Chapter 568 Shen Guogong Mansion
It’s snowy in Guanzhong this winter.
It was sunny just a moment ago, but the clouds turned dark in the blink of an eye. Not long after, another wave of auspicious snow fell from the sky, shrouding the 800-mile Qinchuan River in misery.
Snowflakes as white and soft as reed flowers are flying in the air, rolling and dancing between the sky and the earth with the north wind.
It’s a little cold, but it’s a good time to cook wine and enjoy plum blossoms.
In the garden of Duke Shen's mansion.
The lotus pond has been frozen for a long time. In the pavilion beside the pond, servants have already prepared the charcoal stove and clay pot, and put a wind fence around it. The north wind cannot penetrate, so the coldness has been reduced a lot.
The heavy snow made the continuous buildings and terraces of Duke Shen's Mansion feel cold, desolate and quiet, as if they were isolated from the world. There was no other sound between heaven and earth except for the small sound of falling snowflakes and the squeaking of the kettle on the small red clay stove.
The maids and servants were sent away far away, and the two of them sat opposite each other in the pavilion.
The ground was covered with thick brocade mats to keep out the cold.
The Duke of Shen, Gao Shilian, was over sixty years old, but he was well maintained. He wore a spacious cotton robe with hidden patterns of Shu brocade and longevity characters, which made him look noble and majestic. He has a peaceful smile on his Chinese-character face, his gray beard is neatly trimmed, and he has an air of dignity.
Sitting opposite him was none other than Changsun Wuji.
Changsun Wuji looked a little haggard. He lifted the kettle on the stove with his own hands, washed, brewed and divided the tea. His movements were skillful and his demeanor was respectful.
Changsun Wuji lost his father when he was young. He, his mother and sister were kicked out of the house by his half-brother Sun Anye and were raised by his uncle Gao Shilian. Seeing Li Shimin's outstanding talent, Gao Shilian married his niece to him, and eldest grandson Wuji and Li Shimin became uncles. It was precisely because of Gao Shilian's care and cultivation that Empress Changsun was the mother of the world, and Changsun Wuji had the power to rule the world.
Changsun Wuji regarded his uncle as his biological father.
Gao Shilian picked up the white and delicate white porcelain tea cup, looked at the crystal green tea soup, and took a gentle sip. A sweet aftertaste lingered in his mouth, fresh and mellow.
Putting down the tea cup, he sighed: "That Fang Er has done something elegant after all. This fresh and timeless tea is indeed twice as elegant as the previous method of making tea that blends all kinds of flavors. There is sweetness in the freshness. There is eternity in the plainness, just like life. ”
Changsun Wuji stared at the cup of tea in front of him and fell into silence after hearing this.
Gao Shilian didn't look at him, he slowly sipped the tea and looked at the other side of the lotus pond outside Fengwei.
Of course he understands his nephew. He believes that even if he encounters the most severe setback, this nephew will already figure it out on his own and get out of the bottom of the valley. There is no need for him to explain or persuade him.
The snow fell silently and fell to the ground silently.
There is heavy snow in the sky, flying freely and freely. In an instant, the world between heaven and earth was covered with snow.
A clump of plum trees by the lotus pond welcomes the frost and snow, and its light red flowers bloom freely in the flying snow. Plum blossoms and snowflakes complement each other beautifully, and although they are a little far away, there still seems to be waves of fragrance coming towards the nose, which is quiet, pleasant and refreshing.
The fragrance of tea and plum blossoms are indistinguishable...
After a long time, Changsun Wuji let out a long sigh.
Gao Shilian then withdrew his gaze and looked lovingly at Changsun Wuji, only to find that his nephew's face, which had always been full of high spirits, already had many wrinkles of sorrow, as well as deep fatigue and depression.
Time is like water, flowing eastward, and no one can save it for a moment.
You are all old...
After thinking for a while, Gao Shilian asked softly: "How is Chong'er doing now?"
He did not ask where Changsun Chong was now or how he was doing. This was necessary wisdom. Even the closest relatives should remain vigilant enough in this situation. The less people know, the less worries there are.
It is a great gift that Your Majesty can remember the past and not pursue the crime of treason committed by Changsun Chong, but let him live in anonymity and fend for himself.
Changsun Wuji pursed his lips, shook his head and replied: "I don't know. Since I ran away, there has been no news. I only know that it is probably in the Jiangnan area, but I don't know the actual situation at all."
The most beloved and promising eldest son has met his current end, which is heartbreaking for Changsun Wuji. After years of care and cultivation, all the fallen flowers and flowing water came to nothing, and even Cheng Huan's knees were unable to do anything. How could it not make him depressed?
