outside the imperial city

Chapter 66

It was late at night, and only rows of lanterns hanging under the eaves were still on in the street.Several officers and soldiers carried lanterns and patrolled while shouting "Beware of candles".

Jing Junxi exhaled hot air, and the water vapor was dense in the night.Such a dramatic change in just a few days, and what happened not so long ago to make a wish on the mountain now seems like a dream.

Cao Zhong picked up the teacup and put it to his lips, but had to put it down again because there was no water in it.Jing Junxi came back to his senses, opened the lid of the teacup, and added some hot water for him.

The four of them sat like this without saying a word for a long time.Yao Fanglan stared at the flickering candlelight, her thoughts seemed to have drifted far away.

A little bird flew in, landed on the table, and lightly pecked at Yao Fanglan's hand.Yao Fanglan moved the chair back a little, stood up, and said, "My lords, forgive me for a while."

Jingyang's guards are naturally unmatched by other cities.Yao Fanglan didn't dare to be careless, she crept up to the outer wall, and fell down on the eaves.A spy was already lying there waiting for him, his black clothes almost blending into the night.

"How is it?" Yao Fanglan whispered.

"The letter has been handed over to the lord." The spy replied, "He said yes, but he still wants to see you first."

"...Understood. You pay attention to safety."

"Yes."

Yao Fanglan returned to the room, Cao Zhong couldn't wait to turn his head: "How is it?"

"Master Xie agreed." Yao Fanglan paused, "But you need to see me."

Gongsun Liu Zhengjing said: "This is not allowed. What if he becomes a person over there and asking you to go is just a trap?"

"However, if my plan is to succeed," Yao Fanglan smiled wryly, "I must have the help of Mr. Xie Cexie, who is in charge of the six doors."

Cao Zhongdao: "Your plan, in my opinion, is actually child's play."

"Forgive me for my incompetence, but time is running out, so I can only do this."

"I didn't expect that woman to really dare..." Cao Zhong held his forehead in pain, "Cheng Wei is right, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have retired so early and returned home. Alas, your majesty, you are fine ?”

"Look at your useless appearance. What's the use of regretting it now? Let's think about what can help you." Gongsun Liu took a sip of tea and smacked his lips, "I have no strengths, I just know Fighting wars. After fighting many wars, I met a bunch of brats who dared to fight with me. I dare not say anything else, but I can still shake the strength of this city."

"Really?" Yao Fanglan was very pleasantly surprised, "It was a great help."

He worshiped so much, but Gongsun Liu felt embarrassed: "It's just a little shake, if the chief of the internal barracks is replaced by them, I can't help it."

"No, don't worry about setting up the barracks for the time being." Yao Fanglan said, "I would like to ask you to help me send a person to the palace. If possible, it is best to let him enter the queen's bedroom."

Jing Junxi raised his head vigilantly, and Gongsun Liu asked, "Who?"

Yao Fanglan put his hands on Jing Junxi's back and pushed him forward: "This child."

Jing Junxi didn't laugh, but was really scared: "Mr. Yao, you are joking. What am I going to the palace for?"

"I told you before," Yao Fanglan said softly, "Go into the palace and find the emperor."

It was very late, Yao Fanglan was lying on the bed, but couldn't fall asleep.The sporadic moonlight hit him, and he stretched out his hand to hold his heart.

The beating of the heart was transmitted from the fingers to the palm of the hand, Yao Zanglan was in a trance for a moment, not knowing whose heartbeat he was holding.

It's shameful, I've been thinking like this since I haven't seen you for a few days.Yao Fanglan turned over.However, the two have not been separated for such a long time.

"Young master Yao, can I go in?" Jing Junxi asked Qiulian in a low voice at the door.

Yao Fanglan sat up: "Yes."

Jing Junxi was only wearing a coat, and it seemed that he came to him because he couldn't sleep.Yao Fanglan opened his arms: "Only tonight, well, maybe tomorrow night too. You can sleep with me."

