It was a top-notch mutton fat jade pendant of high quality. The jade was sparkling and translucent without any impurities, like a pool of solidified water. The totem of the Azure Dragon in the Wild was engraved on it, and an imposing "Battle" character was engraved in the middle.
Zhan Beiye extended his palm as if he had no intention of retracting it. He looked at Fuyao with determination and passion.
She stared at the cool jade, but it was as if she was looking at a ball of fire. The fire drilled into her heart, burning her until she did not know what to do. It was an awkward and difficult moment. She could not accept it, but she could not bear to hurt Zhan Beiye's pride. After all, this was not a private meeting between the two of them. She hardened her heart and rejected it. Zhangsun Wuji was still there. Not accepting it would not only hurt Zhan Beiye more, but it would also lead to a new round of misunderstanding.
Meng Fuyao realized that she was rather ruthless when it came to killing people. She was also ruthless when it came to taking revenge on those who did not treat her well. However, if they treated her well, she would be shackled by her conscience and be unable to act freely.
Alas, can I faint now? Isn't this too fake?
She rolled her eyes and thought about it for an entire century. In the end, she steeled her heart. Damn it, I won't accept it. I'll make it clear here and now. I won't accept it from anyone!
If she hesitated, wouldn't she be harming Zhan Beiye for the rest of his life? For someone like him, his footsteps and vision should be focused on the five continents and the entire world. He shouldn't waste time on her.
She raised her head and gritted her teeth. Just as she was about to speak, a hand reached out and took the jade pendant.
Zhangsun Wuji!
Meng Fuyao's mind buzzed, and she was confused. She raised her head to look at Zhangsun Wuji in shock. "What do you mean by that?" Zhangsun Wuji asked angrily.
"Brother Zhan." Zhangsun Wuji smiled faintly and said, "Why make things difficult for Fuyao? When a man strives for a woman's heart, it's not as simple as you handing it over to me. Just like how I have never considered Fu Yao as my exclusive property, Your Excellency should also give her the freedom to choose and accept. "
"Did I say that I wouldn't give her the freedom?" Zhan Beiye laughed coldly. "Zhangsun Wuji, don't try to sow discord with your words. You don't have to be afraid of embarrassing me here. I said that I won't give up, and I won't disappear just because you rejected me."
"Since Your Highness is destined not to give up, then what's the use of this jade?" Zhangsun Wuji smiled. "I have no intention of sowing discord. Me accepting this jade definitely doesn't represent Fuyao's will. I am only doing this to tell you that this is a battle between you and I. Fuyao should stay out of it. What we need to do is not to force her to choose, but to let her decide who she will accept after a long period of time."
Zhan Beiye was silent as he looked at the smiling man in front of him. Fuyao's heart was clearly on Zhangsun Wuji's side, but he, the victor, did not take the opportunity to assume the attitude of the possessor. Instead, he took a step back and was willing to compete with him fairly. It was such a magnanimous and beautiful step back. Not only did he not make Fuyao feel that he was despising her, he also freed her from the dilemma caused by her kindness. He had even unintentionally confessed that if Zhan Beiye had been the one to move Fuyao just now, it would be his turn now.
This was an opponent who had never lost before, and who was absolutely strong in the arena of politics and love!
Zhan Beiye took a deep breath. In that instant, he felt his emotions surging, and the desire to fight that had never subsided in his body was ignited. He stared at Zhangsun Wuji with shining eyes and sneered. "Good, very good. Between you and me, there is no possibility of coexistence."
"Thank you for your magnanimity, King Lie." Zhangsun Wuji bowed. "I will use this jade to remind myself that Fuyao is a good person who deserves to be loved by many, and even more so, cherished by me. I will also use this jade to warn myself that this is a betrothal gift given to Fuyao by others. If I can't treat her as one, I will return this jade to the deserving Fuyao."
Zhan Beiye's eyes flashed again. Fuyao raised her eyebrows. 'Return Zhan Beiye's betrothal gift to me? Is that even possible? Zhangsun Wuji, you look generous, but you are actually very confident … '
"But, King Lie, shouldn't you also have a corresponding oath and be bound by it?" Zhangsun Wuji suddenly changed the topic. His tone was like a nail. "If you can't treat Fu Yao as you've sworn, if you can't be firm in your heart, then shouldn't you leave on your own and give me this valuable jade pendant to replenish the national treasury?"
