The two stood opposite each other, and in the light moonlight, they could see the subject's face slightly, but Qingtong did not look up at him. Although Xu Jing's eyes were cold, he never left Qingtong for a moment.

He knew that she was back after learning the list of Jinshi, and endured it for two months, counting the days day and night. The palace tried a game, and then let the list come over, and she didn't even look up at herself. The Qionglin banquet in the evening, if it wasn't for his request, I am afraid that it would still be a meeting without a look.

What a familiar person, but when outsiders look at it, how strange it is, as if they have never known each other. It is precisely this kind of change that causes a lot of pain in people's hearts. The intimacy of the past is in the bone marrow, and the current monarchs and ministers are like strangers, and the contrast opens a hole in the heart, and the salty wind blows to make you hurt.

Can you still touch her hair? Can you still hold her? Can you still say that you miss her? Can you say never to leave again?

Xu Jing pinched his knuckles white, and when he raised his hand slightly to the side of Qing Tong's head, Qing Tong unconsciously took half a step back. The outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and the atmosphere of the whole room froze with embarrassment.

In fact, he understood that since she chose to leave alone more than four years ago, she had already made up her mind not to follow him. Now that he has returned to officialdom, he will not renew his old relationship with him.

It's just that he can't help it, he can't help it.

I always want to meet in private, but what's so good about it?

Even if we met like this, I didn't even know where to start. If it is an ordinary old person, then it is definitely not a problem to talk about the past at night. But now, he doesn't even have a position to ask questions like "where have you been in the past few years" and "how have you lived". I don't have a position, I feel sorry for how much she has suffered.

The fist in mid-air tightened a few points, but Xu Jing didn't take it back. Instead, he grabbed Qingtong's shoulder and pressed her into his arms.

Qing Tong was frightened by his actions and panicked, and threw herself in his arms for a long time before she reacted, and she struggled for a while. I didn't dare to say anything, so I had to whisper: "What are you doing?!" ”

Xu Jing's arm was strong, and the hoop made the green pupils uncomfortable. She couldn't break free, so she simply raised her knee and went up directly, just hitting the vital point, forcing Xu Jing to let go of her hand.

Xu Jing took a step back and took a breath: "Are you crazy?!" ”

"You're crazy when you come here in the middle of the night!" Qingtong said: "I just don't want what happened five years ago to happen again and disappear from the capital again!" Hurry up! ”

, the emperor was kicked out? Treated like a bird/beast? That's nice!

What else can Xu Jing say? Why don't you go and wait for someone to beat you to death with a spatula?

He didn't say anything else, turned around and left, but stopped after two steps, and said: "Take good care of Brother Jing, if there is any difficulty, I will help." After all, I'm his father, dear. ”

"I'm tired of the emperor, I'm Brother Jing'er's father, it's enough for him to take care of me. There are queens, concubines and princes waiting for you to care about in the palace, you don't have to waste energy on irrelevant people, he is not yours. Qing Tong answered.

Xu Jing ignored her words, and only secretly hooked the corners of his mouth, with a slightly satisfied smile. Then he went out lightly, closed it with his backhand, and disappeared into the night.

Qing Hitomi sat down on the edge of the bed and let out a long breath. I looked out the window, and I couldn't tell what it was like.

+++

Almost all night without closing his eyes, Qingtong still got up early the next day. After washing up and having breakfast, I went to the West Street in the city and bought some treasures such as pearl and jade incense fans that I could take out my hand. Take it with you, and go to the Gu family-Lai Guofu.

The first to go down to the post, and then the green pupil took the green to the door of the Gu family together. No matter how time changes, people are not things, and Laiguofu is basically the same as it was. If you insist on saying in detail what has changed, it must be some corner scenery, or some doors and windows have been renovated, and new scenes have been added to the empty places. But the cloister courtyard, where you go and where you enter, has not changed.

Stepping into the gate of the Gu family, Qingtong was full of emotion in her heart, only saying that the warmth in the old days was in this deep-walled compound. But the little little man who followed next to him was a little green, and what he saw and felt was very different from his own father - he looked like a hairy child who had never seen the world, and his eyes were dripping.

