Chapter 109 Like Strong Wine (Twenty-One) Warm and soft in my arms, I can't resist. ...
The warm breath tickled her neck, and Zhi Rou flinched, feeling the hand on her waist tighten its grip.
The feeling of being controlled is not pleasant. After a while, Zhi Rou pressed her arms tightly against Wei Yuanzhan's chest and abdomen. The body temperature that was not hers was transmitted to her. At first, she dared not move, but then she relaxed a little and slowly turned her face away.
The horn lamp cast a weak glow inside the room, and all was quiet.
Zhi Rou looked at Wei Yuanzhan.
His pupils were dark and deep, shimmering with an unusual light, and Zhi Rou was unaware of the aggressive undertones within them. She only noticed that his gaze was different from usual, perhaps pure, and somewhat captivating.
Zhi Rou has loved beautiful things since she was a child. She believes it is human nature. However, she has seen many beautiful people, and no one can easily stir her heart.
Wei Yuanzhan was an exception.
Zhi Rou's gaze slid over his features, down to his jawline, to the area not covered by his clothes, where his Adam's apple seemed to bob.
Perhaps it was the warmth of the embrace, but somehow, she felt a little feverish.
For Wei Yuanzhan, after a few rounds of drinks, his thoughts began to drift, and even his hallucinations became real, creating a beautiful dream.
The person in his dream was in his arms without any obstruction. Today, she had dressed up a little, making her already deep features even more striking. There was a faint fragrance on her clothes, the scent of peach blossoms.
Her soft warmth was irresistible.
Wei Yuanzhan lowered his gaze slightly to her lips.
Beautiful and delicate, like fragrant flower petals.
He wanted to kiss her, to be inseparable from her, to possess everything about her.
With this thought in mind and this longing in his heart, Wei Yuanzhan moved slightly closer and asked in a low voice, "Zhirou... is it alright?"
He spoke slowly, it was hard to tell whether it was because he had been drinking or because he was holding back.
The hand that was stroking her waist kneaded it lightly and heavily, as if it were caressing her ribs. Zhi Rou bit her lip lightly and breathed out slightly quickly: "Wei... Wei Yuanzhan!"
She quickly pressed down on his palm, the intense aura lingering around it.
The touch felt like an electric current flowing through her heart, making Zhi Rou feel tingly and curious for a moment. However, her upbringing did not allow her to continue exploring, and her voice was unusually tense.
Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanzhan loosened his grip on his arm and instantly regained his senses.
She... is Zhirou.
She truly understands gentleness.
The situation of being controlled by him vanished in an instant. Wei Yuanzhan released his grip, and Zhi Rou immediately got up and ran a few steps away from him. Her lower back rested against the edge of the long table, and her eyes held a light she had never seen before, as if driven by passion.
Wei Yuanzhan got up and stood still, his fingers curling up with a mixture of longing and regret. He wanted to say something, to explain something, but his mind was blank, and not a single word could come out.
Zhi Rou was an irresistible temptation for him. Getting close to her was like an instinct. He had been trying his best to restrain himself, but he was still afraid that his actions just now might have offended her.
One of the horn lamps went out.
When vision dims, other senses begin to develop in the silence.
Wei Yuanzhan's gaze seemed to possess a certain strength, which Zhi Rou directly received, causing her heart to race wildly for an instant.
After a long pause, she finally spoke: "How did you end up here... at Qiyun Garden?"
The pronunciation was clear, but the intonation was not very natural.
She was still willing to talk to him, so Wei Yuanzhan breathed a sigh of relief. He tentatively took half a step forward and said truthfully, "Sheng Xingyun's elder brother is going south to negotiate next month, and today is a farewell banquet."
The banquet was mostly attended by male businessmen, so Sheng Xingyun's invitation was not sent to Zhirou.
"Where is Sheng Xingyun?" Apart from them and Lan Ye, there was no one else in Qiyun Garden.
Wei Yuanzhan turned to look out the window. The lanterns were hanging high, and the decorations were as they had been. However, the noisy voices of the people had disappeared without him noticing.
His only remaining memory was Sheng Xingyun advising him to sip his drinks slowly and not to hold a grudge against his older brother, then he felt a little unwell, and then he saw Zhi Rou…
Thinking of this, Wei Yuanzhan gently shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Zhi Rou's face, without saying a word.
She hadn't placed any hope on the memory of a drunkard. Seeing that he couldn't answer, Zhi Rou didn't ask any more questions, as if she had completed her mission and could leave. She turned and said, "I'll go call Lan Ye."
Every extra moment she stayed in the side hall, her fingertips grew weaker.
Zhi Rou had never done anything like this before, so she was nervous. She could only feel that Wei Yuanzhan's hands and eyes were burning hot, and he was plundering her in her blank mind.
