Chapter 20 Ah Zhu. You're not allowed to call me that.
"I send you."
Jing turned around and looked down at Lu Songyuan's face, following his hand that was cradling hers.
Lu Songyuan loosened his grip slightly, sliding his hand down from Jing Hui's wrist to his palm. Then, he spread his fingers, prying open Jing Hui's small hand, inserting his ten fingers between her fingers, and completely enveloping her hand in his palm before remaining still.
Her hands were so soft, smooth and delicate to the touch. Lu Songyuan twitched his nose and, amidst the aroma of food surrounding him, caught a whiff of the fresh scent of jasmine after the rain.
The smell made his heart itch.
Lu Songyuan swallowed hard, and after glancing at his so-called older brother standing to the side, he clenched his fists slightly.
Realizing his tone had been a bit harsh, Lu Songyuan looked up at Jing Hui's translucent earlobe and said in what he thought was a gentle tone, "I'll see you out."
"Who needs you to deliver it?"
Jing Hui blurted it out.
Several days after their marriage, they had shared a bed and even engaged in more intimate acts, holding hands in public. Jing Hui's face even felt a little hot.
She turned around, shook her hand but couldn't shake it off; Lu Songyuan seemed to be gripping it even tighter.
Jing Hui glared at him, "Let go."
Their eyes met.
Their palms, pressed together, began to itch intensely. Even though there was nothing there, their hands were throbbing wildly, as if a connection between their hearts had grown between them. The itch was so intense that neither of them could move, and they even wanted to hold each other tighter.
"Lu Songyuan!"
As expected, Lu Songyuan was stronger. His palms had thick calluses, and Jing Hui's fingers ached. She had just called out to Lu Songyuan when he interrupted her.
“Ah Zhu”.
His clear, slightly hoarse voice called her by her maiden name.
Jing Hui gasped for breath.
"I send you."
It's a tone that brooks no refusal.
weird.
That's really too bizarre.
Jing Hui swallowed.
When the rumors from Bianbei reached the capital, Lu Songyuan's impression on Jing Hui was really not good.
She was terrified of him and even considered taking his life, given her royal status.
But after they got married, or more precisely, after the assassination attempt, the rumors about Lu Songyuan gradually dissipated in Jing Hui's presence, so she began to be more tolerant of him.
So much so that when her husband, who was not exactly her acquaintance and was also her "enemy," called her Azhu in public, Jing Hui did not beat him up.
After a moment of stunned silence, she attributed it to Lu Songyuan's voice being too pleasant and alluring, which prevented Jing Hui from making a move.
"Don't shout!"
A faint blush appeared on Jing Hui's translucent earlobes. Her voice trailed off as she said, "You... you're not allowed to call me that."
More and more people whispered around them. The group seemed to recognize them. Although they didn't dare to look at them directly, they kept glancing at them from the shadows. Lu Songyuan was not used to this.
He glanced at those people, then turned to Jing Hui and said, "Shall I see you out?"
Jing Hui frowned as she looked at Lu Songyuan.
He's eccentric too.
Jing Hui looked up at Jing Ao again, but her gaze finally fell on Lu Songyuan. She wondered if he had just discussed with Jing Ao something that would be detrimental to her.
Thinking of this, Jing Hui's expression turned cold, and she impatiently waved her hand, "Whatever."
Lu Songyuan responded, "Mm."
Lu Qingyue, who had been watching the whole thing from behind them, had her fist to her lips and was secretly laughing to herself.
Their general has become increasingly strange ever since he came to the capital and married the princess.
Well, how strange is it...?
It's like an ugly, venomous snake that disguises itself with scales and twists its body into the shape of a rabbit to lure a little white rabbit into its trap.
Tsk tsk.
Behind the ruthless methods lies a growing possessiveness.
Lu Qingyue shook her head.
"Snap out of it."
Lu Songyuan tapped the armrest of the wheelchair with his fingertips and turned to look at Lu Qingyue.
Lu Qingyue quickly stopped his random thoughts. Seeing that his masters were all staring at him, he hurriedly apologized, "This subordinate was just lost in thought. Please punish me, General and Princess."
Lu Songyuan gave Lu Qingyue a deep look, but said nothing about punishment.
Jing Hui would not punish him. They had been delayed for so long, and it was almost noon. Jing Ning was still waiting for his medicine.
Jing Hui pinched Lu Songyuan's hand and urged, "Let's go quickly."
"good."
The group walked out of Fugui Tower in a grand procession, went around the steps in front of the door to the carriage, and only then did Lu Songyuan reluctantly let go of Jing Hui.
