Chapter 16 Chapter 15 Playing

It's early morning again. The morning breeze gently danced the falling flowers, ethereal, and the remaining fireflies perched on the jade dew, glowing slightly blue. No matter how long the night is, it will eventually pass.Qiu Changfeng walked on the long street, looking at the falling flowers and the morning dew, listening to the dogs barking and people making noise, his pale face was somewhat exhausted. He slept for a full day and night, and the fatigue in his body could be relieved, but the fatigue in his mind was hard to eliminate. Walking on the long street, Yao Guangxiao's crazy laughter still echoed in Qiu Changfeng's ears.Inadvertently frowned.

Yao Sansi followed pantingly, held a gift box and said, "Master Qiu, I have bought a gift. The best birthday peaches in Pantaoyuan." Holding the gift box, Yao Sansi was full of energy.After arriving in Nanjing, unlike Qiu Changfeng who immediately went to the Qinhuai River, he slept soundly for two days. Anyway, Qiu Changfeng said he would stay in Nanjing for a while.He missed some things, still carefree.Hearing that Qiu Changfeng asked him to do something, he was very interested. When Qiu Changfeng saw him, he couldn't help thinking, it's rare to be a fool, and a person like Yao Sansi would be much happier.He felt emotional in his heart, but he just nodded and said: "You have done a good job, let's go to Prince Ning's Mansion."

Yao Sansi was taken aback, and the peach box in his hand almost fell, he said in surprise, "What are you going to do in Prince Ning's Mansion?" Although his knowledge is far from Qiu Changfeng, he still knows about Prince Ning.After all, in this big world, there are very few people who don't know King Ning. King Ning is called Zhu Quan, the seventeenth younger brother of Emperor Zhu Di, the seventeenth son of Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, and the uncle of Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yunwen. Back then when Zhu Yunwen cut down the vassals, he finally attacked Zhu Di and Zhu Quan. It was really because among Zhu Yuanzhang's sons, these two were not taken lightly.

There was a saying at the beginning, "The king of Yan is good at fighting, and the king of Ning is good at planning." Since Zhu Yuanzhang's incident at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Di, the king of Yan, has been fighting with Zhu Yuanzhang, fighting in the east and fighting in the west, fighting in the south and fighting in the north. His military talent is undoubtedly the first among Zhu Yuanzhang's sons.Ning Wang Zhu Quan was smart since he was a child, he knew everything about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and he was even eloquent in military strategy. In the end, Zhu Yunqi attacked the two of them because he was afraid of their abilities, and wanted to eradicate the rest of his uncles first, and then complete his meritorious service in one battle.

Unexpectedly, when Zhu Yunqi was in trouble, Zhu Di borrowed Zhu Quan's soldiers, and the two kings joined forces to go south. Under Yao Guangxiao's plan, they defeated Zhu Yunqi's million soldiers.After Zhu Di became emperor, he even promised to share the country with Zhu Quan because he was grateful for the contribution of Ning Wang Zhu Quan. However, Zhu Quan did not share the country with Zhu Di equally. Instead, he indulged in the mountains and rivers, indulging in piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, and Taoism, regardless of everything. Although Zhu Quan didn't care about government affairs, he was also a very prestigious figure in the eyes of the courtiers.A small person like Yao Sansi, of course, had no chance to meet King Ning. Hearing that Qiu Changfeng was going to Prince Ning's mansion, Yao Sansi was naturally taken aback.

Qiu Changfeng calmly said: "Going to Prince Ning's mansion is of course to celebrate King Ning's birthday. Don't you know that today is King Ning's birthday?" Yao Sansi looked at the gift box he was holding, and said uncomfortably, "But shall we just give these?" He spent ten liang of silver from Qiu Changfeng to buy these longevity peaches. , Immediately feel very shabby. Qiu Changfeng smiled and said: "Do you think the gift is too light?" Seeing Yao Sansi nodding, Qiu Changfeng said: "Haven't you heard of 'sending goose feathers from thousands of miles, the gift is light and the affection is heavy'? Ning Wang what? Haven’t you seen it before? If you give him a golden mountain, he might not like it.” He lowered his voice and said, “I’m presenting the gift on behalf of my master, even if I give King Ning an empty box, King Ning will like it.”

Yao Sansi was taken aback again, "Lord Qianhu, you said that the gift is what the master meant?" Yao Guangxiao never accepted gifts, but he didn't give gifts either. If this gift was really given on Yao Guangxiao's behalf, it would be very heavy. Thinking of this, Yao San straightened up his waist again, but he couldn't help but think again, the master suddenly came to Nanjing and asked the swing household to celebrate King Ning's birthday. I don't know why? He thought about it, but seeing that Qiu Changfeng didn't say anything, he didn't dare to ask.Suddenly thought of something, and asked: "Lord Qianhu, I heard from Meng Qianhu that you had a great battle on the Qinhuai River the night before yesterday, and it was very exciting?"

Yao Sansi's voice was so loud that people passing by heard it and cast envious glances at Qiu Changfeng. Seeing that strange gaze, Qiu Changfeng's old face turned red, coughed twice and said, "It's nothing..." Yao Sansi said: "Lord Qianhu, you are too modest. I think that battle must be earth-shattering. You came back early in the morning. You must have been fighting all night. You must be very tired from fighting...very tired! I saw you yesterday I have been sleeping since I came back in the morning." He used the calculation ability he learned from Qiu Changfeng again, but he was spitting.

Qiu Changfeng was startled, and saw the men around him showing tacit smiles.The women around her looked more or less contemptuously. Of course...there were a few other women whose eyes were shining brightly, and their expressions were quite different when they looked at him.Qiu Changfeng's throat was itchy, and he couldn't help coughing: "Actually, that battle was not what you imagined..." Yao Sansi opened his eyes wide, and said humbly: "It is said that Yun Qin'er is incomparably glamorous. Could it be that there are unexpected things about her ability?" What happened that night, he heard from Meng Xian There are seven, eight, eight, but Meng Xian only knows three or four out of ten, and the rest is of course Yao Sansi himself.

