Dacheng, the eighteenth year of Yongning, in the spring, Ling Deyan, the head of the household, received a holy decree, ordering him to follow his family to Baoding Mountain on the outskirts of Shangdu in the capital ten days later to pray for blessings.

The oracle came without warning, unexpectedly, and unreasonably. This made him nervous and puzzled. Just thinking about whether this sudden imperial favor was a blessing or a curse, the servant came to report that Lord Shen had visited, and he said that it was the right time for him to come, so he hurriedly got up and went to greet him.

"Did you just receive a holy decree?" As soon as Shen Ziru sat down, he asked about the matter directly.

"How did Brother Boshan know about this?" Ling Deyan felt that no matter how abnormal things were, the news would not have spread so quickly.

"I'm from the East Palace, how do you think I know? Shen Ziru's youngest daughter, Shen Tongnai, is the crown princess of the dynasty, and he, the prince's father-in-law, is more well-informed than others.

Ling Deyan bowed slightly, and said in a deep voice: "You and I have been friends for several years, and I really don't hide it, I have worries about this decree. ”

Shen Ziru put down the teacup in his hand and nodded slightly to show understanding.

Ling Deyan continued: "Baoding Mountain praying for blessings is a grand ceremony of the national dynasty. It is natural that all the Chinese military officials will accompany them. But why did the Holy One appoint me to bring my family here today? What credit do I have for this honor? This is a violation......" His eyes lit up, and he asked hesitantly, "Maybe His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has something else to say?" ”

Shen Ziru frowned slightly, and said directly: "I also felt strange when I heard about this, so naturally I wanted to inquire a few more words." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that when the Holy Lord mentioned this matter, he and His Highness the Sixth were present. It's just that the saint didn't say much, only that you were ordered to inspect the southwestern counties, punish corruption, and clear the officialdom, which is meritorious, and you will be rewarded with it. He paused, then continued: "Although there is no precedent for this matter, it is not far-fetched to use this reason, and you need not worry. ”

Ling Deyan was silent for a moment and sighed: "The Great Dao of the World, the laws of the imperial court, do not contradict or violate, and there is nothing to worry about." ”

Shen Zhiru nodded: "That's the truth." In fact, we joined the court as officials in the same year, and we were in charge of the local government together. I know very well what kind of character and temperament you are. You have always been frugal, and in my opinion, this is not a bad thing. Seeing that Ling Deyan didn't respond, he changed his tone and asked with a smile: "Brother and sister and Lizhi have not come back from Jiangnan Sujiang Province?" ”

Ling Deyan came back to his senses, and also changed his slightly relaxed expression and said: "I received a letter the day before yesterday, saying that I would leave for half a month later. “

"Is Mr. Chen in good health?"

"Although the father-in-law and mother-in-law are old, their bodies are very tough. It can be seen that the mountains and rivers in the south of the Yangtze River raise people! ”

He has a special attachment to the land in the south of the Yangtze River, and always thinks that when his children get married, he will return to his hometown when he is old, and return to the green mountains and green waters of the south of the Yangtze River with his wife.

"Heng'er hasn't gone?"

"She wanted to go, saying that she couldn't bear to see me stay alone, so she stayed with me."

"Haha, yes, you are a pair of children, I like it tightly, you are handsome and frank, and you have a gentleman's style; Heng'er is beautiful and elegant, and her aura is compelling. I only hate not having one more son and half a daughter, and it is a big regret in my life that I can't marry you and have a family! Shen Ziru shook his head and said, listening carefully, there was a deep regret hidden in these words.

Ling Deyan also understood the deep meaning, and said while shaking his hand, "These brothers and sisters don't worry me a lot, don't mention it!" As he spoke, he turned around and asked in a low voice, "Just mentioned, the Sixth Highness is back?" ”

Shen Ziru smiled and nodded, "Pray for the ceremony, he will always come back." I heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince say that when he came back this time, the Holy Lord mentioned it and asked him to take his heart. ”

Ling Deyan stroked his beard and didn't ask anything more.

Shen Ziru saw that he was thinking a little, and then brought the topic to the blessing ceremony: "Then only Heng'er will go to Baoding Mountain with you this time?" ”

Ling Deyan nodded, locked his eyebrows and said, "Abnormal things in the world are bound to be blessed and misfortuned. ”

As the sun set, Ling Deyan finally saw Ling Qingxi walking towards him from the gate with his personal maid Moon Shadow. He can often see this clear and warm smile on his daughter's face, which is both his greatest expectation and his biggest worry.

Ling Qingxi smiled like a flower, stepped forward and saluted, "Dad, I'm back."

"Where did this go today?" Ling Deyan didn't wait for her to answer before continuing: "I said that I stayed at home to accompany me, and I didn't see how much you served in front of me, but I ran out every day. You, like your brother, let your grandfather spoil you. I now regret that I left you two brothers and sisters to grow up in Sujiang, and I didn't see much knowledge, but this unrestrained personality is the same. ”

Ling Qingxi stepped forward with a smile, took Ling Deyan's arm and said, "Dad, don't be angry." I went to Baohua Temple to make incense today, why did I provoke you to move out of your grandfather? His old man is now sharing his family with his grandmother, mother and brother. Don't let him blush his ears and sneeze again. How about I'll go back to the house and clean up and come out to eat with you, and then play a game of chess with you? ”

Ling Deyan couldn't pretend to be angry when he saw her so brilliant and flattering, and said gently: "After eating, follow me to the study, I have something important to tell you." ”

Ling Qingxi smiled and nodded, and went back to the room with Moon Shadow. Ling Deyan looked at her distant back, remembering what Shen Zhiru had just said about the brother and sister, and fell into deep worry.

His daughter is now over seventeen, and he knows very well that if it weren't for their family's deliberate low-key avoidance, with Qingxi's appearance and talent, there would have been an endless stream of people who came to propose marriage. He and his wife originally fell in love with Zeng Qidao, the youngest son of General Zeng Ji, and he often came to the house with the general's wife to play since he was a child, and he was naturally familiar with Qingxi. It's just that the two have never broken the matter. But this matter, I'm afraid it can't be delayed any longer, he always feels that if he drags it out because of Qingxi's temperament, he will hurt her in the end.

Later, Ling Deyan returned to Sujiang and stood in his hometown, and it was also like this sunset, mottled with shadows of the trees, thinking of this evening in Shangdu Ling's Mansion, he sighed lightly: "It's still late after all." ”