In the palace, the emperor also learned that someone had bought a murderer to kill Li Shangshu, and as soon as he rolled his eyelids, he guessed that it was a moth from the Three Princes' Mansion, and immediately sent the imperial eunuch to the Three Princes' Mansion to warn the Three Princes: If something happens to Li Shangshu, you will go to Fuzhou!

Fuzhou is the most remote and desolate state in the Yun Dynasty, and then walk more than ten miles to the south to the south of Xinjiang, which is extremely hot and humid all year round, and there are countless snakes, insects, rats and ants. When Xiao De and Lu Guifei heard this, they dared to think carefully, so they had to knock out their teeth and swallow blood.

Externally, Concubine Lu Guifei can't have a seizure, but internally, she can only toss the people in the mansion in a different way, especially the housekeeper and the third princess Luo who she doesn't like.

After the housekeeper was beaten by the head, he sent the rough envoy room to pour the night incense, and the third princess was set up to give birth in advance, and after three days and three nights of pain, she finally gave birth to a small county lord the size of a cat cub, the little county lord was born weak, Luo hugged it, and really hated Lu Guifei to the bones, and couldn't help but move on Lu Guifei when she was still in confinement, and secretly let people put a small amount of hemoglobin in Lu Guifei's diet.

Naturally, these Lu Guifei didn't know, and she delayed contacting the black armor guard, she had already been overwhelmed by this matter.

On the other side, Xiao Ke led people to check for a long time, and finally found some clues along the line of Tang Shui, it turned out that it was not a coincidence that he was rescued by Tang Shui five years ago, but a bureau, at that time, those corrupt officials in Jiangnan could not kill him and make things bigger, and they couldn't let him go, let him find out all the people, so they came up with a strategy to draw wages from the bottom of the kettle and sent Tang Shui to his side.

His amnesia was not caused by the killer's pursuit at all, but after Tang Shui saved him, he smashed him on the head a few times.

Tang Shui was not his savior at all, but an accomplice of those corrupt officials.

In the National Teacher's Mansion, he told Xiao Xun the clues he had found out, and after listening to it, Xiao Xun raised his eyebrows and asked, "These are all confessions from Tang Shui's maidservants?" ”

Xiao Ke looked tired and nodded resentfully, "Some of them were said by Hongling, and some were said by other uplines who she confessed." ”

Xiao Xun snorted, "Then what are you going to do?" ”

Xiao Ke's eyes flashed with sharpness, "Naturally, I will go to Jiangnan again, find out what happened back then, and find out the last big fish." ”

"When are you leaving?"

"It's going to be two days."

"Aren't you celebrating the New Year in Beijing?" Xiao asked.

Xiao Ke smiled bitterly, "There will always be a chance to accompany Yun'er and Yue'er after the New Year's Festival, but now, I just want to avenge Ah Qin." ”

"Bengong understands," Xiao inquired and nodded, "Let Qingsi accompany you." ”

Xiao Ke knew Qing Si's skills, he arched his hand and solemnly thanked Xiao Xun.

Xiao Xun's eyes were slightly gloomy, he knocked his eyelids lightly, and instructed the minister, "Go and get a pot of wine." ”

Laichen subconsciously raised his head, "The crown princess doesn't let the prince drink." ”

Xiao Xun raised his chin and poked in Xiao Ke's direction, "It's him who drinks." ”

"The prince doesn't drink?" Laichen asked rhetorically.

Xiao Xun's tone was cold, his eyes were colder than his tone, "Don't drink." ”

"What does the prince mean when he speaks?" Laichen asked again.

Xiao Xun knocked lightly on the table, and his heart was empty, "I haven't been beaten with a military stick for a long time, have you thought about it?" ”

Feeling the threat in the master's tone, the minister hurriedly said, "No, I don't want to, the prince waits, and his subordinates will go and serve wine." ”

Xiao Xun retracted his gaze and said no more.

Soon, Laichen came and went, with an extra tray in his hand, and in the tray was the best Sangluo wine, and he hunched over and put the wine jug and wine glass between Xiao Xun and Xiao Ke.

