I married a man I didn’t like

I married a man I didn’t like.

Coincidentally, this young man doesn’t like me either.

The spring rain falls lightly, hitting the eaves.

I sat in a rocking chair on the porch, fanning myself with a small fan, watching the fire brewing tea.

Looking at the man in the distance, he was tall and slender, holding an umbrella, and gradually approaching in the rain.

He showed no sign of being embarrassed as he walked in the rain, and he slowly and calmly put away his umbrella in the corridor.

After sitting down on the opposite side of me, he naturally turned over his cup, “New rain brews new tea, what a good mood.”

I yawned, “On a rainy day, I have nothing to do, so I have to find something fun.”

The small pot on the clay stove was sizzling with steam, indicating that the fire was just right.

I put down my fan and was about to pick up the teapot, but someone was quicker than me.

“I’ll do it.”

I stood by and watched him calmly wash the cup and warm the tea.

Then, a slender hand reached out to me.

I took the teacup from his hand.

“Why are you here today?” I blew away the steam floating on the tea and tilted my head to look at him, “What’s the matter?”

He took a sip of tea and tilted his head to look at me, “Why can’t you come if you have nothing to do?”

Okay, I understand.

This young man is just like me, it’s a rainy day and he has nothing to do.

The rain was getting heavier, hitting the tiles with a thudding sound.

For a moment, they sat in silence.

Anyway, I’m used to his inexplicable style of behavior, which happens to me every few days.

Such a silent atmosphere, coupled with the sound of dripping rain, is perfect for sleeping.

My eyelids gradually became heavy and sleepiness was rampant.

I seemed to have had a very long dream.

The dream was all about the years I spent married to Fu Zheng.

At that time, the civil and military officials in the court were confronting each other and the situation was at a stalemate.

An imperial decree granting marriage disrupted the peace of my boudoir life that had lasted for more than ten years, and also broke the rigid court situation.

The purpose was to establish a good marriage, but in reality it was a way for the emperor to balance the court officials. So the two of us, who had nothing to do with each other, were tied together.

As early as the day of our wedding, Fu Zheng and I had expressed our feelings to each other.

He has no interest in me, and I have no interest in him either.

This marriage was all for the sake of their respective families. In the future, they would be just nominal husband and wife. After a few years when the situation stabilized, they would find a reason to divorce.

So, he doesn’t care what I do, and I don’t care what he does.

Even if I keep a lover, he must not complain. On the contrary, I have no objection if he takes a concubine or a mistress.

After all, who can stay with whom for a lifetime? Fu Zheng and I will break up sooner or later, and I don’t want to be the bad guy who delays other people’s marriage.

But unfortunately, in the more than two years since he was married, I have never seen Fu Zheng go out to look for other women. He is very well-behaved all day long.

He was so well-behaved that even if his friends asked him to go out for a gathering, he would send someone back home to inform them if he came back a little late.

But actually I didn’t care much about these false formalities. I thought Fu Zheng was a cautious person who wanted to put on a good show, so I just let him do it.

We were so well behaved that we became a couple that was praised by everyone in the community for being equal and respectful to each other. For a while, we were considered a role model.

I was very depressed about this matter in my dream. Those people outside really have poor eyesight. How could they see that we are a couple in name only and in harmony with each other?

…

When I woke up, Fu Zheng was gone.

The clay stove on the small table had been extinguished and all the cups and plates were neatly placed.

I touched the extra cashmere blanket on my body and thought to myself, Fu Zheng is not ungrateful. He knows the principle of being grateful for what you have received and being grateful for what you have received.

03

It has been raining for a long time, but today the humidity has been swept away and the weather is very good.

Since you have nothing to do, you might as well go out for a walk.

“Chang Yu.” I called out casually to the empty yard.

Before he finished his words, a black figure flashed down from the tree.

“What do you want, young lady?”

Every time I call her out, I always sigh at my father’s keen eye for talent.

She has fair skin, beautiful face and long legs. She is ruthless and doesn’t talk much. But she is also as beautiful as a painting when fighting.

“Change your clothes and let’s go out for a walk.”

…

The streets were busier than usual, with crowds of people bustling about.

I silently counted the days.

It turns out that today is the fifteenth day of every month, the day when girls light lanterns. No wonder there are so many people.

Looking at the inner city river not far away, I had an idea in my mind.

“I’ll take you to a nice place.”

Facing the doubtful look, I pretended to be serious and said, “Just follow me.”

By the time she understood what was happening, she and I had already finished listening to a fishing boat tune while sitting on the boat.

He is good at looking at me with a complicated expression.

I guessed she had some doubts about the “good place” I mentioned, so I comforted her and said, “You will know it later.”

By the time we came back from our trip around the city, it was already dark, and many girls had come to the river with their elaborately painted lanterns.

Soon, spots of light began to float on the surface of the river.

From a distance, it has a unique charm.

“I picked a good place, didn’t I?”

Chang Yu nodded sincerely this time.

After wandering around on the boat for a while, I saw that it was getting late, so I asked the boatman to dock.

But as soon as I got ashore, I saw a drama about a talented man and a beautiful woman.

Today’s trip was not in vain. I toured the lake and watched the lanterns. Now, it seems that I can listen to another play.

Wonderful, wonderful.

As I got closer, I saw the beautiful lady with tears in her eyes, twisting her handkerchief to wipe away her tears from time to time. The scholar had his back to me, so I couldn’t see his expression clearly, but I felt that his figure looked familiar.

In order to hear more clearly, I found an inconspicuous corner and sat down with Chang Yu.

I only heard the beautiful lady say pitifully, “Sir, are you really not attracted to me at all?”

“If you are not interested, then why did you come to my appointment today?”

The scholar was silent for a long time before he said, “I heard that my wife is coming to cruise the river. I’m here to pick her up.”

