Chapter 92 The one crying...
At this moment, waiting at the wellhead was Jiang Taolue, who had returned at some unknown time.
Jiang Taolue received a letter from his father after the border general who had entrusted him with acting duties recovered from his illness and was relieved of his responsibilities. He then rushed back to the capital day and night.
After seeing the Crown Prince and the others jump out of the well, the man hiding in the bushes did not immediately stop them, simply because Wei Xichen was carrying someone who was not unfamiliar to Jiang Taolue.
The plump old man with graying temples, whose face was always full of smile lines, no longer smiled.
He closed his eyes, as if he had fallen asleep.
Jiang Taolue was a military general who had witnessed too many life-and-death separations and was all too familiar with the difference between "sleep" and sleep.
The shrewd and cunning head steward of the Eastern Palace closed his eyes, never to wake again.
"General?" a subordinate asked in a low voice, "Should we...?"
"Shh!"
Before he could finish speaking, a spear thrust at him.
The wind rustles the grass, startling the snake.
Jiang Taolue gripped the spear with his bare hands and challenged the man in black who thrust it out with a contest of strength.
These men in black were the last guards left to Wei Xichen by the Dong family. Each of them was exceptionally skilled, but they were not desperate criminals who intended to perish together with him. Their mission was to escort Wei Xichen away from the court and prevent him from being captured alive.
The two groups started fighting.
Jiang Taolue kicked aside the men in black and headed straight for Wei Xichen, who was carrying Fu Zhongcai on his back.
"Surrender."
A man in black rushed over and stood in front of Wei Xichen, using the force of his sword to force Jiang Taolue back. He said urgently, "Your Highness, run!"
Wei Xichen carried Fu Zhongcai and quickly darted into a grove of trees. The chaotic sounds of fighting behind him gradually subsided, and his white clothes became dirty, no longer spotless.
Once he had completely shaken off the pursuing soldiers, he leaned against an old tree, panting heavily, never having been so disheveled.
No, he was just as badly injured in the assassination attempt four years ago, but Jiang Yinyue was even worse off.
The little tabby cat inside the sleeve was startled and kept crying out, just like the helpless sobs of the girl from that year.
"Brother Crown Prince, hold on, don't faint."
"I'm so scared, Crown Prince, Niannian is scared."
Yet that helpless girl, after he fainted, single-handedly lured away the assassins, giving him a chance to survive.
The more sincere a person is, the more resolutely they will turn away after being betrayed. It's not that they are heartless, but that they have been hurt too deeply by indifference.
His smooth-sailing life took a turn the moment she turned away, and the boomerang of betrayal pierced his heart.
The old illness relapsed.
He pulled the hairpin from his hair bun, held it in his hand, and pressed it against his throat.
"Meow."
The tabby cat, peeking out from the sleeve, leaned close to the man who had collapsed, clutching his chest. Its bright, watery eyes revealed confusion and helplessness.
It kept calling.
She looks just like Jiang Yinyue back then.
Wei Xichen loosened his grip on the hairpin, suppressed his discomfort, sat up, held it in his arms, and stroked it to comfort him, "It's alright."
The old man he had placed aside fell down the tree trunk, his body becoming increasingly stiff.
Wei Xichen's tears fell silently.
He was powerless to reverse the situation, and at his wit's end, he lost all support, causing his mental defenses to crumble.
One group of pursuers after another arrived, surrounding the woods in layers.
Wei Qin walked to the front of the group and stood shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Taolue, who was already standing outside the woods. He did not question Jiang Taolue about why he had not made a move.
Even if childhood friends break off their friendship, they may still retain a trace of nostalgia.
In Jiang Taolue's view, Wei Xichen, who was besieged, was like a caged beast, unable to escape, and he wanted to give him some dignity.
Jiang Taolue remained silent for a long time, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wei Qin and walked into the woods.
Jiang Song stood outside the human wall, not paying much attention to the commotion in the woods. He paced alone, hands behind his back, reminiscing about the past. The beginning and end of relationships are all about sincerity.
People should always be sincere.
Wei Xichen's insincerity destroyed the genuine bond between father and daughter. Wei Qin's sincerity preserved their true friendship.
The cunning and shrewd minister chuckled. Sincerity may not guarantee a perfect ending, but it is enough to prolong the relationship.
Jiang Taolue walked out of the woods, his dark hair, which was tied in a silver crown, was a little messy, and there was a bruise on his cheekbone. No matter who asked, he only said "it's nothing".
