Xiao Shuo walked over and took a look at the charcoal fire in the charcoal basin, then looked at Xie Lan, "Are you chasing me?"

Xie Lan said nothing and turned to leave.

When Xiao Shuo saw this, he immediately led his men to follow.

At this time, Tao Yaoyao, Chu Silang and his party had left the state capital and went to the official road. The carriage ran very fast. Fortunately, this section of the pipeline road was easier to walk. Tao Yaoyao didn't feel too bumpy. Otherwise, she would have been uncomfortable.

"But he's here?" Tao Yaoyao looked at the man opposite.

Chu Silang closed his eyes, was silent for a while, and asked with a smile, "How do you want me to answer you? If I say yes, you will not feel good. If I say no, you will still be disappointed.

Yaoyao, from today on, remember what Fourth Brother said to you, never have expectations for others, because from the moment you start expecting, you are destined to endure thousands of times of disappointment. "

He is obviously not a few years older than her, but why does he sound like an old man when he speaks?

"Fourth brother, he is different from others."

Chu Silang disagreed, "Xie Lan, King of Dingbei, has followed his grandfather since he was a few years old, and did not return to Kyoto until last year. My grandfather knows better than you who he is."

After a pause, he added, "Do you know why Xie Lan returned to Beijing in the first place?"

Xie Lan said before this incident, "In the battle a year ago, it was said that many soldiers died. He suspected that there was something wrong with the weapons, so he returned to Beijing to investigate.

The person involved and the third prince were both dead. "

When Chu Silang heard this, he smiled strangely, "Do you really believe that he returned to Beijing just for this matter?"

Tao Yaoyao was stunned for a moment, feeling that there was something in Chu Silang's words, but when she asked again, he said nothing.

"Master, the Chu family's carriage is in front." Two hours later, Xie Lan and his party caught up with the Chu family's carriage. At this time, Chu Silang and a group of people were resting in the woods in front.

Tao Yaoyao didn't know that Xie Lan had come over yet. She was leaning against the big tree with her eyes closed and didn't know what she was thinking.

The guard walked over and said a few words to Chu Silang, and then he stood up and took a look down the mountain.

"Watch your lady, I will come back as soon as I go."

When Xie Lan led a group of people to the foot of the mountain, Chu Silang also led a group of people down the mountain. After the two parties faced each other, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"Chu Silang, the Chu family's army is still fighting at the border. As a deputy general, is it not good for you to suddenly appear here?"

Xie Lan spoke first.

Chu Silang sneered, "I heard that King Dingbei returned to Beijing this time to investigate the weapon problem discovered during the battle between the two armies a year ago. I wonder how the prince is doing with his investigation now?"

It can be said that Xie Lan and Chu Silang grew up together. When they were at the border, the relationship between the two was quite good, but after that incident, they became enemies and stopped communicating with each other again.

This is the first time they've seen each other since they were separated.

"What you want to know, how much do I know about what the Chu family did in that battle?" Xie Lan said in a deep voice, "General Chu and I have a life-saving grace..."

"It's really funny. This is the first time I've heard of someone repaying the life-saving grace with kindness." Chu Silang rode forward. When the guard saw this, he immediately prepared to block Xie Lan.

Xie Lan stretched out his hand to stop him, then rode forward a little.

"Don't think that I don't know why you want to accompany Yaoyao to the border this time. Xie Lan, if it weren't for our Chu family, you would have been nothing but a handful of dirt.

It’s okay if you’re not even remotely grateful to us, but Yaoyao is sincere to you. How did you manage to use her with such peace of mind? "

Xie Lan frowned, "I didn't take advantage of her."

"You are lying. Do you dare to say that you did not receive a secret message from His Majesty when you went to the border this time? Do you dare to say that you and your son will really let my Chu family go?"

Our Chu family has guarded the border for Jingguo for generations, and countless Chu family members have died in battles. Our Chu family army is also loyal to Jingguo, but you know why we have reached this point, but you still want to help you. Dog Emperor Father.

