Chapter 167 Rekindling Our Fate? I Choose the Third Path
Ji Qingwu's initial tricks were all seen through by Wei Ting, and later he could only use his clumsy methods to pry things up little by little.
Finally, things started to look up, and they gained the right to freely enter and leave his tent, only to discover they had mistaken him for someone else...
Thinking about it this way, it's clear that on the day Wei Ting returned to court, he learned of her identity from Consort Wei. The very next day, he so eagerly and ostentatiously publicized their past "intimate" relationship to the public.
What is your intention?
Although Ji Qingwu didn't understand, he could sense that something was very wrong.
Seeing the worry on Xiao Wu's face, Qiao Shi gave in. All the blame was on Wei Ting; he hadn't treated her Xiao Wu well.
Qiao took Ji Qingwu's hand and asked in a gentle tone, "Little Wu, just tell your mother the truth: do you really want to rekindle your relationship with Wei Ting?"
Ji Qingwu had long since lost the sense of danger of a knife to her neck. She grasped Qiao's hand in return and said without hesitation, "I don't want to."
She disappeared and ran away like a "heartless person" back then, who knows if Wei Ting wasn't doing it to get revenge on her.
But this is something she doesn't want to do; can she really refuse to marry him?
If you don't want to get married, there's only one option that's not really a solution.
Ji Qingwu silently compared the two options in her mind: entering the palace and marrying Wei Ting.
One is an abyss, the other a bottomless pit; each has its own kind of suffering.
Seeing Xiao Wu with her head down and her neck curving into a beautiful arc, Qiao Shi felt a pang of pity in her eyes and raised her hand to stroke Ji Qingwu's back.
A reassuring scent of soapberry wafted over, and Ji Qingwu leaned gently towards the Qiao family.
Her desire to get married was fading, and there was one reason for that...
Ji Qingwu, as a mother, felt ashamed just thinking about it.
Because she had finally gained her mother's love and care, she wanted to enjoy these wonderful days of being pampered by Mrs. Qiao for a few more years.
Mrs. Qiao stroked her dark, lustrous hair, her gaze warm and peaceful as she looked at her.
A loving mother's heart is always concerned with things that are far in the future.
"Xiao Wu, I know you must be heartbroken to be unwilling to marry, but the Wei family is powerful, Wei Ting is a man of real power, and there is also a favored Consort Wei in the palace."
Listening to Qiao's calm analysis of the situation, Ji Qingwu's heart also calmed down.
"Before the Emperor makes a decision, I have a solution, but I need your approval."
Upon hearing that there was a third way, Ji Qingwu immediately perked up. She sat up straight, her eyes sparkling.
"I'll listen to my mother."
*
Princess Huachang has been back in Lin'an for some time now.
After catching up with Yuchi Lianping's army, she insisted on marching with him for a few more days in order to have an heir.
Not only was the journey bumpy, but there was also a lack of this and that. Princess Huachang experienced all kinds of hardships she had never suffered in her life in just a few days.
Of course, there are others who are even more miserable.
Because the princess mentioned fearing mosquitoes at night, Yuchi Lianping burned mugwort around the carriage and, like a wandering ghost, waved a palm-leaf fan beside it.
Furthermore, the eldest princess is very clean and wants to find a place to bathe, but where can she find such a dusty place? Yuchi Lianping was so worried that even a few white hairs grew on his head.
During the day, he had to be constantly criticized by Princess Huachang, and at night he had to serve her like a male prostitute.
For the first time in his life, General Yuchi had the thought of briefly separating from his beloved Princess for an hour.
After Princess Huachang returned to Lin'an, she rested for a long time, looking tired, and didn't leave her room for two days.
If it weren't for the rumors of the morning court session reaching her ears, Princess Huachang would have planned to stay in bed for a while longer.
In a pavilion in a corner of the Imperial Garden.
Princess Huachang, dressed in a white silk robe embroidered with orchids, sat in the pavilion, with a maid standing behind her, fanning her.
For some reason, she has become even more sensitive to heat these days.
Emperor Wusu stood in a corner of the pavilion, gazing at the surface of Taiye Lake, his eyes meeting the water ruffled by the gentle breeze.
The two admired the shimmering lake scenery for about half a cup of tea's time, without either of them uttering a word.
Princess Huachang, tired of sitting, stood up and said in a cold tone, "Your Majesty, I'm leaving."
Emperor Wusu simply gave a low hum and didn't even turn around to look at her.
It seems to have become the norm for the two of them to get along.
Princess Huachang took a few steps and heard the person behind her call out in a deep voice, "Royal Sister."
She stopped, turned around and stared at him, waiting for the emperor to speak.
Emperor Wusu remained motionless, his back still turned to her, his gaze fixed on the lake. His back was tall and straight, and he had never bowed down for anything.
Princess Huachang's eyes flickered slightly, for his back view exuded melancholy, as if a beast, about to break free of its cage, was being held back by its remaining reason.
She had never met her younger brother, yet even just seeing his back revealed such unbearable pain.
But the next moment, they suddenly heard the emperor chuckle.
She followed the emperor's gaze and saw a delicate pink lotus flower unfolding its petals against the backdrop of lotus leaves.
At this moment, the clear water was no longer calm. A golden carp suddenly leaped out of the lake, broke through the surface of the water, nibbled on a lotus petal, and then dived back into the water, swimming away happily.
The scene of fish playing among lotus flowers is elegant and lively.
Princess Huachang raised an eyebrow and praised, "That's quite interesting."
Emperor Wusu's mood improved, and when he turned around, there was no trace of anxiety in his brows.
"Your Majesty, go back and rest early."
Princess Huachang nodded and left, but unexpectedly bumped into Prince Yong at the corner.
Prince Yong looked even more gloomy than the emperor. He hung his head dejectedly and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
What's wrong with all of them?
Princess Huachang had her doubts, but she didn't want to meddle. After responding calmly, she prepared to leave.
Prince Yong called out to her from behind again: "Royal Sister." The scene was somewhat similar to what had just happened.
Princess Huachang's gaze fell on the palace room at the corner, which should be the Anle Hall for dealing with those who have made mistakes.
Although it is called peace and happiness, one can only seek peace and happiness in dreams, as there are endless tasks to be done during the day.
Prince Yong stepped forward, his voice pleading, "Royal sister, could you please help me?"
Princess Huachang rarely saw the carefree Prince Yong display such a vulnerable expression.
"What happened?"
Princess Huachang was unaware of what was happening in the palace when she went to chase after the prince consort. She did not inquire about it after returning, and she was also unaware that Princess Yong had been imprisoned in Anle Hall.
"Elder sister, please plead with my elder brother to release Wanyin."
She asked, puzzled, "Princess Yong?"
Prince Yong said bitterly, "Royal sister, I heard from the maids inside that Wanyin is not eating or sleeping well. She is pregnant. What should we do if something happens to her?"
After listening to his explanation, Princess Huachang said indifferently, "Serves him right."
Emperor Wusu always knew how to deal with Prince Yong. What could be more agonizing for Prince Yong than keeping his wife locked up in the palace?
It's their own fault for provoking the wrong people.
On the return journey by carriage.
Princess Huachang thought of the emperor's childhood.
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