Eastward Flow

After the banquet in the Yulong Pavilion, the candidate for the crown princess was clearly revealed.

After returning from Yunzhou, Xuan Jingchen, who was trapped in Yuanzhou by the emperor's decree, had vaguely guessed the emperor's intentions, so he was not shocked by what the emperor said in Yulong Pavilion.

She already knew her destination, and walked frankly towards the bright moon with one heart.

But Zhong Lisuo was shocked by the emperor's words, and tried his best to avoid Xuan Jingchen in the court for several days.

Perhaps it was the song Yulongge that evoked the warmth from the bottom of the emperor's heart.Throughout the peach blossom season, the emperor took Zhong Lisuo to deal with government affairs in the imperial study.I don't know if it's Zhong Lisuo's illusion, but sometimes when she looks at the emperor, she can always see a trace of love in those too cold eyes.

It was just a little care, but Zhong Lisuo felt that if the emperor had been like this, maybe Da Chu's bad roots could be pulled out.Perhaps, the road ahead is not so hard.

One night, after Zhong Lisuo had dinner with the emperor, the mother and daughter were watching the unfinished memorials in Zhaohui Hall.The earth dragon in Zhaohui Hall was burned even higher than last year. The emperor, who was only wearing a thin robe, raised his eyes thoughtfully while turning over a memorial in his hand, and looked at His Highness who was wrapped in a thick black robe. The prince in the robe pondered for a moment and said, "Prince, take a look at this memorial."

Zhong Lisuo raised his head, said his promise, got up and came to the emperor's case, took the memorial she had just read, and read it carefully.

This is a memorial from the Minister of the Ministry of War, saying that the new year has passed, and the governors of various states and officials who have returned to Beijing to report their duties have all returned to their stations.General Xuan Jingchen has guarded the border of Lanzhou for many years, but now he has been stationed in Yuanzhou for half a year, fearing that the border will be unstable. I hope His Majesty will let the general return to the station to guard the border.

After reading the memorial, Zhong Lisuo frowned, "Your Majesty, the Minister of War is right. The barbarians have coveted my great Chu for many years, and the current barbarian lord is an ambitious king of good deeds. At this moment, a general is needed at the border." Guarding, it is inappropriate for her to stay in Yuanzhou too much."

The emperor raised his head, looked at the immature prince in front of him, and said, "Since the First World War in Yunzhou, no one in the world has known the great general. Prince, Xuan Jingchen is a fierce tiger and a lion. If she returns to Lanzhou, do you think it is possible for her to return to Yuanzhou?"

"The general has tens of millions of soldiers, and there is no one in the army who I want to leave home. If she is ambitious in the coming year, how will you deal with yourself?"

Zhong Lisuo pursed his lips, and said: "The Xuan family has been loyal to the royal family for generations, and when I was in Yunzhou, General Xuan Xuan ruled the army rigorously, loved the people like a son, and he seemed to be a person who did not want war. What's more, Your Majesty is wise now. , I, Haiyan Heqing of the state of Chu, think she will not rebel for the sake of the people."

The emperor chuckled and said, "You really think so."

"Yes." Zhong Lisuo cupped his hands, and couldn't help but say a few more good words for Xuan Jingchen, "When I was in the general's army, I watched him for a long time. The general has his own way of being a monarch and a minister in his heart, and he has a great loyalty. You will never support your own soldiers. Your Majesty, if you really don’t trust her, why bother to keep her in Yuanzhou and just find a reason to accept her soldier talisman?”

The emperor laughed, "I have taken her soldier talisman, who will pick it up?"

Zhong Lisuo answered her, "Naturally, the person who wants to accept will pick him up."

The meaning hidden in her words was very blunt, and she almost didn't say that someone coveted military power, so she arranged for a loyal minister like Xuan Jingchen.

The emperor heard the meaning of protection in her words, and felt it was funny in his heart, but he said unforgivingly, "You have said all the good things for her, so Gu can't let her go back to Lanzhou."

"His Majesty……"

"This military power cannot be left alone. No one from my Zhongli family can take over the military power, so I can only keep her." The emperor sighed, looked at Zhong Lisuo with a playful look in his eyes, "Prince..."

"My son, listen."

"This Xuan Jingchen is loyal to the emperor and patriotic. He has a good army and strong ability to deal with affairs. He looks good alone. How about being your princess?"

