Shen Guilan almost froze in place. He leaned his ear over and asked in disbelief, "Say that again?"
Huo Wei cast a cold glance at him. "Plant flowers."
Shen Guilan looked at the dilapidated medicinal field, the one he had painstakingly cultivated. It had been ruined by this madman.
In a fit of anger, he covered his chest. "Huo Wei, you've gone mad, completely mad."
Huo Wei said calmly, "The prince's mansion is cold and quiet. There are only sandbags, swords, and spears. I just want to cultivate my mind and nature. The military advisor need not be so agitated."
The butler stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, you said you want to plant flowers. Do you have a favorite flower seed, or shall this old servant make the arrangements?"
Huo Wei's strong features looked somewhat casual as he said, "It doesn't matter. How about roses?"
Shen Guilan's face flushed with anger.
"A madman! The great God of War General is actually planting roses in his backyard. Huo Wei, I'm afraid it's because that demon queen likes them, and you're trying to please her?"
He had grown up with Huo Wei since childhood. Whenever Huo Wei acted out of the ordinary, he could sense it immediately.
Huo Wei folded his hands behind his back and turned his dark eyes. "What the Empress Dowager Dugu likes has nothing to do with me."
After saying that, he lifted his feet and walked away. He said to the butler without turning around, "Hurry up."
The butler scratched his head and looked at Military Advisor Shen, who was trembling with anger. He kindly comforted him,
"Alas, Military Advisor, calm down. His Highness has committed too many sins in the past. Now, cultivating flowers to cultivate his mind and dispel his evil aura is a good thing."
Shen Guilan said coldly, "People who cultivate their minds and nature usually grow plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Have you ever seen a grown man plant a whole garden of roses?"
The butler shut his mouth and walked away silently.
After Shen Guilan calmed down, he became more determined in his mind. He must cut off all of Huo Wei's thoughts about the Empress Dowager Dugu.
If Huo Wei had truly fallen in love, simply pulling them apart like this would definitely not work according to his personality.
For a person in love, only love can break it off.
Spring brings life to all things, and new green buds sprout on the branches.
Under the solemn and silent vermilion palace walls, there is a touch of softness and color.
The cherry blossoms are gentle and lingering, blown by the spring breeze under the blue sky.
The floating clouds are white and drift slowly.
A few small birds with bright green feathers fly across the sun.
The golden sun shines on the birds' feathers like a golden silk shawl, emitting a dazzling and brilliant luster.
Dugu Luanyue stood by the lake in the imperial garden. Her eyes reflected the sight of the green birds flying by. She smiled and asked,
"How is the preparation for the Spring Banquet going?"
Aunt Mei Jiang replied,
"Everything is almost ready. It's extremely luxurious. The princes, ministers, and noble ladies who come will surely be impressed and praise Your Highness for handling things appropriately."
Dugu Luanyue stroked the red skirt embroidered with golden peonies. She said lazily,
"Since the Emperor of the Northern Yan destroyed the Western Liao, he has gained a capable general like Huo Wei. The Northern Yan has truly become a military power.
Murong Min's mind has long since relaxed. This is the time for him to enjoy the achievements of his life.
Since that's the case, let him continue to indulge."
Aunt Mei Jiang supported the Empress and slowly walked by the Taiji Lake behind the imperial garden of the Northern Yan Palace. She lowered her eyes and analyzed,
"Your Highness is still taking a two - pronged approach, right?
On the one hand, let the Emperor of the Northern Yan indulge in wine and women. On the other hand, let the Prince of Yuzhang quickly rise in the court and gain the power he wants."
Dugu Luanyue nodded. "Yes. The higher a person stands and the more things he gets, the more concerns he will have and the more he will cherish his life.
If Huo Wei holds power in the court for a long time, he will no longer want to fight on the battlefield."
However, in recent days, she had been pondering over Huo Wei again.
On the day when she had her period, she clearly felt that Huo Wei had deliberately stayed with her. However, Huo Wei had deliberately kept a distance from her, and she didn't quite understand.
