After Xie Bufeng ascended the throne, he had no intention of changing the reign title.
If it weren't for the constant admonitions from the officials, he would probably have continued to use the previous reign title "Tianchu".
But this year, as soon as Wen Qingci returned to Yongdu, Xie Bufeng immediately wanted to change the year name.
Although it is not yet the end of the year, this trip is still somewhat inappropriate.
But everyone in the court seemed to have gotten used to Xie Bufeng's behavior.
Finally, the Wei Dynasty officially changed the era name to "Qing'an" on the day of the Autumnal Equinox.
As everyone knows, this reign title was changed by Your Majesty for Lord Wen who had just returned to Yongdu.
Logically speaking, changing the reign title is a major event of great significance, and even the emperor cannot change it at will.
But this time, the civil and military officials and the people not only did not stop it, they didn't even raise any objections.
—The story of Lianhe had already spread throughout the Wei Dynasty.
In the past six months, Wen Qingci not only taught "Xinglin Jie'e" to imperial physicians, but also spread the book to the public.
General Anping, who was the first to undergo the operation, not only successfully cured his symptoms.
Even after recuperating in Yongdu for a few months, he rode his warhorse back to the north to garrison at the end of the year.
When people found out about this, they were all amazed.
What happened on Yongdu street that day was not an isolated case.
At this time, the people of the entire Wei Dynasty all said privately that Wen Qingci was a star god from heaven who came to earth to save people from suffering.
With the name of ghosts and gods, Wen Qingci's theory quickly spread in the Wei Dynasty.
Naturally, all of this is inseparable from Xie Bufeng’s silent promotion behind the scenes.
*
In the blink of an eye, it is the turn of winter and spring again.
The Sheri Festival is finally here.
The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth was held at the foot of Mount Yi.
Everyone in Taishu Palace arrived here one day in advance.
The dark gold carriage was covered with a thick blanket.
The four walls were covered with cotton padding, isolating the cold air and noise outside the car.
There was no incense burning in the carriage, but there was a faint bitter fragrance lingering at the tip of the nose.
“… Your Majesty, are we there yet?” Wen Qingci opened his eyes dazedly and found that the carriage had stopped. There was silence all around except for the rustling of falling snow.
I don't know when, but I fell asleep leaning on Xie Bufeng's shoulder.
Xie Bufeng put down the memorial in his hand and pulled up the fox fur coat that had accidentally slipped off Wen Qingci's shoulders.
"We're here, my dear. Please rest for a while," Xie Bufeng picked up the ginger soup that was warmed on the stove and put it in Wen Qingci's hand, "It's snowing outside, be careful not to catch a cold."
Gently lifting the carriage curtain, Wen Qingci saw Yishan, dressed in dark green and covered in snow, standing like a god in the sky.
There are chaotic clouds dancing in the sky, like splashed ink.
A low hill can be vaguely seen in the wind and snow.
There are no trees on the hill, and the brown soil is exposed, looking a bit desolate.
Although Wen Qingci had been to Yishan before during the Fengshan ceremony, there were many people there and canopies were everywhere. As an imperial physician who was not allowed to move around casually, he did not notice that there was such a presence around him.
"What is that?" Wen Qingci couldn't help but ask.
Xie Bufeng's fingers slowly slid through his hair: "It's Chen Ling."
"… So this is Chen Ling." Wen Qingci couldn't help but whisper.
As soon as the deposed emperor ascended the throne, he started a massive construction project to build a mausoleum for himself.
Unexpectedly, more than 20 years later, the mausoleum had not yet been completed, and he died under the Yinchuan Grand Canal.
Xie Bufeng's gaze followed him out the window.
The young emperor in a black cloak gently rubbed Wen Qingci's neck and frowned slightly, saying, "It's a bit of an eyesore standing here, so why not fill it up?"
After saying that, he shifted his gaze back, not even bothering to look at it any more.
Unexpectedly, Wen Qingci slowly sat up straight, shook his head and said, "It's not easy to build Chenling, and it's a pity to fill it up, so let's just leave it here."
During the past six months, Wen Qingci's most important job was not to teach "Xinglin Jie'e" to the imperial physicians, nor to prepare for sacrifices, but to take care of his body.
He was being watched by Xie Bufeng and Song Junran, and he had not even left the city gate of Yongdu many times.
Like every modern person, Wen Qingci is curious about the structure of ancient royal tombs.
