There was only a donkey cart that was moving at a moderate pace on the uneven path. The donkey in front was trotting.
His footsteps produced rhythmic footsteps.
Coupled with the crisp "tinkling" of the bell on its neck, it seemed to be singing a cheerful song.
The little attendant sitting on the shaft of the carriage also had a cheerful smile on his face. "Young master, we're almost there.
In at most an hour, Young Master will be able to lie on your bed.
It's time to sleep soundly! "
The plain curtains of the carriage were lifted by a slender, jade-like hand.
The person inside looked outside and put down the curtain. The young man's elegant voice was a little lazy, "We're here!"
He said again, "Little Shu,
Can you drive the cart a little more steadily?
In less than an hour,
I've changed all my copper coins … I don't know where they've rolled to. "
Little Shu complained, "The road is like this.
How can I be steady? Young master, why do you have to play with copper coins in the cart? Can you calculate it accurately? Besides, it's not that I want to nag at you, but no one chased after you on the way back.
Why do we have to cross the mountains? It took us five days to walk for two days. We also had to sleep in the open. It's so tiring. "
"I just said one sentence.
You can say ten sentences back to me. "
Lin Ruo was dissatisfied, "Little Shu, didn't you ask me to leave a copper coin before I go on the road every day? The divination said to go like this.
I'm just going like this! "
Little Shu was dissatisfied, "Young master, you're playing with me again!"
But he didn't ask further.
He paused for a while and said, "Young master,
We're almost in Chang 'an. Why don't we go to the official road? The official road is smooth. "
"What official road?" Lin Ruo said, "Go to Luoping Mountain."
"Ah?" Little Shu's face fell. He muttered, "Why? We're almost in Chang 'an. "
Lin Ruo said, "I just remembered that the peach blossoms on Luoping Mountain bloom late. Now is the time when the scenery is the best … Chang 'an can't run away, but the peach blossoms will wither in two days. Stop talking nonsense. Hurry up."
Xiao Shu couldn't dissuade him, so he replied with a disgruntled "Oh." The donkey cart made a turn in front and headed east.
He didn't know where his Young Master got the energy to look at the peach blossoms. If it were him, he would have long wanted to grow wings and fly back home.
…
In the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng was so angry that he almost laughed. He had bought a donkey cart from a farmer's house early in the morning. By now, he should have reached Chang 'an City by crawling! But this Monarch had sent people to guard all the roads and city gates, yet this Monarch did not see anyone! Those who were chasing from behind and those who were blocking the way had all bumped into each other. Where were they? Did he fly? "
"Do you think he did it on purpose?" Li Jiancheng said, "Let's say he deliberately avoided me. He didn't deliberately hide his tracks, and he did come all the way to Chang 'an City. Let's say he didn't do it on purpose. How could there be such a coincidence? Every time he went by my people … He walked so slowly that it was as if he was crawling, but my people still … couldn't catch up with him! "
Lin Boyuan advised gently, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. This nephew of mine has been like this since he was young. He does whatever he wants and never does things in a proper way. When he comes back, I'll definitely teach him a lesson!"
"Forget it." Li Jiancheng waved his hand and said, "Now I understand why Second Brother chased him for seven to eight days before he fell down. It's really …"
He didn't continue and changed the topic. "Second Brother said in front of Father that it was thanks to Lin Ruo's divination that he would have a bloody disaster. He told his subordinates to be careful and that was how he escaped the disaster … Why haven't I heard that he was proficient in divination? He even saved Second Brother's life with it? "
"How could he know any divination?" Lin Boyuan smiled bitterly and said, "It was after that day of gambling. He was bored and flipped through the divination scriptures for a few days … He only learned it for a few days, how could he have divined anything? He was probably angry that His Highness the King Of Qin locked him up and deliberately said it to annoy him. Who knew that it would be such a coincidence … "
"Coincidence! Coincidence again! "Li Jiancheng snorted coldly," How could your nephew have so many coincidences? "
He continued, "I don't care if it was a coincidence or intentional. I must see him today. Otherwise, Lin Boyuan, you can go back to your private school! You can't even control your own nephew. What else can I expect you to do? "
Lin Boyuan agreed with a wry smile and said, "I will send someone to look for him at the places he usually goes. That brat must have thought of something fun and turned halfway. I will definitely find him and bring him back!"
