Chapter 78 Teahouse in Danger "I Will Not Marry Your Sister"
The news that Xiliang had sent people to negotiate with the imperial court had already spread throughout the streets and alleys of Yunjing.
After the fall of Weizhou, the Yulin Army seized the city and then continued its assault on Yangzhou. Now, Yangzhou is in a precarious position, precarious. Xiliang is already weak in military strength. If Yangzhou is lost, the Yulin Army will surely advance deep into the heart of Xiliang. By then, even Liangding's fall is likely only a matter of time.
Because of this, the King of Xiliang had to send his third son to negotiate peace.
The city of Yunjing was still bustling with traffic, and tributes were being sent into the depths of the imperial palace like a stream.
Luo Wan turned around and walked back to the yard.
The servant in the mansion was holding a broom, diligently sweeping the fallen leaves and dust on the bluestone road.
Luo Wan was distracted, only coming to his senses when he nearly bumped into someone. The servant couldn't dodge, and the broom, carrying dead leaves and dust, brushed against the top of Luo Wan's boots.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The servant hurriedly dropped the broom and knelt on the ground, reaching out to wipe her shoes with his sleeve.
Luo Wan took a step back, leaving the servant's hand empty.
She looked carefully and saw that the boy was only fourteen or fifteen years old, at the age when he should be growing taller. Although he had a handsome appearance, he was pitifully thin.
The young men from aristocratic families she had met in the capital before were about his age, but all of them were tall, strong, and full of vigor. Unlike him, he was always hunched over and spoke with caution.
"Stand up." Luo Wan said, "I'm not your master, why are you kneeling?"
The servant then slowly stood up and said, "You are the general's friend, just like Master Xie, someone close to the general, unlike us."
"Friends..." Luo Wan repeated in a low voice.
She hadn't seen this "friend" for several days. When she said those words that day, she had already expected this situation to happen.
Luo Wan smiled slightly and said, "We'll probably not be friends soon."
The housekeeper had noticed something was amiss between the two that day and had secretly tried to smooth things over. Jiang Cichen was a proud and arrogant man, and he'd probably never been rejected so bluntly in his life. He'd probably be feeling this way for a while.
If she said it had no impact on their relationship, she probably wouldn't even believe it. But she trusted Jiang Cichen's character. Even if there was a grudge between them, it shouldn't shake the foundation of their alliance.
The servant didn't quite understand the meaning of her words, so he just lowered his head and didn't dare to respond.
"If you don't have enough to eat, just go and tell the housekeeper. Don't be afraid. He is a kind person and will not treat you unfairly." Luo Wan gave a few instructions casually and turned to leave.
The servant suddenly called her, "Miss, please stay!"
Luo Wan turned around and saw the servant quickly run into a nearby room. Not long after, he came out holding a letter.
Luo Wan took the letter and pondered for a moment. She couldn't think of anyone who would send her a message in Yunjing, so she asked, "Do you know who sent it?"
The servant recalled, "She seems to be the daughter of the Minister of Works."
Luo Wan nodded slightly and left with the letter.
Luo Wan couldn't figure out Xu Lian'er's purpose in writing to her, nor did she understand why she wanted to meet him. In her opinion, she had only met Xu Lian'er three times, and they had only exchanged a few pleasantries at the Spring Flower Banquet.
*
In the evening, the palace held a banquet to entertain the envoys from Xiliang and discuss peace talks.
Luo Wan had nothing to do in the mansion, so she decided to go. Because she hadn't interacted much with Xu Lian'er, she was even more curious about what the daughter of the Minister of Works had to say to her.
The meeting place was set at a rather secluded teahouse in the city. Luo Wan searched for a while before finally finding the location, and she couldn't help but wonder: How did Xu Lian'er, a woman of seclusion, know about such a secluded teahouse? It stands to reason that people of status in Yunjing would frequent spacious and elegant teahouses. Even if they couldn't compare to Junzi Terrace, they shouldn't be so secluded.
Luo Wan entered the teahouse, which was brightly lit and filled with scholars reciting poems and composing couplets. Aside from its unique architecture and fragrant incense, it was no different from any other teahouse.
Luo Wan went straight to the agreed private room on the third floor. When she arrived, she did not see Xu Lian'er, so she sat down at the desk and looked at the long street outside through the window.
This street is not as prosperous and bright as the main street of Yunjing. There are only a few lanterns hanging on the roadside, swaying in the night wind and casting a faint light for lighting.
There was a sound of wheels rolling over stone slabs, and a carriage stopped outside the teahouse.
Luo Wan looked closely and saw a clear word "Xu" written in ink on the lantern hanging next to the carriage. She thought it must be Xu Lian'er's carriage.
After the carriage stopped, the driver placed the footstool in place and a woman in a cloak got off. She lowered her head and the wide hood covered her tightly, making it impossible to see her face.
