After the end of the year, although it was the beginning of the new year, the snow did not stop. It snowed for an entire night, and the courtyard was covered in a layer of white frost.
When He Yan woke up, Xiao Jue was no longer there.
Strangely enough, she wasn't originally a lazy person. When she was living in a shared bunk in Liang Province, she was the only one who woke up before the sun rose among all the men in the house. Perhaps it was because Xiao Jue's bed was especially soft and warm, but she slept soundly at night and woke up later in the morning. Or perhaps it was because Xiao Jue woke up too early. Anyway, when she woke up, there was no one around her.
He Yan rubbed his eyes and sat up. He lifted the blanket and got out of bed. After a simple wash, he put on an outer robe and opened the door. As soon as he opened the door, he saw a cold light.
Xiao Jue was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.
This person understood the principle of not practicing for three days. Even though he was not in the Liang Province Guards, he did not stop his daily training. He Yan leaned against the pillar and looked at him. At the same time, he wanted to see where Xiao Jue's swordsmanship had improved over the years.
It was cold in the morning, but Xiao Jue only wore a layer of cream clothing. When he wore dark clothing, he was cold and collected. When he wore light clothing, he was especially bright and elegant. It reminded people of the beautiful youth who was always ranked first in the Xian Chang Guan.
Xiao family's courtyard was very large. Other than the pomegranate tree outside Xiao Jue's study window, there was no other vegetation. The empty ground was very suitable for practicing swordsmanship. With a sweep of the sword, the snow in the courtyard was sent flying by the sword qi. The body of the Autumn Drinking Sword was sparkling and translucent. It made people feel as if they were in a painting.
He Yan looked and looked, and his own hands began to itch. He walked back into the room and grabbed the green jade hanging on the wall.
Ever since she took the green jade from He Rufei, she had cleaned it many times, but she had never used it once. There were really no occasions where she could use it. After all, Shuo Jing was not a battlefield. She could not draw her sword and fight with others at any time. However, today was just the right day. Since Xiao Jue was also practicing the sword, he might as well see if the gap between the first place of the Virtuous Prosperity Hall and the last place of the Virtuous Prosperity Hall was still as insurmountable as before.
He Yan took off her cloak and took Qing Lang with her. With a chuckle, she walked out of the door. Xiao Jue's back was facing her. She suddenly pulled out her sword and stabbed towards Xiao Jue's back. She called out, "Xiao Jue, let me test your sword!"
The young man abruptly turned his head, and the Autumn Wine in his hand met with Qing Lang's, producing a crisp sound. In the next moment, both of them took a few steps back.
Xiao Jue looked at her and raised her eyebrows slightly. "A sword duel?"
"You don't dare?" He Yan lightly tapped the ground with the tip of his toes, laughing loudly as he charged towards him while brandishing his sword.
"I'll keep you company." His voice also carried a layer of warmth, sounding especially pleasant in the snowy morning.
Qing Mei was holding a broom. When she came out, she saw the two of them practicing the sword in the courtyard. She was momentarily stunned. Although she knew that He Yan was powerful, she had always heard about it from others. She had never seen it with her own eyes. Now that she saw He Yan's sword moves so smoothly, she was both amazed and nervous. She muttered, "Young Master, you have to be merciful. Our Young Madam's body is delicate and weak …"
Fei Nu just happened to walk in from outside. Hearing this, she could not help but glance at He Yan. He Yan was tilting his head to avoid Xiao Jue's Autumn Wine. He kicked a pomegranate tree trunk in the courtyard, borrowing the force to fly back. That kick seemed casual, but the entire tree trunk trembled slightly, causing the snow to rustle and fall to the ground.
He withdrew his gaze. He really could not see where the words "delicate and weak" came from.
He Yan turned his head to look at Xiao Jue.
It was a very pleasant thing to compete with Xiao Jue.
This person's swordsmanship was already excellent back then. Now, after many years, it became more and more exquisite. It was a little similar to He Yan's own swordsmanship. After all, her swordsmanship was taught by Xiao Jue at the beginning. Until now, there were still some traces of the original swordsmanship. It was just that the idiot who always accidentally got hit on the head by the scabbard in the bamboo forest under the moonlight now had a long sword in her hand. She was extremely agile, like a flying dragon and a flying swallow. It was difficult to determine the winner in a short time.
"Bodyguard Fei Nu." Qing Mei did not understand, so she asked the person beside her, "Is Young Master going easy on Young Madam?"
