"Marriage is a major event, and I still need the words of my parents, and I can't do it yet."

Su Li replied tactfully.

In front of Mrs. Zhao, she couldn't say bluntly that she didn't like Chu Huai'an, one hurt Chu Huai'an's face, and the other was too arrogant, she was living alone in the world, could it be that she could refuse the marriage of the Marquis of Xiaoyao?

Su Li's words were reasonable, and Mrs. Zhao didn't want to persuade her again, so she glanced at Chu Huai'an secretly.

Chu Huai'an didn't want to use Mrs. Zhao to make Su Li completely reverse her mind, it was enough to get her to back down.

Chu Huai'an showed a considerate smile, grabbed Su Li's hand and put it on his chest, and made an affectionate promise: "Ah Li, rest assured, when I return to the capital, I will definitely ask Your Majesty for marriage, and use eight sedan chairs and ten miles of red makeup to make you marry beautifully!" ”

Eight sedan chairs, ten miles of red makeup, the queen's wedding ceremony is nothing more than that!

Mrs. Zhao was shocked in her heart, but fortunately, she had been shocked too much today, her expression on her face did not change, and she said auspicious words coincidentally: "Master Hou and Miss Su are talented and beautiful, and they are in love, and they will definitely be able to grow old with a white head and a full house of children and grandchildren." ”

In the past, Chu Huai'an didn't like to listen to this kind of official talk the most, and felt bored, but now he grabbed Su Li's hand and listened to Mrs. Zhao's congratulations, and the scene of sitting in the lobby of the Hou Mansion and waiting for his children and grandchildren to bow down after he got old with Su Li, his heartbeat was uncontrollably faster.

It's a wonderful thing to grow old with Ali!

was greatly pleased, Chu Huai'an's face was a little tense, and there was a smile in his eyes: "Pass on Benhou's order, go and take your daughter out." ”

He raised his noble hand and let go, Mrs. Zhao couldn't help but be overjoyed, and said a lot of auspicious words before getting up to leave, and when she walked to the door, she heard Chu Huai'an remind: "The boudoir woman should stay in the boudoir, Ben Hou and the general of the town and the king of Huaiyang will stay here for a while, Ben Hou doesn't want this to happen again, causing unnecessary misunderstandings!" ”

With three warnings and two threats in his words, Mrs. Zhao's palms broke out in a cold sweat, and she bent down and saluted: "The foolish woman obeys the orders of the marquis!" ”

After leaving, he closed the door very thoughtfully before leaving.

As soon as the door was closed, the room was quiet, and the embarrassment that had just been dissipated condensed again, Su Li's eyes were fluttering, and she didn't dare to look at Chu Huai'an, but she could feel this person's unbridled and eager gaze.

"Yesterday, I seriously thought about what Ah Li said, even if Su Wanyue is the same on the outside and sincere, it can't change the fact that she is the imperial concubine, it is absolutely impossible for me to marry her in this life, either I will not marry her for the rest of my life, or I will cut off my feelings for her and take someone else."

Chu Huai'an's tone was very calm, unprecedentedly serious, and it could be seen that he had analyzed this matter very seriously.

Su Li originally thought that his words would dispel his thoughts, but he didn't expect to get such a rigorous analysis, so he had to face Chu Huai'an squarely, at least give him the same respect and seriousness.

As soon as his eyes met, Su Li was burned by the heat in his eyes.

"Take 10,000 steps back and say, if she is naturally good and has not made a marriage contract early, then she will not be in and out of the palace often, let me see it repeatedly, and you will not come to warn me to stay away from her and intersect with me, so I don't know who I will be tempted by, Ah Li thinks what I said makes sense?"

He returned the same question to Su Li, and successfully dizzy Su Li.

Su Li assumed that Su Bangyue was the same on the outside, and he assumed that Su Bangyue didn't even have a marriage contract, so how could there be so many entanglements and twists and turns behind?

This makes sense, but it is also extremely unreasonable, those things that have not happened, whatever he says are reasonable!

"Master Hou, these are just assumptions, and they can't be inferred from this."

