Chapter 3: Jing Lan (3)

If not necessary, Chu Jinglan would never enter the palace. This time, he came to pay respects to the Queen Mother and participate in the reception banquet set by Emperor Chu Sanghuai for him. The left is just a courtesy.
The golden pavilion’s pond, carved beams and painted ridges, although covered in thin pans due to the advent of twilight, it still fits closely with the appearance of his memory. Everywhere contains vivid pictures, either silence or hustle. Reappearing before my eyes, the road leading to Chenji Hall has become extremely long.
When he arrived, many ministers and workers were already in attendance. There were few old faces when the first emperor was on the throne. On the contrary, there were many new scholars from unfamiliar backgrounds. All of them were knowledgeable and reasonable, and were gathering together to discuss history and politics. On the other side, sitting high-ranking officials from a family background, they talked well, seldom laughed, and showed a refined demeanor.
There is an open space paved with white marble in the center, which was originally used to appreciate singing and dancing, but now it separates the aristocratic family from the cold family like the Chu River and Han circles, and the two sides do not communicate with each other. It seems that the battle of the courts is not groundless.
Nevertheless, they have a common tacit understanding-far away from Chu Jinglan.
It's really funny. Many rising stars have never seen Chu Jinglan. When they met in front of the temple, they only felt that they were heroic and imposing. Their pair of brown pupils were like midnight cold stars. They didn't dare to look directly at them, but when they turned their heads. When he saw the Kuilong brocade robe on his body, he immediately wanted to jump three feet away, lest others might misunderstand him.
Who didn't know that he was the thorn in the emperor's eye when he was seized? Although I went to the Northland after that, there have been rumors in the market that the prince who really liked the first emperor was actually him. Who would dare to be close to him, not that he was demolition of the emperor’s platform? Don't want wusha, you have to die!
So it became this scene.
Chu Jinglan picked up Yujue and took a sip. As soon as the wine fell off his stomach, a familiar male voice came from the top: "I remember the emperor used to not drink alcohol. Why has he changed his temper now?"
The emperor has arrived.
He wore a red robe and a twelve embellishment on his head, as dazzling as the sun. As soon as he boarded the throne, the ministers automatically muffled their voices and stood up to salute. Chu Jinglan was no exception. He was very respectful in his gestures.
The emperor turned to his seat, placed his hands on the gilt dragon's head, and just waved it randomly. The officials under the court thanked him as he sat down, but he didn't seem to hear it. He lightly raised the corner of his eyes and looked at Chu Jinglan, his eyes flashing away.
"What kind of courtesy does the emperor do? I haven't seen you for many years, and I really miss it. You can't be restrained just because the Qing family is here, and you have to let go."
"Yes, my minister obeyed."
Chu Jinglan's voice was as weak as water, and I don't know if he heard it, but the smile on the emperor's face gradually deepened, and the atmosphere was inexplicably strange. The ministers were walking on thin ice, and even the sound of chopsticks colliding was inaudible. It was like a pool of stagnant water, especially quiet.
"What are all the Qing's stunned doing? I didn't set up this banquet for you to accompany you. Why not respect King Lan?"
Hearing this, the ministers suddenly looked different, but since the emperor had given the order, they couldn’t say much. The little officials with low-ranking officials could not wait to start acting. While flattering Chu Sanghuai, he frightened Chu Lan. Raising the glass, both sides pleased, so many people started to learn.
The emperor's eyes were gloomy for a moment, and soon returned to its original state. He passed by the crowd in a sloppy manner. He suddenly stopped moving. He immediately asked, "General Ye, why didn't you raise your glass?"
Ye Huaili replied indifferently: "Back to the emperor, the ministers have been stationed in the pass for many years. Drinking is forbidden in the army. As the commander, he should abide by the military order, so he will not drink alcohol over time."
"So that's the case." The emperor tapped on the handrail, and a smile line appeared at the corner of his mouth. "If the frontier army is as self-denying as General Ye, I don't need to worry about border defense."
The people who had just toasted saw the emperor not only didn't blame Ye Huaili but praised him, their complexion changed slightly, and the wine glass in his hand was like a soldering iron, too hot to hold. Chu Jinglan didn't seem to understand the meaning, lowered his head and poured another glass of wine, a dark light flashed across his eyes, seeming to be forbearing and repressing, and disappeared the moment he raised his head.
He recognized this voice as the man who spoke in the restaurant yesterday. He also recognized this person. He was even more familiar with the surname of the leading general in the center, Ye Huai, and the silver medal of the black assassin was clearly engraved.
What a loyal night family! It's a clear stand and unambiguous!
"Speaking of border crossings, there have been a lot of reports recently. Most of them have applied to build defense posts and increase armaments. Brother, you have just returned from the North. What is your opinion on this matter?"
Chu Jinglan was silent for a while, and then replied in a slow voice: "My minister does not know what is going on in other places, but the northern border has been harassed by foreign enemies for a long time, and the support of the defenders is limited. The people are miserable. If the military can be strengthened in these areas, it must be barren. The clan did not dare to invade me again towards the border."
"In that case, I'll leave this to you. Tomorrow you will go to the Ministry of War to discuss matters. After discussing with the qings, you will submit a booklet and show me." The emperor played with the four-cornered Yujue in his hand, half of his face. I was immersed in the shadow of the palace lantern, dim and unclear, "You finally came back. It is time to share some political affairs for me."
The officials were in an uproar.
The purpose of Chu Jinglan's return this time is unknown. The emperor not only did not guard him, but also let him directly participate in politics!
The music concealed the low and jumbled whispers during the dinner, but when you were in it, you knew that it was all like a bee buzzing in your ears, making people impatient. At this moment, a sonorous voice broke the whitewash peaceful.
