"Get lost!"
Her voice was condescending, as if she was chasing away a house dog.
Meng Fuyao remembered her 'identity' and was about to leave, but after being scolded by the love-struck fool, she decided not to. She raised her eyebrows and glanced at Tuoba Mingzhu.
However, Tuoba Mingzhu had already turned her gaze away. In her heart, this manservant was not worthy of her attention. Her attention was completely focused on the Asura Deputy Envoy.
She had originally wanted to have a heart-to-heart chat with the young and promising Asura Deputy under the bright moon and cool breeze.
When they were drunk, it would be good if they could talk about their feelings.
In fact, if it was possible, she could maintain the modesty of a woman and wait for the man she fancied to pursue her. She could then use hints, concern, and consideration to capture the man without making a sound. However, there had been no new blood in the Temple for many years. Most of the people who occupied high positions were elderly. Tuoba Mingzhu's Kinnaruo Tribe was even more women, and many of them had already become old virgins. It was rare to meet a young man with a decent status and aptitude. If she did not seize the chance to get this man on the way back to the Temple, would she have to fight with a bunch of women?
She raised her eyebrows and scolded Meng Fuyao while smiling at Zhangsun Wuji.
Zhangsun Wuji glanced at her and then at Meng Fuyao, who was staring at him maliciously, waiting to see what he was going to do. He smiled, stepped forward, and pulled her away.
Tuoba Mingzhu looked at Zhangsun Wuji and revealed a satisfied expression. She was waiting for Zhangsun Wuji to scold that annoying manservant so that they could spend some alone time together.
It was obvious that she was very confident in her looks and figure. She was very confident that the Asura Deputy would not be able to find a partner who was more outstanding and suitable than her.
Zhangsun Wuji stepped forward and smiled at her.
Tuoba Mingzhu immediately gave him the most perfect smile that she had cultivated.
Zhangsun Wuji smiled again, then held Meng Fuyao's hand, turned around, and left together.
Tuoba Mingzhu was stunned.
As Zhangsun Wuji retreated, he apologized to Tuoba Mingzhu in a refined manner. "I just came back from the street, and I'm covered in sweat. It's really rude of me. I'll ask him to prepare a bath for me … Ah, Miss Tuoba, you want to follow me?"
Tuoba Mingzhu hurriedly stopped and subconsciously followed him. Her face had already turned red from the shock. She hurriedly found an excuse for her loss of composure and bit her lips, "I … I … I just received a letter from the Divine Hall. There's an important mission that I want to discuss with you …"
In a panic, she randomly found an excuse and said it. Her expression changed as she realized that she had used the secret mission of the Divine Hall as an excuse. This was a serious crime that violated the rules of the Divine Hall. He could not help but reveal a vexed expression.
But now that the words had been spoken, how could he take them back?
"Oh?" Zhangsun Wuji's eyes flashed. "Please wait for a moment, Miss Tuoba. I'll be right back."
Although his usual expression was gentle, he had always given others an obvious sense of distance. Today, however, his smile was the kind of smile that he usually gave to Fuyao. Divine light rippled from it, and his elegant demeanor was exquisite. Even if his facial features were ordinary, it still made people feel that he was a peerless beauty that could captivate one's soul. Tuoba Mingzhu was momentarily stunned. She held onto the door frame in a daze, and only uttered a single word after he had walked far away. "Alright …"
Only then did she feel her heart thumping wildly. Her palms were hot and sweaty, but when she calmed down, she felt a slight chill.
Meng Fuyao could not help but laugh as Zhangsun Wuji dragged her around a corner. "Look at that smile of yours … That beauty's soul almost left her body. It's a pity that Sir Emperor went to take a bath. If he were here, it would be another good show."
"You should go take a bath too." Zhangsun Wuji sniffed her body and made a disgusted face. "Look at how you're squeezed in with the crowd. You're really smelly."
"Really?" Meng Fuyao calmly sniffed herself. "I don't think so?"
"Yes." Zhangsun Wuji called for a servant to bring bath water. "Does Your Majesty need someone to scrub your back? I'm at your service. " As he spoke, he untied Fuyao's belt. She gave him a kick and dashed through the door, slamming it shut with a loud bang.
Once the door was closed, Zhangsun Wuji turned around. The relaxed smile on his face had disappeared, and he stood there in deep thought for a while before returning to his room to change his clothes. Once again, he walked towards the hall where Tuoba Mingzhu had been waiting for him.
Just as he turned a corner, Meng Fuyao silently floated out of her room.
She floated to the eaves and watched as Zhangsun Wuji walked back to where Tuoba Mingzhu was. Her brows slightly furrowed. After a long while, she estimated that Zhangsun Wuji wouldn't be able to find her at a distance before she leisurely followed him.
