Chapter 18. He was nervous and anxious, begging himself to be like her...

I planned to ask Hua Lang tonight, but he said he wasn't feeling well and wanted to sleep, refusing to face her no matter what, so I put it off for now.

The repair of Jingyang Palace was short of money, so Zhan Yunmei tried to help the emperor slow down the progress. She ran back and forth between the palace and the Beijing garrison day and night. When she got busy, she couldn't set a time to return to her residence.

Hua Lang waited in vain for Zhan Yunmei to return to the mansion for a meal. In the past, he would be overjoyed if she didn't come back, but now he felt a little uneasy and a sense of loneliness crept in.

As the hottest days of summer gradually arrived, Hua Lang couldn't wait any longer and went back to her room early. Because of the hot and dry weather, she couldn't leave anything for Zhan Yunmei.

It would be best to let her starve to death!

When the emperor learned that Princess Rongning was staying at the general's mansion, he summoned her back to his own residence. Once the princess left, the mansion returned to its former desolation.

Zhan Yunmei sent someone to the mansion to tell Hua Lang to arrange for the house to be cleaned up and for him to move back to the main house. She specifically left a message saying that he should return to the mansion tonight and to remember to wait for her.

"Who wants to wait for her? She's never home all day long, it's exhausting." Hua Lang rolled her eyes.

Yao Shuniang smiled and remained silent.

After changing the bedding and lighting incense at night, Hua Lang had the room thoroughly cleaned. Only after getting over that mental hurdle did she return to rest.

At midnight, a candle was lit. The wax melted into a whole dish, and the faint light flickered. Hua Lang looked at it and reached out to extinguish it.

She promised to come back, but what is she coming back for? What is he waiting for? She's ignoring him again, and although he doesn't know if she's doing it on purpose, he's convinced she is.

With a soft groan, Hua Lang turned over and closed her eyes.

But Zhan Yunmei didn't come back, so how could he sleep? He lay on his side for a long time, and his shoulder and neck ached on one side, but he didn't want to move.

Warm hands slipped under the thin blanket, reaching out from under the nightgown, and pressed against Hua Lang's slender back.

“Hua Lang, I told you to wait for me, why didn’t you listen?” Zhan Yunmei’s tone wasn’t accusatory, but rather subtly teasing. “Turn around.”

She knew that Hua Lang definitely wasn't asleep; he never went to bed early at night, but in reality, he never slept at all.

After listening, he turned around little by little, lowered his head as if thinking about something, and then looked up to peek at Zhan Yunmei.

He hated the darkness of the room and the lack of human vision, making it difficult to discern expressions in the night. He hesitated, as if he had made up his mind, and then reached out very gently to embrace Zhan Yunmei.

Zhan Yunmei was surprised, even shocked, but didn't show much reaction, instead pulling him closer to her.

“You came back too late, and I was sleepy,” Hua Lang explained.

"Oh, why did you wake up again?" Zhan Yunmei didn't try to wake Hua Lang up; she didn't even use any effort, let alone wake him up.

How did he wake up? He wasn't asleep at all! Didn't she know that? Yet she had to say that, making him feel ashamed and angry.

Hua Lang scoffed mockingly.

Zhan Yunmei smiled, rested her chin on his head, and stroked his hair back and forth with her palm.

Her ability to discern is astonishing. During the time she spent with him, she completely figured out his sensitive spots. She put her palm through his hair, placed it on the back of his neck, and stroked down along the protruding bones.

Wherever his touch landed, a soft, tingling sensation followed, and Hua Lang unconsciously tightened his grip on Zhan Yunmei's nightgown.

Just as he thought she was about to get up, she paused, and said in a languid tone, "Sleep well."

Hua Lang was stunned almost instantly, unable to believe her indifference. His grip on her collar was already a response; she had always understood before.

What's this all about?

The thought arose again, like an evil spirit, lingering and impossible to shake off. Hua Lang swallowed hard, her heart pounding nervously.

"Are you tired today too?" he asked softly, gently hugging Zhan Yunmei and pressing his cheek against her chest as she breathed.

"Hmm... a little," Zhan Yunmei said without opening her eyes. She felt her waist tighten, but her thoughts were still on the Chaotian Palace.

The emperor was pressing her, but she didn't want Hua Lang to overthink things. It would be better to appease him and make him behave. She then had the idea of ​​using her private funds to replenish the national treasury.

It's equivalent to three or four years of the country's income, which is no small amount. But thinking about it, it's worth it to exchange this much money for Hualang's obedience.

Thinking this way, she felt much better. Suddenly, she felt a soft touch on her lips, and Zhan Yunmei opened her eyes.

Hua Lang felt her face burning and her ears burning, so she clung to Zhan Yunmei's shoulder to hide her embarrassment.

She chuckled softly and patted his back. "No need for that. I'm not really upset that you didn't wait for me to come back. I'm just glad you got back late and you should rest early and take care of yourself."

"Who said that? Has the general lost his mind?" He spoke sarcastically, but his heart had completely collapsed.

No matter how I kiss her, she doesn't react. I should at least give her a little kiss...

It's laughable, isn't it disgusting that he's a relative of a eunuch? How did he expect her to respond? Was he supposed to bring in a jade dildo from outside to play with him?

Knowing he felt ashamed and disgusted, Hua Lang silently retreated, no longer embracing Zhan Yunmei tightly, but did not turn around, remaining face to face.

.

The collapse of Jingyang Palace was no small matter. The news eventually spread beyond the capital and reached every street and alley.

Even Hua Lang, who had been staying at the General's Mansion for a long time, heard about it and was watering the flowers in the flower hall when he heard the news.

