Chapter 70 Don't move, Shen Zhejiang, let me hug you

There were many people on the road, so Xiao Zhinian did not let his servants follow him. He held a Kongming lantern that he had snatched with great difficulty in one hand, and led Shen Zhejiang in the other hand to an open area on the outskirts of the city.

The warm yellow candlelight shone through a thin layer of paper, illuminating a small area and shining on the faces of Xiao Zhinian and Shen Zhejiang who were standing side by side. The night breeze blew gently, and they almost let go of their hands at the same time, and the Kongming lanterns swayed and floated up.

Shen Zhejiang raised his head, his eyes following the Kongming lantern, his pupils slightly deep, and no one knew what he was thinking.

The night sky is bustling with people and shining brightly, forming a large expanse like stars in the Milky Way, carrying people's best wishes floating into the distance.

Xiao Zhinian withdrew his gaze and immediately looked at Shen Zhejiang's profile which was slightly raised and looking into the air. The weak light around him was hazy and could not see clearly.

Suddenly, his heart was touched.

It was at this moment that he had an illusion.

That is, although Shen Zhejiang was clearly beside him, he felt that he was so far away from him, as if he would leave him completely in the near future.

"......"

Why do you feel this way?

Xiao Zhinian didn't know.

"Shen Zhejiang."

He didn't move and called softly.

"Hmm?" Shen Zhejiang turned around and looked at Xiao Zhinian. There was a little light in his eyes and a faint smile. He asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Zhinian never called him by his full name.

Xiao Zhinian choked up and shook his head: "...Nothing, I just wanted to call you."

Shen Zhejiang turned around and said, "Since there is nothing else to do, let's go back to the palace..."

Just as he took a step, he was suddenly pulled into Xiao Zhinian's arms, and his forehead hit Xiao Zhinian's jaw with a bang.

However, Xiao Zhinian seemed to feel no pain, holding Shen Zhejiang tightly with his arms, and holding the hood on the back of Shen Zhejiang's head with one hand.

The powerful force seemed to knead Shen Zhejiang into his own flesh and blood.

Shen Zhejiang struggled and said, “Well…there are so many people here, what happened to you tonight?”

Xiao Zhinian's voice was very low: "Don't move, Shen Zhejiang, let me hug you."

As he spoke, he tightened his grip again.

"Wow--!"

Suddenly, a deafening cheer broke out from the crowd lighting lanterns on the outskirts of the city.

"It's snowing! Look!!"

Fine snowflakes are falling in the night sky filled with flying Kongming lanterns. The lights and snow complement each other, and people are bustling below. It is a gentle and peaceful scene.

In the melting snow scene, Xiao Zhinian lowered his eyes, lifted up Shen Zhejiang's chin, and kissed Shen Zhejiang devoutly and with a pleading look.

It was as if all the people around them had disappeared, and only the two of them were left between heaven and earth.

Lips and teeth touch, and falling snow brushes the face.

Shen Zhejiang was so dizzy from his kiss that his breathing became a little rapid. He half-pushed and half-pushed his hands against Xiao Zhinian's chest and said in a hoarse voice: "... Not here."

"Back to the carriage."

Xiao Zhinian's eyes were gloomy. He hugged Shen Zhejiang's waist and retreated behind the crowd. He came to an inconspicuous position and lifted Shen Zhejiang up horizontally.

However, when he turned around, he ran into a tall and handsome young man——

Han Zitang.

He didn't know how long he had been standing under the city wall, and he was not surprised to see Xiao Zhinian head-on, as if he had known that Xiao Zhinian would appear here.

Han Zitang took two steps forward, his eyes fell on the person in Xiao Zhinian's arms, he waved his sleeves and bowed, saying: "Your humble servant pays respect to the emperor."

Since Shen Zhejiang went into hiding and left the capital three years ago, he was appointed as the Minister of Justice and the Chief Priest of the Imperial College, and was secretly entrusted by Shen Zhejiang to assist Xiao Zhinian in governing the court. During the times when Xiao Zhinian often left the capital over the years, he and Prime Minister Hu took care of the affairs of the court.

Although Xiao Zhinian ran out of the palace under the pretext of investigating the people's sentiments, Han Zitang knew very well that he had never given up looking for Chen Zhejiang.

What he knew even more clearly was that the person Xiao Zhinian was holding at that time was Shen Zhejiang.

In fact, he had already expected this day to come. No matter what, Shen Zhejiang would come back sooner or later.

When he heard from Prime Minister Hu that day that Xiao Zhinian brought someone back from outside the palace, he knew it must be Chen Zhejiang.

Hearing the long-lost voice, Shen Zhejiang, whose face was covered by the hood, trembled in his heart: "......"

He had not met Han Zitang when he returned to Beijing this time, but he never expected to meet him here.

Xiao Zhinian sensed his reaction and tightened his fingers gradually, as if he was afraid that the treasure would be snatched away. He said with a little vigilance: "When you are out, there is no need to be polite. This is not the court and it is not appropriate to discuss matters. If you have important matters, please submit a memorial to me tomorrow. If not, I will go first. You can do as you please."

Han Zitang said: "I came here to chat with my old friend. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to do so."

"There are no old friends of yours here. Get out of the way."

Xiao Zhinian said bluntly, and was about to walk past Han Zitang and quickly leave this place of trouble.

Shen Zhejiang suddenly said, "Put me down."

There is no reason not to see each other when old friends meet, and Han Zitang has helped him a lot in the past. It can be said that it has always been Han Zitang who has been secretly assisting him.

Xiao Zhinian was unwilling: "Sir!"

Shen Zhejiang said again: "Put me down."

No matter how strong Xiao Zhinian was, it was impossible for him not to listen to Shen Zhejiang's words. He gritted his teeth and glared at Han Zitang for a long time before reluctantly putting Shen Zhejiang to the ground. He stood beside Shen Zhejiang with his arms folded angrily, wanting to listen carefully to what they wanted to reminisce about.

There were not many people here, Shen Zhejiang raised his hands and brushed off his hood, revealing his face, nodded lightly and said: "Zitang."

Although Han Zitang knew that Shen Zhejiang was still alive, in order to conceal the truth, he suppressed the urge to write to Shen Zhejiang. It can be said that this was the first time he had spoken to Shen Zhejiang in all these years.

Seeing that Shen Zhejiang was thinner than before, and that he had just returned to the palace and had not yet recovered his health, he couldn't help feeling sad.

"Zhejiang, long time no see."

Shen Zhejiang said: "Sorry, I broke my promise."

He was referring to the promise made to Han Zitang that he would never return to Beijing.

Han Zitang glanced at Xiao Zhinian, then looked at Shen Zhejiang and smiled, "It's okay, it's all in the past."

Xiao Zhinian felt his teeth ache when he heard this, and he wanted to pull Shen Zhejiang away right then and there.

What Zitang and Zhejiang, who allowed them to call each other so intimately? ! There was also an agreement. What did the gentleman agree with Han Zitang? How come he didn’t know anything about it?

After all, I was young and energetic and couldn't help myself.

He took Shen Zhejiang's fingertips and pulled him to his side: "That's enough, Mr. and I still have things to do, Minister Han, please go ahead."

Han Zitang continued, "I have set up a table at Qingfeng Tower, you can come anytime."

He used "I" instead of "minister", and this sentence was directed to Shen Zhejiang.

Obviously, Shen Zhejiang understood, and before being dragged away by Xiao Zhinian, he nodded and agreed: "Okay."