Tuoba Mingzhu was lost in thought when Zhangsun Wuji stepped into the hall. Suddenly, she heard a low and elegant voice greet her warmly. "Thank you for waiting, Miss."
Tuoba Mingzhu turned around and saw a man in a light purple robe enter. His smiling eyes were gentle and intoxicating. She could not help but blush. She was happy that he had removed the word 'Tuoba' from his address. She hurriedly went forward to greet him. "Young Master Xu."
Zhangsun Wuji's eyes swept across the rich and exquisite dishes on the table. He naturally sat down and personally poured wine for Tuoba Mingzhu. "This is the Yaotai Snow Wine, unique to our Firmament Snow Mountain, right? It calms the nerves, nourishes the skin, and is especially beneficial to women. I did not expect such wine to be offered in such a small place. Why don't you drink a few more cups? "
"Young Master is such a meticulous person." Tuoba Mingzhu was overjoyed. Her heart, which was originally like a floating cloud, was dyed pink by the rays of adoration and reverie. How could she withstand the meticulous attentiveness of the person in front of her? She drank a few cups in succession. Her sickly pale face was now flushed, and her heart beat faster. She had been trying to maintain her modesty, but now it was all gone. She could not help but support, and could not help but hold up.
Zhangsun Wuji drank lightly and smiled. He did not mention the official affairs of the Temple. He only brought up some romantic poems and songs, local customs, and anecdotes of scholars and other things that women liked to hear. His words were at his fingertips, and his posture was romantic. Tuoba Mingzhu looked at him in a daze. The messengers who had been living in the Temple for a long time rarely saw outsiders in the strict rules of the Temple. Even when they came down to patrol, they were still fawned upon. They had never met such a distinguished scholar before. Their hearts were already swayed, and they did not even know what they were saying.
Seeing that she was already slightly drunk, Zhangsun Wuji finally stopped trying to persuade her to drink. He smiled and said, "Earlier, Miss told me that the important affairs of the Temple …"
"Oh," Tuoba Mingzhu looked at Zhangsun Wuji's expression as if she was looking at a lifelong sweetheart. She no longer had any scruples and took out a bamboo tube from her bosom. She said, "I just received a messenger pigeon. I did not have time to open it. I only saw that the seal was actually the symbol of Heaven. The Heaven Order seems to have not been issued for many years."
"Then Miss Tuoba better not show it to me." Zhangsun Wuji immediately pushed the bamboo tube back. "The Heaven Order is not a trivial matter. Although you and I belong to the Temple, if the Heaven Order is passed on without authorization, it will cause Miss to be punished. How can I … bear to …"
Before he said this, Tuoba Mingzhu's expression was still somewhat hesitant. The moment he said this, Tuoba Mingzhu was instantly in high spirits. She no longer had any scruples. Especially that last sentence, the tone of his voice was very gentle. His concern was clearly expressed in his words. It was not just concern. Miss Tuoba seemed to even hear the lingering affection, the affection, the consummation of marriage, and the children …
Her lover was so considerate for her. Tuoba Mingzhu's blood boiled and she eagerly wanted to say, "The beauty gifted me the Wrong Golden Saber. I will repay Ying Qiongyao." In her excitement, she did not even open the bamboo tube. She smiled tenderly and stuffed it into Zhangsun Wuji's hands. "What does it matter … Anyway, you … will never betray me."
She laughed and laughed. Under the cover of her drunkenness, she boldly moved closer to Zhangsun Wuji. The tip of her foot, seemingly unintentionally, lightly stepped on Zhangsun Wuji's boots.
Before she came, she had already changed into a pair of exquisite red embroidered shoes. On the shoes, there were two dancing phoenixes. The phoenixes' eyes were decorated with sea pearls of the highest quality, sparkling in the dark.
The embroidered shoes lightly stepped on Zhangsun Wuji's boots. Tuoba Mingzhu laughed charmingly, "… Is that so?"
There seemed to be a slight movement somewhere. The movement was extremely light and subtle. It was like the sound of the wind blowing through the grass on the roof of a house. Those who were not highly skilled in martial arts would not be able to hear it.
Zhangsun Wuji tilted his head slightly and looked in a certain direction. The woman beside him was completely immersed in her intoxication and was completely unaware of it. She continued to ask tenderly, "Is that so … Is that so …"
"Of course." Zhangsun Wuji turned his head and smiled warmly at her.
Tuoba Mingzhu was overjoyed. She rested her chin on her hand and looked at him with a smile. She was already somewhat drunk. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were flowing. Under the illumination of the silver-red palace style lanterns, she had the charm of admiring flowers under the lamplight.