Tsk, this is a drama about a girl having a secret meeting with a married man. But… why does this voice sound familiar?

The beautiful woman stepped forward, grabbed the scholar’s sleeve, and said with tears in her eyes: “I know that you have already married, but I don’t ask for a formal status, I just want to be with you day and night. Even if I become your concubine, I don’t care…”

This girl is deeply in love and devoted.

But she was crying so hard, why didn’t this talented man comfort her a little?

I sighed in my heart, thinking that I was such a blockhead and didn’t understand the ways of the world. I really didn’t understand the ways of the world.

It seems that this drama has come to an end. I nodded and signaled her to go home.

04

“lady.”

I saw Fu Zheng’s personal attendant Eleven bowing to me not far away, looking very respectful.

He and Fu Zheng are inseparable. Eleven is here, then…

I turned around and met a pair of calm eyes.

It was Fu Zheng.

He was standing a few steps away, looking at me indifferently.

Seeing his current situation, I felt it was not appropriate for me to approach him, pay him a false greeting, and then pretend to say a few words.

After thinking about it, I nodded to him as a greeting, then turned around and prepared to return the same way I came.

Shiyiheng stood in front of me and politely reminded me, “Madam, our carriage is behind us.”

Fu Zheng is a good boy in every way except that he is not very smart.

For example, right now is the perfect time for your son and daughter to enjoy the beauty of the moon and flowers. I just happened to run into them, shouldn’t I avoid them or ignore them? Why do you keep bumping into them?

As stupid as he is, I can’t care too much about him.

I covered my lips and coughed softly: “The moonlight is just right tonight, I…”

“I’m going for a walk with my wife.”

I turned my head to look at Fu Zheng who had walked up to my side without me noticing. He said to Eleven calmly, “Leave two lights on. I want to watch the moon with my wife.”

I suddenly understood Fu Zheng’s intention.

He has no interest in the girl and is using me as an excuse to get away.

I looked behind him and saw that the beautiful woman looked like she was about to cry.

I reminded him quietly: “The girl is about to cry.”

As soon as I finished speaking, the beauty rushed towards me wailing and knelt down in front of me.

“Madam, please accept me, even if it’s just to be a maid. I will never disturb you and the young master. As long as I can see the young master from a distance, I will be satisfied.”

Her howl attracted the people around who were lighting lanterns and watching lanterns to look at me sideways.

I sighed silently in my heart, and I must ask whether Mr. Fu is going out before I go out tomorrow. I don’t want to encounter such a bad thing again.

“Chang Yu, help this girl up.”

Looking at this girl’s tearful face, I feel so sorry for her.

“Girl, you’ve asked the wrong person.”

The beauty looked at me in confusion with tears in her eyes.

“I have always been a generous person. If you are attracted to me, I will send someone to welcome you home tonight. How do you think?”

I glanced at the person next to me, “Do you like this girl?”

“Fang Fang, are you angry that I picked you up late today, so you said this to stop me?”

He came close to me, looked into my eyes, and suddenly smiled.

Suddenly, he spoke a word.

My ears suddenly became lively.

There was the sound of the crowd booing and exclaiming, and the sound of the woman covering her face and running away crying.

Amid the commotion, I was stunned.

Because of what Fu Zheng just said.

Because there was a light in his eyes that I couldn’t understand.

Because I have never seen him so serious.

「

He said so.

When Changyu fell down from the wall, I was lying on the couch with my eyes closed, basking in the sun.

“girl.”

“What is it?”

I changed into a more comfortable position.

Chang Yu suddenly fell silent.

She has never been such an unhappy person.

I turned over and opened my eyes to look at her.

“speak.”

“There are more rumors about you and the young master.”

I took it as a big deal.

I turned over again and closed my eyes. “It’s just some sour words. It’s nothing serious.”

What kind of storms have I not seen over the years?

Chang Yu didn’t leave, as if he still had something to say.

“Anything else?”

“Those rumors… spread to the palace.”

I sat up.

He was good at observing my expression and said carefully:

I have never seen such storms.

…

After the palace eunuch announced the decree and left, Fu Zheng and I stood in the courtyard in silence, staring at each other.

This was the first time we met since that day on the river.

They looked at each other in silence, which was a bit awkward.

Just as I was about to leave, Fu Zheng spoke.

“I’ll prepare the birthday gift, you just go through the motions.”

I thought about it for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Fu Zheng did have some conscience. After all, if I hadn’t been protecting him from a romantic relationship, I wouldn’t have had to go to the palace.

But what I didn’t expect was that the preparation Fu Zheng mentioned was really just preparation.

The threshold of my yard has been almost trampled flat by the eleven people recently.

Today is the picture of autumn rain clearing the mountains, yesterday was the picture of auspicious clouds and glazed jars.

The day before yesterday?

Oh, Dongzhu bracelet.

I can’t remember what else he gave me the day before yesterday.

“Madam, the young master said that he has prepared all the gifts. Please choose one to bring to the palace to celebrate the birthday.”

“The Master also said that the rest is all yours.”

After saying this, he took his leave, leaving behind only the gifts filling the yard.

I took a casual glance and although they were expensive, most of them were small gadgets that girls would like.

Fu Zheng is a good person and knows how to win people’s hearts.

It’s worth it that I have to bear all those annoying reputations.

After choosing and selecting, I found that the jade carving of the three stars of fortune, longevity and wealth seemed the most suitable, so I indicated to put it away.

I caught a glimpse of a set of newly-kiln tea sets, the green color of which was very good.

“This tea set is nice. Let’s set it out for use tomorrow.”

The wealth and honor of the royal family will never deceive people.

In the center of the banquet hall, a dancer wearing pearl rings and hairpins was dancing gracefully, holding a glass lantern.

