They had spent many happy times in this courtyard.
In this courtyard, Liu Yunan died.
In this courtyard, his dream of love was completely shattered.
Wang Yi stared blankly at the bowl of porridge in front of him, but his eyes were unfocused.
Fang Qiong looked at him and sighed. He was always like this. He would never blame others when it was clearly their fault.
He didn't even know how to vent his anger on others.
He was so gentle, like the fire in the fireplace in winter, pure and warm, which made her heart ache a little.
"Yi, I'm five years older than you. I'm a widow, and now … I've been kicked out of the House of Liu because I cursed two sons of the Liu family to death."
Fang Qiong finally reached out and gently placed her hand on his forearm. She patted him softly, as if she was treating a child.
She was always so gentle.
How could she harden her heart to such a gentle person?
But she had still hurt him …
"It's impossible for us to be together."
Fang Qiong smiled. There was no helplessness or bitterness in her smile. She was not as docile and traditional as other young ladies. Most of the time, under her gentle and beautiful appearance, she was full of rebellious bones.
She often didn't even care about other people's feelings.
"…" Wang Yi turned his head slightly. He looked like he couldn't accept it, but he didn't refute her.
"I've already been married. I know what it's like to be a married woman. I also know what it's like to take care of my in-laws and maintain a family.
I don't want to get married again. I don't need it. "
She smiled. "I have a dowry. I have … the manor and shop that my husband bought for me. Now … I have a child."
She touched her belly gently. Looking at the slight bulge in her belly, she smiled warmly. "I don't really care whether this child is yours or Xu Ting's.
Yi, if it's yours, I'll be very happy too. "
"…" Wang Yi gritted his teeth. "Why would Xu Ting … He clearly …"
Fang Qiong shook her head. "It was at Lady Ge's Spring Appreciation Banquet … Xu Ting was drunk. I took advantage of him."
"…" Wang Yi stared at Fang Qiong in disbelief, as if he didn't know this woman at all.
It was just as beautiful, but … it was completely different!
"You're very good. You're good-looking, gentle, and you treat me well."
A gentle breeze ruffled Fang Qiong's soft hair, which draped over her shoulders. Half of it was pinned behind her head with a simple silver hairpin.
Gentle and mature, she always knew how to make herself more beautiful.
"But … I also like Xu Ting. He's very handsome. Even though he doesn't really talk to me, I want to see what kind of expression he has on his face when he's with me." Fang Qiong retracted her hand, feeling a bit embarrassed.
She took a deep breath and smiled faintly. "I know how you will view me, and I will be a little sad.
But Ah Yi, since I've already left the House of Liu's courtyard, I definitely won't return to my parents' home.
Why should I be bound by those restrictions? "
Her beautiful peach blossom eyes flickered with a strange light. She looked at ease, even a little relaxed after letting go of herself.
"It may be very bad, but I am very happy now.
I like you, and I have had you.
I like Xu Ting, and I have had him.
This is my present.
I don't care about the past or the future.
In this life... I think I will be more at ease, "she said.
"…" Wang Yi didn't know what to say. The sadness in his heart turned into emptiness, as if someone had hollowed him out.
She felt that she had had him, but … he suddenly realized that he had never had her.
He had never known her, the real her.
"If I embarrassed you … I'm really sorry.
I'm not your wife anyway. Just think of it as … a short-lived marriage, a soulmate. "Fang Qiong thought for a moment and said," I'll move out soon. Let's go to my courtyard in the South City. "
Wang Yi pursed his lips and shook his head. "You can live there. It's closer to the yamen, so it'll be easier for you to ask for help.
I prepared this courtyard for you in the first place … "
Fang Qiong nodded. She was used to living there, but … "Can I really?"
She tilted her head and carefully observed his expression.
Wang Yi took a deep breath and looked into her beautiful eyes. He tried to force a smile.
He saw that she was so at ease, and her expression was so open.
"If you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to come here in the future.
Ah Yi, I'm not your responsibility.
My place … should be a place where you can relax. You don't have to be responsible. You don't have to come here, and you're always welcome.
A friend lives here. When you need it, she can give you warmth.
When you don't need it, she won't disturb you. "
…
The sun was a little dazzling. Wang Yi raised his hand to block the sunlight. Immersed in his memories and thoughts, he walked to the courtyard in a daze.
He was ordered to follow Grand Secretary Zheng and the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice to seize Su King's house, dismiss Su King's family, demote all his concubines to commoners, and enrich the national treasury with money …
Now that everything was done, he had to report it to Lord Chen, and then let Zhang Tang enter the case.
Thinking of Lord Chen's pickiness and temper, he straightened his clothes and smoothed his hair in front of the door of the office in the backyard. He took a few deep breaths to pull himself together, and then strode into the main hall.
The first thing he saw when he entered was Zhang Tang's desk. The Dali Monastery's registrar, Lord Zhang, was peeking behind the screen with a wretched look.
He couldn't help but smile. Zhang Tang saw him come in. His ferocious, ugly face twitched, showing his embarrassment at being caught peeking.
"Lord Wang is here."
Zhang Tang coughed, and then pretended to take a sip of tea from the teacup on the table. He continued to bury his head in writing.
"…" The other registrar in the room raised his head and looked at Zhang Tang. He shook his head speechlessly, and then greeted Wang Yi.
After the greetings, Wang Yi stood beside the screen and said loudly, "Lord, Wang Yi requests to see you."
"Come in.
How many times have I told you not to be so polite in the yamen? "Chen Jue's voice was full of energy, and his tone was still full of disdain for the people of the world.
"Yes, Lord."
Wang Yi answered humbly, but from his gentle tone, one could tell that he meant, "Yes, yes. Next time, I'll be very 'polite' again."
After he finished speaking, Wang Yi raised his head and puffed out his chest. He walked around the screen and went to Wang Yi's study room at the back.
Lord Chen was sitting behind the desk, but he didn't bend over the desk to read. Instead, he leaned against the comfortable wooden chair and looked at Wang Yi calmly.
There was a man sitting on the wooden chair opposite Lord Chen. He was wearing the uniform of a general of the capital's garrison, the Nine Gates Infantry and the Five Patrol Battalions.
The man who was facing Lord Chen with his back to him heard his voice and turned to look at him. His two long eyebrows were still connected at the center of his eyebrows. His almond-shaped eyes were a symbol of cuteness, but on this man's face, there was a threatening heroic spirit.