C200

"Big brother, I have one last question to ask you." Wen Ling, who was standing inside the door, said this as she watched her brother walk out.

Wen Wan turned around, gesturing for her to say, "Go ahead and ask."

Wen Ling looked at him with an unusually serious expression. "Giving up a dream, is it really not going to hurt? Is what you said in front of that martial artist true? "

Wen Wan's eyes revealed nothing. Some only showed a faint smile: "A nine year old dream, who would be in pain for it for more than twenty years?"

Wen Ling asked, "If there is another chance, will you still give it up?"

Hearing this, Wen Wan became absent-minded. If he had another chance, a chance to not have to bear the hatred of a sea of blood, the pain of a choice, or the hatred of a choice, would he have chosen this?

A moment later, he gave a carefree laugh, "Foolish child, where did you get such an opportunity? Many things are fated, so how can you ask for it? "

"Destined … "Is that so?" Wen Ling's eyes were clear, serious and naive. "Big Brother, I'll wait for your return."

Wen Wan nodded his head, turned around and stepped into the carriage. "I'm leaving, it's cold outside, so go back as soon as possible."

Wen Ling smiled sweetly and said, "Alright." He saw the curtain fall down and the wheels slowly turned. When he came back to his senses, the huge carriage was long gone.

"Young Master, do you really not know how to feel pain?"

Wen Wan raised his gaze from the throwing knife in his hand. "Why are you driving your car? Why are you asking such a useless question?"

— —

Red and blue dots of cinnabar were mixed in the green and the Winter Plum Blossom painting was completed. Zhao Qingyan stopped writing, raised his head and looked at Ran Hao who was standing at the door: "If you don't come in now, the tea will get cold."

Ran Hao walked in, turned around and covered the door with his hands, "Why didn't young master close the door?"

Zhao Qingyan held the table and slowly sat down. "It's too stuffy in the room. You'll be back soon anyway."

Ran Hao handed the teacup over to him, stepped back a little and asked: "Shall I accompany the young master for a walk?"

Zhao Qingyan shook his head. His gaze fell on the snow-white paper window. With a shallow gaze, he asked, "Have you already sent the letter?"

Ran Hao was startled for a moment, then nodded his head: "I have already given it away. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be here in a few days."

"There's still no movement from Royal Uncle's side. Perhaps he gave up, but …" Let's just quietly wait and see. " Zhao Qingyan narrowed her eyes as if deep in thought.

Ran Hao hesitated, "Young Master's letter, is it too rough?"

Holding her chin in her hand, Zhao Qingyan murmured, "The arrow has already left the bowstring. We shall leave it to fate."

Ran Hao mulled over these words for a while, then nodded his head and said: "Yes, I understand."

Zhao Qingyan glanced at him, the smile in the corner of his eyes was not obvious, "Right now, the most peaceful place is probably this Liangliang City. It's been a while since we've had so much peace, so let's take a good rest and not think too much about it. " Without waiting for an answer, he lowered his eyes and lightly tapped the undried plum blossom with his finger. His finger was dyed red with cinnabar.

Ran Hao stood silently at the side. Watching Zhao Qingyan's actions, a complicated look flashed across his eyes, but he did not say anything.

Zhao Qingyan took away some of the color from the plum blossoms that were not bright in the first place. He then suddenly stood up and said, "Go change your clothes and pay his respects to my royal father."

Ran Hao was startled, he lowered his head and said: "Yes, I will get the clothes." Seeing the young master nod, he turned around and left.

— —

"Phew –" A thirteen or fourteen-year-old maid rubbed her hands together and held her breath. She raised her head and looked at the plum blossom that was blooming extremely well, silently cheering herself on, "Just a little bit more!" He stood on his tiptoes again and reached out to break the bright red plum. His fingertips brushed the branch once more, but it was still missing the last inch.

"Be careful not to fall." The maidservant jumped up and touched the branch with her finger. Her feet slipped and she pounced forward. A hand rested on her shoulder, and a hand extended from the top of her head to break the shaking plum blossom. The gentle voice once again rang out after a short pause, "Is it this plum blossom?"

The green sleeves stopped right in front of his eyes. The orchids embroidered by the corner of his clothes looked as if they were made from fine embroidery, and the light fragrance of the orchids in the snow seemed exceptionally clean and fragrant. The servant turned around in surprise, her eyes sparkling. "Young Master! Young Master, have you recovered from your illness? "

Zhao Qingyan was knocked right on the chest and took half a step back. After a slight pause, she smiled and replied, "Yes, I've been feeling better in the past few days. I've been walking around a lot. I've come to pay my respects to my father and mother."

