L'hibiscus comme peinture

Chapitre 85

"Haha... What kind of person am I! Do you think I'm Jinxuan, that big idiot who doesn't get close to women? Haha..." Zhengxuan laughed triumphantly, completely unaware of Aoxue's increasingly dark face.

"Ouyang Zhengxuan, you're so smug, aren't you? Are you showing off how many women you've been with? Are you missing them? Do you miss those old times?" Ao Xue looked around and, seeing no one in sight, grabbed Zhengxuan's ear and, like a domineering jealous woman, pressed him with a dark face.

"No, no, let go! I won't say it anymore, I won't say it anymore, okay?" Zhengxuan pleaded ingratiatingly. Only after Aoxue grabbed him did he belatedly realize the huge mistake he had made. He knew that Qing'er was most sensitive about his past concubines, and that she had suffered greatly because of them. How could he have spoken so carelessly and said something she didn't want to hear? Although it was true.

"Hmph." Ao Xue snorted coldly, but still released her hand, crossing her arms and saying, "However, what you said is also true. If you still can't see that Jun is a woman, then you've lived in vain. But when did you find out? I'm sure you didn't notice at first." If he had known from the beginning that Jun was a woman, he wouldn't have lost his temper in front of the officials, nor would he have been so hostile towards Jun.

“Uh! Actually, the moment I saw Mo Jun, I felt something was off about her, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Then you two… uh, so I was just too jealous to think straight, and I didn’t pay any attention to what that strange feeling was. But just now, when I saw you two lying on the bed in the room, I was so angry I wanted to kill someone, but then I thought, even if you and Mo Jun were lovers, you wouldn’t be so bold as to be intimate with her in front of me and Jin Xuan. Plus, the way you looked at Mo Jun and Jin Xuan together afterwards, I remembered what was strange about Mo Jun when I first saw her. Mo Jun is indeed very convincing as a man, almost indistinguishable from a woman, which is why no one has noticed her presence in the military camp for so long. But she is still a woman, and she inevitably has some feminine gestures and expressions. Plus, she has a fragrance that men don’t have, so I’m certain she is a woman.” Zheng Xuan swallowed and recounted in detail how he discovered that Ao Jun was a woman. Yi Xuan is right. Being wild and unreasonable is a woman's nature, especially after marriage. Even the most adorable woman can turn into a tigress. Just now, she was jealous that he could tell Mo Jun was a woman at a glance because he had had many concubines in the past! Now he suddenly says that if he couldn't tell Mo Jun was a woman, he would have lived in vain. He really changes his mind every minute!

"Hmph, I was planning to punish you properly, but you figured it out so quickly, it's no fun at all," Ao Xue pouted, dissatisfied. Waaah… she was hoping to make Xiao Xuanzi even angrier! Now all the fun is over, waaah… her plan is ruined? No way! She finally got to see Jun Xiang, finally had something fun to do, but now it's all over. Xiao Xuanzi knows Jun's identity, so she can't play anymore. And seeing how infatuated Jin Xuan is with Jun, she wants him and Jun to get married immediately, so she can't play anymore either. Therefore, she can't get justice… waaah…

"Punishment? You're saying you're making us angry to punish us? What have Jinxuan and I done to offend you? Why are you punishing us?" Zhengxuan asked, puzzled.

"Little Xuanxuan, you have a terrible memory! Have you forgotten how you told me that Mo Jun went on a journey? Have you forgotten how you tricked me into leaving the capital? Have you forgotten how you and Jinxuan prevented me from meeting Jun?..." Aoxue said with an evil smile as she approached Zhengxuan step by step. Zhengxuan retreated while breaking out in a cold sweat. He only just remembered this incident. He was really contradicting himself!

Finally cornered, Ao Xue's wicked smile vanished, and she erupted like a volcano, yelling at Zheng Xuan, "Ouyang Zheng Xuan, you don't believe me? You doubt my feelings for you? You doubt that I'd cheat on you? Do I look like such a fickle person? Do I look like someone who would marry another person if they had someone else in their heart? Are you also doubting that the baby isn't your son? Huh! Tell me..."

Zhengxuan's ears were completely deafened by Aoxue's shout, but he couldn't cover them. If he did, it wouldn't just be his ears that would get hurt. But there was a pond behind him, and he had nowhere to retreat. It was so painful! Moreover, Aoxue didn't seem to let him off the hook. A barrage of questions came out of her mouth, leaving Zhengxuan no room to speak. In the end, she couldn't think of anything else to say, but she was still not satisfied. So she simply kicked Zhengxuan in the shin. Zhengxuan knew he couldn't dodge her little trick, so he could only take the kick head-on.

"Qing'er, calm down, calm down. I was wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you. Calm down, don't hurt yourself..." Zhengxuan endured the pain from Aoxue's kick to his leg, patted Aoxue's back which was heaving with anger, and smiled sincerely in a flattering manner.

"Get away!" Aoxue pushed Zhengxuan away without any appreciation. Whew, this venting made her feel much better. So, if you have anger in your heart, you should let it out. Don't hold it in, or you'll hurt yourself.

