?

  Zhang Qi's subtle expression, which required careful observation to discern, made Zhang Jin feel a wave of suffocation. She spoke in a cold tone: "That's right, it's me. Now, tell me about Amo."

  How did Zhang Jin become so thin? Is she not living well? Ah, yes, standing behind her is Zhang Jin's maid, A Lan. Compared to three years ago, A Lan also looks much older, with even a hint of sorrow at the corners of her lips.

  Zhang Qi was stunned for a moment before speaking: "Xiao Mo is doing very well, he's now a high-ranking official of the second grade in the state of Qi. The last time, the Empress Dowager of Qi even wanted to arrange a marriage for him."

  The room was filled with a buzzing noise. A familiar young master from a noble family asked, "Does he have nostalgia, does he have longing?" As soon as he said this, he pointed to himself with a bitter smile, "Ah, Qing must not recognize me, I am Yuan Zhihui. We people have been friends with your ninth brother for many years, and that night we even listened to you play the flute." That night, Zhang Xuan had actually wanted to marry this younger sister as his wife, and he also had some feelings for her. However, at the time, she was not very noticeable, so although he had feelings, it was just a fleeting infatuation. Once busy with family matters, he forgot about her.

  If only... If only...

  Among countless thoughts, Yuan Zhiyu had only one "what if" from the beginning.

  It's not just him, the young people around him are also like that. At that time, Zhang Xuan wanted to find a good home for this younger sister, so he considered Yuan Ye and didn't mention them, but felt that Zhang Qi was not worthy of her, and they didn't think much of her either. But now, looking at the stunning beauty in front of him, looking at her nobility beyond her stunning looks, would any man dare say she's not worthy today?

  Zhang Qi didn't notice their complicated gaze, she tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying softly: "Homesickness is always there, but it hasn't faded away, instead it has matured."

  Just then, amidst the "knock knock knock" sound, a elegant and pleasant voice rose, "Is Zhang Xuan in? I am Xie Ziyuan!"

  Xie Ziyuan?

  As soon as the name of the eldest son of a large family was mentioned, all the children of the aristocratic families stood up - birds of a feather flock together. Zhang Xuan is a weak and timid person, and his friends are also of this kind, although they are all sons of aristocratic families, but neither in terms of ranking nor talent are they outstanding. They are just ordinary people. This Xie Ziyuan, was once famous along with Xiao Moqi. After successfully evading Chen Emperor's massacre by clever means, he became a prominent figure in the current capital of Jiankang.

  So when they heard he had come, all the young nobles naturally showed their respect.

  Zhang Xuan walked over and opened the door. At a glance, he saw Xie Ziyuan, who was wearing a long gown with wide sleeves, his black hair scattered, and his face handsome and elegant. Of course, he also saw the guards brought by Zhang Qi standing outside, coldly watching this place. Compared to other people's guards, the presence of Zhang Qi's guards was always particularly strong.

  Xie Ziyuan bowed slightly to Zhang Xuan, then turned his gaze to the dazzlingly brilliant Zhang Qi, whose radiance was almost too much for the eyes.

  He stared at Zhang Hui for a while, then suddenly smiled and revealed his snow-white teeth, saying: "No wonder Amo is infatuated with her, no wonder the King of Lanling is also infatuated with her. Zhang Ji's beauty is rarely seen in a hundred years!"

  He spoke words of praise, but his gestures were elegant and refined.

  She lowered her eyes, and with a gentle bow, she said softly: "Sir, you are overpraising." She looked at Zhang Xuan, her autumn water-like eyes sparkling with a hint of reproach, as if to say: I told you not to choose a secluded place, now look, more and more people are coming!

  Every young master has read those beautiful writings "巧笑倩兮, 美目盼兮", and every young master has fantasized about a beauty like the Goddess of the Luo River, performing a red sleeve dance for himself. But when they actually see her, they suddenly feel an endless sense of loss.

  A beauty is indeed lovely, but alas, the famous flower has already been claimed by its master!

  Xie Ziyuan gazed deeply at Zhang Qi, staring for a while before letting out a long sigh. He bowed deeply to her and said: "I've long heard of your beauty, Ah Qi, and have come especially to see you. Now that I've seen you, I regret that we didn't meet sooner!"

  He said, with a wide sleeve shake, he turned around and left. As he went far away, a singing voice that couldn't be described as regretful or sorrowful came from afar: "Zi zhi tang xī, wǎn qiū zhī shàng xī. Suān yǒu qíng xī, ér wú wàng xī."

  Xie Ziyuan left, and the surroundings quieted down for a while. Zhang Xuan looked at Zhang Qi and suddenly said: "Ah Qi, let's go over there and talk." As soon as he spoke, those few young masters from aristocratic families let out a sigh of disappointment, but Zhang Xuan ignored them, which was quite unusual for someone like him who usually had a soft spot.

  As the siblings were about to leave, Zhang Jin suddenly called out: "Wait a minute." She hastily walked over and stood in front of Zhang Qi, looking her up and down from head to toe, then back again. After a long time, she pressed her lips together and asked: "Qi, did you cover your face at that time?"

  Zhang Qi lowered her eyes and said, "Yes."

  Zhang Jin's voice trembled slightly, "Did Amo know about it all along?"

  "Yes."

  "I understand." Zhang Jinchang smiled coldly and muttered, "At first, he really approached me because of you... I'm so stupid, so stupid..." As she spoke, she stumbled out, Zhang Qi raised her head and stared blankly as she walked further and further away until her figure disappeared at the staircase entrance. She still heard Zhang Jin muttering to herself, "I'm so stupid, so stupid..."

