Chapter 29 Chapter Twenty-nine
When it was almost dusk, Chang Gong brought Gao Zhan to the restaurant in the east where he often went with Heng Jia.As soon as she entered the restaurant, the shop assistant warmly greeted her and brought her and Gao Zhan to the elegant seat upstairs.
"Chang Gong, do you come here often?" Gao Zhan saw that she ordered so proficiently, and guessed that she was a frequent visitor here.
She quickly arranged the chopsticks, "Well, I often come with Heng Jia, but this stingy guy refuses to pay every time, and I pay the bill."
"Oh? Shang Shuling is so stingy?" Gao Zhan couldn't help feeling a little surprised.
"Apart from this problem, this guy is still a good person." Chang Gong's brows were tinged with a faint smile, "That's the kind of person he is."
There was a hint of confusion in Gao Zhan's eyes, "Chang Gong, you have a good relationship with Shang Shuling. Last time, he was willing to take the twenty military sticks for you. I didn't expect that either."
When Chang Gong heard him mention the twenty military sticks, he couldn't help but feel a slight movement in his heart, a strange tenderness surged up.
"However, this person is quite scheming, and he has ulterior motives to suffer for you." Gao Zhan said lightly.
"Uncle Jiu, you are so powerful, you can tell it at a glance." Chang Gong giggled, "However, it seems that this is the only good friend of mine."
"By the way, Chang Gong, have you ever thought about building another mansion? You are not only the county king, but also the great Sima, and you still live in Gao's house..." Gao Zhan hesitated to speak.
"Building another mansion? I haven't thought about it yet, but Uncle Jiu, I plan to take over Xiao Tie in two months. She has stayed in Sikong Mansion for a long time." Every time Chang Gong went to Sikong Mansion, Xiao Tie complained that she had a headache, and if she was not brought back, the consequences would be very serious... Besides, she couldn't delay Xiao Tie, and after she pretended to pass through the door, she would find a chance to send her to Turkic.
As soon as she finished speaking, the smile in Gao Zhan's eyes suddenly disappeared, and even his voice became a little cold, "Chang Gong, are you so impatient?"
"Uncle Jiu, I..."
As if aware of his gaffe, Gao Zhan softened his tone again, "She is not a lady, it is not so easy to take the position of Princess Lanling. So many cumbersome etiquettes cannot be accomplished overnight. Let's talk about it in a few days Bar."
Chang Gong knew that it was useless to say any more, so he shut up obediently and stopped talking about this topic for the time being.
Uncle Jiu...why do you hate Xiao Tie so much?Could it be - because she was a bandit in the past?
After dinner, it was getting late.
As soon as the two of them left the restaurant, they saw a pair of carts parked at the door, and the person standing beside the carts was the royal servant in the palace.
"Oops, Uncle Jiu, we were caught." Chang Gong sighed.
Gao Zhan also showed a helpless look, "These people came really fast."
"Your Majesty, please go back to the palace as soon as possible, the empress is almost in a hurry." Wang's servant stepped forward a few steps and said in a low voice.
"Okay, I'll go back now, but before that," Gao Zhan glanced at Chang Gong, "I'll send Chang Gong back first."
When the calf staggered to the gate of Gao's mansion, Gao Zhan realized that Chang Gong had fallen asleep unknowingly. He couldn't help but secretly laughed, but he was reluctant to wake her up, so he gently hugged her , walked into Gao Mansion cautiously.Everyone in the mansion recognized that this was the emperor, and was about to kneel down and call Long Live, but he stopped them all.
Chang Gong only felt in a daze that he was lying in an unusually warm embrace, and couldn't help leaning his body into that embrace, that strange feeling seemed indescribable in any words.
More precious than a father's arms, sweeter than a lover's embrace.
The happiness she can feel from it is—so much.
That seems to be the origin of all the vague love in the world, for friends, siblings, parents, lovers, partners, life, faith, and love. The sum of love and longing for all the lovely things in life.
