Clear Feelings
Chapter 32: Clear Feelings
Cui Luan's detention was a fact. Whether he would suddenly fall ill in a few years or not appear in public for more than ten years depended entirely on Peng Zuoyong's decision.
The locked main courtyard is always too quiet, but today an unexpected person came.
"What are you doing here? I don't need your fake kindness." Cui Luan sneered, feeling very lonely sitting on the swing.
Yi Huan came here to ask for mercy from Cai Deng. As he took the clothes, he said, "Your Cai Deng said you were suffering from the heat in the summer, so she made you some close-fitting silk summer clothes and asked me to send them to you. She also asked me to see if you were doing well."
Cai Deng was sent back to the Cui family, but her heart was still with Cui Luan. Now the main courtyard has all the servants and maids she needs, but none of them have the surname Cui.
Yi Huan thought about her difficult situation and said comfortingly, "It's only early summer now. If you want to use the ice mirror and porcelain pillow, I'll tell you. But be careful not to catch a cold..."
"You're very proud, aren't you?"
Yi Huan stopped talking, feeling a little regretful for talking to her too much.
Cui Luan had just recovered from a cold a few days ago, and her voice hadn't fully recovered yet. "I'm like this, and you're like this too. It's a world of difference. What a blessing from heaven, Aunt Huan."
"If I loved him, I would have fought with you to the point of bloodshed. If I loved him, I would never have allowed myself to be so lowly as to become someone's concubine in order to stay with him."
Cui Luan was stunned by her words, then reacted and said disdainfully, "Everyone can say nice things."
Yi Huan didn't care about her spikes, smiled and said nothing.
As time goes by, Cui Luan will not take the initiative to cause trouble in the future. Yi Huan is happy that the two of them are not involved.
"If anyone else asks for help, I might do it, or someone else might do it. I might make you feel disgusted for a while longer. Do you want to know about Wang Qi's news?"
Cui Luan swallowed his question and retorted, "What does it have to do with me?"
Yi Huan sat on the stone bench facing her and said to himself, "His knees were broken from kneeling, and Peng Zuoyan finally relented and spared his life. His life will probably be difficult from now on."
Wang Qi made a living by his martial arts skills. Now that his legs are disabled and he can hardly walk, food and accommodation have naturally become a problem.
"Why are you saying this? I have nothing to do with him."
Yi Huan had heard a little about their affairs. She was very worthy of their love. As far as the relationship was concerned, Yi Huan admired Cui Luan. If it were not for their status, they would have no grudges or hatred.
As an outsider, he also sighed at their current situation. If he could do something to let them know each other's news, Yi Huan would be willing to be the middleman in order to help two lovers who love each other but have never spoken out their love.
She had deeply experienced the rain that Chao Lanyu had experienced, and she also tried to hold an umbrella for others.
"Besides the lanterns, there's also someone who asked me to deliver a message. He said he tied you up that day and wants to apologize to you..."
"I won't listen!" Cui Luan interrupted her hastily. Yi Huan fell silent and said, "Whenever you want to hear more, you can call me. Perhaps this is the last thing he will say to you."
The courtyard returned to deathly silence. Cui Luan thought of the day in the carriage. It was true that Wang Qi tied her up, but he did so with his hands. She even bit him with her teeth, right on his right chest, a fingertip's distance away from the raised red bean.
On the street during the day, Jiang Tongzhou openly watched the fun, "From what I see, Captain Peng has more than one green hat on his head, haha."
"I wonder how I have offended His Highness?"
"You're still too stupid to know this."
Peng Zuoyao crossed his arms and bowed, lowering his brows. His eyes were solemn and stern, and his tone was full of respect: "My family affairs are messy and have polluted your ears. I am stupid and ignorant, so please explain clearly."
"I will show you a clear path."
Peng Zuoyuan matched his pretentious tone and added, "I'd like to hear the details."
Jiang Tongzhou put his hands behind his back, observed his expression and said, "Xu is the General of the Guards, responsible for patrolling and guarding Chang'an City. Is Captain Peng interested in a promotion?"
