The elderly's birthday celebration was called a birthday celebration. The children's birthday was lively because it wasn't easy to grow up by one year. Parents were relieved.
Gu Yun was neither old nor young. His grandmother didn't love him, and neither did his uncle. If he happened to be at home, the old housekeeper would remember to take care of it for him. But most of the time, he wasn't at home. He was so busy that he forgot about the Shi Liu in the first month.
To be honest, there wasn't much to celebrate. There was a saying that "the first year's imperial concubine, the fifteenth year's official". It meant that it was best for a girl to be at the first year's and a boy to be at the fifteenth year's. He could have been born on the Lunar New Year's Eve, but he insisted on staying in his mother's womb for a few more hours. It could be seen that he was born with a rotten life.
Not only did Cao Niangzi dress herself up, she also teamed up with Changgeng and the others to drag out the sword servant puppet and ravage it.
They painted two simple red faces for the God of Night. They got a few pieces of old silk from somewhere and tied up its iron arms.
The sword servant puppet held a bowl of noodles in its hands and stared blankly at Gu Yun. Its dark face seemed to have an unspeakable grievance.
Gu Yun scolded in a low voice, "Bastards, is this how you play with the sword servant puppet?"
Ge Pangxiao stepped forward to distribute the credit, "Marquis, the red face was wiped by the fake girl. The fire to cook the noodles was started by me. The eggs in the noodles were beaten by Big Brother!"
Gu Yun suddenly became a little reserved. He felt that the marquis fu, which had been quiet for many years, was suddenly so lively that he couldn't recognize it.
Changgeng said, "Godfather, eat the noodles before entering."
Gu Yun said, "Okay."
He picked up the bowl, glanced at Chang Geng, and purposely picked out the egg to eat first. The first bite was a crispy eggshell. He didn't make a sound, chewed the eggshell, and swallowed it together with the egg. It was as if he hadn't eaten for eight lifetimes. In a few mouthfuls, he finished the bowl of noodles and drank the soup.
Since ancient times, the land of warmth and gentleness was a hero's grave. Gu Yun left the capital without any worries. Only this time was full of melancholy.
Perhaps it was because every time they "returned" to the border, but this time they were away from home.
Unfortunately, not to mention this kind of gentle melancholy, even if she was heartbroken, she wouldn't be able to stop the Marquis of Stability.
The next day, Gu Yun packed up and went out as if nothing had happened. In the end, she did not inform Changgeng and went to Beidaying alone. She turned around and glanced in the direction of Beijing.
Unfortunately, from such a distance, he could only vaguely see the Iris Restaurant.
Shen Yi strolled to his side and asked, "Marshal, have you found your conscience?"
Gu Yun sighed. "The next time he comes back, he might not acknowledge me. Sigh, my title as a foster father is always on the verge of collapse … Let's go."
The Black Iron Battalion moved out. Like a black whirlwind, they mercilessly crushed everything in their path. Everyone could not help but retreat.
They were escorting the heir of the Celestial Wolf Clan to the north and then to the west. They were going to eliminate the bandits in the western region and ensure the safety of the ancient silk road.
On the second day after they left, Changgeng woke up early as usual. Although he remembered that Gu Yun was not at home, he could not help but lead the iron puppet to his empty courtyard. He practiced swordsmanship with the iron puppet alone and finished breakfast alone.
Before leaving, he looked up and saw the plum blossoms in the courtyard blooming.
It had just snowed a few days ago, and there was a layer of clear frost on the petals. The more Changgeng looked at them, the more he liked them. He could not help but reach out and break off two. His first reaction was always to keep them for Gu Yun. Even though he knew that his foster father might not return in three to five days, he still carefully brushed away the frost and snow on the branches. He wanted to find a vase to put in Gu Yun's room.
Unfortunately, Gu Yun's large room was cleaner than her face. He searched around but could not even find a wine bottle that could be used to arrange flowers.
Changgeng pushed open the window and shouted to the old housekeeper, "Uncle Wang, is there a vase?"
The old housekeeper responded and went to look for it. Changgeng held the two plum blossoms and stayed in Gu Yun's room, looking around.
Suddenly, his gaze fell on Gu Yun's bed. He was stunned for a moment. The fox fur coat that made the entire bedroom seem valuable had disappeared.
At this time, Uncle Wang came in with a celadon vase. He smiled at Changgeng and said, "Your Highness, do you think this will do? Where should I put it? "
Changgeng stared blankly at the empty bed and asked, "Uncle Wang, why did Marquis' fox fur coat put away so early?"
