Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Time passed by minute by minute. The empress looked at the handsome man in front of her obsessively and absent-mindedly. There was still no answer from him after she had waited for a tea session’s worth of time. This inevitably made her a little restless.
“What do you think?”
She hurriedly urged him, “I respect you enough to give you some time to think about it. However, if you dare reject me, please think through it thoroughly! You’ve already retired, so you’re just a mere commoner now! I can issue an order to force you into the palace for me to marry you and make you my Emperor!”
“…”
Initially, Jiang Yeqian had been just a little distressed, but after hearing what she was saying, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes flickered coldly. He turned his head to look at the empress, his handsome face with a trace of cruelty on it.
The empress immediately sensed imminent danger emanating from him. It was the face he showed other officers when met with them.
She knew she had been wrong.
She had been too impatient
If she were to force him, not only would she be forcing him to do something against his will, but it would also make him rebel.
The empress anxiously rambled.
“Jiang Yeqian, you don’t have to answer now.
“I’ll give you a few more days to think about it.
“The matter of your resignation will be temporarily put on hold. We can discuss it further later.
“Go back and rest properly for a few days. There’s no need to rush back to the palace.”
…Jiang Yeqian’s dark pupils were void of emotion. He quietly said, “This minister will be leaving.”
After that, Jiang Yeqian picked up his crutches, turned around, and left the study without feeling a single ounce of nostalgia.
Zhao Xin looked at his master’s calm and somber expression and quickly followed him. After passing the palace’s inner gate, they immediately got on the carriage!
After Little Lizi sent the Head Grand Secretariat off, he let out a breath of relief and entered the study room. After he walked in, he noticed the empress gasping for air as if she was struggling to breathe. He hurried toward her in shock.
“Your Majesty? What happened to you, Your Majesty?”
“Little Lizi…” the empress reached out her hand, with an expression that asked him to help her up.
Little Lizi helped the empress up. He glanced at the mess on the table and quickly called for the maids to come in and clean up the mess.
After the mattress was changed and a pot of tea was added, he helped the empress to have a seat.
The empress looked at Little Lizi, excitedly licked her lips, and said, “I… I… I told him just now.”
“You said it?”
Little Lizi had followed the empress for a long time, so he knew what she was thinking. He cautiously asked, “How did the Head Grand Secretariat respond?”
“He didn’t say anything.”
The empress giggled and said, “I asked him to go back and think about it for a few days.”
Little Lizi had a sentimental expression and said, “Your Majesty, you’ve always admired the Head Grand Secretariat. This servant was thinking that he probably would not reject this great thing. After all, this is an opportunity to be the emperor.”
“…”
That was true!
The empress also believed that he would definitely agree to it.
After all, she was the present dynasty’s empress.
If he really dared to reject, she could just issue an order. Really, really, really… force him.
…
The carriage ran quickly all the way from the palace. After arriving at Head Grand Secretariat’s residence, the carriage entered directly through the small gate. When it was near the stables, Zhao Xin jumped off the carriage, opened its door, and pulled back the curtain. The man inside looked indifferent as he got down.
The coachman led the horses inside for feeding.
Zhao Xin followed behind his master, whispering happily as he walked.
“My lord, Her Majesty definitely agreed to your resignation. Now, after cleaning up, we can leave this Capital City.”
“…”
Jiang Yeqian turned around and stared deeply at Zhao Xin.
Zhao Xin sensed the threat and viciousness in his master’s gaze, it made him shiver.
“My lord, did your subordinate say something wrong?” Could it be that Her Majesty had not agreed to the resignation?
Jiang Yeqian’s face was sullen for a moment before raised his eyelids. It was hard to decipher whether he was angry or happy. He asked, “Zhao Xin, how does your lord look?”
Zhao Xin was stunned for a moment, then praised earnestly. “My lord is of course an extraordinarily handsome person.
Jiang Yeqian raised his eyes slightly, with a somber expression. “Don’t bluff. Pretend you’re looking at me from the perspective of an ordinary person, how do I look?”
