53 Taking a Concubine
◎Not allowing him to kiss, but crawling into his bed◎
“…”
While Yan Qizhen was stunned for a moment, Wei Ziyan lifted her skirt and stepped on the horse stool to get into the carriage, ignoring him.
After a moment of inexplicable silence, Yan Qizheng leaned over to get into the car. She had already sat down, her arms folded in anger, refusing to even glance at him. Yan Qizheng was completely bewildered, not knowing how he had irritated this ancestor.
"Are you drunk?" He sat over and the only reason he could think of was that he was drunk.
Wei Ziyan turned her head away: "I'm drunk, don't bother me."
"Didn't I tell you not to drink too much?"
"I, I'm happy... Those actors are a delight to watch and they dance beautifully, so why can't I drink?"
Actor?
It turns out that he was happy to see it.
Yan Qizheng felt depressed as he imagined her holding a glass of wine, infatuated with other men. She even told him not to make noise, so as not to disturb her savoring the moment!
The two of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts, and the carriage suddenly fell silent. However, even after the noises beside them finally died down, Wei Ziyan still felt uneasy.
She panted, leaning her head against the wall and squeezing her eyes shut. Every time the carriage swayed, her head tilted. She straightened it countless times before hearing a soft sigh and the words, "Sleep here."
Wei Ziyan squinted his eyes and saw Yan Qi patting his shoulder.
How can that be?
The more comfortable you feel now, the more troublesome you will be in the future!
It is true that this is somewhat self-deceptive, but just like if you have never tasted the sweetness of lychees, even if you see others enjoying them, you should not be overly worried.
Wei Ziyan ignored him and let her head sway.
The effects of those few drinks were indeed taking their toll, and her head was growing increasingly dizzy. Gradually, Wei Ziyan's consciousness drifted away. Yan Qizheng stared at the person beside him, throwing a tantrum for unknown reasons, eyes closed, his head tilted downward, speechless and amused.
In an instant, he put his arm around her neck and gently pulled her in.
This action made Wei Ziyan open her eyes for a moment, and an unclear sound came out of her mouth. In the end, she could not resist the deep sleepiness and closed her eyes quietly again.
A warm head rested on her shoulder, and her breath, tinged with alcohol, was clearly audible. Yan Qizheng sighed silently again, and all his words to her were in vain.
When the carriage arrived at the door of his house, he did not wake the person in his arms, but picked her up horizontally. However, when he got off the carriage, it shook a little, waking Wei Ziyan.
She opened her eyes in a daze and found Yan Qi holding her. Then she remembered the grievance in her heart and insisted on getting down and walking by herself.
"Don't make trouble, be careful not to fall."
This made Wei Ziyan feel even more aggrieved, because he had never said that before.
"Didn't you say you couldn't throw me?"
She was so good at bringing up old things that she modestly claimed to be second to none. Yan Qizheng teased her, "It's a long way to go, hold on tight, or you'll really fall."
While the two were arguing, several servants came out hurriedly from the door and almost bumped into Yan Qi.
"What are you in such a hurry for?"
"My Lord, Aunt Hui asked me to go find the eldest young lady."
"The young lady is missing?"
"The eldest lady sneaked out of the house today. I don't know where she went, and she hasn't returned yet."
Hearing the servant's words, Yan Qizheng frowned, and Wei Ziyan sobered up a little.
In these troubled times, how can one not be worried when someone sneaks out?
There was no time to ask more questions. Yan Qi was carrying Wei Ziyan all the way back to Fuxi Hall. After entering the house, he placed her on the chaise longue and called Lengxiang, Dujuan, and Ping'er in.
"Young Madam has drunk too much, please serve her carefully."
"Yes, young master."
As he spoke, Yan Qizheng said to Wei Ziyan, "I'll go take a look. You take a rest."
"Um."
Wei Ziyan responded, and once Yan Qizheng left, she didn't feel like sleeping. She asked a few maids to help her take off her clothes and change her clothes, then leaned on the chaise longue to wait for news.
