After a long while, Su Huaiyue slowly straightened up. Her legs were a little numb from kneeling for a long time. She swayed slightly to keep herself steady.
Her gaze fell on Jing Zhiwan gently and firmly, as if she wanted to convey her inner thoughts and emotions to the poor and lovely girl in front of her through this gaze.
"Zhi Wan," Su Huaiyue's voice was soft and soothing, like a spring breeze, "You are the only one who can decide your own fate. No matter how much help others may give you, it is not worth sacrificing your life for it.
In my opinion, nothing is more important than yourself. You are an independent individual and should live for yourself.
You have your own thoughts and soul, and your life has infinite possibilities and value. You should not easily abandon it for the sake of repaying a favor."
As Jing Zhiwan listened to Su Huaiyue's words, her face, which was originally full of gratitude, gradually revealed an expression of disbelief.
She opened her mouth slightly, her eyes full of confusion, as if she had heard a fairy tale.
"Miss Su," she asked softly, a hint of caution in her tone, "Isn't that a bit too selfish? A woman's life is determined by her parents before she gets married, and by her husband after she gets married. How can she make her own decisions? This is how a woman should live."
Su Huaiyue looked at Jing Zhiwan's confused eyes and knew in her heart that this feudal thought was deeply rooted in the hearts of the ancient people, like an old tree with tangled roots, and it would not be corrected in a short time.
She just smiled gently, with a hint of bitterness in her smile, as well as love for Jing Zhiwan.
She walked forward gently, her steps light and slow, as if she was afraid of disturbing Jing Zhiwan.
She reached out her hand, and her fingers gently brushed Jing Zhiwan's cheek, gently wiping away the remaining tear marks on her face.
"Zhiwan," Su Huaiyue said softly, "You are so beautiful, with a pair of bright and clear eyes that seem to contain the stars and the sea; and you have black and shiny hair that is like black silk. If you spend your life like cattle and sheep waiting to be slaughtered, I will be heartbroken."
After saying that, Su Huaiyue took out a few bottles of medicine from her bag and gently placed them in Jing Zhiwan's hand, gently advising her, "Apply these medicines to your father after a while. It will be good for his recovery. Take good care of yourself and your father."
Jing Zhiwan stared blankly at Su Huaiyue's back as she turned and left. Her steps were light and firm, and she gradually walked away in the dim room.
Jing Zhiwan's face still retained the gentle touch of Su Huaiyue when she wiped away her tears. She looked down at the medicine bottle in her hand and thought of Su Huaiyue's words again.
In the dim room, the dazed girl knelt on the ground for a long time, not knowing what she was thinking.
The night was as dark as ink, gently enveloping Youzhou City. The hustle and bustle of the day had dissipated, and only a few dog barks echoed in the silence.
After settling Jing Wenxuan, Su Huaiyue was always worried about the princess's leg injury. She dragged her tired body towards the princess's residence.
As I approached the room, I heard the flickering candlelight and faint sounds.
Su Huaiyue slowed down and approached the door, and found that it was Wei Che's voice.
She just raised her hand and stopped mid-knock on the door. A hint of hesitation arose in her heart. In the end, she did not rush in, but stood quietly outside the door.
At this time, Wei Che was dressed in plain clothes, and although his face was haggard, he remained calm.
He knelt on one knee, lowered his head slightly, his eyes filled with concern. "Your Highness, I have been exiled and shouldn't have come close to ask questions. But I am truly worried about your injury. I wonder if your leg injury has healed?"
The princess was leaning on the bed, her legs wrapped in white bandages, her face a little pale but still revealing determination.
She sighed softly and said, "It's okay. Thanks to Madam Wei's medical skills, it's fine. But this leg injury still needs some time to recuperate."
Wei Che slowly stood up, his brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry in his tone: "Your Highness, I dare to ask, why did you allow yourself to be seriously injured? With your status and ability, there must be other ways to let Jing Wenxuan serve as the acting county magistrate. Why take such a risky move?"
The princess closed her eyes slightly, as if reminiscing, or thinking. After a moment, she opened them and looked into the distance with a determined gaze. "Brother Wei Che, do you think I want this? Jing Wenxuan is a commoner, without any imperial achievements or support in the court. If I don't take this opportunity, how can I have sufficient reasons to recommend him to my father as the acting county magistrate?"
She paused, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. "Zhao Dechang has been all-powerful in Youzhou, leaving it in a state of chaos. Now that he's been brought to justice, Youzhou cannot remain without a ruler for even a day. But at court, those ministers value background and pedigree. Without a special reason, would they agree to let someone like Jing Wenxuan, who has no foundation, temporarily serve as county magistrate?"
Wei Che nodded slightly, his expression solemn: "I understand your Highness's painstaking efforts, but I am truly concerned that your Highness, who is so precious, would risk his life for the position of acting county magistrate. If the situation got out of control, the consequences would be disastrous."
The princess waved her hand, interrupting him. "No need to explain. I know what's going on. Now that I'm injured, I have ample reason to explain to my father that Jing Wenxuan risked his life to protect me. His character and ability are trustworthy. Only by making him acting magistrate can the people of Youzhou see the light of day again and thoroughly investigate the remaining members of Zhao Dechang's gang. As a member of the royal family, for the sake of the people of this world, what does this little pain mean?"
Su Huaiyue was listening to the conversation between the princess and Wei Che outside the door. Her brows, which were originally slightly furrowed, were now twisted even tighter, and the expression on her face gradually changed from initial confusion to fear.
She originally thought that the princess's usual dignity, wisdom, integrity and exemplary conduct were not fake, but now these words made her see the side of the royal family hidden beneath the princess's appearance, which was unscrupulous in its pursuit of power.
Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists, and her palms were full of cold sweat.
His body was trembling slightly, as if enveloped by an invisible chill.
She thought the princess was a breath of fresh air in the feudal imperial system, but now she understood that in the vortex of power, even a seemingly upright princess had to plan carefully to achieve her goals, even at the cost of her own body and life.
Su Huaiyue took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but the fear in her heart spread like vines.
She recalled the scene where Jing Wenxuan sacrificed himself to protect his master. It was out of loyalty and kindness, but in the princess's plan, it became an opportunity that could be exploited.
This gave her a deeper and more terrifying understanding of the nature of imperial power.
This crazy horse was the princess's own intention, and Jing Wenxuan, completely unaware of it, lay unconscious in bed, all for the position of acting county magistrate, a position he wasn't sure he could hold on to...
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