Chapter 147 Arrogance Across the Road (Part 9) A powerful aura slammed into her. ...
Zhi Rou then thought of Wei Yuanzhan.
His care was no different from what she could do herself, yet her heart pounded harder and harder with each touch.
Zhi Rou removed her hand from her forehead and slowly sat up.
It was already broad daylight, and the sunlight streamed in through the bed curtains. After adjusting to the light for a while, she took out the "medicinal prescription" that Wei Yuanzhan had given her yesterday from under her pillow.
Most of what is written on it is about the Sun family.
After looking at it carefully for a while, Zhi Rou lifted the bed curtains and threw it into the brazier, then slipped on her shoes and got up.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Jingyao came in carrying toiletries. Seeing her, she said in a panic, "Zhirou, you're awake. Why didn't you call me? Is your head still heavy?"
"Much better." Zhi Rou glanced at the brazier, its red glow fading. "It's a bit hot."
"You didn't sweat at all last night, I thought it was like before..."
Zhi Rou had also been ill in Bei Li. Jing Yao was afraid that she would not recover, so she stayed with her all night without closing her eyes.
Now, set the washbasin aside, take the clothes from the shelf, and help her put them on.
Zhi Rou reached out and took it: "I can do it myself, thank you."
Jing Yao didn't move. Seeing her glance at the door, she spoke at the right moment: "Xing Hui stayed by your side all night and just rested."
Zhi Rou nodded, pulled her long hair out from under her robe, and looked her over: "Sister, would you like to go and take a nap too?"
The windows on both sides were slightly ajar, and a gentle morning breeze blew in, which felt a bit chilly when it first touched me.
After a while, she finally felt comfortable. Seeing that Jing Yao hadn't said anything, Zhi Rou stopped and asked, "What's wrong?"
Thinking of the "evidence" on Wei Yuanzhan's paper, she frowned slightly. "Was it His Highness's people... who made things difficult for you?"
Jing Yao paused for a moment, then forced a vague smile: "No."
Zhi Rou glanced at her uncertainly, pondering the matter, and after a long while, she opened her mouth and said, "I have some personal matters to attend to right now, and I'm afraid I can't take care of my sister and His Highness. But if you want to leave the capital, I can help you."
Jing Yao clenched her fingers, lowered her eyes and smiled bitterly: "Where can I go by myself..."
"Sister, don't you want to start a business? I have a friend who seems to be quite successful in business these days. I can invite him over and have him teach you for a few days."
Zhi Rou never imagined that doing business would be an easy thing, but compared to the present, she believes that success is more likely to be achieved in a safe environment.
Seeing the hesitant look on the person's face, Zhi Rou didn't force the issue. After saying this, she walked to the next room.
Faced with inquiries from the palace, Jingyao was filled with anxiety every day. She readily agreed to Zhirou's suggestion and hurried to catch up, saying, "Okay."
Just after noon, Xinghui came out of her room and walked to the peach tree when she saw a pale yellow figure squatting on the ground, arms outstretched and fingers slightly hooked: "Come..."
A light, like water vapor, shone into the courtyard. Ten steps in front of Zhi Rou, there was a small cat wriggling and swaying.
Xing Hui was stunned for a moment, then blinked: "I haven't been gone for long, how come... where did you get a cat?"
Hearing the voice coming from behind, Zhi Rou couldn't help but chuckle. She hugged the kitten to her chest, stood up, and replied, "It's from Third Sister."
According to Song Hanjin, this was brought back to the Song family by Changli. Changli is her elder brother's man, so everything he brought back was naturally entrusted to her by her elder brother.
But Zhi Rou looked at the kitten, whose teeth were barely a month old, and it didn't seem like it had been brought back from outside the capital. It was probably something he had secretly hired in the city.
Xinghui wasn't particularly interested in the snowball-like creature in her arms; she was only concerned about whether her daughter's fever had subsided.
