Splendid Twins

Chapter 121 Zhengyang

It was late at night and everything was silent. Only the sounds of their two heartbeats echoed in their ears, as if they were the only two people left in the whole world.

Si Yao let down her guard and leaned into Lu Yuan's arms, saying something from time to time. Lu Yuan picked her up and placed her on his lap, playing with her long hair with his bony fingers. He responded to every word with a tender tone, full of patience and tenderness.

He is no longer the regent who was decisive and ruthless and had an iron-blooded approach to governing the country.

Si Yao chuckled:

"If your subordinates knew you were like this..."

"What? I want to marry the mistress of the palace. Who dares to interfere?"

"Lu Yuan, what's the age difference between us?"

Lu Yuan looked down and saw the mockery in Si Yao's eyes. His eyes were dark as he stared down at the red lips that were opening and closing. Then he turned his head and cleared his throat:

"I am twenty-six this year, which is the right age to start a family and build a career."

Si Yao raised her eyebrows. This body was only sixteen, which was still considered a minor in her era.

"I won't marry until I'm eighteen."

"So, you agree to marry me?"

Lu Yuan showed a look of joy. He rarely showed his emotions. His chest seemed to be filled with something. He reached out and touched her delicate eyebrows and said in a low voice:

"Okay, I'm waiting for you."

As long as you stay in this world, I will wait for you no matter how many years it takes.

Soon, Lu Yuan heard the even and gentle breathing in his arms. He looked down at her peaceful sleeping face, his heart full of tenderness. He reached out and played with the strands of hair by her ear, his eyes full of joy.

Just after the Yin hour, there were a few cuckoo calls outside. That was the signal from Shadow Blade to remind him to leave. Coming to North Vietnam this time was already a risk, and he had to leave even if he was reluctant. Being in a high position, he had to consider the overall situation.

Lu Yuan gently placed the person on the bed, covered Si Yao with a quilt, then took out a token and a few silver bills and placed them beside the pillow, with a warm look on his face.

The moonlight was like water, quietly sprinkling in the room, adding a bit of mystery to the quiet night. Lu Yuan's eyes fell softly on the sleeping Si Yao's face. Her face was peaceful and serene, like a flower in bud, making people want to protect it.

An indescribable impulse surged in Lu Yuan's heart. He bent down slightly and approached Si Yao cautiously. At this moment, he gently kissed her forehead. The kiss was as soft as a feather, as if afraid to wake her up from this beautiful dream. His lips pressed against her skin, conveying warmth and love.

Si Yao seemed to sense this subtle change, her eyelashes trembling slightly, but she did not wake up. Lu Yuan stood up and seemed to be talking to himself:

"I'm waiting for you."

Then she left quietly. The moment she heard the door close, Si Yao's lips curled up, and then she turned over and fell asleep.

Shadow Blade was waiting not far away, holding a sword, with a frown on his face. Lu Yuan noticed his abnormality at a glance, walked up to him and said in a deep voice:

"what's up?"

Shadow Blade replied respectfully:

"I just received a letter from the palace. There seems to be some unusual movements in the Queen Mother's palace. It is said that the eunuch on night watch heard the Queen Mother call out the word 'Master'."

When Lu Yuan heard this, his face turned cold. He was dressed in black as black as ink, emitting a cold and powerful aura. His eyes were as deep as a cold pond, revealing his unquestionable decisiveness and ruthlessness. He was completely different from the person he was just now!

He has waited for so long and finally showed up!

If this so-called master hadn’t intervened back then, who could have stolen his luck!

This time, he wants to wipe out the roots!

"Order that the Queen Mother be moved to the Heyang Palace on the pretext of recuperating from illness, and send the Flying Eagle Army to dig three feet underground and thoroughly investigate the entire Muchi Palace for me!"

"Yes!"

Shadow Blade gestured to the dark guards, then looked behind Lu Yuan, as if he wanted to say something but stopped. Lu Yuan said coldly:

"what you want to say?"

Ying Ren bowed his head and said respectfully:

"I wonder when we can meet the princess?"

It's all the fault of those brats. When they heard that the master was coming to North Vietnam to find the princess, they became so disrespectful that they made a bet on whether the master could bring the person back to Southern Liang.

"No rush, just wait."

"You didn't convince the princess?"

Ying Ren couldn't help but reply. They regarded their master as their God, and the master's safe return was all thanks to the princess. The brothers had to pay their respects to him.

He looked up and met Lu Yuan's cold gaze, then he reacted and spoke quickly:

"Master, please forgive me. I have overstepped the boundaries."

"Let's go."

Lu Yuan looked back at Si Yao's house, threw down two words and left first.

Ying Ren didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He also participated in the gambling. He thought that with his master's ability, he would be able to bring the princess back to Nanliang. But who would have thought that his master couldn't do it...

At dawn, the sky gradually changed from dark blue to light blue, and finally to a brilliant golden color. The sun rose and the sky was bright. Today is Zhengyang Festival.

The villagers get up early in the morning to cut willow branches, cut mugwort, and wear flower ropes to ward off evil spirits and disasters. They even put a willow wreath on children's heads to indicate that they will be healthy and free from illness and disaster in the coming year.

Si Laoer led a few young men to cut a lot of willow branches, dragged them back to the yard and started to pick them. Liu Niang was directing them from the side:

"Little Stone, you can stick these willow branches in the shed in the backyard. Little Tiger, these are for you. Stick a few on each door."

"What about me? Xiaoya wants one too."

"Okay, okay, auntie will weave a willow wreath for you to wear, to bless our little girl to be safe and healthy, and there will also be a red tassel."

Si Qing stood up and looked around but didn't see Si Yao, so he smiled and said:

"Yaoyao is still asleep?"

Liu Niang kept moving her hands and said softly:

"Let her sleep. She has lost a lot of weight recently. Please be gentle."

Si Qing nodded and took a few willow branches from Xiao Huzi:

"I'll take care of her room."

"Go ahead, breakfast will be ready in a bit."

Inside the room, Si Yao had already woken up. When she saw the things Lu Yuan left for her, she grinned. She was not short of money now, but it still felt good to have someone give her money on their own initiative. She put the banknote into the space, staring at the token of Rujun's personal presence and fell into deep thought.

This was the sense of security that Lu Yuan gave her, several thousand taels of silver notes, plus the Southern Liang royal token. This thought made her feel warm in her heart, and she felt that she was deeply cherished and cared for.

"I'll come see you once I've sorted out this trouble."

Hearing footsteps outside the house, Si Yao put away her things and coughed deliberately. Si Qing heard the noise and spoke:

"Yaoyao, are you awake?"

"Well, I'll be right out."

"Don't worry, there are new clothes that your mother made for you at the door. You can change into them later."

Si Qing put the things at the door, then inserted a few willow branches into the door frame and left.

When Si Yao appeared in new clothes, Liu Niang nodded with satisfaction:

"My daughter looks good in anything she wears."

Now that she had nothing to do, she made several sets of clothes for Si Yao, but she was afraid that the size was not right. The girl had lost a lot of weight, but she looked okay like this.

After dinner, Si Laoer harnessed his horse-drawn carriage and took his family to parade through the town. On the day of Zhengyang Festival, the streets were bustling with people, and it was very lively. Colorful flags were flying on both sides of the street, gongs and drums were beating, and there was a lot to see. People wore festive costumes, laughed and talked, and celebrated this traditional festival together.