Chapter 142 Pride Abounds (Part 4) You're so mean to me.
Wei Yuanzhan's voice swept through her heart, and Zhi Rou was momentarily stunned, only then realizing that her eyes had never left him.
“I… I saw a pot of calamus in your room, and my third sister has one too.”
She turned her face away, but her gaze still drifted back out of the corner of her eye. "Sister... I've never seen your potted plant bloom. Will yours bloom?"
"Yes." Wei Yuanzhan fastened his belt, his hands still clenched, his knuckles stiff.
He hadn't expected Zhirou to come.
Her unwavering gaze was like a blazing fire; it took him a great deal of effort to conceal his true feelings and appear composed.
Seeing that he was dressed neatly, Zhi Rou walked over, her tense heart gradually easing: "What do the flowers of calamus look like?"
Wei Yuanzhan thought for a moment and said, "Come and see it when it blooms." He looked at her and asked, "How long have you been waiting?"
The red gauze lanterns from the corridor cast a warm glow, outlining her delicate nose and facial contours, making her look very clever.
"Soon after I hid, you came in."
She walked to the table, no longer as restrained as before. Hearing no more voices outside the room, she glanced at the silver lamp.
"Can I light the lamp?"
As the firelight came on, Wei Yuanzhan could see that she was wearing a dark-colored long dress. Perhaps due to the hard work of climbing over the wall, a few strands of her dark hair had fallen loose and hung over her shoulders. Her back was as straight as bamboo, giving her a calm and healthy beauty.
"Did you arrive today?" His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he sat down by the table.
The two had spent many time alone together, but for some reason, Wei Yuanzhan felt unusually guilty today.
Perhaps because it was in the Marquis's residence, in his room with the doors and windows closed, it was easy for some secret thoughts to arise.
"I entered the city at dusk." Zhi Rou stretched her legs out and leaned against the table, looking down at him. "I wanted to see you."
His relaxed and carefree demeanor is simply enviable.
Wei Yuanzhan's lips twitched slightly: "So eager to see me?"
Teasing him, Zhi Rou blushed slightly and immediately turned around, stepping off the table and onto the chair: "I was worried that you would hear from others that I had returned, and then you would complain that I was looking for you too late."
Smelling the smell of alcohol on his clothes, she frowned slightly. "You've been drinking again?"
“Sheng Xingyun drank it. He seems to be interested in doing business now; seven out of ten sentences he speaks are related to market development and transactions.”
Mentioning Sheng Xingyun still feels like meeting a completely different person.
At noon, Wei Yuanzhan went to the East Palace to visit his elder sister. She was much better than before, her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, and her voice was clear and bright. When she saw the gift he presented, she smiled and praised it a few times, then had it carefully put away and invited him to stay for a meal.
He didn't leave the Eastern Palace until late afternoon. As he rode through Liuli Street, he ran into Sheng Xingyun, who was chatting and laughing with someone.
"If we're talking about keen insight, Brother Zhou is the best. I was just speaking offhand; how could I presume to presume to teach such a humble scholar?" Sheng Xingyun shook his folding fan and added, "As for this batch of goods, if Brother Zhou is interested, I'd be happy to concede twenty percent..."
Before he could finish speaking, his gaze fell on Wei Yuanzhan on horseback.
He reined in his horse and stopped, their eyes meeting.
He first raised an eyebrow, and seeing Sheng Xingyun's surprise turn to joy, he smiled, dismounted, and walked towards him.
“Yuan Zhan!” Sheng Xingyun called out.
The name of General Wei was widely known at the time, and he hurriedly bowed, saying, "Young Master Wei." He then looked at Sheng Xingyun, his eyes revealing a different kind of glint.
When friends return, business naturally takes a backseat.
Sheng Xingyun swiftly grabbed the reins and handed them to a servant from Suiyun Tower. Then, with a generous gesture, he warmly embraced Wei Yuanzhan and led him into the tower.
