I fiddled with the writing brush in my hand, but after thinking for a while, I haven't made up my mind yet. Xiao Tao suddenly lunged in from the window and landed directly on my hand, I immediately let go of the writing brush and pulled my hand away, but I was still splashed with black ink until my sleeves were wet. Xiao Qian carefully perched on the windowsill, as if she could only look at Xiao Tao without being able to do anything, then looked at me sympathetically.
I angrily grabbed Xiao Tao by the neck, "How many clothes? How many times? Today I really want to turn your snow white feathers into crow feather black". I took a silk handkerchief and dipped it in the inkwell, then rubbed it on Xiao Tao's body.
Xiao Tao fluttered her wings with a squeak, Xiao Qian who was by her side seemed embarrassed, she didn't know what to do, with a squeak, she crouched on the window sill, then tucked her head in his wing and fell asleep.
Xiao Tao seemed to know that today I was really angry. If she disobeyed, she would only make herself suffer more, so little by little she became docile, then obediently let me smear her body with ink. After smearing most of his body with the black ink, I just released him in annoyance, but my desk was still a mess.
Suddenly, a knock sounded from the door, "You're so great, chasing a pigeon". Huo Qubing leaned against the doorway grinning happily.
I said angrily, "I abused him? Why don't you ask how he abuses me on a daily basis? Food and everything he uses, is there anything he doesn't destroy?" While I was grumbling, Xiao Tao suddenly straightened all its feathers, shook its body violently, then spread its wings to fly out. I reacted with lightning speed and lay on my back, but my face felt cold, as if thousands of drops of ink had splashed onto my face.
"Xiao Tao, I'll boil you!" My angry screams mixed with Huo Qubing's loud laughter, but he had already flown out of the window. In an instant, the black crow had turned into a black dot in the blue sky.
I turned around and quickly wiped my face with a handkerchief, behind me Huo Qubing said with a laugh, "I've seen everything, it's too late to hide it".
I called out, "Get out! Who let you in?"
Smiling he left the room, I thought he was about to leave, but I heard the sound of the water in the water pot in the courtyard being scooped up, not long after, he came back in, from behind his back he took out a handkerchief that had been wrung out, without saying anything, I received it and wiped my face with it.
After feeling like I had wiped my face clean, I turned around and said, "Thank you". He pointed under his own ear, I quickly took the silk handkerchief and wiped my ear, after that, he pointed at his forehead, I wiped mine too, then he pointed at his nose, but when I was about to wipe my nose, I suddenly stopped and stared at him without blinking. He leaned on the table, his shoulders shook slightly, laughed silently, I threw my handkerchief at him, got up, then angrily said, "You really deserve to be paired with Xiao Tao."
While laughing he asked, "Where are you going? I want to discuss a serious matter with you". While leaving the room I said, "Change clothes".
When I came back, she was looking through the bamboo scrolls on the bookshelf. As soon as she heard my footsteps, she looked up and said, "Jin Guniang, do you want to become a female general?"
From his grasp, I snatched my Sunzi War Book scroll, then put it back on the shelf, “Thriftlessly flipping through books is the act of a lowly person.”
Smiling he said, "I'm not a gentleman, you're not even a respectable woman, we are truly destined".
I was about to refute, but saw Li Yan walk into the courtyard. As soon as he saw a stranger, he turned around to leave. I tugged at Huo Qubing's sleeve as I called out for Li Yan to stay.
Li Yan walked into the room, Huo Qubing looked at him quietly without saying anything, I glanced at him and said, "Do you need a handkerchief to wipe your drool?" His eyes didn't move, still fixated on Li Yan, but the corners of his lips lifted to form a mischievous smile, "I can still hold myself, don't bother".
Without saying anything Li Yan saluted me, but she looked at me questioningly, before I could speak, Huo Qubing had already coldly ordered, “Take off your veil”.
Li Yan coldly looked at Huo Qubing. I quickly introduced him to this haughty pervert. As soon as Huo Qubing opened his mouth, Li Yan glanced at me in surprise, then looked back at Huo Qubing, his eyes searching.
I originally intended to help him, but I didn't want to waste Huo Qubing's mood, thus, I just stood aside silently.
Li Yan bowed to Huo Qubing, then looked at me, when he saw that I didn't react at all, without saying anything, he took off his veil.
Very insolently Huo Qubing stared at him for a moment, then said, “Go!” Li Yan put on her veil again, then left after paying respects to Huo Qubing.
