Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Silver Bracelet (Revised)
Sunlight streamed into the cabin through the low slatted windows, making the small room bright and dazzling.
Zhe Rou rested for a while, then got up and left the bed.
Lu Chen pushed open the cabin door, bent down and walked into the cabin, and saw her leaning against the window, staring at the sparkling river outside in a daze.
"妱妱."
She continued to look out the window, paying no attention.
Lu Chen's brows furrowed slightly as he approached and handed over the blue cloth bundle in his hand. "I gathered the supplies in the Suzhou courtyard. See if you've forgotten anything. If there's anything important, I'll send someone back to look for it."
Zhe Rou pursed her lips, then turned her head and took the bundle with her eyes downcast.
She had just settled in Suzhou and didn't have many trivial things with her. Her entire net worth was only two strings of copper coins, which was the advance payment from the Ye family pharmacy. In addition, she had a few simple changes of clothes. If there was anything important, it was the pair of silver bracelets that she had lost and found, which she needed to take care of properly.
After simply flipping through a few pieces of clothing, Zhe Rou found the small box containing the jewelry. She opened the wooden drawer and saw that the silver bracelet had been put away. She felt a little relieved.
Lu Chen stood aside, his eyes just casually scanning at first, but suddenly he froze when he saw the silver bracelet clearly.
Of course he recognized it; it was her biological mother's long-lost relic.
"When will we find..."
Before he could finish his words, Lu Chen had already understood. He chuckled, a vein on his forehead throbbing, "Did Xie Yunzhou find it for you?"
After a pause, he sarcastically said, "I don't know how much effort it took."
Zhe Rou pursed her lips and said nothing, but took out the silver bracelet from the box, intending to wear it on her wrist and keep it with her.
However, she didn't expect Lu Chen to intercept her hand. His slightly rough fingertips with thin calluses brushed against the back of her tender hand, causing a slight sting for a moment.
"The bracelet's band is too loose, and you could easily lose it if you wear it. I'll have someone tighten it and return it to you later."
"Xie Mingqi's identity is different. It's far from what you know. There are deep implications behind the scenes. From now on, unless it's absolutely necessary, don't interact with him anymore."
Hearing this, Zhe Rou couldn't help but laugh. She looked up at him and said sarcastically, "General Lu, you're worrying too much. In my current situation, who can I associate with?"
Lu Chen paused for a moment.
Zhe Rou felt depressed and unhappy, so she ignored him and lowered her head to sort out the clothes in her bag.
Lu Chen lowered his eyes and looked at him for a while, his expression gradually becoming cold. "No matter what, stay away from him from now on. If Xie Mingqi still has feelings for you that he shouldn't have, I naturally have a way to make him give up."
Zhe Rou was stunned for a moment, then realized something and raised her head suddenly, "What are you going to do?"
Their eyes met unexpectedly, and seeing the panic and faint anger in her eyes, Lu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, and his voice suddenly turned cold. "Why, are you worried about him?"
Zhe Rou opened her lips, but didn't know how to answer for a moment.
"Xiaoxiao." Lu Chen stared at her with a calm expression, but a murderous look shone in his dark eyes. "Tell me, who are you worried about?"
Seeing that he was about to go crazy again, Zhe Rou couldn't help but frown, turned her head to avoid his gaze, and said through gritted teeth: "I have nothing to do with him. Don't involve irrelevant people in the matter between you and me."
As if pleased by the word "irrelevant" from her mouth, Lu Chen suddenly relaxed and his eyes softened a little.
He raised his hand and touched Zhe Rou's cheek, whispering, "I was the one who made the mistake last night. I shouldn't have forced you, and I don't want to force you again."
Their eyes met for a moment, and Lu Chen lowered his head and kissed her lips. After lingering for a moment, he said softly, "But my patience is limited. Meimei, don't push me, okay?"
Zhe Rou secretly clenched her palms, her lips trembled slightly, and a sour feeling could not be stopped in her nose.
Lu Chen was already a mature young man, his figure no longer as thin and frail as that of a teenager. He had practiced martial arts since childhood and had strong and tough muscles. In the past, when he protected her, it only made her feel indescribably safe. But now, when he clamped her wrist, it was as if he was cast in steel, leaving her no room for resistance.
