The winter in Kannai is colder than that of Xiangyang.

The officials who were in charge of Li You's funeral together were very good at being people. After nightfall, they invited Qin Mubai to go home to rest, and they were responsible for keeping the spirit.

After just a thousand miles away and another busy day, Qin Mubai was really tired. Riding a horse away from the palace and walking on the familiar Chang'an Avenue, he was not in the mood to enjoy the bustling night scene, and walked straight home.

The hooves of the Huoyun Horse were full of exhaustion, and they trampled on the stone slabs in the alley, making a sonorous sound. When passing by his door, Qin Mubai saw that the door was closed and a big lock fell on the door, so he went straight to the old Qin family's Yiguo Mansion.

The gate here is open, and there are people standing at the door, leaning against the door.

It was her mother, Liu, and her sister Shuang'er.

"Mother, mother! Brother is back! Shuang'er's eyes were sharp, and she saw Qin Mubai riding slowly in the night, jumping up and shouting excitedly.

"Son, you're back!" Liu clapped his hands happily and shouted, tears welling up in his eyes.

At this moment, Qin Mubai's heart twitched faintly.

This "son" evoked his heart sour and warm.

The mother of the child is worried, no matter how old the son is, in the eyes of the mother, he is a child after all.

When Concubine Yin De saw Li You's corpse, she stroked his face, and she also called like this. I don't know what she felt at that time?

"Mother, Bu Xiao'er is back!" Qin Mubai turned over and dismounted, strode in front of his mother, knelt down on one knee, and fell down with peace of mind.

"I'll get up quickly, get up quickly, let my mother take a good look." Liu's voice trembled with excitement, and he grabbed his elbow tightly to help him up, and tears glistened in his old eyes with a deep fish-patterned tail.

"Mother, I'm fine." Qin Mubai smiled and smiled comfortably.

It feels good to be home.

"Brother, you're back, my mother and I miss you." Shuang'er also walked up and threw herself into Qin Mubai's arms as coquettishly as when she was a child.

"Well, do you have a good honor for your mother at home?"

"Yes! My brother is not at home, of course I have to do my duty as a brother and sister and honor my mother! ”

"Okay, they're all good children. Mu Bai, just come back, come into the house quickly. It's windy outside, don't stand at the door—someone, the young master is back, hurry up and serve! Liu hurriedly left and right Zhang Luo. Most of the servants in the palace had already fallen asleep, and they were all awakened at this time. Fragrant soup bathing, boiling water and cooking rice, busy and happy, just like a festival.

Qin Mubai felt that he was now the core of this family, and everyone revolved around him. This feeling was felt in the military, but back home, it was very different. In the army, it was his power and prestige that drove his subordinates to respect him; When I returned home, I was bound by a strong family affection that was inseparable from each other.

Walking into the house, Qin Mubai saw a group of people standing in the courtyard, it was the demon and the little orphan girls she adopted.

"Third brother, you're back." You'er's distracted eyes were smiling at Qin Mubai, smiling sweetly. The little girls around her, who haven't seen Qin Mubai for a year, are mostly a little timid. Among them, there are several girls, all of whom have grown a lot taller, as if they are already small lotuses with sharp corners.

"You'er, are you okay?" Qin Mubai stepped forward and greeted with a smile.

"Well, we're all good. I haven't seen you for a year, and you miss the third brother very much. The demon said softly.

Shuang'er walked over and said with a smile: "Brother, do you know? The demon may be dry now! Mei Niang went to Xiangzhou, so she handed over Chang'an Qinxian Pavilion to the demon to take care of, Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang, and they had to give the demon a hand! ”

"Really? That's great! Qin Mubai smiled.

"Where, don't listen to Frost's nonsense." You'er smiled embarrassedly, "That is, the owner trusts me and hands over the account book to me." In fact, I am a blind man, I can't see the accounts, how to manage it? It's not because of Shuang'er's blessing, she has been helping me. ”

"Heh, after talking for a long time, it turns out that you, the little girl of the ghost elf, are boasting about yourself!" Qin Mubai laughed.

"Hey, hey!" Shuang'er smirked, "How about it, brother, I'm also a little useful, right?" ”

"You've always been useful!" Qin Mubai said with a smile.

