Chapter 51
◎Choice. ◎
The doctor took a full hour to remove the plain garment, allowing Ci Ying to see Xie Huaijin's naked body. As far as she could remember, this seemed to be the first time she had seen Xie Huaijin's body so openly.
He has always been like jade, his figure is like jade, his face is like jade, his hands are like jade, and his body is like jade.
Today, the jade is no longer just mottled, but has broken into powder of light green color. When the wind blows, it sinks to the bottom of the water like catkins, never to see the light of day again.
Ci Ying was unable to describe the scene, there was only a bloody mess in front of her.
From neck to ankles, those men seemed to have spared only Xie Huaijin's face; the rest was covered in a crisscross of bloodstains. Her eyes were fixed on the spot where her heart was. That day, the jet-black dagger had plunged into Xie Huaijin's chest before her very eyes. She seemed to imagine that the masked man would later pull it out without a care, send someone to hastily treat the wound, and then throw Xie Huaijin into prison.
The doctor finally tried to treat the heart, but he didn't know where to start.
Ci Ying watched as the bloodstains on the heart area turned into a light scab, mingled with untidiable cotton wool. The doctor cut it open again, draining the blood. The comatose man frowned for a moment, but soon calmed down. The doctor sighed deeply and moved even faster.
Ci Ying's heart was trembling, her hands were trembling, and her eyes were trembling.
Doctor Yu Guangzhong instructed Mo Yu to find a place to stay quickly because the patient had a high fever and could not withstand the bumpy ride of the carriage, so he left Xie Huaijin to Ci Ying for a short time.
The deeper the blame, the deeper the silence.
Ci Ying's eyes slowly stopped at Xie Huaijin's wrist. The doctor had changed the gauze there and applied powder. The bleeding seemed to have stopped temporarily. Ci Ying stroked the broken porcelain piece in her sleeve, and her delicate fingertips pressed against the tip. She lowered her eyes when she felt the pain.
She didn't look at Xie Huaijin again, told the secret guard beside her to take care of it, and then lifted the curtain and went out.
It was pitch black outside. Zhu Guang was riding his horse. When he saw her coming out, he asked softly, "How is the young master?"
Ci Ying sat down next to Zhu Guang, and together they looked ahead, saying softly, "If the high fever subsides before noon tomorrow, it shouldn't be a serious problem."
Zhu Guang was driving the carriage, and Yu Guangzhong saw Ci Ying lowered her head.
She had rarely seen Ci Ying so frustrated, unable to even lift her head. Last time it was because of the Young Master, and this time it was also because of the Young Master, but it was completely different. Zhu Guang tried to organize his words, but he didn't know what to say.
She and Ci Ying saw the scar on the young master's wrist together, and she understood its significance better than Ci Ying. If the wound on the young master's wrist had been even a little deeper, given the severity of his injuries, he might not have been able to be saved.
Ci Ying didn't say another word until the carriage stopped.
After Mo Yu settled Xie Huaijin, Ci Ying came up. She was as quiet as a painting, looking straight at Mo Yu.
Before Ciying could speak, Mo Yu said, "I don't know."
Ci Ying said softly, "I haven't said anything yet."
Mo Yu was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know."
Ci Ying truly hated those who treated her like a fool, including Xie Huaijin and Mo Yu. She threatened, "He's still in a coma. According to what you said, everyone in the Xie family must obey my orders, including you."
"Mo Yu, I order you." Ci Ying's face was very cold, and she was interrupted by Mo Yu before she could finish her words. It was a dark sky and it was raining outside. The young man in black brocade clothes lowered his eyes. He did not look at the furious Ci Ying in front of him, but turned his head to look towards the inner room.
Only then did Ci Ying realize that Mo Yu's face was equally pale. She had an indescribable feeling in her heart. After seeing the wound on Xie Huaijin's wrist and the blood-stained broken porcelain pieces, the energy in her body that had barely supported her gradually dissipated, making her almost want to sit down while holding onto the wall.
Zhu Guang came out from behind her and supported her. Ci Ying stopped looking at Mo Yu and just said she was a little tired. She pushed the door open and returned to Xie Huaijin's room. The young man was still unconscious, with a white handkerchief covering his forehead to dissipate the heat. The soft blanket covered the wounds, revealing only his handsome face.
