Chapter 247: Strolling In The Rain

Chapter 247: Strolling in the Rain

Tang Wanzhuang stepped across the water, gliding gracefully onto the balcony.

Amid the torrential rain, a hazy mist surrounded her, not a single droplet clinging to her. The water vapor scattered around her like a celestial maiden riding clouds, her ribbons fluttering, breathtakingly beautiful.

Zhuque gritted her teeth, forced to admit that this wretched woman was truly stunning.

She recalled how, back in the day, all the young men of their generation had swarmed—what nonsense about Huangfu Qing’s beauty reigning over the capital? Clearly, more flies buzzed around you, didn’t they?

Did men only fall for this fairy act?

Pity that almost every man of their generation was useless—why hadn’t a single one dragged her into the bridal chamber and, well, given everyone a good laugh?

Looking at the current Heaven and Earth Rankings, the men ranked near them were all middle-aged, not even of the same generation. None of their peers were stronger than them… The two had been silently competing, unwilling to be the first to take up with a weaker man or an elder, only to be laughed at by the other for life?

After all these years of struggle, both remained single—how much was due to pride, and how much to stubborn rivalry with each other?

But for the greater cause, she had already lost a step by entering the palace as an imperial consort. No matter how you dressed it up, it was just a title. Tang Wanzhuang was probably laughing her head off inside…

As these thoughts flickered through her mind, Tang Wanzhuang had already stepped onto the balcony, swiftly inserting herself between Huangfu Qing and Zhao Changhe, speaking urgently: “Don’t think that just because she’s an imperial consort, there can be any political alliance. This woman would never marry the emperor—there must be a hidden scheme! Come back with me!”

At that moment, Huangfu Qing didn’t even know what she felt.

But on the surface, she smiled faintly: “Oh? Who is he to you, that you say ‘come back with me’?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s expression turned calm as she faced Huangfu Qing: “He is a friend of Bùqì, and a guest of mine.”

“The inheritor of your Azure Ripple and Water-Walking arts,” Huangfu Qing finished for her. “Chief Tang’s ambitions run deep, don’t they? To be an imperial tutor? Or an empress?”

Tang Wanzhuang’s face was expressionless: “Whatever it is, it’s better than some married woman still hugging and flirting here. Huangfu Qing, have you no shame?”

“What’s there to pretend?” Huangfu Qing said leisurely. “I don’t believe you can’t guess I’m a demoness of the Four Symbols Sect. Have you told this young man of yours?”

Tang Wanzhuang was taken aback—she hadn’t actually told Zhao Changhe that.

Because she always felt that if Zhao Changhe heard it was the Four Symbols Sect, he’d be more drawn to it. She didn’t want him getting close to Huangfu Qing.

It wasn’t jealousy. She just sensed that Huangfu Qing was shrouded in unfathomable mysteries, involving things too heavy for Zhao Changhe to bear now.

How dare you get close to her, let alone kiss her!

Seeing her seem at a loss, Huangfu Qing laughed even more: “The Sacred Sect wants to recruit Zhao Changhe. The Saintess isn’t suitable, so I’ll do it. After all, I’m already married, unlike some who pretend to be pure. If you’ve got the guts, go ahead!”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

Tang Wanzhuang couldn’t compete with a demoness in shamelessness, so she simply ignored Huangfu Qing and glared at Zhao Changhe: “Does her identity excite you more? Do you want to die?”

Huangfu Qing sneered: “What, are you daring to openly keep a man overnight? After a lifetime of caring about face, now you don’t?”

Tang Wanzhuang said flatly: “It’s my duty. Personal reputation means nothing.”

Zhao Changhe, who hadn’t known what to say the whole time, finally sighed and cut off Huangfu Qing’s impending mockery: “Alright… I’ll go with you.”

Huangfu Qing fell silent, watching as Tang Wanzhuang visibly relaxed, almost glowing with relief, her smile bright.

Huangfu Qing crossed her arms and looked askance. At this moment, she felt no displeasure at losing a round to Tang Wanzhuang. Because their earlier talk, though seeming like idle flirtation, had already exchanged what needed to be said—even their next steps had been discussed. Zhao Changhe would likely leave tonight, and she wouldn’t follow. So why cling? Was she really going to throw herself at him?

In essence, this man had little interest in romance. He kept dragging the mood back to serious matters, ruining the atmosphere.

What a tedious man.

He must still have things to say to Tang Wanzhuang. She wondered what he’d tell her.

In this whole affair, Tang Wanzhuang seemed the most lost and pitiful. As the chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau, she knew even less than Zhao Changhe, who had only been in the capital for less than a day.

She struggled to maintain this empire, yet the empire gave her nothing in return, as if the whole world was against her.

Huangfu Qing could see that Zhao Changhe pitied Tang Wanzhuang.

