C193

"Your highness, your highness." Ouyang Xiu, who was waiting in the distance, saw the two coming out and hurriedly greeted them, "How was it?" There was even some snow on his official uniform. It was obvious that some of it had fallen off when he stood under the tree.

A smile appeared at the corner of Duke Huan's eyes. With a smile that was not a smile and a hint of ill intentions, he said, "Official Ouyang, you've waited here for a long time. Thank you for your hard work."

Ouyang Xiu was startled. He could only helplessly smile and say, "Your highness is joking. It is only right for me to wait for a while."

Prince Huan said, "Every amnesty is exactly the Ministry of Justice's busiest period. I'll send someone to inform Official Ouyang of this matter. Your excellency, you don't have to wait in person."

Ouyang Xiu said, "It's a big deal, it's good to know as early as possible."

Prince Huan sighed, "Imperial Brother is still a bit hesitant, so we don't dare to say anything more to persuade him."

Ouyang Xiu had also expected this outcome. He smiled bitterly and said, "I've troubled Your Highness and Your Highness. Your Majesty's will is not something that can be changed in a short period of time."

Zhao Shu said, "You are too polite, Master. If it is within your capabilities, how can I trouble you? As for the amnesty, I also felt that it was inappropriate, but it was inconvenient for me to report it to royal father. Now that I think about it, I am unable to help you in any way. I have yet to say anything to sire that makes me feel guilty, but sire instead said something about being vexed? "

Ouyang Xiu bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am deeply grateful for your righteousness."

Duke Huan laughed and said, "Actually, Official Ouyang need not be so worried. Although royal brother did not answer, at least he was slightly shaken. I've already told Nine about this matter. I know that when Seven Kills has free time, Seven Kills will also be able to help. "I think it would be a bit easier to convince Nine, and then we can also convince Royal Brother together."

Ouyang Xiu muttered, "I'm afraid it won't be easy for Ninth Marquis to convince me."

On the other hand, Duke Huan didn't seem to be worried at all, "Both of you, let's not talk about Ninth Brother. As long as we can meet Mo'er, it won't be difficult for him to persuade Imperial Brother."

Ouyang Xiu was slightly startled. "Is the prince willing?" After staying in the Qilin Pavilion for so many years, he was well aware of Zhao Qingyan's personality. Now was also a time of great trouble and sickness. How could he be willing to interfere in such trouble?

Duke Huan shrugged his shoulders, "Mo'er understands, and should agree. It was obviously easier to convince him than to convince Nine. Compared to you and me, his royal brother also listens to him more. "

Zhao Shu's eyes dimmed slightly, but he quickly retracted them and listened quietly. He did not interrupt.

Ouyang Xiu pondered for a moment. He nodded and said, "This is the only solution. I'll have to trouble you, your highness."

King Huan smiled nonchalantly. "It's alright, Official Ouyang is courteous." Looking at the sunlight above his head, he cupped his hands in salute and said, "Then I shall go see my royal sister-in-law first. If there is any progress, I will inform my lord as soon as possible."

Ouyang Xiu replied respectfully, "This lowly official is waiting for you."

Duke Huan smiled slightly, "You don't have to be too worried. This is the duty of the Ministry of Justice, and it is also the duty of the imperial household. I am not at all easier than you. Even if the result is even worse, I'll still get half, right? "

Ouyang Xiu nodded, "Your Highness is right, this official is too nervous." Watching the prince who had worked together for so many years leave, the helpless smile on his face did not disappear, "I hope everything goes well."

— —

A dense fog rose, making the entire pool seem unreal.

Natural boulders had been cut out of the pond water, digging out the hot springs that were originally hidden underground and channeling them in. Leaning against the rock wall, one side was surrounded by bamboo forests. The warm water vapor melted away a large amount of snow, but when looking into the distance, one could still see the snow-white color between the rock walls and between the gaps of the bamboo forests.

The black rocks were clearly angled, the jade-green bamboo was smooth and tall, the snow in the early winter was clean and cold, and the misty fog was as misty as an immortal.

Such a place could be called a "paradise on earth".

He wiped his wet hair behind his ears and let go of his hands. As he looked at his black hair drifting about in the water, Zhao Qingyan suddenly let out a sneer.

The tip of his charred hair had been cut off by nearly two inches. It was unknown when it would grow back to its original length. The unfamiliar length reminded him that there had indeed been a great fire before.

He sat up straighter against the pool, one leg curled up to look at his knees above the water, his lowered eyes dark.

The pink wounds on her fair skin had turned white from the blistering water. The speed at which she was recovering was terrifyingly fast. The charred color, the sickening smell, the ugly scars, were all gone now.

"You know barbecue on an iron plate, right? "Even if you put the meat on a hot metal plate, the finished taste would still be pretty good."

Zhao Qingyan looked up with a wry smile on his lips, "I roasted it for more than two hours …" Weren't they supposed to be confused? Without any salt, the smell must be extremely unpleasant. "

In fact, it was sticky, but it had grown a new kind of flesh.

