Hidden Sky Light

Fang Sifu's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Chen Ling sighed, "This matter makes me very distressed, and the teacher is also asking about it. I think that you are the most flexible one in the court, so I want you to share my worries and see if there is any way to deal with these rumors. , so that I don't have to be distracted by these trivial matters every day, don't you think?"

"Yes, yes..." Fang Sifu smiled apologetically, "Your Majesty is concerned with the livelihood of the people and peace in the world. These things are enough for Your Majesty to worry about, how can you let the Son of Heaven worry about these groundless things?"

Chen Ling said with a smile, "Fang Aiqing is indeed a pillar of the DPRK."

Fang Sifu got such a compliment from the emperor, so he had to bow his head, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Wei Chen is frightened."

Chen Ling said softly, "Get up and talk, let me listen."

Fang Sifu had no choice but to get up, then looked up at the emperor, and saw that the emperor was holding the scroll in his hand, without even raising his eyelids.

Fang Sifu took a deep breath, swallowed nervously in his throat, and said tentatively, "Actually, these rumors are not because he doesn't understand the emperor. The emperor is worried about the affairs of the court and the people day and night, and he has not yet worried about the prince, so the harem It has been vacant for a long time, and it is a model among Ming Jun, but a model is easy to be suspected. If you want to calm down these rumors, the most direct way is to fill the harem of Your Majesty, then all the rumors can be self-defeating..."

"Oh." Chen Ling flipped through the book in his hand and said casually, "I don't want to."

Fang Sifu: "..."

Chen Ling said in a low voice, "What about the other way? Is there anything else?"

Fang Sifu was in a dilemma, not knowing whether to say it or not, so he said tremblingly, "Yes, if Your Majesty doesn't want to fill the harem, then give General Shen a marriage..."

Speaking of this, he suddenly saw the emperor looking up at him.

Fang Sifu was startled with cold sweat on his forehead, he immediately understood, and changed his words, "Of course, there is no need for His Majesty to confer marriage, General Shen is a loyal minister and a good general, and he has made great achievements in escorting. He was a student in the East Palace earlier, and he should be able to accompany him by the side of the emperor. , those gossips must be self-defeating and won't last long!"

Chen Ling still looked at him.

Fang Sifu: "..."

Fang Sifu wanted to cry but had no tears, "Your Majesty doesn't want to marry him, General Shen only needs to marry a wife and have children, no, it's okay to marry a wife first..."

Chen Ling's brows suddenly narrowed subtly.

Fang Sifu immediately stopped crying and knelt down again, kneeling upright and straight, "Your Majesty, General Shen does not need to marry. The heroic drama of marrying, it is best to add some scenes of jealousy and big fights, which are well known in Beijing. Compared with the earlier gossip, this kind of gossip has a stronger story, more twists and turns, and spreads. If it is wider, it will surely quell the earlier message."

Chen Ling continued to look at him.

Fang Sifu felt that his dog's head was already hanging on Kudu, and he wanted to cry without tears, "There is another way...the overall effect can be better, that is, General Shen married at the border. The story of the marriage is legendary, such as the Xirong Iron Cavalry. Stepping through the border town, General Shen rescued a woman under the knife of the Xirong people. The other party refused to marry him, but General Shen only had home and country in his heart, and he never responded. In the end, the woman followed General Shen and did not give up. In the end, lovers are married! Stories like this can quell rumors, because people are always willing to believe such stories!"

Chen Ling: "..."

Chen Ling originally wanted to smash the scroll on his head, but finally held back.

——When we come back from Licheng, let's get married... Just you and me, no one else, no matter what...

- Chen Ling, I want to marry you.

Chen Ling calmed down and didn't mention it again.

Fang Sifu was the best at observing words and expressions. Judging from the expression on the emperor's face, his head was kept.

"There is one more thing." Chen Ling put down the scroll in his hand.

Fang Sifu's heart hangs up again, and his head has not been kept...

Chen Ling looked directly at him this time, "Some people say that the prince looks like Shen Ci, I'm not happy."

Fang Sifu's face turned pale, not only unhappy, but the expression of wanting to kill Quartet was written on his face.

Fang Sifu hurriedly said, "Throughout the ages, it is not that there are no courtiers with the emperor and the prince hanging statues. When the prince was born, General Shen was still at the border. Over the years, although there have been frictions at the border, the people of Xirong have never been able to step into the land of Yan and South Korea. Step by step, General Shen is like a prince, and he is a loyal and good general, so he seeks good fortune and avoids evil for the prince. There are precedents in ancient times. General Shen has saved the emperor and the prince earlier, and it can be regarded as the prince who has prevented disasters. , declare to the world, Your Majesty is magnanimous, not afraid of rumors, but let the rumors break free..."

