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墨書 Inktalez
If Jiang Wei initially thought it might just be a coincidence, the subsequent series of events only proved that he had long been targeted by the other party. However, he did not understand why, with only four of them, they were being pursued by someone clearly skilled and not motivated by wealth or revenge. What could their intentions be?
Could it really be as Old Madam said, that his identity had been exposed?
But he believed he had never revealed anything along the way, so he decided to respond to changes with steadfastness.
No matter the winds from east, west, south, or north, I shall remain unmoved!
"Young Master, are we really going to act like turtles hiding in their shells? As long as that person doesn't leave, we won't step out?"
The speaker was the strong and robust Afu. Although older in age, he always acted like a brute. After waiting just one morning, his patience had worn thin and he was furious.
"Afu, do not be disrespectful to the Young Master." The oldest among them, Old Madam, glanced at the Young Master’s unpredictable expression and whispered sharply, "The Young Master has his reasons for acting as he does. We should wait patiently without speaking out of turn."
The youngest and most handsome among them, Ajin, stepped forward: "But we can't just wait aimlessly like this. Are we afraid of him?" Ajin's words earned frequent nods from Afu.
Old Madam looked at them and wisely chose to remain silent.
Jiang Wei closed his Folding Fan and glanced at Ajin: "I told you not to come out with me. You insisted repeatedly that you would listen to me and would not cause trouble; that's why I agreed. If you continue to act recklessly like this, you might as well go back on your own."
"Don't!" Ajin exclaimed anxiously. "It took me so long to come out with you for fun. It's only been a few days and you're already trying to send me away. Be careful; I might tell Father Emperor about how you're bullying me, hmph."
"I've told you countless times not to act like a little princess from Penglai Nation when we're outside. If someone with ill intentions finds out, do you know what kind of disaster it could cause?" Jiang Wei scolded heavily.
Ajin widened his eyes: "You're being mean! You've never scolded me like this before; now that we're out here, you're bullying me! I'm not talking to you anymore." With that, she pushed past Afu, who had come over to comfort her, and ran outside.
Afu stood there, glancing between the Young Master and the person who had just run out. His expression was filled with indecision. Finally, gritting his teeth, he chased after her.
Old Madam sighed and shook her head, looking at Jiang Wei. "Young Master, it would be best not to stir up trouble. Although the little princess is willful, she is clever and bright, and she is your sister..."
"I have only one sister, and she is definitely not her." Jiang Wei's voice was icy, his expression dark. "Old Madam, you don't really believe my sister is dead, do you? My Empress Dowager has been heartbroken and confused, taking in some wild child to ease her sorrow. But in my heart, my sister will always be the only one! My noble princess of Penglai Nation will forever be unique."
Old Madam opened her mouth to say something but ultimately sighed instead. "The deceased are gone; why must you cling to this?"
"Cling?" Jiang Wei smiled bitterly. "The Empress Dowager has been separated from my sister for many years. I enjoy wealth and glory, but my sister's fate remains unknown—whether she lives or dies is a pain that others cannot understand. If I cannot persist in searching for my sister, how can I call myself a son or a brother?"
"But when the princess was taken away, she was just an infant. After so many years, even if she is still alive, how can you be sure you would recognize her?"
Old Madam nodded in understanding but couldn't help stating the reality. "You bear heavy responsibilities; you should take care of yourself. That would be a blessing for our Penglai Nation."
"I understand." Jiang Wei nodded. "He Taishi speaks the truth, but I still want to do my best to find my sister. I cannot bear to see the Empress Dowager in constant grief, pouring all her affection into that willful girl."
Old Madam sighed. "Over these years, the Empress has struggled to overcome her sorrow. His Majesty and the Queen have grown increasingly indifferent to state affairs due to their deep affection for each other. Fortunately, you are still managing the situation. However, it seems unwise for you to search for the princess alone."
"Even if it is unwise, how can I not act?" Jiang Wei retorted. "All the lords believe I am humble and gentle as jade, but if I neglect my own sister, how can I call myself human or a ruler?"
Old Madam was left speechless and eventually bowed deeply. "I have learned from you."
"Alright then, that girl has run off impulsively and likely startled the snake in the grass. Old Madam might as well take a walk; there’s no need to inquire about my sister's whereabouts anymore. I want to see what this person is up to that they dare focus on me."
Jiang Wei's gaze sparkled with a commanding presence; his earlier warmth had long since retracted.
Night Star had already seen two people push open the door and step out one after another but did not see that graceful gentleman. Therefore, he remained discreet and made a gesture under the table. Soon after, a diner placed down some silver and followed the direction Ajin had run off to.
As he cast his eyes toward the half-closed door, Night Star exchanged glances with Jiang Wei inside; both recognized a similar expression in each other's eyes: determination and unwavering resolve—like lions in the jungle biting at each other, tormenting one another until death!
This is an expression only those in power would have. Night Star squinted, and after a moment, slowly smiled: his interest in this seemingly gentle young man grew stronger!
Jiang Wei coldly smiled, his gaze filled with charm: very good! Having someone as a rival means this journey will not be so lonely!
"Ajin, Ajin, stop running." Afu chased easily but was always afraid of hurting the other's pride, so he only called out softly from a distance.
