Chapter 71
Adoptive father? Was Tang Jing’s adoptive father the man who adopted her and was eventually taken into the army with her?
Zhou Li thought to herself, and she asked, "Can you go back?"
Tang Jing was brought into the prince's mansion to be a concubine. Can she go home easily?
"Others may not be able to do it, but I can." Tang Jing said lightly.
Zhou Li didn't know what methods she had, but Tang Jing had more tricks than her.
Zhou Li asked why Tang Jing was so enthusiastic tonight?
As she was thinking, Tang Jing asked, "Do you want to go back with me? Let's go see our adoptive father and ask him to let us be together."
ah?
Zhou Li was dumbfounded. She thought the two of them should be bed partners, but she didn't expect Tang Jing to be so deeply involved.
Zhou Li swallowed and was thinking about what to say when Tang Jing suddenly smiled at her.
"I was just joking. You look so nervous. How can two women be together?"
Zhou Li laughed awkwardly, feeling that Tang Jing's expression was somewhat serious.
She just felt that their relationship developed too quickly. They somehow got together and it happened so many times.
Zhou Li recalled the chaos at that time. He felt confused and dazed, with a lot of desires that he wanted to find someone to vent.
Tang Jing put on his clothes, stood in front of the window, said to Zhou Li, "Wait for me." Then he jumped out of the window.
Zhou Li exclaimed, there was no outsider here, so it was okay to go in through the door.
She shook her head, her body was sticky, and she went to get a basin of water and wiped it carefully.
Only then did Zhou Li realize that she had never taken care of Tang Jing because she acted too strong.
Is she a beast? Secretly scolding himself, Zhou Li packed up and went to bed.
There was an unknown fragrance on the bed where Tang Jing had lain. Zhou Li smelled the scent and gradually fell asleep.
There was nothing to do in the morning, so Zhou Li and Dapeng went out for breakfast and to experience the customs and culture of the capital.
They went to the West Market. Unlike the East Market, the West Market was mostly populated by ordinary people setting up stalls. Stalls selling all kinds of vegetables, fruits and food were set up early, which was a feast for the eyes.
Zhou Li ordered two bowls of tofu pudding and three meat buns. Dapeng gobbled two of them without worrying about the heat. He looked at the remaining one with embarrassment and lowered his head to eat the tofu pudding. Zhou Li guessed that Dapeng was not full. People in their line of work have big appetites. Zhou Li was not very hungry either, so she pushed the bun towards Dapeng and said that the tofu pudding was enough for her.
The tofu pudding shop owner was very generous in filling a bowl, sprinkled with brine, chili peppers, pickles and chopped green onions. It was shiny and bright red, and the tofu was soft, glutinous and sweet, and it went down in one gulp.
Zhou Li was very satisfied with this bowl of rice. After finishing his meal, he drank some water from the stall to relieve his thirst. Dapeng was still not full and went to buy some sesame cakes nearby. Zhou Li had just taken a sip of water when two yamen runners sat down behind him. They looked like they had just finished their night shift.
The two yamen runners asked the boss to bring six buns and a bowl of wonton. As they ate, they whispered, "I heard that the guy in the south got into trouble. He made the boss's teeth drop out with joy."
Zhou Li didn't care at first and was still looking around, but suddenly she heard Nan Fang and her eyes became serious. She adjusted her sitting position calmly. The food for the people behind her had not been served yet, and the two yamen runners were discussing casually.
"If something really happened to that person, then we're in for a rough time."
Another person laughed and said, "The eagle got its eye pecked by the eagle, haha."
He laughed a little too loudly, and the other person shushed him, and he finally stopped laughing.
At this time, the boss brought the food to the table. The two of them lowered their heads and began to eat with big mouthfuls, no longer communicating. Zhou Li didn't know why she thought of Tang Jing's words last night about her adoptive father being in trouble and her needing to go home to visit her family. Tang Jing's adoptive father...
"Boss, let's go!" Dapeng ran back happily, holding a big pancake.
Zhou Li stood up and nodded to Dapeng. The people eating there looked at them curiously out of reflex, but only saw Zhou Li's back.
Zhou Li was not in the mood to go shopping, but Dapeng was still in a good mood. He was happy about everything he saw, but Zhou Li was absent-minded.
At this moment, the system that had not appeared for a long time suddenly spoke in her mind.
[Emergency mission, save Zhang Mei. ]
Zhou Li frowned and said to Dapeng, "I suddenly remembered that I have some things to go back for."
