Chapter 48 Slap You Hit Me

Xiao Lingjun knew she was here; he had always known. It was even possible that her every move since she and Xiao Wangqing left the capital had never truly escaped his sight.

Now that the old emperor has passed away, he has no more scruples, so he uses this method to casually recall her, along with the military power of the northern border.

Xiao Wangqing turned around slowly, his forehead hair wet.

"What do you think?" he asked, his voice almost inaudible.

Shen Zhiwei shrugged, walked to the stone table, and brushed his fingertips across the silk surface of the imperial edict.

She thought of the warm days and nights in the East Palace, the look in Xiao Lingjun's eyes that was so gentle that it could drip with tears when he looked at her, and his low and hoarse voice of "Awei".

Those kindnesses, those indulgences, those seemingly genuine affections, when recalled now, are all wrapped in a layer of carefully calculated chill.

But he really didn't hurt her. Even when she left a letter like that and left without saying goodbye, he didn't send anyone to hunt her down immediately. He just watched her secretly and waited until the time was right, forcing her to make a choice in this irresistible way.

Should he choose to stay in the northern border and share the risk with Xiao Wangqing, who holds military power but faces an uncertain future, or return to that magnificent prison and to the side of the brooding new emperor?

"Your Highness," she raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Wangqing, "The imperial decree has been issued. If you disobey it, you will give others an advantage."

Xiao Wangqing pursed his lips even tighter.

"Military affairs in the northern border are urgent, Your Highness must be in charge. Returning to the capital at this time would be unpredictable," she continued, nudging her cheek with her tongue. "The new emperor has just been established, and his foundation is not yet stable. This is the time to appease all parties. If Your Highness returns now, perhaps you will be safer."

This is half true and half false.

The new emperor needed appeasement, but even more important, he needed to establish his authority. A younger brother, commanding a large military force and with whom he had previously been at odds, was undoubtedly the perfect target. Going back was a gamble that Xiao Lingjun wouldn't turn against him for now, a gamble that he still needed stability in the northern border.

If he stayed, it would be a blatant confrontation, and Xiao Lingjun would have countless reasons to attack.

Xiao Wangqing stared at her for a long time.

"What about you?" he asked again.

Shen Zhiwei lowered her eyelashes and looked at her hands on the stone table. These hands were once held by Xiao Lingjun, who taught her to write stroke by stroke.

"If I stay, I'll be a burden to His Highness," she whispered, then found it amusing, her eyes curled. "The new emperor's longing for me is due to me. Every day I stay here, His Highness will be more wary, and the northern border will be more turbulent."

"I'm going back."

There was a moment of dead silence.

Even the black cat dozing on the windowsill moved its ears, raised its head, and looked over here with its golden vertical pupils.

Xiao Wangqing's Adam's apple rolled. He wanted to say something, but in the end he just let out a light breath.

"Have you thought it through?" His shoulders, which had been tense, slumped and his voice was dry.

"Yes," Shen Zhiwei nodded, "Your Highness, please arrange for someone to send me back to the capital."

She agreed quickly, with almost no hesitation, and there was no need to hesitate.

There is no other choice.

"good."

The wheels rolled over the official road.

Inside the carriage, Shen Zhiwei leaned against the wall, looking out the window at the wasteland scenery that was constantly receding.

Xiao Wangqing sat across from her. Since leaving the Liangzhou camp three days ago, he had become even less talkative. Most of the time, he would just close his eyes and rest, or stare into space in silence.

During the period of national mourning, white banners hung at post stations along the way, creating a solemn atmosphere. Their motorcade was unassuming, but the guards were capable, the carriages and horses were fine, and any discerning eye could tell they were extraordinary. At each post station, officials were already waiting, their attitudes respectful, even apprehensive, ensuring hot water in the rooms, without the slightest delay.

Xiao Wangqing was accustomed to this, often nodding briefly before heading inside, leaving all negotiations to his accompanying deputy general. Shen Zhiwei followed behind him, feeling the inquiring and awed gazes of the local officials, which lingered briefly on her, a seemingly accompanying female relative, before quickly moving away.

