That night, Ah Lu slept very restlessly, frequently waking up from her dreams. Once, she even cried out loudly in a shrill voice: "Ah Gui, I'll block him, you run quickly!" before finally waking up from her dream in tears.

  Zhang Qi comforted her for a while before falling asleep again. When she woke up once more, the sky was already bright.

  While dressing, Zhang Qi looked at Ah Lu's red and swollen eyes through the copper mirror, thinking to herself: When I see Ninth Brother later, I'll definitely ask him to help me choose a day to send Ah Lu back to her hometown. Ninth Brother is still quite steady in handling matters, and the good land he bought for Ah Lu can be returned without loss if he sends someone to handle it.

  In the copper mirror, Zhang Gui's eyes were bright and clear, not disturbed by the imperial edict at all.

  After washing and dressing, Zhang Gui walked in front of the water basin. She had some powder in her hand, mixed it with water to apply evenly on her skin, which made her skin tone dull. Her skin was naturally white, tender and plump, as if you could squeeze out water from it. This powder could just cover up five percent of her radiant glow.

  Zhang Qi lowered her eyebrows and thought for a moment before reducing the amount of powder.

  After carefully applying the makeup, she changed into a new white dress made by Zhang Fu for her, and combed her long black hair that was as shiny as oil and smooth like a mirror. Her beautiful hair was like clouds, with no ornaments on top.

  Just taking a glance, the girl in the copper mirror is as beautiful and delicate as a bean flower, with a kind of rich charm shining through her pitiful and lovely appearance.

  Zhang Qi pulled out A Lu's hand and walked out.

  All along the way, she passed by with a flourish, which made her daily interactions with the girls even more astonishing.

  Before long, Zhang Qi saw the pavilion where Zhang Xuan often was. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head up.

  This time she left, perhaps for the rest of her life, she would never return to Jiankang again.

  When people are present, their hearts are also present. When people are absent, their hearts will naturally be absent as well.

  But she was looking forward to it, as the legitimate daughter of the Zhang family, Zhang Xuan could take good care of Ah Lu. In the future, when Ah Lu gets married and marries a ordinary commoner, if her husband's family knows that the eldest son of a high-ranking family is paying attention to Ah Lu, they will treat her well.

  So she deliberately showed off her beauty a bit. She wanted Zhang Xuan to remember his poor and lovely sister, to remember this sister's words.

  Turning around, Zhang Qi said softly: "A Lu, you stay here. I'll go talk to Ninth Brother."

  "Alright."

  Zhang Qi took steps and walked towards the pavilion.

  Her waist was slender, almost too thin to grasp, and as she walked in the corridor, she naturally brought a unique charm of a young girl with her twisting movements.

  The crisp sound of "da da da" echoed through the heavy wooden corridors, and she could see Zhang Xuan shaking his head and reading clearly among the pavilions.

  Just then, a low voice called out: "A Qi?" The tone was somewhat doubtful, as if he didn't believe it was really her.

  Zhang Qi turned back.

  To her right, within fifty paces of her, stood a youth in white. The warm sunlight and gentle breeze stirred the dark hair that fell to his shoulders, lifting it and then letting it fall again. A gust of wind swirled by, carrying with it a petal that slowly came to rest on the tip of his hair.

  The spring light is so radiant, standing quietly there, the boy who stands against the wind, has a hint of melancholy locked between his pursed lips and brow.

  His melancholy was so intense, it made people feel that he was extremely lonely.

  It seems as if in this vast world, he is alone.

  But it was Xiao Mo.

  Unexpectedly seeing Xiao Mo, Zhang Qi was stunned.

  Xiao Mo stepped forward and walked towards her.

  He walked to within five steps of her and stopped again. He slightly tilted his head, letting the wind blow away the awkwardness in his eyes, and unconsciously broke off a willow branch. In a low, hoarse voice, he said: "How can there be an imperial edict?" His voice was very coarse, and although he seemed to want to smile, the smile that emerged was tinged with bitterness and resentment. "A'gui, how can there be an imperial edict?"

