In the winter of Chang'an, thunder resounded in the sky.

The thatch incense curls around in the Xuanshu Hall. At the end of the year of each year, it is the busiest time for the Han Dynasty, after the beginning of the year, Xiangguo Cao Shen reported the last year to the book of various places, Liu Ying was reading at this time, Han Changliu entered the hall, and reported respectfully, "Your Majesty, someone in the Jiaofang Palace asks to see." ”

Liu Ying didn't raise her head, and replied, "Let her in." ”

He was careless, and he didn't see the strange look on Han Changliu's face.

After a while, he heard the sound of soft boots on the ground, and the footsteps of the man were very soft, like a dexterous cat.

He waited for a while and asked, "Is Empress Zhang's body well?" ”

Not hearing a respectful answer, the girl complained, "Since my uncle is still worried about Ah Yan in his heart, why didn't he come to see me?" ”

Liu Ying was taken aback, and hurriedly looked up and saw Zhang Yan and Tingting standing in front of the hall.

She was dressed in an ordinary black female official costume, and her hair was also coiled into an ordinary bun, because of the natural quality of jade, not only did she not see the old spirit, but she also showed the white and delicate skin on her neck, and the fragrance was vein. And the first recovery from a serious illness, the thin body is pitiful.

He pressed the pity in his heart and put down the Chinese book in his hand, "Ah Yan, why did you come here yourself?" Pretending to be nothing, he smiled, and his voice was normal.

"I'm not coming," Zhang Yan said angrily, "will you go over to see me?" ”

"Uncle," she softened again, and said softly, "I haven't seen you for a few days, I miss you so much." ”

Liu Ying frowned, embarrassed, "Ah Yan, you see, I'm busy with everything here, and I really can't spare time." Be well-behaved, I'll go to the pepper room in a few days to see how you're doing? ”

This was obviously perfunctory, Zhang Yan was annoyed and asked, "Are you so busy that you don't need to rest at night?" Can't find a moment to come and see me? ”

She burst into tears, "Uncle." If Ah Yan really has anything bad, you can beat or scold, but for the sake of our relationship for many years, at least, don't ignore me. ”

Liu Ying sighed and said, "Silly girl." "The gaze is sad.

He got up, walked up to him, put his hand on the top of Zhang Yan's forehead, and slowly stroked it down along the soft and smooth green silk. "There's nothing bad about you. Never. ”

The really bad thing is me.

She pursed her lips and smiled, and turned to hug him. Yan Yan said on his back, "Then you will accompany me back to the Jiaofang Hall tonight, okay?" ”

"......" Liu Ying found that her jaw was difficult and she couldn't spit out a bad one.

"Your Majesty." The door of the hall was open, and the Tsing Yi attendant walked in with an ancient book. Excitedly called, "The minister found what you want-" Suddenly stunned, he saw a pair of tightly embracing figures in the hall.

The girl was covered by Liu Ying's wide back, and because of her petite figure, she only saw a bright green silk and a dark female official costume.

"Bold." Hong Ru only felt sour in his heart, so he raised his voice and reprimanded, "You dare to look at the palace rules." Confuse the court and go to the Xuanshu Hall to seduce Your Majesty. ”

The "female officer" sneered, poked her head out of His Majesty's arms, and reprimanded, "What are you? The following offenses are committed. The emperor's family affairs, it's your turn to criticize? ”

Emei Juan Xiu. Her eyes are like apricots, isn't it Queen Zhang Yan?

"Get out of here." She pointed at Hong Ru and scolded.

"Ah Yan," Liu Ying frowned, pressed her hand, and scolded lightly, "As a queen, you shouldn't be so disrespectful." ”

Zhang Yan was stunned for a moment, and the tears of grievance swirled in her eyes.

Her uncle actually sheltered Hong Yu more than her.