Xiao Ke picked up the wine jug and poured Xiao Ke a glass, and he toasted with him with an empty cup, "This pot of wine should be regarded as the eldest brother seeing you off." ”

"Brother Xie," Xiao Ke also knew that Xiao Xun couldn't drink, he picked up the wine glass in front of him, touched it with him, and drank it all with his head.

The two of them pushed the cup and changed the lamp like this, and it was not until a pot of wine was drunk that Xiao Ke offered his farewell.

When leaving, Xiao Ke couldn't help it, and solemnly saluted Xiao Xun, saying, "During my absence, Yun'er and Yue'er will be taken care of by Brother Lao and sister-in-law, if the two of them ask about me, you will say, I will go to Jiangnan, and I will come back when the weeping willows are full of white embankments in the next year." ”

"Well," Xiao Xun agreed, paused, and said, "Take care." ”

Xiao Ke smiled lonely, turned around and left without looking back.

Xiao Xun stood at the door and looked at it for a long time before turning around and going back to the study.

He stayed in his study for a while, then walked in the direction of the Cloud Ladder Courtyard with a scroll of paintings.

In the bedroom of Yunjie Courtyard, Lu Nianjin had just settled several children and was about to go to wash, when she suddenly heard Xiao Xun's footsteps, she turned her head sideways to look at him, and said, "Xiao Siqing is gone?" ”

Xiao Xun bowed, "Well, let's go." ”

Lu Nianjin looked at the scroll in his hand again and asked, "What are you holding in your hand?" ”

Xiao Xun walked to her side, handed her the scroll, with a touch of pampering in his eyes, and said, "You open it and take a look." ”

Lu Nianjin took it suspiciously, removed the drawstring on it, and unfolded it, but it was a painting, which was the picture of them building a snowman that day, she was standing in the snow in green clothes, one side was a cute snowman, and on the other side was Yun'er and Yue'er, the whole painting composition was extremely beautiful and lifelike, and even the broken hair in her ears was visible.

"I've never seen you paint before!" Lu Nianjin hugged the painting shaft to his chest, and the corners of his mouth hooked the arc of happiness, urging the narrow.

Xiao Xun raised his lips and smiled, raised his hand to caress her cheek, "If Jin'er likes it, I can often paint for you in the future?" ”

"Really?" Lu Nianjin asked rhetorically.

Xiao Xun nodded, "Naturally it's true, I have deceived you." ”

"Then you have to bring Ji'er with you next time you paint," Lu Nianjin said, "just wait for him to be one year old." ”

In modern times, children will take pictures at every stage, but in ancient times, there were no cameras, so they could only be preserved by painting.

Xiao Xun seemed to understand what Lu Nianjin meant, and he nodded lightly, "Listen to you." ”

"Hmm," Lu Nianjin said, hugging his waist and leaning into his arms.

In such a quiet time, in the candlelight, Xiao Xun's side face became softer and softer......

The next day was a sunny day, and the heavy snow that had accumulated for several days had finally melted away, and at this time, the funeral rites of the people who had thought about the Bofu should also be put on the agenda.

With the help of Xiao Xun and some members of the Lu family, after seven days of coffining, all the people were buried in the Lu family cemetery.

Because Lu Nianjin was pregnant, after all the coffins were buried, she followed Xiao Xun down the mountain.

On the carriage back to the National Teacher's Mansion, she supported her forehead with one hand, looked at Xiao thoughtfully and asked, "Isn't Xiao's whereabouts still unsightly?" ”

Xiao Xun shook his head, "I've tried my best to find it, but it hasn't come to fruition, so wait." ”

"That's the only way," Lu Nianjin nodded helplessly.

Silence all the way.

Back at the National Teacher's Mansion, Xiao Xun went to the study, and Lu Nianjin went to see Xiao Yun and Xiao Yue.

After these days of adaptation, the two children have become accustomed to the days of the National Teacher's Mansion, Lu Nianjin asked about the diet of the two, and took the school entrance examination to start their studies, Xiao Yun has always been sensible, naturally very skilled, Xiao Yue is a little reluctant. In the end, it was not his own child, Lu Nianjin didn't dare to be too serious, so he could only teach her patiently.

Xiao Yue was born in the palace, and she is not stupid, even if she can't listen to what Lu Nianjin said, she will listen to it for five points, and she will promise with a snack that she will definitely endorse it next time.

