Chapter 9

She shook her head, busy eating noodles

Haha! He suddenly burst into laughter

The commoner reads during the day, seeking funds to travel to the capital, thus he is under the care of Lord Ruan, and at night he paints here... The scholar secretly observes this high official from the capital, who is intently gazing at the painting... Is there a problem with the painting?

This girl is simply oblivious to the danger! If someone were to see through her gender because of this, she would be committing a grave offense against the ruler! What does her adoptive brother think? Is he not as wise as Zhuge Liang? How could he allow her to act so foolishly!

Brother Dongfang, do you have a crush on me at first sight

There is, however, a prohibition on selling alcohol after the second watch; no one is allowed to sell it. Any private sale by workers will be punished uniformly.

Ruan Donggu! He laughed loudly with a stern voice

"I cannot do it, and neither can he! What I can achieve, he will surpass me by hundreds of times!" Whenever her biological brother is mentioned, she is absolutely supportive.

The slender and slightly flirtatious phoenix eyes shifted to a corner of the market

The East does not understand her intentions, asking him to truly "experience the sentiments of the people." He laughed and said, "Is there any wine?"

Miss, regardless of who has a sibling-like affection for you, what matters is how you feel in your heart. Who is the man that occupies your thoughts the most?

As long as she stays up late, he and Feng Yilang will not be able to close their eyes. She must lead by example, and he will certainly protect her from behind, until the year before last when Feng Yilang was taken away by the Jinyiwei. Only at her insistence did he then divide half of his attention to protect Feng Yilang.

Alright, I shall purchase this painting from you. Do you have any fire sticks

"Deputy Minister Ruan, I have never known that you are so suited to dressing as a woman, to the extent that even an ordinary commoner can mistake you for a woman. Do you realize how much gossip this will provoke if it reaches the capital?"

Fengchun observed her with a sense of emotion and gently said

She has been away from home for many years, surrounded by close companions like Yilang and Huaining, all of whom are men. The official circles are also dominated by men. Even when she occasionally goes out to buy groceries or have a meal, she does not dare to casually converse with young women, fearing that it might leave an impression on them. It has been a long time since she could act affectionately and playfully with her closest friend Fengchun like she can now

The East did not watch her figure walk into the night street, and for a moment, he found it difficult to settle his thoughts

Did Dongfang Feigen know early on that she was not only not Ruan Dongqian, but also a woman? Ruan Donggu recalled the words he had whispered in her ear that afternoon, feeling somewhat perplexed.

Eastern Brother

Who is following whom is still unknown. Huaining has always been ahead of us in winter, and in the future, she will only unknowingly stay ahead of Dongfang Fei. In the end, Dongfang Fei cannot secure her without using all his wits. Moreover, if she marries into an ordinary family, no one would be able to tolerate having such a wife. So, do you still wish for it

She shook her head and smiled, saying: "Elder brother Yilang has many matters to attend to, so there is no need to trouble him with such trivialities. Fengchun, are you tired as well? Why not take a short nap? I will read a bit more before I sleep."

The scholar hurriedly waved his hand. "Lord Ruan, you have already taken care of me enough in the past. Please take as many paintings as you wish. Even if you want to burn them, I will not say a word." He said, feeling wronged.

She is full of energy, as if she will never tire. The busy projects have not added a trace of weariness to her; on the contrary, as he anticipated, even after turning 20, she still possesses the temperament of youth, not at all resembling a blooming young lady.

Ruan Dong made a funny face. "Elder Brother Yi is a strict teacher; he wants to assess us." After lingering in Fengchun's embrace for a while, he reluctantly got out of bed. He walked to the table, picked up the Sun Tzu's Art of War that Feng Yilang had prepared, and braced himself to read it with a grim expression.

Miss, you are twenty-one this year... Do you prefer Yilang or Huaining?

What are you thinking about him doing in the East?

What? There is a hint of his scent between my lips, it is truly... I do not know how to describe it, it is not exactly unpleasant.

The scholar believed that the officials from the East were not here solely for inspection, and quickly said:

At first, of course, I couldn't accept it. If it weren't for the fact that someone had an accident during the day while working, I wouldn't have thought that the night market would have such an impact. Brother Yilang suggested that the county magistrate issue an official document stating that all workers involved in the water conservancy project are prohibited from drinking alcohol. However, as you know, the bureaucratic system is quite outdated, and given the distance from the central authority, it would probably take a month or even half a year for the official document to arrive. So, in a moment of impulse, I went out drinking for several nights in a row. If anyone has the ability to drink like I do and still show up for work the next day as energetic as I am, I would be willing to forfeit half a year's salary!

