Hidden Sky Light

Around dusk, the violent storm in the mountains gradually stopped. The dark clouds dissipated, the sky slowly revealed the residual rays of light, and the sunset fell a little bit into the mountains.

The heat from the torrential rain has yet to rise from the ground again.

The unfinished rainwater under the eaves also "ticks" on the patio in front of the temple hall...

Chen Ling saw a guard turning back and earing in front of Shi Huaiyuan.

Shi Huaiyuan had previously sent someone to explore the way.

Now the explorers should be back.

Chen Ling looked at Mommy Fang, and Mommy Fang understood.

This trip to the emperor was followed by about a hundred elite riders. None of them were wearing uniforms, except for the torrential rain just now, most of the time they were scattered everywhere and would not be noticeable.

Mother Fang asked Shi Huaiyuan in detail.

When they turned back, Mommy Fang talked to Chen Ling, "The guard who inquired came back and said that although the rain had been heavy, the road ahead had not collapsed, and there was no accumulation of water in the low depressions, so we could continue down the mountain... "

"And then?" Chen Ling frowned when she saw Aunt Fang, and she was halfway through her words.

Mommy Fang sighed, "It's just that there are many dirt pits along the road that are covered by floating mud. If the carriage rushes into it, the bottom beam will be easily broken. If the bottom beam is broken, it is equivalent to the scrapped carriage, so... I'm afraid it will be all the way down the mountain. Don't hurry, I won't be able to reach Baicheng tonight, I'm afraid... It will take another day to go to Zhoucheng."

What Mother Fang was really worried about was this.

After all, the holy car is in Huaicheng.

To the outside world, it was said that His Majesty had been exposed to the heat, and then turned into a cold, and even the crown prince was infected.

The accompanying Imperial Physician Fu was afraid that His Majesty and the Crown Prince's cold will worsen, so He asked His Majesty to rest in bed in Huaicheng for a few days, so as not to be disturbed by others.

Originally, this trip was to leave Huaicheng in the morning. Tonight, I will stay in Baicheng. I will leave in the morning tomorrow and arrive at Zhoucheng at noon.

When His Majesty brings the prince to meet Mrs. Zhu, you can go back the same way.

It is also a day and a half journey, and you can return to Huaicheng at night.

Just the right time to go back and forth.

But if there is an extra day at the moment, Huaicheng will have to take care of it for another day. After all, with Tian Ziyi driving, the surrounding will also hear the news and visit, and the supervisor may not be able to be comprehensive.

If the Son of Heaven is not there, I am afraid that he will arouse suspicion.

After Mama Fang finished speaking, her eyebrows were still slightly raised, and she looked at Chen Ling with some worry.

Chen Ling said calmly, "Let someone go back to Huaicheng and tell the supervisor, it may be a day late, so that the supervisor can know what to do, so that he can deal with it. This way, we will go to Zhoucheng as usual. On the way back, if I can arrive before dawn, it will not be in the way.”

Especially the last sentence is not in the way, gentle and firm, revealing that there is no denying.

Mother Fang's original worries slowly faded away after listening to what the Son of Heaven said.

The emperor is used to being calm and knowing, but she panicked first.

Fang Momo sighed, "Old slave knows."

"Go." Chen Ling said softly.

Mother Fang followed what she said and explained.

Chen Ling looked at the glutinous rice **** on the side, "What do you want to ask or say?"

Anian said in a milky voice, "Be calm and don't panic."

Chen Ling looked at him and said warmly, "Anything else?"

A Nian blinked and asked curiously, "Who is there in Zhoucheng?"

Chen Ling's eyes paused, just as Shi Huaiyuan called, "Your Majesty, the carriage is ready and ready to go."

When Chen Ling heard the words, she took A Nian to her feet and whispered, "I'll tell you later."

Anian pouted.

He only knew that he was going to meet important people. But who is the important person, he does not know.

Mommy Fang didn't tell him, and the royal father didn't tell him either...

Chen Ling led him into the carriage.

After dusk, the sky gradually darkened, lights were lit in the carriage, and the accompanying guards also held torches.

Mother Fang explained the matter. She was not in the carriage. There were only Chen Ling and Anian in the carriage.

When he got into the carriage, Anian's little mouth was still pouting.

Chen Ling glanced at him, "What?"

A Nian suddenly didn't know what to think, and approached Chen Ling with curiosity in his eyes, and whispered, "Father, are we going to Zhoucheng to see my mother?"

Chen Ling was slightly stunned.

A Nian's eyes were slightly red, and he couldn't help blinking again, full of expectation and asked, "I have never seen my mother, is the important person my mother?"

Ah Nian's words seemed to touch the bottom of Chen Ling's heart.

