The war continued in the Land of the Boundless Lands. The vanguard of Prince De, who was dressed in white silk mourning garments, was already approaching the capital. Of course, Yang Mi didn't 'break through the capital, seize the palace, or scheme for the throne'. However, in the heart of Prince De, who wholeheartedly yearned for the throne, anyone could be someone who coveted the throne from him. He was burning with anxiety as he marched day and night.
Wu Ling was not the only granary of the Southern Frontier Camp. However, during the march of King De's army, the Hua Province and other places that had already been contacted all coincidentally experienced delays in the delivery of grain and fodder. The affairs of the world were like a game of chess, the winds and clouds constantly changing. Some subtle movements were quietly changing the direction and pattern of this' revenge uprising '. It was like a butterfly flapping its wings in a distant place, stirring up a violent wind thousands of miles away.
The changes were not obvious, to the extent that Meng Fuyao, who was far away in Wuling, was completely unaware of it. Day after day, she gradually became thinner. It was not obvious, but all the joints in her body gradually protruded, causing her skin to tighten. The eyes on her face grew larger, and when she looked at others, it was frightening.
Zhan Beiye and Zong Yue were always by her side. Although they disliked each other, they protected her well. Tie Cheng and Yao Xun also came over to do manual labor among the soldiers. Ya Lanzhu still followed her all the time, even when she went to the toilet. She said that she was watching the adulterous couple, but she was actually just afraid that something would happen to her.
A group of people kept a close eye on Meng Fuyao, afraid that she would go crazy and do something. However, Meng Fuyao remained silent, resolutely and stubbornly waiting for the news. When she was free, she would get a small stool and sit there, watching Zhan Beiye and Zong Yue bicker and glance at her from time to time. She saw Ya Lanzhu pouting and squatting by her side. She saw Tie Cheng take on all the work in the inner court just to walk in front of her a few more times. She saw Zong Yue prescribing endless tonics, wishing that he could use all the medicine in the pharmacy. The early spring sun was faint and bright green. She thought to herself how lucky she was to be able to encounter such warm and beautiful things. Just for this, this trip was worth it.
It was more difficult to bear at night. She could not sleep, and when she heard the sound of the wind brushing past the eaves, she thought, 'Perhaps he's back?' She also blamed herself for breaking off their relationship and committing suicide. What was the point of dragging the leader of the Dark Guards to death? At that time, he had rushed back with the intention of dying in Rong Jun's hands, so he didn't have time to leave a secret signal. Why did he want to commit suicide because he was afraid that his corpse would fall into the hands of Rong Jun? This time, 'Miss Meng's suicide' had startled him. Otherwise, with his temperament, how could he have taken the risk to rush back for thousands of miles and thus fall into an ambush?
With this thought in mind, he couldn't fall asleep. His eyes shone brightly in the darkness.
Every night was the same. There weren't many nights when the news of the accident first came, but the repeated questioning and torment made the days feel like years, long and unbearable.
She did not know that she was not the only one who could not sleep.
Two people were sleeping on a big tree in the courtyard. Two people couldn't stay in bed anymore. One of them was holding a wine jar and drinking like his life depended on it, while the other was sitting on the top of the tree, deep in thought.
"He's not dead." The one drinking was Zhan Beiye. "I bet that kid is up to no good now."
Zong Yue looked at him calmly. "Why didn't you tell Fuyao?"
"If I did, she'd think that I was comforting her. She only believes in what she sees." Zhan Beiye threw away one jar after another. "I'm waiting too. If I'm not mistaken, the news should come in two days."
Zong Yue was silent for a while. "Your Highness, you've been drinking a lot lately."
"I'm angry!" Zhan Beiye changed another jar and raised his hand to smash the empty jar. But after thinking for a moment, he gently put it down. When he put it down, he couldn't control himself and broke the jar. Blood flowed out of his hand, but he dipped it into the wine without looking.
"That bastard Zhangsun Wuji. Don't you know how worried and remorseful she is? Why didn't you send a message back? "
"I thought you'd be angry at Fuyao, Your Highness," Zong Yue said. "Your passion and loyalty are probably going to be wasted."
Zhan Beiye didn't answer. He continued to gulp down the wine and wiped his mouth. "She's only like this because she feels guilty and remorseful. I'll make her fall in love with me."
Zong Yue brushed away a speck of dust on his lapel. His snow-white figure blended in with the silver moonlight. After a while, he said, "You're just lying to yourself."
"Same here," Zhan Beiye replied.
The moonlight slowly descended, covering the courtyard with a layer of silver frost. The conversation on the treetop didn't reach the ears of the people in the room. Only they themselves knew what was going on in the dark.