I asked, "Is her face as beautiful as the empress when she first met the emperor?"
Huo Qubing rubbed his chin lightly, "I don't really remember Aunt's face from when she was young, but she is more or less on par with her. But this isn't the most important thing, what's hard to find is her attitude which is always calm, in difficult circumstances, her attitude is still calm and graceful, towards my brusque demeanor, he is not worried or surprised, in his gentleness hidden strength, he is stronger than you!" I snorted sarcastically, saying nothing.
He said, "When are you going to get him into the palace?"
I shook my head and said, "I don't know, there's something I don't understand, if he can't give me a satisfactory answer, I don't want to get involved in his business."
Huo Qubing smiled, "Think about it carefully, be careful not to get entangled in his affairs. His face is indeed extraordinary, but under heaven is vast, after Chen Aqiao there is Empress Wei, after Empress Wei there is him too, you can guarantee that when in Chang'an no one can match it?"
I shrugged with a smile "You said you were looking for me to discuss a serious matter, what matter?"
He asked, "What is your relationship with the Shi Company?" I said, "It's out of touch anymore"
He said, "Although the Shi Company is not as big as it used to be, they still count in Chang'an. You manage this house alone, be careful, big trees invite the wind."
I smiled and said, "Therefore I immediately take refuge in the princess!"
He asked, "How big do you want to grow the business? As big as the Shi Corporation was in its heyday?"
I was silent for a moment, then shook my head, "I don't know, I'll live it step by step".
He smiled, "Meng Jiu of the Shi Company is an interesting person, said the princess, when she was young, her mother was very close to the emperor. When she was little, Meng Jiu was often carried by the emperor, but now she doesn't want to enter the palace at all, every time the emperor invites her , he always refuses, in Chang'an there has never been anyone like him, if there is a chance, I want to see him".
I was secretly shocked, I was about to open my mouth, but changed my mind and swallowed the words that had appeared on my lips, I looked out the window, didn't answer.
After escorting Huo Qubing out, I went straight to Li Yan. I felt that even though I thought about it carefully, I still had a hard time making a decision. I'd better have a frank talk with Li Yan.
When passing by Fang Ru and Qiu Xiang's room, I heard the sound of a flute. What Qiu Xiang learned was konghou, of course this is Fang Ru, he and I learned to play the flute together, but I still can't play the song, while his playing already has its own style. After listening to it for a while, the sound of the flute suddenly stopped, I shook my head in astonishment, then walked back to the residence of Li Yan and his siblings.
When he had just walked a few steps, from Li Yannian's room came the sound of qin, the sound of gurgling like water amidst flowers, I listened to it for a while, then walked on again. The sound of the qin stopped, the sound of the flute rose. I turned and looked at Qiu Xiang's room, then noticed Li Yannian's room, I kept looking at her and suddenly became very happy, smiling I entered my own courtyard.
The bedroom door was half open, I slowly closed it, then entered. Li Yan was about to get up, when he saw me he sat back down without saying anything, just looked at me quietly.
I sat across from him, "Why are you looking at me like that? Looks like we just met".
He said, "I'm waiting for your explanation".
"I let him see you to compare you to Chen Aqiao in Zhangmen Palace and Empress Wei".
Li Yan's hands in his lap trembled slightly, he quickly hid them in his sleeves, his pitch-black pupils twitching.
"I've given an explanation, now it's your turn to explain to me, if you really want me to help you enter the palace, you have to tell me, who are you really? I don't like being lied to by people."
Li Yan said "I don't know what you are talking about".
Smiling I said, "I can read a little palms, do you want me to read yours?"
Without saying anything, Li Yan stretched out his hand, I held his right hand, "Your lines are many forked, your mind is complex and alert, the fine lines cross chaotically, your thoughts are often contradictory, the three main lines are deep and clear, although there are Your problem is stubborn. Your lifeline is blurred, two branches merged into one, one of your parents must be Han...." Suddenly, Li Yan wanted to pull her hand, but I held it tightly and said , "You walk alone, hold grudges in your heart, suddenly rise and are about to fly away." Li Yan once again pulled his hand and I used the opportunity to let go.
Li Yan said, "What did I do to make you know all that?"
"Your eyes are very sharp, your eyelashes are long and thick, naturally curled, your skin is sparkling white, your dance moves are unique."
"All of that was nothing special. In Chang'an there were a lot of people who learned the Hu dance."