Ci Ying felt as if nothing had happened. She looked at Xie Huaijin with half-closed eyes. Tiny beads of sweat kept sliding down the young man's forehead. She reached out and picked up the handkerchief on his forehead, squatted down and wrung it in cold water, then stood up and covered his forehead with the handkerchief again.
She shouldn't feel any guilt towards him.
She would still call out Li Sheng's name a thousand or ten thousand times, but when she looked at Xie Huaijin's profile, something in her heart gradually collapsed. She reached out and gently tucked the quilt for him, and the word "hate" was spoken in her heart as calmly as water.
The sky before her eyes was filled with blood, and her hatred became shallow.
She didn't have the energy to sit in this room any longer, so she stood up and went out. Zhu Er reported that Yuwen Shu's men were hunting them. Zhu Er continued, "It's safe here for now, but we have to leave Mobei as soon as possible. They might not be able to hide until the elite troops of the Yan family army return."
After all, this is in Mobei, in Yuwen Shu's territory, so every step must be taken with caution. If we are found again, there is still room for negotiation, but it is still too dangerous.
Ci Ying discussed their return route with Zhu Er. Some people would lead the others away, and then they would go back through a road in the mountains. The people stationed in An Huai would be useful at this time. They would find some people who would not cause trouble and have them arrange people to meet them on the other side of the mountain.
Zhu Er wrote them down one by one and finally said "yes".
By the time everything was arranged, it was already dawn.
Ci Ying couldn't sleep. She was worried about what the doctor had said. Xie Huaijin's injuries were too severe, especially the one on his chest. It was not easy for him to survive these days. Now he suddenly fell asleep. She was afraid that something serious was wrong. He also had a high fever, which seemed to have been going on for several days. If he didn't wake up before noon, his life would be in danger.
Ci Ying understood that doctors often exaggerate the condition, but she still couldn't help but worry. Even though she didn't want to admit it, she really couldn't bear to watch Xie Huaijin die like that.
Early in the morning, Zhu Guang brought breakfast, and Ciying reluctantly ate some.
Zhu Guang's face didn't look very good either, probably because he hadn't slept all night.
While they were dining together, Zhu Guang asked, "Ciying, if the young master dies, will you return to Chang'an?"
The question was so sharp that Ci Ying couldn't swallow the porridge in her mouth for a long time. After a while, she whispered, "Well, if he dies, someone has to take care of the affairs of the Xie family. I am his wife."
Ci Ying even said this calmly. She lowered her eyes and ate the porridge in the bowl mouthful by mouthful.
"When the side branch and the elders fight each other, the people in the mansion are the ones who suffer in the end. A new emperor appoints new ministers. No matter who comes to power as the new head of the Xie family, or if they can't be separated and the family falls apart, the Xie family will face a wave of purges. Purges are just two words, but the lives involved are all lost." Ci Ying fell silent as she spoke.
Zhu Guang could see that Ci Ying's mind was elsewhere and asked softly, "Do you want to go see the Master?"
It wasn't raining today, the weather outside was nice and the sun was out. Ci Ying looked and saw snow falling everywhere. It was only yesterday that she realized that she couldn't accept Xie Huaijin's death. At least, Ci Ying put down her chopsticks with trembling hands. He shouldn't have died like this.
Zhu Guang followed Ci Ying and when he entered the house he found Mo Yu had already been waiting there.
The person on the bed was very quiet, his pale face was still graceful, his beautiful phoenix eyes were quietly closed, and his sleeping posture was correct.
Ciying took just one look and walked to the window.
No one spoke in the room, only the sound of the doctor pacing back and forth. Ci Ying watched the sun rise little by little, and it was about to reach the top of her head, but Xie Huaijin remained motionless, just as quiet as the moment she saw him when she came in.
The sun was rising higher and higher. Ci Ying couldn't help but turn around and look at where Xie Huaijin was. The young man's face was pale, and there was no sign of his eyes opening.
Something gripped Ci Ying's heart tightly. She vaguely saw Xie Huaijin open his eyes, but in the blink of an eye, only Xie Huaijin's figure with his eyes closed was left on the bed.
The doctor's sighs became louder and louder. Ci Ying lowered her eyes and pressed her hands against her eyes. She hoped for a miracle to happen, but nothing happened. Xie Huaijin was still in a coma until the sun was about to set.
