Joyful Two

That face, those eyes, that voice, those lips.

Shen Wuchen and Di Feng were also left in a state of shock upon hearing this

At a glance, it was merely nineteen characters, yet it caused his chest to tighten instantly

At the other end of the garden, the sound of a woman's gentle laughter drifted over, like a wisp of yarn, faint and elusive, suddenly bringing him back to reality. He turned to look at the eunuch, furrowing his brow and asked, "Who is here at this moment?"

Seeing the expression on Gu Qin's face, He Xi felt a surge of calm water within her heart, suddenly stirred up. Could it be that this woman is truly as beautiful as a celestial being?

The young palace maid arrived at the appropriate moment, holding a red lacquered wooden food box, walking slowly until she stopped beside Di Feng. With great respect, she took out several plates of exquisite fruits from the food box and placed them on the table beside him

The more Ying Huan listened, the darker her face became, her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves, and her lips pressed firmly together

Gu Qin was momentarily taken aback, then nodded and said: "A bluish hue with a tinge of black... I have never seen such a color before."

With a cold expression and a stiff demeanor, he raised his eyes in silence, arching an eyebrow without uttering a word

The man was taken aback by her imposing tone and instinctively replied: "In the past two years, the government has not been very strict, and merchants on both sides of the river often interact with each other. As long as they are legitimate businesses that have registered with the Taifu Temple, the government is willing to issue permits..."

Standing in the corridor, he slowly crumpled the paper in his hand, and after squeezing it into an unrecognizable shape, he pursed his lips and turned to exit the palace door

... ... ... ...

Shen Wuchen shook his head and said with a forced smile, "I was previously ordered to carry out a task, how could I have had the opportunity to browse these shops"

On July 19, during the last visit to Chuzhou, I stayed at the old residence in the southern part of the city and held a night banquet for the officials at the northern yamen of the Prefectural Governor's office.

The man scrutinized Ying Huan for a moment, then glanced at Shen Di and the others behind her. He noticed that although their clothing was of simple colors, the fabric was of high quality, which made him smile even more joyfully. "What do you esteemed guests wish for today?"

Gu Qin lowered his head, remaining in a daze for a long time, unable to utter a single word thereafter

Ying Huan raised her sleeves and waved her hand, upon which the palace maids in the hall hurriedly collected the paintings and retreated in order

These eyes, these pupils... caused a tremor in my heart

Shen Wuchen smiled and said, "Feel free to look around first; if you find something you like, I will call you."

That day, I brought her back from Zhuzhou, casually placed her inside the palace, and then forgot about her.

Her eyes

Even if she is cold and ruthless on ordinary days, how could she bear to have him accompany her like this, year after year for a decade?

Ten years ago, in gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon him by the late emperor, he held a significant military power and refrained from causing chaos, assisting her in ascending the throne; over the course of ten years, he fought for her in numerous campaigns, facing life and death countless times, and each time he survived was a narrow escape from the brink of death.

Qiao Mei was pinched painfully by him, yet she did not dare to resist, only softly weeping: "Your Majesty..."

Upon hearing this, Ying Huan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and stepped forward to say: "There are merchants from all over the capital, so how could one possibly not be able to buy items from Chuzhou"

He Ji tightened his grip on the paper, his face growing colder. After walking less than a hundred steps, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and would not move again

Ying Huan raised her delicate eyebrows and interrupted him, saying: "In the third year of Xian De, the late emperor also personally went to Chuzhou to inspect the river, as a gesture of goodwill. Why is it that I cannot go there now? Although Chuzhou does not have a temporary palace, the southern residence left by the late emperor should still be in good condition."

Ying Huan slowly strolled, her eyes fixed on those paintings, looking at them several times before turning around to glance at Di Feng, who was a few steps behind her. With a cool smile, she said, "Is this what those people painted to celebrate?"

Both poetry and prose are exceptional, and the strategies and theories are even more remarkable. With a mind dedicated to governing the country and benefiting the world, among the top scholars of that year, he can be regarded as a dazzling and extraordinary talent.

What kind of woman can be both beautiful and dignified, both fierce and delicate, commanding the admiration and respect of everyone in the court of Tai Tuo?