Is it to promote him or force him to take sides? First suppress him and then win him over. How did Jiang Tongzhou think he would be so willing to do so?
"Your Highness, thank you for your concern. However, I just returned to the capital last year and have made very little progress. There is no sign in the court that I will be transferred."
Jiang Tongzhou stepped forward, wanting to make his words clearer, and lowered his voice, he said, "No matter how far you can go, there's always a limit. The captain is already a year old, and once the imperial power changes, how many more years of prime years will there be? It's better to find a strong supporter so that you can move forward with confidence."
Peng Zuoyao promptly expressed his joy at being recognized by the prince and recruited into his camp. He excitedly replied, "Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. I will defend the city well, both inside and outside, and live up to your trust."
"Hey."
Jiang Tongzhou knew this would work, so he twirled his jade fan and started talking about the relationship between men and women. "Shou Zhen still misses you. Even though the captain's new wife compares herself to a red apricot, it doesn't matter. Just have a drink with Shou Zhen and talk about it, and it will all be over."
"I dare not disturb the princess."
King Zhen thought he was being cautious and said with a sly smile, "Although Shou Zhen is sentimental, he is also loyal. If you agree, there will be no third party involved in this process. Captain, rest assured."
"Your Highness is very thoughtful. I appreciate your advice."
The two of them sang the same tune and had a very harmonious conversation. Jiang Qingci returned from outside the city with a group of palace soldiers and naturally saw Jiang Tongzhou, who was wearing gold and jade.
"King Zhen."
"Hey, my brother Zhihong is back. Did you have a smooth journey?"
"I, Commandant Peng Zuogong, greet Your Highness."
Glancing at the two people standing side by side, Jiang Qingci had a slight impression of Peng Zuoyang. He was born as a low-level soldier and climbed to the position of a general on the edge of the battlefield. He had the ability, but he was a rough man by nature. He was good at besieging the Jiedu Mansion and did not care about class. Such a person could be used, but he always disdained to use such unruly subordinates.
Jiang Qingci was sitting on the horse, her new brocade robe clean and spotless, as if she had just returned from an outing, not from some rain-ravaged farmland.
"All the villages and counties along the Lao River have been resettled, and this palace has been successful."
As the crown prince, it is no big deal to personally do everything that benefits the country and the people. What is important is that after the task is done, you will get the reputation of being close to the people.
Jiang Qingci only showed up and uttered a few passionate words, and the villagers who had been affected by the disaster kept shouting "Long Live the Lord!" Thinking of the scene of the masses kneeling down, he felt contemptuous and conceited, thinking he was just fooling the people.
Peng Zuoyan raised his head and stood quietly aside.
Jiang Qingci recalled Geshuer's words when he came to the capital, and said to him, "Captain Peng, as a minister, you should be diligent in your work and military training without slacking off. You should abandon all those scheming and deceitful thoughts in your heart and be a loyal minister with both ability and a simple heart."
"Your Highness is right." Peng Zuoyao bowed again and said in a deep voice, "I accept your instruction."
"There's a banquet the day after tomorrow. Can you two come?"
After Jiang Tongzhou finished speaking, Peng Zuoyuan followed up with, "I will definitely be there."
I didn’t expect that Goshur would be at the banquet.
Peng Zuoyuan brought Yi Huan in and first visited the Jiang brothers. Then he found a table farther away and exchanged a few words with people he knew from time to time.
"So it's General Peng, oh no, now it's Captain Peng. I haven't even congratulated the captain on his wedding yet, so I assume this is his wife, right?"
In front of him was Goshul, holding a wine glass and smiling.
Many people had heard about the conflict between the two and looked over curiously. Peng Zuoyan calmly poured the wine, clinked glasses with a light clink, and sat down.
Peng Zuoyuan smiled and said, "Jiedushi, you are joking. This is my wife. She caught a cold a while ago. I will definitely bring your best wishes to you."
Goshur understood these Han people. Being a subordinate wife was a privilege, and it all depended on the favor of the master. What really mattered was at home.
It's easier to deal with if it's not important. It's just the right way to avenge the humiliation he suffered in Rongzhou.