It's probably not possible to go to the palace by carriage now.
Jing Hui looked around and saw A Yu, who had already brought the horse.
"Come here." Taking advantage of Lu Songyuan's inattention, Jing Hui shook off his hand and waved at A Yu.
Ayu led the horse over, took out a handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to Jinghui. Jinghui took the handkerchief, wiped the dampness from his palms, pulled the reins, put his feet in the stirrups, and nimbly mounted the horse.
Her wide skirt billowed with her movements, landing on the horse behind her, causing the horse to shift its hind legs.
No one had time to pay attention to Jing Ao earlier, but he was shameless enough to follow Jing Hui all the way here. Now that Jing Hui was about to leave, he was still standing far behind Lu Songyuan.
It was obvious that he had something to say to Lu Songyuan later.
Jing Hui glanced at Jing Ao, then looked down at Lu Songyuan, "You don't take my words to heart, Lu Songyuan, you're something else. This isn't over. I don't believe a single word you said just now. You'd better think about how you're going to explain yourself to me."
Lu Songyuan kept rubbing his left hand, which had been holding Jing Hui's hand, and the dampness in his palm slowly spread. He seemed lost in thought and absentmindedly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, take care."
Jing Hui snorted heavily at Lu Songyuan, pulled on the reins, and the muscles in his arms bulged out beautifully beneath his clothes. "Giddy up—"
Lianzhu followed closely behind, bowed briefly to the two, and then rode her horse to catch up with Jing Hui.
Everyone watched the two figures from behind. Soon, they saw that the two were dressed in blue and red, and the hems of their clothes were embroidered with lotus flowers in gold thread. As the horses ran, the golden lotus flowers seemed to sway in the wind, like twin blossoms.
Lu Songyuan frowned, his expression growing colder.
Ever since he saw Jing Hui and Lian Zhu, he had felt a void in his heart. This feeling dissipated a little when he held Jing Hui's hand, but now, looking at the two riding side by side, this feeling has become even stronger.
Lu Qingyue kept a close eye on Lu Songyuan. Seeing this, he smiled and said in a low voice, "Come back to your senses, General. You're acting very strangely today."
Lu Songyuan raised an eyebrow and gave him a cold glance.
Lu Qingyue suppressed a laugh and was about to say something when the little tagalong came up behind him.
Jing Ao was broad and stout, and his gait resembled that of a crab walking upright.
He swaggered to Lu Songyuan's side and said contemptuously, "Women need to be disciplined, especially someone like Jing Hui who has been unruly since childhood. Look at her, she doesn't act like a princess at all. Songyuan, I have some good medicine that will make her grovel at your feet and do whatever you ask. I'll give it to you another day."
"I have no need for those despicable methods, nor would I ever stoop to using them."
Lu Songyuan leaned back in his wheelchair, his gaze fixed straight ahead, and said in a deep voice, "If the Second Prince were to use the same methods he uses to deal with women on state affairs, he would surely ascend the throne in the future. But if you continue like this..."
Lu Songyuan turned his head and glanced at Jing Ao, who suddenly felt a chill run through his body under the sun.
"Quite a few princes have come to see me, Second Prince, you'd better handle this."
The imperial court consisted of only six ministries, the military camps, and the four directions. Before Lu Songyuan arrived in the capital, these forces had already been carefully divided up by Jing Hui and the various princes.
Without a doubt, Jing Hui had taken the lion's share, while the other princes were weak, so the infighting behind the scenes never stopped.
Lu Songyuan's arrival brought a powerful and unknown military force into the imperial court.
It's a pity that this force was established by Jing Hui early on.
After investigating for several days, the princes learned that Princess Jinghui had married a disabled person, and Lu Songyuan had entered the royal family but was not favored by the emperor. Knowing that the two were incompatible, they all tried to recruit Lu Songyuan into their camp.
In recent days, almost all the princes, except for those who cannot walk, have come to see Lu Songyuan.
However, they did not receive a definite answer from Lu Songyuan, but they all received the news that Lu Songyuan would not help Jing Hui.
Regardless, this is good news.
So the princes hurriedly sent invitations to Lu Songyuan to test his intentions. For many days, Lu Songyuan did not accept any of them, but today he accepted Jing Ao's invitation.
Jing Ao has always been outspoken, and no one dares to say anything to him. Today is the first time someone has reprimanded him, yet he still doesn't dare to say anything.
"I thought Jing Hui was too proud and refused to submit to the general."
Jing Ao cursed inwardly but smiled obsequiously, even changing his form of address back to Lu Songyuan. He bent down slightly and leaned close to Lu Songyuan's side, saying, "So you were already prey. General Lu, you are quite capable. In that case, I will not disturb you. I will not disturb you."