No, there is nothing in this world that pales in comparison; everyone is the same. So, in a fit of anger, I took the opportunity to write an article and got a bit of ink on it. The memory made her laugh heartily as she looked up at him. "Brother Dongfang, in this world, there are people like you, people like me, and there are also people like Brother Yilang and Huaining. In fact, everyone is the same."

Dongfang Fei leaned closer to her ear and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, coldly saying

He raised an eyebrow: "I have always been someone who craves novelty and grows tired of the old. When you no longer evoke a sense of freshness in me, you will naturally fail to pique my interest. Even if I were to take an interest in other wives or concubines, you could still live comfortably in my household for the rest of your life."

Isn't it just a wildflower... He glanced at her bold demeanor, clearly every gesture and movement resembled that of a boy, yet in the painting, she appeared strikingly handsome and beautiful. He had seen countless beauties, yet none possessed the spirit of the woman in the painting, her bright and piercing gaze always looking forward. Such a woman he had never encountered, and there were hardly any in the world, leaving him utterly captivated.

Feng Yilang, if one day I am gone, please be sure to cremate my body, as I do not wish to remain in the dark earth where the sun does not shine. Keep my ashes, and do not let her see them.

Indeed... when mentioning her, Feng Yilang unconsciously softened his tone: "She is just like this. In her heart, love is not absolute; if you let her go, she will still live happily." He was very confident

This ... ... is all kept in Ichiro's room, I will count it later

Upon hearing this, she blinked and suddenly burst into laughter

That night

Dongfang did not glance at her for a moment, and then spoke slowly and deliberately

Dongfang Feileng said: "What a good method! Is there a girl this month who is going to draw a marriage portrait with your other sworn brother?"

"Become mine, and before I grow weary of you, you may change me as much as you can."

... ... Good. I will keep it, and I will stay a little closer to her so that you can also watch over her

Of course not! I only accompanied him for a thorough drink when I was fifteen in Huaining, and that kind of pain I dare not forget at all. I remember being scolded by Brother Yilang to the point where I never wanted to touch alcohol again in my life. However, after I became an official, he forced me to drink a cup every day. Now, although I cannot be considered a drunkard, it is not easy to get me drunk... In fact, that day I drank until I was dizzy, and I no longer knew who I was drinking with in front of me, but I was very clear that behind me were Brother Yilang and Huaining. Even if I fell down, it wouldn't matter; if I fell down, perhaps I wouldn't feel so uncomfortable. I remember being scolded by Brother Yilang to the point where I never wanted to touch alcohol again in my life. However, after I became an official, he forced me to drink a cup every day. Now, although I cannot be considered a drunkard, it is not easy to get me drunk... In fact, that day I drank until I was dizzy, and I no longer knew who I was drinking with in front of me, but I was very clear that behind me were Brother Yilang and Huaining. Even if I fell down, it wouldn't matter; if I fell down, perhaps I wouldn't feel so uncomfortable... Suddenly, she closed her eyes and smiled, saying: "When I thought this in my heart, I clearly heard the sound of the river. This sound is truly pleasant, accompanying me to sleep every day. However, as long as the day is not finished, this sound may become a haunting call. Suddenly, I became sober."

What do you have on you

She chuckled twice. "Even if I hate you, I would not kill you without reason. There are laws of the state; if I disregard the existence of the law, what difference is there between me and a robber who kills? Moreover... Brother Dongfang, I have been pondering lately whether you are truly a corrupt official. You are clearly innocent, your hands have never been stained with blood, yet you act according to your preferences, enticing officials to embezzle and disrupt the governance, while at the same time promoting water control projects. Everything is a product of your whims. If..." Her gaze shifted from the small market to him, her expression revealing a hint of undeniable confusion. "If one day you are overthrown, then who will take your place as the Prime Minister?"

She scratched her head, thought seriously for a while, and then, holding the fragrant body of Fengchun, smiled and said

The Eastern figure noticed that although the scholar was painting him, his face was slightly flushed. Was this person captivated by Ruan Dong, or had he developed feelings for the imagined sister of Lord Ruan?

