Jie Jinlan Chu Yening spoke up: "Qin Luo, is with me..."
Jiang Rong, however, seemed not to hear, and looked again at Qin Weixi beside the young Marquis of Jingning: "The Luo family has left the capital for many years, but I still have..."
Qingpai's face immediately turned cold, his usual smile vanished, and he said coldly, "Princess Yongtai!"
But Qin Weixi didn't want to argue with her anymore. She shook her head, smiled at Gu Rong, and prepared to leave the Imperial Garden. But then, gentle voices suddenly rang out behind her.
"I'm behind her."
"She has me behind her, we, all of us."
Several people answered in unison. Zhao Shuhan strode towards Qin Weixi, her answer preceding the latter's...
Qin Weixi suddenly turned around, then paused in surprise. She saw Jiang Yuanjun, Tao Qingyun, and Luo Ling approaching from a distance, and then the three of them stood with Chu Yening.
When the people in the garden saw that the Crown Prince had arrived at the small banquet in the Imperial Garden at some unknown time, they hurriedly performed their rites.
Pei Qing then stepped forward and said, "I'll count myself in too."
Luo Lingwen smiled and asked, "Little sister, is there something you need?"
Qin Weixi shook his head and laughed, "How could that be!"
She didn't want to involve the Luo family behind her.
She still had a smile on her face: "Let's leave the palace. Didn't my brother say he was going to make me roasted mutton for dinner tonight?"
Luo Ling, however, showed no intention of leaving. He gently patted Qin Weixi's fluffy head and said to Jiang Rong beside her, "What the princess said is not true. Although my Luo family left the capital back then, I, Luo, am still here. I currently serve as the Grand Tutor in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, responsible for assisting the Crown Prince and also serving His Majesty. The Luo family is human, and each member of the Luo family is also human. In the past, I was all alone, but now I can rely on my younger sister in the capital. I am very content, and that is enough."
Luo Ling smiled warmly, displaying the same gentle and refined demeanor as always, which made the assembled noble families blush with embarrassment. Gu Rong stood there stunned, her face suddenly filled with extreme awkwardness.
But beneath that smiling face lie words that are like gentle knives.
Luo Ling's words were simply to clarify to everyone present that the Luo family's departure from the capital years ago made no difference to him. He was currently the Grand Master of the Palace, serving the Crown Prince, making him both a subject of the Eastern Palace and a childhood friend of the Crown Prince. Their bond was far deeper than the friendship forged in humble beginnings. And in the eyes of outsiders, if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne one day, he would be a regent, with a bright future ahead.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuanjun looked up at the sky, a smile in his eyes, though a hint of tears seemed to linger. He murmured, "My brother has been alone in the capital for so many years. It turns out that my teacher has been away from me for ten years." Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he stepped forward and said, "Brother Luo is my friend."
He then looked at Qin Weixi, who was standing close to him, and smiled again: "She is also a friend of mine, and someone I protect. We became sworn brothers on that day, and I regard Brother A-Ling, Qing-Yun, and Ye-Ning, who are here today, as my own hands and feet. Although she is not my blood-related brother or sister, nor my adopted sister, we share the same affection as true siblings. On that day under the magnolia tree, my grandfather in heaven bears witness, and as her brother, I will do everything in my power to protect her throughout my life."
The future ruler will be a man of his word, a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold.
Jiang Yuanjun's heartfelt words were undoubtedly a message to everyone: in the past, the Luo family had the knowledge of the Crown Prince's tutor, Luo Songyue, who had taught him when he was young; now, with the help of his mentor's son, Luo Ling would be a trusted advisor and confidant when he became the ruler of the country.
His heartfelt words of gratitude to his former mentor are undoubtedly a testament to the profound kindness he received, which surpasses even the heavens and the earth and is more profound than that of his parents.
A surge of warmth welled up in Qin Weixi's heart. She looked at Zhao Shuhan and the others beside her with a smile in her eyes. Like Jiang Yuanjun, she looked up at the sky. In the cloudless sky, a flock of swallows was circling and flying overhead.
