At noon on the second day, Man Yao used his injury as an excuse and did not go to the Guanhe Hall to participate in the final concubine selection feast of Zongzheng Worry-free.

After sending everyone away, she sat alone under the corridor in the courtyard, and there was a small pomegranate tree beside her, and some of the pomegranate flowers on the tree were a little withered in color, and when the wind blew, the lifeless flowers fell and wilted in her hands, like a beautiful woman in the twilight of the scene.

She leaned her back against the pillars and looked out of the pavilion, her eyes ethereal.

Master, why are you up?

As she spoke, Ling'er had already walked over to her, and said with a faint smile: "Don't you like to watch the excitement the most?" Why didn't you go to the Holy Lotus Garden",

Ling Er said: "It's over." ”

Stunned, it's over so soon? It's less than an hour before the cow. He is finally going to have his own wife, who will Zongzheng choose without worry?

She looked at the withered petals on her hands, the dark brown color lined her slightly pale skin, the more desolate and sad her eyes were half-drooping, and the brilliance in her eyes dimmed, and before she knew it, she clenched her palms and muttered: "Miss Sun?" "The woman who tried everything to embarrass her was nothing more than to worry about Zongzheng. It should be her, the person who Emperor Lin likes, and the best of those women.

Ling Er saw it in her eyes, shook her head and said, "No." ”

Man Yao was stunned and didn't look up. He didn't choose Sun Yali? So which woman did he choose?

She lowered her eyes, almost closed, and pursed her lips tightly, afraid that she would ask again.

No matter who he chooses, it has nothing to do with her. She held her hand, and the June weather made her palms cold.

Ling'er walked around the pillars, turned to her and squatted down, looking up at her, as if thoughtful.

Master, leave the king...... No one chosen. ”

Manyao's body was shocked, he raised his eyes in surprise, and involuntarily blurted out: "Who didn't choose?" Why? "Even if he refuses to choose, Emperor Lin will not agree.

This concubine selection banquet is different from before, not to mention the presence of Ning Ganyi, just in order for their families to win the position of the princess, they must have done a lot of effort, and after a few hours of open and secret battles last night, if Zongzheng Wuwu suddenly changed his mind and did not choose, wouldn't it be equivalent to teasing everyone and offending the courtiers at once?

Ling Er said with a puzzled face: I don't know the reason. Anyway, when a little song was about to be sung, King Liwang suddenly stopped it. He said that it was boring, a waste of his time, and he even had people take chess, saying that whoever could abandon a game with him would choose whoever was his wife. ”

Manyao's heart trembled slightly, chess? It's not that he doesn't know that there is no way that any of those women will. When he did this, he obviously didn't even have the heart to cope. If he had no intention of choosing a concubine in the first place, why did he hold this concubine selection banquet?

Ling'er said again

Those ladies don't know how to play chess, they don't even know each other. Later, a minister said, 'I heard that Yun Guifei played a game of chess when she was young, and it was a kind of chess that the world had never seen, could it be this?' ”

Manyao asked

And then what? ”

Ling Er said: "The ministers are whispering underneath, thinking that leaving the king is deliberate? It's difficult, I don't dare to do it when I'm angry, and my face is ugly. Emperor Lin ordered someone to send the prince of the dust wind back to rest, so that the ministers were dispersed, and ordered all the palace maids and eunuchs to retreat to ten zhang away,"

Retreat to ten zhang away? What is Emperor Lin going to do? He's really angry this time!

Ling'er, you go and take a look. Just go. ”

The white thorny sunlight shone on the surface of the lake, and the lake moved with the wind, rippling and refracting in the half-open hall, shaking people's eyes.

At this time, within a radius of ten zhang, only Emperor Lin and Zongzheng Wuwu father and son remained.

Emperor Lin stepped down from the dragon chair and slowly came to Zongzheng Wuwu, his eyebrows were like swords, he was wrinkled, his eyes were full of anger, he stared at Zongzheng Wuwu tightly, his chest couldn't stop rising and falling.

Zong Zheng sat calmly and leisurely, playing with a black chess piece in his hand, completely ignoring the emperor who stood in front of him with an angry face and would do it at any time.

Bang, bang, bang!! ”

Emperor Lin waved his hand, and a crackling sound spread in this quiet hall. The white jade chessboard was suddenly swept to the hard ground, planted into several petals, and the chess pieces in the board splashed in all directions. Still breathless, he flew up again, and the table between them was lifted and flew sideways. It bounced back when it hit the carved pillar, scattering the wooden frame and flying wood chips.

The blue and white cups and pots were shattered, and the tea juice and tea leaves were withdrawn all over the ground.

Zong Zheng raised his eyes without worry, the eyes were cold and intimidating, the emperor was stunned, he looked at the only child left to him by the most beloved woman in his life, his eyes were full of pain and anger, like a turbulent wave in his heart, he couldn't suppress his mouth He asked: 'From beginning to end, you didn't plan to choose a concubine at all, did you?!' I broke my heart for you, but you teased me! Where do you want to bring shame to your father?

Zongzheng was carefree, and said indifferently, when did I tease you?"

Emperor Lin said angrily: You know that no one can play this chess, and you still shake it out as a condition for choosing a concubine! Do you dare to say that you don't go ahead of time?

