Chapter 124 Chapter 124 I hope Your Majesty will consider my humble contribution and grant...
After all, they were outside. Although everyone was tactful and looked away, how could there be less gossip hidden in their minds? Their lips touched and then parted, and Xie Tingyu took Ji Lian's hand and boarded the carriage.
The moment the car door closed, it was about to explode.
The hot and wet tongue lingered between the lips and teeth, and finally intertwined.
The breaths blended together, numbness and trembling, and every suck carried the weight of two years of longing.
“…Hmm…”
A slight gasp due to lack of oxygen escaped Ji Lian's lips, and the corners of her eyes were red.
Xie Tingyu finally stopped, gently kissed the tip of his nose, and held his hand to her lips. "I found the Snow Marrow Ice Lotus. Lianlian, the poison in your body can be cured."
Ji Lian propped herself up and sat up, straightening her slightly disheveled clothes. She saw Xie Tingyu untie the sachet from her waist and take out a lotus-shaped flower that was completely white.
He reached out his fingertips and gently touched the petals, looking at her in confusion. "You just picked it like this and carried it with you until now, and it still hasn't withered?"
Xie Tingyu was startled for a moment, then smiled. "That's true. When I first picked this flower, the locals said it could last a hundred days after being taken off the branch. It's true."
“How did you get it?”
"This flower grows on a steep cliff. It hadn't bloomed yet on the first day I went there, so I waited patiently on the mountain for five days. On the sixth day, when it finally blossomed, I finally scrambled up and plucked it." Xie Tingyu carefully returned the flowers to the sachet. "There were five in total. It wasn't just that I could pick those; it just happened to be the only five in bloom at the time."
The words "precipice" tugged at Ji Lian's heartstrings. Xie Tingyu sounded nonchalant, but the reality must have been incredibly dangerous. Even if she was invincible on the battlefield, she was still only a mortal, not some savior, and she could get hurt.
Ji Lian put his arm around her waist and whispered, "Don't take risks for me anymore."
"You're saying this a bit hindsight." Xie Tingyu raised an eyebrow. "I stole the person and plucked the flower. Tell me, how are you going to repay me?"
"With my life."
Ji Lian said solemnly, "You've done so much for me, I'll use my whole life to repay you." He held her fingertips and asked, "Do you want it?"
“That shouldn’t be a question.”
Xie Tingyu lifted Ji Lian's chin and said, "With such a beauty, of course I want her. Kiss her again?"
This kind of kinship is not that kind of kinship.
Ji Lian looked into Xie Tingyu's deep eyes, his Adam's apple rolling up and down, "In, in the carriage?"
Xie Tingyu hummed softly and took Ji Lian's lips, first gently rubbing them with his teeth, then sucking hard. His tongue darted in, like a fish entering water, surging and swirling, wantonly, and happily lingering in his mouth.
Outside, a cold wind whipped against the walls, whistling and lashing, the chill seeming to penetrate every crack. Inside the car, however, it felt like another world.
The coachwoman scolded them and pulled the reins, causing the carriage to move even slower. It was still a long way from the city to Wuyi Lane.
The candlelight on the table flickered, casting two figures close together on the wall of the car, the shadows fluctuating.
Although the clothes are still worn neatly, only the person involved knows what the feeling is under the fabric.
Xie Tingyu placed his hands on Ji Lian's shoulders and stared down at his rosy face.
His swollen lips parted unconsciously, revealing a small, wet tip of his tongue, and he panted softly. The corners of his narrow, fox-like eyes shone with lust, and his fingers around Xie Tingyu's waist tightened inch by inch.
Suddenly, the shadow on the car wall froze.
Everything came to a standstill.
The suffocating feeling that was about to come true but was abruptly stopped made people's hearts itch and blood boil.
Ji Lian asked breathlessly, "What's wrong?"
"I'm quite greedy. I don't just want this life, I want it for all eternity. Lianlian, are you willing?"
Ji Lian's voice trembled, "Of course I am willing." He pressed her hand on her burning cheek and begged repeatedly, "Please, please."
The wheels rumbled over the bluestone slabs and finally stopped steadily in front of Xie Garden.
Jiangzhu whispered at the car window, "Thank you, my lord, we're here."
There was no response from inside.
Ji Lian was leaning against Xie Tingyu's chest, eyes closed as she tried to calm the turbulent emotions. He held her close, unable to resist rubbing his cheek against hers, sighing softly.
He looked up, his watery eyes reflecting Xie Tingyu's features, and his eyes were filled with intoxicating emotions. He said hoarsely, "It's as if there's a wet spot on the brocade cushion."
After a long time, the car door opened slightly and the two of them got out together.
Ji Lian's face flushed, her fingertips curled in Xie Tingyu's palm, listening to her calm instructions, "We accidentally spilled some tea just now, remember to wash the mat."
Jiangzhu agreed.