She did not get any shut-eye that night and only drifted off to sleep at daybreak. Once she was asleep, Lord Yuan Bao crawled out of the small bed on the table in his pajamas. He looked down at her from above, and after a long while, he spread his paws.
'… I gave you such an obvious hint, but you didn't get it, you pig head.'
It caressed its big red robe. That was the promise between it and its master, a symbol of joy and peace. As the Divine Rat that could communicate with its master, it was not in a hurry, but why were you in a hurry?
He forgot again that it was a secret between him and his master. Fuyao didn't have the ability to read minds, much less read mice.
Lord Yuan Bao stared at her, his eyes sweeping across her blankets. There was a thin silhouette there. Lord Yuan Bao looked at his increasingly plump body and felt a little guilty.
He took out the box of biscuits and jumped in to rummage through it. After a while, he threw out a few words and arranged them on the table.
After that, he fell asleep on the table, waiting to see Fuyao cry tears of joy the next day.
Lord Yuan Bao was a little hungry after sleeping until midnight. He turned over and reached out his paws. There were snacks by his bedside, so he took a bite.
The next morning, Lord Ingot was woken up by Meng Fuyao. He heard her let out a short, low cry, and her eyes lit up.
'Ah, I'm crying tears of joy,' Lord Yuan Bao thought.
Her eyes grew brighter and brighter, and there seemed to be something crystal rolling in them. It slid here and there like pearls, but it refused to fall. After a while, Fuyao lowered her head and covered her face.
She rubbed her fingers deep into her hair and made a spasming gesture.
Lord Yuan Bao stared at her in a daze. He felt that this "tears of joy" was not that standard.
After a long time, he saw Fuyao toss her hair and raise her reddened face. She stared at the words for a while, then suddenly reached out and hugged him.
Her gesture was extremely gentle, a gentleness she had never shown Lord Yuan Bao before. She placed him on her palm and slowly combed his snow-white fur with her fingertips.
Lord Yuan Bao was shocked. He stared at her in confusion. 'Is this woman crazy with joy?'
Fuyao didn't say a word. She slowly combed his fur with gentle gestures. Lord Yuan Bao was very pleased. He felt that her actions were even more gentle than his master's. 'Did this crazy woman change her mind today? Is she going to touch me first and then pinch me? '
Lord Yuan Bao felt a chill on his head, as if something wet had fallen. He reached out to touch it. It was wet.
Fuyao rested her chin on his head and said softly, "Poor Yuan Bao, you don't have a master anymore …"
Lord Yuan Bao's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know what it was, but he soon realized that something was wrong. He struggled to turn around to look at the words and let out a shrill cry.
It was clearly "he's fine". Why did it become "he's gone"?
Who made the word "matter" disappear?!
Oh my god!
Lord Yuan Bao jumped up and plunged into the box, desperately searching for the extra "matter". After searching for a long time, he realized that there was only one. He turned around angrily and saw Fuyao looking at him with a gentle and pitiful expression. Her eyes said, "Poor Yuan Bao, you've gone crazy from grief."
Lord Yuan Bao looked at her eyes and suddenly thought, 'She's crying because I lost my master …'
Lord Yuan Bao was stunned. After a while, he let out another shrill cry. He ran to Fuyao with all his might and waved his arms and legs, trying to explain. "There's a word missing!"
Fuyao only smiled and gently stroked him. As she smiled, tears began to fall.
Lord Yuan Bao couldn't take it anymore and ran out with a cry.
"Master … I made a mistake … I didn't deliver the correct message … come back quickly …"
= = =
Just as Zhan Beiye had expected, the situation changed drastically on that day.
On the second day of the third month, Yang Mi's army, which was nearing the capital, suddenly encountered the army of the Limitless Nation at the Shahe Crossing, 50 miles away from the capital. At first, Yang Mi thought that it was the imperial guards guarding the capital and was about to raise King De's banner, but the enemy's flag had already been raised. The general under the tent sneered and walked over. It was the army that had been ordered to go to Gaoluo. Beside him, under the bright yellow flag, was the chief commander wearing a copper mask, smiling at him.
Yang Mi's heart sank. He knew that he had been tricked. "Stop!"
On that day, the 100,000 vanguard soldiers took off their armor and Yang Mi committed suicide in front of the formation.
On the third day of the third month, King De was in the outskirts of the inland city of Feng Province. He also saw the army that was supposed to be on the eastern line of the coast. At the same time, he also saw Yang Mi's army that was supposed to be under his command.
