outside the imperial city

Chapter 76

Jing Lingshuo's time stood still.

The hand holding the wine glass froze in mid-air, Ruifeng's eyes widened, her body remained motionless, her mind went blank, and she didn't even think of taking the slender hand off her shoulder.

The person in front of him had a bright smile that he had never seen before, and said word by word: "My lord, what a coincidence."

How did this tragedy happen, let us turn the pendulum back a little bit-

Just after the funeral of Emperor Shaoxuan, Jingyang City finally returned to a prosperous scene.Jing Lishuo originally planned to go for a stroll in the street with Yao Fanglan and Jing Junxi, but after waking up, he found that the two were missing.

It has been a long time since he had breakfast alone, and Jing Lingshuo was extremely uncomfortable: "Where did they both go?"

Butler Wu said respectfully: "I want to report to the prince, Mr. Yao said that he has something to discuss with the emperor, so he entered the palace; the young master went to Beicheng mansion again."

"Understood." Jing Yanshuo nodded clearly, and said to himself, "If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have let him become an official."

After dealing with Emperor Shaoxuan's funeral, Yao Fanglan went to Bei Qianling to take an official position. Although the official title was not comparable to that of Jing Lishuo, with his personality, he was busier than him after becoming an official.

At first, because Yao Fanglan ate, drank, lived and traveled in the Jinyuan Palace, the officials of the same dynasty inevitably had suspicions.But the two parties turned a blind eye to these discussions and refused to comment. As the emperor, Bei Qianling also remained silent. After a long time, everyone stopped paying attention to this point.

But Jing Lishuo was very resentful all the time: it was just a moment of soft-heartedness that caused this kind of tragedy of having breakfast alone, and sometimes even staying alone in an empty room!

"I'll go out for a walk later," Jing Shuo wiped his mouth, "When the two of them come back, send someone to call me back."

Anyway, he was bored at home, so Jing Lingshuo put on his casual clothes and went to the street by himself.He was walking aimlessly, throwing a few broken pieces of silver in his hand, as if he was attracting people to come to him looking for trouble.

When passing by a shop, Jing Lingshuo faintly felt a familiar scent, and stopped involuntarily.

It turned out to be the best rouge shop in the city, Lixing Pavilion.

Jing Yanshuo walked in.The store is basically full of women, and there are also one or two men who are choosing rouge for their sweethearts.As soon as Jing Yanshuo appeared, he attracted countless envious eyes.

Jing Lingshuo went straight to the counter: "Is there any rouge with herbal aroma here?"

"Ah, yes." The shopkeeper took out a box of rouge from the cabinet behind him and put it in front of Jing Lishuo, "Although it has the effect of beautifying the skin, it is not produced anymore because the smell is unwelcome. Quan Naiyun, just This box is left."

Jing Shuo didn't even need to open the lid, he could already smell the fragrance from it.So strong, it's no wonder he could smell it at the door.How could it smell so much like that person?Jing Lishuo opened the lid, and the makeup inside was very light, just showing a thin red, just in time, Yao Zanglan became shy, and her face was also the same color.

Jing Lishuo was extremely satisfied, regardless of whether it was leftovers that no one wanted, he took out the money from his pocket: "I bought it."

The shopkeeper couldn't help being overjoyed when he saw how generous he was, and said, "Young master, that box of rouge is for your sweetheart?"

Jing Lingshuo put away the rouge and nodded.

"That woman is very lucky." The shopkeeper greeted.

Girl... Jing Lingshuo didn't answer, but smiled politely.

"I have something better to recommend to you here." The shopkeeper took out another box of rouge, "This one is specially for your sweetheart."

Jing Lingshuo opened the delicate cover and chuckled.Look at this gorgeous red color, if it is given to Yao Fanglan, he will definitely become angry from embarrassment, right?

"Shopkeeper, I also bought this box." Jing Lingshuo took the rouge, "You don't have to change the money I gave you."

This box of rouge was much bigger than the box just now, Jing Lingshuo saw that his sleeves couldn't fit it, so he held it in his hand.Unexpectedly, just holding it like this, this box of rouge also brought him a peach blossom disaster.

Lixing Pavilion is located on the busiest street in Jingyang, so brothels and restaurants are naturally indispensable along the way.Jing Lishuo was walking well, not touching flowers or messing with grass, but a woman poked her head out from the brothel and shouted at him: "My family also said who attracted the girls on the street to turn back frequently. It turned out to be a An old man. My lord, can you give me a face and sit down for a while?"