  Zhang Qi stared blankly at him.

  She felt for the first time that he cared about her, really cared about her.

  She slowly lowered her eyes.

  After a while, Zhang Qi said in a low voice: "Xiao Lang, take care of yourself." She wanted to say, don't worry about me, and she also wanted to say, I will be fine.

  She was thinking of saying it, but it was just a youthful infatuation. He had always been obsessed with having her, even if it meant letting her leave her family and become his concubine... It can be seen that in his heart, he has always had desires but no feelings for her, she never deserved his respect. So when she said such words, it was laughable how self-pitying she sounded.

  Zhang Qi turned around.

  "Ah Qi!"

  Xiao Mo stopped her!

  He pursed his thin lips stubbornly, with a glint of tears in his eyes, "I want to go and see Your Majesty."

  Zhang Qi turned around.

  She glanced at Xiao Mo and habitually lowered her head.

  Xiao Mo looked at Zhang Yi, whose raven hair was like clouds and slender figure was elegant. She already had the beauty of a lovely maiden. His heart felt suffocated, and he said again: "Don't be afraid. That northern barbarian land, I won't let you go. I will see the Emperor, I will beg him."

  This young man, who was always calm and confident in his actions, had become incoherent.

  "It's no use."

  It's useless; if Your Majesty has no authority to deal with this little illegitimate daughter of yours, where is the imperial power?

  Zhang Qi turned around and left.

  No!

  Xiao Mo suddenly reached out and tightly grasped her arm.

  He stared at her slender and delicate white neck, staring at her beautiful side profile, and said in a low voice: "Ah Qiu, don't hurry to leave, talk to me." He explained gently: "In this situation, no one will restrain you and me. Ah Qiu, we can talk."

  Zhang Qi turned around.

  She would never completely offend him.

  She lowered her head and meekly said "yes".

  Xiao Mo withdrew his hand.

  He lowered his head, covering his face with both hands.

  After a long silence, he said hoarsely: "A Qiu, from childhood to adulthood, this is the first time I've felt so uncomfortable. My heart is tied up tight."

  Zhang Qi lowered her head and looked at her toes.

  Xiao Mo seemed a bit weak, he slowly leaned forward, his forehead pressed against the corridor pillar.

  He stood motionless for a long time, then said stiffly: "A Qiu."

  "Alright."

  "My heart is bitter."

  Zhang Qi remained silent, without making a sound.

  "A Qi."

  "Alright."

  "I'm afraid if you leave, I'll never be happy again for the rest of my life..."

  Zhang Qi raised her head and glanced at Xiao Mo. In a low, murmured tone, she said, "It won't happen." Although her voice was soft, her tone was extremely firm. It seemed that she had always believed from the bottom of her heart that no man would truly be unhappy for life just because he lost her.

  Xiao Mo did not hear her response, he remained motionless, his forehead pressed tightly against the pillar.

  It has been still for a long time.

  Just as Zhang Qi was about to say something, Xiao Mo suddenly lifted his head and spun around like a whirlwind.

  There was a red mark left on his forehead. His eyes, however, had changed from being bloodshot to bright. He looked at Zhang Qi with shining eyes, "I have an idea."

  He stared at Zhang Qi without blinking, and said seriously: "Ah Qi, I have a plan! I will enter the palace immediately and volunteer to be an envoy. I want to bring you back to Jiankang completely!"

  As he spoke, his tone became clearer and more excited. "Right! I have a request that Your Majesty will surely not refuse! I want to bring my Ah Qi back to Jiankang intact, absolutely not letting the northern barbarians get her!"

  Having said that, he turned his body and rushed out.

  He took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped. He turned around and looked at Zhang Qi deeply. With a gentle and bright smile, he said in a low voice: "They say that the northern barbarians do not care about chastity, I can have you... how is this possible?"