She took her arm and led her inside: "Aren't you cold, girl? Don't stand here in the wind, come inside quickly."
As soon as he entered, he closed the door and touched Zhi Rou's cheek and neck to check her temperature: "It seems not so hot anymore. It's fortunate that you're in good health, young lady. I've seen other people with high fevers almost lose half their lives. Oh, by the way..."
As she spoke, she buried herself in the room and rummaged through the room, picking out a picture book from a trunk.
“Before dawn, the young master came by and asked if I was alright, young lady. I told him I was still asleep, so he asked me to give this to you when you woke up.”
Upon hearing "Young Master," Zhi Rou's eyebrows immediately curved into a slight smile. She took the art collection and examined it, discovering that the prints he had given her years ago were by the same artist.
The last picture features Wei Yuanzhan's calligraphy, its strength penetrating the paper and seemingly still warm.
"I hope my beloved will rest and recover; is there anyone I can rely on?"
As if he knew her habits well, he felt that yesterday's instructions were not enough, so he added a little more. When Zhi Rou saw this, she smiled brightly and took the collection of paintings to her bedside.
As I straightened up, the image of Sun Siren flashed through my mind once again.
According to Wei Yuanzhan's writing on paper: "In the sixth year of Shuode, Sun Siren served as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He had been classmates with one of his subordinate clerks and they were very close. However, in the same year, the man died suddenly. All the scholars and friends went to mourn him, but Sun Siren was ill and did not attend. At the beginning of the eighth year, the Changyu case was closed, the second prince was appointed as the Crown Prince, and Sun Siren was promoted accordingly."
Wei Yuanzhan once met Song Lang at a banquet hosted by Sun Siren. As fellow officials, their interactions were not unusual.
Zhi Rou resumed managing affairs from scratch. The Wanyuan Merchant Guild's reliance might lie with the Ministry of Revenue; Song Lang's attack was aimed directly at her; the Empress secretly sent spies, the Emperor bestowed a bow, and two assassinations were carried out in the north, culminating in Song Lang's design of a curfew. All of these things seemed to be connected to the royal family.
Military families wielding great power are often viewed with suspicion by emperors, leading to distrust and even the betrayal of their former allies – a pattern rife throughout history. If the Chang family case follows a similar pattern, were the officials who were executed by the emperor years ago merely putting on an act?
Zhi Rou frowned and pondered, feeling that this case was not so simple.
“Died suddenly…” she murmured.
Xinghui, confused, leaned closer to her and asked, "What did you say, young lady?"
Zhi Rou turned around, looked at the toddler on the ground with her eyelashes covered, and squeezed Xing Hui's arm: "Sister Xing Hui, please help me take it back to Jue Xuan, I'm going to keep my mother company."
After saying that, she turned to leave, but Xinghui quickly called out to her, "You haven't taken your medicine yet!"
The figure in front of the door turned back, scanned the surroundings, then walked to the table, picked up the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.
Xinghui was about to speak again, but all that remained were two doors. She couldn't help but wonder, "Is Fourth Miss really made of bronze...?"
Since seeing Zhou Ling and the others, Ling Xi's state of mind seemed to have changed. She used to rarely leave her room, but now she sat by the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, quietly gathering her strength.
The servants at Xixiang Garden were more courteous than those elsewhere; if summoned, they would all hold their breath and bow their heads, making them difficult to notice.
Light footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
Ling Xi turned her head to the side, and Zhi Rou strode closer, still wearing the clothes she had worn when she came to pay her respects that morning.
"Didn't I tell you to go back and rest? What's wrong now?"
Just as she was rising from her seat, a wrist was draped over her arm, and a gentle, warm voice whispered in her ear: "Mother, I have some things I'd like to ask you. Let's go inside and talk."
Unlike Longyuexuan and Juexuan, Xixiangyuan is not planted with flowers and trees. Once the season is over, the beautiful scenery will be gone.