Fang Sifu's sentence was the only thing that made Chen Ling feel right tonight.

The Prince Taibao was one of the Taifu.

Even if Shen Ci returns to Beijing in the future, with this identity, he can justifiably meet Ah Nian and teach Ah Nian to ride and shoot.

Fang Sifu's consideration is not only appropriate, but also very much in line with her mind.

Chen Ling said softly, "I think about it first."

When the emperor said so, Fang Sifu's hanging heart was completely put back on his chest, and the emperor was satisfied!

Take it when you see it!

Fang Sifu immediately surrendered, "Then Wei Chen will retire first."

"Well." Chen Ling whispered.

Fang Sifu couldn't wait for the wind under his feet, but he needed to be polite in front of the emperor, so he could only suppress the urgency in his heart, slowly got up, bowed his hands, and then turned to go outside Dongnuan Pavilion.

As soon as he arrived at the door, he heard the voice behind him say, "Fang Aiqing."

Fang Sifu wanted to die, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

Chen Ling clenched his fist and coughed, and said peacefully, "These rumors have already troubled me. If there are more rumors and rumors spread..."

The more peaceful it is, the more hidden the crisis is. Fang Sifu said quickly, "We have never heard or said a word about today's matter. Tonight, Wei Chen has never seen His Majesty."

Chen Ling suddenly realized what the teacher said, all kinds of people in the court should have it, and all kinds of people should use it, Chen Ling nodded, "Go ahead."

Fang Sifu thanked him.

After Fang Sifu left, Chen Ling called Qi Shan again.

"Your Majesty?" Qi Shan entered.

Chen Ling said softly, "Let Zichu enter the palace to see me."

"Yes," Qi Shan responded.

Fang Siping was the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and now he is also the editor of the Hanlin Academy. The imperial edicts are all out of the Hanlin Academy, so Chen Ling will ask Fang Siping to discuss the matter in advance to ensure that the edicts issued by the Hanlin Academy are in line with her intentions.

Fang Sifu is a man of finesse, and it is okay to be eloquent and clever, but the things on the pen need to be considered by Fang Siping to be safe.

The teacher will definitely ask, she wants someone to speak up for the emperor.

Child can.

"Your Majesty." Fang Siping handed over.

"Zichu, I'm looking for you for a reason." Chen Ling said straight to the point, "This time the chaos in Huaicheng has been settled, and everyone has been rewarded for their merits, but at Shen Ci, I didn't act, I was considering it. Shen Ci is at the border, yes The commander-in-chief of the garrison, but General Liu is here. Shen Cisheng cannot be promoted any further. He is currently serving as the commander of the forbidden army, but it is also a temporary post. Earlier, the DPRK was busy with affairs, and I did not put this matter on the agenda. Things have slowed down. Today, I mentioned this matter to me, and I also feel that it is indeed biased. The New Year is approaching, and I want to issue a decree before the year to seal Shen Rei as the Prince Taibao. Although it is a false post, but in Huaicheng During the turmoil, he saved the prince several times, but it makes sense, do you think it is appropriate?"

Fang Siping was already on good terms with Shen Ci, and Chen Ling knew that Fang Siping was thinking from Shen Ci's place.

Fang Siping bowed his hands, "Your Majesty, during the Huaicheng Rebellion, General Shen saved Your Majesty and the Prince from the chaotic army. The General and the Prince of the Marquis of Jianping take the lead. The Prince of the Marquis of Jianping has already been enthroned in advance by His Majesty's edict. This was originally a son's inheritance of his father's business. Wei Chen thought that adding General Shen as the Crown Prince Taibao was justifiable, and he could teach the prince in the future.

Chen Ling looked at him.

Fang Siping did not shy away either.

Chen Ling said again, "Tomorrow is the last day of the morning court, and the day after tomorrow will start to rest. You can discuss this matter with the teacher tomorrow morning and afterward. In addition, the Prince Taibao has a special status, and I want to add caution to the edict. Deeds, words and deeds, to show expectations."

"The minister leads the order." Fang Siping surrendered.

——Since he is a close minister of the emperor, he should know the importance and not easily put the emperor on the cusp.

——If you are a monarch, you will be biased in this way. Once you are biased, how can you convince your courtiers? Or did the courtiers follow suit?

