The snow finally stopped, and a few crows stood on the roof of the courtyard.

Meng Yining's white cotton robe hung on the bare branch next to him, dancing in the wind.

The two figures in the garden intertwined with each other, swordsmanship galloping, banging and colliding.

The girl's eyes were dark and her fingers were white.

Armed with a long sword, clean and neat.

His eyes wandered, staring at the every move of a dark-skinned strong man opposite.

The strong man waved his arm, and a cold light slashed down, and the long wind rose from the ground.

Meng Yining flashed to the side and pulled the corners of her mouth. The body made an arc in the snow, circled behind the man, and jumped on the spot like a cheetah, his long black hair suddenly scattered, and the red rope was scattered on the snow.

She sped up and slashed with her sword.

The sword light is like snow, and the body is like a dance.

The man expected her to do this, and suddenly turned around.

Meng Yining's sword slashed across the iron armor on his elbow, hissing and splashing fire.

The girl landed, not wanting to give the other party a chance to breathe, and was ready to find a good angle and hit hard.

Just as the girl shook her wrist, everything came to an abrupt halt.

"Alright, alright, it's going to be dark. Zhang Jiu, don't keep practicing with Ning'er, she doesn't know how to be tired. Jing Chi walked over with a smile.

"Your Highness." Zhang Jiu bowed.

Chun Xia, who was standing on the side, held a cup of hot water and a glass of rice wine and handed it to Zhang Jiu and Meng Yining.

Wisps of green smoke.

And the girl blushed and panted: "Sure enough, I haven't practiced for too long, and it's a lot slower." ”

Jing Chi looked at her soft cheeks, thinking that sure enough, Meng Yining and Gu Zi'an's diet had been asked by herself every day, if she had been bullied by her subordinates a few days ago, she would definitely not have the soft complexion she has now.

The corners of his mouth raised involuntarily.

"How?" Meng Yining came to Zhang Jiu and looked at this strong man with a beard on his face.

Zhang Jiu took the rice wine handed by Chun Xia, drank it on the side and wiped his mouth with his sleeves on the side, "There are fewer flower shelves, much stronger than before." ”

Only spring and summer will pay attention, Zhang Jiu likes to drink osmanthus rice wine after practicing every day.

Meng Yining laughed and chanted happily after listening to it. In Zhang Jiu's eyes, how do you think this girl is stupid.

Chun Xia put on a robe for Meng Yining, and also handed the cover to Zhang Jiu.

Jing Chi didn't speak, looking at the girl's crooked eyes, he suddenly felt very warm and comfortable.

Maybe she heard that she was going home, and Ning Er laughed more often.

Jing Chi looked at Meng Yining's smiling appearance, fell into a trance, and patted his head: "Today's Lantern Festival, there is a night market in the west, you and Brother Zi'an rarely go out for a walk, today I will accompany you two to go around." There is also a fireworks display in the evening. ”

Meng Yining listened, his eyes lit up, he looked sideways at the young man, and nodded.

Fire trees and silver flowers, lanterns and colors.

The moon hung brightly in the sky.

People dressed in gorgeous clothes and carrying lanterns bustling down the streets.

There are two lantern festivals a year in Daxia, once in the beginning of winter and once in the beginning of summer. Make a wish in winter and make a wish in summer.

The river water in Daxia is amazing, and it will not freeze even on a cold day.

It's not like Beiyang, when it comes to winter, I breathe on the edge of the window, and after a while, it will be frost flowers.

There is a lotus temple in Chengping, the capital of Great Xia, in the surrounding river in summer, the lotus flower is long, the blue bird rests, and the temple enshrines a lotus lady.

According to legend, every time the winter begins, the mother will go down to the earth to comfort the world and listen to the wishes.

Whether you are looking for children, peace, or longing for good health, you will come here to kneel and pray for blessings.

It is said that she often wears autumn-colored stand-up collar gauze skirts, and when she laughs, the flowers in spring have lost their color, her skin is like clotted fat, and the country is beautiful.

On the day she descended to earth, even if it was a cold winter day and the snow was falling, the lotus flowers in the temple would bloom in a pool, just like a brilliant summer.

There is a big cypress tree in the Lotus Temple, which is hung with red silk and copper bells that make wishes, and when the wind blows, it looks like a fairy's red skirt, shining golden in the warm sun.

Meng Yining had only been there once, looking at the tinkling wishing cloth, but he couldn't think of his wish at all.

In the end, I could only leave stupidly.

It is said that three hundred years ago, a war destroyed this temple with flourishing incense, and no one has ever seen the lotus lady again.

A hundred years ago, the people scraped together enough silver taels and restored the Lotus Temple according to the handed down appearance. Although there are no more fairies in the temple, people who make wishes are still coming and going, and there is an endless stream.

