His Royal Highness the First Prince of Daliang

The little prince lived in the General's Mansion for seven days.

In the first few days, they stuck together almost day and night.Qi Changfeng single-handedly took care of everything for Kang Ning, such as drinking, eating, walking, sitting, lying down, washing and dressing—if Kang Ning couldn’t see Qi Changfeng when he opened his eyes, he would immediately shout his name at the top of his voice, and Qi Changfeng didn’t care what he was doing. He boiled medicine, scented clothes, prepared meals, fetched water to wash, and would run back immediately.

It wasn't until the next few days that Qi Changfeng would leave the mansion for a moment when important military information came up occasionally.But he would rush back to the general's mansion immediately after handling the military affairs, as if there was an eternally tightened thread between Kang Ning and him, pulling his heart all the time.

But in the blink of an eye, these seven days passed quickly.The little prince who had never been away from the palace for such a long time finally began to miss his parents, and wanted to go back to the palace whimpering.

Qi Changfeng couldn't really detain people—although he wanted to.He tidied up the little prince's "Mrs. Bu" and so on without complaint, and waited for the little ancestor to have breakfast before sending him back.

They first looked back at Shu Gong to put down the little prince's most personal luggage.In fact, most of the objects that Kang Ning is used to are always kept in Wangshu Palace, Yongchun Palace and General’s Mansion, but there are always a few things that follow him all the year round, and he has to take them with him wherever he goes, even if Neizao Mansion Presented with exactly the same thing, there is no substitute for the little thing.

If the little prince had brought these things with him, he might not remember them, but when he remembered and asked for them, if Qi Changfeng couldn't change them for him, Kang Ning would lose his temper in a daze.

Kang Ning has gotten used to being clingy to Qi Changfeng these days.As soon as Qi Changfeng came in, he talked with Bitao about his diet, work and rest, and physical condition in the past few days, so the little prince first ran around his Wangshu Palace and touched the palace. The new furnishings, decorations, and curtains that people put on these days seem to be only a few days away, but they actually feel that this gorgeous palace that has been inhabited for many years is a bit strange, revealing a bit of lively novelty.

Then he ran back again, sat on Qi Changfeng's lap quite naturally, kicked his feet on each other, kicked off his shoes directly, the little white socks stepped on Qi Changfeng's calf, and leaned his upper body back, no matter what How positive is the shape?

"Drink some water, Ning Ning?" Qi Changfeng didn't think there was anything wrong with this soft calf candy.

"Mmm... yes." The little prince nodded proudly.

Bi Tao and Cui Hai watched the little prince being so close to Qi Changfeng without any scruples, obviously they had become accustomed to such a crookedness, they both blushed and laughed, and exchanged glances behind their backs.

The little prince saw the grand ladies laughing there, but at first he didn't realize why, and asked them triumphantly, "How about it, miss me, are you so happy when I come back?"

Bi Tao nodded seriously, "Of course we miss the master. It just shows that the master doesn't miss us: it's getting worse that we don't even need to serve tea and water—that's right, the master has been watching us for too long Now, naturally I feel that we all have straight brows and drooping eyes, which is not pleasing."

It was only then that Kang Ning realized that he was no longer in the general's mansion, nor was he in the same room with Qi Changfeng.

He never felt that there was a big difference between the two of them staying in Wangshu Palace and staying in the General's Mansion.It's just that Qi Changfeng is obviously more willing to keep him in the general's mansion, and even lied to him that he was seriously injured.But after that night, they became more and more intimate day by day. They could ride together in the same boat under the moonlight when no one was there, and they could kiss wantonly in the sleeping tent of only two of them. After comprehending the endless changes, he couldn't help falling into this endless and infinite mysterious happiness along with Qi Changfeng.

It wasn't until Qi Changfeng sent him back to Wangshu Palace, until he saw Bi Tao and Cui Hai's jokes and smiles at this moment, that Kang Ning finally realized how Qi Changfeng felt——

There used to be a genuinely exclusive intimacy in this world.

In the world of two people, there is no room for the existence of a third person.It's not that they can't tolerate others being in the same room with them, or that he will only see Qi Changfeng with all his heart and eyes, unable to communicate with others, and unable to have contact and feelings with other people.