If we had known that you were such a ruthless person, we should not have helped you in the first place. "

Chu Silang's words became more and more unpleasant, and his mood became more and more angry.

Xie Lan sat on the horse, his mood unchanged at all.

"Even if His Majesty has anything against the Chu family, the people of Jingguo are also innocent. Have you ever thought about what kind of blow it will be to Jingguo once your Chu family leads the Chu family's army to rebel?"

"We don't even care about our own family and our honor. Do you think we still care about the people we don't want to have anything to do with?"

"They are not unrelated people, they are the people you have protected for so many years. Chu Silang, you once said that for them, even if you die in the battlefield, and even if everyone in the Chu family dies in the battlefield, you still think it is worth it.

Just because of the king's stupidity, are you going to give up on the people you have protected for so many years? "

Xie Lan frowned and came to Chu Silang's side, "When I left the border, you were not as cynical as you are now, but what happened during this time?"

"Stop being so hypocritical. If you were truly grateful, you wouldn't have refused my father's proposal in the first place."

"If you came here today to scold me, the Chu family, for being so ungrateful and ungrateful, your purpose has been achieved. I will go back if there is nothing else to do."

Chu Silang rode on horseback and was about to leave, when Xie Lan said, "Yaoyao..."

"I, the daughter of the Chu family, will never marry or be with you in this life. What's more, His Majesty does not agree with the matter between you. In this case, do you think we will keep him in Kyoto City? ?"

"Where are you taking her?" Xie Lan frowned, "Chu Silang, the grudge between you and me has nothing to do with her..."

"But it's true that you lied to her. Xie Lan, do you still remember why your last name is Xie?" Chu Silang rode away.

Xie Lan sat on the horse, watching his leaving figure, and said nothing for a long time.

Xiao Shuo came out from the side and looked at his devastated look. He couldn't help but sigh, "Why don't you tell Chu Silang that the reason why you don't want to take that position is because you are worried about the Chu family..."

"Shut up." Xie Lan interrupted him and turned around to warn, "Don't say anything like this again. Whatever decision I make is my own business and has nothing to do with anyone else or the Chu family. relation."

Fine. He is also the one who cannot see his sweetheart.

However, the longer he spent with Xie Lan, the more he understood why the Chu family had taken a fancy to him and wanted him to be the future crown prince, but he could also understand Xie Lan.

After all, he had been abandoned by his biological father, and he carried the Xie family's hatred. He stood in the middle and was in a dilemma.

If it were him, I'm afraid he would choose to be accompanied by the breeze and the bright moon in this life, and not step into this vortex in his life. Unfortunately, things went against his wishes. The situation in the court was so tense now that even if he had no intention of fighting for power, the second prince would not believe it.

"Fourth brother, where have you been?" Tao Yaoyao couldn't see Chu Silang as soon as she turned around. She asked the soldiers, but they didn't say anything. When they saw her coming back, they ran over immediately.

Chu Silang thought she was worried about him. After seeing him, her eyes were still looking back, and his face immediately darkened, "You heartless little girl, your brother is right in front of you, but your eyes are always on you." Look at other people.”

"Fourth brother, who said I've been looking at others. I've obviously been looking at you." Tao Yaoyao pulled him to sit on the big rock next to him and asked about what happened just now.

"Fourth brother, where have you been? I saw that you didn't seem very happy when you came back. Did you meet someone who made you unhappy?"

"If you want to ask about Xie Lan, just ask directly without beating around the bush." Chu Silang saw what she was thinking and exposed it directly, "Yaoyao, since we were young, my brothers and I have never interfered with your decisions. Because we know it’s not easy for you, and it’s not easy to be happy either.

So we support whatever decision you make.