There are many in my heart. Brother, Yilang, Huaining ... ... and Dongfang Fei ... ...

This small market emerged in response to the needs of workers. Although your painting is good, I doubt anyone would buy it. What do you do during the day? The painting is indeed well done, so much so that he never realized a wild grass could also be as beautiful as a peony

She was astonished

Scholar, please help Lord Dongfang draw a portrait, and come to my room later to collect the payment

The Eastern official glanced at the scholar and scoffed, "Such peasant food has always been difficult for me to swallow"

Although this was the case, Dongfang Fei leaned casually against the rough wooden window sill, "appreciating" the view of this small room amidst the sound of the waves and the river.

"Huaining, it is nothing. This is Dong Gu's own choice," said Feng Yilang gently

Fengchun listened, her heart occupied solely with political affairs, her eyes slightly reddened, and a hint of a proud smile playing at the corners of her mouth

"With such painting skills, you dare to paint me? Even the Western painters in the palace once wanted to paint my portrait, and I was still unwilling."

He regained his composure, although his face changed color, his heart continued to race. That kind of excitement was hard to dissipate, keeping him awake all night without feeling any fatigue

She instinctively took out the small pendant next to the pouch at her waist. A red string was tied in a knot, suspending a tiny transparent bottle, which contained some grayish-white clear water

Her frankness made his dark eyes brighten slightly. That subtle feeling of excitement once again lingered in his heart; only this Ruan Donggu could evoke such emotions in him. Even during the time when the old bald donkey held power, he had no expectations, for a person's temperament limited the extent of his mischief. Even if in the future the old national father were to rise to a position above all others, he could effortlessly pull him down from his pedestal, but Ruan Donggu was different

Ruan Donggu, you let a poor commoner make a living by having him paint you... a young lady

Miss, Fengchun suddenly recalled something and said: Before leaving, the young master privately reminded me that in recent years there have been sporadic conflicts at the border. The new ruler of the barbarian tribes is valiant and warlike, yet also overly ambitious. The current emperor values civil affairs over military matters, and it is likely that there will be war in a few years. The young master mentioned that you are a civil official and would not normally be implicated, but the Deputy Minister of Revenue is responsible for military expenses. If you are still in this position at that time, you must resign immediately

Miss Fool, I have long known your temperament; since childhood, your temper has been so straightforward. I often wonder who you will marry when you grow up. Who can accommodate your nature? The two members of the Ruan family are the same; the young master blinded himself for the sake of the people, and you have an even stronger temper than he does. People laugh at Yilang's white hair, while you have turned your long hair white to demonstrate fairness. At that time, I truly feared that when you grew up, you would ruin your own future in your quest to uphold justice for others

The scholar painted quite a few portraits... all of them are of me—" she said with a bold laugh: "Sister."

Her waist-length black hair was being carefully combed, and beneath the thin garment, there was rarely any binding of white cloth. Ruan Dong's youthful and beautiful face seemed to be in deep thought

Is it love at first sight

Ruan Dong fell silent for a moment, then smiled: "Feng Chun, the way you put it reminds me. This year, there were individuals colluding with merchants, taking advantage of the urgent need for materials in the flood control project to seek exorbitant profits. Later, a merchant suddenly intervened, allowing the court to purchase at a fair price. Was it my elder brother who maneuvered behind the scenes in this matter"

Whether it is suitable or not is not for us to decide; at least he will not take lethal action against Donggu. It is precisely because of the continuous following that Feng Yilang felt reassured. Even Dongfang Fei noticed that the future situation was changing, indicating that there is an 80 to 90 percent chance that war will become a reality

"Yes, yes, in your eyes, I am the best little girl." Ruan Donggu took her comb and pulled Fengchun's hand to the bed. "Fengchun, Fengchun, I miss you so much. Since we were little, you are the only one who dared to hug me. If it weren't for my fear that my elder brother wouldn't take care of me, I would really want to run away with you." She affectionately embraced Fengchun, who was like a mother to her, and contentedly closed her eyes.

The expression on Dongfang Feijun's face revealed a hint of peculiarity. "Alright, let it be this way! You are right! I have lost all interest in the officialdom; now, I am only interested in you. If one day you resign from your official position, I too can resign and entangle myself with you for a lifetime!"

