It was clear after the rain, and thousands of golden rays in the sky penetrated the thin clouds, reflecting on the vermilion walls of the Dingguo Palace. The green tiles glowed brilliantly.
Su Li stood in the main hall of Yihua Palace. Her white clothes were as white as snow, her eyes were clear, her spirit was calm, and her brilliance was unparalleled. Behind him, the palace gate is solemn and the sky is clear.
There are two men, one on the left and one on the right, with tall and tall bodies. One is handsome and aloof in a green shirt. The other is handsome and resolute in a blue robe with big eyes.
The palace maids and guards inside and outside the palace were solemn, but there were still people who quietly looked at these three people with extraordinary temperament.
Su Li coughed lightly and raised his eyes to look at the person on the main seat.
Queen Dingguo, who is sitting on the throne, is about in her early forties. She is elegant and dignified, graceful and beautiful, but her face is quite haggard. The woman standing next to her is Huo Xiaoman, the daughter of the Marquis of Beiping. Her facial features were bright and her skin was as good as snow.
She could definitely be called a beauty. However, the unabashed arrogance and arrogance in her expression suddenly made her face lose some color. She was taking out a jade pendant and presenting it to the queen.
"Queen, please take a look."
The jade pendant was carved with a lifelike nine-clawed dragon flying through the clouds and mist. When the queen saw the jade, she was shocked. She grabbed the jade pendant and shouted in a trembling voice: "Chang'er's dragon jade pendant!"
"Exactly! This jade pendant was found by Man'er on that woman. She must be related to the disappearance of the prince!"
The queen's kind and friendly eyes suddenly turned sharp, and she glanced at the woman in the hall, "Who are you? How come the prince's personal jade pendant is in your hands?"
Su Li saw that her eyebrows were somewhat similar to Lang Chang's, so she must be Lang Chang's biological mother. She frowned and thought to herself.
A month ago, she learned that Lang Chang was missing in Bian State, so she led four envoys to investigate from Liaocheng to Dingguo. She mobilized almost all the power of Shenmen, but still could not find any clues. The group seemed to disappear out of thin air. ! In desperation, Su Li decided to split her troops into two groups.
Xiang Li and her disciples continued to stay at the border to search for clues, while she and Jiang Yuan Qin Heng went straight to Dingdu to find out the news. Unexpectedly, when he met this unruly young lady in the market and saw that she was wearing Lang Chang's jade pendant, he wanted to arrest them all into the palace without any explanation.
Su Li immediately took advantage of the situation and entered the palace to investigate further.
At this moment, the color of the queen phoenix changed, Su Li's heart sank slightly, and he saluted and replied: "Su Li, a citizen's daughter, met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Yu Shengguo a year ago, and they got along quite well with each other several times. Before His Highness returned to the country, he gave this jade pendant to the people. I sincerely invite you. If you have the opportunity, I will see you in Dingguo someday."
"You mean, this jade pendant was given to you by the prince himself?" The queen was surprised and looked at her in disbelief.
Su Li replied: "That's true. The common girl's trip is precisely to fulfill the promise she made with the prince that day..."
"That's nonsense!" The queen suddenly stood up and said sternly: "Do you know the significance of this jade pendant to the prince?"
Su Li frowned and said, "The daughter of the people doesn't know, the prince has never mentioned it."
The queen said angrily: "Then I will tell you now that this dragon jade pendant is my royal token, and it is also a symbol of the status of the princes of Dingguo! The prince has always behaved strictly, how could he give such an important thing to others so easily? "
Su Li was stunned. She only thought that this jade pendant was Lang Chang's personal token, but she didn't expect that it was actually a symbol of the prince's identity! Then... the Prince of Dingguo nineteen years ago was also the owner of this jade pendant? !
Su Li was shocked, and her fingers subconsciously touched the portrait in her arms. The dragon seal on the portrait always reminded her of clues to her life experience. She raised her head and said, "The common girl doesn't know how important this jade is, and she doesn't know why the prince gave it to him as a gift. But if the common girl can meet the emperor, maybe there will be an answer."
"You want to see the emperor?" The queen looked at her in shock.
Huo Xiaoman immediately said: "Queen, don't believe her. This woman knows martial arts. The prince's brother must be in their hands! Maybe she came here with an ulterior motive and wanted to assassinate the emperor. , The emperor is seriously ill now, just in case... "
"Shut up!" Upon hearing that the emperor was seriously ill, the queen's face changed sharply and she interrupted sternly.
Su Li's heart sank immediately. Sure enough, Lang Chang had not returned to the palace, and Emperor Dingguo was seriously ill. It seems that the queen concealed this news from the outside world in order to calm the people's hearts. No wonder they couldn't find out anything in Dingdu. Now that this news is known to her, even if the queen believes that she has nothing to do with Lang Chang's disappearance, she may not let her go easily. The queen is wary... If she wants to see the emperor, she is afraid that she will not be able to do so...
Qin Heng, who was behind him, saw that the situation was not good and said in a low voice: "Master! The situation is not good. It is better to retreat first...and then make plans."
Su Li nodded slightly and saluted the queen: "Since the prince is not in the palace, please Rong Minnu and leave first."
"Stop!" the queen shouted in a deep voice.
The guards outside the door responded and blocked the door, blocking the three people's way.
The queen said angrily in a deep voice: "What do you think of this place in this palace? You can come and leave whenever you want?"
Su Li smiled faintly and said: "The daughter of the people dare not. The daughter of the people has a close relationship with the prince. This time she came with the token, originally just to fulfill the agreement of the year. I didn't expect that the queen would misunderstand. I don't have any ill intentions. If you are offended, Please forgive me and allow the three of me to leave. When the prince returns to the palace someday, the daughter of the people will personally apologize to the prince."
The queen sat back and said coldly: "I think you have a good temperament and don't look like a bad person. As long as you tell me honestly, I will naturally not make things difficult for you. But if you don't know how to flatter me and deliberately deceive me, I will definitely not be lenient!"
Su Li sighed and said: "In the past, the prince often talked about the empress with the people's daughters, saying that your mother was respectful to the world, virtuous and virtuous, and the people's daughters deeply respected her. But in this matter, what the people's daughters said to the empress was absolutely not false. . I hope the empress will investigate clearly. Don’t get angry."
Huo Xiaoman shouted: "The prince's brother has been missing for so long, and there is no news at all. You have the prince's token on you, which is the most suspicious! Don't listen to her clever words!"
The queen's eyebrows were full of doubts and she was in every possible embarrassment.
Su Li frowned and said, "If the Queen doesn't believe it, I have one more request, maybe I can prove something."
The queen asked suspiciously: "What do you want to do?"
Su Li took a step forward and said, "The daughter of the people is bold and wants to see the emperor. The daughter of the people has an agreement with the prince. If she meets the emperor, she can explain the identity of the daughter of the people."
"Bold!" The queen stood up again, with an angry look on her face, "Who are you?! How many times have you wanted to see the emperor?! How can you see the emperor's sage just by saying you want to see him?"
Huo Xiaoman shouted: "Queen, she must be an assassin, don't let her go!"
Su Li slowly took a step back, reached into her arms, and touched the portrait: "I have something that can prove my identity. But it can only be given to the emperor!"
"How dare you!" the queen shouted sternly, waving her hand, "How can I, the Dingguo Palace, allow you to act wild?! Come on! Capture these three people!"
Su Li's expression changed slightly, and five or six guards from outside the palace had already rushed in. There was a crisp sound as the ground was brushed, and the sword suddenly appeared. The guards strode forward to get it. Qin Heng and Jiang Yuan's figures flashed, their inner strength condensed in their palms, and all four palms were fired. There was only a loud noise, the weapons were broken, and five or six big men fell out of the door and fell to the ground. Wail.
The people in the palace were shocked, and the maids screamed and ran towards the back of the palace. The queen looked shocked, and her hands holding the chair trembled involuntarily. Huo Xiaoman was so frightened that he squatted on the ground and shouted: "Come here quickly! Is there anyone else?! Are you all dead?!"
Su Li was still standing in the hall, not moving a step.
