Early the next morning, a guard from the Warrior Battalion came on horseback, hurriedly passed through the city gate, stopped at the gate of the East Palace, dismounted from his horse, and walked quickly inside.

The man sent a letter, which was sent by Qixin who was in Yangzhou.

"Lord Qixin asked his subordinates to speak to His Highness. At present, they have not received any reply, and no one has gone to Yangzhou Mansion to pick up Zhang's mother."

Gu Changjin nodded lightly: "How is Shen Zhi?"

" Still refusing to speak, Mrs. Hou has already found those letters and account books, and will soon open an ancestral hall to expel Shen Zhi from the Shen family. "

With Qixin and Zhuiyun here, there won't be any surprises on Shen Yizhen's side.

Gu Changjin originally wanted to use Zhang's mother and Shen Zhi to lure out Xiao Fu, but it was a pity that he had not heard any news until now.

Just don't be in a hurry, Xiao Fu will come looking for him sooner or later.

"Go and reply to Qixin, asking him to protect Madam Hou's safety."

After just a few words of instructions, an internal servant came in and said to Gu Changjin: "Your Highness, it's time to go to work diligently. Let's go to the palace."

Gu Changjin said lightly, put on his big cloak and went to the palace.

Last night, a message was sent to the palace asking him to enter the palace early this morning.

At present, the Tatars are organizing their army to invade the northern prefectures, and there are refugees in the Diangui areas in the south causing trouble.

Emperor Jiayou declared him to be in the palace and asked him to cooperate with the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Households and the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion to solve the urgent needs of the northern and southern borders.

Gu Changjin stayed in the Qinzheng Palace for more than two hours. When he came out of the Qinzheng Palace, it was almost noon. Emperor Jiayou left him to have a meal in the Qianqing Palace, and also sent for the Crown Prince Huai'an.

Xiao Huaian will be eleven years old now. When Gu Changjin recognized his ancestor and returned to the clan, the two of them had already met in the Ancestral Temple. For Xiao Huaian, today is the second time to see Gu Changjin.

Not only for Gu Changjin.

Gu Changjin once dreamed of him, and that time he learned from the little eunuch next to Xiao Huaian how to carve ice sculptures out of stone pieces.

Xiao Huaian, like the young boy in the dream, was very taciturn.

Emperor Jiayou watched him grow up. Emperor Jiayou called him here, naturally hoping that he could get closer to the prince, so that even if he was gone in the future, there would still be someone who could continue to take care of Xiao Huaian.

It's a pity that Xiao Huai'an is too defensive and can't be considered alienated from Gu Changjin, but he can't be called close either.

After the meal, Emperor Jiayou looked tired and waved his hand, asking Wang Dehai to send the two of them out of Qianqing Palace.

The two young eunuchs serving Xiao Huaian came over with umbrellas and put thick cloaks on Xiao Huaian.

Gu Changjin recognized one of them as the eunuch who taught him how to carve ice sculptures in his previous life.

He took a step forward and asked, "What's your name?" He asked so hastily that the young eunuch's shoulders shook in shock. towering. He hurriedly lowered his waist even lower, and in a low voice he respectfully replied: "To answer His Highness the Crown Prince, my servant's name is Chao En."

Xiao Huaian, who was usually taciturn, subconsciously took a step closer to Chao An, raised his eyes and looked at her intently. Gu Changjin.

As if he would protect the people below him.

Gu Changjin raised the corners of his lips slightly and said, "Do you want to go out to play in the snow with Gu?"

As soon as he said this, Xiao Huaian's eyes widened, and there was unconcealable surprise in his black and white eyes.

Just as he was hesitating, the young eunuch who called Chao'an had already stepped forward and whispered in his ear: "Didn't Your Majesty ask your servant to carve an ice fox for you two days ago? Since your homework in the Wenhua Palace today is... It's already done, so just listen to His Highness and go play in the snow outside. My servant will not only carve an ice fox for you, but also an ice tiger."

Chao'an certainly had his own selfish motives for saying this.

The emperor values ​​the prince, and the ministers in the court also support him very much. Even the members of the Xing family who used to support the eldest prince began to switch sides and support the prince. It can be seen that the situation in the palace has become clear, and His Royal Highness will definitely be able to achieve great success in the future.

If the Crown Prince has a good relationship with His Royal Highness, he will naturally receive more care in the future.

Isn't this what the emperor had in mind when he asked the prince to come to Qianqing Palace for dinner today?

