stayed in the pavilion for a night, this night, Xiao Jinghao's mood returned from winter to autumn, and from autumn to spring, he suddenly turned pale, no matter how much Xiao Chengqi loved him and took good care of him, but compared with the world today, they are just chess pieces, and they are completely in Xiao Chengqi's hands.

But Xiao Chengqi's kindness to him and the warmth of his home are indelible facts, no matter what the purpose, he, Xiao Jinghao will protect him well in this life, including his country.

In the evening, when Xiao Chengqi saw Xiao Jinghao again, he knew from his resolute eyes that this kid did not disappoint him.

"Jing'er, do you know how many people covet this throne now, this time I hurriedly recalled you, I know that my time is running out, if I encounter an accident......" As he spoke, Xiao Chengqi couldn't help coughing a few times.

Xiao Jinghao's eyes were full of worry, and he patted Xiao Chengqi's back with his hand, "Grandpa Huang, what's wrong with you?" ”

"I'm fine, it's just that I occasionally feel cold, maybe I'm old, and it's not easy to get better. Listen, if there is a change in the court, you remember to go to Chen Zhangyuan of Guangling Academy, and General Tuha, who is in charge of the light cavalry battalion in the suburbs, they will know what to do......" Before he finished speaking, Xiao Chengqi began to cough a few times again.

He drank his tea, and then said, "There is one more thing, which is very important, I plan to let you marry Xia Bingning, the daughter of Xia Yan, the head of the Royal Forest Academy, what do you think?" ”

As soon as he heard this, Xiao Jinghao hurriedly returned, "Grandpa Huang, I'm still young, and I don't want to get married so early." ”

Xiao Chengqi knew from his flickering and evasive eyes that Xiao Jinghao had a sweetheart, if the world was peaceful, he would also want to fulfill Xiao Jinghao's wishes, but now that the storm is about to rise, every step they take is related to the future of the Tang Kingdom.

Thinking of this, Xiao Chengqi closed his eyes and said earnestly, "Jing'er, this is not a simple marriage, I know that you don't want to, you know that Xia Yan now controls more than half of the officials in the court, these officials are his protégés and former officials, and you can only inherit this throne more smoothly with his assistance." ”

"Grandpa Huang, I don't want to be a prince, I just want to protect you and the people I like, isn't that okay?" Xiao Jinghao said in a hurry.

"No, as a member of the royal family, I have never been capricious in power, I am rich all over the world, but I am also the poorest person." Xiao Chengqi's eyes were a little lonely, fleeting, he looked at Xiao Jinghao with a serious face, and said,

"I know what you think, you think about your imperial uncles, but they are not qualified candidates for the prince, your second imperial uncle is obedient and polite to me on the surface, but in fact he has already harbored evil intentions, he thinks I don't know his thoughts, I just want to see what he can toss into. It's not that I don't want to make him the prince, it's just that your second emperor uncle has no intentions, but he is actually a stupid person, and he is the most easily instigated by others to do some stupid things. ”

Xiao Jinghao was taken aback, thinking that the second emperor uncle likes to dance and write ink on weekdays, and rarely asks about the affairs of the court, how can he have such a different heart.

Seeing the suspicion in Xiao Jinghao's eyes, Xiao Chengqi continued, "Your Third Emperor Uncle has been haunted by the sickbed since the death of Concubine Yu, and for more than ten years, he has never been separated from the decoction, and I can't count on it.

As for your Fourth Emperor Uncle, he is even more reckless, cruel by nature, listening to the rumors in his house, often abusing people to death, I reprimanded him a few times before he relented.

Jing'er, you say, these sons of mine are of great use. Xiao Chengqi was hiding sadness in his eyes, as the lord of the world, none of his sons became successful, this is the biggest joke.

Xiao Chengqi looked at the window flowers, narrowed his eyes, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes gathered together, forming deep folds, he remembered the person who was sent away, I heard that he had just taken office as the head of Shiqi Academy, and he was a good successor.

Recently, Xiao Chengqi can always think of the back of that person when he was sent away, and he walked so resolutely. Xiao Chengqi didn't know if he would be able to see that person again in his lifetime. In fact, he only needs to issue an edict to meet that person, but he can't.

After walking for a while, Xiao Chengqi continued, "Jing'er, when he inherits the unification and the country is stable, you can have any kind of woman you want, now, you must marry the daughter of the Xia family." It is not yet known who the person who spread the drawings was, and what their intentions were. Let's just say that the remnants of the old Xia and Shang countries are always making trouble, if civil strife breaks out, the Tang country is in danger, you should know which is more important. ”

"Grandpa Huang, I can rely on you for anything, but the woman I want to marry is not Xia Bingning, the woman I want to marry, she is Liu Xiyun, the daughter of the Liu family in Yuncheng." Xiao Jinghao got up and knelt heavily.

Xiao Chengqi's black pupils became stern and ruthless, just like what he said, "Jing'er, you can like anyone, but the daughter of the Liu family, if you want the person you like to be safe, it's best to do what I say." ”

At this moment, Xiao Jinghao felt that Xiao Chengqi didn't look like the person who would give him a warm embrace, he had taken off his kind mask and put on the emperor's face, maybe this was what Xiao Chengqi originally looked like.

Xiao Jinghao wanted to say something, but he was stuck in his throat and it was difficult to speak. Because he knew that whatever he said was useless, and maybe it would affect Liu Xiyun.

After that day, Xiao Jinghao locked himself in the room, no longer went out, and drank and got drunk every day. Xiao Jinghao in the past, maybe he will never come back, he has become a puppet of the imperial power, he is bound hand and foot, and he cannot be turbulent.

Two days later, an edict was sent to Xia Mansion, pointing Xia Bingning to Xiao Jinghao for marriage.

Xia Yan stood in the hall with his hands behind his back, holding the edict in his hand, with a trace of fierceness in his eyes, making his originally elegant face even more hideous and terrifying, and he held the edict tightly, as if he wanted to crush it.

"Master, are you moving ahead of schedule?" It was the housekeeper Xia Xin who spoke, with thin cheeks and a pair of eyes that were as good at catching as a cat.

"Miss, are you settled?" Xia Yan didn't turn around, he let go.

"Master rest assured, it has been settled in Tianshui City, and in a few days, Shiqi Academy will start the exam, and the young lady will definitely enter." Xia Xin's voice was thin, and when he spoke, it made people feel harsh, so he lowered his voice.

Xia Yan handed the edict to Xia Xin, and only said two words, "Burn it." Xia Xin took the edict as usual, and walked towards the door, without saying a word, his expression calm.

"I want my daughter to marry you, wishful thinking. Meng'er, our daughter is becoming more and more like you, and in the near future, I will be able to avenge you, you have to wait for me. Xia Yan took out a piece of jade pendant from his arms, it should be said that this is not a complete jade pendant, because this is just a fragment of a jade pendant, there are countless small gaps on it, and the pattern is also difficult to distinguish.