The maidservant was also stunned, then she realized that she had offended the young master and hurriedly apologized, "Young master, I didn't mean to …"

The plum blossom that was blooming extremely well in Zhao Qingyan's hand was handed over to her. "I'm not squishy. You're so small, how could you smash me to pieces?" Although his face was pale, after being ill for so long, his skin color had become normal. Her dark eyes were filled with a smile. It was quiet and profound, as usual.

The maidservant looked at his gentle smile and was still worried. "But …"

Zhao Qingyan could not help but ask with a smile, "Ye'er, when did you break up with me so recklessly that you would be so nervous if you bumped into me?"

The maidservant gave a start and stuck out her tongue. "Then Young Master must not tell the wangfei. Otherwise, the wangfei will blame me for being rash."

"I won't." Zhao Qingyan waved the Plum Blossom in her hand, "It took you so long to break it. Are you sure you don't want it?"

Fu Er blinked and took it. "Thank you, Young Master." He glanced behind him. "The prince's consort is all here. The prince has just returned from the imperial court."

Zhao Qingyan knew that his father would come to the study every day for a while, so he chose this time to come. He was not surprised to hear the answer, so he thanked her and walked back to the study.

"And …" Seeing that Zhao Qingyan had already walked far away, Fu Er pouted and whispered, "Miss Mu is also here."

Seeing that Yi'er still had more to say, Ran Hao habitually stopped his steps and listened to the rest of his words. When he turned to look at the young master, it was already too late to remind him, so he could only follow.

"The patterns of the fabric that were sent over a few days ago were all very beautiful. I asked them to follow the latest pattern and it just happened to be finished today. Later, I will get my friend to send it over to you." Qi Wangfei's gentle voice came out from the study, followed by Mu Qing Han's voice expressing her gratitude.

Zhao Qingyan stopped abruptly. She did not knock on the door with her left hand. After a while, just as Ran Hao was about to ask, he rapped on the door a few times.

The voice of the Qi King resounded, "Enter."

Zhao Qingyan turned around and glanced at Ran Hao without any emotion on his face. He pushed the door open and walked in before kneeling down: "My son pays his respects to father and mother, father and mother are well and healthy."

Surprised by his sudden movement, Ran Hao quickly caught up with him and knelt down behind him.

Seeing him come over, the Qi King was slightly surprised. He then raised his hand, gesturing for him to get up, and said with a smile, "Compared to you, we are always healthy and healthy."

"Father is right. I have made you worry." Zhao Qingyan responded with a smile and stood up. Before he could stand up straight, he was embraced by the quickly rising Princess Qi. He could not help but be stunned. "Mother?"

Qi Wangfei pinched the thickness of his arm, and carefully examined him again. Although he was pale, he didn't show any signs of emaciation on his face, so she was slightly relieved: "Child, you've been gone for a few months, and hid in the bamboo garden when you saw me."

Zhao Qingyan only replied with a smile, "I'm much more ill now. I've gotten used to hiding in the bamboo garden. I was the one who taught mother to worry about her negligence. Mother taught me well."

In the end, Princess Qi couldn't help but complain. Zhao Qingyan only agreed with a smile. She was not impatient, but she was also a bit nonchalant at the same time.

Mu Qing Han quietly sized him up, secretly guessing his true temperament in her heart.

Inadvertently noticing Mu Qinghan's gaze, Zhao Qingyan smiled and said softly, "Mother, Miss Mu is still watching. Later, I sat with my mother for a while. Now, my mother, can you let me go? I can't even breathe. "

Princess Qi was stunned for a moment before realizing that she had held her son too tightly. She quickly let go of him and exchanged a helpless look with him.

Seeing him look at her, Mu Qinghan greeted, "Your Highness."

Zhao Qingyan returned the gesture and said, "I've been lying on the bed ever since I returned to the residence. I'm sorry for neglecting you, Miss Mu. Please forgive me."

Mu Qing Han smiled faintly, "Your highness is not feeling well, but I was unable to visit you. If you want to find fault with me, then please do not take offense with me, your highness."

The two of them bowed again, and the matter was resolved. They sat down separately and waited for their seniors to speak.

Prince Qi said, "Mo'er, you've come at the right time. In a few days, His Majesty will hold a banquet in the palace, saying that it's a family banquet. However, many court officials are being invited. It should be very lively."

Zhao Qingyan was slightly startled when she heard that. For a moment, her face looked unnatural as she said, "I …" Can you take care of it? "

A clear smile appeared in the eyes of the Qi King, "If you insist on staying, no one will force you. But I think you should go. "

"Then …" Zhao Qingyan could not do anything about it, so she nodded, "I'll listen to Father. I'll go. I wonder when will Imperial Uncle hold a banquet? In a hurry, I need to make some preparations as well. "

Prince Qi said, "There's still half a month left. It's more than enough for you to prepare."

Zhao Qingyan murmured, "That's good."

Prince Qi nodded his head, "Ninth Brother and Qin Yi have come many times. If you're in good health, and the sun is shining better these few days, why don't you walk around and visit the Mansion of the King?"