Her cold eyes stayed on the Queen's discolored face, and she slowly said: "If I want to leave, who can stop me?"
The queen was so shocked that she was speechless.
Su Li lowered her gaze: "The people's daughter and the prince have always been on good terms, and we don't want to embarrass the empress. If the empress insists on not believing what the people's daughter says, the people's daughter can only resign first. The day after the prince returns to the palace, the people's daughter will come to plead guilty."
Huo Xiaoman jumped up, pointed outside the hall and shouted: "You want to escape? It's not that easy! Commander Gu has already led his people to surround Yihua Hall! It's hard for you to fly even with your wings this time!"
Jiang Yuan and Qin Heng ducked behind Su Li and lowered their voices: "Master! We'll cover you and leave immediately!"
Su Li glanced at the queen helplessly, "Okay."
She turned around and strode out of the palace. At this moment, the eunuch suddenly heard singing and shouting: "The Emperor has arrived -"
People inside and outside the palace fell to their knees one after another. Su Li raised her eyes and saw the emperor's luan, under heavy guard, walking slowly from outside several doors. The early sunshine shines on the noble imperial chariot, with its golden roof carved with dragons and phoenixes, and the four-cornered dragons spitting beads dazzlingly.
Luan Jia walked toward the palace gate step by step, and Su Li suddenly felt her eyes burning. is it him? Could it be him? Will the only unsolved mystery in this life be solved?
Emperor Dingguo was sitting high in the chariot, with yellow curtains hanging around him, blocking everyone's sight. However, Su Li still saw the moment the chariot landed. He held his hand on the armrest of the chair and coughed lightly.
The queen quickly led everyone out of the palace and knelt down to greet him, shouting "Long live" three times. Only Su Li and the others did not move. She just looked at Luan Yu from a distance and did not get closer.
A faint scent of medicinal herbs floated over from the direction of the royal chariot. Su Li frowned slightly, and was keenly aware that there were medicinal materials for treating old internal injuries in this smell. He couldn't help but be slightly startled. Could it be that Emperor Dingguo had suffered Serious internal injuries?
The queen was heard saying nervously: "The emperor's holy body has not recovered yet, so why did he come to my concubine in person? What should I do if I catch the cold..."
The emperor's breath was weak and he said: "I heard that the queen found the prince's jade pendant on a woman. Is this true?"
The queen said: "This is indeed the case. Your Majesty, please take a look."
She sent the jade pendant to the emperor. The emperor took it and looked at it carefully, and said excitedly: "It is indeed the jade of the prince. Where is that woman now?"
The queen said: "It's in the palace. She refused to admit that she had met Chang'er, and said that the jade pendant was given to her by Chang'er a year ago... "
The emperor frowned and asked in a deep voice: "Does the queen believe what she said?"
"Of course I don't believe it..."
"Then find a way to get her to tell the truth, otherwise we will really have no successors to our country!" After saying that, he coughed violently.
Su Li was immediately frightened. Hearing what the emperor meant, he seemed to regard the discovery of this jade pendant as the only clue to find out Lang Chang's whereabouts?
Huo Xiaoman shouted: "Just use torture directly. Under severe punishment, we are not afraid that she will not tell the truth."
As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. The emperor brought it up in one breath and coughed uncontrollably.
The queen immediately scolded: "You barbarians are not allowed to talk nonsense! Our country has always governed the world with benevolence, and even the heinous criminals are rarely punished. Besides, this woman is only a suspicion, not the real murderer!"
Su Li turned her eyes to the queen and sighed inwardly. I have heard that Queen Nalan of Dingguo is virtuous and benevolent, and her reputation is well-deserved. Then he sighed: "The prince is really blessed..."
Suddenly hearing this voice, the emperor's coughing suddenly stopped. He raised his head and asked, "Are you that woman?"
"Exactly." Su Li looked at the noble emperor steadily, hesitated for a moment, and walked towards him. The guards on both sides blocked each other with their swords. She stopped and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, would you like to know why the prince gave me the jade pendant?"
The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "Let her come over."
"No!" the queen said in shock, "This woman has repeatedly wanted to see the emperor after entering the palace, and just now she was planning to break into the palace. The two people behind her are highly skilled in martial arts. If she is allowed to come close to reply, if she has evil intentions... "
The emperor said: "Am I still afraid of an unarmed woman? What a joke! Are the dozens of palace guards here just a decoration? Let her come over!"
The queen had no choice but to retreat. The guards stepped aside, and Su Li walked forward slowly and stood ten feet away from the chariot.
The emperor said tiredly: "Tell me, why does the prince give you this jade?"
Su Li said: "If your Majesty wants to know, please answer a few questions from the civilian girls first."
"You are so brave, you dare to bargain with the emperor!" Huo Xiaoman shouted.
Su Li ignored her, fixed his eyes tightly on the blurry figure in the palace, and asked directly: "The daughter of the people wants to ask the Pope. Did the piece of Prince's Jade belong to His Majesty nineteen years ago?"
The emperor frowned and said, "That's right. Why do you ask?"
Su Li didn't answer, and then asked, "Did you give this jade to anyone else at that time?"
"The prince's jade is equivalent to the prince's destiny. Of course I will not give it away! Neither will the prince."
Su Li's heart skipped a beat: "Nineteen years ago, did you ever go to a place called Yu Qing Valley? You saw a..."
"Who are you?" The emperor suddenly interrupted her alertly and asked in a deep voice, "Why are you so interested in things that happened nineteen years ago? What exactly do you want to find out?"
"Nineteen years ago?" Huo Xiaoman tilted his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly covered his mouth and exclaimed: "Isn't that the year when my relatives were in chaos? Are you the queen of the thieves? You arrested the prince brother, and now you Come to seek revenge on the emperor?"
Everyone's expressions changed in shock when they heard this, and with a "swish" sound, dozens of guards drew their swords at the same time, pointing directly at Su Li. Jiang Yuan and Qin Heng's eyes darkened, and they immediately swatted away the guards in front of them, and flew to Su Li's side like ghostly shadows.
The queen was frightened and shouted hurriedly: "Protect the emperor!"
The situation instantly became tense and on the verge of breaking out.
Su Li's expression remained unchanged, and he looked at Huo Xiaoman coldly and said, "I heard that the Ding foreign relatives rebelled nineteen years ago, and the Marquis of Beiping helped the emperor put down the rebellion, and he was the first hero! If I were to become a rebel, I would definitely catch Huo first. Miss, let’s settle the score with the Marquis of Beiping!”
Huo Xiaoman was startled, and retreated in a panic. He grabbed a guard and stood in front of him, shouting: "Your Majesty, save me!"
Su Li laughed mockingly, "I'm not from Dingguo. I'm afraid Miss Huo's accusation is just a crime!"
Huo Xiaoman shouted: "Who knows, maybe you were sent away and raised somewhere else, and now you come back to take revenge."
The queen stared at Su Li and asked, "Who are you?"
Su Li took out a palm-sized black token from his arms, with a large character "Xiao" engraved in the exquisite and unique pattern. She stepped forward slowly, raised her token and said, "Actually, I am the special envoy sent by the Emperor of Bian State. In order to investigate the disappearance of your crown prince, I came all the way south. Because I couldn't find any useful clues, I borrowed Miss Huo to enter the palace."
The queen was stunned and said in surprise: "Are you the secret envoy of Bian State? Why didn't you tell me when I asked you just now? You said there is one thing that can prove your identity, and this is it?"
Su Li said: "That's right. Since she is a secret envoy, I have a reason why I can't tell you. I hope the Queen will forgive me."
"Then why are you saying it now?"
"Because I don't want to start a war, so as not to increase the misunderstanding between the two countries." Su Li replied calmly and fluently.
The emperor said: "Send it up."
The eunuch presented the token to the emperor. The emperor looked at the pattern on the token and his eyes suddenly darkened: "Since he is the secret envoy of the Bian Kingdom, and he is here for the prince, why do all the questions he asks are from nineteen years ago?"
Su Li said: "Because... this matter is related to an old incident from the year when our country was the first saint..."
