Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Let her fall on my legs
Looking at the umbrella in her hand, Wu Lianjin lowered his eyelashes. He had traveled far and wide doing business, and he knew at a glance that the gold-inlaid craftsmanship of the umbrella ribs came from the embroidery households in Kinmen.
She also changed into a new...dress.
Lu Suizhu saw his eyes on her and glanced down. "I accidentally got my sleeves wet while playing the piano today, so I borrowed a change of clothes from the servants. It's getting late, cousin, let's go back."
He didn't believe what she said at all.
This soft silk shirt is only for princes and nobles, and is definitely not something that servants can have.
Seeing his eyes paused slightly, Lu Suizhu took a few steps forward and tilted the umbrella over his head.
"I've never heard of my cousin's zither skills being so superb that they attract so many nobles in the capital. Shouldn't there be an explanation for why my cousin can come and go freely in the Pei Mansion?"
Lu Suizhu didn't want to say this in front of Pei's house, but Wu Lianjin insisted.
Her fair hands tightly grasped the cool handle of the fan. "Since you've asked, I can no longer hide it. I was once the concubine of the Second Young Master of the Pei Mansion."
The light and fluttering rain fell in front of his eyes like a curtain. Wu Lianjin took a step back in disbelief.
"If you've been paying attention lately, cousin, you should have heard of the famous Lu Qin Master in Shangjing City."
Wu Lianjin's shoulder had fallen into the water, and he stood there in a daze. He felt that the pure and innocent cousin in front of him had become more and more unrecognizable. He uttered four words with difficulty.
"It's Louyue Pavilion."
Like a final struggle.
Lu Suizhu nodded slightly and spoke sincerely: "My cousin treats me sincerely, and I also want to live an ordinary life. If you can accept my past..." She took a step forward to hold an umbrella for Wu Lianjin. She also wanted to take this opportunity to explain the ridiculous things that happened between herself and Pei Huaishen.
"Louyue Pavilion, that's a brothel."
But just hearing this sentence, Lu Suizhu felt like there was something stuck in his throat, thunder and lightning roared in his ears, and he watched helplessly as the umbrella in his hand was knocked to the ground, and the round beads fell out with a crackling sound.
Wu Lianjin tried his best to hide his loss of composure, but he kept backing away: "I'm sorry, cousin, I want to be alone. I need to be alone."
After saying that, he stumbled out of the alley, stepping on the water.
Lu Suizhu stared blankly at the person who disappeared. The drizzle also wet her new clothes. Suddenly she felt very tired, so tired that she couldn't lift any strength and squatted on the ground.
She thought about these things for a long time before she had the courage to say them out loud. She thought her cousin treated her sincerely.
I hugged my knees with my hands together, and my heart felt like it was stabbed with a knife. There was no blood, but it hurt a lot. Is innocence really that important? Are people's words really that scary?
It is so terrifying that it makes sincere people grow their fangs and reveal their true colors.
There was more and more moisture on her face. She didn't want to admit that she was crying, but the salty and astringent taste of the water in her mouth was different from the transparent and clean rain water, and it had a bit more bitterness.
In her blurry and dizzy vision, she saw a man walking towards her step by step in the wet water.
The rain stopped falling on her head, and Pei Zhiji was holding an umbrella for her again.
She wiped away her tears, stood up and picked up the yellow-brown umbrella on the ground. She couldn't hide her grievance when she spoke: "Did you hear everything?"
I heard it all.
Pei Zhiji lowered his eyes, took out a bluegrass embroidered handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her: "Is a man like this worth your sadness?"
"The Lu Qinshi I know is the best in the capital in terms of his qin skills. He is brave and resourceful, and he was able to escape danger from the Crown Prince. He can make use of the high officials of the court, and he knows how to judge the situation. He also has a sincere heart. He can save the people from the raging flood, and he can also pull me out of the gates of hell. In short, he should not be a person who is heartbroken by the love of his children."
I have to say, I was a little touched.
Lu Suizhu's words became more sincere: "My cousin is different. He is my family."
A dark cloud above our heads was blown away by the slanting wind, and the sky became much clearer.
"Oh, so you are a relative." Pei Zhiji curled the corners of his lips mischievously, put the matter aside, and talked to her about another matter.
"Former Minister of Rites Wang Wenyuan has just recovered from a serious illness. Although he's in poor health, the senior officials in the court still petitioned to have him preside over this Spring Examination. It's ridiculous that I've been busy for half a year and now I'm just sitting there doing nothing."
