The spring chill lingered, and the night suddenly turned cold. The sky over Yandu was overcast, and the cold rain carried the fallen crabapple blossoms from the garden to the ground, spreading them across the clear pond and giving them a faint luster.
After dealing with matters in Liangzhou, Wang Hezhan rushed back to Yandu overnight.
He was dressed in a black sable fur coat as he walked from under the veranda, stepping up the stone steps one by one. The cold wind whipped up his coat, making it flutter wildly.
The room was quiet, with a light drizzle falling. The red windows were partially obscured by layers of crabapple blossoms. A man dressed in a dark purple satin shirt with cloud patterns was sitting at the table eating grapes. Hearing the door open, he turned around and laughed loudly.
"Third Brother."
Wang Hezhan glanced at him, took off the cloak that was still damp with cold, threw it to the maid who followed behind her, and strode over to the small couch, lifting the beaded curtain.
Wang Yizhi crossed his legs and asked, "What does Third Brother want with me?"
As the two spoke, Meiji knelt on the foot of the tatami mat covered with a soft blanket, peeling the translucent fruit one by one with her slender white hands.
"You like Yan Yuan?"
In the quiet study, the only sound was the cawing of crows outside the window.
Wang Yizhi suddenly tightened his grip on the teacup, his dark eyes looking at his elder brother opposite him. Seeing his brother's indifferent expression, he smiled and retorted.
"Third brother is talking nonsense. How could I possibly covet your sister-in-law?"
Wang Hezhan chuckled and raised an eyebrow, "Make it quick, I'll give you military equipment worth 200,000 gold coins from the Jingguan area, do you dare to take it?"
For a moment, the air fell into a silent stillness.
Wang Yizhi looked at him and suddenly remembered the day of his wedding. He was there to welcome his brother's bride, riding a fine horse. He looked back and saw a young girl in a wedding dress being helped into the bridal sedan chair. The wind blew the bridal veil and he caught a glimpse of her beautiful profile.
Thousands of dazzling fireworks burst into the sky, and Mingshuo's firelight illuminated their gazes as they looked at each other. His heart pounded like never before, bursting forth with a crackling, frenzied energy.
After a long silence, the soft sound of a water clock breaking the stillness broke the silence.
He slowly put down the teacup, rested his chin on his hand, looked at him, and spoke softly.
"Isn't it too cruel of Third Brother to treat Yuanyuan like this?"
Wang Hezhan leaned back in his chair, narrowed his eyes slightly, and chuckled, "After being in the Southwest for so long, you're still so sentimental."
Wang Yizhi chuckled, "I've always been kind."
"If you don't like it, then go back."
"---"
The wind rustled through the leaves, and a light rain drifted in, bringing a touch of coolness.
He raised his eyes and sneered, "Uncle Zhong is very particular about Qingming etiquette. With such a big scandal, Third Brother, you must help me."
Wang Hezhan slightly lifted his eyelids, "You've really mastered it."
"I don't want that batch of weapons either. I just hope that Third Brother will show mercy to Yuan Yuan and not ruin her reputation."
"That's natural."
"So decisive." Wang Yizhi feigned surprise, then realized something and said to himself, "Even someone as cold-blooded and treacherous as Third Brother would think of paving the way for Yuanyuan, tsk tsk."
"Looking for a beating?"
A light, airy voice came from behind him, and he let out an exaggerated cry of surprise before running away in a flash.
The next day, when Yan Yuan woke up, she heard that Wang Hezhan had returned to the mansion. After having her meal, she left Fuqu Garden and just as she rounded the Qingchi Pond, she saw the man lying diagonally on a high tree branch.
She wore a loosely tied pine-green robe, with her hair flowing lightly at her temples, making her look like a fairy.
She scoffed inwardly, thinking he wouldn't freeze to death, turned her face away, pretending not to see him, and walked straight onto the ebony bridge.
The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers on the bank, and the clear pond was serene. Suddenly, a stone fell down, stirring up a pool of spring water and splashing her all over.
Yan Yuan was slightly startled. She quickly took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped the water off her body. She glanced back at the smiling person, then coldly withdrew her gaze and walked down the bridge.
