It took three full months to reach Jiangnan, stopping and walking along the way.
Even the New Year was spent in some unknown deserted village, where every household hung red lanterns and set off firecrackers. Lu Anyuan was jealous, so he ordered Ah Da to buy lanterns from a town 20 or 30 miles away, and hung them around the carriage. He also said to his men proudly:
"How is it? This finally feels like the New Year, right?"
Xu Yixing looked at the four weird red paper lanterns hanging outside the car, and the only thing that came to his mind was the story of the ghost in the deserted mountain. He shook his head, picked up Xiaobao and decisively changed cars to sleep.
Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, I was awakened by a shrill female voice. I hurriedly got up to check on Xiaobao, but then I remembered that he was only three months old and how could he make such a sound.
So he stuck his head out and saw an unlucky daughter-in-law from an unknown family. She ran out of the village in the middle of the night to light the soul lamp for her ancestors. She happened to run into a strange carriage team parked outside the deserted mountain. The car in the middle was hanging a big red lantern. She was scared to death. Thinking that she had encountered a ghost, she ran back to the village without looking back.
Lu Anyuan's face was dark. Seeing the twinkling torches in the village heading out of the village, he said "retreat" decisively and led everyone away from this place. He took down the lantern and put it in the car. He never showed it to anyone again before he felt relieved.
The next day, Xu Yixing pointed at the tattered paper lanterns under the car seats and laughed at him for a long time.
Lu Anyuan looked dejected, and he only whispered, "I've already ordered people to evacuate quickly. Besides, you didn't remind me and caused me to lose such a big person. You are really too much..."
Ah Er then poked his head in and added, "But we left in such a hurry. If the woman came back with her people and found no one, wouldn't she be even more convinced that she had seen a ghost?"
Then Xu Yixing heard a click, and Lu Anyuan completely locked the window from the inside, too embarrassed to see anyone outside.
It is not very warm in Jiangnan in February, so you still need to wear thick clothes.
After entering the city gate early in the morning, the motorcade headed for a secluded courtyard in the east. When Xu Yixing emerged from the carriage and saw the house, he immediately beamed. "Great, great! Lu Anyuan's arrangements were truly excellent. A house this large is rare even in the capital. Furthermore, it's backed by Lindai Mountain and has its own courtyard on the mountain. It's truly a perfect place for retirement."
When he entered the main courtyard and the main house, he was even more surprised at first glance: "Are these all moved from the Prince's Mansion?"
The furnishings in the main room were no different from before. All of Xu Yixing's things were moved in. Even the little clay figurine in the box was quietly placed in the hollow carved cabinet, welcoming him with a smile.
"Yes, I have moved everything that can be moved here. Your dowry and jewelry are also here. It's just that those maids and servants were not brought here before, otherwise it would be too conspicuous. I have asked someone to arrange a good place for them. Do you blame me?" Lu Anyuan's eyes were full of apology. He knew that Yixing had a close relationship with her personal maids. It was a pity that he couldn't bring them here. It was really embarrassing.
"They should have had a way out long ago. You arranged it, and I'm relieved." Xu Yixing's tears welled up. She hadn't expected Lu Anyuan to be so thoughtful and considerate, to go this far for her. But she couldn't help but worry, "But if you move these things here, won't that make it clear to the new emperor that you're still alive? Isn't that a bit too ostentatious?"
"On the contrary, I packed up everything and took it out just to let him know that I was truly determined to leave and had no intention of ever returning."
"This... human hearts are hard to predict. Even if he doesn't touch you for a day, what will happen in the future?"
"Fourth Brother's son has already started his studies in the Upper Study. He has plenty of time and experience to train an heir and won't be keeping an eye on us. Besides, I've left him with some minor and moderate problems. If he understands, he should handle them properly and not be distracted. Otherwise, I'll find a way to keep him busy."
"Okay, then, that's it?"
"Yes, that's it. You and I, Xiaobao, the three of us will stay together forever, okay?"
"Okay!" Xu Yixing nodded vigorously. It turned out that the life she had dreamed of, which was so far away, was actually so easily accessible. Lu Anyuan, I really didn't misjudge him!
Lu Anyuan looked at Yixing's rosy face, which was now filled with tears. He suddenly felt as if his heart was being touched, and his heart was filled with pity. He hurriedly asked the nanny to take Xiaobao out. Without waiting for Xia Xiao and the others to bring the things in the car and arrange them, he pulled Yixing and gave her a passionate kiss.
"Madam... Yixing... are you, are you feeling better?" Lu Anyuan lowered his head and saw Yixing's red face and slightly confused eyes, and asked softly.
"Are...are you feeling better?" Xu Yixing raised his eyes and saw his grape-like eyes, watery and misty, not to mention the red mark on the corner of his mouth that he had just bitten, which was particularly eye-catching.
"I've been well for a long time!" As if to prove something, Lu Anyuan raised his arms and knocked his chest twice like a monkey, making a thudding sound.
"Well, then come on..." Xu Yixing leaned forward, put his arms around his neck, let him pick him up horizontally, and strode towards the bed.
Perhaps because they hadn't slept together in a long time, Lu Anyuan's technique had regressed a bit. Several times, his teeth knocked against each other and hurt. Xu Yixing couldn't help but bite back harder, even saying some provocative words in a fit of anger. The joy here was not to be shared with outsiders.
"Oh!" Xu Yixing lay down and covered herself with the quilt. She was really tired, but Lu Anyuan didn't seem to want to let her go so easily. He still held her in his arms, kissing and caressing her.
"I say, you've been emperor for at least half a year. How many concubines have you taken into your harem?"
"About three or four..."
"What!" Xu Yixing got furious and pushed his face away, wishing he could use all the strength he had just used in his fists to beat this unfaithful man to death!
"Oh... you're so fierce, listen to my explanation..." Lu Anyuan whispered in his ear: "This is also one of the reasons why I don't want to be emperor anymore. Those few were forced in by the Empress Dowager and the ministers. The Empress has been ill for a long time, and they all worked hard to climb up, but two of them died in just half a year. I'm really scared... Do you think the word grace is so important? You have to fight to the death..."
As Lu Anyuan spoke, he noticed from the corner of his eye that Xu Yixing's face was still ashen. He knew that what he said must be wrong, so he quickly explained: "I didn't touch them. I swear to God, I slept in my own bedroom for half a year. You can ask Ah Da and Ah Er!"
"Hmph." Xu Yixing finally made a move, but sneered: "Then I have to keep a close eye on you. If you want to take a concubine, I'll send one away. When the time comes, I'll divorce you too. Don't blame me for not telling you in advance!"
Lu Anyuan smiled even more: "Then Madam, you must take good care of yourself. I'm afraid you won't be able to bear it... Hahahaha!"
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