Chapter 21 Chapter 48: Xi Ye

Dingtao Palace closed the palace gate after King Feng, King Xi and the generals of the two countries entered, and all palace people and guests were not allowed to enter. It was getting dark early in winter, the palace was already brightly lit, the gate of the palace was opened, and Xu Yuan, Ren Chuanyu, Duanmu Wensheng, and He Qishu walked out in a file. "The palace banquet is almost ready, shall we go together?" Duanmu Wensheng asked, but looked at Xu Yuan who was aside. Xu Yuan glanced at him, his eyebrows furrowed, but finally nodded silently. At that moment, the four of them went to Qinghua Palace together.

Tonight's Qinghua Palace is the busiest in the whole palace.The main hall has obviously undergone some decorations. The glazed palace lantern is hung high on the top of the hall. The light is like mercury pouring down, and the inside of the hall is as bright as day. Goji wood benches covered with brocade mats and nanmu tables with lotus cups are neatly arranged in the main hall. The throne in the center of the head of the hall is shining golden under the light, and the palace people shuttle back and forth lightly. preparing for the dinner party. Feng Wei was the most busy one, but seeing him yelling at the palace servants not to damage the branch of coral cherry blossoms, ordering the waiters to straighten the pot of purple jade bamboo, thinking that the screen next to the throne is too plain to change. The blue lake and red plum blossoms, and then said that the green leaf orchid must match the Yunmeng jade cup from the Wushan Mountain... shouting, busy, and at the end of Youshi, finally everything was done.

"The king is here!" When the chants of the waiters outside the hall sounded, all the civil servants and generals waiting in the hall turned around and bowed to greet them. Outside the hall, the two kings walked slowly side by side. On such a great day, both of them wore official royal clothes, and they also wore crowns of seven treasures on their heads. Long pearl tassels hung down. Gently shaking like flowing water, luxurious and graceful.The difference is that one is mainly white, but the red jade nine-hole exquisite belt around the waist is like a ray of brilliance across the white clouds, and the long pink cloak on the arm is like light smoke floating behind. High-spirited.The other is a black royal robe, with a white jade nine-hole exquisite belt around the waist, like a meteor ringing the sky, and the chest and the corners of the robe are embroidered with soaring clouds and flying dragons with gold thread, making it even more dignified and extraordinary.

"The minister waits to see the king!" "Flat body!" The monarchs and ministers sat down, the banquet began, toasted and drank together, and congratulated one another. On the last day of the eighteenth year of Renji, Feng Wang, Xi Wang, the courtiers of the two countries and the imperial capital had an evening banquet in Qinghua Palace. In the future, when some courtiers recalled that celebration banquet, it was always like looking at flowers in the fog, unable to recall all the scenes of that day clearly, but it was because of the mist and mistiness that people could never forget.

How was the banquet different? The banquet was not necessarily extravagant. Any royal small banquet in the past was better than it, and it was not necessarily so lively. It was just a palace of monarchs and ministers. There was no concubine, concubine, and concubine, but it was not deserted. , the courtiers were chatting, laughing and drinking, everything was so harmonious... If I had to say something special, it would be——peace! The royal banquet is not extravagant and noisy, nor is it solemn and silent, but as calm as a deep and wide lake, without a trace of waves, without a trace of ups and downs, a kind of just right calm!

From the beginning to the end of the banquet, everything passed peacefully and naturally. Tasting the delicacies made by the imperial chef, respecting each other's century-old wines, listening to the wonderful songs of the court musicians, admiring the graceful dances of the people in Ruhua Palace... When the time of Zi is approaching, the monarchs and ministers go to the tower of Nanhua Gate to spend the last moment of the year with the people. The front of Nanhua Gate was already full of people, and almost all the people of the imperial capital had gathered here, braving the biting cold wind and waiting eagerly, just to see the King of Wind and King of Rest, the kings who are like the gods in the legends!

