In the shade of a lush village entrance, farmers diligently tended to their crops, hopeful for a good harvest after three years of tax exemption.
On a secluded path, a group of mischievous children were taunting a tall, raggedly dressed figure.
"Idiot! Big idiot! Here, have a steamed bun!"
One boy threw a stone he held in his hand at the tall figure.
The tall figure, foolishly, didn't dodge. He cried out in pain, his voice slightly hoarse but sounding young. His eyes, hidden by his hair, showed a hint of grievance.
"He really is an idiot!"
"Look at his face, it's so scary."
"Quick, chase him away, don't let him into our village."
The tall figure was thus driven away from the village entrance by the group of children. He touched his rumbling stomach and plucked some leaves from a tree, chewing them.
So hungry, wanting to eat, congee...
"Whoa!"
The horse's hooves landed, and Xing Mei leaped down, charging into the woods like the wind.
Having finished her business, she pulled up her pants and turned around, only to see a figure standing by a tree like a ghost, her dark eyes staring directly at her... hand adjusting her pants.
"Damn it, you dare take advantage of me!"
Xing Mei's face turned cold, and killing intent emanated from her. She reached behind her and, with a 'swish', drew out a dazzlingly sharp knife.
"Leave those eyes of yours here, heh!"
The fool realized the danger and tried to run, but tripped over a vine. As the dazzling object was about to descend upon him, he widened his eyes in stunned disbelief.
The blade stopped just short of his dirty, broken face.
Huh?
Doesn't this face look a little familiar?
"Wife..."
The fool stared blankly at Xing Mei, tears of grievance welling up in his eyes. "Wife, hungry, want congee..."
What?
This little voice is quite nice.
A bit hoarse, a bit alluring.
Xing Mei pushed aside the strands of hair hanging down on either side of his face with her sword and examined him closely.
"Holy cow! Lu Wangba!"
Heh! The old man is dead, but this little one is still alive! Unfortunately, he's fallen into my hands.
"Heh heh, want congee, right? Let's go!"
Let's see how she deals with this little brat!
"Congee, Wife, you're so good, congee..."
This fool was precisely Lu Yanmo, who had jumped off the cliff. Falling from the ten-thousand-zhang cliff, he happened to be caught by branches, thus avoiding a pulverized end. However, he had been reduced to a fool.
Was it fortune or misfortune?
...
Song Beiting, carrying a bundle of thorns, knelt before the Taiyi Hall. He had come to confess his guilt.
The rumors in the capital had started because of him. The portrait had gone missing without reason, placing her at the center of the rumors. This made him wish he could die to atone.
He could no longer face her.
Originally, she had begun to trust him again. That day, before the Cliff of Broken Hearts, her calling him "Qingge" had stunned him for a long time.
He had no further desires. Being able to watch her from afar was enough, truly.
Why, in a moment of greed, did he take that portrait?
Leading to this situation?
She would surely think he had done it, call him delusional and despicable, right?
Emperor Mingde paced back and forth, extremely vexed. He looked at Song Beiting's attire, carrying thorns to beg for forgiveness.
Why was his mind so stubborn?
For so many years, he had been like his own brother! Did he not trust him?
"It was I who gave you the painting. If anyone is to blame, it's me for being careless. What does it have to do with you? Just go investigate the thief who stole the painting. What if you took the painting? Between you and the Imperial Sister, can't there still be a sibling bond?"
Sibling bond...
It could be, but it was his fault for losing it, and it had been spread by ill-intentioned people.
Given their past relationship, who would believe they were merely siblings? It would only tarnish her reputation, tarnish...
Moreover, in his heart, he did harbor impure thoughts.
He was not wronged.
"Your Majesty, this minister wishes to guard the city gates. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."
"You, impossible! The Commander of the Imperial Guard is yours and yours alone! Besides you, I trust no one!"
"Your Majesty! This is the best solution. If you issue a decree to demote me to guarding the city gates, the rumors will be self-defeating, and the Princess's reputation will not be affected."
"Rumors, what about rumors? They will eventually dissipate."
Besides, who knew that rumors wouldn't turn into reality?
If only Wen Tang had half of Xiao Shan's shamelessness, she wouldn't be clinging to a single painting, reminiscing about the past.
The Imperial Sister was a goddess. Even if she had a harem, no one would dare to speak ill of her. Why lower herself to be with that brute, Xiao Shan.
"Wen Tang, if, if you were truly to become Lingyao's second husband..."
"Your Majesty!" Song Beiting interrupted sharply, his gaze carrying a warning. The usually respectful and deferential man, for the first time, showed anger towards the Emperor: "You are insulting the Princess!"
Indeed, her status was supreme, and no one dared to question her decisions.
However, with her pure heart and icy soul, she was noble and inviolable. In her heart, she was still that pure and untainted little girl. Any disrespectful thought towards her was a blasphemy.
Towards Xiao Shan, her heart was as steadfast as a stone.
Towards her, Xiao Shan's devotion was unwavering.
No one could intervene.
He had understood this long ago.
Towards Xiao Shan, he had lost convincingly, respecting his righteousness for Jing Country, and also grateful for everything he had done for the Princess.
Winning the Princess's heart was what he deserved.
Anyone else would not be worthy.
He himself was not worthy.
For the Emperor to say this was too insulting to the Princess.
"Wen Tang, you... alas—" Emperor Mingde sighed heavily.
How could he dare to insult the Imperial Sister? He felt that the Imperial Sister was too exceptional and deserved the best man in the world.
Who could compare to his brother's sincere devotion to the Imperial Sister!
"I beg Your Majesty to demote me to guarding the city gates!"
Song Beiting kowtowed heavily once more, seemingly resolute. If the Emperor disagreed, he would continue to kowtow.
"This minister recommends Deputy Commander Duo Rui to take my place."
He knew Duo Rui was promoted by Xiao Shan and was very capable. He would definitely protect the Emperor well. Without him, the palace would still be as impregnable as a golden fortress.
Emperor Mingde looked at him with a face full of anger.
This fool!
Always paving the way for others!
"Brother Wen Tang, is this attire because of the rumors in the capital?"
Lingyao strode in, her pretty face filled with disapproval.
Song Beiting, carrying the thorns, stiffened. He turned his kneeling position and kowtowed to her.
"This minister is guilty."
"Imperial Sister, quickly persuade him. It's just some rumors, yet he acts as if the sky is falling." Emperor Mingde said helplessly.
Lingyao reached out to help him up. "Brother Wen Tang, have you ever considered that by distancing yourself from us, you are falling into the enemy's trap?"
Song Beiting was startled. He looked up. She wasn't concerned about his damaged reputation, but about this?
He had also considered this. However, the Deputy Commander's abilities were not much different from his own, and he was a reliable person. He felt that without him, it would be fine...
"It's just a painting. You and I grew up together, our bond is extraordinary. Even if we are not husband and wife, we are still friends and family. Your eagerness to prove yourself is precisely falling into someone's trap. The best method is to ignore it."
"Rumors are just rumors. If they don't become reality, they will naturally dissipate."