Pei Xiaoyuan responded respectfully, paused, and asked, "I heard that today's festival envoy came?" Qingtou said that my uncle wanted to see me. ”

Pei Ji bowed slightly: "Yes." ”

"Dare to ask uncle, what's the matter?"

He knew that Pei Ji had written several times in recent years, and asked Zhishi on the grounds of old age, but for some reason, every time he played the music like a mud cow into the sea, he has not been heard.

Could it be that this time there is finally a reply, and Ling Hu Gonglai is to convey the will of the person sitting in the Purple Palace?

Pei Ji looked at him, but his eyes gradually revealed some complicated colors, and finally shook his head.

"Linghu Gong is here today, not for his uncle, but for you."

"The imperial court summoned you to Jinwuwei, and the body has been sent from Beijing, and he personally sent it over."

Pei Xiaoyuan was slightly stunned.

"You didn't expect that, did you?"

"It's not just you, it's my uncle, and it's quite unexpected."

During the day, Linghu Gong came, although he did not sit for a long time, but during the conversation, he faintly revealed to Pei Ji some of the reasons behind this confession.

Among the many responsibilities of Jin Wuwei, one of them is to directly assume the guard of the Son of Heaven, so he can be said to be the close minister of the Son of Heaven. Many officials of the current dynasty, even the prime minister Shangshu and local festival envoys, had the experience of Jin Wuwei in their early years, so the annual replenishment has become a battlefield for the nobles to compete for the opportunity to enter the ranks for their own children.

This year, as in previous years, a number of talents will be selected from the sons of the honorable and those who have made military merits reported below. Since three years ago, Pei Xiaoyuan's name has also been on the list because of his military exploits, but every time, he is not in the final list. This year, the chief of the Jinwu guard, who was in charge of the preliminary draft, had just been promoted not long ago, and somehow, perhaps without knowing the inside story, he mistakenly recorded his name in the book and handed it to Han Kerang, the general of the Jinwu. Han Kerang trusted his subordinates too much, and he didn't look at it carefully, so he directly handed over the roster to the palace.

Because Jin Wuwei was directly under the emperor's guard, unlike the general military attaché of the imperial court, who was appointed by the Ministry of War after completing a series of review processes, Jin Wuwei drew up a list and submitted it to the palace for imperial approval by the sage. After the list was sent, a few days later, the palace was issued, and the royal pen was not touched, and everyone found out that Pei Xiaoyuan's name was impressively listed.

The Divine Tiger General Pei Gu and the Battle of Beiyuan, the last battle of the Northern Abyss in which he broke his halberd and sank into the sand, have long been dusted and faded out of the memory of the world, and it is more like a taboo, and no one in the court will ever mention it again in public. This time, due to this accident, it resurfaced overnight, and a stone stirred up a thousand waves. Among them, the biggest reaction was the prince's uncle, Prime Minister Liu Ceye. It is said that he immediately privately went to Yuan Zhi, the deacon of the Sigong Tai, to ask for details, and Yuan Zhi said that the saint happened to be in retreat, and the list was put down by him through the curtain, and he was still outside the curtain three days later.

Han Kerang, the general of Jinwu, realized that he had made a big mistake. But even if the list is wrong and has passed the royal approval, even if the saint has not opened the seal and read it in person, it should be regarded as a license, how dare he make changes without authorization. Liu Ceye asked him to meet the sage to correct his fallacy. The son of the criminal general, how can he be qualified to enter Jin Wuwei. Unexpectedly, this move aroused the dissatisfaction of another person, and that person was Wang Zhang, who was the same prime minister as Liu Ceye. Wang Zhang came out to object, saying that Pei Gu's crime, the sage was not held accountable back then, which is known to the world, and now his son has made military exploits for the country, why can't he follow the system to join Jin Wuwei? Once the system is established, it should be followed, otherwise, it will not chill the hearts of countless soldiers in the army to serve the country.

The two argued over this, and after arguing for several days, they finally alarmed the saint. The saint still did not show up in retreat, and only asked the prince to dispose of it on his behalf. The crown prince finally ruled that the national system was the supreme and summoned Pei Gu's son, and Pei Xiaoyuan, who is now far away in Ganliang, entered Jinwuwei to take office.

Although the matter has been settled, from beginning to end, it can be said that it is a big accident in an accident, and the degree of absurdity is unprecedented in the more than 100 years since the founding of this dynasty.

