In August of the thirteenth year of Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor died. After the plaque in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, take out the jade box, the fourth son of Emperor Yongzheng, Prince Bao Aixin Jueluo. Hongli officially ascended the throne and issued an edict to change the yuan in the New Year. The new emperor was benevolent and treated the relatives who were condemned and expelled during the previous emperor's reign, appeased the old ministers, and granted amnesty to the world.

The old residence of the West Second Institute in the Forbidden City was changed into Chonghua Palace, and the Fucha family of Fujin was named the queen and lived in Changchun Palace.

The Cao family, which belongs to the white flag of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also has to be favored: from the small courtyard of the outer city of Garlic City moved into the old house in the inner city, Cao Xuan and other officials were awarded titles, Cao Fu was appointed as a member of the Internal Affairs Office, and Cao Zhenzhi, the ancestor of the Cao family, was posthumously named as the senior doctor, and the original Ouyang family and the step-room Zhang were his wife.

This kind of governance method of treating the old ministers well after the new emperor ascended the throne is not new, and Du Zhe is pleased that Hongli not only treated the Cao family leniently, but also gave Cao Xueqin a guard position in the Qianqing Gate.

At the beginning, Du Zhe was also worried that Cao Xueqin would be reluctant to go on an errand: because all historians and red scholars in later generations agreed that Cao Zhan was a down-and-out talent, who could not be restrained by court etiquette and red tape, let alone despised Bagu articles and flattery.

Right now, I don't know if it's because of the timeline that has changed, or because Cao Xueqin has changed her sex: since taking the post of guard of the Qianqing Gate, Cao Xueqin seems to have changed as a person. Officialdom welcomes, is loyal to superiors, and waits to show sincerity. Everyone who has seen Cao Xueqin praises him for being funny and talented. There is also a saying that "among the descendants of the Cao family, there is finally a child who inherits the old Mr. Dongting".

Within two or three years, Cao Xueqin was outstanding in her errands, brilliant and resourceful, and won the emperor's trust, from the Qianqing Gate guard, promoted to the Qianqing Gate Walk, and stayed in Qianlong for three years, it has become Cao Xi and Cao Yin's position as the imperial guard.

As for Du Zhe, the Xiyuan Opera Troupe is already a famous class in Beijing, and he doesn't do much on stage, but only manages it carefully. Occasionally, I can't resist the invitation of old friends, although I can't empty the alley, but it is also a wonder in Beijing. The name "Farewell Meaning" has also become a legend.

The beloved has a prosperous career, and he has a successful career, so smooth sailing, it stands to reason that Du Zhe should be very happy, but Du Zhe suffers from gains and losses. What's more, because of an incident on Cao Xueqin's career, she was angry with Cao Xueqin for a whole year, and she almost broke up!

This matter has to start from October of the third year of Qianlong,

When Hongli ascended the throne, there were only the eldest brother Yonghuang, the second elder brother Yonglian, the third elder brother Yongzhang and one Gege under his knees. Among the three sons and one daughter, Gege and the second elder brother Yonglian were born as the queen of Fucha. Hongli loves the queen deeply, and even more loves the second elder brother Yonglian, and secretly made an edict at the beginning of his accession to the throne, establishing Yonglian as the crown prince, and wanting to take the prince as the prince.

However, in October of the third year of Qianlong, Yonglian contracted a cold and dragged on for more than ten days, and finally died of illness on October 12!

Cao Xueqin accompanied the side, saw the mourning of the Son of Heaven with his own eyes, and the emperor, who never abandoned the government, did not come to the court for five consecutive days. And the queen, who suffered a heavy blow, was also emaciated and abnormal, and there was chaos in the palace, and the queen mother's personal persuasion was useless.

On the one hand, the emperor wanted to appease the empress, and on the other hand, he had to prepare for the funeral of his beloved son, and at the same time, he had to be mentally diligent and diligent, and he gradually lost weight. I don't know who mentioned the grand scenery of Jiangnan in the emperor's ear, but he could take the queen to relax, and the emperor was moved.

