Chapter 101: Are you denying your affair?
Han Zhou hadn't been to the Cheng Mansion for a few days. He accompanied Cheng Xianzhi to the north of the city. The Sunset Bow would be completed soon. The two of them walked through the alley. The eaves and tiles of the houses blocked the scorching sun, leaving only shadows and the sound of wind passing through the alley.
"The Second Madam wants to give this bow to Xie Zhao. I wonder what kind of affection she has for it." Han Zhou followed beside him, watching Cheng Xianzhi's reaction from the corner of his eye.
Cheng Xianzhi smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the alley entrance as a glint of white light approached. "The court is discussing matters. The Jiang family intends to send Jiang Qingsheng to the northwest to replace Liu Qiyuan and guard the border. The Jiang family has guarded Shanhaiguan for many years. If the northwest military forces are also controlled by the Jiang family, the Empress Dowager will rule from behind the scenes and hold onto power for many years. The Emperor's health is declining. If no prince is born, Dalan will change hands within two years."
Han Zhou said, "How does this relate to what Han Zhou is asking?"
"Lu Tingwan works at Jinhua Palace, so how could she not know what Empress Dowager Jiang is planning? Does Han Zhou think the Emperor will allow the Jiang family to control Shanhaiguan and the northwest border?" Cheng Xianzhi asked. "Lu Tingwan must also know about this place, which is why she's so eager to find a craftsman in Kyoto to create a sunset bow and give it to Xie Zhao."
Cheng Xianzhi's explanation was so convoluted that Han Zhou couldn't wrap his head around it for a moment. Cheng Xianzhi chuckled, "Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"Lu Tingwan will use this sunset bow as a gift to send Xie Zhao off to the northwest."
"So that's how it is," Han Zhou suddenly realized. "Your Excellency wants Xie Zhao to replace Jiang Qingsheng and go to the northwest to guard the border, but has Your Excellency discussed this matter with the Second Madam beforehand?"
"No." Cheng Xianzhi still smiled.
Lu Tingwan insisted on returning to Jinhua Palace. He did not stop her, nor did he expect her to help him in Jinhua Palace. As long as she had other intentions in staying in Jinhua Palace, Cheng Xianzhi could read the meaning behind her every move, and Xie Zhao was his trump card.
However, if Xie Zhao was imprisoned or died for hijacking the execution ground, he would have to choose someone else and make another plan.
It wasn't that Lu Tingwan didn't understand Cheng Xianzhi. At least, from a planning perspective, she understood him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared negotiate with him on Qingyao Mountain to spare the lives of the Baita brothers and recruit them for her own use.
Empress Dowager Jiang wanted to arrange Jiang Qingsheng to guard the northwest, but Cheng Xianzhi would never agree. Therefore, Lu Tingwan had already guessed Xie Zhao's whereabouts. He believed that Xie Zhao's unfulfilled ambitions and his achievements on the battlefield were the meaning of his coming to Kyoto.
She knew that Xie Zhao would leave sooner or later, so she painstakingly studied ancient books, drew blueprints, bought materials, looked for craftsmen, and forged the weapon. This was the weapon that Lu Tingwan wanted to give to Xie Zhao.
"Xie Zhao is certainly useful and can handle this important task," Han Zhou said, "Jiang Qingsheng can't go."
The light from the alley entrance finally fell on his shoulder. Cheng Xianzhi stared at the light source with sinister eyes: "How can a dead person go there?"
The wind blew fallen leaves against the walls of the houses. The narrow alleys were deep and deserted. The neighing of horse-drawn carriages faded into the air, blending with the sunlight.
In an upper room of Weiyang Tower, Jiang Qingsheng's kiss was overbearing, and there was aggression and pride in his eyes that Gongsun Xue could not see. The desire that had been suppressed for so long was exposed at this moment. At first, it was shy and immature, but as Jiang Qingsheng's actions...
Gongsun Xue gradually became fanatical. She forgot what kind of feeling it was. She only remembered taking off her last piece of underwear and feeling her waist and abdomen being caressed by a big hand with warm calluses. The pleasure was incomparable and smooth.
