Chapter 39 [39]
【39】/First release
As soon as he got on the carriage, the dark green curtain was about to be lowered, and Lu Zhiwan was pressed against the wall by Xiao Jingting.
Like a fat lamb under the claws of a tiger, she was still confused and had no idea what was going on when the man's lips pressed down on her, prying open her teeth, taking away her breath, and plundering her.
The kiss came quickly and fiercely, until their breathing became disordered, and Lu Zhiwan barely regained some consciousness.
"What's stimulating him to be so enthusiastic all of a sudden?"
"Hiss, that bastard bit me again!"
She opened her eyes in pain, and heard a man's hoarse voice in front of her: "Focus."
Without giving her a chance to argue, his warm lips covered hers again.
The carriage rumbled forward, and outside the window was a constant stream of people hawking their wares.
Their lips and teeth were entangled, and the temperature in the car seemed to rise. When the four lips parted, both of them were panting heavily, and Lu Zhiwan's cheeks were flushed, as beautiful as a peach.
The man in front of her did not leave immediately. His black eyes stared at her rosy cheeks for a moment, then he lowered his head and rubbed his tall nose against hers.
Lu Zhiwan's head buzzed with excitement at his intimate gesture.
It was just the tip of his nose, but it made her feel more intimate than kissing him on the lips.
He never spoke, but his heavy breathing tickled her heart like feathers, causing ripples of numbness.
"Oops, I think I got teased."
"My heart is beating so fast, what should I do..."
My heart was pounding, my brain was blank, and I couldn't think at all.
In the end, Xiao Jingting stood up, holding her face with one hand, and raised his thin lips in a slight arc as if he had discovered something very interesting.
Lu Zhiwan felt embarrassed by his gaze and was about to change the subject when he suddenly pinched her face.
Lu Zhiwan: “……?”
Xiao Jingting raised his eyebrows: "It's very hot."
Lu Zhiwan: “…”
"Don't say that, I'm shy too!"
Xiao Jingting looked at her thoughtfully, then held her hand and put it against his face: "Is my face hot?"
Lu Zhiwan was slightly startled, then hesitantly said, "Not... not bad?"
"Really?" Xiao Jingting said, "I feel it's quite hot."
Lu Zhiwan was confused by the situation of touching each other's faces. After the passionate kiss, her misty eyes looked blankly at the man in front of her.
"Middle school students don't date like this, right? How come I've become childish when I'm with this guy... Is pure love contagious?"
childish.
Xiao Jingting frowned slightly, put down his hands, and sat aside in silence.
Seeing this, Lu Zhiwan became even more confused.
Does this man have the attribute of a thunderstorm? He was passionate and aggressive the last moment, but now he suddenly becomes cold without any buffer.
She secretly complained in her heart, and seeing that he seemed to be lost in some kind of thought, Lu Zhiwan did not say anything. While straightening his slightly messy collar, she lifted the car curtain to disperse the ambiguous atmosphere in the car.
I didn't expect that when I lifted the curtain, a familiar figure came into view.
In the bustling streets, the woman wearing a veil hat, a pink dress with scattered fairy flowers, and standing outside the rouge shop with a sweet smile on her face was none other than Xiao Ningning, whom she had met not long ago.
Next to her stood a young man in a blue scholar's robe. He was tall, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and had an outstanding temperament. Even though it was the first time they met, Lu Zhiwan could basically confirm that this man was the male protagonist of the original novel - the protagonist's halo was simply too dazzling!
But why did he arrive in Beijing so soon? Wasn't he still going to be entangled with the fake hot pepper and the innocent peasant girl for a while... Did he remember the timeline wrong?
The carriage continued to move forward, and the figures of the two people on the street gradually retreated. Lu Zhiwan couldn't help but stick his head out, wanting to take a few more glances.
"What are you looking at?"
The man's deep voice suddenly rang out in the car.
When Lu Zhiwan turned around, he was grabbed by a long arm and pulled back into the car: "Don't be afraid of falling."
"I'm not a child, how could I fall down?"
She muttered this in her heart, but smiled faintly: "I just saw Princess Yuzhang..."
Xiao Jingting glanced at her sideways: "Do you care about her a lot?"
Lu Zhiwan exclaimed, and seeing the man waiting for her answer seriously, she quickly said, "We just met on the street, it seemed like a coincidence."
