Not a good match
Ah Qiu knew what he was talking about.
The title of "the successor of Master Gu Yi" is unique in the world.
Gongyi Xiu felt increasingly hopeful as he thought about it, and said, "Although the Shangguan and Pei families are indeed powerful and deeply rooted, and any emperor would choose these two families as his first relatives, everyone knows the Shangguan family's attitude: they don't want to be tied to the imperial family. As for Pei Yuanli of the Pei family, his life or death is currently unknown, and the Grand Tutor will definitely want to strip him of his military power. As long as the Grand Tutor controls the Jianzhang Army, he will be just like the next Pei Yuanli, and you will be just like Pei Yu. The Crown Prince will not lose out by marrying you."
He said with great enthusiasm, "This is just the obvious bargaining chip. Behind you is the Lanling Hall, which has the power to overturn half the country. Junior Sister, I think this matter has great potential."
At this point, he became alert, his eyes sharply glancing to the right ahead.
Both of them spoke in hushed tones, seemingly oblivious to being overheard. But the person approaching at that moment appeared to be a martial arts master.
Although A Qiu knew that Gongyi Xiu's words made perfect sense, for some reason, she felt extremely resistant to the suggestion. No matter how rationally she reasoned, she couldn't find a reason to object.
This is indeed an excellent opportunity.
Gongyi Xiu quietly said, "Then let's agree on this for now. You can act according to the situation. If you need my help, we can arrange to meet outside the palace."
A Qiu's status is no longer that of a dancer. She was confined to Tangli for twelve hours a day, with no freedom of movement. Now, she serves Gu Yi at Jinlingtai and can simply go out to say hello if she wants. Contacting the main hall is much easier than before.
Before Gongyi Xiu could say anything more, Xiao Chang'an, unconventional and elegant in his blue robe, leisurely emerged from under a clump of acacia trees on the right and said with a smile, "Your Excellency, if you wish to take courtesans on an outing, please go to Luoyufang or Woxiaxuan to make arrangements. If you continue to chatter with my sister, don't blame me for being impolite."
He walked over casually, and as he passed Gongyi Xiu, he seemingly unintentionally bumped into him hard with his shoulder.
Although Gongyi Xiu was stunned by his words, he did not forget his current status as a civil official who was powerless to even kill a chicken. He immediately staggered three steps to the side, exclaimed "Ouch!", and then said with a wry smile, "How did A Qiu become yours?"
Xiao Chang'an's eyes lit up with a strange light. As he walked past him, he had already shielded A Qiu behind him, looking as if he wouldn't let him even glance at her. He said casually, "Because I've already decided on her."
Gongyi Xiu's eyes widened like copper bells as he exclaimed, "You've arranged a marriage with her? When did this happen? Who did you arrange it with? How come I didn't know?"
Xiao Chang'an said coldly, "Why should you know? Are you that close to her? Does she need to ask you before doing anything?"
His tone grew increasingly harsh and impolite with each sentence.
After A Qiu left Jixian Palace, he rushed to the vicinity of Jinling Terrace early in the morning to wait for her. However, she did not come after he waited and waited. He had no choice but to look for her along the way. He found Gongyi Xiu talking to A Qiu incessantly. Naturally, he was furious.
Little did he know that he had truly wronged Gongyi Xiu. In the short time since leaving Jixian Palace, A Qiu had already spoken privately with both Shangguan Yuqi and Crown Prince Xie Tiao, and Gongyi Xiu was merely the third person to speak with A Qiu.
But Xiao Chang'an thought that Gongyi Xiu had stopped A Qiu and chatted by the roadside until dark, making him wait for most of half an hour, so how could he not be angry?
Gongyi Xiu was dumbfounded and almost speechless with anger.
Xiao Chang'an stared intently at him, pressing him aggressively, "A month ago, on the Yangtze River, I made her my betrothal to the Junior Tutor. Is there a problem with that? The Junior Tutor is her master; can't he make decisions for her?"
