The front hall of Weiyang is built on the high platform of the outer palace, and from south to north, the palace rises in turn. Xuanshu hall solemn swoop, located in the highest place of the palace city, the weather in winter and December has been very cold, Liu Ying put on a dark color, standing in front of the Xuanshu steps with his hands, overlooking the front hall of Weiyang, the splendid grand plan of the entire Han Dynasty, unfolded in front of him.

"Your Majesty," Han Changliu walked over from the porch, stopped behind him, and called softly.

Liu Ying replied lightly, turned around and asked, "Is there any news of Ah Yan?" ”

Han Changliu could hardly bear to answer, but there were some things that could not be decided by his will, so in the end, he could only reply softly, "No." ”

Then, he saw that the emperor's phoenix eyes instantly dimmed.

When his wife had an accident, Liu Ying was worried, and her mood was very anxious. The most unspeakable thing for him is that in his heart, he is the mother who doubts him the most.

He knew it shouldn't be,

But after thinking about it carefully, I have to admit that whether it is a scheming vassal king or a Hun thousands of miles away, in addition to the queen mother of Changle Palace, who can strike a thunderbolt and kidnap the queen of a country in Chang'an City, where he is sitting on the throne, without leaving the slightest trace?

And the queen mother's heart knot for Ah Yan has also intensified in recent years.

Over the years, there have been conflicts between wives and mothers. He saw it all. Ah Yan has an ego and is not willing to bend her waist. But the queen mother is a person who wants everything to go according to her heart. Since the death of Sister Lu Yuan, without Sister A in the middle, it has become more and more tense. He lived between the two of them and was very distressed, but before that, even if he was given thousands of opportunities, he would not have thought that the queen mother would make a move on Ah Yan.

At the beginning of the disappearance of his wife. Liu Ying regarded her mother as an opponent in her heart, and repeatedly deduced how she would plan if the queen mother intended to do something to Ah Yan, and how she would react in various situations. While making the appearance of searching through the whole city, he was cautious in his words and deeds, for fear of angering the queen mother, but falling into danger for Ah Yan. only quietly ordered people to secretly find the traces of everyone around the queen mother who might be used, hoping not to alarm the queen mother. Find Ah Yan's clues, so as to rescue his wife first.

However, time passed day by day. Lang Wei still didn't come out with good news, which made him couldn't help but be at a loss, and even couldn't help but wonder if he was going in the wrong direction. And every day she delays, Ah Yan will have one more day of risk. This heavy burden could hardly help but drive the young emperor crazy. Barely holding on. It's as if there is just one last bit of excitement that will explode.

Seventeen-year-old Zhang Yan sat in Lang Hall, listening to Lang Wei report again that he had not found the news, and suddenly got up and lifted the sword in his hand.

"I'll take someone to ask for it again."

"—Lu Hou," Ning Jiong grabbed him. Persuaded, "If it's too late today." These days, we have turned Chang'an City over twice. "Even if you go and personally lead people to search the whole city, you can't find any clues," No, it's better to be Hou Yihou. ”

Although his words were kind, Zhang Yan was worried about his sister. How do you listen to it? raised his head and stared at Ning Jiong, his eyes were already red. The tone is as cold as ice slag,

"That's not your sister, so you naturally don't take it to heart."

Ning Jiong was stunned, only to feel that the bruises on his forehead were rising.

He was originally an old minister of the palace when he was the crown prince, and after he ascended the throne, he was appointed as the commander of Langzhong, holding the responsibility of the emperor's security, although he did not have the position of a marquis, but he was really the emperor's most confidant. However, the young man in front of him is even more unusual, but he is the younger brother of Empress Zhang, the grandson of Empress Dowager Lu, even if he does not dare to offend easily, he has to suppress the anger in his heart and persuade peacefully,

"Lu Hou is anxious, and I naturally know it. It's just that this matter is not so simple, and I ask Lu Hou to calm down. ”

Zhang Yan calmed down a little, and then he understood that he was reckless.