Give up the official position? This thought briefly crossed his mind, and he was slightly surprised, when he suddenly heard her call out softly:

Then hurry back to supervise? Miss, are you not suffering?

Ruan Dong laughed heartily. "It's not that serious..." Seeing Feng Chun glaring at her with resentment, she immediately changed her tone and said softly, with a hint of a young lady's demeanor, "Feng Chun, look at me now, I'm doing quite well, aren't I?"

"That... Lord Ruan, when will Young Master Yichang marry Miss Ruan?" The scholar asked, somewhat blushing.

He said dismissively:

It is undoubtedly him. Ruan Dongqian mentioned that the master of this white-haired youth is a distant relative of the young master, sharing the same lofty ambitions. Unfortunately, he missed the imperial examination. Therefore, upon seeing Ruan Dongqian being forced to compromise his integrity, he intends to purchase his official position, which would also help preserve his reputation.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a familiar white figure appearing in the old corridor across from me. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Ruan Dong hurrying by. She was dressed in a worn yellow and white shirt, with a belt casually tied around her waist. From a distance, she truly resembled a young boy. At this hour, she should be chatting idly with that Feng person, isn't it? Does she not need to sleep at all during the twelve hours of the day?

She was surprised and blurted out, "Do you really like me that much?"

What is she thinking? Who is this person from the East? Although he is somewhat interested in her to the point of liking her, it is not to the extent of being completely captivated.

How does Lord Ruan take care of you

"The bottle is a Western object, and the water inside is the snow from a certain winter. " She smiled

Dongfang casually responded with a sound, seemingly unconcerned as he picked up the portrait from the table to examine it

Today, my silence does not imply that I will not expose you in the future according to my whims. Therefore, you must remember that I am the Eastern Fei, who can turn the tide in the court, and I am the corrupt official you despise so much that you would not hesitate to take my life.

They will absolutely not be honest officials

The East was filled with inner ecstasy, greedily gazing at her, almost unwilling to look away. He said hoarsely:

Uncertain whether it was the coolness of the night air, he unexpectedly caught a whiff of the girl's fragrance as she drew near. He squinted his eyes and, with a hint of irritation yet a playful smile, said

Although Dongfang had already guessed the outcome, he still curiously asked

"Ruan Donggu, you are such a fool," said Dongfang Fei, his tone both mocking and tinged with an inexplicable emotion

My young lady is certainly not empty-headed; you simply do not enjoy studying

Dongfang stared for a while and then smiled, saying: "This thing is quite special. What are you doing with this dirty water?"

Feng Yilang smiled slightly and said, "Without mentioning Dongfang Fei, tell me, what do you think Donggu would do at that time?"

"Eastern brother?" She was baffled

The scholar presented the fire starter with a look of confusion

Through the storms and trials, the journey has been filled with happiness, yet such blissful moments are destined to come to an end. This is simply because she is a girl, while he is a man, and the bond of brotherly affection between a man and a woman cannot last forever

This market was established at the suggestion of Lord Ruan. During the day, the workers are burdened and distressed, and the prices in the city are high, leaving them with no money for entertainment. Therefore, a temporary market was set up here. The commoner was originally one of the workers, but later, later... he hesitated and said: "The commoner truly cannot bear the physical strain, so I can only return to study hard during the day and come to sell paintings at night"

He fell in love at first sight ... Haha, it's surprising that she could think of that ...

"What’s wrong? Brother Dongfang, what are you burning?" Ruan Donggu smiled as she approached. Upon seeing the scholar's pale face, she glanced at the ashes on the ground and curiously asked, "Scholar, did the Prime Minister burn your painting?"

She stepped outside, laughed out loud, and pulled him towards the dimly lit street at the other end.

"Sir!" the scholar exclaimed in shock, "What are you doing?"

"Did you not say that your heart races like a drum the moment you see me? Is this not love at first sight?" She shyly touched her nose. "Unfortunately, at first, I thought you were merely a corrupt official disrupting the court, and I wished to have you executed at the Meridian Gate!"

The painting has been sold to an adult, and the adult intends to burn it... The child does not dare to stop him, the scholar said softly

Ruan Dong scratched his head, kicked over two low stools, placed them down, pulled Dong Fangfei over, and sat in front of the painting stall

Thank you

Feng Chun gently embraced the little girl in her arms and said softly

So poor...

