return to peace

In the 220th year of the founding of Xiliang, the king of Xiliang, Chu Huaimin, suddenly abdicated in his prime, and was rumored to be the prince of Xiliang, Chu Zexi, who has since disappeared.This incident shocked the world, and there were different opinions, and it became a mystery of the world.Chu Zexi is only twenty years old, and he relies on Xiliang Guoshi Chu Lingshang for important affairs in the court.Some ministers in Xiliang were dissatisfied with Chu Lingshang's young age, covering the sky with one hand, and attacked in groups.Thanks to the will of the former king Chu Huaimin and the support of the current king Chu Zexi, Chu Lingshang eliminated a group of ministers who had dissent. The outside world criticized him for consolidating his power and eradicating dissidents.But since then, Chu Lingshang has had no obstacles on the road of vigorously promoting reforms, and Xiliang has developed rapidly.

Chen Guo's assassination case came to light, and the masterminds behind it were Chen Guozhen's concubine Fang Zhenrui and the eldest prince Chen Jingyu. The concubine Zhen was instigated by her cronies to be jealous of Princess Xiliang, and the eldest prince wanted to eradicate Ji Fan because of Ji Fan's closeness with the third prince. Mother and son The two hit it off immediately, found the top assassins in Jianghu, and assassinated Princess Xiliang and Ji Fan.King Chen was furious, and threw Concubine Zhen into the cold palace, the eldest prince was placed under house arrest, and the Fang family fell into disarray.As a result of the scandal, King Chen was stimulated, and his body, which had recovered somewhat, fell ill again. Ministers of the state of Chen asked for the appointment of a prince.During this period, Wen Ruyu, Prime Minister of Chen Guo, was seriously ill and returned to his hometown, where he died half a month later.Chen Wang chased Wen Ruyu as Taifu.Due to his meritorious service in solving the case, Ji Fan was promoted again, Wen Xiao's faction rose up, and Chen Guo's political power was reshuffled again.

In the blink of an eye, it was another half a year, and Chu Lingshang and Ji Fan were so busy that their feet didn't touch the ground. Although the correspondence between them was not interrupted, it was only a few words each time.Since Chu Zexi succeeded to the throne at a young age, Chu Lingshang inevitably had to be busy with government affairs every day, and even stayed in the palace for most of the six months.After Ji Fan found out, he felt a little jealous, but he was far away in Chen Guo, so there was nothing he could do.

After coming and going, it was Chu Lingshang's birthday.He was born on the tenth day of October, the autumn when maple leaves are red.When he was young, Wen Ruyu and Ji Futian helped him celebrate his birthday every year. Later, when Ji Fan came, it was Wen Ruyu and Ji Fan who helped him. When he came to Xiliang, every year it was Chu Huaimin, Si Ran and Chu Ze. He hoped that the three of them would have a meal with him.Now, only Chu Zexi is left by his side.

Although the weather wasn't very cold yet, Chu Lingshang had already put on a wool blanket and used Tang Pozi.The warm pavilion where he handles political affairs every day is also connected to geothermal heat.He and Chu Zexi shared a table, which made it easier for them to discuss political affairs.

Today, he was dealing with political affairs as usual, and his shoulders and back felt a little sore. He put down his pen, pushed away the file in front of him, moved his shoulders, and looked to the right, only to find that Chu Zexi was gone.He was wondering where Chu Zexi had gone, when he saw him pushing open the door with a food box, it was already dark outside.

Is it time to eat?

Seeing that he was a little confused, Chu Zexi burst out laughing, "Ling Shang, have you forgotten that today is your birthday?"

Chu Lingshang suddenly realized: "I really forgot."

"Come and eat noodles. I made your favorite Babaozhen duck noodles and sweet-scented osmanthus cake. Now is the season when sweet-scented osmanthus is in full bloom, and this sweet-scented osmanthus cake is the freshest." Chu Zexi took these things out of the food box He took it out and introduced it.

Chen Lingshang leaned over, twisted a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake and put it in his mouth. It was soft and delicious, with a lingering fragrance. It was really delicious.He sat opposite Chu Zexi, and Chu Zexi took out another jug ​​of wine and said, "It's your birthday anyway, let's have a drink or two. This wine is already hot, not cold."

