Chapter 98: Appreciating Plum Blossoms
The hand adjusting the tuning pegs stilled. Zhao Yiyi’s elegant brows furrowed slightly as she asked in a concentrated voice, “What did you say?”
Mancao repeated herself.
The shadows of the sun flickered. Zhao Yiyi’s expression went blank for a moment before she recovered after a long while, frowning. “She was perfectly fine; how did she fall into the water? She really is too careless.”
Her gentle voice sounded like a cool breeze in summer. Yet, it also carried a few hints of indifference.
“Your Highness, could it be suicide?” Mancao asked in a lowered voice.
“Impossible.” Zhao Yiyi rejected the possibility without a second thought. “She isn’t like her mother. Someone would have to press her neck down into the pond before she’d be willing to die.”
Having known her for many years, Zhao Yiyi felt she understood Zuo Lianzhi somewhat. A person like her, who had known since childhood how to cover for Zhao Weimin and Madam Xu, racking her brains to curry favor with Zhao Weimin—how could such a person commit suicide?
No matter whose turn it was to die, it wouldn’t be hers.
Mancao pursed her lips. “The Zuo family was already annoyed with her. They only held their noses and took her in because Your Highness didn’t want her. Then she nearly caused a fatality on New Year’s Day; I’m afraid she’s going to die of anger.”
Zhao Yiyi rubbed the space between her eyebrows and said softly, “Forget it. In a few days, have Sanlang go over to look after her. No matter what, Sanlang is her biological younger brother. Their sibling bond runs deep, so we shouldn’t delay it. There is no one in this world closer to her than him; it’s only reasonable. From now on, let Sanlang stay with her.”
When the message from the palace arrived, Zhao Chen was sharing a small drink with Lu Xianshan.
“The Spring Examination is approaching. Has Cousin been out socializing?” Zhao Chen held a small crystal cup in his hand, a hint of a smile on his lips.
Lu Xianshan nodded, tilted his head to drain the cup of Shidongchun wine, and then said, “The Prince of Yan held a banquet a few days ago and invited me.”
Zhao Chen’s brows knitted together, but he relaxed them a moment later, speaking in a deep voice. “The Prince of Yan is His Majesty’s confidant. If he can help introduce you, given Cousin’s essays and reputation, it would certainly be of great benefit. However, the day Cousin arrived in Luoyang, during the banquet at the Jade Cuisine Tower in the Southern Market, I observed the Prince of Yan’s expression… he seemed unfriendly toward you.”
Lu Xianshan suddenly laughed.
He spoke slowly, “I know.”
He mostly understood the reason for the Prince of Yan’s dislike. These matters were likely only clear to those within the game. That man possessed her, and he possessed the world; he likely never even placed them in his eyes.
Only people like himself and the Prince of Yan—who had never possessed her—could so keenly perceive others who were just like them.
“How does Cousin know?” Zhao Chen was visibly stunned, then asked, “Then why does the Prince of Yan dislike you? Logically speaking, Cousin has no grievances or enmity with him, nor any conflict of interest.”
Lu Xianshan said, “Just some private grudges, nothing important. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Both of them were hopeless cases. No matter how fiercely they fought, there wasn’t a sliver of possibility.
If one were to say they found each other an eyesore, that would be somewhat true. But to say they wanted to put the other to death? It hadn’t reached that point.
From the day she was selected as the Crown Princess, he knew he had lost his chance.
Zhao Chen made a sound of acknowledgement. Thinking of the matter the attendant had just reported, he stood up. “Cousin, sit for a moment. I need to go see my eldest brother.”
Starting from New Year’s Day, government offices were on holiday for five days.
Zhao Yuan was also resting at home these few days. He should have used this free time to rest, but with his wedding approaching, he had to use this scarce spare time to busy himself with the trivialities of the ceremony.
The Xiahou lady had passed away early, and Zhao Weimin was in prison. Although elders in the clan helped manage some things, most matters still had to pass through his hands.
Therefore, Zhao Chen had taken over other family matters so his brother could focus on preparing for the wedding.
The message from the palace had also been sent directly to Zhao Chen.
“Big Brother, since Miss Zuo is so sick and doesn’t have anyone close by her side, let Shunnian go over to take care of her, shall we?”
Zhao Chen walked slowly into the hall, looking up at the lampshades the servants were cleaning.
Zhao Yuan frowned. “Sending Sanlang out in the first month of the year… people will inevitably gossip.”
Zhao Chen said, “He is going to take care of his sister; what gossip could there be? Besides, who is so idle that they stare at other people’s family affairs all day to gossip?”
He had become increasingly assertive recently. In many small matters, and even some major ones, Zhao Yuan subconsciously asked for this younger brother’s opinion and often did as he said.
Hearing him put it that way, Zhao Yuan began to consider it.
“Older Sister also has this intention,” Zhao Chen added, bringing out Zhao Yiyi’s name.