Chen Ling's heart was like a deer, and it was like a sinking stone.

Chen Ling reached out and embraced Anian in her arms, "A Nian, Zhoucheng has my aunt, and she takes care of me. She is no different from my mother."

A Nian seemed to be a little disappointed, but soon, the disappointment faded, and she looked at her with wide eyes, "My aunt, what am I calling?"

Chen Ling's fingertips were slightly stagnant.

***

At night in a village not far down the mountain, Mommy Fang took Anian to sleep.

Chen Ling was lying on the couch, tossing and turning, all she remembered repeatedly in her mind were what A Nian asked her on the carriage.

-Father, are we going to Zhoucheng to see my mother?

- I have never seen my mother...

After a long time, Chen Ling still didn't feel sleepy, so he got up with Yi and found a spacious place at the windowsill to sit. Leaning his head against the corner of the window sill, his black hair fell on his shoulders, his dark and clear eyes looked outside the garden, and his thoughts returned to a very early time.

It was only two months after returning from the Yushan Hunting Ground. She had been drowsy, stuffy nose, dizzy, and prone to nausea.

These are all signs of a cold.

At first, she really thought she had caught the cold and didn't care much.

In addition, her menstrual cycle has always been inaccurate. After Yushan returned to Beijing after hunting, the situation in the DPRK and China was obviously more turbulent.

But later, her appetite suddenly changed, and she suddenly wanted to eat sour...

She suddenly realized what was wrong!

She called her confidant, Imperial Doctor Fu, to diagnose her pulse. When Imperial Doctor Fu trembled and said that she was three months pregnant, Mommy Fang was so frightened that her face turned pale.

Madam Fang did not go to the Yushan hunting ground at that time, but His Highness returned from the hunting ground and asked her to grab a dose of Bizi soup.

Only then did Mother Fang know that something had happened.

But I didn't expect that Bizi soup would also...

Chen Ling clenched her fingertips. It would take a day for Yushan Hunting to return to Beijing, and she was a day late.

"Can I take medicine?" Fang Momo naturally knew that the East Palace was under the Emperor's eyelids, and this child couldn't be kept!

Otherwise, there will be more disasters.

Imperial Physician Fu said in a deep voice, "The month is old, and there are risks in taking medicines. I'm afraid that Your Highness will not be able to bear it. Even if you want to take medicines, you must find a stable place, and you will have to raise them for a while, otherwise the root of the disease will fall. Moreover, there are many places in Beijing. It's the eyes, if the Son of Heaven wants to summon, His Highness has to go too, to find a safe place."

Fang Momo's eyes were flustered.

Chen Ling took a deep breath and said solemnly, "How long will it take?"

Imperial Physician Fu whispered, "His Royal Highness is a month old, and it won't be safe until two to three months after taking the medicine."

Chen Ling's face became paler and paler, but his mind became more and more sober. He suppressed the panic in his heart and said in a low voice, "You go to prepare the medicine, and I will find a way by the side. Then you will be with Aunt Fang and me. This matter is half a rumor. You can't go out, otherwise the East Palace will go up and down, and people's heads will not be guaranteed."

…

Chen Ling recovered from his thoughts because Mother Fang came to the room.

Seeing her sitting on the windowsill, Momma Fang knew that something was on her mind.

She had one thing in her mind, so she used to sit on the windowsill for a long time thinking about things.

"What's wrong?" Chen Ling retracted his thoughts.

Madam Fang said, "Your Highness is asleep, the old slave is here to see His Majesty."

Chen Ling's eyes softened.

Mother Fang continued, "Your Highness told the old slave today that she thought the person in Zhoucheng was his mother, but His Majesty told him no, and he was a little disappointed. The old servant told the little highness that his mother had already After passing away, the little highness suddenly covered the quilt and cried for a long time before falling asleep. The old slave thought, if the little highness mentioned this to the majesty, the majesty might not be able to sleep, the old servant came to see the majesty and talk to the majesty. …”

Chen Ling's eyes were lightly filled, but he said warmly, "I'm all right, Mommy Fang, I just can't sleep, just sit for a while."

Mommy Fang looked at her.

Chen Ling smiled, "The hardest time is over, don't worry, I'm fine."

Mother Fang nodded and closed the door.

Chen Ling hadn't come down from the window sill, and Mother Fang's words made her think back to that time...

She used an excuse to tell her father that she was frightened in the Yushan hunting ground and could not sleep every night.

I fell asleep with great difficulty, and dreamed of my mother saying I missed her again.

She wanted to go back to Zhoucheng to pay her respects to her mother, take a break and relax, and see if she could recover from her illness.

The father was already guilty of her and her mother. In addition to the Yushan hunting ground, the second and third brothers disappointed the father. The father began to re-examine his two sons and had no time to take care of her.

