VBNWDW - Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Time passed. As the red sun set once more and night fell, a tapping sound came from the small, candlelit window.
Luo Yueqing was about to get up when she heard a different voice and froze.
The person outside the window was Ruan He. She lowered her voice and said, "Little Daoist, Her Highness sent me to tell you that she has urgent matters to attend to and will not be coming over tonight."
The joyful expression faded from Luo Yueqing's face. She wanted to ask what was wrong but stopped herself, saying only, "I understand. Tell Her Highness to go to bed early tonight and not to dwell on last night's nightmare."
The incense burner beside her was still lit with calming incense. Luo Yueqing had specifically sought it out during the day and had just lit it, timing it perfectly, only to find that the other person wasn't coming.
Outside, Ruan He frowned slightly. She had assumed Her Highness's fatigue during the day was because of Luo Yueqing and had wanted to use this opportunity to give her a word of warning.
On any other day, it wouldn't matter. But Her Highness was currently plotting something major, and the slightest misstep could lead to irreversible consequences. Her Highness toiled and schemed all day, yet at night, she couldn't even rest properly, having to climb over the Luo family's wall to indulge in this person's whims.
In just two short days, her steps had become unsteady, she would occasionally clutch her waist, and her complexion was terribly pale.
Ruan He and Li Shigui had seen it all, and they couldn't help but feel worried and anxious.
And yet, Luo Yueqing claimed it was a nightmare?
Ruan He recalled Her Highness's unusual behavior that morning. Before she could think on it further, she heard footsteps from inside the room.
Luo Yueqing pushed open the window and handed her a wrapped bundle of calming incense, instructing, "This incense helps to calm one's energy, soothe the nerves, and aid sleep. Take it back and light it for Jinyan."
She repeated, "Tell her to go to sleep early and not to stay up too late."
Ruan He quickly reached out and took it. The slight resentment she felt toward Luo Yueqing dissipated, replaced by a trace of guilt.
She felt as though she had misjudged her.
Then, Ruan He said, "This subordinate understands. Little Daoist, you should also rest early and not worry too much about Her Highness."
With that, she turned and walked toward the outer wall, looking as if she were indeed in a hurry.
Luo Yueqing watched her back disappear beyond the gate and only closed the window after a long moment.
In the princess's residence,
Zhong Jueyu stood alone in a lakeside pavilion. Her upturned phoenix eyes reflected the scenery of the lake, but it was a shallow reflection; her gaze remained unfocused, lost in thought.
It wasn't until Li Shigui hurried over, forgoing even the courtesy of a salute, that she spoke. "Your Highness, we've found those two!"
The usually calm and composed Zhong Jueyu actually jolted at these words. She spun around and demanded, "Where are they!"
Although Li Shigui didn't understand the full story, seeing Her Highness so tense made her anxious as well. She swallowed hard before saying, "They've been brought back. They're waiting just outside."
Even summoning them felt too slow for Zhong Jueyu, who strode directly outside.
"Outside" wasn't far, just ten meters from the pavilion. Around a corner, she saw a pair of sisters dressed in extremely tattered clothes.
The older one was tall and slender, holding her younger sister in her arms and comforting her in a soft voice.
The other girl looked more delicate, only reaching her sister's collarbone. Her face was smeared with mud, likely on purpose. After all, they lived in the most chaotic slums, where the slightest carelessness could attract the attention of some ruffian.
Meanwhile, Zhong Jueyu stood with her back ramrod straight, her legs rooted to the spot, her face growing paler by the second.
They were identical to the people in her dream.
Zhong Jueyu's fingertips grew cold, completely shattering the idea that the dream was false. Her thoughts churned, and she thought of Luo Yueqing. If, as in the dream, she had never fallen in love with Luo Yueqing…
But why would the real Luo Yueqing suddenly change her attitude and approach her?
Li Shigui, who had caught up, saw Zhong Jueyu's expression and grew flustered. "What is it, Your Highness?" she asked nervously.
She glared at the two sisters, thinking they had offended Zhong Jueyu. Just as she was about to scold them, Zhong Jueyu grabbed her wrist.
"It has nothing to do with them," Zhong Jueyu explained, her voice somewhat strained.
The two sisters opposite them had already fallen to their knees, trembling.
Zhong Jueyu forced her emotions down. She wanted to speak but didn't know what to say to them. She couldn't possibly point at the older sister and say, "You are my savior from a dream, you once saved my life." How absurd would that sound?
After a moment's thought, Zhong Jueyu said, "From now on, you will stay in the princess's residence."
The her in the dream had been unable to fulfill her promise. Now, she finally had a way to make amends. Whether it was real or not, she had to do something.
"Shigui, these two will be under your command from now on. You will personally teach them martial arts," Zhong Jueyu added, turning her head to instruct, "Take good care of them for me."
She patted the other woman's shoulder, wanting to say more but finding herself unable. In the end, it all turned into a heavy sigh as she repeated, "Take good care of them."
The evening wind tore at the fallen leaves, raising them in a rustling tide that made a shattering sound before they were swallowed by the darkness and vanished.
Ruan He, having returned, knocked on the door. Hearing a sound from within, she pushed the door open and strode inside.
Zhong Jueyu was sitting on a wooden couch, her hand resting on a low table. The cup of tea she was pinching had long gone cold, yet it remained full.
Ruan He had run into Li Shigui on her way back. The woman was utterly bewildered, unable to tell if Her Highness was being sarcastic or serious, and had grabbed Ruan He to analyze the situation. Thus, Ruan He already knew what had transpired.
Ruan He was composed, her expression unchanging. She simply repeated Luo Yueqing's words and presented the calming incense.