"In any case, if you talk about merit, Ling nephew was promoted three years ago, and this time he deserves it. Although the saint's longevity has not yet arrived, the defense of the capital must be arranged in advance, and Jin Wuwei is even more responsible in it, and the old teacher must know better than I think. It just so happened that I was passing by today, so I brought my farewell body with me, so that my nephew could arrive one day earlier, so that he could leave one day earlier, so as not to delay the big event. ”

After saying this, Ling Hu Gong got up and hurriedly said goodbye.

Pei Ji told the origin of his farewell, and his brows were tightly locked.

"Although this paper is the dream of countless noble children, it may not be a good thing for you. Uncle has already thought about it, if you have no intention of returning to Beijing, your uncle will find a reason for you and resign! ”

After he finished speaking, he saw that his nephew's gaze was fixed on the candle on the desk, and his eyes were fixed, and he didn't seem to be listening to himself.

"Xiao Yuan!" He cried out again, "Why don't you speak?" ”

Pei Xiaoyuan withdrew his gaze from the fire and looked at Pei Ji.

"If you can go back, why not?"

He answered.

Chapter 11

Pei Ji looked at his nephew.

His tone was calm, and so was his expression, as if it were an ordinary thing.

Pei Ji closed his gaze, paced behind the window of the study, and sighed lowly.

"Xiao Yuan, in your heart, after all, you still can't let go of the things of the year-"

Pei Xiaoyuan did not respond. Neither admit nor deny.

Pei Ji looked at the night outside the window and stood for a long time.

"When you were first born, it was the peak of the Jingsheng Dynasty."

Suddenly, he said leisurely.

At that time, the imperial court seemed to be Xianning in the world on the surface, the court came from all directions, the Manchu Dynasty sang and danced, everyone was drunk and dreamed of death, but in fact, the following was detached from morality and danger. The old sage is no longer the wise monarch of his youth, he is blind, indulged in pleasures, surrounded by flattering villains, and worries most about how to guard against his sons day and night. ”

Although Ye Zhongli is a trick official, he always has the heart to serve the country, and he saw the hopelessness behind this so-called prosperous era early on, and he was extremely disappointed, so he left after painstakingly finishing the long scroll mural. That long scroll is his gratitude for the favor given by the first emperor, and it is not his wish, I hope that everything he paints, thousands of mountains and green daisies, and thousands of city-states, can grow to the favor of the gods in the sky. ”

"After he left, my uncle also said many times, hoping that the first emperor could wake up in time, far from the villain, with virtuous ministers, to prevent trouble, but looking around the world, is the four seas are rising and peaceful, how can the old sage listen to me? I am very ashamed, after all, my uncle can't do it with blood like the ancient sages and ministers than Gan Wuxian, so he chose to resign and retire. ”

"You know what happened next."

He turned around and faced Pei Xiaoyuan.

"My uncle came out of Beijing in the year he ascended the throne. People said at the time, I am self-reliant, and the monarch and the minister are centrifuged. ”

"My uncle used to be the teacher of the first emperor Prince Jingsheng, and your father was also born in the East Palace when he was young. Our Pei family, whether in the eyes of outsiders or in terms of the truth, has long been inseparable from Prince Jingsheng. ”

"The founding monarch has been there from generation to generation, and the lord of Zhongxing is hard to find. Today's saint is wise and resolute, when he was in chaos, he dared to turn the tide, and after the chaos was quelled, he was able to govern the country in peace, and it was not an exaggeration to call him the lord of Zhongxing. It's just that in addition to this, his nature is also quite contemplative. Even though I have no second thoughts, after the saint replaced Prince Jingsheng on the throne, how could he really regard me and my Pei family as one heart? Even if it wasn't for your father's business, it would be impossible for your uncle to stay in the court. ”

This is the first time in a long time that Pei Xiaoyuan has listened to Pei Ji talk to himself about the old things about his trip to Beijing, and he listened attentively.

"After winning the battle against Xifan three years ago, the world seemed to be returning to the world, and the saint was probably old and sick, so he indulged in cultivation, but his mind became more and more violent, making people unpredictable. Last year, he also killed a scholar of His Royal Highness Jixian, and it is said that he was angered by a straight painting. ”

As a bachelor, it is rare to be killed because of a painting. But it can also be seen from this that the true temperament of this "saint" is probably far from being summed up by a "deep guess" in Pei Ji's mouth.

"Since I came out of Beijing, more than ten years have passed. You also know that after the war against Xifan, even if my uncle still has the heart to serve the court, the bell has leaked, and he is old and weak. I have told my old age more than once, but to no avail. The head of Longmu, the former residence of Peijia Hedong, is probably barren now, just waiting for me to return. I had already thought that after this long life, I would beg for the remains again, but suddenly this happened......"