The second brother and the third brother have aristocratic families behind them. The emperor wants to clean up the situation, but it is better for her not to be there.

After the New Year's Eve that year, the father said that she was ill and went to the palace to raise her.

In fact, she went to Zhencheng with Imperial Physician Fu and Mother Fang...

Be careful to sail the Wannian Ship, even if the father asks people to find her, it is the boat city to go to, and she can avoid it in Zhencheng.

Take less risk.

It is a one-month journey from Beijing to Zhencheng, and the road is inconvenient, but by the time she arrives at Zhencheng at the end of the first month, she is actually four months pregnant...

A Nian kicked her for the first time.

She reached out and stroked where it had just kicked, and he kicked again.

Her eyes suddenly got wet, and just like today, she sat on the window sill, dazed for a long time...

"Your Highness, you can't!"

When Mommy Fang heard that she wanted to give birth to this child, her scalp was tingling with anxiety.

Doctor Fu froze.

She sat by the window for a night, her voice slightly hoarse, "Since I am in the East Palace, my father will always arrange my marriage in the future. It is better to give birth to the child and say that it is left by the person you like. In this way, you can temporarily avoid it. Having been married and having children, I can avoid a lot of unnecessary troubles, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages..."

She looked at Imperial Physician Fu again, "If the child is to be born, how long will it take?"

Doctor Fu whispered, "Five months and two more months."

She looked at Mother Fang, "I want to give birth to the child. In the future, he/she will accompany me..."

The tip of Mommy Fang's nose was slightly red, "Your Highness..."

…

Chen Ling raised his head and narrowed his eyes slightly.

At that time, it was almost impossible for her to have A Nian anymore...

But now, fortunately, there is A Nian by her side.

Chen Ling sighed lightly.

***

The wind was blowing, and the horses' hooves galloped in the night.

It takes five or six days to travel from Hecheng to Huaicheng, but if you travel day and night, you should be able to get there in three days.

"General, the rain is getting heavier and heavier, do you want to stop and rest?" asked another lieutenant on the horse's back.

The lieutenant was replaced by Tong Chu, who, like Han Guan, was his right-hand man in Licheng.

After Tong Chu finished speaking, Shen Ci said in a deep voice, "Don't stop, the sooner you go to Huaicheng, the safer it will be. This rain won't last long, it won't be as good as the sandstorm in Licheng, let's go!"

"Yes!" Several horses around him beat their horses one after another.

…

The rain was pouring, but fortunately, the official road was easy to go, and there was no lightning and thunder.

Shen Ci was wearing a mink cloak, holding the reins in his hands, surrounded by the whistling wind and night rain.

- My name is A Ling, Ling Yu's Ling.

Shen Ci tightened the reins, he must be crazy.

***

In the morning of the next day, A Nian was still in bed, and Mommy Fang couldn't wake up, so she could only carry him directly into the carriage.

It was already a day late, so I couldn't be more delayed on the way.

Today we have to ride in the carriage all day, arrive at Tao Town at night, and leave Tao Town tomorrow morning, and we can arrive at Zhoucheng at noon tomorrow.

Anian slept in Chen Ling's carriage.

On the July day, the carriage was a little hot, so Madam Fang left a slit in the curtain, and then took a fan to fan Chen Ling's mother and son from a distance, especially for fear that the sleeping little Highness would get hot.

Chen Ling looked at Zhezi in the carriage.

Although she was able to find time to go to Zhoucheng to see her aunt, what she told others was that she had caught the cold and was raised by the lieutenant general in Huaicheng's official residence.

The general will not be raised and will not fall in the garden, so he can only look at the book.

She had to read all these excerpts, not just now, but also when they turned back.

Now Ah Nian is asleep, so she can watch it for a while. When he wakes up, she may not have the whole time...

Chen Ling looked at Zhezi, frowning slightly from time to time, and dropped the imperial brush Zhu Zhu.

Mommy Fang looked at her quietly, not daring to make a sound to disturb her.

His Majesty is used to being conscientious and conscientious when he does things, and he will also forget to eat and sleep. The affairs of the court and the country have accumulated over time, and it has been accumulated for a long time by the emperor.

There are many things, the political affairs hall and the six departments can't make up their minds, and the Zhezi will come to the emperor one by one.

Chen Ling is diligent in political affairs and has always been praised by hundreds of officials.

It has also been circulated in the court, saying that when the first prince passed away, the first emperor had a unique vision and chose the current emperor among the remaining princes as the East Palace, and now Yanhan has such prosperity...

It is precisely because the officials respect the Son of Heaven that they seldom advise or intervene in the affairs of the Son of Heaven's harem.