"It's a pity the carriage was going so fast that I couldn't hear what they were saying. I should have found an excuse to stop at that rouge shop. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to success."
She lamented that this identity was too restrictive, and Xiao Jingting suddenly said, "Do you want to say hello to her?"
Lu Zhiwan raised his eyes: "Is it okay?"
Xiao Jingting: "..."
After a moment, he raised his hand and tapped the car wall with his fingers: "Turn around."
Lu Zhiwan was shocked.
"It actually works!? The sun is rising from the west, or is he possessed by a ghost?"
When the other party's gaze fell on her again, Lu Zhiwan immediately rushed forward, took his hand, and said in a coquettish tone with a long ending: "I know that Your Majesty is the best!"
Looking at the woman in his arms with curved eyes and acting coquettishly, Xiao Jingting frowned, but finally let go slowly.
Forget it, why bother arguing with her.
***
Soon, the carriage backed up to the rouge shop.
Xiao Jingting did not get out of the car, which was exactly what Lu Zhiwan wanted. He went out by himself wearing a veil hat.
Before getting off the carriage, she lifted her hat veil and assured: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will be back after a few words with the princess. I won't keep you waiting for long."
Xiao Jingting sat against the car wall, his expression as lazy as a big cat basking in the afternoon sun, and raised his eyes slightly: "Let's go."
"Okay." Lu Zhiwan got out of the car without looking back.
"Let me gather some information about the military situation."
——Before the car curtain separated us, this subtle voice floated into my ears.
Xiao Jingting stroked the thin calluses on his palms with his long fingers, turned his head towards the car window, and narrowed his black eyes.
What kind of military intelligence is she trying to gather?
As the market neared closing time, the streets were bustling with activity, but they were filled with people packing up their stalls and hurrying home.
When Lu Zhiwan suddenly appeared on the street, Xiao Ningning was startled and subconsciously wanted to salute: "Zhao..."
"No need to be so polite outside."
Lu Zhiwan raised his hand to signal her to excuse herself, then smiled at her kindly, "I was just about to return to the palace, and unexpectedly ran into you here, Princess, so I came to say hello."
Ever since they spent the whole afternoon together last time, Xiao Ningning's impression of Lu Zhiwan changed from "arrogant and enchanting concubine" to "favored concubine with unique personality", but she never expected that when they met on the way, Concubine Zhao would take the initiative to get out of the car to greet her... This was too enthusiastic, and she didn't have the airs of a favored concubine at all.
Xiao Ningning didn't know how to respond to this "enthusiasm", so Lu Zhiwan asked familiarly: "Princess, who is this young man?"
Xiao Ningning's expression suddenly became awkward.
Firstly, her relationship with Zhao Wenshao was ambiguous, and she didn't know how to introduce him.
Secondly, she was just talking with Zhao Wenshao about going to Beijing, and the treacherous concubine Zhao Wenshao mentioned... was Lu Zhiwan.
It’s true that you can’t talk about people behind their backs.
"Your Majesty, this is Master Zhao, whom I met in Jinling. He once showed me kindness." Xiao Ningning introduced him awkwardly, then said to Zhao Wenshao, "Master Zhao, this is... Empress Zhao."
As soon as the words came out, Zhao Wenshao's face changed.
But he was the male protagonist after all, and he had a good psychological quality. He quickly suppressed his emotions and bowed to Lu Zhiwan as if nothing had happened, saying: "Your humble servant greets the queen."
Lu Zhiwan didn't miss the complex emotions in Zhao Wenshao's eyes. She pursed her rosy lips and put on a kind smile: "Mr. Zhao, there's no need to be so polite."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Wenshao responded and slowly stood up.
Lu Zhiwan didn't want to show that he cared too much about him. He just smiled and greeted Xiao Ningning, asked about Old Madam He's recent situation, and invited her to come to the palace to play chess when she was free in a couple of days.
She looks like a kind and enthusiastic cousin-in-law.
Xiao Ningning agreed to all of them, but her eyes kept glancing at Zhao Wenshao from time to time, revealing a hint of hesitation.
But until Lu Zhiwan said goodbye and got into the car, Xiao Ningning did not mention the fact that Zhao Wenshao had been expelled.