No one can replace or surpass.
At the door of Chang Gong's room, Xiao Wan, who was waiting for his younger brother to come back, was surprised to see this scene. When Gao Zhan carefully placed Chang Gong on the couch, he couldn't help asking, "Your Majesty, why did you talk to Chang Gong?" Congratulate him on coming back together?"
Gao Zhan ignored him and just said, "Go get me a glass of water."
Xiao Wan did not leave, but said, "Your Majesty, are you still not returning to the palace at this late hour?"
Gao Zhan raised his eyes and glanced sharply, "Hejian King, didn't you hear what I said clearly?"
Xiao Wan's expression froze, and she had no choice but to back out.I don't know if it was his illusion, but the emperor seems to be a little different from usual today.
Gao Zhan didn't know why he let Xiao Wan go out, he just thought he wanted to be alone with her for a while, and it would be good to see her for a while longer.
Under the faint candlelight, she slept peacefully, her face was as transparent as moonlight.
He has never seen a more beautiful face than hers, as beautiful as a dream of Penglai from the sky, so beautiful that it is completely inhuman.
There is a faint joy that seeps into my heart bit by bit.
It was the quiet joy of owning the most beautiful and beloved thing in the world.But this kind of joy is fleeting, and it is replaced by the pain that cannot be sought.Even if it is owned, it is only such a short moment.During the day, the little girl's "Ma'am" made his mind agitated, and he was finally able to calm down the ups and downs in his heart. He almost couldn't help but ask the sentence that has been entwined in his heart, Chang Gong... If you are not a man, I will... Not your uncle, would you—would you—
It was as if some inexplicable feeling strangled his heart in an instant. For some reason, that feeling was not fire, but scalding to the body, not ice, but cold to the bone; It gets heavier as time goes by.
"Woo..." Chang Gong, who was deeply sleepy, suddenly made a small voice, and grasped something tightly as if he had dreamed of something.
He had already got up to leave, but when he heard her voice, he turned his head, and wherever he looked, he saw that the thing she was holding was the sachet he bought for her today—his heart was gently touched Moved a bit,... Approached her quietly again, without sound or movement, until she was only a few steps away from the face that seemed to dissolve in the quiet water——the distance was within reach.
So close at hand.
He stared at her quietly, as if struggling in pain, finally, he slowly stretched out his fingers and stroked her lips gently, carefully and gently.That cool touch seems to be a hotbed of dreams.At that moment, he had an illusion, as if he was touching a narcissus in the water.The whole person, the whole heart, seemed to be sinking, falling into a dark, bottomless abyss.
When Xiao Wan brought the water, he happened to see this scene, his expression changed, the blood in his whole body seemed to freeze instantly, his stiff fingers could hardly hold the white porcelain bowl in his hand.Resisting the urge to rush in, he just coughed lightly at the door.The emperor who was immersed in the darkness was suddenly startled, quickly withdrew his hand, stood up, and hurried out of the room without saying anything.
In the courtyard, the night dew condensed on the leaves dripped into the pond, and the moment of silence seemed strangely cold.A faint shadow was reflected on Xiao Wan's face, and that expression was like the hazy moon hiding in the clouds.