But she didn't resist it, and perhaps... she even liked it, but for the first time, she felt timid and dared not be presumptuous.
She wanted to run away as soon as she stood up, but fearing that Wei Yuanzhan would misunderstand, she stood there and said something.
Dust motes danced in the halo of light. Stepping outside, the crisp air enveloped me, and my mind gradually returned to normal.
The sky was completely dark, and the stars were filtering through the air. Wei Yuanzhan chased after her from inside the house, grabbed Zhi Rou's hand, and then slid his hand down to hold her palm. She turned slightly to the side and raised her face.
The moonlight was faint and soft as it fell, and Wei Yuanzhan's voice, mingled with the moonlight, drifted into Zhirou's ears: "Are you angry with me?"
"No," she answered quickly, without the slightest hesitation.
Wei Yuanzhan gazed at her; her ears were still flushed with rosy hues, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she did not avoid his gaze.
Zhi Rou was good at lying, but she was always honest with the right people. Wei Yuanzhan didn't doubt her answer, but still pressed on, "Really?"
Perhaps out of guilt, he feared that the desires hidden beneath his facade would alienate her from him.
Zhi Rou squeezed her fingers together, only then realizing that he was holding her palm, the strength flowing like fine sand down the back of his hand: "I'm just... a little surprised."
Is surprise another euphemism for anger?
Wei Yuanzhan frowned slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow moving around frequently. He glanced at it and said in a warm voice, "Did Lan Ye go looking for you?"
Zhi Rou said yes.
Wei Yuanzhan remained silent for a moment.
Song Lang was hosting a banquet in the suburbs, and Zhi Rou was going. Knowing this, he asked Chang Huai to keep an eye on her and keep an eye on her.
As for Lan Ye, he really didn't give any instructions... it was his carelessness.
Wei Yuanzhan relaxed his brows, feeling that the soft hand in his palm was much hotter than when he had first grasped it, and he was somewhat reluctant to let go.
He changed the subject, saying, "I'll take you back."
Zhi Rou glanced at Lan Ye from afar, her five fingers darting out like a fish before replying, "Okay."
Wei Yuanzhan, who was slightly drunk and aroused, had his mind completely cleared after what happened inside the house. After getting into the carriage, Zhi Rou faced him, and his deep eyes were fixed on her, as if he were tracing her with a brush.
Confined space. Alone. Gazing into each other's eyes.
Zhi Rou couldn't help but recall what had just happened, her palms clenched together, and she swallowed hard.
“Sheng Xingyun,” she said, her voice pausing slightly, “is he also going south?”
"He will stay in the capital."
Zhi Rou seemed relieved and lowered her eyelashes.
Wei Yuanzhan's gaze remained fixed on the scene.
She was dressed in a light cloud-colored outfit today, with blue throughout, and even such simple colors seemed to radiate brilliance on her. Wei Yuanzhan looked at her and immediately wanted to ask her about the banquet in the suburbs, but he was worried that if he asked the wrong question, he might offend her, so he decided it was better to go back and listen to Chang Huai's explanation.
So, after some deliberation, he asked Su Du, "How do you get along with Su Du?"
“He…” Zhi Rou frowned.
Since her visit to the Feng residence, she has been meeting with Su Du more and more often. His behavior has become the same as when he was in Bei Li: lukewarm, unhurried, and with a monotonous expression, as if nothing can stimulate his emotions.
That's good, at least I won't feel awkward sharing a room with someone.
At first, he would visit his mother at the Song residence in his spare time, but later he seemed to be busy with many things and came less often. He would answer whatever she asked him casually, but he always felt that something was missing and a little strange.
Just two days ago, Zhi Rou and Su Du were talking in the library when suddenly someone came up – it was his subordinate, Zhao Xun.
"He seems to be wary of me."
It's understandable that Su doesn't trust her. After all, aside from the title of brother and sister, they've never really interacted like real siblings and don't have that much affection for each other. Her "reliability" is only limited to the bare minimum, and Su doesn't dare to give her his whole heart, which she completely understands.
However, he was the one who sent her to the Feng residence, and he was also the one who was wary of her. This contradiction made her feel that he was being toyed with.
Inside the well-lit carriage, Wei Yuanzhan's expression shifted several times. After a short while, he suddenly said, "I went to see Lord Yuan. There may be other hidden stories behind what happened back then."
Zhi Rou was somewhat surprised and puzzled as to what connection this had with Su Du, and why he would suddenly bring it up.
She lifted her eyelids and looked directly at Wei Yuanzhan, hearing him say, "Lord Yuan has always been fond of military strategy. Ever since General Chang defeated the enemy in the Battle of Weiling, Lord Yuan has begun to study every one of his battles. The two of them share the same interests and can be considered close friends."
The Battle of Weiling was a rare opportunity for the young general to enter the battlefield. Despite being outnumbered, he turned defeat into victory, making the seventeen-year-old general a legendary figure in the nation.