Finally, when the two kings surrounded by hundreds of officials climbed to the tower, at that moment, the noisy people downstairs all fell silent and looked up. The graceful and noble kings on the city smiled and waved to the people. With the sound of shouting, all the people in the city knelt down and worshiped, regardless of whether it was ice or mud under their knees. This worship combined all the respect, love and gratitude of the people of the imperial capital.They are just ordinary people, they only know that King Feng and Xi rescued them from the ravages of the White Army, helped them heal their pain, helped them rebuild their homes, and helped them find their lost relatives... They are grateful and adored... They use The most simple expression of action!

When the gentle consolation, encouragement and blessings of the two kings spread to everyone's ears gently and clearly, at that moment, the cold wind suddenly turned into a spring breeze, blowing away all the chill, and warming the body and mind. At that moment, all the people worshiped, At that moment, the sound of "Long Live" resounded through the nine heavens, it was not just gratitude, it was complete worship!Worship at the feet of the king who is both benevolent and virtuous, and who is unparalleled in appearance! When the fireworks rose, everyone looked up and watched the sparks bloom in the night sky, brilliantly lighting up the entire night sky, and then turning into a brilliant rain of stars and falling!

At that moment, all the subjects were happy, and at that moment, the whole city was excited... Even Ren Chuanyu and Jiu Wei were smiling and touching their foreheads at this moment, for this rare event in this chaotic world. Feng Qiwu's eyes shifted from the gorgeous fireworks to the top of the tower, the two kings at the front of the tower. The courtiers in the city stood behind them, on the left and right at a certain distance, then the courtiers, and then the guards. Under the city, there were thousands of people, surrounded by so many people... But they seem to have been separated from the crowd. In an independent space that isolates everyone, they stand side by side, looking up at the flowers blooming and dying on the sky, with graceful smiles on their faces. Can't hide the brilliance of those two people, that kind of elegant but above all elegance!

The courtiers, common people, noise and laughter all disappeared suddenly, and there were only those two people left on the city tower. Against the sky full of fireworks behind them, those two people were so dazzling, so transcendent...they were such a perfect match , But why are they so alienated? !Although surrounded by hundreds of officials and embraced by thousands of people, why did those two people exude such a lonely atmosphere? ! Amidst the sea of ​​fireworks and the roar of joy, the two aloof people suddenly felt a sense of emptiness and loneliness in their hearts at the same time.

