Chapter 128 Chang Rongshi
The two of them didn't actually do anything that night. It wasn't until they entered the temporary government office that they discovered that not only had Lin Xin twisted his ankle, but Xu Rong had also developed two blisters on the soles of her feet. She had been running back and forth between Prince Qing's mansion, Princess Shu'an's private residence, and the Chang family all day, covering a distance far beyond her capacity. Because of the complex situation, she was constantly on edge and didn't even notice the fatigue and damage to her body.
"Alright," Xu Rong said with a smile, shrinking back. "Stop looking. Call Bai Fu to get a needle to prick it. It'll be fine in a couple of days."
Lin Xin sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), holding her ankle tightly and refusing to let go: "I'll pick it for you."
He actually took the needle from Bai Fu's hand, and by the dim candlelight, he pricked her blisters, wiped them with a warm cloth, and then wrapped them with two layers of clean gauze. His movements were a little clumsy, but he was very careful.
Xu Rong felt good; when she wasn't touched, there was only a slight, dull pain that didn't bother her much. She covered her mouth and yawned, "Go to sleep, I have things to do tomorrow."
Lin Xin didn't move, his eyes lowered: "Have Xiang Shi send you back to Beijing tomorrow."
This was the second time he had brought up the matter, and this time his attitude was much more resolute.
Xu Rong's foot was still on his leg. He was about to pull it back when he stopped: "Judging from Zhou Qianxian's attitude, he doesn't seem to object to me being here."
"That's because he needs you." Lin Xin was very frank when talking about Shangguan behind his back; he never pretended to be polite.
Xu Rong smiled and said, "Don't you need me anymore?"
“…You know that’s not what I meant.” Lin Xinsu’s cold expression faltered. “I know you can help me, but it’s too tough and dangerous here. I’m worried about it.”
Xu Rong looked at her bandaged feet. Actually, it wasn't just her feet; after resting, both her legs and waist were sore and weak.
But she shook her head: "I don't think so, I think it's quite interesting." She looked up at Lin Xin: "Xuancheng, do you think I came here for you?"
Lin Xin is no longer suited to the nickname "Xiao Bao". His short career in disaster relief has made him mature, and the arrogance between his brows has been replaced by determination. He looks like a mature official with a bit of an official demeanor.
Lin Xin nodded without much hesitation.
Xu Rong laughed, feeling that he should retract some of his earlier statement; the endearing quality in him had never changed.
"So confident?" she teased. "But you're wrong."
Lin Xin was taken aback.
“I do worry about you,” Xu Rong said, “but I didn’t come here just for you.”
Lin Xin frowned slightly. He seemed to understand the difference between the two, which made him remain silent.
"Besides you, I also have myself, Xuancheng, do you understand?"
This time, her address carried a sense of solemnity.
Lin Xin pondered for a while before finally saying, "I understand."
He truly understood, though the feeling was so vague that he could hardly articulate it—that she was doing it for herself, and for him as well. Not just now, but always, they had overcome many difficulties together, but her will had never been tied to his.
She is herself.
Xu Rong saw it in his eyes and smiled: "That's right. I'm not as talented as you in studying, but I do have one or two strengths. I'm not used to dealing with things at home, and I can't do it."
She had no lofty ambitions in this life. The times were what they were, and she was too lazy to change them by her own strength. But she was willing to live a leisurely life, which was different from being forced to be idle without any other choice.
No matter how well she could adapt to the situation, deep down she was going against the tide, something beyond her control. The gap of hundreds of years was something she couldn't bridge even if she jumped in, and besides, she didn't want to jump.
She wanted him to come over, one step, two steps, it didn't matter.
Xu Rong was a little nervous, but also had some strange anticipation. They had never touched on similar topics before, because for a long time, their relationship was merely a contractual one, and there was neither the opportunity nor the need for it.
Things are different now.
She wants openness, understanding, support, and acceptance; she wants so much.
Lin Xin thought for a moment and said, "Then you do it."
Xu Rong: "...?"
The results came too easily, and she felt a bit uneasy, as if she had stumbled into thin air. She asked again, "Aren't you going to let me leave?"
Lin Xin emphasized, "It's really dangerous here, you'd better leave. But," he changed the subject, "I think you can."
His meaning was contradictory yet clear: as a close relative, he wanted Xu Rong to be safe, but setting that aside, he believed in Xu Rong's abilities.
He did not see her as a weak and helpless woman; he knew very well that she was never that kind of person.
Xu Rong blinked. She thought it would take some effort to explain, but it wasn't difficult for her. However, the feeling of unspoken understanding was so good, far better than many words.
She lunged forward, nestled into his arms, and wrapped her arms around his strong waist.
Lin Xin was startled: "Watch your feet—"
He hurriedly settled her bandaged foot, then looked down and saw her dark hair cascading down her head, soft and smooth. He embraced her, and a feeling of contentment welled up inside him, like a pool of warm water rippling.
There's no need for so many considerations and calculations; if she's happy, that's enough.
**
Chang Rongshi arrived at the government office the following morning.