Just as I was watching intently, someone patted me lightly.

Turning around, he saw the wife of Marquis Yongding sitting next to him.

I quickly stood up and greeted him.

“Madam Fu, I saw that the hairpin on your head is very unique and exquisite, and I like it very much. So I want to ask which skilled craftsman in the capital made it? I also want to ask him to make a headpiece for me.”

I thought about it for a moment, and I thought that the wife of Marquis Yongding must be talking about the tourmaline hairpin with gemstones arranged in the shape of a flower.

This is probably the only piece of jewelry I own today that can be described as “unique and exquisite”.

This hairpin is not my own jewelry.

But I picked it out from the pile of gifts that Fu Zheng sent me because I liked it.

“Madam Yongding, I gave the hairpin to Nianfang, but she doesn’t know who made it.”

Fu Zheng walked up to me with a smile.

“Sir, could you please tell me who made Madam Fu’s hairpin?”

Fu Zheng looked at me with a smile in his eyes, “This hairpin was made by me for Nian Fang. I don’t think there is another one like it in the world.”

Upon hearing this, the wife of the Marquis of Yongding smiled cheerfully, “I have heard that the young master of the Fu family and his wife are deeply in love. After seeing them today, I feel that they are even better than the rumors.”

I just smiled and said nothing.

After the wife of Marquis Yongding left, Fu Zheng and I sat down again.

After one dance, another begins.

I don’t know when a small bowl full of soup appeared on the table.

I looked at what Fu Zheng handed me.

A small spoon with a gold rim.

“Shrimp and tofu soup, your favorite.”

Counting carefully, this is the sixth time he has added food to me tonight.

I only had five dishes in total.

I thought that Fu Zheng could be considered a gentleman.

He is the kind of gentleman who believes that “once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back”.

Just as he said before entering the palace, all I need to do tonight is eat and drink, he will take care of everything else.

I didn’t expect him to be so trustworthy that I didn’t even have to lift a hand to serve the food.

Sensible, really sensible.

I took it and was about to taste it when I heard voices of conversation coming from a high platform in the distance.

“Looking at the young couple from the Fu family, it turns out that what people say is true.”

“Your Majesty, what you said is absolutely right.” The emperor nodded and looked at me and Fu Zheng. “The Fu couple is a model for couples in the capital.”

“Take the jade ruyi that I and the queen used for our wedding ceremony.”

“reward.”

Fu Zheng and I quickly stood up and bowed to express our gratitude.

…

I stopped and looked at the vermilion palace gate slowly closing.

Fu Zheng turned around and looked at me, “What’s wrong?”

“The palace gates are painted with vermilion very well.”

Despite my incoherent words, Fu Zheng looked towards the door honestly.

After a while, he smiled and said, “That’s right.”

I curled up in the rocking chair, fanning myself intermittently.

Just when I was worrying about the spring time wasting away in vain, I suddenly caught a glimpse of the horsetail pine on the east wall starting to bloom.

It’s just right to add pine flowers to wine.

“Chang Yu, get the scissors.”

…

When Fu Zheng arrived, I was putting the finely sieved pine pollen into a white silk bag.

“Are you going to make wine?”

I nodded softly and tied the silk ribbon.

When I straightened up, Master Fu was sitting next to my rocking chair, drinking tea comfortably.

To me, Fu Zheng has always been self-aware.

After working hard for half a day, I felt a little tired.

After I washed my hands, I leaned back in the rocking chair to rest.

Just as I was about to close my eyes and take a short nap, I heard him tell Eleven, “Bring me the wine that my grandfather sent me.”

“yes.”

I suddenly perked up and sat up straight.

Fu Zheng’s maternal grandfather was a wine-making giant in Jiangnan. The wine he gave as a gift must be a rare and fine wine.

“How could you bear to do that?”

He glanced at me and drank the tea in the cup.

“I’m willing to give it up.”

These two plain words left me speechless for a moment.

Suddenly, there was a cup of tea in front of me, the green cup that I usually use.

I took it and looked at Fu Zheng, a little dazed.

Over the past few years, I have witnessed the ultimate of a word in Fu Zheng.

Know when to stop.

No one grasps the sense of proportion in these four words better than him.

He stroked the teacup and asked, “Is it comfortable to use?”

I picked up the one I was using and looked carefully at the pale green color on it.

“Very good.”

“I burned it.”

I looked up at Fu Zheng who said this lightly, and suddenly I understood.

“You are not trying to evade the Madam of the Marquis of Yongding.”

“In front of you,” he put down the teacup in his hand and looked at me steadily, “I won’t tell lies.”

“Sir, the wine is here.”

Fu Zheng tapped the table, motioning for Eleven to put down the wine.

“Don’t drink too much.”

He stood up and left only this instruction.

Looking at the courtyard gate which was already empty, I leaned back into the rocking chair.

While fanning himself, drinking tea, he was also thinking about what Fu Zheng had just said.

I picked up the lamp next to me and looked at it.

The glaze is green and bright, and the wall texture is uniform and clean, making it an extremely rare and fine product.

Then there’s the hairpin made of tourmaline.

I just glanced at these two items casually at the time and took them out because I liked them.

But unexpectedly, he actually put a lot of thought into it.

Going to all this trouble and doing it personally, if you say it’s just to repay a favor, it might be a bit too grand.

Although Fu Zheng behaves like a gentleman, he has become a little too diligent recently.

He never does anything that is thankless.

Anything abnormal is a monster.

“Longer than.”

“exist.”

“Go and find out where Fu Zheng has been recently and who he has met.”

“yes.”

After a few days, the pine wine was almost fermented.

With some effort, I got the jar of wine out of the well.

“girl.”

“Are you back?” I took the handkerchief and wiped the water stains on my hands. “Tell me about it.”

