Temporary Heshun
Chapter 12: Temporary Peace
"Ahuan, I will make a deal with you." Peng Zuoyan suddenly spoke in the carriage on the way back to the mansion.
Yi Huan looked straight ahead and didn't want to respond to him.
Peng Zuoyan wasn't annoyed by her disregard. Controlled by others, all she could do was control her words and actions. Besides, seeing her helpless was a unique experience. He spoke to himself, "It's hot and stuffy in early summer. How could such a large corpse not rot and become smelly?"
"Oh, Chao Lanyu is dead. I'll let him go. After death, everyone is just a pile of dry bones."
A hint of coldness flashed across Peng Zuo's face as he continued, "There's an old woman in the south of Xichang County. She takes her husband's surname, perhaps Chao Liu. Do you recognize her, Ah Huan?"
"You kidnapped my stepmother?"
Peng Zuoyan denied it and threatened bluntly, "Maybe I can kidnap him."
Liu is Chao Lanyu's biological mother and also the godmother who raised Yi Huan. Peng Zuoyao still found out her background and wanted to use the people around her to threaten her.
Yi Huan suppressed his anger and listened to him explain the terms of the deal. "What do you want me to do?"
"You are not allowed to commit suicide. Second, you must be your concubine Huan." "What if I don't?" Yi Huan was still struggling.
Peng Zuoyang pursed his lips, leaning back and looking at her with a relaxed attitude, his face clearly showing the smugness of having anticipated her ultimate reaction. Yi Huan slumped his shoulders and said dully, "...Okay."
Chao Lanyu's burial was hasty.
Yi Huan returned to Xichang, took out all his savings, exchanged them for jade, and used them as a gift to hold in his hands and put in his mouth to prepare for Chao Lanyu's death.
During the few days when Peng Zuoyan didn't return home, the two of them kept to themselves. This shopping trip was also half-forced by Peng Zuoyan.
Yi Huan stood calmly in the store, Peng Zuoyan looked at the female workers who were introduced with great interest, and Chang Er and others were waiting at the door and did not see this incongruous scene.
The maid introduced the half-sleeved striped skirt that he had taken a second look at, saying, "The striped skirt you're looking at, sir, is paired with a rose-colored short-sleeved shirt and long-sleeved ramie. The color is light, so you won't feel stuffy even in the summer."
Peng Zuoyuan nodded in agreement, and the female worker continued to introduce.
"This blue-purple jacket and skirt complement the woman's graceful figure. The Baoxiang flower pattern symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. The gauze shawl sways as she walks, and the peony pattern printed on it echoes the high-waisted skirt."
"Take it off."
The female worker followed his instructions and showed it to Yi Huan, who said directly, "I don't like it."
"Go ahead and try."
Yi Huan was unmoved and bargained, "If you like it, just buy it back."
Peng Zuoyan grabbed her wide sleeve and pushed her in front of the screen, pointing at the second set of clothes and saying firmly, "Go in and try them on."
Not wanting to argue endlessly over such a trivial matter, Yi Huan reluctantly went into the compartment. The female worker asked for her consent and then brought in two sets of ready-made clothes.
On the other side, under the side window propped open by a wooden stick, the chief took a look before quietly entering and reporting, "Master, Lord He Fang has arrived."
"Chang Er stay."
The waiter at the door responded in a low voice and stepped into the hall cautiously.
He Fang was talking through the window. He was wearing a coarse cross-collared shirt, his face was dark and tired, his hair was tied up with a simple wooden branch, and the gleam in his eyes was a little abrupt.
"The sage has placed great importance on Minister Jing, and the recent recruitment of soldiers was carried out by him."
Not only did Peng Zuogong's army decrease in number and his people increase in number, but all the towns and cities in the border provinces were implementing the conscription system.
Peng Zuoyang asked across the wall, "Were the Hu people in Tubo also the work of Jing Yi?"
Jing Yi tried to flatter the ailing emperor in the court, saying that the small border countries were full of barbarians. If they could be educated with both hardness and softness, not only would the strength of our Yu Dynasty be greatly enhanced, but future generations would also be grateful to the emperor for his wisdom and kindness from generation to generation.
Several imperial edicts were issued in succession. Not only did Jiannan Road appoint a new Hu people as the governor, but Longyou, Guannei and other roads also promoted many Hu people to officials.
"Grandfather Gao strongly recommended Geshuer, and with the support of Minister Jing, the Minister believes that the appointment of the two northwestern governors will be made soon."
"Is the crown prince doing nothing?"
"Empress Gao summoned the Emperor's uncle to discuss matters at night. The three elders, along with the Imperial Censorate, knelt and pleaded. The gates of the Lizheng Palace remained closed all night. The Eastern Palace has been deserted for a long time. However, Prince Zhen, who enjoys the support of the Gao family, has ulterior motives to replace her."