After Sister A's accident, his emperor's uncle used himself because he was Sister A's younger brother, and he was the one who most hoped that Sister A'd could come back safely. But he doesn't have much practical experience, and if he really wants to find the traces of Sister A in the vast Chang'an City, he has to rely on Ning Jiong a lot. Over the years, he left the rich and comfortable Xinping Marquis Mansion and practiced alone in Luoyang, and he was no longer the self-willed prince of the Hou Mansion back then.

"Yan was reckless just now, please forgive Ning Jun."

Ning Jiong hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, "Luhou has a lot of etiquette, and the ministers don't dare to be it." ”

"It's just that Yan is really worried about my sister," Zhang Yan was already red, grabbed Ning Jiong's hand, and begged, "My sister and Yan have had a very good relationship since childhood, and something happened to my sister." Yan is really already in chaos, and I ask Ning Jun to help, if I can find my sister safely, Xinping Hou is grateful. ”

"Lu Hou is serious." Ning Jiong said, his voice a little helpless.

He looked at Zhang Yan's back and thought to himself, although Lu Hou is not very old, he is not too arrogant, and he can bend and stretch. has such a noble life experience, but he has no talent, and in this life, he is also in a high position without worrying about Song Wei. It's just Queen Zhang-

So many Lang Wei searched for Empress Zhang's traces, but to no avail. Come to think of it, the situation is mostly more than lucky. As the emperor's closest confidant, Lang Zhongling, over the years, the emperor has known about the queen's feelings, and he has become more and more frightened, and in the blink of an eye, he remembered the words that the emperor secretly ordered him, and he shuddered.

Empress Zhang had an accident in the two palaces so inexplicably, as the emperor who loved his wife deeply, Liu Ying was anxious and worried, it was a normal thing, but he would suspect that it was the Empress Dowager Lu who did it, so naturally it would not be groundless.

This royal affair, the son kills the father, and the father dies the son, is not uncommon. But killing each other to this point made Ning Jiong shudder.

As a minister of the Qiandi, he ascended from the dragon to the position of the lieutenant commander of the Shanglang. It can't help but say that the official luck is prosperous, but under the starry sky of Weiyang Palace on this day, I feel a chill in my heart, and I can't help but feel the idea of resigning and returning home when this matter is over.

It's better to go back,

Although this Chang'an is good, it is not a place to die of old age!

********

The brown-red lichen was woven with a soft cloud pattern, and Empress Lu got up from the dormitory, looking at the wrinkles that the corners of her eyes could not cover in the Vermilion Bird bronze mirror, and couldn't help sighing.

The years are unforgiving. No matter how heroic he is, he can't hold back the tail of the hurried passage of time.

On such an early morning, she suddenly remembered the former emperor Liu Banglai, who had been a guest for many years.

In the last years of his life, did he also feel so powerless?

She couldn't help but smile.

His pain at that time was the gospel of himself and Liu Ying, if Liu Bang was strong and strong, and he would reign for a few more years, would he be able to return to heaven and pass the position of this emperor to the hands of that wishful child?

A person's aging and death is a blessing to his relatives and children, then. Is he a man and a failure enough? Now, Liu Ruyi is dead, and Qi Yi is dead. Those who once upset her have died at her hands. She Lu Pheasant has never been a soft-hearted woman.

Su Mo came in with a copper basin, twisted the veil in the hot soup, and waited for Lu Hou to clean his face.

"What is Amour thinking?" Empress Lu asked casually, the corners of her eyebrows and lips. All with a smile on their faces.

"The slave is thinking," Su Mo stacked the handkerchief in the soup basin, took a vermilion lacquer grate, stood behind Empress Lu to comb her hair, and said cautiously, "There is no news from the queen these days." Princess Yuan and the queen mother and daughter have a deep relationship, if there is knowledge underground, how sad it should be! ”

Her splendour. Also went!

Lu Hou suddenly felt a sigh of sorrow in his heart.

But the anger gradually came up, slowly covering the sorrow in his heart.

She tugged at the corners of her mouth and smiled, "I'm also worried about Ah Yan!" But,"

"Maybe it's old."

