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Although she felt sympathy for Yun Nishang, she remained rational. She knew that playing around like this could lead to her own demise, and it would be a death from which there was no return.
" Luan'er, if you don't help, there really won't be any way out!" He couldn't intervene in this matter; otherwise, if Prime Minister Huang found out, he would report him to the Emperor. Angering the Emperor could cost him his military power, and that would lead to serious trouble. Both he and Qing Luan were aware of Prime Minister Huang's ambitions, but they were currently lacking evidence. If his military authority was revoked and handed over to someone from Prime Minister Huang's faction, it would be equivalent to surrendering the entire Nation.
"How can I save her?" Qing Luan scratched his head in frustration at their pleading and hopeful gazes. " Nishang's identity is different. Even if I save her, won't the Emperor act against her out of anger? After I saved Chen Qingyuan, he still had value and could return to the Chen Family. But once Nishang is saved, she will have to live in hiding for the rest of her life. Are you sure you want to live like that?"
"We're definitely overestimating our options," Xuanyuan Rui said with a bitter smile upon hearing this.
When they learned that the Emperor was going to arrange a marriage, they hurriedly came to seek Qing Luan's help, completely unprepared for the complex undercurrents involved. After all, who was Yun Nishang? The Emperor's most beloved princess, envied by countless people. When someone like her got into trouble, it was certain that others would stir up trouble and put her in danger. Therefore, if Nishang remained inactive, any attempt to act could end in failure.
"Do I really have to marry that guy?" Although Qing Luan's words were harsh, she understood the gravity of the situation. As a princess, she had known since birth that the Emperor's authority was not to be trifled with; otherwise, it would lead to death. Choking back tears, she protested, "He's a good-for-nothing who indulges in drinking and gambling, relying on his father's minor achievements. How dare he think he can marry me? Hmph! If he wants to marry me, he better hope he has the luck for it!"
Hearing Yun Nishang's bold declaration brought a smile to Qing Luan's face; she realized that Yun Nishang was gradually calming down. She nodded in appreciation and said, "Right! You can't let yourself die first. Even if you do die, you should take someone down with you. Do you understand?"
"So what should we do?" Seeing a glimmer of hope, Yun Nishang's face lit up with a radiant smile. As long as it meant keeping that guy far away from her and avoiding marriage with him, she was willing to pay any price.
"What to do... I still need to think about it," Qing Luan replied. Come on; she wasn't a deity. They had thrown such a difficult problem at her without any foresight; how could she know how to solve it? It was already generous of her not to refuse outright; otherwise, she would have just shrugged and ignored everything.
"Aunt, let's go back for now. Once Luan'er thinks of a solution, she'll definitely let you know!" Staying here wasn't wise either; with more people from the Bu Family watching her now, it was better to be cautious.
"Fine... okay," she bit her lip and pondered for a moment before reluctantly nodding in agreement, making Qing Luan feel frustrated as if she were parting from a lover.
After sending them off, Qing Luan exited Ruyi Tower and stood staring blankly at Tianxiang Restaurant for a moment before turning into Jade Pavilion.
"Miss, you're back!" Finally seizing an opportunity, Li Yunluo approached with an ingratiating smile.
"Is there something?" Qing Luan was in a bad mood; whoever provoked her would be in trouble.
"Uh!" Li Yunluo didn't notice her anger and looked around with wide eyes before adopting a pitiful expression. "Miss, ever since I returned with you, the maids have been watching me closely. I can't even go out..."
"Don't bother me with such trivial matters! I don't have time for nonsense!" Qing Luan shot her an impatient glare upon realizing that Li Yunluo wanted to go outside. She scolded her sternly before turning and heading upstairs, leaving Li Yunluo behind without another word.
"I..." Li Yunluo, with a dazed expression, finally snapped back to reality after a long moment. He looked at the delicate figure before him, opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately pressed his lips together and remained silent.
After sending Yun Nishang back to the Princess Mansion, Xuanyuan Rui returned to the secret chamber in Ruyi Tower...
After finishing dinner and taking a shower, Qing Luan wanted to enter the secret chamber for some quiet time. However, she was taken aback to see the man lying on the soft couch, asleep. She raised an eyebrow, wondering if she had been too lenient and given him the wrong idea.
How did this secret chamber become his bedroom?
