67 alive
◎Just a kiss from my wife◎
On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Wei Ziyan dressed up a little and was sent back to the Wei Mansion by someone sent by the King of Liao.
Wei Jizhi and his wife finally saw their daughter and burst into tears of joy. Finally returning home, Wei Ziyan, having dropped her disguise and defenses, wept bitterly. Only after Qiu Luo intervened, saying that prolonged crying was harmful to the body, did the three finally stop crying.
"Did the King of Liao give you any trouble?"
"No." Wei Ziyan pursed her lips and gave them a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, Dad and Mom, I can handle it."
Madam Wei's eyes were filled with tears again: "Our Yan'er has really grown up..."
Wei Ziyan couldn't hear any news from outside in the mansion, and was eager to know the situation of the Yan family.
"Master Yan has returned to his hometown with his family." Madam Wei sighed and told her. Wei Ziyan couldn't help but look gloomy.
"They're all gone... It's better for them to leave..."
"Qi Zheng didn't leave."
Wei Ziyan was shocked: "How is he...how is he doing?"
Wei Jizhi, standing by, shook his head with regret: "He's been devastated and drinks all day long."
Wei Jizhi recalled the day he quietly went to see her off. Yan Qizheng was drunk at the time, so Madam Yan took the opportunity to take her son to the carriage. Unexpectedly, before he could even load him onto the carriage, Yan Qizheng woke up, clung to a pillar, and refused to leave, insisting he would die in the capital.
"After his family left, he fell into depravity, often passing out drunk in taverns and being dumped in alleys. Fortunately, he had a servant who stayed by his side and looked after him."
"Alas..." Wei Jizhi was heartbroken. "He was a good man, but now he's addicted to alcohol every day and has become a useless person."
Wei Ziyan's heart ached at the thought that Yan Qizheng would collapse under the blow and become paralyzed. She wanted to see him immediately, but the palace guards were stationed outside, determined to follow him closely. Going to him would be tantamount to putting him to death.
"Zi Yan," Madam Wei said, worried that her daughter might do something stupid. "Mother knows you can't let go of Qi Zheng, but it's not a good time for you to go look for him right now."
"I know." Wei Ziyan swallowed the pain in her throat.
Now she is like walking beside a tiger, on the edge of a cliff. If she is not careful, she will be crushed to pieces. How can she do anything impulsive?
"What are your plans for the future?" Wei Jizhi was even more worried about the future.
In her last letter, Wei Jizhi explained her past acquaintance with the Liao King and how, through a series of twists and turns, she had married Qi Zheng. She and Qi Zheng had now reconciled, and it looked as if the Liao King was considering taking his daughter into his family. He was currently extremely powerful, and Wei Jizhi feared his daughter would disobey his wishes and bring about a fatal disaster.
"Let's take it one step at a time."
From the moment she decided to enter the game, Wei Ziyan hadn't considered a way out. Facing a man so powerful, she wasn't naive enough to think she could escape unscathed. Now, all she could do was delay, every day.
"The King of Liao wants my parents to adopt me as their goddaughter, so that I can have a new name and identity."
Mrs. Wei wanted to cry when she heard this. Her daughter was clearly fine, but she was said to have died of illness and was forced to become a goddaughter. Seeing this, Wei Ziyan hurriedly comforted her: "I'm just saying it. I don't think it's appropriate. I'll think about it later to see if there is a better way."
After comforting her mother, Wei Ziyan asked her father about the situation in the palace.
The Emperor was still nursing his majesty, while the Prince of Liao controlled the government, creating a precarious situation. The Crown Prince remained silent, and the Empress was confined to the harem. The Prince of Liao completely controlled the court and harem, leaving no one daring to challenge him openly. The only speakers in the court were those who sang his praises.
Wei Jizhi spat twice and singled out Yu Sugong. Speaking of him, Wei Ziyan thought of the Wu family. The King of Liao claimed to have released Wu Guanshu, but she didn't know if that was true.
"Miss Wu Er has indeed returned, and she left with the Yan family."
After getting confirmation from her father, Wei Ziyan finally felt a little comforted.
Time passed unnoticed, and after dinner, it was time for her to leave. Before leaving, Wei Ziyan went to take a look at her own Misty Rain Pavilion.
Chunlai had specially cleaned the room in advance and changed the sheets and quilts, but unfortunately she didn't have a chance to sleep.
"I'll just sit for a while."
