Chapter 141: The Oriole Behind

That's right.

Kill Ruansizong.

Regardless of whether this person is a distinguished scholar, talented, famous, of noble background, or how much help they could give her in the future...

Even so, Du Shanü hates him.

Thus, even if she cannot kill him today, she also wants to kill him another day.

Who let...

He bullied Chinu.

Him bullying Chinu is simply not acceptable.

Behind the desk, Chen Weifang originally intended to sit upright, brows slightly furrowed, expression focused as she reviewed the documents on the case, her whole bearing carrying a touch of rigor.

But when the words fell, his hand holding the brush paused, and he lifted his gaze toward the two people a few steps away.

In his eyes, Du Shanü's brows and eyes shed their usual nonchalance, the corners of her eyes slightly tensed, her gaze clear and bright like a cold star, her jawline tightened, every bit of her demeanor wrote seriousness, without a trace of frivolity.

And Chinu beside her...

Chinu's brows and eyes always had the color of a bewitching ghost.

Alluring, seductive, cold.

But now her brows are curved and eyes soft, yet without a trace of arrogance.

Chinu lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze fixed on Du Shanü's side profile, her lashes trembling, her eyes filled with tiny lights, full of reverence that could not be concealed.

When Du Shanü's words had just fallen, he again gently lifted his gaze, his eyes warm and devout, even the corners of his mouth unconsciously following her expression's slight rise; that careful admiration was hidden in the movement of his gaze, hidden in the subtleties of his demeanor, fully revealed.

Such an obedient appearance is something no one else has ever seen.

It made Chen Weifang...

It made Chen Weifang unconsciously recall that autumn morning several years ago, stained with a light mist.

That day, he rarely had a day off, rose early to scroll through manuscripts, casually drinking the soup congee simmered the previous night, having drunk half of it, Chinu came to knock on his door, opening her mouth with a sentence:

"Afang, I'm leaving."

At that time, he had actually long anticipated that Chinu would abandon the mediocre ruler, but because his parents were with him, making it hard to travel far, he had never agreed to accompany her.

Therefore, he only asked:

"Did you bring enough personal belongings?"

Not asking would have been fine, but asking was like stirring up a hornet's nest.

Chinu felt through everything in his house, his private savings, the newly tailored outer robe, a pair of rhinoceros-hide boots bought through someone from the southern market...

She packed everything up to take away, not to mention nearly opening his parents' chests to have a look.

Fortunately he had been single for many years, with only an old sweep servant in the house; otherwise, seeing this scene, others might have thought Chinu came to loot.

He also had a terrible headache at the time, asking Chinu:

"You've been in the palace for years, after all; why haven't you saved some silver yourself, instead coming to drain my family's wealth?"

Chinu, however, said:

"I have saved some, but since I'm leaving, I'm going back to my mother's natal family to redeem those poor sisters."

Where Chinu's natal family is needs no further explanation.

Upon hearing that, he also wrapped up several jin of newly smoked cured meat from the kitchen and gave it to Chinu to take along.

Chinu watched the whole time without saying a word.

Only when they were about to part at the door did Chinu speak:

"... That bowl of congee is cold; from now on, when you drink congee, remember to heat it before drinking."

Chinu's mouth could never utter anything pleasant in a lifetime.

Mountains long, rivers vast; heavens high, earth far.

These days, a parting may mean an indefinite separation.

Chinu neither called out a pleasant 'older brother,' nor spoke any parting words, nor looked forward to a bright future.

But a single 'later' is unexpectedly more precious than thousands of words, unexpectedly making him worry for a long, long time.

At that time, Chinu was still very young.

In her eyes burned a youthful spirit more fervent and sharp than sunlight.

That bundle, heavy and weighty, pressed against his back, broader than his shoulders.

But after the person left, he repeatedly recalled it in dreams, yet always felt that bundle was still not big enough.

He always felt that Chinu deserved to obtain everything she wanted, that Chinu was worthy of having everything.

And now...

All of Chinu's things have actually arrived.

Chinu acts as she pleases, following her temperament and her heart.

And someone actually, without regard for right or wrong, opens their mouth to show partiality toward him, even willing to eliminate a prominent scholar who could openly bring her more benefits!

One must know, Du Shanü doesn't even know whether Ruansizong's grandson is at fault!

Chen Weifang let out a long sigh in her heart; the pent-up breath from yesterday finally dissipated without a trace, and her tightly knit brows gradually relaxed—

Chinu is good.

Du Shanü, who is willing to devote sincerity and treat the people well, is also good.

After all, whose fault is it really, and who is truly not good?

Chen Weifang closed her eyes, took a breath, and when she opened them again, her eyes were clear:

"Since ancient times, raising troops and waging war requires a just cause."

"Ruansizong is still useful to the Wise Lord; he is destined not to be killed. If he truly becomes your minister and beloved aide someday, to kill or execute him... we only await a mistake."

「If the mistake is not just once, then it's easier to handle: forgive after the mistake, forgive again if another mistake—after that, it's truly the time of death. 」

Du Shanü didn't notice Chen Weifang's sudden change; she waited left and right, until she got an answer almost as expected, and her gaze momentarily darkened:

「It's no wonder I once heard a saying: if the Supreme Nine-Five grants someone a death‑exempt medal...... in truth it's already hard to suppress killing intent. 」

Now it seems, it actually makes some sense.

After all, if one has never harbored killing intent, yet knows the other will die in the future, where would a "death exemption" come from?

Chinu had been observing closely for a long time; hearing this, she obediently nodded, resting her chin on her Wife Master's shoulder:

「That's the reasoning. 」

「However, Wife Master now doesn't need to think too far ahead; she only needs to care about how to use Ruansizong from now on. 」

「Based on my guess of his temperament, when he sees that Wife Master is a woman...... he might not even need persuasion and will directly join her retinue. 」

Du Shanü had just heard Chinu mention the "use" of being a woman; hearing it again, she couldn't hold back and blurted out:

「This Ruansizong is not only as reckless as you, but also just as lustful......? 」

Chinu: 「...... 」

Chen Weifang: 「...... 」

After they've broken their fast, this newlywed couple's conversation is simply unbearable to hear!

Last night they made a ruckus till midnight, and now they're saying such things in front of this half‑lifelong celibate cultivator!

Chen Weifang covered her face, and Chinu also grew annoyed.

But Du Shanü's remark was prickly, really hard to answer.

Say they're the same?

Then they really aren't that kind of person.

Say they're not the same?

Then isn't he admitting he's...?

Chinu gritted her teeth:

「What I mean is...... 」

「His nature is arrogant, innately considering himself superior; no matter how well a woman does, he'll mostly think she can't amount to anything. 」

「You just go straight to see him, revealing only your female identity, not your talent; if you then deliberately make a mistake...... 」

Du Shanü, originally lacking interest because she couldn't kill Ruansizong, now listened carefully and slowly sat up straight.

She pondered a few breaths, then spoke:

「You mean, deliberately leak a handle to Ruansizong, so he'll think he's the hidden 'master' pulling the strings, and afterward he'll wholeheartedly handle affairs? 」

?? First publish then revise, no interest in typing...... No matter how you write, nobody...... e=(′o｀*))) sigh