comeback [rebirth]

A few days later, in Jingxing Hall.

Sufficient heaters make the whole propaganda room as warm as if it was early summer, and the calming fragrance wafts from above the incense burner, and the chess pieces and chessboard make a crisp sound of "click" from time to time.

Time passed by quietly, until Emperor Ning suddenly said something out of his mouth: "This Mobei doesn't seem to have been in the battle report recently, and I don't know what's going on."

"Father." Cen Yuan didn't lift his eyes, "No matter how much you try to use Yan Xuan's affairs to distract my attention, you still have to lose the game you should lose."

After finishing speaking, he dropped a piece on the chessboard: "No, you will lose if you do this."

Emperor Ning said "Hey", sat up and stared at the chessboard for a moment, then quickly reached out to take the pieces on the chessboard: "It doesn't count, the move just now doesn't count."

"That can't be done!" Cen Yuan quickly moved the entire chessboard to his side, "I don't regret the move, how can you, as the king of the dynasty, regret the chess?"

Emperor Ning said: "Then you don't know how to give way to me, kid."

"Last time, you reprimanded my son for not doing his best. My son just listened to your will."

Emperor Ning raised his finger and pointed at Cen Yuan, his lips parted as if he wanted to reprimand him, but he didn't say a few words for a long time.In the end, he had no choice but to shake his hand: "Forget it, playing chess with you is really meaningless, I might as well go to your mother and concubine, and the two of you can talk."

Who would have thought that once these words came out, Cen Yuan would lose face.

Emperor Ning called for Eunuch Rong to change his clothes, and cast a sideways glance at Cen Yuan: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing..." Cen Yuan put away all the "arrogant" just now, "I was called to play chess by you when I entered the palace today, and I haven't gone to pay my respects to my concubine."

Emperor Ning snorted: "You are allowed to go to your mother and concubine for tea every day if you have nothing to do, and I am not allowed to go?"

Not long after Eunuch Rong came in, he heard these two sentences and smiled all over his face. On the other side, Cen Yuan changed his face faster than turning the pages of a book, and immediately apologized with a good smile: "Of course there is no such meaning."

Emperor Ning sneered from his nasal cavity again as if sullen, and at this moment Eunuch Rong couldn't help but chime in: "The second prince is filial and polite, Your Majesty, you should be happy."

"You stupid old man, could it be that you received some kind of gift? Hmm?" Emperor Ning pointed at Eunuch Rong, "I know how to speak for him."

Eunuch Rong lowered his head with a smile, and Emperor Ning immediately shook off his sleeves and walked straight towards the door.

It wasn't until he was about to leave the announcement room that he reluctantly added: "Let's go together."

It was a clear and windless day in Chang'an, and Emperor Ning was in good spirits, so he didn't ask anyone to prepare a chariot, and walked with Cen Yuan to Jin'an Palace where Jiang Zhaoyi was.

The distance between the two places is not far, and there are flowers and plants as companions along the way, so you won’t feel bored while chatting and strolling.Emperor Ning said slowly: "It will be your birthday in a while, and I will discuss it with your mother and concubine in a while, so I have to take care of it this time."

When Cen Yuan heard the words, he soon turned bitter, and asked pretending to be ignorant: "It's been a long time since my son's birthday party, why is it suddenly going to be held again?"

Emperor Ning said: "I haven't done it in the past few years because you said that the banquet was too boring on your sixth birthday, so I followed your temper. There is no need to discuss it this time."

"Father," Cen Yuan murmured softly, "If you really think about my son, then it's really better not to do it..."

"Nonsense!" Emperor Ning yelled sharply, "The gift of the prince and the crown, how can it be a joke."

Although it was a scolding, Eunuch Rong behind him didn't show any horror or fear, and even lowered his head secretly for a while.

Cen Yuan lowered his voice and said: "Then can you not wear so many clothes... When we got married last time, the clothes weighed me down so much that I almost passed by in one breath."

As soon as the words fell, Emperor Ning poked his finger between his eyebrows: "You should suppress your unrestrained temperament!"