Lu Suizhu had heard Shen Wenjian talk about this matter vaguely, but she didn't care at all at the time. She never thought that this matter would have such a profound impact on Pei Zhiji.
"Are you okay?" Lu Suizhu knew how much he had invested in this spring examination. Anyone would feel bad if their efforts were wasted.
"It doesn't matter to me anymore. It's a pity that he's holding that position. Students from poor families no longer have the opportunity to enter the government. What a pity."
No matter how careful the plan is, complications are inevitable. If only the poison had been a little stronger, it would have been better. He was still too soft-hearted.
*
Shoukang Palace.
The flutes and pipes are melodious, the shengs and flutes are played simultaneously, and the most eye-catching among the clear and mellow sounds is the celestial music of the piano. It seems to pass through the woods and cross the water in the osmanthus palace, floating and ethereal, and wonderful beyond words.
The Queen Mother clapped her hands in approval, her anger subsiding somewhat as she rejoiced: "I've changed so many zither players, but none are as good as Lu."
"I heard from the Imperial Concubine that you were in trouble some time ago, that's why you didn't come to play the zither. You were able to turn misfortune into fortune, which shows that you are very lucky. My health is getting worse and worse, so it's good to have someone to listen to music. You should stay in Shoukang Palace and live peacefully."
The young eunuch presented a jade token, his eyes curved with a smile, and said softly, "Master Lu Qin, with this token, you can enter and leave the harem freely. This is the Empress Dowager's honor to you."
"The Empress Dowager will host a banquet for all the officials in Shoukang Palace soon. His Majesty and the Crown Prince will also be there. The zither players in the palace are useless. Master Lu will teach them well. Then we can show off our royal family's elegance in front of all the officials."
After the young eunuch finished speaking, he stepped back quietly.
Lu Suizhu held the jade plaque of Shoukang Palace and kowtowed to thank the empress dowager for her grace.
The Queen Mother was exhausted and had already closed her eyes and dozed off. The young eunuch nodded and waved his hand towards the crowd below.
Concubine Jiang and Lu Suizhu left Shoukang Palace together, their hair covered in jewels and jade clanking.
"Master Lu, I was so concerned about bringing you here that I won the Empress Dowager's favor. You should be grateful to me. You don't need to do anything, just praise the Sixth Prince in front of the Empress Dowager."
She raised her eyebrows casually and spoke in a long tone
Lu Suizhu felt like he was walking on thin ice, and every step was difficult.
Seeing the imperial concubine's sedan chair being lifted steadily, his straight shoulders finally relaxed. He almost thought that she was going to say something outrageous, and his chest was about to stick to his back. Fortunately, the imperial concubine did not have a brain disease like the prince.
She walked out of the gate of Shoukang Palace holding the zither. When she was about to leave the palace, she was in a hurry to leave the court. A large group of people headed straight for the palace gate.
After the court session, Wang Wenyuan took the initiative to find Pei Zhiji to talk. Looking at the young man who replaced him when he was seriously ill, he laughed dryly twice before speaking, and then performed a false greeting.
"Thank you, Minister Pei, for your hard work in preparing for the Spring Examination over the past six months. It is because of your dedicated efforts that I, an old minister, have been able to preside over the examination so smoothly. As the saying goes, those who plant trees enjoy the shade. The tree that Minister Pei worked so hard to plant has brought great shade to me."
"Your Excellency is very polite. If I were your age, I would have sent my remains back to my hometown long ago. It is your longevity that is truly admirable."
Pei Zhiji was so calm and collected that Wang Wenyuan was so angry that he almost burst into a curse: "When I was in charge of the Ministry of Rites, you were still a young boy, and you dare to speak so arrogantly."
People stereotyped that civil servants were all gentle and elegant, observing etiquette and rules, but they did not expect that when they scolded people, they would be like shameless shrews in the market. Lu Suizhu walked by with her head down, and could not believe her ears.
As she was walking, she was suddenly pulled aside.
"The Imperial Concubine sent someone to bring me into the palace. I am now a favorite of the Empress Dowager."
She took out the jade pendant from her waist, hung it on her middle finger and waved it lightly for Pei Zhiji to see. He still looked worried.
