Chapter 30
Xie Ling had no idea what he had just done. When Emperor Wu grabbed the back of his neck, he thought he was being mistaken for an assassin.
At this time, he immediately looked up.
"Your Majesty, don't get excited, it's me!"
A buzzing sound brushed past his ears, and Xiao Huan tightened his fingers even more. He did not release his hands until Xie Ling screamed and suddenly came to his senses.
Looking down, he saw a fingerprint on the back of Xie Ling's neck. His eyes deepened slightly, and he didn't understand how he could have gotten so close to her.
But after just a moment of reaction, Xiao Huan pursed his lips and looked at Xie Ling: "Are you injured?"
"I just had a nightmare."
In fact, there was no nightmare in the dream, but after waking up, Xie Ling touched him and he lost control. Xiao Huan frowned, suppressing his inexplicable reaction, and only relaxed a little when Xie Ling shook his head.
"It's okay. It's okay."
"It's good that your majesty wakes up."
He was scared to death!
Just now, when he looked up and couldn't see Emperor Wu, Xie Ling actually had the illusion that he was being targeted by a predator, and his heart was beating so fast that it was about to jump out.
At this time, he retreated cautiously while leaning against the wall of the carriage and complaining to the system.
"I was careless."
"It turns out that what Emperor Wu said about sleepwalking every night is true."
From my own experience, this feeling is even scarier than sleepwalking!
The incident happened unexpectedly, and the system was also shocked just now, but it was relieved to see that the host was fine.
Because of the angle, it didn't see the host kissing Emperor Wu's neck. At this moment, it always felt that Emperor Wu's reaction just now was strange. It didn't seem like the reaction of waking up from sleepwalking and mistaking the host for an assassin, but rather like... something was not restrained.
This thought only flashed through his mind for a moment, and the host started talking about something else.
"Hiss, don't tell me, your majesty's hand is quite strong."
"My neck is all red."
"I feel like it's comparable to the marks I got from sleeping at night a few days ago."
The system, which had guessed that the handprints on the host's face in the previous few times were made by Emperor Wu, suddenly fell silent, and its guilty thoughts hesitated.
Xie Ling was just complaining. His skin was too fragile to begin with, so the mark was obvious. Without a mirror, he didn't know what was happening on the back of his neck. He muttered a few words, and then he calmed down and didn't look at it again.
Seeing that his attention had shifted, Xiao Huan's eyes couldn't help but fall on the back of his neck. He couldn't help but rub it with his fingertips, recalling the delicate touch just now.
After realizing what he was thinking, his expression changed and he abruptly looked away.
…
There was so much going on outside that I had no idea what was happening inside the carriage. Just now, the carriage accidentally hit a stone when turning a corner. The eunuch cleaned it up and then continued on his way.
Outside, the Eagle Guards were protecting the carriage frame. Wang Bao, who was standing outside the door, asked quietly through the curtain: "Your Majesty, are you okay just now?"
Xiao Huan retracted his gaze and said calmly, "Nothing, just keep going and get there before daybreak."
"yes."
Only then did Wang Bao feel relieved and let the guards continue to speed up.
Fortunately, Xie Ling had ridden in a carriage several times during this period, so he would not get carsick or have a headache like before. He sat up quietly after Emperor Wu finished speaking.
The two of them didn't speak along the way until they finally reached the top of the mountain an hour later.
Since Qingyuan Temple was set up as a royal Taoist temple, it has been renovated. The scenery is excellent, and the higher you go, the quieter it becomes. In addition, because Xiao Huan doesn't like too many people following him, this time he didn't hold a large-scale prayer, and only brought a few people, like a private tour.
When Xie Ling was almost there, he couldn't help but lift the curtain to take a look. As soon as he looked out, he saw the sunrise rising in the distance and was stunned.
To be honest, watching the sunrise on the mountain and watching it at the foot of the mountain are two completely different concepts. At this time, looking up in the carriage, I actually felt like the sun was shining on the golden mountain.
Wang Bao, who was standing next to him, saw Master Xie sticking his head out and explained with a smile.
"Is this Mr. Xie's first time at Qingyuan Temple?"
