Acting in secret
Fan Lingzhang was dressed in a peach-colored outfit today. These days, he had recruited people to collect grain and fodder, which should have been a meritorious achievement. However, since the powerful families knew that he had suffered a loss, they all tried to get back at him.
Of course, he's not someone to be trifled with.
He did provide the provisions, but not in a stingy way; he gave them directly to Princess Chaoyang.
The Mountain and Sea Academy doesn't have much food for them, and their food isn't so easy to get their hands on.
Asking how he alone has grain to transport is a joke; his business spanning the world isn't for nothing.
He wouldn't let himself be bullied, but he missed Ah Ling so much.
Once inside, Lu Zhuqiao took out a letter and handed it to him. "Here, a letter from A-Ling. But Chang'an is heavily guarded, so she didn't say much."
"It's alright." Fan Lingzhang took the letter, which mostly described how she and Chu Erlang made contact and plotted together.
She only entrusted Chaoyang to tell him that she was well, that she missed him, and that he should wait for her to come back and marry her.
"I only wish your heart were like mine, then I would never betray your love."
Fan Lingzhang clutched the letter to his heart, his eyes filled with tenderness, and he occasionally let out a silly laugh.
"Alright, the message has been delivered. I'll be leaving now."
Lu Zhuqiao strode away. Fan Lingzhang is really useful. What an innocent young man. No wonder Ah Xu likes him. Not bad, not bad, and he's also quite savvy.
Thinking of the provisions in his hands, Lu Zhuqiao was even happier. People from noble families are like immortals, but even immortals need to eat.
Hahahaha
happy!
"Sunrise".
Lu Zhuqiao looked up as he stepped out the door, but a familiar voice came from beside him.
Hmm, that sounds familiar.
She paused, realizing something was wrong.
"Aze, what brings you here?"
"Let's see if you're chatting away with those older and younger brothers." Chu Shize said casually as he walked steadily up to her.
Lu Zhuqiao scratched the back of his head, looking rather embarrassed.
"What nonsense are you spouting? That's the fiancé that Ah Xu has chosen. Besides, the door is always open. That's all in the past. I was a bit of a playboy back then, but you can't always deny my present and future. The Imperial Tutor is, and so are you. What about trust?"
Lu Zhuqiao patted his chest, looking at him with displeasure, "Besides, that was so long ago. That was before we got married. What are you trying to achieve by bringing up the past now?"
Chu Shize's cool gaze softened, and he stepped forward to take her hand. "I spoke without thinking, please calm down, Chaoyang. I wanted to ask you this morning before you left, but I felt it wasn't necessary."
"What do you want to ask?"
"Am I not young anymore? Do I not suit your taste as well as before? If Chaoyang thinks the disciples of Shan Hai Academy are better, I don't know what to do?"
A hurt flashed in Chu Shize's eyes. Before Lu Zhuqiao could reply, he slowly said, "Of course I know that Young Master Fan is not that kind of person. It's all my fault for worrying too much."
Oh no, here we go again.
Lu Zhuqiao's vision went black, and the familiar feeling returned. It was that same half-dead look again, and she couldn't do anything about it.
We both have children.
"The child may be yours, but it may never be mine."
Lu Zhuqiao: "..."
That makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
"No, I already had a baby with you. What are you whining about? Let's go back and see the baby."
Lu Zhuqiao grabbed her arm. "It was the Imperial Tutor who called me earlier. You know her. She kept nagging me for ages. I just happened to run into Fan Langjun and remembered that Xu had given him some instructions. That's how I got out of this predicament."
"Don't you even know who Ah Xu is?"
Chu Shize's gaze fell on the two's intertwined arms, and he said calmly, "Young Master of the Sui family."
Although he certainly didn't want to hear it.
"No! That's not right."
"Um?"
Lu Zhuqiao shook his head firmly, "The Sui family head gave her the family head's token, so she is now the true head of the Sui family."
"Alright, as the head of the family would."
"That's not right either."
Chu Shize asked in confusion, "What is that?"
“My dear sister, you don’t understand the bond between wives. The first time I saw her, I thought she was so cute. I wish I could bring her home as my sister. Later, she met A-Wan and the others. I always thought that if Erlang married her, she would be my sister. It’s a pity that she and Erlang were not meant to be. But I just have a feeling that she was destined to be my sister.”
"But that won't delay anything. I treat her like a younger sister now. Fan Langjun is my brother-in-law, so don't get the wrong idea. You and I are best friends."
Chu Shize smiled, "Alright, I also admire the princess."
They were childhood sweethearts, young and radiant, admired by many young men in Chang'an. She was always fickle and passionate, liking one man today and another tomorrow.
