Chapter 44 [44]
【44】/First release
The wanted warrant for Zhao Wenshao was soon issued everywhere.
After investigation, the Jinyiwei also found out the identity of the gang of thieves who dug the tunnel - they were originally bandits from Lianhuazhai in Tianjin.
The former head of the village passed away due to illness, and now the village is managed by the head of the village's only daughter, Gui Ruoxi.
Gui Ruoxi was eighteen years old, charming and beautiful, with a fiery temper. A few months ago, Zhao Wenshao passed by Lianhua Village and, by chance, met Gui Ruoxi.
Gui Ruoqian sympathized with his tragic experience and was attracted by his talent and appearance, so she wanted to take Zhao Wenshao as her son-in-law.
Zhao Wenshao refused to comply, so Gui Ruoxi gave him an aphrodisiac. The two of them made love in the mountain village for three whole days and nights.
After the matter was settled, Zhao Wenshao had no choice but to make a promise to Gui Ruoxi that he would come back to find her after the affairs in the capital were settled.
Gui Ruoxi believed him without a doubt, let him go to Beijing, and waited for his return in the village.
Unexpectedly, she had to wait for several months. Gui Ruoxi looked forward to her lover's return but he did not come back. Instead, she heard that he was imprisoned and would not live long.
Gui Ruoxi, blinded by love, desperately came to the capital with her capable men to start a plan to rescue her lover.
“…”
After figuring out the whole story, Lu Zhiwan felt that the melon seeds in his hand no longer tasted good.
Well, I was so focused on stopping Gu Rongyu that I forgot about Zhao Wenshao’s harem.
Thinking of this, she looked sympathetically at Xiao Ningning, who was sitting on her left. "Princess Yuzhang, don't be too upset. It's not worth being sad for a man like this."
Xiao Ningning frowned and murmured listlessly, "How could he be hanging out with a woman like that? How could he..."
Seeing that she was immersed in her own world and completely oblivious to what others were saying, Lu Zhiwan simply turned around and looked at Xiao Lanchun, who was sitting to his right. "Princess Lanchun, don't be sad. There are many beautiful women in the world. Besides Master Gu, there are still many good men in the capital."
Xiao Lanchun held her chin in her hand, a look of melancholy between her brows. "But who in the whole capital can compare to him?"
Lu Zhiwan: “…”
Seeing that the two princesses on his left and right were both immersed in the sadness of losing their love, and they both ran to his Lifeng Palace to seek comfort, Lu Zhiwan felt complicated and puzzled.
Who would have thought that the heroine and the supporting actress in the original novel would one day sit down with the villain themselves and talk about relationship issues?
It can be seen that the world is really wonderful.
"Princess Yuzhang, you should be thankful that the female bandit helped you identify this scumbag! He hasn't even established a formal relationship with you, yet he's already been flirting with other women. If they were actually married, wouldn't it be even more rampant?"
"Princess Lan Chun, don't be too disappointed. His Majesty has already helped you vent your anger by arranging for him to build a mansion for you. If you really have given up on him, then find fault with him and vent your anger. If you still can't let him go... perhaps you can take advantage of your proximity and try to win his favor?"
She comforted Xiao Ningning and gave Xiao Lanchun advice, and her lips became dry from talking, but the two princesses were still sighing and worried.
In the end, it was Xiao Jingting who summoned him, and Lu Zhiwan was able to take a breath and get rid of these two girls who were trapped in love.
Before leaving for the Yangxin Palace, Xia He couldn't help but sigh as she dressed Lu Zhiwan, "I can understand Princess Lanchun's sadness. After all, it would be a shame to miss out on someone as talented, handsome, and well-connected as Master Gu. But Princess Yuzhang is like this... I don't understand. What does she want from Zhao Wenshao?"
Xia He once accompanied Lu Zhiwan to a spring banquet at the prefect's house in Yuezhou, and also met Zhao Wenshao.
It is true that Zhao Wenshao's appearance and demeanor are among the best in Yuezhou Prefecture, but when looking at the whole world, he seems ordinary.
Xia He privately thought that her master was lucky to meet His Majesty in this life. There is no man in the world more outstanding than His Majesty.
Lu Zhiwan didn't know that Xia He was secretly talking about her and Xiao Jingting again. She gently stroked the embroidered edge of her sleeve and taught the little girl earnestly: "So, when choosing a man, you must be careful and don't fall in love."
Xia He responded with a half-understood murmur, and without further ado, she went over to help Lu Zhiwan arrange her moon-colored satin embroidered magnolia and butterfly jacket. "The weather is getting colder. They said it was going to snow a few days ago, but it hasn't fallen yet."
