Chapter 92: Conditions: Are we still going to divorce? Are we still going to be even? ...
"Yan..." Luo Yunchu was about to speak, but the name suddenly became too hot to her lips. What should she call her? Jiang Yanli? Lu Tingwan? In the end, she called out, "Second Madam Cheng, long time no see."
Lu Tingwan chuckled, not taking it seriously. "Didn't we see him at the execution ground a month ago?"
Luo Yunchu was stunned. She knew that she had gone to see him off that day, but compared to Xie Zhao's loyalty in protecting her with his life, what he had done was really nothing.
He felt ashamed now. "I came here from the Chamber of Commerce. I heard that Minister Cheng wanted to reopen Zhichunli. You..."
"President Luo, if this is business, you should talk to Cheng Xianzhi," Lu Tingwan reminded him. "Excuse me."
Luo Yunchu dodged to the side, clearing the way. Lu Tingwan jogged up the stairs, but just as she lifted her foot, someone blocked her path. Her journey wasn't smooth.
"Are you back?" I didn't see him, but the voice was familiar.
Cheng Xianzhi walked down the stairs with his hands behind his back, followed by Gongsun Xue. However, for some reason, both of them looked ugly.
"Yeah." Lu Tingwan responded lightly without saying much.
I wondered in my heart, were they arguing? Why are they both so stern?
When there were three of them out, she was the only one with a gloomy expression, but why did she change when she came back?
Cheng Xianzhi walked around her and stared at Luo Yunchu. The chill had not dissipated since he came down from the third-floor room.
Luo Yunchu bowed to him, and Cheng Xianzhi nodded without hesitation.
In a private room on the fourth floor, Jiang Qingsheng and his friends had three rounds of drinks. He was still savoring the woman in his arms on the stairs. Driven by the alcohol, the fragrance seemed to rush into his nostrils again.
"Her pupils are like water, her brows are like moon and her eyes are like stars, her face is like cinnabar, and her smile is more beautiful than Baosi's." He smelled the aroma of wine, his red eyes flashing with lust, and he said with lingering emotion, "Her subtle charm is alluring, and when she turns and walks, she is like a willow swaying and a flower smiling in its early beauty."
Seeing his dissolute appearance, his friends couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother Qingshan, what kind of beauty is this that makes you salivate over her so much and can't forget her?"
Jiang Qingsheng's lust grew stronger. "Gongsun Xue, Cheng Xianzhi is so lucky. The daughter of the Lu family is so beautiful and lively, and the wife is so stunning."
The friend shook his head. "Minister Cheng is a handsome man, elegant and graceful. He is the dream lover of the noble ladies in Kyoto. He should be their blessing."
Jiang Qingsheng said with disdain: "You don't understand this. For a man, the most important thing is not appearance, but to understand what the lady wants deep down. Someone like Cheng Xianzhi will become cold after being warm for too long. After all, no matter how beautiful a face is, you will get tired of it eventually."
"That being said, Minister Cheng is quite capable. He was able to save the Lu family even after His Majesty issued an order to execute the entire Lu family. We are not even half as capable as him." The friend said, "But then again, your sister-in-law is also a daughter of the Lu family. Why couldn't she be saved?"
Jiang Qingsheng's wine glass paused, his expression suddenly changed. Speaking of this matter, the Jiang family has been troubled for more than a month. Jiang Yanli has been unable to recover from the grief of Lu Tingwu's death and is almost insane. He has no intention of attending court since then. Cheng Xianzhi, who holds the vacant position of Langzhong in the Ministry of Revenue, has requested a month's leave for him in the court. If he is still unable to return to work after a month, he will have to choose another candidate.
But after a month, Jiang Yanli's madness became even worse. Whenever he saw someone in the yard, he would call out Lu Tingwu and talk nonsense non-stop. Every night he could hear Lu Tingwu and the unborn child in her belly calling out to him, their voices shrill and long.
He hated his own incompetence. When he learned that Cheng Xianzhi brought Lu Tingwan back from the execution ground, guilt and regret flooded him like a spring. Lu Tingwan could be saved, so why couldn't Lu Tingwu be saved?
He attributed all this to his own incompetence and cowardice, and finally went insane, paralyzing himself in madness, as if this was the only way to escape.
Seeing Jiang Qingsheng's unhappy expression, the friend stopped talking, smiled apologetically and filled his wine cup.
As the night was long, Lu Tingwan leaned against a rattan chair under the grape trellis to enjoy the cool breeze. The evening breeze blew across his cheeks, refreshing and soft. The moon's shadow slanted across the house, casting a faint light in the darkness.
Bai Ri pondered for a long time and decided not to mention the divorce for the time being. The most important thing now should be to return to Jinhua Palace and gain the trust of the Queen Mother. However, she was not sure whether the Queen Mother would accept her as she is now.
But for Cheng Xianzhi, as long as she opened her mouth, she would be almost certain about what he said.
