Chapter 159 Spring Day

Ming Huashang looked bewildered, her eyes widening like a frightened deer. Li Huazhang was also surprised to see Ming Huashang's big reaction.

He had only confessed his intention to marry Ming Huashang to the Duke of Zhenguo, and he only needed to seek the Duke of Zhenguo's opinion. The Duke of Zhenguo's attitude was very clear, that children and grandchildren would have their own blessings, and that the children's affairs would be left to them to solve themselves. As long as Ming Huashang was willing, the Duke of Zhenguo had no objection.

Afterwards, Li Huazhang actively tried to win over Ming Huashang. Ming Huashang was somewhat resistant at first, and even deliberately avoided him. After the Jokhang Temple opened up, the two of them entered the ambiguous stage. Li Huazhang came to Ming Huashang as a brother as usual, and Ming Huashang did not refuse to go out with him. The two knew it in their hearts but did not bring it up. When the relationship reached that stage, they could talk about marriage.

At least that's what Li Huazhang thought. Ming Huashang was so passionate and proactive today, repeatedly praising him in front of everyone. Doesn't that prove that their relationship is a natural progression? Shouldn't they think about the wedding next?

Or was it that Li Huazhang thought that the tacit understanding between the two of them after they met at the Jokhang Temple - that they were living together with the intention of getting married, was not the case at all in Ming Huashang's heart?

Li Huazhang's face was calm, his eyes were dark, and he didn't say a word, just staring at her. Ming Huashang felt guilty when he looked at her like that. She couldn't help but touch her nose and whispered, "Isn't it too soon to think about the wedding now?"

Seeing that she had no intention of going back on her word, Li Huazhang's expression became more positive and he said, "Okay, it's up to you. You can do it whenever you think it's appropriate."

After Li Huazhang finished speaking, he paused and couldn't help asking, "Do you really have no idea?"

Ming Huashang was helpless. He acted so generous, and she really thought he was very graceful. But he was exposed after just two sentences. Ming Huashang knew that with Li Huazhang's perseverance, if she continued this topic, he would always find a reason to convince her. She simply pretended not to hear clearly and said excitedly: "Look, that bird is so cute, it fell down halfway through its flight!"

Her technique of changing the subject was very awkward. Li Huazhang sighed inwardly and followed her hand to look at the birds.

In March, when everything comes back to life, the wind seems to be filled with the scent of pink flowers. The two of them strolled in the garden, talking about random and unrestrained topics. Even without speaking, they could feel the warmth between them.

No matter how slowly you walk, the road will eventually come to an end. In front of them was Ming Huashang's courtyard, and the two of them stopped at the same time.

After Li Huazhang moved out of the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion and no longer enjoyed his brother's privileges, he realized how difficult it was to meet a young lady who had not yet left the palace. He didn't want to go back so early, and tried to find something to say: "The cases of Feng Zhanggui, Song Yanbai and others have to be re-examined, but because of Liao Yushan's matter, the Procuratorate is now keeping a close eye on Jingzhao Mansion, and the files will definitely be strictly reviewed. When the court trial begins, can you come to listen in? Otherwise, I will miss any details and have to deal with Yu Shitai in the future, which is too troublesome."

Since the empress sent the commendation, no one dared to point out that it was against etiquette for a woman like Ming Huashang to enter and leave Jingzhao Prefecture. Ming Huashang nodded and happily agreed: "Okay."

Li Huazhang asked: "During this time, has anyone been talking nonsense in your ear?"

Ming Huashang shook her head: "No. Don't worry, I can handle the affairs of the mansion myself."

Li Huazhang nodded slowly, somewhat regretting that he could not stay with her at Ming's house, and also feeling that the peony he had carefully taken care of had grown up without him noticing, and was able to face the ups and downs on her own. Li Huazhang hesitated for a few breaths and asked, "Are you unhappy today?"

Ming Huashang was stunned for a moment, and instinctively used doubt to cover up her true feelings: "Ah? Why do you think so? No."

