Chapter 42 The Death of Xiao Wen "But rest assured, as long as I'm here, then..."
"Madam Pei, please don't be surprised. Our cousin is quite famous now. She displayed her talent at the poetry gathering and was known as a talented woman in the capital. Now she also has a cousin who is the Grand Secretary."
"Not to mention Miss Biao's ethereal beauty; this is a marriage that countless young men dream of."
"Didn't you previously look for portraits to choose a husband for your cousin? This one that's come to us is far better than any of those! I heard that your two families are old friends and have a good relationship, right?"
"They are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple!"
Lin Shaowan was increasingly satisfied with the gifts sent by the Xie family. She had heard that the Xie family was good before, but at the time she only thought about bringing Lin Zhi into her family.
If she had to choose between Pei Lang and Xie Zheng now, she would rather choose Xie Zheng than let Pei Lang have the better chance.
Even so, Lin Shaowan maintained her demeanor as the mistress of the house in front of outsiders, and smiled slightly: "There are many fine men in the capital, and I must take a look at them. I cannot let my niece suffer."
Upon seeing her attitude, the matchmaker's heart tightened. Thinking of the benefits promised by the Xie family, she quickly flattered her, saying, "Madam Pei, what you say is not wrong, but it is also wrong."
“There are many fine men, but the best among them are your eldest son and this young master Xie.”
"Not to mention that Young Master Xie comes from an upright family and is a fourth-rank official. What's even more remarkable is that the Xie family has strict rules and regulations, forbidding the taking of concubines!"
"This is something that even many aristocratic families rarely possess!"
"Our young lady is going to be very lucky to marry into that family!"
Lin Shaowan didn't react to anything else, but she looked up when she heard that Xie Zheng could be compared to Pei Lang.
In this light, Xie Zheng seems to be the most suitable candidate.
Even if Pei Lang wanted to cause trouble, the Xie family wasn't someone everyone could control.
"Since the Xie family is so sincere, then let's invite Madam Xie to our residence for a meeting so that our two families can have a good chat."
The matchmaker beamed with joy, repeatedly praising the match.
Yu Shu stood to the side, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating: "Madam, should I go and tell Miss Biao to make proper preparations?"
But Lin Shaowan raised her hand to stop her: "No need. My niece is just as stubborn as me. I'm afraid she'll be determined to go down a dark path and then she'll hit a wall and it will be too late to cry."
"Let's talk about it when the Xie family arrives."
Lin Shaowan narrowed her eyes thoughtfully, still feeling somewhat uneasy.
"The day after tomorrow is the new emperor's birthday. His Majesty has permitted his son to bring his family into the palace. I wonder what Mother and Cousin think?"
At the dinner table, Pei Lang, who rarely ate at home, fell silent after saying those words.
Lin Zhi, whose left hand had been grabbed under the table, struggled to break free, then cautiously glanced at her aunt's expression, somewhat at a loss.
There was still a hint of reproach in her eyes as she looked at Pei Lang. It was a bit too much to bring her up like that!
The "culprit" showed no remorse whatsoever, and met Lin Shaowan's questioning gaze with complete composure and naturalness.
“Your father is much better now. Since His Majesty has spoken, we cannot refuse.”
"But Ah-Chih has never liked these kinds of occasions. Do you want to go?"
Lin Zhi bit her lower lip, hesitant. Although her previous experience in the palace hadn't gone well, with her aunt and Pei Lang present, she figured Xiao Wen wouldn't dare do anything...
Seeing that she hesitated and didn't know how to start, Pei Lang took it upon himself to make the decision for her.
"It would be good for her to go and see the world. After all, Azhi is not young anymore. It's better for her to interact more with noble ladies of similar age than to stay cooped up at home."
As Pei Lang's voice left no room for refusal, Lin Shaowan's expression darkened, and she left the table before finishing her dinner.
"Why do you insist on me going? I can tell my aunt is already a little unhappy, and besides, I'll probably see Xiao Wen too."
"If she saw me, she would want to tear me apart."
Lin Zhi puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, kicking the pebbles at her feet absentmindedly, but her waving hand was caught up from behind and tightly grabbed.
"Of course, it's to help you get used to it sooner. There will be many occasions like this in the future, and I can't possibly leave you out every time."
"Then don't cry when I come back late."
Pei Lang spoke naturally, his expression so serious it was no different from discussing politics or official business. Lin Zhi suddenly looked up at him, but couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile, letting out an awkward hum.
"That's hard to say. Maybe Prime Minister Pei will think I'm just a little orphan girl who's not presentable enough."
