Changgeng's scalp turned red all the way to his heels. He was so familiar that he was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. He was so angry that he couldn't even scream.
Cao Niangzi, on the other hand, was very envious of such treatment. She drooled as she looked at Marshal Gu's back. She bit Ge Pangxiao's ear and said, "If I can let Marquis carry me once in my lifetime, my death will be worth it!"
Ge Ban Xiao was very loyal to his friends. Hearing this, he immediately wiped his nose and firmly got into a horse stance. Gathering his Qi in his dantian, he puffed out his chest and held his breath. As if he was about to carry a big bag, he patted his shoulder and said, "Come!"
Cao Niangzi and he looked at each other for a moment. She spat and angrily ran away with small steps.
On New Year's Eve, Jin Wu couldn't help it.
When they were outside, Gu Yun finally remembered to leave some face for his godson and put him down.
Changgeng's face was as calm as water. He walked in front with large strides. His back was so straight that it could be used as a flagpole. His cloak fluttered behind him. It was as if he already had a tall and imposing figure in the future.
Gu Yun rubbed his nose and chased after him. He smiled shamelessly and said, "Are you angry?"
Changgeng shook off his hand on his shoulder and said stiffly, "I wouldn't dare."
Gu Yun said, "You don't go out every day. Aren't you tired of it? Child … "
Changgeng looked at him gloomily. Gu Yun gave him a rare look and hurriedly corrected him, "Young people — — Young people should be more lively. You've only been here for a few years and you're already tired of the mortal world?"
Changgeng had nothing to say to this lively godson. He was expressionless and didn't say a word. He wanted to shake off Gu Yun's hand again. Who knew that his hand would touch Gu Yun's fingertips and be shocked by the cold.
Changgeng frowned and grabbed Gu Yun's hand. Her hand was blue from the cold, like a corpse that had just been dug out from the ground. It's not like a person's stomach was burning Violet Gold. How could he not be cold when he was running around in a single layer of clothing in the dead of winter?
Did they have nothing better to do?
Changgeng's heart ached, and the pain made the fire in his heart burn brighter. As he sulked, he quickly took off the cloak on his body and wrapped it around Gu Yun's body without any explanation. Gu Yun was pulled by him until she had no choice but to lower her head. However, she did not dodge and indulgently allowed him to fasten the collar button for her. She smiled and enjoyed his filial piety. She thought to herself, "It's so good to have a son. When little Changgeng grows up, I'll find a son myself. It would be even better if I could give birth to a girl."
On New Year's Eve in the capital, starting from the third quarter of the evening, a trombone sounded every minute to remind people of the approaching footsteps of the coming year.
The city was filled with gongs, drums, and firecrackers. Red paper flew everywhere like colorful butterflies. By the river, upstairs, and in the middle of the road … there were people on two legs everywhere. Changgeng felt his scalp go numb with just a glance. It was as if all the people in the world were crowded in the small Sijiu City. Compared with such a lively scene, the market in Yanhui City that squeezed people into the river every year could be described as desolate and lonely.
Whether it was Gu Yun who forced him to go out, or Ge Pangxiao and Cao Niangzi who were in high spirits, they were all unreasonable in Changgeng's eyes at this moment. He held Gu Yun's cold hand and tried to warm her up as much as possible. At the same time, he had to pay attention to the two village children who were looking around and not get lost. Even if there were a few Black Iron Battalion guards around, he was still very busy.
Perhaps some people were born to worry.
At this moment, a long cry that sounded like an eagle's cry came from the sky. The crowd cheered.
"Red-headed kite!"
"Look, the first red-headed kite of the year is flying!"
The capital was an important place, under the feet of the Emperor. Usually, there was a flight ban. The nine gates were equipped with countless white arrows. Even if the Black Eagle dared to approach the capital from the sky, he would only end up being shot down.
Only on New Year's Eve.
Outside the imperial city, there was a wide road that led directly to the outside of the city. There stood the symbol of the entire Central Plains — Flying Kite House.