"So she is the captain's beloved concubine. With such a beautiful woman in her arms, the captain is filled with happiness."
Peng Zuoyao put down his wine glass in displeasure, and continued in his tone, "I heard that the Jiedushi stayed in a brothel for half a month. He is indeed in the prime of his life, and he doesn't look haggard at all."
"Haha, Captain, you don't know, that period was like a paradise on earth, it was wonderful beyond words."
Geshuer summoned Qingqing, who had redeemed herself from the brothel, and explained his purpose. "I've heard that officials often exchange concubines. I wonder if Captain Peng and I can continue this tradition."
"If the Jiedushi wants to take some to Jiannan Road, this captain will accompany the Jiedushi to the brothels to choose from. They have everything you need, whether you are a beautiful woman or a slim woman."
Geshuer laughed heartily, his thick beard trembling with laughter. He waved his hand and refused, "No need to trouble you, Captain. I'll leave after the banquet. I'll take your Qingqing with me. You can do whatever you want with her, haha."
Peng Zuogong was about to refuse again, but Jiang Tongzhou came over with his hands behind his back and knocked him, saying, "Captain, the emperor is watching. Since the governor has spoken, you should give him a farewell gift. As for women, I will give you another one."
The more Peng Zuoyuan considered the two gentlemen's explicit and implicit preferences, the less he could find words to refute them.
"…Since Your Highness has spoken, I have no objections. If the governor is pleased, please take it."
"It's hard to travel far to Rongzhou, but it's not hard to have such a wonderful person by your side. Thank you so much, Commander, for your generosity."
Goshuel smiled and bowed, extending his hand as an invitation: "Young lady, follow me."
"Zixia"? Where did you learn this awkward and inappropriate humble term?
Yi Huan stood up, came out from the table on the right, and followed Geshuer silently.
Peng Zuoyan lowered his head slightly, and his hands on his knees tightened unconsciously. For a moment, he wanted Yi Huan to call him and beg him not to abandon her.
The only words Yi Huan left for him from beginning to end were a snort of laughter as he stood up, which seemed to be both self-mockery and ridicule.
On the way back in the carriage, Peng Zuoyang drank by himself. The quieter he was, the more depressed he felt.
Chang Er greeted him, not knowing what he wanted to do with Qing Qing, the man he had brought back: "Master, what do you want with this person?"
In addition, Chang Er paused for a few seconds and waited. Why didn’t Aunt Huan, who was attending the banquet with him, show up?
"Just look at the arrangements and keep it away."
The second sound of one fast and two slow ones fell to the ground. Peng Zuoyan slowly opened his eyes, and his emotions were completely seen through. The reason why Yi Huan was taken away was not so much the resentment of being humiliated, but the fear that Yi Huan would leave him forever.
His heart was moved, and he was in love. He favored and forgave her again and again. It turned out that he loved her without realizing it.
"Chang Er, issue a decree. Everyone in the city must follow me in pursuit of Goshuel."
What kind of event would require the mobilization of thirty people in secret? Chang Er, thinking too much, reminded him, "Master, it's still under curfew, and there are palace soldiers patrolling the streets."
"Go and treat the Jinwu Guards to some wine." Peng Zuoyao threw a token and walked out quickly, his tone also urgent: "Bring the horse!"
When the sound of horses' hooves arrived, Goshur's troops were scattered, arrows pierced the chariot frames, and the servants who were injured groaned in pain.
Pulling Geshuer up, Peng Zuoyan asked, "Where are the people?"
"Captain Peng, you gave me that humble concubine yourself. Why, Captain, do you regret it?"
The cold sword was placed on his neck. Peng Zuoyang controlled the force so that blood was drawn but no vital parts were injured.
"Where is he?" Peng Zuogong interrupted again, "Jiedushi, think it over first. Since I can treat you so well in Rongzhou, and now there is no one around, do you think you can still keep your head?"
The sense of imminent death resurfaced, and Goshuel instantly lost his toughness and replied tremblingly: "She ran away. She took advantage of the chaos when the bandits were killing her."
"Which way did you run?"
"Over there! Right over there."