Zhan Beiye was taken aback, and his gaze changed. After a while, he laughed. "Trap me? 'Good, Zhangsun Wuji, are you supervising me?' I finally know why you accepted this jade. You know that Fuyao is soft-hearted, and you are afraid that she will be moved by me sooner or later. You are afraid that she will have misgivings because of our relationship. So, you accepted my token and used your words to force me to swear that if I do anything wrong in the future, you will break the jade on her behalf. Even if Fuyao doesn't say anything, with you watching, I will be too ashamed to continue pursuing her. How scheming! "
"Didn't I set a trap for myself? This is a set of oaths, a price that must be paid by those who believe that they have sincerity and can withstand the test. "Zhangsun Wuji smiled." King Lie, do you dare to fight me? "
"Why not?" Zhan Beiye answered proudly. "There is nothing in this world that I, Zhan Beiye, do not dare to do. Do you think that victory is in your hands? I want you to see that I, Zhan Beiye, can conquer the world, and win a woman's heart with gentleness! "
Zhangsun Wuji smiled without saying a word. He put the jade pendant into his sleeve. Their gazes met, and in that instant, Fuyao felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She felt dizzy, as if she had been electrocuted.
Without another word, she climbed onto the bed and covered her head with the blanket.
'I can't take it anymore. Why are they all so generous and affectionate? Why are they all so infatuated with each other? Why are they all so considerate? Why do they all have to confess to me? Can't they just talk to the corner of the wall? Isn't this forcing me to listen to it until my insides are on fire and I'm in a state of confusion?
She wailed as the blanket pressed down on her head. 'Please let me down, let me down, let me down, let me down …'
= = =
Fuyao was now deeply aware that she was a small fry.
The definition of a small fry was that one would never be able to figure out and control the plans and thoughts of the big shots.
After a sleepless night, the insignificant Meng Fuyao finally understood Crown Prince Zhangsun's magnificent strategy for love. Forcing is not forcing, not forcing is forcing. Using the art of not forcing, forcing is actually forcing. Not forcing the person, but forcing the heart …
Alright, Fuyao had been tricked by herself. In short, that was how it was. Those two kept saying that they would not force her and wanted her to make her own choice. They only needed to focus on their performance, but she felt that she had been silently forced into a corner by someone and was powerless to do anything about the current situation.
Last night, she had been harassed in turns. Actually, it was Zhan Wangye who had personally delivered the medicine and the Zhangsun Crown Prince who had come to tuck her in. Zhan Wangye had wanted to feed her the medicine with a red face, but Fuyao had sternly rejected him. She had not broken her arm, so what was the point of feeding her? The Zhangsun Crown Prince had tucked her in. She had looked at him with a burning gaze and pleaded, "Hurry up and tuck me in. I purposely left half of my shoulder exposed for you to tuck in. Once you're done, I can sleep in peace."
Zhan Wangye had finally left with the bowl of medicine. Zhangsun Wuji was done and was about to sit down when Fuyao reminded him with a sinister smile, "It's a fair competition."
The Zhangsun Crown Prince smiled as usual and answered, "Fuyao, those who believe in absolute fairness in this world and adhere to it are either idiots or one-track minds."
'Alright,' Fuyao thought to herself as she and Zhan Beiye had unknowingly fallen into another trap.
Fortunately, Zhangsun Wuji did not do anything out of line after he was done. He only made close contact with half of her shoulder. The diameter, depth, and duration were all within a reasonable range.
By the time the two of them were done with their harassment, Meng Fuyao jumped out of her current identity and looked at the current situation and future developments rationally as a transcendent. She could not help but sigh for Zhan Wangye, who was smart but still an honest man.
The incident with the De King had come to an end, and the De King was escorted to Hua Province. Fuyao calculated the time and realized that the True Martial Arts Meet in Tian Sha Nation was approaching. She had to experience the world's martial arts in order to improve her Cleaving the Nine Heavens technique. Some time ago, she had asked Zong Yue about the situation with the Temple of Evergreen. Zong Yue had special permission from the seven nations, allowing him to enter and leave them at will. However, he had not been able to enter the Temple of Evergreen either. At most, he could only gather herbs on Mount Azure Immortal. It was then that he told her that entering the Kingdom of Evergreen itself was difficult, but that it did not mean that one could enter the Temple of Evergreen. Outside the Temple of Evergreen were the four great Divine Realms, the Nine Nether Realms, the Dark Realm, the Floating Cloud Realm, and the Heaven Realm.
