Chapter 39, the Thirty-Nine Scenes of Passion
Their eyes met, and the fragrance lingered in the air. Nan Jinping pretended to be unintentional, helped Lu Huantang up with her hand, and quickly withdrew her hand after she steadied herself. Her slender fingers seemed to casually brush against Lu Huantang's palm as she looked at him affectionately: "Thank you, sir."
This is her usual tactic; it's the simplest and most direct way to deal with men, creatures who think with their lower bodies.
Even if he didn't immediately fall at her feet, he was still unsatisfied.
After Nan Jinping left, Lu Huantang quickly opened the window, letting the breeze in to dispel the strong scent of cosmetics that filled the room. The fragrance was unmistakably that of the expensive Er Su brand liquor, which cost ten taels a box; it smelled wonderful, but Lu Huantang didn't like it.
Lu Huantang suddenly remembered Jiang Linzhi's fragrance. Although it was the incense Qi Lingjun wore, it was also her scent. He carried her to the carriage, and even applied the medicine himself. He held her as she slept at night, and the smell made him feel extremely at ease.
The aroma was very faint, somewhat like the loquat syrup I drank when I was sick as a child. Even people who hate taking medicine wouldn't dislike the smell.
Lu Huantang shook his head slightly, wondering how Jiang Linzhi was doing. He then bought some duck products from a nearby eatery to take back to the Marquis's residence.
The people in the Jiang household worked efficiently, and everything Jiang Linzhi needed had already been moved to the Marquis's residence. Life after the engagement was blissful; every morning and evening he saw Jiang Linzhi, and Lu Huantang felt a rare sense of peace. He transferred a portion of his and Jiang Linzhi's assets out of the household; as long as they survived, it would be enough for her for the next life.
On that day, Jiang Linzhi greeted Lu Huantang with the duck products in his hands and said, "Do officials all return to their residences this early?"
Instead of the expected hug, Lu Huantang, not entirely happy, pulled a stray hair from Jiang Linzhi's mouth and tucked it behind her ear, then reached out to help her debone the duck feet.
"No, it's no fun if you don't gnaw on it," Jiang Linzhi quickly stopped him.
Lu Huantang didn't understand the fun in it, but he went along with her and said, "Nan Jinping came to see me today?"
Jiang Linzhi nodded and continued to eat intently.
Lu Huantang was clearly dissatisfied with Jiang Linzhi's indifference. He looked around and said, "Fiancée? Where is my fiancée?"
Jiang Linzhi was so annoyed by this childish behavior that he had to put down the duck feet and became seriously anxious: "What? How could you see that woman? Waaaaah..."
Upon hearing this, Lu Huantang's face darkened even more, but he could only rub his forehead and smile bitterly, "I'm sorry to have troubled you."
"I trust you."
“Okay, thank you for your trust. But I didn’t do anything with her. I feel like she’s trying to steal you away, like you stole her fiancé back then, to embarrass you.” Lu Huantang cut to the chase.
"Whoa!" Jiang Linzhi put down the duck feet completely. "You've been waiting for me here, haven't you? You've wanted to ask me about this for a long time, haven't you?"
Lu Huantang also pretended to be indifferent and said, "I believe you and didn't really want to ask, but Nan Jinping brought it up today."
Jiang Linzhi was still smiling, but there was no smile in his eyes as always. It was like an apple that had been waxed; once you cut it open, you would find that the core inside was black and emitted an unpleasant smell.
Lu Huantang instantly understood: "To use."
"Of course, that guy's only redeeming quality is his face. His father became too arrogant after siding with the emperor, doing countless things that angered Jiang Jinyi under the guise of serving the emperor. It all comes back to the emperor's side." Jiang Linzhi curled his lip, looking disdainful.
"If someone blocks His Majesty's path, we, as his subjects, must share his burdens. That man's ancestors had been kind to the Prince of Nanyang, which led to the marriage. I could see right through him, but having grown up in seclusion, the worst villains I've ever encountered are scheming women and heartless elders. I've never seen such a seemingly peaceful but actually treacherous scoundrel, so he's come to hold a grudge against me."
