The colorful lanterns stretched for ten miles, and the night was bright.
The river flowed under the railings, and the snow fell on them silently.
The cloak blocked out all the wind and snow. The man's lips carried a faint warmth as they landed on her lips. Just like the bowl of sesame yuanxiao that she had just eaten, her lips and teeth were filled with soft sweetness.
He Yan could hear her own heartbeat. In the snow, it was lively and powerful, beating again and again. His clothes were still cold from the wind and snow, but his attitude was gentle, as if he was treating the only treasure in his life.
It was as if he wanted to keep this moment forever.
No one would not be moved by the person in front of them.
When their lips parted, He Yan felt a little nostalgic. She looked up at Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue looked down and helped her tidy up her hair that had been messed up by the wind.
He Yan's ears were already as red as a cooked shrimp. He Yan whispered, "… Xiao Jue, you're not angry anymore, right?"
Xiao Jue sighed silently.
"Xu Zhiheng … it's all in the past." He Yan thought for a moment, then looked at him seriously and said, "If the past made you unhappy, I apologize to you. I don't know what other girls do when they get along with the person they like. I've been a man for far longer than I have been a woman. Xiao Jue, I'll be very good to you. If you like something, I'll find a way to give it to you. If you hate something, I'll help you get rid of it. If someone bullies you, I'll definitely stand up for you. I won't lie to you or hurt you … Is this okay? "
Actually, when she thought about it, even when she was with Xu Zhiheng, she did not treat her lover like other girls. Of course, this was because Xu Zhiheng was not a good person. However, she did not know how to treat the person she liked.
When she was young in the He Family, she did not know much about "love." Because she wanted to be pitied by her biological parents, she deliberately tried to please them. Even when she went to the battlefield later, she hid this humility very well. However, the things that were engraved in her bones were like bones buried under the sand. When the wind blew, they would still be exposed.
As a general, she learned how to control her subordinates and be decisive. She knew how to take care of people, but she did not know how to deal with more intimate relationships. Those vague feelings made her not know if what she was doing was right or wrong.
Xiao Jue's gaze was fixed on her. The girl was still holding the red candied hawthorn in her hand. She looked up at her eyes was full of sincerity, and a little uncertain cautiousness.
Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue, Xiao Jue. There were so many people in the world, regardless of whether they were men or women. When it came to matters of love, they would cover it up in every way possible and test it out in every way possible. They were just unwilling to let others discover their true feelings. They always felt that if they said it out loud, they would lose. Only this person in front of him was frank and straightforward. He didn't use any tricks or tricks. He just said it bluntly and recklessly. It was as if he could beat a master to death with a flurry of punches. His heart couldn't help but waver.
She was the only one he was attracted to.
But … how could Xu Zhiheng bear to hurt such a person who offered his heart so clearly?
He wasn't angry because of He Yan's jealousy in the past. He was more annoyed because he was angry at himself and Xu Zhiheng. Just like the doe he set free in the mountains when he was young. Its wet eyes were fixed on him, full of trust and joy. However, Xu Zhiheng threw away this trust like a worn-out shoe and cut it off with a knife.
The better He Yan was, the more furious he felt towards Xu Zhiheng.
Seeing that Xiao Jue did not speak, He Yan thought that he was still angry. He thought for a moment and said dejectedly, "Maybe you have a better idea. I don't know how to play zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Don't ask me to learn it. I won't be able to learn it. I can help you carry Shi Tou and chop firewood … "
Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Jue pulled her into her arms.
"You are you. You don't need to do anything for me."
He Yan's head was pressed against his chin. She couldn't raise her head and couldn't see his expression.
"But …"
"I don't like singing and dancing prostitutes. I don't need a servant to accompany me. No one dares to bully me. I won't touch things I don't like. If I like something, I'll buy it myself. "Xiao Jue lowered his head and smiled.
"But … then won't I become a decoration?"
"I don't like you because I want more people to do things for me." His voice fell. It sounded like he was very far away, but also very close at the same time. "You can do whatever you want. You don't have to do it for me."
"You really … don't want anything from me?" He Yan asked.
There had to be at least one thing, such as abiding by the law and respecting the old and loving the young. Otherwise, she could do anything. Could she cheat on him?
Xiao Jue let go of her hand and looked at the crowd in the distance. He smiled and looked down at her. "It's not that I don't want anything."
"What is it?"
"If I keep looking at you." He reached out and grabbed He Yan's hand. The girl's hand was only half his size. When it fell into his palm, it was like a small treasure. "He Yan, you will keep looking at me."
He Yan stared at him in a daze.
"Lady He, don't you understand what I'm saying?" He raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled warmly. The lanterns reflected in his eyes. There were thousands of poses and thousands of colors, but his eyes were clearly the brightest.
