Chapter 2: The most important thing for Liang Boyue is the person in front of you
I saw a bony hand holding up her slender arm. The broad palm and slender fingers could have easily encircled it completely, but it just held it with its palm distantly, strictly observing the etiquette of a gentleman.
Through the thin sleeve, Cui Yiluo could clearly feel the warmth of the man's palm, and even the roughness of the thin calluses on his palm and knuckles.
Cui Yiluo looked up at the man with tears in her eyes.
Jiang Yunjin got off the horse at some point. Although he was holding her arm, his expression was extremely cold, as if a layer of frost had accumulated on his face.
The voice is as calm as an ancient well:
"I'll help you."
The curtain was lowered and the carriage started moving again.
The beautiful smile disappeared in an instant. Cui Yiluo looked at the bloodstain on the hem of her white sleeve. It was left there when Jiang Yunjin injured the bandit leader with his sword. It happened to splash on a small forsythia flower embroidered with goose yellow silk thread, and the bloodstain was dazzlingly bright red.
Cui Yiluo gently stroked it with her slender fingertips and stared at it, thinking.
-
The carriage traveled for about an incense stick of time before arriving at Baoming Temple. When Cui Yiluo lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage, someone was already waiting to greet her in front of the familiar temple gate. It seemed that Jiang Yunjin had sent someone on horseback to convey the message in advance.
Jiang Yunjin dismounted and discussed the overnight stay with the abbot and others who came to greet him. When he returned after the discussion, Cui Yiluo still had not gotten off the car.
Her ankle was injured, and she had to rely on Jiang Yunjin's support to get on the carriage. Getting off was even harder than getting on, and one careless move might aggravate her injury, so Lilan, who was following her from below, was also very cautious.
Cui Yiluo was so anxious that sweat broke out on her forehead. She looked at Jiang Yunjin apologetically and said, "Cousin, please go in first. I can do it myself."
After saying that, he moved his injured foot and tried to get out of the car, but his posture looked awkward no matter how he looked at it.
Jiang Yunjin watched for a few moments, then finally took a step forward.
Cui Yiluo looked at him with some surprise, but he just lowered his eyes and didn't look at her. His long eyelashes blocked his eyes, making it impossible to see any emotion.
His arm was held tightly, and the warmth came through his clothes, then disappeared in an instant.
They separated immediately, with the same indifference as when he helped her into the car, maintaining the most basic courtesy and upbringing of a young man from a noble family.
Restrained and distant.
Just as Cui Yiluo stepped firmly on the ground, the man quickly withdrew his hand and turned away. When she raised her eyes, she only saw his tall and straight back.
"Thank you, cousin."
Cui Yiluo said to him.
The man didn't respond or stop walking, but she knew he heard her.
Cui Yiluo was supported by Lilan and led by a young monk to the side room.
It was already late, so it wasn't long before the young monk brought in dinner. The monastery's meal was simple: a bowl of white porridge mixed with lily petals, a plate of vegetarian spring rolls, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Lilan bribed the young monk with some silver and talked to him for a few more words. The conversation could not be heard clearly through the window lattice. Cui Yiluo held the bamboo chopsticks and ate the light meal calmly.
With a creak, Lilan pushed the door open and came in: "Miss, it will take a while. I got some medicine from them. Apply it first."
Cui Yiluo slowly chewed the cooked lily petals in her mouth, and the light fragrance flowed between her lips and tongue.
"good."
The last ray of twilight disappeared, and the sky turned completely dark. Only a few stars dotted the dark night sky, accompanied by the bright moon hanging high in the sky, making the night sky appear a bit dark blue.
Under the moonlight, there was a gentle knock on the door of the compartment.
Lilan hurried out, then opened the door a crack and called Cui Yiluo, who was sitting on the clean and tidy bed reading a book in the room.
"girl."
Cui Yiluo had already tied her hair into a bun again. A few hairpins had fallen off, but fortunately, the missing pieces were not obvious. The problem was that one of the earrings was missing. Cui Yiluo had no choice but to take off the only remaining earring, revealing the small ear hole on her round earlobe.
When she took them off, she looked at the earrings in her palm. They were made of red gold into intricate floral and leaf shapes, and the small, bright gems adorning the flowing tassels shone brightly even in the dim candlelight.
This was a birthday gift from her aunt when she was ten years old. If it weren't one of the most exquisite and beautiful earrings in her doily, she wouldn't be wearing it today.
What a pity.
Her skirt was neatly arranged; she hadn't brought a change of clothes, as that would have been too obvious. Lilan wrung out a damp handkerchief and wiped the dust off her dress. It wasn't completely clean, but it was much cleaner. This made the dark footprints at her ankles even more visible.
Hearing Lilan's voice, Cui Yiluo straightened her clothes and hair before walking out of the room.
Baoming Temple is located on a high mountain. Even in summer, it is still chilly at night. The cool breeze blows gently through the thin white clothes, outlining the woman's slender and upright figure.
Suddenly, there were some rustling sounds coming from the grass outside the wing room.
Cui Yiluo strode forward and squatted down. She reached in with both hands and held a white rabbit firmly in her arms.
