Chapter 19 Does my father-in-law like me that much?
Often, the things you want to do may not come to fruition; the more nervous and afraid you are, the less likely you are to succeed.
After repeated failures, Hua Lang was completely distraught, too afraid to look up at Zhan Yunmei, his head almost hitting her.
She watched him try again and again, mustering his courage but never succeeding, and didn't think much of it. But when she looked up, she saw that his eyes were red and moist, and he looked like he was about to cry. This made her smile involuntarily.
She reached out and stroked Hua Lang's face, saying gently, "It's alright, don't worry about it."
She lifted her face, kissed him, gently put him down, and patted his back with her palms. "I have to go to the palace later. If you're sleepy tonight, go to sleep first. Don't wait for me."
Hua Lang's eyes were originally sore and she had some tears of shame welling up, but she didn't actually cry. Now, whether it was because of her gentle words or because she was forced to cry, the tears started flowing and kept flowing down her shoulders and down her spine.
“…I’m sorry,” he still chose to apologize, worried that she was just lying to him, so he reached out and hugged her neck.
Zhan Yunmei understood Hua Lang; he was like a piece of glass, beautiful and shiny, but too fragile, easily broken. At this moment, she should comfort this beautiful piece of glass, but unexpectedly, especially when she sensed that he was too scared and hugged her tightly, and cooperated with her even more, she felt an indescribable satisfaction, along with a wicked interest.
She pulled that powerful eunuch down from the top, and he not only didn't hate her, but also humbly begged for her love.
Zhan Yunmei always felt that she was being too mean to Hua Lang, yet she couldn't help but do so. Now she realized that she might not just like his body, but also like him as a person.
A pleasant sensation flowed through her body. Zhan Yunmei lowered her eyes to hide her smile. Hua Lang's hands were wrapped tightly around her shoulders and neck, and she could feel his body temperature. If she listened carefully, she could also hear faint sobs, a mixture of pleasure and pain.
.
After learning about the legacy from the previous dynasty, the emperor entrusted the affairs of Jingyang Palace to Zhan Yunmei. That very afternoon, the palace was excavated, and after about ten days of digging, the chests and boxes of treasures were unearthed.
The amount was several times greater than originally recorded, and the emperor was overjoyed, allocating a small portion of the funds to repair Jingyang Palace.
Taking advantage of the fact that Jingyang Palace had been thoroughly searched and the Emperor had reduced its size, He Shijun was distressed for several days. However, she still understood that she could not offend the Emperor, nor could she make things difficult for the girls in the capital garrison, so she did not utter a single derogatory word.
Zhan Yunmei personally oversaw the renovation of Jingyang Palace, and the renovation was completed quickly and well, for which the emperor praised her.
After the hottest days of summer, the weather gradually cooled down, and the training in the Beijing garrison naturally increased. After finishing the repair work, Zhan Yunmei returned to the Beijing garrison.
Helan Wan was pouring tea when she saw Zhan Yunmei return. She poured her a cup as well and said with a smile, "General Zhan, you've been working hard these past few days."
Zhan Yunmei blew on the steaming tea, "No trouble at all, it's just part of my job." She took a sip, and the delicate fragrance spread, "What kind of tea is this? It's really well made."
He Lanwan smiled slightly, a hint of smugness on her face. "Chrysanthemum and lotus seed hearts clear heat and relieve fever, perfect for drinking after training."
“Not bad,” Zhan Yunmei nodded with a smile.
During their casual conversation, Helan Wan mentioned the arrangements for the upcoming days of the Beijing garrison. "The Imperial Observatory said that it will get cold quickly this year and there will be plenty of snow. His Majesty has told us to prepare for the autumn hunt early and to give the princess more training. We'll let her show her face at the hunting grounds and see how well she's been trained."
“That would be great,” Zhan Yunmei finished her half-cup of tea and placed it on the tea table. “Have you had any experience in making arrangements before?”
Helan Wan's face flushed slightly. "This is my first time serving in the Beijing Garrison. My knowledge is limited, so I must ask the General for guidance."
Zhan Yunmei nodded and smiled, "Practice makes perfect, don't worry."
Helan Wan smiled. Zhan Yunmei was very easy to talk to, quite different from what Geng Qi had described.
He Lanwan's change of heart was evident in her eyes, which Zhan Yunmei quickly noticed. Although she didn't know exactly what He Lanwan was thinking, it seemed to be related to her.
She didn't pay much attention and went to the training ground with Helan Wan. Geng Qi had been waiting there for a long time. When he saw her arrive, he suddenly remembered the money.
At first, Geng Qi didn't understand why Zhan Yunmei had taken Hua Lang away. He never expected that she would lock her up in her mansion and interrogate her about matters of the previous dynasty. It seemed that she had planned this all along.
What kind of military general receives imperial favor by taking away a remnant eunuch, instead of relying on military merit?
Geng Qi looked at Zhan Yunmei, who was arranging for people to distribute tea not far away, and recalled her arrogant appearance in front of the emperor. He couldn't help but click his tongue and say, "Who knows how she got that information."
"Deputy Commander Geng, what are you saying?" Helan Wan suddenly peeked out from behind, startling Geng Qi. She looked at him intently, then handed him a cup of tea. "Thank you for your hard work."