Zong Zheng Wuchen picked the corner of his eyes, noncommittal, and lowered his eyes lightly, covering the pain that flashed in his eyes. Who says no one will get down? That woman is on par with him!

When Emperor Lin saw that he didn't squeak, he took it as a default, and his heart was even more angry. Grabbed him violently, and shouted bitterly: You have nothing to say,

Zong Zheng waved his hand away, sneered, and said, "So what? "He never explained anything to others, let alone to the man in front of him.

You, you!! Emperor Lin was so angry that his body trembled, and he couldn't speak. He intuitively raised his hand and wanted to teach this son who didn't understand his good intentions as a father, but as soon as that hand was raised, he raised it in the air and froze his mouth like a small face, so that he could shoot it no matter how he could.

Zong Zheng looked at him coldly and smiled sarcastically. He wants to see if this person can do it. At this moment, someone at the gate of the main hall hurriedly shouted: 'Don't, don't! Father is angry, if you have something to say, don't do it" The Nine Emperors heard a loud noise in the attic outside the garden, and they were afraid that something would happen, so they were not at ease after all, so they sneaked back. As soon as he saw this posture, he was frightened, and he didn't care about anything, so he rushed in.

As soon as Emperor Lin saw the Nine Emperors, he could be regarded as having found a punching bag, and shouted in a deep voice: Who called you in? The Nine Emperors hurriedly said: "The sons are not worried about the father and the seventh brother......"

Get lost! Emperor Lin didn't listen, and a palm wind containing strong internal force swept over. The Nine Emperors were so frightened that he didn't dare to take it hard, so he could only dodge quickly, but he was still swept away by the residual strength of the palm wind, and flew into the wall, he screamed and spit out a mouthful of blood.

Zong Zhengwu's face changed, and he was secretly angry, and said: Don't always be angry with him! Don't forget, he's your son too! If you don't like it, you shouldn't do that ridiculous thing. ”

Emperor Lin's pupils shrank, for a night of drunken romance, he used to be cautious, for fear that the matter would be known by Yun'er, if he didn't know about the existence of this child until the woman gave birth, he would definitely not let this child come to the world. The Nine Emperor Princes pressed their chests and stood up, their eyes quietly dimmed, but they still smiled heartlessly. When did the father treat him as his son?! He was just the product of his father's absurdity after a night, as soon as he was born, he was given to death by his father, his mother was killed, he was taken by a palace maid, at that time, who knew that there was a prince like him in this country who didn't even have a name? In this royal family, a prince who died of his mother and couldn't even be a proper identity lived as much as a palace maid and eunuch, until he met the seventh brother. At that time, at a young age, in his eyes, the seventh brother was a fairy-like figure. He wants to follow him with a dead face, and he has never been stubborn.

Yes, to this day, he still doesn't even have a name. If it weren't for the relationship between the seventh brother, my father probably wouldn't even know how many of his rankings were. The Nine Emperor Princes raised their lips and smiled: "Seventh brother, it's okay with me. Father, Seventh Brother didn't mean to tease you. In this world, there are indeed women who can play chess. ”

Emperor Lin was stunned for a moment, and blurted out, "Who?" The Nine Emperor Princes said, "Liyue, oh no, it's Princess Rongle!"

Emperor Lin's body was shocked, his eyes were sharp and deep, and he turned his eyes and asked: Worry-free, what Lao Jiu said, but the truth? ”

Zong Zheng Wuwu pursed his thin lips, as if he had never heard his question, and only said to the Nine Emperor Princes: "Old Jiu, you go out first." ”

Oh. The Nine Emperors nodded and left, replying frequently, still a little uneasy.

Emperor Lin was slightly stunned, why did Princess Rongle play chess? Worry-free, it's her."

Zong Zheng Wu Wu interrupted in a deep voice: , You don't have to ask anything, I won't answer. Don't beat her upset, or I won't sit by. "The strength of his expression is the toughness of his tone

Emperor Lin didn't say anything this time, but slowly calmed down. No wonder Worry-Free is so special to her! I see!

Emperor Lin sighed, and said helplessly, if you hadn't been angry with me and married her directly, there wouldn't be so many things now. You yourself won't be so miserable! You have always deliberately opposed me, and you have never understood my painstaking efforts. ，

Zongzheng put his head aside, the sun outside the window was scorching, scorching the earth, just like his tormented heart, he had thought more than once, just like when he was obedient once, and if he married her, they would not fall into such a field.

Emperor Lin looked at his side face, how familiar the imperceptible sadness between his eyebrows and eyes was, just like the countless days and nights of his secret wounds that he had not been forgiven before, he didn't feel a pang in his heart, and looked at his most beloved son, and his voice was a little more stern, and said: That's okay, you shouldn't have love. Forget about her, otherwise, sooner or later, she will become someone else's bargaining chip to support or even control you. You are the future emperor and must not have any weaknesses to avoid a dilemma between the country and your lover in the future.

