Almost at the same time that Qin Mubai received the holy decree, at the corner of the official road three miles east of Chang'an City, dozens of horsemen who were rushing from the wind and dust stopped at the corner.

For a man with a white horse and a white horse and a waist belt, the cotton embroidered cloak tied to his head was lifted, and a golden three-beam Jinxian crown and a heroic and resolute face were revealed.

"Chang'an!"

Two meaningful words came out of his mouth, and then a smile full of nostalgia and a hint of inexplicable sadness bloomed on his face.

"His Royal Highness King Wu, we have finally arrived!" Yiqi slowly stepped forward a few steps from his side, his voice slightly pale and tired, and hoarse, and said, "From the day we received the holy decree, in twelve days, we traveled more than 5,000 miles. It can really be said that the heart is like an arrow, wearing the stars and the moon! ”

is a man, it is Li Ke, the king of Wu. The narrator is Wu Wangfu, Quan Wanji.

"My father urgently summoned me back to Beijing and transferred me to Lanzhou to supervise the army." Li Ke turned his head, in the past, he was just a simple and handsome facial features, because of the extra black and short beard on the side, coupled with the experience and Cangsang in the past few years, he added a lot of introverted and stable and the unique charm of adult men, he said, "The military situation is like fire, I have to hurry up." It's just that the teacher worked hard all the way to eat with me and stayed 1ù. After returning to Beijing, the teacher first asked the good students to rest for a few days, and Hugh was going to be tired. ”

"With His Royal Highness Lao's concern, Your Majesty's old bones can withstand this journey for the time being." With a pleased smile on his face, Quan Wanji bowed his hand and said, "At this time, it is just noon, presumably His Majesty the Emperor should still be in the imperial study of the Wude Hall to review the folds. His Royal Highness can enter the palace as soon as possible to face the saint, and His Majesty, General Yin and others will return to the palace first, waiting for His Highness's good news. ”

"Okay." Li Ke answered, and was about to walk away, when he suddenly stopped again, lowered his voice and said to Quan Wanji, "Teacher, the student has something to discuss with you." ”

"Your Highness, please speak."

"This time, after I return to Beijing, I want to do a sī thing." When Li Ke said this, he twisted his brows lightly and paused slightly, then smiled slightly with his eyebrows and eyes, and said, "I want to be a concubine." ”

"That's a good thing!" Quan Wanji smiled happily and said, "Princess Wu has been gone for a long time, and His Royal Highness has always lacked virtuous help. Previously, the ministers and others also advised His Royal Highness to set up a concubine early to be a concubine, and this time he returned to Beijing just to invite His Majesty the Emperor and the concubine to be the master, and to elect a princess for His Royal Highness. ”

"I don't have to choose, I already have the best candidate in mind." Li Ke said, "I just don't know, will my father and mother agree?" ”

Quan Wanji was stunned for a moment, and suddenly said, "What His Highness said, is it ...... The daughter of the Qin family? ”

"Yes, it's Frost!"

"This! ......" Quan Wanji was dumbfounded for a while, and his brows furrowed.

"Teacher, what's wrong?" Li Ke asked patiently.

"Your Highness, Your Majesty knows that you and Miss Qin's childhood sweetheart have a deep relationship, and you have long intended to get married. However, for so many years, for various reasons, it has not been possible. Now that the princess has passed away, Shuang'er is unmarried, with the current prestige and status of the Qin family, although Miss Shuang'er is a concubine, she can also sit firmly in the position of Princess Wu, presumably Your Majesty and Niangniang will not object; The Qin family now has His Royal Highness's best friend Qin Mubai in charge, and no one has raised any objections. All of this seems to be nothing wrong with proposing marriage now, but in fact, ...... "Quan Wanji yù stopped talking."

"If the teacher has something to say, you might as well speak up." Li Ke asked.

