Northern River Sword

Qin Xiao returned to the General's Mansion and saw her mother.

Qin Yanbo was watering the camellias in the flower garden. She was wearing a white dress, and her manner was chic and elegant, like a cloud.Camellia is beautiful, and her appearance is not inferior to Camellia.Although she is nearly forty years old, she still looks very young, but there is often a stern look on her brows, and her demeanor is dignified and majestic, so that people dare not look at her directly.

Seeing her son, she walked out of the flowers slowly and said, "You are back."

Qin Xiao called mother respectfully, before saying anything else, Qin Yanbo said: "I know everything about you outside."

Qin Xiao was not surprised, the sentry of the general's mansion was sensitive, and the information was naturally delivered faster than his return journey.

Qin Yanbo was young and widowed. He raised his son with painstaking efforts for more than ten years, told him to practice swordsmanship hard, and wanted him to avenge his dead husband.Qin Xiao respected and feared his mother. Although he was arrogant outside, he obeyed his mother in everything when he returned home, and dared not disobey her in the slightest.

Qin Yanbo said: "I asked you to kill people from the Qiying League, how many did you kill?"

Qin Xiao failed to complete the task, lowered his head and said: "Only Hu Tianxing was killed, Xie Biao was killed by Qiu Guangcheng. There are deep grievances within the Qiying League, and whenever there is a foreign enemy, they will first take the opportunity to intrigue. The son failed to snatch Qiu Guangcheng I am ashamed to strike first."

Qin Yanbo said: "You're fairly honest, you didn't lie to your mother. What about the others, why haven't you got rid of them yet?"

Qin Xiaodao: "The rest of the people gathered in Qiujiazhuang, patrolling day and night. There are too many people, and my son has no chance to attack. Fortunately, Xue Hongliao and He Ruying have gone back separately. Their martial arts are not weak, so we need to find a way to separate them. Break through, don't be impatient."

Qin Yanbo said coldly: "Don't be impatient? You don't have to be impatient. You and Miss Qiu's family like each other, so naturally you can't kill Qiu Guangcheng. Wait a few more years, and when all your enemies die of old age, you will naturally be happy." I'm happy and happy, I don't have to listen to my mother to kill people!"

Qin Xiao felt uncomfortable seeing her mother get angry.He knew that it was extremely unfilial for him to fall in love with the enemy's daughter, but Qiu Yuhua was a good girl, and he would never forget her.He said softly: "My son knows his mistake, I will definitely kill Qiu Guangcheng."

Qin Yanbo was originally afraid that something would happen to him when he went out in this line of business, so he refused to obey.Seeing what he said, he breathed a sigh of relief, and said calmly: "It's good that you understand. In order to raise you up safely, my mother dare not call you the widow of the Meng family, let alone let you take your father's surname, for fear that the enemy will come to you. Come on. Now that you have grown up and practiced a good skill, mother only hopes that you can avenge your father. Otherwise, your father's heroic spirit will not rest in peace, and you will be a sinner in our family."

Qin Xiao had heard her mother say similar things countless times, but this time she still obediently agreed, but her expression was very tired.

Qin Yanbo saw that his clothes were torn and dirty, and his body was covered in blood, so he imagined that he had suffered a lot outside.She raised her hand, touched Qin Xiao's thin face, and said softly: "You are a sensible and good boy, and you are the pride of your father and me. If your brother is still alive, he should be as old as you. "

When she thought of her youngest son who had died young, she couldn't help but shed tears, and sighed: "It's a pity that the child was not blessed and passed away early. You are the only hope for mother, you must fight for mother."

Qin Xiao lowered her eyes and said softly: "Mother, I will definitely avenge my father. Don't worry."

Qin Yanbo wiped away his tears, and said, "You are tired too, you should rest for a few days." After all, she felt sorry for her son, and asked someone to prepare meals and clothes, and told him to take a good rest for a few days.

Qin Xiao rested for a day, and in the evening, suddenly a guard from the palace sent a letter saying that the emperor would celebrate his birthday tomorrow, and Qin Yanbo and Qin Xiao were invited to attend the meeting.

Qin Xiao and the emperor are considered distant relatives, and he even invited himself, which shows that the banquet was not small.Qin Yanbo said: "I'll back up the birthday gift, you can deliver it yourself."

Qin Xiao said: "Mother, won't you go?"