"The sunrise on the mountain is also very famous in the capital." Even if Emperor Wu did not come here for the Taoist temple, he would still come here just for the scenery.
After looking for a long time, Xie Ling turned around and looked at the emperor again.
"Your Majesty, would you like to watch the sunrise?"
“This is the best location.”
He was sitting right facing the sun, which was probably the best viewing spot. This angle looked so comfortable.
Xiao Huan was stunned for a moment. He had been in a confused mood along the way, but at this moment, the person he was leading suddenly stood up and walked over as if possessed by a ghost.
The space inside the carriage shrank slightly as he approached.
Xie Ling made way so that Emperor Wu could follow his line of sight.
To be honest, Xiao Huan had been to Qingyuan Temple many times, but he had never taken a close look at the scenery. This time was an exception.
Because Xie Ling took the initiative to lift the car curtain and slightly turned his head. When Xiao Huan approached, he could even see the fine hairs on his face, which made his heart move slightly under the golden sunlight.
This guy... he really looks like someone who can make people feel soft-hearted.
He calmly withdrew his gaze and looked out the window. After a while, the sunrise was reflected on Qingyuan Mountain.
"How is it, Your Majesty?" He wasn't exaggerating, was he?
Xie Ling admired it for a long time, then turned around and looked at Emperor Wu eagerly.
Xiao Huan's mood recovered a little, his brows relaxed, and his expression could not be seen.
“It’s really good.”
Right, right, he said. In modern times, you can't see such a beautiful sunrise that is pure, natural and pollution-free. The words above his head flashed by, making Xiao Huan even more curious about the modern times he mentioned.
Fortunately, the carriage finally arrived after turning the corner. Wang Bao got off first and said, "Your Majesty, the gate of Qingyuan Temple is ahead."
Because the mountain gate was impassable for carriages, the group always walked up the mountain.
Xiao Huan was fine, he just looked at Xie Ling and asked, "Can you still walk?"
He remembered that when Xie Ling went to the camp outside Beijing, his legs went weak as soon as he got off the car. The mountain road was more difficult to drive on than the official road outside Beijing, and it was bumpy all the way. Could this guy bear it?
Xie Ling: …
Well, it's no exaggeration to say that Xie Ling's legs were indeed a little weak. He didn't pay attention when he was looking at the scenery just now, but his legs shook subconsciously when he stood up.
But how can I lose face at a time like this?
Help! It was embarrassing enough to ask the Eagle Guards to lift me up when I first came here. Now I have trained for a month. How can I continue like this?
So Xiao Huan watched Xie Ling pretending to be calm as he jumped off the carriage, twitched his lips, and did not expose him.
Xie Ling's expression twisted for a moment but he quickly corrected it. After calming down, he pretended to be normal and went up the mountain with everyone else.
Xiao Huan glanced at Xie Ling several times along the way, and when he saw that this guy couldn't hold on any longer, he asked them to stop and rest for a while. He didn't know what to say to Xie Ling's stubborn attitude.
If Xiao Huan had lived in modern times, he would know that this is called the persistence of a fitness person!
Haha, wouldn’t it be a joke if you still can’t climb a mountain after exercising?
Xie Ling climbed to the top floor with strength, and his legs were shaking.
The sunshine on the golden mountain and the fresh air are all gone. At this moment, I just want to sit down and be demented.
Just treat him as a useless person.
Being a useless person...is actually pretty good.
Xiao Huan: ...Are you giving up struggling now?
He rubbed his forehead helplessly: "You can rest here for a while."
"Others follow me in."
When Xie Ling heard that he didn't need to follow, he immediately nodded.
"Your Majesty, please go and do your work. I'll just take a break and walk around on my own."
Seeing that he instantly lost interest in the tedious process, Xiao Huan didn't say anything more. He asked someone to stay and look after Xie Ling before entering Qingyuan Temple.
In addition to praying for blessings, he actually had other reasons for coming to Qingyuan Temple this time, but these things were not convenient for others to know.
…
Xie Ling rested on the mountain for half a day from morning to noon. Now that his legs had finally stopped hurting, he got up and prepared to walk around.
