Chapter 4 Chapter 4: The Sound of Sword Wear Follows the Jade Steps

The sound of horseshoes is urgent.A group of riders was marching on the main road to Luoyang, the eastern capital, and at the same time was Li Chu, the king of Guangping, and a charming woman in beard—his half-sister, Princess Dening.Princess Dening's anxiety was palpable, and she drove the horse and raised the whip from time to time. Li Chu's expression was calm, but inadvertently, his eyes shone with sharp light, shining brightly in the night. Entering the imperial city, passing Yingtianmen, entering the palace city, abandoning their horses and walking quickly, a large group of attendants behind them were panting, and they stopped in front of the prince's bedroom in the East Palace. The Lord untied the purplish red cloak, and the Lord Dening pushed it away impatiently, and stepped into the hall with refined leather boots. Li Chu took off the cloak by himself, threw it to the attendants behind him, and followed go in.

The Crown Prince Yu was playing chess with the Crown Princess Zhang under the lamp. He was thin and haggard, since he ascended to the position of Prince, he had many obstacles and struggles everywhere, and he was almost exhausted.Concubine Zhang is of medium height and is from a well-known family. Her grandmother, Dou, is the younger sister of Emperor Xuanzong's mother, the Empress Dowager Zhaocheng. The high bridge of the nose is matched, showing elegance in the dignified, more profound in the gaze. Before the notification from the small yellow gate fell, Princess Dening rushed in and overturned the chessboard. The black, white and white jade chess pieces jingled all over the ground, and several little eunuchs holding lamps panicked. I have to lie on the ground and look for it endlessly.

"My son, you are presumptuous!" The prince couldn't help but get angry at the behavior of his favorite little daughter.婼 is the small character of Princess Dening.I looked her up and down and became even angrier, "Look at you, what clothes are you wearing? It's nothing more than a folk woman wearing a Hu suit. You are a majestic princess, and you dare to wear it into the palace. Are you afraid that the Holy Majesty will find out?" "Why! Why did you betroth me to Zheng Xun?!" Li Ruo didn't care at all, and yelled directly in the face of the prince.

Although the crown prince had expected to ask this question, his expression darkened in an instant. Concubine Zhang hurriedly stepped forward to help him to sit down, and repeatedly winked to let Li Ruo stop talking.But Li Ruo threw the whip in his hand on the ground, and cried, "Father, you are too cruel, that Zheng Xun is ugly and stupid, I won't marry, and I won't marry even if I die!" "You are not young, you are only sixteen years old, you should understand something..." When the prince spoke again, his tone was already much softer. "It's not that your father is cruel, it's true," Concubine Zhang continued, "It's Li Linfu who begged your father many times for this matter. Zheng Xun is Li Linfu's cousin, and your father can't help it."

"What's wrong with Li Linfu, even if he is the right minister, but the father is the prince of the court, and I am also the dignified princess, do you need to look at people like this? Do you need to be so wronged?" Princess Dening said sadly . The prince really had nothing to say for a while, and told his pampered daughter that he was threatened by Li Linfu everywhere, so he couldn't protect himself?It's only his own weakness to blame, and this daughter is only to blame for being wandering around all day to stir up trouble, but Zheng Xun actually took a fancy to her.Looking up, he saw Li Chu, the king of Guangping, also following in, and asked, "Chu, what are you doing here? Are you also here to intercede for your sister?"

Li Chu bowed his body and replied lightly: "I also feel that Zheng Xun is really not good enough for my son." The prince looked up at the top of the hall, the yellow and shiny brass tiles, he was very tired after being the prince for eight years.Taking a long breath, he said: "The imperial decree has been issued, and it will be promulgated tomorrow morning. I have no power to recover." "No!" Li Yu let out a long cry, crying and said: "Father, you can argue with reason, just like the king's brother marrying Concubine Shen, didn't you refuse to accept Mrs. Han's daughter as the concubine in front of the Holy One?"

