Третий брак

Глава 14

Why don't you ask who sent me to find you?

“Old friends… I, Li Shishi, have no old friends. If they were former acquaintances, those days are like smoke and clouds, so why bother with them? Besides… did you send a child like you here because you thought I couldn’t do anything to you? You’d better leave quickly, or I’ll call the guards in, and they won’t care if you’re a child or not.”

Qin Zhen chuckled. So Li Shishi had sent her there because she was a "patron"? Had she been harassed like this before? She shook her head and sighed, then took a step forward and stretched out her right hand, displaying the colorful beads in front of Li Shishi.

Do you still recognize this?

The colors of the beads had faded, but under the candlelight, they were still dazzling to Li Shishi. She slowly reached out and picked up the beads, her jade-like hands trembling.

"Master...did the master send you?"

Qin Zhen nodded and said, "I am his lay disciple, Qin Zhen. He knew I was coming to Bianjing, so he asked me to come and visit you."

A faint smile appeared on Li Shishi's face, seemingly magical and ethereal. Although she was smiling, Qin Zhen felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow.

"I am now too ashamed to face the master again... If she knew that I had fallen into prostitution and was living such a wretched life, she would probably be very disappointed."

“You have your own way of life, and we have no right to tell you what to do. Your master will not be disappointed in you because of your status. But... if you plunge the people into misery for your own personal revenge, not only your master, but even I will not let you off easily!”

Li Shishi was stunned by Qin Zhen's aura. As expected, a great teacher produces a great student. She smiled and said, "So you knew."

Qin Zhen gave her a deep look. Li Shishi's face was covered by years of accumulated hatred. She said, "Who can see the suffering of the people when they are in a high position? When he was still Prince Duan, did he ever think that just because he stained a piece of his clothes, several people would die because of him? A few lives are not worth a piece of clothing. Don't you think that's ridiculous?"

Sigh, Qin Zhen was speechless. She felt sorry for Li Shishi's plight. Her father was the owner of that dye shop, and she lost her family because of that dress. When Zhao Ji was angry at the time, he probably really didn't expect it.

Li Shishi then said, "After years of enduring humiliation and hardship, I finally have the opportunity to get close to him. Why should I give up such a great opportunity for revenge? Even if he is a master, I cannot!"

Despite her sympathy, Qin Zhen remained rational. She advised, "If he were still the Prince of Duan, I wouldn't stop you from killing or dismembering him. But he is now the emperor of a country. No matter how incompetent he is, as long as he holds that position, he will influence millions of people across the country. If he dies suddenly, do you think the people will still have a good life?"

Li Shishi did not understand Qin Zhen's meaning. She said, "The Crown Prince has already moved into the Eastern Palace. Now that the world is at peace, killing a tyrannical ruler will only bring benefits to the people!"

"Is the world at peace? The court is filled with treacherous officials, making the Crown Prince's position unstable. Our army is currently engaged in a fierce battle with the Western Xia in the west, and the Jin and Liao kingdoms have begun a bloody struggle. Within a few years, the flames of war will invade Song territory. These things are not nonexistent; you just haven't seen them. But fortunately... fortunately, there are still a few years to prepare. Perhaps all the suffering can be avoided. But if you rashly kill him now, the storm will only come sooner. Are you really such a heartless person to plunge the people into misery for your own personal hatred?"

Qin Zhen's forceful words stunned Li Shishi, forcing her to reconsider her revenge. After a long silence, she asked, "Can't I avenge my blood feud? Must I just stand by and watch this tyrannical emperor enjoy himself on his high throne?"

"It's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet. Wait a few years, and after I've helped the Crown Prince cleanse the court and consolidate his position, I will definitely make you avenge your enemies!"

A hint of doubt flickered in Li Shishi's eyes as she asked uncertainly, "Can I trust you?"

"I swear to you on the honor of my master!" Qin Zhen said firmly.

Li Shishi trembled. She sensed Qin Zhen's sincerity and said, "No need... The dignity of a master is too heavy... I can't bear this oath. I just believe in you."

Qin Zhen smiled brightly and said happily, "That's great!" Then, somewhat embarrassed, she added, "I'd like to ask you for a favor..."

Li Shishi showed no surprise or impatience, simply waiting for Qin Zhen to speak.

