Chapter 109: Changning is not blessed...
Seeing her miserable appearance, Gao Cong couldn't help but ask, "Have you been bullied? Tell me, I, I..."
Zhao Changning held the bowl of tasteless egg custard and ate it ravenously. "Well, what do you want?"
Gao Cong's handsome face wrinkled, and he tried hard to look vicious. He gritted his teeth and said, "I'm going to kill him."
"You once said you were going to kill me." Zhao Changning laughed. "Don't worry, I'm fine. No one is bullying me."
Gao Cong blushed and looked away, "I, I used to..."
Just then, Xiaobai squeezed in through the window, and the curtains were suddenly blown up by the cold wind, and the cold wind rushed in directly in his face.
"Oh, Xiaobai, you are such a bad cat. Do you want to freeze Zhao Changning to death? Bad cat..." Gao Cong was interrupted and he stammered and made an excuse to slip away with the help of Xiaobai.
Zhao Changning shouted at him, "I still want to eat. I'm not full yet."
Gao Cong's impatient voice was faint in the cold wind. "I know, I know. You say my cooking is not tasty and you still want to eat it. You are really hard to please."
Zhao Changning held Xiaobai in his arms and felt relaxed. "Xiaobai, you are really a lucky star."
She ate a bowl of shredded pork noodles with a lot of meat, and it tasted quite good. When she asked, she found out that Gao Cong had asked the aunt next door to make it.
Seeing that she fell asleep after eating, Gao Cong suppressed the words that were about to come out of his mouth, helped her lower the curtain gently, closed the door and went out.
A heavy snowfall covered the entire Yujing City in white. The thick snow was a natural plaything for children. Strange-shaped snowmen were piled up in front of the houses on the street.
Although the snow had stopped, the sky was still gloomy. Just after noon, the sky began to dim, and by the hour of You, it was completely dark.
Zhao Changning finally woke up at this moment. The room was so warm that her hands and feet became limp. She had no strength at all and her eyelids felt extremely heavy.
Gao Cong could faintly hear the voice of someone talking.
She lazily lifted the quilt and stood up with a dizzy head. Her mouth was dry and her throat was a little sore. She felt much better after drinking a cup of warm water that was not too hot.
The noise inside the house stopped the voices outside.
Gao Cong asked through the window, "Zhao Changning, are you awake?"
Before Zhao Changning could say anything, he heard Mingxuan's anxious voice, "Changning, Gao Cong said you didn't come home last night. Did something happen?"
Zhao Changning sighed helplessly, took a deep breath, and finally uttered, "No, I'm fine, Mingxuan, you should go back soon, I..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard the door being pushed open and a gust of cold wind rushed in.
Mingxuan's eyes were red and his face was full of anxiety. He saw Zhao Changning wearing a coat, leaning weakly on the table, and striding towards him.
"What's wrong with you? Is it, is it the emperor? He left the palace?"
Zhao Changning didn't want to hide it, nor did he want to get involved. He looked straight over and said frankly, "Yes."
Mingxuan's figure flashed. He was very smart and had outstanding wisdom. Combined with what Gao Cong said about the back, he quickly thought of the cause and effect. This surprised him and made him feel a little angry. How could the emperor do this?
He thought of the scene last night and Zhao Changning's sudden change in expression, all of which indicated something.
"I'm sorry, is it because of me? I didn't expect this to happen, Changning, I..."
Zhao Changning thought that he would be like Gao Cong and would first ask whether someone bullied her. Looking back, Mingxuan never asked the reason when he knew about Gao Cong's existence.
She shook her head and said softly, "It's not your fault. I'm fine. I just can't be an official."
Mingxuan breathed a sigh of relief, but then he remembered what she said about Mulan last night. He wondered how painful she was at that moment. He stretched out his hand, but eventually retracted it, his eyes filled with pain and regret.
He didn't know that his momentary infatuation would bring her so much trouble.
"Changning, don't worry, I will leave Beijing as soon as possible."
There was a hint of something strange in Zhao Changning's eyes. She had known him for many years and knew that he was smart and thoughtful. He must have guessed something.
She didn't explain, just nodded and said, "Okay, I won't see you off."
Mingxuan's eyes showed a trace of uneasiness, "Will we ever be able to meet again?"
