Abbot Liaochi led his pretty boy junior brother over, bowed to Gu Yun, and smiled like a brilliant dragon claw chrysanthemum: "I haven't seen you for many years, and you are still as elegant as ever. It is really a blessing for my country of Daliang."

Gu Yun felt sick to his stomach because of his ugly face, and thought to himself, "That's right, I haven't been cursed to death by you yet."

Of course, as the Marquis of Anding, it was not convenient for him to act unreasonably. At least he had to save face. At the moment, he just nodded slightly with a faint expression: "Thanks to the master."

The handsome white-faced monk understood and followed suit, but just smiled and said nothing. Gu Yun couldn't help but glance at him again.

Liao Chi explained: "My Lord, please don't blame me. Although my junior brother has excellent comprehension and is well versed in Buddhism, he is born to be a silent practitioner."

Gu Yun was stunned. This Liao Ran was actually a mute.

Monk Liangran took a step forward and stretched out his hands to Gu Yun. This monk was so white that it was almost blinding, and his eyebrows and eyes looked even darker, like a piece of charred wood lying on the snow. If he was not a monk, he would have long hair as black as ink, and with red lips and white teeth, he would look like a monster made of white porcelain.

Gu Yun frowned slightly and thought: "What is this for? Are you going to consecrate me?"

Monk Liaochi said: "The Marquis is safe in the frontier, and will probably leave the capital again soon. I want to pray for the Marquis' well-being."

Gu Yun sneered: "Thank you, Master. This is not necessary. I haven't read a single sutra or burned a single stick of incense, so I won't bother the Buddha anymore."

Liao Chi: "Amitabha, the Buddha's teachings are boundless and can save all living beings. Your Majesty is wrong."

When Gu Yun heard the words "Amitabha", he wanted to hit someone. His patience had reached its limit. He didn't want to talk nonsense with them anymore. He said calmly, "The emperor is still waiting, so I won't delay any longer. I will visit the master another day and stay with you for a while."

After saying that, he dragged Chang Geng and followed Zhu's small feet into the palace. Chang Geng looked back inadvertently and saw that the monk Liangran was not affected by Gu Yun's attitude at all. He was still kneeling devoutly like a Buddha, muttering silently, as if he wanted to bestow the good fortune he prayed for on Gu Yun who was walking away without any explanation.

Whether you believe it or not is up to you, whether you are saved or not is up to me.

Chang Geng was lost in thought when someone suddenly pulled his hand. Gu Yun said in a low voice, "What's so good about monks? It's dazzling if you look at them too much."

Chang Geng withdrew his gaze and asked Gu Yun, "Foster father, that master said that you are going to leave Beijing, is that true?"

Gu Yun: "Hmm."

Chang Geng asked: "When?"

"It's hard to say," Gu Yun said, "It depends on what the emperor means. If I leave, you are the most senior in the mansion, and you have the final say. If there is anything you don't understand, discuss it with Uncle Wang."

Gu Yun did not ask Chang Geng to study hard and concentrate on practicing martial arts, because Chang Geng felt that he, as an elder, was ashamed of himself in this regard.

Chang Geng was stunned when he heard this. After a long while, he asked with difficulty, "Father, don't you plan to take me with you?"

"Ah?" Gu Yun asked in confusion, "Why am I taking you there?"

Chang Geng suddenly stopped.

Before this day, Chang Geng had never thought of this happening.

After returning to the capital from Yan, Gu Yun had always kept him by his side. Chang Geng had no idea that once his foster father led his troops to the northwest again, he would be separated from him by most of the Central Plains.

In the blink of an eye, Chang Geng suddenly thought of a series of things - in the eyes of his adoptive father, he was probably just a child who was neither good at literature nor martial arts. Soldiers would carry swords, guns and armor when they went to the border. Who would bring a family that was a burden to them?

In the future, when Gu Yun goes to the northwestern border, if everything is safe there, he may be able to return to Beijing to report on his work once a year. If there is any unrest, he may have to stay there forever. Now he is already fourteen years old. How many years of his youth is left before he comes of age?