The soldiers' vanguard was like fire and the flags were like a forest. When the fluttering flags drowned out his vision like a sea, King De let out a wail of despair.
As soon as the two armies came into contact, King De's dispirited army was routed. He led the remnants of his cavalry and fled south in panic. He hoped that Guo Pingrong's army, which had been left behind to provide support, would protect him and allow him to occupy a piece of territory in the Southern Border. Unexpectedly, Guo Pingrong led his troops to meet him and pointed his sword at King De.
A grand and vigorous battle for revenge against the king, in the midst of what he thought was a smooth journey, was met with a well-prepared ambush. Within a few days, it was as easy as crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood, vanishing like smoke in thin air.
King De was placed under house arrest. As for his punishment, no one could decide because the person who could decide whether he lived or died was not in the camp.
= = =
On the fourth day of the third month, it was the beginning of spring.
Early in the morning, Zong Yue came looking for Meng Fuyao with a few letters in hand. At the door, he was stopped by Ya Lanzhu. She shushed him and said, "Let her sleep. She only sleeps at dawn."
Zong Yue hesitated for a moment before putting away the letters in his hands. "Alright."
Ya Lanzhu's eyes were sharp. "What is it?" She snatched it over to take a look. As she read, her eyes lit up.
Then, she sighed and her tears started to fall.
Zong Yue looked at her speechlessly. "Why are you crying?"
"I hope that I can meet someone who loves me in this life …" Ya Lanzhu sobbed.
Zong Yue was silent. After a while, he walked away. Before he left, he left a sentence.
"This requires luck that is neither a step too early nor too late."
= = =
When she woke up, she habitually closed her eyes and waited.
She didn't sleep deeply and felt dizzy when she woke up. She could vaguely hear the sound of branches swaying in the wind, the birds chirping in the treetops, the sound of tender spring buds growing, and the sound of fallen leaves brushing past the railing of the bridge and floating on the water. That bridge was probably the Jade Belt Bridge in the city. The white marble railing of the bridge made the sound of leaves falling on it.
There were so many sounds, but there was no breathing sound that she wanted to hear.
She sighed and pulled the blanket over her eyes, pressing it against her eyes to stop the tears that were about to fall.
She didn't reach out to touch her side. What could she do even if she did? She had imagined many times that Zhangsun Wuji would come back and climb into her bed. However, one could not be shameless to this extent. If no one climbed into her bed, then no one climbed into her bed. Even Ingot had said that there was no one.
She covered her eyes with the blanket and continued to sleep.
Suddenly, she felt an itch on her forehead, as if something was gently brushing past her eyebrows. She hit it and mumbled, "Ingot, go away. Don't disturb me …"
This strike suddenly hit into someone's palm.
It was warm, smooth, with distinct veins and long knuckles.
She opened her eyes abruptly, but before she could lift the blanket, her eyes lit up. A person gently lifted the blanket and lowered his head, laughing softly. "Why are you so thin?"
She stared blankly at his slanted eyebrows, his eyes that were as deep as the sea, and his glistening skin. She looked at his light purple lapel and ebony hair that fell neatly in front of her. She looked at his faint smile as he leaned on his elbow beside her and gently stroked her forehead with his fingertips.
… Yuan Zhaoxu! Zhangsun Wuji!
She reached out to pinch her forehead and mumbled, "You're not a ghost, are you?"
"I guarantee it's real." Zhangsun Wuji answered with a smile.
"You actually know to come back … You actually know to come back!!!" The first sentence was soft like a spring oriole, but the second sentence was like the roar of a lion from the east of the river. Meng Fuyao snapped out of her daze and realized that Yuan Zhaoxu and Zhangsun Wuji were definitely back. She jumped up, hair disheveled, and barefoot, she stepped on him. "I'll destroy you, I'll destroy you!"
Zhangsun Wuji raised his eyebrows and reached out to grab her leg. With a pinch of his fingers, she immediately fell to the bedding. Zhangsun Wuji pulled the quilt over and wrapped her up. In the blink of an eye, he had already searched her entire body. His hand paused and he sighed. "How did you lose so much weight?"
She buried her head in the blanket and answered, "I've been on a diet."
Zhangsun Wuji looked at the soft-hearted girl and sighed helplessly. He dug her head out from the blanket and held her face in his hands for a closer look. Her eyes darted around, and when she couldn't avoid them, she glared back at him. "What are you doing? What are you doing?"
Zhangsun Wuji smiled and slowly reached down to caress her neck. She shrank back in shock, but Zhangsun Wuji said, "Don't move … Let me take a look at the wound."
She immediately felt guilty and whispered, "… I didn't really commit suicide … I was just playing."