Ying Huan sat in the carriage, the brocade curtain inside the window gently lifted. Through the gauze curtain, she observed the scenes of the inner city streets of Chuzhou along the way, seeing countless alleys and courtyards crisscrossing, with various shops scattered everywhere, beyond comprehension.

In the past, the court officials would be drenched in sweat during the early morning, but at this moment, they feel the cold wind sweeping around them, causing their hearts to tremble.

Shen Wuchen had not yet reacted when Di Feng coldly spoke up: "This is not good; this is something my wife has taken a liking to. How can you just say a word and expect us to give it to you?"

Di Feng glanced at Shen Wuchen, sighed softly in his heart, and then stepped forward to say: "Your Majesty, it is getting cold, it would be best to return early. If you wish to see it again, you may come out once more tomorrow."

The group of civil officials, upon seeing Gu Qin rise, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that this matter would come to an end

Such blatant sarcasm, is it intended to take revenge on him, or to humiliate him

Shen Wuchen lowered his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, by the time the various provinces and prefectures report back, it will already be too late. As a minister in the Ministry of Works, I can clearly understand any developments on that side at a glance."

With his proud and undefeated nature on the battlefield, and his valiant Wind Saint Army under his command, one cannot even claim that they are stronger than the Ye Qi Imperial Guard... Thus, it appears that his strength is even greater than she had previously estimated

The surrounding market remains bustling with activity, yet while it is visible to the eye, the previous sense of joy has dissipated, leaving only a feeling of overwhelming frustration in my heart

The ancient Qin's hands were tightly clenched in his sleeves, and after a while, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, "She... is extremely beautiful."

That awe-inspiring momentum, that cunning hidden behind a smile.

Congratulations walked, the folded paper in hand became hotter and hotter as it was held tighter and tighter, until finally, even the palms seemed to be burning from it.

With a raised eyebrow, she suddenly brightened her gaze, "Are her eyes a mix of blue and black?"

At that moment of stillness, the palace door was gently knocked upon, and a courtier came to report: "Your Majesty, Minister Shen has arrived"

Di Feng's limbs were stiff, his body was completely unable to move, and his mouth could not open at all.

The private communication between Chuzhou and Kaining across the river...! ... If that person were to find out about this matter, what would his reaction be!

Ying Huan also smiled, "You just returned and are already eager to enter the palace? Please, have a seat"

He Xi moved slowly, grinding against her bit by bit, his eyes growing cold as he stared at her, his gaze unwavering for a long time

Ying Huan's expression was cold as he raised his eyes to look at the attendant, "How did the tea from Ye Qi come to your shop"

Who would have thought He Xi suddenly said, "Talk about her."

He firmly grasped her hips, pulling her waist towards himself, as the lifted robe and the slipping long skirt scattered fallen flowers all over the ground, with a faint fragrance brushing against his face. He could only hear her soft moan and see her blue eyes shrouded in mist

Gu Qin opened his mouth and stammered for a long time, yet he could not utter a single word, while the sweat on his forehead surged even more fiercely.

As He Xi adjusted his robes, he walked briskly, when he heard the young inner court official behind him say: "Your Majesty, several officials from the Ministry of Personnel and Lord Wu from the Ministry of Works have already arrived and are waiting in the Eastern Hall"

There were many pedestrians on both sides of the road, and the wind blew fiercely, causing a change in expression. Protecting Ying Huan, there were also a few imperial guards hidden among the crowd in the distance, who had accompanied the court from the capital to this place.

Ying Huanhan first lowered her gaze for a moment, then turned to call a young palace maid over, instructing, "Go and bring the few types of fruit sent from the imperial kitchen today." She then said to Di Feng, "Please take a seat."

Di Fengwei stiffened slightly and spoke, "I previously mentioned that those low-ranking military officers rarely have the opportunity to witness the sacred visage in person..."

Everyone's expression was extremely strange, and their eyes were fixed on Guqin, who was kneeling in the hall, without saying a word.

Qiao Mei trembled, her large eyes shimmering with tears, her voice changing pitch in her urgency, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, still in the garden..."

... ... ... ...

A fierce wind swept outside the hall, causing the black lacquered door to emit a piercing sound.