I smiled and said, "All of this is nothing strange and can be ignored. The people of Zhongyuan's land is fertile and prosperous. They don't know how the people living in the desert value green so much, and how the desert travelers rejoice when they see green, a luscious tree can bring a dying traveler back to life. All these clues reinforce each other, but I can't say for sure, I can only guess, because in the desert there are people who like to chop trees, and even in Zhongyuan there are not a few people who love flowers. At first, my suspicions came from 'You were walking alone, holding a grudge in your heart, suddenly got up and was about to fly away'".
Li Yan asked, "What does he mean?"
"You've guessed Hua Yue Nong's goal well enough, knowing my intention to win over influential people, so you told your brother to reject Tianxiang Fang's offer and go to my entertainment house, what do you mean next? Can a house of three thousand rooms make a woman happy?" ? I know you can't, you know you can't. A smart person wouldn't go to that place, I have no choice, why would you have a choice? Li Master isn't a person who, in pursuit of position, would send his younger brother to such a place , but why do you insist on doing it? I've been paying attention to your daily behavior, you're not a mad man of position, if it weren't for position, of course out of spite, otherwise I really can't explain why a beautiful woman like you who can live happily insists on want to enter such a wretched place.”
I looked into her eyes, "Sixteen years old, the age is still fresh, but your eyes are too cold. I have asked Li Guanli about your previous life, he said, you are your father's favorite daughter who is always spoiled. Your sister always indulges you. Your mother is very talkative little and likes to travel to various places, he loves you very much, but educates you strictly. Even though you are not your mother's biological daughter, you should be very happy. Where did that grudge come from? These questions arise in my mind, but in the end I don't know the answer , so today I'm forced to find out".
Li Yan tilted his head with a smile, "Let's just say I'm repaying you. Do you know your own identity? Are you a Han person? Your skin isn't as white as the Han people. long. These traits can also be found in Zhongyuan, but you have three traits that only people who grow up in Xiyu have.”
I nodded, "When watching you, I thought that maybe you are the daughter of a Han with a Hu, I also thought of myself, but I don't care, I don't know who my mother and father are, I like to be whoever I want, but my hometown is is Xiyu, I like it there".
Li Yan's smile froze, “Although I look like a Han person, and grew up in Zhongyuan, I am not Han people, because my mother never considered herself a Han person.”
Dumbfounded I asked, “Your mother is Han? Then……then……” Li Guangli told me that their mother raised Li Yan strictly, I thought that it was because Li Yan was not her biological daughter.
Li Yan smiled bitterly, "My surname should be Shanshan". I remembered Jiu Ye's explanation about the nations
nation in Xi Yu, "Is your father a Loulan?"
Li Yan nodded with a smile, but his smile was very bitter, I also felt a little sad, "Don't smile".
But Li Yan still smiled, "Do you know about the countries in Xiyu?"
How can you not understand? When I was little I had heard lots of stories about Xiyu. My heart felt a little sore, smiling bitterly I nodded.
In Xi Yu there are a total of thirty-six countries: Loulan, Wusun, Qiuci, Yanqi, Yutian, Ruoqiang, Qiemo, Xiaowan, Ronglu, Mi, Qulei, Pisan, Xiye, Puli, Yinai, Shache, Shule, Weitou, Wensu, Yuli, Gumo, Wutanzi, Peilu Hou, Danhuan, Pulei, Pulei Hou, Xi Qiemi, Dong Qiemi, Jie, Huhu, San, Cheshi Qien, Cheshi Hou, Shiche Weidou, and Cheshi Houcheng.
Loulan is located outside the Yumen Gate, its location is very strategic. It doesn't matter whether the Xiongnu people attack the Han Dynasty, or the Han Dynasty attack the Xiongnu people, they must pass through Loulan. Because the Loulan people were a nomadic people, their customs and traditions were similar to those of the Xiongnu, so they were always allied with the Xiongnu, their territories becoming places where the Xiongnu attacked Han envoys or merchants. However, since the current emperor ascended the throne, he didn't want the Han dynasty to continue to stand against the Xiongnu people, didn't want to use the heqin strategy to make peace, and didn't want the Xiongnu people to hinder the expansion of the Han dynasty to the west, so he sent ambassadors to various countries. Xiyu to rally the guilds, and try to subdue them with various rewards and punishments, Loulan was the first country to experience this.