After thinking about it for a long time, Su Li finally found a point to refute, but before she finished speaking, Chu Huaian deceived her and circled her in the corner of the bed, and the domineering and strong that belonged to the man spread: "Then how can you use assumptions to infer Ben Hou's sincerity?" ”

“……”

Su Li was speechless, Chu Huai'an's eyes softened, revealing a warm restraint: "Ben Hou is not a casual and frivolous person, Ben Hou said that he wants to marry you, then you will be the only one in this life, in the future, you will be Mrs. Xiaoyaohou, Ben Hou should take good care of you, care for you, and will no longer take away any thoughts for others." ”

He said it solemnly, and it was a heart-warming promise.

Su Li actually knows that he seems to be uninhibited, but in fact, he is the most committed and will definitely not break his promise.

No matter how strong Su Li's temperament is, she is also a woman, no matter how many poems and books she reads, and how wide the world she sees, all she wants is someone to rely on, shelter her from the wind and rain, and protect her from worry-free life.

If he can do what he says, love or not, where does it matter so much?

Su Li lowered her eyes and thought, Chu Huai'an didn't push her too hard: "I said this today is not a joke, you have to think about it carefully, see if I am sincere to you, if you can't figure it out, it doesn't matter, after you and I get married, there will be time for you to think slowly." ”

“……”

So no matter what the horizontal or vertical is, this marriage is a certainty?

Because she had seen the weight of Su Li in Chu Huai's peace of mind, Mrs. Zhao sent four more clever maids to serve Su Li, and removed all the furnishings in the house and replaced them with more luxurious ones.

The ordinary brocade quilt is replaced with a good Su brocade quilt, which is a first-class embroidery of Suzhou embroidery, embroidered with red and gorgeous cold plums, which is very beautiful. The ordinary pink bed tent has also been replaced by a blue cloud smoke tent, which is overlapping like falling clouds.

With this change, Su Li's status suddenly became prominent, and the people in the house did not dare to discuss the scars on her face in private, so they had to bend down and salute when they met, and respectfully shouted Miss Su.

After Zhao Ruan Ruan came out, he was grounded by Mrs. Zhao, Zhao Youyou lost face at the banquet, and felt shameless to go out, but the two didn't get in front of Su Li to make her unhappy.

Su Li's foot injury was serious, the maids got Chu Huai'an's order, guarded her every day, and asked her to lie on the bed to recuperate, Su Li was not allowed to go out, Chu Huai'an didn't know if it was to avoid suspicion or what, since he confessed to Su Li that day, he has never come to see Su Li.

Su Li breathed a sigh of relief, but hoped that Chu Huaian could calm down and think about it, after all, it was easy to make a promise for a moment of brain fever, but she didn't know how difficult it was to put it into practice.

On the contrary, she is very serious.

After five days of recuperation in the room, the injury on her foot barely scabbed, and it didn't hurt much when she stepped on the ground, and the spring opened, the weather was getting warmer, and the chilblains on Su Li's hands also improved, and the maids didn't restrain her.

Su Li has been in a panic these days, after being able to go out, Su Li got up early in the morning to go out for a walk, and the weather has become better and better after the beginning of spring, two maids are waiting around, one holding a cloak in her hand, so as not to make her cold when the weather changes, and the other person is carrying this box of small snacks in her hand in case Su Li is hungry.

This treatment is like treating Su Li as a very playful little girl.

Su Li quickly turned to the back garden, the sun was shining, sprinkled on the buds of early spring, Su Li was very happy to see it, and felt that she had a sore back in the past few days, and couldn't help but go to the garden open space to move her limbs, carrying the fragrance of the flowers and bones of early spring.

Shaking his neck, Chu Lingxi's voice came from behind him: "Ah Li's body will finally be raised?" ”

Turning around, Chu Lingxi walked over, there was no banquet today, he was not so formal, he was only dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, and the hem of the placket was embroidered with silver silk with dark patterns of bamboo leaves, restrained and extravagant, and at first glance, it was Gongzi Ruyu, who did not dare to say that it was peerless, but it was extremely eye-catching.

"I've seen the prince!"

"No need to be polite."