No matter how many people there are, no matter how lively the surrounding atmosphere is, it is far away from here! He turned his head to look at him, but only saw the blurred smiling face of the other party. They stand side by side, they are only a fist away, they are so close, and they are so far away, as if through a transparent mirror wall, you can clearly see the opposite person, the tentacles—— The insurmountable coldness! "Today is actually the king's birthday, but the king has never celebrated it." Duanmu Wensheng's murmured sigh came from behind him, Feng Qiwu was startled, and an indescribable sadness filled his heart. As the midnight draws to a close, the lights in the palace are also extinguished one by one, the celebration is over, and everyone has gone to sleep. In the sleeping hall of Jitian Palace, Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan waited on Lan Xi to go to bed. After everything was settled, the two retreated. When they closed the door, they saw their king leaning on the soft couch by the window, holding a snow-colored In the jade cup was fine wine that resembled flowing pills. The window door was slightly opened at a corner, and the cold night wind blew in, blowing the black hair fluttering, covering the whole body and covering up the face. well!Both of them sighed at the same time, every year tonight, Wang would stay up all night! Turning around, I saw a servant running over in a hurry. "What's the matter?" Zhong Li asked aloud, and motioned to slow down, so as not to disturb Wang. The servant hurriedly stopped, and replied softly: "Feng... Miss Feng is asking to see you outside?" "Huh?" Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan looked at each other, and the two identical faces showed the same puzzled expression: What is she doing so late? "The king has already rested, please come back tomorrow." Zhong Yuan replied. "The villain also replied in the same way, but... it's just Miss Feng..." The servant hesitated, and carefully looked at the identical face in front of him. Up to now, he still couldn't tell the difference between the two people, he only knew that this was the one closest to King Xi. Those who trust should not be offended, "Miss Feng...it seems...she seems...she wants to see the king, so..." Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan looked at each other again when they heard the words, and then walked back to the door together. Zhong Li knocked on the door lightly: "My lord, Miss Feng, please see me." I couldn't help being startled, what could make that cold beauty ask to see her at this moment?She smiled faintly: "Please wait at Nuanlange." "yes." Zhong Li went to convey the message, while Zhong Yuan pushed the door open and waited on Lan Xi to get dressed. When he was about to tie up his hair, Lan Xi waved his hand and walked out with his hair on. In the Nuanlan Pavilion, Feng Qiwu quietly looked at a picture of snow orchids on the biscuit, in the snow-like petals, there was a little bit of bright red, like fresh blood dripping accidentally.This was painted by Lan Xi this morning. The door of the pavilion was pushed open, and the cold wind came in. Looking back, the person who seemed to be blending into the dark night sky behind him was approaching step by step. Turning around to salute, but it was silent. "Why is Miss Feng looking for the king so late?" Lan Xi asked with a smile, and behind him, Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan closed the door and retreated. Feng Qiwu looked at the person in front of him, he was still the familiar Xi Wang, with a handsome face, elegant words and deeds, a graceful smile, those dark eyes were still deep and bottomless...but it was that The depth that no one could understand made her heart ache!What is in those deep eyes?He hid all those joys and angers, those sorrows and sorrows, all those tiredness and sorrows in that dark abyss, and he did not talk to anyone, but the things in that abyss sank a lot, and there would be a full day. If you are too heavy, you will have a day when you can't bear it! His gaze shifted to the round table in the room, and he said in a flat tone: "Qi Wu was naughty when he was a child, he didn't like female red cooks, and later he made a living selling songs, so he couldn't study hard. Please ask the king to taste it." "Huh?" Lan Xi frowned when she heard the words, and looked at the dazzling beauty under the bead lamp with some surprise. In the middle of the night, invite him to taste her cooking skills? Feng Qiwu walked over, peeled off the tightly wrapped brocade cloth layer by layer on the food box on the table, and then opened the box lid, revealing a bowl of noodles in the box. The moment he saw the noodles, the graceful smile on Lan Xi's face that seemed to never disappear finally faded away slowly. "Although it's late, this is the first time Xiwu made it. Can King Xi give it a try?" Feng Qiwu took out the noodles and gently placed them on the table. At this moment, Lan Xi looked at the noodles on the table in a daze, but there was no emotion on his face. "It's still hot." Feng Qiwu put the chopsticks on the bowl and looked up at him. Walking slowly, approaching the table, looking at the bowl of noodles, it is really ordinary, and just by looking at it, you can tell that the taste is definitely not "delicious".The noodles had obviously been boiled for too long, and they were all sticky together. They were covered with a layer of green vegetables, but the leaves of the vegetables had turned yellow due to the long time of stuffing. There were