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墨書 Inktalez
Mo Xier had a slight headache. She had never liked getting involved in other people's romantic entanglements, but Green Wisteria resonated with her deeply and treated her with great care. Apart from Xinrong, she was the best woman in the world to Mo Xier. She truly did not want to see this pure and wise woman encounter misfortune in love.
She understood all too well how profoundly a failed relationship could impact a woman.
She did not wish, nor could she bear, to see this girl step into the harem and become one of those women who would forever wait in darkness.
She could not imagine what a pity it would be to see Green Wisteria, shedding her green robe for silks and satins, losing the scent of sandalwood for heavy floral fragrances.
Some women were taught from a young age to survive in the harem, like Consort Rong!
But Green Wisteria, who was devoted to Buddhism, was only suited for a simple life and should not be tainted by the bloodshed and cruelty of the harem!
"I heard a poem when I was young; I vaguely remember it like this: 'As bright as frost and snow. Made into a fan of reunion, round like the bright moon. Entering and leaving your embrace, swaying with the gentle breeze. Always fearing autumn's arrival, coolness snatching away warmth. Abandoning treasures in the chest, affection severed midway…'"
Mo Xier's voice was quite lonely under the candlelight as she turned to look into Green Wisteria's eyes and said, "With your wisdom, you should understand what I am trying to say."
Green Wisteria nodded slightly but then shook her head. "But I am different from them! From the first moment I saw him, that proud figure was like a brand, deeply imprinted in my heart.
I do not love his Empire, do not love his noble status, do not love his handsome appearance; I simply love him—like the poor couple selling goods in front of a temple, who do not separate due to life's hardships or disdain each other for aging and losing their looks."
To wish for a soulmate and never part until old age—that was when she first began to doubt her beliefs and wanted to approach the mundane world, seeking the truest happiness!
Mo Xier chuckled softly, feeling some pity for this girl who had never truly been free. "You say you are different from them, but in their eyes, they also see themselves as different from you! There is no difference; in the emperor's eyes, all women are humble. The only distinction lies in beauty or utility."
"But I... I love him! From the first time I saw him, I liked him. You understand this feeling, right?"
Green Wisteria grasped her hand, as if she had found an outlet for her emotions. "You must understand, my feelings for His Majesty are just like yours for Night General."
Mo Xier pulled her hand away, then took Green Wisteria's hand in her own. "Similar, yet different! My relationship with Night Star is one of shared hardships; we have mutual feelings and affection for each other.
Although there are countless misunderstandings and barriers outside, once you understand your own heart, there will be no more entanglements. What about you and His Majesty? Does he like you? Is he good to you? Has he promised you anything?"
"He will!" Green Wisteria said something, then lowered her head, her voice growing softer. "He will like me."
It turns out that even the wisest woman can become blind when she is in love!
Mo Xier wanted to say something sharp, but faced with Green Wisteria, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Green Wisteria had a pitiful background; although she hadn't suffered much, she had never encountered such a complex world. Deep down, she didn't want to see another innocent person tainted by this world. A girl like Green Wisteria, with such a pure heart, should not be harmed!
"You are still young; there are many things you don't understand..." Mo Xier wanted to say something, but a deep sense of helplessness enveloped her, leaving her at a loss.
"Maybe you are right!" Green Wisteria seemed to be swayed, raising her head with a bitter smile. "I was just being foolish."
"That's not it..." Mo Xier found herself at a loss for words. "It's not that you're not good enough or that you don't deserve him; it's just that many things are not as simple as you imagine..."
"Alright, I'm tired. Let's take a break." Green Wisteria seemed unwilling to continue this topic, brushing past Mo Xier and returning to her own bed.
Mo Xier looked at the cold air around her, feeling a bitter pang in her heart.
In a small border town a thousand miles away from the capital of Heavenly Universe Kingdom, a figure cloaked in a cape appeared in the military camp tasked with subduing the Three Major Tribes.
Liu Qiankun, dressed in armor, had grown a beard from the days of toil, but his eyes still shone with an alarming brightness.
At this moment, he fixed his gaze on the newcomer with some suspicion. "You say you are sent by His Majesty, but how can I trust you based solely on your word?"
The visitor removed the hood of his cloak, revealing a gaunt face, and the stubble made him appear even gloomier. "I am Li Qingfeng, a Censor from the Hanlin Academy. I have come secretly on His Majesty's orders to assist Vice General Liu in accomplishing great matters."
Liu Qiankun was even more puzzled upon hearing this. "You claim to be His Majesty's person; do you have any proof?"
"Of course," Li Qingfeng replied, pulling out a black judge's pen from behind him. He gently twisted it, and the pen opened up to reveal an empty interior. He took out a note from inside and handed it to Liu Qiankun. "Lord Liu will understand after reading this."
Liu Qiankun took the note with skepticism, his expression changing slightly. He dismissed those around him and examined it repeatedly to ensure he wasn't seeing things. He looked at Li Qingfeng and asked, "This is... what does His Majesty mean by this?"
Li Qingfeng shook his head lightly. "His Majesty's strategies and thoughts are beyond our understanding, Lord Liu. We mere servants only need to follow His Majesty's orders."
Liu Qiankun gasped in shock, trembling slightly as he held the note. He paced back and forth for a while before hesitantly saying, "But why would His Majesty want to take action against the general?"
The note contained a brief message: Celestial Dragon's Grace, Scattered Tribes, you are to persuade them to surrender; after success, bind Night Star and return to the capital.