Dapeng quickly said, "Then let's go back."
Zhou Li went back, walked around the room twice, and asked the system: "What's going on with the emergency mission? Isn't my mission Tang Jing?"
System: [Given the complexity of this world, although the heroine is the true goddess, she cannot control the overall situation of the world. If you want the heroine to have a stable future, you need the world to be stable.]
[Zhang Mei is calculated to be the person with the most potential to be an emperor. Now he has been poisoned and is in critical condition. If he dies, the heroine will not be able to survive for long in this chaotic world.]
Zhou Li's heart trembled.
She whispered, "I know."
Zhou Li stayed in the house for a while and decided to go find Tang Jing. She didn't know whether her proposal last night would count. As an ordinary person, Zhou Li didn't have the ability to get close to Zhang Mei and could only rely on Tang Jing. Moreover, she also had doubts about the adoptive father Tang Jing mentioned yesterday.
Zhou Li acted quickly, took a piece of music score from her luggage, and quickly reported to the prince's mansion. She made an excuse at the gatehouse that she and Tang Jing had slept side by side last time, and she said that she had a precious music score in her hand, which she had found and specially sent to Tang Jing.
The concierge hadn't received any news of this and looked a little hesitant. Zhou Li took out a purse and stuffed it into his hand, saying with a smile, "Please go and tell her I'm here. She'll definitely know."
It was just a matter of running a few steps. The doorman also knew Zhou Li. He was the man who had performed in the mansion for several days on the prince's birthday. It was not a big deal. The doorman shook his purse and nodded with satisfaction.
Zhou Li waited anxiously outside the door. Tang Jing had said he was going home, but he wouldn't be leaving so soon, right? She wondered if he had left yet. She stood at the gate. The entrance to the prince's mansion was magnificent, with two tall, majestic stone lions. Zhou Li stood beneath the columns. The gate was wide enough for a horse to pass through. Because it was a place of nobility, there were few pedestrians on the road.
Zhou Li looked at the clear blue sky without a single white cloud floating in the air. She pursed her lips, clasped her hands together, and waited quietly.
The doorman was gone for a long time before it opened again. Zhou Li looked in expectantly. The doorman smiled and said to her, "Sir, Aunt Tang said she's been waiting for you for a long time."
Zhou Li smiled and followed the doorman in. Tang Jing's servants were waiting inside to take Zhou Li to see Tang Jing.
This was the first time Zhou Li went to see Tang Jing entering through the main gate.
Although he already knew the magnificence of the City Lord's Mansion, the route he took this time was different from the last time, and Zhou Li saw different scenery. Whether it was the rockery and rocks or the arrangement of flowers, plants and trees, they were all different, but they all had a sense of wealth.
It’s not like Zhou Li hasn’t performed in wealthy families before, but they are from aristocratic families after all, so their demeanor is different.
Although Zhou Li was amazed in her heart, she did not show it on her face. She followed the servants through many twists and turns. The prince's mansion was big, and Tang Jing's residence was remote. It took a long time to get there from the gate.
When we arrived at Tang Jing's courtyard, we found that it was a secluded place and quite quiet. The pines and bamboos around it were all green and lush, which was more in line with Tang Jing's temperament.
Zhou Li smiled at the servant and thanked him in a low voice.
The servant waved his hand and went to report. Tang Jing came out from behind the curtain, wearing a green coat. He was like a refreshing breeze, refreshing to the heart. Zhou Li's summer heat was relieved by the green in front of him, as if Tang Jing had his own coolness.
"Everyone go down." Tang Jing said lightly.
The two servants in the room left and closed the door. Only then did Zhou Li realize that Tang Jing's room was not hot.
It turned out that it was not her body that was cooling her down, but there was an ice basin in the corner of the room.
Tang Jing glanced at Zhou Li with her beautiful eyes and snorted coldly, "Why are you looking for me? Don't you know I'm leaving? You come to cause trouble for me."
Zhou Li smiled apologetically and said, "I came here because I knew you were leaving."
"What are you here for? To see me off?" Tang Jing asked.
Zhou Li touched his nose and said honestly, "I want to go with you."
Tang Jing was obviously stunned for a moment, and looked at Zhou Li carefully. She said calmly: "Do you really want to go home with me?"
Zhou Li nodded, and Tang Jing's face showed joy, but then he frowned.
"Tell me the truth."
