Seven-Day Appointment
An afternoon may sound like a long time, but although Wei Lan looks cold, he is actually very interesting when telling stories. At least Jiang Jingyuan listened with great interest and expressionless face.
Perhaps it was Rong Hou's intention that Wei Lan focused more on talking about some experiences, and the content in the book seemed to be incidental - this was more of a reminder for Jiang Jingyuan to ask again if there was anything he didn't understand after reading the book.
At dusk, Wei Lan put down his book, looked into Jiang Jingyuan's eyes with a calm and solemn gaze, and asked, "Your Highness, if you were about to go to a dangerous place and someone asked you to cooperate with them, how would you judge their words? Would you cooperate with them?"
This question is asking, is it too specific?
Jiang Jingyuan paused, then spoke calmly, "Remember his words, actions, and clothing. Don't immediately judge whether his words are true or not. Pretend to hesitate and see his reaction: disappointment, reluctance, or hesitation..."
"but--
"None of the above has a direct bearing on whether or not to trust him, nor does it directly affect whether or not to cooperate..."
Hearing this, Wei Lan's eyes moved slightly, and he nodded for her to continue.
"It's important to judge their strength and whether they harbor malicious intent," Jiang Jingyuan said. "Those who are too weak or too strong are not suitable for cooperation. Those whose strength is comparable to yours, or who can even be subtly suppressed, are the best partners. Regardless of whether they harbor malicious intent, you can remain vigilant and travel with them for the time being."
"It has nothing to do with whether the other party is lying or not."
"If they're good, stay vigilant and cooperate. If they're evil, they can explore the way for me and replenish resources. If their malice stems from their own connection to this dangerous place, then that's a clue and a breakthrough," Jiang Jingyuan concluded calmly. "If they're too weak and only hold us back, don't bring them along. If they're too strong, avoid them. But if we're truly trapped, we can choose to cooperate with them and take the risk."
She paused, then added, "The actual situation is ever-changing, making it difficult to fully apply."
Wei Lan nodded, looking away from Jiang Jingyuan's eyes, and said, "That's enough."
Jiang Jingyuan nodded slightly.
But Wei Lan had no intention of discussing further. He stood up slowly and bowed to take his leave.
"Your Highness Jing Yuan, that's all for today."
Jiang Jingyuan did not ask any questions, but nodded calmly, watching the figure with even the strands of black hair and clothes that were very steady and orderly slowly exit the hall.
Immediately, the palace maids filed in and lit candlesticks one after another. In the bright light, dishes were placed one after another on the round table. Jiang Jingyuan sat down, and just as his fingers touched the chopsticks, he heard the sound of the palace door opening again. He looked up and saw the young man in white rushing in.
Jiang Jingjian sighed wearily, his face thick with tiredness. He sat down and began to pour out his thoughts to Jiang Jingyuan, "Yesterday morning, two gentlemen, one civil and one military, came to see me with the Queen Mother's message. That's why I didn't have time to come and see you. How was your day? I think it will be the same from now on. Do you want to come to class with me?"
Oh...it turns out that Queen Rong invited teachers for both of them...Jiang Jingyuan understood.
No, wait...
Jiang Jingyuan paused again after picking up the chopsticks.
Jiang Jingjian said this, seemingly unaware that two gentlemen, one literary and one martial, had come to her side, and he hadn't even heard of Jiang Jingzong and Jiang Jinghui's visit yesterday?
Jiang Jingyuan ate calmly.
She was wondering why Jiang Jingzong and Jiang Jinghui had been here for so long yesterday and hadn't seen Jiang Jingjian. Jiang Jingjian hadn't even let anyone know. It wasn't like before when he wouldn't let her be alone with outsiders. It turned out he had no idea...
The young man in white opposite raised his eyes and saw that she had her eyes downcast, as if she was thinking. He did not rush to disturb her and continued to eat.
And Jiang Jingyuan was indeed thinking.
When she realized Jiang Jingjian wasn't fully informed about her situation, her first reaction was that it was Jiang Jingsui's doing. But then, after careful consideration, she realized there was no way Jiang Jingsui could pull off such a blatant act under Empress Rong's nose. If he did, he would definitely be punished when he returned.
——What's more, there was no way he could keep it a secret for more than an hour.
What exactly does Ronghou want to do...? Jiang Jingyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Yesterday, Jiang Jingzong and Jiang Jingsui came here."
"ah?"
Jiang Jingjian was caught off guard and coughed lightly. He turned his head away and hurriedly raised his sleeve to cover his face. His eyes were red from coughing. He stopped coughing and lowered his sleeve. He stared at Jiang Jingyuan in front of him with wide eyes and said in surprise: "When did you come? How come I didn't know about it?!"
"At noon."
Jiang Jingyuan chewed slowly, calmly and indifferently, without a trace of surprise or worry from the bottom of his heart to his face.
Jiang Jingjian unconsciously put down his chopsticks and looked at Jiang Jingyuan, but he didn't really pay attention to her. The expression on his face changed again and again, and finally he just warned Jiang Jingyuan: "Next time someone comes to see you, tell them to tell me. If I don't come, don't run around by yourself. Stay in the hall, okay?"
"Yeah." Jiang Jingyuan blinked and responded.
During this dinner, Jiang Jingjian's attention kept wandering while he ate, as if he was lost in thought.