Fortunately, within half an hour, Yan Qizheng sent Xu Ji back with the news that Qizhu had returned home safely. Wei Ziyan's head relaxed, and sleepiness returned, so she went inside to rest on her bed.
I slept soundly and soundly until I woke up in the middle of the night due to thirst, muttering that I wanted to drink water.
Yan Qi was woken up by the person beside him while he was sleeping. He had no choice but to get up to get her some water, help her up, and feed her. But she drank too quickly, and she choked and vomited all the water, coughing non-stop.
Yan Qi was busy rubbing her back and pouring more water. This time he didn't let her mess with it, but fed her sip by sip with his own hands.
There was still water flowing from the corners of his mouth. Without time to find a handkerchief, he wiped it with his thumb. The soft touch under his fingertips moved Yan Qizheng's heart and his eyes involuntarily fell over.
The red lips, stained with water, were shimmering and glistening, casting an alluring glow in the dim candlelight. Yan Qizheng's throat slid open, and a dry, burning sensation rose within him.
The feeling in the dream is not real after all, and it is this hazy and illusory feeling that makes people feel neither excited nor depressed, and arouses him so much that he can't wait to feel it for real.
Even though it was a bit of taking advantage of someone, the fingers covering the corners of his lips couldn't help but move down, hooking his pointed chin and slightly lifting it up.
Yan Qizheng held his breath, slowly leaned down and kissed her——
"You are not allowed to kiss..."
Unexpectedly, the man who was still unconscious opened his palm, covered his face with it, and pushed him back.
Yan Qizheng's heart skipped a beat, and his voice became tense: "Why not?"
Wei Ziyan touched her chest uncomfortably, pouting and complaining: "I, I will feel uncomfortable..."
These words were like a basin of cold water, pouring down Yan Qizheng from head to toe!
Could it be that everything was just his illusion and she never liked him?
You Zi froze in place, while the man who was still mumbling to himself lay down again. Feeling the wet spot on the quilt, he pushed it aside in disgust, lifted the corner of his quilt and slept in.
Yan Qizheng: ...
Not allowing him to kiss you, but still crawling into his bed?
Did she not want him to sleep? Or was she sure he wouldn't touch her?
"Wei Ziyan, what exactly do you want?"
Just as she was about to be hit, Yan Qizheng unceremoniously opened his five fingers and pinched her cheek. However, because he was reluctant to use too much force, she easily brushed it away with a wave of her hand.
"Yan Qizheng..."
"You swore..."
“…”
The irrelevant answer left him speechless. Swore an oath? He couldn't remember swearing anything to her.
etc--
A fragment of memory suddenly flashed through his mind, and Yan Qi was recalling this incident. Back then, he had changed his mind and wanted to marry her, but she had deliberately made things difficult for him, forcing him to swear that she was his only love for him and that he would never take a concubine...
The inexplicable nonsense at this time, combined with the strange behavior since leaving the Prince's Mansion that day, Yan Qizheng had a hunch that there was something else going on. She must have heard something at the Prince's Mansion that caused her to behave so abnormally.
After sorting out the clues, Yan Qizheng raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Who told you that I want to take a concubine?"
However, the woman who had taken his place was already asleep with her eyes closed, so she couldn't get any words out of him. Well, he would ask Fu Ting tomorrow.
Yan Qizheng lay down, facing the sleeping face so close to him. She looked defenseless again. After a few silent breaths, Yan Qizheng raised his hand to caress her cheek, unable to resist the surge of tenderness. He couldn't help but place a gentle kiss on her warm forehead.
One time was not enough, so he did it again and moved it to his eyebrows and eyes.
He paused again, still feeling it wasn't enough, so he continued down and kissed her cheek. The skin he touched was as smooth as cream, and the fragrance was intoxicating. Then he continued down...
Yan Qizheng's eyes were blazing as he once again captured those rosy, alluring lips. Just as he was about to press them down for a taste, the words "You are not allowed to kiss me" suddenly echoed in his ears, like a tight rein pulling back a wild horse.
He stopped half an inch away, his throat surging, and finally he let out a sigh. He turned over and sat up, picked up the remaining cold tea on the chest of drawers next to him, and poured it down his throat in one gulp.
