Chapter 50 [50]

【50】/First release

The beautiful flowers of April are gone, and the peach blossoms in the mountain temple are in full bloom.

The Summer Palace is located at the northern foot of Jiuqing Mountain. It was the end of April, and the weather in the capital was hot, but the Summer Palace was cool and shady, and the peach blossoms were still in full bloom.

Arriving at the Summer Palace in the evening, Lu Zhiwan's residence was in Yiwanju, which was closest to the Emperor's main palace, while Concubine Gu lived with Empress Dowager Gu in Cile Palace, south of the palace.

Xiao Jingting had no intention of taking Concubine Gu with him at first. When Concubine Gu found out, she ran to the Empress Dowager and cried.

After all, she was her niece, and for the sake of Gu family's reputation, Empress Dowager Gu still mentioned it to Xiao Jingting, saying only that she wanted the imperial concubine to accompany her.

Xiao Jingting has always respected his adoptive mother. Now that she has asked for it herself, and taking one more person with him is not a big deal, he agreed.

Lu Zhiwan didn't have any thoughts about this. After all, she was always with Xiao Jingting and had no chance to run into Concubine Gu. Even if she really did meet her by chance, she would at most get a few cold stares.

For office workers who have experienced the beatings of society, this is nothing at all.

I have to say that the Summer Palace is much more interesting than the Imperial Palace.

After finishing his official duties every day, Xiao Jingting would take Lu Zhiwan out to play. In addition to admiring flowers and watching birds in the garden, they could also go hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and catching rabbits in the back mountain. Occasionally, he would teach her to distinguish wild fruits and grasses in the forest, and how to distinguish the meaning of bird and animal language... These were all survival skills he had developed in his childhood.

As they spent time together, Lu Zhiwan gradually discovered that this man was very different from what she had imagined. Beneath his moody, seemingly absurd and unreliable personality, he actually had a delicate, lively, and pure soul.

He is like a treasure. Once you can open the door, the deeper you go, the more surprises you will find.

Lu Zhiwan thought that she might really like him.

"Oh my god, how could I like him..."

"I clearly swore before that I'd be crazy to like him. Now, you're calling yourself crazy..."

On the peak of Jiuqing Mountain, Lu Zhiwan looked at the orange-red sunset in the sky that looked like salted egg yolk, and felt complicated.

It seems that people should not say too much, otherwise it would be really embarrassing to be proven wrong later.

She was watching the sunset with a confused mind. Xiao Jingting beside her glanced at her sideways, his thin lips curled up slightly.

As the summer evening breeze blew gently, he suddenly spoke out, "The decree to reduce the power of the feudal lords is currently being implemented very smoothly. By next year at the earliest, the power of the feudal lords in various places will be reduced by more than half. By then, even if there is a peasant uprising, it will be difficult to achieve a major scale."

He suddenly mentioned political affairs. Lu Zhiwan subconsciously sat up straight, his expression becoming serious. "It's a good thing that the order to reduce the power of the feudal lords is being implemented smoothly, but..."

She paused and looked at Xiao Jingting: "As long as Zhao Wenshao's whereabouts remain unknown, I will not be able to rest in peace."

When mentioning Zhao Wenshao, Xiao Jingting's face darkened a little.

Strangely enough, Zhao Wenshao was just a weak, powerless scholar, but he managed to escape the searches and pursuits of the Embroidered Uniform Guards time and time again.

There was even one time when the Jinyiwei's feather arrows were aimed at Zhao Wenshao's head, but the sky, which had been clear just a moment ago, suddenly turned into a strong wind with lightning and thunder, and the arrow was abruptly deviated from its direction, only cutting off a strand of Zhao Wenshao's hair.

If Xiao Jingting had not had complete faith in Xing Zhou's loyalty, he would have suspected that this was an excuse made up by the Jinyiwei for their poor performance.

Fortunately, hard work pays off. Half a month later, Zhao Wenshao's whereabouts were found again.

"You don't have to worry. A secret letter arrived a few days ago, saying that Zhao Wenshao is hiding in the Prince of Yuzhang's mansion. Xing Zhou has personally led people to Yuzhang to capture Zhao Wenshao." Xiao Jingting put his arm around her shoulders, his voice calm.

Lu Zhiwan was shocked when he heard this: "Zhao Wenshao is in the Prince of Yuzhang's Mansion?"

How come after all these twists and turns, Zhao Wenshao ended up hooking up with Prince Yuzhang?

What was Xiao Ningning doing? Before she left the capital, she had clearly said that she would let go of Zhao Wenshao and stop thinking about him...

As expected, you can’t trust words about being in love!!

Seeing her frowning brows and solemn expression, Xiao Jingting comforted her gently, "Don't worry, this time we've laid a tight net and he won't be able to escape again."

"I hope so." Lu Zhiwan forced a smile, but he was still uneasy in his heart.

The sun gradually sets, and the rich orange afterglow covers the vast mountains. In the distance, you can see farmlands and lakes.

