In the Dajiao Temple of the Harem of the Daming Palace, a special "guest" came today - the emperor, Li Shimin.
This is the first time the emperor has come to visit since Concubine Yinde moved here. The Taoist nuns who were watching were flattered, but before they could come forward to greet him, they were repelled.
Li Shimin's face looked a little ugly. The Taoist nuns knew something was wrong and did not want to step forward to get into trouble, so they all hid in the room.
Li Shimin walked to the quiet room where Concubine Yin De lived, looked at the dust-free window edges and door lintels, and said to himself: "I still have mysophobia."
Pushing the door open, Concubine Yin De was sitting on a tuft, burning a pot of incense and reading a scripture. Her eyes were lightly closed, and a few beards of dusty snow silk were draped on her arms, dancing gently.
"When the wind blows, the fly whisk moves. The Taoist heart is still not solid..." Concubine Yin De said as if talking to herself.
Li Shimin didn't mind that she didn't stand up to greet her. The couple, an old couple of twenty years, seemed to have lost sight of these customs in private, and always used to get straight to the point.
"You can sit still." Li Shimin slowly walked behind her and said, holding hands behind his back.
In the extremely quiet Zen room, you could hear the embroidery needle falling to the ground. Li Shimin's words were not loud, but they seemed extremely abrupt. The silence in the room gave his words an added majesty.
"Then what can I do?" Concubine Yin De still did not look back at Li Shimin, but raised her head slightly and stared at the statue of Lao Tzu riding a green bull above her head.
Li Shimin also raised his eyes and glanced at the statue of Lao Tzu, took two steps forward and bowed his head, without looking at Concubine Yin De, as if he said indifferently: "It depends on the situation, have you heard everything?"
"Of course you don't know as much as your Majesty." Concubine Yin De replied calmly.
"What do you think?" Li Shimin also asked very calmly.
Concubine Yin De's face trembled slightly, as if she had suffered severe pain and trauma but was trying her best to endure it. She pursed her lips and said, "People from outside the country don't care about common things."
"You don't have to be pretentious in front of me." Li Shimin snorted coldly and said, "What kind of family did you come from? You still have some so-called worldly things in your heart. Tell me, What do you think about Li You’s rebellion?”
The pained expression on Concubine Yin De's face seemed to have deepened, but she still tried her best to endure it and said calmly: "Qin Mubai will not participate in the rebellion."
"What did you say?" Li Shimin was surprised.
"Qin Mubai will not participate in the rebellion." Concubine Yin De repeated it exactly at the same speed and tone.
"Weird." Li Shimin sneered again, "According to your temperament, you must be jumping up and down anxiously at this time, and you want to see me most. The purpose of wanting to see me is nothing more than to plead for your unscrupulous son. Moreover, this time even Gao Yang is also with him, so you have more reason to do this. But now, I took the initiative to see you, but you seemed to ignore me. Instead of interceding for Li You and excusing Gao Yang, Instead, you said such nonsense. I really can’t understand you anymore.”
"Perhaps, you have never understood me." Concubine Yin De closed her eyes gently, took a long and slow breath, and tried her best to control her emotions.
"What do you mean?" Li Shimin's face showed a hint of sullenness, but more of a puzzlement - what kind of joke are you kidding, a couple of twenty years would not understand
"There is no other intention." Concubine Yin De said, "Perhaps, I have never understood Your Majesty."
"We have been husband and wife for twenty years, and you actually said such a thing?" Li Shimin asked in annoyance and confusion, "Have I always been your father-killing enemy in your heart?"
Concubine Yin De's face trembled slightly, and her heart felt as if a sharp dagger had been wiped across her heart. I didn't feel any pain at first, but after a moment I realized that the sharp dagger had cut a deep wound and the blood was flowing.
Li Shimin's words are as sharp as a knife!
"Love him deeply! Force yourself to use twenty years of unreserved love to resolve your hatred! - He actually mentioned this matter again twenty years later!"
For a moment, Concubine Yin De felt that her twenty years had been in vain... Especially now that her brothers, sons and daughters were still on the opposite side of the emperor. My twenty years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice were all wiped out in an instant!
She didn't speak, her eyes were closed, her lips were trembling, and tears flowed out unsatisfactorily.
Li Shimin was extremely attentive and had already noticed her emotional changes. For a moment, he felt a little regretful, knowing that he had indeed said the wrong thing in a moment of anger.
