The Beauties of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 91

"Don't talk nonsense." She chuckled, her hand idly idly playing with his ink strokes behind his neck. "Lan Wu is just very loyal. Don't you want him to be loyal? Where did he go?"

He tightened his arms around her waist and shook his head. "I don't know. That night I did let him go back to the courtyard first. I knew he would meet Su Li outside the inn, but what I didn't know was... he would act alone."

"Hmm..." she murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Then he should be in Xingze County too, but we don't know his exact location. How about this? After Zhao Dezhao returns, we'll go back to Xingyang. Lan Wu will naturally come back with us when he finds out, right?"

No, if Big Brother doesn't give up on Wanlan, Lan Wu will probably stay by Big Brother's side forever.

"Master, dinner is ready," Xuan'er said, standing by the door.

Zhao Defang turned around and instructed, "Go and bring it over."

Xuan'er kept her head down and did not leave, but whispered again, "Master, Lan Wen and the others are back."

The two, still embracing, exchanged a glance, then rose together and walked outside. Wanlan grabbed Xuan'er and asked, "Has the Prince of Yan returned as well?"

"They're back. They're in the east wing. When the Prince of Yan heard that you were here, he sent Xiao Luzi and the others to invite you for a chat. I saw that they were soaking wet, so I told them to go change their clothes."

Zhao Dezhao wants to see Zehua?

Wanlan paused, then glanced back at the man beside her. "I'll go with you."

A sharp pain in her wrist made her frown. Zhao Defang grasped her hand and shook her head at her, "No, you stay." Then she instructed Xuan'er, "Go and bring the food over so that Madam can eat first."

"Zehua!"

"Listen to me." He patted her reassuringly, stepped out of the house, grabbed the paper umbrella from the door, opened it, and strode into the heavy rain, walking alone towards the west wing across the street.

Large raindrops pelted the top of the umbrella with a pattering sound. Wanlan leaned against the door and watched him enter the house across the street, her brows gradually furrowing.

What did Zhao Dezhao do that night? Why did he go to see Zehua instead of her as soon as he got back? Has he figured everything out? These two brothers... seem to be acting mysterious lately, keeping everything from her... what are they up to?

"Madam, please don't stand at the door. It's raining heavily and the wind is chilly. Why don't you come inside for dinner?"

Xuan'er, who had just returned to the kitchen, stood by the door with a tray in her hand, watching her and gently reminding her.

Wanlan lowered her eyes, a stiff smile playing on her lips.

"Xuan'er".

"lady?"

"We probably won't be able to leave."

When Zhao Defang returned to his room, Wanlan had already gone to bed.

He quietly closed the door and walked to the bedside. He gazed at the woman's face, which appeared hazy in the candlelight of Hunan, and slowly sat down.

If only I had known what I wanted from the beginning, I wouldn't be in this predicament today, unable to make a difficult choice that hurt her and put myself in a difficult position.

From a young age, he knew that he had never had any ambitions.

He never had any ambition or concern for the world or the people. He was not born a virtuous minister who cared about the country and its people. He only cared about the people close to him, such as his uncle, his mother, and his elder brother.

His slightly cold fingertips lingered on the pale cheek of the person on the bed, and he gave a slight, bitter smile.

If Wanlan knew what he was thinking, she would definitely resent him. His cold words to her the other day had hurt her so much, and it was the first time he had ever seen her cry; he was so heartbroken.

So this time... will she truly hate him?

Could he... have been a little more selfish? Could he have taken her away without regard for anything else?

"...I know she is your wife now, but I made a promise with her. You just need to give me a month to fulfill that promise, and I will never bother you again after that, okay?"

Faced with his elder brother's almost pleading attitude, he was speechless.

To take Wanlan completely away from the royal family, he had to eliminate all possible contingencies. Entrusting Xu'er to his mother, relinquishing his duties at court, even ignoring his uncle's demands—he sat up without hesitation for all of this, except for his elder brother—

The only person he couldn't treat coldly was his older brother, who had doted on and protected him since childhood, especially now that his brother had become so sensitive and vulnerable. He knew he couldn't bring himself to selfishly run away.

But leave the orchid behind...

"Stop sighing."

Wanlan slowly opened her eyes, meeting his astonished gaze. She propped herself up on the bed with her elbows and sat up, pulling the brocade quilt over her body, which was only covered by her undergarments. The torrential rain that had been falling since last night had lowered the already low temperature even further, and she could even feel a bone-chilling cold rushing straight to her heart.

It's so cold...

“Wanlan…”

"Just say what's on your mind, don't overthink it," she took a deep breath, looking down at her fingers clutching the blanket, her expression somewhat blank and dazed. "I'm prepared, no matter what you say, I'll try my best not to feel disappointed or sad, okay?"

Her humble, even somewhat ingratiating tone made Zhao Defang's breath catch in his throat. He lowered his brows and remained silent, knowing full well how sensitive this woman was, and he really shouldn't have felt surprised.

"You... may not be able to return to Xingyang for the time being."

One month! He will absolutely take her away in one month! Without a moment's hesitation!

Wanlan raised her eyes, staring at him without blinking, and asked quietly, "And you?"

"There are some matters in the capital that require my attention... I'm worried that my uncle might send someone directly to find us, so I don't want you to come to the capital again... I might be away for a few days..."

He didn't dare to look up at her, but kept his eyes downcast, watching her fingers, which were white from gripping the blanket tightly, and tried to keep his voice steady, "Wanlan, can you wait for me in Xingze for a few days?"

She gazed at his profile, flickering in the candlelight, and quietly asked, "Can't you take me with you?"

“Wanlan…”

"Okay, I understand." She finally lowered her eyes, smiled faintly, pulled the blanket up, and lay back down. "I'll wait for you here. Go to sleep."