But today, Fourth Brother must tell you something. You and Xie Lan... to be exact, there can be no outcome between you and anyone in the royal family. For your own good, you'd better put your thoughts away as soon as possible. "

What Chu Silang said was very straightforward. Even if Tao Yaoyao wanted to pretend to be stupid, he couldn't find a chance.

"Why?" Tao Yaoyao didn't want to give up her persistence just because of others' words, so she asked without giving up.

"You said before that the reason why Xie Lan returned to Beijing from the border was to investigate the incident a year ago, but that was not the case. The reason why Xie Lan left was because his father hoped that he could be the future prince, but he did not agree, and then left the military camp. "

"Impossible." Tao Yaoyao didn't want to argue for him, "He's not the kind of person who doesn't care about the overall situation. And he said that during that battle, the Chu family was feared by His Majesty, and he also worked for the Chu family in many ways.

And it was because of my grandfather that he protected me when I was in Kyoto City. "

"He's protecting you?" Chu Silang sneered, "My grandfather said this, but he, King Dingbei, doesn't even listen to His Majesty's words. Do you think he will listen to us?

The reason why he approached you was because he wanted to inquire about the Chu family. "

"You're talking nonsense." Tao Yaoyao was furious this time, "He has been in the Chu family army before. If he really suspected something, he would have suspected it long ago..."

At this moment, Tao Yaoyao was in a panic. She couldn't even control her emotions, and her whole body was trembling.

When Chu Silang saw this, he felt heartbroken. What he originally wanted to say, he swallowed it back when it reached his lips.

"Okay, let's not mention this matter. Let's go. It's getting late and we should be on our way." As soon as Chu Silang finished speaking, his body softened and he fell to the ground.

Then he thought of something and raised his head sharply, "Yaoyao, you..."

"I'm sorry, fourth brother. I know you just went to see him. I didn't want to see him originally, but I don't believe what you said. I want to ask him. Even if it's a lie, I want to ask him clearly and give myself a Explain."

The guard heard the noise and came here.

They saw Chu Silang fall to the ground and draw his sword towards Tao Yaoyao.

"Stop, no one is allowed to hurt him. Otherwise, I will never let you go." Chu Silang forced himself to stand up. Seeing Tao Yaoyao's persistence, he could only sigh and agree to his request.

"Go ahead and come back early."

"I'm sorry, Fourth Brother. Also, no matter what the outcome is, I will come back as soon as possible."

"I see."

Tao Yaoyao turned around and went down the mountain. Chu Silang was worried about his safety and called a few guards to follow him.

At this time, Xie Lan and others were still at the foot of the mountain. Xiao Shuo urged him several times, but Xie Lan did not speak. Just before Xiao Shuo lost his patience, footsteps were heard not far away. They looked up and saw Tao Tao. Yaoyao ran towards this side.

After Xie Lan saw it, he flew forward and hugged the person in his arms.

The feeling of being lost and found was too complicated. At this moment, Xie Lan felt that he was holding on to the most important thing in the world, and he couldn't bear to let go.

"Xie Lan, fourth brother said that you returned to Kyoto City this time to investigate the Chu family. Is it true?" Tao Yaoyao's voice was filled with grievances.

Xie Lan let go of her and carefully wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, "Do you believe it?"

Tao Yaoyao shook her head, "I want to hear it from your own mouth. Xie Lan, no matter what you say, I believe it, but I only have this one chance. If you lie to me, then we will never meet again, life or death." goodbye."

Tao Yaoyao is stubborn and doesn't like betrayal and deception.

The words Chu Silang said may be half true and half false, but she knew that he would definitely not tell all lies. The reason why she insisted on coming here to find him was because she wanted him to tell her the truth.

But if he doesn't want to...

To be honest, Tao Yaoyao didn't dare to think about this hypothesis because she knew her own temperament too well. If Xie Lan really cheated on her, there would really be no future between them.

This is the only person she likes in her two lives. If possible, she would like to grow old with her, but...

It is impossible for her to ignore her relatives.