When did I say I was going to be emperor? Zong Zheng looked at each other coldly, and said categorically: "Your country, I have never been rare. My business has nothing to do with you. ”

Emperor Lin's eyes glared at him resolutely, and he said bitterly: "You are not rare, you have to ask for it, this country has ruined the happiness of me and your mother, only you" are qualified to inherit it! ”

When Zongzheng heard the word "Mother, the word, there was a throbbing pain in his heart, and his throat was like being stabbed, and he suddenly became a little dumb, don't mention my mother to me!" "It's not the rivers and mountains, it's you!" that ruined my mother's happiness! Don't try to shirk your responsibility, that will make my mother blind under Jiuquan! I don't need to inherit the qualifications of the country, I, "I don't want to be like you." ”

He deliberately avoided mentioning another sensitive topic that would make him extremely painful: his mother's death. But that doesn't mean he can control himself and not think about it.

The air suddenly became heavy, and a strong and bone-deep sorrow filled the hearts of their father and son.

Emperor Lin's eyes were in sharp pain, and he looked at him and didn't make a sound for a long time. Every time he mentioned the woman he loved, it inevitably led to the deepest pain in the hearts of both father and son, and then, there was a suffocating silence.

There was silence all around.

After a long time, Emperor Lin turned around and walked back to the dragon chair, sat down slowly, and said in a calm and resolute voice, "If you want Princess Rongle to live well, then prepare to be the crown prince as soon as possible." The candidate for the crown princess is Sun Yali. Prime Minister Sun Cheng is a minister, and if you marry his daughter, you will be able to get the support of half of the courtiers! ”

You threaten me! Zongzheng said coldly.

Emperor Dao is whatever you want. ”

Zong Zheng sneered: Don't forget, she is the princess of Heqin, and she is also the wife of the general of the Patriotic Nation who holds the three armies! You're going to move her, unless you don't want it anymore! ”

Emperor Lin smiled deeply, don't forget, if I want a person to disappear from this world silently, there is a way, no need to make a big show! So", worry-free, don't force me! ”

Don't push me! "Zong Zheng's eyes are as carefree as a blade, his tone is icy, and he said resolutely: If you dare to touch her, I will ruin your life!"

The air was filled with the strong smell of gunpowder, and time seemed to be stumbling at a moment's notice. The sun was blazing outside, and the hearts of the two people in the hall were as cold as water.

The two confronted each other for a long time, but they still refused to give in.

Emperor Lin finally frowned and sighed, his voice softened a lot, and it will be your mother's death day in a few days, so you can talk to her. Someone ...... "The palace maids and eunuchs ten zhang away heard the summons of the emperor, hurriedly ran up to the attic, listened to the decree, passed on the will, and left the king without a king, and should have been severely punished, but he was reminded that he had meritorious service to the community, and he had the heart to repent, and now he is punished for one year. There must be no mistakes. ”

Zong Zheng sneered and laughed, snorted coldly, and left with his sleeves.

Emperor Lin looked at Zongzheng's worry-free back, frowned, worried. He always uses the people around him to force him to do what he doesn't want to do, just to make him understand that he can't give others to grasp weaknesses. I thought that Wu Wu had been trained to be indifferent and ruthless enough, but unexpectedly, if he was not careful, he actually had such a fatal weakness!

The afternoon sun is getting more and more scorched, and the sun is hot, making people's hearts irritable for no reason.

Man Yao stood up and walked slowly in the corridor.

Master, there's news! Ling'er trotted all the way over, sweat on her forehead, "Emperor Lin issued an order to punish the king with a year's salary, and go to Siyunling to face the wall for three months." ”

frowned, this is probably the first time Zongzheng was punished without worry! With his character, how could he be willing to accept punishment? So how did he react? ”

Ling Er said: "There is no reaction from the king." Neither received the decree nor resisted, so he left the Holy Lotus Garden.

He sat down again, contemplating his eyebrows, if he didn't resist, he would admit it! What was the reason for him to admit punishment?

Ling Er hesitated and asked, "Master, are you worried about leaving the king?" ”

Manyao's heart was shocked, she was worried about him? How could she worry about him! Hurriedly gathered his mind and smiled indifferently, "I'm just idle and bored, just ask casually and take some time." ”

At this time, a palace maid came in to report to Madame, and the cold guard asked to see her! ”

Manxiao turned around, and saw Leng Yan standing at the gate of the garden, who was not smiling, and couldn't help but be slightly stunned, "Please let him in, Leng Yan approached, stopped ten steps away, saluted expressionlessly, and said, "Princess, my prince invites you to go." ”

Manyao's heart jumped, at this time, what did Zongzheng ask her to do? Isn't he going to Siyunling? Man Yao frowned and thought for a while, and asked, "Why is the king looking for me?" ”

Leng Yan said: "The subordinates directly invite people, and don't ask anything else." Then he got out of the way and made a gesture of please, as if if if she didn't go, he would take her to her in a strong way.

What a cold wood. Ling'er muttered in a low voice, and said in Manyao's ear: "Master, do you want me to go and come back to the general, and let the general accompany you,

Manyao shook his head and said: No need. The general did not come back, so naturally he had his own business to do. When he comes back, you can just talk to him. With that, he followed Leng Yan and left.

Leng Yan walks very fast, and it is a little difficult to follow, and the wound will hurt when he walks fast. After a while, her forehead was covered with fine sweat, and she didn't stop the cold flame, knowing that it was useless to call.

She kept her head down all the way and guessed in her heart what Zong Zheng was going to do when she asked her to come."