Geng Qi took the tea with trepidation, put it to his lips and took a sip, only to find it was scalding hot. He frowned impatiently.
Helan Wan smiled and said, "I'm sorry, Deputy Geng, all the lukewarm food has been given to the soldiers, only the hot food is left."
The smile was simple and innocent. Geng Qi couldn't tell if she meant anything by it. But then he thought, what was there to say between him and her, who both got their positions as military officers by marrying into the palace?
Geng Qi waved his hand, "It's nothing."
At that moment, Zhan Yunmei glanced at Geng Qi. He hadn't expected her to turn her gaze towards him, and he still hadn't forgotten his disdain for her.
The moment their eyes met, his disdain was unmistakable, so he turned away. She didn't look at him for long and turned her head back as well.
Geng Qi was shocked and frightened. If she found out, she might make things difficult for him!
Geng Qi felt uneasy all day, repeatedly recalling Zhan Yunmei's gaze. He feared that a woman like her was always up to something, and he was afraid she might do something unexpected.
After finishing his night shift, Geng Qi was relieved to confirm that Zhan Yunmei had left the Beijing garrison and had not done anything.
Geng Qi invited his colleagues to drink together. They took a carriage from the Beijing Garrison to the market, but it was too crowded inside, so he got off the carriage and walked in.
A cool breeze is blowing tonight, there's no heat at all, and it's even a bit chilly, so many people are going out for a walk to digest their food after dinner.
Geng Qi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he saw a familiar figure in the distance.
He was an official in the previous dynasty, so he naturally had a deep impression of all kinds of people from that dynasty. With just one glance, he recognized Zhan Yunmei walking on the arched bridge over the river, as well as Hua Lang beside her.
If he harbored resentment towards Zhan Yunmei, then he felt deep hatred towards Hua Lang. The previous dynasty had always been hostile towards him, and now he felt even more aggrieved.
A lifetime of resentment, if not addressed with something, will likely never be truly appeased; Geng Qi changed direction.
Over there, Zhan Yunmei pulled Hua Lang forward, chatting as they walked: "The skin on your hands has healed, but there are still scars. Let's go buy some medicine to apply and remove the scars. Your hands are beautiful."
Hua Lang looked down at her hand, which she held firmly, a small smile playing on his lips. She didn't hear a reply, so she turned to look at him.
He felt her gaze and looked up. "Hmm?"
The crowd was noisy, and Hua Lang didn't hear Zhan Yunmei speak. She slowed her pace, waited for him to catch up, gently raised her chin, and whispered in his ear to repeat what he had said.
Hua Lang was still not used to intimacy in public. His body stiffened, he turned his head to look at the ground, and moved his lips, "Okay."
Turning his head, he noticed people squeezing through the crowd behind the bridge, rushing up. He wondered if he was overthinking it, but the people seemed to be heading straight for them.
Hua Lang frowned. Zhan Yunmei followed his gaze and saw the man raise his head. She then saw his face clearly.
Without much suspicion, it was normal to run into people in the market. Zhan Yunmei, however, remained cautious, squeezed Hua Lang's hand, and led him to speed up the descent from the bridge.
After crossing the bridge, it wasn't so crowded anymore, but there were still a lot of people pushing and shoving. Hua Lang quietly approached Zhan Yunmei, and was pushed by someone, ending up pressed against Zhan Yunmei's back, while also gently shoving her.
Compared to Zhan Yunmei, Hua Lang was more eager to buy medicine. He couldn't do anything right, not even satisfying her in bed. He had also lost all his previous power and couldn't offer Zhan Yunmei any help, either externally or internally. He could only focus on the little things she liked.
During this time, he began to understand his feelings for Zhan Yunmei. It seems that's just how people are; they notice what they see and become aware of it. Once he realized how good she was, he couldn't help but fall deeper and deeper into her delusion. The more he looked at her, the better he felt about her. However, feeling that she was good also made him feel inadequate once again.
Hua Lang usually doesn't show much emotion or expression, but the moment he shoved Zhan Yunmei, she understood his little scheme.
She smiled softly, walked ahead, and held his hand tightly.
A lake breeze blew by, carrying the coolness of early autumn. Hua Lang felt that Zhan Yunmei was dressed too thinly, so he moved closer to her and pressed against her.
"Does my father-in-law like me that much?" Zhan Yunmei asked casually.
"Arrogant!" Hua Lang was caught red-handed and angrily shouted, taking a half-step away from her, but quickly and quietly moved back.
Zhan Yunmei would occasionally speak, but Hua Lang rarely responded. Most of the time, he would nod, say "hmm," or simply say "okay."
"Is there anything you like to eat? Let's buy it together and take it back," Zhan Yunmei said. After waiting for a while without getting a reply, she realized that Hua Lang was no longer holding her hand.
She turned around abruptly, only to see a throng of people, but no Hua Lang.
"Hua Lang?" Zhan Yunmei turned around completely.
A loud splash rang out, and the crowd parted to form a circle around the lake. Soon someone shouted, "Someone has fallen into the water!"
A note from the author:
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Hehe, I'm posting early today~ I wonder when my nutrient solution will reach 400. If I do, I'll give you all an extra chapter! [starry eyes]
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