The night is so peaceful, and the night is as gentle as water. In late autumn, the warmth in the quilt makes the cold air outside contrast even warmer, making people greedy and unwilling to come out.
Zhou Xian lay motionless, but could not fall asleep for a long time, and next to her was her husband Li Yu. Li Yu was obviously awake, because he tossed and turned countless times, and sighed softly from time to time.
Zhou Xian felt the same fear as Li Yu, but she was not that fearful because she knew she was lying to him.
Zhou Xian was filled with sympathy and wanted to tell him the truth. However, if he told him that he was lied about being sent back to the palace, he would ask why he was lied to and that would be the end of everything. He could only watch him in fear and sadness in silence and helplessness.
The warmth in the quilt made Zhou Xian feel like someone was hugging her, but the quilt was too light, so the feeling was not enough. It was like a goose feather was sweeping over her body, but it was not satisfying. She really wanted to be hugged warmly and indulgently.
Various scenes and feelings emerged in his mind again. Zhou Xian pursed his red lips, and his eyelashes trembled slightly in the night.
With a creak, Li Yu turned over again, immediately interrupting Zhou Xian's reverie. She immediately blamed herself: Her husband was frightened to death beside him, thinking about something completely different, while she was thinking about something else and didn't share his worries at all.
But she couldn't help thinking that she had just come into contact with a completely different world, and her experience was completely different from what everyone had told her before. Occasionally, she even began to question who was better, Li Yu or Guo Shao.
Maybe it doesn't matter who is good or bad. Zhou Xian thought that Guo Shao had someone in his heart and only felt pity for her. Zhou Xian always thought that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and she was noble and aloof. She thought to herself: Do you want me to lower my status to compete for favor? No, I can't do it. Men should fall for me, not me.
Li Yu was a nobleman with considerable talent and reputation, and everything he had belonged to Zhou Xian. Zhou Xian was unwilling to lose him, and how could he be worthy of him and the oath they had made to each other that they would never change.
Zhou Xian's heart was a little lost, and he couldn't figure it out. Right and wrong seemed to be all mixed up together. It was so uncomfortable. If there were only two people in the world, and no other interference, it would be simple and quiet.
The only way is to forget him, as if Guo Shao never existed, stay away from him, and let him gradually disappear in the passing of time. Zhou Xian felt melancholy, but forcing himself to do it was the only way to dispel his troubles. So what happened this afternoon was indeed a mistake. If Zhou Xian had insisted a little longer and endured it, it would not have left a deeper impression.
At this moment, Li Yu turned over and called softly: Ehuang.
Zhou Xian hesitated for a moment, then hummed softly, and spoke each word in a tactful way with two tones.
Li Yu hesitated for a long time before speaking with difficulty: I have thought about it for a long time, and there is nothing wrong with what Queen Mother Zhou said. They have no relationship with us and are greedy. Of course they will covet Li Hongji's conditions. No matter how generous the reward we promise is, it is just empty talk.
Zhou Xian thought of the night she spent at Chen Jiali's house. She had thought about it a long time ago, so why would she propose a deal if it wasn't for the last resort? She immediately said: My husband is right.
Li Yu said: Why don't you ask Chen Jiali to invite Guo Shao to your house
Zhou Xian was so shocked that he almost sat up. Why can't my husband do this
Li Yu hurriedly said: "Please be patient, Ehuang, listen to me. You just dance."
My husband, are you treating me like a three-year-old child? Who is Guo Shao? I took the initiative to dance for him, and I wanted to impress him. Do you think he would let me go? Zhou Xian said angrily, you are forcing me. Li Hongji is also like this. I should not have been born like this. What have I become now? I am a piece of gold and jade toy that is played with by others.
Li Yu said: Living in troubled times, there are indeed many frustrations. We have to weigh the pros and cons. Maybe if we can't bear to sacrifice ourselves, we will end up in a worse situation.
Husband, have you changed your mind? Zhou Xian turned around and asked in a trembling voice.
Li Yu immediately said in a serious tone: How could I change my mind? I just want to discuss it with you. If you don't agree, then so be it.
I don't agree, Zhou Xian said angrily, but suddenly he felt like a bad person complaining first. He had already done something wrong to his husband, but he still wanted to put the blame on him. He couldn't help but soften his tone. "Husband, don't let your imagination run wild. Even if you let me sell myself out, it's useless now. Wait a minute."
Zhou Xian's tone softened, but Li Yu became angry: We are at our wits' end. If we let Ehuang suffer for one night, we might save our lives. Otherwise, we might have to suffer the grievances in the end, and we might not be able to save the great cause.
But if Guo Shao takes a fancy to her, aren’t you afraid that he will forcibly take me, Zhou Xian, and almost cried.
