It was noon, and the scorching sun of July was roasting in the air. Because the sun was too poisonous, there were not many pedestrians on the street, and the vendors also tried their best to move their stalls back into the shadow of the eaves, and the street was spacious and accessible, so that Xiao Jingyan was unhindered, and he ran faster and faster all the way, and Meng Zhi took a lot of effort to barely fit behind him.

After the Huarong Embroidery Workshop, and then turn a corner, it is the street opposite the main entrance of the Su House. But just before the turn, Xiao Jingyan suddenly grabbed the reins for some reason, and the action was so fierce that the mount under his crotch hissed, raised his front hooves, and the horse almost stood upright, and then fell to the ground, when Jingyan's hand loosened, the whole body fell from under the horse, and smashed heavily on the ground, scaring Meng Zhi who came later, and his body flew forward, holding him up, and hurriedly checking his body, if he was injured.

But Xiao Jingyan didn't seem to feel pain, and even as if he didn't notice anyone around him at all, his eyes locked straight on the corner of the street not far away, and his teeth clenched.

As long as he turned around, it was Su Mansion, and when he entered Su Mansion, he could walk in front of Xiao Shu, but he had to force himself to stop suddenly, even if he fell, he couldn't continue to move forward.

The guards of the East Palace had also caught up at this time, and under the command of Meng Zhi's gestures, they quickly closed around to isolate the prince and protect them, driving all the idlers passing by into the distance.

In the circular space enclosed by the human wall, Xiao Jingyan maintained the posture of sitting on the ground, covered with beads of sweat and bloodless face, and the whole person was in a daze for half a quarter of an hour, and then slowly stood up with Meng Zhi's support.

The mount that threw him off was beside him, and with a cool nose snorting, took the initiative to turn the horse's head over and bite the rider's sleeve. Xiao Jingyan reached out and touched its neck with a beautiful mane. As soon as he pressed the saddle, he turned over again, but the direction of the loose reins and the slow march was to come from the same way.

"Your Highness?" Meng Zhi was a little uneasy and caged the bridle. "You...... Do you want to go back to the East Palace? ”

"Let's go back to the palace...... Xiao Jingyan muttered, "since he won't let me know." Naturally, he has the trouble of doing this, so why should I have to add to his troubles in vain......"

Meng Zhi understood what he meant, and his heart was hot, and a hot bitterness welled up in his throat.

The guards of the East Palace Guard were well-trained and changed formations. The four-sided encirclement was changed to front and rear protection to cooperate with the operation of Prince Land. But contrary to the fierce wind when he came, Xiao Jingyan on the return trip seemed to be in a trance and confused as if the breath that was lifted on his chest was leaked out. He didn't know how to describe his current mood, if he was happy that his friend had survived, then why did he feel depressed about wanting to pull out a knife and cut open his chest? But if he deliberately concealed his resentment, then why did he feel so sorry that he could barely breathe?

Who is Lin Shu? Lin Shu is his proud, flamboyant, competitive, and never willing to bow his head and admit defeat, and his best friend is the silver-robed spear and roaring back and forth. Never know what the cold winter snow means, Xiaohuo is a young marshal of Chiyan who is happy and angry, and has never hidden any trace of emotion in his heart......

But who is Mei Changsu? He lowered his eyebrows and smiled. His voice was faint, and no one could see what he was thinking; He always embraced Qiu around the hearth. flashing with heavy eyes, calculating and sinister hearts; His face was forever pale as paper. Without the slightest breath of fresh air, his fingers were forever cold as ice. It seems to have the gloom of hell.

He is like the ashes of the ground after a raging fire has been extinguished, and although it is reminiscent of the flames that once existed, there is no longer the scorching heat and dancing posture of the flames.

Xiao Jingyan realized that he couldn't imagine this process of change at all, and when he thought about it, it was a pain that was deeper and darker than the starless and moonless night

Entering the East Palace, Meng Zhi personally came over to help Xiao Jingyan get off the horse, and when the new prince stepped on the white jade steps of the main hall of the East Palace step by step, he suddenly felt that he was stepping on the back supported by his friend's gritted teeth, and his feet were weak, and he couldn't help but sit in front of the steps. The commander of the forbidden army, who was supporting him on the side, also lowered his body, half squatting and half kneeling beside him.

King Ji and Yan Que, who were inexplicably thrown in the palace, rushed out, but they didn't dare to approach, so they could only watch from afar like the other East Palace guards.

"You've always known that, haven't you?" After sitting quietly for a long time, Xiao Jingyan finally raised his eyes and stared at Meng Zhi's face.

But the resolute man avoided his gaze, and he didn't know how to answer.

Xiao Jingyan clenched his teeth, and one hand clamped Meng Zhi's right wrist like an iron tong, and the palm skin was hot like fire, "How do you know?" Do you recognize it? ”

"Yes...... He was the one who contacted me......"

