Just as Zheng Quchi was deep in thought, the old steward Chang Yue came to the door with a blank expression and asked for instructions: "Madam, I apologize for disturbing you. The list of guests for tomorrow's condolences has just been prepared. I hope you can take a look at it."
Because the body has been left for too long and cannot be left in the mourning hall to decompose, the funeral arrangements are handled very quickly.
The old butler often stayed up all night to arrange everything, but for certain matters that required the master's decision, he had no choice but to come over and bother them no matter how late it was.
Zheng Quchi knew that the entire mansion would be busy tonight. She called someone in, took the long list of officials in the court, and browsed through it one by one before looking at Yuan Xingzhou.
She deliberately said, "Your Highness, would you like to discuss this further? At my husband Yuwen Sheng's funeral tomorrow, are there any people who were not notified?"
Yuan Xingzhou did not refuse. He reached out and took the list, scanning it: "No omissions, but some people are redundant. Just cross out those who do not exist."
He raised his hand, and Chang Yue, being perceptive, immediately offered him a pen so that he could remove the name from the list.
Each time he crossed out a stroke, it meant that this person would no longer exist in Shengjing.
Zheng Quchi: "..." I asked you to add more people, but you were so kind as to send a bunch of people to the underworld to accompany her dead husband. She suddenly felt that the sky above Shengjing was eerily gloomy, and the guests might be too busy to spare tomorrow.
“Serious criminals who die in the imperial prison are not allowed to set up private mourning halls or hold memorial services. You don’t need to worry about the mansion being deserted tomorrow.” Yuan Xingzhou glanced at her with a half-smile.
He handed the pen and list back to Chang Yue, who, knowing that the Crown Prince and his wife had important matters to discuss, withdrew after finishing his business.
Zheng Quchi's thoughts were seen through by him, but she didn't argue. Her eyebrows were lowered, and she looked preoccupied: "The Yuwen family will definitely come to cause trouble tomorrow. I would like to ask Your Highness for a favor."
Yuwen Sheng said, "Tell me about it."
"I hereby approve the marriage contract between you and Yuwen Sheng, which was suppressed by the late king, and submit it to the Ministry of Revenue for filing, so that we may become a legitimate couple," she said solemnly.
After saying these words, Zheng Quchi kept his eyes fixed on Yuan Xingzhou, not wanting to miss a single expression on his face.
She thought to herself that if Yuan Xingzhou truly loved her, he would not have agreed to this so easily. He would even be surprised that she and Yuwen Sheng were only husband and wife in name, but not in fact.
But if he agrees... then the matter becomes increasingly complicated.
Yuan Xingzhou was taken aback upon hearing this, then his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he were surprised, and he asked, "You want to become a real couple with him?"
"Yes," Zheng Quchi readily agreed.
Even if he's already dead?
"yes."
"Are you doing this willingly?"
He repeatedly questioned her resolve, and she patiently and repeatedly replied, "Yes."
Finally, Yuan Xingzhou saw her determination in her attitude. Although he knew that there was a hint of her testing him out of spite, how could someone whose mind had already been bewitched resist the forbidden fruit on the tree?
Yuan Xingzhou's scarlet lips curved into a smile, his pupils dilating slightly with pleasure. He parted his thin lips and said, "I grant your permission."
He agreed.
Zheng Quchi's heart suddenly tightened.
It felt as if all the blood in her body rushed to her heart. She slowly slowed her breathing, and during those breaths, no one knew what kind of mental preparation she had gone through, the complex ups and downs.
After a moment of silence, she blinked her thick eyelashes, her eyes regaining their normal luster. She first thanked him, then said, "It's late. Does Your Highness intend to return to the palace, or would you like to stay at the General's residence?"
Although she spoke politely, she was essentially telling him to leave.
Yuan Xingzhou naturally understood, but he was unwilling to leave just like that. Some things could be left unsaid, but since some things were already "half-hidden behind a pipa," why not just reveal them and speak out?
“Zheng Quchi, your marriage contract with Yuwen Sheng has always been on my desk, but I have never stamped it for you to be sent down to the countryside. Do you know why?”
Zheng Quchi raised her eyes, her bright, star-like eyes gathering two clusters of sparks in her pupils: "Your Highness, my husband is still lying in the mourning hall. I am in a very bad mood right now and do not want to discuss these things with you. Can you let me calm down first?"
Her tone was so harsh that she was no longer willing to maintain a polite facade with him. Her small face was tense and serious, as if he had crossed her bottom line, and if he tried to take another step forward, she would reveal her sharp and hurtful claws.
Yuan Xingzhou knew that she was in a very bad mood, but he was not sure what it was because of. Since she did not want to talk about it tonight, there would be plenty of time in the future. He was busy with his affairs and would not stay overnight at the General's Mansion. Instead, he returned to the palace overnight.
After Yuan Xingzhou left, Zheng Quchi went to the desk and drew the tattoo on the inside of the corpse's wrist on a piece of paper from memory. Then, worried about being watched, she blew out all the candles in the room.
In the pitch black, she stood alone by the window, the moonlight streaming in. Dressed in simple white clothes with her hair down, she was slender and graceful in the wind. She called out, "Blue Moon."
Immediately, a short and agile figure leaped down from the roof and landed in front of her.
"My lord." Lan Yue clasped her hands in a gesture of respect.
It is unclear when it started, but Lan Yue stopped calling her "Madam" and instead addressed her as "Master". This change in address only indicates one thing: she is now completely loyal to Zheng Quchi.
Zheng Quchi handed her the drawing paper.
Have you ever seen this pattern on the paper before?
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