Chapter 41 [41]
【41】/First release
Once winter comes, the weather gets cold very quickly.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day of Mrs. He's funeral. Lu Zhiwan was just about to order the palace servants to invite Xiao Lanchun into the palace when Xiao Lanchun took the initiative to come to him again.
"My dear cousin Zhao Fei, your predictions are so accurate!"
Xiao Lanchun's face was beaming, her eyes and eyebrows gleaming with joy. "The day I went to the He Mansion to pay my respects, I kept an eye on Master Gu's movements. Later, by the lotus pond west of the He Mansion, I saw Xiao Ningning secretly weeping alone. I remembered you saying to be kind and do more good deeds, so I went over to comfort her. And guess what happened next?"
She kept it a secret, but Lu Zhiwan didn't want to discourage her enthusiasm. He acted curious and asked, "What's going on?"
Xiao Lanchun blinked and smiled, "Master Gu saw it and said that I'm not only brave and resourceful, but also kind-hearted... He praised me again!"
Seeing the little girl holding her face with her hands, looking completely in love with pink, Lu Zhiwan breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiao Lanchun successfully destroyed the relationship between the heroine and the second male lead, which was equivalent to cutting off a great support for the male lead.
Next, it depends on whether the male protagonist will file a petition, sue the government, and go to jail, just like in the original novel.
"Cousin Zhao Fei, can you help me figure out what to do next?" Xiao Lanchun had already completely come to regard Lu Zhiwan as a relationship mentor and eagerly poured her a cup of tea. "I think he has a good impression of me, but he's still a little distant and polite."
Lu Zhiwan wanted to match her up with Gu Rongyu, so she didn't hide anything and told Xiao Lanchun everything she could remember and say about Gu Rongyu.
The two were chatting happily when a palace attendant suddenly announced from outside the palace: "Your Majesty has arrived—"
Lu Zhiwan and Xiao Lanchun were both stunned for a moment, looked at each other at the same time, and then quickly stood up and bowed to welcome the emperor.
"Your Majesty, may your Majesty long live the Lord."
The bright and translucent crystal bead curtain was drawn, and Xiao Jingting, dressed in a dark purple python-patterned brocade robe, strode into the hall. He glanced calmly at the two people who knelt in greeting before the couch, and said lightly, "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
When Lu Zhiwan and Xiao Lanchun stood up, Xiao Jingting was already sitting calmly beside the couch, his angular face showing a calm expression, and it was impossible to tell whether he was in a good mood or not.
"Why is he here at this hour? It's really strange."
Lu Zhiwan grumbled inwardly, but with a gentle smile on her face, she said softly, "Your Majesty, have you finished your official duties today? You actually have time to come to me."
Xiao Jingting gave her a sidelong glance: "Why are you just like those old men in the cabinet, staring at me while I work all day long?"
"......?" Lu Zhiwan's smile froze slightly, and then she coughed lightly: "I'm just worried that Your Majesty will delay your important work. I'm so happy that Your Majesty can come to see me."
Then he turned around and ordered Xia He, "Didn't the small kitchen steam the chestnut and yam cake? Go and see if it's ready. If it is, you can bring it over for Your Majesty to try."
"Yes, I'll go right away." Xia He responded and retreated.
Lu Zhiwan looked at Xiao Jingting's face and felt that he was in a good mood at the moment. She took two steps forward and sat down next to him.
Seeing her acting like a good little wife, Xiao Jingting curled up the corners of his mouth, but quickly suppressed it. He turned around and greeted Xiao Lanchun as if nothing had happened.
Although they are cousins, Xiao Lanchun is not very familiar with this emperor cousin.
After answering a few words nervously, the emperor suddenly asked casually, "What were you and Concubine Zhao talking about? I heard you laughing outside the palace just now."
Xiao Lanchun was stunned and wondered if she and Concubine Zhao started laughing.
Lu Zhiwan also had the same doubts——
"Xiao Lanchun and I were discussing how to capture Gu Rongyu. You weren't laughing, were you? This dog emperor is so young, and his ears aren't working well?"
Gu Rongyu.
Xiao Jingting paused for a moment while holding the white jade porcelain cup, then lowered his head and took a sip of the fragrant Baozhu Jasmine tea in the cup.
Xiao Lanchun hesitated for a long time before carefully answering, "Your Majesty, I was chatting with Consort Zhao about some interesting events in the capital."
