After a banquet in the Yulong Pavilion, the candidates for the Crown Princess were revealed.
After returning from Yunzhou, Xuan Jingchen, who was trapped in Yuanzhou by the emperor's order, had already vaguely guessed the emperor's intention, so he was not shocked by what the emperor said in Yulong Pavilion.
She already knew her whereabouts, only one loyal towards the bright moon, she walked down magnanimously.
But Zhong Lishuo was shocked by the emperor's words, and tried his best to avoid Xuan Jingchen in the courtroom for several days.
Perhaps it was the song of Yulong Pavilion, which aroused the warmth in the emperor's heart. Since the whole peach blossom season, the emperor has taken Zhong Lishuo to handle government affairs in the imperial study. I don't know if it's Zhong Lishuo's illusion, but when she meets the emperor occasionally, she can always see a trace of love in those too cold eyes.
It was only a little concern, but Zhong Lishuo felt that if the emperor had been like this, maybe the bad roots of Da Chu could be pulled up. Perhaps, the road ahead is not so hard and maybe.
One evening, after Zhong Lishuo accompanied the emperor to dinner, the mother and daughter watched the memorial that they had not read today in the Chaohui Hall. The dragon in Zhaohui Hall burned higher than last year. The emperor, who only wore a thin robe, raised his eyes thoughtfully as he flipped through a memorial in his hand, and looked at His Highness, who was wrapped in a thick mysterious robe. The prince in the robe pondered for a moment and said, "Prince, look at this memorial."
Zhong Lishuo raised his head, said his promise, got up and went to the emperor's case, took the memorial that she had just read, and read it carefully.
This is a memorial from the Minister of War. It is said that the New Year has passed, and the provincial governors and officials who returned to Beijing to report their duties have all returned to their stations. General Xuan Jingchen has been guarding the border of Lanzhou for many years, but now he has been stationed in Yuanzhou for half a year, fearing that the border will be unstable.
After reading the memorial, Zhong Lishuo frowned, "Your Majesty, the Minister of War is right, the barbarians have coveted my Great Chu for many years, and now the barbarian king is an ambitious and good king. At this moment, the frontier still needs a great general. Guard, it is not appropriate for her to stay in Yuanzhou too much."
The emperor raised his head, looked at the immature prince in front of him, and said, "Since the first battle in Yunzhou, there is no one in the world who does not know the great general. Prince, that Xuan Jingchen is a fierce tiger and a lion. If she returns to Lanzhou, do you think it is possible for her to return to Yuanzhou?"
"The general has tens of thousands of troops, and there is no man in the army for me, Zhongli's family. In the coming year, if she has the ambition of a wolf child, how will you deal with it?"
Zhong Lishuo pursed his lips and said, "The Xuan family has been loyal to the royal family from generation to generation, and when I was in Yunzhou, General Xuan was strict in governing the army, and he loved the people like a son. , I, Haiyan Heqing from the State of Chu, want to come here and she will not rebel for the sake of the people."
The emperor chuckled and said, "You really think so."
"Yes." Zhong Lishuo bowed his hands, and couldn't help but say a few more good words for Xuan Jingchen, "When I was in the army of the Great General, I watched him for a long time. You will never rely on your own troops. Your Majesty, if you don’t trust her, why should you keep her in Yuanzhou and take her military talismans for a reason?”
The emperor smiled, "I have received her military talisman, who will pick it up?"
Zhong Lishuo responded to her, "Of course the person who wants to accept it will pick it up."
The meaning hidden in her words was very explicit, except that someone coveted military power, so she arranged for a loyal minister like Xuan Jingchen.
The emperor heard the meaning of maintenance in her words, and felt amused in his heart, but he was not forgiving, "You have said all the good things for her, so I can't let her return to Lanzhou."
"Your Majesty..."
"This military power can't be left aside, and none of my Zhongli clan can take over the military power, so I can only keep her." The emperor sighed and looked at Zhong Lishuo with a playful look in his eyes, "Prince..."
"Listen, son."
"This Xuan Jingchen is loyal to the king and patriotic. He has a good soldier and a strong ability to handle affairs. It's good to be alone. How about being a prince concubine for you?"
