The Mansion of the Eldest Princess of Qi Kingdom.

Chu Zhixia sat by the small red clay stove and cooked tea skillfully. Chu Zhixia was wearing a lake-blue dress, the white jade earrings swayed gently with the movements, like a crescent moon on a branch, and the hand holding the sword was also particularly pleasing to the eye.

Bai Yi sat opposite Chu Zhixia, watching her every move unabashedly, with childish curiosity and bright temptation in his eyes.

"This is my first time in the Eldest Princess's Mansion." Chu Shixia smiled lightly and said, "When I received the invitation, I was taken aback. ”

"Are you so surprised?" Bai Yi held his cheeks and said with a smile, "Ziche asked me to relieve Your Majesty for you before, he won't tell you nothing, right?" ”

Chu Zhixia was stunned for a moment.

Bai Yi sighed slightly complainingly and said, "He really didn't say anything, and I can't sell this favor." ”

Chu Zhixia came back to his senses and said with a slight bow: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cares about and cares, and Mo Xue is flattered. If the eldest princess had an order, Mo Xue would not refuse, but it would be okay to say it. ”

"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point." Bai Yi's fingertips swiped the white porcelain cup and said, "This is the first time you have seen me, but it is not the first time I have seen you." ”

Chu Shixia was not surprised.

Xu Yan's appearance confirmed that Bai Yi had been secretly observing Chu Zhixia or Bai Ziche's movements, and perhaps she was the first person in the imperial capital to see through the situation.

"Before, I only heard that the eldest lady of the Chu clan in the clouds is arrogant, but everything you do, the result seems to be good for you. So I paid attention to your every move by Yan Ruhai, and what you did in the Jade Fang made me very interested. ”

At that time, Jiang Qiao was still an unidentified Youling, but Chu Zhixia rescued her several times, and even cooperated with her. This kind of "heroes don't ask where they come from" atmosphere extended to Bai Ziche, so that when Chu Zhixia and Bai Ziche joined forces, Bai Yi was not surprised for too long.

"So, I observed you up close at Mochizuki Tower."

Chu Zhixia raised his head in surprise.

Guangling Jiang's Moon Tower, Chu Zhixia only went to it once, in order to seize the priceless blue-eyed snake gall.

"Yan Ruhai is the guest who suddenly increased the price." Chu Zhixia had an epiphany.

"Yes." Bai Yi admitted calmly, and said, "Although I don't know what you did with the blue-eyed snake gall, I see hope in you. ”

"Hope?"

"Hope for a game-breaker."

Bai Yi leaned forward slightly, staring at the reflection in Chu Zhixia's eyes, and said with hope: "Since my father Emperor Ling ascended the throne, the world has fallen into a dead end. In other words, the family heirloom world will inevitably fall into a dead end. The family was involved behind the bloodline, the party struggle was involved behind the family, and the bureaucracy was so complacent to protect its interests that the imperial dynasty came to a standstill. ”

"The way of kings and ministers, the code of ethics is often a weapon to maintain the rule, but it is also the main culprit that causes the world to come to a dead end. The right to inherit the unification based on the elders and youngsters may be safe and sound in prosperous times, but it is a disaster to the country in troubled times. Bai Yi's eyes burned and said, "Da Zhou needs someone to break the rules, and you are that person." ”

Chu Zhixia was praised by her and his scalp was numb, and he touched the tip of his nose and said, "It sounds like praising me, and it seems like saying that I am deviant." Appreciation, Mo Xue received it. The eldest princess praised falsely, Mo Xue was really ashamed, please have something to say. ”

Bai Yi retreated to his seat, straightened his clothes, looked at Chu Shixia, and said solemnly: "Then I'll say it bluntly, I hope you marry Ziche." ”

Chu Shixia's hand shook, and he almost poured the entire bowl of boiling water on his knees - if it weren't for the wrong timing, Chu Shixia would have thought that this bowl of water had actually been poured into the eldest princess's brain.