She tilted her head, ignoring Su Mo's half-pulled green silk. Stand up. Su Mo didn't dare to pull her hair, and quickly let go. A head of gray hair was scattered, revealing the fact that she was already old, "The older you are, the more you believe in your fate." This thing in life cannot be avoided. If...... If something really happens to Ah Yan this time,"

She sighed gloomily, "Maybe, it's really fate." ”

"Smack," the grate in Su Mo's hand overturned on the ground.

Lu Houfeng's eyes were raised, and he turned around and asked with a smile, "Amour, what's wrong?" "It's like a smile.

"Nothing."

Su Mo was frightened, picked up the grate, and smiled reluctantly, "The slave was just careless, and she was shocked for a while." ”

"Really?" Lu Hou smiled slightly, and said meaningfully,

"Then Ammo should be careful, it doesn't matter if he is shocked for a while, if he is shocked for the rest of his life, it will not be good."

……

“…… The Marquis of Biyang interrogated his food and entered the Changle Palace once every few days" Lang Zhong ordered Ning Jiong to report the whereabouts found to the emperor, "During the period, he stayed in the Changxin Palace, and did not leave the palace until Shen Shi. ”

Sixty-four honey candles burned in order on two rows of lamp stands on both sides of the hall, illuminating the Xuanshu Hall as bright as day, and the candlelight shone on the emperor's tired complexion, dyed with a faint yellow color, and his eyebrows jumped a few times, Liu Yingfu asked again, "What about the people of the Lu family?" ”

"Among the people of the Lu family, Lihou Lutai did not go out, and he drank and had fun at home every day; Although Hou Lu Chan called friends to drink and have fun, and carefully investigated, there was no real outrage, and Hou Lu Ze and Wu Xin Hou Lu Lu Lu were all normal. It was Du Yanzhi, the captain of Changle Guard, who His Majesty had mentioned, and Zhang Ze, the great confidant, who secretly made people watch, and every move was under the eyes and ears of Lang Wei, and nothing suspicious was found. ”

Lang Wei is the emperor's most confidant force, most of them are from good families in the six counties of Longxi, and they are promoted by the emperor Jian, and they are only loyal to the emperor. It is the most elite force in Chang'an City. After spending so many days of hard work, she couldn't even find a clue about Ah Yan, Liu Ying felt irritable in her heart, and raised her voice to reprimand,

"Chang'an City is such a big place, it is impossible for the queen to disappear out of thin air, Lang Wei has been checking for so long, but he can't get anything back to me. Ning Jiong, I'm very skeptical, what the hell are you doing? ”

Ning Jiong was speechless and bowed, "The minister is incompetent." ”

Liu Ying closed her eyes, barely controlling her emotions, "Look for it again, if you can't find the queen-"

He didn't say any more.

Waved away Ning Jiong, he carefully thought about the possible loopholes, but he never had a clue, he couldn't help but feel anxious, walked quickly to the front of the case, took a pen to write an edict, unexpectedly touched the teacup, the hot water splashed out, splashed on the back of his hand, and exclaimed slightly.

"Everyone," Guan Sheng was startled and hurriedly rushed forward, "Do you want it?" ”

"Get out."

The emperor is already in the Dao.

The Emperor had always had a very gentle temper, and serving him was an excellent errand to do. Guan Sheng rarely saw that the emperor was so angry that he couldn't restrain himself, he didn't dare to pick up his edge, and retreated silently.

Liu Ying gasped and sat on the lichen of the Xuanshu Palace.

Chang'an City is so big. At the beginning of Ah Yan's accident, the Northern Army closed the Nine Gates of Chang'an in time. In the next three days, although the city gate was opened, the people entering and leaving were strictly searched, and no one could take Ah Yan out of Chang'an under such strict defense. Therefore, Ah Yan must still be in Chang'an City now. But, as he said, Chang'an City is so big, and Lang Wei has not found any trace of Ah Yan in Chang'an City three times before and after. Where is Ah Yan now?

When Ah Yan had an accident, he was extremely suspicious, and he didn't know the scheming vassal king who did it. is still his own queen mother in Changle Palace, and even more, the Huns thousands of miles away. But he was confident that no one would be able to rob his wife in Chang'an City without leaving a trace to be discovered by his own people. Apart from.