"Qing'er, can't I admit my mistake? I acted this way because I care about you too much and am afraid of losing you. Besides, Mo Jun is so outstanding that I lost confidence for a moment. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't even pay attention, but she's different. She's Mo Jun, the so-called idol you always praise, and..." Zheng Xuan said with a wronged expression. He didn't want this either. As a young emperor, he had always been in control of everything, but after falling in love with Qing'er, he was always filled with anxiety and insecurity. Finally, Qing'er became his wife and gave birth to a lovely little crown prince, but then Mo Jun appeared...

"And what?" Ao Xue glanced at Zheng Xuan and asked. Hearing Zheng Xuan's words, the last bit of anger in her heart disappeared. Hehe... If Jun really is a man, then indeed all the men in the world have to worry about their wives. Sigh, what can you do when the Ling family's children are just so outstanding! There's nothing that can be done about it, it's a matter of genes, a matter of genes! Haha... (self-indulgent)

"And...do you remember what you said when you were poisoned?" Zhengxuan asked hesitantly, afraid that Qing'er would be reminded of her painful memories again.

"What are you talking about? Is it related to this?" Ao Xue turned to Zheng Xuan, her face full of confusion. Why bring up the poisoning incident for no reason?

"You mentioned the name 'Jun' back then. You said, 'Jun said I would live a very, very long life, a hundred years old. Jun is amazing. Her divination is very accurate. No one has ever dared to question her words. So if she said I could live a long life, I would definitely live a hundred years old.' So I know that you have someone named 'Jun' in your heart. That's why I fell for Consort Meng's scheme so easily later, just because Nangong Jun is also named 'Jun'. So... Although I later learned that the 'Jun' did not refer to Nangong Jun, I still care a lot about this 'Jun'. Mo Jun is not only named 'Jun', but Jin Xuan said that she is not only exceptional in military strategy, but also unmatched in Qimen Bagua. So I am very sure that she is the 'Jun' you mentioned. I just didn't expect that she would be a..." Zheng Xuan's voice grew lower and lower as he spoke, occasionally checking Aoxue's reaction.

"I never imagined that Jun is a woman, and yet you've been inexplicably jealous for so long," Ao Xue continued, her eyes slightly red. It turned out that from that time on, Xiao Xuanzi had been jealous of 'Jun,' that he was so insecure about her, that he was always afraid she would one day leave him for 'Jun,' and yet she was still being unreasonable.

"Qing'er, don't cry! I was wrong, I shouldn't have brought this up again, I shouldn't have disbelieved you..." Zhengxuan panicked when he saw Aoxue's eyes redden, and hugged Aoxue in his arms, blaming himself repeatedly.

"Waaah... Xiao Xuanzi, I'm sorry. I didn't explain it to you clearly. I made you feel so insecure... Waaah... Xiao Xuanzi, I love you... I've only ever loved you. You're the first man I've ever loved, and the only one..." Ao Xue threw herself into Zheng Xuan's arms and finally couldn't hold back her tears. While crying, she loudly declared her love to Zheng Xuan.

"Silly Qing'er, I love you too. Although you are not the first person I have ever loved, you are the one I love the most, and the last one. You are my only one." Zheng Xuan hugged Ao Xue even tighter with emotion. Hearing Ao Xue say this, his heart was so happy! He gazed at the lovely girl in front of him with deep affection and said.

“Xiao Xuanzi…” Ao Xue looked back at Zheng Xuan with deep emotion.

How could anyone not be moved by such an adorable wife? Especially when she gazes at him with such affection, she's absolutely mesmerizing. I really want to kiss her! The moment Zhengxuan had this thought, he immediately put it into action, lowering his head to kiss her.

Ao Xue closed her eyes and stepped forward. Just as the two were about to share a passionate kiss, a very unromantic voice rang out, causing the two who were about to kiss to instinctively separate quickly.

"Xue, you're here!" Ao Jun called out weakly, completely unaware that she was interrupting a loving couple. Her mind was still on what Jin Xuan had just said and done.

"Uh? Jun, why are you the only one here? Where's Jinxuan?" Aoxue blushed so deeply it seemed like her face could bleed, and she lowered her head shyly as she asked softly. Oh no, Jun had actually seen them! She wondered if Jun would laugh at her. Even though she and Xiaoxuanzi were already husband and wife, being seen in the act by her best friend was still incredibly embarrassing.

Zhengxuan, seemingly unsatisfied, snorted and turned his head away: "I almost kissed him. This Mo Jun really doesn't know how to judge the timing. He appeared at such an inopportune time."

"Oh, he's still in his room." Ao Jun didn't laugh at her as Ao Xue had expected. Instead, he looked listless and exhausted.

Don't say she's emotionally clueless and has no idea what 'good thing' she just ruined. Even if she did know, given her current mood, she probably wouldn't have the energy to laugh at her! She's already messed up her own affairs!

"You guys..." Ao Xue finally realized that something was wrong with Ao Jun and asked worriedly. When had she ever seen the once confident Jun so dejected and powerless? Had Jin Xuan bullied her?