The passers-by were even more amazed, and some even stopped to listen attentively. It was self-evident what they wanted to hear. Qiu Changfeng frowned, and almost wanted to pick up the birthday peach and stuff it into Yao Sansi's mouth.Suddenly someone behind him said coldly: "Yao Sansi, didn't Qiuqianhu tell you that all his fighters passed out that night?" Surprised, Yao Sansi turned around in a hurry, seeing the person behind him speaking, his face changed slightly, and he hurriedly saluted, "I have seen Princess Yunmeng before." The person who spoke was dressed as red as fire, and he was obviously Princess Yunmeng.There were two people standing beside Princess Yunmeng, one was Wei Tieyi, and the other, Xiao Leng with bright eyes, was none other than Ye Yuhe, Dinghai's captor.

When Yao Sansi saluted, he couldn't help blushing, and couldn't help thinking, did he faint from the battle?Could it be said that Master Qianhu actually suffered a stroke?Oops, that's the fault of working too hard, no wonder Master Qianhu slept for so long after returning. The more he thought about it, the more crooked he became, but no matter what, he dared not discuss this matter in front of the princess.At the same time, I was astonished that the princess dared to say anything.Qiu Changfeng regained his pale face, and said with a smile: "Your Highness, there are some things that cannot be said." Princess Yunmeng looked contemptuous, and said with a sneer, "What can't I say? Could it be that the hero Qiu only remembers his romantic affairs of passing five trials and beheading six generals, but now he has long forgotten how to fall into the trap of a beaut and be chased and beheaded, in a state of embarrassment How about entering the water?" Qiu Changfeng blinked, but he didn't even blush. He pretended to be surprised and said, "How did the princess know that I fell into the water? After I fell into the water... I passed out and didn't remember anything." Princess Yunmeng didn't want Qiu Changfeng to be such a scoundrel, so she said angrily, "Scum! If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have saved you." Qiu Changfeng pretended to be confused and said: "The princess saved me? I always thought that the master saved me, but I don't know how the princess saved me?" Princess Yunmeng said coldly: "Qiu Changfeng, you look smart, but you are just a fool. Why should I let you know? Wei Tieyi, let's go!" Turning around and striding away. Qiu Changfeng glanced at Ye Yuhe, seeing that she didn't even look at him when she turned to leave, the corners of her mouth could not help but smile a little shyly. Seeing Princess Yunmeng walking away, Yao Sansi couldn't help but said: "Qiaoqianhu, the princess said that you fell into some kind of beauty trick and were chased by someone. What's going on?" Qiu Changfeng seemed to be blushing a little, and said: "We still have to rush to Ning Wang's mansion, and I will talk to you when I have time." Seeing that Qiu Changfeng ran faster than a rabbit, Yao Sansi chased after him, and said: "But On the way to Prince Ning's Mansion, there is still time, how about you being chased and killed on the Qinhuai River by the swing household?" Princess Yunmeng walked through several streets and alleys, her anger still lingering, and she couldn't help complaining: "Ye Yuhe, I said earlier that this Qiu Changfeng belongs to the wolf - the wolf of Zhongshan, the kind that is rampant when it comes to success. Back then you Why don't you let me kick him twice?" But I thought in my heart, Sister Ye also said that Qiu Changfeng was good to me, but she was completely wrong.For some reason, when I heard him speak, I felt angry. Ye Yuhe looked indifferent, and said after a while: "Kicking such a person, I'm afraid the princess' feet will be dirty." Princess Yunmeng turned her anger into a smile and said, "That's right, we don't have to be angry about this kind of person." Turning to Wei Tieyi, he said, "Even Wei Qianhu seems to be much stronger than Qiu Changfeng." Wei Tieyi's iron-like face was a little impressive, he hurriedly shook his head and said, "I'm not as good as a swing household." Suddenly he said: "Princess, I heard people say that even though Qiu Changfeng was Jinyiwei on the night of Qinhuai, he was very friendly to the King of Han." Your Highness doesn't seem to be flattering." Princess Yunmeng rolled his eyes at him and said, "What do you want to say?" Seeing Princess Yunmeng's disdainful look, Wei Tieyi said, "I don't want to say anything." Princess Yunmeng said flatly, "You think I don't understand what you mean? You must be saying that if I can win over Qiu Changfeng, maybe I can use him to deal with my second brother." Wei Tieyi was silent, but it was obviously a tacit expression.Princess Yunmeng spat and said: "With Qiu Changfeng, can I also be good to this princess? Hmph, don't say too much, go and congratulate King Ning on his birthday." Wei Tieyi thought, you didn't show favor to Qiu Changfeng, why did you take the initiative to go to Qiu Changfeng's room that night?Although I think so, I will not say more after all. Princess Yunmeng's heart was filled with displeasure, she was just thinking that this princess had taken care of the overall situation and wanted to win over Qiu Changfeng, but he really didn't know good from bad, didn't know how to love himself, and wasted my good intentions. For some reason, in the bottom of her heart, she has always been brooding