"Your Highness, this is a secret letter sent by General Chu."
Bai Feng walked in quickly from the outside, looking a little anxious.
Yan Chi frowned when he heard this, obviously a little surprised, "They should be in Liangzhou right now, how could Chu Feicheng send the letter back?"
Chu Feisheng is over forty years old, and he is one of the veterans who have followed Prince Rui for the longest time. This time, Lin Xugui deliberately blamed Shuoxi's military rations corruption on Chu Feicheng, in order to cut off Prince Rui's old team, but now Chu Feicheng has long since left the Shuoxi Army camp and is nowhere to be found. Chu Feicheng is safe now, so why send him a letter
Yan Chi opened the letter and looked over it at a glance. Soon, his eyes were first full of surprise, then suddenly, and finally, it turned into the oppressive tranquility before the storm.
"Oh, so that's the case—"
Yan Chi's eyes were somber that Bai Feng hadn't seen for a long time. This expression had appeared on Yan Chi's face a few years ago when the Rong people used their entire clan to attack Da Zhou. At that time, Shuoxi was in danger. Fortunately, His Royal Highness managed to turn the tide.
Now that Prince Rui is gone, even though Shuoxi is in chaos, until now, everyone they wanted to save has been saved.
Why did His Royal Highness show such an expression because of a letter
Yan Chi held the letter tightly. He kept thinking about what catalyzed the development of the situation. Now that he finally knew, Yan Chi crushed the letter into powder, "We know this news. It's too late."
Bai Feng was puzzled, Yan Chi suppressed all the emotions in his eyes, and smiled coldly after a long while, "The Rong people once begged for peace with their father."
Bai Feng's eyes widened, and Yan Chi continued, "They handed over their credentials to Father."
Bai Feng quickly realized the meaning of Yan Chi's words, "My lord kept this matter a secret, but he was still found out?"
Yan Chi nodded, and the long dull pain in his heart slowly spread to his limbs and bones.
The father-son relationship between him and Prince Rui is more complicated than that of ordinary people. Prince Rui is his father, his master, or his superior. Everything he has learned in his life, whether indirectly or directly, was taught to him by Yan Lin. Yes, he has very little dependence on Yan Lin's family affection, but more on worship and admiration, and there are even some rivalries due to old events.
While being controlled and practiced by Yan Lin, he made up his mind in the bottom of his heart, and even gave birth to a dissatisfaction that only men and only the strong would understand.
But his father died suddenly. When the news of his death came, he felt unbelievable at first, how could that mountain-like man die! ? How could the eagle giving orders on the Shuoxi plateau die due to an accident? !
He couldn't cry either. Since he was a child, he never shed a single tear except after he was beaten once or twice while practicing kung fu when he was five years old. He never shed a single tear because of his injuries. Tears are cowardly, and a man who is upright doesn't need tears.
He just felt that a world in his heart collapsed suddenly. Before he realized it, his father and king held a deeper position in his heart than he imagined. Even after so many years, their father and son had never had a tender moment Even if he felt resentful towards his father and king because of the early death of his mother and concubine, he had been with him on the battlefield for more than ten years. The prince saw it vividly.
He didn't shed a single tear, but he felt cracks in the meridians and bones of his limbs and bones that had been tempered by Yan Lin. At certain moments, he felt fine and dense pains like needle pricks. These pains were deliberately suppressed by him. You can't be surprised by the slightest turmoil on his face. At most, when facing Qin Wan, the gentle affection took off the armor on his body, and then I got a glimpse of it.
These days and nights, he has been rational and decisive, even Mr. Qi became flustered and angry, but he still remained motionless. He wanted to find out the cause of the matter, and to make the most comprehensive arrangements, so that Prince Rui could be right when he was watching from the sky. He is satisfied, even if his father is dead, he still wants to get his admiration, even though Yan Lin has only a handful of admiration for him in this life.
He spent a lot of effort, but it was only now that Yan Chi knew exactly what happened.
It turned out to be because of the credentials of the Rong people.
Yan Chi was silent for a moment, "Of course my father doesn't believe in the Rong people, but he doesn't believe it, but some people do."
This is the difference between being far from the frontier and being high in the temple.
