The sun breaks through the morning fog and gradually rises. There are country peddlers and market passersby passing by, shouting long tunes and selling all kinds of cute little things.
Gradually, the sun rose to the middle, and groups of people and horses passed by, including the cars of official ladies who went out to pray for gods and Buddhas, escorts walking the rivers and lakes, and white-clothed knights often seen in martial arts novels. Seeing her standing in the pavilion, there were even people who came up to say hello.
But she couldn't see everything, she just stood there quietly, the surroundings became more and more noisy and lonely. The sun rises and the sun sets, and the cold moon is like a silver hook, like a mother's merciful face.
The world was desolate and empty, and she was the only one left. Her hands and feet were already numb, the sky was getting darker and darker, and she couldn't see anything, only a piece of Qinghui attached to the wormwood, which was pale, and the return journey and the way forward disappeared.
She took a deep breath, lowered her head, and shook her stiff neck. All the hard work in her heart turned into a sigh, but she didn't let it out. She just swallowed it heavily in her heart.
The breeze blows across the wilderness, the grass waves rustle, her heart is so empty, and many past events pass through her mind like smoke, everything is far away from her, leaving only a blank land. Ten years of life and death are boundless, everything is misty and desolate, like the wind passing through the fingertips, if you can't grasp it, it's all futile.
Turning around, she took the rein of the horse.
Ma'er poked his head docilely, brushed Chu Qiao's cheek lightly, and looked at her with distress and worry.
"Hehe." Chu Qiao felt a little itchy. This is Meteor, which has been raised by Zhuge Yue for many years, and now that it is returned to her, it is still as close. She reached out to push it, her voice was still hoarse, and said softly, "Meteor, don't make trouble."
However, when he probed his hand, the back of his hand accidentally wiped his face, and he was injured by the wind, and his face was covered with tears.
She was stunned suddenly, and turned her head to look at Meteor. The horse turned vigorously to the north and snorted at her, as if he wanted to lead her to chase someone.
"What a shooting star." She gently stroked its head, pressing her face against its neck. The horse is already a bit old, just like her heart, it is riddled with holes and scars.
"Let's go." She straightened up, pulled the horse, and walked silently towards the south.
The moon shone on her, casting a long shadow on the pale ground.
The jackdaw that was staying overnight was startled and flew across the post road. The girl's figure gradually drifted away, and finally condensed into a pale shadow.
Perhaps the coming of any storm will start in an unusually peaceful way.
On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the New Year had just left, and the entire Zhenhuang City was still immersed in joyous laughter. A heavy snow covered the city covered in silver. Under the thousands of miles of ice, a group of people and horses rushed into the city gate quickly. The heavily guarded city guards saluted the group from afar until the horseshoes disappeared at the end of the long street.
Zhuge Yue entered the mansion through the back door, and all those who came to inquire about the news were stopped. The servants of Qingshanyuan made preparations many days in advance. Zhuge Yue stepped into the yard without changing his expression, tore off the big fur from behind and threw it into Huan'er's hands, saying in a deep voice, "Where's the person?"
"Inside, I have been waiting for the young master for a long time."
The door was pushed open, and a fine sandalwood scent wafted out. A man in a black robe stood tall, with a handsome appearance, a tough outline, and eyes like sharp swords.
The two men met their eyes and paused slightly. Zhuge Yue's normally indifferent mouth suddenly burst into a faint smile. He took a step forward, and the two patted each other on the shoulder with such force, and then came a man's hug.
"Is the journey going well?" Zhuge Yue took off the sword at his waist, sat on a chair, took a sip from the man's teacup, and asked.
Zhao Che smiled. Years of border experience and ups and downs have given him a bit of unrestrained chic, calm demeanor, and deep eyes. He is no longer the arrogant and domineering prince of the empire.
"Fortunately, it's just that I don't quite get used to Zhenhuang's makeup. I sneezed a few times when I passed the Flower Picking Workshop."
Zhuge Yue smiled and said: "That's what I heard. If it was someone else, I think they want to beat you hard."
Zhao Che snatched back his teacup, squinted at him, and said indifferently: "You can still talk and laugh like this at this time, it seems that you really don't care about Yanbei's tricks."
Zhuge Yue raised his eyebrows slightly, "Do you also think that there is trouble there?"
"It is clear."
Zhao Che said with a sneer: "In the first Northern Expedition, Huai Song secretly supported Yanbei's food, grass and military supplies, and took advantage of Bian Tang's southern Xinjiang waterway to detour from the northwest; in the second Northern Expedition, Huai Song cooperated with Yanbei many times in our country The military exercises in the east have attracted our attention. Yanbei and Huai Song definitely have a secret connection that is unknown, but I don't know who can persuade Princess Nalan to come forward and cooperate with Yanbei to perform this double reed."
"You don't need to know who they are, as long as you know their true intentions, it will be easy." Zhuge Yue said lightly, as if he didn't really want to waste time on this topic, he turned his head and asked, "How is the situation in the Northeast? How are you getting ready?"
Speaking of the situation in the Northeast, Zhao Che couldn't help but show some pride on his face, and he said solemnly: "You don't have to worry, the Northeast is now under my jurisdiction as a monolith, the Roulan Commercial Road has been opened, and the Hu and Russia areas in the Western Regions , thousands of miles of fertile fields, countless fertile fields, simple people, and strong folk customs. We have been secretly building for two years, and now a large area of Donghu land is under my command. With your business support, it has begun to take on a prosperous atmosphere. I believe it will take another three to five years. , the Donghu area will not be inferior to our Great Xia mainland."
