love palace

A month later, the cavalry led by Ke Weiqing fought an earth-shattering battle near Donglin Fort on the north slope of Donglin Town!

It turns out that the bandit leader "Tongtou" colluded with the subordinate Lingquan Kingdom when he learned that the imperial court sent troops to encircle and suppress it, and dug many secret roads to transport a large number of arrows, armor and lime water!

The fortress is located between two mountains, the city is high and the pool is deep, and the defense is extremely tight. With a large amount of lime water to help the battle, the siege army suffered burns even people and ladders.Blind and festering wounded soldiers can no longer go to the battlefield, and the shadow of pain hangs over the entire barracks!

Not only was Ke Weiqing in front of the battle, he personally held the drumsticks, beating the drums and rushing to the bloody front line.After the battle, they had to take care of more than a hundred wounded patients, and the accompanying military doctors were helpless. Only the herbs and plaster prepared by Ke Zhonglang himself could relieve the severe pain of the soldiers.

"What kind of bandit suppression is this? They are at war with Lingquan!" The junior non-commissioned officers scolded their fathers and mothers, and even asked the court to send more troops, but Ke Weiqing refused because he knew that the city would definitely be captured!

…It wasn’t until late at night that Ke Weiqing dragged his extremely tired body back to General Zhonglang’s tent built by the river. The lights were brightly lit, and two lieutenants were already waiting in the tent, making final preparations for tomorrow’s decisive battle!

"My lord, come and rest.

Different from the usual commander's tent, Ke Weiqing's tent is so plain that there is only a large bluestone table, a long couch with straw mats, and four stone piers.

The left and right adjutants named Zhang Huzi and Liu Fuqiang were both from poor backgrounds.In their twenties, they were dark and strong. Ke Weiqing promoted them as lieutenants because of their outstanding courage and excellent martial arts.

Of course, Zhao Guowei was very upset when he did this.Zhao Guowei originally wanted to insert "siblings" into the team, but the emperor gave Ke Weiqing a privilege this time, that is, he can promote generals by himself, and outsiders are not allowed to interfere.

Therefore, those scholars, workers, farmers, and businessmen who usually only do the hardest and most tiring work have the opportunity to be promoted. The lieutenants are especially grateful to Ke Weiqing for his kindness and obey his leadership.

Besides, I have never seen any noble son in this world who would personally change the medicine for soldiers to heal their wounds. In the past, when they went out to fight, those noble generals, especially those who went to war by name, were all hands-off shopkeepers, and they were the fastest ones to escape in danger!

——Those victories were achieved entirely by the lives of soldiers.

But General Ke Zhonglang is different, he loves soldiers like a son, and he will never act recklessly. If someone else attacked Donglinbao, his entire army would probably be wiped out by now.

"You guys sit too." Ke Weiqing hadn't closed his eyes for two days, but he still put on a relaxed posture.

"My lord, the two teams of forwards have been arranged properly." Zhang Huzi sat down on the right side of the big case, and reported to Ke Weiqing, who was in the chair, "Everything is as you expected. Tongtou saw that we couldn't beat us, so he was flirting inside. Happy, but I don't know that this is a tactic to slow down the army."

"Very good." Ke Weiqing nodded slightly, and couldn't help clenching his fists on his knees.

The imperial court gave a [-]-day deadline for suppressing the bandits, which is very generous.Ke Weiqing could have won by repeatedly attacking the city by relying on wheel battles. After all, in terms of using troops, the opponent is just a bandit.

But there will be thousands of casualties, and Ke Weiqing will never let the soldiers die in vain.There are still innocent people in the castle, so he must take care of the overall situation.

Therefore, the soldiers divided into four routes, the front and rear routes were dark, and they detoured around the mountain behind Donglinbao.The left and right roads are clear, and they have been building ladders to attack the city, but to make Tongtou underestimate the enemy, Ke Weiqing has to be a target.

The coach's camp is set up on a flat and open river beach. Copperhead can be clearly seen from Donglinburg, which is located on the top of the mountain, and can even launch rockets for sneak attacks.

By doing this, Ke Weiqing revealed a message to Tongtou.This commander is stupid, he doesn't even know how to set up a camp, and he has not moved the ground, which means that he has no other battle plan, and is just waiting for the troops to withdraw.

So Tongtou was very satisfied with the status quo, the sound of singing and drumming could be heard from time to time in the castle, and there were drunkards falling from the city wall, unsuspecting at all.

Today, Ke Weiqing's front and rear Second Route Army have already detoured and outflanked the fortress. Tomorrow dawn will break the fort when the opponent is drunk and dreaming of death!

