When the people from the Duke's mansion rushed over, what they saw was Helan Ruo kneeling on the ashes and ruins, covered in filth and moaning softly.
Seeing her son's hands covered in blood, looking even more wretched and miserable than when he was released from prison, and hearing his low sobs, Princess Qingping, her eyes red, only glanced at him once before turning away, her heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.
There was resentment and anger towards Helan Ruo for being so useless, heartache for him for torturing himself like this, and even more grief and regret for Tang Ning's departure.
Not long ago, this family was enjoying a lively and happy hot pot meal together in the courtyard. How did they end up in this situation?
Princess Qingping's tears fell again.
Unlike Princess Qingping's grief, the second wife and husband of the Duke's mansion exchanged a knowing glance.
Helan Ruo should really push herself to the limit; the better she does, the better she'll be ruined, then they can rest easy.
While everyone was lost in their own thoughts, a figure suddenly leaped out from behind them. Before anyone could react, the figure took two steps forward, grabbed Helan Ruo who was lying on the ground, and punched him hard in the face.
Because of the eleven days of imprisonment, Helan Ruo's body was already extremely weak. When he was hit in the cheek like that, he was basically powerless to resist, and even blood splattered from the corner of his mouth.
"ah!"
Caught off guard, everyone in the Duke's mansion screamed in fright.
It was only then that they finally saw clearly the man who was abusing their young master. It was none other than Prince Jian, Wei Jing, who else could it be!
After learning about what happened to Helan Ruo, Ji Muqing, and Tang Ning, he had already wanted to come and find Tang Ning. His mother said that at a time when the whole capital was paying attention, if he, as Tang Ning's ex-fiancé, appeared by Tang Ning's side, and was seen by someone with ulterior motives, the matter would be spread in a very unpleasant way, which would be detrimental to Tang Ning.
He was persuaded.
Later, news of Tang Ning kept reaching his ears, and he really couldn't stand it anymore. Heaven knows how isolated and helpless Tang Ning was at that time. Although he couldn't appear in front of Tang Ning during the day, it didn't mean he couldn't appear by Tang Ning's side in the dead of night when no one knew.
Putting everything else aside, even just saying a comforting word between friends to Tang Ning would be good, wouldn't it?
Who knew that on that day, even though he had dressed in his night clothes, he was caught in his room by his father, Prince Jian.
No matter how earnestly he pleaded with his father, even kneeling down to beg him, his father showed no willingness to budge, and even threatened to break his legs if he dared to go out that day.
In the end, their legs weren't broken, but they were drugged and knocked unconscious.
For the next few days, he was kept locked in his room by his father, with no one to answer his cries for help. Apart from the servant who brought him food, he didn't see anyone else. Until today, his mother personally released him and, with a look of regret, took the initiative to bring him to the Duke's mansion, saying that she wanted him to see Tang Ning one last time.
The news of Tang Ning's death in the fire had already spread like wildfire.
Wei Jing didn't even need to make a special inquiry; he only overheard a couple of times on the way here and knew everything perfectly well.
Tang Ning is dead, but He Lanruo rescued Ji Muqing and even carried her all the way from the capital's prison to the Duke's mansion. How ridiculous!
He's lived so long and has never heard such a funny joke!
That's absolutely hilarious.
With bloodshot eyes, Wei Jing punched Helan Ruo in the cheek again, splattering blood everywhere.
He then immediately pulled the lifeless-eyed Helan Ruo close to his face. "Are you happy now? For your former lover, for Ji Muqing, you killed your own wife. What a tragic, earth-shattering love story! I was moved to tears..."
"Look how understanding Tang Ning is. Knowing your old flame is back, she didn't want to make things difficult for you. She just died, vacating the position of the legal wife for you two, completely fulfilling your desires. I think you should be extremely satisfied and happy right now, so why are you pretending to be so heartbroken? Isn't this what you wanted? Who are you trying to impress with this disgusting act!"
Wei Jing abruptly threw Helan Ruo to the ground, staggering as he fell to his knees with a thud. Tears streamed down his face as he grabbed Helan Ruo's clothes, his hands trembling. "Helan Ruo, I regret it! I regret breaking off the engagement and letting Tang Ning marry you! Give Tang Ning back! Give her back to me! Give her back to me!"
The boy suddenly roared, then burst into tears.
Although Tang Ning's tragedy today was caused by He Lanruo, does it mean that he has absolutely no connection to it?
How is he different from Helan Ruo?
It's all because he already had Tang Ning, yet he still got entangled with other women. Back then, he and Qin Qianqian were caught in bed together in the Princess's mansion. Although someone was plotting against him, if he had heard about Qin Qianqian from the beginning and kept his distance from her for Tang Ning's sake, how could he have been plotted against?