over Qiu Changfeng going on a boat on the Qinhuai River.He didn't bother to ridicule just now, but more than half of it was for that reason.The more I think about it, the more annoying I want to get to Prince Ning's Mansion as soon as possible. It turned out that when she discussed the content of "Song of the Sun and Moon" with Yang Shiqi and others, she had only a half-knowledge of many of its contents, and she didn't know much about the words "the dragon will return to the sea".Princess Yunmeng determined that the key to the problem was what the Golden Dragon Jue was, but Yang Shiqi and Xi Lanting couldn't figure it out. Yang Shiqi unintentionally said that the first few sentences of "Song of the Sun and Moon" were about the events of Taizu's time , Only people at that time could understand. Princess Yunmeng knew that her father Zhu Di might know, but it was obviously not easy to ask her father about it.After thinking about it, it suddenly occurred to me that King Ning is in Nanjing and his birthday is approaching.Knowing the past and the present, King Ning will probably understand the secret of "Song of the Sun and Moon".Thinking of this, she immediately wanted to take advantage of the opportunity of paying homage to King Ning's birthday to inquire about this matter, not wanting to meet Qiu Changfeng in the morning and make her stomach full of depression. While thinking about it, he suddenly saw a few beggars in the alley ahead shouting around a little beggar, "Where did you come from, do you understand the rules?" The little beggar was dirty all over, and his face seemed to have not been washed for many days.Surrounded by beggars, he said angrily, "What rules?" The leading beggar wore a straw hat crookedly, looking more like a gangster. He stared at the little beggar and said, "Don't you know me, Chen Xiaoer? Anyone who begs in Nanjing must first pay some protection money to the second master, so that he can beg." Princess Yunmeng couldn't help laughing when she heard this, there are so many rules for those who don't want to eat.Seeing Ye Yuhe, a strange expression suddenly appeared on his face, and he frowned. There was anger in the little beggar's eyes, and he shouted: "I don't want food." He rushed forward suddenly and bumped into Chen Xiaoer's body.Chen Xiaoer was caught off guard and was knocked on his back by him.The little beggar rushed out of the encirclement, turned around and ran towards Princess Yunmeng. Chen Xiaoer couldn't hold back his face, and shouted: "Catch him for me." The few beggars rushed over, and Princess Yunmeng shouted: "Where are you scoundrels, get away." A beggar saw that it was a woman who was scolding, and he was not afraid, so he punched him and shouted: "Where are you?" of……" Before he finished speaking and before the fist arrived, the beggar was hit in the face by a big fist, and flew upside down, with nosebleeds profusely.When the rest of the beggars saw something bad, they had already run away amidst the whistle. Wei Tieyi retracted his fist and stepped aside.Princess Yunmeng, who was full of anger, was very happy when she saw this, and said with a smile: "Wei Qianhu is very capable. What kind of mistress or mistress, if you see this princess, you will get away from me." Turning to look at the little girl The beggar smiled and said, "Come here..." Seeing Wei Tieyi's bravery, the little beggar's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but look at him more. Seeing Ye Yuhe, her heart suddenly trembled, thinking to herself how could a beggar have such clear eyes. Princess Yunmeng grinned and said, "Wei Qianhu, give him a few taels of silver." Wei Tieyi immediately took out a few taels of silver and handed it over. Unexpectedly, the little beggar took a step back, and murmured: "I'm not a beggar." He suddenly turned around as if being insulted, and was about to leave. Wei Tieyi and Princess Yunmeng were taken aback, they didn't expect this little beggar to have such a big temper. The little beggar was about to take a step when he suddenly saw a jade white hand handing over two meat buns, "Eat it. I just bought these buns to eat, they are not dirty." The little beggar was stunned, and looking up along that Yubai's hand, he saw Ye Yuhe's gentle and sympathetic face. Ye Yuhe had always looked indifferent and looked unkind, but she was much kinder to the little beggar.In her eyes, there was a vague reminiscence, knowing that there is a kind of person who is destined not to be a beggar, because he has backbone. I remember that many years ago, she knew a child who looked like a beggar, and she was actually a child at that time.It can be seen that the child who looks like a beggar would rather be dying of hunger than kneeling down to beg. The child's stubborn eyes have already shocked her young heart, so she desperately used the handkerchief embroidered with cicadas and her beloved handkerchief. , wrapped a white steamed bun and handed it to the child. Not charity, but sincere help. At that time, she knew that the child would never be a beggar in the future, but since then, she has never seen the child again. Unexpectedly, many years later, she could read the long-lost stubbornness in the eyes of the child in front of her. The bun still smelled like meat, and the little beggar's Adam's apple moved up and down, obviously he had been hungry for a long time.He looked at Ye Yuhe with gratitude in his eyes, but he never stretched out his hand. Ye Yuhe