At three quarters past midnight, the night, like a heavy piece of black silk, enveloped the Prime Minister's residence tightly. The exquisite chiming clock in the main hall of the residence struck nine times slowly, its sound carrying far in the quiet night, as if telling the passage of time.
Su Jinli lay quietly in bed, half-covered by the quilt. Her face was deliberately pale, and her hands were tightly grasping the corner of the quilt, as if it was her only support in her pain. The bed was surrounded by worried people, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it made people feel breathless.
Prime Minister Su stood nearby, his brow furrowed in a crisscross pattern, his beard tangled and unkempt. He paced back and forth, each step a touch threatening. Young Marquis Su, carrying a wooden sword, stood guard at the door like a loyal guard, his eyes wide, ever vigilant, as if any "danger" that might approach his sister could not escape his gaze. Su Qingyao, clutching a bowl of freshly brewed ginseng soup, frowned slightly, her eyes filled with worry.
"Sister, hit me if you feel uncomfortable!" Young Marquis Su's face suddenly turned red and he shouted loudly, breaking the silence in the room.
Su Jinli rolled her eyes with difficulty and said weakly, "Get lost. I don't even have the energy to hit you now."
Jiang Yan sat quietly on the edge of the bed, his expression focused, his slender fingers gently resting on Su Jinli's wrist. He seemed to be taking her pulse carefully, but in fact, he took advantage of everyone's inattention to secretly slip her a candied fruit and said in a low voice, "Your pulse is stable, but you're pretending too much."
Su Jinli held the candied fruit in her mouth, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she said vaguely: "Then what do you say we should do?"
At that moment, the butler hurried in, his steps so rapid that even the hems of his clothes swayed. He bowed slightly and said anxiously, "Master, there's news from the palace. The Queen Mother heard that the young lady is ill and has sent the imperial physician."
When Su Xiang heard this, his face changed slightly. He quickly straightened his robe and hurried out to greet him. Seeing this, Su Qingyao came closer to the bed and said softly, "Jinli, why don't we stop acting? Look, Dad has turned gray with worry."
"No." Su Jinli bit her lip and sat up firmly, her eyes revealing unquestionable determination. "I have to act well." She turned to look at Jiang Yan, a glint of intelligence in her eyes. "Didn't you say that the Queen Mother rewarded you with a villa on the outskirts of the city?"
Jiang Yan nodded slightly, a gentle smile on his lips, and said, "It's called 'Tingzhuyuan'."
"Okay." Su Jinli's eyes lit up instantly, like twinkling stars in the night sky. She said excitedly, "Come pick me up tonight, and we'll go to Zhuyuan to listen to the 'bridal performance'!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned, as if shocked by this sudden idea. Young Marquis Su was the first to react. His eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, and he blurted out, "A wedding to bring good luck? Sister, you want to elope with Brother Jiang Yan?"
"What nonsense!" Su Jinli raised her hand and gently knocked him on the head, pretending to be angry and said, "I went there openly to celebrate the wedding, and I will come back after I recover from my illness."
Jiang Yan looked into her sparkling eyes, which were filled with anticipation and cunning, as if hiding countless little secrets. He couldn't help but smile, a smile as warm and bright as the spring sun. He said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Time slipped quietly in a mixture of tension and anticipation. Just after midnight, the night deepened. Jiang Yan, accompanied by a group of nimble secret guards, crept into the Prime Minister's residence like ghosts. Moonlight cast a long shadow across their bodies, swaying across the mottled walls.
Su Jinli had already changed into men's clothing. She wore a black hair crown and a black suit, looking dashing. She carried a small bag on her back and waited quietly at the corner gate. The moonlight shone on her face, outlining her delicate features. Her eyes revealed determination and excitement.
"Have you brought everything?" Jiang Yan tiptoed to her side, gently helped her tie her cloak, and asked with concern.
"Yes." Su Jinli shook the bundle vigorously, the corners of her mouth raised, revealing a playful smile, "There are storybook manuscripts and an abacus."
The two smiled at each other, then clambered over the wall in unison. Their movements were light and agile, like two free-flying birds. As soon as they landed on the ground outside the wall, they heard a loud shout from behind: "Sister! Brother Jiang Yan! I brought you some snacks!"
Young Marquis Su came out panting, carrying a food box. His face flushed crimson, and beads of sweat shimmered on his forehead in the moonlight. He ran up to the two of them, handed them the food box, and said, "This is peach blossom pastry made by my eldest sister. Eat it on the way."
Jiang Yan looked at him like this, and couldn't help but laugh and cry, and said, "Why did you come out?"
"I'm here to protect you!" the young man puffed out his chest and said proudly, as if he were carrying out an extremely important mission. "You go first, I'll cover your retreat!"
Su Jinli looked at her cute and sensible brother, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She reached out and gently rubbed his head, saying softly, "Go back quickly, don't let Dad find out."
Young Marquis Su nodded, turned around and ran back. Watching him running back to the mansion, Su Jinli's nose suddenly felt a little sour. Seeing this, Jiang Yan silently held her hand and whispered, "Let's go, the future Madam Jiang."
Holding hands, they walked to the horses that had been prepared and mounted. The sound of horse hooves echoed in the silent night, gradually fading into the vast darkness, leaving only a quiet moonlight shining on the place where they had stood.
As they left, the Prime Minister's residence remained immersed in anxiety. Prime Minister Su accompanied the imperial physician to Su Jinli's room, only to find the bed empty. His expression suddenly changed. Su Qingyao and Young Marquis Su pretended to be surprised and anxious, playing along with the drama.
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