Chapter 46 Don’t worry after you sleep, it’s okay.
The night is deep, as thick as ink that cannot be dissolved.
The bleak night wind quietly sneaked into the house through the gaps in the window lattices, bringing a hint of coolness and gently lifting the gauze curtains by the window.
Shen Xingwan stood stubbornly by the window, the cold moonlight falling on her slender shoulders.
The night wind blew through the strands of hair on her forehead, concealing the slight anger in her eyes. She frowned and looked at Yan Jinghuan like an enraged little beast.
Yan Jinghuan was stunned for a moment, and then he suddenly realized that his analysis of the situation might be too cold and ruthless in the eyes of the little girl, hurting her compassionate heart.
His expression softened and he tried to hold her hand, but Shen Xingwan rolled her eyes at him and put her hands behind her back, refusing to let him touch her at all.
Yan Jinghuan chuckled helplessly, his smile full of pampering and indulgence, as if he was looking at a willful child.
Without the slightest hesitation, he reached out his hand again, and gently but without giving her the chance to retreat, he put his arm around Shen Xingwan's waist, and with a little force, he lifted her onto his lap.
Shen Xingwan struggled slightly, and Yan Jinghuan tightened his arms and hugged her.
His arms were warm and strong. She could not struggle. She was like a trapped bird, flapping her wings in vain and could only glare at him hatefully.
Yan Jinghuan gently stroked her back, his warm big palm moving from the back of her neck to her slender waist again and again, with great patience, as if he was soothing a frightened deer.
"Okay, I'm not angry anymore."
He coaxed her in a low voice, with a gentle tone she had never heard before, "Since you don't want this to happen, then this thing will never happen."
"I'll think of a way to prevent her from marrying off." His voice was low, like the gentlest spring breeze, carrying a hint of warmth, gently brushing across Shen Xingwan's soft heart.
She was slightly startled, then slowly raised her head and looked at Yan Jinghuan. The stubbornness in her eyes gradually faded, and a hint of expectation emerged.
After taking a look at him, Shen Xingwan frowned again and asked him doubtfully, "Just because you say you can't do it, does that mean you can't do it?"
"When two countries go to war, the situation is very complicated and turbulent. How can you easily control it by yourself?"
As she was talking, she suddenly seemed to think of something and glanced at him angrily, "Even if we don't send Princess Guang'an, if we still use the same method of selecting a royal family girl to be canonized as a princess and sent to marry, wouldn't it be the same old thing?"
"Just because they are not as noble as princesses, can their lives be replaced at will and they have to endure the pain of marrying far away in a foreign country?"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, and tears welled up in her eyes, as if she hated all the injustice in the world.
Yan Jinghuan stared at her quietly, his eyes like a bottomless cold pond, filled with pity.
He didn't answer immediately, but hugged her tighter, reaching out his hand again and gently stroking her back.
After she calmed down a little, he slowly spoke, "Now that I know what you are thinking, how can I easily ruin another woman's life?"
"Just leave this matter to me."
His voice was gentle but firm, like a bright light in the dark night.
Shen Xingwan looked at him. His eyes were clear and he also looked into her eyes calmly, without any intention of pretending.
Suddenly, as if touched by something, Shen Xingwan felt a pain in the tip of her nose and couldn't help but fall into his arms.
She didn't know how he would solve the problem, but how could she not know that it was extremely difficult.
She had not expected him to help her. After all, from his perspective as regent, marriage was the least costly way to quell the war.
But he actually took on this difficult task.
Shen Xingwan didn't dare to think about what he would do and what kind of questioning and accusations he would face from both the government and the public.
Everything was silent, except for the occasional chirping of insects outside the window, which seemed particularly clear in the quiet night.
Yan Jinghuan and Shen Xingwan slept in each other's arms. Shen Xingwan curled up in his arms, feeling the warmth of his chest and hearing his gradually even breathing.
However, she had no sleepiness at all. She was very worried about Princess Guang'an and wondered if she and Concubine De would also have a sleepless night.
She frowned, feeling as if there was a fog lingering in her heart.
Why is this marriage so strange?
She pondered secretly, and doubt spread wildly in her mind like a vine.
Tang Lin'er's provocative look during the day is still vivid in my mind.
Tang Lin'er's cunning eyes clearly showed that she had noticed Princess Guang'an's feelings for Shen Yunchao, and in the blink of an eye, the Queen Mother decided to send Princess Guang'an to marry.
Lu Yuzhi died suddenly, Tang Lin'er was suddenly named Crown Princess, and now Princess Guang'an was sent to marry...
These seemingly unrelated things kept circling in Shen Xingwan's mind.
Are these things related?
She bit her lips unconsciously, almost making them bleed. She tossed and turned, with her mind full of thoughts like a tangled mess.
Until the sky outside the window gradually turned pale and a hint of dawn appeared, she still couldn't figure out what was going on and didn't feel sleepy at all. She just stared at the ceiling of the bed with her eyes open.
Yan Jinghuan beside him moved a little, as if he was about to wake up. Shen Xingwan was afraid that he would worry, so he quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Yan Jinghuan woke up and looked down at Shen Xingwan in his arms. The little girl closed her eyes tightly, and her long eyelashes trembled uncontrollably like the flapping wings of a butterfly.