Pitying a woman far stronger than himself…

“Hmph! A woman that strong, playing the fragile act—shameless!” Huangfu Qing kicked the bathtub in the room in frustration, then suddenly laughed.

Zhao Changhe had wanted to bathe everywhere but never got to.

Surely he wouldn’t bathe with Tang Wanzhuang?

…

Though it seemed like much had happened—drinking and causing trouble, making a name in the capital, visiting the gambling den and then the lakeside, talking endlessly—only two or three hours had passed. It wasn’t yet midnight.

The rainy streets were already deserted. Tang Wanzhuang held an oil-paper umbrella, quietly accompanying Zhao Changhe as they strolled home.

There was a height difference between them; she looked a bit strained holding the umbrella up, and also a bit endearing. Zhao Changhe glanced at her and reached out to take the umbrella.

Tang Wanzhuang was startled but didn’t refuse, letting him take it.

The sense of “who is taking care of whom” instantly reversed. If there had been an onlooker, they would have to admit that this scene now looked more like the picture it should be.

But in truth, Tang Wanzhuang’s clothes weren’t wet—she didn’t need the umbrella at all.

The two walked unevenly on the capital’s bluestone slabs, each step clear in the night, gradually falling into sync.

Like a heartbeat.

“Have you noticed…” Tang Wanzhuang suddenly spoke, breaking Zhao Changhe’s silent counting.

“Hmm?” Zhao Changhe seemed to snap out of some reverie.

“Huangfu Qing took you back, right? You’re still soaking wet, but she’s dry.”

“You mean… a ninth-level Xuan Pass can’t do that?”

“A ninth-level Xuan Pass can. But I instinctively feel she’s more than that. How could someone so brilliant in her youth be stuck here without progress?” Tang Wanzhuang sighed as she spoke. “But as an imperial consort, she hasn’t fought anyone in years. No one knows her true strength, unless I go all out to test her—but that’s not appropriate… An imperial consort is still an imperial consort, and I am a subject. My earlier rash anger was already improper.”

“Mm.”

“Speaking of which, I should warn you: even the Chaos Chronicle may not be entirely trustworthy. It speaks based on battle records, and many have none. When you encounter those not on the rankings, don’t be as arrogant as you were in the tavern today. Being unranked doesn’t mean weak.”

“Mm. But I think those without real combat experience can’t be that strong. The ones who get surpassed are exactly that kind.”

“Not necessarily…” Tang Wanzhuang said softly. “Back to Huangfu Qing… Whatever her strength, she’s definitely a Four Symbols Sect member. Don’t trust the sect too much just because of Xia Chichi. Xia Chichi is Xia Chichi; the Four Symbols Sect is the Four Symbols Sect. Her personal friendship with you won’t affect the sect’s leanings. If Zhuque wants to kill you, she won’t hesitate because of Xia Chichi’s feelings.”

“I know.”

“Your arrogance in the tavern—was it intentional?”

“Yes. The bigger the stir I make, the more likely Xia Longyuan will notice. Once he notices, others won’t dare to act. The storms that might have come with my arrival vanish instantly. Simple as that.”

“I suspect it’s more than that. You want an audience with His Majesty. Unfortunately, it was Empress Wang who came.”

“Mm…”

“Do you dare to see him? With your habit of calling him by name?”

“It’s nothing… He wouldn’t care. But now I’m not so sure I want to see him. After learning some things at the Anle Gambling House, I feel my earlier guesses were off. Better not meet him rashly.”

Tang Wanzhuang didn’t ask what he’d learned at the gambling house, only saying, “You seem to know His Majesty better than I do.”

“Because you are his subject. I am not.”

“You have your own judgment. Perhaps I was too hasty… Did my forcing you to leave disrupt your plans?”

“No. She and I had already said what needed to be said… I’m glad you were anxious.”

Tang Wanzhuang fell silent.

Lanterns from the houses on either side swayed in the rain, casting the shadows of the man and woman under the umbrella, stretching long across the rainy street.

The two walked and talked, their tone utterly flat, conversing casually, as natural as an old married couple strolling after a meal.

It was entirely different from the template of Huangfu Qing just now, and even different from their interactions back in Gusu.

Zhao Changhe knew why there was awkwardness between him and Huangfu Qing.

Because it lacked sincerity and public-mindedness, and also fell short of the sedimentation of time.

"If you want to leave, don't go alone," Tang Wanzhuang finally said. "First rest at my place. I'll have people lay false trails—a dozen Zhao Changhes leaving from different directions."

"Afraid of the Empress?"

"No..." Tang Wanzhuang's voice was so soft she couldn't even hear herself. "Afraid of His Majesty."

Zhao Changhe suddenly felt that Tang Wanzhuang was not completely ignorant—at least she knew no less than the people at the gambling house.

She simply didn't want to know.