She is still his teacher, but now that they are returning to Beijing together, this identity seems particularly subtle.

No one dared to ask, no one dared to discuss.

The schedule was tight, almost traveling day and night. Xiao Wangqing seemed anxious to return to the capital, or perhaps wanted to face the inevitable situation as soon as possible. Shen Zhiwei did not ask any more questions, but just followed quietly.

When the carriage reached a mountain pass with a winding stream beside the road, both the men and the horses were exhausted, so Xiao Wangqing ordered them to rest for a while.

Shen Zhiwei got out of the car to get some fresh air. She walked to the stream, squatted down, scooped up a handful of cool stream water and splashed it on her face, which relieved her tiredness a little.

Drops of water slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the pebbles by the stream. The sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting flickering spots of light on the water, causing her to squint slightly.

At this moment, a similar picture suddenly popped into my mind - it was also by the stream, with sunshine and the sound of water, but there seemed to be a figure beside him, smiling and saying something.

She remained squatting, her hands still suspended in mid-air, water dripping from between her fingers. Her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, suddenly stopping, then pounding wildly again, causing pain in her chest.

It's not a vague feeling, but a clear picture with sound and warmth.

The icy water dragged her down, seaweed tangling around her ankles, a suffocating feeling gripping her throat. The hand that pushed her into the water wore a familiar jade ring on its wrist...it was the Grand Tutor Lin Wenyuan.

Immediately afterwards, more fragments came rushing in, vying to occupy her blank mind.

She is not Shen Zhiwei.

Or rather, not entirely.

She is... Shen Zhiwei who has lived a new life.

With a splitting headache and a churning stomach, Shen Zhiwei crouched by the stream, retching violently as his vision went black.

“Miss Shen!”

Xiao Wangqing's voice sounded behind her. He stepped forward quickly and supported her shaky shoulders with his warm and strong palms.

Without a second thought, Shen Zhiwei swung her arm to block the blow. The force was so strong that Xiao Wangqing was caught off guard and stumbled back half a step, his hand frozen in mid-air.

She raised her head, her face as pale as paper, with fine beads of cold sweat on her forehead, and looked up at him.

That look was too unfamiliar. Xiao Wangqing frowned and asked, "Are you okay?"

Shen Zhiwei didn't answer, or rather, she didn't know where to begin. She just sat down on the grass, sorting out all the memories that had rushed into her head.

The amnesia caused by falling into the lake was the work of Taifu Lin Wenyuan. He was probably afraid that Xiao Lingjun would go crazy for her and wanted to get rid of her completely. Xiao Lingjun...he just played along, killed Lin Wenyuan, kept her by his side, and made up a lie about being her husband.

He lied to her.

With a month's meticulous tenderness, she wove an airtight net and stole a period of time that did not belong to him.

How could a person be so unlucky.

He lived his life over again, taking every step carefully, but ended up falling into the hands of the same pair of brothers, even more outrageous than in his previous life.

Xiao Lingjun. She silently repeated the name in her mind, her teeth itching slightly.

Very good.

The nausea gradually subsided, replaced by exhaustion and absurdity. She raised her hand to wipe her face, her fingertips cold.

Xiao Wangqing was still standing by and watching her.

Shen Zhiwei pulled the corners of her mouth, wanting to laugh, but she couldn't. She tried to stand up by supporting herself on the grass, but her legs were still weak.

This time, Xiao Wangqing did not reach out rashly, but just looked at her silently, waiting for her to recover.

"It's okay," Shen Zhiwei waved his hand and got up by himself, "I remembered some... things from the past."

Xiao Wangqing's eyes moved slightly: "All?"

"Almost." Shen Zhiwei bent down and scooped up a handful of stream water to rinse his mouth. When he stood up, his eyes made Xiao Wangqing inexplicably frightened.

