Chapter 60 Chapter 60 A Dragonfly Kiss
The moon after the rain hung on the treetops, so clear and bright that it was three times more beautiful than the beauties in the harem.
The emperor looked up and saw that it was already late. He still called Su Pingshun: "Go and call Pei Zhiji over."
It was getting late and the dew was heavy. When I lifted the curtain and entered the room, warmth surged. However, the pale lips still revealed the chill radiating from the bones. Master Pei Zhiji was an excellent chess player, and was not much inferior to the late emperor.
He suppressed the cough that was rising up, and his lips were filled with blood. He played chess with the emperor, and both games were cleverly played to the point of being difficult to determine the winner.
The emperor was in a good mood and asked Su Pingshun to take a pill with water. The pill was the size of a dark brown grape, and there was a faint herbal fragrance from nearby. Pei Zhiji stared at it for a moment and then looked away.
"The late queen has an adopted daughter, who is gentle, quiet and beautiful. I think that you, my dear Pei, are not young anymore and still haven't married. How about I act as a matchmaker and arrange a marriage for you?" The emperor smiled as the warm water suppressed the smell of the medicine.
Knowing that trouble would arise from the summons tonight, Pei Zhiji was in a state of anxiety all the way. The emperor's words instantly released his tense nerves, and his body shook.
A storm suddenly arose in his mind. The adopted daughter of the late queen, a figure who was not well-known among the noble ladies in the capital, he racked his brains to figure out her complicated relationship with any faction.
Your Majesty grants him a marriage at this moment simply because you are afraid that he will marry King Jiang Xie or other powerful officials in the court to consolidate his power and expand his wings, and then stab him in the back.
He pondered for a few times in his mind, and the golden bells and jade rings he wore swayed slightly, and the extended tassels fell on his waist, just outlining his slender figure.
Seeing that the emperor's eyes were gradually darkening, he was almost losing his patience.
He had little time to hesitate. At the critical moment, Pei Zhiji knelt on the ground and said in a calm and clear voice: "I would like to marry Shen Wenjia, the daughter of Shen Zhuo, the Inspector General of the Five Counties in Jiangnan. I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish."
*
The servants of Shoukang Palace took out a pomelo pink vase from the storeroom. It had been lying at the bottom of a box for so long that a thick layer of dust had accumulated on its bright color.
Lu Suizhu held it in her arms and rubbed it, looking a bit trance-like.
She felt a headache whenever she thought of the letter Lan Ying wrote to her. The letter said that she had a very difficult life in the Eastern Palace. Every word was touching, and there was even a trace of dried tears at the end.
The vase has been polished to a glossy shine, revealing its original delicate color.
"Suizhu, why are you so absent-minded? I see that the skin of this vase of yours is almost rubbed off." Tihuo walked over with two dimples, and no longer called her Master Lu, but called her by her name.
After the emperor gradually recovered, the Sixth Prince was no longer able to enjoy the Empress Dowager's care as he did in the past, and the bustling Shoukang Palace suddenly fell silent.
The people who often serve the Empress Dowager now are the smart and clever Eunuch Tihuo and Lu Suizhu, who plays the piano beautifully and is taciturn.
They were of similar age and gradually became familiar with each other.
Lu Suizhu put down the vase, tilted her neck and said perfunctorily, "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."
"The Queen Mother is calling you, go quickly."
When she left, the Empress Dowager was still holding the quilt and the pillow. When she saw Lu Suizhu coming over, she took out a mother-of-pearl brocade box from the side of the pillow, opened it, and put the lotus root powder jade bracelet inside on Lu Suizhu's wrist. When the cold touch came close to her skin, Lu Suizhu was flattered and refused stiffly.
"I am old but not old at heart. You are a good child. Even though Shoukang Palace is so deserted, you still serve here wholeheartedly. This bracelet was once my dowry. The color is so pretty and suitable for young girls like you."
Since she said so, Lu Suizhu had no choice but to take it. The bracelet was very heavy, and its delicate and smooth texture made it look noble. Lu Suizhu sighed lightly and listened to the empress dowager's earnest words.
"Live a good life after you get married. Harmony between husband and wife is the most precious thing. Since he took the initiative to ask Your Majesty to grant the marriage, it shows that he loves you. This bracelet is my wedding gift to you and Pei Aiqing."
Granted marriage? Pei Aiqing?
Perhaps because the confusion in her eyes was so obvious, the Queen Mother couldn't help but ask, "Don't you know?"