Zhao Yuan was left with nothing to say.
After leaving the main hall, Zhao Chen asked where Zuo Lianzhi was currently staying.
“The Zuo family thought her causing such a scene on New Year’s Day was inauspicious, so they moved her to a separate villa. They did send a doctor along, though,” a personal attendant replied softly from the side.
Zhao Chen chuckled lightly and said indifferently, “At a separate villa? That’s convenient. Send Sanlang there directly.”
The villa was located in the suburbs of the capital. It was quite desolate, and the environment was poor.
When Zhao Shunnian heard this, he first threw a tantrum and refused to go.
“This is your biological sister.” Although Zhao Chen was less than a year older than him, he was more than half a head taller. Looking at him now, his eyes were slightly lowered. “She loves you so much. If you treat her like this, won’t it chill people’s hearts? Father always liked seeing you siblings being close.”
After saying this, he didn’t bother managing him further and directly had someone stuff him into a carriage and send him to the Zuo family’s villa.
Zhao Yiyi had only just sent the word out; she didn’t expect him to act so quickly.
When Zhao Chen sent Zhao Shunnian to the villa, the palace messenger hadn’t even left yet.
Along with the news brought back came a letter from Zhao Chen. It mentioned that when Zhao Weimin heard the news of Madam Xu’s death, he vomited blood on the spot.
For more than ten years, Zhao Weimin had regarded Madam Xu as his beloved, thinking her gentle, kind, sensible, and considerate. Although his heart had been chilled by the attitude of Zuo Lianzhi and her brother, he still had some affection left for Madam Xu.
Originally, if a person died, they died; the matter would pass, and life would go on. But Zhao Chen refused to let him have it easy.
He made a trip to the prison. He described to Zhao Weimin, one by one, exactly how Madam Xu had amassed wealth while managing the household finances and how she had bribed Cheng Anhua to impeach the Empress.
It could be described as vivid and extremely detailed.
Zhao Weimin was so angry he vomited blood on the spot. He fell backward, his body collapsing suddenly. By the time he was helped up, he already showed signs of a stroke.
“Is he really that idle?” Zhao Yiyi was so angry she almost crushed the paper into a ball, creases already forming at the edges. “Everything was fine, but he had to run to the prison. Now look at this—if people find out, they’ll curse him to death!”
Listening to her low rebuke, Gu Zhen said warmly, “He didn’t know your father was so fragile. He only said a few sentences and it turned out like this; you can’t blame him.”
Zhao Yiyi looked back at him, her expression rather displeased. “Your Majesty knew about my father’s matter, so why did you keep it from me?”
Gu Zhen said, “It wasn’t a major matter, so Zhen didn’t keep dwelling on it. Also, it was during the New Year festival, and I was afraid it would affect your mood.” Worried she would be unhappy, he hurriedly added, “Don’t worry, Zhen has long since silenced everyone in the prison. It won’t spread.”
The charcoal fire in the study was not as sufficient as in the bedchamber, but at this moment, there was indeed an inexplicable heat.
He was sticking so close, his body temperature transmitting without reservation. Zhao Yiyi felt the tip of her heart tremble from the heat.
Outside the window, gusts of wind blew. Zhao Yiyi didn’t speak, but she unconsciously moved a few inches away from him.
Gu Zhen didn’t mind, only laughing, “How has Zhen offended you again?”
“I just feel hot.” Zhao Yiyi seemed unwilling to argue with him too much, answering briefly.
She was remembering last night.
It had been a long time for both of them. She was fine, only feeling some stirrings and intolerance when teased beyond endurance.
Gu Zhen, however, demanded several times, almost making it impossible for her to cope.
When she was pushed against that rhomboid bronze mirror, he had, just as he said before, held her waist with both hands and served her properly.
Therefore, now, as soon as she was slightly close to him, the intention to retreat would arise.
“Looking at you, Your Highness, it doesn’t seem like you are hot.” Gu Zhen looked down at her, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Hearing this address, Zhao Yiyi’s body instantly tensed. She forced herself to remain calm, turned her head away, and said coolly, “You aren’t me; how do you know if I’m hot or not?”
Seeing that she was losing her composure, Gu Zhen didn’t dare tease her further. He hurriedly said, “Alright, it was Zhen who didn’t think it through. Last night, I said I would take you to Tongtuo Lane today. I’ve already ordered people to prepare the carriage and horses. We will stay out for a night today before returning.”
Zhao Yiyi was stunned at first. She tried hard to recall for a long time, her face blushing slightly, before she remembered he had said it while coaxing her when she couldn’t take it anymore.
At a time like that, who could actually listen to what was being said?
She only paused, then stood up, looking apologetic. “That is unfortunate. I already made an appointment with others to go to Beimang to appreciate the plum blossoms. As for Tongtuo Lane, Your Majesty should go by yourself.”
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