Zhong Jueyu seemed dazed. She placed the incense to the side, wanting to speak but not knowing how. All she could manage was, "I know."
Ruan He didn't press. She was more astute than Li Shigui. Although she didn't know the specific reason, Her Highness hadn't tried to hide her actions from them today. Her silence now was likely because she didn't know how to explain, so Ruan He didn't ask.
It was Zhong Jueyu who raised a hand, as if to say something, but then stopped, her gaze falling.
She had originally intended to instruct Ruan He to keep an eye on those who had betrayed them in the dream. But then she remembered that during the day, she had already subconsciously overlooked them, meaning she had already accepted the dream and was acting on its premonitions.
Zhong Jueyu waved her hand. "You may leave."
Ruan He immediately complied.
The night grew darker. A breeze blew in through the open lattice window, causing her robes to flutter and snap.
Zhong Jueyu lowered her head and stared at the incense. After a long silence, she slowly lit it.
The wooden window was closed, the lamp was extinguished, and white smoke curled up from the incense burner. Another night passed.
Two days later,
Outside the capital's city walls, the great army for the expedition against Chu was assembled. At its head was Zhong Jueyu, clad in silver armor, one hand resting on the hilt of her saber, the other holding the reins of her horse. The white steed she led was strong and spirited, occasionally lifting and lowering a hoof.
Ruan He and Li Shigui followed behind her, their expressions solemn and cold.
Further back were Xu Kai and the others, all in iron armor. Behind them were the troops who had previously served under Zhong Jueyu; she had specifically chosen them to be the vanguard. The rest of the army followed.
Though numerous, the army was silent. Looking down from the city walls, one could only see a dense mass of heads and iron armor, an sight that inspired an inexplicable fear.
The Emperor and the Crown Prince stood in the center of the wall. A eunuch beside them held an imperial edict, reading it aloud in a high voice.
It was nothing more than words of encouragement and promises of rewards, droning on and on.
The new recruits listened with boiling blood, while the veterans estimated the time, wondering when they would finally depart.
Zhong Jueyu shifted her gaze to the side.
Luo Yueqing had also come. By virtue of her family name, she was allowed on the city wall, though in a slightly more remote section.
Perhaps from standing for too long, she was leaning against the stone parapet, her gaze fixed in this direction.
They hadn't seen each other since that day. This was the first time they had been apart for several days since they had met and fallen in love.
The hand holding the reins tightened unconsciously, the rough rope pricking her palm.
The other woman noticed Zhong Jueyu looking over and simply watched her quietly. The emotion in her eyes was hard to discern, but it was clear she wasn't as cheerful as usual.
Zhong Jueyu did not look away, a pang of guilt rising in her heart, only to be suppressed by other, more tangled and complex emotions.
Finally, the sound of drums reached her ears. It was the sound of Great Liang drumming to boost the morale of its departing soldiers, a sound that would only stop when the army was completely out of sight.
Zhong Jueyu snapped back to her senses, yanked the reins, and turned to leave.
The generals and soldiers all followed.
The Emperor and the Crown Prince, long tired of standing, descended the wall, surrounded by civil and military officials.
But at the city gate, someone spoke up.
The speaker was a young soldier in iron armor. Though he was a city guard, his posture and behavior were that of a rich family's son. He leaned against the stone wall and sneered, "What are you all still looking at?"
"You can't possibly still be hoping the Grand Princess will take you with her, can you?"
The people around him burst into laughter.
Across from them, the Liang Brothers turned to look, and the men around them glared back.
Evidently, the city gate guards were divided into cliques.
One side was centered around the mocker, a rich kid who had bought his minor official post with his family's money. The Liang Brothers had refused to join them and were thus ostracized, eventually being pushed into the ranks of the common soldiers.
"Liang Cheng, I advise you to just stay here. You think someone who angered His Majesty can make a comeback?" the man sneered.
"So what if you have military merits? You still have to guard the city gate with us. By the time the Grand Princess returns in a few years, she'll have long forgotten the two of you!"
This group had been holding their breath for days, afraid the Liang Brothers would actually make a comeback and be summoned by the Grand Princess for the expedition against Chu. They had been keeping their heads down, terrified of provoking them at such a time.
But in the end, the Liang Brothers were forgotten, left to watch wistfully as the army departed.
They were now gloating, eager to vent all the frustration they had bottled up over the past few days.
The men beside the Liang Brothers wanted to help, but the brothers stopped them.
The group opposite them thought they were scared and laughed mockingly. Then, their leader spoke again, "Let's go, let's go. It's tiring talking to these paupers. I'm buying drinks, who's coming?"
The others quickly agreed.
Their families were wealthy, and they were not disciplined by their superiors. Usually, it was the Liang Brothers' group that guarded the city. The others would, at most, show up to make an appearance during major events; otherwise, they were nowhere to be seen.
It was the same now. They left together, chattering noisily.
The Liang Brothers exchanged a look, then loudly told the others to stand their posts and ignore them.
Meanwhile,
The Emperor and the Crown Prince had returned to the study. Meng Yunshan, who had not accompanied them today, suddenly entered the palace, claiming to have urgent business and requesting an audience with His Majesty.
Zhong Tuming and his son dared not delay and immediately summoned Meng Yunshan.
The man hurried in, and as soon as he entered the hall, he fell to his knees and shouted, "Your Majesty, the Luo Family harbors treasonous intent!"
The expressions of Zhong Tuming and his son turned grim. They shot to their feet and demanded, "Prime Minister Meng, are you certain of this!"
"This old subject is willing to stake his life on it!" Meng Yunshan pressed his forehead to the floor, speaking word by word.
Zhong Tuming said, "Explain in detail."
Not long after,
His Majesty sent for the Luo family's father and son to enter the palace.
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