On the Zhongnan Mountain in the twilight of spring, the clouds are steaming. Qin Mubai's pipa sound, like a fairy sound, evokes the sleeping clouds in the mountains surging with the wind, a flock of birds fluttering, and there are even a few cranes circling for a long time.

In a trance, it makes people feel that this is a fairyland.

Princess Gaoyang stared at Qin Mubai's back and said softly, "Mother, I regret it so much." ”

"Regret what?"

"I regret not telling Li Chunfeng's words to Mu Bai, so that he could take precautions early. Now that the demon is gone, Mu Bai doesn't know how sad and guilty he is. Seeing him like this, I really felt worse than dead. ”

"Silly boy." Concubine Yin De sighed lightly and said, "The underworld has its own number of days, who would know that it was the demon who blocked the calamity for him?" In other words, you don't want to see Mu Bai so sad and lost for the demon, but if it was you who died, what should he do? ”

Princess Gao Yang was speechless, her eyes were red, and tears flowed silently.

The bleak tune of "Lanzhou Hong" lingers on the top of Zhongnan Mountain, fluttering and dancing with Mars, rising into the sky.

"Mother, you say...... Will Mu Bai sink because of this, or his temperament will change drastically? Princess Gaoyang said worriedly, "In the past few days, he hasn't spoken to me, just playing the pipa over and over again, playing this song "Lanzhou Hong". The song was already poignant and sad, and every note pierced my heart like a knife when he played it. I never knew that it would be so earth-shattering for a man to be sad. He doesn't cry as easily as we do, and he cries loudly and beats his chest at every turn. But...... The more he felt such a wordless pain, the more my heart was twisted. I'd rather he let out his loud cry a little better. I'm so worried about him like this......"

"Don't worry about him. If he had fallen like this, he would not have been Qin Mubai, and he would not have come to this day. Men, how to really grow without a little setback; How to know how to cherish without experiencing loss. Concubine Yin De said softly, "Love is extremely deep, pain is extremely deep, and they are all speechless." Mu Bai is a lover of personality. Let him use music to vent the inexplicable grief in his heart, and after the catharsis, he will gradually get better. ”

In another place, Li Xueyan was also quietly wiping away her tears, and whispered to his father Li Daozong: "Dad, I have never seen that dead demon girl, and it is the first time I have heard this song. But why, I obviously didn't feel anything just now, and I couldn't hear it once, but my heart was full of sadness and sadness. I have long heard that His Majesty personally praised Qin Mubai as the number one master of pipa today, could it be that the music he played really had the magic power to penetrate people's hearts? ”

Li Daozong put his wrist on his back and sighed lightly: "Ordinary people use their hands to caress the piano, but Qin Mubai uses his heart. "Lanzhou Hong" is a heart song. At this moment, although Qin Mubai is separated from the demon girl's yin and yang, his soul is blended through music. This realm is not something we can understand. ”

"Daughter, if a man can play such a tune for me, it will be considered a good regret......" Li Xueyan looked at Qin Mubai, who was sitting in front of the fire, and said to herself, "If I can, I would like to dance on the notes he plays." In this life, I only listen to one person's music and dance for one person. ”

Mother Qin, the orphan girls adopted by Shuang'er and You'er were already crying and hugging each other, unable to help themselves. Everyone present sighed.

At this moment, a high-pitched protrusion protruded from Qin Mubai's melody - "Bang! ”

The string is broken!

Qin Mubai stopped abruptly, and a layer of blood overflowed from the gauze belt tied at the joint of his fist.

Looking at the broken strings, Qin Mubai said softly: "God is pitiful, understand my heart." Bosom friend goes, who listens to broken strings? ”

In front of everyone's eyes, Qin Mubai stood up and approached the fire.

Princess Gao Yang was startled, and was about to scream, but was stopped by Concubine Yin De.

Raising his hand, Qin Mubai threw the pipa into the fire, and the smoke was billowing in all directions.

"Demon, Qin Mubai will not play music in this life except for paying tribute to you."

Everyone was silent, only the burning sound of the firewood pile crackling and the perennial wind howling on Zhongnan Mountain.

In the evening, the ashes of the demon were lying quietly in a bronze urn, Qin Mubai took off his brocade cloak and wrapped it and picked it up.

The people who were full of people retreated down the mountain one after another. The friends who came to participate in the festival also left one after another. On the top of the mountain, there are not many people left. At this moment, a person walked up to the top of the mountain and came to Qin Mubai, bowing his hand: "Brother Qin." ”

"Brother Zheng, it's been a long time." Qin Mubai handed over the urn to Shuang'er for the time being, and returned the gift to him.