Zhe Rou closed her eyes, and an indescribable sadness filled her heart. She never thought that one day she would be afraid of Lu Chen.
The boat sailed south with the wind and arrived in Huai'an in one day.
Nan Heng got off the boat early and rented an inconspicuous two-story courtyard house near the ferry.
The courtyard is not very large. The main courtyard has one bright room and two dark rooms. There is no corridor or house. It is just a simple house for ordinary people, but it is clean and tidy. There is a small flower garden in the southeast corner. There is a swing under the wisteria trellis next to it. Several clusters of summer flowers are in full bloom, like dots of rouge, blooming brightly.
The scenery was exquisite and quite nice, but Zhe Rou had no interest in appreciating it.
Lu Chen brought more than ten personal guards with him on his trip south. All of them were strong and sturdy. They were all Lu Chen's confidants who were promoted from his old subordinates in the Western Army. They had a bloody friendship with him on the battlefield and only obeyed his orders. They were particularly loyal and reliable.
With these people guarding her, she could only walk around the yard at most and could not even take a step out of the gate.
What was even more annoying was that Lu Chen said he had important matters to attend to in Huai'an, but he was not seen busy going out. Instead, he stayed by her side all day, eating and sleeping with her.
Zhe Rou was unwilling to pay any more attention to him, and he became increasingly cold towards her. The two of them would only exchange a few words in bed.
Perhaps she knew that Shan Lin had gone too far that night and made her angry, so she felt resistant to him. In the past few days, Lu Chen had restrained his temper and no longer forced her to do things. Instead, he was very patient, just holding her in his arms, gently sucking on her lips, kissing her, and slowly and soothingly kissing her with a bit of flattery.
It's not like he had never done such intimate actions before when they were in love, but never as frequently as he did recently.
Until her breathing became disordered, Lu Chen raised his head from his dress, leaned over, and found her bright red lips, letting her taste the salty moisture on her lips. He caressed her slightly sweaty cheek with his warm palm, "Do you like it?"
Zhe Rou bit her lip, turned her head away and ignored him.
Lu Chen seemed to be in a very good mood, and his whole body was obviously relaxed. He stretched out his arms to hold her in his arms, and brushed away the wet hair on her temples with the tip of his nose. He chuckled very quietly in her ear, as if very proud, "Miss, you obviously like it."
Her period was about to end six or seven days later, and Zhe Rou was most afraid of getting pregnant again by accident. Seeing that Lu Chen could endure not doing anything excessive, and let go of her and went to the bathroom alone to relieve himself, she no longer wasted her energy struggling and simply let him go.
Fortunately, Lu Chen only stayed with her for a few days. Soon he was too busy to be seen. He went out early and came back late for several days in a row. Zhe Rou finally had some peace and quiet. Naturally, she was too lazy to care about his whereabouts. She just lived her life as usual and hardly went out. Occasionally, she went out, but only to pick some flowers from the flower garden to make tea or incense.
But no matter how late Lu Chen came back, he would come and live with her, change his clothes quietly and go to bed, then pull her into his arms from behind, without doing anything, just hugging her and sleeping, as if only in this way could he sleep peacefully.
**
Go to Beijing, Xu Mansion.
Xu Yourong took some evening food from the small kitchen, intending to take it to his father. Just as he reached the corridor of the study, he heard a "bang" from inside, and cups and plates fell to the ground.
"My good cousin is really capable. I'm afraid he's deliberately trying to make things difficult for me!"
Li Zhen's angry voice echoed from within the room. "I put so much effort into pushing Wang Zhonggan into this lucrative position, and now, look how he's been undone just like that! If I don't handle this properly, I don't know how much repercussions he'll suffer!"
Xu Chong took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Your Highness, don't worry. With this old minister here, Wang Zhonggan will shoulder the blame for this crime. Your Highness will not be implicated."
"I still can't let go of my worries." Li Zhen's expression gradually turned cold. "Why not find an opportunity..."
Xu Chong understood what he meant and advised, "Your Highness, this is wrong. As long as Wang Zhonggan is alive, everything will be easy. But if Wang Zhonggan dies, the emperor will surely be suspicious, which will only cause trouble."