…
The peach forest of Mount Luoping was considered a scenic spot in Chang 'an. Every year at this time, there would be an endless stream of people who had money and time to enjoy the scenery. The busiest days of Mount Luoping were only a few days.
Because it was quite a distance away from Chang 'an City, most of the people who came here rode horses or sedans. There were also old men who rode donkeys. However, donkey carts were rare. Therefore, Lin Ruo attracted a lot of attention even before he got off the cart. After walking for a while, he heard a cry of surprise, "Xiao Shu?"
Xiao Shu stopped the cart and greeted with a smile, "Young Master Chu, it's you!"
Young Master Chu was surprised and said, "It's really you. Why are you here?"
Lin Ruo lifted the curtain and jumped down. He smiled and said, "Xiao Shu is here because I'm here!"
The young man who jumped down from the donkey cart looked refreshed. His skin was translucent like jade and his facial features were exquisite. His eyes were clear and there was a hint of a smile. Obviously, he was in a very good mood.
Chu Yi was stunned. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he suddenly felt that his good friend seemed to be getting more and more handsome … He was so handsome that he blushed.
"Brother Chu? Yi? "
Chu Yi suddenly came back to his senses. He saw that more and more people were paying attention to them. He grabbed Lin Ruo's hand that was waving in front of him and said, "Come with me!"
He pulled him into the forest.
"Are you hiding somewhere to have a poetry party?" Lin Ruo didn't cooperate. He smiled and said, "But wait a minute. I'll go to the temple and ask the monks for two jars of peach blossom wine … I was so happy this time that I forgot to bring a gift for uncle. I only remembered when we were about to enter the city. I had to come here to get two jars of peach blossom wine to make up the number."
"Okay, okay!" Chu Yi used brute force to pull him inside. He said, "I have plenty of peach blossom wine. I'll bring you two jars when I go back."
He took him to a place where there was no one and let him go. He said seriously, "Why did you go back to Chang 'an?"
Lin Ruo was surprised and said, "What are you talking about? Chang 'an is my home. If I don't go back to Chang' an, where else can I go?"
He walked quickly to the back of the temple and said, "Why don't you meet at the same place? Ah, don't you think it's strange? I've only left the capital for about ten days, but it feels like I've been gone for half a year. It feels like things have stayed the same, but people have changed … Brother Chu, you didn't lie to me when you said you had plenty of peach blossom wine, right? You should know that those monks aren't very straightforward … "
"These monks are obviously monks, but they insist on making wine. They rely on the wine to support the monks in the temple, but they don't let you drink to your heart's content …"
Lin Ruo walked quickly, but his mouth also spoke quickly. Chu Yi had a lot of questions to ask, but he was rambling on and on, so he couldn't say anything when they reached the place.
Lin Ruo turned around the valley and said with a smile, "You're really here! I say, you have a mountain full of peach blossoms, but you don't want to appreciate them. You just have to come here and be obsessed with these old trees … "
On the grass in the valley, dozens of young scholars were sitting or lying down, listening to songs or reciting poems. They were all leisurely and contented. When they heard this voice, almost all of them jumped up and said, "Brother Lin! Why are you here? "
Lin Ruo was stunned and said, "Why does everyone say that? Although I can't compose poems or play the zither, I can still listen to music and appreciate it. What, do you think I'm here to freeload off your poetry wine? "
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Someone said straightforwardly, "Brother Lin, didn't you escape from Chang 'an? Why are you back? "
"Escape from Chang 'an? What escape from Chang 'an? "Lin Ruo blinked and said," Are you guys dreaming or am I dreaming? I didn't do anything wrong, so why would I escape? What the hell is going on? "
"You … you don't know?"
Lin Ruo said blankly, "What do I know?"
Everyone looked at each other. Chu Yi sighed and pulled Lin Ruo, saying, "Let's go sit down and talk."
It turned out that in the days when Lin Ruo was not in the capital, the capital was very lively because of him.
The cause of the matter was the King Of Qi, Li Yuanji. One day during the morning court, for some unknown reason, the King Of Qi and the King Of Qin got into an argument. Afterwards, he loudly shouted that Li Shimin was unfilial, saying that he "obviously knew that the Emperor and the Concubines all liked music, and knew that Eldest Brother Crown Prince wanted to invite Lin Ruo to play the zither at Imperial Concubine Yin's birthday celebration, yet he deliberately instigated Lin Ruo to leave the capital" and so on.