Looking out the window, the unopened osmanthus tree appeared somewhat lonely and desolate in the courtyard. Zhi Rou closed the window and sat back down on the couch.
Ling Xi's eyes never left her for a moment before she frowned and asked, "Has the fever gone down?"
Zhi Rou laughed and said, "I feel cool right now."
Ling Xi touched her face, the cool touch against her fingertips, and only then did her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, settle down.
"What's so important that you had to make another trip?"
"Mother, do you know what the duties of a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue are typically?"
Zhi Rou cut to the chase, and Ling Xi paused for a moment before asking, "Why are you suddenly asking these questions?"
"You must have told Aunt Zhou and the others about the ambush I suffered in Qinyang. I understand that you don't want me to get involved in old cases and want to protect me, but given the current situation, even if I stay out of it, I can't guarantee my safety."
Zhi Rou poured out her thoughts, and Ling Xi's brows, which had been tightly furrowed at first, gradually relaxed, as if she were beginning to accept what she had said.
She continued, "I am currently investigating Sun Siren, the Minister of Revenue. In the sixth year of the Shuode era, there was a case of a minor official who died suddenly, and I suspect it is related to him. However, I have not yet figured out the clues, so I want to start with the minor official's duties to see if there are any disagreements in the officialdom."
“Sun Siren?” Ling Xi recalled for a moment.
Back then, the Duke of Yi visited the Ling family to ask his eldest son to marry his cousin, Ling Han. However, the uncle didn't approve of the Sun family's background and politely declined. Within seven days, the eldest son of the Sun family was engaged to the Marquis of Qu'an.
Given Sun's style, one can generally glean insights into the character of his children.
"Does Mother know him?" Zhi Rou raised her eyes almost imperceptibly.
Ling Xi said, "We've met a few times before."
When asked about Zhi Rou's question, she spoke slowly, "Although the position of the head of the Ministry of Revenue is not high, it is a real job. For example, military pay and provisions, annual taxes and land registers, every penny of silver and grain must be collected and verified by them. It is not an easy job, but it is a hard job."
Zhi Rou gazed at the hazy reflection on the table, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she were making a guess.
"What are you thinking about?" Ling Xi brushed her loose hair back behind her shoulder.
"That's just speculation, it's not reliable." Zhi Rou pleaded with her, "Mother, what are Aunt Zhou and the others doing? If you have nothing to do with them, could you ask them to help me?"
Zhou Ling learned from Chu Lan that Zhi Rou had been chased by a northern man during the spring search. She then reported this to Ling Xi, who ordered them to investigate who was behind it.
Currently, only He Min and three others are in Beijing.
After hearing her request, Ling Xi thought for a while and finally agreed.
In the midsummer season, the soldiers of the Changfeng Battalion lined up for drills, their shouts carrying a stifling, oppressive atmosphere.
Upon returning from the training ground, Wei Yuanzhan's stern expression vanished.
He stepped into the tent, deftly took off his upper garment, went straight to the screen, draped his clothes over the edge of the tub, then bent down, scooped up some water, and extinguished the heat from his face.
As was Wei Yuanzhan's habit, he would definitely go to the river to bathe in a while. Lan Ye waited for a moment and then asked from the side, "Master, has Changhuai sent a letter yet?"
This matter was entrusted to Changhuai by Wei Yuanzhan privately, and Lan Ye received no news of it.
A reply came from behind the screen: "No. Judging by the distance, he should be heading back."
After speaking, Wei Yuanzhan walked out, glistening water droplets clinging to his brow, making his eyes appear even clearer.
"If there is no news after four days, take a few people and head through Danshui Town straight to Yuanzhou."
"Is Master worried that something might have happened to him?" Lan Ye's heart leaped into his throat. Looking back on the past events of Suyuan City, he still felt uneasy.
Given the long distance and unpredictable circumstances, delays in the journey are to be expected.
