As soon as the emperor arrived, the black pressure of the courtyard immediately fell to his knees. Only I had no time to put down the little princess in my hand, and I was far away from the emperor among the independent people.

The little princess cried out: "Father ......" struggled to come down, and I quickly put down the princess and knelt down among the crowd.

With a smile on his face, the emperor took two steps, picked up the little princess, and said gently, "Get up." Talking about kissing the little princess, and talking to Wei Zifu, the intimacy between the husband and wife suddenly appeared.

As soon as he came, I felt very sad, and I just took the opportunity of the family's happiness to say goodbye.

"Your Majesty, there is still something in the examination room, and the minister has retired first. ”

The emperor didn't raise his eyelids, kept teasing the little princess, and said lightly: "It's not too late to leave after lunch." ”

@#￥％&×!

I laughed twice unnaturally, "hehe", and said, "After all, the minister is a foreign minister, so it's not good to stay in the harem for a long time." ”

Speaking of this, I remembered, yes, this Zhaoyang Hall is where the concubine lives, why doesn't the emperor mind if I come here? It seems that Wei Qing doesn't mind either.

My heart jumped, could it be ......

I didn't have time to think deeply, so I just heard the emperor say: "Zhong Qing, you are here to dine with your sister, Liu Qing, you come with me, I have something to ask you." ”

As he spoke, he handed the little princess to the palace people, explained a few words to Wei Zifu, and took the lead out of Zhaoyang Palace.

I looked at Wei Qing with anxiety in my heart, Wei Qing seemed to be quite surprised, nodded at me comfortingly, and I had no choice but to bow to Wei Zifu and retire and follow the emperor.

All the way without a word, with the emperor to the Qingliang Palace, because it is a dormitory, here is not as solemn as the outer hall, carved beams and paintings everywhere, the colors are gorgeous, and the heavy curtains bring out a mysterious atmosphere.

Two tables were set, and the ladies brought lunch one after another, and then, with a wave of the emperor's hand, ordered them to retreat, and only me and him were left in the empty hall.

What does that mean? I was secretly on guard, my heart beating like a drum.

The emperor smiled mildly and said to me, "Don't be restrained, today, I and your monarch and ministers...... Have a good talk. ”

I swallowed my saliva and asked calmly, "I wonder what Your Majesty wants to talk about with your ministers?"

The emperor looked at me incomprehensibly, and suddenly said, "Eat first, you should be hungry too." ”

How can I eat in front of a table of food, I only feel that something big is going to happen today.

After eating a few bites of something tastelessly, he looked up at the emperor, he was very stable, and he enjoyed eating very much.

I felt more and more uneasy, I couldn't help it, put down my chopsticks and said, "Your Majesty, what do you have to talk to the minister? ”

The emperor said without yin or yang: "It turns out that Liu Qing is more anxious than me. ”

The smile on his face gradually disappeared, he swallowed the food in his mouth, stared at me for a long time, and suddenly asked, "Why do you always wear a necklace around your neck?"

My heart thumped to my throat......

Subconsciously touched the silk scarf around his neck, and said sneeringly: "This, minister...... The minister has a sore throat, and he can't see the wind, and it hurts when he sees the wind, so he ......"

The emperor sneered at the corners of his mouth: "When I first saw you, I never saw you wearing this thing. ”

My consciousness was broken, my heartbeat seemed to stop, and I couldn't speak for a long time.

The emperor didn't let me go, and asked, "Liu Qing, why don't you speak?"

I suddenly calmed down and my mind cleared. (This is an instinctive reaction when encountering danger) also hardened his tone, and said: "The minister originally lived in the Western Regions, where the climate is very different from that of the Han Dynasty, and this problem was contracted after coming to the Han Dynasty. ”

Now, I'm sure the Emperor was suspicious of my gender, or that he had discovered my gender while he was in the woods that day. If this is the case, all his arrangements for me must have ulterior motives.

