A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 205

Throughout the day, aside from visiting Zhao Yu a few times, Ning Jin stayed in his tent the entire time. Even when passing by the tent and seeing Mo Yan, he pretended not to see her. Wu Zichu, on the other hand, came and went several times, seeing Mo Yan each time, and each time shaking his head and sighing.

As the lamps were lit, Mo Yan slumped to her feet and went into the tent to check on Zhao Yu. Her condition showed no improvement; it seemed she was simply dragging her time out. Mo Yan couldn't bear to watch any longer. Ning Jin hadn't made a decision all day, and it seemed hopeless, but at least she still needed to get to the bottom of things.

She lifted the curtain and strode towards Ning Jin's bedchamber. She had only gone halfway when she saw Wu Zichu coming out from inside.

"You've come at the perfect time. His Highness was just asking me to come find you," Wu Zichu said, greeting her.

Mo Yan asked happily, "Has he figured it out?"

Wu Zichu did not answer, but only said, "Go in."

Mo Yan was overjoyed and hurried inside. When she saw Ning Jin, she was afraid of upsetting him, so she didn't dare to speak first. She just stared at him expectantly, which made Ning Jin feel uneasy.

"...Go and call that old Hu over, I have something to ask him."

He awkwardly stepped back two paces and gave instructions to Mo Yan.

"Your Highness, does that mean you're willing to grant them their wish?" Mo Yan was overjoyed.

"It's too early to say that now. Why don't you call him over first? I have some questions for him," Ning Jin said calmly.

He had something to ask Su Zui, which was a good sign; in any case, there was a glimmer of hope. Mo Yan thought to herself, and left happily. A short while later, she returned like a whirlwind, bringing Su Zui with her.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Su Zui bowed to Ning Jin.

Ning Jin stared at Su Zui for a moment. Su Zui was still dressed like Old Hu, with a stubble beard and shabby clothes, which made Ning Jin frown.

"Xiao Qi said you're disguised, so what did you originally look like...? How old are you?"

Seeing that Ning Jin and Wu Zichu were both trustworthy, Su Zui simply removed his disguise, revealing his true appearance.

Wu Zichu exclaimed "Ah!" first, followed by Ning Jin belatedly exclaiming "Ah!"

"So it was you!" Ning Jin said with slight surprise.

Wu Zichu stepped forward, patted Su Zui on the shoulder, and said with a mixture of surprise and delight, "So that's why you suddenly stopped being a palace guard! ...How come your leg is like this...?"

Although Wu Zichu and Su Zui were of different ages, they were both top-tier martial arts masters among the imperial guards back in the day. Su Zui, with his forthright and unpretentious nature, often sparred with Wu Zichu, and the two were very close. However, Su Zui was suddenly transferred to the Ministry of War, and the two never saw each other again. Unexpectedly, they met again here today, but Su Zui had crippled his leg and was no longer the man he once was. Wu Zichu couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Ning Jin had also seen Su Zui in the palace, but firstly, he was still young at the time and did not remember clearly, and secondly, he did not have the same relationship with Su Zui as Wu Zichu, so he had to think for a while before he remembered.

"How did his leg break?" Ning Jin asked. He still remembered that he had insisted that Su Zui practice his sword for him. He never imagined that he would end up like this.

Su Zui smiled faintly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This matter is a long story, let's discuss it another day. Your Highness must have something important to discuss with me?"

Ning Jin glanced at him and said out of the blue, "I remember Xiao Yu'er used to love pestering you to teach her swordsmanship. Do you remember?"

Su Zui looked directly at Ning Jin without flinching: "I remember."

"Did she recognize you?"

"No." Su Zui smiled helplessly, "I'm afraid she doesn't even know who I am right now."

Ning Jin nodded, remaining silent for a long while before finally speaking, "Xiao Qi told me everything about you two. But I didn't quite understand. Given Xiao Yu'er's status and the fact that she didn't recognize you, how could you... um?"

Su Zui was stunned for a moment, then said, "I don't know, I don't understand... Maybe God is deliberately trying to torment us like this."

“Right now, Xiao Yu’er is so sick, and half of it is because of you, do you know that?” Ning Jin’s tone became serious.

"I know."

"Do you have a way to save her?"

Upon hearing this, Su Zui remained silent for a long time. Zhao Yu's unwillingness to live was ultimately due to her own predicament, which was precisely where he couldn't help at all. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't find a single solution.

Ning Jin asked in a flat tone, seemingly nonchalant, "If... I mean if Xiao Yu'er weren't a princess of the Song Dynasty, and she didn't have to be married off, do you have any way to save her?"

Su Zui remained silent, but he had already understood the meaning behind Ning Jin's words. He glanced at Mo Yan beside him and became even more certain of Ning Jin's intentions.

"Your Highness, this is not advisable."

Su Zui slowly shook his head.

“What if I say yes?” Ning Jin asked.

Su Zui shook her head again and said softly, "She won't agree either."

"You don't need to worry about that. After all, I'm her little royal uncle, so she has to listen to what I say."

“But Your Highness…” Su Zui felt it was inappropriate because this matter was too important, but since it was Ning Jin who brought it up, his tone wavered slightly.

"No buts," Ning Jin interrupted him, "I'm doing this for Xiao Yu'er, not for you."

Su Zui stared intently at Ning Jin, speechless.

Volume 3, Chapter 42

Ning Jin had been feeling uncomfortable being stared at all day. He turned his face away, sighed, and said, "Fine, fine. I know this is going against the grain, and I'm not entirely satisfied with your appearance either. If you end up with her living a life of hardship and suffering, I won't care."

"Your Highness..."

Before he could speak, Ning Jin continued quickly, "But you have to keep her alive, understand? No matter what, we can't let her die like this, do you understand?"

“I understand,” Su Zui frowned, “but it’s not easy to keep this a secret from everyone. Besides, the slightest mistake could lead to disaster…”

“I know this better than you do. This matter must not be leaked in the slightest.” Ning Jin muttered, turning his face away, his emotions still unsettled. “Even if it’s just a risk on my part, Xiao Yu’er shouldn’t… she shouldn’t have ended up like this. Our royal family owes her!”

"Thank you, Your Highness!"