Chapter 76: Don’t put out the candle? Where A Qiao is, I am all…
Li Yulan managed the Jin Kingdom in an orderly manner, and Lou Wanqiao hardly had to worry about anything except arranging the affairs of the court.
The next day, she received a letter from Dali. It was written by Li Su himself, saying that he had encountered some problems and needed her to go back and make a decision.
Lou Wanqiao didn't hesitate, packed up his things and prepared to return to Dali.
"Azhao," Li Yulan leaned against the palace door and looked at her. Her peach-colored brocade robe made her skin look like snow. "Where are you going, Your Majesty?"
He is now the regent of Dazhao and holds great power. Lou Wanqiao will intentionally or unintentionally let him handle more things and let the imperial doctors pay close attention to his physical condition.
Li Yulan is now in much better health than before, and some toxins have been slowly eliminated. After finishing everything that could be done, Mingfeng left a few prescriptions, settled everything, and left Dazhao.
"Chao Chao, I have things to do. I have to go now." Before leaving, Ming Feng came to say goodbye. She smiled and reached out to hug him. She was fragrant with the sweet scent of flowers and fruits, the little bells in her hair swayed, and her eyes were full of anticipation for the future. "Chao Chao, I look forward to touring the mountains and rivers under your rule and hearing your stories in the martial arts world. If we're destined to meet again, I'll come visit you. If you need anything, you can send me a carrier pigeon and I'll help you."
"Thank you so much, little bird." Lou Wanqiao returned the hug warmly, her tone solemn and firm, "I will do my best, and you must be safe too."
The bird flew away happily with the hero who was waiting outside the city.
Lou Wanqiao thought that as a sunny and cheerful person like her, she would be happy no matter where she flew to in the future.
Thinking back, she turned her head to look at Li Yulan who was leaning against the door: "Something happened. I have to go back to Dali first."
Li Yulan was stunned: "Your Majesty, then Dazhao..."
"I feel at ease knowing you're in Dazhao." Lou Wanqiao walked up to him, patted his shoulder with a firm look on his face.
Li Yulan met her gaze and his face suddenly flushed. He lowered his head and stammered, "Since, since Your Majesty trusts me so much, then I will... I will definitely live up to His Majesty's grace..."
Lou Wanqiao nodded: "Well, thank you for your hard work."
After seeing Li Yulan off, she lowered her head and read the letter carefully again, then put it on the candle flame and burned it.
A glimpse of white clothing appeared behind the screen. Lou Wanqiao exhaled and was just about to rest when he came to meet her. His clear and cool fragrance surrounded her. Wen Xuechi leaned on her shoulder and said, "Aqiao, you've been much busier lately."
"You haven't been idle either." Seeing him like this, Lou Wanqiao couldn't help but laugh out loud, subconsciously reaching out to touch his hair, "You've been working hard these days."
Whether it was secretly investigating or cleaning up the remnants, Wen Xuechi had never been idle. If she was busy managing the affairs of the court during the early days of the establishment of Dazhao, then Wen Xuechi became her most useful weapon.
Now that the matter has come to an end and the tasks at hand have been completed, although I have to rush back to Dali tomorrow, at least I can sleep well tonight.
"Now that Dazhao is getting better, I know that Aqiao is the most powerful." He wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his cheek in her neck, "Aqiao..."
It has not been easy along the way. He has gone from being the swordsman who was drinking and admiring the moon on the tree when they first met to being the closest person to her.
Lou Wanqiao held his hand silently, but was held back even tighter.
"What are your plans next?" she suddenly asked.
Wen Xuechi rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered, "Of course I'll always be with you."
"Accompany me?" Lou Wanqiao raised an eyebrow. "Are you not going to be a hero anymore, Hero Wen?"
He laughed heartily: "Wherever Aqiao is, that's where I am."
Wen Xuechi seemed to have the familiar aroma of wine on him, sweet and tempting...
She reached out and hooked her hand around his collar, closing the distance between them. The fragrance became even stronger. He lowered his eyes and looked at her seriously, his eyelashes trembling slightly in the candlelight.
Lou Wanqiao was a little lost in thought as he watched.
His face was very handsome, not the kind of aggressive beauty, nor the kind of flamboyant beauty, but a kind of...it was hard for her to describe, it was a subtle beauty that penetrated people's hearts unknowingly.
He seemed to know that he was very good-looking, with a pair of charming and seductive eyes, staring at her straight in the eyes. He did nothing, just let her do whatever she wanted. When she pulled him forward, he would move forward. When she hooked her arm around his neck, he would move closer. He was very obedient.
With a slight push of her wrist, Lou Wanqiao fell beneath the heavily drawn curtains. He ignored the open collar and stared at her with a pair of eyes that hid their sparkling watery light. Lou Wanqiao's mouth was dry as he looked at her, and he reached out to pull down the curtains.
"...Wait, wait... Qiao, won't you put out the candle?"
“…it’s about seeing clearly.”
…
The red candle burned out after a night of burning.
At dawn, a hand appeared from behind the bed curtains.
He first fumbled around on the table not far away, poured a cup of tea, and then returned to the bed curtains.
After a while, there was a rustling sound from inside, and then it turned to silence.
…
It was noon when Lou Wanqiao finally walked out of the palace dressed neatly. Wen Xuechi followed behind her, his face radiant.
Li Yulan personally came to see her off. News of her departure was kept secret; after all, with the new emperor on the throne, it was crucial to avoid unrest within the court. "Azhao, go home without worry. I'll..." Li Yulan waved toward the car window, then paused mid-sentence. His gaze rested on Wen Xuechi, specifically the mark on his neck, and his eyes widened.