He glanced at the confession on the case, then at his nephew again, and his tone became unusually solemn.

"Xiao Yuan, this suicide seems to be an accident, but why are there so many accidents in the world. Although the uncle has been away from the court for many years, he also knows that now the two kings of Liu are fighting openly and secretly, and perhaps this matter has nothing to do with the fight between the two, and even ......"

He paused, "I can't guess what I'm thinking about this matter." If you do your duty, it is impossible to predict whether this trip will be a blessing or a curse. With the unspeakable identity of my Pei family, I really can't think of how I would acquiesce to this matter today. ”

"You've really thought about it?" Again, he asked his nephew.

"Yes."

Pei Xiaoyuan did not hesitate.

The night breeze blew the candle flame, Pei Ji looked at the young face opposite that had become half-bright and half-dark under the flickering lights, and sighed silently in his heart.

"You are already an adult, what do you want to do, uncle can't stop it." His tone was rather gloomy.

Pei Xiaoyuan was silent for a moment, knelt down towards Pei Ji, respectfully and respectfully, and kowtowed to the ground.

"The nephew has lived up to his uncle's good intentions, please forgive the nephew for being unfilial, and he failed to listen to his uncle's words in this matter."

Pei Ji helped him up.

"I know that you have always been cautious, but after entering Beijing, you must be more careful than before."

"Thank you uncle for your teachings, nephew keep it in mind, please rest assured."

Pei Ji looked at him, and finally showed the first faint smile of the night.

"That's all Uncle has to say. Now that you are in office, you should arrive before the end of April, so it is better for you to leave as soon as possible. I guess you won't listen to me, and I've asked He to pack up for you. As for the whereabouts of Suyu, I will ask someone to follow up, you just put it down, you don't need to look for it. It's late, you're out for a day, go back and rest! ”

Pei Xiaoyuan said: "There is still some time before the deadline, so you don't have to leave immediately." The matter of my sister-in-law is all because of me, I want to leave tomorrow, but not to Beijing, but to find her first, otherwise I will feel uneasy. Uncle rest assured, no matter whether he can find it or not, he will not be delayed. ”

"It's okay, how to arrange the itinerary, you can decide by yourself, and you can arrive before the end of April."

"By the way, there's one more thing!"

Pei Xiaoyuan looked.

"After you enter Beijing, remember to visit your uncle as soon as possible and say hello to him on my behalf. Although human affection is like paper, after all, it is your blood relative, no matter what they do, you must fulfill the etiquette of your descendants. Besides, Cui's surname is Gao, and your uncle's house has been in operation in Beijing for many years, so he is well-informed, in case something happens, even if he can't do anything else, he can send a message to his nephew, and it's always okay to think about it. ”

Pei Xiaoyuan's eyes moved slightly, but it should be.

Pei Ji bowed: "I'm fine here, you can go." ”

Pei Xiaoyuan was about to withdraw, remembering what happened this evening, and stopped to mention.

"My nephew doesn't know where the man came from, but he doesn't look like an ordinary person. After I leave, if my uncle goes out, he must also be careful, lest it be unfavorable to him. ”

After listening to this, Pei Ji was distracted for a moment, and opened his mouth to ask about his appearance and age, and Pei Xiaoyuan described it. He frowned slightly, and was silent for a while.

"Uncle, who did he think of?" Pei Xiaoyuan asked.

Pei Ji shook his head slowly, paused, and then accentuated his tone: "In short, you must be careful and careful when you enter Beijing this time!" If you encounter any further undecided matters, write to us as soon as possible. ”

Pei Xiaoyuan responded, returned to the residence after exiting, and saw that the house was brightly lit, and the He family was leading the servants to pack up for him overnight, when he heard the footsteps, raised his head, and hurriedly put down what he was doing to greet him.

"Lang Jun has been running around for a day, and he only came back at this moment, I'm afraid I'm hungry, right?"

