Before dawn that day, Lu Zhaoling quietly slipped out of the Langhuan Hall as usual, and when he passed by the well near the West Palace Gate, he found Bai Heng, who had not been seen for a long time, waiting there.

The two went out of the palace gate together and rode on a white horse prepared by Lu Zhaoling.

"Why don't you see Li Zhu'er?" Bai Heng asked casually.

"She hasn't seen you for a few days, and she hasn't come back yesterday." Lu Zhaoling laughed as she spoke, "If she knew that she would be able to see you for two more days, she would have jumped to her feet in anger." ”

Bai Heng also chuckled.

Horses run in the early morning sun, carrying two happy teenagers.

The two were very close to each other, Bai Heng gently supported Lu Zhaoling's waist with both hands, and the tip of his nose was swept around by her golden ponytail, tickling.

"Driving ——!" Lu Zhaoling clamped the horse's belly, and his crisp and hearty voice was full of vigor and happiness.

Bai Heng's heart was rarely filled with joy. He tightened his hands tightly, trying to suppress the urge rising in his chest to wrap around the girl's thin waist.

When they arrived at the alley of Uncle Niu's house, the two brothers Niu Da and Niu Er couldn't wait to greet the two, as if they were even more enthusiastic than before.

"Boss, Boss, I've figured it out!" Niu Da went to pick up the reins in Lu Zhaoling's hand, and said with a fluttering eyebrow, "The two of us are ready-"

"Big brother!" Niu Er interrupted Niu Da with a roar, "Didn't you say okay, let's go home and dedicate it to the boss together!" Don't say it! ”

"Okay, good, okay." Niu Da swallowed his words stiffly, led the horse and strode forward, and turned around and kept urging Lu Zhaoling, "Boss, hurry up, I can't wait!" ”

Bai Heng saw that the two brothers couldn't hold back, and asked Lu Zhaoling with a smile, "What's wrong with them?" It seems like some great joy. ”

When Niu Da heard this, he turned his head and looked at him in disbelief: "You don't know? Today is the Boss's birthday! ”

Niu Er also continued: "That's it!" We've been preparing for half a month, just for today! ”

Lu Zhaoling smiled a little embarrassedly at Bai Heng's surprised gaze: "We haven't known each other for a long time, and I haven't had a chance to tell you yet." Li Zhu'er didn't know either. I didn't expect you to come today, I'm very happy. ”

Bai Heng lowered his eyes a little sadly: "It's rare to have a chance to celebrate your birthday, but I haven't prepared anything......"

"Don't think so!" Lu Zhaoling hurriedly said, "I'm glad you can come!" In previous years, I was alone, but this year I am really happy to have Niu Da Niu Er and you accompany me! Besides, didn't you save Chu Sheng? She winked at Bai Heng, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in the mood for this birthday." ”

"I'll definitely make it up to you for your birthday. Zhaoling, I want to be nice to you. Bai Heng said solemnly.

Bai Heng's solemn attitude made Lu Zhaoling's heart skip a beat, she turned her face away embarrassedly, and whispered: "...... Thank you. ”

The group soon arrived in front of Uncle Niu's house, and was about to push the door, but the wooden door was suddenly slammed open from the inside-

"Haha! Lu Zhaoling! I didn't expect it! Huh, Ah Heng? ”

What jumped out was Li Zhu'er, who was dressed in red.

"Li Zhu'er? Why are you here? Lu Zhaoling asked in surprise.

There are not many times when Li Zhu'er can successfully surprise Lu Zhaoling, and once rarely, she hurriedly crossed her waist and proudly showed off: "Hmph! Miss Ben's insight is amazing, I found out some time ago that these two boys of the Niu family are always sneaking together, they must be plotting something, I found an opportunity to arrest them and interrogate them, and finally let me know that today is your Lu Zhaoling's birthday! ”

Niu Da and Niu Er glanced at Lu Zhaoling with apology and grievance.

"Okay, you Lu Zhaoling!" Li Zhu'er took a step closer to Lu Zhaoling with a menacing attitude, "Miss Ben is so merciful to be friends with you, you didn't even notify me of your birthday!" You deceive people too much! I'm going to make a special trip here today to take revenge on you! ”

“…… What do you want? ”

"Hah! Ha! Ha! Thinking of her imminent plan, Li Zhu'er couldn't help laughing out loud, "Miss Ben will let you see how powerful I am today!" Li Qi! ”

As soon as Li Zhu'er's voice fell, there was a neighing of horses in the courtyard, and a man dressed as a soldier led a pony to the gate of the courtyard.

“…… What does that mean? Lu Zhaoling didn't know why.

"Ryu's high-grade horse, for you." Li Zhu'er's proud chin was about to rise to the sky.

