An Mansion

An Zichen’s gaze left Sang Hongyun puzzled. You took another woman behind my back, and now you look at me like this—do you think I’m so easy to bully?

Sang Hongyun faced the King of Li and said, “Your Highness, don’t you still have matters to discuss with Lord An?”

Zhao Liran, the King of Li, could clearly see Sang Hongyun’s slightly reddened eyes and felt a deep ache in his heart. He was in no mood to show An Zichen any courtesy. “Yes, you’re right. Lord An, where is your study?”

An Huaiyuan had already noticed his son and the strange-looking guard behind the King of Li exchanging glances, feeling quite displeased. But with the King present, he dared not reproach Sang Hongyun for her discourtesy and pretended not to see, replying to the King of Li, “It’s just ahead on the left. Please follow me, Your Highness.”

The King of Li turned to An Zichen and said, “I have other matters to discuss with the Lord. You needn’t come.”

An Zichen replied, “Very well.” The King of Li had never involved himself with their family before, and now he was so openly parading about—was he here to mock him?

As soon as the King of Li left, An Zichen stepped forward, blocking Sang Hongyun’s path. “Hongyun, why are you with the King of Li?”

Sang Hongyun had been thinking about how to avoid him, but upon hearing this, her resolve shifted. Suppressing her anger, she answered, “Isn’t the eldest young master of the An family always so well-informed? If we wanted to meet, then naturally we did.”

An Zichen whispered, “You are my betrothed. Are you not afraid people will say you’ve strayed?”

Sang Hongyun gazed at the striking, radiant man before her, thinking, was it only for his handsome face that their engagement was arranged? Why had she never noticed any other qualities?

“And if I have strayed?” she said.

An Zichen’s eyes darkened with anger. “Even if you have, I’m determined to marry you!”

“Captain Sang, what are you doing?” The King of Li’s voice was cold and commanding, making An Zichen uncomfortable.

Is it so easy to steal his woman?

Sang Hongyun turned as she was leaving. “Since you have Miss Yu, you should cherish her well.”

“Hongyun!” An Zichen’s anguished and furious gaze was ignored as Sang Hongyun followed the King of Li.

An Huaiyuan stood at the entrance to the study, casting a cautious glance at Sang Hongyun.

Sang Hongyun gave a slight bow. “Lord An, may I enter?”

Ah! She was blocking the way. The King of Li had already entered and was standing before the desk, admiring the painting on the wall. “This painting is by a renowned artist of the former dynasty—magnificent and grand, truly a rare piece.”

“Straight smoke over the lonely desert, the setting sun round on the long river.”

Upon entering, Sang Hongyun immediately recalled these lines of poetry, and uttered them aloud.

The King of Li was surprised. “Indeed! Your poem perfectly captures the spirit of this painting. Fine poetry, fine art. What do you think, Lord An?”

An Huaiyuan agreed, “Your Highness is absolutely right. The young general’s literary talent is remarkable!”

Sang Hongyun replied calmly, “Lord An flatters me. I merely spoke what came to mind.”

“If your casual words are so outstanding, then should you compose with intent, you would surely amaze the world!”

An Huaiyuan decided not to offend the guests, adopting the respectful tone he used with subordinates and the Emperor, and praised Sang Hongyun to the skies.

Sang Hongyun wondered if Lord An had ever met her before. Otherwise, how could he flatter her so openly in front of the King of Li? Perhaps fate was thin between her and the An family—it was inevitable.

The King of Li eyed Sang Hongyun, but her composure betrayed nothing.

He sighed inwardly. Why couldn’t this girl show her sadness more openly? Wouldn’t that make her more endearing? He decided to wait until they left the An residence to speak with her properly.

Meanwhile, Sang Hongyun thought, since you wish to praise me so highly, I shall accept it willingly.

The King of Li sat in the place of honor. “Lord An, the Emperor has recently entrusted the selection of officials for several northwestern provinces to us. Among these three candidates, whom do you think should be sent to Liangzhou?”

Sang Hongyun’s eyes brightened as she looked at the King of Li. So it truly concerned her—Liangzhou was the prosperous heart of the northwest, where she and her father lived. Now that the Emperor was sending someone, she naturally wanted to know who it would be.

Yet Lord An, for some reason, glossed over all three names the King of Li mentioned. The King of Li smiled slightly. “Lord An, you must have made up your mind. After all this discussion, you haven’t favored any of the three. In that case, let the Emperor decide. Captain Sang, you once said there is a recluse in Liangzhou with a mind full of strategies for governing the realm. Is this person still there?”

Sang Hongyun did know of this man. He had come to Liangzhou three years ago, free-spirited and unconstrained, living wherever he pleased. After meeting Sang Hongyun and her father, the three became fast friends, and he bought a merchant’s house in Liangzhou, residing there to this day. The King of Li had stayed in Liangzhou and thus knew all about it. Yet he had never mentioned it since coming to the palace—why bring it up now? Sang Hongyun couldn’t understand, resolving to ask him later.

The King of Li’s smiling eyes did not miss Sang Hongyun’s moment of distraction before turning his gaze to Lord An, who seemed somewhat nervous.

Sang Hongyun gathered herself. “Of course, he is still there.”

Lord An’s lips twitched awkwardly.

At this point, Sang Hongyun felt the King of Li wanted her to name this person in front of Lord An. It seemed Lord An knew who it was, but his nervousness surprised her.

She had nothing further to contribute. Leaving the study, she saw An Zichen standing beneath a tree in the distance—tall and elegant, like a painting of grace and beauty.

An Zichen approached Sang Hongyun, his wide sleeves flowing. “Hongyun! I’m truly glad you’re here. Please don’t be upset by what I said earlier. I only wished to tell you that, in my heart, you have always been the most important.”

Sang Hongyun’s expression was wistful. “Young master An, those words are best saved for your wife. We have nothing more to do with each other. However many wives or concubines you take in the future, it’s no concern of mine.”

An Zichen looked at Sang Hongyun in disbelief, stubbornly. “Does the King of Li wish to marry you?”

Sang Hongyun shook her head, her heart pricked like needles, but her face remained calm. “I don’t know. If he does—”

“Hongyun!”

“Husband!”

Yu Lirong approached gracefully, glancing at An Zichen with gentle affection. “Husband, I came to see if you need me to arrange a meal for the King of Li.”

Sang Hongyun pursed her lips, looking at An Zichen. “Your wife has arrived.”

An Zichen replied, “You are also my wife.”

Sang Hongyun finally erupted in anger. “An Zichen, don’t think that just because I kept yielding, you can believe I can’t live without you! You’d best stay far away from me from now on! And your so-called wife—she’d better behave herself. If I discover her plotting harm again, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

What had Yu Lirong done?