The emperor raised his eyebrows, but he didn't pursue it anymore, and changed the topic: "I have heard that the Western Regions have a vast territory, and there are many strange flowers and fruits, strange things and strange things. In the third year of the founding of the Yuan Dynasty, I sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions, but he has not returned so far, Liu Qing traveled so far from the Western Regions to China, I don't know how many years it took to pass during the period?"

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile: "From the Western Regions to the Great Han, it is not only a thousand miles away, but it took a year for the minister to arrive. ”

"A year?" the emperor's eyes flashed. "Zhang Qian has not heard from him for four years, but Liu Qing has only used you for one year, it seems that Liu Qing is much luckier than Zhang Qian. ”

"Maybe. "I coped calmly. "After all, Lord Zhang is an official of the Han Dynasty, and he must pass through the Xiongnu to go to the Western Regions, and he is afraid that there will be many obstacles along the way. However, His Majesty said that there are many strange flowers and fruits in the Western Regions, which is true...... "I naturally diverted the topic.

The emperor was really interested: "What are the strange flowers and fruits?" Liu Qing said to listen to it. ”

I said a lot of flowers and fruits, and then said: "There is also a special animal in the Western Regions, called the camel, the camel has a very strange appearance, in addition to its big body and height, it also has the head of a sheep, the lips of a rabbit, the eyes of a mouse, the hooves of a cow, and the long mane of a horse...... The most interesting thing is that it has two humps on its back, shaped like a saddle, and a person rides on a camel, and no matter how it runs, it rocks forward and backward, and the person does not fall. It was based on the two humps on the camel's back that the minister came up with the idea of making a saddle. Camels are also particularly resistant to hunger and thirst. People can ride camels across the desert, so camels are known as "ships of the desert......"

I was gesturing as I spoke, spitting all over the place, hoping to attract the emperor's attention and not study me.

The emperor listened intently, very attentively. Suddenly, he said: "It is said that the iron forging technique of the Western Regions is very skillful, and the weapons created are very strong and sharp, Liu Qing, do you know this forging method?"

I figured it out, this emperor is not squeezing me dry, I don't give up. That's fine, as long as you're not interested in my gender, you can squeeze whatever you want.

"Back to Your Majesty, the art of forging, the first master is a leader, the first master even refined a better material than iron to make weapons, but unfortunately the minister has never learned ......" I told Wei Qing at the beginning, Wei Qing will definitely report to the emperor.

The emperor let out an "oh" and said nothing.

I continued, "However, if you study it carefully with an experienced engineer, it may not be impossible to practice, but it will take time. ”

The emperor smiled: "There is no need to rush this matter, let it go first." I've always been very curious about something, and I just asked you today...... When I was in danger in the woods that day, how could Liu Qing fall from the tree? Could it be that he was hiding in the tree at that time?"

When he asked this, his eyes flashed with a sharp light.

I was stunned for a moment: when did this happen, and then I remembered to ask this?

Without thinking, the brain pushed the boat and said, "Yes, but not in a tree, but ...... I was sleeping in a tree when I suddenly heard the sound of a fight below, and I fell down without paying attention. ”

Oh, what an unthought lie is...... It's a bit outrageous!

The emperor looked at me quietly, with an indescribable disappointment in his eyes, and said: "Liu Qing, the reason why I have withdrawn everyone today is nothing more than to hope that you and I will have a long talk with our monarchs and ministers to enhance the friendship between monarchs and ministers, but Liu Qing, you are really disappointed by me. ”

The friendship of kings and ministers?

I thought about it for a while, and suddenly said, "Your Majesty thinks that the minister is lying." There is an iron house not far away, why do you sleep on a tree? Your Majesty is puzzled by this, right?"

The emperor didn't answer, but just looked at me with a sharp gaze.

I avoided his eyes and said, "Actually, during that time, the minister was practicing a kind of kung fu, which had to be practiced with his body hanging upside down, and he could sleep while practicing, so the minister would be on the tree...... And not in the room. ”

The more I talked, the more weak my heart became, and I hated myself in my heart, why did I just make up some kind of lie about "sleeping on a tree"? Just say that after hearing the sound of fighting, wouldn't it be easier to run to the tree to see the excitement?