His own queen mother in Changle Palace.

Therefore, on the third day after Ah Yan's accident, he was sure that this incident was related to the queen mother.

For such a result, in his heart, I don't know whether to mention his heart or breathe a sigh of relief. After all. Ah Yan is a girl, if it falls into the hands of the queen mother, she will not be insulted by the side. But as a son. He also knew his mother very well. The queen mother has experienced hardships, her heart is fierce and ruthless, and when she likes a person, she likes it very much. But if you turn to hatred, move your hands. also leaves no room for anything, if you really hate Ah Yan. I'm afraid that Ah Yan will most likely be unlucky.

And he, unable to accept such an outcome.

Over the years, his authority as emperor has increased, and the influence of his mother has decreased compared with the early years of his accession to the throne. When Ruyi died in the Weiyang Palace, he couldn't disobey his mother, but he beheaded Yang Lishi, who did it himself. Everyone in Chang'an City knows that they are very fond of Empress Zhang, even if they are the queen mother, they cannot order someone to hurt Ah Yan under their wings without scruples. The only person she can use is her extreme confidant. He ordered Lang Wei to stare at the Lu family and the Empress Dowager's cronies and servants one by one, believing that he could always find the movements of these people and find out Ah Yan, but after so many days, he actually found nothing, even if he persuaded himself to calm down, he was a little panicked.

"See everyone."

In the Jiaofang Palace, Tu Yu led the palace people to meet the Tao.

Liu Ying nodded, "Let's go down." ”

Tu Yu trembled slightly, raised his head, revealing a pale and emaciated face, and wanted to say something, but looking at the tired and anxious emperor, he didn't say anything after all, sighed, and retreated with someone.

Liu Ying looked at the dormitory where Ah Yan had stayed, the eaves were still the same, the curtain was soft, and it was pulled up with a group ribbon on the waist, forming a soft arc. The lid of the gluttonous incense burner was lifted, and the newly added agarwood incense was still placed inside...... Everything is the same as Ah Yan's appearance, but the beauty has disappeared.

"Celestia—" The attendant's panicked voice came from the porch.

Princess Fanyang ran out of the side hall barefoot, plunged into her father's arms, and cried bitterly.

Liu Ying soothed, "Okay, don't cry,"

He picked up his daughter and said with a wry smile,

"What do you know, little ghost? Your aunt is devoted to you, and if she comes back, you must be filial to her. ”

Liu Zhi cried for a while. She couldn't understand Liu Ying's words, but Ah Weng's familiar embrace greatly relieved her anxiety about missing her mother these days, and her tears gradually put away, sobbing and choking, her eyes were red, and her big phoenix eyes were full of water.

Liu Ying only felt a sudden pain in her heart, and her thoughts about Ah Yan became more and more painful.

Yan, where are you?

Are you in an unknown place, but do you feel cold?

Are you afraid?

Liu Ying turned around, the curtain in the Jiaofang Hall hung low, wandering speechlessly, as if in the next moment, the beauty walked out of it, her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her eyes were like autumn water. couldn't help but get excited, and shouted, "Ah Yan," but in the next moment, I only smelled the fragrance of water, where was the figure of my wife.

Liu Ying suddenly felt sad.

Ah Yan,

Obviously, we spent a full moon yesterday, and the two are intimate. As long as you are with Ah Yan, I feel that this day is blue and sunny, there is nothing wrong with the world, there are some regrets in life, only if you have a heart, you can always make up for it, why suddenly, the strings take a sharp turn, from prosperity to decline, no way back?

Obviously, the night before, you were still by my side, bent your eyes, and said with a smile, "Wait a while, I'll make you a middle coat." Luckily? "Why did you leave on an ordinary morning the next day, and you were suddenly separated, and you could never be found again?

I'm still waiting for the middle coat you sew, but you're gone

I miss you so much, how can I go back to the days when I lost you, now that I have tasted the sweet life with you? A lifetime of solitary haggardness.