"Hmph, just sarcastically mock me when you meet!"

"Alright, boys, come in and sit down, drink some hot tea, and keep warm." Liu called out in the house. The three of them walked in with a smile, drinking freshly brewed hot tea around the stove, and pouring out their parting hearts.

Qin Shubao, the head of the family, was not there, and everyone chatted more casually. Somehow, I talked about Li Ke, the king of Wu.

The excitement on Shuang'er's face suddenly faded a lot, and she said in a low voice: "Brother, did you do something wrong with him in Xiangzhou?" He was transferred back the other day, and now you're back too? ”

"Nothing. Don't guess. Qin Mubai glared at her secretly, signaling her not to talk nonsense to make her mother worry, and said, "Which official the imperial court wants to transfer has its own sense of proportion and reason. ”

"Yes, Erya'er, the court is a big deal, don't let me wait for the women to talk about it, don't make trouble for your brother." Liu hurriedly reprimanded.

"Oh......" Frost nodded, silent.

Qin Mubai saw that she must have an idea in her heart, but it was inconvenient to say it because of her mother's presence.

Knowing the daughter Mo Ruomu, why didn't the Liu family think of it? There was no outsider Qin Shubao was not there, she sighed lightly and said: "Erya'er, you are still obedient and obedient, break this mind!" Your father doesn't approve of your relationship with King Wu, let alone let you marry her. As soon as the Chinese New Year is over this year, you will be eighteen. If we don't get married, our Qin family will be ridiculed. In recent days, there have been a lot of matchmakers in the family, and there are really a lot of talented young people. While your brother is also back, why don't you listen to your brother's opinion and think about it more? ”

"I don't!" Shuang'er replied quickly without thinking, "Those boys, brothers, none of them I like!" ”

"You kid, you're naughty!" Liu Shi was not angry, but said helplessly, "Marriage has always been a matter of parents. Fortunately, your father is still enlightened, otherwise he would not have known where to marry you. Now that my Qin family's momentum has improved slightly compared to previous years, if I don't take advantage of this time to choose a wishful husband for you, let you get older day by day, and it will be more difficult to marry in the future. ”

"Mother! - " Frost frowned gloomily, "Give me a little more time and let me think about it, okay?" Brother just came back, you just said these uninteresting words, it's really boring! ”

"Okay, okay, I'll not talk about it." Liu shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly, and said, "Mu Bai, your father is not at home, and you are in charge of the affairs of the family, not to mention your sister-in-law's marriage." Persuade her more and give her ideas. ”

"yes, okay." Qin Mubai nodded and didn't say much.

Later, Qin Mubai took a comfortable hot bath, ate some delicious snacks, and returned to the room to rest.

After a year away from home, the furnishings in his room remained unchanged, and they were spotless, clean and tidy. Every inch of familiar place gave birth to an attachment to home in his heart.

This night's sleep was so sweet. After months of busyness, he had never slept so soundly. It wasn't until the sun was three poles before I slept until I was satisfied and woke up naturally.

The sun shines through the window, and it must be a sunny day. It is rare to have such good weather in the cold winter of Kannai.

Qin Mubai washed up and walked out of the room, and saw You'er and Shuang'er sitting in the pavilion of the small courtyard, holding a pipa and playing a leisurely tune lightly. Qin Mubai didn't step forward to disturb and deliberately stopped and listened for a moment, and the song played well, which showed that the second daughter had made great progress.

"Good play!" Walking forward, Qin Mubai smiled.

"Brother, you're awake!" Shuang'er stood up, put the pipa aside and said with a smile, "I'll go get you some snacks, I'll make it myself in a hurry!" ”

"Okay." Qin Mubai smiled and nodded, sat down beside You'er, and said, "You'er, Shuang'er has something on her mind, will she tell you?" ”

"Hmm......" You'er nodded.

"So what is she thinking now, tell me." Qin Mubai asked.

The demon smiled embarrassedly: "Why didn't the third brother go and ask her directly?" ”

"I don't ask, you say!" Qin Mubai didn't explain and insisted on asking.

