Abbot Le Chi led his pretty boy junior brother over and bowed to Gu Yun. He smiled brightly like a blooming dragon claw chrysanthemum, "It has been many years since we last met. Marquis is still as elegant as ever. It is the fortune of my Daliang's country."
Gu Yun's stomach hurt from the old man's ugly face. He thought, "Isn't that so? I haven't been cursed to death by you yet."
Of course, as the Marquis of Stability, it was not convenient for him to be unreasonable. At least, he had to keep up appearances. He nodded slightly with a faint expression, "It's all thanks to the great master."
The pretty boy monk, Liao Ran, followed suit and bowed. However, he only smiled without saying a word. Gu Yun could not help but glance at him again.
Le Chi explained, "Marquis, please don't blame him. Although my junior brother has excellent perception and is proficient in Buddhism, it is a pity that he was born to practice silent meditation."
Gu Yun was stunned. This Liao Ran was actually a mute.
Liao Ran stepped forward and extended his hands to Gu Yun. This monk was so white that it was almost dazzling. It made his eyebrows look even darker. He looked like a piece of charred wood lying on the snow. If he was not a monk, he would have long hair as black as ink. Coupled with his red lips and white teeth, he looked like a demon made of white porcelain.
Gu Yun frowned slightly and thought, "What is he doing? Consecrating me?"
Monk Le Chi said, "Marquis is in a stable situation at the border. He will probably leave the capital soon. Junior brother wants to pray for Marquis's well-being."
Gu Yun sneered, "Thank you for the trouble, great master. There is no need for that. I have not recited scriptures for a day or offered incense. I will not disturb the Buddha."
Le Chi said, "Amitabha. Buddhism is boundless and can deliver all living beings from torment. Marquis, you are wrong."
When Gu Yun heard the words' Amitabha ', she wanted to hit someone. Her patience had reached its limit and she didn't want to talk nonsense with them anymore. She said indifferently, "His Majesty is still waiting, so I won't delay any longer. I'll visit Great Master another day. I won't keep you company."
After he finished speaking, he dragged Changgeng and followed Zhu Xiaojiao into the palace. Changgeng unintentionally looked back and saw that the monk Liao Ran was not affected by Gu Yun's attitude at all. He was still kneeling in front of Buddha devoutly and muttering silently, as if he wanted to add the luck that he prayed for to Gu Yun who was gradually walking away.
It's up to you to believe it, but it's up to me to decide.
Changgeng was in a daze when someone suddenly pulled his hand. Gu Yun said in a low voice, "What's so good about a monk? It's dazzling."
Changgeng retracted his gaze and asked Gu Yun, "Adoptive Father, that Great Master said that you are going to leave the capital. Is that true?"
Gu Yun said, "Oh."
Changgeng asked, "When?"
"It's hard to say," Gu Yun said, "It depends on His Majesty's intentions — — if I leave, you are the most powerful in the marquis fu. You have the final say. If there's anything you don't understand, you can discuss it with Imperial Uncle."
Gu Yun didn't instruct him to study hard and concentrate on practicing martial arts. In this aspect, Changgeng felt that even he, as an elder, felt ashamed.
Changgeng was stunned when he heard this. After a long while, he asked with difficulty, "Adoptive Father doesn't plan on bringing me along?"
"Ah?" Gu Yun was baffled, "Why would I bring you along?"
Changgeng suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Before this day, Changgeng had never thought that there would be such a matter.
Ever since they returned to the capital, Gu Yun had always kept him by his side. Changgeng didn't realize that once his adoptive father led troops to the northwest again, they would be separated by more than half of the Central Plains.
In the blink of an eye, Changgeng suddenly thought of a series of things — — in his adoptive father's eyes, he was probably just a child who wasn't proficient in literature or martial arts. When soldiers went to the border, they would bring swords, spears, and armor. Who would bring a family member who was a burden?
In the future, when Gu Yun went to the northwest border, if things were peaceful there, he might be able to return to the capital once a year to report on his work. If things weren't peaceful, he couldn't say how long he would have to stay there. He was already fourteen years old. How many years of youth did he have left before he was crowned?