Cen Yuan turned away his face and made a grimace, thinking in his heart whether he should drag Yan Xuan to elope with him when his birthday was approaching. In a blink of an eye, he began to think about what he did for his sixth birthday party last time.

Yao remembers that before the banquet that day, his father took him to meet many officials, each name came in from the left ear and came out from the right, and their faces seemed to have the same appearance.During the meal, he couldn't sit still, and after a long time, he was able to escape by turning on the water, and hurried to get some fresh air outside the hall.

At that time, he seemed to have just met someone...

Sleeping memories gradually came to mind, and the picture barely overlapped with the garden in front of me. It seemed that two five or six-year-old children suddenly appeared in the scene blocking the road behind the rockery, accompanied by apricot blossoms and moonlight.

Cen Yuan's forward pace couldn't help but come to a halt.

...So it was then!

For a moment, he was a little dumbfounded, and he didn't know whether to say that Yan Xuan would remember such a trivial matter so firmly, or whether he should bury his contempt.But almost at the next moment, he suddenly had an urge to rush home and write a letter to Mobei, to tell Yan Xuan that he remembered their first meeting.

However, Emperor Ning turned around at this moment: "What, are you dazed?"

"No." Cen Yuan woke up like a dream, and then followed up again, "Didn't you mention the birthday party when the son was six years old, and you remembered what happened at that time."

"At that time..."

It seemed that Emperor Ning had also been brought into the passage leading to the past, as if his body had also become healthier in an instant, as if the faces that had existed in the court since the time of the first emperor had lost a lot of time. It seems that the prince is still alive at this moment, and the children with very different personalities are still in their teenage years.

Emperor Ning let out a long sigh, and moved his eyes to the child beside him whom he always favored, and an unspeakable thought suddenly rose in his heart.

After a while, he couldn't help muttering: "Recently, I always have a nightmare."

For a patient like Emperor Ning, once he did not rest well, his entire mental state would suddenly collapse.Cen Yuan put away his joking thoughts, and asked, "Did you suffer from insomnia? Have you ever declared an imperial physician?"

Emperor Ning waved his hand: "What the imperial physician said is nothing more than the old saying 'Don't work too hard', what's the use of it."

Since Yan Xuan's expedition, Cen Yuan no longer went to the court, but he could still hear about the big and small things in the court.He thought silently for a moment, thinking that the biggest thing recently was the battle situation in Mobei, so he persuaded: "You are not ignorant of Yan Xuan's ability. This time, Daning has sufficient food and military supplies, and has made arrangements in advance. You don't have to worry too much."

But Emperor Ning shook his head.

With Cen Yuan's support, he walked for a while, and finally patted the back of the other's hand after a long time: "It was you I dreamed about."

Cen Yuan was startled.

"I... dreamed that you walked on a ruthless road and left yourself covered with scars, yet you laughed easily in the abyss." Emperor Ning held his hand and said slowly, word by word, as if calmly. , "But in a blink of an eye I dreamed again that you were walking on a high place, lonely, standing in the heavy snow in the severe winter, staring at me with blatant hatred."

Cen Yuan couldn't help saying: "Father..."

Emperor Ning patted his hand again, signaling him not to say more.

"According to your temperament, I am not particularly surprised."

Cen Yuan remained silent and did not respond, Emperor Ning smiled lightly as if mocking himself, and walked with the other party for a while.

It wasn't until the Jin'an Palace was in front of him that Emperor Ning said again: "Second, I'll ask you again, do you want to be the crown prince?"

Jin'an Palace is just a dozen steps ahead, and the maids outside the palace gate have already gone in to report to Jiang Zhaoyi.

The whole procession following the emperor stopped quietly, this time even Eunuch Rong stopped laughing and bowed his head.

Emperor Ning tilted his head and waited for an answer, but Cen Yuan replied with a smile without hesitation: "Father, I heard that the apricot blossoms in the south of the Yangtze River are about to bloom, so why don't you take advantage of this time to go to the south to take a rest? It’s better than worrying about it all day.”

Emperor Ning stared at the other party closely, wanting to see if there was any pretentiousness on his son's face, but in the end, all he saw was a calm expression.

