At daybreak, in Wanjiao Pavilion.
Tuoba Ze's personal guard rushed upstairs and reported, "Your Highness, the madam said that Lanxiang claimed to be unwell and took leave last night to go out and rest for several days."
With a loud "smack," Tuoba Ze slammed his fist heavily on the coffee table in front of him, angrily saying, "What? What time is it? How could you let that bitch leave Wanjiao Pavilion?"
The guard said timidly, "The madam said she guarantees Lanxiang will definitely come back and will never run away. Besides, Lanxiang's indenture is still in the brothel."
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Ze seemed slightly relieved. Sitting at the tea table, he sighed softly, brewing a pot of tea, and said to the guard beside him, "I'm afraid it's no longer safe in Wanjiao Pavilion."
Upon hearing this, the guard looked terrified, puzzled, and helpless. "Not safe? I also feel something is amiss. Even if she were a princess or a noble lady, there would be no need to alarm His Highness the Prince of Qin, who would personally lead troops from the east of West Qin City to search for her. It seems that the Prince of Qin truly values this woman named Yi Shangyun. Moreover, to find her, these soldiers have laid an inescapable net outside Wanjiao Pavilion, surrounding us so tightly that not even a fly could escape."
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Ze pondered for a moment, then silently rose and stood by the window, gazing at the exquisite courtyard-style villa, Wanjiao Pavilion, in the front yard. He said worriedly, "If the Prince of Qin is truly only searching for that woman, Yi Shangyun, and has turned Wanjiao Pavilion upside down, setting up a net, then it's not so scary. What I fear is that he's not just here to find her... It seems that Wanjiao Pavilion, our refuge, is now beyond our control, and we must relocate as soon as possible."
The guard asked tentatively, "Does Your Highness suspect...?"
“A few days ago, I received a secret letter from Bei Lie, saying that a spy from Xi Qin was discovered in the Bei Lie court, and a portrait of me was found in the spy’s room. It is highly likely that... I have been exposed in Xi Qin.”
The guard's eyes widened instantly, and he exclaimed in shock, "What!...So, so the reason why the Prince of Qin conducted such a thorough search of Wanjiao Pavilion this time is very likely because he suspects that Your Highness might be hiding here?"
Tuoba Ze sighed and continued, "The most dangerous place is also the safest place. Conversely, the safest place is also the most dangerous place. Places like Wanjiao Pavilion are full of all sorts of people. Although it's easy to hide, it's also easy to be exposed. It's already quite remarkable that we've been able to hide here for two years. It's time to leave. Fortunately, we've almost finished perfecting the Ice Beauty Gu poison. And... spring is here. We should go back home and make some plans for the future."
The guard seemed to understand Tuoba Ze's plan, and felt somewhat relieved, also deeply grateful to be home. Then, a thought struck him, and he asked, "What does Your Highness intend to do with those people here?"
Taking a sip of tea, after a moment's hesitation, Tuoba Ze said softly, "That madam, keeping her around might still be useful, after all, her poison skills are second to none. Although her heart may not be entirely with my Northern Lie, since Nan'an has already permanently banished her, and she hates her to the bone, she probably has nowhere else to go. Let's take her back to the country for now. However, we must be very careful with her. You must be careful what you say and what you don't say, lest you lose your composure and cause a disaster."
The guard replied knowingly, "I understand. I will take good care of her."
After some hesitation, the guard finally asked, "What about Yu Niang? Should we take her back with us? She has the blood of a beauty; she should be useful in the future, right?"
Upon hearing Yu Niang's name, Tuoba Ze's gaze became extremely distant. He seemed to be leisurely playing with the teacup in his hand, but after a long silence, he still couldn't make up his mind. He only said, "Yu Niang... let me think about it some more. Let's get on with the rest as soon as possible. Judging from the situation outside, the Prince of Qin probably doesn't have much time left for us."
"Yes," the guard replied, bowed, and prepared to leave.
At this moment, Tuoba Ze seemed to suddenly remember something, so he added, "By the way, waiting for news from the madam will definitely cause problems. You should quickly send someone to get rid of Lanxiang for me. She knows too much in Wanjiao Pavilion over the years. Besides, if we find her, Yi Shangyun might appear."
Hearing the voice, the guard hurriedly turned around, but asked with some doubt, "Your Highness, have you also taken a liking to Yi Shangyun's poison skills? But what if they disobey orders?"
"Hmph... disobeying orders. If she cannot be used by my Northern Lie Kingdom, then she cannot be left to that Prince Qin, Xuanyuan Han. If she refuses, then kill her. It's better to perish together and eliminate future troubles. What I, the prince, cannot have, no one else can have either," Tuoba Ze said fiercely.
The guard replied understandingly, "Yes, Your Highness understands. Is there anything else you wish to instruct me to do?"
Tuoba Ze slowly returned to the tea table and sat down, putting down his teacup. "Alright, hurry up and get on with it. We need to get back to Beilie as soon as possible."
"Yes," the guard replied respectfully, bowed again, and then closed the door and left.
