This winter can be regarded as the darkest winter that Mu Linxiao has ever experienced, when the news of the death of the King of Beiyang reached her ears that day, she was red and uncomfortable for a whole day, although she had only met the majestic and loving uncle in this memory a few times, but this was the first life and death parting she had experienced in her life.

The defeat in the north, the serious illness of his father, and the punishment of the crown prince, a series of things that have happened since the beginning of winter came to mind for a while, and Mu Linxiao, who happened to be in class, actually sobbed to himself.

"Princess, how are you ...... Crying? Pei Yuan hurriedly put down the book in his hand and said with concern.

Frightened, the master quickly stopped reading and leaned over.

“…… It's okay, it's just that my father has been in poor health recently, and I'm a little worried. Mu Linxiao came back to his senses, wiped his tears, and forced a smile again, "Master, you can continue to speak." ”

"Alas......" the master sighed and said, "Don't be sad, princess, although the court is currently encountering some difficulties, there are still tens of thousands of soldiers fighting on the Daning front, and there are still many old ministers in the court...... But those who are still working for the court, the princess only needs to do her part, and she is already sharing her worries for His Majesty. ”

“…… The student remembered. Mu Linxiao nodded.

The master turned to look out at the darkening sky and closed the book in his hand.

"The weather is gloomy, it looks like it's going to snow, and the old minister will rush to the cabinet for a while, so let's get here first today, and the old minister will retire." The Master and the Son hurried away.

After seeing his master leave, Pei Yuan got up from his seat and walked into the inner room of Shuyun Pavilion, and then walked over with a thick warm coat and draped it on Mu Linxiao's shoulders.

But his hand accidentally touched Mu Linxiao's hand.

In a panic, the hands of the two retracted. From the first encounter when they were teenagers, to now they have become each other's shadows, and the two who are extremely familiar with each other can only be helplessly so unfamiliar.

Identity and status are like an invisible barrier between them, they can only look, think, and talk, but they can't hug each other and have each other.

And the dream buried deep in the other person's heart seems to never come true.

Mu Linxiao knows this, and Pei Yuan knows it even more, but he ...... But I don't want to go on like this anymore, saying I don't like it...... It was fake, but the princess was already in her prime, but she was still stupidly accompanying herself every day with such an impossible result, and her heart was tormented by inseparable love and shameless guilt.

"It's snowing, it's so cold, princess ...... Don't keep running to Shuyun Pavilion. Pei Yuan hesitated for a long time, but still said this.

"How can this work, if I don't come here, can you still go to my place?" Mu Linxiao sighed hot breath into the palm of her hand, and said this sentence without thinking about it, she didn't understand the meaning of Pei Yuan's words at all, and the two of them must stay together It seems that it has become a premise for her to discuss all issues.

"I mean...... The princess will not come to me again. Pei Yuan said this sentence helplessly. At that moment, it was as if something had poked him in the chest.

Pei Lang...... What are you talking about? Mu Linxiao looked at Pei Yuan suspiciously, under the long and curly eyelashes, the bright peach blossom eyes looked confused and at a loss.

Pei Yuan turned around and turned his back on her, and let out a white breath, "I have made it very clear, please don't come to me again in the future." ”

"Why? Haven't we always been like this? She was about to cry in a hurry, could it be that Pei Yuan was tired of her? She didn't know, she was scared.

Who knows, seeing that Pei Yuan didn't make a sound for a long time, Mu Linxiao ...... He hugged him from behind.

Pei Yuan was stunned, he still didn't know what he meant to Mu Linxiao.

"Princess......" Pei Yuan tried his best to break free from Mu Linxiao's embrace, he looked very sad Mu Linxiao angrily, but his heart was already broken, "It was before, now it is now, the princess has the life of a princess, and I also have my fate, let's not ...... anymore Delayed with each other. ”

"But you're all I have in life!" Mu Linxiao cried and shouted out this sentence, "Why! You know I like you, why do you want to drive me away! ”

The language of revealing his heart is so true and straightforward, under the fetters of feudal etiquette, as a woman, maybe only if she is reluctant to the extreme, she will shout this sentence, not to mention the extremely noble princess of the heavenly family.

Pei Yuan couldn't hold back any longer, and he roared out loud, "I'm just a proton from another country, I may be locked up until death in this life, you are with me...... Nothing is gained. ”

"But as long as I can be with you...... That's enough. Mu Linxiao looked at him distractedly, with tears in her eyes and swearing.

At this moment, Pei Yuan burst into tears and choked speechlessly.

I am willing to be a distant beast, walking side by side; I am willing to be a tree in the deep mountains, and the branches are connected with the trees.

That day, Pei Yuan, who was regretful and distressed, hugged Mu Linxiao tightly, since not leaving is the most affectionate confession, then not giving up is the best response.

After more than a year, when Yan Changfeng came to Yunjing City again, the reaction of the people was somewhat unexpected by him.

In retrospect, the last time he came as a subservient, the people of Yunjing welcomed him very well, but now when he came as a victor, he clearly felt the unfriendliness of the people.

