Chapter 61: The Sound of the Strings is Shallow He suddenly took a step forward and kissed her lips...
Moonlight shone through the carved window onto the completely drawn red curtain embroidered with mandarin ducks. Although the two of them embraced each other like an ordinary couple, the atmosphere was cold and neither of them spoke.
In the darkness, Cui Yiluo's vision was not very clear, but she could feel that his eyes were looking at her steadily, as if exploring, as if doubting, but under the complex emotions, there seemed to be a hint of loss.
Cui Yiluo suddenly felt uncomfortable with his expression and couldn't bear it anymore, so she subconsciously wanted to turn around.
She moved hastily and pulled away his hand from her waist.
But he didn't pull her away. Instead, she was pulled deeper against him, and warmth came over her.
Cui Yiluo was speechless, her body frozen. She didn't know if struggling would just make him hold her tighter. What did he mean by this? Was he so used to her that he had to hold her in his arms to fall asleep?
After a moment's silence, his hoarse voice reached the top of his head, "Are you angry?"
He thought she was angry because he didn't let her have dinner. Needless to say, Lilan must have been stopped by his people, otherwise Lilan would not have come to call her.
In other words, he had planned it in advance.
A sneer appeared on Cui Yiluo's face. It had only been a few days since their last indulgence in their private residence. How could he now be so reckless and indulge in lust?
So this was also her value. In the past, it had been fun to seduce him and see him consumed by lust, but now, she had no desire to engage in any intimate activities with him.
I don't want to be hugged by him, nor do I want to kiss him, and I don't want to entangle with him.
When this thought came to her mind, Cui Yiluo suddenly realized that Jiang Yunjin and Xiao Jing were clearly using her, but why did she feel so strongly about rejecting Jiang Yunjin?
She admitted she wasn't kind. Back when the Yao incident happened, she thought he truly understood and trusted her. But he wasn't. He was just trying to keep her steady and use her. It turns out that when expectations turn to disappointment, the feeling is so intense.
Cui Yiluo had been disappointed before. Back then, she had taken the trouble to maintain a relationship with her aunt in Ningzhou, thousands of miles away from Shengjing, hoping that her aunt would intervene and help her if her stepmother used her as a bargaining chip to marry her off. But in the end, her aunt didn't. While Cui Yiluo was disappointed, she didn't blame Lan Hui. In fact, she now understood why she did what she did.
But she resented Jiang Yunjin so much. Suddenly realizing this, Cui Yiluo felt even more depressed.
Perhaps because he hadn't heard her answer for a long time, he spoke again, his breath gently spraying on her hair and forehead, "Shall I go get someone to prepare some food?"
Seeing him take the initiative to release her, Cui Yiluo immediately responded. She was indeed a little hungry. From the time of sunset to the time of her usual bath and sleep, her waist and legs were about to break. Although this process allowed her to temporarily stop thinking about what she had heard from Yuan Ling that afternoon.
Jiang Yunjin quickly let go of her, and the warmth dissipated. He got out of bed and dressed, even though he was just going out to ask someone to prepare food, he still had to dress so formally.
After a while, Jiang Yunjin returned to the room and asked her to get dressed and go to the dining room.
"It's cold outside, put on your cloak."
His voice came through the embroidered curtain. Cui Yiluo, who was putting on her coat and preparing to leave the room, paused, picked up the cloak on the crossbar, put it on, and tied the laces.
Jiang Yunjin was waiting for her outside the embroidered curtain. They were silent all the way to the dining hall.
The dining room was brightly lit, and the octagonal glass lamp hanging from the ceiling swayed slightly in the breeze, its tassels swaying gently. The dining room was spacious, and a meal served in celadon bowls and plates lay on the rosewood table. Steam rose from it, creating a surprisingly warm feeling in the deep winter night.
Before entering the dining room, Cui Yiluo heard the voice of Jiang Yunjin who was leaning slightly behind her.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault for not letting you have dinner today."
She was already his wife, and would be so for the rest of their lives. Life was too long, and she was just tired of him for a while.
Cui Yiluo paused for a moment, her slender figure silent. Finally, she said, "Husband, don't blame yourself. Didn't you order someone to prepare the meal?"
Jiang Yunjin pursed his lips, but his expression did not relax at all.
Cui Yiluo glanced at the dishes on the dining table and suddenly asked, "Husband, why did you order the kitchen to start cooking in the middle of the night? Won't Grandmother scold you tomorrow?"