Qing Tong saw him shrinking his head like a thief, slapped him on the back of the head, and whispered, "Why is it so obscene?" ”

Qing Yan straightened his neck a little and looked up at his father: "It's more magnificent than Wu Zhixian's house, but did my father worship the wrong door?" ”

Qingtong turned his head to look at him: "It's been a while since I've been in the capital, why do you still have such vision?" Mother He didn't take you to Dawai to see? If I take you into the palace, you won't be able to walk. ”

Qing Yan was ignorant, but he felt that his father was very tall and awesome now, so he straightened his waist a little more. followed Qingtong and went in again, and saw a man with a very good appearance. The man greeted him with a smile and said, "Third brother, you are finally back." ”

Qingtong also smiled, and saluted: "I'm tired of the second brother and others." ”

"Raw points!" The handsome man lifted the green pupils and said, "The master, the eldest brother and others are in the main hall, and I will take you over now." After that, he saw the little dot next to him, and then asked: "Is this ......?"

Qingtong smiled: "Brother Inuzijing." ”

"There is such a big child?!" The handsome man was pleasantly surprised, and came over to talk to Qing Yan a few more words, asking some questions that children could answer - but how old is this year, and there are schools and the like.

After greeting each other for a while, rejoicing with each other, the handsome man took Qingtong and Qingyan to the main hall. Although Qingyan is a bear child, he probably knows in his heart that he can't bear here, so he is very well-behaved.

But it was Gu Minghong, the second master of the Gu Mansion, who greeted the green pupils at the door, who was erudite and talented, handsome, and had a career in the past. His wife is the lord of Peixin County of the Ping Prince's Mansion, and now has a daughter and a son under his knees.

All the way to the main hall, sitting in the main hall is Gu Guokun, the master of the Gu family, that is, Qingtong's godfather. The Gu family has an uncle who is famous, but now he is not in the house, and the rest are some door-to-door customers.

Qingtong took Qingyan to salute Gu Guokun, and then greeted all the Qingke before taking a seat.

After all, Qing Yan was a small person, still a child, Gu Guokun was afraid that he would stay in the main hall for fear of restraining him, so he called his mother-in-law to take him to Mrs. Gu's Jiang's courtyard and asked Jiang to take care of it first.

Qingtong was also relieved, and only discussed some political ways with Gu Guokun, Gu Minghong, and all Qingke in the main hall. Speaking of the way of being an official, although Qingtong has an understanding, he has no personal experience after all, and there are many things that need to be mentioned by others. Gu Guokun found so many people here, and it was also his intention to give him a surprise political lesson before taking office.

Qingtong chatted with everyone very happily, and the conscious harvest was not small. Regardless of whether what everyone says is a big truth or not, there is always some truth in it. waited for everyone to disperse, and Qingtong still looked a little unsatisfied, so Gu Guokun left her alone. Tell the maid to serve two more teas, and still sit down.

There was no one else this time, and Qing Tong thanked Gu Guokun from the bottom of his heart. If it weren't for his godfather, he might not be where he is today. When he left the capital, Gu Guokun also supported him, and he gave him enough silver taels to keep her from living in poverty for so many years.

Gu Guokun has never treated Qingtong as an outsider, and after hearing this, he said: "There is no need to say these words in the future, you are no different from famous and famous, and the servants in the family still call you the third master when they see it." ”

Qingtong thanked him again, Gu Guokun couldn't, so he accepted it, and then said: "Leave you down, naturally I have something to say to you." Let me ask you, how much do you know about the current court? ”

Qingtong thought for a while and said: "The general official system knows, and each performs its own duties, so why do you know that position." From top to bottom, the size of the grade, the rights and responsibilities of the belonging, can be remembered. It's just that the saint seems to have changed a lot now. ”

"It's hard for you to have a heart." Gu Guokun said: "Since ancient times, the glory of the ancestors is nothing more than taking office as an official. If it has attained the supreme position, it will be a thousand generations and glory for the world. It's just that this road is not as easy as imagined. ”

Qingtong listened to Gu Guokun's words and knew that what he was going to say to himself next was not to discuss those high-sounding ways of being officials with those Qingke just now. I think I'm going to give her some dry goods.

