The years I was in the human world

"Mianmian hasn't told me what you were looking at just now?" Xiao Fengzhuo asked Lu Zhouxue. He came back a little late and just missed the team of cavalrymen riding away.

"Prince Ding'an." Lu Zhouxue said truthfully. He thought about it and simply asked the question he had earlier, "Just now I saw that Chu Zhaoli has an extraordinary temperament. He doesn't seem to be the mediocre person that Ah Zhuo said. Why is that?"

"Chu Zhaoli, even a dog will jump over the wall when it's desperate, let alone a human." Xiao Fengzhuo naturally took Lu Zhouxue's hand under the cover of his cloak, lowered his eyes and said nonchalantly, "You have been bullied for half your life, and it's time to wake up when death is imminent."

Xiao Fengzhuo's expression and tone were as gentle as ever, but the content of his words was particularly harsh. Sensing his inadvertently revealed emotions, Lu Zhouxue couldn't help but glance at him more: "What do you mean by that, Ah Zhuo?"

"Mianmian, are you asking me for a story?" Xiao Fengzhuo, who always responded to requests, was playing tricks on him. He looked at Lu Zhouxue with a smile on his face and spoke in a roundabout way, refusing to directly answer Lu Zhouxue's questions.

"Yes." Lu Zhouxue nodded frankly, which made Xiao Fengzhuo, who was trying to tease him, not know what to say.

"Mianmian is like this, so I can't refuse anymore." Xiao Fengzhuo sighed softly, and his smile deepened. It didn't seem so difficult to talk about the past. "Chu Zhaoli was originally the Yong King, and his fiefdom was in the desolate land in the southwest. The old king of the Undead Country was actually his palace."

"The so-called Immortal Country is actually the Western Dynasty nine hundred years ago. At that time, Chu Zhaoli was the crown prince, but he was deposed for committing adultery and treason. He was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace for three years and then exiled to the southwest as a vassal king. He could not return without an imperial decree."

"Later, the Wuxian people moved southward, and the Western Dynasty was defeated. The emperor ordered the princes to send troops to defend the country. Although Prince Yong was exiled and had no real say in the southwest, and no military force to speak of, he was also sent back to the capital with an imperial edict."

"Without troops and power, what's the point of sending Chu Zhaoli back?" Lu Zhouxue frowned, and was quite suspicious of Xiao Fengzhuo's charge of Chu Zhaoli's adultery and treason. Thinking of this, he asked, "Are Chu Zhaoli's charges true?"

"What do you think, Mianmian?" Xiao Fengzhuo kept the secret again. He stared at Lu Zhouxue without moving his eyes. The dead and desolate scorched earth in his eyes seemed to have rekindled vitality. "Zhao Li's crime was unanimous among the civil and military officials in the court. Does Mianmian have a different opinion?"

"It's not really an opinion, it's just a subjective view." Lu Zhouxue thought for a moment and said, "Chu Zhaoli is already the crown prince, why would he want to rebel? As you said before, he is a crown prince with no foundation or background, how can he have the basis to rebel?"

"The birthday gift he gave to his father contained extremely treasonous witchcraft." Xiao Fengzhuo chuckled. He wanted to hear what Lu Zhouxue would say next.

"You told me before that Chu Zhaoli had an unlucky sign when he was born, but the emperor still made him the crown prince. It can be seen that the Western Dynasty does not care much about matters of fate and witchcraft. At least the emperor did not care about these things when he let Chu Zhaoli sit in that position."

"Furthermore, a child whose father dislikes him because of his unknown origin will only be more cautious about things like witchcraft. The birthday gifts are just a way for a child who lacks love to beg for mercy from his king and father. He should not be involved in these conspiracies and plots. The ones with dirty hearts are the king and his ministers who sentenced him."

Lu Zhouxue's words were full of idealism. He had never been exposed to the intrigues of the court and would not speculate on people's hearts with the greatest malice. This was the biggest difference between him and those people. But it was precisely because of this that he hit the nail on the head on all of Chu Zhaoli's true thoughts back then.

It is true that only people with pure minds can best understand each other.

"Mianmian." Xiao Fengzhuo stretched out his long arms and hugged Lu Zhouxue in his arms. He looked at the person in his arms with sparkling eyes, the fiery affection in his eyes was not concealed at all. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.

Lu Zhouxue guessed what Xiao Fengzhuo wanted to say at that moment, and quickly reached out to cover his mouth, saying with a smile: "Azhuo, if you say some things as a joke, then I will really take it as a joke."

Xiao Fengzhuo raised his eyebrows, then agreed: "You should be more serious. I was frivolous. I apologize to Mianmian."

"What are you two talking about?" Lin Xiyang, who had been hiding in the depths of his consciousness watching the show, couldn't figure out why these two people became ambiguous when talking about Chu Zhaoli.