With her eyebrows half-furrowed, Lu Suizhu forced a smile, her hand caressing the warm and delicate bracelet, trying to feign joy: "I know, I know, thank you, Queen Mother."
Not long after, the decree of marriage was passed to Shoukang Palace. Su Pingshun came personally to announce the decree, looking at Lu Suizhu with a smile.
"Congratulations, Master Lu Qin. Lord Pei mentioned the daughter of Governor Chen Zhuo earlier, and Your Majesty was wondering for a long time which girl it was. Then I realized it happened to be the one by the Empress Dowager's side. Master Lu Qin is so lucky to have won the favor of the Minister of Shangshu. How many noble ladies in the capital envy you!"
Lu Suizhu took the imperial edict with both hands, and the calm lake in her heart turned into a turbulent current. Even on the way out of the palace, the heavy "blessing" still weighed her down and made her dazed.
When she returned to Qingfeng Cottage, she realized that the brisk autumn wind had cut her face, and her skin was cracked and a little painful, so she didn't even notice the footsteps following her.
Just as he was about to close the gate, a hand squeezed through the crack and quickly reached in. The door was locked for a moment and could not be closed.
"Suizhu, let me in first." Pei Zhiji stood mostly outside. The door didn't budge at all, and Lu Suizhu continued to push against it, her face devoid of any joy. "Master Pei, please return. My courtyard is too small for your distinguished foot."
She slammed the door shut and heard the man opposite her hiss, as if in pain. She looked up and saw that her hand was red and swollen. Taking advantage of her distraction, Pei Zhiji strode in, his long legs creating a whirlwind.
Yesterday, a north wind blew violently at night, and a few dry leaves fell in the yard. Lu Suizhu looked at the figure walking in front of her, stomped her feet angrily and stepped over him.
Fang Dian, who was carrying tea, saw that the atmosphere was not right, so she went back angrily and leaned against the flower window.
The bright yellow imperial edict was placed on the table, and it was particularly eye-catching in this plain and unadorned courtyard. Pei Zhiji's lips trembled slightly, and his palms tightened, but he had not yet figured out the words in his mind.
A spark was ignited by his silence and turned into an eruption of anger. Lu Suizhu glanced sideways and looked at him from bottom to top, his eyes were full of crimson light.
"Pei Shou." A slightly angry call.
His name had a special gentle charm when spoken from her mouth, and Pei Zhi lightly touched the gap between her two teeth with the tip of his tongue.
"Pei Shou, what do you mean?" Lu Suizhu held his forehead and breathed out from the depths of his throat, speaking incoherently.
"In the past, we had so many opportunities to be together, but you never once expressed your feelings. Now, without a single word, you've directly placed the imperial decree on me, without even asking for my opinion. Now everyone thinks I'm trying to get close to you, Minister Pei, and that a girl from a humble family like me seduced you!"
"I thought you were different from others, but I was mistaken..."
The disappointment and sadness in her eyes was like a scar on Pei Zhiji's body. He didn't expect things to turn out like this: "It's not that I don't want to discuss it with you, but I was forced by the situation yesterday and had no choice."
no way?
Lu Suizhu put one hand on her waist and turned away, too angry to speak. Pei Zhiji knew his explanation was wrong, but he didn't know how to calm her down, so he said gently, "Calm down first."
"Yes, I am not calm and rational, so I will calmly accept everything you arrange. You married me because you had no other choice, then what do you regard me as? A stopgap measure to dispel His Majesty's doubts, or the only stain on your altar?" Tears had already dispersed in her eyes, turning around and around, but refusing to fall.
Xiao Feng was lying on the tree, his throat burning with anger. He wondered where the adults' intelligence and wisdom had gone at this moment.
Pei Zhiji's hand, which had been caught by the door, became red and swollen, and his muscles were twitching restlessly. When he lowered his eyes, he saw the twisted scar on the palm of his left hand. In fact, the injuries he suffered from her were all caused by his love for her, but he always dared not admit it.
It was true that the situation yesterday was critical, but it was also true that he used it as an excuse to selfishly ask for marriage.
He didn't want to get married before, firstly because he was afraid of trouble, secondly because he didn't believe in love, and thirdly because of his seriously ill body. This illness was enough to drag him down alone, so there was no need to drag down a woman in her prime.
These concerns always lingered in his mind, making him unwilling to face his own heart.
But this time he was... selfish.
"It's my fault. I like you but dare not admit it. You have never tried to get close to me. From now on, it will be me, Pei Zhiji, who has delayed you." There was a hint of sadness in his quiet voice, and he whimpered weakly like a proud trapped beast. Pei Zhiji's lips were cracked, but fortunately he suppressed the salty blood deep in his throat.