was full of surprise, not knowing what this little beggar was thinking.She asked herself without any contempt, why did this little beggar refuse to accept her help? At this moment, a voice not far away said: "You shouldn't give him meat buns. You can give him a steamed bun, or a bowl of plain noodles, and he will want it." The little beggar's expression changed dramatically when he heard the words, he suddenly pushed away Ye Yuhe's hand, ran in the opposite direction of the sound, and disappeared in an instant. The bun fell to the ground.Everyone was astonished and looked at the voice.Ye Yuhe didn't need to look, she knew that Qiu Changfeng was coming, her face turned cold, and she said in a cold voice: "Do people like Qiuqianhu understand other people's thoughts?" Qiu Changfeng walked over slowly, glanced at the meat buns on the ground, and asked without answering: "Ye Butou always carries two meat buns with him, so he was destined to meet a beggar a long time ago?" Ye Yuhe said coldly: "I can't figure it out. But I can figure out that there is a kind of person who spends his whole life high above and haunts the Qinhuai River, and never understands the thoughts of poor and lowly people." After saying that, he turned and left. Princess Yunmeng clapped her hands and said with a smile: "Sister Ye probably thought that she would meet a vicious dog at any time, so she prepared two meat buns. I also know that there is a kind of person who is worse than a vicious dog. Let's go." She took a few quick steps and followed Ye Yuhe, fighting against each other. Qiu Changfeng stood there, looking at Ye Yuhe's back, with a strange expression on his face.Slowly squatting down, picked up the two dusty buns, with a sudden look of regret in his eyes, he murmured, "How do you know I don't understand?" He slowly peeled off the slightly dirty skin of the steamed stuffed bun, took a bite, and suddenly there was a lot of longing in his eyes.He was immersed in the past, so although he felt that the little beggar was acting strangely, he didn't pursue him any further. He didn't know that the little beggar had been running for a long time, and then he stopped out of breath, and looked back with a terrified expression. How could Qiu Changfeng scare him so much with just an ordinary sentence? Seeing that no one was following, the little beggar breathed a sigh of relief, looked up, and saw a temple in front of him, with the words "Prajna Temple" written on it, his face changed slightly. Although the name of the Banruo Temple is magnificent, it looks a bit dilapidated, but when the little beggar saw it, his expression was excited, and he suddenly stepped in.The censer in the temple was not burning, and the Buddha statue was covered with dust. It was a desolate scene, but the beggar didn't care. He looked around and saw that there was no one around. He suddenly became cautious and went to the censer and knelt down. If other people see it, it is not strange, they will laugh, wondering why this beggar enters the temple, why does he not worship the Buddha statue, but kneels on the incense burner instead? The beggar knelt beside the incense burner, reached into his arms, took out the black charcoal, and drew a few strokes on the green bricks under the incense burner. He drew stars and moons, like a child's doodle.But when he was painting, there was a sense of solemnity in his expression, but also a bit of indignation. After finishing the painting, he breathed a sigh of relief and waited to get up, when someone behind him said: "Did you just come?" The little beggar didn't want anyone behind him, he was startled suddenly, but he was able to kneel still, his face was very excited, and he said in a low voice: "Dragon King in the sky?" He suddenly said this sentence at this time, it was very strange. The person behind him was not surprised, but said slowly: "The dragon king in the sky, the king of the people on the ground. Jiang Yun is surging, and I am the only one who is crazy." The little beggar suddenly got up, turned around and said excitedly: "You..." As soon as he spoke, he suddenly stopped talking.He went through untold hardships and came to Banruo Temple in Nanjing just to meet someone, and he never thought that he would meet so soon.He had long guessed who the other party was, but he never thought that the other party was actually a monk. It is not surprising that there are monks in the temple. What is surprising is that the monk is wearing a black Taoist robe and is quite old and vicissitudes.Although the monk was a monk, the little beggar felt that he was definitely not a monk who practiced. The monk is not so weird, savage, and murderous.It's not like a monk, but more like a demon king, a murderous demon king. The monk is Yao Guangxiao. If Qiu Changfeng was here, he would probably be shocked. He really didn't understand why the majestic guru, the host of the world, suddenly appeared in an inconspicuous temple, waiting for a beggar? There were lanterns and festoons in front of Prince Ning's mansion, drums and music, and in front of Zhumen, people came to celebrate birthdays from time to time, it was very lively. Princess Yunmeng came with Ye Yuhe and Wei Tieyi, and was immediately welcomed in by the housekeeper.Although King Ning has high prestige, Princess Yunmeng also has a strong background. Who would dare to neglect the princess who came to celebrate her birthday? The butler led the princess into the