Under the tall lantern, Emperor Ningzong was bending over his desk and reading a book, taking a sip of ginseng tea from time to time.
Next to him was an old eunuch with long eyebrows and white hair, standing with his hands down. In the flickering light, it seemed as if he had never moved.
"Everyone, it's already the second watch. It's time for you to rest. Queen Yang has also been reminded twice."
As the old eunuch spoke, his head was still lowered, and no emotion could be heard in his voice.
"You old guy, can't you just let me live in peace for a while? Send someone to tell her that she will rest in Funing Hall tonight."
The old eunuch remained motionless. After having known each other for decades, he knew Emperor Ningzong's character very clearly. He had already sent someone to reply to Empress Yang, but he was just looking for an excuse to let the official take a rest early.
Suddenly, the old eunuch's ears twitched, and when he raised his head again, he found that there were two more people in the imperial study room.
The old eunuch subconsciously moved out of the way, and in the blink of an eye, he stood between the visitor and Ning Zong's desk.
This agile figure made Emperor Ning Zong and the visitors astonished.
Unexpectedly, this old eunuch who even walked tremblingly was actually a master of martial arts.
"Who are you, and why did you break into the forbidden palace late at night?"
The old eunuch asked grimly, his body straight and his eyes like lights.
"I didn't expect that there would be such an expert as you in the inner courtyard of the palace. I have no other intention of coming here tonight, just catching up with old friends."
The visitor was first surprised at the cultivation level of the old eunuch in front of him, and especially admired his body skills, and then said calmly.
"You old man, when did you develop this skill that you can hide even from me?"
"Get back. Those who dare to walk in like this should be friends, not enemies."
Emperor Ningzong was also shocked by what he saw. First, he was shocked that someone broke into the palace at night. He had not experienced such an encounter in many years.
Secondly, the old eunuch who had been with him for decades was actually a martial arts master, which made him feel both excited and inexplicably afraid.
The old eunuch also realized his gaffe and quickly fell to his knees.
"The official forgives me. It's not because I deliberately deceived you. It's because I thought about the safety of the official and was willing to be the last guarantee for the official, so I hid a few things. I wish I wouldn't be able to use this skill for the rest of my life."
As the old eunuch spoke, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes unconsciously.
"Okay, stand aside. There are still guests here. Don't let the guests see the joke."
Ning Zong has been the emperor for so long, so he is naturally very proficient in the art of governing his subordinates. It is best for smart people to just point out.
The old eunuch stood up, but did not go far. Instead, he stood on the right side of the imperial desk, as if he was ready to take action at any time.
"Looking at your magnanimity and cultivation, you must not be an unknown person in the world. I haven't asked you how to address me?"
When he turned around to talk to the visitor, the old eunuch seemed to be a completely different person.
The visitor did not hide it, or rather did not bother to hide it, perhaps out of recognition and respect for the old eunuch.
"I'm Huang Yaoshi."
"What? Are you 'Dongxie' Huang Yaoshi?"
When the old eunuch heard that the other party was actually the famous "Dong Xi", he suddenly felt a little more fearful in his heart.
He is also a martial arts practitioner, so of course he knows the existence of these "five arts". Although he does not belittle himself, he is not arrogant enough to think that he can defeat the opponent.
"'Dongxie' Huang Yaoshi, in addition to his outstanding martial arts, is also knowledgeable and proficient in Qimen formations."
"In addition, I am knowledgeable and skilled in all of them, including playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting, medicine, divination and astrology, as well as farmland and water conservancy, and economic and military strategies."
"The Huang family was originally a Zhejiang aristocratic family with a scholarly family background. Our ancestors made great achievements during the reign of Emperor Taizu. They were always granted the title of marquis and duke, and held high official positions in all dynasties."
"His grandfather was the imperial censor during the Shaoxing period of Emperor Gaozong. He angered Qin Hui by repeatedly going to court to plead grievances for Yue Fei, so he was killed by Qin Hui. All his family members were sent to Yunnan. Huang Yaoshi was also born in Yunnan."
The old eunuch briefly introduced Huang Yaoshi's family and origins, as if talking to himself or reporting to Emperor Ning Zong.
"Haha, I have long heard that the officials have an 'Imperial City Secretary' who can spy on the world and know everything. Today, Huang finally learned the lesson."
"Dongxie" was also a little surprised. He didn't expect that the court would know his origins and origins clearly. It seemed that this old eunuch was not simple. He might be the legendary "Tiju Imperial City Secretary".
"You old man, from now on, bring more interesting information to me so that I can look at it. You will sit in the palace all day with your eyes darkened."
"Since your Excellency is a worldly master and a loyal queen, why did you come to the palace tonight? Are you here to redress Naizu's grievances?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"Huang is just acting as a guard tonight. There is another person who wants to see the officials. It's just a matter of confidentiality. Do the officials plan to let this person be here to listen?"
"Dongxie" did not reply directly to Ning Zong, but fixed his gaze on the old eunuch.