Wei Ziyan sent Chunlai and Qiuluo out and sat beside the bed.
Amidst her myriad thoughts, she couldn't help but yearn for the headstrong and unruly young lady of the Wei family who had lived here before she married. If possible, she truly wished to remain her parents' daughter for the rest of her life...
Wei Ziyan leaned forward onto the brand new quilt and closed her eyes. Amidst the quiet, there was the sound of wind slapping against the windowpanes. Was the wind picking up again? It was going to be cold tonight…
"I'll warm your bed."
The voice in her head was sore, and Wei Ziyan bit her lip, trying her best to stop thinking about it. But then she heard another call, still a low and familiar voice.
"Zi Yan..."
He was calling himself.
"Yan'er..."
Another gentle call, but it didn't sound like it came from her mind. Wei Ziyan stood up in shock, turned her head, and suddenly her eyes widened -
In her room, two steps away from her, there stood a man.
His hair was in a messy bun, with a few strands of hair hanging down on his face. His white gown was stained with dirt, his mouth was covered with stubble, and his cheeks were obviously thinner.
His once bright amber eyes were now cloudy due to the alcohol. He stared at himself with his eyes drooping, looking half drunk.
Yan Qizheng...
Wei Ziyan stood up unconsciously, but was deterred by the strong smell of alcohol.
He is no longer the Yan Qizhen of the past.
However, she did not move forward, and the man opposite her suddenly took two steps closer, cupped her face and was about to kiss her. Wei Ziyan raised her hand in anger and slapped him hard in the face.
"Drunkard, how long are you going to keep doing this?"
A solid slap landed on his face, and Yan Qi turned his face away. When he turned back to look at her again, he saw a pair of eyes full of anger.
This slap in the face, in anger, made him realize that she still had him in her heart. Yan Qizheng not only did not let go, but instead pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
"I'm not drunk... I've never been drunk..."
"Wait for me, I will definitely defeat him and take you home."
When his mind was muddled, he hated her, but after the fever subsided, he began to doubt her. After seeing Wu Guanshu with his own eyes, what else did he not understand? She had put herself in the tiger's mouth in exchange for the Yan family's freedom.
So he had to stay, no matter what, he had to rescue her from that man!
To confuse the Liao king, he pretended to be decadent, getting drunk all day long. He even slept in the streets, allowing people to spit on him and ridicule him...
The brief explanation made Wei Ziyan burst into tears.
“Don’t cry…”
Yan Qizheng's voice was choked with sobs, his throat was blocked. He could only hug her tighter, wanting to press her into his body and protect her tightly.
"Miss, Military Advisor He is at the door urging us."
Qiuluo and Chunlai, who were guarding outside, had already noticed the movement inside the house, but they kept quiet when they realized it was the son-in-law. But when the servant ran in to report the news, Qiuluo had to speak up to remind him.
The force that had been gripping Wei Ziyan suddenly loosened. Yan Qizheng distanced himself from her and raised his hand to wipe her tears. Three distinct fingerprints were visible on his right cheek, proving that she had used all her strength and slapped him hard.
"Does it hurt?" Wei Ziyan touched the fingerprints on his face.
"It hurts, it hurts deep into my bones..." Yan Qizheng lowered his head and turned his face away: "Just a kiss from my wife will make it better."
The word "madam" made Wei Ziyan want to cry again.
Yan Qizheng had been teasing her. His Yan'er usually loved cleanliness, and he couldn't bear to let her touch her dirty face. Seeing that she was about to make him cry again, Yan Qizheng quickly stood up, but Wei Ziyan suddenly raised her hand to hook it around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and gently touched his face with her lips.
Yan Qizhen was suddenly stunned, his eyes locked deeply on the person in front of him.
Her eyes were like shattered stars, looking at him with crystal clarity. Yan Qizheng's throat rolled over, and he raised his hand and pointed at his mouth.
"It hurts here..."
He stared intently, and as soon as he finished speaking, Wei Ziyan stood on tiptoe again without hesitation, pressing her soft lips against his. Yan Qizheng's mind exploded, and he grabbed the back of her head and kissed her back forcefully.
The pain when making the handprint.
Like a puddle of mud lying drunk in the streets.
All the forbearance and suffering at this moment was like a quenching fire, like a violent storm. Yan Qizheng's tongue penetrated her, wrapped around her lips and tongue, wantonly plundering her breath, her beauty, everything she had...
"Miss, Military Advisor He is here to urge us again."
