Chapter 70 You Bastard
Since holding hands under the moon, the relationship between Liu Jin and Xiao Ziran has entered a new delicate and tense stage.
On the surface, they are still allies fighting against powerful enemies, and they speak calmly and have clear strategies when discussing national affairs.
But secretly, those glances that accidentally met and then quickly separated, the fingertips that briefly touched when handing over documents, and the tension that flowed silently in the air and almost became real, all indicated that something was completely different.
Xiao Ziran still supervised Liu Jin's medication every day, but he no longer needed an excuse.
Sometimes he would bring some novel gadgets or the newly arrived tribute tea from Nanyue, saying only that it was to "help Brother Jin to relieve his boredom."
Although Liu Jin still didn't say much, he no longer refused. He would even take a sip of the exotic tea under his expectant gaze, and then nod very lightly, in return for a smile as bright as the morning sun.
However, it was difficult for the emperor to give his heart completely, especially under the shadow of the "Netherworld Snake Kiss".
One day, the secret guard intercepted a secret letter, and the code in the letter was deciphered with great difficulty.
It vaguely pointed out that there was a noble person of extremely high status in the palace, who had a close connection with "Owl Feather" and was code-named "Qingluan".
When the news came, Liu Jin's face instantly darkened.
A noble of extremely high status? The scope is very small, nothing more than princes of the royal family, concubines in the harem, or... Emperor Nanyue, Xiao Ziran, who has been frequently entering and leaving the palace recently and has enormous power and intelligence network.
Once the seeds of doubt were planted, they quickly took root and sprouted. Liu Jin could not help but be suspicious.
The timing of Xiao Ziran's appearance was too coincidental, the help he provided was sometimes too "just right", and his understanding of "Owl Feather" seemed too deep.
Are all that tenderness and selfless protection just an elaborate scam?
The purpose is to gain his trust and eventually deal a fatal blow?
That night, when Xiao Ziran came to deliver medicine as usual, he keenly noticed the coldness and alienation emanating from Liu Jin.
It was a chilling feeling that was more biting than any previous rejection.
"Brother Jin?" Xiao Ziran put down the medicine bowl and asked tentatively, "But is there something else bothering you in the court today?"
Liu Jin raised his eyes, his gaze as sharp as an ice cone, piercing straight at him.
"I received a secret report today that among the core members of 'Owl Feather', there is a person codenamed 'Blue Luan' who is very hidden and holds a high position. Ziran, do you know this person in Nanyue?"
He directly called out "Zi Ran", but his tone was not at all friendly, but rather cold, like an interrogation.
The smile on Xiao Ziran's face froze instantly.
He was so smart that he immediately understood what Liu Chen meant. A huge sense of grievance and pain suddenly gripped his heart, almost making him breathless.
For the person in front of him, he almost gave his heart and soul, was willing to mobilize the national treasury, and even took risks many times, but in return he was still suspected?
His face turned pale, his eyes darkened, but the corners of his mouth curled up in a self-deprecating, painful arc:
"Liu Jin, in your mind, I, Xiao Ziran, am some despicable, two-faced person? If I were truly the 'Qingluan', why would I go to such great lengths? When you were sick and weak, I had countless opportunities to easily succeed."
He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with the stubbornness and fierceness of someone who had been deeply hurt:
"Yes, I admit that my original intention in approaching you was impure. I deceived you and kept secrets from you. You deserve to hate and doubt me! But the feelings I have for you, Xiao Ziran, are evident to all!
Everything I do may be ridiculous or humble, but it is absolutely not false!
If you don't believe me, I can swear a blood oath right now, or I can present all the files on 'Owl Feather' that the Nanyue Secret Guard has before you, and let your people thoroughly investigate!"
He spoke excitedly, and his eyes were slightly red, filled with pain, anger, and despair.
Liu Jin was shocked by his intense reaction.
He looked at Xiao Ziran's slightly red eyes and his unwavering, fierce gaze, and the doubts in his heart began to waver.
Yes, if he is really "Qingluan", his acting skills are too extreme and the price he paid is too high.
The hall fell into a deathly silence. The two stared at each other, one cold and scrutinizing, the other painful and stubborn.
After a long moment, Liu Jin looked away, his voice still devoid of emotion:
"I'm just asking a routine question. Since you say it's not true, I'll believe you this time."
This is more of a temporary compromise than a sign of trust.
Xiao Ziran seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He looked at Liu Jin deeply, his eyes were complicated and difficult to read, and finally turned into a deep sadness.
He said hoarsely, "The medicine is almost cold. Your Majesty, drink it while it's hot. I...will take my leave."
His tone was distant and tired. Without looking at Liu Jin again, he turned around and left the hall silently.
Liu Jin looked at the bowl of still warm medicine, then looked at Xiao Ziran's somewhat lonely back as he disappeared out the door, and an inexplicable pain arose in his heart.
Is he really...going too far?
The cloud of suspicion had not yet dissipated, and a few days later, an assassination attempt against Liu Chen broke out again.
This time, it was not in the palace, but on Liu Jin's way to the camp outside Beijing for a secret inspection.
