nowhere

Jiang Nian was speechless.

She was so sociable, but for the first time she didn't know what to say to comfort Xiao Yingzhu.

But Xiao Yingzhu is not such a weak person and needs her to comfort him.

Due to his own mood, Jiang Nian felt that the words he wanted to say were just to comfort himself.

She wanted to comfort herself by comforting Xiao Yingzhu - look, even such a strong person needed her comfort, not to mention herself.

Even if she was abandoned by Jiang's mother and father, who were not her biological parents, she would still be sad.

But she didn't know how to start speaking, nor did she know how to express herself so that she wouldn't seem so sensitive or fragile.

She is really tired.

Xiao Yingzhu's Qishan Mansion is the only comfort for her traumatized mind.

Could she open up to Xiao Yingzhu and confess the unpleasant feelings she had just received from Jiang's father and mother? Could she open up to him and show him weakness? Would he feel...

Do you feel that after not seeing her for two months, she is still so weak and has not made any progress?

You see, she clearly said not to blame herself anymore, but at this critical moment, she still blamed herself.

He had clearly made up his mind to maintain a normal mood in front of Xiao Yingzhu and not to let any negative energy show to him.

But she made up her mind and still broke her promise.

“…”

Jiang Nian seemed unable to suppress her emotions. Perhaps she saw her vulnerable side in the letter sent by Emperor Changde. It was also as if she realized through the letter that the man in front of her was hundreds of times better than her pretending to be strong.

I'm so tired.

But she couldn't break down here yet.

She can't go back on her word, she has to be strong.

She wanted to let Xiao Yingzhu know that she had changed.

But why, as soon as she arrived in this study, which was obviously a strange place and her first time here, she let down her guard and wanted to cry so much?

Was it because Xiao Yingzhu had seen his weakness again? Or was she really as he thought—as unimproving as he thought?

Jiang Nian felt her hands suddenly tremble. She didn't know how to describe her feelings. She seemed to always be so defensive in front of Xiao Yingzhu, letting Xiao Yingzhu see every side of her.

Even if she doesn't want to, her subconscious reaction, her body will tell her before her brain.

Xiao Yingzhu is trustworthy. He will not be like Jiang's father and Jiang's mother, nor will he be like Guizhi Fuling who is always so kind to her and stay away from her after knowing her true identity. On the contrary, Xiao Yingzhu will even protect her and even help her hide her true identity.

Even though she never said thank you in person.

...Is she about to collapse?

So her eyes were already wet with tears, and she could feel the hot tears about to fall.

Can’t let Xiao Yingzhu see it.

Jiang Nian tried hard to calm his heart which was about to collapse. He raised his hand, turned his head away, and wiped the moisture from his eyes. Suddenly, a warm and cool air fell on his head.

“!”

Xiao Yingzhu didn't know when she was standing in front of her.

Jiang Nian couldn't help his subconscious reaction, raised his head, and looked over through his tearful eyes.

Xiao Yingzhu was looking at her with an expression that was even softer than usual. He was tolerant of her just like he had been two months ago, silently telling her that he could accept everything about her.

But she couldn't let herself go on like this.

Xiao Yingzhu is here this time. If we go to the capital later and encounter any difficulties, do we need Xiao Yingzhu to help us?

Jiang Nian forced himself to suppress his tears. After lowering his eyes for a moment, he shook his head slightly and said calmly: "...I'm fine, it's okay."

Whenever she was hurt, she would swallow it alone instead of seeking comfort from others.

This time will certainly be the case.

Jiang Nian blinked, lowered his eyes to look at the piece of clothing in front of him, suppressed his surging emotions, and was silent for a moment before pulling himself out of Xiao Yingzhu's hand. He took a few steps forward and slightly turned his eyes away: "Xiao, can you accompany me for a walk?"

Wherever there is light, there is always a feeling of insecurity.

She didn't want anyone to see her embarrassing side, and Xiao Yingzhu knew this best.

…

Because they should be the same.

—

They didn't need to leave the Qishan Mansion; they just walked around the outer courtyard and some corridors illuminated by the moonlight.

The night was bleak, and the few corners of the open space were filled with fallen leaves, with a cool and bright light shining through the edges of the leaves.

Jiang Nian was in no mood to look at the sparkling lights. He just walked slowly forward along the paved stone slabs. Only when the scene in his sight became more and more familiar did he slow down his pace even more.

Xiao Yingzhu was not the type of person who liked to express her comfort with words, so she would only keep a distance that would not make Jiang Nian feel uncomfortable, follow behind, and softly say a few words when Jiang Nian occasionally spoke.

He looked in the direction she was looking and saw Jiang Nian stopped beside him.