The royal army traveled day and night and returned to Jiankang late at night, missing the grand welcoming ceremony that Ji Xun had specially prepared.
To reward the generals who had gone on this expedition, Ji Xun dispatched special messengers to the various residences to convey his imperial decree, bestowing rewards and gifts first, and ordering the generals to rest and recuperate at home. As for the imperial rewards, they would be awarded at a later time during the court meeting.
After reading the decree, the scribe handed the bright yellow scroll to Xie Tingyu with both hands and said with a smile, "Thank you for your triumphant return. His Majesty has high hopes for you. You will surely rise to great heights in the future."
"Ah... then did His Majesty say anything about rewarding me?"
The pen holder was taken aback. Upon closer inspection, these words seemed presumptuous. When the emperor bestowed a reward upon his subjects, they should accept it respectfully. There was no reason to actively ask for it.
Her smile faltered slightly. "I haven't mentioned any specific rewards."
"In that case... I will ask for a reward directly from His Majesty at the court meeting."
After saying this, Xie Tingyu turned around and left, completely ignoring the fact that the pen holder almost staggered after hearing this.
The clerk held the brim of his official hat, muttering to himself, "Is this the great general who has returned victorious? He's so arrogant that he's about to ask the emperor for a reward."
The rustling of long boots as they trod on the snow made a gentle sound. Xie Tingyu walked all the way to Changhao Courtyard and saw a servant in the courtyard standing on a high stool, holding a rag and carefully wiping the lanterns under the eaves of the corridor, and then hanging a brand new red silk.
As they passed under the corridor, a servant suddenly cried out "Ouch!" and swayed on a high stool. Xie Tingyu reached out and supported the servant's back steadily. The servant climbed down from the stool with a red face and said hesitantly, "Thank you, my lady."
Before Xie Tingyu could answer, he turned around and looked up, only to see Ji Lian standing quietly by the window. She had been staring there for an unknown amount of time.
She walked forward and looked at Ji Lian carefully.
Ever since he started taking the detoxifying decoction, he'd been experiencing frequent sleepiness. Yuan Fuxue had diagnosed him and said it was the effects of the medicine, but that day, he'd also pricked Ji Lian's finger with a needle and found the blood was normal, without any trace of gold.
Perhaps having just woken up, Ji Lian's cheeks were still flushed, and her long black hair flowed down her shoulders, untied and unbound, with only a rabbit fur-trimmed outer robe casually draped over her. He leaned lazily against the window frame, his eyes casually glancing at the servants in the distance before finally settling on Xie Tingyu.
The two looked at each other through the window.
"But who's here?" He spoke in a vague voice, with a sleepy ending that seemed to have a hook.
"Someone came from the palace and told me to have a good rest and gave me some rewards."
"Hmm? A reward?" Ji Lian leaned closer. Coincidentally, a gust of cold wind blew, carrying a strand of his black hair to brush against Xie Tingyu's cheek. "Did you say you'd reward you with a few beauties and give you a few more maids?"
"...Before you said that, did you consider that the emperor is less than ten years old?"
Ji Lian snorted coldly, her eyes slightly raised, and her fingertips traced the pattern on her lapel, "It's cold outside, do you want to come in?"
As soon as Xie Tingyu sat down, he leaned in close. Faster than his figure was the lingering scent of the green lotus. He lay down beside Xie Tingyu, his head resting on her knees as he looked up at her: "Just now, that person was about to fall into your arms... Have you ever thought about taking her as your concubine?"
Xie Tingyu leaned over and gently pinched his cheek, "Are you the reincarnation of a vinegar jar?"
Ji Lian held her wrist and put her index finger between her lips, first biting it gently, then rubbing it with the tip of her teeth, and licking the knuckles repeatedly with the tip of her soft tongue.
Xie Tingyu said in a gentle voice, "You are enough for me. When you become my husband, no one else will enter this backyard."
Ji Lian's heart burned. She turned her head and pretended to cough, changing the subject: "You've never valued money, so why are you suddenly asking the palace maids for rewards? If you act like this, others will probably think you're arrogant, daring to ask the emperor for money."
He stood up and asked doubtfully, "What do you want?"
Xie Tingyu took the tangerine from the fruit bowl, slowly peeled off the golden skin, put a piece of flesh into his mouth, and chuckled vaguely: "I want you..."
On the day of court, Ji Lian personally arranged Xie Tingyu's official robes and walked her all the way to the carriage with a lantern.
After Xie Tingyu stepped onto the carriage, he called out "Mother" and then closed his eyes and leaned against the wall to take a nap.
A four-horse carriage drove out of the main gate of Xie Garden, passing through the official road unimpeded and reaching the palace gate. The two men disembarked one after another, and after being inspected by the Jinwu Guards, they entered the palace side by side.
One was the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, and the other was a general who had just returned from a triumph. Their awe-inspiring demeanor attracted officials on both sides to stop and salute.
