Twelve-year-old Xia Houxuan is like a respected elder at this moment. He is tall and dignified, but because his heart is loaded with too many things that should not be loaded at this age, his serious expression has no trace of it.
Violation.
Maybe he didn't even know it, but his eyebrows had already been dyed with the color of his master Yu Gui unconsciously. That color was full of coldness and sadness.
Perhaps, to Xia Houxuan, the eight-year-old new head of the Yu family, the Marquis of Yishou Pavilion, Yu Huan, Xia Houxuan was a highly respected elder. [Note 1: Yu Huan is a fictitious person, and Emperor Cao Pi's surname should be avoided.
Huan, just look at the sentence in Cao Zhi's "Luo Shen Fu" that "I am so sad that I can't go to Huan". Maybe the emperor only needs to conceal his name, but not the name, so the name Huan is chosen.]
"Yes, I am Yu Huan."
The eight-year-old child had bright eyes, and Xia Houxuan noticed that he had been stroking a simple-looking sword that was only three feet long hanging on his waist.
"Have you ever practiced martial arts?"
"Swordsmanship is passed down in our family, taught by my grandpa."
The child still seems to be a little cautious. I don't know whether it is because he loves this dagger too much, or because he is too nervous and wants to divert his attention.
He kept stroking the sword at his waist.
Xia Houxuan understood that the grandfather the child spoke of was none other than General Zuo, the former general of the Wei Dynasty, and Lihou Yujin of Yishouting.
"Is it convenient for you to dance with a sword? I want to see your sword skills."
Xia Houxuan looked at the child in front of him with a tiger-like head, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and thought to himself, this child really lives up to his name and deserves the majestic word "Huan".
Yu Huan didn't say much. After performing a simple military salute, he pulled out his dagger and began to perform "Yu Family Sword Technique".
When Xia Houxuan saw Yu Huan's beautiful family swordsmanship, he immediately felt that this child's name was really wonderful. This child was really mighty and domineering.
‘Whales thousands of miles long’, ‘storks swimming in the southern sea’, ‘sea sharks roaming freely’.
The child was extremely skilled in every move. If Xia Houxuan hadn't been afraid of praising the child too much and developing the child's arrogance, he would have applauded him.
"Don't you have any other moves in your swordsmanship?"
"Dad passed away early, and grandpa joined the army in his early years. Uncle Yu Gui taught me my swordsmanship, that's all." Yu Huan's big clear eyes were full of sincerity and might.
"That's it." Xia Houxuan smiled faintly. He was afraid that his 'quality' sword would be too sharp, so he casually broke off a piece of dead branch from the tree and started making gestures: "Look, this move is what you will do."
The ultimate move of the family swordsmanship is 'She Fish'."
It's as if the sword is missing from the breeze.
"Sheyu..."
The child was originally somewhat proud of his swordsmanship, but when he saw the nimble and graceful movement of the elder brother in front of him, he felt a little ashamed of himself.
Xia Houxuan naturally observed the child's expression.
"Giving up the fish comes from "Mencius", which means 'giving up the fish and taking the bear's paw', and 'giving up the life to take the righteousness'." Xiahou Xuan looked at Yu Huan seriously and said word by word, gently and clearly: "
This is the essence of your Yu family’s swordsmanship, and it can also be regarded as the ancestral training of your Yu family. Have you memorized it?”
"Yes." Yu Huan nodded seriously. He had always had good qualifications, so he quickly memorized this move and naturally understood the meaning of Xia Houxuan's words.
"Also, your martial arts skills are rare. As long as you keep practicing, you will become the best. In addition, I will personally guide you in reading, reading, writing and digits in the future, so don't slack off."
"Oh, got it."
"Your name, 'Huan', is very good. It just violates His Majesty's taboo, but there is no need to change it. I will give you a nickname and use it as a nickname in the future. What do you think?"
Yu Huan looked very happy. He smiled at Xia Houxuan and said, "Okay."
"Yes." Xia Houxuan smiled and nodded. His smile was upright and warm, as if it could melt the winter ice and snow. Yu Huan couldn't help but respect that smile. Xia Houxuan continued: "'Huan'
, meaning mighty, the tiger is the king of beasts and the king of the mountains and forests, so I will give you a nickname: Tiger King."
"Yu Shanjun, this name is so nice." Yu Huan touched his head and laughed innocently. He had not experienced the warmth of family affection for a long time.
"Tiger, please stay at home and have dinner together today." Xia Houxuan said with a smile, "The pastries and soup cakes made by Aunt Han are delicious."
"Okay." The young head of the Yu family completely let go of his restraint and vigilance at this moment, acting completely like a child, just like Xia Houxuan and Cao Xi in front of Yu Gui.
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Over the years, the East Palace has been in a shaky state.
Originally, the father was kind and the son was filial, but since Queen Wen Zhaozhen was sentenced to death, Cao Rui's indifferent behavior has repeatedly made Cao Pi feel chilled. Therefore, the East Palace has become the situation it is today.
Cao Rui's title of Duke of Qi also became Marquis of Pingyuan.
Having lost both my mother and my father, I am afraid that as the legitimate eldest son, I am no longer the legitimate eldest son in His Majesty's heart.
All of this made Cao Rui feel even more chilled. The king's mind was erratic, and his own destiny was like a rootless duckweed.
In Lixian Pavilion, the owner of the East Palace is looking melancholy at the fish swimming beside the fish pond, competing for fish food.
Ban Er's auxiliary ministers in the East Palace, literary attendants, such as Cao Zhao, Guanqiu Jian, He Zeng, and Bi Gui, as well as Cao Rui's relatives and friends, such as Cao Shuang, Cao Xi brothers, and Wei Lie, the eldest son of Wei Zhen, the official Cao Shangshu, and the official secretary and censor.