But between him and Qi Changfeng, there is a kind of aura that has been faintly formed, as if they have become another torso, another pair of eyes, and another absent eye in the world. The beating heart in my own chest.

Even though he and Qi Changfeng are standing with their backs to each other at this moment, or even separated in two places, he can already feel that there is someone who is loved by him and himself somewhere in this world.

He was sitting in Qi Changfeng's arms, lying on him, he was clinging to Qi Changfeng's neck - all intimacy is no longer just wanting to be close, but it happens naturally in the world, like the evening wind in early summer, like It is the unknown whisper of a ship of night stars.

Kang Ning smiled lightly, and did not respond to Bitao's joke.

He raised his head and asked Qi Changfeng, "Are you going back to your residence later? Is there anything else you need to do outside? Why don't you stay in Wangshu Palace tonight, okay?"

Of course Qi Changfeng didn't want to leave.

It's just that he has a hunch that he still has a tough battle to fight today, not to mention whether he will stay in Wangshu Palace or not, he has abducted this little treasure for so many days - the emperor may be thinking about how not to keep him Drive out of Beijing without trace.

He didn't say whether to stay or not, but said, "I have something to report to Your Majesty, and I will go to Qinghe Palace later. Will Your Highness go to Yongchun Palace first to see the noble concubine?"

Kang Ning frowned and hesitated: "Why are you looking for my father? How about I accompany you to the Hall of Qinghe first?"

Of course not—

Qi Changfeng thought, if he dared to bring this little thing to block the gunfire when he went to deal with the old man himself, it is estimated that even if Emperor Hui swallowed his humiliation and compromised for the sake of his son, he would be even more annoyed when he turned around.It's better for him to go over honestly and suffer a meal, so that the emperor can calm down more or less:

"I have serious matters to discuss with His Majesty, so please don't go there together. Your Majesty has tacitly agreed that you have lived with me for these days, and it is estimated that you will not be very difficult for me. Don't worry, Your Highness."

His attitude was serious and resolute, so Kang Ning could only nod his head and agree: "Okay, then if the emperor makes things difficult for you later, just listen and don't make him too angry - I will persuade him later. Don't pay attention to what he said that doesn't please you."

Qi Changfeng kissed him before putting him down and putting his shoes on.He still accompanied Kang Ning all the way to Yongchun Palace, and watched the little prince walk in from the entrance of the hall.

Zhao Yunqiao also missed his son.

As soon as she met, she held Kang Ning in her arms and rubbed on his back like a child.It is rare for the mother and son not to see each other for such a long time, and at this moment they cuddle together and whisper softly.

"You little villain, you ran away for a few days when you said you would run away. The mother concubine and your father sent people to pick you up several times, but you refused to come back." Zhao Guifei held a piece of Yujin cake to feed her son, and blamed in her mouth.

"Qi Changfeng is injured," Kang Ning felt guilty, "I...I will stay in the General's Mansion to take care of him."

Zhao Yunqiao frowned, and patted his son on the back.

"You little thing! I brought you up since you were a child, and now that you're grown up and have someone you like, even your mother wants to lie to you?"

Kang Ning threw the pastry back on the plate, leaned over and hugged his mother's legs, buried his face in his mother's lap, and did not speak for a while.

His long black and soft hair was simply tied up, and it seemed that Qi Changfeng was still learning the craft.I don't know if a small strand of broken hair was not tied properly or was messed up by this little thing. It was fluffy and stupidly sticking out from between the hair bundles, which made people's hearts soften when they saw it.

The little hair on the top of his head is still the same as when he was a child, round, vivid and young. Concubine Zhao once learned a hand from her mother when Kang Ning was a baby—to run her hands along the hair on the top of Xiao Kang Ning’s head. Rotate back and stroke down slowly from the back of the neck to the back so that the child's bones can grow well later.

—her child, her little flesh and blood, the little bean she holds in her hand: he has grown so big.

Zhao Yunqiao had all kinds of feelings in his heart for a while, but it was difficult to speak.She wanted to find a few words to ask, for example, do you really like Qi Changfeng so much, and does Qi Changfeng treat you well?But there is no need to ask such a question.

Zhao Yunqiao knows better than anyone how much his child likes Qi Changfeng, and there is no doubt that Qi Changfeng treats her son so well.

