Return of the Swallow

Sure enough, Ji Zeyu had made up his mind, and he handed over the papers at the court meeting the next day.

But Pang Xiao still said the same thing: "Alan, if you want to go around, then just go, but don't forget to come back. There is your home in the capital, your duke's mansion and title, official position, and I Keep it for you."

The aloof emperor claimed to be "I" when he said these words to Ji Zeyu.

He is not pretending to be intimate, nor is he being approachable to show his tolerance. Ji Zeyu knows that Pang Xiao has always trusted and been close to him from the bottom of his heart. It's not like Li Qitian, who became aloof after practicing Zuo, even saying a few words close to him was just putting on a show for others to see.

Ji Zeyu's eyes turned hot, such a good Pang Xiao...

He hurriedly lowered his head to hide his surging emotions, and after a long time he saluted hoarsely: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I am very grateful."

"Why are you so polite." Pang Xiao hurriedly helped him up with both hands, and sighed: "Can you set a date to leave? Where do you want to go first? I will see you off then."

"The emperor is busy with court affairs..."

"No matter how busy you are, there is time." Pang Xiao made a strong decision without waiting for Ji Zeyu to finish his refusal.

Ji Zeyu only felt sweet and bitter in his heart, and suddenly he didn't want to leave.

But he didn't speak, just bowed his head in acquiescence.

After the court meeting, colleagues expressed regret for Ji Zeyu's decision. Although he has already resigned from office, but judging from the emperor's attitude, he also knows that even if he is an idler, he is still the emperor's brother-in-law, the most honorable idler. Therefore, their attitude towards Ji Zeyu can only be more intimate and respectful, and they dare not neglect him at all.

But when Ji Zeyu returned to the Duke's Mansion, looking at the huge house, he felt at a loss what to do.

He had carried a heavy burden on his shoulders for too long, and when it was suddenly lifted, he no longer knew how to live his life well.

Ji Zeyu wandered aimlessly in the mansion, and when he came back to his senses, he was in the stable again.

The snow-white horse is proudly tied in the stable. Just by looking at the shape of the bones, you can tell that it is different. It seems to have spirituality. When it sees Ji Zeyu, it raises its head. The layer of matt looks extraordinarily beautiful.

When Ji Zeyu stepped forward, Bai Yun moved closer and lowered his head, rubbing Ji Zeyu's face affectionately.

Wearily stretching his arms around the horse's neck,

Ji Zeyu closed his eyes and buried his face in them.

That's all, that's it.

%

The next day, Honglu Temple received envoys from Nanyan. The envoy respectfully received a bloody "gift", which can be said to have shocked the government and the public.

On the Golden Luan Hall, placed in two exquisite brocade boxes are two human heads that have been specially embalmed. The old and the young are safe and sound, and everyone can see very clearly.

Those were Gu Shixiong and Yuchiyan.

"See Emperor Daxin! The emperor of our country has always admired the talents and virtues of Emperor Daxin. Even if he chatted with his courtiers, he would always mention the heroic deeds of Emperor Daxin Dang Ping Yunei. This Wei Chiyan and Gu Shixiong are the remnants of Dayan. A few days ago, he hid in Nanyan, but he wanted to contact the old department!

"Now under the rule of the Great New Dynasty, the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the weather is smooth. The people have finally lived a stable life. How can they be allowed to be corrupted by people like them? The emperor of our country made a decisive decision and offered the heads of the two. One is to stabilize the country. Second, it also shows to the Daxin Emperor the sincerity of our country's friendship and friendship, and I hope the Daxin Emperor will learn from it."

Pang Xiao looked down at the heads of Wei Chiyan and Gu Shixiong in the brocade box, and was silent for a moment, before saying after a long time: "Although Yu Chiyan is the king of a subjugated country, he is also the king of a country. Let's send Yu Chiyan back to the imperial mausoleum of the old capital of the Yan Dynasty. As for Mr. Gu Shixiong, he assisted the three emperors. Although he has a different position from ours, we cannot deny his loyalty and courage. Alright."

