sunset fever

Linjiao Terrace is full of snow in the morning

The Dingzhen Hall is dimmed and the paper turns to ashes

-

After a night of drunkenness at Linjiao Terrace, Yan Xiu was so sleepy, when the morning light wiped off his eyelids, he realized that it was dawn.The room was still warm and windless. Yan Xiu opened his eyes and realized that he had already taken off all his coats, leaving only his white satin underwear. He raised his slightly swollen eyelids and saw someone wearing a court robe. sleeping together.

The wind was like a ball of light-colored wool, rolling from the end of the bed, then turned around and swooped, and was picked up by Chen Bizhen who was lying on the outside of the warm couch, and hugged him in his arms.

"The morning court is over, and you are sleeping soundly here. Master Bi will see that you are not here after the court, and it is time to hold me accountable." There was light powder on the tip of Chen Bizhen's nose from freezing outside, and he laughed softly after speaking, with his hands still touch the cat.

Yan Xiu was blocked by people and walls, and seemed to be lying in a cramped place, when he made a sound, he felt that his throat was very dry, so he coughed and said, "Your Majesty didn't learn well, so he poured me wine. "

Chen Bizhen was wearing a light golden gown with intricate embroidery patterns. He was holding the cat in his hand, lying on his side, so he was closer to Yan Xiu, and said: "You have a good time drinking, I have never drunk it before."

"You know in your heart what happened when you were drinking last night." Yan Xiu couldn't get angry, and pretended to be annoyed, he pulled the tip of Chen Bichen's ear. Dragon robes have different hair bundles.

Chen Bizhen teased him shamelessly, feeling the pain in his ear, asked: "Have you asked Master Bi for leave?"

"Why didn't you call me!" Yan Xiu was still pulling the quilt on his chest with one hand, and his eyes were wide open, he asked in a deep voice.

"You slept like a pig. I knocked over the vase on the table when I left early in the morning, and you didn't wake up." After the silence, Chen Bizhen asked again, "What do you eat? I'll order you to go down and make new ones."

"Eat steamed siu mai and Sifang zongzi."

"Too little, order more."

"Walnut and apricot butter with milk."

"You will choose it." Chen Bichen sighed, and then ordered the servant to pass it on.

There were few people living in Linjiao Terrace, so everything looked neat and bright, Yan Xiu got up and half opened the window, letting the air-conditioning hit his neck and cheeks, he looked down and saw the imperial city covered in white.

At this moment, Chen Bizhen let the cat go and was still lying down. He tugged at Yan Xiu's lapel and said, "The cold wind is coming in, close it quickly."

"Then go to bed and sleep." In addition to words, Yan Xiu's expression was also contradictory.

When he lay down again, Chen Bizhen chuckled again, and asked a little timidly: "Did you like the fireworks last night?"

"What fireworks?" Yan Xiu started to bluff, but he forgot, but he could convince Chen Bizhen, he frowned, and saw the person in front of him frown too.

"No way, you really forgot..." Chen Bizhen poked his face on the pillow.

Yan Xiu raised his hand and tapped his forehead, pretending to think for a while, he pursed his lips in silence, and said, "I really forgot."

Chen Bizhen opened his bright eyes, as if he had lost all his shrewdness and prudence, he believed Yan Xiu's words easily, and thus became more and more depressed.

The young man panicked, then became desperate, so out of concern for face, he touched Yan Xiu's shoulder, stood up roughly, and forced him into a corner of the warm couch.

"How can you forget, do you know how many birds in Chongcheng have been woken up!"

"Little tyrant." Yan Xiu wasn't afraid of him at all, lay down in the cramped place, stretched out his hand outside the warm quilt, and knocked on Chen Bizhen.

No matter how hard the boxing was, no matter how hard it was, it was like smashing cotton. After all, Yan Xiu couldn't hold back his laughter. The joints in his hands were numb, and he gasped lightly when he stopped.

Chen Bizhen still had that handsome face, with his chin and jawbones perfectly formed, he gritted his teeth and smiled, still blaming: "You mustn't forget."

"It seems that there is still an impression..."

After Yan Xiu finished speaking, he punched him sharply again, but it didn't hurt at all. When it touched his body, he felt a warm itching. With Chen Bizhen's hand resting on his side, the two of them acted like they were angry, and they both looked like they were playing tricks. .

Chen Bizhen said, "Don't fool me."

"How many times have you bluffed me, it's time to pay it back," Yan Xiu looked at the face not far above, not even bothering to move his eyelids, he said, "You always want me to listen to you."

Chen Bizhen bit his lower lip and laughed at him.

