard and said to the woman: "If that's the case, then let's go."

When the first emperor was there, Qingping had heard people talk about the deeds related to this chief assistant several times, and he could not escape the word "greedy ink". This left a vague impression on Yan Minghua in Qingping's heart, probably because he loved money very much. , and so on, the place where she lives is also magnificent.

But when she arrived at the Yan Mansion and saw such an ordinary house, she was startled by the horror of what others said.So how did Yan Ge get such a notoriety back then? It's really puzzling.

She saw Yan Minghua in the study, Qingping remembered that some of her hair was black at the palace banquet, but now it was all white.Yan Minghua was reading the paperwork when he saw her coming and said, "Since you're here, sit down, you just arrived yesterday, didn't you?"

Qing Ping sat on the chair and replied: "Yes, the next official arrived at noon yesterday."

Yan Minghua put down the things in his hands, and seemed to be considering how to speak. After a while of silence, she said: "I already know about the affairs of Chenzhou. I have also read the two books you wrote to the cabinet before. What do you want to say?" Yes, what can’t be said, can be said.”

Qing Ping shook his head and said, "I don't have anything to say."

A smile appeared on Yan Minghua's old face, and she said: "You are indeed somewhat similar to your benefactor."

Qingping didn't know how to answer, but Yan Minghua obviously didn't need her to answer, and continued: "Speaking of which, I have to thank you, my disciple is the most stubborn, and she may not listen to many of the words I persuade her, but the words of others But I can hear a thing or two."

Qingping realized that she was talking about Yao Bin, and replied: "Ge Lao Liao praised you, Master Yao is humorous, and I get along very well with her."

Yan Minghua said: "What did she tell you about me?"

Qingping thought for a while and said, "It seems like he likes to tell jokes."

Yan Minghua clapped his hands and smiled, "Haha, I knew she would arrange me."

Qingping was silent for a while, and asked: "Is there something important that Elder Ge asked me to come?"

Yan Minghua sized her up carefully, and said, "Lord Li, you have been a minister for less than a year, but you have more paperwork than people who have been officials for more than ten years. This is considered a skill."

This was expected by Qingping, and she replied calmly: "They want to participate, and there is nothing I can do about it. If I didn't do anything to make them happy, then it's okay to let them get angry."

Yan Minghua really laughed this time: "This statement is new and rare. Master Li, in fact, not only you have been censored, but I have also been censored in several books. You see, what I am writing now is self-defense. The matter in Chenzhou has far-reaching consequences, and the aftershocks are still there. Now it is the end of the new year, and those admonishing officials are waiting for this opportunity. If they don’t participate now, when will they wait. It’s also interesting for them to participate in your crime. , I specially kept a few copies here, do you want to take a look?"

Qing Ping said: "It's the same whether you look at it or not. They refer to the lower officials just to say that I have done something wrong and committed a serious crime. But the lower officials never think that they have done anything wrong. If this is the case, why should they defend themselves? What is there to argue about. They can’t see the long-term future of what I do, they only see what is on the surface, so they easily condemn me and say that I must be wrong. But it may take many years. Someone will understand that I didn't do anything wrong, I just did what I needed to do."

Yan Minghua was a little surprised, nodded and said: "Yes, there are many things that are true. At that time, only a few people could understand it. It would take five or ten years for everything to show up. What you want to talk about is the new law. right."

Qingping nodded: "Exactly."

Yan Minghua said: "The blessings of a hundred generations, the merits of all ages, these are not achieved overnight. It is really difficult to use too fast or too slow. It must be like spring rain, moistening things silently. Now you are standing on the cusp of the storm, but for The people behind blocked the storm and let everyone know that the new law is not impossible to implement, and the system reform is not impossible. In this way, it is a great achievement. Inheritance from the past, but as you said, what you do today, I'm afraid it will take many years before anyone will understand."

Qing Ping knew what she meant by saying this, she was telling herself that in order to appease the vassal princes of the aristocratic family, as well as the anger of the defeated adults in the court, and let the new law be carried out safely, someone must sacrifice.

Both Yan Minghua and herself will be sacrificed.

Thinking of this, she actually admired the chief assistant a little bit. How could she give up the power and position that was at her fingertips, and maintain this kind of calm before facing the coming turmoil?So she asked: "Actually, Boss Ge doesn't have to do this, things may turn around."

Yan Minghua said, "A chief assistant still has some weight, doesn't it?"

Qingping understood, and nodded silently again.

Within five days, rumors started to spread in the court, saying that the incident in Chenzhou this year caused panic and uneasiness in many aristocratic families. His Majesty punished the chief assistant, Yan Minghua, and all the officials involved in the incident, in order to appease the aristocratic families.But just verbal punishment, one or two innocuous edicts, and a few months of salary, all of which could not satisfy the aristocratic family.The New Year's Eve is a good time for the censor and the censor to participate. Adults who can't be touched on weekdays have to obediently write a self-defense note at home as soon as the little censor participates. Invigorate the atmosphere and let those see what they can do.