He was just one of the people she liked, and many people in Chang'an praised him for having the demeanor of the late emperor.
The late emperor's demeanor? Ha, being affectionate and loving is a good thing too.
He didn't blame Chaoyang for her youthful folly and lack of awareness of her mistakes; it was just a bunch of shameless people who were bothering her, so he had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.
But as he grew older, his appearance was not what it used to be. There were plenty of young and handsome men in the Shan Hai Academy, such as Cui Shishulang and the young master of the Yang family. He was really worried about them.
In contrast to Chu Shize's unease, Fan Lingzhang was ecstatic, clutching the letter and chuckling foolishly.
"My lord? My lord? My lord!"
Ah Fu had been calling for a long time, and he couldn't stand it anymore, so he reached out and snatched the letter.
"My lord, that's enough! It's only two lines of text, and you've been reading it for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
You don't understand.
Afu: "I don't understand, but shouldn't you be with Xiaosui, the head of the monastery, right now?"
"Oh, I forgot."
Fan Lingzhang then remembered that he had gone out to discuss important matters with Sui Chuke.
Shivering in the cold wind, Sui Chuke thought, "..."
Ah Qiu, that damned Fan Zirong!
Lang Ning: "Master, shall we head out first?"
"No! I want to see how late he can be!"
A cold wind swept in, and he couldn't help but lower his head.
On the other side, Xu followed Sima An to participate in the enthronement ceremony and the empress's investiture ceremony.
After kowtowing countless times, the two were finally allowed to leave temporarily.
Ruolan immediately blocked the palace maid that Xi Yushao had assigned to "Xi Yuzhen," saying, "Hey, you can't come in here. This is our princess's place."
"This servant is here on the orders of Master Xi."
"The princess is the ruler, and he is the subject. Does Lord Xi intend to overstep his bounds?"
"This servant dares not."
Ruolan, displaying her power, nodded arrogantly, "Not bad, keep watch."
Inside the room, Sima An grabbed Sui Zhixu's hand, "Sister, are you really going to find He Miao?"
“An eye for an eye. He made me jump into the waterfall and almost killed me. I must get my revenge.”
"When will my sister return in her own right? These are things that could be easily resolved by simply telling Father or the Emperor."
Sui Zhixu placed his hand on Sima An's head and said, "It's better to take revenge yourself. I'll be back soon."
"Then be careful, your health is the most important thing. The medicine is being prepared for you, you can drink it when you get back."
The medicine tasted bitter, and Sui Zhixu didn't want to drink it at all. Seeing her avoidance of eye contact, Sima An said sternly, "Sister must drink it, otherwise you shouldn't go."
"I'll drink, I'll drink."
These medicinal herbs were hard for her to find; she has a great use for them.
Xi Yushao's maids were held captive by Ruolan, neither allowed to enter nor leave, and could only wait patiently. Fortunately, no shouts came from inside the room, otherwise how could they explain themselves to Xi Yushao, whose entire fortune was in his hands.
A quarter of an hour, a quarter of an hour...
The maid couldn't hold back any longer, "Why are the princess and lady still inside?"
"What's it to you?"
The two maids exchanged a glance. One lunged at Ruolan and the palace maid, while the other ran away.
She moved so fast that she dodged the palace maids and eunuchs, and managed to rush straight through.
Ruolan: "Outrageous! You dare to cause trouble at the coronation ceremony? Are you all tired of living?"
"What's going on? Why are you making such a fuss?" Sima An opened the door and frowned upon seeing the scene. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"
Ruolan straightened her clothes. "Princess, I don't know what's wrong with the maids when it comes to the Xi family. One of them is holding onto me and Sister Ruoqi and won't let us leave, while the other has run away."
"It ran away?" Sima An thought to herself, "What's all this commotion! Find it right now! If you ruin everything, I'll make you pay!"
As a court official, Xi Yushao naturally paid homage at the front, but it was not easy for the maid to go. She was being pursued by Sima An's men, who were hiding behind her. She had to evade capture and hide behind the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden.
Sima An paced back and forth in the room, extremely anxious. He absolutely could not let his father or Xi Yushao know, otherwise it would ruin his sister's plans.
My sister repeatedly told me to make sure I watched Yu Shao's performance.
Why did my sister ask him for people in the first place?
“Even if I don’t want him, he will still secretly plant people in his hands. It’s better to keep them under my nose, so that I have the initiative.”
Sima An recalled Sui Zhixu's words and cursed them inwardly for being a bunch of useless people who couldn't even keep an eye on two maids.
Seeing Ruolan return, Sima An stepped forward and asked, "How was it?"
