Chapter 26 (8,000 words) Yin Xing is more...
Just as Yin Xing was lost in doubt, she saw Xuan Yizhen's beautiful eyes, clear and bright, her expression calm. Her cool fingertips gently moved around the corners of her eyebrows and eyes, and she said softly, "Just stay by my side. There's no need to do anything special to cheer yourself up."
Yin Xing blinked her eyes at the calm Xuan Yizhen, realizing she had been overthinking things. She replied calmly, "Okay, then if there's anything fun you want to do with me, tell me."
"Well, there will be." Xuan Yizheng lowered his eyes and looked at Yin Xing's bright eyes, in which his face was clearly reflected. He looked away and murmured.
After saying this, Xuan Yizhen withdrew her fingertips and tilted her head to look out at the inky night outside the pavilion. Her beautiful eyes were dark and serene, and the silence was profound. However, her tone remained gentle as she spoke slowly, "It's getting late now. I should return to the villa."
Hearing this, Yin Xing also stood up, his eyes fixed on Xuan Yizhen's left arm beneath his wide sleeves. He muttered worriedly, "Yizhen, take care of your injuries. If you're in any danger, remember to let me know."
If Yin Xing had known that Xuan Yizhen was injured, he wouldn't have kept asking about the trip in his letters.
After all, Xuan Yizheng is so gentle and kind, so even if he encounters trouble or hurt, he can't bear to tell himself.
The more Yin Xing thought about it, the more worried he became. However, he was also afraid that his rash investigation would bring trouble to Xuan Yizheng, so he had to give him a warning.
"Okay." Xuan Yizheng's eyes fell on Yin Xing's concerned expression, he nodded slightly, and then stood up.
"Then I'll see Yizhen off." Yin Xing walked beside him holding a lantern, and raised his hand to carefully fiddle with the drooping hollyhock branches for Xuan Yizhen.
The night was deep as two figures stepped out of the waterside pavilion. Manager Xin followed them from a distance. He tilted his head and looked back at the scene decorated with pink hollyhock flowers, feeling surprised.
Although I know that Princess Zhanghua treats Yin Xing from the Xizhou Marquis Mansion very well, I still feel that it is a little too special and rare.
The moon moves and the stars rotate, the sky becomes bright, and it is another sunny day. The capital city is bustling with people and is still prosperous.
However, due to the passage of time, the corpses hanging in the Dali Temple had been exposed to the sun and were no longer in human form. Officials passing by were all afraid to avoid them, and only flies and mosquitoes were circling around them.
On the main hall, Jiang Zhengming, the Supreme Court Judge, stood by the window, gazing at the mummy. He frowned and said, "If he had listened to good advice earlier, he wouldn't have ended up like this."
The attendant official served tea and said, "Sir, Wu Shijie has always been a smart and experienced person in his work. I'm afraid there's something behind his failure this time."
"Wu Shijie apparently died because of murder and destruction of evidence during the Third Princess' investigation into the cruise ship accident. In reality, he was implicated in the struggle for the crown prince position, so this matter was bound to be complicated. The thousand-household generals who failed to properly guard the cruise ship that night were exiled for dereliction of duty, perhaps as a warning to the Third Princess to be more restrained."
"Your Excellency is right. The three princes and the princesses are all competing with each other. In recent years, officials have been trying to use this to gain promotion. I'm sure Your Majesty is also displeased."
Jiang Zhengming raised his hand to take the tea, lowered his eyes to watch the floating tea leaves unfold and change, and said indifferently: "The emperor's mind is hard to predict. You have been by my side for some years, and you are so presumptuous to speculate like this. Are you tired of living?"
The attendant official was shocked and knelt on the ground in fear and trepidation, saying, "Your humble servant spoke out of turn, please forgive me, sir!"
After he finished speaking, Jiang Zhengming glanced at the trembling attendant officials, drank his tea, and his eyes fell on the busy figures of officials and constables in the hall.
