At the end of February, the spring rains came quickly.
Late at night after the rain stopped, a thin mist rose in the yard and the moon hung in the sky, as clear as a lake.
Everything is hazy beauty.
Just like the dream Yan Shang was having at this moment.
In his dream, it was just this kind of hazy, indescribable darkness, but of course the dream was not just about the scenery.
The lake was rippling with clear water, and the fragrance of flowers was quietly spreading in the darkness. The breath of the man and woman hidden in the room, slight and intense, became particularly clear in the darkness.
The curtains were like sand, her skin and bones were soft and tender, and she was lingering and sad. The moonlight was clear and cold, and the love was lingering. The girl who was being kneaded by the man, her hair was as smooth as silk, she leaned on the man's shoulder, and frowned slightly. She opened her mouth gently, her dark black hair rubbed her face, and the pink at the end of her eyes was like tears.
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The light under her neck was so beautiful and soft. The soft snow was crystal clear, and the mountain light was bright and smooth. Black hair spread under her neck, flowing leisurely. The other person's spine was like a mountain, and the mountain and water met again.
The black and white colors mixed together in chaos, tearing the tent into a deep red.
Yan Shang walked towards the bed curtain step by step, staring at it blankly, his heartbeat clear and strange.
The couple turned their heads. The woman was as charming as a demon, needless to say, and the man tilted his neck, too immersed in pleasure... It turned out to be Yan Shang's own face.
Yan Shang's heart pounded and he stepped back.
I fell out of the dream all of a sudden.
The thin moonlight hung in the sky. Yan Erlang, who was only wearing a shirt, lowered his head, grasped his collar with his hands, and sat on the bed, panting. He still had the dampness and heat from the dream in his heart, and his throat was dry.
After closing his eyes for a while, Yan Shang pulled back the quilt and looked at his miserable situation with some annoyance and embarrassment.
Since that night, he has always had this kind of dream. The troubles that didn't come often before now come almost every night. If this continues, he will go crazy.
Yan Shang held his forehead and tightened his jaw. He tried hard to ignore the discomfort in his body and waited for his body to recover slowly. After sitting stiffly for a moment or two, when the aroused reaction subsided, Yan Shang got out of bed, took a bath, and changed into a clean set of underwear.
Yunshu, the boy on night watch outside, had just taken a nap when he was awakened by the sound of running water in the toilet.
Yun Shu glanced at the gray sky and asked in surprise: "Er Lang?"
The house fell silent, as if the people inside were feeling awkward.
After a while, Yan Shang's gentle voice sounded: "Nothing, I suddenly remembered that I had some official business to deal with, so I got up at night to take a look."
Yunshu believed it immediately.
After all, my husband is destined to be a hard-working person.
Yunshu was only worried about Yan Shang's health: "My dear, you are just worrying too much. In fact, there are not so many things to do. I have seen officials of your rank in other families, but they are not as busy as you. Erlang, you should sleep more. You are always like this. It's okay now that you are young, but what will you do if you get sick in the future?"
Yan Shang smiled and said, "I see. Thank you for your concern. I'll just watch for a while and then go to sleep."
Yunshu sighed and said no more.
He hoped that there should be a mistress at home to take good care of Erlang. Erlang was good in every way except that he set too high standards for himself and pushed himself too hard.
Inside the house, Yan Shang took a bath with shame, then sat down at his desk with a lamp on. He began to practice calligraphy in a somewhat irritable manner, hoping to find the answer to his question.
He didn't want to go down the wrong path whenever he thought of Mu Wanyao.
How filthy and dirty that was, how it defiled her.
But he really couldn't help it.
He could control it when he was awake, but at night, this desire would torment him in his dreams. He did this so often that he was frightened by his own desire. He hated himself for being unable to control himself and for being controlled by desire.
Yan Shang didn't dare to see Mu Wanyao these two days, because he was afraid that if he saw her smile, his mind would start to get confused and he would think of some disgusting and stupid things. But if he didn't go to see Mu Wanyao, Mu Wanyao would suspect what he was busy with.
Being in a dilemma, Yan Shang had been suffering these past two days.
He was very upset and felt that if he continued like this, he would really make a fool of himself one day. For someone like him, making him look bad was like killing him.
