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With a trace of sadness, he looked at the sunset outside the window and asked half-jokingly, "Jinghong, if one day you can only choose one between your wife and the world, which one would you choose?"
“Both.”
"What if you can only have one?"
"Oh, can't we have both of these two completely different things?"
"Um."
"Then the world."
Shangguan Jinghong said this with a smile, but suddenly he kissed her hard.
Qiaochu responded to him immediately.
Well, that's good.
Shangguan Jinghong let go of her in some surprise, looking at her with deep eyes. She doesn't mind
At this moment, he suddenly hated her heart. He couldn't see what she was thinking.
…
A few days later, Shangguan Jinghong came back from court and brought back a message: there would be another grand banquet in the palace soon. This banquet was of great significance.
It is said that the King of Western Xia was ill and did not attend the wedding of his most beloved youngest daughter, Princess Yinping. This time he came to see Yinping and returned home with Chunfeng Caining.
It is said that the King of Western Xia will bring his two most beloved concubines here. Both women are stunningly beautiful. Emperor Rongrui is unwilling to be outdone, so these days he has been selecting stunning beauties from the government and the public to add color to the palace's music hall, determined to suppress Western Xia.
But there was another new thing in the palace: no one could identify those so-called strange objects from heaven, not even the knowledgeable Si Tianjian.
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The emperor attached great importance to these items and ordered the Imperial Observatory to study and analyze them. In order to satisfy her curiosity, Shangguan Jinghong went to the Imperial Observatory, which was responsible for the safekeeping of these items. The description she gave was not far from what the four great masters said.
However, what made Qiaochu even more curious was that the knowledgeable Shangguan Jinghong did not recognize these things.
Shangguan Jinghong has been very busy these days, traveling around the palace and the three ministries every day, and returning home mostly at night. She felt embarrassed to add to his trouble, although she really wanted him to draw it carefully so that she could study it, she didn't know whether it was an occupational disease or a pregnancy-related disease.
Instead, the days passed by ordinary, just like a play or a book without ups and downs, the bustle ended, the excitement faded, and the audience dispersed, but she was very happy.
The only excitement was listening to palace gossip. It was said that the palace had never found a suitable beauty.
The emperor angrily told the Ministry of Internal Affairs that the person selected must be at least as beautiful as the Crown Princess. Unfortunately, the woman selected was beautiful, but not beautiful enough to captivate the whole city.
The emperor thought of a way to invite Qiao Zhenning and his family to Chaoge to attend the palace banquet, saying that they had not seen each other for a long time and since it was a big occasion, he invited his beloved ministers, but in fact he wanted to use this opportunity to get Qiao Rong to come.
Qiaorong is also extremely beautiful. This way, at least it will be no less beautiful than Xixia.
At that time, everyone was having a small gathering outside the bamboo house, and they were all laughing uncontrollably when they heard what Shangguan Jinghong and Prince Ning said.
The four shouted that if she took the antidote to Jueyan Pill, Dongling would have three beauties.
When everyone heard this, they all clapped their hands in silence and said it was a good idea.
Everyone already knew that she had taken the Jueyan Pill, and Shangguan Jinghong had already made the antidote.
Shangguan Jinghong said no.
In fact, they had reached a consensus on this matter after she came back. Shangguan Jinghong asked her to keep the Jueyan Pill and use it after he succeeded. She didn't understand his thoughts at first, but later, after knowing that the emperor had learned about the night search of the prince's mansion, she realized that her beauty would only make the emperor more murderous.
And after everyone left that night, Shangguan Jinghong said to her, Qiaochu, don't take the Jueyan Pill until there is no need to retreat, or perhaps when there is no longer any way out.
She promised him.
It turned out that although he was usually decisive and confident in front of everyone, he was actually full of concerns inside, but he just didn't say it out loud.
He had considered the consequences of eventual failure.
…
The days passed by normally.
But that's enough.
She carefully guarded this plain beauty. For example, she didn't bring more people from the Rui Palace to the Ministry of Justice for fear of being criticized for his ostentation; for example, on the day she came back from the Ministry of Justice, she took the beauty to meet Qingling at night to protect herself.
They agreed to meet in the woods. It was dark, but the anger was still visible on Qingling's face. I asked, "What did you say to him?" He said that he was waiting for you to tell him about Qin Ge, and he didn't believe anything I said.
So, she knew that Shangguan Jinghong had already looked for Qingling tonight, and she also understood Shangguan Jinghong's attitude.
So he didn't say anything else to Qingling.
Originally, consulting Qingling was the most difficult method. Later, in the Ministry of Justice, she finally suggested to Shangguan Jinghong that she should tell him.