The quietness in the room turned into stillness. Ci Ying could no longer feel her own heartbeat. At this moment, she actually "calmed down" and walked out the door and whispered to Zhu Er about returning in a few days.
After explaining everything, Zhu Er asked in silence: "If the young master dies, what should be done with his body?"
Ci Ying moved her fingers. It was already dusk. Before she could utter a word, Zhu Guang's voice suddenly rang out from inside: "Master!"
Ci Ying turned around, passed through the crowd of people, and saw Xie Huaijin's eyes.
Knowing that Xie Huaijin had woken up, she felt a little unsteady on her feet. She secretly supported herself on the table behind her and whispered to Zhu Er, "No need."
The crowd covered their eyes again. Ci Ying sat on the bench in the yard and did not go in immediately.
She looked at her weak legs, clenched her hands little by little, and then slowly loosened them.
Over the years, countless people and things have come between her and Xie Huaijin. Love, hate, or relief, the story of Ci Ying and Xie Huaijin has long become a mess.
Later, the doctor went in and out, bringing in bowl after bowl of medicine. Ci Ying was still sitting outside the yard. At the end of the corridor, there were some flowers blooming, a gorgeous field. Ci Ying's eyes became blurred. She wiped her face with a handkerchief and walked to the end of the corridor bit by bit.
She picked a flower, a very small purple one. She plucked off a petal and put it in her mouth. When she ate the root, she tasted a little sweetness, but her lips were still wrapped in bitterness. Ci Ying sat down under the corridor, and Xie Huaijin's eyes appeared in front of her again.
It was not until dark that the people and medicine coming in and out stopped. Ci Ying looked at the door and sat in the corridor without going in.
In the room.
Mo Yu reported to Xie Huaijin what had happened along the way, whispering, "Madam has kept the situation in Chang'an a secret, and I don't think Yuwen Shu would dare to spread the news in Mobei. We should follow Madam's instructions and leave Mobei from the mountains near Anhuai. We'll be safe once we reach Anhuai."
"Yeah." Xie Huaijin had no strength and just looked outside the door.
Mo Yu whispered, "I'll go ask Madam to come in."
The room was silent for a moment, but when Mo Yu turned around, the young man's weak voice came from behind him: "No, it's late, let her rest well."
Mo Yu could only agree. When he closed the door after leaving, he heard the suppressed cough of a young man from inside.
The doctor's words echoed in Mo Yu's mind. He glanced at the closed room and sat down on the steps in silence. Zhu Guang appeared from behind a pillar, sat down next to Mo Yu, and whispered, "Master, since I saved the young master, can you forgive me?"
Mo Yu looked at Zhu Guang. It was the first time she had looked at Zhu Guang in these days. The girl's eyes were full of anticipation and nervousness. Her body subconsciously shrank towards him, just like when she was a child, when she saw a tiger's corpse, she would jump onto his back.
Mo Yu was somewhat relieved. Now Zhu Guang wouldn't be afraid of a tiger, even a pack of them. He looked at her and said softly, "Thank you and your wife for rescuing the young master, but I'm no longer your master. Zhu Guang, you can call yourself Zhu Guang now. It's a nice name."
Zhu Guang bit her lip suddenly. She thought that she could take advantage of the fact that the young master woke up and Mo Yu was in a good mood to curry favor with him. Mo Yu's tone was indeed good, much gentler than usual, but it made people uncomfortable. She was not a person without temper, so she snorted and wanted to leave. Yu Guangzhong did not see Mo Yu's hand trying to keep her, so she stayed stiffly. She silently moved her butt to sit a little further away from Mo Yu, but soon she moved back quietly as the night deepened.
After enduring for a few days, even the most powerful secret guards couldn't stand it anymore.
Zhu Guang slowly rolled onto Mo Yu's shoulder. The young man leaned over and looked at Zhu Guang's sleeping face. He hesitated for a moment before pushing his hand away.
When daybreak came, Zhu Guang found herself asleep on the stone table. She could not remember this part, and there was no trace of Mo Yu beside her. She thought about what Mo Yu said yesterday and pursed her lips slightly.
Okay, okay, Mo Yu’s mood is not good enough.
......
As a colleague, no matter how much Ci Ying tries to avoid Xie Huaijin, she cannot avoid him.
