Xia Yitong's reaction was very quick. As soon as Lu Yinbing put down the Coke cup provocatively, she grabbed Lu Yinbing's wrist with both hands, pulled her forward, grabbed her lips with her lips, and pried open her teeth with the tip of her tongue flexibly, rolling the Coke that she had not yet had time to swallow into her mouth, and rolling it down her throat in one go.
Lu Yinbing was slightly annoyed and did not allow her to retreat as she wished, and took over the host position. The two of them chased each other, one advancing and the other retreating, and neither of them was willing to admit defeat.
The movie changed another scene, a bright light flashed across their faces, and they reluctantly separated, with ambiguous saliva still lingering at the corners of their mouths, their cheeks flushed, their lips also full and moist, their eyes and eyebrows full of charm, their foreheads pressed against each other, they took out tissues to wipe the corners of their lips and chins, and turned to look at the big screen in front of them.
Xia Yitong moved his hand, turned over his palm, and interlocked his fingers with hers.
Lu Yinbing held Xia Yitong's left hand with his left hand and stroked the back of her hand. He couldn't help but tilt his head to look at her and sighed: How could this person be so lovable
The face of my beloved is in front of me, and in the corner of my eye, she is also my beloved’s face.
On the big screen, Chen Qing vomited blood.
After she left the Chu camp alone, she stood in the vast mountains, holding onto the tree trunk at hand, and lowered her head. A few traces of blood splattered on the snowy ground. When she looked up again, her lips were bright red. She looked at the bloodstains on the ground and actually smiled slightly.
She is so beautiful.
No matter how thick the filter was, Lu Yinbing had to admit that Qin Hanlin was indeed outstanding in discovering the beauty of women. The beauty lying on the couch, with her eyes lowered, and the pearl curtain rolled up, were all as gentle as water, which would make people's hearts ripple slightly. But the beauty being injured was another shock. Her snow-white skin was set off by bright red spots, and her eyebrows were unruly, as if she was disdainful of everything.
Even if there are tens of thousands of people, I will still go.
While everyone else found the dancing shots stunning, she preferred the battle-damaged look.
…
Jing Xiu and his old subordinates were resting in the south. The Chu State was just caught off guard by the bandits' internal and external cooperation. If they were to fight the enemy in Guzang head-on, they might be able to fight, but his goal was not to fight Guzang head-on. His father once said that there are many ways to win a war. Win over all the forces that can be won over, and attack the hearts first and the city second. Guzang is not a solid block inside...
He sat in the tent, his body warmed by the charcoal fire, holding a piece of leather covered with words in his hand, reading it towards the firelight. The words of the late emperor seemed to be engraved in his mind, popping out one by one, and he could not even remember when the other party had said them.
The late emperor indulged in pleasure and did not think about government affairs in recent years. So these words could only have been said by him ten years ago. His injury had not healed yet, and thinking too much caused a dull pain in his temple, so he gave up. Maybe it was said by that general or imperial tutor? It has been a long time, and now he is dead and there is no evidence.
Jing Xiu worked hard to govern the country, sent out countless secret agents, and spent two years to split the internal rule of Guzang. He fought against the enemy several times, winning more than losing, and boosting morale. In just one year, he led his army northward, successively recovered 13 cities, and approached the old capital of Chu.
Prince Guzang refused to surrender, and there were corpses and blood everywhere inside and outside the city. The city was broken, and Chen Qing, who was the prince's junior teacher and aide to the Great Chanyu, was captured alive and locked up in the former Yuxiu Palace.
Jing Xiu avoided him for a whole month.
When the first snow fell in the royal city, Jing Xiu sent palace maids to deliver the best warm clothing fabrics.
"Miss Chen has been coughing again recently, and it hasn't stopped in the past few days."
"Yes, Miss Chen's health seems to be getting worse. Yesterday, when I went to help her wash and change clothes, her face was as pale as a ghost."
"You said... Miss Chen is waiting for His Majesty?"
"Hush, don't gossip. I heard that Miss Chen was the concubine of the late emperor," the maid said in a low voice, "and, it's treason. If it weren't for your majesty leading us to fight back, we would all be slaves of a conquered country..."
"Ah? Miss Chen doesn't look like that kind of person. She's been very nice to us."
"Who knows? Don't say it. If someone hears it, you'll lose your head."
I heard the maid's words when she was sweeping the snow in the front yard that day by chance. What does it mean that her health is getting worse and worse? Isn't she a martial arts expert? Collaboration with the enemy and treason, why do these palace maids know about it? Don't they live deep in the palace? No, these palace maids were re-recruited into the palace by her. They were originally the daughters of officials and merchants. If they knew, does it mean that everyone in the world knew
He couldn't help but laugh at himself. Chen Qing, ah, Chen Qing, you are really the only one who is despised by the whole world.
