18 His schemes
It will rain tonight, so keep doors and windows closed.
Prefect Tang Qiao of Peng County was waiting at the city gate early in the morning.
As soon as Sima Hong and his party entered the city, he went up to them and respectfully bowed, saying, "Lord Sima, your humble servant Tang Qiao has been waiting here for a long time."
Sima Hong dismounted, and the two exchanged a few pleasantries. Qi Gu followed her father off the carriage, and the father and daughter walked to Sima Hong's side.
His father had difficulty walking, which drew Tang Qiao's attention a few more times. "I wonder who this gentleman is..."
"This is Mr. Li, who is accompanying me back to the capital this time." Sima Hong did not offer any further explanation.
As the future head of the Sima family and a favorite of the emperor, Sima Hong, who holds the emperor's decree to inspect the lives of people in various counties, was someone Tang Qiao knew she couldn't afford to offend.
"Ah, it's Mr. Li. You must be tired from your journey." Although I didn't know what was so tiring about, I knew he must have had a hard time.
Li Shi showed none of the awkwardness a country bumpkin would show when meeting an official. He greeted Tang Qiao with a cupped-hand salute, following the etiquette of the time.
“I am but a commoner, Your Excellency Prefect, there is no need for such formalities. You may simply call me Shi.”
Li Shi smiled elegantly, while A Xiang, standing to the side, curled his lip. If he hadn't personally investigated Mr. Li's background beforehand, he really wouldn't have believed that such a person had been farming in Li Family Village for seven or eight years.
In his opinion, apart from being a little clumsy in his legs, this person was nothing like a farmer who tilled the land. He seemed more like a hermit. However, his information was correct; he was indeed an ordinary commoner from Li Family Village who, by chance, adopted the princess.
"And who is this?" Tang Qiao asked, looking at Qi Gu.
Li Shi said, "This is my daughter. You can call her Qi Gu." His tone was relaxed and natural. Even Sima Hong had a moment of doubt. Was this Li Shi really just an ordinary farmer? Was it really just a coincidence that he adopted a princess?
Qi Gu watched as this conspicuous group of people exchanged pleasantries in full view of everyone on the bustling street at the city gate, while an important "prisoner" was being transported in the prison cart behind them.
She finally realized what was wrong; it was too high-profile. Given Sima Hong's meticulous and calculating nature, how could he make such a hasty arrangement, unless…
Qi Gu decided that during her stay in Peng County, she must stay close to her father. If Sima Hong really had other plans, she didn't want to be implicated. Being shot through by an arrow once was enough; she didn't want to experience it a second time.
Prefect Tang respectfully led the group to their lodgings, a house right next to the government office. Knowing that Sima Hong was coming, he had ordered it to be cleaned up early.
This is a three-courtyard house, right next to the government office. The house is very well organized, and it was obviously prepared in advance. It's really quite thoughtful, Qi Gu thought.
Prefect Tang led everyone into the house before asking, "Should that prisoner be detained in the government office?"
Sima Hong glanced at the prison cart outside the door. "No need. This prisoner has a special status. My men will take care of him."
Qi Gu followed behind them, watching Prefect Tang's cautious demeanor. She recalled that in her previous life, when she came to Peng County, she had only briefly met this Prefect Tang. Now, it was Sima Hong who was personally accompanying her, his attitude so respectful that it bordered on obsequious.
She clicked her tongue inwardly, feeling a little sour. In her past life, she was at least a princess, and this Prefect Tang was neither servile nor arrogant. She thought he was an upright and honest person who didn't like flattery.
Now it seems that it wasn't that she wasn't flattering him; it was clearly that she wasn't good enough for him to fawn over.
Upon hearing Sima Hong's arrangement, Prefect Tang seemed relieved. He nodded and beckoned two maids over, saying, "Take Lord Li and Lady Qi to rest."
Qi Gu and her father followed the maid out of the front yard and came to a house in the back yard. The maid, dressed in a blue uniform, said, "This is Qi Gu's room, and this is Mr. Li's."
Qi Gu looked around and saw that her father was right next to her. This arrangement was excellent, but she still reminded him, "Father, call me if you need anything. I'm right next door."
