Chapter 1268 Don't Worry
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan's eyes immediately darkened.
Zhang Yuping's face darkened as she said, "How can this be? His Majesty has already publicly issued an edict in court, ordering the Qin Prince's family to leave Chang'an in ten days. How can she just change it like that!"
Yuwen Yuan turned around and glanced at her.
She was probably too angry, because she couldn't control her voice when she spoke, and it sounded particularly sharp.
Su Qinglan's eardrums ached from the harshness of the voice, and she instinctively wanted to retort. But the instant she opened her mouth, the words Shang Ruyi had carefully instructed her to say when facing the Princess Consort at the Prince Qin's residence suddenly flashed into her mind—
Physician Su, I know this matter is very difficult for you, but things have come to this point and we have no way out. Please grant our request.
All you need to do is inform the Emperor about Yuan Gan's illness and request his permission on my behalf. As for the rest, no matter who is around or how they advise the Emperor, you must ignore them.
The Emperor will make his own decision.
...
Thinking this, she suppressed her unease and anxiety, shut her mouth, and lowered her head without uttering a word.
The hall fell silent immediately.
Although the silence was brief, it felt like an eternity of agonizing tension to those in the hall. Zhang Yuping suddenly realized in this seemingly endless silence that she had been too hasty – no matter what, Yuan Gan was Yuwen Yuan's only grandson, the emperor's eldest grandson. Regardless of how Yuwen Ye and he fought, the bond between grandfather and grandson was strong, and he could not be heartless towards this child.
Moreover, this happened when the child was sick.
Zhang Yuping immediately said, "Your Majesty, I... I'm just worried—"
Seeing her stammering, Yuwen Yuan silently turned his head away. Although he did not reprimand her, he simply waved his hand at her. His nonchalant manner made Zhang Yuping even more uneasy.
Yuwen Yuan didn't intend to pay her any more attention, but instead silently looked at Su Qinglan.
Normally, even without the Princess Consort of Qin saying a word, knowing that Yuan Gan had contracted this illness, he would have instructed that no one else be allowed to easily disturb Yuan Gan at the Prince of Qin's residence, and he would have also instructed the people in the residence to take good care of him and let the child rest quietly. But right now, although he was still heartbroken for his grandson, deep down, there seemed to be a faint unease stirring within him.
Tomorrow is the day the King of Qin will depart for his post in Luoyang. According to his decree, the entire household, along with his confidants and generals, should go together.
This was uprooted.
But now, the Princess of Qin is requesting permission to stay—it's as if she's leaving a root behind.
He was silent for a moment, then looked at Su Qinglan with his deep, unfathomable eyes: "This kind of illness is most susceptible to wind and travel. One should rest and recuperate quietly, right?"
His words already demonstrated a deep understanding of the illness, and the reason he still asked questions was probably because he was genuinely uneasy.
I couldn't bear it either.
Su Qinglan lowered her head, a cool drop of water from her forehead falling along a strand of hair and landing squarely on the floor in front of her. The soft "plop" sound felt like a heavy blow to her heart. Fear and timidity were shattered by that single drop of water. She felt like someone who had reached the edge of a cliff, having exhausted all her fear, now emboldened and released everything.
She raised her head and solemnly replied, "Yes!"
"..."
“The young prince was bedridden for a few days after catching a cold. Although he has recovered, his health has still been affected. If we really make such a young child travel long distances and endure the hardships of travel while he is still battling smallpox, I’m afraid…”
Yuwen Yuan closed his eyes, unable to bear it any longer.
When he opened his eyes again, there seemed to be a few more wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Although they made his eyes look gentler, they also made him look older.
He said, "Alright, let them stay."
|
The heavy rain had not yet stopped. Su Qinglan, holding an umbrella, walked towards the palace gate accompanied by several eunuchs. It was already past the time when the palace gates would close. The delay was because they were waiting for her to enter the palace to report on Yuan Gan's condition. They had sent people to urge her several times, so the eunuchs were also a little anxious and quickened their pace.
Su Qinglan walked quickly, her steps hurried, and she didn't even avoid the puddles on the ground. Before long, the hem of her skirt was wet up to her knees.
If someone were to take a closer look at her gait at this moment, they would notice that her walking posture was strange. Her knees were almost not bent, and she took large, hurried, and fast steps, making her whole person appear somewhat stiff.
Finally, they arrived at the palace gate.
As soon as I stepped out, the tall, heavy palace gates slammed shut behind me.
Su Qinglan was startled by the thunderous roar and stopped in her tracks. She turned around, only to find herself in complete darkness. The towering palace gates stood out against the backdrop of night and rain, resembling a colossal monster. She immediately turned back, but a gust of wind and rain swept towards her. The last lantern in her hand swayed violently in the wind, and its faint light was quickly extinguished in the storm.
Suddenly, she was plunged into complete darkness.
Su Qinglan froze completely.
In fact, just now, in the Liangyi Hall, the moment she spoke those words and received the emperor's approval, it was as if her soul had been ripped away. She, who had always been kind to others and followed the rules, but had also been working hard to make a difference, knew very well that she had put herself on the edge of a cliff that night.
