Yao Bile scolded in a coquettish voice, "Am I the lady or are you the lady? I'm not feeling well, stop the car!"
Old Zhang looked troubled and glanced at Yao Biluo. Before leaving, the master had instructed him to follow the instructions of the fourth young lady along the way.
Yao Biluo knew how willful this pampered young lady was. She herself was already sore all over from working, let alone this pampered young lady who never lifted a finger. So she said helplessly, "Rest for a quarter of an hour."
Seeing that the fourth young lady had also spoken, Old Zhang had no choice but to pull the reins with his son to stop the carriage.
Yao Bile got out of the car and fanned herself with a handkerchief. The maidservant quickly handed her water to drink.
Yao Biluo also got out of the carriage. She had never been in a carriage for so long before, and her bones felt like they were about to fall apart. However, she had a vague sense of unease and knew that this was not a place to stay for long.
She walked over to Yao Bile and said, "It's not safe here. We can only rest for fifteen minutes before we have to set off again."
Yao Bile's face turned pale, but unusually, she didn't get angry and obediently nodded.
So Lao Zhang and Xiao Zhang didn't get out of the car and prepared to leave immediately.
Yao Bile was unable to move after sitting on the rock, while Yao Biluo strolled around, admiring the surrounding scenery.
Suddenly, there was a "whoosh" sound behind her. Yao Biluo sensed something was wrong and quickly looked back.
Old Zhang was clutching his chest, blood seeping from between his fingers, a white-feathered arrow lodged in his chest. Young Zhang jumped off the cart, supporting his father and crying out in pain.
Yao Bile looked at the blood everywhere and was about to faint. The maids were all trembling with fear.
Seeing that things were not going well, Yao Biluo reached for the soft whip at her waist without moving forward. Instead, she stopped and looked around cautiously.
"Haha... We've struck gold this time! So many young women, tsk tsk, they're even prettier than the women at Yixiang Courtyard!" Three or four burly men dressed in tattered clothes emerged from their hiding place, knives in their hands, their eyes filled with lewdness.
Seeing that his father was dying, Xiao Zhang shouted and rushed towards the group of burly men. After a few moves, he was knocked to the ground and lay motionless.
To her dismay, even in this peaceful and prosperous era, there were still such audacious villains. Yao Biluo inwardly blamed herself for her carelessness; she shouldn't have hesitated to rest. Looking at the swaying Yao Bile and the several trembling maids, Yao Biluo sighed. It seemed she could only rely on herself.
So Yao Biluo pretended to tremble and stepped forward, saying to them, "Heroes, we are visiting relatives in the city. Our family will come to pick us up if they don't see us soon. We are willing to give you all our belongings, just so that we can cross the mountain safely and reunite with our loved ones."
Several burly men looked at the leader, who panicked when he heard that someone was coming to pick them up. Getting some money was good, but women—he glanced at Yao Bile with reluctance—had to be alive to spend it.
"Put all your valuables on the ground!" the big man shouted.
Yao Biluo hurriedly took the valuables from her carriage, and Yao Bile's maid also hurriedly took the valuables out and placed them on the ground.
"Can we go now?" Yao Biluo asked.
"Okay, let's go!" The big man waved his hand heartily.
Yao Biluo quickly gave the others a look, and they understood. They hurriedly helped the young lady into the carriage, while the two maids acted as drivers, rushing around in a flurry.
"Wait! You're not kidding me, are you?" The burly man regretted his actions as he watched the alluring woman walk past him.
Yao Biluo narrowed her eyes; it seemed things couldn't end well. With a nimble flick of her fingers, a bottle slid out of her sleeve. She slowly approached the burly man, her handkerchief waving incessantly as she feigned tears: "How could I, a mere woman, dare to deceive you heroes? If you don't believe me, we'll wait here for a while!"
After saying that, he leisurely sat down and began to admire the surrounding scenery.
The burly man exchanged a glance with his companion, feeling a little guilty, and said, "Alright, I believe you. You can go now!"
Yao Biluo stood up, steadied herself, and urged everyone to hurry up and leave.
"Wait!" the burly man shouted again, "They can leave, you stay!"
Yao Biluo's heart sank.
☆、V、Twists and Turns (II)
A gentle breeze blows, the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, and birds chirp and twitter in the branches.
The man lying on the tree trunk grew impatient and shooed the birds away, sending them flying in panic.
The evening breeze was cool and pleasant, just the right time for a good sleep, but he was awakened by the birds. He sat up abruptly, his clothes fluttering, his blue hair ribbon tangling with his black hair in the wind, his jade-like face with empty eyes and a desolate expression.
The woman speaking nearby wasn't loud, but her voice was sweet and clear, the silver bells at her waist tinkling melodiously. The burly man opposite her was dressed in tattered clothes and had a ferocious face. Compared to him, the woman seemed like a celestial being.
However, the man only watched for a while before losing interest. It seemed that Wang Laoqi and his gang were up to something again. The man yawned. Whatever, they're not robbing me!
