Between the vast sea of ​​clouds

Qingping got dizzy when she woke up in the morning, because she thought about it day by day and dreamed at night. Last night she dreamed of Chen Jun. In the bumpy and swaying carriage, Chen Jun took out the paperwork and letter. Qingping reached out to take it, but pulled After a long time, she just didn't let go.

Qingping was very angry and asked, "Do you want to give it to me?"

Chen Jun was still the same, and there was always a sense of joke in her eyes. She smiled and said, "Here? What do you give in exchange?"

Qingping lowered his head and looked around for something that could be exchanged, only to find that he was wearing an official uniform, and suddenly remembered that he was already an 'adult', so he became bolder and reached out to grab the paperwork in his dream, but Chen Jun had disappeared .

The carriage was empty except for her.

Qingping stretched out her hand to lift the curtain, looked out, a carriage passed by her, the curtain was lifted by a slender white hand, she only saw the corner of the man's mouth turned up in the carriage, and the man's hand slowly hooked Lift the curtain, pull it up, and you will soon reveal your true face.

At this moment, she was blindfolded by someone, and the man's warm breath was next to her ear, saying: "Shh, don't look. Remember to act as if you haven't seen me before."

Qingping woke up suddenly, she poured a glass of water on the bedside table with trembling hands, her heart was beating violently.

After drinking the cold water, her mind cleared up a lot. She touched the back of her ears and felt the moist and warm touch still remain on her skin.She put on her clothes and opened the window to let the cold air into the room, dispelling the uneasiness brought by the dream.

The parting words were still in her ears, but she couldn't understand why Chen Jun asked her to see her in the future, so she had to pretend not to know her?Could it be that she already knew that there would be a day when they would meet each other?

The snow outside the window was still falling, scattered snowflakes drifted into the window and stopped on the window sill, because of this inexplicable dream, Qingping actually had a strange premonition in his heart.

She couldn't tell what this feeling of palpitation was, except that there was a vague expectation lingering in her heart.

The holidays are gone, so I still have to get up on time to go to work.Qingping walked on the street, and the people living on the street consciously got up to clear the snow in front of their houses, and some even smashed the ice edges under the eaves to prevent the sharp ice edges from hurting pedestrians.

Walking to an intersection, he almost collided with a person, Qingping apologized to the person, but the person smiled and said, "Junior Sister Li, are you alright?"

Qingping saw that this was not Shen Lin, the daughter of her professor when she was studying in the official school, and hurriedly said, "Hello, Senior Sister Shen."

Seeing that she was neatly dressed, Shen Lin asked strangely, "Isn't it Xiumu today? Why are you still wearing an official uniform?"

Qingping said helplessly: "Didn't it mean that the Ministry of Rites will undertake the matter of worshiping heaven this time? Because of the rush of time and insufficient manpower, Hugh Mu this month has to report to his branch."

Shen Lin also knew about this, and she sympathized: "There are always so many and complicated things to prepare for the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, and the ceremony is complicated and complicated..." She pretended to be careless and pulled Qingping hand, and whispered in her ear: "If you have time, I will come to see my mother. She has something to say and cannot write a letter, so she needs to talk to you face to face."

Qingping nodded nonchalantly and said: "However, the heavy snow has caused disasters this time, Your Majesty prays for the people, so it doesn't matter if we work hard."

Shen Lin echoed: "That's the truth. Eat the king's salary and share the worries for the king. You and I just do our part. I just heard that this time, His Majesty specially ordered the four emperors to cooperate with the Ministry of Rites to handle this matter. I don’t know if it’s true or not.”

The two chatted casually as if they met by chance, and then they left.

When they were assigned, a group of clerks had already gathered, and everyone complained in whispers about the ghostly weather in the cold winter months. They didn't say a word about their boss, but borrowed allusions from poems and dictionaries, quoted classics, and gave Wang Zhihe to him in a mean and ironic manner. I scolded happily.

Yan Jinghan dawdled over and said in a low voice, "Everyone is very resentful."

Qingping glanced at her, and said in a very low voice: "When did you wake up from the quilt in the morning to die or live?"

Yan Jinghan argued: "That's what the quilt insisted on keeping me, I can't refuse."

She has always liked sophistry, Qing Ping has been her classmate for so long, she really understands this person's temperament, and said ironically: "Yes, when you drink, you must be invited by the flagon, you can't refuse, can you? "

Yan Jinghan smiled calmly, showing an admiring expression: "That's it, they forced me."

The two fought with each other for a while, and saw a person coming out of the inner hall, saying: "Everyone, because this sacrifice will be conducted by His Royal Highness Xin Wang and the Ministry of Rites, Lord Wang Shizhong has already gone to Zhongming Mountain. Please bring your signs, Why do we need to move to another place to do business?"

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and one of them said: "My lord! Why are you just walking like this?"

Just kidding, Zhong Mingshan is on the outskirts of the city, if you want to leave, you don't know when you will arrive.Everyone was staring at the master book. If she had said 'yes', I'm afraid everyone wouldn't have to go today!