"Actually, it's nothing." You'er said, "Ever since she heard the news of Princess Wu's death, Shuang'er has been frowning, thinking about King Wu day and night. ”

"Sad face?"

"Hmm......" You'er nodded, "Frost said that it must be very painful to lose someone who loves loved and dearest. She said that King Wu has always been a man who values love and righteousness, although he doesn't say it, but he must be extremely painful in his heart. Therefore, she wanted to be by King Wu's side when he was in the most pain. But I was afraid of falling into a crime of taking advantage of the situation, so I was very distressed. When the owner went to Xiangzhou, Shuang'er wanted to go with her, but because of this concern, she didn't go in the end. ”

"I see." Qin Mubai nodded, and said in his heart: Shuang'er is more sensible than before.

"Third brother...... How long will you stay when you come back this time? You'er asked suddenly.

"Why, I just came back and was expecting me to go?" Qin Mubai said with a smile.

You'er blushed: "Of course not." The demon wishes that the third brother would stay at home every day. But men are all over the place, and you will definitely have endless things to do, running back and forth. ”

"I don't know yet. At least a month will have. Qin Mubai said, "The emperor asked me to handle the funeral of King Qi, let alone a month!" ”

"That's good...... "The demon whispered softly, her face flushed, and she was happy.

Soon Shuang'er took the snack, Qin Mubai ate it as breakfast, stepped on the horse, and went to the palace.

There's nothing big about the temple. It's nothing more than a non-stop water and land dojo, and there are many royal ceremonies, but Qin Mubai doesn't have to worry about anything, just show up and preside over the overall situation, and the specific matters are arranged by "professional" personnel.

At noon, Qin Mubai had a vegetarian meal with the monks in the big temple, and the emperor sent someone to call him to announce that he would go to the Penglai Hall of the harem to see him.

Since it is a harem face saint, it is not necessarily a major military and political event. When Qin Mubai arrived here, he saw a few cars and princesses outside the hall from a distance.

Qin Mubai asked a hundred horsemen: "Who is driving?" ”

"General Hui, it's the car of King Wu and His Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang."

"He's also here?"

"Yes. Now in the Imperial Study. ”

Qin Mubai nodded and walked towards the imperial study. I wondered, why did the emperor call the three of us together? This is the first time this has ever happened.

When I arrived at the imperial study, I saw Princess Gao Yang waiting outside the door. Qin Mubai was about to ask, she put her finger between her lips and made a silent gesture, signaling Qin Mubai to walk in lightly.

entered the imperial study with Princess Gaoyang, and Qin Mubai saw that there were only two people in the room, the emperor and Li Ke, and the father and son were sitting together, playing games and killing chess.

This father and son, Qin Mubai has played chess with them. The chess path is as sharp as the edge, and the long-term vision is expected to win the enemy. The difference is that Li Shimin is accustomed to using strange soldiers and burying traps; And Li Ke is good at frontal attacks with wide openings and closings, so that people have no chance to breathe.

In short, Qin Mubai was not their opponent. Moreover, the father and son were too serious and engaged in chess, as if they were on the battlefield, making them nervous, Qin Mubai didn't like this kind of game very much, tired.

At this time, the father and son seemed to have killed to the point, and it was difficult to distinguish and devote themselves wholeheartedly. Even Qin Mubai and Princess Gao Yang came in, and they turned a blind eye.

Qin Mubai smiled knowingly, and stood quietly with Princess Gaoyang to watch the chess.

At this time, the chess pieces of the father and son were evenly matched. It's just that Li Ke is obviously on the offensive, and the situation is dominant. Li Shimin was on the defensive, slightly prepared. Both of them only had a rook, a horse and two pawns left (there was no cannon in chess at this time), and the killing was in full swing.

Li Ke's offensive was like a tide, and Li Shimin had no choice but to transfer his main attack force "Che" back to participate in the defense, and there was a slight turn for the better. However, Li Ke's attack was quite rapid, and he had already broken Li Shimin's double phase, forming a situation of encirclement, and the situation was very advantageous.

"Hey, is my father going to lose?" Princess Gao Yang knew a little about chess and said softly.