While the three of them were talking, Yun Shu walked in from outside and said, "Crown Princess Qiyu, the ninth girl from the Dongping Eldest Princess's Mansion asks to see you." ”

"Xiao Jiu?" Lu Nianjin raised his eyebrows, and a touch of joy appeared on his face, "Bring her in." ”

"Yes, Crown Princess," Yun Shu retreated, and it didn't take long for Xiao Wanping to be ushered in, and she was still followed by Bai Ling.

After entering the dormitory, the little girl ran over and saluted happily, "Xiao Jiu has seen my sister." ”

"No need to be polite," Lu Nianjin smiled at her, helped her out, and then said to her again, "You are coincidental, Yun'er and Yue'er are also here with me." As she spoke, she gently patted the heads of her two children.

Everyone is a member of the clan, even if they don't know each other well, they know each other.

Xiao Yun stiffened his face and bowed, "Aunt Wanping." ”

Xiao Yue heard her brother call like this, and also followed, "Auntie." ”

"Good!" Xiao Wanping was about the same age as the two children, but at this moment, she took out the posture of an elder, and took out two jade pendants from her arms and gave them to Xiao Yun and Xiao Yue, while saying, "In the future, you will follow me, and I will protect you." ”

"Thank you, Aunt Wanping," Xiao Yun heard the sympathy and pity in the other party's tone, but did not show displeasure, just politely thanked her.

Xiao Yue also thanked her.

Xiao Wanping said a few more words to the two juniors, and then looked at Lu Nianjin and said with a smile, "Sister, I came today to give you and the prince's brother a New Year's gift, but in addition, I have a separate gift for you." ”

"Oh? I don't know what kind of gift it is? Lu Nianjin looked curious.

Xiao Wanping heard her say this, but her face showed a little embarrassment, she grabbed her sleeve tightly, and said slowly, "That sister promised me first, you can't dislike me!" ”

"What's so hard about that!" Lu Nianjin didn't think about it, so he said, "No matter what you send me, it's a piece of your heart, how can I dislike you!" ”

"Then I'm relieved!" Xiao Wanping breathed a sigh of relief, then took out a goose-yellow purse from her sleeve, handed it to her, and said, "That's it, my sister said it, she won't dislike me." ”

Lu Nianjin took the purse and looked at it carefully, this style, this stitch, compared with what she usually uses, is indeed rough and ugly, but thinking that this is a little girl who is a beginner girl embroidered a few months ago, she felt good, holding the purse tightly, she showed a sincere smile on her face, looked at Xiao Wanping and said, "The embroidery is very good, I like it very much, thank you Xiao Jiu?" ”

"Really?" When Xiao Wanping heard her praise, her eyes lit up and shimmered, like the most beautiful stars in the summer night sky.

Lu Nianjin nodded vigorously, "Naturally it's true, you just embroidered, it's already very good to be able to do this." "At least it's better than her.

"Thank you sister for the compliment." Xiao Wanping thanked me very politely, said, drooped her eyelids again, wrinkled her little face, and said coquettishly, "Sister, don't you know, in order to learn this embroidery, how many times have my hands been pricked, several times, my nurse has hugged me and cried, saying that with my identity, there is no need to learn these things, if I want any embroidery, the embroidery girls in the world can come to help me embroider, but I insisted on it, because ......"

"Because of what?" Seeing a hint of embarrassment on Xiao Wanping's face, she smiled and deliberately asked.

Xiao Wanping clenched her fingers and muttered for a while before she said, "Because the embroidery girl was sent by Brother Huo Xiao, I have already promised Brother Huo Xiao to study hard, so I must do it." ”

"What you said is that what you promised others should indeed be done," Aunt Lu Nianjin nodded with a smile, and after a while, as if remembering something, she asked, "I remember that you said that you were going to give the first embroidered purse to Brother Xiao'er, how about it, did you send it?" ”

"I sent it, and the first purse I embroidered was given to Brother Huo Xiao."

"And what did he say?"

"He was ugly at first, but then he came to see me cry and said he wasn't that ugly. I didn't believe it, so I let him wear it on his body and not take it off. ”

"And how did he do it?"