Lu Zhiwan glanced at the gray sky outside the window, and a chilling feeling of loneliness rose in his heart: "Time flies so fast, and winter is here in the blink of an eye."
"That's right." Xia He smiled as she tied the silver ribbon. "The New Year is coming soon. I heard from Aunt Qiu Rong that there will be many banquets and feasts in the palace. It will be very lively."
Chinese New Year.
Lu Zhiwan was stunned. It seemed like the Mid-Autumn Festival was just yesterday, and it was New Year's Eve so soon.
Being a stranger in a foreign land, she vaguely resisted the arrival of New Year's Eve.
But time never stops because of personal will. In the falling snow, the snow-covered Forbidden City was decorated with lights and welcomed the New Year's Eve of the 18th year of Tianfeng.
A grand New Year's Eve ceremony was held in the court during the day, and the concubines in the harem were also busy. They gathered in the Cining Palace with the imperial concubine and met the empress dowager together with the princes and ladies.
Ever since Lu Zhiwan became the favorite, her life became a straight line between two points: petting the little leopard in Lifeng Palace during the day and stroking the fur of the living ancestor in Yangxin Palace at night.
Perhaps it was because her life was too regular, giving other concubines no chance to trip her up, or perhaps it was because Xiao Jingting's thundering method of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys in the spring was so shocking, but over the past six months, except for getting a few cold stares when she met Concubine Gu, Lu Zhiwan had little interaction with the other concubines in the harem.
This time, they met in the Cining Palace. Seeing those concubines who used to dislike her now all docilely bowing to her like little lambs, Lu Zhiwan couldn't help but feel secretly happy, but she didn't show it on her face. She raised her hand dignifiedly and said, "No need to be so polite, my sisters."
Of course she knew that they were not convinced in their hearts, but what could she do? It was their bad luck to have such an eccentric emperor.
"Thank you, Empress Zhao." The concubines stood up and looked at Lu Zhiwan with curiosity.
I don’t know what kind of ability this Lu has. Even after more than half a year, she can still be favored by the emperor.
Look at the Imperial Concubine Gu beside Empress Dowager Gu. In terms of appearance, the Imperial Concubine is also bright and charming. Why has Your Majesty never taken a second look at the Imperial Concubine?
These lingering and comparing glances were too frequent, and Concubine Gu couldn't ignore them even if she wanted to. The smile on her lips faded little by little, and her eyes looked at Lu Zhiwan with a cold look.
This useless person, after such a long time, still hasn't performed the Zhougong Ceremony with Your Majesty.
Can she do it?
Feeling the chill, Lu Zhiwan said: "..."
She silently shrank her neck and forced a polite smile towards Concubine Gu, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes.
Concubine Gu: “…”
Haha, you still have the nerve to laugh, who would laugh with you?
She turned her face away, no longer looking at Lu Zhiwan, and only chatted affectionately with Empress Dowager Gu and Madam Gu about family matters.
The majority of the harem was populated by imperial concubines, so the presence of these officials' wives in the palace allowed them to have a good chat with their families. Even if it was only for an hour or two, it was better than nothing, and it was better than Lu Zhiwan, a stranger from another time and space with no relatives or connections.
She remembered that her best friend, who was studying abroad, once complained to her that during the Chinese New Year, when she saw a red lantern while walking on the street in a foreign country, she would be reminded of home and cry.
At that time she thought it was too exaggerated, but now it was her turn——
Looking at the warm scene of the concubines sitting with their families, talking and laughing, she felt like a homeless dog in the cold wind, being kicked twice for no reason while walking on the road.
Although she kept comforting herself in her heart not to care, the melancholy of missing him still lingered in her heart and could not be shaken off.
Until the night of the palace banquet, with the sound of stringed instruments, graceful singing and dancing, and the rich and fragrant wine, Lu Zhiwan sat in her seat, drinking one glass of wine after another.
"Drinking to drown my sorrows only makes me more sorrowful. The ancients were right."
"Why do we have to celebrate the New Year? It's so annoying. I want to destroy the world."
“Everyone seems so happy… wow wow wow, that’s so nice…”
Xiao Jingting, who was sitting at the top of the table, listened to the increasingly confused voice, raised his narrow eyes, and glanced towards a place not far below.
Then I saw the woman with a jade-like bun and a gorgeous dress leaning slightly against a rosewood armchair. Her face, as white as pearls, was gently flushed, the corners of her eyes were red, and her gaze was blurred, making her look like a drunk.
This was the first time he had seen her get drunk like this on her own initiative.
Can a person who seems heartless on a daily basis also have times of sadness and frustration?
