"Did you know..." Changqing's shoulders trembled slightly, her fists were clenched tightly, almost bleeding, and she said sadly and angrily: "...Mother, she still cared about you before she died."
Lu Yan turned over the book and couldn't help but fall into memories——
In the last years of Emperor Zhao's reign, because the heroine was getting old, she gradually neglected political affairs. In addition, she was favored by Er Zhang, who opened the Control Crane Mansion to recruit male favors. This caused chaos both inside and outside the court, and there were many people who were ready to take action. People from all walks of life secretly and actively formed alliances.
Liaise with the party, recruit dead soldiers to assassinate, poison and kill, and use all possible means.
When Lu Yan first took office in Huaizhou, after investigation and visits, he learned that the local wealthy people set up waterwheels to grind rice and flour, and built dams on the upper reaches of the river to cut off the water flow, leaving the downstream farmland without water for irrigation and the people's crops withering.
The harvest is almost gone. In order to survive, some have to sell their fields or become slaves.
Seeing this situation, Lu Yan angrily wrote an article called "On Hao You Cutting Off the Water and Cutting Off the Country", explaining how Huaizhou's wealthy and powerful people invaded and occupied the country. He also cited examples from past dynasties, claiming that the rivers in the world are like the blood of the country and do not belong to private individuals.
All the wealthy people in Huaizhou cut off water and fattened themselves. Like ordinary people, they develop swollen carbuncles. If they are not removed early, it will cause serious harm!
However, this memorial did not reach heaven for hearing, but was intercepted in Feng Pavilion. When Prince Zhao's nephew saw this memorial, he was furious, and immediately sent assassins to deal with Lu Yan, and tried to rob and kill him by pretending to be a robber.
It was at that time that Lu Yan met Tang Wanyi.
The sudden arrows shot down Lu Yan's followers one after another. His horse was hit by three arrows in a row and fell down with a scream. Even Lu Yan himself was hit by an arrow. His thigh was nailed to the saddle by the arrow, and he was bleeding profusely. Lu Yan could not get away, and watched the masked assassins walk out of the bushes with swords in hand and slowly approach. At the critical moment, Tang Wanyi, wearing apricot sword uniform, flew up and without saying a word, she unsheathed her sword.
A ball of dazzling light exploded on the ground. Don't look at it.
Then there was a series of sounds of swords clashing, mixed with screams of pain.
When Lu Yan opened his eyes again, the masked assassin fell to the ground and became silent again. The sword seemed to still be lingering in the wind, stinging his cheek.
The slender Tang Wanyi stood upright in the pool of blood, her feet in deerskin boots stood up slightly, trying her best not to let her heels step on the blood, revealing a trace of a girl who loves to be clean and hates filth.
"Oops, you're injured!" Tang Wanyi jumped lightly and came to Lu Yan's side across a distance of two feet. Looking at her effortless appearance, it can be seen that her martial arts is extremely high.
After being lightly bandaged to stop the bleeding, Lu Yan was taken to an abandoned temple in the countryside to rest. After Tang Wanyi learned his identity, she smiled and said, "I don't think you have much money on you, so why are those thieves targeting you?" <
/p>
"They...should not be ordinary thieves." Lu Yan explained: "I went to the court a few days ago, hoping to get rid of the private gangs in Huaizhou. I think it was this move that brought me death." p>
Tang Wanyi sat on the floor against the wall, with one leg straight and one leg raised, with a completely uneducated and casual look. If she hadn't been wearing trousers and boots, this posture would have revealed her beauty.
But when he thought about the other party's superb martial arts, Lu Yan knew that she was one of those children of the world who did not like the constraints of ethics and education.
Lu Yan, who had long studied the art of Shen Han from the Legalists, had no good impression of these wandering knights who used force to break the ban and were willful. He once fantasized about abolishing the army and banning martial arts and wiping out the heroes under his rule. However, he was rescued by Tang Wanyi today.
, couldn’t help but waver a little.
"It seems I saved you by mistake?" Tang Wanyi raised her eyebrows: "You officials know how to bully the common people!"
"Am I bullying the common people?" Lu Yan was also very angry. He raised his finger to the north and said angrily: "Aren't those fields occupied by powerful families still taken from the hands of the common people? Yes, so did these guys.
If I take away the land from these good people, confiscate it and grind it, you will all say that I am competing with the people for profit!"
Seeing his unprovoked rage, Tang Wanyi was stunned and speechless for a moment. Lu Yan knew he had lost his composure and lowered his head dejectedly: "I'm sorry, I...I spoke too harshly, don't take it to heart."
"Of course I won't take it to heart." Tang Wanyi smiled brightly and said: "My master said that I am forgetful and cannot remember the good and bad words of others."
Looking at the carefree smile of the sassy woman in front of him, Lu Yan felt a little ashamed for some reason.
……
"Mom, she was still thinking about you before she died."