The two exchanged information briefly, and Peng Zuoyan returned to the hall.
Chang Yi was in charge of He Fang and left. A few breaths later, he came back and said, "Master, the tail is coming."
"You will secretly send He Fang there, and if necessary, have Zeyi lead them away."
"yes."
Peng Zuoyan thought for a moment and walked straight into the compartment.
"Ah! Don't you know not to look at what is inappropriate?"
Yi Huan quickly tied the laces in the worker's hands, not understanding why he went crazy again.
"Get out."
The maid was good at judging the situation. Seeing that he had his family with him, she did not seem to be submissive. She did not show any unnecessary respect for him and bowed to the two of them before leaving.
"What are you doing? Ask her to come in."
Peng Zuoyan approached step by step, his fingers hooked on her untied ribbon, as if to point, "Ah Huan, it takes a long time to change clothes. I can't wait to see how graceful you look in your new clothes."
He looked at her with a look of satisfaction, raised his hand and spoke in a friendly manner.
"Look at you, your hair is messed up."
Yi Huan didn't believe his behavior and avoided his contact, with a look of suspicion on his face.
The sound of the army's search reached his ears. Yi Huan thought about his abnormal behavior and said uncertainly: "The person they are looking for is you."
"Ah Huan is indeed smart."
Peng Zuoyan stepped forward and asked softly, "Ah Huan, why don't you guess what I'm going to do next?"
"Aren't you afraid that I will call them over to ruin your plans?"
Peng Zuoyuan straightened her jade hairpin and said kindly, "When one suffers, all suffer. Ah Huan, you should understand that, right?"
"But it doesn't matter if Ah Huan doesn't cooperate, because Ah Huan will be speechless later."
Chang Er was unable to stop the first-rank troops led by Du Jun, and the sound of pushing became clearer and clearer.
Peng Zuoyan turned his head back and pushed her directly against the wall, moving very quickly in the undressing room.
"Asshole! This is outside, go find a prostitute to relieve your cravings."
He pressed her legs with his knees, and through a thin layer of trousers, Peng Zuoyan lowered his head and kissed her, turning the pre-planned fake play into a real one.
It was just as he said. Yi Huan couldn't speak complete sentences. The moans of pleasure mixed with the insults were particularly obvious through the curtains and screens.
Du Jun's face was full of surprise. "I never thought General Peng and his concubine were so deeply in love. Tsk tsk, look at all this commotion. I'm sorry to have tired my wife."
"Thank you for your concern, Deputy Envoy, but Master has ordered us not to disturb you." Chang Er smiled and pleaded for leniency with a difficult expression. "If you have something important to tell me, I will report it to you immediately."
“Yeah.”
Du Jun pretended to complain and stopped him, glanced at the cubicle where the noise was coming from, and hid the contempt in his eyes.
The young general who joined the army when he was young and suppressed the Hu people on the border was just a piece of trash.
"A gentleman does not disturb others in their pursuits. It's just searching for a few bugs. It's more important for the general to enjoy himself."
After a pause, Du Jun casually said, "It sounds like General Peng has put in a lot of effort. The governor sent some new Astragalus seeds to the newly appointed Jiedushi. Give some to General Peng some later. Boil it and use it to replenish your body."
"That's great! I'll take the liberty to thank the governor for his concern on my husband's behalf."
Seeing the captain's overjoyed flattery, Du Jun completely gave up the idea of searching and waved his hand to dismiss his men.
The eldest son escorted them out and said in a long voice, "The deputy envoy understands that I will definitely tell my husband about your kindness."
Du Jun frowned and rolled his eyes in impatience. He could not hear any polite words on the scene. The master did not say anything, but a servant was trying to show off. It turned out that people in the border areas did not know the rules.
Like slaves, like masters. Peng Zuogong and Jiannan are not something the governor should worry about.
"Master, the people have left. The fish have returned to the pond."
Peng Zuoyang nodded, but through the obstruction, no one could see his lustful appearance, with his veins fading and his ears flushed red.
Taking a few steps closer, considering Yi Huan inside, Chang Er said something less direct, "Speaking of Nian Chao, do you want to investigate?"
"The commander is gone."
Seeing that she didn't resist afterward, Peng Zuoyan said again, "Ah Huan, you've worked hard."
"Is it nice to hear?"
"What."
"It's a unique feeling to be one of the protagonists in a pornographic palace that everyone can play with, right?"
Her words treated him like a rabbit, demeaning herself and speaking ill of him. Peng Zuoyan sneered and left without further ado.
Along with the appointment of the three places of Goshuer, the laws of the equal-field system also came down.
Peng Zuoyang has been going out frequently recently, using Yi Huan as a shield. He also deliberately spread the news that he particularly doted on a good concubine. He secretly exchanged contacts with people in the capital and took countermeasures against the dictatorship and chaos of Jing Gao and the other two.