Wang Yizhi watched her retreating figure, narrowed his eyes slightly, grabbed the ebony railing, leaped up, and lifted her by the waist to hide her on a high branch.
She gasped and quickly grabbed him tightly. Looking down, she felt a little dizzy and gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"Are you trying to kill me?"
"Yuan Yuan is so heartless, she doesn't even talk to me."
He grabbed her and pinned her against the tree trunk behind him.
Yan Yuan felt like slapping him. She hissed, "What's wrong with you? There are people coming and going here. If someone sees us, what kind of bad reputation are you planning to make me bear?"
Wang Yizhi ignored her words completely and said aggrievedly, "Don't go looking for Third Brother anymore, he wants to divorce you."
The wind rustled through the leaves overhead, and cool raindrops fell down the leaves, running down her neck and making her shiver.
"Yuanyuan, what's wrong?"
He noticed it, quickly let go of her, bent down, and looked at her with concern.
"You don't want a divorce, do you? Then I'll help you. Don't cry."
Yan Yuan paused, snapped out of her daze, and murmured, "Divorce?"
Seeing her like this, Wang Yizhi felt a strange urge to plunder and possess her, but he feigned kindness on the surface.
“If Yuan Yuan doesn’t want to, I’ll back you up. With Uncle Zhong here, Third Brother wouldn’t dare.”
“What wouldn’t he dare to do—” she muttered to herself with a self-deprecating tone, “He’ll do anything to get what he wants.”
She saw through him. He used to disdain love and affection, obeying his family and relying on marriage to consolidate his power. But when he fell in love with someone, he would not yield. He could obtain power, status, and family honor through his own efforts, and his inherent pride would not allow him to sacrifice his lover.
The thought flashed through her mind, she paused, looked up and stared at him intently, "Aren't you the same? You stinking men are all equally despicable."
Wang Yizhi chuckled, pressed her down and rubbed against her, and said in a low voice, "I only love Yuanyuan, I only want Yuanyuan."
In an instant, it was as if a gust of wind swept through her chaotic mind. All the past events, like vines and leaves, entangled her relentlessly. Those turbid emotions poured out unrestrainedly. Her shoulders suddenly relaxed, and her body gradually went limp.
A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. He grabbed her waist and leaned down to kiss her.
Yan Yuan tilted her head, took a light breath, and said slowly, "Let's get a divorce then. I've had enough of living like a widow."
What's the point of staying with a husband who doesn't love her? If she can't have him, she might as well let go gracefully. Yan Yuan doesn't need to beg for love.
“Yuanyuan, divorce him and marry me. I will take you to the southwest to see the misty rain of Jiangnan, and I will take you to the north to see the eternal sunset.”
He leaned closer, his face expressionless, his usual pretense and disguise completely gone.
Seeing how serious he was, Yan Yuan asked earnestly, "Why would I go to the southwest?"
Wang Yizhi muttered under his breath, "Those young ladies and gentlemen from aristocratic families are so gossipy and love to watch the drama unfold. They'll definitely spread the word about your divorce and remarriage to me. You'll be sad when you hear it."
"So what? My elder brother is the founding emperor of the Great Qi, my father is the regent, and I come from the Lanling Yan clan. Who in the whole world dares to laugh at me?"
He scoffed, "Then you marry me, but won't you come with me to Xianyang?"
Yan Yuan rolled her eyes at him, "Who said I was going to marry you?"
Wang Yi paused, a dark glint flashing in his eyes, but he remained expressionless, nestled in the crook of her neck without saying a word.
"Besides, do you really want to stay in the Southwest for the rest of your life?"
Seeing that she had given in, his narrow eyes curved slightly. "Then I will go and ask His Majesty for permission to return to Jiankang to take up my post, shall I?"
She ignored him and kicked him, saying, "Take me downstairs now."
"So, should you agree or not?"
"No."
Wang Yizhi was dissatisfied, "Then I won't let you down, you can just stand here."
"---"
Yan Yuan grabbed his ear and said fiercely, "Are you coming or not?"
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Let go!"
"No, I won't."
As soon as she finished speaking, he suddenly lifted her up by the waist, the wind whistling past her ears, and his triumphant laughter echoed softly in the breeze.
"Yuanyuan, you're mine now."
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