Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 423 Reunion

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and the military intelligence from Yanyun was also sent to the capital via express courier.

As dusk fell, the streets and alleys of the capital were bathed in the warm glow of yellow lights, and a light snowflake gently drifted down. The atmosphere was quiet and cool, but the streets and alleys were bustling with activity as people excitedly discussed the events in the north.

In teahouses and taverns, storytellers slammed their fists on the table, recounting the Marquis's heroic deeds to the cheers of the audience. Vendors in the market beamed with joy, hanging red silk banners high, as if the New Year had arrived early.

Since the Rong people attacked Jin before the New Year, the front line had been deadlocked. It seemed that Yanyun was about to set up a second front, but who could have imagined that a great victory would come so soon.

The gloom of a year-long stalemate in the war in Jin was immediately dispelled by this great victory in Yanyun.

Even the civil and military officials, upon hearing this news, sent countless congratulatory letters to the palace. If it weren't for the late hour, they would have definitely gone to the palace in their court robes to offer their congratulations.

At this point, no one cared that Zhao Wumian seemed to have a traitorous identity from the Tai Xuan Palace. Even if he was a real traitor, now that he had killed Sha Mantian, he could raise a large number of people with a single call.

The enmity between the Central Plains and the grasslands runs deep, because when the Rong people ruled the Central Plains, they treated the people of the Central Plains as less than human.

Otherwise, so many chivalrous heroes wouldn't have formed the Northern Expeditionary Alliance decades ago, and the Knights-Errant Camp decades later, always trying to find ways to kill the Rong people.

As one of the two wolf kings of the grasslands, Shamantian's death at this moment is equivalent to Zhao Wumian dying on the front line, if viewed from another perspective.

Whether it's popular adoration or martial arts prestige, Zhao Wumian has already reached his peak. If he were to kill Uudam, people would probably sculpt a golden statue of him and erect it in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Inside the imperial city, Luo Chaoyan, wearing a dragon-patterned cloak, stood atop a corner tower, gazing at the brightly lit capital, snow falling on her slender shoulders.

The Empress Dowager leaned back in her reclining chair, sitting beside him, holding the documents presented by the officials in her hand, and clicking her tongue in amazement.

"How come I never noticed before that they were such good at flattery? They all look like they're incorruptible and upright officials, but now when they're praising the Marquis, their words are more ornate than the last... Tsk tsk, they're even using phrases like 'his merits rival those of the founding emperor'."

Surrounded by palace maids, Luo Chaoyan couldn't show her excitement and remained calm, but she couldn't help but smile when she heard this.

“The shaman Tiandu died at his hands, and only Uudam is left on the grassland who can be of great use. Now I want to marry him as my empress. I'm afraid the civil and military officials, as well as the common people, will all worry about whether I can control him.”

The Empress Dowager blinked and sat up a little straighter.

"What will happen if it can't be suppressed?"

Luo Chaoyan looked puzzled.
"It's normal for outsiders to think that I can't control him, but I've been through thick and thin with him in Jin, and we're deeply in love. What's there to talk about whether I can control him or not?"

"Besides, he wouldn't covet the throne... Furthermore, even if he really wanted it, with his current popularity among the people, he might not be able to become the emperor properly, but becoming a regent wouldn't be difficult. If that's the case, I can just stay in the harem and nurse my baby in peace."

The surrounding palace maids lowered their heads halfway through the conversation, not daring to listen any further, and silently withdrew, leaving only Lady Zhongli and the Empress Dowager's personal maid, Lianxue.

With no outsiders present, the Empress Dowager relaxed a bit and continued:

"We, the Marquis, know the truth about the matter between you and the Emperor, but most of the civil and military officials and the common people do not believe it. Your achievements at this moment can indeed be described as 'meritorious as the founding emperor.' If it were an ordinary emperor, he would be suspicious of you and secretly try to undermine you, just like Luo Shuzhi."

Luo Chaoyan frowned slightly.

“But I am not Luo Shuzhi… Even if I were, if I wanted to harm him now, I would have to consider whether the people would be happy.”

