freenovelworld Chapter 321
Chapter 321
Ah Nian grabbed Xiao Congyu's hand as if seeking help, and the latter whispered in his ear, "Your Highness, don't be afraid, this is Grand Tutor Xiao."
Ah Nian looked in Xiao Jin's direction and said softly, "Greetings, Grand Tutor Xiao."
Xiao Jin quickly bowed, "Your Highness, this is unacceptable."
Ah Nian was clearly at a loss, unsure how to react. He subconsciously wanted to find Nalan Jingwen, but then, as if remembering something, he took a step forward and then pulled back, his eyes half-lowered and silent.
Nalan Jingwen saw all his movements. She calmly looked away, perhaps not wanting to make things too difficult for Anian, and spoke on Xiao Congyu's behalf: "We encountered assassination attempts along the way, and His Highness the Prince was also injured as a result. His eyesight has not yet recovered, so he needs Lord Xiao to lead him."
Upon hearing this, some of the people showed signs of tension. How could they not know who had been sending assassins to kill His Highness? Xiao Jin's expression was not good, and she ordered the people beside her, "Hurry up and find the imperial physician to see what's wrong with His Highness's eyes!"
After saying that, she smiled at Nalan Jingwen and said, "Your Highness, the inn has been prepared for you. Please come and stay there."
Shen Xi's cold, sharp gaze fell on A Nian's eyes as if probing. A smile was on her lips, but there was no smile in her eyes. A shadow covered her long, dark eyelashes. The people around her seemed to sense her displeasure and all lowered their heads tremblingly.
Because of his blindness, Ah Nian's five senses were amplified. He sensed a cold gaze and instinctively flinched. The next moment, Nalan Jingwen stood in front of him as if nothing had happened, blocking Shen Xi's gaze.
With her view blocked, Shen Xi met Nalan Jingwen's unfathomable eyes, which were as deep as a cold pool. The smile on her lips froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered and raised an even bigger smile. "Your Highness, it's not easy for you to come to Baiji. I will certainly treat you well."
"I will escort you to the post station."
Nalan Jingwen nodded.
"Thank you."
Shen Xi turned to lead the way, but the smile on her face vanished the moment she turned, and her eyes turned icy cold. Nalan Jingwen had just taken a step when a faint voice came from behind him.
"elder sister……"
Nalan Jingwen paused slightly but did not turn around, walking further and further away. Xiao Congyu sighed silently in her heart, but compared to before, it was much easier. After arriving in Baiji, she could relax a little. At least Shen Xi was not bold enough to assassinate someone under everyone's noses.
Some people are really strange. They want to seize power but don't want to be infamous. But there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Xiao Congyu composed himself and said to the somewhat distraught Anian, "Your Highness, let's return to the palace."
Ah Nian didn't want to cause them any trouble, so she pursed her lips and nodded in agreement.
……
Nalan Jingwen declined Shen Xi's invitation and stayed alone at the post station. At that time, she received a secret letter from the Fengtian Imperial Palace. After reading the contents of the letter, she casually threw it into the brazier. The flickering firelight reflected in her pupils, making them appear dim and unclear.
In the evening, a servant knocked on the door, saying that someone from the palace had sent a message inviting her to the grand ceremony the next day, to announce to the world the restoration of Anian's status as a prince, and to the banquet the following evening.
Nalan Jingwen indicated that she understood. After the servant left, she changed into some light clothes and looked out the window. She saw that there were people hiding in the crowd watching her all around. It was truly an honor that someone as an envoy would go to such lengths for her.
She gently closed the window, extinguished the candle, and left the inn through the side window.
The layout of the Baiji Palace was quite complex, and it was already night. The palace was brightly lit, and if an ordinary person came, they would probably lose their way very quickly. Her figure was like a ghost as she moved through the vast palace. Soon she landed in a palace, but the outside of this palace was full of palace servants, all with their heads down. Inside, however, it was rather deserted and there was not a sound.
Nalan Jingwen frowned slightly, then nimbly slipped in from behind, passing through layers of barriers to reach the bedchamber.
At a glance, I saw the person curled up in the corner of the bed. He hugged his legs in a protective posture, buried his head between his legs, his black hair was scattered behind his back, and a thin layer of cloth hung on his body. He looked extremely thin, helpless and pitiful.
Nalan Jingwen did not deliberately lighten his footsteps; the sound echoed in the palace but was not obvious. The person on the bed soon stirred, and his voice came softly, "You may all leave. I want to be alone for a while."
His voice was soft, somewhat hoarse, and weak, lacking any real intimidation, yet it sounded as if he had repeated it to himself many times before.
The footsteps grew closer, and he finally raised his head. His eyes were a little red, his pale lips were slightly dry, and his handsome brows were furrowed but not furrowed. He looked in the direction of Nalan Jingwen with a puzzled expression.
"Anything else?"
He asked politely, looking somewhat bewildered.
Nalan Jingwen stood by his bedside, looking at the man whose eyes seemed to have lost their light after not seeing him for an afternoon, and asked, "I saw the palace servants outside carrying food boxes. Have they not eaten yet tonight?"
The person in the corner of the bed stiffened slightly, then showed an incredulous expression. He immediately got up and ran towards her, but he didn't notice and stumbled a few steps. He cried out softly and was about to fall, but the next moment he landed in a soft and familiar embrace. He smelled the familiar scent, and his eyes reddened uncontrollably again. He clutched Nalan Jingwen's clothes, wanting to say something, but tears fell first. He could only call her name softly, as if it contained endless longing and yearning. His wandering heart finally found its home.
"elder sister……"
Nalan Jingwen pulled a coat from the side and gently covered him with it. "Don't cry."
Ah Nian looked up, his face still streaked with tears, as if trying to see Nalan Jingwen's face clearly, but no matter what he did, he couldn't see it. He could only touch it with his cool fingertips, gently touching it before quickly withdrawing it. When Nalan Jingwen saw this, he grabbed Ah Nian's hand and placed it next to his cheek, saying, "Touch it if you want, don't be afraid."
The familiar touch brought a slight smile to the lips of the person in his arms, their eyes shining brightly with amusement.
He buried his head affectionately in Nalan Jingwen's neck, "I'm sorry, sister."
"Why apologize?"
Ah Nian's voice was muffled, "It's because I'm too weak, always relying on you, needing your protection."
Nalan Jingwen paused in stroking his hair, her voice gradually becoming serious, "You need my protection, but that doesn't mean you're weak."
"You just haven't become strong enough yet."
It's all just a matter of time.
Upon hearing this, A-Nian suddenly fell silent. Nalan Jingwen continued, "Even if you have enough ability to protect yourself, I can still protect you as before. In my eyes, you will always be A-Nian."
His shoulders gradually became wet. Anian didn't move, and Nalan Jingwen quietly let him lean on him. In the huge bedroom, there was only the sound of candlelight burning.