Chapter 62: Empress Dowager Forces Marriage (5)

Lou Xiyan was silent for a while, and the Western Empress Dowager was not in a hurry, looking leisurely at the charming lotus flowers not far away, waiting for his answer.

At this time, the door of Lanyue Lou suddenly opened, and everyone looked over. They saw a woman in plain clothes walking out with a sleepy face. She was neatly dressed, and there was nothing wrong, but her long hair was not tied up and draped behind her head, her eyes half-closed, and her whole person looked lazy. As long as one wasn't blind, one could see that she had just woken up, and she must not have slept well last night.

Zhuo Qing had turned her back to Lou Xiyan last night, listening to his rapid and slow breathing, and had been stiff and motionless for a long time, not knowing how long it took to fall asleep. In a daze, she heard some commotion outside, but she didn't expect that as soon as she walked out of the room, she would be watched by a group of people.

Being stared at like this, it was not right to walk over, and it was not right to retreat. Zhuo Qing could only shake her hands lightly, ignoring the gazes that were either surprised, annoyed, contemptuous, or covetous, and greeted as usual: "Good morning, everyone."

Lou Xiyan chuckled. It was almost noon, and she still said good morning! She woke up at the right time. Waving gently at her, Lou Xiyan said loudly, "Ling'er, come here."

Xiao Lian could feel that ever since that woman named Ling'er walked out of Prime Minister Lou's room, the Princess's body had been shaking violently. Through the thin gauze, she could see the Princess biting her lower lip tightly, her face as pale as paper.

Zhuo Qing narrowed her eyes slightly and finally saw the group of people standing in front of Zhaixing Pavilion. It was the Empress Dowager and the Princess, right? Walking generously across the Jiuqu Bridge to Lou Xiyan's side, Zhuo Qing bowed slightly awkwardly and said, "Empress Dowager, Princess, ten thousand blessings and peace." That was how to say it, right?

"Rise." Qing Ling was indeed very favored, but the Western Empress Dowager had long seen all kinds of glory and favor in the palace, and all pampering and care were temporary. Her face had already returned to normal, and the Western Empress Dowager smiled lightly, "Just now I was wondering why I didn't see Ling'er. Xuan'er is going to stay in the Prime Minister's Mansion, you are of similar age, and you can take care of each other and relieve boredom in the future. You will have a long time to be together in the future."

Was this implying her? Or giving her a warning? Zhuo Qing shrugged indifferently and replied, "The Princess is a body of ten thousand gold, and I usually like to play with dead people's bones, I'm afraid of scaring the Princess."

Zhuo Qing said it lightly, but Yan Ruxuan's legs went soft. Last time, just listening to her explanation through layers of curtains, she was already about to faint. How could there be a woman in this world who liked to play with dead people's bones?! Too terrible!

Not only was Yan Ruxuan scared to the point of soft legs, but except for Lou Xiyan, everyone's face stiffened.

Lou Xiyan didn't scold her, shook his head dotingly, and asked, "Ling'er, the Princess likes this courtyard and wants to recuperate in Zhaixing Pavilion. Will you move out of Zhaixing Pavilion for the Princess to recuperate, okay?"

He asked her to move? Raising her eyebrows lightly, Zhuo Qing didn't refute on the spot and replied generously, "You make the decision." He had better give her an explanation later, otherwise... humph humph!

He could clearly see Zhuo Qing's warning gaze. Not letting her wait long, Lou Xiyan chuckled, "Jing Sa, order people to clean up quickly, move Ling'er's things to Lanyue Lou, and let the Princess go in and rest early."

"Yes." Jing Sa took the order and left.

Originally, she was quite satisfied with Lou Xiyan's answer, but as soon as she heard the latter sentence, the Western Empress Dowager's face immediately became gloomy, and behind the thin gauze, the beautiful face was already covered in tears. She didn't understand, since he let her recuperate in the Prime Minister's Mansion, why did he have to hurt her heart like this?

Swallowing the bitterness in her heart, Yan Ruxuan said lightly, "Mother, go back to the palace early, I'm tired, I want to rest, everyone retreat." After speaking, Yan Ruxuan walked into Zhaixing Pavilion tiredly.

After Yan Ruxuan left, the Empress Dowager no longer hid the displeasure in her heart, walked to Lou Xiyan's side, and said coldly, "Take good care of Xuan'er, understand?"

Lou Xiyan still smiled and cupped his fists to salute, and said loudly, "Empress Dowager, rest assured, we will definitely try our best to take good care of the Princess's body." But it was only the care of a minister for a member of the royal family, unrelated to love between man and woman!

The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth secretly, but didn't say anything, turned around and left Zhaixing Pavilion.

Lou Xiyan, this is the last chance I give you. If you don't treat Xuan'er well, don't blame me for being ruthless!

The Empress Dowager left angrily, and Xue Xianxin hurriedly followed behind, saying urgently, "Respectfully send the Empress Dowager."

Lou Muhai just glanced at Zhuo Qing coldly and left Zhaixing Pavilion without saying anything. Lou Xiwu watched a good show, gave Zhuo Qing a thumbs up, and ran out with a giggle.

Zhuo Qing stretched innocently. It was the early bird that caught the worm, but unfortunately, she was the early worm caught by the bird. Why get up so early for nothing?

She only dared to mutter in her heart. The noon sun made people dizzy; it really couldn't be counted as early.

Her hand fell into the cool palm again. Lou Xiyan held her hand and led her back to Lanyue Lou.

