Chapter 35 Upon seeing her again, he was overjoyed and wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms. ...
When Xu Congjing arrived at the door, Emperor Xiaokang was deep in thought with his back to him. After waiting for a moment, seeing Xu Congjing move slightly, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Xiaokang turned around, rubbed his temples, and interrupted him, "I am fine."
"How is the King of Annam?" Emperor Xiaokang sat down, looking up slightly, yet exuding an aura of overwhelming power. Xu Congjing nodded in reply, "All is well, and everything has been arranged properly."
The current ruler of Annam is on good terms with the Great Jin Dynasty and has been generous in paying tribute year after year. However, the regent is warlike and unwilling to submit. If he gains power, it will inevitably lead to border wars and widespread suffering among the people. Neither side wants to see this situation.
Now that the Regent Prince is poised for a comeback, it is urgent to behead him. This negotiation must not be delayed any longer. The two men, the monarch and his minister, look at each other; a wise man need not say more.
"Have you understood the situation regarding today's matter?" Emperor Xiaokang patted the armrest and frowned. "Now that the magistrate has passed away, the negotiations have been put on hold. What are your thoughts on this?"
He had arranged and decided all matters concerning this trip on his own, and it was a dereliction of duty to have no backup plan. Xu Congjing knew that the emperor was not only asking him for a solution, but also holding him accountable. So he said, "This matter is my dereliction of duty, and I am willing to accept punishment. However, the most urgent task is to quell the internal strife in Annam. I implore the emperor to give me three days to find an interpreter."
The Crown Prince and Prince Cheng are now in opposition. The Crown Prince has his own camp, while Prince Cheng has his maternal uncle, Grand Tutor Meng, backing him up. This can be considered a semblance of harmony, but if one side tilts, it will breed rebelliousness. Therefore, Xu Congjing guessed that Emperor Xiaokang did not really intend to punish him, but was just putting on airs as an emperor. However, he never expected that this matter would be taken away from his shoulders.
Emperor Xiaokang merely glanced at the scene with narrowed eyes and said, "You don't need to concern yourself with this matter. I have my own plans."
There was no further explanation, clearly indicating that no one wanted to reveal anything more. Xu Congjing wisely refrained from asking and only speculated about it in his mind.
...
After walking for quite some time, Lou Yanxu finally emerged from the mansion. Yun Bing paced anxiously beside the carriage, and when he caught sight of the swaying figure stumbling and nearly falling to the ground, he quickly ran over and helped her down the platform.
Each step strained her abdominal wound, and when she reached the last step, Lou Yanxu finally couldn't help but hiss, "Why are you here?"
Lou Yunbing looked at her with heartache and said in a muffled voice, "I'm worried about you."
"Be careful." He placed his hands lightly on his elbows, guiding her to step onto a stool and crawl into the car.
The carriage moved slowly, the melodious tune lingering in the air, soothing the mind and healing the heartache. Lou Yanxu leaned drowsily against the corner of the carriage, which braked suddenly, almost veering towards the door. Lou Yunbing pulled her back, placing an arm in front of her, and asked, "Sister, why are you lost in thought? What are you thinking about?"
She shook her head. It was nothing, except that a woman had walked towards her in the covered walkway just now, her eyes fixed on her with a chilling gaze, as if she harbored resentment.
Previously worried that she might not recognize all the noble ladies of Chang'an and thus offend others, she had secretly studied many portraits and recognized the woman as the second daughter of Grand Tutor Meng. But she had no grudge against the second daughter of Meng, so why was she being looked at with such a chilling gaze?
Her mind raced, but she couldn't figure it out. So she simply stopped thinking about it. When she looked up, she noticed a wound on Yun Bing's temple. She reached out and turned his head to see clearly. "How did you get hurt?"
Lou Yunbing touched his wound and complained, "It's all because of that Lady Wan. When she found out you had planned this, she threw a huge tantrum."
"I expected this." Lou Yanxu chuckled. She knew that Wan Qing'an wouldn't agree easily, or at least insist on going with her, but she didn't want them to take risks, so she had to keep it a secret.
Seeing that he was not seriously injured, she took out some ointment, scraped off a piece, and applied it to the wound. The cooling sensation immediately relieved the pain. Lou Yunbing reached out to take it, saying, "You are injured, I can do it myself."
Lou Yanxu didn't argue with him, and pretended to sleep all the way while covering her wound.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the carriage stopped in front of the inn. Yun Bing helped her upstairs. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Wan Qing'an sitting at the table with a cold face and a sullen expression. Qing Rui was standing by the flower stand, her round eyes darting around. The atmosphere immediately became strange.
Lou Yanxu staggered to her seat and nudged Wan Qing'an's hand, which was resting on the table. The latter glanced at her and quickly placed it under the table on her lap.
"Are you angry?" she asked cautiously.
Wan Qing'an was a woman who couldn't keep her mouth shut, and she immediately lost her composure. She raised her eyebrows, crossed her arms, and said, "What, can't I get angry?"
She pointed at Lou Yanxu's nose and berated her, "So you're the only one who kept it from me, the only outsider!"
That's a serious matter. How could I let her misunderstand like that? Lou Yanke couldn't help but try to appease her. "You've misunderstood. I know you're the one who worries about me the most. You're the closest person to me, which is why I didn't want you to know."
"If they are your closest relatives, why did you tell them?" Wan Qing'an didn't believe this explanation.
"Those two wouldn't dare give me a hard time." Lou Yanxu muttered to herself with a smirk, but was overheard. Seeing Wan Qing'an's expression change, she quickly admitted her mistake, "Good Qing'an, I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong."
He then earnestly assured her, "It will never happen again." His pale lips made it even more heartbreaking.