A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted to reveal the Gongzhou County Office on the street. Yi Huan asked without hope, "The whole world belongs to the king. If I sue you, will you be prosecuted?"
"Ah Huan is still naive. The county magistrate is only of the seventh rank, and he has to perform the highest etiquette when meeting me. Will he risk his career for you?"
Peng Zuoyuan always enjoyed seeing her helpless and trapped, so he continued, "But Chen Zhexu has been busy distributing land lately, so I'm afraid he has no time to care about Ah Huan's grievances."
Blocked out from the clamor of the street, Yi Huan denied it: "From the Jiedushi, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, even the Emperor, there will always be someone who can punish you."
"ha."
"Ah Huan, you're being too serious. If I die, can you go back to the past? If you can't let go of your pride, I can use some words and patience."
At this point, Peng Zuoyan still thought that she might become his concubine, haha.
"Oh."
Yi Huan looked over in disbelief and answered his question with his own words: "You are too naive and too serious."
"Ah Huan, your concubine's documents are still in the mansion. Until death, you will be my concubine."
He was the first to sigh, his tone the soft words of a superior: "I know you're unwilling, but Ah Huan, while I still have the energy to fight you, let's take it slow."
"Take it slow with your mom."
Peng Zuoyuan made a low sound and pulled her towards him. Yi Huan suffered a loss for what he said. He glared at him, dismounted, lowered his eyes, covered his lips with a handkerchief and walked into the garden.
Taking advantage of the turmoil on the street, Yi Huan took Cui Xue out. Perhaps because of the deal, Peng Zuoyan did not send more people to monitor them. He agreed to her idea and left her alone.
At the hour of You, Cuixue rushed to the mansion in panic, saying that Miss Huan was missing. It was already past the hour of Xu, and no news came back from the dozens of people sent there.
Peng Zuoyuan sat in the hall with a cold face, wondering how many tortures she would receive if Yi Huan was captured again.
A punishment of shaving one's head? Yi Huan must not look very good with a bald head.
Tattooing is possible, and the words can be engraved between the snow-capped peaks and the ribs, with loose ink of dark color, and someone can polish a sharp calligraphy knife, which is just right for Yi Huan's stubborn personality.
Just as he was thinking quietly, Yi Huan took the initiative to walk into the house. The eldest son ran over a few steps to report, "Master, Aunt Huan is back."
"What's wrong?"
Peng Zuoyan sat paralyzed and motionless, waving his hand to order them to leave, staring at her with unfriendly eyes: "Where did you go?"
"The puppet show at Feihuan Tower is quite good. I've been listening to it. What are you doing? And Cuixue, she's been lazy and not serving me wholeheartedly. You have to punish her."
"Are you testing me on purpose?"
Yi Huan was puzzled and walked over to ask, "What do you mean? Testing you? Are you keeping a mistress behind my back? Even if you hire a prostitute at home, what's my business?"
Peng Zuoyan was silent, and gave a casual look to the second officer who always asked Cuixue for instructions on how to leave.
Yi Huan took a bite of the soft and glutinous glutinous rice cake and looked at the eerily quiet front yard. The red bean paste soaked into his mouth before he realized, "What do you mean? Do you think I'm going to run away?"
Her sarcasm was sharp and silent, as if he had been making a fuss.
Seeing his mixed emotions, Yi Huan sneered, "You beast, are you just disappointed that I ran away? I wish I could eat your flesh and kill you."
Peng Zuoyan didn't want to dwell on the details and said decisively, "You can't leave the house easily from now on. You must bring Chang Er with you when you go out."
"What if he's away for something, or if I have an emergency? There's no clause in our deal that restricts my personal freedom."
"If you don't have it, add it. Ah Huan, you are not allowed to do that now."
Yi Huan raised her eyebrows and said in a tantrum, "Why do you restrict me so arbitrarily? You've been staying at the mansion all this time just to suffocate me and put an end to it. It just so happens that I have a hobby of listening to noises."
She was back in her vicious cycle of smashing things. Peng Zuoyan pointed at Chang Er and said, "You can go out. Chang Er, follow me. Otherwise, you will rot in the mansion."
Yi Huan turned his head and Chang Er bowed, looking like someone who would not interfere but this was just a lie.
The housekeeper of the Ren Mansion not only needs to be good at dealing with people, but most importantly, she has to be the leader of her own master. Chang Er has often embarrassed her.
Yi Huan responded reluctantly, and when she turned to leave, he suddenly said, "Ah Huan, I'm surprised you came home today."
"Am I not your concubine? I have no land and no money to rely on. What can I do if I run away?"
Peng Zuoyan didn't know whether she believed it or not, so he comforted her, "Ah Huan can see clearly."
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