He understood that the little girl was worried and could not sleep all night.
A gentle smile appeared on his lips, and he leaned down to gently kiss her forehead.
"Go to sleep, don't worry." He murmured softly, "It's okay."
Afterwards, Yan Jinghuan stood up gently, trying his best to avoid waking up the "sleeping" Shen Xingwan.
The door was gently closed and Shen Xingwan slowly opened his eyes.
She stood up gently, put on a coat, and walked to the window. Looking at the sky outside which was gradually getting brighter, she silently thought that she might have to start with Tang Lin'er.
The first ray of sunlight in the morning shone on her, casting a soft glow on her slightly tired cheeks.
She thought about it and felt that Tang Lin'er must be a key breakthrough.
Hearing the noise, several maids gently pushed open the door and came in one after another, their steps as light as kittens, ready to help her wash.
Shen Xingwan raised her hand slightly and dismissed the maids, leaving only Feiyun.
She asked Feiyun: "Can you still find the doctor who knew the origin of Tang Lin'er's snowflake arsenic?"
"Of course I can." Feiyun twisted the hot towel and agreed casually: "He runs a clinic in the west of the city. The monk can escape but the temple cannot. What do you want to see him for, young lady?"
"Go find him for me, and follow his lead to find out about Tang Lin'er's background."
In the past, Shen Xingwan only knew that Tang Lin'er was a concubine's daughter of the Tang family.
A few years ago, something unexpected happened to the Tang family. Overnight, Tang Lin'er's parents, aunt and elder sister all died. She was the only orphan who survived.
But what kind of accident was it and how did they die, Shen Xingwan's father and mother have always been very secretive and never wanted to mention it.
Over the years, no one had ever asked about it for fear of hurting Tang Lin'er's feelings.
But things are different now. Shen Xingwan must get to know this sister who has been with her for several years but has always been unpredictable.
Feiyun nodded slightly, with alertness in his intelligent eyes, just like a clever little fox.
She knew the seriousness of the matter, bowed respectfully, and said softly: "Miss, don't worry, I will do my best."
Feiyun was smart and could understand Shen Xingwan's meaning without much explanation. Shen Xingwan believed that she could do it well, so she stopped talking, closed her eyes tiredly and leaned back on the armchair, letting Feiyun hold the sandalwood comb to tie her hair.
After she finished washing up, Feiyun changed her into a plain and elegant palace dress with a fresh and refined orchid embroidered on the moon-white collar.
Seeing that she didn't look well, she applied some light powder on her to cover up the dark circles and fatigue under her eyes.
But no matter how she tried to cover it up, she couldn't hide her worried expression.
After Shen Xingwan got dressed, she hurried out of the Regent's Palace, got on the carriage, and sped all the way to the palace.
After entering the palace, she went straight to Changchun Palace. Aunt Chun from Concubine De's palace was already waiting at the door, pacing back and forth anxiously.
As soon as she saw Shen Xingwan, she hurriedly came forward from a distance, bowed slightly and saluted, "Princess, you are finally here, please come in."
Shen Xingwan didn't bother to exchange pleasantries and asked her anxiously, "How is the princess now? Is she okay?"
Aunt Chun sighed and shook her head helplessly, her eyes full of worry, "Alas, the princess locked herself in her room, refused to eat, refused to see anyone, and drove all the palace servants out, and no one was allowed to approach her."
"The Empress Defei tried to persuade the princess for a long time in the room, but the princess would not listen to anything. The Empress Defei cried until she was exhausted and was just helped back to the bedroom to rest."
After hearing this, Shen Xingwan felt sad and her eyes became tearful. She bit her lip and said, "I'll go see her." After that, she lifted her skirt and hurried to Princess Guang'an's room.
Before they even got close to the door, they heard the sound of cups falling to the ground and breaking. Princess Guang'an was furious: "Everyone, get out! Go away!"
Then, there were the sounds of palace maids being scolded and hurriedly retreating.
Shen Xingwan was slightly startled, looked at the frightened palace maids who were helplessly driven out, and gave them a look to signal them to retreat first.
She took the food box from the little palace maid, reached out to feel it, and found it was still warm, so she gently opened the door, walked in quietly with soft steps.
The room was dimly lit, the windows were closed, and the heavy curtains were all drawn, almost completely blocking out the sunlight outside. Only a few faint rays of light filtered through the cracks, like a ray of hope in the darkness.
Princess Guang'an sat on the edge of the couch, her black hair disheveled and her eyes empty, as if she had lost her soul.
Her eyes were red and swollen like rotten peaches, her palm-sized face was covered with tear marks, and she looked extremely haggard, like a flower that was about to wither before it could fully bloom.
Shen Xingwan's heart tightened and he couldn't help but quicken his pace and walked forward.
Princess Guang'an raised her eyes and saw Shen Xingwan coming in. She was stunned at first, and then tears rolled down her eyes like beads from a broken string.
She covered her face, turned away, and cried, "Who let you in? Get out! I don't want to see anyone!"
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