Chapter 16
Listening to Cui Xiao's vivid description, Liu Cong seemed to see the image of the city boy carrying a large medicine box, gnawing on a chicken leg, and talking nonsense.
Novel, interesting, and even... a little yearning for that kind of unrestrained life.
He couldn't help but interrupt and ask
"Did that Divine Doctor Hu really say...that roasted koi from the Imperial Garden are more delicious than rat meat from the hills behind Medicine King Valley?"
Cui Xiao couldn't help laughing, then realized that he had lost his composure and quickly covered his mouth, but the smile in his eyes still lingered.
"Your Highness, please forgive me! Hu Qing... that brat is really outspoken! He was just talking nonsense because he was extremely hungry!"
He looked at the curiosity and rare youthful vitality in Liu Cong's eyes, and his heart moved slightly.
It seems that this high and mighty Second Prince is not completely detached from the real world.
Liu Cong waved his hand, not only did he not blame her, but the smile on his lips deepened a little, and he looked particularly clear and moist under the moonlight.
"Frank words are quite interesting. Much better than those pedantic people who are full of nonsense but are actually hypocritical."
The topic gradually opened up. From strange stories in the martial arts world to miscellaneous talks in ancient books, from military strategies to poetry and songs... Cui Xiao was surprised to find
This legendary second prince, who was said to be extremely capable and deep-minded, had profound knowledge and insights that far exceeded his imagination.
What surprised him even more was that the two of them actually coincided on many of the same views!
Talking about the military tactics of famous generals in the previous dynasties, Cui Xiao advocated "combining the strange and the regular", and Liu Cong immediately responded, "Using the regular to unite and the strange to win, this is the best of the best."
He also quoted classics to analyze the gains and losses; talking about the suffering of the people, Cui Xiao lamented that "when a country prospers, the people suffer; when it perishes, the people suffer"
Liu Cong was silent for a moment and whispered
"A ruler should take the people into consideration and lighten taxes and levies, which is the fundamental principle."
There is a heavy sense of responsibility in his words;
Even when talking about some obscure chess endgames, the two of them could discuss and deduce them with great pleasure.
Liu Cong's beautiful eyes became brighter and brighter.
He had never had such a hearty conversation before! He didn't have to worry about his status or his thoughts; he could speak his mind and debate.
Cui Xiao has a quick mind and unique insights. He has both the sharpness of a young man and calm thinking.
What was even more rare was his frankness and sincerity, which, like a clear spring, washed away the depression that had accumulated in his heart over the years due to calculation and vigilance.
He felt a long-lost, perhaps unprecedented, sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him, and he was simply enjoying a heartfelt conversation with a peer, a friend.
Yes, friend.
This idea quietly grew in Liu Cong's mind.
Within this cold and thrilling palace wall, he unexpectedly met someone he could call a "friend"?
Someone who doesn't flatter him because he's the second prince, doesn't harbor any distracting thoughts about him because of his looks, and only treats him with sincerity?
He looked at Cui Xiao's profile as he talked freely in the moonlight with shining eyes. Deep in his heart, the solid ice shell that used to isolate everything seemed to quietly crack, letting in a ray of warm light.
An emotion called "joy" and "cherish", like the vines of early spring, quietly wraps around the heart.
Cui Xiao was also immersed in this unexpectedly congenial conversation.
Putting aside the initial embarrassment and the lingering doubts in his heart, he had to admit that Liu Cong's personal charm was extremely strong.
He is knowledgeable but not ostentatious, powerful but not arrogant, elegant in conversation and thoughtful, and the youthful nature that occasionally reveals seems genuine and endearing.
Especially when he talked about some insights on governing the country, Cui Xiao sincerely admired his calmness and foresight.
He even began to waver in his previous doubts - did such a prince with lofty ambitions and aspirations really need to resort to such despicable means as poisoning his younger brother and blaming his elder brother to fight for the throne?
Wouldn't that be destroying the Great Wall?
Time slipped by unnoticed. The moon reached its zenith, its radiance growing even brighter, coating the pavilion and the pond with a soft silver edge.
"Your Highness..."