Zhao Xin was confused why he was asking such a thing, but he could not ask for the reason. He could only answer honestly. “My lord, do you really need your subordinate to answer? You have so many admirers in Capital City. Every time you go out, many women throw flowers at you when they see you. Even you know this.”
The truth was that he knew as much, which was why he hated it. Jiang Yeqian’s steps were slow as they continued to walk toward the yard. The sound was a little annoying, so he murmured, “Being handsome is also a type of fault.”
Zhao Xin, “??”
How could being handsome be wrong?
In this world, being handsome could be your livelihood, and his master knew it. All this while, he has always been good at using his appearance to achieve many goals. Why was he suddenly expressing this type of emotion now?
Zhao Xin did not understand.
Wait… Hold on.
Something was wrong.
When he was at the palace just now, his expression had been somber ever since he came out. Could it be that the empress gave the master a marriage proposal?
Who was the other party?
Which household’s daughter?!
Zhao Xin was very curious.
…
After arriving in the Capital City at noon and then taking a bath, under the guidance of Zhu Shen, Qi Qingyao visited the National Teachers’ residence for a while, and then took a nap with the three children in her arms. Qi Qingyao slept until the afternoon, but as for the three children, they were exhausted from the long-distance travel that had lasted for more than a month and did not look like they wanted to wake up at all. Qi Qingyao rubbed Erniu’s face, and Erniu tiredly mumbled that she was still sleepy~
Qi Qingyao thought, after half a month of struggle, they could finally settle down. The children were still growing, which was why they needed more sleep. She then instructed a maid in the yard to stand guard at the gate.
She watched as the sun went down. Qi Qingyao’s smile was rather mischievous. She took out a set of men’s clothes from the bag. After she changed into it, she fixed her hair and applied makeup to her eyebrows. She looked at her face in the mirror and could hardly see any femininity. She completely looked like a pretty young man.
Qi Qingyao was quite satisfied.
As soon as she walked out the gate, she made eye contact with the maid. The maid almost could not recognize her.
“It’s me!” Qi Qingyao said.
It then dawned on the maid.
She still scratched her head in confusion afterward.
Qi Qingyao got ready to go to the front hall. Along the way, she was almost arrested by the guards of the State Preceptor’s residence for being mistaken as an assassin. In the heat of the moment, Qi Qingyao called out for Zhu Shen. After Zhu Shen came over to confirm her identity, they took her to the front hall.
Zhu Shen called over Li Ruoxuan, who was meditating.
Li Ruoxuan was also shocked and stunned by how she looked for seconds before regaining his senses. After confirming that it was Qi Qingyao, he referenced some minute details to be sure of her identity.
Li Ruoxuan pretended to be calm and asked, “The three children are already asleep. What are you planning to do being dressed so neatly?”
Qi Qingyao smiled and said, “I’ve already come to the Capital City, of course I want to visit the buildings…”
Li Ruoxuan felt that as someone who had experienced strong winds and waves, he rarely got surprised. However, after he heard her reason, he could not hold himself back and suddenly stood up and questioned, “You’re a woman! What are you doing, going to a brothel?”
“Obviously, I’m going to have fun! What else would I be doing there? Going to read and write? What a funny question you’ve asked!” Qi Qingyao sat on the Taishi chair beside her and calmly crossed her legs.
Li Ruoxuan said, “You’re a woman!”
“Women like pretty men and beautiful little ladies too~~ The nature of human beings is to love beautiful things.”
Was there something wrong with this? Qi Qingyao asked suspiciously, “Could it be that the State Preceptor likes unattractive people?”
No one would like unattractive people! Li Ruoxuan frantically said, “But no woman would so boldly visit such buildings!”
Qi Qingyao pointed to her outfit. “That’s why I’m wearing men’s clothes.”
“…” This was not even an issue of men’s or women’s attire.
S-s-s-she has something wrong with her!
Something was wrong with her brain, Li Ruoxuan thought with an ashen face.
Qi Qingyao calmly asked, “Do you want to come to?”
Li Ruoxuan shook his head firmly. “No!”
