In the year after Lazagina and Chu Zihou returned to the frontier, a Zhaoyi named Dong Wan gave birth to a baby boy for Emperor Guangzhao, and Emperor Guangzhao had a third son, which was the third prince Chu Ziyao, and Dong Wan also jumped from Zhaoyi to a concubine.

The emperor added Ding, a few people were happy and a few people were sad. It's a taste, it's not a problem.

In the blink of an eye, Chu Ziyao was also sixteen years old.

Because of the guilt of Lazagina and Chu Zihou, the mother and son, Emperor Guangzhao always wanted to find an opportunity to compensate, so on Chu Zihou's seventeenth birthday, he named Chu Zihou the king of Qingping, gave him half a provincial fief, two or five chariots of silver, and granted him the military and political power of the jurisdiction.

For the Xi Kingdom, which has a small territory and a weak national strength, this is a very generous reward. In particular, the military and political power of the second prince's jurisdiction was given, so that he now not only has the title of prince, but also has a certain amount of real power.

After doing this, the emperor felt a lot more at ease.

And Empress Wenci and Concubine Dong Guifei didn't dare to say anything, after all, the sacrifice made by Chu Zihou and his mother for the stability of the royal family was already big enough, if they couldn't even figure this out, they would be too ignorant.

As for the crown prince Chu Zican and the third prince Chu Ziyao, they had not heard the rumor, so they did not have the slightest prejudice against Chu Zihou in their hearts, but they were very happy that he would often return to the capital.

Now, Chu Zihou has grown up, and the emperor asked him to return to the capital once a quarter, ostensibly to report on his work, but in fact he hoped to have more opportunities to meet and communicate with this son, and he wanted to see if this son really had the ability of the son of heaven as the scholar and the scholar said back then.

This request of the emperor is the reason why Chu Zihou entered Beijing this time. After all, even if you are a prince, without the emperor's order, he will not be able to step out of his fiefdom.

As for Chu Zihou, although his mother never talked to him about the words of the master back then, nor did she talk about anyone and anything in the palace, he still pieced together the reason why his mother left the palace from his understanding.

He was very angry, but also a little unwilling, but angry is not as good as fighting, since then, he practiced martial arts, studied the art of war, read a wide range of books, made good friends, and also learned a unique antidote from his mother, in order not to let himself be held back by others.

Therefore, every time he entered Beijing, he never announced the specific date in advance, and only secretly informed the emperor that he knew.

Zichen Hall is in front of him, and there is warm candlelight coming from the room, and people can feel the luxury inside through the window screen, Chu Zihou hesitated a little and walked in.

Emperor Guangzhao was already waiting inside, and when he saw him come in, a smile bloomed on his face.

After General Han received the reward, he left the palace.

Emperor Guangzhao motioned for Chu Zihou to sit down next to him, and Chu Zihou respectfully obeyed.

As soon as they sat down, Empress Wenci, Concubine Dong, Chu Zican, and Chu Ziyao walked in one after the other.

Emperor Guangzhao's expression was dazed, and he was slightly displeased, but he quickly covered it up.

Chu Zihou looked indifferent, as if he had expected them to come, so he hurriedly got up and greeted them generously.

"I just heard what people said, and I guess you're coming this time, yo, I haven't seen you for three months, and you look a lot more mature!" Empress Wenci looked at Chu Zihou and said kindly. Although she was not very happy that Chu Zihou would come to Beijing, she also knew that she should show the mind and appearance that she should have after leaving a country in front of Emperor Guangzhao.

"And it's getting more and more like a prairie man!" Dong Guifei also said with a smile, looking at Chu Zihou who was in the wind in the jade tree, she couldn't hide the amazement on her face, and thought: If only he were my son!

"The queen and the concubine are too famous!" Chu Zihou lowered his head slightly and replied respectfully. Then he took out a large bag of things from his duffel bag and put them on the table, saying, "This is what my mother asked me to bring to everyone, please smile!" ”

With that, he personally opened the knot of the large package and gave them the small packages inside.

It's just some specialties of northern Xinjiang, but it is extremely precious to them who have always lived in the south, so everyone immediately smiled.

"Guifei Gina really has a heart, when you go back, please be sure to greet her on my behalf, and ask her to go back to the palace for a walk, I haven't seen her for eighteen years in a blink of an eye, I miss it very much!" Empress Wenci pretended to be emotional and said.

"Yes, yes, Sister Gina is really ruthless, she has been gone for eighteen years, I don't even know what she looks like, it's time to come back and go." Dong Guifei also immediately continued.

"Not only do you miss her, but I also think of her from time to time, Hou'er, you can persuade her when you go back to the capital this time, and tell her to come back to the capital for a walk." Emperor Guangzhao also followed their words.

"Okay, Erchen will definitely convey everyone's thoughts to his mother." Chu Zihou replied with a smile. But he knew in his heart that they would definitely be disappointed, because his stubborn and willful mother had made up her mind to stay in Northern Xinjiang for the rest of her life.

Everyone took their seats.

"Second brother, how about we meet in the Shangshu room tomorrow morning and have a good exchange of poetry?" Chu Zican sat next to Chu Zihou, patted him on the shoulder and asked.

"Then there will be a lot of advice from Prince Lao." Chu Zihou nodded at him.

"Brother Prince, I'm going too." Chu Ziyao immediately answered.

"Let's come along." Chu Zican glanced sideways, and Chu Ziyao said.

Emperor Guangzhao saw that the relationship between the three brothers was so good, and he suddenly felt relieved, stroked his beard and nodded and smiled. Empress Wenci and Concubine Dong Guifei also laughed together.

Due to the presence of Empress Wenci and Concubine Dong Guifei, everyone inevitably had a short time, and Empress Wenci had something to say, and her wit was hidden, but Chu Zihou dealt with them one by one, and she never saw a little panic, and everyone was secretly amazed.

"It's not early, let's all step down, I want to talk to King Qingping alone." Emperor Guangzhao deliberately yawned.

Everyone then got up and took their leave.

Before going out, Chu Zican turned around and smiled at Chu Zihou again, reminding him not to forget tomorrow's agreement, Chu Zihou smiled and nodded.

Only Emperor Guangzhao and Chu Zihou were left in the room.

When father and son met, there should have been a lot to say, but for some reason it was replaced by a burst of restraint. However, even if he didn't speak, seeing Chu Zihou by his side, Emperor Guangzhao's heart was very happy.

"Hou'er, play a 1 for me." Emperor Guangzhao broke the silence with a smile.

"Okay." Chu Zihou immediately took out the guqin and began to play:

The rolling Yangtze River is passing away, and the waves are sweeping away the heroes.

Success or failure turns empty.

The green mountains are still there, and the sunset is red several times.

On the white-haired fisherman river, accustomed to watching the autumn moon and spring breeze.

A pot of turbid wine is happy to meet.

How many things in ancient and modern times are laughing and talking.

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Notes: 1 is from Yang Shen. Back then, I saw it from the frontispiece of the Yuelu Books edition and fell in love with it instantly.