She tilted her face and adjusted her most beautiful angle under the lamplight. She glanced at Zhangsun Wuji and stepped on his boots. Seeing that he did not move, her heart was still itching. She raised her cup and toasted Zhangsun Wuji, "A toast … to young master."
The embossed silver wine cup was rippling with jade green wine. It gracefully came over. Just as Zhangsun Wuji raised his cup, the woman had already lightly touched his cup with hers. When the two cups touched, the crystalline fingernails at the bottom of the wine cup seemed to have scratched his palm intentionally or unintentionally.
Zhangsun Wuji remained calm and collected. He lowered his head and looked at the wine. His eyes flew over the wine cup and immediately retracted them. He calmly drank the wine in one gulp. Then, he stood up naturally and said with a smile, "Miss, you have wine now. Be careful not to hurt your body." He walked to the table and personally poured a cup of tea for Tuoba Mingzhu.
When he stood up, Tuoba Mingzhu's embroidered shoes were naturally useless. She was a little annoyed, but when she saw Zhangsun Wuji attentively pouring tea for her, she became happy again. Her eyes were like flowing water. Her heart was full of love. Not only was her husband outstanding, he was also considerate and gentle. If she brought such a good son-in-law back to the Shrine of Death, she would really envy the scheming sisters of the Shrine of Death.
Life in the Shrine was monotonous and boring. They rarely came into contact with outsiders. Not everyone had a turn to go on an envoy mission. Some people had never left the Shrine in their entire lives. Even if they did leave the Shrine, in this kingdom where politics and religion were united and divine power was supreme, everyone still fawned upon them. Everything went according to plan. Thus, most of the Oracles had very little experience. Tuoba Mingzhu saw this as well. At this moment, her eyes were only focused on her husband. How could she still remember the rules?
"Aiya … I'm really drunk …" Tuoba Mingzhu was greedy for her lover's gentleness. She took advantage of the situation and was drunk to the very end. She propped up her elbow, raised her slender fingers, and waved them lightly in the air. "… I'll have to trouble young master to take a look for me …"
Zhangsun Wuji no longer declined. He revealed an expression that said "I'm willing to serve you". He opened the fire seal and took out the scroll. After a brief look, he smiled and said, "Oh, the western neighbor, Dongchang Country, has recently had internal strife. A group of rebels has sneaked across the border from the Great Desolate Plateau and infiltrated our country. The Heavenly Ministry has ordered all the Oracles to pay attention to the movements of these people. This is to prevent them from causing trouble in our country and disrupting our laws."
"Oh, Dongchang Country is an uncivilized heathen country. They have the intention to provoke our divine power time and time again. If they are discovered, they will definitely die without a burial place." Tuoba Mingzhu's expression was full of hatred. "I'll inform all the branches and send my subordinates out to investigate."
"The order means to keep it a secret. I don't think it's appropriate to inform all the places." Zhangsun Wuji smiled. "Miss, you can arrange your subordinates to do their best. There's no need to explain it clearly to them. After all, this is the Heavenly Ministry's order. It involves military secrets."
"You're right." Tuoba Mingzhu immediately agreed. She smiled sweetly. "I was too rash."
"The Heavenly Ministry's order says to destroy this scroll after reading it." Zhangsun Wuji passed the scroll over and smiled at her. "Miss, why don't you read it yourself before destroying it?"
That smile was so bright that Tuoba Mingzhu's soul almost flew out of her body. She took it without hesitation and handed the scroll to the fire candle. She smiled slightly and said, "Of all people I don't trust, how can I not trust you?"
Zhangsun Wuji watched the scroll burn to ashes on the candle. He smiled slightly. Half of his face was hidden in the light of the palace lantern. He was mysterious and fragrant like a cloud at midnight. Tuoba Mingzhu waved away the ashes. She could vaguely smell the special fragrance on his body. She smiled foolishly and leaned closer. She whispered, "What's that smell on you? It smells so good. Eh …"
Zhangsun Wuji suddenly stood up and looked down at her with a smile. "Miss, you're drunk."
"I …" Tuoba Mingzhu also stood up shakily. She looked a little dazed and a little restless. She looked at Zhangsun Wuji, as if she was hoping that he would take the initiative tonight and settle their relationship after a night of romance. However, her lover only looked at her with a smile. His gaze moved her heart, but he did not make any moves. No matter how bold she was because she was a little tipsy, there was no way she could pull a man to a place of tenderness. She still wanted to say something, but Zhangsun Wuji had already gently supported her. She was then carried out of the door in a daze.
"Your Oracle is drunk. Serve her well." Zhangsun Wuji ordered the messengers waiting in the courtyard. He stood on the stairs and watched as the girl was helped out. He looked back frequently with a faint smile on his lips.