Chu Lingxi waved his hand to stop Su Li's action of saluting, and looked at Su Li with a gentle gaze: "The banquet was inconvenient that day, I didn't say a few words to Ah Li, and then I was careful and guarded again, this king is not good to go to find you, today is just free, Ah Li and this king have a good time." ”

"Okay."

Chu Lingxi asked people to prepare dim sum and hot tea, and walked to the octagonal pavilion with Su Li to sit down, and the maids and guards were all guarding outside the pavilion to facilitate their conversation.

"Five years ago, I just arrived in Yunzhou, I heard that Ali had an accident in Beijing, I first arrived in the fiefdom, I was not allowed to return to Beijing without permission, I had never returned to Beijing to investigate, I thought that Brother Jin and Brother Congyuan would protect you thoroughly, how could you decide to run away from home alone?"

Chu Lingxi asked in a low voice, his tone was full of concern, and he poured a cup of hot tea and put it in front of Su Li.

The hot tea steam up the mist, and those old things seem to dissipate with the curling mist, and it is no longer like in the past, once it is mentioned, it hurts the muscles and bones.

"At that time, I ruined my reputation, everyone in Beijing wanted to see me laughing, and my father and grandmother also felt that I had insulted my family and wanted to sink me into the pond for a hundred years.

Su Li said lightly, picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Yunzhou is thousands of miles away from Beijing, although Chu Lingxi later sent someone back to Beijing to investigate, he didn't know such an inside story, hearing Su Li's words, shock flashed in his eyes, and he sighed again: "That's the case." ”

If he was still in Beijing at the time, he might be able to help her.

Pity......

"Since you have left Beijing, why don't you come to me in Yunzhou, even if you ruin your reputation, I can also give you a place to live." Chu Lingxi was a little concerned, he admired Gu Yuanfeng, and he also regarded Su Li as a friend in his heart, but when he was in danger, Su Li never thought of asking him for help, which somewhat hurt his heart.

"At that time, the incident happened suddenly, I didn't think about it so much, and then after leaving Beijing, many things happened, maybe some things were already doomed."

Su Li only felt desperate and extremely sad at that time, if she hadn't met Lu Ji and went to the border, maybe she would have killed herself.

Su Li's words were full of vicissitudes, Chu Lingxi guessed that she had suffered a lot, and couldn't help but sigh a little when she thought of some old things: "Soon after you left, I came to Yunzhou to find me, do you know what he came to do?" ”

"Lord Hou thinks I'm in the prince's mansion?"

"Hmm." Chu Lingxi nodded, thinking of the scene that day, he couldn't cry or laugh: "He took a few guards to my Huaiyang Palace, and searched the palace angrily, but he didn't find you, so he thought I deliberately hid you, and beat me." ”

Chu Lingxi is a typical literati, where is Chu Huai'an's opponent? Su Li's mind immediately appeared that he had been beaten and his nose was swollen, and he felt a little guilty: "It's me who has caused the prince." ”

Chu Lingxi smiled, his expression was as generous as his brother: "I didn't tell you about leaving Beijing, I'm afraid that you will come to see you off, I will be reluctant, and I deserve that beating." ”

His mother died early, and there are only a few friends on weekdays, so he can't stand parting, after all, when he arrives in Yunzhou, he is the only one left.

Everyone has to call him a prince, but there will be no one to drink with him, and no one will take him to see some new and interesting things without taboo status.

It's never the same again.

Su Li also thought of this, and didn't say anything more, so as not to make him sad, but fortunately, Chu Lingxi was not a sad person, so he quickly collected his emotions, looked at Su Li with a smile and asked, "When are Ah Li and Jinzhi going to hold a big wedding?" ”

“……”？？

Lord, when did this news leak to you?

Su Li's expression was wooden, Chu Lingxi knew her and Chu Huai'an better than Mrs. Zhao, and noticed the trickiness in it: "I heard that Ah Li rejected Jinzhi's dowry in public back then, didn't Jinzhi do something, so that you can't forgive him until now?" ”

“……”

Su Li is also at a loss for Chu Huai'an's step-by-step approach, if the second sister is still there, she can still talk to the second sister and let the second sister help come up with ideas, but now she doesn't know who to ask about this matter.