Suzhou and Jiangning have always been important towns of the imperial court, and there are many old people in the Southern Ming Dynasty, and the Cao family has been operating in Jiangnan for three generations, and they are familiar with the local people and have popularity, and it is desirable to send them to the past. So Qianlong made a decision and issued a holy decree to supplement Cao Xueqin to be the main weaver of Jiangning.

The holy decree was issued in a hurry, and Cao Xueqin left in a hurry, only taking the little servant Ding Rong and a few rough subordinates to hurriedly board the big ship heading south.

And Du Zhe, not only did he know nothing about it, but even three days after Cao Xueqin arrived in Jinling, he accidentally heard this shocking news from Li Yun's mouth. Seeing Du Zhe's face pale for a moment, Li Yun hurriedly explained, "Second brother, he ...... Xu was busy and forgot? ”

"......" busy......? So busy that I can't even make a personal statement...... Don't want to do both?

I'm afraid that I didn't think of him at all in my heart.

The more Du Zhe thought about it, the more frightened he became, he was dizzy for a while, he only felt a chill all over his body, he barely took a step forward, but he stumbled and almost fell to the ground, and Li Yun hurriedly came to help him.

"Second sister-in-law...... Uh, Brother Qu, Brother Qu, don't think nonsense! Li Yun's eyes reddened, "Yes, you see that the second brother promised you all the jade bracelets that I have inherited from my family, he is the only one with you, he is really busy, he is the person next to the emperor, don't say it's you, even if it's me, it's the old lady, I haven't seen him recently!" ”

Du Zhe looked at Li Yun, who remembered to cry, smiled reluctantly, and said, "Yun'er, you, you also know poetry...... Have you ever heard a phrase from our Manchurian genius? ”

"What word?"

"Waiting for idle changes but old people's hearts, but old people's hearts are changeable."

Du Zhe smiled bitterly, left Li Yun, and shook out of the house in a trance, but without taking two steps, he fell to the ground unconscious. Li Yun found a doctor, but said that Qu Ye had a heart disease, and there was no medicine to treat him.

said so, but Du Zhe was getting weaker day by day, and when the snow fell, he was already drowsy and rarely awake every day. Li Yun had already hurriedly gone to the urgent home to write to Cao Xueqin that day, and when the snow was falling heavily that day, Li Yun finally looked forward to Cao Xueqin's reply.

Li Yun didn't care about the wind and snow outside, and directly sent the letter to Du Zhe. Du Zhe took Cao Xueqin's letter and read it, first he was a cowardly person, but he suddenly pointed to the letter and laughed, and suddenly screamed a few times, his eyes were red and tears fell, crying and laughing for a while, and he vomited a mouthful of black blood.

The people in the troupe were scared half to death by Du Zhe, but unexpectedly, as soon as the winter passed, he gradually got better.

It's just that after Du Zhe got better, he always pointed at Cao Xueqin and scolded a few words every day. Later, most of the people who came to invite the play knew this temper. The insider only said that Du Zhe was angry with Cao Xueqin, and those who didn't know thought that he had any grudges with this upstart.

In the blink of an eye, it is October of the new year, and the autumn is coming to an end, and it is the fourth year of frost after Qianlong's accession to the throne.

On this day, Du Zhe was standing in the courtyard watching the disciples shouting, and suddenly heard the sound of footsteps behind him and the sound of clanging armor, and before he could turn his head, he fell into a warm embrace, and a burning kiss immediately fell on his lips.

The strange and familiar breath hit his face, and the stubble that came out made Du Zhe shocked and angry. He bit the tip of the man's tongue ruthlessly, but he didn't see him retreat, and the smell of rust continued to deepen the kiss. Du Zhe simply vented his worries and fears over the past year between his lips and tongue, and the surprise of reuniting after a long absence.

Naturally, he also wanted to beat Cao Xueqin, the elm-headed bastard in front of him, and beat him hard.

Cao Xueqin, who should have been far away in Jinling, suddenly appeared in the capital for some reason, saw his lover who he hadn't seen for a year, and heard from the letter that his lover was seriously ill.

The two of them were so emotional that they forgot that all the disciples were beside them, and they lingered, until they were coaxed by everyone, they blushed, and Du Zhe hurriedly asked the disciples to leave class early.