What he was referring to was when he accompanied Gu Yi to Jiangbei to meet Li Chongyu, and they were ambushed on the river. During that time, he had fiercely told Gu Yi that he was not allowed to approach A Qiu again. Gu Yi replied that he was A Qiu's master and then asked A Qiu if she liked him.
But in Xiao Chang'an's view, since Gu Yi already knew about this matter and had asked the two of them for their opinions, it meant that he did not object. So the matter was settled. Even though A Qiu herself did not agree, given his personality, he would never let someone else take her away.
Upon hearing this, not only was Gongyi Xiu dumbfounded, but even A Qiu was taken aback.
Gu Yi promised her to Xiao Chang'an? It was utterly impossible. Not only had she never considered Xiao Chang'an, but Gu Yi's attitude alone showed he had never been certain about it. The night before, Xiao Chang'an invited her boating, which Gu Yi decisively refused. Then, Gu Yi personally told her that Xiao Chang'an was definitely not a good match.
Gu Yi was by no means a man who would go back on his word. But Xiao Chang'an's words didn't seem to come out of thin air either; where did they come from?
Gongyi Xiu looked directly at A Qiu behind Xiao Chang'an, while A Qiu shook her head frantically, indicating that, to her knowledge, there was absolutely no such thing.
Gongyi Xiu was finally relieved. If Gu Yi hadn't even bothered to inform Wanqi Qing before betrothing A Qiu to someone else, that would truly show disrespect for Lanling Hall, and it wouldn't be like Gu Yi at all. This was because although Gu Yi was aloof and independent, he was never one to act arbitrarily.
Knowing that the matter was not true, he was no longer in a hurry. He glanced at Xiao Chang'an and sneered, "Some people are probably delusional, like toads dreaming of swan meat. In that case, I'll just go and ask the young master tomorrow and see what he has to say."
Xiao Chang'an retorted angrily, "I'm a toad? Why don't you look in the mirror? I think you're the toad, a real toad of every ounce. Go ahead and ask, do you think I'm afraid?"
The renowned handsome man known as "Jade-Faced Marquis Liu" was described by him as a toad of perfect weight, leaving even A Qiu staring wide-eyed in disbelief.
However, Gongyi Xiu was far more mature than others and was too lazy to waste time arguing with this greenhorn. He chuckled, waved his folding fan, and left on his own, giving A Qiu a meaningful glance before he went.
The meaning in his gaze was clear: I deeply sympathize with you being entangled by such a reckless brat.
As soon as Gongyi Xiu left, A Qiu immediately and subtly slipped away from Xiao Chang'an, then turned to leave.
Her feelings upon seeing Xiao Chang'an were extremely complicated.
Knowing that he was most likely the person Lie Changkong had mentioned who was detrimental to Gu Yi, she lost even the will to feign politeness.
Xiao Chang'an had always treated her very well. Even though he had spoken harshly to Gongyi Xiu just now, it was largely because of Gongyi Xiu's bad reputation, and he was afraid of being taken advantage of.
Otherwise, given Gongyi Xiu's high position as Left Chancellor and Xiao Chang'an's ability to navigate social situations, there would be no need for Xiao Chang'an to openly offend him, even if he didn't need to curry favor with him.
She had barely turned around when Xiao Chang'an appeared in front of her, blocking her way. His expression turned into a broad smile as he said, "Sister, I've been waiting for you for ages, aren't you going to ask why?"
After much deliberation, A Qiu finally decided to say seriously, "Xiao Xiao."
Xiao Chang'an's smile remained unchanged as she replied, "Please speak frankly, sister."
A-Qiu raised her head, looked directly into his eyes, and said, "Master did not agree to let me date you; he was against it." She spoke her mind in one breath, and although it took a lot of courage, she felt much lighter.
Dealing with someone as unpredictable and cunning as Xiao Chang'an was no easy task. While she could lie and deceive him to extract information, she was unwilling to treat someone who truly cared for her that way.
