Chapter 34 The storybook showed a thoughtful expression on his face.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jiang Zhiyao noticed that Yan Zhenxi had become busier and spent less and less time at the mansion.

Not only that, the entire capital city became even more tense, and a sense of unease spread throughout the city. After inquiring with Yan Zhenxi, it was learned that the current emperor was seriously ill.

"Please bear with Ayao for a while, try to stay home as little as possible," Yan Zhenxi said after telling Jiang Zhiyao some things.

"Okay." Jiang Zhiyao wasn't someone who couldn't distinguish between what was important and what wasn't, but staying home for a while wouldn't cause any loss.

She looked at Yan Zhenxi with some concern, opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she didn't say anything, and just gave a normal reminder: "Be careful when you're out."

"Don't worry." Yan Zhenxi smiled reassuringly at Jiang Zhiyao. "I might be back late tonight, Ayao, you don't need to wait for me. Go to sleep first."

Watching Yan Zhenxi's departing figure, Jiang Zhiyao slowly clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

While everyone was lamenting that Yan Zhenxi's blindness would likely end his career, Jiang Zhiyao felt a vague sense of unreality.

In her mind, Yan Zhenxi was always like the moon hanging high in the sky. No matter what praise or achievements he received, it all felt like a matter of course.

When the news of Yan Zhenxi's participation in the imperial examination spread, many people in the capital placed bets, speculating about the final ranking of this renowned young nobleman. But in Jiang Zhiyao's mind, only two words came to mind—the top scholar.

It seemed that only this word was worthy of him. When the results were finally announced, everyone was surprised, but Jiang Zhiyao was not surprised at all. She only felt that it should be this way.

After Yan Zhenxi became the top scholar and was appointed as a seventh-rank official, others speculated about how long it would take for him to be promoted. Some said it would take at least three years, and it was hard to say whether he could be promoted to the fifth rank. But Jiang Zhiyao knew that it would definitely not take long. Sure enough, in less than two years, Yan Zhenxi was promoted to the youngest fourth-rank official in the court.

In her mind, a noble young man like Yan Zhenxi could never remain in a state of perpetual obscurity, no matter what happened. Even if he went blind, it would only be a temporary low point, a chance to bide his time and conceal his talents.

If others knew what Jiang Zhiyao was thinking, they would probably laugh at her naivety, but she had a strange confidence in Yan Zhenxi.

The moon will never fall from the sky; it's just temporarily hidden by clouds.

Therefore, Jiang Zhiyao never asked Yan Zhenxi why he often left the mansion. The emperor clearly pitied Yan Zhenxi and only kept his official position. There was nothing that required him to leave the mansion or to be busy until late at night.

Jiang Zhiyao had a vague intuition about Yan Zhenxi's recent busy schedule and what she knew.

"Never mind," Jiang Zhiyao shook her head, suppressing the slight worries and speculations in her heart.

As for his eyes, Jiang Zhiyao never thought that Yan Zhenxi was faking it. If she randomly grabbed someone on the street and said that Yan Zhenxi wasn't blind and that he was faking it, the person would just think she had met a madman. After all, who would give up a promising career to pretend to be blind?

The night was bright with a clear moon and few stars.

Yan Zhenxi slowed his pace, gently pushed open the door, and left his blood-stained outer garment on the carriage.

A warm yellow candle was still lit in the room, and a plate of snacks was left next to it.

Yan Zhenxi smiled and picked up a pastry from the plate to eat. His smile and the lamplight made his features appear exceptionally gentle.

After taking a bath, Yan Zhenxi quietly approached the bedside. Looking at Jiang Zhiyao's peaceful sleeping face, Yan Zhenxi felt that the fatigue of the day could finally leave him.

He gently brushed the hair from Jiang Zhiyao's face, placed a kiss on her cheek, and then quietly lay down on the bed.

Finally, he embraced Jiang Zhiyao and fell into a deep sleep.

After he fell asleep, Jiang Zhiyao, who was in his arms, opened her eyes, stared at Yan Zhenxi for a while, and then buried her head in his chest, tightening her arms around him slightly.

-

"Aren't you going out of the manor today?" Jiang Zhiyao asked with some surprise as she looked at Yan Zhenxi, who had followed her to the study after breakfast.

"No need," Yan Zhenxi said with a smile. "I was busy for a long time yesterday, so I can spend today with Ayao."

"Aren't you curious about what I'm busy with, Yao?" Yan Zhenxi then asked gently.

"Curious." Jiang Zhiyao nodded.

Hearing Jiang Zhiyao's unhesitating answer, Yan Zhenxi smiled and said, "She's busy with matters concerning the throne."

Jiang Zhiyao's eyes widened. She had thought that Yan Zhenxi was trying to tell her something, but she didn't expect him to say it so bluntly.

Yan Zhenxi smiled and kissed Jiang Zhiyao's cheek, then continued, "Don't worry, it's almost over now."

"Ayao, just wait a little longer." Yan Zhenxi said slowly while holding Jiang Zhiyao. "I'm on the Third Prince's side. I've been planning this for a long time. Don't take any news you hear in the next few days seriously."

