Chapter 23: The Beautiful Sunset (1) If you do something wrong, you must be punished...
The sky was the color of snow, shrouded in a dark mist, like a spiderweb. The Puyuan study was utterly silent. Standing by the window, Lu Guanque spotted a few birds circling in the snow, seemingly searching for a home because of the cold.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside.
Lu Guanque turned around, remained silent for a moment, then raised his ruler and smashed it towards the person on the ground. The person felt pain but dared not make a sound.
His eyes were as cold as a knife, and he said calmly, "What is the crime for not reporting what you know?"
Chen Bi knelt on the ground, closed his eyes tightly, and trembled all over: "I hope that the prince can give me a chance to atone for my sins."
"Chance?"
Lu Guanque looked at the words "Who is this man, whose heart is as still as water" written on the paper and sneered, "What did she say to Wei Yuan in the Marquis' Mansion?"
Chen Bi felt as if she had been pardoned. She quickly recalled, "When the Crown Prince's Consort entered the Marquis' Mansion, she wasn't very happy, but when she came out... she was very happy."
"What else?" Lu Guanque's voice suddenly turned harsh.
"My Lord Marquis won't let me in, this is all I know." After Chen Bi finished speaking, she fell to the ground again, almost wanting to die underground.
"When she came back, was there anything unusual?"
Chen Bi bit her lip and said truthfully, "After the Crown Prince's Consort came back, she said she wanted to eat the mountain-cooked lamb made by Danqinglou. As for the rest... she didn't say anything."
After a moment, Lu Guanque raised his head, squinted his eyes, and said with an ambiguous tone: "In that case, this matter is interesting. Since you are so useless, then..."
"Your servant..."
Chen Bi closed her eyes, cold sweat pouring down her face, and tremblingly said, "This servant suddenly remembered that when we were in Danqing Tower, Lord Wei took out a longevity lock, which seemed to be related to Miss Jiahe..."
Lu Guanque's face darkened as he heard this. He picked up his pen and pressed it firmly against the paper. His fingertips gradually turned black, and the horrible ink, like several long worms, suddenly bit his wrist.
Suddenly, he endured the pain and said calmly: "If she goes out again in the next few days, you will follow her."
Chen Bi's whole body was stiff. Just as she was about to stand up and leave, she saw Lu Guanque walking up to her, looking down at her, his words filled with chilling coldness.
"You did a good job with the clothes last time. In a few days, destroy everything she brought from Xuzhou."
*
The next day, in front of the dressing mirror, Chen Bi was combing Meng Xuanli's hair.
Meng Xuanli looked at himself in the mirror, thinking of everything that happened yesterday, pulled at Chen Biyi's sleeves, and whispered, "Change your clothes later and go out with me."
"……yes."
Seeing Chen Bi's dazed look, Meng Xuanli asked with concern: "Chen Bi, are you feeling unwell today?"
"Ah?" Chen Bi paused for a moment and continued combing. "No, I just didn't sleep well last night."
Meng Xuanli listened to her calm tone and thought, "That's good... You must remember what I say next."
"Yes." Chen Bi gave her a long dress with red cloud pattern.
Meng Xuanli stood up, walked forward, leaned close to Chen Bi's ear, and told him the plan.
After a moment, Chen Bi raised her eyes and said worriedly: "If this servant goes to the Marquis' Mansion, there will be no one to follow the Crown Prince's Consort. What if..."
"Don't worry, I asked Uncle De yesterday, and he said that the prince is having dinner in the palace today and probably won't be back until dusk. If we move quickly, we can be back in an hour. Besides, we are going to pick up Jiahe, so it doesn't matter even if he knows."
Meng Xuanli took the clothes and put them on herself: "Eh? Why haven't I seen this clothes before?"
Chen Bi was startled for a moment, then immediately tied the palace sash around her: "On the birthday of the Crown Prince's Concubine, the Crown Prince sent over several large boxes filled with many clothes and jewelry."
Meng Xuanli nodded. Although she had seen those boxes before, she didn't know what was inside. "I was wondering why they were all replaced. So this is it."
"Wait, where are those old clothes?"
Chen Bi took off her cloak, gritted her teeth, and turned around, smiling, "During the rainy season, the Crown Prince's wife's clothes got damp in Xuzhou. I wanted to take them out to air, but they got moldy, so I threw them all away."
"Mold?" Meng Xuanli frowned. "Never mind. I thought I could still wear it. I didn't expect the weather in Dongdu to be so warm that mold would develop."
Chen Bi put the cloak on her: "Who said it wasn't."