"Really?" Jing Junxi was overjoyed, put Qiulian on the table, and slid into Yao Fanglan's arms without taking off his coat.Yao Fanglan took off his coat, put it on the corner of the bed, and rolled him into the quilt with him in his arms.

"Young Master Yao, you smell so good." Jing Junxi moved his nose, "No wonder Master likes to hug you so much."

"What—" Yao Fanglan blushed, but luckily it was dark and he couldn't see clearly.

Jing Junxi murmured: "I miss Master so much."

"Yeah." Yao Fanglan pressed his head to his chest and hugged him tightly, "I miss him too."

Jing Junxi closed his eyes and rested for a while, then opened them again, and said in a very thin voice, "Young Master Yao, are you asleep?"

Yao Fanglan looked down at him: "No, what's wrong?"

"Where you are going tomorrow, is it dangerous?"

"No, it's not too dangerous to say it's dangerous." Yao Fanglan didn't know how to put it more simply, "It mainly depends on luck, or in other words, it depends on whether Prince Li's kingly way is popular or not."

"Kingdom? What is that?"

Yao Fanglan was speechless for a while, and said, "Well, I'll talk to you when you're older."

Jing Junxi didn't worry about this any more, and slipped into Yao Fanglan's arms again: "Young Master Yao, tell me, can I find the emperor?"

Feeling his body shaking, Yao Fanglan felt distressed: "Junxi, I'm sorry, you are still so young and want to take risks with us. If your master is here instead of me, you don't have to work so hard. Sorry, I'm so useless."

"That's not the case. I'm small, so it's easier to sneak into the palace." Jing Junxi said, "However, I still can't help being afraid." Jing Junxi flinched.

Yao Fanglan smiled lovingly: "It's natural to be afraid. But, I will definitely protect you. Grandpa Gongsun will send you to the palace, and I will attract the queen's attention. As long as you are careful, you will It's fine."

"Really?" Jing Junxi was skeptical.

"Really." Yao Fanglan said, "You have to believe in what your master and grandpa Bai taught you."

He looked up at the moon in the sky, and covered Jing Junxi with a quilt: "It's late, go to sleep. Don't worry, I will always watch over you."

"En." Jing Junxi thought he was sleepy, and his soft voice was a little nasal.

Children are open-minded.Yao Fanglan rubbed his face.

Tomorrow, nothing will happen.The combination of hardness and softness, benevolence and strictness, and a needle hidden in the cotton, that king's way, never needs to be doubted.

The gate of the palace opened slowly.A refined gentleman with a folding fan in his hand walked in, escorted by the welcoming cavalry, leading straight to the main hall.The visitor walked leisurely, as if he was just visiting.

"My lord." Bei Qianling saluted.

The king on the dragon chair nodded slightly: "Excuse me."

Bei Qianling straightened up: "One farewell for six years, the emperor really hasn't changed at all."

"Where, Qian Ling was joking." The old emperor said, "It's you who have grown up and matured a lot."

"The emperor congratulates me." Bei Qianling smiled invariably.

Three or four years ago, he was ordered to go to Xizhao Country and stayed here for a long time.The old emperor admired him, and he spoke more peacefully.

"Then, what is the purpose of Prince Naiyun's sudden visit?" asked the courtiers standing on both sides on behalf of the Lord.

Bei Qianling smiled slightly: "My Naiyun's current situation, I think you all know it. Xizhao is the closest ally to Naiyun. I hope the emperor can help me and help Naiyun tide over the difficulties."

"Forgive me." Prince Xizhao walked out, "We should be happy that something happened to you Naiyun, why do you want to help you?"

Before Bei Qianling could answer, the old emperor said, "If I am willing to help you, how do you want me to help you?"

"It's very simple. The emperor doesn't need to send a single soldier. He just needs to send someone to send a letter to Jingyang." You can reach Jingyang, the capital of the country, in half a month. If you use sweat and blood and work hard day and night, you can reach it in three to five days."

"What's in the letter?"