When these words came out, Li Shimin didn't say anything, but Li Jiancheng wanted to strangle this stupid teammate of his. After all, there were some things that could be done but could not be said. Lin Ruo was Lin Boyuan's nephew. As long as he said a word, Lin Ruo would have to obediently "invite" himself to the palace to celebrate the birthday. Even if the people in the world scolded him, they would also scold Lin Ruo for not keeping his promise and having no integrity. However, after Li Yuanji said this, what did Li Jiancheng become?
Not only him, but even Li Yuan had black lines on his forehead.
Li Shimin sneered and said, "This Prince was just chatting with someone for a bit. It's hard for Fourth Brother to make up such a big accusation. This Prince doesn't know when I became a roundworm in Big Brother's stomach. I even know his' plans' so clearly. Forget it, empty words have no proof. I'll go find that Gifted Scholar Lin and ask him clearly when this Prince instigated him to leave the capital! "
He actually abandoned the Emperor and the court's civil and military officials and left in a huff.
Up to this point, the matter didn't count as much. It was just the usual tit for tat between the three Li brothers. Everyone was used to it.
However, the following problem was a big one. What happened in the Imperial Court, especially when it involved the open and covert struggles between the three princes, should not have been spread. However, not only did it spread, but it also spread to everyone.
His Highness, the Crown Prince, had the nephew of a subordinate official enter the palace to play the zither and celebrate the birthday of the Emperor's favorite concubine. If this spread out, would it sound good? It wouldn't sound good. However, this was nothing. That was your family's business. Do whatever you want. Who would meddle in your business? Besides, even if you wanted to meddle in it, you couldn't!
What? That person who was called to play the zither swore not to play the zither again? Forcing someone to break an oath was a little overbearing, wasn't it? However, this was nothing. Since ancient times, which Emperor and Crown Prince wasn't overbearing? If they couldn't be overbearing, who would fight to be the Emperor and Crown Prince?
If this was the case, the people who heard it would at most pout and say a few words of jealousy. However …
What? The person who was forced to play the zither was Lin Ruo? It couldn't be that Lin Ruo, right? This couldn't be tolerated!
If it was a month ago, Lin Ruo was just a little famous among the young scholars in Chang 'an. However, after the gambling fight, he was completely different.
That song "Bringing in the Wine" was too outstanding. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was the best song of all time. Nowadays, who couldn't recognize a few words in the world and recite a few lines of "My Lord won't see you"? And who couldn't recite a few lines of "My Lord won't see you"? Who wasn't familiar with the story? When "Bringing in the Wine" was mentioned, who wouldn't mention the mysterious young man with the surname Yun, the peerless zither song of the same name, and the scholar Lin Ruo who left decisively?
Thanks to Yun Jiaojiao, Lin Ruo could be said to have become famous all over the world.
In this story, there were disputes of gratitude and grudges, the spirit of a young man, the best song of all time, the peerless zither song, the climax, the riddle, and the regret … Even without mentioning the two songs "Bringing in the Wine", the story itself was already as intoxicating as wine.
Everyone sighed. This was what a scholar of our generation should be like! Overflowing with talent, romantic and spirited!
But now, there was a continuation to this story, and this continuation disgusted all the scholars in the world. The Emperor summoned Lin Ruo to play the zither for his favorite concubine to celebrate her birthday!
This was simply like stepping on dog shit while enjoying the beautiful scenery. It was so disgusting that it spoiled the mood!
Everyone sighed. Luckily, Lin Ruo escaped! Otherwise, it would have been better for him to die. At least he could have added a tragic ending to this story. It was ten thousand times better than celebrating the birthday of some concubine!
There were also people who came out to refute the rumor, saying that there was no such thing, but no one was willing to believe it. If it was fake, then where did Lin Ruo go? Where did His Highness the King Of Qin go?
Lin Ruo's friends were even more worried about him. Now that they saw him suddenly appear in the peach forest, how could they not feel as if they had seen a ghost? How could they not be anxious? Why didn't you run away? Why did you come back?
"Aiyo!" After hearing this, Lin Ruo first burst into laughter, then held his stomach and laughed. "My stomach hurts from laughing. How did you guys come up with such a ridiculous story to fool me?"