In front of him, the chief eunuch Wang Bao was busying around respectfully. Xie Ling didn't feel comfortable disturbing him. After heaving a sigh of relief, he thought of just walking around Qingyuan Temple to see if there were any other people.
Not to mention, although the wild flowers have begun to wither at this time of year, it has little impact on the scenery of Qingyuan Temple.
Xie Ling yawned: "It's already noon, right?"
"Why haven't you eaten yet?"
system:……
"You climbed up the mountain with great difficulty just to eat?"
Wouldn't it be a good idea to absorb the spiritual energy of the sun and the moon and cultivate one's own aesthetic sense?
Xie Ling shook his head: "You don't understand this. Only when you are full can you have the strength to work."
"Besides, I heard from Brother Eagle Guard on the way here that the vegetarian food at Qingyuan Temple is very famous."
Even the Eagle Guards far away in the inner court know that the taste is definitely not bad.
Xie Ling didn't meet the eunuchs who came with him, and walked around for a long time trying to find a Taoist priest to ask where the canteen was. He didn't know if he had taken the wrong road when he first came in, as he was walking further and further away, and unknowingly walked into the back mountain.
The forest on both sides was lush and green, and a few houses were vaguely visible, looking very hidden. As soon as Xie Ling stepped into the yard, the conversation in the house suddenly became quiet.
Xiao Huan's brows were slightly raised, and he frowned when the Eagle Guard looked at him.
"See what's going on?"
This courtyard is in a secluded location and was specially left there by him at the request of the abbot of Qingyuan Temple. Generally speaking, the Taoists in the temple would not come here, and the eunuchs would not dare to come here without his order.
Xiao Huan narrowed his eyes and looked cold.
The middle-aged man wearing a mask opposite him kept silent when he heard His Majesty speak.
After a while, the Eagle Guard came back quietly.
"His Majesty."
"Just now, Master Xie was looking for a canteen and accidentally came here."
"He is still in the yard. Do you need me to lead Master Xie away?"
Your Majesty is discussing something in secret here, and not even a single court official knows about it. If Master Xie were to see it...
Eagle Guard wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Xiao Huan didn't expect it to be Xie Ling. That guy had leg pain in the morning, but now he has the energy to come here. He originally wanted to ask the Eagle Guard to take him out, but he didn't know what he thought of. Xiao Huan suddenly paused, thought for a while and said, "Let someone bring Xie Ling here."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Eagle Guard responded subconsciously, then raised his head immediately after realizing what he had just responded to.
Wait, Your Majesty just said to bring Master Xie here, not lead him out?
The Eagle Guard was not sure if he had heard it wrong, and even the tall man opposite was a little surprised. Seeing that His Majesty's expression did not change, he knew that he had not heard it wrong.
The Eagle Guard went out quietly and reappeared in the courtyard.
Xie Ling was wandering around the pine trees in the yard, his stomach growling with hunger, when he suddenly saw a few leaves falling from the treetops.
Just as he was about to raise his hand to pretend to be very artistic, he looked up unexpectedly and saw that the Eagle Guard Commander Sir Liang had appeared in front of him at some point and was jumping down from the tree.
Xie Ling: ...Damn!
It would be really scary to be lost and suddenly see someone falling from the sky.
Xie Ling twitched his lips, and after seeing Liang Chun, he couldn't help but ask: "Why is Sir Liang here?"
Is this place so beautiful? Even the Eagle Guard Commander got lost here.
Liang Chun saw that Master Xie took a step back in shock but was not frightened by him, so he nodded.
"I have been ordered to guard this garden."
"Since you are here, Master Xie, please follow me. His Majesty invites you."
Xie Ling: Hmm?
Your Majesty is not praying outside, but here inside?
Looking at the deserted and remote courtyard, Xie Ling was full of questions, but seeing Liang Chun's confident look, he followed him anyway. Of course, the main reason was that with his fighting ability, he had to follow him. It would take only a few minutes for him to take him away, so he had better be honest.
The two of them walked through the rockery and flowing water in front and arrived at the guest room behind Qingyuan Mountain.
After Liang Chun brought the person over, he bowed and left.