"If this isn't handled properly, I'll definitely be branded as 'plotting against loyal officials and being blind to their worth,' and the Luo family might even be implicated..."

The Empress Dowager, holding a cup of hot tea, slowly replied:

"That's right. Whether it's the civil and military officials in the court or the common people in the martial arts world, they all know this principle. Because of this, there must be some people who think that the Marquis's achievements are too great and that he might rebel one day..."

"Although we know that the Marquis will definitely not rebel, the Emperor still has to find a way to appease him and ensure that he has no intention of rebelling... This is for outsiders to see, so as to keep their minds at ease."

Luo Chaoyan understood this principle as well. It was better to have a way to keep outsiders at bay than to let them suspect Zhao Wumian out of thin air.

Although Zhao Wumian certainly didn't care, Luo Chaoyan felt she couldn't help but consider his feelings.

"What can Mother do?"

The Empress Dowager then revealed her true colors, smiled, and waved her small hand.

"Give the Marquis whatever he wants, reward him with whatever he has... The Marquis may not want it, but we cannot refuse to give it to him. And if he really wants something, we naturally cannot hesitate."

"Only in this way can we show that the emperor's rewards and punishments are fair and just. We have also given the Marquis so many things, which can be considered as giving an explanation to the people of the world..."

“Our Luo family has done nothing to wrong the Marquis. We have been upright and honest. If the Marquis still insists on rebelling, then that is the Marquis’s problem… Of course, the Marquis will definitely not rebel. This is all for show.”

Luo Chaoyan hesitated for a moment, then her pretty face suddenly flushed red.

"But, but I've already given myself to him. I've given him whatever he wants... What else can I give him?"

I'll be given to him as well!
The Empress Dowager almost blurted out these words, but she didn't dare to say them.

However, having said all that, she had achieved her goal.

When Zhao Wumian returns, she should subtly hint at her relationship with him, and ideally, have Zhao Wumian mention in person that he wants to become Empress Dowager. She believes that Luo Chaoyan will not object further.

She didn't commit adultery in the harem because she was lusting after her lover; she did it to appease the Marquis in front of the whole world, since she and the Marquis were mutually in love.

Given Zhao Wumian's current achievements and prestige, once he becomes empress, if Luo Chaoyan agrees, he could marry several more wives without anyone daring to object.

They might even have to rush to send their daughters into the palace for Zhao Wumian to choose from.

On the one hand, they wanted to appease Zhao Wumian; on the other hand... naturally, they wanted to build a connection.

However, this is contingent on Luo Chaoyan's reaction; otherwise, such an action would be considered a provocation against the Emperor... Good heavens, trying to steal a man from the Emperor, just thinking about it makes one's entire family's necks itch.

But like Su Qingqi, Luo Chaoyan also felt that once Zhao Wumian entered the palace as empress, she would be the 'first wife', and she was very dignified. She didn't care how many female confidantes he had, so she didn't think too much about it.

She was only thinking of Xiao Yuanmu.

Back then, Luo Chaoyan took Mu Li'er to Zeng Lengyue alone and almost got into a fight with Xiao Yuanmu, which strained the relationship between the two women to an extreme degree.

After several months of mediation by Zhao Wumian, their relationship, while not exactly good, is certainly not too tense anymore.

Zhao Wumian had always wanted Luo Chaoyan and Xiao Yuanmu to get along well, and since she had no grudge against Xiao Yuanmu, she naturally cooperated in every way.

Now she thought that if she married Zhao Wumian, she could bring Xiao Yuanmu along as well, so that they would be family. Even if they quarreled, it would just be a family matter.

It has nothing to do with rebellion or anything like that.

Will Xiao Yuanmu be able to let go now?

This was already the best Luo Chaoyan could do to send a friendly signal to Xiao Yuanmu; it was just a matter of whether she would accept it.

Thinking of this, Luo Chaoyan couldn't help but feel restless. She changed her clothes and ran to Zeng Lengyue.

This wasn't Luo Chaoyan's first time visiting Zeng Lengyue, nor was it Xiao Yuanmu's first time visiting the Imperial Palace. For the two women, these two places were no longer considered forbidden zones.