Zhong Lichen looked at the child in front of her softly, and at the stunned look that flashed across her face, she felt a little astringent in her heart.
Zhong Lishuo froze in place, and it took a while to find his voice and said, "Your Majesty..."
"Why, isn't she beautiful?" Zhong Lishuo said warmly with a smile full of smiles, "I, Zhongli's clan, have never seen an ugly person. Although the general is older than the army, I can only see her appearance in Yuanzhou. The noble girls are also first-class. She is your crown princess, and she will be your queen in the future, so she is a good match."
"You should know that by being your crown princess, you can protect this general. Otherwise, even I can't protect her." The emperor dropped the words, put away the smile on his face, and looked at her with determination. Zhong Lishuo.
What Zhong Lishuo knew, how could the emperor not understand? She was not afraid of Xuan Jingchen's power, but the military power in Xuan Jingchen's hands was too enviable.
Every man is innocent, but he is guilty. There are so many people who are eager to make a move that they use their means to stumble upon Xuan Jingchen. What's more, the emperor had no firm intention to protect Xuan Jingchen, all she wanted to do was to find a prince concubine for Ah Shuo who could protect her.
Zhong Lishuo pondered for a while, looked at the emperor, and said, "Is that the only way?"
The emperor didn't answer, he just smiled and said, "Don't the prince like her? If you don't like her, that Gu will find you a prince concubine again?"
In her eyes, she could see through the coldness of the world, as if the person who had treated Zhong Lishuo tenderly just now was not her at all. Zhong Lishuo had a deep understanding of the emperor's moodiness. She can even understand the meaning of the emperor's words. If Xuan Jingchen is not her crown princess, then what awaits Xuan Jingchen is either death or being imprisoned in Yuanzhou City to be a mediocre person.
Zhong Lishuo nodded reluctantly and replied, "I'm glad."
Her reply made the emperor very satisfied. Next, the two did not continue to talk about Xuan Jingchen, but Zhong Lishuo was stagnant for a long time.
When the peach blossoms were all gone, and the season of blooming flowers had ushered in, Xuan Jingchen was still staying in Yuanzhou.
Seeing that the emperor had not arranged where Xuan Jingchen would go, the officials began to toss again. Until the cherry blossoms in the East Palace were in full bloom, the emperor left behind Xuan Jingchen and the prince after the court dispersed one day.
"The old general Xuan died in the battle at Wangyueguan Pass, which made me very sad. Fortunately, there is no dog or daughter. Now Xuanqing has inherited the mantle of the general and has become an important minister of the humerus of our country.
"Only the border is bitter and cold, and I am lonely and can't bear to suffer later. I heard that the general has two younger sisters in Lanzhou, so let's make a decree to bring those two children to Yuanzhou. Aiqing took root in Yuanzhou. How's it going?"
As soon as the emperor's voice fell, Zhong Lishuo's expression changed slightly. She looked at Xuan Jingchen subconsciously, but saw that the man had already bowed, and said warmly: "Your Majesty is sympathetic to Wei Chen, so that the family can be reunited, sir, thank you Lord Longen."
Xuan Jingchen was very sensible, and after the emperor expressed his intentions, he endured it. The emperor got a satisfactory answer and waved the prince and the general to retreat.
After leaving the Chaohui Hall, Xuan Jingchen in a purple official uniform walked out of the palace facing the bright spring light. Before taking a few steps, a Qingyue call came from behind, "General, please stay."
Xuan Jingchen heard Zhong Lishuo's voice, stopped, turned to look at the young prince walking towards her, and bowed, "I have seen Your Highness."
She didn't ask what Zhong Lishuo called her, and after saluting, she quietly waited for Zhong Lishuo to say it himself.
Zhong Lishuo stood in front of her, looked at the military officer who was much smaller than her, hesitated for a while, and stared at her with a pair of dark eyes, "The cherry blossoms in the East Palace have bloomed very well recently, and today's spring is also very bright. , If the general is not busy, I don't know if it is possible to follow me to Yinglin in the East Palace?"
The person in front of her is clearly her monarch, but when she said this, she was a little nervous. Xuan Jingchen only thought for a moment, then nodded and replied, "I am fortunate to be invited by Your Highness, but I cannot ask for it."