In just a few words, it indicated that Military Authority was to be reclaimed. However, Night Star had always been loyal; if the Emperor wanted to relinquish power, there was no need for such trouble. What had transpired between them? Why did His Majesty want to change from extermination to persuasion regarding the Three Major Tribes and bind the general back to the city? Was he not afraid...
Thinking of this, Liu Qiankun was already drenched in cold sweat.
Li Qingfeng had carefully observed his expression and had come to some conclusions. After weighing the situation, he said, "General Liu is a wise man and naturally understands what we both mean to the Sovereign. If we handle His Majesty's orders properly, we will surely be rewarded with promotions. But if..."
He smiled faintly, his voice dry, leaving the rest unspoken.
Liu Qiankun understood in his heart and relaxed a bit on the surface, but he still felt somewhat displeased. If His Majesty did not provide an explanation, it would mean that he had tied up the general and brought him back to the capital. Not only would the officials be dissatisfied, but the people of the world would also scorn him.
The general had made great contributions in protecting the country. If His Majesty was only trying to reclaim Military Authority, it would truly chill the hearts of the subjects.
Although he disagreed with Night Star's political views, they were both men of honor. There was no need for such insincere tactics; they could speak clearly and directly to each other without pretense.
Li Qingfeng continued to tempt him, "Furthermore, the deputy general's abilities are no less than Night Star's. Why has he not been promoted all these years? The Grand Marshal only knows that Jiang Huai controls the court and oppresses the young ruler, keeping the Grand Marshal's talents under wraps. How do we know that Night Star is not fanning the flames behind this?"
"One must remember that Jiang Huai and Night Star are uncle and nephew. One controls all matters within the court while the other holds Tianyu's military might and public support. If they have ulterior motives, our reluctance to act today may lead to dire consequences in the future!"
This speech subtly painted the loyal Night Star as a traitor with treasonous intentions. However, Liu Qiankun found it quite reasonable.
Deep down, he had long regarded Night Star as a rival. In this encirclement operation, without Night Star, he would have been a powerful general; now he could only be a minor deputy general, which was truly frustrating!
Perhaps he just needed a legitimate excuse to eliminate his rivals, a way to soothe his own conscience.
"I wonder if His Majesty sent you here with some brilliant plan?" Liu Qiankun heard his own voice trembling, unsure if it was from excitement or agitation.
Li Qingfeng smiled, "Come closer..."
At this moment, Tongfu Inn was evidently much livelier!
Ajin was dressed in men's clothing, and with her exquisite face, she looked quite spirited. She stood in front of a table set with food and drinks, occasionally glancing upstairs and adjusting the dishes on the table, feeling somewhat anxious and restless.
Night Star sat leisurely in his usual spot by the window, tapping his long fingers on the table while keeping an eye on the woman downstairs. It had already been a moment; the person she was waiting for had yet to appear. It seemed this young nobleman had new plans in mind.
"Creek," the door opened.
Jiang Wei, dressed in white, floated down gracefully, his Folding Fan gently swaying in his hand. His handsome face wore a smile as warm as spring, and he respectfully said to the elder behind him, "Master, this way please."
Ajin tidied his hair, stole a glance at Jiang Wei's expression, forced a smile, and pulled out a chair. "Old Madam, I've prepared the meal. Please eat while it's hot."
After saying that and seeing no objections from the others, he quietly added, "Brother Jiang Wei, you should sit down and eat too."
So the mysterious young man was named Jiang Wei!
Night Star carefully chewed on these two words, her expression shifting unpredictably.
Jiang Wei's face stiffened for a moment but quickly returned to normal as he smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
As he spoke, he helped Old Madam sit down and called Afu over. The four of them gathered around the table and began their meal.
Ajin occasionally stole glances at the handsome face across from him, biting his chopsticks with a conflicted expression.
Jiang Wei remained composed, occasionally serving dishes to the elder. "Master, try this."
Afu was a rough man who only knew how to focus on eating, oblivious to the subtle tensions at the table.
Frustrated, Ajin kicked him hard under the table.
Afu yelped in pain, which indeed drew everyone's attention. He blushed awkwardly and looked at Ajin, who wore an expression of "not my fault," leaving him feeling quite embarrassed.
Jiang Wei furrowed his brow and put down his chopsticks. "I'm full. I'm going out for a walk. Please enjoy your meal."
"Brother..." Ajin also set down her bowl and stood up to follow him. "I'll go with you."
"No need. I have somewhere else to go today, and it's not suitable for you to follow me. It's better for you to stay at the inn. If you find it boring, just ask Afu to accompany you for a walk; he has money and can buy whatever you want."
Jiang Wei's arrangements were so seamless that they left the others speechless.
Ajin pouted and turned away, noticing Afu eating heartily, leaving all the good food for this guy. The more she looked, the angrier she became, and she flicked her sleeves and left in a huff.
"Ajin, wait for me." Afu, still not full, quickly swallowed his food, nodded at the old man, and grabbed two buns before chasing after her.
Old Madam sat calmly in place, quite composed. "Young people these days!"
Night Star watched the group leave and couldn't help but smile. The old man was the most respected, yet that young man named Jiang Wei had left the table while the elder was still eating.
Then there was that young person named Ajin; if he wasn't mistaken, she should be a girl disguised as a boy for convenience while traveling. However, from another perspective, it could also be seen as a good way to avoid attention.
As for Afu, he seemed to be just a brute. Thus, among these four people, Jiang Wei naturally held the highest status.
He silently sorted through all of this, glanced in Jiang Wei's direction, dropped a silver ingot on the table, and leisurely walked out!
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