You don't have to wait until tomorrow, it will snow that evening.

The snow fell intermittently for three days and two nights.

During this period, Xiao Mingche seemed to be normal, but Li Fengming noticed that he was more silent than before, and the whole person seemed to be empty, and he entered a kind of cautionary defense very paradoxically.

On the night of April 14, the two lay in the middle of the quilt at a wide distance as usual.

In the past ten days of getting along day and night, when the two are in the study during the day, Li Fengming will ask some about the customs and folklore of Qi State, the imperial laws and regulations, and even the pattern of the court, although Xiao Mingche is concise and to the point, but he will answer.

When we eat at the same table, there are occasional brief conversations.

All in all, they got along pretty well.

But when they lie down in the tent at night, the two will be silent. After all, the matter of "night talk in the tent" is too ambiguous and intimate, and the relationship between the two is not suitable.

Tonight's Li Fengming couldn't help but want to break this tacit understanding.

She thought, now that she and Xiao Mingche have one interest, this person has not been right in the past few days, seeing that Emperor Qi will be driving Dicui Mountain tomorrow morning, there are some things that must be asked clearly, just in case.

Yes, it's just for that reason, and it's not worrying or distressing.

*****

The lights in the bedroom have been extinguished, and I can barely see my fingers.

The tent floats with the fragrance of flowers and honey, which is elegant and refreshing, and mixed with a touch of honey and sweetness.

The fragrance in this tent is quietly added to the breath belonging to two people, and the three flavors are blended, and it has become a quiet and soft different kind of Xinning.

Li Fengming knew that the person next to him was not sleeping, so he opened his mouth and called softly: "Xiao Mingche." ”

"Huh?"

"Something isn't quite right about you these days. Don't like snow days? ”

The night is magical. It often makes people not feel like themselves, or makes people briefly reveal their truest selves.

Some words are not said during the day, but after nightfall, it seems that they are not so difficult.

After being silent for a long time, Xiao Mingche said: "It is said that the day my biological mother passed away, it was a snowy day. ”

Li Fengming was stunned.

As far as she knew, Xiao Mingche's biological mother, Qian Baoci, died of a postpartum blood collapse that failed to treat her.

At that time, Xiao Mingche was only a few days old, and according to common sense, he had no memory. Even if there is filial piety to the biological mother in mournful remembrance, it should not be such a strange state in recent days.

"Could it be your father," Li Fengming carefully considered the words, trying to soften the meaning of the words, "Every time it snows, he is angry with you?" ”

"Perhaps." Xiao Mingche's voice was shallow and soft, and he couldn't hear joy and sorrow.

I can't taste food, I don't get along with people, I feel uneasy when it snows, and I don't want to be approached by the imperial doctor......

These clues can vaguely explain what Xiao Mingche experienced in his childhood.

Li Fengming couldn't bear it, so he changed the topic: "You said that tomorrow will be dealt with by the family law." What is the family law of the royal family of the Qi Kingdom? Anyway, it's the prince of Kaifu, and he won't let you be beaten in front of the prince, King Heng and the important ministers of the clan, right? ”

"It's wattles, not boards. will not be in front of the clan relatives and important ministers. ”

That means he's going to be beaten tomorrow. But Emperor Qi will save him some face, and this fight will not be watched by his two imperial brothers and uncles of the royal family, just let them know.

This answer made Li Fengming's eyes slightly sour.

The Wei State also has the so-called "royal family law", but the Li family has never casually asked for family law to teach children. If there is a small mistake or omission, or if you contradict the elder, you are usually just punished to kneel in front of the ancestral tablet and meditate on your own mistakes.

It was only when she was a child that she was occasionally lazy or made mistakes in her homework, and she was slapped with a ruler by her strictly responsible masters.

It is just a small punishment and a big commandment, which is intended to supervise, restrain and correct. Except for the master and herself, at most, she will return to her parents after the fact, and will not let irrelevant people know.

Because children need face too. This is especially true for the children of the royal family.

As soon as they are born, they will be in the limelight, and being beaten will make them the talk of others. If they fight too much, they will become weaker in the hearts of others, and it may be difficult to accumulate authority in the future.

But judging from Xiao Mingche's attitude, he was not beaten once or twice.

Li Fengming had heard that the Xiao family was used to being crazy.

Almost every generation of Emperor Qi who sat on the dragon chair did something that seemed to outsiders to be willful to the point of madness, which made the royal families of other countries breathtaking.

In the past, she thought that the emperors of Qi only occasionally did not follow the routine in national affairs and court affairs. Who would have thought that the current Emperor Qi would not have a sense of proportion in the family affairs related to the emperor's heir.

