Hidden Sky Light

The wheels rolled towards Zhoucheng. A Nian was still very energetic earlier, lying on the window and looking around. I haven't been to Zhoucheng before, and everything I see along the way to Zhoucheng is very fresh.

But there is no routine for children to do anything, and they get bored after watching it for a while.

Chen Ling was reading the book in the carriage, but Ah Nian was illiterate, so she could only ask Mommy Fang to read to him.

Mother Fang did not dare to speak loudly, for fear of disturbing Chen Ling on one side, so she could only hold A Nian in the corner of the carriage to study, her voice was so low that A Nian could just hear it, but she tried not to disturb Chen Ling on one side. Ling.

Chen Ling was serious when he read the book, except for a glance at A Nian halfway through, most of the time he was focused.

After a while, I heard Fang Mo's voice stop.

Chen Ling looked up and saw that A Nian was resting in Mommy Fang's arms and didn't move.

"Asleep?" Chen Ling lowered his voice, afraid of waking him up.

Mother Fang nodded, "I have to get up early this morning to travel, so I didn't get enough sleep. I was just sleepy, and fell asleep listening to the story."

Chen Ling said softly, "Let him sleep for a while, there is still some time."

Zhoucheng is going to noon, and there are still many hours left.

Mommy Fang nodded, "The slave's family hugs His Highness for a while. He dreamed last night that he was looking for his mother, and even cried together in the morning, I'm afraid he still has this in mind."

The tip of Chen Ling's pen hung slightly, he lowered his head, and said nothing else.

The carriage went all the way to Zhoucheng, and Fang Ma was taking care of A Nian.

Chen Ling looked down at the book, and his eyes stopped briefly on the newly opened book. The southeast of Fuyang County was hit by floods, and some refugees flocked to Jiecheng. Fuyang County mobilized the garrison to go to Jiecheng.

Chen Ling frowned, this story was just a few days ago, and the refugee issue couldn't be handled so quickly.

Yucheng is not far from Zhoucheng. If there are refugees flocking to Yucheng, then they should at least see sporadic shadows of refugees along the way, but it seems that they have never seen one...

Chen Ling always felt that something was weird, so he lifted the curtain and called out, "Huaiyuan."

Shi Huaiyuan rode forward and ran alongside the carriage, "Your Majesty."

Chen Ling whispered, "Pay attention to whether there are refugees along the way."

Shi Huaiyuan should be.

Putting down the curtain, Chen Ling's eyes returned to the book, as if the earlier episode had passed, and there was nothing particularly important, and continued to look down at the book.

In fact, Fang Mama just heard clearly, but did not say a word.

His Majesty has always been aware of the affairs of the DPRK, and will ask questions, where must have gone wrong. But Mama Fang seldom asked about things in the previous dynasty. Right now, she just takes good care of the little prince, and His Majesty will take care of everything next to her.

…

As noon approached, the carriage slowed down and lined up outside the gate of Zhoucheng for the routine check-in.

A Nian just woke up, sleepy eyes in the arms of Fang mama, while rubbing her eyes, she asked in a milky voice, "Mama Fang, are you here yet?"

Fang Momo saw that the little ancestor was awake, but her eyes hadn't opened much, "We're at the city gate."

As soon as he heard that he had reached the city gate, Anian suddenly became excited, and even the sleepy bugs from earlier were thrown out of the sky, "Here it is!"

Fang Momo sighed, "Your Highness..."

A Nian hurriedly reached out to cover his mouth, not to speak loudly, to attract attention, he had forgotten about it earlier. Anian looked at Chen Ling angrily, thinking that he was about to be told, but saw Chen Ling's eyes fall on Lian Zhang and go out.

Mommy Fang reminded, "Your Majesty?"

Chen Ling regained his senses. It has been thirteen years since he left Zhoucheng. When he saw the city gate just now, all he remembered in his mind was when he left Zhoucheng. At that time, my aunt came to see her off, reluctantly, her eyes were red, and she kept waving at her until she disappeared...