Seeing the carriage with its red wheels and canopy rumble away in the sunset glow, further and further away until it finally disappeared completely in the bustling traffic, Xiao Ningning turned around and said softly to Zhao Wenshao, "Young Master Zhao, I think you may have some misunderstandings about Concubine Zhao. She's not as the outside world has rumored... Perhaps she's unaware of your expulsion. As for your sister's matter, there may be misunderstandings as well."
"Misunderstand?"
Zhao Wenshao's eyes darkened, and a hint of sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth. "Dai Ze's uncle was an imperial merchant who supplied silk and velvet to the palace. A eunuch he knew personally said that it was because of Concubine Zhao's complaint to the emperor that my sister was forced into a desperate situation. She died in the deep palace at a young age, without even a proper tombstone."
Xiao Ningning had just arrived in the capital and didn't know much about the situation. She felt sympathy for Zhao Wenshao's plight, but she also felt that Concubine Zhao wasn't such a ruthless person. After much deliberation, she said, "Young Master Zhao, if you trust me, I'll help you find out about your sister. As for your expulsion..."
She pursed her lips and spoke as gently as possible: "I know you have ambitions, but your sister was a concubine in the palace and she committed suicide out of fear of punishment, which is against the rules. If no one reports it, the examiner can still turn a blind eye and let you pass. But once it is reported, it will pierce this window paper, and things will become very difficult..."
Before she could finish, Zhao Wenshao angrily interrupted her, "My sister's suicide is my fault, Princess. I'm implicated by my sister, so I should just accept my fate."
His tone was a bit aggressive, Xiao Ningning's eyelashes trembled twice, and she explained hurriedly: "Don't get excited, that's not what I meant."
"You're a princess of the royal family, born into a wealthy family, living a life of luxury. Naturally, you don't understand the hardships we ordinary people face." Zhao Wenshao looked at Xiao Ningning with disappointment. "I originally thought you were different from others and would understand me..."
"No, Master Zhao, I understand your difficulties and grievances. However, the law and regulations are such that a concubine's suicide is a serious crime, which can even implicate the lives of the entire family. His Majesty has dismissed your father from his official position, but has not taken the lives of your family. This is already a pardon..."
"But my sister was the one who was murdered," Zhao Wenshao interrupted again. "She died in the palace for no apparent reason, my father was dismissed from his post, my entire family was confiscated, and I was expelled from the imperial court despite having achieved great success. Should I still be grateful to His Majesty and shout 'Long Live His Majesty'?"
Xiao Ningning was speechless and opened her lips, but didn't know how to persuade.
Seeing her like this, Zhao Wenshao's chest surged with resentment before he forced himself to suppress it. He clenched his fists and bowed to Xiao Ningning, "Princess, please forgive me. I lost my composure just now."
Xiao Ningning was dazed, her brows furrowed slightly. "Master Zhao, why not... why not go to Yuzhang? I'll write a letter to my father and ask him to find you a position in Yuzhang. You can still be an official, benefit the people, and realize your ambitions."
Go to Yuzhang to realize his ambition?
Zhao Wenshao's eyes flashed slightly.
His ambition was to become an official in Beijing and join the cabinet. He would be able to restore people's livelihood and exempt taxes through civil means, and to guard the northern desert and resist Japanese pirates through military means, and become a wise minister whose name would go down in history.
How could the small fiefdom of Yuzhang be enough for him to realize his ambitions?
"Thank you for your kindness, Princess. I just want to seek justice with my own abilities and take back everything that belongs to me."
"But this is bound to be an extremely difficult road. Moreover, this is the capital, under the feet of the emperor. If the incident gets out of hand, you might even lose your life. Why bother?"
"I believe my fate is in my own hands." Zhao Wenshao stood straight and upright, his dignity awe-inspiring. Seeing Xiao Ningning was about to speak, he bowed again and said, "Princess, there's no need to persuade me. I've made up my mind. It's a blessing to meet you again in the capital, but it's getting late now. You'd better return home quickly to avoid worrying your elders."
After he said this, and since it was indeed getting dark, Xiao Ningning didn't want to stay any longer.
After they exchanged greetings, she got into the car with the help of her maid.
Looking at the elegant and tall figure in the twilight, Xiao Ningning felt helpless and distressed, and her pretty face was also stained with gloom.
