Chapter 58: Clerk, the child can't hide
At night, Fang Zhiyue did not go to the west wing as he wished.
But Si Yao didn't let him go either.
When she brought him to the corridor in his light silver robe, he almost went crazy looking at the dark and deep night sky above his head.
I was even more devastated and ashamed than when I faced the mirror last night.
Almost instantly, tears streamed down her face. "Yao, Yaojie, don't stay here. Let's go back, back to the house..."
"What's wrong, little father?"
Si Yao slowly and methodically pushed him against the cylinder.
Her voice was soft and gentle. "Didn't you say you didn't like that room? Now that I've fulfilled your wish, why are you saying no? Why are you so spoiled now? Is it because you're pregnant..."
As she spoke, her large palm slid down and landed on his soft belly, caressing it gently.
Fang Zhiyue was shaking all over.
As the night wind blew, the thin silver robe on his body seemed to be about to fly away from him.
If it weren't for the belt around the waist, I wouldn't be able to hold it in at all.
He frantically grabbed with one hand and covered his body with the other.
He hunched his shoulders and wished he could disappear.
"Yao, Sister Yao, I was wrong. I, I like that room. Can we go back to the west wing?"
Fang Zhiyue sobbed and had to change his words.
"But I think my father likes this place more..."
Si Yao didn't retract his palm, but the edge of his palm passed by, stirring up a fire. "Look, your body is so hot. Why would my father lie?"
Fang Zhiyue was caught off guard and trembled all over again.
He shook his head violently, "No, I don't like it. I don't like it."
He kept denying it.
It seems that this can suppress the shame and strangeness of this disappointing body.
Si Yao ignored it.
The palm of his hand suddenly tightened and rubbed slowly.
Fang Zhiyue's eyes widened instantly, and before he could scream in surprise, Si Yao pressed her body close to him and pressed her red lips against his.
Swallow all his screams and shame into your mouth.
Two overlapping figures stood in the corridor for a long time.
Until one moment, the bright moon above was briefly obscured by dark clouds, and Si Yao carried the completely exhausted Fang Zhiyue and walked towards the house behind him.
She whispered softly in his ear: "Little father, it's your turn to bully me..."
The two entered the room and the door slammed shut.
Not only did it block the coldness of the night at the door, but it also blocked the silver glow of the bright moon.
It lingered at the door for a long time, finally settling on the small area under the corridor, illuminating the clear and turbid water hidden in the corner.
Early in the morning, Si Yao walked out of the house feeling refreshed.
She called Shi Qi over and asked her to guard the door, and said, "When the master wakes up, tell him I'm going out for a while and let him eat first."
Shi Qi nodded in agreement.
Si Yao then continued to walk outside.
The appointment documents for Mu Tong and the others have already come down. Except for Kong Mengruan, the other three were sent to serve as officials in remote counties.
They are leaving today.
In a small pavilion ten miles outside of Beijing, Si Yao and Kong Mengruan practiced for the three of them.
The five of them each picked up a glass of wine and drank it happily. Si Yao and Kong Mengruan pinched a willow branch hanging into the pavilion and pinned it behind the ears of the three of them.
"From now on, the mountains are high and the waters are far away. I don't know when we will meet again. I just hope that you, the senior sisters, will have a smooth journey and a successful career."
"Thank you, two junior sisters."
Mu Tong and the other two bowed and expressed their gratitude.
The sadness of parting filled the entire pavilion.
Look at everyone with their eyes downcast.
Mu Tong didn't like this atmosphere and took the initiative to ease the tension: "Junior sisters, have you heard about what happened in the capital these days? I didn't expect to be able to join in such a lively event before leaving."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Rusheng and the other two looked at her with confusion on their faces.
Only Si Yao's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had guessed what she was going to say.
Mu Tong met the gazes of the others and continued, "Something happened at Prince Shuhe's mansion. A few days ago, a story suddenly became popular in the major teahouses and restaurants in the capital. Storytellers told it every day, and unexpectedly, it was connected to Prince Shuhe. They said that it was Prince Shuhe who had an affair with the traitor's youngest daughter, and that the Chenghua County Master was the bastard born from their unmarried union, and that he had the blood of a traitor flowing through his veins."