Once you pass the corner ahead, you will see a different street view. Restaurants, urban money lanes, and various shops come into view. The variety of street shops along the street is much larger than before, and each storefront is more magnificent than the last.

Congratulations, the hands keep moving, and the mouth still sneers: "Even if it's in the garden, so what?"

Upon seeing him, Sister Qiao appeared like a startled little animal, trembling and blushing slightly. She hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty."

On the 18th day, at Xingdong Embankment, wearing ceremonial attire, the officials led the way up the steps. Facing west, they paid their respects and prayed for blessings, then inspected the embankment and observed the river.

A few people entered the shop, and before they could steady themselves, a smiling attendant came to greet them

Di Feng lowered his eyes and pondered for a long while, "I do not know."

The man glanced at Ying Huan, his expression momentarily stunned, and then immediately interjected, "I will offer one hundred taels!"

The Minister of Works, Wu Ling, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, we have deliberated for several days, yet we are still unable to reach a decision. The selection of the auspicious county for the Yan Palace still requires Your Majesty's determination"

One cannot help but grit their teeth; what intentions does that person harbor this time?

Although the city is lively at night, it suddenly turns cold

That little inner attendant had also served He Xi for many years, and being astute, he naturally understood what he intended to do. He hurriedly bent over from one side and called away the several waiting palace maids.

Before I could even step out of the door, the sound of the man's hearty laughter came from behind: "Thank you, madam! May I ask which household you belong to? If there is a chance in the future, I will certainly come to express my gratitude..."

The young inner court official furrowed his brows in thought and then reported: "It should be Miss Qiao, whom His Majesty brought back from Zhuzhou not long ago; she has been placed in the vicinity."

She turned around, her sleeves fluttering slightly, and fixed her gaze on Shen Di and the other person, stating word by word: "Then I shall personally go to see the embankment at Dongjiang this time!"

Ying Huan furrowed her brows and followed, only to see a delicate small cabinet standing in the corner. Inside the cabinet were several jars of tea leaves, one of which, the green needle rolled variety, had leaves adorned with silver hairs, something she had never seen before.

In the vast and empty hall, only the echo of that last sentence remained

Shen Wuchen, seeing his cleverness, smiled and nodded, "Young man, you indeed have good hearing"

Immediately, someone on either side spread a map on the table for him to reference

He felt a heaviness in his chest, listening to her speak, yet he did not know how to respond

He cannot think, nor can he come up with anything; the more he thinks, the more troubled he feels inside

The words of Di Feng must surely come from the heart

Indeed, it is a case of the heavens being high and the emperor being far away; such an incident actually occurred within the city of Chuzhou! It is simply a disregard for the law and a contempt for divine oversight

She previously only knew Chuzhou as an important town on the border of Tai and Lun, but she did not expect it to be so prosperous. Intrigued, she ordered the carriage to stop and got off by herself

Ying laughed and said, "That is just right, today accompany me to have a look together." After saying this, he glanced around and chose the largest shop among them, proceeding inside.

Shen Wuchen sighed lightly, then nodded, "I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty."

The young inner court official scratched his head, wondering where he could find the opportunity to speak

A feeling of resentment involuntarily arose in her heart as she thought about how, over the past ten years, she had been organizing and strengthening her troops, believing that the strength of the Tai Tu army was unmatched. Little did she expect that the battle of Zhu Zhou would clearly reveal to her that Tai Tu was changing, and that Ye Qi was changing even more.

However, before he could take out the silver, a man squeezed in behind him. The man, dressed in a cloth robe and sweating profusely, pointed at the tea leaves and urgently said: "Esteemed young sir, would you be so kind as to let me have that tea?"

He looked at He Xi with slightly furrowed brows, his large palm pressed firmly against the side of the seat, his voice growing colder as he said, "I command you to say it again."

Gu Qin slowly got up, the spirited expression he usually had was nowhere to be seen at this moment, his body drenched in cold sweat, still in a state of shock.