The white rabbit's fur was snow-white, and it was obvious that it had been under the care of the young monks in the temple. It had just crawled into the grass and got some grass crumbs on it, which were sparsely mixed in its fur.
There were several stone lamps outside the wing room for lighting. Cui Yiluo used the light to carefully pick out the grass fragments from the white rabbit's back.
"Cousin." Hearing the footsteps, Cui Yiluo raised her head with a bright smile.
Jiang Yunjin's gaze stopped at her ankle, he seemed to be hesitating, but finally walked over.
He was still wearing the same silver-gray brocade robe he had worn during the day. Blood was hard to wash off, and though he had carefully wiped the blood stains on the corners of the robe, a few faint red spots remained. But even in the stained robe, he couldn't conceal his cool and noble aura. His handsome face gradually emerged in the dim candlelight, leaving a stunned look on his face.
It is as good as a jade and as majestic as a jade, and truly deserves everyone's praise.
Cui Yiluo asked with concern, "Why hasn't my cousin gone to bed yet?"
Jiang Yunjin glanced at the white rabbit she was holding: "Something."
Cui Yiluo smoothed the fur on the white rabbit's back and said, "Cousin, I just saw this rabbit in the bushes. I don't know where it came from, but it's very cute." She held up the white rabbit and asked with a smile, "What do you think, cousin?"
The white rabbit was docile and lovely in her hands, its eyes like the ruby pinned between her black hair. Jiang Yunjin raised his eyes, and his eyes, filled with an indelible ink, shone into the moonlight.
But he only glanced at her once before looking away, his eyes still cold, and he didn't seem to intend to answer.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Cui Yiluo didn't continue talking about the rabbit of unknown origin. "Cousin, thank you so much for today. If it weren't for you, I don't know if I could go back to see my aunt."
As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Yunjin's face, which had been expressionless until now, froze, revealing a hint of discomfort.
Cui Yiluo understood what he meant. When she was fighting off the bandits today, she hugged his thin waist and abdomen tightly from behind, their bodies pressed so closely together that she could even feel the strength stored in his waist and abdomen. However, the bandits' attacks were so intense that he had no chance to push her away.
She slowly stepped closer, her tone serious and solemn: "If there is any need for me in the future, cousin, I will definitely do my best to help you."
Her eyes were firm and fiery, and Jiang Yunjin looked away: "No need, it's just a coincidence today."
If a guard had not broken through the siege and happened to meet him when he finished his official business in the suburbs and was about to return home, he would not have been able to rush there.
But she insisted: "I will never forget your life-saving grace. Yiluo will always remember what happened today."
The candlelight shone brightly on her face, making her look even more beautiful. The white rabbit she held lay quietly and obediently in her arms, blending in with her white dress. The goose-yellow forsythia suspensa embroidered on her sleeves seemed like a moonlit embellishment, making her as elegant and graceful as a fairy in the Moon Palace. But she walked with a limp.
As she stepped forward, Jiang Yunjin immediately spotted the dark footprint. Her ankle was thin and looked like it would break if bent, yet he had stepped heavily on it today...
Jiang Yunjin calmed down and asked, "How's your foot?"
His tone was calm and steady, without a trace of worry. The question seemed to stem from the sense of responsibility and etiquette that the eldest son of an aristocratic family had been taught since childhood.
Cui Yiluo showed a look of surprise, as if she was touched by his concern: "Although the medicine in the temple is not as good as the one in the mansion, it is much better."
Jiang Yunjin said, "I'll ask someone to call a doctor and send you medicine."
After all, he was the one who accidentally stepped on the person and should be held responsible.
"Thank you, cousin."
The woman's voice was soft, and it made people feel soft inside.
Jiang Yunjin's face remained calm, and he just nodded slightly.
"Speaking of which, Yiluo has something to ask of my cousin."
"explain."
Cui Yiluo bit her lip, her eyes suddenly reddened, and her expression became extremely tangled and aggrieved. "The bandits who came today were strange, not like ordinary bandits, but... I've only been in Shengjing for a few days and haven't made any enemies. I, I really can't figure out who would want to kill me... my cousin..."
At this point, two crystal clear and round tears rolled down pitifully, and the girl was choked with sobs and unable to speak.
She cried pitifully, but the man showed no mercy. He was as calm as a person who controls life and death: "I have ordered a thorough investigation."
Hearing him say this, Cui Yiluo's tense shoulders relaxed. She sniffed softly, her nose slightly red. "That's good. Cousin is brave and resourceful. He will definitely get to the bottom of this matter. I'll wait for your news with peace of mind."
"I only knew my cousin was incredibly talented and extraordinary, but I never thought he was such a skilled swordsman. Today, he fought against many enemies alone. Yiluo has never seen anyone as heroic as my cousin before."
The girl's eyes, which had just shed tears, sparkled in the moonlight, and there were still wet tear marks on her fair cheeks. Her grateful eyes were filled with incomparable sincere admiration.
Jiang Yunjin's eyes moved slightly.
She took another step closer calmly and was about to open her mouth when Jiang Yunjin interrupted her.
"They picked this up while investigating."