“I will send men to guard the palace road, so even if she arrives, she won’t be able to see Master Xi. I will continue to search for her whereabouts.”
Sima An nodded. "Find the person quickly, and keep a close watch on the other one. Under no circumstances should they know that your sister is not here, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Sima An sat in the hall until evening. Hearing a noise outside the door, he was about to go forward when he suddenly heard Gu Qingyi's voice.
Her expression changed. How could it be a teacher?
As dusk fell and the room grew dimly lit, Sima An couldn't help but twitch his fingers together, his heart pounding wildly in the silent palace.
What to do? What to do?
Let's just say she bullied Xi Yuzhen; anyway, it's not the first or second time in the teacher's eyes.
But what should the teacher say if he wants to see Xi Yuzhen?
Sima An was extremely flustered. She gritted her teeth and tried to think hard, but her mind went completely blank.
"Knock knock." A soft sound came from the window.
Sui Zhixu: "Anniang."
elder sister!
Sima An hurriedly opened the window, bursting into tears of joy, "Sister, you're finally back! The teacher is coming."
"It's alright, I have a plan."
“Sister.” Sima An grabbed Sui Zhixu’s sleeve and pointed to the blood on her arm.
"It's okay, it's not mine." Sui Zhixu quickly took off his clothes and hid them, then whispered in her ear.
Outside the door
"Ah Ling, I know it's you, open the door."
"Madam Gu, it seems the person you're looking for isn't here." Ruolan stepped forward, steeling herself.
"Um?"
Gu Qingyi waved her hand, and Chun Tao gave her a wink. The men below then brought forward the runaway Xi family maid.
“I saw this person in the Imperial Garden and brought him here to them.”
Gu Qingyi smiled and said, "Aren't you going to open the door?"
It's obvious that Gu Qingyi knows everything.
Ruolan placed her hand on the door, trembling with nervousness. Her heart pounded, and cold sweat involuntarily streamed down her forehead.
May God protect you, my wife, you must come back.
Compared to Ruolan's fear and trepidation, Gu Qingyi remained calm and composed.
She slowly opened the door, and the rich, sweet aroma of wine wafted out.
Ruolan opened her eyes wide. Wine?
Gu Qingyi frowned and stepped inside. There were still wine bottles rolling on the ground, making a crisp and pleasant sound.
The table was covered with bottles of liquor lying haphazardly. Some of the bottles hadn't even been finished before they tipped over, the liquor dripping onto the floor and emitting a strong aroma.
One person lay face up on the couch, while the other slumped over the table, their cheeks flushed. Clearly, both were completely drunk.
"What kind of behavior is this! Help the princess and her lady up, and send someone to make some hangover soup."
Ruolan received a look from Gu Qingyi, and quickly lowered her head in agreement, then stepped forward to help Sima An up.
Lying on her back on the couch was Sui Zhixu. Gu Qingyi glanced at her flat stomach and frowned even more deeply.
"How did you get so drunk? Chun Tao, go and call the imperial physician."
Sui Zhixu closed her eyes, her ears becoming even more acute. She heard Gu Qingyi sigh softly, "She's pregnant and still drinking like this, she's really a worry."
She breathed a sigh of relief. The silver chain of the mermaid pearl earrings on her ears was icy cold from the wind, and felt cool against her skin, so she couldn't help but shrink back.
Feeling someone supporting her, she pretended to stumble a few steps, then hugged the maid and whispered, "An Niang."
Sima An, seemingly sensing something, chuckled and shouted, "Drink!"
"I want more!"
Ruolan's eyes darted around. "My princess, how much have you drunk?"
“Not much, not much, just a whole table!” Sima An opened his arms and tried to gesture for Ruolan.
Ruolan: "It's all my fault, it's all my fault. I should have stopped them."
"The hangover soup is here!"
Inside the princess's palace, amidst the chaos, everyone worked in an orderly fashion to take good care of the two drunkards.
Gu Qingyi stood guard by their bedsides, glancing around at everyone in the room. "Don't tell the Empress about this yet."
"yes."
Chuntao entered the room and said, "My lady, the imperial physician has arrived."
"Physician Yang, thank you for your trouble."
As soon as Xu felt someone placing their hand on his wrist, he said, "This lady is indeed pregnant, about a month or so."
“More than a month.” Gu Qingyi pondered for a moment. “How is her health? She drank alcohol today.”
"Fortunately, my wife didn't drink too much. But she must never drink alcohol again, it's not good for the mother and the child."
"Thank you for your trouble, Chun Tao. Please escort Physician Yang downstairs."
"yes."
Gu Qingyi sat by Sui Zhixu's bedside, looking at her meaningfully, and said, "What a tragic fate."
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