Qing Ling moved into the courtyard where he lived with Yuan Qing and Li Zhong last time.

This Xuanwang Mansion in Yinzhou is actually completely out of step with the nonsense "the scenery is very good" in her mouth.

The former owner of the palace was the uncle of the previous King of Fenye, that is, Mu Chen's maternal uncle. This maternal uncle is withdrawn by nature, not good at socializing, and has offended many powerful ministers, and has never been liked by the king. In the end, he died of depression in the prime of life, leaving behind a mansion that no one inherited.

The courtyard where Qing Ling lived was originally used for guest rooms, and there were no other flowers and plants in the courtyard except for a few peach and pear trees. Fortunately, she didn't pay much attention to these things, and she didn't pay much attention to them.

However, the maid Nian Hong, who moved in with her, pouted and nagged: "Can this kind of courtyard also be arranged for the emperor to live?" ”

Nian Hong is the younger sister of Luo Yao's subordinate Nian Ying, and this time she came to Chaoyan with her brother to serve the son. This time, when she came south to Fanye, Qingling did not have a palace maid by her side, so Nianhong naturally followed her.

Nian Ying is a straight character, and the sibling girl is even better than him, not only straight, but also a chatter.

"I see that the water and soil of these leaves are not good, and the plants and trees are very delicate! Where is our Daze abundant aura. No wonder the country is going to die. ”

"Hey, Emperor, is that all you have with you? You are a master dressed so shabby, what should I do as a maid? How should I wear it? ”

"Teiji ...... Alas, the emperor is so embarrassed to scream, or I will call you the young lady directly. You're engaged to my family anyway. ”

Qing Ling stroked the corners of his forehead, and silently speculated in his heart that Luo Yao arranged Nianhong to his side, it must be for revenge!

After finally settling down and washing, Qing Ling was about to go to the bed to rest, when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

She got up suddenly, walked quickly to the door, and opened the door before Nianhong.

Wei Yuan stood outside the door, and when he saw Qing Ling, he bowed and saluted: "Your Highness invites the emperor to meet you in the study." ”

Just now, Emperor Hao left a few princes in the camp to ask questions, thinking that Mu Chen had just returned home at this time.

Qing Ling suppressed her nervousness, explained a few words to Nian Hong, and followed Wei Yuan to Mu Chen's study.

In the study, Mu Chen was alone, holding a jade slip in his slender fingers, and his expression was slightly apprehensive.

He heard the sound of someone pushing the door in, and he turned slowly.

Qing Ling curled the corners of his mouth preparedly, and stepped forward to greet Mu Chen: "What are you looking for me?" ”

Mu Chen stared at her for a moment, then looked away, put the jade slip in his hand back on the case, and smiled indifferently: "I haven't seen you for a few days, I want to see you." ”

Qing Ling walked to the beauty couch by the window and sat down, opened the vermilion lacquer and gold box on the table with a familiar attitude, took out a piece of dim sum and pinched it in his hand, and said with a raised eyebrow and a smile: "Now that I'm here, you can look at it casually!" ”

Mu Chen looked at Qing Ling again, his dark black eyes contained the darkness that swept the world, but the smile on his lips was always faint.

Qing Ling looked at him for a moment, and the snack in his hand gradually deformed slightly, and then fell into pieces.

After a while, she cleared her throat, "Why didn't you reply to the letter that Rang Xun brought you last time?" ”

Mu Chen was silent for a while, and then slowly spoke, "I don't know how to reply." ”

After a pause, as if to suppress some of the surging emotions, he continued, "Your decision is not wrong. Daze is rich in the world, even if he can't stand on our side, he can't fall under Mu Han's control. If I were you, I would have agreed to my father's proposal. ”

Qing Ling's tone became brisk, "That's right! Now that I am involved in Chaoyan's tax payment, many things will be easy to do! This time, I also wanted to take the opportunity to use my hands and feet on the accounts to squeeze out the money for the preparation of the private army. ”

The look in Mu Chen's eyes also eased a little, and he glanced at the jade slip on the case, "I know." Yan wrote to tell me. ”

In addition to explaining some matters in the plan, Chun Yuyan also repeatedly said in the letter: Qingling is the emperor of Chaoyan, and marriage must not be done at will. Speaking of which, she and Osawa Shizi still have some friendship, and it is not too difficult to live respectfully in the future. In this way, it is better than marrying Fang Shanlei and being caught in a dilemma in the future between us and the Fang Shan clan. Qingling is not only your sister, but also an ally who assists you in achieving your great cause, and is already connected to your blood and interests. If you really feel that her decision is a sacrifice, and you feel guilty about her because of it, you can compensate her when the great cause is accomplished in the future. It's just that the current situation is critical, and I ask Your Highness not to be emotional.

Chun Yuyan has been friends with Mu Chen for hundreds of years, and he knows his temperament no better, and a letter clearly hints that it does not break the deepest thoughts in Mu Chen's heart, but also states the meaning he wants to express in a coherent and clear way that cannot be refuted.

In fact, why doesn't Mu Chen himself understand those truths?

He sat down across from Qing Ling, reached out to hold her hand, took out the deformed dim sum inside, and set it aside, and then took a piece out of the box and gave it to her.

