If Qiao Zhen could see through Lu Yuanchuan's inner thoughts, she would definitely spit out a mouthful of blood to the heavens.
Fortunately, she couldn't see through it.
Lu Yuanchuan was dressed in a moon-white robe today, which accentuated his refined and elegant demeanor, as if polished and refined. The coldness in his eyes had melted away, a stark contrast to his usual self. "Zhenzhen, do you believe me?"
"I believe you." You're lying!
Lin Yuyun plotted against Qiao Zhen, but Qiao Zhen simply turned the tables on him, making Lu Yuanchuan unable to distinguish right from wrong. Last time, she even beat Qiao Zhen so badly that he almost disfigured her.
Qiao Zhen didn't even manage to injure Lin Yuyun's face, but Lu Yuanchuan was ruthless enough to injure Qiao Zhen's face.
Seeing the obvious disbelief in Qiao Zhen's eyes, Lu Yuanchuan simply raised his hand and ruffled Qiao Zhen's hair. "Good girl, Zhenzhen. Once I've settled things with my stepmother, no one can stop me from marrying you."
Although Qiao Zhen had already slept with him (which Lu Yuanchuan believed to be true), it was an undeniable fact that Qiao Zhen had been married to him. If a noble young man wanted to marry Qiao Zhen, he would certainly not care about her chastity. Therefore, Lu Yuanchuan still made a very careful and clear promise.
Qiao Zhen leaned her head against Lu Yuanchuan's shoulder, hoping that a month later, Lu Yuanchuan would still make such a touching promise to her.
"You should go back first. It's a man and a woman alone together. What if others misunderstand?" Qiao Zhen said sourly. "And Miss Lin is still waiting for you with bated breath. Don't break her heart."
Lu Yuanchuan chuckled and lowered his head to kiss Qiao Zhen's bright red lips, even licking them with his tongue. "Watermelon flavor."
Qiao Zhen's face flushed instantly. She buried her head in Lu Yuanchuan's arms, and after a moment she stood up again. She looked down at Lu Yuanchuan and said, "Trying to take advantage of this princess? No way! Not even a window."
She leaned down and kissed Lu Yuanchuan's lips, mimicking his actions by licking them as well. She smacked her lips and said, "It has no flavor, no fragrance, no sweetness, and it's not tasty at all."
After Qiao Zhen finished speaking, she gave a haughty snort, "Someone, escort Young Master Lu out of the manor."
Lu Yuanchuan looked at Qiao Zhen expressionlessly, yet his eyes clearly showed a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "This time, I am here to plead guilty. There is no need for the princess to send anyone to escort me. I will return now."
As Qiao Zhen watched Lu Yuanchuan's retreating figure, she couldn't bear to waste her exquisite outfit. So she asked Xu Ruankuang to protect her secretly, while she went to the brothel to see if Lu Yuanliu was there.
Perhaps it was good luck, but Lu Yuanliu was indeed at Huamanlou. After seeing Qiao Zhen, he pretended not to recognize her.
The two brothers are practically identical!
Qiao Zhen went backstage to change into her costume. Since she had given Hua Manlou a considerable sum of money, no one was surprised that she came to Hua Manlou's place.
Lu Yuanliu felt that Shi Juyi, a merchant's daughter, dared to ignore him, and his inherent arrogance as a young nobleman began to take hold. He had learned yesterday that Shi Juyi would only come to Hua Man Lou on the 9th, 19th, and 29th of each month, but today Shi Juyi made an exception and came. Everyone knew why.
Qiao Zhen didn't ask Lu Yuanliu any questions. Her purpose today was to whet Lu Yuanliu's appetite. Playing hard to get and refusing to accept are the essence of what our ancestors left us.
She asked the musician to play "Playing with Shadows," a tragic piece about a noblewoman and a general who later died in battle. The noblewoman, carrying their token of love, went to the battlefield to find the general, but was targeted by villains. Determined to resist, she threw herself against a pillar and died, unaware that the place where she died was the very spot where the general had fallen in battle.
Later generations gave them different stories, saying that the King of Hell was moved by their devotion and locked their souls there for all eternity.
When Qiao Zhen sang the last line, she actually omitted the last line, "My soul is locked away, I cannot return."
As the music ended and the lingering sound faded, Lu Yuanliu closed his folding fan and clapped his hands. "Well done! Miss Ju Yi sang very well, but why didn't she finish the last line?"
A story is just a story. In Qiao Zhen's view, the story ended just when the two's relationship was developing perfectly, leaving endless room for imagination for future generations. There may be regrets, pity, and sympathy, but if they were to hold onto a relationship that could not be sustained for countless lifetimes, they would probably end up as a pair of resentful lovers.
Qiao Zhen shook her head and did not answer. She said perfunctorily, "The story is poignant, and this opera dress is so complicated that it makes me feel depressed and confused."
Lu Yuanliu expressed his understanding, saying that women would inevitably feel melancholy upon hearing poignant stories. "Fates are different, Miss Juyi, you should try to be more open-minded."
Qiao Zhen bowed and said, "Thank you for your advice, young master."
Unwilling to be ignored by Qiao Zhen, Lu Yuanliu said, "I love drinking tea. Would Miss Ju Yi do me the honor of sharing a cup with me?"
Qiao Zhen naturally wouldn't refuse.
Lu Yuanliu led Qiao Zhen into a private room. He asked Qiao Zhen to sit down and then began to brew tea. After performing a set of tea etiquette with smooth movements, he invited Qiao Zhen to drink the tea.
Qiao Zhen first brought her delicate nose to smell the aroma, and then said in a pretentious manner, "The emerald green is enticing, curled up like a snail, with white clouds rolling around, and a refreshing fragrance. Is this Biluochun tea?"
“That’s right.” Lu Yuanliu’s associates were all noble young men and women, so he didn’t take the matter to heart, thinking it was just a normal thing that Qiao Zhen could recognize him.
Biluochun tea was a tribute tea, which was rare for wealthy merchants. Officials could be rewarded with a few ounces or pounds, but most of it was enjoyed by nobles in the palace.
Qiao Zhen took a few sips and put down the carved celadon cup. She looked at the fragrant tea with little interest, her eyes somewhat pale.
Lu Yuanliu raised an eyebrow. "Miss Ju Yi doesn't like this tea?"
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