The sky was gloomy the day they arrived in the capital. The towering city walls looked oppressive under the leaden sky. During the period of national mourning, the city gates were heavily guarded and inspections were cumbersome, but their convoy, armed with special tokens, passed unimpeded.

The capital city is still prosperous, but there are many more white colors and the pedestrians look hurried.

The carriage did not drive towards any prince's mansion or official residence, but went straight into the imperial city, passed through many palace gates, and finally stopped in front of an extremely quiet palace.

The palace is not grand, but it is of extremely high standards. The plaque reads "Qingliang Palace", and it was the place where the late emperor rested in his later years.

Xiao Wangqing got off the car first and whispered a few words to the eunuch who came to greet him. The eunuch looked respectful, glanced at Shen Zhiwei who got off the car later, and lowered his head a little.

"Sir... Shen, please follow me." The eunuch bowed and led the way. Shen Zhiwei nodded and followed. Xiao Wangqing stood where he was, not invited to follow.

The Qingliang Hall was elegantly decorated and filled with the fragrance of golden osmanthus. The palace maids and eunuchs stood with their hands hanging down, holding their breath and moving silently.

The eunuch led her to a warm room and bowed before leaving. "Your Majesty will be here shortly. Please wait."

Shen Zhiwei pushed the door open and entered. The room was warm as spring. By the window stood a rosewood desk, complete with brushes, inkstones, and paper. A half-read memorial lay open. In a treasure chest in the corner lay several familiar porcelain and jade ornaments, all old items she had played with before she lost her memory.

He even copied these details.

Shen Zhiwei walked to the desk, picked up the brush, looked at it, and sighed in his heart.

Not long after, footsteps were heard behind him.

She knew who it was without turning around.

The footsteps stopped behind her, and a familiar warm breath enveloped her.

"Awei."

A gentle voice sounded, just like the countless days and nights in the past, when he whispered in her ear.

Shen Zhiwei turned around.

Xiao Lingjun stood before her, only a few steps away. He was dressed in plain clothes, his dark hair tied back with a simple white jade hairpin. He had lost some of the dignity he had worn as a crown prince, and instead had acquired the dignity of an emperor.

He had lost weight, the lines between his eyebrows becoming more profound. His phoenix eyes, always filled with gentle smiles, were now as deep as two ancient wells, clearly reflecting her figure. His gaze remained focused, but it was no longer pure warmth, but was mixed with too many things that she could only now understand.

Possessive, calculating, and paranoid.

He looked at her, his lips curved up, as if trying to smile gently as usual, but he was unsuccessful, instead revealing an indescribable complex emotion.

“It’s been a hard journey.”

Shen Zhiwei didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly. Her eyes moved from his still handsome eyebrows, across his tall nose, and down to his lips that always uttered sweet words.

Xiao Lingjun's eyes darkened slightly, and the mask of gentleness he had barely maintained showed a crack: "Awei?"

The moment he called out the second time, Shen Zhiwei suddenly raised his hand.

The movement was so fast that only a shadow remained.

Bang——!

The crisp and loud sound of slapping exploded in the silent warm room and echoed endlessly.

Xiao Lingjun's face was knocked sideways, and clear fingerprints quickly appeared on his fair cheek. He remained in that tilted position, completely stunned.

In the warm room, you could hear a pin drop. The palace servants standing by were already terrified and fell to their knees, burying their heads in the tiles and shaking like sieves.

Shen Zhiwei's palm was burning with pain, but she didn't care and just shook her wrist.

Xiao Lingjun slowly turned his head and looked at her. The red mark on his cheek was bright and glaring. The initial surprise in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by a dark color that almost swallowed her.

He just looked at her like that, his gaze like sticky ink, soaking into her skin bit by bit.

"You hit me." He stated in a hoarse voice.

“I hit you,” Shen Zhiwei met his gaze and smiled, “How?”

She took a half step forward and looked up at him, "Xiao Lingjun, you owed me this slap for a long time."

Not His Majesty, not His Highness, but Xiao Lingjun, with both full name and surname.

The palace maid kneeling on the ground trembled even more violently.