"Why don't you explain this to her?" This matter is really not a big deal, and it's not worth it to let a princess hold a grudge.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Linzhi lowered his eyes, offering no explanation, and continued to enjoy his duck snacks.
"That's all? This doesn't count. Haven't you encountered any white moonlight or cinnabar mole before?" Lu Huantang pressed for details.
"Of course there were, but that's all in the past," Jiang Linzhi said indifferently.
There really was someone? Lu Huantang thought Jiang Linzhi was cold-hearted and indifferent, and that no one but him would catch her eye. He hadn't expected there to be someone, and even someone before him. Lu Huantang was stunned for a moment, then instantly regained his composure and said, "Because he died?"
Jiang Linzhi grinned and laughed, "Yeah, who would miss a dead person? A dead person won't buy me food."
What if I die?
“The next one will be even more obedient.” Jiang Linzhi said provocatively, tearing off a piece of meat and offering it to Lu Huantang’s mouth.
Lu Huantang opened his mouth and bit Jiang Linzhi's finger directly. The bite was neither too hard nor too light, but Lu Huantang used a clever technique, biting Jiang Linzhi's finger behind the joint, making it impossible to shake off easily.
Jiang Linzhi felt pain as soon as she tried to pull her hand away, so she didn't dare to force it and could only give in to Lu Huantang, crying out, "Let go!"
How could Lu Huantang let go immediately? He instantly raised his hand to catch Jiang Linzhi's punch, encasing Jiang Linzhi's small fist in his large palm, and then licked Jiang Linzhi's fingers with his nimble tongue.
The soft, wet touch made Jiang Linzhi blush instantly. Seeing this, Lu Huantang smiled smugly and then released Jiang Linzhi's fingers. "Then I'll try my best to die after you, so that you can only like me."
Jiang Linzhi was filled with shame and indignation. He grabbed Lu Huantang's waist with his other hand and pinched him, "Dream on!"
Lu Huantang grabbed her again, twisted his arms around her, and pulled her into his embrace. He whispered in her ear, "How can it be a dream? As long as you don't murder your husband, your dream can come true."
The warm breath brushed against Jiang Linzhi's ear, and the stray hairs at her temples tickled her face. Coupled with the flirtatious banter between the young lovers, Jiang Linzhi unconsciously shivered. She subconsciously tilted her head and shrugged, bumping her head on Lu Huantang's nose.
Lu Huantang's vision went white, and his eyes reddened with pain. He loosened his restraints, covered his nose, and was speechless for a long time.
Jiang Linzhi had intended to make a mocking remark, but seeing Lu Huantang's nosebleed, she frantically grabbed some tissues, only to find her own hands covered in oil, which also stained the tissues. Jiang Linzhi quickly washed and dried her hands before handing over new tissues.
The bleeding had stopped on its own, but Lu Huantang was still covering his nose and pretending to be in pain. He looked at Jiang Linzhi, who was squatting on the ground looking up at him with a worried expression, and remembered his childhood. From childhood to adulthood, his parents and brothers only cared about his achievements. In addition, he was not a person who liked to act coquettishly or show weakness, so no one cared about his pain.
The more anxious the person in front of him was, the warmer Lu Huantang felt inside. Lu Huantang wiped the blood, but because there was no mirror, the blood on his nose was not completely wiped away.
Jiang Linzhi naturally took a tissue and wiped the blood off his face, saying coquettishly, "Serves you right."
Lu Huantang put his arm around her waist and called out her name, "Jiang Linzhi".
"Um?"
"I'm serious." Lu Huantang was ready to give up, no longer wanting to pretend or leave any room for maneuver. If you truly like someone, why would you leave any room for maneuver?
"Um?"
"Go ahead and mess with me, I don't want to test your sincerity anymore."
Jiang Linzhi remained silent, looking at Lu Huantang with some surprise.
Lu Huantang had long realized that although Jiang Linzhi had seen countless people, they were probably all the kind of fools who wore their scheming on their sleeves and used easily detectable tactics. Faced with genuine sincerity, Jiang Linzhi would be at a loss for words.
