Hidden Sky Light

In the Lihe Hall, Qi Shancai sent Fang Siping away, and Chen Ling rubbed his eyebrows slightly tired. I took time to see Shen Ci and Anian riding a horse, and when I returned to the back of Lihe Palace, I sat there until this time, without resting in the middle.

Seeing that it was mid-November, and in half a month, the affairs of the court will slowly slow down. She is also looking forward to the twelfth lunar month and the Chinese New Year...

The DPRK will have a rest every year from the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, except that on the first day of the first day of the new year every year, the officials will bring their families to the palace to pay respects. The Zhengshitang will be on rotation to handle urgent matters, and only those who cannot make up their minds will come to the palace.

Therefore, the holiday is the most leisurely time of the year for her.

You can accompany Anian well, go to the temple to pray, listen to the chanting, copy the scriptures, and then take a break, read a book, drink tea...

This year, there was a southern tour, and the Huaicheng Rebellion took a few months to get in. Everything was backlogged until November, and she was so busy that she rarely started looking forward to the end of the new year from now on.

Moreover, this year there is still Shen Ci in...

It seems that there is more hope.

Chen Ling spread out the next book, and suddenly remembered that he seemed to have heard Shen Ci talking about his rotation today, but there was a birthday of a colleague in the Imperial Guard in Beijing, and he had to drink before entering the palace.

Throughout November, he and she were very busy, each with their own business, but no matter how busy Shen Ci was, he would come to see her, either giving her candied haws, or thousand-layer cakes, and one time it turned out to be Babao duck...

When she was in the East Palace, Shen Ci was used to her, even now.

Chen Ling smiled and looked at the dripping copper pot on one side. Is it time?

should not...

Chen Ling put down the book.

Shen Ci was the most punctual, and even took A Nian with him and began to develop the habit of being punctual. He said that if he returned to the palace before Hai Shi, he would definitely come back, unless there was something wrong...

"Qi Shan." Chen Ling called.

Qi Shan entered, "Your Majesty."

"Go and ask, has Shen Ci entered the palace?" Chen Ling didn't say anything.

"Yes." Qi Shan responded.

About half an hour later, Qishan turned back, and Chen Ling was still reading the book in the Lihe Hall. Today, after seeing the officials for a whole day, the book had accumulated a pile, and there was only time at night.

"Your Majesty, I've already asked. After the Imperial Army at the palace gate left the palace before dusk, I didn't see General Shen re-entering the palace..." Qi Shan had already inquired clearly.

Chen Ling was stunned.

It's not like Shen Ci, who didn't come back, didn't have a message, something wasn't right...

Chen Ling looked at Qishan, "Let someone find him, I have something to look for him."

"Yes." Qi Shan responded again.

But just waiting for Qishan to turn around, Chen Ling said again, "Wait."

"Your Majesty?" Qi Shan turned back.

Chen Ling said, "Just go and look for someone, and then come back and tell me where I am, you don't need to talk to Shen Ci."

Qi Shan understands.

…

About half an hour later, Qi Shan hurriedly turned back, but Chen Ling was no longer in the Lihe Hall.

The inner attendant on duty said, "The Son of Heaven has just returned to the dormitory."

Qi Shancai hurried to the dormitory.

Chen Ling just changed out of the dragon robe and changed into a looser robe to read in the inner hall. Hearing Qi Shan's voice, he let him in.

Qi Shan bowed his hands, "Your Majesty, after searching for a long time, I went to General Shen's mansion and Yulan Pavilion, saying that today is the birthday of General Dai Jingjie, the deputy envoy of the left avant-garde of the forbidden army. Celebrating General Dai's birthday, and later... I don't know what happened. According to the description, it seems that Xiao Wu came to look for General Shen. Then, General Shen went to the school grounds of the Forbidden Army Dongda Camp... He has been in the school grounds until now, Didn't go anywhere else."

Qi Shan watched every word he said.

General Shen is different from others, and His Majesty is concerned about it.

"I know." Chen Ling said softly.

Chen Ling's eyes fell on the lamp in front of the case in the inner hall to celebrate Dai Jingjie's birthday. It was all good in Yulan Pavilion. Xiao Wu came here. What happened?

The school grounds of the East University Camp of the Forbidden Army, have been there all night...

"Qi Shan." Chen Ling called again.

"Your Majesty." Qi Shan responded.

Chen Ling put down the book in his hand, "Go to the Dongdaying campus."