Di Feng's mind exploded with a bang as he looked up at her, "Your servant... your servant's heart is not here"

Over the past decade, from the initial position of the Dali judge, I have gradually ascended to the current role of Minister of Works, achieving remarkable political accomplishments that have earned the respect of both the court and the public

No longer walking forward, but instead turning around and walking towards that garden path

Wu Ling glanced at it, and could not help but frown, "Your Majesty, Kaining is located on the eastern bank of the Jiang River, merely a hundred miles from the borders of Tai Tan. If the Yan Palace is to be constructed in Kaining, I fear..."

The man's accent did not resemble that of the locals, and his manner of speaking and behavior was quite domineering, which immediately caused Shen Wuchen to furrow his brows

Shen Wuchen and Di Feng were both taken aback at the same time, one hundred taels? One hundred taels within the territory of Tai Ling is enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for an entire year!

Ying Huan noticed this and his expression softened a little. He smiled gently and said, "This was just prepared by the imperial kitchen. I find it quite tasty; you should give it a try."

He could not have imagined that the woman was capable of writing such characters

At a distance of ten zhang outside, someone had already set up a tent for him. When the young inner eunuch saw that he had come out so quickly, his face could not hide his surprise, but he still hurriedly instructed others to take down the tent

Ying Huan took a few steps closer, letting out a cold laugh, "High price? What do you mean by high?"

Di Feng remained silent, took a piece of green plum cake, opened his mouth, and swallowed it all. After chewing a few times, he frowned.

Congratulations, after examining the surroundings, finally, his gaze fixed on a specific point in the image, he pointed with his long finger and lightly tapped twice, saying: "I wish for you to build here"

The inner city of Chuzhou is a scene of bustling prosperity, with the surrounding streets filled with the lively sounds of people, even more vibrant than during the day

Ying Huan did not look at him, smiled, and said: "You have made the battlefield your home for nearly twelve years. It is time to settle down. If you have taken a liking to any young lady, feel free to bring it up with me. I will not care whether she is the daughter of a noble family or a courtesan; as long as you speak up, she will become the wife of the great general"

Ying Huan was already in a bad mood and did not truly desire the tea leaves. Seeing the man so eager and disregarding the price, she turned her face aside and said: "Since you are so anxious and desperate, it must be for something important, so I will let you have it." After saying this, she walked out of the shop

If it were not for this little eunuch bringing it up at this moment, he would have long forgotten that there was still such a woman left in the palace

He congratulated, stretched his shoulders, stood up, and glanced down at the picture again, his thin lips slightly curved, a smile tinged with coldness.

In the grand hall, beneath the imperial throne, civil and military officials stood throughout the hall, yet none spoke a word, and the surroundings were as silent as a night devoid of people

A smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and only then did he remember that woman

How could she not know what thoughts he has harbored over the past ten years

It was already summer during the Ye-Qi period, and although the weather outside had not yet become hot, the atmosphere inside the hall was stuffy

Di Feng and Shen Wuchen hurriedly dismounted, instructing someone to lead the horse-drawn carriage and fine steeds to the alley ahead. They then accompanied Ying Huan to stroll casually along the street

Ying Huan stood on the street, looking around with great interest, and then asked Shen Wuchen: "Is there something noteworthy here?"

Upon seeing him, Di Feng's previously darkened face suddenly brightened, and he stood up with a smile, saying: "Lord Shen."

Ying Huan traveled incognito, having only hired a two-wheeled cart, yet moving through the streets still attracted attention; both Shen and Di had changed into ordinary attire and rode horses alongside.

Upon hearing this, Ying Huan's entire body stiffened involuntarily, and meeting his gaze, she was left in disbelief.

Before long, a man in a light shirt entered, with bright teeth and starry eyes, a slender figure, and an air of elegance that seemed to both suppress and reveal itself in his demeanor

The only similarity is that the men in those paintings all possess broad shoulders and long arms, exuding an imposing presence

Shen Di and the other person exchanged glances, both pondering in their hearts what kind of person the master mentioned by the man could be, and whether there were such wealthy individuals in this Chuzhou city

Shen Wuchen was taken aback upon hearing this, "If Your Majesty wishes to visit the Eastern Dike, I fear that the ministers in court may not agree. The palace in Chuzhou has not yet been completed; if we go at this time, it may not be appropriate for various matters..."

