Winter in Guannai is colder than in Xiangyang.
The officials who were in charge of Li You's funeral were very good at doing things. After nightfall, they invited Qin Mubai to go home to rest, and they were responsible for keeping watch.
After just driving a thousand miles and working hard for another day, Qin Mubai was really tired. After riding his horse and leaving the palace and walking on the familiar Chang'an Avenue, he was not in the mood to enjoy the bustling night scene and walked straight back home.
The Huoyun Horse's hoofbeats were full of exhaustion, and they stepped on the stone road in the inner square, making a clanging sound. When passing by the door of his house, Qin Mubai saw that the door was closed tightly with a big lock on it, so he went straight to the old Qin family's Duke Yiguo's mansion.
The door here is open, and there are people standing at the door, leaning against it and looking at it.
It is mother Liu and sister Shuang'er.
"Mother, mother! Brother is back!" Shuang'er had sharp eyes and saw Qin Mubai riding a horse slowly walking in the night from a distance. She jumped up and shouted excitedly.
"Son, you're finally back!" Mrs. Liu clapped her hands and shouted happily, with tears streaming down her face.
At this moment, Qin Mubai felt faintly excited.
The sound of "Son" made his heart feel sour and warm.
The mother is worried when the son travels thousands of miles. No matter how old the son is, in the eyes of the mother, he is still a child.
When Concubine Yin De saw Li You's body, she stroked his face and called out the same way. I wonder what she was thinking at that time
"Mom, the unscrupulous son is back!" Qin Mubai got off his horse, strode up to his mother, knelt down on one knee, and bowed down with peace of mind.
"My son, get up quickly, get up quickly, let mother take a good look." Ms. Liu's voice was trembling with excitement, and she held him tightly by his elbows to help him up. Tears were glistening in his deep old eyes.
"Mom, I'm fine." Qin Mubai smiled comfortably.
Go home feeling good.
"Brother, you're back. Mom and I miss you." Shuang'er also walked up and threw herself into Qin Mubai's arms like a child.
"Good boy, do you honor your mother well at home?"
"Yes! My brother is not at home, so of course I have to fulfill my duties as a brother and sister and honor my mother!"
"Okay, you are all mother's good boys. Mu Bai, just come back and come in quickly. It's windy outside, so don't stand at the door. Someone's coming. The young master is back. Hurry up and serve him!" Mrs. Liu hurriedly moved around. Many of the servants and maids in the mansion had already gone to bed, and they were all woken up at this time. Bathing in fragrant soup, boiling water and cooking, I was so busy that it felt like a festival.
Qin Mubai felt that he was now the core of the family, and everyone was surrounding him. I had this feeling in the army, but when I came home, it was completely different. In the army, it was his power and prestige that drove his generals to respect him; back home, they were bound to each other by a strong family affection that was inseparable.
After walking into the house, Qin Mubai saw a group of people standing in the yard, it was Yao'er and the little orphans she had adopted.
"Third brother, you're back." Yao'er's eyes were looking at Qin Mubai with a sweet smile. The little girls around her were probably a little timid after not seeing Qin Mubai for a year. There are many girls among them who have grown a lot taller. They are like little lotuses with their sharp horns exposed.
"Yao'er, are you okay?" Qin Mubai stepped forward and greeted with a smile.
"Okay, we are all fine. We haven't seen each other for a year, and Yao'er misses her third brother very much." Yao'er said softly.
Shuang'er came over and said with a smile: "Brother, do you know? Yao'er may have done it now! Mei Niang went to Xiangzhou and handed Chang'an Qinxian Pavilion to Yao'er to take care of it. Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang , I still have to deal with Yao'er!"
"Really? That's great!" Qin Mubai smiled.
"No, don't listen to Shuang'er's nonsense." Yao'er smiled sheepishly, "That means my boss trusted me and gave me the account book. In fact, I am a blind man and can't even see the accounts. How can I manage it?" It’s not because of Shuang’er, she has been helping me.”
"Ha, after talking for a long time, it turns out that you, a naughty little girl, are just bragging!" Qin Mubai laughed.