Not eating on time, keeping the door closed during dinner, and reversing day and night were all big taboos for Jiang Yunjin, who always put his official duties first.
There was a moment of silence behind him, and Cui Yiluo heard him say slowly and calmly, "Grandmother won't know."
He had dealt with the maids sent by Old Lady Jiang to Yuzhu Courtyard, but Cui Yiluo would not know.
Cui Yiluo thought he had shut up, so she responded and walked to the rosewood armchair and sat down.
Jiang Yunjin still abided by the rule of not talking while eating. There were only the two of them in the dining room. When they were eating, apart from the whistling wind outside the door, the only sound they could hear was the sound of dishes and chopsticks colliding.
Cui Yiluo lowered her head and sipped the porridge, not noticing that the man opposite her picked up two slices of sweet and sour lotus root with a serving chopstick, paused in the air, looked at her with a dim look in his eyes, and finally put them in his own bowl.
Cui Yiluo had a poor appetite, so she had a bowl of lily and lotus seed porridge with some side dishes and then stopped eating.
After she put down her chopsticks, Jiang Yunjin also put down his chopsticks.
"Husband, please go back to your room."
Under the bright candlelight, Cui Yiluo only felt that his dark eyes were slightly widened. She couldn't understand what that subtle emotion meant. After thinking for a few breaths without figuring it out, she gathered her cloak and prepared to go back to her room.
Walking down to the corridor, the east was just beginning to brighten, and it seemed sunrise would soon arrive. Cui Yiluo noticed that the bluestone tiles illuminated by the candlelight in the dining room were covered with a thin layer of snow-white, scattering a few silent crystals in the dark night.
As if to confirm her guess, the white specks of snow floating down from the vast night sky suddenly grew larger, and soon the two stone steps of the corridor were covered with snow.
Cui Yiluo whispered: "It's snowing."
Amidst the drizzling snow, Jiang Yunjin's voice sounded somewhat unreal: "Have you never seen snow before?"
Cui Yiluo shook her head: "It doesn't snow in Ningzhou."
Children of high-ranking families often traveled extensively, exploring the lands and mountains. Jiang Zhaoyue, for example, had visited many places. Even those from less aristocratic backgrounds, the men and women she knew in Ningzhou, had also traveled extensively, sometimes taking advantage of visiting relatives. Cui Jun had also traveled a few times with his friends, but before coming to Shengjing, she had never left Ningzhou.
Jiang Yunjin beside him was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "The snow in Shengjing will fall until the beginning of spring, and it's like this every year."
Year after year.
Cui Yiluo felt uncertain about the future. By next year, her true identity would have been revealed. Xiao Jing would be eager to exploit her past, and Xiao Zheng was also watching closely. She didn't know where she would be next year.
There was pure white snow in front of her. Cui Yiluo turned to look at the person beside her and met his deep gaze.
Standing tall and slender in the corridor covered with snow, his temperament becomes even more noble and cold, as cold and smooth as jade.
He suddenly took a step forward, his movements were neither hesitant nor impatient. When he lowered his head, a shadow covered his handsome face, and he kissed her lips.
Cui Yiluo didn't respond, just stood in the corridor. He gently caressed her lips. This kiss was not like the deep entanglement in the bedroom at dusk. He didn't carry desire, as if he simply wanted to moisten her rosy lips.
The snow fell intermittently for three days, which was not heavy in early winter.
When I woke up that morning, the ground outside the window was already covered in snow. The servants had quickly swept the snow on the roads in the mansion aside as soon as the snow stopped, to prevent it from freezing and causing people to fall.
Cui Yiluo sat in front of the dressing table, staring at her beautiful face in the diamond-shaped mirror in a trance.
"Has the guard following the Cui family not replied yet?"
Lilan was also a little puzzled. Judging from past situations, the pigeon should have arrived soon, but there was no movement. She felt a little anxious, but she still tried to comfort him, "Maybe it's snowing these days, and the carrier pigeons have flown away. Now that the snow has stopped, I think there will be movement in the next two days."
But this excuse obviously couldn't appease Cui Yiluo. The carrier pigeons were specially trained and it was almost impossible for them to get lost. If the letter didn't arrive again, she would worry that someone had intercepted it.
But before Cui Yiluo could think about it, she heard Lilan say, "Miss, Commander Yuan secretly sent a message saying that he would meet you at Baoming Temple at 3:00 PM today."
