Prince Consort

Xie Ze'an didn't know that the storm was coming.

He met a friend who had met once.

When we met for the first time, the man was still a poor owner of a bookstore, and his wife was the daughter of a butcher, with this powerful butcher's knife.

When we met again this time, the owner of the book shop had a very different demeanor.He brought scholars from poor families in the county to participate in the imperial examination. When he saw the "Four Seasons Residence" specially set up for scholars, the owner of the book shop suddenly remembered the half-grown boy back then.If you inquire carefully, you will know how great "Sanlang" is now.

The owner of the book store went to and fro for a long time, but still visited Xie Zean.

Although Xie Ze'an has many friends, there are few people who post posts in such a serious manner. He thought for a long time before remembering the accidental meeting at the beginning, and hurriedly welcomed them into the courtyard.

The owner of the book shop said: "Little official Xie is really extraordinary."

Xie Ze'an was also a little bit embarrassed when he saw the owner of the book shop, and he had been in this era for more than six years before he knew it.At that time, if he wanted to read and learn to read, he had to go to the bookstore for "wasting" and couldn't afford books at all.He said: "I still keep the few books you gave me. You haven't been scolded by your wife, have you?"

The owner of the book shop said: "She just hates me for being worthless. I will follow the path you taught me, and everything will go much smoother."

The owner of the book shop said: "I came here to ask Shang Sanlang to visit my teacher together. I hope you don't think I'm too presumptuous."

Xie Ze'an asked in surprise, "Who is your teacher?"

The owner of the book shop said: "My teacher's surname is Gu, and his name is Ye Weng. He currently lives at the foot of Nanshan Mountain."

Xie Zean was taken aback.

This Mr. Ye Weng is not a small person. He was very famous when the late emperor was alive. The late emperor issued an edict every year for him to enter Beijing as an official, but he has always lived at the foot of Nanshan and never moved.Once, a savage who wanted to curry favor with the late emperor came, and led his men to directly arrest this wild old man. As a result, he was even more tyrannical than the other party. He raised a knife and chopped his little finger fiercely, saying: "Gu has a disability, so he can't Officer, please go back."

This posture frightened the first emperor, and he never sent anyone over.

After Zhao Ying ascended the throne, he sent someone to invite Mr. Ye Weng to become an official. Mr. Ye Weng was more polite, but he still refused Zhao Ying's appointment.Over the years, people who went to invite Mr. Ye Weng to come out of the mountain followed one after another, but unfortunately, no matter how well these people planned, it was all in vain in the end.

It is said that even King Duan paid a special visit to Mr. Yeweng, but in the end he couldn't even see him.

Xie Ze'an turned from surprise to joy.

He said: "If you are willing to take me with you, of course I will go."

Xie Ze'an was about to set off with the owner of the bookstore when he suddenly realized that he hadn't explained to his family yet.He asked the owner of the book store to wait for a while, and went to the main house to find Princess Yanning in person.Princess Yan Ning was in good spirits, she was leaning against the window with a book and read carefully, seeing Xie Zean coming, Princess Yan Ning put down the book and called: "Sanlang."

Facing Princess Yan Ning's warm gaze, Xie Ze'an's heart softened.For Princess Yan Ning, her elder brother and Jiangshan are more important, there is nothing wrong with this, he should not blame her for everything.Zhao Chongzhao's patience is probably also due to Princess Yan Ning's mediation. It is already very good for a frail female doll to do this...

Xie Ze'an reached out and rubbed Princess Yanning's head, and said: "Today, an old friend came to the door. His teacher is Mr. Ye Weng. I will go with him to meet this strange man."

Princess Yan Ning showed joy: "Mr. Ye Weng doesn't see any outsiders. If you have a chance, you will naturally go. I will talk to A Niang."

Xie Zean nodded.

After clarifying with Princess Yanning, Xie Ze'an went out with the owner of the book shop.

There will be a Nanshan around many cities and counties, and the same is true for the capital.Mr. Ye Weng lived at the foot of Nanshan Mountain in the capital city, and the house was surrounded by trees, so he couldn't see the scene inside when he passed by.After walking through the forest, I found that it was just a small courtyard with three or two bungalows, which was nothing special compared to other farmyards.