Meng Fuyao sucked in a breath of cold air and asked Zong Yue what level he would need to reach in order to pass the test. Zong Yue glanced at her and said, "Based on your so-so technique, you should be able to pass if you can reach the eighth level."
The so-called "Cleaving the Nine Heavens" was only a so-so technique in Zong Yue's mouth, and he had to train it to the highest level before he could "roughly pass" it. Meng Fuyao grimaced. She finally understood that the information she had heard from the streets was not accurate enough. It seemed that the most difficult thing was not to collect the tokens to cross the Seven Nations, but to improve her own strength.
Meng Fuyao pondered over how she should bid farewell to Zhangsun Wuji and leave Zhan Beiye for Tiansha alone. Unexpectedly, she overheard Zong Yue mention that Guo Pingrong's master, Fang Yimo, was near Huazhou and might be visiting his disciple. Zong Yue planned to make contact with Fang Yimo to see if he could obtain the antidote and formula for the "Love Lock". Zhan Beiye was naturally unwilling to give up, and Meng Fuyao did not want him to run around for her while she slipped away, so she could only follow him to Huazhou.
Before she could set off, an imperial edict from the Wuji Imperial Court arrived in Yao City, bestowing her with the title of General of Valor. She was given control over Yao City and Sui River, as well as control over the two armies. She was also given gold, pearls, and brocades. Meng Fuyao received the edict in Yao City, and on the next day, a hundred thousand soldiers and civilians gathered in front of the county yamen. When the news spread, thunderous cheers erupted. When Meng Fuyao walked out of the county yamen, she was greeted by the sight of countless Han citizens setting up tables and sprinkling water on the roads. Cheers and praises of the Emperor rang out incessantly.
Meng Fuyao stood on the steps, looking at the scene in a daze. "Is it really that exaggerated?" she mumbled.
"Why not?" Zhangsun Wuji replied. "You're worth it."
"It seems like I didn't do much," Meng Fuyao said with a melancholy smile. "I just showed off my bravado and almost caused trouble. It's quite silly."
"How many people can show off your 'bravado'?" Zhangsun Wuji looked at her deeply. "Fuyao, it's easy to know, but difficult to do. Even if there are millions of people, I will still forge ahead. It sounds grand and passionate, but if you really want to do it, not even one out of millions of people can."
Meng Fuyao smiled and waved at the cheering people. At that moment, she suddenly felt that even though she did not ask for anything in return, all the blood that had been shed, all the grudges that had been cast aside, and all the sacrifices and hard work that had been put into it, were all worth it.
She smiled and asked Zhangsun Wuji, "Did you go through the back door for me?"
"Father doesn't even know who Meng Fuyao is," Zhangsun Wuji replied. "This is really just a reward based on merit. Fuyao, you've given Yao City a new lease of life, and you've contributed to the collapse of King De's army. The honorable title of nobility is a reward that you fully deserve. It has nothing to do with you knowing me."
Meng Fuyao raised her eyebrows. "What use do I have for these two cities? I'm not going to stay here for the rest of my life."
Zhangsun Wuji turned around and looked at her silently. When he saw her shrunk her neck guiltily, he said, "Yao City and Sui Shui will always be yours. No one can replace what you've protected with your own abilities."
His words seemed to have a deeper meaning, and Meng Fuyao's neck shrank even more. She rolled her eyes and said, "I'm going to pee." She ran off like a wisp of smoke. The arrogant Lord Ingot was squatting on her shoulder. That rat had recently realized that the view from Meng Fuyao's shoulder had a different feeling.
For example, he could see his master more clearly.
Lord Ingot thought that even though Meng Fuyao was not as annoying as before, she was still a little annoying. For example, the ownership of his master was a matter of principle that could not be given up. A rat that did not want to obtain his master was not a good rat, and a Ingot that did not want to defeat his rival in love was not a good Ingot.
That day, when Zhangsun Wuji and Zhan Beiye were discussing the ownership of the jade pendant, he had listened to the entire conversation with a piece of candy in his mouth. He had been full of praise and thought that his master was treacherous and sly. Even when he was at a disadvantage, he could turn defeat into victory with a flip of his hand. Zhan Fool was most likely no match for him. However, in his heart, Lord Ingot felt that Zhan Fool was a better opponent. If he sold Meng Fuyao, wouldn't his master be his?