The assassin disguised himself as a refugee and used the army's standard crossbows and gunpowder. His methods were ruthless and his plans were meticulous. It was obvious that he had obtained extremely accurate intelligence and was determined to kill with one strike!
Amidst the chaos, crossbows shot out, explosions rang out, and the guards and assassins engaged in a chaotic battle.
Liu Jin remained calm in the face of danger and commanded the situation with confidence, but dangers were lurking on all sides.
A poisoned arrow pierced through the crowd and shot directly into Liu Jin's heart! The speed and angle were so fierce that it caught everyone off guard!
At this critical moment, a figure pounced like a ghost and pushed Liu Jin away!
It was Xiao Ziran! He had appeared nearby without anyone noticing. Or perhaps he had been secretly following and protecting her?
The poisonous arrow pierced Xiao Ziran's shoulder blade with such great force that he groaned and staggered a few steps, and blood instantly dyed his robe red.
"Xiao Ziran!" Liu Jin's pupils suddenly shrank and he cried out in shock. At that moment, all his suspicions, calculations, and barriers vanished into thin air.
All that was left was overwhelming panic and excruciating pain like a heart being torn apart!
He supported Xiao Ziran, who was about to fall, and his voice was trembling.
Xiao Ziran's face quickly turned pale, but he still managed to force a smile:
"No...it's okay...I won't die...luckily...I didn't hurt you..." Before he could finish his words, he fell down.
"Imperial Physician! Call the Imperial Physician quickly!" Liu Jin hugged him and screamed loudly. For the first time, the fear that almost led to collapse appeared in those eyes that were always calm and composed.
He pressed tightly on Xiao Ziran's bleeding wound, his fingers stained with warm blood, the temperature of which burned him to the point of fear.
Xiao Ziran was rushed back to the palace, and all the imperial doctors on duty at the Imperial Medical Bureau were summoned.
The arrows were highly poisonous. Fortunately, Xiao Ziran had deep internal strength, and the Nanyue royal family was well versed in various poisons.
The detoxification pill he carried with him temporarily suppressed the poison, but the situation was still dangerous.
Liu Jin ignored everyone's dissuasion and stayed by his bedside without leaving.
He personally wiped the cold sweat from Xiao Ziran's forehead and fed him medicine, not daring to take his eyes off the paper-pale face for a moment.
Xiao Ziran, who was in a coma, occasionally muttered, calling out his name.
"Liu Jin, hurry up and leave..."
"Brother Jin...don't be afraid..."
"I'm sorry...back then...I didn't mean to lie to you..."
"Believe me... please... believe me..."
The intermittent mumbling was like a blunt knife, repeatedly cutting Liu Jin's heart.
He held Xiao Ziran's cold hand, placed it against his cheek, and said in a hoarse and low voice:
"I believe you... Xiao Ziran, I believe you... Just hold on for me! Do you hear me? If anything happens to you, I... I will never forgive you!"
Perhaps after hearing his words, Xiao Ziran's brows relaxed slightly.
After a day and a night of rescue, Xiao Ziran was finally out of danger.
When he woke up, the first thing he saw was Liu Jin, who was lying on the bed with dark circles under his eyes and looked haggard.
"...Brother Jin?" he said weakly.
Liu Jin woke up immediately. Seeing that he had finally woken up, he was instantly overwhelmed by ecstasy, and his voice was choked with sobs:
"You're awake?! How do you feel? Are you feeling any discomfort?"
Xiao Ziran looked at how worried he was about her, and felt a pang of pain in his heart. He shook his head gently.
"It's okay... You stayed with me all night again?" He tried to raise his hand to touch Liu Chen's face, but it pulled the wound and he gasped in pain.
Liu Jin hurriedly held him down:
"Don't move!" He moved cautiously, his eyes showing undisguised heartache and fear. "Why are you so stupid? Shielding me from the arrow? If you..."
"If you get hit by an arrow, I'll go crazy." Xiao Ziran interrupted him, his eyes focused and affectionate, his tone weak but incomparably firm.
"Liu Jin, I can die, but you can't be in trouble. The world needs you, Xiao'er needs you... I need you too."
The last three words, as light as a sigh, but as heavy as a thousand pounds, hit Liu Jin's heart hard.
All hesitation, defense, and pride completely collapsed at this moment.
Liu Jin leaned over, gently resting his forehead against Xiao Ziran's, closed his eyes, and said in a hoarse voice:
"Xiao Ziran, you... bastard. Don't do this again... You are not allowed to die without my permission."
This is the emperor's most sincere promise and love words.
Xiao Ziran smiled, his pale face glowing with moving brilliance, and he responded softly:
"Okay. Then you have to promise me that you'll trust me more in the future and stop doubting me so easily, okay?"
"...Okay." Liu Jin was silent for a moment and agreed solemnly.
After this life-and-death crisis, the ice between the two finally melted away completely.
Trust was rebuilt and made stronger through the test of blood and death.
From then on, their relationship entered a new, more intimate and trusting stage.
The road ahead is still full of dangers, but at least at this moment, they are truly standing side by side with each other's hearts.
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