The smile on his face was a little dull, but it was the result of his trying hard to maintain it.
He was actually very happy about the imperial edict.
I am really happy.
The woman crying in the wind had her heart skipped a beat as he spoke.
She never understood why Lord Pei, who was perfect in the eyes of the world, always felt that he was a burden to others, even though he was such a good person.
It was so good that she never dared to have any improper thoughts about it.
The fallen leaves make a rustling sound in the wind. Even in an autumn without the chirping of cicadas and the heat, there is still a spring atmosphere that is more beautiful than any other in the world.
Pei Zhiji slowly lowered his head, and with a look of seeking pity, he placed a light kiss on her forehead.
It was so light and so fast that when he savored it again, he had already forgotten the sweetness and softness of his lips. He only remembered the heavy breaths entwined with each other. Pei Zhiji secretly mocked himself for being fickle, while Lu Sui was a little dazed by the kiss, but he did not have as many twists and turns in his mind as he did.
"...My brother wrote two days ago saying he would be returning from the North early. I wonder if he'll be able to make it in time for my wedding? And then there's my parents."
"Suizhu."
"Hmm?" Lu Suizhu let out a soft breath and looked up at him.
Pei Zhiji's voice was unusually dry, and he spoke slowly: "Your Majesty hopes that I can...get married as soon as possible. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory has calculated that the third day of next month is an auspicious date."
Noticing no one avoiding his gaze, Lu Suizhu lowered his head and thought, the third day of next month would be five days later. Even if he wrote a letter to Fanxi as quickly as possible, it would take at least seven or eight days to go back and forth. In any case, it would be too late.
Her thin body fell into Pei Zhiji's arms, and his tone was full of apology: "I'm sorry for putting you in such a difficult situation."
There was a knock on the door, with a hint of urgency and anxiety.
Shen Guyan controlled the lively fish with one hand and squeezed in with difficulty: "Suizhu, I brought you two live fish, they are so fresh!" Several spots of his clothes were splashed on his chest. He walked in with both feet before he looked at a conspicuous man standing in the yard.
"Master Pei, you guys?" Chen Guyan's eyes swept over them and he understood immediately, "You're here as guests, right? I'm here as a guest too. No wonder Master Pei hasn't been seen supervising the construction work at the Blessing Palace these past few days."
Pei Zhiji put his hands on his knees and laughed dryly, "Yes, Xu Zhiyuan has entrusted you with the later construction of the Blessing Palace. I just didn't expect you to leave your work behind and go fishing. What a refined hobby."
From what he said, it seemed that both of them were slacking off, so Lu Suizhu quickly closed the door.
Fangdian has already taken the fish to the kitchen, and it's perfect for making soup today.
The three of them sat together in the courtyard. It was almost noon and the neighbors were already enjoying the aroma of food. It would be inappropriate not to invite them to dinner. Lu Suizhu sat there sipping tea, feeling a little awkward.
On the table were four simple side dishes: crucian carp soup, cold cucumber salad, mapo tofu, braised pork knuckles, and soju from the auntie who sells liquor at the end of the alley.
Chen Guyan took a bite of tofu, and the taste was hard to judge. He put down his chopsticks and said, "I heard in the palace that His Majesty had granted Master Pei a marriage, but I haven't even said congratulations to him yet!"
Lu Suizhu choked on a mouthful of cucumber shreds. Her face flushed slightly as she explained that she had accidentally eaten a chili pepper. Beside her, Pei Zhiji sat calmly, silently raising his glass to clink with Shen Guyan's. "Thank you very much. I'll send the invitation to your house another day."
"Shen will definitely come with gifts." Shen Guyan suddenly turned to Lu Suizhu and asked, "Suizhu, go too. We can go together."
"Dongdong—Dongdong——"
There was another knock on the door, soft and polite, which happened to interrupt Shen Guyan's words. Lu Suizhu breathed a sigh of relief. She did not inform her friend in advance and felt very nervous. She was not as calm as some people.
Shen Guyan stood up and went to open the door, but saw Jiang Xiuluo and her maid standing in front of the door. "Miss Jiang?"
"Mr. Chen." Jiang Xiu Luo was also slightly surprised. Her misty aqua blue dress was blown back by the wind. She stood at the door and saw Pei Zhiji and Lu Suizhu sitting together. She suppressed the discomfort in her heart.
