Chapter 43 Jinyang City: Will he trust him?
I disagree.
Zhu Qing refused without even thinking.
He thought Feng Huaihe would continue to pester him, but he said nothing, released Zhu Qing, walked to the two people's luggage bags in the room, and opened them.
Inside were a gift for Zhu Qing, along with some winter coats.
Feng Huaihe took out a set of snow-white winter coats. "It will be colder in Jinyang than in Chang'an when it snows. Wear this tomorrow."
He hung the clothes on the rack beside the bed, making sure Zhu Qing could reach them as soon as she woke up, and then went outside. "I'm going to change the curtains in the carriage to thicker ones, and prepare some charcoal. There might not be any good silver charcoal in Yunzhong Mountain, so we need to go find some first, so you won't be too cold when you cross the mountain tomorrow."
"Need not."
Zhu Qing called out to him, and he paused, "What?"
I won't be going with you tomorrow.
Feng Huaihe frowned: "What do you mean?"
“I rode in the same carriage as Zhang Yin, and today I saw that he also brought a carriage with him.”
Zhu Qing said she didn't dare look at him. Actually, she had been depressed for a long time. Although she didn't like Zhang Yin, he was much better than Feng Huaihe.
When I'm with Feng Huaihe, I always have to be very careful.
"OK."
Feng Huaihe didn't pursue the matter as she expected. Zhu Qing turned around in surprise, unable to believe that he had just let it go like that.
But he didn't even glance at her, and turned to leave the room.
-
The next day, the sky was clear and the ground was white, but the mountains were shrouded in mist. The thick white fog blocked the view and the road was not very clear.
After having breakfast, Zhu Qing and the other two set off at the same time. Zhu Qing climbed into Zhang Yin's carriage first.
Just as Zhang Yin was about to follow her, Feng Huaihe called out to him: "I have prepared a charcoal stove and a tea-making station in your carriage. The journey is long, so brew tea and heat up her medicine. She doesn't like to drink, so you must remember the time and remind her."
Zhang Yin was somewhat bewildered by this series of instructions.
He frowned, looking at Feng Huaihe with a complicated expression. He didn't know what had happened between Feng Huaihe and Zhu Qing last night, but since he hadn't seen anything unusual about Zhu Qing today, he could be somewhat relieved.
However, I used to think that Feng Huaihe was as detached and noble as the rumors suggested, but now I don't think so at all.
The way he looked at me no longer seemed as respectful as before.
Zhang Yin asked in confusion, "Instead of telling me all this, why don't you let her get into your carriage?"
Feng Huaihe's expression turned cold.
Looking through the swirling snowflakes, Zhang Yin felt a chill run down his spine at Ling Ran's expression.
That gaze revealed the sinister suppression of a superior, carrying a hint of subtle hatred. It traversed a hundred years, like a Buddha who had been isolated for a century and had transcended the mortal world. One deep look from him made people feel inferior and wonder if they had done something to offend the Buddha.
Zhang Yin felt very uncomfortable with this feeling, as if he was being looked down upon by Feng Huaihe from head to toe, and he secretly clenched his fingers.
Did I say something wrong?
“Nothing’s wrong.” Feng Huaihe’s voice was cold and devoid of any emotion. Of course, he wouldn’t tell Zhang Yin that he felt Zhang Yin’s words sounded like he was showing off.
How can Wan not eat meat porridge?
Feng Huaihe thought to himself, "No rush. It would be too obvious to take action now. If Zhu Qing notices it, it might create an irreparable rift between us."
After all, Zhu Qing thought back to her past life, and she still loved her husband in her heart.
Feng Huaihe ignored Zhang Yin and got into his carriage.
Zhang Yin also withdrew his gaze and went upstairs with a heavy heart.
He sat down opposite Zhu Qing and saw that there was indeed a small charcoal stove in the car. Next to the stove was a small tea table with some tea and snacks, as well as a packet of medicine that smelled bitter.
Zhang Yin found it strange that Feng Huaihe would be so meticulous.