Wan Qing'an didn't really want to turn against her. Seeing her weak appearance, she couldn't vent her anger. In the end, she glared at her fiercely, clearly feeling sorry for her, but her mouth was as hard as a rock. "What are you standing there for? You're injured, why don't you lie down and rest?"
The three knew she was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and they chuckled to themselves.
Lou Yanxu lay down on the bed, but the wound was torn open with pain from a slight mishap. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she knew that Lou Yanxu was still angry. She turned her head and looked pitifully, asking for sympathy, "It hurts so much!"
"You're risking your life, you deserve it!" Wan Qing'an couldn't help but slap her on the shoulder. "What's more important than living?"
The pale face smiled calmly, "I know what I'm doing."
In this world, those without power or influence are simply competing on who is more willing to risk everything. Success brings glory, failure means death. But she won't die; she will strive to live and find the truth for her brother and Sister Rou.
This can also be seen as clearing his name...
Lou Yanxu sighed, her eyes deep, and then heard Wan Qing'an ask, "You've been acting all mysterious these days, what exactly are you planning to do?"
“You told me before that you wanted to be a majestic general someday, and I want to grant your wish.” Her eyes shifted to a calm and powerful expression. “I want you to make your own choices, without being swayed by others.” Not to be forced into marriage, not to be forced to leave for distant lands.
“But I don’t want you to take the risk,” Wan Qing’an said. Having supported Lou Yanxu all this way, she had long regarded Lou Yanxu as family. This journey was extremely dangerous. Not to mention the danger of the assassin’s knife, the danger lay even more in Emperor Xiaokang’s suspicious nature. He would seize upon any suspicion that might arise, and wouldn’t his head be in danger? Lou Yanxu knew her too well, which was why she kept it from her. Otherwise, she would definitely not agree to this method.
"I am not only doing this for you, but also for myself and for all women in the world." Though her body was wounded, her heart remained steadfast, and the more she thought about it, the more her emotions surged. Lou Yanxu closed her eyes and contemplated, wanting to forge another path for women in the world, to fulfill her grandmother's unfulfilled wish.
Wan Qing'an was startled. Although she didn't know the specifics, she could sense that she was doing something remarkable. So she didn't say anything more and just told her to rest and recover first.
For three days in a row, Lou Yanxu lay in bed, but Emperor Xiaokang did not send anyone to look for her. She stared blankly at the top of the tent and sighed. Could it be that he had thought of another way? Or perhaps he realized her plan and was not falling for it?
On the fourth day, she listed several reasons to refute those doubts, but still no one came.
On the fifth day, there was still nothing.
She longed for someone to "break in and rescue her" every day, and finally, on the sixth day, news arrived. The sun shone brightly that day, and a gentle breeze cooled the air. General Yunhui, accompanied by two guards, burst in, saying that the Emperor had summoned him.
Lou Yanxu was overjoyed, but dared not show it on her face. She could only clench her fists as she was led before Emperor Xiaokang.
It was still the same mansion. Emperor Xiaokang sat in the main seat, solemn and dignified. Lou Yanxu suppressed her pounding heart and bowed, "This commoner greets Your Majesty."
"Is your injury much better?" He was no longer as kind as before, exuding an aura of noble emperor, which made her feel slightly uneasy. "Your Majesty, I am much better now."
Seeing her timidity, Emperor Xiaokang slightly curled his lips and stared directly at her, "I heard that you went to Annam the other day, so you must know the Annam language, right?"
"Yes, I know a little bit." His gaze was like a heavy cauldron, making it impossible for her to stand up straight. She had no choice but to grit her teeth and push forward.
"Now that the interpreter accompanying us has passed away, the negotiations between the two countries have been delayed. We urgently need someone to fill the gap. Are you willing to take on this task?" Emperor Xiaokang said calmly.
Lou Yanxu was prepared, but she had to feign surprise, then delight, and finally fear, never daring to let Emperor Xiaokang see anything amiss.
She just couldn't understand why, when the two countries were already in a hurry to negotiate, even if they wanted to find someone else, five days would have been enough. Why did it take them six whole days to find her? Upon closer examination, she broke out in a cold sweat. Emperor Xiaokang probably already knew she had something in mind, and he could tell that she was scheming but not worldly-wise, but at least she was someone who could be manipulated.
She wondered why Emperor Xiaokang spared her life; it was because she was still useful.
In the end, she dared not move, thinking, "Serving the country is a duty I cannot shirk."
"You have certainly impressed me." The words seemed to have a hidden meaning, and Lou Yanxu lowered her head and replied, "This humble woman dares not accept such praise."
That night, she was arranged to stay at the mansion. She tossed and turned, lost in thought, still feeling terrified. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; she now truly understood the meaning of this saying.
The next morning, an official summoned her and took her there.
Upon reaching the gate, General Yunhui reported from inside, "Minister Xu has safely escorted the Annamite monarch here."
Lou Yanxu paused in her steps.
Is it coming? Is it really time to say goodbye?
The sweetness and deception of the past surged into his heart, love and hate clashed, driving him to madness and utter despair.
Clutching her trembling hand, she stepped inside. Behind her, she heard the clattering of footsteps. Turning around, she met Xu Congjing's deep eyes, which seemed to want to pull her into a vortex.
Xu Congjing was standing beside the King of Annam when he saw a familiar figure. He thought it was just a resemblance, but when the woman turned around gracefully, he slowed down and stared at her, unable to recognize her or believe it.
As he got closer, the handsome face gradually came into focus, and his heart pounded wildly. He could hardly contain himself and wanted to rush over!
Wanwan!
She's really not dead!
He was overjoyed and wanted to rush over and embrace her, so he didn't notice that his beloved looked indifferent, as if she saw a stranger as nothing special.
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