Hong Ruben was frightened by Queen Zhang's strength and took a step back, and at this time, seeing His Majesty reprimanding the queen in person to defend himself, he suddenly felt bold, and bowed again, "The minister didn't know that it was the queen's mother, and he dared to offend." It's the minister's sin, but—" He sneered and raised his delicate chin, "Even if it's the queen's mother, don't you know that this Xuan Room is your Majesty's daily administration?" The queen is also a harem lady, so it is a violation of the palace rules. ”

Zhang Yan laughed angrily and asked, "Hong Shizhong, this palace asks you, what is the prime minister?" ”

"This?" Hong Ru opened his mouth and stammered, not knowing what Zhang Yan meant.

"In the Zhou system, the nobles sacrificed the heaviest, and the sacrifice was the heaviest, and before the slaughter of cattle to the gods. So for the princes of the Son of Heaven and the ministers of your family, the housekeeper was called Zai. The Han Dynasty inherited the system of Zhou and Qin, turned the family into a country, and the head of the family became the largest official and prime minister who managed the country for the emperor. Since the prime minister is just a descendant of the emperor's retainers, why can't I, as the wife of His Majesty, stand in this Xuanshu Palace? ”

"This ......" Hong Ru was smashed by her big reason, and there was no way to refute it.

Zhang Yan continued to be aggressive, "Back then, the first emperor and his ministers discussed state affairs in the court of Changle Palace, and the queen mother listened in the east chamber. The Queen Mother is also the queen. What's the matter, does Hong Shizhong think that the Queen Mother violated the palace rules back then? ”

Sweating profusely, Hong Ru unconsciously looked at Liu Ying for help.

Liu Ying didn't notice the movement of his favored ministers, he just stroked his forehead and sighed, Zhang Yan's teeth were sharp, he saw it today.

It's just that he was afraid that he would be alone in the palace with Ah Yan, so he didn't dare to let Hong Ru retreat, so he was ruthless, pushed Zhang Yan away, and said with a straight face, "What Hong Ru said also makes sense." You'd better go back to the pepper room first. ”

She was stunned for a moment, and she couldn't come back to her senses.

Uncle, do you really like Hong Ru so much, like it, and don't hesitate to scold me for him?

Zhang Yan was angry and glared at Hong Ru fiercely. What's so good about this little white face with red lips and white teeth that you would rather accommodate him than coax me?

Liu Ying, do you really refuse to love me?

While waiting, I can bear you with those harem concubines who don't have them. However, I can't accept that you will have a male pet.

That would make me feel like a failure, not as good as a man.

Liu Ying walked to the door of the Xuanshu Hall and called, "Someone-" Suddenly hearing a groan behind him, Zhang Yan squatted on the ground with her head in her hands.

Han Changliu was ordered to enter the palace, and when he saw Zhang Yan like this, he was startled, and hurriedly asked, "Queen Mother, what's wrong with you?" ”

Zhang Yan's face turned pale, and she bit her lip into a deep mark, "I have a headache." ”

Before the words fell, Liu Ying picked her up and ordered, "Changliu, Doctor Xuan ordered to go to Jiaofang Palace." ”

It wasn't until the emperor's figure disappeared outside the palace gate that Hong Ru came back to his senses in a daze.

Han Changliu smiled faintly. Instructed Xiao Huangmen to go to the Imperial Doctor's Office to summon the Imperial Doctor's order, only then did he turn around and say with a smile, "Hong Shizhong, Your Majesty is gone, what are you still kneeling here?" ”

Hong Ru was embarrassed and asked, "Han Changliu, why didn't you tell me that the queen mother was in the palace?" ”

Chang Liu raised his eyebrows and said, "I told you not to enter the temple at this time." But have you listened to me? ”

"You?" Hong Ru instantly understood and accused him. "You did it on purpose."

Chang Lu smiled slightly, did not admit or deny it, and only said lightly, "No matter what, Empress Zhang's status in His Majesty's heart." You see it too. If you have self-knowledge, Hong Shizhong will restrain a little in the future. ”

Jiaofang Palace

Liu Ying walked into the room, put Zhang Yan on the bed, and asked worriedly, "Ah Yan, how are you now?" ”

She has had headaches since she was a child. and the beginning of a serious illness, if it starts—

Zhang Yan raised her head from his arms, her cheeks flushed. The corners of the lips are slightly upturned.