Time seemed to have stopped at this moment. Someone set off fireworks in the distance. Thousands of bright lights fell into the night sky. It was a perfect night.
He Yan lowered his head and hid the tears that flashed through his eyes. He held his hand and smiled as he raised his head and said, "Today is your birthday. I agree to everything you said."
"Xiao Jue, happy birthday." She said.
I'll keep looking at you. She replied silently in her heart.
When they returned, He Yunsheng and He Sui had already arrived home.
Qing Mei had already told them the truth. She only said that today was Xiao Jue's birthday and that He Yan had accompanied Xiao Jue to the night market. He Sui did not say anything, but He Yunsheng was very unhappy. In less than half an hour, he had already walked back and forth in the house several times.
When He Yan and Xiao Jue returned, he looked at their interlocked hands and his expression became even worse.
He Sui asked, "I heard that today is Huaijin's birthday. Have you eaten? Do you want to eat a bowl of longevity noodles here before you leave? "
"We already ate." He Yan said, "When we were at the night market."
"You're empty-handed …" He Sui noticed that Xiao Jue did not have anything on her. She looked at He Yan suspiciously. "Yan Yan, did you not prepare a birthday gift for Huaijin? This child. "He Sui smiled." I've spoiled her too much. She doesn't know the ways of the world. Huaijin, please don't take it to heart. I'll ask her to give you a present another day. "
"No, Yan Yan has already given me a present." Xiao Jue said.
He Yan remembered the scene at the night market. His face turned slightly red and he did not respond. He Sui did not understand what she was implying. Although he did not understand, he did not ask. He Yunsheng looked between He Yan and Xiao Jue vigilantly. He was deep in thought.
"It's getting late. You should go back first." He Yan said, "If there's anything, I'll ask Chi Wu to look for you."
Xiao Jue nodded. She said goodbye to He Sui and He Yunsheng before leaving the He family's house.
After Xiao Jue left, He Yunsheng dragged He Yan into the house. As soon as he entered the house, he closed the door and asked, "Hey, He Yan, you didn't get taken advantage of when you went out with him, right?"
"What advantage?" He Yan knocked on his head. "You're so young. Why do you have so many ideas? Where did you learn all these from? Besides, I'm standing with Xiao Jue. Who's the one taking advantage of? "
He Yunsheng looked at her. "Do you think I'm so free to care about you?"
He Yan saw that he seemed to be worried. She sat down and poured a cup of tea for herself. "You're so worried about this?"
"No." He Yunsheng sighed. "Today, I heard from a few friends in the academy that the Uto are about to enter the capital."
He Yan stopped drinking tea. "Who did you hear this from?"
"It's spread everywhere. The Emperor doesn't want to go to war. The imperial court also doesn't want to go to war. I heard that the Uto are coming to the capital to ask for peace. This war probably won't happen. "
He Yan looked at his expression. "Do you want to go to war?"
"Of course I don't!" He Yunsheng answered without thinking. "But if the Uto were really willing to ask for peace, they wouldn't have caused so much trouble in Jiyang, Rundu, and Hua Yuan. We have the upper hand now. What's wrong with giving way to the Uto? " He was still young and impetuous. He frowned and said, "If it were me, I would seize this opportunity to beat the Uto back to their hometown. I would make sure they never dare to step foot in Da Wei again!"
Although children were usually immature and impulsive, they also had a bit of temper.
"Why are you looking at me?" He Yunsheng asked. "Aren't you an official now? Do you know what's going on outside? "
"It's not much different from what you know." He Yan didn't want to hide it from him.
"Tsk." He Yunsheng waved his hand. "I really don't know what the officials in the imperial court are thinking."
He Yan's heart was heavy. Not to mention the grudges between her and the He family and Xu Zhiheng, the conflict between Xiao Jue and Xu Jingfu, and the dispute between the factions in the imperial court was not something that could be easily resolved. As Xu Jingfu's power increased, the conflict between the fourth prince and the crown prince would also become more and more intense. The crown prince's virtue was not worthy of the position. If the crown prince inherited the throne in the future, it would be a disaster for the people of Da Wei. However, if he let the 4th prince … then the future Shuo City would be in for a bloodbath once more.
Tonight, the Chu manor was filled with joy.
Chu Linfeng was holding a banquet at home. These days, the entire Chu family was preparing for Chu Zhao's marriage. Since she was Xu Jingfu's daughter, there was naturally nothing that was not good. The marriage was handled by Madam Chu. However, Xu Pingting sent her personal maid, Mo Tai, to frequently ask the Chu family about the marriage preparations. Even if Madam Chu wanted to do something, she could only give up because she was being watched.
This marriage used up more than half of the Chu family's treasury. Xu Pingting wanted to be the most glorious daughter in the Shuo capital in the past ten years. She was the apple of Xu Jingfu's eye, so everyone could only treat her well.