Hmm. Dongfang is determined to have her. In terms of emotions, she is still like pristine, high-quality rice paper, and he has taken the initiative. He has never been particularly interested in beauty; even if her beauty fades one day, as long as her character remains unchanged, he is still filled with excited anticipation for her. Waiting another three to five years is of no concern to him. She has her ambitions, and he is curious to see how well she can perform her duties.

Since childhood, I have been exceptionally intelligent and have a penchant for challenges. Therefore, I took the imperial examination, and to my surprise, I easily attained the top position. What I seek is not high official titles or a place in history, but rather someone who can rival me... Unfortunately, over the past decade, apart from one Ruan Woqiu, all other officials have fallen into the abyss of desire at the snap of my fingers. If he were to hold office for a few more years, I would not be so preoccupied with him; he too would bow down and become a mere dog at my command.

It is not that I cannot sleep, but since I rarely leave Beijing, I naturally want to fully experience the 'public sentiment'

"It's easy to walk, really easy to walk." She was always proactive, taking his arm and forcing him to climb out of the window. She smiled and said, "Don't be fooled by the poverty around here; the workers live in the dormitory at the other end. Every night, there is a small market. Let me treat you to a bowl of noodles."

Indeed. Ruan Donggu laughed and said, "This is entirely the idea of Brother Yilang. He said that if we wait another month, Ruan Dongqian will surely be unable to endure the struggle and will have to don his official robes and return to the capital. If we miss this opportunity, we will never find another official who resembles me so closely. Fengchun, to be honest, I felt quite guilty at the beginning. From start to finish, Brother Yilang did not allow me to make an appearance. He spoke with Ruan Dongqian for three days in my capacity as his subordinate, and only then did Ruan Dongqian finally relent. He thought that Brother Yilang's superior must be someone more talented than Brother Yilang himself, not realizing that I am just a complete fool..." Fengchun, to be honest, I felt quite guilty at the beginning. From start to finish, Brother Yilang did not allow me to make an appearance. He spoke with Ruan Dongqian for three days in my capacity as his subordinate, and only then did Ruan Dongqian finally relent. He thought that Brother Yilang's superior must be someone more talented than Brother Yilang himself, not realizing that I am just a complete fool..."

Such excess! Feng Chunxiu's face showed a hint of ferocity. "Yilang is a high climb, Huaining has not read much, and is not worthy of the young lady, yet he dares to look down on her!"

Indeed, the scholar is skilled at painting women, so I had him paint my twin sister. My sister looks exactly like me; she has lived in our hometown for many years. This... can also be considered a comfort for my homesickness

Brother Yichiro once said that Ruan Dongqian is a good person, and like the elder brother, he is someone who wants to do things for the people. However, some individuals, even if they aspire to be good officials, may not be able to withstand repeated threats and temptations.

"Brother Dongfang, can't you sleep?" She smiled brightly as she approached him

Then I will eat, just as I am hungry. She moved the bowl of noodles over and ate heartily, showing no signs of a young lady's delicacy

Indeed. She whispered with a smile, "Brother from the East, it is truly difficult for a person to make a living."

Ruan Dong, upon hearing these words, stared blankly at the military strategy scroll in her hands, unable to help but secretly admire Yi Lang Ge's brilliant foresight. When would she be able to possess such prophetic insight as Yi Lang Ge?

Indeed. She is too pristine, standing among the officials only appears out of place

In the small market, this corner is the most unique. While other stalls are run by workers with a low degree of attachment, this stall features a scholar selling calligraphy and paintings.

Ruan Dong couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. "Feng Chun, the three of us are like siblings. When I want them to marry, although my brother is loyal enough to change the subject for my sake, Huaining has completely pretended to be asleep"

Indeed, she is not a flower; she is merely a wild grass by the roadside, resilient enough to stand tall no matter how much she is oppressed. If she were a man, he would undoubtedly take pleasure in bullying her, but unfortunately, she is a woman... The gaze slowly fell upon her left hand

"It is Brother Yichiro," Ruan Dong said, coming back to her senses with a smile

Try

Oh? Are you so confident?

Although it was just a light brush, she was already stunned, while the scholar beside her gasped in surprise

So it turns out you burned the painting for this... In fact, there are many more of these portraits...