"Are you a member of the Saintess Cult?" The emperor's tone suddenly became sharp, and his weak breath wavered hard, "No wonder I feel that the pattern on this token is so familiar. It turns out to be the unique symbol of the Saintess Cult!... The old story of the Saintess is Bian Bian No one knows the secrets of the royal family except the elders of the Saintess Cult. It seems that your position in the Saintess Cult is not low."
Su Li was startled and suddenly remembered that Aunt Jingwan had sneaked into the Dingguo Palace to assassinate the late emperor nineteen years ago. The two countries had already forged a grudge. Now Lang Chang is missing again at the border of Bian State... I'm afraid this hatred will get deeper and deeper.
"Your Majesty!" Su Li shouted: "The prince's disappearance has nothing to do with the Saintess Cult. Emperor Bian was afraid that someone would interfere with this matter and damage the harmony between the two countries, so he sent a civilian girl to find out the truth."
The emperor said nothing, just stared at the token in his hand gloomily, and said after a while: "Are you a saint?"
Su Li said softly: "Not bad."
"Come here, take down these three people!"
The guards on both sides quickly surrounded him, their sharp weapons flashing an icy cold light under the sunlight.
Su Li's eyebrows jumped slightly. Jiang Yuan and Qin Heng immediately protected behind her.
Su Li's face turned cold, "Is this how Your Majesty treats my Emperor Bian's secret envoy?"
The emperor sternly said: "No one from the Saintess Sect can be spared!"
Su Li shouted anxiously: "Your Majesty hates the Saintess Cult so much, why did you still get married to the Saintess back then?!"
The emperor waved his hand and threw the token on the ground, making a crisp sound: "Get it for me!"
The guards swarmed up, with Qin Heng and Jiang Yuan guarding him on the left and right. They flew with four punches and knocked them down. The guards could not get close to Su Li. But more and more people came up. Qin Heng looked around anxiously and shouted loudly: "Master, it's not appropriate to stay here for a long time! It's best to leave!"
Su Li stared intently at the figure in the imperial chariot, who suddenly rose from the ground and floated toward the emperor like a flying kite. Everyone was shocked, and the queen rushed to the chariot and shouted: "Protect the emperor!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Li put a hand on the queen's shoulder. With a little force, the queen fell to the side. She took a step forward and was about to lift the sedan curtain. At this moment, an urgent male voice suddenly came -
"stop!"
Su Li's hand paused subconsciously. She looked up and saw a group of people turning into the palace gate. The man in the lead had his hair tied up in a white jade crown. Although his expression was a bit anxious, he was still handsome and elegant. He was wearing a smoky robe that was pulled to the floor and rolled up. Feng Chen returned from a thousand miles away, but he didn't look embarrassed at all. Surprisingly, it is Lang Chang, the prince of Dingguo who has been missing for many days!
Behind him were a man and a woman. The man was dressed in brocade, with peach blossom eyes, and was charming and charming; the woman was dressed in plain black, with delicate features and cold eyes. It was Xiang Li who led his disciples to stay at the border of Liaocheng to continue looking for Lang Chang and win his heart.
He looked past the numerous guards and quickly looked at Su Li.
Su Li smiled slightly, and her heart, which had been worried for many days, finally relaxed at this moment, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Only then did she realize that she had already regarded him as a relative in her heart. Unspeakable excitement and joy surged in her heart, but she just called softly: "His Royal Highness!"
The queen's eyes filled with tears. She pulled Lang Chang and shouted, "My son! You are back!"
"My son is unfilial and has shocked my mother and queen!" Lang Chang knelt down and prostrated: "My son, I pay my respects to my father, the queen and my queen!"
The queen quickly helped Lang Chang up, and the emperor said happily: "It's good to be back! Ahem! What happened these days? Why haven't I heard from you? Where are the people who went with you? Why don't you see any of them?"
"They... all died." Lang Chang lowered his head sadly, recalling the danger not long ago and the loyal and brave men who buried their bones in the wilderness to protect him, his eyes were sad and heavy.
"What happened?" the queen asked in shock.
Lang Chang said: "We encountered a group of black-clad masked killers at the border of Liaocheng. They are all highly skilled in martial arts and well-trained. They seem to know the local geographical situation well. Although the guards brought by Erchen were also carefully selected, But I was far from their opponent... I was injured at the time, hiding in Tibet to avoid being hunted, and then accidentally fell into a deep valley and was in coma for several days, which is why I have been here... "
He spoke a few words to hide all the dangers and calmly recounted this experience.
Huo Xiaoman shouted: "Brother Prince, does he know who those killers are? I told dad that I will take people to arrest them and punish them!"
Lang Chang shook his head and smiled: "Let's talk about this matter later."
The queen asked: "What happened next? How did you leave that dangerous place?"
Lang Chang turned back gratefully, glanced at Xiang Li behind him, and said, "Fortunately, these two envoys found me, helped me escape, and escorted me all the way back to the palace. Lang Chang is really grateful."
"Prince, you don't have to be polite. The two of us are just following orders." Wan Xin finished speaking calmly, glanced coldly at the surrounding guards, walked to Su Li's side, and called "Master".
Su Li smiled lightly and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Lang Chang walked up to Su Li and couldn't help but hold her arm, feeling happy and peaceful in his heart. His eyes lingered on her familiar face for a long time, and he couldn't help but feel excited. After a while, he said: "Long time no see."
Such a slight word seemed to have wiped out hundreds of days and nights of thoughts, just as she had been having trouble sleeping and eating for more than a month. Su Li couldn't help but her eyes were slightly hot, and she glanced at the empress next to her. Her eyes were a little complicated, and she replied softly: "Yes, it's been a long time, how are you, Your Highness?"
"I'm fine. I want to thank you." He turned back to look at the second envoy behind him. "If they hadn't found me, I might have been in trouble this time."
Su Li smiled and said: "The prince is auspicious, so he can naturally turn danger into safety."
Lang Chang took Su Li's hand and walked towards the chariot amidst all the surprised eyes: "Follow me."
The queen sighed softly: "It turns out that the girl is indeed Chang'er's friend. It's all because I miss my son so much. When I saw the prince's jade pendant in this girl's hand, I thought that the girl knew Chang'er's whereabouts. I almost wronged the girl. I'm really sorry. …”
Su Li said calmly: "The Queen's words are serious."
"Prince!" the emperor suddenly shouted sharply.
Lang Chang said hurriedly: "My son and I are here."
The emperor asked in a deep voice: "Did you really give this jade pendant to her? Do you remember what I said to you when I gave this jade to you?"
Lang Chang replied: "I remember. My father said that this jade is as heavy as a military talisman. It should not be lost or given away. Otherwise, I will not be worthy of the position of crown prince."
Su Li was startled and looked at Lang Chang involuntarily!
The emperor coughed and said: "Because I accidentally lost this jade, my kingdom almost fell into the hands of my traitorous relatives. You, you... ignored my warning and gave this jade to others at will, which really made me too sad." disappointed!"
In the rage of the emperor, his breath was extremely unstable and he kept coughing, which frightened everyone in the palace. After many years in the palace, this was the first time they saw the emperor reprimanding the prince so severely.
The Queen advised: "Your Majesty, calm down and take care of your dragon body! Chang'er has always acted in a measured manner. Maybe there is a reason for this..."
"There is indeed a reason for what I did..."
The emperor was extremely tired and had a splitting headache. He interrupted: "No matter what the reason is, giving the prince jade privately is a big mistake! Come here."
As Lang Chang approached, the emperor stretched out his hand and handed the prince's jade pendant out of the yellow curtain, "This jade is your life. It is related to the rise and fall of the royal family of Dingguo, the country, the country, and the country. There can be no mistakes!"
Lang Chang took it respectfully, "Yes. I respectfully respect my father's teachings. However..."
The emperor closed his eyes and said: "From today on, you will shut yourself up and think about your mistakes. No one is allowed to visit without my will. As for them... they have contributed to saving the prince, and the queen will decide how to reward them. Let's drive back to the palace."
Lang Chang was about to speak, but was stopped by the queen, "Your father is tired. If you have anything to say, I'll talk about it later."
