Chapter 56: 15,000 words, seeking a vote! By Ji Jin

  The request came suddenly on the seventh day of summer.

  Softly speaking, her pair of watery eyes stared straight at Zhao Zun.

  She knew that everyone in the audience would think she, Chu Qi, had gone mad. If Zhao Zun lent her people but didn't achieve the effect she expected, it wouldn't just be her reputation that was damaged. Zhao Zun would also be implicated and blamed by Dongfang Qingyun for indulging and covering up her disrespect to the dead.

  So, for this matter which might set her on fire and burn herself, she was uncertain whether Zhao Zhu would help her or not.

  However.

  Zhao Zun just quietly looked over and didn't ask anything else, then gave a faint cold command.

  "Chen Jing, give Chu Qi a few people."

  As soon as Chen Jingru finished saying "yes", Zhao Zun's cold lips pursed slightly, paused for a moment, and then calmly looked at Xia Chuqi, saying lightly, "Do your best."

  Do your best.

  Anyone can hear these four words.

  It's not just about Zhao Zhuo's trust in Xia Chuyi.

  And also contains two additional layers of meaning.

  Firstly, even if Chu Qi was nothing but a mere mouthpiece, and the truth proved that she was just talking nonsense, Zhao Zun would still help her resolve any worries.

  Secondly, Zhao Zhuo was the mastermind behind this matter. He said how Ying Ge died, and that's what happened. He said it couldn't be investigated further, so it can't be investigated further. She didn't need to consider any other factors when doing this, she could do it with a clear conscience.

  My heart skipped another beat. All messy.

  Xia Chuyi hastily shifted her gaze away after exchanging a brief eye contact with Zhao Zun.

  She's afraid she can't do things normally anymore.

  This is a very weird mentality.

  She can usually stare at him with big eyes, being sarcastic and belittling, even teasing him casually, saying dirty and shameless words without feeling anything wrong. She is that kind of person who can be unscrupulous and carefree, not needing to consider how her family looks in front of him or thinking about how he will look at her.

  Since last night, when she hugged him in the cold river water and wrapped herself in his warm fox fur coat, she knew that something had changed. But that feeling, she couldn't quite grasp it accurately. When she saw Zhao Zun, seeing his also bright red eyes, she could no longer have a calm heart, her whole body was filled with that fiery heat.

  Under Chen Jing's arrangement, several armored soldiers walked in from outside, bowed to the masters present, and stood up straight, waiting for Xia Chuyi's orders.

  He had already collected his thoughts, and Xia Qi was carefully examining Ying Ge's body. A pair of slender eyebrows were furrowed, her face serious, but her emotions were also hard to discern.

  In an instant, a faintly warm and soft smile seemed to come from behind.

  "Chu Xiao Lang, this move, I think it's quite refreshing, but how confident are you that it will work?"

  In treating Dongfang Qingyun, Xia Chuyi was far from having the same kind of affection as she had for Zhao Zilong.

  She turned her head back, with a fake smile, "Lord Dongfang, how confident are you that every time you take a dump it's dry?"

  This sentence is really too crude, especially when said in public, it's even more embarrassing. But people who are familiar with Xia Chuqi know that this is already a relatively polite time, if not, who knows how many sarcastic remarks are on the tip of his tongue?

  As expected, the peerlessly handsome Tōhō-sama was once again tongue-tied by her.

  But he didn't know if it was because of his good upbringing or if he really had a plan, he only narrowed his slender phoenix eyes, but not at all angry with her, and smiled at her like a demon.

  "I just want to remind you that if your methods ruin the corpse and affect the case, I will make sure you lose your position."

  Successive seats, is there such an expression?

  At this moment, Xia Chuyi felt that Dongfang Qingxuan was simply a scoundrel, and it was clear that he didn't want her to have an easy time. Fortunately, he had a face that made people love him at first sight, like a flower blooming in front of everyone.

  Actually, she had only taken a preliminary look before, and the sparrow was suffocated to death by someone covering her mouth and nose, but it was obvious that she hadn't been dead for long. She didn't know if this house was the first scene or not, but when she touched her body, it was still warm. And she had an emergency rescue method for asphyxiation victims, especially those who were initially only in a state of apparent death. In modern medicine, there are many examples of people being rescued back from that kind of situation.

  But currently medical conditions are limited, she can only try, where is guaranteed?

  She didn't make a sound, but Zhao Zhuo spoke coldly.

  "Does this mean I have to kneel down too, according to the Eastern Great One's intention?"

  He has a lazy expression and a cold temperament, and it's really hard to describe his arrogant demeanor.

  Dongfang Qingxuan just smiled, "Your Highness's status is noble, so it's not necessary."

  Xia Zhichu took a deep breath, knowing that at this moment she had to "seize every second", without any time to argue with Dongfang Qingxuan. She composed herself from the shock brought by Zhao Zun's constant protection and calmly directed Chen Jing to call over several soldiers under the warm smile of Dongfang Dajiao, which was slightly sarcastic.

  She pointed at one of them and said, "You go find two pen holders first."

  That man responded and left, Xia Chuyi also didn't explain to others at this time, and pointed to another person, "Lay her body flat, you go up, step on both of her shoulders, then use your hands to pull her hair, strangle her, don't use too much force."

  Zhao Zun narrowed his eyes and stared at her, his gaze also being complex and unpredictable.

  At this time on the seventh day of summer, however, he couldn't see that many anymore. He pointed to another person and said, "You pinch her throat, use your hand to slowly rub her chest, don't stop."

  "And this little brother, you are responsible for rubbing her arm, then slowly, bend her two legs up."

  After arranging everything, she squatted down and put her hands on the small abdomen of the oriole, pressing slowly, grasping the rhythm like breathing.

  At this time, the person holding the pen holder came back.

  On the seventh day of summer vacation, Xia leaned over and instructed, "You two, one on each side, use that pen holder to get close to her ear and blow air into it with all your might."

  She treated a corpse like this, leaving onlookers utterly astonished.

  Such a bizarre behavior, it's not just unseen, but unheard of.

  Almost everyone's gaze was focused on her and a few busy people around her.

  Unfortunately, after a good while, the corpse was still just a corpse, and there was no change at all.