Ruan Dong was slurping noodles when he heard his loud laughter and glanced at him.

Is it all for the belly of a scholar

How can one still be called good with a missing finger? As soon as Ruan Dongqian described Yilang's appearance, the young master immediately knew who had purchased the official position. He decisively decided to keep Ruan Dongqian in the residence, preventing him from spreading the news. Fortunately, Ruan Dongqian is a good person and did not disclose your matters, while also changing his name. However, he has always believed that you are a distant relative of the young master, unaware that you are Miss Ruan from the Ruan family

If you were that kind of person, I would only thank the heavens, but you are not. Even if one day someone were to force her to death, she would only believe that the path she should take has been blinded by the young master, and she is so afraid that even the young lady might get into trouble

Suddenly, she looked over here and saw that he had not yet fallen asleep, walking towards the night breeze with a beaming smile

What is there to walk around in such a place

Although he could read her thoughts, he could not fathom her straightforward next move. Her character was as hard as bone; even though the words "Haoran Zhengqi" were not inscribed in her dwelling, she possessed a broad-mindedness, with nothing to hide. This made him deeply intrigued, to the point that he would be willing to give up his current tedious power and official position just to engage with her, relishing the waves of surprises and freshness she brought.

Well, I will go buy a bowl of noodles. Brother Dongfang, you look quite hungry. The noodles here are abundant, please wait a moment.

In that case, the young master wants me to tell you that the wealthy merchant of the Ruan family in Jingkang City will be your greatest support behind you as the Deputy Minister of Revenue. Whenever you need funds to facilitate connections with officials in the court, feel free to speak up.

"No, the last time you painted Huaining, I felt you captured his stony appearance perfectly. Brother Dongfang, let's have some noodles." She smiled and leaned slightly closer to Dongfang Fei, lowering her voice to ask, "Brother Dongfang, what are you painting?"

Miss

Ruan Dong, however, did not take it seriously and patted his chest, assuring, "The painting skills of the scholar are even praised by my brother Yi Lang, so I have great confidence in him."

I have always wanted a cute girl who understands shyness, rather than a strong senior sister as my younger sister

A few years ago, Ruan Dongqian appeared at the Ruan residence, which truly startled the young master. As you understand, Ruan Dongqian had indeed spent three months studying diligently at the Ruan residence. Although we heard that he had been demoted to a remote area, the young master is no longer a person of the officialdom, and even if he wished to help, he would be powerless to do so. When he first appeared, we thought he had abandoned his official position and fled, but later we learned that when he was demoted to county vice magistrate and then further demoted to registrar, he had encountered a young man with white hair.

Your sister?" Dongfang Fei glared at her

He will not!

A playful smile appeared at the corners of his lips. Although her thoughts were quite easy to decipher, his interest in her only grew stronger, which was truly unexpected for him

How many pieces?

I am your sworn elder brother, so what is there to thank for?

Huaining immediately shut his mouth and pretended to be ignorant. After a while, he looked again at his senior sister and foster sister in front of the painting stall

Haha, Brother Dongfang, it is best to understand the sentiments of the people. The Emperor sits on the Dragon Throne as a divine son, and to comprehend the people's feelings, he can only rely on those around him. Brother Yilang once mentioned that the Emperor of Shu Han was unaware of the people's suffering, which left Zhuge Liang exhausted and unable to change the overall situation. How about this, Brother Dongfang, if you are not tired, I will take you out for a walk

Not the same, winter is the reason, winter snow is nothing unusual in my eyes, it is only when you are stained with ink that my heart is captivated

I bottled winter snow, and before long it melted into water. On one occasion, my house steward saw it and remarked that I resembled the white snow of winter, causing those around me to pale in comparison.

"This... this Eastern gentleman has always had a peculiar habit; the more he likes something, the more he wants to burn it." She stuffed the steaming bun into his arms. "Scholar, you must be hungry too, right?"

"In winter, I will wait for you." He smiled and said, "I will wait for you, whether you are thirty or forty, as long as you remain as you are now, I cannot bear to let you go..." He pulled her closer, then locked his gaze onto hers, calmly stating, "In the coming years, there will surely be wars. If they occur before the project is completed, I will not allow you to protest; it will either be demotion or dismissal, and you absolutely cannot remain in the position of Deputy Minister of Revenue."