" Luan'er," although he was asleep, his innate vigilance never wavered. He opened his sharp black eyes and, upon meeting her scrutinizing gaze, immediately broke into a gentle smile and called out affectionately.
"You... get up," she felt a chill run down her spine at his tender demeanor. Blushing, she stepped forward to push him away, hoping to bring him back to his senses.
Miss Zhu was shy! Normally, Xuanyuan Rui's handsome looks didn't faze Qing Luan, but someone just waking up was irresistibly adorable and unguarded. His dreamy eyes gazed at her with deep affection, filled with warmth that made her heart race uncontrollably, her face flushing redder than ever.
"What's wrong with you?" Xuanyuan Rui looked at her in confusion, not understanding what was happening.
"Get up already! Why are you talking so much?" Qing Luan shot him an annoyed glance before proudly turning her head away like a haughty little peacock.
"Are you shy?" Xuanyuan Rui, initially puzzled, noticed that she wasn't genuinely angry but rather flustered with her cheeks flushed and her eyes darting around in a slight panic. He ventured to guess.
"Who’s shy? This is ridiculous!" Qing Luan didn't want to continue this topic. She glared at him and questioned, "Didn’t you just send the princess back? Why are you here again?" How embarrassing!
Though suspicious in her heart, seeing her fair cheeks tinted with a light blush made her particularly alluring. Xuanyuan Rui couldn't help but feel his heart race as he stared at her intently without blinking.
"What are you looking at?" Under his unwavering gaze, Qing Luan felt heat rush to her face again, turning even redder.
"You’re truly beautiful!" he murmured softly, completely forgetting his original purpose.
"Stop talking nonsense," her heart raced uncontrollably. She shook her head, trying hard to shake off the fluttering sensation. With a serious expression, she asked, "Are you going to talk about something serious or not?" If this continued, they would likely end up chatting aimlessly again. She had things to do; Tianxiang Restaurant was opening tomorrow, and she wanted to see the excitement.
"You’re so fierce," Xuanyuan Rui protested unhappily as his daydream was interrupted. He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed. " Nishang has been crying since returning; your elder sister has been keeping her company. I only felt safe coming out... I don’t understand what the emperor is thinking. Clearly, he has precautions against them; why does he comply so easily with Consort De's words?"
"Consort De?" Qing Luan scratched her head in confusion, knowing that the whole situation was caused by her. "Is she favored?"
"Not exactly. The Emperor doesn't have a specific favorite; it's just that Consort De is General Bu's younger sister and is in cahoots with Prime Minister Huang. This time, it's the Emperor giving face to the Bu Family...," but that favor has brought disaster to Nishang and has given Prime Minister Huang and his allies a more advantageous position.
"That's nonsense; the Emperor must be losing his mind," Qing Luan scoffed. "If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Consort De have a son?"
"Yes, he is the Emperor's third son!"
"Then the Crown Prince's position is in jeopardy. Prime Minister Huang isn't as simple as he appears... Today, he brought up Brent to seize the identity of the princess, so when his father's matters come to light later, he can protect the Bu Family's interests. It's truly killing two birds with one stone; one must admire such schemes!" Only someone with this level of cunning could thrive in such a treacherous court.
"What can we do?" She analyzed what he had already considered, but for him, the only solution was to eliminate Brent. However, doing so would tarnish Nishang's reputation.
"Wait!" Qing Luan shot him a sidelong glance and added another word: "Delay!"
"What do you mean?" She looked mysterious, leaving him puzzled.
"Wait for the people you send to bring those scoundrels back. Find a way to delay the princess's marriage; even if the Emperor grants the marriage, it should be postponed... You can pretend to be ill... In any case, no matter what, delay until those people return. There will be room for maneuvering. Yun Nishang is still Yun Nishang, still the Emperor's most favored princess!" The main point was that once this matter was resolved and Yun Nishang expressed her grievances, the Emperor would be more cautious about her marriage in the future. At least he would consult her first; that would be a form of repayment.
"..." Xuanyuan Rui fell into deep thought after hearing her words.
"Prime Minister Huang has considerable ambitions. If Consort De's son comes to power, he will be the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, making no difference from the Emperor's authority. Therefore, regardless of who it concerns, I absolutely cannot allow this to happen!" If it really came to that point, they wouldn't just seek revenge; they wouldn't even wait for the capital.