This beautiful mountain and river is in full view, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Lu Zhiwan leaned against Xiao Jingting's arms, silently praying in her heart that the reduction of the feudal system would be carried out perfectly, that Zhao Wenshao would be brought to justice as soon as possible, and that Xiao Jingting was now determined to be a wise ruler. Under his leadership, the people and the country of Daxing Dynasty would surely get better and better...

Suddenly, the hand on the shoulder tightened a little.

Lu Zhiwan raised her eyes slightly and met the man's calm black eyes that were staring at her.

She was stunned: "Your Majesty?"

Xiao Jingting looked at her: "Lu Zhiwan, I will be a wise ruler as you wish. Are you happy?"

This extremely serious and solemn tone made Lu Zhiwan stunned.

"joy."

She blinked and said, "Your Majesty is wise, I am certainly happy."

Xiao Jingting nodded, his thick eyelashes drooping, as if he was thinking about something.

Lu Zhiwan couldn't help but feel puzzled. Just as she was about to ask, the man held her hand.

The roots are intertwined and the fingers are interlocked.

After tightening his grip, he looked at her again: "Then are you willing to become my virtuous queen?"

Lu Zhiwan: “???”

"What? What is he talking about?"

"Honoured Queen...did I hear wrongly, or did he make a slip of the tongue?"

She opened her eyes wide in shock, her mind still a little confused.

"I don't want anyone else, and I won't favor other women. Once the decree to reduce the power of the feudal lords is fully implemented and the situation stabilizes, I will issue an order to dismiss the harem and make you the empress."

Xiao Jingting's eyes were firm, and his voice was low and clear: "Lu Zhiwan, stay by my side and accompany me for the rest of my life, okay?"

This sudden confession left Lu Zhiwan stunned, and the heart in his chest began to beat uncontrollably.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang... It's beating faster and faster, as if it will jump out at any time.

"He wants to make me his queen? He even said he'd disband his harem for me and let me stay by his side forever..."

She felt dizzy, as if she were dreaming, so unreal.

But his expression was so serious, without any hint of joking or teasing.

He... was really confessing his feelings to her.

But how should she answer?

Lu Zhiwan was in a state of confusion, feeling happy, confused, and having an indescribable worry.

Just when she was at a loss, Xiao Jingting slowly lowered his head.

The handsome face, dyed crimson by the afterglow of the setting sun, gradually grew larger before my eyes.

The hot breath brushed across the skin of the cheek, the aroma of ambergris was faintly visible, and the thin lips gently covered it, warm and soft.

Lu Zhiwan did not refuse the kiss.

Or rather, when she closed her eyes and cooperated with the kiss, her heart had already made the decision for her.

No matter what, she just likes him.

Whether he was mentally ill, a tyrant emperor and a treacherous concubine, or a wise emperor and a virtuous empress, at least at this moment, she really wanted to be with him.

The mountains and rivers were silent, and the two of them kissed in the afterglow of the sunset, as if they were the only ones left in the world.

Until the last ray of afterglow disappeared in the horizon and the sky turned into a whole piece of brilliant twilight purple, this kiss of mutual understanding ended reluctantly.

Lu Zhiwan's face turned red and his heart beat incredibly fast.

When Xiao Jingting looked at her, she didn't even have to act. She couldn't help but bury her face in his arms in shame, then raised her hands to cover his eyes and whispered, "Don't look."

"Why?"

Xiao Jingting felt an unprecedented joy in his heart and held her hand: "You look very beautiful like this."

His praise instantly made Lu Zhiwan's face turn even redder.

She lowered her eyebrows, bit her lip and said, "It's still the same as usual."

"no the same."

Two long, bony fingers lifted her chin. The man's narrow, dark eyes reflected the blushing, shy face of the beautiful woman. His throat rolled slightly, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Knowing that you have me in your heart, I find you even more lovable."

She's so cute that I want to take her back to my bedroom and eat her up in one bite.

The lust in that fiery gaze was too obvious. Lu Zhiwan tried to play dumb, but failed. She quickly turned her face away and said, "Your Majesty, what you said is true. I have had you in my heart for a long time, not just today."

Seeing her acting again, Xiao Jingting raised the corner of his mouth without commenting.

The emperor and his empress were deeply in love, and Yu Mingjiang shouldn't have disturbed them. However, the sky was getting darker, and if they didn't go down the mountain now, the road would become difficult to walk on.

He could only put his fist to his lips and coughed, then leaned forward and carefully reminded, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. You and the Empress have been out and about for half a day, so you must be hungry. Why don't you return to the palace for dinner?"

There's still plenty of time for you to be affectionate with each other in the evening.

Xiao Jingting knew very well that the mountains and forests were full of dangers at night, so he didn't stay any longer and pulled Lu Zhiwan up from the bench.

Once this hand is held, there is no intention of letting go.

The two of them held hands and walked down the stone steps.

Most people in love are like being drunk. Just by simply holding hands like this, Lu Zhiwan felt sweet in his heart, as if pink bubbles were gurgling in his body.

