The moonlight is faint, and the breeze stirs the air.
Xu Yiran looked at Xie Lingqin for a long time before finally speaking, "Are you sure it really is a dream?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin's gaze suddenly fell on Xu Yiran. "You guessed it too, didn't you?"
Xu Yiran paused for a moment, then nodded, "Yes."
Upon receiving Xu Yiran's reply, Xie Lingqin's cool face slightly lifted, a hint of mockery on her lips. "After leaving Bei Rong, I've been pondering a question: if my mother truly treated Yuwen Yao and Yuwen An so well, why did he never mention it? It was only when I pressed him that he revealed it. That day at the Bei Rong imperial mausoleum, the Northern Emperor spoke of the truth of that year with such pride and boasting, yet he didn't elaborate on the details. And my mother, such a powerful person, even if what the black-robed man said is true, shouldn't have been forced by the Emperor to such a state, unable to escape the palace. Therefore, the only possibility is that she was injured. Before the Emperor dealt with her, she was already severely injured, plus..."
Xie Lingqin raised her hand and gently pressed her brow, "Plus, the dreams I had at the bottom of the cliff... I think it's because Yuwen Yao did something to my mother, that's why..."
Xie Lingqin didn't continue. Another dream came to mind: a gentle and profound young man holding her and crying...
"Therefore, if Yuwen Yao really did this, it further proves that he has such excellent methods."
Xu Yiran said this, and then fell silent.
The atmosphere inside the room became inexplicably heavy; despite the warmth of Southern Qi, it felt strangely cold.
"It's still early, let me take you for a walk."
After a long while, Xu Yiran spoke, her voice very soft, as if afraid of startling someone.
He simply couldn't bear to see Xie Lingqin in such pain.
Xie Lingqin looked at him, pondered for a while, and nodded, "Okay."
Everyone says that Jingcheng should be a bustling and noisy place, but it is more peaceful and harmonious than an ordinary town.
The sounds of street vendors hawking their wares, the inns and taverns—everywhere they went, they all spoke of the good fortune, favorable environment, and kind people of Southern Qi.
"Black Robe and Minglan have been in the capital city. They originally wanted to come and pick you up, but the Southern Emperor stopped them, saying that too many people would cause chaos."
"Heh, this father of mine does know me quite well."
Xie Lingqin understood, looked ahead, and suddenly stopped. There, a crowd of people was gathered.
"See that? It's like taking a chestnut out of the fire, testing your courage. If you pass, you can go work on the farm next door."
As soon as Xie Lingqin and Xu Yiran entered, they heard a confident voice coming from the innermost part of the room.
"A farm?" Xie Lingqin was slightly taken aback. "Back in Beirong, I had heard of a great spectacle in Nanqi, which was found in almost every city. It was the act of taking chestnuts out of the fire, a test of courage. There wasn't necessarily a real fire inside; it depended on luck. This was used to select people with the courage to go to the farm because the farm owners liked people with courage."
"I've heard of it too, and I'm fortunate enough to see it today."
Xu Yiran stretched out her hands to help Xie Lingqin avoid the people around her, and slowly walked in, protecting her completely.
Because of the handsome man and beautiful woman, and their imposing presence, not only did the two of them move, but the people who saw them also unconsciously made way for them.
Even so, Xu Yiran remained cautious, protecting her while also being wary of strangers.
Xie Lingqin wasn't unaware of it. She lowered her brows slightly, feeling both touched and saddened. Even with such gentle, spring-like tenderness, her heart was ultimately dead.
At this moment, a stove as tall as a person was placed in the middle, and a stool was placed on the side. People could stand on it, bend over, and reach their hands down.
Even from some distance, you could feel the fire in the stove almost reaching your face.
Such behavior, even in modern times, would be stopped, let alone in Beirong. But here, no one patrolled, and everyone was eager to watch. Some tried it, and some backed down. Everyone's face was full of enthusiasm and satisfaction, without any ulterior motives.
"Tell me, is the fire in here real or fake?"
Xie Lingqin was somewhat curious.
After all, no one who entered the farm was allowed to reveal the details of this risky business to outsiders, and those who had just tried it and retreated could only say that the fire was too hot.
"Whether it's true or false, it all depends on how you perceive it."
Xu Yiran said gently from beside him.
Even with a large crowd gathered around, his voice was like a warm breeze passing by, clear and comforting.
"I suddenly feel like giving it a try."
Xie Lingqin raised her eyebrows slightly and took a step forward.
"Girl, you'd better take this easy, it's no joke."
Seeing that such a beautiful woman wanted to try it, the person shouting quickly stopped her, seemingly with good intentions.
Why do you want to try?
Xu Yiran did not stop her, but looked at Xie Lingqin and asked.
Xie Lingqin lowered her brows slightly, "I don't know, I just want to try what it feels like to snatch chestnuts from the fire."
Is it true that when the fire scorches your fingertips, some things etched into your very bones can be forgotten simply by trying to forget them?
"Then I'll help you."
Xu Yiran suddenly spoke, and as she spoke, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and leaped onto the stove, reaching directly inside.
"Are you crazy? Put it down!"
Xie Lingqin's expression changed, and she jumped up and grabbed Xu Yiran's hand. Her face turned red with anxiety. Looking at his hand, which was now swollen and burning hot, she scolded him angrily, "Are you stupid? That's a stove! Why did you have to grab it? Are you crazy? You're an idiot! I was just saying that."
Xu Yiran smiled gently, looked at Xie Lingqin, and took her hand in return, saying, "It's alright."
He was sweating profusely from the pain, yet he's still fine?
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