Turning a few gardens, this road and this scene look very familiar. With Leng Yan entering a spacious garden, the willows in the garden are blowing on the shore, and the white lotus is blooming, which turned out to be the Fuliu Garden.

Under the shady willow tree on the shore, the man was dressed in white, leaning against the tree, his eyes were half-closed, his expression was tired and lazy, and a white jade chessboard was placed on the stone table in front of him. From a distance, it looks like a lazy fairy

Leng Yan entered the courtyard and disappeared, so there was no one around.

Manyao slowed down, slowly walked across from him, and sat down gently.

There you are! "Zongzheng is like saying hello to an old friend for many years, and he is very calm. After speaking, he opened his eyes, and the bloodshot in his eyes seemed to be the testament of sleepless nights.

Manxiao looked away and said faintly, "Well, yes." In such a scene, she couldn't say the usual official polite words of keeping a distance.

Looking at the chess pieces on both sides of the Chu River and Han Realm on the table, she was a little stunned. Ling'er said that there was a sound of the chessboard being smashed from the Lotus Temple, why is there still a pair here. Probably he had already planned Su before he went up the mountain? He expected that Emperor Lin would have some of them, so he prepared an extra pair.

I couldn't tell what it was like in her heart, so she took out the white jade bottle that the Nine Emperor Princes gave her last night and handed it over, trying to use it as plain as possible. Kiss said, "Thank you for the medicine, it works really well." ”

Zong Zheng didn't answer it, he didn't even look at it, he just looked indifferent and said that the effect was good. Playing a game of chess with me counts as a thank you gift.

It was the calmest conversation he had since the separation.

Man Yao withdrew his hand and nodded slightly.

In the quiet garden, except for the shallow sound of the wind, there was only the occasional sound of falling children, very light, as if afraid that a little heavier would disturb anyone's unknown heart.

The air is filled with a faint atmosphere that seems to be nostalgic and sad, those days of getting along day and night, those days when the thunder can't move a game of chess every day, with the fall of each piece, it becomes clearer and clearer, as if it was just yesterday.

The years swept away those good feelings like a torrent, leaving only stinging memories

Zongzheng's worry-free gaze slowly moved up across the chessboard, looking at those clear and intelligent eyes, no matter when and where, whether it was past or present, and no matter who sat opposite her, she could always pay attention to playing chess, and look at the overall situation.

After waiting for a while, he saw that he was unconsciously holding the chess piece, and he didn't move for half a sound, so he raised his eyes, and the moment he looked at him, the sadness and tenderness that passed under his deep and indifferent eyes made people suspiciously dazzled.

The summer wind, a little scorching and a little refreshing, mixed with the moisture of the pond water and the faint fragrance of the white lotus, gently brushed the corners of their eyebrows and eyes. She returned to those quiet years, and he also held the chess pieces like this, looking up at her from time to time, with a faint look of tenderness in his eyes. She had a momentary moment, and somehow called out the name Worry-free, it's your turn. ”

After saying that, she was so shocked that her heart trembled, she could still call his name today, after a year of separation! He had hurt her so badly, and he had deceived and used her like that. She hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet those eyes again.

Zong Zheng Wuchen's body shook, and the chess pieces in his hand accidentally slipped off his fingertips and rolled to the ground. He didn't know it, his eyes were blazing, he looked at her, and said, "I didn't expect to hear you call my name before I thought about it." Aman",

Leaving His Royal Highness, Man Yao suddenly interrupted him, not wanting to listen to him, she turned her head, her face was calm and calm, but her heart was mixed. She stooped down to pick up the chess pieces on the ground and handed them to him. As if correcting his previous mistakes, he said, "Your Royal Highness, it's your turn." ”

Zong Zheng's eyes lit up, and the blazing light in his eyes seemed to have been smashed and cracked by a heavy hammer, spreading out everywhere, and then becoming cold again.

The phrase 'His Royal Highness leaving the king' that followed made his heart as cold as water, and he couldn't add more.

He picked up the chess piece, his slender fingers turned white in the scorching sun, and he suddenly coughed, faintly feeling a trace of blood in his throat. He forcibly swallowed the original, and people's internal injuries can also be endured little by little like this.

Zongzheng Wuwu once again set his eyes on the chessboard, and dropped the chess piece casually, long forgetting the previous layout.

It was that son who broke the long-standing draw.

After a few cases, the winner is already clear.

Watching the game of chess, he was a little stunned. It's as simple as that, and it's over?! It's just a stick of incense, and it used to take them so long and so long to play a game of chess.

Zong Zheng laughed at himself, that smile was a little miserable, he looked up and looked straight at her, as if he wanted to look into her heart and even her soul.

Manyao looked back silently, suppressed the confusion in his heart, pursed his lips, and neither of them made a sound.

After a long while, Zongzheng Wuwu seemed to mumble to himself, his voice was very soft, with a little self-deprecation, a few tricks and a little dazed, he said, "I lost!" ”

In front of the beloved, the words that have faded away from the disguise of indifference are like the sigh of the wind, sad and long

He said: He lost!

There was a huge shock in the bottom of my heart, and I was surprised.

He is such a proud and conceited person, such three words, for him, how difficult it is to say, but he still admits it after all! In fact, from the very beginning, he had already lost!