Thus, Lord Ingot squatted on Meng Fuyao's shoulder and chewed on the snack she fed him, seriously thinking about how he could sell her.
After pondering for a few days, Lord Ingot was already on his way to Hua Zhou. The war between the two armies was still going on, but they were already doomed to struggle at death's door. Zhangsun Wuji directly delegated such a small matter to his subordinates, while the few of them traveled to Hua Zhou for sightseeing. In his heart, he naturally hoped that some people would not follow them, but it did not matter if they did, as he would send them home sooner or later.
What he did not expect was that Rat was scheming to sell the woman he fancied to his rival in love.
That day, they rested at the foot of Hua Zhou's Ning Mountain. Tie Cheng, who had already become Meng Fuyao's bodyguard, had already scouted the surrounding terrain. Logically speaking, this group of people should have a lot of bodyguards, but they all preferred to be free. Zhangsun Wuji's bodyguards were always in the dark, while Zhan Beiye was the most confident in his own strength. Ya Lanzhu felt that it was their fortune that she did not provoke them, while Zong Yue had always been arrogant. The few of them looked at Meng Fuyao with pity, as they all felt that she was a little bird that needed protection.
The 'little bird' was well taken care of. During tea time, Zhan Wangye personally refilled the tea, but it spilled all over Meng Fuyao's sleeves. Zhan Beiye awkwardly wiped it away, but Zhangsun Wuji added, "Fuyao doesn't like tea."
Meng Fuyao could not bear to see Zhan Beiye's expression, so she stood up and said, "I'm going to relieve myself." Lord Ingot immediately jumped onto her shoulder and made a paw gesture that said, "I'm going to relieve myself too." Meng Fuyao scolded, "Are you lacking in kidneys? Didn't you just boo me?" The two of them went to the back of the tea stall, cursing each other.
After a while, Rat's squeaking could be heard from the toilet behind the tea stall. The squeaking was long and wobbly, rising to a high note before falling back dangerously. It was truly tragic, like the discordant sound of a young girl being OOXX or a young man being OOXX. Zhangsun Wuji raised his eyebrows and could not help but laugh. 'Lord Ingot's habit of taking a dump and singing is acting up again,' he thought. 'This song is getting more and more earth-shattering.'
He lowered his eyebrows to drink his tea, and when he looked up again, Zhan Beiye was gone.
Zhangsun Wuji was startled, but then he remembered that Rat's singing was not something a normal person could accept or get used to. Rather than saying it was singing, it was more like it was suffering from one of the ten greatest tortures, especially when it was humming in a low voice. It made one think of certain abnormal scenes. Zhan Wangye probably thought that it was crying for help, and thus reasonably associated it with Ingot and Fu Yao. He then imagined himself growing wings and flying into some dark alleyway, tearing clothes, piercing screams, and so on.
Zhangsun Wuji smiled faintly and poured himself another cup of tea.
'Good job, Rat …'
In the toilet, Lord Ingot was squatting on Meng Fuyao's head and singing with all his might. As he sang, he stuck his head out of the curtain. 'Aiya, why isn't he here yet? If he doesn't come soon, Fuyao's pants will be pulled up … '
Meng Fuyao held onto Xiao Yi and begged, "Please don't sing anymore, I'd rather you go and sing …"
However, Lord Ingot's sharp eyes had already caught sight of a black figure rushing over like a tornado.
"Squeak …" Lord Ingot ended his summoning journey with the strongest high-pitched voice of a century and leaped out of the window.
Meng Fuyao was stunned. As she pulled up her pants, she said, "Damn Rat, did you take the wrong medicine …"
As the wind blew, his eyes lit up.
A black and red figure flashed over, lifted the curtain, and said in a hurried voice, "Fuyao, did you encounter an enemy …"
He suddenly paused.
In front of him, the slender and exquisite woman's clothes were disheveled. Her upper robe was slightly lifted and her lower robe was almost pulled down. As a result, her incomplete clothes revealed a jade-like color. Contrasted by her black robe, it was like a smear of snow on the summit of Cang Mountain.
The startled woman raised her head slightly, her mouth slightly open, revealing her pearly white teeth and bright red lips. Due to the embarrassment of being suddenly startled, her cheeks gradually turned a captivating red. That red was like a red candle lit in a thin jade porcelain bowl. Through the sparkling and translucent jade, one could see the hazy and swaying brilliance of the candle.