Mother! Can you see? Your prayers for your child have someone to protect, someone to care for, and someone to accompany you.
Mother! Are you at peace now?
Mother! Please wait for your child, just a little while. After I finish this life, we will be reunited.
She murmured to herself.
She withdrew her gaze from the sky and turned to meet Jiang Yuanfu's eyes, who had remained silent the whole time.
Jiang Yuanfu's flowing robes billowed in the wind as she strode forward. She immediately drew the long sword from Meng Yu's hand and pulled it from its sheath. Chu Yening suddenly raised his head and leaped to block Qin Weixi's path.
However, the long sword was aimed at Gu Rong and Liang Xi.
Jiang Yuanfu lightly sliced the necks of the two women with the tip of her sword. Qingpai cried out in surprise, while Jiang Yuanfu's eyes now revealed a sharp glint: "She is like a sister to me. From now on, anyone who is angry about this again is dissatisfying me!" She swept her gaze across the women in the garden: "If anyone ever speaks of the Qin family again, it is disrespectful to me!" After saying that, she looked at the purse tightly clutched in Liang Xi's hand, turned to Meng Yu and ordered: "Go and throw that thing in her hand far away, where we can no longer see it."
Liang Xi was completely astonished.
Then Jiang Yuanfu strode to the table, picked up the still-unfinished lychee wine, and walked past Chu Yening with a smile and tears in her eyes. She said to Qin Weixi, "You're right, from now on there will be no more of these ridiculous banquets. This is lychee wine that I made myself. I had Zishu fill a few jugs. Take it back and drink it slowly. Only after you drink it will you remember our friendship from our youth."
Qin Weixi smiled at her: "Afu, as you know, I'm not particular about food these days. When I was young, I was playful and wanted to try what the lychee wine that the elders liked tasted like. Later, I found out that this is what lychee wine is, sweet with a hint of sourness. Once I tasted it, that was it."
Tao Qingyun suddenly stepped forward, her jaw clenched, staring intently at Jiang Yuanfu, and said, "Zhenhui, starting with the Liang family, whether it was the Liang family or others, and then there was the plum vase trap favored by the late emperor. Did you ever protect them because of past friendships? Did you just stand by and watch?"
Jiang Yuanjun's gaze instantly fell upon Jiang Yuanfu.
Looking at Chu Yening again, his gaze was now as cold as the coldest days of winter in the north. Then, Chu Yening grabbed Qin Weixi's wrist and strode towards the exit of the Imperial Garden.
"Fourth Brother..." Qin Weixi's pupils suddenly contracted.
It was as if she had returned to her youth. Under the palace wall, a young man dressed in red, with his hair tied up high and the red ribbon in his hair fluttering in the wind, his eyes full of arrogance and stubbornness, grabbed her and ran as fast as the wind.
Que She and the others were waiting outside the palace gates. They were somewhat surprised to see the two of them come out together, and then they saw that Chu Ye Ning's face was ashen.
She hurriedly jumped off the carriage and said, "My lord, Jiuqu just passed by."
"Have Jiuqu meet me at the teahouse on the outskirts of the city. And the others too." Chu Yening said decisively, and then practically shoved Qin Weixi into the carriage.
Qin Weixi nearly fell over. She pulled back the carriage curtain and couldn't help but shout, "Chu Yening!"
However, the carriage had already sped away, and all she could see was Chu Yening sitting on the carriage shaft, leaving her with a broad, dark silhouette. Then she lifted the curtain and looked back, only to find Sparrow Tongue standing there, stunned, beneath the palace gate.
After an unknown amount of time, Qin Weixi looked into the distance and saw a rice paddy. The surrounding area was shaded by green trees, filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, but under his feet was a dirt road.
They found themselves in the countryside, a place where her brother used to take her out of town to play when she was little. Her brother carried her on his back, a scene as beautiful as a dream.
Qin Weixi couldn't help but lift the carriage curtain again: "Fourth Brother, where are you taking me?"
She had no idea what Chu Yening was planning to do.
Chu Yening, who was sitting on the platform, remained silent for a long time after hearing this.
