色就是空2

Understanding this as a personal matter, Tang Zhen nodded and asked no more about this. But, in his inquisitive nature, he carried on pestering his friend about his injury.

“Wait, do you really want to go out with troops? Your injury is not yet well!”

“Yao Yao gave me medicine, and it is much better now.” Lu Lingzhi said in a cheerful tone that he didn’t even realize he was capable of making.

“Yao Yao’s medicine?” Tang Zhen said with envy, “Isn’t she so fond of you, eldest brother?”

Lu Lingzhi gave him a lingering look. “I am her eldest brother, and even if I said a few hurtful words to her, she would not put grudge against me forever.”

Hearing this, Tang Zhen rolled his eyes, automatically ignoring Lu Lingzhi’s flaunting. When will Ye Zhen be affectionate to him? He wondered. If she gave him medicine, he would be very much elated.

“Aren’t you going to visit the Wang Fei? Changed your mind?”

Lu Lingzhi smiled, “See you later.”

Mo Rongzhan was still in his imperial study when he had known of Lu Lingzhi’s sudden request to visit his sister. Immediately, he ordered his subordinates dully. “Let’s postpone my visit to the Wang Fei.”

Then a smile crept up his face.

*

*

*

Wasting no time, Lu Lingzhi hurried to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, where her sister lives. Lu Wushuang was already waiting for him inside. Her beautiful face was painted with a delicate rogue. “Eldest brother, why did you suddenly want to see me?”

“I have something to discuss with the Wang Fei.” Lu Lingzhi gave a salute and looked grim.

“Please sit down quickly.” Lu Wushuang laughed at his formality. “You and I, brother and sister, are slowly becoming strangers now. We should see each other more often.”

By this, Lu Lingzhi shook his head in disagreement. “The Wang Fei and this war minister differ greatly in noble ranking. My sister’s status now is high, and she needs to adapt to it.”

“My identity has indeed become different, but this isolation, I can’t stand.” Lu Wushunag gave a wry smile. “Anyway, the eldest brother, what can I do for you?”

“I heard that the Wang Fei summons her third sister for tomorrow?” Lu Lingzhi asked in a low voice.

Lu Wushuang frowned slightly and said crossly, “Is it for this reason that eldest brother sought to visit my palace? I just heard that the third sister got into the Women’s College and won great honor for our Lu family, so I asked her to come into this very palace and give her something! What’s wrong with this?”

“The Wang Fei seems to be in a bad mood today.” Lu Lingzhi gazed at Lu Wushuang’s eyes blazed with anger.

In return, Lu Wushuang became deeply irritated with the familiar scrutiny. “I heard that some courtiers wanted the emperor to expand the harem. The dowager empress told me yesterday that she wanted the emperor to accept Princess Liu Hua into the palace. Eldest brother, it has only been a few days since I became the Wang Fei! Few days!”

Slowly, Lu Wushuang’s face contorted into a hateful, sinister look—a look that Lu Lingzhi had seen hundreds of times before. This was the reason why he came to talk to her today.

“Can’t they see that the emperor favors me? But ah, yes! The emperor has not been here for several days and must have already been seduced by some wench!”

“The emperor is the king of this country. He can’t have you as his only concubine! It is inevitable for him to expand the harem. Why are you angry with this? Besides, you will always be special in the emperor’s heart.” Lu Lingzhi whispered.

Losing her cool completely, Lu Wushuang’s voice broke, and she cried, “How different, because... because of our mutual affection? Or is it only because of how he recognizes me?”

“Sister, be careful.” Lu Lingzhi warned her, his eyes dark.

Some things can’t be said. Otherwise it will lead to disaster, especially about this matter. Brother and sister both knew exactly who saved the emperor.

“I thought I could ... could...”

She shook her head and knew that she had been right—Mo Rongzhan doesn’t adore her like he used to anymore.