It was said that when the westerners who sailed across the sea first arrived at the Central Plains, they only knew two famous places. One was the imperial palace, and the other was the Flying Kite House.
The Flying Kite House was not a building. It was built by the former Emperor in the 21st year of the Yuanhe Era with the reduced military budget. It welcomed guests from all over the world and was very imposing. It was divided into two areas, north and south. In the north area, there was a row of tall domed towers named "Yunmeng Grand Temple". In the south area, there was a high platform. Some people secretly joked that it was "Star Picking Platform". Of course, no one dared to call it that in front of people.
It was called the "North and South". The sky was round and the earth was round, facing the imperial palace from afar.
Every year on New Year's Eve, the Flying Kite House would become the center of the capital. Famous courtesans from the south and north all wanted to go up and sing a song. There was a sea of people below the stage. There was no lack of high officials and noble people on the viewing platform of the Yunmeng Grand Temple.
After a quarter to five, twenty "red-headed kites" would rise up around the Flying Kite House.
The red-headed kite was similar to the giant kite at the border. However, the giant kite made countless barbarians tremble in fear. The red-headed kite was completely used for entertainment. It was a boat, with two fiery red koi carps at the head. It rose up into the sky with eighty-one flaming wings. The body of the boat was tied to the Flying Kite House with a translucent spider silk like rope.
When the flaming wings spread out, more than twenty red-headed kites, like red koi carps, steadily hung in the air. They swayed slightly, swaying gracefully. The night sky of the imperial city was like water.
The view above was excellent. There was a private room and a circle of balconies. The wine and dishes could be passed up along the cobweb-like rope. People could see thousands of lights and the red walls of the imperial palace.
Gu Yun led the three teenagers up the stairs from the small path next to the Flying Kite House with ease. The guard on night duty recognized him and was shocked. He was about to bow down and greet him when he was stopped by Gu Yun lightly waving his hand, "I brought the children here to play. Don't be so polite. Have you seen General Shen?"
A fire servant ran over from afar, "Marquis, this way please. General Shen is waiting for you on the red-headed kite."
Gu Yun nodded calmly on the surface, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He actually just brought Changgeng and the others to join in the fun. He didn't expect Shen Yi to be so omnipotent. He actually ordered a boat.
Ge Pangxiao stared blankly at the red-headed kite. He followed Gu Yun and asked, "Marquis, are we going to ascend to heaven?"
Gu Yun, "There's no hurry. We'll ascend in a few decades. Let's go up today and check out the place first."
Changgeng listened to these two people's unique and auspicious words on New Year's Eve. He really wanted to stuff their mouths shut.
The private room on the red-headed kite was as warm as spring. Gu Yun took off his cloak and draped it over the back of the chair as soon as he entered the room.
Shen Yi had already ordered a table of food and wine. There were also a few beautiful boys and girls standing by the side in the private room. Some of them were even bold enough to steal glances at Marquis.
Gu Yun glanced at them and was stunned at first. Shen Yi was a prematurely aging pedant. Even looking at Western paintings would dirty his eyes. He had been pretending to be serious for twenty years. How could he leave behind such a group of young and tender meat?
He immediately cast an inquiring look. Shen Yi whispered in his ear, "This is what Prince Wei insisted on giving to you after he heard about it."
Gu Yun was speechless for a moment. It was hard to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Fire Servant was very perceptive. He immediately stepped forward and asked, "Marquis, do you want to light the fire?"
Gu Yun paused for a moment and nodded, "Let's light it. By the way, call the brothers who are guarding the balcony to come in and have a New Year's Eve dinner. There are no outsiders today, so there's no need to stand on ceremony."
Fire Servant received the order and immediately left the red-headed kite respectfully. He jumped off the deck of the balcony and sang a long song.
Several officers and soldiers of the Black Iron Battalion responded and came in. They saluted in unison in a well-trained manner, "Grand Marshal!"
For a moment, the coldness of the Xuan Tie instantly invaded the soft world. The ambiguous atmosphere in the private room was immediately dispelled.