This is all thanks to Zhao Wumian, who has been mediating between them, bringing them together for meals whenever possible.

Zeng Lengyue has not been open for business for some time now, which is exactly what Zhao Wumian wanted.

The original purpose of establishing this branch was to have powerful eyes and ears in the capital to constantly monitor the court's movements... Now that half the court belongs to Zhao Wumian, what work is there left to do? What monitoring is there to do?

The young master is rich and can support you all. You'll be happy all day long, so just sing and dance for him.

At this moment, Zeng Lengyue was also celebrating inside, with singing and dancing. Zhao Wumian had made a name for himself in the martial arts world, and they were naturally happier than anyone else.

They were not surprised by Luo Chaoyan's arrival. Some even served her tea and water and treated her well, a stark contrast to their first meeting.

But Xiao Yuanmu was packing his luggage, looking like he was about to leave the capital.

In Xiao Yuanmu's boudoir, the candlelight was dim and the fragrance was pleasant. The furniture and furnishings were in the style of a Jiangnan family, reflecting the taste of a refined young lady.

"Where are you going?" Luo Chaoyan asked, sitting at the table.

Xiao Yuanmu was short, only reaching Luo Chaoyan's waist, but he had a strong presence. He was standing in front of the bed, folding clothes, and upon hearing this, he said without turning his head:
"Go to Yan Yun...didn't your master tell you?"

Luo Chaoyan shook her head, then asked:
"What are you going to Yanyun for? Isn't Zhao Wumian coming back soon?"

"Yan Yun's matter is going smoothly. There's still some time before the end of the year. He's currently near the border, which is rare for him. I'd like to accompany him to the grasslands to find Tian Xuanchen."

Tianxuan Chen... the next ingredient in the Innate Ten Thousand Poisons Body, is a derivative of the Imperial Seal of the State.

Xiao Yuanmu and Ziyi hadn't forgotten about this. Fortunately, Ziyi had helped her recover, and it was time for her to set off.

Zhao Wumian's journey in Yanyun was too smooth, which was beyond the expectations of the two women. So why not strike while the iron is hot and completely resolve the issue of Zhao Wumian's innate Ten Thousand Poisons Body, so as to save them from having to travel thousands of miles to the grasslands again later?

Luo Chaoyan stood there, staring blankly at Xiao Yuanmu as he packed his luggage, which made Xiao Yuanmu frown slightly and look at her sideways.

"You're in charge of the overall situation in the imperial court, so you definitely can't go. It's pointless for you to come... By the way, what are you doing here?"

Singing and dancing were taking place in the lobby downstairs, and the lively sounds carried up to the upstairs, but Luo Chaoyan was not in a good mood.

She told him the truth about her purpose, which earned her a glare from Xiao Yuanmu.

"Am I stupid enough to become your little sister?"

"What's wrong with being a younger sister? At worst, we can ignore these things. Can't you be a little more understanding of Zhao Wumian? We can't fight now, let alone use our weapons... Why keep this stalemate going?"

Luo Chaoyan's tone wasn't friendly, but the meaning behind her words was very gentle.

She genuinely wanted to get along well with Xiao Yuanmu.

Xiao Yuanmu didn't bother with this. "I don't have time to think about these things now. Let's talk about it when we get back from Yanyun."

"Oh." Luo Chaoyan rolled her eyes, feeling that her good intentions had been wasted, but she was used to Xiao Yuanmu's attitude.

Then, remembering something, she asked again, "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Then wait."

Luo Chaoyan left Zeng Lengyue, and soon returned, carrying a small wooden box that was emitting a chill.

"Please take this to him for me."

"What is this?" Xiao Yuanmu opened it and saw that inside was a red flower branch, full and red, still covered with dew.

In the corner of the box, there was a crystal-clear ice block, radiating cold air and preserving the vibrant red flower.

This ice is clearly ancient, millennia-old ice, quite precious, but as for the flower...

Xiao Yuanmu examined it for a few moments but couldn't recognize what kind of treasure it was. "What kind of rare and precious material is this?"