Chu Lingshang took the wine glass and looked at Chu Zexi, who was already the king across the way. Gradually, he had the appearance of an adult man, and he was able to intimidate the courtiers in the court, but he always felt that in his eyes, he was still the king. Children who need their own protection.

"Let's drink to Xiliang's gradual prosperity."

Chu Lingshang smiled and drank it all in one gulp.

"To my father and Si Ran, let's have a drink together."

With Chu Huaimin's company, Si Ran's health has improved, which is indeed worthy of congratulations.

"For you to be one year older, let's have another drink."

Chen Lingshang teased, "It's one year older." After finishing speaking, he drank it down.

"Not old, not old, in my eyes, you will never be old." Chu Zexi joked, and handed the chopsticks to Chen Lingshang: "Eat quickly, don't look at this small bowl of noodles, the dining room starts at noon get ready."

Looking at the whole longevity noodles in the bowl, Chu Lingshang joked, "What if I run out of food?"

"That's okay, after all, you will live a long life." Chu Zexi said seriously, as if this would really come true.

He knew about Chu Lingshang's body, and he was afraid that he might not be able to take care of it after so much effort, but he didn't want to hurt Chu Zexi's heart, so he lowered his head, picked up the noodles, and began to eat carefully.

At this moment, for some reason, he suddenly thought of Ji Fan. He remembered that when he was a child, every time it was his birthday, Ji Fan had to make a fuss about eating the same bowl of longevity noodles with him, head to head, one side eating one end, the other eating the other end, Until the whole bowl of noodles is eaten.Since he was nine years old, no one has celebrated his birthday like him.

Chu Zexi looked at the shadow cast by Chen Lingshang's eyelashes, and felt a little joy in his heart. He suddenly felt that his father's abdication might be a good thing, not only fulfilling him and Si Ran, but also fulfilling him and Chu Lingshang .Over the past year or so, he has also figured out the relationship between Chu Lingshang and Ji Fan. He knows that Chu Lingshang has Ji Fan in his heart, but he believes that he is with him day and night. Sooner or later, Chu Lingshang will forget about Ji Fan. Fan, accept his sincerity.

He also began to lower his head and eat the noodles seriously. If Chen Lingshang's noodles were broken, he would eat them whole for him.

There was no sound, and after eating the noodles, Chu Zexi coaxed Chen Lingshang to eat more sweet-scented osmanthus cakes and drink a few more glasses of wine.Chen Lingshang was already too strong to drink, but now that he drank a few more glasses, he was already a little dizzy.He couldn't quite hear what Chu Zexi said.Seeing him like this, Chu Zexi bent down and picked him up, and carried him all the way back to the side hall. There were servants in the hall who had already prepared towels and toiletries.

Chu Zexi personally helped Chen Lingshang wash up, and after he lay down on the bed, she covered him with the quilt tightly.Chen Lingshang was probably very drunk, and as soon as he touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep.

As soon as the door was closed, Lin Feng hurriedly came.

"Meet your majesty."

"Is something wrong?" Chu Zexi raised his eyebrows.

Lin Feng hesitated to speak, and asked, "Is the young master asleep?"

"En." Chu Zexi looked at him and said, "It's the same as the widow said."

Lin Feng shook his head: "It's nothing, I just want to ask the young master if he needs to serve you."

Chu Zexi knew that he wasn't telling the truth. He never liked Lin Feng very much. To be precise, he didn't like anyone who was close to Chu Lingshang. "Well, let's go back."

"Yes." Lin Feng withdrew respectfully.

Chu Zexi raised his foot to go back to the palace, thought for a while, then turned back.Pushing open the door, all the servants were screened back: "You should remember what should be said and what should not be said."

The servants backed out obediently.

Only the dim yellow candlelight remained in the hall.Chu Zexi took off his coat, lifted a corner of the quilt, and lay down inside.As soon as he lay down next to Chu Lingshang, Chu Lingshang turned over, put one hand around his chest and hugged him, buried his face in his shoulder, and pressed his cool nose against his chin.

"Xiao Fan." A vague murmur came into Chu Zexi's ears clearly, and the originally joyful and contented heart instantly fell into an ice cellar.This sound aroused crazy jealousy in his heart, he turned his head slightly to look at Chen Lingshang's delicate eyebrows, the possessiveness and jealousy in his heart made him want to immediately surround him with him, never leaving him.

But he couldn't do that yet, he closed his eyes and calmed himself down.

He needs to take his time.