Before she could finish her sentence, Zhangsun Wuji bent down slightly, and his warm and soft lips touched the skin of her neck. She froze and didn't dare to move. His lips gently swept across the light pink scar, and it tickled slightly, as if someone had used a willow branch to scratch the coldness and loneliness of winter. The ice covering the ground slowly melted, and fluffy grass grew everywhere.
Meng Fuyao's body softened slightly. A field of fluffy grass grew out of her heart, filling the sky and covering the earth. Wherever it passed, trees came to life. She wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, but her heart began to ache. The pain blocked her meridians and opened its mouth to bite like a poisonous snake. She trembled slightly, and Zhangsun Wuji immediately sensed it and moved away. Meng Fuyao bit her lip and smiled, pushing him hard. "Pervert!"
"I was also kissing for fun." Zhangsun Wuji stared at her. "Actually, that's not what I want to do the most right now."
She looked a little silly with her mouth open, but no matter how silly she was, she couldn't stop a certain someone's ruthlessness. Zhangsun Wuji raised his hand and slapped her butt, still smiling gracefully. "That's what you get for being disobedient!" Seeing that she didn't react, he gave her another slap on the other butt. "That's what you get for committing suicide!"
She immediately thought of the scene she had rehearsed countless times, and felt that the sequence was wrong somewhere. It seemed like he had brought the plot forward. She didn't care. She jumped up and fought back, reciting her lines smoothly. "You bastard! You scared me to death! "
After scolding her, she felt that he had scolded her a little too much. No, she couldn't take this loss. She had to get back at him. With a huff, she punched him again. "That's what you get for faking your death! That's what you get for keeping secrets from me! "
Zhangsun Wuji raised his hand and caught her Tigress Punch. With a pull, she flew into his arms and his fingers clamped down on her waist. The three movements were as smooth as floating clouds and flowing water. It was obvious that he had practiced it many times, especially since her waist had become so thin recently. His hand was not big, but it was still able to wrap around her waist.
"I didn't keep secrets from you …" Zhangsun Wuji took a deep breath and stroked her long, shiny hair. "How could I bear to let you worry? You're so skinny, don't you think I'll have to spend a lot of effort to bring you back? "
The first part of his sentence made Meng Fuyao's heart warm, but the second part was a little ridiculous. She turned around and glared at him fiercely. "Stop changing the topic. I know you're trying to trick King De out, but to keep it a secret, you can't tell anyone about it … It's just, it's just that …" She pouted, unable to say the rest of the sentence, "It's just that I'm an exception …"
"I shouldn't keep secrets from anyone but you. Political games don't mean that I have to sacrifice the person I like." Zhangsun Wuji's mind-reading skills were always strong. "Actually, when I left the eastern barracks that night, I sent out three groups of people. They were all wearing my clothes and took three different routes. I took the waterway route myself."
"The waterway?"
"Yes, I took the sea route. King De thought that I was anxious and would definitely choose the faster route by land. But what's the use of speed if I can't pass by land? There are some things that can't be rushed. "
"I agree." Meng Fuyao nodded in satisfaction. "You're always so treacherous."
Zhangsun Wuji laughed. "When the incident in Wanzhou happened, I knew that there was a problem with the Secret Guards. There must be a spy among them. Under such circumstances, I could only cut off all contact with them. Before that, I received news that you were safe and sound and immediately returned to the army. The Secret Guards needed to be purged and couldn't be used for the time being. Fortunately, I still had backup Secret Guards, but it was a little troublesome to mobilize them. By the time they arrived at Yao City with my news, you'd already left."
Meng Fuyao let out an "ah". By then, she'd already run to Wuling and put on someone else's face as a grain transport officer. With two capable people by her side, how could anyone find her? What a freak combination of factors. She deserved it.
"I was helpless when I received the news. I really couldn't come back at that time. King De had endured for more than ten years and was finally forced out by me. I couldn't let everything go to waste. Fortunately, I'm connected to Ingot, so he knew that I was still alive and would tell you sooner or later."
"Tell me my ass!" Meng Fuyao's universe was about to explode. "He's gone! If I die young from fright, it's all his fault! "
"Huh?" Zhangsun Wuji turned around to look for Lord Ingot in the room. "Ingot, I know you're here. Come out of your rat hole. You'll bear the consequences if you're late."
Fuyao pursed her lips, thinking, 'What use is such an understatement and meaningless threat to that old fox?'
Just as she finished speaking, Lord Ingot crawled out from under the table. Meng Fuyao stared at him with her mouth agape. 'Sigh, comparisons are odious.'