Upon hearing this, the scholar's originally pale face flushed slightly, and he began to sit down and grind the ink.

I understand, and I have also heard it, Fengchun. She never gives a direct promise

It is said that commoners make a living by selling paintings here after nightfall

Not far away

"Indeed, indeed..." she murmured, "Since that is the case, it would be better to let you continue to manipulate affairs in the court, wouldn't it?" As soon as she finished speaking, she was suddenly seized by him.

Haha, perhaps in their hearts, they have long understood the difference between sibling affection and romantic love. Moreover, although Huaining has not read much, he is a junior brother I can trust to lean on, because I know he would risk his life to protect me. " After Ruan Dong finished speaking, he seemed to be lost in thought

"Master Ruan, I am not skilled in painting men, if it is..."

She touched her nose and smiled, saying: "This is the first time someone has captured my heart, Brother Dongfang. When I resign from my official position one day, I will definitely consider you."

"Brother Dongfang, if there ever comes a day when we are together again, and after three to five years you wish to take a wife or concubines, I will certainly be delighted to present you with a grand gift, and then I will focus solely on the things I want to do." After a pause, noticing that his expression seemed somewhat displeased, she suppressed a laugh and said, "I have too many things to accomplish, Brother Dongfang. For me, feelings are optional. I do not intend to be this way, but it is simply my nature. Even if we do not see each other for three to five years, I may think of you, but I will not be consumed by longing. Tell me, does this count as liking?"

Previously, he had noticed that as soon as this scholar arrived, he began to paint, as if he were painting her... He approached the stall and upon closer inspection, his expression immediately turned sharp, narrowing his eyes to gaze at the painting spread out on the broken table

She gently touched her slightly warm lips, feeling a sense of strangeness in her heart. Although there were men all around her, it was still the first time she had been kissed like this.

From the very beginning, Ruan Dong gave him the impression of being a "very poor" upright official

Are you selling paintings for a living here

Oh? Can the rules you have set be accepted by others? he inquired with considerable interest

For the past two years, Ruan Dong has probably been falling asleep to the sound of the river, hasn't she? What has she been thinking about before sleep? Is she contemplating when the flood control project will be completed, or when the people will no longer suffer from water disasters?

Is the snow water really that dirty

In the capital, no one provides accommodation, so she rents a dilapidated house in a poor alley. Now that there are official residences available, she still insists on living in such an ordinary house. Has this poverty truly become her nature? A clean official cannot be considered a good official

I remain in the officialdom, not because it is the highest place in the human realm, but because the challenges it presents are far beyond what ordinary people can handle. In recent years, I have found it difficult to identify a reason for being in officialdom. Winter, do you want to give it a try

Do you know that the first time I saw you on the Thousand Steps Corridor, my heart raced like a drum, and each time I see you, I can hardly contain my excitement? Until now, you have given me so many surprises that I can almost doubt there has been a day when you have not disappointed me

Ruan Dong lightly patted his shoulder and smiled, saying: "No need, no need! Your painting skills are well-known to all. By the way, Brother Dongfang, have you paid for the painting yet?" Knowing that he would not bring money when going out, she could only check if she had any money left.

You may want to think about it. Dongfang Feichen said in a deep voice: "However, your future belongs to me. Only I can touch your heart and your person! If there is another male lover, do not blame me for being heartless."

The eastern hand, not fully closed, accepted the small bottle. The familiar heartbeat quickened again; in the past, he only felt an unbearable excitement, but now, even if he were to say it was love at first sight, he would not doubt it in the slightest

He gazed at her intently and said with a smile

"Sir, sir..." The scholar quickly rose to his feet, flustered and at a loss, and performed a bow.

Fengchun, while combing her hair, glanced at the person in the bronze mirror and began to recount the events in detail

Interest?" Huaining fell silent for a moment and said succinctly: "If one day he loses interest in her, Dong Gu will have already aged... At that time, if he is dead, how will he stand up for Dong Gu?

The Danfeng eyes linger on the portrait for a moment, deeply etched into memory, before suddenly igniting from the corner of the paper

I will keep it confidential

What?

love at first sight

No, I did not draw it well! He is proud of his drawing!

"Fengchun, Fengchun, please don't be like this. Tomorrow I will personally see you out of the county, and I will spend one more day with you," she said with a sweet smile.