Seeing that he did not believe me, I simply stood up and prepared to turn the lie into truth, saying, "If Your Majesty does not believe it, you can find a big tree in the palace now, and practice this bat skill for Your Majesty to see." ”

In fact, I am very scared, the so-called bat gong is just "hanging the golden bell upside down", it is okay to hang for dozens of minutes, if I hang it overnight, I will really become a bat, a dead bat!

With a "snap", the emperor slapped his palm on the table.

I shook my body and saw that his face was pale and his expression was extremely angry.

"Lie, shirk, quibble, I am a three-year-old child, can I let you tease, do you know what the consequences of the crime of deceit?" the emperor was obviously furious, and his hand at me was trembling slightly.

I was stunned for a long time, left the dining table and walked in the middle of the hall, slowly knelt down, and said: "Your Majesty, the minister knows that His Majesty has a lot of doubts about the minister, so everyone is very tired of guessing and guessing, so today the minister might as well ......tell the truth."

Yes, I feel very tired, I don't have the energy or interest to play this game of hiding, and I'm scared, so it's better to face it calmly than solve it.

When the emperor saw that my expression was solemn, he sat down unconsciously, suppressed his anger and said, "Speak." ”

I said calmly, "Yes, the minister carries many secrets on his back, but I can assure your majesty that none of them will threaten your majesty or your lordship. It's just that before he finds Hetian Yu, the minister will never dare to tell His Majesty this secret, even if His Majesty wants the minister's head, the minister has no choice. ”

My face was calm, but my tone was very strong.

The emperor said angrily: "Don't you dare to tell me this secret? That Hetian jade is just proof that you recognize your family, what else is important? If you don't have a ghost in your heart, what secret do you have to hide from me?"

What's wrong?

My head "boomed", yes, Hetian jade is a lie that I recognize with my relatives, I definitely never told Wei Qing or Han Yan, I only mentioned that this jade is a family heirloom. There is only one person who has heard this lie, Guo Jie!

The emperor and Guo Jie?

What will be the relationship?

All of a sudden, my mind was in a mess......

The Emperor waited for my answer, not noticing that he had slipped out.

I tried my best to keep my composure, tried to sort out my thoughts, and said: "Just because my mother was dying, I ordered the minister to swear a poisonous oath not to leak the reason, if Your Majesty must know, the minister can only tell Your Majesty one thing, that is, Hetian Jade, not only the evidence of my recognition with my relatives, but also the key to my opening the door home." With it, I was able to find my way home, otherwise I would have to stay here forever. And going home is very important to me, if I can't go back in this life, then even such a big thing as life and death doesn't matter to me. ”

When it comes to this, it remains to be a question of who compromises first, and the one who compromises first will definitely not be me.

The Emperor looked at me expressionlessly: "Are you threatening me?"

I said proudly: "The minister doesn't dare, the minister just wants to keep his promise to his mother, before he finds Hetian Yu, the minister will be loyal to serve His Majesty, and after finding Hetian Yu, he will also tell all the secrets to His Majesty." ”

The Emperor was speechless for a long time.

After a long time, he asked slowly: "You mean, before you find Hetian Yu, you will do things for me by my side, and after you find Hetian Yu, you will leave, right?"

I nodded and added, "But before the minister leaves, he will definitely dedicate everything he has learned in the Western Regions to the imperial court, and will never keep it." ”

The emperor smiled strangely: "Yes, then you can retire with success." Okay, that's a good intention. ”

What does this mean by ridicule and irony? Do you still want me to work for him for the rest of his life?

I smiled bitterly and said, "Isn't it the way of life that has been respected by the famous sages of the past generations?" ”

The emperor snorted twice, and suddenly said sharply: "Then you said to me, is it true that you practice bat skills on the tree?"

Just said "Retire after success", and the next second he said "Bat Gong", his brain turned too fast, and I couldn't keep up with his train of thought.

I happily admitted, "Fake." ”

"How dare you lie and deceive me?"