The young emperor is as young as dew, with a tall and vigorous body, his joints are full of vitality, his breath is light, causing Yan Xiu to fall into a dream, doing some daydreams that have nothing to do with the facts.

Yan Xiu knew that his nostalgia was related to love, and the warm couch under his body became a sandy ground, and he was completely unrestrained, sinking down willingly.

Yan Xiu didn't dare to look at him, so he closed his eyes suddenly, clenched his warm hands into fists, and grabbed the quilt on his body.

"Actually, you don't have to listen. There are so many people who follow my orders all day long, and there is no shortage of you."

Chen Bizhen was talking, listening with his eyes closed, he could understand the only softness and stickiness left in the young man's voice, and most of it was the deepness brought by time.

After a while, Yan Xiu finally recovered. He still maintained his self-control, got up slowly, put on his boots, and put on his undergarment. Chen Bizhen immediately called for someone, and several servants touched the water basin, handkerchief, mouthpiece, etc. When the cup came in, Yan Xiu received a very respectful reception, but after thinking about it, he felt that it was inappropriate.

"Don't turn the pages if you're not paying attention, why bother to show me." Yan Xiu wore a thin robe with a regular face, and his face was stained with clear water.

Chen Bizhen hurriedly closed the book, came forward, and said, "The snow has stopped, and the food is prepared in the living room."

The red bean paste was extremely sweet, and the white bun was divided into two halves. Chen Bichen bit off some, and stuffed the untouched half into Yan Xiu's mouth.

"I don't like buns." Yan Xiu frowned.

Chen Bizhen said: "If you don't eat it, you have to eat it, or you will feed it to pigs, don't you feel bad?"

Yan Xiu stared at him in shock, turned back to the table and said, "Speak as you speak, don't scare me."

"Is it delicious?" Chen Bizhen sat down next to him and said, "It's remote here, so it's easy to prepare, don't be surprised."

"You should really go out, or go out of Yangjing to see what the people are really eating, but you don't taste good, and you can feed yourself when you go out."

"How do you eat in Fushan?"

Yan Xiu answered him: "There is no extreme cold in Fushan four seasons, so the food should be light, the soup should be boiled for a longer time, steamed pastries, and porridge."

"So, why do you get used to eating in Yangjing?"

Chen Bizhen's words were as steady as a piece of ice.

Yan Xiu said: "I have been in Fushan since I was a child. My ancestors came from a small country in the north to do business in the south, and later settled down in Fushan Prefecture. In a country, the difference is a small part. I am not picky, just like you. If you If you are free, go to Fushan to have a look."

Chen Bizhen replied, "Yes."

With the candlelight in front of his face, he maintained a sincere smile and said, "I'm going to Chunqi Mountain to see the scenery and stay for a few days."

The weather in Fushan seems to be forever cold, and it will still warm up as the winter months approach, with sunny days following sunny days, extremely hot and dry.

Yan You was wearing a soot feather satin cloak early in the morning, with black hair standing upright, and knelt in front of the hall burning with sandalwood. There was a memorial tablet for Yan Ming, Wen Suyue, and Yan Xiu. wine jar.

The light that came in through the window was thin and bright, hitting Yan You's back. He remained silent, knelt and did not move. When his thoughts were put away, he said: "Father, mother, brother, Zelan made a mistake and failed to take revenge." Xuehen, recently reopened the pharmacy, specially hired Du Yinkang, a famous doctor from Fushan, to attend the consultation, and studied medical skills hard. Tan Qing's opinion is correct, I should think further, and pass on the medical skills and business of the Yan family."

"One more thing, my elder brother, Tanqing and I came to Fushan. There are not many close and trustworthy people anymore. Because Baoyan's family has continuous blood and successors, I want to marry Tanqing and marry her."

The cigarette melted into his breath, Yan You bent over and kowtowed, his forehead hitting the cold ground.

Yan You has indeed changed, he no longer wears a sword through his arrow sleeve, tries his best to let go of the indifference and depression of the past, and wants to be the boss of Nanpu Hall with all his strength, he has thoroughly read some of the medical books left by Yan Xiu, and is still studying For the rest, Du Yinkang is a decent master who has practiced medicine alone for decades and understands everything.

Xiao Tanqing left early that day to deliver medicines to the Qi Mansion in the distance. She cleaned up, asked questions on the way, and found his house after noon.

The surname Qi is in the business of porcelain. The place is spacious, elegant, and quiet. Behind a narrow alley, there are only two servants guarding the gate. After Xiao Tanqing explained her purpose, one of them led her in. .