  Zhang Jin had left, and Ah Lan was still staring blankly at Zhang Gui. Until this moment, she couldn't connect the dignified lady in front of her with the little orphan girl who used to be so cautious and courteous in her presence.

  Now, the humble Zhang Shi'ai has become so noble that even the emperor is polite to her, but what about herself? She follows a master who is not in favor, and because of the things she did when she first entered the mansion, everyone in the mansion rejects her, everyone bullies her. But she can't say anything to anyone.

  After being stunned for a while, Ah Lan came back to her senses. She hastily called out: "Madam, madam." As she called, she quickly ran out.

  The brother and sister came to another room, saw Zhang Qi kneeling beside him, the absolutely beautiful face was shining brightly, looking at himself with a still dependent expression. Unconsciously, Zhang Xuan's heart softened greatly. He stretched out his hand and gently grasped Zhang Qi's hand.

  She, like many girls without elder brothers, yearned for an elder brother who could dote on her and pamper her. And Zhang Xuan's image, as she wandered between Qizhou and other places, drifting without a foothold, would from time to time appear in her mind, recalling the scenes of when they were together as siblings, recalling his care for her, and in such nostalgia, his image had become very lofty, becoming someone she missed.

  So, in this reunion, the one Zhang Qi wanted to see most was him. Now feeling the warmth of her brother, Zhang Qi couldn't help but tilt her head and lean lightly on his shoulder, saying softly: "Ninth Brother, A'Qi has always missed you."

  Zhang Xuan was leaned against by her, his body stiffened involuntarily, and it wasn't until after a while that he said: "I am too." After a pause, he asked in a low voice: "Have you been doing well these past two or three years? It wasn't easy when you first left your hometown, was it?"

  It's not going well, of course it's not going well. Zhang Qi's voice was hoarse as she muttered: "Yes, there were several times when I wanted to give up. Ninth brother, I really miss you." In that long and lonely period of time, with no one to rely on, and no one to think about, this not-so-beautiful hometown, the not-so-warm Zhang residence, and even Zhang Xuan, who had never been as close to her as since childhood, were all objects of her nostalgia. It wasn't until then that Zhang Qi finally understood why only the memories of her girlhood in her past life were the most vivid - it turned out that those not-so-beautiful years, in her short life, had been recalled and embellished into something beautiful and colorful.

  Feeling the depth of Zhang Qi's words, Zhang Xuan was moved. He stretched out his hand and hugged Zhang Qi, holding her in his arms. With a sense of shame, he thought to himself: After Ah Qi left, I only thought about her for half a year at first, but later forgot about her. I didn't expect that she had been remembering me all along.

  After a moment of embarrassment, Zhang Xuan remembered his father's words and said in a low voice: "A Gui, do you still resent Father?"

  Suddenly hearing him mention Zhang Shi'erlang, Zhang Qi shook her head and muttered: "He ignored me, I also ignored him." So it's still hatred.

  Seeing Zhang Xuan's silence, Zhang Qi asked: "Is he making things difficult for you and not letting you speak?"

  She brought it up on her own initiative, and Zhang Xuan nodded: "That's right. The Wen Chenlie, the Marquis of Jing'an who was assassinated in Jingzhou, had a scholar from Huang Gong by his side when he went on a mission, and his staff were sent by my father. Now that the Marquis of Jing'an has been assassinated, it is because they were unable to protect him properly, and let him linger in Jingzhou for a young boy, leading to later disaster. Now that Your Majesty is settling old accounts, he may take out his anger on my father and his superior Huang Gong. Therefore, my father wants to ask the Prince of Lanling if he can speak to His Majesty on their behalf."

  He paused for a moment, and Zhang Xuan said in a low voice: "Your Majesty has operated on the aristocratic families for the third time. Before my father, three sons of the aristocratic families were punished for trivial matters. My father is a bit afraid." For a son of an aristocratic family like Zhang Shi'erlang, losing his official career would be a loss, but if this matter affects the interests of the family and damages their reputation, his position in the family will also be greatly affected.

  Zhang Qi thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "Chang Gong won't help." Lanling Wang was an outsider, if he helped with this matter, the Chen people would think that the death of Jing'an Hou was related to him. Otherwise, why would he want to get involved in this too? So, he could only stand by and watch.

  What's more, what benefits did Zhang Shierlang bring to her mother and herself? Was it worth her running around and pleading for him? Hmph!

  Upon hearing Zhang Qi's refusal, Zhang Xuan let out a sigh and said, "I also think that Chang Gong is an outsider, how can he intervene in this matter?"

  The brother and sister were whispering to each other when a stern, low voice came from outside, "Where's Ah Gui?" A guard whispered. Then the door creaked open with a squeak.

  Upon seeing the newcomer, the siblings were startled. Zhang Gui raised her head from Zhang Xuan's shoulder and saw that it was Lang Ling Wang. She couldn't help but smile. Lang Ling Wang didn't smile; he expressionlessly stared at Zhang Xuan before turning his gaze to the tightly huddled siblings. Then, he looked again at Zhang Gui, who was leaning against Zhang Xuan's face like a little bird, her small face pressed tightly against his. Slowly, his brow twitched: even when she had been learning from him or teasing him, she had never leaned against him like this before. This morning, when they got up to leave, she had even kicked him hard before getting up...

  ￥￥

  Seeking everyone's guaranteed pink votes. (None)