"Stand up. This will not happen again. Your Majesty's thoughts are far more difficult to guess than mine. You must be cautious in everything you say and do. Do you understand?"
"Understood, thank you, sir!"
Jiang Zhengming handed the teacup to the attendant official, walked leisurely to the desk, picked up the document, and said, "Then Yin Xing, the son of the Marquis of Xizhou, didn't come to the Dali Temple today?"
The attendant official wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and said respectfully, "Yes, since the resignation document was delivered to the cabinet, Yin Xing has not come to the Dali Temple again."
"This person's matter is also a trouble. It seems I have to go to the palace to meet the emperor." Jiang Zhengming sighed lightly and looked at the handwriting in the document. It was far inferior to the original letter of leave. It was obvious that this was Yin Xing's original handwriting.
Back then, Jiang Zhengming was reluctant to let Yin Xing enter the Dali Temple, always feeling that this would be a dangerous fuse.
After all, behind Yin Xing is Princess Zhanghua, who is the only descendant of the royal family and the Wanqi family. No other princes and princesses have a more noble status than her.
If Princess Zhanghua was a prince, there wouldn't be the current dispute over the crown prince. I'm afraid the emperor wouldn't even have a choice.
"Sir, it's very hot now. I will go and prepare a sedan chair for you." The accompanying official suppressed his doubts and responded, then left the pavilion.
It would be an exaggeration to specially meet the emperor just because a son of the Marquis of Xizhou resigned from his official position.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky. Inside the palace of the capital, dragons and tigers were vividly depicted among the carved beams and painted buildings. Layers of golden, jade and pearl curtains hung down to conceal the bright yellow figures pacing inside.
Jiang Zhengming waited quietly in front of the prince, his eyes fixed on the intricate patterns on the bricks and stones on the floor, but in his heart he was trying to figure out the emperor's intentions.
"My dear, what do you think of Yin Xing, the son of the Marquis of Xizhou, as the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple?"
"Your Majesty, I don't know much about this. I only know that Yin Xing has never been late, and he has no other faults."
After he finished speaking, the bright yellow figure in front of the dragon case sat down on the dragon throne. He looked at the resignation documents and said slowly, "But why did I hear that Yin Xing had close contacts with the two prisoners Wu Shijie and Chang Tonghai?"
Jiang Zhengming's expression was slightly tense. He thought carefully and replied slowly, "They were once the Shaoqing and Sicheng of the Inspection Offices in charge of the four regions. I think Yin Xing did have some dealings with them due to his work."
Subconsciously, Jiang Zhengming thought that the emperor wanted to use this as an opportunity to implicate and punish Yin Xing, but then he changed his mind and didn't dare to say anything definite, so he had to leave room for maneuver.
"That's true. Yin Xing also participated in the Third Princess's interrogation with the Minister of Imperial Clan Affairs. Was he also the one who annotated the transcript?"
"Yes, Yin Xing, as an official from the Dali Temple, is cooperating in the investigation of the Three Princesses' boat accident."
As he finished speaking, the writing on the dragon table continued uninterrupted as a deep voice echoed, "In that case, Yin Xing's dedication to his duties can be considered a meritorious service. How do you think we should reward him?"
Jiang Zhengming looked at his tall, dark shadow cast across the hall, secretly thanking himself for not jumping to conclusions. He knew the emperor definitely had spies in the Dali Temple. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he said thoughtfully, "Your Majesty, I believe that although Yin Xing has done his best, he is still young and should gain more experience before he can achieve great things."
"My dear minister, your words make sense. How about ordering someone to draft an imperial decree and award a precious sword?"
"Your Majesty is wise."
Having said this, Jiang Zhengming already understood the emperor's decision. Not long after, he raised his hand to take the imperial edict prepared by the eunuch and slowly retreated from the magnificent hall.
He was afraid that he could only refuse the resignation document, and Yin Xing had to stay in the Dali Temple. Jiang Zhengming secretly pondered the emperor's intentions.