After simulating the battle with Zhang Huzi and Liu Fuqiang on the sand table, trying to minimize casualties: the two lieutenants retired first.The morning star has risen slowly, and in another hour, Ke Weiqing will put on armor and go into battle!

... A candlelight cast a dark yellow halo on the simple straw mat soft couch. Ke Weiqing leaned halfway on the couch, closing his eyes and resting his mind. The profile of his profile was as delicate as a white jade sculpture.

After a while, he opened his eyes, the sharpness of being a coach was missing in the dark eyes, but there was a bit of sadness.

Ke Weiqing slowly spread out the peace talisman that had been clutched in his palm, which was the blessing that Huang Ye bestowed on him before the expedition.Now it has turned into a dark red piece of paper, and the words "Eternal Protection and Safety" on it can no longer be seen.

The sword has no eyes, and he took the lead again, charging to kill the enemy.After the left arm was shot by an arrow, the blood stained the peace amulet hidden in the sleeve armor red.

When he returned to the camp, he broke the arrow alone, and with a red-hot sharp blade, he gritted his teeth and gouged out the poisonous iron cluster that had penetrated more than three inches into the muscle and bone, but did not apply any anesthetic!

The severe pain made Ke Weiqing break out in a cold sweat, his whole body was hot, and he almost fainted!But what terrified him even more was that this short-range arrow almost injured the carotid and shoulder artery. If he hadn't dodged it, he might have died!

Ke Weiqing wasn't afraid of death, nor was he afraid of getting hurt, but a great fear suddenly rose in his heart, if he could never see Huang Ye again...? !

This idea suddenly jumped into his mind, and Ke Weiqing seemed to be in a dead wilderness. The indescribable panic of losing everything overwhelmed him, sending chills down his spine and penetrating into his white fingertips.

...Obviously the person is safe, and the snake venom on the arrow can be cured, but why does his heart suddenly tighten, and he is so frightened that he can't extricate himself?

"Huang... Huang... Ye...!" The whisper leaked from the dry lips, and the panic turned into heartache in an instant - the pain pierced the heart!

How nice it would be if only the righteousness of the courtier existed in my heart... The relationship between the monarch and the minister is always important!He will guard Huang Ye openly and honestly for the rest of his life!Just like when he was a child, he chose to follow and serve him without hesitation!

However, since coming to Donglinbao, Ke Weiqing realized how much he wanted to see Huang Ye amidst the blood and flesh. That emotion was not loyalty—it was love.

He once joked that even though he was traveling around the world, he still didn't understand the personal relationship between his sons and daughters, but he didn't know that his heart had already fallen to Huang Ye, so naturally he couldn't see other people's favor.

For a long time, he only had Huang Ye in his eyes, was it because of the glimpse he had when he was a child?Have you left an indelible mark on your heart?

Although Huang Ye saved his life, since when did this gratitude turn into love?How could I fall hopelessly in love with the emperor? !

Ke Weiqing couldn't figure it out, and couldn't guess, his heart was in a mess, and the more he wanted to get it clear, the more painful it would be.

But what he understands is that the emperor must not let the emperor know about this sudden realization, even if it rots in his stomach for a lifetime, he must not say it!

He is a man, not qualified to receive the grace, and being called to bed is just a palace game.Ke Weiqing knew in his heart that the emperor must spread his branches and leaves.Throughout the ages, haven't concubines always followed the "ritual of obedience", did not envy or favor each other, and worked hard to give birth to offspring for the emperor, so that they would last forever?

And he, a man, would actually feel heart-piercing jealousy for this, especially when he saw Shuo Lan entering the palace, and even thought that the emperor would not like Shuo Lan...

You can't think of such a thing at this time!If he continued to think about it like this, he not only violated the etiquette of the monarch and ministers, but also disobeyed the military law!

Ke Weiqing tried his best to restrain himself, distracted himself with pain, and scolded himself with ethics, until his body was covered with cuts and bruises, and his heart was bleeding.All he can do now is atone for his sins. He shouldn't have such thoughts about the emperor. He wants to win for the emperor and obtain evidence of the rebellion of Lingquan country.In this way, Dayan can send troops to Lingquan and bring the largest dependent country into its territory.

This will be the first step for Dayan to rule the world. Ke Weiqing decides to dedicate his whole life to Dayan. As for personal feelings, let the flames of war and blood wear away their edges...!