Now His Highness the Crown Prince is willing to lower his dignity and get close to the Crown Prince, which is really an unexpected joy.

What Chao'an didn't know was that what Gu Changjin wanted to take out of the palace was not for Xiao Huaian, but for him.

Wang Dehai had just returned to Qianqing Palace, and before he went in to report back to Emperor Jiayou, he saw the little eunuch below quickly whispering in his ear: "Godfather, His Highness the Crown Prince wants to take Prince Huai'an out for a walk, let his son come I have a message for you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dehai knew that Gu Changjin wanted him to send a message to Emperor Jiayou, and hurriedly opened the curtain and entered the inner room.

Emperor Jiayou was a little surprised after hearing what he said. He thought that Gu Changjin wanted to take Xiao Huaian to the East Palace to teach him. Without much thought, he smiled and said: "Let them go, let the two brothers cultivate their relationship."

With Emperor Jiayou's approval, Gu Changjin took Xiao Huaian and the young eunuch named Chaoan out of the palace.

The carriage drove along the official road, leaving two long wheel marks in the snow.

Xiao Huaian looked at the east palace that was gradually going away, and asked curiously: "Brother Prince, where are we going?"

Gu Changjin glanced at him. The young boy's clear black and white eyes were less sophisticated and more youthful. Qi gradually coincided with the Prince Huai'an he saw in his dream.

"Go to the suburbs. There is an old plum grove in the suburbs, and the plum blossoms there are about to bloom."

The old plum grove outside Minglu Yuan has indeed sprouted flowers, and they are crowded and lively on the branches. Looking at it from a distance, I couldn't tell whether it was snow or flowers.

Rong Shu was fiddling with abacus beads in the yard. Yingque came over with a happy face and said, "Girl, your Royal Highness is here. The carriage is parked outside right now."

Rong Shu paused, frowned and said, "Why is he here? "Yes?"

Yingque said, "I heard that we are going to take Prince Huai'an out for a walk in the snow."

Everyone has arrived at their own territory. As a master, I have to say hello no matter what. Furthermore, Gu Changjin has been silently helping her with the matters between the Rong family and the Shen family. She should treat them both emotionally and rationally.

Thinking of this, Rong Shu didn't hesitate, changed his clothes and went out to the yard.

As soon as Gu Changjin passed the screen wall, he saw her walking through the snow holding a copper stove.

The young lady wore a smoky purple grape braided cross-collar bodice, a soft silver light lily skirt, and a purple cloak, which made the frost and snow behind her look very eye-catching.

Gu Changjin has not seen her for several days.

He paused his feet and stood there quietly, looking at her for a moment.

Rong Shufu saluted, "I have met your two highnesses."

Gu Changjin said: "No need to be polite."

Xiao Huaian on the side raised his eyes and looked at Rong Shu without any trace. Even though he didn't know who the woman in front of him was, he guessed that the prince's trip was for her.

As expected, he heard the tall man next to him say warmly: "Bring someone to carve some gadgets for you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huaian understood further. It turned out that the prince was bringing Chao'an out, and he was just taking him along.

The young boy lowered his eyelashes and was not angry at all. He was also happy to be able to leave the palace.

He has not left the palace for a long time.

There is a natural lake in the old plum forest in Minglu Courtyard, and now the lake is covered with thick ice. Chang Ji led people to cut ice in the lake, while Yingyue and Yingque led people to light a stove and warm wine in the bamboo pavilion in the old plum forest.

Everyone was busy for a while, and Chang Ji carried Bing over.

Chao'an now also knew Gu Changjin's intention of bringing him here. He took out a very thin piece of stone from his waist, picked up a fist-sized piece of ice and started carving it conscientiously.

While he was busy, a deep voice suddenly came from beside him: "Give me a piece of stone."

Chao'an was stunned, how could His Highness the Prince want this?

He did not dare to delay, and hurriedly handed over the stone tablet in his hand, and then his eyes slowly widened.

Then I saw Gu Changjin skillfully drawing out a pair of eyes that could not be closed on a piece of ice, and then drooping ears, curled up into a cotton ball-like body, and a slender tail...

After a while, a curled up The cat resting on the ground lay quietly in Gu Changjin's palm. The cat was so lifelike and vivid that it stunned everyone around him.

Chao'an was most puzzled. He learned this craft from the same old eunuch when he was a child. Where did His Highness the Prince learn it? How come this carver seemed to be from the same school as him?

