I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 384: The Multi-talented Zhao Paner

One of the important reasons why Gu Qianfan did not accept Zhao Wei's recruitment was that Zhao Wei's arrangement for him was to join the army, but he was unwilling to give up his identity as a scholar.

Even though he is now a military officer of the Imperial City Bureau, this is different from joining the army. Now he still has the opportunity to return to the literary lineage, but once he joins the army, he will always be a soldier.

Gu Qianfan's expression moved slightly. He believed what Zhao Wei said. After all, compared to Qi Mu who plotted against him, Zhao Wei and he had no connection at all, and he did not have any value that Zhao Wei needed to use to win him over.

Qi Mu was different. Qi Mu was a civil servant and needed the power of the Imperial City Administration. But Zhao Wei was different. Zhao Wei was a prince and also the general of the northwest border. He not only had military power but also a high position and great power. There was no need for him to rely on the power of the Imperial City Administration.

Not to mention, Zhao Wei has people in the Imperial City Bureau.

Moreover, when they first met, he was just a small commander of the Investigation Department, but Zhao Wei saved his life and helped him a lot.

To take a step back, even if Zhao Wei really had some plans, at least he couldn't sense any ill intentions at this stage.

After getting the answer he wanted, Gu Qianfan bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Don't be so polite. Maybe I will need your help in the future."

Gu Qianfan replied solemnly: "In the future, as long as Your Highness needs me, I will do my best."

Zhao Wei smiled slightly: "Then I would like to thank Deputy Envoy Gu first."

Being able to allow Gu Qianfan to send a private message to Qi Mu earlier was also a good thing for him.

Qi Mu is a villain as can be seen from the TV series, not to mention that there is already some hatred between them. If he didn't still need Qi Mu in the court now, he would have taken action against Qi Mu long ago.

Speaking of which, compared to Qi Mu, the hypocrite, it is actually easier to get along with a real villain like Xiao Qinyan.

Gu Qianfan was silent for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and asked, "Your Highness, does what you said before still count?"

Zhao Wei was stunned, and said seriously: "Of course it counts. Have you decided to serve me?"

"Yes."

Zhao Wei nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "In the current situation, you are not needed for the time being. Just do your job. But don't pursue Lei Jing. Some things may not be true even if they are seen with the eyes."

Gu Qianfan was startled, and said in disbelief: "Mr. Lei is His Highness..."

Seeing Zhao Wei shaking his head, he did not continue speaking, but just nodded.

"Okay, if there's nothing else, let's just leave it at that. I still have to go to the Yang residence, so Deputy Envoy Gu, go investigate your hat monster case."

That being said, Zhao Wei knew very well that the hat monster case that Gu Qianfan was investigating would probably not yield any results in the end, because there was not just one force behind the hat monster case, but the collaboration of several forces.

"Then I will resign."

Gu Qianfan bowed and said goodbye, preparing to return to the Imperial City along the river, but before he had gone far, he heard someone calling his name.

When he turned around, he saw Qi Mu in casual clothes through the half-open window of a small boat in the river.

Gu Qianfan looked around and while no one was paying attention, he exerted a little force and jumped onto the boat.

In the pavilion, Zhao Wei took in the entire scene and chuckled.

After walking out of the pavilion, Zhao Pan'er asked curiously, "Isn't Gu Qianfan's last name Gu? How come he is a brother to the eldest son of the Xiao family?"

"Why are you asking Gu Qianfan?"

Sensing the jealousy in Zhao Wei's tone, Zhao Pan'er couldn't help but smile: "I'm just asking casually. He's not even a fraction as good as you. Just pretend I didn't ask."

"It's no secret. The Gu family was once an old and powerful family, and Xiao Qinyan's family background was not good. The Gu family looked down on Xiao Qinyan. Although Xiao Qinyan married Gu Qianfan's mother, the Gu family did not give Xiao Qinyan any help. Instead, Gu Qianfan's mother was expelled from the Gu family. Later, the Gu family was questioned, and Xiao Qinyan divorced Gu Qianfan's mother for his career. The matter is a bit complicated and can't be explained in a few words. Anyway, Gu Qianfan is Xiao Qinyan's biological son. If you want to know, I'll let Shuangxi send you the file."

Zhao Pan'er shook her head: "No, I'm just curious about how they became brothers. By the way, the hat monster case you just mentioned, is there really a monster in the world?"

Compared to Gu Qianfan’s matter, she was more curious about the hat monster case.

Zhao Wei shook his head. "I asked someone to investigate. Someone made a hat-shaped kite out of silk and coated it with gunpowder. So every time it came out, it would kill and injure many people. The people got scared, and word spread. Then it became known as the Hat Monster."

"He is so cruel and ruthless, could it be... related to political affairs?" Probably because of her relationship with Zhao Wei, Zhao Pan'er couldn't help but think of the political situation.

