mountain river road

On the top of the red vermilion lacquered gate hangs a black nanmu plaque, with three big golden characters "Chu Wangfu" written on it.The handwriting is smooth and flowing, with a touch of elegance and agility in the sparse and scattered. It is the calligraphy of the previous emperor Chu Xiuzhi.

Standing under the door was a tall, thin and handsome man in a blue brocade robe, followed by a boy about fourteen or fifteen years old.The young man was wearing a moon-white gown trimmed with silver hibiscus flowers, his long black hair was tied with a piece of white satin, and his childish face was full of indifference.

The man stared at the three large characters and the inscription on the plaque with almost nostalgic eyes for a long while, then looked away.He led the boy towards the door.

The servant guarding the door immediately showed a respectful expression, and saluted politely: "Young Master Xu is back, my lord has been waiting for you for a long time."

The King of Chu deserves to be the only vassal king in the Southern Dynasty.This mansion is built with both nobility and aura.Surrounded by vermilion walls, green willows hang around, and the gardens are linked by corridors, dotted with mountains and rocks.Every mountain, every stone, every flower and every grass are all calm and delicate.As usual, the two of them crossed the path familiarly, passed a white marble bridge, and arrived at the elegant room where the king of Chu discussed matters.

Xu Mo looked at the couplet at the door, "Laughing at the wealth and wealth is like a hair, looking straight at the river and the road." He left the young man at the door, signaled that he didn't need to notify, and went straight in.

The little prince Chu Xi, who was one year away from the crown, finished his sword practice in the morning, and walked into the elegant room with his guard Liu Muyi.Half a month ago, Mr. Xu took Zhenqing out, saying that it was the anniversary of his mother's death and he was going to pay respects.He felt extremely bored by himself, but fortunately he heard that Zhenqing came back today.

Holding a cup of Zhangzhou porcelain, Chu Xi drank his Pu'er slowly while waiting. "Yunnan's tribute tea is really better every year," Chu Xi silently put down the cup.His father Chu Shu sat on the main seat, frowning slightly.

"I have seen the prince, little prince." A blue-robed man pushed the door and entered, bowing slightly.This man was thin and thin, with handsome features, a calm demeanor and light footsteps, and his tone was respectful, but he didn't have the timidity that ordinary commoners treat princes and nobles.

"Young master Xu is finally back, please wait for us father and son." Chu Shu got up immediately, swept away the gloom between his brows, and smiled back.Chu Xi stood up, followed behind her father and saluted briefly.

After taking his seat, the servants who were waiting at the side immediately served the Pu'er of the same style as Chuxi.

Chu Xi said, "Why didn't Zhenqing come?"

Mr. Xu took a sip of tea and said with a smile: "The dog is still young, let him wait outside. ——The world is bad now, this tea is not as good as last year."

Chu Shu said: "Although the young master is young, his mind is good." Then he turned to Chu Xi: "Go and invite him in."

Chu Xi answered "Yes", and couldn't wait to get up and stride out.

As soon as she stepped out of the door, Chu Xi saw a white figure squatting under the tree, thin and small.

Chu Xi coughed slightly as a reminder, but Zhenqing was still squatting motionless, as if staring at something.

What are you doing?Chu Xi walked over curiously, and saw——Zhen Qing was squatting on the ground, staring intently at a three-flowered kitten.

The expression is serious and focused, and the long black eyelashes are motionless.

Chu Xi couldn't help laughing, and bent down to pick up the cat and hug it.

Zhen Qing looked up at him, then stood up.He was as thin as a bamboo, with a pair of willow-leaf eyes, light brown pupils, a red mole under his left eye, a nose like a bridge, and a skin like fat.A few strands of hair fell gently on the side of the face, like ink rolling down on rice paper.

Chu Xi was a little startled for a moment, her heart was pounding.

"Meow~" The little milk cat grabbed the arm under her body, kicked her legs and jumped onto the grass, and disappeared in an instant.

Chu Xi let out a "hiss" from the pain, and said with a casual smile, "You're finally back, so please wait for me."

Zhenqing reluctantly looked at the direction where the cat disappeared, then turned her head and gave him a reproachful look, "The general doesn't like you, so don't hug it."

General is the milk cat's name, which was chosen by Chu Xi.At first, Zhenqing wanted to call the cat Xijiangyue, but Chuxi thought the name was too polite, so she just called it General.A simple name is always more popular. Xijiangyue was called a few days ago, and all the servants and maidservants in the mansion followed suit.

Chu Xi: "I'm such an adult here, why do you keep staring at the general?"

"It's pretty." Zhen Qing gave him a light look.

Chu Xi was helpless: "Forget it, my father invites you to go in too."

A hint of sarcasm flashed across Zhenqing's face, like a pool of water being slightly blown up, and then quickly calmed down.

