Zhou Cangyan’s eyes were half-closed, and he’d clearly been in a foul mood for so ti.
The Shadow Guard and Xuan i exchanged a look, jutting their chins. Neither could guess their master’s thoughts.
’Logically, the Princess Consort is out of danger. The master should be happy. Why has he been so grim ever since he ca out of her room?’
Just then, Cao Jin walked in.
He instinctively glanced at Xuan i, but she nonchalantly averted her gaze, acting as if she hadn’t seen him.
Cao Jin frowned.
"I’ve co to take my leave."
Zhou Cangyan looked at him. "If the Holy Emperor asks, put all the bla on Ziyin. He’ll protect you."
"Actually, my coming to help you was also Prince Yi’s idea."
"I figured as much," Zhou Cangyan said calmly. "If Sishui City had fallen, Nanchen would have officially set foot inside Da Cheng’s borders. Prince Wei would have gained Nanchen’s support, and since he is Prince Yi’s greatest rival, why would he ever let Prince Wei get his way?"
He paused, glancing at Cao Jin, who in turn cast a look at Xuan i standing nearby.
"Still, you were too reckless. As the Commander of the imperial guard, deserting your post in the Imperial City is a capital offense. Not to ntion, your family is still in Ling’an."
As he spoke, Xuan i’s brow twitched, but her expression quickly returned to an emotionless mask.
"You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already made the proper arrangents," Cao Jin said seriously. "I would never do anything to endanger my family."
Zhou Cangyan nodded. "Good."
"Back to the matter at hand," Cao Jin said. "Sui Ning mobilized troops without an imperial decree. They’ll surely be called to account for it."
’That gives Emperor Cheng Xiao the pretext he needs.’
"Sui Bei is our defense against Nanchen and Wu Qi. As long as the forces in Sui Bei hold their ground, our enemies won’t dare to make a rash move. Besides, Nanchen has already acted first, so we must be on guard. In a situation like this, the troops in Sui Bei are more critical than ever; they cannot be moved."
Cao Jin said aningfully, "I’m afraid it’s not Sui Bei the Holy Emperor wants to move."
Zhou Cangyan lowered his gaze and sneered. "He wants to move against my maternal grandfather. And moving against him is the sa as moving against ."
"Good that you realize it," Cao Jin said. "Sui Bei can only belong to Da Cheng—or rather, to the Holy Emperor. Now that his health is failing, he’s certainly looking to seize this chance to clear the path for his son."
Zhou Cangyan enunciated each word slowly. "Then we’ll have to see... which son that is."
Cao Jin understood his aning. "The Cao Family will not take a side in this matter."
His personal friendship with Zhou Cangyan was one thing, but as he’d said, he would not endanger the Cao Family.
"Understood," Zhou Cangyan acknowledged.
"I’ll take my leave."
As he turned to go, Zhou Cangyan suddenly called to Xuan i, "See Commander Cao out for ."
Xuan i: "..."
The Shadow Guard stifled a laugh. Clearly enjoying the drama, he kept shooting her suggestive glances from the side.
Xuan i slowly turned her head. "As you command."
She walked up to Cao Jin. "Commander Cao, if you please."
Cao Jin’s gaze rested on the top of her head. "Thank you."
The two walked out, one after the other.
Only then did Zhou Cangyan signal to the Shadow Guard. "Ask Manager ng to co in."
"Yes, sir!"
A mont later, the Shadow Guard led Manager ng in.
Zhou Cangyan lifted his teacup and took a sip. "Are you one of Prince Ling’s n?"
"Er, I..."
"I want the truth."
Manager ng knew that at this point, there was nothing left to hide.
Besides, when it ca to defending against foreign invaders, Prince Ling and King Qing had always shared the sa goal.
His mind made up, he lifted his head and answered loudly, "I am indeed stationed here under orders from Prince Ling."
"Mm." Zhou Cangyan set down his cup. "Prince Ling’s man has comndable courage. You’ve perford a great service in defending against the enemy."
"Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."
Zhou Cangyan raised his light-brown eyes and glanced at him. "You saved the Princess Consort, which ans you have done a great favor. I will rember it."
Those words left Manager ng completely overwheld. He quickly lifted the hem of his robe and knelt. "Your Highness, you honor far too much! It was the Princess Consort who saved the lives of everyone in this city, myself included. If we are to speak of debts of gratitude, our debt to the Princess Consort is as vast as the heavens! I cannot possibly accept this favor from Your Highness!"
His voice was filled with admiration whenever he spoke of Song Lianhe.
’After facing death together, who cared who worked for whom? Manager ng simply admired and respected Song Lianhe for the person she was, regardless of her title.’
Despite this, Zhou Cangyan still signaled for the Shadow Guard to give him a reward.
「Outside the clinic.」
Cao Jin walked down the steps, then turned to look back at Xuan i.
Xuan i’s expression remained neutral, treating him as if he were a complete stranger. "Commander Cao, take care."
She turned to go back inside, but Cao Jin suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Xuan i reacted on pure instinct, her hand lashing out in a strike. Unflustered, Cao Jin sidestepped the blow, shifting his feet to stand on her other side.
"After I return to Ling’an, I will ask King Qing for your hand in marriage."
Xuan i’s eyes flew wide. "No!" she refused without a second thought.
Cao Jin had expected her to say that. "It’s settled."
He turned, walked down the steps, and pulled his horse over. He swung himself into the saddle, yanked the reins, and spurred its sides. The horse neighed and took off with a TROT-TROT-TROT, leaving Xuan i standing frozen with a complicated expression.
’A marriage proposal?’
’Sothing like that was far too complicated for her. She’d never even considered it!’
"Tsk, tsk. A marriage proposal, is it?" A clear, laughing voice ca from a corner behind her.
She spun around and saw soone sitting on a nearby stone block.
Song Lianhe bead at her. "I never would have guessed Commander Cao was such a man of action. I was getting worried, with you two’s personalities. You’re both so reserved! Who would have thought Commander Cao could be so bold! Hmm... As for this marriage, I approve!"
’At a ti of life and death, Cao Jin had been willing to abandon everything and rush here. Wasn’t it all for Xuan i?’
Song Lianhe was genuinely happy that Xuan i had found soone who would treat her so well.
Xuan i composed herself, walked over, and helped her up. "Princess Consort, you shouldn’t be sitting out here. You’ve only just recovered. You should be resting in your room."
’Her breathless rush of words was a classic case of protesting too much.’
"Hehe, I get it." Song Lianhe winked at her. "I know you’re shy. I won’t ntion it again."
"...I’m not shy."
That’s what Xuan i said, but her eyes told a different story.
Just then, soone approached them.
"Princess Qing, we et again."
Song Lianhe peered past her. "City Lord Duan?"
The arrivals were none other than Duan Shanmian and Zhu Liao.
Xuan i said, "I’ll go announce you."
After she went inside, Duan Shanmian turned his attention to Song Lianhe. "Is Your Highness feeling any better?"
"Oh, much better."
Song Lianhe looked at him. "City Lord Duan, you originally..."
She trailed off, falling silent.
Knowing what she was about to ask, Duan Shanmian was forthright. "That’s right. However, Your Highness’s actions moved deeply. I suppose I still care about the legacy I’ll leave behind. I don’t want to be rembered as a traitor whose head is hung on the city walls."
"I only did what my heart told to do."
He chuckled. "A fine sentint, ’do what my heart tells .’ But few realize just how rare and precious that truly is."
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