CH 4

Xue Yunhuan trotted along with Jun Huailang, and told the gossip and anecdotes of Xue Yan in the palace.

He said that Xue Yan's mother died just after he was born. The death was very strange, but there was no clue. After that, the imperial supervisor made a divination and said that the problem was Xue Yan.

He had a seven-killer character.

It was said that although the Seven Killing Fate was an extremely ferocious evil, it had a great value. However, the imperial supervisor’s approval document said that he came to the world as a murderer, and his pressure was difficult to suppress. He would defeat his parents and hinder the Emperor’s fate. So the emperor defied all opinions and sent him to the northernmost county of Yan, where he was raised by King Yan.

Because of this, Xue Yan didn't even use the word "Yun" for this generation of princes, and the word "Yan" was used to save his life.

As a result, just this year, the Turks invaded aggressively and Yan County fell. The Yanyun iron cavalry guarding the border was mostly lost at that time, and even the King of Yan died. Only Xue Yan survived, he ran alone for more than a thousand miles and actually returned to the capital.

This dynasty placed a great emphasis on Confucianism and despised Buddhism and Taoism. Originally, the emperor sent the prince to the border because of a divination, which had violated the ethics and was criticized by the courtiers. This time, Xue Yan ran back to the capital alone, and the emperor had no excuse to send him to other place.

So Xue Yan was forced to stay in the palace.

When he first came back, it happened that the emperor was testing the prince, and the reward for the winner was a set of jade arrows. Originally, the four princes were familiar with both civil and military affairs, and the victory was in their hands, but then Xue Yan came. This Xue Yan used military book as an ordinary everyday book at the border. He went to the battlefield at the age of thirteen. At the beginning of the year, he brought hundreds of cavalry to deal with the Turk army for more than a month. Naturally, he easily won the test and got the jade arrow.

At that time, from the emperor to all the concubines and princes, their faces were not good-looking.

A few days later, the second prince provoked Xue Yan and was beaten by Xue Yan until his nose was blue and his face was swollen. Although it was the second prince who started it, only Xue Yan was punished. He was punished by the emperor to kneel on his concubine mother's tablet.

After that, everyone in the palace knew that Xue Yan was a broom star who could be bullied casually, and His Majesty would never stand on his side.

Having said this, Xue Yunhuan sighed and said half enviously, "It's a pity that he is so good at martial arts."

After speaking, Xue Yunhuan's attention returned to his horse and Xue Yan was left behind.

He didn't notice that Jun Huailang was a little silent.

When Jun Huailang returned to Yongle Hall and sat in the banquet, the thoughts that he had just generated were still lingering in his mind.

He thought, Xue Yan is a very fierce evil spirit, which is understandable. But this is clearly not destiny, but man-made.

Fate decides him to be an evil star, and everyone treats him as the evil star. Over time, he really becomes his so called fate.

And now he... obviously hasn't grown into that real evil star.

Jun Huailang was taken aback by his own thoughts and quickly came back to his senses.

How could he show mercy to his enemy just because of a few words? I pity him, who will pity Jun's family?

Jun Huailang reluctantly took a sip of tea and reminded himself solemnly: what Xue Yan did has nothing to do with him, what he had to take care of was the Jun family and his sister.

But Jun Huailang didn't even realize that his harmonious family and his good education caused him to be quite empathetic. Xue Yan's experience was only someone else's story to him, but it gave him a dark picture of betrayal.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, this was the first time he had seen someone who was born in a quagmire and betrayed by the whole world.

At this moment, a eunuch came and saluted him with a smile. This eunuch was born prosperous, smiling with joy, like a Maitreya Buddha.

Jun Huailang recognized that this was Ling Fu, the eunuch beside the emperor.

"Eunuch Fu." Jun Huailang raised his head and greeted him.

Ling Fu smiled and said, "This son is lucky. Your Majesty is drinking tea with a few concubines at the back. Miss Jun is also there. Your Majesty asks you to sit down too."

Jun Huailang answered and got up to follow him.

They walk and passed through the gate to reach the apse of Yongle Hall. This apse had always been a place for the emperor and concubines to rest during the banquets. Ordinary courtiers were not allowed to enter without an edict.

Bypassing the huge gold-painted screen of sixteen fans, Jun Huailang saw a group of people sitting in the apse surrounded by gauze curtains.

Emperor Qingping was sitting in the hall, drinking tea. He was less than fifty now, his body was still strong and his face was thin. It could be seen that he was handsome in his youth. Empress Jiang beside him was a friend of Shen-shi. She was elegant, dignified and gentle. When she saw Jun Huailang, she smiled and nodded at him.

There were several concubines sitting on both sides, all dressed up and full of flowers. Jun Linghuan was sitting in Concubine Shu's arms, holding a fruit to eat.

Seeing Jun Huailang coming in, Emperor Qingping smiled and said, "Huailang is here? Come closer, let's see how much taller you have grown?

Empress Jiang said softly, "It seems that he has grown a lot taller, a few inches taller than Huan’er."

On Qingping Emperor, Jun Huailang had a mixed feelings in his heart.

There is no doubt that Jun Huailang grew up under his watch. Emperor Qingping had always been kind to him and his respected elder. But in his previous life, he insisted on marrying Jun Linghuan into the palace because of a ridiculous divinatory. Jun Huailang was heartbroken no matter what.

Although Jun Linghuan was saved by this, she undoubtedly jumped into another fire pit after Jun family was exterminated.

However, Jun Huailang lived a new life and was no longer a young boy who could not hide his joy and anger. He stepped forward uprightly and greeted several people politely.

After he finished the ceremony, Concubine Shu laughed beside him, her voice soft and sweet: "Come on Lang'er, I haven't seen you in this palace for several months. Come and let bengong have a look."