The owner of the book store stepped forward and called "Sir" through Chai Fei, and announced his name.

After a while, the Chai Fei door creaked and opened from the inside, and a little child holding half a section of lotus root blinked at Xie Ze'an and the two of them.

An old voice came out: "Come in and talk."

The owner of the book shop said, "Sir, I brought a guest."

There was silence.

After a long time, the voice said, "Come in."

The little boy said, "Grandpa is practicing boxing in the backyard."

Xie Ze'an and the owner of the book store exchanged glances, and they all entered the backyard, where they saw an old man with white beard and hair, boxing. His movements were extremely slow, but he seemed to be fully charged. The old man can do it.

Xie Ze'an greeted An respectfully: "Hello, Mr. Ye Weng!"

Mr. Ye Weng said: "You have a pretty good voice, and you have practiced martial arts a lot, haven't you?"

Xie Ze'an said: "I can't bear hardships, I only practice boxing and sword."

Mr. Ye Weng said, "Which one did you study under?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Swordsmanship was taught by my grandfather and maternal grandfather, boxing technique was taught by my elder brother Yan Chongyan and my good friend Yanlin, and occasionally I would add some new ideas by myself, and I may not be able to distinguish the origin for a long time. "

Mr. Ye Weng said: "Yan family? Take out your boxing skills and play with me."

The owner of the book shop was about to interject, but Xie Ze'an exchanged a glance with him, walked into the open space calmly, and Mr. Chao Yeweng clasped his fists: "That junior has offended you."

Mr. Ye Weng said: "Wait until you win before talking about offending." After speaking, he really started to compete with Xie Ze'an.

Xie Ze'an originally had a mind to deal with it carefully, but when he really fought, he realized that even if he tried his best, he might not be able to compete with Mr. Ye Weng.Of course, if it was a real fight, he would never lose, but the person opposite him was an old man with white beard and hair, how could he use those ruthless tactics?

Xie Ze'an gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Mr. Ye Weng is aggressive.

Xie Ze'an couldn't get up when he was knocked down for the third time.

Mr. Ye Weng closed his fist coldly.

The owner of the book shop hurried forward to help Xie Zean.

Xie Ze'an rubbed his sore knee from the fall, and reached out to wipe off the dust.He smiled wryly and said, "Mr. is really amazing."

Mr. Ye Weng looked up at him, but did not speak.

The owner of the book shop said: "Sir, this is the Saburo I mentioned to you."

Only then did Mr. Ye Weng say: "I know." He glanced at Xie Ze'an, "Xie Jiasanlang, in his early years he was given the name Xie Heng by the emperor. They're all blind."

Xie Ze'an said, "Mr. is right."

Mr. Ye Weng said: "If the time comes, identity is not a big problem. The real problem is not in status, but in your heart."

Xie Ze'an said, "I would like to hear the details."

Mr. Ye Weng said: "Sometimes you really can't win, like just now."

Xie Ze'an said: "It's not a life-and-death struggle, just stop when you click on it."

Mr. Ye Weng said: "Sometimes you think it's not a life-and-death struggle, but others don't think so. There are no fathers and sons, no mentors and apprentices in officialdom, let alone close friends."

Xie Ze'an said, "So sir, do you mean that you should not show mercy to anyone?"

Mr. Ye Weng said: "I'm done talking here, the specifics, only you can grasp."

Xie Ze'an looked straight into Mr. Weng's eyes: "If I were that kind of person, would you meet me, sir?"

Mr. Ye Weng looked back silently.

Xie Ze'an said: "Although I don't know why you are so disappointed with the imperial court, I think there are still some things in the world that should be insisted on. This is the difference between humans and animals - humans know what to do and what not to do, and livestock have no idea."

Mr. Noon said, "Even if this insistence might kill you?"

Xie Ze'an paused, and said: "I am not a sage, if I really reach that point, maybe I will give up the so-called persistence."

Mr. Ye Weng said: "The consequences of many things are often obvious, why not give up before reaching that step?"

Xie Ze'an was quiet for a moment, and said to Mr. Ye Weng, "Because I may be a gambler."

Mr. Ong stared at him.