He walked out from the corridor, his black robe fluttering and his footsteps light. The maid sweeping the snow knelt down in shock, her voice trembling, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Stand up."
When the maids saw him push the door open, they looked at each other and became silent.
Before an incense stick of time had passed, His Majesty came out again. His face showed no sadness or joy, but he walked hurriedly, as if he was fleeing in a hurry.
Every now and then, Jing Xiu would go to Yuxiu Palace, not riding in a dragon sedan chair, and without attendants. Each time he would stay longer and longer, one stick of incense, then two, one cup of tea, then two cups of tea. At first he would come with nothing in his hands, and then he would bring two or three snacks, and would sit for an hour at a time.
Every time, the palace gates were closed and no one was allowed to serve, so no one knew that His Majesty didn't talk inside. The two of them were far apart, in the same space, and would never interact with each other until they died.
Chen Qing often carves a plaque. When Jing Xiu is not around, she takes a carving knife and repeatedly carves the words "Po Xue" on the plaque. This was taught to her by her master, who had long since passed away and was buried deep in the snow-capped mountains.
Master said: Once you have chosen this path, stick to it until the end and don’t regret it.
She had no regrets, but she had too many secrets in her heart and no one could help her unravel them.
It was not Gu Zang's plan that she entered the palace, but the late emperor. The late emperor had known her uncle for more than ten years, and sent Jing Xiu to the mountain, asking her and her uncle to take good care of her. The late emperor was a very contradictory person. On the one hand, he was a wise ruler, and on the other hand, he was too impulsive. Jing Xiu's mother was of ordinary origin, and the late emperor loved her sincerely. He married her into the palace despite the opposition of the empress dowager and the ministers in the court, doted on her in every way, and even wanted to dismiss the harem. Unexpectedly, when he returned from a southern tour, his beloved had died, and her body had long been cremated, leaving only a baby boy.
The palace maid said that she fell into the water accidentally, but how could the late emperor believe it? After investigation, it turned out that the harem had joined forces and the empress dowager issued an order to murder her. That day, Jing Xiu's mother had just given birth to a prince, and was tortured to death. Because of the wounds on her body, she had to be cremated and her body was not found. The late emperor was furious, but he did not bring the matter to the surface. After that, the King of Chu never set foot in the empress dowager's palace again. Several noble concubines in the harem died strangely. The King of Chu was in his prime, and after Jing Xiu, he had no heirs.
It was his own doting that brought his beloved to her death, so he treated Jing Xiu coldly since he was a child. At the same time, he sent a shadow to protect him. He wanted him to become a wise monarch, so he taught him the art of governing a country and learned about the political situation of various countries.
The world is about to fall into chaos, and the King of Chu knows that he no longer has the heart to govern a country. He only wants to be with his sweetheart. However, for the sake of their children, he carefully designed a whole set of plans. Even if he has to use the country as bait, he will send Jing Xiu to that position. He knows the other party's talent and character. He is the only person in the world who can bring permanent stability to the people.
The late emperor's idea coincided with Chen Qing's. The late emperor wanted to train his son, and Chen Qing wanted to stop the war. The two of them used one trick after another to lure Jing Xiu into the "trap" they had designed long ago.
She herself became the most important part of the set.
She was despised by the world and fell into disgrace, but what did it matter? She had achieved her goal. Now, except for the small country in the south, the north had been unified, with the same track and writing system.
Unfortunately, Jing Xiu will never know the late emperor’s feelings for him, which are no less than those of any other father.
"If one day he manages to unify the country, I beg you to never tell him that I am sorry for him and his mother." Before his death, the late emperor held her hand, a tear fell from the corner of his eye, and spoke out his last wish.
Chen blew lightly on the wooden sign, and the debris on it flew down, revealing the clumsy handwriting of "Po Xue". The other words she wrote looked good, but these two words were so ugly that they were hated by everyone. She couldn't correct them no matter how hard she tried. Her master was trying to teach her at first, but later he gave up after blowing his beard.
Either she can't write, or... As the small chisel carved on the card, she thought: There must be something left unchanging.
If Jing Xiu saw this sign one day, she might remember that they had seen it when they were children. On that mountain, she made many grass grasshoppers for Jing Xiu.
She tilted her head, looked at the sign and smiled. As she smiled, tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them away with the back of her hand.