Pei Lang then turned to look at her, gazing at Lin Zhi's exceptionally clear and fair skin under the moonlight. He glanced at Chun Tao, who was lagging behind not far away, and quickly leaned down to peck Lin Zhi on the cheek.
"you!"
Lin Zhi felt as if her face was on fire, and quickly covered her face and turned her head to look.
"This is my personal seal. Can you rest assured after I give you this promise?"
"As for Xiao Wen, she was the late emperor's favorite daughter. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, she has lost her support and is walking on thin ice."
"I failed to protect you then, but I won't now."
Feeling the warmth emanating from her palm, Lin Zhi's heart stirred, and she nodded gently.
"There will definitely be many princes and nobles at today's palace banquet. Azhi, you must stay close to your aunt and not offend any of the nobles in the palace."
When they arrived at the palace gate and got off the carriage, Lin Shaowan was still very worried, but when she turned around and saw Lin Zhi, who was no less beautiful than the concubines, her heart softened and she reached out to tidy up the stray hairs by her ear.
"The palace rules are strict, so we should be careful even if we stay at home."
Lin Zhi nodded obediently; when out and about, she naturally had to listen to her aunt.
As soon as I sat down, I felt a burning gaze on me, like a thorn in my back.
Lin Zhi frowned and looked over, only to see Xiao Wen staring at her with a fierce glint in her eyes, which sent chills down her spine.
After calming down following Pei Lang's words, Lin Zhi noticed that Xiao Wen looked much more haggard, her face gaunt and pale. It was clear without her saying a word that she wasn't doing well.
No matter what, the current emperor is not her biological brother, and he can never compare to the late emperor's indulgence of her.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhi's trembling heart calmed down a bit, and she quietly turned her gaze back to what was in front of her.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Lin Zhi knelt on the ground, and when she rose again, she cautiously raised her eyes. The young crown prince who once sat in the palanquin had now become a majestic monarch. Yet, what remained the same was the chilling aura surrounding him. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that Xiao Ting gave off an even more fearsome feeling.
"My beloved ministers are all my right-hand men and close advisors. Since this is a family banquet, I will not stand on ceremony. Please take your seats."
Xiao Ting's gaze was cold and sharp as he swept over everyone at the table, finally landing on the silent Lu Hou. He smiled slightly at the person next to him who was wearing a half-gold mask.
"Is this the heir of the Lu family? Why is he wearing a mask that covers half his face?"
Lu Hou was suddenly called upon, and he quickly stood up and replied, "My son is unruly and has injured his appearance, which is ashamed to face the Emperor. I hope Your Majesty will forgive him."
This action made Lin Zhi realize that the gloomy, veiled person was actually Lu Jue!
I'm afraid he looks like this now because he was badly burned when Pei Lang set fire to him last time.
The emperor's heart was unfathomable; for a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the hall, and no one dared to be presumptuous.
Xiao Ting chuckled and said, "What crime is there in this? I will bestow upon the imperial physician to treat the heir of Marquis Lu."
Lord Lu immediately knelt down to express his gratitude, and only then was the matter considered closed.
Once the music, dance, and music started, the atmosphere in the hall became much more relaxed.
Lin Zhi originally only intended to fill her stomach, but she did not expect that the palace rules were that if the wine cup was a little empty, the palace maid would fill it. After a while, she became a little dizzy from drinking.
There were many people in the hall, so Lin Zhi mentioned it to her aunt and then took Chun Tao outside for some fresh air. The cool evening breeze on her face only made her feel more tipsy.
"The wine in this palace is truly extraordinary!"
Startled, Chun Tao quickly steadied her young mistress, staring worriedly at her reddened earlobes: "Miss, perhaps we should find a place to sit down first?"
"Miss Lin!"
But just as the two reached the pavilion, Lin Zhi was stopped from behind.
She turned around somewhat slowly, only to see Xie Zheng standing in front of her. "Miss Lin, are you drowning your sorrows in alcohol?"
Seeing the worry on the young man's face, Lin Zhi remembered that she had reconciled with Pei Lang, but Xie Zheng was unaware of it.
But it wasn't easy to tell him this, so he could only carefully choose his words and wave his hand, saying, "Young Master Xie is overthinking it. I just drank a little too much for a moment."
But in Xie Zheng's eyes, she was forcing a smile and putting on a brave face. After feeling sorry for her, he felt a surge of courage and remembered his mother saying that Madam Pei was interested in their marriage. His heart pounded like a drum.