Xie Ze'an said: "I always hope that I can win the bet. I bet that father and son can trust each other, brothers can rely on each other, and friends can help each other." The master is worthy of admiration, I bet that the servants I bought can be reused. If I lose, then I am willing to bet and admit defeat."

Mr. Ye Weng stood still for a moment and said, "Sit down and have a cup of tea."

The owner of the book shop showed a strange expression.

The three of them sat down three times and boiled water to make tea.

Mr. Ye Weng said: "Xie Sanlang is very famous in the capital, and he is also very famous in other places."

Xie Zean did not deny it.

If he hadn't laid a foundation in the past few years, he wouldn't be so arrogant that he felt that he could go anywhere.He said: "Anyway, I am a son-in-law, no matter how good my reputation is, I will not be burdened by it."

Mr. Ye Weng said: "Aren't you planning to take the imperial examination?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Preparation is one thing, and whether you can pass the exam is another. Your Majesty will not let Mr. Yao slash the imperial examination for the time being, and Mr. Yao will not let Mr. Qin's side control the overall situation of the imperial examination." However, the person who is most likely to be the chief examiner may be someone from Zhang Xiang’s lineage. I haven’t fully understood Zhang Xiang’s way of doing things so far, so the most likely result is that I will lose my name next spring.”

Mr. Ye Weng said: "You know this is the result, but you still want to take the test?"

Xie Ze'an said, "I've said it before, I'm a gambler."

Mr. Ye Weng glanced at the tea leaves tumbling in the boiling water: "The tea is ready."

The three stopped talking and lowered their heads to sip.

After two rounds of drinking, Mr. Ye Weng said: "I have nothing to teach you. If you learn my boxing style, you can strengthen your body and live a few more years."

Xie Ze'an said, "That's a good thing." He rubbed his hands and smiled, "I might not be able to learn it in a while, I will come a few more times."

Mr. Ye Weng squinted at him, neither agreeing nor refusing.

Xie Ze'an and the owner of the book store left Mr. Ye Weng's house together, and the owner of the book store said: "Sir, you like to play charades when you talk, so you don't give up too much. You talk to each other sentence by sentence, and I can't get in the way. But you are just fine." Well, you can actually get Mr. to promise you to come here often."

Xie Ze'an said, "Mr. Ye Weng did not agree."

After Xie Ze'an said goodbye to the owner of the bookstore, he returned to Xie's mansion. After the family had dinner, he and Princess Yanning returned to the main house.

Princess Yan Ning asked: "Have you seen Mr. Ye Weng?"

Xie Ze'an said: "See you." He pointed to some dirty clothes he had brought, "I had a boxing match with Mr. Ye Weng, and I lost badly."

Princess Yan Ning said in surprise, "Fist competition?"

Xie Ze'an said: "Yes, fist fight." He thought for a while, looked at Princess Yan Ning and added, "Mr. Ye Weng wanted to tell me one thing - sometimes you don't know what your opponent will be like people."

Princess Yan Ning trembled slightly.

Yes, Xie Ze'an didn't know who his opponent would be.

Perhaps Zhao Chongzhao would attack Xie Zean when he was defenseless.Xie Ze'an was lucky. From the first day he entered Beijing, things went smoothly, and he made good teachers and friends. Too smooth experience made him ignore many things.

Princess Yan Ning shook her head for a moment, then clenched her fists.

Xie Zean stared at her.

Princess Yanning said: "Sanlang, I have something to tell you..."

Xie Ze'an nodded and gently held her hand.

Princess Yan Ning said: "Brother, the person he likes is not Qin Ruliu."

Xie Ze'an looked at Princess Yan Ning quietly.

Princess Yan Ning closed her eyes, tears streaming down like rain: "Brother, he likes you."

The moment Princess Yan Ning burst into tears, her heart also relaxed, and she finally let go of the tight string.

Xie Ze'an heard Princess Yan Ning tell this matter in person, and he no longer took all the original speculations to heart.

He stretched out his hand to wipe away the tears on Princess Yan Ning's face.

Princess Yan Ning cried even harder, she couldn't help but grabbed Xie Ze'an's collar, and buried her carefully in his arms.

Xie Ze'an stretched out his arms and gently hugged Princess Yanning, comforting her in a low voice: "Leave it to me."