After that, Chang Yu won battle after battle, rarely suffering a defeat. His Majesty favored this overly young general, not only putting him in charge of the southwestern military but also bestowing upon him the Imperial Sword, allowing him to execute troops first and report later.
"In the sixth year of Shuo De, Bei Li and our dynasty made an alliance. His Majesty summoned General Chang back to the capital. His arrival was half a season later than the dynasty had anticipated. Before he could return with his troops, the Battle of Sai Chuan caused our army to lose half of its elite forces, and the sentiment in the capital was no longer favorable to him."
Zhi Rou had read about the name "Sai Chuan" in Yuan Zhaobi's notes and had memorized it. The day after she found the letters in the tile room, she went to her father's study to ask him about it.
Saichuan was strategically important, easy to defend and difficult to attack. However, Chang Yu misjudged the enemy's situation and deployed most of his forces at the valley entrance, making it difficult for his troops to coordinate with each other. This battle resulted in a crushing defeat, which severely damaged morale. Some people in the capital even claimed that Chang Yu had conspired with the northerners and deliberately sent them a "gift of surrender."
The evil winds of the capital city could not reach the border. Chang Yu suffered a defeat but did not dwell on it. Instead, he immediately launched a surprise attack after the great victory of the Beili army.
The cavalry of Changyu were more valiant and fierce than the northerners, not only routing the enemy ranks from all sides but also inflicting great psychological terror upon them. After this battle, the Beili army was utterly defeated, and not long after, the Beili Khan had no choice but to send envoys to Yan to sue for peace.
"According to Lord Yuan, His Majesty especially cherished General Chang at that time. Dong Xueyan, a loyal minister who had long been trusted by His Majesty, once submitted a memorial, saying that Chang was conspiring with the northerners. The court arrested and imprisoned him on charges of 'framing loyal officials and sowing discord between the emperor and his ministers,' and sentenced him to exile in Xishun."
"If he is so favored by the Emperor, then why..." Zhi Rou frowned.
Wei Yuanzhan's voice was very low, and even Lan Ye, who was sitting in the carriage, could not hear a sound from inside.
“Someone presented His Majesty with a plain sheet of paper. Although it was unsealed, His Majesty recognized the handwriting.” He paused. “That letter was originally intended for the Khan of the Northern Li.”
The characters are frequently encountered; Zhi Rou had seen them at the Feng residence.
Its strokes are sharp and vigorous, with an unyielding spirit, yet they are also beautiful. Learning this style of calligraphy is not easy, nor can it be imitated by ordinary people.
These days, Zhi Rou has heard some stories about Chang Yu from Feng Gong. They are not about how loyal he was, but rather about his experiences as an outsider.
His ability to infiltrate the enemy camp single-handedly and escape unscathed demonstrates that he was no innocent or virtuous person. However, to say that he colluded with the enemy is another matter entirely.
Even if he wanted to, who could stop his letters?
After he finished speaking, the carriage fell silent for a moment.
Zhi Rou rested her hand on the edge of the seat; the back of her hand looked slender and clean. After a moment, her fingers twitched.
“He has someone who has betrayed him,” she said with almost certainty.
Her mind was quick, and Wei Yuanzhan anticipated her response, his expression unchanged: "After the defeat at Saichuan, a new 'Young Master Xinyi' appeared in the Yuyang army, and he was inseparable from General Chang."
Zhi Rou was waiting for him to continue when she saw him slightly furrow his brows and stare at her for a while, as if he were considering something.
A short while later, he continued, "Rumor has it that this person's surname is Ling, while others say it is Song."
Zhi Rou's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers suddenly stiffened.
She struggled to compose herself, her tone steady: "Su is mistaken, that person is definitely not my father."
“I also believe it’s not my uncle.” Wei Yuanzhan said without any doubt. He looked at Zhi Rou, the firelight flickering, her hand unconsciously moving from the edge of the seat to her waist, where only a jade pendant shimmered.
When she was feeling uneasy, only the dark patterns on the scabbard could offer her some relief.
With the dagger no longer on her person, she raised her face and looked back at Wei Yuanzhan.
When he's not joking, his clear, bright eyes are like snow. When he looks intently at someone, his eyes are gentle yet powerful, like a large hand stroking her hair, quietly strengthening her resolve.
A year's difference is nothing; she rarely felt younger than Wei Yuanzhan. But now, he seemed a bit like an older brother, and Zhirou's heart softened.
"How did you get Lord Yuan to talk to you about the past?" She fluttered her eyelashes.
"Catering to their preferences. Just like..." Wei Yuanzhan's words sounded like he was coaxing a child, or even more like a promise, so earnest that Zhi Rou's heart, which had just calmed down, tightened again in an instant.
"If you want anything from me, just ask."
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