Xu Rong was unable to participate in his interrogation, but she later heard Lin Xin relay his testimony: "Chang Rong could not deny it and admitted that he took in Zheng Yuansheng because of Prince Qing, but he refused to admit that he had any private dealings or agreements with Prince Qing. He only said that he was isolated in this place and had no choice but to be coerced by Prince Qing, but he had already written a memorial to the court. He carried the original of the memorial with him."
Xu Rong was somewhat surprised. If that were true, Chang Rongshi would have absolved himself of responsibility. Judging by the timeline, his memorial should still be on its way, at most reaching the Ministry of Justice, and would still need to be suppressed for some time before reaching the Emperor's ears.
wrong.
"Chang Rongshi dared to accuse Prince Qing? How could Prince Qing dare to give Prefect Zheng to him?"
Prince Qing wouldn't make this decision if he couldn't control Chang Rong. He might be a little crazy, but he's definitely not stupid.
"Did Prince Qing know that he wrote a memorial afterward?" Xu Rong's mind raced, and she asked again, realizing something as she asked, "How did he send it out?"
Lin Xinxian answered the second question first: "He sent his own entourage."
As for the first one, he didn't know yet, but he could guess: "Prince Qing has even set his sights on people connected to Bai Quan, so Chang Rongshi must be more important than them."
In other words, Prince Qing would not let Chang Rongshi's movements go unnoticed.
It is highly questionable whether this memorial was actually sent out.
“That’s not right,” Lin Xin suddenly said.
He looked at Xu Rong, and they both understood the unspoken meaning in their eyes: if Prince Qing discovered Chang Rong's little tricks, he would definitely react.
Hypothesis 1: He intercepted the memorial and warned Chang Rongshi, who had only feigned composure during the interrogation. Hypothesis 2: Prince Qing intercepted the memorial but did not reveal his intentions or inform Chang Rongshi, leading him to believe that the memorial had been sent out as scheduled.
Regardless of the outcome, Prince Qing will inevitably take one next step: either strengthen surveillance and security at the Chang residence or directly relocate Prefect Zheng.
So here's the question: under these circumstances, how could they possibly arrest and bring Prefect Zheng to justice?
It should be noted that Xu Rong's actions yesterday were neither swift nor secretive. She led such a large group of disaster victims, along with Princess Shu'an, and they would certainly have gone to Prince Qing's residence to report the news after escaping. The fact that Prince Qing still did not take action can only prove one thing: he was indeed caught off guard.
Xu Rong touched his chin and tapped his cheek with his finger.
At this point in the analysis, the situation seems to have entered a self-contradictory "dead end".
But she knew it wasn't that simple; if one path didn't work, she could try another.
"Did Chang Rong really send that attendant?"
Lin Xin couldn't sit still any longer: "I'll go interrogate him again."
"No need," Xu Rong stopped him. "He won't acknowledge something that's just talk.
However, there is another party who can verify this.
Lin Xin went to see Zhou Qianxian again and told him about his plan to test Prince Qing using the memorial. Zhou Qianxian was hesitant but also excited: "It's an opportunity. But can you handle it well?"
Dealing with vassal kings is a headache in itself, let alone one as unpredictable as Prince Qing. Although Zhou Qianxian was interested in his granaries, he still had many concerns about actually going ahead with it.
Lin Xin said, “I am young and inexperienced, and I may have made mistakes in my actions. If I have offended Prince Qing, I would appreciate it if you, the Vice Minister, could help me make amends.”
Zhou Qianxian's eyes lit up. He understood Lin Xin's meaning: having his subordinate take the lead actually left room for maneuver for their side. If Zhou Qianxian himself clashed directly with Prince Qing, and things got deadlocked, there would be no one in Pingliang who could mediate the conflict.
"Okay," Zhou Qianxian agreed, adding, "Be extra careful."
Lin Xin did not go to Prince Qing's mansion alone; Xu Rong accompanied him. However, the two had different goals. Xu Rong went to see Princess Shu'an, explaining that he wanted to comfort her after the fright she had suffered the previous day.
Princess Shu'an initially refused to see her, but the old nanny who came out to deliver the message spoke in a very unfriendly tone: "The princess has already been confined to her quarters because of you, and you still dare to come!"
Xu Rong remained calm and composed: "Your Majesty, I have come to apologize. If the Princess does not wish to see me for the time being, I will wait here for a while. If I do not see her for a day, I will wait for a day."
The old woman snorted coldly and left without showing any emotion.
Bai Fu was a little worried: "Grandma, are we really going to wait here? The sun will be getting really strong soon."
Xu Rong said, "It's alright, it won't be long."
Bai Fu was relieved; her grandmother's words were always true.
Sure enough, after only about the time it takes to eat breakfast, just as the sun began to scorch them, a voice came from inside, calling Xu Rong to come in.
Led by a servant, they went to the second gate, where a maidservant took over. Then they went to Princess Shu'an's familiar residence. When they met the cold glare from the familiar old woman at the gate, Xu Rong returned the gaze with a smile.
Prefect Zheng fell into the hands of the Imperial Envoy, who interrogated him overnight. Early the next morning, the Deputy Imperial Envoy came to pay his respects to Prince Qing. As the one who inadvertently revealed Prefect Zheng's hiding place, how could Princess Shu'an not want to know the Imperial Envoy's purpose, and how could she bear not to see him?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
