In the Hanbing Palace, a mother and son who have been dependent on each other for many years and have not seen each other for a long time hugged their heads and cried, and the palace maids who accompanied them couldn't help but be moved to tears.

Concubine Yang Shu, the daughter of Yang Guang, the last emperor of the former Sui Dynasty, has never asked about a matter of government affairs since she married Li Shimin. Once upon a time, the grace of this woman who was peerless and interpreted Yongrong and luxury to the extreme once surpassed the eldest grandson queen who was still alive back then.

Nowadays, the Tang Dynasty attaches the most importance to bloodline and family lineage, although Yang Shufei is only the daughter of the former Sui royal family, but in the eyes of the Tang people, her bloodline is undoubtedly quite noble. As the saying goes, "the mother is more expensive than the son, and the son is more precious than the mother", and it is precisely because of such a noble mother that Li Ke has attracted a lot of attention as soon as he was born, because he has the blood of the two dynasties, and the nobility is unspeakable!

There were rumors in the harem that Emperor Li Shimin intended to appoint Yang Shufei as the queen, but because of the opposition of a group of ministers, this idea was quickly stillborn. It is not clear who opposed it and what the reasons for it were. Yang Shufei never asked. However, there is an argument that has spread far and wide, that is, the old ministers of the "former Qin Palace" headed by the eldest grandson Wuji raised objections on the grounds of "the bloodline of the former dynasty" and "the restoration of the former Sui", which made Li Shimin unable to resist.

In fact, this statement is quite absurd. Who doesn't know, whether it is according to the traditional customs of ancient China or the royal customization of any dynasty, the bloodline is from the father, and there is no such thing as "from the mother". The eldest grandson Wuji and others used Yang Shufei's former Sui bloodline as an excuse to cover their ears and steal the bell. is nothing more than that Li Ke, who is afraid of his outstanding civil and military talents, noble birth and high popularity, will rise up because of his mother's power and participate in the succession.

After the brief establishment of the queen a few years ago, Concubine Yang Shufei became more and more low-key and conservative, and went out of the deep palace in the harem all day long, not only did she not ask about the affairs of the court, but she also didn't care about the affairs of the harem.

In addition to Li Ke, Concubine Yang Shu also has another son, Li Su, the king of Shu, who is often very strict with him, because Li Su is a typical second ancestor who is confused, has no ambitions, and can only eat, drink and have fun in fresh clothes. On the contrary, no matter how Li Ke tosses and shows his sharpness outside the palace, she ignores it and lets him be free.

It's like she never gave birth to a son like Li Ke.

How can there be a mother in the world who doesn't love her son? The pain is not understood by anyone except Yang Feishu.

After pouring out his heart, Li Ke told Concubine Yang about the concubine. Concubine Yang Shu was naturally happy to hear that her son wanted to take a concubine, but she also raised questions, which were no different from Quan Wanji's concerns. Li Ke explained a few words, and Concubine Yang was relieved, but Li Ke had to obey his father's approval.

Li Ke told Concubine Yang Shufei Li Shimin's original words - "I have passed this level." However, you still have to agree with your mother and the people of the Qin family! ”

After Yang Shufei heard this, it was like being poured with a bucket of cold water on her head, her enthusiasm and joy instantly cooled, and there was a hint of melancholy in her expression.

"What's wrong, Concubine?" Li Ke asked curiously, "My father and the emperor have agreed, what worries does my mother have to worry about?" ”

"Ke'er, after so many years, don't you know your father?" Concubine Yang Shufei said with a worried face, "Your father said this, but it is not good to reject you in person and damage your face." By his temperament, if he agreed, he would have promised to marry on the spot, and ordered a priest to do it. Because he knew that I, the concubine, would definitely not have an opinion, and the Qin family would definitely not refuse. Now, your father and emperor are cleverly pushing in the name of me and the Qin family, and the implication is that this matter needs to be postponed, and it is not suitable to be handled at this time. lest it cause unnecessary trouble. ”