"What's wrong with you? You're the one who's acting like a block of wood. You clearly heard me but didn't answer." Qin Weixi looked at the dark figure, sat back down on the cushion, and couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Chu Yening, I'm thirsty."
Today's visit to the palace was filled with all sorts of demons and monsters. Before she knew it, she had drunk a bellyful of lychee wine, and now that she was relaxing, she felt a little thirsty. Leaning against the carriage wall, she blurted out those words without even realizing it.
She immediately shut her mouth and fell silent.
Chu Yening, who was sitting on the carriage shaft with a cold expression, suddenly smiled upon hearing Qin Weixi's casual remark from inside the carriage, but his voice remained indifferent: "What? You're not calling me Chu Yening anymore?"
He slowly brought the carriage to a stop, then jumped off the carriage shaft, his expression remaining unchanged.
"Get off the bus."
"There's a simple teahouse up ahead, catering to passing merchants. It's usually not crowded. The carriage can't get through, so let's walk."
However, there was no sound from inside the carriage.
Chu Yening's expression immediately changed, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately lifted the carriage curtain.
The person before me had exquisite features, captivating eyes, and was very close to me, with jade earrings dangling from their ears.
"Why did you bring me here?" Qin Weixi asked.
Chu Yening immediately felt at ease.
His face, which had been tense, softened when he saw her clear eyes. Even though he was still angry, he couldn't help but soften his voice: "Where did your temper go? Hmm? Now, can anyone bully you at will? I told you to keep moving forward. Your fourth brother is right behind you."
Qin Weixi said, "Brother, it hasn't been easy for you, and the Luo family hasn't had it easy either. Back then, I was afraid that the Luo family would be killed because of me, so I wanted to leave Jiangnan. But my father, mother, and grandmother wouldn't let me go no matter what. My grandmother said, 'Where can an eight-year-old girl go? Alone, if you leave, it will be the death of this old woman!'"
"Therefore, I cherish every member of the Luo family."
In an instant, it felt as if a sharp blade had been plunged into Chu Yening's heart.
“Then I will hide the Luo family behind me and lead the way. Qin Luo, one day your fourth brother will find the real culprit who killed your father, clear the Qin family’s name, and restore the light to the world.”
"If one day you wish to abandon this filthy place, then find a peaceful place, retreat to the mountains, and become a carefree person."
Qin Weixi knew that he always kept his word and that every word he spoke was true.
She said, "But Fourth Brother, I can't just hide behind you with a clear conscience."
Chu Yening's lips curled into a smile: "Have you learned archery yet?"
Qin Weixi smiled, recalling how he had taught her archery when she was young, though he hadn't fully mastered it. She had no interest in learning archery then, and later he went to the border with Uncle Chu to fight the enemy. When he returned to the capital, everything had changed.
She laughed, recalling the bet Pei Qing made with Jiang Yuanfu that day, and then their "chance encounter" in the Imperial Garden, where he mocked her for her poor archery skills. It seemed that at the time he thought she was Luo Xiaoxing, who had returned to the capital from Jiangnan, and it wasn't because of her poor archery skills, but simply because he didn't want Luo Xiaoxing to suffer unjustly.
The gloom in Chu Yening's eyes gradually dissipated, and he suddenly sighed softly, his voice seemingly tinged with helplessness. He said, "Qin Luo, even if the sky falls, your fourth brother will hold it up for you. And behind you is not only the Luo family, but also my Chu family's Jingning Marquis Mansion."
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the faint scar on her palm, and his throat bobbed.
She followed his gaze.
Chu Yening said, "Qin Luo, stay behind me. Fourth Brother is not asking you to hide by my side, but rather that I will protect you and keep you behind me. There are some things that a man needs to do. Even if there is wind and rain ahead, Fourth Brother will be the one to face it."
From now on, I will shelter her from the wind and rain, so that she can live a peaceful and carefree life.
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The author writes: The kindness of a wise teacher is truly greater than heaven and earth, and heavier than that of one's parents. (Quoted from *Baopuzi*, Inner Chapters, "Diligent Pursuit," by Ge Hong, a Jin Dynasty medical scholar.)
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