Stepping out of the spacious and deep hall, Jiang Zhengming looked at the eunuch who came with a sword and a long box, and recalled the emperor's previous dangerous conversation.
The emperor seemed to know everything about Yin Xing's every move, so he should obviously be aware of the contempt and dissatisfaction of the Dali Temple officials.
However, the emperor remained silent about this for a long time, so Jiang Zhengming misjudged the situation and submitted his resignation letter.
Now the emperor wants Yin Xing to stay in the Dali Temple and rewards him without any concealment. The intention behind this is definitely not simple.
In the afternoon, Jiang Zhengming returned to the Dali Temple. He looked at the imperial edict and the sword and said to the attendant official, "Go to Yin Xing's residence and convey the imperial edict. Make sure he returns to the Dali Temple."
The attendant official hesitated and said, "Sir, that person from the four quarters openly expelled Yin Xing. If this problem is not resolved, how will we accommodate him in the future?"
"I will summon the officials from the Dali Temple for this matter. As for Ke Yutao, I believe he will not disobey the imperial edict under any circumstances."
"As you command."
At dusk, the sun sets in the west, the scorching heat gradually subsides, and more people come out to the streets of the capital to enjoy the cool air at night.
The attendant official dismounted from his horse and came to the front of the courtyard. He looked inside through the gate and thought that this was probably the private residence given by Princess Zhanghua.
Ordinary officials cannot live in the inner city of the capital, where every inch of land is valuable. Not even Lord Jiang can do so, because the land price is too high. However, third-rank officials are usually given houses, but they will not be of such a large area.
"This humble official has come to Lord Xiao Yin to read the Emperor's commendation decree."
"I'm sorry, Master Xiao Yin is out today, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to find him for a while."
A maid responded calmly, as if she did not take the holy order seriously at all.
Seeing this, the attending official was slightly stunned. He looked at an elderly woman who was in charge. Seeing that the woman was wearing a red and blue flying feather ornament on her side, he did not dare to act rashly.
The imperial edict, of course, cannot be handed over to others but must be delivered to the real owner, but Yin Xing is not in the courtyard, so this trip would be in vain.
At this time, Yin Xing was working diligently in front of a stall in the capital's market, writing letters for others to make money.
However, the old woman spoke in a rather unclear voice with a mixed accent, and Yin Xing almost doubted his life after hearing it.
Yin Xing finally finished writing the letter. Seeing the old woman taking out three copper coins with great difficulty, he felt a little embarrassed to accept it, so he only took one copper coin and said, "Today's discount, please give it to someone else to deliver it."
After seeing the old woman thank him gratefully and leave, Yin Xing held a copper coin in his hand and suddenly felt that this new job was not bad!
After all, it's really boring to sit idle in the yard every day.
Soon, another young woman came forward with a child in her arms, handed the envelope to Yin Xing, and said apologetically, "Please help me read the letter home."
Yin Xing raised his hand to take the wrinkled envelope, took a quick look, and felt that he had found a shocking piece of news!
"My husband has been away for years and hasn't come back. Suddenly, there's no news from him. Could he have died in an accident?"
"Yeah, about the same."
Yin Xing looked at this so-called family letter, which was actually a divorce letter from a scumbag who had abandoned his wife and children and cheated on him. His clear eyes were tangled as he looked at the solemn woman. He could only pour the copper coins in the bamboo tube to her and said in a serious tone: "I am sorry. Find a good family again."
"How can a woman with a child find a good family?" The woman took the copper coin with red eyes, her expression sad and helpless. She looked at the fair and handsome young man in front of her, like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood, and said politely, "Good man, you look quite young, you must be unmarried, right?"
Hearing this, Yin Xing was so frightened that his heart stopped. He didn't dare to hesitate at all and said, "I'm married."
Help, ma'am! Even if you are in a hurry, you can't just go to the wrong doctor!
"What a pity." The woman muttered to herself while holding the child, and left the street, looking back every few steps.