Then he said, "Have you seen enough?"
"It came to an abrupt end at the critical moment." Meng Fuyao floated down from the eaves. She held a blade of grass in her mouth and smiled. "What a pity."
"It would be a pity if it was more than that." Zhangsun Wuji pulled her in. "My years of pursuit would have been in vain."
Meng Fuyao smiled without saying a word. "What was written on the note?"
"Just like that." Zhangsun Wuji answered lightly. He knew that Meng Fuyao would not believe him, but he did not think of making up a lie that would make her believe it.
Meng Fuyao turned her head and looked deeply into his eyes. After a while, she sighed helplessly. "If I were to get jealous now, would you tell me the contents of the note?"
"No." Zhangsun Wuji's answer was depressing.
Meng Fuyao glared at him. After a while, she laughed and said, "Sigh, when I read novels in the past, there were so many melodramatic misunderstandings, torture, and mistakes. It was so painful when I read them, and I felt like I was retarded after reading them. Now, I really wish I could be retarded for once."
"Misunderstandings are built on a foundation of insufficient trust. I don't think that after so many things have happened between us, there will still be distrust." Zhangsun Wuji looked deeply into her eyes. "Fuyao, I love your honesty and openness. You are the woman that I will never be wrong about in my life."
Meng Fuyao fell silent. After a while, she asked softly, "Even if I let you down?"
"Even if you let me down, I will gladly endure it." Zhangsun Wuji caressed her satin like black hair. His fingers slid down her smooth hair like flowing water. It was as though three years had passed in an instant. She was on the other side of the world, while he had waded through the water to reach her. For the sake of this thrilling encounter, he had not hesitated to face the layers of haze that would follow.
"Fuyao …" He held her in his arms and sighed softly. "I'd rather you let me down than pass you by and not recognize you."
Meng Fuyao sighed and looked up at the starless and moonless sky. "Twenty years ago, when I first opened my eyes, I saw the same dark sky. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed … Sometimes, I don't know if it was right or wrong for us to meet. I always feel that being with me is bringing all of you into the thick darkness that belongs to me …"
"No, it's midnight, the darkest time of the day. Soon, it will be dawn …" Zhangsun Wuji suddenly stopped mid-sentence, as though he had thought of something. "Fuyao, did you just say that when you first opened your eyes 20 years ago, it was at this time?"
Meng Fuyao was startled. For a moment, she felt that this question was difficult to answer. What she had said just now was actually a little strange. How could a newborn remember the time when he was born?
She had never told Zhangsun Wuji about her possession. This kind of strange power was a taboo everywhere. She also didn't want to mention her wish to him. She didn't have the courage to tell Zhangsun Wuji that she wanted to leave him.
With his intellect, he must have already guessed what was going on. Why did he have to say it out loud and hurt him once more?
Zhangsun Wuji did not hear her reply for a long time, so he asked again, "Is it really at this time?"
Only then did Meng Fuyao feel that something was wrong. Zhangsun Wuji did not seem to care about her suspicious birth. Instead, he was very nervous about the time. Nervous … What could make him nervous?
The time?
She looked at Zhangsun Wuji doubtfully. The expression on her face had already given her the answer.
Zhangsun Wuji's eyes darkened slightly, and the sky darkened for a moment before returning to normal. He reached out and placed his hand on Meng Fuyao's shoulder. "I'm surprised that your memory is so good … It's getting late, go to sleep."
Meng Fuyao looked into his eyes for a long time before looking away. "You rest early too," she said.
She turned and left. Zhangsun Wuji watched as her figure disappeared around the corner. Suddenly, he raised his hand, and a golden light flashed in mid-air.
A man appeared silently behind him and bowed respectfully. "Master …"
"No one followed you?" Zhangsun Wuji interrupted him.
"No."
"Get your men to break up and go back. Keep a close eye on all movements. Also, help me with a few things."
The man listened carefully and bowed in acknowledgment. With a shake of his body, he disappeared like a wisp of smoke.
His figure disappeared, but his shadow did not disappear. He did not know when, but under the eaves where he had been standing, a faint shadow spread on the ground, mixed with the shadows of the trees and flowers. The moonlight rose, blurring the silhouette of the man.
This time, Zhangsun Wuji's face finally showed some surprise. He turned around and said, "You're actually here."
The man looked at him quietly and only replied, "Go back. It's not too late to leave now."
Zhangsun Wuji did not say anything. His light purple robe fluttered like a soft cloud in the cold summer night wind. After a long time, he said,
"She's here, I'm here."
= = =
1. Recommend October Shuanghua's' Beloved Pet '. I mentioned it in the comment section last time. It's a good play with a unique background. A newcomer's new work needs support. The link is on my profile.
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