"Send me?" Lu Zhaoling was stunned.

"That's right! You didn't even tell me about your birthday, but I worked hard to prepare a big gift for you! How's that, don't you feel sorry I'm ashamed! Is the conscience condemned! Do you regret that you despise your friendship with Miss Li! Isn't it-"

Li Zhuer was talking endlessly, when she was suddenly held in her arms by Lu Zhaoling.

"Li Zhu'er, thank you."

Li Zhu'er was hugged by Lu Zhaoling and choked, but she didn't expect her to be so direct, and she struggled a little embarrassed: "...... All right! Miss Ben knows you're grateful to Dade! Let it go, it's embarrassing. ”

Lu Zhaoling not only let go, but also rubbed his face on Li Zhuer's neck.

Li Zhu'er's face turned red: "Hey! ”

"Hey, hey." Lu Zhaoling let go of her at the right time.

"Ahem." Li Zhu'er cleared her throat and spoke again, "Let me tell you, this horse is still small, it is very strong, and I also took a lot of effort to get it from my father, and my father is not at ease, so he sent a deputy general, for fear that you will be injured when you train the horse." If you can't tame this horse, then this gift will be prepared in vain, and don't embarrass me. ”

Lu Zhaoling listened to her, walked to the horse, stretched out his hand and gently stroked the horse's neck, the horse lowered his head, and obediently let Lu Zhaoling touch the bridge of his nose.

"I should have tamed my first wild horse when I was eight years old. I'm fifteen today. This is the best gift I have received in Anpingguo. Lu Zhaoling looked at Li Zhu'er, who was blushing at the sight of her fiery gaze, and coughed awkwardly twice.

Seeing that Li Zhu'er was the "best gift" as soon as she made a move, she almost wanted to take away the boss's heart, Niu Da said anxiously: "Boss! Come and see! Grabbed Lu Zhaoling and ran into the courtyard, and Niu Er also ran in.

As soon as he entered the room, Lu Zhaoling was shaken by something on the table, and then looked at it and found that it was a short sword with a cold light.

Niu Da picked up the short sword and held it in front of Lu Zhaoling with both hands.

"Boss, our brothers are the sons of blacksmiths, they can only make iron, their minds are not so bright, and they are not very good at learning kung fu. But if you want to go to the rivers and lakes with the boss, you must have some real skills, and you can't drag the boss back. This short sword was made by me and Niu Er for more than half a month, and I didn't ask my father to help. This was the first sword that the brothers had fought themselves. ”

Lu Zhaoling took the short sword and looked at it carefully.

Niu Da swallowed nervously, couldn't wait for Lu Zhaoling to say something, and said in a panic: "This sword is not as good as the boss's scimitar......

"It's not comparable." Lu Zhaoling took the short sword and made two strokes, flipped over the sword flower casually, mischievously glanced at the two brothers who were hit hard, chuckled, and said again: "However, you two are only fourteen. Being able to make such a good sword at this age has a bright future. ”

"Boss, boss!" Niu Da shouted excitedly, his eyes were red, and Niu Er had already cried out with a "whin".

"You two have to continue to work hard, I am waiting for the day in the future, when you create a peerless sword for Lu Daxia that surpasses the Ember Moon Knife."

"Don't worry, boss!" The cow patted his chest vigorously.

In addition to this short sword, Niu Da and Niu Er also racked their brains to give Lu Zhaoling a well-known name - Golden Flash! However, it was decisively vetoed by Lu Zhaoling. The brothers were not discouraged, and shouted that they would continue to think about it, which was bound to make the name of the boss sound threatening.

On this day, Lu Zhaoling ate the longevity noodles cooked by Uncle Niu, rode a fierce horse from the country of Lu to gallop happily in the suburbs, and taught Bai Heng and Li Zhuer to play polo with homemade tools. In the afternoon, a few children wandered around the lively market, and then went to the dock to watch the cargo ships.

"Will there be merchant ships from Ryuki here?" Li Zhu'er looked at all kinds of cargo ships and asked.

"No, the country of Ryuk is very small, and there is no caravan of such a large size that can come to Jingyang."

"Are you homesick?" Bai Heng asked.

"Yes." Lu Zhaoling smiled after speaking, "But I didn't think so much when I was with you." ”

"Since you have said so, Miss Ben will be reluctant to accompany you more in the future." Li Zhu'er said proudly.

"Then the princess will thank Miss Li." Lu Zhaoling said with a wicked smile.

"Huh?! Lu Zhaoling! You bad thing! Li Zhu'er shouted angrily.

After a burst of laughter, the children were silent for a moment, and for a while no one spoke again. At this moment, Lu Zhaoling was in the market of Jingyang City, with Bai Heng and Li Zhu'er sitting beside her, she looked at the bustling and noisy dock, and a distant and familiar warmth slowly appeared in her heart.

