Chapter 111 A Heart Full of Thousands of Knots
Inside the Prince Yan's study, the atmosphere was even more somber than the gloomy sky outside.
When Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang arrived, Lou Yan was standing with his hands behind his back by the window, looking at the bamboo forest outside the window that was rustling in the wind. Yu Beichen was sitting beside him, his expression as cold and indifferent as ever.
"Royal brother," Lou Jin called out.
Lou Yan turned around, his face expressionless, and simply said, "You're here."
"What are your thoughts on the matter of the Nanzhao princess?"
"Their arrival is suspicious, and their motives are impure." Lou Jin said succinctly, "Proposing a marriage alliance at this critical juncture is probably more than just consolidating diplomatic relations. The Shadow Serpent's influence in Nanzhao is deeply entrenched, and it's hard to say that this matter has nothing to do with them."
Lou Yan snorted coldly: "Whether or not it is related to the Shadow Serpent, this problem is now before me. Although my father did not agree on the spot, the Nanzhao delegation is staying in the capital, and this matter must be addressed sooner or later."
He paused, his tone irritated, "In front of everyone, they practically named each other. Of the three, only I have not yet married a principal wife."
That's the crux of the problem.
Ye Xunyang couldn't help but speak up: "Isn't there any room for maneuver? Perhaps we could plead with the Emperor..."
"A petition?" Lou Yan interrupted him, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "What petition? That I have someone else in my heart and am unwilling to marry that Nanzhao princess?"
"Leaving aside the fact that royal marriages are never a matter of personal choice, the internal situation of Nanzhao is currently unclear. If refusing a marriage alliance causes Nanzhao to side with Yingshe or other forces, who can bear the responsibility?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Xunyang fell silent for a moment. He looked at Lou Jin, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
Lou Yan looked at Yu Beichen, who had remained silent, with a complicated expression: "Matters of diplomatic relations cannot be swayed by personal feelings."
Yu Beichen raised his eyelids, met Lou Yan's gaze for a moment, then lowered his eyes, his voice calm and even: "Your Highness is absolutely right. The overall situation is of utmost importance." He only clenched his fists until they turned white.
Lou Jin observed the interaction between the two and understood what was going on.
“Your Majesty, there may still be a chance for this matter to turn around. The Nanzhao Kingdom is not a monolithic entity. With the Crown Prince in a coma, various factions are stirring up trouble. It is still unknown which side Princess Arno represents.”
He walked to the desk, dipped his finger in tea, and drew a few circles on the gleaming surface: "We can start here."
"On the one hand, we should send more people to find out the specific situation in Nanzhao as soon as possible, as well as the background of this princess. On the other hand, we can try to guide public opinion in the court. Marrying a princess with an unclear background may also be like inviting a wolf into the house."
Lou Yan's eyes flickered slightly: "You mean, investigate this princess?"
“Not bad.” Lou Jin nodded.
“Our father is a man of great talent and ambition, and is by no means someone who can be manipulated at will. The reason he did not agree on the spot must be because he had doubts. What we need to do is to amplify these doubts and provide sufficient reasons.”
"As long as we can drag this out until our people find crucial evidence in Nanzhao or the southwest that proves Ying She is involved in this matter, or if there is an internal change in Nanzhao, then this marriage alliance can naturally be called off."
Ye Xunyang added, "Moreover, we can secretly contact other forces that may exist within the Nanzhao delegation, and perhaps find those who do not want to see the marriage alliance reach an agreement."
Lou Yan fell into deep thought, his tense expression easing slightly.
This is indeed a viable path, although it is passive, it is much better than resisting the Emperor's will or sacrificing his relationship with Beichen.
“But…time is of the essence.” Lou Yan looked at Lou Jin. “We must speed things up in the southwest and Nanzhao.”
“I understand.” Lou Jin’s expression was solemn. “I will immediately send more people and prepare for my personal trip. As for the capital, I will trouble you, Your Majesty, to handle things.”
Yu Beichen, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Your Highness, King Jin, I may write a few letters to some fellow medical practitioners who have traveled to the Southern Frontier. They have some knowledge of the Gu poison of Nanzhao and the local area, and may be able to provide some assistance."
Lou Yan looked at him, her eyes softening for a moment: "Then... I'll have to trouble you."
Lou Jin also cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Yu."
The important matters were mostly discussed, but the atmosphere didn't lighten much.
The Nanzhao princess was like a hot potato, hanging over everyone's minds.
