Chapter 18 The wind blowing from behind her was sweet...
On the other side, Xue Lanyi was also looking at the moon, and she fell asleep while looking at it.
I don't know how much time had passed before I was awakened by a series of footsteps.
When Wei Zhang returned home late at night, he did not notice Xue Lanyi, who was dozing off against the steps of his bedroom, as he walked up the steps.
She was so small and thin that she was easily hidden in the darkness and not easily spotted.
Upon smelling a faint scent of pine resin, she quickly grabbed the hem of the newcomer's clothes.
Wei Zhang turned his head and finally saw her clearly.
"You're back? Dinner must be getting cold." Xue Lanyi rubbed her sleepy eyes and got up to go to the small kitchen to heat up the longevity peaches.
She was unaware that it was past midnight and the third watch had already been struck.
Wei Zhang frowned. "It's already been used, no need to trouble yourself."
"..."
Xue Lanyi choked, unsure of what to say, and mumbled an "Oh".
The two entered the dormitory one after the other. Xue Lanyi finally couldn't hold back and whispered behind him, "Didn't we say we'd go together tonight..."
Halfway through my sentence, my stomach growled twice.
She had been making longevity peaches since the afternoon and hadn't eaten anything, so she was quite hungry.
The rumbling in my intestines was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Wei Zhang then suddenly remembered something.
He had been discussing matters with Shen Jinglan until very late today, and since they were in the outskirts of the capital, he naturally ate something casually at the post station.
He knew that Xue Lanyi was not usually a dull person, so why was she so inflexible in this matter, insisting on waiting?
What difference does it make whether you eat first or last, or whether you eat alone or with someone?
"There's no need for this in the future."
“But…” Xue Lanyi couldn’t very well force him to come back and eat with her on an empty stomach, so she could only nod and say, “I’ll go turn off the fire.”
Fearing he would have to wait a long time when he returned, hot soup was kept simmering on the stove.
Xue Lanyi reluctantly moved forward, but after taking only two or three steps, her vision suddenly went black and she staggered half a step.
Wei Zhang reached out and put his arm around her waist, only then realizing that she was pale and truly hungry.
Wei Zhang carried her to the bed, saying, "In a little while, just tell the kitchen to send some food."
After saying that, he took the official documents and prepared to leave.
Xue Lanyi quickly tugged at his cloak, "Are you going to sleep in the study again tonight?"
She thought they had opened up to each other last night and no longer needed to sleep in separate rooms every day.
Wei Zhang hummed in response, but seeing her disappointed expression, he added, "I have official business to attend to tonight and it will be late. You should get some rest, and come with me to Princess Yuanyi's residence tomorrow."
"Princess Yuanyi?" Xue Lanyi didn't recognize her and was about to ask more questions when Wei Zhang said, "You just go with her, you don't need to worry about anything else."
"All right."
His willingness to tell her what he's doing is a step forward.
Everything takes time.
She pointed to the nightgowns folded on the soft pillows inside the bed, "At least change into some nightgowns, it'll make you feel more comfortable."
Wei Zhang didn't refuse. He bent down to take it, and as he passed Xue Lanyi, she suddenly gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
Soft lips pressed against cheeks chilled by the wind and frost.
Wei Zhang's jaw tightened, and when he turned around, she smiled triumphantly at him.
She looked much healthier today, and had regained some of her youthful playfulness and charm.
In a daze, Wei Zhang recalled that when she was still Zhaoyang, she would sometimes hide behind a gardenia tree and suddenly jump out to make faces to scare him.
She had the same smug expression back then.
However, back then she always called him Brother Zhang.
Even though he was several years older than her, she still liked to call him "little brother" like Wei Xuan did.
Wei Zhang felt a mix of emotions he couldn't quite explain. He didn't say anything more to her, took his nightgown, and left.
Wei Zhang walked with slightly unsteady steps, his mind elsewhere.
As I passed by the fish tank outside the small kitchen, I caught a glimpse of two bass fighting over the bait.
The thumb-sized fry struggled in the surging waves, but were eventually torn apart and left battered and bruised.
The bait will eventually be swallowed up in the struggle; that's its fate.
This fate might even arrive tomorrow.
Therefore, as long as the angler ensures that the bait is still alive before a big fish takes the bait, there is no reason to devote too much energy to a single bait.
Wei Zhang lowered his gaze and stood still in the night wind for a long time.
He remained silent until the bass swallowed the bait, then went to sleep alone in his study.
The next morning, Xue Lanyi got up and put the longevity peaches from the previous night into the steamer.
After a simple meal, the two took a carriage to the outskirts of the city.
Spring is in full bloom, the outskirts of Beijing are bathed in sunshine, and birds are singing and flowers are blooming.
Wei Zhang leaned back against the carriage, closed his eyes for a short rest, when he was suddenly dazzled by a flashing light.
He opened his eyes and saw Xue Lanyi placing a glass bottle filled with water by the window, splashing the water with great interest.
Inside the translucent bottle was a small red-scaled fish fry, its tail swaying and refracting colorful light.
This fish looks familiar.
These are the small fish fry that were swallowed by the bass last night.
Xue Lanyi felt a surprised gaze directed at her, turned her head and smiled, "Does it look good?"
“That’s bait,” Wei Zhang said calmly.
"I know, but don't you think it's beautiful?"
When Xue Lanyi got up this morning, she saw the little red finfish in the water tank weaving between two bass, dodging open and hidden attacks, and escaping from the bass's mouths by the skin of its teeth.