She stood up, found a flask from the cabinet, which contained a scarlet pill. She swallowed it, changed into dancer's clothes, put on the mask, put on her makeup in front of the mirror, and went out to see him for the last time.
The wooden sign was hidden under the pillow. She walked to the door, came back, and threw the sign into the fire. The flames licked it, and the words first turned black, then blurred and could not be seen clearly.
She walked out and sat on the railing outside the house, hooking the bronze mask on her little finger. When her feet were numb from the cold, Jing Xiu appeared at the end of her sight.
"I want to dance. I haven't danced for a long time."
"Can I dance?"
Jing Xiu's eyes were gentle and she said to her, "Okay."
Chen Qing wanted to cry again, but she couldn't cry anymore, or he would see it.
She fell in the snow. Jing Xiu came to help her. The fear on her face grabbed her heart for a moment. For a moment, a thought flashed through her mind: She didn't want to die anymore. If she died, what would happen to Jing Xiu
But if she doesn't die, what will happen to Jing Xiu
Why does God play such a trick on them
Jing Xiu carried her on his back. His back was narrow and girly, yet very warm. Once she got close to him, she didn't want to let go.
"I went to see your wedding dress yesterday. It's also black, with the same pattern as my robe. I'll have the tailor take your measurements and make some detailed alterations. There's still a month left, so there's no rush."
"Okay." She felt blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.
"I know what you are worried about. Although there are still some court officials who oppose it, most people think that this is my family affair and there is no need for them to interfere. You can just wait in the palace with peace of mind."
"Okay." Chen Qing chuckled, her smile bitter. Did he think he didn't know? She was notorious, and everyone wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible. She patted the shoulder of the person under her, Jing Xiu paused, and Chen Qing said softly, "Walk slower."
Let this road never come to an end.
"Okay." Jing Xiu agreed.
Chen Qing heard that his voice was hoarse, and stroked the back of his neck with his fingers. A drop of bright red blood fell on the tiger's mouth. Chen Qing felt dizzy and his whole body sank.
Jing Xiu hugged her tighter: "I've made up my mind. This palace will be abandoned in the future. You can move into my palace. Anyway, you are my only wife and I will not marry anyone else. This part of the harem will be turned into a vegetable garden and a flower garden. When I come back from court..."
My eyelids became heavier and heavier, the voices became farther and farther away, until there was no sound around me. So this is what death feels like. It's a pity that I didn't get to hear his last words.
Jing Xiu knelt down, holding Chen Qing's body, motionless.
The interlude "Li Li" sung by Xia Yitong was played in the screening room. A female voice hummed softly, and scenes flashed by one after another.
"My name is Hongyu."
"My name is Jing Xiu."
"Let me teach you how to weave grasshoppers. There isn't much else on this mountain, but there's plenty of grass."
Two little hands were clasped together, and the laughter was clear, like the echo in front of a snowy mountain.
…
"Your Highness, what are you talking about? I know that I am the concubine of the King of Chu. Girls all pay attention to their appearance. Your Highness was very cold to me last night. Could it be that I am plain-looking?"
"So, that's how it is. Your Majesty, you worry too much. Xiu just... just..."
"Just what?"
"I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you, you... I'm so shy."
…
"You look much better in women's clothes than I do."
"Stop talking nonsense."
"I told you before that you were as beautiful as a flower, even more beautiful than a daughter, and you were so angry that you pushed me into the lake. Why aren't you angry now?"
"Because you are my wife, let alone asking me to wear a daughter's dress, even if you ask me to..."
…
"If I can become emperor in the future, I will marry you as my queen."
…
"ah-"
Jing Xiu let out a short whimper from her throat, her back bent like a weathered bow, her fingers tightly clenched Chen Qing's cold hand, she looked around blankly, tears streaming down her face.
Three years later, Merlin bloomed.
A thin figure wearing a cloak stood at the gate of Yuxiu Palace, dismissed the palace servants, and walked in alone. As he stepped into the ear door, the fragrance of plum blossoms filled his nose, and in the light snow, the red plum blossoms and black branches set off each other beautifully.
Walking into the front yard, the big tree in the yard has reached the sky. On the stone table under the tree there is a pot of wine and two wine cups.
There was a man drinking by himself with a bronze mask beside him.
The falling plum blossoms were like rain, but Jing Xiu did not go over. He looked at the man quietly, and suddenly a gentle smile appeared between his brows.
Outside the palace, several reports of victory came in succession. The war in the south was over, and the surrounding small countries all surrendered. This year, the snow fell, and it was another year of good harvest.
After the snow breaks, there are vast stretches of mountains and rivers.