Zhao Changning didn't say anything, but just smiled at him.
Mingxuan gritted his teeth and finally turned around and left. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would bring trouble to her.
Gao Cong stood aside, scratching his head. "You're here, you're not going anywhere, so why can't we meet again? Zhao Changning, is this guy stupid..."
Zhao Changning glanced at him and drank another glass of warm water.
"Have you figured out what you're going to do?"
Gao Cong was stunned. "What should I do? What do you want me to do?"
Zhao Changning smiled helplessly, "You can't just follow me around forever. You have to learn to live on your own. Gao Cong, I had no choice but to drag you in. All good things must come to an end. It's time to let you go."
Gao Cong was confused and panicked. "I, I, Zhao Changning, you can't just throw me away after using me. You're destroying my reputation. Where else can I go?"
Zhao Changning's face was solemn. Who ruined whose innocence was this kid?
"I will give you a sum of money as agreed. As long as you live a good life, don't indulge in drinking, whoring, gambling, or being cheated out of money, you will have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of your life."
Gao Cong found it hard to accept. He had become accustomed to relying on Zhao Changning and even to waiting for her to come home. In fact, he had a more hidden thought that he didn't even dare to admit to himself.
He was sad and frightened, but he didn't want to show it. He just stiffened his neck and shouted, "I don't want it. You have to take care of me for the rest of my life, otherwise I won't let you go. Why should I stay if you want me to, and leave if you want me to? I'm not a dog."
After saying that, he felt something was wrong and said, "Anyway, I'm not a dog, you can't get rid of me."
Zhao Changning didn't expect him to be so resolute, and felt a little embarrassed. "Gao Cong, it will be very dangerous to be around me. Besides, it may be difficult for me to leave the palace again. There is no point in you staying."
"Did something happen?" Gao Cong walked up to her pitifully and asked anxiously, "What happened? You protected me back then, and I'm not a coward, Zhao Changning, don't underestimate me."
Zhao Changning looked at him blankly, then suddenly smiled.
"Gao Cong, you don't like me, do you?"
Gao Cong was like someone's tail had been stepped on. He immediately jumped up and down, "Zhao Changning, stop flattering yourself. You are so shameless. Who would like you? You are so mean and stingy. There is no way I would like you."
Zhao Changning saw that his face was red, even his ears were red, but he didn't expose him and sighed.
"Well, if you want to stay, then go ahead. You'll just have to endure hardships. I hope that when we meet again, you can support yourself and not be bullied."
Gao Cong's eyes suddenly turned red, and he choked up, "Something serious has happened, right? Zhao Changning, why do you always put yourself in danger? Can't you just live a peaceful life like other women?
Zhao Changning pursed his lips and smiled, shrugging helplessly, "I've come this far just to live a peaceful and stable life. As for how other women live, I don't know, and I don't envy them."
Gao Cong knew he couldn't convince her, so he could only say, "Then remember to write to me. The letter will always be delivered. If there's anything you want me to do, just tell me..."
Only then did he realize that this was what Mingxuan meant when he asked whether they could meet again. Once he understood it, he became even more flustered.
"Zhao Changning," Gao Cong's pretty face was filled with worry, "Are you going to die?"
Zhao Changning: “…”
She slapped him on the head and said, "You little bastard, you can't spit out ivory from a dog's mouth."
In the end, Gao Cong decided to stay. Yujing was the place he was most familiar with. As for the Gao family, he could no longer go back.
Zhao Changning had no choice but to let him go and handed him another letter. "Give this letter to Song Huan. Apart from that, don't ask anything about me."
Gao Cong really wanted to say that he would not collect her body, but he felt a dull pain at the back of his head, so he swallowed it back.
Finally, I couldn't help but say what was in my heart, "Zhao Changning, you, you have to live well."
Zhao Changning looked at the inky black sky, nodded slightly, and then walked away without looking back.
Gao Cong's tears fell quickly, his eyes blurred with tears. He trembled and looked hard in the direction where she disappeared. His heart was so panicked as if he was trapped in the dark night where there was no light. When he wiped away his tears, Zhao Changning's shadow had disappeared.
After Zhao Changning returned to the palace, he found Yunsheng first.
"Aunt, you didn't attend court today, and many people are asking about it." Yunsheng spoke in a flurry of words, "...The emperor said you are no longer serving as the female secretary. Aunt, what's going on?"