Gao Rou's disciple, Gao Xun, was sitting in the pavilion at the moment, not knowing how to comfort his lord.
"Actually, Your Highness, you don't have to worry too much. After all, there is no closer relationship than a father and his son." The literary attendant never tried to make Cao Rui relax.
"I am not the only one who has a father-son relationship with His Majesty." Cao Rui was still looking at the fish pond with a wry smile on his lips.
"Your Highness, don't worry too much." Cao Shuang, who has always been known for his calmness and prudence, looked at the panicked Cao Rui with firm eyes and said loudly: "No matter what, I will protect your Highness to the death!"
"Yes, no matter what, I will protect His Highness to the death!"
Cao Rui, who had always had a peaceful heart, looked at the people kneeling on the ground, and his eyes were filled with tears at this moment.
"Everyone, get up. I have always known your thoughts."
At this moment, a small official from the East Palace came in a hurry.
"His Royal Highness the Marquis of Pingyuan, we have a visitor."
Hearing this, Cao Rui was a little unhappy. He raised his eyebrows and scolded angrily: "Didn't I tell you earlier that the East Palace refused to receive foreign ministers? Don't you still understand Gu's current situation?"
Cao Rui, who has always been gentle, has lost his temper countless times in the past two months.
"But... Your Highness." The petty official, who was frightened by the king's anger, trembled in the pavilion and said in a trembling voice: "The ones coming are Cao Shangshu Wei Gong and Pingyuan Marquis Fu Gaotang Gong... ....."
When Cao Rui heard that it was Wei Zhen and Gao Tanglong, he immediately turned from anger to joy. After adjusting his clothes for a while, he said cheerfully: "Prepare tea in the pavilion. Everyone will drink tea and wait a while. I will go to the main hall to greet Duke Wei." And Mr. Gao Tang."
"Yes, I will go to the main hall to prepare." After hearing this, the little official immediately went to assign people to prepare tea, welcome guests, and clean the main hall.
In the main hall of the East Palace, Cao Rui received Wei Zhen and Gao Tanglong with the courtesy of serving as a teacher.
"Gong Zhen, Sheng Ping, you two are coming to the East Palace together today. Do you think there is something important?"
"Your Highness, I entered the palace today to see Your Majesty." The expression on Wei Zhen's face was difficult to distinguish between joy and sorrow at this moment.
"Your Majesty, what are your plans?" Cao Rui's heart suddenly tightened when he heard this.
"Your Majesty has decided to be promoted to His Highness as the King of Pingyuan." Wei Zhen's face was still as calm as water at this moment.
"Then, sir, why do you have a worried look on your face?" Cao Rui didn't understand why the two important officials in the court who supported him looked so worried when he was promoted to king.
"Not only that." Gao Tanglong, who had changed from Pingyuan Marquis to Pingyuan Wangfu, frowned at Cao Rui and said word by word: "Your Majesty, you also decided to canonize Guo as the queen, and also named Cao Lin, the fifth son of the emperor, as the queen of Hedong. king!"
"What!" When Cao Rui heard this, he suddenly felt a twinge of pain and desolation in his heart. Not only did his mother's three-year mourning period not end, his father established a new queen, but he also supported Wu, who had always been interested in seizing his direct descendants. My younger brother Cao Lin is the king, standing side by side with me, my former eldest son. Where does my father, the emperor, want me to end up?
Seeing Cao Rui's miserable expression, Gao Tanglong felt a little unbearable. He couldn't help comforting Cao Rui and said: "Your Highness, don't be too worried. After all, Your Majesty did not confer Cao Lin's mother Qiu as a queen, but also granted His Highness a royal title. Therefore, , the situation has not reached the point of being out of control.”
"Teacher..." Cao Rui felt extremely sad and helpless at the moment. With tears in his eyes, he grabbed Gao Tanglong's hand and said sadly: "I'm afraid..."
"Your Highness!" Gao Tanglong, who had an upright personality, saw that the student he had cultivated for a long time, the prince in his heart, was crying in tears, and he was quite angry. He gently broke away from Cao Rui's hands and taught him a lesson softly. : "Your Highness, as a king, you are destined to be alone. This is the time for Your Highness to accept the test. How can Your Highness behave like a woman and colden the hearts of us veterans!"
Hearing this, Cao Rui seemed to have a sudden enlightenment. He wiped his face with his sleeves, straightened his clothes, and after calming down for a while, he said seriously: "Gong Gao Tang, Duke Wei, don't worry, I will never let you down." of!"
"Minds and ministers, I hope your highness will make a new start every day, waiting for the time when the former star will be in its correct position!" [Note 2: The former star is the name of the constellation. In ancient times, the purple star was used to compare with the emperor, and the prince occupied the position of the former star.]
————
Previously, the countries in the Western Regions sent envoys to the capital, and Cao Pi had already arranged various matters. However, at this important pass that reconnected the Western Regions, news came from the Chief Shi's Mansion of the Western Regions that there were actually rebels between the Western Regions and Yongliang. Proclaim the king and establish the system!
In order not to affect his own grand plan, Cao Pi directly sent Cao Zhen, the general of the upper army, to the Western Regions in person. If he could successfully annihilate the thieves without alarming the countries in the Western Regions, the matter would be handled appropriately, so he would let Cao Zhen personally go to the Western Regions. Go instead of letting the commander of the Western Region Guards do what is convenient for you.
In the Shiqian Hall, the emperor, who was leaning on his couch and taking a nap due to fatigue, seemed to be murmuring at this moment.
"I must let you experience everything that my father went through back then, and then you will truly grow up..."
The king's murmur disappeared along with the sound of wind in the deep palace, as if it had never happened before.