Zhao Wei nodded and said with a smile, "Didn't I tell you before that the officials in the court are divided into several factions? My father is now obsessed with cultivation, so my mother often helps him review memorials. Many ministers are dissatisfied with this. A while ago, when Taibai appeared in the daytime, the prophecy of 'the female ruler will prosper' was spread. When I went to Qiantang, in addition to finding the Night Banquet Picture, another purpose was to track down the person who fabricated the prophecy."

Zhao Pan'er suddenly realized: "I understand. Ancient books often say that when demons appear frequently, it means that the ruler has lost his virtue and the heavens are warning him. The government also believes in Taoism, so they can arrange prophecies and hat demons one after another. In fact, they are targeting the empress, fearing that she will repeat the fate of Empress Wu Zetian."

"Yes, the political sensitivity is quite high." Zhao Wei praised generously and said with a smile: "Yes, the Queen Mother is very powerful, and Xiao Qinyan is about to be appointed as the Prime Minister, so this hat monster is not targeting the common people, but the Queen's party."

Zhao Pan'er showed a smug smile on her face, but then her smile froze again: "That's not right. With you in the court, why would the officials worry about the occurrence of Empress Wu Zetian?"

"Whether I take the throne or my mother repeats Wu Zetian's story, it will not be a good thing for some officials." Zhao Wei shook his head and smiled, sighing: "There are no enemies in the court, only interests. They do everything that is beneficial to themselves."

"Does it have any impact on you?" Zhao Pan'er asked with some concern.

"It's okay, everything is under control." Zhao Wei smiled confidently: "Let's go to Yang's house. The most important thing right now is our marriage."

……

……

After a trip to Tianbo Mansion, Zhao Paner felt completely at ease.

On the return trip, the two chose not to travel by land, but instead took a boat.

Zhao Pan'er stood at the bow, looking at Zhao Wei beside her, and asked without any hesitation: "The matchmaker has been chosen, so when will you come to propose marriage?"

"When your uncle and cousin arrive in Tokyo, I will ask Old Lady Zhe to propose marriage." Zhao Wei smiled and jokingly said, "What's the matter? Are you in a hurry to marry me?"

Zhao Pan'er nodded openly: "Yes, I am anxious. I want to marry you now."

At this time, the boat passed the arch bridge. Zhao Wei looked up and gave a glance.

Shuangxi, who had already arranged everything on the bridge, understood it and immediately signaled the people holding flower baskets to sprinkle flower petals into the river.

A rain of flowers suddenly poured down from the bridge.

Zhao Pan'er looked at the flying petals in astonishment, her heart suddenly beat violently, this was the most beautiful scene she had ever seen in her life. Zhao Pan'er couldn't help but stretch out her hand, a petal fell right on her palm, a breeze blew, blowing up her dress, among the flying flowers, she was like a flower fairy, floating on the Lingbo River. The boat passed through the bridge hole, the setting sun shone on the river, reflecting the golden light, the psychedelic light and shadow danced around them, at this moment when no one noticed, Zhao Wei kissed Zhao Pan'er.

In the rain of flowers, the two kissed each other passionately. When their lips touched, Zhao Pan'er felt as if she had never experienced such a happy moment and she only hoped that time could stop at this moment forever.

As the boat left the bridge, Zhao Pan'er came back to her senses from her excitement. Shuangxi's happy face on the bridge came into her sight. In an instant, she suddenly realized that all this romance was not a coincidence, but something Zhao Wei had deliberately prepared.

A strong sense of happiness and bitterness suddenly surged into Zhao Paner's heart, and tears flowed uncontrollably again.

Even though the people who threw the flowers were strangers, this was the first time she felt the warmth of having her love blessed and acknowledged by others.

For three years, she had only been able to interact with Ouyang Xu as a landlord and a tenant. She thought that all the concealment and grievances were justified, but at this moment, all the unknown sad holes in her heart were filled by Zhao Wei's tenderness.

Zhao Wei could see the ups and downs in Zhao Pan'er's heart at this moment. He said nothing, but just looked at her quietly with a smile.
Zhao Pan'er looked back with tears in her eyes. The gentle and determined look slowly infected her, and gradually, she began to smile too.

This time, there was no more sadness in her smile, only steady happiness.

The two people's eyes met, and in the vast world, it seemed as if only they were left on the bow looking at each other, and all the noise around them seemed to have faded away.

On the river bank, Chi Pan was humming a little tune to the cricket cage with great interest.

Suddenly, a petal flew over and hit his nose, causing him to sneeze. The cricket cage in his hand fell to the ground, and the cricket in the cage took the opportunity to escape.

"Don't run! Don't run!"

Chi Pan shouted as he fell to the ground and searched everywhere. At the same time, he ordered his men around him, "Help me find it quickly. That's the jade monk I bought specially to please Haohao."

Then, Chi Pan, who was looking for crickets, bumped into Zhao Paner who had just come ashore from the small pier.