A subtle and cautious voice sounded outside the pavilion. It was Chang Lu, Liu Cong's personal eunuch. He stood not far away with his hands hanging down, his face showing just the right amount of respect and reminder.
"It's three quarters past midnight. You have to go to the study to attend a lecture tomorrow. You should get some rest."
The conversation that was lingering on was interrupted.
The bright light in Liu Cong's eyes faded away in an instant, and he returned to his usual calmness.
He nodded slightly to show that he understood.
When he looked at Cui Xiao again, there was a barely perceptible hint of nostalgia and reluctance in his eyes.
"It's late at night."
Liu Cong stood up, his moon-white sleeves fluttering in the night breeze. He looked at Cui Xiao and said in a gentle voice:
"I had a conversation with Cui Bandu tonight, and I was very happy."
He spoke the last four words softly, but with an unprecedented sincerity.
Cui Xiao also stood up quickly, feeling a little melancholy in his heart.
It is indeed rare to have a chat under this moon.
"It is my honor to listen to your teachings. Your Highness... please rest early."
He bowed.
Liu Cong nodded, said nothing more, turned around and left the pavilion with Chang Lu.
Under the moonlight, the tall and thin figure gradually blended into the shadows of the lush flowers and trees.
Cui Xiao stood alone in the pavilion, the night wind blowing on his slightly hot forehead.
He recalled the conversation just now, Liu Cong's profound knowledge, calm conversation, and occasional youthful spirit.
And the last sentence "very happy"...all of this is so real and so touching.
That face, so beautiful that it seemed like it was not of an ordinary person, was now clearer in my mind.
Cui Xiao muttered to himself, a smile unconsciously appearing on the corner of his mouth.
Having a friend in this palace seems... not bad?
Although the vigilance deep in his heart that belonged to the son of Weiyuan Marquis had not completely dissipated - people in the royal family were all very cunning, who knew what was hidden under that gentle mask?
But at least at this moment, he was willing to believe that the friendship they had while chatting under the moon was real.
There is still a long way to go, so let’s get to know each other slowly.
He turned around and walked towards Xiefang Palace, his steps much lighter.
Returning to the bedroom and lying on the soft bed, Cui Xiao felt no sleepiness at all.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, pouring through the window lattice onto the bed. He opened his eyes, and his mind was full of scenes from the pavilion.
When Liu Cong looked back in surprise, he saw her breathtakingly beautiful face...
The heavy sense of responsibility in his eyes when he talked about people's livelihood...
The boyish curiosity in his eyes when he talked about anecdotes...
And the final words "very happy", that pure joy without any pretense...
Scenes, one after another, rotate before my eyes like a kaleidoscope.
"How can there be a man...who is so handsome..."
Cui Xiao murmured unconsciously, his fingers gently stroking his chest
There seemed to still be the slender touch of holding the other person's waist, and the lingering cool fragrance.
My heartbeat seemed to quicken a little.
With a sense of inexplicable throbbing and endless aftertaste of the palace night talk, Cui Xiao finally fell into sleep.
In the dream, there seemed to be cool moonlight, sparkling pool water, and the figure like a banished immortal under the moon, giving him a shallow and real smile.
At this moment, Liu Cong, who had returned to his bedroom "Qingyan Pavilion", dismissed his attendants and sat alone at the desk in front of the window.
He didn't turn on the light, letting the moonlight flow in, sprinkling on his delicate profile and casting a faint shadow.
His slender fingers unconsciously stroked a warm white jade pendant on his waist, but his eyes were a little empty, as if he was recalling something.
The boy's scorching body temperature and clean breath in the pavilion...
Those vivid and interesting anecdotes...
Those unguarded, free-flowing debates and resonances...
And those peach blossom eyes that sparkled in the moonlight, full of sincerity and wisdom...
An unprecedented, warm feeling with a strange throbbing feeling, like a stone thrown into the lake of the heart, causing ripples that will not subside for a long time.
He picked up a purple-hair brush from the desk and, on the moonlit rice paper, slowly wrote two powerful and forceful characters, yet with a rare touch of tenderness:
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