“Mr. Fu has been to mostly ordinary places these days.”

“Then let’s talk about something unusual.”

I sat cross-legged on the bed and handed the wet towel to Chang Yu.

She took it and put it on the small table beside her.

“Recently, Right Censor Feng Ping has become very close to Master Fu.”

Feng Ping? I’ve never heard of this person.

“Do you know why the two of them met?”

Chang Yu shook his head, “Master Fu, please be careful and don’t get too close.”

“That’s fine.”

“Girl, there is something else that is quite strange.”

“What is it?”

“Master Fu has been secretly entering the palace frequently recently.”

Meeting my surprised look, Chang Yu continued, “It’s hard to know what it is about.”

I nodded.

I am well aware of Chang Yu’s skills, so it is not difficult for me to follow Fu Zheng.

But the palace gate is not as easy to come and go as the main gate of the Fu Mansion.

These two things are indeed unusual, but there is no definite conclusion, so I think they should not be closely related.

Forget it, forget it.

I waved my hand and lowered my head to remove the mud seal on the wine jar. “Anything else?”

After waiting for a long time without hearing any further words, I looked up and saw Chang Yu standing beside me with a hesitant look on his face.

I stopped what I was doing and asked, “What’s so difficult?”

“Mr. Fu has been seeing a girl a lot lately. You’ve also seen her before.”

Have I seen it too?

I looked at Changyu and motioned for her to continue.

“It’s the one you met on the fifteenth day of the Lantern Festival.”

Oh, I remember.

She was the one who told Fu Zheng with tears in her eyes that it was fine for him to be a concubine, but turned around and told me that she was content with just being a maid.

I shook my muddy hands, understood what she meant, turned around and handed me a wrung-out handkerchief.

I simply wiped my hands with the handkerchief.

“What did she do when she saw Fu Zheng? Was she expressing her feelings or expressing her longing for him?”

“Both.”

This girl is persistent.

“Did Fu Zheng agree?”

“I haven’t agreed yet.” She hesitated, “but you have accepted all the love letters.”

“Not missing a single one?”

Good at nodding.

I calmed myself down and thought carefully about Fu Zheng’s actions.

Suddenly I remembered Fu Zheng’s smiling eyes under the shadow of the lantern.

And that confusing sentence.

If it is said that Fu Zheng suddenly got wise after these few years, it doesn’t seem unreasonable.

But what else did he see the woman for?

And you will also receive the affectionate letters without error?

I just can’t figure out Fu Zheng.

Turning around, he saw that the wine jar on the bedside table had only been half opened, so he began to open the seal.

A breeze blew by, and a burst of fragrance emanated from the altar.

“Chang Yu, get some paper and pen.”

…

I put down my pen and handed the note to Chang Yu.

“Send it to Fu Zheng.”

“yes.”

“How can you enjoy good wine without a guest?”

09

“Girl, should we move this bed back into the house?”

I looked at the sky outside and thought that it would be more interesting to drink under the moon. So I waved my hand and said, “Just leave it there.”

…

When the moon was above the willows, Fu Zheng came as invited.

He walked in slowly, holding a small lunch box in his hand.

“You are so polite. You just came. What else do you want to bring?”

That being said, I couldn’t help but look at his hands.

Fu Zheng removed the lid and brought out a few plates of exquisite side dishes and a bunch of grapes.

Good job, Fu Zheng, you know how to drink.

I shook out the water from the wine cup, wiped it dry with a silk cloth, and placed it on the kang table.

“White jade,” Fu Zheng picked one up and examined it carefully, “I am lucky today.”

I tapped the table lightly with the wine jug.

He understood and immediately pushed the cup over.

After a few drinks, they were drunk and started chatting about random things.

“Fu Zheng.”

“Um?”

“We have been married for more than two years.”

He raised his head, his eyes suddenly vague, “Yeah, it’s been almost three years.”

“Look at the court now. It’s no longer the same as it was two years ago.”

I raised my glass and took a sip of pine wine, glancing at him from the corner of my eye: “I think it’s time for our marriage to end.”

Hearing this, Fu Zheng paused holding the wine cup.

But after a moment, he slowly put the wine cup back.

“I don’t think that’s right.”

I looked at him in confusion, “Why?”

Fu Zheng tapped the table with his hand, “What are people saying about us now?”

Thinking of those high-sounding but untrue words, I paused for a moment and said, “They are all rumors, not enough to be proven.”

Fu Zheng smiled and said nothing, but picked up the wine jug and filled it up.

“Where did you put the pair of Hehe Yuruyi?”

I was stunned, looked at Fu Zheng, and then reacted.

He is reminding me.

His Majesty has promised him that he and he are a model couple.

It only took a few days for them to disband. Where would the emperor’s reputation be put?

The tiger knocks the jade teeth in its mouth, and the black dragon grabs the magic pearl from under its chin.

His reminder is not without reason.

“Although the timing is not right now, we should still prepare.”

I drank the wine in one gulp and looked at Fu Zheng.

“There’s no need to be so hasty.”

He slowly filled my glass again and said, “Maybe in another year or so.”

Too long.

Perhaps because he saw that I hadn’t said anything for a while, he picked up the glass and clinked it with mine.

Hearing the sound, I looked upwards along the wine cup.

“We are just going to break up, there is no need to take so long, right?”

Fu Zheng put down his cup calmly, “How can a husband and wife, who love each other so deeply, have a rift in just one day or one night?”

I poured myself a glass but didn’t raise it for a long time.

Although what he said made sense, I still didn’t understand what he was thinking.

Maybe it was because I couldn’t handle the alcohol, I just felt heavy in the head and drunkenness lingered.

…

Half asleep and half awake, I felt a gentle touch on my face.