Li Yu said: That's a problem. If I let you suffer only once, I can still grit my teeth and hold on; if I lose you, it will be a loss, and I can't bear it.
Zhou Xian leaned over and hugged his arm and said: My husband,
Li Yu said sadly: I have always been uneasy in my heart, always feeling that you will leave me. Because I can't even give you.
Zhou Xian immediately sensed his worry and couldn't help but said: Husband, there is actually another way. Li Yu hurriedly asked: What is the way
Zhou Xian gently placed her scallion-peeling fingers on his face, and her thumb caressed his lips carelessly, and her face suddenly became hot. But she didn't dare to say it. After being married to Li Yu for two years, she knew Li Yu better. Although he was a scholar, he was very proud and would never do such a shameful thing. Zhou Xian's ears seemed to ring with his angry curse: Whore, I didn't expect you to be that kind of person, I was really blind
There is another way, more than one. Zhou Xian's voice was trembling and evasive, his face flushed and his breath was as fragrant as orchid. Fortunately, the light was very dark. In the darkness, I seemed to see the bronze face, the straight nose, and feel the rough beard that stung my hand.
Fortunately, Li Yu did not lose his temper. He pondered and said: There are indeed many obscene tools in the world, and there are also in the palace. Some are made of jewels and jades and are very rare. But doesn't Ehuang hate such despicable things
Of course I am disgusted and feel like vomiting Zhou Xian said in a panic, I just listened to my husband's worries and remind you that women don't necessarily need that dirty thing, and your husband doesn't have to worry at all. You can also raise a son from your brother's family, and I will treat him as my own. Zhou Chao Taizu also had no sons alive, and the adopted son had no blood relationship with him, but he didn't care; your brother's son, adopted as a son, is still a member of the Li family after all.
Li Yu was relieved after hearing this, but suddenly asked: "When you came to the palace today, have you already given yourself to Guo Shao without telling me?"
Her husband Zhou Xian was so startled by the sudden questioning that he lost all his sleepiness.
Li Yu said: I was very surprised when I saw you before. Why is your face tired but smoother and rosier? The smell is also a bit strange. But because I didn't find any real evidence, I dare not conclude. Just now, I made this guess. You have already, and I feel that there is no need to meet with Guo Shao again.
Zhou Xian was terrified and shook her head quickly, saying: I didn't hide it from my husband, you are just imagining it, really not.
Li Yu remained silent.
Zhou Xian said in a trembling voice: "Why don't I listen to my husband?" Li Yu said coldly: "What if Guo Shao wants to force you to stay?" Zhou Xian said helplessly: "I will threaten him with death, and I will also persuade him by saying that our two countries will make friendly relations."
Li Yu sighed and said in a slow tone: "Ehuang, I was wrong just now. I couldn't think of a way out for a while, so I said nonsense. I was really worried. I actually care about you very much. You are more important than anyone else."
My husband, I believe you. Zhou Xian choked up and said, "We have been married for a long time. Don't I know how you feel about me?"
The next day was a sunny autumn day.
Guo Shao visited the two camps of the left wing of the Tiger Army. He did not go to the Guard Office, but went to the Privy Council to ask Wei Renpu for help and to retrieve some files of the Imperial Army. Generals generally did not have such authority, but Guo Shao did not follow the rules. He not only read the files, but also took notes in a notebook. Wang Pu came over from time to time to see what he was writing, but did not stop him.
At the hour of You, Guo Shaocai quietly left the Privy Council, walked around Donghua Gate, and left the imperial city with his entourage.
As soon as I got home, Lu Chengyong told me that Aunt Sun from Madam Chen's house had come in the afternoon and left a letter, asking me to give it to the master. Aunt Sun knew me. Last time, we went with the master to change clothes at Madam Chen and visited General Li Chuyun's house at night, and Aunt Sun remembered me.
Guo Shao opened the letter and saw that Chen Jiali had specially arranged a dinner party and choreographed a new dance for Guo Shao to watch.
Guo Shao thought for a moment and remembered Chen Jiali's wonderful dance, and immediately became excited. He left a note to Yu Lian and ordered a carriage to go to Chen Jiali's house; it was a rare pleasure to be able to watch beautiful singing and dancing at home without keeping singing and dancing prostitutes in this era of lack of entertainment.
This time he did not call Jingniang, but Jingniang got on the carriage without his consent. Guo Shao had no choice but to let him go.
Chen Jiali's home is a den of whoredom. Jingniang looked unhappy, but she still pretended to be clean and self-disciplined. There are all kinds of people in the world.
Guo Shao whispered: Just watch the dance, or you can sleep with me tonight
I'm not that promiscuous. Go find whoever you want, Jingniang said with a blushing face.
The carriage traveled for a long time from the east to the west of the city. When it arrived at Chen Jiali's house, the sun had set and lanterns were lit everywhere on the street.