  With a slight hum, Dongfang Qingxuan's voice, like that of a fox demon, came over in a timely manner. "It seems that Chu Xiaolang is unable to make the corpse speak after all. Is this just an act of pretending to be mysterious and insulting the dead, or is it simply to avenge the resentment of wanting to seduce King Jin's palace? Is it a lack of confidence in oneself, or distrust of the king?"

  The seventh day of summer is also somewhat anxious.

  But she thinks of herself as someone who can hold her own and will absolutely not back down when she shouldn't.

  A pair of hands alternated according to first aid measures, slowly rubbing Yīng Gē's abdomen, and the mouth also did not forget to retort that Eastern demon, "My relationship with my family is naturally good. And as for Yīng Gē? If I had a mind to take revenge, there would be no need to save her, do you think everyone else is as foolish as you?"

  What kind of person is the Grand Commander of the East?

  Not to mention ordinary servants, even princes and commoner sons of emperors had never been so presumptuous in his presence.

  Many people felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this.

  Those who know her understand that Xia Zhi Qi has always been like this.

  Those who don't know will naturally guess it's just because Zhao Zun is backing her up.

  Dongfang Qingxuan is still as enchanting and elegant as ever, but being described with the word "foolish" only makes her laugh softly, a sweet sound that's even more pleasant than the gentle gurgling of a mountain spring.

  "I hope Chu Xiaolong and Your Highness's feelings for each other are really that good."

  Her heart skipped a beat, and Xia Qi Qi didn't even dare to look at Zhao Qiu's expression after her previous outburst. But the various gazes that shot towards her from behind made it clear to her that in other people's eyes, she and Zhao Qiu were just like a typical flower stuck in cow dung.

  Of course, she was that pile of cow dung on July 7th.

  Her little face flushed for a moment, she rarely scolded Dongfang Yaoren this time. Only her voice was calm and continued her rescue work, "You, don't stop your hands."

  "Yes."

  "Keep going, a bit harder."

  "Yes."

  "You pulled her hair tight and can't let go."

  "Yes."

  Although those soldiers did not understand the significance of what they were doing, they still followed Xia Chuyi's instructions and carried out their tasks in an orderly manner. Her expression remained calm and serious, a completely professional look that she had only ever worn on the operating table in her past life. Of course, no one in the room had ever seen this side of her before...

  Time passes very slowly.

  The gaze of the crowd, from initial curiosity, slowly turned into a profound and sarcastic mockery.

  Although they didn't say it out loud due to Zhao's presence, everyone understood clearly in their hearts.

  To bring the dead back to life? To make the dead speak, is simply a madman talking nonsense.

  Sweat was faintly visible on his forehead, and Xia Chuyi became even more uncertain.

  If it were modern medical technology, it would be possible to bring someone who is on the verge of death or fake death back with just one breath. However, in ancient times, even if Ying Ge's method was not entirely fake, her emergency treatment also incorporated some modern therapeutic concepts. Who knows what the outcome will be?

  Do your best.

  Zhao Zun's previous four words echoed in his ears again.

  She inadvertently turned her head and met Zhao Zhu's eyes, who was sitting a few steps away.

  She took it back with just one bump.

  It seems that suddenly this awareness of salvation has become not entirely for fools.

  She found out... if it really didn't work out, she would be truly sorry for betraying Zhao Zhu's trust.

  "Continue..."

  "Once more..."

  As the cold command of the seventh day of summer grew louder, the quiet crowd began to let out low sighs.

  It's so repetitive, time is really passing too slowly.

  Everyone was waiting for a result, or rather, everyone was waiting for her to stand up and announce her defeat. But who would have thought that in just two meals' time, the originally motionless Larkspur suddenly made a sound from her throat.

  "Let go, release her completely." Xia Chuyi ordered softly after catching his breath.

  Slowly, Yingge opened her eyes.

  "Whoa......"

  "This Chu Xiao Lang is really quite capable."

  "The dead man has come back to life!"

  Such a rescue in this era, using the two magical words "resurrect" to describe it is not excessive. Amidst the crowd's incredulous gasps of amazement, Xia Chuyi let out a long sigh, his heart pounding, and immediately looked towards Zhao Zhu.

  He also quietly looked over.

  Nor does anyone know whose heart beats faster.

  Zhao Zun narrowed his eyes slightly and asked in a cool tone, "Ying Ge, be honest with me, why did you come to the fool's house?"

  That girl's face turned white, looking at the situation in the house, almost unable to come back to her senses. After Zhao Zun asked again, she seemed to recall something, her lips trembling violently for a few times, weakly pointing that pale hand at the fool who didn't dare to lift his head.

  "He..."

  As soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly widened her eyes again, and a weak "er" sound came out of her mouth like a small dog, and a mouthful of blood spurted out from the corner of her lips. Her eyes were wide open, her body was trembling, her hands and feet were struggling and kicking randomly, her head tilted to one side, and she fainted again.

  "The Oriole's Song!"

  At the beginning of summer, one hand quickly grasped her Renzhong acupoint, and another hand was placed on her pulse. However, at this moment, she had no vital energy left, and no matter how hard they tried to rescue her, it was all in vain. She really died a thorough death.

  Such a result left Xia Chuyi utterly shocked.

  It is clear that Ying Ge was not only suffocated to death, but also poisoned before being suffocated. But why did someone poison her and then go on to suffocate her? Was she suffocated first or poisoned first? Were the person who wanted to poison her to death and the person who wanted to suffocate her to death one and the same, or were they two different people?

  One by one, doubts arise in my mind.

  But she's not a forensic pathologist unless an autopsy is performed on the body. Otherwise, it's impossible to accurately determine the true cause of Ying Ge's death.

  This situation is full of twists and turns.

  The onlookers all stirred with excitement, but no one dared say anything more.

  After all, there are several seniors on the scene, who dares to be presumptuous?

  "The dead man has indeed spoken." Dongfang Qingxuan smiled very charmingly, "But the dead man also pointed out the murderer again. King Jin, in my opinion, there's no need for further investigation, right? Come and take that fool away."

  "What's the hurry, Master Dongfang?"

  Zhao Zun, who had been sitting lazily on the edge, slightly lowered his black eyes, calmly brushed off the sleeve of his black robe, and didn't look at anyone else, only gazing at Xia Chuqi, slowly asking.

  "How did he die?"

