Fish Meat – Chapter 94
by Little PandaThe Ninth Year of Shenchu
Fatal Attraction X
Wenjun, you are much more important than Zhanying.
What Wei Tingxu thinks and does every time is beyond Zhen Wenjun’s expectations. Even Lingbi, who has followed her for many years, says she keeps everything in her heart and does not reveal it, never imagining she would directly and frankly affirm Zhen Wenjun’s value in her heart.
Zhen Wenjun’s face was somewhat hot, and she barely managed to calm her thoughts: “Why does sister want to say these things to me? Even if not said, I also understand.”
“Really?” Wei Tingxu asked with a smile, having already seen through her, “Then who was it that was filled with anger, crying and drinking medicine at midnight, and even seized my arm, biting and not letting go?”
“That was me dreaming…”
“Oh? What did you dream of to bite so hard?”
With the atmosphere so good, Zhen Wenjun’s courage also grew: “I was extremely hungry, I dreamt of a fragrant pig’s trotter, of course, I had to bite and not let go.”
“What?” Wei Tingxu couldn’t believe what she heard, “Pig’s trotter?”
“Then that pig ran, I chased it all the way, holding and biting, biting until my teeth hurt but still couldn’t tear off a piece, it really exhausted me.”
Wei Tingxu stretched out her arm, revealing a circle of terrible bruises for her to see: “Do you recognize your teeth marks?”
“Eh? I bit a pig’s trotter, how did the teeth marks end up on sister’s arm?”
Wei Tingxu was amused by her, her smile like a pool of clear water, merging with the green mountains and white mist into a beautiful painting, making Zhen Wenjun watch in fascination, her heart and mind rippling like a dream, like infatuation.
Fine rain like smoke began to fall again from the blue sky dome, with Wei Tingxu’s black hair and face stained with tiny water droplets, making her lips appear more delicate and beautiful.
She had sat on the horse for a long time, her waist and back sore, and couldn’t help but lift her body, pressing her hands on her back to rub.
“Sister, you’re uncomfortable, right? I’ll help you down.”
Zhen Wenjun’s height suddenly grew for quite a while, and it hasn’t stopped yet. Standing beside the horse, she tiptoed, and with a slight lift of her hand, she could steadily support Wei Tingxu’s waist. Wei Tingxu encircled her neck, and the two cooperated with extreme tacit understanding, coming down safely and steadily from the saddle.
“Sister, where do you want to go now? Go back?” Zhen Wenjun didn’t immediately carry her into the carriage but stood holding her in place, enjoying the happiness of having a fragrant, soft beauty in her embrace.
Wei Tingxu’s face pressed against her chest, shivering, said: “A bit cold.”
“Cold… let’s go inside.”
“Mm.”
Zhen Wenjun’s little plans did not succeed, bringing Wei Tingxu back to the carriage left her somewhat disappointed. But as the curtain closed, with only the two of them inside the small carriage, her previously calm heart suddenly jumped to her throat.
The previous actions had left Wei Tingxu’s clothing somewhat open, revealing her smooth, cream-like neck. Probably due to the cold and rain starting again in the mountains, the cold-averse Wei Tingxu’s skin had already taken on a peach pink hue. Wei Tingxu leaned slantingly, with both arms resting on the fur chair, trying to adjust to the most comfortable position. This raised her shoulders, causing her clothing to open even further.
Zhen Wenjun immediately reached out to pull the clothing closed, her knuckles pressing on the soft flesh of Wei Tingxu’s chest, not daring to breathe too loudly, fearing that heavy breathing would be misunderstood by Wei Tingxu.
“Sister, are you cold?” Wei Tingxu spoke, her voice covering Zhen Wenjun’s breathing.
Zhen Wenjun shook her head: “I’m not cold, instead a bit hot.”
“I can see it, your face is all red.”
Not sure if Wei Tingxu said this deliberately to tease her, Zhen Wenjun bit her lower lip, unable to control the upward curve of her mouth.
“Sister, are you not angry now? Still want to bite the pig’s trotter?”
“Now I’m neither angry nor hungry, but if I get angry again in the future, I’ll still want to bite.” Zhen Wenjun was a bit unruly today, seeing Wei Tingxu in a good mood and gentle with her, she was eager to act out.
Wei Tingxu, a few years older than her, really had the demeanor of an older sister at this moment, nodding and smiling no matter what she said: “Alright, alright, if you get angry again, you can still bite.”
