Shengjing Noble

He frowned, thought for a moment, and said coldly: "Throw it away."

Then he continued to lower his head and deal with the memorials at hand, as if nothing had happened just now.

Upon hearing this, Nanny Yang didn't dare to say anything more and could only leave the study with her things in her hands.

……

Leng Rou returned to Tianxiang Tower, and as soon as she entered the door, she was hugged by her personal maid Chao Yan.

"Wow, wow, wow...Miss, you're finally back. I was so worried!"

Hearing Chaoyan crying loudly, Leng Rou looked confused and pushed her away.

"what happened?"

In the past three years, Su Shengyan had sent people to pick her up countless times, but Chaoyan never seemed so worried.

Chao Yan wiped her tears, cautiously walked around her and closed the door, then pulled her into the house and explained in a low voice.

"Last night, a distinguished guest spent a large sum of money to summon all five of Ziyin and the others to his mansion, but in the end, only five corpses were returned this morning!"

"What?" Leng Rou was surprised and a little bit unbelievable.

Clearly when she left yesterday, Ziyin and the others were making all kinds of sarcastic remarks to her, but she didn't expect that when she came back today, they were gone?

Really everything is unpredictable.

"How did he die? Didn't Madam report it to the police?" she asked curiously.

Chao Yan shook her head and whispered, "I took a quick look. She died in a very tragic way. It looked like she was beaten to death by a man. Her lower body was covered in blood! But that guest gave Madam Hua a box of gold to keep her quiet. I heard that he was an important figure, maybe a general!"

Leng Rou sighed, feeling only regret and helplessness in her heart.

"Everyone has their own destiny. I hope they won't have such a hard life in their next life."

Chao Yan grabbed her sleeve and said nervously, "Miss, when that person came yesterday, he called out the names of six people, including you, but you were just picked up by Mr. Lu, so you escaped. That's why I cried with excitement when I saw you come back alive!"

(Su Shengyan used the alias Lu Yan, so Chao Yan called him Master Lu.)

"And I?"

Leng Rou was surprised. She didn't expect that she had such a close brush with death.

It seems that I have to thank Su Shengyan again.

The women in the brothels had no control over their own lives and their lives were worthless. The dignitaries could do whatever they wanted with them as long as they paid enough money.

Fortunately, Su Shengyan redeemed her, so she no longer had to live in fear.

But what about Asagao, who depends on him for survival?

She was an orphan that Leng Rou picked up in a dilapidated temple when she was four years old. Unable to bear leaving her to fend for herself, young Leng Rou raised her by her side.

After finally growing up, they were sold to the capital by human traffickers, and three years had passed in a flash.

Chaoyan is only fourteen years old. Next year she will be old enough to receive customers. Nanny Hua will never let her go easily.

Thinking of this, Leng Rou made up her mind, got up and walked to the bed, took out a key from under the pillow, then lifted the bed board and took out the wooden box she had hidden.

"Miss, what are you doing with the money from the bottom of the box?" Chao Yan asked in confusion.

Leng Rou smiled and said, "Mr. Lu has redeemed me, this money should be more than enough to redeem you. You pack your things, and I will go find Madam Hua to get your indenture."

Upon hearing this, Chao Yan's face was filled with surprise and she jumped up excitedly.

"Really? Miss, you are innocent now! That's great, we can finally leave this damn place, hahahaha..."

Seeing the little girl so ecstatic, Leng Rou's broken heart finally found a little comfort and warmth.

……

Chaoyan was originally sold to Tianxiang Tower for eight taels of silver, and Lengrou thought that twenty taels would be enough to redeem her.

But Nanny Hua raised the price and insisted on asking for thirty taels.

Leng Rou was too lazy to argue with her. She threw down thirty taels of silver, tore up Chao Yan's indenture contract, and then the two sisters left Tianxiang Tower together.

They found a small courtyard house on the north street of the capital and settled down there. Although the remaining money was not much, it was enough for them to live on for a few years.

After cleaning the room, it was already midnight. After washing up, the two of them went to sleep in the same bed.

"Miss, Mr. Lu redeemed you, why don't we go to him?" Chao Yan asked innocently.

Hearing this, Leng Rou said with a sad look, "Mr. Lu and I have completely broken up."

"What?" Chao Yan cried out in surprise, sitting up and asking hurriedly, "What's going on? Miss, you like Mr. Lu so much, why did you break up with him?"

Leng Rou also sat up, leaned against the head of the bed, and explained in a calm tone: "He doesn't want me anymore."

Chao Yan got angry when she heard this, slapped the quilt, and cursed indignantly: "Okay, he is indeed a bastard, could he have fallen in love with another woman? All men are philandering and heartless villains!"

The reason why she was so angry was that she had seen with her own eyes how much Leng Rou cared about Su Shengyan over the past three years.

Although she never mentioned it, she wore the auspicious cloud hairpin almost all the time except when washing and sleeping.

Only when Mr. Lu sent someone to pick her up would a long-lost smile appear on her face.