"Shh......h Watching chess is silent, a true gentleman. Qin Mubai said softly.

"I'm a woman!"

"......" Qin Mubai was speechless and smiled bitterly, "In short, don't say anything, this chess is just right." ”

Seeing that Li Shi's militia was defeated like a mountain, his brows also furrowed deeply, and he fell into deep thought from time to time. Li Ke, who was in power, did not get carried away, his expression was as grim and solemn, and every move was played carefully and carefully. At the moment, although he has the advantage, he is unable to turn his advantage into victory for a while, and win all the way.

It's really a chess opponent.

At this time, Li Shimin played a stinky chess move.

In order to strengthen the defense, he had to transfer the horses that had crossed the river back to block Li Ke's "car" road, and there was no defense around, as if he was giving him food, in exchange for a momentary respite.

Li Ke looked at this move and pondered for a long time.

Princess Gaoyang was anxious on the side: "Third brother, eat horses, eat horses!" ”

"Don't make noise, it's a critical step!" Qin Mubai dragged her and motioned for her to be silent.

"What's the point? If you eat a horse, you don't necessarily have any danger. Moreover, even if the father's is a cart and a horse, as soon as the horse is lost, half of it will be gone, can it still not be lost? Princess Gao Yang muttered.

Li Ke pondered for a long time, and finally raised his chess, and slowly pressed on Li Shimin's "horse", ready to eat the child.

"Hesitant." Li Shimin said suddenly.

Li Ke shook his hand and ate the horse cleanly.

"Is it delicious?" Li Shimin suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Li Ke.

Li Ke was stunned, and laughed inexplicably: "Shang ...... Can. ”

"You've lost, Ke'er." Li Shimin suddenly smiled, clapped his hands, and took a long breath, "Break the cauldron and sink the boat, turn defeat into victory!" This reminds me of the overlord of Western Chu, Mu Bai, who is here! It just so happens that I especially want to hear your play of "Overlord Removing Armor"! ”

"Your Majesty has a will, and the ministers should obey their orders." Qin Mubai smiled and arched his hand, "Your Majesty's chess skills have improved again." ”

"Where, it's Ke'er who has neglected practice and regressed." Li Shimin smiled, looked at Li Ke still looking at the chessboard in a daze, and said, "Why, you haven't seen it clearly?" ”

"See the ...... clearly," Li Ke nodded in a daze, "The child is thinking, if he doesn't eat his father's horse, but turns around to defend, his father's pawn can't sink to the bottom, and he can't block the child." ”

"Watching chess without saying a word, playing chess without regrets, you don't understand this rule?" Li Shimin smiled, "The chessboard is like a battlefield, there is no if." ”

"Thank you for your father's teachings, and the child is convinced." Li Ke got up and bowed his hands.

"Okay, if you have time in the future, you can practice more." Li Shimin said, sat down and said, "Sit down, come here, get the pipa!" Mu Bai, I haven't heard you play the pipa for a few days, and I miss it very much. ”

"Wechen will play with his heart." Qin Mubai took the pipa handed by the waiter and played the song "Overlord Removes His Armor".

Li Shimin listened very attentively, his fingers were on the table, and he tapped gently to the beat of the music, although his expression was natural and peaceful, but his eyes were closed.

It was as if he didn't want others to read anything from his eyes.

Li Ke and Princess Gao Yang were silent all the time, listening quietly. They also clearly felt that although their father was calm and peaceful, he must have been preoccupied, and there was a deep sadness and anguish in his heart.

After all, he had just lost a son......

After the tune was finished, Li Shimin opened his eyes and praised the knot: "Not bad, not bad." The musicians in this palace, no matter how hard they work hard, are still not as exquisite as Mu Bai's pipa after all. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compliment." Qin Mubai replied. I've been pondering in my heart: Li Shimin is so idle and bored, calling the three of us to come, just to play chess and listen to the pipa, won't it?

"I have summoned the three of you here today because I want to discuss with you." Sure enough, Li Shimin opened up.

The three of them pricked up their ears to listen, and they all felt quite curious.

Li Shimin glanced at the three people in front of him and smiled slightly: "Don't guess, it's about Gao Yang's marriage." ”