Regardless of how Xiao Chang'an treated others, he was always good to her.
Xiao Chang'an said calmly, "I know."
A-Qiu stared wide-eyed in surprise. He knew?
In fact, Xiao Chang'an guessed it from A Qiu's reaction just now. He was meticulous and quick-witted. As long as A Qiu didn't lie to him, he could guess the general outline of the matter with a fairly accurate understanding.
He chuckled and said, "So what?"
At the same time, he flipped his hand, intending to pull A Qiu back into his arms.
Ah Qiu no longer needed to hide the fact that she knew martial arts, so she wouldn't allow him to get close and take advantage of her. Xiao Chang'an's hand was just about to touch her waist when he suddenly felt a pain in his wrist and had to immediately let go.
A Qiu's five fingers were as nimble as orchids, brushing across his wrist and then disappearing in a flash.
A look of surprise flashed across Xiao Chang'an's face, but he still smiled and said, "The Marquis of Guannei is arriving in the capital tonight and wanted to invite you to come with me to watch the excitement, but who knew that you wouldn't appreciate it, sister."
A Qiu was taken aback upon hearing this, and asked blankly, "Isn't the state banquet tomorrow?" They were to present "Yan Shi Ning" at the state banquet tomorrow, which is why An Daoling told them to leave early and rest tonight.
Xiao Chang'an said patiently, "The state banquet is tomorrow, but the Marquis of Guannei will arrive tonight. He won't wait until the banquet starts before rushing to the capital. He told me he'll be outside the city before midnight, and I need to go pick him up. Would you like to come with me?"
Only then did A Qiu realize that Xiao Chang'an really did have something to discuss with her.
Li Chongyu led his personal guards into the city. According to protocol, the Grand Commander Sikong Zhao should have been the one to greet him, but Sikong Zhao, Fan Liancheng, and Pei Yu were all busy with the power transition in Jianzhang and were unable to attend. Therefore, the task was given to Xiao Chang'an, a "Green Hawk" in the Eastern Palace's Flying Phoenix Guard who had accompanied Gu Yi on a mission to the Shuofang military camp and was one of the people Li Chongyu knew best in Jianzhang.
Xiao Chang'an's invitation to A Qiu was undoubtedly due to her status as the successor of the Junior Tutor. Gu Yi couldn't personally go to bring Li Chongyu into the city, but A Qiu could represent him.
After a moment's hesitation, A Qiu immediately said, "I'll go with you. But wait until I change into my female officer's uniform."
She was wearing a long, swallowtail-hemmed dance costume for practicing martial arts, so rushing over like that would be inappropriate.
Xiao Chang'an saw that she agreed without hesitation and was not surprised. He looked her over and nodded, saying, "Go change your clothes. I'll wait for you at the foot of Jinling Terrace."
"The Marquis of Guannei has entered the city!"
"The Marquis of Guannei has entered the city!"
An urgent military report from the east gate of Jianzhang City spread silently through the night, quickly reaching every rooftop and courtyard in the palace.
This message was being secretly transmitted at almost every palace gate and in front of every guard post.
Before A Qiu and Xiao Chang'an even left the palace, they had already heard the news.
Xiao Chang'an frowned slightly and asked the Imperial Guard communications soldier who was relaying the message, "Which official is in charge of the defense of Jianzhang City today?"
The military situation in Jianzhang was already tense due to Pei Yuanli's assassination attempt, yet this person so easily let Li Chongyu in.
The soldier said respectfully, "I am Lord Shangguan, the commander of the Imperial Flying Phoenix Guard."
Upon hearing this, A Qiu's furrowed brows immediately relaxed.
Since it was Shangguan Yuqi, she must have been very confident before releasing him. Moreover, the Thirteen Shadows of the Divine Weapon Hall had already received her instructions and would undoubtedly have secretly followed and protected Li Chongyu's men all the way.
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