When the time came, he would have to leave the protection of the Marquis of Stability and move out of the marquis fu alone. He would carry an inexplicable false title and live in the empty capital city … …
His adoptive father would eventually get married and have children. When that time came, would he still remember the little burden he left in the marquis's household?
They called each other father and son, but fate was like an inch-long broken lamp. It burned out as soon as it was lit. Only he was still immersed in an eternal dream.
When he thought of this, the entire palace seemed to have turned into a giant icehouse, freezing him inside.
Gu Yun saw him suddenly stop and turned around to look at him in confusion.
Changgeng was a little panicked and blurted out, "I also want to go to the border with you. I can enlist in the army!"
Gu Yun thought, "Stop fooling around. It's already so difficult to get you out of the house for a stroll. Why would you want to enlist in the army?"
However, after half a year of getting along with Chang Geng, he had probably found a trick of being an elder. He did not attack Chang Geng in front of his face. Instead, he said with an overly pretentious and somewhat exaggerated smile, "Okay, you can join my army in the future, Little Highness."
Changgeng, "…"
Obviously, Gu Yun had found the trick to being an elder to a four-year-old child. He was ten years late.
Changgeng's hopeless longing was calmly swept away by the other party. He didn't take it seriously at all.
The youth calmly shut his mouth and no longer made any unnecessary struggles. He stared at Gu Yun's tall back as if he was staring at a narrow door that he had to pass through in his lifetime.
Emperor Long An Li Feng was Changgeng's elder brother in name, but from their appearances, it couldn't be seen that they were related by blood. The Emperor looked more like the late Emperor.
It was Changgeng's second time seeing him. Compared to the turmoil and chaos of war last time, he could see him more clearly this time. The new Emperor had just passed and was at the best age in a man's life. He had a good face. Even if he wasn't the Emperor, just by looking at his face, he wouldn't be in a bad situation in his life.
Changgeng was very meticulous, especially after he arrived in the capital. He was especially good at observing people's expressions. Gu Yun didn't mention it much, but Mr. Shen didn't have so many taboos. In private, he complained a lot about the Emperor. It was easy for people to associate him with a sharp, mean, and narrow-minded image, but in fact, he wasn't.
Before Gu Yun stepped into the room, the Emperor Long An had already ordered a servant to bring a brazier. He also said, "I already told them that Imperial Uncle will definitely come early. Quickly come in and warm up. I think you're cold."
The Emperor Long An called him "Imperial Uncle", but it was actually not very polite. After all, Gu Yun's surname wasn't Li. Back then, the late Emperor doted on him in private. It was fine if he casually said it, but the Emperor had preserved this childhood intimate habit.
In front of Gu Yun, he didn't call him "Zhen". There was a bit of casual intimacy in his enthusiasm. It didn't seem like he was treating an official, but more like a family member.
"Little Changgeng also came over," Li Feng looked at Changgeng and sighed, "This young man really changes his appearance every day. The last time I saw him, he wasn't this tall. I've just ascended the throne and am always trembling with fear. These past few months, I've been under a lot of pressure and didn't take care of you. Come over and let Imperial Brother take a good look at you."
Changgeng was originally prepared to be disliked, but unexpectedly, the Emperor's "dislike" was so hidden that he didn't feel it at all.
In the Imperial Capital of the Imperial City, gratitude and enmity were all hidden. At first glance, everyone seemed to be harmonious and happy.
Gu Yun and the Emperor casually chatted back and forth. Occasionally, they reminisced about their childhood. The Emperor Long An then brought out the "New Year's money" that he prepared for Changgeng.
Changgeng was a wild child who grew up in Yanhui Town. He didn't have much contact with the ways of the world and didn't see much of the world. He only knew that "one shouldn't receive a reward without doing anything". Listening to Zhu Xiaojiao report one by one, he almost felt a bit uneasy. He suspected that Gu Yun brought him into the palace early in the morning to find the Emperor to collect rent!
The Emperor Long An amiably asked about Changgeng's progress in studying and practicing martial arts. He then said, "You are a descendant of my Li family. In the future, you have to be diligent. You have to grow your skills so that you can share Imperial Brother's burdens in the future. What does Changgeng want to do in the future?"
Changgeng glanced at Gu Yun and said, "In the future, I am willing to be the Marshal's personal guard and serve at your beck and call. I will help Your Majesty expand the territory."