"With all due respect," Chu Zhixia said, "your request is too presumptuous. ”

"As far as I know, Your Majesty has not yet granted you and the King of Jin a marriage." Bai Yi said sensibly.

"So what?" Chu Zhixia was a little irritable.

"Yu Gong, Zi Che will undoubtedly fully support Yunzhong's war against Beidi, and when Yunzhong returns triumphantly, Beidi will not be able to form an army, and the military and political power of the Chu clan will always be recovered. If you marry Zi Che, the transfer of power can be carried out in the gentlest way, which can not only maintain the honorable status of the Chu family, but also ensure the stability of the imperial dynasty. I admire you very much, in such a turbulent situation, you are undoubtedly the best candidate for the Empress of the Great Zhou. ”

Chu Zhixia didn't say anything, and ordered tea smoothly, as if he completely ignored the eldest princess.

"For selfishness, Ziche admires you."

Chu Zhixia's hand did not tremble at all, and it was as steady as a rock.

Bai Yi revealed this earth-shattering secret in one word, but there was only the curling fragrance of tea in the air, and he was not shocked.

"Ziche had a very hard time when he was a child, and he had very few things. It is impossible for Your Majesty to let you go back to the clouds, if you want to go home justifiably, unless Ziche succeeds you. But how can you be sure that after he holds power, he is really willing to let you and King Jin go? ”

Chu Zhixia pushed the hot and mellow tea in front of Bai Yi, without raising his eyelashes, "Your Royal Highness the eldest princess, everything in this world that concerns people's hearts has always been a big gamble. ”

"But I've already placed a bet, and I won't waver."

Bai Yi's expression shook slightly.

"So, I refuse."

——

The emperor was sick.

Wang Xi was shocked and didn't dare to let people know the news.

He is not as deep as Wang Xianfushu, and he is not as good as Xu Delu to bend his knees and rely on the emperor to be domineering. On the one hand, Wang Xi asked the imperial doctor to carefully diagnose and treat him, and on the other hand, he asked the palace attendants of Weiyang Palace to not disclose the emperor's illness in the slightest, and said in the beautiful name "lest the ministers be chaotic and shake the court".

"What's the noise out there?" The Emperor woke up in a drowsy illness and asked weakly.

"Back to Your Majesty, it's His Royal Highness the Sixth who came to visit." Bai Shan hesitated, "Does Your Majesty want to see you?" ”

"Is he really coming to see me, or is he coming to see for his fourth brother how many days I have to live?" The emperor slammed the bed weakly and said, "No, let him go." ”

"Your Majesty, let's see you." Bai Shan knelt in front of the bed with a "plop", and said tremblingly, "Weiyang Palace is surrounded by Wang Xi inside and outside like an iron bucket, lest he have bad intentions and harm Your Majesty!" ”

The emperor struggled to stand up and slapped Bai Shan in the face. The emperor was weak in his illness, and this slap was not painful, but it was full of humiliation.

"Are you going to turn your back on me!" The emperor said angrily, "Bai Ziche is a wolf, I haven't died yet, he is in a hurry to buy people's hearts, count the days and wait for me to die, so that he can sit on the throne!" I really misjudged him! ”

"Your Majesty is angry!" Bai Shan kowtowed again and again, "The dragon body is important." ”

At this moment, Wang Xi walked in with a smile on his face and bowed to the emperor.

"Back to Your Majesty, Your Highness Sixth has already gone back, and you will not disturb Your Majesty's rest again."

——

Bai Ziche hurriedly walked into the hall, and heard a sobbing sound in the distance. He has always behaved moderately, even if he was reprimanded by the emperor for pouring wine, he was not shocked, but at the moment he was in a mess. Chu Zhixia followed closely behind Bai Ziche, pulled his sleeve, and shook his head at him.

Bai Ziche glanced at her and calmed down a little.

"His Royal Highness the Prince, the Sixth Highness will cry when he comes back, and he won't let people deal with his wounds." Fuiyun said anxiously, "Go and have a look!" ”

Bai Yan's pants were pulled up to his knees, revealing a hideous wound that was bleeding outward. He was crying quietly, but as soon as he looked up and saw Bai Ziche entering the door, he immediately opened his throat and cried, and plunged into the helpless Pei Yao's arms.

