Chapter 503 I Have Something Even Sweeter
Jiang Nuanzhi stared at Xiao Xuanting's small, solitary figure, momentarily stunned. The deep palace seemed like a colossal beast, swallowing up the little Xuanting whole.
For no apparent reason, she suddenly recalled their first encounter. Xuan Ting was trapped in a trap, thin and covered in wounds, curled up in a corner, his body tense, hugging his knees, seemingly unconscious.
Although he was the same age as Ping'er, he was much shorter than Ping'er, and anyone who saw him would think he was about the same age as a seven-year-old boy.
In my mind, the image of him carefully picking fruit and running freely in the mountains when I first took him up the mountain is still vivid in my mind.
But only a short time has passed, and he seems to have grown up overnight.
The princes of the imperial family sometimes felt that they were not as carefree as the children in the countryside.
While Jiang Nuanzhi was still in a daze, her wrist was suddenly gripped by a pair of cold hands.
He couldn't help but look up and glance at Li Rong.
Li Rong tilted his umbrella over his head, so much so that snowflakes clung to his hair and shoulders.
In my memory, Li Rong's hands were big and warm. In winter, being held by his hands felt like being in a warm stove.
However, at this moment, his hands were completely cold. A chill seeped through the skin of his wrists, causing Jiang Nuanzhi to shiver involuntarily.
But Li Rong in front of her seemed not to notice, only lowering his head and smiling slightly at Jiang Nuanzhi. After a while, he said in a soft voice, "Nuanzhi, I'm sorry."
Jiang Nuanzhi keenly sensed the guilt in his eyes and couldn't help but chuckle: "I thought you would ask me why I said those things to the child? Or ask me about the Emperor's illness, and whether I could cure him."
Li Rong's handsome eyes seemed to show a hint of pity: "I know that A-Nuan feels sorry for Xuan Ting."
Jiang Nuanzhi pursed her lips, tiptoed to shake the snow off Li Rong's shoulder, and took his hand to walk out: "I don't really know if it was right or wrong to talk to him so much. If he weren't a prince, perhaps I... sigh."
At the end, Jiang Nuanzhi let out a long sigh.
If he weren't a prince, he wouldn't have to face these things so early, and there would be no need to use such a forced approach to try and make him mature faster.
Li Rong, standing before him, clearly understood what A Nuan meant. He lowered his eyes for a long while before saying, "The reason A Nuan said that is because His Majesty's days are truly numbered, isn't that right?"
The north wind blew snowflakes into her neck, and a chill ran down her spine. Jiang Nuanzhi shrank her neck and moved a little closer to Li Rong. "I just said I didn't know."
Li Rong looked down at her in surprise, then wrapped her halfway in his cloak.
Jiang Nuanzhi poked half her head out from his arms: "I really don't know. For now, let's just take it one step at a time. His organs are failing, and he could die at any moment. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can probably protect him and prevent him from dying from festering wounds and not being able to eat. However, it will take a lot of effort."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "I don't know what the old man will say. Even if he pulls through, it's not certain. At this point, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate."
Looking at the fluffy head in his arms, Li Rong unconsciously wrapped the person even tighter.
She pursed her thin lips and after a long while, she said, "Anuan, I'm sorry."
Jiang Nuanzhi peeked out from his arms and met Li Rong's pale face.
She raised an eyebrow in a daze: "You've said it several times, have you really done something to betray me? What, have you met some kindred spirit?"
Li Rong's expression suddenly stiffened, caught off guard by her absurd words.
"Ah Nuan!"
"I have never had any confidantes. In my entire life, you have been the only woman I have been close to. You must believe me and never listen to what others say."
Jiang Nuanzhi looked at his wrist, which suddenly tightened, and raised an eyebrow: "What are others saying? What are they saying about you? Do you have some past relationship that you're still talking about?"
Li Rong choked, staring at him for a long while before finally saying, "Anuan."
There was a hint of annoyance in that sound.
"These are just idle rumors, don't listen to them. Li Rong swears to God that he has never had any dealings with other women."
Jiang Nuanzhi blinked twice, his expression full of conviction...
Where did that child come from?
What we're saying is, could it be that none of the three kids are his biological children?
Li Rong felt uncomfortable being scrutinized by Jiang Nuanzhi: "What are you looking at, Nuanzhi? I apologize to you today; it's my fault for dragging you into this sordid conflict. It's not fair to you."
Ah Nuan, I've made you suffer. But please trust me this once; it won't be long before I give you a stable and prosperous life, and I'll never let you suffer again."
As Li Rong spoke, a wave of sorrow washed over him.
"What, are you going to cry like Xuan Ting? But I used all my candy to appease Xuan Ting, and I don't have any left for you."
Li Rong was taken aback, his grip on her hand tightened involuntarily, and his tone carried a hint of reproach: "You..."
"However, I have something sweeter."
Just as Li Rong was lost in thought, Jiang Nuanzhi tiptoed and pecked him on the lips. It was a fleeting, light peck, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
Li Rong froze on the spot, and in a daze, she reached out and touched her lips: "Ah, Nuan."
Jiang Nuanzhi curled her lips and said, "There's no one around here. Even if you scream, no one will save you. Besides, husband and wife are one. Even if I strip you naked and throw you on the bed today, no one will find fault with me."
Li Rong was so dazed that he could hardly believe his ears.
He looked at the smug Jiang Nuanzhi in confusion.
What is she saying?
Jiang Nuanzhi had already dragged me out of the palace, saying, "I know you've tried time and again to push me out of these messy things, but some things are more likely to happen the more you fear them."
"It's not as good as what I just advised Xuan Ting: since it's going to happen anyway, why not just face it head-on? What do you think?"
Li Rong stared at A Nuan for a while, then suddenly chuckled: "A Nuan is so frank, it's not quite satisfying for me, her husband?"
Staring at her lips for a long time, Li Rong's eyes deepened: "Is it that most things in this world are not enough to bother A-Nuan?"
Jiang Nuanzhi glanced at him: "Who said that? There are plenty of worries, like not having enough money."
Speaking of this, Jiang Nuanzhi had a lot to say: "You don't know? When I went to the capital just now, I heard a vendor hawking a candied hawthorn for a hundred coins. Do you know that in our Great Wilderness, a candied hawthorn only costs two or three coins?"
There are also large steamed buns, which cost ten coins each here. In the Great Wilderness, steamed buns cost only one coin each. Although they are not made from refined rice and white flour, the difference is still too great.
Oh yes, and steamed buns too, even the ones that cost twenty or thirty coins were cheap. I spent some of the little money I had on the way. I haven't even calculated how much I have left, and I don't know how long it will last.
Speaking of this, Jiang Nuanzhi frowned and looked at Li Rong: "How is the imperial salary distributed? Can I collect it since I just took office? Rong, can you tell me about it?"
(End of this chapter)
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