In the past, A Die liked to tell me about the great deeds of the son of the sky of the Han Dynasty who was now enthroned, and A Die most liked to tell me about how the Han emperor subdued various countries in Xiyu, every time he talked about this, A Die's eyes that always looked gloomy became full of vigor, as if the Xiongnu would sooner or later become a vassal state of the Great Han. However, if Jiu Ye was talking about the same thing, other than the might of the Han Dynasty as A Die had told, it would be a completely different story.
When the envoys or troops of the Han Dynasty went to Xiyu countries, they often had to pass through the desert in the Loulan region called Bailongdui. The desert was very dangerous. In that place, the wind often blew sand flying into the sky. a dragon, thus, the desert was named Bailongdui . Because the natural conditions changed so much due to the sandstorm, it was very easy for hikers to get lost. The Han Dynasty constantly ordered the Loulan Kingdom to provide guides, water and food, but the Han envoys repeatedly treated the guides badly, so the Loulan Kingdom objected and was unwilling to obey the Great Han's orders. Unexpectedly, in his anger, the emperor sent assassins to secretly kill the then king of Loulan.
Loulan, who was sandwiched between the major countries, namely the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, was in a difficult situation. When Han Wudi was angry, the Loulan people suffered, whereas when the Shanyu Xiongnu were angry, the Loulan people were miserable, even to the point of tragically having to give up two princes as hostages, one sent to the Han Dynasty, and the other to the Xiongnu, for the sake of their country's safety.
The other Xiyu nations were also like Loulan, carefully trying to survive amidst the crushing of the Han and Xiongnu dynasties, if they made even one mistake, their country and people would perish.
When Jiu Ye spoke about these things, although he admired the Han emperor's cleverness and decisiveness in his actions, he felt more sympathy for the suffering small nations of Xiyu.
While looking into Li Yan's eyes, I asked, “What are you planning to do? You do have Baosi's looks, but the current Han emperor is not King You of Zhou".
Li Yan said, "I understand, but since birth I have carried my mother's grudge against the Han Dynasty. Because my mother's master refused the brazen orders of an ambassador of the Han Dynasty, the ambassador tortured my mother's master to death, he was my real father that I had never seen." My mother was only a month pregnant, her body shape hasn't changed, besides she is Han Chinese, so she hid to avoid death. While running away, she met my father who was traveling in Xiyu to learn Xiyu dances and songs, after my father helped her, she got married with him. When I was very young, mother brought me back to Xiyu to pray to father. In the desert of Bailongdui, she pointed out the places where father was whipped and buried alive to die slowly. Mother forever can't forget how father was buried the Han people in the desert cruelly, until the body of a dashing young master seemed to shrink to the size of a child. He described it in such detail that I seemed to see it myself, every night I had nightmares and cried myself awake, my mother smiled and said that it was father's revenge. Year after year we came home to Loulan, and each time she wouldn't let me forget her."
Li Yan's eyes were filled with tears, but she still smiled, I said, "Don't smile, don't smile".
"Mother doesn't allow me to cry, never allows me to cry, mother said tears won't save me, so I have to smile, keep smiling." Li Yan looked up, still smiling.
I asked, "Does Li Master know about what you've been through?"
"When mother married father, second sister didn't know anything, couldn't remember, because mother tried to make up for her guilt towards father by treating her second sister, even though second sister knew she was not mother's biological child, she considered it her own biological mother. When By that time, eldest sister could already remember and knew that I was not my father's biological daughter, but knew nothing about other things. Father also did not know, he had never asked mother about the past." Li Yan spoke quietly, his eyes had become calm and clear.
I got up and walked back and forth in the room slowly, my mind confused, what should I do? We all have grudges, but dad just wants me to be happy, while Li Yan's mom just wants him to get revenge.
Outside the room the sound of the qin and the flute was still shouting at each other, faintly, happiness flowing in the song.
The sun was almost setting, when the swallows returned to their nests, in pairs gliding nimbly across the blue sky, leaving joyful squeaks.
I leaned on the windowsill, looking at the sky, I softly said, "Li Yan, I think you should just forget all this, your mother is your mother, she can't force you to avenge her. She's not a good mother, she shouldn't abuse you because he himself was suffering. If your biological father was a man who deserved to be loved by a woman, he would only wish you happiness, and would not make you wallow in grudges. If you choose to seek revenge, then your life will end even if it has just begun. Heaven of the Han Dynasty, you will face the entire Han Dynasty, to take revenge you have to sacrifice your entire life and will not be able to be happy".
