Chapter 34 Chapter 34 Fu Huaiqing's Jealousy

The sound of footsteps slowly echoed down the quiet street. Biezhi crossed nearly two streets, the man still following her. Her brows furrowed in thought, and she turned slightly on tiptoe, heading towards the bluestone pavement of Beiyuan.

Biezhi stepped onto the bluestone steps, thought for a moment, and paused.

The footsteps also stopped. Biezhi curled her lips and turned to look at the man below. The moment she met Qin Xiao's handsome face, she was stunned for a moment. Mottled sunlight filtered through the bamboo forest, shrouding him. His peach blossom eyes were filled with a gentle warmth, like a seductive thread.

The sound of the breeze blowing through the bamboo forest reached her ears, and she suddenly came back to her senses. She deliberately put on a stern face and said in a cold voice: "As an important official of the court, Lord Qin should know that according to the laws of our dynasty, following an unmarried woman can be sentenced to ten days in prison. Or is it that Lord Qin is breaking the law knowingly?"

Qin Xiao raised his eyelids slightly, his eyes fixed on the branches on the steps. The girl's voice was less playful and more cold than usual. A subtle bitterness flashed across his expression. He pulled the corners of his mouth and said, "You now look more like the way you looked when we first met." The

almond eyes on her fair oval face were clear and transparent, as pink as peach blossoms in spring, bright and sweet. The streets were obviously in chaos that night, with people running around, and even the windows on the buildings were closed one by one, except for her.

The girl rested her chin on the edge of the window, calmly staring at the gangsters clashing blades on the street. After watching for a while, she seemed to be tired and yawned boredly.

She watched like this until the bailiff arrived.

Biezhi couldn't figure out when Qin Xiao first saw her. After all, she had been following him like a shadow for some time in the past, and it was not impossible that he would accidentally bump into her occasionally.

It was a headache.

No one had ever told her that the dignified Junior Official of the Dali Temple could be so difficult to deal with.

If she didn't know that he was meticulous and would check everyone around him one by one, she would really think he fell in love with her

at first sight. Biezhi didn't forget what Madam Qin said yesterday. She glanced at the rising sun in the bamboo forest and sighed: "Since your Excellency knows that I am not your younger sister, you should understand that I have important matters to attend to. If there is nothing important, please don't hinder my travel."

Without waiting for Qin Xiao to answer, she bowed and left.

Biezhi walked half the bluestone road slowly and unhurriedly, and breathed a sigh of relief when he was sure that he hadn't caught up. As usual, he hurried to his destination and followed Xu Wenche.

On the bluestone road in the bamboo forest, the man stood at the bottom of the steps for a long time, and only came to his senses when the working people passed by with their loads on their shoulders.

It was a holiday, but Qin Xiao did not return home, but went to the palace.

When he arrived at the gate of the palace, he happened to meet Su Ci who was walking from the opposite street. He stood at the door and waited for him for a while. Then, the two of them, led by the guards, walked into the main courtyard together.

Before they approached the courtyard, a sharp and piercing sound of unsheathing broke through the air.

The man gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, and suddenly swung the blade, leaving a sword shadow. Wherever the sword touched, the wind whistled. He pressed forward step by step, and Jiang Yue, who was facing him, turned his steps slightly to avoid the sword tip and retreated continuously. However, he was soon forced to the wall.

When the sword tip was only half a palm's length away from Jiang Yue, Fu Huaiqing suddenly withdrew his hand and sheathed the sword. He casually tossed the sheath to Cheng Jin, who was waiting on the side. He took the handkerchief and wiped his palms carelessly, looking at the two figures walking up the gravel path.

Tea was already prepared in the pavilion by the lake.

Fu Huaiqing sent someone to take the two people there, and then went back to the house to bathe and change clothes before going there.

When he arrived, Su Ci was discussing with Qin Xiao the endless debate among the officials in the court yesterday. The seemingly solemn and majestic hall was as noisy as a bustling city. He caught a glimpse of the man climbing the stairs, stood up and stood aside, and waited for him to take a seat before following suit.

Fu Huaiqing waved his robe and sat down, looking at the two of them: "What do you two think about what happened yesterday?"

When the court was discussing yesterday, the two of them did not say a word. The court officials who were arguing with each other looked at the two of them from time to time, all thinking that they represented the ideas of the people in power. However, until the court was dismissed, the two of them had not said a word.

