Langling King rushed away, Zhang Gui wiped away her tears and turned towards the side hall.

  Ah Lu hastily ran to her front, saw her, and Zhang Qi said in a hoarse voice: "Ah Lu, you go out immediately, take that box of pearls from the warehouse. For these few days, you will stay at Xiao Mo's place, exchange those pearls for use, and don't come back to Lanling Wangfu again."

  To Ah Lu's puzzled face, Zhang Qi said bitterly: "He was truly angry this time, I'm afraid that after he returns to the mansion, he'll lock me up and not let me out easily. Even if I do go out, there will be people reporting my every move back to him. At this critical moment, you can't become a prisoner with me. Go, find Xiao Mo, with his intelligence, he must know what I'm planning, and he'll definitely help you with all his might."

  She lowered her eyes, took out a handkerchief from her bosom, and carefully wiped away the tears on her face. Zhang Qi's voice was hoarse with cold, "With Xiao Mo's help, we can take advantage of the chaos to our benefit, and our plan will be much easier."

  After a while, Ah Lu responded: "Okay. But Ah Gui, you'll be alone and very lonely."

  Zhang Qi shook her head, her bright eyes looking at A Lu, softly saying: "As soon as I think that I will soon be free, I am no longer lonely."

  "By the way, take out the 800 taels of gold I hid too. You like to play at the Guest Come Inn, don't you? Open a room there and hide all this gold in it. Remember to hide it tightly."

  "Okay."

  After Ah Lu left, Zhang Qi fell asleep in exhaustion. As for Langling Wang, he didn't return to the mansion for two consecutive nights.

  Recently, the favored concubine of Langling Wang, Zhang Shi, has been extremely popular. Just when people were still talking about how she was seen naked in the red building, suddenly she announced to everyone on the street that she would no longer stand in the way of Langling Wang marrying a proper wife, and she also had confidence that she could marry a good husband herself.

  As a concubine, plaything, Zhang Shi is so disregarding of her husband's face. So disregarding of dignity, so shameless in declaring she wants to marry a good young man, and this absurd thing happens one after another in Northern Qi. It's also rare. For a time, the streets and alleys are all talking about this matter.

  In the end, people can't help but sympathize with Langling Wang. As a dragon son and phoenix grandson, a majestic king, he couldn't even subdue one woman, one pet, and let her lead him by the nose, which is quite laughable.

  The next day, Autumn Princess came to the King's mansion, ridiculed Zhang Gui for a while, and then left with her head held high. As soon as she left, an eunuch arrived with an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said in the edict that although Zhang was living in a foreign land, her behavior had the elegance of Jian'an. Therefore, she specially rewarded her with 100 taels of gold and gave her a token, which allowed her to enter and exit the palace freely.

  Can you come and go freely in the palace? Isn't it also possible to come and go freely through the city gate if you just show your face?

  But before Zhang Qi could rejoice, Fang Lao took back the token. Moreover, the guards watching over the courtyard had also increased in number.

  After this incident, the people of Ye City finally knew that last time, Empress Dowager and Prince Langya had a conflict over Zhang Shi, it was not that Empress Dowager acted arbitrarily, but Zhang Shi had some requests.

  This Zhang family member had indeed long intended to leave Langling Wang!

  The Lanling King's mansion suddenly became lively.

  On the third day, Lou Qiuniang arrived, and in the afternoon, Zheng Yu also came.

  Once again seeing Zheng Yu, she was radiant with a rosy glow, and even the dullness in her eyes had transformed into a brilliant sparkle.

  Zheng Yu saw Zhang Qi and didn't say anything. He just looked her up and down carefully before turning around and leaving.

  It's not just female guests, but also male guests, who have increased significantly over the past few days. Even though they know that Langling Wang is not there, they still ask to wait for his return in the courtyard. During their stay, they often look towards Zhang Qi's courtyard, listening to the sound of guqin and se coming from inside.

  This scene was in stark contrast to the deserted Lanling Wangfu of a few days ago.