Bai Ziche ignored Bai Yan's dodge, pulled his calf hard, looked at the shocking wound and gritted his teeth secretly, and said, "This is what Wang Xi did?" ”

"Ah Yan went to Weiyang Palace to visit His Majesty, but His Majesty didn't see him, so he only asked Wang Xi to come out and send him. Ah Yan has always disliked eunuchs, and had an argument with Wang Xi, and fell on the steps during a scuffle. Pei Yao said gloomily, "His Royal Highness the Prince, what are your plans for this matter?" ”

"Treat the wound first." Bai Ziche said.

"I don't want it!" Bai Yanfan got stubborn and cried loudly, "Let me die of pain, anyway, my father would rather see that eunuch than see me!" ”

Bai Ziche was remorseful, knowing that Bai Yan was actually accusing him of accusing him of avoiding eunuchs as the prince of a country, and not causing trouble to Bai Yan.

"Sixth Highness, let's bandage the wound first." Chu Zhixia half-truthfully fooled, "In the middle of winter, if you let the wound bleed, the lower limbs will be numb and paralyzed, and the bad blood will be reversed, but you will have to use a hacksaw to cut it off to save your life." ”

Bai Yan's cry choked violently, and he looked at Chu Zhixia in horror.

Chu Zhixia successfully bluffed him and beckoned the sweaty imperial doctor. Bai Yan's wound looked scary, but fortunately, it was only a skin wound and did not hurt the bones. The physician simply stopped the bleeding from the wound, prescribed two more medicines that would help the wound recover, and fled from the cloudy temple.

Bai Yan cried heartbreakingly and slowly fell asleep. Bai Ziche wiped the sweat from his forehead for him, and then slowly withdrew from the hall with Chu Zhixia.

"I didn't expect Ah Yan to ......"

"It's kind of a favor for us." Chu Shixia comforted him, "After today, Wang Xi must be even more impatient. ”

"Yes." Bai Ziche exhaled a breath of white air from his lungs and said, "Mo Xue, are you afraid?" ”

"Killing people is not enough, what am I afraid of?" Chu Zhixia smiled, tightened his collar, and said, "Your Highness has doubts? ”

"Nope." Bai Ziche shook his head and said, "I just suddenly remembered when I was a child. ”

The snow fell heavily.

In the quiet wind and snow, the bright yellow glazed tiles are covered with a light layer of hoarfrost. The horns of the beast heads crouching at both ends of the roof ridge were hideous, coldly reflecting the palace people advancing in the snow. The lights were like pearls, scattered in the dim palace city.

"At that time, I lived a precarious life, and I didn't dare to breathe hard, for fear that one day Bai Yu remembered my existence and drowned me in the koi pond, and I slowly rotted under the dark mud. The only person who will collect my body is probably my teacher. ”

"I don't have any talent with Danqing, so I can only work harder than other painters. For other painters, Danqing is a stepping stone to a bright future. For me, Danqing is a lifesaver for me. I was looking forward to being forgotten by my father, or simply letting me out of the palace. I don't dare to think about it when I see the famous mountains and rivers, I just want to guard a piece of eaves, sell paintings for a living, and live a peaceful and peaceful life. ”

But fate didn't let him go.

Heaven always puts people in a desperate situation, watching the struggling people fall into the water again and again, lose their heads, indulge, and finally go crazy. Bai Ziche's ambition and hatred that were born pushed him to forbear, and encouraged him to come to this point step by step.

Bai Ziche didn't dare to look at Chu Shixia, just lowered his eyelashes and laughed lightly, "Maybe there will be a woman from a poor family who is willing to live a life of coarse tea and light food with me and stay with me for a hundred years." ”

Chu Zhixia listened silently, without interrupting, and even his breathing involuntarily lightened.

"My weak hands could only hold the paintbrush, but now they have to manipulate such a behemoth as Jiangshan Sheji."