  "Don't judge until you've dissected." Xia Chuqi said frankly.

  The word "autopsy" still sounds quite fresh to modern people. On July 7th, I carefully explained it again, and what is meant by autopsy is that after the body is dissected for further examination, many people gasped in shock.

  Ancient people were all afraid of death without a complete corpse, and they also followed the idea that the deceased is supreme.

  Although this Oriole is just a maid, yet there is no one who approves of such behavior.

  Looking at her eyes that were about to overflow with tears, Zhao Zun's eyes cooled down, and suddenly, he slowly turned his head and looked towards Ning Wang Zhao Xi, who had not spoken a word.

  "Third Brother, what's your take on this? Should it be handled by our family or should the Imperial Guards take care of it?"

  Under his cold gaze, Zhao Xi hesitated and averted his eyes, only to glance at Dongfang Qingxuan again, hiding the surprise on his face once more. With a smile all over his face, he said, "Nineteenth Brother, it's really not necessary for a slave."

  He said this "nu bi", naturally refers to the dead Ying Ge.

  Seventh day of the first month of summer

  Zhao Zun's face was expressionless, but his gaze at that moment was slightly deeper.

  "Third Brother has something to protect, and I naturally have too."

  Zhao Xi's expression changed noticeably, "What does the nineteenth brother think should be done about this?"

  His gaze returned from Zhao Xi's face, and Zhao Zun furrowed his brow, saying slowly, "A dead maid is all, Zheng Er Bao, prepare a straw mat, have someone take her out to bury. That fool was an honest and loyal person, he absolutely couldn't do such a thing. This matter, let's just end it."

  One sentence is neither light nor heavy, yet it has a profound impact.

  And it's not a question of discussion, but a certainty.

  On the seventh day of summer, she was actually not willing in her heart. Because of this appearance, in fact, it cannot be completely proven that the fool is innocent. But she also knows that under the current circumstances, there is no way to prove anything, even if a lawyer is found, not every one is Song Ci from "The Washing Wrong Record", and there are not many Di Renjie, most people do things based on facial expressions.

  It's all right as long as the fool doesn't cause trouble.

  She originally thought that Dongfang Qingxuan or Ning Wang would speak out to stop it.

  But little did he expect that as soon as Zhao Zun spoke up, those two people actually burst out laughing.

  Zhao Xi directly agreed, "What my nineteenth brother said is absolutely right."

  Dongfang Qingxuan smiled faintly and said, "Since both the King of Jin and the King of Ning consider this a family matter, I will not intervene further."

  A red robe flashed by.

  Dongfang Qingxuan arrived suddenly and left just as abruptly.

  Suddenly on the seventh day of summer, she felt even more inexplicable. Her eyes swept to Yuè Rù's already calm face, and she felt a bit resentful. She didn't know why, but she just felt that there was something wrong with Yuè Rù.

  "Father, if we settle it like this hastily, how can I explain the injustice done to my foolish son?"

  Zhao Zhu slowly stood up and stretched out his hands to her, "Come over."

  Xia walked over, looked up at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

  He thought he would have some instructions, but unexpectedly, he just raised his hand and casually adjusted the Luo hat on her head, saying lightly, "This is already the best outcome."

  Xia's face stiffened for a moment, biting her lower lip, and her heart was suffocating.

  Soon, someone wrapped the body of Ying Ge in a grass mat and carried it out. Seeing this scene, she, who was also a "slave", felt a little sad, but her doubts lingered on for a long time.

  She first entrusted the fool to Mei and blocked Zhao in the courtyard, waiting for him to dismiss the people around him before shining a pair of big eyes, thoughtfully asking him, "Do you know who did it?"

  "This matter cannot be discussed again."

  ...... Why?

  She was entangled in her heart, but when she saw Zhao Zun's face without expression, she didn't ask the question. But Zhao Zun was just Zhao Zun, and with one glance, he saw through her thoughts, thought for a moment, and added another sentence, "The simpler she dies, the better."

  The simpler the better?

  The seventh day of summer closed her eyes slightly.

  After careful consideration, the direction that the song pointed to after turning around, apart from a fool... seemed to be Ning Wang Zhao Xi? Her heart suddenly skipped a beat as she suddenly understood.

  It's not that Yan Ge died simply, but rather everyone wishes she had died so simply.

  So, was Ying Ge the person arranged by Ning Wang to be by Zhao Jun's side?

  But as a result of taking that medicine, she died?

  What's going on with Kanayue again? Two different ways of dying, poisoning and suffocation, were they both done by Ning Wang Zhao Xi alone?

  She remained silent with her head down, but Zhao Zhuo patted her on the head.

  "Take care of this fool, I have something to attend to and will be back in a moment."

  Having said that, he turned around and was about to leave.

  In the heat of the moment on the seventh day of summer, she impulsively reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

  "Hey, when did you get back?"

  Actually, she asked this question because she was not reconciled to the fact, but once she asked, it seemed like the tone had changed. Zhao Zun is the king, he is the master, when does he want to come back, where can a servant like her ask? Moreover, after careful consideration, the feeling is like a little wife asking her husband when he will be back home.

  She let go of his hand reluctantly, her ear tips slightly burning.

  "I still think this is not right. Alright, you have something to attend to, go ahead and take care of it."

  Zhao Zhu looked at her quietly for a moment, lowered his head and said softly, "Be honest, wait for me, huh?"

  “……”

  "Really?"

  "Good..."

  Good grief! She almost bit her tongue after saying it, how could he be so obedient?

  In the early summer, she used to dislike being like a daughter-in-law, but when things really happened to her own family, she found that many of the words she had boasted about before were actually insincere. Even if a girl appears to be very brave on the outside, she still has a woman's heart inside.

  She would have liked to sew up her own mouth.

  Zhao Zhu had already heard, and the corner of her mouth seemed to have a slight smile. She said in a soft voice that only she could hear, "I'll give you something when I come back, wait for me. I'm leaving."

  He seemed to have an urgent matter, turned around quickly and walked away in a hurry.

  Watching his back pass through the sour jujube tree in the yard, Xia Chuqi stood still, feeling that the air seemed to have a very pleasant fragrance on him, decorating her strange and weird thoughts.

  And his last words before leaving also made her heart beat with a small drum.

  What will he give her?