Rain pitter-pattered down on the ground that had never dried. Zhen Wenjun sat outside the carriage, swinging the whip to drive the carriage, while Wei Tingxu sat inside, with the sound of horse hooves shuttling through the mountain wilderness.
The trees beside them moved without wind, and Zhen Wenjun understood that it was Wei Tingxu’s shadow guards following them. Having someone to protect them was indeed reassuring, making her whip swing more delightedly.
She knew Wei Tingxu was behind, watching her through the rolled-up carriage curtain. The ruggedness of the mountains was no problem, and with the light breeze and fine rain, she didn’t even need to wear a raincoat. She enjoyed all the freshness of the mountain wilderness, providing a temporary release from the vortex of struggles.
The small carriage carried Zhen Wenjun’s full and good mood, and she couldn’t help but swing the whip more frequently. At this moment, she felt she could take Wei Tingxu anywhere.
The sky over Runing gradually cleared, and the continuous heavy rain of many days finally stopped, allowing the people of the capital city to catch their breath slightly.
Just like this rain, the court, long shrouded in blood and death, finally had a moment of easing after the last wave of executions was completely carried out.
After the Ministry of Justice executed the heads of 1,360 people of the Hong clan in the marketplace, it was reported that the emperor fell severely ill, unable to rise, and did not attend morning court for a full month. Xie Fuchen also took leave at home, and his whereabouts were nowhere to be seen.
With Feng Kun’s death, Feng Yiyi, whose stomach was already gradually swelling, was deposed from her position as empress and thrown into the cold palace, taking a maidservant to attend to her.
When Feng Yiyi was about to be taken away, she went mad, rushing to Li Ju’s sleeping palace, insisting on seeing him. A group of eunuchs and maidservants couldn’t hold her back, and Feng Yiyi crazily used her head to hit the door frame. The door frame was almost knocked apart, and her head was bloody and blurry. Finally, a eunuch blocked her with his body to prevent her from killing herself on the spot.
With her face full of blood, Feng Yiyi crazily scratched people, hysterically crying and shouting loudly, angrily cursing Li Ju as ungrateful and unworthy of being the emperor.
The Huben soldiers came up, lifted her, and forcibly dragged her away, but they couldn’t be too rough with her; otherwise, if they injured the emperor’s child in her womb, the emperor might punish them.
Feng Yiyi was taken away, and Li Ju never stepped out of the room, nor did he step into the cold palace afterward.
For him, Feng Yiyi was proof of his cowardice, the price he paid for his failure, and he did not want to face the pain of his own incompetence.
At this time, he peacefully recuperated, waiting for the prince’s arrival. As long as Feng Yiyi could give birth to a son, he would immediately make him crown prince.
He needed roots, needed hope; this was what he most desired at this moment.
Li Ju did not go to see Feng Yiyi; instead, Li Yanyi went once.
Li Yanyi sat in a sedan chair, escorted by the Huben army, passing through an uncleaned, dirty small road. After more than half an hour of winding paths, she arrived at a weed-filled, broken house. This place was too remote and dilapidated to be called a “palace,” merely a haunted-looking broken house, not even half the size of an ordinary concubine’s residence. At the doorway stood two drowsy guards, who immediately stood up and saluted upon seeing the grand princess arrive.
The Huben soldiers stuffed twenty taels of silver into each of their hands, loudly saying, “Her Highness the Grand Princess wishes to visit the Feng family, make way!” The tone held no room for negotiation. The two guards weighed the silver, nodding and bowing to Li Yanyi, trying to become familiar, and sensibly made way.
With the execution of Feng Kun’s clan, it was quite clear who prevailed in the struggle between Li Yanyi and Li Ju. Now, the court and aristocratic families everywhere favored Li Yanyi, and these two guards were no different, not daring to block her path.
Li Yanyi got off the sedan chair and personally pushed open the door, which creaked. Inside, there was a disheveled woman muttering to herself, “Furong Powder, Li Yanyi, Furong Powder, Li Yanyi…,” who suddenly shrank back in terror upon hearing the door open, hiding in a corner.
“Feng Yiyi.” Li Yanyi bent down to look at her, a pair of white, eerie eyes peering through dirty, messy hair. Seeing Li Yanyi was like seeing a ghost, and she turned her head, trying to crawl away in fear.
Li Yanyi stepped forward, grabbing her by the back collar and pulling her back. Feng Yiyi actually bit her arm in retaliation, but Li Yanyi, despite the pain, did not let go and pointed a silver dagger at her stomach.