Madam Chu naturally hated this marriage. Madam Chu's three sons were also jealous. The one who was most sincerely happy was probably Shi Jinbo and Chu Linfeng.
At the banquet, Chu Linfeng patted Chu Zhao's shoulder and smiled. "In a month, Miss Xu will enter the gates of our Chu family. I never thought that I would become in-laws with the Xu family. No wonder you are my son. Amazing!"
To Chu Linfeng, getting a woman's favor was something to be proud of. Little did he know that this pride was especially glaring in Madam Chu's eyes.
Madam Chu still had some affection for Chu Linfeng when she first married him, but this affection had long been worn away when Chu Linfeng brought concubines into the manor one by one. She knew that she was ordinary and didn't like Chu Linfeng, so she didn't ask for anything else. She just wanted to be the mistress of the family.
These years, she had done well. Chu Linfeng didn't have any ability other than his appearance. If it wasn't for the old madam supporting the Shi Jinbo family, the Chu family would have been ruined by Chu Linfeng. He liked beautiful women and was protective of them. However, once they really touched his interests, he would hide behind the old madam and refuse to do anything more.
He was a cold and cowardly hypocrite who thought he was loyal.
The blood of the men of the Chu family was probably cold-blooded, including her own three sons. Only Chu Zhao … Madam Chu's gaze landed on the young man beside Chu Linfeng.
Chu Zhao's appearance had inherited all the good points of Chu Linfeng and Ye Runmei. He was gentle, but also had a bit of naivety and fragility. This fragility could make people let down their guard against him, and it was easy for him to win the favor of others. Xu Pingting had been arrogant and domineering since she was young, but she had never said anything harsh to Chu Zhao.
However, Chu Zhao was different. He wasn't as harmless as he looked.
When Chu Zhao was brought back, Madam Chu didn't want him to live until he grew up. However, she didn't do anything to him for the old madam's sake. At that time, the child in front of her had also humbly fawned over her, begging for mercy like a dog. Then … he quickly found Xu Jingfu to back him up, and from then on, his life was saved.
Madam Chu couldn't find anything that could be used against him. Unknowingly, the entire Chu family had to act according to Chu Zhao's wishes. She wasn't willing to let her everything be taken away by a secret lover, so she planned to use Ying Xiang to sow discord between Chu Zhao and Xu Pingting. However, Madam Chu didn't expect Chu Zhao to be so ruthless. Not only did he send Ying Xiang to the Crown Prince without saying a word, but he also personally sent her to the Crown Prince's residence in a carriage.
There was no barrier between him and Xu Pingting.
Madam Chu felt a chill in her heart. A man who could manipulate her feelings and people's hearts at will, but had a cold heart that was even worse than his father's. He stabbed her so gently, but the person who was stabbed didn't even have the heart to complain. How terrifying was that?
While she was thinking, Chu Zhao seemed to have noticed her gaze. He looked over with a smile in his eyes as usual. Madam Chu's heart trembled. She lowered her head and avoided Chu Zhao's gaze.
"Zilan, is there anything else that I need to prepare?" Chu Linfeng asked Chu Zhao with a smile. He was getting older, and he often indulged in debauchery. His handsome appearance was long gone, but his smiling face showed some fatherly care.
"What does he need to prepare?" Eldest Master Chu couldn't help but mock, "The house is almost empty for his wedding. Do we have to sell the house for him to get married?"
Chu Linfeng glanced at his eldest son unhappily and said in a dissatisfied tone, "If you can marry the Prime Minister's daughter, I'm willing to sell the house!"
Eldest Master Chu didn't speak.
Their three sons weren't as handsome as Chu Zhao, and their literary talents weren't as outstanding as Chu Zhao's. They also didn't have a Prime Minister's husband. How could they marry the Prime Minister's daughter? Chu Linfeng had been biased since he was young. Now that Chu Zhao had a meteoric rise, he was lucky. In the future, Chu Linfeng would be even more obedient to Chu Zhao.
"There's nothing to prepare," Chu Zhao said lightly, "It's already very good."
"That's the Prime Minister's daughter, Miss Xu," Chu Linfeng was a little drunk and lectured him, "You can't neglect her. It wasn't easy for her to take a fancy to you … you have to grab hold of her! "
Madam Chu looked at the scene in front of her and sneered in her heart. Listen to what he was saying. She was afraid that the madam in Yihong Brothel would say the same thing when she taught her daughter to grab hold of a generous guest. Chu Linfeng had relied on women all his life to become famous. Now, he had to teach his son this. If word got out, he would be the laughing stock of the entire capital.
"I think your father is drunk," Madam Chu didn't want to see it anymore. She stood up and said, "Zilan, help your father back to the room to rest. I have a headache. I'll go sit in the room for a while. "Then, she didn't care about Chu Linfeng's expression and stood up to leave. What was done couldn't be undone. She couldn't do anything now, but what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.