"Don't worry about me. I'm appreciated by the Queen Mother and can speak to her. This can protect me and..." At this point she kept it a secret: "Master Pei, do you still remember what I said to you when we first met?"
Pei Zhiji raised his eyebrows.
"I said 'I can help you'. I was able to do it before, and maybe I can do it again in the future."
In the wind and snow, she was as thin as a cattail, but her words were firm and unwavering. How could Pei Zhiji forget such a special girl?
"Okay, I only have one thing to tell you. Don't get involved in the fight between Concubine Jiang and the Crown Prince."
"I understand, Lord Pei." Lu Suizhu blinked and followed the crowd.
The results of the Spring Examination were announced today, so she came back early and went into the kitchen with Fangdian to cook a table full of delicious dishes.
Shen Wenjian graduated from high school and ranked 11th in the second class.
Before dinner, a circle of firecrackers were set off at the gate of the house. After lighting the firecrackers, Shen Wenjian covered his ears and stepped back, his smile stretching from ear to ear, his face unable to conceal the joy.
"Brother, have you written a letter to our parents--" Lu Suizhu shouted with her mouth wide open, a smile on her brows. To suit the occasion, she specially tied a bright red ribbon in her hair today.
"It's already been written—"
The yard was littered with firecracker fragments. Fang Dian hurriedly picked up the broom to sweep it. Lu Suizhu pulled her to sit down, and Shen Wenjian also made room for the mute slave.
"We are happy today. Regardless of whether we are masters or servants, and without the supervision of elders, everyone can drink to their heart's content and not stop until they are drunk." Shen Wenjian drank a glass first, and then everyone in the circle took turns to drink.
They call it the joy of getting a place on the list of successful candidates.
In the small square courtyard, the aroma of food is pervasive, there is no music to disturb the ears, no mundane affairs to bother you, and you can enjoy yourself by drinking and chatting.
Lu Suizhu's face was flushed, her hand was supporting her chin, and she looked a little drunk.
There was a knock on the door in the yard.
Lu Suizhu went to open the door. Petals fell on the ground and a tree of pink peach blossoms fluttered in the wind. It seemed as if there was a double image. She covered one eye to look.
He stood there, inexplicably distracted. It was so strange that he could be so alluring even though he was so plain.
"I heard that your brother passed the college entrance examination, so I came here with some fine wine to congratulate you. Miss Lu, why don't you invite me in for a seat?"
Pei Zhiji was dressed very casually, holding two jugs of wine in his hands, and his hair was simply tied up.
Shen Wenjian quickly stood up and shook his head, thinking he was hallucinating from drinking. "Pei... Shangshu."
Everyone was reserved and unwilling to speak, but after Lu Suizhu persuaded them to drink a few glasses of wine, they became more lively. Shen Wenjian, drunken, hugged his sister's head and cried, "Brother, I'm sorry!"
Lu Suizhu was also drunk, with stars in front of her eyes. She leaned lazily in his arms, covered her ears, and nudged him a few times with her elbow, making a sticky sound.
"Brother, please stop talking. My ears are almost callused. How can I play the piano for the Queen Mother tomorrow if my ears are callused?"
Shen Wenjian lay on the table and laughed: "You are drunk, drunk, and you are playing the piano for the Queen Mother. What crazy things are you saying."
Lu Suizhu's beautiful eyes were slightly annoyed. She saw Shen Wenjian lying on the table, and in whose arms was she leaning, she reached out and pinched his face: "Hey, brother, why have you changed?"
"It's me, look carefully." Pei Zhiji's eyes revealed endless helplessness.
Lu Suizhu looked up in confusion. From her side view, the man's straight nose covered half of his eyebrows. She put her arms around his waist and rubbed it. It felt cool and comfortable.
"It's Master Pei, I know."
Pei Zhiji didn't hear clearly and thought she was drunk.
She slowly slid her hand up from his waist and wrapped it around his arm. Her shiny black hair touched his chin. She pointed at his face and spoke in a low voice.
"I want to tell you a secret. Actually...actually, I lied to you."
"What are you lying to me about?"
Pei Zhiji leaned over to listen, holding her shaking head with his palm. She said in a thin and weak voice: "Actually, I have nothing to do with the Second Young Master."
Pei Zhiji suddenly lost his strength and let her fall on his legs.
Peach blossoms danced, and a man who was not good at drinking drank a glass of sweet wine, while a red silk ribbon brushed across his palm from time to time.
The mood at this moment is right now.
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