She was willing to immerse herself in this conspiracy of revenge and decadence. She enjoyed the comfort and tenderness that Cheng Xianzhi never received from Jiang Qingsheng. She wanted to embarrass Cheng Xianzhi in this way.
The delicate cries were faintly hidden in the noise outside the house, and wine bottles were mixed in with the messy clothes.
On the bluestone tiles, Han Zhou held up the wine pot leisurely, and the strong liquor went down his throat, gasping for breath.
After taking the last sip, Han Zhou threw the wine jug with his arm, and it hung steadily on the branch in front of the window.
"It's something that was bound to happen. It's a gift sent by the Lord himself. I hope the Madam and Young Master Jiang will like it." Han Zhou's eyes fell on the spring light on the windowsill.
Cheng Xianzhi returned all the wine that Gongsun Xue gave to her.
The person reporting in the study looked at the upright gentleman who remained calm.
"As your Excellency expected, everything is going smoothly."
Cheng Xianzhi's pen suddenly showed a hint of accomplishment as he wrote with a vigorous stroke, "The Jiang and Gongsun families have become inseparable. This will be a headache for you, sir."
Seeing that he remained completely unmoved, Han Zhou couldn't help but advise, "Gongsun Xue is still the eldest lady of the Cheng Mansion after all. If this gets out, it will be detrimental to your reputation."
"That's a good way to get rid of him, isn't it?" Cheng Xianzhi said, "I was just worried I had no reason to get rid of Gongsun Yin."
Cheng Xianzhi put down his pen, washed his hands, and stood by the window with his hands behind his back. He looked up at the blue sky. A flock of wild geese flew by, and a scene from the past came to his mind. "When Gongsun Yin accepted me as his disciple, all the talented people in Kyoto were envious. But only I know what Gongsun Yin's purpose was in choosing me. But it's not surprising. The power struggle in the court is always fluctuating. Today, I am on the mountaintop and I don't want to be constrained by it anymore. It's understandable. If you blame me for being ungrateful, Xianzhi has no words to say."
"But I, Cheng Xianzhi, don't want to be used by others."
"As long as my lord wants to do something, Han Zhou will follow you to the death, no matter why."
Cheng Xianzhi put his hand on the window and pushed it boredly, making a constant squeak from the friction.
"Let them meet a few more times. Gongsun Xue will give birth to the unborn offspring of the Jiang family for them." His eyes were filled with coldness.
In this cannibalistic scheme, no one can expect to remain innocent and untainted by blood.
It is rumored that the heir in Concubine Rong's belly is a girl. Once the baby is born, what Li Tingfeng asked the Imperial Hospital to conceal will be made public. It is not easy to raise a prince in such a dangerous place.
Li Tingfeng had to be on guard, so he had to disrupt the unchanging situation in the court before the birth of the dragon heir. Even if Cheng Xianzhi was in charge of the strategy, he would only be a pawn used by the imperial power.
He had to do this, that was the deal he made with Li Tingfeng!
In Hanzhang Palace, the issue of Jiang Qingsheng going to the northwest to be stationed could not be discussed for the time being. Jiang Qingsheng had been immersed in the gentleness of life recently, going to Weiyang Tower every day, and no longer wanted to return to Shanhaiguan, let alone the windy and sandy land of the northwest.
On the palace wall, Cheng Xianzhi was waiting for Lu Tingwan to come. Lu Tingwan was accompanying the empress dowager in attending government affairs. After the palace maid delivered the message, Lu Tingwan asked for instructions and took the time to return to the front court.
Cheng Xianzhi had just climbed onto the palace wall when Jiang Qingsheng followed him. Cheng Xianzhi didn't even glance at him, but simply said casually, "Young Master Jiang looks well. Your Majesty is going to entrust him with an important task. It seems that Young Master Jiang will rise to prominence and be promoted to a higher position in the near future."
Jiang Qing was not here for business, as his eyes and eyebrows were filled with joy, which was the satisfaction of having Gongsun Xue as his own. When he saw the bright red stains falling on the wooden couch in the elegant room of Weiyang Tower, he felt extremely comfortable. At this moment, he was very proud and happy.