Xie Ling pushed the door open blankly, and saw His Majesty standing in the guest room. Opposite him stood a tall masked man wearing ordinary cloth.
Xie Ling: …
This scene!
Oh no, could he have discovered something?
Xiao Huan saw him stepping in with one foot, then hesitating to take it back. He choked and said with a half-smile: "It's too late to go out now."
Xie Ling: …
What kind of standard statement is this for silencing someone?
"I don't see anything here."
Please, let him go. Is it too late for him to close his eyes now?
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a little weird. When the man opposite looked at the two of them strangely, Xiao Huan laughed and said lightly, "Come in."
"Close the door."
It's over, I can't regret it.
Xie Ling had no choice but to accept his fate and come in, close the door, and then ran behind His Majesty like a quail. There were only a few people in the room, and he didn't know anyone except His Majesty.
Oh yes, he knew Liang Chun, but he had already gone to the rooftop for inspection.
The big man in rough clothes was originally talking about something, but when he saw Xie Ling coming in, he paused.
Xiao Huan glanced at it.
"continue."
"He is not an outsider."
The big man looked at Xie Ling with an even stranger look, but he continued to explain seriously.
After listening for a long time, Xie Ling finally understood that this person was talking about the recent situation of the Xiongnu. Dagan was far away from the grassland, and could not know the situation of the Zuo Xiongnu in the first place. It had to rely on the generals stationed in the north to understand. This has been a problem for generations.
It was not just Da Gan, the same was true for Dayan, which had previously lived in the south of the Yangtze River. Both sides did not understand the Huns.
Starting from the northern grasslands, the Central Plains and the Xiongnu were completely separated, but Xiao Huan was not satisfied with this. The Xiongnu were greedy and immoral, and if they were allowed to develop without being curbed, they would definitely become a disaster in the future.
Since Xiao Huan ascended the throne, the Huns, as a major threat, have been on his list, ranking second only to the recovery of Dayan.
Following Hu Yi's words, his eyes swept across the map, analyzing the current situation.
Hu Yi was planted in the northern grasslands by him several years ago. Because of his special status, he never told anyone, and only the Eagle Guard in charge of this matter knew about it. And the news about the Xiongnu in the grasslands was never passed on again, but directly to Xiao Huan himself.
Qingyuan Temple is said to be a holy place for prayer, and it is also the place where he contacted the Hun spies.
Xiao Huan pursed his lips in thought. Three days ago, the old Xiongnu Chanyu died of illness, and chaos broke out on the grassland overnight. Hu Yi quickly contacted the capital quietly.
"Your Majesty, the old Chanyu has three sons. Now that Da Yanshi and the second prince have the advantage of the terrain, I'm afraid they will eventually get the position of Chanyu."
The old Chanyu died suddenly, and the eldest prince was outside at the time and could not make it back to the royal tent. The youngest prince was young and had no support, so the second prince was more likely to get the Chanyu position anyway.
Hu Yi analyzed the situation.
Xiao Huan knocked on the table and frowned.
They knew very little about the grasslands, but even according to Da Gan, Xiao Huan did not think that the throne change would be so simple. Not to mention the second prince who grew up with the old Chanyu and Yanshi, but the Xiongnu prince... Xiao Huan had seen him before.
When he was still the crown prince, he had fought with Wuluyan in the border area. The other party was not an ordinary character, but now he was kicked out of the throne so easily?
He didn't quite believe it.
Xiao Huan looked towards Xie Ling, wanting to see what Xie Ling thought. He originally just wanted to divert his attention, but he didn't expect to gain anything from this look.
Xie Ling kept saying one sentence after another above his head.
After listening for so long, he finally recalled it and understood what it meant.
Well, he said, why does it sound more and more familiar the more he listens to it?
So that's what it was.
The golden light flashed and disappeared, and Xie Ling and the system explained: "Isn't this the dispute between the three kings of the Xiongnu in the sixth year of Qianyuan?"
"But even though there were three kings, the only one who won in the end was the eldest prince of the Xiongnu, Wuluyan. That ruthless man had long known that the second prince and the people of the eldest Yanshi were restless. Seeing that his father was seriously ill, he pretended to leave to create conditions for the two of them. In fact, he was still around the king's tent."