After a few seconds of pause, he could not help but say to Xie Bufeng, "I want to go over and take a look. Your Majesty, are you willing to come with me?"
As he spoke, those dark eyes suddenly lit up.
See Chen Ling
Xie Bufeng couldn't help but frown. Growing up in a mausoleum town, he had no interest in visiting the deposed emperor's tomb.
But Wen Qingci was going, so how could he not accompany him
"nature."
After a cup of tea, Xie Bufeng helped Wen Qingci get off the carriage.
The snow has not stopped and the weather is cold.
In addition to the cloak, Wen Qingci also wore a fox fur coat.
The long beige hair on his collar covered most of his chin.
Only a pair of pitch-black pupils and bright red cinnabar were revealed.
Wen Qingci originally came here out of curiosity, but when he arrived near Chen Mausoleum, he discovered that the Queen Mother had already arrived here before him.
At this moment, she was standing here holding Xie Fuyin's hand.
In addition to Ming Liu, there are two other people around the Queen Mother.
One of them was actually Eunuch Zhao who had already left the palace, and the other woman seemed a little unfamiliar.
When they saw Xie Bufeng and Wen Qingci coming, they immediately bowed and saluted.
After seeing the person's short hair, Wen Qingci recognized that the woman next to the empress dowager was the former Wen Zhaoyuan, the mother of the fourth prince, the youngest of the deposed emperor.
Wen Zhaoyuan's mother's family, the Marquis Zhong'an Mansion, was caught up in a noble rebellion, and overnight the mansion collapsed and all its inhabitants were wiped out.
She herself was sent to the Imperial Temple by Concubine Lan and became a nun.
If Wen Qingci hadn't met Wen Zhaoyuan today, he would have almost forgotten that there was such a person in the palace.
Now her black hair has grown to below her shoulders, it seems that she has been away from the Imperial Temple for some time...
When a new emperor ascends the throne, he will routinely grant amnesty.
Wen Qingci guessed that it was at that time that she regained her freedom.
However, the rebellion did not affect the harem.
At that time, several other concubines of the deposed emperor who were born into aristocratic families still retained their original positions.
Only Wen Zhaoyuan was sent to the Imperial Temple by the Queen Mother on the grounds of "offending the Holy Emperor".
But now... Wen Zhaoyuan not only did not bear a grudge against the Queen Mother, she even held an umbrella for her, looking very intimate.
Although Wen Qingci was confused, he did not show it.
However, the Queen Mother seemed to have guessed Wen Qingci's doubts.
She did not say it directly, but instead fixed her gaze on the Dragon-Breaking Stone at the entrance of Chen Ling, which had not yet been put down.
Then he rubbed the head of Xie Fuyin who was waving at Wen Qingci and Xie Bufeng, and turned around to ask: "I wonder if Mr. Wen still remembers that not long after you entered the palace, a maid in the harem died."
Wen Qingci naturally remembered this.
The body of the palace maid was thrown into the well, which scared many people at the time.
When the deposed emperor learned about this, he was furious and ordered an investigation.
However, nothing was found in the end and it became an unsolved case.
"Remember." Wen Qingci nodded.
As he spoke, his eyes fell on Eunuch Zhao standing beside him.
Wen Qingci suddenly felt a little nervous.
Before this, he had always wondered how Eunuch Zhao was connected to Concubine Lan.
One of them was a concubine and the other was a close attendant to the emperor.
Both of them were very cautious... No matter how you looked at it, they didn't seem like the kind of people who would casually share the matter of regicide with each other.
Judging from the situation, we will probably know the answer today.
As expected, the Queen Mother suddenly sighed deeply, and after a few seconds, she said, "To be honest, this matter is not only related to me, but also closely related to all the concubines."
"Why do you say that, mother?" This time, Xie Bufeng, who had been silent, also spoke.
The Queen Mother slowly closed her eyes, as if lost in memory: "Doctor Wen, do you remember where that maid was on duty?"
"Bai Qiao Tower." Although the incident happened a few years ago, it is still deeply engraved in Wen Qingci's mind.
"Yes, it is the Baiqiao Building where Chen Ling's design drawings are stored."
After she finished speaking, the Queen Mother finally opened her eyes.
She looked at the Broken Dragon Stone in front of her and said in a deep voice, "The Chen Tomb was not only built by the Deposed Emperor for himself, but also for us. I only found out by accident when I saw the blueprints that the Deposed Emperor had always wanted his concubines to be buried with him."
