When Li Hua finally boarded the carriage, Zhong Li was actually quite resentful.
The appointment was for the third watch of the night, but the third watch has already passed, and it's almost the fifth watch. It would be inconvenient if it came any later, so people arrived.
Therefore, Zhongli Zhengzhen's first question was: "Why did it take you so long to arrive?"
Although the two were brothers, they were not very familiar with each other, and their private contact was extremely rare. No matter how unruly Zhongli was, he couldn't muster his temper in front of Li Hua.
There's probably a natural bloodline suppression between the older brother and the younger brother.
Zhongli did ask the question, but there was no condescension in his tone. If you listened closely, you could hear only a hint of complaint, and even a touch of grievance.
He has to go hunting tomorrow, and if he doesn't sleep tonight, he'll have to endure another day of riding on horseback. It's really tough for him.
Fortunately, he is still young and can hold on.
Li Hua didn't say anything, but just turned her head and looked at him indifferently.
Zhongli Zhengzhen suddenly took a breath, and his usually cold and aloof expression turned slightly awkward.
Li Hua has participated in too many negotiations, and he only becomes awkward when it comes to emotions. Outside, as long as he has an opponent, his sense of pressure is very real.
He now considers Zhongli Zhengzhen his true rival, because after embracing Gan Qiongying, he had already decided to give Zhongli Zhengzhen a fake list.
Li Hua was not a prince born into wealth and privilege; he understood from a young age that what he wanted, he had to earn through his own efforts.
Of course, Li Hua did not disregard those who had followed him for many years simply because he craved affection.
The list he gave Zhongli Zhengzhen was a mix of truth and falsehood; the true part was useless, and the false part... he would have his chamber of commerce members throughout Nanzhao make Zhongli Zhengzhen feel that it was "useful".
Then, by using Zhongli Zhengzhen, they managed to get his men out of Jinchuan.
Li Hua paused for a moment, lowered her eyes, and in front of Zhongli Zhengzhen, gradually tightened her grip on her sleeve, and said in a low voice as if she could hardly speak, "The princess is staying up late, and I... can't get away."
Zhongli Zhengzhen's first reaction was to wonder if Princess Duanrong was a night owl. Why wasn't she asleep at this hour? Then he suddenly realized what Li Hua meant, and his hair stood on end!
"You..." Zhong Lizheng was about to say something, but he quickly swallowed it back. He glared at Li Hua, his own brother, his face turning red and then pale, quite a sight to behold.
Li Hua never uttered a single excessive word, but his demeanor and his reluctance to speak left Zhong Li with countless possibilities for imagination.
Zhongli had previously thought that Princess Duanrong's entire act was just for show. After all, it had only been less than two months since Princess Duanrong had shamelessly followed him around, spouting tales of infatuation and love.
At the banquet last night, Zhongli Zhengzhen also believed that Duanrong had been putting on an act all along, just for his benefit. Otherwise, why would she keep harping on Wen Xueling? She must be angry that he had given the car to Wen Xueling before.
childish.
But now Zhongli suddenly realized that they had actually had a physical relationship, and they didn't go to sleep until almost dawn...
Everyone knows that the prince consort is frail and sickly, and has a leg disability. Is Princess Duanrong even human?
Zhongli was furious. He didn't even know why he was so angry. He gasped for breath and grabbed Lihua's arm, saying, "I will try to get you away from her as soon as possible!"
When Zhongli Zhengzhen first heard that his father had found his older brother, he was happy. However, he initially disagreed with his father's plan to have his brother help him stir up trouble in Nanzhao and to use marriage as a cover to trap him in Princess Duanrong's "den of wolves."
But there was no one more suitable than Li Hua. Li Hua had traveled all over the country and had been a merchant since childhood. His background was traceable, and he had not had any connection with the Jinchuan royal family for many years. He was perfect for infiltrating the royal family.
In addition, Li Hua was a skilled businessman, and Zhong Lizheng really needed a constant stream of money to support his business, so he reluctantly agreed.