mansion, passed the Hall of Mental Cultivation, walked through the corridor, passed the rockery, and walked towards the back garden of the palace. Ye Yuhe was surprised, and couldn't help but whispered: "The princess wants to meet the prince, why would she go to the back garden?" In her imagination, the princess and the prince must meet in a more formal hall. At this time, the sound of silk and bamboo wind music came, gradually getting louder. Princess Yunmeng smiled and said, "Sister Ye must have never met my Seventeenth Uncle. He is different from other princes..." Before the princess finished speaking, everyone had already crossed the wooden bridge over the gurgling water, walked around a piece of lush green forest, and their eyes suddenly opened up. Seeing the situation in front of her, Ye Yuhe was a little dazed. The back garden of Prince Ning's Mansion was surprisingly spacious, and there were as many as a hundred people gathered in it.In the corner of the garden, a three-story stage was set up, which was quite gorgeous.In front of the stage, there is also a two-story high platform and a shed to keep out the rain. Although it is simple, it is large in scale. The guests who entered the mansion enjoyed wine and tea, and enjoyed the actors singing on the stage with a smile.If he hadn't been there in person, Ye Yuhe would have thought that he came to a theater, how could he have imagined that there would be such a scene in the palace. Seeing Ye Yuhe's surprise, Princess Yunmeng explained: "I am the Seventeenth Uncle, and I am suave and unruly." When I said this, I couldn't help but think of Qiu Changfeng, and cursed in my heart, Qiu Changfeng is obscene.He continued: "Uncle Seventeen is not only a prince, but also a great talent. Not only is he a great talent, but he is also a master of opera. He loves to listen to operas, sing operas and compose music. Steward Zhu, does Uncle Seventeen have any new works recently?" Princess Yunmeng's last words were addressed to the steward of the palace beside her. Butler Zhu apologized and said with a smile: "My lord recently made "Taihe Zhengyin Pu", which combines opera history and music scores into one, and evaluates all the opera masters in the past. If the princess likes it, you can take it and have a look." Princess Yunmeng shook her head and said: "I like to eat eggs, but I never ask how the chickens are raised. Let me read the music score, isn't it the secret cast of the pearl?" Butler Zhu apologized, not daring to say yes or no. Ye Yuhe couldn't help being amazed.Originally, in the Yuan Dynasty, acting and singing were regarded as low-class professions, and people were contemptuous. This situation did not change much in the Ming Dynasty.Unexpectedly, King Ning and Zhu Quan, with such an identity, threw himself into it regardless of the world's eyes. He couldn't help being somewhat curious about King Ning who was about to meet. Butler Zhu brought Princess Yunmeng to the second-floor stand. There were not many people in the stands on the second floor. The person in the main seat had white hair, a ruddy complexion, and long eyebrows that almost hung obliquely to the corners of his mouth. Judging from his appearance, he looked like an Antarctic fairy on folk painting paper.Ye Yuhe was astonished when he saw that person.She felt that it was King Ning, but she also felt that it was not King Ning. King Ning's birthday, the person sitting on the main seat, it goes without saying, must be King Ning.But King Ning is the seventeenth younger brother of the emperor Zhu Di, counting his fingers, he is not yet fifty, how can he be so old?When Ye Yuhe was in astonishment, she saw Princess Yunmeng knelt down in the morning and said, "Yunmeng wishes the emperor good luck and longevity." Seeing this, the old man in the seat hurriedly stood up and came down to support Yunmeng, and said with a smile, "Why is Yunmeng so polite?" Fuxu looked at Yunmeng, and smiled kindly, "This girl Yunmeng has grown up too, I don't know if there is a favorite in-law's family? Would you like me to pay attention to you?" Ye Yuhe was stunned, not thinking that the man was really King Ning. King Ning has the demeanor of an elder, but he teases Yunmeng as soon as he speaks, which seems to be somewhat familiar with Yunmeng. If someone else said that, Yunmeng might have changed his face a long time ago.If someone had said that a few months ago, Yunmeng might have looked displeased, but now hearing what King Ning said, Yunmeng's face turned red suddenly, and she seemed to be a bit coy. At this time, the brilliance of the sun was shining brightly on Yunmeng's body, which actually gave the savage girl a bit of dreaminess and tenderness... But that gentleness and coercion lasted only a moment, Yunmeng smiled and said: "Uncle Huang, you are disrespectful, guess what gift I brought you?" King Ning stroked his beard, and pretended to be thinking, "How can I guess what you gave me?" He couldn't help laughing again, and said, "I remember many years ago, it was also my birthday, when you were young , with pigtails. In the gift box given to me, there was a toad..." Princess Yunmeng chuckled, "Uncle Emperor, you still remember things from so far away." King Ning came back to his senses and said with a smile: "Yes, I still remember such a distant event?" After he said that sentence with a smile, there was a sense of regret in his expression. On the stage, a miscellaneous drama "Broken Time" was being