Smooth Road
Since Emperor Changde and Xiao Yingzhu both knew that some spies who thought they were well hidden had already entered the capital, Jiang Nian had to let the spies take action on the day when Emperor Changde openly announced that he would assign her the title of "Good Seed Ambassador" to eradicate all the people lurking in the capital.
Therefore, on the day Jiang Nian entered the capital, he received a map drawn by others showing the possible routes of the spies.
People who had lived in the capital for a long time sensed an ominous premonition. Even though Emperor Changde deliberately suppressed the panic-stricken remarks, he could not erase the fear that had risen in people's hearts and was difficult to eliminate.
Jiang Nian stood outside a private residence, dressed as a passing merchant, drinking tea in the shop with Xiao Yingzhu, who was dressed in plain clothes, and listened quietly to the news told by the people next to him with his eyes lowered.
"Is there something about to happen in the capital recently? Like a siege or something? I don't know where this rumor started, but it's causing panic among the people."
"These comments are spreading everywhere. I feel like there's something going on. Otherwise, why would anyone say that? And I feel like... there's some movement over there. Otherwise, why would they suppress these comments? Don't you agree?"
"Oh my god, if this is true, then there were signs of this happening months ago, but they were suppressing the news until it was about to break out recently, and then it could no longer be covered up."
"That makes sense... Actually, I had a premonition when refugees started coming south from the border. Weren't the border checks very strict back then? I heard passing vendors say this, and I even told others about it at the time, but they just ignored it. Now, look, everyone's panicking."
"There's no use in panicking—"
The other party drank the tea in one gulp and put the cup down with a look of unsatisfied feeling: "But in my opinion, I don't think Dong Lan has the guts to attack us."
"Isn't their harvest poor over there? And I heard from the merchants from Donglan that it's in chaos over there too. How's the saying? Internal and external troubles, although this trouble is of their own making. I feel like if a fight really breaks out, we're a sure win."
"That's true... The insect repellent method promoted by the Pingzhou pharmacy is now being used throughout Huandu. I don't know which important figure is behind this, otherwise it would have spread very quickly. I have a misconception that this year's harvest is much higher than last year's because of the promotion of this insect repellent."
"Really? I think so too."
Jiang Nian shifted his gaze from the tea in front of him and moved closer to Xiao Yingzhu, who was sitting next to him. "Did he only give the information to those spies?"
Like pretending to be gossip?
Xiao Yingzhu understood the meaning of Jiang Nian's words and nodded slightly.
I don’t know if it’s because of her aura, but even though Xiao Yingzhu was wearing plain clothes, people around her still felt a chill and didn’t dare to get close to her.
Jiang Nian glanced at the group of people and saw that they were also staring at him, so he instantly shrank back behind Xiao Yingzhu.
They should not have been discovered. The important thing now is to eradicate those spies before they react.
......
This is what Emperor Changde said to Xiao Yingzhu, but why did she always feel that something was wrong?
Where does this weirdness come from?
Feeling Xiao Yingzhu's questioning gaze, Jiang Nian wanted to subconsciously shake his head, but then he remembered that there was no need to hide it from him anymore. He moved closer and whispered what was in his mind:
"Do you think he's hiding something from us?"
Looking into Xiao Yingzhu's eyes that were free of any emotion, Jiang Nian occasionally felt that she was in love with ice, but ice would not give her such a strong sense of protection.
Feeling it was inexplicably funny, Jiang Nian turned his face away slightly and wanted to laugh, but the other person stretched out his hand and moved his face back.
Maybe Xiao Yingzhu's fingers were a little cold. When they touched her warm face, Jiang Nian felt a chill and wanted to laugh even more. She had to avoid his indifferent gaze and rested her head on his shoulder. She endured for a moment before raising her head.
“…”
Facing Xiao Yingzhu's somewhat indifferent and silent gaze, Jiang Nian paused for a moment, and finally said with a smile: "Has anyone ever told you that sometimes you look as aloof and distant as ice?"
As if she was afraid that she couldn't resist Xiao Yingzhu's gaze again, Jiang Nian raised her hand and pushed Xiao Yingzhu's cheek aside to prevent Xiao Yingzhu from continuing to look at her.
Help, she's really... becoming more and more disrespectful. But why is she feeling respect for her boyfriend? Is it because the memory of his threatening look from before is so vivid and hard to forget?
And those... things that couples do when they are in love, they didn't do either.
It seems like I have completed a lantern festival.
I went to see the lantern festival while on business.
…Aa ...
Although Jiang Nian wanted to get closer to Xiao Yingzhu, he still felt like he was seeing his boss when he saw him. He only joked with him and nothing else happened.
Should we try holding hands next time? No, if we were to hold hands, we did it before when we went to the village.
What about the kiss? They had kissed each other at Qishan Mansion. As for the lantern viewing party, Xiao Yingzhu did buy her a candy figurine.
It seems like there is really nothing.
Unconsciously, she had finished all these things, but why did she still feel that she and Xiao Yingzhu were sometimes close and sometimes distant? Was it because she was a little shy, and Xiao Yingzhu was a tsundere?