Lang Chang looked at Su Li worriedly. Su Li stood there silently, motionless, staring blankly at the closed yellow curtain in front of the emperor.
The moment the emperor stretched out his hand, she clearly saw a white jade ring on his hand, and the ring looked very similar to the one her mother left for her. She was suddenly shocked, and Aunt Jingwan's words before she died flashed through her mind: There is an identical ring, in the hand of your biological father...
Seeing the emperor driving away and about to leave, she suddenly stepped forward and said, "Wait a minute."
After Luan Jia paused, the emperor's personal eunuch shouted loudly: "Bold woman, how dare you stop the Holy Jia..."
Su Li suppressed the shock in her heart and asked: "The daughter of the people just saw a white jade ring on the emperor's hand. I dare to ask, is this thing... taught by the saint?"
There was no response from the imperial chariot for a while, and there was a deathly silence all around. The emperor suddenly said coldly: "The real purpose of Emperor Bian sending you here is not to investigate the disappearance of the prince, but to find this ring, right? This time I read I have let you go after you have done something good in saving the prince. Once you have received the reward, leave Dingguo immediately. Don’t be ignorant of the praise!"
Su Li's heart was shocked and she couldn't help but take a step back: "You want me to leave..."
Lang Chang said anxiously: "Father! Su Li can't leave!"
The emperor said: "Don't rely on her to save you and you can do whatever you want! Dingguo will never welcome people from the Saintess Cult!"
Su Li took a step forward and said, "It's hard to say what happened back then. The girl has only one request. She wants to know whether the person who gave this ring to His Majesty had an appointment in Yu Qing Valley..."
The emperor shouted urgently: "Who asked you to ask me?"
Su Li took out the portrait of his mother that he saw in Yu Qinggu from his arms and walked slowly towards the imperial chariot. The guards wanted to stop him, but were repelled by Lang Chang. Su Li handed the portrait directly to the yellow curtain and said softly: "That's the person in the painting."
The emperor stretched out his hand and took the portrait. The next second he quickly opened the yellow curtain and asked in shock: "Who are you? How come you have this portrait in your hand?"
Su Li saw him.
The emperor in front of him looked a little blue, and seemed to be seriously ill. But the handsome outline of his youth is vaguely visible. A pair of bright and restrained eyes, still sharp. There was a complex expression of anxiety, confusion and expectation on his face, and he looked straight at Su Li.
Su Li just stood still, and her beautiful face, which was almost exactly the same as the one in the painting, suddenly appeared in front of Emperor Dingguo's eyes. The calm gaze that had accumulated over the years seemed to explode after being hit by gravel.
The emperor's pupils widened in shock, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Even if the two countries invaded and the enemy was at hand, he would not lose control like this and get up in shock.
"...Xi...Xi?"
The trembling voice revealed the extreme trembling in his heart at this moment, and the murmur he blurted out was the maiden name of Su Li's late mother.
Vague speculations have already swirled in Su Li's heart. This Emperor Dingguo may be the person that his mother and concubine have cared about all her life! The look in his eyes when he looked at her was full of longing and ecstatic, far better than that of Emperor Bian and Yang Zhen.
Su Li couldn't help but trembled in her heart, trying her best to control her surging emotions. She calmly watched him hold the hand of the chamberlain, and eagerly stepped down from the seat that symbolized his distinguished status. Because his movements were too hasty, he almost lost his temper. He fell out of the car.
Su Li's heart tightened, and she subconsciously stretched out her hand to help him, but Lang Chang was a step faster and held the emperor's arm firmly, "Father, be careful."
The emperor acted as if he didn't hear anything and stepped forward and grabbed Su Li's arm.
Su Li looked at his hand and the ring that had gone through many vicissitudes of life, her breath unsteady for a moment.
Lang Chang immediately said: "Father, she is Su Li, Princess Mingxi of Sheng Kingdom, whom I once mentioned to you."
The emperor looked at her in astonishment, and countless complex emotions flashed through his eyes one by one, "Su Li?... The woman who committed suicide by jumping into the river out of love?"
Su Li was startled. It turned out that in the eyes of others, she was this kind of person.
Langchang said: "That was just a trick she set up to leave Dongfangze. She was so smart and tenacious that I never believed that she would commit suicide by jumping into the river, so I insisted on going to Bian State in person, just to Confirm her identity as the new saint of Bian Kingdom."
"I see..." The emperor stared at her face for a moment, slowly let go of her, and murmured, "It's so similar... How come it's so similar? What's your relationship with the person in the painting?"
Su Li did not reply immediately, but looked straight into his eyes, clearly seeing the unconcealed anticipation and nervousness in those bloodshot eyes, and then she slowly and quietly replied. : "She is... Su Li's deceased mother."
As soon as he heard the word "dead mother", his whole body was shaken violently, as if he had been hit by a huge blow. He couldn't help but stumbled back and said in disbelief: "Are you Xixi's daughter? Xixi, she..."
"No longer." Su Li answered calmly, but her heart ached.
The emperor was as weak as silk: "Then, your mother... who is your mother?"
Su Li looked up at him and said: "My biological mother is Yang Xi, the last saint of the Saintess Cult. She was hunted down for apostasy and left the country. She lived in the Sheng Kingdom.
She was rescued by the regent and later married her as his concubine. I was born before At that time, my mother-in-law was being hunted by the Saintess Cult. To keep me safe, she exchanged the dead baby I gave birth to with the Prime Minister Liu’s family, and then I was exiled to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Later... "
"The Princess Regent...died of illness due to the death of her daughter..." Emperor Dingguo's face instantly turned pale, he opened his mouth and spit out a mouthful of blood, and fainted.
Lang Chang and Su Li reached out their hands almost at the same time and firmly supported the fallen emperor. He glanced at her and she looked at him. In just a moment, their eyes returned to the emperor's face.
Everyone turned pale when they saw this, and the queen hurriedly shouted: "Send the doctor to the doctor quickly!"
Su Li quickly put her hand on the emperor's pulse and found that he had poor blood flow and a depressed heart. As she expected, he had suffered serious internal injuries. Probably because he didn't receive proper treatment at the time, and later became upset and depressed, he developed into this terrible situation now. She subconsciously used her internal energy to help his blood flow smoothly.
Lang Chang said worriedly: "How?"
Su Li frowned and said, "No, let's help him into the house first."
The crowd gathered around and tried to lift the emperor into the palace. But the emperor let out a leisurely breath, held her hand firmly, and said eagerly: "Tell me... how old are you this year? When are you born?"
Lang Chang said anxiously: "Father! Go in first and talk later!"
The emperor struggled to push away the crowd, barely able to stand, and just stared at her, insisting on an answer.
Su Li's eyes were complicated and he said softly: "I was nineteen years old and was born in May of the Xuwu year."
The emperor shouted excitedly: "Did your mother leave anything behind during her lifetime?"
Su Li hesitated for a moment and took out the white jade ring from her arms.
The emperor stretched out his hand. The two white jade rings had exactly the same luster, shape, pattern, and vicissitudes of life. They seemed to be a match made in heaven. The three-dimensional lotus flowers carved on the top of the ring are put together and fit together perfectly. They were the tokens of love back then.
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes were wet with tears of joy, he excitedly held Su Li's shoulders, and said in a trembling voice: "You are my child... I and Xixi's child!"
Su Li looked at his ecstatic face, but couldn't say a word.
The answer she had been looking for for a long time was finally confirmed at this moment. She did not feel the joy and excitement she expected, and the taste was complicated and difficult to distinguish. Thinking of the mother-in-law who rebelled against the country for love, regardless of the consequences, but in the end failed to wait for her lover to respond, and was left in despair but ended her life. Life, separation and death, the most painful pain in life, what kind of torture it is!
Thinking of this, Su Li subconsciously took a step back and waved away his hand.
The emperor stayed where he was, his eyes hurt, and he asked sadly: "You... must hate me very much..."
Su Li said softly: "Do you hate me? I don't know. My mother-in-law never mentioned my life experience to me. I didn't know that my biological father was someone else until Aunt Jingwan died."
