King Zhenbei has a favorite

The sky is getting darker, the moon hangs on the willows, and the lanterns are just beginning to come on.

The main street of Lantern City is very long, with tall lanterns hanging, the long dragon almost forms a galaxy, competing with the stars and the moon in the sky, and the branches of the street are also full of lanterns, big and small, in various shapes, All kinds of colors, people's smiling faces melted in layers of warm light, coming and going, full of human fireworks.

It is probably only this kind of festival that the people in the capital can be so lively, and there will be no suspicions and guards.

During the Lantern Festival, even the shyest girl would want to wear a veil and look at the street lanterns at dusk when people make appointments. One can imagine how lively this place is.

The four of Gu Ting saw the beautiful scenery of the streets and alleys from a distance, and they walked all the way to Dengshi Street without even taking a car.

"This lotus lamp is round and looks good... that rabbit lamp is fat and cute too!"

Meng Zhen's saliva almost flowed down, and he looked back eagerly: "What are we going to do next? Is there anything particularly important?"

"of course--"

Gu Ting was thinking seriously at first, whether to rest or eat, or immediately put into intense work, and started to find out the truth about the assassin, but he looked at the little friend who was staring at the rabbit lamp, and then looked at the handsome, brave and tall prince beside him, what was wrong? Stand, just standing next to a fat mouse lantern.The little mouse is naive and looks a little stupid. As long as Huo Yan doesn't look at Gu Ting, his aura is always chilling and indifferent. Putting the two together, for some reason, Gu Ting feels strangely good-looking.

The idea of ​​visiting the Lantern Market occupied his mind, and it fermented wildly. He couldn't help it soon, and he changed his voice: "Of course it is to make others confused!"

Meng Zhen: "Huh?"

Gu Ting clasped his hands, with an inscrutable expression on his face: "I also know that ordinary people don't care about us coming to Beijing, but those who are interested will watch, for example, do you really want to know about the people who will be involved in this assassination? What are we going to do? What are we going to do next? Then use our behavior as the standard and make various analyzes so that we can make preparations ahead of time. We are all smart people and we must not be seen through!"

Meng Zhen blinked: "So?"

Gu Ting: "So we shouldn't go home to rest according to the reason, or rush to handle the case, it's too cliché, of course we have to watch the lantern first!"

Meng Zhen immediately cheered: "Stop talking right!!!"

Gu Ting quickly picked up the fat mouse lantern and stuffed it into Huo Yan's hand: "Shall we enjoy the lantern for a while?"

The little thing had crooked eyebrows, and his little face melted into the light, expecting and delighting, as if he had encountered the happiest thing in the world.

Huo Yan frowned and lowered his head, he was just an ugly fat mouse, worthy of such joy?

The little ones are great too.

Huo Yan paid the money slowly, and handed the lantern to Gu Ting: "Just say what you like."

What the little thing wants, he will also pick off the stars in the sky.

"Then help me carry it."

Gu Ting stuffed the fat mouse to Huo Yan again, smiling like a cunning little fox.No way, this fat mouse really matches him!

Huo Yan didn't understand the meaning of the smile, so he squinted his eyes: "You're so happy to order me?"

Gu Ting patronized to look at the fat mouse, and he also didn't notice the deep meaning implied in these words: "Yeah happy!"

On the other side, Meng Ce had already seen that his younger brother couldn't walk anymore, so he quickly bought the little rabbit lantern, much faster than Huo Yan. Seeing his younger brother staring at the brightly colored candied haws without moving, he smiled, Look at Huo Yan: "I'll take him there to buy things."

The two princes nodded to each other and separated.Needless to say, they understand each other.

The long street seems to be endless, all the lanterns are beautiful, and each one makes people fondle admiringly and linger.Gu Ting spent most of his life in the capital, and he never missed the Shangyuan Lantern Festival almost every year. It's just a memory, so it's not so good.

It's all about Jiang Muyun and that scumbag.

Shaking away the messy things in his mind, and thinking of the snowy city not long ago, Gu Ting felt a little regretful, shaking the lamp in his hand, and asked Huo Yan: "How do you celebrate the Shangyuan Festival in Jiuyuan? Are there so many Lantern?"

