The sixth day of the first month.

After the heavy snowfall on the first day, the weather suddenly became steeply cold, although the two days have eased slightly, but the cold wind still cuts the face. The snow showed no signs of melting, but instead thickened into ice, crushing the green pines and bamboos.

However, the harsh winter and heat are normal for Ruyi, and she gets up at the same time as usual. Play a set of soft boxing and run a plum blossom pile. When the body as light as a swallow tumbled down from the stake, the eastern sky was slightly white. In the early morning, when the cold wind soaked her clothes, the rough palace people were so cold that they were about to shrink, but a thin layer of sweat appeared on her body. Loosening his neckline, he went back to his room to bathe and change his clothes.

It wasn't until she had breakfast and dressed up and went out of the palace that Erlang yawned and lazily crawled out of the quilt, stretched out his arms, and was sleepy, and was served by the palace people to change clothes.

For a moment he had slept and finally woke up at the dinner table. On the one hand, he was absent-mindedly served by someone to enter the soup, and on the other hand, he couldn't find Ruyi when he looked left and right, so he was dissatisfied, "What about Sister?" ”

The palace ladies said calmly, "Her Royal Highness the princess has eaten and has left the palace." ”

Jiro couldn't help but be annoyed - is he in such a hurry to get out?! Can't you just wait for him for a while?! It's really a big girl...... Hum!

The snow on the road outside was melted by the wagons, and it froze again, and the road was full of overlapping ruts.

The driver did not dare to run too fast for the sake of safety. Suzaku Street, which is not very long, ran twice as hard as usual. There are still some bumps.

Ruyi was afraid of hurting his eyes, so he didn't read, only opened the curtain slightly, and leaned against the car window with a handstove to watch the scene outside.

When the New Year's car is full of people passing relatives, and even the children in the general corner have a few pocket money in their pockets, business on the street is very good. The vendors along the street got up early, and some people were already setting up stalls to sell. Ruyi suddenly remembered what he had discussed with Xu Yi before - how much money do those wealthy families who spend tens of thousands of dollars a day have to make to maintain such a luxurious life. I couldn't help but ask Aunt Zhai, who was sitting opposite, and said, "Auntie said, what kind of business is the most profitable shop on this street?" ”

Aunt Zhai lowered her eyes and said, "This is not something that Her Royal Highness the Princess should ask. ”

Aunt Zhai is Xu Si's nursing mother, and she also had children and daughters earlier, but unfortunately the family died in the war. Xu Si took her back to her side to raise her. Because of Xu Si's bumpy fate, it was rare to wait for the time when the world was peaceful, and she was married to a brutal Hu like Li Hu. Aunt Zhai really couldn't rest assured of her, so she refused to enjoy Qingfu, but kept following Xu Si's side.

Although she claims to be a "slave maid", no one has ever regarded her as a human being in the Ciqiu Palace, and even the Son of Heaven treats her differently. Ruyi and Erlang's sister and brother also respect her very much.

Every year in the first lunar month, Aunt Zhai will go out of the palace to sweep the graves and offer incense to her family members who died in the war. Therefore, when she went out as she wished on this day, Xu Si entrusted Aunt Zhai to take care of her.

Perhaps it was because she wanted to sweep the graves of her family that Aunt Zhai was not in a good mood, and she was also extremely cold and perfunctory to Ruyi - however, Aunt Zhai has always been reserved. Even on weekdays, it's not close to Ruyi.

Therefore, when Ruyi heard Aunt Zhai say this, she only pursed her lips and smiled, and did not defend anything.

She saw Aunt Zhai holding a burden on her knees, looking out in a trance, and seeing that her hands were red and swollen, she obviously forgot to wear the stove, so she put her own in her hands. said, "My aunt will hold it for me." ”

Aunt Zhai glanced at her again, then looked away and said, "...... Be. After a moment, he lowered his eyes and said, "The princess is a blessed and noble person, don't pay attention to these turbid things." If it affects the mother's mother and her own reputation, it will not be good. ”

Ruyi smiled, "Hmm." ”

The carriage traveled to the Qinhuai River, and Ruyi said goodbye to Aunt Zhai.

She was in a happy mood, and she didn't wait for anyone to set up the stone, so she opened the curtain and jumped out of the car. Xu Yi waited down, and when she saw that she landed very steadily, she took away her arm and bowed to Aunt Zhai.