"I came to Anping when I was seven years old, and I've been here for eight years, which is longer than I've been in my hometown." Lu Zhaoling said with emotion.

"It's hard to be alone in a palace like that." Bai Heng looked at Lu Zhaoling's side face with a faint smile.

"There's something uncomfortable in the palace. But Jingyang City is very good, I like it very much. The people here are just as lovely as the people in their hometown of Wangcheng. ”

"You two don't like the palace very much." Li Zhu'er said in confusion.

"Do you want to stay in the palace?" Lu Zhaoling asked.

This casual question made Li Zhu'er's heart suddenly panic for a moment, she quietly glanced at Bai Heng, her cheeks were a little red, and she said weakly: "Hmm...... That's not ...... say."

Fortunately, Bai Heng didn't seem to notice it, and asked about Lu Zhaoling's appearance in the royal city, Li Zhu'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and listened to Lu Zhaoling speak slowly: "It's not as prosperous as Jingyang, but the road is very spacious and convenient for horseback riding." The houses in the royal city are made of large stones, and it is very cold in winter, so you must make a fire vigorous, and it will be very cool in summer......"

Many details are already a little blurry in Lu Zhaoling's memory, but her hometown is still vivid and kind to her. She remembers the cold winter nights, when her mother wrapped her in warm animal skins; I remember eating honeydew melons soaked in the cold river water with my brothers and sisters in the hot summer; I remember that my father strictly supervised her to practice swordsmanship, but he smiled lovingly because of her clumsy stumbling......

On this day, Lu Zhaoling did not go to the chivalrous service, and returned to the palace late because he was greedy for fun with Bai Heng and Li Zhuer, and was almost discovered. But she felt unprecedented happiness, a happiness that she had never even expected since she arrived in Anpingguo.

By the time she returned to Langhuan Palace, it was already past the time for dinner on weekdays. Qiuxi, the personal maid brought from Liuguo, hurriedly helped her change her clothes, and couldn't help but complain to her.

"Princess! You sneak out of the palace every day, it's enough to make the slaves and maids scared, and now you are returning late, in case you are discovered, those ladies in the harem don't know how to toss you! The slave maid felt flustered and short of breath when she thought about it, princess......"

"Okay, Qiuxi, I know it's wrong." Lu Zhaoling smiled, reached out and rubbed Qiu Xi's frowning brows, "I will definitely come back on time in the future, so I won't let you worry." ”

"Can the slave not be worried? As long as you still sneak out of the palace, it is enough for the slave to be terrified all day long. Qiu Xi still said with a sad face.

"Qiuxi, you have followed me since you were a child, we grew up together, you are like my sister......"

"Yes, yes, so the slave knows the princess's temperament best, and you can't do it if you're bored in this palace. Then you have to be careful! Qiu Xi finished arranging Lu Zhaoling's sleeves, hugged his arms and said angrily.

"Good...... I'm sorry, hee-hee. Lu Zhaoling hugged Qiu Xi with a smile, and said coquettishly, "Is dinner ready?" I'm so hungry, let's go eat. ”

"I've been ready for you to come back, and then I've called the dining room to heat up, and it should be ready by now." Qiu Xi had no choice but to give her a resentful look at her at the end and surrender.

Later, on the way to the side hall, a little eunuch came to pass the word, saying that the second prince had arrived and had arrived in the front hall.

In the past, most of the people who played with Lu Zhaoling in the palace were six, seven, eighty, and three little princes, and the second prince Bai Xi also liked to come to them to play when he was free, but most of the time he still had to listen to Taifu's lectures.

Although there was some friendship, the visit of the second prince at this time still surprised Lu Zhaoling.

Bai Xi didn't feel abrupt about his visit, and as soon as he saw Lu Zhaoling, he greeted him very enthusiastically and shouted affectionately: "Zhaoling! What have you been doing these days? It feels like I haven't seen you for a long time. The day before yesterday, I saw the sixth and seventh brothers, and they all said that you hadn't played Keju with them for a few days, and I was still thinking about it. It just so happened that today was your birthday, so after thinking about it, I decided to come and see you. Listen to the next person, you haven't had dinner yet? ”

"yes." Lu Zhaoling replied.

"I remember when you came from Liuguo, in addition to a big grandmother and a little girl, didn't you also bring an old cook? I've been hungry for a long time, and I haven't found a chance to see it. Today's birthday, presumably the hall has prepared a sumptuous Ryuk authentic food, so let me try it? I've had dinner, but I'm still good at it. ”。

Bai Xi's lively call made Lu Zhaoling's mood much happier. She instructed her servants to prepare dinner in the front hall and entertain the second prince.