The emperor was devoted to the affairs of the state, and now the prince has established himself early, and there is no one to urge the matter of the harem.

Mommy Fang felt more and more that it was right for His Majesty to give birth to the prince.

Madam Fang looked at the sleeping little Highness, she was carved in pink and jade, she was cute and sensible...

In the palace, there is already the prince Taifu teaching.

What Your Majesty said is that the hardest time is over...

It's just that he looks more and more like General Shen now. In the future, I wonder if it will be more like him?

It would be better if General Shen had been at the border all the time, but if they bumped into one place...

Mommy Fang sighed softly.

***

"General! Come here to see." Taking a break in the middle, Tong Chuliu immediately went forward to explore the road before turning back.

Shen Ci rode together with Tong Chu to a small road a little further away, parallel to the official road.

It should have rained heavily yesterday, so the trail was muddy.

Footprints are inevitable in muddy places.

This series of footprints was left by the rapid march...

Shen Ci squatted down and looked carefully. The direction was to Huaicheng, and there were a lot of people.

Moreover, it is not the same group of people that he and Han Guan saw on the mountain road near Hecheng earlier.

Shen Ci frowned, that is, at least two groups of people were heading towards Huaicheng.

How could there be such a coincidence?

This kind of transfer, even if it is a private transfer by the Ministry of War, should not collide with the emperor...

"Look carefully, are there any clues?" Shen Ci commanded, and a few people should be.

Shen Ci's heart became more and more hopeless.

Earlier, he asked Han Guan to inquire, indeed for peace of mind.

He turned around yesterday, still feeling uneasy in his heart.

But right now, it's a vague guess...

"General, come here!" One of the accompanying guards shouted.

Shen Ci stepped forward, and several accompanying guards and Tong Chu also stepped forward.

Shen Ci squatted down and picked up the blade of grass that the guard found just now, it looked like a tobacco leaf...

Shen Ci smelled it, and it smelled of tobacco.

The guard said, "This is a piece of grass from the Tanzhou area. Because it has a similar taste to tobacco and is cheap, it is used as a substitute by the local people, but the piece of grass has a special taste. Except for the local people, few can I'm used to it, so the grass is generally only used by people in the Tanzhou area."

Shen Ci's eyes fell on the blade of grass, "So, this garrison came from Tanzhou."

Tanzhou is the fief of King Tan.

Tan Jin is not a royal family, but because of his outstanding military exploits earlier, he was made an exception by the previous emperor as a different surname king...

With such a different surname, Yan Han has no one else except Tan Jin.

The army under Tan Jin was brave and good at fighting. When they fought against Xi Qin, Xi Qin did not get any benefits.

Right now, Tanzhou's garrison is pressing against Huaicheng.

Is to rebel...

Shen Ci's face was ashen.

"General, what should I do?" Those who can follow Shen Ci are not fools. The Son of Heaven is in Huaicheng, and King Tan's people are approaching Huaicheng.

Clearly revealed.

Licheng garrisoned thousands of miles away, and far water could not save near fire.

Shen Ci took off the jade pendant on his body and handed it to Tong Chu on the side, "Go to Pingnan Hou's mansion and find my uncle. He said that King Tan was conspiring against him and asked him to lead his troops to rescue him."

"Then... what about you, general?" Tong Chu was surprised.

Shen Ci got up, "I want to go to Huaicheng first to explore the bottom of Huaicheng."

"But, Huaicheng right now..." Tong Chu hesitated, if Tanzhou garrisoned troops to Huaicheng, the surrounding area of ​​Huaicheng would be very dangerous.

Shen Ci led the horse to him, "Huaicheng should be about to fall, so I'm going to explore the bottom."

Tong Chu kept silent, stretched out his hand to take the reins, and jumped on his horse.

The general asked him to go to the Pingnanhou Mansion to deliver the letter, but he had no choice but to go.

Tightening the reins, Tong Chu turned the horse's head again, "General, be careful."

Shen Ci also jumped on his horse, "Got it, go!"

After a few rides in the opposite direction, Shen Ci hit the horse again and returned to the official road to Huaicheng...

The official road is faster than the trail, and their horses will be faster than the army.

He has to be faster than Tan Jin.

A Ling is in Huaicheng.

***

Chen Ling took A Nian to stay in Tao Town for one night.

In the morning of the next day, take a carriage to Zhoucheng. Taozhen is not far from Zhoucheng. If you leave in the morning, you can arrive before noon.

"Let someone go to Zhoucheng first, and tell my aunt." Chen Ling ordered.

Mommy Fang should be fine.

On the carriage, Anian looked at her eagerly, "Father, I didn't say anything yesterday. Father's aunt, what should my son be called?"