According to the rules of previous years, June and July were spent at the summer palace in the western suburbs. However, in May of this year, he was assassinated while hunting. The ministers felt that it was unsafe to move at this time. In addition, the Western Kingdom submitted an armistice. He said that he would send an envoy to come for peace talks, so he couldn't leave anymore.
The two northwest countries have been at war for decades. Both sides have equal national strength and no one can take advantage. This armistice and peace talks can be regarded as the first time in history.
Before the Western Kingdom sent envoys for peace talks, the Western Army returned to the capital first. General Pei had not returned for several years. Therefore, in addition to arranging for the army to be stationed in the western border, he only brought a small number of soldiers back to the capital. On the one hand, in order to prevent The Western Kingdom has an opportunity to take advantage of. On the other hand, it is also to prevent the emperor from doubting him. Since ancient times, generals with military power have always been uneasy.
Shen Lan was nothing before he went to the battlefield, but after several outstanding bravery, he was recommended by General Pei as a third-grade captain. Now that he returned to the capital, he was immediately named a second-grade general of Zhengxi - he was also originally from the north. The general of the army, but at that time it was his father's world. At that time, it was not an exaggeration to say that the world was the prime minister's. The late emperor hardly cared about political affairs, so everyone in the Shen family had a high position.
The wind direction in the court had begun to show signs of change before Shen Lan returned. Shen Huan learned from Xi Chao that former Prime Minister Shen's party members, although they had no real power now, had not retreated from the court. Several of them had already Started to move around in secret
But Shen Huan also knew that Xichen must understand the principle of "beating a snake but not dying, but being bitten". Shen Lan made great achievements on the battlefield in the western border, and many tribesmen were convinced of him. He was a loyal ally, and his outstanding military exploits were not only Small power - Shen Lan now has everything, so she is even more worried that the actions of those adults will arouse Xichen's vigilance towards Shen Lan. But as a woman, she really has no way to say anything to those adults, she can only think about waiting for Shen Lan. When Lan came back, he must remind him that as the emperor's minister, Shen Huan would naturally follow Xichen to meet the returning soldiers in the court. Shen Huan saw Shen Lan with such a face in the Jinluan Palace. Although he was a little tanned, he was also a little thinner. , but her spirit was much better than half a year ago. She knelt down in brand-new court clothes. She had a strange feeling in her heart. She wanted to smile, but she wanted to cry more.
The emperor was used to speaking high-sounding words, and every word was sincere and reasonable. Shen Huan listened in confusion, and Shen Lan, who was kneeling below, had a respectful look on his face - his brother had also learned to hide his emotions. It seems that in the past six months, He has been tempered a lot, and he has also changed a lot
My brother is young and prominent. He is the hope of the Shen family.
General Pei also received a reward. He was now the highest-ranking general, so he could not be promoted further, so he was rewarded with a lot of fertile land and gold and silver.
After the reward was given, there was a banquet. Not only the officials attended, but Concubine Pei was also included in the banquet because her father had returned home. In addition, the eldest princess Pingyang was Shen Lan's wife, so she also sat at the emperor's head.
Shen Huan didn't need to wait on him, but she wanted to see her brother and talk to him, so she kept waiting outside the Linde Hall. After waiting for almost half an hour, Shen Lan excused herself to change clothes, and then she saw him.
Seeing Shen Lan standing in front of her so closely, Shen Huan felt sad. Shen Lan smiled at her, took her hand and pulled her to the side of the corridor.
Shen Wen held up his face and observed it carefully. Then he saw an ugly scar behind his ear. Although it faded with medicine, it still left a mark.
Feeling her fingertips rubbing the scar, Shen Lan held his sister's hand and smiled softly: "This wound was cut by an enemy general. It was bleeding profusely. Everyone thought I might not be able to save my life. Unexpectedly, I survived again. The military doctor said that if he cuts off another inch, he will damage the carotid artery..." He said it calmly, as if he was not the one who was injured and almost died. Shen Huan burst into tears after hearing this. Can't help but fall down
Shen Lan stretched out his hand to wipe away her tears, but Shen Huan saw another deep scar on his palm. Shen Lan explained: "That time General Pei was ambushed. I went to rescue him, but the enemy slashed at him. In desperation, I grabbed it with my hands, leaving this wound. I couldn't draw the bow for a long time afterwards, and it was difficult even to hold a pen and write an inscription. But now it's better and I have recovered."
No wonder, no wonder General Pei admired him so much. It turned out that he saved his life. His current achievements are all due to these scars, which were obtained by wandering through hell again and again!
Shen Huan held his hand and looked at the scar. Tears fell on it. She murmured over and over again: "You are not allowed to go. You are never allowed to go to the battlefield again..."
Shen Lan held the string of tears in his palm, but tears overflowed from his fingers. He smiled and said: "Silly girl, if you don't go, do you want me to stay in the capital and depend on others? You are by his side, and I Never worry”
Shen Huan said with tears in her eyes: "But I'm even more worried about you going to the battlefield!"
Shen Lan wanted to say something, but couldn't find a better reason to convince her sister.
Shen Wen wiped her tears and whispered: "The direction of the court has changed recently. Several of my father's former subordinates are trying to make a move. It is said that they have secretly met several times. As soon as you leave the palace, they will probably find you soon." Brother, please be careful at this time and don’t get too close to them.”
Shen Lan said seriously: "I know, I won't meet them at this time." He also lowered his voice and said, "It seems they are very careless. Since the news of the secret appointment can reach you, the emperor must also know about it."
Shen Huan was shocked and said: "My news is all about Xi Chao..."
Shen Lan frowned and said: "The emperor's eyes and ears outside the palace will never be less than those of Prince Yi."
Shen Huan was silent for a while, and then said with a forced smile: "I've been out for a long time, so go back quickly, so as not to make people suspect that since the Western Kingdom is sending an envoy, there won't be a war soon, and my brother will be able to stay in the capital for a longer time."
Shen Lan nodded, but said worriedly: "I heard some things about the envoy from the Western Kingdom on the way back to Beijing. I'm afraid it's not just as simple as the peace talks. Even the peace talks must have put forward some conditions, although they are not clear. , but it seems to be related to the people in the harem, no matter what, you should be careful."
Shen Huan looked at him suspiciously, how could the things on the border have anything to do with the people in the harem? Could it involve herself? When she thought of Ye Canghao she met while hunting, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
Shen Lan patted the back of her hand, turned around and went back to Linde Hall. Shen Huan stood there for a while, unable to figure it out, so he had to put it down. Anyway, the envoy from the Western Kingdom would be coming in a few days. Then he would know that he If you don't even leave the palace gate, nothing big should happen.
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