"Especially the news coming from the palace, Ayao should not believe it until everything has settled down."

“I know Ayao is intelligent. I didn’t say anything before because I was afraid you would worry. Now that it’s almost over, we have a complete plan. Ayao, don’t worry, trust your husband.”

At this point, Yan Zhenxi began to boast, "Your husband was a renowned figure in the capital, a man of perfect strategy, so there won't be any surprises."

Jiang Zhiyao stared at him, somewhat stunned, and saw a long-lost air of confidence and triumph on his face.

"So no matter what news you hear, don't worry," Yan Zhenxi reminded her again.

"If," Yan Zhenxi paused, "if anything unexpected really happens, I have already arranged for people to protect you."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Zhiyao covered his mouth tightly with her hand.

Jiang Zhiyao said somewhat nervously, "There's no need to say anything more. There won't be any surprises."

Realizing what she had said, Jiang Zhiyao quickly lowered her hand and explained, "I read in storybooks that whenever someone says this before embarking on some important mission, something unexpected happens..."

Yan Zhenxi chuckled: "Okay, I won't say anything, Ayao, don't worry."

"Is there anything you want to do today, A-Yao?" Yan Zhenxi asked, touching Jiang Zhiyao's forehead. "I probably won't be going back to the manor tonight for the next few days."

Jiang Zhiyao thought for a moment and said, "I just want to be with you. That's enough."

Yan Zhenxi was stunned for a moment, and after realizing what was happening, he couldn't help but kiss Jiang Zhiyao: "How can Ayao be so good at talking? I'm not leaving all day."

Jiang Zhiyao nestled in Yan Zhenxi's arms, reading a book as usual, becoming quite engrossed in it.

"What is Ayao looking at?" Yan Zhenxi asked with a smile.

"Ah." Jiang Zhiyao quickly closed the book, then remembered something and opened it again, pretending to be calm, and whispered, "It's just an ordinary book in your study."

Actually, no. Jiang Zhiyao was reading a storybook she had bought some time ago. Since Yan Zhenxi couldn't see, and it was so comfortable to be nestled in his arms, she simply started reading it.

Just as Yan Zhenxi was speaking, Jiang Zhiyao happened to be watching an important scene. Hearing the voice out of the blue, her heart skipped a beat.

"Oh, it's in my study." Yan Zhenxi didn't say anything more. Seeing Jiang Zhiyao's annoyed expression at being interrupted, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth and then kept his gaze on the book that was open in her hand.

This story is quite original.

Yan Zhenxi's perspective allows him to see the contents of the storybook clearly.

The story in the book is about a male fox spirit and a noblewoman.

During one of her outings, the noblewoman saw an injured little fox. Feeling sorry for it, she took it back to her residence to treat and raise it.

The noblewoman loved the little fox very much. She thought it was not only beautiful and had soft fur, but it was also obedient and well-behaved. She even loved it so much that she would hold the little fox when she went to bed at night.

But she didn't know that the fox had already become a spirit. At that time, she was just caught off guard and was injured by other demons. Moreover, the fox gradually fell in love with her as they spent time together day after day.

At first, he often appeared in the noblewoman's dreams. Every time she woke up, she was very upset, not understanding why she would have such a dream. The most important thing was that the object of her dream was her pet fox.

Even though the little fox in her dream transformed into a man she liked, the noblewoman still felt awkward.

Later, the noble lady felt uncomfortable whenever she was with the little fox, so she gradually began to hide from the little fox. The fox did not understand and thought that it was because it had not done well enough, so it entered the noble lady's dreams more frequently.

As a result, he was increasingly neglected. The fox didn't understand, and was sad but helpless. He could only be more and more outrageous towards the noble lady in his dreams.

The noblewoman was conflicted, and gradually she fell in love with the little fox from her dreams. In an accident, the fox transformed into human form in front of her to save her. After the initial shock, the noblewoman accepted the fact and continued to keep him in her household.

The beginning of the story is vague and ambiguous, but it becomes increasingly explicit later on.

Jiang Zhiyao blushed as she read, her breathing unconsciously slowing down. When she finally reached the most explicit parts, she couldn't help but slam the book shut, wanting to catch her breath.

She hadn't expected the story to end like this, but, but, Jiang Zhiyao thought blushingly, no wonder it's the most sought-after storybook.

Yan Zhenxi behind her suddenly moved and straightened his clothes. Jiang Zhiyao seemed to be startled and immediately jumped down from his arms.

She was so engrossed in what she was watching that she completely forgot Yan Zhenxi was right behind her. Although she knew Yan Zhenxi couldn't see her, Jiang Zhiyao still couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She had actually been watching this in front of him...

Jiang Zhiyao stammered, "Um, I'll go out and check. Lunch isn't ready yet."

After saying that, he left the study in a slightly hurried manner.

But perhaps because of nervousness, he didn't take the storybook with him and left it on the table. Yan Zhenxi looked at the cover and smiled, a thoughtful expression on his face.