I quickly said, "So Your Majesty will not force your ministers to lie in the future." The minister really didn't want to deceive His Majesty. ”

The emperor pressed closely: "What you said to me, which ones are true and which ones are false, today will make it clear all at once." ”

Without hesitation, I said, "Except for practicing bat, everything else is true." ”

"Huh?" the Emperor glared at me.

I knelt so hard that my legs were sore and numb, and I couldn't hold it anymore, so I had to say honestly: "It's a lie that I can't sleep because I'm so excited about Fengguan, it's actually a troubled can't sleep." Your Majesty, there is really nothing else. ”

For a long, long time, about three minutes, the emperor suddenly sighed and said, "Okay, I believe in you, I don't force you, you get up." ”

I stood up on my hands and feet, my legs so numb that I almost fell, and I let out a long sigh of sweat with my hands.

The emperor's eyes were blazing, and he said, "Don't forget what you said today, if you stay by my side for a day, you have to be loyal to me." ”

I bowed down and said, "I don't dare to forget." ”

"I heard that you are already married in the Western Regions?" the emperor asked coldly, and my heart was trembling.

I had to say "yes" and panicked.

The Emperor looked at me meaningfully and said, "Bring your wife quickly, lest anyone in the court be worried about proposing marriage to you all day long." ”

I looked up in amazement and saw a helpless sympathy in the emperor's eyes. I was stunned, hung my head and said, "The minister obeys the order, and I will definitely take Neiko back to China as soon as possible." ”

God knows where I'm going to find a lady?

....................................

An unfinished conversation!

A storm that has not subsided!

Out of the Qingliang Palace, I felt cool on my back, it turned out that I don't know when, the clothes on my back have been soaked with sweat.

Out of Weiyang Palace, beating horses and galloping all the way, regardless of the chickens and dogs jumping along the way, he ran to a secluded place by the Bahe River in one breath, jumped off the horse, and punched and kicked on the thick willow tree by the river, venting the depression in his heart......

So much persecution, so much heavy pressure, I want to shout, I want to complain, but I can't shout or complain.

I don't know how long it took, panting and sitting down with my back to the tree that had been innocently abused, tears welling up in my eyes.

I've wanted to cry for a long time, but now seems to be the right opportunity......

I don't know how long later, a handkerchief (called a sweat towel in that era) appeared under my nose, and I looked up in amazement, it was actually Wei Qing!

I stood up "Teng", feeling very ashamed, snatched my handkerchief and wiped my tears, and asked in a thick nasal voice, "When did you come?"

Wei Qing said unnaturally: "I have been following you." ”

That's what you've seen?

I threw the handkerchief back to him, walked to the river and sat down, and Wei Qing sat beside me, silent for a while.

Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the water of the Bahe River is sparkling, flashing with a quiet and dazzling light, and the evening breeze blows slowly, refreshing and refreshing.

I sighed and turned around: "Wei Qing ......"

"Brother Liu......" The two of them suddenly spoke at the same time, both of them were surprised, and they all said in unison: "You talk ...... first"

The two of you look at me, I look at you, look at each other and laugh, and the heavy atmosphere is swept away.

After laughing for a while, Wei Qing spoke first: "Brother Liu, what happened?"

I smiled and said, "I was about to ask you, what did the emperor tell you when you apprenticed to Xiao Liu Pavilion?"

Wei Qing thought for a while and said, "Now that Brother Liu has entered the court as an official, there is nothing to hide. Your Majesty, let me protect you. ”

The answer was so unexpected that I was stunned.

Wei Qing continued: "Since the attack on the Nanshan Safari, we have tried every possible way to investigate the identities of those assassins, but we have never seen an eyebrow. Later, when he heard that Brother Liu had opened a museum in Chang'an, His Majesty was worried that those assassins would be unfavorable to you, and he was worried that ......" He hesitated for a moment and did not continue.

"I'm worried that I will be bribed by the Assassins, or collude with the Assassins to make knives and guns for them. I sneered. "So, do you know what Your Majesty has to do with Guo Jie?"