As she spoke, she clenched the silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, and her face turned a little pale.
The Empress Dowager came from a noble family. Her father was the Minister of Works and her brother was the Chief Architect.
Through constant exposure, she could naturally understand Chen Ling's drawings.
Therefore, when she accidentally saw the blueprint of Chen Mausoleum in Baiqiao Tower, she realized that the area of this mausoleum was a bit too large. The emperor even left space for the coffins of all the concubines...
The most important thing is that Chen Ling has three dragon-breaking stones.
These dragon-breaking stones, which can only be put down once, not only prevent outsiders from entering the tomb, but also prevent people inside from coming out...
Xie Zhaolin wanted all his concubines to be buried with him!
After she finished speaking, she suddenly turned around and nodded to Eunuch Zhao, then continued in a hoarse voice: "When I accidentally discovered this, I was extremely panicked. Fortunately, Eunuch Zhao showed up and covered it up for me..."
The Queen Mother's voice became somewhat dry.
Xie Fuyin, who had been quite lively just now, also became quiet after noticing the unusual atmosphere.
Eunuch Zhao was responsible for taking care of the emperor's daily life and also went to Baiqiao Tower that day.
Concubine Lan, who saw the intention of building Chenling, turned pale and her forehead was covered with cold sweat. Not only did her hands tremble, but she couldn't even speak clearly.
After seeing Eunuch Zhao, she thought she was about to die, but unexpectedly, the other party suddenly knelt down, bowed, and offered to cooperate with her.
The emperor did a good job of keeping the matter of the Yinchuan Grand Canal secret.
It was not until that day that she learned the truth from Eunuch Zhao.
"So that's how it is..." Wen Qingci murmured.
No wonder the deposed emperor was still thinking about Baiqiao Tower even when he went crazy, and would go in from time to time to look at the blueprints.
It turns out that everything... started from Baiqiao Tower.
Eunuch Zhao, who had been silent the whole time, said slowly at this moment: "At that time, no one could tell when the deposed emperor would die. In order to make full preparations, we often copied blueprints in Baiqiao Tower without the deposed emperor's knowledge."
Chenling took more than twenty years to build, and there were thousands of blueprints alone.
Copying drawings cannot be completed overnight.
"I never thought that one day... I would be caught by a palace maid, who would yell that she would report it to the emperor."
If the emperor knew that Eunuch Zhao was copying the blueprints, he would definitely investigate the matter thoroughly, which would definitely cause a huge earthquake in the harem.
His voice was made particularly hoarse by the wind and snow outside Chenling.
But every word reached Wen Qingci's ears clearly.
It turned out that the palace maid that day was killed by Eunuch Zhao.
Everything that happened after entering the palace was actually related to this.
—This should be the construction drawing of Chen Ling.
After Eunuch Zhao finished speaking, the Queen Mother finally stepped forward, took the drawings, and leaned over to light them one by one in front of Chen Ling.
The orange flames shot up into the sky, illuminating the white snow.
The densely packed pictures on the paper also disappeared at this moment, eventually turning into ashes and being blown away by the wind.
Wen Qingci couldn't help but cough lightly.
"My dear, it's windy here, let's go somewhere else for now." Xie Bufeng frowned and held the umbrella in front of Wen Qingci.
Unexpectedly, the person next to him slowly shook his head and said, "Wait a moment, Your Majesty, please stand here with me for a while."
The drawings were burned to ashes one by one.
The last doubt in Wen Qingci's heart was completely solved at this moment.
At this time, nearly two years had passed since the deposed emperor was executed by Xie Bufeng.
But until this moment, all the past finally disappeared into smoke along with the drawings that turned into ashes.
Float away from his heart.
—
"So what if the mausoleum is so luxurious?" After burning the blueprints, Wen Zhaoyuan finally couldn't help but speak, "The people are still buried under the river."
After saying that, he couldn't help but sneer.
"Concubine Du, please be careful with your words and actions." The Queen Mother couldn't help but frown and reminded her.
Toffee Du
Wen Qingci thought for a while before realizing that Wen Zhaoyuan's real name was Du Qingyun.
As the mother of the fourth prince, she was automatically promoted to the rank of Concubine Dowager after the death of the deposed emperor.
And... I don't know what Xie Bufeng was thinking, he not only set his name as a national taboo.
Even his own name became one of the national taboos.