"Hehe!" Shuang'er smiled proudly, "How about it, brother, I'm somewhat useful, right?"
"You've always been useful!" Qin Mubai said with a smile.
"Hmph, just make fun of me when we meet!"
"Okay, children, come in and sit down, drink some hot tea and make a fire to keep warm." Ms. Liu called from inside the room. The three of them walked in with smiles, drank freshly brewed hot tea around the big stove, and talked about their farewells.
With the head of the family, Qin Shubao, away, everyone chatted more casually. Somehow, he talked about King Wu Li Ke.
The excitement on Shuang'er's face suddenly faded a lot, and she whispered: "Brother, did you do something wrong with him in Xiangzhou? He was transferred back a few days ago, and now you are back too "
"It's nothing. Don't make blind guesses." Qin Mubai glared at her secretly, telling her not to worry about her mother by talking nonsense, and said sternly, "Which official the court wants to transfer has its own rules and reasons."
"Yes, Erya'er, we and other women are not allowed to discuss the important matters in the court. Don't cause trouble to your brother." Madam Liu hurriedly reprimanded.
"Oh..." Shuang'er nodded and remained silent.
Qin Mubai could see that she must have something in mind, but it was inconvenient to say it because her mother was present.
How could Mrs. Liu not have thought that she knew her daughter better than her mother? There were no outsiders, Qin Shubao was not around, so she sighed softly and said: "Er Ya'er, you should be obedient and stop thinking about it! Your father does not agree with you and the King of Wu, let alone let you Marry her. You will be eighteen this year. If you don't get married, our Qin family will be ridiculed. In recent days, there have been many matchmakers in the family, and they are really not interested in young men with outstanding talents. Less. Now that your brother is back, why don’t you listen to your brother’s opinion and think more about it?”
"I don't!" Shuang'er quickly replied without thinking, "I don't like any of those young masters!"
"You are such a naughty kid!" Mrs. Liu was not angry, but said helplessly, "Parents have always made the final decision on major marriage matters. Fortunately, your father is quite open-minded, otherwise he would not have known where he would have married you. . Now the Qin family's popularity has improved a little compared to the past few years. If we don't take this opportunity to choose a suitable husband for you, it will become harder and harder to get married in the future as you get older."
"Mom! -" Shuang'er frowned depressedly, "Give me a little more time to think about it, okay? I just came back and you said these disappointing things. It's really boring!"
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything anymore." Mrs. Liu shook her head helplessly and smiled bitterly, and said, "Mu Bai, your father is not at home, so you have the final say in matters at home, not to mention your sister's marriage. Please advise her more and give her some advice. She makes up her mind."
"Well, okay." Qin Mubai nodded without saying much.
Later, Qin Mubai took a comfortable hot bath, ate some delicious snacks, and returned to the room to rest.
A year after leaving home, his room still maintains its original furnishings, unchanged at all, and is spotlessly clean and tidy. Every familiar place made him feel attached to home.
This sleep was so sweet. After being busy for several months, he had never slept so peacefully. It wasn't until three o'clock in the morning that I woke up naturally and satisfactorily.
The sun shines in through the window, it must be a sunny day today. It is rare to have such good weather in the cold winter in Guannei.
Qin Mubai washed up and went out of the room, and saw Yao'er and Shuang'er sitting in the pavilion in the small courtyard, each holding a pipa, playing soft and leisurely music. Qin Mubai stopped and listened for a moment without interrupting. He played the music well, which showed that the two girls had made great progress.
"You play well!" Qin Mubai walked forward and said with a smile.
"Brother, you're awake!" Shuang'er stood up, put the Pipa aside and said with a smile, "I'll get you some snacks. I'll make them myself as soon as possible!"
"Okay." Qin Mubai smiled and nodded, sat next to Yao'er, and said, "Yao'er, Shuang'er has something on his mind, can I tell you?"
"Well..." Yao'er nodded.
"Tell me what she is thinking about now." Qin Mubai asked.
Yao'er smiled awkwardly: "Third brother, why don't you go and ask her directly?"
"I won't ask, you tell me!" Qin Mubai did not explain, but insisted on asking.
