Chapter 170: Kiss

The sound of dripping water echoed.

Zheng Bao was on duty tonight and felt uneasy. When the ministers and the Emperor closed themselves off to discuss matters, he quietly withdrew.

Returning to the side hall, a small eunuch in the corner shook his head at him.

Zheng Bao’s heart immediately turned cold.

On the palace road leading to Shunzheng Gate, the heavily guarded figures stacked beneath the palace walls, casting a shadow, creating a dark, ominous scene.

Xiao Shu had grown somewhat impatient.

Having set the trap for so long without any prey to fall into it, even the most patient hunter would likely start murmuring in frustration.

She was about to send someone out to inquire further when her gaze caught sight of the clever eunuch she had previously sent running toward her.

Xiao Shu immediately asked, “Where is she?”

The eunuch was gasping for breath, barely able to speak: “She… she’s here, but… something seems off…”

Xiao Shu furrowed her brows and was about to ask what was wrong, but suddenly, the previously quiet guards ahead began to whisper among themselves.

She shifted her gaze.

Without needing any further explanation from the eunuch, she saw clearly—

The person walking toward her from the direction of the Imperial Garden was none other than Jiang Xuening, whom she had been waiting for in her net.

But this person was completely different from usual.

She had lost the familiar agility and cunning. She walked like a piece of wood, her hands and feet stiff, her spirit absent. Even her finely chiseled face wore a wooden expression. Her originally delicate and fair hands tightly held a handful of dirty soil, and she seemed as if she were ignored by everyone, drawing closer like a soulless walking corpse.

At that moment, even Xiao Shu was taken aback by her frightening appearance and felt a moment of shock. She immediately furrowed her brows tightly.

She glanced behind her.

No one else was there.

She felt that things were not progressing in the way she had anticipated, and with a subtle signal to the nearby eunuch, she ordered, “Stop Jiang Xuening.” 

She also instructed the nearest guard, “Go check Shunzheng Gate.”

The eunuch went to intercept her.

Jiang Xuening’s steps finally halted.

She didn’t even know how she had walked out of the Imperial Garden. Her body felt hazy and numb, and when she looked up and saw the eunuch, she heard his voice, but it was impossible to discern what he was saying.

It wasn’t until Xiao Shu entered her line of sight.

By now, Xiao Shu had a faint premonition that the most anticipated event of the night would not happen. But the more this thought persisted, the more she despised the overly perfect face before her.

She asked directly, “Was it you who pushed for the proposal of marriage on behalf of Shen Zhiyi?”

Jiang Xuening answered even more directly, “Was it you who framed me with the matter of the jade Ruyi?”

Xiao Shu replied, “If you say it was, then it is.”

Jiang Xuening also responded, “If you say it is, then it is.”

The two stood face to face, their gazes locked, neither willing to back down.

Xiao Shu was grim, while Jiang Xuening was cold and detached.

One viewed the other as a lifelong enemy, while the other had suddenly transcended and no longer cared.

Xiao Shu easily detected the contempt Jiang Xuening felt for her, her pupils slightly constricting as she said, “Everyone has their own fate to fulfill. You were born lower than me, you lack the scheming I have, yet I never expected you would have the courage to look down on me.”

Jiang Xuening found it laughable.

She hadn’t even felt this way in her past life: “In the past, I thought you, with your good birth and great abilities, were no worse than Princess. But now, today, those words and actions—she is the bright moon in the sky, and with a fraction of its light, she feels content. But you are just the dust on the ground, and when I step on you, I don’t even want to dirty my shoes.”

Xiao Shu’s face darkened, and she fell silent.

The wind howled faintly.

Jiang Xuening cradled the dirt in her hands, as though holding something dear. 

She spoke slowly: “I never intended to harm you, yet you were the one who schemed against me first. Xiao Shu, long ago, I was like you, unscrupulously using any means to achieve my goals. But if you remain stubborn, retribution will eventually come, and it will just be a matter of when.”

Xiao Shu scoffed, not believing her words.

Jiang Xuening, however, knew that this was the final respect she would give her former enemy. Having said all she could, she did not care whether Xiao Shu believed her or not, and was about to leave.

“Stop!”

Xiao Shu’s eyes flashed, and she directly called out to stop her.

“In the deep palace, you appear neither human nor ghost. Even though you were once my classmate, at this extraordinary time, I cannot be sure what you’ve done. I must be cautious. Guards, please escort Miss Jiang to the Ministry of Justice. We will find out the truth before releasing her from the palace!”

The guards immediately moved to surround her.

Jiang Xuening understood immediately: whether she had really taken the princess out of the palace or not, Xiao Shu now had an excuse to stop her. Even if no evidence could be found, keeping her for one night would be enough to make her suffer. Something unusual might happen again… just like the scheme with the jade Ruyi.

And given her current appearance, who could not be suspicious?