Zhong Lishuo looked relieved, "Then please ask the general to come with me."
Having said that, he led Xuan Jingchen to the East Palace Sakura Forest, speechless all the way.
This is the peak season of spring, and if you look at it from a distance, you can see the East Palace, which is covered by a sea of pink flowers. Such strong colors hit Xuan Jingchen's mind under the bright spring light. Looking at such vivid colors, he felt a little better.
Zhong Lishuo led Xuan Jingchen through the cherry tree, the spring breeze blew, and those pink petals fluttered like falling flowers. The petals fell on Xuan Jingchen's clothes, shoulders, and hair.
Zhong Lishuo looked at her face, which became more delicate against the cherry blossoms, and felt that he was fascinated by the spring breeze, and he bent his eyes and said, "I heard people say that this year's cherry blossoms are the brightest blooming in recent years. Once, especially the century-old cherry tree in the depths of the cherry forest, it bloomed very prosperously."
When Xuan Jingchen heard the words, he set his eyes on the young prince.
Zhong Lishuo curled his lips and smiled, "I ordered someone to prepare a spring wine and a handicap. If General Rumeng does not mind, will you drink some with me later?"
That smile is too close to be rejected. Xuan Jingchen nodded and promised a little more. The two walked under the 100-year-old cherry tree, looked at the cherry blossoms that covered the sky and the sun, and saw the cherry blossoms hanging down from her, Zhong Lishuo stretched out his hand and gently stroked the delicate flowers, "The cherry blossoms are bright, hot and pure. When I first saw the general, I felt that the general was like a sakura, very noble."
She turned her head and made no secret of her admiration for Xuan Jingchen.
Xuan Jingchen lowered his eyes, pursed his lips and replied, "Your Highness is wrong."
Zhong Lishuo shook his head and said, "No, no, the general is unparalleled in the world, and he is a rare talent in the world. It is my great fortune to have a general."
"Only now, Ning Chen is in power, and the DPRK and China are in turmoil, and the general is so tired."
"Today, His Majesty's decree to reunite the general's family in Yuanzhou is also a helpless move."
"I came to invite the general today because Zhaoming has something to tell the general."
Xuan Jingchen stood beside her, looking at the prince who looked brighter than the cherry blossoms, "Prince, but it doesn't matter."
"To tell the truth, it was His Majesty who wanted to refer to the general as my crown princess." Zhong Lishuo sighed and forced a smile, "Zhao Ming He De He Neng can marry such an amazing and brilliant wife as the general. My crown princess, I am afraid that I will be wronged by the general."
Xuan Jingchen clenched his fists with both hands and did not say a word, and heard Zhong Lishuo say again: "It is a pity that the general is all talented in writing and martial arts, and it is a pity to be buried in the palace. Zhaoming cherishes the talent of the general, and does not want the general to be useless. I only hope that the general will be able to hold the military power well in the future. , when Zhaoming can be in charge, he will definitely make the general show his ambitions."
Her eyes are sincere, and she clearly writes attention and appreciation. Xuan Jingchen was touched for a moment, looked at her and said, "Your Highness..."
"The general is the minister of the arm, and Zhaoming is very sorry."
Xuan Jingchen let go of his hand and said as if relieved: "Since Your Highness said this to me today, you must also know that if Your Majesty keeps this thought, it will be difficult to change. Your Highness is now, yes Your only choice."
As smart as Xuan Jingchen, he has already decided his own path. She never cared about love. If marrying Zhong Lishuo would be good for everyone, why didn't she choose Zhong Lishuo
She said that Zhong Lishuo was her only choice, which proved that she would not make other choices.
Zhong Lishuo pursed his lips, lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "I'm not a good person, I'm afraid I'm not worthy of a general."
She raised her head and looked at this cherry blossom that was in full bloom, and said, "The cherry blossoms in the East Palace are really blooming. I think the scenery outside the imperial city will be even more beautiful at this time. If the general marries me, you will be able to see it in this lifetime. There are only cherry blossoms in this garden. General, even if this is the case, are you willing to marry me?"
Instead, Xuan Jingchen laughed and said briskly, "His Royal Highness has been worrying too much. In my eyes, His Highness is a good person."