L'hibiscus comme peinture

Chapitre 102

"My lord, let's go inside and take a look!" Yelü Ying pretended not to hear Ao Jun's words and continued talking, grabbing Ao Jun's hand and heading towards the stadium. My lord, I'm giving you a chance. If you remain so heartless, don't blame me.

Ao Jun grasped Yelü Ying's hand in return, sighed, suppressed the reluctance in her heart, and steeled her resolve, saying, "Yelü Ying..."

Yelü Ying's red eyes flashed, and he darted forward, hugging Ao Jun tightly. Ao Jun tried to struggle, but Yelü Ying buried his head in her neck and said in a muffled voice, "Jun, don't move. I know what you're going to say. Hold me, okay? Just for a moment."

Ao Jun slowly reached out and hugged Yelü Ying back, her eyes slightly closed, feeling a wave of helplessness in her heart: As clever as he is, he should have known what she was thinking long ago, right? Yet he has been forcing a smile in front of her all this time, and she really can't bear to see him like this.

The two embraced each other, each lost in their own thoughts, but to onlookers, they seemed to be unable to resist each other's embrace, completely oblivious to the arrival of others, until that person left in anger.

Yelü Ying watched the departing figure and smiled wickedly. "Ouyang Jinxuan, this is just the beginning."

Jin Xuan returned to the Jin Prince's residence in a huff. Frustrated, he picked up his sword and began to practice, but his swordsmanship was chaotic and disorganized. His mind was completely elsewhere, constantly telling himself: it was just a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Jun wouldn't betray him; he had to believe her. He didn't want to think about it anymore. But the image from just moments before kept replaying in his mind: the two embracing, Yelü Ying's blissful expression, Jun with her eyes slightly closed, her arms around his waist, so "affectionate"... No, he didn't want to think about it; it was a misunderstanding.

In his agitation, Jinxuan didn't notice the person slowly approaching. By the time he did, the sword was already aimed straight at the newcomer. Startled, he quickly dodged the sword, which narrowly missed the person's face. The newcomer fell to the ground, pale-faced and filled with terror.

"Wu Ying, are you alright?" Jin Xuan stopped his sword strike, helped the terrified Wu Ying up, and asked anxiously. He was secretly annoyed that he had almost hurt Wu Ying, especially seeing her pale face.

"Third brother..." Wu Ying raised her still-shaken face, looked at Jin Xuan with teary eyes, and said weakly, with two lines of clear tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Wu Ying, I'm sorry, I scared you." Jin Xuan hugged Wu Ying tenderly and whispered.

"Third brother, I was so scared! I thought I would never see you again, sob sob..." Wu Ying took the opportunity to rush into Jin Xuan's arms and began to sob softly. She looked weak and trembled, greedily inhaling the unique masculine aura emanating from Jin Xuan.

"Wu Ying, don't cry. It's your third brother's fault. Come on, it's cold outside, let's go inside!" Jin Xuan gently wiped away Wu Ying's tears, helped her sit up, and said considerately. Little did he know that this was exactly what Wu Ying had been waiting for.

"Mmm." Wu Ying nodded softly, her pale face still showing fear. She leaned weakly against Jin Xuan, and when Jin Xuan wasn't paying attention, she gave a strange smile. Against her pale face, she looked like a ghost.

"Brother, hurry up!" Yueying skipped ahead, urging Aojun behind her with excitement.

"I know, I'm coming right now, Ying'er, why are you even more excited than me!" Ao Jun looked at Yue Ying, who was excitedly waving her arms and legs, with affection and smiled.

Ying'er's quick forgiveness made her happy for several days. Ying'er's disappearance had worried her terribly. She thought she would lose this lovely little sister and that she would never forgive her. But unexpectedly, Ying'er rescued her that very night, looking like she had come to terms with it. She told her that she had figured it out and forgave her, but since she was used to calling her brother, she would still call her brother. She was that lovely and considerate little sister again, and they were back to how they were before. Every day, when Ying'er dug her out of bed, a long-lost happiness would well up in her heart.

"Of course! I really want to know if Your Highness will be as shocked as I am when you see the 'gymnasium,' and if you'll be as embarrassed as I am!" Yueying laughed brightly, linking her arm with Aojun's, and said playfully. Suddenly, she leaned close to Aojun's ear with an ambiguous look and said, "Most importantly, Your Highness will definitely hold you tightly with deep affection and say gently, 'Jun, you've really surprised me so much.' Wow, what a touching moment! Hehe..."