"It was once one of the most powerful countries in the Eastern Continent, and it was not harmed by war, so it should not be difficult to start with taxes." Mu Chen thought for a while and said, "In the list that was handed over to Mu Duan before, there are several people who are good at handling accounts, and two of them happen to be in Yinzhou. I'll arrange for them to come over tomorrow and help you out. ”

Qing Ling groaned and asked, "Since Yan Ye is dead, will you continue to stay in Yinzhou?" ”

Mu Chen said: "My father asked me what I meant just now, and I proposed that I want to go south with the army and be the vanguard of the attack on Yuzhong. ”

"Father...... Would you even ask yourself what you mean? ”

"Hmm." The corners of Mu Chen's lips twitched, "You should guess that he wants to borrow your and my hands now to suppress the arrogance of the Fang Shan Clan and the Mo Nan Clan." When I offered to be a striker, I just followed his idea. ”

Qing Ling nodded, looking down thoughtfully.

Mu Chen stared at her for a moment, and then said, "I will wait until you are familiar with the various matters in Yinzhou before leaving." After all, it is my mother's homeland, and I know more about the government affairs and people's feelings here. ”

Qing Ling raised his eyes, moved his lips, and said thoughtfully: "The royal family of the leaves...... It's all in Weilu Mountain, just outside the city. The children who came to the palace last time to look for you were also under house arrest. I asked Xun to secretly visit them, and I took care of the guards in private, so that they didn't take care of their daily lives too harshly. ”

No matter how mentally prepared you are, you will still feel a little guilty after all.

Mu Chen said indifferently: "My cousin has a cowardly temperament, and my father has never taken him seriously. Now that he has become a king or a loser, he is also to blame. If my father wants to subdue the people in the south, he will naturally not kill his subordinates indiscriminately, and they will not be in danger of their lives for the time being in Weilu Mountain. As for those children, it's not a bad thing to suffer a little when you're young, so let's find a way to get them out later. ”

Qing Ling looked at Mu Chen and sighed, "You and Chun Yuyan are a little similar at this point. They are all ruthless people. ”

Mu Chen smiled, as if he was a little bitter, "Really?" But sometimes, I feel that my heart is not ruthless enough. ”

Qing Ling lowered his head and nibbled on his snacks, silently chewing on his words.

I don't know when it began, she and Mu Chen had an indescribable tacit understanding. Each other seems to be able to guess each other's intentions, but they deliberately avoid covering it up, forcing themselves not to believe it.

The two sat down for a while and chatted about some government affairs.

As midnight approached, Qing Ling, accompanied by Mu Chen, walked out of the study.

At night, the moon is sparse, insects chirp and murmur among the grass and trees, and the air is filled with a moist and cool smell.

Mu Chen said: "I didn't know you would move here in advance, so that courtyard was not prepared in advance. Tomorrow I will arrange for a few gardeners to come and tidy up the garden. ”

Qing Ling shook his head, "I haven't been staying in the yard, why bother so much?" ”

Mu Chen was noncommittal, his deep eyes stared at her face for a moment, and then moved away.

Qing Ling was familiar with his expression, and knew that although he didn't argue with him on the surface, he made up his mind without any doubt in his heart.

If nothing else, those gardeners will still be in their yard tomorrow, right?

He is always so strong......

The two of them walked out of the moon gate and walked in the direction of the guest room. Wei Yuan led a few guards and slowly followed them a few steps away.

The lotus pond in the palace only has the remaining leaves, and it looks a little depressed in the night.

Qing Ling glanced at the swarthy lotus pond, remembered the words that Nian Hong said, and frowned lightly unconsciously.

Mu Chen caught the change in her expression for a moment, and the hand behind her quietly swiped and waved out a column of sparks like flowing fireflies.

The brilliant little flames quickly rushed into the remnants of the lotus, and then scattered and spread, producing golden-red lotus flowers.

Qing Ling's eyes lit up, and he looked at the fire lotus full of ponds in a daze.

After a moment, she pursed the corners of her mouth, turned her head to Mu Chen, and said, "If only I could also cultivate the fire system exercises!" Other spells can also conjure flowers, but none of them are as dazzling as the Fire Lotus! ”

Mu Chen smiled and said softly, "If you like it, I will show you every day." ”

Qing Ling's heart jumped unconsciously a little.

She quickly turned her head and said with a smile: "It's not made by her own ability, it's still different after all......"

The fire lotus in the pool gradually dimmed, and the two continued to move forward, but suddenly saw two figures standing not far away.

In front of the poolside, Luo Yao stood quietly, followed by Nian Hong, who was holding a glass wind lamp.

Nian Hong rushed to Qingling, "Oh, young lady, why have you been out for so long?" Pointing to the sky, "It's past midnight!" I haven't seen you come back yet, and I'm so worried that I have to invite the son of the world out to find you together! ”

Qing Ling couldn't help but laugh, "What's there to worry about?" I went to the study in the palace, not a sea of swords and fire. And," she lowered her voice as her eyes wandered slightly, "I told you, don't call me that!" ”

Nian Hong was confident: "You will be the wife of my family in the future, and it is not wrong for me to call you the young lady." You're a girl," pointing to Wei Yuan behind Qing Ling, "I have to worry about going out with a sneaky-looking guard for so long and not returning in the middle of the night!" This is also my duty and duty to be your maid! ”

Qing Ling clenched his fist against the corner of his forehead, wondering if he should unseal the Qingyun Sword and slash the words in front of him.

At this time, Luo Yao stepped forward slowly in his light robe, and his smile contained a slightly hazy mockery, "Nianhong, I told you a long time ago, don't try to impose your concept of right and wrong on others. Such a trivial matter as not returning at night is still far from the moral bottom line of His Royal Highness Emperor Ji. ”