Feng Yiyi immediately dared not move, and her mouth released its grip.
“This scene is very familiar, isn’t it?” Li Yanyi did not stab down but turned the silver dagger playfully in her hand. “At first, I only wanted to remove Li Ju’s offspring, Da Yu’s future heir. I never expected he would ultimately choose to abandon you, abandon the entire Feng family. At that time, did your father Feng Kun think of today’s outcome when he kidnapped Ah Xin and forcibly made her inhale Furong Powder?”
“Furong Powder?” Upon hearing these three words, Feng Yiyi’s terrified eyes immediately became spirited, as she grabbed Li Yanyi’s hand, “You have Furong Powder? Give me Furong Powder!”
Li Yanyi knew this woman was already ruined, and Li Ju left her only as a vessel for the birth of the prince.
Li Yanyi indeed brought Furong Powder, lighting it herself and holding it to her mouth. Feng Yiyi inhaled deeply, her whole body trembling, with snot and tears streaming down.
Looking at the failure’s miserable state, Li Yanyi felt not the slightest sympathy. She also knew that humiliating Feng Yiyi would not bring any happiness, even though she was the only survivor of the Feng family.
She only felt that the fatal reason for Feng Yiyi’s current miserable state was not because she was a woman, but because she wanted to rely on the strong to survive, only to be abandoned as an incompetent person.
People like her are destined to be eliminated. Li Yanyi aimed to clear out exactly such people, leaving only those truly useful. Strong and wise men and women will be the pillar force of Da Yu’s new generation in the court and among the people.
“Inhale, inhale.”
Feng Yiyi lay on the ground crying, convulsing, immersed in the hallucinatory sensations created by Furong Powder. Li Yanyi squatted in front of her, raising one eyebrow and sneering.
It would be very simple to crush this insect to death, but she did not do so.
“Now is still not the most desperate time.”
After returning, Zhen Wenjun couldn’t help but feel happy, neither tired nor hungry, and indeed went to practice several sets of punches. Feeling refreshed after the rain, she took her clothes and went to bathe.
The pool at the Wei Mansion is both big and deep, with a canopy woven from plantain hanging high above, covering more than half of the pool’s surface. Beyond the canopy, the water’s surface ripples in circles, as Zhen Wenjun swims out and back again. Struggling in the underground waterways these past days has actually improved her swimming skills, allowing her to swim in any direction with ease and freedom.
At the hot spring’s entrance, there is a tiger-head-shaped water inlet; as long as the wooden stick behind the tiger head is pulled out, the hot spring will continuously pour into the pool. Zhen Wenjun loves this place so much; if it were winter with snow falling, soaking in the hot spring and watching the hexagons fall would be so delightful and pleasing.
One day, she must have her own residence, with such a large bath pool, and Ah Mu would surely like it too.
Regarding Ah Mu’s whereabouts, once her mind cleared, her thoughts became active, and she had an adventurous idea, perhaps the only method now.
But this method is too dangerous and extremely prone to failure; she cannot recklessly risk her life. If she were to die, who would save Ah Mu then?
Must think of a foolproof strategy.
Zhen Wenjun came out of the pool feeling fresh and changed into the new clothes that Wei Tingxu had specially sent for her.
The new clothes were in interwoven blue and yellow colors, with a simple and elegant dark pattern. The material felt very comfortable, and after putting them on, they didn’t feel like new clothes but rather like well-fitting old ones. Wei Tingxu truly understood her preferences, not sending her a long dress but instead choosing narrow pants and small sleeves in Hu style clothing, which were convenient for movement. The waist buckle fastened securely without being tight. The cloth shoes were light, thin, sturdy, and fit well, making them almost unnoticeable when walking. What she liked most was the hovering flower-shaped brooch that came with the clothes. The outfit was originally simple, but wearing the brooch immediately added a lot of color.
Zhen Wenjun, fully dressed, posed in front of the bronze mirror for a while before finally leaving the room to go to the front yard to find Wei Tingxu.
From afar, she saw Wei Tingxu sitting with Lingbi and Xiaohua in the pavilion atop the rockery, drinking tea. The light rain had finally stopped, and the long-unseen warm sun fell on Wei Tingxu, making her look especially charming.
Eager to show Wei Tingxu her new clothes, Zhen Wenjun leapt up the three stone steps in one bound and quickly ran to the front of the pavilion. With a smile, she called out “Sister Tingxu,” and suddenly noticed there was another person sitting in the pavilion.