sung, and the person playing the role of the old man was singing tremblingly on the stage, "However, the time is like the sound of water, going far away without stopping..." The libretto was full of the taste of the dead, with the feeling of the past, Ye Yuhe heard it, and suddenly felt very desolate in his heart. Yunmeng couldn't understand this kind of intention, and said with a mischievous smile: "The one I sent to the emperor today is actually a toad. Wei Tieyi, bring it up." Wei Tieyi stepped forward and handed over a brocade box, the butler took it and put it on King Ning's desk. Everyone was stunned.King Ning looked at the brocade box on the table, feeling a bit dumbfounded. Princess Yunmeng seemed to be provocative: "Does the emperor dare to reveal it?" King Ning said to himself: "I thought that this girl has grown up, but I didn't expect that she is still as savage as before." While talking, he still opened the brocade box, and his long eyebrows moved slightly. The lid of the box was opened, but no toad jumped out. Everyone looked and saw that there was really a toad in the box.But that toad seemed to have died a long time ago, its body was as lustrous as snow, but its eyes were red, and it suddenly appeared in the box, like a jade carving. King Ning looked at it for a while, and then he was slightly surprised: "Could it be the Tianshan Snow Toad?" Princess Yunmeng smiled and said: "The emperor knows it. This is the Tianshan snow toad. I heard that it is dug from the top of Tianshan. After eating, it can prolong your life. My niece knows that the emperor is good at Taoism. I only hope that I will bring it this time. The emperor's uncle is like an Antarctic fairy, with a long life." Ning Wang stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Yunmeng has grown up. This gift is very precious." He gently closed the lid of the box, looking very satisfied. At this moment, someone outside the stage sang: "Jinyiwei Qianhu Qiu Changfeng, on behalf of the master, came to congratulate King Ning on his birthday." Everyone was stunned and stood up one after another.King Ning's face also changed slightly, but he said as usual in an instant: "The master also remembers the old man's birthday, which is rare." Princess Yunmeng was even more shocked. She didn't want Qiu Changfeng to have an inseparable relationship with the master, and to have the honor of coming to celebrate his birthday on behalf of the master. Qiu Changfeng came over, bowed deeply and said: "The master knows the birthday of the prince, and specially ordered Qiu Changfeng to come here, and wish the prince a happy life forever." King Ning stood up slowly, and said with a smile: "The master has a heart, please sit down for the swing household, come and serve tea to the princess and the swing household." Qiu Changfeng sat down slowly, seeing Princess Yunmeng staring at him, he just smiled.But he thought in his heart, Princess Yunmeng came here in the name of celebrating her birthday, could it be because of "Song of the Sun and Moon"?Of course he also guessed that King Ning knew a lot about the past, and he might know some of Ruyan's past. The second thing Yao Guangxiao asked Qiu Changfeng to do was... to congratulate King Ning on his birthday and at the same time tell Yao Guangxiao what happened to the birthday banquet. This order was actually similar to Yao Guangxiao's first order, and it was just as strange.Qiu Changfeng was somewhat puzzled, but he could only follow orders and wait and see what happened. Seeing Qiu Changfeng's unfathomable smile, Princess Yunmeng thought in her heart, could this dead face also come to ask about "Song of the Sun and Moon"?Hmph, I won't let you ask. When everyone had their own concerns, they heard a butler outside the stands report singing: "Mr. Rong from Songjiang Mansion, Mr. Lei from Huazhou, and Mr. Bei from Jingdezhen jointly gave a congratulatory gift of a Jiaoweiqin. I wish King Ning's blessings are as long as the East Sea flows. Longevity is not as old as Nanshan Song." When King Ning heard this, his face beamed with joy, and he ordered, "Take it and have a look." Butler Zhu quickly went up to the stands, holding a guqin, the end of which was slightly burnt.Looking at the old body of the piano and its mottled color, it is obviously an antique. King Ning stroked the strings of the qin, looked at it for a while, nodded and said: "Sure enough, it is the Jiaowei qin used by Cai Yong. This gift is very good." The number of people who gave gifts to King Ning was countless, but Housekeeper Zhu reported what he liked.King Ning is famous, and there are countless rare treasures in the mansion. It is not easy to make King Ning say hello to the gifts he gives, and it is even rarer to make King Ning so excited. Seeing that King Ning was very excited, Steward Zhu said again: "Although the guqin is good, it must be played by someone with a good rhythm. Mr. Rong and others bought the Qinhuai Bayan's Yunqin at the same time, and dedicated it to the prince. .” King Ning smiled and said, "I heard that Yunqin'er's skills are good. These young masters are interested. Are you here today?" Zhu Guanjia said: "Young Master Rong and others are afraid of disturbing King Ning Qingxiu, so they just offered Qin Nu and Guqin, so they left." Qiu Changfeng immediately understood, and thought to himself that Mr. Rong did not spare any money to make Yunqin'er his queen, but he wanted to dedicate it to King Ning.It's