"Is he even human?" Zhao Qingyan's mutterings were a little desperate, a little helpless, and a little self-deprecating.

"It's just that the healing speed is a bit faster." Ran Hao silently walked out and handed over a bowl of medicine.

Zhao Qingyan smiled helplessly as he received the medicine bowl. "Ear is indeed good." He tried the temperature, which was slightly higher than usual, but it was acceptable.

Ran Hao took back the empty bowl and said, "The Crown Prince, Prince Huan, Young Master Xu, and Little Princess are here."

Zhao Qingyan was stunned. "Xu and Xun'er? "Why did Uncle Thirteen bring them along?" He coughed a few times. The hot air had made his cheeks lose some of the color of blood. A trace of pain flashed through his eyes.

Ran Hao saw that he was coughing continuously, and pointed to some acupuncture points behind him. After the coughing stopped, he asked with concern: "Is young master okay?"

Zhao Qingyan looked at the veins on the back of his hand. After a while, he put his hand in the water and said, "It's alright."

Ran Hao pursed his lips and asked: "Young master, do you still want to see them?"

After a moment of silence, Zhao Qingyan nodded his head and said, "Go and invite them to the study room." Seeing that he didn't move, he added, "I'll go change my clothes."

Ran Hao said, "I've already brought them to the study room."

Zhao Qingyan smiled at him, "Are you sure I'll meet with them?"

Ran Hao said, "Young master should not let Young Master Xu and the little princess come here for nothing."

Zhao Qingyan sighed, "You guys just took advantage of me." He held the warm water to his face and washed it. He closed his eyes and made his final decision.

— —

"Thirteenth Uncle, Royal Brother." Zhao Qingyan was pushed into the study room and greeted with a smile.

Seeing him, the four of them were stunned. Zhao Duo's face instantly paled. "Brother Mo, you …"

It had only been half a month, and Zhao Qingyan was visibly skinnier. The clothes that fit him had become loose, and the simple bun and overly plain clothes made his slightly sunken face appear even more ridiculously thin. Even his dark eyes had dimmed somewhat.

Zhao Duo, who had originally wanted to leap into his arms, stopped in his tracks and looked at him blankly. "Brother Mo …"

Zhao Qingyan touched his face, "Is there really a need for that? Is it that ugly? "

Zhao Chong shook his head repeatedly. "Brother Mo is not ugly. When has he ever been?"

Zhao Qingyan extended his hand to scratch her nose and asked with a smile, "Why did you think of coming to see me? It's so cold. " Seeing Ran Hao waiting at the side, he shook his head slightly and pulled his cloak tighter. Ran Hao took a step back and stood still.

Zhao Rui pouted, "I missed you. You've been gone for so long, and you're not coming back to see me. Can't you let me come?"

Zhao Qingyan said, "I forgot. I'm sorry. I'll pay more attention in the future."

Zhao Rui thought about it, then said, "No need, I have spoken with Big Brother. He will bring me here often. "Take good care of yourself. I'll come over when I think of you."

Zhao Qingyan hesitated. "Won't this be troublesome for Imperial Brother?"

Zhao Shu smiled. "I'm not afraid to come a few more times, but I'm afraid that you won't let me in."

Zhao Qingyan smiled embarrassedly, "It's not that I want to avoid you guys, it's just that …" He spread out his hands, indicating that he was powerless against his own body.

Zhao Xu's face was full of worry. "Seventh Uncle, you've lost a lot of weight."

Zhao Qingyan said, "I accidentally fell asleep a few days ago due to the cold, but I'm fine now."

Duke Huan raised his eyebrows, "You weren't careful? "I think it's quite possible that you did it on purpose — it's not the first or second time you've done this, is it?"

Zhao Shu nodded in agreement. "Brother Mo has always disliked sleeping in a good bed. For steps, treetops, roofs, snow …" There's always love in places like that. "

Zhao Qingyan explained in a low voice, "It's not like I'm sleeping in the snow."

Zhao Shu said, "Once, when the snow was falling heavily and covered with a cloak, even people were dug out of the snow. Isn't it sleeping in the snow?"

Zhao Qingyan looked innocent: "When did it happen? "How come I don't remember?"

Prince Huan said with an indifferent expression, "Seven years old. He said that the nightmares were scary and he couldn't sleep in the house. He lied down in the yard in the middle of the night and slept without telling the maid. And then I got so sick I almost lost my life. "

Zhao Qingyan turned to look at Ran Hao: "Is this true?"

Ran Hao remained silent for a while and said, "When young master was seven years old, I should not have come to the mansion yet."

Zhao Qingyan thought for a while and said with a tinge of regret, "That seems to be the case."

Prince Huan said, "It's just that you have some power. If you keep looking at yourself, you won't be able to hide it at all."

Zhao Qingyan smiled and did not try to explain. Instead, he asked about something else. "Has Uncle Thirteen come to see me for anything else?"

Duke Huan shrugged his shoulders. "If there's a public or private matter, which one do you care about?"