Pei Xiaoyuan was reminded by her, and then he remembered that he was hungry, and went to eat according to his words, but he was probably too hungry and didn't have much appetite. When I came back, my packing was almost finished, and the small boxes were stacked on top of each other, and it looked like I was moving. He said: "Lang Jun entered Beijing this time, I don't know when I will be able to come back, so I will prepare for a long time, and I have packed some winter and summer clothes, not much, just three or two sets each." You have been away from Beijing for many years, and if you go back this time, you will always have to take a trip if you want to come to Cuifu. People in Beijing are accustomed to judging people by their clothes, and if the shirt and hat are not glamorous enough, the doorman will be despised just at that level. If it hadn't happened suddenly this time, I should have bought you some new clothes, and that's all there is to it, it's not too cumbersome, and there is no need for Lang Jun to carry it himself, I will arrange for someone to send it. Qingtou is diligent, let him follow him over to make a call. When I got there, where to go, and what clothes to wear, I told him, and I didn't have to worry about Lang Jun himself. ”

Pei Xiaoyuan listened to her chatter and smiled bitterly: "Everything is done according to Eminem's orders." ”

He was satisfied, but he found that when he answered, his eyes fell on a box on the case, which she had brought and had not confiscated, so he walked over and opened it carefully.

There are several pieces of jewelry inside, one of which is the double butterfly hairpin that Pei Xiaoyuan had seen on Ye Nu's sideburns when he met her that morning. It's just that when it leaves people, it has no life, and it just lies quietly in the box, shining in the light of the candle flame.

"These are the pieces of jewelry from your mother's early years, and the butterfly hairpin was given to her by your father after she got married. I remember that it was made by a craftsman in Chang'an West City, and I still remember that shop, without a banner, crowded in an inconspicuous corner, not many people know, but it can play such a strange hairpin, which is unique in Chang'an City. After so many years, I don't know if the shop is still there. Remember back then, as long as your father was with her, she would wear it. You were just born, what a good day......"

With a smile on the corner of his lips, He sighed softly, and his fingertips gently stroked the hairpin as if he were caressing a baby.

"Later, your father became busier and busier, and she wore less and less with her, and then later, when she went out to fight, she went for a year and a half, and she was alone in Beijing, so Lang Jun, you should not have an impression when you were young. This time, Mrs. Ye came, she was in a hurry, and she didn't have time to prepare for her, I thought she was not an outsider, so I took it upon myself to wash and take out the few pieces of jewelry that had been left, but I didn't expect ......"

She paused, "I'll put it away again." ”

She closed the lid and picked it up, waiting to leave. Seeing that Pei Xiaoyuan was always silent, he comforted: "Lang Jun doesn't have to be too guilty, the county guard will send someone to look for her again." Besides, I see that Ye Xiaoniang's forehead is like a bright moon, her earlobes are plump, and she is a blessed nobleman, and she will definitely be fine. ”

Pei Xiaoyuan mentioned his plan, and He was a little surprised when he heard it at first, and then nodded: "It should be!" Lang Jun has this heart, if Ye Xiaoniang knows, no matter how big she is, she can disappear if she wants to. It's just that this arrangement is too hard, and you have to take care of yourself on the road. ”

Pei Xiaoyuan responded, and He Shi hurriedly urged him to rest. Pei Xiaoyuan just closed his eyes slightly, Tian Weiming got up, saw Cheng Ping, and talked about the matter of saying goodbye, Cheng Ping was pleasantly surprised, even happier than the main one, and congratulated him repeatedly.

"Great, you should have had it three years ago! The court finally remembered your merits this time! This time, you also entered Beijing, not to mention that we will take care of each other in the future, it will be a beautiful thing on the road. I was worried that I had no one to accompany me, so that you and I could go together. ”

Pei Xiaoyuan smiled: "I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you." Then he said his itinerary. Cheng Ping was quite surprised, and after a pause, he also said that he wanted to go with him, and Pei Xiaoyuan had already said, "You don't have to go again." You are different from me, you have to go to Beijing as soon as possible. ”

Cheng Ping groaned for a while and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you this time, I'll work hard for you, let's look for people separately, I'll go on the road first, and I'll pay more attention to the road." Later, I'll be waiting for you in Beijing! ”

The sky was bright. Chengping summoned all the people here, Pei Xiaoyuan also solemnly bid farewell to Pei Ji, and asked Qingtou to follow Chengping into Beijing first, and he and He Jin walked together, and the two groups of people parted ways.

More than two months later, he finally arrived at the "homecoming" mentioned in the woman's book.

It is a small mountain village located in the deep mountains of Luzhou, with dozens of mountain people nearby, surrounded by mountains, rising clouds and mist, seeing the sunset at dusk, like an isolated paradise.

She is not there, and she has not returned.

The door of the hut was wide open, the head of the low hedge wall was half-collapsed, and the weeds were crawling, and the ground was full of dead branches and leaves. A yellow civet in the corner basking in the sun was startled by his approaching footsteps and fled quickly.

Along the way south, he stayed overnight, inquired everywhere, and his disappointment was accumulating day by day.