Zhao Qingyan looked troubled. "Father, this …"

The Qi King acted as if he hadn't seen anything. "Also, Thirteenth Brother has been rather busy these days. As a secret envoy, it's not good for you to be delayed by illness for too long. Go to the palace and take a look."

Zhao Qingyan pursed his lips, and said after a while: "Today, I will accompany mother. Tomorrow, I will go to the palace to pay my respects to Uncle Huang, and then I will go to the Privy Council to take a look. Ninth Uncle, I will go with Thirteenth Uncle. "

A hint of a smile appeared in the Qi King's eyes, but he did not insist, "That's good too."

Princess Qi stood up and gave a slight smile, "I've been sitting here for a long time. It's about time to head back."

Zhao Qingyan hurriedly stood up and said, "I'll accompany mother."

Qi Wangfei glared at him, "Why are you accompanying me?" He looked towards Mu Qing Han.

Zhao Qingyan hesitated for a moment before asking Mu Qing Han, "May I know where Miss Mu wishes to go? Is it alright if we travel together?"

Mu Qinghan pondered for a moment. "Pei Er helped me find a zither book yesterday. I want to play a few songs while the snow has yet to melt. Will the crown prince come with me?"

Zhao Qingyan said, "Since the lake has formed a thin layer of ice, the bamboo pole can be shattered with a light strike. How about we take the small boat and head to the Lakeheart Pavilion?"

Mu Qing Han replied, "It's fine as long as I listen to the prince."

Zhao Qingyan turned towards Ran Hao and ordered, "Go get the zither."

— —

The surface of the lake was covered with thin ice and was covered with snow. Standing on the pavilion, one could see the snow-white color. Only the small boat had left a mark in the water, which made it seem even more beautiful.

After setting up the guqin, the two of them sat behind the guqin.

"Pei'er, score."

"Ah?" "Oh!" Pei'er quickly took out the zither manual and passed it to Mu Qinghan, before obediently standing to the side.

Mu Qing Han took the zither music book and looked at it. She was really shocked. Then, her face flushed red. "This …"

Zhao Qingyan strummed the zither twice. Seeing Mu Qing Han's expression, he asked with concern, "But what's wrong with the zither music? Can you lend it to me to take a look? "

Mu Qing Han was stunned, she grabbed the zither music slightly closer, she didn't know how to reply.

However, Pei'er said, "Young Master, the wangfei told me to bring this zither music manual. She said that if Miss Mu wouldn't take it, Young Master must teach it to her."

Zhao Qingyan was a little taken aback. "What's the song about?"

Mu Qing Han quickly covered up the score and said, "Pei'er, don't …"

"It's called 'Phoenix Cry Phoenix'." Pei'er did not notice Mu Qinghan's distress and just said it out loud. Only after she said it did she realize that the Miss's expression was off.

The next moment, he noticed that both the young master and big brother Ran had strange expressions on their faces.

"Cough." Zhao Qingyan felt a little awkward, so she changed the topic. Her gaze landed on the cloth bag on Pei'er's back, "What are you carrying on your back? Mother didn't ask you to bring it with you, did she? "

Pei'er took off the cloth bag and handed it to Ran Hao: "En, Princess said that Miss Mu might play this song, so she asked me to bring this zither over. She said that it would be more suitable to play with Miss Mu."

Zhao Qingyan noticed that Ran Hao had opened the bag, took a look at it and then pulled it back. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Which zither is it?"

Ran Hao was silent for a moment, and then said: "This is not a zither, it is the zither."

Qin Se and Ming Ming.

Zhao Qingyan was silent. After a while, her fingers lightly caressed the strings of her zither, and the sound of her zither drifted out.

The surface of the lake after the snow was the most tranquil. The long melody outlined a different kind of tranquility with the snow from top to bottom. The string lightly strummed, and the sound was just like it was before. In a trance, it became a world.

Not long after, his finger pressed down on the remaining sound and the melody was over.

A wonderful technique, a song of absolute beauty, but in the end, it lacked a bit of affection.

Mu Qing Han looked at the man looking down at the zither, and revealed a helpless smile. She understood this feeling very well. It wasn't that she didn't love him, but that she was too full of herself to love him.

"Young Master, why do you really want to play 'Phoenix Praying Phoenix' for me?" Inadvertently, the voice had already spoken, but even though he was vexed, he was still unable to retract it.

Zhao Qingyan knew that his melody was pale, so he could only answer truthfully but with too little hope. "I look forward to the day when I can play this melody to its best, and then we can play in harmony."

Mu Qinghan's gaze wavered. "Really, will there be such a chance?"

Zhao Qingyan stared at her without moving, "The pain of the past will be worn away by time no matter how painful it was. The pain I can't forget right now, I believe that I will have a chance in the future. "

Does it hurt?