Wei Yuanzhan did not answer, so Lan Ye stopped arguing. He brought over clean clothes and followed him to the riverbank, pondering restlessly.
After Wei Yuanzhan finished changing, the sun was obscured by thick clouds, and the once gleaming grass instantly returned to its original color. Lan Ye followed beside him, taking out a letter from her bosom.
"Sir, this was sent by Miss Sun, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, he received a questioning look from him, as if to say, "Why did you accept it?"
Lan Ye thought to himself that since the man had already sent a trusted confidant to deliver the letter to the military camp, he dared not tarnish the reputation of a wealthy family on behalf of his master.
Seeing that he couldn't utter a word for a long time, Wei Yuanzhan said directly, "Retreat."
Lan Ye pursed her lips and took out another envelope from her chest.
Wei Yuanzhan looked at him, seemingly unwilling to pay him any attention, shook his head, and continued walking.
"This belongs to the Fourth Sister!" a voice called out from behind.
The clouds dispersed, and the sunlight gradually permeated the landscape. The grass, now bathed in the warm glow of the sun, resembled a maze, causing the black boots that were moving forward to a halt.
Wei Yuanzhan turned his back, and Lan Ye handed him the letter.
He gave Zhirou a collection of paintings; what she received in return was a delightful picture.
"There is no one who will not follow."
Wei Yuanzhan smiled, gently stroked the figure in the painting with his thumb, traced it with his gaze several times, and was about to fold it up and put it away, but then hesitated and finally put it into his sleeve.
...
Treading through the overgrown weeds, Chang Huai pressed on deeper into the forest under the moonlight. The chirping of insects in the woods was intermittent, and occasionally a gust of wind would sweep by, bringing with it a chilling whistling sound.
The night was pitch black, and the wild grass was trampled by his boots. Chang Huai cautiously followed the creases and stopped at a narrow clearing. He then unsheathed his knife.
Suddenly, the sound of fabric rustling reached his ears. Chang Huai immediately withdrew his foot and swung his knife. A net-like figure rushed down in front of him. He barely managed to block it and retreated several steps.
Huang Qian failed in his first attack and did not rush to strike. After stabilizing himself, he stared at the cold and sharp face opposite him for a while.
"Who are you? You've been following me all this way, and I haven't even been able to catch my breath."
The two stood facing each other, their breaths held back. Moonlight shone on Chang Huai's taut back; his fingers were clenched tightly, not daring to relax for a moment.
"Not going to say anything, huh? Fine."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Huang Qian, like a ferocious wolf, suddenly attacked Chang Huai.
Almost without a moment to think, the blade was already close to his throat. Chang Huai hastily parried, and the sound of the cold blades clashing exploded in the darkness. Every move was swift and ruthless, pushing the tension to its limit. Any hesitation would result in being struck by the cold light, and scalding blood would gush out from the wound.
The moment the blade grazed his flesh, the pressure on Huang Qian's heart suddenly eased, but his moves became even more ferocious, each strike aimed straight for vital points.
After all, he was a seasoned veteran who had been on the battlefield for many years. In the clash of weapons, Changhuai was no match for him.
The world was in chaos, and the sand was stained with the stench of blood. Huang Qian became even more excited, and even had the spirit to provoke him: "Is all you can do is hide?"
Chang Huai was oblivious to everything. He was completely focused. The moment the two blades clashed, he suddenly pulled his right wrist inward. Huang Qian was leaning forward and approaching, but he lost his footing and was pried off the back of his foot by a sudden force. At the same time, the blade flashed and he had to stagger back quickly. To avoid the attack, he instinctively dropped the blade from his hand.
If he had been more vigilant, he could have finished the man off the moment he pulled his wrist back. Huang Qian's chest heaved violently at the man's daring move; though furious, he also felt a touch of admiration.
Chang Huai quickly kicked away the weapon that had fallen to the ground. He had exhausted himself and had no time to fight for long. He loosened his grip slightly, then clenched his fist again and strode out.