Zhan Beiye's breath stopped. For a moment, he felt suffocated by the beauty. It was as if he had seen the Jade Palace Crape Myrtle at its most beautiful bloom many years ago. He turned around the corridor and saw his mother standing alone under the flowers. A gentle breeze blew through the deep spring of the Tong Pavilion. His mother turned back and smiled, her eyes overflowing with color.
His heart suddenly ached.
The pain actually made him a little more clear-headed. Only then did he realize the current situation. Fuyao was relieving herself, and there was no enemy at all. Furthermore, she had not pulled up her pants.
Zhan Wangye was immediately set ablaze.
Especially when Fuyao finally woke up from the shock and began to raise her eyebrows dangerously. Zhan Beiye was getting more and more scorched, and there was nowhere to put out the fire.
Zhan Beiye did not know what to say. He retreated in such a hurry that he forgot that he was still holding onto the curtain. With a 'rip', the curtain was pulled down.
The heroic figure of Fuyao, who was squatting in front of the toilet, immediately caught the eyes of the few people who had followed her …
After a moment of silence.
"Zhan Beiye, go to hell!"
Fuyao's roar startled the birds in the trees, causing them to scatter in all directions. Zhan Beiye's face had already turned the color of a chestnut under the watchful eyes of the crowd. He awkwardly tried to hang the curtain back up, but it was snatched away by Fuyao angrily. She jumped up and stomped on it, tying up her undone pants while she was at it.
Once she was done, her expression immediately changed. She nonchalantly patted Zhan Beiye's shoulder and said, "I was just cursing for fun just now. It was actually to attract their attention so that I could take the opportunity to tie up my pants."
She clapped her hands and walked away, leaving Zhan Beiye standing there with a bitter smile on his face. He did not know whether to thank or hate Fuyao for her carelessness in certain aspects.
Fuyao walked away, giggling as if nothing had happened. She then rummaged through Lord Ingot's snack box. After a while, Zhangsun Wuji asked for the box and rummaged through it as well.
That night, Lord Ingot had diarrhea and incessant hiccups …
= = = =
That night, they stayed in an inn. The few of them booked an entire courtyard, but none of them were willing to sleep with anyone else, so they simply took their own room.
That night, they gathered in a private room of the inn for dinner. There was a hotpot that looked a little like a modern hotpot, with a small brass stove and a clay pot that contained all sorts of meat and seasonal vegetables. Fuyao was a little late. "It smells so good," she exclaimed from afar after taking a shower.
Just as she sat down, two bowls of soup were handed to her. On her left, Zhangsun Wuji smiled at her. "This is your favorite rabbit meat." On her right, Zhan Wangye said, "Eating too much meat will cause internal heat. The mushrooms are not bad, they're very tender. Try some."
Fuyao stared at the two bowls of soup as if they were two bowls of poison. Ya Lanzhu put down her chopsticks and pouted. "I haven't eaten the meat either. I haven't drunk the soup either."
The two of them acted as if they hadn't heard anything. Zong Yue, on the other hand, picked up the yam with his chopsticks and passed it to her. "Why don't you eat this? It clears the internal heat, replenishes the Qi, and calms the spirit."
Hearing his sarcastic tone, Fuyao couldn't help but laugh. She tried her best to hold it in and took out the pepper that she had taken from Zhangsun Wuji. She had already dried it and ground it into powder. She sprinkled a little into the two bowls of soup and smiled. "This kind of pot tastes good when it's a little spicy. Here, you two try it." She pushed the bowls back without batting an eyelid.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at her, smiled, and slowly drank the soup. Zhan Beiye, on the other hand, raised his bowl and gulped it down as if he was drinking wine. The pepper was very spicy, so he couldn't help but cough. Ya Lanzhu wanted to massage his back, but he glared at her and stopped her.
Fuyao pretended not to see anything and buried her face in the soup, gulping it down. In her heart, she wailed, 'How am I going to live like this?'
= = =
At night, Ya Lanzhu suddenly ran over and hugged her bedding, saying that she couldn't sleep alone and wanted to sleep with her. How could Fuyao not know that she was afraid of Zhan Beiye climbing into her bed? What the hell? That was an exception back then. If they all developed the habit of climbing into her bed, what would happen?
