Chapter 26: Beautiful Sunset (4) Concealment and True Love
In another corner of Shunhe Building, Lu Guanque hid in the darkness, listening carefully to the surging crowd outside the building.
He stood there, his eyes burning, motionless, like a wisp of black smoke drifting away from a lit firecracker. The crackling sound was both festive and desolate.
When they arrived, Uncle De was pacing nearby. Seeing Lu Guanque calm down, he stopped and sighed deeply, "My Lord, why do you want to kill him now? This is truly not worth the loss."
Lu Guanque dropped his bow and arrow, turned around, and the scattered sunlight cast a shadow on his shoulders. He said quietly, "Are you afraid that she will hate me?"
"I'm afraid you'll regret it."
A cold wind blew in. Lu Guanque leaned against the window with both hands, his fingers moving suddenly. "The arrow is on the string, it must be released. I can't hate her, so I can only hate the people around her."
"Even if she hates me in the future, or even wants to kill me, I will not regret it." Lu Guanque lifted his sleeves and looked at the marks on his wrist in a daze.
As soon as he saw Su He approaching her, his heart felt like it was being chewed by insects and ants. He could neither live nor die, and could only rot here.
Su He died.
He seemed to have gained a great deal of clarity, or rather, he had never been so calm before. He was so calm that he could immediately appear in front of her and tell her that he had murdered Su He.
It was as easy and pleasant as picking a flower and giving it to her.
Lu Guanque couldn't help but laugh, laughing at himself for starting to guess what she was thinking.
He couldn't do anything to her.
Not at all.
After a moment, perhaps because it had turned cold, Lu Guanque disappeared into the darkness again and said in a low voice, "Send a few people to Shunhe Tower to settle them down. You know how to say some things."
"Your Highness, do you mean... to hide it from the Crown Princess first?" Uncle De looked at him with a sad face.
"I'm afraid she won't be able to bear it if she finds out too soon." Lu Guanque flicked his sleeves, walked calmly, and opened the door. "I'll tell her later."
Uncle De watched him disappear around the corner of the stairs, and a wave of worry welled up in his heart. He had been with the Crown Prince for over a decade, and even when the eldest princess passed away, he had never seen him lose his composure like this.
For the sake of the Crown Prince's Consort, he lost his manners and even didn't care about human life.
#
When Meng Xuanli returned to Chengju, the sun had just set and the entire sky was covered in a layer of scarlet, like pus and blood oozing from a wound, blurry and difficult to distinguish.
The wintersweets in the courtyard were still in full bloom, which matched perfectly and added a sense of death to Meng Xuanli's eyes.
She walked into the inner room, sat on the Luohan bed, her eyes fell on the painting screen in the distance, as if she saw Su He's expression before his death, so gorgeous and full of regret.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind the screen. Meng Xuanli looked up and saw that it was Lu Guanque.
"Isn't the play at Shunhe Building good? Why does the person look so weak?" He walked in slowly and met Meng Xuanli's eyes.
Meng Xuanli watched him walk to her side. The eyes of both of them were as calm as the water of a lake in spring, as if nothing had happened.
A moment later, Lu Guanque sat on the other side. Meng Xuanli was the first to break the silence and replied, "It was quite nice, but I was a little scared."
Lu Guanque flicked his sleeves and poured two cups of tea: "What happened?"
She was stunned for a moment, then remembered that he had been in the palace all the time, so it was normal that he didn't know: "Su He is dead."
Lu Guanque uttered a low "hmm".
Meng Xuanli frowned and blurted out, "Aren't you surprised?"
"Didn't he die a long time ago?" Lu Guanque took a sip of tea and said lightly, "Why do you think of mentioning this?"
Meng Xuanli took the tea and took a big gulp.
Yes, Lu Guanque didn't know that Su He was still alive, so he was naturally not surprised.
She hadn't intended to tell him about this, but thinking of what Su He said before he died: "Go back and find him... avenge me..."
She felt that Su He meant for her to go home to find Lu Guanque and avenge him.
Meng Xuanli smiled helplessly, having to suppress her previous emotions. She slowly stood up, sat next to Lu Guanque, and looked up at him: "Can you do me a favor?"
Lu Guanque stroked the glazed surface of the teacup with his thumb. Wen Chen said, "If Ah Li asks, how can I not help? Go ahead."
"Su He escaped from the fire and survived. I ran into him by chance at Shunhe Building today, and just as he was about to leave, he was shot through the heart and killed. So, I'd like to ask you to help the government find the murderer quickly and prevent him from dying in such an unclear manner."