Unexpectedly, Shangguan Jinghong agreed and did it.
Before leaving, the beauty said vigilantly that there were still people in the forest.
She guessed that person was probably Zong Pu.
But no matter who it is, as long as she trusts and loves Shangguan Jinghong, they will be able to continue well together, and when her life ends, it will be a happy ending.
…
Qiaochu thought calmly, picked up the stool and gauze lantern beside him and walked out.
It was already late, and the four great men and the beauty had already been asked to go back and rest.
Several maids on night watch bowed to her, and she nodded in response. She put down the stool, and with the help of two maids, she personally hung the gauze lantern on a hook on the side of the door lintel.
Just like she had asked Jingping to leave a light on before, she did so every night now, wanting to tell him that no matter how late he came back, she would be waiting for him.
She understood his hard work, and this seemingly useless action was what she could do for him.
At this time, she was about to go back to her room, but saw him leading Jingping and others in from the courtyard gate.
Shangguan Jinghong suddenly stopped when he saw her, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he said in a low voice: "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
I was thinking about some things late tonight, and I would have rested long ago. She stuck out her tongue and noticed that there seemed to be a hint of annoyance in his tone. Did something happen in the palace today? Lao Tie and his friends came to greet her, but she noticed that their faces didn't look very good either, and they were very solemn. However, he squinted his eyes and looked at the gauze lantern outside the door, and his eyes immediately became softer.
"Don't come over. I drank some wine with the officials from the three ministries today. The smell of alcohol is strong. You can't stand the smell. Go back to your room and wait for me."
She was about to go forward, but Shangguan Jinghong stopped her sternly.
Although his tone was not very good, she nodded and went back to her room.
After lying in bed for a while, thinking about him, she got out of bed and went to the study.
Jing Ping and others had gone back to rest, and only two male servants were waiting outside the study door.
The servant saw her and was about to bow, but she smiled and made a gesture to keep quiet, then gently pushed the door open and went in. There was a cloud of smoke behind the screen in the room, and he was afraid of disturbing her, so he really took a bath here.
His outer robe was scattered on the ground in a mess. She picked it up casually, and a faint fragrance suddenly entered her nose.
That was the scent of a woman's powder...
She was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized that he had probably gone to a brothel with an official tonight to drink. No wonder he had just...
She shook her head and smiled. She believed him. She gently put the clothes back on the ground, feeling a little strange.
He had sharp ears and eyes, so even though she came in on tiptoe, he would definitely notice it.
She frowned and walked behind the screen, only to see Shangguan Jinghong leaning his head on a wooden barrel, breathing lightly, and already fast asleep.
Her heart ached and she sighed, picked up the handkerchief that was draped over the bucket, changed her mind, and went out, whispering a few words to the two servants.
367
Unlike the past, tonight when Shangguan Jinghong climbed up to the bed and hugged her gently, she was awake.
"Chu'er, I'll go and bring Lang Linling back home in a few days."
Since Lang Linling came back from the Ministry of Justice that day, she went back to the Lang family. Qingling has been very quiet these days and hardly leaves the house.
She said "OK", thought for a moment, and added, "Jinghong, just do what you think is right. You don't have to explain to me. I trust you."
Shangguan Jinghong didn't say anything, but just hugged her tightly.
...Lang...
She hoped that Shangguan Jinghong and the officials went to the brothel to drink just for socializing, not because something happened to him. She didn't ask because she was afraid that he would worry about her worries.
But it seemed that she was indeed overly cautious, because no news came out of the palace.
Shangguan Jinghong was fine, but she was sick.
It was a little chilly in the late summer nights in Dongling. She went in and out of the study last night without putting on more clothes. She had a fever soon after getting up the next day. Maybe she was worried.
Shangguan Jinghong was extremely distressed. As soon as he received the report from the palace, he didn't bother to go to any other department and went home after the court session.
Although the accompanying secret guard had diagnosed her and prescribed medicine for her last time, Shangguan Jinghong came back and gave her a few more solid injections, brought a pile of official documents to the bed and read them, staring at her as she slept.
She had been sleeping a lot during the day these days, and she slept for another day while she was sick.
At night, she couldn't sleep, so she rested her head on Shangguan Jinghong's lap and watched him read official documents.
The woman tossed and turned on his lap. Shangguan Jinghong was distracted. He had been busy these days and she was sleeping soundly when he came home. He could not bear to wake her up, and they had never had a good intimate relationship. He endured and read a few more documents. Finally, he cursed under his breath, pushed the document away, and hugged her to be intimate with her.
Of course, she was still sick, so he didn't dare to do anything to her. He just kissed and touched her to satisfy his itch.