Qi Shan was surprised, "Right now, it's almost time..."

After Chen Ling got up and went to the screen, "Go now."

Qi Shan didn't dare to delay any longer, "Yes."

***

Shen Ci was so tired that he lay down on the school grounds of the Imperial Army's Dongda Camp.

Sweat was all over his forehead, but the buzzing in his head never went away.

—Xue Chao was strangled by his neck and suffocated. Before suffocating, he was cut through his chest with Xi Rong's machete...

Shen Ci clenched his palm, who else could it be? !

Xue Chao, such a cautious person, will not easily get into trouble. He is more secure than Han Guan and Guo Zixiao!

He also specially warned him not to confront Harmia head-on.

how come?

Shen Ci closed his eyes, sweat ran down his forehead, and his back was soaked wet. He seemed to be lying on the side of the school field, too tired to move. It seemed that only in this way would the pain in his heart become dull, but it was only dull. half a minute...

Harmia!

Shen Ci clenched his hands again, the blue veins around his neck were looming, and there were bloodshots between his lips.

If, if he hadn't asked Guo Zixiao to investigate the Liutu in Ancheng, Guo Zixiao would have been with Xue Chao...

Xue Chao will not die.

If he hadn't stayed in Beijing and returned to Licheng with Xue Chao and Guo Zixiao, Xue Chao would not have died.

On the battlefield, Xue Chao was the one with the most, who came back with his back...

But he didn't deliver on his last ride.

Shen Ci's eyes were red, and his throat was choked up.

The night wind was icy cold, and the cold wind penetrated into the limbs and bones along the sweat stains, as if falling into the abyss ice cellar.

But he was still gasping for breath, and he had just galloped on his horse and was still catching up with his hand training...

The familiar footsteps, mixed with the sound of clothes rubbing, stopped in front of him.

He wouldn't be able to hear who it was.

Originally, he didn't want her to see him like this, nor did she come here...

Shen Ci sat up with his hands up, raised his eyes to look at her, his eyes were all scarlet.

Chen Ling was right in front of him and said warmly, "What happened?"

In fact, he didn't speak all night, but when she asked him, the string in his heart seemed to shatter. He didn't hoarse his voice, he didn't mourn, he just whispered hoarsely, "Old Xue is dead..."

Chen Ling was stunned.

I suddenly remembered that a few days ago, he was still telling her that Lao Xue was a little strange. He hadn't arrived in Licheng for so long, and there was no news on the way. He was a little worried, and said he would find someone to inquire.

how suddenly...

Chen Ling's heart sank, and when he looked at his bloodshot eyes, he suddenly filled up, "A Ling, Lao Xue is gone..."

Chen Ling seemed to have never heard such a voice from him.

"Old Xue is gone..."

He was sitting on the rehearsal platform on the school ground, a step above the ground, with Chen Ling standing in front of him. The beams cast by the lamps on the school ground reflected his figure buried in her arms, "It's me, if I let Guo Zixiao be with him, he won't die, it's me..."

The surrounding wind was very quiet, and it blew her rustling voice. She didn't make a sound, but just stretched out her hand to wrap his arms around the back of his neck.

He also stretched out his arms around her, slowly calming down.

For a long time, the two of them didn't make a sound, but they were both beside each other. The night wind picked up slightly, and the lights on the school ground were swaying high up. Chen Ling said softly, "Go back."

The hands around her froze.

Chen Ling continued, "Right now in the middle of November, if you hurry up and stop halfway, you can still arrive at Licheng before the New Year's Eve..."

"A Ling?" He looked up at her.

Chen Ling's eyes were gentle, and he reached out and stroked his cheek as usual, and said in a low voice, "If you are like this, it is conceivable that Han Guan and Zixiao will also be like this. , people must be apprehensive. If there are any more incidents, the border gate of Licheng will not be peaceful this year. Go back, I am fine here..."

He didn't answer.

Chen Ling said gently, "Where am I still, but it's not as good as you are used to A Nian."

"A Ling." He choked in his throat.

Chen Ling said solemnly, "Zi'an, if you stay in Beijing, will you have a good New Year's Eve?"

He was stunned.

"I let you go back to Licheng."

"Chen Ling!"

"Let's go tomorrow..."

He hugged her tightly, choked up in his throat, but did not let go for a long time.

…

In the distance, Dai Jingjie was stunned, really, really His Majesty.

Dai Jingjie scolded, "Go away, don't come here!"

