Cage (10)
She looked serious and her eyes were firm, and she didn't look like she was joking.
"If you insist, I will let Yeshu seal the windows with wooden bars." Feng Siji said, refusing to give in.
After hearing this, Li Qi sat back in the soft chair angrily, crossed her arms and turned her head away, her face tense.
Feng Siji stretched out his index finger and poked her tense face: "Are you angry?"
Li Qi ignored it.
"Okay," Feng Siji said softly after a moment's silence, then compromised. He held her shoulders, turned her back to face him, and said in a negotiating tone, "As long as you agree to do one thing with me, I'll take you with me."
Li Qi looked up at him: "What's the matter?"
Feng Si's dark eyes flashed, and he looked at her steadily: "Be an ordinary husband and wife with me for one night, and when night falls, we will go parading together."
Li Qi was stunned.
She had never expected this, she thought...
It was a trivial matter after all, so Li Qi nodded without hesitation.
Feng Siji pulled her up from the soft chair, looked her over for a long while, and then said, "Since we are just an ordinary couple, we both need to change our clothes."
Li Qi had no objection. He called Liu An and Hua Ming in to clean up the mess on the table, and finally asked the two of them to dress up Li Qi.
He sat beside her and waited.
By the time everything was ready, it was already late.
Li Qi looked at herself in the mirror. She had changed into a light white dress. Her long black hair was simply tied up with the peach blossom hairpin he had given her. She also covered her face with a layer of plain gauze, revealing only a pair of dark round peach blossom eyes.
She frowned and said, "Are you afraid that others will recognize me?"
Once they went out together, if people recognized that Feng Qingguan, who was in everyone's mind, was traveling with her, there would inevitably be rumors, which would damage his image in the eyes of the people.
Feng Siji nodded quickly: "I'm afraid that if you are recognized, there will be bad words and bad actions against you, which will affect your mood."
Li Qi didn't believe it and thought he must be doing it for himself.
But he didn't say anything else.
Feng Siji took her hand and said, "Let's go."
When we walked out of the Treasury, the sun was setting.
The golden sunset floated in the sky, like a richly colored oil painting, hanging high in the sky. With each cloud rolling and unrolling, the mountains and green hills became more colorful.
Feng Siji led Li Qi onto the carriage, with Yeshu and Qinglan driving in front, and a dozen horseback warriors following behind the carriage.
When Li Qi saw this scene, she knew that it was to prevent her from escaping.
The carriage jolted and bumped as it moved towards the setting sun.
Because they were an 'ordinary couple', Feng Siji held Li Qi in his arms affectionately as soon as he got on the carriage. With his other hand, he lifted the curtain and pointed at the sunset over the hilltop, "Look, isn't it beautiful?"
Li Qi wanted to say it was just so-so, but remembering that they were now an ordinary couple, she nodded against her will.
Hearing that she also thought it was beautiful, Feng Siji seemed to be interested and continued:
"When I first met you, it was winter in Qianzhou. It was snowing, and Wei Ming was putting on a fireworks show for you. Amidst the scattered snow and the sky full of fireworks, you bent down and reached out to me. I remember clearly how a snowflake landed on your eyelashes, trembling as you blinked, like stars falling into your eyes.
"Afterwards, Qianzhou was always covered in dark clouds and snow. Even after you followed Concubine Li to Kyoto, spring hadn't arrived yet. When I met you in Kyoto, it was always winter, just like when we were in Qianzhou. The snow hardly stopped."
"This is the first spring day since we met." He chuckled softly, "I've always been looking forward to watching the sunset and the evening glow with you, and now it's finally happening."
Li Qi leaned in his arms and could feel his chest vibrating when he spoke, and his steady and strong heartbeat ringing in her ears.
She felt that there was something wrong with what he said, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was. She quietly raised her eyes to look at him. From this angle, she could only see his sharp jawline and the side of his face.
The setting sun slanted in from the window, hitting his tall nose and casting a shadow under his nose bone. There was a layer of gray in his eyes, the same color as the sky that was about to darken.
She didn't want to continue his somewhat heavy topic, so she asked, "Where are we going?"
He lowered his head in the sunset light, kissed her forehead, and said softly, "Come to my house and I'll show you something."
He was so gentle this evening that it was a little unlike him. Li Qi was a little dazed. Was the person in front of her really the same person who punished her in the hot spring last night?