Aunt Zhai still wanted to tell something, but it can be seen that the brother and sister looked at each other and smiled, no matter who stepped in, it was very redundant, and she stopped talking unconsciously.

He only whispered to the attendant beside Ruyi, "Be careful, don't let the idlers approach." ”

sent Aunt Zhai away, Ruyi didn't want to enter the study, so Xu Yi accompanied her to the bank of the Qinhuai River.

――The students made an appointment to meet in front of the school palace, but it was still early at the moment, and there was no one in the open space in front of the school palace. Only the spring flower branches of a waterfall on the shore fall on the surface of the Qinhuai River, and the snow accumulates on the branches that have turned green, like the flowers of Qiongyu blooming all over the bank.

Ruyi went down the stone steps on the bank to the bottom of the bridge, the river was not frozen, and the blue river reflected the gray sky in winter.

If there was a faint white mist on the water, it was very warm to look at, so I reached out and tried it. Xu Yi couldn't stop it, seeing her being smacked by the ice, she couldn't help but laugh.

Ruyi didn't think it was upset, laughed along, and said, "I thought it was warm." ”

Xu Yi took a handkerchief for her, and when she saw that her fingers were frozen red, she asked, "Didn't you bring a hand stove?" ”

Ruyi said, "Give it to others." Xu Yi has never brought this kind of thing, and she didn't know how to help her keep warm, Ruyi smiled and said, "My body is hot, and it will warm up after a while." She suddenly tugged at Xu Yi's sleeve and raised her finger forward. Xu Yi followed and looked over, and saw a woman lazily pushing open the window not far from the opposite bank, and splashed a basin of hot water from the window—it was the fat water used for grooming in the morning, and it also had a slight aroma and crimson, like smoke scattered in the wind on the water.

The woman seemed to notice their gaze, looked over and looked at them, and then leaned against the window and smiled softly at them, and raised her hand to □□.

Ruyi subconsciously returned the courtesy. It took a moment to realize that he had been slighted. But she stared at the person curiously first, and the woman's expression was very kind, which made people not angry.

She obviously didn't recognize this person, so she asked Xu Yi suspiciously, "Is it my cousin's acquaintance?" ”

Xu Yi: ......

Xu Yi wanted to say that he didn't recognize it—but he didn't forget it, and he did remember this person. He said, "I've seen it, but it's not an acquaintance." ”

He knew that such a scene had already involved the word fragrant and beautiful, and he could not let Ruyi see it. He turned sideways to cover Ruyi's vision and led her back. Since he knew the identity of this woman, he did not want to be misunderstood. Therefore, even though Ruyi was not particularly vigilant, he still explained, "At the end of last year, my father had a banquet for guests, and General Gu took her there, which made my mother very annoyed. ”

Ruyi thought to herself that with such an undignified style, it was not surprising that her aunt, as the master, would be annoyed. However, "General Gu - is it General Gu from Yangzhou?" Has he returned to Beijing? ”

Xu Yi said, "Yes." ”

Ruyi said, "It turns out that she is General Gu's internal dependent-"

Xu Yi saw that she was moved, so she explained, "...... It is an outer room. General Gu's wife is in Yangzhou and has never returned to Beijing with him. ”

Ruyi seemed to understand whether she understood or not, but she felt that Xu Yi was unwilling to say more, so she stopped asking. only sighed, "The last time I saw General Gu, it was four or five years ago. ”

Xu Yi paused and said, "He really rarely returns to Beijing. This time it is just the right time to come back, and I think the hearts of the people in the DPRK and China will also settle down. ”

When the appointed time was approaching, they went back to the school palace. Sure enough, there were a lot of people gathered in front of the school palace.

Since the annual leave, these teenagers have not had time to gather, and when they meet now, they are naturally closer and more eager than usual.

Seeing Xu Yi coming with Ruyi, everyone gathered and stepped forward, and even the people who had taken refuge in the study earlier also came out one after another, asking each other if everyone had arrived and when they would leave--there were also those who had already reported to Liu Jun here, and who had taken a step first-Guo Xijiu lived on the south bank of the Qinhuai River, but he was just a short walk away, and he didn't need to take a car.

Xu Yi and Ruyi also went to Liu Jun's side to check the roster, and then went to Guo Sai Wine Mansion first. When the people saw them leaving, they also greeted them in groups.

These twenty or thirty teenagers walked together, and the scene was noisy. However, somehow, for a moment, the laughter in the surroundings subsided.

