The rain was sudden and slow, as if the mood of the crowd was fluctuating. By the time the sky was getting dark, it was already windy and depressed outside, and there were intermittent stops. The dirt road is muddy, and instead of rushing through danger, it is better to settle here and deal with it overnight.

The ruined temple leaks wind everywhere, only the tiles above the head can block the raindrops, and the soldiers have gathered firewood to make a fire and gather together to warm up and talk. Most of them wonder if they can go home.

Meng Xilan accompanied her father to rest in the back hall of the broken temple, saying that it was the back hall, but in fact there were two dilapidated meditation rooms, damp and gray, and there was not even a bedding to warm up.

The brazier was lit, and the room finally had some life.

Meng Zhenglu leaned against the wall to take a nap, while Meng Xilan sat guarding the brazier, her ten fingers slightly open, looking at the flames dancing between her fingers.

Zhulu and Zhuqing in the courtyard are busy cooking for everyone, there is nothing to eat here, fortunately, when they left Zhang Village, the villagers gave them a lot of dry food and bacon, as long as they are getting some wild vegetables and boiling some hot water, they can cook a big pot of bacon noodle soup.

Suddenly, the aroma of bacon and dough wafted slowly, making this cold spring night a little warmer.

After a bumpy carriage for a day, Meng Xilan's stomach was not very comfortable, and after drinking half a bowl of noodle soup, she felt full.

The stomach was warm, and the person was sleepy, Meng Xilan snuggled up to the shoulder of her second brother Meng Xiran, and also took a nap.

When she woke up again, Meng Xiran already had an extra book in her hand, Meng Xilan rubbed her eyes, and when she looked closely, it was "The Art of War".

"Second brother......" Meng Xilan called him softly.

Meng Xiran saw her wake up, so she moved her shoulders: "Wake up, are you hungry?" ”

Meng Xilan shook her head and reached out to take the book in his hand: "What does my brother think of the art of war?" ”

Meng Xiran groaned slightly: "In the past, I only read the truth in the book of sages, but now I should also study the method of strategy. ”

After this incident, the second brother's temperament has changed, and Meng Xilan sees it in her eyes and thinks about it in her heart.

He has his own agenda, and others should not point fingers.

Meng Xilan put on her clothes, went to the courtyard, and looked up to see that the sky was bright and the stars were sparse overhead. Tomorrow will be a sunny day, and I hope you can go all the way back to the capital.

Suddenly, a tall figure appeared in front of him.

"Say hello to the prince." Meng Xilan was slightly blessed.

Zhou Youlin nodded lightly and said to her, "You haven't slept yet." ”

Meng Xilan looked at the sky again: "I'll come out to take a look, I hope tomorrow is a good weather." ”

Zhou Youlin followed her gaze and also raised his head to look at the sky, but soon, he silently withdrew his gaze.

Meng Xilan felt a slight feeling, and just met his gaze. The two looked at each other silently for a while, until Meng Xilan's cheeks were slightly hot, and she lowered her head to avoid his secretive eyes. She didn't look at him, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see him walking slowly towards her.

Meng Xilan subconsciously took a step back, and who knew that his strong hands suddenly pressed her shoulders.

He didn't speak, just looked at her and looked at her.

Meng Xilan bit her lower lip lightly, but didn't look at him.

"After returning to the palace, I will ask my father and mother for a decree and ask them to promise you to me." After half a ring, Zhou Youlin finally opened his mouth. He didn't ask her if she wanted to, he had made up his mind, he just wanted to tell her.

Meng Xilan raised her eyes in amazement, "Is what the prince said seriously?" ”

"Meng Xilan, I said I liked you." Zhou Youlin showed a light smile, as if he was feeling a little happy that she didn't reject herself immediately.

Meng Xilan bit her lip and looked at him, her eyes sank, and she suddenly raised her hand and slapped Zhou Youlin directly.

This slap was hit hard but not loud.

Zhou Youlin was stunned by her, looking a little surprised and annoyed, and only looked at her in a daze.

While he was stunned, Meng Xilan pushed him away, took a few steps back, and then said, "I really misjudged the prince." ”

Zhou Youlin reacted, touched his left cheek, and his eyes became cold: "Meng Xilan, what do you mean?" ”

Since he was a child, no one has ever hit him, and today is the first time he has been slapped, and he was still slapped by a little girl.

Meng Xilan's palm was also hot, and it hurt a little, she knew how heavy she was. Since she has been beaten, she is not afraid that Zhou Youlin will be annoyed and angry.

"What is the prince coming to this day?" Meng Xilan's eyes were indifferent and cold.

Zhou Youlin's eyebrows twisted, I don't know where she got the courage and why she has to be so stubborn.

"The prince has escaped death twice, this is a blessing from God. The prince is lazy and idle like this, isn't he afraid of God's punishment? Seeing that he didn't answer, Meng Xilan's tone became even more aggressive.

Zhou Youlin asked with a cold face: "You're still unwilling, right?" ”

"I just want to persuade the prince, don't be cranky. After returning to the palace, he also asked the prince to concentrate on political affairs, care for the people, and only seek the way of the rise and fall of the society, rather than the love of children. I have long been regarded as a member of the Chu family, and Chu Jingchuan, the imperial guard, is the person that I Meng Xilan can entrust for life, and I have affection and agreement with him. If the prince wants to ask the emperor for an edict, he will trap my Meng family in injustice, harm my reputation, and ruin my reputation......"