  Divider line ###############################

  A sudden sound of horseshoes came galloping towards the Langling Wangfu. Seeing the arrival, Fang Lao hurriedly welcomed him and said with worry and heartache: "Duke, you're back?"

  A gust of wind, the dark clothes on top of the stains everywhere Lanling Wang nodded, he looked up at the courtyard. Just one glance, and his cheek muscles twitched violently.

  He quickly withdrew his gaze and said in a low voice: "Has anything happened these past few days?"

  I went out for seven days, originally intending to be busy again. But as I rode my horse, I unknowingly arrived at the outskirts of the city. Then I thought it would be nice to take a casual look around, but before I knew it, I had already arrived at my own doorstep...

  Mr Fang said respectfully: "Zhang Ji is very quiet and stays in the courtyard every day playing the piano and flute."

  ...he couldn't sleep at night, did she still have the mood to play the piano and blow the flute?

  Fang Lao continued: "There are more visitors in the mansion, each of the princes' mansions has sent someone to invite Prince Jun and Zhang Ji to dinner!"

  Upon hearing this, Langling Wang let out a cold laugh.

  "Right, the day after the king left, the empress ordered someone to reward Zhang Shi, saying that she had a noble demeanor and was free to come and go as she pleased in the palace. She even gave her a palace token." Fang Lao felt the oppressive atmosphere of his own king and quickly continued: "I took the token back." He held out the token with both hands.

  The King of Lanling glanced over and nodded, saying: "Tighten up a bit."

  "Yes."

  He handed his horse over to a servant and walked towards the inner courtyard on foot.

  Seeing him walk towards the main courtyard without hesitation, Fang Lao hurriedly followed up, "Duke, do you want to take a bath and change clothes?" In the past, he was the most hardworking and tired, but he always had to wash himself clean before going to see Zhang Ji.

  At Fang Lao's question, Langling Wang's footsteps paused. After a while, he said in a low voice: "Alright!"

  Half an hour later, King Langling entered the main hall.

  It's a bit quiet in the courtyard.

  Sitting under a peach tree, Zhang Gui wore a magnificent dress, dark red robe, gold-edged shoulder pads, long black hair that reached her waist, and beautiful eyebrows and eyes, making people feel as if they had seen the brilliant sunset burning in the sky.

  Her vibrant appearance made people feel great at first sight. The gloomy and depressed heart of the King of Lanling unknowingly lightened up a lot.

  He strode up to Zhang Qi in big steps.

  At this moment, Zhang Qi is painting. As her slender hands move lightly, a magnificent spring mountain rain picture gradually emerges. The King of Lanling turned his eyes and saw that there were more than a dozen lifelike ladies' paintings placed beside him. He focused on them and found that these ladies' paintings were all of herself, Zhang Shi Qi.

  In these paintings, Zhang Yi wears all sorts of fine clothes and has expressions that are either stern or joyful, displaying extremely elegant demeanor.

  He took a closer look and saw that next to a painting was inscribed a line of words, "Northern Qi Huang Jian second year. Zhang Shi Aqie fifteen years old." Below it was another inscription with a few more words, "Today's spring is in the flower's beauty. Tomorrow's spring will be on the tomb's grass."

  The King of Lanling was stunned.

  His mind was buzzing. Zhang Qi's words, crisp and soft, echoed in his memory, "If the people are not afraid of death, why should they be intimidated by it... Gao Changgong, you can kill me!"

  "When I said those words in public today, I didn't think that I must live."

  "I've got money. With Ah Green, and with this face that's been ruined by tears, I can have a family now."

  ……

  She is serious!

  She is busy here. But she wants to remember her current beauty and her once brilliant life.

  She really made preparations for disfigurement and death!

  The King of Lanling slowly raised his head.

  Focused on the painting in front of her, Zhang Qi was completely absorbed. She hadn't noticed his arrival. Her small nose was slightly scrunched up and her cherry lips were pursed, utterly concentrated on the painting before her.