Halfway through his yawn, the man suddenly stopped as if he had a cramp, his mouth snapping shut as he bit his tongue, his captivating peach blossom eyes widening like fish eyes. Without warning, he tumbled from the tree, but luckily his light-footed skills allowed him to land gently.
Hearing the commotion, the woman and Wang Laoqi were all taken aback. They hadn't expected there to be other people here. The woman cast an expectant glance at him, while Wang Laoqi glanced at him and then remained indifferent. This man had been here for some time, and although his skills were good, he had never ruined their plans. It seemed unlikely that he would do so today.
The man was dressed in a blue robe, which was slightly worn but did not diminish his heroic spirit. His handsome appearance was full of the marks of time, and his face, which should have been unruly, was unusually solemn. His charming eyes were filled with expectation and doubt. He stared at Yao Biluo and slowly approached her step by step.
"Look at the bend of the Qi River, the green bamboos are luxuriant. There is a gentleman there, as if cut and polished, as if carved and refined." These words suddenly popped into Yao Biluo's mind. Who is this? It was the first time in her life that she had seen such a handsome man, staring at her like that. Yao Biluo turned her head away, her face unconsciously turning red.
"Hey, this is my goods! Don't get any ideas!" When Wang Laoqi saw him approaching and staring intently at the woman, could it be that this kid was also lustful?
The man frowned, waved his hand, and a small knife plunged into Wang Laoqi's carotid artery. Wang Laoqi didn't even utter a sound before collapsing to the ground, his eyes wide open as if in disbelief.
"Ah!" Yao Biluo exclaimed softly. She hadn't expected this seemingly refined person to be so ruthless. With just a flick of his wrist, a life was gone.
"Don't be afraid! Tell me, what is that fragrance? Where does it come from?" The man in blue stood in front of Yao Biluo, his voice hoarse but his face gentle, as if he were a completely different person from the one who had defeated her with a single move.
Yao Biluo's legs went weak, and she slumped onto the rock, but dared not not answer: "It's a sleeping potion, I mixed it myself."
The man in blue looked even more puzzled, but his peach blossom eyes shone brightly, curving into a beautiful arc. He slowly knelt down to face Yao Biluo, gently stroking her hair: "Silly girl, in such an open place, the incense has long been blown away by the wind! But I'm here, you don't need to be afraid! You've come back, haven't you? I knew you wouldn't have the heart to abandon me! I've done so many wrong things, I've been waiting for you, can you forgive me?"
The man in blue spoke with a slightly disordered tone, yet with a deep and unwavering affection.
Yao Biluo froze, startled. She realized she'd mistaken him for someone else. Having witnessed his ruthlessness—a single, fatal blow—she dared not deny it, fearing she'd anger him and incur his wrath. But she dared not admit it either, and hesitantly asked, "Why did you kill him?"
"He offended you! I swore I would never allow anyone to bully you again!" Tears welled in the man's eyes as he buried his head in Yao Biluo's arms. Yao Biluo was too frightened to move, but she felt her clothes gradually becoming damp. Was he crying? It seemed he was very good to that person! Her heart softened instantly, and she was no longer so afraid. She hesitated for a moment, then gently stroked his hair and quietly stayed with him.
The burly men nearby had already scattered in fright, and Yao Bile also took advantage of the chaos to direct the maids to run away, showing no concern for her younger sister. Only Yao Biluo and the man in blue remained in the woods, along with Wang Laoqi's corpse lying on the ground.
Night falls, the moon is bright and the stars are few, and a cool breeze blows.
Yao Biluo shivered. The man in blue looked up, his face full of smiles: "Are you cold? Let's go to town and find a place to rest." He took Yao Biluo's hand in his and warmed it for her.
Yao Biluo nodded and gently withdrew her hand. Although it was warm, it didn't belong to her.
The man in blue didn't seem to mind. The two stood up, and the man in blue put his hand on Yao Biluo's waist. With light steps, they leaped onto the treetops.
Yao Biluo was startled at first, but quickly realized that it must be light-footed skill! That's good, we'll get to town soon.
Upon arriving in town, the two checked into an inn. The man in blue instructed the waiter to prepare a large table of food. While the waiter was preparing the food, he said in a coquettish tone, "I haven't eaten all day, I'm starving!" He then pretended to swallow. Yao Biluo laughed, but then suddenly realized that she hadn't eaten dinner yet. Just as she thought about it, her stomach growled, and she blushed slightly with embarrassment.
The man in blue chuckled softly, "Don't worry, it'll be here soon, all your favorite dishes!"
Having finally finished dinner under the intense gazes of the two men, Yao Biluo felt a pang of guilt as she looked into the man in blue's affectionate eyes. Perhaps the person she was waiting for was also searching for her. What wasn't meant to be hers wasn't meant to be hers; she couldn't lie to him.
She mustered her courage and suddenly spoke up: "I am not her!"
The man in blue was somewhat taken aback, but Yao Biluo continued, "I am not her, you have mistaken me for someone else!"
The man in blue stood up, leaned down and looked at Yao Biluo: "Don't you recognize me?" As he spoke, he reached out and pulled out the exquisite stone under Yao Biluo's collar, his eyes glazed over.