The people of Daning do not simply distinguish between victory and defeat, most of the time, they prefer to look at a thing with the scale of justice. Obviously, Yan Changfeng at this time stood on the opposite side of justice.

Discussing peace is nothing more than talking about conditions, and for Daning, who has just experienced a big defeat, it is bound to make psychological preparations for concessions. The haggard Emperor Ning didn't like this kind of passivity after defeat, so he asked Yang Tiandong to take the cabinet to negotiate with the Yuansu people.

But the negotiation had just begun, and the sound of slapping the table was heard, "It's just unreasonable!" Yang Tiandong pushed the door and walked out, wanting to leave angrily, but was persuaded to go back by other cabinet officials, "Cabinet elders don't need to be so angry, this kind of thing has not been done before." ”

Although the negotiations continued, Yan Changfeng's attitude was very resolute, and Yang Tiandong was unwilling to give in, so he postponed the date of the negotiations on the grounds of reporting to the saint.

That night, Yang Tiandong went to Yongning Palace.

Emperor Ning was sitting on the imperial couch with his eyes closed, and Concubine Hui on the side was gently rubbing his shoulders.

"The old minister Yang Tiandong knocked to see His Majesty and Concubine Hui." Yang Tiandong, who was nearly seventy years old, walked in and knelt with a little difficulty.

"Elder Yang Ge is exempt from courtesy, give a seat."

"The old minister doesn't dare, the old minister still stands."

Seeing that Yang Tiandong was unwilling to sit, Emperor Ning didn't force it, he said weakly: "Say, how much silver do they want." ”

"They...... I didn't ask for any money. Yang Tiandong hesitated.

"And what do they want? Grain, jewelry, salt, tea, and silk. Emperor Ning sighed, his face full of depression and old age, "There are only seven states left in the north, how can Lu Ziyu's 20,000 people withstand Yuan Su's troops, my Imperial Forest Army has been defeated like this, if it continues, I'm afraid the capital will be difficult to protect, now as long as there is a truce, they can give them whatever they want." ”

The death of the King of Beiyang and the crushing defeat of the Imperial Forest Army dealt a fatal blow to Emperor Ning's psychological defense, and the self-confidence that he had once upon a time was long gone.

"Your Majesty......" Yang Tiandong said after a little hesitation, "Yuan Su said that if you want to stop fighting, you can't ...... Unless and pro. ”

"What!" Emperor Ning's eyes widened and he reprimanded. Concubine Hui on the side also stopped her movements in surprise when she heard the word "harmony".

"The sin of the minister deserves death...... The minister did not promise them. Yang Tiandong was so frightened that he knelt on the ground.

"You mean Yan Changfeng wants to marry my princess!" Emperor Ning said viciously.

“…… Be. ”

"Presumptuous! That's my only daughter! Emperor Ning, who was angry, overturned the table on the imperial couch.

“…… Your Majesty is angry. Concubine Hui hurriedly stroked Emperor Ning's chest and persuaded her.

Emperor Ning's mouth kept wearing rough clothes, he felt that these Yuan Su people were simply too deceitful!

Concubine Hui on the side patted his chest and comforted him softly, and he calmed down the anger in his heart a little, and after a long time, he said gloomily: "You should retreat first." ”

"The old minister retired."

But as soon as Yang Tiandong went out, Concubine Hui cried with tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty...... Your Majesty must not promise them, although the princess is not the child of the concubine, but she has also been watched by the concubine since she was a child, and there is nothing outside the gate, and the concubine is categorically reluctant to suffer the princess's share of the crime. ”

“…… Why not. ”

Concubine Hui wiped her tears again and said solemnly: "...... Your Majesty should still Xuan Wenzhao enter Beijing, after all, the Jing Navy is currently the closest main force to Yunjing. In this way, even if we don't agree to the request of the Yuan Su people, the Yuan people will not dare to attack Yunjing easily. ”

"The new defeat of the imperial court, the Ming Xinjiang Kingdom must have heard of it, if the navy is transferred to Beijing at this time, the four counties of Hongnan will definitely not be protected, and then not only the northern border will be lost, but even the eastern border will be difficult to protect." Emperor Ning said helplessly.

"What about the Southern Army?" Concubine Hui said again.

"The southern army can keep the capital, but what about the remaining seven states in the north? Yunjing is the land of Daning, isn't it the seven states in the north? The father of the king of Beiyang sacrificed his life for the country in the north more than 20 years ago, and now the king of Beiyang has also died in battle...... Do I want Lu Ziyu to die in the north as well? Emperor Ning choked up.

"But Your Majesty...... Xiao'er is the only daughter left by the queen. Concubine Hui cried.

Emperor Ning opened his mouth, not wanting the tears in his eyes to fall. "Stand down, I want to be alone."

After Concubine Hui left, Emperor Ning could no longer suppress the sourness in his heart, Douda's tears kept falling from his eyes, and Cao Fu on the side had already cried into tears.

After a long time, Emperor Ning lost his mind and said, "It's snowing outside again?" ”

"Yes, it's already setting at sunset, and I guess the soles of my shoes are already gone." Cao Fu wiped his tears.

“…… Go out for a walk with me. ”

"Yes."