I opened my eyes and saw Fu Zheng close at hand.

“What are you doing?”

But he said nothing and stood up.

I grabbed his sleeve.

“Are you flirting with me?”

“No.”

“So you’re doing something inappropriate to me?”

“no.”

“Why don’t you leave me?”

Fu Zheng was silent.

“Why are you so nice to me?”

He still didn’t speak.

“You like me.”

I saw Fu Zheng freeze for a moment.

I thought he would remain silent, but he suddenly spoke.

「

Such a calm and resounding affirmation made me stunned.

The whole night of testing was not as satisfying as being frank while drunk.

When everything is quiet and the moonlight is hazy.

This time, I saw the light in Fu Zheng’s eyes very clearly.

As soon as I walked out of the hospital, I ran into Fu Zheng.

“What a coincidence.”

Looking at him standing there steadily, as if he had been waiting here early in the morning, I didn’t understand where this “coincidence” came from.

I acted recklessly last night under the influence of alcohol, but now that I’m sober, I still feel a little uncomfortable around him.

There are some things I still haven’t figured out.

I know his feelings, but what about mine?

Do I really understand my own heart?

I smiled and said hello, then left.

“Why are you hiding from me?”

I turned around and Fu Zheng was just standing there looking at me with a smile, but my heart was inexplicably flustered, just like last night.

“What’s up?”

He walked towards me and handed me a post.

I looked at the sky, then looked at Fu Zheng who was standing beside me.

“Do you really want to go back with me?”

“really.”

…

Fu Zheng and I had just greeted our parents when I heard someone calling my name.

“Nian Fang.”

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was my senior brother Zhang Yan.

“Brother Yan, you’re back.”

Zhang Yan responded with a smile and walked quickly to me.

“I got a new gun in the North, it’s perfect for you.”

“Let’s go and try it.”

I weighed the silver-handled red-tasseled spear and swung it a few times.

It’s really good, light but not frivolous.

“how?”

“Brother Yan really has good taste.”

“Just whatever you like.”

He took a piece of cloth and rubbed the gun tip while saying, “Fu Zheng didn’t go back home with you before.”

I nodded. “Indeed.”

Zhang Yan looked up at me and said, “I heard some news recently, which is a bit unusual.”

“There is something you should know.”

I waited for a long time but didn’t hear any further words. Instead, I heard a few long coughs.

I immediately handed over a cup of tea.

“Brother, moisten your throat.”

Zhang Yan pretended to take a sip and continued, “There is something that is related to your husband.”

Related to Fu Zheng?

“Have you ever heard of Feng Ping?”

“I’ve heard a little bit about it.”

“He is King Qi’s man.”

I paused holding the teacup.

The more low-key a person is, the more remarkable he is.

“Are you trying to tell me that Fu Zheng and Prince Qi were close?”

“Look.”

I followed Zhang Yan’s gaze.

I saw Fu Zheng chatting with my father as they walked.

“Recently, there are rumors that your majesty is in poor health, and the princes outside are all ready to take action,” Zhang Yan put down his teacup, “especially Prince Qi.”

“Prince Qi has come to the mansion to look for Master twice. This time he finally found a very good lobbyist.”

I glanced at Fu Zheng not far away.

“I’m not trying to sow discord between you two, but Prince Qi is definitely not a good person. Fu Zheng’s choice of place is really inappropriate.”

I responded indifferently, but I felt very depressed.

Before one thing is sorted out, another one comes along.

How sincere is Fu Zheng’s feelings for me?

I sat in the porch, wiping the gun that Brother Yan gave me.

Look at the sharp and shiny gun tip, it’s really a good gun.

Although I only take it out to play with it every now and then, it would still be a pity if it were left outside in the wind and sun for a long time, so I asked my master to keep it carefully.

I clutched the handkerchief I had just used to wipe the gun, and suddenly remembered that my father had written me a letter a few days ago.

「

「

Although these few words say that you are fine and don’t worry, it always makes people feel uneasy.

Fu Zheng and I had lived in peace for two years, but at this juncture troubles occurred, one after another.

Right Censor Feng Ping was not a very prominent figure in the court. When I heard that he was good at reporting back, I didn’t pay much attention to it.

But when Brother Yan mentioned it that day, I suddenly thought of Fu Zheng.

Feng Ping, as an advisor to Prince Qi, had too close contacts with Fu Zheng.

It goes without saying why.

It’s just because of the power in my father’s hands that he can pave the way for Prince Qi.

The gate of the He Mansion was difficult to enter, so he wanted to use the relationship between Fu Zheng and me to shake my father’s influence.

He really calculated every step and was very scheming.

I looked outside and saw that the sky was getting very gloomy. The wind was making the bamboo leaves on the west wall rustle.

“Girl, it’s windy, let’s go back to the house.”

I don’t know when, Changyu appeared beside me and reminded me softly.

The gray sky really looks like a storm is about to come.

Just as I was about to go back to the house, I saw a maid hurriedly entering the courtyard.

“Madam, someone has come from the palace. The Queen Mother has requested that you come to the palace to see her immediately.”

The decree came so quickly that it was definitely not just a casual chat.

I turned around and told Chang Yu: “Bring an umbrella, the weather may change soon.”

…

Aunt Chen, who was beside the Empress Dowager, personally led me into the hall, and the Empress Dowager sat at the top.

I bowed and greeted him respectfully.

After the Empress Dowager gave me a seat and some tea, she chatted with me in a few words.

“How is General Zhongyong these days?”

“Thank you Queen Mother for your concern. Father is doing well.”

The Queen Mother smiled and said, “I have always been unable to keep secrets. I summoned you here today because I have something important to ask of you.”

I stood up and said “I dare not” repeatedly.

The Queen Mother waved her hand, “Hurry and sit down.”