"...From that day forward, nothing like this will ever hurt you again." He wouldn't be as fickle as Pei Lang; if he could marry Lin Zhi, he would cherish and love her dearly.
Although Lin Zhi was slow to react after drinking some alcohol, she wasn't stupid. Now that she had talked things out with Pei Lang, she naturally wouldn't be sad anymore.
Seeing Xie Zheng's concerned expression, and unwilling to refuse his kindness, she nodded.
But Xie Zheng interpreted this action as her willingness to enter into the marriage, since both families were going to meet and discuss it in detail.
Even though he was over twenty, Xie Zheng was still as green as a young boy, his face turning red from ear to neck. He uttered a few random words and then quickly walked away.
Lin Zhi squinted and didn't hear what he said clearly. Sitting in the pavilion, her eyelids were so heavy that she could barely keep them open.
Is your young lady drunk?
Chun Tao was still draping a cloak over Lin Zhi when she was startled by the sudden appearance of the palace maid. She stood up awkwardly and nodded, "I wonder if this aunt has any business with me?"
The aunt, whose eyes were slightly wrinkled, smiled and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is very considerate and kind. She had anticipated that some noble ladies might lose their composure at the banquet, so she cleared out an empty hall for the ladies to rest and recuperate."
"It just so happens to be not far from here. Please bring your young lady and come with me."
Chun Tao hesitated for a moment, then turned and saw her mistress shiver as a gust of night wind blew through her. Her mistress was already frail; if she caught a chill, she would suffer greatly...
"Then thank you very much for leading the way, Aunt."
Pei Lang stared at his colleagues gathered in front of him, each talking to themselves, feeling annoyed. He glanced absentmindedly in Lin Zhi's direction, only to see an empty seat.
With a thought, and upon looking again, he saw that Xiao Wen's seat was indeed empty.
With his handsome brows furrowed slightly, Pei Lang broke free from the crowd, but before he could reach Lin Shaowan, he was stopped by a beautiful figure.
"It's great to see you again, Lord Pei. It's truly fate that we meet again."
Pei Lang frowned as he stared at He Luochen, who had appeared in front of him again, but he had no choice but to deal with her in front of Prime Minister He.
"Miss He, you flatter us. The fact that all of us colleagues are gathered here today is a great blessing from His Majesty."
He Luochen liked his pretentious serious demeanor. She had long noticed that Pei Lang was different from ordinary civil officials. After returning home, she asked her father, and sure enough, Pei Lang was a scholar-general in his youth.
With such a well-proportioned and agile physique, it's obvious that he's both good-looking and capable.
He Luochen tugged at her skirt, took two steps forward, and feigned weakness, almost falling to the ground, hoping to be caught and feel the sensation. However, Pei Lang was faster than her; in a flash, he was gone from the hall, leaving He Luochen no chance to catch him!
After staggering a few steps, He Luochen managed to stand up with the help of a servant, and was so angry that she pinched the maid next to her until she had tears in her eyes.
When Lin Zhi woke up again, she felt extremely thirsty. She reached out to touch the teacup but only touched a strong, muscular muscle, which startled her and made her sober up by four out of six parts!
She struggled to her feet, nearly scratching the man's hand, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms: "You heartless little thing, I finally found you, and this is how you treat me?"
The deep, resonant voice whispered in her ear, and Lin Zhi realized it was Pei Lang. Before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, she heard a loud commotion coming from not far away.
She stared wide-eyed, but couldn't see anything clearly in the dim moonlight. She blinked twice and moved closer to Pei Lang, only then realizing that Pei Lang had picked her up and that the two of them were hiding behind a small screen.
"Where is this place? Where is Chuntao?"
Seeing that she was still completely unaware, Pei Lang clicked his tongue helplessly: "You didn't even know you were being sold out."
"Chuntao was knocked unconscious and dragged outside. I had Xingyun take her out of the palace first."
"It was Xiao Wen who sent people to lure you two here, and then brought Lu Jue along."
Upon hearing the name, Pei Lang felt the person in his arms flinch and tremble, and he unconsciously tightened his arms to comfort them.
Lin Zhi gripped Pei Lang's collar tightly, still feeling a lingering fear: "What does she want to do?"
Pei Lang shook his head slightly: "I don't know."
"So I knocked her unconscious and brought her to Lu Jue."
"...Huh?" Lin Zhi blinked, feeling that she might not be sober enough to understand.
But the noise they had just heard grew even louder, so the two of them immediately fell silent and listened intently.
Lu Jue's facial injuries had not fully healed, and now his father had forcibly taken him to the palace for a banquet. He was full of anger but had not yet set off when a palace maid led him into an empty hall to rest. However, he did not expect that there would be someone on the soft couch!