The character "Wen" is homophonic with "Wen", so after she was promoted to the position of Concubine Dowager, she could no longer use this character.
Du Qingyun, who was already full of resentment towards the deposed emperor, simply called him "Concubine Du".
She comes from a noble family and is the only daughter, so she speaks without restraint.
"Okay, I'll listen to Sister Su!" Concubine Du said with a smile.
"Sister Su?" This time, the curious person became Xie Fuyin.
In her entire life, she had never seen anyone call her mother like this.
"Isn't it?" Concubine Du leaned over and said to the little princess, "Sister Su and I are old friends, and I used to call her that. Besides, Sister Su saved my life."
"Wow—" Xie Fuyin opened his eyes wide, "How did the Queen Mother save the Concubine Dowager?"
Children of her age are at their most curious and want to get to the bottom of everything.
Not only Xie Fuyin wanted to know about this matter, Wen Qingci was also a little curious.
He saw that Concubine Du sighed softly and said, "At that time, no one knew when the burial would happen. Leaving the palace and getting rid of the identity of a concubine would be the safest way..."
Concubine Du's mother's family was raided, and she had the tactlessness to plead for mercy from the son of Marquis Zhong'an in front of the emperor.
Thinking of this, the Queen Mother, who was still Concubine Lan at the time, immediately used this as an excuse to send Concubine Du out of the harem to become a nun.
After shaving one's head, one cuts off all worldly ties.
She was no longer the emperor's wife or concubine, nor was she a queen, but a disciple blessed by Buddhism.
The matter of burial alive had nothing to do with her.
“Is that so…” Xie Fuyin nodded, not quite understanding.
Although she was born smart, she was only a few years old and it was still difficult for her to understand these things.
Under Mount Yishan, the snow fell heavier and heavier.
After listening to the story, Xie Fuyin immediately shifted his attention and started running around and catching snowflakes with his hands.
The weather was bad today. Wen Qingci and his group looked at Chen Ling and then walked back with umbrellas.
"A-choo--" A cold wind blew, and Xie Fuyin, who was running in the front, suddenly sneezed loudly.
Seeing this, Wen Qingci immediately walked forward quickly, leaned over and handed the handkerchief to her, then stretched out his hand to tie Xie Fuyin's cloak tightly: "Your Highness, be careful not to catch a cold."
After saying that, he saw the pair of half-wet brocade boots on her feet.
"Your Majesty," Wen Qingci paused for a few seconds, then turned to look at Xie Bufeng who was following him with an umbrella, and said very naturally, "Her Royal Highness's shoes are wet, please hold her."
The Queen Mother and Concubine Du were wearing complicated clothes, which made it inconvenient for them to walk in the snow, and Eunuch Zhao was old.
After looking around, I think Xie Bufeng is the most suitable person to be the brother.
As he spoke, a snowflake gently fell on Wen Qingci's eyelashes.
His eyes were full of expectation and tenderness.
Xie Bufeng's heart shook slightly for an instant.
"Okay." Xie Bufeng spread his arms and held Xie Fuyin firmly in his arms.
His movements are standard and skillful.
Wen Qingci took the umbrella, held it up with his right hand, and walked side by side with them.
Xie Fuyin's eyes instantly became excited.
"Your Highness, why are you so happy?"
"Brother, I haven't hugged Fu Yin for a long time!" She happily stretched her hands out of the umbrella, trying to catch the snowflakes, and blinked her round light amber eyes and asked, "Brother is so tall, will Fu Yin grow this tall when he grows up?"
"Yes," Wen Qingci replied naturally, "as long as Your Highness the Princess eats well."
"Okay!" Xie Fuyin's eyes instantly became brighter, "Then Fuyin wants to eat the meal made by Master Wen!"
Wen Qingci smiled, but before he could nod, he saw the person holding Xie Fuyin frowning and saying, "Mr. Wen is usually too tired. I'll make you whatever you want to eat."
It was late winter, the last time the magnolias were in bloom.
But Xie Bufeng never mentioned that he wanted to try the magnolia porridge.
Wen Qingci thought that he was already an emperor and was no longer interested in things from his youth.
I never expected that the answer would be this.
"Brother, can you cook?" Xie Fuyin put his arms around Xie Bufeng's neck and looked at him curiously.
"Yes," Wen Qingci replied with a smile, "Your Majesty is very talented."
"Brother, can you call me next time you make it? I also want to try it with Master Wen~"
"Of course," Xie Bufeng nodded, and suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "From now on, don't call Qingci 'Master Wen'. It sounds too strange."
