Ming Zhong was surprised to hear Yan Xi's words to the palace for a long time, and then whispered it to Emperor Tianxi.

Ming Zhong, like Wei Chifeng, was rightly wrong.

Emperor Tianxi was having dinner, when he heard this, he held up his chopsticks and remained silent for a long time.

Ming Zhong stood beside the couch and accompanied him, knowing that Emperor Tianxi was thinking about something, so he didn't dare to disturb him.He glanced at Ying Zhu who was sitting on the couch at the other end of the desk and also stopped.

Looking at each other, they all saw that something was wrong, Ying Zhu put down her chopsticks, knelt down and waited.

Emperor Tianxi immediately ruled out the possibility of Yan Zhener's chastity in silence, because the emperor, as the patriarch of the royal family, would protect the princess's dignity no matter what, and this matter has nothing to do with the prince, Yan Xi has no reason to go to war.Come report this matter.

So, besides this, what else can Yan Zhener experience?Is it worth Yan Xi's cryptic relay?

Emperor Tianxi almost immediately thought of the difference between a prince and a princess.

On this matter, their father and son have reached a tacit understanding that is difficult for others to understand; and they all understand the reason for avoiding talking about this matter with their eyes and ears.

Emperor Tianxi's complexion was cloudy and he put down his chopsticks.

Emperor Tianxi had been strict in etiquette since he was a child, and it was rare for him to lose his chopsticks halfway through the meal. Ming Zhong knew something important was going on at a glance, so he quickly approached and asked, "My lord?"

Emperor Tianxi raised his hand and drove away the palace people.

Ying Zhu wanted to get up, but Emperor Tianxi glanced at her and sat back down again.

Emperor Tianxi threw a token to Ming Zhong, and said with a stern expression: "Order all the guards on duty to arrive immediately, Jin Yiwei strengthens the guards at the palace gates, and asks the head of the dark guard to call all the dark guards to follow me to the Chonghua Palace.”

As soon as Ming Zhong heard it, he knew that the matter was serious, his face became serious, and he immediately went to do it.

Ying Zhu was sitting on the couch, he did not follow Emperor Tianxi in political affairs, so he was not sure whether to follow him.

Emperor Tianxi got up, his tall body blocked the light of the palace lantern on one side, the majestic face of the emperor who had been on top of everyone for many years was even more impressive next to the palace lantern, he said: "Don't go and see how I fight for your highnessIs it?"

Ying Zhu raised her head abruptly, looking at Emperor Tianxi for no reason.

Emperor Tianxi no longer looked at him, and strode out of the main hall.

Ying Zhu realized that the problem was serious, she immediately threw her chopsticks and hurried to catch up.

Wei Chifeng went to the palace to deliver the letter, Yan Xi finished explaining and went back to the house, he didn't change into the thin long gown he usually wears at home.

He was inexplicably restless for a while, and walked to the window, staring at the gradually darkening night.

There are trees outside the window, there is a wall beside the tree, and the street is outside the wall.It's time to go home, the smoke from each house has been burned, and the lights are shining on the windows, it looks like an ordinary night.

But the chirping of the cicadas on the trees stopped, and there was no sound of footsteps coming and going.

A cold light flashed in Yan Xi's eyes, and he stared at the night, then slowly retreated to a cabinet, reached into the gap between the cabinet and the wall, and quietly pulled out a long knife.

The scabbard of the long knife is slender, with moon patterns on it, and "Frost Flowing" written on the handle.

After seeing Yan Xi off, Fang Xun parked the green cloth carriage at the entrance of the alley, and went to Zi Yuan's house opposite Xuan's house to have dinner.

The two raised their glasses to each other, and the wine reached their lips. Fang Xun raised his head and was about to drink, but saw Zi Yuan's hand holding the glass stopped in mid-air, squinting her eyes dangerously to listen to the wind.

They have been companions for many years and are familiar with each other's reactions. Fang Xun's expression tightened and he stopped his movements.

Zi Yuan suddenly shook the cup, flew to draw the sword, and shouted: "Come on thief!"

Fang Xun also heard it, threw the cup and picked up the knife, and jumped out of the door following Zi Yuan.

There was no one around, so Zi Yuan jumped onto the wall and looked around.

The secret guards they set up in the Xuanzhai have been robbed of several points, and the rest of the secret guards have not responded, and they don't know whether they are alive or dead.