I can't even imagine how the high and mighty Minister Cheng would feel if he knew that his wife had betrayed him and was having an affair with him.
Thinking about this, the self-confidence and vanity that were driving his dark heart.
On the palace wall was an unbridled laughter. "This matter has not been decided yet. Minister Cheng, do you want Jiang to go to the northwest?"
Cheng Xianzhi leaned sideways and squinted his eyes, saying, "Young Master Jiang grew up in Shanhaiguan. How could the high walls of Kyoto hold you back? The northwest needs a new general who has been through hundreds of battles. Young Master Jiang is indeed the perfect choice."
"Since he is the perfect choice, Young Master Jiang will not be able to bring back the prosperity and fun of Kyoto when he goes to the northwest. However, things in this world are difficult to have both. What do you think, Young Master?"
The corner of Jiang Qingsheng's mouth twitched. No one knew what he meant, but he felt a sense of unease in his heart, but it was not about the affair between him and Gongsun Xue.
Lu Tingwan stood not far away, the wind blowing his sleeves, making them flutter like flags on the city wall. Cheng Xianzhi's eyes swept across Jiang Qingsheng, and the clear shadow in the distance fell into his eyes, and his originally cold expression softened.
Jiang Qingsheng looked in his direction and smiled meaningfully, "It's hard to have it all in this world. Minister Cheng is right."
Seeing Jiang Qingsheng approaching from the steps, Lu Tingwan bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, Master Jiang."
Jiang Qingsheng looked at Lu Tingwan's face, which was no less than Gongsun Xue's. There was no calculation or scheming in her eyes, yet it was difficult for people to see through them. This girl must have something extraordinary to be able to be valued by her aunt.
"Palace Master Lu, thank you for your concern, aunt."
“That’s what should be done.”
It was obvious that Cheng Xianzhi was unhappy with this scene. For a bad guy like Jiang Qingsheng, even looking at her for a second longer would be crossing the line.
He stared at Lu Tingwan intently as she walked up the stairs step by step. Her skirt fluttered with her steps, and it seemed as if she was stepping on a blue lotus with every step she took.
Cheng Xianzhi raised his arms, his official robe fluttering.
"What did Jiang Qingsheng say to you?" Cheng Xianzhi asked suddenly.
"It's just a formality, why do you have to meddle with it?" When Lu Tingwan stepped onto the last step, her eyes fell on his Adam's apple.
"You came to me, but is the Sunset Bow ready?" Lu Tingwan thought that the progress was almost done in these days.
Because of her strong smile, her beautiful eyes were particularly bright under the morning light. Cheng Xianzhi's gaze became more passionate than before. As Gongsun Xue and Jiang Qingsheng's relationship became closer, he no longer wanted to hide his long-held love.
However, Gongsun Xue's problem was not resolved, so he could not give her any promise. Therefore, Lu Tingwan could not understand his feelings.
"Well, next time you have a day off, I'll go with you to get the bow." Cheng Xianzhi waited for half an hour, just for this sentence and Lu Tingwan's smile.
"Is it really okay?" Lu Tingwan couldn't hide her joy. In her excitement, she even forgot her status and the occasion. She put her arms around his neck and rubbed her cheek against the hem of his official robe. "That's great. Thank you..."
Cheng Xianzhi felt the pressure from her neck, and he kept his arms hanging down, not daring to hug her. The fragrance of Lu Tingwan's hair filled his nose, intertwined with the morning breeze, stirring Cheng Xianzhi's heart.
At this moment, it seems as if I am immersed in a gentle mist and sinking!
"I know you want to thank me," Cheng Xianzhi's voice was unsteady from the shaking, "but there's no need to suppress me like this. I'm suffocating."
Lu Tingwan suddenly realized that their behavior was too intimate, and quickly withdrew his arm. With a hint of embarrassment on his cheek, he explained, "I'm sorry, I, I was too happy and crossed the line..."
But he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
Lu Tingwan arranged the affairs of Jinhua Palace the day before his day off and set a time with Cheng Xianzhi in advance. After Cheng Xianzhi came to court, he waited at the palace gate.
