The door of the dark room was locked for a month before being opened again, and Lu Lingcong unexpectedly saw a light burning inside.
Usually, they would agree on a time for their next meeting before parting ways, so that neither would arrive only to find the other absent. But this time fell outside of their usual arrangement.
Or perhaps it could be said that an “agreement” was not really needed; their understanding of each other made them deeply aware of the necessity of meeting tonight.
Xie Jing stood tall by the table with his beautiful hair half-up and half-down while thinking about something with his head lowered.
Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing, his back moved, like a sensitive plant trembling quickly and urgently, and then he slowly raised his head to gaze at Lu Lingcong.
It was late after all, and Lu Lingcong had rushed out of the palace after settling his children to sleep in Mingluan Hall.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to meet during these few dozen days; it was just that while recovering from his leg injury, he was constantly accompanying the children, and Xie Jing was even too weak to get out of bed, so even if they had the intention, they also lacked the power.
Lu Lingcong stepped through the door and took half a step forward, but Xie Jing subconsciously retreated half a step.
And even this action had been beyond his own expectations. After withdrawing, it was as though he had just woken from a dream; he stood there blankly while looking down at his own feet, then up at Lu Lingcong.
That look absolutely held no resentment or blame, nor did it seem to have any deep indignation or grievance, but Lu Lingcong dared not approach him even half a step further just by being looked at by him like that.
The instant he withdrew, the distance that appeared in Xie Jing’s eyes was startling; once he came to himself, the faint fear and guilt that surfaced made him all the more pitiable.
Lu Lingcong had already heard about what had happened in Shenlong Hall after they left. It seemed his intimidation had indeed taken effect; Xie Jing had been personally helped up by Wang Chu, and before long the emperor himself had arrived, yet still did not punish him for the grave offense of disrespect.
The matter was lightly passed over, and after the court session, Xie Jing followed several other Wang clan adherents into the Prime Minister’s Mansion, only leaving after the evening meal.
Xie Jing had changed out of the court robes whose collar he had crumpled, but one could vaguely see a slight bruising on his Adam’s apple, which must have been pressed there by his finger bones.
He had originally hardened his heart, intending to directly strangle him.
But when he stepped closer, his gaze fell on the sachet Xie Jing had worn around his neck for thirteen years. Inside it were strands of their hair, bound together with an inseparable red thread. Then he thought of Xie Jing on their wedding night, quietly and carefully braiding his own hair alone—and of that seventeen-year-old Xie Jing he had ultimately missed forever. In the end, Lu Lingcong simply could not bring himself to strike.
The two stood stiffly facing each other across half the room, silent for a moment.
What Xie Jing feared was neither the sword Lu Lingcong raised nor the hand holding him but the overly real killing intent in those eyes.
Lu Lingcong certainly wouldn’t believe the rumors outside that Xie Jing was willing to kill his own child just to survive; after all, it was Lu Shuqing who brought him to rescue Xie Jing.
But if that was the case, where did that killing intent come from?
After a long time, Xie Jing took a step forward, but the effect was minimal, only making the half step he had retreated earlier even more conspicuous.
He bit his own lip and simply took a large step forward to wrap his arms tightly around Lu Lingcong’s waist while burying his face in his shoulder like he was desperately seeking protection.
Lu Lingcong froze, instinctively returning the embrace purely out of muscle memory, and heard him ask in a low voice, “Are your injuries serious?”
Lu Lingcong shook his head: “I didn’t jump directly off a cliff; I jumped only when I completely lost my footing halfway down. It’s nothing serious.”
Xie Jing awkwardly changed to a light, dismissive tone, saying, “Why did you get so terribly angry in the hall this morning?”
Lu Lingcong remained silent for a long while, and instead of answering, asked, “Did I… scare you?”
Xie Jing paused before softly saying “Yes,” and then intensified his shrinking into Lu Lingcong’s arms, seemingly eager to confirm his real, tangible presence, fearing that he might turn into a wisp of smoke and vanish.
Lu Lingcong didn’t know how best to cherish him; it had been a long time since he experienced the feeling of completely, thoroughly possessing a person.
All this person’s emotions, good or bad, responded only to him, lacking the decisive action shown before outsiders and the steady reliability shown before their children.
Even if he were afraid because of Lu Lingcong’s abnormality, he still sought security in his arms regardless yet refused to articulate his fear with the first thing he asked about being his injury.
“…That appearance for me,” Lu Lingcong began, “is not uncommon.”
He made up his mind and continued to explain, “There are many battles, many victories, that I fought that way. At those times, there were no ‘people’ in my eyes; just like this morning, there was actually no ‘you’ in my eyes either. You can call it bloodlust or call it tyranny, but winning is all that matters.”
Xie Jing slightly widened his eyes; he seemed to somewhat understand Lu Lingcong’s meaning, but he had never imagined that Lu Lingcong would actually have such a problem.
“For these past three years, I was only afraid of defeat; to be defeated meant death. If I died, what would become of the children? What about Mother and Zhenzhen? What about you? I could only numb myself like that on the battlefield and then begin the slaughter.”