After Qingping came back for a few days and hadn't rested his breath, he was hastily called to the Ministry of Rites.When she was not in the Ministry of Rites before, the bachelor who acted as the minister took sick leave last month, and the leisurely office of the Ministry of Rites was the busiest around the Chinese New Year. Unable to escape the fate of reading official documents, he was busy spinning among various departments without stopping for a moment.

Being busy has its advantages, at least there is no idle time.She was so tired that she fell asleep as soon as she touched the pillow at night. Good dreams and bad dreams had nothing to do with her, and she had no dreams until dawn.

If there was an errand to enter the palace, she would definitely push it to the servants or other officials of the Ministry of Rites. She thought she could hide until the new year, but she was afraid that something would happen. The matter of today had to be sent to the palace, and she couldn't shirk it.Even though she knew it was an excuse, she could only change clothes and enter the palace under the call.

Sure enough, she saw Chu Jun.

The beauty born of the cold wind can only be glimpsed at this season.The garden is full of red plums with different postures standing in the ice and snow, and the flowers are particularly bright.The heavy snow covered the flowers of Mozhi, and there was still a faint fragrance coming from under the snow.There are long corridors and palaces for appreciating plum blossoms in the garden, and the windows in the hall are much larger than other halls. Looking from the windows, you can see the pictures as the viewers stop and go, which is unique.

The palace man led her to a curtain door and left, Qingping opened the curtain and walked in, startled for a moment.There are no walls on all sides here, and the plum trees grow in the hall, as if someone moved the plum trees into the palace. The marble on the floor is also white, blending with the surrounding snow scene, and it is difficult to distinguish the boundaries.There was a small table in the center with a charcoal stove on it, and Chu Jun sat by the table and looked at her.

Qing Ping hadn't seen her for a long time, but when he looked at her from such a distance, he felt that she was both familiar and strange.She was wearing a moon white plain pattern robe, without a crown, only tied with a red ribbon.This is the dress of an ordinary woman in the folk, but she is not like an ordinary woman in any way.When Qingping walked in, Chu Jun pointed lightly and said, "Sit."

Qing Ping stood five steps away from her and saluted, "I dare not."

Chu Jun lowered his eyes and said, "There is nothing you dare not do."

Qingping hesitated for a while, walked over to sit in front of her, and Chu Jun poured her a cup of tea. Qingping's eyes fell on the cup, and before considering whether to drink it or not, he was attracted by the cup. For no other reason, this cup is crystal clear, as if it was carved from a piece of ice in the hazy water vapor.Chu Jun followed her gaze and said, "Like it?"

Qingping came back to his senses, and said in a low voice: "Don't dare."

Chu Jun's eyes slid across her face inch by inch, which was quite unspeakable.Qingping raised his head to meet her eyes, Chu Jun's deep eyes clearly reflected his own appearance, the two were so close, Qingping had no way to avoid it, and she said: "I dare not say it, but I still act so boldly." .”

The four words bold and reckless spoke from her lips and teeth with a kind of intimacy that made Qingping's scalp tingle, not only that, Chu Jun stretched out his hand, his fingers ran down her face, and stopped in front of the skirt.

Qingping just looked at her and didn't even move.

After a long while, Chu Jun suddenly smiled, flipped his wrist, and retracted his hand, only then did Qingping see a plum blossom petal between her two fingers, which fell lightly on the table.Qingping's shoulders loosened a little imperceptibly. Although the place is open on all sides, anyone who takes a peek will know it, but it is in the deep palace, in broad daylight, making such intimate actions and being seen by others. I can't tell.

She was thinking about what to say next, whether to tell Chu Jun about Chenzhou's affairs, but then she thought that she must already know, so why bother to say anything more by herself.Just as Qingping was thinking hard, she suddenly felt her hand touch something warm, she grabbed it subconsciously, and after she realized it, she almost overturned the table.

Chu Jun's eyes were full of smiles, but he looked at her seriously and said, "What's wrong with Aiqing?"

Qing Ping wanted to take back his hand, but Chu Jun grabbed it firmly, opened his fingers one by one, and pressed his palms together.Qingping couldn't say anything immediately, but Chu Jun said leisurely: "When you went to Chenzhou, you once asked me for a secret decree to act cheaply. What did you do with this secret decree?"

It turned out that he was waiting for her here, Qing Ping was half awake in an instant, thought for a while and replied: "I didn't do anything, the secret decree is still enshrined at the minister's home, if your Majesty wants to ask for it back, I will go back and get it." Of course This trip will definitely not enter the palace again.