Yin Xing raised his hand as if facing a great enemy, packed up his pens, ink, paper and inkstone, and put the utensils into a small box, thinking to himself that this place was not safe and he would find another place next time!
The night was hazy. Yin Xing rode Xiaoguai back to the courtyard and his eyes fell on the extra horse. It was really strange. It was the first time that there were guests visiting.
The officials who were waiting were so hungry that they hurried forward with the imperial edict in their hands, and congratulated him warmly: "Master Xiao Yin, you are finally back. I am waiting to give you the emperor's commendation edict and the imperial sword."
"But I've already resigned." Yin Xing was puzzled, not quite understanding the sudden situation. Could it be that Xuan Yi hadn't submitted his resignation documents, resulting in a miscommunication?
"Master Xiao Yin, Master Jiang, the Minister of the Dali Temple, has learned of the injustice you have suffered and has severely reprimanded and punished officials from all sides. So we hope that you can report to work as usual tomorrow." The attendant official's attitude was humble.
Yin Xing didn't understand what had happened. He just felt that this explanation was a bit forced. He had been subjected to ridicule and mockery in the Dali Temple for a whole month, so the Dali Temple Minister should not have been unaware of the situation.
Besides, it had been a long time since I had gone to the Dali Temple to resign from my official position, and the Dali Temple Minister only just remembered to deal with me.
The officials in the Dali Temple were all very shrewd, and Yin Xing didn't believe that the Dali Temple Minister could be so dull.
"But I have changed my job, and I don't want to be an idler without a file in the Dali Temple." Ever since Yin Xing knew that he was almost made a scapegoat by Wu Shijie, Chang Tonghai and others, he felt that the Dali Temple was too dark.
Upon hearing this, the attendant official looked embarrassed and stepped forward to follow him, calling out, "Master Xiao Yin, this time is different. If you are disrespected in the Dali Temple again, I promise to punish them severely."
Yin Xing felt awkward watching the attendant official speak of punishment in a humble tone, and shook his head in response: "You misunderstood. I actually feel that my abilities are limited and I am not qualified to hold such an important position in the Dali Temple. Please return."
Although Yin Xing didn't understand the current situation, he remembered that Xuan Yizheng had repeatedly prevented him from entering the Dali Temple, so he could only apologize to this accompanying official who had taken the trouble to visit him.
"But this imperial edict and sword are gifts from His Majesty."
"Okay, I'll take the stuff. Thanks for the trip. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
The attendant official looked at the fair and pretty Xiao Yin's friendly gesture, then glanced at the unmoved and solemn appearance of the female steward. He was about to offer further advice, but he could only swallow it and said in awe: "No, I have to go back and report. Please give me some more consideration, Xiao Yin."
People from the Wanqi family should not be provoked easily. This is a rule known to everyone in the court.
As soon as they finished speaking, the group retreated from the hall and soon disappeared from the courtyard corridor.
Yin Xing sat down holding the imperial edict and the long box, and opened the imperial edict curiously. There was no mention of resignation in it. It was just an ordinary two-line commendation document.
Then, Yin Xing turned to look at the long box with exquisite style, raised his hand to open it, and inside was a sword with a sapphire scabbard and silver-white flowing light, which was obviously worth a lot of money.
Yin Xing raised his hand to take it out, only to find that it was quite heavy. He carefully drew out the long sword. The clanging sound echoed melodiously, and the sword edge was shining with a cold light. Without testing it, he could tell that it must be extremely sharp.
The items rewarded by the emperor are truly extraordinary.
When the sword was put back into the scabbard, Manager Xin had already ordered people to prepare the meal. His eyes fell on the sword and the imperial edict, and he signaled the maid to put them away.
The candlelight flickered, the night was deep, the city lights were bright, the streets were bustling with cars and horses, and the wine shops and gardens were bustling with people.
The lights inside the Dali Temple were dim, with only a few constables on duty. The officials in the pavilion stood stiffly by the side. It would be a bit tricky if today's task was not completed well.