But it would be absolutely impossible for him to admit his mistake.
"You are not a minister. I am not here to ask you for your judgment on the rebellion case. But I want to know how you feel about your rebel son at this moment?" Li Shimin said in a softer tone, "You think I am here to make fun of you?" Are you being mean to me? I'm not that busy yet. But he is our son after all, so of course you have the right to say something."
"In the past, I always hoped that I could talk more to His Majesty. Now His Majesty is generous and allows me to speak at such a time. But I feel that I don't want to say anything anymore." Concubine Yin De still sat like that, letting me talk. Tears flowed down like broken beads without wiping them away. He suppressed his sobs and said, "Your Majesty always has his own opinion and doesn't need others to say anything, right?"
"Are you still angry with me at this time?" Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. On the contrary, he hoped that Concubine Yin De would act a little more excited, sad or scared, which would be better than being sarcastic and half-dead at him now.
"It's not a matter of anger." Concubine Yin De remained as calm as water and said, "There is no greater sorrow than a heartbroken person. For a person who has a heartbroken heart, in fact, nothing matters anymore. There are many things in this world that are not determined by what the human heart wants. It can be changed. For example, it is a fact that Youer rebelled. Your Majesty has made up his mind, so who can change this outcome? It is better not to cause trouble. "
"So that's what you think." Li Shimin nodded slightly, "Yes, I have sent Li Ji to lead the troops to quell the rebellion. We will know the result in a few days."
"A mere bastard rebelled, but he actually started such a big fight. Did your Majesty see that the invincible and cautious General Li Ji was too idle, so he sent him an errand to stretch his muscles so that he could be promoted and make a fortune in the future?" Yin De The concubine showed a sneer.
"Have you said enough?" Li Shimin was angry and shouted, "Now, it seems that it is me who is in the wrong!"
"Of course it's you who are at fault." Concubine Yin De said calmly, without being hasty or angry, "What's your fault if you don't teach your adopted son? Will the world still blame me, a half-dead woman?"
"It's not your good brother Yin Hongzhi who has been instigating him! If I had known what happened, I shouldn't have been so soft-hearted and listened to your plea to spare his life!" Li Shimin shouted angrily.
"Since Your Majesty knows this, why didn't you get rid of my 'good brother' early?" Concubine Yin De continued to sneer and said, "Instead, you will come to me to complain after the incident. Is it wrong for a girl to sacrifice her life to save her brother?"
"Yes, yes, you are full of mouth. I can never speak to you!" Li Shimin really couldn't do anything about this soft-hearted concubine Yin De, who refused to accept needles hidden in cotton. Over the years, the two rarely got angry and quarreled, and they always treated each other as if they were guests. . But among the many concubines in the harem, including the late Empress Changsun, no one dared to talk back to Li Shimin and make him angry. However, this concubine Yin De, who had always been gentle and gentle as if she had no desires, was really showing off her strength, but not even Li Shimin could do anything about her.
"Then why would your Majesty come here to seek shame?" Concubine Yin De said calmly.
"I will definitely kill Yin Hongzhi!" Li Shimin suddenly said.
"Kill him! He has earned twenty years of life in vain, he should be satisfied." Concubine Yin De said with a ruthless heart, almost word by word.
"I have always hated the disrespect and hostility between flesh and blood relatives the most!" Li Shimin said again.
A very slight smile flashed across the corner of Concubine Yin De's lips, and she said lightly: "Is it just like His Majesty, Emperor Wude Gaozu back then?"
"You!..." One sentence, like a needle, pierced deeply into Li Shimin's heart, causing scenes from the Xuanwu Sect back then to flash through his mind. He suddenly raised his palm, really wanting to slap Concubine Yin De on the face.
But at this moment, Concubine Yin De did not show any fear or fear. Instead, she turned her head with a smile. Her beautiful, tearful eyes on her stunningly beautiful and cold face looked at him for a moment.
Li Shimin snorted, put down his hand, and turned his head angrily.
"Only you dare to speak to me like this!"