However, even though she is well aware of their mutual love, even though she admires Qi Changfeng very much and feels relieved in every possible way since she was a child, there is still a feeling of reluctance hovering in Concubine Zhao Guifei's heart, making her entangled After a long while, he just sighed lightly.

Kang Ning let go of his hand suddenly and left from his mother's lap. He straightened up and looked into the eyes that loved him deeply.

"What's wrong with you? Don't you like me being with Qi Changfeng?" Concubine Zhao sighed and Kang Ning also began to feel sad.Probably the sadness of parents is the thing in this world that children fear and cannot face the most.

Zhao Yunqiao smiled at his son, "How could it be? My Ning Ning has grown up peacefully, has someone I like, and wants to stay with him forever—Mother and Concubine is actually very happy."

The little prince shook his head, "But I feel that my concubine is very sad."

"Concubine Mu just feels that you have really grown up...and I seem to be losing you."

Corning was silent.

At that moment, a lot of sad, sour but warm and powerful things came out of his heart, but it was difficult for him to summarize those emotions clearly in a short period of time. He tried to express his true thoughts, but because he was too eager It seems that the word does not convey the meaning--

"But my concubine will never lose me," he looked at his mother's eyes like the two most beautiful stars in the sky:

"I love you. I love you when I am awake, I love you when I am asleep and unconscious, I love you in the sun, I love you in the dark also. Whether I am by your side or thousands of miles away, whether I am well live, or die before you—" He took away his mother's hand covering his lips:

"Mother Concubine, I have loved you since I was born—from that moment on, it has existed, it is the wind at this moment, the rain that comes every spring, as long as you stretch out your hand, it will be It will always fall into your palm. It is eternal, it is independent of everything, and it will not be transferred and eliminated because of anyone's arrival or departure, or even life and death."

"How could you lose me?" In the little prince's world view, only one kind of loss is called loss, but——"From the first moment you loved me, you have me forever. The concubine will never lose mine."

--"I am in your heart."

Zhao Yunqiao hugged her child and didn't say a word for a long time.

For a long time, she felt like there were many small, fluorescent stars floating in her chest.She suddenly remembered a dream she had when she was pregnant with Corning: She dreamed that the moon came, knocked on her door, and let the holy light shine in through her beautiful window lattice.

"What are you doing here?" she asked the moon.The Zhao Yunqiao in the dream is not a concubine waiting to give birth, but a beautiful and proud girl.

The moon said, "Huh? Don't you know? I'm here to cheer you up."

-

"You will never lose your mother and concubine." Concubine Zhao gently shook the little moon that had grown up in her arms, and murmured.

"I know." The little prince cuddled up in his mother's arms, "so don't worry about me, concubine mother. I've grown up, and I can already protect myself."

"My concubine is not worried about you, I am worried about Qi Changfeng," Zhao Yunqiao suddenly laughed, "Why did I raise a son who is so sweet-talking... How can he control you in the future?"

"Why does he care about me!" The little prince quit, "I didn't care about him! Usually he can do whatever he wants!"

"Qi Changfeng still needs you to take care of him? He has been able to take good care of himself since he was a child." Zhao Guifei touched Kang Ning's forehead, "On the contrary, it's you, who doesn't work hard in limbs, doesn't distinguish grains, and is still the little rascal who loves to act like a spoiled child!"

-

When Kang Ning left Yongchun Palace, it was almost dusk. He passed a garden on the way back, but heard the faint laughter of children there.

Li Wan was flying a big kite, a bunch of people surrounded her, nervous about her, and the child's face was full of innocent and fearless happiness.For a moment, Kang Ning seemed to see himself as a child across several years.

He stood there secretly looking at her for a long time, with a hazy smile on his face.

As a result, Li Wan spotted him first and walked straight towards him.

Li Wan is now at the age when Kang Ning first met Qi Changfeng.She is a very lively little girl, with a clear and gentle melancholy in her brows, which is very similar to her father.

Kang Ning called her softly, "A Wan." He still remembered Li Wan's disgust towards him a few years ago when he was a child, and he felt a little nervous and timid in his heart.

But Li Wan sized him up, and just asked, "Uncle Huang, are you feeling better?" She was a little shy because she was not familiar with Kang Ning, "I went to my father a few days ago. I played in Wang's study, and even found the letter he wrote to you back then."

The little prince was stunned for an instant.