"Guo Jie?" Wei Qing frowned. "Your Majesty hates these chivalrous men the most, saying that they disregard the law and discipline and violate the ban with force, not to mention Your Majesty's respect for all vehicles, how can it have anything to do with chivalrous guests? If you can, the Xiao Liu Pavilion will also be closed. ”

I said sullenly, "Actually, I feel tired myself, but the disciples worship the master, how easy it is to say that it will be closed, you let me think about it." ”

According to Wei Qing, the emperor and Guo Xie really don't seem to be on the same page...... It's getting more and more complicated.

Wei Qing hesitated for a moment and said, "Brother Liu, there is something, I don't know whether to ask or not." ”

I gave him a blank look: "Say, I'll wait here." ”

Wei Qing smiled "hehe", and said expectantly, "Don't you think...... I don't think it'......."

I haven't followed up for a long time.

I'll say it for him: "Do you think the emperor has a strange attitude towards me?"

Wei Qing looked at me in surprise: "Brother Liu is aware?"

I turned to face Wei Qing and asked him very seriously: "Tell me honestly, your emperor, is he as good as Longyang?"

Wei Qing was shocked, and then his face turned red: "This ...... How is this possible, Your Majesty, he is normal, even has a daughter. ”

What can it mean to have a daughter? There are many bisexuals in the world, and it seems that this Wei Qing is still relatively simple.

I asked tentatively, "But ...... Han Yan?"

Wei Qing interrupted me with some annoyance, and said: "He and His Majesty grew up together, and it is understandable that the relationship is deeper, Brother Liu, it is a matter of Your Majesty's reputation, and this must not be mentioned in the future." ”

This kid is really defending his brother-in-law of the emperor.

I was bored, and said stupidly, "If he doesn't have this problem, why is he so ...... to me" I used a more explicit word, "ambiguous?"

Then he asked, "Didn't you notice it too?"

Wei Qing waved his hand in embarrassment, his expression was mysterious, and the flush on his face was very suspicious: "That's not what I said, I wanted to ask Brother Liu ...... you" He lowered his voice, "Is it a man or a woman?"

I was taken aback, is it so obvious?

If even Wei Qing is suspicious, then I should really review it.

I said half-truthfully, "Well, if I am really a woman, Wei Qing, what will you do?

Wei Qing's face turned even redder, and he said eagerly: "Naturally, I won't ......"

I pressed him closely, "What will happen to you?"

Forgive me for being selfish, but I really hope that there is someone around me who can help me, at least someone will hand me a handkerchief when I cry, and Wei Qing is indeed the best candidate.

He didn't answer me immediately, but thought seriously for a moment, and then said firmly, "If you want, I'll help you get out." ”

What a Wei Qing, I finally didn't see the wrong person!

I smiled with satisfaction, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay, starting today, you Wei Qing is my friend of Liu Dan." ”

Wei Qing looked at me in surprise: "Liu Dan?"

I said, "This is my real name, how can I be a friend, even the old man has given it to you." ”

"Then Brother Liu, ......," he stammered and pointed at me.

I laughed and said, "As for whether I am a man or a woman, whatever you say is what you say." ”

After that, he squeezed his eyes at him and laughed.

Wei Qing immediately understood, and muttered: "No wonder, no wonder I always feel that you are different from ordinary men, no wonder Your Majesty can let you walk around the palace, it turns out that ...... He must have known it. ”

I said: "I don't care if he knows it or not, in short, if he doesn't demolish me, everyone will be fine, otherwise it's a big deal to break up." But Zhongqing, I really have something to ask you. ”

Wei Qing said clearly: "It's to help you find Hetian Yu." ”

I nodded: "Hetian jade is very important to me, so important that you can't imagine it. Anyway, you have to do everything in your power to help me get it back, or ...... Hum. ”

Wei Qing furrowed his eyebrows and asked vigilantly, "Otherwise, what are you going to do?"

I held my chin in my hand and narrowed my eyes, made a very sinister and evil expression, and said: "I will go and tell the emperor that I am a woman, and beg him to let me enter the palace, compete with your old sister for favor, and be angry with your brother-in-law, hahaha!"

I laughed triumphantly, got up, led the horse, leaped forward, and drove away.

ran away, and when I looked back, Wei Qing was still standing there in a daze.