After practicing calligraphy for a while, Yan Shang looked down at what he had written, and was startled by the words "暮晚摇" all over the paper. He looked at his own words and couldn't help but open the window to look at the mansion opposite.
He remembered that there was a three-story attic in the princess's mansion, and the lights were always on.
However, Yan Shang was destined to be disappointed tonight, as it was pitch dark there.
Apparently he was the only one suffering, and Mu Wanyao didn't have the same troubles as him at all.
Yan Shang sighed and began to reflect on why he was like this. He reflected for a while, but when he thought of the stupid things he did that night, he couldn't help but smile, and his brows relaxed slightly. He felt calm in his heart and began to record what happened that night.
After finishing writing, Yan Shang looked at his own words for a while and felt that he was really ridiculous.
He shook his head and burned the paper, as if burying his thoughts deep inside.
At most, at most... He secretly wrote a letter to his elder brother, asking him uncomfortably whether his behavior was abnormal; he asked his elder brother for advice on how to control his desires and not make a fool of himself...
While writing to his brother, Yan Shang took out more writing paper and wrote a letter to his father, third brother, and youngest sister.
Ask my father to drink less. Ask my elder brother and sister-in-law if they are safe, how my nephew is doing, and if there is anything missing at home.
He severely criticized his third brother for his idleness and urged him to study hard. If his third brother could pass the state examination, he would be able to take care of him and help share some of the family burden after coming to Chang'an.
When I wrote the last letter to my younger sister, my tone was much gentler.
But Yan Shang thought about it and felt that his little sister was now fourteen or fifteen years old, the age when she was beginning to fall in love and admire young people. He asked his father, elder brother, and third brother to pay more attention to his little sister and not let her go astray at this age.
Yan Xiaozhou is still young and there is no rush for her to get married.
The letter became longer and longer.
-----
The envoys from various countries are about to leave the capital of Wei, but this has little to do with most people.
For example, in Zhao Jijiu's home, Lord Zhao was more concerned about his youngest daughter, Concubine Zhao Ling. The envoy's affairs had nothing to do with him anyway. And when it came to Concubine Zhao Ling, what Lord Zhao was thinking about most was naturally his daughter's marriage.
In the past, Lord Zhao always found fault with Concubine Zhao Lingfei. These two days, he heard that Concubine Zhao Lingfei had gone to participate in the military drill. Naturally, others praised his daughter for her bravery that was comparable to that of a man. Lord Zhao was proud but also frightened. He felt that Wu Niang would never be able to get married if she remained like this.
On this day, Lord Zhao met Concubine Zhao Ling at his residence. Concubine Zhao Ling had just come from the small martial arts field. Concubine Zhao Ling perfunctorily saluted her father and turned around to leave, because she knew that her father did not like her practicing martial arts.
Unexpectedly, this time, Mr. Zhao said with a stern face: "Wu Niang, come back to me!"
Concubine Zhao Ling turned around and looked at him strangely, then followed Lord Zhao to the study.
After closing the door of the study, Mr. Zhao asked mysteriously, "Have you and Yan Erlang made any progress in your relationship?"
Concubine Zhao Ling was stunned, a picture appeared in her mind, a blush appeared on her face, and there was a hint of embarrassment and slight annoyance.
She thought of the night when Princess Danyang came to drink with them after the military performance and literary competition. Liu Ruozhu was the only girl among the group of young men. Seeing that Liu Ruozhu was weak and well-behaved, Princess Zhao Lingfei felt pity for her and took the initiative to talk to her.
While chatting, Concubine Zhao Ling turned her head and saw Princess Danyang and Yan Erlang sitting together.
All the young men were drunk, and the atmosphere was good, so no one paid attention. But Zhao Lingfei saw Princess Danyang's head gently resting on Yan Shang's shoulder, and Yan Shang seemed to feel nothing and did not dodge at all.
The scene was so dazzling that Concubine Zhao Ling was stunned at that time.
Because the Yan Shang she knew was definitely not the kind of person who would let a girl lean on his shoulder. He was measured in his actions, and although he was gentle to others, if he didn't mean it, he would definitely not cause misunderstandings and make the girl sad in vain.