"The emperor is wise!" All the courtiers shouted long live. What Pang Xiao did made them admire very much. After Yuchiyan took refuge in Li Qitian, he often opposed the emperor who was still a loyal prince at that time, but now the emperor is willing to let him be buried in the imperial tomb of Yuchi's family, and also give Yuchiyan and Gu Shixiong dignity. It has been kind for a hundred years.

Seeing Pang Xiao's attitude, the envoys of Nanyan almost broke out in cold sweat, and said: "Your Majesty, my Nanyan lives in a corner of the coast, and the country is small and weak, so I really have no intention of starting any disputes. Just develop steadily."

Pang Xiao smiled and just nodded.

The envoy of Nanyan lowered his head and didn't dare to look directly at Tianyan, and said again: "Yes, the Great New Emperor really doesn't have to be so cautious, even if there is no Pingnan Army on the border of Nanyan, and there are not dozens of warships outside Nanyan's coastal defense Aiming at it, Nanyan will never give in to Daxinchao!"

The Pingnan Army is currently guarding the border between the two countries in the south. The group of men who just came back from the battlefield are not even in the same spirit as ordinary soldiers. The Nanyan frontier army was frightened, for fear that the opponent would directly attack them.

Nanyan is close to the sea, and I thought they had the final say on the sea, but who knows when, dozens of warships, large and small, approached and surrounded Nanyan's sea area.

Nanyan's monarchs really couldn't think of any other way, so they deceived Yuchiyan and Gu Shixiong who had fled to Nanyan territory, killed them and offered their heads to show their sincerity, all they wanted was peace.

Hearing that dozens of warships surrounded Nanyan's coastal defense, the ministers didn't know what was going on.

Pang Xiao smiled and said: "These warships are those that were docked at Jingang in the Beiji Kingdom. At the beginning, the late emperor intended to dismantle the warships to build the imperial mausoleum. Thanks to Mr. Lu Yunlu's many operations, these warships were saved. Otherwise, our Dahsin’s coastal defense would still be a major hidden danger. If funds are allocated to build warships, it will be hard to find old craftsmen, and it will cost a lot of money. I am really grateful to Mr. Lu for his righteousness.”

All the courtiers suddenly realized that those who were simple-minded could only think that it was Lu Yun who devoted herself to protecting these warships. However, those who are so active have already guessed that the current emperor must have made some efforts, otherwise, with Lu Yun alone, no matter how powerful the family is, it may be difficult to transport the warship away from Jingang.

While the courtiers were discussing, the envoy of Nanyan was already sweating profusely. Seeing that Pang Xiao ignored him, he hastily said: "Your Majesty, our Nanyan Emperor has always been grateful for your life-saving grace, and we also know very well about Daxin's strong ability. , I, Nanyan, would like to pay tribute every year and be a minister every year, willing to be a subordinate of Daxin."

As he spoke, his forehead was pressed tightly against the ground, for fear that Pang Xiao would not agree, and he would slap his eyes as soon as he waited.

In fact, the army that has just experienced the baptism of war is the most difficult to resist. If you really go to war, it will be the common people who will suffer.

Pang Xiao smiled, comforted the envoy a few words, and told people not to be negligent in entertaining them, but did not make a clear statement.

And the more Pang Xiao had such an attitude, the more uneasy the envoy became. When he left the capital and rushed back to Nanyan, he was worried all the way, for fear that Pang Xiao would order someone to fight him.

Regarding the issue of Nanyan, the courtiers were also divided into two rows, some were in charge of the battle, and some felt that Ying hurriedly postponed the discussion.

This topic has been discussed for half a month without any results.

As for Qin Huaiyuan and his party, they had already prepared everything during this period of time.

On the outskirts of thirty miles away from the capital, Qin Yining was dressed like an ordinary lady, kneeling in front of Qin Huaiyuan, Mrs. Sun and Mrs. Zheng with tears in her eyes, and solemnly kowtowed.