Ke Weiqing's black eyes flashed like mist, but they did not condense into tears after all. The peace talisman in the palm of his hand was squeezed into a small ball, and then placed on the candle flame, and after a swipe, only a little ashes remained up...

After a moment of silence, Ke Weiqing unbuttoned the green cloth soft armor and changed into a battle robe.There is no need for anyone to serve, and every soldier is used on the battlefield.

After untiing the yellow and rough gauze, most of the arrow wound on the left arm has recovered, but there are two vermilion streaks extending from the depths of the blood scab, symmetrical left and right like tattoos, and they are like clouds that unfurl So beautiful, this strange state... Could it be the sequelae of snake venom?

But I didn't feel any other discomfort in my body, and my pulse was very stable. Since the snake's venom had been removed, it was just the accumulation of blood congestion.

After Ke Weiqing neatly put on the obscene clothes, he put on the bronze armor and gauntlets in turn.When the oriental star burst into radiance, the candlelight was extinguished, and as soon as the curtain of the tent was lifted, there were already a crowd of armored soldiers in black.

"Let's go!" Ke Weiqing ushered in the clearer and brighter dawn decisive battle with a calm order!

※※※

In the early morning, the morning glow in the sky is as gorgeous as a spring peach.The imperial city in April is immersed in a peaceful and beautiful scenery.

There have been many happy events in recent days.First, on the Tianshan Mountain of Dabeitong Township, farmers picked a strange double-blossom snow lotus, which is a sign of auspiciousness for the country.Next, the governor of the Northwest will play, this winter will be covered with snow and wheat, and it will be a bumper harvest!What's more, the genius doctor Beidou rejuvenated, and actually cured the empress dowager Sun's decades-long illness of neck pain.

The so-called people are refreshed on happy occasions, and Queen Mother Sun is no exception.Immediately, there were twice as many operas and banquets in the palace, not only singing and dancing in the Shouan Palace, but also the family members laughing and laughing.The Empress Dowager also drove to the Changchun Palace from time to time to enjoy the newly designed repertoire with the emperor, such as "Mandarin Duck" and "Double Happiness", most of which are about men farming and women weaving, and the house is full of children and grandchildren.

And no matter where Empress Dowager Sun goes, she will always be accompanied by the graceful Princess Shuolan. Now she is regarded as a lucky star, and she has long since ceased to be the master of ceremonies.

Although he is only the princess, under the Queen Mother's order, the princess's salary was added, and she was granted to move to the magnificent and newly decorated Ziyun Palace. In addition, she was rewarded with ten BMWs, a thousand taels of silver, rouge, gouache, silk and satin. countless.

Shuo Lan has made great progress in the palace and has been favored by the Empress Dowager. The Zhao Clan is the happiest.Although the emperor was not born to the empress dowager, the emperor values ​​filial piety. Since the empress dowager loves "Xiao Lan'er" so much, the emperor will treat her differently.

From the princess to the princess, it is a matter of winning the favor of the queen mother, but to become the queen of the world, one has to pass many hurdles.

Zhao Guowei will naturally get through these intricate etiquette joints one by one, but the most important hurdle - being called to luck, has to rely on Shuo Lan's own efforts.

However, the Empress Dowager was also willing to match the emperor with Shuo Lan, so she brought Shuo Lan to see her again when the emperor retired from the early court and had a meal and rest.

"My son and minister, please greet the queen mother." Huang Ye stepped down from the throne of the Seven Treasure Dragon Carving, and greeted the Empress Dowager Sun.

"Get up quickly. Ai's family's sudden visit doesn't hinder the emperor's rest, right?" Although she is over fifty years old, she is well-bred and the queen mother is full of air.

"It's nothing, I should have gone to my mother's place to say hello."

"Hehe, that's unnecessary. The Ai family came today because they wanted to watch this new play with the emperor. It's called "Victory Order". The new actor sang so vividly."

"The servant girl kowtowed to the emperor, wishing long live, long live, long live."

Shuo Lan knelt down beside the Empress Dowager Sun, her cheeks were rosy, she wore a long snow-white skirt and a light green double-breasted silk thin silk shirt.A head of shiny black hair, braided into a crescent shape with colored ribbons, has an elegant temperament like a fairy, which is refreshing.

This is the pear blossom makeup that is popular in the palace nowadays. Seeing the concubines' peach blossom makeup, cloud makeup, and colorful and complicated clothes, the elegantly decorated Shuo Lan naturally looks particularly pretty and lovely. Huang Ye can't help but think about it Take a second look.

"Pingshen." Huang Ye said, but stretched out his arms to the Queen Mother.

