novelden 148 That's enough.
148 That's enough.
Seeing the amusement in Ji Qiran's eyes, Chu Qingluo began to wonder, "Hey, are you deliberately trying to put me down or what? You threw out a random question, and just when I finally found an advantage, you said it didn't count. ...So you want me to realize how mediocre I am, is that it?"
Ji Qiran's lips curled into a handsome smile as he said, "So, according to you... I went to all this trouble just to prove that the person I'm interested in is just an ordinary, unremarkable person?"
Although he was indeed confused, he didn't actually need to hear her mention any advantages. He simply wanted to talk to her and tease her.
"Uh..." She was caught off guard by his question and immediately fell silent, lowering her eyes to avoid his gaze.
A cool breeze blew by, and a strand of hair silently flew to her lips. He couldn't resist reaching out his slender fingers to tuck the hair behind her ear... but the moment his fingertips lightly touched her fair cheek, she pulled away immediately.
"From now on, please keep a distance of one zhang from me." She suddenly threw out these words and took two steps back.
"..." Ji Qiran was taken aback at first, then narrowed his eyes and stared at her: "That's impossible." After saying that, he tried to move closer.
Sensing danger, Chu Qingluo turned and dashed through the door. "Take care, I'll see you off here!"
Then came a loud "bang" as the door slammed shut.
Ji Qiran looked at the tightly closed gate of the Chu family, shook his head speechlessly, withdrew his lingering gaze, and reluctantly got into the carriage and left.
……
Ever since the Empress switched to a down comforter, she has been praising it highly. She also frequently summons Chu Qingluo to the Phoenix Palace, partly to hear her reports on the situation at the breeding farm outside the palace, and partly to drink her homemade fruit tea and chat for a bit.
After a while, Chu Qingluo discovered that the Empress was actually quite easy to serve. As long as she followed the rules and didn't cause any trouble, she gradually got used to the Empress's rhythm and wasn't so scary after all.
The Empress had a particular fondness for hearing Chu Qingluo talk about new and interesting things. It was like a treasure hunt, hoping that opening the chest would reveal another treasure.
However, given the original host's background, Chu Qingluo had never even left Yancheng, so she couldn't possibly have such extensive knowledge. Having no other option, she resorted to using dreams or imagination as a pretext to ramble on about modern things to the Empress.
Fortunately, the Empress enjoyed listening, and occasionally even had Ziyan keep her company. Whenever Ziyan was present, he and Chu Qingluo would engage in a lively exchange, their performance perfectly synchronized, always managing to amuse the Empress.
Of course, news of Chu Qingluo's frequent visits to the Phoenix Palace quickly spread throughout the palace. For the tenth-rank female official, Chu Qingluo had already replaced Long Kui and become the most trusted female official by the Empress's side.
Chu Qingluo herself knew that Long Kui already harbored resentment towards her, and now she probably saw her as a thorn in her side even more...
But what can be done?
……
That day, Chu Qingluo had just returned from the Phoenix Palace when Shaoyao told her that Yao Man had just come by.
Chu Qingluo was slightly surprised, as she wasn't familiar with Yao Man. She asked, "Did she say what it was about?"
Peony shook her head: "Lady Yao Man didn't say anything. She left you a note when she saw you weren't there." She then pointed to the paper under the inkstone.
Chu Qinglu walked over, picked up the note and looked at it. The writing was very brief, just one sentence.
"What did she say?" Peony leaned closer, also very curious about Yao Man's purpose in coming.
Chu Qinglu frowned in confusion and asked, "She invited me to meet at Yibin Pavilion tonight... but why?"
“That’s so strange. Lady Yao Man has never had any dealings with us before…” After saying this, Peony suddenly thought of something and said, “Could it be that she’s trying to get close to you now that you’ve become a favorite of the Emperor?”
"It shouldn't be." Chu Qinglu shook her head.
In her memory, Yao Man was a heroic and spirited woman, more bold and unrestrained than the average woman, and would not stoop to flattery or fawning.
However, since Yao Man had taken the initiative to invite her, Chu Qingluo still planned to go and see what was going on. "Have He Qi go and tell her that I will accept the invitation tonight."
Peony: "Okay."
……
That night, Gongsun Yu was worried about Chu Qingluo going to the appointment alone, so he insisted on escorting her to the Yibin Pavilion and waiting for her in the carriage.
The waiter at Yibinge pointed out the location of the private room to her, and Chu Qingluo suddenly realized that the private room Yao Man had booked was the one Ji Qiran usually used. Without thinking too much about it, she slightly lifted her skirt and went straight up to the second floor of Yibinge.
She knocked twice on the door of the side room, and Yao Man's voice came from inside. "Come in—"
Chu Qinglu offered a friendly smile before pushing open the door and entering...
At this moment, only Yao Man and Ji Qiran were in the room. Yao Man was already quite drunk, and she was sitting on Ji Qiran's lap in an extremely languid and ambiguous posture! She was holding a wine glass in one hand, and her other hand was wrapped tightly around his neck like a water snake!
This scene completely stunned Chu Qingluo...
"Qingluo?!" Ji Qiran was clearly taken aback when he saw her. His already furrowed brows tightened even more as he tried to move Yao Man off his lap.
"Lord Chu, you've finally arrived—" Yao Man smiled brightly at Chu Qingluo, her hand holding the wine glass also wrapping around Ji Qiran's neck, refusing to let him off her. "I've been waiting for you for so long!"
At this moment, Chu Qingluo felt a surge of displeasure rising in her heart, feeling that the scene before her was simply too offensive to bear!
"I wonder what brings Lord Yao here to see me?" She tried to keep her voice calm and composed.
“Indeed, there is a very important matter that only Lord Chu can answer.” Yao Man remained lingering on Ji Qiran’s lap, refusing to get down.
Ji Qiran was enraged by her actions, forced himself to stand up, and pushed her away! "Yao Man!"
Yao Man stumbled, quickly grabbing the back of the chair for support. Ignoring Ji Qiran's anger, she gave a self-deprecating smile and said to Chu Qingluo, "You must know Qiran's feelings for you. Give me a straight answer today. Do you have absolutely no intention of letting him into the Chu family? And will you never do so in the future?"
Faced with Yao Man's relentless questioning, Chu Qingluo suddenly found it somewhat ridiculous. Why the hell was everyone asking her questions? Did they think she was a walking encyclopedia or a walking encyclopedia?!
But seeing that Yao Man's attitude was usually quite friendly, she patiently said, "Lord Yao, you've had too much to drink."
"...I should say I've never been so clear-headed!" Yao Man asked again, seemingly out of nowhere: "Are you not going to let Qi Ran join the sect?"
"Yao Man, that's enough!" Ji Qiran spoke first again.