"It seems that my father also has all kinds of concerns......" After hearing his mother's words, Li Ke fell into deep thought, and said after a while, "Mother, the emperor understands." It was probably my father who recruited me to return to Beijing and transfer to Lanzhou to supervise the army, which has caused a lot of turmoil in the court. If the emperor marries the daughter of the Qin family at this time, it will be tantamount to adding fuel to the fire. What my father values most is the stability of the court. In contrast, the marriage of the emperor is just a trivial matter. ”

"Ke'er, after Wei Niang heard that His Majesty was going to transfer you back to Beijing to Lanzhou, I couldn't sleep for a few nights, and my heart was pounding." Yang Shufei frowned lightly and whispered, "Do you know why?" ”

"The emperor has worried the mother concubine...... Li Ke stepped forward with self-reproach, grabbed Yang Shufei's arm and said emotionally, "The emperor knows that the life of the mother concubine in the harem has been very miserable in the past few years. Everything is the emperor's unfilial piety, and it is because I am too arrogant and presumptuous, which makes outsiders suspicious and jealous of our mother and son. The reason why the emperor was willing to give up his life to go to Goryeo was also to let his mother live a peaceful life. When he got outside, the emperor missed his mother very much; This time it came back, but it caused countless turmoil...... Emperor, helpless! ”

"Hey! ......" Hearing Ke's heartfelt sentimental words, Yang Shufei closed her eyes and shook her head and sighed, and said quietly, "This may be the fate of our mother and son." The country is more easy to change, and it is a great luck for my mother, as the princess of the former Sui, to live until now and give birth to you two brothers. As a mother, she is already very content, and has no other luxuries. But...... The trees want to be quiet and the wind doesn't stop! When you come back, in the harem inside and outside the court, countless eyes have been cast on our mother and son. Ke'er, listen to her mother's advice. You don't want to go to the Qin family to propose marriage now, let alone handle the marriage immediately. Out of this ice hall today, you will immediately rush to Lanzhou without stopping, and don't stay for a moment. ”

"Mother ......" Li Ke looked at his mother blankly, and said sadly, "The emperor hasn't seen his father and mother for a long time, and he just wants to stay in Chang'an for a day or two more and see his biological grandmother a few more times, is this also wrong?" ”

"There is a mistake...... Yang Shufei turned around, and her words were already choked, "You have to be filial, but others don't think so." They will think that King Wu has returned to Beijing with great scenery, he is about to turn over, and his ambition is about to be realized. They will think that in the name of the Battle of Lanzhou, now is a good time for you to snare the Menke to pull the cage to help. Do you know how many people in the government and the opposition are staring at the Battle of Lanzhou? In their opinion, this is a great time to get promoted and make a fortune. Even if it is a small errand under the command of your King Wu, you will definitely be able to make steady progress in the future. Therefore, even if you don't try to trap others, there will be many people who will provoke you. So, my Ke'er...... You'd better leave Beijing quickly! ”

"Mother! ......" Li Ke fell to his knees with a sad scream, hugged his mother's knees and wept silently, "Your Ke'er never thought about who to snar, who to pull the cage!" I miss my parents and my homeland, and I love my frost so much! I finally returned to Chang'an, and I wanted to marry the woman I loved so much, so that my parents could share my happiness and happiness, is this also wrong? ”

"The matter of proposing a concubine, after you leave Beijing, my mother will secretly handle it for you." Concubine Yang Shu was already in tears, still facing Li Ke with her back to her, and whispered, "Marriage is a major event, and the words of the matchmaker are the orders of the parents." The head of the Qin family, Yiguogong, is newly mourned, and his children should be filial piety, and it is not appropriate to mention marriage now. Moreover, the eldest brother is like a father, and now whether it is Qin Tong, the eldest son of the Qin family, or Qin Mubai, Shuang'er's own brother, no one is in Chang'an, but far away in Lanzhou. This brown marriage also needs the approval of Qin Tong and Qin Mubai. Therefore, for my mother to ask the matchmaker to propose marriage for you in Chang'an; When you go to Lanzhou, you have to ask Qin Tong and Qin Mubai in person. When did you return to Chang'an after the battle...... When to get married again. ”

Li Ke was speechless, just hugged Yang Shufei's knees tightly, closed his eyes and wept. I secretly said in my heart: Now I finally understand the meaning of my father's words...... If I want my mother and the people of the Qin family to agree, the implication is that we must follow these conventions and marriage rules. To put it bluntly, let me go to Lanzhou first and then discuss marriage!