Chang Qing's words made Lu Yan feel how things have changed and people have changed. He slowly closed the page of the book, not daring to imagine that the sassy woman who had nothing to worry about in the past ended up being indulged in worries and worries, and the fresh memories of the past
The brilliance of life gradually became a gray and blurry portrait.
"Really?" Lu Yan just said lightly, and then sat down behind the desk again.
"In your eyes, does mother only deserve such a cold response?" Changqing suddenly raised her head, eyes wide open, tears welling up in her eyes: "Since you dislike our mother and son so much, why do you still want to recognize each other?"
"I really don't want to recognize you." Lu Yan raised his head and looked directly at Changqing for the first time: "Your mother is just a singing prostitute. When I will ascend to a high position, keeping her by my side will only lead to the impeachment of the Yushitai." Hearing this, Chang Qing became even more angry. Lu Yan didn't wait for him to speak and continued: "Back then, I ordered Su Wangting to settle your mother and son in a good place, buy a house, and have endless money and food to keep you away from the suffering of cold and cold since you were a child.
What are you dissatisfied with?"
"Do you know how hurtful the gossips from the neighbors are?" Chang Qing's voice was hoarse: "My mother is kind-hearted and she never refutes. You, Prime Minister Lu, are so high up that you can't see it."
"Don't tell me that you're crying just because of such a trivial matter." Lu Yan stared at Chang Qing, his eyes sharp and compelling.
It was clear that the person in front of him had shallow breathing and loose muscles, and was not a person with superb internal cultivation. However, when Changqing met those eyes, he still felt a sense of awe and did not dare to look at him.
Looking at Chang Qing who lowered his head and avoided looking, Lu Yan said in a cold tone: "It seems that your life is still too comfortable. There are many abandoned wives from wealthy families who have a miserable life. A geisha was abandoned by her master and was not insulted by the men from the neighborhood.
, is already a blessing in the world. You can’t bear to be spoken to by others, not to mention practicing Taoism, then you are really in vain.”
"You——" Changqing felt incredible. The person in front of her could no longer be described as cold.
"I recognize you because you are a disciple of Zhenren Daguan, and you have made great achievements in Taoism, so you can be regarded as a worthy disciple." Lu Yan turned his attention to the document on the case again: "You want to take the Taoist examination, that's just right.
, if I have a decent background in the future, I can be put to good use."
"Do you think I will be grateful to you?" Changqing asked.
"Say this, it shows that you are really wasting your time and adding years to your life." Lu Yan took the file, as if he could use it for two purposes: "Everyone and everything in this world uses each other and is interdependent.
Yes, no one will be kind to you for no reason, and everyone will have expectations for you. Teacher education is for inheritance, and men and women get along for love. Even the parents who gave birth to you still have expectations." p>
"Is this how you view the world?" Changqing laughed angrily.
"I just advise you to understand this simple truth as soon as possible." Lu Yan said: "Those who claim that they want nothing are either lies or inhuman things. You'd better not associate with such people." "I think you look like this kind of person." Changqing sneered.
"Would a person who wants nothing be busy with official duties?" Lu Yan replied: "Officials are the public instruments of the country. You simply don't understand that just maintaining the existence of such a huge country is like walking on thin ice. But for ordinary people,
If there is one more person available, I will try my best to help you. You have to learn to get used to it."
Faced with such unquestionable determination, Changqing was unable to refute it for a while.
"The mansion has arranged a courtyard for you, do you want to stay?" Lu Yan suddenly asked.
"No need." Changqing immediately refused: "Wang Yuanbao gave me a house in Chongrenfang, and I will live there."
"It's up to you. If there's nothing else, you can leave." Lu Yan still didn't raise his head, focusing on the official business at hand, and just shook the copper bell in his hand.
The bell rang loudly, and not long after, the steward and a clerk entered the study. Lu Yan handed a stack of official documents to the clerk, pointed at Evergreen, and said to the steward: "You can leave after you see the mistress." "Yes." The steward bowed and answered, then extended his arms to Changqing.
Changqing took a deep look at Lu Yan, unable to hide her disappointment, wiped away her tears, and turned to leave.
After a while, a person opened the curtain and walked out from the side room of the study. He was wearing a navy blue robe and was tall and had long arms. It was Daguanzi.
"Do you have to do this?" Daguanzi picked up a volume and looked at it: "It's true that Changqing blames you, but you don't have to add fuel to the fire."
"Put the book down. Someone moved and I can't remember the location." Lu Yan said in a serious tone.
Daguanzi was slightly startled and had to put the volume back to its original place.
"This is the apprentice you taught." Lu Yan seemed to be complaining and blaming: "Childish, innocent, crying, and petty, he was ruined by you."