Lu Tingwan came out directly from Jinhua Palace, changed into a snow-white flowered satin skirt and a misty purple gauze outer garment. Her hair was combed neatly and exquisitely, and the loose hair on both sides of her forehead fluttered in the wind. She was elegant and noble. No matter how she dressed up, she could not hide the innate aura in her bones.
Cheng Xianzhi was stunned, and his heart softened. Seeing her smiling face, the annoyance he had felt in the court meeting instantly disappeared.
The carriage departed towards the north of the city. The finished Sunset Bow was almost as tall as Lu Tingwan. She admired the massive weapon and couldn't help but sigh, "This is the Sunset Bow mentioned in the classics. When the bowstring is fully drawn, it can penetrate dozens of people. If someone possessed a bow with such lethality, they would be virtually unbeatable on the battlefield."
"The old man is truly an ingenious craftsman, with the ability to surpass nature's ingenuity."
The old craftsman took the handkerchief and wiped the large beads of sweat from his forehead, saying, "This sunset bow has incredible killing power. If someone can pull it off, then what the young lady said is not an exaggeration."
"However, I have been making weapons for many years, but I have never seen anyone with such amazing arm strength."
Lu Tingwan wasn't worried about this, and he couldn't hide his joy at all, "Don't worry, sir, there are people who can pull this bow."
"Oh?" The old craftsman's gaze fell on Cheng Xianzhi. "Minister Cheng is a civil servant, yet he can actually draw this bow?"
Lu Tingwan was surprised that the person she was talking about was not Cheng Xianzhi, so she explained: "That's not the case. The person I'm talking about is not Minister Cheng, but..."
"What?" Cheng Xianzhi narrowed his eyes and glanced at her sideways, "Do you think I'm not good enough?"
Lu Tingwan's unspoken words were revealed. Cheng Xianzhi had been a great help, having put in so much effort. She didn't want to offend him, so she explained, "Not really. Although Lord Cheng is a civil servant, he's no problem leading troops in battle, but..."
Cheng Xianzhi had already taken the Sunset Bow, and the bowstring made a "hissing" sound as the distance of his arm was stretched. Lu Tingwan opened his mouth but hesitated to speak.
Cheng Xianzhi paused, side-glanced and questioned, "Just what?"
Lu Tingwan swallowed a few times. "It's just that I haven't seen you draw a bow yet. Besides, this sunset bow requires a lot of arm strength to draw. It requires years of practice or amazing talent to acquire a certain level of strength..."
"Yeah?"
Before Lu Tingwan finished speaking, the Sunset Bow was almost fully drawn, and the arrow pierced the target. The target fell to the ground, raising dust on the ground. A moment later, the target vaguely emerged from the dust.
"Huh?" Lu Tingwan's eyes widened. In her understanding of Cheng Xianzhi, it was impossible for him to draw this bow. His face was elegant and delicate, and he didn't look like someone with such strong arm strength.
The arrows he used were just ordinary arrows. He could pull the Sunset Bow, but his arm strength did not actually allow the bow to deliver full lethality, only 70%.
And this 70% is already terrifying enough.
Cheng Xianzhi retracted his bow, brushed past Lu Tingwan, who was still in shock, and walked up to the old craftsman. "I'll send someone to get it today. Thank you."
Gong Lu Tingwan could not be brought into the palace, so Cheng Xianzhi wanted to take him back to the mansion to keep him for her.
After leaving the north of the city, Lu Tingwan had to return to the palace before the palace gates were locked. She did not plan to stay home overnight today.
"Let's stop here. We need to accompany the Queen Mother to court tomorrow morning. We won't be able to make it if we stay at the mansion."
Cheng Xianzhi lifted the curtain and was about to pass Weiyang Street. "The palace gates won't be locked soon. Let's go to Weiyang Tower and have a seat. It won't be too late to eat something before returning to the palace."
"This..." Lu Tingwan was still hesitant.
"What? You're not going to admit it?" Cheng Xianzhi frowned and spoke in a suppressed voice.
"Then I should treat you." Lu Tingwan put aside his grudge and smiled back.
Cheng Xianzhi said to the driver, "Go to Weiyang Tower."
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