I patted her on the shoulder: "Good girl, you did a good job, it's not your fault."
Xi Ren blushed and nodded. Now that's good, I can finally sleep soundly without any worries.
The night passed peacefully, and I fell asleep by the bedside. I heard a noise in the middle of the night, but I was too sleepy to wake up.
Everything was fine when I woke up this morning. I felt like I was all dressed up and waiting at the door. Today I'm setting off back to Beijing. I can finally leave Linyang.
Even as I sat in the carriage, I couldn't believe that I had left just like that.
Xie Yuancheng is a marquis, so naturally he should stay by the emperor's side to protect him. The convoy has already set off, and he will be guarding Linyang, so he won't be following. Lifting the carriage curtain and seeing the birds singing and flowers blooming outside, I felt a weight lifted from my heart.
I chatted and laughed with Li Zhaole along the way. She seemed to really enjoy listening to stories, so I told her all the interesting things I remembered.
On the way back to the capital, Lu Fengjun was always seen. He was a civil official, and although he was outstanding in literature, why would he go on an incognito visit with the emperor?
Who cares? Getting rid of the troubles around me one by one is the most important thing.
As soon as I entered Heqing Palace, Granny Zhang saw me as if I were her own son, her eyes filled with tears, and she nodded repeatedly: "It's good that the Prince Consort has returned safely."
Ever since I got to know Li Zhaole on the way back to Beijing, she stopped staring at me and even hung around me all the time.
I kept saying I was unwell and needed to rest, and asked Wan'er to take care of me. Li Zhaole initially made a fuss, but after I deliberately coughed, and given that I didn't look well to begin with, she finally agreed.
During the day, he would go to the Hanlin Academy and come back to chat and laugh with a group of girls, but at night, he would always think of Xie Yuancheng.
With such torment day and night, unable to eat or sleep, it would be a miracle if one looked well.
That day, I was holding a scroll of documents, and as I looked at it, my eyes started to blur.
Lu Fengjun walked over and said, "Your Highness, you don't look well today. Now that everything is settled, let's go for a walk."
Sure, it's good to go out and relax.
Lu Fengjun is truly resourceful; he was able to leave the palace gates using only his waist token.
We changed into casual clothes, and as soon as we got to the street, I bought some pastries and ate them as we walked. I didn't have much of an appetite at noon, and now that I was walking, eating some sweets would fill my stomach.
Lu Fengjun was very familiar with the capital city, and as a scholar, he frequented very elegant places.
There are painted boats with picturesque scenes, and interesting teahouses where the girls singing folk songs are really pretty; even I thought they were beautiful.
I didn't expect to meet even half a friend here, so it's not bad.
From then on, whenever there wasn't much to do at the Hanlin Academy, I would go out of the palace with Lu Fengjun. We explored many places in the capital, and I practically idolized him.
After spending more than three months with him, I had just finished compiling all the documents when he asked me if I wanted to go to Yingxianlou that evening.
Just from the name, it sounds like that kind of place. I haven't been there yet. Ever since I went out of the palace with Lu Fengjun, I rarely think about Xie Yuancheng at night. Of course, I'm eager to go there today because of what he said.
But what excuse can I use to leave the palace for one night?
Lu Fengjun continued, "Your Highness, is there anything you're worried about?"
I nodded: "The princess is eccentric; it's probably not advisable for her to stay overnight outside the palace."
Lu Fengjun smiled and said, "This is easy to handle. Originally, a princess should live in the consort's mansion after getting married, but Princess Zhaole is deeply loved by the emperor, so she has been living in the palace and the Heqing Hall has been built. The consort only said that he would go out of the palace to discuss the Lantern Festival with me and prepare a folk gift for the princess. She will definitely agree."
Yes, the Spring Festival in Da Zhao just passed, and the Lantern Festival will be here soon. That's a good reason.
Lu Fengjun is really a clever little devil. When I went back and told Li Zhaole, who was initially hesitant, I coaxed her into giving the gift in a mysterious way, and she reluctantly agreed.
The time I spent in the palace always helped me grow up quickly; now I can speak to people in a way that suits them perfectly.
After successfully leaving the palace, Lu Fengjun found the capital still immersed in the festive atmosphere, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, much more lively than the palace.
Yingxianlou was magnificent from the moment you stepped inside, and the guests and girls inside were all very beautiful.
Even some fat, big-eared people seemed much more pleasing to the eye when surrounded by beautiful women.
Lu Fengjun requested a private booth on the second floor, where he could see the performance on the opposite stage.
Soon, a dancer descended from the top floor, her figure far more stunning than any she had seen in Consort Ji's palace. Wearing a thin veil, she danced to the music, her graceful movements captivating the hearts of all the men present.
After the dance ended, the audience went wild. I also thought it was amazing; watching it live was so spectacular.
Lu Fengjun looked at my face, and I wondered if I was seeing things, but it seemed to be sparkling with stars: "Brother Ji, if you were born a girl, you would definitely be more beautiful than the girl on stage."
Although it was a compliment, I still had to pretend to be angry: "Brother Lu, you can't say things like that, be careful the walls have ears." After saying that, I couldn't help but laugh.
I clinked glasses with him. I don't know how Da Zhao's wine is brewed, but it's particularly refreshing. Since I came here, my alcohol tolerance has obviously improved a lot.
Just as I was about to grab a peanut, my hand touched Lu Fengjun's. He was exactly the type of person I liked when I was alive. I was so captivated by his appearance that I paused for a few seconds.
I covered my face with a fan; I imagine my face must be red, it must be so hot.
She must have suffered from the aftereffects of being harmed by Xie Yuancheng; she wants to be in a relationship, and the thought of that bad man makes her heartbroken.
Lu Fengjun chuckled awkwardly to himself; he must have found it extremely strange.
To everyone's surprise, he said, "Actually, ever since I met Brother Ji, I've lost my appetite. When I see you unhappy, I try my best to cheer you up. Luckily, I have the Empress's pardon, which allows me to take you out of the palace to play. Today, the wooden maiden in Yingxian Tower is performing a dance, and I only want to share it with Brother Ji."
My heart was racing, and I didn't even think to ask about his relationship with the Empress. But given my current situation, how could I possibly accept him so easily? Putting everything else aside, just forgetting Xie Yuancheng is already painful enough.
However, forgetting a relationship can start with starting a new one, so that I can be immune to all heartbreak in the future.
I may have thought that Lu Fengjun must think I was a homosexual, but he would never have imagined that I was actually a woman.
Just as I was about to say a few words of comfort to him, I heard Meng Anshi's voice.
"Young master, today is the day when Yingxian Tower celebrates the ninth day of the lunar month. Miss Mu has already performed her dance. Miss Bai will also be performing a stunning dance later. We are not too late."
"good."
My wine glass trembled. How did he get here? Humph, that womanizer, sneaking out of Linyang to visit brothels. At this year's palace banquet, Marquis Anle claimed he was still ill and couldn't attend; turns out he was secretly visiting brothels.
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