"Your Highness should think about it." Quan Wanji lowered his voice a little, but said very seriously, "Your Majesty suddenly summoned His Royal Highness back to the palace to go to Lanzhou to supervise the army, this move is really weird, and it is quite amazing. It is not difficult to imagine that the ministers of the court will speculate in their hearts, whether His Majesty wants to take advantage of the Lanzhou war to determine the position of the prince? ——As everyone knows, the coach of Lanzhou is Qin Mubai, and His Royal Highness has been close friends with him for a long time. Now that he wants to marry his own sister, won't this move arouse suspicion? ”

"Suspect what?" The corners of Li Ke's mouth raised lightly and smiled indifferently, "Do you suspect that I, Li Ke, want to unite with the Qin family to plot misdeeds?" Or do you suspect that I, Li Ke, the person who fell into the water, finally grabbed a life-saving straw, so I had to hold on tightly and refuse to let go? ”

Quan Wanji furrowed his brows, and nodded with a stern look in his eyes, "The words are not rough, that's exactly what they meant." ”

"Alas! ......" Li Ke took a long breath, his face stretched and he smiled, and said, "Teacher, everyone in the world says that princes are good, but who knows the sorrow of princes? In the emperor's house, it is difficult to find true love. Shuang'er and I have known each other since childhood...... If I Li Ke can still understand what true love is in this life, it will definitely only be with Shuang'er. I know that at this moment, my proposal to marry Shuang'er will attract a lot of rumors and suspicions. But I, Li Ke, am walking straight, and I am not afraid of these. My father sent me to Lanzhou to supervise the army, and I went to supervise the army. I don't think much about anything else, I don't do anything out of the ordinary; And marrying Shuang'er has been my long-cherished wish for many years, and it is not in line with anything. In the past, when the Qin family was in decline, I had this attitude; Now that the Qin family is prosperous, I still have this attitude. In the future, no matter what happens, I will still have this attitude. Shuang'er has waited for me for so many years, and I can't let her down anymore - whatever others want to guess, let him go! ”

After saying that, the whip in Li Ke's hand suddenly snapped, and the dust galloped away.

"Hey......" Quan Wanji looked at Li Ke's figure that gradually dissipated in a string of smoke and dust, and said leisurely with a sigh, "After so many hardships, His Royal Highness has matured, wise, and steady, but he is still the poor son and son who is deeply affectionate, but has no place to return." Anyway, no matter what, instead of cowering and hiding the head and tail, it is better to be frank and dandang. Having said that, with the relationship between King Wu and Qin Mubai, he didn't need to use marriage to consolidate his relationship with the Qin family. Anyway, now, even His Majesty the Emperor has openly announced that King Wu has made an alliance with the Qin family, and what does it matter if there is a marriage? - It's time for the real sword and gun to fight and kill! ”

"Quan Changshi, are you going to Chang'an now?" Wu Wangfudian military captain, Yin Yang immediately came to ask.

"Let's go, follow His Royal Highness King Wu and enter the city!"

Half an hour later, Li Ke came to the door of the imperial study of the Wude Hall and asked to see the holy driver.

Li Shimin was reviewing the recital, and when he heard that King Wu asked to see him, he immediately put down his pen overjoyed, "Ke'er rushed back from Youzhou so soon?" - Tell him to come in and see me! ”

Li Ke walked in quickly, and fell to his knees in the hall, "Erchen to see my father!" ”

"San Lang!" Li Shimin got up and got out of the Imperial Majesty and stepped forward, bent down and held Li Ke's arms, "I'm back!" It's back! ”

"Yes, Erchen is back!" Li Ke raised his head, his eyes were red and his voice was choked, "Father, have you always been well?" ”

"Okay, I'm fine." Li Shimin looked Li Ke up and down carefully, and nodded quite emotionally, "San Lang has been away from Beijing for a long time, and he has worked hard to send an envoy to the border of Goryeo Town to guard the frontier. I see you've lost a lot of weight, and you're dark. Less than twenty days after my decree came out, you rushed back from Youzhou, and it must have been hard - come, get up quickly! ”

"Thank you, Father!" Li Ke got up, turned his head, and waved his sleeves carelessly to wipe away the tears on his eyelids.

