The layers of flower shadows are high and low

In the northern border, eagles soar in the blue sky above the clear water.

"Your Majesty, King Tuqi." A tall man walked into the felt tent holding a letter and bowed respectfully to Hu Mantu.

"A letter from the Chanyu."

Hu Mantu took the letter, glanced at it briefly, and threw it aside.

This is the sixth one.

This was the sixth time that his elder brother had written to him this month, asking him why he had not yet launched a counterattack against Daxuan.

"Is it still about the march?" Sadaka stood aside and guessed the content of the letter just by looking at Humantu's expression.

Hu Mantu picked up the wine bottle hanging on his waist, took a big gulp and snorted coldly.

"What else could it be? Big Brother is not on the front line, but he still wants to control everything. Sooner or later, something bad will happen."

"Your Majesty!" Sadaka raised his voice hastily. He had followed the king for many years and knew that this was the king's character.

However, if someone with ulterior motives heard these words, it would become evidence of the king's estrangement from the Chanyu.

Besides, he had heard some nonsense rumors recently.

It was said that the king had secretly negotiated with Daxuan and the terms had been agreed upon, which was why he had been holding back on moving his troops.

This is really ridiculous! Anyone who has been to the northern border and fought with Daxuan would never say such nonsense.

"Then how does Your Majesty plan to reply?"

Sadaka moved closer and half-knelt on the ground, which was the posture he often used when talking to the king.

"What else can I do? I'll just write it down as it is. If he doesn't believe me, he can come and see it for himself!"

Hu Mantu took another sip of the wine in a gamble, then he sighed and handed the wine bottle to Sadaka.

"Big brother is too impatient. It only took him ten years to conquer this grassland. In his eyes, Daxuan is no different from the old wolf king he killed when he was young."

"But you and I understand." Hu Mantu leaned over and looked solemnly at his subordinate who had followed him for many years. "The general of Daxuan is still very young. As long as he is still alive, Daxuan can hold on for at least another 40 years."

"Sadaqa."

"I am here."

In Sadaka's memory, it had been a long time since the king had called his name so solemnly.

"If I'm gone, I'll have to rely on you to deal with that general. Do you dare?"

"Your Majesty!"

"Just tell me if you dare or not?"

Hu Mantu looked at the grassland man who was so anxious that he was about to cry, and interrupted him with a sharp voice.

"Dare!" Sadaka's face flushed red. The king was his benefactor, and his entire life belonged to the king. Even if the king wanted him to die, he would not hesitate at all.

"Hahaha!" Hu Mantu laughed heartily. He patted Sadaka on the shoulder and said, "You are worthy of being a good son of my grassland."

"Wait a few days. If there is still no movement from Daxuan, I will go back to the Chanyu Court in person."

Hu Mantu was not brave enough to ask his elder brother to come to Northern Xinjiang in person. His only worry was that Da Xuan would take advantage of his absence.

"Your Majesty, how can the army leave its general?"

Apparently, Sadaka has the same concerns.

"I can ride a fast horse and the round trip will only take a few days. You keep an eye on this place and report to me if Daxuan makes any unusual moves."

"If the situation is critical."

Hu Mantu spoke every word with great emphasis.

"You are in full control."

*

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please come down at once."

Inside the Yu Garden, a group of palace servants stood under a tree, looking up, sweating profusely.

On the branch, Ji Mingzheng was lying in the little guard's arms happily enjoying the scenery.

As it was a rare day with few official duties, he also had some time to stroll around the Yu Garden and experience the daily life of a tyrant.

However, just as he was immersed in the joy of being a willful and tyrant, the noisy quarrels under the tree suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?"

He was too lazy to even take a look, so he raised his hand and pinched the little guard's face, motioning him to look.

"Your Majesty, it's Lord Qiu."

Ji Mingxiu leaned out and glanced down. The sunlight passed through the gaps in the green shadows and fell in a mottled manner on Qiu Ling, who was wearing a snow-blue robe.

He stood quietly under the tree, raised his head and looked up at Ji Mingxiu. His eyes, which were dazzled by the sunlight, were a little watery and he looked a little gloomy.

Ji Mingxiu suddenly felt guilty for no apparent reason and no longer had the heart to enjoy the view. He simply let the guard carry him away again.

Before Qiu Ling could reach out his hand from his wide sleeves, His Majesty had already stood still under the support of Cheng Tianfeng. He withdrew his hand without leaving a trace, and his eyes and tone were as calm as ever, even a little boring.

"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch."

Ji Mingxiu waved his hand to interrupt Qiu Ling's cuckoo-like chatter, turned his head and looked at Cheng Tianfeng. It was still fun to tease the puppy.

"Is it heavy? Is it heavier than last year?"

Cheng Tianfeng shook his head, then nodded. Your Majesty was too thin before, and now he has finally gained some weight, but he is not heavy at all.

Ji Mingxiu was amused by the frankness of the little guard, and he reached out and pinched Cheng Tianfeng's cheeks. Not only him, but also the little guard had gained a lot of weight, and his face was softer than last year.

This gave Ji Mingxiu an inexplicable sense of accomplishment, as if he was feeding a puppy. He moved closer and whispered in a voice that only two people could hear.

"Have dinner with me later. Don't be afraid since Qiu Ling is not here."

"yes"

The puppy's gray eyes suddenly lit up, and it looked so cute as it flickered.

*

Lunch is simple and refreshing. It is almost the beginning of autumn, the hottest time of the year in Tiandu. The slightest smell of meat will make people lose their appetite.

On weekdays, when Qiu Ling was not around, Ji Mingxiu would ask Cheng Tianfeng to dine with him. As the number of such meetings increased, the little guard became more courageous.

"Why don't you eat properly and look at me?"

Ji Mingxiu put down his chopsticks helplessly and turned his head to meet Cheng Tianfeng's hesitant gaze.

"Is the food not to your liking?"

"No, it's not..." Cheng Tianfeng shook his head helplessly. He raised his head and looked into Ji Mingxiu's gentle and smiling eyes. This gave him great courage to say this question that had been buried in his heart for a long time and was like a thorn in his throat.

"Your Majesty, do you think that I...I am similar to General Gu?"

"Hmm." Ji Mingxiu was about to deny it, but the little guard's moist eyes softened his heart, and he couldn't help but have the evil urge to tease him.

"You look like one even when you're not talking."

“Then…” The little guard began to wither at a speed visible to the naked eye, his whole body revealing a pitiful grievance, “I will not say anything from now on…”

"Pfft!" Ji Mingxiu reached out and rubbed the little guard's head, and said in a soothing voice, "If you don't talk, you will become a little dumb. Be good, I'm teasing you."

"In fact, when you speak, you still have your own characteristics."

"Really?"

Cheng Tianfeng raised his head, and his bright eyes instantly regained their luster.

"Really? Of course it's true. How could I lie to you?"

He is really silly and not like Gu Zian at all.