Liu Ying was stunned for a moment, immediately understood, and couldn't help but annoy, "Zhang Yan-"

"Uncle." She reached for the hem of her shirt and shook it flatteringly. "Don't be angry. Ah Yan is just sad, I'm afraid you won't like me anymore. Now. Seeing you so nervous about me," she bowed her head contentedly, "my heart tightened with joy. ”

He looked at the smiling girl in front of him, like a brilliant apricot blossom on the Wei Plain, obviously so beautiful, but his heart was full of sadness, and the previous annoyance and shame were slowly soothed by this sadness, and said lightly, "Ah Yan, if you are in the Xuanshu Hall today, in the future, you don't say it again." ”

"Huh?" Zhang Yan raised her eyebrows and wondered, "Which one?" ”

He didn't answer her, but said differently, "Ah Yan, you must always remember, uncle, will always be your uncle." ”

She was stunned, and suddenly understood the meaning of his words. His face turned pale, he smiled reluctantly, pretending to be carefree and incomprehensible about the world, and smiled innocently, "I've always known that." You are my uncle and my husband. Isn't it, uncle-in-law? ”

Liu Ying sighed and pulled her hand away, "Silly girl," he looked at the little girl in front of him, with a faint sadness in his eyes that could not be dissolved, "I really like you." But I just regard you as the little Ah Yan from the past, so, Ah Yan, I can only be your uncle. ”

She calmed down and asked, "What does Uncle want to say?" ”

Liu Ying pursed her lips and smiled, but changed the topic again and asked, "A few days ago, you often went to Taixue, didn't you have a lot of fun?" ”

"Uh, it's okay." Zhang Yan was a little stuck, and she was about to lose track of Liu Ying's speed.

He asked gently, "Do you like anyone?" ”

She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly raised her eyebrows and asked in a cold voice, "What do you mean by this?" ”

"I've thought about it." He smiled casually, "Ah Yan, you are still young now. I can't help you, but I can't bear to let you be trapped here for the rest of your life. In a few years, I will have more authority in my hands, and I will be able to arrange for you to leave the palace under the pretext that the queen has died of illness. The Han clan had marriages with each other and knew each other well. I can't find a home for you. But the students who came out of Taixue were different. They are relatively simple, and they will not be able to merge or compete with the old elites in the short term. I can choose a handsome man from among them, marry you to him, and send you to the local area as a county guard, and never enter Gyeonggi for the rest of my life, so that no one will find out, and I can take care of you for the rest of my life. He smiled, "I look at that Yan Zhu is good, he is still young, and his talents and appearances are all in ordinary people." ”

She cried, "Who cares who is that Yan Suke?" How could I ever have looked at him more? There is a saying: one horse does not do two masters, and one daughter does not marry two husbands. I'm glad to watch over you. You don't have to bother with that. ”

"Ah Yan," Liu Ying couldn't cry or laugh, shook her head and persuaded again, "We don't pay attention to these things." Besides, you and I are not really married, so why bother," he hesitated, "so mind?" In fact, at the beginning, Lü Wei went out privately with others, and I searched for them with the intention of others, and later found their whereabouts in Zhuo County, so I ordered Zhuo County to take care of them privately. Now, although their husband and wife are poor, they are also harmonious and beautiful, and it is also a good thing. ”

"She's her, I'm me." Zhang Yan sobbed and said, "Am I the same as her?" Liu Ying, I am your wife who has six ceremonies, 20,000 catties of gold to marry into Weiyang Palace, and have eaten with the same prison, and worshiped the spiritual position of the ancestors of the Liu family in front of the high temple, which can be proved by heaven and earth. None of this is true. You hate me like that? Do you have to throw me away and look at me again to be at ease? ”

"Ah Yan," Liu Ying smiled wordlessly, squatting in front of her, and looked at her at eye level, "You are my Yanqing, how can I bear to never see you again for the rest of my life?" Now you're too young to feel it. But when you grow up one day, you won't find what you want in me. I'm afraid we hate each other. Torture each other. You're good, and I'm not wrong, but this line that connects us. Wrong. ”

"Liar, liar." She couldn't be annoyed, "Neither the law nor secular ethics have ever said anything about being an uncle." You can't marry a niece. Why are you so stubborn," she pleaded expectantly, taking his hand, "you've let me so many times, let me do it again, okay?" ”

He smiled wryly. Picking her hair strands, a kiss gently fell on her forehead.