Xu is Chu Lingxi looks too friendly and reliable, and Xu is that the aura exuded from his body is so similar to Su Zhaoyue, so Su Li can't help but confide in him.

"Does the prince know that the prince has had a favorite woman before?"

"Haven't you always been the one you love?" Chu Lingxi asked seriously, Su Li was choked for a moment, and then shook his head: "No, Master Hou is not interested in me." ”

Chu Lingxi frowned, Chu Huai'an ran the most diligently to Shangshu Mansion at the beginning, and he was also closest to Su Li, if he didn't like Su Li, who else could he like?

Su Li didn't say who that person was, and continued: "Master Hou hasn't married that person for five years, and now he says he wants to marry me, I ...... I don't know if it's fortunate or unfortunate. ”

As she spoke, Su Li's face was blank and helpless, she was already scarred, even if there was only a little fog in front of her, she didn't dare to step forward easily.

Seeing Su Li like this, Chu Lingxi's brows tightened: "This person seems to be a gentleman, but in fact he is shrewd, but in terms of feelings, he doesn't seem to be shrewd, but he said it to you personally?" Is this some misunderstanding of himself? ”

Chu Lingxi's words overturned all Chu Huai'an's obsessions over the past few years, Su Li was so shocked that he couldn't speak, but he felt more and more that his speculation was reasonable, and continued: "At the beginning, Jinzhi's favorite place to go was Shangshu Mansion, even if he didn't like Ah Li, the person he liked must be in Shangshu Mansion, when Ah Li's two sisters got married, he didn't obstruct or directly rob the kiss, did he like the people in the mansion?" So why hasn't he married yet? ”

“……”

was going to rob the marriage, but I didn't have time to do it.

Su Li replied in her heart, but she couldn't say it directly, it was still not good after all.

"After the banquet that day, Jinzhi's wound was inflamed, he had a high fever at night, and he couldn't get out of bed, and after waking up every day, he had to ask others about Ali's recovery, although I haven't seen you for more than five years, I also know that there are very few people who can make Jinzhi so worried, in Ali's opinion, isn't this like?"

“……”

It turns out that he hasn't come for a few days, is it because his injuries have worsened?

Su Li's heart tightened, pursed her lips and lost her voice.

She used to think that love and hate are very simple things, if one person is good to another, then like is love.

At the beginning, she helped Chu Huai'an out of unbearability, Chu Huai'an reciprocated the favor and treated her better, so she couldn't help but be moved, but in front of what Chu Huai'an did for Su Bangyue, it could only be said to be insignificant.

Just like her, in Chu Huai's peace of mind, she is not comparable to Su Bangyue.

Later, Lu Ji was also very good to her, taught her to practice martial arts with a sword, taught her to defend herself and be self-reliant, she blocked the sword for Lu Ji, and Lu Ji also carried the knife for her, they have experienced life and death together, she thought that there would be no stronger feelings in the world.

But she was still wrong.

The person who is good to her is not necessarily the person who loves her and wants to stay with her for the rest of her life.

Su Li hung her head and didn't speak, her willow eyebrows were tangled, she has always been smart, and it was rare for Chu Lingxi to feel a little distressed when she was so confused.

But emotional matters are not simply academic discussions, and they cannot be explained clearly in a few words.

Chu Lingxi raised his hand and patted Su Li's head: "Don't think about it for the time being, Jin Zhi and General Lu are injured and can't go out, two days later, the Lijiang River will be at high tide, and there will be a performance to sacrifice the river, Ah Li can just accompany me to have a good walk in Lijiang City." ”

"Huh?"

The performance of sacrificing the river is a unique custom of Lizhou City.

Because it is close to the Li River, the aquatic products are abundant, and the water and land transportation is developed, after the beginning of spring, most of the families in the city have to go out to sea to transport goods to do business, and over time, the custom of sacrificing to the river has been formed.

On the day of the festival, the major families in the city will launch a big bamboo raft tied by their own families, invite singers and dancers to rehearse the program, perform for the river gods, and also put delicious food into the river to attract fish to eat, praying for good weather and safe entry and exit in the new year.

