The sky was vast, the night was clear, the earth was quiet, and the sound of insects could be heard.
In the study of King Wei's Wu Chengsi residence, the candles were as bright as day.
The door was knocked three times, and a person walked in. It was none other than Qiu Shenji, who had attended Yang Fan's wedding today. Two people were already seated in the study. One of them had thick eyebrows, a wide mouth, and a beautiful beard. It was Wu Chengsi. To the side, there was a person with spirited eyes who exuded an elegant and refined aura. He was the Minister of Justice, Zhou Xing.
The two seemed to have known that Qiu Shenji would come. They were not surprised to see him enter. Wu Chengsi made a gesture, and Qiu Shenji cupped his fists in greeting before sitting down opposite Zhou Xing.
Wu Chengsi asked, "King Liang is also attending Yang Fan's wedding?"
Qiu Shenji said, "Yes!"
Wu Chengsi shook his head with a smile. "Wu Sansi is becoming more and more backward. To think that he would use his status as a king to flatter a mere general. Yang Fan is only a general of the Featherwood Guard. He can be roped in, but his usefulness is limited when it comes to important matters. Our King Liang seems to be a little too hungry to be picky. Heh. "
Qiu Shenji smiled. "There is no need for someone of King Liang's status to condescend so much. However, in my opinion, King Liang probably knew that Xue Huaiyi would be attending, which is why he went to flatter Yang Fan. His goal is only to rope in Yang Fan."
Wu Chengsi was enlightened. "I see. If that is the case, it is not impossible."
Zhou Xing smiled. "What a pity. He never expected that Your Highness has already beaten him to it and obtained Xue Huaiyi's promise."
Wu Chengsi said proudly, "Think twice. He is just an ordinary man with only five dogs under his command. What can he accomplish? Hmph! I never thought much of him. The one who is truly difficult is His Majesty. Wang Qingzhi has already submitted many petitions on my behalf, but His Majesty has never expressed his opinion. Sigh! I wonder if Xue Huaiyi's words will make His Majesty make up his mind. "
Zhou Xing smiled gently and said, "Your Highness need not worry. As long as Xue Huai Yi speaks according to our words, even if His Majesty does not immediately make up his mind, he will inevitably be moved. Your Highness, think about it. His Majesty is old and can no longer have children. Once the Crown Prince inherits the throne, he will definitely restore the name of Tang and the surname of Li.
If that was the case, wouldn't all of His Majesty's efforts be wasted? Why would she spend so much effort to obtain the throne? If the Great Zhou Dynasty could not be passed down, and the name of Li Tang was restored, then how would the future generations explain the Emperor's action? Then there was only one explanation: this was usurpation, this was rebellion!
At that time, not only would the Emperor's empire be unable to be passed down, her illustrious reputation would also be ruined. Her Majesty was a person of great wisdom. Once she understood this point, how could she pass on the empire to a descendant of the Li family? In my opinion, the reason why His Majesty is hesitating is not necessarily because he is unwilling to pass the throne to a descendant of the Wu clan, but rather because His Majesty doesn't know how to choose between you and King Liang. "
Qiu Shenji agreed. "Minister Zhou's words make sense, and I agree with you. If that's the case, we can find a few powerful people to speak up for Your Highness. We can't rely on Wang Qingzhi to lead the people of Luoyang to decide on Your Highness's position! How could His Majesty not favor Your Highness when he sees the hearts of the people? "
Zhou Xing said, "That's right. Is this the reason why he bribed Xue Huaiyi? However, we really can't place all our hopes on Xue Huaiyi alone. As far as I know, His Majesty already has a new favorite, and may not be as obedient to Xue Huaiyi as before. His Majesty is now the Emperor, and he values the opinions of the court officials very much. "
Wu Chengsi frowned. "Then, who do you think can help me?"
Zhou Xing said, "If we want to have a say in front of His Majesty, and to make His Majesty listen to us, it has to be the Prime Minister!"
"The Prime Minister?"
Wu Chengsi stroked his beard and pondered for a moment. "That old fox Di Renjie doesn't even need to think about it. As for Li Zhaode, when Wang Qingzhi first entered the palace to petition, he ruined our plans, so he can't do it either! That leaves Su Liangsi and Wei Fangzhi. Should I entrust them to me? "
Zhou Xing shook his head. "Su Liangsi and Wei Fangzhi have always been at odds, and they are like fire and water. How can both of them be used by Your Highness? Between the two, you can only choose one. "
Wu Chengsi thought for a moment. "When Xue Huaiyi first gained His Majesty's favor, he accidentally entered the South Gate Prime Minister's residence and was disrespectful. Annoyed by Su Liangsi, he ordered someone to beat him up. Xue Huaiyi has always been brooding over this. Now that I have used Xue Huaiyi, I can't use Su Liangsi."