"It is only natural for foreign countries to pay homage to the emperor." Su Ci was not worried about this matter. Opponents in the court said that it was a turbulent time recently, and the one who came to pay homage this time was the prince of Xilan Kingdom. Xilan Kingdom surrendered to Li Dynasty three years ago. It was unknown whether he had ulterior motives. We should be cautious about this matter. "There is nothing wrong with what the courtiers who hold opposing opinions say. Xilan Kingdom has invaded many times since ancient times. The wildness in its bones cannot be changed overnight."

"The secret spy sent back by General Zhu also mentioned that the guards of Xilan Kingdom pretended to be civilians from time to time to inquire around. I'm afraid that their disloyalty has already surged." Qin Xiao's voice was slightly condensed. After discussing with Su Ci just now, the two agreed, "It is better to be cautious."

The capital is the capital of Li Dynasty, and there can be no chaos.

Fu Huaiqing raised his eyes and smiled at this, then said slowly, "My thoughts are exactly the opposite of yours." He had remained silent in the court yesterday, hoping to gauge the ministers' reactions. At least ten of them, whether opposing or supporting, spoke with conviction. "Even if the enemy is in the open, there are still advantages to be gained."

Su Ci, holding his teacup in his palm, was in deep thought. The Xilan Kingdom had sent a court invitation, and the Li Dynasty had found a reason to refuse it, but there were also reasons to make a big deal about it. Moreover, the Xilan Kingdom was unlike other vassal states, and they might have ulterior motives for coming this time. If he refused, it would only make things more difficult in the dark.

"If they want to come, they can come." Fu Huaiqing's eyes fell on the lake, which was rippling slightly with the breeze. Beneath the calm surface lay a massive monster, and the slightest gust of wind would cause a roar to rise, a clamour that lapped the lakeside. "Let's see what they intend."

He glanced at Jiang Yue and instructed, "Instruct the Honglu Temple and the Ministry of Rites to jointly handle the visit of the Prince of Xilan."

Jiang Yue nodded in acceptance, walked outside the pavilion, and waved to the guards.

Suddenly, the pavilion fell silent, with only the whispers of the breeze passing through.

Fu Huaiqing picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. His larynx rolled up and down. He knocked the table with his knuckles and said, "It's a day off, why are you so serious?"

Su Ci's tightly closed eyelids froze a little. He glanced at Qin Xiao, who was thinking about something, and changed the subject: "I went to the Qin family this morning and was going to call you to come with me. The guards in the mansion told me that you went out early. How come you arrived the same hour as me?" "

There's something I want to clarify." Qin Xiao came back to his senses and said.

Su Ci: "Do you understand now?"

Qin Xiao nodded slightly, then paused for a moment before shaking his head again, saying meaningfully, "Not really understanding, but knowing something."

Hearing this, Fu Huaiqing's eyes swept over his face and asked, "What's it?"

"Good news." Qin Xiao raised his eyes to look across at Prince Su. He said calmly, "I just learned the other day that Biezhi isn't my younger sister."

Instantly, Fu Huaiqing's palm, wrapped around the teacup, shrank, but his expression remained unchanged. He met Qin Xiao's slightly probing gaze with indifference.

Su Ci frowned at Qin Xiao's calm gaze, then glanced at the man at the main seat, who remained unfazed. It was clear that Qin Xiao's words were true.

This meant he was the only one present who didn't know.

He frowned and asked Qin Xiao, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," Qin Xiao said calmly.

Su Ci: "..."

He was silent for a moment, then said, "When the city gates are on fire, don't let the innocent get caught in the crossfire."

As he finished speaking, Su Ci felt something was wrong.

According to the man at the main table last night, the fire didn't seem to be focused on them, but on the man who was about to be pried away.

As he sipped his tea, he glanced at the two men determined to win over him, and

silently mourned for the man Biezhi had always admired, even for the time it took him to meet her. Fu Huaiqing silently observed the energetic Qin Xiao, as if he were already connected to Biezhi. Remembering that Biezhi had previously left Beijing with him for some time, his eyes darkened.

Biezhi's favorite thing was a man with outstanding appearance.

Fu Huaiqing studied the man's features. As a man, Qin Xiao was indeed outstanding. When he won the third place in the imperial examination, he rode his horse through the streets of Beijing, and many women were struck by his appearance.