"Sir, if you can guarantee that Wang Zhonggan will take the blame, can you guarantee that Lu Sanlang will also take the blame? If we follow Wang Zhonggan's case and find Pan Xing, then the next person to be arrested and imprisoned by the Imperial City Bureau will be Lu Sanlang. Can he also take the blame and never reveal it or make accusations even if he is tortured?"
Xu Chong remained silent and focused.
"Not to mention that he and my cousin have a close relationship. If something really happens in the future, there's no guarantee who he will help."
"Since my lord said Wang Zhonggan can be kept," Li Zhen lowered his voice and looked at Xu Chong solemnly, "then Lu Chen cannot be kept."
Although his voice was low, Xu Yourong had already heard the most important words. She stood outside the door, her eyes wide open in panic.
Without even bothering to serve the evening meal, she turned around, lifted her skirt and ran down the stone steps. Returning to her room, she hurriedly wrote a letter, called her most trusted maid, and repeatedly instructed her to deliver it to General Wen Xu of the Imperial Guards.
The maid nodded and took the letter. Just as she was about to leave, Xu Yourong couldn't help but call out, "Hey... wait."
She knew her brother-in-law's character well. Even if her father did not agree, as long as he had such an idea, he would not give up easily.
But if she helped Lu Bingyan... would it be a hindrance to her father?
After hesitating for a while, Xu Yourong finally made up his mind and looked up at the maid, "Go. Go quickly and come back quickly, don't let anyone else know."
The weather in July is changeable. It was sunny a while ago, but in the blink of an eye, dark clouds gathered, thunder roared in the sky, and rain poured down.
The rain was pouring down, and the lights in the Huai'an Transport Commissioner's Office were out. The yamen runners on duty had no idea where to hide. All that could be heard was the loud and rustling sound of rain.
A figure quietly climbed over the wall and entered.
The rain was sudden and the wind was strong at night. The rain was pounding on the stone steps. The latticed windows were suddenly blown open by the strong wind. The humid water vapor rushed in in an instant, hitting the window frames and making creaking sounds.
Wang Zhonggan was awakened by the sound of rain. He turned over impatiently and called out, "Where's the person?"
It was quiet all around, and the only sound was the heavy rain outside the window.
After waiting for a while, no one responded. Wang Zhonggan was already a little annoyed and turned over and sat up.
It was late at night, and the bed curtains were pitch black. Moist vapor drifted in, blowing the curtains hanging at the four corners.
Wang Zhonggan vaguely sensed something was wrong and was about to get up from the bed when suddenly a strong wind blew in from outside the tent, and the cold blade instantly pressed against his throat.
He was suddenly startled.
"Don't move." A cold male voice came from the front, "Wang Caotai, how are you?"
Wang Zhonggan stared intently, then raised his voice and asked, "Who is coming?"
The black figure holding the knife chuckled coldly, "Wang Caotai is truly a forgetful person."
Suddenly, a cold white light flashed outside the window, tearing through the night fiercely and illuminating the face of the person who came.
Their eyes met, and Wang Zhonggan narrowed his eyes slightly. In a flash, he suddenly recognized who was in front of him and said in surprise: "Lu, Lu..."
Thunder rolled across the roof.
Lu Chen exerted force on his wrist, pushing the blade down another three inches. "Yes, it's me."
Wang Zhonggan was immediately shocked and angry. "What do you mean? What are you going to do?"
Lu Chen looked at him expressionlessly and said coldly, "I have something I need to ask Wang Caotai for."
Wang Zhonggan's eyes instantly became alert, "What is it?"
Lu Chen said calmly, "I want a confession about how Xu Chong instructed you to incite the Censorate four years ago, attack the late Crown Prince, and frame my father. I also want a confession about how you colluded with Xu Chong to profit from your promotion to the Lianghuai Transport Commissioner and shared the stolen money with him."
Wang Zhonggan's expression suddenly changed. "That brat really has ulterior motives! Let me make it clear to you that although I have been impeached, no one can limit my authority until the imperial edict is issued. I am still the ruler of the Huai River region."
As he spoke, he pointed upwards, squinted at Lu Chen, gritted his teeth and sneered, "Do you have the guts to rebel against the heaven?!"
Lu Chen curled his lips and smiled, "Wang Caotai's words are serious. I am just seeking to protect myself."