It was many years ago, and I never thought she could still remember it clearly.

At that time, she would never have guessed that one day she would wear a dragon robe, ascend to the throne and rule the world.

At that time, the people who took her back to Beijing at the city gate were not only the Imperial Army, but also the young Shen Ci on a horse.

—My name is Shen Ci. My aunt is in Pingnan County. His Majesty heard that I came to see my aunt and asked me to drop by Zhoucheng to pick you up and return to Beijing.

- A Ling. My name is A Ling.

Shen Ci at that time was like a ray of light, whether it was the long road back to Beijing or the strange and intriguing Beijing, this ray of light was always with her...

The carriage slowly entered the city, and Chen Ling put away his thoughts.

Zhoucheng is not big, and it takes only a quarter of an hour to reach the Zhu Mansion from the gate of the city.

Someone was already waiting at the entrance of Zhu's residence, and when they got off the carriage, Chen Ling led Anian into the residence, and Mother Fang followed behind. Shi Huaiyuan only brought a dozen people inside, and the rest of the guards were scattered around the streets.

Mrs. Zhu is seriously ill and has been unable to leave the house or get out of bed for more than a month.

When the servant was talking to Chen Ling, he was still reaching out to wipe the tears from the corners of his eyes.

Six screens were placed at the entrance of the house to block the wind, but the smell of medicine in the house came from a long illness...

Chen Ling's heart sank slightly, and before entering, she told Anian again, and Anian nodded obediently, and she led Anian into the house.

"Auntie." Chen Ling looked at her aunt on the sickbed, her eyes suddenly turned red.

When she left Beijing, her aunt was in the Chinese New Year; but now, in the sickbed for a long time, she has long been described as emaciated, her eye sockets were sunken, and she was dying.

Chen Ling is in a high position and understands emotional control better than others. After a brief blushing in his eyes, he narrowed his eyes slightly to hide the emotions in his eyes, and when he opened his eyes again, there was only the joy of reunion after a long absence.

Mrs. Zhu was lying on the sick bed, coughing with her eyes closed.

She and Anian's footsteps were light, and Mrs. Zhu didn't hear her, but after the "aunt" just now, Mrs. Zhu coughed and opened her eyes, briefly stunned, but still recognized her by her appearance.

"A Ling?" Madam Zhu was excited.

When she sent her away from Zhoucheng, she was only eight years old, and Mrs. Zhu remembered what A Ling looked like when she was eight years old; now Chen Ling is dressed in a man's attire and has passed the age of a crown, and her appearance is naturally different from before.

Madam Zhu nodded excitedly, her appearance was different, but she could still vaguely see her earlier outline; her voice was also different, but she could still hear the traces of her childhood.

"A Ling..." Madam Zhu wanted to stand up with her hands up.

Chen Ling hurriedly stepped forward to help her, and asked her to sit up on the bed with the lead pillow.

"It's almost unrecognizable." Mrs. Zhu's dry lips raised slightly, her face was full of smiles, and the joy in her eyes was undisguised.

But soon, Mrs. Zhu's eyes fell on A Nian, who was sculpted in pink and jade behind her, with some surprises and some surprises...

Chen Ling was sitting on the edge of the bed originally, and turned to look at A Nian, "A Nian."

Ah Nian obeyed and stepped forward.

When he came forward, he took a few more glances at Madam Zhu out of curiosity. As he approached, he bowed his hands like, "A Nian has seen her grandmother."

What he called was 'grandmother'.

Madam Zhu was stunned and looked at Chen Ling in surprise.

Chen Ling said warmly, "I negotiated with him that I will call my grandmother today..."

My aunt has no children and no daughters, so she will be born to her.

She wanted Anian to call her aunt a grandmother, which meant a completely different meaning to her aunt.