  Moreover, he said "I have something for you", not "Ben Wang" or "Ye", but an equal "I". This made Xia Chuqi feel extremely comfortable, unable to express the feeling of his heart racing wildly, only feeling that his ears were constantly burning.

  After a long time, she let out a sigh and patted her face.

  Don't be silly.

  A feudal lord like him is quite skilled at coaxing women, isn't he?

  She thought about it and her mind turned back. First, she drove that Zhao villain out of her brain, then she brought the fool who had been stiffening his shoulders all along back to her own house, asking Mei Zi to go to the stove to cook a bowl of pressure-relieving soup for him, while she stayed behind to comfort him.

  No matter what she says.

  After a long time, the fool still didn't speak.

  He knew that Xia Zhi had a knot in his heart that he couldn't get past, and it wasn't good to force him, so he could only keep talking to him, soothing his emotions. "Fool, it's all over now, you don't have to think about it anymore. That woman was nothing good, she's dead and gone, and she had nothing to do with you anyway. Just pretend you never met her, okay?"

  She said a lot of words, but the fool just sat there, holding her with both hands.

  He didn't speak, nor did he lift his head. For a long time, there was no sound from him, as if his soul had been taken away. His big head remained bowed, and the silence made Xia Chuyi's heart ache even more.

  "Oh, idiot."

  It was a sigh of helplessness and worry again, but she had no choice.

  Even a normal person would not be able to bear such a thing, let alone him who is originally mentally handicapped?

  In order to shift his attention, Xia Chuyi thought for a moment and suddenly went to pull his arm again.

  "Hey, fool, did you know, there's a birthmark on your lower back."

  This move, indeed had an effect. When she comforted him earlier, he was silent the whole time, probably still thinking about the incident of Ying Ge's death, but now his attention was diverted by her, and he lifted his head, a pair of red eyes staring at her, after a while, he muttered.

  "Third Aunt said, don't tell others, and also don't take off your clothes in front of others."

  This time, Xia Chuyi didn't make a sound either.

  Is it that birthmark has some different meaning, why can't tell others?

  But the fool had an accident earlier, and he was surrounded by a crowd with only his upper body exposed. Even if he didn't tell anyone, the number of people who saw him couldn't be small, right? Her gaze paused for a moment, she furrowed her brow, and carefully asked the fool again.

  "Did Third Aunt tell you why this matter can't be told to others?"

  His lips moved several times, and the fool seemed to have some difficulty speaking.

  Seeing this, Xia Shi Qi's curiosity grew even stronger, "What's going on? Tell me, are you still hiding something from me?"

  The fool stole several glances at her, and that big head hung even lower. It seemed to have thought for a moment before muttering out the truth, "Third Aunt said that if I tell others, my little chicken will fly away..."

  On the seventh day of summer, a burst of astonishment.

  She would never have thought that asking this question would lead to such a result.

  However, it is clear that San Shu Niang wants to use the simplest and most direct method to shut up Sha's mouth and not let this matter leak out. Because of Sha's IQ, no matter how much she says, he can't understand it. So, in other words, Sha's birthmark may be related to some secret of his, and San Shu Niang happens to be someone who knows his secret?

  He lowered his head and was stunned for a long time. The fool saw her thinking there, but didn't understand why he raised his head again, nervously grabbed her hand, and then tightly hugged her like a child dependent on his mother. His tone was soft, with some fear, as if defending himself.

  "I fell asleep, slept soundly, and when I opened my eyes, she was there. Grass, believe me."

  His silly appearance made Xia Chuyi laugh and cry at the same time.

  She gently patted his back and softly comforted him, "Are you stupid? Of course I believe you, otherwise how could I help you? Foolish, don't think wildly anymore. The king also said it, didn't he? It was that woman who shamelessly ran into your room to die, it has nothing to do with you."

  The fool let out a soft "oh".

  After a long time, he was alone with his head down thinking for half a day before suddenly speaking again.

  "Grass... Let's go home, this place is no good..."

  At the beginning of summer, she knew that a person's longing for home was a familiar environment and familiar people. Even if the conditions at home were not so good, it would still be a haven that everyone cherished in their hearts. For her, the army had been her home since her previous life, but in this world, there was actually no concept of home yet.

  But she understands idiots.

  In addition, she also wanted to find an opportunity to ask San Auntie.

  Her fingers tightened slightly, and her mind was a bit confused.

  "Alright, just for these two days, I'll tell Prince Wang and we can go back home."

  She wasn't sure if Zhao Zun would agree, but thinking of the two people's current relationship, she felt that he should still have some trust in her. Moreover, her peach wood mirror was still in his hands, and he wouldn't be afraid that she would leave and not come back.

  When Meizi brought in the pressure-relieving soup, Dumb's emotions had recovered a lot.

  Moreover, since Xia Qi had promised him that he would return to Linyuan Village in two days, he was no longer as depressed as before. When Meizi brought the soup, he even puckered up his mouth and made a face like hers.

  "You cook soup really slowly."

  Scolded by a fool, Mei Zi tilted her head and said "hmm", put down the soup and was about to pinch his ear, "You fool, I kindly cooked soup for you to drink, now you dare to mock me?"

  The fool pouted and said, "It's you who always cheats me, you're a bad person."

  "Am I a bad person? Haha, you're killing me, no soup for you!"

  Meizi said and was about to take it away, the fool hummed a sound, didn't love to respond to her, just hugged Xia Chuqi and wouldn't let go, with a look of a child who lost in a dispute with a younger kid, making Xia Chuqi feel so good that she couldn't help but laugh and pat him.

  "Alright, you two stop arguing."

  Plum blossom would not really bother to argue with a fool, and the fool would not have any real malice towards Plum Blossom. It's just that the two people are quite familiar with each other at the station, and Plum Blossom is also one of the most intimate people in his eyes, except for Xia Chuyi. That's why he would show off to her.

  The silly fool finally drank the soup obediently, and Mei Zi's face turned slightly better as she looked at Xia Chuqi.

  "I was busy cooking Laba congee on the stove just now, so I delayed for a while."

  Xia Chuiqi suddenly thought of something and said, "Right! Yesterday was the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, so today is the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month."