The cautious temptation of each other again and again, those calculations and exploits, he always thought that everything was under his control, he thought that as long as it was what he wanted, he would not be able to escape from his palm, but at that time, he didn't know, love is not calculating, and sincerity cannot be used!

He unconsciously invested all in the emotions that were both real and false in those days. And she has always been passive, defensive, and sober, always remembering to keep a little more for herself. Although she would be in pain, she bravely endured the pain, and rationally sealed her feelings, and set up a series of schemes to get out of his life.

It was only afterwards that he suddenly realized that his love had fallen deep and he could no longer get out.

In this unconscious emotional battle, he ended up fiasco! She already has another person in her heart, what else can he do for her?

Zong Zheng stood up slowly, and the slender fingers supporting the stone table seemed to have faded those tenacious strengths, and they looked even more white as paper. He walked slowly past her, the wind blowing his unfettered length, sweeping across her slightly pale cheeks.

He sat there motionless, as if he hadn't recovered from his words.

Zong Zheng Wuwu took out a delicate ink five-fold fan from his sleeve, put it in front of her, and said, "Put it away." Maybe you will be useful in the future tense. ”

Before he could ask anything, he had already left.

She didn't look back at his back, just sat there quietly, looking at the chessboard, stunned. There was a bitter pain in her heart, and she suddenly didn't understand what she was doing.

It was only after a half-ring that she picked up the folding fan.

The texture of the black jade is excellent, the tentacles are smooth, the ice is cold, the jade bone side, carved with a crest, the mouth is open, the tail is rolled, and there is a tsunami dragon tendency. The whole is not much different from the folding fan of the Nine Emperor Princes except for the color, but it is obviously more noble and mysterious than the one it looks.

This folded shoulder should have something to do with Wuyinlou, but why did Zongzheng Wuwu let her keep it? What was his intention?

She walked back with the black jade folding fan, her eyes were blank all the way, and her mind was extremely confused. His words still seem to echo in his ears...... I lost.

A long-prepared and powerful feast for the selection of concubines came to an end, whether it was the Emperor Lin or the Liwang, or the prince of the Dusty Wind, as well as the civil and military officials, the high hopes originally placed on this feast were all in vain. The reason for this is just because of a woman.

Man Yao returned to the General's Mansion with Fu, and everything returned to peace.

Ning Ganyi came to see her a few times, saying that he would stay for another month and enjoy the mountains and rivers before returning to the Dust Wind Country. Because of the last assassination incident, in order to ensure his safety, Emperor Lin sent a large number of expert guards in the open and dark places, and gave a one-month deadline to order the Japanese to be fully responsible for investigating the mastermind behind the assassination case.

After a few more days, Manyao's injuries were no longer in serious trouble, and Zongzheng's worry-free medicine was really extraordinary. Fu Chip went out early and returned late these days, although he came to Qingjing Garden every night to rest, but the words that the two of them said added up to only ten sentences. He always came into the house after she had fallen asleep, and liked to hug her from behind, with unusually gentle movements. She occasionally woke up in the middle of the night and heard a faint sigh behind her.

On this morning, before the sun rose, she walked around the house with Ling'er.

Ling'er, has Xiao Sha been going to Soft Xianglou recently? That girl in the building, have you seen it? ”

Ling'er nodded and said: He still goes every day. The girl's name was Keren, and I went to look for her, but the bustard's mother there said that she didn't take customers, so I didn't see her. ”

Manyao asked, don't pick up customers? Because of Xiao Sha? Or did you not give enough money? ”

Ling Er said with suspicion: No, I took out the silver, and the bustard mother didn't look at the amount of silver at all. Moreover, she recognized me and told me not to do much. ”

Manyao's heart was cold, but his face was like a bud. A girl in the Qinglou does not accept guests, the old bustard in the Qinglou does not look at the silver, and easily recognizes the identity of Ling'er, she is contemplating her eyebrows and thinking carefully, and suddenly heard a scream not far away, the voice is not loud, but the voice is hoarse, and depressed and desperate.

She frowned and asked, "Whose voice is it?" ”

Ling'er shook her head blankly, they went around the courtyard wall, followed the sound, and saw a locked courtyard gate. She leaped into the courtyard with a light leap.

It was a very simple yard, in the middle of nowhere, with deep trees, narrow and crooked paths, and uneven roads. The dense branches crisscrossed horizontally, like a large tight net, blocking out the sunlight above their heads.

Walking slowly, the hoarse cry became clearer and clearer, making her walk in the dense forest, with a sense of gloom.

Master, how can there be such a place in the General's Mansion? I don't know who screams so horrible! Ling'er followed closely behind her, tugging at the corner of her clothes.

Walking through the dense forest, she came to several houses that broke the sun, the door was closed, but it was not locked, she pushed it gently, only to hear the door creak, and then it opened.

The rooms were one after the other, and the yellow wall skin was falling off in large chunks, and it was mottled all over the place.

The room was empty and empty, and she passed through three doors, and the further inside she went, the darker it became. All the windows in the house were nailed shut, and there were no cracks left at all.

Walking into the last room, a strong and pungent smell of fishy smell came to her face, and she frowned intuitively, and paused, the room was dark and unrecognizable.

