Tonight the moon is bright and everyone is looking forward to it

Cicadas are chirping and yellow leaves are falling in the Han Palace in autumn; the rainy mountains are covered with fog and clouds, bringing sorrow.

The day of the expedition is getting closer, but the position of deputy general has not yet been decided.

At first, everyone thought that the young emperor was too young and powerless to make a decision, so they all looked at the Left Prime Minister Li Qingyun and did not dare to act rashly.

But after waiting for half a month, there was still no movement in the Prime Minister's Mansion. At this point, even a fool could see that the Left Prime Minister was planning to turn a blind eye.

Tiandu instantly became a bloodless battlefield. Zushitai received cases almost every day and was very busy.

While the ministers were fighting to the death, Ji Mingxiu was much happier.

Now he doesn't have to worry about attending court. He just listens to the ministers arguing with each other, and his only responsibility is to issue orders to arrest people after the argument is over.

"Yes, the Minister is right. We must not tolerate corruption. We must rectify the rules and regulations this time to promote a clean government."

Ji Mingxiu waved his sleeves and recited the lines fluently. Although he did not show it on his face, he was secretly happy in his heart, thinking that the quarrel was finally over.

"I will leave this matter to the Historian, the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple. I am dismissed."

"May our emperor live long and long."

The weather in Tiandu in August was clear and crisp, and the red walls, green tiles and golden autumn leaves were a unique sight. Ji Mingxiu simply did not take the sedan chair, and walked back to the Qinzheng Hall with Zuo Cheng Li Qingyun.

That’s right, ever since the last time the Left Prime Minister and the Imperial Preceptor met in the Qinzheng Hall, the two have come to the Qinzheng Hall to drink tea almost every day in the past half month.

Ji Mingxiu's transformation from being restless at first to being calm and composed now is the result of having experienced many ups and downs.

Even the tea in the Qinzheng Hall now has three portions, in addition to his Lushan Yunwu, there is also the Jingting Green Snow of the National Master and the Baihao Yinzhen of the Zuo Cheng.

How about changing the name of my Qinzheng Palace to Xiangming Palace?

"His Majesty."

Li Qingyun picked up a dead leaf that had fallen on Ji Mingxiu's shoulder, held it in his palm and gently rolled over it. In an instant, it turned into pieces and was blown away by the wind.

"It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival."

"yes."

Ji Mingxiu looked up at the familiar palace wall dejectedly. It was the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so how could he have a family reunion?

"Let's hold this year's Moon Festival in a grand manner, so that the soldiers can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival before heading to the Northern Frontier."

Ji Mingxiu suddenly felt a little chilly. He lowered his head and tucked the light robe he was wearing. He had no intention of appreciating the scenery anymore and quickly returned to the Qinzheng Hall.

"yes."

Li Qingyun lowered his eyes and agreed without saying anything else. He followed Ji Mingxiu at a leisurely pace.

The autumn atmosphere this year is indeed stronger, filling the entire city with a chill.

Seeing that the army would march to the northern border right after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Ji Mingxiu calmly dealt with the generals who were nominated by the ministers after a struggle on the charge of corruption, and then issued an imperial decree to appoint Qu Chuan as deputy general, thus settling the matter.

The ministers then understood that they were being forced into a trap.

However, in this dispute over deputy generals, Zuo Cheng's faction suffered the least loss by keeping aloof. Even if they entered the gate of Yu Shitai, most of them were just demoted, which made it hard for people not to think too much.

"Oh, Your Majesty has grown up and is calculating now."

Li Qingyun lazily sat on the rosewood couch, casually flipping through the secret letter handed to him by the guard. A smile played on the corner of his lips, but there was a darkness in his eyes.

Your Majesty will grow up, if not today then tomorrow.

Li Qingyun glanced at the evening clouds and clear moon outside the window, raised his hand to burn the secret letter, stood up and straightened his clothes.

"Let's go, don't be late for the Moonlit Night Banquet."

"Yes, sir."

The bright moon rises over Tianshan Mountain, among the vast sea of ​​clouds.

Ji Mingxiu sat in the main hall bored, sipping osmanthus wine.

The dishes are still the same as in previous years, such as Autumn Leaf Drunken Crab Roe and Scallops, Pot-braised Pheasant Shredded Bird's Nest, and some seasonal snacks and fruits.

After waiting for a long time until the mooncake-making part, Ji Mingxiu said a few words symbolically and prepared to leave.

"Your Majesty, the night is late and the dew is heavy."

Qiu Ling carefully put a shawl on Ji Mingxiu and planned to help him out.

Ji Mingxiu waved his hands.

"I'll just go for a walk alone. You stay in the main hall and watch over me. If any soldier wants to go home early to spend time with their families, there's no need to report it."

"yes."

Qiu Ling pursed her lips, lowered her head, and straightened Ji Mingxiu's sleeves, then stood aside in silence.

The evening clouds have all disappeared, leaving behind a chilly air; the silver moon is turning silently like a jade plate.

Ji Mingxiu leaned alone on the railing of the Broken Rainbow Bridge, looking at the frost rolling up the withered lotus leaves under the hazy moonlight, and the chill of autumn penetrated his bones.

How many times will the autumn chill come in life? Who will share my loneliness?

The sound of footsteps came from behind him. Before Ji Mingxiu turned around, he was hugged around the waist. Then he felt a familiar temperature and warm breath in his ears.

"His Majesty."

Gu Zi'an buried himself between Ji Mingxiu's neck, sniffing his scent greedily.

"You're as courageous as ever."

He hadn't seen Gu Zi'an for almost a month. At the Moonlight Banquet, Gu Zi'an just buried his head in drinking and didn't dare to look at him. He thought Gu Zi'an had changed his personality.

Gu Zi'an said nothing, but just hugged her tighter.

Your Majesty is right. He is indeed extremely bold and has taken advantage of the affairs of the northern border to commit crimes and has repeatedly offended the emperor's might.

He had already made preparations. Now everyone in the court knew that General Gu was out of control, arrogant and conceited, and might be plotting rebellion.

After the matter in the northern border is settled, he will agree to whatever His Majesty wants.

The full moon is bright and clear, and the thin mist and thick clouds fall on the trees, casting shadows of the osmanthus trees.

Ji Mingxiu did not respond, nor did he break away. The two of them stood quietly on the Broken Rainbow Bridge, their figures intertwined and loving, as if they were just an ordinary couple in this world.

In the distance, a noise gradually rose and intensified.

Gu Zi'an looked at the bright moon hanging in the middle of the sky and knew that the dinner was over and it was time for him to leave.

"Gu Zi'an."

Ji Mingxiu suddenly held Gu Zian's hand and was silent for a long time before saying, "Come back safely."

"yes."

Your Majesty is unwilling to let him die in the Northern Frontier and wants to punish him personally, so he will crawl back to Tiandu even if he has to.

Outside the palace, people said goodbye in twos and threes.

"Why did you take so long, sir?"

"Nothing."

Li Qingyun's lips drooped slightly without a trace of smile. He took the crane cloak handed to him by the guard and covered his gloom.

Li Qingyun raised his head and looked at the palace wall behind him, his eyes dark.

"Let's go."

This day, once you step out, there is no need to come back.