Who would have thought... Who would have thought that Princess Duanrong, who had only been scolding and humiliating Li Hua, would suddenly become lustful towards him?
Zhongli looked at the face that Li Hua's mask had disguised, a face that could only be described as average-looking. What... was there to covet?
Li Hua even had a limp. Princess Duanrong had eaten too much rich food and wouldn't even let go of simple porridge and side dishes.
Zhongli Zhengzhen said angrily, "When we get back to the city, you should pretend to be sick, and I'll figure out the rest..."
Li Hua ended up in this mess because he was trying to help him. He shouldn't have taken it lightly when San Jiu asked for help that day; he should have taken Li Hua out of the mansion then.
Duanrong had many male concubines, and judging from Lihua's appearance, humiliation in bed was inevitable.
Zhongli Zheng felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it; if he were in that situation... he dared not think any further.
He absolutely cannot stand idly by!
However, Li Hua quickly pulled a slip of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Zhongli Zhengzhen, successfully diverting Zhongli Zhengzhen's attention.
Zhongli took the note and looked at it; his expression instantly changed from confusion to ecstatic joy!
"Brother! How did you get it?!"
He was so happy that he even called out "brother," and his hands were shaking with excitement.
Li Hua looked at him, her heart turning cold.
He needed to put on a convincing act, so he pursed his lips, turned his face away, and remained silent for a long time.
Zhongli Zhengzhen urged again, "Is this for real?"
If that's true, then those people he couldn't deploy could directly use these lists and Duan Rong's influence to quietly infiltrate every corner of Nanzhao!
"Before I came here, the princess asked me to kneel in the study..." Li Hua said, leaving the rest unsaid.
Then his voice became even hoarser and lower: "I made a rubbing of it."
When Zhongli heard this again, he was so shocked that he leaned back hard, his head hitting the side of the carriage with a thud.
He ignored the pain and stared at Li Hua for a long time without being able to speak.
In his heart, he looked down on all those who used their looks to please others.
He was a prince born into unparalleled nobility; he was the one who humiliated others, and no one dared to show him any disrespect.
But he couldn't bring himself to show that contempt to Li Hua, who was his own brother.
They are twins, and Li Hua suffered this because of him.
He should feel guilty.
But all he could think about was the moment they recognized each other, and how he saw Li Hua's face, which looked exactly like his.
He had that face that looked exactly like his own, and he was entangled with Princess Duanrong, doing all sorts of... things.
How should a study be designed?
Zhong Li felt a series of indescribable shivers run down his spine.
He couldn't help but recall how attentive Duanrong had been to Lihua at the banquet that night. What would she be like behind closed doors?
Zhongli Zhengzhen shook his head immediately, daring not to think about it any further, not even a little bit!
He stared at Li Hua for a long time before finally saying, "I've got the list. I... I'll arrange for you to leave tomorrow!"
Li Hua pinched his left knee with his hand and glanced at Zhongli Zhengzhen indifferently. In that glance, he seemed to see right through Zhongli Zhengzhen's filth and his despicable fantasies about Gan Qiongying.
His gaze was like a bucket of ice water with shards, poured over Zhongli Zhengzhen's head until Zhongli Zhengzhen was terrified and his legs stood on end.
Li Hua then lowered her gaze again and said self-deprecatingly, "I can't leave."
"Why?" Zhongli Zhengzhen asked. "I've already got the list. Leave the rest to me. Once you leave the capital, I'll have someone arrange for 'you' to die unexpectedly."
Li Hua chuckled softly and shook his head.
Zhongli was genuinely puzzled, and with an unspeakable anger simmering in his chest, he blurted out without thinking, "Haven't you been tormented enough by Princess Duanrong yet?!"
Li Hua suddenly looked up at him.
Zhongli Zhengzhen realized he had spoken out of turn. He swallowed hard, and his handsome, arrogant eyes showed a hint of fear.
