Linque

Until the hour of Youzheng, Chu Heng still stayed in the Hall of Jingcheng.

It was snowing outside, the sky was dark, the stars and the moon were disappearing, the palace people lit up the palace lanterns under the corridor early in the morning, the warm yellow candlelight illuminated the snowy night, and cast a hazy silhouette on the window.

It was getting late, even on duty day, it was already past the point of scattered value, and it was time for evening meal in the Hall of Martial Heroes.His Majesty never told him to go back. Chu Heng knew that he was wronged first, so he didn't dare to take the initiative to leave now.

Eunuch Gao Bandit, the head of the Hall of Respect and Sincerity, walked in and bowed to ask His Majesty where to put the dinner.Ling Ye put down his pen, thought for a while after hearing the words, and said, "Go back to Mingcheng Palace, there is no need to pass on the chariot."

Mingcheng Hall is the emperor's bedroom, which belongs to the inner court, and the imperial guards are not allowed to enter without permission.Hearing such orders, Chu Heng was about to say goodbye, but His Majesty suddenly turned sideways and said to him: "You stay and serve the meal."

Chu Heng was slightly startled when he heard the words, and raised his eyes to look at Ling Ye, feeling a little dazed for a moment.

Ling Ye's lips curled up slightly, looking at Chu Heng, he said solemnly: "You have lost your temper and played petty things in front of the emperor. You are so presumptuous and lawless. Could it be that you just admit your mistake in a few words and just admit your mistake? I didn't take you 'Let off your anger', but you can't let it go lightly, giving you the right to serve meals is to let you do something."

Chu Heng was silent, and saw His Majesty's expression was calm again, it didn't look like he was joking.He lowered his head and lowered his eyes, and said after a while: "...Yes."

What is serving meals?

As the name suggests, it is naturally serving the emperor for meals.He had read the imperial court etiquette and knew that serving meals in the palace was different from accompanying meals. The latter was a grace, but serving meals was not.Since it is a service, of course he can't eat with His Majesty, and he has to stand aside to serve His Majesty.

The inner court of the imperial city had a special maid serving the meal, but he was asked to serve the meal by an imperial guard. Obviously, His Majesty probably wanted to punish him not to eat at night, and could only watch.

In the evening, the Hall of Martial Arts will have dinner at the same time as you, and you will not eat after you pass.When he returned from serving the meal, it would be close to the time when the key of the palace gate would be released, and he would not even have to drink hot soup by then.Chu Heng suddenly regretted that he didn't eat more at the Four Seasons Restaurant at noon.

During the time for half a cup of tea, Gao Zhangdian had made arrangements and walked in with two cloaks in his hands.Ling Ye glanced at it, but said nothing.

Chu Heng lowered his head in regret, and didn't pay attention for a while, until Eunuch Gao coughed and came back to his senses.

Seeing His Majesty's eyes on him, and looking at Eunuch Gao who was winking and winking, Chu Heng immediately reacted, stepped forward and looked at the two cloaks on the tray, hesitating for a moment, but His Majesty still didn't see his opinion, so he picked it up nearby. Put the one on top, put it on for His Majesty, and then step aside.

Gao Bandit looked at the other cloak on the mahogany tray, and then at Chu Heng who was standing beside him with downcast eyes and was oblivious to it. For a while, he didn't know how to remind him again.

Bandit Gao lightened his steps and was about to go towards Chu Heng, when His Majesty suddenly said, "Are you waiting for me to dress you?"

Chu Heng raised his eyes in astonishment.The palm hall brought in two black cloaks, on which were embroidered dragon patterns with gold and silver thread, obviously both belonged to His Majesty, he thought it was for His Majesty to choose, just now he wondered why His Majesty didn't speak, but he never thought of another The clothes were actually for him to wear.

Without waiting for Chu Heng's explanation, Ling Ye had already walked over, picked up another cloak, wrapped it around Chu Heng's shoulders, and tied it carefully with him.

Just then, the astonishment on Chu Heng's face did not escape Ling Ye's eyes, and he said clearly: "Not long after you came to the study, when you were reflecting before the case, it started to snow. It was cold outside, you should be In the hall?"

It was only then that Chu Heng noticed that the snow outside had fallen for a long time, and it was getting late, but it didn't look very dark outside at this moment. A layer of snow on the ground reflected a quiet soft light under the reflection of the palace lantern.

It turned out that it was because "it was cold outside" that he was not allowed to go out and kneel.Although there had been guesses before, but this extremely simple reason was really uttered from His Majesty's mouth at this moment, Chu Heng was still a little at a loss for a while, and his heartbeat seemed to slow down by half a beat.