The prince's face suddenly changed, and he asked in a deep voice: "Who told you? Who said that I refused in front of the Holy One?" "Half of the people in Chang'an City—" Li Ruo "knows" the three words before he heard the crown prince shout: "Stop talking nonsense, my sage is wise and understanding, so I can influence my opinion! Don't say such words again! Concubine Zhang, lead my son to rest in your side hall!" Li Ruo kicked bitterly, called out "Father, I hate you to death" sadly, then turned around and ran out of the hall, Concubine Zhang hurriedly called: "Li Fuguo, quickly bring a few people to follow the princess, Don't let her get lost!" Li Chu also wanted to follow, but he heard the crown prince call: "Chu, you stay!" Then he said to Concubine Zhang: "Go and rest, we father and son still have something to say .”

The screen retreated to the left and right, and only father and son were left in the hall. The prince stared at Li Chu and said, "You turned back on the road back to Chang'an?" Li Chu replied: "Yes." Standing on the spot, he had nothing to say. The prince sighed, looking at the son in front of him, he has more and more the great weapon of the emperor's calmness, but in the past few years, he has become more and more alienated from himself, and said: "I know you are still blaming me, blame me for having the heart to leave Your mother, Concubine Wei." Although Concubine Wei is not Li Chu's biological mother, raising him single-handedly is better than being her own.

"I don't dare, but I know that my father has no other choice." "As a last resort," the prince chewed on these words, a little bit bitterly, and said, "Your concubine is very sick, do you know?" Li Chu's eyebrows flickered, but the crown prince didn't see it, and heard him answer: "Yes, my son is going back to the mansion." "Then leave earlier, I won't keep you." Li Chu was a little surprised that the orchid atmosphere was dense in the Qingyi Pavilion, it was said that Shen Zhenzhu had been ill for more than ten days, the pavilion must be full of medicine.Suci, Hongrui and others knelt down to salute the prince when he came back.

Only then did I discover that the orchid fragrance was emitted by a blue cauldron placed on a table, with a small stove under the cauldron, and the sound of boiling water in the cauldron was like the wind in the pines. Tea?" Su Ci replied: "Your Highness, the princess has been suffering from a cold for half a month, and she has invited countless doctors to treat her, but her condition has worsened; the princess ordered the slaves to stop the medicine and cook some tea, but the two days are worse than before. Be stronger." After speaking, he listened intently to the sound of water in the cauldron, and then replied: "Forgive me, Your Highness, the water has been boiled, and the slaves have to boil tea!" Li Chu nodded and said: "You all get up!"