"Father, mother, and grandmother. I don't know when we will see each other again when we go back. Please take care of yourself, father, mother, and grandmother. Don't worry too much about state affairs. My daughter is here, and I will always pray for you You are in good health, and when things are stable here, my daughter will visit you."

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and stepped forward to help Qin Yining.

But Qin Yining refused to get up, choked up and said, "If it wasn't for me, father and mother would not have decided to stay in such a place to suffer. My daughter can't be filial by her side, and she has to burden her father and mother. She really has a fault in her heart."

"Stupid child." Qin Huaiyuan helped Qin Yining up, and patted her on the back with his big hands, "You just stay here to care for your husband and teach your children, and the decisions you make for your father are not purely for you. This is also for your father's sincerity." What you want to do, where can you find the direction to work hard for your father, and work hard willingly, this sense of accomplishment makes people happy, you don't have to have such a heavy burden in your heart."

Qin Yining nodded, holding back her tears and not letting them fall.

Cao Yuqing hugged Brother Zhao's shoulder and said with a smile: "Don't worry, we will take good care of Brother Zhao. I promise to see you next time. Brother Zhao will be an upstanding little man."

As soon as the children who were about to be separated were mentioned, Qin Yining almost couldn't hold back the tears.

Brother Zhao raised his head like a little adult, "Mother."

Qin Yining squatted in front of Brother Zhao, touched his fair little face, tapped the little red mole between his eyebrows, and smiled.

Brother Zhao also laughed, "Mother, if someone bullies you, come to me."

Brother Han was not convinced: "With me here, no one will bully mother!"

The two children stuck out their tongues and made faces at each other, and the original sad atmosphere was suddenly diluted.

At this time, Pang Xiao respectfully bowed to Qin Huaiyuan and other elders, "Father-in-law, please rest assured, I will never break my promise. I will only be good to Sister Yi in this life. What I say now is in vain. Fortunately, as time goes by, Time will tell everything I say."

Qin Huaiyuan smiled sheepishly, but did not answer, only said: "Take care."

"Take care."

Liao Zhibing and the others had been waiting for a long time with the brothers from the Qingtian League, and helped Qin Huaiyuan and his party get into the car.

Pang Xiao patted Mu Jinghu on the shoulder and said, "Wu Mu, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard, don't worry, I will send Uncle Qin and his party to a safe place, and then we will return to Tianji Valley."

Pang Xiao smiled and said, "With you here, I'm naturally relieved."

Qiu Feishan next to Mu Jinghu hugged Brother Yan, Fang Hailing held Lian Xiaoyu's hand, and saluted Pang Xiao and Qin Yining together.

"Sister, let's go." Lian Xiaoyu stepped forward to hug Qin Yining like a walnut with red and swollen eyes.

Qin Yining patted her on the back, still trying not to cry, and said with a smile: "Silly girl, don't cry. From now on, it's your own life, live your life well, and if you don't like it, you can come back. As I said, I will always be your natal home."

"Yeah!" Lian Xiaoyu nodded heavily, and hugged Bingtang and Jiyun again, "Sister Bingtang, sister Jiyun, take care of yourself."

"You too." Bing Tang sobbed. Even after Xiao Porridge was brought back by Qin Yining, she always liked to be by her side. She also loved the little girl who couldn't even speak at that time. By now, they have their own families , have their own lives.

I don't know this farewell, when will we see you next time.

Everyone got into the carriage respectively, Qiu Feishan also got into the carriage with Brother Yan in his arms, Mu Jinghu rode his horse and followed beside the convoy, smiling and waving goodbye to Qin Yining and Pang Xiao.

"Drive!" The driver waved his whip, and the team set off for the official road.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao stood in place with Brother Han.

Brother Zhao leaned out half of his body from the car window, and waved his small hands vigorously at Qin Yining and Pang Xiao.

Seeing that the separation was real, Brother Han, who was grinning and making faces just now, finally burst into tears with a "wow".

"Brother! Brother!" Brother Han chased after him for two steps, but stopped abruptly, covering his face and crying loudly.

