Chapter 42 Let me do your hair and makeup, as a farewell to the princess...
"sorry."
He knelt on the ground, his humble plea undeniably sincere, yet Li Yunru couldn't bring herself to agree directly.
"Give me some time, I need time too."
Between them, their identities, their personalities... everything was so different.
Today he is in love with you, he can say all the most touching words, he can lower his head to coax you, and he can make all the promises, but what about tomorrow?
In the current situation, it's fine for them to be in love, but if they have disagreements in the future, it will become a thorn in their hearts.
Looking back, he thought about it and said, "I have sacrificed so much for you, disobeyed my parents, and betrayed my family. Which son of a noble family doesn't have three wives and four concubines? I only have you. What more do you want?"
You forced me to do this!
You forced me to do all of that!
He said he had a bright future ahead of him, beautiful wives and concubines, wealth and glory...
They abandoned everything for her alone.
What should she say?
When people can't refute, they lower their heads. Once they lower their heads, they'll do it twice, three times... countless times.
It wasn't that she didn't believe Yan Ning's promise, but they were both still so young, in the prime of their lives. The future was too long, and no one could guarantee what would happen, or whether they could truly live out their lives as lovingly and faithfully as they were now.
She wasn't a gambler at that casino and didn't want to gamble with her future.
She had no chips to gamble with.
"Okay, I won't pressure you. I'll give you time."
Yan Ning sat up and asked, "Do you want to get up? I'll help you with your hair and makeup."
"No need, Shuyun can handle this."
Yan Ning said, "She will have plenty of time to do this for you in the future. Why don't I do it today? Consider it my way of seeing the princess off."
"You found out?"
He smiled bitterly: "Jiankang is also part of the Yan family's territory. The princess dismissed most of her servants. I shouldn't have been completely unaware of this."
That's why he was even more eager to meet her, to make things clear, and to tell her that it was just something he said in anger, and that she didn't need to do that.
He had hoped to use this to keep people here, but now he no longer thinks that way.
If leaving is a good thing for her, then I can let go for the time being.
Li Yunru was well aware of the Yan family's status and prestige among prominent families, especially in Jiankang, but she never imagined that the Yan family had such extensive connections.
There was no one from the Yan family left in the mansion. She had also paid the servants enough money and they would not be moving around or leaking information in the short term. But even so, they still couldn't escape his eyes.
While marveling at the power of the Yan family, Li Yunru also felt a deep sense of fear.
She seemed to suddenly understand the sense of powerlessness her father had felt back then.
Even with one's best efforts, one cannot compete with the infighting of a centuries-old family.
He may seem high and mighty, but what he actually wants to do and get is within the bounds of what they allow.
The Xie family's downfall may not necessarily be the result of the emperor's scheme to protect his beloved daughter, but rather more likely the result of powerful families acting in accordance with the trend for their own benefit...
They all underestimated the power of the aristocratic families, mistakenly believing that after a few years as emperor, they had the means to confront them.
In the end, they suffered a complete defeat.
The Empress Dowager is right.
At that time, they had indeed tried every possible method, but ultimately, there was no good outcome. If there had been, they wouldn't have had to exchange their military power for the protection of the Yan family.
She frowned, lowered her eyes, and remained silent. Yan Ning felt uneasy seeing this. He raised his hand and stroked Li Yunru's face, saying, "Yunru, I won't hurt you or do anything to you. Don't be so wary of me, okay?"
"Um."
She responded sullenly, "Alright, then do my hair and makeup."
"good."
Yan Ning helped her up, then called Shu Yun to fetch water into the room, wrung out a handkerchief for her, and helped her wash up.
After bathing and showering for nearly half an hour, the two walked to the dressing table.
The person in the bronze mirror looked rather haggard, dressed in plain clothes with disheveled hair. His once bright and clear eyes were now shrouded in gloom, devoid of their former brilliance.
The deep sorrow that seemed impossible to dispel caused Yan Ning to lower her eyes as well.
"My lord, do you remember how long it has been since you last saw the princess smile?"
Songji's question stumped him.
It's been a very, very long time.
Ever since the news of Emperor Xuan's affair was exposed between them at Old Madam Lu's birthday banquet, he had hardly seen her smile. The sorrow between her brows remained as it was now, and it was only getting heavier.
Liyang shouldn't be like this.
She was the youngest daughter of Emperor Xuan and Empress Zhenyuan, whom they cherished like a jewel. She always lived a free and unrestrained life, crying loudly when she wanted to cry and laughing loudly when she wanted to laugh, without being bound by any worldly rules or upbringing.
She is like a peony in spring and a crabapple in autumn, blooming in vibrant colors and living a glamorous and carefree life.
"Have I become ugly?" Li Yunru looked at him through the mirror and asked wistfully, "No, how could a princess be ugly?"
Yan Ning picked up the comb from the table, her slender fingers slowly and carefully picking out a strand of black hair, gently and meticulously smoothing it from top to bottom. As she combed her hair, she said, "Princess, you're just too tired and look a little haggard. It's alright. Spring is almost here. Princess, go out and take a walk. When you're in a good mood, your complexion will naturally improve."