Li Huazhang stared at her expression and easily saw the avoidance in her eyes. Li Huazhang said firmly: "It seems so. Why, don't you like dealing with the prince, the prince of Xiang and others?"

Ming Huashang lowered her head, paused for a moment and then said softly, "No."

Li Huazhang stared at her furry head and said, "That's Princess Taiping. What's wrong? Did she do something to make you uncomfortable?"

Ming Huashang lowered her head and said nothing. Li Huazhang waited for a long time, and when she didn't want to talk, he sighed, gently rubbed her hair, and said solemnly: "Shangshang, I am your brother, and I have to learn to be your husband in the future. Your health and happiness are my greatest wish. I don't want you to become more unhappy after our relationship changes. If you have any worries, or if I did something wrong, you must tell me in time, okay?"

Ming Huashang was silent for a moment, then she reached out and hugged Li Huazhang's waist. Li Huazhang embraced her indulgently, his palms protecting the back of her head with strength and tolerance: "I'm here. I'm here for everything. Let's work together and we'll always be able to solve it."

Ming Huashang buried her head in his shoulder and asked, "Second brother, if father and sister did something to you without my consent, do you want me to have a quarrel with them?"

"Of course not." Li Huazhang said immediately, "I don't want you to be against your family because of me. They are your relatives, and there are always reasons for what they do. If there are any disagreements, we can discuss them with each other. As long as it does not involve principles, it doesn't matter if I make a few more concessions."

Ming Huashang blinked hard to drive away the tears in her eyes, then raised her head with a smile and said to Li Huazhang: "I think so too. Don't be nervous, I'm just making an analogy."

Li Huazhang carefully observed her expression, half believing and half doubting: "Are you really okay?"

"It's okay." Ming Huashang said in a cheerful and coquettish voice, "I'm just not used to getting along with those princes and princesses. It will take me some time to get used to it."

If the dream was another parallel universe, then Ming Huashang had already died once, Princess Taiping or someone else had killed her. However, even in such a dangerous situation where the Ming family was exposed without warning, he had never thought of abandoning her to protect himself.

Even when Duke Lian Zhenguo was determined to abandon Ming Huashang to fend for herself, Li Huazhang, who was in the most dangerous situation, stood up and insisted on keeping her in the mansion.

Her brother was a very good man, and she knew that if she told the truth, he would seek justice for her and would not hesitate to break up with the people who hurt her. However, he had been hiding for seventeen years for the sake of Prince Zhang Huai, and had spent so much effort to finally restore his status. How could she bear to let him ruin his future for her?

Both Princess Taiping and Prince Xiang were of great help to him. Li Huazhang was actually a very sentimental person. They were his only remaining relatives. He was so sad when Li Chongrun died. How sad would he be if he lost his aunt and uncle again?

Just like Li Huazhang didn't want his influence on her relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo and Ming Yuji, Ming Huashang didn't want him to quarrel with his blood relatives because of her. Anyway, she wasn't dead yet, so as long as it didn't happen, she could just pretend it didn't exist. She would adjust her mentality as soon as possible and get along well with his family.

Even if among those people, there was her murderer.

Li Huazhang looked at Ming Huashang's expression and didn't really believe it, but she didn't want to say it, and he didn't want to force her. The breeze blew past them, lifting the hems of their clothes. Ming Huashang didn't feel it when they were leaning against each other before, but now that their eyes were facing each other, she felt embarrassed. She quietly moved her eyes away, looked at the swaying shadows of the trees beside her, and whispered, "Then I'll go back?"

Li Huazhang paused for a long time before slowly loosening his grip on her hand. Ming Huashang took a step back, and Li Huazhang's palm was empty. He instinctively said, "Wait."

Ming Huashang turned around and looked at him seriously. Li Huazhang looked into her clear eyes, feeling uneasy, and thought quickly about what else he could say.

Thinking about this, he actually thought of something. Ming Huashang noticed Li Huazhang's hesitation and asked gently, "What's wrong?"

Li Huazhang was very conflicted about whether to tell her. She was such a person who liked stability. If she knew about his conversation with Princess Taiping, would she be frightened and even no longer willing to marry him? When Li Huazhang realized this thought, his heart sank.