"Oh?" Xiao Jingting glanced at her: "What's interesting?"
Xiao Lanchun choked and suddenly felt like he had shot himself in the foot.
She was afraid of the emperor's majesty and could only look to Lu Zhiwan for help.
Lu Zhiwan was also speechless.
"Is this man free today? I don't usually see him interested in these Beijing gossips."
Pinching the embroidered handkerchief in her hand, she gave a dry laugh and continued, "Isn't the Prince of Liaodong looking for a new bride for the Crown Prince? The Princess and I were discussing this matter."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lanchun used her brother as a shield without hesitation: "Yes, yes, that's what I'm talking about."
Xiao Jingting hummed: "Which girl did the emperor uncle take a fancy to?"
Speaking of this, Xiao Lanchun had a good idea in mind, so he told the Liaodong King the truth about the several families he had recently considered. At the end, he said, "Once my brother's marriage is decided, my father will send someone to announce the good news to His Majesty as soon as possible."
Xiao Jingting smiled: "Then I'll be waiting."
Putting down the cup in his hand, he kept smiling: "Cousin Feng's marriage is in sight. As your sister, what do you think of marriage?"
Lu Zhiwan sat aside and looked at him in surprise.
"It's really weird. He's not usually the kind of person who cares about his relatives, so why is he so friendly today?"
Xiao Lanchun was also embarrassed by Xiao Jingting's question. She blushed and said awkwardly, "Father will arrange my...my daughter's marriage."
Xiao Jingting said, "I heard that Madam Gu treats you very kindly, like her own daughter."
Xiao Lanchun's heart skipped a beat and she looked at Xiao Jingting hesitantly, not sure what her cousin meant by the question.
Lu Zhiwan also smelled a hint of something unusual.
Her intuition told her that something big seemed to be happening.
As expected, Xiao Jingting slowly glanced at their slightly solemn faces, raised his thick eyebrows slightly, and said with a smile: "I intend to arrange a marriage between you and Gu Rongyu, what do you think, Lan Chun?"
These words are like a huge rock thrown into a river, causing waves thousands of feet high.
Lu Zhiwan was stunned and frightened.
Xiao Lanchun was also stunned, she was too surprised.
His Majesty actually wants to grant her a marriage with Gu Rongyu! This is such a blessing from heaven!
Her pretty face flushed red again and again. She suppressed her joy and bit her lip shyly, "Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words. I...I will leave it to Your Majesty and my father to decide."
Xiao Jingting didn't say anything, but glanced at the person beside him.
Lu Zhiwan sat there in a daze, his soul flying into the sky, with his brows lowered and he said nothing, but his heart was in a mess.
"Arranged marriage? Why did this bastard suddenly think of an arranged marriage? I don't see him being a matchmaker or a matchmaker."
"No, I'm sure there's absolutely no such passage (in the original text)! This takes a completely different direction."
"But if the marriage is really granted, it doesn't seem impossible... Xiao Lanchun and Gu Rongyu are locked together, so there's no place for Xiao Ningning anymore."
"Thinking about it this way, Xiao Lanchun is really lucky. She didn't have to put in any effort to marry the handsome guy she liked. She just married him openly and got married. If I hadn't entered the palace..."
"Concubine Zhao."
A cold and harsh voice interrupted her thoughts.
Lu Zhiwan raised her eyes and met Xiao Jingting's dark, narrow eyes.
Although he was smiling, Lu Zhiwan felt a chill on his back and felt creepy and uneasy.
"Your Majesty?" She forced an awkward smile.
Xiao Jingting looked at her steadily: "What do you think about the arranged marriage?"
Lu Zhiwan thought to herself, "This isn't an arranged marriage for me, so why are you asking me?" But she smiled softly and said, "Your Majesty's willingness to act as a matchmaker is a good thing. However, an arranged marriage is a lifelong event for both men and women, especially since Princess Lanchun is the beloved daughter of the Prince of Liaodong, and Minister Gu is the Empress Dowager's nephew. In my humble opinion, Your Majesty should first consult with the Empress Dowager, Prime Minister Gu, and the Prince of Liaodong before finalizing this matter."
Although Xiao Lanchun was happy about the marriage, she also knew that this was a serious matter and she couldn't make a hasty decision. So she quickly agreed with Lu Zhiwan, "Your Highness, Concubine Zhao is absolutely right."
After a brief silence, Xiao Jingting tapped the table twice with his fingers and nodded, "Alright, I'll discuss this with the Queen Mother before issuing an order."