"Your Majesty is so wise. I don't want to tell you. You know what to write and how to write it." Bei Qianling respectfully said, "Your Majesty doesn't need to explain who you support, as long as you oppose the Empress' interference in Naiyun's government."

The prince couldn't bear it any longer, he took a few steps forward, and stood side by side with Bei Qianling: "Father, don't listen to him. Now Nai Yun's power belongs to the queen, if Bei Qianling fails in the end, and the queen takes revenge, even if Xi Zhao doesn't If you fail, you will also lose your spirit."

The old emperor didn't say a word, as if he was considering Bei Qianling's request.

Bei Qianling was not in a hurry, and said slowly: "About three years ago, Naiyun dispatched troops to destroy Chaohe and designated it as a subsidiary of Naiyun. Does your highness know, why did my father do this?"

His voice was gentle and clear, and the prince replied involuntarily: "Because Chaohe is very close to Naiyun, and Chaohe's national strength is declining."

Bei Qianling put the folding fan lightly on his chin: "If you say it is close, the sunset is closer; if you say national strength, although the sunset is stronger than Chaohe, it is still not as good as Naiyun. In comparison, the sunset has fertile soil, a vast area, and is worth a lot. Far greater than Chaohe. In your opinion, why did our country attack Chaohe instead of Xizhao?"

"You!" the prince said angrily, "Don't forget that you are asking for our country now!"

The old emperor interrupted: "Jingwen, answer him."

The prince's aura suddenly weakened: "To the east of Xizhao is Xixing. No matter how strong Naiyun's national power is, he will not be able to face Xixing after attacking Xizhao."

"Exactly. It's been hard work for Xizhao to be sandwiched between two big countries for hundreds of years?" Bei Qianling smiled.

The prince said: "Is it possible that you want to say that if we help you become the emperor, you will help us solve Xi Xing? But once Xi Xing is solved, we will be in danger."

"I have no such intentions. I want to say two points. One is a piece of advice to your country." Bei Qianling's eyes sharpened sharply, "I imprisoned the emperor in the direction of Empress Liu, and I was cruel and merciless; As a regent, she is full of ambitions. Unfortunately, this person is short-sighted and only cares about personal interests, regardless of the safety of the country. If she is really in power, even if you have not offended her, within three years, you will definitely attack here. At that time, even if Xi Xing sent troops, It's just letting Nai Yun to be buried with you."

"Secondly, it is still an advice to your country." Bei Qianling continued, "Xizhao and Naiyun are allies. Xizhao supports Naiyun with supplies, and Naiyun gives Xizhao shelter. When Naiyun is in chaos, there must be other countries watching. If Naiyun's vitality is seriously injured, or the country is subjugated, what will happen to Xizhao?"

Civil and military officials looked at each other in blank dismay.

Bei Qianling continued: "Your Majesty, of course you need to take some risks to help me. However, you don't have to worry, I will be the new emperor of Naiyun in the end. After I ascend the throne, I will definitely thank Xizhao for this friendship." .”

Bei Qianling has always been neither arrogant nor impetuous, and a gentleman is modest. The old emperor couldn't help being surprised when he heard him say this: "You said, you will definitely become the emperor? Why do you say that?"

Bei Qianling opened the folding fan: "Just now, I am the only one here, standing here, offending your country, and you didn't order anyone to arrest me."

"Successful?" Qiu Li had been waiting outside the hall for a long time.

"Yes." Bei Qianling carefully folded the letter and put it in her arms, "Please send me back to Jingyang City right away, Miss."

"Yes." Qiu Li agreed, and went to prepare the horse first.

A breeze blew by the side, carrying a faint fragrance.Bei Qianling turned around.

As expensive as a peony, as elegant as a lotus, and peerless.

She was wearing a blue dress and stood there quietly, neither sad nor happy.The two of them looked at each other, and then they looked away from each other.

Bei Qianling turned her head with difficulty, and walked down the steps to the main hall.

A glance is enough.