two boiled eggs on the green vegetables, but the shells The human level is obviously not good, and the surface is full of potholes. The only thing that is certain is that it is really hot. On this cold night when the dripping water turns into ice, there are wisps of heat rising from the porcelain bowl! "That... um... because it's the first time... so... um... it looks... um... although... this..." Noticing Lan Xi's gaze examining the noodles, Feng Qiwu couldn't help but hesitate When explaining, he just faltered for a long time, but couldn't make the words coherent, twisted his fingers tightly together, looked at Lan Xi, then at the noodles, a layer of red cloud appeared on his snow-white face, he lowered his head, and his voice was extremely low Wen Bo said, "This...should...can be eaten, right?" Even he seemed unsure. As if a long, long time ago, a gentle voice said softly: "Xi'er, you have to remember that it is a custom in our Eastern Dynasty that mothers and children would cook a bowl of noodles for each other on their birthdays. My son is too young now, so I eat mother's first and then cook, when Xi'er grows up, I have to cook a few more bowls to make up for mother's..." Soft and warm hands gently stroked the top of his head, and the warm breath surrounded him ... birthday...noodles... After the death of the empress mother, no one cooked noodles for herself. It was her birthday. Since that bloody evening, no one has mentioned it again, and no one will be allowed to mention it.Forget what day it is every year, remember what happened every year... It seems to be far away, it seems to have sunk into the depths of the bone marrow, but... His eyes fell on the person in front of him, this person who was usually so cold that he could be said to be arrogant, but now he was blushing and anxious because of this bowl of noodles!On this cold winter night, on this eve when everyone brought Yu Qing, who was exhausted from the event, to sleep, she walked into the kitchen, made a bowl of home-cooked noodles by herself, and said nothing of congratulations or comfort. In other words, please try the first bowl of noodles she made in this life... A feeling of warmth came to my heart lightly, the warmth I hadn't experienced in more than 20 years, but now I felt it again, and a faint smile floated up like this, that smile was real and clear, as gentle as water. "It's edible." Sit down at the table, pick up your chopsticks, and start eating this bowl of warm noodles. The twisted hands were finally released, the drooping head was finally raised, and she sat down gently, quietly watching that person eat noodles, watch that person eat vegetables, watch that person eat eggs, watch that person drink Noodle soup... This Nuanlan Pavilion is so warm and fragrant, this moment is so quiet and long, it seems that it will never come to an end, as if time can stop here, stop at these moments of happiness and sorrow! The chopsticks rested on the bowl and made a crisp sound, indicating that the noodles were finally finished. Feng Qiwu stretched out his hand and silently tidied it up. Lan Xi quietly watched her movements, watched the bowls and chopsticks put into the box, watched the lid of the box gently closed, and closed her eyes slightly: "In these years, except for the things handed over from Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan, , I have almost never eaten other people's." There was a slight smile on his lips, which was not so much ridicule as it was desolate. Feng Qiwu's hands trembled when he heard the words, and he raised his eyes to look at him, but that smile was like a thin needle, which was inserted into the heart gently and very slowly, and the pain was also faint, long and lasting! "In the past... many people who tried food died... Later, they only ate the food made by Zhong Li and Zhong Yuan, and no one died at that time." With a flat, almost heartless tone, and a cold, almost heartless expression, Lan Xi Turning her head slightly, her eyes fell on the picture of Xue Lan on the wall, "After the death of the mother, there is no food or sleep." Suddenly blurred in front of my eyes, something was flowing over my face, it was cold, I blinked, trying to see the person in front of me clearly, but after I saw clearly, it was a burst of suffocating pain!He lowered his head, raised his hand, and mechanically and tremblingly wrapped the brocade cloth layer by layer into the food box. Something dripped on the cloth, blurring the watermarks in circles. "Arrowing in the dark, walking is difficult..." His gaze was fixed on Xue Lanzhong's dark red, and his jet-black hair fell down his shoulders, covering his face, making it difficult to see his expression clearly, and blurring his voice, "On this day every year It's all reminding me...it's just...this is the first time I've eaten noodles like this." Looking back, he looked at the person facing him with a gentle gaze, "Qiwu, this is the first bowl of noodles after my mother's death! " The person on the opposite side raised his head, his face was like snow, but his eyes were shining with warm water, and there was a very shallow and beautiful smile on his lips: "Qiwu is very lucky!" "Qiwu..." With a long sigh, he stretched out his hand and lightly touched the person in front of him, wiping away the teardrops from the corners of her eyes with his fingertips, it was as hot as fire in the cold night. "Qiwu..." He called her softly, calling her with infinite emotion. He knew that she had feelings for him, but he didn't know that she had used her feelings so far!This woman