"What letter?" He knelt down instantly, grabbed Li Wan's shoulder and asked.

He reacted as soon as he asked, and let go of his hand resentfully, for fear that his eagerness would scare his niece.

Li Wan, however, did not show any fear because of his abruptness, "I didn't open it to look...," the little girl tilted her head cutely, "Little Emperor, follow me back to the East Palace, I'll give it to you."

-

It turned out to be a very long letter, because after many years, the handwriting on the paper has faded faintly, showing the traces of time everywhere.

There is no need to repeat the concerned blessings and greetings at the beginning.

The prince wrote a lot in the letter, which Kang Ning once thought he would never have a chance to reach a reconciliation in his life:

"Brother Huang knows that many things have changed this year. Concubine Yang acted in extreme ways, Brother Da Huang has been weak and hesitant in the middle, the second and third child left the palace suddenly, and Qi Changfeng also left. Do you think everyone Leaving you, I have a lot of grievances in my heart.

In fact, I also have a lot of confusion and grievances in my heart.In the past two years, many things in my life have begun to seem to be lurking in the mist, and in this position, everyone has expectations of me, but secretly watching my every move, and refuses to let them know. To clarify his desire and vision, sometimes Brother Huang wakes up at night, only to feel the pressure of loneliness in his breath.

I began to find it difficult to appreciate the happiness and warmth of the past, and even I began to resent my father's eccentricity—it's so strange, sometimes people's hearts are so unpredictable, obviously I have never thought of it this way before, but now I really have the prince After the position, I started to be jealous of you.

Brother Huang tasted power painfully on such a confused and angry road, but he couldn't help questioning everything, my parents, brothers, wives and concubines, and myself.

I know that Ning Ning has also begun to think about these questions-maybe you haven't noticed it yet.But when you silently swallowed the first sentence of grievance to your father, you have already felt suspicious and alienated from your relatives.But the father dared not face this, he turned a blind eye to it, and he tried his best to maintain the balance through the grand favor shown to you.Brother Huang felt it, but Brother Huang himself could hardly cross the river, he dared not face you, and he was helpless against all the collapses.

Until I have Awan.My flesh and blood, my daughter, this little, fragile, beautiful thing.

I sat by her cradle and unconsciously lost my mind.That night—many nights, I only imagined how to protect her and teach her. I knew she would grow beautiful, kind, brave and smart.I want her to be a kind and righteous princess with the ability to love everything.

By her side, I don't feel restless, confused, worried or suspicious, and I know I'm just her father.And she trusted me, and she was sleeping peacefully next to me right now.

She brought a new kind of peace into my life.I feel like my life will never be the same again—I have the most powerful thing in the world at this moment.

That is not the position of the prince, it is not admired by thousands of people, and it is not power.

I suddenly understood what I should do.This position, it should not be to satisfy my mother, it should not be to game the emperor's heart, it should not be the desire for power that is dragged into the party struggle - it is a responsibility, a entrustment, and it is what I should love at this moment. Like a little, frail child, I love all the people I can't see.

Brother Huang has already consulted Father Huang for instructions.When Awan is over one year old, I will leave Beijing and go around the country, the vastest plains and the most barren border villages.Brother Huang is going to see the real life of the people, my people, and their busy lives, sorrows and joys.

This is also the road that the father walked in the past-when I said this, the father looked very happy.

This letter is addressed to you.When Brother Huang is away from Beijing, you have to take good care of your little niece.I hope that she can spend more time with her little uncle when she was young. You are the best child the emperor has ever seen, and the emperor will always love you.

When A Wan grows up, you will also grow up, become an adult, meet someone you love, and have children.At that time, you will also be brave, strong, full of anticipation and courage for everything that will happen in your life.

Maybe Brother Huang will have the opportunity to go out on business or travel in Beijing, when that time comes, I will take you and Awan together..."

-

That letter only ended here, and the end of Enjoying the Future left only a touch of hastily ended ink, as if the person who wrote the letter while sitting next to his daughter's cradle heard the cry of the baby and put down his pen for the time being.

In the end, I don’t know whether it was because Li Jingyu was too busy, or everything ended in a hurry on that spring night, and it was too late to write an unfinished letter. This letter was buried somewhere in that palace, and it was grown up after many years. Many little girls dug out and sent them to the real recipients.

Kang Ning burst into tears.

