northernbook Chapter 177
Chapter 177
Hongyun's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
Jingchi suddenly looked up, his scarlet eyes filled with shock. He stared at her for a long time, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"This is the real you."
They will never be bound by anyone or anything, decisive in killing, ruthless and passionate.
This is the real her, the one in his heart.
Ignoring his words, Nalan Jingwen ordered Hongyun, "Why aren't you making a move?!"
Hongyun reacted immediately, grabbing his shoulder. Jingchi didn't even resist, still smiling as he looked at her.
"Wait."
Nalan Jingwen spoke again, and Hongyun paused, looking at Nalan Jingwen with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
Nalan Jing said coldly, "Leave the sword I gave you."
Jingchi's smile cracked inch by inch, and the hope in his eyes was replaced by disbelief. "No way!"
"That belongs to me! Traitors are not worthy to use it!"
Jingchi gripped his sword tightly, his eyes bloodshot, refusing to back down an inch. The usually taciturn man had revealed such an expression, as if his most beloved possession had been taken away, shattered beyond repair, causing him unspeakable pain.
"No...you can't do this..."
How could she be so heartless!
How could she do this to him!
Ignoring his pained gaze, Nalan Jingwen snatched the sword from his hand. He was no match for her, and with Hongyun present, he didn't even have a chance to resist.
"Take him away!"
Only after she was taken away did the gaze that had been haunting her disappear.
Nalan Jingwen rubbed his temples, his head aching.
A pair of hands gently pressed my temples, and a familiar scent lingered around my nose.
Nalan Jingwen opened his eyes, looked at Jinse, and gave her a faint smile.
"Thank you, Jinse."
Jinse couldn't see her expression clearly, but he could hear the weariness in her voice. He gently shook his head and said softly, "This is what Jinse should do. Your Highness doesn't need to thank me."
Nalan Jingwen pulled the man into his arms, buried his head in his neck, and greedily inhaled his fragrance.
Seeing this, Jinse's eyes flashed with heartache. She gently wrapped her arms around Nalan Jingwen, intending to comfort her in this way.
The two embraced quietly, listening to each other's heartbeats in the silent room.
Nalan Jingwen felt a little less depressed and raised her head to kiss the corner of his lips.
Did I scare you just now?
When she received the letter, she crushed a cup with her bare hands. Jinse was startled and rushed to check her hand, but was chased out of the room.
Upon hearing this, Jinse gently shook her head.
"No, I'm just worried about Your Highness. Are you injured?"
"I am not injured. This is no match for me."
Jinse didn't speak, but instead took her hand in the dark and carefully felt around to check if she was injured. When she found no wounds, she finally felt relieved.
Nalan Jingwen took the opportunity to pull his slightly cool hand and warm it in his palm.
"Reporting to Empress Feng, I will have the imperial physician examine your health."
"You're too thin. You haven't gained any weight at all during the time you've been with me."
"Have I been too much of a burden on you?"
She was indeed a bit unrestrained, and Jinse always had to cry and beg for mercy before she would let her go. Afterwards, she would feel sorry for her and could only try her best to make amends.
If Jinse couldn't bear it, then others must have felt even more unbearable.
She would say something, and Jinse would respond with a reply, and so on.
The hand was suddenly pulled out of his palm, and Nalan Jingwen was slightly stunned, not understanding what was going on.
Jinse simply placed her hand on top of Jinse's, gazing at her with a calm and gentle look.
"Does Your Highness truly intend to kill Guard Jing?"
"Why mention him?"
“I don’t know what happened, but along the way, Guard Jing has been diligently protecting my safety without the slightest slackening.”
“Guard Jing is taking every instruction given by the Prince seriously.”
Nalan Jingwen remained silent and did not speak.
She knew all this; she had seen everything Jingchi had done.
It is undeniable that Jingchi did protect her and those around her on several occasions. Before the establishment of the Heaven and Earth Pavilion, he was the one who collected all that intelligence.
But betrayal is betrayal, and it cannot be forgiven.
Or perhaps he was never sincere with her, so how could there be any betrayal?
He was never hers from beginning to end.
Seeing her silence, Jinse said nothing more. He could not interfere with Nalan Jingwen's affairs; she had her own decisions to make. He would only say so much and nothing more.
The atmosphere fell silent again. The moon hung high in the boundless night sky, and its light seeped in through the cracks in the window, casting a faint glow and illuminating a corner of the room.
A sudden, urgent knocking on the door pulled Nalan Jingwen back to reality, and she frowned slightly.
"Come in."
Hongyun pushed open the door and came in, looking flustered and staggering.
"Your Highness, Guard Jing... he injured my subordinate and escaped!"
Nalan Jingwen's face darkened, his gloomy gaze fixed on Hongyun. "Have you sent people to chase after her?"
"We've already gone after them."
Hongyun lowered her head, half-kneeling on the ground, not daring to look up and meet his gaze.
Finally, Nalan Jingwen waved his hand, signaling her to leave and recover from her injuries.
It wasn't that she couldn't see it; it was Hongyun who deliberately let him go. Hongyun didn't know Jingchi's identity, so letting him go was to be expected.
Sending people to chase after them would probably yield no results.
Her eyes darkened, and Jinse remained quietly in her arms, without uttering a word.
This is the only time. If he dares to appear in front of her again, she will definitely kill him!
……
The next day.
The imperial carriage arrived early at the post station to welcome Lan Jingwen into the palace.
After so many days of leisure, I'm finally going to the palace again. Tonight is His Majesty Qi Lin's birthday banquet.
Nalan Jingwen opened her arms, letting Jinse help her change her clothes and fix her hair, lost in thought, until Hongyun came to knock on the door.
"Your Highness, the time is almost up."
"I understand. Go and wait there."
"Yes."
After Hongyun left, Nalan Jingwen looked at Jinse, hugged him, and lowered his head to give him a light kiss on the lips.
"Stay in your room and wait for me to return. Don't wander off, understand?"
Jinse's ears turned slightly red, and she nodded.
"I won't go anywhere; I'll wait for Your Highness to return."
Nalan Jingwen was very satisfied with his obedience, and kissed him on the lips before letting him go and setting off.
There were no obstacles along the way, and the carriage was surrounded by people sent by Nangong Shiyu to protect her, so they arrived at the palace quickly.
Nalan Jingwen stepped off the carriage, looked up at the bright moon in the sky, and knew that tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.
Phoenix pavilions and waterside terraces, flowing wine cups and winding ponds, golden and jade curtains, banners and pennants casting shimmering shadows.
As the curtains fluttered and fell, the ministers took their seats one by one, and the princesses slowly entered.
Inside the hall, conversations continued, but many eyes were secretly glancing in Nalan Jingwen's direction.