It's also strange to think about it, he has lived in Jiuyuan for less than three months, but he will always be nostalgic and miss, especially these nights when he comes out alone, he will always dream about those lovely people, those warm matters of the heart.

Huo Yan nodded lightly: "It's so lively, and there are many lights. Most of them are not as exquisite as here, and the patterns are more special. In the Shangyuan Lantern Market in Jiuyuan, ice lanterns account for half of the country."

Gu Ting was curious: "Ice lantern?"

Huo Yan: "Yes, everyone will freeze the water in advance, and then pour out the ice cubes to chisel out the shape and carve them carefully. At night, no matter what kind of candles you put in, they will look good. Some women are ingenious and feel that the colors are monotonous. , it will also prepare a light color in advance when the water is frozen, and the ice lamp will be more special and very beautiful after it is made."

"Wow..." Gu Ting's eyes brightened, and he could feel the richness of the picture just by thinking about it, "Did the prince do it himself?"

Huo Yan nodded: "I did it when I was a child."

Gu Ting: "What's it like?"

Huo Yan tilted his head to look at him: "Want to see?"

Gu Ting nodded: "Yeah!"

The corners of Huo Yan's lips curled up slowly: "Next year, I will show you."

"Next year..." Gu Ting suddenly thought of something and sighed.

Maybe at that time, he was already in Jiangnan.

The atmosphere suddenly became sad, Huo Yan frowned, stretched out his big hand, and held Gu Ting's hand tightly.

Gu Ting:! !

Huo Yan looked serious: "There are a lot of people, be careful."

Unreasonably, he kept people by his side, not to refuse, not to flee.

Gu Ting looked at the hands held by the two, and hummed in his heart.

You don't look like this in the car during the day. Didn't you refuse to approach and start to exercise abstinence?Don't let you read the letter, hide the secret and don't tell it, but you stick to it!

He stood still, abruptly released Huo Yan's hand, raised his chin very proudly: "I'm fine."

It's a pity that if you say it, you will be slapped in the face.

Just as he said these words loudly, the next moment a crowd rushed in and slammed him into Huo Yan's arms.

This man's chest is very hard, just like his temper, he doesn't know what softness is, and he will never coax people sweetly.

"As I said, there are a lot of people, so be careful."

Gu Ting's ears turned red instantly, and he struggled to break free: "I can stand up well..."

But was rubbed into Huo Yan's arms by Huo Yan's big hand, and could not help but hug her tightly: "Be good."

Gu Ting had no choice but to stare angrily into the distance.

There seems to be a girl playing hydrangea throwing in front of me. The crowd is excited, how can it not be crowded?

After walking for a while, he felt that the little thing in his arms hadn't spoken all the time, and seemed a little unhappy. Huo Yan sighed helplessly: "I'm sorry, I was afraid that you would get lost."

Gu Ting: ...

Huo Yan is holding him?Learned to coax people?

Gu Ting looked up and saw Huo Yan's eyes.

He actually felt it, even though he was careful to hug him, Huo Yan always kept a distance from him, obviously very restrained, but the things in these eyes, the moonlight and the lights, couldn't cover them, they were scorching hot, maddening. Wild flames are burning.

"What happened to you?"

No matter what, Gu Ting felt that there was a problem. What was written in that letter that made Huo Yan pretend to be something, not to mention him, even he couldn't be honest with himself?

"It's nothing." Huo Yan turned around and pointed to another little mouse lantern not far away, "Do you want that one? It's also very beautiful."

Gu Ting shook his head, staring at him closely.

Huo Yan didn't seem to see it, and pointed to another lantern: "The one over there?"

Gu Ting narrowed his eyes.

They are all thousand-year-old foxes, what are they playing in Liaozhai?

Pretending not to hear, not explaining, nothing happened, everything passed?Think beautiful!

Dishonest people will be punished!

Gu Ting asked Huo Yan: "Do you really want to buy me something?"

Huo Yan nodded: "Okay."

Okay, you have the backbone, but if you don't say anything, you won't be able to suffocate you to death!

Gu Ting pointed at the distance, and his voice was crisp and clear: "I want that more than the lantern!"

Huo Yan looked over and frowned instantly.

It was a stall selling scones. The baked cakes were delicious and crispy. It looked like a glutton. The owner of the stall must be an experienced craftsman, especially popular with girls. Many young men came here at the request of their sisters and fiancees. Queue before, but unfortunately it takes time for the pie to be baked, the line seems to have been growing and not decreasing.