"This matter spread like wildfire, alarming even the Sage in the palace. Furious, to clear Shuhe and the eldest prince's name, the Sage ordered a joint investigation by the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Dali Temple. They thought they would apprehend the person who spread the rumor, but they ended up arresting a servant who had served the traitor's youngest daughter."
"The maid directly pointed out Shuhe and the eldest prince, saying that her daughter was indeed in love with Shuhe and that Chenghua Junzi was indeed their child. She made all this public to avenge her daughter, because her daughter was killed by Shuhe and the eldest prince, in order to conceal Chenghua Junzi's identity."
"No one in Jingzhao Prefecture or the Dali Temple anticipated this development, so they quickly reported the matter to His Majesty. He was furious. He had no idea that Prince Shuhe would do such a thing. It was a disgrace to the family name he carried."
"Within half a day, an imperial edict arrived at the Shuhe Palace of the eldest prince. Not only did it strip the Chenghua County Master of his title and demote him to a commoner, but it also ordered him to immediately send the Chenghua County Master to Ganzhou and hand him over to the remaining members of the Qiu family's branch."
Mu Tong breathed a sigh of relief when he said this, with a complicated and sad look in his eyes.
"Because of the mistakes made by their main family, the Qiu family's branch clan members not only bear the stigma of traitors for the rest of their lives, but are also bound to the barren and desolate Ganzhou forever. Sending this Chenghua County boy there is like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth. He's a weak child, and I'm afraid the fate that awaits him will not be good."
"What about Shu and the eldest prince?"
Kong Mengruan asked.
Mu Tong was brought back to his senses by her and sighed, "He bears the imperial surname and is the Saint's brother, sharing the same father and a brother. The Saint always values family ties, so he severely reprimanded him in the imperial edict and then imposed a few minor punishments, and the matter was put behind him. After all, when Prince Shuhe and the young lady of the Qiu family were in love, the Qiu family hadn't yet been implicated."
She finished her words.
They didn't know whether they were too shocked, and they were all silent for a moment.
Si Yao, who was standing by, reminded them, "It's getting late, and it's time for you sisters to set off. If you don't leave now, you won't be able to reach the inn before dark."
Mu Tong and the others finally came back to their senses.
After bowing to the two men again, the three of them left the pavilion and set off.
Only when the three people could no longer be seen did Si Yao and Kong Mengruan walk back together.
On the way, Kong Mengruan asked, "Has Junior Sister Yuzhuo's appointment document not arrived yet? There are only two days left until the deadline."
She was a little worried.
The Ministry of Personnel has a time limit for appointing officials. If it fails this year, they will have to wait until this time next year.
Logically speaking, Si Yao is this year's top scholar, so her appointment documents should be the first to come down.
No one knew what happened, but she became the last one to arrive this year. Even Mu Tong and the others had already started to take up their posts.
"There's no rush for this. We still have two days."
Si Yao replied slowly.
Seeing the worry on her face, he smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, Senior Sister. You also have to go to Qishui County to take up your post tomorrow, so don't worry about me."
Kong Mengruan saw that she looked calm and composed.
The worry in my heart was relieved a lot, and I smiled and changed the subject.
The two said goodbye after entering the city gate.
Si Yao walked straight towards home.
As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, Shi Qi came running towards me.
He said to her, "My Lady, someone from the Ministry of Personnel has arrived and is drinking tea in the main hall."
Hearing this, Si Yao's eyes deepened and he immediately strode forward.
She entered the main hall and was slightly stunned when she saw the person sitting on the wide chair.
I didn't expect that Liang Zhi, the Minister of Personnel, would come in person.
Si Yao met her once at the Wenxi banquet.
"Greetings, Sir Liang. I didn't expect you to come to my humble home in person. I apologize for not welcoming you."
"Master Si, there's no need to be like this. I'm here for serious business..."
Liang Zhi stood up from his chair.
Without further ado, he took out the appointment document from his arms.
She cleared her throat and spoke bluntly, "The top scholar is exceptionally talented and insightful. The Saint and I both believe he is capable of taking on greater responsibilities. Linzhou and Lin'an have long been plagued by banditry, and even successive county magistrates have been unable to eradicate this gang of thieves. If the top scholar can resolve this matter, and return to the capital a year later with this achievement, he will surely rise to prominence."