Yuan Ling investigated for a few days and thought he must have found something. Cui Yiluo hurriedly asked Lilan to reply, saying that she would arrive at Baoming Temple on time. At the same time, she told the people in the mansion that she would go to Baoming Temple to burn incense in the afternoon. Baoming Temple was in the suburbs and it had just stopped snowing today. It was not the first or fifteenth day of the month, so she should not run into anyone.
At the same time, in the palace council chamber.
"Your Majesty, the Jiangnan Salt and Iron case concerns the people's livelihood. The Jiangnan Salt Transport Commissioner colluded with local officials to embezzle the people's profits and smuggle salt and iron. This is truly rampant. Your Majesty, please make a decision immediately and send people south to investigate!"
The smuggling of salt and iron has existed in every dynasty. If it is not handled properly, it will affect people's livelihood and damage the foundation of the country. Therefore, several old ministers spoke anxiously, urging the emperor to decide on the candidate to go south as soon as possible.
The emperor had several candidates in mind, but he was hesitant because there was also news of famine in Yunzhou, near Shengjing. In September, Yunzhou was hit by continuous cold rains. Although the court quickly sent people to transport grain, it was obvious that the damage to crops was more serious than expected. Now that winter has arrived and the climate is cold, the famine has become even worse.
As early winter arrived, incidents occurred in both places at the same time, and there were unusual movements in the southwest. The emperor sitting at the top had a serious expression and a frown on his face.
"For the matters between the two places, do you have any recommendations for candidates?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers exchanged glances, each clearly wanting to recommend someone from their own side. The emperor's gaze wandered over, and the ministers were just thinking about speaking when they suddenly saw Commander Yun Yiwei Yuan, who was standing in front of them, step forward.
"Your Majesty, regarding the famine in Yunzhou, I would like to recommend someone."
The emperor said, "Speak."
Yuan Ling bowed and secretly glanced at the tall and graceful man in a crimson official robe standing in the middle of the ministers not far away.
"I believe that Yunzhou is adjacent to Shengjing, and this matter is of great importance. Therefore, it is most appropriate for you to lead the people to relieve the famine."
Yuan Ling stood below the emperor and spoke in a resounding voice. All the ministers were stunned. Although Yuan Ling and Jiang Yunjin were both the emperor's men, they had never met before. Why did Yuan Ling suddenly recommend Jiang Yunjin?
The emperor had Jiang Yunjin in mind, and he immediately approved it. "Shenzhi, then you will lead the people to Yunzhou. This matter is urgent and will probably take more than half a month. You should set off the day after tomorrow."
Jiang Yunjin glanced at Yuan Ling indifferently and stepped forward to receive the order.
-
In the afternoon, Cui Yiluo harnessed her carriage and took her guards to Baoming Temple.
After the snow had cleared, the air in the suburbs was even cooler and cleaner. Melted snow was piled up beside the mountain path, and the trees were withered, leaving only bare branches. It was very different from what she saw when she went on a pilgrimage this summer.
It was here that she first plotted against Jiang Yunjin, but the man she hired was replaced by Xiao Zheng as a real assassin, which is why Jiang Yunjin came to rescue her. However, in this way, he would never know that she had set up a trap in his life.
The carriage soon stopped in front of Baoming Temple.
The temple was solemn and imposing, the sandalwood fragrant. Offering incense was a pretext, but it was necessary to make a show of it. Furthermore, Cui Yiluo had made a vow before the Buddha, albeit a false one, deliberately intended for a passing man to hear. She believed not in gods or Buddhas, but in herself, yet a certain reverence remained within her. Before the wedding, she had vowed to recast the temple's Buddha statue in gold.
After offering incense, a young monk quietly took her to the back of the temple.
Yuan Ling had been waiting here for a long time, sitting at a stone table next to a dense bamboo grove and drinking tea.
Cui Yiluo first looked around to make sure that there was no one hiding and no one could eavesdrop before she sat down opposite Yuan Ling.
"Sorry to have kept Master Yuan waiting."
Since the deal was reached, the atmosphere between the two has eased a bit compared to before.
Yuan Ling slowly poured a cup of tea for Cui Yiluo, then said, "Miss Cui, I'm afraid our transaction will be delayed for a while."
Cui Yiluo frowned immediately: "Why?"
"I need to travel south in a few days. His Majesty has ordered me to investigate the Jiangnan Salt and Iron Case. I'm afraid I won't be able to return to the capital until spring."
Speaking of this, Yuan Ling sneered.