"Which one do you eat?"

"It looks delicious." Gu Ting saw another young man paid the money, Le Diandian handed the cake to his fiancée, it looked so beautiful.

Huo Yan also saw the man, obviously what he eats at this time is not just the taste, but the atmosphere.It's not that you can't let the people below buy it, but whoever buys it will definitely not be as sweet and delicious as the one he buys.

"Wait."

Tangtang Zhenbei Wang really went to line up.

Looking at his back, Gu Ting was stunned.

The future is uncertain, and it may be very dangerous. This man's temper is always a little awkward, but he is not afraid at all.

Because, this person is always by my side.

……

On the other side, Meng Zhen ate sweet and sour candied haws, touched his stomach, and was satisfied: "Wow, this is super delicious, try it! Hey, what about it?"

Satisfied with his appetite, he finally remembered his good friend.

Meng Ce rubbed his younger brother's head, how could he be so cute!

"Maybe there are too many people and they just got separated."

"That--"

"Don't worry, the lantern market looks very big, but it's just a circle around, maybe you can meet it in a while, if you can't, the subordinates will help the little prince find it, huh?"

"I told you not to call me little prince again..." Meng Zhen blushed, and stretched out a finger, "Then let's play quietly for a while, and then go find them later!"

Meng Ce: "Okay."

Meng Zhen took another bite of the candied haws, and suddenly remembered that he couldn't just enjoy himself, so he quickly took his brother's hand and handed the candied haws to his mouth: "Try it, it's super sweet!"

Meng Ce looked at the sugar residue on his younger brother's mouth, and then at the half-bitten candied haws. The sugar residue on it was exactly the same as the one on his brother's mouth.

He didn't bite down immediately, but his eyes became deeper and deeper.

Seeing that he was not moving, Meng Zhen looked at the candied haws, and then realized: "Oh, that's wrong, I've bitten this side, you bite this side!"

But Meng Ce grabbed his wrist so hard that he couldn't move at all, then bent slightly and lowered his head, bit the half candied haws in his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it: "It's really sweet."

as sweet as you are.

Meng Zhen rarely saw the other party's eyes like this: "Brother...Brother?"

Meng Ce put his thumb on the corner of his younger brother's lips, and wiped off the transparent sugar residue for him, with a little force: "Eat slowly."

The smell is a bit strong, but it doesn't hurt that much. Meng Zhen blushed inexplicably, and replied in a ignorant voice: "Okay."

After eating a candied haws, the ignorant blushing disappeared long ago. Meng Zhen shook Meng Ce's hand: "Wow, this lantern is so cute, I want it! The scones there look delicious, I want it! That white sugar cake It seems very sweet, I want it!"

In short, all the good-looking and cute things that make people want to taste, no matter food or food, he only has two words, I want, I want, I want!

Meng Ce... What else can Meng Ce do, the younger brother he spoiled, of course he will continue to spoil him, buy something if he likes it!Buy them all!

Huadeng Street was very lively, the crowd was like weaving, rubbing shoulders and heels, and it was normal to bump into each other, but Meng Zhen played smoothly all the way, not to mention being stepped on, and the corner of his sleeve was not touched by others.His eyes were bright, and his little face was flushed with excitement. He was obviously very weak, and he was obviously most afraid of the cold. In the night of Shangyuan, he was sweating mentally.

Meng Ce wiped his younger brother's sweat with a handkerchief: "Are you happy?"

Meng Zhen nodded vigorously: "Happy!"

Meng Ce pinched his younger brother's pulse indiscriminately: "Are you tired?"

Meng Zhen was a little distressed: "It seems a little..."

He looked up and looked around, and suddenly saw a tea stand, his eyes lit up, and his little finger went over: "Let's go there and have a rest before continuing, shall we?"

Meng Ce nodded: "Okay."

The next moment, he picked up Meng Zhen and flew quickly among the crowd.

"Ah, brother, slow down, my eyes are so dizzy——"

Meng Zhen protested, but Meng Ce immediately stopped.

With a "snap", Meng Zhen's small face hit Meng Ce's chin.

"It stopped too fast," Meng Zhen covered her mouth with her small hand, "I almost hit you!"