*
After lunch, Meng Xuanli went to Danqinglou as planned. Although it was winter, the private rooms in Danqinglou were very warm.
Meng Xuanli brushed the snow off her cloak and sat down on a chair. She had deliberately suggested drinking here yesterday in order to lure the tiger away from the mountain and let Chen Bi take Jia He back to Puyuan.
The cold wind blew in, and Meng Xuanli saw the brewed tea on the table, so he poured himself a cup.
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Wei Yuan finally arrived.
But he didn't come alone.
"You...Luoyun? You guys?" Meng Xuanli looked at the person who came and almost dropped the teacup.
Wei Yuan pushed open the door and saw Meng Xuanli so surprised. He smiled and said, "Because I was worried you'd miss Jiahe, I asked Luyun to bring her here. Look, she's so cute."
Meng Xuanli looked at Lu Yun, then at Wei Yuan, and smiled, "When did you start?"
Wei Yuan shook his head, handed the child to Lu Yun, then closed the door, took off his cloak, and deliberately hung it together with Meng Xuanli's.
Wei Yuan turned around and smelled the lingering aroma of tea. Meng Xuanli turned his head away, looking at the snowflakes falling outside the window with an angry expression.
Her face was reflected in the snow, which reminded him of the first time he met Zheng Min, who was also so desolate and fascinating.
Wei Yuan was in a daze, but then he realized the reality. She was not Zheng Min, she was Meng Xuanli.
But no matter who it is, as long as he likes it, it's fine.
Wei Yuan walked to the window, blocking Meng Xuanli's view. He met her eyes, a smile playing on his lips. "From the beginning, I was determined to win you. Lu Yun was someone I specially arranged."
"You...you are despicable." Meng Xuanli looked up at him with cold eyes, "Give Jiahe back to me."
"Don't start talking about children. Don't we have anything else to say to each other?" Wei Yuan wasn't angry. He just wanted the old feeling. And only Meng Xuanli could give him that feeling.
Meng Xuanli chuckled and was about to stand up.
"etc."
Suddenly, the door opened, the waiter put down the food and wine, lowered his head, and left in a hurry.
There was silence all around. Wei Yuan suddenly approached, leaned over to look at her face, and said slowly, "I'm going to Jiangnan in a few days. Don't you have anything to say to me?"
Meng Xuanli gritted his teeth, turned his head, and fixed his gaze on Lu Yun's back outside the door. He said with disgust, "No."
"Hearing you say that, I can tell you still misunderstand me." Wei Yuan's fingertips felt cold as he brushed his sleeves, sat down, and picked up a glass of wine. "But it doesn't matter. This isn't the first or second time you've misunderstood me."
Meng Xuanli guessed what he was going to say and smiled, "It's getting late. I'll take Jiahe back first."
"So ruthless?" Wei Yuan supported his chin, his eyes full of Meng Xuanli, and said quietly, "Meng Xuanli, come with me to Jiangnan..."
Meng Xuanli laughed: "Why would I go to Jiangnan with you when all is well? You're already drunk before you even drink the wine, Lord?"
"I'm not drunk." Wei Yuan poured her a glass of wine. Seeing her serious expression, he deliberately said, "You don't want to drink my wine, are you afraid that I might drug you?"
"Don't worry, if I really drugged you, it wouldn't be so obvious." Wei Yuan looked at her meaningfully.
Meng Xuanli let out a cold laugh, "My Lord, please drink by yourself. I won't accompany you."
"Meng Xuanli, today is the last time I ask you and the last time I remind you. If you still believe in him, it doesn't matter. I'll just wait for the day when Lu Guanque's true face is revealed. When that happens, don't cry and beg me." After saying that, Wei Yuan drank a glass of wine.
Meng Xuanli was surprised to see tears in the corners of his eyes. Suddenly, their eyes met: "I have no interest in being someone else's substitute. Besides... I know exactly who he is."
"Understand?" Wei Yuan didn't seem to be very clear-headed. "Some things should not be said too decisively."
For some reason, Meng Xuanli inexplicably thought of Lu Guan's violent appearance. She shook her head, stood up and put on her cloak.
*
Lu Guanque was handling official business in the palace, his pen moving across the paper, but his mind was occupied with thoughts of Meng Xuanli. She had lain beside him last night, her face rosy and her eyes sparkling, even more beautiful than this portrait.
After a moment, the ink where the pen was placed gradually became wet. Lu Guanque came back to his senses and heard the sound of leisurely and lively footsteps.
Lu Guanque picked up a book at random and covered the ink on the paper.