Concubine Shu was Jun Huailang's aunt and his father's sister, Jun Yaohua. Concubine Shu was only twenty-six years old, she was born bright and beautiful. At this time, she was dressed in a soft red palace dress, with a silk peony on her hairpin.

Jun Huailang stepped forward and sat down beside Concubine Shu.

Emperor Qingping and Concubine Shu praised him, and with every words the queen also echoed. Concubine Shu was favored, and her temperament was sweet, which made the emperor laugh frequently.

The concubine sitting opposite of Concubine Shu was dressed in a plain-colored palace dress and was beautifully dressed. She was Yi Jieyu, the biological mother of the fourth prince. She also came from an aristocratic family. Her family had been an official for generations but never influential. It was not until these years that her father rose to a high position and her brother fought a few battles that their Xu family became an upstart in the court. Yi Jieyu's position also rose, and she was quite favored these years.

During the chat, Yi Jieyu stepped in and said with a gentle smile, "Huailang is a symbol of young men’s good conduct. Concubine Shu is also from Jun family. If she give birth to a child for the emperor, he would certainly be like this and handsome."

Concubine Shu had no scruples. She was smiling at first, but when she heard her words, her smile faded.

She had been in the palace for ten years and always in a favor, but she never pregnant with the dragon seed.

Yi Jieyu intentionally hit her sore spot. Concubine Shu knew that this woman's yin and yang speech was intentional. She looked at her with a knife but she saw this woman's gentle and harmless appearance, which made her angry.

The queen took good care of her friend's sister-in-law. She smiled and said, "Children and grandchildren are all up to fate, no need to force it."

Yi Jieyu made Concubine Shu suffocated and couldn't help but said sourly, "I don't have this fate. Naturally, I won't be able to enjoy the blessings of children and grandchildren."

Jun Linghuan in her arms couldn't understand the open and hidden arrows of women. She only knew that her beautiful aunt was unhappy. She had always been generous and hurriedly picked up the best dessert she had just tasted and handed it to Concubine Shu.

"Auntie eat this." She said softly.

Emperor Qingping always favored Concubine Shu. Seeing that she was unhappy he casually said, "Why can't you enjoy happiness? If you like children, it is not impossible to bring Linghuan and Huailang to live in the palace."

Concubine Shu's eyes lit up: "Is your majesty serious?"

Emperor Qingping smiled and said, "Naturally." After speaking, he looked at the queen again. "What does the empress think?"

The empress smiled and said, "This concubine is naturally happy. Huan'er likes to be with Huailang, but he doesn't like reading. This concubine hopes that Huailang can take him to study."

Sitting on the side of Concubine Shu, Jun huailang's eyes paused.

He seemed to know something.

In his previous life, he had a high fever and did not attend this banquet. After this banquet, Jun Linghuan did live in the palace for a while, but he didn't take it to heart.

Could it be that my sister provoked Xue Yan during this time?

Jun Huailang secretly tightened his fist.

At this moment, Concubine Shu asked him, "Lang'er, do you want to spend some time with your aunt in the palace?"

Jun Huailang nodded immediately.

No matter whether his guess was true or not, he couldn’t take any risk and give Jun Linghuan a chance to encounter Xue Yan.

Yi Jieyu laughed again: "Yes, having children can be make atmosphere livelier. Even if it's not your own, it doesn’t matter."

There was something in her words. Princess Shu didn't catch the meaning but she also heard the woman's Yin and Yang words and hidden needles.

At this moment, a little eunuch came and said that the fifth prince was coming.

The fifth prince, Xue Yan.

Suddenly, the originally warm and peaceful atmosphere cooled down and became a little strange. The emperor smiled, the queen drank tea with her eyes down, and several concubines looked at each other without saying anything.

As if they did not hear anything.

Jun Huailang suddenly felt an unreal strangeness. They were all gentle and loving elders, but when they heard Xue Yan's name, they all changed into an unfamiliar person.

This was exactly what Xue Yan faced.

The more senior people were, the more they believe in destiny. This thing was mysterious. Although it couldn’t be seen or touched, everyone was afraid that this thing would really come and bring changes.

"Come." Emperor Qingping spoke lightly.

Then, Jun Huailang saw Xue Yan led in by a eunuch. Empty-handed, he walked straight forward and bowed to Emperor Qingping.

Emperor Qingping did not let him up and asked directly, "Where's the arrow?"

In the Mid-Autumn Festival every year, the children of the official family were taught to use this set of jade arrows to test at the Palace Banquet. At the beginning, Emperor Qingping used this arrow as a reward to express his importance to the princes' studies, so that they could work harder.

Jun Huailang knew that the arrow had been broken.

For some reason, he suddenly looked at the little eunuch behind Xue Yan. He was pale and his legs were trembling. He was also considered unlucky. He was sent to serve Xue Yan and those who bullied Xue Yan would also bully him.

Xue Yan was at least a prince, but he was different. His life was like a grass.

Jun Huailang suddenly thought that he had seen this scene. But at this time, it was about Xue Yan. He didn't speak. It was natural for him to do so, but now he was going to kill this innocent life.

He clenched his fist impatiently, his nails sinking into the palm of his hand.

If he helped, it was kindness and benevolence. He felt ashamed when he thought of all family members who suffered because of Xue Yan in the previous life; if he didn’t help, he would watch an innocent person die.

And at this moment, he suddenly heard Xue Yan's voice.

Gentle and quiet, the juvenile voice was clear and smooth. Unexpectedly pleasant.

"This son accidentally damaged the arrow. It has nothing to do with others. Ask the emperor to punish him." He said.