"He asked you when you would go to retrieve the 'Top Scholar Wine' that your master buried for you."
Upon hearing this, Zhi Rouyi's lips twitched almost imperceptibly: "That was given to me by Master when I came of age. I'll retrieve it on my birthday this year. I don't know if Master will be able to come back in time to give it to me personally. He's gone..."
The rest of the words were abruptly cut off by the footsteps outside.
Zhi Rou's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly crouched down on the ground, leaning her back against Wei Yuanzhan's chair.
He was tall and slender, and just sitting there, he was enough to completely block her shadow. Now, with the desk and chair blocking the way, only a faint shadow remained on the door.
A knock sounded at the door; it was Changhuai.
"Sir, the hot water is ready."
The person inside said slowly, "Just leave it there."
Changhuai was slightly puzzled.
There are times when the master doesn't allow his attendants to come, but this is the first time he has ever left the hot soup outside the door without opening it.
As he was speaking, the door suddenly opened from the inside. Wei Yuanzhan held the door and looked at him, then glanced at Lan Ye. After a moment, he took two steps back to let them in.
Only two lamps were lit inside, their dim yellow light reflecting off the walls. The surroundings were shrouded in shadow, making the silence all the more pronounced.
Lan Ye walked around to the clean room, frowning slightly: "Master, why is this screen overturned?" After saying that, he felt a jolt in his heart, put down the water, put his hand on the sword at his waist, and pretended to check if a thief had entered the room.
Wei Yuanzhan tilted his eyes slightly: "What are you doing?"
In the deep darkness, he turned his head to the side, his gaze sweeping over like a drawn blade. Lan Ye hesitated slightly: "I...I'll take a look for Master..."
"If there's nothing else, go out and get settled in as soon as possible."
His voice was calm and without anger, but Lan Ye dared not provoke him any further. He responded with a soft "yes" and retreated with his head bowed.
Changhuai also started walking, but stopped just before leaving the room and said, "Sir, there's trouble on the street that has alarmed the authorities. There will probably be a curfew tonight."
Wei Yuanzhan frowned unconsciously, and his hand, which was at his side, clenched.
Before Chang Huai could leave, they indeed heard the sound of watchmen's clappers coming from afar. After counting them carefully, they realized it was a warning signal from within the city.
Since the late emperor, the curfew has long been abolished. What kind of turmoil has arisen in the city tonight that has suddenly been lifted?
She cannot return to the Song family mansion.
After Chang Huai left, Wei Yuanzhan locked the door.
Hearing the noise from beside the wardrobe, Zhi Rou's heart suddenly pounded, and she couldn't help but call out softly, "Hey..."
The light was dim, and she couldn't see his face clearly. She could only sense a tall, dark figure approaching her step by step.
Zhi Rou's eyelashes trembled twice. She knew there was a curfew tonight and she couldn't leave. She also believed that Wei Yuanzhan wouldn't cross the line, but her heart was beating fast, as if she were gambling.
A moment later, his shadow stopped in front of him and said naturally, "Go to bed."
He looked her over closely, a smile playing on his lips. "Who told you to be in such a hurry, choosing to come tonight? You'll have to stay here at the Marquis's residence for the night."
After speaking, he turned his back, walked to the table, and blew out the candle.
Zhi Rou was taken aback for a moment, then immediately asked him, "Then where will you sleep?"
The footsteps faded into the distance, as if they had reached a clean room, and a languid voice rang out: "Don't worry about me."
She tentatively followed him for a couple of steps, and saw him put the screen back up and throw the clothes onto the rack one by one.
Zhi Rou opened her mouth, then turned around and, like a puppet, clumsily walked to the bed and sat cross-legged.
What... what gives him the right to be so comfortable?
Zhi Rou couldn't understand it, and was even a little annoyed. She clasped her hands on her knees and gently furrowed her brows.
Since returning from military service, Wei Yuanzhan has always bathed quickly, but tonight he unusually lingered for a while.