Lord Ingot was dressed simply today. It was actually the color he hated the most — the color he hated the most. He obediently squatted in front of Zhangsun Wuji. "Squeak …" "Squeak …"
Meng Fuyao listened to his endless squeaks. 'Isn't he talking a little too much? Is he going to take the opportunity to act aggrieved and express his feelings? And what exactly is this rat talking about? ' Why did she feel a little guilty? She looked at Zhangsun Wuji again. He was listening with a smile on his face. His eyes were bright and gentle, and a faint smile surfaced on his face.
"Do you know your mistake now?" he asked.
Lord Ingot bowed his noble head.
"It's all because you're too greedy. For the next ten days, you're not allowed to eat snacks."
Lord Ingot covered his face with his claws, grief-stricken.
Zhangsun Wuji had already pulled him to the side. "Go and reflect on yourself. Close the door when you leave."
Lord Ingot obediently crawled out of the window with a piece of paper on his back. Then, he used his saliva to mend the hole.
"Tsk tsk, the rat has changed." Meng Fuyao was dumbfounded. "What did it do wrong?"
"It caused you to cry." Zhangsun Wuji pulled her into his arms without any hint of intimacy. "So it must be punished."
Meng Fuyao calmly and comfortably leaned on Zhangsun Wuji's shoulder. She felt warm and indescribably comfortable. Something that had been weighing on her heart for a long time finally returned to its place. Her internal organs seemed to have been adjusted in an instant. Zhangsun Wuji's faint fragrance drifted over. She felt like she was floating in the air, yet her eyelids were heavy.
She heard Zhangsun Wuji whisper in her ear, "Fuyao, I also made mistakes."
"Hmm?"
"I really didn't expect him to kill me. In order to kill me, he didn't hesitate to give up Yao City and almost forced you to commit suicide at the city gate." Zhangsun Wuji's tone had a rare tinge of bitterness. Meng Fuyao floated over and thought, 'Why is he so bitter? Why does he think that King De won't kill him? Aren't the two of them fighting to the death? ' The fight for the throne was a bloody one. No one could be soft-hearted towards the other. Zhangsun Wuji was such a clever person. How could he not think that King De wanted to kill him? Why, why, why …
Many questions were like a tangled mess, entangling Meng Fuyao's thoughts. She struggled in the mess, but she felt that she couldn't do anything. The many days of insomnia and fatigue finally attacked her the moment the dust settled. She pondered, but her eyelids drooped little by little.
Before she fell into a dark and sweet dream, she vaguely heard Zhangsun Wuji's last words in her drifting consciousness.
"Fuyao, these days of suffering, worry, and unease are also my punishment."
= = =
A ray of faint yellow light sprinkled over gently. She could vaguely hear someone whispering, "… Should I wake her up to eat something?" "… Let her sleep …"
Meng Fuyao opened her eyes and completely woke up from her comfortable sleep.
She lay motionless and smiled at the ceiling. 'Sigh, that bad guy Zhangsun Wuji didn't die because of me. He's back.'
Someone at the table turned around, holding a scroll in his hand. He smiled at her elegantly and asked, "Did you sleep enough?"
Meng Fuyao sat up and stared blankly at the window paper. "How long have I slept? Why is it still morning?"
"It's the morning of the second day." Zhangsun Wuji blew out the candles and opened the window. The cool morning wind blew in, causing his clothes and black hair to flutter.
Meng Fuyao was stunned. "I slept for a day and a night?" She looked at Zhangsun Wuji's back and faintly felt that his robe seemed to have become more loose. "You didn't sleep all this time?"
Zhangsun Wuji looked back with a smile. "I wanted to see if you would grind your teeth and drool in your sleep."
"It's true that I would beat people up when I was asleep." Meng Fuyao laughed and looked at him again. Judging from the time, he had rushed out of the Eastern Front Camp, rushed back, gathered troops, fought Yang Mi, and besieged King De. All of these had happened in a short period of time. King De's army had only been defeated for a day or two, but he had already appeared. He had basically abandoned the army and rushed here as soon as the matter was settled. He hadn't had a good rest during this period, had he?
Meng Fuyao jumped up, ran over, and pushed Zhangsun Wuji onto the bed. "Go sleep. Don't get up unless I call for you."
"I probably won't be able to enjoy your bedding for the time being." Zhangsun Wuji stood still and looked at the two people walking toward him. "I have to entertain some important guests."
= = =
The 'important guests' were, of course, Zhan Beiye and Zong Yue.
Meng Fuyao's scalp went numb when she saw them. She could vaguely see lightning flashing and thunder rumbling in the sky, the friction between the atmosphere, and a string of fireballs bouncing in the air.