If Yin Xing was just an ordinary nobleman, he could have used both soft and hard tactics, and used both kindness and power. But he had Princess Zhanghua and the entire Wanqi family to rely on, so he could only worship this little Buddha.
Jiang Zhengming sat at his desk, flipping through the case files. He raised his hand and spoke slowly, "I'll give you one more chance. What do you think we should do now?"
The attendant official said palely, "Sir, Yin Xing said he was getting a new assignment. Perhaps Princess Zhanghua arranged another place for him. Your Majesty may not be aware of this yet."
"Absolutely impossible. Your Majesty holds the entire country in the deepest control. Otherwise, how do you think Ke Yutao knew that Chang Tonghai had accepted bribes and made him willingly die as evidence, thus legitimately concluding the investigation into the Third Princess' boat accident?"
"Your Excellency is right. I am a dull-witted official. Please give me more time on this matter. I will do my best to persuade Yin Xing to come back!"
Jiang Zhengming's face darkened slightly, and he waved his hand and said, "Okay, go down."
In a moment, the sound of footsteps faded away, the candlelight flickered, and silence fell in the pavilion. Jiang Zhengming picked up the teacup and took a sip, his eyes falling on the closing documents of the Third Princess' boat accident.
The case ended with a group of officials being punished and the eldest princess being confined to her house, but Jiang Zhengming knew that Wu Shijie was not the eldest princess's man, so the matter was far from over.
The emperor had Ke Yutao stay in the Dali Temple for so many years, it was impossible for him not to be aware of this matter. This was just the apparent end.
The eldest princess was punished for being confined because her methods were too clumsy. Moreover, if the reputation of an eldest princess was implicated, it would be a good idea to involve the third princess, the eldest prince, and the second princess as well, destroying the dignity of the royal family and becoming a laughing stock.
From the very beginning, this case was not judged according to the Dali Temple, but according to the emperor's thoughts.
Now the emperor wants Yin Xing to stay in the Dali Temple. He probably has only one purpose: Princess Zhanghua and the Wanqi family behind him are extraordinary.
Jiang Zhengming slowly put down the teacup and looked at the crescent moon outside the window. Wu Shijie's body was hanging below it, looming. It was not surprising that Ke Yutao was the emperor's spy.
But Ke Yutao's humiliation of Yin Xing in public that day was somewhat unexpected.
The emperor wants Yin Xing to stay in the Dali Temple, but he also seems to not want Yin Xing to live comfortably. The fickleness behind this may be a test.
The heart of an emperor is as unfathomable as the abyss. Jiang Zhengming raised his hand and burned the three secret letters from the prince in the candlelight. With fire dancing in his eyes, he secretly felt lucky that he had not crossed the dangerous line.
Otherwise, Ke Yutao would not have taken over Chang Tonghai's position as the Fourth Shaoqing.
I think this situation is not limited to the Dali Temple. I am afraid that officials from the six ministries are all under the emperor's strict surveillance. If they are not careful, they will be doomed.
Wu Shijie's body not only alerted the officials of the Dali Temple, but also served as a warning from the emperor to Jiang Zhengming.
The current emperor's methods have never been defeated even when competing with the four major families. This shows how far-reaching his thoughts and strategies are.
These princesses and princes are far inferior to the emperor in terms of means. If they were not of royal blood, they would have died long ago.
The smoke from the burning candle slowly rose, blurring the low-hanging waning moon outside the window.
In the sky, silver-white light spreads within the capital, and the warm night breeze blows through the downtown area. The bustling hustle and bustle obscures the solemn and murderous atmosphere within the capital, and the darkness is filled with ghosts and monsters.
The next morning, as the sun came out, it was already a bit hot and unbearable.
The cold mist lingered quietly in the ice jar, and the plump and bright lychees on the jade plate were stained with a little crystal mist, making them even more delicious.