He had resented Helan Ruo and hated Qin Qianqian, but in reality, the person he should hate the most was himself.
He had already grasped the most precious treasure in his hands, but he didn't cherish it at all. In the end, losing it was simply his own fault.
But he was wrong, Helan Ruo was wrong, everyone was wrong, so what was Tang Ning wrong about!
Why was it she who had to die?
Wei Jing raised his hand to cover his eyes, but tears still welled up and squeezed out from between his fingers.
Almost simultaneously, upon seeing the two men who had once been with Tang Ning below, one weeping bitterly and the other with a deathly still expression, Situ Yin, whose chin was resting on Tang Ning's shoulder and who had almost completely encircled her in his arms, turned his eyes slightly in her direction and noticed that Tang Ning was staring intently at the scene below.
With just one glance, he didn't know what he was thinking, but he suddenly reached out, lifted Tang Ning's chin, and turned her gaze directly towards him.
The two looked into each other's eyes; one's eyes were red-rimmed, while the other's pupils were pitch black.
"There's nothing much to see back there, is there?"
Tang Ning did not reply after hearing his words.
But Situ Yin couldn't help staring into Tang Ning's eyes and asked again, "Is that right?"
He repeated himself again, and Tang Ning finally understood that he clearly wanted her answer. She pursed her lips slightly.
"Is it really true?"
Situ Yin seemed unusually patient today. Seeing his determined attitude of not giving up until she got the answer he wanted, Tang Ning looked into his eyes for a long time before finally nodding almost imperceptibly.
Of course.
They're already two people whose affection level has just reached 100 and whose romance status shows as completed. What's so interesting about watching them put on this melodramatic show?
To Tang Ning, these two were like sugarcane residue that had already been chewed up and spat out—utterly tasteless.
But her nod seemed to instantly please Situ Yin in front of her.
He immediately picked up Tang Ning, without glancing back at the Duke of Guo's mansion, jumped down from the tree, and, following the path they had come from, took Tang Ning's hand and returned to their carriage parked outside.
Perhaps because of their intimate contact in the tree, he suddenly found something interesting. After returning to the carriage, he was no longer satisfied with just playing with Tang Ning's hand. Instead, as if he had done it countless times before, he naturally and casually pulled Tang Ning into his arms.
Completely unprepared for this reaction, Tang Ning felt the firmness of the man's chest against her back and the warm breath he gently exhaled behind her ear and on her neck. She froze, as if her pressure points had been struck.
This stiffness only gradually eased after the carriage arrived at the palace gate, she got off the carriage, and ended that intimate contact with Situ Yin.
Situ Yin was, after all, an emperor, and had a lot of government affairs to deal with. Afterwards, he only escorted Tang Ning to the gate of Weiyang Palace, which he had arranged for her, and left after telling her that he would come over that evening.
Meanwhile, in the palace, the two maids, Chunmian and Chuntan, had been anxiously waiting for a whole day. As soon as they saw Tang Ning, they rushed forward and each grabbed one of Tang Ning's hands.
"Miss!"
The two of them cried out in unison.
It's important to understand that they are all quite young. Even Chun Tan, who is usually calm and sensible, would only be a high school student in modern times. It's perfectly normal for them to be worried and scared when they first enter such a strict and unfamiliar place as the palace, with Tang Ning not by their side.
Seeing their state, Tang Ning quickly and gently comforted the two maids for a while before taking their hands and touching their foreheads together, softly saying, "Chun Tan, Chun Mian, will you stay here with me from now on? I've already investigated. You two grew up in the General's Mansion since childhood, and you were both orphans from a young age, sold into the General's Mansion as maids. Even if you searched for them now, you probably wouldn't find your families. If I were to leave, whether leaving you in the Duke's Mansion or sending you back to the General's Mansion, it wouldn't be appropriate, so I took the liberty of bringing you into the palace..."
"Although entering the palace is like entering a deep sea, rest assured, His Majesty... His Majesty treats me well now, and I have already asked him for permission. You are different from ordinary palace maids. When you reach a certain age, you can either marry or leave the palace if you wish. I..."
"No, we won't get married, nor will we leave the palace. Wherever Miss is, Chunmian/Chuntan and I will be there!"
Before Tang Ning could finish speaking, the two maids hurriedly said the same thing in unison.
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning's eyes softened, and she reached out to pat both of their heads and smiled.
She laughed, and Chunmian and Chuntan laughed along with her.
In this vast palace, the three of them were like three pieces of duckweed tightly clustered together on a river, relying on each other for survival, none of them wanting to leave the other.
The three hadn't been familiar with each other in the palace for long when, at dusk, Wen Rang, the chief eunuch of Situ Yin, immediately came to Weiyang Palace respectfully to report that Situ Yin would be coming that evening.
