Sealing Sword

On August 30th of the [-]th year of Chongzhao, the Fengtian Temple was completed, and the emperor returned to the court.

On August 30th of the [-]th year of Chongzhao, six ministers jointly played, please establish the crown prince.

On August 30, the 23th year of Chongzhao, the emperor appointed the emperor's eldest grandson Chu Xun as the emperor's grandson, and the ten princes protested at the court.

On August 30th of the 27th year of Chongzhao, Concubine Situ lost her honor in front of the imperial court and surrendered her concubine as a concubine, and King Duan was called into the palace urgently.

On August 30th of the [-]th year of Chongzhao, the ten princes were granted the title of King Ning'an and given a marriage to a daughter of the Lu family.

On the first day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, the northern barbarian mission will be outside the Jinghan Pass.

On the third day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, eight censors died admonishing them, saying that "the emperor's grandson is too young to support the overall situation", and asked to be regent. Denouncing "the sons of the barbarians are not orthodox", the court was in an uproar.

On the fourth day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, Concubine Tang Chen fell into the water in the imperial garden and fell seriously ill. Princess Yuning returned to the palace with her son-in-law to serve the sick.

……

On the seventh day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, the Beiman Mission arrived outside the Jinghan Pass.

On the eighth day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, the war broke out in northern Xinjiang. Three days later, the urgent army reported to Beijing. The emperor vomited blood and fainted.

On the ninth day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, Cheng Wang Chuyun was ordered to go to northern Xinjiang.

On the tenth day of September in the 30th year of Chongzhao, Cheng Wang Chuyun led his army out of the city, and the emperor's grandson went to see him off.

The rain is about to come, and the wind is full of the building.

Gu Xiaogang "stole" Chu Yao out of Prince Jing's mansion.

The word "steal" is not used too much. Ever since King Jing was reprimanded in front of the palace, the entire palace has been exposed to the eyes of those who are interested. At first, some people didn't think so. People dismantled the bones and skinned them to see what happened.

No matter how naive and ignorant Chu Yao was, he could still detect the clues from the whispers of the servants and the sudden silence in the hall. Feeling.

Seeing that a chubby chubby boy shrank a lot in just a few days, Gu Xiao finally couldn't help but took advantage of the dark and windy night tonight, and carried him out of the backyard with his good lightness skills. A pillow called a quilt wrapped into spring rolls was left in the bed, and no one was disturbed.

When Chu Yao was tossing and turning, he touched him to the bed, and before he screamed, he was pressed back by a finger. He heard a familiar voice, and he blinked, obediently retracted into the master's arms, and used his hands and feet together. A slimy gecko.

When they left the palace, Gu Xiao covered Chu Yao's head and face with her black coat, and fled away under the thick night. Chu Yao couldn't see anything in the dark, but he could hear the whistling wind in his ears. .

It wasn't until Gu Xiao's speed slowed down that he managed to get a little brain out from under the opponent's robe, and stared blankly at the roofs and treetops below turning into gray shadows under the master's feet, as if everything in the world had come to a standstill, only Both of them are still alive.

Practicing martial arts and kung fu, dancing with swords, is it for the purpose of weeding out the strong and helping the weak, or for the sake of fame and fortune?

Chu Yao never understood, and naturally he didn't have an answer.

Until now, seeing the lights of thousands of houses turned into dust under his feet in this instant, he suddenly had an unprecedented thought——

People always go to high places, isn't it just to see farther?

Chu Yao lost his mind.

Gu Xiao has landed in an old courtyard.

This place is located in a remote place in the south of the city, far away from Prince Jing's Mansion and the Imperial Palace, surrounded by ordinary houses, not inconspicuous at all.At this time, the night was quiet, there was no sound or shadow of people inside, not even a light under the eaves in front of the door, it was so dark that you couldn't see your fingers.

Chu Yao was a little scared, and subconsciously grabbed Gu Xiao's hand: "Master, what did you bring me here for?"

"Bring you...to play a game." Gu Xiao patted his head, took out a torch and lit a few lanterns under the corridor, adding a bit of vitality to the cold courtyard.

Chu Yao finally relaxed, and laughed: "What are you playing? Do you want to be so mysterious?

"When you celebrated your birthday, I forgot to prepare a gift for you as a teacher. I will make it up today, but..." Before the young boy could smile, Gu Xiao changed the subject, "However, I hid the gift in this yard. You have to find it yourself, there is only one night, if you can’t find it, you can’t blame Master for not giving it.”

Chu Yao was startled, then snorted from his nose: "I will find it!"

After finishing speaking, he looked around with some hesitation: "However, there should be people living here. Is it not good for us to be like this...?"

Prince Jing seldom disciplined him, and Princess Jing spoiled him but refused to raise a domineering dude, so Gu Xiao always felt that although this child was born in the royal family, he was too cute and cute, and he was even more reluctant after getting along for three years.

pity……

Gu Xiao lowered her brows and smiled slightly: "Don't be afraid, the owner here is a friend of the teacher. As long as you act softly and don't make any noise, she won't blame you."

