Chapter 57, Page Fifty-Seven: A Long-Awaited Dream
The spring rain was as fine as the fuzz on a peach, falling softly and gently, filling every corner.
The people in the capital of Sui State did not engage in farming, and everyone's face showed a hint of irritability, except for Cui Jiu.
Cui Jiu ate a guokui (a type of flatbread) and a bowl of wontons at the shop, neatly arranged his chopsticks in the clean bowl, and walked out of the shop with his umbrella.
"If she were still here, she would definitely sleep until the afternoon," Cui Jiu thought to himself, looking at the weather.
Zhu Huantang said she had been kidnapped to Yingdu, but Cui Jiu was skeptical. Given her skills, if she were kidnapped against her will, it would certainly cause chaos, if not bloodshed. Yet, several months had passed without a word.
Cui Jiu was somewhat worried, but even so, he remained expressionless. After arriving at the general's mansion, he put away his umbrella, took the intelligence reports from various places, and headed to his study.
Zhu Huantang is no longer what he used to be. The battle at the border city won the hearts of the Sui soldiers, and now he's aligned with the Regent's faction, his wealth and status have soared. Of the few people he rescued, apart from the little girl Zhu Linlang from the beginning, the other little girl didn't survive and died of fear. The boy named Zhu Fei, however, stubbornly refused to bow down and submit.
Zhu Huantang ignored his cousin, threw him in jail, and busied himself establishing a foothold in Sui State.
Just as Cui Jiu reached the door, he heard a sweet, delicate voice, and he was about to turn around and leave.
But Zhu Huantang inside the room had already heard his footsteps and said loudly, "Come in."
Pushing open the door, Cui Jiu saw Nan Jinping sitting on the table with her legs crossed, her slender white legs partially visible through her skirt, resting on the armrests of Zhu Huantang's armchair. Zhu Huantang, meanwhile, sat with his legs spread wide in the armchair, his collar loose, revealing glimpses of lip rouge.
Cui Jiu kept his eyes straight ahead, placed the intelligence report on the table, and said, "The Regent has sent someone to invite you to his residence this afternoon for a chat."
Zhu Huantang pulled Nan Jinping into his arms and hooked her onto his lap in an ambiguous manner, then said with a flirtatious laugh, "Okay."
Nan Jinping pouted and said unhappily, "The lord said he would take me to see some luminous pearl, but now that the Regent has called, the lord is going to break his promise."
Zhu Huantang quickly reassured him, "Going to see the Regent must be on official business."
Nan Jinping bit her lip, twisted her body charmingly, and said, "The Jiang family is the most cunning. Who knows if they tricked you into going there to play a trick on you?"
The emperor's surname is also Jiang. This statement is extremely treasonous. Zhu Huantang glanced at Cui Jiu and said, "Go down."
After Cui Jiu left, Zhu Huantang immediately released Nan Jinping and stood up, wishing he could peel off his own skin. He said, "Although we are looking for her, it's okay to put on a show, but if we go too far, it will only bring trouble."
“You’re a menace to begin with, why are you afraid of bringing trouble upon yourself?” Nan Jinping said casually, completely disregarding Zhu Huantang’s thoughts.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Huantang instantly turned cold, which startled Nan Jinping, causing her to stumble back several steps. She said uneasily, "She's so powerful. We just need to do our job well. As long as we do well, she'll come back eventually. Why are you meddling in everything?"
It's hard to believe that just a few months ago, when Lu Huantang and Jiang Linzhi were engaged, Nan Jinping had tried to seduce Lu Huantang.
At that time, Lu Huantang was drugged by Nan Jinping, and Nan Jinping did whatever she wanted to him. However, Nan Jinping was not in a hurry and kept looking towards the door.
Even though Lu Huantang was in a daze, and the desire within him made his legs weak and powerless, he still knew what Nan Jinping wanted to do. She didn't really love him; she just wanted to use this incident to let Jiang Linzhi see what kind of person Lu Huantang really was.
No matter how clear his purpose was, Lu Huantang didn't have the strength to stand up. He glanced at the candlestick next to him, and taking advantage of Nan Jinping's inattention, he pulled out a candle and used the iron spike of the candlestick to pierce his palm.
The excruciating pain temporarily halted Lu Huantang's physical desires. He slowly withdrew from his urges, panting heavily. He shoved Nan Jinping, whose clothes were half undone, away and stumbled towards the door.
Nan Jinping was surprised that he was so ruthless to her. She exclaimed and then laughed. While laughing, she pushed Lu Huantang to the ground and started to undo his belt. She said, "What's the use? If you don't cripple your lower body, what's the use of crippling your upper body? Anyway, you all think and act with your lower bodies."
Lu Huantang glared fiercely at Nan Jinping, startling her. But seeing his current helpless state, she chuckled and laughed at her own frightened appearance.
There was finally some movement outside. Nan Jinping immediately stripped off her clothes, pressed herself against Lu Huantang's body with a soft, boneless grace, took his hand and placed it on her own, while her other hand slid down his firm lower abdomen. She whispered in his ear with a smile, "Young master, the show is about to begin~"
The person before him was like a ghost seeking death. With his last bit of strength, Lu Huantang swung the candlestick at his arm, but before it could fall, it was too late.
A loud "thud" was heard.
The door was kicked open with such force that it slammed against the wall and bounced back, making two loud noises.
Outside the door stood Jiang Linzhi, panting heavily. She pulled Nan Jinping off Lu Huantang's lap, wrapped her in clothes, and dragged her outside.