"No need." Fei Nu was slightly surprised. "Young Madam's swordsmanship is very good."
He Yan's swordsmanship was exquisite and strange. When Liu Buwang first saw her as a woman, there were many "changes" in her swordsmanship. She did not stick to the form and was full of changes. With the green sword in her hand, it was like a green cloud, dazzling people. Xiao Jue's swordsmanship was more "stable". The Sword Qi was strong, and the stronger the opponent, the stronger it became. Even when He Yan circled around her, she could still break his swordsmanship. Drinking Autumn was cold, reflecting the snow on the ground like a mirror.
After more than ten swordsmanship, He Yan suddenly stepped back, lowered her head, and covered her chest with her hand.
Seeing this, Xiao Jue paused, immediately put away her long sword, and stepped forward to support her. "What's wrong?"
He Yan was half-hugged by him. Suddenly, she raised her head and smiled slyly. Xiao Jue was stunned. The next moment, she slapped her palm. Xiao Jue reached out to block it, but she was still pushed back a few steps.
"A wise man should be cut down by his emotions. Using a beauty as the basis for a matter, losing one's will and weakening one's body can turn defeat into victory. "
The girl held a long sword and said proudly, "Military Governor Xiao is not good enough. You can't even see through the beauty trap."
"Beauty trap?" He asked slowly. After a moment, he chuckled and counterattacked with his sword.
He Yan raised her sword to block it.
The two of them fought for dozens of swordsmanship.
Xiao Jue restrained He Yan's arm with one hand, and He Yan's hand was restrained from behind. This person even had time to tease her in her ear, "You call yourself a beauty? You are so confident. "
"A warrior can be killed but not humiliated." He Yan suddenly turned around, pulled out her hand, pressed her sword forward, and then turned around to stab with her sword.
The young man's eyes moved slightly. He suddenly put his sword behind his back and stood facing the tip of her sword. He Yan was caught off guard. The sword in He Yan's hand was coming at him fiercely. Seeing that the tip of the sword was about to pierce through his chest, He Yan panicked and forcefully pulled back his sword. However, as the sword moved forward, she was also pulled forward by the sword. There was no way to avoid it, and she fell into Xiao Jue's arms.
Xiao Jue was forced to hug her tightly.
"What are you doing?" He Yan said angrily.
Xiao Jue replied calmly, "If one does not harm oneself, the victim will be real." He lowered his head to look at He Yan and smiled. "General He is not good enough. You can't even see through the beauty trap."
"The beauty trap?" He Yan said angrily, "You are the Military Governor of the Right Corps. Do you think it is appropriate for you to use the beauty trap?"
"All is fair in war." He Yan said calmly.
He Yan sighed. "You are too despicable."
The man in front of her looked down at her from above. There was a hint of a smile in his dark eyes. He Yan was stunned. When she saw him slowly leaning over, she immediately closed her eyes nervously.
In the next moment, she felt a slight vibration from the chest she was hugging. She opened her eyes and saw Xiao Jue staring at her while holding back his laughter. He stopped a centimeter away from her and raised his eyebrows. "Beauty trap?"
He Yan suddenly felt ashamed that she was being scolded for being blinded by her beauty. She turned around and walked away without saying a word.
However, Xiao Jue pulled her back and gently kissed her forehead. "General He is amazing. I admit defeat."
Qing Mei was speechless.
She quickly turned her head and covered her eyes with her hands. She whispered, "Why did he suddenly …"
Chi Wu didn't know when he came over and how long he had been watching. He frowned and said, "How is this a sword duel? This is clearly flirting. Young Master is really … How can he treat Yin Qiu like this?"
When Qing Mei heard this, she seemed to have just noticed Chi Wu. When she saw Chi Wu, she remembered what He Yan had said to her on New Year's Eve at the He Family. She didn't say a word and walked out with her broom. She didn't even look at Chi Wu.
Chi Wu was puzzled. He asked Fei Nu, "I didn't provoke her, right? What happened to her? "
Fei Nu was speechless.
He patted Chi Wu's shoulder, didn't say anything, and left as well.
That morning, a guest came to the Crown Prince's residence.
When Chu Zhao was welcomed into the palace, Ying Xiang was kneeling on the floor and pouring tea for the Guang Yan. When the Guang Yan saw Chu Zhao, he only glanced at him and said, "What are you doing here?"