"The emperor is sympathetic and wants me to go to Beijing to report on my work," Cao Xueqin knew what Du Zhe was going to ask, so she spoke first, "Dongliu, I'm sorry, I ...... it."

"Smack——!

"Hmm......" Cao Xueqin aggrievedly pushed her tongue on the beaten cheeks, "Dongliu, you are so fierce." ”

"You should be glad that I hit you in the face," Du Zhe snorted coldly, "If I were to make a breath, I should have directly taken the sword and poked ten or eight holes in your body to relieve my anger!" ”

"Then I should thank Dongliu's subordinates for their mercy," Cao Xueqin said this, but she took Du Zhe's hand in begging, "Dongliu, I'm sorry for making you worry and suffer a lot of sins in vain." It's all my fault, I shouldn't have just walked away and failed to tell you. ”

“…… Why," Du Zhe blinked, calming down, "why don't you sue me?" You think I'm going to stop you? Still is...... In your eyes, your affairs are not worth discussing with me? ”

"No, it's not!" Cao Xueqin hurriedly denied it loudly, "Dongliu, you are my qiē, if you are not annoyed, I want to tell you about my qiē, and I want to discuss it with you." But, but ......"

"But what?"

Cao Xueqin seemed a little annoyed, he grabbed his head, and then explained helplessly, "Dongliu, the emperor sent me to Jiangning, I don't know the time limit." It could be a year, or it could be a lifetime. I, I want to stay with you for a hundred years, so I naturally want to take you with me. But, but I'm afraid you'll refuse......"

"Are you stupid?!" Du Zhe was surprised, "Why would I refuse?!" ”

"Dongliu," Cao Xueqin said tightly on Du Zhe's shoulder, "Your roots are all in the capital, aren't they?" Jinling, I am honored to return to my hometown, but for you, it is a new beginning! In Jinling, no one knows that you are the famous Qu Beiyi and Qu boss, and there are no disciples and friends of your group by your side. If you are, if you go with me! All you have left is me! ”

"I ......" Du Zhe had never thought about this, he was thinking about Cao Xueqin, but he didn't know that Cao Xueqin had thought a lot about him in turn.

"Stream! If you go with me, you will leave all you behind! The more Cao Xueqin spoke, the more excited he became, his eyes were red, and he grabbed Du Zhe fiercely and shook him, "Dongliu, you are so good, you are standing on the stage, you are so beautiful with your gestures, I, how can I bear to ask you to ......"

Du Zhe also smiled with red eyes, stretched out his hand and flicked it on Cao Xueqin's forehead, looked at him with bright eyes and said:

"You are an enemy, I can't do a drama for a lifetime, besides, Concubine Yang's neon dress and feather dance is only for Jun Dan. The troupe is my hard work, but it is not my heart's meat, and I can give it up. Fame, wealth and money are all things outside the body, and I wish to win the heart of a person, and accompanying him to the white head is what he wants in the Hall of Eternal Life on July 7. ”

Cao Xueqin didn't expect Du Zhe to say such a thing, he was stunned for a long time, suddenly screamed, and tightly surrounded Du Zhe. For the first time, Du Zhe felt the wetness coming from his shoulder, and it was dried by the autumn wind, as if he was only in a dream.

◎◎◎

On the day of the trip, there were a lot of people in Beijing who came to see them off, but what surprised Du Zhe was that when they boarded the boat, he and the prince who rode their horses and stood on the shore to see them off quietly: Aixin Jueluo. Hiroshi.

Over the years, he and the prince have helped the emperor deal with government affairs, but he is still his ridiculous prince at home, he still likes to watch plays, and even frequent rumors of the same drama and Qingqi, Du Zhe's plays, he didn't watch them. After not seeing him for a long time, Du Zhe found that Hongtian was the same as before, but different:

The same is the affection in Hongday's eyes. is different, it is the vicissitudes of life on his face.

"Do you regret it?" Cao Xueqin put her hand on his waist and asked. Du Zhe looked at Hongyang, thinking that in that high-walled and deep palace, there were many difficulties to be safeguarded, and finally sighed:

"I don't regret it, but I pity the prince."