Hearing the silence inside, he turned his head and his gaze fell on the screen, but he didn't know where it went. His expression was somber.
After changing his clothes, he went around to the three-panel Luohan bed and opened the window a little bit.
The comforting scent of pine lingered in the bedding. Zhi Rou tossed and turned, and hearing a noise, she sat up and whispered, "Wei Yuanzhan."
There was no response.
She didn't believe he was already asleep, so she pulled up the curtains and got out of bed. In the pitch black, she felt her way to the edge of the daybed. Her gaze followed his face to his slightly exposed t-shirt, his chest rising and falling gently, very calmly.
Zhi Rou muttered to herself, "She's really asleep?"
It was rare to see him like this. She crossed her arms and examined him closely.
Apart from his occasional furrowed brows, there was really no other clue.
Zhi Rou smiled with pursed lips and reached out to touch his eyebrows, but before she could touch them, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down onto the daybed.
Wei Yuanzhan leaned down, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness, filled with undisguised aggression: "What are you doing?"
This disciplinary and questioning tone made Zhi Rou suddenly panic. Her bright eyes seemed to freeze, and she didn't flinch but slowly said, "I can't sleep... Go to bed."
Wei Yuanzhan raised his eyebrows in surprise, looking down at the complex emotions in her eyes: "You made me..."
She explained, "This is your place, and it gets cold at night. I don't want you to catch a cold."
Wei Yuanzhan paused slightly, then sat up: "I'm not cold."
Zhi Rou also got up, dangling her legs over the edge of the bed, and turned to look at him: "Then will you talk to me for a while? It's so boring, I really can't sleep."
“Okay.” He stood a little distance away from her, staring intently at her. “Go ahead and say it.”
Zhi Rou glanced at the fence beside her for a moment, then turned back to her: "You reported back late. Has the Emperor questioned you?"
Wei Yuanzhan shook his head: "His Majesty granted me ten days of rest and told me to take good care of my injuries."
He probably didn't want to see him, but his father said that His Majesty had secretly sent someone to Dancheng to investigate, so his words in front of the emperor were not in vain.
Not wanting to involve Zhi Rou, he omitted this detail and spoke very casually.
Zhi Rou smiled and said, "It seems he still cares about his subjects..." The last few words were covered by Wei Yuanzhan's palm.
“You’re too bold,” he said, frowning.
Zhi Rou pursed her lips, glanced at the window again, and asked in a low, mosquito-like voice, "Are there ears on the other side of the wall?"
Wei Yuanzhan chuckled: "Nobody's here."
He gazed at her for a long time, then murmured, "You really don't seem like your uncle."
Zhi Rou did not acknowledge this statement.
Thinking of what Zhou Ling had said to her, the corners of her lips curled up slightly: "I've recently come to realize who I resemble."
She braced herself with her hands behind her back, her boots swaying in mid-air. “It turns out that my mother, back in the Ling family, was just like me, always sneaking out to play disguised as a boy. She originally had sixteen attendants, but they were separated from her when the incident happened; now, they have found me in Qinyang. So I brought them all back to the capital.”
This happened after Wei Yuanzhan left. Upon hearing her mention it, he frowned slightly: "Have you verified their identities?"
Zhi Rou nodded: "It should be correct. It's just... I haven't figured out how to tell Mother yet."
The fact that her mother did not stop her from going made her feel somewhat like a pawn, and she felt resentful and didn't know how to start the conversation.
"Let's not talk about this anymore."
She took a deep breath, concealing the childlike expression on her face, and her gaze lingered on the distance between them for a moment before she couldn't help but ask, "Why are you sitting so far away?"
On the seven-foot-long daybed, he and she each occupied one side, seemingly separated by a dividing line.
Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanzhan looked at her with amusement.
His eyes held a dangerous glint, his expression unusually focused: "I'm getting closer, aren't you afraid?"
At first, she was trembling with fear in the military camp.