Gu Yun glanced at the servants who tactfully left. One of them was particularly pleasing to the eye. She even stole a glance at him affectionately before she left. Gu Yun smiled at her. At the same time, he thought regretfully that he had three half-grown children by his side. He was afraid that this entertainment in the middle of the night could only stop at flirting with his eyes.
Shen Yi pretended to be dignified and coughed dryly. Gu Yun withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened. He complained, "Prince Wei is not young anymore. He really doesn't know what to do."
Shen Yi put on a fake smile and said, "Hehe."
Fortunately, the three youths were attracted by the flaming wings that lit up around the red-headed kite. They all leaned against the window and looked out. They didn't notice the adults in the room who were surging with undercurrents.
The flaming wings made a buzzing sound. A warm wind swept over with a "whoosh", blowing the window frame. Changgeng only felt that there was nothing under his feet. He couldn't help but grab the wooden window frame. Cao Niangzi was shouting at the side. The entire red-headed kite trembled slightly and rose to the sky.
Right at this moment, when the hour arrived, a firework suddenly rose from the ground on the kite stop platform, exploding in the middle of the twenty or so red-headed kites, dyeing the interconnected spider silk red.
The platform slowly rose. The iron gears below were interconnected. A dancer in red appeared with a pipa in her arms and started to sing.
Heavenly Earth was the most prosperous place.
Shen Yi opened a bottle of grape wine and raised his hand to pour a glass for Gu Yun, "This is a tribute from the Western Regions in the first year after the rebellion was quelled. It's a luminous glass of grape wine. Good wine should be worthy of a hero. Try it."
Gu Yun stared at the luminous glass for a moment. His expression couldn't help but fade. He took a sip and put it down. It wasn't that the wine wasn't good, but he always felt a little uncomfortable.
Gu Yun said, "Forget it. I'm not used to this. I'll change to the flower eagle. It seems that I'm not a hero but a coward. Hey, everyone, please sit down. Don't bother about the three of them. They have already eaten at home. Let them play!"
As he spoke, he began to feel that his vision was a little blurry. He lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew that the effect of the medicine he drank a few days ago was about to wear off.
The effect of the medicine took about half an hour to wear off. Generally, he would go blind first and then deaf.
Shen Yi knew what was going on as soon as he saw his little movements, "Marquis?"
"It's okay," Gu Yun shook his head, changed the wine, and raised his glass to the banquet, "You are all the warriors of Daliang. You have followed me, but you have neither glory, wealth, nor power. The frontier is poor, and even the salary is so little. You have all been wronged. Let me toast to my brothers first."
After Gu Yun finished speaking, he drank it in one gulp. Then, without any explanation, he filled his glass again, "The second toast is to the brothers who stayed in the Western Regions. Back then, I brought them out without knowing the immensity of heaven and earth. I couldn't bring them back …"
Shen Yi said, "Marshal, it's the New Year. Let's not talk about it anymore."
Gu Yun smiled and really stopped talking. He raised his glass and drank it in one gulp. Then, he filled his glass again.
"The third toast," Gu Yun said softly, "To the Empress of Heaven and Earth. May the gods and demons of heaven treat my comrades well."
Chang Geng stood by the window. He didn't know when, but the magnificent scenery outside could no longer attract him. He turned sideways and stared at Gu Yun without blinking.
He had never seen Gu Yun raise his glass and drink it in one gulp. Such a foster father was almost unfamiliar to him.
Gu Yun had never lost his temper in front of him. He also rarely showed any signs of fatigue or unhappiness. It was as if he was always teasing him. He was both amiable and detestable. It was as if other than this side of him, it was inconvenient for him to see all his other expressions.
Because he was just a powerless child.
Chang Geng suddenly had a desire to become strong immediately.
At this moment, Ge Pangxiao suddenly turned around and shouted, "Marquis! General Shen, the foreign Russians brought a bunch of wild beasts to dance! Come and see! "
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