Chapter 18: Are you already engaged and married? ...

"Who is Shopkeeper Jiang? How could he alarm the imperial guards?" The voices had not yet faded away.

Those troublemakers were surrounded by the black-armored imperial guards and couldn't escape.

Leaving only one path open to Cheng Xianzhi, his slender figure passed over the crowd and commanded from a high position, "Take him away."

"We, we haven't done anything wrong. How can the imperial guards arrest us without any reason?" The leader struggled.

Cheng Xianzhi was too lazy to talk nonsense with him. He turned sideways to Lu Tingwan behind him and said, "Please ask Manager Jiang to come as well."

Luo Yunchu had already unconsciously positioned himself in front of Lu Tingwan, partially blocking the crowd. Lu Tingwan pushed aside the crowd and peeked out from behind, a faintly flattering smile on her face. In her heart, she had already cursed him a thousand times for coming at such a late moment. If she couldn't resolve this dilemma, wouldn't she have just let them take advantage of her?

"My humble servant greets Lord Han." She bowed politely.

Luo Yunchu said, "Master Han, as everyone has seen, it was these people who started the trouble. Shopkeeper Jiang is not at fault. Please, the imperial guards, refrain from using violence."

Cheng Xianzhi suddenly found it interesting and stopped talking.

The troublemakers were taken away from Zhichunli, and Lu Tingwan followed them to the Ministry of Justice.

The interrogation in the Ministry of Justice's prison was not over yet. Lu Tingwan sat in the front yard of the Ministry of Justice waiting for someone. After waiting for an hour, he saw Cheng Xianzhi, who was originally dressed in black armor, with several bloodstains on his body. The attendant handed him a handkerchief, and he wiped the bloodstains on his brow.

When he entered the house, the attendant stopped and did not go in.

Lu Tingwan heard the voice and stood up and bowed, "Master Han."

"Manager Jiang, I've been waiting for a long time." The blood-stained handkerchief was thrown into the copper basin, the blood dissolved in the water, and the man sat in the main seat.

When he didn't speak, he was as cold and clear as the moon, making it difficult to approach him. Lu Tingwan was filled with anger, but he didn't dare to vent it on this man. He endured it for a long time, and still felt a bit resentful. "The master asked me to make a bigger noise in Zhichunli, and I did it. That man's stick was just a little short of the mark."

She pointed at the tiny distance with her fingertips, "Just a tiny bit, and I would have received a blow from that porter. I'm afraid my soul has already passed away by now. What Your Excellency sees is not a living me, but a cold corpse."

"That may not be the case." He said lazily, not caring about her resentment.

"Sir, why are you so patient and unmoved? Do you really want those people to eat me alive?"

"Manager Jiang, you're joking. Even if the Imperial Guards don't go out, can't you still turn danger into safety? Besides, isn't Luo Yunchu still here? I saw that he was quite nervous about Manager Jiang..." He noticed Lu Tingwan's expression and continued, "Of course, he is the second boss of Zhichunli, so it's natural for him to be nervous."

"Manager Jiang should be thanking me for holding back."

"Why do you say that, sir?" Lu Tingwan was puzzled.

"If I show up earlier, how will Luo Yunchu have the chance to save the beauty?" He said deliberately, "No, I should stand up and help."

Lu Tingwan felt uncomfortable listening to him. His words were full of hidden meanings, which made her feel anxious and worried, but she couldn't figure out what he meant.

The words about a hero saving a beautiful girl were unbearable for her now that she was dressed as a man, and she felt uneasy inside.

"Your Excellency really loves to joke around."

"If I don't test you, Manager Jiang, how can I know you can be used by me?" He said frankly, "The Chamber of Commerce sent a few scumbags to cause trouble. If Manager Jiang can't get away with such a small matter, then I must have misjudged him."

"Your Excellency wants to test me," Lu Tingwan said, "Is Your Excellency satisfied?"

"My vision is not bad."

The joy in Lu Tingwan's eyes was fleeting, and he asked, "Did the lord find out anything from the interrogation?"

"This is not something that Shopkeeper Jiang should inquire about." Cheng Xianzhi called out, "Send Shopkeeper Jiang back safely."

He comes when summoned and leaves when dismissed. Lu Tingwan had no choice. The people did not fight against the officials. She had not yet fully understood this person's mind. She was afraid that after Zhichunli came, there would be no peace for a long time.

The person who walked to the door suddenly stopped and said, "Sir, is the movement in Zhichunli still going on?"

"Manager Jiang, please feel free to do as you please." The man leaned over the desk and spoke in a low voice.

Lu Tingwan left the Ministry of Justice. A familiar figure appeared outside the door and walked in. Luo Yunchu had one hand behind his back and was fanning himself with the other. He looked casual, but he was already extremely anxious in his heart.

"Luo Yunchu." Her voice was clear.

The man leaned sideways, and Lu Tingwan smiled broadly, like the warm sun shining into his heart. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and in his haste, endless worry was revealed, "Jiang Yanli."

At some point, he gradually changed the name from Shopkeeper Jiang to Jiang Yanli.