Zheng Anshun glanced at Qin Mubai's fists with a veil spilling blood, nodded lightly and smiled: "Good fight." ”

The corners of Qin Mubai's mouth grinned, and he showed a rare smile in the past few days, and said, "Brother Zheng made a special trip up the mountain just to talk about this?" ”

"Of course not." Zheng Anshun smiled a little apologetically and said, "Zheng has been busy in the Eastern Capital for several days, and I just returned to Chang'an, and I am really sorry to hear about it." When I went up the mountain, I met some old acquaintances from Chang'an, and they knew that I was familiar with you, but please ask me for one thing. ”

"What?"

"Everyone has admired the demon girl for a long time, and now she suddenly died, and everyone is sad." Zheng Anshun said, "Since Brother Qin sent her to drive immortals on the top of Zhongnan Mountain, they wanted to erect a jade-white statue of the demon girl here, and erect a monument in the temple to commemorate the demon girl." ”

"Statue of a temple?" Qin Mubai shook his head and said, "The demon liked to be quiet and not vain when she was alive, and she definitely didn't want to." ”

"Brother Qin misunderstood." Zheng Anshun said, "The demon is quiet, beautiful and pure, and there are often flowing clouds and cranes and spirit animals in this Zhongnan Wonderland, isn't it her best home?" Moreover, this place is close to Chang'an, when it is the highest point, we want to erect a ten-zhang high white jade statue for the demon, holding the pipa and looking at Chang'an. If Brother Qin misses the demon girl, he can also see it when he looks at the south from home. In such a fairyland, the demon girl enjoys the fairy wind and jade dew and is worshiped by a hundred birds, and she really becomes a fairy, isn't it a beautiful thing? ”

"Okay, Brother Zheng's fist will be taken by so-and-so." Qin Mubai knew that he couldn't shirk it, so he responded. I thought to myself, Zheng Anshun has never been a person who likes to talk nonsense and do nonsensical things, he must have other intentions when he comes. So he said to him: "Later, if Brother Zheng has some free time, you might as well come to the cold house to discuss with a certain person about the statue and the temple." ”

"That's very good." Zheng Anshun arched his hand, and still saluted the people behind Qin Mubai, and said, "Zheng Mou will not bother, and will leave first." ”

"Please."

After Zheng Anshun left, only the Qin family, Princess Gaoyang's mother and daughter, and Li Daozong's father and daughter were left on the top of the mountain. Qin Mubai didn't see that he was an outsider, so he said to Li Daozong and Concubine Yin De: "Concubine De Niangniang, Lord Wang, it's been late since dawn when you climbed the mountain, and both of you haven't entered the water, so you are very ashamed." Why don't you just go to the humble house for dinner? ”

Before Concubine Yin De could speak, Princess Gao Yang hurriedly said, "Okay." Concubine Yin De smiled, naturally it was not easy to refuse, so she nodded lightly.

"Since even the imperial sister-in-law has given this face, does this Wang An dare to come?" Li Daozong smiled, "Mu Bai, I haven't been with you for a few days, so it's better to do it today!" A man's husband, no matter what happens, he should have been experienced. Today, the king is drunk with you. Wake up and have nothing to worry about. ”

"Okay, please!"

The group waited to walk down the mountain, and there were guards and chariots and horses waiting halfway up the mountain. They got into the car and looked at Chang'an.

Li Daozong specially called Qin Mubai to the same car as him and said to him: "Today's eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang are mysterious enough." ”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "What is the prince's opinion?" ”

Li Daozong said with a smile: "It's not that I say cool words, although the demon girl is disliked by everyone and disrespected, she is even more vigorous and tear-jerking, but in the eyes of the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang, she is a singer." Even if she was accepted as a righteous daughter by the Wing Kingdom Princess, it would be difficult to arouse any interest from them. ”

"Definitely. The eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang made it clear that they were coming at me, and they wanted to take this opportunity to get close to me, or for some other purpose. Qin Mubai said, "If it weren't for the presence of Concubine Yin De and the prince, the two of them would definitely not have left in a hurry just now." ”

"Oh, that's right." Li Daozong said, "The situation above the court is more delicate now. His Majesty was sick and could not serve as a director, and the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang assisted the young King of Jin to supervise the country. To be honest, even I didn't know about this situation at first, let alone think of it. Mu Bai, can you think of something? ”

Qin Mubai shook his head lightly, and only said four words: "The emperor's heart is unpredictable." ”

Li Daozong didn't ask much, nodded plausibly, and said, "In a while, I will invite you an uninvited guest." This person must be high-minded. ”

"Who?"