Looking up, Chi Pan saw that the person he bumped into was Zhao Pan'er. He immediately said angrily, "Zhao Pan'er, it's you again. Why do I have bad luck every time I see you?"

Zhao Pan'er walked around him with a puzzled look on her face and asked, "Why are you here?"

Just as Chi Pan was about to answer, he bumped into Zhao Wei's leg again. He looked up and blurted out, "Why are you here too?"

"Why can't I be here?"

Zhao Pan'er turned her head slightly and asked in confusion: "He doesn't know you?"

"Half-acquaintance."

"What do you mean by semi-acquaintance?"

Zhao Pan'er and Chi Pan said in unison, but the difference was that Zhao Pan'er looked puzzled, while Chi Pan looked dissatisfied and furious.

Zhao Wei ignored Chi Pan and looked at Zhao Pan'er tenderly, explaining, "He knows that I am Zhao Chengzong, but he doesn't know anything else. I met him several times in the past two years and stole a lot of his limelight."

Chi Pan noticed that something was wrong with the two of them, and then he saw Zhao Wei and Zhao Pan'er clasped their hands. He suddenly realized something and said angrily, "Well, I was wondering why I was unlucky today. It turns out that my two biggest enemies have colluded with each other without making any noise. You, you are in cahoots with each other, colluding with each other, and you are in cahoots with each other."

"Oh, it seems you have been reading a lot recently. You can even use idioms now." Zhao Wei teased.

"You and I……"

Chi Pan was so angry that he couldn't speak. He couldn't help but clench his fists, but in the end he didn't dare to punch.

After all, he had been taught a lesson by Zhao Wei many times in the past two years. The worst time was when he brought more than a dozen men with him, but was beaten by Zhao Wei alone and could not get out of bed for half a month.

Seeing Chi Pan's angry look, Zhao Wei said happily, "Why, have you eaten too many toads and turned into a toad yourself?"

"you……"

Seeing Chi Pan about to attack, Lu Wu hurriedly hugged him and said, "Yanei, don't be impulsive. We can't beat him."

"Shut up!"

Chi Pan roared angrily and struggled, "Let me go. I must teach him a lesson today."

Zhao Wei challenged cheerfully, "Come on, Lv Wu, let your young master go. I will let him enjoy the iron fist of justice again."

Lu Wu knew very well that Chi Pan was shouting beyond his capabilities, so he naturally could not let Chi Pan go. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Zhao Yanei, Zhao Madam, my Yanei is not in a good mood, please forgive me, forgive me."

At this moment, He Si interrupted with a cricket cage in hand, "Yanei, Yanei, I found your five-string cricket."

Upon hearing this, Chi Pan immediately forgot about Zhao Wei and Zhao Pan'er. He took the cricket and blew it carefully, then said with a look of heartache, "My Jade Monk, how come one of its whiskers fell off?"

Zhao Paner took a quick glance and could not help but said with joy: "The Jade Toutuo has a red hemp head, a green neck, golden wings, and a gold and silver forehead. Look at what you have in your hand. You have nothing and you are still giving it to the Jade Toutuo? You were not fooled by someone, were you?"

Seeing Chi Pan's astonishment, Zhao Wei also said happily: "It's normal to be cheated. Everyone in Tokyo knows that Chi Yanei is a sucker. Who else can we cheat if not him? This cricket is not even worth five cents."

Chi Pan was shocked. He looked at the cricket in his hand and finally looked at Zhao Pan'er in disbelief.

"You lied to me!"

Zhao Pan'er smiled contemptuously: "You said I lied to you, then I lied to you."

Chi Pan immediately fell into doubt and turned to look at Zhao Wei: "Is what she said true?"

"How should I know? I don't play with crickets. But your cricket looks like a dung beetle. It's obviously an ordinary cricket."

Zhao Wei curled his lips in disgust, and walked away in big strides holding Zhao Pan'er's hand.

After walking for a while, they met a flower seller. Zhao Wei bought a flower and handed it to Zhao Paner, saying with a smile, "I didn't expect that you also know about crickets. Let me think about it. In addition to knowing about crickets, you can also sing and dance, play Cuju, play dice, and practice tea ceremony... You are really multi-talented."

Zhao Pan'er sniffed the flower branch, turned her head to look at Zhao Wei, and said with a guilty conscience: "These are all inferior methods."

"As long as the means are useful, there is no distinction between good and bad. Let's not talk about Cuju and other things. I really like your singing and dancing." Zhao Wei said, leaning close to Zhao Pan'er's ear and whispering, "When we get married, you dance for me alone, light gauze..."

As Zhao Wei's words became more and more explicit, Zhao Pan'er blushed. Finally, she shook off Zhao Wei's hand and said with a sweet smile, "Okay, if you catch me, I will agree to all your requests."

After saying that, Zhao Paner ran away.

Zhao Wei quickly caught up with her and held her hand again. The setting sun made their figures look very long...

(End of this chapter)