The Guang Yan didn't dislike Chu Zhao, but he didn't like him either. When Xu Jingfu was still alive, it was fine. After Xu Jingfu died, the Guang Yan looked at Chu Zhao and all the dislike he had for him came out. However, when it came to what Chu Zhao had done to offend him, it was still fine. After thinking about it, the Guang Yan just didn't like his lowly background and overly handsome appearance.
"To share Your Highness' burden."
The Guang Yan smiled and said, "Share my burden?" He slowly sat up straight and looked at Chu Zhao. "If you go and kill that idiot Guang shuo now, you will share my burden."
The Guang shuo had been staying in the palace recently, and the imperial bodyguards never left his side. The Guang Yan's words were spoken in anger.
"Is Your Highness anxious?" Chu Zhao didn't get angry and asked gently.
"Chu Zilan!" The Crown Prince waved his sleeve impatiently. "Xu Jingfu is dead, and now it's his turn to teach me how to do things?"
Chu Zhao said, "This subject only wishes for Your Highness to be well."
"Then don't talk nonsense!" The Crown Prince seemed to have expected what he was going to say. He stared at him with a heavy gaze. "Don't forget your identity, Chu Zilan. If something really happens to me, you won't be able to escape. Don't think about escaping unscathed. What you need to do now is to assist me, not drag me down. As for those preachings, put them all away. Otherwise, what happened to Xu Jingfu today will be your tomorrow! "
Ying Xiang stood quietly at the side with her head lowered meekly. If one looked closely, one could see her slightly pale fingertips.
"Go back." The Guang Yan stood up impatiently. "Don't hang around in front of me. It's annoying!"
After a moment of silence, Chu Zhao's expression didn't change. He stood up with a smile and bowed. "Then, this subject will take his leave."
"Wait." The Guang Yan suddenly stopped and looked at Ying Xiang. He said meaningfully, "Ying Xiang, send Fourth Young Master Chu off."
Ying Xiang's body stiffened, and she replied gently, "Yes."
She walked in front of Chu Zhao and whispered, "Let's go, Fourth Young Master."
The two of them walked out of the hall together.
Although it was sunny today, it was still very cold. His foot stepped on the ground, leaving a thin footprint.
"Did Maninbu's men come again these few days?" Chu Zhao asked softly.
"Yes," Ying Xiang replied. "Last night, when the Crown Prince returned from the palace, those people came again."
The two of them walked one after the other, just one step away from each other. From the side, it looked like they were maintaining a polite distance and didn't seem to be very familiar with each other.
"It seems that the Crown Prince already has an idea." Chu Zhao sighed.
Ying Xiang looked ahead. "What does Fourth Young Master plan to do?"
Chu Zhao said, "I'll do my best."
"This servant heard that Fourth Young Master had seen Miss He once at night." Ying Xiang suddenly changed the topic. "You should know that Miss He is now Military Governor Xiao's sweetheart. If Fourth Young Master uses Miss He as bait, you can at least solve the immediate problem and have the capital to make a deal with Military Governor Xiao. Why should Fourth Young Master give up? "
"There's no need."
Ying Xiang stopped in her tracks.
Chu Zhao saw her like this and turned back to look at her.
"Fourth Young Master once told this servant that Miss He would become Military Governor Xiao's weakness." The woman in front of him was gorgeous, but her eyes seemed to be filled with ice. She looked fragile and cold. Her voice was still gentle, but the words she said were as sharp as a sword. "But now, Young Master is wrong. She is not Military Governor Xiao's weakness, but Young Master's weakness."
Chu Zhao looked at her quietly. After a while, he looked forward and said in a gentle voice, "Ying Xiang, are you doing well in the Crown Prince's residence?"
Ying Xiang was stunned. The coldness that had gathered in her eyes earlier instantly dissipated into smoke. Her expression became somewhat perplexed. After a while, she lowered her head and said, "This servant is doing very well."
Chu Zhao smiled. "If you are doing well, then it's fine."
He continued to walk forward. Ying Xiang paused for a moment, then followed him.
The carriage stopped in front of the Crown Prince's residence. Chu Zhao looked back at her. "Let's go back. You've been out for too long. I'm afraid His Highness will be dissatisfied."
Ying Xiang raised the corners of her mouth and smiled at him. But there was a hint of sadness in her smile.
Chu Zhao got up and got into the carriage. The carriage gradually drove away. Ying Xiang didn't go back immediately. She just stood at the door and looked in the direction the carriage gradually disappeared. Only when she couldn't see anything did she slowly turn around and walk inside.
There was no one in the hall. The servant who was waiting on her said, "Miss Ying Xiang, His Highness wants you to go to the bedchamber."