It feels soft to the touch and doesn't hurt at all, but my brother's jaw is hard. Meng Zhen looked around to see where he bumped.

Meng Ce's throat rolled, his jaw stretched into a straight line, and for the first time he held his younger brother very firmly: "Don't move."

"Hey brother, there are sugar residues on the side of his mouth! Hahaha brother just ate candied haws and didn't eat well, there are all around his mouth!" Meng Zhen suddenly discovered the blind spot, and began to spare no effort to laugh at his brother.

Meng Ce sighed helplessly.

There is always only one person who eats irregularly at home.

But now, he didn't dare to reach out to wipe the sugar residue from the corner of his brother's mouth anymore.

"Here we are." He put his younger brother by the tea stall and asked the boss for tea.

What he's thinking now is, should he wash off the sugar residue on his mouth at night?

This is a problem for him, but it does not exist for Meng Zhen. The caring and lovely brother has already taken out a small handkerchief and wiped his mouth seriously: "I will wipe it off for you! Really, how can you be so unkempt in the future?" Find me a sister-in-law? Little girls will dislike her."

Meng Ce's eyes deepened, and he held his wrist: "It's fine if you don't dislike him."

The shadows of the two overlap, and the candlelight draws a long length, blending together, looking particularly intimate.

Meng Ce looked at the shadow on the ground, his heart was full, sore and sore, nothing could be more satisfying than this moment.All his life seems to be for this moment, to protect this person in his arms, never to be separated.

It's a pity that he can hug him now, anytime, anywhere, unscrupulously, but he can't stand by his side and protect him in that resplendent and dangerous palace.Others are in pairs, guarded and supported, but the younger brother can only be alone, alone. No one knows how distressed he is when he sees the lonely figure of a lonely child waiting outside the hall.

But if you choose to be the king of Kuzang, stand beside your younger brother openly and protect him like an older brother, you can't hug him unscrupulously.

The night wind is whistling, passing thousands of fireworks, the Lantern Festival is full of fire trees and silver flowers, and the blossoming lanterns reflect the reunion of other people's homes, but there is no one place that is his ideal home.

The long road will eventually come to an end, the flowers pass by, and there will always be times when we are tired. Everyone strolls around the Lantern Market all the way, each with their own thoughts.

Thinking about it, it shouldn't be surprising. The reason for this assassination was that Concubine Yougui came out of the palace with Jianping Emperor Bailongyu on a whim, and went to the people to observe and see the progress. The thing to watch was the lanterns. Of course, she would come to this street. .

"Hey, are you here too?" Seeing Gu Ting, Meng Zhen ran over excitedly: "Teng Ting, let me tell you, there is a family whose candied haws are super delicious, and the uncle is very good at making them. I will buy them when I go back later." For you to eat!"

Gu Ting smiled and rubbed his little friend's dog's head: "Okay, I came across a company that makes good sugar cakes, and I'll buy them for you later."

Meng Zhen: "Is it Aunt Zhang's in the northwest corner? I tried it, and it's delicious!"

While the two of them were talking, Huo Yan and Meng Ce had already tiptoed to the ground, jumped around, and quickly checked the surroundings.

The place where the incident happened should be protected, but the assassination of the emperor is such a big event, and if it is announced casually, it may cause turmoil in the court and instability of the people's hearts. Will speak out.

The main street in the capital is not a wild wasteland. The government does not act, and the common people don't know about it. How can they avoid it?After the assassination last night, the prince led people to quickly clean up the scene, saying that everything was recorded in the book, and that what can be recorded and what can be seen with human eyes are two different things.

Huo Yan and Meng Ce are big killers on the battlefield. They are not specialized in solving crimes when they see gods and demons, but they still notice a lot of things with their special keen sense of smell.

Huo Yan: "The marks on the wall are □□."

Meng Ce: "This place is far away from the residences, and further inside is the official office of the Ministry of Households. According to the specifications, the closest one seems to be the warehouse of the Ministry of Households."

Assassination today, weapons with guns?Isn't this assassin's way too big?

The location was chosen to be near the government office, and the assassin was too courageous. Emperor Jianping dared to go like this because he knew it well and didn't panic. Did the assassin choose this kind of place to ambush, is there something wrong with his brain?