Su Ci got up and took out a small bamboo lacquer box from the cupboard, opened it, took half a spoonful of tea powder, put it into the center of the boiling water, stirred it slowly with bamboo chopsticks, and saw that the water was like a gurgling stream, and the tea powder was like green clouds in the water. The light bun on Xiang Mo's head was full of fragrance, and his chest suddenly opened. Li Chu couldn't help smiling, and praised: "It's really good tea!" Su Ci smiled and replied: "Your Highness, it's natural. But if there is no way for the princess to fry tea, it will just ruin the best Jiannan Mengding stone flower tea in this tea." "It turns out that the princess taught you the method of brewing tea?" Li Chu asked, through the densely woven bead curtain, the bright red curtain in the inner room could still be vaguely seen. There was no sound. "Your maidservants are only superficially learned, not one-tenth as good as the concubine's." Su Ci said while taking out two teacups with a glaze color that resembles jade but slightly light blue. These are the famous "Jade" products of Yue Kiln , only four were brought from Wu Xing, Shen Zhenzhu broke one on the day Yin'e disappeared, and Su Ci regretted it for a long time afterwards.Take the cauldron off the fire, divide the tea soup and soup flowers into cups, the tender green tea soup is on the bottom, and the soup flowers like Qingping in Huitan Quzhu are on the top, and present a cup to Li Chu: "Please taste it, Your Highness." " But Li Chu just nodded his head slightly: "Let's put it on hold for now." Then, he walked into the inner room. Shen Zhenzhu is still in a coma.One day after Yin'e's incident, her elder brother Shen Jiefu visited her and brought some new tea after the rain that Gongsun Erniang had entrusted to her.She was always in good health, so she didn't take it to heart, let alone seek medical advice, thinking that she would recover naturally in a few days.Unexpectedly, the disease became more and more serious, and after four or five days, he could no longer walk on the ground. Liu Run had invited countless doctors in the palace and Chang'an City, and used all the medicines that should be used, but there was no improvement. Shen Zhenzhu lying on the bed is so fragile, her satin-smooth hair is only tied in a ring, half scattered on the pillow and shoulders, covering her snow-white neck, but her delicate and delicate face There is only a pale feeling, and the brows are slightly frowned, thinking that it is overwhelmed by illness.Li Chu couldn't help feeling a little bit of guilt and pity, and couldn't help but hold her slender pussy that was exposed outside the quilt, but was suddenly shocked, this hand was so cold that it was not even half warm, he lowered his voice and shouted out Said: "Liu Run—" Liu Run came in with his back bent, and Li Chu ordered: "Go to Jianning Palace and invite King Jianning and Princess Wang!" He took out his red name sticker from his bosom and handed it to Liu Run: "Just say that the king invites Jianning The princess condescends to treat the concubine's illness." "Yes, this old slave is going!" Liu Run was overjoyed.King Jianning and King Guangping grew up together in Baisunyuan, and they have a close relationship. Princess Jianning's medical skills are not inferior to those of the imperial physicians in the palace, but if King Guangping didn't ask, how can ordinary people invite them. Liu Run just went out, when a figure rushed into the inner room like a butterfly, shouted "Brother Wang", and went to the bed to look at Shen Zhenzhu, but it was Li Ruo.Li Chu was surprised: "Why did you come to Chang'an so soon, father and mother are looking for you everywhere!" Li Yu giggled and said: "Sister-in-law is so beautiful, Brother Wang, you are so beautiful!" Touching Shen Zhenzhu's smooth face, she reached out to wipe her own face, and exaggeratedly called out: "God, you are so unfair , why don't you let me have this face too!" "I think you're going crazy because you dare to be emotional. A few days ago, you were dying with your father, and today you are messing around with me again. Didn't you see that your sister-in-law is sick?" Li Chu said angrily. "Of course I'm going crazy," Li Ruo said, "I'm going crazy with joy!" She was still wearing a Hu suit with a tight waist, so she could move very easily. Chu's shoulders, happily said to her brother: "You know what, I don't need to marry, I don't need to marry! Zheng Xun is dead! Ha, ha, ha!" Li Chu said: "Hey, how can you say that you are dead when you die? Didn't you be fine a few days ago?" Li Ruo gave another long laugh to relieve his anger: "So today I want to solemnly introduce a person to Brother Wang, and he helped me." As he spoke, he pushed and shoved Li Chu to the outer room. Sure enough, there was a person standing with his back in the outer room, he turned around when he heard the sound, bowed to Li Chu and said, "An Qingxu sees King Guangping." Li Chu bowed back and said: "Deputy Envoy An is busy with official duties, but I haven't seen him for more than a year." An Qingxu was still wearing his usual arrow robe, his face looked dusty, and he was even more tired, just like what Li Chu had seen in the past different. "It turns out that you have known each other for a long time!" Li Yu cheered happily, and introduced in a chirping voice: "It was he—General An, who helped me assassinate Zheng Xun. His sword skills are so powerful!" He lowered his voice, and tugged at his sleeve pitifully, "Brother Wang, don't be angry, you love me the most, and you must not bear that my life is worse than death, right?" Li Chu flicked his sleeves and said: "You are naturally bold and reckless, regardless of the consequences. Although the imperial decree has been promulgated and the marriage certificate has been issued, as long as you are not married for a day, we will