Concubine Yin De didn't take it seriously, her expression returned to calmness, and she said: "Your Majesty came here just to transfer his anger to me and vent it. Or when he saw me, he was so frightened that he begged you for mercy. , right? I apologize, I have disappointed your majesty. In fact, we all know that Youer will be here today, and it is not surprising that you, the father, and the heroes around you, who are you? Treating him as a prince, who wouldn't first think of his mother as the daughter of the Yin family when looking at him? An adult would not be subject to such discrimination and prejudice, let alone a child? Among all the children, His Majesty has always disliked You'er the most. Isn't it true? Otherwise, why was he the first to be sent to another place as an official? Without his parents and lack of control, You'er is indeed getting worse day by day. It’s changed. As a mother, I can’t do anything about it. What can I say?”
Li Shimin was speechless for a long time. He knew that Concubine Yin De was always as gentle as water and never said a word, but she was always as clear as a mirror and never confused. What she said today was ugly enough, but it was indeed the truth.
And at this moment, they were talking in the name of their parents, not the emperor and his concubines. Otherwise, it would be absolutely difficult for him to hear such truth.
After a long time, Li Shimin seemed a little helpless and said angrily: "Am I really not a good father? The prince has lost his virtue, Gao Yang has refused to marry, and the King of Qi has rebelled. Who will be next?"
"You are a good emperor. But you are by no means a good father." Concubine Yin De said concisely.
"Why?" Li Shimin asked loudly.
"Because..." Concubine Yin De chuckled and said, "You are too outstanding, great, and strong. Your children have been living under your strong shadow and pressure since they were born. Moreover, you always treat your children With the hope of a prince, the requirements for them are quite strict. I hope that all of them will become as outstanding as you. Is this possible? Children are children after all, and letting them grow up is the best way. ”
"Is it wrong to hope that your son will succeed?" Li Shimin said in confusion and helplessness.
"You are right. What is wrong is that you are an emperor." Concubine Yin De said.
"What a bastard!" Li Shimin became quite angry and punched his thigh.
Concubine Yin De smiled and shook her head gently: "Even I can't communicate with Your Majesty, let alone your children who are frightened when they see you? This happened once, three times, and then they drifted away. What you gave The greater the hope, the greater the pressure. The more they want to break free from these shackles, the more rebellious they become.”
"That means that if Li You was born today, there will be a second and third one in the future?" Li Shimin stared at Concubine Yin De in annoyance and said.
"Your Majesty is going to kill him as a warning to others. Naturally, no one else will dare to do this." Concubine Yin De said coldly, "However, your Majesty's long-cherished wish for a successful son may be difficult to achieve."
"I don't believe it!"
"Monks, don't bet."
"..." Li Shimin was choked, swallowed hard, and said, "I want to capture Li You to the capital, and in front of you, ask him what he is thinking, and what kind of thing is haunting him. Lost my mind!"
"No chance." Concubine Yin De said calmly, "Your Majesty, at most you can only see Youer's... corpse."
"You're talking nonsense!" Li Shimin scolded, "I gave Li Ji a secret order to capture him alive!"
Concubine Yin De's extremely graceful lips curled up slightly, outlining a cruel and bitter smile: "So, you don't know your son at all."
"Huh, let's wait and see!" Li Shimin snorted unconvinced, and suddenly turned to look at Concubine Yin De, "Tell me, why did you suddenly say that Qin Mubai will not participate in the rebellion? Are you better than Concubine Yin De? Do I know more about my former confidant? "
"No. I only know Gao Yang better than you. I also understand Gao Yang's love." Concubine Yin De said lightly, "The man Gao Yang falls in love with will never betray or do anything stupid."
"Is that why?"
"Isn't it enough?"
Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully: "What you meant is that Ling'er was hijacked by Li You and Yin Hongzhi, rather than actively rebelling. And Li You and Yin Hongzhi, just He is using Ling'er's identity to stir up trouble and deliberately create chaos, right?"
"So I say, Your Majesty has already made up his mind, so why bother bothering yourself by condescending to come to this cold Taoist temple and asking for trouble?" Concubine Yin De sneered.
"Hmph!" Li Shimin stood up angrily, "I really want to kill you!"
"Please do as you wish. It has always been the royal rule that a mother is more valuable than her son, and a mother's son dies for her son, isn't it?" Concubine Yin De's reaction was as calm as can be.
Li Shimin felt another pain in his heart and almost got so angry that he hit someone.
"I don't know the same as you!" Li Shimin dropped this sentence with a groan, and was about to walk out. Before leaving, he said, "You should live a good life for me until that unscrupulous Li You kneels here and makes it clear to your face! "
Concubine Yin De smiled faintly, looked up at the statue of Qingniu Laozi, closed her eyes again, and said nothing.