He walked up to Wei Qin and whispered in his ear the three conditions proposed by Wei Xichen.
"First, give Fu Zhongcai a proper burial. Second, do not separate him from his tabby cat. Third, let him see Niannian one last time."
Wei Qin blinked lightly, turned around and mounted his horse. "The third condition depends on Miss's wishes."
"Miss..." Amidst the sound of horses' hooves, Jiang Taolue realized that this was Wei Qin's private way of addressing his younger sister. Now, by using it openly, he was emphasizing his status as a son-in-law.
Jiang Taolue shook his head and led his men back into the woods.
Cao Angui was the first to run into the woods, rushing to Fu Zhongcai's side. He touched him briefly and quickly curled his fingers.
The old palm print slowly squatted down, relieving an indescribable feeling.
Fu Zhongcai was the younger generation he admired; he was brave and resourceful, mature and steady, and a man of great loyalty.
They were eunuchs, often cursed as a group of heartless and ungrateful castrated men. But castrated men also have feelings, and their heartlessness and ungratefulness are not determined by whether they are physically healthy or not.
Cao Angui summoned two guards, who together lifted Fu Zhongcai onto a stretcher. "Take him away and give him a proper burial."
Hearing the sound, Wei Xichen, who had been sitting blankly to the side, got up and bid farewell to his old friend on his final journey.
Cao Angui composed himself and turned to say, "Please, Your Highness."
Wei Xichen pulled his sleeves up to hide the little tabby cat so as not to frighten the little guy. He took a step and realized that his steps were heavy, as if he was bound by invisible chains.
As he passed Jiang Song and his son, he asked, "May I make one more request?"
Having learned the first three conditions from his son, Jiang Song nodded. "Your Highness, please tell me."
“Every few days, please send a few books into the Ministry of Justice’s prison.”
Jiang Song pursed his lips and tacitly agreed to the request.
After the woods returned to quiet, Jiang Song stretched and patted Jiang Taolue on the shoulder, "Come with your father to pick up Niannian."
"Someone beat us to it."
Jiang Song gazed in one direction, where he could vaguely see hoofprints on the ground. He took his son's arm and said, "A gentleman should help others achieve their goals; let lovers reunite first."
"Father is so magnanimous. Aren't my son and Hongmei lovers?"
Jiang Song coughed twice. "Then go ahead."
Jiang Taolue stopped instead and murmured, "When two people are in love, what does it matter if they are together day and night?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Song shook his arm.
As dawn broke, a man and a horse galloped along a winding path lined with forsythia blossoms, heading straight for a thatched cottage nestled among peach trees and willows.
A woman with rosy lips and a fair complexion sat in the winding path, chatting idly with Hong Mei.
A gentle stream flows around them, reflecting their images.
"hiss!"
The wind howled.
One of the women suddenly stood up, the shimmering water reflecting in her clear eyes. She lifted her skirt, crossed the stream, and galloped towards a man and a horse.
The loneliness of the deep night fades away, revealing the beautiful scenery of the mountains; she is a vibrant touch of spring.
"Wei Qin!"
He came; he didn't break his promise.
Waking up in Hong Mei's arms, Jiang Yinyue guessed the reason without asking. She didn't make a fuss or blame anyone, and patiently waited there.
But I was still uneasy.
Wei Qin dismounted his horse and strode towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Two figures intertwined.
"Where are Father and Brother?"
"They're waiting for us."
Jiang Yinyue breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Wei Qin tightly.
The verdant mountains and gentle breeze soothed Jiang Yinyue's fluctuating emotions, and she completely relaxed in Wei Qin's arms.
Her soft body was kneaded by a pair of iron arms, wrinkling her clothes.
The couple did not engage in any intimate behavior while embracing; they simply pressed closer together, feeling each other's body temperature and presence.
The vines of longing twisted together, entwining their hearts, and they were willing to guard their hearts for each other.
Hong Mei, who was standing by the stream, left silently. Dozens of guards also went about their own business, all pretending to be very busy.
Wei Qin looked up from the woman's cloud-like hair and noticed that several figures were moving away from them.
He looked at Jiang Yinyue, who was now in a tender and charming state, cupped her face, and rubbed it with his thumb, increasing the pressure.
Still basking in the joy of their reunion, Jiang Yinyue slowly realized something, but she was no longer as embarrassed as before. She stood on tiptoe and kissed the stunned man.