The Empress Dowager was very satisfied that the emperor personally led her to the seat. After she sat down, she glanced at the banquet that had not yet been removed, and said to the meal eunuch beside her, "This bird's nest and shredded chicken soup has cooled down. Take it away and serve it on another table. Get it ready." Wine, and two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, Aijia wants to have a meal with the two Jiaer."

"Yes." The eunuchs hurriedly started, and the dishes on the gold and silver plates were removed in batches.After a while, the more spacious and magnificent imperial eight immortals food table was moved in.

Candied fruit, fruit, fine wine, cold dishes, and [-] top-quality dishes, such as bird's nest, winter bamboo shoots, ham and meat soup, Laba meat and elbows, etc., were all put on the table.

The Empress Dowager asked the eunuchs to add gold silk cushions to the food table, let Shuo Lan sit next to the Emperor, and also gave her ivory gold-covered bowls and chopsticks, which was the Queen's outfit.

"It's all one family, so don't pay attention to those etiquettes." Although the Empress Dowager Sun came from a famous family, she was kind-hearted and never jealous. Therefore, even though she had no children, she was always favored by the late emperor and was not deposed.

"My servant, I would like to thank the emperor and queen mother for the reward." Shuo Lan smiled coquettishly, but did not show her teeth.

In front of the Empress Dowager Sun, she never displayed the image of a princess, and she changed from her domineering and domineering behavior when she was in Prince Ke's mansion. She was as gentle as a jade rabbit, and showed great filial piety. The more I look at it, the more I like it, and I regard it as my own.

Even when it was time for meals, Shuo Lan would serve the dishes with her own hands, without bothering the servants in the palace, which made the Empress Dowager smile so hard that her eyes narrowed.

Under the dining table, a handsome young eunuch sang and performed. Accompanied by court musicians' sheng flute and sandalwood board, he mesmerizedly performed the late-twilight drama of the general winning the victory, but having to disarm and return to the field.It's a bit sad, but it's really full of voice and emotion, and it's a bit worth watching.

"Thousands of hate, who to tell? All kinds of sorrow, empty self-pity..." The little eunuch sang heartily, sweating like rain, Huang Ye's brows slightly furrowed.

Seeing this, Shuo Lan quietly put down the golden spoon, with tears in her eyes, "It shouldn't be, Nupi is now a sinner."

"This, why is it so good, your eyes are red? Who is the sinner?" Seeing this, the Queen Mother asked in surprise.He also pulled the emperor to let him take a good look at Shuo Lan.

"The Empress Dowager doesn't know, the slave family is guilty. The slave family picked him to sing because they saw that he sang well, but they forgot about the emperor... thinking about the slave family's younger brother..." Shuo Lan murmured, "Didn't there be military news a few days ago, saying Donglinbao is dangerous and formidable, is it difficult to invade?"

"What does this have to do with you?" The Empress Dowager Sun refused, "Ke Zhonglang will naturally have a way to calm the captives. He is just a gangster. You don't have to worry about it. The emperor is also, and he should send another imperial edict to let him end this matter early. How can the princess be so sad?"

"Queen Mother, although Wei Qing has no blood relationship with the slave family, the slave family has already recognized him as a younger brother. As a sister, why don't you worry about your younger brother who is going to war?"

"You, you are too soft-hearted! A man naturally wants to go out to practice, and Ke Weiqing should be more like this. This is worthy of the emperor's love, isn't it?" The Empress Dowager's words were stinging, and she even glanced at Huang Ye dissatisfied.

Huang Ye waved his hand wordlessly, and the little eunuch backed away with a look of panic.Faced with this situation, the musicians didn't know what to do, but Shuo Lan burst into laughter again.

"My family really shouldn't be like this, let the queen mother and the emperor laugh at me, as a token of atonement, how about I perform a song myself?"

"You?" Empress Dowager Sun asked with a smile, "How can there be any reason for performing arts?"

"For the emperor and the empress dowager, the younger brother of the slave family devoted his life and courage, and the slave family just performed a dance, what is it?" Shuo Lan said obediently.

"Okay, Your Majesty, Ai's family is not only blessed with good food today, but also able to see Lan Er's dancing skills, hehe...then, you go and prepare first." Empress Dowager Sun ordered a few maids, and went to the back hall to help Shuo Lan dress up.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Empress Dowager ordered more wine, drank with the emperor, and talked about some auspicious words about snow lotus and childbirth, and repeatedly hinted that it was time for him to establish a queen and give birth to offspring.

Keng!