But just as the guards were about to surround her, a voice suddenly rang out from the other side of the palace path: “Your Excellency, please wait!”

Xiao Shu immediately furrowed her brows.

Jiang Xuening looked up and saw Zheng Bao hurrying toward her. 

When he reached them, he gave a respectful salute, then took a breath and said, “Your Excellency, His Majesty’s meeting has ended. Master Xie heard that Miss Jiang has not yet left the palace, and specially sent me to invite her. He is waiting outside the palace. What do you think?”

Xie Wei?

Xiao Shu’s figure stiffened for a moment, and her sharp gaze fixed on Zheng Bao.

Zheng Bao remained respectfully standing, waiting for her response.

Who in the palace doesn’t know Xie Ju’an?

Although Xiao Shu had not been the consort for long, her understanding of the court during her time as a young lady of the Xiao family allowed her to recognize how important this person was. 

Moreover, after becoming the consort and serving beside Shen Lang, she became even more aware of how much Shen Lang relied on him.

But Shen Lang’s affection for her was not genuine.

She had always been surviving in the cracks, and in such a precarious position, how could she dare to risk creating a terrifying rival for herself? 

Though reluctant, today, Xiao Shu had no choice but to let go.

Xiao Shu’s hand, hidden within her sleeve, clenched quietly, but her smile remained flawless as she said, “Since Master Xie has requested someone, this palace naturally cannot refuse. I only hope that Miss Jiang will conduct herself well after returning and not do something she’ll regret.”

Zheng Bao bowed and withdrew.

Jiang Xuening fixed her gaze on Xiao Shu for a moment before turning and following Zheng Bao out.

After they had gone far, the guards had disappeared, and the palace attendants were nowhere to be seen. She suddenly smiled.

Zheng Bao didn’t understand what she was laughing about.

Jiang Xuening looked ahead at the approaching palace gates, her expression full of sorrow. 

She muttered, “You don’t know, Master Xie has been avoiding me for over a month. He even dared to invoke his name to save me in a moment of crisis. Luckily, Xiao Shu didn’t find out. But if Master Xie knew, it would be you who’d have to deal with the consequences.”

Zheng Bao glanced at her, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately remained silent.

With him leading the way, they exited the palace smoothly.

But just as they stepped out of the grand palace gates and saw the carriage lit with lanterns under the city wall, along with the person waiting by the cart’s shaft, Jiang Xuening froze.

Zheng Bao gently spoke, “Miss, take care on your way back to the manor.”

He then silently stepped back.

Jiang Xuening gazed at the person, holding a handful of soil, yet she couldn’t move a step.

Xie Wei, in his Daoist robes, fluttered like snow from above, his gaze landing on her numb, desolate face, and on the soil she held in her hands. 

He simply called, “Jian Shu.”

Jian Shu, reacting quickly, pulled out an empty box from behind the carriage.

He opened it and handed it to Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening stood motionless, still in a daze.

Xie Wei’s eyes gradually grew colder, and his voice lost its warmth. “How long do you plan to hold onto it?”

A tear finally rolled down Jiang Xuening’s cheek, falling into the soil, moistening a small patch that vanished in the blink of an eye.

She slowly loosened her grip, letting the dirt slip through her fingers.

It fell into the box, filling it halfway.

Jian Shu closed the box and was about to turn away.

Jiang Xuening spoke, “Give it to me.”

Jian Shu glanced at Xie Wei.

Xie Wei remained expressionless. “Give it to her.”

The closed box was handed back to Jiang Xuening, who clutched it tightly to her chest.

Xie Wei, feeling her weakness, stood motionless by the cart’s shaft and coldly said, “Get in the carriage.”

Jiang Xuening walked over.

Jian Shu dared not help her.

With one hand holding the box and the other gripping the side of the carriage, Jiang Xuening attempted to step up several times but couldn’t make it. Only then did she realize her hands and legs were trembling violently, her entire body feeling as if it had been soaked in ice-cold water, shaking uncontrollably.

Xie Wei, seeing her so helpless, narrowed his eyes as if cold shards of ice had formed there. Unable to bear it any longer, he leaned forward, grabbed one of her arms with one hand, and held her waist with the other, half-embracing her to lift her up.

He lifted the curtain and pushed her into the carriage.

Jiang Xuening remained dazed.

Xie Wei saw her pitiful state and knew the plan had failed without needing to ask. Everything had been arranged perfectly. Ning’er was neither trapped in the palace nor had the plan been exposed, leaving only one possibility—

Princess Leyang, Shen Zhiyi, did not intend to escape.

It was only by doing so that she could lose her soul, turning herself into this despicable, ghost-like figure.

Outside, Jian Shu asked, “Master, where are we going?”

Xie Wei remained silent for a moment before answering, “Jiang Manor.”

Jiang Xuening cradled the soil in her hands, now dirty and smeared across her palms, but she seemed oblivious to it.

