usatvline Chapter 143 The People in the Painting
Chapter 143 The People in the Painting
The night was as still as water, the bright moon hung in the sky, and the frost-like moonlight shone through the window and covered the entire window frame.
"Squeak."
In the silent night, this faint sound was amplified like thunder, becoming exceptionally clear.
A dark figure nimbly flipped in through the window like a ghost. As the window slowly opened, a biting cold wind rushed into the room, bringing a chill.
The shadowy figure silently approached the bedside, its footsteps so light they seemed weightless.
He gazed quietly at the woman sleeping peacefully on the bed, his eyes revealing complex emotions.
After a long while, only a soft sigh was heard from the man.
"I have something to say to you."
In the darkness, his deep, magnetic voice rang out.
Su Fuying had already sensed someone entering the room, but she was pretending to be asleep; she had no intention of hiding it from him.
Upon hearing the man's voice, she opened her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Does the Regent really enjoy sneaking into women's bedrooms at night?"
Her tone was somewhat teasing and playful.
The man frowned slightly, seemingly feeling somewhat helpless about the problem.
"I'll only investigate you."
His answer was concise and clear, yet it left much to the imagination.
"what?"
Su Fuying's eyes widened, wondering if she had misheard.
She looked up at the man and found him to be serious and earnest, not joking.
"Where are my things?"
The man abruptly changed the subject and asked a question.
Oops!
Su Fuying felt a pang of anxiety, realizing she had made a mistake.
She touched her nose somewhat awkwardly and said in a low voice, "I forgot to send it to you, but it's ready and at the manor."
"Where do you put it?" The man raised an eyebrow, looking as if he would go and get it himself if the man told him.
After thinking for a moment, Su Fuying said, "I'll go with you. There are some things I need to give you."
Upon hearing this, the man's eyes lit up instantly, and his tone was filled with anticipation: "Oh? What is it?"
Su Fuying did not answer him, but silently took down the cloak hanging on the screen, casually draped it over her shoulders, and strode out.
Seeing this, the man's face showed a hint of helplessness, and he followed suit.
Since this wasn't her own home, Su Fuying was worried about being discovered by Madam Pei for going out in the middle of the night, so she climbed over the wall with Lu Yanxiu to go out.
After climbing over the courtyard wall, they came to a corner. A gleaming black horse stood there quietly, as if waiting for its master.
Upon seeing the horse again, Su Fuying was truly impressed with her own eyesight.
The last time I saw Lu Yanxiu riding it, it looked familiar. Wasn't that the same horse that the Regent and Yingyi rode when they came by on the street?
The situation was urgent, and she didn't pay attention to the horse, but she still glanced at it briefly because it was such a fine horse.
It was indeed my mistake that I didn't recognize Lu Yanxiu's horse when I saw it again later.
The man skillfully mounted his horse and then extended his hand to Su Fuying.
However, Su Fuying rolled her eyes dismissively, grabbed the reins, and with the horse's help, easily climbed onto its back and sat steadily on it.
The horse let out two low groans, its hooves stamping back and forth in place, seemingly dissatisfied with Su Fuying's arrival and throwing a little tantrum.
"Let's go." The man slightly curled the corners of his lips, wrapped his arms around the woman's waist, and squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs, causing the horse to reluctantly move forward.
Su Fuying shifted uncomfortably in her waist, unsure what to do with her hands. "Could you lead two horses next time?"
"How could I not know that Princess Yongle could be shy?" The man leaned down slightly, his chin gently resting on the woman's shoulder, his voice low and husky as if it had been brushed by sand.
Warm breath sprayed onto Su Fuying's neck, and she couldn't help but tremble all over. "Go away."
Su Fuying reached out and pushed the head on her shoulder uncomfortably, her eyebrows almost twisted into a knot.
Lu Yanxiu chuckled softly and said nothing more, the horse's hooves making a crisp sound on the stone pavement.
"His Majesty will not grant the marriage tomorrow." Suddenly, the silence was broken by the man's voice.
Su Fuying wasn't surprised and replied calmly, "I know."