"It's not a treasure. I just thought this flower was pretty in the Imperial Garden this morning, so I wanted to pick it and keep it for him to see."

As she spoke, Luo Chaoyan handed over another package, inside which was a black cloak with edges sewn with precious furs. Just by looking at the fabric, one could tell that this cloak must be worth a fortune.

“Here’s another garment, which I sewed when I had some free time recently. His fox fur coat might be torn... could you give him another one?”

Luo Chaoyan spoke slowly and deliberately. Listening to her calm and gentle tone, Xiao Yuanmu could only sense her pure and beautiful feelings for Zhao Wumian.

Click————

Xiao Yuanmu closed the box and put it away along with the black cloak.

She wasn't a petty, resentful woman. Although she didn't like Luo Chaoyan, she wouldn't stoop to not helping with such a small matter.

Luo Chaoyan thanked her sincerely, then sighed softly and left on her own.

I thought Zhao Wumian would be able to return to the capital soon... but it would be good to resolve the innate ten thousand poisons body as soon as possible.

Crash---

Luo Chaoyan sat on the boat, slowly sailing away from Zeng Lengyue. As they reached the center of the lake, the hustle and bustle on both banks gradually subsided, and the festive atmosphere of the capital seemed to have nothing to do with her.

She glanced back at Zeng Lengyue's towering building, and thinking that Xiao Yuanmu would be leaving tomorrow, she felt a strange, ambiguous sense of reluctance.

A sense of loneliness, as if even the sworn enemy was not in the capital, slowly rose in my heart.

When Xiao Yuanmu was in the capital, the two women would occasionally bicker and argue, but now that she's gone, life has become much more dull. She looked up at the snowflakes falling from the night sky, thinking that once the snow stopped and the year was over, she could marry Zhao Wumian…

So she started to be happy again.

In Yanyun, the snowfall was even heavier, layer upon layer.

Under the willow tree, Zhao Wumian sat by the river, washing clothes.

The young nun was so captivating that Zhao Wumian couldn't sleep at night... His clothes naturally got wet quickly, so he had to wash them frequently.

He wasn't good at housework, but he didn't want to dump everything on Guan Yunshu.

The two agreed to take turns doing housework, but of course, this agreement has not been properly followed yet.

At this moment, Guan Yunshu is washing dishes inside the house.

When it was Zhao Wumian's turn to work, Guan Yunshu would always come to help, and when it was Guan Yunshu's turn, Zhao Wumian would do the same.

In a daze, Zhao Wumian thought he had retired from the martial world and was living a peaceful, simple, yet happy life with the little nun.

After washing the clothes and hanging them to dry in the house, Zhao Wumian added a few pieces of firewood to the brazier. Then, he respectfully lit incense at his mother-in-law's grave, muttering things like how he would make Guan Yunshu happy.

He hadn't yet thought about going to the grasslands to find Tian Xuanchen. He was also thinking that since he had come all the way to Yanyun, he would definitely bring back some small gifts for Xiao Yuanmu and Luo Chaoyan who were staying in the capital.

He went back inside and said to Guan Yunshu, who was painting, "I'm going to town. Is there anything you want?"

Guan Yunshu meticulously sketched the scene of Zhao Wumian washing clothes under the willow tree, stroke by stroke. It was unclear whether she had been secretly watching, but upon hearing this, she didn't even look up, and said:
"What are you going for?"

"Buy some things to take back as small gifts."

Guan Yunshu raised her almond-shaped eyes and glanced at Zhao Wumian sideways. She wasn't angry, but with a charcoal pencil under her chin, she looked elegant and cute.

After a moment, she shook her head slightly and asked, "Do you have enough money left?"

"I haven't spent all of the money I received last time."

Guan Yunshu got up and brought him a clean fox fur coat from inside the house, which she draped over him, showing her great kindness.

Zhao Wumian couldn't help but put his arm around her waist, but she easily dodged it.

She glanced at the dim sky and gave him a helpless look.

"You can't buy much in town in the middle of the night."

If she didn't stop him, Zhao Wumian would definitely make her hold onto the courtyard wall with both hands, lift up her skirt, or sit on a chair and make her straddle his lap...