"Oh! You dare to tease your brother? I'll beat you up!" Ao Jun's face turned as red as a boiled tomato after Yue Ying's words. She scolded her and pretended to hit Yue Ying.

Yueying jumped away as if she had expected it, laughing loudly, "Haha... Brother is blushing, Brother is shy, come on, come and hit me!" But in her heart, she sneered: Want to live happily ever after with the one you love? Dream on... I won't let you get away with this.

"Don't run away!" Ao Jun chased after him, her face even redder. Who would have thought that the world's number one strategist would be such a shy person!

The two chased each other playfully until they arrived at the Prince Jin's residence. They easily found their way to Jin Xuan's room and wondered why they hadn't seen anyone along the way.

Ao Jun, with a sweet smile, was about to go in when she heard a weak voice coming from inside: "Third brother, you really promised not to leave me?" The voice was filled with unease and a hint of surprise.

Ao Jun's smile froze. She slowly approached the room. The door was ajar, and from outside, she could see Wu Ying leaning softly against Jin Xuan, while Jin Xuan had one arm around her waist and the other gently tucking a strand of hair from her forehead behind her ear. His movements were so gentle, so careful, as if he were handling a precious treasure. Her expression was unreadable. What was even more infuriating was that the two of them were sitting on the bed. In broad daylight, how could they... They looked like a loving couple. No, she should believe Jin Xuan. He only saw her as a sister. There was nothing between them. She had to believe Jin Xuan; he wasn't that kind of person.

But then, Jinxuan spoke up again: "Yes, Third Brother promises you, I won't leave you, I'll stay by your side." His voice was so gentle, so certain.

Ao Jun clenched his fists tightly, his face turning pale and then blue, his unfathomable eyes revealing no emotion.

Turning around, she tossed aside her sworn brotherhood robes and left without hesitation, her heavy steps piercing her eyes and her heart. She desperately wanted to believe Jinxuan, to tell herself it was all a misunderstanding, that Jinxuan wouldn't betray her. She knew Jinxuan best, didn't she? He loved her so much, suffered so much for her, and they had finally been together. At this time, Jinxuan wouldn't fall for someone else.

But the scene kept replaying in her mind: she was nestled happily in Jinxuan's arms, and Jinxuan didn't push her away. Instead, he held her tightly, his movements so gentle, so afraid of hurting her. He stroked her hair, such intimate gestures, and he did them so naturally, as if they were routine. She could hear Cheng Wuying's uncertain yet delighted question and Jinxuan's firm promise... She didn't want to think about it, didn't want to hear it, but the image and the voice haunted her like a ghost.

"Hmph, brother, how can you stand it? The prince... he's gone too far." Yueying suddenly rushed up to Aojun with a furious expression, her small hands clenched tightly, looking like she was about to punch him.

"It's just a misunderstanding. Jinxuan isn't that kind of person." Ao Jun's wandering thoughts were pulled back. She clenched her fists and said firmly. Her resolute expression seemed to be trying to convince Yueying, but it was more like she was trying to convince herself.

"What misunderstanding? Humph, I knew they were up to no good all along. Only you, brother, were foolish enough to believe them. Humph, all men are fickle, falling in love with every girl they see. You thought the prince was different from other men, but it turns out he's just like everyone else, getting all itchy-hearted when he sees that delicate beauty..." Yueying acted as if she already knew, rattling off a list of the men's misdeeds. Anyone else would think she had been terribly deceived by the men!

"Ying'er, don't talk nonsense. Jin Xuan is different from other men. He won't be unfaithful." Ao Jun stopped Yue Ying, turned her head away, and said calmly, but her tone was still certain. Xue had said that Jin Xuan was a rare man who was devoted and passionate, and after spending time with Jin Xuan, she had come to agree with Xue's statement. Jin Xuan was different from other princes and nobles. He was devoted to his feelings and would never be fickle. He wouldn't fall in love with every woman he met. No, he wouldn't...