Not long after she entered the teahouse, there was a gentle knock on the door of Luo Wan's private room.
Luo Wan didn't get up to open the door, but just said, "Come in."
The woman pushed the door open, closed it behind her, and then took off her cloak. It was indeed Xu Lian'er.
She nodded and smiled slightly, then sat down opposite Luo Wan holding her cloak.
Luo Wan looked at her silently for a moment, waiting for her to speak. But she just stared back at him silently, without saying a word.
Luo Wan finally spoke: "What do you want from me?"
Xu Lian'er smiled faintly and asked, "Didn't the young lady write to invite me to come and have a chat?"
"You haven't written me a letter?" Luo Wan frowned.
Xu Lian'er shook her head: "I came to keep the appointment because I received your letter."
Oh no, I’ve fallen into a trap!
Just as this thought flashed through Luo Wan's mind, the lights outside the private room suddenly went out. Then, a chaotic sound of footsteps rumbled down the stairs like thunder.
Luo Wan looked out the window. The long street was deserted. She grabbed Xu Lian'er's wrist and asked, "Do you know Qinggong?"
Xu Lian'er seemed not to hear clearly: "What?"
Luo Wan sighed softly: "Hold on to me."
Before she finished speaking, she pulled Xu Lian'er and jumped out of the window!
However, as soon as his feet touched the ground, Luo Wan staggered two steps. A surge of blood and energy surged in his chest and rushed straight to his head, causing his ears to ring for an instant.
It was not until Xu Lian'er steady her and waved her hand in front of her eyes that she gradually came to her senses.
Luo Wan's eyes fell on the carriage across the street. The coachman was also stunned when he saw them.
Luo Wan said: "Hurry up and get in the car, and let the driver take you away."
Xu Lian'er didn't react at all and only asked hurriedly, "What happened?"
"We've been ambushed." Luo Wan pulled her towards the carriage, "Leave quickly."
Xu Lian'er tightened her grip on Luo Wan's hand and was about to say something when an arrow flew through the air and pierced the horse's hind leg. The horse jumped up, and the carriage, along with it, lost control and rushed forward. Luo Wan quickly pulled Xu Lian'er backward, narrowly avoiding the frenzied carriage.
Luo Wan turned around and saw the archer standing by the window where they had just jumped out.
The man drew his bow again, and another arrow shot out. Luo Wan and Xu Lian'er dodged it.
It was that feeling again. Every time he used his internal energy, that familiar stagnation and burning sensation would surge in his chest.
At the same time, the rumbling footsteps that had disappeared for a moment began to sound again, approaching like a death curse. A swarm of black-clad assassins surrounded the two in an instant.
Xu Lian'er was so frightened that she almost cried. She asked in a trembling voice, "Who are these people?"
Luo Wan said calmly, "From the moment you played the role of the prince's lover, you should have thought of this day."
Since she had chosen this path, she was destined to live in dire straits every day. She should have anticipated this day long ago. But when death truly lay before her, Xu Lian'er discovered that she was far less calm than she had imagined. She felt fear and terror.
Xu Lian'er whispered, "It's me who has implicated you."
"Not necessarily." Luo Wan said, "If they really just wanted your life, they wouldn't have gone to all that trouble to lure me here under your name."
What they wanted all along were the lives of both of them.
"Go!" With one order, all the assassins in black rushed forward.
Several cold lights flashed, and Luo Wan turned her wrist quickly, and the scimitar flew out of her hand. The sharp blade accurately passed around the neck of the man in black who was rushing in the front, and then flew back into her palm.
The man in black froze in an instant, and a line of blood slowly oozed out from his throat. Luo Wan kicked the body, which had not yet fallen, away with a fierce kick.
On normal days, dealing with these guys would be a piece of cake for Luo Wan. She could use her lightness skills to help Xu Lian'er escape.
But today, an unusual feeling of fatigue wrapped around her limbs like a spider web. Facing the siege of this group of men in black, she felt unprecedented exhaustion.
However, after just a few moves, the internal force in her dantian surged out of control like boiling water, rushing through her meridians. She vomited a mouthful of black blood from her throat, and her limbs became limp and powerless.
Xu Lian'er hurriedly supported the shaky Luo Wan.
The leading man in black revealed only a pair of sharp eyes. He tilted his head to glance at the pool of black blood on the ground, then looked directly at Luo Wan and chuckled softly, "The deeper the internal energy, the darker the blood you spit out."
*
There was singing and dancing in the Yunhua Palace.
The dancers have supple waists and graceful movements. Their distinctive Xiliang dance skirts reveal slender waists, smooth shoulders, and long legs. Against the backdrop of the dazzling lights and gorgeous costumes, their skin appears even more dazzling, as white as snow.
The court officials of the Yun Kingdom, who had always been known for their elegance and uprightness, had never seen such an erotic and explicit dance. Half of them were too embarrassed to look directly at it, while the other half stared at it intently, unable to take their eyes off it.
