As soon as the New Year is over, although it is a new year, the snow has not stopped. It snowed overnight, and a layer of hoarfrost piled up in the yard.
When He Yan woke up, Xiao Jue was no longer there.
It is strange to say that she was not a lazy person before. When she lived in Datongpu in Liangzhou Wei, the room was full of men, and she only woke up before dawn. But I don't know if Xiao Jue's bed is extra soft and warm. She sleeps sweetly at night and wakes up later in the morning. Or because Xiao Jue got up too early, anyway, when she woke up, there was no one around.
He Yan rubbed his eyes and sat up, lifted the quilt and got out of bed. After a brief grooming, he opened the door with his outer clothes on. As soon as he opened it, he saw a cold light.
Xiao Jue is practicing swordsmanship in the yard.
This person also understands the truth of not practicing hand training for three days. Now that he is not in Liangzhouwei, he has never given up his daily training. He Yan simply leaned against the pillar to look at him, and also took a look at where Xiao Jue's swordsmanship has grown over the years.
It was cold in the morning, but Xiao Jue only wore a frost-colored suit. When he wore dark clothes, he was cold and reserved, and when he wore light-colored clothes, he was very bright and elegant, reminding people of the Xianchang Pavilion who always ranked first. The beautiful boy came.
The Xiao family's yard is very large. Except for the pomegranate tree outside the window of Xiao Jue's study, there is no vegetation. The open ground is very suitable for practicing swordsmanship. Once the sword is swept away, the snow in the yard is carried around by the sword energy. The body of Yinqiujian's sword is crystal clear, and the person lining it is like a painting, and the streamer is amazing.
He Yan looked at it and felt itchy. In three or two steps, he returned to the house and grabbed Qing Lang hanging on the wall.
Since Qinglang took it back from He Rufei's hand, she has wiped it many times, but she has never used it once, and there is really no occasion to use it. After all, Shuojing is not like a battlefield, nor can he draw his sword to compete with others at any time. But today is just right. Anyway, Xiao Jue is also practicing swordsmanship. Why don't we just see if the gap between the first place in Xianchang Pavilion and the last place in Xianchang Pavilion is still as insurmountable as before.
He Yan took off her cloak, took Qing Lang, chuckled, and walked out the door, Xiao Jue turned her back to her, she stabbed her behind with her sword, and shouted, "Xiao Jue, I'll try it out. Try your sword!"
The young man turned his head suddenly, Yin Qiu greeted Qing Lang in his hand, and made a crisp sound, the next moment, the two of them each took a few steps back.
Xiao Jue looked at her and raised her eyebrows slightly: "Bijian?"
"Don't you dare?" He Yan tapped his toes, laughed and charged towards him with his sword.
"Follow me." His voice was also warm, and it sounded particularly pleasant in the snowy morning.
Qingmei was holding a broom, and when she came out, she saw the two of them practicing swords in the yard, and she was dumbfounded for a while. Although she knew that He Yan was powerful, she had always listened to others and had never seen it with her own eyes. Seeing the smoothness of He Yanjian's envoys, he was amazed and nervous, and murmured, "Young master must be merciful, our young lady is frail and frail..."
Fei Nu happened to walk in from outside. Hearing this, he couldn't help but glanced at He Yan. He Yan was avoiding Xiao Jue's Yin Qiu, kicked the pomegranate tree trunk in the yard, and flew back by force. The feet seemed to be inadvertent, but the whole tree trunk trembled slightly, and the snow fell to the ground.
He looked back, but he really didn't see where the words "frail and weak" came from.
He Yan turned to look at Xiao Jue.
Comparing swords with Xiao Jue is a very enjoyable thing.
This person's swordsmanship was already excellent back then. Now, after many years, he has become more and more superb. It is somewhat similar to He Yan's own swordsmanship. After all, her swordsmanship was directed by Xiao Jue in the beginning. , to this day, there are still some initial shadows left. It's just that the idiot who was in the bamboo forest under the moon, always accidentally hit on the head by the scabbard. Now that he has a long sword in his hand, he is as agile as a flying dragon and flying swallow.
"Fei Nu guard," Qingmei couldn't understand, and asked the people around her, "Did the young master let the young lady?"
"You don't have to." Fei Nu was slightly surprised, "The young lady's swordsmanship is very good."
