Chapter 149 Killing, an alternative "surprise"
Shen Qingtan looked at Zhao Yi in surprise, and soon understood.
He thought she would invite the Fourth Lady and Qin Yao to come to Xishan together. There was a horse farm there, so he specially selected a pony for her and let her race horses with them.
"Do you want to change into riding clothes?" Zhao Yi saw the pony rubbing against Shen Qingtan's waist and opening its mouth to bite her clothes. He pulled the reins and said, "Just take a turn for now. We can change into riding clothes tomorrow."
Shen Qingtan frowned: "What about you?"
"I'll hold the leash for you." Zhao Yi looked at her intently: "I promised you that I would stay with you."
The soft spot in Shen Qingtan's heart was touched by him, and she couldn't help but feel a throbbing sensation.
Because he never treated her perfunctorily and always remembered what he promised her.
And fulfilling the promises one by one.
She said with a smile as beautiful as a flower, "Then I'll trouble you, Second Master."
Zhao Yi burst out laughing.
The groom put on the saddle.
Zhao Yi helped Shen Qingtan onto the horse.
She tensed herself, afraid of falling off the horse, her fingers tightly gripping the reins on both sides.
"Don't be afraid." Zhao Yi comforted him, "It's very docile and won't fall on you."
Shen Qingtan's throat tightened: "Okay."
She tried to relax, but the moment the foal moved, her heart instantly rose into her throat.
Until a hand was placed on her waist, her heart suddenly calmed down.
The foal padded slowly forward, and Shen Qingtan gradually adapted and completely relaxed.
A gentle breeze caressed her face as she stroked the pony's mane. "Erlang, should we buy another pony? Next time, we can ride together. We don't have to ride recklessly. We can just walk slowly like we are now and enjoy the scenery of the West Mountain."
Zhao Yi looked up at her bright eyes with a bright smile, showing a sense of freedom and ease.
He wanted to protect her until she was free from her shackles, and live a carefree, peaceful and happy life from then on.
The endless grassland ahead is just like their future. I just hope I can keep walking with her.
"Okay." Zhao Yi repeated, "Let's walk slowly together."
——
Yuwangfu.
Prince Yu was sitting in his study, holding a secret letter in his hand.
This letter came from Qingzhou. In previous years, he made a lot of money by selling salt permits.
Later, a natural disaster occurred and the sale of salt permits was affected.
Emperor Jing'an issued an order that donations of grain could be used to buy official positions, and they now had another means of making money.
The common people in Qingzhou no longer had to donate grain to buy an official position, they could buy one directly with silver.
When Prince Yu saw the amount of silver recorded in the letter, he lost interest and threw it into the brazier.
The palace secretary immediately took out a fire stick and burned the letter.
"Your Highness, the disaster in Qingzhou should be over soon," the Imperial Secretary said worriedly. "It's been going on for four years, and we've been lying every year. The court hasn't noticed yet, but that's because it's so far away. But if this goes on for too long, mistakes will inevitably appear."
"The disaster in Qingzhou should be over soon," Prince Yu said with a gloomy look. "Do you have any other good ideas?"
"The disasters across Great Zhou have just ended, and the corruption case in Guanzhou has erupted. We can't dwell on the disaster anymore, or it will attract attention." The Chancellor offered a suggestion: "The common people in Great Zhou are required to perform corvée labor, and many well-off families are unwilling to do it."
Prince Yu paused tapping the table with his fingers, motioning him to continue.
"If anyone is unwilling to perform corvée labor, they can pay it with silver. The government will then use a portion of this silver to hire other civilians to perform corvée labor in their place."
Zhan Shi considered and said, "The remaining part will all belong to us."
"You have always been dear to my heart," Prince Yu said, a half-smile on his face. "You are willing to sell your labor and take the place of others in labor service. It's clear that your family is so poor that they can barely afford to eat. There's no need to give them silver, just a bite of food as a reward."
Zhanshi was stunned: "What if the people are unwilling to take over?"
Prince Yu's eyes were cold as he asked, "Do you still need me to teach you such a small matter?"
The Chancellor was filled with awe and said hurriedly, "I understand."
“Knock knock—”
There was a knock on the door, and the guard outside said, "Your Highness, I have an important matter to report."
Prince Yu glanced at the Secretary of State.
Zhan Shi quickly withdrew and asked the guard to enter the study.
The guard quickly entered the study, closed the door, and said with a bow, "Your Highness, I have learned that Second Madam Zhao of Duke Zhao's Mansion has hired someone to investigate the disaster in Qingzhou."
Prince Yu's face darkened. "What did you say?"
"Second Madam Zhao must have gotten wind of the disaster from somewhere else, so she sent people to Qingzhou last night to investigate."
The guard continued, "I led my men in pursuit, but the man was very cunning and escaped. I saw his face and had an artist paint a small portrait overnight. We have it sent to Qingzhou as fast as possible and have Lord Li distribute it to all the checkpoints in Qingzhou to apprehend him."
Second Madam Zhao? Shen Qingtan?
Prince Yu's eyes were sinister. Concubine Ling did not allow him to confront Zhao Yi, but Zhao Yi's men were eager to die, so it was no wonder that he was ruthless.
"There's a road to heaven, but you won't take it. There's no door to hell, but you'll break in." Prince Yu pursed his scarlet lips and said, "I'll grant your wish."
He looked at the red fox lying on the couch and said coldly: "Kill her."
——
Shen Qingtan took into consideration that Zhao Yi was not physically able to handle it, so he just walked around the horse farm a little bit.
It was early summer now, and the sunlight was not gentle. She was sweating profusely and her cheeks were flushed.
When the couple returned to Wangyou Tower, the ambiguous and awkward atmosphere had dissipated.
"Go take a shower first, don't catch a cold." Zhao Yi handed her a handkerchief: "I'm not sweating, take a shower later."
Shen Qingtan reached out and touched his neck. His skin was as warm and cool as jade, feeling refreshing.
Sure enough, I didn't sweat.
"Then I'll go take a shower first."
Shen Qingtan was very at ease and turned to go to the inner room.
Zhao Yi was shocked by her sudden action, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.
He raised his hand and touched his neck, and it seemed that he could still feel her soft touch.
Shen Qingtan didn't know the shock his unintentional action brought to Zhao Yi.
She took out her clothes and accidentally glanced at the shirt next to the pillow. She immediately stuffed the shirt into the suitcase and then went into the bathroom.
There is no bathtub in the bathroom, but a round bathtub in the middle.
She put down her clothes and prepared to call Liu Yue to fetch water.
Suddenly, she saw something on the wall and her expression changed immediately.
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