Zhang Yan's tears fell.

His lips. It was cold, and it fell on her warm forehead, which was sweet and snuggling. She tried hard to warm him. only to find that no matter what, his own temperature is his own. It couldn't reach his lips.

It was a very clean kiss without a hint of *flavor.

It was the first time he had kissed her. But it's to say goodbye.

"Yes, the law doesn't say no, and ethics doesn't say no, but," he said, putting his hand to his heart, "I'm here and all the time saying, no." ”

"And what if, if," a hint of hope welled up in her eyes, "what if I wasn't your niece?" Can you just let me stay around? ”

And then fall in love.

He was stunned,

Silly boy, many things are not easy to do.

So he smiled disappreciatively, "That's not going to happen." ”

His voice was extremely cold, "Even if you are not my sister's daughter, your father is still Zhang Ao, the Marquis of Xuanping, and in terms of etiquette, you still have to call me uncle." ”

The color in her eyes immediately turned gray.

"Alright, Ah Yan." Liu Ying got up and said, "I've already said everything I need to say." I hope you understand my intentions," he said after a moment of bitterness, gritting his teeth, "Uncle, it's always good for you. ”

Even if I cut a blood in my heart, I will, smile, and watch you leave.

"Rest. I'm back in the room. ”

He started to leave, but was stunned to find that a pair of soft hands were wrapped around him and hugged him tightly.

"Your Majesty," she said vaguely, laying her head in his back, "when you're done, isn't it time to listen to me?" ”

"Yes, I know, you have some moral cleanliness on top of those so-called moral ethics. So I always feel that we are together, we can't get happiness, and we can't barely come; But helplessly, I'm also a little emotionally clean. There are so many good men in this world, but if I don't like it, I can't come and go with him. Therefore, if I can't leave this Weiyang Palace, for me, there is actually no difference at all. ”

"You don't have to bother with me."

Liu Ying suddenly felt that her heart was very painful, something was very sharp, and she tore it through a hole, and then countless quicksand poured in. The little girl behind him is like a quicksand, and he has already stepped into half of his feet, if he doesn't pull out his feet and leave immediately, what awaits him is a deep fate.

"Ah Yan," he called urgently, "let go." ”

"Don't let go, don't let go." She cried loudly, "I think if I let it go, you really don't want me anymore." ”

**************

All the sounds are quiet, the winter rain rustles on the Jiaofang Palace, and occasionally a winter thunder, rumbling by, long and long.

Xie Wei held the lamp in his hand and cautiously entered the temple to check.

"Your Majesty and Niangniang, what's the matter?" Outside the hall, Mu Xi asked quietly.

The older female officer made a silent gesture, blew out the candle, and whispered, "It's okay, they're all asleep." ”

"What's so strange about that," Mu Xi pouted, "It's not the first time Your Majesty has stayed in the Jiaofang Palace. Well, it seems that Your Majesty still loves the queen very much, this time, the wind and rain in the Jiaofang Palace are over, right? ”

"yes?" Relieve worries and open your mouth, and stop talking again.

What she didn't say was that this time, unlike before, was the first time that His Majesty and the Empress had slept together at night.

The thatch fragrance is faint and helps people sleep peacefully.

In the gorgeous and solemn Jiaofang Palace, the four tents are covered with a wide Nanmu bed, the fire is fierce, and there is an occasional crackling sound, which maintains the hall at a warm temperature. Under the cover of the soft brocade, the petite girl hugged the young man tightly from behind, although there were tears on her cheeks, but there was a faint warm smell in the air.

-- Volume 2 The Mountains Have Trees, and the Trees Have Branches

**************

Because it's the last chapter of the volume, it's half as much as usual. Therefore, the time of sending it is relatively late.

Mmmm, sad sweetness.

So, begging for a pink ticket?

Guess what title I'll use for the third volume. Hee-hee.