Deep down, she welcomed Ya Lanzhu's visit. At least she wouldn't have to deal with Prince Zhan sending her medicine or Crown Prince Zhangsun tucking her in. The two of them chatted in bed for most of the night. During that time, Fuyao asked Ya Lanzhu how she fell in love with Zhan Beiye. She hugged her pillow and said, "I don't know either. I only remember that when I was very young, I followed my brother to visit the Tiansha Kingdom. We got lost in the Tiansha Imperial Palace and bumped into a very beautiful palace. I saw him washing the hair of a very beautiful lady. I've never seen a man wash anyone's hair. Both my father and brother had women wash their hair, and they would kick the water away when it was hot or cold. I stood in front of the palace gate and watched him wash the lady's long hair under the Crape Myrtle Flower. He used a cloth to dry her hair. I was stunned …"
Fuyao was stunned as well.
Many, many years ago, in the lonely palace where the mad concubine lived, under a garden full of crape myrtle flowers, the forgotten young prince half-knelt in front of the basin of water, washing the hair of his mad concubine mother. Those strands of black hair were held in the young man's palm like flowing water. In those past days, he and she depended on each other. In her infatuated and empty world, there was always his meticulous care. Whether it was winter, flying snow, autumn leaves, summer storms, or spring rains, because of his persistence, she lived a miserable but happy life.
However, there was always pain, and someone had to bear it. When that mad mother didn't know what pain was, all the pain and loneliness must have been borne by that young man, right? Ever since he was young, his tender shoulders had shouldered a double share of suffering, hers and his.
All of a sudden, Meng Fuyao understood why Zhan Beiye had such a bright and heroic personality. He had to be bright because his crazy mother needed the warmth of the sun to soothe her cold and sorrowful heart. If he continued to be gloomy, who would be able to light up his mother's dark world? If he was gloomy, who knew whether or not his covetous brothers would accuse him of "harboring resentment"?
He had to be bold and courageous. He had been at a disadvantage from the very beginning. He had to struggle more than the others in order to obtain basic equal treatment. If he was weak, he would be trampled on by others, including his mother!
Meng Fuyao sighed deeply as she looked at Ya Lanzhu's sleeping face. 'She's a naive child, but one who knows how to love. Sigh, she and Zhan Beiye are a really compatible couple …'
As she thought about it, she suddenly felt that something was wrong. Ya Lanzhu's martial arts were not weak, so why did she suddenly fall asleep while they were talking?
Then, she smelled a faint, elegant, yet seductive fragrance. She turned sideways and saw a pair of deep, smiling eyes.
Zhangsun Wuji smiled in the hazy light of the room, as bewitching and enchanting as the moon in the sky. He put a finger to his lips and softly whispered, "Shh."
Fuyao could not help but laugh. Why was he deliberately mystifying things? He had clearly sealed the child's acupoints.
Seeing that Zhangsun Wuji had actually removed his shoes and gotten onto the bed, she could not help but be shocked. "Ya Lanzhu is still on the bed. Don't you feel embarrassed?"
"I know you will feel embarrassed on my behalf, so carry her out." Zhangsun Wuji smiled and put his hands behind his head. "I don't want to carry any woman other than you."
Fuyao smiled helplessly and carried Ya Lanzhu to the outer room. The short bed outside could only accommodate one person. Fuyao was worried. What should she do? Climb back onto the bed just like that? Wouldn't that mean that she had climbed onto his bed? Wouldn't she go back to sleep? Her bed was occupied by him just like that?
While she was still thinking about it, her waist was suddenly encircled. Zhangsun Wuji was already hugging her from behind.
His chin rested on her shoulder. His breathing was simple and elegant, and his voice was even lower, like the rain on a spring night, drifting into Fuyao's ears.
"Fuyao …"
"Yes."
"Fuyao …"
"Yes."
"Fuyao …"
Fuyao laughed and turned to look at him. "I didn't expect you to play such a child's game."
Her eyes were still bright in the unlit room, shining like stars. Zhangsun Wuji looked at her with a smile and said, "Fuyao, the me you saw was never the real me. Ever since I met you, I'm not the original me."
His warm breath brushed past her ear, tickling her. Fuyao couldn't help but want to hide, but Zhangsun Wuji wouldn't let go. Fuyao could only twist her body and laugh. "I didn't expect Wuji Crown Prince to not only be good at scheming, strategizing, and politics, but also good at sweet-talking."
"I wouldn't have said these things," Zhangsun Wuji said leisurely beside her ear. "Unfortunately, someone's luck with women is too good, attracting all kinds of men. If I don't learn some new words, I can't guarantee that I won't be forgotten."
