Chapter 083: Swallowing Gold

Liuhangxi slept soundly until dawn, only to be awakened by the startled voices from the courtyard.
“What could possibly make you all so astonished in our Zhen Wangfu? Making such a ruckus early in the morning, I’m really in a bad mood! Watch out or I’ll set loose the snakes…” Liuhangxi yawned, hugging a plush toy, yes, a plush toy. A koi that was half her height.
This is what she taught Jingniang to make. Originally, it was just a pillow, but Jingniang used silk for the cover and stuffed it with freshly harvested and dried cotton, making it very comfortable. The shape was designed to be a lucky koi fish. Now, various cute-shaped pillows are being made by the women from the re-employment project for women.
As soon as she walked out of her courtyard, she noticed that there seemed to be something happening in the big garden, where everyone had gathered to see what was going on. She walked over to take a look and couldn't help but smile.
In the courtyard, ten ginseng roots, each thicker than an arm, were neatly arranged. No wonder the people in the manor were feeling amazed.
Hua Qingkong waved his hand, signaling everyone to come down.
Liu Hanxi looked at him; his regular clothes were already filthy, with mud all over his legs and feet.
“What happened to you…” Liu Hanxi circled around him and laughed out loud.
“Yesterday... um... I made you angry... so... um...” Hua Qingkong was somewhat at a loss for words.
“So you went all night to dig up ginseng for me?” Liu Hanxi looked at his adorable and shy demeanor, laughing so hard her stomach hurt.
“I don't know what you... besides money... like. It's just that last time you said you liked arms as thick as that ginseng, so...” Hua Qingkong explained.
“I feel like you're insulting me, but I have no proof,” Liu Hanxi shook her head and said.
“Tengu... I can’t find a Pixiu for the moment,” Hua Qingkong added, implying that he knew what she liked, but he couldn’t obtain it at the moment.
“Is it far? You wouldn’t use the Qian Kun door, would you?” Liu Huanxi asked again.
“Hmm. In Yuzhou.” Hua Qingkong answered honestly.
Liuh Hanxi's morning grumpiness faded away, and her anger from yesterday was gone too. She walked over and cupped his face in her hands, and he bent down slightly to avoid her having to tiptoe.
“Are you still angry?” Liu Hanxi asked.
Hua Qingkong shook his head, and Liu Hanxi leaned in to kiss him. He was covered in dirt, so he brought his face closer to her to avoid getting her dirty, and the two of them kissed in a strange and awkward position.
As night fell, the two walked in the yard and then went to the study to handle some miscellaneous matters.
Just as they were about to say their goodbyes and prepare to rest, a little bird flew into the study.
华青空不以为然，他也已经习惯这些小精怪们出现，不再是以前那个有妖必灭的华天师。
“Blue sky! Hurry! Si Lan!”
This little bird was given to Chu Si Lan by Liu Han Xi; it’s not a spirit creature but has been infused with some spiritual energy, both to keep her company and to send messages in case of any events.
“What happened?” Hua Qingkong asked as he wrapped his arms around her and began to use his flying sword.
“She... committed suicide!” Liu Huanxi said anxiously.
Hua Qingkong’s expression also changed dramatically.
The two of them landed in the princess's courtyard, and Liu Huanxi quickly broke through the door, thinking she had hanged herself, but that wasn't the case. The princess was lying on the bed, appearing to be at peace, but upon closer inspection, she had already breathed her last. The servants had yet to notice that something was wrong.
“Is this poison?”
“Swallow the gold, Xier step aside, I'll take care of it.” Hua Qingkong stepped forward, first feeding the golden core to protect her, then forming hand seals and chanting incantations, directing his right hand like a sword towards the gold block, slowly drawing it out from her stomach.
```htmlLiuhanyi was stunned there.
For a fragile girl like Chu Silan, how much courage must it take to swallow such a large piece of gold and face death?
“Silan!” Seeing her exhale heavily again, Liuhanyi stepped forward to support her and held her tightly, “Why…”```
“You said... the ghost with a noose looks so ugly... and its tongue... is so long... I don't want everyone to see me like that after I die...” Tears streamed down Chu Silan's face.
“What can’t be solved that you have to die for?! If you’re not afraid of death, what else is there to be afraid of?!” Liu Hanzhi also cried along with her.
The princess's palace, both inside and outside, is in chaos.
