When her husband kissed her, it felt natural, though she couldn’t explain it. Calling him a lecher made Dong Fang Che smile.
“Husband, why are we hosting so many people for our meal?” Lan Ling’er asked, surprised as she saw the yard full of ministers and their wives. Was this his surprise for her?
“We’re hosting a banquet! My dear, please take the main seat!” He skillfully wrapped his arm around her waist and walked to the main position.
The back garden suddenly fell silent.
“Husband, why is everyone quiet?” she wondered aloud. Moments ago, the guests were chattering, but now there was no sound.
“Eating without speaking is the way of a gentleman,” he replied.
Everyone here is a gentleman, so they eat without speaking. He knew they were afraid of him but couldn’t tell his beloved wife that their silence stemmed from fear, as that would be embarrassing.
Dong Fang Che looked around at the ministers and their wives, suddenly noticing a noble figure in a seemingly inconspicuous corner. His cold, proud eyes appeared unfocused, dark and calm, with black hair scattered around his ears and a blue-glowing diamond in his hair. He was so handsome that one couldn’t help but marvel, surrounded by a cold aura. Sitting next to him was the sister-in-law he had glimpsed before, wearing a red rose tight-sleeved robe and a hundred-flower trailing skirt. Her black hair was styled in an elegant updo, adorned with a plum blossom white jade hairpin. Though simple, she looked fresh and elegant. Lightly made up, with almond-shaped eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows, her face displayed a hint of delicacy yet seemed melancholic. She occasionally glanced at her husband beside her before quickly lowering her head, her eyes filled with tears.
“Husband, I’m so hungry! Can we start eating?” she finally spoke, seemingly surprised at the lack of conversation.
“Of course!” He put away his suspicious eyes and sweetly smiled at his charming wife before sitting down and holding her close.
The maids orderly served the main dishes.
The ministers, long frozen and starving, disregarded their image and began wolfing down the food.
“Pu!” Unexpectedly, someone spat out all the food they had just swallowed.
“Who?” Dong Fang Che’s expression darkened as he stood up and asked coldly.
“Husband, what’s wrong?” She was about to eat when his question confused her.
“The surprise I prepared for you has been ruined by someone!” Dong Fang Che said, sitting back down and holding Lan Ling’er’s shoulder tenderly.
“Who? Who ruined the surprise my husband prepared for me? Yin Bo, drag that person out and execute them!” Lan Ling’er exclaimed, incredulous that her surprise was gone before she could see it.
“My dear! Sit down first! We won’t argue with them!” He had wanted to tease her but realized she took it seriously. Fortunately, Yin Bo had already escaped.
Phew! Lan Ling’er took a long breath and giggled, sitting back next to Dong Fang Che. This husband of hers, always so serious, scared the guests into not daring to eat.
Luckily, she helped the minister out of an awkward situation; otherwise, her husband would have made him suffer!
“Husband, can we start eating now?” Lan Ling’er asked softly, noticing the ministers hesitating to touch their chopsticks.
“Mm!” Dong Fang Che picked up the chopsticks, served some dishes into her bowl, and said: “Eat quickly; this is the surprise I prepared for you!”
Lan Ling’er was stunned by the plate of flowers. She leaned close to his ear and whispered: “Husband, is this dish cooked wrong? Please have the maids take it away! How embarrassing!”
“My lady, this is the surprise I prepared for you! Wasn’t it because of these flowers that you were captured by bandits last time? I’ve sent people to remove all the flowers in the forest, and today I boiled a big pot of flower vegetable soup to avenge you. Your husband loves you so much!” Dong Fang Che secretly kissed her in front of everyone, admiring her fragrance and pure face.
“Husband, stop it! I know you love me, but the flower vegetable soup doesn’t taste good! Can’t we skip it?” she exclaimed, suddenly being kissed again, her face blushing.
“Okay! But aren’t these flower vegetable soups a waste?”
Father Emperor said every dish and soup is the blood and sweat of the common people. “Does my lady want her husband to become a criminal?” he asked, his gaze somewhat strange, but he laughed softly and pulled her back into his arms.
“I know the ministers will definitely finish it! Husband, let’s go to the Hongyan Pavilion! Xi’er mentioned that Yan’er has made several new dishes. We can go taste them!” She tried to push away Dong Fang Che, but he held her tightly, unable to move. She hurried to leave to avoid being seen in an intimate pose.
“Okay!” Dong Fang Che stood up, still holding Lan Ling’er, and turned to leave.
The ministers quickly spat out the flower vegetable soup, hurriedly rinsing their mouths, wondering if it was fit for human consumption.
“Oh, by the way!” Dong Fang Che suddenly turned back. The ministers quickly picked up their chopsticks, pretending to savor the food. “Be sure to finish the flower vegetable soup. I’ve given it a nice name – ‘Snow Spirit’. Don’t say I didn’t treat you well!” With that, he vanished.
All the ministers collapsed!
The snow at dusk was deep and intense, like a thousand strands of emotion, surging like seawater that could drown everything.
The scenery in the snow was magnificent, with heaven and earth blending into one silver expanse, as if the world were decorated with silver.
Walking alone in the snow, she felt the biting cold wind. Pulling her clothes tighter, she looked at the endless, desolate snow.
Recalling yesterday’s events, she couldn’t help but feel heartache.
“Wangfei, don’t blame Xi’er for being nosy. I heard the servants say that Wangye brought back a very beautiful woman today,” Xi’er said, carrying hot water.
“Impossible, Xi’er. You must have heard wrong!” she replied, pulling her long hair. Dong Fang Che would never be unfaithful; he said he would only love her, and she believed him.
“Is the girl talking about Lord Mingqi? He and my young lady have been childhood sweethearts. My young lady is in such a hurry to return because she wants to marry Lord Mingqi!” A maid in a yellow dress, adorned with small flowers, said playfully.
“Stop talking nonsense!” Yiqing gently reprimanded her, standing up with a snowball in hand, her face slightly flushed. “Mother said she would prepare a wedding feast for us at an auspicious time. The girl will definitely come then, right?”
“Although she didn’t know who the woman in front of her was, she felt an inexplicable connection, as if she had a deep relationship with this girl.
“Has Miss Yiqing heard that Lord Mingqi has a wife?” Xier asked softly, puzzled by the master and servant’s demeanor.
“Che-gege has a wife? No, Che-gege said he would take care of me for life! Isn’t that right, Ban’er?” Yiqing leaned back, saved from falling by Ban’er’s quick reflexes.
“Right! Young lady, this is the lord’s promise to you!” Ban’er quickly placed a small pill in Yiqing’s mouth.
“Xier, don’t talk nonsense! Miss Yiqing, don’t listen to her, it’s just a joke! You look unwell; please go rest. We’ll leave now!” Her eyes concealed her hurt as she turned and sighed softly.
“Young lady, we…” Urgent footsteps approached, but before Xier could finish, Lan Ling’er pulled her behind a pine tree.
“Young lady, it’s the lord!” Xier whispered, spotting the cold and handsome lord.
“Don’t speak!” Though she knew it was somewhat unethical to observe him, she felt compelled to uncover the truth. Dong Fang Che, would you tell me if I didn’t do this? Lan Ling’er thought.
Dressed in a blue brocade robe with a golden belt and black boots, he exuded a captivating royal aura. He tiptoed silently towards the inner courtyard, eyes wide.