Yin Xing looked away and turned to look at Xuan Yizheng, who rarely visited during the day recently, and immediately gave up the idea of going out.
"Yizhen, aren't you busy today?"
"Well, these tribute lychees are sweet and juicy. You should like them."
Yin Xing raised his hand and picked up a lychee. He peeled off the thin layer of skin and was surprised to see the icy juice flowing out immediately. He quickly held the clear and sweet flesh in his mouth to avoid wasting it. His clear eyes blinked and he said with surprise, "Delicious!"
Xuan Yizhen's gaze fell on Yin Xing's slightly moist lips, lingering silently until she finished eating the fruit with satisfaction. He then looked away and said softly, "Do you like it so much?"
"Well, do you really want to try it?"
"good."
Seeing that Xuan Yizheng responded but did not move, Yin Xing raised his hand to peel the lychee, pinched the stem with his fingertips, and handed it to her.
My dear princess, most of you have never done housework.
I thought Xuan Yizheng would take the lychee and taste it, but she lowered her slender neck, opened her thin lips and bit the flesh. Her posture was casual, but she was very close.
Summer clothes are mostly made of light gauze. When Xuan Yizheng leaned over slightly, some of her fair skin inevitably caught Yin Xing's eyes.
The cool and subtle fragrance from Xuan Yizhen's body mixed with the aroma of lychee rushed into Yin Xing's nose, bringing with it a cool and sweet taste.
Yin Xing subconsciously rolled his throat, his heart agitated. When he finally realized what was happening, he retracted his suspended hand and asked with a warm expression, "Do you think it tastes good?"
Xuan Yizhen tasted the cool, sweet flesh between her teeth, her beautiful eyes calm and natural as she softly replied, "It's okay, you can eat it."
For some reason, the lychee flesh was not as delicious and tempting as I had imagined, but rather very sweet.
After saying that, Xuan Yizheng's eyes showed a hint of regret. He raised his hand and took the embroidered handkerchief to wipe the overly sweet juice from his lips, feeling a little puzzled.
"Oh, okay." Yin Xing thought Xuan Yizhen didn't like sweet food, and remembered that she had to stay in bed even during her period, so he stopped peeling lychees for her.
Of course, Yin Xing didn't dare to look at Xuan Yizheng, not only her beautiful face, but also other parts of her body.
Yin Xing was tasting the sweet and delicious lychees, but he always felt that he seemed like a pervert before!
The pavilion was quiet. Yin Xing vaguely felt that someone was looking at him. He turned his head to look, but saw Xuan Yizheng drinking tea by himself, quiet and elegant, not looking at him. He couldn't help but wonder, was it an illusion?
Xuan Yizhen lowered his eyes to look at the face reflected in the tea. After a while, he shifted his gaze and looked at Yin Xing's lips again, which were holding the lychee flesh. At this moment, they were red and moist due to the cold. He couldn't help but think about something.
Soon, Yin Xing finished eating the lychees on the jade plate. He felt a sweetness between his fingertips, so he dipped his hands in the basin of water and muttered, "The best thing about summer is that you can eat all kinds of chilled fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, Yizhen is not in good health, so he can't eat too much of these."
Yin Xing wiped the water droplets with a handkerchief and turned his head, only to see Xuan Yizhen leaning closer. His cold and outstanding face was so close that his breath stopped.
In the past, Yin Xing always felt that words like "sinking fishes, falling geese, and hiding the moon and shameful flowers" were too exaggerated, but now Yin Xing feels that it is not impossible!
Xuan Yizhen held the embroidered handkerchief in her hand and placed it between Yin Xing's lips, wiping them carefully. She replied calmly, "Actually, it's the same if you watch me eat."
"I eat, how can it be the same?"
"Perhaps your greedy appearance makes you look sweeter and more delicious than the lychee flesh."
This was said seriously, but the person who heard it blushed. Yin Xing blinked her round eyes and looked at the gentle and thoughtful Xuan Yizhen in front of her. Her cheeks were slightly hot and she muttered, "Yizhen, why are you making fun of me?"