"Story?"
"What else?" Lin Ruo asked, "Don't tell me you guys think it's true?"
Looking at the serious expressions of the people around him, Lin Ruo widened his eyes. "No way, you guys actually believe such a ridiculous thing?"
"Even Quan An knows about this. Don't tell me it's fake?"
Lin Ruo smiled and said, "How can it be true? I was just in a bad mood, so I went out for a walk! Think about it, I only brought Xiao Shu with me. With our speed, if someone really chased me, they would have caught me a few hundred times. "
Everyone looked at each other. What he said made sense!
"Also, I met His Highness the King Of Qin in Luocheng." Lin Ruo continued, "I even stayed at the place where the King Of Qin stayed for two days. I didn't hear His Highness the King Of Qin say anything about playing the zither!"
"You were caught by His Highness the King Of Qin … That, no." Chu Yi was dumbfounded. He said, "You met His Highness the King Of Qin? He didn't … Uh, why didn't you come back with him? "
Lin Ruo snorted and said, "It makes me angry. It turns out that His Highness the King Of Qin and that Yun … know each other. He even wanted to talk about it with us. How is that possible? Even if that Yun guy is a poet immortal, he and I are not on the same path. That's why I left in a fit of anger! A lot of people in the inn saw this. "
"What? You met the author of 'Bringing In the Wine'? " Everyone's attention was immediately diverted. They asked at once, "Which family is he from? Why can't we find him? Where does he live? Is he from Chang 'an? Where did he study? Why wasn't he famous at all before … "
"Stop! Stop, stop, stop! " Lin Ruo raised his hands in surrender and said, "Don't ask me these things. Although I don't get along with her, I can't reveal other people's secrets. You guys … Sigh, to be honest, it's better not to know. Sigh! Didn't you say there was good wine? Don't be stingy, let me try it! "
"…"
Lin Ruo stayed at Luoping Mountain for half a day. The rumor that the Crown Prince invited Lin Ruo to play the zither was only a rumor spread not only through the peach forest, but also throughout Chang 'an.
It can't be, this thing that caused a sensation in half of Chang 'an was only a rumor?
Many people ran to the place where they drank, wanting to verify it with their own eyes. However, they saw the young man in the crowd, dressed in elegant Confucian robes, with his waterfall-like hair tied up with a white hair band. His handsome posture of drinking with his head tilted back made him look like an immortal banished to the mortal world.
Therefore, they subconsciously believed his words. What a joke, if he had really been on the run for more than ten days, even a banished immortal would be haggard.
When Lin Ruo was half-drunk, Lin Boyuan sent a coachman to pick him up. Because of the elder's order, Lin Ruo could only regretfully leave. He asked the coachman to drive the donkey cart back. Xiaoshu drove the carriage and took him away first.
"Young Master, why are you still drinking?" Xiaoshu drove the carriage on the official road and said, "If you're drunk, how will you reply to the Master later?"
Lin Ruo shrugged and sighed, "Because I don't want to reply, that's why I drink!"
Well, if you're drunk, you don't need to reply. Anyway, the Master is soft-hearted. If you're drunk, the Master will be even more reluctant to punish you.
Xiaoshu made an "oh" sound and asked again, "Young Master, about playing the zither … are we just going to let it go like this?" When Lin Ruo was talking to the others, Xiaoshu heard most of it and was confused.
"Yes!"
"But Young Master, you haven't used your three strategies yet!" How could it be solved so inexplicably and so casually?
"Because the three strategies …" Lin Ruo chuckled, "are all lies!"
What was the best strategy? Playing the zither for a favored concubine was beneath his dignity. Was playing the flute for the Emperor good? Using music to entertain people was the worst strategy.
If it was a month ago, he might only have these three strategies. But recently, his reputation had skyrocketed. Solving this matter was extraordinarily simple — make a big deal out of it and let everyone know.
The Emperor was not a truly incapable ruler. Even if he was willful, there was a limit to it. It was just a piece of music. It wasn't a peerless beauty with a charm that could cause the downfall of a city. No matter how much he liked music, when he thought of the huge impact this matter would bring, he would not be in the mood to listen to any music.
Therefore, this matter could only be turned into a rumor and blown away by the wind.