The emperor took a deep breath and took a step back, heartbroken and speechless.
Su Li looked at him steadily: "Aunt Jingwan said that after my mother-in-law left Bian State, she wrote a letter to you, but she got no response. If you are the person she has been thinking about her whole life... then tell me. , why should you betray her?"
The emperor looked up to the sky and sighed, then looked at Lang Chang and said, "Do you still remember that when you were a child, you secretly played with the Phoenix Soaring Cloud in my palace, and I punished you by copying scriptures for three days?"
Lang Chang nodded and said, "Of course I remember."
"Okay, now you go get it."
Lang Chang glanced at Su Li, followed the order and left.
The imperial doctor had arrived at this time, and the queen hurriedly helped the emperor into the palace to rest. The emperor looked at Su Li and said, "If you want to know what happened back then, come with me."
The group entered Yihua Palace and were busy diagnosing the pulse and taking medicine.
Su Li stood there, seemingly still hesitating.
Jiang Yuan came forward and said softly: "He was seriously injured. Even though he has been recovering for many years, his vitality is severely damaged. I'm afraid..."
Su Li suddenly turned her head and looked at him: "What did you say?"
"Emperor Ding is old and has suffered serious physical injuries. In addition, the prince is missing, and he has been working hard for many days, which has damaged his soul... Even if he recovers, he won't have too many days left."
Su Li's expression changed, "You mean...how many days does he have left?"
Jiang Yuan lowered his eyes, "It's hard to say, it could be three to five years at most, one and a half years at least..."
Su Li's chest rose and fell, looking at the palace gate not far away with a gloomy expression on his face. After a while, Lang Chang turned around, and in his hand was a brocade box about a palm wide and half a foot long. The box was engraved with a soaring dragon and a phoenix. Because the owner often touched it, the phoenix pattern on the box was almost worn away by the palm of his hand. It is flat, and only the traces of previous carvings can be vaguely seen.
Lang Chang said softly: "Su Li, you worked so hard to get here, don't you just want an answer? Come with me to see my father!"
Su Li's heart trembled slightly. She looked at his back as he strode forward, took a deep breath and followed him.
There was silence in the Nuan Pavilion of the inner palace. The emperor was sitting on the throne in a daze. When he saw the brocade box, his eyes suddenly became warm and soft. He gently opened the lid of the box, and a piece of yellowed silk was folded into a neat square and lay quietly in the box. He gently took out the letter and handed it to her, motioning for her to open it.
Su Li took it tremblingly and slowly unfolded it. Juanxiu's small characters appeared in front of her eyes instantly. Her eyes immediately moistened, and she saw it read:
Ah hinge:
Seeing words is like meeting.
It's been more than two months since we parted ways in the valley. You should know that I am a holy girl from the Bian Kingdom. The assassination of your father was ordered by the emperor. Fortunately, I didn't succeed in order to avoid making a big mistake. I hope you can forgive me.
I still remember that the king’s eyes were shocked and hurt that day, and so was my concubine. You and I met each other due to adversity, and we cherished each other and loved each other without doubt. I love you openly and pledged myself to you. You have sworn to live up to your promise in this life, and your words are still in my ears. But God is playing tricks on you. You are the prince of Dingguo who was ordered to capture the assassin. I am The saint of Bian who assassinated Emperor Ding...
Different identities mean separation. On the day I left the valley, I wanted to break off the relationship and never see you again in this life. However, after I returned to Islam, I discovered that I already had your flesh and blood in my belly!
According to the canon of saints, saints are not allowed to marry and have children throughout their lives. After thinking about it over and over again, they finally couldn't bear to give up the fetus in their belly, so they decided to leave the religion and treason regardless of the consequences!
If you still miss me in the valley, I look forward to seeing you in the old house.
There was a ring seal stamped at the end of the letter. Su Li took the white jade ring and stamped it. Sure enough, it fit perfectly, and she burst into tears.
This letter was indeed written by my mother. Although it was brief, it told the story of her entangled relationship with the emperor, and every word was filled with tears and blood. Su Li could imagine the entanglement, hesitation, expectation, and pain of the mother and concubine at that time... but she could not imagine the final despair caused by such a choice and waiting.
The emperor said sadly: "I did not betray her back then. It was just that my relatives rebelled and the prince's East Palace was occupied by the rebels. The letter was sent to the East Palace and was intercepted by the rebels. I was seriously injured on the way back to the palace and have been hiding from the limelight. When the rebellion subsided, I found out that the letter had been sent many days later... I immediately rushed to Yu Qinggu all night long, but your mother was no longer there... "
Recalling the days full of despair, pain, and darkness, the emperor's whole body was shaking and he could not speak sadly.
Lang Chang sighed and said: "Because you were on your way without being seriously injured, your father suffered from the disease and could not be cured for a long time. Since then, your father sent many people out to search, but after searching the entire Dingguo, there was still no whereabouts of your mother. Later, we checked After getting the letter from the rebel party, in order to force your father to submit, they sent people to Yu Qinggu to arrest your mother... I guess your mother must have thought that those people were sent by your father, so she was heartbroken and desperate, and finally married the regent. .”
Su Li was stunned. He and his mother and concubine separated because of a misunderstanding! "how so?!"
The emperor burst into tears: "I have never given up on finding your mother and our children all my life. Later, news came that your mother might have gone to Sheng Kingdom. I asked Chang'er to spend more than ten years searching, but she never found anything. Your whereabouts. Later... Chang'er took advantage of Prince Sheng's opportunity to choose a concubine and went on a mission to the Kingdom of Sheng. I showed him your mother's portrait and asked him to take the opportunity to search for it, but... "
Lang Chang said: "Father! My son felt that Princess Mingxi was very similar to the person in the portrait. He suspected that she was a descendant of the person in the portrait, so he gave her the jade pendant as a gift and invited her to come so that Father could confirm this in person. thing."
The emperor turned his eyes and looked at Lang Chang: "Okay! Good boy, my father wrongly blamed you. You can handle this well!"
Lang Chang smiled and said: "Now that I have finally found my imperial sister, father, you can relax. Our family is reunited."
The emperor held Su Li's hand tightly and laughed so much that tears welled up in his eyes: "Okay, okay, after so many years... I have been looking for you for so many years, and finally I see you... my Princess Changle!"
Su Li looked up at him, her emotions getting more and more fluctuating.
The emperor's voice choked with sobs: "If your mother was still alive... I don't know if she would forgive me... When I found out that she was a member of the Saintess Cult, I was so angry that I almost killed her with my own hands. But in the end, I still couldn't do it... I originally thought, Maybe it was the best ending for us to break up. I didn't expect... I would still hurt her after all!"
Su Li shed tears, and in her blurred vision, he was no longer the majestic and noble emperor before, but a father full of regret and expectation. Her hard heart finally collapsed.
Lang Chang pushed her gently: "Changle, call me father!"
Su Li opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
The queen couldn't bear it and stepped forward and said: "Good child, I have wronged you for so many years. Even if your father was wrong back then, for the sake of caring about him and being tortured for many years, don't blame him anymore. Okay?" If your mother is still alive, she must hope that her children can recognize their biological father!"
Su Li lowered her head, letting her tears run rampant, but feeling a little panicked in her heart.
The emperor stood up and grabbed her arm tremblingly: "Changle! Ever since I learned about you, I have named you in my heart, Changle, Changle. I hope you can be happy all your life! Unexpectedly, I still made you suffer so much. I'm sorry... I can hear you call me "Father" in this life, and I will die without regrets... "
The soles of his feet floated and he almost fainted again. Su Li was startled and immediately supported him.
Her hand grabbed his. Their eyes intertwined at this moment. Blood is thicker than water, and family ties are ultimately rooted in the blood and are an everlasting bond.
The emperor trembled: "Changle..."
Tears welled up in her eyes and she choked, "Father."
The emperor took Su Li into his arms and cried with joy. Lang Chang, standing aside, finally smiled.
"Concubine, congratulations to Your Majesty, we are finally reunited!" the Queen exclaimed happily.
"Congratulations to the Emperor! Congratulations to Princess Changle!" Everyone bowed together, and the sky above Yihua Hall was peaceful.