"Everyone has their own fate," Cao Xueqin sighed with emotion, and glanced back at Ding Rong at the stern, "Rong'er, go crazy and fall into the water!" ”

"Second master, you laugh at me," Ding Rong looked at Cao Du and the others, and his eyes turned badly, "Second master, ** is short!" It's on a boat, and the waves shake tightly when they rise. I heard the people in the building say that in the Jiangnan area, it is more interesting to do it on a flower boat! There was an errand delayed before, you haven't seen Master Qu for a long time, and today is just warm! ”

Ding Rong's words were explicit, Du Zhe was so ashamed that he left Cao Xueqin and went back to the room, Cao Xueqin glanced at Ding Rong helplessly, and chased into the room again and again. On the deck, only the old man and Ding Rong were left looking at each other.

"The matter of the flower boat," Cao Xueqin opened her mouth to explain after entering the door, "It was Rong'er who heard it indiscriminately, that kid is used to me on weekdays, and he dares to say anything." ”

Du Zhe sat on the bed with a red face, but he was not very angry with Ding Rong. Most of the modern authors of these novels have changed the name of "bed-play" to boat play, and this time they are sitting on the boat, and they are still a little eager to try, and Ding Rong is right, he and Cao Xueqin have not been together for more than a year, and Du Zhe is a little greedy.

Cao Xueqin, a partial student, came in to explain, so that Du Zhe couldn't "push and half push" like in the past. Du Zhe gritted his teeth, thinking that he might as well take the initiative, but he was afraid that Cao Xueqin would be surprised by his sudden Meng Lang, and his face was even more blushing in the dilemma, so Cao Xueqin leaned over and probed his forehead with his hand:

"Dongliu, why is your face blushing like this, isn't it seasickness?"

"I ......" Du Zhe rolled his eyes, he was motion sick, he was seasick, he just didn't get seasick! He is now full of indescribable thoughts about having a big fight with Cao Xueqin, and even wants to [drive](╯‵□′)╯(┻━┻

In fact, the moment the ship left the capital, Du Zhe had this intention. Looking at the departing Hongday, and the red walls and green tiles that are gradually moving away, the imperial power that represents danger, the calculations and worries that pressed on his head seem to be far away, and only Cao Xueqin by his side is left in heaven and earth. belongs to him alone, Cao Xueqin.

The only thing that Du Zhe can't let go of in his heart is about Cao Xueqin's book that has been written more than 80 times, whether it is "The Treasure of the Wind and the Moon" or "The Story of the Stone", Du Zhe is only worried that Cao Xueqin is busy with errands now, and the book will never be able to be written again - people have counterattacked and become nobles, but the book has not been completed, is it still not that the task has not been completed?

"What do you think?" Cao Xueqin couldn't answer Du Zhe for a long time, and it seemed that there was really no fever when she touched his head, so she asked again.

"I miss you," Du Zhe didn't dodge or dodge, and said calmly, "I'm thinking about you, thinking about your book, and thinking about our future ......."

"What's there to think about," Cao Xueqin pretended to be disdainful, but her eyes lit up in an instant, kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, and wrapped her hands and feet around Du Zhe, "I'm here now, why should Dongliu think about me?" My book, about 40 times will be completed, and when the time comes, I will still find someone to copy the plate print, and I will definitely ask Dongliu to read it before you are satisfied. As for our future...... Hmmm......"

Cao Xueqin's words were not finished, because Du Zhe had already taken the initiative to knock him down, and the warm and slightly crazy kiss fell on Cao Xueqin's lips and face, and Du Zhe even bit Cao Xueqin's Adam's apple and licked it.

He had never seen Du Zhe who was so active and enthusiastic, and Cao Xueqin's love was also ignited, and he immediately rolled together with Du Zhe.

Tossed all the way in such a reckless way, although it was a long time away, but it was better than when they met again. It's like two pieces of honey sweet and greasy touching together, and they don't want to be separated. When the captain called "Lord Cao, we have arrived", it was really short, and it turned out that he would not be able to go to court early, not only the king.