Jiang Jingyuan didn't interrupt.
She wanted to remind Jiang Jingjian of the undercurrents around them, but it was just a reminder. Rong Hou must have some deeper meaning behind doing this, so she should also avoid talking about the fact that someone came to teach her today.
——She believed in Jiang Jingjian, but she didn’t dare to completely trust anyone.
Jiang Jingjian only needed to know what she told him, nothing else mattered.
"Jiang Jingyuan."
The young man in white in front of her suddenly looked up and called out to her.
"Um?"
Jiang Jingyuan's fingertips trembled violently, his face tightened, his hands moved, and he looked up at him calmly.
Jiang Jingjian didn't have the energy to pay attention to her little movements. When he thought about how he didn't even know someone was looking for Jiang Jingyuan, he fell into deep worry and fear.
Fortunately, it was only Jiang Jingzong and Jiang Jingsui who came to see Jiang Jingyuan yesterday, but what if someone else had come yesterday? If Jiang Jingyuan had encountered an accident yesterday, would he not have known about it?!
"You can follow me from now on." Jiang Jingjian didn't wait for a response. With a scorching gaze, he began to explain, "If you want to become stronger, we can do that together. You can listen when I teach, and learn when I practice martial arts..."
"despair……"
The vermilion wooden chopsticks made a crisp sound when placed on the table.
Jiang Jingjian's words were stuck in his throat. His eyes dimmed instantly and he lowered his eyes, not daring to look into Jiang Jingyuan's eyes.
After a moment, he murmured in a low voice: "I know you told me this not because you wanted to hear me say this, but..."
But what?
He couldn't say it, he felt anxious just thinking about it.
But what could Jiang Jingyuan say?
She wanted to say, "Then let's go ask Mother for two life cards," but...
If he really had a destiny card, Jiang Jingjian would keep staring at it, right? Perhaps if the destiny card just dimmed for a moment, and Jiang Jingyuan was only slightly injured, Jiang Jingjian would go crazy and look for her regardless of the consequences, right?
——It’s too dangerous. If Jiang Jingjian can’t calm down, he will be taken advantage of by others.
——It’s too dangerous. If the life cards fall into someone else’s hands, their whereabouts and status will be completely exposed under other people’s eyes.
Can't give.
Jiang Jingyuan was indeed very soft-hearted and didn't want Jiang Jingjian to be so worried and anxious, but he also insisted coldly not to leave any hidden dangers for himself.
The candlelight flickered, and the hall was filled with silence. The two people sitting opposite each other were deadlocked, neither of them willing to give in.
"What are you afraid of?" Jiang Jingyuan spoke.
Jiang Jingjian's eyes moved slightly, his lips moved, but he didn't say a word.
"Don't be afraid, okay?" Jiang Jingyuan said again.
She had no way to promise him anything. She had no way to promise that she wouldn't leave, wouldn't get hurt, wouldn't die. She could lie to someone she didn't care about, but to Jiang Jingjian, she could only tell him over and over again, "Don't be afraid."
——She won't stop moving forward.
Jiang Jingjian's panic made him want to hold Jiang Jingyuan tightly, but the panic buried deep in Jiang Jingyuan's heart forced her to keep moving forward without looking back.
"I'm leaving first, you should get some rest early."
Jiang Jingjian didn't want to answer. Eleven years was too long, so long that he could now clearly understand what she hadn't said.
After saying that, he didn't look at Jiang Jingyuan, but just stood up and turned away.
Jiang Jingyuan behind him just sat there silently, without trying to keep him, but just watched calmly as the lonely figure in white disappeared behind the screen.
The young man in white behind the screen staggered for a moment, but still walked out of the hall.
Just get used to it. Jiang Jingyuan's recent behavior has given him too many delusions...
After that unpleasant parting, Jiang Jingyuan didn't see Jiang Jingjian for several days, nor did she go to look for him. She quietly carried out the arrangements for the two masters, one civil and one military, by herself.
Practice martial arts in the morning, attend classes in the afternoon, and accumulate spiritual energy in the jade ring at night... Jiang Jingzong and Jiang Jinghui did not come to see her, and she has been unable to find time to see how Jiang Jingmang and Jiang Jingqian are doing recently.
The "Teng Snake" mark and the blood seal are like two huge mountains pressing down on her. She has no complaints about being busy, and even wishes she could be busier, learn more, and improve her strength faster.
In a blink of an eye, Jiang Jingyuan came back to his senses and realized that the seven-day appointment with Rong Hou had arrived so soon.
The next day at the beginning of the morning hour.
The birds on the branches first chirped twice tentatively, and then let out a long cry, piercing the dark night sky and allowing the sunlight from the sky to spread all over the earth, which was gray and white, and the sky was full of lingering clouds.
Jiang Jingyuan went to Empress Rong's palace early. As she walked forward, the footsteps of the palace servants gradually became noisier.
She stood at the jade steps outside the magnificent palace and waited for a while. After reporting, a palace maid smiled gently and led her into the palace.
After passing the screen and not crossing the small bridge, the palace maid led her into a room on the side. This seemed to be a study, with bookshelves, desks, pens, ink, documents... Rong Hou was standing by the desk. When she heard the noise, she turned sideways, glanced at her, and said:
"sit down."
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