Li Shimin laughed and patted Li Ke's shoulder a few times, "It's useless, what are you crying about!" ”

"Erchen...... I was happy to see my father! Li Ke turned his face, his eyes were red, and he smiled a little embarrassedly.

"It's good to be back." Li Shimin sighed lightly and said leisurely, "Guanshan is separated from the bones, I miss you too!" ”

"Father, the emperor is all indispensable, I don't miss my father and mother, and the homeland of Chang'an!" As he spoke, Li Ke couldn't help but burst into tears.

It's been a few years, and only at this moment, in front of his father, Li Ke can cry like a child so disregarding his image. Tossing and turning in other countries, the homesickness of the cold moon border pass, all vividly swayed.

Seeing his son, who had always been resolute and strong, who had added a mature and steady son, cried twice in front of him, Li Shimin was also a little touched and almost burst into tears, he walked to Li Ke's side and patted him on the shoulder, "Okay, okay, San Lang doesn't have to be like this." ”

"Yes, my father ......" Li Ke waved his sleeves again to wipe his tears, and strongly suppressed his emotions.

With his back to Li Ke, Li Shimin breathed deeply and suppressed the tears in his eyes.

"San Lang, this time I transferred you back to Beijing, one is because I and your mother miss you very much; Second, it is also because of state affairs. After Li Shimin calmed down his emotions, he said, "The Tang Dynasty has officially declared war with Tubo, and I have raised an army of 400,000 to conquer the plateau. In this battle, only victory is allowed, not defeated. The stakes are clear to you. ”

"The emperor understands." Li Ke bowed his hand.

"Hmm." Li Shimin nodded, "In this major national war, I should have been in charge of the expedition in person, but I couldn't leave. Therefore, I sent you to Lanzhou to oversee the army in my place. The commander is Qin Mubai, and you serve as the marching commander. ”

"The emperor obeys."

Li Shimin paused for half a minute and said: "This battle, compared with the Northern Expedition to the Turks back then, is no better than the scale of the troops and the difficulty of winning. I have almost bet the lifeblood of the entire Tang Dynasty on this battle. Therefore, I hope that after you arrive in Lanzhou, you will always stay calm and focus on the overall situation. You don't have to worry about the gains and losses of the First World War, what you have to focus on is the national fortune of the entire Tang Dynasty and the future of our Chinese race. ”

Hearing these words, Li Ke couldn't help but feel a tightness in his heart, and hurriedly said, "The emperor will not dare to relax at all, and he will dutifully perform the post of marching commander, so as not to disappoint his father!" ”

Hearing Li Ke's reply, Li Shimin's expression did not change, but there was a hint of softness and relief in his eyes, and he nodded lightly. He secretly said: Ke'er has changed a lot over the years, and he has lost his previous sharpness and indulgence, but has always been strict with himself and his obscurity, and his behavior and performance in all aspects are worthy of the word 'Ke' given to him - abide by his own virtue and abide by his duty. But knowing his son Mo Ruo's father, no matter how low-key he is, I also know that his dual cultivation of civil and military can become a great weapon. After all this hardship and suffering, it's time for me to give him a chance; At the same time, it is also a chance for me. Fang Cai Zhen used words to jī him, deliberately spoke very deeply, said the responsibility, pressure and future very much, he was neither panicked nor carried away, just focused on the long history of the march - this is good! Steadfast and unforgetful, that's what I want!

"Seeing that you are simple and tired, you must be tired." Li Shimin patted Li Ke's back and said warmly, "Go back to your home first to rest for a few days, and then go to Lanzhou to take up your post!" By the way, you can go to the Ice Hall to visit your mother later. Presumably at this moment, she must be leaning on the door and looking forward to wearing autumn water! ”

"Yes, Father." Li Ke surrendered his promise, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Actually, when I came back this time, my son still had a sī matter, and I wanted to ask my father and mother to call the shots." ”

"Well, let's hear about it." Li Shimin asked with a smile.