With her almond-shaped eyes crinkling and a smile playing on her lips, she boldly left her kiss mark on the man's lips.
Jiang Yinyue's proactive approach flattered Wei Qin.
He held her face, leaned forward, and deepened the kiss.
Lips and teeth intertwine, tongue dances.
The stream water transformed into a vintage wine, its aroma intoxicating the men and women who were there.
Wei Qin still had the blood of the rebels on his body. He took off his outer garment and threw it aside, then picked up the woman, whose face was flushed and who could no longer hold on, and pressed her against a tree trunk by the stream.
The soft sounds of kisses mingled with the babbling of a stream.
"It's time to keep the promise you made to me, Miss."
"Hmm?"
Jiang Yinyue, still dazed from the kiss, made a suspicious, soft, and sweet sound that amused Wei Qin.
Wei Qin held her waist and pulled her into his arms, letting her hear his heartbeat.
Thump, thump, thump, the tension threw me off track.
"Miss, will you accept Wei Yihe's marriage proposal?"
Wei Qin asked softly, not knowing whether he was afraid of startling her or that he was too nervous.
Jiang Yinyue raised her head and lazily bumped her chin against his chest.
Wei Qin was all too familiar with that cheeky, spoiled look.
"Miss?"
"Let me think about it."
Wei Qin looked away, his taut jawline flowing smoothly and gracefully.
Jiang Yinyue admired it for a while, then tugged at his sleeve with a grin, "Are you angry?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Jiang Yinyue shifted sideways, stepping out from between Wei Qin and the tree trunk, squatted down by the stream, scooped up a handful of water, and gestured for Wei Qin to squat down beside her.
Wei Qin walked over and did as instructed, his face getting wet with water.
It feels cool and refreshing.
Jiang Yinyue took out a handkerchief and wiped his face. Suddenly, she softened her tone and said, "I will not break my promise. As for you, focus on the coronation ceremony and do not disappoint your confidants."
Wei Qin didn't respond, waiting for her to continue, vaguely sensing that her next words would concern his fortune in this life.
"I want a coronation ceremony, a one and only coronation ceremony that belongs to you."
Jiang Yinyue raised her chin, a hint of pride and certainty in her expression.
She wanted to be his only queen.
Wei Qin suddenly felt a lump in his throat; he knew why Jiang Yinyue had wiped his face. She wanted him to be clear-headed and give a calm and collected answer.
"Whether it's Wei Yihe or Wei Qin, they both belong to Miss, and only to Miss."
In the past, in order to prevent outsiders from discovering their secret marriage, he only called her "Miss" in private. Now, he can call her "Miss" without any worries.
He was her one and only man.
**
In the spring of the twenty-third year of Shunren's reign, the new emperor Wei Yihe ascended the throne and changed the era name to Sheng'an.
In the early summer of the first year of the Sheng'an era, Jiang Song, the Minister of Justice, was promoted to Grand Secretary.
The Jiang family is blessed with double happiness.
The soon-to-be empress rested her chin on her hand, leaning against the window of her boudoir, recalling the promise her father had made years ago.
The son-in-law I, Jiang Song, have chosen will surely rise to fame and soar to great heights!
Jiang Yinyue smiled silently, resting her head on her arm. Her father would have something to brag about in the future.
"What are you laughing at?"
Lost in her memories, Jiang Yinyue shrank back in surprise at the voice behind her. "When did you arrive?"
The man in the dragon robe stopped, bent down and stretched out his arms to support her on both sides, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I've been here for a while now."
Why did you stay so quiet?
Wei Qin kissed her raised forehead. At that moment, he stood downstairs, gazing at Jiang Yinyue, who was smiling by the window, for a long time.
What Jiang Yinyue didn't know was that their first meeting took place under similar circumstances.
At that moment, she leaned against the window of the pleasure boat and silently shed tears.
He happened to pass by the shore and noticed the scene.
For some reason, he felt an inexplicable urge to wipe away her tears.
The story of their marriage unfolded a dramatic and tumultuous chapter over four years. After many twists and turns, the weeping girl finally met the right person and stopped crying for someone unworthy.
Before the window of the small building, a man and a woman nestled together, admiring the bright red pomegranate blossoms outside. Their fingers were intertwined, a testament to their commitment to each other.
To be there for each other.
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Author's note: Congratulations to my father-in-law on becoming the Grand Secretary!
The main story is finished! An extra chapter will be updated tomorrow!
50 small red envelopes~
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