Zhang Yin has never been good at taking care of people.
He was pampered from a young age, always being waited on hand and foot.
Zhang Yin began to reflect: perhaps this was the reason why Feng Huaihe was more capable than him?
“Zhu Qing,” she had already stated yesterday that he dared not call her Qingqing anymore, “don’t you feel that Feng Huaihe is not quite normal? He seems to have a deep hostility towards me.”
Zhu Qing glanced at him.
Zhang Yin actually saw through Feng Huaihe's perversion?
She casually replied, "Maybe a little. But you're not much better."
"..." Zhang Yin choked, not understanding why she said that, then smiled appreciatively and said, "You are indeed different from the people I have met. You are very honest."
Thank you.
Zhu Qing was being perfunctory; she wasn't sitting there to give him face, but simply because she didn't want to see Feng Huaihe.
She crossed her arms and leaned against the soft cushion behind her to sleep, ignoring Zhang Yin.
Surprisingly, Zhang Yin's carriage looked ordinary on the outside, but it was quite comfortable inside.
The charcoal stove is ready, unlike Feng Huaihe, who only said he was going to start last night.
Zhu Qing despised him in his heart.
Bored on the journey, Zhu Qing fell asleep. When she woke up again, it was already evening.
The carriage had stopped, and she was shaken awake. When she opened her eyes, she saw Feng Huaihe, who was holding a small bowl with steaming hot liquid in his hand. "Drink your medicine. We'll be in Jinyang in another hour."
Zhu Qing then felt cold and weak in her limbs.
It turned out to be time to take the medicine.
She took it and saw that Zhang Yin, who was opposite her, was also asleep and showed no signs of waking up.
Sleeping so soundly, Zhu Qing had no doubt that Feng Huaihe had tampered with something, because Zhang Yin in her previous life had done the same.
Zhang Yin rarely thought things through; he didn't dwell on matters or keep secrets in his mind. He was passionate, clear-cut, and very honest, which was like a refreshing rain to Zhu Qing, who couldn't enter Feng Huaihe's world.
After their marriage, the two shared a bed. Zhu Qing had trouble sleeping at night, planning for Zhang Yin's future and also thinking about tomorrow. Her biggest worry was how they would live to assist the next ruler if their current lord failed.
Zhang Yin was fast asleep beside her.
The next day, he would carry out the plan according to Zhu Qing's instructions.
However, the results of implementation are often not good, and even frequently make mistakes.
The reason is simple: even if Zhang Yin had Zhu Qing's plan, the steps of the plan would encounter different problems when implemented, and Zhang Yin did not think about them, so he made frequent mistakes.
Therefore, he was mediocre, and Zhu Qing spent his whole life trying to make him decent.
But the former Zhu Qing didn't care about any of that. She was willing to take on responsibilities and make plans. Even when she was exhausted every day, she was happy as long as she saw Zhang Yin's warm welcome and felt needed.
Because she never felt needed by her husband.
After her family was destroyed, she was lost for a time and didn't know why she existed. It was Zhang Yin who gave her a sense of existence.
So Zhu Qing and Zhang Yin loved each other for a lifetime.
But what about Zhu Qing now? She used to fight against her broken family to earn tuition for her postgraduate entrance exam, and she spent many sleepless nights alone.
So when she looked back, she realized that those hundreds of nights with Zhang Yin, when he slept soundly while she was left alone, anxious about the future and unable to sleep, were actually very lonely.
What Zhu Qing needs now is no longer a warm welcome, but someone to reach out and hug her, talk to her, and help her heal herself when she is inevitably anxious about repairing herself late at night.
Clearly, Zhang Yin, who was once a good match for her, is no longer a good match for her.
As expected, people cannot empathize with their past selves. Zhu Qing thought to herself, finished her medicine, and put the bowl back.
Feng Huaihe glanced at Zhang Yin. Fortunately, he never trusted others to handle things and always insisted on keeping a close eye on things himself.