Sure enough, the gaze I felt just now was not an illusion, but Xuan Yizheng was watching me eat lychees.
However, Yin Xing forgot that Xuan Yizhen's fingertips were on his lips. He only noticed it slowly when he accidentally touched them while talking.
But Xuan Yizheng seemed to be fine. He moved his fingertips slowly across the embroidered handkerchief, and then withdrew his hand.
Yin Xing was left with her cheeks flushed red, not knowing what to do, with her head hung low like a quail.
Wow, so embarrassing!
Xuan Yizheng placed the embroidered handkerchief aside, lowered her eyes and looked at her fingertips, feeling the soft touch faintly. Her beautiful eyes were as clear as a mirror, yet rippled with confusion.
The two of them were silent for a while, each with their own thoughts. After a long time, Yin Xing couldn't help but speak.
"This tea is not bad, it has a sweet aftertaste." Yin Xing tried to pretend that nothing had happened and made up something to say.
"Maybe you ate too much lychee pulp, so you think plain water is sweet." Xuan Yizheng blinked her beautiful eyes in response, her gaze fell on Yin Xing's lips, and she chuckled.
When Yin Xing heard this, he lowered his eyes to look at the boiled water in the teacup, and replied with an embarrassed look on his face, "That's true. I ate quite a lot just now."
Because the weather was hot, Yin Xing only asked Manager Xin to prepare some boiled water. He was so excited before that he was talking incoherently!
However, seeing that Xuan Yizheng did not take the previous episode seriously, Yin Xing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The golden light from the waterside pavilion fell into the interior, illuminating the entire room. Yin Xing thought of the emperor's edict and the sword, and talked about these things with Xuan Yizheng.
Xuan Yizhen replied calmly, "Do you want to go?"
Yin Xing shook his head and replied, "I don't know. What does Yizhen really want me to do?"
"I originally wanted you to go to the Imperial College or Shanglinyuan, but now it seems that's not possible."
"Why? Is that Dali Temple Minister so powerful?"
Xuan Yizhen's eyes fell on the red silk ribbon on Yin Xing's wrist. He raised his hand to grasp it and said thoughtfully, "This matter is not as simple as you think, so you should go back to Dali Temple."
Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizhen's long eyelashes, the shadows flitting between his quiet eyes, which looked like a misty lake and mountain scenery, remote and empty. He didn't pay attention to her words at all, and nodded blankly: "Okay, I'll listen to Yizhen."
Although I don’t understand the complexity of what Xuan Yizhen said, she is definitely right!
As soon as she finished speaking, Xuan Yizhen's beautiful eyes flashed with a faint smile. Her slender fingertips gradually hooked Yin Xing's red silk ribbon, and her tone was gentle with a rare hint of playfulness as she spoke, "So good, don't you really hate the Dali Temple officials?"
"I do hate officials from the Dali Temple, but Yizhen must have a point, right?" Yin Xing felt embarrassed by the smile and responded.
"That's right, but there's no rush for this matter. Someone from the Dali Temple will definitely come looking for you." Xuan Yizheng carefully observed Yin Xing's rosy cheeks, and gradually got used to the unintentional changes in her expression.
But Xuan Yizheng still felt that Yin Xing looked more delicious than Chuntao. He couldn't help but think of the sweet and greasy fruit flesh he had tasted before. His throat tightened slightly and he looked away slightly.
Yin Xing didn't know Xuan Yizhen's feelings. He just looked at her left arm and saw that the gauze seemed to be gone. He asked with concern, "Yizhen, is your arm wound healed?"
"Well, do you want to see it?"
"can I see?"
Because Xuan Yizheng seemed quite concerned and worried last time, Yin Xing felt that this should be her privacy.
After he finished speaking, Xuan Yizheng did not respond to Yin Xing's words, but took Yin Xing's hand, put it into his arm under the wide sleeves, and slowly went deeper.