“Good child, for your husband’s sake, you must persuade your father.”

“Prince Qi has already received help from your husband. If he can also get help from your father, he will surely be even more powerful and hold the throne firmly in his grasp.”

“When great things are accomplished in the future, don’t let your foolish loyalty today ruin your bright future.”

…

When I came, Aunt Chen greeted me at the door, and when I left, she personally led the way for me.

When they reached a corner gate, Aunt Chen slipped into the gate and suddenly disappeared.

I have only been to the palace a few times, and each time I was led by palace maids and eunuchs.

I was suddenly left alone to walk in this huge palace. How could I find my way?

I think she brought me here on the orders of the Queen Mother.

Looking at the door that Aunt Chen walked into, I pondered for a moment, pushed the door open, and walked along the corridor to the edge of a small lake.

I was about to go forward when I suddenly heard a few people whispering behind the stone hill.

Unfortunately, the voice was too low to be heard clearly, and I only vaguely caught the words “Your Majesty”, “Critically ill”, and “General”.

Just as I was about to get closer, I heard the whispering stop abruptly.

“I thought it was some blind eunuch who dared to eavesdrop on my king.”

I turned around and saw Prince Qi walking towards me, followed by Fu Zheng and a weak scholar.

This weak scholar must be Feng Ping.

“So he’s one of us.”

Prince Qi looked at Fu Zheng and smiled.

Seeing Fu Zheng frowning and saying nothing, I also smiled.

Although I knew the result earlier, what Brother Yan said was different from what I saw myself.

“Madam Fu, this is our first meeting, so I don’t have anything good to give you.” Prince Qi winked at Feng Ping, “Just consider this as a gift for meeting you.”

Suddenly, I felt a strong force behind me, and my whole body was spinning. Then, the cold water enveloped me.

I am good at both literature and martial arts, but I can’t swim.

Suddenly I heard someone calling my name, but my consciousness was gradually fading.

Before my eyelids closed, I seemed to see Fu Zheng in a trance.

Although I always felt that I was in good health, I didn’t expect that my true colors would be revealed after falling into the water, and my vitality was seriously damaged.

I heard from Chang Yu that I was in a coma for four days.

When I woke up, there was only one person beside me.

“He brought me back?”

Good at keeping silent and just nodding.

“Has he come here since then?” As soon as I asked this question, I started coughing uncontrollably.

Chang Yu quickly patted my back to calm me down. “The doctor said that the girl choked on water and injured her lungs. I’m afraid it will take a few days for her to recover.”

“He didn’t come, did he?”

I am better than not saying anything, but I have already made up my mind.

The world is bustling with people seeking profit, and the world is bustling with people seeking profit.

Between people, good or bad, it’s all just for the sake of profit.

“Have my parents ever come to see me?”

Chang Yu shook his head and said, “No.”

When something happened to me, my parents didn’t come to visit me. There were two reasons for this: one was that they didn’t know about it, and the other was that they knew about it but couldn’t come.

No matter which one it is, King Qi’s contribution must have been indispensable.

“Can you get out?”

Good at shaking head.

Even with her excellent skills, she found it difficult to get out. It shows that the surrounding area is as strong as a solid wall.

“People inside can’t get out, and people outside can’t get in.” I laughed at myself, “He’s putting me under house arrest.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a man came in through the door.

Fu Zheng’s ears were very effective.

He didn’t come when I was asleep, but he came right after I woke up.

With the help of Chang Yu’s hand, I sat up.

“You should leave first.”

Long looked at me with concern.

I patted her hand and nodded, “It’s okay, go ahead.”

Fu Zheng saved me that day, and he had his reasons. Keeping me here is a good thing for both him and King Qi.

A smart person never does business that loses money.

He walked out, looking back every few steps, and slowly closed the door.

Fu Zheng took a few steps closer and sat down beside the bed with his back to me.

The wind outside blew through the window lattice, leaving a humming sound.

“Are you feeling better?”

In the end, he was the first to speak.

I twisted my left wrist, turned it over and looked at it, and suddenly remembered what he said, “I don’t tell lies in front of you.”

“Fu Zheng, do you still count what you said?”

He tilted his head to look at me and said “hmm” softly.

I smiled and said it counted.

“You have surrendered to King Qi?”

Fu Zheng was silent.

“Yes or no, just give me the answer.”

“yes.”

Brother Yan said that even though I have seen it myself, it is not as good as his personal admission.

Suddenly I felt a pain in my lungs and couldn’t stop coughing.

Fu Zheng hurriedly rubbed my back.

When the coughing stopped, there was suddenly a bowl of water in front of me.

I reached out to take it, but he moved around my hand and held the bowl of water to my lips.

I looked up at him and tried to take the bowl of water, but he avoided me again, as if he wanted to waste time with me.

A good man will not suffer a loss in front of him, I still understand this principle. No matter what his intention is, since he is willing to be humble, how can I not fulfill his intention?

I drank the water from his hand, trying to suppress the itch in my throat.

Fu Zheng patted my back gently.

I calmed down and felt a little weak.

“Fu Zheng, if I ask you for a divorce right now, you will definitely not agree, right?”

The regular stroking of the back suddenly stopped, and Fu Zheng withdrew his hand to his side.

He lowered his eyes and said calmly, “Even if it wasn’t at this moment, I wouldn’t agree.”

Fu Zheng tucked the quilt in for me and looked at me steadily, “I will protect you.”

I watched him close the door and his figure disappeared into the gap.

Is this how you protect me?

Since I woke up, Fu Zheng has come every day.

Either eating or drinking tea.

Except for the day when the atmosphere between us was cold just after we woke up, the rest of the time we just chatted as usual, just as plain as before.

If he had not been confined in this square courtyard, everything else would have been no different from the peaceful days before.