"It's Wang Fu who came here with Zhao Ji today. Not only did he assist the Prince of Yun in threatening the Crown Prince, but now he's even bullying my family. I originally planned to deal with him later, but now I have to deal with him first. So I hope you can help me sow discord between them in front of Zhao Ji."

"What's so difficult about that?" Li Shishi smiled confidently. "Tell me, helping you with this will also benefit my revenge. It's just a matter of saying a few words, so of course I'll help you."

"Thank you!" Qin Zhen sincerely expressed his gratitude, exchanged a smile with Li Shishi, and then talked late into the night by candlelight, planning out the matter one by one.

By the time Qin Zhen was about to return to the palace, it was past midnight. She leaped over the wall and disappeared into the streets and alleys outside Nonghua Ting. Watching her disappearing figure, Li Shishi murmured to herself: Master... you are determined to save the country and its people, is she your hope?

After a long and arduous night, Qin Zhen finally returned to the palace and tiptoed to her room. The autumn dew was quite cold, and she suddenly longed for her not-so-soft bed; she needed to get some sleep as soon as possible.

The palace was quiet; even the eunuchs on night watch were asleep, wrapped in thick cotton coats. She pushed open the door and let out a heavy sigh of relief—finally, she could sleep.

"You're back?"

A voice suddenly rang out in the pitch-black room, startling Qin Zhen so much that she bumped into the door. When she realized that the voice belonged to Zhao Gou, she calmed down and said, "You scared me to death! What are you doing here?"

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One day, Xiaomei and her boyfriend went for a drive.

The car was almost out of gas, and there happened to be a gas station nearby. As they drove over, a sudden gust of wind blew her boyfriend's hat away.

Xiaomei's boyfriend said to her:

"I'm going to pick up my hat, cheer me on!"

Her boyfriend hadn't run far when he heard Xiaomei shout behind him:

"Go! Go!"

Volume 1: Fate Destined 027 Little Cuju Master

Zhao Gou sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Qin Zhen's dark figure, and asked, "Where did you go? Why are you so late?"

"I asked you first, and you haven't answered yet. Why are you in my room instead of sleeping properly?" Qin Zhen walked to the bedside and sat down next to him.

It's because I'm worried about you...

Of course, Zhao Gou did not reveal his true thoughts. Seeing that she did not answer his question, he said coldly, "Perhaps you have forgotten. Let me tell you again: those in the palace must abide by the rules. Do you want me to tell you what kind of punishment palace maids will receive for leaving the palace without permission?"

"Hey, you..." Using rules to intimidate people?

Qin Zhen glared at Zhao Gou's retreating figure with displeasure. What was she supposed to say? Was she to tell him that his father went to a brothel, the prostitute tried to kill him, and she went to save him? Or was she to tell him that her mother had been a dancer, and that her family was on the verge of collapse because of his father's actions, and she went to find a way to save it?

She doesn't want to talk about it!

The two faced off in silence for a while. Zhao Gou was very disappointed. He could sense that something must have happened to Qin Zhen, but why didn't she tell him? And why was she going to such a bad place?

Zhao Gou sighed inwardly, then left silently without turning back or saying another word.

What...what does he mean by that? This is so awkward!

Qin Zhen plopped down on the bed, mentally berating Zhao Gou several times before gradually feeling sleepy. "Never mind, I'll deal with it tomorrow." She lay down on the bed, and... oh... so warm, is this... Zhao Gou's body temperature?

Qin Zhen slept until the sun was high in the sky. When she got up, Zhao Gou was no longer in the palace. She found Qinglan and asked, "Sister Qinglan, where is His Highness?"

Qin Zhen still looked sleepy, and Qinglan couldn't help but scold her, "You're becoming more and more unruly. Why are you sleeping so late? His Highness went to the archery range early this morning."

"Didn't the Grand Tutor stop teaching him? Why is he still going?" Qinglan liked to nag, and Qin Zhen was used to ignoring the first part of her sentence and only listening to the important part.

Qinglan replied, "Your Highness is diligent, as you know. Zhao Yong is with you, saying he wants to practice horseback riding and archery."

Hmm... This kid really knows how to challenge himself. He's only been practicing for a short time, and he can barely hit the bullseye while standing still. Now he wants to shoot arrows on horseback?

