"Madam, we have arrived," the coachman said to the person inside the carriage.
Jiang Xin Qin emerged from the carriage. It was an inn, very secluded, just as she expected, a place ordinary people wouldn't find.
She stepped forward and entered. A waiter blocked her path, saying, "Madam, we are closed. Please find lodging elsewhere."
Jiang Xin Qin took out a silver note. "Arrange a room for me."
The waiter's expression immediately changed upon seeing the money. "Right away, Madam. Please come in. What kind of room would Madam like? Our best is the Heaven's Chamber."
"Has a man come in here? He's about this tall, very distinguished..."
"Please wait a moment, Madam. I will check." The waiter went to check and quickly returned. "He's in the Heaven's Chamber, Room One. Shall I escort Madam there?"
"No need. You may go about your business!" Jiang Xin Qin went upstairs to Heaven's Chamber, Room One. As she was about to confirm if it was Li Chen Xuan, she found her room was next door. She went inside.
Pressing herself against the wall, she could hear nothing. She took out a dagger from her懷 and skillfully drilled into a spot. Indeed, she managed to make the wall slightly thinner.
She heard the sound of someone washing. "Your Majesty, leave this to me. Tomorrow night, I will stall Xue Chang An. I will send Chang Bai to escort you into the city in my name, and then..."
Jiang Xin Qin didn't fully register the words. Her mind was filled with a single question: who could make her husband so respectful?
In my name... If not Xue Chang An, then who?
Amidst her confusion, she heard a voice she hadn't forgotten, a voice that had haunted her.
"Chen Xuan, thank you."
Jiang Xin Qin felt everything in her mind explode. This person... this person was...
Xue Zi Ning...
No wonder her husband had said he wouldn't keep secrets from her, and then he had abandoned her.
It turned out she had returned.
Wasn't she dead? How could she be alive?
Jiang Xin Qin stumbled out of the inn. The coachman was still waiting outside. She got into the carriage and arrived at the Li manor. She alighted and looked at the coachman.
The coachman felt unnerved by her gaze and quickly knelt. "Madam..."
"Tonight's events?"
"Madam, rest assured, this humble servant knows nothing of tonight's events."
"How can I be assured?" Jiang Xin Qin asked.
The coachman was taken aback. Jiang Xin Qin said, "I will be assured if you are not present in the manor."
The coachman understood. "This humble servant will take his leave and return to his village tomorrow."
"Now is fine!" Jiang Xin Qin said, walking towards the manor gate.
Upon hearing this, the coachman, though helpless, had no other recourse and turned to leave.
At midnight, Jiang Xin Qin saw Li Chen Xuan return. Li Chen Xuan was surprised she was still awake. He walked over and asked, "Madam, why are you still awake?"
Jiang Xin Qin composed herself and smiled. "I cannot sleep without waiting for my husband."
"Don't wait for me anymore in the future." Li Chen Xuan stepped forward and patted her shoulder. She grabbed his hand. "Why is it so cold? Where did you go, husband?"
Li Chen Xuan withdrew his hand from hers. "It's late. Let's sleep," he said faintly.
"Husband hasn't changed his clothes yet." Jiang Xin Qin stood up to help Li Chen Xuan change.
"I'll sleep in the study tonight. Madam, rest early." Li Chen Xuan then left.
Jiang Xin Qin sat on the bed. In the darkness, she remained seated until dawn.
She walked out of the room and instructed the household servants to prepare breakfast. After doing so, she went to the study. Li Chen Xuan was asleep, slumped over the desk.
Jiang Xin Qin walked over and picked up a cloak, draping it over Li Chen Xuan.
"Your Majesty..."
Jiang Xin Qin's hand paused. She went to the desk. Though she didn't understand, she could clearly see it was a defense map of the capital.
Combining Li Chen Xuan and Xue Zi Ning's conversation yesterday, she knew Xue Zi Ning intended to control the capital.
Li Chen Xuan seemed to stir. She took a step back. As Li Chen Xuan opened his eyes, she said, "Husband, you are awake."
Li Chen Xuan saw Jiang Xin Qin and asked, "What time is it?"
"Husband, it's already noon. I've asked the servants to prepare a meal. Please wash up and dine with me." Jiang Xin Qin said.
Li Chen Xuan stood up. "I need to wash. Madam, please dine alone."
"Husband, and you?" Jiang Xin Qin asked.
"I'm going to the palace," Li Chen Xuan said, and then left.
Jiang Xin Qin stood rooted to the spot. The palace was the place he least wanted to go. Now, for Xue Zi Ning, he was willing to go against his own wishes.
Li Chen Xuan, is she, Xue Zi Ning, that important?
So important that you would disregard even your deepest aversion, your very being? Da Feng Novel Network
Changan Palace
Xue Chang An looked at Li Chen Xuan kneeling before him and raised an eyelid. "I thought Minister Li would need several days of recuperation."
"Your Majesty needs this minister, and this minister dares not refuse." Li Chen Xuan replied.
Xue Chang An sneered. "I need you every day, yet you don't come every day. Minister Li is rather proactive today."
Li Chen Xuan was startled. Had Xue Chang An found something out?
Soon, his chin was lifted. Xue Chang An clicked his tongue twice. "Although far inferior to Yan Zhao, I am still quite pleased. Come here!"
Li Chen Xuan suppressed the urge to push Xue Chang An away and followed her into the inner hall.
Upon entering, he saw two male attendants kneeling there, wearing sheer gauze, trembling. A bloodstained whip lay on the floor.
Xue Chang An walked over and sat on the soft couch, saying coldly, "None of you are capable. You don't know how to please me like my Minister Li does."
The two male attendants trembled like sieves. Xue Chang An frowned, angered. "All of you are useless. Drag them out and have them flogged to death..."
The two male attendants, terrified, quickly begged for mercy. "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, spare us!"
"Your Majesty..."
Li Chen Xuan spoke. Xue Chang An raised his eyebrows and said coldly, "Are you asking for mercy?"
Li Chen Xuan shook his head. "Doesn't Your Majesty enjoy a bit of excitement? Playing alone is not as good as playing with three."
Xue Chang An's eyes lit up as he stared at Li Chen Xuan. "Li Chen Xuan, I never imagined you would have such a thought. And you others! Otherwise, today will be your death day."
"Thank you, Lord Li. Thank you, Lord Li." The two male attendants kowtowed in gratitude.
Li Chen Xuan stepped forward. "Your Majesty must be tired from playing and must be hungry. Why don't we have a meal first?"
Xue Chang An nodded. "Good."
Li Chen Xuan went out to instruct the palace staff to prepare the meal. He looked at the sky, knowing he had to stall for time, to buy some time for his lord.
After the meal, Xue Chang An looked at Li Chen Xuan. "You've eaten, Minister Li."
Li Chen Xuan steeled his heart and stepped forward to massage Xue Chang An's shoulders. The two male attendants below also wisely massaged Xue Chang An's legs.
Xue Chang An closed his eyes comfortably.
"Minister, why does your body smell so fragrant?" Xue Chang An suddenly turned his head and asked, sniffing him.
Li Chen Xuan replied, "There is no such scent. It must be the incense from Your Majesty's chambers."
"Alright, all of you, withdraw." Xue Chang An waved them away.
The two male attendants quickly retreated, not daring to linger for a moment.