"Chaoyan, don't be angry. I don't blame him and I don't feel sad. After all, I have never been completely dependent on him, so even if we break up, I can still live well." Leng Rou touched her little face and comforted her gently.

Chao Yan couldn't help crying. It was obviously her young lady who was abandoned and hurt, but he actually comforted her instead.

"Miss, you are right. Without him, you still have me. Chaoyan will accompany you and will never leave you in this life!"

Chaoyan hugged Lengrou's waist and leaned in her arms, feeling warm.

Seeing the little girl relying on him so much, tears welled up in his cold and gentle eyes and his heart ached unbearably.

She will not live long, and Chaoyan will be the only one left alone in the future. How is this little girl supposed to survive?

No, before she dies, she has to find a way out for Chaoyan!

……

There is a Bensi Hutong on the east street of Shengjing City.

This department is the location of the Jiaofangsi.

Jiaofang was the official office responsible for managing palace music. The outer court rituals and music were under the jurisdiction of Taichang Temple, while the inner court was under the jurisdiction of Jiaofang.

Jiaofangsi was part of the Ministry of Rites, the first of the six ministries, and was responsible for playing music during celebrations or to welcome distinguished guests. (This is a fictional dynasty, please do not make a fuss about correcting history!)

As soon as the sun rose in the morning, Leng Rou carefully dressed up Chao Yan and brought her to the Jiaofangsi.

Three years ago, her dance became famous in the capital. The chief official of the Music Bureau visited her personally and asked her to teach dancing to the court dancers. Afterwards, she wrote many songs as gifts, so that she and Chao Yan would have a place to go after leaving Tianxiang Tower one day.

After presenting the visiting card, Officer Xie came out to greet Leng Rou as soon as he heard that it was Leng Rou who came. He immediately agreed to let her and Chao Yan stay as tutors, and there was no need for them to be enslaved.

After all, Leng Rou's songs and dances brought him a lot of benefits.

"Miss Leng, tonight's palace banquet is to celebrate General Ren's great contribution in eliminating the bandits. Please be sure to perform a stunning dance to liven up the atmosphere."

Leng Rou heard this and nodded meekly: "Don't worry, sir. Since I have already joined the Jiaofang Division, I will naturally follow your arrangements."

"That's good. The dance studio is in the north building. Just go there. I have arranged dancers to wait for you."

"Good work."

"I will be leaving now. If you need anything, just tell them to do it."

"Yes."

Leng Rou bowed respectfully, watched Officer Xie leave, then stood up and sighed.

Entering the palace to perform... She was reluctant in her heart, but since the Jiaofangsi was willing to take Chao Yan in, how could she dare to refuse the request of Chief Officer Xie?

Forget it, it’s over now anyway, so just treat him as an ordinary spectator.

……

into the night.

Following the large group from the Jiaofangsi, Leng Rou has arrived at Huaqing Palace where the palace banquet is being held.

While the musicians were performing in the front, the dancers behind Leng Rou began to chat in low voices.

"Have you heard? General Ren is only 20 years old. He is really young and promising!"

"Alas, if anyone can be favored by him and taken into the general's mansion as a concubine, wouldn't it be a great blessing?"

"What kind of blessing is this? Don't be so wishful thinking. Besides..."

One of the dancers hesitated to speak, looked around, and then moved closer before continuing in a low voice: "I heard that General Ren is not a good person. He took away five prostitutes from Tianxiang Tower as soon as he returned to Beijing. All of them were killed. His methods were extremely cruel!"

Everyone's faces changed, and they were all horrified: "Oh my God, it's true that you can't judge a person by his appearance. On the surface, he looks handsome, but behind the scenes, he is actually a beast in human clothing!"

"Yes, it seems that General Su is more perfect. Not only is he in a high position, but he is also mature and steady!"

"General Su, you dare to think like that? I'm afraid you've lived enough. He and the Prime Minister's daughter had already been engaged ten years ago. Unfortunately, Miss Bai was seriously ill and was sent to Kunlun Mountain for treatment. She was gone for ten years. Now she has recovered and finally returned to Beijing a few days ago."

"I heard about it too. It was General Su who went to pick her up personally! It won't be long before Miss Bai will become the general's wife!"

"True love, sharing hardships, waiting for each other for ten years without giving up, how enviable!"

……

Leng Rou could no longer hear what they said. She only felt a tightness in her chest and pain spreading through her limbs like a tide. Her face turned pale and bloodless in an instant.

No wonder Su Shengyan no longer needed her service, it turned out to be because his real fiancée came back.

She covered her chest with her hands and leaned against the pillar with a tired look on her face. The poison in her body was eating away at her life.

The truth was like a huge rock, pressing her down and making her unable to breathe.

Suddenly, a voice came from a distance: "The Emperor has arrived!"

The palace maids on both sides of the corridor and the dancers preparing to go on stage all knelt down with their heads bowed.

The night was dark, and Leng Rou couldn't help but turn her head slightly to look.

At the other end of the corridor, a man in bright yellow came towards him, exuding an aloof and noble aura that made people dare not look directly at him.