Xiao Jingyan's eyes were a little red, and he slowly read the name: "Xiaoshu...... Xiaoshu ...... He was my best friend, but why didn't he contact me first when he returned to the imperial capital for the rest of his life? ”

Meng Zhi slowly persuaded: "Your Highness Xiaoshu has different expectations for you than others, and you should understand his thoughts." ”

"yes...... I understand, if I don't understand, how can I come back like this......" Xiao Jingyan took a few breaths, but couldn't stop the trembling of his lips, "But Meng Qing, you have to tell me why he became the way he is?" What terrible thing happened to him? That's Xiaoshu! You and I both know what kind of person Xiao Shu is, I used to think that even if I broke his whole person and put it back together, he would always be the radiant Lin Shu......"

Xiao Jingyan's last sentence was just a metaphor, but in Meng Zhi's ears, it was as if a knife had pierced his heart, pulling in and out, making his face turn blue and yellow.

"You must know," Xiao Jingyan's eyes were hotter than the July sun, and he didn't relax and pressed straight over, "He won't say, I won't force him, but I want to hear what you say, what you say!" ”

"Your Highness......" Meng Zhi seemed to be completely suppressed by him in terms of momentum, but after lowering his eyes and bowing his head, he still shook his head and said, "I promised him......"

"Good" Xiao Jingyan didn't entangle with him too much. He stood up suddenly, and seemed to have finally regained the strength of his whole body: "Come on!" ”

"In!"

"Spare car. Enter the palace! ”

"Yes!"

Meng Zhi took a step forward, as if to dissuade him. But his lips moved a few times, but he didn't speak.

"Uncle Wang said that the marquis was rude. I have important business to attend to now, and I'll talk to you another day. Xiao Jingyan strode up the stone steps. He bowed to King Ji and Yan Que at the gate of the hall, but before these two could react, he had already turned around and rushed to the outer hall, jumped on the ground just about to drive, and the prince's car was still unstable, so he shouted: "Go!" Move fast! ”

The two people who were hanging at the door of the hall had to look at the front of the stairs with doubtful eyes, but in the end they only got a wry smile and a short sentence that could not be explained as an explanation: "It's a long story, let's talk about it later......"

Concubine Jing's palace is still a few late guests who have not left, and they have reported that the prince has arrived. These people rushed out to greet them. Xiao Jingyan had a faint smile on his face, and his return salute was very thoughtful, but the first thing he said after entering the hall was: "Mother." The child has brought you a gift that can only be seen by one person. Would you like to take a look now? ”

This sentence is said. The fool didn't understand, and the congratulatory guests hurriedly finished their final polite congratulatory words. They all said goodbye and went out, and not long after, the entire palace was clean.

Concubine Jing naturally had doubts about her son's departure and return, and when she saw him doing this, she immediately understood that there was something urgent to say, so she immediately retreated left and right and took him into the inner hall.

"Mother", Xiao Jingyan entered the hall and stood in the middle of the order, and asked straight to the ground: "What kind of disease does Xiao Shu have?" ”

Concubine Jing's whole body was shocked, and she almost stumbled a step by accident, but she immediately stabilized her mind and turned to look at her son steadily.

"You heard it right. I'm asking about Xiaoshu...... I don't think you're going to tell me you don't know who I'm referring to, are you? ”

The initial shock quickly passed, and Concubine Jing's expression changed from surprise to sadness, and she slowly sat down on the armrests of the seat.

"When Lin Shuai went out to travel under the pseudonym of heather, he saved his mother who was a medical woman, and then brought it back to the Lin Mansion to protect her, right?" Xiao Jingyan continued: "Mother's past has never been mentioned to me before, as long as you don't mention it, of course, others will not tell me." So when you talk about the old man, I never thought that the old man would be Lin Shuai......"

"And how did you end up perceiving the ground?" Concubine Jing asked with a sigh.

"I have something to do today, and I have a few words with Yanhou...... Xiao Jingyan stepped forward and squatted down in front of his mother's knee, "But these are not important, the important thing is ...... What the hell is wrong with him now? When you check his pulse, he cried, is he very sick? ”

Concubine Jing thought about it and nodded slowly: "It's very heavy......"

"So what to do?" Xiao Jingyan suddenly felt a flustered heart, and grabbed his mother's hand violently: "Xiaoshu is so trusting of his mother's medical skills, you should have a way, right?" ”

Concubine Jing pondered for a moment, lowered her eyelashes, covered her eyes, and said softly: "There are people around Xiaoshu who are better than me, and they must be able to keep him safe......

"Then how long will it take for him to be cured?"

"This ...... Maybe tomorrow...... Maybe next year ......"