"So, you still refuse to say it?" Time passed by, but Xie Lan remained silent. Gradually, Tao Yaoyao's eyes turned red. Therefore, what the fourth brother said is true.

So, she's really taking advantage of her.

What's funny is that she actually thought that he took this trip because of her.

She was even afraid that if she really caused him trouble in the future, she would feel guilty. But it turns out that they are just using and being used.

"Yaoyao, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it, I..." Xie Lan had never seen so many expressions on her face, including disappointment, anger, and many similar emotions.

He felt sorry for her for being so sad and worried that she would hurt him. He wanted to step forward to comfort her, but she pushed him away.

"I want to hear it from your own mouth. Xie Lan, as long as you tell me, I will forgive you. Really, I don't care that you used me and hid from me in the past. I know your last resort.

But now, I want to hear you tell the truth. As long as you tell it, we can forget about the past. "

Tao Yaoyao looked at him anxiously with an expectant look on her face.

But he was silent again. During the long silence, Tao Yaoyao even heard the moment when her own breathing stopped. That was the combination of disappointment.

"So that's really the case. Then forget it." Tao Yaoyao smiled bitterly and turned around.

Just now, she and her fourth brother had made a great promise, but now they were so disappointed.

But she clearly said that there is no one else but her in this life. He will never harm her or betray her. Could it be that what he said before was just talk.

In his eyes, she had always been insignificant.

"Miss Tao, you really misunderstood. This matter is more complicated than you think, and now is indeed not the time to talk about it. Give the prince some more time, and he will definitely tell you when the matter matures."

Xiao Shuo was worried for both of them.

Seeing Tao Yaoyao leaving with a disappointed look on her face, Xiao Shuo was worried that Xie Lan would regret it later, so he stopped her.

"Miss Tao, we have known each other for a while. You also know my temperament..."

"Thank you Master Xiao for your kindness, but what I want is his attitude." Tao Yaoyao glanced at Xie Lan with disappointment, then turned around and went up the mountain.

"What are you doing? After waiting for so long, aren't you waiting for her? And Chu Silang has already said this, why don't you explain."

"You didn't see the look in Miss Tao's eyes just now. If you haven't explained yet, aren't you afraid that when she goes to the border, she will be arranged to get married by the Chu family?

By then, you will regret it and you won’t be able to find a place. "

"No need." Xie Lan got on his horse, then turned and left.

When Xiao Shuo saw this, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

King Dingbei is good at everything, but he has a tough mouth. He obviously cares a lot in his heart, but he doesn't say a word. But how will others know if you don't say something?

Others are not roundworms in your stomach. They can know what you are thinking just by looking at them or because they like you?

"Didn't you say you don't care? Then why are you still waiting at the foot of the mountain? Let's just leave." Seeing him return to the place just now, Xiao Shuo deliberately teased him, but who knew that Xie Lan would Note the warning.

Xiao Shuo was angry, "How dare you do this to me? Why didn't I see you so tough just now? Forget it. Let's get down to business. I'm afraid I can't hide the news that Chu Silang is here."

He was sent by the emperor, so he knew that there were many secret guards following them secretly.

What happened today, I'm afraid those secret guards have already been sent to Kyoto City.

"If I guess correctly, His Majesty's order to you is to get rid of the Chu family and then take the Chu family's army as your own." Xiao Shuo actually wanted to say these words before.

However, I have never found a suitable opportunity. It is rare to have time now, and Chu Silang has also appeared. So he wanted to test Xie Lan's mind.

"What do you think this king should do?" Xie Lan asked instead, "You have a good relationship with Wu Lang of the Chu family. If it were you, what would you do?"

There is something in Xie Lan's words.

Xiao Shuo quickly expressed his attitude, "Friends are friends, and court affairs are court affairs. I have always made a distinction between public and private affairs."

"Since you know, why do you ask?"

So, Xie Lan agrees with His Majesty’s thoughts?