Ruyi looked up suspiciously, and saw Zhang Ben standing in front of the sacrificial wine house - obviously waiting for them.

In the silence, someone whispered, "Who sent him the letter?" When everyone didn't answer, some people sneered, "I admire him for daring to come, regardless of who sent him." ”

And they all laughed, and then they laughed again, but they did not see him.

Ruyi's heart is very uncomfortable. She walked straight to Zhang Ben.

Zhang Ben's face was quite calm, and he also stepped forward and greeted her and Xu Yi with his hands - now these two people in the hall treated him as usual. However, because of the glass and the mouth of Youyou, Zhang Ben is not close to them. On this day, he took the initiative to greet them.

After a few words of greeting, Zhang Ben said, "I'm leaving the country to study." ”

Ruyi and Xu Yi were stunned, and after a while, Xu Yi asked, "Have you found a good place to go?" ”

Zhang Ben said, "Yes, Mr. Liu has sent a letter." After the first month, I will go back to Xiangxian. ”

Xu Yi nodded, "It's okay." It is a place where you can study with peace of mind. ”

Zhang Ben said, "Yes." Unconsciously smiled bitterly, "It's just that this trip not only failed to return with honor, but instead fled with wolves, disgraced Mr. ”

Xu Yi said, "'Those who know are not confused, those who are benevolent are not worried, and those who are brave are not afraid'. Others have their own opinions, and gentlemen have their own opinions. ”

Zhang Ben's face slackened slightly, and said, "Yes." Thank you for your teachings. ”

Zhang Ben mentioned that he was leaving Guozixue - of course, everyone knew in their hearts that he was forced to leave by them.

In the end, it was a classmate, and when he resisted to the end, everyone bullied him unrelentingly, really afraid that any words would not sting him. But when he said that he was leaving, everyone suddenly felt a thorn in their hearts, and they faintly reflected on whether the past was really a little too much - but it is easier for people to explain themselves, and everyone thinks that Zhang Ben is at fault first, and they must not be blamed.

But I couldn't say anything for a while.

When they entered Guo Saijiu's mansion, because it was Guo Saijiu's son who came to greet them, who was also a student of Guozixue earlier, everyone called "senior brother" enthusiastically and began to speak.

However, Guo Saijiu's son did not stay for long, and after a few words, a servant stepped forward in a panic and said, "Someone is coming from the palace!" ”

As he spoke, a crisp bell sounded from the outer court. Everyone looked back and saw the black bullock parked steadily in front of the main gate, and there were two guards in front of the car to lead the way. The cow was born very beautifully, with a watery black coat, and a silver bell hung from its neck with a twisted silver thread. Guo Sai Restaurant is not a mansion, the door is also narrow, through the courtyard door can only see half of the carriage, but you can already see the width and beauty of the carriage. The roof of the car was tasseled on all sides, and there was a dark fragrance blowing in the wind.

Everyone was distracted for a moment - they said that they were from the palace, but when they looked at the ox cart alone, it was clear that it was a woman.

Sure enough, after a while, Gong E stepped forward to pick her up, and the owner of the carriage leaned out with her skirt leaning out, only to see green temples like clouds, snowy skin and jade, and her face was so bright that it was almost dazzling. Even if she didn't have time to see her appearance clearly, she knew that she was indeed a stunning girl like a fairy concubine.

Everyone hurriedly lowered their heads and consciously avoided to the sides. A few people still haven't reacted yet, and they have been quietly reminded.

The girl walked among the crowds, her dress was swaying, and she was stepping down to give birth to lotuses, and her demeanor was extremely beautiful. Everyone suddenly bumped into the nobles in the palace, but they didn't know the details, and they were obviously a little anxious in their hearts, hoping that she could pass quickly. But as she approached, the boys watched her gait and smelled the fragrance of flowers on her clothes, but they faintly expected her to stop and ask.

And her footsteps really stopped—but in front of Ruyi and Xu Yi.

Everyone thought to themselves that it was really these two people...... After all, the nobles in the palace are not blind, and they are faintly lost.

But Ruyi's side is not an enviable situation.

She was staring at Ruri, and because she noticed the malicious contemptuous smile in Ruri's eyes, she had a premonition that Ruri might want to do something, and she felt faintly annoyed in her heart - it was as if you were playing chess well, and someone on the chessboard next to you didn't want to play, and before leaving, they somehow wanted to glance at your chessboard.

Liuli didn't want to read it anymore, and wanted to leave, but Ruyi didn't mind. It didn't matter if she even had to fight back before she left—after all, she had suffered a lot of grievances.