When Gao Zhan returned to the palace, he found that the empress, He Shikai and others were anxiously waiting for him. It was only when they saw him that everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Your Majesty, Chang Gong is too bold to actually take you out of the palace. What if something happens..." The queen's face showed a bit of worry. Gao Zhan frowned slightly, obviously he didn't like to hear such words. He Shikai winked at the queen, motioned her not to continue, and smiled at Gao Zhan, "I think it is because the king of Lanling understands the emperor's hard work in recent days, and wants to share his worries, so he took the emperor outside for a walk. Relaxation, this is also a good intention of King Lanling. It's just that the emperor is the Ninth Five-Year Lord after all, if he wants to leave the palace next time, it's better to let the ministers know in advance, so that he won't be as anxious as Shicai, and the six gods have no master." The king's servant also hurriedly echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, the empress and Lord He were so anxious that they didn't even take a sip of water, and they just waited for your news here." Gao Zhan's complexion softened, and he said in a deep voice, "It's getting late, you all go back." The queen gave him a complicated look, and said in a low voice, "The concubine has retired first, your majesty, you have worked hard all day, please rest earlier." Gao Zhan didn't speak, just nodded, and looked out the window expressionlessly. "Your Majesty," He Shikai said suddenly, "Why don't you let me play a game of chess with you before going to sleep?" Gao Zhan seemed to be slightly taken aback, turned his head, but saw He Shikai's eyes burning, as if he wanted to say something to him, he hesitated for a while and replied, "Alright." "Thank you, Your Majesty." He Shikai lowered his head, an imperceptible smile flashed across his eyes. When the queen stepped back, she exchanged a subtle look with He Shikai, and then ordered the king's servant to bring up the chessboard and chess pieces. "Your majesty, today you obviously went out of the palace to relax your mind. Why do you think that the emperor is more preoccupied after he comes back?" He Shikai asked casually as if he put down a white piece on the chessboard. Gao Zhan picked up a black spot, and said in silence for a moment, "Shikai, do you still remember what you told me about the great suffering of not being able to ask for it?" He Shi laughed, "Of course I remember. However, it's not like there's no way out of this suffering..." Gao Zhan's eyes dimmed, "What?" "Your Majesty, if you have something to ask for, even if there are thousands of dangers and obstacles, there will be a glimmer of hope in the end. Therefore, there is a possibility of relief from the great suffering of 'not asking for'. If you are afraid, you will be afraid of pain in your heart, but you will be at a loss and dare not ask for it. Try, this is the ultimate suffering of 'not seeking', and it is difficult to escape." Gao Zhan squeezed the sunspot in his hand tightly, his face was still calm and calm, but his voice was a little tranced, and he murmured, "If you are afraid, you will be afraid of pain in your heart, but you are at a loss and dare not ask for it, dare not try... ..." He Shikai knew that what he said hit the Emperor's mind, and took the opportunity to add another sentence, "The source of suffering is timidity, and the timid is passive. If you want to get rid of suffering, if you don't give up, you are really brave. Your Majesty, if To get rid of this extreme suffering, the only way is to ask boldly and try boldly, if you don’t tell me about some things, how will you know the result?” "Enough." Gao Zhan reprimanded in a low voice, "Stop talking." He Shikai immediately fell to his knees with a plop, "I am guilty of speculating on the Emperor's thoughts, I really deserve to die, please forgive me!" Gao Zhan seemed helpless and sighed, "Forget it, I'm a little tired, you can step back first." After he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something, motioned for the warrior to come over, and whispered to him A few words. He Shikai nodded repeatedly and left in a hurry. The white moonlight, like petals, piled up one by one, giving off a faint fragrance. Gao Zhan just sat quietly in this quiet moonlight without moving, white petals fell on his head and body, casting a layer of half-bright and half-dark shadows on him. As soon as He Shikai left Zhaoyang Hall, a maid immediately led him to Yaohua Hall where Empress Hu was. "Shikai, what did you say to the emperor?" The queen asked impatiently when she saw him. He Shikai smiled slightly, "I just added fuel to his fire." "What does it mean?" "Your Majesty, didn't I tell you that the Emperor's patience is almost at its limit." He bent his lips, "Gao Changgong, he won't pose any threat to us soon." "Chang Gong..." There