Chapter 121 Wei Ting Breaks Out of Camp, His Beloved Concubine

The old lord continued, "A few years ago, we went out hunting at night together and saw a tiger lying in the grass. He shot an arrow at it, and sparks flew everywhere."

"At the time, I found it strange that there wasn't blood splattering everywhere."

Ji Qingwu put down the eight-treasure lotus seed cake in his hand, licked his lips, stared at the old marquis with half-white hair, and waited for him to continue.

Princess Huachang brought the celadon teacup to her lips but didn't drink, becoming interested in their conversation.

The old marquis recounted vividly, "When we got closer, we found it was just a big rock."

"The arrowhead had already penetrated the stone, demonstrating the prince consort's incredible archery skills."

Princess Huachang resisted the urge to roll her eyes. To mistake a boulder for a tiger was something he was truly capable of doing.

Ji Qingwu couldn't help but clap his hands in admiration. Being able to shoot sparks from stones was truly a divine gift.

Emperor Wusu seemed to glance at her, but quickly looked away.

Ji Qingwu didn't look at the throne; she deliberately avoided it. To the rhythm of the drums and music below the stage, she finished the remaining half of the Eight Treasure Lotus Seed Cake.

The outcome of the men's equestrian archery competition was a foregone conclusion.

Yuchi Lianping left the arena. The prize for first place was a set of soft armor woven with gold thread. He had no interest in the prize and went straight up to the platform without even looking at it. When he returned, he found that his spot had been taken.

Yu Chi Lianping raised an eyebrow and said, "Miss Ji, go back to your seat and sit down. Why are you trying to take it from me?"

Ji Qingwu: ...Where is her place?

Yuchi Lianping gestured with his chin toward the throne: "You should go there."

Ji Qingwu didn't even want to look at the place where Emperor Wusu was.

Although he and Consort Wei looked like a perfect couple sitting there, as if they had stepped out of a painting, Ji Qingwu felt a stinging pain in her eyes and a sense of unease after just one glance.

This place is better. She moved closer to Princess Huachang, looking at her with pleading eyes.

Princess Huachang frowned as she looked at the sweat on Yuchi Lianping's body and said, "Are you a wild beast? Why are you marking out a place? Miss Ji, please sit here. Go sit somewhere else."

The prince consort frowned in displeasure, intending to squeeze next to Huachang.

"Yuchi Lianping".

A cold voice came from behind.

Yuchi Lianping immediately turned around, strode to the front of the platform, knelt down and said, "Your subordinate is here."

Emperor Wusu stood up and handed the brocade box containing half of the tiger tally to Li Yuzong.

He said solemnly, "Three days from now, you will send troops to the northern border to relieve the enemy and take over the defense. In the next few days, you will organize the army and enforce discipline. I will see you off on the journey from the Star-Picking Platform."

I never expected this day to come so soon.

Upon hearing the news, Princess Huachang swayed slightly. Ji Qingwu supported her, but then, remembering that the princess disliked physical contact with others, he quickly withdrew his hand.

Yuchi Lianping respectfully accepted the tiger tally handed to him by Li Yuzong with both hands and said loudly, "This humble general obeys! I will certainly live up to the Emperor's boundless grace!"

But that's not all.

Emperor Wusu looked at the woman below him, not wanting to miss a single expression on her face, and said, "In a few days, Wei Ting will break camp and return to Lin'an."

This time, it was Ji Qingwu's turn to have a stiff back.

She glanced at the speaker instinctively, her bright eyes misting over, obscuring her true thoughts.

Wei Liru was overjoyed and excitedly grabbed his sleeve, asking, "Your Majesty, is my brother coming back? Is it true?"

Emperor Wusu stared at the turquoise figure and said slowly, "I know you miss him. Wei Ting will stay longer this time."

Ji Qingwu remained stunned for a long time.

All I could think about was that phrase, "Weiting will stay longer"...

But in the end, her gaze fell on the sleeve of his bright yellow dragon-patterned robe, where a woman's hand was visible.

She thought absentmindedly, "Doesn't he dislike being touched by others?"

Ji Qingwu lowered her eyes, concealing her gloomy emotions.

Oh, it wasn't just anyone, it was his favorite concubine.

*

When Ji Qingwu returned home, he stared blankly at the bed curtains until almost dawn before finally managing to doze off for an hour.

The next day, because she hadn't slept well the night before, she was in a daze and didn't even have much interest in eating.

Mrs. Qiao saw what was going on, but did not ask what had happened. Instead, she prepared some extra side dishes and delicate pastries for her.

Several ladies came this morning to present their visiting cards, hoping to meet Xiao Wu, but Qiao turned them all away. At this moment, they were all just acting on impulse. After some time, those who are sincere will continue to wait.

Before going to school, Qiuqiu also sensed that her mother was absent-minded. She took out the candy she had saved in her purse and fed it to her with her chubby little hands.

Ji Qingwu had a piece of orange candy that the little girl had forced on her, her cheeks puffed out.

She unfolded the candy wrapper with her hand, looked at the elaborate and beautiful wrapper, and asked curiously, "Chirp chirp, where did you come from?"

This is not from the sweet cake shop that Mr. Qiao frequents, nor does it seem like something that can be bought in local shops.

Chiu Chiu started stammering, her big eyes darting back and forth, but she didn't dare to meet her gaze.

Such obvious guilt.

Ji Qingwu said sternly with a straight face, "Your mother taught you not to accept things from strangers. There are many bad people who want to use candy to kidnap children and take them to the countryside to do hard labor, where they will have no more candy to eat."

The little girl's eyes widened, and she held out her hand to assure them, "Mother, he's not a stranger. We've met him before, many times."

I've seen it, and many times.

Ji Qingwu asked, "Who is it?"

Chiu Chiu covered her little mouth with both hands, and four words peeked out from between her fingers, "It's a secret." They had agreed not to tell anyone, especially her mother.

As if afraid of being questioned, the little girl, carrying her small bag, ran off like a little rabbit.

Chuchu has a secret with a stranger... The child has grown up...

Ji Qingwu regained her senses and frowned as she watched the little girl's scurrying, stumbling figure.

She took the candy wrapper to the window, and in the sunlight, the light red seal of the imperial kitchen shone through it.

The candy melted on her tongue, and the sweet and sour citrus flavor swept over her taste buds.

Just like her mood at this moment.

Who else could it be?

Ji Qingwu crunched the candy into pieces with a vicious bite.

She thought to herself, "That man is definitely a human trafficker. He's determined to kidnap her little girl and is now secretly trying to turn her against him when she's not paying attention."

Lanzhi entered and said, "Fifth Miss, someone from the Princess's residence just came by and asked you to come over this afternoon."

Ji Qingwu nodded; Princess Huachang wasn't looking for her, which was exactly what she wanted to do.

Yuchi Lianping will be setting off for the northern border in two days, and there is something she needs to explain to the Princess.

The Princess's Residence.

The mansion is usually very quiet, but today it is so quiet that even the birdsong is scarce.

As Ji Qingwu walked along, he noticed that many servants were carrying something and hanging it on the trees, quietly trying to catch something.

The maidservant serving the princess said softly, "Your Highness didn't sleep well last night, complaining that the chirping of insects and birds outside was too loud."

Just entered the main house.

Ji Qingwu and Princess Huachang glanced at each other's dark circles and skipped the pleasantries.