The Emperor Long An laughed. He seemed to be very happy and repeatedly praised Changgeng for his ambition.
Gu Yun picked up a teacup and drank tea to moisten his throat. He didn't interrupt and only smiled. He smiled until the corners of his eyes flew up. It was extremely warm.
"Who is serving who?" He thought helplessly in his heart.
On one hand, he felt helpless. On the other hand, he felt that it was pleasing to the ear. It was comfortable from his ears to his heart. Even the bad luck from seeing the monk just now was swept away.
The Emperor Long An jokingly said, "That may be the case, but the soldiers at the border are suffering. How can your adoptive father bear to let you suffer that?"
Gu Yun knew that the Emperor was beating around the bush and tactfully said, "If this official dares to bring the Little Prince to the battlefield, Your Majesty, as his elder brother, will be the first to not forgive this official."
The Emperor Long An was satisfied. He waved his hand and called Zhu Xiaojiao over, "The envoy of the foreign Pope sent a large clock last time. It is bigger than the rockery in the Imperial Garden. It is like a small building. Every half an hour, there will be puppets coming out to perform and dance. It is very lively. Bring Changgeng to take a look. Zhen and Imperial Uncle will have a few words of gossip."
Changgeng knew that they had serious matters to discuss. He immediately tactfully followed Zhu Xiaojiao.
Zhu Xiaojiao was very attentive to this knowledgeable and reasonable Fourth Prince who had a complicated background. He led him all the way to the Warm Pavilion.
The Warm Pavilion was a semi-enclosed garden. The outside was covered with strange colored glazed bricks. Steam braziers were installed in the ventilation areas. It was like spring all year round and the flowers were flourishing.
The large clock that the Emperor Long An mentioned was placed in the middle. It was like a western landscape that had broken into the mountain scenery.
Changgeng sighed with emotion at the exquisite workmanship of the foreigners. However, like most people in the Central Plains, he couldn't appreciate those thick and colorful paintings. After the novelty passed, he quickly lost interest. His gaze fell on the corner of the Warm Pavilion. There was a person there. It was the monk Liao Ran whom he had met on the way.
Liao Ran didn't know how to speak. He gently gestured a few times. The young novice monk beside him immediately came forward to greet him, "Fourth Prince, Eunuch Zhu, Shishu and I were graced by His Majesty. We stayed in the Imperial Garden to enjoy the scenery. On the way, we met the Prince of Wei. Master went to talk to him. We waited for him here. I hope we didn't spoil Fourth Prince's mood."
Changgeng courteously said, "Sorry to disturb you, Great Master."
Liao Ran made a few more gestures. No matter what he did, he had a kind of celestial aura. No one could feel that this mute monk was ill at ease. The young novice monk beside him explained, "Shishu said that he felt like he hit it off with Fourth Prince when he saw you. He asked you to come to the Huguo Temple if you have time in the future. He will serve you good tea."
Changgeng politely said, "Of course."
Liao Ran stretched out his hand to Changgeng. Changgeng didn't know why. He hesitated for a moment and then stretched out his hand.
Liao Ran wrote on his palm, "Does Your Highness believe in Buddha?"
Changgeng didn't hate monks like Gu Yun did. The tranquil temperament of these monks gave him a good impression at first sight.
However, he didn't have any faith. Because he had no concept and didn't understand, he couldn't talk about whether he believed or not.
Changgeng didn't want to refute Liao Ran's face, so he just smiled.
Liao Ran immediately followed. Liao Ran didn't feel offended. Instead, he showed a little smile and wrote on Changgeng's palm word by word, "Unknown suffering, don't believe in gods and Buddhas. Fortunately, it's a good thing."
Changgeng was stunned. The young man looked into the mute monk's all-encompassing eyes. Suddenly, he felt that the illness in his heart was seen through by the other party. For a moment, Wu 'er Gu, Xiu Niang, his indistinguishable background, and his unspeakable delusions all slipped through his heart like flowing water. They were all pierced through by the eight words, "Unknown suffering, don't believe in gods and Buddhas."
Liao Ran put his palms together and bowed to him. He was about to leave.
Changgeng suddenly called out to him, "Great Master, I will pay a visit to the Huguo Temple in the future."