Ling'er covered her mouth and nose, hurriedly pulled her, and said softly, "Master, let's go out." ”

There was no sound, and his vision gradually became clearer. There seemed to be a lot of murder weapons on the surrounding walls, all kinds of things.

She suddenly understood, it turned out that this was the torture room in the house! No wonder that on that day, when those girls heard that they were going to be sent to the torture room, their faces changed miserably.

The screaming had stopped since she entered the house.

She picked up the flint beside her, lit the torch on the wall, and saw a man nestled on the ground in front of her

Perhaps, it can no longer be called a human being, but a vague mass of flesh and blood. The ground around the man was stained with blood and brown stains.

Ling'er screamed in surprise and said in a trembling voice

Lord, Master "He, who is he?" Is it dead or alive? ”

Manyao calmly patted her hand, took a few steps forward, and asked, "Who are you?" ”

The man on the ground struggled to raise his head, his messy head almost covering his entire face, and only a pair of eyes with unwilling despair looked through the gap in the silk. The hoarse voice as if the throat had been broken by a palm was extremely weak: Madam, "Don't you recognize your subordinates?" ”

The voice seemed a little familiar. Manyao's heart was shocked, and he asked tentatively in disbelief: "Xiang Ying." ”

The corners of the man's chapped mouth were covered with dark brown blood that had already coagulated, and he laughed miserably, making people's hairs stand on end, "It's hard for Madame...... Remember the subordinates. ”

Man Yao immediately stepped forward, stretched out his hand to remove the head in front of him, his hand trembled slightly, the face that was once masculine was already thin at the moment, and his face was sallow, like withered grass, his eyes were cloudy, and he was lifeless. But I can still tell that it is indeed Fu Chip's personal guard Xiang Ying!

Man Yao frowned and asked, "Why are you here?" Still like this? "Isn't he the most powerful subordinate around Fu Chip?

Xiang Ying hung his hands weakly, his eyes were desperate, and he was powerless

Because of the cool lake...... The subordinate protector was unfavorable, and the wife almost died...... The general ordered the ...... Picked my tendons and let me ...... here Thought. ”

Manyao was shocked, but because of her injury, Fu Chip punished his cronies like this! Does Fu Chip value her so much? Or is Fu Chip himself cruel by nature and does not allow others to make a little mistake?

It is said that it is thought over, but it is better to wait for death. His flesh and blood were rotten, his hands and feet couldn't move, and there was a bowl far away beside him, and the bowl was full of food, which had already emitted a musty smell, presumably because he couldn't move his hands and ate with his mouth, so he spilled it.

She crouched down and examined his meridians, not all of them had been picked off, as long as it wasn't too long, there was still hope for repair.

Fu Chip's punishment is really cruel enough, for a person like Xiang Ying, the physical pain alone should not be enough to make him collapse, but this kind of hope for him, let him slowly relive the taste of despair in the passage of time, that is the most torturous method.

Manyao turned his head and ordered: Ling'er, go and ask someone to invite the best doctor. Then let Xiang Ying be carried back to his residence. ”

Oh. Ling'er should go out at the bottom.

Xiang Ying's body trembled, looking at her in shock, at this time, in his eyes, she was like a fairy who saved the world, and the beauty of the world was even more dazzling. His godless eyes gradually lit up with a glimmer of light, as if he didn't believe that she would save him, or that he didn't believe that she could save him. All along, as long as they entered this torture chamber because of punishment, no one could get out alive. Nor did he expect the general to make an exception for him.

At that moment, countless emotions flashed in his eyes, ranging from the expectation of seeing a glimmer of hope on the verge of despair, to the fear that hope would be followed by deeper despair. He wasn't actually afraid of death, but he was afraid that such a way of death would be too long a torment.

He trembled his voice and said, "Madam, general...... I won't agree.

Man Yao smiled comfortingly: Don't worry, since it was because of me, I naturally won't ignore you.

The subordinate who guarded the garden soon came, and as soon as he entered the house, he said respectfully to Manyao: "The subordinate guards are not good, and they let the lady enter such a different place." Subordinates and others are really damned! Please also ask the lady to leave the mouth

Man Yao didn't speak immediately, only stared at them, his eyes were extremely sharp, and after half a ring, he said: "You send Xiang Ying back to his residence, and when the general returns home, I will explain to him, and it will not affect you." ”

Those people glanced at each other, bowed down in unison, and said, "Madame, forgive your sins!" The general has an order, and those who enter here, unless there is a personal pardon order from the general, otherwise, those who release people without permission will be guilty of the same crime as the prisoners here. ”

Daring! Ling Er shouted loudly, "You don't want to see who my master is!" Guilty of the same crime as the prisoner? Give you a hundred dares, see if you dare to touch a single hair of my master?! Did You Know? The reason why Xiang Ying was so guilty was because he didn't protect my master. How many heads do you dare to openly disobey your master's commands? ”

When the subordinates heard this, a look of panic crossed their faces, and their heads hung down, not daring to make a sound, nor daring to agree to release them. Who is Xiang Ying, that is the general's cronies, just because it is not good to protect his wife, he was punished like this, which shows the importance of his wife in the general's heart!

