The summer palace in the world, the wide cold palace in the sky.

The afterglow of the setting sun faded, the palace lights in Taicheng were lit up one after another, the cool breeze in the summer hall was blowing, and the drums were ringing in unison, which was still a bright world.

Xiao Yan had already bathed and changed his clothes, and he had become the emperor who was high again, and the bead curtain made of twelve jade beads before and after the high crown covered his face, and also made the children and nephews sitting in His Highness unable to look directly at the emperor's appearance, increasing his majesty and mystery.

This is a royal family banquet, but even so, no one dares to make a mistake, including Xiao Zhengde, who has always been lawless, can only sit behind the desk, using light vegetarian food in a regular manner, and there is naturally no joy on his face.

Xiao Gang and Xiao Yi sat next to each other, they were not harmonious with each other in private, but on such occasions, they still had to pretend to be brothers, friends and brothers, leaning over from time to time to chat a few words, and let out bursts of laughter that were enough for Xiao Yan to hear but not loud.

It's just that these princes and nephews will also secretly set their eyes on an alternative in the field, or incomprehensible, or envious, or with a trace of irrepressible hatred.

This alternative is the person they care about very much - Dugu as he wishes. Because he was the only person at this banquet who was not surnamed Xiao, but he was arranged by Xiao Yan at the top, sitting opposite the crown prince Xiao Gang, on both sides of the main hall.

Dugu is young and handsome, high-spirited, wearing a light purple silk shirt, showing the gentleman's elegant bearing between his gestures, and his slender and upright posture also attracted many palace ladies who couldn't help but look at it twice.

In the face of the indistinguishable gaze of many royal families, Dugu responded calmly as he wished, his eyes were deep and divine, gentle and slightly turbulent, not flattering, neither humble nor arrogant.

Xiao Yan saw that all the sons and nephews had already arrived, and all of them were focused on Dugu Ruwish, so he cleared his throat and said: "I believe you have already heard of him, but it is far better to be famous than to meet, I know this today." ”

When Dugu saw Xiao Yan mention himself as he wished, he immediately got up and bowed his hand and said, "Don't dare to be a minister!" ”

Xiao Yan saw that he called himself a courtier, and comforted him, slowly raised his hand to signal him to sit down, and said: "Today I was assassinated in Chaogou, hundreds of black-clothed people want to take my life, although I killed more than ten thieves, but after all, I was unable to continue, if it wasn't for General Dugu arriving in time, how could I come back alive?" ”

As soon as the words fell, there was an exclamation in the audience, as if everyone was worried about Xiao Yan's assassination, and they also respected Dugu for his timely rescue as he wished.

Of course, there are also people who have resentment, and that is Xiao Zhengde. I only heard him snort coldly, looked at Dugu as he wished, and said mockingly: "It seems that General Dugu is not only dominant on the battlefield, but also an expert in martial arts?" ”

Dugu clenched the wine glass as he wished and looked at him directly, Xiao Zhengde was shocked by his cold eyes for a few seconds, and quickly lowered his head to avoid the embarrassing moment.

Xiao Yan turned a blind eye and continued: "At the critical juncture, General Dugu and his wife roared from the north, killing dozens of enemies in an instant, shocking the thieves to collapse without a fight, General Dugu saved me from danger, with his skills, the palace guards are unmatched!" ”

When Xiao Zhengde heard this, he couldn't help it again, and stood up with a "bang", and said loudly to Xiao Yan: "Is my uncle exaggerating, I think he is just a strong man in the middle, a person who deceives his reputation and reputation." ”

Saying that, he had the courage to go to see Dugu again, "Do you dare to fight with me?" ”

Dugu chuckled as he wished, and replied lightly: "I have this intention, can Master Hou dare to have a life-and-death game with me?" ”

"Life and death?" Xiao Zhengde was stunned, he didn't want to fight with him, and suddenly his arrogant arrogance weakened by three points.

Xiao Yan saw that the situation was not right, and immediately said: "I don't talk about fighting today, I just want to reward General Dugu for his rescue efforts!" Also, Yi'er, all the grievances between you and General Dugu must be written off today, and you are not allowed to entangle them anymore! ”

Xiao Yi, who was sitting quietly listening to their conversation, involuntarily touched his left eye, feeling extremely hateful in his heart, thinking that he was almost dead, and he was actually written off with such a light stroke? Although he didn't say anything, his face was extremely ugly, and naturally he couldn't escape Dugu's wishful eyes.