Liu Ying hugged her daughter's delicate body, only felt a throbbing pain in her heart, and hugged her daughter, "Your mother is so ruthless and left us." When she comes back, we will ignore her, okay? ”

Liu Zhi babbled and shook her head, glaring at Ah Weng.

People from two different worlds. knew that she couldn't hear her own words, but she felt like she was standing up for her mother and vigorously opposing her words. 、

Liu Ying smiled bitterly, felt sad again, and hugged her daughter tightly.

"Okay, this Weiyang Palace, now only our father and daughter depend on each other."

……

Chang Lu stood in front of the door of the Jiaofang Palace, waiting anxiously, and after a while, he saw the emperor come out with the eldest princess in his arms. Hurriedly greeted him,

"Everyone."

"Pack up the things of the eldest princess and send them to the Xuan Room Palace." Liu Ying commanded, his eyes swept over the court behind the Jiaofang Palace, "Give me a good look at the people in the court." There must be no chaos. ”

Han Changliu was taken aback, didn't dare to say any more, and bent down. "No."

……

Chang'an City is rumoring. All the hidden turmoil is hidden under the calm on the surface, for a while. The storm is coming.

Mrs. Zhou was dressed in a dark black Zhuyuan robe, stepped on the silk shoes of the cloud pattern, hurriedly led people out of the Wuxin Marquis Mansion, and said to the Zhongchang servant Kou An with a smile, "The eunuch came on the order of the Queen Mother, and the courtiers were late, so they were really lazy." ”

She is the wife of Wu Xinhou, the nephew of Empress Lu, and Kou An didn't dare to hold it up, squinted her eyes with a smile, and said kindly, "Mrs. Zhou is really polite, and the slave doesn't dare to be a slave." A while ago, Aru Niangzi was sick, and the Queen Mother was worried about Lu Niangzi, so she ordered the slave maid to lead Imperial Doctor Jiang to come to treat Aru Niangzi. ”

A hint of discoloration flashed in her eyes, and Mrs. Zhou quickly put down her thoughts, returned to normal, and said with a smile, "I see, Aru is loved by the Queen Mother, and my husband and I are really grateful." - Eunuch, please come with me. ”

She led Kou An through Wuxin Houfu to the garden where Lu Ru lived, wiped her tears and said, "The condition of the twelfth sister was very strong that day, and my husband and I were very worried about her. I ordered her to raise it in the garden, but fortunately, now it is finally better than before. ”

Kou An smiled slightly, "Madame is benevolent." ”

In the bedroom, Lu Ru was helped out by the maid Chun'er, and reluctantly bowed to Mrs. Zhou, "Aru has seen my sister-in-law." "Dressed in a white Zen robe, his body is thin like a shadow. adds a weakness, and it looks more moving than when he was in the palace before.

The smile in Kou An's eyes deepened, "Slave maid see Lu Niangzi." ”

He saluted respectfully, and said softly, "The slave maid came on the order of the Queen Mother to lead Imperial Doctor Jiang to treat Mrs. Lu's illness." ”

Lu Ru bowed reservedly, "Aru thanked the Queen Mother for her kindness." ”

The old lady doctor stepped forward and checked Lu Ru's pulse through the screen, and after a while, he withdrew his hand, got up and said, "Mrs. Hou, Lu Niangzi's condition has improved, if you want to come, you will be raised for a while, and you will be completely better." ”

"It's great."

Mrs. Zhou smiled heartily, "Her second brother and I are both worried." It is a blessing to be able to have such a good result now. It's Aunt Zhu, you should rest assured when you hear it. ”

Kou An smiled, bowed down and said, "In that case, the slave will go back to the palace first." Speaking of which, the Queen Mother is still waiting for Lu Niangzi to recover from her illness and take a look at it in the palace. ”

Kou Anshen entered the Wuxin Marquis Mansion at the end, Ning Jiong Youchu knew about it, he muttered for a while, and then went to the Xuanshu Hall to see the emperor.