Two was already an arsenal of explosives. What would three be? Europe's powder keg?
Since ancient times, kings had never met kings. What would happen if a king met a king? A king killing a king? A king killing a king? A king killing a king?
A king killing a king? Meng Fuyao's heart raced. 'It can't be, right? He's a high-ranking political figure from each country, after all. He's the best at self-restraint, etiquette, masquerade, Taiji, and whatnot. Pulling out a knife just because of a disagreement is a common man in the marketplace, not Zhangsun Wuji and Zhan Beiye.'
"An important guest has come from afar. My apologies for not going out to meet you, haha." Before Meng Fuyao could figure it out, Zhan Beiye's hearty laughter rang out. At the same time, he strode forward in a 'forthright and magnanimous' manner, smiling at Zhangsun Wuji. "How are you, Your Highness? How is the battle going? Your Highness, how did you find the time to come here despite your busy schedule? Shouldn't you be chasing the rebels in Nanzhou? "
'… F * ck, they're all fighting to make me an' important guest '…'
"How is King Lie?" Zhangsun Wuji smiled. "Are you used to living in my humble country? Our climate is warm and humid, not as dry and comfortable as King Lie's Tian Sha's Geya Kingdom. I apologize for the inconvenience. As for the battle ahead, it's our internal affairs. Thank you for your concern, King Lie. "
'Good, I'm Wuji' and 'you're Tian Sha'. It's clear and distinct, and there's no need to argue about who's the guest … '
"This courtyard was bought by me," Zhan Beiye beamed as he pointed it out to Zhangsun Wuji. "Although it's crude, it's a rare sight. It's my honor to be able to receive Your Highness' presence today."
Meng Fuyao glared at him. 'You bought it? You don't need to draft your lies, I was the one who bought it … '
"Is that so?" Zhangsun Wuji smiled as he looked around. "It's indeed good, but since King Lie is here as a guest, you're my important guest. How could I let an important guest pay for a house? That's too rude. How about this, King Lie, why don't you give me the deed of the house? I'll get someone to look for the owner of the house and pay you back double the amount. Consider it a small token from Wuji. "
Meng Fuyao clutched her stomach … 'I can't take it anymore, I want to laugh. Zhan Beiye, you've shot yourself in the foot. The deed is still with me.'
Zhan Beiye's expression did not change. "Are you implying that Tiansha Nation is so weak that we can't even afford to buy a house?"
Zhangsun Wuji's expression did not change. "Are you implying that Wuji Nation is so poor that we can't even send a meager gift to the largest nation?"
Meng Fuyao was squatting between the two of them. Sensing the smell of gunpowder, she hurriedly raised her palm. "Stop, stop. Although Zhan Wangye bought this house, he's already given it to me. So please give me the money, double the amount, thank you."
Zhangsun Wuji smiled gently. "Alright, since that's the case, we'll naturally do as you say." He pulled Meng Fuyao and smiled courteously at Zhan Beiye. "I haven't thanked King Lie for saving Fuyao's life." He then nodded at Zhan Beiye. "Thank you, Mister Zong, for protecting Fuyao."
Zong Yue finally spoke, calmer than Zhangsun Wuji. "Fuyao and I are not outsiders, so there's no need for Your Highness to thank us. Speaking of which, I was the one who brought Fuyao to Wuji, so it's only natural that I take responsibility for her." He smiled warmly at Fuyao, causing her to shiver. "Even if it's not for the sake of my relationship with His Highness, I can't just stand by and watch, considering how Fuyao hid my personal belongings in her bosom."
…
Fuyao was speechless …
'Zong Yue is so ruthless … He doesn't make a move, but once he does, he kills!'
He actually knew that she had taken his belt, yet he kept it hidden until now. Fuyao glared at Zong Yue, not daring to look at the two men's faces. 'Sigh, they're both ruthless people. I can't have any dealings with them in the future, or I won't even know how I died.'
As she wailed in her heart, Zong Yue went all out and held her hand. "It's time for the consultation today. I've developed a new medicine. You can try it."
As long as one cared about Fuyao, no one would dare to disobey a doctor's words. The two men were no exception. Zhan Beiye glared at Zhangsun Wuji and led the way. Zhangsun Wuji raised his eyebrows and laughed silently as he watched Fuyao being led away by Zong Yue.
Fuyao couldn't shake Zong Yue's hand off. 'This is actually the first time this guy has touched me. Where did his mysophobia go?' Fuyao really hoped that his mysophobia would relapse and he would throw her out in disgust. That way, she would be free from the two unfathomable gazes behind her.