The coolness entered my throat, and I suddenly became more awake.
Yan Qizhen calmed down a little, then lay down quietly, consciously facing outwards and keeping a distance from the soft body behind him.
However, sleeping in the same bed, it was impossible to ignore the presence behind you. Although there was no actual contact, from the back of your head to the soles of your feet, you were surrounded by a faint presence.
Just as his teeth were beginning to clench, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder, followed by a soft body pressing against his back.
…
The light breath accompanied by heat fell on the back of his neck. Yan Qi shuddered, and his entire back and scalp were aroused by a deadly numbness.
In the silent darkness, he could hear his heart beating like a drum, and his whole body felt hot and unbearable as if it were engorged with blood.
A voice in his heart clamored in his restraint. Yan Qizheng bent his fingers and tightened them, trying his best to suppress the urge to turn around. He was afraid that if he started to move, it would be out of control...
At daybreak, the night watchman vaguely saw the eldest son open the courtyard gate and go out. When he came back, it was already daybreak, and the maids and servants were all up and busy.
Leng Xiang was ordered to prepare hot water for the eldest son in the bathroom. After the eldest son finished his bath, he returned to his bedroom and sat for a long time. When he came out, he told her to air the bedding today.
Therefore, after the young lady got up, Leng Xiang went to get the quilt.
"The eldest son said that water was spilled."
Leng Xiang's words reminded Wei Ziyan that she had woken up in the middle of the night to drink water. She was saying that she had been sleeping in the wrong position when she woke up. How could she have occupied the outer area that originally belonged to Yan Qizheng and slept in his bed?
I wasn't very drunk yesterday, so once those fragments of memory flashed through my mind, other fragments came into my mind one after another.
From the Prince's Mansion to home, a series of affectations shocked Wei Ziyan again and again, her face turned red and white, it was very exciting.
"Did the eldest son...go out?"
"He left early this morning," Leng Xiang reported. "The eldest young master went to the horse ranch before daybreak today. He ran all over himself with sweat, and then he came back and took a bath before leaving."
“…”
Wei Ziyan felt increasingly uneasy.
Yan Qizhen got up so early, it must be because she disturbed him and he didn't sleep well the night before.
"Oh, right," Leng Xiang recalled something the eldest son had told her. "He asked Xu Ji to get a doctor to come over later to check the young lady's pulse."
"oh."
Wei Ziyan had been recovering well recently, taking her medicine regularly as directed by the doctor. The doctor hadn't been to her house for quite some time. Perhaps Yan Qizheng felt it was time to adjust the prescription, so he called in the doctor.
Wei Ziyan didn't think about anything else. After breakfast, she went to the west wing to talk to Liu Yu'er for a while until the doctor came. After a round of questions and a pulse check, the doctor looked relieved.
"Young Madam's Qi and blood are full, and her pulse is calm. She will soon recover. I will prescribe a new prescription, subtracting two herbs. Young Madam, continue to take it until you are fully recovered."
"How long will it take?"
"Late next month."
Wei Ziyan looked bitter, and she still had to take medicine for more than half a month.
Seeing this, the doctor gently comforted her, "It's true that damaged internal organs take time to heal, so please be patient, Madam. However, you can gradually resume your daily activities as normal, but be careful not to overwork. You can have sex, but be moderate and avoid excessive sex."
When Wei Ziyan heard the last sentence, her face turned slightly hot and she thanked the doctor in a low voice.
Not long after Dujuan sent the doctor out, there was a sudden noise outside, as if someone was discussing something, and the words "young lady" could be faintly heard.
Wei Ziyan got up curiously and went out of the house, only to see several servants and maids gathered under the side corridor, and Xu Ji was also inside. Wei Ziyan summoned him over and asked what happened?
"The eldest lady has been locked up by Concubine Hui!" Xu Ji said seriously.
Wei Ziyan's heart skipped a beat.
"What's going on?"
"It is said that the eldest daughter confessed that she sneaked out of the house yesterday to celebrate the birthday of Lord Yu from the Ministry of Justice, and she even brought some homemade snacks. When Concubine Hui found out, she was furious and scolded the eldest daughter harshly, then locked her up in the room and refused to let her out."