Liu Zhi has been staying in the side hall of the pepper room since she was born, just arrived at the Xuanshu Palace, the child is very squeamish, so she chooses a bed, Liu Ying coaxed a few words, and when she fell asleep, she hurriedly came out of the apse and asked, "But what news does the queen have?" "There was anticipation in his eyes.

Ning Jiong hesitated for a moment, "There is no news on the whereabouts of the queen mother, it's just ......"

"How?"

Liu Ying's eyes sank.

"News came from the Wuxin Marquis Mansion that Kou An, the regular attendant of Changle Palace, was ordered by the Empress Dowager to visit Lu Twelve Niang in the Wuxin Marquis Mansion. Since then, Lu Niangzi's condition is said to have begun to improve. ”

The night sky above the Xuanshu Hall showed a bright inky blue, and Liu Ying looked at the sky, and suddenly a hateful desire rose.

Lu Twelve Niang, he knows.

He was reluctant to accept such a cousin, but after such a fierce conflict, he did not want to argue with his mother again in the short term, so he had no choice but to delay. After that, Lu Ru was seriously ill and sent back to the Wuxin Marquis Mansion, and he was also optimistic about his success.

In life, there are always some wishes that are hoped to be fulfilled.

He was a young man, he was supreme, and now he was wearing an imperial crown, sitting in the high Xuanshu Palace, looking like he was infinitely honored and had everything, but the wish in his heart was actually simple and simple: he just hoped that his family around him would be in harmony and stay with Ah Yan until he grew old.

But even such a little desire can't be realized.

When he was a young man, his mother taught him: As long as he can ascend to this throne, he will be able to control the world. But now he can't even protect his wife next to his pillow, so what's the point of him being this emperor?

"Someone," he commanded in a dull voice, "drive the Changle Palace." ”

Su Mo hurriedly came out of the dormitory, "See everyone." ”

"Get up." For this aunt who watched her grow up, Liu Ying was still quite respectful, and forced herself to say in a gentle tone. "I'll go see the queen mother." ”

"Everyone," Su Mo hurriedly stopped Liu Ying, "At this time, the Queen Mother has already fallen asleep." ”

"Oh?" Liu Ying stopped and said with a smile, "In this case, I will be light, and I will not wake up the queen mother." ”

Su Mo was stunned.

"How?" Liu Ying's face sank slightly, "Isn't it possible?" ”

The emperor and the queen mother are mothers and sons, even if they are close, they should be. Even though the queen mother has neglected the queen, for this emperor's son, after the death of the eldest daughter Lu Yuan, she is also regarded as the lifeblood of her eyes, and she feels distressed to the bottom of her heart. Where did Su Mo have the courage to speak to the emperor, and hurriedly bowed down and said, "The slave doesn't dare." ”

Empress Lu felt that he was walking in the vermilion hall of Changle Palace, with high eaves and high teeth, and he didn't hear people's words, it seemed that the entire Changle Palace, only one person, was in shock, and suddenly saw a woman walking on the front porch, and couldn't help but raise his voice and ask, "Who?" ”

The woman turned around, dressed in a yellow bright brocade deep coat, holding her spine, raising her gentle face, with a sad look on her face, it was none other than her beloved daughter Lu Yuan.

"Manhua,"

Empress Lu was overjoyed, "Why did you enter the palace and didn't send anyone to tell me?" When the voice came here, there was a sudden pause, and then I remembered that I and my daughter were already separated from each other.

Lu Yuan didn't speak, only knelt in the corner of the corridor, folded his hands on the ground in front of him, touched his forehead on it, and refused to lift it. Just as when she was dying, she propped herself up on the sickbed and entrusted a pair of children to herself.

She woke up from her dream suddenly, smelling the incense deeply, there was silence in the dormitory, the brown four-gauze tent above her head fluttered in the wind, and she was breathing a sigh of relief, when she suddenly saw her feet under the light of the lamp of the sheep's horn palace, a faint black shadow was cast on the bed screen on her side, this surprise was not trivial, and she called urgently, "Who?" ”

"Mother," the people around her had reached out and helped her sit up against the head of the bed.

"It's the Emperor." Empress Lu sighed.