Doing so will relieve the teacher's heart.

Chen Ling was fascinated.

***

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, Shen Ci finally arrived at Licheng.

"General!" "General!"

When the garrison guarding the city saw Shen Ci's return, they all became excited at the city gate and rushed to call out.

This year is a severe winter, and General Liu is not here. Before the end of the year, General Shen returned to Licheng, as if he had given all the troops stationed in Licheng a reassurance.

Han Guan also greeted him at the gate of the city. When he saw Shen Ci, his eyes were slightly red, "General! You are finally back!"

I heard earlier that the general was appointed as the commander of the forbidden army, and the garrison in Licheng was a little flustered.

But now it's different.

Shen Ci hit the horse, "The closer the year is, the more energized!"

"Yes!" The surroundings responded neatly.

"Let's go!" Shen Ci ordered, and more than ten horsemen followed them to the garrison camp.

Han Guan and Guo Zixiao were his lieutenants. Right now they were riding on his side, with Xiao Wu following slightly behind.

"Is there any abnormality at the border recently?" Shen Ci asked on the horseback.

Han Guan replied, "No, because there is no abnormality, it is even more strange."

After following the general for a long time, I always used to think in the opposite direction.

Shen Ci asked again, "Is there any trace of Harmia?"

Speaking of Harmiya, Han Guan's face sank, "Not yet."

Shen Ci didn't ask more about Harmia, "Is General Liu here?"

Han Guan nodded, "Yes! I'm a general in the army."

Shen Ci finally asked in a deep voice, "Lao Xue... Where is Lao Xue buried?"

Han Guan looked at him, "The hilltop that Lao Xue likes to go to is buried there."

"I'll go when I see General Liu." Shen Ci whispered.

"General!" Xiao Wu's voice was behind him, "I want to see Brother Xue first..."

"Okay." Shen Ci responded.

Seeing Xiao Wu dashing away, both Han Guan and Guo Zixiao's eyes were stunned.

In the past, he and Lao Guo always thought that Xiao Wu was broken, and when he saw Xiao Wu, he had a headache, but the general always took Xiao Wu, and they couldn't hide. Only Lao Xue was calm and gentle, so he could take care of Xiao Wu. Now Lao Xue No, Xiao Wu is also one of the saddest people.

After entering the military camp, Shen Ci dismounted, and immediately a garrison stepped forward to lead the horse for him, "General, General Liu is at the school grounds."

"Okay." Shen Ci responded, the garrison led his horse away, and Shen Ci went to the school grounds alone.

Although the new year is approaching, the training of the garrison has not been interrupted.

When Shen Ci arrived, Liu He turned around, "Zi'an?"

Shen Ci cupped his hands and said respectfully, "General! I heard about Xue Chao. Your Majesty asked me to go back to Licheng first."

"Zi'an, walk with me." Liu He patted him on the shoulder, and Shen Ci agreed.

Liu He told the lieutenant to watch the drill, and then together with Shen Ci, talked around the school grounds.

"Uncle Liu, is the border still stable for a while?" Shen Ci was clear, asking Liu He and Han Guan, the other party should be different.

Liu He shook his head, "It doesn't count. This year is a cold winter, Beiguan is under great pressure, and Xirong is also eyeing it. According to previous years, when the tribes in the east of Xirong knew that Yanhan's New Year's Day was approaching, they couldn't hold back and wanted to come before the New Year's Day. There was a wave of provocation and some petty profits, but this year is strange, there is no movement. Han Guan told me about Harmiya, we were negligent earlier, and our mind and energy were spent on these people in the east of Xirong. In the tribe, they didn’t go deep into the west of Xirong, and they didn’t even know about such a hero as Harmiya. They raised tigers and were shortsighted. When the New Year passed, they might have to go west. The bottom of the Harmiya and Puyi tribes must be at least Dig and dig, or if one day the enemy suddenly changes, we will be caught off guard."

"Got it, Uncle Liu." Shen Ci responded.

Liu He sighed, "Xue Chao is your guard and has always had a high prestige in the army. This time Xue Chao's death has shocked the army a lot. But Zi'an, you must know that whether it is anger or depression, it is not Good thing. If the military's heart is to be stable, it is necessary to make sure everything is clear. Now that the New Year is approaching, I am afraid that the death of General Xue Chao's death will continue until the end of the year, which is not a good thing."

"I understand, Uncle Liu." Shen Ci understood.

Liu He patted him on the shoulder again, "I will let people continue to pay attention to Xi Rong. I will let Han Guan tell you slowly about the border affairs during this time."