The head secretary could naturally feel the anger of the crowd. She fumbled through the list, trying to overwhelm everyone with the majesty of a superior official, but she is not Wang Shizhong, and the results of everyone's assessment are not under her control, so few people are afraid of her.

Several horse-drawn carriages came in from outside the branch office, and the director breathed a sigh of relief, and said to everyone: "Of course the carriages are prepared, so hurry up, we're going to Zhongming Mountain immediately."

Zhongming Mountain is located in the north of the city, and it is named after its shape like a bronze bell.However, this mountain has always been guarded by the forbidden army, because this is where the Daiguo Taimiao is located, and the spiritual throne of the former king is enshrined.

The carriage stopped at the side of the mountain, and their identities probably did not qualify them for mountain climbing.The reason why they need to come here is just to prepare all kinds of things needed for offering sacrifices to the heavens. From the process of the ceremony to the placement of items, someone must be responsible for registering in the case. The whole preparation activity is very meticulous, and everyone In a fixed position, once something goes wrong in any link, the person can be directly held accountable.

Qingping was assigned to count the potted plants needed for worshiping heaven. She took the flower book and checked with the maid in charge one by one. Most of these potted plants were transported from Hezhou and Chenzhou.Otherwise, it is snowing heavily in Hengzhou at this time, how can there be so many green trees and red flowers?But when he thought that the roads in the north of Hengzhou were not clear due to the heavy snow, and these flowers were sent to Chang'an after working overtime, Qingping felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.While talking, she secretly wrote down the name of the person who provided the potted plant.

After the check is completed, you still need to wait for someone to come over to check, and sign after the check is completed, which is considered half of the end.Only when the sacrificial ceremony is over, His Majesty has no discomfort during the whole process, can it be regarded as the real consummation of merit and virtue.

Qingping stood in the snow and watched the attendants moving potted plants to the mountain. From her perspective, the steps leading to the Taimiao were long and high. Moving potted plants one after another was also very hard work. In such a cold day , Those who moved things were still sweating profusely.Qingping checked the album again, suddenly Yan Jinghan came over, met her and said: "Are you still busy with your work here?"

Qing Ping said: "It's over early, just wait for Master Xia to come to check the signature, and the matter on my side will be over."

Yan Jinghan sneered, and said: "Then you have to wait, that Director Xia is in front to meet you."

Qingping's heart moved, he pulled Yan Jinghan back a little and said, "Is that His Royal Highness Xin Wang?"

Yan Jinghan sighed and said: "Isn't that right? This time the sacrificial ceremony is presided over by His Royal Highness Xin Wang. This His Royal Highness lives in seclusion because of his filial piety. This time he entrusts him with a heavy responsibility. I don't know what's in it."

Qingping wondered: "Follow filial piety? What kind of filial piety do you obey?"

Yan Jinghan said: "You really don't hear anything out of the window. Two years ago, His Majesty visited Chongzhen Mountain privately and found the four emperors living among the people. Do you still remember?"

Of course Qingping knew about this matter, and there was still a lot of trouble at that time. He turned over all the old affairs of the palace, and selected the Wei family's son from Huagai Jingdu into the harem, and the rumor that he was slandered and set fire to the palace was vivid. It was passed around, alluding to Fu Guijun, the biological father of the eldest princess Chu Ming, as the secret envoy.

Naturally, some ministers doubted the identity of the four emperors and raised many doubts. It is said that this was a deliberate attempt to drive a wedge between Mr. Fu and the Empress. Your Majesty should investigate clearly.

After half a year of unannounced visits, under the witness of Chenghui Mansion, Zongzheng Temple, ministers of various ministries, eight ministers of the cabinet, and the chief witness of the Taiyuan Hospital responsible for verifying blood relationship, the four How did the princess become exiled among the people, and how did she get it back? The document was signed and mortgaged, and Wu Lingwei submitted a detailed investigation to supplement it.

After discussing various ceremonies through the Ministry of Rites, Prince Ming, who is in charge of the Taimiao, is responsible for the return of the four emperors to the clan. Qintian inspects the time and chooses a date, and finally sets it on the day of the Huachao Festival. Renamed as Jun, King of Letters.

This incident caused a huge shock at the time, but it gradually faded away because of the silence and low-key of the parties involved. However, discussions about this incident can still be heard in the streets and lanes.

The newly released His Royal Highness Xin Wang first proposed to observe filial piety for his biological father who had passed away for many years. The empress was very moved and gave Xin Wang a temporary residence in the suburban garden of Beijing, and ordered the Ministry of Industry to build the palace as soon as possible. There must be no title But there is no palace, right?However, this King Xin was also very strange. He said that he kept his filial piety, so he really stayed in the palace for a year. Except for family banquets, he never attended any banquets.

Yan Jinghan said with an inscrutable expression: "It is said that when your Majesty was cultivating Taoism that day, he suddenly entered a mysterious realm, and in the dark, he saw clouds lingering around, and a woman with wide sleeves and long dress came stepping on the clouds, saying that Your Majesty has a chance In the east. His Majesty felt something after waking up, and went to Chongming Mountain in light clothes, and guess what happened?"