The corner of Uncle Wang's eyes twitched slightly. He replied unnaturally, "Didn't Marquis go out with the Emperor? He must have taken it away."
Changgeng's heart slowly sank.
On New Year's Eve, the Black Eagle, who was by Gu Yun's side, told him that the Marshal never wore winter clothes in the capital. He would only occasionally take it out when he encountered a white wind.
On New Year's Eve, he felt that it was a little strange. Since Gu Yun did not wear winter clothes, why did he hang a fox fur coat outside? What was the use of it? But at that time, it was chaotic and he was plagued by nightmares. His mind was not clear and he did not think carefully.
Changgeng suddenly turned his head. His voice was as dry as a taut string, "Uncle Wang, where did he go? Don't lie to me that he doesn't like to go out. I also know that Fragrant Hill is not as far as Beidaying. "
Uncle Wang stood there helplessly with a vase in his hand.
Gu Yun, that hands-off shopkeeper, left cleanly and did not care anymore. The old housekeeper had expected this to happen sooner or later, but he did not expect it to be so soon.
Changgeng took a deep breath and asked softly, "Has he already left the capital for the border? Where? To the north, or to the west? "
The old housekeeper smiled apologetically, "This, this old servant does not know much about military affairs … Your Highness, I think Marquis did not want you to worry …"
Changgeng broke the flower branch with a "crack" and said word by word, "He is not afraid that I will worry. He is afraid that I will insist on following him."
The old housekeeper shut his mouth.
Although Changgeng was Gu Yun's adopted son in name, no one liked him anymore. After all, he was surnamed Li and would be a royal prince in the future. The old housekeeper felt bitter in his heart. He felt that his unkind master had chickened out at the last moment and threw this hot potato to him. He was prepared to suffer a flare up.
But after waiting for a long time, Changgeng did not make a sound.
Chang Geng's pent-up anger, shouting and yelling were all in his heart.
It was not only because of Gu Yun's sudden departure. In any case, he had been tricked by Gu Yun more than once. He was already used to it and should be treated calmly.
But this time, the uneasiness and impatience that had been piling up in his heart since he entered the capital could no longer be held back and burst out.
Changgeng's heart was as clear as a mirror. He had always known that his existence was superfluous to anyone. He had no intention of being involved and was destined to be an insignificant chess piece. He would be swept away involuntarily, just like when he was in the dark river in Yanhui Town.
But he was blinded by the peace and happiness these days. He was greedy and wanted to grab onto something. He deceived himself and refused to think about the future.
"What do you want?" Changgeng asked himself, "You are thinking too much."
But no matter how turbulent his heart was, Changgeng did not say anything in front of the white-haired old housekeeper.
The old housekeeper asked with trepidation, "Your Highness …"
Changgeng silently took the vase from his hand and carefully trimmed the broken flower branches. After placing them properly, he placed them on Gu Yun's desk and said softly, "Thank you for your trouble."
With that, he turned and left.
Changgeng could not help but run after leaving Gu Yun's room. He even left his sword servant puppet behind.
Ge Ban Xiao was holding a purplish gold box in his hand. It was unknown where it came from, but Ge Ban Xiao was about to walk out when he brushed past Chang Geng. He said in bewilderment, "Hey, big brother …"
Changgeng did not seem to hear him. He rushed into his room like a gust of wind and locked the door.
Just like what Gu Yun liked about him the most, Chang Geng was a naturally benevolent and righteous person. Even if he was extremely angry, he would not be able to vent it on someone unrelated to him. In this aspect, Xiu Niang's contributions could not go unnoticed. She had abused him for more than ten years and trained him to have amazing endurance.
At the same time, the Wu 'er bone that had been buried in the youth's body since he was young was like a plant that needed to be watered with poisonous water. It gradually bloomed into a sinister flower.
Changgeng began to gasp for breath. His chest felt like it was being pressed down by a huge rock. The muscles all over his body tightened into a lump of rusty iron. His calves could not help but tremble.
His ears buzzed and he was horrified to find that a strange tyrannical emotion was surging out from his chest. He unconsciously clenched his fingers until they made a cracking sound. This was the first time he had tasted the feeling of being trapped by a nightmare when he was awake.
Changgeng could clearly feel that there was an invisible hand in his heart that was forcefully wiping away all the warm feelings in his heart.