"You are..." Jing Yushuo raised his head and thought for a while, "Li Man's Xinfeng?"

If it was another singer, he would definitely not remember it.But this Xinfeng, when he was most disheartened, sang a song "Nanxiangzi" for him, and he still remembered this little kindness.

Jing Shuo hesitated for a moment, but went upstairs anyway.

Xinfeng can't be regarded as the top card, but her status in this brothel is considered high.Jing Yanshuo entered her room, and casually put Rouge on the table.

Xinfeng plucked the strings: "It's Xinfeng's blessing that you still remember my family."

"Where is it, the girl is so talented and beautiful, I just want to forget it, it's not easy." Jing Lingshuo took a sip of wine, "It's just, why did Miss Xinfeng come to Jingyang from Liman?"

"Even a singer like Nu's family still has friends." Xin Feng smiled, "My family came to Jingyang to find friends. My son, what do you want to hear today? Or "Nanxiangzi"?"

Jing Yanshuo waved his hand: "Let's play a cheerful song."

Xin Feng lowered her eyebrows and said with a smile: "So that's the case, the young master has already embraced the beautiful woman and returned."

Her fingers nimbly danced twice on the strings, and a brisk minor tune came out.But before she could sing, the door of the room was knocked open.

The boy at the door said: "I'm sorry, Miss Xinfeng, I really can't stop them."

Jing Lisuo looked at Xin Feng in confusion, Xin Feng said helplessly: "If you want to blame, you can only blame this young man for being too flirtatious."

As soon as the voice fell, a group of women squeezed in.

Jing Lingshuo was in a hurry: "Oh, no, what are you doing?"

Besides, Yao Fanglan returned to Jinyuan Palace just after noon.After learning about Jing Shuo's whereabouts from Butler Wu, she came to look for him in person.

Yao Zanglan changed into brocade clothes, walked up and down the street for a long time, but did not see Jing Lishuo.Could it be that he also goes to restaurants during the day?

He looked around, and his whole face was dark.

A certain room facing the street was miraculously filled with women of the world.From his perspective, he couldn't see what was going on inside, but the women outside were all scrambling to squeeze in.He only knew one person who could trigger this phenomenon.

Well, to do such a thing behind his back!

Countless hands brought the wine glass to his lips, Jing Lingshuo smiled wryly, "Girls, calm down."

He was crying in his heart: If I draw my sword here, what will happen?God, please protect Yao Yao from coming here, otherwise I won't be able to clean up even if I jump into the Yellow River.

A prophecy.

The next moment, Yao Zanglan kicked the door very roughly, and smiled at Jing Lishuo who was surrounded by women: "My lord, what a coincidence."

The women were stunned: "My lord?"

Jing Lishuo immediately stood up, pushed away the woman beside him, walked to him, wagged his tail and said, "Yao Yao, it's not what you saw. I was wrong, please listen to my explanation."

"My lord and I are not relatives, so why explain?" Yao Zanglan walked slowly to the seat where he was sitting before, picked up the box on the table, opened it and glanced at it.

"What a beautiful rouge." Yao Fanglan said, "Which girl is it for?"

Can't argue with a hundred mouths.The expression on Jing Lingshuo's face was too complex to be described in words.He weighed it in his heart, let Yao Fanglan think that he bought the rouge to give to a certain girl, and said that the rouge was given to him in front of so many girls, which of the two consequences would be more terrible.

"On the way here, I happened to meet Mrs. Madam, she asked me to tell you," Yao Zanglan handed the rouge box to Xinfeng, who was hiding in the corner and relaxing alone, "Let you go home immediately."

"Ma'am?" Jing Yanshuo couldn't help smiling.

Yao Zanglan's ears were burning, he put his hand on Jing Lingshuo's shoulder, and forcefully said, "She also said, if you don't go back now, you can wait to sleep in the study room tonight."

"Okay, I'll go back now." Regardless of the disappointed voices of those women, Jing Shuo turned around and left.After walking two steps, he realized something was wrong: "Yao... Mr. Yao, are you not going back?"

"Me? I just came here, why do I have to go back?" Yao Fanglan sat down in his seat, shaking the hem of his clothes smartly, "I still want to be romantic here for a while."

"Yao Yao," Jing Lingshuo frowned, "Stop making trouble, and come back with me."