  Looking at her exquisite little face, a suffocating pain and hatred surged out of his chest.

  Finally, Langling Wang's lips curled up and he said coldly: "Zhangshi, you're quite elegant!"

  With a "pa" sound, Zhang Qi's brush fell onto the rice paper, staining it with a big blob of ink, ruining the only mountain and water painting that was 90% complete.

  Zhang Qi let out a quiet sigh and turned back around.

  She gazed at him with clear autumn water-like eyes, and curtsied, "The King has returned? I was remiss in welcoming you from afar, please do not blame me."

  The tone is a bit light and hasty, completely perfunctory.

  The King of Lanling stared at her.

  After a while, he asked: "These days, you've been painting."

  "Really." Zhang Qi smiled brightly, "I've drawn a lot of them. Starting tomorrow, I'll make my own embroidery patterns." She tilted her head, looking at him with pure and joyful eyes, "How long has the Duke been back? I didn't even know."

  This expression, this smile, this voice, where is there a hint of unhappiness?

  Just like that ephemeral flower, this woman wants to seize every moment and bloom with her own beauty.

  The chest of Lanling King was like being ground by a dull knife, both painful and hateful.

  He curled up his lip and stared straight into her eyes, suddenly saying in a cold voice: "Don't dream about it, I won't let you leave me, nor will I let you die!"

  He grabbed a stack of paintings from the table, tore them to shreds with force, and said sternly: "You ruined your own face, Zhang Shi Aqi, do you believe me? I will also imprison you for life?"

  He was so furious that Zhang Qi didn't dare to face him head-on, and hastily lowered his head honestly, facing the scattered paper scraps on the ground, without even raising an eyebrow.

  All right, all right. This woman has always been ruthless, to others and to herself! She tore up a few of her own paintings, how could that possibly move her?

  Boundless anger made Langling Wang's hands tremble with rage.

  He was so angry that he was panting, and Zhang Qi didn't dare to speak either. For a moment, the courtyard was extremely quiet.

  It was not known how long it took, but Fang Lao's gentle voice came from outside the garden gate. "Prince Jun, General Duan has been ordered to return to the capital. His Majesty will host a banquet at the Duan Mansion tonight to welcome him back and wash away his dust. He orders Prince Jun to bring Zhang Ji along with him to attend the banquet."

  As soon as this sentence came out, Zhang Qi smiled lightly: Here it comes!

  "Tell the angel, Gao Zhang Gong will definitely arrive on time for the banquet!"

  Fang Lao replied, "The angel said that Zhang Ji must be brought along."

  The King of Lanling's face turned purple with rage, and after a while, he slowly turned his head, staring at Zhang Gui like a wolf, curling his lips and coldly saying: "Understood, get out."

  "Yes."

  In a short while, the angel urged three times. By dusk, King Lanling finally took Zhang Gui out of the door.

  Sitting in the carriage with Zhang Qi, Prince Lanling turned his head and stared intently at Zhang Qi, who was wearing a bright red robe that shone like the sunset on the horizon. He felt as if something dull was pounding against his chest, again and again, causing unbearable suffocation.

  His Adam's apple moved slightly, and he finally said in a low voice: "A Gui."

  He called out to her softly, but she didn't respond as she usually did.

  Looking at the sunset, Zhang Yi, who was as beautiful and transparent as a crystal, did not notice that Lanling King's voice was hoarse from pain. "Ah Gui, you promised me to be good."

  In his voice, there was a hint of childish resentment.

  Zhang Qi still didn't respond and didn't even lift her head.

  The horse carriage soon arrived at the entrance of Duan's mansion.

  When Langling Wang and Zhang Yi walked out, the originally bustling gate of the mansion suddenly became quiet and silent.

  In the past, those who had been cautious about Langling Wang and had shied away from her gaze now looked directly at her. Not only the nobles, but also some small generals and ordinary officials dared to stare straight at Zhang Gui.