Chu Xi had already turned around and walked towards the elegant room, but she didn't catch the slightest ripple.

Zhen Qing also walked in after him, and sat down behind the table next to Chu Xi after saluting.

Chu Shu was in the midst of a discussion with Xu Mo, when he saw Zhenqing coming in, he asked him his opinion on the situation.

"Now that the former emperor passed away, the new emperor immediately began to govern the government after assuming the throne. He lightly pays and pays less money, which is great kindness. However, Zhenqing thinks it is inappropriate to cut down officials."

"I have always felt that there are redundant officials, and the national treasury is empty. After the reduction, it can not only reduce expenditures, but also facilitate management. What's wrong?" Chu Shu asked suspiciously.

"My lord's words are not bad. However, there is one omission. How will these retrenched officials make a living? They are not expected to work in agriculture. They only know about official affairs. Now that they have no official positions, even food rations have become a problem. In addition The harvest has been bad year after year, and there is no food accumulation. If there are other people in the family who are still working, they can still support it, but it is inevitable that they will be resentful. If no one is working, there will be no rations. The rabbit is anxious and will bite. What's more, these people are used to salary." Zhen Qing took a sip of tea and talked eloquently.

The words fell, Chu Shu is also a transparent person, and the secret is important, he realized it in a moment, and said: "If these people join the rebel army... the consequences will be disastrous. I am ashamed that the old man is not as transparent as the young master thinks, Xu Mo, You still don't let people in, but you really don't care about your talent."

Xu Mo laughed, and said: "It's not because I don't spare my talents, I just feel sorry for the dog who is only sixteen years old and in poor health, and I don't want him to think about these things every day."

Chu Shu said: "Young master has an amazing talent, if the pearl is covered with dust, I will feel sorry for you!"

Zhenqing then said: "My lord is absurd. If Zhenqing has any talent, she is willing to do so."

"Okay!" Chu Shu clapped his hands and smiled.

However, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, his voice is still a little childish, but his expression is mature and solemn, completely different from the way he stared at the cat just now.

The childish and beautiful appearance, the unique clear voice of a teenager, and the serious and upright demeanor formed a strange harmony.

Chu Xi stared intently at Zhen Qing's serious side face, unconsciously distracted.

"Chuxi!" The father's voice was a little louder, dissatisfied with his inattentiveness, "You can go to the residence with the young master. That's it for today, the young master is weak, so it's not easy to take too long."

Zhen Qing turned her head and smiled at Chu Xi, then stood up and said goodbye.Chu Xi didn't bother to listen to those winding discussions, so she stood up and followed Zhen Qing out.

Zhenqing's residence is the side room next to Chuxi's residence.It is said to be a side room, but it is not inferior to Chu Xi's.Elegant and quiet, the four treasures of the study are all famous products, and the heart can be seen everywhere.I heard that Zhenqing likes to be quiet, so I only arranged for a servant who was quiet and quick-witted.

Zhenqing ignored Chu Xi who was following behind, walked in, took out this policy theory from the red sandalwood shelf, and sat by the window to read it.The servants at the side quickly served a cup of Pu'er and wanted to bring it to Chu Xi.Chu Xi originally wanted to talk to him a few more words, but seeing this ignorant attitude, she suddenly felt a little uneasy, afraid that she would be annoying, so she waved her hands and went out as if she didn't care, turned left and turned back to her own car. room.

As soon as he went out, Zhenqing put down the book and sighed softly.

He was really in a bad mood. Chu Xi's smiling face was dangling in front of his eyes, which made his eyes hurt.

"Meow~"

Zhen Qing followed the sound and saw Chu Xi giggling, holding the general in his arms who was baring his teeth and claws.

"I see that you are in a bad mood, so I asked Liu Mu to bring the general here."

Zhenqing couldn't help but lowered her head and smiled, which was different from the restrained and calm smile in the private room, there was something else in this smile, with crooked eyebrows and eyes, Chu Xi seemed to be hooked in her heart.

Chu Xi suddenly felt the sound of his heart beating very clearly in the air, and for some reason his ears turned red quietly.He walked over stiffly, and handed over the general who was still struggling as a gift.

It was also a strange thing, as soon as he met Zhenqing, the general found a comfortable place in his arms and nestled into a ball of hair.

Zhenqing stretched out her hand and lightly touched the general's smooth fur, and said to Chu Xi: "I'm fine, but I'm a little stuffy. Why don't you drink some tea here—your face is flushed, and the weather isn't too hot ah?"

"No, no need." Chu Xi said forcefully, turned around and left.

Zhen Qing blinked her eyes confusedly behind him, it doesn't look like him, it's a bit strange, forget it, don't think about it.

Zhenqing lowered her head and picked up the general again.