"You don't recognize me anymore, Zijing? I know it's my fault, but does God have to punish me like this?" The man in blue was filled with pain, and his hoarse voice was heart-wrenching.
"I am not Zijing, my name is Yao Biluo, I am not the person you are looking for!" Yao Biluo took a step back, and seeing his sadness, she felt a little sorry for him, so she softened her tone.
"Yao Biluo? Aren't you Lin Zijing?" the man in blue asked in surprise.
Yao Biluo nodded.
"He's lost his memory?" the man in blue muttered to himself. "That's for the best!"
"Hehe, that's great, Luo Luo. May I call you Luo Luo? How old are you this year? Where do you live? Shall I come to your house to propose marriage?" The man in blue was delighted.
Yao Biluo was somewhat taken aback! What was going on?
Seeing that she did not answer, the man in blue said softly, "My name is Jiang Yumin. I am from the capital. My parents are both dead, and I have no relatives or friends. I also have quite a bit of property. If you marry me, you will not have to serve your parents-in-law, and I will not let you suffer. I swear that I will only marry you in this life, and you will be the only one in my heart. Luoluo, please say yes!"
“Spring waters are bluer than the sky, painted boats sleep in the rain. What a beautiful name! Young Master Jiang, I am very grateful for your kindness, but I cannot agree to your request!” Yao Biluo said slowly, “Isn’t the person you love called Zijin? Why do you say you want to marry me after seeing me? Do you, who are so fickle, dare to make such a vow to marry only me in this life? Besides, I am going to the capital to participate in the imperial concubine selection.”
Jiang Yumin's expression changed: "You still say you're not him, then why did you rush to Beijing for the talent show? It was for Jun Yilin! You really are him!"
Yao Biluo was even more astonished: "I came to the capital to select concubines by imperial decree. I have never been to the capital before, nor have I ever met the Emperor. Why do you say this?" How dare this person address the Emperor by his name!
Jiang Yumin's expression softened slightly; it seemed she truly didn't remember.
"Alright, if it's not him, then it's not him. When I said I wanted to marry you, I wasn't lying. The person I'm talking about is my best—brother! Think about it, Zijing, Zijing, isn't that a girl's given name? Of course I can make a vow to you, of course I can marry you!"
Yao Biluo thought to herself, "Oh, I see. I misunderstood." But something seemed off, though she couldn't quite place it.
"Young Master Jiang, the list of candidates for the imperial selection has already been submitted. Disobeying the imperial decree is not something a woman like me can bear. Please do not insist on this!"
"It's alright, just go to the talent show without worry. I'll have Jun Yilin betroth you to me then!" Jiang Yumin said casually, thinking to herself that she absolutely couldn't let that person see the Linglong Stone. So she asked, "Where did you get the Linglong Stone around your neck?"
Yao Biluo thought for a moment and said, "It appeared on my neck after I fell into the water last year and was rescued. But strangely, I can't get it off."
A sly glint flashed in Jiang Yumin's eyes. Was it someone who came back last year?
He said, "This exquisite stone has a history. Legend has it that it was a relic of the late empress, but it has ended up in your possession. This is not good!"
Yao Biluo was shocked. Wasn't this a desecration of the late Empress, a capital offense?
"It's alright. Just wear a dress with a high collar to cover it up, and make sure no one sees it. Once the imperial concubine selection is over and you marry me, we'll be far away from the palace, and you won't have to be afraid anymore!" Jiang Yumin gently comforted Yao Biluo, seeing that her face had turned pale with fright.
Yao Biluo subconsciously tugged at her collar, not paying much attention to Jiang Yumin's words. She thought to herself, "It seems I can only take it one step at a time. Once my mother has earned her a legitimate status, I'll find a way to escape." Her mind was in turmoil.
"Alright, don't worry. I told you I'd protect you from now on. Go to sleep now. I'll take you to the capital tomorrow." Jiang Yumin patted her head and went to her room to sleep.
Hearing him say that, Yao Biluo's flustered heart calmed down a little. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to this person, as if she could be completely unguarded and trust him wholeheartedly.
Lying on the bed, Yao Biluo pondered quietly. It seemed that the original plan was no longer feasible, and she needed to think of a new strategy.
☆、VI、Performance
It's that time of year again for the imperial concubine selection. The palace gates are filled with all kinds of carriages, and inside the main hall, beautiful women are everywhere, and the air is filled with the fragrance of perfume.
Yao Biluo stood quietly in a corner, silently searching for Yao Bile. Her mind was still on Jiang Yumin's words when he escorted her into the palace. He had threatened her not to look at the Emperor, not to have feelings for him, not to do this or that. A smile curved Yao Biluo's lips. This man was just like a child! It was just playful banter. What power did he have to make the Emperor marry a concubine to him? But compared to entering the palace, marrying him wasn't bad either. Thinking this, Yao Biluo's face flushed. What was she thinking?
"Little sister, you're here! Are you alright? You scared me to death the other day!" A charming voice rang in her ears. Yao Biluo turned around and saw her second sister.
Yao Biluo looked at Yao Bile expressionlessly and said, "I'm fine. You should worry about how to get selected!"