Lu Songyuan neither agreed nor disagreed.
The scene became awkward for a moment. Lu Qingyue glanced at Lu Songyuan and said to Jing Ao, "Did the Second Prince remember what the general said at the banquet?"
Jing Ao looked at Lu Qingyue, "Of course I've remembered it."
"Then the Second Prince should simply do as instructed."
Jing Ao glanced down at Lu Songyuan, and despite his inner thoughts, he showed some respect on the surface. "Okay."
Lu Songyuan spoke, urging them to leave, "Take your time."
"good."
Jing Ao had long lost face in front of his servants. After agreeing, he hurriedly got into the carriage and greeted Lu Songyuan through the window, "Then I'll be leaving now. See you another day, General Lu."
Lu Songyuan nodded slightly, "Respectfully seeing off the Second Prince."
The carriage window was rolled down, and before they had gone far, Jing Ao's angry voice could be heard from inside the carriage, seemingly complaining that the tea poured by the servants was too hot.
Lu Qingyue clicked her tongue, about to say something, when Lu Songyuan uttered two words, "Idiot."
Lu Qingyue crossed her arms and nodded vigorously, "I've never seen anyone so stupid."
"Have Zhou Xue find a few women from the Northern Border who know martial arts and place them by his side."
Lu Songyuan thought for a moment, "And in the palace, by his mother's side."
He was referring to the Second Prince's mother, Consort Yue.
"yes."
Lu Qingyue said, "I have another matter concerning the Third Prince."
"explain."
"I've found out why we haven't seen the Third Prince since we arrived in the capital. They say he's gloomy, and his physique, appearance, and demeanor are like those of a palace eunuch. He's followed the Second Prince around since he was a child, like a little follower. A few months ago, when he went hunting with the Second Prince, he was injured by a black bear while protecting him, but he should be recovering well soon. Should we bury someone near him as well? They might come in handy in the future."
"Um."
"Okay."
It's midday, and after being in the sun for so long, it's time to go home.
Lu Qingyue pushed Lu Songyuan toward their own carriage.
“There’s more,” Lu Songyuan said.
"What?"
"Investigate that lieutenant general from earlier."
Lu Qingyue asked in confusion, "Investigate what?"
“My ancestors for three generations, my life story from childhood, and…”
Lu Songyuan brought his left hand to his nose and sniffed it lightly; there was still a lingering jasmine scent there. "My past with His Highness."
"ah? "
Lu Qingyue's eyes widened.
-
Jing Hui and Lian Zhu rode their horses to the palace gate.
Jing Hui was allowed to ride a horse freely in the palace, but because Emperor Jingwen was seriously ill and it was not advisable to make noise, Jing Hui and Lian Zhu dismounted outside the palace.
It was not yet noon, and the two of them walked towards Jingning Palace while catching their breath.
Lianzhu habitually took out a handkerchief from her bosom and handed it to Jing Hui. Jing Hui took it without thinking and suddenly remembered that she used to throw her handkerchief at Lu Songyuan when he first came to Jinxiu Palace at night.
Jing Hui was particularly sentimental about her personal belongings, and she thought to herself that she would have to ask Lu Songyuan for them back when she got back that evening.
“Ah Zhu”.
"Um?"
Jing Hui wiped her temples with a handkerchief. The afternoon sunlight in autumn was particularly dazzling, making her face look as translucent as jade.
Lianzhu withdrew her gaze and looked ahead. "Your husband seems a bit strange."
Jing Hui usually talked back to him, "Do you need to tell me!"
"Okay, okay."
Jing Hui glanced at him sideways, "I knew it all along."
"Be careful of him."
"nagging."
"Don't end up being deceived, both physically and mentally."
"I'm not stupid."
As the two were talking, several foreigners approached from afar, carrying imperial edicts and beaming with satisfaction.
They came to pay their respects to Jing Hui. As they got closer, Jing Hui looked at their clothing and attire, which seemed to be the same as the clothing worn by the Rongxi Kingdom, who had come to pay tribute a few days ago.
Jing Hui frowned. Hadn't they left long ago? Why were they back?
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Get up."
Jing Hui glanced at the imperial edict in their hands and asked, "Did you go to see my father, the Emperor?"
"yes."
Rong Xiren respectfully said, "Your Majesty, we have obtained an imperial decree for a marriage alliance from Your Majesty."
"A marriage alliance?"
Jing Hui's heart skipped a beat, and her right eyelid suddenly twitched wildly. "With whom?"
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