Qin Yanbo has a dull temperament and doesn't like to deal with people, so he said lightly: "I don't like excitement, so it's the same if you go for me."

Qin Xiao agreed, and changed into a new suit that was well-tailored early the next morning, making her look suave and chic.He accompanied him with two attendants, and brought a mutton fat jade carving Ruyi and a half-person-high red coral into the palace to celebrate his birthday.

The birthday banquet was held in the imperial garden, and all relatives of the Duan family, near and far, were present.The folk customs of Dali are simple and honest, women and girls do not avoid men very much, instead they have to look at handsome young men more often and make comments among themselves.Qin Xiao presented a congratulatory gift and took a seat. Many women looked over here.

The emperor was a young man in his twenties with bright eyes and dignified demeanor.The audience sang and danced, wishing the emperor a long life and boundless life.

Qin Xiao was fiddling with the wine cup, a little uninterested.At this time, there was a commotion in the banquet, and the ladies and daughters looked back one after another.A eunuch said: "Princess Ruyi is here."

After the singing and dancing were over, Shi Shiran, a beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes, came forward and bowed down to the emperor Yingying, saying: "Ruyi wishes my emperor happiness as long as the east sea, and my life is not as old as Nanshan. Every year there is today, every year there is now."

Princess Ruyi raised her head, her expression was charming and charming, and her figure was graceful and graceful.

The attendants who came with them whispered in admiration: "I heard that Princess Ruyi is our number one beauty in Dali. Seeing her today, she really lives up to her reputation!"

A lady next to her heard it and said contemptuously: "What beauty, she's just a coquettish widow. Her husband is dead, so who will she dress up like this for? It doesn't look like a responsible person!"

Qin Xiao had heard about Princess Ruyi. Her boudoir name was Duan Ruyi, and she was the half-sister of the current emperor.When she was still in her mother's womb, the first emperor married the prime minister's fingertips and betrothed her to the prime minister's son.Two years ago, the emperor presided over the marriage for her, but unfortunately the weather was not good, her husband passed away only half a year after she got married, and there were rumors that she was Kefu, and she never remarried.

The princess is proud and arrogant, coupled with her young beauty and high-profile behavior, she often arouses jealousy and criticism.Fortunately, the emperor loves this girl very much and takes good care of her, so outsiders can do nothing to her.

The emperor smiled and said, "All the congratulators who came here today brought gifts, why did Ruyi come here empty-handed?"

Duan Ruyi was already prepared, and said: "Everything Ruyi is bestowed by the emperor's elder brother. If you bring gold, silver and jewelry to celebrate your birthday, it will not show my intentions. I specially asked someone to carefully restore the neon clothes and feather clothes of Concubine Yang from the previous dynasty. I have practiced this dance for many days, and I present this dance today, wishing Dali a long life and peace, and the emperor's brother a long life."

Everyone was in an uproar when they heard the words.The Neon Clothes and Feather Dress Dance was created by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty. When Concubine Yang Guifei first met in Huaqing Pool, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty played this song as an introduction.Duan Ruyi wants to dance this dance, obviously because she thinks of her beauty, and compares herself with Yang Taizhen.

The emperor also lifted his spirits, and said repeatedly: "Okay, okay! Let's start then."

The musicians played the music, the music was gorgeous and melodious.Duan Ruyi waved her arms, and her two water sleeves flew out, flying like a dragon, and sometimes drooping down like a willow branch in the wind.The dance is graceful and graceful, making people forget the troubles of the world.

She twirls and moves in the arena, her dance is gorgeous and gorgeous, as bright as the morning glow.Compared with her, the many women present paled in comparison.It seems that good fortune favored her, but only gave her the color of the world.

Seeing her graceful dancing posture, Qin Xiao was quite amazed.After Duan Ruyi danced to a song, everyone was still intoxicated by the dance and music. It was like waking up from a dream for a moment, and then there were scattered applause, and then the applause became one piece, like thunder.

The emperor also liked it very much, clapped his palms and praised: "'Floating in the air, turning back to the snow lightly, Yan Ran sends you away in shock.' What a neon dress and feather dance! Ruyi, Ruyi, you are beyond my expectations and in line with my wishes! Come here and sit next to me."

Duan Ruyi sweated slightly on his forehead, took a golden peacock feather fan handed over by the maid, and shook it gently a few times.She knew in her heart that this dancing skill shocked everyone and would definitely become a good story for a while, so she was very proud of herself.She walked past the few women who had just talked about her, with a smile on her lips, showing the proud attitude of a winner, completely ignoring those gossips.