"My sister is talking nonsense. Everyone knows about this. These past few days, the Prince has been spending every day with that woman, going boating on the lake, playing, riding horses, and admiring flowers together. They're practically inseparable. And that woman has moved into the Prince's residence, to the room next to the Prince's. Moreover, the Prince even took her to the military camp. In front of everyone, that woman gently wiped the Prince's sweat and face. The brothers in the camp all say that the two of them are a perfect match, and that that woman will definitely become the Princess Consort because the Prince likes her very much. He's afraid she'll fall while walking, afraid she'll choke while drinking water, and afraid she'll catch a cold in the wind. He treats her like a precious gem. Zhao Zhiyang told me all of this. If you don't believe me, go ask them. All the brothers in the camp can testify." Yueying's face turned bright red with anger. She listed Jin Xuan's crimes, and fearing that Ao Jun wouldn't believe her, she even brought up the brothers in the entire military camp.

"Is what Ying'er said true?" Ao Jun closed her eyes, her face pale, her heart aching terribly. Her unwavering belief wavered, because she trusted Ying'er wouldn't lie to her; it all had to be true. But she didn't know that the Ying'er of today was no longer the innocent, devoted Ying'er who loved her unconditionally. Now, she was Mo Yueying, consumed by revenge.

"Brother, are you alright? Although it's true, I shouldn't have told you. I know you'll be sad, but I don't want you to be deceived and regret it later. You'll blame me for not telling you these things." Yueying supported Aojun with a worried expression, as if she shouldn't have told him these things. Her words seemed innocent, but they only deepened the credibility of what she had said earlier.

"I'm fine, Ying'er, let's go!" Ao Jun took Yue Ying's hand and gave her a reassuring smile, but that smile was so beautiful, so heartbreaking, and so bitter.

Yueying was pulled out of the Prince Jin's residence by Aojun. Watching Aojun lead her away as if fleeing, a surge of vengeful pleasure welled up inside her: 'Mo Jun, I will repay you a thousandfold for all the pain I've suffered, so you can experience the excruciating pain of being deceived and betrayed by the one you love, haha… Though you may not want to admit it, your heart is already wavering, your heart already believes my words… haha…'

After Ao Jun left, in Jin Xuan's room, Jin Xuan gently put Wu Ying down and coaxed her, "Go to sleep! You were quite frightened just now, you need to rest. Third brother promises you, I'll stay here with you and won't leave. Sleep peacefully!"

Seeing Wu Ying's breathing become even, Jin Xuan breathed a sigh of relief and quietly left the room. Wu Ying, still trembling from the fright, clung to him, her small hands shaking. His pitiful sight made him unable to bear it, so he sat down by the bed, comforting her and telling her to rest. Little did he know, the moment he left the room, the person inside opened their tightly closed eyes, their gaze flashing with an eerie light, and smiled coldly. He and Ao Jun had both fallen into a trap.

As soon as Ao Jun and Yue Ying left the Prince Jin's residence, they were greeted by the Prince Zhongwu, who was beaming with joy. The Prince Zhongwu was startled when he saw them, and his expression changed several times. Ao Jun, however, did not want to pay any attention to them or see anyone related to Cheng Wuying. She pulled Yue Ying and walked past the Prince Zhongwu as if she did not see him.

"Grand Tutor Mo, please wait a moment." Just as Ao Jun was about to leave, the Prince of Zhongwu suddenly turned around and called out.

Ao Jun stopped in her tracks, standing still without turning around or speaking. She was waiting for him to say something. Although she didn't like Cheng Wuying, she still respected the Prince Zhongwu quite a bit, especially since he was Jin Xuan's teacher.

"Grand Tutor Mo, may we find a place to sit and talk?" King Zhongwu sat down next to Ao Jun, his expression unreadable.

Ao Jun didn't speak, he just strode forward. Talk? What could they possibly have to talk about?

In a private room on the second floor of the restaurant, Ao Jun sat expressionless, gazing at the scenery outside the window, lost in thought. Prince Zhongwu, looking at Ao Jun's stunning profile, was also deep in thought, his mind equally unreadable. Only Yueying looked at Ao Jun with curiosity, then at Prince Zhongwu, her large eyes blinking. The atmosphere was strangely unsettling…

"Grand Tutor Mo, you must know why I've summoned you here," King Zhongwu finally broke the strange atmosphere, observing Ao Jun's reaction as he spoke with a strong voice.

"I don't know." The silent Ao Jun didn't even look at the King Zhongwu, continuing to gaze out the window as before, and said indifferently, without revealing any emotion.