Ying Huan's expression stiffened, and without a moment's thought, he asked: "Ye Qi?"

Seeing this, Shen Wuchen and Di Feng were also at a loss for words and hurriedly followed Ying Huan as they walked outside

Di Feng looked at Ying Huan, whose expression was dark and sullen. Understanding her thoughts at that moment, he chose to remain silent and no longer spoke.

As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Qin's face suddenly flushed slightly, he ... . ... It was indeed so on that day

With remarkable talent in literature, and outstanding achievements in battle

The nineteen characters that penetrate the paper with force, the brush strokes are bold and domineering, each character is like a blade

That voice, both gentle and soft, resembled the leaves of a lotus in water; with a single sweep, it ignited a fire upon his body

The fellow's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said: "You gentlemen have truly come to the right place. Our shop has a plethora of rare goods, far surpassing any other shops in Chuzhou. Since you have come from the capital, I can recommend some items to you, which cannot be found even in the capital."

Upon hearing this, the man was overjoyed and, without bothering to exchange more words with Ying Huan, immediately went with the shop assistant to fetch the tea leaves

In ten years, how many decades can a man have to squander like this

How should he describe that woman

Ying Huan exhaled a breath of foul air, facing the cold wind, steadied his mind, and then turned to look at Shen Wuchen: "This Meng Xin is truly audacious! I appointed him as the governor of Chuzhou due to his outstanding achievements over the years, yet I never expected that he would secretly collude with Ye Qi in trade!"

He held the golden armrest beside the throne, his body stiffened in place, his expression unchanged, as his gaze swept down to the ministers, examining them one by one.

He Xi looked at him, lightly tapping the edge of the imperial desk with his long fingers, and said leisurely: "Everyone in the court says that the paintings of the ancient master Gu Qin are unparalleled among the scholars and officials. If you cannot express it in words, then why not paint it out, how about that?"

Descending from the East Dike, after changing out of ceremonial attire to travel again, the sun had already set in the west, with the golden wheel beside the mountains, leaving only a lingering twilight

Di Feng remained motionless until Ying Huan sat down at the table, after which he found a backless wooden chair at the side of the hall to sit on, his back still held straight, with both hands resting on his knees

Ying Huan glanced at him, the corners of her mouth drooping slightly, and nodded.

The little inner eunuch followed closely behind him, feeling increasingly anxious, deeply afraid that he might be in a fit of anger and would blame them, the palace servants

On this day, after the ceremony was concluded, the ceremonial staff returned to the office. I returned to my residence in the southern part of the city, accompanied by Shen and Di, and in plain clothes, I visited the shops and streets of Chuzhou.

The fellow, unable to discern any change in her complexion, continued with a sense of pride: "Madam, did you not expect this?" He then turned and walked towards a corner of the shop, saying as he walked, "A few esteemed guests can come over here to see for themselves."

As he was about to leave, a light laugh from a woman suddenly reached his ears, and that pair of eyes flashed through his mind... He couldn't help but stop in his tracks

The man wiped his sweat and said, "To be honest, my master only drinks this particular tea, and I have searched several shops before I found this one. I said to this young gentleman, I will pay a high price, so please let me have it!"

A life of flirtation, laughing at the world, while a cold and taciturn demeanor commands the battlefield

The moment she spoke, it abruptly disturbed his previous thoughts, causing a restlessness to rise within him

Ying Huan walked on without stopping, nor did she look back, her face pale and cold, she walked straight out of the shop.

The back of the ancient ceremonial robe was already soaked. At this moment, he could not be heard speaking, and in a flurry, he hurriedly knocked his forehead to the ground, urgently saying: "... ... I, your humble servant, have failed in my duties, and this time I have brought disgrace to the national dignity of Ye Qi. I implore Your Majesty to impose punishment."

Ying Huan looked at him in this manner, the light in her eyes dimmed, and she no longer spoke further

Wu Ling stepped forward two paces, raised his hand, and lightly tapped several points on the map, saying, "Your Majesty, we believe that Jinzhou, Linzhou, and Yihua are all good places."