By then, it must be night.

Zhao Wumian had no choice but to settle for second best. He pinched her soft cheeks and ruffled her neatly combed hair into a mess, causing Guan Yunshu to stomp her foot in frustration.

"Are you leaving yet?"

Zhao Wumian tightened the belt of his fox fur coat, led his horse, and left the courtyard. After taking a few steps, he looked back and saw Guan Yunshu looking at him from the gate.

She waved to him, "Go and come back soon."

"kindness."

Zhao Wumian waved and then walked down the hillside.

The snowfall gradually intensified, and soon when Zhao Wumian looked back, he could no longer see the small courtyard.

But he could sense that Guan Yunshu was still standing in front of the courtyard, trying her best to look at him.

Zhao Wumian couldn't help but wave at her again.

Guan Yunshu responded by standing on tiptoe and waving back and forth... even though the two couldn't see each other at all.

They didn't know when they had become so clingy... but they just couldn't help it.

Zhao Wumian mounted his horse, and soon the sound of hooves faded into the distance.

Guan Yunshu didn't go inside. Instead, she carried a small stool, wrapped herself in a blanket, and sat in front of the courtyard gate, quietly waiting for him.

As long as they still live here, she will always wait for Zhao Wumian whenever he goes out, no matter how long or what he does.

Previously, Guan Yunshu would have felt that her actions were a waste of time and that she should have spent more energy practicing martial arts or doing something else meaningful.

But at this moment, she was happy to do it.

Hoofbeats, hoofbeats—

Before long, the crisp sound of horses' hooves came through the wind and snow, causing Guan Yunshu to stand up. But upon closer listening... it was not Zhao Wumian's horse.

Soon, two figures on horseback approached through the snow, their white horses breaking through the snow and their cloaks fluttering in the wind.

Two dashing and beautiful women from the martial arts world galloped up to him, pulled on the reins, and their horses galloped forward.

The three women looked at each other, but an eerie silence inexplicably enveloped them.

Wrapped in a pure white cloak, Su Qingqi rubbed her eyes with her small hands, and only after looking closely did her expression show a hint of surprise.

"Yun, Yun Shu... why did you cut your hair?"

Shen Xiangge's black hair cascaded down her back, tinged with white snow, and she wore a black and red striped jacket. Upon seeing this, she narrowed her beautiful eyes.

Having come from the Demonic Sect, she naturally saw much more than Su Qingqi.

Guan Yunshu is no longer a virgin.

She immediately understood the situation and felt dissatisfied... She had only been with him for a few months, and Zhao Wumian had actually managed to win over the nun.

If she had come back a few months later, wouldn't all the women in the compound have gotten pregnant?
But now she's back... Hmph...

If Zhao Wumian were to have any leftover food to share with the other sisters, it would be considered that she was unfamiliar with the task and didn't know how to serve...

Guan Yunshu still thought it was Mu Li'er and the others who had returned. She was slightly surprised to see the two women she hadn't seen for a long time.

"You've returned from the Western Regions."

"We heard that you had come to Yanyun while we were on our way, and we were worried that something might have happened, so we rushed here without stopping."

Su Qingqi dismounted, glanced around, and couldn't help but ask:

"Where's the young master?"

"He went to town to buy things and will be back soon... Come inside and warm up."

Guan Yunshu raised her hand to tidy up her hair, which had been ruffled by Zhao Wumian, and then pushed open the door to invite the two women into the room. She then went to boil water and heat tea, which made Su Qingqi and Shen Xiangge feel a little uncomfortable.

The two women exchanged glances. How did Guan Yunshu suddenly transform from a proud nun into a virtuous wife?
They weren't outsiders, so this way of treating them made it seem like the two women were guests.

Guan Yunshu became the mistress, and Zhao Wumian became the master.
Shen Xiangge tied his horse to a tree in the courtyard and glanced at Su Qingqi, saying:
"I've called the Prince Xiang's wife before when I was on the couch, but I never wanted him to be the master of the house. I felt so uncomfortable. You stay here, I'm going to eat alone."

As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for Guan Yunshu to finish brewing the tea, she leaped over the wall and happily went to find Zhao Wumian.