"Actually, it's nothing." Yao'er said, "Ever since hearing the news of Princess Wu's passing, Shuang'er has been frowning and thinking about King Wu day and night."
"frown?"
"Well..." Yao'er nodded, "Shuang'er said that it must be very painful to lose a loved one. She said that King Wu has always been a man who values love and justice. Although he didn't say it, he must be in extreme pain in his heart. . Therefore, she wanted to be by King Wu's side when he was in the most difficult time, but she was worried about being accused of taking advantage of him. When her boss went to Xiangzhou, Shuang'er originally wanted to go with him. Because of this concern, I ultimately didn’t go.”
"I understand." Qin Mubai nodded, thinking: Shuang'er is more sensible than before.
"Third brother... How long will you stay here when you come back this time?" Yao'er suddenly asked.
"Why, you were expecting me to leave just after I came back?" Qin Mubai said with a smile.
Yao'er blushed: "Of course not. Yao'er wishes that the third brother would stay at home every day. But as a man with ambitions, you will definitely have endless things to take care of and travel back and forth."
"We don't know yet. It will take at least a month." Qin Mubai said, "The emperor asked me to handle the funeral of King Qi. It will take at least a month!"
"That's good..." Yao'er murmured softly, his face flushed and he looked happy.
Soon Shuang'er brought some snacks, and Qin Mubai ate them as breakfast, then got on his horse and went to the palace.
There is nothing major going on at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. It's nothing more than non-stop activities in the water and land dojo, and there are many kinds of royal ceremonies, but Qin Mubai doesn't need to worry about anything. He just needs to show up and preside over the overall situation. The specific matters are arranged by "professional" personnel.
At noon, Qin Mubai had a vegetarian meal with the monks in the temple. The emperor sent someone to summon him and told him to come to the Penglai Hall in the harem to see him.
Since it is a harem meeting, it may not be such a major military and political event. When Qin Mubai arrived here, he saw from a distance several carriages and carriages of princes and princesses outside the palace.
Qin Mubai asked a hundred riders: "Who is driving the chariot?"
"General, this is the chariot of His Royal Highness King Wu and Princess Gaoyang."
"The two of them are also here to participate in the driving?"
"Yes. He is in the imperial study room now."
Qin Mubai nodded and walked towards the imperial study. I was thinking, why did the emperor call the three of us together? This is the first time.
When they arrived at the imperial study, they saw Princess Gao Yang waiting outside the door. Qin Mubai was about to ask questions. She put her fingers between her lips and made a silent gesture, signaling Qin Mubai to walk in quietly.
After entering the imperial study with Princess Gaoyang, Qin Mubai saw that there were only the emperor and Li Ke in the room. The father and son were sitting together, playing chess.
Both father and son, Qin Mubai had played chess with them. With the same chess moves, Biao Feng is sharp and has a long-term vision to predict the enemy's victory. The difference is that Li Shimin is accustomed to using surprise troops and laying traps; while Li Ke is good at frontal attacks with wide open and wide doors, leaving no room for breathing.
In short, Qin Mubai is no match for them. Moreover, the father and son played chess too seriously and devotedly, as if they were on the battlefield, making them nervous. Qin Mubai didn't like this kind of game very much, it was tiring.
At this time, the father and son seemed to have reached the climax of their fight, and they were inseparable and fully devoted. Even Qin Mubai and Princess Gao Yang came in and turned a blind eye.
Qin Mubai smiled knowingly, and stood quietly aside with Princess Gao Yang, watching the chess game.
At this time, the chess pieces of the father and son were evenly matched. It's just that Li Ke is obviously on the offensive and has the upper hand. Li Shimin was on the defensive, slightly ready to move. Both of them only had a rook, a knight and two pawns (the chess game at this time had no cannons), and they were killing each other in full swing.
Li Ke's offensive was so intense that Li Shimin had to call back his main attack force "Che" to participate in the defense, and there was a slight improvement for a while. However, Li Ke's attack was very fast and violent. He had broken Li Shimin's double phase and formed an encirclement. The situation was greatly advantageous.