In the Shuoxi military camp, what you see are the blades of the Rong people, what you hear are the screams of the Shuoxi people being massacred by the Rong people, and what you smell is the bloody smell that lingers in the cold night. There, victory is the first priority. Bit, when the enemy's saber cuts down on you, you will clearly realize that you are from Zhou. The title of Great Zhou becomes sacred and solemn at that moment. Every young soldier, You can use your own blood to sacrifice the flag, that is the kind of loyalty that people in this bustling gold-selling cave in the capital can't understand. Thinking of this, Yan Chi felt as uncomfortable as a piece of hard iron was stuck in his heart.
For Yan Lin, and for the tens of thousands of soldiers guarding Shuoxi.
He has never felt as cold as he is now. The loyal people paid the price of blood and even life, but what they got was only a few taels of military pay. However, the casualties of soldiers and generals are just an insignificant number, not even a frown is worth frowning.
And when their loyalty is doubted, they will become abandoned children at any time.
Yan Chi tapped the corner of the table unconsciously with his fingertips, and the cold click sounded again and again. The cold air of early winter poured in from the window, freezing the silence in the room into a narrow weaving net. His breathing became more and more rapid.
At this time of year, the first heavy snow should fall in Shuoxi.
Yan Chi glanced out of the window suddenly, and ordered, "Let Chu Feisheng and Mr. Qi leave Liangzhou and return to Shuoxi."
Bai Feng waited for Yan Chi's next words, and Yan Chi said after a while, "After Lin Xugui takes over the camp of Shuoxi, he must change his defenses, and the garrisons of Liangzhou and Qianzhou will definitely reinforce them. With the change of troops, Ge Yang will return to Beijing in one month at most, and once Ge Yang leaves, Yu Wenxian and Lin Xugui will not be able to get along."
Bai Feng hesitated to speak, "Your Highness intends to—"
Yan Chi didn't speak, and looked at the gloomy sky outside with a pair of eyes that were uncertain, "It's winter, and it's very likely that the mountains will be covered by heavy snow when going to Shuoxi, so try to get a discount from the household department. The previous rations were delivered this morning."
There was a flash of light in Bai Feng's eyes, and he quickly agreed.
…
…
When Prince Rui's heir son Yanchi, who had disappeared for many days, reappeared in people's sight, it was the day when he was conferred the title.
Because he is the prince, the Ministry of Rites prepared the ceremony early. In addition to an imperial decree, he also had to go to the ancestral temple to pay homage to the ancestors.
Yan Chi wore a flirty black court dress, and the four-clawed coiled dragon pattern fell ferociously and impressively on the hem of his robe. When he walked out of the ancestral temple, no obvious signs could be seen from all over his body. Grieving, but felt that the newly promoted Prince Rui was a bit more gloomy, followed by Yan Chi, who was also dressed in a black court uniform, Yan Li.
The court clothes of the two of them are the same shape, but the pattern is slightly different. In the past, Yan Li was used to wandering, and always liked to wear a bright red wide-sleeved long gown, but now he suddenly changed into a court dress, and the whole person stood beside Yan Chi. He wasn't suppressed too much, but his stature and temperament were not comparable to Yan Chi's, so naturally he didn't look compelling, but his facial features were exquisite, and against the backdrop of this solemn court uniform, his whole person showed a kind of It was inexplicably natural, as if all the advantages of Yan's royal family's appearance fell on him alone, the eyes of the veteran standing outside the ancestral temple flickered, and he almost saw the young Prince Gong.
Prince Gong... These three words, like a curse, reappeared in the world like this.
After paying homage to their ancestors, the two of Yan Chi went to the Chongzheng Hall to thank them again. There was no stove in the brightly lit imperial study room, and the chilly wind entered, Yan Huai did not feel the cold. Huai Hao looked at the two of them for a moment, no matter how young their faces were, they would look calm after wearing this court dress, Yan Huai nodded in satisfaction.
"The two of you were the first to claim the title. From now on, you have to look a little bit better."
The first to attack the nobleman... These words are really ironic, but Yan Huai didn't feel it at all, he ordered coldly, "Yan Chi is still in the Ministry of Punishment, these days you feel bad in your heart, I'm pampering you, you are in Shuoxi After all the experience, it should be much better now, right?"
Yan Chi nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion. Yan Chi can go to court tomorrow."
Yan Huai nodded, and looked at Yan Li again. When seeing Yan Li, Yan Huai seemed to hesitate, "You are not too young, it's not a problem to waste time like this. Your imperial grandmother is most worried about you. Do you have any?" Yamen you want to go to?"