"Pah." Ajin turned around, her delicate face full of disdain. "What are you? Just a Chief of the Imperial Guards, daring to call me by my name.
Don't think that just because my brother values you, you can look down on me. I know you all laugh at me behind my back, mocking me as a wild chicken occupying a phoenix's nest. I don't care!"
By the end of her words, her stubborn little face bit her lip, nearly in tears.
She was originally an orphan without parents, fighting with stray dogs for food on the streets, brawling with beggars, sleeping in bushes at night while worrying about lecherous vagrants taking advantage of her or other beggars encroaching on her territory. Her life was lived in constant fear and caution.
Until the year she turned seven, by chance she encountered the Empress, who had lost her daughter and was nearly driven mad with grief. Mistaken for her daughter, she was taken back to the palace, where she stayed for eleven years.
During these eleven years, some thought she had struck gold and gained such incredible fortune by luck; others openly mocked her for occupying someone else's place; some treated her coldly as if she were invisible. Only the Empress sincerely regarded her as a daughter and treated her well.
She hated it, feared it, felt helpless!
Until that handsome and upright man appeared—gentle as jade, always polite with a warm smile on his face, his scent so pleasant it reminded her of pear blossoms in March: cool, lonely yet noble and proud.
But that man had never looked at her directly! He always treated her like air—except in front of the Empress, where he had to be kind to "sister."
After enduring so many disdainful looks, Ajin had long since become immune. She admired him like a true sister, running around making him snacks and embroidering pouches, striving to write poetry and paint—all just to earn a glance of praise from him.
But there was nothing—absolutely nothing!
This time, knowing that he was leaving the palace for a secret outing, she had begged the Empress for over half a month just to get the chance to accompany him. Yet, he still did not take her seriously. Why? Was she really that unworthy?
Ajin felt a deep ache in her heart, and her tears flowed more pitifully.
Afu felt a sharp pain in his heart and hurriedly stepped forward to wipe her tears. "Don't cry," he said. He was a rough man trained in martial arts, unfamiliar with matters of romance, and with no wife or concubines at home, he didn't understand how to cherish delicate feelings. He was also afraid his clumsy hands would hurt her.
"Do you think my brother really dislikes me? Does he not like me at all?"
Ajin lifted her head, her delicate chin illuminated by the sunset, her skin pale and tender, almost translucent with visible blue veins. Two glistening tears hung on her long eyelashes like dew after rain. Dressed in men's clothing, she still couldn't hide her fair lady essence.
Afu instinctively felt dry in his throat and quickly turned away. "No, no way! Princess, you are so beautiful and treat the Empress so well; the young master would be delighted to see you. How could he dislike you?"
"Right, only by being good to the Empress Dowager will my brother like me." Ajin's voice sounded like a wronged child. "If the Empress Dowager doesn't like me anymore, my brother will surely drive me out of the palace."
"The Empress loves the princess so much; how could she not like you?" Afu didn't understand what the little princess was thinking; he just wanted her to be happy—that was his greatest fortune.
"Yes, if the Empress Dowager treats the princess well, it means she treats her daughter well. If she treats her daughter well, then she will treat me well..."
Ajin's voice gradually lowered as if a thought floated away in the wind and quickly disappeared. "If only my brother returns empty-handed this time, that would be good."
In the grand palace adorned with gold and jade, surrounded by countless silks and satins and rare jewels that one might see only once in a lifetime, there were numerous maids and eunuchs serving from high above, and... that handsome and gentle-eyed man.
None of this truly belonged to her! Yet she was enjoying it all, wasn't she?
The real princess had been missing for over ten years; it would be best if she were dead. If she were alive, what difference would it make? She had never considered giving up what belonged to her!
A flash of ruthlessness crossed her eyes but vanished quickly.
When she lifted her head again, she appeared so charming and sweet: "Afu, I feel like I've caused trouble for my brother."
Afu scratched the back of his head and waved his hand foolishly: "The young master won't hold it against you."
"But I feel really guilty," Ajin said as she walked over and grabbed his sleeve. "Will you accompany me to buy some snacks to apologize to my brother?"
"Well..." Afu hesitated, "The young master mentioned that we need to be cautious during this trip, especially not eating outside. Everything we consume must be checked by Old Madam before it's safe to eat."
Ajin lowered her head in grievance. "I just wanted to buy some of my brother's favorite Osmanthus Cake and Hibiscus Pastry to apologize. I was too willful... I really am useless, unable to do anything right."
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Afu felt a surge of determination: "Alright, leave it to me. I'll take you there right now."
"Afu, you're so kind." Ajin's face was filled with admiration and gratitude when she suddenly remembered something. "By the way, does my brother still have his medicine?"
Afu thought for a moment. "The young master's asthma hasn't been acting up as frequently lately, so the pills prepared by Old Madam should be enough."
Ajin pouted and said with self-reproach, "If my willfulness causes my brother's asthma to act up, I would really hate myself."
"It won't happen, it won't happen."
Afu quickly reassured her. Seeing that she still looked downcast, he added, "When we buy the Hibiscus Pastry, let's also get some herbs for the young master. We can bring them back for Old Madam to check. If everything is fine, she can prepare more pills, so you'll feel more at ease."
Ajin looked at him and forced a sweet smile: "Afu, I know you're the best to me."
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