Lu Zhouxue was the same, but Ah Xun had been immersed in the world of love for many years. After quietly observing the two people's interaction for a while, he quickly saw the clues: "Is the Immortal Master troubled by the friendship with this young man before?"

"Did you figure it out?" Lu Zhouxue thought that although Ah Xun was not good at poetry, he was very sensitive in this area.

"You are upset, it must be intentional." Ah Xun replied, "Just now, this gentleman's heart was beating like thunder when he hugged you, I think it is the same for you, if you are not in love with each other, how can you be so relaxed and comfortable? Only one side is infatuated, no matter how you look at it, it is bitter."

Xiao Fengzhuo held Lu Zhouxue's hand and returned to the tent. Because he was going to meet Lin Shuyang soon, he was about to loosen his high bun and comb his hair down as usual, but Lu Zhouxue suddenly said, "Azhuo looks so handsome in this outfit."

"Does Mianmian like it?" Xiao Fengzhuo had dressed up deliberately, intending to compete with Xiao Ling. After all, he remembered that Lu Zhouxue said he liked that guy. However, his clothes today were nice, but too complicated and gorgeous, not Xie Huaiyu's style. He was going to meet Lin Shuyang later, so he had to change them.

"I like it. My Ah Zhuo looks good in anything he wears." Lu Zhouxue nodded, but he felt that this outfit might look even better with Xiao Fengzhuo's original appearance.

Xiao Fengzhuo has always been thicker than a city wall, but when he heard Lu Zhouxue's sincere praise, his face suddenly turned red. Mianmian praised him for his good looks! Xiao Fengzhuo suddenly didn't want to change his clothes. What if they didn't fit his style? After all, his Mianmian liked them.

Xiao Fengzhuo held his hair in one hand, and handed the royal blue flowing cloud headband to Lu Zhouxue. With sparkling eyes, he acted coquettishly towards him, "Then Mianmian, can you tie my hair for me?"

"Then sit down." Lu Zhouxue was particularly petite now, only reaching Xie Huaiyu's shoulders. At this moment, both of them were standing, and he really couldn't reach the latter's head to tie up his hair.

Xiao Fengzhuo pulled a chair and sat down as he was told. Lu Zhouxue stood behind him and tied his hair for him.

When Lin Shuyang heard that Xie Huaiyu had returned, he went to look for him. As soon as he opened the tent, he saw Xie Huaiyu sitting quietly on a chair, letting Lu Zhouxue caress his long black hair with unspeakable tenderness.

Seeing Lin Shuyang coming in, Xiao Fengzhuo held back Xie Huaiyu who was about to show up, and looked at the newcomer with a smile on his face: "Shuyang, you're here."

"Yeah." Lin Shuyang nodded, sat quietly aside, and waited for Lu Zhouxue to tidy up Xie Huaiyu's clothes.

"Xiao Ling wants to be the emperor." Without waiting for Lin Shuyang to speak, Xiao Fengzhuo took the initiative to talk about the content of the conversation at the Prime Minister's Mansion today, "Chu Zhaoyun's tyranny and extortion have lost the support of the people. He wants to replace him, so today's agreement is to win over the Xie family to help him seize the throne."

"Sir, this cannot be agreed to." Lin Shuyang said without thinking. He had a simple mind and perhaps did not understand the conspiracies and plots in the court. However, as the commander of the army, he had the basic idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor. The Xie family was a noble family and should be careful about their reputation.

If he assisted the traitor Xiao Ling in his rebellion today and ruined the family's reputation, how could he have any reputation in the future? As the backbone of the family, how could Xie Huaiyu not know what Lin Shuyang said? But how could it be so easy to protect himself from the political struggle and not be tainted?

Xiao Fengzhuo glanced at the coffee table with his fingertips, then he met Lin Shuyang's eyes and imitated Xie Huaiyu's tone and said meaningfully: "But Shuyang, the status of the family also depends on power to maintain."

The famous scholars of high families love idle conversation and value leisure and comfort over achievement. However, often these famous scholars with high reputation are politically incompetent and are often the objects of ridicule of those who really hold power, such as Xiao Ling.

It is true that Xie Huaiyu is a playboy with a great reputation, but he has no say in the Xie family and no political influence in the court. How could Xiao Ling think highly of him? He even went to great lengths to force him to leave Beijing? Now that Xiao Ling intends to change the dynasty, whether it succeeds or not, the Xie family cannot stay out of it.

Xiao Fengzhuo withdrew his gaze from Lin Shuyang and turned to look at Lu Zhouxue: "What do you think, Mianmian?"

Lu Zhouxue thought that if he also understood these conspiracies, he would not be forced to leave Buzhou Mountain by Xia Yuchuan. However, he did not destroy Xiao Fengzhuo's plan. In the end, he thought about it seriously. Thinking of Chu Zhaoli who had galloped past with the cavalry earlier, he said, "Isn't there still Chu Zhaoli?"