...
Zhi Rou stayed at home for two days, and Wei Yuanzhan visited her for two consecutive days. She kept her promise and asked He Min and others to check on the Ministry of Revenue officials for her. She herself stayed at home, either playing with Song Hanjin's cat or going to Ling Xi's place to talk.
By the third day, the illness had almost completely subsided, but when he spoke, his voice sounded slightly drowsy, as if he were speaking through a veil.
Xing Hui and Jing Yao carried the washing utensils and medicine bowl out of the room. The room became quiet, and Zhi Rou inevitably began to feel stuffy.
She casually brushed aside the asparagus fern, went into the courtyard to wipe her short knife... She did everything she could, but still couldn't suppress the urge to go out.
Seeing that the sky was clear, Zhi Rou went back inside to change into some cheap clothes. She ran into Pei Cheng at the stable, made a "help me" gesture to him, and silently went out through the side door.
The sounds of drums and the clanging of weapons echoed through the mountains. The soldiers of the Changfeng Battalion were well-trained, and upon seeing the command flag change, they formed ranks in a smooth and flowing formation.
Wei Yuanzhan glanced at the sky and ordered them to return to camp to rest.
Lan Ye rode up on horseback and said awkwardly, "Master, Miss Sun has sent another invitation."
Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanzhan frowned. Recalling that day at home, his mother kept mentioning his coming-of-age ceremony, and he suspected that Miss Sun's actions might be related to his mother.
"Understood." He said no more, did not accept the invitation, mounted his horse, and went down the mountain with the group.
After riding to the bottom of a slope, the gate is just one mile ahead.
Wei Yuanzhan was lost in thought, so he didn't return to camp with the others. He held the reins in one hand, looking somewhat leisurely. Just then, he caught a glimpse of a figure that didn't look like himself.
He glanced to the side, then dismounted, readily put his arm around her shoulder, led her behind the tombstone, and looked down at her: "Are you alright?"
He was tall and close by, his shadow looming over her like a mountain, his presence striking her intensely.
Zhi Rou was caught off guard, her heart was pounding, but her tone was calm: "It was nothing serious, I'll recover after a while."
She gently pushed him away and changed the subject, "Sheng Xingyun has been in the capital these past few days, hasn't he?"
Wei Yuanzhan gazed at her fluttering eyelashes and took two steps with her: "Why ask him?"
"I have something to ask you."
Wei Yuanzhan raised an eyebrow, a long-lost feeling welling up inside him, which he tried to suppress.
Before he could say anything, Zhi Rou suddenly turned to look at him, seemingly surprised, yet also somewhat pleased: "You're jealous of Sheng Xingyun too?"
Before he could respond, she replied earnestly, "I have business to discuss with him. For business matters, it's best to consult him."
Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanzhan's sour feeling finally dissipated, and he was only curious: "Where do you get your business from?"
“It’s a friend of mine…” Zhi Rou paused, “I’ll tell you after it’s all done.”
She wore a neat robe, her face was handsome, but her voice was a little husky and soft, quite different from before.
At first, his mind was completely focused on her face, and he didn't pay attention to the sound. Now that he heard it, Wei Yuanzhan couldn't help but smile. When he saw her lifting her eyebrows, he quickly pursed his lips.
"What are you laughing at?" Zhi Rou asked, puzzled.
Wei Yuanzhan clenched his hands slightly behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips: "It's nothing."
Zhi Rou scrutinized him for a moment, and seeing that he showed no sign of backing down, she pursed her lips and strolled towards the horses.
Yueying and Xiaozhui nestled together, their manes intertwining, the narrow path deserted.
Wei Yuanzhan's voice was gentle, as if he had just woken up. Hearing such words from her felt somewhat frivolous.
The more Zhi Rou pondered, the more she wanted an answer from him. She stopped and turned around, only to find her waist suddenly tightened as he pulled her into his arms.
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