always find a way. Now that Zheng Xun is dead, it is done. You She became a legitimate widow, do you know that!" Li Ruo pouted nonchalantly and said, "Widows are widows. There is nothing to be afraid of. There are many princesses and princesses who are widows in this dynasty!" "Your Highness," An Qingxu interjected, "I can't blame the princess for this matter, it was all caused by An Mou's whim and made a big mistake, An Mou is willing to bear it all." It turned out that that day Li Ruo rushed out of the palace city in a fit of anger, ran wild in Luoyang city with anger and hatred, and threw Li Fuguo and others who were following him far away.However, Zheng Xun was in high spirits when he had a happy event, so he invited a group of friends to drink all night in the wine shop. After being drunk, he couldn't help his lust, and he got up and went back to the house after cuddling with the red and leaning on the green. In this way, he was alone and met Li Ruo in the alley. .This Zheng Xun deserves to be damned. He recognized Li Ruo in his drunken eyes, and actually stepped forward to moles him. An Qingxu happened to pass by. Stab Zheng Xun to death.The two of them rode strong horses and rushed to Chang'an day and night, but they arrived only a little later than Li Chu who started first. Li Chu asked about the reason, and he was slightly relieved when he learned that there was no third person present at the time.Thinking secretly about Zheng Xun's death, although Li Linfu will not give up, and he has many eyes and ears, one day he will suspect Li Ruo, but there is no evidence, and secondly, An Qingxu killed him, and An Lushan also It's not easy to mess with, things can only take one step at a time.So he said to An Qingxu: "Deputy Envoy An, I hope you will forgive me for the offence. The concubine is sick, let's go to the study to catch up on the past, and prepare a thin banquet. Don't refuse." But An Qingxu said: "It turns out that the concubine is ill, and An is not talented. She learned a little medical skills in her early years..." Li Chu said happily: "That's just right, I'm going to trouble Deputy Envoy An!" This bit of thin noodles must be given, but Li Chu didn't really expect An Qingxu to cure Shen Zhenzhu's illness. This court has no taboos on guarding against men and women, so An Qingxu was invited to enter the inner room, but An Qingxu didn't feel his pulse, he just watched Shen Zhenzhu's complexion for a long time, and then raised his head and said to Li Chu: "According to An, the princess's illness is not caused by a cold wind , it looks like poisoning." "It turns out that senior brother is here, Lin Zhi is too much to come today!" Princess Jianning Murong Linzhi came in at this moment. Her name means "Linxia Fengzhi". , but elegant and elegant, with a unique temperament, and the voice of speaking is like Yingying Yanyu.She was acquainted with Li Chu brothers a year ago, and they often went out together, and they were not polite when entering and leaving the Guangping palace. An Qingxu was taken aback, turned his face to look at Shen Zhenzhu again, and suddenly said with fists in his hands: "Princess Jianning's medical skills are far superior to mine, An Mou is inconvenient to disturb, please leave!" Li Chu was taken aback, intending to persuade him to stay, but he was also worried about Shen Zhenzhu's illness, so he could only say: "Vice Envoy An, please do what you want." An Qingxu left as soon as he said that, and when he passed by Murong Linzhi, his left hand moved slightly, and something was stuffed into her hand without a sound. Before Murong Linzhi could react, he raised his eyes and saw An Qingxu's eyes were like eagles, shining brightly. It flashed past him, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly hid the thing in his sleeve. Li Ruo yelled "Don't go", and hurriedly followed. Li Chu said: "An Qingxu is really a weirdo!" Murong Linzhi's eyes turned quickly, seeing Li Chu's misty eyes, looking at the sleeping Shen Zhenzhu vainly, he calmed down a little, looked at Shen Zhenzhu's complexion, remembered the size and shape of the things An Qingxu handed him, thought to himself After a movement, he replied with a smile: "My senior brother is like this, I see his appearance today is even more strange." Putting his hand lightly on Shen Zhenzhu's pulse, he frowned and said: "Senior brother's diagnosis is correct, she is indeed poisoned. "I called Suci, Hongrui and other personal maids, and asked Shen Zhenzhu about her recent symptoms and the medicines she was taking, and then said to Li Chu: "Sister-in-law's illness was indeed a cold and fever at first, it's nothing serious. , but someone has added the poison Fengxiangcao in the medicine she took to aggravate her condition. This Fengxiangcao is so rare that ordinary doctors can’t diagnose it. Fortunately, the master once told me and my senior brother.” Li Chu's expression sank when he heard this. There is an exclusive Shang Pharmacy in the mansion. After the doctor prescribes a prescription, the Shang Pharmacy is responsible for picking up, decocting, and delivering the medicine. Others can't intervene. Has already stepped in quickly, and whispered a few words by his side, he couldn't help but sneered: "Okay, what a murderer, finally bullied this king!" The two maids were killed in the pharmacy with sharp weapons. Murong Lin Zhisu knew that Li Chu's happiness and anger were not very expressive, but today he was rather annoyed, so he hurriedly explained to him, "I'm waiting for you in the pavilion, go quickly. I'm here to see your princess, even though she is poisoned, I'm here Yes, I promise you'll be fine." Stepping down the pavilion, the spring breeze lingers, Jianning Wang Li Tan is dressed in white clothes that are better than the snow, and he sees Li Chu approaching from a distance, with a bright smile on his clear face.