dhibooks Chapter 3 Companionship
Chapter 3 Companionship
The other courtyard where Yang Yan lives is on the outer northwest corner of the palace.
There are no flowers and birds on the porch here, because the owner here can't see these little things that make people bored.In addition, the serving maids and servants are also very quiet, coming and going quietly, even sitting in the yard during the day, closing their eyes, it is as silent as the night.
For the invisible Yang Yan, it was night from beginning to end.
However, that is not always the case. In the real night, there will be some noises, such as the sound of the wind whistling past and scratching on the window lattice, the sound of light cracking in the oil candle, and Lorraine's low humming.
Luo Lan hummed Donghu's ballad. Yang Yan couldn't understand the meaning of the song, but thought the tune was far away and very pleasant.Lorraine always hummed while stroking his forehead, and said softly: "Yexi, go to sleep."
Wei Changxuan heard this address shortly after he came to the other courtyard, and he asked a little strangely: "Aunt Luo Lan, why do you call the young master a bitch?"
Luo Lan glanced at him lightly: "Yexi is the young master's Hu family nickname, only those close to him can call it."
The defender Changxuan wisely stopped mentioning it.
After days of heavy snowfall, Jian'an City finally cleared up. Wei Changxuan followed Luo Lan's instructions and took Yang Yan, who had just recovered from a cough, to the back garden for a walk.Yang Yan wore a large white sleeve trimmed with fox fur, a pine-colored robe inside, a brocade belt around her waist, and blue lotus flowers embroidered on the belt.In all fairness, his demeanor is much more luxurious than other clan children in the capital, but unfortunately, it is only a pity for those invisible eyes.
Yang Yan didn't know the sigh in Wei Changxuan's heart, he walked quietly along the bluestone corridor, suddenly raised his face and said: "The snow has melted."
The white snow on the eaves had indeed melted a little under the sunlight, but how could he see it?Wei Changxuan was puzzled and couldn't help asking.
"I heard the sound of snow melting." Yang Yan replied softly with empty eyes.
"Yes, the snow has melted, and the icicles under the eaves have also melted a little. The ground was frozen to the point of frost a few days ago, and now the color of the soil is showing." Wei Changxuan said slowly, pointing to what he could see. Come, he seems to want to tell this young man everything he saw, so that he can picture those invisible scenes in his heart.
However, Yang Yan just listened in a daze. He opened his hands in the void and muttered: "What is the color of the soil...?"
Wei Changxuan was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that no matter how much he said, Yang Yan couldn't see it, and he couldn't even imagine what the world was like.
Just when they were relatively dazed, there was a sound of chaotic footsteps from the corridor in the back garden. Wei Changxuan subconsciously wanted to take Yang Yan away, but it was too late, and a voice with a smile said: "Isn't this Fourth brother?"
Yang Yan's reaction was faster than Wei Changxuan's. He turned his head, groped and bowed: "Third brother."
Wei Changxuan also hurriedly bent down: "Young master, I have seen the third son."
That was Yang Jue, the third son of Prince Mu's Mansion. When Wei Changxuan first entered the mansion, Luo Lan had told him to avoid the third sons. He vaguely guessed that this third son was probably a little difficult.
Yang Jue and Yang Yan's looks are not similar, he is already seventeen or eighteen years old, with open eyebrows, wearing a mink fur cloak, holding hands leisurely, only raised his eyebrows to the two of them: "Four Brother, why does this servant next to you look strange?"
Before Yang Yan could answer, someone in his entourage said courteously: "My lord, this is the new companion of the fourth lord." He deliberately lowered his voice, half-covered his mouth and smiled, "It's the kid from Shenwuwei."
Yang Jue shook his shoulders and laughed as if he had heard some joke: "The fourth younger brother has become more and more healthy recently. Now that he has a companion, is it possible that he wants to practice martial arts? I don't know if he wants to learn riding and archery, or sword and horse? "After speaking, I first burst out laughing, and the attendants behind me also snickered along with flattering faces.