Xiao Jingting picked up the wine glass at hand and took a sip of the warm wine. It was refreshing in the throat and had a sweet aftertaste.
But if you drink too much of this stuff, you will have a headache the next day, which is not a pleasant experience.
"Big friend, bring her a pot of sobering soup." He ordered in a calm voice.
Although he didn't mention any names, Yu Mingjiang immediately understood what His Majesty meant and bowed in response, "Yes, I'll go right away."
The hangover soup in the jade pot was quickly brought to Lu Zhiwan.
She seemed stunned for a moment, then after listening to the palace maid's whispered explanation beside her, she raised her head in a daze and looked upwards.
"Strange, why is he so considerate all of a sudden? He even brought me hangover soup."
"Alas, what a pity! All I want now is to get drunk. It would be best if I could wake up and the New Year would be over."
She thought so, but she couldn't refuse the sobering soup sent by the emperor, so she asked Xia He to pour a bowl for her and drank it slowly.
According to the custom, people have to stay up all night on New Year's Eve. Lu Zhiwan thought she would have to stay up for a while, but she didn't expect that just after she finished a bowl of sobering soup, Xiao Jingting ordered someone to help her to the side hall to rest.
"...So thoughtful, it's incredible."
Before leaving, Lu Zhiwan couldn't help but glance at the calm and handsome man above her several times, "It's New Year's Day, could he be possessed by some unlucky thing?"
She was so dizzy that she didn't notice the man's fingers slowly tightening around the wine glass, and the veins on the cold white back of his hand bulged.
It’s the Chinese New Year.
Xiao Jingting pursed his lips slightly. He was a magnanimous man, so he didn't bother with this little drunkard.
The wind is cold and the night is dark.
The candlelight in the side hall was dim and the floor heating was burning warmly. Lu Zhiwan was sleeping soundly on the couch and had a beautiful dream. Suddenly, there was a rumbling sound outside the hall, which woke her up.
Was it thunder? A fire? Or did she sleep through the years until the rebels invaded?
She was half asleep and struggled to lift her drowsy head from the pillow. Just as she looked up a little, she saw a tall, dark figure sitting quietly beside the couch.
Her black eyes flickered slightly, and she looked up again. The man's handsome face became even deeper in the shadow of the backlight.
"He's a handsome guy."
Lu Zhiwan opened his hazy eyes and looked at the person in front of him. His chaotic brain could only make some of the most instinctive reactions at this moment.
For example, when I see a handsome man, I can't help but raise the corners of my mouth.
Xiao Jingting looked at her red-faced and drunken appearance, and frowned slightly.
After a moment, he stretched out a long finger and poked her forehead: "How did you become such a wicked person after drinking so much?"
"The handsome guy spoke, and his voice was quite nice."
She subconsciously held the finger that was poking her forehead tightly, refusing to let go: "Don't poke me."
Xiao Jingting listened to her voice which had become soft due to drunkenness, and as if he had discovered something interesting, he raised his other hand and poked her forehead again.
"Hey! You..."
Lu Zhiwan raised his other hand and grabbed his finger.
As a result, both of his hands were firmly held by her. Her hair was disheveled, and her bright black eyes were wide open, revealing a bit of grievance and annoyance: "You are so beautiful, why do you like to bully others so much?"
Xiao Jingting raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Do you think I'm good-looking?"
Lu Zhiwan nodded: "It looks good."
Xiao Jingting bent down and moved his tall body closer to her: "Who is prettier, me or Gu Rongyu?"
"Gu Rongyu..." Lu Zhiwan frowned and muttered, "Who is it?"
Although he knew that she was drunk, Xiao Jingting's eyes showed a hint of pleasure when he saw that she didn't remember Gu Rongyu at all.
He pulled out a hand and pinched her soft cheek: "It's an insignificant person."
Lu Zhiwan uttered an "oh," probably because she felt uncomfortable being pinched. She grabbed his hand again and threatened fiercely, "Why are you always moving your hand around? If you move again, I'll... I'll..."
It's like seeing a cat with its fur standing on end, meowing and waving its claws at its owner.
Xiao Jingting's eyes were filled with joy, and he teased her deliberately: "What do you think?"
"I just..."
His brain was slowed down by the alcohol, and Lu Zhiwan stuttered for a while, unable to make any sense.
But seeing the man's dark eyes curved and his smile teasingly aroused her competitive spirit.
The next moment, she raised her soft arms and hooked them around the man's neck. She straightened her waist and directly blocked those annoying thin lips.
My ears suddenly became quiet, with only the rumbling sounds remaining.
I can't tell whether it is the dazzling fireworks on New Year's Eve or someone's pounding heartbeat.
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