Zhong Lichen looked softly at the child in front of him, seeing the flash of stunnedness on her face, and felt a little shy in his heart.

Zhong Lisuo froze in place, and after a while he recovered his voice and said, "Your Majesty..."

"Why, isn't she beautiful?" Zhonglisuo said with a smile on his face, "I, Zhongli, have never seen an ugly person. Although the general is older than the army, he can only look at her appearance in Yuanzhou Among noble daughters, she is also the first class. She is your crown princess, and she will be your queen in the future, she is very suitable."

"You should know that only by being your concubine can you keep this great general. Otherwise, even I can't protect her." After saying these words, the emperor put away the smile on his face, and looked at Zhong Lisuo.

How could the emperor not understand what Zhong Lisuo knew?She is not afraid of Xuan Jingchen's high achievements, but the military power in Xuan Jingchen's hands is too enviable.

Everyone is innocent, but pregnant is guilty.Those people who are ready to make a move have many ways to trip Xuan Jingchen.What's more, the emperor didn't have any firm intentions to keep Xuan Jingchen, all she wanted to do was to find a princess who could protect Ah Shuo.

Zhong Lisuo pondered for a while, looked at the emperor, and said, "Is that the only way?"

The emperor didn't reply, just smiled and said, "Don't you think the crown prince likes her? If you don't like it, then I will find you a crown princess?"

There was a bit of indifference in her eyes, as if the person who treated Zhong Lisuo tenderly just now was not her at all.Zhong lisuo already had a deep understanding of the emperor's moodiness.She can even understand the meaning of the emperor's words, if Xuan Jingchen is not her crown princess, then what is waiting for Xuan Jingchen is either death or being imprisoned in Yuanzhou City to be a mediocre person.

Zhong Lisuo reluctantly nodded, and replied, "Happy."

Her reply made the emperor very satisfied.The two of them didn't continue talking about Xuan Jingchen, but Zhong Lisuo was depressed for a long time.

When the peach blossoms were gone and the season of blooming flowers was ushered in, Xuan Jingchen still stayed in Yuanzhou.

Seeing that the emperor had not arranged for Xuan Jingchen's whereabouts for a long time, the officials began to toss about again.Until the time when the cherry blossoms in the East Palace were in full bloom, the emperor left the court on a certain day, leaving behind Xuan Jingchen and the crown prince.

"Back then, General Xuan died in the battle at Wangyue Pass, which made Gu very sad. Fortunately, the father of the tiger has no dog and daughter. Now Xuan Qing has inherited the mantle of the great general and has become an important minister of the humerus of our Chu State. I am very relieved."

"It's bitter and cold on the frontier, and I don't want my old friend to suffer later. Gu Wen said that the general has two younger sisters in Lanzhou. How about this? Gu decreed to bring those two children to Yuanzhou. Ai Qing took root in Yuanzhou How about it?"

As soon as the emperor's words fell, Zhong Lisuo's expression changed slightly.She subconsciously looked at Xuan Jingchen, but saw that the man had already bowed, and said in a warm voice: "Your Majesty is sympathetic to this humble minister, and made my family reunite. Thank you, Lord, for your kindness."

Xuan Jingchen was very sensible, and after the emperor expressed his intention, he endured it.The emperor got a satisfactory answer, and waved his hand to order the prince and the general to retreat.

After leaving the Zhaohui Palace, Xuan Jingchen, who was wearing a purple official uniform, walked out of the palace facing the bright spring.After walking a few steps, Qingyue's call came from behind, "General, please stay."

Xuan Jingchen heard Zhong Lisuo's voice, stopped, turned to look at the young prince who was walking towards her, and saluted, "I have seen Your Highness."

She didn't ask Zhonglisuo why he called her, and after saluting, she quietly waited for Zhonglisuo to tell her.

Zhong Lisuo stood still in front of her, looked at the military officer who was much smaller than her, hesitated for a while, and stared at her with a pair of dark eyes, "The cherry blossoms in the East Palace are blooming very well recently, and the spring is also very bright today , if the general is not busy, I wonder if it is possible to follow me to the cherry forest in the East Palace?"

The person in front of her was clearly her monarch, but when she said this, she felt a little nervous.Xuan Jingchen only thought for a moment, then nodded and said: "I am honored to be invited by Your Highness, and I cannot ask for more."