"Haha, if you can't even trust this old guy, then I will really be alone in this deep palace."
Emperor Ning Zong smiled a little miserably. He didn't know whether he was angry about his situation or thinking of something.
"Dongxie" didn't speak any more, and took half a step back, exposing Feng Heng.
The old eunuch and Emperor Ning Zong had already seen another person next to "Dong Xi", but they could only see that it was a woman, and half of her body was blocked by Huang Yaoshi.
Even with the lights on, I can't see clearly.
Feng Heng had not spoken since he entered the room, but stared closely at Emperor Ning Zong not far away.
"He's aged a lot..."
Feng Heng's eyes became moist unconsciously, and time seemed to have returned to more than twenty years ago.
...
It was a crisp autumn day in October. I went boating on the West Lake with my sister.
The lake is gurgling and there are flocks of water birds. A singer stands on the side of the boat and sings a clear song. Although there is no harmony of silk and bamboo, there is the support of the autumn wind.
In "Xiaoyingzhou", several young men and women were playing the piano, playing music, and composing poems while drinking wine.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "A Heng, how about we go and take a look too?"
"Sister, do you also want to write poetry? Geez, maybe you want to meet a 'good man in troubled times' and find me a brother-in-law?"
"You damn girl, let me tear your mouth apart."
Your song "Goose Falling on the Flat Sand" is like a long picture scroll, and you can't finish the high mountains and long waters.
Autumn is high, the air is crisp, the wind is calm, the sand is flat, the clouds are traveling thousands of miles, and the sky is flying.
After the song ended, everyone was drunk, and when they looked for him again, they no longer knew where he was.
"Sister, that person seems to be going to Broken Bridge."
We met again and we were serving tea in the living room at home.
Seeing his sister's blushing face and his adoptive father's expression of sadness and joy, Feng Heng inexplicably gained a "brother-in-law".
In the following months, Feng Heng would see this "brother-in-law" at home from time to time.
Although he was older, his graceful demeanor and vast knowledge made Feng Heng's eyes shine and he was willing to argue with him about some things, even if it was just nonsense.
Later, when his sister moved into the "big courtyard" at the southern end of Lin'an City, Feng Heng learned the name of this "brother-in-law".
Zhao Kuo, what people call the "official family".
In the days without his sister, Feng Heng seemed very bored, doing nothing all day long.
The adoptive father also seemed listless. Apart from going to the Yamen on duty, he stayed at home all day, as if waiting for something.
In the twelfth lunar month of winter, it was a night with snow all over the sky. Feng Heng, who was sleeping soundly, was awakened by a rapid banging on the door.
When she got dressed and came out, she found that her adoptive father had opened the door and led the visitor to the guest room.
"Sister, why are you here?"
Feng Heng was very excited to see his sister again. It had been more than half a year since they last met.
My sister did not come alone. She was followed by two guards, but her body was stained with blood.
In my sister's arms, she was holding a two-month-old baby, sleeping soundly.
"Wow, sister, is this your child?"
"Well, his name is 'Moer'."
The sister said softly, as if she was afraid of waking the child, but her eyes were filled with tears.
"Ahan, you're finally here. However, it's not safe here, so I think you'd better leave Lin'an overnight."
The adoptive father who has always been kind and kind actually wants to kick his sister out of the house?
Moreover, on such a windy and snowy night, she was holding a two-month-old baby in her arms.
Before Feng Heng had time to ask, he was forced by his adoptive father to bring some replacement clothes and money and go out to hide for two days.
"Father, why?"
"Go quickly. If you see nothing happens at home in two days, come back! Otherwise, walk as far as you want and never come back again."
Then, the adoptive father, who had always been weak, violently pushed Feng Heng out of the back door.
No matter how hard she beat, there was no sound of her adoptive father opening the door.
Feng Heng didn't have to wait until two days later. That night, his adoptive father's house was burned to the ground by fire.
The officers and soldiers who came after hearing the news surrounded the house, and finally concluded that the water had accidentally escaped during the night.
Two bodies were found, a man and a woman burned alive.
Feng Heng knew that it was her adoptive father and sister. She was about to collapse. She didn't know what she should do.
I don’t know how I should take my future path?
Just like that, wandering around Lin'an City aimlessly, eating hungry and filling.
Until later, I met "Dongxie" Huang Yaoshi.
...
"Brother-in-law, do you still know me?"
"Aheng——"
Emperor Ning Zong, who had always been calm and calm, stood up from his seat in an instant!
The word "brother-in-law" stunned the old eunuch standing aside, and also stunned Huang Yaoshi behind him.
"Is Mo'er a child of today's official family?"
Feng Heng is easy to identify because her appearance has not changed much from twenty years ago due to her special experience.
"It's really Ah Heng! Where have you been these past years? My brother-in-law has worked so hard to find you!"
Maybe it was because he suddenly saw Feng Heng, maybe Emperor Ning Zong was always thinking about something, maybe he was really old...
He even broke into tears regardless of his official reputation.
