Tang Wanzhuang stepped on the water and entered the balcony.

In the pouring rain, she was surrounded by mist, not even a drop of water splashed on her. The mist around her scattered, making her look like a fairy driving through the fog, with fluttering ribbons, incredibly beautiful.

Zhuque couldn't help but admit that this woman was really beautiful.

Back in the day, there were so many young men swarming around, claiming that Huangfu Qing was the most charming in the capital. But there were more flies buzzing around you!

Do men only fall for fairies?

Unfortunately, most men of the same generation were useless. There was not a single one who could take her to the bridal chamber and make her laugh.

Looking at the current rankings of the Tianbang and Dibang, the men who were ranked around them were mostly middle-aged and not even of the same generation. There was no one of the same generation who was stronger than them... The two of them secretly competed with each other. Who would want to be with a weaker person first, or find an older generation and be laughed at for a lifetime?

After so many years of struggle, both of them were still single. How much of it was because they were too proud, and how much was due to their rivalry with each other...

But for the greater good, she had to take the first step and become a noble concubine. It was just a title, but Tang Wanzhuang probably found it amusing...

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Tang Wanzhuang had already stepped onto the balcony and quickly inserted herself between Huangfu Qing and Zhao Changhe, urging, "Don't think that she can have any political cooperation just because she's a noble concubine. This woman will never marry the emperor. There must be a plot! Come back with me!"

At this moment, Huangfu Qing didn't know what she was feeling.

She smiled slightly, "He is your who, what do you mean by coming back with you?"

Facing Huangfu Qing, Tang Wanzhuang's expression became calm, "He is an unremarkable friend of mine, my guest."

"The inheritor of your Bi Bo Qing Yi and stepping on the water." Huangfu Qing continued for her, "Tang Chancellor's plan is not shallow. Do you want to be the imperial teacher? Or the empress?"

Tang Wanzhuang remained expressionless, "No matter what, it's better than some people who are already married and still flirting around. Huangfu Qing, have some dignity, will you?"

"What's there to pretend about." Huangfu Qing said leisurely, "I don't believe you didn't tell this little man that I am a woman of the Four Elephant Sect."

Tang Wanzhuang was taken aback. She hadn't told Zhao Changhe about this.

Because she always felt that if Zhao Changhe heard about the Four Elephant Sect, he would feel closer to her, and she didn't want Zhao Changhe to get close to Huangfu Qing.

It's not jealousy, it's because she always felt that there were mysteries surrounding Huangfu Qing, and the things involved would be very heavy, at least not something Zhao Changhe could bear at the moment.

How dare you get close to her and even kiss her!

Seeing her seemingly guilty, Huangfu Qing laughed even more, "The Holy Sect wants to recruit Zhao Changhe. If the Holy Maiden is not suitable, then I will do it. Anyway, I'm already married, not like some people who pretend to be high and mighty. If you have the ability, you should go for it too!"

Search tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w for the original.

Zhao Changhe: "......"

Tang Wanzhuang couldn't compete with the shamelessness of the woman from the sect, so she simply ignored Huangfu Qing and stared at Zhao Changhe, "Does her identity excite you more? Are you asking for trouble?"

Huangfu Qing sneered, "What, are you still openly inviting men to stay overnight? You cared about your reputation for a lifetime, and now you don't?"

Tang Wanzhuang said calmly, "Duty comes first, personal reputation is insignificant."

Zhao Changhe, who didn't know what to say from beginning to end, finally sighed and interrupted Huangfu Qing's imminent sarcasm, "Alright... I'll go with you."

Huangfu Qing closed her mouth and watched Tang Wanzhuang relax and leave, almost feeling the radiance blooming from her, relieved.

Huangfu Qing leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, and at this moment, she didn't feel any displeasure at being defeated by Tang Wanzhuang. Because they seemed to be talking about trivial matters just now, but in fact, they had already exchanged opinions even on the next step. Zhao Changhe might leave during the night, and she wouldn't follow him. So why bother sticking around, it's not like she's desperate.

In essence, this man didn't have much thought about love and romance. He always tried to steer the conversation towards business, ruining the atmosphere.

A very boring man.

He probably still had something to say to Tang Wanzhuang at this moment, but she didn't know what he would say.

In this matter, it seemed that Tang Wanzhuang was the most confused and pitiful one. As the head of the Demon Suppression Bureau, she had less information than Zhao Changhe, who had just arrived in the capital less than a day ago.

She worked hard to maintain this empire, but the empire did not give her enough in return, as if the whole world was against her.

Huangfu Qing could see that Zhao Changhe sympathized with Tang Wanzhuang.

Sympathizing with a woman who was many times stronger than him...