"Hey, is Father going to lose?" Princess Gao Yang knew a little about chess and said softly.
"Hush... you are a true gentleman who watches chess without speaking." Qin Mubai said softly.
"I'm a woman!"
"..." Qin Mubai was speechless and smiled bitterly, "Anyway, don't say anything, this is a perfect move."
Seeing that Li Shimin's army was defeated like a mountain, he frowned deeply and fell into deep thought. Li Ke, who had gained the upper hand, did not get carried away, his expression was as serious and solemn, and he played every move carefully and cautiously. Although he had the advantage at the moment, he was unable to turn his advantage into victory and win overall.
It's really a match.
At this time, Li Shimin made a bad move.
In order to strengthen his defense, he had no choice but to bring back the horses that had been killed across the river to block Li Ke's "car" path. There was no defense around, as if they were just giving him food in exchange for a temporary respite.
Li Ke looked at this move and pondered for a long time.
Princess Gao Yang looked anxiously: "Third brother, eat the horse, eat the horse!"
"Stop arguing, it's a critical step!" Qin Mubai pulled her and signaled her to be silent.
"What's the key? There may not be any danger if you eat a horse. Besides, even if my father's carriage and horse were lost, half of them will be lost if the horse is lost. How can we not lose?" Princess Gao Yang muttered. .
Li Ke thought for a long time, finally raised the chess piece, and slowly pressed it on Li Shimin's "horse", preparing to take the piece.
"Hesitant." Li Shimin said suddenly.
Li Ke shook his hand and ate the horse cleanly.
"Is it delicious?" Li Shimin suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Li Ke.
Li Ke was startled, and then laughed innocently without knowing why: "Shang... Ke."
"You lost, Ke'er." Li Shimin suddenly smiled, clapped his hands, and took a long breath, "Returning from defeat to victory! This reminds me of the overlord of Western Chu, Mubai, here he is! Just in time, I really want to hear it. You played "Overlord Unarmor"!
"Your Majesty has a decree, and I should obey it." Qin Mubai smiled, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty's chess skills have improved again."
"Where, it's because Ke'er neglected to practice and regressed." Li Shimin smiled and saw that Li Ke was still looking at the chessboard blankly, and said, "Why, you haven't seen it clearly yet?"
"I see clearly..." Li Ke nodded blankly, "The child is thinking, if he does not eat his father's horse, but turns to defend, his pawns will not be able to sink to the bottom, and they will not be able to kill the child."
"Watch the chess without saying a word, and play without regrets. You don't understand this rule?" Li Shimin smiled, "The chessboard is like a battlefield, there are no ifs."
"Thank you father for your teachings. I am convinced that I lost." Li Ke stood up and bowed his hands.
"Okay, if you have time in the future, you can practice more." Li Shimin said, sat down and said, "Sit down, everyone, come and get the pipa! Mu Bai, I haven't heard you play the pipa for a few days, and I miss you very much. "
"Wei Chen knows how to play with all his heart." Qin Mubai took the pipa from the waiter and played the song "The Overlord Disarms".
Li Shimin was very engrossed in listening. His fingers were on the table, tapping gently to the rhythm of the music. Although his expression was natural and peaceful, he closed his eyes.
It was as if he didn't want others to read anything from his eyes.
Li Ke and Princess Gao Yang remained silent and listened quietly. They also clearly felt that although their father behaved very calmly and peacefully, he must be deeply worried and had deep sorrow and depression in his heart.
After all, he had just lost a son...
After the tune was finished, Li Shimin opened his eyes, clapped his hands and praised: "Not bad, not bad. No matter how hard the musicians in the palace work, they are still not as good at playing the pipa as Mu Bai."
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty." Qin Mubai cupped his hands and replied. I kept thinking in my mind: Li Shimin was so bored that he called the three of us here just to play chess and listen to the pipa, right
"I called you three here today because I have something to discuss with you." As expected, Li Shimin spoke up.
The three of them pricked up their ears and listened, feeling quite curious.
Li Shimin glanced at the three people in front of him and smiled slightly: "No need to guess, it's about Gao Yang's marriage."