The concern for his son made him even more sad and angry, and he didn't know how to vent it...
Gao Shilian thought for a while and asked: "Changle is still in the palace now?"
Changsun Wuji said: "In the past few days, I have been doing cleansing in the Taoist temple with Princess Fangling. Something happened to Princess Gaoyang, so I returned to the palace to take care of her."
Gao Shilian shook his head secretly. This wise and wise nephew was also confused! Changsun Chong is now absconding in fear of crime, how can he implicate Princess Changle again? Your Majesty has been extremely benevolent to the eldest grandson family. If you delay in expressing your stance on Princess Changle's future, I'm afraid your Majesty will become resentful, which would be very bad.
Princess Changle, that is His Majesty's eldest daughter, the most beloved daughter of Your Majesty and the eldest grandson Queen during their lifetimes!
Gao Shilian said: "You must make a decision as soon as possible about Changle's future."
Changsun Wuji was stunned, and then suddenly realized.
He is a man of outstanding resourcefulness. Otherwise, how could he help His Majesty Li Er seize the country in adversity? It was only because the eldest son suffered a huge change that he was mentally damaged and could not accept the current situation for a while. Subconsciously, he still retained the hope that one day the eldest son could return to the palace, so he did not consider Princess Changle's fate for a long time.
Now, it’s time to make a decision...
Then he said: "My child will go to explain the matter to His Majesty in the near future. It is better to reconcile..."
In the pavilion, silence fell again.
Changsun Wuji was extremely satisfied and loving towards Princess Changle, his daughter-in-law and niece. Princess Changle was deeply loved by her parents, but she didn't have the slightest bit of arrogance. She was knowledgeable, sensible, gentle and virtuous, making her a unique and good match.
It's a pity that we ended up where we are today...
Things change like this.
"Gudu Gudu"
The kettle on the stove boiled again.
Changsun Wuji picked up the kettle, made tea again, then took a deep breath and said, "How is Shiro lately? Has his injury gotten better?"
Gao Shilian’s old face just twitched...
The arrogant and domineering temper of his own Shiro has always given Gao Shilian a headache, but he can't change it despite repeated admonitions. But after all, it was his own child who was so seriously injured. It would be sheer nonsense to say he didn't feel sorry for him. Even if he knew that the cause of the incident was his son's provocation, how could he not have any resentment towards Fang Jun?
He sighed and said: "Fortunately, the imperial doctor comes for treatment every few days and says that he will not be disabled, but the kneecap is shattered. Even if he recovers, he will not be as flexible as before, especially if he cannot bear gravity. Alas..."
Changsun Wuji snorted coldly, gritted his teeth and said: "This son is lawless, and I will never give up! Your Majesty actually has the intention to appoint this son as the general manager of the Canghaidao March. I don't know what to say!"
Changsun Wuji hated Fang Jun to his core!
If Fang Jun hadn't humiliated Changsun Chong over and over again, Changsun Chong might not have been able to embark on that road of no return! In Changsun Wuji's view, the culprit that caused the eldest son to live in exile like a lost dog without a home to return to was Fang Jun!
How could Changsun Wuji, who had always been gloomy and cunning, swallow such a breath?
Not even with Fang Xuanling protecting him!
Gao Shilian frowned and reminded: "Just looking at His Majesty's plan, we know that Dayong Fangjun's intention is actually for the Eastern Expedition. Shiro, please don't act rashly."
Changsun Wuji is the youngest son of Changsun Sheng. He has three elder brothers and ranks fourth. Gao Shilian always calls him Silang.
Changsun Wuji was about to speak when he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps and a servant said outside the pavilion: "The master of the house, the second son of the prime minister, is outside asking for an audience."
Gao Shilian was slightly stunned and looked at each other with Changsun Wuji.
If you really say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be here!
But, what is this little bastard doing in the Duke Shen's Mansion?
The only person in the Duke's mansion who has an interaction with Fang Jun is Gao Zhenxing, but Gao Zhenxing's leg was broken by Fang Jun and he is recovering from his injuries. He is a real enemy. What is his purpose here?
Gao Shilian thought for a moment and then said coldly: "No!"
Are you kidding? Where is Duke Shen's Mansion? After hurting my young son, why do you still want to show off and be arrogant? I haven't settled the score with you. I'm already being generous. I don't know how to advance or retreat!
The servant did not retreat, but said with a grimace: "Fang Erlang also said that if the master does not see him, he will bear all the consequences. Don't say that he was unforeseen..." (End of Chapter)