Sui and Tang Dynasties: You were driven out of Wagang, but you surrendered to Yang Guang and were ma

Chapter 190 Lü Zhen Lights the Lamp Wheel, a Shift in Mindset

"His body was carved from agarwood and he was given a grand burial."

Lu Xiao's voice was low and calm. He took out the bloodstained letter, put it in the wooden box, and handed it to Li Jing.

The head inside the wooden box had its eyes closed, but its distorted face still bore traces of resentment and anger.

"Yes," Li Jing replied solemnly as he accepted the wooden box with both hands.

He turned and left, his footsteps gradually fading into the night.

Lu Xiao unfolded the bloodstained letter, his gaze falling on the handwriting.

The words were crooked and twisted, yet they conveyed a deep-seated hatred and provocation.

Brother Zili, it's been a long time. If you still remember our past friendship, you should assess the situation and join forces with me.

If you insist on being blindly loyal to the Sui Dynasty and are willing to be buried with its decaying bones, I will not force you.

In the Jianghuai region, weapons are ready, awaiting our worthy brother to fight a loyal battle.

Tonight, I will also present my brother with a great gift.

Lu Xiao's brows furrowed more and more, and a murderous intent began to rise in his eyes.

Xu Maogong opposed him when he was in Wagang, and now that he has fled to Jianghuai, he still has the nerve to call himself brother?

Past friendship?

What kind of relationship exists between them?

It's nothing more than pretense and mutual scheming.

"Your Highness, what is it written?"

Yuwen Chenglong leaned closer, craning his neck to try and read the words on the letter.

He watched from the side for a long time, and seeing that Lü Xiao's expression was getting more and more unpleasant, he couldn't help but ask.

Lu Xiao did not answer, but walked to the brazier next to him and casually threw the letter in.

The flame instantly licked the paper, gradually devouring the provocative handwriting.

The paper curled up, turned black, and finally turned to ashes, scattering in the firelight.

"It's just barking."

He said lightly.

Hearing news about this person during the Lunar New Year is truly a curse.

"Let's go," Lü Xiao called out, turning and walking up the city wall. "Let's go see the lantern wheel."

For the time being, Xu Maogong and those rebels were put aside.

As for the deceased Song Hao, he would never forget this grudge and would avenge him sooner or later.

But tonight is Lunar New Year's Eve, a day for family reunions.

Let's get through the New Year first.

On the city gate tower, the huge lantern wheel was already ready.

The lamp wheel was over ten feet tall, with a frame made of fine bamboo and wood.

It was covered with thousands of lanterns, red, yellow and green, swaying slightly in the night breeze, like a giant tower of shimmering light.

"Husband, come quickly!" Yang Ruyi stood beside the lantern wheel and beckoned to him, "Zhen'er is going to light the lantern wheel!"

Lu Zhen was wearing a brand-new bright red robe, and her small face was flushed red by the lantern light.

He was looking down at his robes, occasionally glancing up at the huge lamp wheel, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

In previous years, the task of lighting the lanterns was either carried out by Yang Guang himself or by Yang You.

This year is different; it's Lü Zhen now in charge.

"Father!" Lu Zhen waved excitedly when he saw Lu Xiao, "Just wait and see how I perform!"

Lü Xiao did not respond immediately, but walked to Yang Guang's side and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Majesty, this is not appropriate."

He glanced at Yang You, who was standing not far away.

The boy had a smile on his face, but it looked forced no matter how you looked at it.

Especially when he looked at Lü Zhen, a barely perceptible hint of gloom flashed in his eyes.

Last year and the year before, although he was not in Luoyang, he heard that Yang You had lit the lanterns.

The sudden change to Lü Zhen this year has indeed overshadowed Yang You.

"It's alright!" Yang Guang waved his hand dismissively. "Ruyi said Zhen'er wants to order, so let him order!"

This is his grandson. What's wrong with lighting the lamp wheel?

Yang You is no longer a child; he should understand the importance of showing deference to younger generations.

"Grandfather is right," Yang You suddenly said, a polite smile on his face and a gentle tone in his voice.

"My cousin is a descendant of the Sui Dynasty and also my grandson's cousin. He is qualified to light the lamp wheel on my behalf."

He spoke magnanimously and laughed sincerely, as if he truly didn't care at all.

In the end, Lü Zhen was nothing more than someone who lit the lamp wheel for him.

Will the throne of the Sui Dynasty ever fall into the hands of a grandson?

"Good!" Yang Guang nodded in satisfaction. "It seems that I haven't taught you in vain all these days."

He was afraid that his cousins ​​might be outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds.

This is a major taboo within the royal family.

Just like him and Li Yuan, they appeared to be on good terms, but secretly they both hoped the other would die sooner.

Seeing this, Lü Xiao said no more.

He silently returned to Yang Ruyi's side and whispered, "With such a limelight, we must not let Zhen'er appear in public again."

He could tell that Yang You spoke frankly, but his expression just now wasn't fake either.

"Okay."

Yang Ruyi stuck out her tongue and turned her head to the side, refusing to look at her cautious and loyal husband.

But she didn't think so in her heart.

Why can't her son stand out?

If Yang You can choose, why can't Lü Zhen?

She insisted on letting her son steal the spotlight a few more times!

"Zhen'er," Yang Guang said with a smile, beckoning to Lü Zhen, "Go quickly!"

"good!"

Lu Zhen responded, glanced back at his maternal grandfather, then at his father and mother.

Then, taking small steps, he followed the palace attendant leading the way up to the top of the lantern.

Standing on the city wall, Lü Xiao gazed at the enormous lantern wheel and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

What does it mean to create conditions when there are none?

This is.

In ancient times, there were no fireworks, but there were these lantern wheels that were over ten feet tall.

One lantern after another was lit, layer upon layer, until the entire city was illuminated. These lanterns were the fireworks of their time.

thump.

A deep, resounding drumbeat exploded in the night sky.

The city walls, the city below the city walls, and the entire eastern capital city fell silent instantly.

Tens of thousands of common people and civil and military officials alike gazed at the enormous lamp wheel.

Then, the light wheel turned on.

The lantern at the very top lit up first, its orange-red light twinkling in the night sky.

Then came the second and the third lamps.

The lights flowed down from the top like a waterfall, spreading layer by layer and gradually expanding.

Hundreds of cups, thousands of cups, tens of thousands of cups.

The entire lamp wheel, from top to bottom, is lit up!

The palace lanterns lit up one by one, the lanterns on the city towers were lit one by one, and the colorful lights on both sides of the street shone brightly at the same time.

The night sky was bathed in a fiery red glow, like a burning sunset.

Lu Xiao stood on the high platform, gazing at this scene, speechless for a long time.

Fireworks have their merits, and light wheels have their wonders.

The shock of this moment is more profound than any words can express.

"The lantern display is earlier this year than in previous years," Yang Guang said, a rare smile appearing on his face as he gazed at the fiery red expanse. "And it looks even more beautiful."

In previous years, lanterns were lit during the Lantern Festival, but due to the current chaotic situation, it has to be done earlier to appease the public.

But the scene was indeed more spectacular than in previous years.

"Father! I'm back!"

Lu Zhen ran down from the high place, her little face flushed and her forehead covered with fine beads of sweat.

He ran up to Lü Xiao, tilted his head back, and his eyes shone with an astonishing light.

"How are you feeling?" Lu Xiao asked.

"It's amazing!" Lü Zhen nodded vigorously.

Looking down from above, he saw not only the visual impact of the light wheel.

They also witnessed the moment the lights came on and the moment when all the people bowed their heads.