Canglang was momentarily stunned. Though he hadn’t followed the Governor to the Imperial Garden, he was aware of the palace’s affairs.
He had assumed the Governor’s rampage in the Imperial Garden was merely a pretext to rescue Doctor Jiang. He hadn’t expected that, while clashing with Liu Tong’en, the Governor had also managed to plant a tracking substance on him.
Canglang quickly acknowledged the order and hurried out to make arrangements.
As Tang Ning applied medicine to Xiao Yan’s wounds, she asked softly, “Didn’t you say Liu Tong’en hasn’t left the capital in a long time?”
They had suspected that Emperor An’s private army might be under Liu Tong’en’s control and had people watching him. But with so many events unfolding in the capital, Liu Tong’en hadn’t left in a while. Moreover, he was cautious by nature, quick to grow suspicious at the slightest hint of something amiss, so they didn’t dare follow him too closely.
Xiao Yan, holding his arm up, looked languid. “He hasn’t left because nothing major has happened in the palace. If something arises that threatens Emperor An’s throne, he’ll definitely leave the capital.”
Unless, of course, the private army wasn’t in his hands.
“Liu Tong’en appears loyal and reserved, keeping to himself. After losing his wife years ago, his only son was sent to be raised in the clan’s ancestral lands. He has few close associates in the capital, and his residence is so clean it barely has any servants. Planting someone close to him or tampering with him directly is too difficult.”
Last night, when Feng Lai sent word, Xiao Yan had guessed that Liu Tong’en’s counsel to Emperor An presented a rare opportunity.
He had seized the moment, staging a scene before Emperor An and storming the Imperial Garden to confront Liu Tong’en. Even if Liu suspected something, he would only think Xiao Yan’s actions were for Doctor Jiang’s sake, not suspecting anything further.
“I just hope Liu Tong’en doesn’t disappoint me,” Xiao Yan said.
“He won’t. You’ll surely get what you want, Brother,” Tang Ning replied.
She understood Xiao Yan’s intentions and knew today’s actions were unavoidable. She didn’t naively suggest he shouldn’t risk his safety to gain Emperor An’s trust. The grotesque, sprawling scars on his body spoke volumes about how arduous his path had been.
To scheme for the affairs of the realm, a single misstep could lead to eternal ruin.
After years of careful planning to reach this point, not even the slightest mistake could be afforded.
Tang Ning’s face paled slightly, but she remained remarkably composed as she used a cloth to wipe the blood from Xiao Yan’s waist and back before applying medicine.
“Bear with it, Brother.”
As the medicinal powder touched the wounds, the sting made Xiao Yan’s body tense, his hand gripping the table’s edge tightly.
Tang Ning pursed her lips, moving more gently but quickly, using clean white cloth to rebandage his wounds.
Once the bloodstains were covered, she took another cloth to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
“Does it hurt badly? Should I get some pain-relieving medicine?”
Xiao Yan, his lips pale, shook his head. “No need. I’m fine.” He took her cool hand. “Don’t be scared. They’re just surface wounds. They’ll heal with rest.”
Seeing blood on her hands, Xiao Yan pulled her to sit beside him, taking the cloth to wipe the stains from her fingers. But the dried blood clung stubbornly, refusing to come off.
It was as if white jade had been tainted with dust, the bloodstains glaringly out of place, causing Xiao Yan’s gaze to darken.
“When I first met you, I promised to keep you safe and happy, but I’ve failed to keep my word. Following me, you’re always exposed to these unpleasant things, seeing blood day after day, steeped in violence…”
Tang Ning paused, softening at the self-loathing on his face. “But I’m truly happy now.”
She took his hand, pressing her palm into his.
Xiao Yan’s fingers were much longer than hers, slender yet defined, while hers were soft and plump.
Tang Ning said earnestly, “I’ve countless times felt grateful for meeting you under Lingyun Temple, and I’m endlessly thankful to the heavens for letting me reunite with the little brother from back then. Though life with you is full of twists and turns, far from peaceful, I feel more alive than ever, more real than at any other time.”
She was no longer the naive, deceived girl, no longer foolishly entangled in romantic fantasies.
Her heart still held emotions, and she cared for those dear to her, but she always retained clarity and reason, never losing herself in love.
She hadn’t forgotten her past suffering or how she had reached this point. It was her brother who taught her to value herself, to discern good from evil, to fight back, and to avoid self-inflicted pain.
Tang Ning gripped Xiao Yan’s hand. “You probably don’t know, but in the last academy exam, I scored in the top tier. I’m not the best in the academy, but I made it into the top ten.”
“Every student in the academy is a prodigy, even those from humble backgrounds never yield in scholarship. When A’Ru and I first joined, despite my role in founding the academy, some still pointed fingers, saying it was improper for men and women to study together. But now, the students and teachers respect me wholeheartedly, and they even see A’Ru in a new light.”
“No one questions our abilities because we’re women anymore, nor do they attack my scholarship based on my gender. One day, it might not be impossible for women to study alongside men.”
She might not achieve full equality between men and women, but perhaps she could carve a path for women.
Tang Ning’s expression was light and cheerful, her eyes sparkling like stars, radiant with confidence.
“I’ve never felt you broke your promise, and I’m truly happy with how things are now. Yes, I get scared sometimes, but I still love being with you.”
Living so vividly and fully.
The young woman’s words were candid and sincere, her smile as bright as the sun.
Holding her delicate hand nestled in his palm, Xiao Yan listened to her confident and poised words. The fleeting self-loathing he’d felt melted like snow, and a smile tugged at his lips.
“You sure know how to sweet-talk.”
Her words were like honey, intoxicating and disorienting.
Tang Ning leaned against his shoulder, grinning. “I only sweet-talk you. When you said I could be informal with you, I thought, ‘My brother is not only beautiful but kind-hearted.’”
Looking up, she could see his striking jawline and profile. His skin was pale, his features refined, and though his thin lips were slightly pale, they only drew more attention.
Tang Ning couldn’t help but laugh. “You don’t know this, but the first time I saw you, I thought, ‘How can someone be this good-looking?’ Just a bit fierce, with a bad reputation, and those eyes, glaring like they could make a child cry.”
Xiao Yan shot her a sidelong glance. “So you were secretly criticizing me?”
He reached for the soft flesh at her waist, and she quickly laughed, begging for mercy.
“I wasn’t criticizing! I was praising your looks…”
Xiao Yan tickled her side, and Tang Ning collapsed into giggles.
The previously heavy atmosphere dissolved, replaced by laughter echoing from Yue Li Platform. Outside, Jinyun grabbed Tian Qing, who was about to enter.
“Wait a bit before going in.”
Tian Qing glanced inside, deciding the matter with Prince Zeng wasn’t urgent, and followed Jinyun to step aside.
===============
You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
Comments
Post a Comment