He had a grand presence in the previous dynasty, so he naturally knew what was going on in Jingyang Palace. The emperor doted on the concubines at that time, sending them gold, silver and valuables every few days, which she was not satisfied with.

So the emperor spent lavishly to expand and renovate Jingyang Palace, and also demolished an adjacent hall. All the pavilions and palaces were renovated and the furnishings were replaced, making it a very large-scale project.

It's collapsed, difficult to repair, and expensive. Hua Lang, living deep within the general's mansion, hasn't yet lost his mind and is well aware that the new dynasty is short of money.

Others may not know, but doesn't he?

The new dynasty was definitely short of money, or rather, very short of money. It was abnormal that it wasn't short of money, as it had to stabilize the officials, appease the people, and make up for the losses caused by the war.

The previous emperor didn't have much silver in his pocket, but he was extravagant and didn't know how to restrain himself. However, he left behind a huge sum of money, which was hidden under Jingyang Palace. If you don't turn Jingyang Palace upside down, there's no way you'll find the money.

If it's not renovated or repaired, it's likely that the money will never be found in this lifetime.

After watering the plants, Hua Lang placed the watering can in the tall cabinet. Under the scorching sun, worried about smelling bad from sweat, he quickly went back to the main house to change his clothes.

He had just taken off the blouse when the door opened and closed, startling him. He quickly covered his lower body.

The tall figure was reflected on the screen, gradually becoming larger.

Zhan Yunmei lifted the curtain and entered. The first thing she saw was Hua Lang glaring at her with narrowed eyes. She smiled gently, sat down on the edge of the couch, and pinched his arm, feeling the bone with her hand.

Feeling quite sorry for him, she draped his coat over his shoulders and carefully tied his belt. He looked down and saw her long fingers with tiny old scars at the joints.

Hua Lang reached out and touched the old scar on Zhan Yunmei's finger.

"What's wrong? Are you worried about me?" Zhan Yunmei tied the last two ties, looked up and kissed Hua Lang, her eyes and brows bright with a smile that came from genuine happiness.

Hua Lang choked up, then nodded hesitantly.

“I never expected my father-in-law to be so caring,” Zhan Yunmei said, raising the corners of her mouth slightly and lifting her chin slightly.

Hua Lang frowned. What did this mean? Did she want him to take the initiative? Didn't she ignore him last time?

After thinking it over and struggling with the decision, I mustered up my courage and kissed her. Her smile deepened.

Her smile was generous, which made him seem petty and impatient, his face turning red with embarrassment.

Indeed, that was the case. He was truly impatient, and all his previous shrewdness in dealing with people and things vanished when it came to her.

Hua Lang felt a bit resigned to his fate, so he simply pulled the blanket over his legs, opened his arms and hugged Zhan Yunmei, resting his head in her lap, closing his eyes in panic, hoping that she wouldn't push him away just because it wasn't nighttime.

Unexpected, completely unexpected.

Zhan Yunmei paused for a moment, confirming that this was indeed the real Hua Lang, before hugging him back with some doubt, calling out "Hua Lang?" to make sure it was really Hua Lang.

"Um, what's wrong?" Hua Lang's voice trembled.

She couldn't help but laugh at his trembling voice. He asked, displeased, "What's so funny? What's so funny?"

"You're so cute, it makes me want to smile," Zhan Yunmei replied honestly, explaining that she had been busy lately. "You should know about the Jingyang Palace project, the construction..."

“There is money left by the previous emperor under Jingyang Palace. This money should be recorded, but there is no record of it. You should know that,” Hua Lang realized that he had interrupted Zhan Yunmei and hurriedly tried to fill in the gaps. “Continue.”

She simply told him what she had been busy with lately and didn't want to ask about this matter. She didn't expect him to be so cautious. His overt caution was so obvious that it made people feel sorry for him. She gently stroked his cheek and said softly, "Hua Lang, without you, I would be in a lot of trouble."

Hua Lang was startled and panicked by her words. She had praised him too highly; he couldn't bear it.

Fortunately, judging from what she said, he was still useful.

She was nice to him with ulterior motives; how could anyone be nice to him unconditionally?

Hua Lang breathed a sigh of relief, which gave him a sense of security. He knew the principle that those who were useful could be kept and those who were useless could be thrown away.

Ignoring his gaze, Zhan Yunmei glanced outside. The midday sun was bright and clear, and the ice in the room brought a cool breeze that dispelled the summer heat, making it so pleasant that it made her want to sleep.

She took off her outer robe. Hua Lang didn't know what she was going to do, since she never returned to the manor during the day.

She would only take off her outer robe before going to sleep or when she wanted to do something with him, which he looked at with suspicion.

As Zhan Yunmei changed into her nightgown, she made no attempt to hide her movements from Hua Lang. It was the first time he had seen her clearly, and he was so shocked that he stared wide-eyed, his face turning red, yet he couldn't help but glance at her.

Her nightgown hung loosely on both sides, untied. What did Zhan Yunmei have to be shy about? She was in a good mood and pointed to the cabinet outside the bed. "Go get it and help me put it on. Do it yourself, no questions asked."

Hua Lang's lips parted slightly in surprise. Zhan Yunmei reached out with her fingertips, teasing his tongue and teeth back and forth, and said in an even stronger tone, "Is it not allowed?"

Is it okay? Is it not okay? Is she negotiating with him or giving him an order? Doesn't he understand?

A touch of excitement, a touch of fear.

He stared blankly, blinking rapidly, trying to regain his senses. After thinking it through, he stammered, "Y-yes."

A feeling of joy rose in my heart. If I did well, things could continue like this, and I wouldn't be disliked, thrown away, or imprisoned back in that little side room.

He was nervous and anxious, begging himself to do as she wished.

A note from the author:

----------------------