After a while, he finally laughed, shook off Cen Yuan's hand, and walked towards Jin'an Palace by himself.

"The war is still undecided, so how about going on a southern tour." He said, "Hurry up and greet your mother and concubine. If you want to go to the south of the Yangtze River to enjoy flowers, go alone!"

Cen Yuan stood at the same spot, he had no choice but to turn his head and shrugged his shoulders at Eunuch Rong, and then Emperor Ning urged him in front: "Come up yet?"

"Hey!" Cen Yuan hurriedly responded, trotted two steps and chased after him again.

·

After greeting Jiang Zhaoyi that day, Cen Yuan didn't stay long and left the palace soon.In the end, he still consciously didn't write a letter to interfere with Yan Xuan's business, but instead considered a plan to take a stroll in the south of the Yangtze River.

His Royal Highness the Second Prince was always vigorous and resolute when it came to traveling in mountains and rivers. Within two days, he packed his luggage, entered the palace and reported to Jiang Zhaoyi, and rode Jianwen to the south of the Yangtze River as soon as he left the palace.

Just after the Awakening of Insects, Jiangnan was covered by drizzle from time to time, and the air was always filled with the smell of green grass.

Although the ground was still wet that day, the sky had already cleared up. The apricot blossoms in the backyard of Xianyun Mansion hadn't fully bloomed yet, but some buds had already appeared on some branches.Compared with when Cen Yuan and Yan Xuan came together for the first time, the vegetation in the front and back yards has taken on a new look, carp are swimming in the pond, and green sprouts have sprouted on both sides of the path in the garden.

Early spring is approaching, and everything is revived.

When Cen Yuan occasionally came to supervise the work, the yard had not yet started to be repaired, so now he walked around in a circle, and finally returned to the place where the almond blossom trees were most dense in the backyard.

Zhang Bo laughed and said, "Young Master, you have been shopping for so long, and there is no tea in the house. This old slave will get you some tea."

Cen Yuan nodded: "Excuse me, Uncle Zhang, I'm in the study."

Compared with the previous emptiness, the more than ten rows of bookshelves in the study are full of books, including scriptures and historical records, as well as miscellaneous books unique to Jiangnan.

Cen Yuan randomly picked up a miscellaneous book that he had never seen before, turned around and sat down on the desk, only then did he catch a glimpse of a letter neatly placed on the side of the table.

The recipient's name was not written on the envelope, but at that moment Cen Yuan felt his heart beat faster—he was sensitively aware that the letter was written to him by Yan Xuan.

The letter was not sealed tightly, but because of the shaking of his hands due to excitement, Cen Yuan almost tore off the outer layer of the envelope before taking out the thick pile of letter paper.

There are three pages in the letter paper, and when it is unfolded, there is Yan Xuan's vigorous and powerful handwriting:

"Yun Sheng, seeing a letter is like meeting you.

This letter was written before we returned to Chang'an, but by the time you read it, maybe I have already led the army to Mobei.

There are some things that I don’t know how to tell you face to face, and every time I want to speak, it ends up being unspeakable, so after thinking about it, I can only write it in a letter.

Don't be sad.

I have died once. "

Perhaps as Yan Xuan wrote in the letter, compared to the accidental exposure that night in Shangyuan, when the past is transformed into words, it seems that it is not so difficult to export.In the letter, he wrote the real reason why he would impulsively buy this mansion, wrote about the Shangyuan of the previous life, and wrote about going to war and dying in battle.

There is no concealment or concealment in every process and every detail, without reservation.

"The sword has no eyes on the battlefield. Since the first time I set foot on the battlefield with my father's sword, I have put my own life and death on the line. Finally, I can die on the battlefield and protect the Daning border territory and people with my body. I died well, and I have no complaints or regrets.

So don't be sad, at least we still have this chance to do it all over again.

Just like this Xianyun Mansion, I felt it was a pity at that time, but now I feel even more grateful. If I didn't miss it in the last life, maybe I wouldn't get it again in this life.