Once in the courtyard, Nan Jinping shook off Jiang Linzhi, deliberately and slowly pulling her clothes up to her shoulders to cover her neck, which already bore ambiguous red marks from someone else. She said impatiently, "What? Judging from your appearance, you're a man who's been with anyone for a long time. Are you surprised?"
Jiang Linzhi's face darkened. After glancing at her, he asked, "What are you doing?"
"What? Can't you tell? He's lonely, so he asked me out to have some fun. It's not the first time anyway, so why are you so surprised?" Nan Jinping raised her chin slightly, looking at Jiang Linzhi with disdain, her face saying, "This is the man you found."
"Why?" Jiang Linzhi's face darkened further, his tightly clenched fist trembling slightly from the force.
"Why?" Nan Jinping's voice suddenly rose. "Why? I told you a man like that wasn't worth it, and now that you've seen it with your own eyes, shouldn't you believe me? Weren't your eyes working perfectly before? Now..."
With a sharp "smack," Nan Jinping's head was knocked to one side. Her mind was buzzing, and she remained in that position, unable to react for a moment.
A moment later, Nan Jinping looked at Jiang Linzhi in disbelief and said, "You hit me?"
Jiang Linzhi remained silent.
Nan Jinping's eyes were filled with shock, anger, and disbelief as she roared, "You hit me for a man like that!"
Jiang Linzhi grabbed Nan Jinping's loose clothes and pulled her closer, scolding her in a low voice like a lion: "Nan Jinping, let me tell you, you can do anything for yourself, but don't do it for others, and don't risk yourself for such a small thing."
The eyes before her were as dazzling and deep as emeralds. The disappointment and anger she had felt just moments before vanished instantly. She stared blankly at her, slowly pondering her words. She asked woodenly, "What do you mean?"
Jiang Linzhi looked back at Nan Jinping with the same bewildered and helpless look in her eyes, just like she had decades ago. The wet, sticky fluid between her legs was once easily obtained evidence of her crime, but back then it was so worthless, embarrassingly proclaiming the futility of her efforts.
At least Nan Jinping is smarter than her; she knows how to act.
Thinking of this, Jiang Linzhi frowned, took a deep breath, and released Nan Jinping's collar, saying, "You're much luckier than me. Don't be foolish for a man, understand?"
Watching her slowly walk away, Nan Jinping stood there stunned for a long time before she came to her senses. She covered her face, which had been slapped red, and murmured, "It wasn't for that man."
The man was right in front of her, and Jiang Linzhi, or rather Zuo Qinghou, was using every means to find her, playing a trick on her.
Nan Jinping finally understood Zuo Qinghou's meaning. Although she didn't understand what Zuo Qinghou wanted to do, she could do whatever Zuo Qinghou suggested.
Looking at the man in front of her again, Nan Jinping unconsciously became aloof. She tried hard to control her all-knowing emotions and left without even saying goodbye.
Zhu Huantang watched coldly, wondering what kind of trick Zuo Qinghou had played on Nan Jinping, making someone as dull-witted as Nan Jinping realize that she could do something useful by relying on the power of the Prince of Nanyang. He couldn't help but admire Zuo Qinghou's superb deceptive skills.
It's unlikely that just Nan Jinping will be enough to make Jiang Linzhi reveal himself.
Zhu Huantang wasn't that important to Zuo Qinghou, nor was Nan Jinping. He needed to find someone else who held more weight in Zuo Qinghou's heart.
Jiang Jinyi listened to Qi Lingjun's advice. Although he was still worried, he stopped looking for Zuo Qinghou recently.
However, when he returned, Qi Lingjun had been out in the snow all night because he was drunk, and his already lame leg had relapsed. He saw the imperial physician, but he could only take medicine and slowly recover, and it didn't have much effect. Now he has to use a cane to walk.
Most of the officials who were originally busy trying to establish kinship relationships have given up on the idea. Jiang Jinyi also felt a little regretful, wondering how such a talented and virtuous man could be in such poor health.
Seeing Qi Lingjun carefully checking the list of garrison officials, Jiang Jinyi suddenly asked, "How did you get drunk that day and fall into the garden?"
Qi Lingjun memorized what he had seen, slowly put down the document, and said earnestly, "From a small country to one capable of rivaling Wu, I am truly delighted, and have drunk a few extra cups. In addition..."
Qi Lingjun saw the inquiry and disbelief in Jiang Jinyi's eyes and said, "His Highness might be unhappy if I tell you, so it's better not to."
"It's alright, I'm not a petty person," Jiang Jinyi said.
Qi Lingjun carefully considered his words before slowly saying, "My former master has disappeared. I believe she practiced nepotism and deserved to be treated like this..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Jinyi slammed his hand on the table and stood up, coldly saying, "I know you two have a personal grudge, but to me, she is my family, the person I respect and love the most. I will pretend you said nothing today."
Qi Lingjun calmly raised his head and said, "As I said, Your Highness would be unhappy, but this matter is over now. Your Highness and I are of one mind and will not harbor any resentment."
"If I continue, I'll seem petty," Jiang Jinyi exhaled sharply and said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."
Suddenly, a servant knocked on the door. Qi Lingjun asked, "What is it?"
The servant pushed open the door, placed the invitation on the table, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness, Your Excellency, General Zhu invites you two to a gathering at the General's Mansion on the sixth day of the month, saying that there is important business to discuss."
Jiang Jinyi and Qi Lingjun exchanged a glance, and Qi Lingjun waved his hand and said, "Understood, you may leave."
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