Zhi Rou was taken aback, only then remembering the night she had stayed in his tent.
She was indeed nervous, but she couldn't suppress her curiosity about him.
She longed to get closer, yet was also timid; this contradictory emotion constantly grew within her whenever she faced Wei Yuanzhan.
Is she afraid of him? How could she be?
Realizing this, Zhi Rou blinked and said confidently, "I'm not afraid."
Wei Yuanzhan couldn't help but hold his breath for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbing, before he opened his eyes and ordered her, "Go back to sleep."
He didn't even have a bed or blankets. Zhi Rou wanted to say, "Then come with me," but the six words caught in her throat, and she hesitated for a moment.
Finally, she replied vaguely, "Don't stay here."
Wei Yuanzhan remained silent for a long while, then stood up helplessly: "Fine."
He pulled her into the tent and made her lie down properly. Feeling Zhi Rou's sleeve, he even moved two inches away. Although his face remained calm, his heart was in turmoil.
Her every move and every word seemed like an edict, authorizing him to commit the crime.
Wei Yuanzhan felt as if a fire was burning beneath his skin, and those sticky thoughts could not be burned away. Everything was amplifying the torment.
"Stop staring at me, close your eyes," he said.
Zhi Rou refused to admit it: "How did you know I was looking at you?"
Wei Yuanzhan suddenly turned over.
In a place completely dark, she suddenly met his eyes, her nose brushed against his breath, tickling her, and she clutched her loose hair tightly.
Unable to sleep herself, she decided to play a trick on him.
Zhi Rou heard Wei Yuanzhan's low, cool yet slightly burning voice: "You're really mean to me."
Does she even know where she is?
This is his bedroom; everything in sight belongs to him.
Her presence aroused his desire to possess her. Not in the ordinary way, but completely and utterly, utterly.
Wei Yuanzhan was filled with hatred, so he simply grabbed her shoulders and pushed her over, supporting himself on both sides of her. He looked down at her for a while, then lowered his head and kissed her heavily on the lips.
It was completely dark, and one's senses became exceptionally clear. Zhi Rou placed her hand against Wei Yuanzhan's chest, which was hard and hot, with a thumping heartbeat.
When he gets fierce, he can be very unreasonable, but he always leaves room for Zhi Rou.
Wei Yuanzhan raised himself up, gazing at her moist lips through the blur, then moved his gaze upwards and captured her eyes.
It sounded like a threat, yet he asked patiently, "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
Zhi Rou stared at his silhouette, momentarily stunned, then shook her head.
Seeing her reaction, Wei Yuanzhan laughed in exasperation.
He pulled her hand into his palm and ruthlessly pinned it to the pillow.
...
As dawn broke, birdsong drifted past the eaves. Zhi Rou had already woken up and, in the dim light, took a good look at the person beside her.
When she was learning martial arts from her master, she and Wei Yuanzhan had many exchanges.
He used to be arrogant, and would feel ashamed if she touched him even twice, but she was extremely familiar with his body. Back then, it didn't seem so obvious; the muscles on his chest and arms were broad and strong, as if storing infinite power.
Both of them slept fully clothed, but his clothes had been slightly open at the collar since he had bathed. Now, as dawn broke, she finally saw a thin chain around his neck, radiating a warm glow.
What hangs on it looks like a ring.
Zhi Rou felt like she had seen it before, but couldn't quite place it.
After staring at it for a while, her pupils contracted slightly, and she wondered, is it hers?
That time when I argued with him at Suiyun Tower, I didn't bring any money, so I left my ring as payment.
It was probably... the twenty-first year of Shuo De. Four years ago.
Zhi Rou twitched the corners of her mouth and couldn't help but smile silently, as if she had some leverage over him.
As she was about to get up, she noticed a slight red mark on her wrist. When she rolled up her sleeve, she could see a faint teeth mark.