"Brother... don't be fooled by Duanrong. She used to have you beaten and humiliated. Don't forget that."
Li Hua led Zhongli Zhengzhen step by step in the direction he had envisioned, but then heard Zhongli Zhengzhen speaking ill of Gan Qiongying.
He subconsciously wanted to refute in his mind: Then why does she only hit me and not others?
“Brother, leave. This list is enough,” Zhongli Zhengzhen said. “I’ll have Song Ci personally escort you away. You have chambers of commerce in various places; you can go anywhere.”
Li Hua finally looked at Zhongli Zhengzhen seriously, her tone devoid of any sarcasm, yet every word she uttered was full of mockery.
He gently tapped his left leg, which ached from the change in weather, and said amidst the rushing sound of the wind outside the carriage, "Don't you know? Father wants me to help you. If you don't succeed, I can't leave Nanzhao."
“My friends… are all in Jinchuan.” Li Hua’s eyes were filled with sorrow. “Father said he would only let them go after you have accomplished your task.”
Zhongli was stunned upon hearing this, and after a moment, he hurriedly explained, his face flushed, "I don't know!"
"I really don't know!"
"Brother, leave this to me, don't worry about it. I'll arrange things for you when we get back... no, I'll arrange for you to get injured during the hunt tomorrow, and you'll leave immediately."
"I'll speak to Father Emperor," Zhongli Zhengzhen was finally led onto the path by Li Hua.
Li Hua shook her head, "Father won't listen to you. Besides, if I leave, do you have any money?"
Zhongli Zhengzhen choked.
To achieve great things, one must use a lot of money. He has money, but he certainly cannot lose Lihua, this inexhaustible "gold mine".
But Zhong Lizheng's conscience was still causing her to struggle: "Even if you go to another place, you can still help me..."
Li Hua said, "Without Princess Duanrong's cover, you, a hostage, with money flowing in endlessly, how long do you think it would take before someone traces me down?"
Zhongli Zheng was truly mute.
His expression changed several times, but he couldn't think of a better strategy for the time being.
Princess Duanrong was known throughout the world for her extravagant spending. After she married a merchant, no matter how much gold and silver he transported to the capital, he could always cover it up by claiming it was tribute to Princess Duanrong. After all, who would dare to investigate the income and expenditure of Princess Duanrong's household?
“If you are really willing to help me,” Li Hua said after looking at Zhong Lizheng for a long time, “why don’t you help me get the two girls, ‘Caihong’ and ‘Quelu’, who are staying in Jinchuan, to Nanzhao?”
Li Hua said, "I... serve the princess. The princess is capricious and energetic, and I am often unable to get away from her."
Li Hua said, "Caihong and Quelu are both accounting maids I trained myself. They have been by my side for many years and are my right and left hands. Without them, I was forced to move into the princess's mansion. Now I am having some difficulty taking care of the business. The money I can send you next month will not be enough."
Of Li Hua's subordinates, only Cai Hong and Que Lu lacked martial arts skills. Once they were brought over from Jin Chuan, the rest would be easy to deal with.
Zhongli was stunned to hear Princess Duanrong's "outrageous" behavior for the third time tonight. His chest was bulging and his belly was full. He felt like he could go and fight a tiger one-on-one.
He said, breathing heavily, "Brother, leave it to me. I'll talk to Father."
"The two young ladies will soon be brought to Nanzhao to assist you."
Having achieved her goal, Li Hua then gave Zhong Li a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes.
He dragged his increasingly aching leg off the carriage. The sky outside seemed to be leaking, and his thin umbrella could barely withstand the water pouring down from above.
Zhongli watched as Lihua limped towards the dimly lit path, his heart overflowing with guilt and indescribable complex emotions.
He even began to hate Gan Qiongying.
How could she humiliate her brother like that, so unrestrained!
Gan Qiongying, whose reputation had been damaged, was awakened by a sudden clap of thunder and found that the God of Wealth, who was supposed to be 37 degrees Celsius, was gone from her arms.
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