After he finished speaking, the room fell into an eerie silence. Meng Xuanli bit her lip, thinking he wouldn't agree, and was about to leave.
As she took a step, Lu Guanque put down the teacup and supported her waist: "Okay."
Meng Xuanli frowned and asked doubtfully, "Don't you have anything to ask? I remember you used to ask questions all the time."
After a pause, Lu Guanque's face was gloomy. He held her face with both hands and said softly, "From now on, I will do whatever Ah Li asks me to do. I won't dare to make mistakes again..."
Meng Xuanli's eyelashes fluttered as he spoke, but she quickly pushed his hand away, lowered her head, and said sullenly, "In that case, thank you very much."
"Don't go."
Lu Guanque put his arm around her waist and placed her on his lap.
His aura enveloped her. Meng Xuanli was stunned, then said, "Lu Guanque, I'm very grateful that you're willing to help him. But... I don't know why, I still can't get over that hurdle in my heart. If you truly repent, then give me some more time."
“…Okay.” Lu Guanque’s face turned gloomy, but his voice was gentle.
Meng Xuanli nodded, stood up awkwardly, sat on the other side, and sighed, "Su He's face was badly injured. If it weren't for his tear mole, I would have almost failed to recognize him."
"Later, something happened, and I quickly found someone to report it to the authorities. But strangely, no one in the building said they knew Su He...even that handsome young man had disappeared."
"In that case, this matter is quite strange." Lu Guanque looked at her with a steady breath, supporting his chin.
"He told me that during the fire, a villain tied him to a pillar. Do you think it was that person who was hunting him down? And then followed him all the way to Dongdu?" Meng Xuanli fell into deep thought. "And when he collapsed, his face was filled with fear and regret..."
"Why would he feel regretful? Did Su He do something that he regrets?" Meng Xuanli paused, turned his head to look at him, and found that Lu Guanque had been staring at him.
She smiled awkwardly, clutching the handkerchief in her hand, and said lightly: "I was just thinking casually. If you have something to do, go and do it first."
"Something's wrong indeed."
Lu Guanque pointed at her hair. Meng Xuanli stood up and looked in the mirror. She was surprised and said, "Why is there so much blood..."
She turned her head and looked at Lu Guanque: "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"You didn't even give me a chance to speak." Lu Guanque stood up, walked behind her, hugged her, and whispered, "I have nothing to do tonight. I'll help you take a bath."
"Don't worry, I won't do anything rash."
Meng Xuanli tried to push him away, but Lu Guanque lowered his eyes, his face forced to smile, "During the Spring and Autumn Period, Guan Zhong once shot the belt hook of Master Xiaobai, nearly killing him."
"Later, Prince Xiaobai ascended the throne and became Duke Huan of Qi. He listened to Bao Shuya's advice and not only pardoned Guan Zhong but also appointed him prime minister."
"Finally, Guan Zhong assisted Duke Huan of Qi in implementing reforms, making Qi the first hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period."
Meng Xuanli curled his lips and said unhappily, "You told me this story just to make me follow Duke Huan of Qi's example and forgive you. But... I don't want to forgive you."
"Ali, you don't need to forgive me. It's me who regrets it." Lu Guanque rubbed his chin against her neck. "I should make amends for my mistakes."
Meng Xuanli felt a little itchy, and suddenly a good idea came to his mind. He immediately said solemnly, "Then you come."
#
The sky gradually darkened, revealing a few stars, twinkling and adorable. After Meng Xuanli finished her bath, Lu Guanque carried her to bed.
When she saw him about to leave, she suddenly stretched out her arms, put them around his neck, and said softly, "Sleep with me tonight. I'm a little scared because of what happened during the day."
Lu Guanque was stunned for a moment, then hugged her back and said softly, "Okay, I'll accompany you."
"Put out the candle first, and then take off your outer robe." Meng Xuanli had sweat on his forehead when he said this.
Lu Guanque frowned, but still followed her instructions, arranged everything, and lay down beside her.
"Why is Ali so nice tonight?" Lu Guanque couldn't help but ask.
Meng Xuanli closed her eyes, as if ready to die. She quietly slipped into his arms, leaning on him, looking at him with bright eyes: "I've always been this good."
"Husband, I want to kiss you..."
"Hmm?" Lu Guanque frowned, his hands being stroked by her and raised above his head, "What are you going to do?"
"Of course I'm learning from my husband..."