A man.
“Wenjun!” Lin Yue sprang up from the chair with a “whoosh,” lunging towards Zhen Wenjun. She mercilessly dodged, and he nearly tumbled down the steps.
“Sister Wenjun is still this heartless, it seems you’re really okay.” Lin Yue swayed a few times before steadying himself, then walked back with lingering fear to lean against the pavilion’s pillar, saying, “Do you know how worried I was these days you were missing? I was out looking for you every day, afraid you’d been washed out to sea and fed to the fish! Luckily, you’re back. I said my Sister Wenjun is very capable, not so easily killed!”
Lin Yue wanted to come and hold Zhen Wenjun’s hand, but she immediately picked up a cup of tea and handed it to him. Lin Yue inexplicably took back the cup of tea, his honest smile undiminished.
“Why are you here…” Zhen Wenjun, of course, knew why he came, but asking knowingly seemed foolish. At this moment, besides this sentence, what else was there to ask? If possible, she just wanted to send him away on the spot.
“Of course, it’s because I’m worried about your health that I came to see you.” Lin Yue, holding his tea, pouted aggrievedly, “Sister, do you know how much I’ve worried about you? Since you disappeared, these four days I couldn’t eat anything or sleep well, worrying about your safety. If something happened to you, what would I do? Sister, through these days of separation, I’ve thought it through. You and I live in a chaotic world, not by choice, not knowing when we might be separated by death, so better to enjoy today. Sister, tomorrow I’ll have my father and mother find someone to propose marriage!”
Zhen Wenjun’s mouth was twisted in shock: “You, you, you don’t act impulsively.”
“It’s not impulsive. In those days when I couldn’t find you, I made up my mind that if you could return safely, I must marry you!”
“You, you, you calm down.”
“I am very calm, sister. Although our Lin family is not of imperial nobility, in Runing we are also considered respectable. Now, I am just a sixth-grade minor official, but believe me, after marriage, I will certainly work hard, forgetting food day and night without rest, and in the future, when I rise high, I will definitely let you live a stable and good life!”
Zhen Wenjun figured out how Lin Yue managed to get close to Li Yanyi. Although he hadn’t come up with many usable strategies, his mouth was really quick. Once he found a chance to speak, he could argue so that others had no chance to interject.
Just as Zhen Wenjun took a breath, intending to send Lin Yue back home without stopping, Wei Tingxu suddenly spoke:
“Sister Wenjun, when men grow up, they should marry, and when women grow up, they should marry. There’s nothing to be shy about. Since Lord Lin is so concerned and fond of you, why not give him a chance?”
Zhen Wenjun’s vision went black. It was over; Wei Tingxu had put on that familiar, terrifying “official tone” again. She didn’t know which word in this light and warm speech is hiding a sword. After several twists and turns, she had just managed to restore her relationship with Wei Tingxu, and unexpectedly, Lin Yue emerged at this time.
Zhen Wenjun, from the corner of her eye, saw Lingbi sitting nearby holding a teacup and having already eaten two pieces of sweet melon. Lingbi’s eyes were shining, and she couldn’t control the smile on her face, as if saying — I finally know who Lin Yue is.
“Exactly, exactly, sister’s just a bit too thin-skinned.” Lin Yue, not understanding Wei Tingxu at all, still followed Wei Tingxu’s words, climbing up, “Then it’s settled! Sister Tingxu! Tomorrow my father and mother will come to propose marriage! Will you be at the residence?”
Wei Tingxu, enjoying the excitement and not minding the big matter, replied with three “at” characters.
“Good! If you’re at home, that’s good! Sister, wait for me…”
“Can you wait a moment?” Zhen Wenjun raised her voice to stop him.
Lin Yue is a righteous and good person, who once disregarded his own life to save her. Zhen Wenjun didn’t want to use too rough a method to hurt him, “Listen to me, I already have someone I like.”
“Someone you like?” Lin Yue blinked, and his speech finally slowed down, “I’ve never heard you mention this.”
“Yes, I’ve never said it, because my heart’s desire is not something the world can accept.” Zhen Wenjun closed her eyes and went all out.
“Something the world can’t accept? Could it be…” Lin Yue’s brow tightened, as if he had already guessed.
“Yes. Although I am always by this person’s side, it’s not easy to speak of, just fearing that person might find me presumptuous.” When Zhen Wenjun said this, Lingbi and Xiaohua both quietly looked at Wei Tingxu. Wei Tingxu sat there unmoving like a mountain, said nothing, but her expression was not relaxed.