"Self-protection?"
"Indeed. Wang Caotai must know that I was the one who silenced Pan Xing, so I am naturally implicated. The case has far-reaching implications, and the reason why the previous Lianghuai Transport Commissioner died in the line of duty is something Wang Caotai knows all too well, so there's no need for me to elaborate. Now that the emperor is furious, this case will not be easily resolved. Although I am willing to serve you, I must also leave a way out for myself."
"Do you think I'm a three-year-old child, so naive and easy to bully?!"
"Once this case is exposed, you are doomed to die. You should know exactly what kind of person Xu Chong is." Lu Chen lowered his blade, his voice growing colder. "Leaving a written confession will not only allow me to spare your life for a few more days, but it will also leave a life-saving talisman for your child. I believe you understand this principle."
Wang Zhonggan gritted his teeth and remained silent.
After hesitating for a while, he finally made up his mind, walked to the desk, and started writing.
After patiently waiting for him to finish writing, Lu Chen carefully scanned the confession, curled his lips and smiled, folded the handwritten letter and put it into the bamboo tube, then turned his wrist suddenly, and the sharp blade swept across Wang Zhonggan's throat without delay.
Hot blood spurted out in an instant, splashing most of Lu Chen's face. A white light flashed outside the window, making his face look as cold and gloomy as a demon.
The action happened in a flash. Wang Zhonggan's eyes opened wide and he only had time to make a few "ho ho" sounds before he fell backwards, holding his throat.
Lu Chen didn't even look at it. Standing in the bloody mess, he handed the bamboo tube to Nan Heng with an extremely calm expression: "Keep it. When the news of this thief's death is reported back to the capital, I will send this letter and the account book to his wife."
**
Zhe Rou went to bed early in the morning, but she couldn't fall asleep for a long time. It was not until the night was deep and the sound of rain outside the window gradually weakened that she felt a little sleepy and slowly closed her eyes.
Suddenly, a loud thunder rolled by, as if exploding right above my head.
Zhe Rou woke up suddenly, her heart pounding so fast that it seemed to jump out of her chest.
When her heartbeat finally calmed down and the little sleepiness she had felt had dissipated, she blinked slowly and skillfully pulled out a purse from under her pillow, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the simple patterns of the embroidery thread.
It contains azalea petals and wisteria seeds that she had recently picked and dried from the flower garden.
The two complement each other. Taking a small amount will not harm a person's life, but it can paralyze the limbs and make the movement slow within two incense sticks.
Although Lu Chen's personal guards kept a close eye on her, they did not understand pharmacology. When they saw her picking flowers and herbs, they thought she was just bored and had some free time, so they let her collect the flower seeds easily.
Although Lu Chen had not forced anything on her in the past few days, she knew his bad temper too well. Now he wanted to coax her to soften up, but after some time, when his patience ran out, he would definitely do something as brutal as tying her up with the child.
She must not stay long.
Lu Chen's treatment of her... was certainly sincere, but so what? From beginning to end, he had completely disregarded her wishes. He simply wanted her to curl up under the protection of his wings and live on the love he bestowed upon her.
A wife is Qi.
How can they be considered a couple?
When she thought of his deception, of his unscrupulous involvement with other women, of his disregard for her wishes, his arbitrary coercion and humiliation of her, and that she couldn't even escape... the feeling of powerlessness, collapse, and grief flooded her heart like a tide, making it almost suffocating for her.
All sorts of thoughts were in a mess, and he was tossing and turning in bed, when he suddenly heard a rustling sound outside the window. Zhe Rou's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly put the purse under his pillow. He was about to close his eyes and pretend to sleep, but suddenly he had a strange feeling, and he couldn't help but turn his head and glance at the mullion window not far away.
A white light flashed outside the house, and a human figure was cast on the window paper.
Zhe Rou suddenly felt creepy, and the hairs on her back stood up. She clutched the quilt, sat up quietly from the couch, and stared closely at the movement outside the window.
Seeing the window pane being pried open from the outside, Zhe Rou's heart was pounding. She was about to call for the guards, but the next moment, the man jumped into the house, pulled off the scarf, revealing a handsome face wet with rain.
"Nine Lady, don't be afraid, it's me."
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