Tuoba Ze stared intently at the bubbling tea brewing before him, murmuring, "Yu Niang..."
In the Dream Garden in the south of the city, crowds thronged and came in an endless stream.
The air is filled with the refreshing fragrance of various flowers, including daphne and plum blossoms.
In the Dream Garden, men and women, young and old, are scattered throughout the pavilions, waterside terraces, halls, towers, verandas, wooden bridges, and stone bridges. Everyone is delighted by the impending arrival of spring, admiring the flowers, the fish, and the beautiful women.
Seeing a young couple tying two knots in the same direction on a branch of a Daphne odora, Yi Shangyun asked in confusion, "What are they doing?"
Lanxiang looked over and, in an instant, her eyes filled with tenderness and a smile, said, "This is called 'Joyful Union.' In Western Qin, the Dream Tree is also known as the Marriage Tree. This is because many couples in love believe that if they want to have a long-lasting and sweet love and happiness, they only need to tie two knots in the same direction on the branches of the Dream Tree, and their wish will be fulfilled."
As if sensing Lanxiang's thoughts, Yi Shangyun suddenly smiled and tentatively asked her, "'Joyful marriage,' have you ever done that too?"
Upon hearing this, Lanxiang suddenly lost her smile, sighed deeply, and stared blankly at the couple who were getting married. She softly said, "No... I didn't do it."
But then her eyes turned to the tree where two knots were tied in the same direction.
While Yi Shangyun was still wondering, Lanxiang slowly walked towards the inconspicuous dream tree in the corner of the wall, and Yi Shangyun followed her.
After Lanxiang walked over, she remained silent, her expression extremely solemn, as if she were lost in thought. Yi Shangyun suddenly realized that the two knots on the daphne odora were clearly tied by Lanxiang herself, but at this moment she was only curious about who the man who tied the knots with Lanxiang was.
Just as Yi Shangyun was lost in thought, she suddenly saw two lines of tears streaming down Lanxiang's face as she slowly reached out to touch the knot tied on the sage.
Seeing this, Yi Shangyun was about to comfort her, but then suddenly changed his mind and thought to himself, "Since she doesn't want to talk, I can't force her. Perhaps, at this moment, she doesn't want to be disturbed by outsiders and just wants to stay here quietly for a while."
Thinking of this, Yi Shangyun suddenly raised her eyes and glanced at the archway leading to the neighboring courtyard, where there was a small stall making maltose, dough figurines, and candied hawthorns.
"Perhaps, when Lanxiang feels less uncomfortable later, eating some sweets will make her feel happy and relieved." Yi Shangyun thought with a smile, pursed her lips and looked at Lanxiang before walking towards the archway.
Lanxiang didn't notice Yi Shangyun's departure. At this moment, she was preoccupied with her thoughts, recalling the man who had deceived her and sold her into a brothel.
The two knots on this daphne odora before her were the ones they tied when they first met in the Dream Garden, when they fell in love at first sight. But for some reason, at this moment, she felt no hatred towards him in her eyes or heart.
After a long pause, Lanxiang finally spoke, tears streaming down her face, "Erlang, why did you treat Lanxiang like this? Back then, Erlang made solemn vows to Lanxiang, showering her with care and concern, showing no disgust, even saying that he would definitely take Lanxiang away from here to see the outside world... Lanxiang doesn't believe any of it. It was all just a deception you gave me back then. Lanxiang doesn't believe Erlang is a liar, doesn't believe... doesn't believe..."
Lanxiang shook her head and sobbed as she spoke, but her voice grew weaker and weaker. She couldn't help but recall the sudden disaster that had struck years ago.
Back then, when she turned fifteen, Lanxiang had grown into a graceful and elegant young woman, truly a rare beauty in the area.
It was also the time when the Dream Tree in this Dream Garden was in bloom, and I heard that the Dream Tree is also known as the Marriage Tree. If you want to have a long-lasting and sweet love and happiness, just tie two knots in the same direction on the branches of the Dream Tree, and your wish will be fulfilled.
And so, Lanxiang met the talented and elegant young man named Erlang here.
They fell in love at first sight and soon became intimate. Later, Erlang promised to return to his hometown to inform his parents of the matter and sent someone to formally propose marriage to Lanxiang. From then on, the two were inseparable, day and night.
But to everyone's surprise, a few days later, Lanxiang received a handwritten letter from Erlang inviting her out to discuss important matters.
Lanxiang was overjoyed, thinking the matter was settled. Little did she know that what awaited her was a contract of servitude from Wanjiao Pavilion.
Upon arriving at Wanjiao Pavilion, she was informed that Erlang had sold her out, and the money had long since disappeared without a trace.
Although Lanxiang had many doubts, the written agreement left her speechless, and she was forced into prostitution.
At this thought, Lanxiang sniffed and muttered to herself, "Erlang, where did you go? Come back and tell Lanxiang everything clearly, please."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Lanxiang was heartbroken and collapsed to her knees under the Daphne odora tree, bowing her head and sobbing uncontrollably.
Just then, a voice suddenly called out, "Lanxiang."
......
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