The corners of her raised lips gradually flattened. Zhi Rou breathed very lightly, turned the quilt over Wei Yuanzhan, then walked around him from the foot of the bed and got out of bed to put on her boots.
Ultimately, she wasn't on her own turf, and with her mind in turmoil, Zhi Rou didn't sleep well all night. Wei Yuanzhan, who had been resting late, sensed the noise but assumed it was just playful; his eyelids were heavy, and he didn't open his eyes.
When he woke up, the person next to him was empty.
Wei Yuanzhan made a slight movement, intending to lift the quilt, but unexpectedly a forceful force restrained him.
Looking back, he saw that his right hand was tied to his belt, the other end of which was tied to the bed frame, making him unable to move.
Besides Zhi Rou, who else would dare to treat him like this?
Wei Yuanzhan pursed his lips slightly, a hint of annoyance flashing in his eyes, but the next moment, he couldn't help but curl his lips and chuckle softly.
He untied his belt, got up, and went outside.
Longyue Pavilion was completely silent, with the shadows of the flower branches falling in front of the house.
Jingyao wanted to go inside to serve Zhirou, but Xinghui stopped her: "My young lady hasn't gotten up yet. What do you want? Why don't you tell me?"
Since Huai Xian gave her to Zhi Rou, Jing Yao had not had a single day to serve her. After returning to the Song Mansion from the hunting grounds, the only person she saw every day was this Xing Hui girl before her.
She seemed to harbor some hostility towards her, which Jingyao understood. Not wanting to argue, she took a couple of steps back and said, "It's nothing. Once you're awake, could you please call me?"
"I understand." Xinghui remained steadfast, urging her, "Go ahead and do your work."
After everyone had gone, Xinghui returned to the house and gave Zhirou a reproachful look: "Didn't you say you'd come back as soon as you saw someone? Last night, instead of waiting for you, we were met with curfew..."
Zhi Rou leaned against the bathtub, tilted her head and sighed, "Bad luck, I can't predict it."
She propped herself up and looked at Xinghui's face behind the screen, then smiled freely, "It's good to have you."
"Don't joke with me, girl." Xinghui pouted, put down the towel, and walked out of the cubicle.
In early May, the weather grew hotter day by day. Zhi Rou, who was sensitive to the cold, found this time of year just right.
The hot soup chased away her fatigue. She stood up, supporting herself with her hands on the sides of the tub, and wiped her cloak.
When she stood before Xinghui, she had completely transformed into the bright and poised Fourth Miss. Her first words were, "Sister Xinghui, do you know what happened in the city last night?"
Zhi Rou had lived in the capital for many years, and this was the first time he had ever suddenly heard the sound of a watchman's clapper.
But when she thought back, Xinghui looked frightened and said in a low voice, "They said they were searching for people, and even sent soldiers to our mansion, but they couldn't find a trace of them. Thinking about it now, I still feel scared."
She leaned closer to Zhirou, her crescent-shaped eyelashes trembling slightly. "Miss, do you think there really isn't a thief in our household?"
Even in the capital, a murder case wouldn't warrant such a large-scale search, and yet it even disturbed their residence. Zhi Rou thought to herself, it's hard to say this trip wasn't aimed at her.
But she had only just returned to the capital and hadn't even had a chance to make a move yet, so who was so restless? Could it be...? Zhi Rou's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she felt something was amiss.
Zhou Ling and the others did not enter the capital at the same time as her; they deliberately spaced themselves out, so they could not be exposed so easily.
What exactly is going on with the curfew and the search of the government building?
Zhi Rou's eyes narrowed, and she gently patted Xing Hui's shoulder, saying firmly, "No."
He sat down at the desk and pondered for a moment, then turned to ask, "What did Father say?"
Fourth Sister's words of comfort were like a calming pill. Xinghui sat down next to her and whispered, "Last night, when Master heard that someone was coming to search, he was furious... Afterwards, he met their leader, said a few words, and then had someone lead him into the East Courtyard."
The Imperial Guards' presence at the residence is by imperial decree and cannot be disobeyed.