Although Biezhi had never mentioned her admiration for his looks to Jiran, her occasional words often expressed admiration.

He put down his teacup and smiled indifferently.

Su Ci, whose gaze was fixed on the man at the main table, caught sight of the hidden smile, which hinted at a storm brewing. He pondered for a moment, then, ignoring the bright sunlight, stood up and bowed. "Before leaving the house, my grandmother told me to attend the family dinner today. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

Fu Huaiqing glanced at him and hummed.

Su Ci took a half step back, but then felt it wasn't appropriate for the two of them to stay together. He stopped and said without a trace of guilt, "I just have something to discuss with you. Let's talk while we walk."

Having known each other for many years, Qin Xiao naturally understood Su Ci's intentions and stood up, bowed, and withdrew.

Fu Huaiqing looked at the two people's departing backs with a faint look in his eyes, then slowly withdrew his gaze, took out a towel and wiped the tea that had fallen into his palm without knowing when, and asked with a sidelong glance: "When will she come?"

Jiang Yue looked up at the sun hanging high in the sky, and said vaguely: "At this time, the girl should be guarding the building next to the Xu family courtyard."

The sun had only been up for half an hour, and it was still far from nightfall.

Fu Huaiqing was silent for a moment, then got up and went to the study.

The desk full of memorials lay quietly on the table. He took out a pen, dipped it in ink, and scanned the handwriting imprinted on the memorials at a glance.

Jiang Yue, who was grinding on the side, saw that the prince had not dipped the pen in ink for a long time, and subconsciously raised his eyelids to look at his master. The corners of his slightly opened mouth closed silently when he saw his master's slightly dazed face.

He had been at his master's side since childhood, a period of nearly twenty years. Whether in his youth or after he assumed power, he had never seen him so distracted while handling official business. Aside from the time when the Imperial Concubine was ill, he hadn't seen him so irritated and unhappy in ages. Especially since he assumed power, his emotions became increasingly hidden.

He didn't know how long it had been when he heard his master ask, "Isn't it time yet?"

Jiang Yue suddenly snapped back to his senses. Outside the window, the sun was at its peak, and the waterwheel in the courtyard was slowly turning. He said cautiously, "Your Highness, it's noon."

Fu Huaiqing glanced at the memorial, which he had barely glanced at after opening it. He closed his eyes slightly, set his brush on the inkstone, and rubbed his furrowed brow.

There were wolves in front and tigers behind; neither of them was easy to worry about.

He paused, his hand pinching his brow, then suddenly remembered the injured man lying on the couch. He asked, "Did Biezhi go to see him?"

Jiang Yue was stunned by the sudden news.

Meeting his master's less-than-friendly gaze, he suddenly realized who he was asking about and shook his head, saying, "Su Tao informed Miss Jing Qing of her injury yesterday, but there's been no news from Xianyun Tower yet."

Fu Huaiqing's gaze relaxed slightly.

Given her personality, if she were truly concerned, she would go, no matter how busy she was. But now that she hadn't left, it seemed she only had feelings for him as a senior apprentice and sister, nothing more.

Just thinking of Ling Feng's proposal for a marriage between them, and how they'd been childhood sweethearts, a story that would have made a great story, made Fu Huaiqing's forehead throb. If she weren't blind, how could she have said such ridiculous nonsense about them being made for each other?

Jiang Yue, who was standing by, was vaguely aware of his master's displeasure. The lingering anger was about to burn him to ashes. He quietly took a half step back and happened to catch a glimpse of Cheng Jin's quick approaching figure. The moment their eyes met, his right eyelid twitched violently.

Before Cheng Jin even got close, he keenly noticed that the prince seemed to be in a very irritable mood. He slowed down his pace and walked in silently. Instead of walking to a position four or five steps away from the table as usual, he stood at the door and bowed: "Prince."

Fu Huaiqing raised his eyes: "Speak."

"The shadow guard reported," Cheng Jin lowered his head a little lower, repeating the shadow guard's words word for word: "Biezhi went to see Jingqing half an hour ago. When he walked out of his room, he seemed to be in a much more depressed mood than usual. He was absent-minded. If he hadn't recovered quickly, he would have almost fallen into the well."

Jiang Yue took a deep breath and glanced at the prince. His usually indifferent face suddenly turned dark, and the irritation in his eyes almost overflowed.

Fu Huaiqing's eyes flashed with coldness, and he said word by word: "What did he say."