What responded to him was the same cry from brother Zhao in the carriage.

Qin Yining endured tears all morning and finally shed them, but she still refused to let go of her waving hand until the convoy completely disappeared from sight.

%

This is a quiet valley. The eyes are all green, and the wind suddenly blows, sending bursts of the unique fragrance of green grass.

A large house was built in the valley by the mountains and rivers.

At this time, a woman with a round body, half-length hair and wearing a wide monastery robe was sitting on the drunken chair and shaking a cattail fan. There were two small benches in front of her, a man and a woman sat facing her, one on the left and the other on the right. The scene was a little solemn.

"This fairy has the ability to know the sky and the earth. I can know five hundred years before and five hundred years later. If I count, how can I not know what the emperor is thinking? If I live, he will not tolerate me! Why don't you sell it to him? Personality, look, how comfortable this fairy is now, and she will never get involved in those bad things again!"

"Master, you...you really...deceived me so much, how many tears I shed in vain!"

Mu Jinghu's face was livid, and just after complaining, Tianjizi slapped him on the forehead.

"Little bastard, my old man didn't blame you for only caring about your good brother, regardless of my life or death. You blamed me for not dying? In order to save the Qin family, I lost half of my name. Even if I plotted against her, I still want to After killing her, I will pay back what should be paid now, her man has also ascended the throne and become emperor, what do you want from me, huh? Don’t you want me to die before you are willing?"

"That's not what I mean. But, isn't it bad to deceive Zhixi like this?"

"Not good?" Tianjizi sat up straight in a jerk, "Do you know how hard it was for me to pretend to be dead at the beginning! That Qin family is like a monkey, I can't get out even if there is a slight flaw, let me tell you, I It’s been so hard to have a peaceful life now, if you dare to tell me, you won’t be a disciple of Tianjimen in the future!”

Mu Jinghu was silent.

After all, he was greatly favored by the Tianji Sect, so he didn't want to do the thing of betraying the master.

Qiu Feishan said: "Just listen to Master, not to mention hiding Master's life and death, it will have no effect on the matter of the Emperor and Empress, will it?"

Mu Jinghu raised her eyes and looked at Tianjizi. After a long battle between heaven and man in her heart, she finally nodded.

Anyway, with him watching, it would be inconvenient for Tianjizi to go out and continue bluffing and cheating after his feigned death, so it wouldn't be a big deal, right?

Tian Jizi leaned back on the drunkard's chair again, swaying leisurely.

"Hey, you guys, don't think that the current emperor is a fool. He is much smarter than that guy Li Qitian. Li Qitian is not expected to be an emperor, and he insists on sticking green onions in his nose. Look, what will happen to him now? Imprisoned for life, you can't live, you can't die! This is also the evil result of his insistence on forcing!

"Like the Lu family back then, how could that idiot Li Qitian allow it to exist? Such a powerful family is a big threat to the imperial power! Li Qitian didn't want to think about how to dismantle it, but still relied on the family. , It’s like pushing yourself on the path of a puppet, bah!”

Tianjizi spat, and when he turned his head, he saw Qiu Feishan.

She slowed down her speech, but she said forcefully: "Nowadays, a family like the Lu family will not be allowed to exist. The family will not be allowed to be so large that it can infiltrate the officialdom of the court, because he has witnessed such a situation with his own eyes. The aristocratic family is a danger to the imperial court."

Qiu Feishan looked a little stiff.

Tianjizi gave her an unceremonious look, "Hey, some people claim to be smart, but they end up digging their own graves. Even if they are fooling fools, enough is enough."

Mu Jinghu blinked, and said: "Master, she has already severed all ties with the Qiu family, even if the emperor wants to liquidate the Qiu family, it has nothing to do with her."

"Really? That's good." Tianjizi smiled and waved his cattail fan, "I want to eat watermelon, glutinous rice balls, and Dongpo pork!"

The topic changed so quickly that Mu Jinghu was stunned again.

Qiu Feishan hurriedly stood up, said "I'll go to the kitchen to prepare." and left quickly.