He was actually hesitating about this idea. He could not give up his responsibilities to his country and family, but he selfishly wanted to keep her. If he hid it from her, then what was the difference between him and someone like Prince Linzi who only cared about pleasure and was irresponsible?

Every step of his life was firmly tied to the mold of "the son of Crown Prince Zhang Huai". There were too many "shoulds" in his life, but no mention of love. She was the only person he wanted to fight for at all costs, and that was why he couldn't hide it from her.

He couldn't change himself, so when faced with an important decision he had to tell her, and if she chose to leave, he could only respect that.

Last time, it was because he concealed his identity that a series of misunderstandings followed, Zhao Cai died by mistake, and she fell seriously ill, almost causing a disaster. He couldn't make the same mistake a second time.

Li Huazhang forced himself to stop thinking about this. He was afraid that if he continued thinking about it, he would be convinced by his own selfishness. He forced himself to look directly into her eyes and said, "I agreed to join forces with Princess Taiping to launch a coup together."

Ming Huashang was shocked when she heard this and instinctively looked around. Fortunately, in order to spend more time together, they took the longest and most remote road and there were no other people around. Ming Huashang breathed a sigh of relief, but only then did she feel scared. She quickly pulled Li Huazhang behind the shade of the tree and said in a low voice, "Are you crazy? How can you say these things on the road?"

Li Huazhang listened obediently, like a student who had done something wrong. Ming Huachang scolded him for a while, but seeing his gentle and innocent appearance, she felt embarrassed to continue being fierce, so she lowered her voice and said, "Why are you telling me this?"

Li Huazhang said, "Because I'm afraid that you will be disappointed in me after you find out what I did after you marry me."

His tone was calm, his eyes were honest, and he put his thoughts on the table truthfully - he wanted power, he wanted the Li family, and he also wanted her.

Real but greedy, smart but stupid.

Ming Huashang was quiet for a while and asked, "This is too risky. Can't you give up?"

Li Huazhang looked at her with a struggling look in his eyes, but still shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, I can't."

Ming Huashang sighed: "You don't even want to lie to me. If you say that, which woman would marry you and die?"

Li Huazhang vaguely sensed some loosening in her tone and tried to pull her hand: "I can't do it, so I can't promise. I'm not as good as you think, but I still selfishly hope that the Ming Huazhang in your heart will always be an upright, omnipotent gentleman."

Li Huazhang held Ming Huachang's wrist tightly. Seeing that she did not resist, he tried to press the issue further: "You don't blame me?"

Ming Huashang sighed helplessly and said, "Who made you be this way? You once tolerated my wrongdoings, and now, I have no choice but to die with you."

Li Huazhang's eyes suddenly brightened, and he hugged her tightly, not knowing what to say. Ming Huashang let him hug her for a while, and found that he had no intention of letting go, so she could only push his chest and whispered: "Stand still first, someone will come out soon, and you will see it."

Li Huazhang learned his lesson from the last time and refused to let go. He said rudely: "Just let them see. When more people see it, you must marry me."

Ming Huachang simply couldn't imagine that this was what Li Huazhang said. She had reasoned with him many times but to no avail, and she couldn't bear it any longer and pinched his ribs. She remembered that he had an itchy spot here when he was a child, but after so many years, she didn't know if it was still there.

Facts have proven that itchy flesh never expires. Li Huazhang was caught off guard and dodged with a smile. Ming Huashang seemed to have found some fun game and kept chasing him. In the end, he helplessly grabbed the two hands that were making trouble and said, "Stop it."

Ming Huashang silently took note of this in her heart. Li Huazhang was ticklish, and then he immediately took the moral high ground and accused him, "Who told me to speak, but you didn't listen?"

Li Huazhang agreed obediently: "Okay, it's all my fault. What does Shang Shang want to say?"

Ming Huachang showed hesitation on her face. She glanced around and asked in a low voice, "What are you going to do?"

Li Huazhang shook his head seriously: "I don't know."