Qingping clapped his hands perfunctorily and said, "You can be a storyteller in a teahouse, and I will cheer you on every day."

Yan Jinghan rubbed his chin and said: "Your suggestion is a bit interesting. I wonder how much money you can get for a storyteller in a teahouse? . . . Don't interrupt me, let me finish."

Obviously she was the one who said it, but in the end she blamed herself.Spreading his hands calmly, he motioned for her to continue.

Yan Jinghan was very gossipy: "That day, when the snow was heavy and the sky cleared, Your Majesty went to Chongming Mountain to look for the 'opportunity' that the fairy said in the dream, but saw a tourist in the plum grove on the mountain, who actually had a relationship with the deceased Wei Gui. Jun is very similar. She talked with this person calmly, and saw a jade ring around her waist—"

Qingping's heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head to look at the intersection.

Towards evening, the sky gradually darkened, and a servant lit a lantern for illumination.Torches were lit on both sides of the stairs on Zhongming Mountain, and the people who were carrying the potted plants in the middle retreated to the side of the road, as if they were trying to avoid something.

Several adults from the Ministry of Rituals came, surrounded by a woman in purple robe and gold crown. Behind her was a row of guards of honor, red lacquer and bamboo poles, and the servants were holding bones, swords, ring festivals, and lamps, all decorated with gold. There were 12 people in total. accompanying.This looks like a prince's guard of honor, no wonder the palace people backed down and avoided the road.

The two of them knew that this must be King Xin Chujun. The guard of honor passed by here, accompanied by several senior officials from the Ministry of Rites. For some reason, King Xin didn't take the Xingyuan, but walked slowly all the way.

The new wind blows away the fine snow, and King Xin is wearing a royal robe decorated with purple squirrels and a jade belt around her waist. Except for a jade ring, she has no other accessories on her body.Qingping and Yan Jinghan knelt in an inconspicuous corner behind them, and she heard King Xin said indifferently: "...Your lords are older than me, so naturally you don't have to worry about the things you handle."

Qing Ping felt that her voice was somewhat familiar, and slightly raised his head to look sideways.It was a coincidence that King Xin walked to the side of the torch at this time, and the flames illuminated her knife-cut face. This Wang Xin was born exactly as the rumors said, with long eyebrows drawn into his temples, and a very faint blush at the corners of his eyes.Her black eyes are full of brilliance, and her thin lips are lightly pursed. From her handsome facial features, Wei Shi's demeanor back then can be vaguely seen.

She is tall and straight, even taller than Yan Jinghan, who claims to be a northerner.This kind of purple king's clothes was stunned by her wearing a majestic and steady aura, and the vermilion bird pattern embroidered with silver thread on the robe shone slightly in the firelight.

An inexplicable sense of familiarity welled up in her heart, Qingping wanted to look more carefully, Yan Jinghan saw that she seemed to get up, quickly grabbed her and said in a low voice: "Are you crazy?"

If you lose your manners on this occasion, you will be punished with a cane if it is light, and you will lose your official position if it is serious.It just so happened that King Xin was also looking this way, and the two happened to meet each other's eyes.

Chu Jun's eyes reflected the snow falling all over the sky, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, Qingping narrowed his eyes slightly, clenched his hands, and put his whole body into a guarded posture.

There was neither the shock of the stormy sea nor the fear of landslides in her heart, so that was the case.Starting from the phoenix bird jade ring, and the journey across the five states, everything has a reasonable explanation.

Chu Jun tilted his head and smiled, and said very modestly: "Wang Shizhong's subordinates are full of talents, and the arrangement is very proper."

Wang Zhihe was flattered, and hurriedly said: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. This is also the result of the concerted efforts of all colleagues in the Ministry of Rites. I dare not accept it alone."

Chu Jun just smiled and didn't continue talking.

Finally, after King Xin finished his inspection, the crowd explained what they were doing and took the bus home to rest.After Yan Jinghan and Qingping listened to Wang Shizhong's lecture, they came out of their subordinates when it was dark. The two walked exhaustedly. Yan Jinghan said: "What's wrong with you today? Are you shocked by that letter Wang Zirong? Mesha gone?"

Qingping waved his hands lazily and said, "Damn it."

Seeing her tired face, Yan Jinghan wondered: "Could it be that you were attracted by some kind of monster?"

I also remembered that I went to Taimiao today. Didn’t it mean that the previous emperors were so... Yan Jinghan covered his mouth and looked around. Fortunately, no one was around at this time.

Qingping stopped slowly, stared closely at the green-topped carriage parked on the road ahead, and murmured: "Jing Han, you should go back first."

Yan Jinghan said: "Ah? What's wrong with you, are you dazed?"

Qing Ping said in a deep voice: "You go back, I remembered that I still have one thing to do."

Probably because her expression was too serious, although Yan Jinghan was puzzled, she agreed and walked away quickly.

Qingping straightened his clothes, exhaled slowly, and walked towards the carriage.