Sure enough, in the green pupil asked, "How difficult is it to walk?" After that, Gu Guokun said: "Even if you learn to be a good official, you may not be able to be a high-ranking official." Among them, you will not know everything when you listen to others. You just need to understand that there is a difference between reality and what you think in your heart. It's not a matter of doing things in a down-to-earth way that can be appreciated. It's not that if you don't commit adultery, those stigma won't reach you. There will be many things among officials and officials who are as new as you will be indignant when they see it, and they must not be reckless and reckless, and offend people. Don't look at the surface of everything, but go to the heart. If you can't figure it out, put it in your heart first, and there will always be a time. ”

"When you have entered this way, you will first be calm. Although he was rusty at first, he should be able to do things without leaving a handle and keep himself. I have seen a lot in the future, I have experienced a lot, and there is no means that I can't practice. When you are stable and become an important minister, then you will not be afraid of offending anyone, and most of them will be the ones who will slap you. ”

Gu Guokun took a sip of tea as he spoke, looked at Qingtong and said: "Except for those gentlemen, before everyone becomes an official, they mostly have a lot of blood in their hearts, whether it is for the people or the country." But you have to remember that only when you are alive and standing in your seat can you really do what you want, you know? ”

Qing Tong nodded slowly, she never felt that officialdom was such a simple place. But these words are indeed what she wants to hear. She also wondered how she could get to the top of her seat. She spent so much effort to get a champion, not to go through the motions and have fun. Once you have entered the official gate, there is no reason to be steady.

Gu Guokun looked at her face and continued: "If you talk about methods, 10,000 methods are not practical enough to coax the emperor well. In addition to the throne, as long as the one on the dragon chair is willing, he can give you a qiē. Speaking of this, Gu Guokun shook his head and said: "This person is not easy to fool today, and the friendship you have with him is not of any use." During the reign of Emperor Taishang, there were many high-ranking officials, who were high but had no real power, and those official positions were abolished by the current saint in the past few years. Now I'm just a knighthood, and the position of the three dukes has long ceased to exist. Many of the original fictitious official positions are no longer appointed. He is bold and ruthless, but even the Emperor Taishang is not as good as him. ”

Qingtong took a breath silently: "I didn't expect this friendship with my classmates, I still have to figure it out myself." No matter what the emperor's temperament is, as long as he is an enlightened king, it is a good thing. I would also like to ask my father-in-law, do you know the current situation between the DPRK and China? ”

"I can't say enough about the specifics." Gu Guokun really didn't hide any treachery with Qing Tong, and still knew everything: "I only know that the most powerful person in the DPRK is the Sun family now, and the master of the Sun family is the prime minister." The Sun family is the maiden family of the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and it is impossible for the power to be small. Although the rest of the princes have noble status, they have no real power, and naturally there are also private collusions with officials. This kind of thing of forming a party for personal gain has never been less common in all dynasties. When you enter the court, you will be able to see it clearly every few days. You are a newcomer, and you can't be offended, but there is one thing that is equally important, you can't be on the wrong side when you first enter the officialdom. Preferably, don't take sides. ”

Qingtong understood, and talked a lot to Gu Guokun, and had a little confidence in her heart, and thanked the father-in-law again and again, before leaving the main hall and going to the Jiang family's courtyard.

+++

When Qing Yan was led to the Jiang family's courtyard by a few maids, she was all sneaking at those brick and tile window railings along the way. Before entering Beijing, the largest house Qing Yan had ever seen was the house of Wu Zhixian's family in Lianyang County, his former residence, but he also looked outside and never entered it at all. At this time, I entered the Gu family, and the curiosity in my heart couldn't be suppressed.

When the maids looked around at him, they were amused, and asked him, "What do you see, brother?" ”

Qing Yan closed his eyes, looked at the two maids and said, "I'm a little dizzy, remember the way." It's a big place, and I'm afraid my father won't be able to find me. ”

The two maids still smiled: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, let's lead you." Your father will come to you after eating tea. ”

Qing Yan didn't doubt, and followed the maid to continue inside. After saying a few words, I felt cordial, and asked people: "Where are the two sisters taking me?" ”

"When I went to the wife's courtyard and saw someone who wanted to call my grandmother, do you understand?"

