Chapter 86 Chapter 86 “The top scholar’s article is beautiful,
Sheng Puzhu was not shy when Xiao Heyin praised her like this, but accepted it openly. Her almond-shaped eyes were slightly lowered with a faint smile, and her gentle tone clearly showed a frank confidence.
"Your Excellency is too kind."
Sheng Puzhu stood up with a smile, holding up the wine cup in her hand. She paused, as if weighing her words, her gaze darting out the window. Her tone was tinged with a seriousness she didn't even notice: "I'm not being pretentious. Mr. Xie's talent is no less than that of the top scholar."
Moreover, she smiled, blinking her sparkling eyes: "Protecting my husband is the right thing to do."
"Hahaha, well said."
"From now on, my cousin-in-law can just call me Heyin. There's no need to be so formal."
Xiao Heyin is a straightforward person. Whether she likes or dislikes something, she is always open and honest.
As the sun rose higher, the Xinghua Tower became bustling with activity. The pearl curtains were half-rolled up, and outside the window one could see the wide Zhuque Street, which was now thronged with people.
The smile in Sheng Puzhu's eyes deepened. Because of the wine, an extremely attractive red appeared on his cheeks. His extremely beautiful appearance captivated everyone.
The private room was bustling with activity. Sheng Puzhu's voice was not loud, but every word was clear and fell silently through the doors and windows outside the private room, reaching the ears of Xie Zhiyan who suddenly stopped walking.
The prince was hosting the party today, and he arrived late. When he heard the familiar voice, he subconsciously stopped for a moment. He didn't expect to hear his wife say such words with his own ears.
The corridor between the private rooms was dimly lit, stretching his tall figure into a slender shape, casting his shadow on the carved door.
Is she praising him?
Xie Zhiyan's hand, which was about to push the door, was suspended in mid-air, and all movements stopped abruptly. A very strange warmth suddenly came over him, it was scorching hot, which made him stunned for a moment, not knowing what to do.
He had expected that his wife would humbly decline like an ordinary girl, or be shy and quiet, but he had never expected to hear such an unhesitating approval.
He didn't know if it was his illusion, but there was even a hint of hidden pride in her soft voice, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in his usually calm heart.
In the private room.
Sheng Puzhu was completely unaware of the man outside the door. She just lowered her eyes and happily sipped the Xinghualou's signature drink, Xinghua Drink.
Apricot-flavored wine is slightly sweet with a light fruit aroma. It may not seem strong, but it is very intoxicating.
"Is Puzhu drunk?" asked Princess Duanyang.
"No." Sheng Puzhu pursed his lips which were moistened by the wine, and the smile on his face became even wider.
Princess Duanyang shook her head and explained to Xiao Heyin, "She has a very low alcohol tolerance and is basically drunk after just one glass, but she is a very good drinker."
Outside the door, Xie Zhiyan was about to withdraw his hand, but he heard that the person inside seemed drunk.
Just as he was hesitating, the door of the private room opposite was pushed open.
"Saburo."
Xiao Changsui was stunned. "I saw Cang Tuan at the restaurant, but couldn't find you. I was just about to send someone to look for you."
The voices of the girls in the private room across the street suddenly fell silent.
Xie Zhiyan nodded towards the prince and pointed: "My wife is drunk, I have to go and see her, please excuse me."
Xie Zhiyan pushed open the door, his eyes passed over everyone and fell precisely on Sheng Puju.
His eyes were very deep, as if he wanted to imprint every word of her gentle praise in his heart and grind it carefully between his teeth.
Xie Zhiyan?
Why is he outside the door?
Even though Sheng Puzhu was drunk, her mind was still a little clear. Her hand holding the cup trembled violently, and her cheeks burned uncontrollably.
The girl who was so open and generous a quarter of an hour ago now wanted to dig a hole and bury herself in it.
They were discussing it behind others' backs, but ended up being overheard by the person they were talking to.
Saying it behind someone's back and saying it to someone's face are two completely different things.
He didn't know whether he was ashamed or annoyed, but whenever he thought about what he had just said being heard by Xie Zhiyan, no matter how much Sheng Puzhu tried to comfort himself, he still felt Xie Zhiyan's gaze burning.
She subconsciously tried to avoid it, her eyelashes drooping in panic like a frightened butterfly, and her whole body was so delicate that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of her.
There was a moment of silence in the private room.
Some people burst into laughter, while others looked at Xie Sanlang's expression curiously.
Even Crown Prince Xiao Changsui paused and looked at Wei Yuanning.
"My dear." Sheng Puzhu stood up, not knowing what to do. Her panicked little hands tugged at the shawl on her shoulders.
Xie Zhiyan ignored others and slowly walked up to her and stood still.
Sheng Bozhu could feel the unique aura of aggression from him. He could feel the shadow cast by the man completely covering him, and his heartbeat was out of control.
Just when she was at a loss, a huge noise suddenly broke out downstairs, gongs and drums sounded suddenly, and the noisy voices surged up like a tide.
"It's the ceremonial procession for the top scholar!"
"There's also a third place winner following behind."
Sheng Puju was attracted by the movement downstairs. When she didn't know what to do, she almost instinctively turned sideways and leaned on the window sill to look out, eager to get out of the predicament.
She stood on tiptoe, a flash of panic in her beautiful eyes, and was ready to pretend nothing had happened so that she could watch the excitement downstairs that was attracting everyone's attention.