Lu Tingwan stood still. Luo Yunchu put away his fan, looked around, and confirmed that she was okay before saying, "They didn't torture you, did they?"

Lu Tingwan said with a relaxed expression: "No, those people were taken to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation. Lord Han asked me a few questions and then let me go."

"The people from the Chamber of Commerce have come to Zhichunli to cause trouble." He followed behind.

"I told you to keep a low profile earlier. You went to the Zhongshu Ling flower viewing banquet to get to know the officials' wives in order to prepare for something like today. However, when it comes to business, the wives of officials can't provide you with enough protection."

"I know that the officials' wives are not enough to protect me and Zhichun Li Ning, but the people behind them can." Lu Tingwan's priority now is no longer this.

"What did those people find out during the interrogation?"

Lu Tingwan shook her head. "I don't know. Even if he found out during the interrogation, why would Lord Han tell me?"

The streets were bustling with people. The ancient trees in the courtyard grew out of the wall, with their branches hanging overhead, blocking out the scorching sun. The sunlight penetrated through the gaps, and scattered rays of light fell on her shoulders.

Suddenly the person turned around. Luo Yunchu didn't notice it. After colliding with her, he reacted and quickly took a few steps back.

"Why, you're not leaving?"

Lu Tingwan looked up at him, his eyes flickering as he suddenly asked, "Why aren't you letting me see it?"

"What?" Luo Yunchu was puzzled. He only felt that the breath of the person in front of him made him calm down. He fell into the deep valley and jumped over the cliff.

Lu Tingwan smiled and stepped a little closer, almost touching his lips. She asked without hesitation, "Luo Yunchu, do you like me?"

Luo Yunchu froze in place, his lips opening and closing but unable to utter a single word. His throat rolled and he swallowed.

Seeing him flustered, the usually calm and unrestrained man was amused by her and was at a loss. She felt proud in her heart and smiled even more, as if she was sure of his answer.

Luo Yunchu's earlobes turned red, and after a long moment, he finally asked, "Why do you have this illusion?"

Lu Tingwan scoffed and turned around, "Is it an illusion? When those people were staring at my face, why were you so anxious?"

"Why am I so anxious?"

"If you're not in a hurry, why don't you let others see it?" Lu Tingwan leaned back, "Huh? Isn't it because you like me that you don't let others see it?"

Luo Yunchu's thoughts were touched upon. She actually noticed his feelings, but she didn't show any shyness like a girl. Instead, she questioned him openly in person.

She really has no shame.

Luo Yunchu hesitated for a moment, "Can't I like her? Could it be that you, Jiang Yanli, have already been promised to someone and married?"

When Lu Tingwan was asked this question, half of her pride disappeared, "You..."

She was promised and got married, but it was no different from not getting married at all.

She left the others and walked on, the breeze caressing her cheeks. She raised her head and sank into the sunlight, murmuring, "Isn't it just that I got married..."

Those who were still immersed in regret heard the voice behind them.

"Yes, Jiang Yanli, I like you. Can't I like you?"

Luo Yunchu stopped and looked at the back.

My gaze fell back on him from the sunlight. The man was holding a folding fan in both hands, as if waiting for an answer.

Faced with Luo Yunchu's sincere questions, she didn't know how to answer.

Can she like it? She doesn't know.

Until a gentle breeze blew away her gloom, and the playful girl, as bright as ever, smiled.

She didn't reply, just smiled at him.

"Do you like me too?" Luo Yunchu asked again.

Lu Tingwan felt a little happy. She didn't see any reason to hide it. If she were shy, she wouldn't have asked Luo Yunchu directly.

"Luo Yunchu, as long as you like it, that's enough, right?" She put away her smile.

Luo Yunchu seemed to know the hidden meaning behind her words and answered him, "I like it, that's enough."

Lu Tingwan saw determination in his eyes, something no one had ever given her since she came to Kyoto.

At this moment, her ups and downs in her heart seemed to have found a harbor that was enough for her to settle down.

At some point, the two people who were originally one in front and one behind, now had their shadows lined up in a row under the setting sun.

A few days later, Zhichunli returned to peace again, and the official's family came to the store and exchanged a few words with her.

At night she stayed in the study to do the accounts. Since the two of them expressed their feelings, Luo Yunchu spent more time in Zhichunli. The window paper between the two was broken by Lu Tingwan, and in front of others they were a pair of happily cooperating businessmen.

Behind people's backs, Luo Yunchu took great care of her.

As night fell, the lights in Zhichunli went out. Luo Yunchu hunched over his desk with his head bent. Lu Tingwan had finally finished the work in his hands and had time to pay attention to him.

However, Lu Tingwan needed to rush back to Cheng Mansion, and Luo Yunchu was worried, so he took the initiative to say, "It's late, why don't I take you back."

"Huh?" Lu Tingwan was surprised. "Oh, that's not necessary. It's a bit far to get back to my place. You have to go back around. You stayed with me all night. Tomorrow I will pick out some beautiful flowers and send them to your house."

She hid her inner uneasiness. If Luo Yunchu knew that she lived in Cheng Mansion, it would be difficult to explain. She had not yet explained her identity to Luo Yunchu.