Liao Ran smiled and led his little acolyte away.
At this moment, they arrived at the warm room. The sound of the big clock chimed and lively music sounded. Changgeng suddenly turned his head and saw that the twelve small doors on the grandfather clock opened. Twelve small wooden puppets came out. Some were playing the zither, some were dancing, and some were singing loudly. They happily finished singing a song, bowed, and turned back into the small doors.
The bustle was over.
After that day, Gu Yun went out earlier and came back later than before. The Emperor Long An sent him to represent Daliang to sign a treaty of trade with the emissary of the Pope. Now, a market was opened at the border of the Western Regions. If it went smoothly, the trade route would be opened a little more.
In this way, he immediately had to prepare to set off. Gu Yun had to go back and forth between the capital and Beidaying several times a day. Before he left, he had to settle the matter with the Ministry of Revenue and keep an eye on the amount of purple gold allocated to the army this year. He was extremely busy.
On the first month of the Shi Liu season, Gu Yun and Shen Yi came back late as usual. They had already made plans to leave the capital the next day. The two had some matters to discuss, so they returned to the Marquis fu together.
Shen Yi asked, "Why did His Majesty also let us escort Calais Yinghou? Isn't he afraid that we will secretly kill that barbarian heir on the way?"
Gu Yun smiled bitterly and said, "His Majesty rejected my memorial to increase the amount of purple gold allocated this year. He said that the Lingshu Temple stole a new type of puppet machine from the foreigners. It can farm for people. It's amazing. The yield per mu can increase by half. This year, they plan to promote it in Jiangnan first. Purple gold has another source of income. I really can't tell which one. What can I say? Can the Black Iron Battalion still compete with the people for benefits? His Majesty also said that the Black Iron Battalion is the country's sharp weapon. No one can be short of us. Therefore, he allocated the 10% annual tribute from the barbarians to us. Do you think I still dare to touch that barbarian heir? "
The Emperor Long An's meaning was very clear. If Calais Yinghou loses a single hair, the iron monsters of the Black Iron Battalion don't need to burn the purple gold. You, Gu Yun, can do it yourself.
Shen Yi thought about it and was speechless. He could only laugh in anger.
The two walked past the iron puppets guarding the gate of the Marquis fu. Shen Yi asked, "That's right, about you leaving the capital tomorrow, have you talked to His Highness the Fourth Prince?"
Gu Yun touched his nose.
Shen Yi asked, "What?"
Gu Yun lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "I told him that I will accompany His Majesty to Fragrant Hill and will not be back to stay tomorrow night. If you see him later, remember not to expose me."
Shen Yi was silent for a moment. He sighed with emotion, "… Marshal, you really have guts!"
Gu Yun was also distressed. Ever since he inadvertently revealed that he might be returning to the border, Changgeng's entire person was not right. In the past, he practiced martial arts diligently. Now, he was playing with his life. On the first day, his wrist was injured and swollen like a steamed bun. In the afternoon, he went to archery without caring about anything. This scared his martial arts teacher to the point that he went to Gu Yun to apologize every day.
Gu Yun felt that Changgeng was a little too clingy to him. Were other people's father and son also so mushy?
The cotton-padded jacket was too tight. It made him sweat all over. It was really an ironing burden.
The two walked side by side into the marquis's residence. As soon as they entered, they found that the marquis's residence was brightly lit. No one was sleeping.
A little girl with colorful clothes rushed out like a firecracker. She turned around and shouted, "Big Brother, Big Brother, Marquis is back!"
Gu Yun thought in a daze, "When did the marquis's residence have a girl? Could it be that the big willow tree at the entrance has become a spirit?"
When he took a closer look, the "little girl" was actually Cao Niangzi. He had dressed himself up as a young lady. Moreover, he was a young lady who was preparing to celebrate the New Year happily.
Gu Yun was puzzled, "What are you doing?"
"Big Brother Changgeng said that today is Marquis's birthday. He specially instructed everyone to wait for your return." Cao Niangzi said, "General Shen is also here. We can eat noodles together."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi agreed, "Okay, it's better to come at the right time than to come early!"
After saying that, he looked meaningfully at Gu Yun. He cleverly used his gaze to convey his meaning — you liar, do you feel guilty?
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