Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Do You Like Me?
It was a small, two-story house, seemingly no larger than half the size of the Chen family's garden, yet it was meticulously furnished. Pavilions, terraces, towers, rocks, flowers, and trees were all present. Despite its numerous buildings, it didn't feel crowded; despite its small rooms, it didn't feel cramped. Xiaoman was in awe.
The small flower hall is even more interesting, it is actually a small stone boat protruding from the water.
The stone boat was divided into two rooms by a moon-shaped grille door. The outer room was slightly larger, with two armchairs by the left and right windows, and a small square table between the chairs. On the table was a vase with flowers and plants that were difficult to name.
There is a couch in the inner room, which looks like a place for the owner to take a nap.
Xiaoman whispered to Chen Yanning, "When I first came in, I thought this number one scholar was quite interesting, but now he seems a bit silly. Sleeping here, surrounded by water and grass, isn't he just waiting to be fed to mosquitoes?"
Chen Yanning's lips just curled up when she saw Li Lin step into the stone boat and his eyes fell on her. Her smile turned into embarrassment and her face turned red.
In fact, Xiaoman's voice was so soft that Li Lin didn't hear it at all. She was just feeling guilty.
The long-servant came in with a tray and served tea to the two girls, and glanced at his own master: Wow, you changed your clothes in such a short time!
The two sides exchanged greetings and took their seats.
Xiaoman was a straightforward person, and she got straight to the point. "To be honest, I overheard a few words of what you said to Chen Ling'an, and that's why I took the liberty of coming to ask for your help."
Li Lin admired from the bottom of his heart: "These two girls are so righteous. Many men are afraid of the power of heaven and dare not speak out, but these girls speak out for justice. They are truly as brave as men, no, they are even better than men."
As he said this, he stood up and bowed solemnly.
Xiaoman Yanning quickly stood up to return the greeting. Xiaoman said, "Lord Li, you are too kind. We are not that selfless. Ultimately, we also have selfish motives."
Li Lin smiled and said, "It's human nature. Without any selfishness, that's what a perfect person, a saint, would be like. Ordinary people like you and me can't achieve that."
What he said was really interesting, and Chen Yanning couldn't help but look up and look at him twice.
Li Lin felt her gaze and straightened his posture slightly unnaturally. He picked up the list and quickly scanned it. He pondered, "It's been a long time. I know some of the people on it, but not others. It will take some time to contact them all. You guys go home and wait. I'll let you know when I have news."
Xiaoman breathed a sigh of relief, thought for a moment and added, "Don't let Chen Ling'an know. Go to Linyuan to find Miss Chen."
Chen Yanning: Ah, me?
Xiaoman explained, "I didn't want my mother to worry. A few days ago, He Ping was caught moving books to the Hanlin Academy, and she was so worried that she couldn't eat or sleep."
Li Lin looked at Chen Yanning in surprise, "Miss Chen lives in Linyuan?"
"Yeah." Chen Yanning lowered his head slightly to avoid his sight.
Xiaoman smiled and said, "She is Madam Lin's only disciple. Who would have thought of that?"
Li Lin was stunned for a moment before he digested the news and murmured, "No wonder, no wonder..."
"What's the wonder?" Xiaoman asked him.
Li Lin smiled but didn't answer. He only said that he would start looking for someone right now. "The sooner the better. Elder Liu submitted a memorial yesterday. The Emperor will issue an order within three days at the latest."
When mentioning Lord Liu, one inevitably thinks of Liu Jinshu. Li Lin sighed deeply. He originally had a good impression of Liu Jinshu, but with misfortunes happening one after another, his differences with the Liu family became increasingly greater. He was afraid that the day of parting ways with Liu Jinshu was not far away.
The sun slowly sank down the mountain, and the Liu family's lanterns lit up one after another.
In the main room, Liu Jinshu lifted the curtain and came out.
The house was filled with the aroma of medicine, and a fresh evening breeze suddenly blew towards me, making me feel relaxed all over.
My mother was frightened at Ningxi Garden and ran a high fever that night. She stayed in bed for eight days before recovering. But her spirit was gone, and she looked more than ten years older.
Even without her saying it, Liu Jinshu knew how scared and regretful his mother was.
As soon as his father's memorial came out, he understood why Chen Ling'an wanted to frame his father, but he did not regret using such a trick - Chen Ling'an lost half his life, and so did his mother.
Liu Jinshu let out a long breath and went to his father's study.
Liu Fang was reading a book. Seeing his worried son, he couldn't help but smile, "I've been waiting for you all day, and you're finally here."
Liu Jinshu stepped forward and took a look at the book in his hand. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You've become the target of public criticism, and you still have the mood to read a novel."
"It's boring to read big books all the time. We need to change things up occasionally." Liu Fang put down the storybook with a reluctant look on his face, walked to the window in slippers, and stared at the dark night, looking thoughtful.
"The target of public criticism..." Liu Fang laughed, then turned around suddenly, his eyes gleaming, "I want to be the target of public criticism!"
"Which high-ranking official isn't a target of public criticism? They all say I'm doing this to place my cronies in the fold. Why do I need so many cronies? The more cronies I have, the faster they die. Chen Shao has only been dead for a few days, and I won't forget the cause of his death so quickly!"
Liu Fang walked around the room with his hands behind his back. "Whoever opposes or agrees with this matter is fine. I won't promote anyone, nor will I suppress anyone. The final decision rests with the emperor. I know you don't agree, but that's fine. You can impeach me. You don't have to treat me as your father, just as a colleague. Do whatever you want."