In his heart, Wen Qingci and himself have long been a family.
It was really strange that Xie Fuyin called Wen Qingci "Sir" again.
"I see..." Xie Fuyin couldn't help but pout, and started to struggle, "Then what should I call you?"
Mr. Wen is a boy, so he seems unable to call her sister-in-law.
What should we call it then
Just as Xie Fuyin was thinking hard, Wen Qingci, who was standing aside holding an umbrella, suddenly smiled and said, "Your Highness, I am over 20 years old, so I have to call you—"
Before he could finish his words, His Majesty the Emperor suddenly turned around, looked into those dark eyes, and interrupted the unfinished words: "Qingci, are you deliberately trying to take advantage of me by being your senior?"
Wen Qingci couldn't help but clear his throat and lowered his head guiltily.
Xie Bufeng turned around and told his sister: "Call him Brother Qingci."
"Hahaha, great! Brother Qingci!" Xie Fuyin's laughter was particularly crisp, like a small silver bell, echoing in the empty snowfield.
Wen Qingci, who was holding an umbrella, also started laughing and raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you follow the princess and call me minister?"
He swore that he had no intention of taking advantage of Xie.
But when the Emperor said this, Wen Qingci couldn't help but start joking.
Wen Qingci's voice was still as gentle and clear as usual.
But the tone is rarely relaxed.
"Okay," Xie Bufeng unexpectedly agreed. He looked at Wen Qingci with his sidelong glances and said in a deep voice, "I will call you this in private. How about that?"
His tone was as calm as usual.
But the slightly rising tone of voice seemed to hint at something, disturbing Wen Qingci's mind.
The cheeks of the people around him turned red in an instant.
Wen Qingci coughed twice, as if nothing had happened, then turned to look at the snowfield and admire the scenery.
The paper umbrella with the magnolia painted on it was not big, barely enough for two people to stand on.
At this moment, their bodies were pressed tightly under the umbrella.
And gently collide with each step.
A smile appeared on Xie Bufeng's lips.
The murderous aura on his body also dissipated for the most part in an instant.
He is tall and has long legs, and always walks with big strides.
But today, I couldn't help but slow down a little bit, and then a little bit more...
Although he was afraid of his brother sometimes, Xie Fuyin was only a child after all and did not have as many concerns as adults.
Seeing Xie Bufeng smiling, Xie Fuyin, who was in his arms, finally couldn't help but reach out and secretly grabbed a handful of snow from the umbrella.
Without waiting for his brother to react, he smeared it on his face.
Xie Bufeng's cheeks turned pale in an instant, as if they were smeared with cake.
He stopped right there.
Heavy snow fell from the sky, and everything in front of us was hidden under the snow fog.
Xie Bufeng frowned subconsciously and stretched out his hand to wipe off the snow on his face.
—I wonder if my current appearance will ruin my image in Wen Qingci’s heart
He instinctively looked towards Wen Qingci.
Seeing his serious expression, Xie Fuyin finally remembered his brother's identity, and stood there in a daze, taking his hand back with great trepidation.
"Uh... Your Majesty, I, I..."
Damn it, have I made him angry
Just as Xie Fuyin was about to apologize, Wen Qingci, who was standing aside, couldn't help but laugh.
He suddenly imitated Xie Fuyin, grabbed some snow from the umbrella, and smeared it on Xie Bufeng's other cheek when Xie Bufeng was not paying attention.
Just when Wen Qingci was about to repeat his old trick, Xie Bufeng suddenly reached out and gently grasped his wrist.
His eyes became particularly deep in an instant.
It was as if it wanted to devour Wen Qingci.
“… Your Majesty?” Sensing danger, Wen Qingci instinctively took a half step back and stood outside the umbrella.
At this moment, Xie Bufeng's fingers slowly slid across Wen Qingci's palm.
A slight itching sensation instantly spread from the palms to every part of the body.
Wen Qingci's body trembled slightly as he moved.
"Ouch!" Xie Fuyin, who was held in Xie Bufeng's arms, covered his eyes.
The next moment, Xie Bufeng gently wiped the snow that had just been rubbed off Wen Qingci's palm back onto the tip of his nose.
Finally, she pulled Wen Qingci back under the umbrella, put her lips to his ear, and whispered, "Be careful not to catch a cold, brother."
(End of this chapter)