A chime bell rang crisply, and a song "Huayue Fu" kicked off.Twelve palace maids dressed in light pink skirts and dancing with water sleeves greeted the slim Princess Shuolan like the stars.

She changed from her previous elegant style, like a fairy on a painting scroll, graceful and elegant.She has a tall cloud bun, with golden feathers and phoenix hairpins piercing diagonally from side to side, and emerald green steps hanging down to her forehead.A pair of jade rings inlaid with gold silk held the shell-like earlobes, shining brightly, setting off her pink cheeks and snowy neck, making her delicate and moving!

The dance clothes are even more original, with white peacock feathers as the hem of the skirt, and the upper body is only adorned with a sapphire green tube top. The clothes are embroidered with exquisite beaks, which looks energetic.The princess's arms are naturally exposed, and the jade bee that is about to come out, under the cover of the long snow-white silk belt, is looming, showing a more graceful grace.

With the rising of the drums, Shuo Lan swayed freely as if she had transformed into a dancer from the Western Regions.She touched the ground with her toes, flying and jumping, as graceful and light as a feather in the wind.The waist twisted suddenly, and it looked like falling flowers. It was gorgeous and extraordinary. It really made the Queen Mother Sun and the eunuchs dazzled and clapped their hands!

Huang Ye naturally also looked at the stunning beauty on the dance floor, and I have to say that Shuo Lan's dance has an astonishing charm, which is enough to fill the audience with glory!

However, judging from her graceful and graceful steps, she should also have learned martial arts. It can be seen how much effort Zhao Guowei has put into this granddaughter!

But Ke Weiqing, the person Huang Ye wanted to cultivate, was not by his side at this time.It's not that he didn't see the memorial about the sinister Donglinbao bandits and the stagnation of the war situation, but he just didn't want to criticize it.

The swipe of the vermilion imperial pen brought only trouble to Ke Weiqing, without any help.Because right now, no troops will be sent to assist him, and he will only be asked to make a quick decision. Violators will be dealt with by military law.

Huang Ye unconsciously stared at Shuo Lan's peachy smile, was she really worried about her younger brother?Or is she afraid that Ke Weiqing's career will be unfavorable and her future will be hindered?

Seeing the emperor staring intently at Shuo Lan, Empress Dowager Sun was overjoyed and knew that something was going to happen.

"Shangbi Spring Wine." The Empress Dowager ordered the thousand-year-old wine that would only be opened on occasions of great joy and birthday banquets.This unique sweet and fragrant wine aroma can make people feel drunk and have endless aftertaste!

Huang Ye naturally toasted to the fine wine frequently, while Shuo Lan twisted her willow waist more vigorously, dancing so fragrantly and sweaty, she stood out elegantly.Seeing that the time was almost up, the Empress Dowager said that she was overwhelmed with alcohol and wanted to drive back to the palace to rest.

But before leaving, she did not remove the singing and dancing musicians, but ordered a few more long-sleeved dances, drum dances, and sword dances, and let Shuo Lan dance for the emperor to watch.

Other idlers, such as the inner eunuch of the palace and the guards in the palace, all retreated outside the door and waited quietly.

"Your Majesty...how is your slave dancing?"

At the end of an old tune, Shuo Lan moved her footsteps lightly, walking to Huang Ye's throne in a posture of floating on the water, posing a weak and powerless posture, humbly prostrate on the emperor's feet.

"Not bad." Huang Ye didn't help her up, but praised her superb dancing skills.

"My family is so happy! Your majesty... I know that I have little talent, and I can't replace my younger brother to serve Shengjia, and I don't expect to be able to replace my younger brother, but... Your majesty... My family is also infatuated with you!"

Shuo Lan was crying, first a drop of crystal clear tears hung on her pink cheeks, then her shoulders trembled rhythmically, more tears rolled down, but it was not crying out loud.

Her coral red lips kept moving, making her look so charming and extremely fragile, she was not at all the granddaughter of the powerful Zhao Guowei.

"Shuo Lan." Huang Ye stretched out her big hand with jade finger rings, and helped her up from the ground.

"Your Majesty... I am willing to dedicate everything to you...!" Shuo Lan said sadly and with tears in her eyes, she tilted her waist and fell into Huang Ye's broad chest, her two slender arms were also wrapped around the dragon's neck , I no longer want to...

The chief eunuch Li Deyi did not show any signs of expression, but he withdrew knowingly.And a court lady who had been bribed by Zhao Guowei took the opportunity to sneak into the palace, boldly looked inside for a while, then closed the palace door and left.