Such a person as Yan Shang actually made Princess Danyang rely on him.
Concubine Zhao Ling suddenly recalled many past events, including the time when she went to block Yan Shang every day, and the time when Princess Danyang made her cry and persuaded her to leave... She was suddenly a little angry, thinking that the princess persuaded her to leave, was it just to get the upper hand because she was close to the water?
Those two are neighbors!
The princess has gone too far!
Liu Ruozhu saw that Zhao Lingfei's face was not right, and followed Zhao Lingfei's gaze. The campfire was dim, and Mu Wanyao and Yan Shang were cuddling together, how warm it was. Liu Ruozhu was stunned for a moment, and then instantly guessed that Zhao Lingfei would not also like Yan Erge?
Does Madam Zhao now understand Second Brother Yan’s thoughts?
Liu Ruozhu's eyes dimmed, and he pushed Concubine Zhao Ling's shoulder, saying worriedly, "Fifth Lady..."
Concubine Zhao Ling looked back at her, laughed at herself, and drank a sip of wine. Concubine Zhao Ling whispered: "The princess is really bad."
Liu Ruozhu said softly: "The girl that Second Brother Yan likes must not be a bad girl."
Concubine Zhao Ling puffed up her cheeks: "No matter! Anyway, she lied to me... She is a bad guy!"
Concubine Zhao Ling had been depressed for a long time, and now Lord Zhao came to ask her about the progress between her and Yan Shang. What progress was there? Before, there was no progress at all, and now it was getting further and further away.
Seeing his daughter's depressed expression, Lord Zhao knew what was going on. Lord Zhao didn't take it seriously and said cheerfully, "It doesn't matter. Think about it carefully. Although Yan Er is good, he comes from a poor family and is not worthy of us. I have found a good match for you, a top family!"
Lord Zhao said excitedly: "If you marry him, the status of my father's lineage will also be improved."
Concubine Zhao Ling was now a little hurt by the relationship between men and women. She did not refuse the marriage introduced by her father: "What family?"
Lord Zhao coughed and said, "Well, the other party is a little older than you... and has a child. But his first wife has passed away. If you marry him, you will be a successor, but also a legal wife. And their family has promised to marry you as your father. As long as you marry him, you will no longer have to be a priest and can participate in practical affairs..."
Concubine Zhao Ling stared blankly at her ambitious father.
She knew that her father had always been determined to work hard to become an upper-class family, and for this reason, the Yang family became their cousins. But she never expected that her father would be so shameless...
Concubine Zhao Ling raised her voice: "I'm only sixteen years old! You want me to be someone else's second wife! No one wants me anymore? I can't get married! How dare you treat your own daughter like this?!"
Lord Zhao was displeased: "What's wrong with a second wife? She already has children at home. If you marry into her family, they won't rush you to have a baby too soon. It's not good for a girl to have a baby too early... They've said that they let you marry into their family so that you can take good care of the child. How many men in this world are there who won't rush you to have a baby... How many men in this world will not rush their wives to have a baby? As a father, this is for your own good!"
Concubine Zhao Ling retorted: "If you had let me get married when I was seventeen or eighteen, there wouldn't be such a problem! What a lousy marriage! I shouldn't have trusted your judgment. I won't marry!"
Concubine Zhao Ling raised her neck and said stubbornly: "You have such bad eyesight, I would rather become a nun than marry you!"
Lord Zhao: "How dare you become a monk! If you do, I will let your mother become a monk with you and miss you every day!"
Concubine Zhao Ling: "Bah! If you have the guts, just do it. You'd think of using your daughter's marriage to make a business out of it!"
Lord Zhao was so angry at her frankness that his face turned blue. He scolded her and said that if it weren't for his scheming, she wouldn't have the good life she has now. Concubine Zhao Ling ridiculed him, saying that he couldn't walk when he saw a big family, and wanted to marry into a top family... He said he was crazy.
The father and daughter started swearing at each other as usual.
Concubine Ling of Zhao put her hands on her hips, which made Duke Zhao so angry that he kept throwing books and inkstones at her.
There was a lot of banging in the study, which frightened the servants outside. When Mrs. Zhao heard the servants' report, she hurried over to stop the quarrel and asked both parties to calm down and stop arguing.