This isn't right. The progress is too slow.
Jiang Nian shifted her eyes slightly, and after a moment, she made up her mind to move her eyes to Xiao Yingzhu's face. She caught a glimpse of his fair face and light-colored earlobes. Like a girl in her first love, she reached out her hand, touched his fingertips, and gently pinched Xiao Yingzhu's earlobe.
Surely it’s because she traveled through time and space to a younger body that she is so innocent?
Jiang Nian subconsciously withdrew his hand, but he caught a glimpse of the earlobe he had just pinched, which was a little red.
?
Xiao Yingzhu would actually...blush?
Jiang Nian's gaze moved from his earlobe to his fair face, and then he saw Xiao Yingzhu's rosy cheeks.
But soon, the redness disappeared in a moment, as if it was caused by her dizziness.
Is she really a tsundere? Or is she secretly enjoying herself?
Jiang Nian stared at Xiao Yingzhu for a while, and when he turned his gaze back without changing his expression, their eyes met. She suddenly smiled and whispered, "Tsundere."
“…”
Xiao Yingzhu picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip with an indifferent expression, but the redness on his face, which had not faded, still remained on his earlobe, and was very noticeable against his fair skin.
Take a break from your busy schedule.
Jiang Nian propped up his head, glanced at the busy streets outside, and smiled with his eyes curved: "At this time, shouldn't you ask, what does tsundere mean?"
She did not forget that when she first met Xiao Yingzhu, he asked her directly what "data" meant.
I must find something else to make up for the fear I felt at that time.
Xiao Yingzhu's expression was indifferent, and his eyes did not move away from her face, but there was a hint of smile on his lips. He followed her words and asked obediently: "What does tsundere mean?"
Jiang Nian smiled, pursed his lips, and looked away. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "He's indifferent and seems to be indifferent, but deep down he cares to death. He even pretends not to care and secretly protects and helps him."
Considering Xiao Yingzhu's approach, this should be the case.
Meeting Xiao Yingzhu's slightly relaxed gaze, Jiang Nian pursed his lips and smiled as he leaned over, shaking his finger in front of him: "Don't you think this is in line with your approach? Just tell me, right?"
Xiao Yingzhu looked at her steadily for a while, a smile appeared on his lips, and suddenly he reached out and pinched her face lightly.
The feeling of the middle and index fingers touching the cheek was more like teasing than pinching. Jiang Nian was caught off guard by this and subconsciously closed her right eye for a moment, then opened it again. Noticing someone nearby looking at them, she felt a little embarrassed and puffed up.
"...They're all looking this way. Okay, okay, let's get out of here."
Xiao Yingzhu glanced at her with a faint smile, then stood up and walked towards the door of the teahouse outside.
His temperament was truly outstanding. Even the mere movement of walking outside could attract the attention of countless people around. When Jiang Nian thought that these people had recognized Xiao Yingzhu's identity, he reached out and pulled forward a little with his right hand hanging by her side. The next moment, her shoulders were embraced by Xiao Yingzhu.
A refreshing and pleasant smell filled his nostrils, and Jiang Nianben's worried heart instantly calmed down. He raised his hand with peace of mind, turned his head to look at Xiao Yingzhu, and smiled for a while.
Most of the people coming and going in the capital looked hurried, and the sky, which was just azure, was gradually covered with clouds, blocking the dazzling light.
My eyes passed through the crowd and looked towards the distant mountains. The rolling clouds were accompanied by the smell of impending rain.
The smile that had just emerged was suddenly suppressed by the magnificent natural scenery, and the worry that had been hidden in my heart for a while rose up again.
Jiang Nian stood on the side of the street, looked across for a moment, and subconsciously looked at Xiao Yingzhu beside him.
"Will we act here tomorrow?"
They came out today to explore the way in advance, and Emperor Changde gave them more than enough time.
But the more time I have, the more worried I become.
This worry came for no reason, as if it came out of nowhere.
Jiang Nian tugged at Xiao Yingzhu's sleeve for a moment, then raised his eyes and asked, "You'll be nearby tomorrow, right?"
She was afraid of accidents.
Xiao Yingzhu returned his gaze quietly and answered affirmatively: "Yes, I will be by your side."
“…”
Jiang Nian looked up at him for a while, not sure whether his unreasonable panic was caused by his excessive sensitivity. He had interrupted his previous question, and there would be no point in asking again.
She finally let go of Xiao Yingzhu's sleeve and sighed softly, "Maybe I'm worrying too much. My nerves have been too tense these days."
"It seems that after this matter is over, I need to have a good rest."
The light-colored sleeve in his sight was like a tranquilizer. Jiang Nian's heart, which had been jumping rapidly, suddenly calmed down and he sighed softly.
Xiao Yingzhu's judgment has always been correct. Since he has no other doubts now, he must be thinking too much.
Dark clouds gradually gathered in the sky, as if reflecting the panic of the people on the streets below.
The weather these days doesn't seem to be that good.
I can only hope that the road ahead will be clear and smooth when I take action.
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