There was silence in the courtyard again, Tian Jizi covered his face with his cattail fan, as if he had fallen asleep.

Mu Jinghu stood up and walked towards the kitchen.

%

A round of red sun slowly jumped out of the clouds, and the sky was full of morning glow, almost connecting with the golden sea in the distance.

Qin Yining looked at the two men not far away, but said nothing.

Pang Xiao frowned and looked at Ji Zeyu in wide-sleeved white clothes: "Alan, are you really planning to go out to sea with the merchant ship? You want to relax, but where can you go? The sea is very windy and dangerous, and if you meet barbarians, you won't listen to me." I understand what they said, when you go to the sea, you can see water everywhere, so what’s so interesting about it?”

Ji Zeyu smiled, raised the whip and said, "Even if I go to sea, I will take this whip with me. If I can't come back, if you find this whip in the future, it means..."

"Nonsense!" Pang Xiao angrily scolded.

When he was looking for Qin Yining, when the situation was the most serious, Ji Zeyu gave him a horsewhip in order to make it easier for him to dispatch his subordinates. All the soldiers of the Longxiang Army in northern Xinjiang recognized that horsewhip. In exchange, Pang Xiao also gave Ji Zeyu his riding whip, and Ji Zeyu used Pang Xiao's riding whip until now.

Ji Zeyu looked back at Qin Yining who was not far away, smiled, took the reins from the servant behind him, and walked over slowly leading the shiny white horse.

Qin Yining looked at Ji Zeyu with complicated eyes.

"Empress, I robbed this horse from you back then, and it has been fighting with me since then. Now that I am going to sea, I will give it to you. I hope you will take good care of it."

After speaking, he handed the reins to Qin Yining.

Under the morning light, Ji Zeyu's knuckle-boned hands were half-tucked in his wide sleeves, and he handed the reins to Qin Yining.

Qin Yining slowly raised his hand to take it.

Bai Yun seemed to know that his master was leaving, so he bent down the slender horse's neck, and rubbed against Ji Zeyu attached. Ji Zeyu patted it with a smile, his gentle smile was like treating his own child.

Ji Zeyu laughed.

"Empress, what is yours is yours after all, and now it has been returned to its original owner."

"Take care." Qin Yining seemed to have something stuck in his throat, and only said this sentence.

Ji Zeyu nodded with a smile, turned around and patted Pang Xiao on the shoulder, and then he took the whip and strode towards the small boat docked beside the Golden Port, using his strength to go in the direction of the large merchant ship. Several accompanying servants and guards hurriedly After saluting Pang Xiao and Qin Yining, he followed quickly.

Seeing his slender back, he leaped from the small boat to the rope ladder, stepped onto the big boat with a few steps, Pang Xiao's tightly knit brows gradually relaxed, and he said loudly: "Be careful, come back early!"

Ji Zeyu on the side of the boat didn't know if he heard it, but just waved at him.

The boatmen shouted the chant, and the merchant ship set sail, and with the good wind, it sailed towards the morning sea.

Qin Yining led the white horse and stood beside Pang Xiao, watching the sailboat get farther and farther away, until it turned into a black spot on the sea level, and then looked at each other.

Pang Xiao smiled and said: "Let's go, Jingang hasn't been here for a long time, I'll take you to play for two days before going back."

Qin Yining raised his eyebrows, and Jian Shui's big eyes were full of jokes: "Play with me, aren't you afraid that another judge will impeach you for neglecting government affairs?"

"Let them go. It won't be too late to think about it when I really delay the government affairs." Said the domineering big hand, embraced Qin Yining and walked towards the direction of Golden Port City.

Huzi behind him hurriedly followed with a few Jinghuwei with a smile on his face.

A gust of summer wind with the fishy smell of the sea blows over Qin Yining's broken hair, Pang Xiao's smiling handsome face, and the grass behind them with faint footprints, making a pleasant rustling sound.

The sun has risen.

It's a brand new day.

——End of the full text——