He Yan's swordsmanship is exquisite, and the angle is strange. When Liu Buwang saw her as a woman, there were many "changes" in his swordsmanship. He was not rigid and formal, and changed a lot. Dazzled. Xiao Jue's sword moves are more "stable". The sword energy is strong, and when it is strong, it becomes stronger. He is surrounded by He Yan, and his moves can be broken. The cold color of drinking autumn is reflected with the snow on the ground, like a mirror like ice. .
After fighting for a dozen more moves, He Yan suddenly stepped back, lowered his head and covered his chest with a low voice.
Seeing this, Xiao Jue paused, immediately put away the long sword, stepped forward to support her and said, "What's wrong?"
He Yan was half-armed by him, suddenly raised his head and smiled slyly, Xiao Jue was startled, the next moment, she slapped her palm, Xiao Jue stretched out his hand to block, but she still took a few steps back.
"Take a wise man down on his feelings. A beautiful woman loses her will and weak body, and you can turn defeat into victory."
Holding a long sword, the girl said proudly, "Dudu Xiao can't do it, you can't even see through beauty's tricks."
"Beauty plan?" He slowly asked back, and after a while, he chuckled and came back with his sword.
He Yan raised his sword to resist.
The two made dozens of moves.
Xiao Jue imprisoned He Yan's arm with one hand, and He Yan's hand was restrained by him from behind. This person actually still had time to tease her in her ear: "Self-proclaimed beauty? You are confident."
"Scholars can be killed but not humiliated." He Yan turned around abruptly, pulled out his hand, pressed his sword forward, and then raised his sword to stab.
The young man's eyes moved slightly, and suddenly he took the sword behind him, and stood facing the opponent's sword tip. He was caught off guard by the sword, and the sword in He Yan's hand was aggressive. Seeing that the tip of the sword was about to penetrate into his chest, He Yan felt anxious and withdrew Qing Lang in his hand. It's just that the sword qi moved forward, and she was also carried forward by the sword qi. There was no way to avoid it, so she threw herself into Xiao Jue's arms.
Xiao Jue was forced to hold her in his arms.
"What are you doing?" He Yan said angrily.
Xiao Jue replied unhurriedly: "People don't hurt themselves, they must be real." He looked down at He Yan, and the corners of his lips curled slightly, "General He can't do it, you can't see through the bitterness."
"Bitter meat strategy?" He Yan said angrily, "You, a right army governor, do you think it's appropriate to use bitter meat strategy?"
"Soldiers never tire of deceit." He was calm.
He Yan sighed: "It's too despicable."
The man in front of him looked down at her from top to bottom, with a hint of a smile hidden in his black eyes. He Yan was stunned to see him slowly leaning over, and immediately closed his eyes nervously in shock.
The next moment, there was a slight vibration in the chest that was being held. She opened her eyes and looked at her. Xiao Jue stared at her with a smile, stopped a millimeter away from her, and raised her eyebrows: "Beauty plan?"
He Yan suddenly felt ashamed of being scolded by himself, turning his head away without saying a word.
She was dragged back by Xiao Jue and kissed her gently on the forehead, "General He is amazing, I admit defeat."
Qingmei: "… "
She turned her head sharply, held her hand in front of her eyes, and whispered, "... how come it suddenly... "
Chiwu didn't know when he came here, and he didn't know how long he had been watching here. He frowned and said, "This is a sword fight, it's clearly flirting, and the young master is really... How can you treat Yin Qiu like this?"
When Qingmei heard the words, it seemed that she had only seen Chiwu. As soon as she saw Chiwu, she remembered what He Yan had said to her when he was in the He Family's New Year's Eve. He didn't say a word for a while, and went out with his broom in his arms, without even looking at Chiwu.
Chi Wu was inexplicable and asked Fei Nu: "I didn't provoke her? What happened to her?"
Fei Nu: "… "
He patted Chiwu on the shoulder and left without saying anything.
…
This morning, a guest also came to the Prince's mansion.
When Chu Zhao was welcomed into the hall, Ying Xiang was kneeling on the ground and pouring tea for Guang Yan. Guang Yan saw Chu Zhao, only glanced at him, and said, "What are you doing here?"
Guangyan didn't hate Chu Zhao, but he didn't like it either. Originally it was fine when there was Xu Jingfu, but after Xu Jingfu's death, Guangyan looked at Chu Zhao, and some dislikes from the past all popped up. But to say that Chu Zhao offended him, it's okay, after thinking about it, Guangyan just didn't like his humble background and Hesheng's excessively handsome and outstanding appearance.