It was incredibly resilient, and its scales were remarkably shiny, so Xue Lanyi scooped it out.
"There's no rule against using fish bait for ornamental fish. It would be a waste to let such beautiful fish be swallowed. Why not keep them for amusement?"
Xue Lanyi tilted her head, the wind ruffled her hair and swept across her fair cheeks, and the light and shadow of glass swayed around her.
Even the wind blowing from behind her was sweet.
Indeed, it's very suitable for watching.
It remains to be seen whether this beautiful bait can evade the approaching undercurrent.
Wei Zhang remained noncommittal and continued to rest with his eyes closed.
The wind whistled behind me, and the wild grass rustled...
Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at the manor on the outskirts of the capital.
This estate occupies half a hilltop, and its expanse stretches as far as the eye can see.
Moreover, the house's structure is quite different from the pavilions in Shengjing City, featuring a rare dome.
In the covered walkway, the maids who were dressed in foreign clothes were shuttling back and forth, which clearly indicated that Princess Yuanyi was not from the Central Plains.
Xue Lanyi had overheard Granny Liu chatting that a princess from the Western Regions had come to Shengjing. This princess held the power of administration and was here to arrange a marriage alliance with Dayong.
Although their tribe was small, it controlled a key fortress in the western border and was famous for its Akhal-Teke horses.
By cultivating a good relationship with this princess, one can effectively control the western border defenses.
The Western Territory possesses the strongest military force and the richest gold mines in Dayong.
This was a force to be reckoned with, which is why many powerful figures in Shengjing vied to befriend this princess.
But why did Wei Zhang bring her here?
Xue Lanyi was puzzled when the two of them entered the hall one after the other.
The enchanting aroma of spices from the Western Regions filled her nostrils, bringing Xue Lanyi back to her senses.
Inside the main hall, Princess Yuanyi was reclining on a light blue carved wooden couch, her hand supporting her temple, her profile graceful.
The beauties of the Western Regions have deep-set features; with a raised eye and a curved lip, they possess an innate allure.
Upon seeing the two enter, Yuan Yi slowly rose, her alluring eyes openly surveying Xue Lanyi. "The beauties of the Central Plains truly possess a unique charm. No wonder Lord Wei has found such delight in them."
"Your Highness is joking," Wei Zhang said, bowing respectfully.
Xue Lanyi blushed and curtsied in return.
"Sit down." Yuan Yi gently turned her slender wrist.
On the right side of the hall, fine wines and delicacies were already laid out on the dining table.
Wei Zhang lifted his robe and sat down, with Xue Lanyi following closely behind.
Just as she was about to sit down, Yuan Yi picked up her empty cup and asked Wei Zhang with great interest, "Shouldn't Miss Xue offer me a cup of tea?"
Xue Lanyi did not understand what this "should" meant.
Logically speaking, Princess Yuanyi was the mistress and she was the servant; such a disparity in status did not qualify her to be offered tea.
However, Wei Zhang seemed to understand and gave Xue Lanyi a wink, "Go."
Xue Lanyi had no choice but to step forward with the teapot, completely bewildered.
Upon closer inspection, one can clearly see that the carving on the tabletop of the chaise longue is a snake pattern, with eerie and dangerous snake eyes.
Yuan Yi observed her every move as if admiring a vase or a glass cup.
In short, she wasn't being looked at in the usual way; she was being treated more like an ornamental piece.
Xue Lanyi felt uncomfortable under such gazes, took a deep breath, and bent down to pour tea.
Yuan Yi slowly swirled the teacup, then suddenly, with a backhand motion, splashed the tea at Xue Lanyi.
Xue Lanyi quickly took half a step back, the tea just barely spilling onto her embroidered shoes. The scalding heat seeped into the fabric, and Xue Lanyi shrank her toes, not daring to move much.
Yuan Yi glanced at him with his arrogant phoenix eyes, exuding an imposing aura, and said, "It's too hot, pour another cup."
Even the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital gave Yuan Yi some face, so Xue Lanyi naturally couldn't afford to offend her. She forced herself to fill the empty cup with tea, held it in her hand, and waited until the cup was warm before respectfully handing it to Yuan Yi, saying, "Princess, please have some tea."
The moment Yuan Yi took it, he splashed it directly onto Xue Lanyi.
This time, Xue Lanyi didn't have time or dare to hide anymore, and her skirt was soaked.
Tea splashed onto her face, dripping down her temples.
Like a lotus emerging from the water, so delicate and charming.
A hint of sarcasm flashed across Yuan Yi's lips. "It's too cold. Keep pouring."
"Princess."
Sitting on the right, Wei Zhang slowly put down his teacup and nodded to Yuan Yi in a respectful manner. "After all, she is my person. If she offends the princess in any way, the princess can tell me, and I will teach her a lesson."
His tone was casual, yet he stood tall and imposing, his presence undiminished.
Yuan Yi, sitting at the head of the table, put away her teacup and transformed into a charming and alluring woman with a smile.
"Your Excellency misunderstands. She did not offend me. I was just jealous of her. I was jealous that she could win your favor."
"Tsk, what beautiful earrings." Yuan Yi stroked Xue Lanyi's South Sea pearl earrings with her fingers.
The cool fingertips brushed against my temples like a snake flicking its tongue, the chill penetrating to the bone.
Yuan Yi sighed softly, "I'm not so lucky to receive a gift made by my husband himself."
A note from the author:
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