"Hey, you..."

Seeing Shen Xiangge disappear in a flash, Su Qingqi couldn't help but stomp her feet in embarrassment and anger.

But she didn't want to leave too, lest she offend Guan Yunshu...

Guan Yunshu glanced in the direction Shen Xiangge had left, her eyebrows furrowing slightly before she looked away and shook her head slightly.

"Drink tea."

Guan Yunshu handed over hot tea and then went to remove Su Qingqi's cloak, treating her with great care.

"Oh, thank you..." Su Qingqi quickly took it, thanked her, and took off her cloak to hang it up.

She and Guan Yunshu had come from Jin together, and their relationship was much better than that of Shen Xiangge, but at this moment she suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.

The more Guan Yunshu resembled a virtuous wife and loving mother, the stranger she felt.

Have our roles been reversed? Shouldn't she be Zhao Wumian's wife?
"We've heard some things about what's been happening in Yan Yun lately, but they're all just rumors... Tell me what exactly happened?"

Su Qingqi sat in the room with her feet together, pushing her boots off to reveal her small feet in cotton socks. She placed them in front of the brazier to warm them, trying her best to appear less aloof.

Guan Yunshu didn't care about these small details. She took some fruits and snacks and placed them on the table before sitting down with Su Qingqi. After pondering for a while and organizing her thoughts, she began to speak in a gentle and detailed manner.

Zhao Wumian, wrapped in a fox fur coat, led his horse through the street, reminiscing about the things the girls liked, when suddenly, he heard a whooshing sound.

He didn't turn around, but calmly raised his hand to catch the flying object. Looking at it sideways, he saw that it was a pot of wine.

The words 'Tinglan' are written on it.

In Yanyun, it is rare to see Tinglan wine from Jiangnan. According to Zhao Wumian, there is only one person who carries this wine with him.

He glanced to the side and saw a flamboyant young man dressed in white sitting by the window on the second floor of the restaurant, propping his chin up and looking at him with a nonchalant expression, holding a wine cup in his hand.

Seeing Zhao Wumian looking over, he raised his glass from afar.

"Won't you come up for a drink, my lord?"

Zhao Wumian knew who this person was. He glanced down at Tinglan Wine, led his horse into the restaurant, asked the waiter to look after the horse, went upstairs, pushed open the door, and said softly.

"You really came."

The young man in white had a table full of delicious dishes laid out in front of him, but there was only enough for one person, so he asked the waiter to bring some more dishes.

Upon hearing this, he untied the paper fan from his waist and fanned himself in the dead of winter, laughing heartily.

“If I hadn’t come, Wen Wuzheng would have come and caused trouble… You might not have been able to kill Sha Mantian and Mo Jingxue so easily.”

The young man was named Xu Ningchuan... a well-known rogue cultivator in the East Sea. Xiao Lengyue also knew him and was always worried that Xu Ningchuan would lead Zhao Wumian to indulge in drinking, gambling, and prostitution.

Although he is indeed an expert in this field.

However, he also has a hidden identity.

The champion of the boxing ring.

Of course, not many people know this.

Back in Yangzhou in the East China Sea, Xu Ningchuan had considered killing a group of Huanzhen Pavilion thieves who had provoked Zhao Wumian, but Zhao Wumian dealt with them himself, and the matter was dropped.

Unexpectedly, a few months later, he came to Yanyun and helped Zhao Wumian with a small favor.

Now that they've come to this remote town, it's clear they're intentionally looking for Zhao Wumian.

"Wen Wuzheng's arrival will only result in one more death."

Xu Ningchuan said with interest, "Oh~" and then asked, "Do you know what he did to you?"

"Do you think I'm a fool?"

"If he wasn't a fool, why would he have risked stealing the Nine Bells from the imperial court? Alas, it was all for a woman."

Zhao Wumian sat down at the table, and before he could speak, a woman in a plain dress brought dishes into the room. Hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and asked curiously:
"What does it matter if it's for the sake of people?"

?

Zhao Wumian felt that this tone was somewhat familiar...

(End of this chapter)