Sure enough, Mrs. Zhu's tears suddenly burst into her eyes, and she seemed a little unbelievable.

Chen Ling nodded, "Auntie, A Nian is my son."

Mrs. Zhu's eyes trembled slightly, and when she looked at A Nian again, her eyes became a little more affectionate, "Let my grandmother take a look."

Anian stepped forward, took out a few candies from her sleeve pocket and gave them to her, and said earnestly, "Grandma, if you take good medicine, your illness will be cured. I will give you all my candies..."

Tong Yan Tong Yu, Mrs. Zhu took it and said thank you.

A Nian grinned, and it seemed that people's hearts were about to melt, full of warmth.

"How old is it?" Mrs. Zhu asked gently.

Anian replied generously, "I'm three years old, how about you?"

Tong Yan Wuji, A Nian's words amused Chen Ling and Mrs. Zhu again, and Mrs. Zhu replied, "You are much older than you can count with one hand."

A Nian quickly looked down at his forehead and palm.

Both Mrs. Zhu and Chen Ling had smiles in their eyes.

But Mrs. Zhu seemed to have talked more just now, and began to cough again.

Chen Ling got up, poured a glass of water on one side and handed it to Mrs. Zhu.

Mrs. Zhu took it, took a sip, and couldn't help sighing, "My body is not as good as a year, and I'm afraid I won't be able to survive this year."

Chen Ling opened A Nian, "A Nian, my aunt and I have something to say. You and Aunt Fang will go out to play for a while, and I will call you back in later."

My aunt had already met Ah Nian, and Chen Ling wanted to talk to her aunt alone for a while.

Mrs. Zhu understands.

When Mommy Fang led Anian out, Mrs. Zhu squeezed her hand, "I feel at ease when I see you. Since you went to Beijing, I haven't been at peace for a day. I'm always worried about things in the middle, thinking how good it would be for our mothers to find a place to be quiet and avoid if they didn't take you back back then..."

After Mrs. Zhu finished speaking, she coughed again and again.

Chen Ling was relieved, "Aunt, I'm fine..."

She was brought up by Mrs. Zhu, and Mrs. Zhu also knew that she had been reporting good news instead of bad news in Beijing over the years.

Just as Mrs. Zhu was about to speak, she coughed again.

Chen Ling stroked her back for her.

Mrs. Zhu's eyes were filled with mist, "It's not easy for you to take the time to visit me, I'm content, and seeing Ah Nian again this time is a complete success..."

"Auntie, you'll be fine..." With no one around, Chen Ling's eyes reddened recklessly.

Mrs. Zhu looked at her tenderly, "I have been ill for many years, and I know what my body looks like. But seeing you and A Nian, I feel at ease."

Tears welled up in Chen Ling's eyes.

Mrs. Zhu reached out and wiped the corners of her eyes for her, and said distressedly, "How did you give birth to Ah Nian in Beijing?"

Mrs. Zhu always thought that the East Palace was not her own.

Chen Ling said softly, "It's all over, now I have A Nian with me, A Nian is sensible, and my aunt doesn't need to worry."

Mrs. Zhu naturally knew that she avoided the most important things.

In a place like Beijing, if she wants to give birth to A Nian, it will only be more difficult than ordinary people...

"Where's Ah Nian's father?" Madam Zhu asked.

Chen Ling paused for a while, just as he did not know how to speak, outside the house, Shi Huaiyuan's voice sounded, "Lord!"

Shi Huaiyuan was her confidant and followed her all the time. Knowing that she was with her aunt, she would not disturb her rashly.

Something went wrong.

Chen Ling said calmly, "Auntie, wait a moment."

Madam Zhu nodded and coughed.

Chen Ling restrained the emotions in her eyes and walked out of the screen.

Shi Huaiyuan bowed his hands and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, something happened to Huaicheng. King Tan led the garrison to surround Huaicheng last night. He fought fiercely with the garrison and the forbidden army in Huaicheng. They have already entered the city."