"Uncle, what are you drawing?" When Xiao Lin walked in, he saw that he didn't blink for a long time.
Lu Guanque walked to the desk, bowed slightly, and saluted respectfully: "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Lin pretended to be an adult, nodded, and quietly walked around the desk, ready to open the book: "Good uncle, let me see what the painting is."
Lu Guanque leaned over, stretched out his hand to hold it down, and smiled slightly: "After the prince has finished his meal, it's time to go to the South Garden to ride a horse."
"I..." Xiao Lin's eyes turned, and he looked behind Lu Guanque, and suddenly shouted, "Father, why are you here!"
Lu Guanque looked around and saw no one around, his anger rising. He was about to turn around when he heard Xiao Lin say in confusion, "Whose painting is this? I feel like I've seen it somewhere..."
"Xiao Lin! Put down the painting." Lu Guanque reached out to grab it.
Hearing his own name, Xiao Lin subconsciously retracted his hand.
The painting fell to the ground.
Lu Guanque bent down to pick it up, quickly unfolded it, took a look, and found nothing serious.
He straightened up, looked at Xiao Lin, and warned him, "If Your Highness the Crown Prince runs out again without permission, I will copy the Zhenguan Zhengyao ten times."
"What? Ten times?" Xiao Lin swallowed, hurried forward to pull Lu Guanque's sleeve, sobbing, "Good uncle, I won't dare to do it again..."
Lu Guanque frowned, brushed off his hand, walked around the desk, and said calmly, "Tell me, what did the Crown Prince come to see me for?"
Xiao Lin immediately stopped crying, lowered his head, and curled his lips: "My father has just ascended the throne, and there are many complicated things to do. He saw that my uncle was working hard, so he asked me to bring you some food..."
"The items have been delivered. Your Highness, please return."
Although Xiao Lin was only ten years old, he had learned early and understood more. He had come today with another mission.
Seeing that Lu Guanque had calmed down, he moved his steps and lay on the table opposite him, looking at Lu Guanque with his eyes rolling: "Uncle, you come to the palace every day to teach me, why don't you teach your children?"
"Oh, no, no, I remembered it wrong. Uncle doesn't have any children yet." Xiao Lin thought for a moment and asked curiously, "Then when will Uncle give A-Lin a brother or sister?"
Lu Guanque closed his eyes, his expression slightly distorted. He raised his eyes, looked at Xiao Lintian's innocent face, and said word by word, "It's almost there."
*
After leaving the palace, Lu Guanque got into the carriage, his mind full of Xiao Linwu's messy words.
She said she wanted to take her child to the garden, and she also said she wanted to carry him up a tree to get bird eggs...
Lu Guanque snorted. He would never let his children do such things.
When passing by Danqing Tower, the snow stopped. He remembered that Meng Xuanli wanted to eat boiled mutton, so he lifted the curtain and got out of the car.
The noise was overwhelming. As Lu Guanque reached the second floor, he heard the faint sound of a baby across from him. His eyes were deep as he looked around. "Who is in that room? Why is there someone holding a child?"
The young man looked around, lowered his head, and guessed quietly: "It seems to be Wei..."
Before he could finish his words, Lu Guanque rushed over, pushed open the door, and saw Meng Xuanli's frightened eyes.
Wei Yuan heard the noise, turned his head, and deliberately said to Lu Guanque: "Ali, you promised me that you would divorce him, you are not allowed to regret it."
When Lu Guanque heard the word "divorce", a sinister smile appeared at the corner of his lips, as if his earlobe was cut off, his eyeballs fell to the ground, and his whole body was in pain as if he had stepped into the sea.
Seeing Lu Guanque standing there in a daze, Wei Yuan turned his head and pretended to be drunk, leaning on the table.
Lu Guanque suppressed his emotions, glanced at the cloak beside him, and saw the two wine cups on the table. He said calmly, "Come here, the marquis is drunk, tie him up."
Someone broke a plate in the corridor opposite, and a scolding voice came, which sounded very much like Meng Xuanli's broken expression.
Lu Guanque's face was filled with anger. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her into another private room.
He believed that as long as he kept her by his side, she would eventually develop feelings for him. Even if she didn't love him at first, she would definitely love him in the future. But now, after things finally started to improve, she was actually looking for Wei Yuan for the Pan family's child and wanted to divorce him?
Really great.
In a moment, Lu Guanque sat on the chair, untied her cloak and threw it on the ground, then pressed her hard on his legs: "Did I tell you to stay away from him?"
