Chapter 52 Chapter 52 Awakening and Crying
Seeing her fall into coma again, the light that had just ignited in Qin Jingyao's eyes suddenly went out, and the aura around him was so heavy that it was difficult to breathe.
He placed his palm on her cheek, the flesh so thin beneath his fingers that his cheekbone was already painfully sharp. In just seven days, the plumpness she had so carefully nurtured had rapidly diminished, and her complexion was in a state of extreme deterioration. Even with his more meticulous care and treatment than before, it was no longer effective, and her face was completely pale and bloodless.
After a long moment, he stepped out of his bedroom. Mo Chou looked up at his thinner, increasingly stern and stern profile. He lowered his eyes and considered for a moment before speaking bluntly, "...depression will only get worse the longer it's delayed. Severe cases require strong medication. There's no time to lose. Please make a decision quickly, sir."
Qin Jingyao felt a sharp pain in his forehead, his blood rushing. Busy with state affairs during the day and worried every night, he hadn't slept for less than ten hours in recent days.
He didn't understand why her condition suddenly worsened, but the current situation was too urgent for him to think too deeply.
In just seven days, he watched her become so thin and weak.
He didn't dare to wait any longer, nor could he wait any longer.
A faintly hoarse voice whispered, with a chilling determination: "Go down and prepare."
Mo Chou sighed inwardly that the word "love" was the most hurtful, and he retreated.
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Heavy medicine can't be administered instantly. She's extremely weak now, so her body must be able to withstand it, and the right time and place must also be considered.
On the twenty-first day of the first lunar month, the ninth day before the Lunar New Year, the three-day snowfall finally stopped. The golden crow hung high in the sky, and the dark clouds dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky.
The snow on the main streets and alleys has been cleared away spontaneously by the people. They are pushing carts and dumping all the snow into the moat.
Every household is decorated with lights and lanterns, shops and stalls in the streets and alleys are filled with New Year's goods, there is a constant stream of carriages and horses outside the city gate, the rising heat and the noisy voices intertwine and rise, the hustle and bustle of people creates a scene of prosperity and peace.
In Mianhe Hutong, the moment the Minister of State returned to his residence, the vermilion lacquered gate was immediately closed. From the gate to the ends of the north and south walls, guards stood at attention, swords drawn, and no one outside the palace was allowed to approach.
Inside the palace, on the path leading from the Treasures Courtyard to a courtyard in the southeast, servants were already sweeping, carrying things, and arranging flowers before dawn. Every ten feet along this flower-filled path, a half-man-high copper furnace was set up, its fire burning brightly.
When the sun rises in the east, the sunlight spreads everywhere, the flowers bloom, and the light under the glazed roof is brilliant, as if it is a fairyland.
A heat suddenly approached, and all the servants lowered their heads and eyes, bowed and retreated to the sides.
Lan Nongnong was gently awakened. Before she could open her eyes, she felt a strong light burning her eyelids, causing her to turn her head away. Someone whispered in her ear, and she strained to hear, vaguely making out the words, "Don't be afraid," "It's okay," and "Open your eyes."
The glare on her eyelids was obscured by a shadow, and she felt relieved, so she relaxed and slowly opened her eyes. Suddenly, she felt as if she were being held by someone, and what she saw was a Adam's apple as steep as a mountain peak?
Before she could see clearly, someone gently lifted her chin. The next moment, the vast world suddenly came into view.
The hand supporting her chin had already moved away. She seemed to regain consciousness and control of her body. A surge of strength quietly surged up, and her limbs, which had been as soft as boneless, gradually supported themselves.
Lan Nongnong looked up at the sky. Her eyes had not looked directly at the sky for a long time, and the bright sunlight suddenly stung her eyes.
Tears trickled down from the corners of her upturned eyes, gently wiped away at her chin. She was completely oblivious, her once dim eyes seemingly lost in stars, a faint light emanating from within, as she gazed greedily around, lingering on all sides.
Lan Nongnong couldn't remember how long it had been since she had looked up at the sky. The clear winter sky was devoid of birds, leaving only a luminous expanse of blue and white, yet she couldn't bear to blink.
Until her vision was suddenly blocked, she looked around in panic, but the man gently held her cheek and turned her to the side.
"The sky is so bright that you can't look at it for long. If the sky is still clear tomorrow, how about looking at it again?"
Her eyes were already red and tears were about to fall, but her expression was blank and wooden. Qin Jingyao felt his heart ache and his throat tightened with pain when he saw it.
"...Nong Nong has been recuperating in her room for a long time due to her grievances. As compensation, I have prepared a surprise for her these days. Nong Nong, you might as well take a guess, guess what you have been thinking about day and night."
Lan Nongnong remained silent, her strength suddenly dissipating, her body limp and exhausted. However, her remaining eyes were still trying to chase the ray of light.
