Recently, Shen Guilan had an excuse to enter the palace because of Murong Jue's matter. He often showed up in the Imperial Hospital and enjoyed a bit more freedom to move around the deep palace than Huo Wei. Occasionally, he even reported the progress to Concubine Xian, Wei Enxian.
Du Gu Luanyue stood under a pavilion not far from the Imperial Hospital, sitting beside the stone table in the middle of the pavilion.
Dressed in a purple phoenix robe made of floating - light brocade, her already noble aura became even more graceful. There was a tinge of sadness in her charming and coquettish face that a person in power should not have.
She stretched out her fair jade - like hand to hold the teapot and pour tea. "Military Advisor Shen, you look extremely haggard these days. Is there something wrong in the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion?"
Shen Guilan's eye sockets were slightly sunken, with dark circles under his eyelids. Compared with his former high - spirited and resourceful self, he was like an eggplant beaten by frost at the moment, lacking energy.
He took the warm cup of tea and took a small sip. "Everything in the mansion is fine. It's just that the Queen retracted the plan she mentioned a few days ago. I wonder what her new intention is."
Du Gu Luanyue had sent people in advance to inform both Huo Wei and Shen Guilan about the matter of arranging a political marriage for Huo Wei.
He knew about it, and he also knew that in the past few days, Huo Wei had almost been brooding in his room after court. Presumably, he must have had a dispute with the Queen.
Du Gu Luanyue picked up some red dates with golden tongs and threw them into the small teapot on the brazier. With her jade - like eyes half - lowered, her voice was a bit low.
"Huo Wei doesn't like to use a political marriage as a scheme. I thought I'd change the method.
I haven't seen him recently. Since you come and go in the Imperial Hospital, I've asked you to discuss it."
As a military advisor, Shen Guilan was extremely perceptive in observing people's expressions. He curled his lips.
"I didn't expect the Queen to start caring about Huo Wei's feelings. She even changed the simplest and safest method for him."
Du Gu Luanyue felt a bit sour in her throat. It was the first time she had seen Huo Wei look at her with such anger and disappointment. She also smiled.
"I've always acted in a ruthless and decisive way, doing whatever it takes to achieve my goal.
But this time, he was really angry, so I'll change the method, a method that he can accept."
Shen Guilan handed over the empty cup, raising his eyebrows slightly.
"The Queen has truly fallen in love. You and Huo Wei are both serious about this hopeless relationship. Sure enough, when people fall in love, their minds will gradually become dull."
Nanny Meijiang shouted from the side. "Military Advisor Shen, please watch your words!"
Shen Guilan sneered. "Now, Jue is gone. Huo Wei has been sinking in self - blame every day and has become listless.
The plan between the Queen and us has completely fallen apart because there is no longer a binding interest between the Wei family and the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion. If we want to achieve our goal quickly, a political marriage is the simplest and fastest way.
But from the perspective of the Wei family, they are not very willing to have a political marriage with Huo Wei.
The nobles of the Northern Yan Dynasty look down on Huo Wei's background. But the apple of the Wei family's eye is willing. As long as Wei Zhiruo insists on marrying him, there is a high possibility that Marquis Wei will make concessions."
Du Gu Luanyue said. "I've probed Concubine Xian and also told her straightforwardly that among all the court officials, only Huo Wei will keep investigating Murong Jue's death.
Huo Wei is naturally brave and the only one who will spare no effort to avenge Murong Jue.
In the future, the Wei family should more or less support Huo Wei in the court. If there is a chance, a closer family relationship is also acceptable.
After all, Huo Wei is extremely capable and will bring greater benefits to the Wei family in the future.
Concubine Xian was wavering. As a mother, the thought of avenging her son will make her waver.
But I know that Huo Wei is a man who clearly differentiates between love and hate and has a pure heart. I'm willing to protect the clean part inside him. He is not me. I have no bottom - line when doing things, so I'll make a concession this time."
Her eyes turned red as she said these words.
Although she knew that there was no future between her and Huo Wei, she could no longer calculate Huo Wei without a bottom - line as before, completely ignoring his feelings and only looking at the benefits.
Shen Guilan looked at the boiling teapot on the brazier, with the hot tea spurting out. It was like his depressed heart, being scorched by the raging fire. He took a deep breath.
"I also want to avenge Jue. I even hope that after Huo Wei quickly fulfills his responsibility, he can do what he wants to do and live for himself.
I know the Queen is afraid that the madman will become wild and hate you from then on. It's okay. I'll handle this matter. It has nothing to do with you."
Let Huo Wei hate him if he wants. His long eyes drooped completely, and there was a dead - like stillness in his expression.
Du Gu Luanyue was still a bit unwilling. "Military Advisor Shen is so resourceful. Isn't there any other way?"
Shen Guilan slowly got up, his voice cold. "No."
After the military advisor, who always dressed in plain clothes and never wore gorgeous robes, left, the first snow of the year fell in the Northern Yan Dynasty.
Du Gu Luanyue dragged her purple palace dress and walked in the snowflakes all over the sky. With her black hair and red lips, her eyes were filled with the cold and scheming atmosphere of the deep palace.
"Auntie, for people like us, love has always been something that is hard to come by. I've met it, but I can't have it." Her bleak smile was lost in the cold wind.
Nanny Meijiang helped Du Gu Luanyue into the phoenix carriage and sighed.
"The Queen was born with responsibilities and can't make a single mistake. Naturally, she can't let her feelings disrupt important matters.
The Queen wants to protect the Prince of Yuzhang once, but isn't the Queen also sacrificing her own marriage?
At such a beautiful age, she married into the royal family as a step - queen. Her husband treated her badly and even wanted all the territories of her mother - country. Who wouldn't feel bitter?"
Du Gu Luanyue placed her hand on Nanny Meijiang's shoulder. "Auntie is the best at comforting people."
A few days later, Shen Guilan sent a message, saying that he had almost completed the layout and that Du Gu Luanyue could also start making preparations.
After learning this news, she went to visit the sick Wei Enxian. Coincidentally, Wei Zhiruo was also there.
Wei Enxian agreed quickly. She said that whoever avenged Murong Jue would be the greatest benefactor of the Wei family.
Queen Du Gu asked Emperor Murong Min for permission. Since the snow and wind had come earlier this year, the concubines and royal nobles could go to the royal hot - spring palace to soak in the hot springs.
Murong Min approved the order and decreed that Huo Wei should lead troops to escort them.
Half a month later, the people in the palace set off for the hot - spring palace. Wei Zhiruo followed beside Concubine Xian. In the past few days, she had put on extremely charming makeup and was no longer overbearing but extremely gentle and low - key.
Shen Guilan sent someone to say that tonight, Wei Zhiruo should go there first.
But they had to make preparations in advance. She should change into the Queen's robe, comb the Queen's hairstyle, and apply the rose essential oil that the Queen was used to.
Wei Zhiruo did as she was told. Looking up, she found that they had already arrived at Huo Wei's villa in the hot - spring palace, Lanling Hall.
She tiptoed into the hall and walked to the couch in the bedroom. She saw Huo Wei lying in a daze on the bed, half - naked, with hot steam rising from his well - defined chest.
Wei Zhiruo closed the door tightly. After walking over, she stripped off all her clothes.
The bright red long dress was messily thrown on Huo Wei's dark green robe. The golden hooks on the side of the phoenix bed were dropped, and the curtain immediately covered them.