  Meet these eyes. The bright red dress of Zhang Yi. In the autumn waves, a bright smile slowly bloomed on her face.

  Her smile was so captivating that those people couldn't bear to shift their gaze away from her.

  Just then, a loud noise suddenly erupted from behind.

  Zhang Qi turned back.

  But then I saw a white-robed figure with wide sleeves fluttering, Xiao Mo, who was greeting and chatting with the crowd while smiling, walking towards me elegantly.

  No matter when and where, he is always the focus of the crowd.

  As if sensing Zhang Qi's gaze, he quickly lifted his head to meet it.

  Different from any time before. His eyes were so bright, his handsome and elegant face was burning with joyful expectation and longing.

  He strode towards the two of them.

  As Xiao Mo got closer and closer, Zhang Qi clearly felt that the hand of Lanling Wang holding hers was getting colder and colder, his breath getting more and more icy!

  Xiao Mo arrived in front of Zhang Qi.

  He completely ignored the majestic and beautiful Langya Wang, who was imposing in his presence, and only stared at Zhang Qi for a moment.

  His eyes were filled with genuine, unparalleled joy. It was a pure delight, as if emanating from every pore, as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself, yearning...

  Zhang Qi gazed at him dazedly, meeting his irrepressible joy and infatuation. Unbeknownst to her, more than half of the hidden resentment she had been harboring was gone.

  It's been a long, long time since anyone has cared about her like this. At this moment, Xiao Mo makes Zhang Qi feel a kind of illusion: she is not alone.

  Xiao Mo was delighted, looking at Zhang Qi seriously, because of his intention, his voice was different from his always elegant appearance, and there was a tremble, "Ah Qi, I refused the empress dowager's arranged marriage."

  He stared foolishly at Zhang Qi, his heart and eyes only having her. "I told the empress dowager that except for you, I won't marry anyone else. Even if this life can't be together with you, I also won't want any other woman. Ah Qi, even if I drown in three thousand waters, I'll only take a scoop to drink!"

  He slowly stretched out his hand in the morning, just close to her face, and before King Lanling made a move, he weakly dropped it down. He said in a low voice: "Sorry. But I don't regret it, Aqie, I don't regret it!"

  He muttered to himself until here, Xiao Mo turned around decisively and walked forward with a carefree air. The one who was trembling and tense in front of Zhang Qi earlier had transformed into an elegant and refined young noble once again.

  Zhang Qi stood dazed, watching as Xiao Mo entered the General's Mansion amidst the cheers of the crowd.

  Perhaps she was too absorbed in it, until a sharp pain in her wrist brought her back to reality.

  Zhang Qi regained her composure, calm and collected, with a detached indifference, she glanced at the Prince of Lanling, lowered her eyelids, and smiled: "Your Highness, let's go in too."

  ##

  Offering 4,000 words, seeking fan votes.

  Haha, I saw that there are people scolding the Xianbei in the book review section. Hmm, I actually have a pretty good impression of the Xianbei people because they always produce handsome guys, like Murong Chui and Fenghuang'er, the elegant and unparalleled Murong Ke, all from this ethnic group.

  When it comes to ethnicity, I only dislike the "great" Japanese nation and the "great" Korean nation. Especially those Koreans, they keep snatching our traditional things away. I am from Miluo City, Yueyang, Hunan Province. In my hometown, at least people should know about Qu Yuan. Now, even the Dragon Boat Festival has become theirs, the Koreans'. When writing "Yue Nu" and "Yu Shi Chun Qiu", I like to gaze at the rolling waters of the Miluo River, reminiscing about the past. During Qu Yuan's time, there were countless people who were more famous than him, more awesome than him, but now, who still remembers them? Only this stubborn and romantic old man left his name behind, because of his heroic leap, even this unremarkable river became famous along with him.

  If Confucius knew that two thousand years later, a small country would rack its brains to get him, he should be happy or sad?

  Now I can really understand those famous ministers and honest officials in history. If one death could make oneself be admired by people for thousands of years, then that death is truly worth it.

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