"It's alright, Xue. Can I stay in the palace with you?" Ao Xue took a deep breath and said calmly. She really couldn't face Jin Xuan anymore. She had to leave, but it seemed she had nowhere else to go besides the Prince Jin's residence, except for the palace. But she had heard that not just anyone could enter the palace, so she still had to ask Xue.

"Great!" Ao Xue happily took Ao Jun's hand and exclaimed loudly. She wasn't angry at Zheng Xuan, but rather she had this plan after seeing Ao Jun. She could finally live with Jun again. Hooray!

"Qing'er, officials are not allowed to reside in the inner palace, and besides, you were all there in front of the entire court today... uh, well, it might not be appropriate to accept Mo Jun's attack now," Zheng Xuan immediately objected. He was joking, of course. Although Mo Jun was a woman, if she really entered the palace, given how close Qing'er and she were, the two would definitely be inseparable, leaving him truly alone, spending every night in an empty room. He didn't want that! Moreover, her current status was that of the Crown Prince's tutor. A short stay in the palace was fine, but if she stayed long-term, there would definitely be bad rumors, especially since the two of them had just embraced in public.

"That's right, Jun. Are you not comfortable staying at Jinxuan's place? Is he bullying you?" Aoxue looked Ao Jun up and down. Wasn't everything fine just now? Why does she suddenly want to move out of the Jin Prince's residence? Her lips? Could it be... Hehe... Really, knowing Jun is shy, why is Jinxuan in such a hurry? Now I have to come here trying to find a way to keep Jun here. And Xiao Xuanzi, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Aoxue glanced at Zheng Xuan, thinking to herself: But then again, no matter what, she is now the mother of the nation, and has responsibilities to the people of Longxuan. She can no longer be as reckless as before.

"No, it's just that it's not good to bother Jinxuan here for too long. Since I can't stay in the palace, I'll stay in a hotel. Xue, can you help me arrange it?" Aojun turned her face away and said calmly. Xue's scrutinizing gaze made her feel as if she could see right through her. She didn't know how to tell Xue.

"Huh? Are you really moving out? Don't you need to tell Jinxuan?" Aoxue was still making a final effort for Jinxuan, but she was extremely anxious. Where did that damned Jinxuan run off to? The Prince is leaving the Jinwang Mansion, do you even know that? You're actually acting like a coward at this crucial moment. Show yourself right now!

"Mm." Ao Jun simply nodded slightly.

"I understand." Aoxue lowered her hands, pouting dejectedly. This nod told Aoxue that she was truly determined to leave. Once Xianglaijun made a decision, no one could change it, not even her.

"Then take me to the hotel! You're more familiar with this place." Ao Jun said calmly, then turned to leave. All she wanted to do was escape from here as quickly as possible. She was afraid that if Jin Xuan chased after her, she wouldn't be able to control herself and would agree to his request.

"Huh? Wait a minute..." Ao Xue called out to Ao Jun, who was about to leave. She had felt something was off earlier, and now she realized what it was. Seeing Jun stop and turn around to look at her in confusion, she asked curiously, "Even after leaving the Prince Jin's residence, you don't need to stay at a hotel! No, I should say an inn. You don't need to stay at an inn! You can stay at the Crown Prince's tutor's residence!"

"The Crown Prince's Grand Tutor's residence? I don't know the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor!" Ao Jun frowned, puzzled. What Crown Prince's Grand Tutor? What did it have to do with her? Who was this Crown Prince's Grand Tutor? She didn't know him, how could she possibly stay at his house?

"Huh?" Ao Xue was completely stunned. What was going on? Was Jun crazy? How could someone not recognize her?

"Haha..." Zhengxuan couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into laughter. This Mo Jun is really too cute, haha... Looking at her confused appearance, it's unbelievable that she's a strategist who plans and strategizes on the battlefield, haha...

"What's wrong!" Ao Jun was even more confused. What's wrong with these two? Xue suddenly looked silly, and seemed to be holding back something, while her brother-in-law was even more exaggerated, laughing so hard he was almost rolling on the ground.

"Ahem! No, my lord, you don't know that on the very day you returned to the capital in triumph, the Emperor had already appointed you 'The Greatest Military Advisor in the Land' and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and bestowed upon you a mansion for the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, do you?" Ao Xue coughed lightly, suppressing a laugh as she asked. This was the only possibility she could think of.

"I don't know." Ao Jun's brows furrowed even deeper as she spoke the truth. So she was the Crown Prince's tutor! No wonder they were laughing so strangely. But why didn't Jin Xuan tell me this? If she had known she owned a Crown Prince's tutor's residence, she would have moved out of the Jin Prince's mansion long ago to avoid Jin Xuan. Did he already know I would do this, and that's why he deliberately concealed it? Jin Xuan, how many other things have you done to keep me here that I don't know?

"Oh! Well, Jinxuan probably forgot to tell you. It's alright, Xiaoxuan and I will take you to see your house now. I picked it out myself, it's big and beautiful, you'll definitely like it." Seeing Aojun frown, Aoxue assumed she was angry with Jinxuan and immediately defended him, happily taking Aojun's hand again, showing off. So Jinxuan really didn't tell Jun about this!