Zhou Li looked innocent, "I'm telling the truth."
Tang Jing didn't believe it.
Although she was overjoyed, she was not carried away. She tried to test Zhou Li yesterday, but Zhou Li didn't seem to want to go with her at all. Why did he want to leave after just one night?
Even if it was a change, it wouldn't happen so quickly. Tang Jing had a feeling that Zhou Li was hiding something from her.
However, their relationship itself was based on mutual deception. For example, every time Tang Jing went to see Zhou Li, she would incense her clothes. That incense had the effect of helping with sleep and aphrodisiac, so Zhou Li would be so impulsive when he saw her, including their first night.
Tang Jing is used to using despicable means. She always uses any means to achieve her goals, but Zhou Li doesn't know it. She has never said that she is a good person.
Tang Jing lifted Zhou Li's chin. Zhou Li's eyes dodged for a moment, then he stared at Tang Jing closely. Tang Jing smiled faintly, "You want to leave? Then I'll take you with me. An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet her parents-in-law."
No matter what Zhou Li's purpose is, once they arrive in her territory, they have to listen to her. Tang Jing is confident of this. She also received intelligence that the Ranger Hall has the intention to contact them, which may be a good thing.
Zhou Li relaxed, and Tang Jing didn't even bother to investigate further.
She asked Tang Jing, "When are you leaving? I'll go back and pack my things and arrange for my people."
Tang Jing smiled at her and said, "Tomorrow, we have arranged a boat. It will be faster for us to go by boat."
Zhou Li nodded. Tang Jing stretched out his arm, pulled down the sleeve of his right hand with his left hand, straightened his arm, raised his right palm, and asked Zhou Li for something.
"Didn't you say you brought me some music? Where's the music?"
Zhou Li originally wanted to use the music score as an excuse, but he really brought the music score. Nowadays, knowledge is a private collection, and things with words on them are either not circulated outside or very expensive. Zhou Li put the music score in Tang Jing's hands with a distressed look on his face.
Tang Jing can sing Jingyun Drum Opera and is a connoisseur.
She unfolded it and took a look, then chuckled, "It's actually the real thing."
Zhou Li sighed: "Of course."
"Give it to me?" Tang Jing asked.
Zhou Li nodded.
"You are willing to do it." Tang Jing said.
After the discussion, Tang Jing invited Zhou Li to sit down and served some iced drinks. She didn't lie to Zhou Li. She really had everything here and the room was cool.
Zhou Li liked to stay cool, so he had an ice drink and then ate ice fruit. At noon, Tang Jing asked him to stay for lunch. He drank a few bowls of ice porridge, but he started to have diarrhea before he left.
Tang Jing has an iron stomach and doesn't like food. He just wants to fill his stomach every time. Seeing that Zhou Li likes to eat, he doesn't want to stop Zhou Li from eating and drinking, otherwise he will get into trouble.
She asked someone to get a hot water bottle and put it on Zhou Li's belly, and then rubbed Zhou Li's stomach.
Zhou Li was drowsy from the warm afternoon breeze. They sat on the small couch in front of the window in the house. Zhou Li lay down comfortably with her eyes closed. Tang Jing looked down at her, his hand still on her stomach. Her wide sleeves covered half of Zhou Li's body. She knelt, gradually lowered her head and leaned over, lightly kissing Zhou Li's eyelids.
Zhou Li's eyes moved restlessly. Tang Jing knew she was not asleep. He moved his fingers down along her cheekbone and bit her lips again. Zhou Li raised her hand, which was held by Tang Jing. She smiled and said, "Itchy."
Tang Jing fell on Zhou Li, half of his body resting on her.
Zhou Li thought that Tang Jing wanted to have sex in broad daylight, so he left the windows and doors wide open. He was frightened for a while, but he didn't expect that this man fell asleep first.
She looked at the ceiling, the hot water bottle on her belly drove away the cold, and she gradually fell asleep.
When Zhou Li woke up, the warm breeze helped him sleep well.
The person in my arms is long gone.
Zhou Li woke up feeling a little dazed, her memories returning. She sat up, and Tang Jing just came out of the house and handed her a souvenir. "Tomorrow morning, go directly to the dock to find me. You don't need to come here. Give this to the boatman, and he will take you aboard."
Zhou Li took it and looked at the pattern on the souvenir. It should be the logo of Tang Jing and his team. She nodded and put it away.