This should be Feng Sixi from Qianzhou, not Feng Sixi from Kyoto.
Li Qi pursed her lips and turned away, no longer looking at him.
Amid the clattering sound of wheels, the last ray of sunset fell behind the mountain. The misty blue light of dawn pressed down, obscuring the vision, and making every scene and object covered with a layer of unreal mist, as if one was in a soft blue illusion.
They arrived at the place. The carriage stopped outside the Feng Mansion. Feng Siji got off the carriage first, stood under the carriage, opened his arms to Li Qi, and carried her down.
A passerby walked by. Even though it was dark, Feng Siji's naturally radiant image in the hearts of the people still made the passerby recognize him. He smiled and waved, "Master Feng is back!"
Seeing him getting off the carriage with a graceful girl in his arms, he couldn't help but look at her a few more times. The girl had her face covered and her appearance could not be seen clearly, but her eyes were bright and clear, like two springs flowing out.
When she was in Lord Feng's arms, she was as soft as a willow vine, and one could tell at first sight that she was a stunning beauty.
The wind blew open her thin clothes, revealing the kiss mark on her collarbone.
The man was startled, then laughed and said, "We all don't know when Master Feng got married. If we knew, I would definitely invite my brothers to attend his wedding!"
No matter when Feng Siji was, he was always very easy-going towards the people, and these people had long been accustomed to chatting with him when they met him on the road.
Feng Siji was no longer reserved, completely losing the aloofness and indifference he had shown towards his colleagues. He smiled amiably and said, "I've been married for many years. We got married in Qianzhou."
The passersby laughed and said, "That's too far. We won't be able to drink at the wedding!"
When the women who were walking together nearby heard this, they all gathered around, spitting out the melon seed shells and smilingly congratulating them, saying things like "I wish you a baby soon."
Li Qi felt a little embarrassed and was also a little afraid that she would be recognized, otherwise these congratulations would turn into bad words.
She buried her head in Feng Siji's neck and whispered in his ear, "Go quickly."
Feng Siji looked at Li Qi buried in his arms, pinched her slender waist in amusement, and whispered, "Aren't you always the boldest, most fierce and outspoken?"
“…”
Feng Si laughed and said, "My wife is shy, so she goes first."
After he said this, he gestured to Qinglan to give her some of the change as a wedding gift.
If it is a formal wedding banquet, all guests who come to congratulate will be given wedding money.
Feng Siji walked into the mansion and put Li Qi down from his arms.
Li Qi tiptoed onto the ground and spoke hastily, "We haven't even submitted our marriage certificate to the government in Qianzhou yet. How can I be your wife who you've been marrying for years?"
Feng Siji said nothing, just held her hand and walked inside.
He took her to the backyard, to a well under the grape vines, and pointed down, saying, "Go down."
Li Qi leaned over to take a look and found that the well was a dry well with a long ladder leading to the bottom. She had never paid attention to it before.
She suddenly thought darkly, was he planning to lock her up down there as his forbidden fruit, never to see the light of day?
Thinking of this, she hurriedly took a few steps back.
Feng Siji looked at her twice and knew what she was thinking. He asked Qinglan and Yeshu to go down first, and he followed closely behind. Only then did Li Qi follow him down.
After Li Qi went down, she saw that the room was very narrow and could only accommodate seven or eight people at most, and there was a locked door.
She went up and knocked on the door, realizing that it was an iron wall that could not be opened without the key.
She turned around and looked at Feng Siji at the door: "Your insurance is better than my gold and silver house. Could it be that you have hidden a lot of gold in it?"
Feng Siji smiled faintly and signaled Yeshu to open the door.
Yeshu walked forward, inserted the key into the lock and turned it, then he and Qinglan pushed the heavy door open from the left and right.
Li Qi couldn't wait to go in and saw that it was a cave dug out of a stone wall, filled with countless boxes and food.
"What is this?" She walked to a box. Since she was brought here specifically to see it, she opened the unlocked box directly.
The moment the lid of the box was opened, flashes of cold light passed before her eyes, startling her.
This box is actually full of weapons.
The best weapon.
She picked up one at random and waved it a few times. The handle was light and fit the hand very well, but the blade was sharp as if it could cut iron like mud.
She looked at the number of boxes in surprise and asked, "Are these all weapons?"