Princess Yan Ning knew that Xie Zean had no other choice, but at this moment she still chose to believe Xie Zean's words and persuaded herself to take care of the house affairs for Xie Zean with peace of mind.

The two chatted until the lights came on, and Princess Yan Ning took the initiative to say: "You still need to read, so go back there."

Xie Zean nodded.

Xie Ze'an opened the door and walked out, but saw a man standing by the arched door, with a handsome figure and a solemn face, looking at him and the door behind him with serious eyes.

Who is it if it is not Zhao Chongzhao?

Xie Ze'an didn't hear any movement just now, so he knew that Zhao Chongzhao probably didn't reach the range where he could eavesdrop.He stepped forward and said to Zhao Chongzhao, "Your Highness, are you here to find Yan Ning?"

At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the night was a little cold, and Zhao Chongzhao felt a little cold in his heart.He thought of the pair of shadows he had just seen, they were so close together, so close that he wanted to rush in and separate them.

But Zhao Chongzhao knew very well that he couldn't do that.

Xie Ze'an and his sister are husband and wife, a legitimate couple.Even if he was the one who married Xie Zean, Xie Zean was still his sister's son-in-law in the eyes of others.

Of these two people, one is the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, and the other is the sister he wants to protect for the rest of his life.

He couldn't keep them from getting close, couldn't keep them from cuddling, couldn't even stop them from sharing the same bed.

Zhao Chongzhao's heart seemed to be stabbed one by one.

Obviously he was the one who met Xie Zean first.

Obviously he married Xie Zean.

Zhao Chongzhao stretched out his hand and firmly grasped Xie Zean's hand: "I'm not here to find Ning'er."

Xie Ze'an frowned, trying to win Zhao Chongzhao's restraint, but Zhao Chongzhao intensified his strength.

Xie Ze'an took a deep breath: "Your Highness, what do you want?"

Zhao Chongzhao said, "Let's talk to you first."

Thinking that Princess Yan Ning might be watching, Xie Ze'an could only let Zhao Chongzhao lead him out.

After returning to Xie Zean's courtyard, Zhao Chongzhao let go of his hand and asked, "Sanlang, are you here today?"

Xie Ze'an said: "I went to visit an elder." He briefly described the meeting with Mr. Ye Weng, omitting the conversation with Mr. Ye Weng.

Zhao Chongzhao also heard about the matter of Mr. Ye Weng, and said: "This Mr. Ye Weng has refused for so many years, and now he is past the age to be an official. Sanlang, you always have a way to deal with such a guy , if I change it, I won’t be able to do it.”

Xie Ze'an said: "The ruler is long and the inch is short."

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Mr. Yeweng's boxing skills are really that good? How about you, Sanlang, teach me when you come back!"

Xie Zean's heart skipped a beat.

He used this as an excuse to visit Mr. Ye Weng. Maybe Zhao Chongzhao asked for this because he was learning and selling?

Xie Ze'an smiled lightly and said, "Your Highness, you have never practiced boxing before."

Zhao Chongzhao said: "The past is the past, and the present is the present."

Xie Ze'an changed the subject: "Your Highness, what is the purpose of your visit?"

Zhao Chongzhao said, "No, I just want to meet you."

Xie Zean looked up at him.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Recently, my father called the emperor's uncle and the others back to Beijing. Uncle Duan Wang has arrived. Uncle Gong Wang said that he has already set off, and the other emperor uncles are also on the way. Father's health is about to die..." Zhao Chongzhao Hold Xie Ze'an's hand tightly, "Sanlang, I can't tell Ning'er about these things, I'm afraid that if I tell her, I won't even have a sister. Father, his health is getting worse and worse, sometimes I really hate myself, I hate I can't do anything by myself. I can only watch my father get weaker day by day, and Ning'er gets weaker day by day..."

Xie Zean's heart softened.

Xie Ze'an said: "There is no way to do this."

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Yes, there is no other way. If possible, I would like to share my life span with them. I am willing not to be the prince, as long as they can live a long time." He stared at Xie Ze'an near The eyebrows and eyes that are close at hand, the bridge of the nose that is close at hand, and the lips that are close at hand.