The moonlight flickered, and the lights went out.

Jing Chi said that the roast chicken in this restaurant is a must in Chengping, full of fragrant mouth, faintly sweet meat, and endless aftertaste.

Meng Yining tore the oily chicken legs, and the corners of her mouth were shiny.

She sat on the chaise longue, her legs wobbly, her elbows propped up, lying on the edge of the window, watching the children frolicking in the street chasing, watching the beautiful woman with a pair of lanterns and the father and mother who bought the dragon beard candy for the child. The moonlight sprinkled on Meng Yining's body, white like a veil.

Chun Xia stood next to Yi Ning and admired the window.

Meng Yining had a lotus flower on her head today, which was given to her by Jingchi today. The pink lotus petals are trimmed with gold threads, and the stamen is embellished with a pearl from the East China Sea, which also shines in the candlelight. For some reason, Jing Chi looked at her and always felt that Lotus Niangniang might be so beautiful.

Meng Yining chewed the tender chicken, and occasionally looked back at Gu Zi'an and Jing Chi who were playing chess.

The two of them looked serious, like two real generals, thinking about each other's direction, trying to get each other into a trap that they had laid for a long time.

Zhang Jiu stood quietly in the corner, intervening and looking around.

Even if Gu Zi'an and Jing Chi racked their brains to win each other, they would come back to their senses, and looked at Meng Yining who was cross-legged and gnawing on chicken legs with soft eyes.

"Don't eat too much, let them send a few to the house tomorrow." Jing Chi smiled, looking at the girl's fingers stained with chanterfat.

When Meng Yining pouted in protest, the store came up with three drawers of jade roasted wheat and three bowls of shrimp oil and crab roe tofu paste, and the fresh and fragrant smell filled the room. Meng Yining looked at the delicacies on the table, especially the roasted wheat that was white on the top and green on the bottom, like small jade cabbage, and sat up from the chaise longue by the window, his eyes shining.

Jing Chi didn't look at her, but knew that she must be ready to reach out to eat it now, so he just smiled and said: "This jade roasted wheat must be your favorite to eat, although it is a wild vegetable only picked from the Beiyang grassland, but this shop has added saury meat puree, which is particularly delicious, hurry up and taste it." ”

Meng Yining was happy, and pinched up one chopstick after another.

Tonight, there is no one else but friends.

Gu Zi'an and Meng Yining also rarely relaxed.

Spring and summer also beckoned Zhang Jiu to taste it at the table at the door, don't keep tense your nerves.

After a few people had eaten their fill, they went downstairs to enjoy the lanterns.

Vendors light colourful paper lanterns and sell all sorts of gadgets and snacks, especially the three-tiered lotus pagoda in the shape of a lotus flower. The lotus tower is made of vegetable oil and white flour, and the jujube paste filling is also wrapped in pine nuts, walnuts and other nuts. It's not sweet or greasy, it's very delicious.

Meng Yining hummed a little song, put on an orange-red cloak with white fox fur, jumped and poked the lantern, and chewed the flower cake.

Jing Chi followed the head and talked and laughed with Gu Zi'an, but interjected from time to time: "Ning'er, do you want this mask of the Lotus Fairy?" ”

"That wine-stuffed lily wolfberry balls look pretty good, do you want it?"

"Alas, that lotus white jade inlaid with gold is okay, you must look good with it......"

"The lantern is also good, and there is a flower face painted on it."

The girl smiled and shook her head, holding up the persimmon she had just bought.

The tiny wrists dangled in the air, and the snow-green silk silver bells made a crisp and pleasant sound.

Gu Zi'an looked at Meng Yining: "Do you want to put a river lantern?" ”

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded.

The lights of the world flickered in his eyes.

The river was cold and flowed westward, and the light of a bright candle flickered on it. The wind does not go out, warming the silent river.

Meng Yining looked at the light and remembered the summer night a long time ago, when she was lying on the gazebo in the courtyard of the White Mansion, her head resting on the legs of her eldest sister.

The eldest sister fanned the tulle fan of embroidered mandarin ducks, with the fragrance of flowers, accompanied by the sound of insects to coax her to sleep.

Ten thousand lights, a galaxy.

Meng Yining looked at Jing Chi's hearty smile and felt that it was very real. She pointed to the river lantern and said, "I'll make you a lantern that won't turn over one day." Jingchi is in a good mood and says yes! Then we can put it in a running carriage.

She has been anxious about people recently, but now that the Beiyang Mission has quietly come to Xia to pick up the prince, the Yan Rong assassin has fled, and the news of Gu Zi'an's martial arts has been worn out, I don't know anything.