Upon hearing this news, Tang Ning's breathing immediately became rapid.
But what frightened and apprehensive her even more was yet to come. As soon as the chief eunuch Wen Rang finished his report, an old nanny from the palace immediately led the maids to come forward to help her bathe and change her clothes.
Although the death of Tang Ning had already caused quite a stir in the capital, and even the old nannies in the deep palace had heard about it, they did not connect the beautiful woman in front of them with the rumored Tang Ning.
After the awkward bath, Wen Rang must have whispered something to the old nanny. Knowing that this woman, whom His Majesty had specially brought into the palace, was slightly different from the other concubines in the harem, the old nanny, who had served Tang Ning throughout the bath, hesitated for a moment before kneeling before Tang Ning and quietly explaining some things a woman should pay attention to on her first time serving His Majesty, lest this delicate beauty offend His Majesty without anyone noticing.
Upon hearing the word "first time," Chun Tan and Chun Mian looked at Tang Ning in disbelief. Caught off guard, Tang Ning, whose face turned bright red when the experienced old nanny pointed out the truth, was caught off guard.
Before she could explain anything, another voice rang out with interest, "Oh? Is that so?"
As they spoke, a hand slowly lifted the curtain in front of them, and Situ Yin, dressed in black, leaned against the pillar beside him, looking at Tang Ning with a brazen gaze.
"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
In an instant, all the palace maids and nannies in the room knelt down on the ground.
Tang Ning, who was sitting on the bed, hurriedly stood up. Before she could even bow, she heard Situ Yin order everyone in the room to leave.
Upon hearing this request, Tang Ning immediately held her breath, her fingers instantly twisting together, completely forgetting about whether or not to bow.
After the rustling sounds gradually faded away, the room fell silent. Soon, Tang Ning heard Situ Yin's footsteps approaching her. As the man drew nearer, Tang Ning's heart pounded like a drum.
Just as her heart rate reached its highest point, an arm suddenly appeared in front of her. Caught off guard, Tang Ning was directly pulled by the person in front of her onto the soft bed behind her.
Tang Ning took a deep breath, only to find that Situ Yin had already automatically adjusted his posture, pulling her into his arms and burying his face deeply in her neck.
"I'm so tired, I want to sleep..."
As he spoke, Situ Yin tightened his arms, his eyes closed as if he really just wanted to take a nap.
Feeling the even breath of the other person spraying on her skin, Tang Ning, who had been stiff as a board, slowly relaxed. Having also not been able to get a good night's sleep for some time, Tang Ning was immediately overcome by drowsiness as soon as she relaxed.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep—
"Why is it still the first time? Is my nephew not up to par?"
Situ Yin's belated question suddenly rang in Tang Ning's ears.
"No, our marriage was an accident. We agreed to start as friends, so..."
Because she was so sleepy that her thoughts were slowed down, Tang Ning subconsciously told the truth. When she realized what she had said, she was suddenly startled. Her sleepiness had vanished without a trace. She opened her eyes abruptly, turned her head, and met Situ Yin's dark eyes, which were filled with a hint of a smile.
"So that's how it is..."
Situ Yin raised an eyebrow, looking at Tang Ning's wary and uneasy eyes, then suddenly closed his eyes again. "I'm too sleepy, I'm going to sleep now."
After leaving behind just that one sentence, he resumed his even breathing without any remorse, appearing as if he were already fast asleep. Tang Ning remained staring intently at his sleeping face, not daring to relax for a moment. As she stared, she became so tired that sleepiness overcame her again. She quickly closed her eyes tightly, trying not to fall asleep again, but ultimately couldn't resist the overwhelming drowsiness. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she drifted off to sleep once more.
She had just fallen asleep when Situ Yin smiled and smiled.
The hall was completely silent, and the two people on the bed were fast asleep, like an exquisitely beautiful painting.
While Tang Ning could fall asleep, He Lanruo, who was kneeling beside Tang Ning's charred corpse despite her injuries, was not sleepy at all.
For the next three days, it was the same, until he completely collapsed in front of Tang Ning's coffin.
It could be said that Helan Ruo had completely forgotten about Ji Muqing's existence at this point. As for his good second uncle and aunt, seeing that Ji Muqing's condition was getting worse, they took the initiative to call a doctor.
After all, as long as Miss Ji is alive, she will always be a stain on Helan Ruo's reputation that she can never wash away or erase. How could they allow her to disappear so easily with such a good handle?
Without her, and with Tang Ning already dead, once these things have faded away, Helan Ruo will have an excuse to marry a wife from a less privileged background. How can that be allowed!
Therefore, no matter what, they would not allow Miss Ji to make the slightest mistake.