"Has Father sent anyone to Longyue Pavilion? Is he looking for me?"
"How could that be? We women should not allow them to run wild in our place..." As she spoke, her voice lowered, and she poured a cup of strong tea and handed it to Zhi Rou.
Her weariness had completely vanished. She forced herself to take a sip and then sat up, asking, "Is Father at home?"
Xinghui went to look at the incense burner on the desk: "At this hour, Master should have returned home."
"I'm going to see my father."
Zhi Rou pushed open the door and went out, her steps light and quick. Xing Hui exclaimed "Hey!" and immediately followed.
As she passed through a cave door, she saw Jingyao sitting on the steps talking with several of Jueyan's maids. When she saw Zhirou, she got up and approached, calling out in the manner of the mansion, "Fourth Miss."
Xinghui clearly disliked this "outsider," so she slowed her pace and silently walked to Zhirou's side, her crystal-like eyes fixed on her.
"I have something I want to say to you." Jing Yao glanced at Xing Hui and the others discreetly, then looked back at Zhi Rou.
She was sent to Huai Xian's side, perhaps at the Empress's behest, but she was never allowed to get close to her.
Zhi Rou roughly guessed what she was going to say and had no intention of hiding her relationship with her in front of everyone. Her tone was quite familiar: "Sister Jing Yao, I will come to find you after I pay my respects to my father."
Jingyao stepped aside, watched as Zhirou went up the steps, then gathered her robes and followed closely behind, staying close to Xinghui's side.
Before even reaching the study, at a nearby corner, Zhi Rou caught a glimpse of a figure that resembled Su Du's back. A thought stirred within her, and she grabbed her skirt and chased after him.
"Young Master Feng!"
The person in front stopped and turned around.
He was backlit, so his expression was not clearly visible. As soon as Zhi Rou approached, she said, "Let's talk in private."
Seeing this from afar, Xinghui gestured for Jingyao to retreat with her, and they stood silently under the eaves.
Zhi Rou accompanied Su Du for a while by the pavilion. Seeing that no one was around, she asked, "Have you come to see your mother?"
Sunlight streamed down from the eaves, dappling the corners of his eyes, which he then covered with his eyelashes and said, "Hmm."
Whenever he arrived, Song Congzhao would arrange for the servants of Xixiang Garden to come and go through the study, so on the surface he was a guest of the Second Master Song.
Zhi Rou stood in front of the low bridge: "Have you heard about what happened last night?"
“It’s Song Lang,” Su Du said calmly.
Song Lang wouldn't target the Song family without a reason.
Last night's methods were quite elaborate. What kind of bait did Su Du give him to make him so anxious?
Under Zhi Rou's sharp gaze, Su did not show the slightest guilt. He looked at her and said, "I was not involved." His gaze remained fixed on her eyes, avoiding her direct eye contact.
He really can't lie.
Just as Zhi Rou was about to speak, rustling footsteps approached from behind. She glanced at them, coughed a few times in a mock manner, and separated herself from them.
This place is frequented by servants, making it difficult to have a proper conversation.
Zhi Rou pondered for a moment, then let him go for the time being, extending her sleeve: "Let's go, I'll see you out of the manor."
After Qinyang returned, she had indeed changed a lot. Even when she was angry, she no longer treated him coldly. Su felt relieved, and her expression softened.
Back under the eaves, Xinghui and Jingyao still kept their heads down, their vision only seeing the brocade robes approaching from afar and then suddenly appearing in front of them.
Just as they brushed past each other, Jing Yao couldn't help but quietly raise her eyes. A striking face came into view, and she froze, lowering her eyelids with bated breath.
He pinched his palm inside his sleeve, still unable to believe it.
General Su Du...why is he in the capital?
Zhi Rou suddenly came to her senses and looked at her face, but her expression was no longer discernible.
After leaving the Song residence, Su Du boarded a carriage.
His face was very somber.
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