"Yan Changjun".
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"fine."
Her mind wandered; the people around her were so kind, the scene so heartwarming, that for a fleeting moment she seemed to forget the barrier between them. Thankfully, it was only for a moment…
Li Yunru didn't say anything, and Yan Ning didn't ask. The two of them finished their makeup in silence.
Today, he applied a yellow crescent moon makeup to her forehead, but unlike the elaborate yellow makeup worn by noble ladies, he only outlined tiny crescent moons on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes. The rouge-red part was made of gold foil, which was quite playful and lively. Her hairstyle was the style of an unmarried girl, with her long black hair gathered on top of her head. Some of it was coiled into the shape of a snake. Although he was not as skillful as Shu Yun, the snake was not very lifelike, but it was not redundant either. Especially with the two short wisps that were deliberately left out in front of her forehead, it became interesting and lively, making her look like a real young girl.
The two looked in the mirror, their thoughts in unison.
They all glimpsed Li Yunru as a young girl in the mirror.
However, this was only a little over two years ago.
If possible...
Without this "if"...
Alas, fate is truly unpredictable!
——
After getting ready, the two left the house and walked to the hall. The kitchen staff had already prepared breakfast. Yan Ning ate some with them, but she didn't have a good appetite and didn't eat much.
After breakfast, it was time to set off. Shu Yun and Song Ji had prepared the carriage and packed everything in advance, just waiting for everyone to be ready to depart. However, Yan Ning said to wait a little longer, because if people wanted to stop them, they couldn't leave. Therefore, Li Yunru did not refuse.
After waiting for about half an hour, Chen Jingsheng arrived in a carriage outside the mansion, accompanied by two attendants carrying knives.
He was Yan Ning's bodyguard.
One was named Shouyi, and the other was named Shoucheng.
The two also brought along a fine horse, its coat a glossy, brownish-gray, clearly well-cared for by its owner. A tuft of white hair adorned the front of its head, perfectly positioned in the center…
It was Ma Jingwu, a subordinate of Yan Ning.
The group stopped in front of the mansion gate and saw a young girl with a high ponytail alight from the carriage. She was dressed in simple crimson clothes and had a large white lotus-shaped purse hanging from her waist, which was bulging and full of things.
"This is……"
Li Yunru didn't often return to the Yan family and had little interaction with many members of the Yan family, but she still recognized that this was Yan Sheng, the eldest daughter of the Yan family.
Yan Ning's younger sister, born of the same mother.
The two were fairly close. Among the Yan family members, besides Yan Ning, she was one of the few who treated her well and sincerely treated her like a princess or a sister-in-law.
"Brother, sister-in-law."
The man jumped down from the carriage and hopped over to the two men in a few quick steps.
"Yes." Yan Ning nodded and asked, "Did you bring the things?"
"I brought it."
Yan Sheng took out a small bag, about an inch long, with a green bamboo design from his purse and handed it to Yan Ning, who then gave it to Li Yunru.
"What's this?"
Yan Ning said, “Take my personal seal with you. You can take it out when you need to cross the border. Local officials will not dare to disrespect you. You can also freely transfer funds from local banks as your personal money.”
"When you're traveling, the most important thing is money; you can't skimp on yourself."
"And them...?" Li Yunru pointed to Jingwu and the two guards.
Yan Ning said, "They will go with you and ensure your safety."
"Me too, me too!"
Yan Sheng waved, "I'll go with you too."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Li Yunru showed no joy; her face instantly darkened. "Yan Changjun, what do you mean by this?"
They say they're letting go, but they've arranged so many people around her. What's the point of her leaving or not?
Li Yunru wasn't targeting Yan Sheng; she just disliked the feeling of being constantly watched and unable to make her own decisions. It was too stifling!
She also didn't want to have any further involvement with the Yan family.
At least for now, I don't want to at all!
She made no attempt to hide her dissatisfaction, and everyone present was startled by her sudden change of expression, falling silent and not daring to utter a sound.
Yan Ning was momentarily stunned, but after being husband and wife for a year and spending every day together, she still had some understanding of people and quickly realized why she had suddenly become angry.
He lowered his voice and spoke gently, "Liyang, listen to me. I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that it's dangerous outside, and no one knows what might happen. I know you have your own people and the ability to protect yourself, but I can't forget my responsibility to protect you just because you have that ability..."
At this point, Yan Ning became somewhat somber. He said wistfully, "I failed to protect you in the past, which led to this situation. Every time I think about it, I feel deep regret. I don't want to regret it again. As for Asheng..."
He glanced at his sister and said, "I have a reason why I have to let her go with you. You are both my closest people. I can't say I can completely let you go, but I will do my best to protect you."
Li Yunru remained silent.
Yan Sheng replied, "Princess sister-in-law, please let me go with you. I promise I won't cause you any trouble."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