The words "humble concubine" were still ringing in his ears. Peng Zuoyao put away his sword and kicked the man over, ordering: "Go find someone."
Following the direction pointed by Goshuel, the wide road ended in front of the straight mountain.
Peng Zuoyuan immediately dismounted and shouted, "Everyone, line up horizontally and search the mountain."
The mountain was very large. After a day and a night, Peng Zuoyang paid a lot of money to hire a lot of manpower to search the mountain. However, he did not find a single person on the road from the main road to the foot of the mountain.
"Master, there is blood here."
There were a few drops of dried blood on the green leaves, and it was impossible to tell with the naked eye whether it was human or animal blood.
"Follow this path." You will definitely find it.
At the end of the bloodstains, there was a pile of gnawed skeletons with only scraps of flesh left, and black insects as thin as ants were hovering in the air.
Peng Zuoyan frowned with worry. Are there carnivores in this forest? If Ah Huan was really there, wouldn't it be dangerous?
"Speed up and continue searching."
After three days of non-stop searching, dozens of people were exhausted. Peng Zuoyuan walked in front, holding a sword, calm and silent.
"My dear, a pearl has been found here."
He held the crystal pearl covered with dirt in his hand and confirmed that it was the pearl flower on Yi Huan's hairpin.
Not sure which cave this was, Peng Zuoyan glanced around without hope, but when he saw the person squatting inside, he suddenly turned around.
"Ah Huan?"
The cave was damp and hot. When Yi Huan heard the sound, he quietly loosened the animal spine in his hand that he was using for self-defense.
Peng Zuoyan breathed a sigh of relief. The moment he saw her, the stone in his heart fell to the ground. "A Huan, it's me, I'm here."
Yi Huan looked at him calmly, not excited to meet him again in this desperate situation.
Peng Zuoyan hurried over, knelt on one knee, lowered his body to hug her, and said comfortingly: "Ah Huan, I'm here to take you home."
Compared to her silence, Peng Zuoyan would rather she say some resentful words to accuse him of doing wrong things.
Yi Huan stretched out his arms to push him away, and couldn't help but say with disgust: "You gave me away to someone else, and now you say this, how hypocritical."
"Ah Huan, I..."
A few drops of blood dripped onto the back of Peng Zuoyan's hand. In front of him was her bleeding arm. Without time to explain, he said with concern, "Are you hurt? What's wrong with your arm? Don't move, let me take a look."
After removing the cloth, the wound looked like a tooth mark, and there was a bloody hole on the inside of the forearm.
Peng Zuoyan guessed one or two possibilities, and then thought of the animal corpses in the mountains. He called her in disbelief and distress: "A Huan..."
As he expected, Yi Huan couldn't get over eating raw meat and corpses at first, so she could only bite her own arm. Later, she was afraid that she would die from pain or excessive blood loss rather than starvation, so she endured it. She was almost dead and could eat anything.
But the worried and concerned face in front of her still made her feel sick.
"Pack."
Peng Zuoyang didn't delay any longer, picked up the weak Yi Huan and walked out with big strides.
The group found a doctor and applied some medicine before setting off. On the way back on horseback, Peng Zuoyang touched her forehead, then pressed his forehead against hers to feel the temperature, and whispered, "It's not hot anymore, and there's no fever either. That's good."
Peng Zuoyan pressed his chest against her back and bent down to kiss her behind the ear. The girl who had drunk the medicine was sleeping soundly, sleeping peacefully in his arms.
The horse walked very slowly, and he selfishly thought that this was also a good thing.
Peng Zuoyan’s mind was racing with thoughts. How could he be attracted to a girl like this?
But if it weren't for Yi Huan, if it weren't for the entanglement of grievances in the past few years, he wouldn't be moved. The heart in his chest was filled with Yi Huan, and hugging her made him feel a sense of regaining what he had lost.
Now that I have figured it out, I feel like the clouds have parted and I see the blue sky, and my mind is very clear.
Peng Zuoyan contentedly hugged Yi Huan's waist and closed his eyes with pleasure.
Ah Huan, this is the last time we say goodbye, I will never let you go again.
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