"Go, Ke'er...... State affairs are paramount. Concubine Yang raised her head, lowered her hand and gently stroked his son's cheek, and two lines of tears trickled down her white jade face, dripping onto Li Ke's forehead.

Li Ke slowly let go of his mother's knees, took two steps back, and respectfully kowtowed three heads on the ground and got up, "Take care of your mother, the emperor...... Go! ”

With that, turn around and leave.

Concubine Yang Shufei sat down paralyzed, hiding her face and crying bitterly.

"Son...... Do you know how much you are missed by your mother? You...... Go and come back, peace, take care! ”

Out of the Han Ice Palace, Li Ke, whose eyes were red, looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. Inadvertently, he suddenly thought of Li You, the king of Qi who had rebelled against him.

At the beginning, the biggest reason why Li You rebelled was of course because of his own miscalculation and his uncle's instigation. However, the encounter between his mother Concubine Yin De and his sister Princess Gao Yang, as well as the feud between the Yin family and the Li family, is not a major inducement?

Li Ke was very impressed by what Li You said before he was arrested and sent to the capital - "I hope that in the next life, I will not be born in the emperor's family!" ”

"Hey! ......" sighed, Li Ke closed his eyes and shook his head, bowed a few times in the direction of Hanbing Hall and Wude Palace, and said to himself, "Father, mother, the emperor has returned home, but he can't stay and fulfill his filial piety, so he will leave...... Take care! ”

Half an hour later, Li Ke and his entourage rode out of Chang'an from the Chunming Gate in the east of Chang'an, turned over and ran to the northwest. ran all the way for more than ten miles before stopping when they arrived at the Weishui River.

Li Ke looked back at the magnificent Chang'an in Kyoto and the winding and undulating Zhongnan Mountain, which was poetic and picturesque.

"Your Highness, why did you suddenly decide to leave Beijing immediately? Is the war in Lanzhou urgent? Quan Wanji asked.

Li Ke didn't answer immediately, but squinted his eyes slightly and looked at Chang'an with a sad expression and was silent for a long time before he said: "The war in Chang'an is far more urgent and dangerous than Lanzhou. I can't afford to be provoked, so I have to hide. ”

"Hey! As expected......" Quan Wanji also shook his head helplessly and said, "Your Highness, you are destined to be so adrift. Let's go, let's go to Lanzhou! Even if the border pass arrow stone attacks the sword light and sword shadow, it is much safer than this seemingly calm Chang'an! ”

"Let's go!!" Li Ke turned his head with a deep sigh, whipped down, and galloped forward.

Quan Wanji sighed deeply and patted the horse with everyone to follow.

At this time, Shanzhou.

After Qin Mubai led the soldiers and horses of Yumen Pass to arrive here, the 100,000-strong army suffered from hunger and cold and traveled thousands of miles, which hurt their vitality, so they had to spend some time to recuperate.

There is Li Daozong in Dafeichuan, and Qin Mubai sent a messenger to communicate with him, and learned that there is peace and quiet there, so he can rest assured that he can train soldiers and horses in the rear to prepare for a big war for the time being. At the same time, they also had to wait for the 150,000 reinforcements and supplies sent by the imperial court.

Back in Shanzhou City, Qin Mubai finally hugged his baby daughter Xiaolou'er, who he missed day and night, in his arms, and the family was happy. Originally, when Chen Yan followed Qin Mubai to Yumen Pass, she entrusted Xiao Lou'er to Li Daozong. When Li Daozong hurriedly raised troops and went to Dafeichuan, he had no choice but to hand over this little baby bump to the care of Shantai Shuangshuang, who was recuperating from his injuries in Shanzhou.