This was originally the innermost training ground of the Dongdaying school grounds. Usually no one would pass by. There were guards in purple in front of it, so there would be no one here.

Dai Jingjie remembered the scene he just saw, and his heart seemed to have knocked over something, and the five flavors were mixed.

***

In the morning court the next day, Shen Ci did not appear in the morning court.

In the western camp of the forbidden army, all the generals in the important positions of the forbidden army in Beijing are there.

"Boss! What's the matter?"

Last night, on the birthday of Lao Dai, almost all the people present were there, and they all saw Xiao Wu crying in front of the Magnolia Pavilion, and also saw the general leave without saying a word after hearing Xiao Wu's words.

They are not fools, I could hear that something happened to a general at the border of Licheng.

Right now is the cold winter, whether in the north or in the city, people are panicked everywhere, and if there is such a general accident, I am afraid it is not a good thing...

"Is everyone here?" Shen Ci asked.

"Old Dai?" Guan Shubo tugged at Dai Jingjie's sleeve.

Dai Jingjie came back to his senses, "It's all set, boss!"

Dai Jingjie's mind was filled with the scene he saw last night. He was still a little stunned, and he just lost his mind. He was the deputy envoy of the left avant-garde of the forbidden army, that is, Shen Ci's deputy. Dai Jingjie is doing all the work.

Now, now that everyone has arrived, Shen Ci will cut to the chase, "Everyone, there are military affairs at the border, Your Majesty instructs me to leave the capital tomorrow, I will go to Licheng border gate tomorrow morning, and I may not have time to communicate with you, but it's a normal business. , everyone is performing their own duties, and the important tasks in the army are running in an orderly manner, and it is not the most important thing if I no longer.

"This!"

"Boss!"

"how come?"

"Two days ago, you said you would eat dumplings during the New Year's Eve?"

"When will the general come back this trip?" Guan Shubo also asked.

Shen Ci said in a deep voice, "The return date has not yet been determined, but at least we have to wait for the border to settle down for a while, or this year is also a severe winter, and it is always unsteady. When I am not here, you should also be me, guard the capital and guard your Majesty. ."

"Yes!" The crowd clapped their hands together.

Dai Jingjie glanced at him unnaturally, but still responded.

Shen Ci continued, "It happened suddenly, and His Majesty's transfer order may not be able to come out in time before I leave Beijing. I am afraid that the command of the Imperial Guard will still hang on me. When I am on the road, I will find time to write to His Majesty."

After Shen Ci finished speaking, he took a deep breath and looked at everyone around him again, "Listen, it's not that Beijing is necessarily safer than the border, and the Imperial Army has never been idle. Thinking about the change in Huaicheng, your Majesty, except for Nan Shun, there will also be prayers for blessings and sacrifices to the sky, rewarding the three armies, observing the sentiments of the people, and once again the change of Huaicheng, can the forbidden army cope with it?"

All around were stunned.

Shen Ci continued, "There are still fish that slip through the net in the Huaicheng Rebellion. I don't know how many people are lurking in the capital, waiting for an opportunity, ready to fight to the death. The capital is like the heart of the entire Yanhan, the capital is stable, and the surrounding is the only one. It will be stable. Guarding the capital is as important as guarding the border. You also guard the palace, the emperor, and the dignity of the soldiers in the army, so cheer me up!"

"Yes! General!" Blood boiled around!

"Lao Dai, Lao Guan..." Shen Ci called again.

"Boss!" The two responded.

Shen Ci said, "I have to go to the palace again. When I am not in Beijing, take good care of the Imperial Army."

"Yes!" The two shook hands.

After Shen Ci finished speaking, he jumped on his horse and rode to the palace.

Dai Jingjie looked at the back, and suddenly thought, what is the importance of the person next to him, General Shen is General Shen, and it has nothing to do with the person next to him!

***

In Chaoyang Hall, A Nian blinked, "Uncle Shen."

Shen Ci squatted down and said gently, "I'm here to accompany Your Highness."

A Nian rubbed his eyes, "I just woke up for a nap!"

Mother Fang also looked at him. Usually, General Shen would wait for the hall to fall asleep for a long time in the afternoon before coming. His Highness has the urge to get up. This problem is better now, but it still happens occasionally.

But Shen Ci also looked at A Nian, and said truthfully, "A Nian, Uncle Shen will be away from Beijing for a while, maybe a long time, and he will be leaving tonight, so I came to see you."