Although this method was simple, there were two prerequisites. First, Lin Ruo had to disappear temporarily. Otherwise, once the Crown Prince spoke, he would have to stand out to "refute the rumor" and take the blame. Second, this matter could be done but could not be revealed. Otherwise, Lin Boyuan and Lin Ruo's heads would not be enough to be chopped off.
Xiaoshu said, "Young Master, why did you suddenly make up this story to deceive people? If His Highness the King Of Qin knew about this, he would definitely be angry … "
Lin Ruo sighed, "If I don't let His Highness the King Of Qin think that I have full confidence in solving this matter, how can I swagger back to the capital?"
As long as he did not return, this matter would not be solved. The Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the others would become more and more dissatisfied with his "ignorance of the situation".
But he had to have a reason to return. He could not tell the King Of Qin that it was because he knew that his uncle had already made a big deal out of this matter in the capital, so he could go back and clean up the mess.
He could not help but smile bitterly in his heart. For the people in power, it was just a small matter whether they listened to a piece of music or not. But for them, they had to rack their brains and even risk their lives to do this. It was no wonder that the word "power" was always sought after by people.
Xiaoshu was quiet for a while. Ever since they got on the carriage, he secretly glanced at the men on horseback who had been following them at a leisurely pace. He carefully said, "Young Master, the people you have been hiding from these past few days are the Crown Prince's people, right?"
Lin Ruo nodded. He was almost drunk and had become more talkative. Without waiting for Xiaoshu to ask, he said, "Xiaoshu, let me ask you. If you were a strong man, hungry and penniless, and a steamed bun seller saw you and offered you a steamed bun, would you thank him?"
Xiaoshu nodded, "Of course I would!"
"Then, if the steamed bun seller refused to give you a steamed bun, and you were extremely hungry, so you beat him up and stole five of his steamed buns, would you thank him?"
"No," Xiaoshu shook his head, then quickly added, "But I would never steal someone's steamed bun!"
"Why wouldn't you be grateful? You got five steamed buns!"
Xiaoshu said, "But he didn't do it willingly. Why should I be grateful?"
Lin Ruo nodded and said, "Then, if you were the steamed bun seller and knew that someone wanted to steal your five steamed buns, what would you do?"
Xiaoshu thought for a while and said, "Give him one of your own accord?"
Lin Ruo smiled, "It's hard for you to be smart for once."
"Young Master, is that a compliment?" Xiaoshu complained with dissatisfaction, then said, "So, you are taking the initiative to settle this matter before the Crown Prince forces you, so that he won't make any more excessive requests?"
Lin Ruo leaned against the carriage wall and drank wine, sighing, "I'm not afraid of any more excessive requests, but uncle … you still have to be an official in the Crown Prince's residence!"
He couldn't let the Crown Prince continue to be dissatisfied with him.
"If you ask me," Xiaoshu said, "The Crown Prince is too excessive. We don't have to be an official."
"Naive," Lin Ruo smiled and said, "Do you think you can escape from something like this? Power and influence are everywhere. If uncle wasn't an official in the imperial court, I might have been recruited by some village head or landlord to celebrate the birthday of their concubine! "
Xiaoshu was amused by the village head and said, "But now the matter has been settled perfectly. You don't have to play the zither, and you didn't offend anyone. Isn't that great?"
Lin Ruo smiled and didn't say anything.
How could he not offend anyone? He could restore the Crown Prince's reputation and prove the King Of Qin's innocence by calling it a rumor. But after all, he was the one who left first, and … there was still the King Of Qi, Li Yuanji.
Among the three princes, no one thought highly of the Third Prince. The Crown Prince was the eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne. The King Of Qin had outstanding military achievements that no one could compare to. More than half of the Li Tang Empire was conquered by him. As for the King Of Qi, compared to his two elder brothers, he was younger and didn't have many achievements. His abilities were also weaker …
It was just that Lin Ruo didn't dare to underestimate him.
The King Of Qi's complaint in the morning court had accurately hit Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin's weak spots. Li Jiancheng's reputation was originally not as good as Li Shimin's. If this matter was confirmed, he would be ostracized by the other officials. Li Shimin was originally disliked by Li Yuan for not being respectful enough. With this matter, Li Yuan would be even more dissatisfied with him.
As for Li Yuanji himself, he had always been carefree and straightforward. Even if he said the wrong thing, he would at most be scolded a little.
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