Seeing her like this, the maidservant held up the cup and gently advised: "Princess, don't be sad. Young Master Zhao was stripped of his title and feels wronged, so he treats you like this."
"I know very well how wronged and resentful he is, but I have explained the reason to him and asked him to find an official position in Yuzhang... Why is he so stubborn?" Xiao Ningning bit her lip, feeling upset that the person she loved did not understand her good intentions.
The maid tried to comfort her again, but she remained depressed until the carriage arrived at the He Mansion.
Seeing the servants climbing the wooden ladder to hang white lanterns and white banners at the door, she finally put Zhao Wenshao out of her mind. With red eyes, she stumbled back to the mansion: "Grandmother..."
***
Ever since he met the original male and female protagonists outside the palace, Lu Zhiwan kept thinking about it on his way back.
Lying in bed at night, she was thinking about what she could do at this stage to change the original plot.
Perhaps her absent-mindedness was too obvious, Xiao Jingting could no longer bear it, so he turned over, lowered his head and bit her collarbone.
Lu Zhiwan: “……?”
"Can this bitch man ever change his habit of biting people?"
Suppressing the urge to pull out his teeth, she sniffed in a wronged manner and spoke in a thin voice: "Your Majesty, next time you have something to say, just say it directly. I am afraid of pain..."
Besides, it was pitch dark, and if he had bitten a little lower, it would have gone in a different direction.
Two slender fingers rubbed the moist bite mark twice. The man's voice was low, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry: "Are you still thinking about the man who was with Princess Yuzhang?"
Lu Zhiwan's eyebrows jumped suddenly.
"Can this man really read my mind? How did he know I was thinking about Zhao Wenshao?"
After a few moments of hesitation, she turned slightly to face Xiao Jingting and asked, "Your Majesty, do you still remember Lady Zhao?"
Xiao Jingting asked: "Who?"
Lu Zhiwan's mouth twitched slightly: "That's the one who put poison powder in my rouge in the spring."
"I have some impression."
Xiao Jingting said lightly: "Your face is as red as Guan Gong, which is quite funny."
"Thank you for remembering it so clearly!"
In the pitch-black night, Lu Zhiwan couldn't help but roll his eyes before continuing, "...The man with the princess today is Zhao's brother."
The man put his hand on her waist and squeezed it gently: "How do you know him?"
Lu Zhiwan was slightly stunned. Why did these words sound sour?
Her dark eyes blinked twice, and she said, "He is also from Yuezhou. His father was the prefect of Yuezhou. I once met him at a banquet."
"You remember it so clearly after just one meeting?"
The palm that pinched his waist tightened a little, Lu Zhiwan: "..."
It seems he is really jealous.
A faint feeling of helplessness mixed with a hint of sweetness surged in her heart. She suppressed the corners of her mouth that were about to curl up and whispered, "Zhao Wenshao is also considered a talented person in Yuezhou Prefecture. Many young ladies waiting to be married regard him as their dream lover..."
Before she could finish her words, she felt a strong pinch on her waist. She knew that even plucking the hairs from a tiger's head had its limits, so she stopped while she was ahead. She hugged the man's waist and buried her face in his arms flatteringly: "But I am different. I have no lustful thoughts about him at all. It was not until I entered the palace and met Your Majesty that I understood what it meant to fall in love without knowing where it came from, but to be deeply devoted."
Xiao Jingting: “…”
Even though he knew that this woman was making up lies to flatter him, he had to admit that these words were quite comforting.
It seems that she does have some ability to whisper in the emperor's ear.
"Since you have no romantic feelings for him, why did you look so distraught after returning?"
Hearing this, Lu Zhiwan's mind changed. It seemed that after Xiao Ningning and Zhao Wenshao came to the capital, he could also say their names.
Then can she remind Xiao Jingting?
After pondering for a while, she decided to be conservative and spoke weakly, "Your Majesty is also aware of the past relationship between me and Zhao. Although it was Zhao who poisoned people first, Zhao committed suicide because of this incident... Zhao Wenshao, as Zhao's brother, may bear a grudge against me because of this..."
"He's just a commoner. Even if he holds a grudge against you, what's there to be afraid of?"
"What if..." Lu Zhiwan said timidly, "What if his hatred doesn't diminish and he tries every possible way to seek revenge on me?"
"That's easy. I'll order someone to capture him and kill him."
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