As we left the Prince Yan's residence, the sky grew increasingly gloomy, and rumbling thunder sounded as if a downpour was imminent.
Inside the carriage, Ye Xunyang's expression was somewhat off, and Lou Jin noticed it as well. He had been silent during the discussion, seemingly lost in thought.
Lou Jin grasped Ye Xunyang's hand; despite the sweltering heat, his hand was icy cold. "Are you worried about your elder brother?"
"Ah...yes, it's true. It's been a long time since my brother and Mr. Yu have been together. It would be such a pity if it were because of this." Ye Xunyang didn't quite understand and replied casually.
Lou Jin could tell he was distracted, but still comforted him, "It's okay, trust me."
"Hmm." After saying that, Ye Xunyang stared blankly at a certain spot again.
Back at the Prince Jin's residence, it was time for dinner. Ye Xunyang had little appetite and ate a few bites before returning to his room.
Lou Jin sensed something was wrong. The table was covered with his favorite dishes. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but Ye Xunyang left.
When Lou Jin followed him back into the room, Ye Xunyang was already lying on the bed with his back to him, not waiting for him as usual. Lou Jin looked down and saw that Ye Xunyang was asleep with his eyes closed. He knew that Ye Xunyang had something on his mind, but seeing that he was avoiding him like this, he didn't dare to ask.
In the stillness of the night, only the faint sound of the water clock dripping and the steady, long breaths of the person beside him remained in the main palace of the Jinwang Mansion.
Lou Jin was already fast asleep. He had been busy with discussions all day and was also concerned about Ye Xunyang's unusual behavior. Now that he was relaxed, he was sleeping soundly.
However, Ye Xunyang, who was beside him, slowly opened his eyes in the darkness.
Lou Yan's words during the day, "Royal marriages are never a matter of personal choice," were like a cold awl, repeatedly piercing his heart.
He knew that Lou Yan hadn't meant it; it was just a helpless yet realistic remark made when facing difficulties in his position. But it suddenly stirred up his unease.
The fact that he and Lou Jin have been able to reach this point and have this extraordinary yet precious bond is already a blessing from heaven. It is the result of Lou Jin's hard work and sacrifices.
He never doubted Lou Jin's sincerity at this moment. Those moments of sharing life and death, those unwavering protection and sacrifice, were all genuine.
But... where did this sincerity originate?
He dared not think too deeply, yet he could not control himself in the dead of night.
If he hadn't been the one who happened to be able to detoxify the strange poison in Lou Jin's body, would Lou Jin have even noticed him?
Will I still try to understand him and eventually fall in love with him?
Is it first the attraction of the heart, or the need to act first?
Besides, the reason I was so considerate to him back then was because I wanted to leave. If he knew that, wouldn't he be heartbroken?
But was his affection mixed with something he had no choice but to do?
If, in the future, as time wears on and passion fades, and when conflicts arise, will Lou Jin, intentionally or unintentionally, say something like, "If he hadn't been useful, I would have reluctantly accepted him back then"?
When love is at its peak, vows of eternal love are made with the utmost sincerity, and one wishes they could tear their heart out and show it to the other person.
But if the day comes that feelings fade, will these vows of the past still be remembered?
He turned over and faced Lou Jin.
With the faint moonlight filtering through the window, he could vaguely outline the sleeping Lou Jin.
He stretched out his finger and vaguely traced the familiar eyebrows, eyes, and nose, afraid that the slightest touch would awaken him and this seemingly stable happiness.
Ye Xunyang could face open and hidden attacks, and endure pain and torment, but he was afraid that one day he would see regret and reluctance in those eyes.
"Lou Jin..."
"You love me now, but will you love me forever? If it weren't for that sudden twist of fate, would we... have had a future? If you knew my feelings back then, would you resent me?"
He knew that these questions had no answers; only time would tell.
Asking questions at this moment is nothing more than worrying unnecessarily.
But he couldn't control himself.
The more you cherish something, the more you fear losing it; the more you understand how hard-won it is, the more you fear its unstable foundation.
He sighed softly, ultimately not actually touching Lou Jin, and lay back down, gazing at the blurry shadows on the tent ceiling, remaining sleepless until dawn.
Beside him, Lou Jin, who seemed to be asleep, had his thick eyelashes tremble slightly the moment Lou Jin turned around and sighed.
Those eyes, which quietly opened in the darkness, were clear and deep, reflecting the stiff back of the person beside them, filled with worry and sorrow.
He must untie this knot in his heart.
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