Wei Changxuan was very annoyed, but he couldn't get angry. He went to see Yang Yan worriedly, for fear that Yang Yan would cry if he was ridiculed.However, Yang Yan just looked in the direction of his elder brother with a blank expression, as if he didn't understand his words at all, he touched Wei Changxuan's shoulder and patted lightly: "I'm cold, go back."
Wei Changxuan agreed, stood up and wanted to take him away, but Yang Jue said again: "Fourth brother, in the past, my brothers never took you to play, I know you are not happy. Today's weather is so good, how about we go Going for a stroll in the back mountain pasture?"
Yang Yan coughed, and seemed to be really cold. He didn't refuse, but said: "Thank you, third brother, the pasture is a place for horseback riding and archery...I don't know how to do it."
Yang Jue laughed again, as if he had expected him to say that, he stepped forward, took Yang Yan's hand affectionately, and said, "Brother knows you are not well, so why would I let you ride a horse? Let's set up a tent, let's sit in the tent and warm up the fire, and just watch our companions play." He turned his face to the back and said, "Invite the second young master and his companions over, we brothers have a good time today."
Yang Yan was dragged involuntarily and staggered forward. Wei Changxuan didn't dare to act recklessly, so he could only follow his temper.
Due to the fact that the royal family was mixed with Donghu blood, the Jokhang Dynasty was very different from the elegant aristocrats of the previous dynasties, and they put more emphasis on bowing horses and swords than dancing and writing.Many palaces of royal family and nobles also have racetracks. The racecourse of King Mu’s Mansion is naturally wider than other homes. It is said that it was an inner lake of the palace in the previous dynasty, and it was built after King Mu filled the lake. pasture.
To the east of the meadow is a natural hillside, on which a brocade tent has been set up. Yang Jue dragged Yang Yan into the tent, and said with great interest: "I heard that after hunting, the Hu'ers lit a fire. Eat while roasting, let’s learn from Hu’er today, get some raw venison, and roast it here, how about it?”
Wei Changxuan listened to his words gloomyly, he knew that Yang Yan's biological mother was from Donghu, and now Yang Jue said "Hu'er", if he said he did it unintentionally, no one would believe it.
Yang Yan just lowered his face slightly, and said softly: "It's all up to brother."
While talking, the second son Yang Cong also hurried over with a few companions. He was different from these two in that he was born as a concubine, and he was careful in his words and deeds. On the one hand, he asked: "Third brother, why are you so excited today, please brothers come here to enjoy the snow?"
When Yang Jue talked to him, he didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, he just smiled and said: "There is no reward, but I just learned that the fourth brother has a new companion, so I specially asked the second brother to come and have a look at this place together." How capable is a person, is he worthy of being our partner in Prince Mu's residence?" He casually pointed to Wei Changxuan, "Come here."
Wei Changxuan sneered in his heart, stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "I don't know what orders you young masters have?"
"Since you are from the Forbidden Army, you must be very brave?" Yang Jue lowered his eyes, stroking the fur on his cuffs, and said casually, "Why don't you compare your martial arts skills with other companions?"
The companions behind him were all carefully selected young warriors from various families, all of them were tall and strong, and Wei Changxuan was pitifully emaciated in front of them.
"I wonder if you want us to compete with bows and arrows or ride a horse?" Wei Changxuan asked calmly.
Yang Jue stared at him for a while, then suddenly smiled: "These are ordinary little tricks, they are not interesting, why not compare them to wrestling." He turned to Yang Cong and said, "What do you think, second brother?"
As soon as Yang Cong saw his eyes, he understood what he meant, and said behind him, "Yuan Mao."
Immediately someone agreed to stand up, it was a muscular young man, or because he was so tall and strong, he almost looked like an adult warrior.
There was an instant silence in the brocade tent, and everyone knew in their hearts that if it was a competition of riding and archery, at most it would be a win or a loss, but wrestling would naturally cause damage to one party, and it was obvious who the injured party was, after all, this Yuan Mao looked almost Break Wei Changxuan's arm.
Wei Changxuan looked at this opponent who was half a head taller than him, and only stretched out his hand and said, "Please."