Xiao Mingche is an adult prince who opened the mansion, and he has the merit of stabilizing diplomatic relations with marriage externally, and he also has the contribution of supervising the army on the battlefield and personally going into battle internally, so he has to be beaten for something that should not be his responsibility, and he has to make trouble that his imperial brothers, clan relatives and uncles know. This is excessive.

Even if he only goes through the motions a few times, if the news spreads, his majesty as a prince will be somewhat frustrated.

Li Fengming pressed the depression in his heart, and asked calmly: "Do you have to take this beating before the matter can be over?" ”

She could figure out Emperor Qi's intention to push Xiao Mingche to carry the black cauldron.

The crown prince and King Heng each stood behind a faction of court forces, and the two sides had different thoughts, and they were playing a tug-of-war in front of Emperor Qi on the matter of incorruptibility.

However, regardless of whether there was a problem with the military salary accounts in the south, Emperor Qi did not want to touch Lian Zhen, because he did not want to touch the Lian family.

Therefore, Emperor Qi took Xiao Mingche to "kill chickens and make an example of monkeys".

They all dealt with an innocent prince in a family way, and if the monkeys on both sides didn't stop down the steps, he wouldn't be polite.

If you look at the overall situation from the perspective of the emperor, although it is ruthless and capricious, it is safe and convenient. But Xiao Mingche is really wronged.

*****

"For my father, this is the easiest and most labor-saving."

In the dark, Xiao Mingche's words were clear and cold, like beads that had just burst out of the snow. It's cold to the core, but it's hard and stubborn.

"And I'm going to be a warrior."

He knew that tomorrow's fight would make him lose something, but he didn't plan to get out of it.

Emperor Qi didn't value him, he didn't have a choice.

Only at his own expense and silently helping Emperor Qi to settle the matter of Lian Zhen can he get the opportunity to participate in Xia Wang's selection.

He needed this opportunity so badly.

In addition to the chief officials of the imperial court, the crown prince and the prince of Kaifu can also participate in the selection of talents for their own use if they have the permission of Emperor Qi.

Three years ago, Xiao Mingche was only the king of the county, and he was not qualified to be a scholar according to the law.

This year, I finally became the prince because of my meritorious work with my relatives, if I miss it again, and wait until another three years have passed, who dares to say what the court situation will be like?

At that time, if there are variables, he will be sandwiched between the crown prince and King Heng, and there will be no one in the court, and he will only live a more difficult life than now.

It's not as simple as getting beaten a few times and being trampled on face. If you're unlucky, it's a question of whether you can save your life.

Li Fengming stared at the top of the tent, and actually had some sincere admiration for Xiao Mingche.

has been helpless since childhood, but he can come to this day step by step. Come to think of it, he's amazing.

"Xiao Mingche, if I say I will help you, do you believe it?" She asked softly.

"I don't believe it. Need not. ”

In this Yongjing City, he has always fought alone.

Few people will really help a prince who is not loved by the emperor, has no future, and has a strange and difficult temperament.

Li Fengming didn't try to convince him to believe in himself, just smiled: "Do you know what you've been like these two days?" ”

"Like what?" His tone was cold and indifferent.

Li Fengming slowly closed his eyes, and muttered like a dream: "Like a lonely young beast, squatting alone by the trap in the snowy day with scarce food." ”

He knew it was a trap and knew it hurt to jump, but he needed the food in the trap.

But what he really needs is a partner.

It is a partner who can give each other's backs and hunt hand in hand.

*****

That night, Xiao Mingche had a dream.

In the dream, he was very small, and he was kneeling on his shoulders in the ice and snow. Someone was beating him with a large bundle of thorns that went beyond the rules of the "royal family law".

It was as if I could hear the sound of countless tiny thorns piercing through the clothes and piercing the skin on the back.

He knew that it was useless to struggle, so he could only try his best to let the soul enter the void. In this way, the pain felt will not be so clear and intense.

At the worst time, it was just a faint smell of blood.

But he soon discovered that this time was a little different.

The smell of blood is not the smell of blood, but the aroma of flowers and nectar. The refreshing elegance is mixed with a touch of sweetness.

It's both strange and familiar.

Suddenly, he heard an ethereal laughing soft voice from behind him: Xiao Mingche, if I say I will help you, do you believe it?

In Xiao Mingche's memory, when he was young, many people said that they would help him.

But every time he knelt in the snow and was beaten and tortured, he couldn't wait for someone to save him.

Later, he gradually understood that when others say, "I will help you", they are only out of sympathy and politeness, and they do not take it seriously.

Because no one thinks he's capable of giving something in return.

The soft smile behind him is still asking, do you believe it? Do you believe it?

He didn't know who he was talking about, but he never looked back.

He was afraid that when he looked back, he would find himself alone kneeling in the ice and snow, and he would be as disappointed as many snowy days like this before.

The voice is still asking, do you believe it?

