Chapter 2 Clouds Disperse (II)

That morning, the weather was still cool, and the faint fragrance of plum blossoms drifted in with the breeze, but it could not dispel the endless worries. Tingsheng sat alone on the bed, flipping through the book that the teacher had given him earlier, but he felt bored after reading two or three lines. It was not because the book was not good enough, but because his heart was not calm enough. It had been three months since he left Su's house last time.

Every day after the Yin hour, Tingsheng came to the front of the hall as usual to pay his respects to Xiao Jingyan. Sometimes, Xiao Jingyan would keep him by his side for a few more hours, and would not let Tingsheng leave until the morning court. In the past three months, Tingsheng always left after paying his respects in a hurry, and Xiao Jingyan did not keep him for a while. For Tingsheng, this was nothing, after all, he was an adopted son, but the uneasiness could not be shaken off. He was convinced that he had done nothing wrong, but why couldn't even the Empress Dowager be as calm and peaceful as before. Although he had never made any mistakes in major or minor matters, his behavior still showed his worry. Tingsheng did not dare to speculate recklessly, but his emotions began to fluctuate with the changes in the surrounding environment. Or should we say that since Mei Changsu went to war, everything in the palace has become more lifeless than before. Those who knew Mei Changsu in the past always showed sadness between their brows. I don't know when the sky inside the palace wall began to dim, and I don't know when it will be light again.

"Your Highness Tingsheng, His Majesty summons you to see the emperor," Eunuch Li, who had been following Gao Zhan, had recently taken on the responsibility of serving Xiao Jingyan because Gao Zhan was old. At this time, he half-bowed to Tingsheng, respectfully and politely.

"I know." Tingsheng returned the greeting, and then walked quickly to the hall with Eunuch Li.

Xiao Jingyan turned his back to Tingsheng and remained silent, but Tingsheng could clearly see that Xiao Jingyan's shoulders were shaking and twitching constantly. A sense of foreboding arose spontaneously, and Tingsheng suddenly knelt down, "Your Majesty, I am your son," and there was uneasiness in his words. It was because of uneasiness that he never changed his words and called him father, and Xiao Jingyan never forced him, so he didn't say anything.

Xiao Jingyan didn't turn back immediately. He let Tingsheng kneel behind him, and at this time Tingsheng was secretly guessing what had happened in his heart. He had always followed the rules and would not have any problems with etiquette. Since entering the palace, he had always treated people with courtesy and had never made enemies. The most important thing was that he was not old enough to be involved in government affairs, and no one would harm him at this time. So could it be..., Tingsheng didn't dare to think about it anymore. Could it be, could it be Mr. No, no, Mr. just went to the battlefield, he would come back, Tingsheng lowered his head and thought, frowning, but didn't dare to step forward to ask.

Until Jingyan looked back, Tingsheng looked up, looking at the adoptive father who had rescued him many times in times of crisis, the man who gave him courage anytime and anywhere, with some panic. At this time, his eyes were red, and the sadness between his eyebrows made Xiao Jingyan look a few years older.

Until Jingyan looked back, Tingsheng looked up, looking at the adoptive father who had rescued him many times in times of crisis, the man who gave him courage anytime and anywhere, with some panic. At this time, his eyes were red, and the sadness between his eyebrows made Xiao Jingyan look a few years older.

Xiao Jingyan paused and walked in front of Tingsheng. Perhaps because of excessive sadness, Eunuch Li had been supporting Xiao Jingyan, fearing that he would fall within a few steps. When Xiao Jingyan took the third step, the tablet that had been blocked behind him seemed particularly dazzling, and the big words "The former Xiaoqi General Lin's taboo position" on the tablet were even more word by word. The words fell on Tingsheng's head. In an instant, Tingsheng seemed to be drained of energy, as if waking up from a dream, unable to tell the truth from the false. He just felt bitter in his heart, his eyes were swollen, and he knelt motionlessly on the ground.

Xiao Jingyan put one hand heavily on Tingsheng's shoulder, as if he was relying on Tingsheng to support his body, which made Tingsheng suddenly feel overwhelmed and almost fell in front of Xiao Jingyan. The two of them were immediately blurred with tears. It is said that men do not shed tears easily, just because they are not sad.

"Tingsheng, your teacher has passed away." Xiao Jingyan's voice was hoarse, and he seemed to have used up all his strength in a few words.

Tingsheng looked up at Xiao Jingyan, as if waiting for his denial, waiting for him to tell himself that he was wrong and the teacher would be back tomorrow.

Xiao Jingyan sighed to the sky, his hair was messy, and his hands kept shaking.

"Tingsheng, do you know that your teacher was the brightest young man in Jinling City back then?"

"Tingsheng, your teacher is my best friend in my life."

"Tingsheng, he fought for Daliang, for 70,000 wronged souls, for the pure heart, for his faith, for me..." Xiao Jingyan paused, as if to ease the burning pain in his heart, took a few deep breaths, and then said, "He, he, returned to where he came from and stayed there forever."

Tingsheng stared at the tablet in front of him, biting his lips hard, trying not to shed tears, trying not to look so embarrassed, but under this tablet, in front of the tablet of the person who once made him feel unique warmth, Tingsheng clenched his fists, but in the end, after Xiao Jingyan said that, "He has no offspring, you are his disciple, like father and son, mourn for him", he burst into tears, tears like beads with broken strings, constantly falling, and the scenes of studying with the teacher in the past emerged one after another.

"Tingsheng, I have never let anyone down in my life, except for two people. One is Lin Shu, and the other is Mei Changsu." As soon as the words fell, Xiao Jingyan was already in tears. He was supported by Eunuch Li and walked out of the palace. The sadness in his footsteps still lingered within the palace walls.