Manyao's eyes were sharp, and after sinking his face, he was full of majesty, and his voice was low, and he said with momentum, "I said, the general is to blame, and his own lady is responsible!" Seeing that those people seemed to be still hesitating, he said coldly: "What? Are you waiting for Mrs. Ben to do it herself?

Madame is angry! The subordinates don't dare! Those people hurriedly bowed a few times and carried out the immovable Xiang Ying.

This night, Fu Chip returned home much earlier than the previous day.

She had dinner and sat down in the garden to cool off. After Fu Chip changed his clothes, he sat opposite her and looked at her thoughtfully, as if waiting for her to say something, but he didn't speak, as if he was fine, he took out a folding fan from his sleeve and fanned it himself.

Fu Chip's eyes swept the folding fan, his gentle eyes changed slightly, and he asked quietly, "Rong Le, your fan," is very special, where did it come from?" ”

Manyao realized that what she was holding was the black jade folding fan that Zongzheng Wuwu gave her, she closed it lightly, and said lightly, "Someone else gave it."

Fu Chip looked at the lifelike carving on the king's bones, his eyes turned a few times, and his chest was astringent. He lowered his eyes and sounded a calm "oh."

Manyao folded his shoulders and put them in his sleeves, and without beating around the bush, he said directly: "General, I want to be with you alone." ”

Pu Chip asked gently, "But Xiang Ying?" ”

Be. She knew that if she let Xiang Ying go, he would definitely get the news in a moment.

The waiter didn't even hesitate, so he answered: "Okay." ”

was stunned for a moment, but he didn't expect him to agree so quickly.

Fu Chip seemed to see through her thoughts, and said softly You have been married to me for more than a year, it is rare that you are willing to ask me for something today, I, how about making an exception for you? Don't say it's one person, even if it's the entire General's Mansion, as long as I can give it, I will agree. ”

He leaned forward suddenly, reached out and grabbed her hand, holding it tightly. He looked at her fixedly, with a rippling tenderness in his eyes, and said, "It's just ...... Rongle, when will you ...... Will you take me too?

Manyao's expression froze, and he turned his face away unnaturally,' said the general. ”

Just take me as a joke. Fu Chip let go of her hand, and the usual gentle smile blended with a bit of bitterness. He, a general who controls the life and death of the country, can change the color of the world and reverse the country with a wave of his hand, and when there is blood and dead bodies everywhere, he can not change his face and not care, but who would have thought that he would face the person next to him every night, struggling to guess what the woman who was quietly let him hold in her arms, but her heart was so far away from him at the end of the world, what was she thinking in her heart?

That night, the moonlight was exceptionally bright, and the window shone on the floor of the Tranquility Garden Bedroom. She was still lying on her side facing inside, Fu Chip was behind her and her waist was on her back, listening to her shallow, even breathing, and it was clear that she was not asleep.

His gaze crossed her, looking at the black jade folding fan in her hand, and something seemed to be rushing in his chest, and he couldn't suppress it.

He closed his eyes heavily, opened them again, and suddenly stood up and pulled her over.

Before she could think about it, she couldn't help but be shocked when he kissed her lips violently.

At this moment, Fu Chip made her feel so strange, she didn't know the situation at all, and she didn't know why he suddenly became so manic, changing his usual gentleness, his kiss, with anger in his frenzy, as if he was angry with someone, like a wayward child.

He eagerly tore her clothes, rolled over and pressed them down, panicked for a moment, and instinctively strained him.

Fu Chip raised her head, her gentle eyes were extremely hot at the moment, and her handsome face was full of intense longing, and she asked Chu Na to convey a message to her.

General ......"

Rong Le" Fu Chip interrupted: "I am not a saint. ”

Manyao's body shook and looked at him in a daze. He was such a gentle man, and it was unexpected.

The dwarf took the shoulder, held it in his hand as if it was about to crush it, and a melancholy aura was rapidly expanding in his heart, "These days, are you just holding it to sleep?" Have you ever taken my feelings into consideration? Even if you, "don't love me, but I'm your husband after all!" Have you ever thought that I, too, have dignity, "have sincerity!" ”

Behind the deep ** in his eyes, there is an unknown expression of pain.

She was slightly surprised, and in the face of such a strange Fu Chip, she suddenly felt that her throat was tight, and she couldn't say a word of those words that could be used to refuse or explain.

She turned her head to the side, gasped for breath, her voice was quiet and distant, and she said indifferently and detachedly: The general's sincerity should be left to the people who should stay. I can't stand it!!

Fu Chip's eyes darkened, and he put his hand around her head, forcing her to look at him, "Can't stand it, or don't you want it?" ”

There was no way to avoid it, so she looked directly at him and said calmly, "I can't stand it, and I don't want it." ”

Fu Chip's fingertips were cold, and she refused to say even a lie to comfort him. "Am I so inferior to him?"

Man Yao said calmly: "It's not that you are inferior to him, but what kind of relationship is between you and me, you know better than me in your heart." I have no intention of trampling on the dignity of the general, and we are not suitable to talk about sincerity. As for my remnant, "if the general really wants it and doesn't dislike it, then take it." To me, it's just a skin. ”

Her refusal hand slowly slid down, slowly closing her eyes, silently waiting for the storm to greet her.

The night was very quiet, her face was calm, but her heart was already panicked.

After waiting for a long time, the expected storm did not come, and the man on her body did not move at all, neither violently tore her clothes, nor did he look at her angrily.