The two of them fell silent again, not saying a word along the way. When the carriage arrived in Anhuai, Ci Ying's worried heart finally settled down a little. Ci Ying glanced at Xie Huaijin, and the young man had no intention of speaking at all.
She lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage, explaining the following matters to Zhu Er. Xie Huaijin's health had not yet recovered, and he would definitely not be able to withstand the bumpy ride for days. He had to recuperate in Anhuai for a while. After Xie Huaijin recovered, they would return to Chang'an.
Beside the carriage, Ci Ying and Zhu Er were talking in low voices.
The wind lifted the curtain of the carriage, and Xie Huaijin could see Ci Ying's back in the carriage. The girl was wearing a light green long dress, and the veil on her head was blown by the wind, making ripples like lake water. He looked at her indifferently.
When Ci Ying turned around as if she had sensed something, she only saw the carriage.
After explaining everything to Zhu Er, she returned to the carriage. Xie Huaijin had already fallen asleep. She froze for a moment, then stood up and covered him with her cloak. When she sat down across from him, she was no longer in the mood to read. The book was blown by the wind. After a long moment, Ci Ying pressed it down with her hands, bit by bit, slowly pressing everything down.
After the carriage stopped, the group arrived at a familiar house.
Ci Ying turned around and looked. The door was very big. When she stepped over the stairs, she seemed to see Xie Huaijin and Ci Ying in front of her. At that time, Xie Huaijin found the well where the embroiderer was buried for her. She threw herself into Xie Huaijin's arms with an uneasy heart.
It seemed that she didn't stay in Anhuai for a long time at that time, but she just remembered a lot of things.
Ci Ying stepped onto the stairs, with Xie Huaijin following behind her.
The suppressed cough sounded into Ci Ying's ears. She felt a little itchy and couldn't help but walk faster, as if trying to avoid something.
Mo Yu was whispering to Xie Huaijin about An Huai in the back. The young man looked ahead, and when he saw the pale blue figure disappear, he softly replied, "Yeah."
Sitting down in the courtyard, Xie Huaijin asked calmly, "What does the doctor say?"
Mo Yu lowered his head.
Xie Huaijin was not surprised: "Go ahead."
Mo Yu looked at Xie Huaijin's leg and whispered, "It may take a few years to heal."
"Just a few years? I thought it would break." The young man said calmly, his eyes looking at the leg that was broken by the jailer.
Mo Yu had been supporting him these past few days, and no one noticed anything unusual.
Mo Yu knelt down and said, "I have detained all the secret guards from that day and will deal with them when you return. As secret guards, they failed to protect you, which is a dereliction of duty. As for Yuwen Shu, sir, I ask for your permission to kill him. If I cannot bring Yuwen Shu's head to you, I will die as an apology."
The yard was quiet for a moment. After a long while, Xie Huaijin said calmly, "It was my carelessness. I don't blame anyone else."
The young man's eyes were so peaceful, as if he really didn't care.
"As for Yuwen Shu..." Xie Huaijin muttered softly, and said softly: "He deserves to die, but not now."
Mo Yu was puzzled, but saw that Xie Huaiji had closed his eyes tiredly. Mo Yu pushed him back, and as the wheelchair rolled, Mo Yu gently drooped his eyelids.
The person who was already asleep spoke up: "Mo Yu, don't touch Yu Wenshu."
Mo Yu realized that he had been seen through by the young master, and replied in a low voice: "I obey your orders."
There were some noises coming from outside the yard, but when Mo Yu looked over, he saw nothing.
Of course it’s Zhu Guang.
She heard Mo Yu's military order. Mo Yu was still injured. How could she bear to let Mo Yu do such a dangerous thing? Zhu Yi and Zhu Er were too unreliable. After thinking it over, Zhu Guang decided to go alone.
"Ciying, I'm going to kill Yuwen Shu." Zhu Guang pushed the door open and said to Ciying who was sitting at the desk.
Ci Ying shook her head: "It's too dangerous, Zhu Guang, let's take a long-term approach."
Zhu Guang didn't know if he could tell Ci Ying what he had just seen, but for some reason he didn't. She looked at Ci Ying and said, "Believe me, I can do it. I can come and go freely in the Yuwen Mansion by myself."
Ci Ying still shook her head: "Zhu Guang, the world is so vast, we must not underestimate the enemy."