He recommended Jiang Yunjin and sent him to Yunzhou. Unexpectedly, Jiang Yunjin was also a resourceful person. Although he did not recommend him directly, every word he said hinted that Yuan Ling was the right person to go south. Jiang Yunjin was fair and had extraordinary talents. The emperor trusted him, and the group of ministers were led by him. They gave up the candidates they wanted to recommend and recommended Yuan Ling instead.
Recommended by his ministers, the emperor naturally chose him to lead the charge and led several officials south. Although he had indeed investigated several salt and iron cases under the emperor's orders, and the emperor had originally intended him to lead the charge, if it weren't for Jiang Yunjin, his selection wouldn't have been so smooth.
It only takes less than a month to go to Yunzhou, but the round trip to the south to investigate the salt and iron case will probably take three months, more than three times the time it takes to go to Yunzhou.
He was tricked by Jiang Yunjin, and it was even more impossible for him to tell Cui Yiluo the truth.
Cui Yiluo's frown deepened when she heard Yuan Ling would be gone for three months. Too many things could change in three months. Perhaps her identity would be revealed before Yuan Ling returned, leaving her powerless and uncertain how she would be dealt with. After the Second Prince and Jiang Yunjin used her to attack the Chu family and Xiao Zheng, she would be worthless and naturally wouldn't care about her afterward. Perhaps Jiang Yunjin, with his gentlemanly sense of morality, would spare her life.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Ling changed the subject: "But we will pass through Ningzhou when we go south, so we can investigate it."
When the emperor was on his southern tour, the local county magistrate might have known something.
Cui Yiluo showed no sign of joy, but simply said, "Thank you, Lord Yuan. However, this matter ultimately involves His Majesty. We are merely business partners, so Lord Yuan doesn't need to get too involved."
She didn't know what Yuan Ling's final terms would be. Although she would do her best, Yuan Ling was the emperor's man, and the emperor clearly wanted to keep this a secret. If Yuan Ling helped investigate without risking his own life, her deal would be fair. But if Yuan Ling became too involved and was discovered by the emperor, he would surely be punished, and even lose his favor. Cui Yiluo disliked owing others; a deal was just a deal.
Yuan Ling raised the corner of his mouth and then lowered it, finally looking at Cui Yiluo with a half-smile and said, "Don't worry, Miss Cui. I said it was a deal, why would I let myself suffer a loss?"
Cui Yiluo breathed a sigh of relief. Yuan Ling was a person who valued interests the most. When he faced the assassin in Houqinlin, he did not forget to threaten her to give him two more packets of drugs. How could he lose his own interests?
"I came to you today because I have something to tell you. The palace records show that His Majesty stayed in Ningzhou for only a few days during his southern tour. However, I have found out in the past few days that His Majesty actually stayed in Ningzhou for a month. According to the plan, His Majesty was supposed to continue south, but His Majesty only visited two or three more places before quickly returning to the palace with his men."
"I'm sure Miss Cui can guess why His Majesty is so anxious to bring people back to the palace?"
Cui Yiluo's expression darkened. She could naturally guess. However, Cui Qi was only a minor official in Ningzhou. During his southern tour, he probably didn't even have the chance to see the emperor, and the wife of a minor official was even less likely to see the emperor. And when the emperor toured the south, all the important officials in the court followed him. How could he bring his wife back to the palace under the gaze of the court officials?
How much truth is there in this?
Even after leaving Baoming Temple, Cui Yiluo still hadn't figured out this problem.
It was almost dusk at this time. She was slightly distracted and walked to the front of the carriage, only to find that there was a person standing in front of it.
Her heart tightened as she looked at the all too familiar face in front of her, "Husband?"
Cui Yiluo didn't know when he arrived here, nor did she know how much he knew. Yuan Ling was a few steps behind her and could come out at any time. Cui Yiluo hurried forward and held Jiang Yunjin's arm.
"Why are you here, my husband? It's cold outside. Let's get in the carriage first."
Jiang Yunjin was suddenly touched by something soft and fragrant. She hadn't taken the initiative to get close to him for several days. She couldn't help but tense up, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. His handsome face suddenly brightened up in the dusk, and the low pressure in his body was relieved a lot.
After a few days, did she finally calm down?
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The author has something to say: I misunderstood again [狗头]
I may write less about intimate parts recently or be more obscure, but I will still write what I need to write, so don't worry.
Thanks to the babies who irrigated the nutrient solution [heart]
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