If Xiao Jingyan could understand the true meaning of his mother's words, he would definitely jump up immediately, but unfortunately he didn't know, so he felt a little comforted: "No matter how long it takes, it can be cured." But why did a sick person look like this? Concubine Jing shook her head, "Xiao Shudi's appearance has changed, not because of illness, but because he has been poisoned by a fire and cold before, and after the detoxification, his body and appearance will change greatly......"

"Then he has changed, which means that the poison has been cured, right?" Xiao Jingyan was slightly pleased, "Because of detoxification, the body will become so weak and easy to get sick, and it takes time to recuperate, isn't it?" ”

Concubine Jing looked at him in a daze for a long time before nodding her head slightly, "Yes......"

"That's fine," Xiao Jingyan's tense whole body finally relaxed a little and stood up, "I understand why he couldn't recuperate in peace before, but I'll do it in the future, he just needs to concentrate on healing." Mother, is it the same symptom every time he gets sick? ”

"It depends on what the cause is, the symptoms of cold, exertion, and emotional agitation are different." Xiao Jingyan said categorically: "It's okay, Xiaoshu won't be tired from the cold anymore in the future." As for being emotionally happy, it shouldn't hurt, right? ”

"There is no harm in being happy at any time," because there was a sparkle in his eyes, Concubine Jing's smile looked a little sad, "You want him to be high."

"I know best what his wish is," Xiao Jingyan took a deep breath, his eyes shining, "I will speed up one day earlier, let him see the stigma and snow, and he will be more at ease when he recovers......"

"Jing Yan," Concubine Jing grabbed her son's hand and said extremely solemnly: "Don't take risks, the situation has reached this situation, maybe you can still afford to fail, but Xiaoshu can't stand it anymore, do you understand?" ”

Xiao Jingyan pursed her lips vigorously and nodded heavily: "Don't worry, mother, I know that you have to be in control, Xiaoshu is still watching from behind, and I won't come nonsense." ”

Concubine Jing's heart suddenly ached as if she had been stripped off, and she also knew that when Xiao Shu was watching, Jing Yan would insist on taking it step by step, but how long could Xiao Shu watch it? Can he hold on to the end with such hard work until the day when the Lin clan's tomb is rebuilt?

"Now that I think about it, I can understand why Xiao Shu refused to tell me," Xiao Jingyan saw her mother's sad expression, thinking that she was just remembering everything in the past, and felt sad, and couldn't help but hold her hand tighter, "If I had known his identity a long time ago, I probably wouldn't have come this way......"

"Jing Yan, you have become more and more calm and condensed for more than a year, and you are more and more worthy of dependence, Xiao Shu must be very pleased," Concubine Jing bit her lower lip hard, and her face finally regained her tranquility and gentleness, and said softly: "So you don't have to regret it, you don't have to be sad, you must calm down, don't add more troubles to him." ”

Xiao Jingyan pondered for a moment and nodded silently.

"Okay, let's go back to the palace. Later, His Majesty will come and say that he wants to discuss your wedding. In the next few days, Liu Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites will also go to the East Palace to report to you on the preparatory matters......"

"Mother" Xiao Jingyan frowned a little irritably, "Just do it according to the rules, how can I be in the mood to ...... now?"

"Jing Yan," Concubine Jing's face was slightly fierce, "You just agreed, you want to calm down and forget?" The big wedding is not for the scenery, the crown princess is the one appointed by your father, the old lady Liu, and his granddaughter is also plain and gentle, from His Majesty's side, he wants to determine your temperament with this, but for you, this marriage also has great benefits, at least you can't show contempt and sloppiness in your attitude, okay? ”

In fact, Xiao Jingyan has long understood these truths, but at the moment he was in a state of confusion, and complained casually, after being blamed by his mother, he knew that he was speechless, and he didn't dare to fight again, bowed his head and promised, and slowly withdrew from the East Palace, waiting with the attendants, and when he saw him come out, he hurriedly greeted him. Xiao Jingyan looked at the dazzling guard of honor of the prince, and felt even more troubled and tingling in his heart, where he was willing to go to the forbidden step, and walked out with a flick of his hand.

Meng Zhi waited in the corridor of the outer palace gate, although he was anxious, but his face was not very exposed. As soon as Xiao Jingyan appeared, he carefully examined his face, and saw that His Royal Highness seemed to have controlled his heart, and he was slightly relieved, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute strictly.

"Meng Qing is exempt." Xiao Jingyan glanced at him, and said lightly: "The government of this palace is gradually becoming more and more political, and it is inevitable that the practice of martial arts will be slack and regressive, Meng Qing is the first master of the Great Liang, and if you have anything to do in the future, please come to give me advice." ”

Meng Zhi understood what he meant, knelt down on one leg, and replied solemnly: "The ministers have the prince's decree." ”