Ah Nian was stunned, just surprised that he was going to leave, but he didn't react. It was rare for him to call him Ah Nian directly.

Mommy Fang was also stunned, she didn't hear that General Shen was leaving.

Anian frowned, "Uncle Shen, won't you stay?"

Shen Ci looked at him, "Uncle said that he would leave when he needed to defend his family and the country."

A Nian's eyes suddenly turned red, "But we agreed that firecrackers will be set off at the end of the year."

Ah Nian's tears soon burst, but because she was sensible, she didn't cry. Instead, the tears kept falling, but she didn't cry out. She said sadly, "But I really miss you..."

Ah Nian's words seemed to touch the softness in his heart.

Shen Ci felt sad as if he had a heavy stone in his heart. He didn't want to be separated from him, and he couldn't bear to part with his son...

Shen Ci tried to be as calm as possible, and said warmly, "A Nian, I have to go, because there are many children like A Nian, and I want them to have a good year in peace."

Tears welled up in Ah Nian's eyes again, "Uncle Shen, is it that my little wooden sword is not well trained?"

Shen Ci stretched out his hand and stroked the top of his head, "You are practicing very well. When Uncle Shen is away, you will continue to connect, okay? When Uncle Shen returns to Beijing, you must practice well and show it to Uncle Shen. OK?"

Ah Nian didn't cry, but nodded in grievance, "But, you haven't been riding with me yet?"

I only brought him to know Chuxia yesterday, and he rode Chuxia once. He was looking forward to Uncle Shen to teach him to ride Chuxia...

Shen Ci stretched out his hand and wiped his tears for him, "Can we go horseback riding now?"

The child's face was like the weather. After Shen Ci finished speaking, A Nian, who had been crying, suddenly stopped, "Are you going to ride Chuxia now?"

"Well." Shen Ci nodded, "Go now, Uncle Shen will accompany you."

A Nian immediately burst into laughter, "Then let's go now!"

It was as if the reluctance to part from just now was thrown into the clouds.

Mother Fang sighed, but Shen Ci didn't feel bad.

"Mother Fang, I want to trouble you to take care of A Ling and A Nian." He also knew that these words should not be said, but it seemed that there was only Mama Fang left among the old people serving Chen Ling and A Nian.

he…

Madam Fang nodded, "Don't worry, General, the old servant knows, the old servant will take good care of His Majesty and the Crown Prince, the general can rest assured to go to the border."

Shen Ci nodded.

Mother Fang said again, "When the general is going to Licheng this time, when will he return to Beijing?"

Shen Ci shook his head and said truthfully, "I don't know yet. When the border is stabilized, it may take a while to know after the spring."

Mommy Fang nodded.

Shen Ci led A Nian to the horse farm in the palace, holding the small palm in his hand, like the most precious thing.

The temperature he will always miss.

"Early summer and early summer~" Anian happily called the pony in the stable.

There are horse farms in the palace, and there are officials who specialize in raising horses, but because Chen Ling didn't like horseback very much earlier, and A Nian was small, the horse farm in the palace was almost vacant, and only two batches of Baer and Qiangya were kept as tribute. Most of the BMWs, next to Chen Ling, were given away as gifts, so there were not many horses on the horse farm in the palace.

Chuxia has a dedicated place and a special person to take care of it. When taking Chuxia out of the stable, Chuxia is still a little unaccustomed to being close to Ah Nian.

A Nian wanted to touch it, but was afraid. Finally, he stood in front of Shen Ci and asked Shen Ci to give him courage. Then he reached out and touched Chu Xia's mane and talked to it for a long time. Finally, let Shen Ci give him courage. Get him on a horse.

Shen Ci stayed with him all afternoon.

Riding a horse, practicing a small wooden sword, until nightfall, bathing him...

In fact, A Nian had a great time all afternoon, staying with Shen Ci all the time, as if he had forgotten that Shen Ci was leaving.

When Shen Ci took a bath for him at night, he remembered that Uncle Shen was leaving, and the tip of his nose started to turn red again.

It's winter now, and on different summer nights, it's easy to catch cold and catch cold when taking a bath for too long. Shen Ci didn't dare to let him wash for too long.

At times like this, Ah Nian is very obedient, not like the child next to him, who would make a fool of himself when he was unhappy, but Shen Ci would still carry him out of the tub, wrap him in a thick bath towel, and put him on the couch. Wipe his head quietly for him.

"Uncle Shen, will you come back?" At this time, A Nian expressed his worries.