Zi Yuan drew out her long sword and stood in the darkness surrounded by her with a cold expression.

She made Fang Xun look like he was running, and said in a low voice, "There are big bugs, there are many."

Da Chong is a slang word in their dark guards, referring to a first-class master.

When Fang Xun heard this, his expression turned serious, and he turned around and ran away.

Zi Yuan is the best fighter in Beiyuan palace except Song Beiming, judging by her strength to run, that is the disparity between the enemy and us.

The little prince and Marshal Song are in the Beiyuan Mansion, so inviting them will have a chance of winning.

Fang Xun jumped on the back of the horse, patted the horse and galloped, a few figures flickered in the shadow of the trees, and hurriedly chased him.

The Zi Yuan whistle sounded, and the hidden guards hidden in the depths escorted Fang Xun away.

She stood alone in the siege, but she had no fear at all. She had a long sword in her hand, and there was a faint clanging sound. She said: "Friends in the dark, this is a distinguished guest from the Beiyuan Palace. Don't get me wrong."Door."

"No mistake." Someone in the shadow of the tree replied, "The one who killed was the little prince's bed partner."

Zi Yuan said: "Since everyone is determined to be an enemy of Beiyuan Palace, the girl's sword will teach you how to be human today."

Official Book Lane.

Shang Baiheng had just had dinner, and before returning to the case, Liu Tong, a newly bought book boy, came to report: "Sir, there is a letter."

Shang Baiheng opened the letter under the lamp, and on it was Zhou Ci's handwriting: "The fourth and fifth sons of the emperor died suddenly at You Hour today, suspected to be poisoned."

Shang Baiheng raised the letter to the candle and burned it. He looked at the flames and fell into deep thought: In one day, three princes died in a row, and now Emperor Tianxi only has the seventh son left.But the strange thing is that this matter is beneficial to Wei Yu, but it is not Wei Yu's doing.Your Majesty will never be so mad as to kill three sons in a row, then the person in charge is someone else.If it is not our alliance, it must be hostile.If things go wrong, there will be disasters.

The flames licked Shang Baiheng's finger, he didn't feel the pain, but his thoughts turned faster, he caught a faint thread in today's serial prince's death, and suddenly shouted urgently: "Liu Tong, hurry up!"Get the lamp."

Hearing Shang Baiheng's urgent tone, Liu Tong quickly opened the bookcase, and inside were twenty-four folded lanterns, each with an ink painting of the twenty-four solar terms.

Liu Tong hurriedly asked: "Sir, which one to take?"

Shang Baiheng was already changing his shoes, and replied solemnly, "Jing Zhe."

Liu Tong took out a bright lantern, on which was a picture of a peach tree, with fields under the tree and cattle on the fields, and a poem written in ink next to it: light rain, many flowers are new, and a thunderstorm begins.

He quickly took the candle, lit the lamp, and when he went to put the lamp in the courtyard, Shang Baiheng had already walked out quickly through the courtyard gate.

Leave a sentence: "Go ask Zhou Ci to stand by near the Xuanzhai."

Liu Tong replied: "Yes."

Xuanzhai

Yan Xi held up the knife and kicked open the door.

He was wearing the crimson robe of a third-rank civil servant, and his wrist was slender and flexible for holding the knife.

The faint candlelight in the room cast his figure on the steps, drawing out soft lines, his face sunk in the shadows, and his skin was icy white under the darkening night.

He glanced around the yard with ice in his eyes.But his tone still contained a faint smile, as if greeting a visitor from afar: "My friends, where did you come from? Who ordered you?"

Someone in the void replied: "My lord Xuan is so courageous. We have been ordered to take your life. If we fail today, we will not give up. You might as well just die and save us some trouble."

The corner of Yan Xi's mouth curled into a smile: "I love the people like my own son, and I have always responded to the people's requests. It's just a pity that you thieves and gangsters are not among the people. You can't do what you want."

Several people in night clothes appeared in the courtyard: "In that case, Master Xuan, let's go."

Yan Xi drew the knife, and he traced the unsheathed blade tenderly with eyes like looking at an old friend.

The "Frost" that had been hidden for a long time slipped out of the scabbard, shattering the weak candlelight shining from behind, and the warm candlelight suddenly shattered into ice cubes.

Night fell.