Congratulations on the lowered gaze, as I see the intricate patterns surging on the paper, where the overlapping parts are coated with dense mud. Unable to resist, I extend my finger to gently prod, and the paper unfolds.

Constantly speculating, constantly probing, yet after ten years, he still cannot piece together her appearance in his mind

Shen Wuchen's expression was also unfriendly; he furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before saying: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Today, we have only heard one side of the story from that shopkeeper. Although the local government in Chuzhou does not enforce regulations strictly, we cannot definitively say that this was instigated by Meng Xin. It is possible that his subordinates acted without his knowledge. Furthermore, the goods from Ye Qi in that shop were also being sold privately. If his subordinates deliberately concealed this, it is likely that Meng Xin would not be aware of it either"

Congratulations, with her brown eyes slightly closed and then opened again, her expression indifferent, she said to him in a low voice: "Say it again."

Congratulations, please take a seat, supporting your knees with both hands, "Present the diagram."

The vermilion brush in Ying Huan's hand trembled slightly as she raised her eyes and said, "What if we were to compare it to your Wind Saint Army?"

Upon hearing the words 'former emperor,' Shen Wuchen was momentarily speechless, his throat constricted, unable to retort. After a while, the smile on his face gradually faded, and a serious expression settled in his eyes as he quietly said: 'Your Majesty, during my recent visit to Chuzhou to inspect the river, I discovered something.'

His hand moved up from her waist, caressing her face, gently tracing along her eyes

The man in the painting, either with thick eyebrows and big eyes, or with a sharp nose and monkey-like features, or with rat-like eyes and long sideburns, or with thin lips and a high forehead

A sense of tension tightened within my heart again

Ying Huan set down the memorial in his hands, clasped his hands together, and tucked them into the sleeves of his palace robe. He said to Shen Wuchen: "I have already reviewed the memorial you submitted earlier. Although the river defenses are quite good, I cannot help but feel uneasy when I think of the severe flooding in the East River last year. After much contemplation, I believe it is best to go and see for myself."

The newcomer is surnamed Shen, with the given name Wuchen, and he is the newly appointed top scholar of the year when Ying Huan first ascended to the throne

Ying Huan waved his hand and frowned, saying: "How is that possible? If it were true, why have there been no reports from the eastern side in the court?"

As soon as my eyes closed, the figure of that person in the Tai Tun Jiu Chong Hall came to my mind

The fragrance of peach blossoms wafts in from outside the hall, having already graced the month of February for over two weeks; it is time for it to bid farewell.

The cold sweat behind Guqin continued to increase, "Your Majesty, this matter is truly difficult for me. I... my brushwork is insufficient, and my painting skills are still shallow. Just her pair of eyes alone, I cannot capture in my painting."

Qiao Mei felt weak all over, her body barely covered by her clothes. As she watched his figure gradually recede into the distance, her eyes silently turned red.

At this moment, Shen Wuchen entered the hall and stood firm, his face full of smiles, as he gathered his sleeves and bowed to Ying Huan, saying, "Your Majesty"

Ying Huan heard the words behind him, frowned, turned around, and looked at the man.

Shen Wuchen's smile grew even more pronounced, "General Di, I did not expect to encounter you here"

Ying Huan felt a chill in her heart, was she really in the cultivation palace? Moreover, was it on the other side of the river?

Ying Huan flipped through the memorials on the desk, the vermilion brush gliding slowly as it fell, the palace sleeves hanging down, the snow-white wrists trembling slightly, and he inquired again, "How is the military appearance of the Ye and Qi troops in the campaign against the states?"

In the court, numerous ministers offered their counsel, stating that since the time of the founding emperor, there has been no construction of a palace in Chuzhou, and that the states of Tai and Yan have not been respectful. They hoped that the emperor would consider the matter of inspecting the dikes with a more measured approach. The emperor, however, was angered and dismissed their suggestions

Shen Wuchen had previously been ordered to inspect Jiang Shi and had visited Chuzhou, so he was somewhat familiar with the local scenery. He followed closely beside Ying Huan, and whenever she had any doubts, he would quietly whisper answers to her.

The fellow saw Ying Huan gazing at the tea, so he approached her with a smile and said: "This is the renowned Meng Ding Gan Lu, which is offered to the imperial family every year in Ye Qi! In Chu Zhou, it can only be found in our shop, and there are only these two taels; you won't see it anywhere else!"