"Ha, such a strong woman, why pretend to be weak and shameless!" Huangfu Qing kicked the bathtub in the room angrily and suddenly burst into laughter.

Zhao Changhe wanted to take a bath wherever he went, but he never managed to. He wouldn't take a bath with Tang Wanzhuang, would he?

............

It seemed like a lot had happened, drinking and causing trouble, making a name in the capital, going to the gambling house and then to the lakeside, talking a lot, but in reality, it had only been two or three hours, and it was still not midnight.The rain-soaked streets were deserted as Tang Wanzhuang held an oil-paper umbrella, quietly accompanying Zhao Changhe on a stroll home.

The height difference between the two was noticeable. Her effort to hold the umbrella looked a bit strenuous, and somewhat cute. Zhao Changhe glanced at her and took the umbrella from her hands.

Tang Wanzhuang paused, but didn't resist, allowing him to take it.

The feeling of "who was taking care of whom" instantly reversed, and any onlooker would have to admit that this scene looked more like the proper picture.

However, in reality, Tang Wanzhuang's clothes were dry; she didn't need the umbrella at all.

Their footsteps echoed clearly in the night as they walked unevenly on the capital's bluestone slabs, gradually synchronizing into a steady rhythm.

Like the beating of a heart.

"Have you noticed..." Tang Wanzhuang suddenly spoke, breaking Zhao Changhe's silent counting of their steps.

"Hm?" Zhao Changhe seemed to snap out of his deep thoughts.

"Huangfu Qing took you back, right? You're still drenched, yet she's dry."

"You mean... a Xuan Guan ninth level couldn't do that?"

"A Xuan Guan ninth level could, but I instinctively feel she's more than that. How could someone as brilliant as her be stuck here without any progress?" Tang Wanzhuang sighed, "But as a noble concubine, she hasn't fought with anyone for years. No one knows her true strength unless I seriously spar with her, but that's not appropriate... A noble concubine is always a noble concubine, and I am a subject. It was already improper for me to lash out in anger just now."

"Hm..."

"Speaking of which, I must remind you that even the Chaos Chronicles might not be reliable. After all, it speaks according to one's achievements in battle, and many without achievements are not listed. When you encounter someone not listed, don't be as arrogant as you were in the restaurant today; the unlisted are not necessarily weak."

"Hm. But I think those without real combat experience can only be so strong. Those who are challenged beyond their level are just that."

"Not necessarily..." Tang Wanzhuang murmured softly, "Back to Huangfu Qing... No matter her strength, being a member of the Four Elephant Sect is certain. Don't trust the sect too much because of Xia Chichi. Xia Chichi is Xia Chichi, the Four Elephant Sect is the Four Elephant Sect. Her personal feelings for you won't affect the sect's stance. If the Rosefinch wants you dead, she won't hesitate because of Xia Chichi's feelings."

"I understand."

"Your arrogance in the restaurant, was there a purpose?"

"Yes, the bigger the commotion I cause, the more likely Xia Longyuan will take notice. If he notices, others will be less likely to act. The potential storms that my arrival in the capital could have caused just disappear, it's that simple."

"It's probably more than that, you hope to meet His Majesty. Unfortunately, it was Queen Wang who came."

"Hm..."

"Do you dare to meet him? With your current attitude of calling him by name so casually?"

"It's nothing... because he won't care. But now I dare not meet him. I learned something at the Anle Gambling House, and I feel my previous guesses were somewhat off. It's better not to rashly meet him."

Tang Wanzhuang didn't ask what he learned at the gambling house, simply saying, "You seem to understand His Majesty better than I do."

"Because you are a subject, and I am not."

"You have your own opinions, it seems I was too hasty... forcibly pulling you away, did I ruin your plans?"

"No, my business with her was actually finished... I'm glad you were worried for me."

Tang Wanzhuang fell silent.

The lanterns on the buildings swayed in the rain, casting long shadows of the man and woman under the umbrella on the rain-drenched street.

They walked and talked with a casual tone, as if they were an old couple taking a post-dinner stroll, so natural.

This was entirely different from the earlier encounter with Huangfu Qing, and even different from their initial interactions in Gusu.

Zhao Changhe knew why things were awkward between him and Huangfu Qing.

It lacked sincerity and public spirit, as well as the settling of time.

"If you're going to leave, don't go alone," Tang Wanzhuang finally said. "First, rest at my place. I'll have people set up a diversion, with a dozen Zhao Changhes leaving in different directions."

"Afraid of the Queen?"

"No..." Tang Wanzhuang's voice was so soft she could barely hear herself, "Afraid of His Majesty."

Zhao Changhe suddenly felt that Tang Wanzhuang wasn't completely ignorant, at least she knew no less than the people at the gambling house.

She just didn't want to know.