But if she only because of these, she will ruin Ruyi's opportunity to continue studying, and Ruyi will have to fight.

The two men stared at each other nervously.

Everyone vaguely felt that something was wrong with the atmosphere, but they didn't dare to look up to confirm. Just as he was about to whisper, Zhang Ben spoke, "Her Royal Highness the Princess." ”

Everyone was stunned, and then they remembered that Zhang Ben was also standing with Xu Yi and Xu Ru. I thought, this is really a princess. I just don't know......

"Cousin."

As soon as this crispy, squeamish voice with some arrogance came out, everyone's hearts were in a pang, and they all fidgeted.

Liu Jun couldn't help but look up, and Liuli noticed his gaze, and only glanced contemptuously at the corner of his eye. Liu Jun's face immediately turned red, and his heart became numb for a while.

Because of Zhang Ben's interruption, Liuli finally stopped targeting Ruyi.

At this moment, Guo Xianjiu finally came out of the house to greet him, and his face was slightly embarrassed.

As a national son to learn sacrificial wine, he naturally learned that Princess Shuyang had changed her name to cross-dress and was studying in the kindergarten hall under the intentional arrangement of the Son of Heaven. At this moment, she just revealed her identity and came to celebrate his birthday as a princess, whether to lift him up or embarrass him, Guo Saijiu is not unguessed.

But no matter whether the little girl came to cheer or make a scene, he could only accept it kindly and generously, and if he couldn't be proud, he could only laugh at it.

Who made this both a little girl and a princess?

Liuli was not rude, she still saluted Guo Saijiu, bowed down, and laughed crisply, "The student came to congratulate Mr. on his birthday." ”

Of course, Guo Saijiu didn't dare to accept the princess's gift, so he hurriedly supported her and said, "Don't dare to ......"

Liuli claimed to be a student, he couldn't deny it, but he couldn't admit it openly, so he just smiled and told the female relatives behind him - Liuli indicated that he wanted to see him, and he couldn't help but come out. However, he was a dignified Confucian, but it was not easy for him to receive the princess in person. Then Mrs. Labor came out, and said, "Let the princess go inside and speak." ”

Liuli said, "The student won't go in." I came here today to congratulate Mr. on his birthday, and to say goodbye to all of you. In the past year, thanks to the teaching of Mr. and the care of my classmates, I have indeed learned a lot of truths. ”

She paused for a moment, and everyone below thought of what she said about "care", even if they knew that Liuli couldn't do anything with them, they were sweating like pulp for a while, and they were upset.

Liuli smiled lightly and said, "My parents have other arrangements, and I will no longer study in the library in the future." However, even after leaving the school, I will never forget these friendships. ”

Although Guo Saijiu didn't know what was going on in the hall, he also noticed that the atmosphere was abnormal, so he said, "Your Highness's white dragon fish suit, if it wasn't broken today, even the old man wouldn't know that His Highness had studied in the hall." Although the friendship between classmates is deep, but if they are too familiar and close, it is inevitable that there will be one or two rudenesses. Please also ask Your Highness to bear with me and don't care. ”

Liuli said with a smile, "The white dragon fish suits, and the eyes are shot - the fish is also shot by people." Even if a classmate is rude, it is not a crime to ignore. I understand this and don't think about it. ”

Guo Xijiu heard her say this, and it was not that he should worry about things more strictly than he thought, but that he should be relieved that Liuli understood the truth that "those who don't know are not guilty". Only a few vague smiles.

Fortunately, Liuli really didn't plan to stay for a long time, and when he finished speaking, he said goodbye, "I'm not comfortable here, so I'll stay soon." ”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and sent her Royal Highness the princess one after another.

Seeing them like this, Liuli felt puzzled in her heart, her eyes swept over Ruyi, and she smiled and said to Guo Saijiu, "My sister in the hall...... Younger brother, I also bothered Mr. Lao to give me a lot of advice. ”

Before Liuli walked out of the courtyard gate, she heard a buzzing behind her. She could think of how these people would be suspicious of each other in the future, and she couldn't help but feel happy.

However, thinking of the Qiē encountered in Guozixue in the past few months, and thinking of the separation at this moment, my heart is full of love and hate. For a while, many memories came to her heart, and she pressed down all those faint nostalgia, only letting resentment and grievances overflow in her heart. Only then did he hold his head high again and strode away without hesitation.