Upon hearing Shen Wuchen speak, the man smiled even wider and said, "From your accent, it seems you are from the capital, aren't you?"

The man displayed a look of pride, "This lady may not be aware of something," he stepped forward, his smile tinged with a hint of mystery, "In our shop, we have items from across the river!"

Ying Huan then came to her senses and said, "Quickly announce."

Di Feng's hand resting on his knee moved slightly, and he raised an eyebrow, saying: "Very serious. From the generals to the soldiers, everyone exudes an aura of power without engaging in battle. It is said that the cavalry and infantry troops heading to Zhuzhou are not even the strongest among the Ye Qi Imperial Guards; if they were to be replaced by the elite forces of Ye Qi, I fear they would be even more formidable"

Why is it desolate, and why is it depraved? Those who indulge in debauchery are indeed desolate and depraved, which is both tragic and laughable

Congratulations, with a cold gaze and a dismissive wave of the hand, "Enough, what kind of talk is it to always be kneeling!"

Without uttering a word, and without waiting for the hundred ministers in the court to perform their grand salute, he rose and walked towards the back of the hall

Though they are two individuals with vastly different temperaments, they happen to share a close friendship and have been by Ying Huan's side for over ten years, truly embodying the notion of a pair of exceptional talents in the eyes of the world

Gu Qin took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as they rested on the palace bricks, and whispered: "His Majesty the Emperor Tai Lun has stated that if Your Majesty is willing to become her male concubine, she will send all eight thousand commoners back to the territory of Ye Qi; otherwise, even a ransom of millions will be of no avail"

He looked at him for a moment, a sudden darkness surged in his eyes, his thin lips parted slightly, and he said: "I still remember three years ago, during the palace examination for the Jinshi degree, you openly pointed out the mistakes in the governance of the state in your essay. Then, when your name was called in the Mingying Hall, upon seeing me, you stood up straight, and as soon as you opened your mouth, you spoke of grand plans for the people, the nation, and the world. Although you were quite young, that spirit and courage were something I greatly appreciated. Yet now, merely three years have passed, and you have become like this! Just a word from that woman has left you so shaken? It truly disappoints me!"

Gu Qin knelt on the ground, listening to He Xi's stern words, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart, and could not help but grit his teeth and say: "I do not even know what was wrong with me that day... In front of her, for a moment, I found myself unable to say anything. Now, looking back, I feel ashamed to face anyone again"

Tai Tun and Ye Qi have not engaged in trade, so how could there be goods from Ye Qi sold in the shops of Chuzhou City

Di Feng silently glanced at the painting and the book, and said: "I have only caught a fleeting glimpse of him, and truly do not know... However, although the appearance of the person in the painting differs greatly, that tall and upright figure is remarkably similar"

Di Feng pushed the fruit on the table beside him over to that side, "This time, I was ordered to inspect the river. It has been three months since we last met. Are you well?"

He stood still, the sunlight gradually pouring down from above, slightly blinding, causing him to squint. Then he saw her gently turn around, her gaze flickering for a moment before locking onto his eyes

Across the river

With a smile in her eyes, she asked Di Feng: "In your opinion, which one looks more like it?"

Ying Huan looked at him and said

Ying Huan glanced at him twice, then picked up the brush again, dipped it in ink, and began to review the memorial. Casually, as if it were of no particular importance, he remarked, "You are already thirty this year, why have you not married yet?"

He then proceeded towards the eastern hall, and upon entering, he cast a sweeping glance at the crowd, making his way to the main seat while asking, "Have all matters been discussed?"

Seeing that several people remained silent, the man assumed that his price was too low, and could not help but urgently exclaim: "Five hundred taels, I will offer five hundred taels!"

In the midst of the bitter wind, the discomfort was initially overwhelming, but upon seeing Ying Huan's smile, which shone like the bright sun, that sour feeling vanished in an instant, never to be found again

Ying Huan slightly raised her lips and pointed at these street shops, "Have you visited them before?"

Shen Wuchen furrowed his brows slightly, "It seems that there is a cultivation palace over there by the river..."

