Chapter 66 Departure back to Beijing
The regent's gaze seemed to penetrate through layers of disguise, and he asked profoundly, "Is it really just a brother-sister relationship?"
Su Wanyu nodded slightly, and said firmly: "My Lord, it is true. It is just the friendship between brother and sister."
The Regent slowly sat back in his chair, took a delicate kettle from the table, and personally filled a cup of still warm water for her. There was a hint of amusement in his voice: "So, how do you want me to give him this opportunity?"
Su Wanyu's eyes were blazing, and her words were earnest: "The plan for flood control in Jiangzhou this time was made by my cousin. Why not let my cousin go to Jiangzhou on behalf of the prince, as the governor's think tank, and rescue the people there from the water and fire as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, the Regent King suddenly chuckled, and there was a hint of joking in his laughter, "You are as timid as a mouse when you are riding a horse, but you become more and more courageous in front of me. How can a scholar like Luo Wenxuan be able to go to Jiangzhou on my behalf?"
Su Wanyu tightly grasped her handkerchief, her eyes flashing with determination: "My cousin is just a scholar with limited power, but the reason why King Liang suddenly visited the Zheng Mansion today is probably related to flood control. If you, the Regent, lead your troops to leave the capital, who in the court can stabilize the situation and prevent unrest?"
"Is it forced by the situation?" The Regent's voice was low, as if he was exploring the deeper meaning.
"Or, because of that King Liang..." She spoke calmly.
She could not reveal all the memories of her past life, but King Liang's ambition had long been an open secret.
She believed that with the regent's wisdom, he would be able to hear the hidden meaning behind the words.
The Regent's smile gradually faded, and his deep gaze seemed to see through her thoughts: "Madam, you are so desperate to give me advice, just for your cousin's future?"
This sudden question made Su Wanyu's heart tremble. She had imagined the regent's anger and suspicion, but she had never expected that he would be so straightforward in discussing the topic of his cousin.
In order to convince him, she decided to reveal part of the truth: "It's not only for my cousin, but more because I don't get along with the Zheng family. I don't want to see them join forces with King Liang and control the government."
"Incompatible? Has there been a rift between you and the Second Young Master Zheng?" The Regent raised his eyebrows and asked inquiringly.
Su Wanyu hesitated for a moment and did not answer immediately.
The Regent turned his gaze towards the rain outside the window, his eyes sharp, "Yes, if they were truly in love, why would they have taken refuge in my teahouse last time?"
His words were meaningful, as if reminding someone of something.
"Your Majesty, let's give the mission to Jiangzhou to someone else. The journey is dangerous. If something unexpected happens... it might just play into someone else's hands..."
Su Wanyu brought the topic back on track. Water drops began to drip from the wet ends of her hair, making her look particularly charming.
The regent's eyes tightened, and he leaned towards her, his fingers trembling slightly. He immediately picked up a clean handkerchief and wiped her wet hair carefully while instructing the outsiders, "Set off, return to Beijing."
Outside the car window, the guard shouted in surprise: "Your Majesty, didn't we agree that we must arrive in Jiangzhou before dusk tomorrow?!"
"The king is not feeling well and should not travel far to Jiangzhou. Others will take care of the flood control. Let's return to the capital now!" The regent spoke in a calm tone, but his words were unquestionable.
Inside the car, Su Wanyu's body was slightly stiff, her tense emotions gradually relaxed, and a relieved smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of her mouth.
All the hard work and adventure along the way were not in vain after all.
The Regent continued to wipe her wet hair. This time, his grip was noticeably stronger, not allowing her to resist at all.
The carriage slowly turned and set out on the road back to Beijing.
The rain gradually weakened. In the courtyard of the Zheng Mansion, Yunyi and Siqi were waiting anxiously, anxiously calculating the time when Su Wanyu would return home.
As the young lady of the Marquis of Changping's mansion, she rarely left the mansion on her own initiative unless necessary.
It is raining heavily today. If the Zheng family finds out that Su Wanyu has gone out without permission, it will cause an uproar.
The dark clouds dispersed, and dawn began to appear in the sky, but Su Wanyu still hadn't returned.
Time seemed to stand still, and suddenly footsteps were heard in the courtyard.
Yun Yi mistakenly thought that it was Su Wanyu who had returned, and hurried out to greet her.
However, the person who appeared before him was Zheng Chengyan dressed in white.
Ever since learning that she was infertile, Zheng Chengyan has been immersed in a depressed mood.
Last night, Lord Zheng summoned Zheng Chengyan specifically to discuss the issue of heirs and gave him two choices:
"First, give up the right to inherit the title of Marquis."
"Second, no matter what method is used, it must be ensured that the wives and concubines in the mansion become pregnant within a year and give birth to the Zheng family's eldest grandson, regardless of whether they are legitimate or illegitimate."
Zheng Chengyan had no choice but to accept the second condition.
I felt a little better today, but I missed Su Wanyu inexplicably.
He remembered her standing lightly in the courtyard in her blue dress, and involuntarily walked towards the gate of Jiaoyang Courtyard.
"Second Young Master, you're here." Yun Yi hurried forward to greet him, with a hint of surprise in his tone.
Zheng Chengyan had never had a good impression of Su Wanyu in the past, and his visits to her were very few and far between. His sudden visit today surprised both Yunyi and Siqi.
Fortunately, Siqi was alert and had already changed into Su Wanyu's clothes and was taking a nap on the bed.
"Well, I haven't visited the Second Young Madam for a long time, so I brought some good tea with me, and I want to taste it with her." As soon as Zheng Chengyan finished speaking, he was about to push the door open.
Yun Yi hurriedly stopped him: "Second Young Master, Second Young Madam accidentally caught a cold last night. You'd better not go in to avoid catching a cold."
Zheng Chengyan was still in shock because of his recent serious illness. Hearing this, he stopped and showed genuine concern on his face: "Have you asked a doctor to see you?"
Yun Yi quickly replied: "I have already asked, and the Second Young Madam has fallen asleep peacefully after taking the medicine."
Zheng Chengyan's footsteps stopped abruptly at the threshold, and his eyes involuntarily slid to the quiet bed in the room. The delicate texture of the bed glowed softly under the dim light, but it seemed to reveal a sense of indifference that kept people at a distance.
He slowly retracted the foot that was hanging in the air, turned around and walked into the courtyard, his back casting a long, lonely shadow in the moonlight.
The courtyard is dotted with osmanthus trees, with small golden flowers clustered on the branches, emitting a rich but not greasy fragrance.
Zheng Chengyan's gaze wandered across this star-like sea of flowers, and his brows gradually twisted into an unsolvable knot.
"Are these newly planted by the Second Young Madam?" There was a barely perceptible hint of irritation in his voice.
Yun Yi stepped forward and answered respectfully, "Yes, Second Young Master. The Second Young Mistress picked it herself, saying that she wanted to add some life to the courtyard."
Hearing this, Zheng Chengyan frowned even tighter, with a hint of displeasure flashing across his eyes: "Pull it out."
These three words are as cold and hard as iron and cannot be questioned.
Yun Yi was shocked and quickly bowed and tried to dissuade him: "Second Young Master, you must not do this! Second Young Madam cherishes these osmanthus trees very much. If we remove them hastily, not only will it hurt her heart, but we will also be unable to explain to her."