When Gu Ting heard these two sentences, he felt extremely ridiculous. Assassinating the emperor is a serious crime. Beheading Ling Chi is not an exaggeration. What's more, killing the nine clans. If an assassin has such courage, he must have made up his mind and will do it. To prepare, to do such a big event, you must first step on the spot, study the various whereabouts and arrangements of Emperor Jianping, the assassination techniques, and choose the time and place with caution.

Is this place safe?

The timing is also very strange, Concubine Yougui came out with Emperor Jianping suddenly on a whim, this is not something in the emperor's planned itinerary, who would know?

Regardless of whether there are traitors in the palace or not, how long does it take to spread the word, just say that the time is so short, the location is so short, the assassins are worried that the matter will be successful, and others will not be able to catch them!

Meng Zhen trotted around the scene of the incident twice with his little hands in his mouth: "There are alleys everywhere here. There are many small roads leading in all directions. It should be easy to retreat if something goes wrong!"

Gu Ting sneered: "It's easy for an assassin to retreat, but it's also very difficult to completely stop the emperor from killing him."

As long as your assassin can run, what if others can't?

But the result was that the emperor was able to run, but he didn't, and was blocked by assassins. According to Concubine You Gui, it was extremely dangerous, and he seemed to be injured.The assassins were defeated, they were obviously skilled in martial arts, and there were so many paths, any cat could slip away, but they were surrounded by the rescue team brought by the prince, the whole army was wiped out, and the tokens they were carrying fell off.

The more I look at the scene, the more I think about it, the more absurd I feel.

Huo Yan narrowed his eyes slightly: "During the handover, the prince said that the assassins are coming fiercely. After all, there are many forbidden soldiers. If they miss a hit, they will withdraw immediately. But the assassins seem to be divided into two factions. They dragged each other's hind legs, and the entire army was annihilated."

Gu Ting thought: "The Emperor's assassination took place at night, so there are hardly any witnesses. Even if the common people saw it, they might not understand the truth. Since the Household Department Office is right next to it, why not have any guards see it?"

Meng Ce thought about the distance: "I'm afraid I have to search carefully."

Even if found, others may not tell the truth, after all, the matter is of great importance.

Huo Yan: "Tomorrow morning, I will go to various departments to inquire, and the result...may not be too smooth."

As the King of Zhenbei, the people of Jiuyuan give him face, which may not be easy to do here.

"The left and right can only be done tomorrow, why not rest first?"

Thinking of this, Gu Ting was a little worried. His tired feet were sore and he really didn't want to go anymore, but everyone has been in the city for so long, from entering the palace to viewing the lanterns, why didn't anyone ask him a question, so he asked about the issue of rest: "Where are you going to stay tonight?" where?"

Meng Zhen's eyes widened: "We all have mansions. We sent a letter when we set off early in the morning. The housekeeper packed it up in the morning, and we can just live in it when we arrive. Don't you know?"

Gu Ting was stunned: "The mansion?"

Huo Yan gently rubbed his head: "Why are we also the lords of the princes? How could there be no palace in the capital?"

Gu Ting: ...

He really forgot, utterly forgot.Yes, your identities are different, you are all princes, besides fiefs, the capital must also have mansions, if you don’t prepare one, the emperor will reward you with one, it’s your face, it’s also the emperor’s benevolence...

All of them, but he is a poor ghost, with no money, no rights, no house, either worrying about food or housing.

But he was also calm, he had already said that he had practiced his shame, that he was not ashamed or anything, just pretended not to be ashamed.

He yawned: "Where is the Zhenbei Palace? I'm tired."

Anyway, from the beginning to the end, he didn't intend to separate from Huo Yan, as long as there is a place where he can eat and sleep.

"I'll take you--"

"Unfilial son, stop for me!"

At this time, a middle-aged man suddenly popped out from the street. He was short, with a short neck and a goatee. His eyes were round and round. Gu Ting looked at him, as if he looked familiar.

The middle-aged man pointed at him, his fingers trembling angrily: "I haven't been in the house for so long, where do you want to go? The dinner at home was withdrawn twice, and I personally looked for you all night. You are lucky, but you still thought of it." Go wave!"

Not only did he raise his hand to scold Gu Ting, but he also looked at Huo Yan quite unkindly.

Gu Ting recognized it, this is the head of the Gu family, his scumbag father.