"Is this... the place where we came to talk earlier?"

Xiao Yingzhu's eyes fell on the shadowed door and she responded softly.

I remember there was a portrait of his mother hanging inside.

Memories from long ago came flooding back. Jiang Nian paused at the familiar door, raised his hand and pointed forward: "Can I go in and take a look?"

Xiao Yingzhu didn't answer again, but reached out and pushed open the door in front of him.

The light and shadow gradually faded from her sight, and the furnishings inside were exactly the same as when she left, without any changes.

The memories from a few days ago slowly overlapped with what was in front of him. Jiang Nian raised his head, slowed his breathing, and looked upwards.

The portrait was still hanging above, looking holy because of the moonlight outside the window.

A soft halo of light shone into Jiang Nian's eyes through the pitch-black night. Her gaze fell on the ink painting and she took a few steps forward.

This time, there was a subtle change in their identity relationship. She could raise her eyes directly in front of Xiao Yingzhu and look at the painting openly.

The face of the woman in the painting appeared clearly in her eyes. Xiao Yingzhu's footsteps came slowly from behind her, and the sound of the wooden door closing rang softly in her ears.

Jiang Nian knew that this was his mother and also knew about her past deeds, so he did not ask any unnecessary questions. He just stood quietly with him in this empty hall, silently gazing at the painting above.

Although people from the past are buried in the long river of time, traces of their lives can be preserved in other ways.

"From what Young Master Qin said, these paintings were...repainted from the mansion in the capital?"

Xiao Yingzhu shifted his gaze from the painting to the other furnishings in the side hall.

"Well, they are all copied as they are."

"All of them?"

Jiang Nian was surprised. He looked around the surrounding layout and sighed, "I thought it was just these paintings."

Although there were no paintings in Xiao Yingzhu's study, in some other rooms, one could see paintings hanging on the walls through the windows.

They are all photos of his mother.

Xiao Yingzhu's father really loves his mother.

Thinking of some trivial matters at home, Jiang Nian's smile suddenly paused for a moment. Feeling Xiao Yingzhu's gaze, he shook his head slightly: "...I didn't expect you to mention these to me."

These family-related things must be scars buried deep in Xiao Yingzhu's heart.

Since Xiao Yingzhu was ready to put aside the matter of asking Qin Lan about contacting Princess Qingping, she could probably put it aside.

But regarding Xiao Yingzhu and Princess Qingping's past...

Jiang Nian suppressed the thoughts rising in his mind. Now was not the time to have doubts. He could bring it up again after the current matters were dealt with.

Those contents should be placed in the context of subtracting all the crises around you.

"When do we leave tomorrow?"

Xiao Yingzhu lowered his eyes and looked at her for a moment: "Chenshi."

After learning about the itinerary, she felt relieved. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Is there any further information about Meng Jian's whereabouts?"

Apart from seeing people related to Meng Jian during the competition, there was almost no news about his whereabouts afterwards.

After making so many arrangements, are you just going to leave it like this?

The other person's fingertips touched her slightly furrowed brows. As Jiang Nian raised her eyes in surprise, Xiao Yingzhu turned her back to the moonlight and said lightly, "Little girl, don't frown."

He can solve any hidden dangers before they occur, and the people he needs to protect will not be hurt at all.

“…”

I know how strong Xiao Yingzhu's ability to cope is, but with all these things piling up, it's hard to be at ease even if I know the outcome is likely to be good.

Jiang Nian sighed, feeling all the strength drained from his body.

She walked forward a few steps, still thinking about her eyes which were still a little red, and raised her hands and hugged Xiao Yingzhu directly.

The other person's hand had not yet been withdrawn. Jiang Nian took a deep breath. The familiar cool fragrance on Xiao Yingzhu's clothes enveloped her whole body. In the darkness, she could only hear the other person's heartbeat.

Too tired.

At this time, just a hug is enough to put all the sadness and depression behind.

After an unknown amount of silence, Xiao Yingzhu finally lowered his hands and effortlessly half-closed them behind her.

The warmth around her dispelled the coldness in her heart. Jiang Nian entrusted all her strength to him. In this era, the only person who could make her relax was the person who made her feel scared and suspicious at the beginning.

In the darkness, Jiang Nian closed his eyes. Although the heavy thoughts in his mind were relieved a little, he was not completely relaxed.

She still had one thing unfinished.

As long as she takes this step, everything will be settled.

"Xiao Yingzhu, after we..."

Will we be together forever?

How to ask? How to express?

It was too difficult. She had never thought of sharing half of her future with others.

And now, she actually wanted to travel with Xiao Yingzhu.

Looking forward to getting an answer.