There was another woman!
"What kind of lowly wretch dares to get into my bed! Get out!"
He had already been drinking, and his anger only fueled his resentment. He kicked the man off the couch, and he rolled onto the floor with a thud.
Xiao Wen was jolted awake by the commotion, feeling an excruciating pain in the back of her neck. She hissed softly as she got up from the floor, only to be startled by the person next to her: "Who's there!"
She could vaguely make out that it was a man, which made Xiao Wen even angrier. She grabbed the candlestick and threw it at him.
There were no lamps lit in the hall. Lu Jue only saw a dark shadow flying towards him. When he realized it was a candlestick, he remembered the time when Lin Zhi had hit him. He dodged with lingering fear, but the candlestick still hit his mask.
"You bitch!"
Xiao Wen never imagined that someone would fight back, but she was not as strong as a man, and she was pinned to the ground after only a few steps and slapped hard several times.
"You scoundrel! I am Princess Wenyu! How dare you!"
Sure enough, the madman stopped after hearing this. Xiao Wen angrily opened her eyes, wanting to see who this person was, but in the dim moonlight, she was terrified by the hideous face in front of her, which looked like a demon!
The person in front of me had a nice face and features. If he were healthy, he would be a handsome and upright person. But his skin looked like it had been burned. It was rutted and uneven, with red and pink marks, making him look like a terrifying tree bark monster growing on a person!
"Ahh!"
Xiao Wen was so frightened that she lost her composure and tried to escape with all her might, punching and kicking. But her reaction only enraged Lu Jue. His hands trembled as he fumbled for the mask that had been smashed to the ground and put it on. His eyes were full of ferocity as he looked at Xiao Wen.
"Where did this ugly monster come from! Get out of here!"
Before Xiao Wen could finish speaking, someone grabbed her by the neck tightly, and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't escape.
Lin Zhi originally wanted to listen carefully, but after the chaotic loud noise, she could no longer hear anything.
She looked at Pei Lang as if sensing something, her eyes filled with fear.
Pei Lang remained calm and composed, covering her mouth with his large hand to prevent her from crying out.
Lu Jue collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted, only to realize belatedly that the person on the ground was lifeless. After kicking the person with his foot and receiving no response, Lu Jue realized something was wrong and quickly crawled over to pat Xiao Wen's face.
"Wake up! Stop playing dead! Wake up!"
But when he tentatively reached out with his fingers to check her breath, he found nothing but emptiness!
Lu Jue was also terrified. He had been so angry that he hadn't considered whether the other party was a princess or not.
But now...
If the Emperor traces the man's death back to him, my father will likely be implicated and doomed as well.
Thinking of his father's methods, Lu Jue couldn't help but shudder. Without a second thought, he carried Xiao Wen's body away.
Once the hall was completely quiet, Pei Lang first put the person down and came out. Only after making sure everything was alright did he reach out and pull Lin Zhi out as well.
Where did they go?
"Xiao Wen...is she dead?"
Lin Zhi's voice trembled as she gripped Pei Lang's arm tightly, at a loss for what to do.
Pei Lang silently led the person away from the back door of the empty palace. After walking around several small paths, they stood on a small building. From there, they could see the magnificent palace scenery and Lu Jue carrying the corpse to the koi pond in the Imperial Garden.
Lin Zhi's heart tightened: "What is he going to do!"
But before he could finish speaking, a loud thud was heard in the distance. He threw Xiao Wen's body down without hesitation!
"ah!"
Lin Zhi quickly closed her eyes, turned around, and threw herself into Pei Lang's arms, not daring to look anymore. Pei Lang patted her back to comfort her, but calmly asked, "Why don't you look?"
"If I hadn't come today, you might have been the one thrown down."
The gentle, tender tone slowly uttered the most cruel words.
Lin Zhi froze, not daring to look up.
But Pei Lang refused to give up and pulled the little girl out of his arms: "Why are you running around? Didn't I tell you to stay in my sight?"
"Otherwise, how can I protect you?"
Seeing Pei Lang'er's overly serious expression, Lin Zhi's eyes slowly reddened, and she stammered, "I was wrong..."
"You're not wrong, I'm the one who's wrong."
"I should have let you sit with me."
Pei Lang, protecting her, sighed, "Luckily you're alright today, otherwise what would I have done?"
"But don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one can harm you."
"The person who wants to harm you..."
Pei Lang's gaze swept towards the spot where Lu Jue had disappeared, gradually turning cold: "They all must die."
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