The next day, Emperor Dingguo drafted an edict and announced to the world that he had found the long-lost Princess Changle, named her Langqing, entered it in the family tree, and enjoyed the glory of the Dingguo royal family forever. He also ordered a three-day state banquet to be held at the Hundredth Congress more than a month later to celebrate the princess' return to the court.
In the next month, people came and went in Su Li's Palace of Eternal Life, and treasures piled up. Emperor Dingguo seemed to want to compensate her for all the father's love he had lost in the past nineteen years in this way.
Su Li sat blankly in a wooden corridor outside the Palace of Eternal Life, looking at the box of jade jewelry that the emperor had just ordered to deliver, and felt dumbfounded.
Lang Chang joked: "It seems that my father wants to move all the treasures in the palace to you. Soon, your Palace of Eternal Life will probably become the Palace of Eternal Treasures."
The maids around him couldn't help laughing.
Su Li also smiled and said: "Then please be kind, brother Huang, and tell your father not to send anything more here, otherwise you will really be unable to let it go."
Since he reconciled with Dongfangze and came to Dingguo to recognize his wife, his heart was relieved and his whole person became extremely relaxed, and he gradually started to joke occasionally.
Lang Chang said with a smile: "Now in my father's heart, you are like the apple of my eye and the most precious treasure in my heart. My father wishes that I could bring you the best of everything in the world and it's not enough. How can you listen to my advice?"
The maid on the side couldn't help but boldly interjected, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is absolutely right. The emperor even requires the princess to accompany him when he eats every day, otherwise he won't be able to eat. This shows how much the emperor loves the princess."
Just like this, Su Li had another worry in her heart. Ever since Emperor Dingguo met her, the depression in his heart gradually cleared up, and Jiang Yuan helped prepare the medicine. Although his body recovered a lot, he still often immersed himself in the past and missed his mother and concubine. In fact, his life was getting worse with each passing day.
The emperor regarded Su Li as a treasure and was afraid that she would feel a little uncomfortable in this palace. Even the queen treated Su Li sincerely, asking about her welfare and caring about her, just like she did to Lang Chang.
Ever since she saw all the hardships, Su Li was afraid that she would have more worries in this world. However, after only a month, she already felt reluctant to give up.
Lang Chang saw that her expression was not good and asked, "Why are you frowning suddenly? Is there something on your mind?"
Su Li was silent for a while, and then sighed in a low voice: "Originally on this trip, I never thought about recognizing my father. I just wanted to find out my life experience and confirm that my mother and concubine's love in life has not been wrongly paid to others, so that my mother and concubine can be in heaven. Now that my soul has closed its eyes and rested in peace, my wish will come true, but I didn’t expect that my father loves me so much, and I really don’t know how to tell him.”
"You want to leave?" Lang Chang asked in shock.
Although Su Li was reluctant to give up, she nodded firmly.
Lang Chang said in surprise: "Is there anything in this palace that doesn't suit your liking? Tell me, and I'll go tell my mother..."
"No, it's very good here." Su Li hurriedly grabbed him and said, "I never thought before that there could be such a harmonious palace in the world. There is no competition for the heir apparent, no competition for favor in the harem, everyone here is They treated me wonderfully, and I was a little reluctant to leave, but I had to go."
Lang Chang asked in confusion: "Why?"
Su Li smiled slightly and said: "Before I left Bian Kingdom, I made an appointment with Dongfangze in three months. Now that the appointment is coming, if I don't keep the appointment, I'm afraid he won't be able to wait any longer."
Lang Chang frowned and said, "It turns out it's for him! It seems you have forgiven him. What will happen to him if he can't wait any longer?"
"Probably they will find him." Su Li guessed, with his character...
"Then let him come." Lang Chang smiled brightly and said, "The most noble princess of our country deserves to be welcomed by him personally. Besides..."
He paused for a moment, then suddenly frowned, and a rare gloom flashed through his gentle, jade-like eyes. He went on to say: "He hurt you so much back then, even if he went through all the troubles to make it right and got your forgiveness, who can guarantee that he won't make the same mistake again in the future?"
"I believe him." Su Li smiled firmly.
From the moment she decided to forgive him, she had believed he could do it.
Lang Chang said: "But I can't believe it, and neither will my father. It took us more than ten years and a lot of hard work to find you and get to know you. My father named you Changle. I just hope you will be happy from now on. If you stay in Dingguo, with my father and I here, you will never suffer any further grievances. But if you marry Dongfang Ze... Sheng Palace is thousands of miles away. If anything happens, how can my father and I feel at ease?"
The past in Shenghuang Palace has planted an intractable knot in Lang Chang's heart. He is so afraid that one day she will be hurt in the same way again. Su Li can't help but sigh slightly. She doesn't know how to make him feel relieved and stop worrying about her. So worried.
She was moved and smiled and said: "I will protect myself. In Shengdu, I am not alone. I have my father Li Fengxian and Prime Minister Su Xiangru. Although I am not their biological child, my father treats me as his own. Victory over Li Yao; as for Prime Minister Su...even if he has a grudge in his heart, he will definitely protect me for the sake of his power and position."
Lang Chang sighed: "These are not reliable guarantees. You know Dongfangze better than I do. He is a wise and ambitious emperor who is very good at planning. Now he loves you wholeheartedly, and all his plans are for you." , but if one day, you are no longer the only one in his heart, and you conflict with his country, or even the world's plans... what should you do?"
Su Li said: "Brother Huang is worried that he will take over the world in the future, and I will be in a dilemma? I won't let that happen!"
"The world is unpredictable, and the world's political situation is beyond our control." Lang Chang looked at her with pity and sighed softly, "Judging from the current political situation, the marriage between the two countries will be beneficial and harmless, but the general trend of the world Sometimes changes happen overnight, you are not a pawn of our politics, and I don’t want to regret it in the future.”
Su Li was silent. Lang Chang's worry was not impossible, but there were too many unpredictable things in life. If even a major life event like marriage couldn't go according to one's own will, then what's the point of life?
Su Li smiled and said: "I understand Brother Huang's concerns, but Brother Huang also said that the future is unpredictable. If you don't try, how will you know that the ending will not be happy and happy? Dongfang Ze is indeed ambitious, but he is not cruel and bloodthirsty. Man, I believe he will not cause unreasonable disputes for his own ambitions and bring disaster to the world."
"You have great confidence in him." Lang Chang couldn't help but smile, "It seems that you have decided on him in your heart. If you don't marry him in this life, if I persist, it will be against my original intention of thinking about you."
Su Li said: "Thank you, Brother Huang, for your understanding."
Lang Chang said: "However, I'm afraid it will take a lot of effort for my father... You have just met each other. My father wishes he could see you every day, so how can he let you marry far away now, let alone marry him. "
Su Li smiled and said: "As long as the emperor is willing to help, there will naturally be no problem with the father."
Lang Chang laughed and said, "Since you trust me so much, let me leave this matter to you. If Dongfangze wants to successfully marry you back to China, it depends on whether he is sincere enough."
After saying this, he smiled and said: The breeze is clear and the moon is blowing, the clouds are clearing and the fog is dispersing.
Early in the morning on the opening day of the Baiji Fair, Dingdu was already bustling with people coming and going.
Compared with the grandeur of Shengdu and the exotic customs of Biandu, Dingdu City is like an ink painting scroll. The white walls, gray tiles, small bridges and flowing water are all exquisite and unique, and the scenery everywhere can be captured in a painting. It was the spring season at this time, with flowers blooming, gurgling water, and a pleasant scenery.
A young man with a black robe and a golden crown walked out from the crowd. His hair was like splashing ink, his face was like a crown jade, he was handsome and eye-catching.
It was Dongfang Ze who had a three-month appointment with Su Li. Behind him was a guard in black, Sheng Qin. The master and servant slowly walked towards the palace.
There is a Lingyin Temple in the south of the city. Pilgrims who come to offer incense come in and out. Most of them are young men and women walking together, smiling and full of sweetness and happiness.
Dongfangze noticed that all the women who walked out of the temple seemed to have a red bracelet on their wrists.