After walking through several rows of corridors and two wide courtyards, Xiao Tanqing was led into a hall where many ancient wooden furniture, old ceramics, and jade wares were placed.The servants went out, and after a while a silent servant girl came, put down the snacks and tea, and left.

Xiao Tanqing stood uneasy, feeling that the place was dark and cold, she looked up, and saw lush green trees outside the window, and she was about to block the light that could come in, she turned around again, and looked at the paintings hanging on the wall.

In the painting is a woman in red with a sword, flat shoulders and slender waist, elegant and handsome. Even though there are a few pieces of light yellow caused by damp scattered on the painting, it still cannot reduce the beauty of the character. In that painting, look out of the painting.

There is neither an inscribed poem nor a signature on the painting.

"People from Nanputang?" A soft, male voice sounded from behind.

Xiao Tanqing's shoulders trembled slightly, she had to turn around, and saw a young man in white clothes and hair tied in front of her, he was tall and straight, with an extraordinary temperament, if one didn't look closely at his appearance, he looked very much like Yan Xiu.

"Boss Qi, I'm Xiao Tanqing, the maidservant of the Yan Mansion, and I'm here to deliver the medicine you asked for. It's all ready, but there is some delay." Xiao Tanqing saluted him, and handed the medicine to him not nearby. look at him.

Qi Ziren said: "You don't have to be restrained and polite. I am a businessman and I don't have any etiquette."

"That's all, thank you, Boss Qi, for your hospitality. The pharmacy still has other chores. I'll leave first." When Xiao Tanqing got closer, he felt that he couldn't look Qi Ziren directly in the eyes. There were too many emotions in it, and coupled with Yan Xiu The similar clothing and figure are enough to make Xiao Tanqing's thoughts difficult to understand.

She was also afraid, afraid of the remote and gloomy place, afraid of the strange silence of the people in front of her, and even more afraid of the person in the painting on the wall who looked very much like Mei Jibo.

Qi Ziren insisted on sending Xiao Tanqing out of the courtyard, he said, "Come back later, Miss Xiao."

"Will do."

"Are you looking at the painting on my wall just now?"

"Just took a look, but before I saw it clearly, you came, Boss Qi. I have never seen so many ancient porcelain treasures. I lost my composure in your room. Please forgive me." Xiao Tanqing nodded and said, then turned to ask Okay, but suddenly his arm was pinched by the person behind him.

Qi Ziren asked: "Have you seen that girl? If you have, please tell me. I will redeem your body for you. You don't have to work so lowly when you come to my shop to manage the accounts."

Xiao Tanqing's back was terribly cold, and she was still sweating. She smiled, looked at Qi Ziren's eyes that showed a little fierceness, and said, "If I am lucky enough to see it, I will come and report it."

"You said just now that you didn't see clearly."

"I can see the clothes clearly, but I can't see the face clearly." Xiao Tanqing's snorting was secretly quickened, and she tensed her whole body.

The noon sun was shining directly, and there was a soreness in her eyes. When Xiao Tanqing came out of Qi's mansion, she unconsciously shed two strands of tears. She started to walk forward, and then started to trot. She hid in the far corner of the alley and rested. Only then did he realize that sweat had also landed on his front collar.

Chen Yiyi is going to learn how to play on the ice. Even though it is not yet extremely cold, there is not enough ice on the lake, but she has already started to prepare her clothes; While chatting about playing, I hugged the two horses I had chosen, and said, "I still need a warm tie and a fox fur thong."

"I prepared Bingxi's things today, and I wrote an article for you in three days. After reading it, sir, I will show it to me. I promise, I will make it for you years ago." Zhong Huashu and the two princes who came from outside The family members drank tea and answered her without any tenderness.

Seeing outsiders around, Chen Yiyi didn't want to make a fuss after all, she handed over the selected ingredients to the servant, and sat next to Zhong Huashu, a few people gathered around the round table, eating some snacks and fruits, Chen Yiyi ate the salty vegetables with shells. Sunflower, listen to them.

Zhong Huashu was originally in a good mood, but when the maid Yaxun came to pass the message, she couldn't sit still, and the relatives who accompanied her were also aware of it, so she resigned, and Chen Yiyi asked, "What's the matter?"

"A hundred years ago during the Tongyu period, male sex was prevalent in the country, did you know that?" Zhong Hua asked in a slow voice.

Chen Yiyi's eyes were wide open, her little mouth didn't move, she thought for a while before answering: "I know a little bit, it is said that it is a folk trend, and there is no response in Chongcheng, so I can't tell you the specifics."

"Emperor Tongyu almost died under the knife of his male favorite. If King Heng Fan hadn't acted sensitively at that time, this country would not be this country long ago."