“Who is that person? Do I know?” Lin Yue asked persistently.
“You know her, she is here.” With one sentence, Zhen Wenjun made everyone’s heart in the room leap to their throats, holding their breath and quietly waiting for her to announce the final answer.
“Is it… who?” Even Lin Yue looked towards the beautiful Wei Tingxu. Wherever Wei Tingxu was, she was the most attention-catching focus, so it was reasonable for Lin Yue to think of her first.
Zhen Wenjun turned around and looked towards Lingbi.
Lingbi’s gaze paused, sensing an ominous premonition.
“Sister Lingbi.” Zhen Wenjun reached out and walked toward her, and Lingbi almost slid off the chair:
“What are you trying to do!”
“Sister Lingbi, you and I have faced each other day and night, living and dying together for so long. I never dared to tell you my feelings, and now I don’t want to hide them anymore. Sister, you can refuse me, but please don’t hate me, okay? I would rather not marry in this life and stay by your side, as long as you do not dislike my clumsiness.”
Lingbi held back for a long time, resisting the urge to splash the tea in her hand right then and there.
Lin Yue saw their hands held together, and Zhen Wenjun’s affectionate look was not directed at him, making him feel as though his heart was mercilessly chiseled with several holes, letting the cold wind blow through.
“So that’s how it is… I’ve been the one bothering you, making you uncomfortable.” Lin Yue held back for a long time before forcing the tears back, took a deep breath, and seriously said, holding Zhen Wenjun’s shoulder, “Although in this life, we have no fate, if you ever need my help, please come to me. Don’t treat me as an outsider! I only want to witness your health and happiness…”
Zhen Wenjun really didn’t expect someone so young to speak in such an old-fashioned way, and her mouth twitched as she said, “Happiness, happiness, let’s all be happy.”
Lin Yue left with tears, and Zhen Wenjun finally breathed a sigh of relief, laying on the table.
Lingbi used a teacup to knock her head: “I didn’t expect our Sister Wenjun’s romantic luck to be quite prosperous. Just came to Runing and already snapped a peach blossom branch, and it’s a good-looking young man. Tsk tsk tsk, why lie to refuse?”
“If you think he’s good, you go pick him.” Once Lin Yue left, Zhen Wenjun immediately returned to her casual manner with Lingbi, making Lingbi more at ease, as she had indeed been using an excuse earlier.
“I’m talking seriously!” Lingbi continued to flick her ear.
“I’m also speaking seriously.”
Wei Tingxu stepped forward and said: “I didn’t expect that sister actually had secret feelings for Lingbi. You should have told me earlier, and I would have made the decision for you two.”
Lingbi exclaimed with a tender scold: “Young lady! You’re also making fun of me!”
Lying across the table, Zhen Wenjun took the opportunity to grab Lingbi’s hand, squinting her eyes and licking her teeth: “Sister Lingbi, could it be you still don’t understand my feelings?”
Lingbi immediately shook off her hand. Zhen Wenjun saw that she actually blushed and immediately burst into laughter. Lingbi wished she could flip the table, but since Wei Tingxu was also laughing happily, she didn’t want to ruin the mood and could only kick the edge of the table, walking away angrily.
“Little monkey, you actually take fun with your Sister Lingbi.” Wei Tingxu tapped her head.
“Aren’t you also having fun with me? We’re all having fun together.”
“I didn’t expect Sister to attract people so skillfully, and your mouth is even more skillful.”
Zhen Wenjun heard the hidden meaning in Wei Tingxu’s words. She dared to tease Lingbi but didn’t dare to make fun of Wei Tingxu, so she obediently said: “Sister, there is nothing between me and Lin Yue, you saw that I already refused him, don’t blame me.”
“This is a good thing, how could I blame you?” Wei Tingxu actually showed some excitement, “The more you attract people’s affection, the stronger you are, the more I like you.”
Zhen Wenjun momentarily couldn’t respond.
Wei Tingxu’s slightly aggressive gaze made Zhen Wenjun’s heart pound.
Her sentence seemed to have many meanings, including the one she most wanted.
Wei Tingxu would absolutely not be frank, and Zhen Wenjun would also choose to shift focus at the last moment, just like the rise and fall of earlier events.
The contest between them did not stop, but entered a completely new stage.
The stronger you are, the more I like you.
This is also what Zhen Wenjun wanted to say to Wei Tingxu.
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