Shen remarks should be fine.

Liu Hecai pulled the corner of his mouth, "It's good to be back, the army is waiting for you to come back, and when you come back, they will eat dumplings well this New Year's Eve."

Shen Ci followed with a smile.

Liu He stopped, "Go and see Xue Chao first, and talk about the other things tomorrow."

"Yes!" Shen Ci cupped his hands.

...

Han Guan said that Xue Chao was buried on the top of the mountain he liked to go to during his lifetime, and Shen Ci didn't need anyone else to lead the way, and he could easily find it on horseback.

When Shen Ci arrived, Xiao Wu was still sitting in front of Xue Chao's tomb, bowing his head and touching tears.

Xiao Wu rarely cried, but he talked to General Liu for so long, plus the journey back and forth, that Xiao Wu kept crying for such a long time.

Shen Ci stepped forward and stood side by side with Xiao Wu.

"General, general?" Xiao Wu was surprised, and seemed to be afraid that he saw that he had been crying, so he tried his best not to turn his head away, and wiped his tears with the clothes on his arms.

"Have you brought wine?" Shen Ci asked.

Xiao Wu nodded, how could he not bring it?

Brother Xue has no hobbies, he likes to drink, he can taste all kinds of wine, and he can compete with each other. In this army, no one knows better than Brother Xue...

When he came to see Brother Xue, of course he had to bring wine, or several jugs!

Everything he liked earlier.

Xiao Wu continued to wipe away tears.

"Drinking, Lao Xue." Shen Ci took off the cork, and slowly fell toward the blank space in front of him. The wine soaked into the soil little by little, and dried up quickly, leaving only a few traces.

Xiao Wu was able to hold back earlier, but secretly sobbed once or twice.

Right now, looking at the dried wine on the ground, it seems that Xue Chao is really there, Xiao Wu burst into tears.

Originally, Shen Ci felt like a needle was pierced in his heart, but now hearing Xiao Wu cry like this, he felt even more uncomfortable.

But I remembered what General Liu told me today, that anger and depression are not good things. If the military's heart must be stable, Xue Chao's death cannot be brought to the next year...

"Xiao Wu, stop crying, toast Xue Chao." Shen Ci said in a deep voice.

Xiao Wu came back to his senses, "Brother Xue Chao, your favorite wine..."

Xiao Wu couldn't go on, "General, I'm uncomfortable! Woohoo!"

Xiao Wu was not very old at first, and he was crying like a tearful man, and he also drilled into Shen Ci's arms.

Shen Ci left him alone. At this time, the only person Xiao Wu could rely on was him.

Shen Ci picked up another pot of wine, and slowly poured it forward, "Old Xue, I will definitely kill Harmia with my hands to avenge you, wait for me."

Shen Ci made a deep voice, then grabbed another pot of wine and drank it together in front of Xue Chao's tombstone.

——I said you guys, don’t look down on others, the thin dead camel is bigger than a horse, and can be a companion to the East Palace, will it be better than you crooked melons and cracked dates?

- You have a lot of backbone!

- No thanks, just call me Lao Xue.

Shen Ci narrowed his eyes.

***

By the time I got down from the mountain, it was already night, and the border outside the fortress was no better than other places, especially at the end of the twelfth lunar month, when it got dark very early.

Shen Ci rode down the mountain with Xiao Wu, and Xiao Wu didn't speak much all the way.

"Go home." Approaching the garrison camp, Shen Ci suddenly said.

Xiao Wu was surprised, "General?"

"I'll give you a leave, go home, and come back after the Lantern Festival in the first lunar month."

Xiao Wu is stubborn, "Don't go."

Shen Ci looked at him, "Who said that he missed his mother before?"

Xiao Wuyu was speechless, he said it, he wanted to...

"This is a military order, come back to report after the Lantern Festival." After Shen Ci finished speaking, he rushed forward.

"Yes!" Xiao Wu burst into tears.

...

Shen Ci has a mansion in Licheng. When he returned to the mansion, Uncle Yuan came to greet him, "The general is back?"

Shen Ci nodded, "Uncle Yuan!"

Uncle Yuan was an old man in the family earlier, and he came to Licheng to take care of him.

Shen Ci asked, "Is Uncle Hu there?"

He had explained to Uncle Hu with Xue Chao earlier. Since Xue Chao had asked others to take Uncle Hu to Licheng earlier, he should have also explained Uncle Hu.