Zhu Qing thought that Feng Huaihe was going to mock her for finding a good husband, but Feng Huaihe didn't say anything. He was surprisingly good-tempered. He made her tea, heated up the tea and snacks, and then went out.
Zhu Qing frowned, something seemed off.
It was still quite frightening for her that someone who often went crazy suddenly became calm.
As soon as Feng Huaihe got off the carriage, it started moving, jolting Zhang Yin awake.
He opened his eyes and saw the freshly baked tea snacks. He picked up a piece and smiled, "Did you prepare these? Thank you. I've learned some of your hometown dishes. When we get to Jinyang, I'll make them for you too. But I've never done these things before, so I might not do them well."
Zhu Qing shook her head and didn't say anything.
Zhang Yin didn't stop either, chattering on and on.
The noise kept Zhu Qing awake. She looked at Zhang Yin with some impatience and said, "Could you please stop for a while? I want to sleep. When I first met you, I didn't realize you were such a talkative person."
On the contrary, they are refined and reserved.
Zhang Yin smiled sheepishly and continued, "Actually, some people are like that. They don't talk much when you first meet them, but once you get to know them..."
Zhang Yin then launched into another long-winded discourse.
Zhu Qing rubbed her forehead in frustration, finding it increasingly difficult to empathize with her former self.
Fortunately, they arrived in Jinyang soon. It was already late and curfew was approaching, with only a few people scattered on the streets.
Feng Huaihe's carriage was in front, and the road was covered in snow, so it was moving slowly. When they arrived in front of the house, Zhang Yin's carriage behind them also stopped.
Zhang Yin saw Zhu Qing off the carriage and told her that he would come to see her again the next day, as he had to go back first, otherwise he wouldn't be able to leave due to curfew.
After the person left, Zhu Qing finally felt a sense of peace. She sighed deeply and couldn't help but say, "When we first met, he was so refined and reserved."
This was the first time Feng Huaihe had heard her speak ill of Zhang Yin, and he couldn't help but chuckle out loud, "Can't stand it? I thought..."
Zhu Qing snorted, and after he carried their two bags on his back, they walked into the house together.
Several rooms inside the house were lit up. Zhu Qing looked around in confusion, wondering why there were people there. Could it be her brother and sister-in-law? Feng Huaihe explained at the right moment, "It's Bao Fu. He and Chen Zhong arrived earlier."
Zhu Qing understood, and then saw the wishing tree in the center of the courtyard.
In winter, this tree transforms into a plum tree, sprouting tiny buds adorned with red silk ribbons. Though different from those in Chang'an, its beauty is even more striking.
On a snowy winter night, a bright lamp shone, and a swaying wishing tree stood tall. As snowflakes fell in white, Zhu Qing stared in astonishment, "How did you find a house with the same layout as the one in Chang'an?"
Feng Huaihe was in an exceptionally good mood today. He smiled and said, "As long as you spend more time and money, you won't have trouble finding one."
He took Zhu Qing to Xihua Hall, which was decorated the same as in Chang'an, but the space here was larger.
Feng Huaihe put his luggage away, then hung the arrow on the wall and said to Zhu Qing, "I will start teaching you archery tomorrow. Bao Fu will bring you food later. After you eat and take your medicine, you can rest. I have to go out for a while."
Zhu Qing glanced at the sky. "It's so late, curfew is about to start. Where are you going?"
"I have to go see Li Cunxu."
Zhu Qing suddenly realized.
It turns out he was preoccupied with this matter, which is why he didn't go crazy today.
Zhu Qing knew what he was anxious about and couldn't help but frown with worry: "Will Li Cunxu believe you?"
In her past life, she came here because she was not trusted, which is why she became a mutually beneficial couple with Zhang Yin.
Zhang Yin helped her gain Li Cunxu's trust.
She provided intelligence about the Central Plains to Zhang Yin, who then presented it to Li Cunxu, helping Li Cunxu defeat Zhu Wen of the Later Liang Dynasty.
However, the world was too chaotic, and she and Zhang Yin accompanied each other in the chaos, developed feelings for each other, and finally became a real couple.
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