Chapter 78 Cohabiting Branches "I am still... the most suitable for you."...
The emperor was assassinated?
Is there no one else in the court? Is it necessary for someone like Xie Qinghe, who is bedridden and far away in Changzhou, to rush back to preside over the government?
While frowning and calculating, Ning Lu quickened her pace towards the main house.
Although she had sworn to Xie Qinghe that she really couldn't go back, he didn't say it, but he became even more clingy. Occasionally, when she was away for a while, he would send people to look for her several times.
His afternoon nap is especially precious. Not only do I not have to worry about him, but he always sleeps for half an hour, and then he can still play to his heart's content.
It's not a big deal if he finds out; Xie Qinghe is easy to coax, and a few nice words will make it all go away.
However, he has always been a light sleeper, and when he occasionally wakes up, he inevitably experiences palpitations and shortness of breath.
Ning Lu channeled her inner strength and quickened her pace, arriving at the main house in the blink of an eye.
The dormitory was empty, and the study room door was tightly shut.
The atmosphere is off.
Turning her head, Ning Lu saw Wei Zhan leading Cen Wei quickly approaching, and her expression became even more solemn.
Following the etiquette taught by Qinghuai, he curtsied to the visitor. Cen Wei looked surprised and immediately returned the greeting with a bow.
He also received the news and rushed over, still unaware of what was going on. When he saw Ning Lu waiting at the door, he couldn't help but ask.
"What happened?"
Ning Lu opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated, realizing she was being cautious, and shook her head in apology.
"I don't know either. Since he invited an adult, he will probably tell you in person."
Wei Zhan stood half a step behind them and couldn't help but glance at Ning Lu again.
This woman had inexplicably become more composed at some point.
Cen Wei was upright and not good at unnecessary small talk.
After the two looked at each other and nodded, an awkward silence fell over the air.
Before long, the door opened from the inside, and the dusty-looking Imperial Guards quickly withdrew.
Upon seeing who it was, Cen Wei immediately realized something was amiss. Without waiting for Wei Zhan's permission, he rushed inside with a solemn expression.
Before Ning Lu could react, the door slammed heavily on her nose.
Helplessly, he touched his nose, turned around slightly, found a chair, and sat down by the door.
In ancient times, sound insulation was poor, and she had excellent hearing.
Cen Wei was full of energy, and his words clearly reached her ears.
There's no difference between inside and outside.
Ning exposed his eyes to his nose, then his nose to his mouth, quietly eavesdropping.
“There’s something strange about this. The palace is heavily guarded. What kind of person, what kind of audacity, would dare to lay a hand on His Majesty?”
"If this was done by Prince Jing's men, isn't that incredibly audacious? To dare to devise such a plan, they must command at least a thousand troops."
"Furthermore, you've been nominally appointed Grand Secretary in the capital, but you haven't actually been formally appointed. Those old foxes are all eyeing you covetously. Would they really give you such a good opportunity to govern in your place?"
Ning Lu sat by the door, unable to hear what Xie Qinghe was saying, but she could clearly sense that Cen Wei's voice was getting louder and louder.
"You got Fang Hong out and put him in Pingcheng. Do you think that's a small thing? No matter how bad things are between you and Fang Hong, no matter how cold the Xie family is to you, they are still your Xie family."
"It's hard to guarantee that no one will think you're trying to win over old officials and are just waiting to be reported back and receive your title."
He was still rough and straightforward, with a simple honesty that expressed disappointment, but he was different from his previous imperious manner, showing more of annoyance and worry as an older brother.
She twisted the hem of her skirt between her legs and held her breath slightly.
What worried her even more than these things was that she could hardly hear Xie Qinghe's voice.
That guy isn't fully recovered yet; it's really worrying.
As if to confirm her guess, intermittent low coughs came from inside, and Cen Wei immediately fell silent, his tone filled with worry and tension.
Are you alright?