Liang Zhi put the appointment document in her hands.
He squinted his eyes and smiled, patted her shoulder, and said earnestly: "Si Zhuangyuan, the saint and I are very optimistic about you. I will be waiting to welcome you in a year."
She said this and turned to walk out.
As they approached the door, Si Yao calmly asked from behind, "Please tell me the truth, sir. Why did His Majesty suddenly send me to Lin'an to take up my post? I'm not a fool. I know that all the previous top scholars entered the Hanlin Academy as editors. I'm truly terrified. I beg you to explain the situation and clear my mind."
She said it with sincerity and genuine tone.
Liang Zhi paused at the door and sighed deeply.
He turned around and gave her a complicated look. "I admire Si Zhuangyuan's talent, so I'd like to share some inside information with you. Si Zhuangyuan should be aware of what's happened in the capital recently, right? The Sage appointed you because of this matter. But don't worry, as long as you can achieve merit in Lin'an, I can guarantee that you will be transferred back to the capital in a year, and your future will be bright."
After saying that, she left the main hall directly.
"No need to see you off, Mr. Si. Pack your bags and leave for your new post tomorrow morning."
Si Yao stopped and watched her go away.
Looking at the appointment document in his hand, his eyes were deep and dark.
Liang Zhi's implication was that Na Shu and the eldest prince had spoken to the Saint, prompting him to make this decision. And since she had also promised to welcome her back a year later, it was clear that the Saint didn't dislike her, but rather felt a sense of guilt.
The expression in Si Yao's eyes changed several times.
Finally, we figured out the general situation of the matter.
Before being sent away, the Chenghua Princess must have spoken nonsense to the Shuhe Prince, who reported it to the Sage. The Sage had just severely punished the Chenghua Princess and dealt a blow to the Shuhe Prince, and since he valued family ties and did not want to create too much trouble with his only brother, he was eager to give him a sweet treat and appointed her as the magistrate of Lin'an County in Linzhou.
The Saint knew that he owed her this matter, so he promised that if she made achievements within a year, she would be transferred back to the capital. By then, even Shuhe and the eldest prince would be unable to say anything.
Thinking of this, Si Yao's eyes became more profound.
As long as she can return to the capital in a year, just as Liang Zhi, the Minister of Personnel, said, a meteoric rise will be waiting for her.
*
After coming out of the main hall, Si Yao went directly to the east wing.
Fang Zhiyue watched her come in.
My whole body tensed up instantly, and the chaotic memories of last night rushed into my mind again.
His little face turned blue and red, and he felt extremely ashamed.
"Yao, Sister Yao..."
But she was afraid that Si Yao would notice something strange, so she could only speak first: "Has that lady left? What did she come to see you for?"
He spoke haltingly.
I thought I had covered it up perfectly.
In fact, Si Yao could see the fear in his eyes at a glance.
Her eyes darkened as she walked over to him, pulling him into a hug. Her palm landed on his lower abdomen, gently stroking it. "I frightened you last night. I was wrong. You're pregnant now, and if you're too emotional, it could be contagious to the child. You can't let the child be afraid of me, your mother, after he's born because of what happened last night."
Ever since she knew Fang Zhiyue was pregnant, she always liked to put her palm on his lower abdomen, as if she could feel the presence of that little life in this way.
Fang Zhiyue was trapped in her arms, his whole body enveloped by her aura.
Hearing her words, his eyes widened slightly, "Where did you hear such absurd nonsense? I, how come I have never heard of it before?"
According to her, the child can now sense everything.
Then wouldn't the child know everything she did to him?
Fang Zhiyue felt the absurdity of this, but he couldn't help blushing. He felt a little ashamed for no reason.
"And, moreover, I'm afraid you're not normal. You could do something like that last night. You, you're really going too far."
"But... it was my father who said he didn't like the West Wing and was willing to compensate me with something else. Why are you blaming me now?"
Si Yao spoke slowly into his ear.
The palm on his lower abdomen was still stroking slowly and gently.
Fang Zhiyue couldn't help but glare at her, his face flushed as he said, "I, I don't like the West Wing, and I don't like being outside even more. You, you did it on purpose."