After Gu Changjin finished carving, he put away the stone pieces and walked to the bamboo pavilion.

Rong Shu was making wine in the bamboo pavilion. Gu Changjin knew from the first smell that she was making plum blossom wine. The aroma of plum blossom wine lingered in the wind, with a bit of sweetness.

He walked towards her and said to Rong Shu: "Open your hand."

Rong Shu didn't know why, but he still put down the wine cup and opened his hand. The next moment, he felt a coldness in his palm, and there was an ice sculpture of a cat carved in pink and jade. fell into her hands.

She scalded the hand with wine, and her hand was warmed by the hot mist. When she put the ice sculpture in her palm, it immediately melted with a thin layer of water.

Rong Shu hurriedly said: "Gu Changjin, you know how to melt."

Gu Changjin raised his eyes and looked at her, and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, melt it and then carve it."

After saying that, he picked a bigger ice ball, which was very Sitting leisurely on the wooden steps of the bamboo pavilion. The wooden steps had just been swept with snow by a maid, and they were very clean. However, the cloak on his body was stained with a lot of snow foam.

Rong Shu lowered his eyes and looked at the cat, feeling very familiar for a moment.

After a while, she remembered that in her previous life, it was also the winter of this year. Chang Ji gave her such an ice sculpture of a cat, saying that it was sent by the people of Wutong Lane.

She liked the cat so much that she was afraid that the cat would melt, so she asked someone to make a small wooden cage hanging under the plane tree and put the cat in. Once she opened the window, she could see the ice sculpture of the cat living inside.

That day Gu Changjin came back from the Metropolitan Procuratorate and stood by the window looking at the small wooden cage for a long time.

The next day, Changji sent another bird, a fawn and a chubby Shiba Inu. Although the small wooden cage was large, it could not hold more and more small ice sculptures, which occupied the space inside bit by bit. In the end, Two more small wooden cages were added.

Three small wooden cages are hung in an orderly manner, with thin lights wrapped around the outside. When night falls, the small ice sculptures there seem to glow, which is really beautiful.

Rong Shu kept asking Chang Ji to find out who the enthusiastic neighbor sent it, and wanted to return some thank you gifts.

Chang Ji's mouth was like a clam, and he always said that he didn't find out.

Now I see that the stone pieces are almost carved into flowers in Gu Changjin's hands. Why don't I understand?

Isn't that enthusiastic neighbor a man who is far away but very close at hand?

Rong Shu looked at the man's clear and deep profile, feeling that the ice water in his palm was both cold and hot at the same time.

A charcoal basin was placed in the bamboo pavilion, and the cat in his hand melted faster. Snow dripped from the fingers and fell to the ground with a "plop" and "plop".

After a while, the lazy cat completely disappeared in her palm.

Rong Shu took the handkerchief, dried his hands and continued to warm the wine.

It was time for dinner soon. Yingyue and the others set up two large copper stoves on the bamboo table. The milky white soup was boiling in the copper stoves, bubbling "gulu" and "gulu".

Rong Shu gathered up his cloak, took out a lying rabbit from one side and left the bamboo pavilion.

Xiao Huaian squatted on the ground, staring intently at Chao'an's hand.

Suddenly, his eyesight dimmed, and when he raised his eyes, he saw a pair of smiling peach blossom eyes, and was slightly startled.

"Your Highness, please put this on, so that your ears won't get cold."

Xiao Huaian stared at the fluffy lying rabbit in Rong Shu's hand, thought for a moment, stood up and took it, and said thank you seriously.

Rong Shu saw that the boy was still young but insisted on pretending to be mature. He couldn't help but smile and said, "His Royal Highness, do you like these little ice sculptures?"

Xiao Huaian said "yes", he was not a talkative person. Regarding temperament, usually in the palace, Emperor Jiayou and Empress Qi would ask questions and he would answer.

He is even less talkative to people he doesn't know well. For example, during this trip, he only spoke four sentences to His Highness the Crown Prince.

I don't know why, but after saying "yes", he couldn't help but add another sentence: "It's inconvenient to raise pets in the palace, so Chao'an came up with this method to carve some small animals for me."

In one sentence, This will let people know how cautious this child lived in the palace.

I don't dare to keep pets because I'm afraid that I'll offend the nobles in the harem, and I'm also afraid that they'll be used to bridge the river.