The cloak on his body is extraordinarily soft and warm. I don’t know if it’s an illusion. Every time Chu Heng’s hand hanging by his side touches the satin lining of the cloak, he always feels that his fingertips are inexplicably hot. It's so warm, it doesn't feel cold anywhere.

The road from Jingcheng Hall to Mingcheng Hall was not very long, and the palace servants led the way ahead with lamps.Ling Ye didn't pass on an order, but took Chu Heng and walked back on foot through the back door of Jingcheng Hall.

The fine snow fluttered and fell on the paper umbrella, not a single speck of it was stained on the body, and the cold wind and air-conditioning carried by the night snow were also blocked from the cloak.

Probably because the owner of the imperial city was walking beside him at this moment, although the nine-layered palace in the vast snowy night was still magnificent, it did not make people feel awe-inspiring and alienated as before, but added a bit of poetic charm, looking around, the outline was extraordinarily hazy and gentle.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, they arrived at Mingcheng Palace.

Eunuch Gao obviously warned in advance that the maids of Ming Cheng Palace were not surprised to see Chu Heng.Maybe it was because he was going to serve His Majesty later, the palace people also held folded edge basins to help him clean his hands.

Two serving maids led a group of courtiers to file in. Fourteen royal dishes of eight meat and six vegetables, two soups and two snacks, two bowls of sweet-scented osmanthus crispy cheese, and green rice porridge were quickly placed on the dining table. There is also a plate of Wannan Tangerine which is rare in winter.

Bazhen Jade Food was set up on a table, full of fresh fragrance, and it was delicious just by smelling it.

The maid serving the meal first served a bowl of matsutake mountain delicacy soup for His Majesty, then stepped back and stood behind her.

Chu Heng silently stood aside with his head down, and did not move for a long time. Eunuch Gao gently pushed him, his eyes almost narrowed into two slits when he smiled, and said kindly, "Go quickly."

Chu Heng had no choice but to go forward, and the serving lady handed him a pair of jade chopsticks with a smile. The table was full of carved dishes and delicious food, and it was still steaming, and he suddenly felt even hungrier.

His Majesty slowly stirred the thick soup in the bowl with a spoon, and only looked at him with a half-smile, without making any gestures.

Chu Heng didn't know what His Majesty liked to eat, so after hesitating for a moment, he simply started serving dishes according to his own taste.

He scanned the delicacies in front of him, picked up a small crystal dumpling and put it on the plate.

Ling Ye stared at the spoon persistently, and was noncommittal, so Chu Heng picked up another shrimp ball.Eunuch Gao stood on the side watching, and nodded cheerfully.

Then there is a piece of rouge duck breast and a shrimp ball.Eunuch Gao looked at the two extremely tender and moist shrimp balls on the plate, and began to vaguely feel that something was wrong.

Then there was a piece of goose oil roll with loose flesh. Before Eunuch Gao could touch his head, Chu Heng hesitated for a moment with his hand holding the jade chopsticks—just in the blink of an eye, he put another shrimp ball into His Majesty's plate .

Eunuch Gao was dumbfounded.

Ling Ye finally couldn't help laughing: "Okay, sit down."

After saying that, Eunuch Gao immediately stepped forward to set up a chair for Chu Heng.The serving lady turned around and added a pair of bowls and chopsticks for him from the food box - it looked like it had been prepared in advance, and filled him with a bowl of soup, and served it to him with a smile.

Chu Heng was pushed on the chair by Eunuch Gao in a daze, and sat beside Ling Ye, the two of them were very close.He was a little puzzled: "Isn't the minister going to serve the meal?"

Ling Ye laughed when he heard the words: "There are so many people in Mingcheng Hall, why do you still need you to serve meals? You serve vegetables, and I can only eat shrimps."

Chu Heng didn't think there was anything wrong with his actions just now, but when he heard the word "shrimp" and glanced at the plate in front of His Majesty, his cheeks turned red, and he quickly explained: "I think it looks good. All food is for His Majesty..."

Ling Ye waved his hands lightly, and the waitress immediately put the plate of three fresh shrimp balls in front of Chu Heng.

"Since you think it's delicious, eat more. You're in a bad mood at noon. Maybe you didn't eat well outside?"

Chu Heng's eyes moved slightly, and he lowered his eyelids in silence, which was a tacit agreement.

"I announced that Xu Shao will enter the palace tomorrow." Ling Ye said suddenly.

Chu Heng raised his head in surprise and looked at His Majesty.

Ling Ye stared into his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "You are imperial servant Mo, one of my people. If you suffer anger from the side, or have conflicts with others, it doesn't matter whether you are at fault or not, regardless of the dispute. No matter what the result is, you are allowed to come back and complain, but you are not allowed to lose your temper with me indiscriminately."