Li Shi didn't take it seriously, saying, "My father is just a farmer; nothing will happen to him."
Qi Gu thought about it and agreed. Her father was now unknown, and all of Sima Hong's arrangements were probably aimed at "Sister Cheng" in the prison cart.
She told herself not to think about "Sister Cheng," because no matter what, they would never have any relationship again.
The father, who was standing to the side, had already pushed open the door and entered the house. His back, waist, and legs had suffered greatly from traveling these past few days.
Li Shi thought that as a modern person, he really couldn't stand this ancient carriage. He finally had a proper rest and all he wanted to do was lie in bed and get some rest.
Seeing her father rush back to his room, Qi Gu thought of his leg and said to the maid behind her, "Sister, my father has a leg ailment. Please fetch a bucket of hot water. Soaking in it will relieve some of the pain."
"Young lady, you flatter me. I'll go fetch water right away."
Qi Gu also entered the room. The room was furnished with an elegant screen, a carved wooden bed, a painting of flowers and birds on the wall, and a bronze crane-shaped incense burner on the table, which emitted a faint fragrance.
The furnishings are not elaborate, yet they exude elegance and nobility, showing that Prefect Tang had put a lot of thought into them.
This Prefect Tang is being far too attentive. Could it be that Sima Hong has some kind of leverage over him?
Qi Gu walked around the room, put down the bundle behind her, and sat down at the table to pour herself a glass of water.
"Knock knock knock." There was a knock on the door. Did the maid bring water so quickly?
Qi Gu opened the door, and there he was.
Seeing Qi Gu's "What's wrong with you?" expression, Sima Hong felt unwelcome for the first time. "What, aren't you going to invite me in for a seat, or... are you afraid of me?"
Qi Gu had long ago made up her mind to be extremely respectful to the person in front of her. She thought she should learn from Prefect Tang's obsequious manner.
Just now, how did he treat Sima Hong? He was slightly bowing, speaking cautiously, and even had to take the time to observe Sima Hong's expression.
So Qi Gu bent over, her expression stiffened, and her eyes twitched a little.
"Do you need me to find a healer for you?"
Qi Gu gave a fake smile, "No need, no need, I'm fine. I wonder what business Lord Sima has with me?"
"You won't even offer me a glass of water?"
Qi Gu walked to the table in two steps, forgetting to bend down, poured water, and handed it to Sima Hong. Because the distance was so close, the porcelain white cup was almost to Sima Hong's lips.
Qi Gu hurriedly stepped back, spilling the tea from her cup. She frantically wiped it dry with her sleeve and heard the man sitting there, supporting his forehead with his hand, looking at her with a smile that said: "What a foolish smile."
She felt extremely embarrassed. In her past life, he had watched her panic in the same way on their bed. Sure enough, whether in the past or now, this man inherently enjoyed seeing her act foolishly for him.
This time, it won't happen again!
"If Lord Sima has nothing else to do, he should leave. After all, men and women should be treated differently." Qi Gu thought to herself that she could never learn any of Prefect Tang's skills.
Sima Hong was in a rare good mood, a slight smile playing on his lips, like a gentle breeze. "It will rain tonight, so keep the doors and windows tightly shut."
Sima Hong left, and Qi Gu was in a daze, thinking about his smile just now. He must have done it on purpose!
Qi Gu plopped down on the couch behind her, blaming herself for being so weak; even after two lifetimes, she still felt nervous around him.
You can't blame her. Anyone would be foolish looking at that face. She patted her own face. Lust makes you lose your mind. Lust makes you lose your mind.
However, she looked out the window, wondering what he meant by that. The setting sun was burning the clouds red. Where was the rain coming from?
In the evening, dinner was brought by Atai, who had a face that made him seem unapproachable, reminding Qi Gu of the two guards who served Sima Hong in her previous life.
One was the arrogant Atai, and the other was Axiang, who was inseparable from him. Axiang was more talkative, but he was also distant towards her.
They disliked themselves, or rather, they felt unworthy of their master and disrespected her.
Qi Gu had no desires for Sima Hong in her life, nor did she have any intention of currying favor with either of them. Therefore, she did not care about Atai's attitude.