Yao Zanglan supported her head with her hands, she was not afraid of him at all: "My lord, you are joking, how can I, an unknown person like me, go to your house? If you don't go back, your lady will be even more angry."

After all, Jing Lishuo made a mistake first, and he was afraid that he would make a real fuss, so he gave him a pitiful look at last, and went out in despair.

"Okay, girls," Yao Fanglan said with a smile, "please go back too."

Not long after, only Yao Fanglan and Xinfeng were left in the room.

Xinfeng sat across from him and poured herself a cup of tea: "I've heard about Yao Fanglan's name for a long time, and today I finally meet you."

Yao Fanglan also moved the wine glass away and poured a cup of tea: "Where, I am the one. I have heard the name of Miss Ruxin Fengru, the number one talented woman in Xizhao for a long time. Seeing you today is really God's will."

Ru Xinfeng teased: "It turned out that the person who trapped the famous King Jinyuan was you, Mr. Yao. Although it was a bit unexpected, but after thinking about it, you are the only one who can match him." Put it on the table: "This box of rouge was also bought by him as a gift for you, probably to anger you."

"It's useless for me to keep it, let's give it to the girl as a favor." Yao Fanglan smiled awkwardly, "Listen to you, have you met before?"

"Yeah." Ru Xinfeng's eyes showed a hint of playfulness, "When Li Man was in office, he once entered the restaurant where I was in frustration, and even regarded me as a singing girl. He was really sad that day Ah, down ten altars of shochu, Mr. Yao, do you know what day it is?"

How can you not know?It was the time when I killed myself.Yao Fanglan laughed dryly and said, "No, I don't know, haha."

Ru Xinfeng took a sip of tea and got to the point: "Does your master know that Princess Jingxiang has arrived in Naiyun?"

"I just entered the palace to meet him today," Yao Fanglan said, "the day of conferring is imminent. But he has no intention of marrying Princess Jingxiang so far. Therefore, he probably didn't know that the princess has arrived in Jingyang."

Ru Xinfeng picked up the teacup: "Although knowing the word is not easy, but the two have been in love for so long, if they still can't achieve a positive result, I will regret it for the rest of my life. Princess Jingxiang is not young. The next time she arrives in Jingyang, whether it's for her or for your emperor, this is the last chance. If you don't succeed..."

"I know." Yao Fanglan twisted a lock of hair, "I will never let that happen."

When Yao Fanglan returned to Jinyuan Palace, it was already time for bed.He glanced at Jing Junxi's room, and the lights were off, so he walked directly to his and Jing Junshuo's room.

Jing Lingshuo was only wearing an undershirt, squatting half asleep and half awake at the door with his pillow in his arms, waiting for him.

"What are you doing?" Yao Fanglan reached out and pinched his face, "It's autumn, you'll catch a cold."

"Yao Yao?" Jing Yanshuo woke up suddenly, "You're back? Are you not angry anymore?"

"Hey, how could I be really angry with you?" Yao Fanglan pulled him back into the room and closed the door, "I just said it to teach you a lesson. Don't go to that kind of place again in the future."

He paused: "However, if you really fancy a woman, I—"

"Yao Yao!" Jing Yanshuo became a little angry, "I've told you many times, why can't you change your mind?"

"Okay." Yao Fanglan took off his outer shirt and lay down on the bed, "I'm sleepy, I'm asleep."

Jing Lingshuo followed him into the bed, and seeing that his back was facing him, he put his hands around his waist: "Didn't you say you don't want to be angry anymore?"

"Don't make trouble," Yao Fanglan warned, "I still have things to do tomorrow."

"Oh." Jing Lingshuo answered briskly, but his hands moved restlessly on his body.

Yao Fanglan didn't want to talk to him at first, but the more he touched, the more out of place he became, and after a while, his fingers easily penetrated into his undershirt.

As a last resort, Yao Fanglan turned around and scolded: "You toss me every now and then, can't you stop for a while?"

Jing Lingshuo regarded his words as the wind in his ears, lifted his chin, and pressed a slightly cold lip to it, the soft tongue slipped in from between the teeth, lingering skillfully.

When the lips parted, Jing Lingshuo's hand around his waist tightened, and he squeezed his palm on the side of his waist, mockingly said: "You are an old man, why are you still the same as the beginning, every time I kiss you, your waist hurts." Soft legs."

Yao Fanglan blushed as expected, and said viciously: "If you don't want me to kick you off, just shut up."