Zhou Xing nodded. "Your Highness is right. Moreover, Su Liangsi is old and has been home sick since the beginning of the year. He has been neglecting government affairs and has gradually left the central government. If we rashly ask for his help, I'm afraid it will arouse His Majesty's suspicions. Therefore, only Wei Fangzhi can be used!"
Wu Chengsi said energetically, "Alright, we'll do as you say! Tomorrow, I'll prepare a generous gift and go see Wei Fangzhi. Heh! In the wilderness, there's Wang Qingzhi leading the people to petition; in the imperial court, there's Wei Fangzhi, the current Prime Minister, speaking up; in the imperial harem, there's Xue Huaiyi giving pillow talk. His Majesty is a woman after all. I don't believe that with three approaches, we can't make her change her mind! "
…
In the bridal chamber, the dragon and phoenix candles burned brightly. Yang Fan and Xiaoman sat motionlessly on the edge of the bed, as if they were also two candles.
Xiaoman's gaze would occasionally slip to the window, hoping for the moment when dawn would arrive. If she slept now, she would have to share the same bed with him. Share the same bed with a man? She really wasn't ready yet. The image of those pixies fighting suddenly flashed through her mind, and Xiaoman's face began to heat up again.
Yang Fan stared at the pair of red candles on the table and had a very strange feeling in his heart. He wondered how those newlyweds who were unfamiliar with each other and had never even seen each other completed the great undertaking of consummating. Why did he not only not have the courage to push Xiaoman down, but he didn't even have the courage to look at her?
It was the third watch of the night, and Yang Fan could already hear the sound of the night watchman from the street. However, he still had a very important matter that he hadn't done. If he delayed any longer, it would be daybreak. Thinking of this, Yang Fan couldn't help but feel anxious.
Today was the night of his bridal chamber, and it was also the moment when another woman was heartbroken. Could he peacefully enjoy his bridal chamber and the candles? But … the person beside him was the wife that he had officially married into the family. She was his handmaiden, his wife for the rest of his life. What should he do?
A pair of red candles burned quietly, and the wax beside the wick was melted by the high temperature. One by one, they gently slid down like flowing tears. Whose tears were those?
Yang Fan was agitated, and his body couldn't help but move a little. The room was originally quiet, but when Yang Fan moved, Xiaoman immediately sensed it. She jumped up as if she had been electrocuted. The intensity of her reaction startled Yang Fan. Xiaoman hurriedly took two steps back and stammered, "You … what are you doing?"
Yang Fan hesitated for a moment, then pointed to the red candle on the table and said, "The wick is about to be drowned by the candlelight. I want to pick it up …"
Xiaoman breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Oh, then … go ahead!"
Yang Fan had only said it casually, but at this time, he had to get up and pick up the dragon phoenix red candle a little brighter.
Xiaoman looked at his movements and thought, "Why did he pick up the candle so bright? He … is he … "
Suddenly, a charming scene flashed through her mind, and Xiaoman's face suddenly became hot with embarrassment.
Yang Fan picked up the candle and turned his head, just in time to see that the red flush on Xiaoman's cheeks had not receded, and it was as smooth and tender as a peach blossom in March. Her delicate appearance was indescribable, and he couldn't help but be stunned. When Xiaoman saw this, she misunderstood his intentions even more, and so she became even more flustered, "But he is my legitimate husband, if he really … really … what reason do I have to refuse?"
"It's already midnight, if I still don't go, won't Wan 'er's tears be like the dragon phoenix red candle, flowing until dawn?"
Yang Fan gritted his teeth and decided to confess his plans to Xiaoman. After all, he and Wan 'er's feelings were also clear to Xiaoman, and he only hoped that she could understand him. At worst, he would make it up to her in the future. But tonight, no matter what, he couldn't peacefully enjoy the taste of ecstasy and ignore the heartbreak of a loved one.
Yang Fan coughed with difficulty and said to Xiaoman, "Xiaoman, the sky is already …"
As he spoke, he walked over, and only took three steps before he suddenly stopped. He had no choice but to stop. When Xiaoman saw him approaching her, she was like a frightened little rabbit, jumping in panic, and a shining dagger was held in her hand.
Yang Fan said in shock, "Xiaoman! You … What are you holding a knife for? "
"I … I …" Xiaoman didn't know what to say, and could only stutter and beg, "Erlang, can … can the two of us … not … sleep with each other for now …"
"Hmm?"