"Looking for me? If you really find me, will I still be alive? Will I die inexplicably like my adoptive father and sister?"
Feng Heng suddenly asked loudly, and his own tears also flowed down.
For a time, there was a brief silence in the imperial study room.
"I came here tonight just to tell my brother-in-law some good news."
Feng Heng wiped away his tears and pulled "Dongxie" Huang Yaoshi over.
"Brother-in-law, this is my husband-in-law. Since you know the name of my husband-in-law, you should know that we live on the "Peach Blossom Island" in the East China Sea. It is only a day's journey from Lin'an on a quick horse."
"Next month, the eighth day of August, is my daughter's wedding day."
Feng Heng was talking to himself, and then took out a roll of brocade silk from his sleeve.
"This is a portrait I drew of my daughter and son-in-law. Think of it as a souvenir for my brother-in-law."
Feng Heng handed over the brocade silk. The old eunuch hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to take it.
After careful inspection and finding nothing unusual, he handed it to Emperor Ning Zong.
"Dongxie" didn't know when Feng Heng made the painting, but he vaguely guessed her intention.
Emperor Ningzong was confused as to why Feng Heng gave him the portraits of her daughter and son-in-law.
But I still took it in my hand, spread it on the desk, and opened it.
Through the light, Emperor Ningzong saw that there were indeed two people painted on the brocade silk. The painting was exquisite and lifelike.
One is a little girl with bright eyes and white teeth, who looks very similar to A Heng. There are two words "Huang Rong" written next to it. This should be the girl's name.
Another man, very handsome, with eight-colored eyebrows and bright starry eyes, also had the name "Guo Mo" written next to him, but there was an extra line of small words under the man's portrait.
"October 16th, the sixth year of Qingyuan"
"This is?"
Emperor Ning Zong frowned and looked at Feng Heng in confusion.
"This is my daughter Huang Rong and son-in-law Guo Mo, getting married on the eighth day of August next month at 'Peach Blossom Island'."
"It's getting late, brother-in-law, let's go to bed early. Ah Heng is leaving."
After saying that, without waiting for Emperor Ningzong's reply, he walked out, and Huang Yaoshi hurriedly followed.
The imperial study fell into silence again, and Emperor Ningzong just kept staring at the brocade silk. When he was young, he actually showed a surprised smile.
"Everyone...everyone, is this the younger sister of 'Han Wanrong' back then?"
The old eunuch had seen Feng Heng back then, but he was hidden in the dark and Feng Heng had not seen him.
"Yes, you can be considered the one who handled what happened back then. Unfortunately, you fell short in the end and lost the lives of 'Han Wanrong' and her father, and even the children..."
Seeing Emperor Ning Zong crying again, the old eunuch hurriedly knelt down to apologize again.
"It's all the old slave's miscalculation. I thought it would be a foolproof thing, but I didn't expect that something would come out that took the inside out, causing the seventh prince to..."
"Hahaha--"
Before the old eunuch had finished speaking, Emperor Ning Zong actually burst into laughter. He smiled and burst into tears again.
What is going on? Could it be that the official family was stimulated and became "mad"?
The old eunuch didn't care about asking for forgiveness. He stood up from the ground, came to Emperor Ning Zong's side, and reached out to take Ning Zong's pulse.
There is nothing unusual except for feeling a little weak and not sleeping well.
"You old guy, your secret of kung fu skills has been exposed, why don't you just pretend in front of me?"
Ning Zong seemed to be very happy, staring at the brocade silk in front of him without blinking, unable to believe that this was true.
I'm afraid that like the dreams I've had for so many years, when I wake up, I find that it's just a dream.
The old eunuch didn't understand, what happened to his master?
It has been decades, but it seems that it has never happened before, and there are times when I can't figure it out.
"Everyone, what's wrong with you? You cry sometimes and laugh sometimes. You should have a good relationship with me, otherwise I'd be upset all the time."
"Old man, come and see for yourself——"
When Emperor Ningzong pointed at the brocade silk on the desk, he was reluctant to hand it to the old eunuch.
The old eunuch had no choice but to go forward and stay close to Emperor Ning Zong.
"This... the painting is really good. It looks like it was written by Miss Ziheng."
"This little girl is so beautiful. She looks so much like Miss Heng."
"This man is also handsome. He is a perfect match. 'Guo Mo' is a good name."
"October 16th, the sixth year of Qingyuan, I am just twenty-one years old this year..."
Suddenly, the old eunuch was stunned. He looked at the portrait and then at Emperor Ningzong.
Emperor Ningzong was in a good mood, and he cooperated with the old eunuch, raising his face and getting as close to the light as possible.
"Everyone, this...is this?"
Emperor Ning Zong nodded seriously.
The old eunuch was also very excited, and regardless of etiquette, he stepped forward, held the portrait in both hands, looked at it carefully, and carefully compared it with the memory of Emperor Ning Zong when he was young.
Suddenly, he knelt down on the ground, facing the direction of the Ancestral Temple, holding up the brocade silk with both hands.