Jing Lishuo rolled over on top of him, bit his side of the neck lightly, and said, "Obey."

"My lord," Butler Wu leaned against the door and said softly, "I have a guest asking to see you."

"..." Jing Lingshuo gritted his teeth, "I don't see you."

Steward Wu could hear his anger, but he didn't know why: "But it's Mr. Yao who came here, and there are two women."

Yao Fanglan heard the words, and couldn't help but push Jing Shuo aside: "Tell them and I'll be there."

Jing Lingshuo's expression froze on his face, and Glass's heart shattered to the ground.

Yao Zanglan looked back at him, couldn't help but smile bitterly, while arranging his clothes, she pecked him on the face: "Fool, that's your future sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law?" Jing Yanshuo relaxed slightly, "You mean, queen?"

Yao Fanglan got dressed and opened the door: "Go to bed first, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Wait, I'll go too." Jing Lingshuo rolled out of bed and got dressed very quickly.

Yao Fanglan made a salute: "I pay my respects to Your Royal Highness, the princess. I have lost my way, and I ask the princess to forgive me."

Jingxiang smiled lightly: "Since I've come to Jingyang, I'm no longer a princess. I'm the one who should apologize for the late-night visit and all the troubles."

Jingxiang is beautiful, but not as stunningly beautiful as Jingyang.To put it bluntly, she is a white lotus.If you just take a rough look, you will only think that this woman is good-looking; but if you look closely, you will be amazed at the exquisite carving of the facial features.And because of her indifferent nature and extraordinary demeanor, just sitting there can be convincing.

Impressed by her temperament, Jing Lishuo bowed and said, "His Royal Highness, welcome to my humble house."

"This is King Jinyuan Jing Lushuo." The woman beside Jingxiang introduced.

Jing Lingshuo looked over and was taken aback: "Miss Xinfeng?"

"Hey," Yao Fanglan tugged La Jing Shuo's sleeve and let him sit down, "Let me introduce you. This one is not a singer. Her name is Ru Xinfeng, and she is the number one talented woman in Xizhao Kingdom. The reason why I’m in the brothel is to inquire about Princess Jingxiang’s news.”

Jing Lingshuo said shamelessly, "Miss Xinfeng, it's because I have blind eyes."

"Where is it?" Ru Xinfeng said with a smile, "I am too messy."

Yao Fanglan asked the servant to bring a bowl of hot water, but it wasn't Princess Jingxiang who was rushed by the dust.He put the bowl in front of him, opened a bag of medicinal powder, poured it all in, stirred it well, and took another sip before putting it in front of Jing Lingshuo: "Drink it."

Jing Shuo's jealousy disappeared: "What is this?"

"Healing medicine, you may have caught a cold earlier." Yao Zanglan's tone seemed to be coaxing a child, "Be good, drink it."

Jing Xiang didn't respond, but Ru Xinfeng couldn't calm down: "Are you always like this?"

"My wife made you laugh, I have to coax you after drinking some medicine." Yao Fanglan said seriously, "Let's get down to business."

Ru Xinfeng cleared her throat: "I have told you most of the things this afternoon. The mourning period for the former emperor of Naiyun is over, and the next step is to confer the title of empress. I finally persuaded the princess to come with me Jingyang, I hope you won't let my efforts, the princess's, be in vain."

Jing Xiang pressed Ru Xinfeng's hand, and said to Yao Fanglan: "Don't force it, you have no obligation to help me. Qian Ling is the same, if he doesn't want to, you don't have to force him."

Yao Fanglan suddenly felt that this Princess Jingxiang was similar to him in some aspects, so she couldn't help feeling sorry for her.He said softly: "Princess, you don't have to worry. I have been with the emperor for 20 years, and I am fully aware of his feelings for you. It's just that he has his own worries, just solve his knot. I will not let your six years of waiting be in vain."

"If you have love, you may not be able to stay together." Jingxiang said, "Let's go with fate. I came here just to see him for the last time."

"In life, there are indeed many things that one cannot follow one's heart. However, when it comes to love, if one does not follow one's heart, one cannot have no regrets." Jing Lishuo put down the bowl, "Princess, just listen to what I, a person who has experienced this, have to say." .”

"Give it a go." Jing Shuo looked at Yao Zanglan, "at least let that person know your intentions clearly."

Jing Xiang closed his eyes, as if he was thinking about his words.After a long time, she said softly, "Okay."