At the Spring Banquet, there were flowing cups of wine, and spring flowers were used as tea and wine.
The ladies and noble girls from the Northern Yan aristocracy all wore spring flowers in their hair and silk dresses. They were beautiful, and their colorful dresses made them stand out in front of others.
They were as bright and charming as this spring day.
Dugu Luanyue returned to the Fengluan Palace. She took off her bright red imperial robe and put on a light pink palace dress embroidered with peach blossoms in gold thread. The flower ornaments between her eyebrows were also changed into the shape of peach blossoms.
Her hair was piled high, and she removed the gold hairpins and jade rings. Only a few bright pink peonies were dotted on her black hair.
With every frown and smile, her beauty was enchanting. Many people in the hall stared at her. Even Murong Min didn't look at the concubines once.
His eyes were all on the Empress.
However, she was deliberately or inadvertently staring at Huo Wei. Her eyes were bright, and she casually raised a cup of peach blossom wine towards Huo Wei.
Huo Wei's dark eyes swept across but didn't respond to her. Instead, he was talking to Shen Guilan beside him.
Her expression froze. Huo Wei was being cold to her again today.
Shen Guilan said, "The Empress Dowager Dugu has been looking at you, but you're ignoring her."
Huo Wei's deep and strong features remained the same. "Why should I talk to the Emperor's woman?"
Dugu Luanyue bid farewell to Murong Min, saying that she had drunk too much and wanted to go out for some fresh air.
Murong Min was a little unhappy. "You just sat down, and now you're leaving."
She smiled sweetly. "Your Majesty, I'll ask Concubine Zhao to accompany you."
Dugu Luanyue saw that Zhao Chuyan was like a vicious dog, always wanting to pounce on Murong Min. It was just right. She didn't want to be too close to Murong Min. Tonight, she would give her the position.
Aunt Mei Jiang went to remind Zhao Chuyan to come and toast. Dugu Luanyue took advantage of the situation and left Zhao Chuyan by Murong Min's side to entangle him.
Then she got up and went to the lake behind the Changle Hall. As she walked, a pink peony on her hairpin accidentally fell off. Perhaps because she was slightly drunk, she didn't notice.
When she reached the big banyan tree by the lake and blew the wind for a while, she saw out of the corner of her eye Huo Wei, who was used to wearing a black robe, walking over with a pink peony in his hand.
Dugu Luanyue smiled charmingly. Her charming eyes widened. "Come to the lake to blow the wind?"
Huo Wei walked closer and held up the peony in his hand, wanting to put it back in her hair. But Dugu Luanyue slapped his hand away with an angry look on her face.
He asked in a muffled voice, "What's wrong again?"
Seeing that he was getting a little too close, Dugu Luanyue quickly took a step back. "It's nothing."
Huo Wei frowned. "Speak up. Don't expect me to guess what you're thinking."
She puffed up her cheeks and glared at Huo Wei out of the corner of her eye. "Why were you cold to me just now? I looked at you for a long time, but you didn't even look at me once."
Huo Wei twirled the peony in his hand. He thought, was she angry because she cared about him?
His long legs unconsciously took a step towards her. "My senior brother was beside me."
Dugu Luanyue squinted at him. Her fair and charming face glowed white under the moonlight. Her blushing cheeks showed a hint of cuteness at this moment.
"I don't want to hear your explanation. Just because of your senior brother, you changed your attitude towards me. I've seen you clearly.
Forget it, Huo Wei. Stay away from me. Otherwise, your senior brother will get angry again."
Huo Wei's figure loomed over like a black curtain. He forcefully pulled the pink figure in front of him and put the pink peony back in her hair.
He raised his eyebrows slightly. "Are you really angry? Did you use this flower to lure me out?"
Dugu Luanyue stretched out her jade hand. Her slender fingers hooked onto the belt around his waist. Her charming eyes blinked at him.
"I miss you."