Feng Xin was busy in the house, and Lu Tingwan called out to him, "Feng Xin, I'm going out for a while."
Feng Xin walked around the window, holding a porcelain vase with new branches, and then poked his head out, "Where are you, Madam? Come back soon."
"I'll be back soon." The voice had gone far away.
Yansheng Hall was close to the study, so she didn't walk fast when she came over. She walked under the moonlight and on the shadows of the trees, feeling quite interested. Her mood had changed today, and she was no longer bored. She felt much lighter in her heart.
The scene that happened during the day was hard to get rid of in Cheng Xianzhi's mind. He immersed himself in official duties, but the more he did so, the more difficult it was for him to control himself. Those thoughts broke into his nerves like a madman, devouring his original rationality.
The clerk couldn't bear to read it. On the way back, he could clearly see that her mood had improved, but she was still cold towards him.
His elbows that were supporting the documents fell down weakly. When he looked at the moonlight outside the house, the lingering shadow appeared so brightly before his eyes. He thought it was an illusion and did not pay much attention to it.
Until Lu Tingwan at the door said, "Can we talk?"
Cheng Xianzhi regained consciousness. He was wearing a thin dark blue robe, which made him look casual yet cold, making people want to get closer to him.
He waved his long arm, and the mist in his eyes dissipated, revealing a hidden joy: "Sit."
Lu Tingwan looked around and found a chair at just the right distance to sit down, neither too distant nor too close.
Cheng Xianzhi stared at her. Her complexion looked much better and her spirit had recovered to 90%.
"It seems that it is right to let you go out for a walk."
Lu Tingwan said sincerely, "Thank you for your care during this period. It's really refreshing to be able to go out for a walk today."
Her attitude at this moment was a little softer than during the day.
Cheng Xianzhi raised an eyebrow, unconcerned with what he thought he was supposed to do. Instead, he focused on something else: "Is the candied haws delicious?"
"What?" Lu Tingwan was stunned, looking embarrassed. "You, you saw it."
"If meeting Xie Zhao could help you recover sooner, I should have invited him earlier." Cheng Xianzhi's tone was full of jealousy, but Lu Tingwan didn't think about it that way.
"I'm not here today to discuss Xie Zhao's affairs," Lu Tingwan said with a sharp gaze, "I want to stay. I want to enter the palace."
When Cheng Xianzhi saw this, he knew that she had an idea. The scene she arranged today seemed to be effective. She was still the same Lu Tingwan who was desperate to find out the truth.
Still stubborn and resolute.
"Entering the palace?" Cheng Xianzhi tilted his head and asked, "What for? Returning to Jinhua Palace?"
"Yeah." She didn't explain.
"reason."
Lu Tingwan lowered his voice, "When the Lu family was around, I had no choice about how to go down this path. Now I am no longer at the mercy of others, and I want to go my own way."
Cheng Xianzhi smiled. "Shouldn't the path you want to take be business, divorce, and then leave Kyoto? Why are you so obsessed with entering the palace now?"
"Lu Tingwan, what are you thinking about?"
He knew it, but still asked.
"I didn't discuss this with you. If you don't want to, just sign the divorce agreement now. I will submit a letter to the palace. As for whether the Queen Mother is willing to accept me, that's my business."
"So, you came here tonight, do you want me to sign the divorce agreement for you, or to give you this invitation to enter the palace?" Cheng Xianzhi looked at her, "You know I can get it to you."
"So, you came to look for me tonight, right?"
Lu Tingwan said frankly: "That's right."
"Then are we still getting a divorce?" His gaze was inexplicably aggressive. "Do we still want to be even?"
Lu Tingwan didn't avoid it: "Of course we still need a divorce, but one thing is one thing. If you don't want to, I still have other ways."
"The Queen Mother has always had a close relationship with the Lu family. When Lu Mingqian was in trouble, the Jiang family didn't offer a helping hand. I'm sure they used many tricks to make Lu Mingqian confess to all the crimes. I think no one wants the Lu family dead more than the Jiang family, including you." Cheng Xianzhi said coldly, "So, do you think the Queen Mother will keep you?"
"Let's not talk about that. Even if the Queen Mother keeps you, who knows what her intentions are? There are so many people in the palace, and no matter how powerful I am, I can't be all-powerful and protect you all the time." He paused and emphasized, "Even Xie Zhao can't do that."
"This is my choice. I don't need anyone to protect me." Lu Tingwan said, "If the Queen Mother doesn't want the remnants of the Lu family to survive, she'll have more opportunities to act with me under her nose. On the contrary, if I stay in the Cheng Mansion, she won't have the opportunity to act. For this reason alone, the Queen Mother will keep me."
"You know the pros and cons, so there's no need for me to explain. I can arrange it for you, but the visiting card must be delivered in your own name."
"I understand, thank you." Lu Tingwan nodded at him.