Shen Ci stopped and said seriously, "Uncle will definitely come back to see Ah Nian."

A Nian was wrapped in a thick bath towel, looked at him with some sadness, and said softly, "They said that the chief supervisor has also gone away, and it will take a long time to come back, but I always feel that the chief supervisor will not come back,"

Shen Ci was stunned. It turned out that A Nian had been hiding the matter of the chief supervisor in his heart.

But it doesn't mean that he didn't want to.

He was afraid that he would not come back like the supervisor.

Ah Nian didn't cry, just frowned with sadness in her eyes...

Shen Ci put down the towel, squatted down, hugged him, "Nian Nian, I will be back, come back to accompany you."

"You can't lie." A Nian said seriously.

Shen Ci said softly, "Don't lie, I never lie to A Nian."

After Shen Ci said, taking advantage of no one else in the ear room, he seemed to be inexplicably bewitched, "A Nian, can Uncle Shen kiss you?"

He seldom did, even if, liked him a lot.

"Of course!" Ah Nian responded immediately.

Shen Ci looked at the glutinous rice ball wrapped in a thick bath towel, and kissed his forehead reverently, like the most precious scene in his heart...

"A Nian, when I'm not here, you have to take good care of your father, because you are a man." He said solemnly.

A Nian nodded, "I remember, Uncle Shen! I'm a man."

Shen Ci embraced him again, "Uncle will miss you, every day."

A Nian's hand was wrapped in a thick bath towel and could not stretch out, so he could only kiss his cheek, "I miss you too."

Shen Ci felt that something in his heart was slowly melting...

***

When Shen resigned from the Lihe Palace, there were other officials waiting outside the palace.

Qi Shan greeted him, "General, Your Majesty has been busy today. Right now, there are still many people waiting. I don't know when..."

When Shen Ci saw that Qishan was embarrassed, it was no wonder that Qishan would be embarrassed. There were people outside the Lihe Hall, and there was a backlog of things in the court.

He knew that Chen Ling had been busy throughout November, and now is also.

He was leaving tomorrow morning. He originally wanted to see her at this time, but he didn't expect that there were still people waiting, even if there was no time.

But before leaving, why not greet her.

Shen Ci said to Qishan, "Qishan, take the time to speak to your majesty later, I'll go back to the mansion to pack up the things I'm leaving tomorrow, and then enter the palace later."

Qi Shan simply responded.

Shen Ci looked at the bright lights in Lihe's hall and wanted to say something, but choked back in his throat.

Along the way, he was thinking about border issues, as well as Chen Ling and Anian.

Either way, it left him in a dilemma.

When he left Beijing this time, he didn't know when he would return to Beijing, and he also knew that he would miss their mother and son, thinking madly...

In his thoughts, he has already hit the horse back to the mansion.

The servant outside the mansion stepped forward to help him lead the horse, and he warned, "Don't take it back to the stable, I'll go out later."

The little servant was surprised, but he was still stunned.

"Where's Xiao Wu?" Shen Ci asked.

Most of his things should be cleaned up by Xiao Wu. He only needs to check and fill in the gaps when he comes back this time. All he needs to confirm with Xiao Wu first, and then enter the palace. He also tells Xiao Wu that he will be in the morning tomorrow. Come back in time, and then leave the capital on horseback, so that Xiao Wu knows what to do.

When he asked, the servant said blankly, "Oh, it's in the general's house!"

Shen Ci hesitated, in his room?

But soon, Shen Ci reacted and packed things for him. Of course, in his room, Shen Ci quickly stepped inside and went straight to the room. He really saw the lights in the room, and a vague figure in the room was vaguely reflected. It was Xiao Wu who was packing things up.

Shen Ci didn't knock on the door, he pushed the door directly into the room, did not look behind the screen in the outer cabinet, but went straight into the inner room, looking for the things he had put in the inner room, while facing the outer room. The humane said, "Xiao Wu, just pack up and say, I will enter the palace later, and come back tomorrow morning, you and I will wait at the gate of the city, hurry up."

He meant to urge, and after Shen Ci finished speaking, he didn't hear anyone in the room answering for a long time.

Shen Ci was surprised and felt that something was wrong...

If it was Xiao Wu, when he entered the house just now, he should have surrounded himself with a general, it wouldn't be like this.

Not a small five...

Shen Ci seemed to have reacted to something, and suddenly lifted the curtain and went to the outer pavilion, "A Ling?"