Meng Xuanli kissed his lips, and the tip of her tongue slid in. Lu Guanque's breathing was disordered, and he closed his eyes and responded to her passionate kiss.
When he was in a state of confusion and passion, he suddenly heard a "click" sound from his hands. Just as he opened his eyes, he heard Meng Xuanli say coldly: "If you want me to forgive you, you can. But you must experience the pain I felt at that time..."
Lu Guanque suddenly realized and snorted.
Meng Xuanli lazily turned over, put on her dress, and smiled beautifully: "Don't waste your energy, my lord. This pair of diamond bracelets is a treasure that my father brought back from Persia. Without the original key, even if you melt gold, you can't open it."
The veins on Lu Guanque's forehead bulged. From childhood to adulthood, he had never been teased like this. The only time was by Meng Xuanli.
"Let me go."
Moonlight shone on the ground, casting a hazy white hue over the room. Meng Xuanli brought in an armchair and sat on it, legs slightly bent and feet propped up on the edge of the bed.
She looked at Lu Guanque on the bed and smiled, "Let go? How can you do that?"
"When I told him to let go, the prince didn't listen to me. He even said he never regretted it. He didn't even listen to my explanation and rushed to..."
Lu Guanque's deep features grew sharper, and he squinted his eyes as he stared at Meng Xuanli. He had never imagined she would care so much, or perhaps he had underestimated her stubbornness.
"What's wrong with being in a hurry?" Lu Guanque asked deliberately.
Meng Xuanli glanced at him, then stepped on his waist with her soft feet and said firmly, "Of course he went in."
Lu Guanque groaned and said in a low voice, "Do you dare now?"
"I...I dare, but why should I do as you wish?"
Lu Guanque chuckled, struggling fiercely with his wrist: "Ali, you'd better pray that I can't break free of this thing, otherwise... it won't be just like last time."
Meng Xuanli panicked for a moment, but quickly calmed down. He retracted his foot and carefully approached the edge of the bed, straddling him. He said softly, "But you said last night, 'From now on, I'll do whatever A-Li tells me to do. I won't dare make any more mistakes.' Could it be that you've been lying to me?"
Lu Guanque gritted his teeth and said softly, "Yes, I did say those words. Well...if Ali wants to tie me up, then let him tie me up, but..."
Meng Xuanli blinked and asked, "Just what?"
"It's just that I can't do anything about Su He's affairs. I'm really tired now, and I'm powerless."
Meng Xuanli laughed in anger, leaned over, and bit his lips hard: "Lu Guanque, you are threatening me."
"No way! Ali is sitting on me now, and he's even chained my hands. I'm like a fish on a chopping block, I can't move away."
Meng Xuanli got off him, turned over and lay beside him, and said calmly: "If I let you go, will you go and do his thing?"
"Yes."
Meng Xuanli bit her lip and hesitated for a moment, but still felt that he was not in enough pain, so she asked, "Lu Guanque, what are you most afraid of in this life?"
Lu Guanque didn't expect her to ask this. He turned his head, stared at her, and said affectionately, "I'm most afraid of losing you."
"Without you, I can't live."
Meng Xuanli's heart twitched suddenly, and he turned sideways, staring blankly at his eyes, which were both clear and sincere.
Their eyes met, their hearts pounding. Time seemed to freeze at that moment, and they just stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Meng Xuanli's eyes were moist, and she quickly pulled up the quilt to hide the tears on her face: "You...you lied to me, you deliberately made me soft-hearted and untied you."
"Look at my face, do I look like I'm lying to you?" Lu Guanque said in a low voice.
Meng Xuanli secretly peeked out and blinked: "It doesn't look like it... but who knows what you're thinking."
"Be good, untie it for me, and I'll explain it to you."
Meng Xuanli curled her lips, wiped her tears, and asked, "Then you have to promise not to treat me like that again, otherwise... I will leave you and leave you with nowhere to turn and die in agony."
"I promise I won't dare to do it again." Lu Guanque sighed and said helplessly.
Seeing that he was sincere, Meng Xuanli found the key from under the quilt, stood up, and opened the door for him.
She saw the red marks on his wrist and asked, "Does it hurt?"
Lu Guanque smiled, stretched his wrist, and then held her in his arms: "As long as you are fine, I won't feel any pain."
"You're lying! I see blood all over the bracelet from your struggle."
Meng Xuanli pushed him away and wanted to get out of bed to bandage him. Seeing that she was about to leave, Lu Guanque simply pressed her under him and said calmly, "It's just a minor injury. I'll bandage it tomorrow."