a pity that meeting the King of Han made Rong Gongzi and others fall short.Young Master Rong and the others feel that they are causing trouble, so they naturally dare not show their faces, but as long as Steward Zhu reports this, everyone will know that King Ning has something to do with Young Master Rong and others. good. Butler Zhu tentatively asked: "My lord, do you want Yunqin'er to come up and play a song?" King Ning nodded, and Butler Zhu hurriedly withdrew. When Yao Sansi heard the word "Yunqiner", his eyes lit up, and he lowered his voice and said to Qiu Changfeng: "Lord Qianhu, Yunqiner is here." He said with an ambiguous smile: " Master Qianhu met Yun Qin'er last night, so she must treat Master Qianhu differently." Qiu Changfeng replied in a low voice: "I bet she must be pretending not to know me, or even pretending not to have seen me. Don't tell her what happened that night to make it difficult for her." Yao Sansi exclaimed in a low voice: "That's natural. Master Qianhu is so considerate, no wonder those girls like you." While speaking, Yun Qin'er walked up to the stands gracefully.Before people arrive, the fragrant wind arrives first.The fragrance is elegant and light, people smell it, and they are all refreshed. Yunqin'er's hair like clouds, slender jade hands, and good looks, when she came to King Ning, she bowed her lapel and said in a salute: "I am Yunqin'er, I wish the king a life like a green pine, evergreen and not old." Yun Qin'er's demeanor is superb, but the most wonderful thing is her voice. If her voice is like flowing water, then her voice is like a skylark, clear and beautiful.Not only did she never look at Qiu Changfeng, she didn't even look at Yunmeng, Ye Yuhe and others. In her eyes, only King Ning was the only one. Yao Sansi almost drooled when he saw the woman's amorous behavior, and at the same time thought, Master Qianhu was really lucky the night before.But he was afraid that he never thought of it in his dreams, and Qiu Changfeng had never seen this woman. This Yunqin'er looks completely different from the woman Qiu Changfeng saw on the Qinhuai boat.This Yunqin'er was a bit more glamorous, but in terms of beauty, she was a bit inferior to the woman Qiu Changfeng had seen back then. Qiu Changfeng's eyes flickered, and he seemed surprised. Seeing Qiu Changfeng's expression, Princess Yunmeng muttered, "I'm afraid this pervert has never thought that those ninjas sent someone to pretend to be Yunqin'er to trick him into being fooled." Qiu Changfeng listened to Princess Yunmeng muttering, and murmured: "How do you know I didn't think of it?" He knew earlier that the woman he saw on the boat was definitely not Yun Qin'er!Because before he boarded the ship, he had already discovered that there was a big problem. When the girl used the name of Mei Niang to seduce him, he knew there was a problem.As soon as he got on the boat, he saw that there were no birds in the emerald green birdcage hanging in front of the boat, but there were parrot feathers left in the cage, which seemed to have changed. The most important thing is that he deliberately tested Yunqin'er with the gauze lantern hanging in front of the cabin door. The fake Yunqin'er answered a lot of questions, and he immediately judged that Yunqin'er was a fake! But he still didn't know the opponent's background and what his intentions were. It wasn't until he smelled the smell of fire and heard someone quietly boarding the boat that he felt that the opponent might be related to the Japanese ninja. He pretended to be poisoned, but he had the idea of ​​going deep into the tiger's den and spying inside the ninja, but when he saw Ye Yuhe suddenly appearing, he had to change his mind. Although Ye Yuhe disrupted Qiu Changfeng's plan, Qiu Changfeng gained something else. Qiu Changfeng flashed his thoughts, and heard King Ning laughing on the other side: "It is said that Miss Qin'er plays the piano well. This king has always wanted to listen to it. Today is a fate, and I will ask Miss Qin'er to play a song for me." Princess Yunmeng came here with a purpose, she knew how long it would take to play the song, and was about to stop it when someone from the audience sang, "The King of Han is here!" It was originally the back garden of the Prince's Mansion, but it suddenly fell silent, even the actors on the stage, when they heard Han Wang's words, they all paused, and almost sang the wrong words. But the drama dared not stop after all. King Ning had a somewhat surprised expression, and smiled for a moment: "The King of Han is here, he is really a rare visitor." While he was speaking, there was a sound of footsteps on the stairs, and a moment later, a person appeared in front of everyone. The man was not wearing an official uniform, but only a black casual suit, which further accentuated his muscular and powerful figure like a leopard.His dark hair is in random bundles, making him even more arrogant and unruly. Standing there, he doesn't look like a prince in any way, but the expressions of everyone present have changed slightly. Even Princess Yunmeng frowned when she saw that man. frown. There are four people following that person, some are brave, some are gloomy, some are shrewd, some are aloof, among them Jingzhe and Autumnal Equinox stand out.No matter who saw those four people at a glance, they knew that they would not be easy to mess with, but those four people followed the leader, like fireflies under the