It hurts.

"Qing Han, sit down, I just learned a song, I'll play it for you!" The fourteen-year-old Wen Lun's movements were somewhat clumsy. He pressed himself down onto the stone steps and then solemnly sat behind the zither. He strummed the zither string and completely played down a song, "Phoenix Cry Phoenix". He didn't play very well, but the sweat on his forehead showed that he was working hard and serious about it.

This was probably the most beautiful zither music he had ever heard and was played by the most beautiful people.

That year, when Liu Xu first flew, the two of them were young, and the zither music was melodious, never to be forgotten.

A short time of birth, a short time of recollection. Then, she recovered her wits and looked at Zhao Qingyan who was carelessly playing the zither with her fingertips. She asked, "Your pain, how can you face it so calmly?"

Zhao Qingyan raised his head and looked at her, "What's the pain?"

"The phoenix begs the phoenix."

Zhao Qingyan was stunned for a moment before he started laughing. With a gentle smile on his face, he said, "This is the first time I'm caressing a girl with this piece of music. It's not my pain, at most it's regret. "

Mu Qinghan did not dare to look at his smiling face. She turned her gaze to the beautiful scenery of the lake. "Your pain …"

"Maybe it's too cruel of me to ask you to forget what I feel. I'm sorry." With the support of Ran Hao, Zhao Qingyan stood up and walked to the edge of the pavilion, holding onto the pillar with a serene smile, "After all, the dead will not bring me any hope."

Ran Hao's face was slightly pale, "Young master …"

He leaned his shoulder against the pillar, raised his right arm, and pointed at the white lake with his fingertip: "Four years ago, she jumped into the lake and committed suicide here. The funny thing is, I sat here with her all night long, thinking about our future. "

Ah!" The one who lightly called out was Pei'er, but he did not need to turn his head to know the astonishment on Mu Qing Han's face.

Zhao Qingyan chuckled but did not continue, "Born in a noble's house, how much helplessness is there?"

How pathetic it was to live a life where one could not choose to live it together.

Zhao Qingyan was standing at the edge of the stone platform where he might fall if he wasn't careful. Even though he was wearing a thick cloak, his blue figure that was covered in snow was so frail.

Alone.

"My personal servant was betrothed to a seventy year old Prefect as his concubine, who … A Prefect thousands of kilometers away. " Zhao Qingyan moved and steadied herself against the pillar. The fox fur coat that had some snow on its shoulders swayed slightly, but it did not shake off any of the cold.

"The only thing the world knows about me is that my royal uncle pampered me and my royal father pampered me. How could I know that, as the successor of the Great Song, I wouldn't even be allowed to fall in love with a servant girl? They can allow me to take over a dozen of their famous concubines as concubines, but they definitely won't allow me to take a lowly maid as my concubine. "

Zhao Qingyan smiled. "Forget it. In the end, it's just …" The voices behind him trailed off, fading in the winter breeze.

"If there's a beauty, I won't forget it.

He thought like a madman, not seeing her in a single day.

The phoenix flew to the west, seeking the phoenix in all four seas.

However, this beauty was no longer at the east wall.

To the zither. To the heart.

When I see Xu Xi, comfort my hesitation.

May the words match the words, and we fight hand in hand.

Do not let fly, let me perish. "

After a while, she suddenly repeated the last sentence over and over again, "Do not let it fly away, it will cause me to perish."

Zhao Qingyan turned around with an indifferent look, "The beauty has passed away. I am not afraid of death. Xiao Lang has said his goodbyes, why are you asking for trouble? "

Mu Qing Han looked up at him, "Give me some time, I will forget."

Zhao Qingyan smiled. "It's alright. I understand the difficulty of forgetting. You don't have to make things difficult for yourself. There will be a lot of time in the future, just take it slow. "

"A lot of time?" Mu Qing Han froze for a second, then lowered her eyes in grief, wanting to say something but she stopped herself, "En, I know."

Zhao Qingyan looked at her. Something appeared in her eyes, as if she understood what she was about to say. He thought for a moment and said softly, "I will protect you."

Mu Qing Han raised her head as if she didn't hear clearly, "What?"

Zhao Qingyan repeated his words in a calm and unquestionable voice, "Believe me, I can protect you."

Mu Qinghan looked at him. After a long time, she gave a faint smile. "Yes, I know."

Not believing, but knowing.

This was the second time she had replied like this, but this time she did not reply half-heartedly. At this moment, she was willing to give her all of trust. She wanted to give that person whose eyes reflected the entire snow-white lake and also reflect her own — her future husband.

After a moment of absent-mindedness, the blurry image in his eyes began to fade before slowly closing and becoming clearer. Gazing at the person in front of him, Zhao Qingyan revealed a sincere smile, "Thank you."