"Prince Ding'an? He has troops and power, and he is a member of the royal family. If we support him, we can't find fault with him in terms of etiquette and righteousness." Lin Shuyang frowned and thought for a while, but still shook his head, "But his fiefdom is in the southwest. Now that the Wuxiang people are about to invade, Xiao Ling is busy seeking power and usurping the throne, so he will definitely not resist. It's like distant water can't put out a nearby fire."

Even Lin Shuyang could see that this was indeed a dead end for the Xie family. If they supported Xiao Ling, regardless of success or failure, they would be branded as aiding and abetting the tyrant; if they resisted with all their might, the imperial power would be weakened, and no one in the royal family would be able to contend with Xiao Ling. Furthermore, the Wuxiang people would soon invade the south, and half of the country would be lost.

Lin Shuyang made a quick decision with his limited political vision. This time, the political struggle against the Xie family was inevitable, but the Xie family had soldiers and might be able to win in the chaos. He immediately knelt down to Xie Huaiyu and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "I am willing to charge into battle for you, young master."

He said this with the determination to risk his life. Now that Xiao Ling has been conferred the title of prince and is carrying the imperial ceremonial procession, forcing the emperor to abdicate is only a matter of a few days.

"Don't worry." Xiao Fengzhuo held Lin Shuyang's shoulder and patted him gently, signaling him to be patient. "Go down first and inform the entire army to prepare for the turmoil. I still need to think about the matter of the Xie family."

Lin Shuyang took the order and went down to make arrangements. As soon as he left, Xie Huaiyu, who was held down by Xiao Fengzhuo, finally spoke: "Prince Ding'an has arrived in Yangzhou. We can support him to save the Xie family. He has troops and power. He only lacks the support of an aristocratic family. If we conspire with him, we may be able to deal with Xiao Ling."

Xiao Fengzhuo didn't take it seriously, but just reminded Xie Huaiyu once again in a light tone that he was in an illusion: "If this is true, how can you be a lonely ghost now?"

Of course they could come to Chu Zhaoli to discuss cooperation, but the result would definitely be unsatisfactory.

"Chu Zhaoli hates the Southern Dynasty royal family. Do you think that if he knew that Xiao Ling was plotting to usurp the throne, would he choose to protect the Chu imperial power, or would he clap his hands in joy?" Xiao Fengzhuo asked sarcastically. Back then, he did receive the title of prince from Xiao Ling, and only then did he hurriedly lead the cavalry into the capital.

The prince was not allowed to enter the capital without an imperial edict, and to some extent he was also a traitor. However, he entered the capital in such a hurry not to protect the royal family, but because he was afraid that Xiao Ling would act too quickly and kill Chu Zhaoyun along with the former princes and princesses, and he would lose the pleasure of standing by and watching.

"Impossible." Xie Huaiyu retorted without thinking, "At least in the past, Prince Ding'an never stood by and watched coldly."

"You also said it was in the past--" Xiao Fengzhuo's words stopped abruptly. In an instant he realized something and his face suddenly turned pale. He remembered the person who forced him to change his mind.

He suddenly led troops into the capital that year. At that time, he was bedridden, and was depressed because of Xiao Ling's restraint. Chu Zhaoyun, who was already running out of time, burst into hope the moment he saw him. He called him with disdain for more than 30 years, and he began to call him fluently: "Brother!"

Chu Zhaoli was the legitimate son of Empress Yuan, no matter how powerless he was or how disliked his emperor and father were; no matter how successful Chu Zhaoyun was, due to etiquette he had to be called the elder brother by his biological mother, Concubine Xian.

Over the past thirty years, he had disliked this mediocre and incompetent elder brother and had verbally humiliated him several times in deserted places. However, when the Chu family's survival was at stake, he began to appreciate the blood ties.

If the Chu family lost to him, he would be ashamed to face his ancestors even if he went to hell. Now that the clan is declining, his eldest brother can be of some use. Chu Zhaoyun is anxious to hand over the mess from his hands. Even if the country is destroyed by Chu Zhaoli, he can't be held responsible in the end: "Brother, the Chu family's country still depends on you to turn the tide."

Chu Zhaoli was given a high hat. He did not get the chance to enjoy the prosperity of the country, the favor of the emperor and father, or the praise of the world. Instead, he was given the hard job of being a hostage, taking the blame, and cleaning up the old country. Chu Zhaoli sneered in his heart, looking at Chu Zhaoyun's face that showed that he did not have much time left, the hatred in his heart increased instead of decreased.

Chu Zhaoyun's calculations were very good, but Chu Zhaoli didn't care about the prestige of the royal family or the glory of his ancestors. After listening to the former's words, he chuckled, looked at the dying emperor with cold eyes and said: "Third brother, when you call me elder brother, people who don't know would think that you and I really have some brotherhood."

Without waiting for Chu Zhaoyun to respond, Chu Zhaoli continued to speak to himself, his whole body was very gloomy, like a sticky swamp: "But you Chu family have always been shameless and ruthless, so it's not surprising that you are so flexible."