My lord, your plan is too obvious

The ninth day of the lunar new year is Chuping's Court Ritual Day. Every year on this day, a prince will be chosen to preside over the ceremony, in order to hope that the new year will be auspicious and the country will be prosperous.

In previous years, both the Crown Prince and King Mao had to argue about the candidate for the prince of court ceremony. The Ministry of Rites had only this matter that was pushed to the forefront in about a year. It has been a headache for a long time.It was too late to decide on a candidate for the prince, and the preparations for the Ministry of Rituals could not be carried out.But this year, there is no controversy, and the prince is directly allowed to preside over the court ceremony.

During the Xia Yuan period, although blessings were also prayed every year during the Chinese New Year, the emperor usually came in person.And the blessing time and process are also different.However, Ruohua, as the minister of the Ministry of Rituals, soon after he took office, he knew the custom of court rituals in Chuping, so he learned about it early, so as not to make a joke like when he entered the court for the first time, and offend the emperor. unhappy.

Since this is the first year for him to take over the Ministry of Rites, he has dealt with many things directly, and he hardly has much involvement in matters of court ceremonies.So on the day of the pilgrimage, Ruohua was just like other courtiers, only needing to worship, and there was nothing he could do.

Thinking that after the court ceremony is over, Si Nian will lead his troops out of customs. Ruohua thought that Si Nian would at least go back to the mansion the night before to get some rest, but he didn't expect that he still didn't see Si Nian when he arrived at the gate of the palace in the morning. figure.Asked the guards and learned that Si Nian did not return overnight.

Ruohua has many doubts in his heart and wants to ask Si Nian, such as why he personally invited soldiers to leave the customs, why he has not returned to the mansion for two days, such as why the emperor gave him the military talisman so easily, don't keep these questions in mind The feeling is really uncomfortable.

Ruohua was a little annoyed and used her fingers to wrap her hair in circles, and after a while the hairband was also wrapped around it.Ruohua was slightly taken aback when he saw the red headband wrapped around his hand, and then thought of what Lin Lang said that day, and couldn't help feeling even more irritable.

The court ceremony was held at an altar outside the palace. Ruohua got out of the carriage and looked around subconsciously, but did not see the familiar person.

Not only the royal family and courtiers participated in the court ceremony, but the common people also worshiped together in the periphery.Ruohua walked to the place where she should stand near the altar, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

At the beginning of the court ceremony, Qi Guang was wearing a red dress inside and a snow-white toga outside. The cuffs of the robe were so wide that they almost dragged to the ground.There are also seven red gemstones inlaid on the Qiguang hair crown, and the white wide band hangs on both sides of the cheeks. On the chest, there is also a small section of grain ear tied with multicolored silk, implying the harvest of the five grains and the blessings from the sky.

Qi Guang's appearance was already pretty, but with this outfit, he looked like a fairy.Most of the common people admire Qi Guang, which probably accounts for part of it.After all, this is the day when the common people have the opportunity to see the royal family, and Qi Guang's appearance is particularly outstanding among them, so it is inevitable that people will love him.

Even Ruohua felt his eyes light up the moment he saw Qi Guang coming up from behind the altar, Qi Guang was usually regarded as a gentle and handsome young man.But today's body is more solemn and sacred, although it is still so gentle, it has an appearance that can only be seen from a distance and cannot be profaned.

But soon Ruohua's eyes were attracted by the people behind Qi Guang. Si Nian also wore a red inner coat and a white outer robe today, but he was not as big and heavy as Qi Guang.The cuffs are narrow sleeves and tied up with colored silk, the top is a saw collar, and the waist is equipped with a jade pendant that symbolizes status.In his hand he holds a cane on which grain and a bell are hung.

The thick shoulders propped up the clothes, showing that Si Nian's whole body is sharp, and the cane used for blessings, held in his hand, seems to have the momentum of a long sword, as if it will break through the sky in the next second, majestic and majestic. style.

Ruohua looked at Si Nian under the altar, and suddenly felt that that person was actually very strange to him.It seemed that he had asked him many things, but he hadn't asked about him, about Chu Sinian.All they know is that he is a prince with emptied power, that he loves his country, and that he is a good target to take advantage of. Almost everything about this dynasty is known from him.

But now this person is standing on the sacrificial altar, obviously not far away from him, but it seems extraordinarily far away.I never seem to be able to figure out what he is thinking, and I never know what this person will look like in the next second.

At first, he also felt that Si Nian's face was an expression that remained unchanged for thousands of years, but gradually he saw Si Nian's smile, his leisurely look, his frowning look, and his smiling face. Make fun of yourself.

Thinking about it carefully, Si Nian always seemed to be beyond his expectation.

At the beginning of the court ceremony, Qi Guang walked to the middle and recited a long speech,

Then he turned around, took the cane held by Si Nian, waved it a few times and raised it towards the sky.The whole movement is smooth and flowing, done in one go.

Qi Guang stood there holding his cane, and the courtiers under the altar and the people in the surrounding area worshiped and prayed.