"Mm," Lu Yanxiu responded.
After another long silence, as they drew closer to the Princess's residence, Su Fuying pinched her fingertips and finally said, "Thank you."
"Thank you for what?"
The man behind her smiled as he looked down at the woman's blushing ears.
"Today's events."
Ying Er makes it sound so easy. The courtyard that Ren Yingxue found for her is secluded. How could she possibly run into the Crown Prince as soon as she goes out?
She absolutely refused to believe it wasn't his order. After the Crown Prince caused such a huge incident yesterday, even if the Emperor wanted to grant the marriage, he would have to think twice.
Furthermore, judging from the Empress's attitude at the daytime banquet, she probably had no intention of making her her daughter-in-law.
"How can we refuse Princess Yongle's request?"
His voice trailed off with a slight upturn, carrying a hint of nonchalant nonchalance, and his low tone sent shivers down one's spine.
"hiss!"
The woman couldn't help but gasp, feeling her whole body go limp.
Just then, the horse stopped in front of the princess's mansion. Su Fuying grabbed the man's arm tightly and then quickly slid off the horse.
She secretly rejoiced that she had finally arrived; the journey had been agonizing.
"Help! This person is acting so strangely tonight, I don't know what's wrong with him."
As Su Fuying pondered this, she quickened her pace and walked into the mansion without looking back.
Lu Yanxiu stood rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed intently on the slender figure before him. He
The smile that had been on his lips gradually disappeared, replaced by an indescribable expression.
He seemed to be thinking about something, or perhaps recalling something.
After a while, he sighed softly, then turned and followed.
......
"Here."
After sitting in the room for a while, Su Fuying felt her physical discomfort gradually dissipate.
At that moment, the man strolled in leisurely, his footsteps sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Su Fuying glanced at the sandalwood box on the table and gestured to the man that he could take it with him.
"Where's the gift for me?"
Lu Yanxiu casually picked up the box, opened it at random, glanced at it, and then gently closed the lid before asking a question.
Su Fuying then took out a small porcelain bottle from the drawer under the dressing table and handed it to the man: "This thing is priceless, don't waste it."
Lu Yanxiu's eyes flickered for a moment, and he reached out to take the porcelain bottle, immediately feeling a cool sensation spreading from his fingertips.
He lowered his head and stared at the porcelain bottle in his hand, his fingers stroking it repeatedly.
After a moment of silence, he said softly, "Thank you."
"It's just a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Su Fuying responded nonchalantly.
She had no idea how many times this person had helped her behind the scenes.
But she was not stupid; most of what happened during that time was related to him.
She was too embarrassed to bring up the two conditions she had previously owed.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yanxiu's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.
"Ah."
Lu Yanxiu tucked the items into his sleeve and was about to speak when he heard a soft sound coming from the dressing table.
"Wow."
Perhaps Su Fuying had just opened the cabinet, causing some of the calligraphy and paintings piled on top to loosen and slide to the ground with a crash.
Su Fuying turned her head and couldn't help but utter a word about the essence of Chinese culture.
“wk”.
She quickly got up and went to tidy up, rolling up all the scattered calligraphy and paintings again.
Suddenly, a painting in her hand was snatched away by a pair of large hands. Su Fuying was startled and looked up.
The man in the black robe stood tall and elegant, with exquisite features and a cool demeanor. He exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay, and possessed a unique air of nobility.
His eyes shone with light as his long, slender fingers slowly opened the painting.
The candlelight cast its glow on his face, making his features appear even more defined. His expression was somewhat grim, and he was frowning as he stared at the painting.
Looking at her, Su Fuying couldn't help but feel confused. She couldn't even remember what the painting depicted.
So she slowly stood up, her gaze falling on the painting, her eyes flickering slightly.
"How dare you touch other people's things like that!" Su Fuying said, frowning, as she reached out to take the scroll back.
However, the man nimbly dodged her movement, his eyes darkening.
Half of the man's face was hidden in darkness, which made his ambiguous expression appear even more powerful and aggressive.