In front of his master, Yuan Mao naturally wanted to take the opportunity to show off his skills, and before he was ready, he acted first, and grabbed Wei Changxuan's shoulder as soon as he stretched out his long arm.This boy looked light and fluffy, if he picked him up and fell to the ground, at least a few ribs would be broken.Unexpectedly, with this move, Wei Changxuan also moved. He was agile, and he held Yuan Mao's wrist with his backhand and twisted it back. Unfortunately, the difference in physical strength between the two was too great. dragged back.When he was about to be caught by the opponent, he kicked his legs on the ground, and with the power of jumping, he slammed his elbows hard on the opponent's chest.This is not a fighting technique, but a trick he often used when fighting in Shenwuwei, because regardless of his physical strength, the hardness and strength of his elbows are quite amazing.He was holding a breath in his chest this time, and he almost used his whole body's weight to press down on the opponent. Yuan Mao didn't expect that the young man looked thin, but he would fight with such vicious strength. Almost suffocated by the collision, he fell backwards suddenly.Wei Changxuan didn't allow him a chance to fight back, and the moment he rolled to the ground, he grabbed his arm and twisted it back: "Do you admit defeat?" His voice was low and ruthless, as if if the other party refused to admit defeat, he would immediately wring him to death wrist.
Yuan Mao's chest and wrist bones were in severe pain, so he nodded his head as an admission of defeat. When he returned to the brocade tent, he hardly dared to look at his master's face, and hid in the crowd in a panic.
Yang Cong looked calm, but Yang Jue's complexion was very ugly. He only wanted to give this kid a bad impression. Unexpectedly, he was so sharp, he was looking for death.
When Wei Changxuan came back, Yang Jue only gave him a cold look, and asked, "In the imperial army, did you learn horse fighting or foot fighting?"
Wei Changxuan had just finished a fight, and his breath was still a little unsteady, so he replied, "Mostly fight on foot."
"Battle on foot, did you use a knife?"
"Yes."
Yang Jue nodded with a sneer, and said behind him, "Chen Shao, compare swords with him."
Wei Changxuan knew the companion named Chen Shao behind him, he was the youngest son of General Chen, the envoy of Huining Jiedu, and he learned the Chen family knife handed down from his family, which was considered top among the children of the martial arts families in Jian'an City.
Yang Yan was sitting in the corner, and suddenly coughed violently. His hands were tucked into the big fox fur sleeves, which seemed to be clenched tightly, but his face was still pale, and he didn't say a word.
Yang Cong, who was sitting on the right, gave a dry laugh first, then turned to Yang Jue and said, "Third brother, the competition is just to make a fuss and win a lottery. If you really see blood, it won't look good. Why don't you just take the wooden knife."
Yang Jue thought for a while, then nodded and said, "Second brother said yes, but I don't know what prize to fight for today?"
Yang Cong untied a water sapphire jade pendant of excellent quality from his waist: "This thing should be the prize of this martial arts competition." He smiled in the direction of Chen Shao and Wei Changxuan, "Try it well, if it is good, Your master naturally has other rewards."
That being said, his eyes were on Chen Shao. In fact, it wasn't just him. Everyone here knew that Chen Shao had never lost in sword competitions with his peers.
The wooden knife was delivered quickly. This is not a toy in the hands of children, but a tool used by samurai for practice. The wood is strong and heavy.Chen Shao weighed the knife in his hand, and slowly crossed the edge of the knife. This is the starting position of the Chen family knife, which can be used to attack or defend.However, Wei Changxuan raised his blade. He had never learned any decent sword skills. When he was in the barracks, he was desperately chopping wooden piles every day. The captain just warned them: Don't underestimate these wooden piles. , These are living enemies. If you hit the other side first, you will live. If you are hit by the other side, you will die.
Chen Shao's saber attacked like thorns and thorns, and his saber carried a simple change, slashing, slashing, and breaking the jaw. Every slash aimed at Wei Changxuan's vitals.Wei Changxuan blocked it twice at first, but then it was almost unavoidable. With astonishing force, the wooden knife first swept to his back, and then hit his shoulder bone. The sudden crisp sound almost made him think his bones were was interrupted.