Rong Shu looked at the young boy's clean and handsome eyebrows, smiled, and said: "Your Highness put these ice sculptures in wooden cages, put some lights outside, and hung them under the eaves at night. They are beautiful and lively."

The young lady's voice Her gentleness and softness, the smile between her brows and eyes, make you feel like a spring breeze, and you can't help but want to get close to her.

Xiao Huaian said "hmm" and put the lying rabbit on his head that Rong Shu had just handed over.

This lying rabbit is embroidered with a soft and cute tiger cub, which makes him look a little more innocent and childlike when he wears it on his head.

The two talked for a while, and Rong Shu stood up and wanted to go back to the bamboo pavilion. Unexpectedly, when he raised his eyes, he met a pair of dark eyes.

Gu Changjin didn't know when he stopped what he was doing. He was leaning on the pavilion pillar and looking at her intently.

Rong Shu looked at his feet, and there were already five or six naive little animals on top, including cats, dogs, deers, and a big tail sweeper.

"Is there a wooden cage?" he suddenly said.

Before Rong Shu could say anything, Chang Ji, who came out of nowhere, immediately took over the words and said, "Yes, I'll go get it right away."

Several small wooden cages were sent over after a while, and Gu Changjin will The little ice sculpture was put into the wooden cage and said to her: "Where can I hang it?"

As she said this, she glanced to one side and vaguely remembered that the wing she lived in was facing the old plum forest.

So he raised his chin and asked again: "The plum tree over there?"

After a pause, he continued: "You take me there? It's not good to get lost."

When has he ever been lost?

Rong Shu opened his lips, hesitated for a few breaths, but didn't say anything. He picked up a hand stove and led him over.

The two walked side by side, and after walking in silence for a while, Rong Shu pointed to an old plum tree at the outermost part of the plum forest and said, "That's it."

Gu Changjin hung up the wooden cage and raised his hand gently. , the wooden cage shook slightly, and the little ice sculptures inside rushed to the cage door.

Across the fence-like cage door, several naive little ice sculptures were looking at the two of them silently with their big clear eyes, full of wild interest.

Rong Shu pursed his lips into a smile.

The small wooden cage above the head was shaking, and tiny pieces of fragrant snow fell from the branches.

Gu Changjin stood under the old plum tree covered with white snow and asked in a low voice: "Rong Zhaozhao, are you still sad?"

Rong Shu was startled.

"If it weren't for you, the Rong family would have been in prison. I'm willing to give them time to make a choice, but it's just for your sake." Gu Changjin said slowly: "You don't I owe them."

Rong Shu naturally knew that she didn't owe the Rong family anything. Just as she said to Rong Xun, she had repaid her kindness.

Just thinking about my brother, my third sister, Sanlang and Shilang, I can't help but feel dull in my heart.

For the past two days, she locked herself in Mingluyuan and kept reading the account books and taking care of her mother's shop in Shangjing, just because she didn't want to think about it.

She concealed it so well that even Yingyue Yingque, who had served her since she was a child, couldn't see the slightest clue, let alone Chang Ji and Luo Yan.

How did Gu Changjin know?

Obviously he is far away in Beijing.

It was obviously a time when he was involved in government affairs.

Did he take the trouble to make such a trip just to carve some small ice sculptures for her and hang them under the tree to make her laugh?

The cold and hot feeling in the palm of my hand came over me again.

She suppressed the thought of her past life, the wooden cage that hung under the sycamore tree in winter and was shaken by the wind and snow, and how many things he had silently learned and done for her behind her back. .

He probably knew what she was thinking, so he didn't mention it and just did it silently.

Rong Shu raised his eyes slightly, looked at the wooden cage under the old plum tree, and said softly: "Your Highness has many things to do, so there is no need to waste time coming to Minglu Courtyard to do this."

She breathed out softly, "I have nothing to do. I will be there in two days. " I'll be fine."

He just took a small step forward, and her address to him immediately changed from "Gu Changjin" to the polite "Your Highness."

Obviously, she knew that he was Gu Changjin, just Gu Changjin.

Lifting his Adam's apple, the man under the tree stretched out his knuckled hand, pushed the wooden cage, and said warmly: "Because I will do something to make you angry soon, so now I have to do more to make you happy. It's like this -"

He looked at her, raised the corners of his lips, and said slowly: "When Rong Zhaozhao is angry, he can think of my good fortune, and his anger will disappear faster."