Linglong Pavilion.
Wen Fuyue was in a huff and naturally didn't stand on ceremony with Wei Sinian. After leaving the Jinyu Tower, she asked where the biggest jewelry store in Anfu Capital was and stomped over there with a few attendants.
Wei Sinian saw Wen Fuyue's taut face and knew she was angry. But he had no idea what had upset her, so he kept racking his brains to recall what he had done wrong.
It seemed that Fuyue had been acting strange ever since he returned to the private room. Could it be that she had grown impatient waiting for him because he had returned too late?
Damn Li Changshuo! He had landed him in the bad books of the imperial concubine.
Wei Sinian mentally made a note to settle the score with Li Changshuo and then scurried after Wen Fuyue. Looking at her pouting face, her cheeks flushed unconsciously, he felt an urge to laugh.
No laughing!
Wei Sinian managed to hold back the laugh, thanks to his self - preservation instinct, and then cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
"Your Majesty, are you feeling cold? Do you need an extra robe?"
Wen Fuyue had adjusted her mindset and decided to be the perfect favored concubine. Hearing Wei Sinian's cough, she immediately pretended to be concerned and stopped in her tracks, turning to look at him.
[Humph, serves you right!]
Wei Sinian didn't miss Wen Fuyue's sarcastic inner thought. It gave him a headache. Looking at her duplicitous act, he could only mutter, "I'm fine."
It really was a bad idea to offend women. Wei Sinian suddenly remembered the sighs of some ministers he had overheard after court one day, and this thought popped into his head.
Hearing this, Wen Fuyue turned around and continued walking forward, but her steps slowed down a bit.
[I'm so mad! I'm so sad...]
[! A handsome man! Wow, he's so good - looking!]
Hearing this, Wei Sinian's eyes darkened. His hands tightened involuntarily, and he immediately looked up. His gaze followed Wen Fuyue's to the man standing under a tree in the distance.
The tree was laden with golden leaves that fluttered down in the wind. Under the tree stood a man in white. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
He was looking up at the tree with a hint of indescribable gentleness in his eyes. His sword - shaped eyebrows and starry eyes, along with his pursed thin lips, made him look both handsome and amorous.
Wen Fuyue looked at him and felt a strange sense of familiarity.
This man was so good - looking.
Wen Fuyue couldn't help but steal a few more glances before reluctantly averting her eyes. It was a pity that Wei Sinian was around. Otherwise, she could have feasted her eyes on him for a while longer.
The moment Wei Sinian saw the man, his muscles tensed up. His eyes were filled with coldness, and a sarcastic smile played on his lips.
On closer inspection, the two men bore a faint resemblance to each other.
It was Wei Sijing. Anfu's heart sank the moment he saw him, and he didn't dare to look at Wei Sinian's expression.
Wei Sinian was wearing a mask, and Wen Fuyue was wearing a bamboo hat. They almost brushed past the man and then blended back into the crowd.
"Your Majesty, this..."
Wei Sijing was supposed to arrive in the capital in four or five days, but now he had shown up ahead of schedule. Naturally, Wei Sinian wasn't going to let him have his way.
What a coincidence. Wei Sinian sneered inwardly. He glanced back at the oblivious Wei Sijing and let out a cold laugh.
He wondered what schemes Wei Sijing had this time. He had managed to come to the capital early and evade all the secret guards and spies following him. It seemed that some people must have been turned. This was going to be a hassle.
But it was okay. Wei Sinian's expression remained calm, but the coldness in his eyes deepened. It seemed that this time he could take the opportunity to root out quite a few traitors. It would be a bit of a gain, and there would be some new faces for the Punishment Department.
"Give the order. Have the Shadow Guards keep a close eye on the Prince of An, and then send a few more people to watch the Empress Dowager closely." Wei Sinian's smile was icy, and his voice was bone - chilling. Anfu shivered and immediately replied, sending his apprentice, Xiaofuzi, to carry out the order.
Wen Fuyue only heard Wei Sinian giving some instructions and didn't turn back. Guided by Wen Yu, she continued walking forward.
All the way, both Wei Sinian and Wen Fuyue were unusually quiet. Wen Fuyue was seething with anger, while Wei Sinian was fuming over Wen Fuyue's earlier inner thought. There was a hint of indignation in his eyes.
"We're here." Wen Yu pointed to a small building in the distance and said softly to Wen Fuyue.
[It's so beautiful! The perfect money - burning den. Here I come!]
Wen Fuyue perked up immediately and quickened her pace.
As soon as they entered the building, a young girl in blue walked up to Wen Fuyue and asked softly, "Madam, are you here to buy something or just browsing?"
Buy what? Wen Fuyue wasn't really interested in these gold and silver jewelry. She just wanted to take a look.
After all, she didn't have any money with her. She had originally planned to take Wei Sinian for a ride, but after walking for a while and calming down, she regretted it.
Forget it. They weren't that close. A calculating man like Wei Sinian would never let anyone get something for free. Whatever she took now, she would have to pay back a hundredfold in the future.
So she'd just take a look. Her eyes swept over the jewelry on display in the cabinets with a hint of regret, and she said to the girl in blue, "It's okay. I'll just look around by myself."
Wen Fuyue thought the girl would leave, but instead, she just let out a hearty laugh and said, "I'm not busy at the moment. I think you look familiar, madam. If you don't mind, I'll show you around."
"Thank you." Wen Fuyue looked at the smile in her eyes and followed her shyly.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Wen Fuyue's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of caution rose in her heart. But after catching a glimpse of Wei Sinian beside her, she relaxed completely.
The big villain from the book was right beside her. Now they were in the same boat, and she couldn't lose out.
The girl in blue smiled again and said, "Madam, you don't have to be so polite with me. Just call me Lan Xian."
Wen Fuyue nodded and followed her up to the second floor. She looked at the jewelry slowly, and from time to time, Lan Xian would take out a few pieces for Wen Fuyue to try on.
Although she wasn't going to buy anything this time, she could take a good look. She could always remember to bring money next time!
Thinking this way, Wen Fuyue finally overcame her shyness and started trying on the jewelry with great pleasure.
They were so beautiful. Wen Fuyue almost gasped in admiration as she looked at the jewelry. She was full of admiration.
These hairpins were clearly made by extremely skilled craftsmen. The flower patterns on them were so delicate and beautiful that she couldn't even describe them. Wen Fuyue stared at them in a daze.
"Your Majesty, Xiaofuzi has something to report."
After wandering around for a while, Anfu walked up to Wei Sinian and said.
"Okay." Wei Sinian nodded at him, then turned to Wen Fuyue and said, "Fuyue, just tell the shopkeeper if you like anything. I have something to attend to and need to step out for a while."
"Okay, okay, okay." Wen Fuyue was completely captivated by a jade hairpin in the shape of a gardenia in her hand. Hearing this, she nodded absent - mindedly and continued looking at the hairpin.
"Does the lady fancy this hairpin?"
A gentle voice came from behind. Wen Fuyue looked up and saw the handsome man from under the tree looking at her.