He stared intently at Su Fuying, his voice deep and magnetic: "Did you draw this?"
Su Fuying didn't know why he asked that, but she felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, so she still answered, "Of course."
"So you like things this small..."
Lu Yanxiu's deep voice rang out again, containing an almost imperceptible chill.
His narrowed eyes revealed a dangerous glint, and surging with an undisguised possessiveness.
Upon hearing the man's words, Su Fuying suddenly remembered that a few days ago he had said that the Sixth Prince was a good match for her, and that she had expressed her dislike for the Sixth Prince being too young.
His words today made Su Fuying feel somewhat strange.
"Brother, what are you talking about?"
Su Fuying rolled her eyes speechlessly, snatched the painting, and carefully put it away.
"This is a younger brother I used to know, you could say he's my biological brother."
Su Fuying explained that this was a portrait of her younger brother that she had drawn when she was bored after she first arrived.
That's her own brother; how can she let people make up stories about him?
"Your brother?" The man frowned slightly and remained silent for a while, his gaze fixed on her face, as if trying to find some answers from her expression and eyes.
"Or is it your brother?" Su Fuying couldn't help but ask, carefully placing the things in her hands at the bottom of the cabinet to prevent them from falling again.
"Have you ever seen portraits of the Pei family's four sons at the Grand Commandant's residence?" After a long silence, the man suddenly posed a seemingly insignificant question.
This made Su Fuying pause in her actions, and she replied with a puzzled look, "No, what's wrong?"
In fact, Madam Pei did mention at the beginning that she wanted to introduce her sons to Su Fuying, saying that they were all handsome and talented, and that Su Fuying would definitely like them if he saw their portraits.
However, Su Fuying politely declined at that time, so he never saw those portraits.
"Do you know that the person in your painting, who is also your so-called younger brother, looks exactly like the youngest son of the Pei family?"
The man's voice was deep and serious. He slowly raised his head and stared straight at her with his deep eyes, as if trying to see through her innermost thoughts.
His dark eyes reflected the woman's gradually growing surprise.
"What?" Su Fuying suddenly stood up from the ground, her face full of astonishment, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard.
Her eyes widened, filled with confusion and shock; her lips parted slightly, but she didn't know how to express her emotions.
The man raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of mockery flickering in his refined features.
His thin lips pursed slightly, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile that was both enigmatic and enigmatic.
His gaze remained fixed on Su Fuying, as if trying to see through her eyes to the depths of her heart.
Su Fuying grew increasingly anxious. Without hesitation, she took a step forward and grabbed the man's sleeve tightly, as if afraid he would suddenly disappear.
Her eyes were filled with expectation and anxiety, and her voice trembled slightly: "You said that Madam Pei's youngest son looks exactly like the person in my portrait?"
Lu Yanxiu tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling on the pair of hands clenched tightly on his wrist.
He noticed that her fingers were trembling slightly with excitement, as if she was trying to suppress some intense emotion.
His gaze deepened, as if he were deep in thought.
"Hmm," he responded softly, his tone as calm as a still lake, yet containing an indescribable power.
This simple word struck Su Fuying's heart like a bolt of lightning, making her heart beat faster instantly.
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Su Fuying felt all the strength drain from her body in an instant. Her legs went weak, and she involuntarily took a few steps back before finally sitting down slowly on the stool behind her.
Her eyes were empty and lifeless, as if she had lost her soul. She stared blankly ahead, her mind replaying Lu Yanxiu's words.
She finally remembered the scene at the temple last time. She had seen that child then, though only from behind, but his voice was deeply imprinted in her heart.
She had some doubts at the time, but that was all she had.
Now, all the clues have come together and point to the same answer.
She suddenly felt extremely annoyed, and almost laughed at her own stupidity.
In her previous life, she at least called herself the number one in the entire empire, but how did she become so foolish after coming here?
First, she hadn't discovered Lu Yanxiu's true identity for so long; then, when she met him at the temple last time, although she had some doubts, she didn't have the courage to go back and find out.
"what happened?"