Su Feng

After enduring for nearly an hour, Aruo finally couldn't stand the lingering smell of alcohol and the increasing number of greetings and stares, so he found an excuse to escape.

"Miss, you don't look well. How about Yunyan ask the Imperial Concubine to let you go to the side hall to rest for a while?" Yunyan helped her sit in the pavilion in the woods and said worriedly.

Ah Ruo nodded indifferently. After Yunyan tied the fox fur coat on her, she hurried to the main hall.

Looking up, he saw the vast expanse of white snow and the red plum blossoms as red as blood. Aruo closed his eyes tiredly and leaned against the pillar, thinking over and over again about the scene just now, every frame was flipping.

A frail girl, wrapped in a snow-white fox fur coat, closed her dark eyes. Her delicate brows revealed a subtle aloofness, a cold and noble air. Her delicate features, concealed by light makeup, still held a hint of sickness, not a bleak look, but rather a delicate, vulnerable presence. Her fingers, resting on the fox fur coat, were slender, white, their knuckles bare, devoid of any adornment.

Suddenly, she felt an inexplicable alertness and opened her eyes instantly.

The pavilion in the snow had a desolate and bleak look. The man, dressed in crimson official robes, had sword-like brows and cold eyes, a face as cold as jade, and his black hair tied high in a bun, looking as noble as a banished immortal from the nine heavens. His cold eyes focused intently on her, and his bony hand reached for her brow.

His dark eyes were indifferent and calm. Aruo suppressed his surprise and leaned back slightly without making a sound, looking at him, "Sir, is there something wrong?"

Her voice was clean and clear, as cool as water, and the unfamiliar tone instantly extinguished the burning heat in his heart.

Su Zirui looked at her coldly, and withdrew his hanging hand in a somewhat embarrassed manner, clenching it into a fist behind his back.

She did not avoid him, but stared back at him blankly, the two of them staring at each other as if competing, until he looked away with difficulty, hiding the restraint in his eyes.

A flash of understanding flashed across his black eyes, and Aruo turned his head away and said softly, "Sorry..."

After saying that, she suddenly stood up and ran out.

After taking just one step, her wrist was grabbed and she stopped uncontrollably. Her steps swayed, and the light flickered, as if a light passed through her moist eyes.

"Qi Ruoyu," Su Zirui narrowed his eyes slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on her without blinking, and said in a deep voice, "Don't you remember a single word I said?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, sir..." Aruo frowned slightly, looking offended. The grip on her wrist wasn't strong, but she couldn't break free.

Her cold expression hurt more than her words. Su Zirui's eyes were filled with cold anger. "You said with your own mouth that you wouldn't give up on me..."

Aruo's black pupils trembled slightly, and she bit her lip. After a long while, she raised her eyes. The alienation between her brows had not faded at all, and now it seemed even colder. "My lord, everything that happened yesterday is like yesterday's death. Why don't you look forward? There are some things that cannot be changed, so there is no need to cling to them."

Persistence? Everyone can say that they are persistent, except her.

A murderous aura suddenly seeped into his icy eyes, and the deep-seated paranoia suddenly gnawed at his clear-headed mind like a savage beast. His unwavering pride bent toward her like a tall and graceful figure, his sinister gaze enveloping her. "Who gives you the right to decide all this? In your eyes, am I disposable?"

That coldness was too annoying, like needles piercing his heart. At this moment, he just wanted her to feel the same pain, only then would he feel satisfied. The girl in front of him shouldn't be so cold. She had to respond to him in order to calm the fear she had been feeling for so long.

"If you were familiar with Aruo... then you should know who is in front of you now." His black eyes could not hide the guilt, but there was no affection he wanted to see. Aruo looked at him calmly.

The hand holding her wrist suddenly tightened, and her body trembled uncontrollably in pain. This feeling of being out of control made Aruo's eyes red with grievance. She looked at him coldly, "Let go! What do you want to do?"

There was no vitality he longed for, no playful laughter, and even less affection he had ever seen… Her aggrieved expression suddenly restrained the wild beasts of emotion. Su Zirui closed his eyes lightly, suppressing the sour feeling that surged up. His slightly hoarse voice was almost whispered, "I just, really want to…"

she.

It was not the person in front of him, but the girl who had jumped into his arms with a smile and said she would buy him delicious food, the girl who wore her wedding dress and married him in the formation.