Tan Wang, Tan Jin? Chen Ling's eyes were slightly stagnant.

***

In the city of Huai, there are the corpses of the forbidden army and the garrison everywhere, and the streets are dyed red with blood. Everywhere in the city are the figures of the Tanzhou garrison patrolling and searching, accompanied by the sound of smashing doors, children crying and screaming.

Everyone in the city is in danger.

The fierce battle started last night and continued until the dawn of the city.

After the city was broken, the fighting in the city continued, and it didn't end until around the time...

But after the fighting was over, the panic in the city did not end.

The goal of the garrison began to turn to a carpet search in the city.

…

In an inconspicuous alley, Shen Ci and several people gathered together.

I just scattered to inquire about the situation in the city, and now I have changed into the clothes of the Tanzhou garrison, and wear the token of the Tanzhou garrison on the arm and belt, mixed in it, it is not easy to be recognized,

There is chaos in the city right now, there is no one around here, and it is suitable to talk.

One of them said, "General, I have inquired. I am afraid that this rebellion has been premeditated for a long time, and all the preparations are thorough. Before we arrived at Huaicheng last night, the fierce battle between the two sides had already begun. Before the military, there was not even a trace of defense, if it weren’t for the embargoed army, I am afraid that even this battle would not have to be fought, and the Tanzhou garrison would be able to enter the city directly.”

"It's not surprising that the garrisoned troops have been fighting all year round. They have rich combat experience and are also brave and good at fighting, but the Huaicheng defenders are only used to maintain the stability of the city on a daily basis, and they can't stop the garrison. It's because there are banned troops." Shen Ci's voice was low, and his eyes fell on the topographic map and did not look away.

The other person looked at the map and said, "General, we encountered two groups of garrisoned troops on the way. The first group was unidentified and met near Hecheng. General Han went to inquire, but there is no news yet."

Shen Ci marked He City on the map.

The man continued, "The second group we encountered was already known to be the Tanzhou garrison, and we met the day before yesterday. At this position on the road, our speed was faster than this group of garrisoned troops. This group of garrisoned troops was this morning. Huaicheng, who just arrived. But the siege started early in the morning, so this group of garrisoned troops may only be reinforcements, and it is very likely that there will be reinforcements in the future..."

Shen Ci circled Huaicheng on the map, and his brows were slightly tightened. The opponent's purpose was not only Huaicheng, but also Huaicheng as a hub, ready for a long-term battle.

Shen Ci still held the stone used for marking in his hand, and suddenly realized that this is the power of Tan Jin, the old fox.

As long as he occupies Huaicheng as a hub, even if the garrison next to him wants to come and rescue him, I am afraid that they will be powerless. After a little consideration, he knows that this battle will not be won for a while; but Tan Jin also holds the emperor in his hands, that is, he is relying on the emperor. In order to make the feudal lords, whoever is loyal to rescue the driver, whoever becomes a traitor.

Before the situation is clear, whoever holds the garrison in hand will not dare to move!

This is a dead move...

Shen Ci's eyes darkened, and he swallowed heavily in his throat.

The third person said, "Just now I went to the official residence to inquire about the news. King Tan entered the official residence around the same time, but the official residence is still searching everywhere. When I came here, I also saw the garrison smashing doors everywhere, searching from house to house. General, looking at it this way, it is very likely that the other party did not find the emperor and the prince."

Shen Ci raised his eyes, a little surprise in his eyes.

Several people looked at each other.

The man continued, "The last general also felt strange and didn't dare to ask more, but I also heard news that the emperor suffered from heatstroke three days ago, and then turned into a wind-cold, and the wind-cold worsened, and it seemed that even the prince was infected, so the emperor and The prince has been recuperating in the official residence for the past few days. The imperial doctor did not disturb the officials next to him. During this time, I am afraid that only the imperial doctor and the chief supervisor have seen the emperor... The general was thinking that the Tanzhou garrison is still searching so intensively, is there any One possibility... The emperor and the prince, in fact, have long been away from the official residence, and maybe they are not in Huaicheng either, so King Tan rushed to the air?"