Recalling what happened last night, Qin Zhen felt that Zhao Gou seemed angry with her. Why was he angry? Was it because she hadn't reported her whereabouts to him? His controlling nature was getting stronger and stronger.

Qin Zhen realized some things, but overlooked some more important ones. Because she was Qin Zhen, Zhao Gou indulged her, but it was also because she was Qin Zhen that Zhao Gou cared so much about her. Some small grudges, kept in one's heart, will only grow bigger and bigger.

Of course, Qin Zhen did not realize how much Zhao Gou cared about her. She thought that as long as she did what she was supposed to do and paved the way for them, everything would be fine.

She walked through the long corridor, circled half of the Forbidden City, and arrived at the archery range, only to find it quiet. She saw neither Zhao Gou nor Zhao Yong.

She glanced around and walked over to the guard beside her, asking, "Brother Guard, did His Highness the Ninth Prince come to practice archery today?"

The guard replied, "The Ninth Prince arrived early this morning and is currently playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with Grand Commandant Gao at the back field."

Cuju (蹴鞠)?

Qin Zhen's eyes lit up and she perked up. "Hmph, so he went to play."

She ran briskly towards the Cuju field, darting through the gate in a few steps. As soon as she entered, she saw dust billowing everywhere, the solid yellow earth surface kicked up by the rushing and fighting people. In the chaotic center of the field, many figures were mixed together, and bursts of noise could be heard from time to time; it was truly a scene of chaos.

She walked closer and immediately spotted Zhao Gou nimbly weaving through the crowd, his feet barely touching the ground as he sprinted towards the goal with the cuju ball. Zhao Yong followed closely behind. Zhao Gou then used his toes to flick the cuju ball high into the air in front of the goal, and with the help of Zhao Yong's thigh, he pushed off lightly and leaped into the air as well.

A bicycle kick, and it's in! Great shot!

Zhao Gou landed gracefully with a somersault, and the football passed through the goalposts and landed on the ground at the same time.

"Great shot! Great shot! That was awesome!"

Qin Zhen couldn't help but clap and cheer, her giggles carrying through the dust and drowning out the voices of others, reaching Zhao Gou's ears. Zhao Gou wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the jubilant Qin Zhen, a haughty smile playing on his lips.

By the time Qin Zhen realized how improper her cheering was, it was too late. Everyone in the room was staring at her silently, their strange looks making her extremely uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Zhao Gou stepped forward at this moment, cupped his fists to the opposite side of the field, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Grand Commandant Gao. Let's call it a day. I should be leaving now."

A broad-shouldered, slightly overweight man walked toward Zhao Gou. His face showed that he was getting on in years, but he was very robust.

He laughed and said, "Truly, 'the younger generation surpasses the older.' Your Highness's ball skills are superb, and I admire you greatly. There is no need for me to flatter you!"

"You flatter me. Everyone knows that Grand Commandant Gao is a master footballer, renowned throughout the land. How could I possibly compare?"

It turned out that this person was Gao Qiu... Qin Zhen was somewhat surprised, never expecting such a meeting.

Gao Qiu waved his hand and said, "I'm old, I'm old, how can I compare to young people? To be honest, I have a favor to ask, and I hope Your Highness will grant it."

Zhao Gou originally intended to leave, but Gao Qiu kept making demands, so he couldn't leave rashly. After all, Gao Qiu controlled the entire Imperial Guard, which he couldn't afford to ignore.

He could only force a smile and say, "Grand Commandant Gao, please speak freely."

"Your Highness is surely aware that in a few days, envoys from Dali, Western Xia, and Goryeo will arrive in Tokyo (another name for Bianjing) to pay tribute. They will be playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football) with our dynasty at the end of the month. I have been worried about this matter these past few days. The competition is related to the face of our country, but none of my subordinates... have shown any talent. I have just witnessed Your Highness's skill and earnestly request that Your Highness participate in the competition to bring glory to our dynasty!"

Volume 1: Destiny Bound by Fate 028 - Never Abandoning His Wife Who Shared Hardship

The third update? Yes, this is the legendary third update.

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Zhao Gou was somewhat surprised, and the imperial guards under Gao Qiu were somewhat dismayed. However, they had just been defeated by a child who was not even ten years old, which was a living fact, and no one dared to say anything.