Ming Huashang blinked, thinking she had heard it wrongly: "Huh?"

She thought that Li Huazhang was such a meticulous person that he must have made all the arrangements before informing her, but he actually told her that he didn't know? Ming Huashang was speechless for a moment, then uttered, "You're telling people about this without thinking it through. Can your coup succeed?"

Li Huazhang smiled, and took her hand with a humbly asking for advice: "I really don't know how to avoid Han Jie's eyes and interact with all kinds of people. Can Shang Shang teach me?"

He was so humble that Ming Huashang pretended to think for a while before actually speaking: "Do you remember what Han Jie said when he taught us to disguise ourselves?"

Li Huazhang asked: "Hmm?"

Ming Huashang continued, "The best disguise is no disguise. The best place to hide something is where it is meant to be."

Li Huazhang looked at her, as if thinking about something. Ming Huashang finished the rest of the words: "You are too planned in your work. No matter what you do, he suspects that you have a purpose. But I am different. I like to eat, drink and have fun. I won't arouse suspicion if I go out frequently. I can call people out in the name of playing, and you can pick me up. In this way, you can find opportunities to communicate with them."

Li Huazhang pondered, this is indeed a method. Thinking about it this way, he can also take advantage of the opportunity when Ming Yuji returns home.

Ming Huashang is not a sociable person. If she invites others frequently, she will be easily discovered by Han Jie. However, if she brings Ming Yuji with her and maneuvers among the various government forces in the name of helping Ming Yuji get familiar with people, the risk of exposure will be greatly reduced.

Li Huazhang's lips moved slightly, hesitating to speak. Ming Huashang saw it and said, "Are you trying to say that it would be safer to take Sister Yuji with us?"

She really knew him well. Li Huazhang sighed, "Yes."

Ming Huashang knew this. She glanced at him and said, "Let me be frank first. This is a matter of life and death. You are all family after all. If you are exposed, the saint may not do anything to you, but the others will surely die. Therefore, I will definitely tell my sister the truth about this matter. I will organize the event in her name only if she is willing to take the risk. If she disagrees, I can only promise not to let her spread the news. I will not persuade her otherwise."

The risk of being exposed would undoubtedly double with each additional person he told, but Li Huazhang knew that Ming Huashang would never do anything to harm the interests of her family for him. This was exactly the kind of Shangshang he liked and admired. Since Li Huazhang wanted Ming Huashang to enter his world, he should naturally trust her family unconditionally. He nodded and said, "Okay."

Ming Huashang raised his eyebrows, becoming more and more suspicious of the possibility of his coup being successful. Ming Huashang couldn't help but ask, "Do you trust me so much?"

Li Huazhang said seriously: "Yes."

Ming Huashang was speechless for a while, then waved her hand and said, "Okay, you go back first. I'll tell her when the time is right. Go back and think about who you need to pull together, and then I'll find a chance to contact them."

Li Huazhang looked at her seriously calculating face and said sincerely, "Shangshang, I am so lucky to have met you. With a wife like this, what else could a husband ask for?"

Ming Huashang glanced at him and said in feigned anger, "Who agreed to marry you? I'm sleepy, I'm going back first."

As she spoke, she walked past Li Huazhang and walked quickly towards the gate. She trotted all the way in, as if she was afraid of being caught up by someone. However, there was silence behind her, and Ming Huachang was unhappy again.

She said she wanted to leave, but he really didn't ask to stay?

She opened the door and looked back secretly. A light laugh came from behind her, and a cool finger flicked her and said, "It's here."

Ming Huashang turned around and saw Li Huazhang standing behind her with his hands behind his back, just one step away from her. He smiled and said slowly, "Shangshang left without hesitation. I thought I was the only one who was reluctant to say goodbye."

Ming Huashang felt very embarrassed. Were her ears just for show? He was following her, how could she not hear him? She tried to make excuses for herself, "I wasn't looking for you when I turned around."

"I know." Li Huazhang chuckled, pushed Ming Huashang's loose hairpin back to its original position, and said softly, "Go back to sleep."