Chu Yao looked at him eagerly: "Then master help me find it together."

"Find your things by yourself, Master will go back to the manor to help you watch the wind." Gu Xiao scratched his nose, "Don't run around, my teacher will pick you up before dawn, otherwise it will be bad if someone finds out. "

"Yeah!" The little boy nodded his head like a chicken eating rice, then rolled up his sleeves and began to search in the courtyard. He searched very carefully, even looking at a stone several times, lest he miss any clues.

Gu Xiao's gaze stayed on his busy figure, and he stepped back to the corridor, and there was a figure behind the red-painted pillar at some point.

Yingxiu has already handed over the Tianjing dark net to him, so naturally she no longer needs the identity of "Red Silk Lady". Now she is wearing a mask with ordinary features and gaudy clothes, like a lonely middle-aged woman in an empty boudoir. mother.

She said softly: "A secret agent came to report that Emperor Chongzhao was critically ill and summoned all the princes to enter the palace. Now, apart from Prince Cheng who led his troops to leave the capital three days ago, even Prince Jing's mansion has a middle-ranking official rushing to inform him."

Gu Xiao's voice was light: "It seems that a big change will happen tonight."

"Since you know that big changes are going to happen tonight, why did you bring him here?" Ying Xiu's eyes were like lightning, and although his voice was soft, it was so cold that it pierced people's hearts. Wang's keenness and suspicion will definitely start to plot again, and it will ruin us..."

"He won't find out." Gu Xiao finally turned his head, "Do you think it's easy to bring out the prince from the heavily guarded palace at this time without causing commotion?"

Yingxiu was taken aback.

"Ah Yao couldn't sleep tonight, so the princess went to his yard, replaced all the guards and servants with maidservants who had been with him for many years, and lived next door to Ayao... When I left, I saw her half open the window, Cast a look." Gu Xiao raised her eyes, "I want to take my apprentice away from the place of right and wrong, and she also wants her son to avoid the limelight for a while, so I can be so smooth."

There was a chill behind Yingxiu: "King Jing is ambitious, can his women be trusted?"

"It's believable, but not completely trustworthy, so I have to go back as soon as possible." Gu Xiao shook his head, "Ah Yao will leave it to you, help me keep him under control, and he won't be allowed to leave this place until I come back, and no outsiders will be allowed to enter. step."

They passed each other, Ying Xiu clenched his fists: "What if you never come back?"

The overall situation has changed, the net is closed, everyone has become pawns, fighting black and white, encircling and suppressing each other, no one knows whether they will be abandoned, and no one can be sure whether they can survive until the endgame is settled.

Behind him, Gu Xiao said silently for a moment: "If I don't come back once I go, you will take everyone to evacuate Tianjing, and you will not be able to return for ten years...Take A Yao away too, don't let him run back, I don't ask him to be happy all his life Success and fame, I only hope that he is safe and sound."

"I'm asking you! If you don't come back, if Ruan Feiyu and Chu Xun make a wrong calculation, they will lose everything, you... what will you do?!"

Gu Xiao just smiled, and then glanced at Chu Yao, who was rummaging through the grass, his eyes reflected on the light in the corridor, his eyes were unbelievably gentle.

The flames merged into the pupils of the eyes, and the mixed tears blurred Yingxiu's eyes. When she looked up again, Gu Xiao's figure had disappeared into the haze.

It started to rain, lightning pierced the night sky, thunder blasted my heart, and the strong wind from the ground tore the flowers, plants and trees in the courtyard, as if it had the power to destroy everything.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty is critically ill, and I declare you to enter the palace as soon as possible!"

The butler ignored the rules and etiquette, hurriedly knocked on the door of King Jing's room, knelt down on his knees, and said repeatedly: "The palace sent someone to call urgently, and the secret guards also sent news that the imperial doctors gathered in Liuhe Palace. , I’m afraid I won’t make it through this time!”

His voice trembled, but it was not fear, but an uncontrollable excitement.

After many years of planning, once they are about to move, even God is on their side. How can he not be excited?

The teacup in Chu Yan's hand fell to the ground, splashing the hem of his robe. He suddenly got up, walked around the room quickly, and then came back to his senses: "Where are Lin Chao and Gu Xiao?"

"Lieutenant Lin is on standby in the courtyard, and Vice-Lieutenant Gu just came back from the outside, and he brought the news about the hidden guards in the palace, it's true!"

"Okay, okay, okay!" Chu Yan kicked the broken porcelain cup away, "Let Lin Chao quickly send people to notify the deployment everywhere, gather troops as soon as possible, and Gu Xiao will enter the palace with the king!"

"promise!"

"Wait!" Chu Yan's cloaked hands suddenly stopped, "Where are the princess and the prince?"