"You sound like a resentful woman." Fuyao pushed him and felt her skin burning. She couldn't help but blush and retreat to the window. The window wasn't closed tightly, and a bit of starlight spilled in, illuminating Zhangsun Wuji's faint smile. His face was slightly flushed, but his eyes were more blurred than the starlight.
Looking at him, Fuyao's heart fluttered slightly, followed by an immediate pain. She sighed helplessly and changed the topic. "You have something on your mind."
Zhangsun Wuji came over and held her hand. The two of them lay side by side on the couch. Fuyao gave him a pillow, but he reached for the one under her. "This is yours, isn't it?"
Fuyao smiled helplessly and scolded, "Crafty as a ghost!" Lying down comfortably, he and Zhangsun Wuji gazed at the moon outside the window. Under the moonlight, the half-closed winter jasmine and early peach blossoms were budding, their buds pale yellow and light red, delicate and charming. The mottled shadows of the flowers were reflected on the light blue window paper, creating a bright and enchanting scene.
"Alright, what do you want to say to me?" Fuyao half-closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the grass.
"Fuyao, you never believed that I was really dead after I faked my death in Wanzhou, right?"
"Of course." Fuyao blinked. "I was very scared and worried, especially when that damned rat Ingot said that you were gone. I almost believed him completely, but I always felt that it was illogical for a super scourge like you to die just like that."
"You never forget to say something sarcastic." Zhangsun Wuji pinched her nose. After a while, he said, "Fuyao, I'm glad that you believe in me. Can you always believe in me?"
"Hmm?" Fuyao was confused.
Fuyao asked. "No matter what happens, can you always believe in me, understand me, and not be confused or shaken by the appearance of those things?"
"You're talking about King De, right?" Fuyao asked instead of answering. "I don't really mind. I believe that you have your reasons. You'll naturally tell me when the time is right."
"Fuyao …" Zhangsun Wuji sighed softly. "You make me feel like I owe you a lot …"
"Brother," Fuyao turned around and said sternly, "don't be too moved, don't be too agitated, and don't be moved. Otherwise, I'll be the one to say it."
"You stubborn little fool …" Zhangsun Wuji smiled helplessly and patted her head. "I won't argue with you about this. Anyway, let's wait and see."
"Wait and see," Fuyao said confidently. "One day, you'll realize that I'm doing this for your own good."
Zhangsun Wuji stared at her, feeling a little angry. However, Fuyao's eyes were bright, like a beam of light that illuminated his heart. He really couldn't bear to criticize her. Zhangsun Wuji looked at her for a long time and suddenly laughed. "Alright, since I'm destined to be abandoned by you, and I have to thank you for it, shouldn't you comfort me now?"
"What?"
"Let me hug you to sleep for a night." Zhangsun Wuji reached out and pulled her into his arms. He sighed. "I haven't slept well for many days."
Fuyao's leg had already kicked out, but upon hearing his words, she held back a little. In that moment of hesitation, Zhangsun Wuji had already hit her sleeping acupoint.
Propping himself up, Zhangsun Wuji gazed at Fuyao's sleeping face and smiled. "You're such a soft-hearted girl. How good would it be if you were only soft-hearted towards me …"
= = =
When Fuyao woke up the next day, she nervously looked at Zhangsun Wuji's clothes. She was afraid of Zhan Beiye and really didn't want to wake up with a naked man next to her in the morning.
There was indeed a man beside her, who was also naked — Lord Ingot.
A certain rodent was sleeping soundly with its paws spread out, its pink tummy rising and falling. Fuyao recalled that the rodent had set her up to let Zhan Beiye see its naked body. Anger rose in her heart. She drew a few strokes on its tummy and wrote a few words on a piece of paper.
When Lord Ingot woke up, he was still in a half-conscious state. He closed his eyes and put on his robe. Fuyao pasted the note on the paper, and Lord Ingot floated out unknowingly, the words "Do not pee here" fluttering behind him.
After a while, Ya Lanzhu's maniacal laughter could be heard from outside the courtyard. Lord Ingot shot back like an arrow and fiercely took off his robe. When he saw the note, he jumped up and stomped on it, leaving his robe behind and striding out in high spirits.
This time, Ya Lanzhu was laughing so hard that she threw herself against the wall. On Lord Ingot's pink tummy were two big breasts …
For the rest of the day, Fuyao didn't see the rodent until they reached Huazhou. When she asked Zhangsun Wuji, he smiled and answered, "Please look around the corner."