At that moment, a hug from his brother, which had been delayed for too long by unspeakable estrangement and obscure hatred, met him again on this early summer evening.

It's too late, but it's never too late.

When Kang Ning came out from the study in the East Palace, he saw the girl who looked like a prince standing on tiptoe in the bright warm light.She is catching the dancing light spots sprinkled on the mural beams, with a naive and focused expression on her face.

Seeing this somewhat unfamiliar little uncle coming out of her father's study with tears all over his face, Li Wan had a childlike curiosity on his face:

"Why are you crying?" She raised her face and asked him, "Could it be that the father scolded you in the letter?"

"No." Kang Ning squatted down and hugged the little child, as if Li Jingyu hugged his little brother lovingly every time in the past, "He didn't scold me. He just told me in the letter that he really loves you very much." .”

"Awan, I also have things that your father left you - many boxes of jewelry, picture albums, books and toys. I'm sorry, the little emperor has forgotten to give them to you all these years."

"Then will the little emperor give it to me now?" Li Wan asked softly.

"Well, the little emperor will give it to you."

-

When Kang Ning said goodbye to Li Wan and came out, he immediately saw Qi Changfeng waiting not far from the gate of the East Palace.

He paused slightly, then walked towards the man.At first the little prince was still walking at a normal speed, then he quickened his pace little by little, at the end he almost ran, and flew into the arms of Qi Changfeng who was coming towards him.

Qi Changfeng hugged him full.It's just that they have been separated for an afternoon, and he already thinks that he can't do it.He hugged this little thing that lost his golden peas contentedly, and kissed and kissed his tearful little face.

"Why did you think of coming here?" General Qi's voice was gentle and low, "Why are you crying, eh? Who made our little highness unhappy?"

Kang Ning didn't answer, but just huddled around in the man's arms like a coquettish puppy.

After a while, the little prince felt something.He moved a little away from Qi Changfeng, raised his face suspiciously, "Why are you full of alcohol?" He sniffed Qi Changfeng with his nose up, "And changed clothes specially? What's going on? My father Did the emperor make things difficult for you? Did you go to drink after you separated from him?"

"I just drank it when I was with His Majesty." Qi Changfeng expressed helplessness.Probably Emperor Hui had a secret talk with him, insulted him without any profanity, and finally expressed that he had no choice but to compromise, and only wanted to get him drunk to vent the last bit of grievance.It's just that after drinking for three rounds, the emperor himself fell down first, and Qi Changfeng also drank a lot, but he didn't feel too drunk in his head.

Seeing that Kang Ning wanted to ask more questions, Qi Changfeng hurriedly brought up other topics——

"Your Majesty said that the matter of your leaving the palace to build a mansion is on the agenda." This is almost equivalent to a tacit approval of Qi Changfeng's relationship with his youngest son.In fact, they had a deeper conversation at the time: the emperor meant that if they hadn't had any problems getting along after being together for three or two years, then it wasn't impossible to start discussing the date of marriage.

With Emperor Hui as his own father, at least the youngest son and Qi Changfeng didn't have the turn to think about worldly obstacles and other people's comments.

And: "If your highness recovers well this summer, your majesty will agree to let me take you out of Beijing. It seems that I don't need to steal your highness out." He stroked the little prince's soft long hair, feeling the tenderness in the sunset. Feeling infinitely gentle and comfortable, "It's just that, Your Majesty said that you can only go to one place at most at a time, and you must keep in touch with Beijing and China when you go out. If you go out this autumn, you must return to Beijing before winter."

But this was enough to surprise the little prince.

Kang Ning jumped up all of a sudden, like an overly active little donkey, "Father is so kind! I'll go over to see him right now!"

General Qi hurriedly stopped him.There was a bit of embarrassment on his face - he didn't want the little prince to know:

"Your Majesty is very drunk," he dragged him to cry and scold, and sang a few Yuexi lines into the cup under the embarrassing eyes of the housekeeper, "he drank too much, I guess he won't be here until dark." won't wake up."

"...Qi Changfeng, you can really do it."

-

"Autumn?" Yan Gui also felt very happy when he heard the little prince tell him about this matter, "Not bad, I will leave Beijing at about that time."

