Each plans
Fan Lingzhang returned to the camp of the Prince of Xuanping's mansion. Blood bloomed on the shoulder of his soft blue brocade robe. Afu saw that Fan Lingzhang was terrified.
"Someone, quickly call a doctor!" Afu shouted loudly. Fan Lingzhang almost rolled his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Don't make a fuss!"
"Find some bandages and hemostatic medicine, and go quickly without letting anyone see them."
"Yes." Afu hurriedly went out.
Soon after, Afu brought tools and hemostatic medicine, lifted Fan Lingzhang's clothes, carefully removed the arrowhead, sprinkled the hemostatic medicine, and simply bandaged Fan Lingzhang.
Before the Fan family business grew big, Fan Lingzhang often traveled all over the country to do business, and injuries were common. Afu was very skilled at bandaging.
The stray hairs on his forehead were soaked with sweat and clung to his cheeks in a disheveled manner. His usually flamboyant eyes were now clouded with tears, and his lower lip was clenched, revealing a defiant spirit.
"Didn't you go to see Lady Sui? You didn't get into trouble with Lady Sui, did you?"
Fan Lingzhang grasped the arrowhead he had taken out, his hands stained with blood. "Hide it well. Never mind, I'll clean it myself. Just keep your mouth shut and don't let me hear any gossip from Mother."
Afu: Are you crazy! He's in love so much again.
"It will cause her trouble."
Afu didn't want to see Fan Lingzhang die, so she was all lovey-dovey, but he wasn't even here.
"Where's A-Lu? Has he come back?"
Afu: "He came back, but he was badly injured, much worse than my husband."
Fan Lingzhang frowned. "What's going on?"
“You asked A-Lu to investigate the taverns in the West Market, and he just happened to find that it was the same person who stole our business three years ago. A-Lu wanted to find out more, but unexpectedly, the other party looked simple-minded, but his martial arts skills were not bad. It’s no wonder he’s so muscular.” A-Fu lowered his voice and pointed to the soft carpet on the ground. “It’s this one. My brother said that the leader is a woman, of medium height, with a sweet voice.”
Fan Lingzhang had expected this and wasn't too surprised. Today's trip was not only to meet Sui Zhixu, but also to verify the series of actions of the Prince of Xuanping. He knew that the Prince of Xuanping had only returned before the end of the year two years ago because he was dealing with these matters in the Jianghu. The other party stole his business, and he turned around and swindled them out of everything.
He had spoken with Prince Xuanping earlier, and deliberately mentioned in front of him that his business had been stolen three years ago, which was a sign of his suspicion. At first, he didn't think much of the Hu Ji Tavern in the West Market mentioned by the manager of Yunlai Tower. Later, when Princess Xuanping and Princess Jingyang started to appear, he sensed something was wrong. People who had lived in seclusion for many years suddenly came out. Prince Xuanping must have made some arrangements, so he specially asked Alu to check.
Sure enough, after losing money in his business outside, he decided to come to Chang'an.
They don't even consider whose base Chang'an is.
"Let Alu rest well, you!" Fan Lingzhang threw the remaining bandages at Afu's face. "When are you going to do anything for your husband?"
“Where have I not done any work?”
“No, your brother did all the work.” Fan Lingzhang, his face pale but his features were lively. He put his hands behind his back, and with a “tsk” sound, he started arguing with Afu without any manners.
“Taking care of my lord, isn’t that a job? If I’m not here to take care of him, then who will? Taking care of my lord is a job of utmost importance.” Afu pulled off the bandage on his face; the light gauze posed no threat whatsoever.
Fan Lingzhang laughed, pointed at him and scolded, "You're so glib, I don't know how I raised you to be like this."
“Then I must have taken after you, my lord. I am exactly like you. As for my younger brother, it’s because he’s been away from you for many years and hasn’t been in contact with you. That’s why he’s become so mature. If my brother and I were to switch places, the outcome might be different.” Afu spoke fluently and acted swiftly. After speaking, he arrived at the tent entrance and bowed respectfully. “I’ll take my leave. My lord, please take good care of your injuries.”
Fan Lingzhang sighed in exasperation, too lazy to pay him any attention.