  On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, there is a custom of eating Laba porridge. Xia had heard about this in her previous life on the seventh day of summer, although she didn't like to eat it, but she didn't think it was strange either. However, Mei's next words made her feel strange.

  "But actually, today is another special day."

  Xia Chuqi sat on the edge of the bed, originally watching the fool eat, and turned her head when she heard the sound, "What day is it?"

  She squeezed her eyes, Mei Zi made a sly gesture by curling up her fingers at Xia Chuqi, and when Xia Chuqi approached her, she whispered in a low voice, "The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is Grandfather's birthday."

  What? Zhao Zhu's birthday?

  Xia Zhiqi was shocked for a moment, and before she could recover, Mei Zi said, "But I've been in the mansion for five years, and the mansion has never prepared a birthday celebration for Master. Sometimes it's because he's on a military campaign outside and doesn't have the opportunity, sometimes...I heard Yueru sister say that it seems like Master doesn't allow it and isn't happy about it. Because of this matter, Consort Gong had been angry before."

  Plum then said something else behind her back, but Xia Chuyi couldn't remember what it was.

  What was clear in her mind was the rose cake that Zhao Zun mentioned last night by the river.

  "He said, 'It's been a long time since I've eaten this. When I was young, the queen would always make it for me on my birthday.'"

  But later her mother queen, why didn't she do it again?

  She vaguely remembered his despondent tone at the time, and how could he not have feelings for his mother? What exactly were the mother and son upset about, making such an unpleasant fuss? Was it just because Zhao Zun refused to take a wife or concubine, so she could hold her grandson?

  The answer is really hard to guess.

  ……

  ……

  Hong Tai's 24th year of the lunar calendar, on the eighth day of the twelfth month, was destined not to be an ordinary day.

  Just as the situation at Qinggang Station was stuck due to the death of a slave, a series of horseshoes sounded from the direction of Qinggang County Government, piercing through the bustling streets and startling pedestrians on both sides. Amidst the shrill cries of "make way", the Imperial Guards with black flags bearing the emblem of "Jin Yi Wei Du Zhi Hui Shi Si" quickly surrounded the county government of Qinggang.

  "The Imperial Guards are coming! Civilians, clear the way!"

  Brocade-clad imperial guards surrounded the county government office, a rare sight for ordinary people.

  Although today is not a day for clearing the gang and gathering, Qinggang County is still a big county, and the county government office is built on a grand scale, with a magnificent momentum. With such a commotion by Jin Yiwei, many people who did not dare to get too close quickly gathered at the entrance of the county government office.

  However, the Brocade Guards surrounded the county government office, but the gate of the county government office did not open for a long time.

  "The Imperial Guards are here to arrest someone! They've come for Fan Zongliang, a traitorous official. Open the door quickly!"

  Another earth-shaking roar.

  Soon, several imperial guards rushed up and crashed into the county government's gate.

  "Ka-chunk—"

  The vermilion-painted gate of the county government office finally opened.

  The person who came out first was none other than County Magistrate Fan Zongliang.

  Ke Liang was a bound and gagged Fan Zongliang.

  The man escorting him was none other than Chen Daniu, the Left General of the Golden Guard under Zhao Kui. Taking big strides forward, General Chen was furious and didn't show any signs of defeat to the Brocade Guards.

  "What's your business? What's all the commotion about?"

  The leader of the Jin Yiwei today is Chu Luoming, who has just taken over as the new commander to replace the deceased Ma Renyi. He looked up and down at Chen Daniu, who was standing at the door with his sword drawn, and smiled coldly.

  "Didn't General Chen hear? The Imperial Guards are arresting people."

  Chen Daniu scratched his head, looking bewildered, "Who are you going to take? Are you going to take me?"

  Jinyiwei was the old emperor's personal guard, while the Golden Guard was also the imperial court's elite force. It can be said that either of these two forces were people the old emperor had always relied on. However, with their frequent clashes recently, both sides' troops seemed to have gotten used to it, and as soon as the commander shouted, they didn't even need orders, drawing their swords and bows, revealing their weapons.

  "Fan Congliang, in the village of Langyuan, used a fake stone to deceive people into thinking an ancient stele had been unearthed. He then wrote a poem slandering the reputation of the current King of Jin and spread false rumors, damaging national traditions and harming the common people. His crimes are numerous and his evil deeds are unbearable. Now, Chu certain has come on the orders of the Grand Commander to capture him and bring him to justice. I hope General Chen will provide assistance."

  "Get lost!"

  Just as Nan Chulü finished speaking, Chen Daniu suddenly burst out in anger.

  "Haven't you seen that the old men have already taken him down? What are you pulling out in front of me, don't you know that I didn't study books? What's with all those 'whatnots' you're saying? I don't understand either, all I know is that I've received orders from Duke Jin to come and capture this person who's randomly writing on stones and damaging the duke's reputation. We need to take him back to the capital to be dealt with by His Majesty himself, to prove our duke's innocence. Who do you think you are?"

  It was unexpected that Jin Weijun would take a step ahead and capture Fan Congliang first.

  It's even more unexpected that a scholar would encounter a soldier, and there's no way to reason with him.

  Reasoning with Chen Daniu? That's purely equivalent to farting at a turtle.

  The arrow on the string cannot be not shot, and if Fan Zongliang falls into the hands of the Golden Army, this newly appointed Qianhu will be derelict of duty. As the saying goes, a new official takes office with three fires, he must make an appearance in front of the Grand Commander.

  He snorted and Chu Luoming didn't say anything else, he suddenly waved his hand.

  "Brothers, up. Take people."

  Chen Daniu suddenly drew his waist knife and shouted, "Who the hell dares to be arrogant in front of me? When I was on the battlefield killing people, you were still pissing your pants!" Chen Daniu was a fool, and his voice was loud, so with a clang, both sides clashed.

  The onlookers were overjoyed in their hearts.

  Recently in Qinggang County, one wave has not yet subsided when another wave rises, bustling scenes can be seen everywhere.

  Especially today, the person who was tied up and gagged was their County Magistrate, their parent official, and also a guy they hated to the core. No matter who took Fan Conglian away for interrogation, it would be a delightful thing to hear, and people came in droves. In just this short while, the crowd at the entrance of the county government office had already been surrounded by three layers inside and out.

  "Up up up up!"

  "Down with these eagles and dogs!"

