After the Chu family was exterminated, the orphans who had received favors from the Chu family, including Yan Yue, banded together to fulfill General Chu's dying wish: to rescue Chu Yulan, the sole survivor of the Chu family. In the original owner's past life, they had the same intention. Since Chu Yulan had already requested to be sent to the cold palace, they planned to find an opportunity to bring her out of the palace.
However, even though the Empress had been banished to the cold palace, it was still the imperial palace, with extremely strict guards that ordinary people could not breach. Therefore, some of the orphans infiltrated the guards, hoping to be assigned to a post close to the cold palace.
At that time, Wang Liu had already reached his current position. Before he could find an opportunity to contact the deposed Empress Chu Yulan in the cold palace, he received the devastating news that the original owner had been burned to death.
Fortunately, in this life, the situation was different. Xiao Wenqiang entered the original owner Chu Yulan's body, changing her fate of being burned to death in the cold palace. Now, she had found an opportunity to leave the palace and head to the battlefield.
In fact, the day after Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) left the palace, one of the soldiers accompanying her to the Pengxi Kingdom was an orphan rescued by Chu Qian.
Zhou Zhong quietly approached Xiao Wenqiang's tent at night and was immediately subdued by her, who was highly vigilant, with a short whip around her neck. Had he not quickly identified himself and stated his purpose, he might have lost his life.
"General, why don't you leave with me now! We have a few more brothers who will create a diversion, making it look like mountain bandits are attacking. You can pretend to be captured by us!" Zhou Zhong suggested.
"I cannot leave now. The Pengxi Kingdom has not been defeated, and my mission is not yet complete. No Chu family member shall desert!" Xiao Wenqiang refused decisively.
"But General, this is truly an excellent opportunity. We fear you might not be able to leave the palace again later!" Zhou Zhong knew that desertion was unacceptable, but the Chu family truly had only one person left.
"Zhou Zhong, I am very grateful that you and your companions still believe in our Chu family and are willing to risk your own safety to save me." Xiao Wenqiang soothed the somewhat agitated Zhou Zhong. "I have other plans for this matter, but please do not get involved. Live your own lives well! You have already done enough for our Chu family, and I am truly very grateful to you!"
"General, please do not say such things! We all received favors from the Chu family since childhood, so it is only right that we do this." Zhou Zhong quickly replied, "If the General has other plans, you can tell us. Everyone is willing to go through fire and water for you!"
"Great kindness needs no thanks! Then I entrust this matter to all you brothers!" Xiao Wenqiang bowed her head to Zhou Zhong.
Zhou Zhong repeatedly stepped back, murmuring, "I dare not accept!"
Thus, through Zhou Zhong, Xiao Wenqiang gradually established contact with the other orphans and began to put a series of plans into motion.
...
"Your Highness, are you going to Cloud Top Tower again today?" Chun Yue, while styling her mistress's hair, hesitated to speak.
"Of course, I am! Today is Yan Yue's first time inviting me out!" Leng Yuanxiang smiled sweetly.
Because early that morning, the gatekeeper of the residence where she stayed had secretly brought her Yan Yue's invitation letter.
"But... but the Prime Minister told you to settle down and not go out for these few days..." As a maid, Chun Yue was truly conflicted.
"Chun Yue, don't be intimidated by my father. We are all adults and should have our own opinions. And where I go and whom I see are my personal rights; no one has any right to interfere."
Leng Yuanxiang, as she spoke, picked up a pair of earrings and held them up to the bronze mirror. Today, Yan Yue had told her to wear women's clothing. He also said he had prepared a small surprise for her, so she had to dress up well.
Although Chun Yue did not understand what "personal rights" or "opinions" meant, she knew her mistress was stubborn and would not change her mind once a decision was made.
Since she had already tried to persuade her, the outcome was not something she, a mere maid, could control. Therefore, Chun Yue stopped talking and quietly began to help her mistress pick out clothes. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
...
Today, Cloud Top Tower was very special. The railings on the second floor were adorned with multi-colored ribbons, making it look exceptionally festive.
Situ Chuanqiong, dressed as a young master of a noble family, sat with Wang You, who was in the guise of a steward, in the largest private room on the second floor with the best view. Several Imperial guards were stationed around them, but they were dressed as ordinary servants.
"Wang You, are you sure Little Xiang'er is coming here? Why haven't I seen her yet?" Situ Chuanqiong asked, drinking his wine.
"Reply... Young Master." Wang You corrected himself. "This servant sent someone to inquire. The Prime Minister's mansion's errand boy said that the young lady was invited out early in the morning. And it is highly likely she is here, as she has been frequenting Cloud Top Tower recently."
"Oh? Isn't Cloud Top Tower just a place for enjoying entertainment? Is there something unique about it that attracts Little Xiang'er so much?" Situ Chuanqiong became interested.
"It seems they say the owner here, Young Master Yan Yue, has unparalleled zither skills. Moreover, that young lady specially composed lyrics and music for Cloud Top Tower, and everyone likes them very much!" Wang You reported everything he had found out.
Upon hearing this, Situ Chuanqiong smiled proudly. "My Little Xiang'er is indeed exceptionally talented. I was attracted by her poetry back then. I didn't expect her to be so excellent in composing lyrics and music as well."
Leng Yuanxiang, whom Situ Chuanqiong described as so excellent, was waiting in her exclusive private room.
"Has your young master not arrived yet?" Leng Yuanxiang felt a bit bored.
"Miss, please do not worry. The young master is preparing a surprise for you!" Yan Yue's errand boy reassured her.
"What surprise is it?" Leng Yuanxiang felt a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
"This little one cannot say, but it will not be anything bad," the errand boy replied with a smile.
As they were speaking, the music being played on the display stage on the first floor changed, and a distinctly more beautiful melody began to resonate.
The errand boy heard it and quickly said to Leng Yuanxiang, "Miss, please come down to the display stage on the first floor."
Leng Yuanxiang had already recognized it. It was Yan Yue's zither music. He was playing the Guqin version of "Blue and White Porcelain," and only he knew this piece.
However, Yan Yue had not performed publicly for a long time. She wondered why he was not in her exclusive private room today but at the display stage on the first floor.
Leng Yuanxiang followed Yan Yue's errand boy down the stairs, and accompanied by Yan Yue's zither and singing, she walked directly to Yan Yue's stage.
"The sky blue is waiting for the rain, and I am waiting for you."
...
"Like the world-renowned blue and white porcelain, beautiful on its own, your eyes hold a smile."
From the climax to the last few lines of the lyrics, Yan Yue sang them with deep affection directly to Leng Yuanxiang, his burning gaze making her heart feel hot.
"Xiangxiang, when the golden wind and jade dew meet, they are more magnificent than countless earthly encounters. Meeting you, knowing you, and falling in love with you are the things that have brought me the most satisfaction. Now, I greedily ask, I wonder if you are willing to roam the ends of the earth with me."
So, Yan Yue was proposing to her in the manner Leng Yuanxiang had casually mentioned before!