Yin Xing didn't dare to be careless or move, for fear of touching the wound. When the wide sleeve was gently lifted up to reveal a slender white arm, there was a tattoo of two entwined flower branches on it. Peach and apricot flowers intertwined like vines fell on the cold white skin, delicate and gorgeous, lifelike.
"Does it look good?"
"Yeah, it looks good."
Xuan Yizheng calmly lowered his eyes and looked at the tattoo on his arm. If you didn't look closely, it would be difficult to notice that there was a piece of flesh that had been cut off.
Yin Xing looked away from the tattoo and asked curiously, "Yizhen, why do you want a tattoo?"
"The scar isn't pretty, so I want to cover it up with a tattoo. The flowers you gave me all withered, so engraving it is best."
"I see. I also thought Yizhen wouldn't actively want a tattoo."
Xuan Yizhen held Yin Xing's hand and wandered between the tattoo patterns, explaining aloud: "The Wanqi family has always retained the habit of tattooing, but we just didn't think it through before."
Yin Xing carefully touched the tattoo with his fingertips and asked, "Will it hurt?"
"It's not bad. You just need to inject the pigment into the skin one needle at a time so that it can be preserved permanently. If you like, I can tattoo the same pattern for you. How about it?" Xuan Yizheng said quite solemnly, his quiet and beautiful eyes showing a growing interest. Unconsciously, he increased the strength of his fingertips and his breathing became heavier.
As soon as these words came out, Yin Xing felt a little pain in his wrist, as if he had felt the pain of countless needles, and quickly responded: "No, I'm afraid of pain, so I'd better not use it."
Although the tattoo is beautiful, the process sounds very painful. Yin Xing feels that he will definitely let out a scream that is heartbreaking!
Xuan Yizhen's gaze fell on Yin Xing's face full of resistance. He pursed his thin lips, saying nothing but not loosening his grip either. He remained silent and still.
Yin Xing slowly realized that something was wrong and looked at Xuan Yizheng's jade-white face. Although her expression did not change much, her eyes were so dark that even the scorching sun in midsummer could not penetrate them at all. It was so strange and frightening.
Seeing this, Yin Xing remembered the scene he had glimpsed that night. He was horrified and subconsciously wanted to pull back his wrist.
But Xuan Yizhen's grip became tighter and tighter. Yin Xing took a deep breath, not daring to look into her eyes. He said angrily, "Yizhen, you hurt me."
As soon as she finished speaking, the strength on her wrist suddenly loosened a little. Xuan Yizhen blinked her beautiful eyes, her expression remaining calm. She rubbed the red mark on Yin Xing's wrist with her fingertips and said softly, "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, I can just rub it myself." Yin Xing heard the familiar voice and tentatively wanted to withdraw his hand.
"Don't move, the red mark will disappear soon." Xuan Yizheng's fingertips roamed on Yin Xingying's white wrist, rubbing it gently and attentively, caring for it with utmost care.
Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizheng's face with lingering fear. Her expression did not change at all from beginning to end, as if the obvious anger before was just a momentary illusion.
But the red mark on his wrist and the slight pain kept reminding Yin Xing that the abnormality just now was a real fact.
In the silence, the light flowed and changed on the ground, stretching the two figures. However, Yin Xing felt that the midsummer heat was replaced by endless cold. He did not dare to look at Xuan Yizheng's dark eyes that were always shrouded in mist, as if a ferocious beast would be released at any time.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: Thank you to the 52 lovely readers who quietly clicked on the collection to support you (≧▽≦)
Thanks to 18 lovely readers for following the update and leaving comments and rewards (≧▽≦)
New article recommendation collection: The fate of accidentally flirting with the paranoid queen (through the book)
A sweet story about a beautiful ambitious paranoid and a pure love silly little white rabbit. I hope you can click on the new article collection to support it (≧▽≦)
The author has many more completed works, please click on the column to read them, please (≧▽≦)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