Mr. Yu?
Although Xu Ji's news was somewhat surprising, Wei Ziyan wasn't entirely surprised. She had noticed something was going on at Xuanyi Temple, but she hadn't expected Yan Qizhu to be so reckless.
"The eldest lady is too bold. This matter has already been reported to the eldest lady."
Even in the more civilized society of the Hu and Zhou dynasties, such behavior by an unmarried lady was considered outrageous and would damage her reputation if word got out. If her mother knew about it, she would probably give her a severe punishment.
In the past, Wei Ziyan would not have cared about her sister-in-law's affairs. But now Yan Qizhu's attitude towards her has changed, and she can no longer just stand by and watch.
After thinking for a moment, Wei Ziyan called Leng Xiang and asked her to accompany her to Jingsiyuan.
"...Madam can punish me however she wants, and Hui Niang won't complain at all."
Aunt Hui arrived before her. Wei Ziyan came in while she was finishing her words and greeted the two of them. Madam Yan waved for her to sit aside.
"Punishment is a must," Madam Yan said, turning to Hui Niang. "But now that it's happened, it's up to you, the mother, to decide what to do next."
Hui Niang didn't understand: "What do you mean, Madam?"
"Does this mean you are willing to let Qizhu marry into the Yu family?"
"Of course I don't want to!" Aunt Hui raised her voice, "That Minister Yu is not a good match!"
"Although Minister Yu is indeed much older than Qizhu, it's not the case that they are an old man and a young wife." Madam Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, slowly refuting this statement.
"Besides, he's a minister at such a young age, so he has a bright future. I heard he was deeply in love with his late wife. If Qizhu marries him, she'll be loved by her husband and have a very happy life."
"Madam, you don't know, this man is destined to be lonely! He lost his father first, then his mother, and later he lost his wife!" Aunt Hui said excitedly.
When they met by chance at Xuanyi Temple that day, she heard a lot from Aunt Yu Sugong.
"Qizhu is going to marry a man like this, what good life can she have? I'm afraid he will kill her early!"
Aunt Hui had always believed in ghosts and fatalism, so it was hard for Madam Yan to say anything. After all, her daughter was someone else's.
"I understand," Mrs. Yan stopped trying to persuade him. "You can go back first."
Aunt Hui left with a sad face. I don’t know if it was Wei Ziyan’s illusion, but Aunt Hui glanced at her with dissatisfaction.
"You've heard about Qizhu, right?" Madam Yan guessed why she came. "What do you think should be the punishment?"
Previously, Qizhu had called her a deserted woman, and Madam Yan had punished her by sending her to Xuanyi Temple for ten days of asceticism. This time, the situation was even more serious, and Wei Ziyan was at a loss for words, so she pondered for a moment.
"This matter concerns Qizhu's lifelong affairs. Zi Yan dare not speak rashly. Mother and father should discuss it. However, these are extraordinary times. If Qizhu is sent out of the house, everyone will probably worry again."
After hearing this, Mrs. Yan nodded.
"I'm worried about that, too. Besides, Concubine Hui is furious, and Qizhu is probably still hot-headed. It's hard to make a decision right now. Let's wait until Master returns home."
As he said that, he instructed Wei Ziyan: "Don't get involved for now. Tell Qi Zheng later and leave it alone for now."
"……knew."
"I'm not blaming you for being nosy." Madam Yan was afraid she would overthink things. "Before you came, Aunt Hui complained to me, saying that Qizhu had become obsessed with Minister Yu because of the flower banquet you hosted."
Wei Ziyan opened her mouth. She really didn't expect that it was her fault. No wonder Aunt Hui gave her a look when she left.
But at the flower banquet that day, Yan Qizhu and Yu Sugong didn't even say a few words to each other, so how could he remember it?
"She's just speaking without thinking and taking her anger out on others for no reason," Mrs. Yan said immediately. "I don't take it to heart, and you shouldn't take it to heart either."
"Yes." Wei Ziyan replied slowly, her mind full of thoughts.