Lu Suizhu saw her stand up and greeted her with a smile: "It's just right. Fangdian has added a pair of bowls and chopsticks. Please take a seat, Miss Jiang." There was no need to ask, she must have come for Pei Zhiji.
Jiang Xiuluo nodded in thanks, but she hesitated to sit down. "Cousin, I went to Pei's house today. The doorman said you might be here, so I came here. I want to talk to you, is that okay?"
When she said this, Shen Guyan hurriedly said he was going to the kitchen to wash his hands, and Lu Suizhu also stood up and tried to avoid her.
Pei Zhiji paused, looked up, and tugged at Lu Suizhu's sleeve, preventing her from leaving, regardless of her struggles. "Suizhu is your sister-in-law from now on. Just say whatever you want to say. No need to avoid her."
Self-esteem was crawling in the mud, dry and painful. Jiang Xiu Luo came here today to talk about this matter.
Jiang's greatest hope was to marry her to Pei Zhiji. Even though she had been rejected before, she still had a secret expectation in her heart. She didn't expect that her cousin, who usually cared for her, would be so decisive.
Chen Guyan's eyes showed some surprise: "Suizhu, you and Master Pei are going to get married, why didn't you tell me before?"
"Yes, I just found out about it today, right, Lord Pei?" Lu Suizhu shrugged, inevitably bringing up some of the resentment that had already subsided.
Pei Zhiji avoided saying anything and drank the empty glass of water in front of him with great concentration.
After being interrupted by Chen Guyan, no one mentioned the previous words again. Jiang Xiu Luo sat for a while with his hat tilted, took a few mouthfuls of food symbolically, and then excused himself from the worries of his elders at home and went back.
Seeing that she was about to leave, Shen Guyan also said goodbye and said it would be better to send her out of the alley. The Jiang Mansion's carriage could not enter the narrow and long alley and could only stop at the front street corner. Jiang Xiu Luo walked away in a depressed mood.
"Miss Jiang, is there something on your mind?" Chen Guyan asked.
"Well, but now that things have come to this, it's time to let go of this worry." Jiang Xiu Luo smiled sadly, and felt that her visit today was unnecessary.
After cleaning up the dishes in the yard, there was still a fish that was still breathing, which Lu Suizhu put into a basin filled with water.
"I explained it very clearly to Jiang Xiu Luo last time."
Lu Suizhu was squatting on the ground, touching the fish with her hands: "I know, I just think Miss Jiang is also a pitiful person. She has many similarities with you. In fact, deep down, I still like her."
The fish in the lake had an undeniable fishy smell, which Pei Zhiji was not used to. He held his breath and snorted coldly, sitting further away: "So you only like pitiful people?"
Wiping his hands with a handkerchief, Lu Suizhu saw him writing invitations with a pen in hand. A small pile of invitations had already piled up in the upper left corner. He coughed from time to time. She put her clothes on him and said leisurely, "It's because I like you that I feel distressed. Master Pei is too distorted."
After writing a piece of paper and laying it flat to dry, Pei Zhiji picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, but found that there was no one here to grind the ink for him, so he had to do it himself. Lu Suizhu leaned leisurely on one of his arms, making arrangements.
"Then remember to thank Wu Niang, Yuan Yuan, Chen Guyan, Ti Huo... and a few other young ladies I taught to play the piano. I've also given gifts to them."
She counted carefully on her fingers. Pei Zhiji hummed several times, and then handed her a cup of warm water. Lu Suizhu said to him in a pretty face, "Thank you for your help, Master Pei."
Pei Zhiji also smiled and said, "As long as you stop mocking me in front of outsiders, I will thank heaven and earth."
Having received so much today, Lu Suizhu said she had forgotten something and quickly asked Pei Zhiji to put down the paper and pen. She said seriously, "Lan Ying wrote to me saying she's not doing well."
Hearing this name, Pei Zhiji's face darkened: "Let's not mention her today."
Lu Suizhu wanted to say more, but her mouth was blocked by him and she could only whimper weakly. Pei Zhiji's eyes turned red: "Your Majesty, please give me a few days' leave. I want to stay here before we get married."
Living in someone else's house was justified. Before Lu Suizhu could speak, Fang Dian disagreed. She walked out of the house and waved her hands repeatedly: "No, no, according to our ancestors' rules, husband and wife cannot see each other for a few days before their wedding."
Lu Suizhu also smiled and said to Fang Dian, "How can we control him?" She turned around and pointed to an empty room, and snorted at Pei Zhiji.
"Well, that's a guest room. Clean it yourself if you want to stay there."
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