"You secretly transferred the people, didn't the higher-ups find out?"
"Thanks to Wei Shuye, he has been dealing with me in the government and the opposition. In addition, Donghu is too far away, and there is Baicang Mountain as a barrier. The people there are mixed with different ethnic groups, so they have not attracted the attention of the higher authorities."
Zhuge Yue nodded, and said in a deep voice, "That's good."
Zhao Che let out a long sigh, and patted him on the shoulder, with a look of vicissitudes in his eyes. He smiled slightly and said: "You have done your best for Donghu. If you have time, you might as well go and have a look. You and Ah Rou have not seen each other for a long time."
The charcoal fire was crackling, the room was full of warmth, time was pouring like water, two years passed by quickly, and the two who had nothing and were neglected by the world gathered here again, and they couldn't help feeling like a dream.
When Zhao Yang's Northern Expedition failed and Zhao Qi died tragically, Zhuge Yue and Zhao Che resolutely rushed to the battlefield when the imperial army's prestige was waning, and rushed all the way to Yanming Pass with the remnant soldiers who had just returned from a major defeat, and launched the second Northern Expedition counterattack .
In a year's time, they have developed from political enemies who dislike each other and only know how to intrigue all day long, into loyal and close allies. One bloody battle after another has forged a solid steel-like bond between men. Friendship eventually forged the strongest alliance of interests on the Simon Continent. The two, who have experienced ups and downs in their official careers, reached a consensus easily. From the initial temptation, speculation, and precaution, to surprise, appreciation, and trust, they have gone through too many bloody storms and experienced too many times of life and death together.
It wasn't until Zhuge Yue defeated Yuegong and his life and death were unknown, and Zhao Che was taken back to Zhenhuang after his military power was cut, that the contact between them was temporarily broken.
After returning to Zhenhuang, Zhao Che didn't cleanse his relationship with Zhuge Yue immediately, instead, he presided over the blanket search and rescue operation with his own men in Yanbei, and tried his best to rectify his name and restore his reputation in the government and the opposition.
However, all of this angered the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty. When the entire government and the public beat the dog in the water, Zhao Che was also affected, and was dispatched to the bitter, cold and barren land in the Northeast to guard the frontier.
The fleeting warm and cold feelings once again allowed Zhao Che to see clearly the dirty face hidden under the corrupt dynasty of Da Xia. His parents and brothers could all turn his back on him and kill him. He set out on the road disheartened, but when he was about to reach his destination, he met Zhuge Yue who was chasing him all the way.
Two aristocratic sons who also lost everything, in the icy and snowy world where the north wind howled, made a great vow to save the country with curves.
In this regard, they went north and west, actively running in corners where no one noticed, supporting each other, and fighting hard for the blood of the motherland in their bones. However, Zhao Che knew that the reason why Zhuge Yue had always supported Daxia and helped Daxia overcome difficulties in the battles between Yanbei and Daxia was mainly because of his kindness to him.
He is a person who is cold on the outside and hot on the inside, even if he has received a small favor from others, he will remember it in his heart.
"How is the emperor's illness?"
Zhao Che couldn't help but lightly twitch his eyes, and said flatly, "I'm dying of illness, I don't think I'll last long."
Zhuge Yue frowned slightly, and said in a deep voice, "We still need some time."
Zhao Che nodded, then said with a light smile: "However, it is not certain. Many years ago, the imperial physician said that he was terminally ill and his time was numbered, but after so many years, he still lived longer than anyone else. Wan Cheng Your Majesty will not die so easily."
Zhuge Yue turned his head, frowned and said, "He is your father after all."
"Forget it, I am afraid that he and I only have the name of father and son, and the relationship between monarch and minister. If Wei Shuye hadn't pleaded for mercy, I might not even have the chance to be assigned, and I would have been executed directly on Jiuyou Terrace. Everyone knows that Ming, pretending to be worried is really disgusting."
The two years of wind and sand outside the Great Wall gave Zhao Che a bit of a soldier's candor. He looked at Zhuge Yue and said in a deep voice, "What about you, how are you going to deal with this matter?"
Zhuge Yue looked up at him, "What do you think?"
"If you want me to say, you might as well just agree to Princess Huai Song and see how they react. Didn't they expect you to refuse the marriage? It's not as good as their wish."
Zhuge Yue frowned slightly, this is indeed the best way to keep the same in response to all changes, but he smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth, but he didn't answer the words.
"The so-called shortness of breath of a hero and long love between children, I'm afraid that's what you're talking about. Now that things are going on, don't you give up?"
Zhuge Yue avoided answering, and said: "It's not the only way, since they want to play, I'll play with them, just to attract attention and create an opportunity for you."
Zhao Che said in a deep voice: "They are coming aggressively this time, do you have any loopholes to take advantage of?"
"Is there no loophole?" Zhuge Yue raised the corner of his mouth and said with a sneer, "Then tear up a loophole."
Zhao Che nodded, stood up with a huff, holding the hilt of the sword in his hand, and wearing a dark robe with great pressure and power, he said slowly in a low tone: "Conspiracies and tricks are meaningless. In the end, we still have to Rely on a sharp sword to speak. Fourth, we are not what we used to be, if things cannot be done, don’t be patient, show your strength, no one will dare to force you.”
Zhuge Yue said with a smile: "It makes me sound like a weak woman being persecuted. I appreciate your kindness. You have entered the city recklessly this time, so be careful when you hide."
Zhao Che said: "I will come to see you no matter what."