He was overwhelmed, and finally responded softly in his heart: I want to believe it, but I dare not believe it.

*****

The next day, Emperor Qi took Zhaoyi Qian Baonian, the crown prince Xiao Mingxuan, the Heng King Xiao Mingsi, and several royal clansmen who held important positions in the imperial court to drive the Dicui Mountain Palace.

After everyone followed Emperor Qi to the Empress Dowager to greet him, they entered the Purple Pole Garden.

Although it is necessary to settle the issue of the military salary accounts in the south today, the explicit statement is that "there is a small dispute between the three brothers of the crown prince, the king of Heng and the king of Huai, and several clan relatives are specially summoned to come and discuss the judgment with His Majesty."

There is no mention of Lian Zhen or the southern border, and the matter is forcibly twisted into a private dispute and conflict between the princes and princes, and it has become a royal family matter.

Although Xiao Mingche was brought to the palace by the Empress Dowager since he was nine years old, after the death of his biological mother, Emperor Qi originally handed him over to the name of Qian Baonian of Zhaoyi to raise him.

Therefore, Qian Baonian is not only his blood aunt, but also the nominal "mother concubine".

And Li Fengming, as Princess Huai, was also present.

I think it is that Dicui Mountain is white and vast today, and it reminds Emperor Qi of Xiao Mingche's biological mother. His eyes rarely fell on Xiao Mingche, and occasionally when father and son had to talk, his tone also concealed restraint.

Xiao Mingche is accustomed to this, and there is no embarrassment or uneasiness. It's like a pool of stagnant water, you can only answer when you ask, and you can't make a sound if you don't ask.

The so-called "joint discussion and judgment" between Emperor Qi and several clan relatives and important ministers is obviously a tacit agreement for a long time, and today it is just a process of "deduction".

The crown prince and King Heng also understood Emperor Qi's thoughts, and neither side dared to say anything rashly.

The scene was very boring and boring, so Li Fengming looked at Qian Zhaoyi not far away.

During the big wedding ceremony, she had met Emperor Qi, the Empress and Qian Zhaoyi.

But at that time, there was a hijab, and only a few words of majestic and empty scenes were heard, and no one could see them at all.

Now that Qian Zhaoyi was secretly looking at her from the side and back, she suddenly realized why Xiao Mingche was very resistant when she saw her at first sight.

Although this Qian Zhaoyi is nearly forty years old, no matter which country she is in the world, she is an undisputed beauty.

Like a large area of roses blooming in the light, bright and delicate, gorgeous and dazzling.

But Li Fengming is sure that she is not good at stubble. At least, in the nine years that Xiao Mingche was raised by her, she definitely didn't do anything in private.

Otherwise, Xiao Mingche would not have the temperament he has now, let alone alarm the Empress Dowager to bring him to the palace.

Sure enough, when Emperor Qi made a decision and reprimanded Xiao Mingche for "supervising the army perfunctory, asking three questions and not knowing, it was his mother's concubine who raised him and lost his education", Qian Baonian's eyes immediately burst into tears, and he knelt down to confess his guilt, expressing his willingness to ask for the royal family law, which led Xiao Mingche to the side courtyard to teach.

*****

was ordered by Qian Zhaoyi to block under the hand-copying verandah at the entrance of the side courtyard, Li Fengming was not surprised.

She tightened the fire fox Qiu Dayu on her body, looked at the light snow falling in the courtyard like fine salt, and asked in a low voice: "Xin Wei, are you sure?" ”

Xin Wei took half a step closer to her and replied in a suppressed voice, "Yes." The team of internal guards from the palace are all in the main garden, and there are only four palace guards in this side courtyard at the moment. ”

The defense of the Dicui Mountain Palace is tight on the outside and loose on the inside, and the guards who are usually on duty everywhere inside the palace are almost all immature novices, which is a three-legged cat for Xin Wei.

This is the reason why Li Fengming specially brought Xin Wei to serve today.

Li Fengming bowed his head and looked at the snow scene in the courtyard calmly.

After about a cup of tea, seeing that Xiao Mingche showed no signs of coming out, she said coldly and decisively: "Do it." ”

Since coming to Qi with her marriage, Xin Wei has been useless except for accompanying Li Fengming to practice every morning, and she has long been suffocated.

At this moment, as soon as she was ordered, she was like a tiger cub out of the cage, and she couldn't even parry the four palace guards, not to mention the two weak palace maids who were left under the corridor by Qian Zhaoyi.

With Xin Wei opening the way, Li Fengming rushed to lead the wind, and walked all the way unhindered and forced into the side courtyard.

When she stepped through the small arch of hanging flowers, she was immediately shocked by the absurd scene before her, and her anger was high.

She guessed that Qian Baonian was probably going to take advantage of the fire to rob, and she wouldn't be too soft on Xiao Mingche, but she didn't expect to dare to be so rampant!