What would King Xia think? Whether Daxia will release them has not yet been determined. It was difficult for Meng Yining to relax from this short-lived pleasure.

Jing Chi saw that Meng Yining's expression became solemn again, and asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Meng Yining pretended to snort, "I'm sleepy, I've been practicing the sword for so long today." ”

"It's getting late, let's go back quickly." Jing Chi cares.

There was no carriage in Jingchi, and the bustling streets were not far from the palace. They walked slowly and without hurry.

Meng Yining was eating pastries, drank a pot of osmanthus honey wine just now, and walked a little swaying.

"Bang" was unstable, and the red plum blossom lantern in his hand fell on the road of the bluestone slab, and the flame was extinguished with a bang.

Meng Yining looked at the lantern lying on the ground, snorted, and wanted to pick it up. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure.

"Who?"

"Zhang Jiu!"

The cold wind was like a knife, lifting Meng Yining's cloak and swishing cold.

Meng Yining's hand clenched the short sword at his waist, and he looked at the dark and narrow alley motionlessly.

Zhang Jiu heard the movement and frowned.

Chun Xia leaned closer to Gu Zi'an, looked up vigilantly at the gray roofs around her, and her scalp was a little numb.

Silence.

"Zhang Jiu, have you seen it?" Meng Yining asked tentatively.

"Nope"

Jing Chi stood in the middle of the five people: "Could it be wrong, after all, the flame of the lantern ......"

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden flash of sword light, and two or three black shadows quickly approached.

"Be careful!"

Meng Yining's eyes were stunned, and in the middle of his words, Zhang Jiu was already like a fierce tiger, pounced and fought with the two assassins.

His eyes widened, he roared in the dark, somersaulted, and one turned and slashed straight down.

Meng Yining was originally a person who didn't drink a drop of alcohol, and he drank a pot of wine today, which was an exception. The hilt of the sword in her hand shook a little, but she knew that at this time, Gu Zi'an would never be able to draw the sword.

The remaining three assassins were armed with scimitars and attacked Gu Zi'an directly.

So reckless? It's not like the first time. Meng Yining looked at the figure of the assassin, and then looked at Gu Zi'an, who was standing calmly in the moonlight.

Gu Zi'an's calm appearance was like the surface of the Lotus River, and the corners of his mouth seemed to have a hint of a smile.

Eyes swept by, between the sword light and sword shadows, Meng Yining and Gu Zi were relieved and glanced at each other.

Not a true assassin.

Even if he drank too much wine, Meng Yining was confident enough to protect the safety of the five people, not to mention that Zhang Jiu was by his side. The two assassins who were fighting with Zhang Jiu seemed to have no intention of fighting, and their eyes glanced at Gu Zi'an, who was standing in the cold wind.

"Whoosh-"

Two diamond-shaped weapons flew out of the assassin's sleeve, and in the darkness the diamond-shaped darts slashed out flames.

Zhang Jiu heard the voice, his figure flashed, and the sword slashed across the assassin's back and arm, and the two assassins broke their flesh and blood, and screamed miserably.

Zhang Jiu then shook off the two assassins and pulled Jing Chi by the hand. Shouting "Someone! ”

Gu Zi'an turned his head sharply when he heard the sound, his eyes were like swords, and he looked in the direction where the hidden weapon was flying.

There was a dark shadow on the roof in the distance.

The man was originally smiling contemptuously, but suddenly his eyes sharpened and looked at Gu Zi'an.

Immediately, the sleeve returned, and the hidden weapon flew out.

"Shhhh

The hidden weapon flew straight to Gu Zi'an's chest from a distance.

Meng Yining's eyes were fast, the lotus step was windy, he spun in the air, and the sword rushed straight up, blocking the hidden weapon in the night.

She clutched Gu Zi'an's sleeve tightly, and her smart eyes looked like stars in the dark.

The sharp sword aura forced the assassin back, and Meng Yining thought that when everything was settled, the sound of spring and summer tore through the night sky.

"Your Highness!"

Saying that, Chunxia threw himself at Gu Zi'an, Gu Zi'an snorted and fell to the ground.

Meng Yining felt the wind whirring in his ears, and the murderous aura was approaching.

Why are there so many darts?!

The hidden weapon was attached to his cheek, cutting off the green silk and flying towards Gu Zi'an. How can there still be people! Meng Yining secretly screamed badly, and only then did he turn around and see a figure at the end of the alley. Although they were far away, their eyes met, and the cold eyes made her heart palpitate.

The girl's eyes were red, her eyes were like cold electricity, her body faded out of the shadow, and she was about to rush with her sword drawn.

"Don't chase."

Gu Zi'an said in a deep voice.

Meng Yining's chest rose and fell, staring at the figure farther and farther away from him.