Qin Jingyao didn't seem to expect her to respond, he just held her and continued walking forward until they stopped at the entrance of an alley.
The alley is lined with low walls on both sides, made of blue bricks and gray tiles, creating a deep and quiet atmosphere.
His eyes were dark and hard to read. He held her like this for a long moment, then suddenly closed his eyes, his mouth moving slightly, his Adam's apple rolling slightly. Then he leaned over and put her down, turning around to stand behind her. Knowing she was unable to stand alone, he wrapped one arm around her waist for support, and with the other hand gently supported her chin as she looked forward.
He stared at her from top to bottom, his expression difficult to discern. A hint of a smile seemed to be on his lips, but his voice was cold: "Nong Nong, do you think this place looks familiar?"
Lan Nongnong appeared to be standing, but in reality, she was only on tiptoe, her legs limp and hanging, her entire weight resting on his arm around her waist. His hand held her chin, her hands casually resting on his arm, but when he forced her to look ahead, her body suddenly trembled, her hands clenching his arm tightly, and her feet lifted slightly forward uncontrollably.
Qin Jingyao had expected her to react, but he couldn't suppress the rage that welled up in him, his chest heaving as he chuckled softly. His feet were rooted to the spot, and no matter how she struggled, she couldn't move forward even a single step.
He lowered his head and stared at her, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
"Nong Nong is still weak and can't walk yet. If you want to go in, just look at me and say something, and I will take you in."
Lan Nongnong didn't notice the deep meaning in his words. She only felt her heart pounding, her head buzzing, and her consciousness constantly clamoring to go in. She turned around and looked up at him, her voice trembling slightly, "I want to go in."
Her eyes were full of pleading, and her expression was panic. Qin Jingyao watched silently until she couldn't help but tug at his sleeve. He suddenly came back to his senses, his eyes fell on her slender fingers, slowly withdrew them, and said softly: "Okay.
Lan Nongnong was about to turn around and walk forward as soon as she got what she wanted. Qin Jingyao would never let her stumble on her own like this. Even though he knew that the end of this journey might make her wake up and resent her, every step was as heavy as a thousand pounds, but he still held her firmly in his arms and walked forward.
--
From the entrance of the alley to that familiar door, the journey was like a fleeting sight, a flash of time. The past, buried deep in my heart, seemed like a lifetime ago, but now, scene after scene, it resonated before my eyes.
The lanterns hanging from the eaves of the door when she left, the door god paintings posted on the door, and the pear tree that towered over the courtyard wall...
Lan Nongnong pushed towards the courtyard door with trembling hands. At the same time, a big hand covered her palm and pushed hard.
The courtyard door was wide open, and she felt as if her soul had left her body. She stood there in a daze, staring blankly at the scene inside the door. Her breathing suddenly stopped, and everything around her became silent in an instant.
Bamboo bells tinkled quietly beneath the eaves. Lotuses bloomed in the jars before the hall, their tails swaying in circles. Lounge chairs lay spread out on the veranda, a swing swathed in silk flowers resting quietly nearby. Time seemed to have stood still here, everything as it had been when she left.
Before leaving? Where did she go? Why did she leave? Not in the capital? When did she return home?
She seemed to be caught in a kaleidoscope, feeling dizzy and with her memory confused.
Lan Nongnong clutched her head tightly with both hands, her chest heaving violently, her breathing rapid and heavy, as if every breath was about to be cut off. She trembled all over, her sobs mournful and mournful.
Qin Jingyao's heart ached as he held her tightly in his arms, his palms stroking her back over and over again. But her body was extremely tense, trembling like a flower in the wind, still deeply trapped in the chaotic quagmire, unable to break free.
The courtyard door quietly closed behind them. He lifted her up and stepped over the flowerpot, tiptoeing to bring the recliner down the steps. After settling down, he held her across his lap, pressing her close to his chest. His fingertips caressed her cold, empty earlobe, and he spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "A few months ago, Nongnong and I sat in this very courtyard, on this very chair, whispering intimately and spending a leisurely time together."
He took her hand, forcefully opened her clenched fist, interlocked his fingers with his, and gently stroked her knuckles with his thumb.
"Nong Nong is just like this now, gently stroking the calluses on my palms, caressing the old scars on my knuckles, interlocking your fingers with mine, and comparing the size of our palms."
He propped up his long legs and lightly pushed his toes, causing the recliner to sway slowly. Immediately, he tensed his waist and abdomen, propped himself up, and with his other hand, he slipped his arm around her waist and gently lifted her chin.
She stiffly lowered her head to avoid him, but he leaned forward, the muscles on his shoulders and back bulging and visible through his shirt. His lips brushed across her wet eyelashes, pressed against her trembling eyelids, kissed her eye sockets, the tip of her nose, and finally landed on her tightly bitten lips, sucking and grinding, as if competing with her.