Xie Jing furrowed his brow, tilting his head back to look at him, momentarily speechless.
Those shocking scars, those unpleasant memories, and the Lu Lingcong who was utterly foreign to him were hidden behind the various roles of father, son, elder brother, and husband, and all along, there had been no room for pouring out or venting.
Xie Jing suddenly realized that he had never even considered the possibility that “Lu Lingcong could fail”; in his subconscious, Lu Lingcong was omnipotent, allowing himself and the children to unleash all their emotions, fear and pain alike, accepting everything without question, even if it had actually exceeded his capacity to bear.
Just like this moment, he raised his hand to gently stroke Lu Lingcong’s face, and the other party merely smiled reassuringly at him, pulled his hand to his lips, and kissed it, saying, “It’s all over, don’t be afraid.”
“While I was recovering from my injury at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Madam Cui hinted to me that Wang Chu had originally sent people to guard the tunnel where Qing’er went out, but it seems… His Majesty privately had them moved away.” The two sat down beside the table, and Xie Jing said.
“Qing’er told me he saw the Yulin Guards stationed nearby, but there was no one at the tunnel entrance, and he found it strange. How is Madam Cui sure that it was His Majesty’s deployment and not an accident or an oversight?”
“She didn’t elaborate, but since she risked her life to save me, giving an ambiguous answer on this kind of matter would be meaningless; she must have been twelve parts certain before speaking.”
Xie Jing paused in confusion, “Moreover, she helped me the first time I saw her after returning to the capital. Why? Besides the premature death of her daughter Ah Huang, what else happened in these three years?”
Lu Lingcong, however, keenly picked up on other key information: “How did she help you that time?”
Xie Jing instantly realized his slip of the tongue; he certainly couldn’t tell Lu Lingcong about the Bone-stripping String, so he quickly fabricated a reason: “She explained to Wang Chu how well I know you, persuading him that knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory without peril and that keeping me alive would be useful.”
Lu Lingcong seemed to accept this explanation, only saying thoughtfully, “According to the Hewei, the Cui family; much as they did during the Spring Hunt, often accompanied Wang Chu. After her daughter’s untimely death, they began freely entering and leaving the Prime Minister’s Mansion, even accessing the study and council chambers at will.”
“I remember the Cui family sold off a lot of property after the Grand Commandant passed away, and their situation deteriorated drastically; perhaps the Wang family had a hand in it. This is one point.”
While sorting through his dealings with Cui Shushi, Xie Jing recalled the time Lu Shuning had been in danger; how Madam Cui had sat across from him then, wearing an expression that was half schadenfreude and half sympathy, and she continued, “Secondly, Ah Huang’s death is bound to be suspicious; third, there is the long-standing enmity between her and Wang Xi, as well as the rest of the Wang family. But in any case, she would absolutely not be supporting Prince Zhao’s Mansion out of any lingering affection for you.”
Lu Lingcong was startled and opened his mouth to argue, “She said she wasn’t doing it for Prince Zhao’s Mansion the night she saved you, so presumably—”
Xie Jing offered a faint smile before waving his hand, and said, “I’m not drinking that old, stale vinegar. Her talent and strategy are absolutely no less than ours, and Wang Chu must have discovered this as well, which is why he didn’t let her remain confined to the back chamber but instead kept her by his side as an advisor. Whether as an enemy or a friend, I respect her.
“I just want to say that based on these three points, it proves she has sufficient motive, but she certainly isn’t doing it for Prince Zhao’s Mansion; we are merely a bargaining chip to her. She is doing it for the Cui family of Qinghe, for Ah Huang, or for something else.”
Lu Lingcong pondered for a long while, then nodded, indicating he was convinced by what Xie Jing said.
Xie Jing then continued: “Madam Cui told me that there is a mezzanine in the inner room of Wang Chu’s study, where all four walls are shelves filled with documents and correspondence; if I want to investigate the matter of the late Emperor’s will, this place might be a breakthrough. I probably won’t be allowed inside for a short time, and though she has been in herself, it was only on extremely rare occasions, and the whole time she was under the scrutiny of Wang Chu and Wang Qi, daring not to make the slightest unusual move.”
“If we knew the exact location,” Lu Lingcong thought, “The Xuanshi might be able to try.”
Xie Jing nodded: “You should negotiate with Xiao Yao. The Prime Minister’s Mansion has eyes and ears everywhere; Madam Cui said it must be arranged for a time when all the masters of the household are away. She might even be able to assign someone to cover for you and guide the way.”
Lu Lingcong added, “We also need to find out which ones among the Yulin Guard officials of the fourth rank and above are people placed by the Wang family, and which ones are His Majesty’s people.”
Xie Jing understood: “So, is he truly wary of his mother’s clan?”
Three people had already directly expressed their doubt about the relationship between Lu Lingzhang and the Wang family: his closest confidant Lu Lingcong, the most respected Grand Tutor Zhang, and Cui Shushi, who was closest to the center of the Wang clan’s power.