"Not only that, the other party has already controlled half of the Xiongnu's troops and is just waiting for Da Yanshi to take action. Then they will blame Da Yanshi and the second prince for the old Chanyu's death and remove all obstacles to ascend the throne."
I don’t know if it’s because times of great strife are more likely to produce heroes, but the new king of the Xiongnu is also a ruthless person, but still a little worse than Emperor Wu.
Xie Ling was thinking aimlessly, but he didn't know that Xiao Huan saw it clearly.
He didn't need too many details, he had already guessed the general idea from just a few sentences.
As expected, Xie Ling's statement and his guess confirmed each other, and this matter was indeed not that simple. The internal strife of the Xiongnu was false, and Wuluyan's preparation to unify the grassland was true.
He closed his eyes slightly, thinking about what to do next.
Although Dagan has been recuperating in recent years, it was only three years ago that Dayan was recovered. Now is not the time to send out a large-scale army. However, the grassland must not be allowed to unify.
Xiao Huan opened his eyes: "Keep keeping a close eye on the Xiongnu."
"Find out the news about Wuluyan carefully. If he shows up in the king's tent, leak the news directly."
Wuluyan was lurking at this time to catch the enemy by surprise. If the news was leaked in advance, the Xiongnu leader Yanshi would not sit still and wait for death.
Hu Yi was a little surprised to hear His Majesty's words.
The eldest prince appeared near the royal tent?
But didn't the eldest prince leave the royal tent for Hulan Grassland a month ago? How could it be... Does Your Majesty mean that the current turmoil in the royal tent is a conspiracy of the eldest prince?
Hu Yi was shocked but he was a little confused about where His Majesty got the news.
Xie Ling hesitated when Emperor Wu started talking. He was just thinking about whether to remind Emperor Wu that Wuluyan from the Xiongnu was not a simple person when he heard the next words of His Majesty.
Um?
Your Majesty, do you think the same as him?
We really have the same thoughts.
The four bold words appeared above his head, and it was hard for Xiao Huan not to see them. However, he paused and looked away as if nothing had happened.
After hearing His Majesty's order, Hu Yi took it seriously and remembered it carefully until he left the courtyard. Thinking of His Majesty's order, his brows furrowed.
Xie Ling blinked and waited until everyone left before he dared to speak cautiously.
"Hey, Your Majesty, was that something I could see just now?"
If he saw it correctly, he seemed to have accidentally seen the map of the Huns.
Is this a military secret?
Xiao Huan: ...
"Do you dare to leak the secret?"
Of course I wouldn’t dare!
Xie Ling quickly shook his head and wished he could sew his mouth shut.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will keep my mouth shut."
"But your majesty, you have spies among the Xiongnu."
Looking at the elder brother's outfit just now, although he was wearing rough clothes, his aura was extremely extraordinary. He must have a high status in the Xiongnu because he knew so many things. I didn't expect that Emperor Wu had made preparations in the Xiongnu so early. Xie Ling's eyes lit up.
That’s awesome!
He is worthy of being my male god. He can see the threat of the Huns at a glance.
Xiao Huan was not fooled by the flattery. Seeing Xie Ling's curiosity, he said calmly, "I have unified the Central Plains. Sooner or later, I will have to fight the Xiongnu. Now I just need to know myself and the enemy."
He paused, then added meaningfully: "The Xiongnu prince Wuluyan is not a simple person either."
Xie Ling deeply agrees with this point.
"However, according to your majesty's speculation, knowing in advance that the eldest prince was staying in the royal tent, the eldest Yanshi and the third prince would definitely not fight each other anymore, but would join forces to fight against the eldest prince."
"The Xiongnu have been in turmoil for some time."
No matter how ambitious Uluyen was, he had to deal with the internal affairs of the Xiongnu first.
The more Xie Ling thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed.
Xiao Huan had not expected this guy to be so receptive. He looked like a lazy guy, but he was actually very belligerent. Unlike the officials in the court, who turned pale and tried their best to dissuade the idea of sending troops to the grassland.
It makes him look like a tyrant.