Yan Li raised his eyebrows and looked at Yan Huai. The invisible emperor looked at him with heavy eyes. He couldn't tell whether it was true or false for a moment, so he pursed his lips. Yan Li said carelessly, "My minister, listen The emperor's orders."
Yan Huai frowned and looked at Yan Li for a while, "Go to the Ministry of Officials."
Yan Li frowned, not daring to refute, and immediately agreed, but everyone in the court knew that he, a prodigal son, could indulge in a beautiful woman and let him do some practical things in the yamen, but he didn't understand half of it. what to do
"I'll let someone arrange your affairs, you should take care of yourself."
Having said that, Yan Li immediately responded again.
Yan Huai didn't have much to say, "Go see your imperial grandmother, it was she who opened the mouth for the two of you."
Yan Huai didn't hide it at all, Yan Chi and Yan Li bowed out and left the Chongzheng Hall.
As soon as he stepped out of the gate of the Chongzheng Hall, Yan Li let out a sigh of relief. He tugged at his lapel and then at his sleeves. He always felt that this court dress was uncomfortable no matter how he wore it, "Seventh Brother, the officials What can you do?"
Yan Chi shook his head helplessly, "Don't worry, someone will teach you."
Yan Li was not happy at all, "If I had known that I would do things after being a nobleman, I might as well not be a nobleman."
Yan Chi looked at him with a sigh, "It's good to be a prince, you should take care of it in the future."
Yan Li was noncommittal, in front of Yan Chi, he always didn't have to hide it, so his appearance became more and more foolish, "Mother and concubine don't force me, so why worry about the emperor's grandmother, I won't be unable to survive."
Yan Chi's mind was not on Yan Li's side, seeing that he was playing tricks, he didn't answer.
Yan Li turned to look at Yan Chi, "Brother Seven has been quiet these days."
Yan Chi pulled his lips, "It's nothing."
Yan Li sighed, "Sometimes I think it's great to be born without a father like me. I haven't gotten along with him for so many years. Now that I mention him, I don't have any troubles in my heart. But if my concubine leaves suddenly Well, I’m afraid I’m going to be extremely uncomfortable.”
Yan Chi frowned slightly, and for a moment raised his hand to wrap around Yan Li's shoulder, "That's not the case, how is the princess these days?"
"Okay, I'm still asking about you, about your marriage to Qin Wan."
Yan Chi smiled, "Princess must be thinking about you too—"
Yan Li snorted, "I don't have the heart to think about this, there are too many beauties in the capital, how can I fall in love with them? If I have to go to the Yamen every day in the future, then those beauties will miss me like crazy..."
Yan Li's face was full of grief, and Yan Chi raised his eyebrows with a look of helplessness.
"Greetings to Prince Rui, and Prince Gong..."
"My lords, the Empress Dowager has been waiting for you all this time."
Just today, the courtiers of Shoukang Palace changed their names very cleverly. Old Prince Rui just passed away, and Prince Gong has always been a taboo.
Yan Chi waved his hand and walked into the main hall. The Queen Mother leaned on the Arhat couch, seeing the two people coming in court clothes, the smiles on their faces were very gratifying. After Yan Chi and the two saluted, the Queen Mother looked at Yan Li and said , "This dress is much more pleasing to the eye. From now on, I will also be a prince, and I must not do anything recklessly."
Yan Li smiled wryly, "Grandmother, did you let the emperor allow me to enter the court? You know, I'm not that kind of material..."
The queen mother was slightly startled, "What? The emperor allowed you to enter the court?"
Yan Li took the Empress Dowager's arm coquettishly, "Emperor Grandmother, why don't you tell the Emperor again, then I won't go to the official office, I don't know what I can do, so going there will only add to the chaos?"
The queen mother quickly recovered, and then laughed, "You child, it is a good thing for the emperor to let you enter the court, why don't you want to?!" She said and looked at Yan Chi, "Yan Chi, from today onwards, every time you Take him to the yamen every day, if you dare to slack off, come and tell me, ahem, my body is getting worse every day, let me see if you dare to let me worry about you all day... "
Yan Li looked at Yan Chi as if asking for help, Yan Chi nodded with a faint smile, "Yes, my grandson promises that Yan Li will not be lazy."
Hearing these words, Yan Li wanted to cry without tears, and kept holding on to the Queen Mother's arm, how could the Queen Mother let go, just asked about the emperor's arrangement for Yan Chi, and heard that Yan Chi was still in the Ministry of Punishment, the Queen Mother's heart was temporary fell back into the stomach.