Zhao Qingyan said, "I'm more concerned about 'official matters', but I'm afraid I'm unable to help."

Duke Huan sighed lightly, "I'm afraid you're the only one who can advise me on this matter."

Zhao Shu signaled the two with her eyes, and Zhao Xu stood up. "The snow has stopped outside. The room is stuffy. I want to go for a walk outside."

Zhao Rui pouted. He was reluctant to part with Zhao Qingyan, but he still said, "I'll go out and take a look as well. Call me when you're done."

Zhao Qingyan couldn't help but laugh as she pinched both of her cheeks, "A few days ago, the plum blossoms bloomed, and snow fell a few days ago. I wonder if it will blossom. Let Hao accompany you to break some plum blossoms, and it'll be about time for you to come back. "

Zhao Rui sniffed and blinked his eyes, "Brother Mo, what's that smell on you? Why don't you use the incense from before? "

Zhao Qingyan was slightly startled. She took the opportunity to sniff the air, and a cold light flashed in her eyes before disappearing. "I can't see you even if I stayed in the bamboo garden. The incense was to cover the smell of my medicine, so I forgot to smoke."

Zhao Duo's eyes sparkled. "Smell this well. Is it the smell of spices?"

Zhao Qingyan did not know how to respond. Suddenly, Ran Hao opened his mouth and said, "A few days ago when I was tidying Young Master's clothes, I knocked over an incense burner. Maybe I spilled some of it, but it didn't clean properly afterwards."

"What kind of recipe is that?" asked Zhao Chuan. This smell is really good. "

Zhao Qingyan said, "My censer always has something to do with peace of mind. It will be bad for the body if I smell it for a long time. "I'll try out the formula for this spice later. If I can take away those medicinal ingredients that will not affect the taste, how about I send the formula to you?"

Zhao Zhuang happily agreed. "Then I'll go see the peach blossoms. Brother Mo, let's chat."

Zhao Qingyan looked at Ran Hao: "Although I removed the mechanism, there might be some survivors. You better watch out, don't hurt them."

Ran Hao nodded: "I know, don't worry Young Master."

"What's going on? Your scent shouldn't be spice, right? " After they left, Prince Huan took a sip of tea and asked leisurely.

Zhao Qingyan straightened his sleeves. "It's not like it's a big deal. Thirteenth Uncle, you don't have to worry too much about it."

"Hm." Prince Huan's eyes lit up as he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "This tea has a flowery fragrance to it. It tastes really good."

Zhao Shu raised his teacup and took a sip as well. He nodded slightly. "Not bad. There are indeed a few hints of the fragrance of flowers, similar to the bitterness. The fragrance of flowers remains on the lips and teeth."

Prince Huan pondered for a moment. "Did you take the dew from the plum flower petals to soak in?"

Zhao Qingyan said, "I think so. I've been bedridden for the past few days, but I used to have Hao collect a few cans in the early days of the snow. "

A look of pity appeared on Duke Huan's face, "Hao, with this kind of martial arts, you're really an errand boy."

Zhao Qingyan felt somewhat helpless. "Thirteenth Uncle wouldn't come here just to drink tea and discuss Hao Yun with me, right?"

Only after he reminded them of the reason for their visit, did Prince Huan remember. "What do you think, Imperial Brother's plan is to strengthen the scale of this amnesty?"

Zhao Qingyan thought for a while and said, "I don't think it is wise at this moment."

Duke Huan was not surprised. He looked at Zhao Ling and said, "Ouyang Xiu has already written a proclamation explaining the pros and cons. I ask royal brother to dispel this thought, but royal brother still insists. We had a chat with him yesterday, but nothing came of it. "

A trace of surprise flashed across Zhao Qingyan's eyes. "Imperial Uncle has always been a wise man in handling political affairs. Such a clear mistake should not be something that he can't figure out."

Duke Huan frowned, "I am also extremely puzzled about this. The locust plague had just passed, and although the treasury was not empty, it did not have too much of a surplus, making it one of them. As a famous force in the martial arts world, the marquis' manor had been destroyed. The people of the martial arts world were in a state of panic, and there were also dark waves surging in the martial arts world. It would undoubtedly add another disaster to the Central Plains if some outlaws were to be released. "And …"

Zhao Qingyan tapped the armrest of his wheelchair a few times. "The real culprit of the destruction of the Manchu Mansion has yet to appear. The insults and provocations received by the Qi Mansion are aimed at the imperial court's face." At a time like this, expanding the scope of a pardon would cause suspicion to arise in the hearts of those who wanted to do so. In addition, there is only a month left until the day of the amnesty, and I'm afraid there will be a lot of inconvenience in hastily issuing the edict.

Prince Huan said, "I hope that you can advise him."

Zhao Qingyan asked, "Thirteenth Uncle thinks that Uncle Huang will listen to me?"

Duke Huan was stunned. "That's right."

Zhao Qingyan smiled. Something indistinct appeared in the depths of his dark pupils. "I think that will never happen again."