"The minister thought that His Royal Highness King Lan was not suitable for entering the court to discuss politics."
After saying this, Ye Huaili looked at Chu Jinglan through the drifting Shan Luosha and countless Zhang Huali cases, with a face full of fearlessness. Chu Jinglan also looked back at him, his expression indifferent, without a trace of discomfort, but his eyes were deep as the sea, as if he would be involved at any time.
Ye Huaili frowned vaguely.
In terms of ordinary people's character, after experiencing that kind of thing, it is impossible to be as humble and generous as before. Chu Jinglan's performance is particularly questionable. Perhaps, he is acting for everyone to see.
Ye Huaili was thinking about it, and Chu Jinglan took his words and raised her head and said: "General Ye said well, his ministers have not returned for many years, so it should be the first to worship the ancestors and save oneself, and has not been in politics for a long time. Things are unfamiliar. By then, it will be a small matter to live up to the emperor’s expectations. If he fails to appease the civil affairs, he will also ask the emperor to take his order.
The emperor raised his eyebrows and looked at him, every second was as long as he was old, and he didn't know how long he said Shen Shen, "Well, wait until you are ready."
Chu Jinglan thanked him, and said: "The matter of worshipping the ancestor..."
"What's the problem?" The emperor smiled, turned his head and announced that Zhang Yin, the commander of the Forbidden Army, had seen him, and ordered, "Tomorrow you will King Lan to Taimiao."
"The minister follows the decree."
Zhang Yin responded in a deep voice, and then withdrew from the hall, moving quickly and without any muddles. Chu Jinglan did not refuse, and stood up again and said, "Thank you, Brother Huang."
The emperor waved his hand, directly exposed the matter, and then said: "I think your Lan Palace has been vacant for a long time. I am afraid that it will be inconvenient to live. It is better to live in the palace these days and move in after the repairs. "
A gleam of light flashed in Chu Jinglan's eyes, and when he raised his head again, he laughed at himself in front of everyone: "The minister is lonely and widowed. Where is he living? The emperor is bothering me, and I really can't help it."
During the banquet, everyone heard it clearly, this was a tactful rejection.
The emperor's face remained unchanged, and he laughed loudly: "In that case, I have to ask the Queen Mother for instructions and find you a family relationship, so that you don't have to use this to prevaricate me."
"The imperial brother said that, I'm afraid that the courtier will not dare to visit the empress dowager for a while."
"Then you don't want to leave this inner imperial city today."
As soon as he said this, the ministers were shocked in a cold sweat. They hurriedly raised their eyes to look upwards, and he was relieved to see the emperor’s mouth with a small smile, but his heart was not very at ease. I always felt that I was missing something, and my heart seemed to be getting harder and harder. Guessed it. However, Chu Jinglan returned to his seat after only making a bet, and the emperor didn't follow up, and this matter was considered dead.
Soon after the banquet, Zhu Qing withdrew one after another, in groups of two and three, slowly walking towards the palace gate.
It was still early, and Chu Jinglan had to go to the Hanzhang Palace, and walked to the lower corridor, the blue brick paved with auspicious clouds around his knees, and the shadow of the corner suddenly revealed a corner of his clothes. When he raised his eyes, he was waiting for a long time. Tang Qingfeng.
"Lord." He bowed and bowed.
Chu Jinglan nodded slightly, and his elegant figure crossed in front of him towards the corridor. He followed silently, passing through countless Guidian Orchid Palaces, vaguely like before, thinking that when he was a guard in the prison, he was like that. Now following Chu Jinglan through the imperial city like this, it's just that the situation is different now.
Unknowingly, he walked to a desolate palace. The vines were all over the walls, and the weeds spread over the ankles. It seemed that no one lived for a long time, but Chu Jinglan stopped, silently staring at the cracked door. , His eyes were misty, I don't know what I was thinking.
Tang Qingfeng was still surprised at first. I don't know why he stopped. It wasn't until he raised his head and saw the plaque on the top that he suddenly realized that he was so unconscious that he didn't even recognize this place.
This is exactly the bedroom of Chu Jinglan's mother, the Empress Chen Consort.
Six years ago, the first emperor made a great trip, and the concubine Chen passed away. Although this is something they all know, it is inevitable that they will be touched now, especially Chu Jinglan. He was dripping with blood.
The concubine Chen died for protecting him.
There was a wave of the past in my heart, which could not be calmed down for a long time, but Chu Jinglan just stood there, his handsomeness did not fluctuate, and he didn't even have a little nostalgia. He lifted his foot and wanted to leave. At this moment, there was a slight touch. The sound penetrated into his ears, as if a dead branch broke, he looked back suddenly, and the dark tide rolled in his eyes.
Tang Qingfeng saw him stride towards the courtyard as soon as he wanted to speak. He pushed the wooden door and squeaked unbearably. After several hall doors, a figure seemed to be alarmed by this, and ran from behind in a panic. , The footsteps are light and chaotic, unlike a martial artist, she should be a court lady or an aunt.
The two rushed into the hall, wanting to catch up to see who it was, their eyes touched every corner, and they were surprised that the windows were clean and spotless, and the cleaning utensils were thrown at the table of the Eight Immortals. Obviously, the person had not had time to pick up what was left here. , Could it be...she has been looking after here?
After the death of Concubine Chen, the servants who served her were also executed one after another. There should be no old people in the palace. Who would risk doing this kind of thing?
Tang Qingfeng had many doubts in his heart, but he knew that this place shouldn't stay for long, so he reminded in a low voice: "Master, we have been here for a long time. It's time to worry about going back later, Doctor Lu."
Chu Jinglan clenched his palms and released them, before saying, "Let's go."