The housekeeper bowed and said: "Reporting to the prince, the son is not in good spirits today, the princess moved over to accompany him, he should have just fallen asleep, and the young one has sent a maid to inform you, you..."

"My lord, my concubine is here."

Princess Jing's voice came from outside the door, the hem of her dress was also wet by the rain, and her hair was not covered with pearls. She obviously rushed over after getting the news, just in time to hear Prince Jing's question, and entered in time.

"Ah Yao is a bit feverish. My concubine just coaxed him to sleep, so I don't want to disturb him now, so I came here first." The housekeeper retreated wisely, and Princess Jing pulled up her cloak, "The palace is calling urgently. It's better to go, everything in the mansion will be taken care of by my concubine, only waiting for the prince to return."

An inexplicable feeling flashed through Chu Yan's heart, but he was so hesitant that he couldn't grasp it at all. He didn't have the heart to think about it at this time. He held Princess Jing's slightly cool hand and couldn't help smiling: "With the princess here, I really feel more at ease. gone."

Concubine Jing smiled lightly, and a drop of rain fell from the corner of her forehead, like a tear falling from a crabapple flower.

She fastened the cloak for Chu Yan, held the sword with her own hands, and said in a warm voice: "The wind is violent and the rain is heavy, the prince must be careful, no matter what the way ahead, the concubine will go with the prince."

Chu Yan took a deep look at her, then suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the forehead, and rarely softened his voice: "Princess, wait for this time. From now on, this king will be above ten thousand people, and I promise your mother the world."

Princess Jing closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and there was a smile on her lips: "Okay."

When she opened her eyes, Chu Yan had already left in a hurry.

Slender and pale fingers wiped away some teardrops from the corner of her eyes. Princess Jing heard the sound of closing the door behind her, and said calmly, "What are you doing here if you don't accompany the prince into the palace?"

"I want to ask the concubine something, otherwise I might not have the chance in the future." Gu Xiao leaned against the door panel, "The guards outside can rest assured, the concubine must have something to say to the humble job."

Princess Jing gave him a fixed look: "Just ask."

"Those in the Tang family who do not want to follow King Jing to seek rebellion will either be dealt with internally, or they will leave the family and join others. As the first daughter of the Tang family, the princess has a deep relationship with King Jing. Why should she help us deal with it in this stormy time?" Your own husband?"

Princess Jing shook her head, and asked back: "Vice Captain Gu, you were born with high aspirations as a man, but do you know what you have to think about as a woman?"

Gu Xiao was taken aback.

"When I was not out of the court, I was the daughter of the Tang family. I owed favors to my parents and cared about the family; when I got married, I was the wife of the prince, took care of the house for the husband, and was in charge of the prince's family. I was the mother of A Yao when I gave birth to children. Take care of him now and plan for him in the future." Princess Jing sat on the chair, dignified like the beauties of high families in ancient paintings, revealing her majesty and grace in gentleness like water, and said each word clearly, "Besides, I I am a citizen of the Great Chu, and I am devoted to my small family, and I am not willing to let go for the great country... These are the things that I will do my best as a woman all my life."

Gu Xiao couldn't say a word of what she had thought up until now.

Princess Jing smiled slightly, and asked softly, "Did you take A Yao to a safe place?"

Gu Xiao nodded silently.

"That's enough." Concubine Jing's smile is as soft as moonlight, "After tonight, no matter how the prince and I are, don't let him come back, please take him far away, forget us, forget Tianjing City, Never look back."

Gu Xiao said shyly, "Why?"

"If the lord loses, no one in Prince Jing's mansion will be spared, so I naturally want Ah Yao to live... If the lord wins, even though he becomes king, he is a sinner in the entire Central Plains of Chu. I will not let A Yao be pointed at by the world. The backbone lives a lifetime."

"……it is good."

Gu Xiao closed his eyes, he saluted Princess Jing willingly for the first time, then turned and left.

Princess Jing watched his back disappear outside the door, rubbed her fingers on the armrest of the golden nanmu chair, slowly tightened it, and did not let go for a long time.

She remembered the scene when she coaxed Chu Yao to sleep tonight. The child had been intelligent and keen since he was a child. He probably sensed something and couldn't fall asleep anyway. When he saw her coming in, he ran over.

——"Mother Concubine, I'm afraid."

——"What is Ah Yao afraid of?"

——"Recently... I always feel that you are all very strange, but I don't know anything. Can the concubine tell me?"

At that time, her hand stroking her son's head paused, she knelt down and held the boy's face, the corners of her mouth slowly curled up: "Don't be afraid, Ah Yao looks at the concubine mother, is she smiling nicely?"

Chu Yao carefully traced the smile on the corner of her mouth with his fingers, and nodded vigorously: "Yes! The concubine mother is the most beautiful!"

"Then... no matter what happens in the future, Ah Yao will continue to live with a smile like this, don't be afraid, don't cry, okay?"

"……Um!"