She was just wondering why it was Atai who brought the food. "Atai, why are you bringing the food today? Where are the two maids?"
Atai glanced at her, then looked down at his nose and said, "It's my lord's order."
Is something important going to happen tonight?
"I don't know."
"Is Lord Sima at home tonight?"
"I don't know."
"Has Prefect Tang left?"
"have no idea."
Qi Gu was so angry that she turned her nose up at the sky. Looking at this tall man standing in front of her, she lost her appetite. "This Atai who knows nothing, you've finished delivering the food, you can leave now."
Atai looked at Qi Gu with arrogance. A Xiang must be crazy. How could the young master like such an ordinary girl?
The young master instructed him to guard this place only to protect Mr. Li's safety; this arrogant young lady was merely a side job.
He stood ramrod straight: "My lord said that tonight I should guard Mr. Li and you, but Miss Qi, please understand that my lord is only protecting you because you are Mr. Li's daughter."
Qi Gu laughed in exasperation, "So you think your husband expects you to stand guard in a woman's boudoir?" Qi Gu pointed to the door, "Now, please go outside and stand guard!"
Aunt Qi slammed the door shut. What kind of person is she? Like a mother hen protecting her chicks. Who cares about your cunning husband? He won't even know how he died.
Qi Gu tossed and turned in bed, thinking about Atai's words. No, is Atai sick? In her past life, he always looked down on her, and she tolerated it. But she couldn't tolerate it anymore in this life. Atai, you just wait, you'll fall into my hands someday!
After an unknown amount of time, Qi Gu drifted off to sleep.
Faintly, the sounds of fighting could be heard outside. Qi Gu woke up with a start, put on her shoes, and went to the next room to find her father.
She pushed the door, but it wouldn't open. Qi Gu immediately realized something was wrong and shouted, "Atai! Atai! Are you there? Open the door for me!!!"
The sounds of fighting outside seemed to be gradually subsiding. Qi Gu pounded on the door, shouting, "Is anyone out there? Open the door!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" Qi Gu slapped her hands until they hurt, but there was still no response.
She walked to the wall next to her father's and shouted, "Father, Father, are you still there? Father, wake up! Father is in danger!"
Qi Gu pounded on the wall, but it was as if she was all alone. Qi Gu paced around the room anxiously.
Oh right, the window, there's another window! Aunt Qi went to push the window open, great! The window can be opened!
Qi Gu pushed hard, and a white light shone through. She instinctively shielded her eyes with her hand. "Father!" Qi Gu shouted, and then she woke up.
It was just a dream. Qi Gu wiped the sweat from her forehead, but she couldn't fall asleep again no matter what. She got up, pushed open the door, went to her father's door next door, and put her ear to the door.
"Woo~woo~~woo~~~" It was her father's snoring. Hearing this sound, Qi Gu felt very at ease.
She looked up at the sky; the moon was high in the sky, a rare full moon. It seemed she had forgotten to close the window, and the moonlight shining into her eyes had woken her up.
Qi Gu, wearing a robe, asked, "Huh? Where's Atai? Wasn't he supposed to be guarding this place? Why isn't he here?"
Qi Gu looked up and searched the surrounding rooftops, but didn't see Atai.
That's so unreliable! They're neglecting their duties and being two-faced. What if someone really wanted to kill her and her father's family at this time? That would be terrible.
A cool breeze blew by, and Qi Gu prepared to go back to her house.
But as soon as she entered the house, she sensed something was wrong. On the floor, there was a long, elongated human shadow!
Qi Gu felt a chill run down her spine. "It would be best if it were Atai, it absolutely had to be Atai," Qi Gu slowly turned around.
It wasn't Atai; she didn't recognize him. She couldn't even see his face clearly because he was wearing a mask!
Qi Gu shouted, "Help..."
In the blink of an eye, the person appeared behind her, and a damp handkerchief covered her mouth. Her body went limp, her consciousness blurred, and her last thought was, "Damn Atai, where did he go!"
[Author's Note]
Qi Gu: Ah Tai, open the door! I am your ancestor!
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