"Share your worries for Your Highness."
Guang Yan laughed and said, "Share your worries?" He slowly sat up straight and looked at Chu Zhao, "You go and kill that idiot Guang Shuo now, even if you are sharing your worries for this palace."
Guang Shuo has been living in the palace lately, and the guards never leave him. Guang Yan's words are also angry words.
"Your Highness is in a hurry?" Chu Zhao was not angry, but asked in a warm voice.
"Chu Zilan!" The crown prince waved his sleeves impatiently, "Xu Jingfu is dead, now it's his student to teach Ben Gong how to do things?"
Chu Zhao said, "I just wish Your Highness all the best."
"Then don't talk nonsense!" The prince seemed to have already expected what he was going to say, and stared at him with heavy eyes, "Don't forget your own identity, Chu Zilan. If something really happens to this palace, you will also run away. No, don't think about retreating, what you have to do now is to help Ben Gong to accomplish things, not to drag Ben Gong's back. As for those preaching, all are put away for Ben Gong, otherwise, Xu Jingfu's today, It's your tomorrow!"
Ying Xiang stood quietly and lowered her head docilely. Just by looking closely, she could see her slightly whitish fingertips.
"Go back." Guang Yan got up impatiently: "Don't hang around in front of Ben Gong, it's annoying to watch!"
After a moment of silence, Chu Zhao's expression did not change, he smiled and stood up to salute, "Then, I will leave now."
"Wait." Guangyan stopped suddenly, glanced at Yingxiang, and said meaningfully, "Yingxiang, go and send Chu Fourth Young Master."
Yingxiang's body stiffened, and she replied gently, "Yes."
She walked up to Chu Zhao and whispered, "Let's go, Fourth Young Master."
The two walked out of the hall together.
Although it is sunny today, it is still cold. The foot stepped on the ground, printing a thin footprint.
"Are the people from Maningbu still here these few days?" Chu Zhao said softly.
"Yes." Ying Xiang replied, "The prince came back from the palace last night, and those people came again."
The two of them were one step behind each other, just one step apart. From the side, they seemed to be maintaining a polite manner, not very familiar.
"It seems that the crown prince already has an idea in mind." Chu Zhao sighed.
Ying Xiang looked ahead, "What is the fourth son going to do?"
Chu Zhao said: "Do your best."
"My servant heard that the Fourth Young Master once met Miss He once at night." Yingxiang suddenly changed her words, "You must know that Miss He is now Dudu Xiao's sweetheart. If the Fourth Young Master uses Miss He as bait, it can at least solve the problem in front of you. It is urgent for him, and he also has the capital to make a deal with Dudu Xiao. Why should the fourth son give up?"
"no need."
Ying Xiang stopped.
Seeing her like this, Chu Zhao looked back at her.
"Fourth Young Master once told the slaves that Miss He would become Dudu Xiao's weakness." The woman in front of her was beautiful, but her eyes seemed to contain ice, both fragile and cold. Her voice was still soft, and she said The words were sharp as a sword, "But now, the son is wrong. She is not Dudu Xiao's weakness, but the son's weakness."
Chu Zhao looked at her quietly, and after a while, he looked forward and said warmly, "Yingxiang, how did you spend in the Prince's Mansion?"
Ying Xiang was stunned for a moment. The coldness in her eyes just now dissipated into smoke. Her expression became a little confused.
Chu Zhao smiled, "If you're doing well, that's fine."
He continued to walk forward, Ying Xiang paused, and followed.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, Chu Zhao turned to look at her, "Go back, I'm afraid that His Highness will be dissatisfied after you've been out for too long."
Ying Xiang raised the corner of her mouth and smiled at him, but there was a bit of sadness in her smile.
Chu Zhao got up and got on the carriage, and the carriage carried him away gradually. Yingxiang didn't go back immediately, but just stood at the door, looking at the direction the carriage was going away, and when she couldn't see anything, she slowly turned around and walked in step by step.
There was no one in the hall, and the servant who was serving said to her, "Miss Yingxiang, Your Highness asked you to go to the sleeping hall."
She trembled slightly, her lips were a little pale, and after a while, she lifted the corner of her skirt and walked towards the bedroom.