Concubine Zhao Ling stood beside the bookshelf and turned her head away, not looking at her father.
Lord Zhao was slightly calmed down by his wife, and said, "Well, if you think this marriage is not good, then I have another family here. It's the prince's cousin, and it's time for him to get married..."
Concubine Zhao Ling couldn't stand it anymore and said angrily, "The prince's mother's family was born into a butcher family, and his cousin is also a butcher who can't read. Now thanks to the prince, the whole family has risen to prominence... In order to curry favor with the powerful, you either want me to marry someone as a concubine or to marry an illiterate butcher... You're going too far!"
"Is raising a daughter a business? Is she just waiting for you to sell her?"
Madam Zhao advised: "Your cousin is still following the prince, and the Yang family is on good terms with the prince, why do you despise him so much..."
Concubine Zhao Ling held back her anger and remained silent.
Lord Zhao: "You look down on this and that, but the one you like looks down on you!"
Concubine Zhao Ling was furious. She punched the bookshelf, causing it to shake and all the books to fall down. Seeing this scene, the Zhao couple's eyes twitched. They were secretly surprised by their daughter's strength and wondered if she was their child...
Concubine Zhao Lingfei said, "You despise Second Brother Yan for his poor background, right? Second Brother Yan is a thousand times better than you in every way except his background!"
Lord Zhao: "Whatever you say... Wu Niang, I tell you, your marriage must be with a top family that can help our Zhao family improve its status. If not, I will not agree to your marriage. If I don't agree, you are having an affair without a matchmaker. Don't even think about getting married!"
Zhao Lingfei's eyes turned red and she felt infinite despair in her heart.
She and her father had never had the same philosophy, but there had never been a moment when she realized how annoying her father was. What's wrong with the Zhao family being a clean family? Of course it's good to be the most noble, but if it doesn't work, isn't it good to face reality?
Why do you have to curry favor with the powerful and covet what does not belong to you?
Her sisters’ marriages, her brothers’ marriages…now it’s her turn to get married!
Mrs. Zhao was trying to comfort her husband, and when she turned around to comfort her daughter, the door of the study opened and Concubine Zhao Ling ran out. Lord Zhao was enraged again: "If you dare to run away, don't come back! I have the final say in this family. You are a little girl who eats my food and uses my things, and you are still so ignorant!"
Madam Zhao said softly: "Ling Fei is still young, she will be sensible..."
Zhao Lingfei, who had already run out of the study, heard the words coming from the study and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes and couldn't stop falling.
She cried out of shame.
But I don’t know whether I should be ashamed of myself for not being able to understand my parents, or ashamed of my parents for being such people.
It was only this afternoon, the day she ran out of the house, that she suddenly realized what a disappointing father her father was.
This home made her feel cramped and suffocated. Living here, she was either driven crazy by her father or assimilated by him like her sisters and brothers, becoming the same as them.
Maybe people will really become the people they hate as they grow older. But before that day comes, she should fight back desperately.
You should use all your strength to resist!
-----
But where can she go?
Looking for cousin Yang Si?
Concubine Zhao Ling went to the Yang family and learned that her cousin had not returned for several days. The Yang family actually tried to get information from her about Yang Sanlang, asking her what Yang Sanlang had been doing since he came back to Chang'an, and asking her to persuade her cousin to get married.
Zhao Lingfei suddenly felt sorry for her cousin. The atmosphere in the Yang family also made her uncomfortable, so she said she wanted to go home and ran away again. She went to her good sister's house, but still to no avail.
She went to Yan's house hesitantly, wanting to find her second brother Yan. She was confused and always wanted to find someone she trusted to comfort her and answer her questions.
However, Yan Shang was not at home either.
The servant in the mansion said that Yan Erlang was in the Secretariat. Because of the alliance agreements among various countries, the Secretariat has been very busy recently, and Yan Erlang has been busy with official business.
Yan Shang was not there, and Concubine Zhao Ling did not dare to visit the princess's mansion on the left, because Mu Wanyao was so fierce, she was afraid that she would be scolded by the princess.