He misses her very much.

These days Luo Ziran has used many methods to isolate her from his world, but now that he sees her face with his own eyes, the crazy longing that has grown seems to have broken through the repression and surges out. Even the strange and indifferent eyes cannot block these thoughts that are about to get out of control.

His breath paused, and the pulse under his palm was clearly felt. Su Zirui raised his eyes suddenly, a hint of hostility flashed in his eyes, and his thin lips lifted slightly, "You..."

"Let her go!"

A low shout was heard, followed by a flash of light rushing over.

Su Zirui quickly let go of his hand and leaned back slightly. The white porcelain flew between them and hit the stone pillar behind them, scattering fragments everywhere.

With a thought, he raised his hand to block her pale cheek, and the fragments instantly drew a bloody mark on the back of his hand.

Aruo turned around without even looking and ran towards the person who was coming, meeting his outstretched hand.

"Nan'er..." Luo Ziran hugged her tremblingly, lowered his head and said softly, "You..."

With mist covering his dark eyes, A'ruo could hardly hide his guilt, "Brother A'chu, he belongs to A'ruo...right?"

Luo Ziran's eyes darkened, and he clutched her shoulders tightly with both hands. "No... have you forgotten? She only likes you, and everyone else is dispensable in her eyes."

Aruo trembled uncontrollably, his eyes blank, "Really?"

Su Zirui looked at the two people over there, a sneer on his lips, his expression becoming increasingly cold, "When did Lord Luo become interested in the Winter Banquet?"

Luo Ziran soothingly pulled the man behind him, then looked at him gloomily, "When did Lord Su become interested in the venue for the women's banquet?"

"I'm here to look for someone." Su Zirui said simply.

"The person you are looking for is not here." Luo Ziran blocked the people behind him tightly.

"She is mine..." When he said this, his voice was not as cold as usual, but rather had a slight tremor in it.

Luo Ziran looked into those stubborn eyes, swallowed his complicated thoughts, and whispered, "She is no longer the person you are looking for. Lord Su... please respect yourself."

"Get out of the way, Luo Ziran," Su Zirui said with hatred in his eyes, his voice sinking, "Let her speak for herself."

He masochistically believed that only Qi Ruoyu herself had the right to hold the knife that stabbed him.

The glances they exchanged were like sharp blades, and a silent contest was slowly spreading. Aruo, who was following behind Luo Ziran, lowered his head, his eyelashes suddenly trembled, and his hands, which were hidden in the fox fur, were clenched tightly.

"Master Su," Aruo walked out of Luo Ziran's cover, looked at him calmly, and said softly, "You should understand that if she had you in her heart, then the person standing in front of you today would not be Shen Nan."

If she had concerns, why would the girl abandon herself?

His pupils trembled suddenly, and Su Zirui looked at her with a pale face, then turned around indifferently and walked away without any reluctance.

"Nan'er, you..." Luo Ziran could not hide the surprise in his eyes.

Aruo's face was pale, and his black eyes were exceptionally clear. "Brother Chu, it's already a done deal, so why keep hoping? Some people don't belong in this world anymore."

As expected, it was his Nan'er, cold and resolute towards those who had nothing to do with her. The tension in his heart suddenly relaxed, and Luo Ziran's eyebrows and eyes were filled with tenderness.

His steps suddenly stopped and tears fell silently from his eyes. Luo Ziran was shocked.

Aruo looked at Luo Ziran with a look of guilt in his eyes, and said sadly, "Brother Chu... I can even run now... I thought I would never be able to run freely in my life."

From birth to death, Shen Nan would feel uncomfortable even if he walked a few more steps, let alone running. Luo Ziran's heart ached instantly because of these words, and all those doubts disappeared in an instant.

"But the price... is too high." Her current health was exchanged for her beloved sister, and her cold pupils were filled with sadness.

Luo Ziran glanced back inexplicably, the crimson figure still standing there stubbornly. "It will pass... Nan'er, it will all pass. Today I wanted to ask His Majesty to grant me a marriage, but His Majesty mentioned the Sixth Young Lady of the Jing'an Mansion first... so I had to give up. But it doesn't matter, Nan'er, when we return to Liangzhou, no one can separate us anymore."