Feng Siji nodded and asked with a smile, "Do you like it? It's a gift for you."
"I like it, but you're acting a little strangely today, and I'm a little scared." Li Qi carefully put the knife back. "You gave it to me, and then turned around and accused me of possessing weapons and charged me with treason. Wouldn't that be the end of me?"
Feng Siji said, "This weapon is hidden in my house. Even if someone reports it, it will be my fault, not yours. What are you afraid of?"
Li Qi thought about it carefully and it seemed to be true.
Before she could say anything else, Yeshu came forward. Although he looked somewhat reluctant and glared at Li Qi unwillingly, he picked up the key with both hands, raised it above his head, and handed it to her.
Li Qi took it frankly, looked at Feng Siji carefully, as if afraid that he would go back on his word, and quickly put the key in her pocket.
Feng Siji was amused by her and pulled her out, saying, "I didn't eat enough just now. I'm a little hungry now. Let's go eat."
Li Qi said, "Yesterday I passed by a wonton stand. It smelled good, but I didn't have a chance to try it. Why don't we go there?"
Feng Siji had no objection.
With the beginning of spring recently, there are more people at the evening market than usual. The vendors who are usually busy packing up their stalls at this time are still shouting.
The whole street was filled with places for eating, drinking, and having fun. Someone was performing juggling, spewing a stream of fire from his mouth, and the onlookers burst into applause. In front of a vendor selling candy figures, several children were arguing about which pattern was cooler and more beautiful. Even the fortune teller's stall, which was usually deserted, was now surrounded by many women seeking fortune-telling.
The smell of food wafted from the air, the sound of people was bustling, and the city of Kyoto was bustling with people. The bright lights generously shone on everyone, and everyone was a part of this lively fireworks. Only Feng Siji had a dull expression and clear eyes. Not a single drop of the hustle and bustle could dim his eyes.
He seemed to be distracted and was still walking forward even though he had already reached the wonton stall. Li Qi grabbed his sleeve.
He turned around and smiled again, as if he wasn't the one walking through the crowds in silence. He looked at her tenderly and asked, "What's wrong?"
Li Qi pointed to the wonton stall and said, "We're here."
Feng Siji took a look, then walked in calmly and chose a seat on the inside to sit down.
Li Qi sat across from him and asked doubtfully, "Are you worried about something?"
Feng Siji shook his head and said no, and asked the boss for a bowl of wontons.
Li Qi was wearing a veil and couldn't eat. She had eaten a lot in the Sutra Library and didn't feel hungry at the moment.
After a while, the vendor brought the wontons and placed them in front of Feng Siji. He recognized him at a glance and said with a smile, "It's Master Feng!"
When he shouted, many people passing by the wonton stall stopped, sat under the stall, and talked to Feng Siji with a smile.
Their eyes fell on Li Qi curiously. No one dared to ask who she was, but most of them guessed their relationship. Soon, everyone knew that Feng Qingguan had married in Qianzhou.
But his wife is mysterious and no one knows who she is, but her eyes and figure are somewhat similar to those of the Princess of Yun'an County.
Amidst the chatter, Feng Siji finished a bowl of wontons. He put down the copper coins and said goodbye to everyone in a friendly manner.
The wonton stall owner asked with an expectant smile, "Sir, has the murderer in the Empress's case been caught?"
Everyone followed suit and asked, "Yeah, is this really that difficult to investigate? We're all actually quite afraid that the murderer will find us!"
"And Prime Minister Zhang, yesterday that girl beat the drum to protest her injustice. We all know the truth. Your Excellency, you won't let this go unchecked, will you?"
Feng Siji held Li Qi's hand more and more tightly, until Li Qi felt pain in her fingers and couldn't help struggling slightly.
He seemed to come to his senses, let go, and then said with a smile: "Of course I won't ignore it."
"Ah, you are worthy of being our long-trusted Lord Feng!"
“…”
Perhaps because there were too many people here, Feng Siji felt a little stuffy in his chest. He didn't want to argue anymore, so he took Li Qi's hand and squeezed into the crowd.
After finding Yeshu and Qinglan's carriage in a secluded place, Feng Siji sat in it and hugged Li Qi tightly. He rested his head on her shoulder, kissed her neck affectionately, and said with a smile:
"There's only one last thing left to make this evening perfect."
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