The urgent reminder sounded again, and Yan Qi was about to let go of Wei Ziyan and look into the pair of bright eyes.
"Drinking is harmful to your health. Promise me to drink less."
"Hmm..." His fingers caressed her lips reluctantly, "You also promised me that no matter what happens, don't do anything stupid. Staying alive is the most important thing. Your life is mine."
Knowing what he meant, Wei Ziyan's tears started to fall again.
"By the way..." She took out something she had hidden for many days from her lapel and placed it in Yu Yanqi's hand.
"Happy birthday."
At the gate of the Wei Mansion, He Yingqing rushed in with his guards, ignoring Wang Xing's obstruction. If this young lady escapes from him, the prince will tear her skin apart!
As the two sides were about to fight, Wei Jizhi shouted angrily. He Yingqing finally saw the Wei father and daughter and immediately ordered his men to stop.
Wei Ziyan stepped forward and glanced at him coldly: "I haven't been home for a long time, and I can't bear to leave my parents. I stayed a little longer, and the military advisor was so aggressive. What a great prestige!"
He Yingqing quickly put on a smile and said, "It's not that I can't wait, it's that I don't dare to keep His Majesty waiting for too long!"
Prince?
"The prince has been waiting for the girl in the carriage for a long time."
This sentence made Wei Jizhi's face change. Wei Ziyan pretended to be calm and signaled to her father with her eyes that he didn't need to worry.
Following He Yingqing out the door and into the carriage, she lifted the curtain and felt a sense of pressure. Li Youxu was indeed sitting in the middle, his eyes fixed on her face sharply.
"Why is the prince here?"
Wei Ziyan walked in calmly, and just as she was about to sit down at one side, she was pulled over by a violent force.
Li Youxu put his arm around her and keenly smelled the scent of alcohol. He ignored her question and asked in a deep voice, "Have you been drinking?"
She was still taking medicine, and the imperial physician had instructed her not to drink alcohol.
"Hmm..." Wei Ziyan steadied her voice, "Daddy hasn't seen me for a long time. I was happy and had a couple of drinks with him."
After replying, he raised his chin and his sharp eyes scanned Wei Ziyan's face.
"Your eyes are so red, have you been crying?"
"My parents have loved me since I was little. How can I not cry when I see you now?"
Li Youxu snorted, half laughing, "Could it be that Wei Taizhong thinks the palace has treated you unfairly?"
"I'm just spoiled and like to cry in front of my parents."
"Your girl doesn't even try to persuade me. You deserve to be killed."
The Liao King's tone was stern and cruel. Wei Ziyan felt that she had chosen her words very carefully, but she didn't expect him to exploit the situation. Wei Ziyan immediately knelt down and pleaded for Qiu Luo.
"You want to protect a maid too?"
"Qiuluo and I grew up together, and we are like sisters. I am not a maid."
"The imperial physician said you're weak and shouldn't worry too much." Li Youxu reached out and pulled her up to sit down again. "Next time I see you crying, I'll hold that girl responsible."
A line of carriages slowly drove away, gradually disappearing into the night. Behind a corner of the wall, Yan Qizheng withdrew his gaze, his clenched fingers slowly loosening, revealing an exquisitely embroidered purse.
After stroking it with his fingers for a few times, Yan Qi opened it and pulled out the stuff inside. It turned out to be another purse. A piece of sewing thread ran through the middle, the same one she had cut in two when she was angry.
"We've agreed. On my birthday, I'm going to take two purses from you. I won't give up until I get one less."
His birthday is in two days, and it turns out she has always remembered it.
And when he discovered that in addition to the stitches for mending, there were two crooked small characters embroidered on the purse, a bitter and sour feeling instantly filled his entire chest, and Yan Qizhen's eyes were covered with mist.
“Alive.”
The cold wind blew violently, but the bright moonlight was as gentle as water.
Yan Qizheng pressed these two words tightly against his chest, as if he had also melted the invisible faith and strength into his bones and blood...
There is hope only if you live.
In the cold palace, Li Chengtai dipped a curled-up blade of withered grass into water. After a moment, the withered leaves unfurled again, as if radiating new life, like a flower blooming.
When he was young, he studied with Yan Qizhen and researched various methods of transmitting information throughout the dynasties.
Signal fires, fireworks, hanging lanterns, special signs, and the use of everything in the world, including stones, animal remains, flowers, plants, and trees...
This grass is called "Nine Lives Resurrection Grass".