Li Shimin fluttered his sleeves and walked out the door, letting out a long sigh. Now, even he himself was surprised as to why he was so easily angry and so out of sorts today.
"Fortunately, she is not an outsider. Now, these words and things can only be said to her. Alas..." Li Shimin looked back at the wooden door of the room with a look of shame and annoyance, and walked away.
In the room, Concubine Yin De lit a few oil lamps, put a slightly trembling hand on a yellowed ancient book, and said to herself: "Ling'er, Mu Bai, I have tried my best. I hope you, Take care! ... You'er, don't want to be born in an emperor's family in the next life!"
…
Han River, above the Shenyu spaceship in front of Xiangyang Military Port.
Qin Mubai, wearing a military uniform and a golden sword, was sitting on the bow deck of the ship, squinting his eyes and staring at the gently rippling autumn river with a stern expression. The horizontal sword that was given to him when he was awarded the title of Hundred Horsemen has not yet come out of its sheath and seen blood. At this moment, Qin Mubai had taken off the scabbard. The tip of the scabbard rested on the deck. Qin Mubai placed the palm of his right hand on the handle of the knife, and attached his left hand to his right hand. He held the knife with both hands, and occasionally a sharp light flashed in his eyes.
Pang Fei and some generals from the military government stood behind him. They didn't know what he was thinking, and no one dared to come forward and ask.
Just yesterday, a "lobbyist" was sent from Dengzhou. With Li You's autograph letter, he openly crossed the river to persuade King Wu and Qin Mubai to go and "join the great event and achieve great things together." That's all. The lobbyist also specifically said that Princess Gaoyang missed General Qin very much. She looked across the river and leaned against the door in hope. Day and night she missed the delicious food and tea. She only hoped that Qin Mubai would cross the river as soon as possible and reunite with him.
This is a naked "threat"!
Naturally, the lobbyist did not end well. Although Li Ke and Qin Mubai did not personally tear him into pieces, they indulged the hot-tempered Yuwen Hongtai and beat him to the ground, leaving broken teeth on the ground. Returned to Jiangbei.
Since then, Qin Mubai's face has never looked better. Pang Fei and others did not dare to offend him.
Qin Mubai spent two days in a row on the boat, sitting like this with his knife in hand every day, not knowing what he was waiting for or looking forward to. No one dared to ask, so they had to wait with him.
At this time, an extremely fast and agile shuttle boat slid up the river like an ice skater. It rowed under the large warship and reported: "Report! The water sentry ahead has spotted two large ships, heading towards the Eight Ghost Ferry!"
"Have you found out who is here?" Pang Fei stepped forward and asked.
"Both ships were intercepted and interrogated by our navy. On one of the ships, there was the imperial envoy from the imperial court; on the other ship, it was Li Daozong, the king of Jiangxia!"
"Here we come!" Qin Mubai's eyes, which had been slightly closed, suddenly opened, and a light burst out from the corners of his eyes.
"Got it! Go back and pass the order, let the navy brothers escort him safely and welcome him to the Eight Ghost Crossing!" Pang Fei, the navy commander, ordered.
"Yes! -" The shuttle boat rowed away quickly again. After months of rigorous training, the Bailang navy is now well-trained and seems to be worthy of the title of "Cunning Dragon in the Waves".
"General, why did King Jiangxia come back again?" Pang Fei walked back to Qin Mubai and asked in a low voice.
Qin Mubai blinked his eyes: "He has a reason for coming. Invite him to my ship. In addition, I will take the imperial censor directly to the governor's mansion. There is no need to bring him here."
"Yes." Pang Fei didn't dare to ask any more questions and hurriedly went to do it himself.
Qin Mubai held the handle of the knife tightly with both hands, took a deep breath, exhaled for a long time, and secretly said: "It's time!... Ling'er, wait for me!"
…
Soon after, two large ships arrived at Xiangyang Pier. One boat docked at Baguidu, and a group of court officials headed for the Xiangzhou Governor's Mansion non-stop; the other boat traveled a few more miles and turned directly into the military port of the Xiangzhou Military Mansion.
Li Daozong stood on the bow of the ship with his hands cut behind his back, looking at the ships and troops in the port. A smile appeared on his angular face full of fortitude and seriousness: "Qin Mubai, a true general!"
