inspire-indiana Chapter 323
Chapter 323
"How can you be sure that I will help you?"
"What does the destruction of Baiji have to do with me? Besides, which emperor throughout history has not wanted to unify the four kingdoms? As the beneficiary, why should I help you?"
Nalan Jingwen was right. With Baiji's demise, there would be one less rival. From then on, the world would be divided into three, and no emperor would abandon the immediate benefits and instead adhere to some so-called benevolence, righteousness, and propriety.
"Shouldn't you reflect on whether you've chosen the wrong target?"
Xiao Congyu stood there, his lips parted, but he couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Yes, why should Nalan Jingwen help them? What does the destruction of Baiji have to do with anyone else?
Nalan Jingwen looked at her calmly and continued, "Xiao Jin sent you to beg me because you told her that I care about your prince, so for the sake of your prince, I, a prince with only a title but a bad reputation, might be blinded by love and do anything to help you."
The more Nalan Jingwen spoke, the more panicked Xiao Congyu became. She opened her mouth to refute, but when she met Nalan Jingwen's deep, unfathomable eyes, she couldn't utter a single word.
The carriage jolted for a moment, and Xiao Congyu lost his balance and knelt down heavily.
Nalan Jingwen continued, "Although I love beautiful women, I am not so easily manipulated, much less can you scheme against me."
She had long promised Ah Nian that she would help him rise to power and stabilize the situation in Baiji, but that didn't mean she was willing to be schemed against; that was a completely different matter.
From the very beginning, they always thought of Nalan Jingwen as someone who could be used at will, and never took her seriously. They thought that although she was favored by Nalan Fengxing, she was nothing more than a pretty face, a lecherous fool. Otherwise, it would not have been Xiao Congyu, a mere official in the Department of Ceremonial Affairs, who came to ask for her help for such an important matter, but rather Xiao Jin, the Grand Tutor, who came personally!
Xiao Congyu lowered his head, not daring to look at Nalan Jingwen. The air pressure inside the car was extremely low, and his back was already soaked with cold sweat. His legs were trembling.
Nalan Jingwen lowered his eyes slightly, his voice calm, yet each word struck Xiao Congyu's heart.
"Lord Xiao, I see no sincerity in you."
Xiao Congyu lowered his head even further, trembling with fear, "It was my oversight, Your Highness, please forgive me."
Nalan Jingwen remained silent, and the carriage suddenly became extremely quiet. Xiao Congyu dared not move until they arrived at the palace gate. Nalan Jingwen did not glance at her again, got up and got off the carriage. As soon as she lifted the curtain, she saw a woman getting off the carriage opposite her. She was dressed in brocade and finery, tall and graceful, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes.
Shen Xi's gaze fell on the kneeling figure in the carriage behind her. A dark glint flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. The curtain fell, and she immediately put on an impeccable smile as she walked towards Nalan Jingwen.
"Your Highness, what a coincidence! You're not familiar with the palace, would you mind letting me show you the way?"
Nalan Jingwen met her gaze, a vague meaning flickering in his deep eyes before quickly regaining his composure. He nodded slightly to her, "Thank you for your trouble."
Shen Xi walked to her side, taking a small step behind. She made a gesture with her right hand very quickly, and the air was soon filled with imperceptible ripples. Nalan Jingwen took it all in, but walked forward without making a sound.
As night falls and the lanterns are lit, the palace is ablaze with light, its golden splendor reflected in the glazed tiles.
Shen Xi wanted to chat with Nalan Jingwen, but the latter seemed uninterested and only gave a few casual replies. Seeing this, Shen Xi wisely kept quiet.
By the time they arrived at the banquet venue, all the civil and military officials had already arrived, and Grand Tutor Xiao was seated to the left of the main seat.
When Nalan Jingwen and Shen Xi entered together, there was a moment of silence in the room. Many eyes fell on them at the same time. When Xiao Taifu saw that Shen Xi was next to her, he was obviously stunned. He looked behind her, but when he did not see the person he wanted to see, his expression gradually became serious.
"Your Highness, please."
Nalan Jingwen parted ways with her and sat in the seat specially prepared for her, the seat closest to the head of the table. How could she not understand Xiao Jin's thoughts? She just sat down casually without saying anything, waiting for the most important person to arrive.
A palace maid came around from behind and approached Xiao Jin, whispering something in her ear. Xiao Jin frowned slightly and looked towards Nalan Jingwen, who pretended not to see her and continued drinking his wine. Xiao Jin waved the maid away, and after the maid left, a sound came from outside the hall, and a familiar figure gradually appeared.
Nalan Jingwen squinted and looked outside, and saw Anian being helped in by palace servants as she slowly walked in.
He had truly changed. He wore a black brocade robe with gold-embroidered auspicious clouds on the cuffs and a vermilion and white jade belt around his waist. His once waist-length black hair was tied up high and secured with a crown inlaid with green and gold. He stood tall and his skin was pale, but he was completely different from his previous sickly and timid appearance. He had gained a lot of spirit and was incredibly handsome.
He did not wear a veil today, and his stunningly beautiful face was exposed to everyone's view. Although they had seen him once in the morning, the officials were below and looking at him from afar, so they could not see him clearly. But now, seeing him so closely, everyone forgot to breathe, afraid of disturbing this celestial being. There was probably no one in the world more beautiful than him.
Even Shen Xi stared at him in a daze, but a look of determination appeared in her eyes.
Nalan Jingwen felt a moment of disorientation. The person who should have been so familiar now seemed strange and distant to her. When her gaze fell on the bracelet on his wrist, which was slightly visible as he moved, the feeling of unfamiliarity gradually disappeared, and a faint smile curved her lips.
That was still her Ah Nian.
It wasn't until a crisp sound rang out and the wine glass shattered on the ground that everyone snapped out of their shock and rose to their knees in worship.
"May Your Highness be well!"
The morning ceremony for recognizing one's ancestors and returning to one's clan coincided with his ascension to the position of Crown Prince.
To Nalan Jingwen's surprise, A'Nian was not as uneasy or flustered as he had imagined. Instead, he remained calm and sat in the main seat, saying, "Get up."
"This is my first time meeting with you all since I returned to the country, so please don't be shy and make yourselves at home."
His voice was clear and crisp, with a slight hoarseness, like shattered jade striking stone.
The banquet officially began, filled with singing and dancing. The dancers, their robes fluttering, sang melodiously, adding elegance and joy to the event. After several rounds of drinks, the guests gradually became bolder. Some wanted to toast Nalan Jingwen, but retreated upon seeing her slightly cold expression. Xiao Jin had been keeping an eye on the head of the table and on Nalan Jingwen's side. Nalan Jingwen looked up and met her gaze. Xiao Jin picked up her wine cup and slowly walked towards her.
"Your Highness, thank you for safely escorting His Highness the Crown Prince back to the country. This old minister is deeply grateful."
Upon hearing this, Nalan Jing subconsciously glanced at the person in the main seat, but A Nian kept his head down, seemingly engrossed in something, and didn't look at her once throughout the entire conversation.