"Isn't this description the heart of a child?" Daguanzi said matter-of-factly: "Everyone has times when they are childish and cry. You should be happy for Changqing to be able to maintain such innocence."<
/p>
"When I was twenty years old, I served as an assistant under the envoy of Hedong Yingtian. I led hundreds of people to dig wells, build canals, and assist in farm affairs." Lu Yan said: "At that time, the Ashina tribe intended to restore Turle and looted frequently.
, the river is not peaceful in the first lunar month, so when we are building canals and plowing the fields, we have to carry soldiers and armor, ready to fight desperately at any time.
"What about him? He is living in Chang'an, enjoying peace and quiet. The four richest men are showering him with generous gifts. Everyone regards him as a rookie in the Taoist sect. He has already achieved achievements that are difficult for countless people to achieve in their lifetimes before he has gone through any training. It is no exaggeration to say that he is pampered and well-off.
.It happened that he was in the midst of blessings and did not know how blessed he was, so he was provoked to tears by just a few words."
Daguanzi said: "Since you have these experiences, why don't you tell Changqing clearly? If you are willing to open your heart, he is not unreasonable."
"There are some things that I haven't experienced personally, so it's useless to talk about them." Lu Yan said angrily: "I told you at the beginning that you would let Changqing stay in the Fu Zang Palace for the rest of his life, be a pure Taoist monk, and no longer interfere with the world.
What’s wrong! Isn’t my annual offering to you too little?”
"Have you ever thought that with Evergreen's understanding and qualifications, even if I only teach Taoism, his achievements have surpassed many seniors who have practiced Taoism for decades." Daguanzi explained: "In his mind, you are a
A ruthless man who abandoned his wife and children. If he becomes a great monk and comes to Chang'an to cause trouble for you, I won't be able to stop him."
"You didn't teach him to be quiet and do nothing at all." Lu Yan was very disappointed and stopped writing in anger.
"You took the initiative to take Tang Wanyi into your house and take care of it. Changqing was also born in your house." Daguanzi's face darkened: "Even if you wanted to hide it, you could have taken the initiative to recognize Changqing back then. Why?
As for today’s dilemma?”
"In the first few years since Changqing was born, the situation in the court was so chaotic. It's not safe for you to stay with me. You don't know!" Lu Yan frowned: "The only way is to send the mother and son away and remain anonymous from now on.
, this is good for everyone."
"But now you still choose to recognize him." Daguanzi said: "What do you think of Tang Wanyi..."
"It's not admiration." Lu Yan said straightforwardly: "When I met her, she already had two sons. I just hope to save the son of my old friend, so as to repay her for saving her life."
……
When Changqing returned to the living room, he saw Cheng Sanwu stuffing his mouth with cakes, and the servants of the Prime Minister's Mansion in the distance covering their mouths and snickering. When he saw himself, he stood up hurriedly and patted away the crumbs on his body.
"You, I...cough cough cough!" Cheng Sanwu slurred his words and almost choked. His face turned red from suppressing it. He slapped his chest repeatedly, picked up a cup of tea and drank it hard. It took him a while to recover. It was very funny.<
/p>
"You, uh... what should I call you?" Seeing Cheng Sanwu's bewildered and reserved look, and Su Wangting's slight nod, Chang Qing already understood.
"In front of you, I am evergreen."
Changqing remembered that she had just followed the housekeeper to the back house of the Prime Minister's Mansion, where Lu Yan's wife and concubines were all present. They showed no signs of resentment when they saw him, but the atmosphere was awkward, so Changqing had to be polite and talk briefly before leaving in a hurry. p>
After asking the housekeeper, I found out that Lu Yan had many children. In addition to his wife and concubine, he also had a group of geishas and dancers, two of whom were also children of geishas. But in Prime Minister Lu's house, there was no such thing.
With the strict and clear distinction between concubines and concubines, all scholars studied and took the imperial examinations like ordinary scholars.
Therefore, although everyone in the family was surprised that Changqing recognized his ancestor and returned to the clan, they did not have too many questions. Even the eldest lady was the first to admit Changqing. She even exchanged greetings when they met and was willing to help Changqing find a matchmaker.
.
But Changqing is unwilling to stay in the mansion no matter what. He is destined to be unable to integrate into this family.
"That's right!" Cheng Sanwu punched Changqing in the chest: "I don't care whose son you are, you are just a fake Taoist priest to me."
Changqing's chest hurt slightly, but he was not angry at all. Instead, he felt that the depression in his heart was dispelled by a punch. He even joked with Cheng Sanwu: "I am the son of Prime Minister Lu. You are not big or small, so you are not afraid of me ordering someone to kill you."
You took it on the spot?"
"Haha? If you haven't learned anything else, why don't you learn to use official authority first?" Cheng Sanwu also laughed.
"Hmph! A warrior like you, who fawns over me all day long, must have some purpose." Changqing waved: "If you have anything you want, just tell me. I am in a good mood, so I will treat it as a reward for you."
of."
Cheng Sanwu looked up to the sky and smiled: "What you said is unreasonable, as if I am trying to get you something!"