At the beginning, the sacrifice to the river was to use a boy and a virgin, or a young and beautiful girl to carry out the sacrifice, after Chu Lingxi arrived in Yunzhou, he accidentally learned that there was this bad habit in Lizhou, so he ordered it to be abolished, and at first there were people who were dissatisfied and protested, but it was only a little better in the past two years.

Chu Lingxi had the intention to take Su Li to relax and experience the customs, so he did not travel in a carriage, but only brought seven or eight guards and Su Li to travel in casual clothes.

It is said to be casual wear, and it is also a brocade dress with simple embroidery.

In order to keep a low profile, Chu Lingxi chose a dark brocade robe, with silver thread embroidered with silver thread and dark lines on the placket and cuffs, and Su Li was dressed in a maple red riding suit.

This red body is extremely bright and eye-catching, worn on the body, lining the person's ruddy complexion, the complexion is very good, the clothes are embroidered with black threads with double swallows, the meaning is very good, with a pair of red deerskin boots on a black background, Su Li's whole person immediately became several years younger, like a young and ignorant little girl.

Su Li was a little speechless, she was twenty-one l1, and she came to play the little girl, would it be too late?

"Ah Li is dressed so well, and I'm afraid that you will be squeezed out of the crowd for a while."

Chu Lingxi looked at Su Li and said with satisfaction.

The first emperor was a horse in his early years, and there were not many heirs under his knees, and the only princess died when she was one year old, Chu Lingxi regarded herself as a senior brother, and she always regarded Su Li as a younger sister, and she felt that the little girl should dress up and be lively.

Su Li has no ability to protect herself now, and when she heard Chu Lingxi's concern, she didn't say anything, quickly dressed up, and went out with Chu Lingxi.

Today, she did not dress up as a woman with her hair in her hair, but when she went out, she wore a veil to cover her face according to the rules.

"After many years of leaving, Ah Li's eyes are still clear, which is really rare."

Chu Lingxi praised from the bottom of his heart, Su Li's eyes were slightly bent, and he smiled: "I have no shame in my heart, I am as clear as water, and I am not stained with turbidity." ”

"As it should be."

Chu Lingxi said and took the lead in walking forward, introducing the surrounding characteristic buildings to Su Li as he walked.

The climate here is slightly humid, the houses are built relatively high, and the door gods posted on the doors of each house are also different from those in Beijing, not the loyal ministers and fierce generals recorded in the history books, but the terrifying-looking Rui Beast, if it is not for the coloring and festivity, it will be a little scary.

Just after the Lantern Festival, the smell of the New Year has not yet dissipated, there are still red lanterns hanging at the door of every household, and the patterns of the lanterns are also very varied, many of which Su Li has never seen before, Su Li has seen a novelty, and the confusion and depression in the past few days have dissipated a lot, and even the haze left by the battlefield at the border has also retreated.

Chu Lingxi really spoiled Su Li, and when he saw any snacks along the way, he had to buy one and let Su Li eat while walking.

Su Li hadn't walked around so leisurely for many years, and after a while, she was full, and walked to the riverside with Chu Lingxi.

The shore was already crowded with people, and some people had already built a high altar with wooden frames, wrapped in colorful ribbons, and fluttered in the wind, which was very spectacular.

It's just that there are too many people, Su Li and Chu Lingxi came late, and they can't squeeze in, and they can't see the situation on the river.

Chu Lingxi had expected this situation, so he ordered a private room in the teahouse next to him, and the sacrifice would last until the evening, and it was best to watch it in the private room.

Su Li and Chu Lingxi went upstairs and entered the private room, the private room was very elegantly arranged, the environment was quiet and leisurely, the window was open, facing the river, the view was excellent, and the entire sacrifice could be seen.

"It's beautiful!"

Su Li stood by the window and couldn't take her eyes off, Chu Lingxi went with her and asked someone to bring refreshments in.

There are five three-storey big ships on the river, the big boats hang long lanterns, and also raise flags, each with Zhao, Wang, Wu, Su, Yue several big characters, I think to represent the five major families of Lizhou.