"Okay, okay, it's my fault. I'll definitely explain it to my father in the future. Is that okay?"
Si Yao saw that he was a little excited.
Actively comforting.
Her voice was soft and gentle, "Little Father, don't you want to know what that person was doing here just now? She's here to deliver the appointment documents. We must leave the capital early tomorrow morning and go to Linzhou Lin'an to take up our posts. If all goes as expected, we'll have to stay there for a year before we can come back."
“…Why so sudden?”
Fang Zhiyue was slightly stunned when he heard this.
Although he wasn't familiar with officialdom, the words Cheng Huajun had said to him that day remained etched in his mind. Si Yao was the newly crowned top scholar, and his future was bright. He was sure to rise rapidly to the top.
But now she said that she was sent away from the capital to be an official.
Fang Zhiyue couldn't help but start to think more.
His face turned pale, "Yao, Yao Jie'er, is it because of me..."
"What are you thinking about, little father——"
Si Yao looked at his little face whose expression suddenly changed, chuckled, and interrupted him.
"It has nothing to do with my father. Besides, leaving the capital might be a good thing."
She lowered her gaze to his still-flat belly, and said meaningfully, "Although I can't see any changes now, in a month, the baby in your belly won't be hidden anymore. We haven't even been married a month, and your belly is already swelling. If others see this, they're probably going to think you're cheating on me."
"You, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Fang Zhiyue immediately scolded him when he heard this.
My cheeks were burning hot.
All emotions were wiped out by her.
Si Yao chuckled softly against his shoulder. The hot breath he exhaled kept hitting his face, like a feather fluttering.
She sighed with regret, "It's a pity that those treasures in the west wing are going to be gathering dust here."
She was becoming more and more frivolous.
Fang Zhiyue reached out and pushed her.
The heat on her cheeks hadn't subsided since just now. "Since we have to leave early tomorrow morning, let me go quickly. I need to pack my bags."
He found a reason to get off her.
Si Yao raised an eyebrow, but did not stop him.
She just said to his back, "Little father, remember to take that shark silk robe with you. I like you wearing that dress. Don't forget it."
Fang Zhiyue paused suddenly, then quickly quickened his pace.
Si Yao added slowly, "I will check, little father. If you forget, you will be punished."
Watching Fang Zhiyue disappear behind the screen.
She then stood up and walked out.
He summoned Shi Qi to his side and instructed, "We will leave the capital early tomorrow morning for Linzhou Lin'an to take up our post. The journey is long, and my lord is pregnant and cannot stand the bumpy ride, so please prepare a comfortable carriage."
Shi Qi was stunned for a moment, then immediately came back to his senses.
He lowered his eyes and immediately responded, "Yes, I will prepare it right away."
Then he quickly turned around and walked outside.
The three of them had a good night's rest.
The next morning, all the luggage was loaded onto the carriage. Si Yao helped Fang Zhiyue into the carriage and let Shi Qi drive the carriage out of the capital.
Shi Qi is a meticulous person.
The carriage looked shabby on the outside, but it was just a little bigger than an ordinary carriage. However, it had a whole other world inside.
The train compartment is not only covered with soft carpets, but also furnished with cushions and low tables. It is extremely comfortable.
The carriage slowly passed through the market.
They left the capital from Jinghua Gate and headed south along the main road.
Fang Zhiyue has been feeling very sleepy since she became pregnant.
He took a nap, and when he opened his eyes again, they were already far away from the capital.
"Is my little father awake?"
Si Yao noticed the movement of the person in his arms.
The voice opened softly.
She poured a cup of warm tea and placed it against his lips. "Drink some water to moisten your skin. We need to get to the nearest post station before tonight. The carriage will be faster. If you can't bear it, don't hold it in. You must speak up, understand?"
Fang Zhiyue drank the tea from her hand.
He nodded dazedly, very obediently: "I understand."
Look at him like this.
Si Yao couldn't help but chuckle after putting down the teacup, his voice becoming softer and softer: "Sleep a little longer, it's no wonder that little father is so sleepy since you got up too early today."
Along with her voice.
Fang Zhiyue fell asleep in her arms again.
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