Without soil, it will wither like other grasses. However, as long as its roots are soaked in water, it can grow again, so it is also called "immortality grass".
Only by not dying can there be the possibility of rebirth.
Yan Qizheng was sending him a signal—he hadn't given up, and he was also telling him not to give up...
The next day, the imperial physician came again to check Wei Ziyan's pulse.
It has been more than 20 days since the first diagnosis. Logically, if she had taken the medicine on time every day as prescribed by the doctor, there should have been a significant improvement, but this young lady's recovery was far less than expected.
The imperial physician was apprehensive, but could only cautiously report the truth to the prince: "I will add a few more herbs..."
"How long will it take?" Before he could finish his words, the King of Liao interrupted him coldly.
"Half, half a month."
"If it doesn't work, don't treat it anymore!"
The King of Liao walked away in a huff. From that day on, a maid assigned by Military Advisor He would oversee the entire process, from decocting the medicine to delivering it. Once it reached Wei Ziyan, the maid would not leave until she had drunk the entire amount.
"Miss, what should we do?" Qiu Luo dared to speak only when the master and servant were left.
After waiting for so long, the King of Liao was probably losing his patience. Wei Ziyan knew she couldn't delay much longer. But she was trapped in the palace and it was hard for her to think of any other solution.
After returning home last night, Wei Ziyan pondered for half the night. With no one in the court daring to defy the King of Liao, who else would join Yan Qizheng in bringing him down? But since Yan Qizheng had spoken to her, he must have found an ally; otherwise, he alone would have no chance of defeating the King of Liao.
Who could it be?
Wei Ziyan couldn't think of any other solution, so she could only hope that Yan Qizheng could rescue her quickly. If he could help, perhaps her chances of success would be higher. But she didn't dare act rashly. It wasn't until the next afternoon, while relaxing in the backyard, that she stumbled upon one of the Liao king's beautiful concubines and was insulted on the spot.
"It is said that Miss Wei, a married woman, is so beautiful that she wants to seduce the prince... She has no shame..." Military Advisor He reported everything he had tortured out of the people present to the prince who had just returned home.
"Where is she?"
"Miss Wei didn't say a word after she returned to her room, and she even spilled the medicine the maid had brought her."
Li Youxu frowned and went straight to the warm room without changing into his official uniform.
There was still a lingering smell of medicine in the room. The angry man was lying on the bed with his back facing inwards, and he was indifferent to the message from the servants.
Li Youxi went over and sat down, holding her shoulders, turning her over, and saw a pair of red eyes.
"Tell me about the injustice you've suffered, and what's the point of getting angry at yourself?"
"Others are right. I just wanted to seduce the prince. I am not wronged."
Li Youxi laughed angrily.
"You dare to shout at me with your mouth? Why don't you fight back on the spot?"
Wei Ziyan lowered her eyes and remained silent. Li Youxu pulled her up and sat her down, his narrow smile tinged with reproach: "No matter what, you shouldn't have spilled the medicine. If you can't recover, how can you seduce me?"
Wei Ziyan's stomach churned, and she bit her lower lip tightly to hold it in. Li Youxu said she was still upset about the insults, patted her hand, and said gently, "Be good and drink the medicine later. I'll take care of the rest for you."
"Your Highness," Wei Ziyan took the opportunity to say, "I'm actually in a bad mood today. It has nothing to do with what that sister said."
"oh?"
"I was feeling bored and wanted to go out to relax, but I accidentally trespassed into my sister's yard and picked her flowers. Your Highness, please don't bother my sister about this, or I'll feel bad. If the other sisters knew about this, they would think I was being spoiled and arrogant, which would make me even more annoying."
She was willing to open her heart to him and also knew to consider the long-term harmony of the harem. Li Youxu was very pleased with her sensible words.
"So what do you want me to do?"
"If Your Majesty truly loves me, could you allow me to meet someone occasionally? That way I could have someone to talk to and relieve my boredom."
Li Youxu pondered for a moment.
"Who do you want to see?"
September 19th is the wedding day of the eighth prince, Prince Mu. As the future Princess Mu, Wei Tingshuang really didn't expect to receive an invitation from Wei Ziyan, and the place she was invited to was the Prince of Liao's Palace.
Just as the Yan family was pardoned, Madam Yan suddenly passed away. Rumors swirled, and the truth remained unknown. Wei Tingshuang was naturally curious about the hidden truth behind Wei Ziyan's fake death. However, she hated the King of Liao and feared her presence would displease King Mu.