"I understand, Luan'er. I hold military power; I can't get involved in matters concerning the princess, but I will convey your words to her and let her decide how to proceed!" They weren't her; they would do everything possible for her, but ultimately, the final decision rested in her hands.
"Mm!" Nodding, Qing Luan furrowed her brows even deeper. "A storm is brewing in the capital soon!"
With such treacherous individuals around, peace in the capital would be hard to achieve!
"I will always be by your side," seeing her somber expression as if worried about something, Xuanyuan Rui took her hand seriously and said.
"You can't stay with me," she felt an inexplicable sense that they... would soon part ways.
"I..." Xuanyuan Rui disliked the rejection and loneliness in her words, wanting to argue something, but he was interrupted by Qing Luan.
"You hold military power, and many people are watching you, especially Prime Minister Huang. If they truly have ulterior motives, getting rid of you or transferring you from here would be their best course of action. Xuanyuan Rui, promise me that no matter what happens, you must remain calm. As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood. Do you understand?" On the battlefield, life and death could change in an instant. She couldn't accompany him; she could only urge him to take care.
"Yes, I understand!" In the past, he had no worries and felt indifferent about everything. But now, after having her in his life, he told himself that he must survive... " Luan'er, when I return, will you... marry me?"
Her eyes widened in shock; clearly, his words startled her. What was he talking about? In the midst of serious national affairs, he was bringing up personal matters—was he out of his mind?
Seeing her dazed expression, Xuanyuan Rui reached out to touch her face and said earnestly, "In this life, I only want you!"
"No," feeling the warmth of his large hand, she suddenly took a step back in panic and sharply rejected him.
"Why?" Feeling his gentle hand suspended in mid-air, unable to move forward or backward, he stared at her in disbelief with evident anger in his eyes.
"You do not belong to me," Qing Luan said firmly, looking at him with pursed lips. "Your marriage is decided by the Emperor; it’s simply impossible for us!" Today, seeing Yun Nishang's helplessness made her realize that many things had been overly simplified and beautified in his mind.
"No, I will decide my own marriage," Xuanyuan Rui retorted passionately for the first time in front of her. He rushed forward and hugged her tightly, saying, "I want you—only you!"
"..." Held tightly by him, Qing Luan silently shed tears in her heart while cherishing his tenderness and care at that moment.
" Luan'er, promise me that if there is a battle to fight and I return victorious, you will marry me. Is that okay?" He asked cautiously, afraid that this dream might shatter.
"I... I will agree as long as the Emperor does not interfere with your marriage!" If he could truly refuse the Emperor's arranged marriage, then there would still be a path for them; otherwise, it would be a dead end.
"Don't worry; I will make it happen!" He held her tightly with gratitude and let out a deep breath. Just now, he had been holding his breath tightly for fear that she would reject him.
How could she feel at ease? Her heart was stirred, but they were filled with uncertainties; too many unpredictable factors lay ahead. How could she find peace?
The two spoke softly for quite some time before Xuanyuan Rui finally left. However, Qing Luan's originally joyful expression suddenly turned cold; it was as if she had transformed into a different person so quickly.
"Miss, you were looking for me?" After Xuanyuan Rui stepped out and heard that the miss was looking for him, he entered on his own.
"Mm," Qing Luan nodded, picked up a brush, and wrote something on a piece of paper. After folding it, she handed it to him and whispered a few words in his ear, giving his shoulder a light pat. "Go ahead!"
"Yes!" A-Song's expression changed slightly, but he nodded in agreement.
The next day, Tianxiang Restaurant reopened with a flurry of firecrackers, the atmosphere even more lively than when Ruyi Tower had opened. However, those who entered were either wealthy or noble.
Qing Luan had raised the prices at Tianxiang Restaurant tenfold; the best room that used to cost one or two silver coins now cost four, and it included breakfast. This series of strategies was drawn from her previous life’s marketing management experience. She was determined to outsmart these antiquated establishments.
People in the capital were obsessed with face; seeing others enjoying luxurious accommodations would ignite their competitive spirit. Thus, the more expensive a place was, the more patrons it attracted. This was precisely the trait she aimed to exploit.
Fu Tianlin wore a silver long shirt with gold-trimmed edges and embroidered bamboo leaves. A black belt adorned with gemstones accentuated his tall and noble appearance, causing some young ladies nearby to blush and feel their hearts race...
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