Seeing that she was still a little confused, Tang Jing stretched out his index finger and tapped Zhou Li's forehead: "What? You still want to stay with me? Aren't you leaving?"
Zhou Li then realized that she had been staring at Tang Jing.
Her face flushed slightly and she cleared her throat: "I'll go now."
Tang Jing accompanied her all the way to the yard entrance, and packed some food for Zhou Li, asking her to take it back and share it with everyone.
Zhou Li said while carrying the things, "See you tomorrow." He turned around, waved to Tang Jing, and was sent out by the servants.
Tang Jing looked at her with a smile in his eyes. Just then, someone walked into her yard, saw Tang Jing, and said, "Hey, sister, do you have guests?"
Tang Jing looked at the person who came and nodded coldly, then went back to the house and slammed the gate shut, which made the people outside very angry. They cursed her for being so noble, saying that they were all brought in to be concubines!
Tang Jing didn't care what people outside thought. What she had thought was different from what happened after she entered the mansion. The old prince seldom came here. If he went, he would go to the concubines' places, or have sex with the male favorites in the Guanju Garden. There were countless people brought into the mansion. If she didn't curry favor with the two concubines, she would hardly see the prince all year round. Life in the mansion was quite hard. But it was different if she had some family background. The two concubines would give her some face based on her background. The situation in the mansion was complicated, and Tang Jing hadn't even met everyone when she first arrived.
If the emperor has three thousand beauties in his harem, the old prince is no less impressive.
Tang Jing should just close the door and live his own life, which would be convenient for her.
Zhou Li went back to arrange the other members of the troupe. He mainly greeted the manager of Guiyitang and made up an excuse that he was going to visit relatives, asking him to look after his people.
The shopkeeper was a little unhappy, but he was the one who hired the person, and there was no employment relationship between them, so he had to hold his nose and swallow his anger. Naturally, his tone was not very good when he reported to his boss Li Ruiqi in the evening. However, when Li Ruiqi heard that Zhou Li was going to visit relatives, a smile appeared on his face.
The shopkeeper is not sure, please give me some instructions, boss.
Li Ruiqi glanced at him and said, "What a blockhead! I was a little worried about this person staying in our Guiyi Hall. Now that she's gone so cleanly, I'm relieved. It means she has no feelings towards us and is an outsider. This way, I don't have to worry about her finding out anything."
The shopkeeper suddenly understood.
Li Ruiqi snorted coldly: "You still have a lot to learn."
The shopkeeper said repeatedly: "The boss is really thoughtful."
If Zhou Li knew that she had left and that others would not doubt her, she would probably be in a dilemma. She could only say that some people thought too little. Although she was not their rival, she would not stand on their side either.
The next morning, Zhou Li arrived at the port on time as agreed with Tang Jing. A ship had already set sail from the port before dawn. The port was full of porters loading goods onto the ship. There were also pedestrians taking the boat, but not many.
When Zhou Li arrived, she saw a flag with the same design as the one on the souvenir Tang Jing had given her. After confirming the design on the souvenir, she walked to the boarding area and handed the souvenir to the boat attendant. The boat attendant looked Zhou Li up and down and said to her, "Follow me."
Without any notification, he took Zhou Li directly onto the boat.
The ship had two decks. The porters carried the cargo down to the cabin, while the boatman took Zhou Li to the second deck.
The second floor is decorated very luxuriously, and it is obvious that it is not a place where ordinary people can stay.
The boatman handed Zhou Li's letter to the steward on the second floor. The steward took a look at it and said to the boatman, "I'll take care of this. You go ahead and do your work."
After the boatman left, she smiled and asked Zhou Li, "Are you Mr. Feihua? Our master has already told us to take good care of you once you get on board."
Zhou Li was surprised. "Isn't Tang Jing here yet?"
The housekeeper replied, "It's not time yet. Mr. Feihua, let's go in and talk."
The inner room was very spacious and covered with thick carpet, so Zhou Li walked as if on flat ground.
The housekeeper took her to see the sleeping room and answered her doubts. It turned out that Tang Jing's trip home this time was approved by the old prince himself, so he would come to see her off in person. Zhou Li could only get on the boat and wait first.
Zhou Li wondered if the old prince knew Tang Jing's identity. If he did, how could he be so unconcerned? If he didn't, wouldn't the old prince be suspicious since Tang Jing was going back to the south?
Although many scholars came from the south, and Zhang Mei did not go in and out directly with the local people, but running from the territory of the hostile forces and then going back, would it really not attract other people's attention?