who looks cold on the outside but is extremely proud and arrogant in her bones is willing to follow him.Play a pipa and sing a Qing song for him when he is called, and stand quietly in her place when he is not called, without any request or regret... This is the first time in this life To his people!Even she...wouldn't be like this!At this moment, Ren Shi was also deeply moved. In those black bottomless eyes, there is genuine tenderness at this moment, such a soft light of pity has never been seen before!This is for me... This is for me, Feng Qiwu!With eyes closed, there is his warm hand on the cheek, an empty and sore heart, infinite satisfaction and happiness at this moment!There is no need to talk about the cause and effect, there is no need to have the past and future, but at this moment, it is enough! "Xiwu..." Lan Xi's heart felt soft and soft at that moment, and she gently held her hand, and said softly that thought that she had never had before: "Will Xiwu be... ..." Just when those words were about to be blurted out, a faint sound of a zither came, shocking the two people in the pavilion. At that moment, they all thought it was a hallucination, but immediately, Lan Xi suddenly got up, hurried to the window, and quickly opened the door. window, and then the sound of the piano came in clearly. When he heard the zither music clearly, Lan Xi's eyes suddenly widened, and the black eyes were like a calm sea, and the wind surged in an instant, and he looked at the night sky with burning eyes, as if he was looking at the other side of the zither sound through the vast night. "This is... Qingping tune?!" The voice trembled slightly, as if afraid of frightening the sound of the piano, so cautious, so hesitant, I couldn't believe it! Qingping tune?what is that?Can make him react like this?Feng Qiwu looked at Lan Xi standing by the window, seeing all kinds of complex and indescribable expressions flashing across his face, his heart was filled with mixed feelings, who is playing the piano late at night?Who could stir his emotions like this? As a singer, she can know the quality of the qin music and the skill level of the player. This Qingping tune is not a famous song in the world. The tune is very simple. Anyone with a little qin skill can play it. The artist's skills are obviously very superb, such a simple and ordinary piece of music, but it is played leisurely and clearly, like a flower in the mountain forest, spreading naturally, relaxing and happy. "Qing Ping Diao...so...she hasn't forgotten it!" The words seemed to be spit out from the deepest part of her heart, as long as a sigh, the lingering sound was lingering, like silk like tendrils, wafting around in the Nuan Pavilion, blending with the night The wind overflowed the window and floated leisurely into the distance. At that moment, he suddenly understood that the only person in this world who could bring him to this point was her!Confusion, sadness, joy, helplessness... appeared one by one on that handsome and unparalleled face at the moment!Never seen him like this before!At this moment, sorrow and joy are combined in my heart, half for myself and half for him! He lifted the food box and bowed to leave. The person by the window turned around and looked at her. His eyes, which were always black and bottomless, were as clear as a lake at this moment, and he could clearly see the light flowing inside. "Xiwu, Lan Xi will never forget this aspect!" "En." Smiling, she moved forward, gently opened the door, stepped out without any hesitation, and then gently closed the door. Inside and outside the door, there are two worlds, inside the door is bright and warm like spring, outside the door is dark and freezing. Inside and outside the door, there are two people. The person inside the door is excited, joyful and even happy, while the person outside the door is sad, sad but relieved. The sound of the piano is still going on, low and gentle, as clear as the wind. The person outside the door looked up at the night sky, the cold stars shimmering, hugged the still warm food box tightly to his chest, and smiled slightly, slightly astringent but relieved: "May God bless you!" The person inside the door raised his hands to cover his eyes, but he was completely relaxed, with a smile on his lips, warm and sad: "Has the heaven not given up?" "What song are you playing? It's very nice!" "Qingping tune, my former mother... my mother played it to me every year on this day." "Before? She's not playing now?" "She... is gone." "Eh?... It doesn't matter, anyway, you can play it anyway, or else, you give me your roast chicken, and I will play it for you in the future." ... The person standing in front of the window of Jitian Palace, and the person sitting quietly by the harp of Fengying Palace suddenly had such a conversation in their minds, and the first picture of memory floated in front of their eyes, the cold night at the end of the year when the boy first met, the old peach tree Next, next to that bonfire, that handsome and quiet young man, that handsome and smiling girl, they depended on each other to keep warm that night, and they talked happily that night... At that time they were young and innocent, at that time they were strangers who met for the first time, at that time he was erudite, gentle, honest and honest, at that time she was smart, quick-witted, delicious and playful, at that time they had no differences in the future, nor the differences of today. Gains and losses, at that time they cherished each other and were close in heart... The music is over, the