At that time, he would leave the protection of Marquis Anding and move out of the Marquis's mansion alone. He would live in the empty capital with an inexplicable false name...

My adoptive father will eventually marry and have children. When that time comes, will he still remember the little burden that he left in the marquis's mansion to roam free?

They called each other father and son, but it turned out that fate was like an inch-long broken wick, which burned to the end as soon as it was lit. Only he was still immersed in the dream of eternity.

Thinking of this, the entire palace seemed to have turned into a huge ice cellar, freezing him inside.

Seeing him suddenly stop, Gu Yun turned around and looked at him suspiciously.

Chang Geng was a little anxious for a moment and blurted out: "I also want to go to the border with you, I can join the army!"

Gu Yun thought to himself, "Stop messing around. It's so hard to dig you out and take you for a walk. Why are you joining the army?"

However, after half a year of adjustment, he had probably found some tricks to being an elder, so he did not criticize Chang Geng directly. He just smiled and said with exaggerated encouragement: "Okay, then you can join the army for me in the future, my little prince."

Chang Geng: “…”

Apparently, what Gu Yun found was the trick of how to be an elder to a four-year-old child, but he was ten years late.

Chang Geng's desperate attachment was calmly rejected by the other party, and he did not take it seriously at all.

The young man then quietly shut his mouth, no longer struggling in vain, and stared closely at Gu Yun's tall back, as if he was staring at a narrow door that he had to pass through throughout his life.

Emperor Long'an Li Feng is Chang Geng's nominal elder brother, but judging from their appearance, there is no sign of blood relationship between them. The emperor looks more like the late emperor.

This was Chang Geng's second time seeing him. Compared to the last time during the chaos and war, this time he could see him more clearly. The new emperor had just turned 30, which was the best age in a man's life. He had a handsome face. Even if he was not an emperor, judging from his face, he would not be in poverty throughout his life.

Chang Geng is very considerate, especially after arriving in the capital, he is good at observing people's words and expressions. Gu Yun mentioned it less, but Mr. Shen is not so taboo. He has many complaints about the emperor in private, which makes people easily associate him with a sarcastic and petty image, but he is not actually like that.

Before Gu Yun even entered the room, Emperor Long An had already ordered the eunuchs to fetch the brazier, saying, "I've already told them that the emperor's uncle will definitely come early. Come in and warm yourself up. I see you're cold."

It was actually not very polite for Emperor Longan to call him "imperial uncle", because Gu Yun's surname was not Li after all. The late emperor loved him privately back then, so it would have been fine if he just said that casually, but the emperor kept this intimate habit from his childhood.

He did not address Gu Yun as "I". His enthusiasm was mixed with a bit of casual intimacy. He did not treat him like a subject, but rather as if he were a family member.

"Little Chang Geng, come here too," Li Feng looked at Chang Geng and sighed, "This young man really changes every day. The last time I saw him, he was not this tall. I have just ascended the throne and I am always trembling with fear. I have been so busy these past few months that I have not taken care of you. Come here and let my brother take a good look at you."

Chang Geng had already prepared himself to be unwelcome, but he did not expect the emperor's "dislike" to be so subtle that he did not even notice it.

In this imperial city, all grudges and favors are hidden, and at first glance, everyone seems to be living in harmony and joy with each other.

Gu Yun and the emperor chatted casually for a while, occasionally reminiscing about their childhood, and Emperor Long An took out the "New Year's money" he had prepared for Chang Geng.

Chang Geng was a wild child who grew up in Yanhui Town. He had little contact with the ways of the world and had never seen much of the world. He only knew that "no merit, no reward". Listening to Zhu Xiaojiao's report one thing after another, he almost felt uneasy. He suspected that Gu Yun had picked him up and brought him into the palace early in the morning just to collect rent from the emperor!

Emperor Long An asked Chang Geng about his progress in studying and martial arts with a friendly look, and then said, "You are a descendant of my Li family. You must be diligent and improve your skills so that you can help your brother in the future. What do you want to do in the future?"

Chang Geng glanced at Gu Yun and said, "In the future, I would like to be the Marshal's personal guard, serve him and expand the territory for him."