Zhong Lisuo looked relieved, "Then ask the general to come with me."

Having said that, he led Xuan Jingchen to the cherry forest in the East Palace, without saying a word all the way.

It is the most prosperous season of spring at this moment, and you can see the Eastern Palace covered by a sea of ​​pink flowers just by looking at it from a distance.Such strong colors impacted Xuan Jingchen's mind under the bright spring light. Seeing such vivid colors made him feel a little better.

Zhong Lisuo led Xuan Jingchen through the cherry forest, and the spring breeze blew, those pink petals fluttered like fallen flowers.The petals fell on Xuan Jingchen's clothes, shoulders, and hair.

Zhong Lisuo looked at her face that became more and more tender against the background of cherry blossoms, and felt that he was fascinated by the spring breeze, so he bent his eyes and said, "I heard that this year's cherry blossoms are the most beautiful in recent years. Once, especially the century-old cherry tree in the depths of the cherry forest, it was in full bloom."

After hearing this, Xuan Jingchen set his eyes on the young prince.

Zhong Lisuo bent his lips and smiled, "I ordered someone to prepare spring wine and almost. If General Meng doesn't mind it, why don't you drink some with me later?"

A smile like that is too approachable to refuse.Xuan Jingchen nodded, and agreed a little more.The two walked under the century-old cherry tree, looking at the cherry blossoms that covered the sky and the sun, and at her hanging cherry blossoms, Zhong Lisuo reached out and gently stroked the delicate flowers, "The cherry blossoms are gorgeous, hot and pure. When I first met the general, I felt that the general was like this cherry blossom, very noble and pure."

She turned her head, not hiding her admiration for Xuan Jingchen.

Xuan Jingchen lowered his eyes, pursed his lips and responded, "Your Highness is ridiculous."

Zhong Lisuo shook his head and said: "No, no, the general is unparalleled in the world, but a rare talent in the world. It is a great fortune for our country of Chu to have a general."

"It's just that now, the courtiers are in power, and the dynasties in the court are chaotic, and the general is so tired that he is here."

"Today, His Majesty ordered that the general's family be reunited in Yuanzhou, which is also a helpless move."

"To invite the general here today is because Zhaoming has something to tell the general."

Xuan Jingchen stood beside her firmly, looking at the prince beside her who looked more beautiful than cherry blossoms, "Prince, it's okay to talk."

"To be honest, it is Your Majesty who wants to refer to the general as my concubine." Zhong Lisuo sighed and forced a smile, "How can Zhao Ming be able to marry such an amazing and talented wife as the general? I am the princess, I am afraid that I have wronged the general."

Xuan Jingchen clenched his fists with both hands, and without saying a word, he heard Zhong Lisuo say: "The general is full of literary and martial arts, it's a pity to be buried in the palace. Zhao Ming cherishes the general's talent and does not want the general to be useless. I only hope that the general can hold the military power well in the future." , when Zhao Ming can take charge, he will definitely make the general show his ambitions."

Her eyes are sincere, and she clearly expresses her attention and appreciation.Xuan Jingchen was touched for a moment, looked at her and said, "Your Highness..."

"The general is the minister of the brachius, so it is a pity."

Xuan Jingchen let go of his hand, and said as if he was relieved: "Since Your Highness has said these words to me today, you must also know that if Your Majesty has such thoughts, it will be difficult to change. Your Highness is now The only choice I have."

Smart as Xuan Jingchen, she has already decided her own path.She never cared about love affairs. If she married Zhong Lisuo, it would be good for everyone, so why didn't she choose Zhong Lisuo?

She said that Zhong lisuo was her only choice, so it proved that she would not make other choices.

Zhong Lisuo pursed his lips, lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "I'm not a good man, I'm afraid I'm not worthy of a general."

She looked up at the cherry blossoms that were in full bloom, and said: "The cherry blossoms in the Eastern Palace are blooming really well. I think the scenery outside the imperial city will be even more beautiful in this season. If the general marries me, you will be able to see the cherry blossoms in this life." The only thing I have is the cherry blossoms in this garden. General, even if this is the case, are you willing to marry me?"

On the contrary, Xuan Jingchen smiled, and said briskly: "Your Highness, the crown prince, is worrying too much. In my eyes, His Highness is a good man."