Qiaochu was hiding with a smile on his face, and Laotie was asking to see him at the door.
Shangguan Jinghong covered her tightly with a quilt, pulled down the curtains, and then walked to the door.
He quickly turned back, frowning, as if he was worried about something.
"What's wrong?" Qiaochu was a little worried and went to pull his hand.
Shangguan Jinghong touched her head and said, "I have to go out for an appointment."
"Go." Although the two were together, they were rarely together these days. Qiaochu couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but he said with a smile.
"You are ill."
"Master, you gave me an injection and some medicine, and I'm almost healed. When did you lose confidence in your medical skills? Huh?"
"No..." Shangguan Jinghong hesitated for a moment, "Well, I'll take you with me."
scare?!
…
Looking at the beautiful scenery in front of her, Qiao Chu would rather Shangguan Jinghong had not taken her with him.
Tianxiang Pavilion I see Tianxiang Pavilion again.
He didn't expect that the appointment he was going to attend was in this place—
But she understood how he felt.
She always knew that her illness made it unsuitable for her to have children, as the child might be disabled and her heart would be burdened with too much pressure. But if she really got pregnant, she would not be willing to give up. As a doctor, Shangguan Jinghong knew this even better, but he always took her feelings into consideration and believed that a child would make her want to live even more strongly, so he let her stay.
Now, he gets extremely nervous whenever she has the slightest illness.
…
The madam comes to greet me personally, it is different now than before.
Although she already knew who she was going to meet, she was still a little nervous when the door opened.
The beautiful woman's eyes were filled with a bright smile as she looked at Shangguan Jinghong beside her, "You're here."
This woman is Cai Ning.
Fortunately, Shangguan Jinghong remade her into a servant, so Cai Ning didn't recognize her. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing. After all, Cai Ning had had feelings for Shangguan Jinghong. She was a light bulb.
And this invitation seems to have some meaning.
Because Chunfeng was not there, and Caining did not bring any maid with her.
"Prince Rui, how about we talk alone?"
After sitting down, Cai Ning glanced at her.
Shangguan Jinghong smiled, picked up his sleeve, and personally stood up to pour wine for Cai Ning, "It's okay, this is my confidant."
Cai Ning was undoubtedly unhappy, with a hint of gloom in her eyes. Qiao Chu was nervous, amused, but helpless—it was not her own idea to come here, she still had to stand. However, she was also really curious about Cai Ning's purpose in looking for Shangguan Jinghong.
"If Cai Ning has done anything rash and offended anyone in Tianxiang Pavilion before, I hope King Rui will forgive her."
She had long felt that this woman was no ordinary person, and Cai Ning did not disappoint her. They were originally sitting opposite each other, but Cai Ning moved to the seat next to Shangguan Jinghong. With her red lips sparkling and a hint of coquettishness, she slowly approached Shangguan Jinghong and completely ignored her.
Qiaochu complained in his heart and continued to watch the show.
Shangguan Jinghong did not avoid it either. Her hands were placed neatly without any movement. She simply said, "Princess, your words are too serious."
Cai Ning sighed slightly, narrowed her eyes and stared at Shangguan Jinghong for a long time, then suddenly laughed softly, "Cai Ning has been with my brother, the King of Xixia, since she was a child. I think I have seen a lot of people, but I just can't judge you."
"If you say you have no ambition to seize the throne, I absolutely do not believe it. Only people who have not seen you on the battlefield would think so. With that kind of look, you must be determined to stand at the top—"
"Princess, just speak frankly."
Shangguan Jinghong had been looking at the liquid in the cup indifferently, but now he slowly raised his head and stared at Cai Ning.
Cai Ning frowned under his sharp gaze, raised her head and drank the wine, then put the cup heavily on the table and said through gritted teeth, "The children of Xixia grew up in the desert, and they can't learn to be shy like the women of Dongling. Cai Ning dared to show her affection to King Rui in front of hundreds of people several times, so there is no need to avoid suspicion now. Does King Rui really not know or is he pretending not to know? Our marriage will benefit you in every way. King Rui has rejected her intentionally or unintentionally several times. What are you thinking about? You might as well name your price."
After she finished speaking, she raised her eyebrows and looked at Shangguan Jinghong. Although her cheeks were flushed, the words "I'll give you your price" showed the style of a woman superior. If it weren't for the fact that the person she was interested in was Shangguan Jinghong, Qiaochu would definitely say yes. But she didn't know how Shangguan Jinghong would answer -
368
"I will always be grateful for Princess' kindness. I will always remember that. If Princess needs me for any purpose in the future, I will do my best to help her to the best of my ability."
"My wife is ill, so we will say goodbye tonight."