Jiang Linzhi was stunned for a while before saying, "Hmm."
Judging from Jiang Linzhi's appearance, Lu Huantang felt that Jiang Linzhi was most likely to like him. In any case, he was really doomed. He slowly moved closer, wanting to take advantage of the ambiguous atmosphere to kiss Jiang Linzhi's forehead.
Suddenly, someone from the palace came to summon Lu Huantang to the palace. Jiang Linzhi glanced at his disappointed expression, cupped his face, kissed his lower lip, and said, "Go quickly, you still have to earn an imperial title for me."
Lu Huantang smiled and went back to stirring up trouble.
This year's snuff bottle production is exceptionally high, and the Regent has many expenses. Recently, he's been aggressively suppressing officials on the Emperor's side who control the snuff bottle trade. In previous years, the Regent's methods were simple and brutal: finding another pretext to investigate and confiscate property. The Emperor's methods were also simple: granting the trading rights to high-ranking or powerful individuals, then creating a stalemate.
Now, the Regent has another member, Qi Lingjun. His eloquent tongue leaves the bickering officials speechless. Lu Huantang doesn't confront him directly, since he has no leverage over him, and Jiang Jinyi is sure to have informed Qi Lingjun.
Unexpectedly, Qi Lingjun brought up the matter of Lu Huantang's engagement to Jiang Linzhi and said, "Your Excellency is celebrating a joyous occasion. The right to sell half of the snuff bottles in the Jiang family will belong to Your Excellency from now on. However, since Your Excellency holds almost half of the national treasury by yourself, no one is at ease. Oh, I don't doubt Your Excellency's loyalty to His Majesty, but a gentleman is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime. I am only thinking of Your Excellency's best interests."
His words seemed to be for everyone's benefit, and no one could voice any objection.
Lu Huantang naturally accepted his "good intentions" and laughed, "Lord Qi's loyalty is known to all. However, this 50% is what my wife's family relies on for their livelihood, not what I own. I have hands and feet; I simply cannot bring myself to use my wife's dowry for personal purposes. It would be better if you gentlemen discussed this further, and Lord Qi could personally speak to her on our behalf." Anyone can smooth things over and stall for time; you talk to me about the greater good, and I'll talk to you about the smallest family.
The officials' gazes swept over the two men: one was Jiang Linzhi's former male lover, and the other was Jiang Linzhi's current fiancé. They couldn't help but feel contempt and stood there watching the show.
In the end, the emperor tried to smooth things over, saying, "The ministers of the Council of State should discuss and reach a conclusion before implementing it."
Qi Lingjun was originally a descendant of the Qi family of Beimang who pacified the six northern tribes. Now he wore a simple official hat and his demeanor was even more impressive than before. However, because of his past experience as Jiang Linzhi's male favorite, many officials still looked down on him from the bottom of their hearts.
Suddenly, a powerful voice ripped through the veil of politeness, "Hmph, you beehive, aren't you ashamed!"
"Honeycomb" is another name for a male brothel. In the Sui Dynasty, men valued martial prowess and took pride in their masculinity. To curse someone like this is no different from digging up their ancestral graves.
Upon hearing this, several officials who had intended to bow to Qi Lingjun pretended not to hear and left with their heads down.
For years, Qi Lingjun had heard a sarcastic remark every time he entered the palace. Compared to those who were polite on the surface but mocking in their hearts, this insult actually made him feel comfortable. He remained calm, smiled modestly, and said, "Grand Commandant Huo."
Although both were Jiang Jinyi's faction, Huo Yinyu was implicated because of Huo Zhuo's matter. Seeing someone he used to look down on about to step on him, he was naturally resentful. Seeing that Qi Lingjun was neither angry nor ashamed, he was so angry that his beard trembled slightly. "If Old Master Qi and Brother Qi knew that you were like this, they would be furious."
Qi Lingjun stood to one side of the official road, his attitude humble, but his eyes were like the autumn north wind, his gaze like a blood-drinking blade.
Huo Yinyu frowned repeatedly upon seeing this.
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