was a trace of melancholy in the queen's eyes, if that child knew that the emperor had such thoughts for him, I don't know what he would think.The scene of Gao Zhan and Chang Gong tasting plums in the garden suddenly appeared in her mind a long time ago, a scene that made her feel heartbroken... The melancholy in her heart was immediately replaced by a pleasure of revenge, If Chang Gong knew all this, if she knew that her beloved relatives had an almost crazy love for her, it must be the heaviest blow to her. "But I still can't understand how the emperor likes a man..." The queen seemed to think of something again, and shook her head in disbelief, "I don't understand, I really don't understand...Sometimes, if Chang Gong is a A girl who has nothing to do with the emperor, that... will make me feel better." If it was just a girl who had nothing to do with the emperor, she wouldn't have such intense pain and hatred.Those two people are obviously uncles and nephews, how can it be?how can?What the hell is she... "Your Majesty, liking someone has nothing to do with gender, status, or identity. The emperor is just someone he likes for Chang Gong, but he is the same gender as him, and he is his relative." He Shikai is a barbarian. , Naturally, there are not so many ethical concepts. "Shikai, you don't understand..." He Shikai looked at her, but raised the corners of his mouth, "Maybe." Do not understand?He thought that he could understand the emperor's mind better than anyone else. He felt the pain of not getting what he wanted.He clearly knew that the high-ranking empress in front of him was just using him to get rid of all those who were unfavorable to the prince, but he was——willingly. However, the only thing he didn't understand was why the emperor never paid any attention to his relationship with the empress? "The emperor's self-control has always been very strong. Although he is becoming more and more impatient now, he doesn't know when he will have to wait until the day the window paper is pierced." The queen frowned. "Therefore, we have to help the emperor share his worries and problems." He Shikai showed an inscrutable smile on his face, "The emperor asked me to do something before, and I think our chance will come soon." The queen lowered her eyes, and the knuckles of her fingers were already turning white. it is good!In this case, she will let them fall into hell together, and endure the burning of the red lotus fire of hell with her...
When Gao Zhan returned to the palace, he found that the empress, He Shikai and others were anxiously waiting for him. It was only when they saw him that everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Your Majesty, Chang Gong is too bold to actually take you out of the palace. What if something happens..." The queen's face showed a bit of worry. Gao Zhan frowned slightly, obviously he didn't like to hear such words. He Shikai winked at the queen, motioned her not to continue, and smiled at Gao Zhan, "I think it is because the king of Lanling understands the emperor's hard work in recent days, and wants to share his worries, so he took the emperor outside for a walk. Relaxation, this is also a good intention of King Lanling. It's just that the emperor is the Ninth Five-Year Lord after all, if he wants to leave the palace next time, it's better to let the ministers know in advance, so that he won't be as anxious as Shicai, and the six gods have no master." The king's servant also hurriedly echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, the empress and Lord He were so anxious that they didn't even take a sip of water, and they just waited for your news here." Gao Zhan's complexion softened, and he said in a deep voice, "It's getting late, you all go back." The queen gave him a complicated look, and said in a low voice, "The concubine has retired first, your majesty, you have worked hard all day, please rest earlier." Gao Zhan didn't speak, just nodded, and looked out the window expressionlessly. "Your Majesty," He Shikai said suddenly, "Why don't you let me play a game of chess with you before going to sleep?" Gao Zhan seemed to be slightly taken aback, turned his head, but saw He Shikai's eyes burning, as if he wanted to say something to him, he hesitated for a while and replied, "Alright." "Thank you, Your Majesty." He Shikai lowered his head, an imperceptible smile flashed across his eyes. When the queen stepped back, she exchanged a subtle look with He Shikai, and then ordered the king's servant to bring up the chessboard and chess pieces. "Your majesty, today you obviously went out of the palace to relax your mind. Why do you think that the emperor is more preoccupied after he comes back?" He Shikai asked casually as if he put down a white piece on the chessboard. Gao Zhan picked up a black spot, and said in silence for a moment, "Shikai, do you still remember what you told me about the great suffering of not being able