Concubine Zhao Lingfei left here in a state of despair, not knowing where to go in the end. She squatted under the wall outside a teahouse, watching the lights gradually light up, and heard the sound of drums and bells, knowing that the gates of various places were about to close. Once the gates were closed, she could not run back and forth.
However, Concubine Zhao Ling still didn't want to go home.
She squatted on the roadside for a long time, staring blankly at the people coming and going on the street, when suddenly she saw an acquaintance. The man was riding on a horse, with a face as white as snow, clean and clear, and cold and lonely.
He was like a thin layer of snow shining in the dim evening, making the air less dull.
However, while riding on the horse, he lowered his head, completely ignoring the admiring looks from passers-by around him when they saw him.
Concubine Zhao Ling's eyes lit up and she waved her hand: "Wei Qilang! Wei Qilang!"
Wei Shu turned around and looked over here. He looked at the girl squatting in the corner for a long time, and Concubine Zhao Ling suspected that he had forgotten who she was. Wei Shu slowly dismounted and walked over. He stopped when he was a full ten feet away from her.
Zhao Lingfei looked at the distance between the two and was speechless.
However, she said pitifully, "Can you do me a favor? I saved you during the military exercise. Can you repay me?"
Wei Shu looked at her for a long while.
Just when she was wondering if he was going to turn around and leave, she heard Wei Shu whisper, "Speak."
Concubine Zhao Ling: “……?”
She was stunned for a moment before she realized that the person was asking her to tell her what she wanted to do. She muttered to herself that this person was too quiet. Concubine Zhao Ling smiled and continued to act pitiful: "Can you take me back to your mansion and keep me for one night?"
Wei Shu was silent for a while, then turned around and walked away. He walked a few steps, looked back, and saw that Concubine Zhao Ling had jumped up very cleverly and caught up with him, almost bumping into him. Wei Shu took a step back in shock, motioning her to stay away from him, and then got back on the horse.
-----
Without mentioning how Concubine Zhao Ling was doing, or how Yan Shang did his job, Mu Wanyao's mood was very good recently.
Mu Wanyao and her fourth sister were in the palace, sitting by the lake in the garden. Princess Yuyang was pregnant, and her belly was already a little big, and her eyes were full of maternal love. Mu Wanyao sat beside her, fanning herself with a feather fan, wearing jewels and jade, and looking relaxed and contented.
The emperor was still taking a nap at this moment, so the two princesses just sat in the palace waiting.
Princess Yuyang came to the palace for a routine visit, but she didn't know what her sixth sister was doing there. As far as she knew, her sixth sister didn't really like to come to the palace to see her father.
However...recently, I always feel that my father dotes on my sixth sister.
He kept sending supplements and treasures to the princess's mansion and constantly summoned Princess Danyang. Sometimes Princess Danyang got angry and talked back to the emperor on the spot, but the emperor didn't get angry.
Princess Yuyang, who had never been favored by the emperor and was like a nobody, was curious and envious. She wanted to know what her sixth sister had done to make her father treat her so well recently.
Mu Wanyao turned her head and saw her fourth sister staring at her. Mu Wanyao smiled and raised her eyebrows slightly. She had a lot of private things she wanted to share with others, but because she didn't have many friends, she didn't tell anyone. Now that Princess Yuyang was here, there were some things that she couldn't tell other girls, but she could still tell her own sister.
Mu Wan smiled and said, "Fourth sister, do you know why I came to the palace today?"
Princess Yuyang shook her head: "I'm just guessing, but I can't guess it."
Mu Wan smiled and leaned close to her sister, whispering in her ear: "I slept alone."
Princess Yuyang, who was gentle and virtuous and aimed to be a good wife, suddenly widened her eyes, covered her mouth, and looked at her sister. Princess Yuyang blushed and said dryly for a long time: "...Oh."
She whispered: "Is this... not good?"
Mu Wan raised her eyebrows: "What's wrong?"
Princess Yuyang said stiffly: "You haven't married yet, how can you keep saying such things..."
Mu Wanyao said indifferently: "I've been married before. It's just that I'm not married anymore."
She didn't care about Princess Yuyang's shy and shocked attitude. She sat next to her sister and happily discussed with her sister: "I want to repay him. I want to ask for an official position for him in front of my father. He makes me happy, so I will make him happy too."