In the beginning, Changgeng's consciousness was clear. He thought in fear, "Is this the Wu 'er bone? What's wrong with me? "
Soon, even his fear disappeared. His consciousness became blurry and he began to not know where he was. Thousands of thoughts rose and fell in his mind like a tidal wave. A hazy murderous intent arose from nowhere.
He thought that Gu Yun had left and did not want him anymore. At the same time, he seemed to see Gu Yun standing in front of him, expressionlessly mocking him for his powerlessness.
All the negative emotions in Changgeng's heart were magnified by the Wu 'er bone.
At this moment, Gu Yun was no longer the little foster father that he carefully placed in his heart. Instead, he was an enemy that he hated so much that he could not wait to catch in his hands and ruthlessly humiliate.
Changgeng gripped the broken blade hanging in front of his chest tightly. His fingers were bleeding from the sharpened edge of the broken blade.
Chang Geng was awakened by the unusually clear pain in his infinite numbness. He instinctively found a way out. His ten fingers fiercely dug into his flesh, leaving a string of bloody wounds on his arm.
When the Wu 'er bone's attack gradually subsided, the sun was already beginning to set in the west.
Changgeng's clothes were drenched in cold sweat. His arms and hands were dripping with blood. He leaned against the door, exhausted. He finally experienced the power of the Wu 'er bone. Only then did he realize how naive he was to think that the Wu' er bone was just a nightmare.
This time, Xiu Niang did not show him any mercy.
When the old butler and the others saw that he did not come out for a long time and did not respond to their knocking, they were very worried. They kept pacing outside and would call out to him every once in a while.
This made Changgeng feel a little better. His eyelids fluttered slightly. A drop of cold sweat rolled down from his forehead and landed on his eyelashes. He almost could not open his eyes. "I'm fine. Let me be alone for a while."
"You haven't eaten for a day," the old butler said. "If Marquis were here, he would definitely not be able to bear to see Your Highness trampling on your body like this. Even a bowl of porridge would be better. Why don't this old servant bring it in for you?"
Changgeng was mentally and mentally exhausted. When he heard the old butler mention Gu Yun, he silently repeated that person's name twice in his heart. He forced himself to stay awake and said, "It's okay, Uncle Wang. If I'm hungry, I'll find supper for myself tonight. Don't worry about me."
The old butler heard that although his voice was weak, it was orderly and reasonable. It was not good for him to continue persuading him. He could only turn around and wave his hand at the old servant serving Changgeng, as well as Cao Niangzi and Ge Pangxiao, who were peeking their heads out.
Changgeng sat leaning against the door. When he raised his head, he saw Gu Yun's shoulder armor hanging at the head of his bed.
That thing was dark, cold, and had an unfeeling appearance. It was left behind by the original owner to dispel his nightmares.
After sitting for a long time, the brazier in the room gradually warmed up his cold body. Changgeng had a little strength. He got up and tidied up his sorry state. He changed his clothes and found the external injury medicine that his master gave him when he was injured during sword practice. He cleaned his wounds and carefully applied it. He took off Gu Yun's shoulder armor and hugged it in his arms. He then laid himself down on the bed.
He did not cry.
Perhaps it was because he had no strength, or perhaps it was because he had just bled.
If one chose the path of bleeding, they would usually not be able to shed tears. Because a person's body only had so much water, they had to lean towards one side.
Changgeng had just exchanged blows with the enemy who was destined to be entangled with him for the rest of his life. He lost miserably and also witnessed the enemy's strength.
But strangely, he was not afraid. It was just like when he faced the barbarians wearing heavy armor alone in Yanhui Town in Xiu Niang's room.
His attitude was gentle, but nothing could make him yield.
Oh … except for Gu Yun.
Changgeng thought weakly, "I hate Gu Yun to death."
Then he tried to hang Gu Yun's shoulder armor on his body. He had never worn armor before, so he did not know if it fit. He only felt that it was heavier than he imagined. He fell asleep wearing the armor. In his dream, there were thousands of difficulties and obstacles waiting for him.
The next day, Changgeng announced that he was going out.
The entire Marquis's residence was shocked. The scene of the Fourth Prince being carried out of the gate by Marshal Gu on New Year's Eve was still vivid in their minds.
Gu Yun's original words were, "Drag it on for three to five days. By then, we will have passed the seven passes and reached the northern border. He will have nowhere to go and will be obedient."