No one answered Zhou Li's doubts. The housekeeper took her to her room and went away to do her business, leaving her with a servant to serve her.
Zhou Li sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the gurgling sound of the water. When the sun rose higher, he saw a large group of people coming here. All the people in the port had been cleared out. The servants of the prince's mansion were every two meters apart, making for a very grand occasion.
Tang Jing got off the car in the distance. The old prince, who was still in good shape, got off his horse to see her off. The two of them standing together did not look like a couple, but more like a grandfather and grandson. Zhou Li got goosebumps when she saw it.
Tang Jing's hand was held by the old prince. A cold look appeared in her eyes, but she had to patiently listen to what the old man said.
After a lot of roundabout and sour words, he finally got to the point. The old prince said, "Give my regards to your family. I hope they are doing well!"
Tang Jing nodded, and the old prince said, "Be careful on the road," before letting go of his hand.
Tang Jing lowered her hands and hid them in her sleeves. She gently rubbed them on her legs, which still felt greasy.
After getting on the boat, he whispered to the servants to fetch water to wash his hands.
The ship lurched gently as it left the harbor.
Zhou Li was waiting around before Tang Jing arrived.
When she saw Zhou Li, a smile appeared in her eyes. "Have you been waiting for a long time? Have you eaten breakfast?"
Zhou Li nodded: "I have eaten."
The servants brought in water. Tang Jing used soap to wash her hands three times before stopping. She wiped them with a cloth and heard Zhou Li's puzzled question, "Are we just going to leave by boat like this?"
Tang Jing smiled and said, "Take the boat first, and then change to a carriage when you get to my house."
"Your home?" Zhou Li continued to be puzzled.
"It's a fake identity arranged for me by my adoptive father." Tang Jing replied.
"Does the old prince know?" Zhou Li asked.
"He knows." Tang Jing said.
She put down the hand towel and said to Zhou Li, "Let's not talk about those unhappy topics. Let's talk about something else. For example, what preparations have you made for going back with me this time?"
Zhou Li coughed and his eyes wandered.
Tang Jing wouldn't really want to take her back to come out, right?
"Doesn't your Ranger Hall have any response?" Tang Jing asked.
It turned out to be in the questioning hall...
Zhou Li said with a straight look in his eyes: "I don't know what the hall is thinking."
"What about you?" Tang Jing approached, "Do you want to be my opponent or teammate?"
Tang Jing's aura suddenly became strong, and she only took a few steps, but Zhou Li felt dangerous.
Her energy was locked by Tang Jing, as if Tang Jing would suddenly draw his sword if she didn't say something that satisfied her.
The atmosphere between the two suddenly became tense.
Tang Jing stared at Zhou Li with his dark eyes, trying to read her thoughts from her face.
Although Zhou Li is a simple person, he has an inner bottom line that cannot be broken. The time they have been in contact is short, and Tang Jing doesn't know what Zhou Li's bottom line is, and she dare not touch it easily. But the opponent is still a teammate, and Tang Jing wants to know what Zhou Li is thinking. She doesn't want to be suddenly assigned a mission one day, and the mission is to kill Zhou Li!
Zhou Li knew Tang Jing was serious. The playful expression on her face disappeared, and she looked back at Tang Jing seriously. She said lightly, "Maybe there is a third option?"
Tang Jing was stunned for a moment, her momentum subsided a little, and she seemed to be thinking about something.
"Do you, the Ranger Hall, want to become a third faction that exists independently?"
She scoffed, "Impossible! Now is the time to take sides. If you, the Ranger Hall, don't join, you will be wiped out by both sides. No one can tolerate an organization that violates the law with force! The country has its own laws, and everyone must abide by them!"
"What about you?" Zhou Li knew that Tang Jing was right, but couldn't help but remind Tang Jing of her existence.
"What's the difference between you and us? Aren't we all dealing with things that can't be dealt with openly?"
So when my adoptive father accomplishes his great cause, I will die.
Tang Jing murmured in her heart, but she didn't want to tell Zhou Li about the begging in her heart. She just wanted Zhou Li to live well so that he could collect her body. This was also the reason why she wanted to bring Zhou Li to the public. As long as Zhou Li showed up in front of her adoptive father, her hard work over the years could always win her adoptive father some favor and save Zhou Li.
Tang Jing said in a low voice: "This has nothing to do with you."
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