As soon as he arrived at the bedroom, he saw the Crown Prince Guangyan leaning on the soft slump, and when Yingxiang came in, Guangyan said playfully, "Why did you go for so long?"
Yingxiang walked over calmly and raised a smile, "How long? It's just half a column of incense kung fu. Your Highness can't pick on slaves like this."
She knelt down halfway in front of Guangyan, and cuddled on Guangyan's knee. In the past, Guangyan used to love her pitiful and lovely appearance on her knees. Only today, his hand stroked Yingxiang's hair, his tone was palpitating soft, as if brewing the calm before the storm, "Half the time of the incense, is it enough to do some things? Report to Chu Zilan all matters related to the Prince's Mansion?"
"His Royal Highness?" Ying Xiang's eyes widened in surprise, "What does this mean?"
The hands that were gently caressing her hair tightened and choked her throat. Yingxiang's neck was slender and white, and looking at it made people feel pity and love, but now in this palm, it seems as if it will be broken in the next moment, powerless and desolate.
"What's the matter with Chu Zilan's visit today? He's not a roundworm in Ben Gong's stomach. He knows what Ben Gong thinks? Ben Gong entered the palace yesterday, and he hurried to the door today, Yingxiang, Yingxiang," Guang Yan stared at Looking at her, he said viciously, "It was Ben Gong who underestimated you!"
Chu Zhao came too coincidentally, of course, perhaps because he was too impatient to stop himself, but instead exposed. Guang Yan used to be a suspicious person, and the reason why she never doubted Ying Xiang before was because this woman's appearance was really deceptive. She looked no different from any woman in this mansion who was desperately trying to please her for favor. And because it was sent by Chu Zhao, there was no one behind him to rely on, so he served him with extra dedication.
In all fairness, it is not without reason that Guangyan loves Yingxiang. Even if Yingxiang's appearance was sent to the palace, few people could compare it. It's just that once she knew that she was in the Prince's Mansion, she secretly passed the news to Chu Zilan, and this little love turned into the anger and humiliation of being betrayed!
"Bitch!" He let go of his hand suddenly, and slapped him over, causing the woman in front of him to fall to the ground and didn't get up for a while.
"Bengong said that you were born so beautiful, and he was willing to give it to him if he wanted you. He didn't touch you for so many years." An obscene smile appeared on Guangyan's face, "This Chu Zilan's plans are not trivial, and raising you like this is not just raising a tool. When the time comes, I will send you out to sell you as a favor. It's just Yingxiang." Wearing Yingxiang's hair forced her to look up at herself, "Could it be that Ben Gong treats you badly? Since you have entered Ben Gong's mansion, why are you still thinking of doing things for him? Have you forgotten that your current master is Ben Gong? Gong, not Chu Zilan!"
Ying Xiang looked up at him, her face was slapped by Fang Cai Guangyan, the red mark was deep, a little blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, and there was a blue mark on her neck. However, his expression did not show any anger or fear, he was still as gentle as usual, staring at Guang Yan affectionately, and said in a low voice, "This servant is your Highness's person."
It's hard to imagine that a woman who was born so charming and radiant doesn't have the same arrogant and arrogant personality. Instead, she looks like a helpless white rabbit, always pitiful, with low eyebrows pleasing to the eye.
Guang Yan let go of her hand, she fell down again, and was kicked in the heart again.
"It's all this time, and you're still pretending to be in front of this palace. You are loyal to Chu Zilan, and you are very affectionate and righteous. However, it seems that he is not as good to you as you are to him." Guangyan stood up, his voice somber. , "You said, if Ben Gong kills you, will he avenge you?"
"Slave... is your Highness's person, death is His Highness's ghost, and has nothing to do with the Fourth Young Master of Chu." Yingxiang replied softly.
"Well said." The crown prince clasped his hand and said, "It's no wonder that this palace has spoiled you for so long."
"It's just, slut, you have to know," there was a sullen look in his eyes, "What Ben Gong hates most in this life is infidelity. You want to be an adulterer with Chu Zilan, and Ben Gong will not stop you. But whatever you do, you have to pay a price.”
He turned to look at Ying Xiang.
Ying Xiang raised her head, met his sinister and violent gaze, and couldn't help but shivered.
"Ben Gong won't kill you, but it won't make you feel better either," he said.