"Look at you, let alone whether you can withstand the long journey, even if you go back, fighting with those old men will be enough to give you a hard time."
The coughing continued intermittently. Ning Lu stood up and moved two steps toward the door.
I didn't get a chance to hear what they said next.
Suddenly, the door was flung open, and Cen Wei rushed out in a fit of rage.
Upon seeing her standing guard at the door, the man stopped in his tracks, one foot still inside the room and the other outside. He turned to look into the room, then glanced at Ning Lu, and pointed directly at Xie Qinghe.
“Miss Ning, his endless scheming and reckless actions are like someone who tries to snatch chestnuts from the fire; he's unlikely to live a long life. I advise you to carefully consider whether this person is worthy of your lifelong commitment!”
"He is probably not a good person!"
Ning Lu was taken aback, amused by Cen Wei's sudden childish remarks. She exchanged a smile with Wei Zhan, who was equally dumbfounded beside her, and nodded slightly, indicating that they should see the guests out.
Watching the two of them walk away, she tilted her head and leaned out to look into the house.
Just as she expected.
The man leaned back in the rosewood chair, the weariness between his brows still lingering, and a faint purple blush spreading across his lips.
His well-defined fingers were clasped together in front of his chest, and he closed his eyes and breathed heavily.
She turned and closed the door, then slowly walked to his side, placing her fingertips on his temples and gently massaging them in circles.
"Look at you like this, I really need to think carefully about what Lord Cen said."
Xie Qinghe frowned deeply, reached out and grasped her fingertips, his voice muffled.
"He's the kind of person who...speaks recklessly when he's angry...you can't believe him completely."
"I think there's some truth to that."
Before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain shot through his hand.
Ning Lu looked down and saw that the man was frowning and panting heavily, and he was still biting her wrist.
"Xie Qinghe, what are you doing?"
"Unless I'm dead, don't even think about anyone else."
His tone was weak and lacked strength, making him utterly intimidating.
"Someone like you think you can threaten me?"
Unable to suppress a laugh, he opened his mouth to retort, only to see Xie Qinghe struggling to sit up straight by supporting himself on his side.
"With your reckless and trouble-making nature, no one in Jiang Guo can protect you forever except me."
"You still have the emperor above you."
“He has three palaces and six concubines, you won’t like him. I am the best match for you.”
She squeezed herself onto Xie Qinghe's chair armrest, leaning against him for support, while fiddling with the animal fur on his collar and listening to his glib talk.
She was easily swayed by gentle persuasion but not by force. She couldn't stand Xie Qinghe's smug and arrogant demeanor, and her conditioned reflex was to start a verbal argument with him, but then she realized that wasn't right.
"Xie Qinghe, you old fox, you didn't actually plan this all along, did you?"
Are you trying to play the "entrust your child to someone" game with her?
She grabbed Xie Qinghe by the collar, and he groaned in pain. He looked up at her with misty eyes, still wearing a sly smile, which made Ning Lu feel uneasy.
"Let me tell you, I hate this kind of plot the most. Even if something really happens to you, I don't need anyone to take care of me; I'll be fine on my own."
Xie Qinghe tilted his head, gesturing for her to continue.
"Then I can definitely become a rich woman on my own, travel all over the world, do business and open my own shows, and then find several male concubines to serve me wherever I go, of all kinds, to take turns serving me."
Catching a glint in her eyes and the silent swallowing of saliva, Xie Qinghe felt an even deeper ache in his chest.
He tightened his grip on her wrist slightly, his handsome face revealing his displeasure. He pursed his lips and sighed helplessly.
"I'll try my best to live as long as possible."
This girl is reckless and heartless.
If he had been careless and died young, she probably would have forgotten him long ago.
Upon hearing this, Ning Lu's smile widened.
The results were good, and she was very satisfied.
The bear hugged his thin body, its gaze sweeping over the still-wet ink stains on the table, its eyes dimming, and gently rubbed the fur on his shoulder.