Zhu Guang understood that Ci Ying was talking about the young master, but she didn't want Mo Yu to take risks. She frowned and held Ci Ying's hand: "No, I'm not a young master, I can..."
"Yuwen Shu was able to save his life back then, abandoning his only child to send him to Chang'an. He endured it all these years, secretly growing his power, and even plotted to capture Xie Huaijin. Such a cunning and strategic man, Zhu Guang, do you really think you can kill him on your own? Xie Huaijin was rescued from the Yuwen Mansion by us. Will he suspect revenge from the Xie family? Will he have fewer than a hundred experts around him? Can you really guarantee that you can fight a hundred alone and not fall into their trap?"
Ci Ying spoke so seriously that Zhu Guang gradually calmed down, even feeling a little depressed: "But some people say that he can do it for you, young master."
Ci Ying subconsciously said the only possibility: "Life for life."
The moment these four words came out of his mouth, Zhu Guang's face suddenly turned pale. Ci Ying suddenly understood who Zhu Guang was talking about. She calmed Zhu Guang down and said, "Don't be afraid. I promise you that I won't let Mo Yu go, but you also have to promise me that you can't go alone."
Zhu Guang looked at Ci Ying, and Ci Ying nodded to her. Zhu Guang looked at Ci Ying for a while before nodding as well.
After Zhu Guang left, Ci Ying changed into clean clothes before going out.
She did not go looking for Mo Yu, but went directly to find Xie Huaijin.
The young man was lying weakly on the bed, flipping through a book, his eyes dull. When he saw her coming, his expression did not change.
"You're here." Xie Huaijin seemed to have expected it.
Ci Ying asked, "Did you know I was coming?"
The young man put down his book and coughed softly. "Mo Yu told me that someone was eavesdropping, but she didn't notice. Zhu Guang must have been the only one in the mansion. She probably left halfway through listening. She didn't want to let Mo Yu take the risk, so she wanted to go by herself. She probably told you before she went, but you definitely wouldn't agree. So, to appease her, she naturally came to find me."
Xie Huaijin spoke these words discontinuously, but the content of his words shocked Ci Ying.
She was always surprised at Xie Huaijin's calculations of people's hearts. If possible, no one in this world wanted to become an enemy with someone like Xie Huaijin.
There was sarcasm in her words: "Master Xie, your guess was so accurate. How did you get kidnapped in the first place?"
"Maybe I didn't expect that between me and a concubine, the lady would choose the concubine over me." The young man's voice was cold, with a hint of confrontation with Ciying.
This person always knew how to easily provoke her anger, calling her Madam and referring to Li Sheng as a "concubine", as if she and Li Sheng had really done something shameful.
Ci Ying clenched her fists, all her pent-up emotions boiling over. She said coldly, "If it happens a hundred times, I'll still choose Mr. Li."
The room was silent for a moment.
"What about a thousand times?" The young man suddenly smiled, the kind of smile that came with a cough, and the skin on his face stretched out, as beautiful as a spring flower.
Ci Ying's fists loosened a little, but she still said honestly, "It's still Mr. Li."
"What about ten thousand times?" Xie Huaijin looked at Ci Ying quietly. He had no strength left, his eyes were a little blurry, and he didn't even know what he was expecting.
There were only the two of them in the room. The guards at the door had left. The window was the one Mo Yu had opened in the morning. Sunlight shone in through the window, forming a long, slanted strip. The area where Ci Ying was standing happened to be filled with light. The light gently enveloped Ci Ying, making her look warm.
Xie Huaijin felt as if he could smell the scent of sunshine on Ciying, which was very similar to Ciying's scent, soft, harmless, and always living in the light. Just like at this moment, the light shone on Ciying from behind, and Ciying had her back to the light. Xie Huaijin couldn't see Ciying's face for a moment, but he heard Ciying's answer clearly.
"...Mr. Li."
Ciying heard herself lying.
A low laugh was heard in the room. The young man stood up with his body hunched over. There were tears in his phoenix eyes, and the corners of his eyes were slightly red. He looked at the girl wrapped in light. Her light blue clothes were like the lake he fell into that day while holding her.
Ci Ying's heart trembled when she heard Xie Huaijin say.
"Well, Ciying, you made the right choice."
【Author’s words】
[Spreading hands] Yes, yes, yes
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