The palace maids following behind also felt that the atmosphere between the emperor and his concubines had changed, but they couldn't tell exactly what had changed.

But seeing that their masters were in a good mood, they were naturally happy too.

The group went down the mountain in an orderly manner.

Lu Zhiwan was immersed in the sweetness of love. When she reached another flight of stone steps, her eyelids suddenly twitched for some reason.

If your left eye twitches, you will get good fortune, and if your right eye twitches, you will get disaster.

It was her right eye that twitched.

A sudden strong sense of uneasiness surged into her heart, she frowned and stopped in her tracks.

Xiao Jingting also paused and looked down at her: "What's wrong?"

Lu Zhiwan bit her lip, wanting to express her uneasiness, but not knowing how to say it. So she squeezed Xiao Jingting's hand tightly and shook her head, saying, "It's okay, let's go back quickly."

Xiao Jingting's eyes moved slightly: "Okay."

Just as he finished speaking, there was a sudden "whoosh whoosh whoosh" sound of a sharp weapon breaking through the wind.

The loud sound was like the howling of an owl at night, harsh and strange.

As several palace servants were shot and fell, the team, which had been happy and relaxed just now, suddenly fell into chaos. Screams, cries, cries of pain, and sounds of fleeing were heard continuously.

"There's an assassin! Quick, protect the emperor!"

"Your Majesty, this way, quickly come this way——"

"Let's go, let's go."

The accident happened so suddenly that Lu Zhiwan was completely stunned.

The last time this happened was last year when the mountains collapsed and the earth cracked. That time, because it was recorded in the original book, it was a natural disaster, and she accepted it.

But what was going on with this assassination? She remembered that in the original novel, the hero had spent the first two years after arriving in Yuzhang doing infrastructure construction, and there hadn't been any signs of rebellion. The tyrant emperor and his treacherous concubine were both living a life of luxury in the capital, living a life of drunkenness and debauchery, and living a good life.

So what the hell are these nimble assassins?

She had just tasted the sweetness of love when such a thrilling blow happened. Oh my God, have you been heartbroken and can't stand seeing others fall in love!

There were so many complaints in his mind that he couldn't even finish vomiting them. In this dim forest, it was dark and Lu Zhiwan stumbled and twisted his ankle so hard that it hurt, but he didn't dare to stop.

But the group of assassins were obviously determined to kill them all and kept chasing them all the way.

Seeing that the number of palace guards on both sides was decreasing, and finally even Chief Steward Yu was chopped to the ground, Lu Zhiwan's face turned pale.

"Manager Yu!" she shouted and turned her head to look.

Xiao Jingting gritted his teeth, held her hand tightly, and continued to run forward with her without stopping: "Let's go!"

Lu Zhiwan's eyes were wet, and she ran after Xiao Jingting while crying.

As the saying goes, there is always a way out, but when the two of them ran to the side of a steep cliff with no way to retreat, Lu Zhiwan's heart suddenly turned cold, and he vaguely guessed what was going on -

God will kill them.

To be more precise, the original plot is backfiring.

Xiao Jingting implemented the order to reduce the power of the feudal lords, hunted down the original male protagonist, and aspired to be a wise ruler. All of this violated the development law of the original work - just like the last forest fire was forcibly revised to a landslide, this assassination was also forcibly revised.

"What exactly is it going to do?"

Lu Zhiwan's heart was pounding, but his mind was surprisingly calm.

Could it be that he was planning to go all out and kill her and Xiao Jingting, the two original villains?

No, it won't.

If he were to kill him directly, the world would be free of villains, and wouldn't the hero be able to complete the game in one go? In that case, his brilliant strategies of stationing troops and cultivating farmland, and improving agricultural tools and weapons, wouldn't be able to be implemented. His path to power would be too smooth.

Unless the plot is so compelling that it is willing to sacrifice more than half of the plot to revise the ending... this would be more trouble than it's worth, and the readability of the original work would be greatly reduced.

Just as she was brainstorming, a voice suddenly rang in her ears: "Be careful!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a cold, pale light shooting towards her. Before she could react, she was embraced in a familiar, strong embrace.

Like a fortress and a shield, he protected her tightly from the swords and rain of spears.

When Lu Zhiwan heard the sound of clothes tearing and the groan of pain coming from above his head, his heart started pounding. He was injured!

"Your Majesty!" she whispered.

The man's embrace tightened, his big hand pressing her head deep into his arms, his voice hoarse: "I'm fine."

How come it's okay now? It's already this late!

Lu Zhiwan struggled to get out of his arms. When she saw the three men in black drawing their bows again, with the sharp tips pointing directly at Xiao Jingting, her pupils shrank sharply.

It's a death sentence anyway, so why not take a gamble?

She bit her lip hard, and then, under Xiao Jingting's astonished gaze, she grabbed his arm, closed her eyes, and jumped off the cliff behind her.

“Aa ...

A sharp scream echoed throughout the valley.

In the dark night, two stars flashed twice.