Xie Wei didn’t find a handkerchief and frowned. 

Without hesitation, he pulled at his large sleeve, taking her hand, and painstakingly wiped it clean, speaking with no mercy, “If she doesn’t want it, that’s her choice. But you—what are you doing, feeling sorry for her? You’re just this hopeless, why bother?”

The carriage was dim, with no one else around.

Jiang Xuening, holding back tears all the way, finally let them fall freely, unexpectedly not rebutting Xie Wei even once. 

She murmured, “Master is right. It’s all my fault. I didn’t learn well, I have no abilities, and I have a temper. I can’t save no one, can’t protect anyone. I thought I could change fate, but I’m just a foolish clown. I really am useless, a waste…”

Xie Wei’s harsh words had been meant in anger, but he never expected her to accept them without retort.

When he realized she was crying, he knew his words had been too harsh.

He fell silent for a long while, unsure of how to respond.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, “Silly Ning’er, you’ve done more than enough. You’ve done well. But some things can’t be changed overnight. You’re so young, yet here you are, drowning in self-pity. If you would show some of your old spirit, I wouldn’t have to scold you.”

It was unclear whether Jiang Xuening heard him or not, as she sat motionless.

From outside the carriage, a jubilant cheer could be heard.

It was the procession of the Princess Consort finally leaving the palace gates, heading down the straight Chang’an Avenue towards the city’s outskirts.

Jiang Xuening recognized the sound.

She had heard it in her past life.

But in her previous life, she had been indifferent, even somewhat pleased that a royal aunt who would later cause her trouble had left. This time, though, the sound felt distant, as though the mountains and rivers stretched far away. Once the Princess Consort left, she might never return. Her heart felt as if it had been torn apart. She could only hold back for a moment before bursting into sobs.

It was heart-wrenching.

It felt like she needed to release something, to cry it out, or else the endless suffocation and despair would pull her down into an abyss.

Xie Wei had never felt that the journey from the palace to Jiang Manor was so long, so torturous. Every sound seemed like a blunt knife cutting at his heart. When, in the end, she finally grew exhausted from crying while clutching the box, closed her eyes, and slowly fell asleep, the world seemed to regain its quiet.

But his heart was even more restless than it had been when she was crying just now.

He sat frozen in place for a long time, as if entranced.

It wasn’t until the carriage stopped, and Jian Shu called out to him from outside, that he snapped back to reality.

Xie Wei responded with a word.

Then, leaning forward, he intended to call out to Jiang Xuening, but as he drew closer, her tear-streaked face caught his eye. It seemed as if she was unhappy even in her dreams, her fine brows furrowed like thin wisps of smoke. He lowered his gaze, his eyes wandering, and finally, he slowly reached out, gently brushing her soft black hair, his lips barely touching her wet eyelashes with a careful and hesitant kiss.

At that moment, Jian Shu happened to open the carriage curtain.

Xie Wei calmly turned his head to look.

Jian Shu immediately felt a chill down his spine.

However, he soon realized that after a brief pause, Xie Wei’s gaze shifted past him and over his shoulder. Jian Shu followed his line of sight and turned around to see—

At the gate of the Jiang residence stood Jiang Boyou, who had somehow appeared on the steps. His originally calm and composed face was now darkened, his eyes filled with both shock and anger as he stared directly at Xie Wei in the carriage.

Xie Wei’s figure froze for a moment, then relaxed again.

He moved back slightly, distancing himself from Jiang Xuening, as if nothing had happened, and gently patted her cheek to rouse her: “We’re home.”

Jiang Xuening opened her eyes, momentarily dazed, before replying, “Thank you, sir.”

She got out of the carriage, holding the box.

Her steps were unsteady.

Xie Wei reached out to steady her, but she remained unaware, lost in thought. 

After walking a few steps, it seemed as though something had come to her mind, and she turned back, her slightly reddened eyes meeting his: “Master Xie, when will the iron hooves of the Central Plains break through Yanmen and bring Her Highness back?”

Xie Wei’s soiled and wrinkled sleeve fluttered in the night wind, his hand hidden within it, quietly clenched. 

He slowly smiled and responded seriously, “Soon, very soon.”

Jiang Xuening looked at him for a moment before turning away.

She saw Jiang Boyou at the gate and merely called out, “Father,” in a daze before walking straight inside.

Jiang Boyou stood at the door for a long time, his face cold. It was the first time he saw this colleague not coming forward with a smile to exchange pleasantries, but instead, turning away with a cold expression, his sleeves brushing as he left.

Jian Shu, realizing he had made a huge mistake, immediately knelt before Xie Wei: “I was rash earlier—”

Xie Wei replied calmly, “It’s not a big deal.”

He withdrew his gaze, glanced at his sleeve, then turned and went back into the carriage.

Jian Shu stood frozen, unable to snap out of his daze for a long time.

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