  He flashed a bright smile, took another step forward and hastily walked out of Zhang Qi's line of sight.

  Xiao Mo left for a long time before Zhang Qi came back to her senses.

  Ting Tai's place, Zhang Xuan had already been startled by the commotion here and was looking over this way.

  Recalling the purpose of her trip, Zhang Qi took a deep breath and stepped forward.

  In the crisp sound of "da da da", she walked towards Zhang Xuan like a lotus flower that had just bloomed.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, when she walked in front of Zhang Xuan, there was still a look of astonishment in his eyes.

  He stretched out his hand, gently stroking her hair, and sighed softly: "My Ah Gui has grown up." After a pause, he smiled bitterly: "If you were like this when you met the emperor, His Majesty would not have let you go on a mission."

  How can such a wonderful person be cheapened by a northern barbarian?

  Zhang Xuan praised her, and Zhang Qi smiled slightly.

  Although she was smiling, her eyes still held a faint sadness. This forced smile made Zhang Xuan's heart ache, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

  Zhang Qi lowered her head and curtsied to him with a gentle smile.

  Zhang Xuan hastily reached out to support her and repeatedly asked: "How did Ah Gui come to pay respects?"

  Zhang Qi sniffled and lifted her head to give him a smile that was trying its best to bloom, but couldn't hide the worry. Her current face was clear and delicate, yet beautiful beyond compare. This kind of smile with a hint of sadness and bitterness was truly captivating, pitifully charming, making one's heart ache, wishing to hold her in their arms and take on all the wind and rain for her.

  Zhang Xuan also hugged her, holding her in his arms.

  Nestled in her elder brother's arms, Zhang Qi choked back tears and said: "Ninth Brother, I'm leaving... I want to ask you for a favor."

  "You said, you said."

  "A'qi's maid, A'lv, is like a sister to A'qi. These days, if not for her company, A'qi wouldn't know what would have become of herself. This time, A'qi is traveling far away and doesn't know if she'll have the chance to return in this lifetime. A'qi wants to ask Ninth Brother to help send A'lv back to her hometown. A'qi also has 80 taels of gold here, please take it and help A'lv buy some good land. Also, since I won't be in Jiankang anymore, I hope Ninth Brother can take care of A'lv a bit."

  My own future is like this, and I still remember a girl.

  Zhang Xuan felt both heartache and emotion. He was moved to tears by Zhang Qi's crying, and hastily nodded his head, saying: "Alright, alright, everything will be as you wish, everything will be as you wish."

  Taking the gold handed over by Zhang Qi, Zhang Xuan thought to himself: Ah Qi is so anxious, then I'll go there in person, and also instruct the village elder to help take care of that Ah Lu.

  Having obtained Zhang Xuan's affirmation, Zhang Qi's mind was greatly settled. She withdrew from his embrace, her face red as she looked at Zhang Xuan and said shyly: "I've lost my composure."

  Seeing her recover normally, Zhang Xuan let out a sigh of relief and smiled: "As long as Ah Gui doesn't cry, I can ask Ninth Brother to do anything."

  "Brother Jiu!" Zhang Qi was teased by him and let out a soft snort, stretching out her small fist to punch him twice. After that, Zhang Qi couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

  She smiled and hit him, Zhang Xuan's mood was great. He sat down, asked in a low voice: "What did Xiao Mo say earlier? Looking at his expression, he seemed very sad?" After a pause, he sighed: "Usually looking at Xiao Mo, his demeanor is elegant and refined, just like a jade-like gentleman. I didn't expect that such a person would also be so out of control. Ah Gui, it seems that he really loves you."

  Zhang Qi lowered her head and didn't respond.

  Zhang Xuan sighed again, "As a legitimate son like us, there are many beautiful maids around. Xiao Mo is particularly fond of Ah Gui, it can be seen that it's not just about being infatuated with beauty, but truly being unable to control one's emotions!"

  %%

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