Fuyao looked at him. Ever since they approached Huazhou, his expression and tone were the same as usual, but there was something wrong with his gaze. This abnormality was especially obvious when they entered the city. Could it be because King De was imprisoned in Huazhou, and he was going to discuss how to deal with him?
The group parted ways near the Huazhou government office. Zhanbei Zongyue and the rest were unwilling to get involved in Wuji's imperial family affairs and went to find a place to stay. Fuyao wanted to leave too, but Zhangsun Wuji pulled her back. "There's something I want you to know."
The magistrate of Huazhou and the governor of Jiangbei Province knelt in front of the government office in fear and trepidation. Zhangsun Wuji suddenly stopped in his tracks. He looked at the extraordinarily grand decorations inside and outside the government office and asked slowly, "Who else is here?"
Governor Cui of Jiangbei Province prostrated himself on the ground and said respectfully, "Your Highness … the Empress has just arrived in Huazhou …"
Fuyao was stunned. 'Empress Yuan? Zhangsun Wuji's mother? Why did she leave the palace and rush to Huazhou? '
Zhangsun Wuji stopped in his tracks. After a while, he said calmly, "Oh? Is that so? The Empress has traveled a long way and needs to rest. Let's not disturb her. "
Governor Cui wiped his sweat and groaned inwardly. The Empress had issued an imperial edict the moment she arrived, asking the Crown Prince to pass it on as soon as he returned. However, he didn't dare to say anything now. Wuji knew that there was an undercurrent between the mother and son of the royal family. Whoever touched it would die. Now that Zhangsun Wuji had given such an order, he could only obediently retreat.
"You didn't tell the Empress that King De is being held in the underground prison in the backyard of your government office?" Zhangsun Wuji walked quickly and asked casually.
"No … no … I wouldn't dare to disobey the Crown Prince's orders."
"Hmm, the Empress came to Huazhou to relax. Don't disturb the Empress with these military and national affairs, understand?"
"Yes …"
"I don't need to relax. With the Crown Prince around, I don't need to worry about military and national affairs, or even three meals a day. What's there to relax about?"
The cold and dignified female voice sounded, but the quality of the voice was soft. It seemed to be the accent of the Limitless South River, which produced the most beautiful women. However, this softness was distinct, so the softness gave birth to tenacity and fierceness, which made people feel embarrassed.
At the end of the long corridor stood a woman wearing a bright yellow Luan eight-piece palace dress. Her hair was tied up in a heavy bun, and her long skirt was winding. She was adorned with a seven-colored Phoenix pearl crown, an eight-treasure glazed gold hairpin, eighteen pearl crescent rings, and a teardrop-like phoenix pendant. Her facial features couldn't be seen clearly under the shine of the pearls, but there was a sense of beauty and sharpness, threatening people.
The mother of Wuji Country, Zhangsun Wuji's mother, Empress Yuan.
Empress Yuan stood coldly, looking at Zhangsun Wuji with a gaze that didn't belong to a mother and son.
"Is Empress Mother in good health?" Zhangsun Wuji's expression didn't change. He bowed slightly, "I didn't know you were coming to Huazhou, so I didn't welcome you. Please forgive me, Empress Mother."
"Forget it," Empress Yuan said indifferently, "It's good enough that you don't condemn others. Who would dare to condemn you?"
Zhangsun Wuji didn't seem to hear her words at all. He said indifferently, "I still have some chores. After I'm done, I'll come and pay my respects to Empress Mother. The scenery in Huazhou is not bad. If Empress Mother likes it, I'll arrange for the local prefectures to accompany you on a tour."
"What are you going to do?" Empress Yuan stared at him, then turned to look at Meng Fuyao behind him. "Where did this wild kid come from? Don't you know how to pay respects to me?"
Meng Fuyao stepped forward to pay her respects, but Zhangsun Wuji suddenly reached out to stop her, saying, "Empress, this is a foreign official. It's not appropriate for her to meet the palace family. I'll order her to withdraw now."
Meng Fuyao was startled, and Empress Yuan's gaze suddenly shot over like a sharp sword. She looked at Meng Fuyao and seemed to understand something. After thinking for a while, she said coldly, "Could it be the one surnamed Meng who single-handedly rescued Yao City and pretended to be a grain officer to destroy the morale of King De's army?"
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