Before Mao Xiang and Zhang Fangping arrived, Wei Li, the king of Jinling, and Wei Zong, the prince of Jinling, had already hurried into Beijing.

After nearly twenty years, entering the heart of the empire again, Wei Li's mood was inexplicably excited and nervous. In Jinling City, in Jiangnan, Wei Lidu is like in his own home, no one can disobey him, he can say nothing, and no one seems to be able to threaten him, sometimes he almost forgets that in the capital in the north, there is a supreme emperor.

After crossing the river, the further north he went, the more sober he became, and the closer he entered Zhongzhou County, the closer he got to Shangjing, the more his anxiety increased. Wei Lidu has already begun to wonder whether it is a blessing or a curse for him to fight for the throne for his son. Don't pay attention to those endless concerts and government affairs, don't worry about the invasion of the northern Tatars, don't have to watch out for the intrigue of the ministers everywhere, isn't it good to be a prince who has fun?

To tell the truth, Wei Li himself did not have the intention of being an emperor, although he was smart and clever since he was a child, but he preferred to ride a horse and walk a dog, watch beautiful women dance, wrestle with a little eunuch, and fight cocks and gamble with people than studying.

But he likes his son very much, the son of the world is not like him when he was born when he was a child, he likes to read, treats people politely, likes to talk about poetry and painting with guests, and discusses the meaning of scriptures with readers, and he has the title of King Xian in Jiangnan when he is a teenager.

Therefore, after the prince had the opportunity to succeed to Emperor Jing'an and then ascend to the emperor, he started from the heart of his son and did his best to help his son achieve this goal.

As for Wei Zong, he showed transcendent self-confidence from the beginning, and it seemed that the throne should be hiss as long as he wanted to. The people around him complimented him and praised him all the time, saying that he was born with the appearance of an emperor. Since he had an independent prince's mansion, he began to take in a lot of famous people and chivalrous people in the palace, as well as high-ranking monks and monks, and Huangguan Taoists, so Jiangnan spread his reputation of respecting the virtuous and loving the talents, and the corporal of the virtuous.

Wei Zong is not lacking money, compared with his father, he does have the courage to regard money as dung, he organized a translation hall, invited a large number of bachelors and monks, translated and printed thousands of volumes of Buddhist scriptures. The Xuanji Hall he set up, in which all kinds of talents in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting gather, as well as those who have skills in singing, dancing and musical instruments, can hold a monthly money here, waiting to show their skills when needed.

As for Wei Zong himself, he has a unique talent in making incense, his sense of smell is extremely acute, and he can capture the nuances of various spices. He set up a special incense hall and hired many perfumers to develop various spices, and he himself was the best one.

The famous incense developed by the Miaoxiang Pavilion is: empty green incense, Qianhe incense, cuihan incense, guest incense, etc., which are famous in Jiangnan and even Dasui. Wei Zong's personal participation in the production of phantom incense is unprecedented, he collected more than 60 kinds of flower dew, with hundreds of taels of precious musk, agarwood as an introduction, it took half a month to make 5 incense. Legend has it that when he lit a bouquet of incense, a dead warbler outside the house actually flapped its wings and sang happily, and then fell to the ground after the incense was exhausted.

He is most famous for his original method of steaming incense. Usually, people put incense in various stoves, burn it with fire, and cover it with a lid with a hole in the lid, and the fragrance wafts out from the hole. He modified the incense burner, which was covered with a bogu pattern and hewn into a zigzag pipe, directing the water to the pond below, which had a vent at a certain height so that the hot water would not flood the spices. Whenever the incense is steamed, the hot water zigzags down from the small water pipe above, rushes down to the soup pool, and the mist is steaming, and the aroma is thick with the water vapor, making people feel like they are in the world of incense.

Just like this time when he entered Beijing, he also brought with him a few renovated steaming incense burners, as well as various spices made in his own secrets.

For the throne, Wei Zong was full of confidence, just like the analysis of the strategists around him, this unusual entry into Beijing showed that Emperor Jing'an never ignored him. Especially after Wei Qi entered Beijing, he summoned him to Beijing again, just to make a comparison in front of the courtiers. And Wei Qi, who has been in the folk for nearly 20 years, cannot match his innate royal noble temperament.

Some strategists analyzed that perhaps Emperor Jing'an thought of Emperor Hongzhi at the beginning, and did intend to pass on the throne to Wei Qi, but became disappointed after seeing Wei Qi. And Wei Zong's reputation has long been well known to Emperor Jing'an, and this time he only needs to see it with his own eyes, and everyone is full of confidence in Wei Zong's image, so it can be said that meeting is more famous.