  "Brothers, don't be polite, loosen your belts and come on."

  Both sides drew their swords and bows, advancing with a loud shout. For a moment, the air was filled with curses, shouts, clashing steel, and neighing horses, creating an even more chaotic and tense atmosphere. Just as they were about to engage in fierce combat, another horse's whinny echoed from outside the crowd.

  A flash of red clothes swept by like a cloud, and the newcomer was Dongfang Qingxuan.

  He reined in his horse and stopped at a distance of ten zhangs, giving Chen Dabull a seductive smile.

  "General Chen, why must you intervene again? The Imperial Guards are in charge of handling the legal affairs, while your Golden Sword Guards are responsible for fighting on the battlefield... it's like the well water not interfering with the river water..."

  He narrowed his eyes slightly and quoted a sentence from Xia Chuqi.

  "Doing too many things like a dog catching mice will shorten one's lifespan."

  "You're the damn dog."

  Apart from Zhao Zun's words, Chen Daniu doesn't sell accounts for anyone else.

  What if he is a Jin Yiwei Da Duto? Is he someone who can speak reason?

  For many years, the warriors on the battlefield have a strong heroic spirit. General Chen Da Niu is no exception. To put it bluntly, he is also a second-class military officer appointed by the imperial court. The brothers he leads are all old soldiers who have been through nine deaths and one life. Whose hands haven't been stained with blood? Where would they be afraid to fight against the Imperial Guards?

  "His Highness has spoken: whoever dares to stop us from taking down Fan Zongliang will be considered one of Fan's accomplices."

  Dongfang Qingxuan smiled lightly, "General Chen is indeed a straightforward person. It seems that His Highness the King of Jin has truly decided not to let me and the Brocade Guards get away?"

  "What's it to you?"

  Another neigh of a horse, and the man riding on the back of a giant bird flying swiftly towards them was Zhao Zhu.

  A dignified and noble face showed that cold and disdainful gaze once again.

  "Master Dongfang, you really are a trouble magnet!"

  "Excellent! Everyone is here."

  Dongfang Qingxuan smiled and elegantly turned his horse's head, casting a sly glance at Zhao Zhu.

  "Your Highness, since you're here, let me explain to Qing Xuan. Fan Congliang is involved in the 'Fake Ancient Stone Stele' case of Yan Nian Village, spreading rumors and deceiving the world, committing crimes against the emperor and damaging Your Highness's reputation by falsely accusing You of treason and usurping power, causing an uproar among the people. Qing Xuan was ordered to capture this rebel and clear Your Highness's name, so why do you still want to stop him? Could it be that it was actually Your Highness who instructed him?"

  Zhao Zhuo sat coldly and proudly on his horse, his voice calm and waveless.

  "Your Excellency of the East is worrying too much, you don't need to worry about my innocence. I have captured Fan Congliang and brought him back to the capital, precisely to present him to His Majesty myself, to prove my innocence. If this person were to fall into Your Excellency's hands, once he starts making false accusations, it would be most unseemly."

  He smiled and asked, "How can Qingxuan guarantee that Your Highness won't kill him to silence him?"

  "Are you the one who wants to kill and silence him, Commander?" Zhao Zun raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "If Fan Congliang was indeed ordered by His Majesty, he would have been killed long ago. Why would he be left alive until now? Are you giving Lord Dongfang an opportunity?"

  Having said that, Zhao Zun's eyes suddenly turned cold again.

  "Fan Congliang deceived the emperor, forged a stone tablet, wrote a crooked poem, and attempted to frame this king for disloyalty and unfiliality. This king will definitely have him sent to the capital for investigation."

  The magnificent red robe fluttered gently, and Dongfang Qingyun's face was filled with smiles.

  "The King of Jin has enjoyed the praise of people all over the world, but now he's come to demolish the bridge after crossing the river. It's really chilling! Aren't you afraid that when you return to the capital, the Emperor will ask you about your crime of appointing treacherous officials and abusing power to plot rebellion?"

  Zhao Zhen quietly looked at him, every word was clear and cold.

  "This king was harmed by the treacherous Fan Congliang and others, and the merits and demerits will be decided by the Emperor. Lord Dongfang, although you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, can you surpass the King? Can you rival the Six Ministries and Nine Courts? Can you directly interfere with state affairs?"

  Zhao Zun has always been a man of few words.

  Every sentence is suffocating.

  The Eastern Blue Mystic smiled faintly, seemingly unsurprised. "Your Highness's words are reasonable; in that case, it would be inconvenient for me to intervene further. However, there is one more thing I hope Your Highness will handle at the same time."

  Zhao Zun gave him a faint glance, his eyes suddenly turning cold.

  "Dongfang Qingyun knew that the fake Thousand-Year Stone Stele was actually done by your beloved Chu Qi's instigation. I have evidence and proof." After a pause, Dongfang Qingyun's raised eyebrows and smiling eyes seemed to see through everything, and his enchanting smile was even more meaningful.

  "Does Qingxuan hope that Your Highness will not tolerate evil and indulge in flattery?"

  He gave him a cold glance, Zhao Zun's face was expressionless. However, all around, a chill emanated from him.

  "This king also advises you one sentence. You cannot move this king's people."

  With one sentence finished, he narrowed his eyes slightly, and that cold voice came out like a cloud or mist, sinking heavily from his mouth.

  "Take it away!"

  ……

  ……

  Summer seventh day didn't make rose cake.

  In modern times, she tried making some dim sum and the taste was not bad. But after switching to this era, whether it's from materials or cooking tools, they're not as handy as before.

  But her mind today was like a short circuit, suddenly she had a craving for something, and after lunch, she took Meizi to the kitchen to help her make fire, wanting to make that rose cake that Zhao Zhuo used to eat when he was young.

  It's already the twelfth lunar month, so fresh roses are naturally not available. Fortunately, there is a lot of exchange of goods between Sichuan and Yunnan, and in Qinggang, there are Bai people from Yunnan who make a specialty called "rose sugar" using fresh rose petals, which can be used as a temporary substitute.

  "Chu Qi, what is this thing you've done?"

  Plum in the small toilet for her burning fire, curious about it.

  "Rose cake."

  On the seventh day of summer, she puckered up her lips and laughed, with a heart as joyful as if holding a rabbit.

  "Is it delicious?"