Seeing that he couldn't do anything, the assassin turned around and fled, and the palace guards who heard the sound followed him.

It's late at night, and the fireworks on Lotus Street are blooming not far away.

The sky was illuminated pink, and in the faint light, Meng Yining could see their appearance clearly, with slightly curly brown hair and yellow-brown eyes, half a head taller than Jing Chi.

The appearance of a typical northern Yanrong person.

Jing Chi's face was pale, he restrained his fear and anger, and squatted down to help Chun Xia and Gu Zi'an.

Softly comforted: "Where is the injury?" “

Jing Chi's hand had just touched Spring and Summer, and it was damp with blood stains and sticky. Chun Xia lay on the ground, leaning on Gu Zi'an, beads of sweat across her pale face.

She closed her eyes, frowned, and shook her head.

"It hurts—"

The officers and soldiers who were on duty at night from afar heard the movement here, and they also ran over with torches, and saw Jingchi and his party standing in the dark alley, with fireworks blooming behind them and figures flickering.

"Your Highness," the officers and soldiers led by them saluted tremblingly and panicked, fortunately Jingchi was not injured, otherwise it would not be a pity for them to die.

Jing Chi had a gloomy face and didn't speak.

Meng Yining looked at the injured Chun Xia, and the blood soaked through the plum blossom robe: "Send Chun Xia back first." ”

Gu Zi'an lowered his head, pulled out an off-white handkerchief from Meng Yining's waist, and gently picked up the hidden weapon on the ground.

The diamond-shaped dart is paper-thin, with sharp edges and vine-like carvings.

The palace in the middle of the night, in and out.

The lights and shadows are swaying, and the snow is like a Milky Way meteor.

Meng Yining sighed, still careless, or he wouldn't be injured in the spring and summer.

Gu Zi'an said softly: "It's okay in spring and summer, the injury is not deep, just take care of it." ”

The girl held the teacup in her hand, but did not drink it.

Master Zhang Ji reminded them that it was very likely that King Xia would send someone to pretend to be a Yan Rong assassin to assassinate Gu Zi'an again.

King Xia didn't care who was assassinated last time, because the assassin had already run away. At this moment, Gu Zhang, the king of Beiyang, has been poisoned, Queen Zhao is in power, and the Yan Rong delegation has come to Chengping, no matter how you look at it, Beiyang and Yan Rong are about to form an alliance. Queen Zhao gave Yan Rong this great gift, and naturally Yan Rong took Gu Zi'an as a return gift.

If Xia Wang Jingcheng was aware of it, no matter who killed Gu Zi'an last time, he would let Gu Zi'an and the others decide that the killer was from Yan Rong. This can undermine relations between the two countries. Beiyang and Yanrong surrounded the small half of the territory of Great Xia, and if an alliance was formed, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, Gu Zi'an could only stand on the opposite side of Yan Rong.

Gu Zi'an sighed and pulled Meng Yining up, there is no other way, don't be sad anymore, it seems more real.

Meng Yining wrapped her clothes tightly and pushed open the door with Gu Zi'an.

In the cold wind, Zhang Jiu stood straight at the door and said King Rui told me to go back, but I stopped by to ask how you were? ”

Meng Yining said: "It's no big deal, just rest." Spring and summer are also stable. ”

Zhang Jiu's eyebrows were horizontal: "It's all up to me, if you react faster and pull both of you apart, you won't be hurt in spring and summer." When I carried it back just now, I saw how much it hurt when I saw that blood. ”

Gu Zi'an asked the little maid to hold up a snow-blue paper umbrella and sent Meng Yining back to the room to rest.

Meng Yining smiled: "Zhang Jiu is interested in spring and summer. ”

Gu Zi'an said: "Sometimes the two of them help out in the backyard together, and they get familiar with each other over time. ”

Meng Yining remembered that one summer when he was practicing martial arts, Zhang Jiu's arm was unfortunately cut by a blade, and blood flowed. Chun Xia, who was standing aside, hurriedly wrapped Zhang Jiu's wound with his own handkerchief.

The faint floral fragrance on the handkerchief makes people quiet.

Zhang Jiu has been practicing martial arts all year round, and he will often be injured, and he has long been accustomed to the pain of medicine, but the medicine that he grinds for him in spring and summer does not hurt at all, and there is no scar.

Since then, she has been slightly attached to this sister.

Spring and summer are not like Meng Yining, it is very mild. Nor does he ever make a child.

But she was timid, afraid to see blood, and did not dare to kill. When I saw the fish killer, he hid far away like a little rabbit, which was very cute.

Covered with snow, Meng Yining looked back at the house in spring and summer, the lights in the window were sparse, flickering and dimming.

"It's time to sleep."