The Sixth Young Lady of the Jing'an Mansion was determined to win him over. Over the years, the Jing'an Mansion had sought the Emperor's approval, but he had always refused. If he asked for a marriage now, he would undoubtedly offend the Jing'an Mansion, and he didn't want to cause any more trouble before returning to Liangzhou.

"When can we go back?" Aruo lowered his head, tightened his fox fur coat with his hands as if he was afraid of the cold, and asked in a low voice with his whole body wrapped in snow.

"It's winter there now, and the roads are blocked by heavy snow. We'll set off after the New Year."

"good."

Su Zirui stood in the plum forest, his crimson skin contrasting with the red plum blossoms on the branches, standing out against the snow. After a long moment, he slowly raised his hand. The delicate touch of his fingertips seemed to linger, as did the unsteady feeling of his breath and pulse...

That person always said... her fragile body could not support her strong soul.

"Su San."

His voice was a little hoarse, and the frosty tone was covered with a hint of murderous intent, which was almost inaudible in the snow.

In the white snow, a dark figure suddenly stood up, appearing in bits and pieces like a ghost. It would be difficult to find it if you didn't look closely.

"Dig three feet underground, I want Qi Shaozhen."

Su Zirui closed his eyes lightly, his jade-like face expressionless, deep and calm. His lips curled slightly, but there was no trace of a smile on his face. The sky, gloomy and overcast all day, slowly began to fall, adding a touch of purity to the snow-covered landscape.

Six exquisite dishes were placed on the not-so-big pear blossom wooden table. The mutton boiling on the small stove exuded an enticing aroma that made people salivate. The steamed river fish, a rare sight in winter, was barely touched, and half a portion of the emerald green vegetables was still left.

Li looked at Su Qing, who looked calm, and then at Su Zirui, who was always aloof, and sighed faintly. Although aristocratic families all emphasized not talking while eating or sleeping, she really hoped someone could say something to break the cold atmosphere that couldn't even heat up a scorching stove.

Looking at the father and son, she felt a little stomachache and had no appetite to continue eating, so she had to ask someone to clear the food on the table.

Today was the end of the year, and after offering sacrifices to their ancestors, they had a meal together. Unexpectedly, the father and son were each quieter than the other, leaving Li feeling rather bored. Remembering others' comments about the lively atmosphere at their home during the winter banquet, she envied them sincerely, wondering when they could have more people at home...

No, don’t have too much hope. One more person is fine. We have to keep them alive.

The meal was cleared away, and the maid served tea. Less than half a moment later, a servant came in and returned the gift list.

"Whose wedding is this?" Su Qing glanced at it, quickly going over the recent major events in the capital. "Is it my uncle's family? He mentioned earlier that he was planning to marry into the family of Lord Qi from the Ministry of Rites. Is this a certainty?"

"Yes, at the winter banquet yesterday, I told the wife of Guiyuan Hou about their second daughter's marriage. She said she was engaged to the fourth son of the Qi family. So I asked them to prepare the list of dowry gifts first."

The Guiyuan Marquisate was the family home of Su Zirui's biological mother. Li had only entered the household after the mistress became seriously ill, and Su Qing's marriage proposal was approved by the Marquisate, so she had a good relationship there. She had managed the Su family for years, and the Marquisate had seen it all. The Su father and son were not people they could manipulate, so their relationship was largely based on Li's connections with the women in the household.

Winter Banquet… Glancing at his son, who was elegantly sipping tea, Su Qing asked, “Did anything interesting happen at yesterday’s banquet?”

Her master rarely inquired about trivial matters at banquets like these, so Li was a little surprised. "It's just normal. But there's one interesting thing. Concubine Luo has always hoped that the Marquis of Dingbei would remarry. At the banquet yesterday, the recent guest at the Marquis's residence really pissed off the sixth daughter of the Marquis of Jing'an."

The tea lid closed gently, making a crisp sound, neither loud nor soft. Li's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said with a smile, "You know, the Sixth Young Lady has been dreaming of marrying into the Marquis's mansion ever since the death of the Marquis's wife, Shen. Even the wife of the Duke of Jing'an hinted at this to the Imperial Concubine. She didn't expect such a distinguished guest to suddenly appear, so she immediately tried to trip her up, but her tactics weren't original enough, and the result was more trouble than gain."

Su Zirui, who had been silent all this time, paused and gave her a rare look to show that he was listening.