  "I don't know either, I've never had it."

  Xia Zhiqi casually chatted with Mei Zi, and according to her memory of making other pastries, she mixed glutinous rice flour and japonica rice flour together, dissolved the rose sugar that was originally used as filling in water, and mixed it with the flour. After stirring evenly, she kneaded for a while before shaping them into round cakes and placing them in a steamer.

  "Plum, pull the fire a little bigger."

  "Oh."

  Meizi replied, occasionally poking her head out, and was very curious why she wanted to make this rose cake.

  But no matter how she asked, Xia Chuyi would also not answer.

  In her heart, she didn't want to share this secret with Mei Zi or anyone else, that one secret between her and Zhao Zhu. Especially when she thought about it again, since even Mei Zi, the gossip queen, didn't know about the rose cake incident, then Zhao Zhu had never told anyone else.

  The flames in the stove crackle and roar.

  Her heart was also racing.

  Zhao Zhuo said when he left today that there was something he wanted to give her.

  What could it be?

  She guessed, and felt that since today was his birthday, making rose cake for him was also a special enough gesture of friendship. Hmm, in this way, it could also be considered as repaying him for taking care of her and the fool today.

  She made every effort to find excuses for herself to make rose cakes, and she always avoided thinking about the real reason behind it. A small face was smoked red by the fierce fire of plum blossoms, and the color was much more beautiful than usual.

  "Chu Qi..."

  Plum blossom tilted her head and stared at her face, pouting her mouth.

  "What's wrong with you today?"

  "Do I?" Xia Chuqi covered her scorching face, completely unaware of her own appearance, like a young woman falling in love for the first time.

  "Of course there is." Mei Zi looked at him with disdain and snorted, "You must have something you haven't told me."

  "There's no such thing, don't imagine it."

  "Come on, come on, you said there wasn't one, but there isn't. However, Chu Qi, if you didn't have that scar on your forehead, you'd actually look quite good."

  Plum suddenly seemed to have discovered a new continent, staring at Xia Chuqi's face without letting go. Even she, who was usually thick-skinned, felt a bit embarrassed, turning her head away and gazing at the steamer, avoiding Plum's eyes.

  To say it, in this time and space, she and Mei Zi are considered close friends.

  But how can she say that? She cannot.

  She carefully maintained her own feelings, calculating the time for steaming rice cakes, and casually placating Mei Zi with a smile. However, in her heart, it was as if she had eaten honey, always sweet and gentle, unable to describe that taste, as if she had truly returned to her naive 15-year-old self.

  When the fragrance wafted out of the pot, she finally came back to her senses and shouted for Meizi.

  "Hurry up and put out the fire, don't let it keep burning."

  "Wow, it smells so good!"

  The firewood was buried with grass ash, and Meizi quickly got up and waited for the rose cake to be opened from the pot. She sniffed it, and her appetite was really stirred up. She stretched out her hand to take it.

  "Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!" Xia Chuqi slapped her paw away fiercely. "It's not for you to eat."

  "Who did you give it to?"

  Plum saw her little face turn red, closed her eyes and thought for a moment, suddenly enlightened.

  "Ah, I see! Are you doing this for our grandfather? Is that right or not?"

  "Shh—"

  She covered her mouth with one hand, Xia Chuyi said fiercely, "Don't spout nonsense. Didn't he help me and Ah-Dai today? I'm a decent person, shouldn't I thank him at least? Besides, I don't have anything to give as a gift, so I thought of making some pastries myself. This matter, you're not allowed to tell anyone outside."

  Plum nodded directly at her.

  Two eyes, yet a smile that's as bright as a crescent moon shines in her heart.

  Don't you know if you don't say it?

  What's wrong with you, Chu Qi? How did you become so silly?

  Plum doesn't understand why her IQ has decreased, and Xia Chuqi also lets out a long sigh, not understanding why she herself has become so stupid, and still stupidly willing.

  Next, she carefully poured rose-shaped petals onto each piece of rose cake that had been carefully kneaded, using the melted rose sugar to create a syrup. Once satisfied, she smiled and placed these pastries in an exquisite food box, walking out of the kitchen.

  It's easy to think about, but hard to do. She wandered around the courtyard for several laps before finally making up her mind, suppressing the strange unease in her heart, and slowly walked towards the Jade Emperor Pavilion with a food box in hand.

  She had just arrived at the door when she ran into Zheng Er Bao, who was hurrying out.

  She usually pulled her food box behind her back and asked casually, "Second Treasure Grandfather, has the master returned?"

  Zheng Er Bao smiled and treated her with great courtesy.

  "Not yet, you wait inside first? It's almost time."

  She suppressed her wildly beating heart, smiled and thanked him, pushed open the intricately carved door as usual, and walked in slowly. As expected, there was no one inside the house, empty and hollow, but a familiar scent floated around.

  I don't know when that scoundrel Zhao will come back either.

  She sat on the edge of the rosewood table covered with red silk fabric, placed the food box in the middle and stared at it blankly.

  No way, what if it gets cold in a while?

  Will it be bad if you don't?

  It's a big winter now, the rose cake must be chilled through, where can there be any taste? Isn't it a waste of her labor achievement?

  She thought for a moment and then brought the lunchbox over again, holding it tightly in her arms.

  I was probably too tired last night and didn't sleep well.

  Unknowingly, she fell asleep on the table with her arms around the lunchbox.

  When Zhao Zun pushed open the door and entered the inner room, she was already sleeping on the table without any image, and the saliva flowing from the corner of her mouth had soaked into the red brocade. Outside, the sky had also darkened.

  Zhao Zhu stared at her in a daze for a while before slowly walking over and gently patting her head with one large hand.

  "Are you back? Ah, I fell asleep."

  On the seventh day of summer, she let out a big yawn and was about to rub her eyes when she suddenly remembered the thing in her arms. Her ears were burning, but before she could come up with an excuse that had been on her mind for several times, she found that the lunchbox had already gone cold.

  "Uh... what was it again..."

  She put the food box on the table, and with a hint of embarrassment, she withdrew her hand, rubbed it repeatedly, scratched her head for a while, before clearing her throat softly, pretending to be calm as she gazed sideways.

  "Hey, I made this for you. Thanks for your help today. It's a pity it's gone cold, otherwise I'd go heat it up for you."