Chu Heng was stunned for a moment, and the emotional seed called "Xinyu" deep in his heart seemed to be sprouting and growing quietly.He took a moment to ask: "But what if the minister made a mistake first?"

Ling Ye smiled and said: "You know that when you ask this question, you must know it in your heart. If there is a mistake, it depends on what the mistake is and why it happened. If you cause trouble for no reason and the fault is all your own, naturally you dare not complain to me. I will be punished when I know that I am not sure. But if you and others are at fault, then it’s okay. You have never been angry with me, and there is no reason to bear with anyone else. Of course I'll be with you."

Chu Heng suddenly felt a feeling that he had never experienced before, as if being caressed by fluffy and soft down, and it was extremely ironed.

He recalled the gossip he heard in the martial arts hall today, he could not help but clenched his palms, hesitating for a moment and then asked: "But Xu Shao is a prince's mother, a relative of the emperor, can he also sue His Majesty, isn't His Majesty?" Should I be more toward him?"

"Xu Shao?" Ling Ye twitched his lips, "He can't."

"Not everyone has the right to sue before the imperial court, and I am not for everyone." Ling Ye paused, his eyebrows stretched, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, but his tone was very serious, as if he was talking. What a matter of course——

"I'm more partial."

Chu Heng was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at the person in front of him, and then felt his heart beating "thumping" in his chest, which was extraordinarily clear and warm.The secret joy in my heart burst out at this moment, and my heart was full of joy.

Partial, partial to him?

It seems that he has not looked forward to it for a long time, and has not accepted such a bright "eccentricity" for a long time.

The "eccentricity" in Zhong Pinghou's mansion is not expected, but in Lishan, since childhood, Chu Heng has been held in the hands of his master, mistress and all the chief elders.It's just that people will grow up, but he is just faster than others.

After recognizing the meaning of the words "Lishanshan Jun", even though the mistress is still the mistress and the elders are still the elders, my respect and love for them will not diminish, but Chu Heng will never, and will never dare to let them "favor" me if they need to. It's time.

Dongjun's responsibility has become a habit, and the indifference of blood relatives has become the norm. Chu Heng always thought that he would no longer expect or desire anyone's "partiality".

In Zhong Pinghou's mansion this afternoon, when he heard Zhong Pinghou say that he and Xu Shao should make amends, Chu Heng didn't feel any bitterness or loss in his heart, but felt a little ironic.

But now facing the person in front of him, before asking that question just now, he hesitated for a long time. He wanted to know the answer, but he was also afraid that things would backfire. When he heard His Majesty say that he was facing Xu Shao instead of himself——

He longed for Ling Ye's "eccentricity", Chu Heng thought.

After eating this dinner for half an hour, a layer of snow had already fallen outside.Eunuch Gao arranged for two servants to take Chu Heng back.

Before leaving, Ling Ye asked him: "I came to see you yesterday evening, what did you want to say?"

Chu Heng hesitated for a long time without saying anything. Seeing His Majesty looking at him leisurely, with a faint red cloud passing over his face, he said a little embarrassedly: "It's okay, Your Majesty don't ask any more questions."

Ling Ye didn't want to force him, so he gave a "hmm" with a slight smile.

There was light snow falling outside Mingcheng Hall, Ling Ye stood in the corridor, watching Chu Heng step into the swirling winter snow wearing the cloak he had when he came here.Walking to the gate of Ming Cheng Palace, Chu Heng suddenly stopped, turned around and looked in Ling Ye's direction.

The cold wind gradually subsided at night, and they looked at each other from a distance through the rustling snow.

Chu Heng stood beside the stone steps holding an umbrella, and the white marble palace lanterns on both sides of the palace road shone with warm yellow light, illuminating his face.

As stunning as the first glance.

The servant held a lamp and led Chu Heng to the further palace road.Eunuch Gao stood beside Ling Ye, watching Chu Heng's back gradually melt into the snowy night with him.

Bandit Gao looked at the emperor's stretched eyebrows, and after deliberating for a while, he asked, "Your Majesty, I don't know something. Since you want Chu Shimo to have dinner at Mingcheng Palace at night, why don't you just let him accompany you? Is it under the guise of serving meals?"

"He has read the ceremonies of the former court and knows the rules of accompanying meals." Ling Ye left this sentence, turned and walked into the hall.

Bandit Gao hurriedly followed, and was even more surprised when he heard the words. Just as the puzzled "ah" came to his lips, His Majesty continued——

"I don't want him to thank you."