Cheng Xianzhi said a few words, not to dissuade her from the idea, but because he knew that she would not give up easily once she made up her mind. However, if he agreed from the beginning, it would arouse suspicion.
Since he wanted to protect her, he would not let anyone die. In addition, today's arrangements were based on many coincidences. If she wanted to investigate carefully, she would inevitably have suspicions.
She is as meticulous as he is.
"I have conditions." Cheng Xianzhi smiled, and Lu Tingwan saw it as a plan.
I thought to myself, it really is Cheng Xianzhi.
She would not do a business at a loss, so she was even more determined. If it was not beneficial to him, she would definitely not save his life.
"you say."
"You are not allowed to leave Kyoto without my permission." He withdrew his gaze and opened the document again, so casually that no one could detect anything unusual.
The intention cannot be discerned.
The next day, Cheng Xianzhi submitted a letter to enter the palace and had also informed the emperor in advance. He had no objection to this matter. As long as Cheng Xianzhi could keep his promise to him, Li Tingfeng did not care much about how Cheng Xianzhi wanted to act. The most important thing was to get the empress dowager's approval.
When the post arrived at Jinhua Palace, Queen Mother Jiang was pruning branches in the palace. Old branches of the camellia tree forked out, and the scissors fell on the bluestone slabs. The post was casually placed in front of the stone table in the pavilion. There was also a Clivia on the table, its leaves shiny and full of vitality.
That was what Lu Tingwan presented to Queen Mother Jiang when she first entered the palace.
Hong Zhanggong stood on one side, his eyes always on people.
"Minister Cheng sent me a note saying Lu Tingwan wants to return to Jinhua Palace to serve. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Queen Mother Jiang was graceful, her breath barely catching. "I heard she developed aphasia after returning from the execution ground. Many imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital went to the Cheng residence, but to no avail. Now that her condition has improved, she's in such a hurry to enter the palace. I'm afraid she has ill intentions."
"Then will your Majesty refuse?"
"Interesting," Queen Mother Jiang said nonchalantly, "This Lu Tingwan is bold and prudent. She knows that the Lu family is extinct and that she is of no use to me. Cheng Xianzhi knows this, but he still sends her in. I am a little confused."
"Please convey my order. Jinhua Palace is still short of staff. Madam Cheng has served me attentively and attentively, and I like her very much. Considering that she has just recovered from her illness, she will be admitted to Jinhua Palace for recuperation. Anyone who spreads rumors about this in the palace will be sentenced to death." Queen Mother Jiang spoke leisurely.
Palace Master Hong has always respected Queen Mother Jiang. Having served her for many years, he understands her character best and is a man of his word.
Lu Tingwan has been pardoned by the Holy Spirit and is no longer a sinner. He was originally a staff member at Jinhua Palace, so it is understandable to take him back.
On the second day, she received the imperial edict and entered the palace. When Empress Dowager Jiang saw the person in front of her, she became more calm, but the childishness on her face was no longer as before.
"Why do you want to come back?" Queen Mother Jiang stroked the Clivia.
Lu Tingwan remained calm, "Now I have no place to stay in Kyoto. After returning to Kyoto, it was only when I was in Jinhua Palace that I realized where my usefulness lies."
"Don't you blame me for not being able to help the Lu family?" Queen Mother Jiang spoke frankly, her eyes scrutinizing.
Lu Tingwan chuckled softly, a hint of helplessness hidden within her smile. "Actually, before Cheng Xianzhi left for Tanzhou, I begged him to expose his father's crimes and save the Lu family from disaster, but he didn't."
"If he had been willing to help, the Lu family wouldn't have been so desperate in the end. My sister and the unborn baby might have been saved."
Li Tingfeng had mentioned this matter before in Hanzhang Palace, and the empress dowager was not surprised.
"So, what is your purpose for entering Jinhua Palace?"
Lu Tingwan raised her eyes and said, "My elder sister's death is a chasm that I, your wife, have never been able to overcome."
"If he had been willing to take action at the beginning, my sister would not have died..."
Queen Mother Jiang raised her eyebrows slightly, becoming interested: "You want revenge on Cheng Xianzhi?"
"That's not the case," Lu Tingwan said. "The Lu family has committed grave sins, leading to the current situation. I know they deserve it and cannot blame anyone else, much less shift the blame onto anyone. However, I can no longer face Cheng Xianzhi... I only beg the Queen Mother to have mercy on me and allow me to remain in Jinhua Palace and serve you. I will not slack off."
After saying that, Lu Tingwan kowtowed heavily.
Her words might be somewhat sincere. Queen Mother Jiang was naturally interested in the person Cheng Xianzhi wanted. As for Cheng Xianzhi's purpose in keeping the person, now that the person was with her, her life and death were up to her.
As for her, without the Lu family's backing and not being favored by Cheng Xianzhi, it was understandable that she wanted to find a strong backer to join Jinhua Palace. As for her other thoughts, they could not cause any trouble.
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