"British duke, Li Tao!"

Qin Mubai was taken aback: "Isn't he guarding the northern frontier far away in the clouds?" When did he return to Chang'an, and everyone didn't know? ”

"Heh, how can others know about such a major military incident?" Li Daozong smiled, "However, with your wisdom, you should be able to guess why he came back suddenly." ”

Qin Mubai thought about it for a while, before the East Palace was going to rebel, the emperor gave Li Daozong the sword of the Son of Heaven to shock the overall situation, and at that time, Li Daozong said that he would beware of the matter of Chang'an Nanya's Nine Gate Guard, Changsun Lian. In this case, Li Tao must have been transferred back to cope with all changes. Fortunately, Changsun Jian didn't have a hot head and did stupid things at that time, otherwise, the tens of thousands of field guards stationed outside Chang'an City would have broken through the gate of Chang'an that he had closed, and the jade would have been burned.

There is Li Jing in Chang'an City, the anchor of the sea god needle, there are Li Daozong who is secretly opportune and Qin Mubai who is in charge of the Imperial Forest Army in the imperial city, and there is Li Tao's field king outside Chang'an City, and no matter how turbulent the Tang Dynasty is, it is just a false alarm.

On the surface, the situation is out of control, and Datang is almost about to turn the sky upside down, but everything is still in the hands of Li Shimin, who is sick in bed.

Qin Mubai did not discuss this issue with Li Daozong any longer, but changed the topic and said, "Lord Wang, what do you think will happen when the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang come to me?" ”

"They're looking for you, and that's it." Li Daozong said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "You smashed Fang Xuanling's son into a pulp of flesh a few times, although he rebelled and assassinated first, there should always be an explanation from Dali Temple and the Criminal Department, right?" ”

"Don't make fun of me." Qin Mubai looked at his fist that was still bleeding, smiled lightly, and said, "If I take Fang Yiai and let the executioner cut that knife, not only will it be cheaper for him, but I won't be able to explain it to the demon." Or rather, I can't account for myself. The prince is still down to business! ”

"Hmm." Li Daozong nodded and said, "It is estimated that they are looking for you just to talk about the affairs of Lanzhou." ”

"What is the current situation in Lanzhou?" Qin Mubai asked.

"The latest news, Gao Chang is the opposite." Li Daozong said, "Your father, the governor of Lanzhou, is afraid that he will not be able to hold it back, and he will rush to report to the imperial court for eight hundred miles, and it is estimated that he is already preparing to attack Gaochang in the west." ”

"Ready? What else to prepare. Qin Mubai couldn't help but wonder, "According to the earliest strategy, shouldn't Gaochang move, and Lanzhou move?" ”

"That's right." Li Daozong's expression became a little more serious, and he said, "Not long ago, the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang made a special trip to discuss the affairs of Lanzhou with the court officials. Because the eldest grandson Wuji strongly opposed the use of troops abroad, the cabinet issued an edict to Lanzhou at that time, ordering that all military operations in Lanzhou must obey the imperial court's reprimand, and that troops should not be used privately, and no reckless warfare should be made. ”

"What?!" Qin Mubai frowned, "Why did Eldest Sun Wuji do this?" This is a militaristic event, this is a national policy! His Majesty the Emperor had already formulated it, so why did he want to change it? ”

Li Daozong shook his head and said, "In the words of the eldest grandson Wuji, this time, that time. Now that my Tang Dynasty is uneasy, how can I regenerate external troubles if the internal worries are not eliminated? Therefore, he also came to me to discuss, and re-mentioned the matter of marrying Tibet, and asked Yan'er to marry Zampu of Tibet, so as to achieve the goal of quelling the war. ”

"Did the prince agree?" Qin Mubai asked with a frown.