“Then I’ll go by myself.” Qi Qingyao was waiting for him to say that. It was great that tonight there would be a free babysitter in the house to watch the children. She could go out and relax as well as enjoy the joyful moments of being single.
Li Ruoxuan, “…”
Qi Qingyao smiled widely and blinked slyly, “Since you’re not going out and sleeping peacefully tonight, can I borrow Zhu Shen?”
Li Ruoxuan asked blankly, “For what?”
“After all, this is Capital City, and I’m the person the empress wants to summon. I’m not familiar with this place at all! What if I were to run into any danger and be led away before I even meet Her Majesty? That’s why I should borrow Zhu Shen to protect me.”
Qi Qingyao beamed from ear to ear, whilst worried that he would say no since he was very cautious. She suggested, “Don’t worry, if you think that my request is too much, I can pay.”
Li Ruoxuan was silent for a moment and said, “I’ll go with you.”
“Eh…”
Qi Qingyao almost dropped her jaw in shock. After she held back for a moment, she said, “My lord, that’s not necessary. I can go to Lu Household to get Lu Yan to accompany me. It could help him recover at the same time.”
Li Ruoxuan said, “I’m free!”
Qi Qingyao yelled as if it was something serious. “I’d feel embarrassed to ask the State Preceptor to accompany me and have fun.”
“I can see that you’re very thick-skinned,” Li Ruoxuan said as he clenched his teeth.
Qi Qingyao shrugged and playfully raised the corners of her mouth, then stepped forward and patted Li Ruoxuan on the shoulder nicely.
“Let’s go! Let’s go have a drink together in the building!”
Li Ruoxuan, “…”
He had already been promoted to grand master and had finally managed to get half a day off and meditate. However, he unexpectedly agreed to accompany this woman to go visit the buildings.
Li Ruoxuan thought he was crazy for agreeing with her.
On second thought, if this was the Harbinger, it would be better to follow than not follow.
Since he was not interested in her, he could follow her and see what wicked things she would do.
Zhu Shen immediately prepared a ride and a few guards to accompany him when he said he was going out, but His Excellency said it was not necessary. It was also not necessary to hang a flag on the carriage. This behavior of not hanging a flag or bringing guards made Zhu Shen very alarmed.
After they left and entered the center of Capital City, Li Ruoxuan asked to stop so the two of them could hop off the carriage.
“Wait around here,” Li Ruoxuan ordered.
As he turned, Qi Qingyao had already walked into the market.
Li Ruoxuan hurried behind her.
Zhu Shen looked at the two who disappeared into the crowd. He stopped the carriage at the side of the road and dazed sat at the shaft while he thought quietly.
‘What is my lord thinking?’
He had said he was not interested in Lady Qi, yet he had agreed to her request to accompany her!
This… was completely beyond the scope of logical ctions for his lord to take!
Zhu Shen scratched his head in confusion as he looked into the crowd and sighed.
Qi Qingyao stared at the view in front of her.
She could not help but feel emotional.
The lanterns glowed vividly, and the streets were bustling. Amidst the layers of red and silk that hung around the place, precious pearls and gemstones could be seen anywhere one looked. Beauties donned in bright and delicate clothing could be seen playing music and singing, it was an exceptionally magnificent sight. It looked straight out of a painting, from the gorgeous bridges to the sunset-shade lanterns to the waves of perfume permeating the air. The moon shone brightly far up in the sky and the symphony of music danced all over the scene. My, oh my, how beautiful the moon is in spring! Let us dance to celebrate the dawn of peace!
Qi Qingyao said as she walked, “Compared to Qingzhou City, even though both as just as lively, there’s still a little difference in characteristics and local tastes.
Li Ruoxuan was always surrounded by people when he went out, and there would always be a tail of people following behind him. It was rare for him to come out to play as an ordinary person, let alone going out with someone who had ‘disguised herself as a man’. “I really don’t know what you would want to do, visiting brothels as a woman.”
Qi Qingyao was buying roasted candied chestnuts by the roadside. “If you keep nagging, you might as well go back to sleep!”
“…”
Li Ruoxuan gritted his teeth and said with a dark face, “Qi Qingyao, no one dares to speak to me that way!”