Qing Yan thought about it, but he really didn't understand, but he said, "I understand." ”

As he spoke, he also arrived in the Jiang family's courtyard, and after listening to the maid's rumor, Qing Yan was taken into the main room. When I entered the door, I saw a noble lady sitting on the kang, wearing something on her body and wearing it on her head, ten times better than these maids, and she was full of jewels. Qing Yan swallowed his saliva, a little wooden, and saw the woman beckoning him to come over, so he walked over.

"This is Brother Jing, right?" Jiang took Qingyan into his arms and took the fruit on the kang table for him to eat. Qing Yan took the fruit, raised his eyes and looked at the woman, except for the wood on his face, he was not timid, and only said, "Thank you, grandmother." ”

After taking a bite of the fruit, he looked around and saw that there were several children of his age, all dressed in great luxury. He didn't know who it was, he just gnawed on the fruit.

Next to him, Jiang Shi pulled him on the kang and sat next to him, before saying: "These are your uncle and second uncle's family, you can talk to them to see who is older and who is smaller." ”

These babies of the Gu family also knew that they were coming to the guests today, and they saw that although Qingyan was small and dressed ordinarily, but they were good looking, they were also happy, and stepped forward and said, "Grandmother, let's take him out to play." ”

Jiang Shi looked at Qing Yan and asked him softly, "Do you want to go?" ”

Qing Yan thought that it would be good to play with children, so he nodded and jumped off the kang.

Jiang Shi also instructed the maids and women to watch, and be careful not to bump into them. When a group of people came out of the room, Jiang Shi tilted slightly on the kang and talked to the mother-in-law next to him. After a while, I heard that Qingtong was coming, and I hurriedly straightened up again.

Seeing Qing Tong enter the house and accept his worship, Fang smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for so many years, but now I'm out of luck." ”

"I have to thank the old lady for her teaching and cultivation back then." Qing Tong replied, and as soon as the words fell on his legs, he was pounced on by the bear child who came in and hugged his thigh.

Qingtong turned around and scolded: "Be more disciplined." ”

Qing Yan hurriedly let go of his legs again and straightened up. Jiang Shi thought it was very interesting, and only said "don't worry", and asked Qing Tong and Qing Yan to sit on the kang next to them and talk.

As soon as Qingtong sat down, Jiang said: "I have suffered a lot over the years, how about it?" ”

Qingtong picked and chose to say everything in the past few years, and it wasn't a big deal, but it was an ordinary person's day.

Jiang Shi listened and nodded: "When did Brother Jing'er's mother go?" ”

Qingtong said: "I was born with a difficult birth." ”

Jiang Shi nodded, and asked again: "There has been no one for so many years?" ”

Qingtong said: "Where do you have that mind, studying hard, it's better to be clean." ”

"That's right." Jiang Shi asked the maid to pour tea for Qingtong, took the cup himself, and continued: "It's just that it's not as good as before, it's time to think about it." If you become an official, there will inevitably be many things to do in the DPRK and China. If you take care of your duties, then someone else will have to take care of the house. You have no relatives in this world, only me and your godfather. We have to settle this matter for you, so that you don't have to worry about it. ”

Qing Yan smiled: "Mrs. Lao is bothered, but she has just joined the government now, and she still doesn't want to think about it." ”

"I know you're busy, so I'll call the shots for you. With me here, you can put a hundred hearts, and you will not be bad. "The major events of life have always been the parents' decisions, and Jiang Shi also held a good heart, and asked with a smile on his face: "Tell me, what conditions are there?" ”

Qingtong thought about the wording, and was about to resign again, when he suddenly heard Qing Yan next to him say: "It is necessary to have a big chest and a thin waist." ”

Everyone was silent, only Qing Yan was talking about military affairs with a serious face......

Then he looked at his father in agreement, only to see in his father's eyes the prelude of the storm......

Silently lowered his head and picked his fingers - he seemed to ...... I'm going to be beaten again......

Although he didn't know why......

So wronged......

The baby's heart is bitter......

The baby doesn't say ......