"Princess, hum! Just a piece of property, he says I should marry whoever and go wherever, never asking me if I'm happy or willing," Chu Silan gritted her teeth and said.
It turned out that because of the arranged marriage, she thought for a whole day and night but still couldn't find the courage to go on living, and was prepared to leave with regrets.
“No need to marry the third prince, no need, the emperor... did not agree.” Liu Hanzhi said.
“If I don't marry him, I will only end up marrying someone I don't like. Just look at the seven princesses; aside from the one whose prince consort has died, who else is in the Divine Kingdom?” Chu Silan said with a bitter smile, “If I die, he will only feel sorry; what does it matter? I haven't even formed a marriage alliance yet, nor have I gained the benefits I should have. Isn't this just a waste of raising me? Right?”
“Who said that! There are still so many people who care—me, you, your Seventeenth Brother, and so on…” Liu Hanxi didn’t know how to comfort her, because what she said was true; most royal women had such fates.
“If you leave, I will die again. When that time comes, you can come collect my ghost. I don't want to live as a human again,” Chu Si Lan chuckled lightly.
“You mustn't say that, and you mustn't die! If you don't want to get married, then don't. He has no right; we’ll take you away. You know we have that ability! We’re not going to be this princess or prince,” Liu Han Xi spoke forcefully, seeing her resignation.
Outside, Chu Tianyu, who had just arrived, overheard the conversation between the two.
“I haven’t shown you enough care, that’s my fault,” Chu Tianyu said to Hua Qingkong, who had retreated outside the door.
Hua Qingkong was speechless; he actually had no feelings for Chu Tianyu. It was Hua Chen who gave him paternal love, and maternal love had always been there. Even though his biological mother died early, Concubine Hui treated him as her own.
“Does she have someone she likes? Is it Lord Ran?” Chu Tianyu had actually noticed this at the banquet; the anxious look on his face when the marriage proposal to Duan Hui was mentioned.
“Yes, both have mutual feelings.” Hua Qingsong replied.
“This silly child, why can’t he tell me? Why won’t he tell his mother? I didn’t say I disagree!” Chu Tianshu reproached.
“Lady Li probably knows and would advise Si Lan to accept fate; how could she dare to speak to you?” Hua Qingkong sighed.
Chu Tianyu stepped into the room. Chu Silan didn't even want to greet him, and along with her, Liu Hanxi also chose to ignore him.
“Lan'er, Father asks you if you wish to marry that Ran Xingtú?” Chu Tianyu asked.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing the name Ran Xingtú, Chu Silan stood up suddenly, her face full of determination.
“No need to say anymore, I won’t die. You can marry whoever you want and change whatever you want, it’s none of my business. I had no one in my heart before, and in the future… hehe, I won’t have anyone again.” Chu Silan's eyes were red, and she had just swallowed the golden book, which had caused damage; at this moment, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed heavily, instantly staining the handkerchief crimson.
“Unlike others, this temper is quite good! Just like me!” Chu Tianyu finally realized that she thought he was going to threaten Ran Xingtong, wanting to protect him.
Liu Hanxi thought the same; she also stood up and shielded Chu Silan behind her. The harsh words she wanted to say were swallowed back when she met Hua Qingkong's gaze.
She saw Hua Qingkong smiling warmly at her.
“Alright, let’s do it this way. If I say I will marry whoever, then it will be Ran Xingtu,” Chu Tianyu said.
Chu Silan had a look of disbelief.
“Xi'er, Lan'er is my youngest daughter, not a princess. She is the treasure in my palm, and you must prepare well for your brother. If my daughter is wronged, I won’t let it go easily.” Chu Tianyu said with a smile.
“Father!” both called out simultaneously, their voices filled with joy.
“I won’t issue a decree for now. Lan-er, you need to be better first. Come to me to get the decree when you’re looking energetic and beautiful,” Chu Tianyu said again.
回去的路上，柳寒兮说：“我差点就要说，‘别惹我，化蛇就在入海口，大不了大家一起死。’”
华青空轻握了她的手，回答：“我知道，我看你眼一凛，就知道你要说狠话，还好收住了。”
“I can tell from your smile that everything should be fine.”
"Understood."
“You mentioned the ginseng you dug up—has it dried yet, and when can we sell it?”
“I worked all night digging it up; are you really going to sell it?”
"Well... shall I make it up to you?"
"You!"