Emperor Longan laughed loudly and seemed very pleased. He repeatedly praised Chang Geng for his ambition.

Gu Yun picked up the tea bowl and drank tea to moisten his throat. He didn't interrupt, but just smiled. His eyes were bulging with laughter, and he felt so warm.

"Who serves whom?" he thought helplessly.

He felt helpless, but at the same time he found it pleasing to his ears and felt so comfortable from his heart that even the bad luck he had just felt when he met the monk was swept away.

Emperor Long An said jokingly, "That's true, but the soldiers on the frontiers are suffering a lot. How could your adoptive father be willing to let you suffer that?"

Gu Yun knew that the emperor was trying to criticize him in a roundabout way, so he continued with great tact: "If I dare to bring the little prince to the battlefield, the emperor, as the elder brother, will not forgive me first."

Emperor Long An was satisfied and called Zhu Xiaojiao over. "The foreign Pope's envoy sent a large clock last time. It's bigger than the rockery in the Imperial Garden. It looks like a small building. Every half hour, puppets come out to perform songs and dances. It's very lively. Take Chang Geng to have a look. I will have a few more words with the Emperor's uncle."

Chang Geng knew that they had important matters to discuss, so he immediately followed Zhu Xiaojiao.

Zhu Xiaojiao was very attentive to the well-educated Fourth Prince with a complicated background, and led him all the way to the warm room.

The "warm room" is a semi-enclosed garden, covered with bizarre glazed bricks on the outside. Steam braziers are installed in the ventilated areas. It is spring-like all year round and full of flowers.

The large clock that Emperor Longan mentioned was placed right in the middle, like a Western scene breaking into the mountain scenery.

Chang Geng was impressed by the exquisite workmanship of the foreigners, but like most people in the Central Plains, he could not appreciate those colorful paintings. After the novelty wore off, he quickly lost interest and his eyes fell on a corner of the warm room - there was a person there, it was the monk Liaoran whom he had just met on the road.

Liao Ran couldn't speak, so he gestured a few times. The young monk beside him immediately stepped forward to greet him and said, "Your Highness, Master Zhu, my master and I have been blessed by the Emperor to stay in the Imperial Garden and enjoy the scenery. On the way, we met the King of Wei. Master went to talk to the King of Wei. We are waiting for him here. I hope we didn't spoil Your Highness's fun."

Chang Geng said politely, "Excuse me, Master."

Liao Ran made a few more gestures. No matter what he did, he had an air of flowing water, and people didn't feel the mute monk was awkward at all. The young monk explained, "The master uncle said that he felt like he got along well with the fourth prince when he saw him. He asked you to go to Huguo Temple and sit for a while if you have time in the future. He will serve you good tea."

Chang Geng said politely, "Of course."

Monk Liaoran extended his hand to Chang Geng. Chang Geng didn't understand what was going on, so he hesitated for a moment and then handed over his hand.

Liao Ran then wrote on his palm: "Your Highness, do you believe in Buddha?"

Chang Geng didn't hate monks like Gu Yun did. The otherworldly and pure temperament of these monks made him feel good about them at first sight.

But he also has no faith, because he has no concept and no understanding, so there is no question of belief or disbelief.

Chang Geng didn't want to offend Ran in person, so he just smiled.

He immediately understood, and instead of taking it as an offense, he smiled a little and wrote on Chang Geng's palm, word by word: "I don't know the hardship, I don't believe in gods and Buddhas, I am lucky, great kindness."

Chang Geng was stunned. The young man met the mute monk's all-encompassing eyes and suddenly felt that the deep-seated illness in his heart was seen through by the other party at a glance. For a moment, Wuergu, Xiuniang, his background that was difficult to distinguish between true and false, and his unspeakable delusions all flowed through his mind like flowing water, and were pierced by the eight words "I don't know the suffering, I don't believe in gods and Buddhas".

Liaoran bowed to him eleven times and was about to leave.

Chang Geng suddenly called him: "Master, I will visit you at Huguo Temple in the future."

Liaoran smiled and floated away with his little monk.