Li Yan muttered to himself, "My life will end even if it's just begun". She was silent for a long time, then said softly but firmly, "Thank you Jin Yu, but I didn't do it purely out of spite, but also because I am the princess of Loulan and love my country." He got up and walked to my side, then looked out the window, “The scenery is very different from Xiyu, but very beautiful.” I nodded.
"Jin Yu, I am very proud to be a Loulan person, at sunset, there are no swallows flying in pairs, but there is the sight of flocks of sheep returning home, we don't have the crowds like in the Han Dynasty, but we have bonfires and the sound of singing on the banks of the Kongque River, we don't have the rules of politeness like the Han people, but we do have loud laughter and warm hugs"
I replied, "We don't have rows of houses lined up, but we can see heaven and earth meet, we don't have wide and neat roads, but whenever we want, we can jump on the horse's back and gallop."
"Heaven and earth are so vast, we just want to graze cattle, dance and sing in our own land, why can't the Han Dynasty let Loulan go, let us go?"
"Li Yan, have you read the Dao De Jing? Everything that is born must die. Nothing is eternal under heaven. In the past, there was no Han Dynasty and no Loulan. But one day they appeared, and after many years have passed, the Han Dynasty will disappear, just like the Shang and Zhou Dynasties."
"I can't argue about the book with you, I just want to ask you, if there is a young person who is about to be killed, do you say to him, 'if you don't die at forty, you will die at fifty, if you don't die at fifty years old, you will die at sixty years old, because you will die anyway, and the person who killed you will sooner or later die too, so it's okay if you are killed by him now, why fight back? ?"
"Zhuang Zi was a sage who was highly respected by us Han people. He once said, 'Do you know that praying mantis who furiously waved its arms at the passing carriages above it, not knowing that it could not stop it?' This is an advice so that people forget ambitions that are not in accordance with their circumstances.
"I really admire that praying mantis, it faces the huge carriage without the slightest fear. Loulan is located in the desert, a very small place, can't be compared with the Han Dynasty whose land is vast and fertile, but if we are run over by a carriage, we can't help but we will be the praying mantises,'
I turned around and looked at Li Yan, his eyes fixed on me, I slowly said, "I really admire you".
"I need your help more."
"Actually, it doesn't matter if I help you or not, you will be able to enter the palace, before there might not have been a way, but now if you take a little risk and appear before the princess, she won't waste your beautiful face".
"You're the one who bears the danger of getting into the palace through the princess, how can I be such a non-returner? After all, you're the one who can fit me into the palace the most."
I paused for a moment, then made up my mind, I will try my best, but regarding what happened after that, sorry, I cant do anything about it. You can do whatever you want, but if you want to kill the emperor, even if you succeed , what does that mean? Empress Wei already has a son, Great General Wei commands a very large army, together with his three sons, the Wei family has four dukes, besides that there is still the empress's brother-in-law, Gongsun He, while the younger brother-in-law, Chen Zhangdou, is a minister. An emperor left, then another emperor replaced, and you still can't prevent the expansion of the Han Dynasty to the west. After all, if you try to kill the emperor, it doesn't matter if you succeed or not, your brothers and I, even all the sisters in this house, will be buried with you".
Li Yan smiled sweetly, "I can't possibly do that, I can't do martial arts at all, that method is too stupid, and doesn't solve the problem. Why did you decide to help me enter the palace?"
I thought for a while, when thinking about Jiu Ye, in my mind a faint idea emerged, finally, shrugging I said, "Dunno, I wonder what happens next, I don't side with anyone, I can choose to support whoever I like."
What I said meant something else, but it seemed that Li Yan already knew why I supported him, with a meaningful look, he held my hand, for a while he didn't say anything, then in a firm voice he said, "I have never dared to express the burden in my heart to anyone, this is the first time I've felt so relieved."
I sneered at Li Yannian's room, then said with a smile, "What's your brother playing with Fang Ru?"
Li Yan tilted his head and listened to his brother's qin playing, then smiled meaningfully and said charmingly, "It's all your fault, you made big brother compose a new song and taught Fang Ru and the others to sing it, I think he was teaching Fang Ru to understand the meaning of the song in a literal way. deep!"
My face was stunned, I couldn't say anything, I turned around and said, "Let's go back and eat first". Li Yan followed me out of the room, tiptoeing, she walked to the front of Li Yannian's bedroom window and peeked into it, then waved her hand to signal me to come take a look, I shook my head pretending to pluck a qin with a smile, then shook it again my head in a maddened face at the sound of the flute, and then, smiling, I walked out of the courtyard.