Seeing this, the other three young masters of the Chu family also stood up. They also didn't want to see Chu Zhao and Chu Linfeng acting like a filial father and son here, so they all left. In a moment, the lively banquet turned into a mess. People left to drink cold tea.
"Hey, why did they all leave?" Chu Linfeng slurred, "Come back!"
No one paid attention to him.
Chu Zhao helped Chu Linfeng stand up and called for the servants to clean up the mess. He then helped Chu Linfeng back to the room.
Chu Linfeng had long stopped sleeping in Madam Chu's room. The nineteen concubines took turns sleeping in their rooms. Today, Chu Zhao didn't help him to the concubines' rooms. Instead, he went to the study.
He wasn't a gentleman who loved books. To Chu Linfeng, the study was just a decoration. There was even a soft mattress in the room. According to the servants, it was for Chu Linfeng to have sex with his maids and concubines during the day. Chu Zhao had always turned a blind eye to his father's absurd acts. The servants were left outside the door. He helped Chu Linfeng to the mattress and Chu Linfeng lay down.
He seemed to be very happy today. His face was flushed red and he was already drunk. However, he still held Chu Zhao's hand and expressed his joy. "Zilan, you've really made me proud! I have four sons. Three of them … are not good enough. I still like you the most. I brought you to meet friends and social events when you were young because I knew that you would become my pride one day. Look … now that you're going to get married, I'm … I'm so happy. "
Chu Zhao sat by the mattress and looked at him silently.
"You're the luckiest in the younger generation of the Chu family. With the Prime Minister's help, you'll only get better and better. Not everyone can have good luck."
The young man smiled sarcastically. Good luck? Was he lucky? If he didn't know who his father was when he was young and his mother was sold to a brothel and lived in fear every day, it was good luck. If he saw his mother being strangled by a servant sent by his family, it was good luck. If he lived under the same roof as his mother's murderer and didn't know if he would live to see tomorrow, it was good luck. If he couldn't even control his own life and could only be a dog under a big shot, living like a puppet, unable to even have the woman he liked, it was good luck …
He, Chu Zilan, was the only one with such good luck in the world.
"Father," he heard his own voice, "do you still remember my mother?"
Chu Linfeng hiccuped and said drunkenly, "Your mother … who is your mother?" Then he turned over and fell asleep facing the wall.
Chu Zhao looked at his face. After a while, he laughed at himself and stood up to leave the study.
The servant asked him if he wanted hot tea, but he shook his head and refused.
He walked slowly. When he was young, he thought the Chu family was big and that there could be dangers lurking everywhere. Now that he was older and walked around, he realized it wasn't that big.
The winter in Shuo City was as cold as ever. Just like when he first came to the Chu family and saw the handsome man, he had a little bit of hope. But it was extinguished by the man's disregard and indifference.
It was as cold as it was now. But now he didn't shiver like he did when he was young. It wasn't because the winter was warm, but because he was used to the cold.
Anyone would get used to it.
Chu Zhao walked back to his room and closed the door. In the room, an unfamiliar servant came up and said with a smile, "The wedding invitations have been sent out, Fourth Young Master."
He waved his hand and replied gently, "Thank you for the trouble."
A happy smile appeared on the maidservant's face and she retreated. He was the only one left in the room.
The Xu family wanted to complete the wedding before the end of the year. It seemed rushed, but everyone knew that Chu Zhao would marry Xu Pingting sooner or later. Everything about the wedding had already been arranged. Just like when he was young and became Xu Jingfu's disciple. From that moment on, his fate was not destined to be his.
The stove in the room emitted a red light. It seemed to have a false warmth. Suddenly, he remembered that on a spring day, someone gave him a brown sugar flower basket with his name on it for eight copper coins.
He suddenly missed that flower basket.
A servant came in and interrupted his thoughts. He whispered, "Fourth Young Master, the people Prime Minister Xu is looking for in the Battle of Mingshui have not been found. They have become anxious recently."
Chu Zhao's gaze moved away from the burning stove. He said calmly, "Don't think too much. Those two people must have fallen into Xiao Huaijin's hands."
"Miss Ying Xiang has already sent a message. His Highness the Crown Prince dotes on her very much and is quite dissatisfied with Prime Minister Xu."
"People who think victory is in their hands naturally have a lot of resentment towards people who criticize them." Chu Zhao smiled, "Xiao Huaijin has returned to the capital. The Crown Prince and Uto have already formed a private alliance. The Xu family is coming to an end."
"Congratulations, Fourth Young Master," the servant said happily, "Fourth Young Master's wish is about to come true. After this, you will naturally have everything you want."
"What I want?" He was stunned. After a while, he said, "What I want is already someone else's."
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