She suppressed the uneasiness in her heart, and her eyes were still closed.

Fu Chip looked at her fixedly, the previous fanatical aura was gradually replaced by sadness, listening to her overly sober and calm words, facing her expression like a strong man's broken wrist, he suddenly wanted to laugh, and he really smiled, but his eyes were sad.

What kind of beginning determines what kind of ending.

He rolled over and sat up, grabbed a piece of clothing, opened the door, and walked away.

Bang! ”

The sound of the door slamming through her heart shook her, and she opened her eyes, the corners of which were parched.

In the following days, Fu Chip did not set foot in the Qingjing Garden again, and her life continued as usual.

Ling'er stood far away, looking at Manyao several times and wanting to speak again.

He didn't raise his head, and said lightly: "When did you learn to read words and colors?" Say whatever you want.

Ling Er said in the same way: "Master, you and the general," what's wrong? That night, you had a fight? ”

Manyao said casually: "It's nothing big, it will be fine in a few days." How is Xiang Ying's body recovering? ”

Ling Er said: "It's good, I can already take care of myself." ”

Man Yao nodded, "That's good." ”

A subordinate came in and reported: "Madam, Xiang Ying asks to see you." ”

"Let him in." Xiang Ying entered the house and kowtowed respectfully three times in front of her, not ambiguous at all

Man Yao waved his hand to make everyone else stand back, and then called Xiang Ying to get up. Xiang Ying did not get up, but raised his head, straightened his back, and his face that was exclusive to the masculinity of a man overflowed with gratitude, he was not good at words, and he did not have words of gratitude, but his eyes were firm and sincere, expressing all his happiness and joy for the rest of his life. He clenched his hands into fists, and said in a calm voice: "The master is reinventing Xiang Ying's kindness!" From today on, Xiang Ying's life is the master's, as long as the master says a word, the sword mountain and the sea of fire, Xiang Ying "will never give up!" ”

Only those who are struggling in the darkness like the edge of hell will know the preciousness of light when they have experienced the heart-wrenching pain of despair!

Manyao noticed that he addressed her as master, not as lady, which represented his choice of position for the future. She was not in a hurry to tell him to get up, but paced around him, and then stood in front of him, condescending, her sharp gaze looked directly into his eyes, and said in a low voice: "Xiang Ying, you have to think about it." I rescued you, I didn't want you to give me anything in return, I just missed that you were a rare talent, and it was a pity to die like that. You don't have to follow me, you can be like before, I'm Madame, you're the general's personal bodyguard, so you don't have anything to ask for when I'm here. But if you are really willing to recognize me as your master, I will demand absolute loyalty from you, and there can be no concealment and deception, otherwise, my means may not be much better than that of the general. You...... But think carefully. Xiang Ying was slightly stunned, the lady in his eyes was demure and indifferent, he had never seen her so majestic and imposing. He didn't answer immediately, but looked down and thought carefully.

Wandering stood still, watching every slight change in expression on his face, and if he immediately agreed and swore allegiance to her, she would have thought him rash and doubted whether such loyalty could be trusted.

After a while, Xiang Ying raised his eyes to look at her, and there was already a firm answer in his eyes, and said solemnly: I have thought about it, I am willing to follow the master. I don't dare to say anything else, but loyalty, I can guarantee with my life. ”

Manyao nodded, and Xiang Ying said again, there is only one point, I want to ask the master for understanding.

You said. ”

There is everything about the general, and what happened before that, please don't ask about it, I can't tell you. ”

Man Yao raised his eyebrows lightly and asked, "Oh?" Why? Xiang Ying said: "Because before today, I was loyal to the general." I cannot break the promise I made just because I am loyal to you now. This is my principle of being a human being.

A sweet smile appeared on the corner of Manyao's mouth, but he asked, "Don't you feel contradictory." Xiang Ying shook his head and said, "I don't think it's contradictory. ”

He said: "The general treats you like that, don't you resent him?" Xiang Ying said: "No." Before sunrise that day, the general ordered me to protect you thoroughly, but it was my protector who was unfavorable, and he did not complete the task, and he should be punished. ”

After a pause, he thought for a moment before asking, 'In that case, then why don't you continue to be loyal to the general and choose me instead.' Since you are the most powerful subordinate by the general's side, you should know that I have nothing but these meaningless identities, and I may not be able to give you a bright future for the rest of my life. If you follow me, you may always be an unknown squire. Xiang Ying did not avoid her gaze, and replied calmly: I chose you precisely because you have nothing. By the general's side, there is no shortage of me. ”

Shocked, her eyes roaming back and forth over his face. Because she had nothing, because she needed someone who was wholeheartedly loyal to her, so, he chose her.

Get up. Man Yao stretched out his hand to help him, restrained Fang Cai's momentum, and showed a sincere smile, "From now on, you will be the person I trust in the world, I hope you will not live up to my trust in you." Xiang Ying, thank you! Xiang Ying's body shook, and her smile was like a light in the dark night, instantly lighting up a world.

Man Yao smiled and went to rest, wait a few days to heal his injury, and help me do something. "There are some things she needs to figure out! Xiang Ying bowed his head, "Yes, master"

There are thousands of red faces and white pains