Meng Xilan said word by word, and before she could finish speaking, she was grabbed by Zhou Youlin's wrist, and his tone was also anxious: "Chu Jingchuan?!" With his small imperial guard, can he be my equal? ”

Meng Xilan felt a pain in her wrist, but her tone remained the same: "In terms of identity and status, he is indeed inferior to the prince, but in terms of affection, his weight in my heart is much heavier than that of the prince." ”

As soon as these words came out, the expression on Zhou Youlin's face became complicated by the way.

This sentence, like a sharp arrow, pierced his heart in an instant.

With another tightening of his hand, Zhou Youlin took a step closer as if he was threatening, "Meng Xilan, you can only marry me in this life." ”

Meng Xilan sneered again, "Lord Wang, how difficult is it to be strong?" That prince can go his own way, even if you go to ask the emperor for a decree, ask the queen mother for a decree, I, Meng Xilan, will not nod and agree, in the end, I will compensate the prince for this life, so that you can always relieve your anger. ”

What do you mean? Is that what she meant by her rather die than obey him?

At this moment, the frustration in Zhou Youlin's heart was greater than the anger, he opened his mouth, looked at the stubborn Meng Xilan in front of him, and suddenly, there was nothing he could do about her.

"Meng Xilan, do you hate me so much?" She almost lost her life for him, why didn't she want to be his woman? He can't figure it out, and he can't figure it out!

"Lord Wang, I have never had a relationship with you...... "Meng Xilan said seriously word by word.

Zhou Youlin's body stiffened when he heard this, and then slowly let go of her hand.

Her eyes were sparkling, and they weren't deceptive. She doesn't have him in her heart, this is the reason why she doesn't obey, the power in his hands can indeed make people submit. But she's an exception......

The atmosphere gradually became stagnant.

"Lord Wang, the big thing has not been accomplished, you shouldn't bother for a little woman like me. What the prince hopes in his heart is what the Meng family wants, I implore the prince here, everything is important to the overall situation, don't look left and right, have distracting thoughts, and miss the great opportunity. "This time, after Zhou Youlin returns to the palace, he will definitely become the emperor's favorite, and the ministers will be willing to follow. As long as he is willing to fight to the end, the prince will definitely not be able to fight him.

Seeing that Zhou Youlin was no longer acting abruptly, Meng Xilan breathed a sigh of relief, her expression returned to normal, she was not in a hurry or impatient, but she saluted again: "The hour is not early, the prince should rest early." After speaking, he turned around and left, leaving Zhou Youlin standing alone in the courtyard, and did not move.

He stood under the darkness of the night, his mood was extremely complicated and uncomfortable, and his hands couldn't help but clench into fists.

Meng Xilan, Meng Xilan, what should I do with you?

A few steps away, Meng Xizhao stood under the dark corridor, seeing the scene of Fang Cai very clearly, and his heart was also up and down. Not to mention, his sister's slap just now made him feel uneasy, and the words that the prince said were enough to give him a headache.

When? When, exactly? Why is the prince so fond of his sister? This kind of affection is not in line with etiquette, and it should not happen.

Meng Xilan returned to the wing room and continued to sit in front of the brazier to warm her hands.

Suddenly, Meng Xizhao also walked in, and when he saw his sister looking at the flames alone, he couldn't help but sit next to her.

"Lan'er......" He opened his mouth first, but he didn't know where to start for a while.

Meng Xilan seemed to know her brother's thoughts, and replied lightly: "Did my brother hear it just now?" ”

Zuo is just such a half-sized place, and Zhou Youlin doesn't know how to avoid others, and it is inevitable that someone will hear and see it.

Meng Xizhao pondered for a moment before saying, "When did it start?" What does the prince think of you? ”

When...... Meng Xilan lowered her eyes and thought about it, she couldn't tell the specific time. Xu was the time when he returned to the palace with him, which made his heart ripple...... Or, in the camp, she took care of him wholeheartedly, which moved his heart......

"Xu started in the palace. However, don't worry, brother, I don't think about the prince. ”

Meng Xizhao shook his head lightly, "Lord Wang, he shouldn't be like this...... You've ...... already in the "

He knows very little about the relationship between men and women, only that etiquette cannot be violated, and private feelings cannot be born.

"The prince is just impulsive, and when he thinks about it carefully, he will know that I am not a good match for him." She had just made it clear.

"However, the prince is proud by nature, how can he give up easily?" Meng Xilan looked carefully, and Zhou Youlin had no intention of giving up at all.

The firelight flickered slightly, reflecting in Meng Xilan's pupils, deep and bright.

"It's because of the pride in his bones that he doesn't stalk me. He is a prince, and he deserves the pride of a prince. There are thousands of women in the world, and he will always find a better one. ”

Meng Xizhao seemed to feel in his heart when he heard this, and sighed lightly: "This is the best." I know that you and Jingchuan have a deep friendship, if it weren't for you entering the palace to study together, you would have been husband and wife by now. ”