The smile on Kang Ning's face slowly fell, "Where are you going? Are you still going to the Western Regions?" The monks who traveled westward probably had already left, and it is unlikely that anyone would want to go to that deserted place where there are only legends. Breaking through the saved place, does Yan Gui still want to walk alone?

"Go to the Western Regions," Yan Gui patted his head, "Your Highness, why are you acting like this? I won't take any risks, okay? I assure you, I will be cautious and save my life during this trip." Then He remembered something again, "Oh right. Zhao Yunxia also went with me."

"What?!" Kang Ning's eyes widened, "You want to abduct my little uncle too! Didn't he not go to the Northwest? No, my grandmother and concubine must not allow it if they find out..."

"So he has already escaped from Beijing," Yan Gui laughed under his shocked gaze, "Don't look at me, Your Highness, I don't know where he is hiding now."

-

In fact, Zhao Yunxia first escorted Meng Baifan to Wushan at the emperor's behest.Meng Baifan set off in secret again, and she wanted to completely solve the malaria disease that had plagued the people of Lingnan for many years.

Two days after she left, Li Chengyu didn't realize the news when he was waiting outside the medical clinic.In fact, even if Meng Baifan left him a few words before leaving, Li Chengyu would not hesitate to drop everything and chase after her.

But for such a long time, the second prince has been working unilaterally, and has not received any response from the other party up to this time.Li Chengyu finally began to feel a bit of belated disappointment that he had never noticed in his past life.

Meng Baifan's passionate pursuit of ideals once brought Li Chengyu great attraction.But when he started to think about which of the two things is more important, the attraction and yearning he once had became hurtful.

He grabbed Princess Zhaoyang and drank the dull wine for two days, soaking his brain in the paralysis of the wine to avoid problems.Zhaoyang actually looked down on him very much—but this was about Li Chengyu's own life choice, and she refused to give this brother any advice.

In this way, Li Chengyu caught his younger sister who was about to marry and wandered around in the tavern in the capital until the night of the third day, when the shy Young Master Wei waited outside the tavern with a lamp to pick up his fiancée back to the palace.In front of Li Chengyu, a bachelor who can't get a wife, the two unmarried men and women showed their love and affection without any scruples, which really stimulated Li Chengyu.

"You two! You two...don't be complacent! Do you think I won't be able to get a wife?" Li Chengyu pointed at the two of them and shouted angrily, "Don't you just continue to put your hot face on your cold ass! I don't care! I don't care Go out of Beijing to chase after Afan!"

He really left at night, leaving only the bold words he left in the tavern, which caused rumors in the capital after he left.

But that has nothing to do with Li Chengyu.He went there for more than two months. It was not until after an autumn rain that the sky was clean and the sky was clear for thousands of miles. He and Meng Baifan rode fast all the way on horseback and finally caught up with Princess Zhaoyang's wedding.

It has been a long time since there has been such a grand happy event in the capital. Dozens of miles of red makeup and red silk are hung on the street along the road from the imperial palace to the princess mansion, which complements the golden leaves all over the city.Qi Changfeng stayed with Kang Ning the whole time, mingled with the small banquet in the palace in the morning, and appeared at the two banquets in Weiguo's mansion and princess' mansion successively at noon, but no matter which process it was in, it was clear which part General Qi mingled with They are all blood relatives of Princess Zhaoyang!

And all the way from the palace to the princess' mansion, Qi Changfeng and the little prince rode together, their fingers intertwined, their intimate gestures showed no scruples.

More importantly, the emperor and concubine Zhao Gui not only did not show any abnormality about this, but also smiled at the little highness several times.Therefore, even though this day was the wedding of the Second Princess and Young Master Wei, it broke the hearts of many idiots and resentful women in the capital who were in love with His Highness.

Three days later, Qi Changfeng and Kang Ning bid farewell to everyone and set off to leave Beijing.

The sunshine of early autumn shines on everything and sprinkles brightly on the earth. Outside the capital, the rolling wheat waves exude a burst of warm grain aroma.Yu Bao walked leisurely on his own horse, because his master had already been carried into his arms by General Qi.

And Kang Ning's hand was being held by Qi Changfeng, and he looked into the distance under his gesture——

At the end of the golden wheat field, the distant and unfamiliar mountains are rolling and winding for several miles.Under the warm sun, it is a beautiful picture of rivers and mountains, boundless and beautiful.

——End of text——