She took a seat next to the emperor, who smiled and said, "You danced well, what reward do you want?"

Duan Ruyi pursed her lips and smiled, with a very playful expression, and said: "Today is the birthday of the emperor's elder brother, I came here empty-handed, how dare I ask you for a reward?"

The emperor said: "It's okay, you dance really well, I must reward you. Tell me, what do you want?"

Duan Ruyi rolled her eyes, covered her mouth with a fan, and said a few words to the emperor in a low voice.The emperor laughed loudly, and said: "You have a good plan, but I don't know if others will agree to it or not?"

Duan Ruyi said: "I'll just ask him."

She stood up and said with a smile: "Cousin, I like the jade ruyi you gave to the emperor's brother very much. Would you like to pass it on to me?"

Qin Xiao was startled, and it took a moment to realize that she was talking to him.Duan Ruyi's father and Qin Yanbo are aunt cousins, and Duan Ruyi and Qin Xiao are cousins ​​separated by a layer, but Duan Ruyi is a female relative and rarely walks around in front of people.The two had never met each other before, so he was dumbfounded by calling him cousin.

Qin Xiao came to her senses, stood up quickly and said: "The minister has already presented the birthday gift to His Majesty, and His Majesty is in charge of everything. If Your Majesty agrees, the princess can just take it."

The emperor smiled and said: "This girl's name is Ruyi. I saw that you gave Ruyi a jade handle, and I have been thinking about it since the morning. Even if I don't agree today, I will be pestered by her sooner or later. It's better to give up her love quickly. "

Duan Ruyi stood up with a smile, and said Wanfu to both sides: "Thank you, Brother Emperor, thank you, Cousin."

Everyone chatted and laughed for a while, and drank for a while, the emperor was a little tired, so he went back to the palace to rest.Before he left, he saw that everyone was still very interested, and told the dancing and music not to stop, it is rare for everyone to get together today, so just have fun.

Qin Xiao didn't think it was interesting, so she wanted to go back home.He stood up, suddenly a young eunuch came forward to salute, respectfully said: "Young Master Qin, His Majesty has something to call you, come with me."

Qin Xiao was a little baffled, he had never been involved in the political affairs of the court, and said: "What did Your Majesty call me for?"

The little eunuch said: "Your servant doesn't know, son, come quickly, don't keep your majesty waiting."

Qin Xiao couldn't figure out why, and felt a little drunk, so she followed the little eunuch.The little eunuch walked through the corridor, turned a few corners, walked to a palace, bowed and said, "Young Master Qin, please come in."

Qin Xiao walked into the room, the room was lit with ambergris, and the fragrance was rich and elegant.The furnishings are all small and rare antiques, pictures of Wu Daozi's ladies are hung on the wall, a pot of rich and colorful small pomegranates is planted on the table, and a qin zither is placed by the window.Behind the green gauze cabinet, the red curtain hangs down.The maid brought tea and asked him to sit down and wait a while.

Qin Xiao saw that the furnishings here were full of makeup, and seemed to be a woman's boudoir.He felt that something was wrong, and said: "What place is this?" Suddenly he heard the bell ringing outside the door, and the laughter came first before the person arrived.

"This is the bedroom I lived in when I was not out of the court. The emperor's brother has always reserved it for me, and asked people to keep the furnishings as before. When I return to the palace, I will rest here."

Duan Ruyi walked into the palace while talking, sent the maid out, and said with a smile: "I kept my cousin waiting for a long time, did you like the dance I did just now?"

Qin Xiao realized that something was wrong, got up and said: "Didn't you say that His Majesty called me, why is the princess here?"

Duan Ruyi smiled and said: "Probably the eunuch made a mistake. It's not that brother wants to see you, but I have something to tell you."

Qin Xiao knew she had been deceived by her expression, and said: "I am a foreign minister, and it is inconvenient to stay in the inner room for a long time. Let me go."

Duan Ruyi hurriedly said: "My cousin is here, why don't you listen to what I have to say before leaving?"

After all, Qin Xiao couldn't bear to be too indifferent to the beauty, so she stopped walking and said, "Princess, please tell me."

Duan Ruyi was a little shy, and hesitated: "If I said it directly, then I would be the most courageous woman in the world... That's fine, I'll make a long story short."