After Afu left, Fan Lingzhang changed into a stone-green outfit, which was fresh and eye-catching.
Fan Lingzhang went to see the Princess Consort of Xuanping County, ostensibly to pay his respects.
Nominally, the Princess Consort of Xuanping was also Fan Lingzhang's maternal aunt.
Finding nothing in the tent, Fan Lingzhang had no choice but to walk outside. After all, the Fan family was a merchant family, and he still needed this identity to obtain more information.
The throbbing pain in his shoulder constantly reminded Fan Lingzhang of whose favor he had bestowed upon him. Fan Lingzhang felt a surge of joy, yet he couldn't help but worry for her. He knew her purpose; if she wasn't here for a mission, then she was here for revenge. She and he were on the same path, though their paths were different.
Unable to find the Princess Consort of Xuanping, Fan Lingzhang had no choice but to return to his camp to recuperate.
—
Danhong returned with small, quick steps, "My lady has made all the arrangements. The head of the family and Madam Cui mentioned that they caused my lady to fall off the cliff and..."
Dan Hong looked around and whispered, "They're colluding with the Prince of Xuanping."
Sui Zhixu nodded. There were tea, snacks, and fruits in the tent, such as delicate sesame cakes and sweet candied fruits. He could enjoy comfort and watch the intense ball game through the curtains inside the tent. Sui Zhixu decisively chose to lie down on the couch.
Once out of Yueling's sight, she didn't want to move an inch.
Not long after Sui Zhixu lay down, the tent curtain was lifted, and she shouted, "Sui Zhixu, come out here!"
Xu Zhixu was still half asleep, having just drifted off to sleep when she was kicked awake by the Duke of Zhou (a figure in Chinese mythology associated with dreams). She sat up with a frown, rubbed her eyes, and looked at the person who had come to visit with a puzzled expression. "Princess Chaoyang? What brings you here?"
Chaoyang grabbed Sui Zhixu, "Come with me now, and you'll find out soon enough. Hurry up, don't dawdle."
She knew that Xu's shawl had fallen off. Today she was wearing a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a light pink shawl, which was fluttering freely in the wind.
Like a newly blossoming peach blossom, it stands tall and proud, exuding charm and gentleness. The cloud patterns on the light blue skirt complement each other, adding a touch of brightness without losing its elegance.
"Princess, slow down, my shawl!" Sui Zhixu and Chaoyang ran ahead, while Danhong and Liulu chased after them. In front of everyone, Liulu couldn't use her lightness skill, so she could only run faster and grab the fluttering shawl first.
The playful wind draped the shawl over Liu Lü's face, adding a touch of pale pink to her cold expression, making her look even more tender. Dan Hong was stunned.
Touching the tip of his nose, he felt a little like laughing, but he suppressed his laughter and took the shawl off Liu Lü's face. Liu Lü was as black as charcoal. He silently followed Sui Zhixu and Chaoyang.
Fan Lingzhang, who was watching from a distance, couldn't help but feel happy for him.
After a bumpy journey, they finally arrived at a pavilion. Sui Zhixu observed that Princess Chaoyang was quite remarkable, managing to navigate from this pavilion around most of the polo field to the Sui family's camp and drag her out.
"Come here and play backgammon for me." Chaoyang pressed Sui Zhixu down on the stone bench, his tone serious.
Sui Zhixu looked at the person sitting on the stone bench opposite her. He was dressed in a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), was in his thirties or forties, had fair skin, and his eyebrows and eyes were calm but revealed a sense of shrewdness and a commanding presence. Sui Zhixu subconsciously felt a sense of rejection. Opposite her was Sima An, who also looked dissatisfied.
After a month of chanting, Su Zhixu hadn't felt the sensation of just waking up in a long time; her memories were chaotic and incoherent, constantly flashing by.
"Why are you allowed to recruit people but I'm not?" Chaoyang snorted and sat down to the side.
As soon as he closed his eyes, his thoughts became clearer and less chaotic.
Didn't she consider that she doesn't know backgammon?
When Xu told the truth, everyone in Chaoyang was stunned. "What? How come you don't know backgammon?"
Sui Zhixu looked up calmly and said, "Who said I have to know it?"
"That kid who can eat and have fun isn't teaching you?"