If that were the case, wouldn't it be Aunt Hui herself who tied the knot for her daughter? What a coincidence, they ran into each other while seeking marriage at Xuanyi Temple. When she saw the way Yan Qizhu stole a glance at Yu Sugong, she knew something was amiss.
To put it in a more mysterious way, Aunt Hui said that Yan Qizhu's true love would come after the age of fifteen. But Yu Sugong's appearance happened to coincide with that. Could it be that this was really Yan Qizhu's destined fate?
I just don’t know, the goddess has the intention, but is King Xiang interested?
Since her mother had told her not to get involved, Wei Ziyan returned to Fuxi Hall, hoping to wait for Yan Qizheng's return and get some information from him. However, she didn't see him until sunset.
Wei Ziyan and Liu Yu'er finished their meal and then took a walk for over half an hour before they saw Yan Qi emerging into the twilight. Upon inquiry, they learned that he had already returned home and had just spent a considerable amount of time in Jingsiyuan.
It turned out that after Master Yan returned, he and Madam Yan had already visited Concubine Hui and questioned Qizhu and Concubine Hui. Qizhu admitted that her actions were inappropriate, but refused to give up and begged her father to arrange a marriage for her with the Yu family.
Concubine Hui, however, used her usual diabolical rhetoric, firmly opposing the marriage. The mother and daughter each held their own opinions, and during the argument, Yan Qizhu retorted, earning a slap from Concubine Hui. Master Yan, also irritated by the mother and daughter, simply gave them two days to calm down before discussing the matter.
Ping'er brought a basin of water, and Yan Qizheng washed his hands. He took the towel handed to him by Wei Ziyan and asked, "What do you think about Qizhu's matter?"
Yan Qizheng put down the handkerchief, his face not very optimistic.
"From what I know about Lord Yu, he has no intention of remarrying. I'm afraid Qizhu will be disappointed."
Hearing this answer, Wei Ziyan couldn't help but feel sorry for Qizhu. But then again, if it was just Qizhu being overly enthusiastic, the problem would probably be easier to resolve.
After getting the answer, Wei Ziyan decided not to delay Yan Qizheng's meal. However, just as she was about to leave, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to sit down with him without saying anything.
"Eat some more with me."
Yan Qizheng's tone of voice was incredibly natural, as if their interactions were a perfectly normal pattern for a married couple. Wei Ziyan was momentarily stunned when a voice suddenly rang in her ear: "Are you still drunk?"
Yan Qizhen's bright and straightforward eyes were silently cast on her face, and the corners of his lips were slightly raised with a hint of teasing.
“…Wake up.”
When he mentioned the embarrassing incident yesterday, Wei Ziyan quickly turned her eyes back to the bowl in front of her, her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart.
"Do you remember what you did?"
“…”
At this moment, Wei Ziyan's face showed a visibly more embarrassment and a faint blush.
"Sorry... I squeezed your sleeping space..."
"Only squeezed into my sleeping space?"
Yan Qi was holding his chopsticks, not intending to let her off easily. This had kept him awake the rest of the night, and he had gone to the horse ranch before dawn to release his energy.
"And what I said in the carriage was all nonsense, my mind was not clear and I was talking nonsense. Just pretend... you didn't hear it."
"What else?"
"What else?" Wei Ziyan raised her eyes in surprise.
Yan Qi was quietly staring at the innocent face in front of him, the smile on his lips showing a bit of helplessness.
She probably had no idea what she was doing later.
"What did the doctor say today?"
"ah?"
The topic suddenly changed, causing Wei Ziyan to react a little late.
"Oh... the doctor said I'm recovering well and can carry out my daily activities normally, as long as I don't overwork..."
Wei Ziyan repeated the original words - of course, skipping the last sentence "Don't overdo it."
"As long as I don't have to work too hard..." Yan Qizhen muttered to himself, as if he breathed a sigh of relief, and picked up two chopsticks of food and put them in her bowl.
"Then you should eat more and replenish your energy."
“…”
Wei Ziyan didn't quite understand.
"Otherwise, how would you have the energy to snatch my sleeping place?"