If she has the right opportunity, she can rise to great heights and achieve great success!
If the cliff collapses, she will fall into the abyss with no way out, and it may even bring her family to eternal damnation...
She could hardly believe that she had actually said those words, that she had actually participated in such a momentous plan that could change the fate of the entire world!
Will they win? Or will they lose...?
She carried the extinguished lantern, her legs wrapped in her completely soaked clothes as if bound by a heavy weight, and walked forward stiffly step by step. But just after she took two steps, she suddenly felt as if a gaze was watching her from the heavy rain ahead.
She immediately looked up.
Only then did she see that there had been a carriage parked ahead all along, but the night was dark and the rain was pouring down, so she couldn't see it clearly for a moment; but the moment she saw the carriage, she immediately saw a somewhat familiar, tall and strong figure standing beside it, holding an umbrella in his hand. Although the wind and rain were fierce, the figure stood steadily in front of her, without moving.
It seemed to be waiting for something with unwavering determination and stubbornness.
Upon recognizing that familiar silhouette, Su Qinglan's heart began to pound.
That's Jiang Yan!
"you--"
Su Qinglan spoke, but her voice was completely hoarse.
The words she spoke to the emperor in the Liangyi Hall had almost taken a toll on her life. At this moment, not only was her voice hoarse and her legs stiff, but even her hands were so numb and weak that she could barely hold onto the delicate oil-paper umbrella.
The next moment, another gust of wind blew by, and the umbrella in her hand was swept away in a flash.
The rain was swirling and cold, and the raindrops were tangled and lashing at her. Just as Su Qinglan was being battered by the wind and rain and was almost suffocating, Jiang Xing rushed forward and not only stood in front of her, blocking all the wind and rain, but also held his umbrella over her head.
His eyes shone like lamps as he stared intently at her: "Are you alright?"
Su Qinglan looked up at him, and a few drops of cold rain flew into her eyes, stinging and itching them. Then a warm feeling welled up from the bottom of her eyes and filled her eye sockets, blurring her vision and making it almost impossible for her to see anything in the deep night.
The only thing I could see clearly was the gentleness and determination in those eyes.
"I--"
She tried to say something, but her voice remained hoarse.
But Jiang Xing had no intention of listening to her at all. He held up the umbrella with one hand and pulled off his cloak with the other, draping it over her shoulders.
The cloak, still warm from his body and carrying his scent, enveloped Su Qinglan's slender body like a thick chest. Just moments before, she had been battered by wind and rain, and felt a chill in her body. Suddenly, it felt as if she were in the warmth of spring. Su Qinglan shivered and jolted awake: "And you?"
Jiang Xing not only draped a cloak over her, but also put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his embrace.
He said, "I'm not cold."
"..."
"Get in the car first, I'll take you home."
"..."
Su Qinglan did not struggle or speak, but obediently nestled in his arms and followed him into the carriage. After they were seated, Jiang Xing gave an order to the driver, and the carriage immediately turned around in the wind and rain and headed towards her home.
About half an hour later, the carriage finally stopped in front of her house.
Jiang Xing jumped off the carriage first, then turned around and reached out his hand to the person in the carriage. Su Qinglan only glanced at him, then silently reached out her hand and let him hold it before getting off the carriage as well.
The surroundings were still pitch black.
But Jiang Xing's eyes seemed even brighter than before.
Although they didn't exchange a single word on the carriage ride, he never let go of the body he was gradually warming in his arms. Looking at her wrapped in his cloak, he even felt a sense of unprecedented satisfaction.
He said, "You—"
But before she could finish speaking, Su Qinglan interrupted, "Go and report to Prince Qin and Princess Consort that the Emperor has agreed."
Jiang Yan said, "We know."
Su Qinglan lowered her head.
Jiang Yan lowered his head, trying to get as close to her ear as possible, and said softly, "Don't worry."
Su Qinglan's heart skipped a beat, and she regained her composure, realizing what she had done tonight. Of course, at this point, nothing could be changed; what she had done was already set in stone. As for her fate, only they could say.
Thinking of this, she raised her head again, just about to say something, when a gust of wind carrying cold rain swept towards her once more. Su Qinglan subconsciously shrank her neck, but before she could feel the chill, she felt herself sinking into a warm and solid embrace.
"...!"
Her breath caught in her throat at that moment.
Jiang Yan hugged her tightly, and the umbrella in his hand flew away with the wind to who knows where.
Su Qinglan opened her eyes wide, wanting to say something, but all words seemed useless at this moment, and she couldn't say them. She could only feel those arms, like iron clamps, tightly embracing her, almost making it hard for her to breathe. But she didn't feel sad. In fact, instinctively, she let him hold her tighter.
Then, a deep voice sounded in her ear—
"Don't worry."
"..."
"We won't lose, we will definitely win!"
"..."
"I will become someone worthy of you, someone you can trust, before I come to your door again!"
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