Once floating in the rivers and lakes as a cold-blooded killer, Tangtai Shuangshuang, took care of his benefactor's daughter Xiao Lou'er, and did not dare to slack off at all. came and went, and the two formed a deep relationship, like a mother and daughter. Seeing that Qin Mubai and Chen Yan were about to take Xiao Lou'er away when they came back, they were both extremely reluctant to cry.

Chen Yan saw it in her eyes and realized it in her heart, and said to Shuangshuang in private: "Shuang'er, since you like Xiao Lou'er so much, and Xiao Lou'er is so attached to you, you should be her stepmother!" ”

"Really? Will the young marshal agree? Shuangshuang was also happy and worried, and said, "Our sisters are from humble backgrounds, and it is a great gift for the young marshal to be able to be reincarnated as an official and a general." Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor has rewarded our sisters to Her Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang to serve left and right, so we are only retainers of the young marshal. As a house slave, how dare Shuang'er ...... Climb the dragon and attach the phoenix! ”

"If you talk about the background and background, am I not the same as you?" Chen Yan laughed slightly, smiled a little mysteriously, and said, "I can be Xiao Lou'er's mother-in-law, how can you two sisters not be stepmothers?" ”

"This! ......" When Shuang'er heard this, her heart suddenly pounded.

"What, what did I say was the matter?" Chen Yan smiled and said, "To put it bluntly, since you are a retainer, there is nothing wrong with turning into a concubine. Anyway, Mu Bai is romantic, instead of letting him mess with flowers outside, it is better to cheapen the sisters around him first. You tell me? ”

"Ah......" When Shuang'er heard this, he immediately blushed to the base of his neck, and he didn't dare to squeak.

At this time, Tantai Dandan was also beside her, and Qiao Qian smiled and said: "Listening to Sister Yan's words, it is obvious that she went out this time, and the young marshal is messing with flowers and grass outside again." I think the little princess of the wild horse is very clingy to the young marshal, could it be her? ”

Chen Yan smiled and didn't answer, but said, "This kind of thing, let's not ask and care." A man like Mu Bai can't be controlled, because not everyone is Princess Gaoyang. ”

"I don't understand ......," the two sisters shook their heads together blankly.

"Mu Bai is a very true man. For women, he has a heart, but a conscience; Lustful, but not extravagant. It is never realistic for him to guard only one woman for the rest of his life; But to say that he is hungry and forgetful, he will definitely not. Chen Yan said, "It's not strange that there are many women like a man like him." But since you like such a man willingly, you have to accept all of him, instead of picking and choosing and hoping that the other party will change for you. As for Princess Gaoyang...... Only she often scolded Qin Mubai, and often restrained him from messing with flowers. That's because this is due to Princess Gaoyang's temperament and Mu Bai is also used to it; Moreover, they have shared ups and downs to get to where they are today, and the relationship between the two is not only a relationship between men and women, but also an unbreakable family relationship. In other words, if other women dared to treat Mu Bai with embarrassment, he would definitely feel extremely bored and restrained, so he would alienate the other party. ”

"Oh, we get it! It turns out that this is Sister Yan's way of being a woman and the art of a man! The two sisters suddenly smiled and said, "No wonder the young marshal has the most respect and attachment to Sister Yan!" - In other words, Sister Yan is more like the housewife of the Qin family than Princess Gaoyang and Wu Meiniang! ”

"Don't be foolish, I didn't do it on purpose, I just let it go with the flow. At the same time, there are also some who learned from Mu Bai. Chen Yan smiled lightly and said, "Mu Bai once said that whether a man wants to conquer the country or a woman wants to conquer a man, the only way to fight is to fight!" …… As soon as I said this, I remembered King Wu. After all, he should be in Lanzhou soon. After going around the peak of such a big bend, Mu Bai and he finally returned to the same boat! ”