"The history books I read didn't mention this matter. Of course I can't answer my mother's test like this." Chen Yiyi was worried about studying all day long, and after speaking, she curled her mouth, and she didn't even want to drink sweet tea.

Zhong Huashu didn't care about her, and immediately got up eagerly. Seeing Zhong Huashu leave, Chen Yiyi became mad by herself. She couldn't sit still, and went to the small building behind the courtyard, where no one was often there, so she hid the pig's knee Bones, windmills, flower ropes, and a puppy with white fur and dark eyes.

The sun was shining in the courtyard, and there were mottled residual snow on the road, scattered pure white, some dusty, and some, condensed into translucent thin ice. Zhong Huashu went to Suihua Hall in a warm sedan chair. When she entered, Chen Bizhen I am reading behind closed doors in the study.

"Mother's queen." Chen Bizhen went to see Zhong Huashu in the living room, and saluted her.

"I have something important to ask you."

"Please say."

The two sat down at the table, came to serve the tea, and then retreated, leaving only Yaxun a palace servant here.

Zhong Huashu said: "Many people heard the sound of fireworks the night before yesterday, and there was a lot of excitement in the palace. It is said that His Majesty stayed overnight at Linjiao Terrace that night. Is it true?"

"There are a lot of unused palaces, and I will talk nonsense when I live here?"

"It's not His Majesty's business. I also know that someone slept with you that night." Zhong Hua drank half a sip of tea, and did not restrain her sharp eyes. She was not calm and suppressed her inner annoyance.

Chen Bizhen laughed after hearing this, and replied: "It's true, I invited Yan Ziluo to watch the fireworks, and I will stay there when it gets late."

Zhong Huashu was really surprised, she nodded and said, "You are on good terms with him, but you should be careful."

"At that time, he came here only because of the queen's illness. He didn't do it voluntarily. He should be careful. Mother, please don't worry about this in the future. I am busy all day long, and I have the right to make a few friends to play with, and to be with the royal family. The nobles are used to getting along, and people lose their human appearance, I am a monarch, yes, but I am also a living person." Sitting next to Zhong Huashu, Chen Bizhen felt aggrieved when he said this, the corners of his mouth were slightly turned down, and he finally opened his eyes wide The eyes are closed, like a child, like Chen Yiyi who is looking for new clothes and new toys.

After all, Zhong Huashu felt sorry for him. Knowing that it was the indifferent Yan Xiu who stayed overnight the night before, she was not so worried for the time being. It's not that she didn't think of Yan Xiu from the death of the Yan family, but she was still investigating without any evidence.

Zhong Huashu asked: "Zhong Qingming isn't here to guard anymore?"

Chen Bizhen answered her in a serious voice: "When Jianfang's incident happened, I would naturally be cautious. There is nothing wrong with it. He is taking people outside, but he rarely walks close to him."

"You don't have to worry about his character, his surname is also Zhong."

"I know, otherwise he wouldn't be the only entourage left. This is how things are in the world. At that time he was sloppy and drunk. I never believed him, but now, I have to rely on him for many things." Chen Bizhen sighed.

Afterwards, Zhonghuashu and Yaxun left.

Chen Bizhen is always very busy. He feels that he is a machine driven by everything, so he can't stop at all. If he wants to read books, he has to read all kinds of books, and if he wants to listen, he needs to distinguish between good and bad. It's easy to blame, but you need to get angry in a timely manner.

He sat down with a pen in his hand, and when he was distracted, he thought of many things, and all the troubled ones raced past in his mind. There were a few things that were clear, and there was one that he remembered the most. Chen Bizhen wrote down two lines of ancient poems.

He wrote: In the middle of the night, candles are held, which is relatively like a dream. ①

People borrowed the sunlight from the window and arranged the papers neatly. It was the first time for Chen Bizhen to experience such emotions. He couldn't make sense of them, so he could only keep them in his heart in confusion. If he mentioned them, he would say them clearly. , Said that he and Yan Xiu are close friends.

He didn't want the concubine who hadn't been chosen yet, the queen who was always indifferent in Huaiqing Palace, the housemaid who had had a few fates, the landscape outside the palace that he loved the most, and the hunting.

The ink is dripping through the paper, the words are like a person, and the thoughts at this moment are like being soaked in water. Chen Bizhen leaned down, and knocked his forehead on the desk with some depression. He looked at the black paint on the table and clenched his left hand tightly. into a trembling empty fist.

Note: ① It comes from "Qiang Village" written by Du Fu in the Tang Dynasty.

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