Her body trembled slightly, and her lips turned pale. She paused for a moment, then lifted her skirt and walked towards the bedchamber.
As soon as she arrived at the bedchamber, she saw the Crown Prince leaning against the soft couch. When he saw Ying Xiang come in, the Guang Yan asked playfully, "Why were you gone for so long?"
Ying Xiang calmly walked over and smiled. "Was it long? It was only half a stick of incense. His Highness shouldn't pick on this servant's faults. "
She half-knelt in front of the Guang Yan and leaned against his knee. The Guang Yan used to love her pitiful and cute appearance when she leaned against his knee. But today, his hand stroked Ying Xiang's hair. His voice was so gentle that it made one's heart palpitate. It was like the calm before the storm. "Half a stick of incense's time is enough to do some things? For example, report all the big and small matters in the Crown Prince's residence to Chu Zilan? "
"His Highness?" Ying Xiang was stunned. Her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
The hand that was gently stroking her hair tightened and strangled her throat. Ying Xiang's neck was slender and white. Just looking at it would make people feel tender affection. But now, in this hand, it seemed like it would break in the next moment. It was powerless and sad.
"Why did Chu Zilan come today? He's not a roundworm in this prince's stomach. How can he know what this prince is thinking? This prince entered the palace yesterday, and today he came in a hurry. Ying Xiang, oh Ying Xiang. "The Guang Yan stared at her and said fiercely," This prince underestimated you! "
Chu Zhao came at such a coincidence. Of course, perhaps because he was too anxious to stop him, he exposed himself. The Guang Yan was a suspicious person in the past. The reason why he didn't suspect Ying Xiang before was because this woman's appearance was very deceptive. She looked no different from any other woman in this residence who desperately tried to win his favor. And because she was sent by Chu Zhao, she had no one to rely on. Therefore, she served him with all her heart.
In all fairness, it wasn't without reason that the Guang Yan doted on Ying Xiang. With Ying Xiang's appearance, even if she was sent to the palace, there weren't many people who could compare to her. But now that he found out that she was in the Crown Prince's residence and was secretly passing information to Chu Zilan, this little bit of doting turned into anger and humiliation from being betrayed!
"Slut!" He suddenly let go of his hand and slapped her. The woman in front of him fell to the ground and didn't get up for a long time.
"This prince said that you were born so beautiful. If this prince asked for you, he would be willing to give you to me. After all these years, he actually didn't touch you. " A vulgar smile appeared on Guang Yan's face. "This Chu Zilan's ambition is not small. Raising you like this is just raising a tool. When the time comes, she will give you away and sell you as a favor. But Ying Xiang. "He slowly squatted down in front of Ying Xiang and pulled on Ying Xiang's hair to force her to look up at him," Did this prince not treat you well? Since you entered this prince's residence, why do you still want to work for him? Did you forget that your current master is this prince, not Chu Zilan! "
Ying Xiang raised her head to look at him. Her face had a deep red mark from the Guang Yan's slap. There was a bit of blood at the corner of her mouth and a bruise on her neck. However, there wasn't a trace of anger or fear in her expression. She was still as gentle as usual. She looked at the Guang Yan affectionately and said in a low voice, "This servant is one of His Highness' people."
It was hard to imagine that such a beautiful and charming woman didn't have the same arrogant, domineering, and willful personality. Instead, she was like a helpless white rabbit, always pitiful and submissive.
The Guang Yan let go of her hand and she fell down again. She was kicked in the heart again.
"Even at this time, you are still pretending in front of this prince. You are loyal and devoted to Chu Zilan and have deep feelings for him. However, it seems that he doesn't treat you as well as you treat him. " The Guang Yan stood up and said in a sinister voice, "Tell me, if this prince kills you, will he avenge you?"
"This servant … is one of His Highness' people. If I die, I will be one of His Highness' ghosts. It has nothing to do with Fourth Young Master Chu." Ying Xiang replied softly.
"Well said." The Crown Prince clapped his hands in delight, "You have such a glib tongue. You can't blame this prince for spoiling you for so long."
"However, you slut, you should know." A trace of malice flashed through his eyes, "What this prince hates the most in this life is disloyalty. If you want to be an adulterous couple with Chu Zilan, this prince won't stop you. However, you have to pay the price for what you have done. "
He turned his head to look at Ying Xiang.
Ying Xiang raised her head and met his malicious and ruthless gaze. She couldn't help but shiver.
"This prince won't kill you, but I won't let you have an easy time either." He said.
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