Liu Jinshu found it incredible. "Father suggested banning the academy just to show his determination to be a 'lone minister'?"
Liu Fang smiled and shook his head. "The Emperor had this intention as early as the Spring Examination, but he couldn't say it out loud, waiting for someone to speak for him. But even Chen Ling'an, who is the best at guessing the Emperor's intentions, pretended not to understand. How could the Emperor not be annoyed?"
"For hundreds of years, since the previous dynasty, we have been advocating 'sharing the rule of the world with the literati and officials.' The struggle between imperial power and prime ministerial power has always been ongoing, and even in our dynasty, it is unavoidable."
"The previous emperor abolished the prime minister. Although the current cabinet has been re-established and its deliberative power has been increased, the prime minister's power will never be allowed to overshadow the emperor's. Think about it, Elder Yang, Elder Chen. You should understand this principle. The power of all officials comes from the emperor."
Liu Jinshu seemed to understand: "As long as we get the emperor's support, father can secure the position of Prime Minister."
But why does it feel like something is not right?
Liu Fang stroked his beard, looked at his troubled son and smiled, "Isn't it a bit like Chen Ling'an?"
Liu Jinshu smiled sheepishly after his father exposed his thoughts. Then he said seriously, "Chen Ling'an fabricated charges, created false accusations, trampled on the law, and acted entirely based on his likes and dislikes. Father is different from him."
"He took the most difficult and dangerous path. I can't take it." Liu Fang smiled and waved his hands. "What a pity, he cut off his own escape route."
Liu Jinshu suddenly fell silent.
-
Three days later, the emperor approved Liu Fang's memorial, causing an uproar throughout the court and the country.
That day, Xiaoman came to find Chen Ling'an. She was afraid that he would act impulsively, so she stayed by his side from morning to night. Even though Chen Ling'an repeatedly assured her that he would never get involved in muddy water, she refused to leave.
The night was as dark as ink, with only a few stars emitting faint light.
There was no wind, and the bamboo forest outside the window was completely hidden in the darkness. The insects were chirping softly, as if crying.
Chen Ling'an took the medicine, but the side effects were so severe that he didn't want to take it, but Xiaoman forced him to: "Your throat is no longer swollen, but the rash on your body hasn't gone away yet, so you have to take it."
The medicine is taking effect and I feel a little drowsy.
"You should go now." He yawned. "I'll ask someone to take you there."
Xiaoman agreed verbally but did not move.
Chen Lingan tried hard to raise his eyelids, "Anything else?"
"Can't you just sit here for a while?" Xiaoman suddenly lost his temper. "Who do you want to accompany you? Why are you so anxious to send me away?"
Chen Ling'an shook his head, trying to get rid of the sleepiness. "I don't want anyone to accompany me. Besides you, which other girl have I been in contact with? Speak with conscience."
"I guess you wouldn't dare." Xiaoman muttered, and covered him with a thin blanket considerately. "You go to sleep, I'll leave soon."
Chen Lingan closed his eyes and opened them again after a while. "I can't sleep if you look at me like this."
"Who's looking at you!" Xiaoman looked away, her cheeks like white jade covered with a blush under the candlelight.
Chen Lingan closed his eyes, "It's too bright."
The room was dark and Xiaoman blew out the candle.
"Chen Ling'an?"
"Um?"
"Sometimes I think about it. I'm actually quite lucky. I was kidnapped when I was young, but I met my adoptive parents and Aunt Lin. My biological mother died young, but I have a stepmother who loves me like her own daughter. My father abused me, but you helped me escape from the Zhang family. I'm content."
"This is just the beginning, and you are satisfied."
“Don’t try to get too much, you can’t bite off more than you can chew.”
"That's not how it's meant to be used. Read more when you have time."
"I'm free, will you teach me?"
"It's not impossible..."
"Really?" Xiaoman was overjoyed and turned to look at Chen Ling'an on the couch. "You can't deny it."
The night was too dark to see his face clearly, I could only vaguely hear him say "hmm".
Xiaoman ignored him and continued chattering towards Chen Lingan, "Not only do I need to read and write, I also need to learn the piano, chess, and painting. You might not know this, but I have a talent for drawing. Aunt Lin has praised me for it. The little ducks, the little houses, the little flowers and grass, and even the neighbor's rhubarb are so realistic. I'll draw you a picture tomorrow!"
At first, Chen Ling'an responded, but later he could no longer hear anything.
Xiaoman closed her mouth and the air immediately became extremely quiet.
"Chen Ling'an?"
The only answer she got was the sound of his long breathing.
She sat on the embroidered cushion in front of the couch and could touch the edge of the couch with just one hand.
Xiaoman stood up and groped her way to sit on the edge of the couch. At this time, the moon appeared from behind the thick clouds. The clear moonlight was like mercury pouring on the ground, making the whole room seem as if it was immersed in water.
Xiaoman looked at that face, her fingers carefully tracing his eyebrows and eyes in the air, and she murmured softly, "How come you are so handsome, so handsome, but that mouth is so disgusting."
"Chen Ling'an."
"I like you, do you hear me?"
In the darkness, his breathing was still even and long.
"do you like me?"
As expected, no response.
Xiaoman lowered her head and slowly, slowly kissed his lips.
Cool, moist, and soft beyond imagination.
Perhaps it was her illusion, at this moment, Chen Ling'an's breathing stopped.
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