Shen Wuchen chuckled lightly and said: "This is the East Gate Street of the temple, and there is no place in Chuzhou City more prosperous than this."

He Xi's lips curled into a cold smile, "So it turns out I have been enchanted by a beauty."

Shen Wuchen touched his nose, glanced at Ying Huan, and seeing her with little reaction, merely staring at the two of them, he smiled and said: "Your Majesty has yet to ask a question, yet you have begun to interrogate me. Whether I am good or not is not to be mentioned for now. I have heard that General Di was actually ambushed and had his supply route intercepted in Zhuzhou? This truly leaves me perplexed..."

He pulled her over, coldly gazing into her eyes that shimmered with a hint of blue amidst the black. He reached down suddenly, yanked up her skirt, and tore her undergarments.

Before the court officials could perform their grand salute, Gu Qin hurriedly stepped forward, took out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve, and reported: "Your Majesty, this item is presented to Your Majesty by the order of Emperor Tai Lun."

He leaned slightly forward, his eyes half-closed, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Seeing the situation was not right, Shen Wuchen hurriedly stepped forward to interrupt the attendant, saying: "We will buy these two taels of tea leaves." After saying this, he reached out to take out the silver, intending to pay quickly and leave, so as to avoid provoking Ying Huan's anger here and causing unnecessary trouble.

He looked at her and involuntarily stepped forward, gripping her chin and forcefully lifting her head, sneering: "The women from the west certainly know how to tease a man's heart."

The phrase "都道邰涗, 内有沈而外有狄" refers to the two individuals, Shen Wuchen and Di Feng.

He closed his eyes briefly, pushed her away, his expression growing colder. He glanced at her, shrugged off his robe, and left.

Inside the Jinghuan Hall, several palace attendants stood to one side, arranged in a neat row, with their heads bowed, each holding a painting in their hands

Di Feng lowered his gaze, clasped his hands on his knees, then unfolded them, "Thank you, Your Majesty"

He Xi cast a glance at the young eunuch beside him, who understood the cue, stepped down, took the folded paper from Guo Qin's hands, and respectfully brought it over to present to him

Di Feng's face immediately darkened, "Do not mention this again"

Seeing his unsightly expression, everyone assumed he had his own thoughts and could not help but fall silent, no longer offering advice, and nodded in agreement.

He quickened his pace and raised an eyebrow, asking: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Upon hearing these words, Ying Huan's lips tightened, and her expression changed accordingly. She dropped the pen in her hand onto the desk and fell silent, pressing her lips together

He Xi, with hands behind his back, slowly walked over, parted the drooping willow branches, and at a glance, he saw Qiao Mei dressed in a plain palace gown among the flowers

He Xi let out a muffled grunt, realizing that his earlier memory was indeed not mistaken; those eyes...

In the summer of the tenth year of the Dali era, the Emperor wished to visit the Eastern Dike. He appointed the senior officials Liao Jun and Yao Yue from the Central Secretariat and the Ministry of State Affairs to temporarily manage state affairs. He ordered the Minister of Works Shen Wuchen and the Acting General of Jingyuan Di Feng to accompany him, while the officials responsible for the ceremonial matters were to follow the ancestral regulations.

Over the course of ten years, he has changed, and she has changed as well

Over there, Ying Huan has already started to laugh, "That plum cake is quite sour, where did you learn to eat it like this... it truly is the nature of a man, even when eating fruit, you have to take one bite after another"

Suddenly feeling irritable, he looked down at the crowd and said in a low voice, "If there is nothing further to discuss, then let us dismiss the assembly."

Fine sweat appeared on Guqin's forehead as she spoke about her

The tone suddenly became sharp and rigid

The ancient man with sweat seeping from his temples lowered his head, not daring to raise his eyes to look at the man seated on the throne ahead.

Ying Huan smiled with a slight curl of her lips, "It's just a few plates of fruit, there's no need for so many formalities."

Ying Huan pressed her lips together, her anger still not dissipated. "Once I return to the capital, I will report this matter to the officials and have them investigate thoroughly! If it is indeed the doing of Meng Xin, I will have his entire clan executed!"