Ruohua closed his eyes, and what he saw in his mind was the mountains, rivers and land he had passed by, and he thought silently in his heart, this land must be under his feet again.However, the moment he opened his eyes, he saw a familiar gaze facing him.His heart trembled, obviously Si Nian just glanced at him, but today Si Nian's solemn appearance was deeply imprinted on his heart.

This person is going to lead the army to go out, and this person is also guarding this stretch of thousands of miles of rivers and mountains.

Just thinking about it like this makes Ruohua feel a slight heat in his heart.

Just at the time of Ruo Huahuang, Qi Guang had already walked back to the sacrificial altar, and Si Nian also went down with him.

The ceremony was over, and the crowd gradually dispersed.Ruohua did not go back to the place where the carriage was parked, but hurriedly walked behind the altar.Although he didn't know where to start asking these questions, but now he desperately wanted to see Si Nian.

"Ruohua." Qi Guang just took off his coat and wanted to come out to find Jiming, but saw Ruohua walking.

"His Royal Highness." Ruohua saw the organ and bowed down.

"Are you going to find uncle?" Qi Guang asked when he saw Ruohua's anxious expression.

When Ruohua heard the prince's question, he suddenly felt that he seemed a little reckless. He went to look for Si Nian as soon as the court ceremony was over, as if he seemed to be in a hurry, so he stammered and said: "I have something to discuss with the prince. ..."

Qi Guang was surprised for a moment and then said: "My uncle rode away without changing his clothes. The iron cavalry is already waiting outside the city gate."

Ruohua suddenly raised his head and couldn't believe it, Si Nian led his troops away like this?Didn't leave a word for myself?

Just about to ask something more, Ruohua suddenly realized, why did Si Nian leave a message for himself?I just live in Prince Yan's Mansion. After all, I am not related to Si Nian, and I have almost taken over the affairs of the Ministry of Rites.The matter of Si Nian leading troops out of customs has already been decided in the court, and it doesn't matter whether he should inform himself or not, anyway, even if Si Nian is no longer in the Yan Palace, the servants will still not send him to eat and drink.

Why is it necessary for Si Nian to say something to himself before leaving.

Obviously, the two of them can't even be called friends.

Ruohua swallowed what she wanted to ask, and just bowed again:

"Actually, it's not a big deal. I've disturbed His Royal Highness the Prince."

"There is no one else now, so you don't have to be so polite." Seeing Ruohua's reaction, Qi Guang probably guessed that Si Nian didn't tell Ruohua anything this time, but his uncle protected the person in front of him. tight.

But my uncle didn't say anything like this, I'm afraid this person in front of me will never understand.Just take it as a help for my uncle, after all, I also participated in this Northern Qi incident, if it wasn't for my own design, King Mao and the others wouldn't be in such a mess.

So Qi Guang said, "Is your body recovering now?"

"It's been much better."

"But I'm still a little afraid of the cold. The last time you watched the snow, your lips seemed to turn pale after standing outside for a while."

"Perhaps the foundation is not very good, but just pay more attention in winter." Ruohua was a little surprised, how could Qi Guang ask this so well.

"Fortunately, no envoys were sent to Northern Qi to discuss peace in the end, not to mention whether those despicable people will attack the envoys, just the cold place, if you go there, you will not be able to bear it. I heard that it is the season Northern Qi is a bit colder than our coldest season."

"There are some people in the Ministry of Rites who are not afraid of the cold." Ruohua, as the minister of the Ministry of Rites, naturally wouldn't even go on missions in person.

"Then what if King Mao falls into the hands of Northern Qi." Qi Guang looked at Ruohua meaningfully.

Ruohua immediately understood that if King Mao really fell into Bei Qi's hands in the end, he would become a bargaining chip in the negotiations between Bei Qi and Chu Ping.Then in order to show sincerity, it is natural to send someone with a high official position, and I am the highest official in the Ministry of Rites.If you are not sure, you will let yourself negotiate.

So, did Si Nian take the initiative to invite troops to meet King Mao in order to prevent himself from being sent to Northern Qi for negotiations?

How is this possible... King Mao might not be caught by Northern Qi alone.Being sent yourself is just one of many possibilities.

How could Si Nian call in soldiers just because the probability was not high.Moreover, the most important thing is, how could Si Nian do this for himself... Obviously, the two of them really can't be said to be very close.

He couldn't even find a reason to ask that person to leave a message for him before he left. What kind of relationship do the two of them have?

Seeing Ruohua's complex expression, Qi Guang felt that he should have understood a little bit, so he left with an excuse:

"I still have some things to tell about court ceremonies. I've told them countless times, but I still have to tell them again just in case."

After Qi Guang finished speaking, he left without waiting for Ruohua to pay his respects.

But Ruohua kept thinking about what Qi Guang said just now, the words "just in case" kept thinking back in his mind.

——Could it be that Si Nian's decision was just "just in case"?

Si Nian doesn't want to have a chance of going to Northern Qi by himself?

When Ruohua returned to the palace, his heart was in a state of confusion.Obviously there is only one person missing in this mansion, but it seems to be extraordinarily empty.

What is all this about?