He raised his hand, holding the red-gold flower and leaf earring that she had lost.
Cui Yiluo took it with uncontrollable emotion: "I lost it. Thank you, cousin." She choked up a little and said: "This is a relic my mother left me."
"Mother?"
"Yes," Cui Yiluo nodded, her expression darkening. "My mother died in a drowning accident when I was less than a year old. She was found three days later...even my father barely recognized her. I don't remember what she looked like, but when I'm sad and look at her belongings, I always feel that she's been by my side all these years, and that brings me comfort."
She looked at the earrings in her hand and whispered, "I often wonder what life would be like if my mother were still alive." She smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "At least I would have a marriage that suits my taste."
At least he wouldn't marry her to an old man who could be her grandfather.
Cui Yiluo raised her eyes and met Jiang Yunjin's complicated gaze. She curled her lips in self-deprecation, "I'm sorry for making you laugh tonight, cousin."
Jiang Yunjin only said: "The person is gone, and the living are like this."
Cui Yiluo hummed softly, staring at him and said, "My cousin is right. The person in front of you is what's important."
Jiang Yunjin's eyes changed slightly, as if he was exploring. Cui Yiluo just stared at him frankly, and after a moment, he was the first to look away.
The surroundings fell silent, with only the occasional chirping of cicadas. The conversation seemed to have ended there.
Jiang Yunjin turned around and was about to leave, but unexpectedly the woman suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
"Cousin, your hand is injured!"
Cui Yiluo frowned and exclaimed in worry.
In the moonlight, one could see a long wound across the back of the man's broad hand. It looked like it had been simply cleaned, with the skin and flesh turned back and bright red blood scabs dried on the wound.
The wound looked fresh, and it was obvious that it was caused by fighting against bandits.
Her palm was warm and soft, and the man's slender fingers seemed to be sunk into the softness, becoming stiff the moment they were wrapped around it.
Almost the next moment, Jiang Yunjin suddenly pulled his hand out.
Cui Yiluo was stunned: "Cousin..."
Jiang Yunjin's face was always indifferent and expressionless, but at this moment, a hint of anger stained his brows, his dark eyes were dim, and he looked at her coldly, imbued with infinite pressure.
It was obvious that her actions just now had severely offended his boundaries.
Jiang Yunjin took a few steps back to create some distance. A cool breeze suddenly blew by, bringing with it countless chills, causing his clothes to flutter.
The man's originally calm tone now turned cold: "How dare you."
Cui Yiluo was at a loss and embarrassed. She didn't know where to put the hand that was originally holding his. She could only touch Baitu very uncomfortably. She lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong and whispered, "Sorry, cousin, I'm just worried about your injury."
Jiang Yunjin remained silent, emitting a strong sense of oppression and alienation.
The originally gentle atmosphere completely dissipated, and the air seemed to have stopped flowing.
Cui Yiluo looked timid when he stared at her: "Cousin..."
"No need. There are differences between men and women, don't overstep the boundaries."
After the man finished speaking, he turned around and walked away, leaving Cui Yiluo standing there holding the white rabbit.
Until the tall figure completely disappeared around the corner, a person suddenly walked out from the darkness behind.
Li Lan looked in the direction Jiang Yunjin left and frowned, "How could Master Jiang be so repulsive? The young lady was so considerate of his injury, and he totally disrespected her!"
Cui Yiluo slowly withdrew her gaze and gently stroked the white rabbit in her hand. There was no trace of embarrassment on her face.
"Isn't that the kind of person he is? Take your time. Pushing someone into a corner is never a good thing."
The momentum was good at first, and when he mentioned his deceased mother, he felt a certain empathy. It was a pity that he was very cautious, and she just touched his hand, and he got so angry.
But it didn't matter. There was always someone between people who had to break down the boundaries and narrow the distance. His bottom line had to be lowered inch by inch. Jiang Yunjin was obviously not the type to do this kind of thing, so she could do it.
"Besides, it's not like there's no progress tonight."
Lilan suddenly remembered something and her face changed: "Miss, you just asked him to investigate the thieves and bandits. Could it be..."
Cui Yiluo paused stroking the rabbit, her eyes filled with frost, and her tone suddenly became serious: "You can see that too, right? That's not someone we hired."
On the other side of the moonlight, a man with a figure as tall as a bamboo had a sullen expression and whispered, "Wen Feng, send a message to His Highness that the person has been rescued and there may be some progress. We will discuss this in detail after we return to the city tomorrow."
Wen Feng was stunned: "Young Master, what you mean is..."
Jiang Yunjin nodded slightly.
Wen Feng frowned, "That would be troublesome. Miss Cui seems to be powerless to resist. If they really take her life, wouldn't it affect Your Highness's plan?"
Jiang Yunjin's face was half shrouded in darkness. "Not necessarily. She is very smart."
There were so many bandits today, and even though she hid behind him, she was able to dodge the swords and knives quickly. The only wound on her body was caused by him. On the contrary, the other party was pierced in the knee by the flying broken blade.
We may not be able to defeat the enemy by force, but we can defeat them by wits.
The author has something to say:
----------------------
Ah Luo: What a chaste man [question mark]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