Princess Yuyang was at a loss for words: "...You slept with someone, and now you want to give him an official position?"
Mu Wan's eyes were as charming as the flowing spring water, very smart and lively: "Yes."
Princess Yuyang: "Won't this humiliate me?"
Mu Wanyao said unhappily: "How can this be called humiliation? This is called returning a favor!"
Princess Yuyang advised: "If you like him, you might as well talk to your father and ask him to find you a prince consort."
Mu Wanyao suddenly lost interest and felt that he and this well-behaved sister were not getting along.
The smile on her face faded, and she said, "My marriage has nothing to do with whether I like it or not. I either don't get married, or if I do, I want marriage to play the biggest role. If there is no benefit to be gained, why should I marry again? Haven't I been married enough?"
Princess Yuyang said: "Ah, but..."
Mu Wan was annoyed: "Oh, stop talking! You are so polite, I can't agree with you."
She turned away and ignored her sister. Princess Yuyang was timid and gentle, so she just looked at her worriedly and didn't dare to say much. At this time, the two heard footsteps and the eunuch reported. They looked together and saw that it was Princess Yuyang's husband, Jingzhao Yin, who came with a cloak on his arm and followed by the eunuch.
Princess Yuyang stood up in surprise: "Why are you here?"
Jingzhao Yin was also a young man from an aristocratic family, well-mannered and refined. He smiled and greeted Mu Wan, who was sitting there, and put his cloak on his wife, saying, "It's cold in spring, and you're still pregnant, don't catch a cold."
Princess Yuyang blushed and lowered her head as she was held by her husband. The couple whispered some sweet words.
Mu Wan snorted and turned away, disdainful of the couple. She thought, what's the big deal, she has someone who loves her now, no worse than Princess Yuyang.
She also has a lover now. Her lover lives next door to her, so close that it is almost like they live in the same princess mansion... In fact, it is almost like they are a couple.
There is absolutely no need to envy others.
There is no need to get married at all.
She could naturally party with Yan Shang every night, making others envious! When she finds the chance, she will also show off to others!
As Mu Wanyao was thinking indignantly, she saw across the lake, four or five officials were led by eunuchs to meet the emperor. She immediately recognized Yan Shang among those officials. After all, he was good-looking, and although he walked silently at the back, he was still very conspicuous.
When Mu Wanyao saw Yan Shang, the officials on Yan Shang's side also saw the two princesses and their husbands. The officials stopped and saluted the princesses.
Yan Shang naturally looked over here as well.
Mu Wan waved her round fan in her hand and looked at Yan Shang with joy. When she met his eyes, she winked at him gently, thinking that she wanted him to see her charming and seductive style.
Unexpectedly, Yan Shang's face turned red all of a sudden and he lowered his eyes instantly.
He was so flustered, as if he shouldn't have seen her, and hurriedly followed the officials who were traveling with him.
Mu Wan was stunned: "..."
Just one look at her and he blushed?
She turned around again to look at Princess Yuyang and her husband who were flirting with each other in public.
Mu Wanyao secretly hated: Where is her nightly revelry?
Given Yan Shang's thick skin, would she never be able to wait?
Does she still have a chance to make Princess Yuyang envious of her for having a good lover?
-----
In the East Palace, Yang Si was still kneeling.
After a few days, he only drank some water and didn't eat anything.
The young man knelt straight. In the past few days, the ministers who came and went had seen him countless times, shaking their heads and begging the prince for mercy, but the prince ignored them. The palace people could not help but worry, seeing that Yang Sanlang's face was getting paler and paler, and his eyes were full of bloodshot.
Obviously, after several days of torture, even with a body as good as Yang Si's, he could hardly bear it anymore.
That night, Yang Si was still kneeling in a daze. He had been kneeling for so long that he almost forgot his original intention. He only knew that he could not give up. Unexpectedly, a palace servant came to help him and called him Sanlang.
Yang Si said in a hoarse voice: "Go away."
Behind the palace maid, the Crown Princess looked at the stubborn young man with a complicated expression. She sighed and said, "Sanlang, get up and eat something. His Highness has agreed to see you."
Yang Si raised his face, and his eyes on his thin and pale face suddenly lit up like stars.