Xiao Lanchun breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to express his gratitude.
Soon, Xia He came into the hall carrying the freshly steamed chestnut and yam cake.
After tasting a piece of cake, Xiao Lanchun found an excuse to leave.
The crystal curtain rippled gently, and Lu Zhiwan watched Xiao Lanchun leave. Just from her back, one could tell how happy she was that her wish had been fulfilled.
“That’s great…”
She sighed inwardly, "I hope Gu Rongyu can be safe and sound this time, and have a good outcome."
A deep sneer suddenly rang out from the hall.
The voice was light and short. Lu Zhiwan thought it was his own illusion for a moment, until he turned his head and saw Xiao Jingting's dark face that was obviously surprised.
"He was fine just now, who provoked him?"
She was filled with doubts, unable to understand the man's unpredictable emotions. She simply pushed the plate of cakes toward him with a flattering smile, "These freshly steamed cakes are fragrant and glutinous. While they're still warm, Your Majesty, would you like to try two more pieces?"
Xiao Jingting didn't even glance at the cakes, but just stared at her. "Aren't you curious about why I granted marriage to Xiao Lanchun and Gu Rongyu?"
Lu Zhiwan was stunned.
To be honest, I'm quite curious.
But before she could speak, Xiao Jingting said, "I will grant it if I want to, there is no reason."
Lu Zhiwan: “…”
"You've really got the upper hand over nonsense literature."
So she also echoed perfunctorily: "As long as Your Majesty is happy."
She silently picked up a piece of cake and put it into her mouth, trying to ease the speechlessness in her heart.
Perhaps her perfunctory response was too obvious, Xiao Jingting frowned and stared at her: "Are you unhappy?"
Lu Zhiwan: “Ah?”
Xiao Jingting: "I have granted Gu Rongyu a marriage."
Lu Zhiwan: "This...why should I be unhappy?"
"This is crazy!"
Xiao Jingting: "Are you cursing me in your heart?"
Lu Zhiwan's eyelashes trembled twice, and she subconsciously denied: "I didn't!"
"Oh shit, can he really read minds?"
Xiao Jingting: “…”
Their eyes met, one was calm and deep, unable to tell whether he was happy or angry, while the other's eyes flickered with panic and guilt.
Just when Lu Zhiwan was about to be unable to bear the gaze and was about to surrender, footsteps were heard outside the hall.
The eunuch in charge of taking care of Xiao Fugui came in to report, "Your Majesty, it's time for Xiao Fugui to eat."
As their relationship grew closer, Xiao Fugui was now accustomed to Lu Zhiwan's company during his evening meals. If Lu Zhiwan wasn't around, he would lie listlessly and refuse to eat.
Lu Zhiwan was surprised and delighted by the little leopard's dependence on him.
This pure feeling of dependence gave her a small sense of belonging to this strange era.
Although she is a visitor from another time and space, there is a little leopard here who cares about her and needs her company.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Lu Zhiwan responded from outside, then looked at Xiao Jingting: "Your Majesty, would you like to rest in the palace, or go with me to feed Xiao Fugui?"
Xiao Jingting frowned when he saw her undisguised tenderness and doting when she mentioned Xiao Fugui.
This woman cares more about the little leopard than him. If she really has a child in the future, won't she take him even less seriously?
Thinking of this, his eyes darkened.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Lu Zhiwan tilted his head and whispered, "Your Majesty?"
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Jingting gave her a strange look, then stood up with a flick of his sleeves.
Lu Zhiwan was stunned for a moment, thinking he was leaving. Before she could even utter "Farewell, Your Majesty," she heard a man's clear and cold voice from the front: "What are you still standing there for? Follow me."
"..." Lu Zhiwan's mouth twitched slightly: "Here it comes!"
***
When it comes to the arranged marriage, Xiao Jingting's action is amazing.
The next afternoon, he summoned Gu Rongyu to the Cining Palace and sat with Empress Dowager Gu, directly expressing his intention to grant the marriage.
Empress Dowager Gu, remembering her old friendship with the Prince of Liaodong, naturally had a soft spot for the daughter he had personally raised. Therefore, when she saw her sister-in-law, Madam Gu, and Xiao Lanchun getting along so well, she didn't dissuade them, but rather acquiesced.
