Chapter 9: Flowers Bloom in Spring No.58 Marriage
I used the toe of my left foot to drive the heel of my right foot, and turned backward smoothly to run away!
"Hey, Miss Minmin, where are you going? I can't carry it by myself..."
"Shhhh!" I raised a finger hastily! Unfortunately, it was too late. People who learn martial arts have sharp ears. All the people in the side hall looked up at this side. I had no choice but to bite the bullet, hold the cake box high to cover my face, hide behind Nana, and move towards a case far away from the fox.
No one spoke. Nana's crisp introduction was particularly piercing in the silence. My heart was pounding and I was confused. What was I afraid of? Anyway, I was in Baimao's territory, in broad daylight, and he couldn't do anything to me! Then, why was I still so nervous? It was like there were still ten minutes left to collect the papers and I still had three big questions to finish. My calves were cramping and my hands were sweating. Hmm... It must be because I used to treat Baimao as an imaginary enemy when I was running away with him...
"…This tea is our prairie's specialty butter tea. It is the sweetest and most delicious when paired with the box of fried barley. It is refreshing and has a unique flavor! Dear distinguished guests, please enjoy it!" Nana finished her impassioned speech standing beside the big fox's table. She kept signaling me with her eyes to quickly bring the box of fried barley. At this time, I was really in a dilemma, so I just went for it. I opened the lid of the box, covered my face, and quietly placed the box of pastries in front of the big fox, then quickly turned around and left!
Snap! The wrist was caught!
I had to stand down, with my back to the big fox and my head as low as I could.
"This lady..." The big fox spoke slowly, and my scalp began to tingle... "I am very interested in this fried barley. Could you please introduce it to me?"
At that moment, I was thinking about thousands of things. Did this damn fox recognize me? If not, I would be exposed if I spoke and listened to his voice. I was considering whether to pretend to be dumb. Nana saw that he was holding my hand and was not happy. She stood between us and said, "She is new here to help and doesn't know much. If His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince of the Later Ming Dynasty is interested in this pastry, let me introduce it to you."
"In that case... thank you for your help." The big fox said coldly.
I felt the force on my wrist loosen, and I didn't even bother to salute. I immediately ran away with the lid of the box in my hand! I ran all the way to the side hall before I heaved a sigh of relief. I complained in my heart, why would the big fox be sent as an envoy to the border areas? He should be fighting fiercely with the emperor of the Later Ming Dynasty now, why would he obey the emperor's order to be an ambassador? ... No, now is a good opportunity for the two factions to win over the forces outside the border, why would the emperor leave this opportunity to him? Is he powerless to stop it? It seems that the news from the spies a while ago, saying that the Fourth Prince has the Sixth Prince's heavy troops and the Xiao family army on the northern border is more powerful than the imperial army, which is true... The regime of the Later Ming Dynasty will soon be unstable...
Tonight is the first day of the Ba Zang Festival. After the various ethnic groups’ tributes, wrestling and horse racing during the day, men and women are very excited. There are bonfires everywhere outside the palace, and people are singing and dancing. The roasted sheep with a scorched and oily aroma rolls slowly under the flames, and the tempting aroma spreads directly into the palace. I strolled slowly on the cold floor of the palace, and the small silver bells on my ankles made a series of crisp sounds that echoed in the empty palace. There were alfalfa flowers swaying outside in the moonlight, and the evening breeze was very comfortable for a while...
I didn't go out to play not because I really like quietness, but because I was afraid of facing the big fox at the banquet. Now I am still his adopted daughter in name. As an elder, if he insists on taking me back, it is reasonable. I have no way to refute it, and Baimao can't stop it. Unless I have married Baimao, he has nothing to say. Speaking of marriage, I can't help but feel depressed.
Baimao has been looking gloomy ever since he met Big Fox and the others. After much inquiry, I learned that the envoys from Hou Ming came to congratulate the birth of the new king of the grassland and to discuss the marriage between the Wind Chasing Tribe and Hou Ming.
Regarding marriage, I still have confidence in Baimao, but there are a group of elders and ministers standing behind Baimao. In fact, from the perspective of political interests, this marriage is definitely beneficial to the Wind Chasing Tribe. The Wind Chasing Tribe has been fighting for years and has just unified the grassland. First, the vitality of the Wind Chasing Tribe has been greatly damaged and the situation is unstable. At this time, they can get assistance and a strong backer by marrying with Hou Ming. Moreover, the wars inside and outside the pass are losses to both sides. Over the years, marriage has been regarded as the best way and an opportunity that cannot be missed. What's more, this time it was Hou Ming who took the initiative to propose it, which can be said to give enough face to the Wind Chasing Tribe. Now they have even brought the princess for the marriage, who is said to be the emperor's biological sister, and they are determined to win and cannot be refused.
These days, people inside and outside the palace have been looking at me with pity and comfort. There are even little girls who are on good terms with me who secretly encouraged me, "No matter what kind of marriage it is, I absolutely support Miss Minmin and the young master!" The mature and older ones who know when to advance and when to retreat mostly advised me gently, "The marriage in the post-Ming Dynasty is nothing more than a political game. You know where the young master's heart is." People like Peggy who are reckless and follow my personality simply threatened, "If Brother Luan dares to marry other women, I will help Minmin to get rid of him!" and so on.