Meng Xuanli's breathing trembled, his whole body stiffened, and he uttered a "hmm": "I'm looking for him... because of Jiahe, and besides, I'm leaving soon..."
"Then why didn't you tell me last night?" Lu Guanque was already trying his best to be patient.
"You've been in the palace these days...I don't want to trouble you."
Lu Guanque pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes full of aggression: "Do you never care about my feelings? Huh?"
His voice was extremely cold. Meng Xuanli swallowed and quickly explained, "No, I care."
"care?"
Lu Guanque's voice suddenly became sharp: "If you care about me, you can just talk about divorce!"
"I said that to deceive him. Don't believe him." Meng Xuanli panted, his arms tightening more and more, as if he wanted to crush her.
There was a knock on the door, and a voice came from outside: "My Lord, he has been tied up."
Lu Guanque showed a hint of hatred. He picked her up, put her on the bed behind the screen, untied her hairband, and prepared to tie her wrists and ankles.
Meng Xuanli was turned over by him and struggled frantically: "No, you can't do this, Lu Guanque, I don't want this."
Lu Guanque lifted her hair and pressed her shoulders from behind: "If you do something wrong, you must be punished."
Meng Xuanli buried her face deep in the quilt and sobbed, "You...you're crazy...let me go...I'm not wrong..."
"Just wait for me here, I'll be back soon." After saying that, Lu Guanque kissed the back of her neck.
Meng Xuanli lay on the bed, unable to move. As she listened to Lu Guanque's gradually departing footsteps, tears inexplicably flowed down her face.
She just met Wei Yuan once.
Why would he do this to himself?
*
The sky was as dark as ink, Chengju's door was closed, and there was dead silence.
Meng Xuanli felt the light and, enduring the pain, blurryly opened her eyes. Her face was pale, dark circles were visible under her eyes, and she felt an indescribable pain in her heart.
"Come, eat something." Lu Guanque's complexion looked a little better. He leaned over to help her up and put a pillow behind her.
Meng Xuanli looked at him quietly in the candlelight and found that he seemed to have lost his memory and had no recollection of what he had done at that time. He did not feel any guilt or regret and still took care of her as carefully as usual.
Meng Xuanli lowered her eyes, looked at the red mark on her wrist, and smiled suddenly. She would never forget this mark. To be more precise, she did not want to forgive Lu Guanque at that time.
He was so oblivious to all discrimination, so terrifying, and completely different from the person she had imagined him to be.
"Why don't you ask how Jiahe is doing?" Lu Guanque said word by word.
Meng Xuanli paused for a moment, then met his eyes and said sarcastically, "Didn't you tie him up?"
Her tone was very flat, as if she was talking about a trivial matter.
"She's still a child. I won't do that." Lu Guanque's face darkened. "Besides, if Ali had listened to me and stopped seeing Wei Yuan, I wouldn't have done that to you."
"I've made it very clear. I met him because of Jiahe." Meng Xuanli turned away, not looking at him. "Just because you think I'm wrong, can you treat me like that?"
Lu Guanque suppressed his anger, his throat rolling, and said noncommittally: "You don't love me at all, right?"
"If you don't answer my question, I won't answer yours." Meng Xuanli grabbed the quilt and was about to lie down.
Lu Guanque's eyes were unusually cold. He held her shoulders, pressed his forehead against hers, and said sternly, "I'll ask you again, you really don't love me, do you?"
Meng Xuanli looked him in the eye and realized that she was gleaming with a shimmering wetness in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, her eyes blurry, but she couldn't see Lu Guanque clearly.
"I..." Meng Xuanli opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.
She had witnessed the self-destructiveness and urgency of love in Meng Xiuyu, and at the time she attributed this kind of love to "a man's infatuation can still be explained. A woman's infatuation cannot be explained."[1]
But at this moment, she realized that a man like Lu Guanque would become unclear, irrational, and unstable when he fell in love with someone.
Compared to him, she seemed to have never loved him.
Just as she was thinking, Lu Guanque bit her lips lightly and said in a hoarse voice, "Who are you thinking about? Wei Yuan? Or Su He?"
Meng Xuanli opened her eyes wide and raised her hands to push him away, but Lu Guanque grabbed them, lifted her hands above her head, and tied her wrists with the tassels of the gauze curtain.
"Let me go."
"Ali, if you were a little better and more obedient, I might be gentler." Lu Guanque pulled off her clothes and covered her.
"You...you let me go..." The numbness wrapped around Meng Xuanli, and she let out a short scream.
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The author has something to say: [References]
[1] Quoted from “Rogue”
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