The Empress Dowager left a few guards and palace maids for the Princess, and pairs of eyes in the courtyard were watching, making Zhuo Qing feel uncomfortable. However, Lou Xiyan didn't care, so what was she afraid of? Letting him hold her, the two walked side by side on the winding Jiuqu Bridge.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Lou Xiyan asked in a low voice. When he woke up in the morning, seeing her sleeping soundly, he couldn't bear to wake her up.

Not well, but Zhuo Qing didn't want to say it, so she replied casually, "It was okay."

Lou Xiyan suddenly sighed and replied, "I didn't sleep very well, I'm a bit worried now."

Zhuo Qing was stunned and asked, "What's wrong?" Did he have a flare-up last night? She actually didn't notice!

"I'm afraid..." He paused deliberately and leaned close to Zhuo Qing's ear, whispering, "Before the wedding night, I will collapse due to lack of sleep or being too excited."

"You..." Finally hearing what he meant, Zhuo Qing was dumbfounded!

The two sat on the stone bench in front of the lotus pond. Lou Xiyan said seriously, "I suddenly want to change my mind and marry you before the ceremony. I can vaguely feel that the Empress Dowager will not give up, and I really don't want to lose you. Let's get married early to avoid long nights and many dreams!"

Zhuo Qing shook her head and smiled, "You are so busy now, don't be distracted by these. As long as we are determined to be together, then whether we get married or not makes no difference to me; I don't care at all." Marriage was just a form. Even if they were married, their relationship couldn't withstand the test, and they would eventually have to separate. She wasn't a fool; the Empress Dowager's intention was so obvious. If Lou Xiyan wanted to get married now, it would just happen to step on the tiger's tail. She didn't want him to fight a battle without certainty!

Holding her hand tightly, Lou Xiyan frowned and replied, "I care." He wanted her to be his legitimate wife!

In his slightly raised narrow eyes flowed deep affection, and her hand was held until it hurt. She could feel his heart. Holding his hand back, Zhuo Qing asked, "Are you going out later?"

Understanding that she was deliberately changing the subject, Lou Xiyan didn't force her anymore and replied, "Hmm, I might not come back until night these days." One was because the ceremony was about to begin, and there were many affairs; the other was that he intended to avoid Yan Ruxuan. To avoid trouble, he still should see her less.

Nodding understandingly, Zhuo Qing smiled, "I understand, you go do your work, I won't let myself be bored."

As if to echo her words, Mo Bai's tall figure hurried over from outside Lanyue Lou and said, "Master, Miss Qing Mo is visiting."

She was indeed not going to be lonely.

Lou Xiyan loosened her hand slightly and smiled, "Alright, I'm going out, you sisters have a good chat."

"Hmm." Gu Yun came to find her; the case should have made new progress.

Gu Yun walked into Lanyue Lou and saw Zhuo Qing with her hair disheveled, supporting her cheeks, looking at her with a tired face. Gu Yun sat on the stone bench and teased, "Didn't sleep well again last night."

"Hmm." Originally thought she would refute again, but Zhuo Qing nodded generously and muttered, "In the coming days, I think I will have a wonderful time." Zhaixing Pavilion was so close to Lanyue Lou, and she would probably see that Princess every time she looked up, which was really awkward. She still couldn't move away and abandon Lou Xiyan, sigh...

Gu Yun raised her eyebrows slightly and asked strangely, "Did I miss anything?" Wasn't it sweet last night saying they were going to get married, and the weather changed early this morning?

Zhuo Qing shook her head and looked at Zhaixing Pavilion beside her, smiling, "Didn't miss anything, isn't the good show just starting!"

Looking in the direction of her gaze, it turned out that there were four tall men in tight clothes standing in front of the courtyard where Qing lived, with long swords tucked at their waists, and two little girls dressed as maids guarding outside the door. Her brows frowned slightly, and Gu Yun asked, "What's the situation?"

Zhuo Qing shrugged helplessly and said, "It's a long story. Simply put, the Princess of Qiongyue has a crush on Lou Xiyan. Hearing that he was going to get married, she hanged herself in the palace and was saved. The Empress Dowager wanted Lou Xiyan to marry her daughter, but was rejected, so she arranged for the Princess to recuperate in the Prime Minister's Mansion. I guess she is preparing to use the 'near water towers get the moon first' trick or the 'cooked rice and raw rice' trick."

After listening, Gu Yun laughed loudly, "Meaning you have a love rival!"

Gu Yun laughed wildly, and Zhuo Qing couldn't help but chuckle, "I suppose so." It was the first time she fell in love with someone; who would have thought there would be complications? I guess there would be some twists and turns.

Zhuo Qing's smile carried a faint bitterness. Gu Yun comforted, "Lou Xiyan is so excellent, it's normal for you to have a love rival. The most important thing is his attitude."

Zhuo Qing nodded and mocked herself, "He said he would only have one wife, and at present, it should be me."

"That's fine, but you still have to be careful and guard against it. The power of love turning into hate is chilling." She had seen too many such cases. The deeper the love, the greater the backlash, especially since the other party was a princess. She was a little worried about Qing.

"I will." With a light smile, not wanting Yun to worry about her, Zhuo Qing asked, "You came to find me today, is there new progress in the case?"

"Hmm." Taking out the note Qu Xin gave her yesterday, Gu Yun handed it to her. Zhuo Qing stared at the note in her hand for a long time and asked suspiciously, "What is this?"

It wasn't that she wanted to ask such a stupid question, but what did a piece of paper filled with "front, back, left, right" have to do with the case.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 63 =====