Wen Xuechi's eyes swept across him with a hint of disdain, but he didn't say anything. He just deliberately passed in front of him and then turned around and stepped onto the carriage.
Lou Wanqiao didn't notice and waved his hand, "Take care."
The carriage sped away, leaving Li Yulan standing there going crazy.
Damn it, it's him again, he got there first...
Give up?
Haha, it’s too early, he won’t give up.
Azhao...the distance is finally closer than before.
The sun gradually moved westward, and Lou Wanqiao fell drowsy in the carriage.
Life has been leisurely lately, much more relaxed than when we were on the edge of a knife, and even my body has become a little lazy.
However, she did not forget the generous gift that King Yun gave her when she left Dali.
It seems that this guy is not dead yet. I have to kill him a few more times. I have to deal with him properly when I get back.
Fortunately, she had deployed enough manpower in Lisu and the imperial city, so he couldn't cause any trouble for the time being.
In the face of absolute power suppression, no matter how many sophisticated plans you make, they are just trivial.
The journey was smooth and we returned to the capital of Dali safely.
Lou Wanqiao returned to the palace immediately and went straight to the imperial study.
"Your Majesty, I am back."
Li Su put down the memorial in his hand, looked up at her from the table, and stood up to greet her: "Zizhao, I have heard about your deeds in the Jin Kingdom. They are very impressive."
"For the sake of Dali's future peace, I dare not slack off." Lou Wanqiao nodded. "Your Majesty, is there something important that has called me back so urgently?"
"Well, you've arrived just in time. I observed the stars a few days ago and predicted that there would be unusual movements in Dali. I'm afraid there will be unexpected changes, so I'm letting you go back first." Lou Wanqiao's expression froze upon hearing this. Although Li Su seemed gentle and casual on a daily basis, he had learned from a master and lived in a Taoist temple for many years. He was indeed unique in divination and astrology, and his warnings could not be ignored. She asked, "What exactly do you need me to do?"
Li Su felt a tinge of apology at her solemnity, but he kept it aloof. He walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed out at the sinking sun. His tone was suitably solemn, "The stars are warning us. The Purple Star is dim, and the auxiliary stars are shifting. This sudden change points directly to the inner sanctuary. I fear a villain is at work, destabilizing the nation. I can glimpse a few things, but who they are is as hard to pin down as seeing flowers in the fog."
He turned and looked earnestly at Lou Wanqiao. "Zizhao, you've just experienced the turmoil of the Jin Kingdom, and you're most sensitive to these kinds of conspiracies and intrigues. Now that you've returned, I'd like to leave this matter entirely in your hands. The imperial guards and secret guards within and outside the capital are all at your disposal. You must nip any changes in the bud before they occur."
These words made perfect sense, and Lou Wanqiao had no doubts. He replied in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Now that I have returned, I will not allow these bandits to stir up trouble."
"Thank you for taking the photo." Li Su nodded slightly, hiding the hint of triumph in his eyes, and said with concern, "You've been traveling all the way. Why don't you go back home and rest for a while? I've asked someone to prepare hot water and food."
"No need. This is urgent. I'll make arrangements right away." Lou Wanqiao was always quick and decisive. Having sensed a potential threat, she didn't want to waste a moment. She saluted Li Su, turned, and strode out of the imperial study, quickly disappearing at the end of the palace corridor.
Looking at Lou Wanqiao's departing back, Li Su breathed a sigh of relief.
He hadn't calculated any precise "variables"; he was simply desperately trying to call her back, seizing the slightest shift in the astrological signs. His half-brother was truly insane; if he were in his place, he probably would never have done such a thing. But if he didn't act, things would become increasingly difficult, and the distance between him and Zizhao would only grow.
As for the so-called "variables," with Zizhao's means and abilities, even if there were any blind rebels, she would surely easily deal with them. This move of his could be considered killing two birds with one stone... right?
Lou Wanqiao didn't return home. Instead, she reviewed all recent defense records for the capital and summoned the commander of the secret guards and the heads of various intelligence points. While she'd been away from Dali, she'd kept a backup plan, but there were still some gaps. Li Su's warning had made her extremely alert.
"Focus on investigating all individuals who have had contact with Prince Yun, whether they are officials in public or those who work in secret. Report all recent unusual movements of people and funds within the capital, no matter how big or small, to me." Lou Wanqiao's voice was cold and imbued with unquestionable authority. "Also, strengthen the security of the palace and key areas. Entry is permitted, but exit is not. Without my token, no one is allowed to mobilize a single soldier without authorization."
Orders were quickly issued one after another. As the night deepened, the lights in the Dali Temple's residence were brightly lit. Wen Xuechi quietly stayed by her side, brewing a cup of hot tea. The fragrance lingered, with a hint of bitterness. Lou Wanqiao took a sip and felt much more refreshed.
After a night of urgent investigation and sorting, several seemingly insignificant but strangely connected clues surfaced: a large box of gold and silver had recently arrived at an imperial estate in the western suburbs of the capital. The estate's manager had had several secret contacts with Prince Yun Li Jin's men.
"Western Suburbs Royal Manor..." Lou Wanqiao pointed at the location on the map, his eyes sharp as a knife, "Li Jin is indeed still harboring evil intentions."
She looked at Wen Xuechi: "It seems we have to visit this imperial manor in person."
Wen Xuechi nodded: "When do we leave?"
"There's no time to lose, let's do it now." Lou Wanqiao stood up, stretched his stiff neck, and a cold smile appeared on his face. "It's a good time to stretch my muscles. Let's see what surprises His Royal Highness Prince Yun has prepared for me."
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