Xie Jing had absolute trust in the judgment of any one of these three people, let alone the fact that all three were in agreement?
Lu Lingcong recalled: “Both the court and the public assume he is merely the mouthpiece and puppet of the Wang family. If it weren’t for Madam Cui’s reminder this time, you and I might have also assumed the absence of the Yulin Guards was just a coincidence.”
“In these past three years, he never hinted to me what his views on the Wang family were whether in public or private; if it wasn’t that he was unwilling, then it could only be that he dared not take even a one-in-ten-thousand risk. He is the true lone wolf.”
Lu Lingcong sighed with a bitter smile. “I’ve said earlier that my understanding of him is still not as good as yours.”
Xie Jing also just spread his hands helplessly: “If I were truly certain of his disposition, I wouldn’t have only confirmed today his intent to oppose the Wang family. Even with Madam Cui, I can still lay out points one, two, three, and four, but when it comes to His Majesty, aside from his desire to consolidate real power, I cannot discern any other motives.”
“Everything will eventually come to light if we investigate further.” Lu Lingcong suddenly said, “Right now, there is indeed a good opportunity, perhaps we can ask Madam Cui to arrange it.”
Xie Jing asked, “When?”
“The nineteenth day of the fifth month, the late Emperor’s birthday. After His Majesty offers sacrifices at the Ancestral Temple, he will lead the court officials and their wives to offer prayers at Jiming Temple,” Lu Lingcong glanced at him, “Perhaps we can kill two birds with one stone.”
The nineteenth day of the fifth month, Jiming Temple.
Xie Jing followed behind a monk in black robes, winding through the halls and pavilions, finally stopping outside a cramped meditation room.
The monk turned and whispered to him: “Princess Consort must remember not to make a sound. This place is adjacent to the main hall, be careful of ears behind the walls.”
Xie Jing nodded and thanked him, lifted the meditation room door curtain, and slipped inside. Before he could even stand steadily, he saw Lu Shuning rush toward him like the wind, making him sway slightly before he caught her and lifted her into his arms.
Their family absolutely could not disappear from everyone’s sight at the same time. At this moment, Lu Lingcong and Lu Shuqing were both attending the Empress Dowager in the main hall, which allowed Lu Shuning to quietly slip out and meet with him.
Xie Jing tightened his embrace around Lu Shuning’s soft body as silent kisses falling on the top of her head and forehead. He kissed her a few times, then pulled back the distance, greedily looking at every detail of her features once, and then lowered his head to continue kissing as if he could never get enough.
In the seven years since her birth, Xie Jing had never been separated from her for so long. In the span of just two months, changes had occurred one after another, and he had even brushed shoulders with death, making it impossible for him to control the surging affection driven by his maternal instinct.
His two children held different meanings for him.
Lu Shuqing appeared when Xie Jing himself was still a youth, and it was no exaggeration to say they grew up together, sharing and witnessing the most carefree period of his life; all his happiness and contentment during those years were connected to Lu Shuqing.
And Lu Shuning was the only visible and tangible source of hope for him during his three years in Yongzhou. Xie Jing knew very well that without his daughter, he might have endured the bitter cold and sickness, but he might not have survived the prolonged despair.
He had entrusted a part of himself to both Lu Shuqing and Lu Shuning, and they equally formed a complete “Xie Jing,” indispensable to each other.
On this point, he and Lu Lingcong had reached a consensus: they might not live solely for their children, but if they didn’t have these two children—especially if they had them and then lost them, neither of them dared to imagine what might happen.
Lu Shuning rubbed against him with her soft, sticky cheek while her long, fine eyelashes moistened slightly. Xie Jing freed one hand to wipe them away, then gently pinched her cheeks and pressed inward; Lu Shuning’s small mouth was squeezed open, revealing two newly grown front teeth like a squirrel.
Xie Jing looked at her foolish little expression for a moment, and when Lu Shuning broke into laughter first, he too couldn’t help but smile.
Fortunately, the experience in Yongzhou enabled Lu Shuning to manage all her emotions with ease. When she realized that Xie Jing did not want to see her cry, she could effortlessly switch to a brilliant, spring-like smile, becoming her mother’s sweetheart, candied fruit, shining pearl, and precious darling.
The monk’s coughing sound came from outside. Xie Jing hardened his heart and tried to put Lu Shuning down, but she instinctively resisted, and he couldn’t let go again.
He pressed his nose against Lu Shuning’s, nuzzled her softly, and then turned his face away. Lu Shuning naturally leaned in and gave him a tiny kiss in return.
Xie Jing took a deep breath, turned, and left the meditation room, seeing Yin Chou already waiting outside. The two exchanged glances, everything understood without words.
Yin Chou took Lu Shuning, nodded slightly, and disappeared behind the corridor in two steps.
Xie Jing stood rooted, watching their retreating figures until the monk spoke up to remind him, “His Highness instructed that Princess Consort must not linger.” Only then did he regain his senses, turn, and quickly depart.