In fact, they don't have to do this. To be honest, if I wasn't standing in my current position, I would never let such a good marriage opportunity slip away. If I wasn't Zhao Minmin, I might be the first one to rush out and support this absolutely advantageous marriage with both hands and feet! But the problem is, I am Zhao Minmin, and I like Baimao very much now, so I am very depressed.
I raised my head and howled at the moon twice, and suddenly found a person standing by the lake outside the palace! The man was staggering and unsteady, as if he had drunk too much. With such a lively banquet tonight, there must be a lot of drunkards. I couldn't help but worry. If it was someone from the Wind Chasing Tribe, most of them were landlubbers. It would be very dangerous if they fell into the water! Even if it was a guest, it would be hard to tell what happened if he fell into the water while drunk... Just when I was thinking of calling two guards to deal with it, the man's body shook violently, and he disappeared with the sound of water! I was so scared that I broke into a cold sweat! He must have fallen into the water!
Most of the guards were sent to the banquet outside the palace today. This was a remote part of the palace, and the guards were very far away. It was too late to run over and call for help. I rushed over in a hurry! When I ran to the lake, the water was calm, and I was even more frightened! Maybe a guest had drowned, then this political dispute would be a big deal! So I took off my shoes and jumped into the water without thinking!
It was pitch dark and I couldn't see clearly. It was even darker in the water. I couldn't feel anything for a while. I just popped my head out of the water to take a breath, and an arm suddenly hugged me around the waist. The other hand gently stroked my neck. The charming lips with a little water droplets on them breathed warm air into my ear, "Minmin... I finally caught you..."
Big, big, big... a big fox?!
For a moment, my whole body was stiff, I even forgot to tread water, and immediately sank. The big fox exerted a little effort and swam with me. This guy didn't swim to the shore, but swam to deeper water. I was just being held by him, but my hands and feet were numb. I don't know if this bastard used some cheap drugs. Baimao is now outside greeting guests, and he is probably entangled by various high-ranking officials and can't get away. Because I don't want to hurt the guests by mistake, I temporarily locked the spoon in the back hall. At this time, I really can't find anyone to rescue him.
"Minmin, why are you so nervous? I just want to say a few words to you." The big fox held me with one hand, pressed his chin against my back and lightly touched my collarbone. He was so close that I could even hear his light and long breathing, which was densely shrouding my neck. "Long time no see... I miss you so much..."
He lowered his head and spoke softly. Such gentle and affectionate words coming out of his mouth directly gave me a premonition that I would not live long... He suddenly raised his head and stared at me with burning eyes, "Minmin, do you miss me?"
Considering the current situation, I knew it was clearly not in my favor, so I hurriedly said, "I want to...I want to! I really want to! Ha, ha, ha, Your Highness's complexion is getting better and better..."
"Really?" The big fox laughed sarcastically, probably thinking of the cake box, but he didn't bring it up. He just said lightly: "Looking good? There are so many affairs in the court, and you are worried about trivial matters. I am afraid that you are really getting old again."
"How could that be? Not old, not old. Your Highness is a man in his prime. Say goodbye to the awkward relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. (I have always liked this line from Cang Dong)" I flattered hurriedly.
He suddenly reached out his hand to cover my eyes and said slowly: "I didn't come here to listen to these flattering words. Or... do you think I am not qualified to let you tell your true feelings?"
I don't know how to answer him.
"Minmin, I've heard about you helping King Zhuifeng unify the grasslands... The person I picked is really good. You have the brains to offer advice to defeat Najinba, the heart to recruit talents from all over the world, and fresh and amazing insights... It's a waste to follow a conceited and arrogant brat like King Zhuifeng... Come back and help me unify the Later Ming Dynasty, okay?"
So I am so useful in his eyes? I didn't know I had such a great ability. I chuckled and said, "Big fox, you think too highly of me!" "Your Highness, you are too kind. In fact, I am able to live happily until now because of the protection of King Chasing the Wind. I am also very happy on the grassland with high sky and vast land. I also like the simple people here. I don't want to leave."
"Do you not want to leave because of these, or because of that Wind Chaser?!" His arms suddenly tightened, making it hard for me to breathe. I struggled uncomfortably and said angrily, "I don't want to leave because of him! Are you going to rob me anyway? Don't forget who you are and whose territory this is!"
"I think you have forgotten your identity?" The big fox smiled coldly, "You don't want to leave because of him, but he may not want to keep you. The elder of the Wind Chasing Tribe has already agreed to the marriage and married the princess. What is your identity here? What's more, the princess is outstanding in appearance and character. It's hard to guarantee that he won't be tempted."
“……” I stared at him with wide eyes, speechless for a moment. They… have already agreed to the marriage?
"By the way, this princess is also an acquaintance of yours," he whispered in my ear with a smile, "Who do you think she is?"
I shook my head in confusion. When did I know the princess of the Later Ming Dynasty?
His eyes flashed cunningly, and he spoke word by word: "It is that Yueluo."