to ask for it?" He Shi laughed, "Of course I remember. However, it's not like there's no way out of this suffering..." Gao Zhan's eyes dimmed, "What?" "Your Majesty, if you have something to ask for, even if there are thousands of dangers and obstacles, there will be a glimmer of hope in the end. Therefore, there is a possibility of relief from the great suffering of 'not asking for'. If you are afraid, you will be afraid of pain in your heart, but you will be at a loss and dare not ask for it. Try, this is the ultimate suffering of 'not seeking', and it is difficult to escape." Gao Zhan squeezed the sunspot in his hand tightly, his face was still calm and calm, but his voice was a little tranced, and he murmured, "If you are afraid, you will be afraid of pain in your heart, but you are at a loss and dare not ask for it, dare not try... ..." He Shikai knew that what he said hit the Emperor's mind, and took the opportunity to add another sentence, "The source of suffering is timidity, and the timid is passive. If you want to get rid of suffering, if you don't give up, you are really brave. Your Majesty, if To get rid of this extreme suffering, the only way is to ask boldly and try boldly, if you don’t tell me about some things, how will you know the result?” "Enough." Gao Zhan reprimanded in a low voice, "Stop talking." He Shikai immediately fell to his knees with a plop, "I am guilty of speculating on the Emperor's thoughts, I really deserve to die, please forgive me!" Gao Zhan seemed helpless and sighed, "Forget it, I'm a little tired, you can step back first." After he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something, motioned for the warrior to come over, and whispered to him A few words. He Shikai nodded repeatedly and left in a hurry. The white moonlight, like petals, piled up one by one, giving off a faint fragrance. Gao Zhan just sat quietly in this quiet moonlight without moving, white petals fell on his head and body, casting a layer of half-bright and half-dark shadows on him. As soon as He Shikai left Zhaoyang Hall, a maid immediately led him to Yaohua Hall where Empress Hu was. "Shikai, what did you say to the emperor?" The queen asked impatiently when she saw him. He Shikai smiled slightly, "I just added fuel to his fire." "What does it mean?" "Your Majesty, didn't I tell you that the Emperor's patience is almost at its limit." He bent his lips, "Gao Changgong, he won't pose any threat to us soon." "Chang Gong..." There was a trace of melancholy in the queen's eyes, if that child knew that the emperor had such thoughts for him, I don't know what he would think.The scene of Gao Zhan and Chang Gong tasting plums in the garden suddenly appeared in her mind a long time ago, a scene that made her feel heartbroken... The melancholy in her heart was immediately replaced by a pleasure of revenge, If Chang Gong knew all this, if she knew that her beloved relatives had an almost crazy love for her, it must be the heaviest blow to her. "But I still can't understand how the emperor likes a man..." The queen seemed to think of something again, and shook her head in disbelief, "I don't understand, I really don't understand...Sometimes, if Chang Gong is a A girl who has nothing to do with the emperor, that... will make me feel better." If it was just a girl who had nothing to do with the emperor, she wouldn't have such intense pain and hatred.Those two people are obviously uncles and nephews, how can it be?how can?What the hell is she... "Your Majesty, liking someone has nothing to do with gender, status, or identity. The emperor is just someone he likes for Chang Gong, but he is the same gender as him, and he is his relative." He Shikai is a barbarian. , Naturally, there are not so many ethical concepts. "Shikai, you don't understand..." He Shikai looked at her, but raised the corners of his mouth, "Maybe." Do not understand?He thought that he could understand the emperor's mind better than anyone else. He felt the pain of not getting what he wanted.He clearly knew that the high-ranking empress in front of him was just using him to get rid of all those who were unfavorable to the prince, but he was——willingly. However, the only thing he didn't understand was why the emperor never paid any attention to his relationship with the empress? "The emperor's self-control has always been very strong. Although he is becoming more and more impatient now, he doesn't know when he will have to wait until the day the window paper is pierced." The queen frowned. "Therefore, we have to help the emperor share his worries and problems." He Shikai showed an inscrutable smile on his face, "The emperor asked me to do something before, and I think our chance will come soon." The queen lowered her eyes, and the knuckles of her fingers were already turning white. it is good!In this case, she will let them fall into hell together, and endure the burning of the red lotus fire of hell with her...