Xiao Gang seemed to have an understanding, glanced at Dugu as he wished, got up and said: "Back to my father, my sons have always admired General Dugu for a long time, but I have never had the opportunity to get close, General Dugu has a meritorious role in saving the driver, and my sons should get along with General Dugu well!" ”

Xiao Yi saw that the prince said this, so he had no choice but to stand up, "Dare to ask my father how to reward the general?" If it was just this light meal, wouldn't it make the people in the north laugh at me Liang Chao for being stingy! “

"Yi'er, that's right!" Xiao Yan was waiting for someone to jump out to respond, Xiao Yi accosted him knowingly, and couldn't help but nod at him with satisfaction, "It makes sense, tell me, how should my father reward General Dugu?" ”

"Seal the marquis, worship the official, and reward a thousand gold!" Xiao Gang hurriedly said that he naturally couldn't let his younger brother overpower him.

As soon as he spoke, everyone exclaimed again, Xiao Zhengde was even more stupid, he was just a marquis, and because of repeated offenses, his official position has been abolished, if Dugu is also sealed as he wishes, wouldn't he be on an equal footing with him, or even crush him?

Dugu glanced at Xiao Gang as he wished, and there was no joy on Junxiu's face, but he faintly arched his hand towards Xiao Gang to express his gratitude.

"Good! General Dugu has a meritorious service in saving the driver, I will be demoted by one level, and Dugu will be a loyal and righteous uncle as he wishes, and the right Xiaoqi general will be given a thousand gold! Xiao Yan said.

"Father, it's not right!"

Xiao Yi's face was about to collapse, he was originally testing Xiao Yan, who knew that he trusted Dugu so much, and immediately said: "The right cavalry general is in charge of guarding the imperial city, and the responsibility of guarding the imperial city must not be handed over to outsiders, in case of harboring evil intentions, the consequences are unimaginable!" ”

Xiao Yan listened to his words, and then said angrily: "Yi'er, you are so bad!" If General Dugu harbored evil intentions, he only needed to see death at that time and let me die at the hands of the thieves! ”

"Father's anger! It was Erchen who said the wrong thing! Xiao Yi saw that Xiao Yan's tone was obviously wrong, so he hurriedly replied.

Xiao Yan couldn't let go, and he couldn't suppress the anger aroused by his words, he only heard his voice getting louder and louder, and his speed of speech became faster and faster, almost shouting angrily: "Those guards are all wine bags and rice bags, relying on them, I would have died a long time ago!" If you want to cause trouble to our dynasty, why do you need to save me in one more move? I have made up my mind, not only to use him, but also to reuse him, even that Yang Zhong, I also know that he is a fierce general of the three armies, and tomorrow morning the dynasty will also crown him as a loyal and brave man! If you can't let go of the resentment in your heart, go to Jingzhou to fight Hou Jing, when will you take Jingzhou back, and when will you return to the court! ”

Xiao Yi stood on the spot, he knew that a companion was like a tiger, and sometimes a word would kill him, so he could only respond lightly and sat down honestly.

Seeing that everyone no longer had any opinions, the chamberlain beside Xiao Yan signaled to Dugu to get his wish, and Dugu got up calmly as he wished, slowly walked to the center of the main hall, and bowed down to thank him.

It's not what I want!

Dugu Ruyi does not like to sink in the whirlpool of power, and he is not willing to put down his body and serve others for fame and fortune. When he was young, he may have been proud, and he only thought about making achievements and achieving fame before and after his death.

But as he grew older, starting from the defeat of Jingzhou, no, it should have been from the beginning of meeting Butterfly Love, and his fate was already different. At this moment, in his heart, what he longs more for is to stay with her and create a pure land for her.

But in such troubled times, if you lose your rights, you can't protect your beloved, no matter north or south, there are still people who covet butterfly love, they are either light or dark, and the means are endless. Dugu Luo's separation, Xiao Yi's step-by-step pressing, made him have to make changes for this!

"When you can control the life and death of others, you can truly control your own destiny!"

Thinking of this, Dugu raised his head as he wished, looked at the layers of steps in front of him, and his eyes bloomed with endless fighting spirit.