But every time I asked about my father, Fu Zheng always remained silent.

He didn’t respond to me, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

After all, people with different ideals cannot work together, and people with different goals cannot be friends.

That day, Fu Zheng came to see me with a basket of freshly picked cherries.

After having tea, sit for a while and then leave.

“Fu Zheng.” I called him, “How is my father?”

He turned around and looked at me, pretending not to hear me and talking about irrelevant things.

“It’s a bit windy tonight. You’re in good health. Don’t move around to avoid catching a cold.”

…

There were bursts of bell sounds coming from afar, reverberating one after another.

It’s a temple bell.

When a noble in the capital dies, the bells are bell-beaten 30,000 times.

“Longer than.”

I glanced outside and winked at her, and Chang Yu immediately understood.

But in the blink of an eye, she was back.

“Miss, Mr. Fu’s men outside have all left.”

withdraw?

Since Fu Zheng wanted to detain me, why would he withdraw all the people for no reason?

Whenever I think of the look he gave me before he left, I always feel it was full of profound meaning.

Don’t wander around?

Then don’t leave and wait and see what the situation is.

“Chang Yu, bring a chair over so we can sit and wait.”

…

Just as I was yawning, there was finally movement at the gate of the courtyard.

When I saw the person appearing at the gate of the courtyard, my sleepiness disappeared and I immediately became energetic.

Marquis of Yongding.

I had forgotten about him – Prince Qi’s father-in-law, the Marquis of Yongding who held the power over the imperial guards and the city’s defense.

“Madam Fu is very patient. She made me wait for her.”

“Your Excellency, thank you for your compliment. It’s the same with you.”

The appearance of Marquis Yongding, the ringing of the bell just now, and Fu Zheng’s departure all seemed to point to the same thing.

Perhaps there were finally changes in the palace.

The emperor’s residence, which has always been solemn and quiet, will surely be very lively, and the winner and loser will be determined today.

“My wife has been feeling unwell recently and has been worried. She had a very cordial conversation with you, Madam Fu, at the Queen Mother’s birthday banquet last time, so I came to invite my wife to my house to have a chat and give her some advice.”

“I have only met your wife once. I am sorry to trouble you, Lord, that you could come up with such an excuse to invite me.”

Prince Qi had thought very carefully. When the throne was within his grasp, he did not forget to add an extra life-saving talisman for himself.

If you capture me, you capture my father, and you capture the 200,000 soldiers under my father’s command.

“Since Madam Fu understands what I mean, please go ahead.”

“If I don’t move, what will the Marquis do to me?”

“Everyone has his own ambitions, whether in the mountains or in the forests.” Marquis Yongding looked at me deeply, “But I am interested in the mountains and in the forests, and I will never change my mind.”

“Mrs. Fu, please.”

I didn’t stand up, but just looked at Marquis Yongding.

“Your Majesty is already a family of honor, I think wealth and honor are definitely not your thing.” I looked at the Marquis of Yongding and said firmly, “Those below the ninth five are what Your Majesty hopes for.”

Hearing this, Yongding Hou smiled and said, “Who wouldn’t want a position that attracts the attention of the court and the public?”

“Mrs. Fu.”

“please.”

I figured that since three times is the limit, he would probably be polite enough to treat me again.

But before I could get this last invitation, I heard someone speaking.

“Where does the Marquis want to invite Nian Fang to go?”

Looking at the person who came, Marquis Yongding and I were both stunned.

It turned out to be Brother Yan.

“My Lord, I hope you are well.”

Marquis Yongding frowned but did not respond.

Brother Yan smiled as he walked, “It was unexpected that the Marquis met me, but it was expected that I would meet the Marquis.”

When he came closer to me, he threw a gun at me.

“Junior sister, hold it steady.”

I took it, weighed it, and said with a smile, “Although I have been ill for a few days, Brother Yan, you don’t have to look down on me like this, right?”

Brother Yan smiled at me and turned to face Marquis Yongding.

“My Lord, you have put so much effort into this, but it was all in vain.”

As I watched Brother Yan and Marquis Yongding playing charades, I also got a clue.

It seems that Prince Qi did not have a smooth journey on the road inside the palace.

Yongding Hou frowned even deeper, looked at Brother Yan and said coldly: “What do you mean, General Zhang?”

Brother Yan sneered, “It means exactly what it says. The person you want to wait for will not come, and the person you want to take away will not be taken away.”

“All soldiers, listen to my orders.”

At Brother Yan’s command, a lot of people suddenly showed up.

“Your Majesty has personally decreed that Prince Qi and Marquis Yongding are plotting treason.” Brother Yan took out a bright yellow imperial edict and continued, “Anyone who can capture them alive will be promoted to a higher position.”

…

Brother Yan said a few simple words to me before leaving, including what he had just said to Marquis Yongding.

Some things, I finally understood.

Prince Qi was originally the person with the least hope, but unfortunately he himself did not see it clearly, and neither did the Empress Dowager, who loved him the most.

Once he took an unconventional approach, he ended up getting himself into trouble.

The greed of mankind is like a snake swallowing an elephant, and cleverness may backfire. This is probably what people like him are like.

It is not surprising that Prince Qi is in this situation today.

But Fu Zheng took people by surprise.

Perhaps even Prince Qi only found out today that Fu Zheng was actually a chess piece used by the Emperor to lure him into the game.

His Majesty had set up the trap early in the morning, waiting for that foolish son to fall into it.

As a result, Prince Qi was the first to bear the brunt.

It turns out that in this world, there are many cases where fathers plot against their own sons, and there are also many cases where sons plot against their own fathers.

The information that I used to be good at finding out, now it seems that I can actually match them one by one.

Brother Yan asked me if I wanted to go out with him, but I didn’t respond.