The thick boots made a creaking sound when they stepped on the snow, and at night in the North Palace, the two elderly masters and servants walked thinly in the snow, Cao Fu bent down and carried a lantern in front of the side, and Emperor Ning stopped and walked in the snow, stopping and staring from time to time, thoughtfully.

It was until the soles of his boots were wet and cold that Emperor Ning finally came to the outside of the princess's bedroom.

"Slave and maid knock to your majesty." The palace maid outside the dormitory hurriedly saluted.

"The princess slept?" Emperor Ning said softly.

"Yes." After the maid had finished speaking, she went in to wake up the princess.

"Forget it...... Forget it, let her sleep, I just passed by, so I came over to take a look. Emperor Ning dissuaded,

After speaking, he and Cao Fu turned around and walked out.

"Let's go, go to Cining Palace." Emperor Ning shook the snow off his shoulders.

"Yes."

Cining Palace is where the queen lived before her death, since she left this place has been empty, the queen is afraid of the dark, so Emperor Ning let the palace people light candles here every night to guard.

At this hour, most of the palaces have turned off the lights, but Cining Palace is still lit, adding a touch of warmth to the cold and snowy night.

Emperor Ning patted the snow on his body at the door, then handed the warm fur to Cao Fu, and walked in alone, he let the palace people inside go out.

After everyone dispersed, Emperor Ning walked to the queen's spiritual seat, he carefully put a few sticks of incense on the ground, and stopped and closed his eyes for a long time.

In the end, he sat down on the chair beside him lonely, and muttered: "When you were pregnant with Xiao'er, you told me that the prince was so naughty at a young age, and you wanted a daughter, and I said that if he was still a boy, I would send him to the king of Beiyang to go through the experience, so that he would not be naughty in front of you, and you said that you were reluctant." ”

"Fortunately, it's really a girl, you must have seen the begonias that Xiao'er gave you every autumn, and so is this child, who is tired and sweating profusely and doesn't let people help...... Whatever you want, too affectionate, too stubborn. Emperor Ning's voice was already a little choked.

"But that's how you go...... Didn't you say that if you were a daughter, you would find the best husband in the world for her? Emperor Ning's emotions were a little out of control, and he couldn't help crying loudly, "You are her mother!" I'm ...... at this time I want to know what you mean. ”

The deceased has no words, only a thousand tears. The wind and snow outside the window were still blowing, and only the sound of burning candles and Emperor Ning sobbing was left in the empty hall.

Later, it was Cao Fu who summoned the sedan chair and carried the angry Emperor Ning up.

On the warm and spacious sedan chair, Cao Fu looked at the old and weak Emperor Ning, and was very distressed.

"Don't you think I'm not a good emperor?" Emperor Ning looked at Cao Fu with half-open eyes, and suddenly this sentence came out.

"Your Majesty's great achievements, benevolence and love for the people, comparable to Yao Shun." Cao Fu said immediately.

"Na Yao Shun...... Will he marry his daughter for the sake of the country? ”

"This ......" Cao Fu was asked by this sentence, but he turned distressed and said: "Your Majesty, forgive the slave for having the courage to say a lot of words, this ordinary people's marriage matchmaker also pays attention to your love and my wishes." Not to mention this royal princess? ”

But it was Cao Fu's words that made Emperor Ning fall into deep thought, and the words "ordinary people, royal princesses" kept lingering in his mind.

Suddenly, as if Emperor Ning had figured out something, he sat up straight and said awe-inspiringly, "Yes! You are right, the one who wears the clothes has the worries of the people, and the eaters of the cannibals are the dead...... A royal princess is to do what a royal princess should do. ”

"Your Majesty......" Cao Fu looked at Emperor Ning in disbelief.

Emperor Ning still made up his mind, but he didn't know how to tell Xiao'er about it. After thinking about it, he decided to let Cao Fu go and tell her.

Early the next morning, Cao Fu came to the outside of the princess's bedroom, and happened to meet Mu Linxiao, who was about to rush to Shuyun Pavilion to attend classes after breakfast.

"The servant knocks on Her Royal Highness the Princess." Cao Fu knelt in front of Mu Linxiao, blocking her way.

"Huh? Father-in-law Cao, why aren't you by your father's side, there is snow on the ground, get up, get up. Mu Linxiao hurriedly supported Cao Fu, she had stopped liking this chubby and kind father-in-law beside her father since she was a child.

"Her Royal Highness Princess Xie," Cao Fu stood up, "The slave has something to tell Her Royal Highness the Princess." ”

"Then hurry up, I still have to go to Shuyun Pavilion to listen to the master's lecture." Mu Linxiao was a little anxious.

"Your Royal Highness, this matter ...... I'm afraid it's much more important than going to Shuyun Pavilion, so let the servants enter the house and slowly tell His Highness. Cao Fu begged.

"Huh?" Mu Linxiao was a little surprised, but she still agreed, she turned her head to Qing Niang on the side and said, "Qing Niang, you go to Shuyun Pavilion first to inform the master and Pei Yuan, I have something to do here, and I will arrive later." ”

"Eh, okay."