"Just now you seemed to call out something...husband? I didn't hear clearly. Can you call out again?"
"I didn't shout anything." Meng Xuanli turned away awkwardly and whispered, "I'd better bandage you first. You'll be fine tomorrow."
Lu Guanque smiled deeply and did not stop her. He let her slip under the bed and hurried to find the medicine box.
After the bandage was done, Meng Xuanli lay beside him, tossing and turning, feeling an indescribable lightness in his heart, like the coming of spring after the winter ice and snow melted.
Lu Guanque noticed it, held her arm, held her in his arms, and said softly: "Since Ali can't sleep, why don't we do something else?"
"What's the matter?" Meng Xuanli didn't dare to look at him.
"It's naturally a matter of flowers and a full moon."
"Then... then I want to be on top." Meng Xuanli pursed her lips, carefully moved closer to his chin, and said softly, "Husband..."
Lu Guanque's heart paused for a moment, then he held her face and kissed her hard: "As you wish, all is up to you."
"I'm a little scared."
"Don't be afraid, I'll support you."
Meng Xuanli felt numb all over, and she hugged his neck, humming softly, "Actually, last time... was pretty good, but you were a little..."
"I know, but this is better..."
"Um."
#
A few days later, Lu Guanque and Meng Xuanli went to the palace to attend the Crown Prince's birthday banquet. When they returned, Meng Xuanli was exhausted. He leaned against Lu Guanque and said in a muffled voice, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has so many questions. He never stops talking when he sees me."
The carriage moved forward slowly. Lu Guanque listened to her words and smiled: "What did he ask you?"
Meng Xuanli opened his eyes and rolled his eyes at him: "You already knew it, and you still ask me."
Lu Guanque held her in his arms, caressed her wrist, lowered his eyes to gaze at her, and said solemnly: "Ali, let's have a baby too."
Meng Xuanli was stunned for a moment, then leaned on him again: "No, it's hard enough to worry about Jiahe alone, and if there is another child, I don't know how much more I will have to worry about."
"I'll find a few experienced maids to take care of you when the time comes, so you don't have to worry about it."
"No," Meng Xuanli pursed his lips. "A child is a descendant of the mother, not the father. You're just being unreasonable."
"Ali, you deserve to give me a beating for saying that. As a man, I'm also powerless. If you don't want to, then we won't have a child. We'll keep Jiahe in the Meng family and treat him as our own child. What do you think?"
Meng Xuanli looked up and said in a daze, "You... I was just talking, I haven't thought about it that much yet."
"Then tell me, and we'll let nature take its course." Lu Guanque touched her face.
Meng Xuanli smiled and said "hmm".
When they returned to Pu Garden, they saw a man in official uniform standing outside the side door. When Lu Guanque saw him, his face turned gloomy. He immediately led Meng Xuanli down and said, "Go back to your room first. Perhaps there is something important going on in the palace."
Meng Xuanli looked around and didn't recognize the man, so he patted his hand and said, "Then I'll go back first."
Seeing Meng Xuanli's back disappear into the corridor, Lu Guanque came back to his senses and walked over to the man: "Master Zhao, the study invites you."
"Thank you, my Lord."
The two of them arrived at the study, and Lu Guanque got straight to the point: "Is the Shunhe Building issue so difficult?"
"Your Highness, you don't know. We investigated everyone in Shunhe Building, and except for the Crown Princess, no one knew him. Later, we went to the restaurant across the street and checked for a long time, but they all said that no one was in the house at that time."
Lu Guanque snorted lightly and said calmly, "Why, do you mean my wife did it?"
"No, no, I'm just curious. Su He died in Xuzhou a long time ago. How did he appear in Dongdu again? And was he shot with an arrow for no reason?"
"That's true, but someone has to come out and explain this clearly. Otherwise, I'd feel uneasy if it implicated my wife." Lu Guanque handed him a painting.
Lord Zhao was shocked, and a smile appeared on his face: "I understand."
He was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something and flattered, "By the way, my lord, this jade hairpin was found on Su He. It looks very valuable. Why don't you ask someone to appreciate it?"
Seeing the jade hairpin, Lu Guanque's heart trembled violently. He took it and said calmly, "It looks like it's made of good quality. Lord Zhao, thank you for your trouble."
"I will take my leave."
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The author has something to say: Well, this chapter is probably the sweetest one in the whole article.
The next chapter begins, so fasten your seat belts.
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