"I'm not willing," Lan Miao responded before Wen Yuanning could finish. Her voice was gentle yet carried an unyielding determination, crisp and decisive.
Facing Lan Miao, who was so straightforward, Wen Yuanning's heart gradually sank to the bottom. His previous toughness had failed to instill the slightest bit of fear or compliance in Lan Miao. Now, he even dared not look her in the eye.
As night quietly fell, Wen Yuanning murmured, "I haven't finished yet..."
"Don't bother. I know what you mean. I'm not willing. If you truly care about me, please don't disrupt my current life."
"Then why did you send Qingzhi to find me? I knew it was her who asked you to seek my help. I thought you were still the same as before."
Wen Yuanning tried to take a step forward to shorten the distance between them.
But Lan Miao stepped back first.
Even though there was no one around, they must never cross this line.
There was a clear divide between them.
The fading twilight cast on her face, creating a hazy light. Her fair complexion and red lips were as enchanting as a willow in the cold moonlight, stunningly beautiful with a resolute look.
"Qingzhi is your niece. She shared her confusion with me. Isn't it only natural for me to ask her to seek help from her kin?" At this point, she paused, her tone slowing down and becoming even gentler. "Our past is over. Now I only respect you as a relative. I know your intentions are good, but please also consider my situation."
Wen Yuanning's expression instantly became complicated.
He forced out a few words from his throat, his voice hoarse. "Just a relative?"
Lan Miao didn't say a word and didn't want to answer him anymore.
She turned around and looked back. The long bridge and the shallow pond in the courtyard were all quiet. "Don't do this anymore. Take care of yourself."
It wasn't until Lan Miao and her maid had walked far away that Wen Yuanning stood there in a daze. Lan Miao's words still echoed in his mind, leaving him puzzled. What he had originally come for and what he wanted to say seemed to have been forgotten.
He gritted his teeth and suddenly let out a long sigh.
He had been too rash tonight.
It was such a rare occasion that she had "actively" come to him for help. He had over - thought and lost his composure.
Normally, she kept a low profile. It was so rare to be this close to her and talk so much. There was suddenly a hint of sweetness in his heart. He savored every word she had said and every expression on her face, and he was extremely reluctant to let go.
He took a gentle deep breath.
He left the courtyard in the opposite direction of Lan Miao. Yan Bo, his personal maid who was waiting outside, was pacing back and forth. From afar, she looked anxious. She had been on the lookout for Wen Yuanning here. Now seeing him walking over absent - mindedly, her expression relaxed.
"Third Master, you're back?"
There was a hint of probing in Yan Bo's surprised voice, which Wen Yuanning noticed even in his daze. He quickly regained his composure and asked in a low voice, "No one came by, right?"
"No."
Yan Bo shook her head. A hint of hesitation flashed across her pretty face. Under Wen Yuanning's questioning gaze, she stammered, "Third Master, just now there was news from the palace. It seems that Miss Xue'er has encountered trouble in the palace."
"What?!"
Wen Yuanning was shocked and suddenly turned back to look.
The night was cold. A bird perched on the treetop just flapped its wings and flew towards the distant sky from the mansion.
On the other side.
Lan Miao took a shortcut and rushed back to Pinglan Courtyard.
Shuangxi stood behind her and didn't dare to disturb her at this moment. As a maid who had served Lan Miao since childhood, she knew a bit about the relationship between Lan Miao and the Third Master, so she kept her mouth shut even more.
The moonlight quietly climbed up.
It shone on her delicate skin, making her look as cold as if covered in a layer of snow. Lan Miao's face was calm. Although the conversation with Wen Yuanning had overstepped the mark, she didn't regret it. It seemed that Wen Yuanning had gone crazy, but she had regained the initiative.
After all, it was a good thing that she could help Qingzhi.
Just as they were about to reach Pinglan Courtyard, Shuangle's anxious figure appeared at the door. When she saw Lan Miao coming back, a glimmer of tears welled up in her eyes. "Madam, there's news from the palace. Miss has encountered trouble in the palace. Please go to the palace."
"..."
A sudden ringing filled Lan Miao's ears.
The world spun around her.
---
Two hours ago.
In the library.
Yu Jia and Xue'er walked hand in hand on the long steps of the library. Outside the building, the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was filled with bright clouds. The golden light enveloped them, like a magnificent ancient scroll.
Behind them followed two slightly older girls. On the left was Chen Moning, the youngest daughter of the current Minister of Rites. She was ten years old. Her eyes were fixed on the back of the princess in front, and her expression was calm and gentle.
On the right was Li Weixi, the daughter of the left prime minister. She was nine years old, and there was a hint of arrogance on her face.
The palace servants followed further behind.
Chen Moning and Li Weixi walked properly. At such a young age, their every move was graceful.
"Xue'er, teach me. How can you do your homework so well? Master Zhang has praised you." Yu Jia pulled Xue'er's hand and leaned on her shoulder, looking extremely intimate.
Xue'er smiled gently, with two small dimples on her cheeks.
"Sure. I've already told you all the tricks."
"Okay. That's not a trick. It's your talent," Yu Jia said firmly, with a tone of helplessness. She envied Xue'er's talent so much. Xue'er learned everything quickly. If she had Xue'er's ability, she wouldn't have made a fool of herself in front of the emperor every time.
"My mother said that hard work is also a kind of talent. Yu Jia, you've already done very well."
Xue'er pinched Yu Jia's cheek that was leaning on her shoulder.
This action made the two companions behind them tremble with fear.
Chen Moning and Li Weixi glanced at each other and read the horror in each other's eyes. This Miss Wen actually dared to be so presumptuous towards the princess. And the intimate actions between Xue'er and Yu Jia also made them truly envious.
They had only entered the palace not long ago. They were both recommended by their families and selected by the empress dowager as the princess's companions after a series of selections.
When they first entered the palace and saw this Miss Wen, they were a bit stunned.
She was so young and seemed to have gotten in through connections.
Yet Princess Yu Jia liked her so much.
Because of this, even though they had a hint of contempt in their hearts, they didn't dare to show it on their faces. They could only be respectful to Xue'er.
However, after a few days of contact, Xue'er's personality was really likable.
Although they were a bit older and knew more, they found it hard to be as lively and smart as Xue'er.
"..., right?"
Yu Jia suddenly turned around and asked them a strange question. Both of them were in a daze. Although they didn't know what the princess was asking, they didn't dare not answer. Chen Moning forced herself to let out a soft "um" from her nose.
Yu Jia was speechless.
It was obvious that they hadn't been listening to her.
"Alright. I'll go find the books by myself. Would you two elder sisters please accompany Yu Jia to find Master Zhang downstairs?"
Xue'er turned around and gave Chen Moning and Li Weixi a charming smile.
Chen Moning felt relieved. Xue'er was saving them from the awkward situation. And Li Weixi beside her nodded quickly, with a hint of helplessness on her face, as if dealing with a naughty child. "Go then. We'll accompany the princess. Don't run around after you've found the books."