As soon as the voice fell, several people were stunned.

Shen Ci seemed to remember something, and his eyes fell on the topographic map again.

Around Waicheng…

Zhoucheng…

Zhoucheng? !

Shen Ci froze, and the earlier memories flooded into his mind like a glimmer of light.

—My name is Shen Ci. My aunt is in Pingnan County. His Majesty heard that I came to see my aunt and asked me to drop by Zhoucheng to pick you up and return to Beijing.

- A Ling. My name is A Ling.

Shen Ci remembered that the place where he picked up Chen Ling was Zhoucheng.

—You have been in Zhoucheng?

—Well, I was taken care of by my aunt. I have been in Zhoucheng with my aunt since I was a child. My aunt is my only relative.

Zhoucheng, Chen Ling's aunt is in Zhoucheng.

Since entering Beijing, Chen Ling has not returned to Zhoucheng to see his aunt again. Huaicheng is only a day and a half away from Zhoucheng...

Shen Ci suddenly realized that Chen Ling had brought the prince to Zhoucheng, and then used the reason that he had to rest in the wind and cold, because it only took three days to go back and forth from Zhoucheng...

Why didn't he think of it earlier!

It was right that Tan Jin couldn't find the emperor and the prince. Even if he turned Huaicheng over, he couldn't find it, because Chen Ling was not in Huaicheng at all.

Shen Ci put away the topographic map and said solemnly, "Go, go to Zhoucheng!"

***

Inside the official residence, the palace people knelt on the ground in the Tianzi Garden, crying everywhere.

"This king asks again, where are the emperor and the prince?" Tan Jin held the sword, and all the palace servants were kneeling and trembling, not daring to make a sound except crying.

Tan Jin picked up an inner waiter casually, and the inner waiter was frightened, "The villain doesn't know... The villain really doesn't know..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tan Jin stabbed a knife into his stomach, and there was blood on the ground, surrounded by screams and crying.

Tan Jin threw the people down, "Ask one by one, if you can't ask, kill them."

The garrison behind him should be, the garden is full of cries and the sound of weapons piercing flesh and blood.

In the outer cabinet, Imperial Physician Fu was already dead. Tan Jin walked to the supervisor who was kneeling on the ground, "Where is the emperor? The supervisor should be clear."

The chief inspector smiled and said, "Crazy ministers and thieves, how could this old slave tell you where the emperor is?"

Tan Jin also laughed, "Those who steal hooks are punished, and those who steal hooks are princes. How can this king be considered a thief?"

The superintendent spat at him.

Tan Jin raised his knife and dropped it without hesitation.

"My lord!" The counselor wanted to stop it, but it was too late.

Right now, only the supervisor knows where the Son of Heaven is, and when the supervisor dies...

Tan Jin took the saber and said coldly, "He is a dog next to Chen Ling, I can't ask..."

The advisor sighed, "The Son of Heaven is not in the official residence, but heard the wind beforehand?"

Tan Jin said, "Chen Ling is a fox. If he hears the wind, he will definitely stay behind. The Imperial Army will not lose and resist in Huaicheng. I am afraid that this fox Chen Ling is hiding other secrets and will continue to be searched. Huaicheng, expand the range, this fox can't run far!"

***

Chen Ling put away his thoughts, Tan Jin thought she and A Nian were in Huaicheng.

Tan Jin wanted to rebel, but he didn't want her to leave Huaicheng, so he fled in Huaicheng, then Tan Jin would definitely look for her everywhere, Zhoucheng is too close to Huaicheng...

Chen Ling wasn't panicked, panic didn't help.

Chen Ling looked at Shi Huaiyuan and said, "Get ready to leave Zhoucheng."