candlelight, and stars beside the bright moon. Even if there is a little light from fireflies and stars, it is difficult to hide the brilliance of candlelight and bright moon.The few of them were also willing to do so, and did not dare to steal the edge of the leader. The person at the head is Haoyue, and Haoyue is the King of Han! As soon as the King of Han arrived, even King Ning had fear in his eyes, but in an instant, King Ning smiled and said happily: "The King of Han came to see me as an old man, I really didn't expect it." The king of Han was alone, but in front of King Ning, he did not lose his etiquette. He clasped his fists and saluted, "How can my nephew not come on the emperor's uncle's birthday. My nephew wishes the emperor's blessings to last forever, every year today." Seeing that King Han also came to celebrate his birthday, everyone could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. King Ning laughed so hard that he couldn't even close his mouth. He came over and took King Han's hand and said, "Come... sit down." Someone had already set up a seat and invited King Han to sit down, but King Han sat down unceremoniously, and turned his gaze to Qiu Changfeng. Seeing the King of Han looking over, Qiu Changfeng got up and saluted, "Qiu Changfeng has seen the King of Han." Back then when he was on the Hanwang boat on the Qinhuai River, he would rather die than kneel to the Hanwang, but at this moment, he would never lose his due courtesy. King Han's sharp eyes paused for a moment on Qiu Changfeng, and a smile suddenly appeared on his cold face, and he said, "You don't need to be polite, please sit down." Everyone was amazed, never thought that the King of Han, who has always been a loner, would be so polite to a small Qianhu. After Qiu Changfeng sat down, Yunmeng's surprised mouth still remained open, and he secretly hated. Wei Tieyi said that Qiu Changfeng was not flattering to his second brother, and now it seemed that they had already been in collusion. 汉王却已经望过去，看着云梦道：“云梦，你也来了。” 这不过是句寻常的废话，云梦听了，脸色有些苍白，只是“嗯”了一声，她虽不满二哥的所作所为，但在二哥的积威之下，倒也不想起什么争执。 她有三个哥哥，太子、汉王和赵王。 小时候，二哥本来是和大哥一样喜欢她这个妹妹，但白云苍狗间，她和这个二哥，慢慢地疏远，可她又多希望能回到从前？ 汉王望着云梦时，目光中还带分和缓，可望向叶雨荷和卫铁衣的时候，目光中又带着刀锋般的冷。汉王目光惊鸿般扫过云琴儿，又落到宁王身上，终于多少带了分客气道：“侄儿来的匆忙，不过也为皇叔准备了份礼物。” 宁王呵呵笑道：“贤侄太过客气了。其实礼物什么的倒无所谓，关键是心意有就好。”汉王望了眼云琴儿，突然问道：“这是松江府那个荣华富送给皇叔的礼物？” 宁王点头道：“荣公子他们和老夫当年有些瓜葛，没想到老夫的寿日，他们倒还有心记得。他们知道老夫喜欢琴音，因此送焦尾古琴和琴儿姑娘过来。贤侄若是喜欢听琴的话儿，倒不妨让琴儿姑娘弹上一曲。” 汉王淡淡道：“本王从不喜欢听琴，本王宁可听杀猪叫唤，也不听琴的！” 众人错愕，云琴儿脸色苍白，娇躯已经颤抖起来。她自负的琴技，被汉王这般评说，自然是极大的侮辱，但她又能如何，汉王不要说评说她的琴技，就算杀了她，她亦无可奈何。 看着云琴儿的可怜，不但姚三思，就算云梦公主都露出同情之意。只有秋长风好像心不在焉，虽有宁王、汉王在前，他眼角的余光却在望着戏台。 戏台上早换了别的戏儿，台上翻翻滚滚，云来烟去，倒是好不热闹。 可那些宾客喧哗声却小了很多，一想到汉王就在头顶，哪个还敢喘口大气？ 秋长风心中突然有了分悲哀，不为自己，却为宁王。他早知道宁王虽帮天子取得了天下，但一直忌惮天子猜忌，这才纵情山水，示意并无野心。宁王虽看似威望高耸，但不过是个傀儡，甚至连汉王都不敢得罪。宁王未及五十，容颜就这般苍老，当然是心力交瘁的缘故。 不要说对天子，就算对汉王，宁王都是小心翼翼，如履薄冰，这样的一个人，表面上却是风光无限，岂不可笑？ 秋长风想到这里的时候，心中又有分奇怪，暗想当初去青田是有变故，可今日姚广孝派他来宁王府，却是为了看哪出戏呢？ 他心中隐约觉得这寿宴绝不会简单收场，暗自警惕，因此诸多留意。 宁王听汉王这么说，慌忙道：“朱管家，带琴儿姑娘下去吧。” 汉王突然又道：“不过皇叔若是喜欢听琴的话，高煦倒是可以陪皇叔听听的。” 众人舒了口气，宁王忍不住笑道：“贤侄倒真的对老夫不错。可老夫突然也不想听琴了……贤侄有什么礼物送来，老夫倒想看看。” 汉王不语，身后有人站出施礼道：“回宁王，汉王殿下知宁王好做杂剧，最喜欢王实甫之词，曾点评王实甫之词，如花间美人，铺叙委婉，深得骚人之趣……” 宁王捋着胡须，很是自得的表情，这的确是他说过的话，他也一直以品评戏曲大家为自傲。可蓦地听那人这么说，心中却有分悲凉，暗自想到，汉王命人这么说是什么意思，难道是警告我，我的一言一行，都被他们看在眼中吗？ 那人又道：“汉王知道后，就特意找了秦淮河最会唱的田思思过来，希望宁王喜欢。”说话那人叫做谷雨，二十四节之一，为人儒雅，常在汉王身边出谋划策。 宁王收敛了悲哀，喜形于色道：“这礼物倒是独特，老夫喜欢得紧。太子、汉王都是这般用心，实在让老夫承受不起。” 汉王正低头看着自己的手掌，听到“太子”两字，那如血的尾甲跳动下，抬起头来问道：“太子来了？还不知他有什么礼物送来？” 宁王摇头道：“太子最近身子不适，一直在静养。不过他知道老夫的寿辰，也知道老夫喜欢听戏，特意请了金陵最有名的'龙凤呈祥'戏班子来，这台下的戏，都是太子为老夫选的。如今汉王带来了田思思，正好借这戏班子唱一曲，太子、汉王联手，定是天下无敌了。” 汉王笑笑，可笑容中带着说不出的讥诮，目光向戏台望过去，问道：“这台上演的是哪出戏呢？” 那戏台上正有个猴子模样的人翻着连环跟头，颇为精彩。 台上有假山搭建，假山上喷云吐雾，煞是梦幻。 宁王笑道：“这出戏叫做'梦斩云山蟒'。取材自北宋年间的《大唐三藏取经诗话》……里面有个神通广大的猴精，陪唐朝的玄奘前往西天取经。这猴精自称'花果山紫云洞八万四千铜头铁额猕猴王'，很是厉害。眼下演到玄奘被蟒精所困，这猴子去救玄奘了。” 一说起戏曲，宁王倒是滔滔不绝，同时历数典故，如数家珍。 汉王望着戏台，缓缓道：“皇叔编过这出戏吗？” 宁王微怔，笑着道：“这出戏……老夫倒也编过。这猴精的原型虽取自三藏取经，但多经加工，融合了远古神话和民间传说，比如说'石中生人'的故事主角夏启，'铜头铁额'的蚩尤、还有……”突然顿了下，神色有些异样。 汉王淡淡道：“听说这猴子大闹天宫一段，还取自'与帝争位'的刑天，对不对？”宁王倏然变了脸色，看台上，遽然鸦雀无声。 Xing Tianwu is a relative, and his fierce will is always there. 古书记载：“刑天与帝争神，帝断其首，葬之常羊之山，乃以乳为目，以脐为口，操干戚以舞。” 刑天断头仍不屈，仍与帝争位。这精神长存，但与帝争位，素来都是皇帝的忌讳。皇帝不死，就算是太子，也不能轻言帝位一事。太子请戏班演这出戏，隐有抢帝位之意，汉王若在这里做文章的话，不但演戏的要死，只怕宁王、太子都脱不了干系。 云梦公主再也按捺不住，叫道：“二哥，不过是一出戏罢了。你不要总是针对大哥。”那台下猴子还在翻着跟头，锣鼓敲得正紧，却如同敲在众人的心口，怦怦大响。 汉王突然笑了，“云梦，你到底还是个孩子，二哥不过是随口说说罢了。” 宁王也笑了起来，“呵呵，贤侄这个玩笑，实在有趣。”他笑呵呵的，倒是一团和气，可心中不由得又想，汉王这么说，是警告我莫要和太子走得过近吗？ 云梦见二哥转了口气，微滞了下，气鼓鼓道：“如果二哥真是随口说说，那是我错了。” 汉王不再理会云梦，看着戏台道：“那猴子虽然神通广大，但终究逃不了如来的五指山，秋千户，你说是不是？” 秋长风听汉王突然把话头落在他身上，不卑不亢道：“汉王，卑职不会看戏。” 汉王目光中隐泛寒芒，缓缓道：“你不会看戏，我可以解释给你听。你别看这猴子闹得欢，但它终究不过是个戏子罢了。编戏的让它神通广大，它才能神通广大。” 就算卫铁衣都听出汉王的意思，在汉王眼中，锦衣卫虽然神通广大，毕竟也是受命于天子。汉王能左右天子，当然也能左右锦衣卫了。秋长风像是没有听懂汉王的言下之意，微笑道：“汉王说戏说得很有道理。” 汉王微微一笑，又道：“人生有时候也像是演戏，名角只能演叫花子，不入流的戏子却能高高在上演个宰相将军。想高高在上，只凭本事恐怕不行……”盯着秋长风道：“你说是不是？” 秋长风点头道：“是。” 汉王轻淡道：“那你想演什么？” 姚三思虽没被汉王盯着，可呼吸几乎都要停顿。汉王就是汉王，汉王说的每句话，若是应答不好，只怕都有杀身之祸。 秋长风还是平静道：“卑职是锦衣卫，也只能演个锦衣卫罢了。” 汉王目光更冷，而戏台的假山上，突然有蟒蛇出现。 戏台上，“梦斩云山蟒”终于到了高潮的地方，云雾蒸腾，蟒蛇出现！此刻猴子变化，怒斩巨蟒，这本是戏中最出彩的地方，也是叫好最多的地方。 可看台上的众人，都要捏鼻子喘息。 戏台上猴子陡然翻腾数周，上了一根台上布景的长杆…… 汉王突然笑了，缓缓道：“你只喜欢演锦衣卫？你倒是个本分的人。其实本王也一样，别人的东西，本王不想要。本王自己的东西，别人也不要想拿走。田思思若唱西厢，本王自然准备了戏班子让她唱，何必借别人之手？” 宁王想做太子和汉王的和事佬，不想这般结果，神色略有尴尬。 汉王望向云梦公主道：“云梦，你也不必演戏了，其实二哥早知道，你来这里，是想问宁王一些事情，对不对？要问不如现在就问，二哥也正想听听。” 云梦蹙眉道：“你知道我想问什么？” 汉王嘴角带分哂然地笑，淡淡道：“你当然是想问问金龙诀的事情，对不对？”云梦等人倏然变了脸色，可众人加起来的错愕震惊，也不如宁王。 宁王脸色蓦地变成惨白，白得如雪、惨得如同泡在水中几天才捞出来的死尸，他看着汉王，目光惊怖，用急剧颤抖地声音道：“金……龙……决？” 就在这时，戏台上重重的锣响，惊天动地，众人骇然宁王的脸色，被那锣声再是一震，神色恍惚，心神不属。 就算是汉王朱高煦，似乎也没料到宁王这种变化，眼中闪过分惊奇错愕。 众人都在看着宁王之际，那猴子跃上了蟒蛇头顶，用力地一扳，蟒蛇吃痛，蛇口打开，如同个血洞。血洞中，遽然有道黑光射出，如电如雷。 黑光破空，只是哧的一声响，那黑光就已到了看台之上、宁王的面前！