This time, Wei Tingsi didn't climb in through the window, but came out from behind the screen. Zhao Shu was startled when she saw him come out.
"Brother." Upon seeing him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
Wei Tingsi looked at her, took out a chain from his pocket and handed it to her, "Take this. If you need anything, just go to Yipinju and find the manager."
Zhao Shu took the chain and gave Wei Tingsi a strange look. The chain was very peculiar. The rope was neither gold nor silver, but a shiny black color, and the material was indistinguishable. The pendant was a hard object shaped like an arrow, with a dark and shiny luster. It was not particularly beautiful, but it was not vulgar either, and it had a unique charm.
"What is this?" When giving gifts to girls, one should give jade or gold items; this chain is completely out of place.
"The Cloud-Piercing Chain can be used as a token. I am leaving Guanzhou and will not be able to watch over you anymore. You must be careful in everything you do. If anything happens, take the Cloud-Piercing Chain to the manager of Yipinju." Wei Tingsi said again.
Although Zhao Shu felt it was extremely inappropriate to accept the lotus seeds, she also felt she would lose a great help if she didn't. She needed help from all sides to fight against those demons and monsters... With mixed feelings, she still put the lotus seeds into her bosom.
However, Wei Tingsi stopped her and took the Cloud Piercing Chain from her hand. Seeing him take the Cloud Piercing Chain from her hand, she felt extremely reluctant. Did he regret it? Was he afraid that she would cause trouble and be unable to help?
The next moment, she blushed at her own petty thoughts.
Wei Tingsi untied the rope and personally put it on her. "Don't lose it. With this token, you can command all the staff at Yipinju and the people behind them. I know you are different from ordinary young ladies. This is very good. However, you are still weak and cannot protect yourself. Do not give yourself away."
The first time someone told her that it was fine to be different from other young ladies, that it was very good. The Empress Dowager thought she was acting on her own initiative, and Huo Baichuan thought she was a woman and told her to go home and embroider.
Come to think of it, she knows very few people, just this few.
"Where is my brother going?" Zhao Shu asked, making up a random topic to cover up her lapse in composure.
Wei Tingsi put the chain on her wrist and took two steps back. "Right now, the princes of Duan are vying for the throne. I am training troops in his fiefdom. I will not return to the capital for three to five years. The capital is in great chaos right now, so you should not return to the capital lightly, understand? You may return to the capital when I lead a million soldiers." The last sentence sounded like a joke.
Zhao Shu laughed and nodded, "Alright, I'll wait for my brother to lead a million soldiers to escort me back to the capital." Remembering Liang Yunsi's words, she quickly asked, "Eunuch Liang said that the Empress Dowager's health is not as good as before, is that true?"
"It's nothing, just a smokescreen. His Majesty is overworked, so his health is naturally weaker than others, but it doesn't matter. The Fourth Prince will return to the capital tomorrow, so don't stop him. We'll discuss everything once he's back in the capital, understand?" He rambled on and on, as if possessed by Granny Zhuang, talking a lot.
Zhao Shu listened quietly. Wei Tingsi was always taciturn, so she was really surprised that he could say so much this time.
She nodded, then suddenly asked, "Does my brother know of Empress Yide?"
Wei Tingsi was taken aback, but still nodded slightly. "Know a little. Shushu, don't investigate Empress Yide's affairs. Promise me now." He looked directly at Zhao Shu, his posture indicating that he absolutely had to get her to agree.
Seeing his serious demeanor, Zhao Shu couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Why? If Consort Hao can know, I must know too, otherwise I will always suffer. My grandmother tolerates Consort Hao in every way because of Empress Yide. Consort Hao has such a great support, while I know nothing about this support. I feel very insecure."
What she didn't know was that the Empress Dowager had her concerns, but also intended for her to practice. Many years later, when she looked back on the past, she realized that the journey had been full of dangers and heartwarming moments, as well as the profound love of parents for their children.
"This is the Emperor's Achilles' heel, do you know that? Consort Hao knows it because she has known it since she was a child, not because of the Emperor. The Emperor never allows anyone to mention Empress Yide. A few years ago, someone mentioned it unintentionally, and as a result, the Emperor had him skinned alive. Are you afraid?"
Zhao Shu shook her head. She wasn't afraid, but she was even more curious. However, since it was Emperor Mingde's sore spot, she decided not to investigate Emperor Mingde and instead start with Consort Hao. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Brother, do you know what kind of relationship Consort Hao has with Empress Yide?"
"Empress Yide is very mysterious, and I know very little about her. However, Consort Hao's dancing is very similar to Empress Yide's. It seems that Empress Yide did not pass on her skills to outsiders. I don't know where Consort Hao learned it. That's why the Emperor dotes on Consort Hao so much. Alright, Shushu, don't go against Consort Hao for now. Is that possible?" As he spoke, he even had a coaxing tone, but his tone was stiff, and he was not good at coaxing people.
Zhao Shu chuckled, clearly not good at coaxing people. "I didn't oppose Consort Hao, but she insisted on killing me. Brother, do you know how the Emperor's brother-in-law and father-in-law died? Consort Hao and I have long been sworn enemies."
"Don't worry, I'll find her some work. I guarantee she won't cause you any trouble for the next three to five years. Are you confident about that?"
Zhao Shu nodded vigorously. She only needed three to five years! Just three to five years! What she lacked most right now was time. As long as she had time, she was sure she could train a group of people, and then she would no longer be afraid of Zhao Bi.
He bowed deeply to Wei Tingsi, saying, "Thank you, brother."
"Consider it repaying a favor," he said.
Zhao Shu became shy and somewhat embarrassed. "If I wanted to repay favors, I would have done so long ago. Now I owe my brother many favors, and I don't know how to repay them."
"Make me some rice cakes, and I'll repay you next time we meet." Wei Tingsi picked up a chair and sat down, clearly still having something to say.
Zhao Shu sat opposite him. "Brother, is Yipinju yours?" she asked belatedly, still wearing the Cloud-Piercing Chain around her neck that could command Yipinju.
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