"If you continue to work so tirelessly day and night, it will be very difficult for you."
Xie Qinghe did not deny it, but simply stroked the back of her hand with his cold fingertips.
First, he smoothed away the faint bite marks at the base of her thumb, then he grasped her fingertips and repeatedly rubbed the thin calluses on her fingertips.
A tingling, itchy sensation, ambiguous yet tender.
Ning Lu lightly tapped his earlobe: "Don't try that on me."
Which set?
"To retreat in order to advance, to play dumb to catch a tiger."
"Yes, I am a pig."
Amused by him, she couldn't help but glare at him, then stood up and reached out to massage his shoulders to help him relax.
The weariness between her brows deepened, and Xie Qinghe silently slumped down beside her.
"The Emperor has been assassinated, and I must return to the capital. Ning Lulu, would you... be willing to come with me?"
When do we depart?
"First thing tomorrow morning."
Ning Lu didn't speak, unconsciously pursing her lips.
These past few nights, he has been in so much pain that he can't sleep and can't move. When he wakes up in the morning, he is also short of breath and feels suffocated. It's really tough for him.
In the silence, Xie Qinghe's breathing gradually became rapid, and he coughed intermittently.
She placed her palm on his back and couldn't help but ask the question she had wanted to say for a long time.
"Is this official position absolutely necessary?"
Her tone was mournful, and her expression was disdainful: "The position of Grand Secretary sounds very difficult."
"Besides, I think I can support you even if you don't become an official."
The curve of Xie Qinghe's lips became more and more pronounced, his eyebrows arched, and he nodded.
"I know."
“I see you lived quite comfortably in Zhujia’ao before, you must have enjoyed a peaceful life.”
After thinking carefully for a while, Xie Qinghe nodded again, even more solemnly.
He took a deep breath, smiled gently, and said softly, "Give me some more time to take care of some things, okay?"
"real?"
This time, Xie Qinghe didn't nod; he simply watched quietly.
Pian Ninglu could read it instantly; her eyes seemed to be filled with countless stars, and her whole face radiated a dazzling light.
"Great! Of course!" she immediately added, "In that case, I can go back to the capital with you. I can help you!"
He chuckled helplessly and gripped her sleeve tightly.
He should have realized long ago that the high walls and deep courtyards of this place could not imprison the birds from another world.
"However, Xie Qinghe, I think Lord Cen is right. Someone who dares to take action against even the Emperor must have already gone all out. Wouldn't it be dangerous for you to go back like this?"
"Besides, they can even get into the palace, so their lightness skill must be even better than mine?"
Ning Lu stood up, hands on her hips, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Are you scared?
"I'm not afraid at all." With that, Ning Lu rolled up her sleeves and pretended to show him her muscles: "Don't let my playful nature fool you, I've never slacked off in my training."
"Xie Qinghe, I will protect your life." In the end, she did not forget to remind him: "But dating is one thing, but your salary cannot be reduced."
"good."
Xie Qinghe leaned on the table and slowly rose, walking leisurely: "What is dating?"
"Dating is like this—for us."
She took Xie Qinghe's arm, intertwined her fingers with his, and gently shook it twice.
Seeing the smile on his face dispel the gloom, Ning Lu breathed a silent sigh of relief.
He placed a large hand on the top of her head, as if to reassure her, and explained softly.
"The court was in turmoil, and Cen Wei was honest and straightforward. Therefore, the full picture could not be revealed."
"I know what I'm doing, don't worry."
Ning Lu glanced at her sideways and let out a soft hum.
"You don't believe me?"
"letter."
Yeah, right.
The more she learned about him, the more afraid she became.
This person loves to get involved in anything, regardless of the consequences or their own feelings.
She lifted the clothes off his arm, revealing his fair wrist that had finally subsided from swelling, and Ning Lu took a big bite.
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Author's note: The cover has been changed, so don't get lost!
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