"Erchen...... I want to make a concubine. ”

"Yes." Li Shimin said without thinking, "I have talked to your mother more than once about this matter, and I have long had the intention to choose a good spouse for you to be the princess." But you are far away from the capital, so you have not been able to do so. It's rare for you to take the initiative to mention it today, so I'll take advantage of your presence in Chang'an and hurry up to do it for you. ”

"Thank you, Father!" Li Ke bowed down happily.

"Get up, why should there be so much courtesy between father and son?" Li Shimin smiled and said, "The son marries a daughter-in-law, and it's too late to be happy as a father!" ——I immediately issued an order to order Zongzheng Temple to choose a virtuous and virtuous daughter for you among the Xunluo Wang clan in Chang'an, and make her a princess! ”

"Father's grace...... In fact, Erchen has a favorite candidate who wants to marry the princess of the main family. I just don't know if my father agrees. Li Ke asked cautiously.

"Oh? Ke'er already has someone she likes? As long as the door is right and virtuous, that's fine. Li Shimin said with a smile, "Let's hear it, whose daughter is it?" ”

"Yes...... The daughter of the Qin family. Li Ke replied cautiously.

"Which Qin family?" Li Shimin didn't react for a while.

"It's the daughter of the late Duke of Yiguo, Qin Shubao, Qin Shuang'er." Li Ke replied.

"Oh?" Li Shimin frowned in surprise, then paced with his hands behind his back, silent and thinking in his heart.

Li Ke's heartstrings were tight, and he didn't dare to come out.

After a while, Li Shimin said: "This Qin Shuang'er, I have seen it a few times. She seems to be the daughter of a concubine, but her mother has been corrected, because the Qin family's father and son have made outstanding achievements, and I have also given her mother the title of Second Lady. In this way, the Xunlie Qin family is the right one with my Li family. However, this Qin Shuang'er shouldn't be young, right? ”

"Back to my father, in fact, the sons have already agreed with Shuang'er for life. Shuang'er has been waiting for her ministers for several years. Now she is in her twenties, her appearance is delicate and decent, and she is matching with the emperor. As soon as Li Ke heard Li Shimin's words, he seemed to have hope, and his heart suddenly moved a little and hurriedly replied, "The emperor has known her since she was a child, and they know each other very well. Erchen knew that she was kind, gentle, filial, and sincere, and had a deep affection for the emperor, so he ......"

Li Shimin smiled slightly, "You, have you really thought clearly?" ”

Li Ke couldn't help but feel a bullet in his heart, gritted his teeth, knelt down and bowed: "Ask my father to be fulfilled!" ”

"It's not hard for me to fulfill your brown marriage." Li Shimin walked up to His Majesty and sat down, and said in a long and meaningful tone, "But ......"

Li Ke raised his head, widened his eyes and pricked up his ears, and waited for the next article with anxiety.

Li Shimin smiled, picked up the pen and made a gesture to approve the punishment, and said casually, "However, you still have to agree with your mother and the people of the Qin family!" ”

"Father Xie's !!" Li Ke was suddenly pleasantly surprised and kowtowed again and again.

"Marriage is a major event, and the words of the matchmaker are the orders of the parents." Li Shimin smiled, "I have passed this level." Okay, let's go to your mother and discuss it! ”

"Thank you, Father! The retainers retired, and then went to the Hanbing Palace to beg for the concubine! Li Ke stood up and bowed movingly.

"Go ahead!" Li Shimin waved his hand, with a smile on his face all the time.

Out of the imperial study, Li Ke's heart was as light as a swallow, feeling that the sky was bright and brilliant in front of him, and the fatigue of the journey was swept away, so he hurriedly went to the Hanbing Hall of Daming Palace to meet his mother Yang Shufei.

Li Shimin held the pen by the imperial case and smiled and didn't care to see what was played, so Suo Xìng put down the pen and said to himself: "Silly boy, although he is a little impatient, he does not lose his atmosphere, and he has a little bit of your old man's bearing!" ”