Xiaoman didn't even dare to look at him. She only lowered her head, and timidly said, "Erlang, do you still remember … remember Wu Houxing?"
"Wu Houxing?"
Yang Fan thought for a moment, and then said, "Ah! I remember, it's that sickly invalid that was kicked to death by you. Why did you mention him? "
Xiaoman gathered her courage and confessed, "I … have had a problem since I was young. I can't let a man touch my body, or else I won't be able to control myself and want to hurt him. I know I'm not right, but I have no choice … Erlang, give me some time, maybe … maybe after we get to know each other better …"
She herself knew that this reason was absurd, and this request was very unreasonable. Perhaps she would immediately receive a furious slap in the face. If it wasn't for the fact that her marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, she might even immediately receive a divorce letter and be thrown out of the manor in a very humiliating manner. So, the more she spoke, the lower her head became, almost burying it in her chest.
"Of course you can!"
Yang Fan readily agreed, and a happy smile appeared on his face. He was almost bursting with joy. What a considerate girl!
"He actually agreed?"
Xiaoman raised her head in surprise and looked at Yang Fan.
Yang Fan softly said, "Why would I force you? Don't worry, we'll wait until you're willing and willing to accept me, then we'll be real husband and wife! "
"Erlang!"
Erlang was actually so understanding and reasonable! Xiaoman's heart softened, and she almost blurted out the words of wanting Yang Fan to stay and sleep with her, but just as Yang Fan's hand reached over, the knife in her hand subconsciously swung out. If it weren't for Yang Fan withdrawing his hand in time, two of his fingers would have been broken.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't even think about it … I couldn't control myself …"
"It's okay!"
Yang Fan broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed that if he rashly approached her, it would really be very dangerous. If he wasn't careful, it was very possible that he would become a eunuch.
He withdrew his hand with lingering fear in his heart and said, "Then … you should rest well. You must be exhausted after a day."
Xiaoman said apologetically, "En, but … where are you going to sleep?"
Yang Fan smiled and said, "We still have a lot of empty rooms in our house. How can I not have a place to live? You rest well, I'm going out!"
The door gently opened and then gently closed. Xiaoman was moved to tears by such a gentle, considerate, and open-minded husband.
Yang Fan stood in the courtyard and raised his head to look at the starry sky. He vaguely seemed to see a woman in snow-white clothes, who was as pale as a chrysanthemum, silently crying. The starry sky was the tear stains on her cheeks.
Yang Fan took a deep breath, shook his arms, and swept into the night sky like a big bird …
"The river is clear and shallow, how far can we go? Between the water, there is no word of love. "
Shangguan Wan 'er stood leaning against the railing, looking at the night sky in disappointment. The night wind blew her hair, making Wan' er, who was bathed in the starry sky, beautiful like a fairy.
Looking at the twinkling stars in the sky, thinking of Yang Fan lying in love with a beautiful woman, Wan 'er's heart couldn't help but feel a kind of sadness. In her hazy eyes, she vaguely saw a figure flash out of the night sky and stand in front of her.
"Erlang …"
Although the stars were dim, Wan 'er still recognized him at a glance. Wan' er was shocked and looked at Yang Fan in disbelief. She was afraid that this was a dream and wanted to reach out to touch his cheek, but she hesitated and stopped until Yang Fan grabbed her small hand and felt the warmth from his big hand.
Wan 'er stammered, "You … you … is it really you?"
Yang Fan said with pity, "Of course it's me!"
Wan 'er said in surprise, "How can you be here! Tonight is your wedding night after all … "
"I know, I'm getting married today. Getting married means that I've truly grown up. I have to support my family, I have to bear children, I have to deal with the hardships of life, I have to hold up the sky for my family, I have to fulfill … the responsibilities of a man! Wan 'er, aren't you my responsibility? "
"Langjun!"
Wan 'er threw herself into his arms. She was satisfied. For this moment, to be in his arms tonight, she was satisfied.
Under the starry sky, on the embroidery building, the two figures unknowingly became one.
This night was very short and very long for Wan 'er. In the short time of two hours, the two of them did not know how much they had talked. She snuggled in his arms, talking tenderly. As long as he was listening, her heart would feel sweet. She talked in a low voice, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. In fact, it was only a kind of mood. Yang Fan stroked her hair. With a sound, he could turn her sorrow into joy. With a sentence, he could make her smile. Yang Fan suddenly felt like he was coaxing a child. Could it be that when a man has a woman, he can become a real man, but when a woman has a man, she suddenly becomes a babbling baby?
…
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