'Sigh, I really didn't expect Zong Yue to emerge victorious in the first battle between the three kings.' Fuyao pursed her lips. 'It's really good to be a doctor. No one would dare to offend you when you're at the peak of health.'
= = = =
Just as they sat down in the inner room, the unhappy Zhan Wangye's second round of cannonballs came crashing down.
He sneered at Zhangsun Wuji and asked, "I heard that Your Highness led the eastern army to fight against Yang Mi. That's strange. Isn't the eastern war not over yet? How did the army manage to move inland? Or was the so-called rebellion in Gaoluo just a smokescreen created by Your Highness to pretend to leave and trick King De into rebelling? "
Fuyao's heart skipped a beat. This was exactly what she was suspicious about. Back then, Zhangsun Wuji had left in a hurry because of the rebellion in Gaoluo. Up until the time she committed suicide at the city gate, no one had heard that Gaoluo had quelled the rebellion. However, when King De rebelled, the army that was supposed to be on the eastern front appeared inland. She couldn't help but wonder if Zhangsun Wuji's "Gaoluo rebellion, fighting on two fronts and exhausting his life" incident, which led to King De thinking that he could take advantage of the situation, was all just a ruse to lure the snake out of its hole?
Zhangsun Wuji picked up the tea served by the maidservant and blew on it leisurely. "Where did King Lie hear the news that the war on the eastern front hasn't ended?"
Zhan Beiye was taken aback. He hadn't heard that the war on the eastern front had ended, but it was also true that he hadn't. Zhangsun Wuji's question made it hard for him to answer. After some thought, he sneered. "That's true. Whether the war is over or not, whether it's over or not, it's all up to the Crown Prince's mouth. It's just a pity for those who were kept in the dark and almost lost their lives."
Zhangsun Wuji put down his teacup and looked at him with a smile. "Your Highness, King Lie, is known for being righteous, upright, and brave. I didn't expect to see you today."
"Is Your Highness saying that I'm beating around the bush?" Zhan Beiye sat boldly. "I feel that Your Highness is better at this. But since you said I was beating around the bush, I'll show you directly. I'm talking about Fuyao. Zhangsun Wuji, look at Fuyao, look at her! Look at what she's become! "
He suddenly flew into a rage. He raised his hand and threw the cup in his hand. The cup smashed against the window lattice, and dark green tea splashed everywhere, dripping onto the ground.
"Zhangsun Wuji, I can't be bothered to bicker with you! Let me ask you, since you're not willing to let go of her, you should take on the responsibility of a man! What did you put her through? If I had come a step late, Fuyao wouldn't have existed in this world. Do you know that? Where were you then? I admit that you borrowed my troops. In any case, I'm not lending them to you. I'm lending them to Fu Yao. However, what makes you think that everything will be fine like this? That you can abandon her and run for thousands of miles, leaving her to face that life and death situation alone? "
Meng Fuyao sat at the side, dumbfounded. She didn't expect that the battle of words would suddenly escalate to the stage of scolding and even involve her. She looked at herself coldly and mumbled, "What are you looking at me for? I think I'm fine … "Zong Yue, who was taking her pulse, raised his eyebrows and said coldly," Yes, you're fine. Your body is weak and your meridians are in a mess. You can't be any better, so we're all looking for trouble. "
Meng Fuyao immediately shut up, not daring to say another word.
The atmosphere in the room became silent, and the air seemed to be getting colder. Zhangsun Wuji put down his teacup and said nothing. After a while, he said slowly, "This is indeed something that I need to explain to Fuyao. But King Lie, I don't think I need to explain it to you."
"You don't need to explain it to me, and I have no intention of listening to a scheming and scheming person like you explain it to me." Zhan Beiye stood up coldly and pointed at Fuyao. "I've been watching her these days, and I more or less understand what she's thinking. Zhan Beiye isn't a scoundrel in the pugilistic world, and his pride isn't so low that it's worthless. I've thought of backing out as long as Fuyao is happy, but now, I've changed my mind!"
He removed his jade pendant from his waist and slammed it on the table. "Meng Fuyao, this is my betrothal gift!" he said in an imposing manner.
Zhangsun Wuji's eyebrows twitched, Zong Yue's face turned pale, and Fuyao jumped up.