Ruan Dong, knowing that he was being sarcastic, smiled nonchalantly: "This is not bad, but Huaining might just stare at that painting every day pretending to be asleep. Brother Dongfang, you took a few bites and then stopped eating, is it not tasty?"

Eastern slowly released his grip, expressing surprise as he said: "Is that so..."

Token. What? Has your elder brother not mentioned that mutual lifelong commitment requires a token? What is the item that you have carried with you since childhood?

"You have quite the audacity!" Dongfang Fei said without turning his head, staring at the beautiful girl in the painting as she gradually disappeared among the flames. "The Minister of Revenue is clearly a man, yet you have depicted him as a girl. What punishment do you deserve for this?"

This small market is, in essence, merely a night market formed by common vendors, primarily selling late-night snacks, and it is only the lower-tier workers who create the lively atmosphere. Upon seeing that Ruan Dong was still waiting for the noodles, he took a step towards the corner that had been locked earlier.

"Does Ichiro know what you are thinking?" Fengchun asked softly

Knowing that Feng Yilang's words are precise, he simply refuses to accept it. "Following him in winter means there is no future"

She paused for a moment, raised her eyebrows, and smiled at him

He is unworthy

Am I a fool? It does not matter, there are too many schemers in the world, and a few fools are always needed to maintain balance. With that said, he suddenly stopped and gave a deep bow to him. "Brother Dongfang, although I am a fool, I still understand what you have seen through. Thank you for not exposing it publicly, Winter is grateful for that."

Did you anticipate it long ago? Huaining has always been unconvinced

The man in the black attire tightly gripped the sword sheath, as if he could draw the sword and take action at any moment

Ruan Dong looked puzzled and said, "Why do you ask that? Feng Chun, since I am doing what I want to do, how could I feel苦? Every time I complete a task and think about how many people will benefit, I feel so happy. A couple of years ago, I often thought how wonderful it would be if the Emperor could be open-minded and perceptive! If there are loyal ministers by his side, a prosperous world is just around the corner."

Have you been intoxicated by a thousand cups since childhood

This ... ... because I have to guard against his tricks, naturally I think about him all the time. Moreover, although he is a person who does as he pleases, he is not one to hide his intentions. Recently, I have been deeply contemplating a question. ... ... " Noticing that Fengchun was staring at her intently, she smiled and said: "I haven't even figured it out myself, so let me hold off on saying anything for now."

"Lord Ruan, I trouble you every time..." He felt a bit ashamed

"It is merely a guess." Feng Yilang smiled and said, "The year before last, he risked allowing Cao Taixue to enter the palace and weaken his power, rescuing me from the hands of the national uncle and the Jinyiwei; last year, he rushed into the palace overnight to bring back the finest gold wound medicine for Dong Gu; over the past year, if it were not for the three characters 'Dong Fang Fei' as a backing, the project would not have gone so smoothly. He is a man who acts according to his preferences; if he did not have a deep affection for Dong Gu, he would not have done these things."

Dongfang suddenly snorted, pulled her closer, and kissed her mouth that was still eating noodles

Ruan Dong understood his hint; he wanted her to become his wife

... ... '' Dongfang Fei looked at her and then repeated the question: `` What? '' He did not hear clearly

What does it mean

"Yeah? Uh, let's wait another two years." She caught sight of Dongfang Fei's intense gaze on her and softly explained, "Up until last month, I couldn't think of a way, so I made up an excuse... to have him draw my brother and me... the girl."

Huaining said without any consideration: "With a wave of my sleeve, I turn and leave"

It is so late... Perhaps her mistress does not feel the bitterness, but in her eyes, the Ruan siblings have practically sold their lives to the court. No one in the court is willing to offer their ears; even if these siblings shout themselves hoarse, who would hear them?

"Deputy Minister Ruan, do you know why I entered the court to serve as an official?"

Feng Chun smiled: "We know who Minister Ruan in the court is, so we naturally cannot let her be obstructed. This time, as soon as the young master heard that Dongfang Fei was passing through Yingkang City, he specially set a trap for Dongfang Fei to discover Ruan Woqiu in Yingkang City. I will confirm your identity, and from now on, we will no longer have to engage in secret dealings, and he will not suspect your identity anymore"