He wanted to get close to Xie Ze'an, thinking about it was going crazy.But he can't, he can't do this, his father wouldn't want to see him do it, and his closest sister wouldn't want to see him do it either.He was just deceiving himself and others, he lied to his sister that he didn't like her son-in-law at all, in fact, his sister carefully kept the note written by Xie Ze'an for her a long time ago...

He deliberately turned a blind eye, just to snatch Xie Zean over with peace of mind.

Thinking of the two embracing shadows reflected on the window, Zhao Chongzhao's heart throbbed again and again.

He has to be patient, to be patient.

If patience can allow the father and sister to live five years longer, then he will endure it for five years; if patience can allow the father and sister to live ten years longer, then he will endure it for ten years...

Before that, before that...

Zhao Chongzhao said, "Sanlang, do you want to go west?"

Xie Zean was taken aback.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Uncle Duan said, if you can go to the west, you can be with your grandfather and the others. Commander Yan is your elder brother again..."

Xie Ze'an instantly understood what Zhao Chongzhao meant.

He fixedly looked at Zhao Chongzhao.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "With Uncle Duan over there, Ning'er must be able to live happily too."

Xie Ze'an said: "I'll go. If things really happen as His Highness said, I'll go to the west."

Zhao Chongzhao said, "Then can I kiss you?"

Xie Zean was taken aback.

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Fanbang's side," he tried to steady his voice, "you have to kiss farewell, it's called goodbye."

Xie is silent.

Zhao Chongzhao took him as acquiescence, leaned over and pushed Xie Zean against the wall, and gently kissed Xie Zean's lips.When Xie Ze'an was in a daze, he opened Xie Ze'an's lips and teeth and drove straight in, deeply grabbing the sweetness he longed for.

The moonlight shone on the surrounding flowers and trees, and the sparse flower shadows swept across the courtyard wall, blocking a lingering corner by the wall.

It was too late for Xie Ze'an to struggle, so he could only let Zhao Chongzhao kiss enough.

After a long time, the two looked at each other quietly.

Xie Ze'an said, "Your Highness should return to the palace."

Zhao Chongzhao said: "Okay." After saying this word, he turned around suddenly and walked out of the courtyard door quickly.

There has never been a confession between them, there has never been love and hatred between life and death, and there has never been an inseparable relationship.

He will be the king of a country in the future, and he will always be his sister's son-in-law.

Xie Ze'an watched Zhao Chongzhao's figure disappear before his eyes, and raised his hand to touch his neck.Princess Yan Ning's tears stained his front, but Zhao Chongzhao's hot tears rolled down the side of his neck.

Princess Yan Ning decided to confess to him, and Zhao Chongzhao decided to let him go.

As Xie Ze'an said, he is a gambler.

But he couldn't tell whether he was winning or losing.

Sometimes he is also very greedy, wanting this and that.

But most of the time he is sober, knowing that he can't want this, and he can't want that either.

In life, there are things to do and things not to do.

Xie Ze'an took off the jade pendant around his waist, held it in his hand and walked into the study.Dai Shi was sent away by him tonight, there was no one else in the study, Xie Ze quietly looked at the jade pendant that he had carried with him for several years for a while, then put it in the box and put it away.

Xie Zean sat under the lamp and read the book, his thoughts were calmer than ever, his memory seemed to be much better, and he engraved the words on it into his heart sentence by sentence.

He watched late at night alone, and fell asleep on the desk.

At this time Xie Dalang had been sitting on the roof all night.

He looked at the nebula in the distance, and listened to the movement inside the house.With his excellent hearing ability, he could even hear Xie Zean's flipping and breathing. He realized that Xie Zean hadn't turned to the next page for a long time, so Xie Dalang turned over and jumped off the roof, standing outside the window and looking at Xie Zean who was lying on the table sleeping soundly After a long time, he opened the door and walked in, picked up Xie Zean, carried Xie Zean to the bed and covered him with a quilt.

Feeling empty in his arms, Xie Dalang paused for a long time, then sat down on the chair next to him with his sword in his arms and closed his eyes.

The four people woke up at dawn in different places, and they didn't open their eyes to start the next day's life until the dazzling sun shone into the house.

Another sunny day.

But with the arrival of such good weather, it was a bad news like a bolt from the blue.