Wei Zong was full of ambition, but regretted that he had spent so much effort to find Wei Qi for more than a year, and he was almost found by the imperial court to find evidence, which was really worth the loss. With his own strength, he can rightfully inherit the throne, so why take those crooked paths with trepidation.

The father and son finally arrived in Shangjing with their own thoughts, and the ministers of the clan palace and the officials of the Ministry of Rites specially greeted them outside the Nanxun Gate. What King Jinling's father and son didn't expect was that Wei Qi also came outside the city to greet him, and it was Wei Qi himself who asked Emperor Jing'an.

When uncles, nephews and brothers met at first glance, that kind of unstoppable family affection arose, especially Wei Li, when he saw his nephew who came back from the dead, he remembered the kindness of his second brother and sister-in-law to him before his death, and couldn't help crying bitterly.

The brothers' meeting was a little more uneventful. Wei Zong is two years older than Wei Qi, taller than Wei Qi, and has an elegant and calm temperament, compared to Wei Qi, Wei Qi looks thin and restrained. One of the two opened his mouth to call the eldest brother, and the other called the brother affectionately, but his heart was not as hot as it seemed.

Wei Li must let Wei Qi sit in the same car with him, and asked in detail about the situation over the years in the car, expressing his nostalgia for his parents, and his great joy and relief after learning the news that he escaped death.

For the King of Jinling and his son to enter Beijing, Emperor Jing'an specially designated a mansion as their temporary residence. When the car arrived at the front of the mansion, Wei Li let go of Wei Qi's hand and got out of the car with Wei Qi's support. After Wei Qi said goodbye to Wei Li, he waited until their father and son entered the gate before getting into his car and returning home.

The next night, Emperor Jing'an held a family banquet in the palace to welcome the father and son of King Jinling, and only invited a few royal relatives and relatives in the capital, Jia Yuan, the Duke of Anguo, married a princess, and was Wei Qi's uncle, and the couple were also invited to attend, Wei Qi and Ye Qi attended together.

Since it was a family feast, men and women were not separated, but men and women were divided into several cases. Concubine Li's table is set to the left of Emperor Jing'an, and she can be regarded as greeting female guests.

In recent days, Emperor Jing'an's spirit seems to have improved a lot, and his complexion has become a little ruddy. He picked up the wine cup and said, "My third brother hasn't been in Beijing for many years, and this first glass of wine is a catch for him." Everyone raised their glasses.

Emperor Jing'an continued: "I can reunite today, thanks to God's blessing, let Qi'er return to the royal family, this second cup we are grateful for Shangcang's favor." ”

After the third wine was poured, Emperor Jing'an said: "In recent years, the state affairs have been difficult, so there are five buckets of rice sect to take the opportunity to make trouble, and now it has been quickly pacified, coupled with the King of Jinling, Prince Ming returned to Beijing This series of happy events, the country is bound to revitalize, thousands of generations." ”

Everyone raised their glasses and shouted in unison: "Long live Da Sui, long live His Majesty the Emperor!" ”

Wei Li stood up, picked up the wine cup and said to Emperor Jing'an: "Your Majesty, although your brother is in Jiangnan, he is always thinking about the emperor. Today, the younger brother saw the spirit of the emperor with his own eyes, and was extremely pleased, and the younger brother wished the emperor long live long live. ”

Emperor Jing'an raised his glass and took a sip, and then said: "Today is a family banquet, there are not so many rules, everyone should not be restrained, and you should drink more." ”

Wei Qi picked up the wine cup and said to Wei Li: "Uncle Wang, my nephew has been in the people for a long time, and he is less filial piety in front of Uncle Huang and Uncle Wang. ”

Wei Li said: "Qi'er, you have suffered for many years, and now that you are back, your imperial uncle will definitely compensate you well." ”

Wei Zong said to Emperor Jing'an: "Uncle Huang, my nephew has been thinking about you for many years, and this time I specially dedicated the tranquil incense specially developed by your nephew, which can dispel evil spirits, calm the nerves, brighten the eyes, and calm the mind." There are also abbots of five temples in the south of the Yangtze River, a volume of > written in blood. ”

Emperor Jing'an said happily: "Okay, I have long heard that you are the first master of incense making in Jiangnan, and in addition, Jiangnan has prospered in Buddhism in recent years, and you have also made contributions to the Northern Sect." ”

Concubine Li said on the side: "I also heard that Zong'er invented the method of steaming incense, I don't know what kind of steaming incense?" ”

Wei Zongdao: "It's easy to say, but you need to use a special incense burner, as well as special spices, and it takes a lot of time to make." The nephew brought it to the mother this time, and he will send someone to the palace tomorrow. ”

At this time, the atmosphere of the banquet gradually became warmer, because Emperor Jing'an's body and mood have been bad for the past 5-6 years, and the atmosphere in the court and the palace is also very depressing, and the royal banquet for the New Year has gone through the motions, and it has been suspended in recent years. This time, because Emperor Jing'an's mood was very high, and with the addition of Wei Li's father and son and Wei Qi's brothers and sisters, there were more people, and everyone couldn't help but be cheerful and frequently raised their glasses.