  Zhao Zhuang gazed at her already flushed little face, not saying a word, but grasped her wrist and pulled out the chair beside her, slowly sitting down.

  With his other hand, he opened the lunchbox.

  The rose cake inside had indeed cooled down, but the rose petals she drizzled with rose sugar on the surface of the cake were frozen in a very beautiful way, as if they were even closer to the shape of real rose flowers.

  She stuck her head out to take a look and couldn't help but feel a little proud again.

  "How is it? Does it taste like the rose cake your mother used to make?"

  "Like." Zhao Zun's voice was somewhat low and melancholic.

  "Really? Haha, then I'll take it to the kitchen and heat it up again?"

  "It's unnecessary." Zhao Zhu tightly grasped her wrist and reached out to take it.

  "Hey, you haven't washed your hands yet, how can you just grab like that?"

  At the beginning of summer, like a troublesome spirit, she pulled him to wash his hands clean first, and then sat back, smiling at him, "Now it's okay, eat, happy birthday."

  Zhao Zhu remained silent, pinched a piece of rose cake with two fingers and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly. His eyes never left hers, the movement was elegant and noble, and his serious expression matched her thoughts.

  Because he ate very slowly, it was clear at a glance that he was savoring carefully.

  "Is it delicious?" Xia Chuqi lay on the table looking at him, her voice full of hope.

  "It's delicious." Zhao Zun replied quickly without lifting his head, but picked up a second one.

  "That's good, if you like to eat, I'll make it for you again tomorrow, for free? Hmm, today is the first time I'm making this dish, and I'm not sure about the fire timing, so the taste might not be very good. And I didn't make a lot, only eight pieces in total. Eight is a lucky number, which means January 8th, your birthday. Also, where we're from, everyone likes the number eight because it symbolizes getting rich. Eight, means prosperity, prosperity means eight, haha, I just like money..."

  She has always been talkative, especially when she's happy, her tone is also very fast, and at this moment, her mood is pleasant, so when she talks, it's even more unstoppable, fluent, and she can't help but spread all the good feelings to him, letting him have a happy birthday.

  Just watching him eat, for a moment, she seemed to understand.

  Perhaps this is what it feels like to have a first love.

  There was a moment when she suddenly realized that it seemed like she had never been before. In her past life and this life, she had lived for so many days and nights, but she had never felt like this before, with her heart racing as if a small deer was running wildly.

  "Fan Cong Liang, I've caught you."

  When he ate the third piece of rose cake, Zhao Zhu stopped and said faintly.

  "Oh." Xia Chuqi was suddenly reminded by him, and she came to her senses, bringing her thoughts back to the current problem. At the same time, she also thought of the "extermination" plan that the two had previously agreed upon. Although it sounded a bit bloody, she still asked, "Did you silence him?"

  Zhao Zun did not answer and did not look into her eyes.

  He slowly pulled something out of his pocket and slid it across the table in front of her.

  "It's all over."

  The thing in front of her was indeed her peach wood carved flower mirror.

  On the seventh day of summer, her eyes lit up, and she hadn't seen this beloved object for a long time. She almost jumped up, quickly took it in her hand, and flipped it over to examine it carefully. Seeing that it was well-preserved without any damage, and even wiped clean, her mood improved a bit. She specially brought it in front of her, looked at her own face, and found that except for the ugly scar on her forehead, her skin seemed to have been taken care of these days, and had actually become a little whiter.

  Yes, can continue to work hard.

  She thought happily and put the peach wood mirror into her arms, raised her head, and looked at Zhao Zhu with sparkling eyes.

  "Thanks for returning it to me."

  Zhao Zun's eyebrows slightly furrowed, "Fan Congliang, I'm preparing to escort you back to the capital."

  "Ah, why?" Xia Chuqi said with some surprise, "Fan Congliang is a person who can't be kept, you just need to get rid of him and those things won't be known by anyone."

  Zhao's eyebrows furrowed tighter and his eyes slowly swept over.

  He stood up slowly after gazing at her for a long time.

  He glanced at her for another moment, his sleeve fluttering slightly as he turned around and stood with his back to her, then spoke in a cold tone.

  "Chen Jing."

  "Understood." The black-clad man, who was always lurking in the shadows, strode into the house from outside, accompanied by two ghosts and two other guards. Apart from them, there were also Zheng Erbao with a puzzled expression and Yue Yu, still gentle and elegant with her scarf tied around her head.

  Seeing this scene, Xia Chuyi seemed to have a sudden realization and opened her lips slightly.

  She didn't say another word, waiting for Zhao Zhu's next sentence.

  It seemed like an eternity before she heard him speak.

  "Capture Chu Qi and bring him back to the capital with Fan Congliang."

  "Yes. I understand."

  Chen Jing replied in his usual emotionless tone.

  But at this moment, Xia Chuyi felt a chill that pierced her skin.

  But she burst out laughing instead, laughing so hard that even she didn't know why she was laughing so happily. "You deceive people, people deceive you, deceiving each other and deceiving yourself. Actually, killing to silence is more convenient than taking him back to the capital, isn't it, Prince of Jin? I just thought of it now, the one who should be silenced is me, not Fan Cong Liang. As long as I die, whatever Fan Cong Liang says will be useless, Your Highness has already gotten what you want, and the gossip of the common people can't be stopped by killing one or two people, can it? Even if the imperial court says that the 'Thousand Year Stele' is fake now, the common people won't believe it again, they'll just think that you, Prince of Jin, are even more wronged."

  Zhao Zhu remained with his back to her, quietly listening to her words without saying a word, then took big strides and walked out.

  "Halt." Xia Chuqi suddenly bellowed.

  He stopped in his tracks, still without turning around or speaking a word.

  "Why?" she asked.

  Zhao Zun hesitated for a long time without speaking, and his back became a statue in her eyes.

  Just as she thought he wouldn't respond again, she suddenly heard his icy words.

  "The river is clear and the sea is calm, the times are harmonious and the years are abundant. What I want has never been what you think."

  Digression

  Girls, isn't the content rich? More than 15,000 words, can't you put your monthly votes into Erjin's bowl and give some encouragement?

  Not bullying, not bullying at all.

  First send the document, then modify it, tolerate the typos for now, pirated versions will always have typos.