This light made the Crown Princess stunned. She wondered if her husband was so fond of Yang Sanlang because of this light in Yang Sanlang?
Burning everything, including his own light.
Will such brightness one day engulf Yang Si himself?
-----
After Yang Si washed up, ate something and regained some strength, he went into the inner chamber to meet the prince.
The prince was wearing a jade crown and a white robe, sitting under a lamp, polishing a sword. Yang Si closed the door and came in, standing under his desk. The prince also kept his head down, polishing the sword in his hand, and did not greet him.
Yang Si just stood there in silence.
The light from the candles shone on the wall, reflecting the figures of young men and boys.
The prince suddenly turned his eyes and looked at the shadows of the two people on the wall.
He stopped wiping his sword and said slowly, "Although I am the eldest son, I am a bastard. Not only am I a bastard, but my mother's family is also humble, far inferior to the mother's families of the King of Qin and the King of Jin. My father has disliked me since I was a child, especially during the time of Queen Li. He was disgusted many times for why I was the eldest son and why I was not his favorite son but the eldest son. He liked my second brother more. Everyone liked my second brother more. Queen Li was powerful, so of course, my second brother was the crown prince when he was born.
"It's a pity that my second brother had a bad fate. There were too many people who wanted him dead, so he really died. After my second brother died, my father wanted to save his troubles and directly appointed me, the eldest son, as the crown prince. I got this crown prince position by accident. My father didn't think highly of me at all. I think for many years, he was expecting me to do something big wrong so that he could just throw me away."
The prince sneered, "It's a pity that I am doing a good job as a prince. He never found a chance to demote me, so I will always be the prince."
Yang Si lowered his eyes and said, "I have always believed in your ability. You just... want that position too much."
The prince murmured, "Yes, I want it too much. I want it more than anyone else. My third and fifth brothers failed, but they still have the protection of my mother's family, but what do I have? I have come to where I am today, relying entirely on myself. You always say that I am cruel, that I don't love the people, I don't love people... But Sanlang, do I have the qualifications to worry about those things?"
He was lost in memories and said, "I still remember that when I was a child, my second brother's study companions were all young men from wealthy families. When it was my turn, my father just picked one for me at random, with a completely dismissive attitude. I refused and took the initiative to ask my father for a man from an aristocratic family to be my study companion. My father was probably moved by my rare request and arranged the man from the Yang family for me."
He laughed at himself, "The Hongnong Yang family is from the Chang'an lineage, and is also a great family. I was overjoyed, thinking that my father was finally good to me. But I later found out that the person who came to study with me... was your eldest brother. He was in poor health, and he only accompanied me to study for two months. He died at a young age."
Yang Si's voice was slightly tense: "...I heard from my father."
The prince murmured, "your second brother was actually given to your childless uncle by your father. In the end, the only one left in the Yang family was you. My father wanted to arrange a new companion for me, but I knew that if I gave up, I might never have the chance to move up again. I gritted my teeth and said that I wanted the third son of the Yang family. Even though the third son of the Yang family was just born and was still a baby... I could wait for this companion."
He suddenly turned his head and looked at Yang Si.
Just then Yang Si looked up and looked at him.
Seeing a trace of tears in the prince's eyes, he smiled bitterly at him, "Sanlang, I have watched you grow up since you were a child, and I look forward to your growth every day. Whenever I have a chance, I will go to the Yang family to see you and see when you can come to the palace to accompany me to study. You are my hope, the hope that I have tried my best to find a little connection with the Yang family. Your eldest brother died because of poor health, and I am always worried that you will too. When I go to see you every day, do you know?
"You finally managed to study, but you are a troublemaker. I was so desperate, but I could only endure it. It's ridiculous that enduring it has become a habit. When I was only a teenager, I felt like I had a son to worry about. Sanlang... The battlefield has no eyes for swords, why do you like this?"
Yang Si lifted his robe and knelt down. After a long while, he finally said in a hoarse voice: "...Your Highness!"
The prince stood up, walked in front of him, and held the boy's shoulders. The prince slowly handed him the sword he had just wiped, and said softly: "If you want to go to the battlefield, go ahead.
"My only advice is that swords have no eyes, and you must come back alive."
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