Qin Mubai saw the incoming ship, stood up and walked to the side of the ship to greet him with fists clasped in his hands: "Your Majesty, I am here to welcome you!"
"Come and be safe!" Li Daozong stepped on the plank between the two ships vigorously and strode onto the ship. He stared at Qin Mubai and nodded with a smile: "It seems that you are well prepared."
Qin Mubai smiled slightly: "The prince has gone and come back again, I don't know what the purpose is?"
"Of course I'm not worried about you rebelling." Li Daozong said loudly as if he was teasing.
Qin Mubai waved his hand to repel the soldiers and said, "Then the prince is here, will he give you some advice?"
"No." Li Daozong answered simply, "I like young people, but that doesn't mean I like to point fingers and be a teacher. I make my own decisions and deal with my own troubles. I'm here purely on a personal basis. In my name, I’ll give you something.”
"The prince traveled thousands of miles to come and give gifts. This friendship alone is priceless." Qin Mubai said, "How can I survive, general?"
"It's yours, it's yours. But I think it's more appropriate to give it to you at this time." Li Daozong neatly took off the knife from his waist and held it in front of Qin Mubai with both hands flat. , "Take it!"
"This is..." Qin Mubai couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Li Daozong stared at the sword, his eyes were like looking at his friends who had known each other for many years, or brothers who had shared weal and woe. He smiled slightly and said, "You forgot, Guiyi sword."
"Oh?..." Qin Mubai was slightly startled, remembering the scene of his martial arts competition with Li Daozong when he was still in the Jiangxia Palace in Jinzhou. At that time, he and Chen Yan had a contest with Li Daozong. Chen Yan fought to a draw with him, but Li Daozong said that she had reservations and thought her skills were inferior to others, so he gave her the "Unfeeling Sword". But at the beginning, he was no match for Li Daozong. Although he intended to give the "Guiyi Sword" as a gift, he did not ask for it. He also said that if he could defeat him one day, he would then "take the knife" in a legitimate manner.
"Your Highness, do you want to compete with the general?" Qin Mubai couldn't help but smile.
"I don't want to fight with you now." Li Daozong also smiled, but his smile was full of meaning. He said: "Giving a knife is just giving a knife, there is no other meaning."
"Okay, then General, thank you for the gift!" Qin Mubai gritted his teeth and nodded seriously, taking the knife with both hands.
Very heavy. There are still marks of cutting on the scabbard. It is neither gorgeous nor high-end, but it has a desolate and simple atmosphere. The blade is still hidden in the wooden scabbard, but it is scattered vigorously!
"What a great sword!" Qin Mubai couldn't help but praise before he drew the sword, "This is a great sword that has killed people and seen blood, and has an aura and sharp edge!"
"Very good, you really know the goods." Li Daozong smiled with satisfaction, "The knife on your waist is both gorgeous and beautiful. It must be valuable and of unusual origin. However, good-looking may not be easy to use. This sword belongs to me. A knife is only used to kill people and behead people. Why should it be so fancy? What you need now is a killing knife, not a beautiful decoration!"
There seemed to be a flash of inspiration in Qin Mubai's heart, and he woke up in his mind!
Need a murderous knife, not a beautiful decoration? Li Daozong obviously meant what he said. He is not the kind of bored old man who would really leave and come back for no reason at such an emergency period, returning thousands of miles just to give him a knife.
"The implication of his words is that I should be cruel when I should be cruel, and kill those who deserve to be killed!... Does the name of the sword 'Gui Yi' also want to tell me that if it is difficult to balance love and justice, justice should be the most important thing? -He wants me to kill my relatives for justice? "
Li Daozong saw that Qin Mubai was lost in thought for a while, so he just nodded and smiled, and said: "I don't want to stay in this troubled place for a long time, so don't be fooled. Farewell, please take care of yourself!"
Then, he walked towards his boat without looking back. As soon as he boarded the deck, he waved his hand vigorously: "No need to see you off - let's sail!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift of the sword!" Qin Mubai stood on the side of the ship, holding the sword in both hands and bowing with fists.
The ship set off immediately. Li Daozong stood on the side of the ship with his back and hands as he had come. He looked at Qin Mubai with a profound look, nodded, smiled, and said: "In the spring of next year, I will come to Xiangyang again. By then, I hope you and Ling'er can fish with me."
Qin Mubai nodded seriously: "It's a promise. I promise to live up to my promise!"