He locked her struggling eyes tightly, and smiled softly, "Nong Nong gave me her first kiss right outside this courtyard."
The body in his arms suddenly stiffened, and Qin Jingyao felt a sharp pain in his heart, his throat tightening. His eyelashes trembled slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on her face. His tone was calm as usual, "It was also in Yuqing that Nongnong confessed her feelings to me, and we exchanged tokens here. Then, Nongnong disappeared for several days, and I was so worried that I rushed into your room, only to find you gravely ill and unconscious."
"I still remember the joy of showing off everything in the courtyard that day, like presenting a treasure, and the deep reluctance to leave when we parted..."
The woman in his arms stopped struggling, her body gradually softening. He seemed to sink into the past, holding her and lying back in the chair. The rocking chair rocked gently, and his voice was distant: "Nong Nong is really bold. She actually came to the capital to find me without telling me. I was worried day and night, afraid that something bad might happen to you."
"...that night, the lights were dimming, and when I suddenly looked back, I saw the sight of her running towards me with such joy that it was dazzling, eclipsing everything else. It was also something I will never forget."
After he finished speaking, he suddenly fell silent. The rocking chair beneath him gradually lost its strength and slowly came to a stop.
After a long while, he spoke again: "Since then, Nong Nong and I have been together day and night, inseparable. I pierced your ears and carved ornaments for you myself."
His fingertips gently touched the hard mark on her earlobe, and she trembled violently as if in a spasm, but he held her firmly.
Qin Jingyao closed his eyes for a moment, then whispered again: "Nong Nong loved me so passionately and resolutely, how could I bear to let me watch you fall into the raging river, covered in ice and snow?"
"You think too highly of yourself."
The woman's voice was hoarse and weak, but every word was clear.
Lan Nongnong slowly raised her head, tears lingering between her eyelashes, but her eyes were clear, hatred and disgust were so clear and straightforward.
"I simply don't want to have anything to do with you anymore, even if it means suffering and getting hurt. I will never hurt myself just to get revenge on you."
At that moment, her frozen emotions suddenly burst free, and her emotions roared back like a flood. Past and present events surged, forcing her breathing to become rapid and heavy once again.
She suddenly turned her eyes away, unwilling to look at him again. Her anger suddenly turned into strength, supporting her to break free from his arms.
She staggered and was about to fall, but she tried her best to shake off his support, not caring even if she fell to the ground.
Lan Nongnong looked around, the warm jade on her forehead tilting. She raised her hand and fiercely ripped off the jade and hat, throwing them away. She took a deep breath, endured the pain, and struggled to stand up, but after only one step, she fell heavily to the ground.
The ground in the courtyard, whether it was the main stone road or the cobblestone path, was covered with thick and soft carpets, imitating real road surfaces, to prevent her from falling in a hurry like this.
Knowing the carpet would protect her from the fall, Qin Jingyao still took the initiative to catch her body on one knee. Even when she pushed him away mercilessly, he didn't force her, but watched her stagger to her feet, stubbornly refusing any of his offers. Seeing her spot the bamboo stick by the door, she grabbed it to support herself and stumbled into the house.
From the moment she opened her mouth, he remained silent, always following her at arm's length. He watched her wander around the house, groping, ignoring him as if he were nothing. He also saw her stumble out of the house, stumbling into the south wing where she practiced calligraphy and painting, searching through the room.
Qin Jingyao knew what she was looking for, and he knew she would find it. All her belongings from the Yuqing courtyard were temporarily stored at a neighbor's house. He sent people to bring back every little item from the nunnery, even a thread, a brick, and a tile, and restored them to their original state without any changes.
On Lan Nongnong's study desk hangs a family portrait she painted herself. She even paid a fortune to learn how to frame the painting herself. This painting comforts her when she misses her family, a spiritual haven she cherishes, sharing only joy and never revealing sorrow. It seems as if this connection allows her to transcend time and space, connecting with her family.
Even those close to me, like my aunts, are unaware of its existence.
She remembered clearly that she had carefully wrapped it in oilcloth before leaving and hid it in a secret compartment in the drawer under the table.
At this moment, the mechanism made a slight sound.
Lan Nongnong was stunned for a moment, but her hands subconsciously opened the secret compartment, revealing the peach-pink silk package with dark patterns. The knot was cleverly tied, and it could be undone with just a slight tug.
But now, she had to exert the strength of both hands, trembling like sifting chaff, to untie the knot and pull off the oilcloth. The family portrait of their family of five was smiling happily at her.
Lan Nongnong stared blankly at the smiling face in the painting, momentarily lost in thought as to where she was. A sudden sharp pain pierced her head, and her breathing became choked. She tried to force a smile, but the moment her lips moved, the long-suppressed tears burst forth.
She fell to the ground, holding the picture frame tightly in her hands, looking up and looking around blankly, but her eyes were unfocused, like a child who had lost his way home, crying bitterly.
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