"He's wearing it!" Xiao Wanping looked ignorant.

Lu Nianjin couldn't help laughing, "Then it seems that he still likes it." ”

Xiao Wanping pursed her lips and raised her chin proudly, "Of course!" ”

After that, the two said something else, Lu Nianjin left her a meal, and wrapped a lot of snacks for her before sending her back.

When leaving, Xiao Wanping didn't forget the two juniors, she touched Yun'er and Yue'er's heads lovingly, and said, "When the New Year is over, my aunt will take you to the Dongping Eldest Princess's Mansion to play." ”

"Thank you aunt for your concern," Xiao Yun and Xiao Yue saluted together, watching Xiao Wanping leave.

After Xiao Wanping left, Lu Nianjin noticed that Xiao Yun's face was a little wrong, she led her inside, looked at him and asked, "You don't like your little Aunt Jiu?" ”

Xiao Yun hurriedly said, "No! I didn't dislike Aunt Wanping. ”

"Then why not be happy?" Lu Nianjin asked a little knowingly.

Xiao Yun lowered his head and snorted for a moment before saying, "I don't like to be pitied." ”

When Lu Nianjin heard this, she stopped, she turned her head, looked at him, and said solemnly, "Yun'er, your Aunt Wanping doesn't pity you, but feels sorry for you and loves you." This kind of feeling is not the same as pity. Do you understand? ”

Xiao Yun raised his head with confusion in his eyes, "Auntie, I don't understand." ”

Lu Nianjin sighed, "Let's put it this way, if she just pips you, then her attitude must be arrogant and high-minded, she will never shy away from the cause of your mother's death, but will express her sympathy for you with words." And distress and love are unconsciously revealed, she wants to love you, protect you, rely on you, and make you no longer lonely. I say this, do you understand? ”

Xiao Yun pursed her lips slightly, "Is it like an aunt treats me and my sister?" Never mention my sister and me's sadness, but do everything you can to love me and my sister? ”

"It's okay for you to understand it like this," Lu Nianjin squatted down, looked at him levelly, and said earnestly, "Yun'er, in your future growth, no matter how many people and how many things you meet, I hope you can face it with a peaceful mind, especially don't turn away the people who care about you." ”

“…… Well, what Auntie means, I understand," After a long time, Xiao Yun nodded lightly, "I will try my best to do what Auntie taught me." ”

"That's good," Lu Nianjin squinted and nodded, "In the future, Auntie will always care about and love you, even if you are not by your side, you can write to Auntie to tell your confusion and embarrassment." ”

"Thank you Auntie for your advice," Xiao Yun arched his hand and solemnly thanked Lu Nianjin.

Lu Nianjin touched his head, "Good, let's go!" ”

Xiao Yue, who was always standing aside, ignorant: "......" Who am I and where am I? What am I doing?

Back in the bedroom, as soon as she entered the door, Ah Yuan walked in from the outside, with a smile on her face, and said, "Crown Princess, the painting scroll you sent for framing earlier has been framed." As she spoke, she handed over the scroll.

Lu Nianjin took it and saw that it was the snowman picture she had sent to the inner workshop to frame before.

She doesn't know why, as long as she sees this snowman picture, her mood is inexplicably good, and her inner happiness seems to be inexhaustible......

With this happiness, it was the day of the New Year's Day in a blink of an eye.

On the morning of the first day of junior high school, as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Xiao Xun's smiling face, he looked at her dotingly, and said in a gentle and serious voice, "Jin'er, Happy New Year." May you have peace and joy in the new year. ”

"Thank you," Lu Nianjin sat up slowly, she smiled and kissed Xiao Xun on the cheek, pressed it to his ear, and whispered, "Ah Xun, I also wish you a safe life and good health for the rest of your life." ”

"Thank you," Xiao Xun replied and kissed her on the cheek.

"I still have to enter the palace to receive the banquet, and I will let people come in and wait for you to get up," Xiao Xun said with Lu Nianjin on his shoulder.

Lu Nianjin nodded, she was pregnant, she had never entered the palace yesterday, and on the first day of the new year today, she told the temple that she must go.

Xiao Xun went out to call someone, and soon, Yun Jiang and Yun Shu, who were dressed very festively and lively, walked in from outside, and the two helped Lu Nianjin wash and change clothes at the same time, and soon, they changed into court clothes and put on makeup for her.