Sui Zhixu realized she was referring to age in months. "Just because she can eat and play doesn't mean I can play. At most, it just means I can eat."
Chaoyang: "I'm doomed today. Get out of the way, I'll do it myself. You just watch from the side and learn how to do it.
"oh."
“You can take your time watching it, Lady Sui. You’ll learn it after watching it twice. It’s not difficult.” Sui Zhixu stood up and gave his seat to Chaoyang, overhearing Lady Su’s words.
"Enough of your nonsense, Madam Gu, let's get started." Chaoyang started by playing against Sima An. The two of them made bets on gold, silver, jewelry, silk, and brocade, among other things. But Sima An stopped playing halfway through. When he saw Madam Gu, he pulled her over and switched to playing against someone else.
Chaoyang chuckled: "..."
They couldn't afford to play the game, and then Chaoyang couldn't afford to play either. Yueling couldn't attend such events, so she had to drag Sui Zhixu along, but he turned out to be useless.
The morning sun was at its highest.
The dice spun rapidly in the dish, making a crisp sound like pearls falling onto a jade plate, each sound captivating. A sense of tension spread, then the dice stopped, and Chaoyang's heart calmed down as well.
Madam Gu smiled, "It seems I'm having a lucky day."
Chaoyang raised his eyebrows slightly, calmed himself down and quickly thought of a solution, then made a decisive move with swift and clean movements.
The situation on the chessboard changes rapidly, and you can see exciting moments. On the chessboard, both sides choose appropriate pieces to move according to the number rolled by the dice. They must be aggressive and try to attack the opponent's single pieces and push them back to the starting point, while also paying attention to defense to prevent their own pieces from being easily attacked by the opponent.
In the end, Chaoyang gathered the remaining pieces and proceeded methodically toward the finish line.
On the opposite side, Gu Niangzi was not in a hurry at all. Chaoyang even bumped into another piece and returned to the original point. Suddenly, she seized the loophole in Chaoyang's defense and organized the other pieces to advance quickly. She put Chaoyang in a desperate situation and then made a comeback. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chaoyang was dead.
Chaoyang closed his eyes and, without saying a word, pushed the gold and silver treasures toward Sima An.
She opened her eyes and looked at Sui Zhixu with a mournful expression.
Sui Zhixu: "..."
*Shrugs* There's nothing I can do.
"Alright, that's enough." Chaoyang stood up and dusted himself off.
"Aren't you going to play anymore? I wonder if Miss Sui has learned it yet?" Madam Gu looked at Sui Zhixu with a questioning look in her eyes.
“A little gambling is harmless fun, Madam Gu understands, right? As for Ah Xu, there are plenty of people to teach her, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself.” Chaoyang held Sui Zhixu’s hand tightly, and Sui Zhixu silently met his gaze.
"Boring, let's go. Let's chat at my place." Sui Zhixu changed the subject, and seeing Sima An jumping up and down in anger, Sui Zhixu felt that the people of Xuanping Prince's Mansion were inexplicable and couldn't be bothered to care.
She had just acted out a scene with Fan Lingzhang and didn't want to deal with someone as emotionally unstable as Sima An.
"Alright, let me see the treasures that Patriarch Sui arranged for you. I'm off." Chaoyang casually said goodbye to Sima An, grabbed Sui Zhixu's hand, and ran far away in no time.
"Gu Qingyi! Is this your idea? What kind of idea is it if the people are gone? Believe me or not, I'll go to my father and complain about you. You said you'd help me establish contact with Chaoyang and Sui Zhixu, and this is the kind of contact you've established?" Sima An lashed out at Gu Qingyi after the two of them had completely walked away.
"Do you think I don't know why you brought that imposter Xi Yuzhen here? Let me tell you, it's impossible." Sima An threw the two chess pieces on the table at Gu Qingyi and left.
Gu Qingyi chuckled, picked up the black chess piece that had fallen onto her plain brocade robe, and rubbed it with a hint of interest, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips. Chess is only interesting when the first move is sure to win.
Gu Qingyi stood up and casually tossed the chess pieces onto the table. Sima Xian's daughter was nothing like him, nor like her mother, who had the demeanor of a principal wife.
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