But it had not even been three to five days. The old housekeeper was afraid that Changgeng wanted him to prepare a horse to chase after them. He hurriedly said carefully, "Your Highness, the Black Iron Battalion is not like the ordinary troops. They are very fast on foot. Even a thousand li horse cannot catch up with them. Moreover, the army does not keep people without military status. This is a rule passed down from The Old Marquis. You see …"
Changgeng calmly replied, "Uncle Wang, I don't want to chase after them and cause trouble. I am not an insensible child."
Old housekeeper, "Then what are you …"
Changgeng, "I want to go to Huguo Temple to visit Master Liao Ran. We had an agreement before."
The old housekeeper's expression was once again indescribable.
If the Marshal returned to the residence in the future and found out that the Young Highness had betrayed the country and colluded with the enemy in the temple when he was not at home …
The old housekeeper did not dare to imagine Gu Yun's expression. Wouldn't it be as if he was wearing a green hat?
However, the most important thing now was to coax the Marquis's adopted son to make him happier. The old housekeeper had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree. He ordered a row of family guards to escort Changgeng to Huguo Temple as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
It was grandiose, as if they had come to challenge him.
The monk Liao Ran brewed tea and was not surprised to see Changgeng. It was as if he had expected him to come. He kindly invited him to sit down and poured him a cup of tea. He also asked the young novice monk to bring paper, brush, and a brazier for burning paper. He assumed a posture of a long talk.
It had only been half a month since they last met, but the monk Liao Ran found that the confusion and anxiety between the young man's eyebrows had disappeared. His entire person brought a bit of melancholy, calmness and determination, like a butterfly that had broken free from its first cocoon.
Changgeng thanked him and took a sip from the teacup. He almost choked.
The monk said that he would serve him good tea last time. It turned out that he was purely being polite. He brewed him a cup of something unknown. It was so bitter that the root of his tongue hurt. It did not have the fragrance of tea at all.
Changgeng, "What is this?"
The monk Liao Ran smiled and wrote, "Kuding. It clears the eyes and promotes blood circulation. It can get rid of troubles and help sleep."
Changgeng, "Isn't that Gualu? I drank it in the Marquis's residence. It seems … "
The taste was not so disgusting.
The monk Liao Ran, "That is Xiao Ye. This is Da Ye Gualu."
Da Ye sounded a bit powerful. Changgeng was just about to follow up with a few words of praise when he saw the monk write honestly, "Da Ye is cheaper."
Changgeng, "…"
He carefully looked at the monk's teacup. It was a good bowl and was very clean. It was a pity that it had been used for too long. It was inevitable that it would be knocked over. A few of them were already chipped.
The monk Liao Ran, "The monk's residence is rough. Your Highness, please forgive me."
The entire capital gave him the impression that it was a place of luxury. It seemed that everyone was very rich and the city was full of extravagant pastimes. The westerners said that the floor tiles in Daliang's capital were covered with gold. In fact, it was not that exaggerated.
But for some reason, the few people Changgeng knew were all poor. There was no need to mention Shen Yi, who was born with a bitter face of poverty. There was also Marshal Gu, who sat in such a large Marquis's residence, which was an empty shell. Early in the morning, he could not wait to bring Changgeng to the palace to ask the Emperor for money. Now there was the monk Liao Ran who used chipped cups.
Changgeng said, "Huguo Temple is full of incense, but Great Master is content with poverty. You are indeed a person who has left the world to cultivate."
Liao Ran smiled and wrote, "This monk has traveled far and wide. I am used to being down and out. Sorry for not treating you well."
Changgeng asked, "I heard that Great Master also rode an iron dragon to a western foreign country. Was it to preach Buddhism?"
Liao Ran, "I have little talent and knowledge. I do not dare to imitate the wandering monks of ancient times. I only go out to see the world and see the people."
Changgeng swallowed another mouthful of bitterness. The more he tasted it, the more bitter it was. He could only swallow it down disappointedly, "I grew up in a small town on the border. I have never left the small town. When I came to the capital, I rarely left the Marquis's residence. Am I too content with being in a corner? But I always feel that the world's happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy are generally the same. If you look at other people's things, there is still no place for you to place yourself. "
Liao Ran, "There is a corner in the heart. Troubles as big as a house can only be squeezed into a corner. There is a world in the heart. Troubles as big as a mountain are just a drop in the ocean."
When Changgeng heard this, he was stunned for a long time. He watched as Liao Ran put the paper with the words written on it bit by bit into the brazier and burned it clean.
"Great Master, the other day you told me, 'I don't know the hardships, I don't believe in gods and Buddhas'. Now that I know the hardships, I am here to seek advice from gods and Buddhas. Could you please give me some pointers?"
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