Luo Yunchu waited patiently and did not make things difficult for her, but he asked just to test Lu Tingwan's feelings.

Seeing her panic, he felt sorry for her, but also found her cute, so he stopped teasing her and said, "Okay then."

Lu Tingwan breathed a sigh of relief. Not long after she left, Luo Yunchu said into the darkness, "Yanli, if you have anything to say, you can tell me. There's no need to hide it from me."

Lu Tingwan turned around and forced a smile, "I know."

Back at Yansheng Hall, the day's fatigue washed away, she slumped over, half leaning against a rattan chair by the window. Moonlight streamed in, casting shadows of branches outside the courtyard into the house.

Feng Xin prepared hot water and she entered the purification room. The hot water covered her shoulder armor, and the petals were attached to her thin shoulders. Feng Xin poured water on them slowly and methodically, as if pouring dew on a newly opened bud.

Feng Xin hesitated to speak, and Lu Tingwan noticed her expression and asked her, "What do you want to say?"

Feng Xin hesitated and decided, "Second Madam, you are married now. I don't think it's right for you to be with Young Master Luo every day."

Lu Tingwan understood her concerns. "I understand what you mean. It's just that I'm a married woman, and it's not proper for me to be with other men. It's not proper for me to be a wife. But although Luo Yunchu and I have feelings for each other, we've never done anything wrong."

Lu Tingwan scooped up a handful of water and let it flow down her forehead. She shrugged her shoulders, feeling very comfortable. "Besides, even if there is something, what's wrong with that? Why do women in this world have to follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues and strictly observe the Women's Code? Why don't men have such vague and torturous rules? This is unfair. If I have a similar mindset, why can't we be together? It doesn't make sense."

"Second Madam, it has been like this since ancient times. Once a creed becomes a rule, violating it will incur public outrage."

"Whose public outrage have I offended?" Lu Tingwan looked at her. "Feng Xin, I never believed in the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. If the world can't eliminate such rules, I won't force it. But I, Jiang Yanli, will never approve of it. Cheng Xianzhi has three wives and four concubines, and he neglects me in Yansheng Hall. If anyone in the Cheng family cared about a concubine like me, they wouldn't have been married for months without anyone paying attention. Why should I be a good wife to Cheng Xianzhi? He should be worthy of my obedience."

She doesn't care who her body belongs to, but that person must be the one she loves. But who says that a person can only stick to the illusory virtues of a woman in this life? It satisfies men's vanity but imprisons women's freedom. She doesn't care. She is the one who loves her own life and money can't buy her.

Although she had never had physical contact with Luo Yunchu, if it came to that, she would fulfill him without reservation.

"Restraint is for those who love you and those you love. I don't care about those unimportant people." Lu Tingwan said nonchalantly.

Feng Xin was terrified. "Madam, you are so rebellious. You will suffer in the future. Zhichunli is becoming more and more famous. One day, everyone in Kyoto will know your identity. If the adults feel resentful and blame you, how will you deal with it?"

"On my own? What do I need to be on my own?" Lu Tingwan said firmly, "When Zhichunli is big enough to support what I want to do, then I won't have to go to the shop every day, and I'll have a steady stream of money coming in. That's when Cheng Xianzhi and I will file for divorce. This capital city is full of wealth, but no matter how great the wealth is, it can't be compared to two words."

"What?"

"Powerful and noble." Her jade arms stirred in the waves, enjoying the feeling. "Kyoto is not suitable for me. The walls here are too high. The red walls block the geese flying south. Under power is an unfathomable turbidity. Father, Queen Mother, Cheng Xianzhi, I am trapped here. If I am lucky, I will eventually cross the red walls."

The more Feng Xin listened, the more profound the words became, and what Lu Tingwan said was even more unorthodox. She was afraid, but she trusted her unconditionally.

"Then Madam, don't you intend to reveal your identity to Master Luo?"

Show your identity?

Lu Tingwan soaked her feet. When she stood up, Feng Xin went to get her underwear. The peaks on her chest were more erect than before. She had to wrap them with cloth every day. Lu Tingwan felt very stuffy.

"I'll find a chance to explain it to him." Lu Tingwan has been thinking about it these days.

"Second Madam, you have been busy all day, so you should rest early." Feng Xin spread the bedding and left.

Lu Tingwan was lying on the couch. The Empress Dowager had not sent any news for a long time. Ever since the imperial guards took people away from Fenglin Lane with great fanfare, even the Jinhua Palace was alarmed.

Lu Tingwan had brought the news to the palace, merely revealing the identity of the porter who had been taken to the Ministry of Justice. She didn't need to pass on the news; simply asking would reveal it. As for what she couldn't uncover through interrogation, the Empress Dowager didn't make it difficult for her.

Now the Queen Mother and Cheng Xianzhi have not yet reached the point of being at loggerheads with each other, so she is better off avoiding it as long as possible.

In a drowsy state, the chirping of summer cicadas gradually faded in my ears, the bed curtains were gently stirred by the wind, and I fell into a dream.

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