Chapter 10
The life after marriage was much more pleasant than I had imagined.
The Northern Tribes in Shishuo had already submitted surrender, and Ling Anping had been promoted to Mingwei General, a well-known figure in the military.
He finally had time to accompany me in playing polo and throwing cups.
Every time I encountered Zhao Yuan, I could see the woman wearing a veil standing beside him. I could clearly feel her gaze but never paid it any mind.
What I cared about was how many points the polo had scored, how many cups the throwing had scored.
I cared about whether I was happy and smooth, whether my husband was cheerful and open.
Finally, Zhao Yuan issued an invitation to Ling Anping.
He did not trust me alone in the residence. He would bring me no matter what.
I specially had someone dress me up better than any other time.
The dishes from Juxiang Pavilion were the best in the capital, and I ate them with particular satisfaction today.
If Xu Fengwan's face across from me was even sourer, I would eat even better.
Xu Fengwan had sent away both Zhao Yuan and Ling Anping and only then removed her veil to stare at me fiercely.
"Xu Mei, I advise you to restrain yourself. You are wearing my identity now."
I stuffed the braised pork knuckle into my mouth before looking at Xu Fengwan.
If she had not spoken, I would have forgotten that I used to be called Xu Mei.
I wiped the corner of my mouth and then looked at her properly. We rarely faced each other like this without anything on.
It used to be that she did not want to, but now she could not.
Xu Fengwan's face was sallow and listless, as if she had not been doing well recently.
Seeing her like this made me even happier.
"I am loving with my husband. What does that have to do with restraining myself?"
"You are shameless! You are really just a shameless maid!"
Xu Fengwan was so angry that she spat out all kinds of dirty words.
I watched her gradually go mad with indifference, but in my heart was infinite joy.
She now only felt uncomfortable and unhappy, but I wanted her to taste all the bitterness I had suffered before.
The door of the private room was pushed open. Xu Fengwan hurriedly put the veil back on.
I looked at her and smiled gently. Now, she could only live under the veil.
Ling Anping walked over to take my hand to leave, but was stopped by Zhao Yuan.
"General Ling, those who know the situation are wise."
Ling Anping pushed him away. "Sorry, my eyes are blind but my heart is not. Zhao Zhen is like a brother to me. I cannot do the act of killing my own brother."
After saying that, he turned away handsomely and even helped me take the malt candy I had bought from the market just now.
On the way home, he pinched my hand and asked softly, "Zhao Lengxiang, are you not afraid?"
Lengxiang was the name my mother gave me, but no one had ever cared about it.
I shook my head and laughed lightly. "With my husband by my side, Lengxiang has never been afraid."
He was satisfied with this and hummed a little song as he walked home.
As expected, on the third day, my husband and I were summoned to the palace.
Zhao Yuan wanted to blame Ling Anping for plotting to murder the Former Crown Prince Zhao Zhen at the hunting ground, and as his wife, I was to go with him.
I laughed so hard in the carriage that I could not straighten up.
Xu Fengwan probably did not know. She thought she had made a perfect trap through all her efforts.
In reality, she was just a piece on the board.