Sheng Qin looked around in confusion: "Isn't it the Hundredth Party Congress? Why does it look like the Chinese Valentine's Day?"
The man standing at the door setting up a stall heard this and said with a smile, "Are you two from Shengguo?"
Sheng Qin looked at him and said, "Exactly. May I ask what kind of festival is today in Dingguo?"
The man smiled and said, "It's a good time for you two to come. Today is the Tongxin Festival of our Ding Kingdom, which is similar to the Qixi Festival of Sheng Kingdom. According to the custom of our country, on the eighth day of March every year, unmarried men make a lovesickness bracelet with their own hands and give it to them. The woman you like serves as a token of formal marriage proposal. If the other party accepts it and wears it on his hand and gives a hydrangea in return, the marriage will be inseparable. "
Sheng Qin said in surprise: "Is it that simple?"
The man smiled and said: "This is the custom of Dingguo. There are many people living outside the city who come all the way to the Marriage Tree to exchange tokens, hoping to be protected by the gods."
Sheng Qin asked curiously, "What's going on with the marriage tree?"
The man said: "There are two thousand-year-old acacia trees in Lingyin Temple. Legend has it that they are the incarnations of a pair of people who truly love each other after death. Men and women who exchange tokens under the tree to express their love on Tongxin Festival will be blessed by the marriage tree. , and will never be separated. Even if both parents are dissatisfied, they cannot break the agreement rashly, otherwise they will be punished by the gods."
Dongfangze smiled slightly and said thoughtfully: "Compared with the secular matchmaker's words, it is more interesting for these two people to be happy and settle down for life. I have always heard that Dingguo rules the world with benevolence and morality, and the people's customs are free and open. When I see it today, I feel that That’s true.”
Seeing his extraordinary conversation, the man became more enthusiastic and said: "This year it is rare to have a hundred gatherings to celebrate the Tongxin Festival. Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Changle will come! Young master, you can go and join in the fun!"
"The princess is here too?" Dongfang Ze couldn't help but feel happy.
Sheng Qin smiled and said: "Master, why don't we go directly to Baihui to meet Miss Su?"
Dongfangze nodded slightly, turned around and walked towards the west of the city. There are many shops along the way and it is very lively. There are ornaments made of red beans hanging at the entrance of many shops, attracting young people to stop and buy. Dongfang Ze thought deeply and stepped into a store.
The store has a dazzling array of decorations, and the most eye-catching thing is the bright red acacia beans on the counter. Dongfang Ze picked one up at random and looked at it carefully.
Sheng Qin couldn't help but laugh in a low voice: "Master does as the Romans do, and wants to give Miss Su a surprise."
Dongfangze didn't answer, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
The shopkeeper came over, looked at Dongfangze up and down, and said coolly: "Sorry, our store only sells goods to people from Dingguo. You two gentlemen, please move elsewhere."
Sheng Qin's face darkened and he said dissatisfiedly: "Dingguo is famous for its free trade, how could there be such unreasonable store regulations!"
The shopkeeper looked at him haughtily and made a gesture of invitation.
Sheng Qin was dissatisfied and wanted to argue. Dongfangze's face darkened and he raised his hand gently: "It doesn't matter, let's go to another house and have a look."
There was also an accessory shop across the street. The fat shopkeeper saw a young man wearing fine clothes and a jade belt. He knew at a glance that he was either rich or noble, and his eyes immediately lit up. "What do you want to buy, young man?"
Sheng Qin said: "Acacia beans."
The fat shopkeeper immediately shouted: "Yes, yes, yes, this is a first-class product! But the acacia beans in our store are a little more expensive than other stores. I don't know, guest..."
Dongfang Ze said calmly: "The stuff is good, it doesn't matter how much it costs."
The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, leaned down and took out a wooden box from under the counter, and while carefully opening the lock, he introduced: "Young master, I don't know, but this box of acacia beans is all picked from the thousand-year-old acacia tree in Lingyin Temple, and I put it out after careful selection. Sell it for one gold bead each."
"What?!" Sheng Qin's eyes widened and he couldn't believe his ears, "You're a lion and you're asking for prices all over the place!"
The shopkeeper's expression changed, he snapped the wooden box in his hand, and said sarcastically: "You don't have money to act like an uncle, if you want bargains go somewhere else!" After saying that, he carried the wooden box into the back hall and never came out again!
Dongfangze's face was as dark as ice, and he didn't speak for a long time.
Sheng Qin's face turned blue with anger, and his fists clenched loudly: "Master! I'll go find the shopkeeper to comment!"
Dongfangze snorted coldly, turned around and strode out of the store.
Sheng Qin had no choice but to suppress his anger and follow behind.
Dongfangze stood on the street and looked around. There was a large store called Zhenbao Pavilion not far away. There was a shelf at the door filled with all kinds of red bean accessories.
Sheng Qin said: "Master, how about I go to that house again and ask?"
Dongfangze's eyes darkened: Okay!
As soon as Dongfangze walked to the door, the young man came up to him and said with a smile: "Young master must want to give a lovesickness bracelet to the one you love. The acacia beans in this shop are of high quality and low price. I guarantee that your wishes will come true!"
Sheng Qin stared at him cautiously: "How to sell red beans?"
The boy held a few bunches of red beans and smiled and said, "It's easy to say, easy to say, our prices at Zhenbao Pavilion are always fair, and today is the Tongxin Festival, so there will be no price increase."
Sheng Qin breathed a sigh of relief and was about to pay the bill when a man suddenly walked out of the door. He cupped his hands and said, "I'm sorry, sir, we can't sell these acacia beans."
Sheng Qin immediately changed his face and said angrily: "What do you mean?"
The shopkeeper said: "All the acacia beans in the store have been ordered a long time ago, and the deposits have been collected. The new waiter didn't know about it. I'm sorry, you two!"
Sheng Qin slapped the money bag on the counter and shouted: "How much deposit did you pay? I will pay you double the amount!"
The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly, as if he was in a dilemma, "No, sir, our store is all about credit. There is no such thing as regretting after receiving the deposit. There are many other stores on this street, so you'd better go elsewhere. Let's see!"
"You-" Sheng Qin was furious and couldn't refute. He stared at the red bean, which was so close in front of him, but he couldn't walk away or grab it.
Dongfang Ze said nothing and watched coldly as the shopkeeper kept smiling and apologizing, but there was a hint of slyness in his eyes.
At this time, two more people walked out of the door. One in white clothes was none other than Prince Dingguo Lang Chang, and the other in red clothes was Yang Xiao, the Emperor of Bian!
When the shopkeeper saw the two of them, he immediately greeted them with a smile on his face, trying to please them.
Sheng Qin asked in shock: "Why is Emperor Bian here?"
Dongfang Ze scolded coldly: "Insolent! No rules!"
Sheng Qin hurriedly lowered his head and retreated. Lang Chang's gentle eyes swept over him, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Lang Chang came forward and cupped his hands and said: "Emperor Sheng has come to the capital. Chang is very honored. But why do you come here incognito? I will inform my father in this palace so that I can treat you with national courtesy."
Dongfang Ze returned the gift and said in a deep voice: "Thank you for your kindness, Prince. Ze will enter the palace to pay a formal visit to Emperor Ding some other day!"
Lang Chang smiled faintly and was noncommittal.
Dongfangze sighed: "When I visited the city today, I happened to catch up with the Tongxin Festival. I wanted to go to the countryside and become a secular person and buy some acacia beans for Su Su. Who knew that along the way, the shops I met were all asking for high prices and being unreasonable. It's really It’s disappointing.”
Lang Chang's eyes flickered, as if he didn't understand: "As far as I know, the shops in Dingdu City have always followed the rules and the prices are fair. It is precisely because of this that many business travelers from all over the world are attracted to come to do business. There is no sign of Emperor Sheng. Talk about something.”
Dongfang Ze stared at Yang Xiao, who was a few steps away. His eyes grew colder and he said expressionlessly, "Really? Someone is secretly manipulating the supply of goods and doing it deliberately. It's a different matter."