Uncle Yuan said with a smile, "General, Doctor Hu is not in the mansion."

not there? Shen Ci was surprised.

Yuan Shu replied, "Dr. Hu is in the army. It happened that in winter, the military medical office was busy, and Dr. Hu couldn't leave. The army left a special residence for Dr. Hu, and Dr. Hu was always there."

It turned out that, Shen Ci understood.

He did not inquire about Uncle Hu, nor did Uncle Yuan know.

Uncle Yuan said, "The general is riding fast all the way, the dust is full, and the water is ready. Let's rest early tonight and talk about it tomorrow."

Shen remarks should be fine.

Uncle Yuan is indeed right, he has been on the road all the way and has almost no time to spare.

Now soaking in the tub, as if only a moment of leisure, and a short period of peace.

Today is the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. After the morning is over, it is time for the court to rest, and Chen Ling should not be so busy.

He still remembered the period before leaving Beijing in November. She had to be free almost from morning to night, either in the morning court or in the Lihe Hall to handle court affairs, and there were endless courtiers every day...

He only knew earlier that it was not easy for her in the court in the past few years, but he didn't know that even if it was peaceful, the court still had free time.

It is difficult to be the emperor, and it is even more difficult to be the emperor who is diligent in political affairs.

In the eyes of courtiers, Chen Ling is a more diligent, sensible, and wise ruler who cares about the people, but only she herself knows how difficult it is.

He was originally going to stay in Beijing to celebrate the New Year with her and Anian.

The closer the New Year is, the more he misses her and A Nian, but the person who knows him best is Chen Ling...

Even if he stayed in Beijing in Nianguan, his heart would not be stable. When he really arrived in Licheng, he seemed to be stable in his heart at this special time.

He sat on the windowsill and continued to weave grasshoppers in the dead of night.

Not how much I like, but sustenance.

During the four years at the border, he compiled countless numbers and never let her know.

Right now, both hands are moving with familiarity, but all I think about are Chen Ling and A Nian...

It's been a fast half year.

It's so fast to be with her and Ah Nian.

The white horse slipped through the gap and slipped away between his fingers.

A Ling...

He raised his head and stared blankly in the air, breathing into a mist.

***

"My New Year's wish is to celebrate the New Year with Sister Aqing." On the bed, A Nian was so excited that he didn't sleep.

Chen Ling looked at him. Earlier it was Xu Jiao, and now it's Chen Qing. I can't wait to talk every day...

Chen Ling stretched out his hand and rubbed his ear, and said warmly, "Your uncle is coming to the palace to have the New Year's Eve dinner with us, Chen Qing will not stay in the palace alone, but after the New Year's Eve dinner together, they will return to Jingping. The palace keeps the year old, and there must be a master in the home, and the lamp is always on, and the same is true for the Chaoyang Palace."

"Okay~" A Nian was already very happy to hear that he was going to have a New Year's Eve dinner with his uncle and sister A Qing.

"Go to bed earlier." Chen Ling rarely leaned over and kissed his forehead.

In fact, it is not uncommon. After Shen Ci left, Chen Ling wanted to make up for A Nian...

Anian likes to be close to her.

Just as she was about to get up, A Nian stretched out her arms and wrapped her arms around her neck, "Father, can you sleep with Nian Nian tonight?"

Chen Ling thought for a while, but for some reason, she did not refuse.

Lying on the bed, A Nian seriously said to him, "Father, it's New Year's Eve."

Chen Ling smiled, "Yes, after the New Year, you are one year older."

A Nian smiled, "Am I a big Nian Nian?"

Chen Ling endured Jun, "Little Nian Nian."

Ah Nian didn't quite understand, "When is the big Nian Nian?"

Chen Ling touched his head and said warmly, "It's still a long time, don't worry, let the royal father slowly grow up with you."

Ah Nian seems to understand.

Chen Ling embraced him, "Go to sleep, the royal father is with you."

Thinking that Chen Ling was with him, A Nian hurriedly closed her eyes.

Tomorrow is the first day of rest, she doesn't need to get up early, she can stay in Chaoyang Hall to accompany Ah Nian.

She also reached out to cover him with the quilt to prevent him from catching a cold.

A Nian is getting older every day, she can still take him to sleep for a while, but she will not be able to wait until she is older...

In the hall, the palace maid saw that he and the prince had rested, and consciously turned off most of the lights in the bedroom, leaving only a few night lights.

Chen Ling embraced A Nian and lay with her back to the outside of the curtain.

The lights in the hall were dim and gentle, and in the dead of night, she would think of him quietly...