Prince Xiliang was quite pleased with the group of dancers he had brought with him. He smiled, raised his glass, and stood up to toast Emperor Yun, saying, "Your Majesty, although Xiliang is far away on the border, we have always admired the elegance of Yun Kingdom and are willing to serve you. I have come here to offer you our most precious dance and music, as well as our sincerity. I only wish that the war between the two countries will cease forever, that the border cities will be peaceful, and that the people can live and work in peace. This toast is to your majesty's wisdom and to the eternal stability of Yun Kingdom!"
Emperor Yun had a gentle expression and drank a cup with him.
Prince Xiliang put down his wine glass and said, "I wonder what your Majesty thinks about the marriage proposal we proposed?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall lost interest in singing and dancing, and all eyes were quietly cast towards the emperor sitting on the throne.
Suddenly, a minister said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already married. If a marriage is arranged, Princess Xiliang can only be a concubine at best. It depends on whether you can accept it."
Xiao Ce, who was sitting at the bottom, frowned and was about to stand up to explain his situation when he heard Prince Xiliang say loudly, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. My sister's wish is not for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Prince Xiliang's gaze shifted to a person sitting at the table opposite him.
The man was wearing a black robe and a black hat. He was playing with the wine glass in his hand nonchalantly, with one arm casually draped over his knee. He neither watched the graceful dance nor participated in the conversation in the hall.
It was as if all the noise had nothing to do with him. He was completely out of it, just staring blankly outside the hall, and no one could tell what he was thinking.
"General Lingyun." Prince Xiliang raised his voice.
Jiang Cichen then slowly turned his head. His brows were deep, but his expression was extremely indifferent, even revealing a hint of obvious impatience.
Prince Xiliang continued with a smile, "As everyone knows, General Lingyun is still unmarried. My sister has been attracted to you since General Lingyun was still a young general of the Northern Kingdom. If you and Yuan An can be happily married during this peace negotiation, it will not only promote diplomatic relations between our two countries, but also fulfill my sister's wish. It will kill two birds with one stone and bring happiness to everyone."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes shifted from Prince Xiliang to Jiang Cichen.
Everyone is happy?
Jiang Cichen himself became more and more annoyed the more he listened.
The good things these people talked about were nothing more than carefully calculated deals to him. They kept swarming in like flies smelling honey, trying to stuff all kinds of women into his mansion, and all of this made him sick.
Emperor Yun had long considered arranging a marriage for his grandson, but after searching for a long time, he still hadn't found a suitable candidate. Now that Xiliang had taken the initiative to bring up the idea of marrying the princess, he wanted to ask Jiang Cichen what he thought, but before he could open his mouth, he heard a slight commotion outside the palace.
Chen Nanyuan ignored the eunuch waiting outside the door to stop him, rushed into the hall, leaned over and whispered a few words in Jiang Cichen's ear.
After saying this, Chen Nanyuan didn't even dare to look up at his expression for a moment.
Jiang Cichen suddenly exerted force on the knuckles that were holding the wine glass, and each inch of the knuckles turned white. The next moment, the white jade wine glass burst with a "pop", and fragments and wine splashed everywhere.
The nearby civil servants were all terrified and dared not utter a word.
He stood up and glanced at King Sheng beside him.
Prince Sheng still looked relaxed, looking back at him without hesitation, and said with a smile: "General Lingyun, why are you looking at me like this?"
Jiang Cichen turned to Emperor Yun and said, "Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to attend to. I will take my leave first."
He had just taken a few steps when the Prince of Xiliang's voice came from behind him: "The peace talks between the two countries are of paramount importance. General Lingyun is a key figure. It would be inappropriate for him to leave so hastily."
Jiang Cichen said coldly: "Whether it is appropriate or not, it is not your turn to decide."
"Come back and sit down." The Yun Emperor, who was very frugal with words, finally spoke. "Why can't we discuss this after the peace talks are over?"
Prince Xiliang curled his lips.
"If Prince Xiliang insists on an answer right now," Jiang Cichen turned and looked directly at Prince Xiliang, his eyebrows raised, "then let me be clear: I will not marry your sister, and I utterly despise such an act of using a woman in marriage to secure peace."
Everyone was stunned.
Exploiting and sacrificing women have always been the unspoken bargaining chips in the negotiations between the two countries, but no one has ever torn off this hypocritical veil so skillfully and removed the hypocritical masks of the men sitting in the Yunhua Palace.
Prince Xiliang's face turned extremely bad. He said, "As the descendant of a traitor from the Northern Kingdom, being able to marry the princess is already a great honor for you. Jiang Cichen, don't be ungrateful!"
Jiang Cichen did not refute or say a word, and left with Chen Nanyuan.
Seeing this, Xiao Ce stood up and looked at Emperor Yun.
Emperor Yun waved his hand wearily, indicating his permission. Xiao Ce immediately hurried after him.
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