But as soon as she moved, someone grabbed her wrist.
The man's hands were extremely strong and unquestionably domineering, and his fingertips were even trembling slightly.
Xie Zhiyan suddenly pulled Sheng Puju into his arms. He pinched her waist with one hand and raised the other hand. His large palm covered her eyes almost domineeringly, completely blocking any possibility of her looking out the window.
The scene before my eyes fell into darkness, and all the noise seemed to be blocked out of my perception by this hand.
The only thing she could feel was the rough lines on Xie Zhiyan's palm and his slightly cool body temperature.
"My dear, what are you doing?" Sheng Puzhu was confused.
"Don't look." Xie Zhiyan leaned closer, and the voice that fell into her ear seemed suppressed to the extreme.
"OK."
Every word he said was filled with a possessiveness that she had never heard before, so strong that it was almost gloomy.
The scalding breath made her ears numb, and the word "why" was stuck in her throat. Normally, she should have asked, but today's top scorer.
The relationship between her and Wulang of the Pei family in Luoyang was really sensitive.
Sheng Puzhu couldn't help but wonder if Xie Zhiyan already knew something.
Her soft body froze, her eyes were blind, and her breath was filled with the heart-pounding cypress scent of him.
"Yeah." Sheng Puzhu responded in a low voice.
The warm little hand covered the back of Xie Zhiyan's hand, and then held it tightly, as if all the excitement had nothing to do with her.
Xie Zhiyan looked at his incredibly well-behaved wife in his arms. Without saying a word, he led her away from the window, and amid the exclamations of the crowd, he picked up Sheng Puzhu horizontally.
"Feel sorry."
"Excuse me."
Xie Zhiyan walked quickly. He thought he could control his emotions well, but when it really happened.
He found himself so jealous.
It was not dissatisfaction with his wife, but dissatisfaction with the opposite sex in Chang'an who coveted her.
Not to mention that what she wanted to see today was the number one scholar who was in high spirits, riding a horse and parading in the streets in great glory.
Even just one glance was enough to ignite the ferocious beast called jealousy in his heart.
In the carriage.
"Where are you taking me, my dear?" Sheng Puzhu's expression had returned to calm, and her beautiful eyes even smiled as she looked at the silent man.
The light in the carriage was dim, with only shadows passing quickly outside the window. Xie Zhiyan was silent, his jawline slightly tense.
Sheng Puzhu was held tightly in his arms. The noisy voices outside the window and the glory of being the top scholar all seemed like a dream that never happened.
"Madam will know when we get there."
"I won't sell you out anyway."
In the darkness, Xie Zhiyan's eyes were as calm as water, but with an indescribable concentration.
His voice was still hoarse, but he tightened his arms and pressed her face back to his chest, as if only this kind of intimacy could ease the anger burning in his heart.
Since he didn't say anything, Sheng Puzhu stopped asking.
The carriage traveled for an unknown amount of time before it finally came to a slow stop.
After more than an hour, they had already left Chang'an City. Outside, there was no longer the hustle and bustle of Suzaku Street, but another kind of solemn and dignified silence, with occasional metallic sounds of armor rubbing against each other, and the sounds of training coming from farther away.
Xie Zhiyan got off the carriage first, and then without saying anything, he carried Sheng Puzhu sideways out of the carriage.
As dusk approaches, the spring breeze blows with a cool feeling.
Sheng Puzhu subconsciously clutched the man's clothes and looked up. On one side was a wilderness and on the other side were tall mountains and forests.
Standing in the middle of the two scenes, crawling between heaven and earth like a giant beast, is a military camp that stretches as if there is no end in sight.
The gate stood tall, and the torches flickered, illuminating the figures of the soldiers standing upright like sculptures.
The huge flag hanging on the gate tower fluttered in the night wind, and a sharp word "thank you" could be vaguely seen, making her seem to forget to breathe.
This is the East Suburb Camp, where the Xie family's Black Armor Army is stationed.
Xie Zhiyan held her in his arms, ignoring the soldiers who lowered their heads to avoid him along the way, and walked straight through the neat rows of barracks. His steps were steady, and his boots made a clear echo on the ground.
Finally, he stopped in front of a very high observation tower and gently put her down, but still held her waist tightly with one hand and pointed downwards with the other.
Sheng Puzhu followed his gaze and her breath caught in her throat.
On the huge training ground below, torches were like dragons, and hundreds of soldiers were conducting night training.
The black armor reflected a cold light, the array changed like a rolling dragon, the killing sounds shook the sky, and a majestic and cold murderous aura came over, which was far more shocking than the prosperous and noisy parade of the top scholar.
"Here." Xie Zhiyan's deep voice finally rang in her ears, a hint of hoarseness and an unconcealable pride, like a lion displaying its territory to its mate. "This is the real power."
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze locked deep into her eyes that were still filled with surprise. His tone was flat, but every word struck her heart.
"The champion scholar's brilliant essay is only good for show and not for use."
"I don't even bother to be compared to it."
"Madam, please don't mention it again in the future."
Sheng Puzhu didn't know whether he was sober or even more drunk.
The man in front of her was standing there, with thousands of iron-blooded soldiers in front of him, but there was only her in his arms.
There is no need to say more. That silent and powerful presence, that confidence in controlling everything, will only ruthlessly crush any prying thoughts in the world.
He brought her here not on impulse, but to tell her in the most direct and shocking way.
In the face of absolute strength, any competition is a joke.
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