Meanwhile, upon hearing the news that Helan Ruo had fallen into a coma, Princess Qingping immediately disregarded her own health and, supported by her maids, went to Helan Ruo's bedside.
It was only then that she suddenly realized how thin and haggard her Aruo had become. If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of his chest, she would have even suspected that the person lying in front of her was already a corpse.
After all, she was a piece of her own flesh and blood. No matter how angry Princess Qingping was, or how heartbroken and resentful she felt for Tang Ning, seeing Helan Ruo in her current state still pained her. Besides...
Sitting in front of Helan Ruo's bed, Princess Qingping carefully wiped his face with a warm silk cloth, then gently stroked Helan Ruo's cheek.
Besides, Tang Ning might not even be really dead.
In fact, this thought had been lingering in her mind for the past few days.
Because no matter what she thought, Tang Ning wasn't someone so fragile as to die so easily in the fire. In addition, the things she had said when she came to her side earlier made Princess Qingping feel increasingly uneasy.
What's even more strange is the people in the General's Mansion. Tang Ning is dead, so how can they be so calm and indifferent? Even when they cry, they don't seem to be overly sad.
Another point of doubt is that she only knelt at the palace gate for a day and didn't even take out her pardon. Why did the emperor suddenly release A'Ruo and Ji Muqing? Even the punishment was just a light demotion to commoners, which is completely different from the serious crime A'Ruo committed.
People in the capital were saying that the emperor spared A'Ruo's punishment because he cared about her.
But as far as she knew, Situ Yin was definitely not the kind of person who acted on emotion.
When these two things were combined, an incredible guess immediately came to the mind of the Princess of Lightness Skill.
But that man is Situ Yin, who has always been indifferent to women. How could he possibly be interested in a woman...?
The more Princess Qingping thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
After waiting for five days, Helan Ruo finally woke up from her coma. She was allowed to rest for another two days. With suspicion in her heart, Princess Qingping, under the pretext of expressing her gratitude, led Helan Ruo directly into the palace.
Fearing that Situ Yin would immediately fly into a rage upon seeing Helan Ruo, Princess Qingping ordered Helan Ruo to wait outside while she herself requested to see Situ Yin first.
She had only been waiting in the side hall for a short while when she was immediately ushered into the main hall and met Situ Yin.
Meanwhile, Helan Ruo, whose expression was numb and whose eyes were lifeless, waited in place like a wooden stake for a short while before suddenly hearing a familiar chirping sound in his ear.
Chirp chirp...
Helan Ruo's eyes flickered slightly, then she looked up and searched the air, finally spotting the little bluebird she knew all too well on the eaves of a building.
After Tang Ning married him, he gave the bird directly to Tang Ning so that she could keep it.
After Tang Ning left, he didn't see the bird and thought it had also met with misfortune. But today, when he suddenly saw the bluebird again, his eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.
"Chirp chirp, come here."
He Lanruo called out in a hoarse voice.
But to his surprise, it would have been better if he hadn't called out. As soon as he did, the bluebird immediately flapped its little wings and flew forward without looking back.
Having already lost Tang Ning, He Lanruo was unwilling to lose the bird they used to communicate. For a moment, he disregarded everything else and chased after it. The more he chased, the more remote the path became, to the point that it could hardly be called a path anymore. But the bird seemed to have a spirit; when he caught up, it continued to fly forward, and when he stopped, it stopped as well, perched on a branch in front of him, tilting its little head and looking at him.
Seeing this, Helan Ruo immediately understood that the bird was clearly guiding him.
But this is the imperial palace, where is it leading him?
Could it be that he knows someone in the palace?
Even with these thoughts in mind, Helan Ruo continued to follow the bluebird, not for any other reason than to bring it back.
But to his surprise, as he brushed aside the grass and branches in front of him, the view suddenly opened up, and the birds stopped flying.
“I already told you we don’t need blankets or cotton padding, yet you still made a special trip.”
A familiar voice suddenly rang in Helan Ruo's ears, catching him completely off guard.
Helan Ruo's eyes widened suddenly. Just as he was wondering if he was dreaming or even hallucinating, he heard the energetic voice of his maid Chunmian again.
"Yes, yes, the weather is still a bit chilly. Miss, you've never been in good health and need to be well taken care of. I'll head back to Weiyang Palace now."
"Um."
Tang Ning smiled and responded, then continued to admire the flowers in front of her.
But after a short while, she heard footsteps behind her again. Hearing this, Tang Ning, who was stroking the white cat in her arms, turned around with a helpless expression. "Did you get lost again? Or did you forget something?"
Then, upon seeing the person behind her with bloodshot eyes, her smile froze on her lips.
"Tang... Ning..."
She heard someone behind her call out to her in a trembling voice.
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