“First time?”
Qi Qingyao grinned, “If you don’t want to go drinking or find women, get out of here.”
Li Ruoxuan, “…!!”
He really wanted to get out of there.
This street was the Capital City’s fireworks night street. All types of restaurants and nightclubs were bustling. The wine banners hung on doors were more colorful and brighter than the other places, lanterns of various colors formed a unique and scenic street.
Qi Qingyao ate her roasted candied chestnuts as she walked towards the biggest brothel’s entrance. She murmured, “This Huayue Pavilion is still chained up. It seems like the rich behind it are quite powerful.”
“It’s under the Qilin Administration.” Li Ruoxuan was not interested in snacks. However, as he watched her enjoy what she was eating, he sneakily reached for one. He brushed against a few of the roasted candied chestnuts in the oily bag in her arms.
Qilin Administration? “Ghost Organization?” Qi Qingyao’s eyes widened.
Li Ruoxuan mindlessly nodded.
Qi Qingyao beamed, and her eyes glistened. She said with a smile, “Then tonight we must properly experience the beauties that the Huayue Pavilion has gathered from all over the world!”
Just as she was about to walk towards the Huayue Pavilion, Qi Qingyao suddenly turned her head and looked at Li Ruoxuan for a moment before she said, “Even though you have a pretty popular face, you’re now blind in one eye. If you get recognized when you follow me into the Huayue Pavilion, can we still drink and have fun like normal people?”
Li Ruoxuan touched the blindfold on his right eye, smiled half-heartedly, and said, “You already said it yourself. I have a popular face, but I’m wearing a blindfold now. Capital City already knows that I’m blind, and not a lot of people wear blindfolds. There aren’t a lot of people who think that I would visit a brothel.”
“…”
Qi Qingyao stared for a moment, and said “You’re right! Let’s go for the wine and women!”
She then grabbed Li Ruoxuan’s arm with one hand and held the roasted candied chestnuts in the other and boldly walked towards the Huayue Pavilion.
Li Ruoxuan, “…”
In this lifetime, there had never been a woman, no, there had never been nobody who dared to grab his arm like that. This little lady was very impudent! The day he was promoted from grand master to something more powerful and no longer needed her, he would definitely kill her and use her as a sacrifice to heaven.
May it be a warning to others!
There would no longer be any woman who would dare to disrespect him!
…
At Head Grand Secretariat’s residence.
After Jiang Yeqian returned from the palace, he took a good bath, changed his clothes, and waved all the frustrating troubles in his mind away. He sat alone in the study, leaned back in his carved rosewood chair, and meditated.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Jiang Yeqian said slowly after regulating his breathing.
Zhao Xin came in and hurried towards him.
He said in a low voice, “My lord, please keep your attention on the State Preceptor’s residence. There’s activity there.”
“…”
“Zhu Shen was driving the carriage alone. The State Preceptor and a young man left by themselves without bringing any retinue. After they got off the carriage, they entered the crowd. Our informants were following them from a distance, but they clearly saw that the pair’s destination was the Huayue Pavilion!”
“…!!!”
Jiang Yeqian’s face darkened completely.
The fact that she easily visited the Huayue Pavilion was not what had shocked him. After all, this woman had mentioned it before.
He was shocked because Li Ruoxuan had not actually brought anyone with him and had been willing to accompany her to Huayue Pavilion, out of all places. Those were good intentions!
Simply…
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It exceeded his expectations of Li Ruoxuan’s actions.
Unless the one surnamed Li was trying to find an excuse to test him again… to see if he would mind, then show up at the Huayue Pavilion…
However, there was another possibility. The one surnamed Li could be interested in her too! He wanted to accompany her out of love! However, this possibility was very unlikely!
Jiang Yeqian’s handsome face tensed, and the corners of his mouth stretched to form a straight line.
There were some wild and manic thoughts in his mind. What kind of magic powers did that woman have? She was just a widow! It was one thing to have made him unable to get her out of his mind, but things crossed the line again when the one surnamed Li felt the same way..