Betrothal gift … this … this … this … this … this … this … this … this … this … this … this … this … this was escalating …
"Fuyao, I used to think that if you liked him, there would be nothing to say. But now, I think that Zhangsun Wuji isn't suitable for you! He'll harm you! He's from the Zhangsun Family, and being his woman means marrying into politics. You'll inevitably be accompanied by conspiracies and storms, and he'll never give up on his people and his world for you. As for you, you're independent and tenacious, and you won't be willing to compromise and rely on the protection of others. You'll live a tiring life if you follow him, and you might even lose your life. I'm not willing to see the woman I like walk down that path, so today, I'll leave my betrothal gift here! It doesn't matter if you don't want it, but if you, Zhangsun Wuji, throw it away, I'll admire your stinginess. Anyway, let me tell you, I'll never give up! "
…
Was there such an aggressive confession? Was there such … an emotional confession …?
Meng Fuyao's eyelashes drooped. In that moment, she was truly moved by Zhan Beiye. This domineering, dark-eyed man actually had such a rich and delicate emotion in his heart. He could see through her heart and all the pros and cons that concerned her. He had seriously considered and planned for her future, and because of that unsatisfactory conclusion, he wasn't willing to give up on his pursuit.
Fuyao had always hated his overbearing directness, but today, she realized that his overbearing behavior was all for her sake. His starting point and goal were all for her happiness.
Meng Fuyao was at a loss. She didn't know what she had done to deserve Zhan Beiye's devotion, and she didn't understand why he had set his sights on her even though they had only known each other for a short period of time. What she didn't know, however, was that Zhan Beiye was thinking about one thing as he stared at her.
That was what his mother had told him many years ago, before she had gone mad. She had held him in her arms and told him over and over again.
"My son, never let go of the person you fell in love with at first sight. It's fate given to you by the heavens. If you let it go, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
His mother had a faint smile on her face when she said that, but her eyes were filled with sorrow. That absent-minded and desolate smile had caused the crape myrtle flowers to fall all over the Jade Palace.
At that moment, he looked at Meng Fuyao as though she was a blooming flower in his mother's palace. It was a beauty that was cherished and cherished, not one that was stained with blood and gradually losing in this bloody political game.
The atmosphere was a little awkward, and the air was filled with unease. Zhangsun Wuji's unchanging smile was gone as he stared at the jade pendant in silence. Zhan Beiye stood there with a face full of anger, while Meng Fuyao lowered her head as though she was being tortured. Then, Zong Yue sighed.
Meng Fuyao raised her head in shock, gaping at Zong Yue with her mouth wide open. 'No way, Big Brother, you don't treat me that way, do you? Please don't join in the fun … '
"I'm not interested in joining in the fun." Zong Yue seemed to be able to read minds as he spoke calmly. Just as Meng Fuyao heaved a sigh of relief, she saw him take out the belt and place it beside the jade pendant.
Meng Fuyao's head exploded. 'When did he get this belt?' 'Ahhhh, what is going on? Ahhhh, I should not have been greedy …'
"Don't worry, it's not a betrothal gift. I have no intention of marrying you. You're so ugly." Zong Yue smiled at the black-faced Meng Fuyao and pointed at the belt. "I'm just telling you that I agree with some of Zhan Wangye's words. That's why I'm giving this belt to you. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, or if someone bullies you, you can take this belt to any medicine hall called Guangde. There will be people who will help you."
Meng Fuyao slumped back and wanted to cry, but no tears came out. "I appreciate Mr. Zong's kindness …"
"I never take back what I give." Zong Yue stood up and walked out. As he reached the door, he turned back and smiled. The way he smiled was just like the cherry blossoms outside the window.
"I think you'll have a use for it one day."
Meng Fuyao watched as his straight figure disappeared among the cherry trees. She did not know whether to sigh or run away. She bit her lip and looked at Zhangsun Wuji. Because of her, Zhan Beiye and Zong Yue had used different methods to reprimand him. She did not know how Zhangsun Wuji felt at the moment.
Zhangsun Wuji still did not flare up. His face was a little pale, and his expression was complicated. There was a strange emotion in his eyes, but he did not look at Zhan Beiye's provocative gaze.
After a long time, he leaned back tiredly and said in a low voice, "Brother Zhan, you're right. I didn't think this through. If Fuyao blames me for this, I only have myself to blame."
The desolation in his voice made Meng Fuyao's heart tremble. She suddenly remembered what he had said before she woke up. She vaguely felt that there was more to it than meets the eye, but now was not the time to ask. She could not wait to dig two holes in the ground and bury both Zhan Beiye and Zhangsun Wuji, so that she would not be implicated if the lightning struck the fire.
Unfortunately, the disaster was not over yet.
Zhan Beiye suddenly strode over and held the jade pendant in front of Fuyao. "Fuyao, there's nothing to hide at this point. I'll just ask you directly. Do you accept this jade pendant?" Fuyao's eyes widened in shock.
Meng Fuyao was stunned.
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