Although Xiao Huan didn't care what others thought, he didn't like to listen to the nonsense and advice from those officials.
As for Xie Ling... He curled the corners of his lips slightly. This guy was a rare person who understood him.
After Xie Ling finished his analysis happily, he looked towards His Majesty.
Xiao Huan met his gaze, subconsciously looked away and coughed.
“Good analysis.”
so what?
Xie Ling waited patiently for his majesty's praise, but Xiao Huan paused and dropped a thunderbolt.
"It seems that I can ask Zheng Wanyun to tell you more about what happened in the court."
"It can be considered as early experience."
Xie Ling: …
Wait, why does he need so much experience?
Doesn't he just need to take the imperial examination without losing face?
Could it be that Your Majesty still expects him to become a famous minister? !
Xiao Huan didn't know what this guy was thinking. When he turned around, he saw Xie Ling's expression changing unpredictably and he raised his eyebrows slightly.
Tsk, I don't know what this guy has imagined.
…
Xie Ling was desperate and angry.
If he had known this earlier, he would not have spoken, and he could have been a happy fool. However, when Xie Ling thought about the doubled homework after returning, he became sad, and even the delicious vegetarian food in the afternoon was not tasty, which made Xiao Huan look at him sideways for several times.
Wondering if I had gone too far in provoking this guy?
Because there was no grand court meeting the next morning and he had not finished his work yet, he planned to stay in Qingyuan Mountain for one more night.
At night, Xie Ling was skillfully arranged to sit next to His Majesty.
After finally waking up from the nightmare, I was faced with the vicious system urging me to update. I choked for a long time, but bargaining with the system to no avail, I had to start updating in misery.
Because the conditions on the mountain were not as good as those in the palace, everyone simply washed up. Xie Ling was busy for half the night before finishing today's update. He had just packed up and changed his clothes when he heard a knock on the door. After opening the door, he found that it was Eunuch Wang Bao who was beside His Majesty.
It's so late, why is Eunuch Wang Bao here?
A question mark popped up in Xie Ling’s head.
Wang Bao looked straight ahead, and when he saw Master Xie open the door, he immediately smiled and said, "Master Xie, you are still awake. It's just right, there are too many mosquitoes in the mountains, and it's not easy to sleep well at night. This is a homemade mosquito repellent sachet in the temple. His Majesty gave you one, and asked this old servant to bring it to you."
Xie Ling was so busy that he didn't think about the mosquitoes. After taking it, he looked at the sachet full of herbs and couldn't help but thank him.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I'll put it on right away."
Without Wang Bao's reminder, Xie Ling reached out and put the sachet on his waist.
He has a tall and thin figure, and the sachet looks particularly nice tied on his belt.
Wang Bao's smile deepened, he glanced, bowed and left.
Next door, Xiao Huan saw Wang Bao coming back and glanced at him lightly.
"Did you give him the things?"
Wang Bao nodded and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Master Xie treasured the sachet very much and put it on right away."
Xiao Huan's expression softened a little, but he felt a little uncomfortable. What Wang Bao didn't say just now was that although it was the mosquito repellent sachets given by the temple master, there were only two in the entire Qingyuan Temple, and they were all presented to him.
He gave one of them to Xie Ling.
Xiao Huan felt that he was a little uncomfortable about holding Xie Ling's neck this morning, and Xie Ling had made a contribution in the matter of the Huns in the afternoon, so he asked someone to send the sachet over.
After explaining this to himself, he stood up slightly, watched the lights in the next room go out, and blew out the candle. But when he walked to the curtain, Xiao Huan paused slightly and frowned.
Looking at the sachet in his palm, he suddenly raised his hand and tied the sachet around his waist.
When Xie Ling woke up the next morning, he saw the sachet on Emperor Wu's waist.
At first glance, Xie Ling didn't pay much attention.
At second glance, it seemed to be the same sachet that Wang Bao brought last night.
The third eye...
Xie Ling:!!!
He found that no one in the entire imperial guard wore it except him and Emperor Wu.
He glanced at His Majesty secretly, only to see His Majesty's brows slightly raised.
"Why, you are the only one who can tie it around your waist, but I can't?"
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