Now that she saw that the emperor was willing to bring them together, and Princess Lan Chun was also willing, she was naturally happy to see it happen.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing about the arranged marriage, Gu Rongyu's expression suddenly became solemn. He stood up and bowed deeply to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, "I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to retract your decree."
He bent over, but he was like a strong bamboo in the wind that could not be broken, rustling and solemn.
The atmosphere in the golden palace, which had been harmonious and relaxed just now, suddenly became as frozen as if thousands of miles away.
It was Empress Dowager Gu who first recovered her composure. She glanced calmly at the tall red sandalwood screen on her left, decorated with a phoenix and peony. Then, with a slight frown, she looked at her elegant nephew, "Rong Yu should have met Princess Lan Chun. She is of noble birth, beautiful, and gentle. Your mother has praised her many times in front of me, saying that she is filial and kind, a very proper child, and she likes her very much..."
Gu Rongyu remained silent while listening to Empress Dowager Gu praising Xiao Lanchun.
Empress Dowager Gu had no choice but to look at the emperor who was sitting calmly drinking tea with an embarrassed look.
Xiao Jingting drank half a cup of tea slowly before opening his eyes and looking at the person in front of him calmly: "Men should get married when they are old enough and women should get married when they are old enough. My dear, you are at the right age to get married. Do you think that Princess Lan Chun is not worthy of you, or..."
His slightly rough fingertips rubbed the rim of the thin cup, and his tone became three points heavier: "Do you already have someone you like?"
Gu Rongyu's eyes moved slightly.
I don't understand why His Majesty is so concerned about his marriage. Is it because he thinks the Gu family is powerful and wants to stabilize the court through a royal marriage?
If it was for this reason, then he should stop favoring Concubine Zhao and make his own sister the queen. Their Gu family would naturally be loyal to the Xiao family, so why would they have to go around arguing about his own marriage?
The emperor's intentions were unpredictable. Gu Rongyu calmed himself down a bit and replied solemnly, "Your Majesty, Princess Lanchun is gentle, prudent, and kind-hearted. She is a very good girl. However, I have a shallow connection with her and do not have any romantic feelings for her. I beg Your Majesty to revoke your order and find a good husband for the princess so that they can marry each other happily."
Xiao Jingting said, "I heard that some time ago, when you went to Qingyun Temple to handle a case, you had a chance encounter with the princess. Isn't this fate?"
Gu Rongyu's eyes flickered, and his mind couldn't help but recall Xiao Lanchun's calmness and courage in the back mountain, as well as the scenes of their subsequent encounters in the capital.
She is indeed a lovely woman, with a straightforward nature and a bright and cheerful demeanor.
Whether it is family background, appearance, character, or the attitude of the elders in the family, it is difficult to find fault with it.
After several chance encounters, he had thought about getting to know her better.
But every time at this moment, there seems to be a voice in my heart ringing in my ears: "She is not the one you love, you can't be together."
He tried to ask himself, who should he love?
What's strange is that the image of Yuzhang Princess Xiao Ningning suddenly appeared in my mind——
This is ridiculous.
Apart from the piano and flute duet at the Jinling Ferry, he and Princess Yuzhang had no contact at all until he returned to the capital. They didn't even exchange a few words. Why did he feel that she was the one he loved?
Matters of the heart have always been complicated, and Gu Rongyu didn't know what was going on with this strange feeling.
But for now, in his confused state, he absolutely could not accept the arranged marriage.
That would be careless to myself and unfair to Princess Lan Chun.
"Your Majesty, Queen Mother, I understand your good intentions, but marriage is a serious matter, not a joke." Gu Rongyu looked solemnly at Queen Mother Gu. "Aunt, forcing two people who don't love each other into a couple will only lead to a lifetime of pain and regret."
No one present understood this feeling better than Empress Dowager Gu.
The long fingers that were turning the Buddhist beads stopped, and her kind brows were filled with a deep sadness.
After a while, she sighed and turned to look at Xiao Jingting: "Ayin, I am a little tired. Let's discuss this matter later."
Xiao Jingting looked at the pleading look in Empress Dowager Gu's eyes, then at Gu Rongyu's determined look, and his black eyes narrowed slightly.
Just as he was about to speak, a soft voice reached his ears——
"Alas, a forced melon is not sweet. Let's just let Gu Rongyu go!" Princess Lan Chun was almost unable to hold back her tears.
Xiao Jingting pursed his lips, retracted his gaze, and said calmly, "Just as my mother said, Gu Qing, please leave first."
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