Even if I go to the battlefield in Mobei again, I am confident that I can come back to see you intact.

Yun Sheng, in the future, whether it is Lantern Festival Lanterns, fireworks, or Mid-Autumn Festival, I will spend it with you. "

As soon as Uncle Zhang walked into the study, he saw Cen Yuan sitting behind the desk, staring sideways at the window.

"My lord, a batch of new tea has just arrived in the mansion recently, let's try it to see if it suits your taste." Uncle Zhang put down the tea set in his hand, and seeing that the other party seemed to have just recovered, he asked with a smile: "What are you thinking, my lord?"

The sun is shrouded outside the window, the buds on the branches are shaking, the early spring breeze is coming, and the fragrance of tea is slowly wafting away.

"I was thinking..." Cen Yuan suddenly lowered his head and smiled, "I was thinking, my little general will surely come back victorious after going to Mobei."

The battle reports arriving in Chang'an were always sent to the south of the Yangtze River at the first time, and soon Cen Yuan received the first one-on the fifth day of February, the Ning army met [-] Hun cavalry in Shangjiang, fought fiercely for a day, and won the first battle.

On the day when the battle report was received, Zhang Botuo took Wending out and ate hot pot together to celebrate. The housekeepers and servants were so excited as if they were the ones who went to the battlefield and killed the enemy. Cen Yuan, on the other hand, looked at it calmly. .

After dinner, he took a pot of peach blossom wine and sat in the yard, and Zhang Bo asked him cheerfully, "What are you thinking, my lord?"

The carp in the pond were playing with the reflected moon, Cen Yuan looked up at the trees in the yard, and saw that the flower buds were faintly blooming everywhere.

"I'm thinking... I hope this apricot blossom can bloom more slowly."

Please wait a little longer until his sweetheart returns.

Since the first battle report came, it represented the official start of the battle between the Ning army and the Xiongnu. After that, there were visitors to Xianyun Mansion every day, and the battle reports continued to flow, several times a day for a long time.

On the seventh day of February, after winning the first battle, the Ning army retreated instead of advancing. They camped and adjusted their breath, but did not move.

On the ninth day of February, Yan Xuan suddenly dispatched a team of [-] people to sneak into Jishan Mountain, looking for and smashing all the enemy troops who were burying gunpowder.The king of Xikang was furious when he heard the news, and led his army directly into Jiangyuan, intending to plunder and kill the people. Unexpectedly, the people in the city were evacuated at some point, leaving the city empty.At the same time, the Ning army drove straight in from the south gate and the east gate respectively, while the other group detoured to block the retreat route to the north, encircling the Huns in groups.

On February [-]th, after four days of fierce fighting, King Xikang was beheaded by Yan Xuan, leaving only [-] Xiongnu soldiers fleeing.

On February [-]th, the Ning army took advantage of the victory to pursue, crossed the Gequan border pass, and went straight to Shuocheng, where Huyanlu Shanyu was located, to meet [-] Xiongnu elite soldiers.

On February 25, Yan Xuan swung his sword and beheaded Hu Yanlu Shanyu.

The Ning army won a big victory.

·

Jiebao led the time into March, and the servant hurriedly broke into the bedroom of the Second Prince's Mansion without even knocking on the door.

Cen Yuan hugged the pillow and turned his back, vaguely said: "What are you doing?"

The little servant said in surprise: "Your Highness, General Yan Shao is returning to the court today, why haven't you got up yet!"

Cen Yuan still spoke lazily: "It's not even time yet, so what's the rush?"

"If you don't go, you won't be able to squeeze in the seat!" The servant rushed to the side of the bed, almost grabbing it with his hands, "Your Highness?"

"I know, I know."

Cen Yuan put the quilt over his head, but he still couldn't cover the servant's persistent urging. After a while, he finally couldn't take it anymore and threw the quilt off, and ran to the bathroom angrily.

The little servant was giggling, and went to prepare a change of clothes for His Royal Highness. After picking out for a long time, he found a set of purple wide-sleeved brocade robes, and shouted in the direction of the bathroom through the screen: "Your Highness, put the clothes on for you." It's outside."