Although it’s late, I still have to wait for someone.

“Chang Yu, make me some tea to wake you up.”

I drank three cups of tea, but there was no effect.

After waking up from the second wave of sleepiness, I rubbed my eyes and looked at the white sky outside.

I straightened my clothes and sat up.

Half the night has passed, but no one has come.

That’s all.

I looked at Chang Yu and whispered, “Pack your things.”

“Return to the He Mansion.”

…

When Brother Yan came to see me, he brought some news with him.

Prince Qi was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned for life.

King Mu was made the crown prince, which was the greatest honor.

Within a few days, the situation in Beijing changed.

“As for Fu Zheng,” Brother Yan rubbed the teacup in his hand, “he was injured that day.”

I looked up and saw Brother Yan looking at me with a smile. He deliberately interrupted the conversation and stopped talking.

I picked up the kettle and filled it with tea for him.

He drank half a cup of wine slowly, and then told the story one by one, “That day, I returned to the palace from Fu’s house, and my men were looking for Feng Ping all over the palace. Who knew that this guy was hiding in the dark, and unexpectedly struck him with a sword.”

“He looks like a gentle and weak scholar on weekdays, but I don’t know where he got the brute force from, and he actually stabbed a bloody hole in Fu Zheng’s body.”

I paused for a moment while holding the small pot, then continued to add tea. “Is the injury serious?”

“Fortunately, Fu Zheng dodged in time, and only a little more blood flowed, but nothing serious was hurt.”

I nodded and put down the small pot that I was holding tightly in my hand.

“But speaking of this, you, my dear, are also a tough guy.”

I looked at Brother Yan, not understanding what he meant.

“Just as Feng Ping thrust his sword firmly, Fu Zheng twisted his wrist and turned him around, dragged him to the edge of the Imperial Lake, and kicked him into the lake.” Brother Yan paused, “As soon as Fu Zheng kicked Feng Ping into the water, he fainted due to excessive blood loss.”

“It just so happened that Feng Ping was a landlubber. He fluttered in the water for a few times and was about to sink to the bottom. I quickly had someone fish him out, and no further trouble occurred.”

…

After Brother Yan left, I was still thinking about what Fu Zheng had done.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

It’s something he can do.

“Girl.” Changyu came closer and called me softly, “Eleven is here.”

I guessed that he was here to deliver the things I left behind that day on behalf of Fu Zheng.

“Greetings to the Madam.”

Looking at Eleven with empty hands, I didn’t understand why he came.

“Why are you here?”

“Madam, the young master asked me to bring you something.”

As he spoke, he took out a piece of document from his pocket.

I took it and looked at it, and it was indeed the divorce letter I left that day.

But nothing has changed, not even a single horizontal or vertical line has been added.

“What does Fu Zheng mean?”

“The young master said that he was injured and couldn’t write, so he had to return the item to its original owner.”

Eleven looked at me cautiously and continued, “Young Master also said that even if he was injured and Madam didn’t visit him, he would definitely come to see Madam when he recovered.”

After saying this, he bowed and left to return home.

I looked at the empty doorway and pondered silently.

“Longer than.”

“exist.”

“From today on, we will close the door to visitors.”

Long looked at me in confusion.

“Thank you, Fu Zheng.”

Although Fu Zheng taught Eleven to pass on the message, he did not really come to disturb my peace.

That’s just right, I’m happy and comfortable too.

“girl.”

Changyu came back, looking embarrassed.

If nothing unexpected happens, it should be returned again.

Every day I sent Chang Yu to deliver the divorce letters, but they were returned to me intact.

“That’s fine,” I tapped the table, “I’ll go there myself tomorrow.”

…

When I arrived at Fu Zheng’s yard, he was sitting in the yard drinking tea.

Hearing the noise, he looked up.

Just at this moment, the water on the clay stove boiled, and a wisp of white steam overflowed from the spout of the kettle.

In the mist, Fu Zheng spoke softly, “You’re here.”

I walked up and sat down next to him.

Changyu and Shiyi had quietly retreated without anyone noticing.

Although the yard was large, the only sound that could be heard was the bubbling sound of water on the stove.

I reminded him, “The water is boiling.”

Fu Zheng took the teapot down and put out the charcoal fire.

He poured two cups of tea, kept one for himself and gave one to me.

I picked up the teacup, but it was a little hot, so I put it back.

“Is there anything wrong with the divorce document?”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“Then why don’t you sign it?”

Fu Zheng looked at me and smiled, “Just for a moment of peace.”

I looked at him, dazed for a moment.

If it always stays like this, it seems pretty good.

It’s a pity that fate is determined by heaven, but destiny depends on man.

Although Your Majesty has arranged a marriage for us, neither he nor I have managed it properly.

「

「

Fu Zheng was silent for a moment, then picked up the teacup and took a sip.

“I guess you don’t want to hear what happened, right?”

I came back to my senses and looked at him, “What I didn’t say then, I don’t need to say now.”

Hearing this, Fu Zheng smiled and said slowly: “Yes, this is you.”

For a long while, the courtyard was silent.

At this point, I thought there was nothing more to say, so I got up and walked out.

“Have you ever been a little moved?”

I stopped and looked up at the sky.

Today is a nice day with clear skies.

“Yes.”

Although my heart is beating fast, it is not enough to spend the rest of my life together.

I am like this, and he is even more so.

…

Boxes of things flowed into my yard like water.

I looked carefully and found that in addition to my dowry box, there were many more boxes. I guess they must be new boxes added by Fu Zheng.

It’s a decent thing for us to have met each other.

The elder handed over a wooden tray, on which were the documents that were being returned.

I took out the paper and saw that Fu Zheng had signed and stamped his name at the very end, standing side by side with the three words “He Nianfang”.

Finally, the dust has settled.