At this time, outside, breakfast was also ready, because he was going to enter the palace, he couldn't eat soup and water, Lu Nianjin could only endure the discomfort, ate a few steamed dumplings with clear skin, and ate a few mouthfuls of fruit, then followed Xiao Xun and walked out with the maid.

After getting into the carriage, Xiao Xun took her hand and said worriedly, "Wait a while in the palace, if you feel uncomfortable, don't bear it, you must let someone tell me, you know?" ”

Lu Nianjin nodded, raised his hand and poked his nose, and said with a smile, "How many times have you repeated these words, I have already written them down, don't worry, I am not a fool, I will definitely focus on Xiao'er, if you feel uncomfortable, let someone tell you immediately." ”

"Well," Xiao Xun nodded, "Just remember." ”

The journey was slow, and after more than half an hour, the carriage stopped at the gate of the palace.

Because there are many ministers who entered the palace today, as soon as Lu Nianjin got out of the carriage, many wives and ladies of officials' families came to ask for peace.

Lu Nianjin excused himself one by one, and said a few more words of greeting before walking to the sedan chair that he was transferring.

After entering the palace gate, Xiao Xun was separated from her, she was carried to the queen's Kunning Palace, and Xiao Xun went to the emperor's Qianyuan Palace.

The sedan chair didn't stop until the gate of the inner palace, and as soon as she got off the carriage, she met Jiang Rongyue, who she hadn't seen for a long time.

Now she has recovered seventy or eighty percent of her appearance, but her body is very thin, and when she saw her this time, she was not as lively as before, and she didn't even come over, but just bowed to her from afar.

If she didn't come, Lu Nianjin would naturally not chase after her, she nodded at her, and then turned around and walked towards Kunning Palace.

In Kunning Palace, the queen has made up according to the quality and is sitting in the main hall to receive the wives of various families.

Seeing Lu Nianjin coming in, he immediately beckoned to her with a smile and said, "Jin'er is here, come over and sit here in the queen mother." ”

Lu Nianjin smiled, saluted first, and then walked towards the queen, sat down beside her, and said, "I haven't seen the queen mother for a long time, how many days has the queen mother been in good health?" ”

"It's all good, it's all good!" The queen smiled all over her face, gently patted Lu Nianjin's hand and said kindly, judging from the appearance of hiding alone in the dormitory before.

Lu Nianjin didn't show anything on his face, but he felt a little uncomfortable in his heart after all.

When the queen asked her, she answered, but she didn't ask, she just sat there with a faint smile.

The queen also noticed Lu Nianjin's alienation from her, but she didn't care, and still talked to her without a match.

It wasn't until Jiang Rongyue slowly walked in from the outside that her eyes changed slightly, "Rongrong doesn't need to be polite," she said to Jiang Rongyue, who was kneeling in the center of the hall.

Jiang Rongyue thanked her and stood up, she looked around the hall, trying to find a corner to sit down, but the queen didn't give her this opportunity, she glanced at Peony, Peony understood, walked directly to Jiang Rongyue, with a gentle smile, and said, "County Lord, you may not have entered the palace for a long time, Niangniang has always remembered you, please!" ”

Jiang Rongyue pursed her lips in embarrassment, she had no room to refuse, so she had to follow Aunt Peony forward and sit down on the other side of the queen.

"Why are your hands so cold?" After she sat down beside the queen, the queen only touched her once, and she couldn't help frowning.

Jiang Rongyue lowered her head and said in a low voice, "If you go back to your aunt, it may be that the weather is too cold. ”

"You girl!" The queen poked her lightly on the forehead, "Won't you wear a little more when it's cold?" ”

Jiang Rongyue was silent.

The queen looked at the peony and ordered, "Later, I will pick a few big hairy clothes from the private treasury of the palace and give them to the county lord." ”

"Yes, sissy." Peony agreed.

The queen's eyes deepened, she held Jiang Rongyue's hand, and said, "Rongrong is also sixteen this year, she is a big girl, yesterday the emperor kept the New Year, and mentioned you to the palace, saying that there is a good marriage to be promised to you." ”