"Who can get what they want when they are born in this world?" Chu Zhixia said lightly.

"Yes," Bai Ziche sighed lightly, "we are all going to lose what we wanted in the first place. ”

——

It was late at night.

The Emperor struggled to wake up from his damp and cold dreams. He only felt a burst of heat in his heart, mouth and throat, but his limbs were cold without a trace of heat. The emperor had a long dream, and the dream was not Shan Yue, who refused to dream for twenty-one years, but the queen Chen Wan who spent candles in his cave room.

In the dream, Chen Wan was wearing a queen's dress embroidered with a phoenix, and the heavy golden phoenix crown pressed against her cloud-like bun, trembling slightly in the candlelight, like a sunset beating on the water waves.

The emperor was distraught for a while, and opened his mouth to call for someone to serve tea, but was horrified to find that he could not spit out half a word. The emperor stretched out his weak hand and scratched the bedding, and finally alarmed Bai Shan, who was keeping vigil.

"Does Your Majesty want tea?" Seeing that the emperor couldn't make a sound, Bai Shan said a little anxiously, "Your Majesty, don't worry, the slave maid will go to pass the imperial doctor." ”

Before the words fell, a cold wind cleaved the drowsy warmth of the room like a sharp blade. Bai Shan shuddered, and saw Wang Xi nodding and welcoming a woman into the door. The woman was graceful and luxurious, which made Wang Xi more and more thief-eyed.

Qinghe Cui's daughter, the mother of the five princes.

"Cui Guifei, what are you doing here?" Bai Shan said angrily, "Without His Majesty's summons, who dares to trespass on Weiyang Palace!" Wang Xi, don't you want to die? ”

Cui Guifei lifted her eyelids and glanced at Bai Shan, and the eunuch beside Wang Xi immediately pounced on him and held him down, and slapped Bai Shan twice in the face.

"The concubine heard that His Majesty was in poor health and couldn't sleep at night, so she came to visit." Cui Guifei walked to the emperor's couch and said condescendingly, "The country can't be left without an owner for a day, for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Your Majesty must get better as soon as possible." ”

The emperor was keenly aware of the imminent danger and looked past Cui Guifei to Wang Xi in disbelief.

Wang Xi's chubby face was full of smiles.

"The concubine recently heard a terrifying incident, which may endanger the stability of the imperial dynasty." Cui Guifei stretched out her slender nails and perfunctorily arranged the collar for the emperor, "The crown prince Bai Ziche colluded with the important ministers of the border pass to plot misdeeds, and I hope that Your Majesty will make a decision as soon as possible." ”

Wang Xi interjected at the right time: "Your Majesty has long had this intention, and Concubine Cui doesn't have to worry. ”

"Oh, really?" Cui Guifei pretended to be surprised and said, "Your Majesty is really clever. ”

The emperor gritted his teeth and watched the two sing and harmonize, and his blood rushed to his head, and he was dizzy.

"Your Majesty has drafted an edict early to depose Bai Ziche and replace the Fifth Highness as the prince. It's just that this illness came suddenly, and His Majesty didn't have time to stamp the gold seal. Wang Xi took out an edict from his sleeve as if he was juggling, and unfolded it in front of Cui Guifei like a treasure, "Niangniang is here tonight, it's better to settle this matter." ”

"Wang Xi!" Bai Shan, who had a bloody mouth at the corner of his mouth, roared, "You rebellious thief! Do you think that a transposition edict without the approval of the cabinet can shake the position of the East Palace? Don't be delusional! Stop now, Your Majesty may be able to spare your life!" ”

Wang Xi sneered, "Your Majesty can't even care about your own life now, so Grandpa Bai should save some effort." ”

Wang Xi waved his hand, and the little eunuch stepped forward with the emperor's private seal. Cui Guifei covered her nose with a handkerchief and ordered the palace maid to help the emperor sit up. Cui Guifei held the edict, Wang Xi held the emperor's hand, and slowly pressed the gold seal covered with cinnabar on the edict.

"The next chapter will begin."