In front of these five big ships, there were five bamboo rafts, I don't know what method they used, nailed the five bamboo rafts together, and the bewitching dancing queen had already sang and danced on them.

After the dance, the dancing girl retreated, and on the tip of the boat with the Suzi flag, a woman in white clothes fluttering and full of fairy spirit came out.

The distance was a little far away, Su Li only saw the woman's black flowing hair and flying clothes, and couldn't see her appearance clearly, even so, she could conclude that it was a beautiful woman.

The people on the shore were shocked by this fairy aura for a moment, and then the crowd stirred, as if they recognized who this woman was.

Unmoved, the woman plucked the strings of the piano on the boat, and the sound of the piano spread out, suppressing the commotion around her.

Then in the exclamation of everyone, the woman held the qin, like an immortal descending to earth, and jumped down on the bamboo raft, the white skirt flew up layer by layer, and a pair of slender and smooth jade feet were faintly visible, like a lotus flower blooming proudly.

It's beautiful!

Su Li praised in her heart, and everyone felt the same way.

The woman walked to the middle of the raft and sat down cross-legged, and as soon as she raised her hands, the beautiful sound of the piano poured out.

The woman played a very fashionable song in Lizhou this year, obviously a small song to spend time in the teahouse on weekdays, but she played it with two more points of fairy spirit, and it became elegant.

Everyone listened intoxicated and obsessed, Su Li listened for a while and returned to the table to sit down, Chu Lingxi pushed the plate of pastries in front of her: "Why don't you look at it?" ”

"I'll see later."

Su Li replied, picked up the pastry and took a bite, the sweet and pleasant taste exploded in the mouth, it was even more exquisite than the imperial dining room.

Su Li was about to praise this pastry for being good, when she suddenly heard Chu Lingxi speak: "Miss Su's piano skills should be better than her." ”

His tone was sincere and casual, Su Li was stunned for a moment, and then laughed: "Well, my second sister should be better than her." ”

said this, and still had some regrets in my heart.

A woman who has not been out of the cabinet is not allowed to move around at will, the second sister has never been far away in her life, if only she could be asked to see the customs of Lizhou.

Just thinking about it, there was a knock on the door of the private room, Chu Lingxi answered, 'Enter', the door was pushed open, Zhao De cautiously poked his head in, followed by a few businessmen wearing silk and satin, presumably from the big families in the city.

"Wechen meets the prince!"

"The grass people meet the prince!"

Several people knelt down towards Chu Lingxi, looking at this posture, most of them wanted to invite Chu Lingxi to appreciate his face and participate in the ceremony of sacrificing the river.

Chu Lingxi raised his forehead and sighed, he didn't expect to be discovered so soon, but Su Li lifted his eyes and looked at the guards guarding the door.

Chu Lingxi traveled in casual clothes today, in order not to be disturbed, if the owner of the teahouse didn't publicize it, what kind of thoughts did Zhao De have to bring these businessmen up? ?

"Lord Wang, the grass people have the courage to come today, because they want to invite the prince to appreciate his face and participate in this year's festival of the river!"

Sure enough, one of them opened his mouth to ask, but Chu Lingxi didn't answer immediately, and glanced at Su Li, who bent her eyes slightly, signaling that she didn't need to think about her.

Lizhou is Chu Lingxi's fiefdom, since he came here, when he encounters such a thing, he can participate in it, and he can also appear close to the people and kind, and he will be more popular with the people.

"Now that the king knows, get up."

Chu Lingxi promised, and everyone was happy, but after getting up, they found that Su Li was following Chu Lingxi, still wearing a veil, and couldn't help but hesitate: "Lord Wang, this is ......"

"It's an old friend of this king, you call her Miss Su."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded, hugging Chu Lingxi and Su Li and walking out together, Zhao De was the state capital after all, only one step behind them.

After going out, Su Li quietly swept the teahouse, and saw that the guards who went out were there, and there were no suspicious characters, so she was a little relieved, but she was not completely relaxed.

Who has the courage to calculate the head of King Huaiyang?