Under the opposite corridor, Qian Zhaoyi was wrapped in a warm crimson twined lotus silver embroidered cloak, covered the stove with her hands, and was accompanied by two palace maids, sitting on the chair with an elegant posture, looking at the snow in the courtyard with a smile.

There is a small table in the snow, which is used to smell the fragrance of fruit and offer a spiritual seat.

Xiao Mingche knelt straight in front of the spiritual seat, and the delicate and handsome side face line was cold and indifferent.

The whole person is like a quiet ice ridge poking in the snow.

Cold and hard, but lonely and fragile.

The brocade robe on his body, which represented the identity of the prince of Qi State, had been removed, and he was only wearing a plain white middle coat, and staggered scarlet blood stains oozed from his back.

On his left and right stood two harem punishing women, burly and strong.

The two women each held a bundle of wattles, and they were tacitly cooperating, taking turns to pump hard at him.

Yes, it wasn't one, it was a bundle!

After Xin Wei saw it clearly, she was also shocked and staggered.

Li Fengming handed her a sharp look, and she immediately swept over like an arrow from the string, knocking the two force women to the ground.

Qian Zhaoyi under the opposite corridor also came back to his senses at this time. She stood up slowly, with anger hidden in her gentle smile: "Princess Huai, you are too presumptuous." ”

"I think you're presumptuous!" Li Fengming's voice was pressed with a faint thunder, and he stepped heavily on the snow under his feet, and walked towards Xiao Mingche step by step.

Leng Su's eyes were always aimed at Qian Baonian.

Qian Baonian's eyes were slightly shocked, but he could still support the posture of "mother concubine".

"Your Majesty is here to teach the five princes, as a relative of the five princes, you dare to obstruct it privately, don't you take my great Qi Tianwei in your eyes?!"

After finishing speaking, he said to the two women who got up in embarrassment: "You are the female official in charge of the harem, what should you do?" If anyone dares to embarrass you, the sky will fall, and there will be a palace to carry around! ”

"You can't hold it!" Li Fengming untied the fire fox Qiu Dayu on his body, and slammed it to the ground, smashing the fine snow into the air.

When Qian Baonian saw what she was wearing, she was immediately shocked.

The movement was like this, and Xiao Mingche seemed to have returned from the void. He froze for a moment, then turned his head slowly and hesitantly.

The sky and the earth were dazzling white, and he couldn't see the side clearly, only Li Fengming's slender figure close at hand was the clearest in his eyes.

A red robe is blazing like flames, and the two-headed phoenix of Izumo embroidered with gold thread on the robe is lifelike.

Li Fengming untied the robe again and draped it over Xiao Mingche's shoulders.

Her stature stands out among most women, but compared to Xiao Mingche, she is still a little petite.

The robe doesn't completely block all the cold and gloom, but it's soft and fragrant, with a blazing temperature.

Xiao Mingche's eyes were first dazed, then surprised, and finally an undercurrent that only he understood surged.

But Li Fengming didn't notice his expression, and only focused on confronting Qian Baonian: "Try to move him again?" At this time, whoever dares to touch him again will be a catastrophe for the diplomatic relations between Qi and Wei. You are just a Qian Zhaoyi, and you can't hold it. ”

No one in the courtyard dared to answer this, and of course no one dared to move.

The Izumo double-headed phoenix on the red robe is the totem of the royal family of the Wei State. Li Fengming didn't bluff anyone, if he fought again, Qian Zhaoyi really couldn't hold back.

Hearing the sound of shuffled human voices and footsteps approaching the courtyard, Xin Wei reminded with a coughing sound.

Li Fengming gathered his eyes, bent down and stretched out his hand to Xiao Mingche: "Don't worry, you will have everything you want." Trust me. ”

*****

Under the bewitchment of her bright eyes, Xiao Mingche slowly raised his cold palm with seven points of suspicion and three points of temptation, and gently put it on her wrist through her sleeve.

Then, stand still for a moment and slowly close your eyes.

After two long deep breaths, he opened his eyes suspiciously—

Didn't go away. Is she real?

To make another confirmation, his palm slid slowly, slowly across her wrist, eventually gripping her fingertips.

Warm and silky to the touch, it's incredibly real.

Until the whole team of internal guards entered the courtyard, the angry Emperor Qi, the lively prince and King Heng, and the suspicious clan relatives and important ministers all entered the courtyard, Xiao Mingche did not let go of Li Fengming's hand.

A snowflake fell on his long eyelashes. He blinked, and the snowflakes melted into water and soaked into his eyes.

Strangely enough, he didn't feel cold.

He quietly tightened his palm, looked at the arrogant girl who was waiting on his side, and said in his heart, it turned out that the world was warm.