Beside him was the equally awe-inspiring general, Su Shengyan.

Just as I was thinking about it, a soft and delicate voice suddenly came from the side road.

"Brother Shengyan!"

Su Shengyan stopped and turned to look at the girl who was walking towards him, his eyes moving slightly.

"Ruo'er." He called out in a low, magnetic voice, sounding particularly kind.

Bai Ziruo smiled, walked quickly forward and took his arm in a familiar manner.

Then the two of them left together, leaving only their backs walking side by side to everyone.

Everyone stood up, except Leng Rou, who was still kneeling on the ground. Her thin body was trembling slightly, her eyes full of surprise and disbelief.

"Have you noticed that Miss Bai's eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar to Sister Leng Rou's."

"Shh, stop talking nonsense. The general just left. If someone hears you, do you want to die?"

The voices of the two little dancers reached Leng Rou's ears, and at this moment she had to admit that everything she had just seen was true.

No wonder a noble man like Su Shengyan would spend a huge sum of money to buy a dancer.

Leng Rou was so foolish that she thought he liked her a little, but in the end she found out that he just treated her as a substitute for Bai Ziruo!

The scene of Su Shengyan and her lovingly cuddling on the bed kept flashing through his mind. When their passion reached its peak, he called out not "Rou'er" but "Ru'er"!

She knelt on the ground, the hot tears in her eyes dripping onto the back of her hands, burning her so hard that it caused her excruciating pain.

This feeling of despair and suffocation sweeping over the whole body is more deadly than poison!

She suppressed her hysterical anger deep in her heart, having no place to vent it, so she could only clench her fists and let her fingertips sink into her palms and blood flow out.

It seems that only physical pain can alleviate the pain in the heart!

How could she be so stupid, she actually thought that she was different from Su Shengyan, she actually thought that the occasional tenderness he showed was love, she actually thought that he had been sincere and gave her all her love for him!

Why let her fall in love with him when you know it's impossible?

Seeing Leng Rou lying on the ground with her thin shoulders trembling slightly, the little dancer Huai Xi next to her stepped forward and helped her up.

"Sister Leng Rou, what's wrong with you? You look so pale, are you feeling unwell?"

Leng Rou struggled to stand up. The pain in her heart became more and more severe. She shook her head, took out a medicine bottle from her arms, poured out a black pill and swallowed it. Only then did the pain in her chest ease a little.

"I caught a cold recently, and I'll be fine after taking some medicine." She forced a smile and patted Huaixi's hand gratefully.

"Can you still play?"

"can!"

……

If we talk about who in the capital city is the best at dancing, it must be Leng Rou.

The sound of the piano was melodious and all the lights were focused on a woman in red in the center of the stage.

She has a graceful figure and dances lightly to the singing, as if she were a phoenix descending from the sky, embodying lightness, elegance and softness to the extreme.

Her long hair is like clouds and her clothes are like mist, and she walks lightly on a brocade silk blanket.

The dance imitates the stunning swans in the waterside pavilion in spring, and the song is carried by the guests in the orchid hall in the evening.

After the dance, Leng Rou quietly left the stage, but everyone was still not satisfied and applauded and praised her.

Bai Ziruo and Su Shengyan were sitting together, and the little maid next to them couldn't help but say, "Miss, this dancer looks a bit like you."

"Qingdai!" Bai Ziruo glared at her, feeling unhappy.

She is the daughter of the Prime Minister. How can a body of such wealth be compared with a little dancer from the Music Bureau?

Qingdai shrank her neck, lowered her head and stepped back, not daring to say anything more.

But this made Bai Ziruo curious, so she said, "Brother Shengyan, I'm going to go out for a while."

Su Shengyan nodded expressionlessly, not caring.

……

Leng Rou forced herself to finish the dance, but her energy was seriously exhausted, so she found a corner to sit down and rest.

Suddenly, a bright pink figure appeared in front of her, looking down at her.

"Raise your head." Bai Ziruo ordered.

Leng Rou was startled, stood up nervously, and slowly raised her head.

The two looked at each other. Bai Ziruo was proud and flamboyant. She taunted, "Oh, Qingdai, you are talking nonsense. How are you similar to me? Even if you are somewhat pretty, you are just a seductive girl from a brothel!"

Lengrou looked calm and indifferent, but she couldn't help feeling guilty.

It was as if he had cheated on Bai Ziruo's man and he always felt ashamed to do so.

But if she thought about it carefully, the general wanted to visit her, so what right did she have to refuse?

With a light sigh, she lowered her head and bowed slightly, with a respectful attitude.

"How dare a humble servant like Miss Bai look like me?"

Seeing her so humble, Bai Ziruo smiled with satisfaction and ordered arrogantly: "Go and prepare a pot of tea for me. If you serve me well, I will reward you handsomely!"

Leng Rou was of humble status and could die without a burial place if she was not careful. She was not afraid of dying early, but she was worried that Chao Yan would not be able to adapt to the new life in the Jiaofangsi.

So I had no choice but to agree to it.

"Yes, slave, go right away."