Lang Chang frowned: "Is this really true?"
"Dongfang Ze, are you talking about me?"
Yang Xiao took three steps at a time and rushed to the two of them. He tilted his head and looked at Dongfang Ze, smiling maliciously.
Dongfangze said coldly: "Emperor Bian is in such a good mood! The excitement is everywhere."
Yang Xiao said happily: "Dingguo's Hundred Gatherings are famous all over the world, Emperor Sheng, why don't you come and join in the fun? Legend has it that Emperor Ding has found the long-lost Princess Changle and will have fun with the people on this Tongxin Festival. Of course I Don’t miss this opportunity!”
Dongfang Ze's eyes moved and he looked at Lang Chang and said, "Su Su is really the daughter of Emperor Ding?"
Lang Chang smiled and said: "When Emperor Sheng sees Changle, ask her personally. I have something to do, so I'll take my leave first."
Yang Xiao patted Lang Chang's shoulder: "Your Highness, don't forget what I asked you to do!"
Lang Chang smiled, bowed his hands to the two of them, turned around and left.
Yang Xiao tossed the bulging little brocade bag up and down, making a clattering sound. Staring at Dongfangze, he smiled very proudly: "You want to use the Tongxin Festival to propose marriage to Ali first. If she agrees, Emperor Ding can't interfere too much. It's just a pity..." He came closer to him and smiled softly, "What do you want? Finding Hongdou is probably... unlikely... "
Dongfangze sneered, ignored him, turned around and strode away.
Yang Xiao shouted from behind: "Dongfangze, this is the capital! It's little Ali's real home! There are people who can make decisions for her! You can't do whatever you want!"
Dongfangze suddenly turned around and stared at him, his eyes like ice knives.
Yang Xiao, however, laughed more and more wildly without thinking about life and death: "What?! Are you not convinced?! Come and rob me!"
He raised his hand and carried the brocade bag over, and the bag full of acacia beans clattered to the ground. Yang Xiao laughed loudly and said: "These are the best beans in the city. They are given away for free! Come on, whoever sees them will get a share!"
The crowd rushed over with a roar and squatted on the ground to pick up the scattered red beans. For a while, you pushed me and pushed me, causing chaos.
Sheng Qin's anger surged and he couldn't help shouting: "Master!"
Dongfangze's cold gaze swept over Yang Xiao's proud face. Without saying a word, he turned around and strode away.
Yang Xiao's arrogant shout came from behind: "Dongfang Ze! If you break two legs today, you won't find half a bean in Dingdu! If you have the ability, go ahead and steal it!"
Sheng Qin caught up and said worriedly: "Master, Emperor Bian has made it clear that he is deliberately making things difficult. Where can we find the acacia beans?"
Dongfangze didn't stop, his eyes searched the street, and a woman in green walked towards him. The brocade belt around her waist was dotted with bright red acacia beans, which swayed gently with her beautiful walk.
Dongfangze had an idea in his mind, a ready-made clothing store!
There are many shops in the city of Dingdu, most of which are clothing stores and cloth shops. Red beans are often sewn on clothes as decoration. Dongfang Ze saw that every ready-to-wear shop was crowded with people, except for a small shop at the end of the street with not many customers. There was a closing sign on the door of the store, and the containers inside were half empty.
Dongfangze caught a glimpse of the woman in purple standing at the counter, her head lowered and dazed, completely unaware that a customer had come in.
Sheng Qin coughed lightly and said, "It's from the shopkeeper!"
The woman in purple came back to her senses and said with a smile: "Master, are you here to buy some clothes? Please choose whatever you want."
Dongfangze glanced at the counter: "Do the shopkeepers often use agar beans to decorate their clothes?"
The woman in purple smiled and said: "Acacia beans are often used as decorations, but I don't have many styles left in my store, so I'm afraid they won't be what you want. If you like acacia beans, you can buy them in many jewelry stores in the city. .”
Dongfangze sighed: "To be honest, someone deliberately made things difficult for me. They don't want me to successfully get engaged to the woman I like. No jewelry store in the city is willing to sell red beans to me, otherwise I wouldn't try my luck here."
"I see." The woman in purple nodded sympathetically, looking at him with a more apologetic look, "But my shop has been cleared out recently and there are no more acacia beans left. I'm afraid I won't be able to help the young master. I'm sorry. .”
Sheng Qin said anxiously: "Master, time is running out. If we don't find her again, then Miss Su..."
Dongfangze sighed softly: "I didn't expect that I came all the way from Shengguo. I thought I was rich enough to rival other countries, but I couldn't even find a single acacia bean."
The woman in purple clothes was stunned and sighed for a long time: "Young master is not from my country, but he can follow the local customs and work hard for the love in his heart. This girl is really lucky. She is very passionate and envious."
There was a deep sense of loss in her words, and her eyes were a little red. There are countless things in the world, but the word love is the most hurtful.
At this time, a young scholar suddenly ran in hastily outside the door. He ran so fast that he didn't pay attention when he entered the door. He tripped over the box under his feet and threw himself to the ground.
Sheng Qin, who was guarding the door, had a weak hand and held him up, "Be careful!"
The scholar's face turned red. He didn't care to catch his breath and thanked him repeatedly, "Mo Yifanduo, thank you so much, Your Excellency, for helping me!"
When Yinong saw this person, his eyebrows lit up with joy, but for a moment he stopped smiling and asked forcefully: "Why are you here?"
"I..." Mo Yifan looked at her and said anxiously: "Why do you want to close the shop?"
Yi Nong was heartbroken, turned away from him, and choked with sobs: "Brother Mo, thank you for your help over the past three years. I'll see you again today!"
Mo Yifan's face turned pale and he said tremblingly: "You, you want to leave?"
Yi Nong said sadly: "My father is worried about my marriage. I can no longer act willfully. Aunt Wang has arranged a marriage for me. I will leave here forever and marry to Sheng Kingdom."
Mo Yifan suddenly felt desperate and clenched his hands tightly.
Dongfang Ze lowered his eyebrows and saw a few red spots faintly revealed between Mo Yifan's white fingers. He frowned, thinking about it. Staring at Yi Nong, he said in a deep voice: "Since you have a sweetheart, why do you want to be engaged to this young master?"
When Mo Yifan heard this, he was shocked and stared at Dongfang Ze speechless.
Yi Nong was also stunned, "You..."
Dongfang Ze's face darkened, "The matchmaker repeatedly praised you for being smart and virtuous, but he didn't expect that you turned out to be a half-hearted woman."
Mo Yifan became a little anxious and hissed: "Yinong is definitely not such a woman!"
Dongfangze sneered: "No? Since she has agreed to marry me, why is she still entangled with you? The acacia beans in your hand were given to her?"
With trembling fingers, Mo Yifan held up the acacia bean and looked at Yi Nong, but said nothing.
Dongfangze looked at Yi Nong and said, "You were in a daze in the store just now, but were you thinking about him?"
Yi Nong opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Mo Yifan suddenly had an impulse in his eyes and stepped forward to grab Yinong, "Yinong! You, you really..."
Yi Nong's eyes turned red, "It's too late to say anything now."
Mo Yifan was anxious, "No, not too late!" He quickly put the red bean in his hand on Yi Nong's hand, took a deep breath, mustered up the courage to shout, "I don't want you to marry to Sheng Kingdom!"
Yi Nong looked at the red beans in his hand, was stunned for a moment, smiled, but tears started flowing down again.
Mo Yifan hurriedly wanted to wipe away her tears, "Why are you crying? Is it him..." He turned around and looked at Dongfang Ze, standing in front of Yi Nong, "I'm sorry, this marriage won't work out, I'm afraid I'll kill you, Mr. It’s a waste of time.”
"Oh?!" Dongfangze took a step forward and looked at him coldly, "What qualifications do you have to say this to me?"
The opponent's momentum was overwhelming. Mo Yifan swallowed subconsciously and stepped back, but he did not allow himself to retreat.
"Yinong... has accepted my Xiangsi Dou, that is... even his father can't object to us being together... You, your family, just, can't forget it."
He spoke hesitantly, breathing hard, not wanting to give up.