"In this matter, I don't have to say yes or no." Li Daozong said, "Because before, it was Yan'er who took the initiative to send Tubo to marry the plateau, and now, I have a reason to refuse?" ”

Qin Mubai pondered for a long time, took a light breath, and said, "I know why the prince invited Li Tao to come. ”

"Huh! This kind of thing must be done with his opinion! Although he has always been calm and introverted and cautious, he will still say what he needs to say at this time. Li Daozong said with a smile, "Also, your master, who doesn't ask anything about everything, can also visit when you have time." He's a good guy, so listen to his opinions, especially on military-related matters. It doesn't hurt you. ”

"Well, the prince is very right. Then go back to the house first, and when Li Tao comes, the three of us will discuss it carefully. ”

When the group returned to Chang'an, it was already night. Concubine Yin De said that she wanted to go into the Horse Mansion to take a look, and Qin Mubai accompanied Princess Gaoyang and Li Daozong's father and daughter. Qin's mother, Shuang'er and the others went back to Lao Qin's house first, and first went to dismantle the demon's mourning hall and settle the dinner.

In the Horse Mansion, there are already some people living in it, that is, several personal maids of Princess Gaoyang, and some maids and miscellaneous servants assigned by the palace and Mrs. Ma, the cook. Although Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang have not moved in for the time being, the mansion has also been cleaned up very much.

Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang led everyone to visit the mansion, and at this time, Concubine Yin De also took off the shoulder-length palace gauze hat, and her peerless face was still dazzling in the night, which made Li Xueyan secretly sigh to herself.

"Mother, you can also come to live with me in the future!" Princess Gao Yang pointed to an attic in front of her and said, "I have prepared this good building for you, where you can also eat fasting and chant Buddha, which is very clean, I have arranged it for you!" ”

"Hehe, isn't that okay?" Concubine Yin De smiled, "As a palace person, how can I leave the palace without permission?" As a mother, I can't compare to you being so free. ”

"What's not to do? When a mother comes to her daughter's house and sits for a few days, it's too normal, right? Princess Gaoyang said, "Besides, you are a concubine, not an ordinary palace maid, who can restrict your freedom?" ”

"You can't say that." Concubine Yin De smiled and said, "No one cares about me and restricts me, but as an imperial concubine, I have to have my own duties and system, how can I easily go out of the palace and show my face?" ”

Qin Mubai smiled slightly, and arched his hand: "Concubine De is too worried. Since Niangniang is one of the four concubines, she should be the mother of the world. All the people of this world are not only the people of His Majesty, but also the people of his mother. In this way, what are the taboos of going out of the palace? Just do it safely, Your Majesty has always been open-minded, and will certainly not blame, and no one else has gossip to say. ”

Concubine Yin De only smiled after hearing this, and finally nodded, "Okay." ”

At this time, everyone walked to a cross-courtyard, Qin Mubai stood at the door, and couldn't help but stop.

Previously, this was the residence of the demon and those little orphan girls. When the Horse Mansion was renovated, Qin Mubai also specially instructed this place not to touch a single grass or tree, and to keep it as it was and let the demons and them live. Because the demon's eyes are inconvenient, if there are some changes, she will have to spend a lot of effort to find out how familiar she is, and she will have to fall a few times and bump into each other.

At this time, the building was empty, and only some furniture and mattresses were left, and a cold piano.

Everyone followed Qin Mubai and walked in, and they all fell silent.

Qin Mubai stepped forward, uncovered the brocade cloth that the demon had carefully covered before his death, and stroked the keyboard, but did not sound a single note. Playing the pipa, the fingers that had worn out the skin gently stroked the cold body, and the expression on Qin Mubai's face was as if he was enjoying the mellow voice of his lover's sweet words.

"Bosom friend go, who listens to broken strings...... Mu Bai, you and the demon girl are a pair of affectionate and holy bosom friends. Li Daozong couldn't help but sigh and said, "This courtyard will always remain the same!" If the fairy trail of the demon girl comes to her hometown and revisits, she will remember the way home. ”

The corners of Qin Mubai's mouth rose slightly, outlining a smile that no one could understand, and said, "It's okay, I'll see her again." She said that if I meet a silly girl who can only play the pipa and nothing in the next life, it will be her......"

.

["Lanzhou Hong" is the title of the song I made up. But there is a song that is closer to the "Lanzhou Hong" in my heart, which is the music in the classic old game "Traces of Heaven", called "Ruyi Yuer Song", which is also played with pipa, pure music (someone later filled in the lyrics and sang it). I listened to this tune when I was coding these chapters, and I felt it. I don't know if I feel when I listen to a book? If you are interested, you may wish to go and listen to it. Well, I don't think creatively that "Lanzhou Hong" can also be called "Ruyi Demon Song". Thus, it became the title of the chapter. ]