There were also ministers who were supposed to be accompanying him, but they stepped forward quickly to greet the Grand Tutor and the General.
Xie Qingyan had always longed to be able to walk with his daughter. Today, his wish came true, and he couldn't help but smile, his neck straightened, and his face was filled with unconcealable pride.
The officials walked to the front of Taiji Hall and waited in order.
After the roll call was completed, all the ministers climbed the stairs and entered the hall in an orderly manner.
As soon as Xie Tingyu stood still, he saw Wang Lanzhi standing on his left and Yuan Wangshu standing on his right.
"It's really... a coincidence."
The three of them looked at each other in surprise and whispered at the same time.
A long shout came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty has arrived——"
Xie Tingyu lowered his head and eyes, his ears twitching as he caught the sound of footsteps, accompanied by the clanging of armor, approaching from afar. Then he saw a bright yellow figure enter the palace gate. The young emperor, flanked by ceremonial guards and the Jinwu Guard, ascended the imperial steps.
"Long live His Majesty—"
"Please stand up, gentlemen." It was still a childish voice.
Ji Xun glanced eagerly at the ministers through the swaying crown tassels, finally locking onto Xie Tingyu's figure. He spoke crisply, "Teacher, you recently returned to the capital. Have you had enough rest? I see your complexion is rosy, so I guess you've been well rested."
Yuan Wangshu and Wang Lanzhi turned to look at Xie Tingyu and whispered in unison, "Teacher?"
Xie Tingyu stepped out with his hand and bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"The palace maid who delivered the imperial edict to your palace the other day reported back that Master had asked me for a reward," Ji Xun said in a clear voice. "Master, during this northern expedition, you swept the enemy to pieces, even slaying the Khan of Northern Qin. You have achieved such an unprecedented feat, what could you not ask for? Master, please feel free to ask."
The envoy who had delivered the imperial edict to Xie Tingyu in the palace felt her legs weaken at the words. She had intended to imply that this man was not observing the proper etiquette of a minister, but she hadn't expected His Majesty to favor General Xie so much! If she had known this, she wouldn't have bothered to say anything! It was over, it was over. I hope General Xie won't hold a grudge against her for this!
All the ministers in the hall fell silent upon hearing this.
"His Majesty."
Xie Tingyu's voice echoed in the hall, "I now admire a young man, and I beg Your Majesty to grant me marriage. This is the reward I seek."
Yuan Wangshu held Xiangqian's hand tightly, his palms sweating. "No, Xie Tingyu, are you serious?"
Wang Lanzhi looked at Yuan Wangshu, who was sweating inexplicably on his forehead despite the freezing weather, and asked in confusion, "Why are you sweating? She's the one asking to marry you, not you. Why are you so nervous?"
Yuan Wangshu: "...You don't understand."
"I was previously ordered to travel north to promote the Tuduan policy, coincidentally meeting the Emperor on his way to marry into Northern Qin. However, the Emperor and I had long been in love, so I boldly stopped the Emperor's carriage and escorted him back to Jiankang, where he settled safely within the city. Later, Northern Qin seized upon this opportunity to launch an uprising, and I volunteered to fight. Now that Northern Qin has been defeated by the royal army, I humbly hope that Your Majesty will consider my humble contribution and grant the marriage."
What a must! What a way to stop the Luan carriage! What a way to grant the marriage!
When these words were spoken, the whole audience was shocked, except for a few people who knew about it and the little emperor on the throne.
The ministers extracted three shocking insights from this shocking report.
Firstly, it turned out that the culprit who ruined the marriage between the two countries was this young Lord Xie.
Secondly, Lord Xiao Xie and Emperor Qing disregarded the rites and moral principles and dared to secretly decide to spend their lives together and made secret promises to each other.
Thirdly, not only did she hide the man in Jiankang, but now she even dared to ask for permission to marry him.
All the nobles in the hall looked at each other in surprise.
Oh my God, such a shocking thing, I am afraid that even unofficial history books would not dare to write it like this!
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The author has something to say: The story behind the "Wife-Looking Stone" in the Great Zhou Dynasty:
A fox demon transformed into a human for the first time, deliberately disguising herself as a scholar. One day, passing by the outskirts of Jiankang, she saw a handsome man sitting in a small pavilion, gazing into the distance, neither waiting for nor gazing at. Once seated, he remained motionless, like a stone. After seeing him come for thirty consecutive days, rain or shine, and each visit lasting at least three hours, she became puzzled and questioned the man's personal attendant.
The young servant replied, "My husband's sweetheart is now on the northern expedition to subdue captives. I miss her so much that I am waiting here."
The fox demon was deeply moved when he heard this and later recorded this encounter in his travel stories on earth, naming it "The Wife-Looking Stone".
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Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the main story will be finished tomorrow. Great! Can my torture and pain finally stop? (That's just the main story. There's also a sequel... Why did I agree to write one?)
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