At this time, Wei Zong became a little absent-minded, because he smelled a trace of incense that he had never felt. At first he was just a momentary thought, and then the breath dissipated, and he thought it was his hallucination, but then he caught it again, and then disappeared again.

So he began to concentrate, and finally faintly realized the peculiar aura. It was a smell that he had never perceived, not a spice, not a floral scent, not a food aroma, not any kind of fragrance he had been exposed to before, and it could not even be described as "incense". It is a kind of perception through the sense of smell, the five internal organs and six organs are stretched together, a trace of clarity soars in the nine heavens like a crane, the soul has come out of the body, into the Elysium of the Buddha Kingdom, the dark red dust is bright in an instant, and the hot spring light is cold for a while.

Wei Zong was looking for the source of that breath, and with his natural sense of smell, he quickly determined that it was the breath of a human body, and it was a woman. He didn't deliberately stare at the female guest opposite, that would be neither polite nor necessary, because looking for breath is not by eyes.

When Ye Qi got up to toast Concubine Li, Wei Zong finally discovered that the mysterious aura was coming from her. After determining this, Wei Zong's mood was not only surprised, but also panicked and fearful.

Seeing Ye Qi for the first time, although he also stayed for a moment for her stunning beauty, he was indifferent. After all, Wei Zong can be said to have grown up among the flowers, there are countless beauties in the south of the Yangtze River, thousands of charming, just in his prince's mansion, there are thousands of young women, and the beauty of his body and appearance almost numb him.

But the aura on Ye Qi's body firmly grasped him, it was a feeling he had never experienced, even when he was at his happiest, immersed in the distant and mysterious aroma of the phantom incense, he did not have this feeling.

Wei Zong knew Ye Qi's identity, he tried his best to divert his attention, deliberately raised his glass frequently, and laughed loudly with Wei Qi beside him, wanting to let the discovery just now pass silently. But as soon as he stopped, he couldn't help but taste that breath, except for his eyes, all his senses focused on Ye Qi's direction.

Finally, even Emperor Jing'an noticed Wei Zong's strange appearance, and he didn't even hear him shouting twice, but Wei Qi next to him signaled to Wei Zong, and Wei Zong hurriedly apologized to Emperor Jing'an.

Emperor Jing'an asked, "Zong'er, are you uncomfortable?" ”

Wei Zong said in a panic: "Please forgive the emperor's uncle, my nephew is a little too drunk." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Your father and son have traveled a long way, and they haven't had a good rest when they arrive in the capital, and it's not too early now, so let's get here tonight." After saying that, he got up and left the table first.

Everyone hurriedly left the table and bowed, and only after Emperor Jing'an and Concubine Li left, did they withdraw one after another.

After getting in the car, Wei Li asked Wei Zong with some concern: "Zong'er, what's wrong with you, it's uncomfortable there?" ”

Wei Zong said: "It's not uncomfortable, it's just that the wine is a little upset." ”

Wei Li said: "You have a lot of alcohol, how can the sweet wine you drink today be good?" ”

Wei Zong was inexplicably a little irritable, and said, "It's just a little top." ”

Wei Li saw his son's impatient appearance, and didn't dare to ask any more questions, and said later: "Tomorrow you promised to bring in the things of Concubine Li, don't forget to send them to the palace." ”

Wei Zong asked a little dazedly, "What is it?" ”

Wei Li hurriedly said: "Steaming incense burner and spices!" Did you forget? ”

Wei Zong seemed to come to his senses and said, "Hey, how can you forget this, I'll be ready when I go back at night, and I'll send someone to the palace early tomorrow morning." ”

Wei Li was still a little worried, but he didn't dare to say anything more. After a while, Wei Zong suddenly said: "Father, when will I go to Wei Qi's mansion to thank you, it can be regarded as thanking him for picking you up outside the city." ”。

Wei Li said: "It should be, you can do it." ”

The father and son fell silent, and Wei Zong began to taste the breath on Ye Qi's body, but he couldn't recall it, and his heart suddenly emptied.