He rarely joined in on this kind of topic, and Li was somewhat flattered, thinking it was some kind of case, so she couldn't help but elaborate. "She deliberately brought up the Marquis's palm dance in front of the Imperial Concubine, and even joked that since the girl was the Marquis's sister, she must also be able to dance. You know, Shen's dance captivated the capital back then, especially since the beauty has passed away, so there's no comparison. The girl was also teasing, saying that she had an injury and couldn't dance, but she could play the piano."

"Play the piano?" Su Zirui frowned.

"Yes, isn't the Sixth Young Lady good at playing the zither? As a result, this Young Lady Qi's performance of 'Wild Geese Falling on the Plain Sand' astonished everyone. Even the imperial zither player felt inferior to her. The Sixth Young Lady's expression changed immediately." As she got older, Mrs. Li thought it was quite interesting to see these young ladies fighting with each other.

"She... is good at playing the piano?" His eyes were grim, and his clear voice suppressed a slight anger.

Mrs. Li thought it was rare for her child to be interested in women's affairs, so she didn't find it unusual. "I listened to her performance. If she isn't considered a skilled zither player, then I'm afraid most girls in the capital wouldn't dare claim to be. It's no exaggeration to say the music lingers in your ears for three days. Her fingering is crisp and clear. It's said that the Shen family was an expert in music, so it seems this is a true legacy of the Shen family."

The more Su Zirui listened, the colder his expression became. Li belatedly realized that something was wrong and subconsciously looked at Su Qing.

"He's also a very patient person..." Su Qing put down the teacup and looked at his only son thoughtfully, "These are critical times, don't act rashly."

Su Zirui sneered, his brows furious, "When did I do anything wrong?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Li closed the gift list and silently led the others away.

Su Qing tapped the pattern on the teacup lid with his fingertips, his eyes full of meaning, "Did you send Su San and the others out last night?"

These people are the least known part of the Su family, and they rarely give direct orders.

"Just asking someone something." Su Zirui's eyes darkened as if he remembered something. "Don't worry, I won't do anything rash. I just want to confirm something."

He hadn't done anything rash; he was even remarkably calm. Su Qing raised her eyes and glanced at him. Although father and son had already made arrangements for the serious matters, yet... his son could remain so calm even while watching his beloved being murdered. Besides swiftly searching for some evidence, he had only made a trip to Yangzhou and hadn't even entered the Marquis's residence to pay a visit... Su Qing could clearly see the possessiveness and coldness in his eyes, hence her surprise.

Su Qing was happy to see his son not give up despite setbacks, but instead rise up to defy fate. However, he felt that his son had other ambitions besides that girl. He always felt uneasy, believing that anything out of the ordinary was evil.

The fact that he has been able to protect himself in officialdom until now, holding the highest official rank, and having a reputation for integrity spread throughout the court, with even the people secretly regarding him as a famous prime minister, is definitely not just due to the life-saving grace he showed to the emperor when he was young.

"The Luo family won't fall anytime soon. Your Majesty won't allow the nobles to suffer heavy losses all at once." Otherwise, as a civil official, this noble lineage will suffer as well. The emperor prefers balance. Su Qing pondered for a moment and said bluntly.

"Compared to the immature Eleventh Prince, the Fourth Prince, with the Ning family's support, should not be underestimated." Su Zirui said nonchalantly, his tone lazy and flat. Suddenly, he raised the corner of his mouth, "The Luo family can survive, but it doesn't necessarily need a Luo Ziran."

Tapping the teacup gently, Su Qing said with a hint of meaning, "If you want to kill someone, you must completely eliminate their tail and destroy their power to fight back and seek revenge. Otherwise, the trouble will still remain."

Luo Ziran alone was troublesome enough, let alone everything behind him. Not to mention the Luo family, Concubine Luo alone was a problem. Their sibling relationship was deep, and pillow talk was always a major concern for officials and high-ranking officials.

"I won't make that mistake again." Su Zirui, having made the mistake of being overly conceited once, was heartbreaking. His expression shifted, and a hard frown formed between his brows. This time, he wanted everyone to give up on that person.

Su Qing lowered his head and took a sip of tea. "Don't go too far... and don't drag it out too much."

The emperor's grandson is already several years old. When will their family have more people?

Su Zirui's eyes flashed, and he slowly stretched out a playful smile, with a hint of murderous intent in his eyebrows.