“…”
Wei Ziyan's face flushed again: "I... I won't do it again next time..."
"It may be hard to say, but..." Yan Qi was stirring the soup in front of him with a spoon, a half-smile on his slightly drooping face.
"Next time you squeeze in, I won't be polite."
…
On July 29th, the Liao king's carriage stopped at an official post station, 800 miles from the capital of Liang. The postmaster specially prepared fresh yellow-fleshed honey pomelo and personally delivered it to the Liao king's room.
The doors and windows were closed, and the postmaster knocked gently. The one who answered the door was He Yingqing, the military advisor to the Liao king. He had once been a military officer, and the postmaster called him He Sima.
"Master Military Advisor," the postmaster said respectfully, "I have prepared some fruit for His Majesty the King of Liao."
A clerk beside him held the tray in both hands, raising it high above his head. Military Advisor He stroked his beard and chuckled, "Thank you, Postmaster. Your Highness is tired from the journey and is resting now. I can take it in."
The muscles on the postmaster's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Military Advisor."
The clerk brought the tray and the door closed again with a bang.
That night, at the Minister of Personnel's residence, eight hundred miles away, the doorman came to report: "Master Qi, the Imperial Secretary, wishes to see you."
Fang Jikai was in his study, having already instructed no one to disturb him. After hearing the servant's announcement outside the door, he frowned, "They said I wasn't here."
"I did say that, but Lord Qi refused to leave and said he would wait until dawn." The servant said with his hands hanging down, waiting quietly.
After a moment, a cold voice came from the inner room: "Bring him in."
Qi Lique hurried along, his gloomy face dark and gloomy in the night. His second daughter had been whipped in the Ministry of Justice's prison and was unconscious. If she didn't get medical attention soon, she might not survive more than two days.
As soon as he entered the study, Qi Lique knelt down not far from the door and kowtowed to the ground: "Master Fang, help me!"
Fang Jikai stood at his desk, his hands behind his back, his back to the door. Behind the screen behind the desk, the candlelight dimly illuminated a half-figure. Standing at the door, one couldn't see from this angle.
Fang Jikai turned around, gave the servant a look that made him understand, and then he closed the door from the outside.
"What is the intention of Lord Qi?"
A lukewarm voice sounded above his head. Qi Lique continued to crawl on the ground: "Master Fang, my daughter can't hold on any longer. If you don't rescue her, she will die!"
"Master Qi has asked the wrong person. It is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who wants to take my daughter's life."
"Master Fang..." Qi Lique raised his head, his eyes filled with grief and indignation. "Master Fang, have you forgotten why my daughter is imprisoned?"
Fang Jikai met his gaze from top to bottom with a cold look.
"Lord Qi, please be careful with your words and actions."
"Heh..." Qi Lique sneered, "Qi has reached a dead end. If Lord Fang still wants to cross the river and destroy the bridge, don't blame Qi for choosing another good tree."
"Master Qi," Fang Jikai laughed to himself, "are you here to threaten me? It's all up to you, Master Qi. Don't you even want to protect the eldest daughter?"
Qi Lique's heart trembled.
"Master Fang, I have no such intention."
"Crown Prince Zhaoxun is now imprisoned in the cold palace. Which one does Lord Qi want to save?" Fang Jikai took two steps away, then stopped again and looked at the person kneeling on the ground.
"The prince's carriage is only eight hundred miles away. Lord Qi is not so anxious that he is confused, right?"
Qi Lique's prostrate body trembled slightly, and a chill unconsciously surged down his back. Black deerskin boots came into view, and a hand pulled him up without hesitation: "Master Qi, go back and wait for news."
Qi Lique trembled, the door opened, and the servant helped him out. Fang Jikai watched the figure leave, his eyes deep. After a moment, he closed the door.
Behind the desk, a tall figure slowly stepped out from behind a screen, his wide hat brim covering most of his face. The candlelight flickered, shimmering against his inky black cloak.
Fang Jikai stood solemnly, his chin slightly lowered.
A shadow came up from the front and delivered a deep and cold command.
"Kill him."
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