Zhao Changning didn't have time to explain, so he just asked, "Did the emperor say anything about the treatment of the female officials?"
"No, the maid is still here, so it should be fine." Yunsheng was sweating profusely, his eyes red from staying up all night. "Auntie, what about you? What are you going to do?"
Zhao Changning remained calm. "I can no longer serve the Emperor. I will assist the Empress in managing the affairs of the six palaces. Yunsheng, when you serve the Emperor in the future, you must be more attentive. Just remember what I said. Don't be like Hu Gou'er, understand?"
She meant something.
Yunsheng had a bad feeling in his heart. He had been with Zhao Changning for a long time, so even if he was dumb, he had gained some wisdom. He blinked and said, "Auntie..."
"For your own safety, don't come looking for me in the future. Don't let the Emperor think you're loyal to me." Zhao Changning warned, "I won't see you either. The affairs of the previous dynasty have nothing to do with me. Remember, if you see me in the future, don't tell me anything about the previous dynasty."
Yunsheng wanted to cry again, but he held it back. Realizing the meaning behind his aunt's words, he nodded vigorously, "Aunt, I will stay here and wait for you to come back."
In fact, after thinking about it all night, I figured it out. At that time, everyone had already arrived at Hanpin's place, but the emperor turned around and wanted to leave the palace...
Zhao Changning looked at him deeply, took the palace lantern from his hand, and said with a smile: "Let's go, Yunsheng, don't be afraid, the sky will get brighter as we walk."
Yunsheng was nervous and walked away gritting his teeth, looking back every few steps.
Zhao Changning returned to his residence.
She was very glad that the emperor did not take harsh measures. Even though she lost her position as the Female Secretary, she was still the seal of the harem, and there was no conflict between her and the queen. The efforts she had made in the past were now paying off.
After a good night's sleep, she got up early in the morning and went to Kunning Palace.
This imperial city has to work harder in winter, and those who live outside the palace have to work even harder. Only with everyone's diligence can this huge and ancient palace complex make it less lifeless.
The Queen had been ill for several days, so she simply forgot the greetings from the six palaces and wanted to have some peace and quiet.
"Yu Zhaoyi is also ill. Take the child to her for a checkup. Ahem..." The Queen coughed violently. "Changning, what happened between you and the Emperor? Why did you suddenly quit your job as a secretary?"
Zhao Changning didn't know how to start, so he could only ask politely, "Your Majesty, can I summon some of your female relatives into the palace in your name?"
"Of course." The Queen took her hand, "But what are you going to do?"
Zhao Changning lowered his head. "I want to find a woman with a similar personality to mine to serve the emperor. Changning is not blessed..."
The Queen naturally understood and sat up suddenly, "What? He, he actually? Ahem…"
Her face flushed, she sneered, and looked at Zhao Changning with pity, "Actually, it doesn't matter if you enter the harem. It won't affect our friendship."
Zhao Changning tucked the corner of the quilt for the queen, "I'll feel at ease when Changning serves you."
Tears welled up in the queen's eyes. She patted her hand in understanding and remained silent.
After Zhao Changning helped the queen to bed, he went to visit the eldest princess.
The little girl pulled Zhao Changning aside and whispered angrily, "Those two went to speak ill of me in front of the emperor again. Aunt, can I also go to the emperor to complain?"
Zhao Changning smiled and touched her head. "No, it's their business how they do it. We can't do this."
The eldest princess was unhappy, tears welling up in her eyes. "What if they succeed? Father is also my supporter, aunt, why can't I do the same?"
"The Emperor is your support, but he's not your only supporter, Princess," Zhao Changning squatted down, "You have to endure this journey alone."
The eldest princess shed tears, "Aunt, did you endure it like this before? What if you can't endure it?"
Zhao Changning laughed and said, "Of course, there are times when I can't bear it. Every time, I want to find a supporter, but I search and search, but I find that every mountain is covered with thorns, and behind the thorns are tigers and lions. They are always thinking about how to devour my flesh and blood and suck my bone marrow. When I finally get around the beasts, I find that on the other side of the mountain there is only..."
"What's that?" the eldest princess asked curiously.
"Yourself." Zhao Changning said in a deep voice, "You are your own supporter."
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