The last quarter moon was nowhere to be seen, the night was dark and the wind was high, "Frost" cut through the night, and drew the first handful of blood towards the figures who were rushing towards them.

Chonghua Palace.

Tonight the clouds are thick and the stars are sinking.People save money, the lights in the market are dim, but the palace is full of lamps, like fireflies and fireflies, not like the world.

Emperor Tianxi got off the imperial court, and two rows of court ladies holding lamps illuminated the palace alley like daytime.

Ming Zhong went to knock on the gate of Chonghua Palace, and the eunuch who was guarding the door poked his head out. When he looked at Mingzhong's face, he hurriedly changed his color, then followed Ming Zhong to look back, and saw a bright yellowKneeling down on the ground trembling with fright, he shouted, "Your slaves kowtow to the emperor!"

With this sound, a crowd knelt in the courtyard of Chonghua Palace.

Yan Zhener finished his dinner and was washing his hands. Hearing the sound, he took his clean hands out of the water, wiped them carefully with a handkerchief, and walked away from the left and right and said: "You all stand down, please come in, brother."

The palace people in the main hall also withdrew and filled the yard with their knees.

Emperor Tianxi stepped into the gate of Chonghua Palace while everyone was kneeling, and when he walked around the screen wall, he happened to see a star rising above the West City.

Ying Zhu followed behind Emperor Tianxi, and followed the direction in which Emperor Tianxi looked up.

When he was young in Chengqian Palace, he saw the imperial concubine setting up a lamp at night. The imperial concubine said that the lamp could pray for blessings and eliminate disasters, and she even taught them how to make lamps and draw pictures.

Ying Zhu has become more and more difficult to describe Tang Yaoxue's face in memory, but in this night, she strangely and clearly recalled the gentleness of the noble concubine when she held up the lamp and smiled at the little eunuchs.

"Kongming Lantern." Ying Zhu was startled, and said softly nostalgic.

Emperor Tianxi heard it, turned to look at him, and asked, "Do you like it?"

Ying Zhu lowered her face and pursed her lips.

Emperor Tianxi sneered, walked forward to Chonghua Hall, waved his hand to stop Ying Zhu and Ming Zhong who were following, and stepped into the hall gate.

Ming Zhong glanced around and made a "cut" gesture.

The figure of the emperor dipped into the palace, the gate of the palace closed behind the emperor, and shadows floated around Chonghua Palace.

Ying Zhu's eyes turned back to the bright light in the sky, still soaked in long-term nostalgia.

The hidden guards in front of the imperial court already had swords in their hands, and completed their first confrontation with the hidden guards of Chonghua Palace.

Yan Zhener sat in the hall and did not salute Emperor Tianxi as usual.

His makeup today was still flawless at night, and under the light of the candles, it became more dignified and bright.

He looked carefully at Emperor Tianxi, waiting for the other party to speak.

Emperor Tianxi said expressionlessly: "You killed the fourth and fifth?"

Yan Zhener smiled and said: "I went to see them today, but I sat with them for a while and then left. I went in the morning, and they walked in the evening, so what does it have to do with me?"

Emperor Tianxi said: "Really?"

Yan Zhener said: "It is of no benefit to me to kill them. After all, whoever inherits the throne, I will be the eldest princess."

"You are twenty-three years old this year," Emperor Tianxi said meaningfully: "I proposed marriage to you several times, but you rejected them all. For this reason, Elder Zong often came to talk about it, and I suppressed it for you."

Yan Zhener had never heard Emperor Tianxi say these things, he keenly sensed that something was wrong, kept his voice silent, and looked at Emperor Tianxi vigilantly.

"I gave you a chance. Since you don't want to marry, you will live in the palace for the rest of your life." There was blood poured on the door behind Tianxi Emperor's Road, and the blood dripped down the door paper. The majesty of the emperor was overwhelming.The air in the De Palace seemed unable to flow, and the Chonghua Palace was extremely heavy.

Emperor Tianxi held the jade beads of the bracelet in his hand and said, "When I came, I asked someone to tidy up the Hongde Hall next to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The high wall was being erected overnight. From now on, you will live under my nose and wait for me.On the day of his death, I will take you to meet the late emperor."

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Note ①: "A little rain brings new flowers, and a thunderstorm begins." ——Quoted from [Tang Dynasty] Wei Yingwu's "Guan Tian Jia"