"Understood." There was a reply from the other side of the screen, and the boy was ready to go out cheerfully to remind others to prepare breakfast, when Cen Yuan suddenly called out: "Wait a minute."

The young man turned his head and said, "Your Highness, please order."

Cen Yuan didn't answer right away, after a while, he finally took a bath, put on a coat and came out, and glanced at the suit.

Immediately he asked: "I remember there should be a set of blue simple robes?"

The servant scratched his head and thought for a moment: "There is such a thing, but Your Highness, if you go out today to meet Lord Yan in triumph, wouldn't it be a little too plain to wear that?"

"It's okay." Cen Yuan signaled him to just take it out, and the servant didn't ask any more questions, and hurried to find out the set of clothes.

A moment ago, Cen Yuan was hugging the pillow and refused to move, but now that he is awake, he is anxious.He almost devoured his breakfast, and went out alone without pausing.

As expected, Yong'an Avenue was blocked again and it was difficult to move. It took Cen Yuan a while to move downstairs to Yu Jin, and the familiar Xiao Er immediately came up to him when he saw him: "Second Highness, I guessed that you will definitely come today."

Cen Yuan was dressed in a light blue robe with narrow sleeves and a light green bamboo pattern, holding a jade fan in his hand, and his hair fluttering.Hearing this, he raised his eyebrows slightly frivolously: "I just came back from Jiangnan yesterday, why must I come today?"

"Second Highness, what you said," Xiao Er smiled immediately, and gave him an understanding look, "Today, Master Yan is back in Beijing, why don't you come to see it?"

Cen Yuan pointed at him and sneered, "It's clever."

Xiaoer knew at a glance that he had made the master happy, and hurriedly led him upstairs: "If I don't even have this bit of vision, I would have to go home and eat dirt."

The two went up the stairs, and sure enough, they saw that there was no one on the side of the railing, and the wine had already been set.

"Thank you." Cen Yuan rewarded Xiao Er with some taels of silver, and the other party quickly withdrew tactfully.

Now in Chang'an City, who would not know the relationship between the second prince and General Yan Shao? elaborate.

The people who had been gathered by the railing all agreed to give up a seat for Cen Yuan, so he could see the city gate at a glance.Cen Yuan just leaned against the railing and drank wine for more than half an hour before he finally saw the familiar flag appearing at the far end of the long street.

The soldiers are back.

More and more people gathered on both sides of Yong'an Avenue. The returning Ning army was just like when they went out to fight, with awe-inspiring loyalty and mighty prestige.

Yan Xuan still leads the whole army, neatly dressed and heroic.He proceeded slowly step by step, until he passed the Yujin Tower, he suddenly pulled the reins, and the whole procession stopped.

Then he looked up Yujin Tower with precision, meeting Cen Yuan's eyes.

The latter had put the jug and wine cup in his hand back on the table in advance. At this time, his hands were empty, he smiled calmly, and waved to the other party.In the next moment, he suddenly stepped onto the railing, rose up with the wind, and landed firmly in front of Yan Xuan.

Before the crowd even had time to exclaim, Cen Yuan called out to Yan Xuan, "Little General!"

Yan Xuan got off the horse and walked up to him step by step.

Cen Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, spread his hands behind his back and raised them in front of the other party, revealing the light pink on the palm between his fingers, and saw that it was a blooming apricot flower.

Cen Yuan smiled brightly: "I remember when we first met."

The apricot blossoms all over the city have reached their peak, and they seem to be infected with a light fragrance of flowers when the spring breeze is blowing.Floating clouds dotted the blue sky over Chang'an, and wild geese came back from afar with their necks hooting.

Yan Xuan's eyebrows were slightly bent, and he took the initiative to accept the apricot flower, and suddenly leaned down slightly, and said in a low voice, "I drank a lot."

Cen Yuan poked his chest armor: "It's because you guys came back too late."

Yan Xuan lowered his head and laughed, and immediately grabbed the troubled hand and put it in his palm, just like every time they looked at each other, looking into each other's eyes solemnly and intently.

"Yunsheng, I'm back."

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