Just as she was hesitating, her brother made the decision for her: "I'll go with you."
In order to avoid the suspicion of the King of Liao, Wei Ziyan placed the guest house in an octagonal water pavilion in broad daylight, with open air on all sides.
The Wei siblings arrived as promised, led by servants to the waterside pavilion. It was a rare day of sunshine, but after not seeing her for so long, her face looked lifeless in the sunlight. Wei Tingzhou glanced over and saw that Wei Ziyan looked much more haggard than she had at the flower banquet.
"Are you okay?" Wei Tingzhou couldn't help but greet him after sitting down on the stone bench.
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Wei. The prince treats me very well." Wei Ziyan smiled slightly.
Seeing Wei Tingzhou today was a pleasant surprise, saving her the trouble of trying to insinuate things to Wei Tingshuang. As soon as she finished speaking, Wei Tingshuang, standing next to her, asked with a stern face, "Are you really following the King of Liao?"
Her tone was very unhappy, and Wei Ziyan automatically ignored her question: "Sister Wei's big day is coming soon, Ziyan would like to congratulate Sister Wei first."
"You invited me here today just to congratulate you?"
"By the way, I wanted Sister Wei to chat with me and cheer me up." Wei Ziyan turned around and instructed Qiu Luo, "I didn't know Young Master Wei was coming, so I only prepared some fruits that Sister Wei likes. Go get some salty snacks."
Qiu Luo understood and took the maid away with her. The Wei brothers and sisters also saw that she was intentionally sending the servants away.
"Mr. Wei, am I working for the Eighth Prince now?" Wei Ziyan asked bluntly.
Yesterday, I heard my father mention that Wei Tingzhou was able to escape unscathed during the purge of the Crown Prince's party, all thanks to the relationship with Prince Mu, who transferred him, a court attendant, to his side.
"Yes." Wei Tingzhou also admitted his thoughts, "If Miss Wei wants to escape from the King of Liao, I can ask the King of Mu to mediate."
Wei Ziyan didn't expect him to be so kind, but where could she escape to?
"You can leave the capital with Captain Yan."
"He won't leave, and neither will I."
Toppling the King of Liao is the only foolproof way to protect her and Yan Qizhen, and it will not bring disaster to anyone else.
"So what are your plans?"
"To be honest, I asked Sister Wei to come here today because I want to ask you two for a favor." Wei Ziyan said frankly, "I need an identity that allows me to marry the King of Liao."
"You still want to marry the King of Liao?" Wei Tingshuang couldn't help but get angry when she heard it. Just as she was about to explode, her brother persuaded her. "Don't be impatient. Listen to what Miss Wei has to say."
It is not convenient to write a stranger's name on the visiting card. Wei Ziyan couldn't help but feel lucky that Wei Tingzhou came by himself today, otherwise it would have been a lot of trouble.
"The young lady of the Wei family is dead. I have no name or identity now. I cannot enter the palace and cannot see the emperor."
Wei Tingzhou was shocked: "You want to see the emperor?"
"yes."
Since you want to ask them for help, you can't hide it.
"I heard that the Crown Prince poisoned the Emperor, and the ministers at court are actually suspicious. The Eighth Prince hates the King of Liao's actions even more and wants to go before the Emperor to reason, but unfortunately he can't enter the Taiji Palace."
"And because the Empress pleaded for the Crown Prince, she was also confined to the harem. Now the Prince of Liao has ordered the imperial guards to guard the gates of Taiji Palace, forbidding anyone to see His Majesty. As a result, His Majesty remains in the dark, allowing the Prince of Liao to do whatever he pleases in the court."
"So you want to go into the palace and reveal the truth to His Majesty?"
"Exactly."
To completely overthrow the King of Liao, the emperor must be convinced that his truly vicious son is not the crown prince.
Seeing Wei Ziyan nod her chin firmly towards her brother, Wei Tingshuang's displeasure vanished. It turned out that the woman before her hadn't changed, still possessing the same courage that she had always admired.
However, Wei Tingshuang had to remind her: "Let's not talk about whether His Majesty believes your words. Even the Eighth Prince can't enter the Taiji Palace. How can you enter?"
"Of course it all depends on what King Liao says." Wei Ziyan looked at Wei Tingshuang, her eyes three parts cunning and seven parts confident.
"I have a way to see His Majesty."
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