At this moment, the sound of the big clock in the warm room struck the time, and cheerful music rang out. Chang Geng suddenly turned around and saw that the twelve small doors of the clock had opened, and twelve tiny wooden puppets came out. Some were playing the violin, some were dancing, and some were singing loudly. After they sang a song happily, they bowed and turned back into the small door.

The excitement has settled.

After this day, Gu Yun started to go out earlier and come back later than before - Emperor Long An meant to send him to represent Daliang to sign a trade treaty with the envoy of the Western Pope. Now a market has been opened on the border of the Western Region. If all goes well, the trade route will be opened up a little more.

As a result, he had to prepare to set off immediately. Gu Yun had to run back and forth between the capital and the Northern Camp several times a day. Before leaving, he had to settle matters with the Ministry of Revenue and keep a close eye on the amount of purple gold allocated to the army this year. He was very busy.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Gu Yun and Shen Yi returned home late as usual. They had already booked to leave Beijing the next day. They had some things to discuss, so they returned to the Marquis' Mansion together.

Shen Yi: "Why did the emperor give us the Galai Yinghuo to escort? Aren't you afraid that we will secretly kill the barbarian prince on the way?"

Gu Yun smiled bitterly and said, "The emperor rejected my memorial to increase the purple gold quota this year, saying that Lingshuyuan has stolen a new puppet machine from the foreigners, which can farm for people. It is so magical that the yield per mu can be increased by half. This year, it is planned to be promoted in Jiangnan first. The purple gold has one more source, and it is really hard to tell. What can I say? Can the Black Iron Camp still compete with the people for profits? The emperor also said that the Black Iron Camp is a weapon of the country, and no one can be short of us, so the 10% annual tribute added by the barbarians was allocated to us. Do you think I dare to touch the barbarian prince?"

Emperor Longan's meaning was very clear - if Prince Jialai loses a hair, the iron monsters in the Black Iron Camp will not have to burn purple gold, and you, Gu Yun, will have to push it on yourself.

Shen Yi thought about it and was speechless, so he could only laugh out of anger.

The two of them passed the iron puppet guarding the Marquis' Mansion, and Shen Yi asked, "By the way, have you told the Fourth Prince that you will be leaving Beijing tomorrow?"

Gu Yun touched his nose.

Shen Yi: "What?"

Gu Yun lowered his voice and whispered in his ear: "I told him that I will accompany the emperor to Xiangshan and will not come back to stay tomorrow night. If you see him later, remember not to expose me."

Shen Yi was silent for a moment, then said with emotion: "... Marshal, you are really brave!"

Gu Yun was also distressed. Ever since he accidentally revealed that he might have to go back to the border, Chang Geng had become abnormal. He used to practice martial arts diligently, but now he practiced it to his death. He injured his wrist the day before and it was swollen like a steamed bun. In the afternoon, he went archery without any care, and the master who taught him martial arts was so scared that he came to Gu Yun every day to apologize.

Gu Yun felt that Chang Geng was a little too clingy to him. Are other people’s fathers and sons also so mushy?

The cotton-padded jacket was too tight-fitting and made him sweat profusely. It was really a burden to iron.

The two walked into the marquis's mansion side by side. As soon as they entered the door, they found that at this time, the mansion was brightly lit and no one was asleep.

A little girl dressed in colorful clothes rushed out like a firecracker and turned around to shout, "Brother, brother, the Marquis is back!"

Gu Yun thought blankly: "When did the Marquis' Mansion have a girl? Could it be that the big willow tree at the door has become a spirit?"

Looking more closely, the "little girl" turned out to be Madam Cao. She had dressed herself up as a young lady, a young lady who was preparing to celebrate the New Year happily.

Gu Yun wondered, "What are you doing?"

"Brother Chang Geng said that today is the Marquis' birthday, and he specifically asked everyone to wait for you to come back." Madam Cao said, "General Shen is here too, so it's a good opportunity for us to have noodles together."

Shen Yi agreed immediately after hearing this: "Okay, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early!"

After saying that, he looked at Gu Yun meaningfully, and cleverly conveyed his meaning with his eyes - you liar, do you feel guilty?