qin is over, the secluded and deep palace is back to silence, the people by the window are still standing dumbfounded, and the people by the qin are dazed and absent-minded. Why do you remember?Why is it popping up tonight?Don't know each other, or do you know each other but don't want to admit it? Slumping on the piano, burying the head in the crook of the arms, hiding deeply, but unable to hide the deep sorrow gushing out of the bottom of my heart! No matter how beautiful it was in the past, it is impossible to go back, and no matter how hard it is in the future, it is impossible to keep pace with each other. Those deep-rooted memories can no longer be owned by you and me today, but can only be buried or...discarded! At the same night, at the same moment, across the mountains, rivers and rivers, across the armor of the city, there are people in Yancheng who can't sleep all night. "Click!" The pen rested lightly on the pen stand, and the hand fell back to the table covered with jade silk. The hand was carefully carved out of the best white jade, slender and clean, exuding a soft and moist jade color, perfect but not perfect. reality! "It's finally finished." Yu Wuyuan let out a long sigh of relief. Get up and walk to the window, open the window, a gust of cold wind blows, invades the warm room, but also injects fresh air. Close your eyes, take a deep breath of the cool and clear air, your mind will be refreshed immediately, and you will look up and open your eyes. The dark sky is like the finest ink silk, and the stars are like chess pieces, competing to reflect each other, reflecting the earth, mountains, forests and houses, shadowy and shadowy. "The stars are approaching, and the destiny will begin..." The tone was light and long, and the eyes were as clear as a mirror, "Or is it the end?" There was an elusive smile on his lips, and he stood with his hands behind his back, like a white jade statue , standing quietly, watching the stars change in the sky. "No fate." A low and steady voice sounded nearby, and when he turned his head, it was the dynasty. "why are not you sleeping?" "I fell asleep, but I just couldn't sleep." Huang Chao pushed the door open and entered, he only wore a robe over his nightgown, apparently he just got up from the bed. "The injury happened again?" Yu Wuyuan frowned.The arrow wound that time was extremely serious, hurting the heart and lungs, and should have been well recuperated, but the dynasty was busy with the battle, so the injury repeated repeatedly, and it has not been fully recovered. "No." Dynasty replied succinctly, approaching the table, his eyes were attracted by the ink scroll on the table. "Dynasty, outside the world, I occasionally think about my body." Yu Wuyuan looked at him worriedly. But obviously, the dynasty didn't listen to his advice, and his mind was completely immersed in the ink. Yu Wuyuan sighed silently, and moved his eyes to look at the sky. The sea of ​​ink and stars is vast and boundless, and the changes of the world are all in it. Everything in the world can only follow the trajectory of fate?No matter how hard you try, can't you overcome the destiny? The king star has been born in response to the sky, and the general stars have also gathered in accordance with the destiny. Are those stars rising and falling, are they all just for the game of chess on the top of the vast mountain?What role did their Yu family, known as "Heavenly Man", play in this ever-changing and chaotic world?Shura with no blood on his hands?A saint who saved life and created the world?Are these all just destiny? fate?For the first time, there was a mocking and slightly bitter smile on that face that was always calm.Eyes closed weakly, letting body and mind sink into the boundless nothingness.Isn't the world asking for answers from the Yu family, and since the Yu family is known as "heavenly beings", they are the ones who know all of these things the most, but fate... that is the most important thing for their Yu family. Hate it! "Perhaps you are the real lord of the world!" The calm and powerful voice of the dynasty suddenly sounded in the silent room, and the pair of eternally bright golden eyes were staring at the person in front of the window at this moment, "'Jade who is the most intelligent in the world The family is indeed the most intelligent in the world! If the members of Yu's family want this world, it will be like picking something out of a pocket!" Yu Wuyuan looked back at him, what Huangchao held in his hand was the scroll he had just finished writing. "This 'Ceremony of the First Dynasty' can be announced to the world on the day you ascend the throne." He said lightly, turned around and walked back to the table, carefully put away the scroll, "When the new dynasty is established, you can follow the code... "He paused slightly at this point, and then continued, "Perhaps...you can just use it as a reference." "I don't think there will be anything more perfect than yours in this world, even the two kings of Feng and Xi!" Huang Chao said with emotion after taking the scroll that Yu Wuyuan handed him. Yu Wuyuan seemed to have never heard of it, and walked back to the window, his eyes pierced the vast night sky, "The new year has begun, I wonder if the snow on the top of the vast mountain has melted?" "You will know when you climb Cangwu Mountain." Huang Chao walked to the window and stood side by side with him. "Cangwu Mountain... Is it a chess game?" Yu Wuyuan's voice fell into the wind in a low voice, inaudible, "Maybe it's better to leave it as the endgame..."