She has a good idea here, how could Chu Jun not know.She has been dodged for many years, and she has rarely been avoided by people like this. An unspeakable feeling filled her heart. What Qingping didn't like, she had to say something, as if to stab her. I would rather see her panic than May such a distant duet be played.

In fact, she may not be able to distinguish what this feeling is. The intention may be good, but what she said is: "This secret decree is to protect you, but you use it to privately transfer the garrison and deceive the family. Even Yao Bin, the state official You also kept it in the dark."

Qingping coughed a few times, and said calmly: "Your Majesty said this? I originally thought that the meaning of the secret decree was to instruct the minister to act cheaply. Besides, Your Majesty took great pains to set up this situation, isn't it for today? The king's power is getting weaker, and he is also at odds with the family; the family has made up the owed taxes and returned the farmland. I don't know where I may have misunderstood your majesty, so I ask you to clarify."

It's one thing to do it yourself, but it's another thing to be pointed out by others.Qingping's words are equivalent to negating all the previous friendship between the two, and attributed the matter to government affairs, with a clear delineation of boundaries.Chu Jun was restless when he heard the words, and said coldly: "Since you understand, you should know that the overall situation is the most important thing in everything."

"The overall situation is the most important thing." Qingping repeated, chewing these words over and over again, "Yes, it is for the overall situation that His Majesty will sacrifice everything. This is where I am inferior, because no matter what, I can't do anything." To the point of indifference, like His Majesty watching with cold eyes."

After speaking, he felt his wrist tighten, Chu Jun's eyes had lost all smiles, and he said with a grim smile, "What do you mean...?"

Qingping already knew that she was the former Patriarch of Bahuang, and no one would know better than her what Bahuang was like.Bahuang took advantage of Chu Jun's power to expand, and acted even more recklessly, and Chu Jun also used Bahuang to clarify dissidents. This is mutual.Now that Xie's family has been ordered to die, in a sense, it is because they know too much and can no longer let it grow, so they are charged with colluding with the vassal king.

It is common for power to sway, but Qingping feels particularly chilled.It was like a game of chess. I thought she and Chu Jun were both pieces on the chessboard, but Chu Jun was the player.She couldn't help but wonder if those warm feelings in the past were also in her plan.This relationship is an illusion, everything is just for today.

Chu Jun didn't wait for her answer for a long time, his patience was almost exhausted, and seeing her lose his mind for a moment, the feeling of being out of control came again, like the mother's gaze that he could never get when he was young, the missing emotion It became a thorn in her heart, and made her even more unable to tolerate any negation.

Qingping was so worried about this matter that he had no time to take care of her. When he came back to his senses, he just felt a little dazed and didn't know where he was.Facing Shang Chu Jun's cold gaze, it was like ice and snow pouring on top of him in an instant, and his doubts in his heart became even worse.She opened her mouth to speak, but if she said those words at this time, she would feel extremely ridiculous.

Compared with the state affairs of the court and the country and the country, they are as light as falling plums falling on the clothes, and they disappear with a light flick.

This feeling that carried her past passionate love was too light and too low, so low that she couldn't help but look for her own shadow in Chu Jun's eyes, hoping that it was not her own wishful thinking.

But the matter has come to this point, is it wishful thinking, what does it matter?

She shook her head and said: "I don't have anything to say, please let your majesty let me out of the palace."

Before Chu Jun could speak, she got up and was about to leave, but she forgot that Chu Jun was still holding her hand. With such a movement, the table was overturned, and the charcoal stove also fell down and scattered all over the floor.Those two beautiful teacups rolled to one place by accident and leaned close together.

Now Chu Jun felt chilled, he held Qingping tightly and refused to let go, and said in a cold voice: "Speak clearly!"

Qingping was also angry, it was the villain who complained first, she had been holding her breath for a long time, at this time Chu Jun was provoked, she immediately turned around and said: "Your Majesty, you gave everything I have, you It doesn’t matter if you want to take it away, it’s not mine at all! But in your eyes, what am I?” She was about to go on, but she caught a glimpse of a familiar jade pendant around Chu Jun’s waist, her heart was shocked, and she stopped talking in an instant .

But the words have been said here, she suppressed the soreness in her eyes, held Chu Jun's hand instead, and said softly: "...Your Majesty, I have been kneeling for a long time, and I have to look up to see your face. Being a courtier is my duty. It should be so, but being a lover is really exhausting."

Chu Jun gasped for breath, something seemed to collapse in his heart, and the hand he was holding lost strength. It was the first time he was so flustered, and wanted to scold her for talking nonsense, but the faint uneasiness in his heart became more intense. There was too much tension between them. Too many changes, I am afraid that no matter what, it will be irreversible.