This is why Ling Qingwan asked Ling Xiao last time if the annual banquet could be held at the General's Mansion. She and Ling Xiao were fine, as they could visit the General's Mansion every few days. Ling Shen had not returned to her own home for a long time since she married into the Marquis' Mansion.
Maybe she was too tired after working so hard during the day, or maybe the food at home was more delicious, Ling Qingwan was very satisfied with the meal. Shen Chengzhou had something to do and went to the study, so Ling Xiao was with her here. Ling Xiao didn't say anything, just watched Ling Qingwan eat quietly.
"Slow down, don't choke." Ling Xiao poured a cup of tea and handed it to Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan raised her head and drank it all in one gulp.
"We must have scared Wanwan today." Ling Xiao's tone was gentle, as if he was afraid of disturbing Ling Qingwan again.
"It's not bad, I have the Seventh Prince to accompany me." Ling Qingwan didn't care, and smiled off the ordeal she had endured today. "But, what is the origin of that Zhou Peng? Why does he want to harm me and the prince?"
Ling Qingwan did not tell Ling Xiao that those people wanted her life in the first place. Including Zhou Peng, before arriving at the cabin, he had no idea that Wei Xun was also captured.
From inside the city to outside the city, Zhou Peng only wanted to kill Ling Qingwan from beginning to end.
"Zhou Peng is a general under the prince, ranking after me, but he is not a small official, and he still has some real power." Ling Xiao talked about this matter with Ling Qingwan slowly. "In the past few years, the prince found that Zhou Peng's power was getting stronger and stronger. He recruited civilians several times and recruited many wild bandits into the army. The prince didn't say it openly, but he was on guard in his heart. It was not until more than two months ago when he returned to the court that Zhou Peng completely rebelled and escaped from the army, taking some of his power with him."
"Since he had noticed it a few years ago, why didn't he restrain Zhou Peng then?" Ling Qingwan was puzzled.
"When Zhou Peng joined the army in his early years, he was very good at dealing with people, and he always had a good reputation in the prince's army. The army has had the habit of accepting wild bandits since ancient times. If he says that those wild bandits have turned over a new leaf and want to contribute to defending the country, you can't say he is wrong. If it gets out, it will damage the prince's reputation. We have left the capital, and no matter who the prince is, we have to deal with the people on weekdays. The people's hearts are of vital importance to the prince."
"So Zhou Peng does everything perfectly, relying on the fact that the prince can't do anything to him, he secretly expands his power and wants to pull the prince down and take over himself?" Ling Qingwan vaguely understood the general idea.
"Almost, but Zhou Peng's ambitions extend beyond the position of prince. Or in other words, the people behind him are not really coveting the military power in the hands of the prince." Ling Xiao told Ling Qingwan.
Could it be that Zhou Peng was planning to usurp the throne and become the emperor? Ling Qingwan was shocked. She couldn't help but think of Ling Feng and Ye Yun.
"You don't have to know these things. Just remember that no matter what happens, your brother will protect you well and keep you safe, so that you will live a worry-free life." Realizing that he had said too much, Ling Xiao stopped there and solemnly promised Ling Qingwan.
Ling Qingwan felt warmed in the heart, nodded obediently, and continued to eat.
But she kept thinking in her heart why she always felt that what happened today was strange, but she couldn't tell what was strange. It was not until she returned to her room and heard the maids talking about her good fortune that Ling Qingwan suddenly realized.
Yes! How could I only get a few minor injuries after falling from such a high cliff? No matter how powerful Wei Xun is, he is still a human being. If Ling Qingwan was fine because Wei Xun protected her, then what about Wei Xun? Why did he escape this disaster
Ling Qingwan was worried about Wei Xun, and because of her anxiety, she always felt that Wei Xun was seriously injured. However, she never thought that falling from a cliff should have shattered his body, but in the end, the most serious injuries on Wei Xun's body were only his two arms.
The more she thought about it, the more strange it seemed. Ling Qingwan was full of questions. This was the first time she wanted to meet Wei Xun so urgently.
Shen Chengzhou said that Wei Xun and Ling Xiao had captured the rebels and made great contributions. The emperor was very happy and immediately rewarded them with 10,000 taels of jewels and promoted them to higher positions. Wei Xun, in particular, was extremely popular in the court.
Shen Chengzhou loved to drink good wine. Wei Xun picked out two jars of Tianshan Snow from a pile of rare treasures bestowed by the emperor and brought them all the way to the general's mansion.
The two of them set up a table in the hall and chatted about government and military affairs. Before they knew it, Shen Chengzhou and Wei Xun were both a little drunk.
"The Seventh Prince is brave and good at fighting. He is truly a rare talent among men. He is the hope of our Great Yue Kingdom!" Shen Chengzhou laughed loudly towards the sky.
"General Shen, you are too kind. I am not half as charming as you were when you were young. All these years, I have to thank you. Please rest assured to hand over your grandson to me and let him accompany me to pacify the Japanese pirates and fight in all directions." Wei Xun rested one hand on the table and drank another glass as he spoke.
"I just want to train Xiao'er to be a military general, but old Lingfeng is too stupid, so I have to keep him by my side since he was a child. Xiao'er has learned a lot from working under you." After drinking some wine, Shen Chengzhou talked more than usual.
Wei Xun was half drunk and half awake. He waved his hands repeatedly as he listened to Shen Chengzhou praising him.
"Wanwan will have to be taken care of by you in the future." Shen Chengzhou suddenly said. "She is my precious granddaughter, whom I cherish dearly. When she goes to the palace in the future, you must not let her suffer any grievances."
Wei Xun was stunned.
It was unknown whether Shen Chengzhou's words were intentional or not, but at least it showed that he agreed to the marriage between Wei Xun and Ling Qingwan. Wei Xun was overjoyed, and in excitement, he toasted Shen Chengzhou with a few more glasses of wine, and directly drank Shen Chengzhou down on the table.
Wei Xun, still a little drunk, went to the backyard. This time he walked in through the front door.
At that time, Ling Qingwan was sitting on a stone bench, staring blankly at a green chrysanthemum opposite her.
When the maids saw Wei Xun coming, they were about to remind Ling Qingwan, but he called them away. Only he and Ling Qingwan were left in the courtyard. Wei Xun brushed away the remaining snow on the stool with his hand and sat down next to Ling Qingwan.
Just when she wanted to meet Wei Xun, Wei Xun came.
Ling Qingwan turned around and met Wei Xun's eyes. There was a slight glint in her eyes, as if she had something to say, but she turned away coldly.
"I haven't come to see you these past two days, are you mad at me?" Even though Wei Xun was dumb, he could tell that Ling Qingwan was in an unusual mood. He reached out to rub Ling Qingwan's head, but Ling Qingwan dodged without hesitation, and Wei Xun's swipe was in vain.
"Your Highness is busy conferring titles and honors, and is revered by all the civil and military officials in the court. How can he have time to come visit me?" Ling Qingwan spoke sarcastically, without a trace of emotion in her words.
Wei Xun frowned slightly.
"Are you wondering if I know what you're thinking?" Ling Qingwan sneered with the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
"Ling Xiao told you that?" Wei Xun looked a little flustered.
"This matter has nothing to do with my brother. I only need to understand the general idea of what you did, and I can figure out the mystery from it." Ling Qingwan felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She almost cried in front of Wei Xun.
Ling Qingwan hated being deceived the most in her life. In her previous life, she was deceived by Song Zhiqing and Ling Chuchu all her life.
"It's not what you think." Wei Xun retorted hurriedly.