Небо над реками и озерами очень чистое - Глава 22
"Everything is as before, except that the King's new favorite, Alice, committed suicide by poisoning herself." Silver Swan was always in charge of investigations and was well-informed.
"Dead?"
"That's right, it's said that it happened right after the Snow Envoy returned to the mountain."
This woman was extremely clever. With Jia Ye back and the matter of Kucha settled, it was self-evident what fate awaited her. So she simply sought death to avoid further torment.
"After hearing Xue Shi's report, the King was furious and ordered that she be chopped into mincemeat and her bones scattered to the winds," Xuan Yuan added.
"Has Jia Ye seen the Pope?" Her rib injury... He frowned almost imperceptibly.
"She entered the palace for an audience early this morning. Yesterday, rumors circulated within the sect that her injury was minor, but the mission went so perfectly. The King also offered words of comfort." Bi Jun smiled with delight. "I imagine she received a substantial reward."
"Only you would care about those material things," Mo Yao teased. The six of them always enjoyed teasing each other.
"If we had gone with them, Xue Shi and the boss wouldn't have been so badly injured."
"I think the Snow Envoy is doing well today. He moves around freely and his greetings are normal."
"I think her face looks a little pale."
"Hasn't she always been like this?"
"That's true, but if he was really alright, why was he carried in by the boss?"
"this…………"
After the discussion ended, six pairs of eyes were fixed on him, their focus quickly shifting from politics to gossip about those in power.
"Boss, if it's convenient, could you explain why you carried her back even though you were more seriously injured than her?"
"Why is she behaving normally, while you are still recovering from your injuries?"
"Also, why did she act a little strange in your arms yesterday? Isn't she usually expressionless?"
"When did the Snow Maiden become willing to let anyone get close? I've never seen anyone get within three feet of her."
What exactly happened on this trip?
"...My problem is the same as theirs." After stammering for a while, Red Eagle's words made everyone burst into laughter.
Looking around at the six curious and mischievous faces, he was speechless.
Indulging subordinates will indeed lead to trouble. The way to go is to be as unfathomable as Jia Ye. At least no one dares to approach her and ask her all sorts of nonsense.
Footsteps could be faintly heard outside the door, light and shuffling, clearly indicating that the woman was not skilled in martial arts.
Everyone forgot about the gossip and looked over.
A moment later, a beautiful woman in a green dress with her hair styled in a cloud-like bun and her skin as white as snow knocked on the door and entered. She was slightly taken aback when she saw so many people in the room, but then smiled generously and bowed gracefully.
"Having heard that you were injured, I, Yanrong, have taken the liberty of coming to inquire about your condition. I hope you will forgive me."
"Thank you for your kindness, but I dare not accept it." He was indeed surprised. He had never been to Meiyuan Garden since that one time, and the beautiful woman in front of him had come uninvited, which was truly astonishing.
Before he could speak again, the six people beside him exchanged glances, and Bi Jun coughed lightly.
“We’ve stayed long enough, let’s go back first. Boss, just pretend we didn’t ask what I said earlier.”
The group responded haphazardly, their eyes betraying their true feelings, as they slowly crept out one by one. There was no sound, but it was clear they hadn't gone far; they were almost certainly eavesdropping near doors and windows.
"It's nothing serious, thank you for your concern, young lady." Faced with the smiling beauty, he didn't know what to say.
“Young Master has not visited Qingjia Pavilion since that day. I am ashamed that my appearance is not good enough to win your favor, and I dare not ask for anything. However, I heard from the Moon Envoy that Young Master was seriously injured, and I rushed over to check on you in a hurry. I did not think much of it and have disturbed you.”
Jiuwei? What are you up to?
"It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about. I'm deeply grateful for your kindness, young lady." Unsure of her intentions, he poured tea to entertain her, but Yan Rong snatched the pot from his hand just as he picked it up.
He placed his snow-white hand on the back of her hand, then quickly moved it away. She seemed oblivious, smiling sweetly.
“I dare not trouble you, young master. Please allow Yanrong to serve you for the time being and do her best.”
She poured him two cups of tea and wrung out a towel for him to wipe his hands. Every smile and gesture was so graceful that it was impossible to refuse. "Young master, you look tired. I have some knowledge of massage techniques. May I try it? It might relieve your fatigue for a while."
"A short rest will do the trick; there's no need to bother."
"Yanrong only knows a few minor skills, please do not refuse, young master." Before he could refuse, a pair of slender hands pressed down on him. Out of politeness, he could not dodge and could only let her do as she pleased.
A soft hand pressed against her forehead, gently kneading, which was indeed quite comfortable. However, her unease diminished the enjoyment. She waited a few moments before stopping, but Yanrong seemed to sense this and withdrew her wrist before she could speak.
"Is the young master feeling any better?"
He felt much less tired and nodded his thanks. "Thank you, I feel much better now."
She smiled faintly, her graceful neck drooping.
"Young Master still needs to rest, and I dare not disturb you any further. Once you have recovered, I will prepare wine at Qingjia Pavilion to welcome you. Please do not disturb me."
"I will definitely pay a visit to express my gratitude in a few days." He breathed a faint sigh of relief.
Hearing the satisfactory answer, the beautiful woman composed herself, bowed, and departed with a beaming smile. She had only taken a few steps when a young girl appeared, walking along a stone path amidst large, green lotus blossoms.
Dressed in snow, her face was bare, her features serene and aloof. Though her appearance was still youthful, it was already captivating. Her misty skirt swayed and floated with her movements, seemingly otherworldly.
The girl arrived in front of him in an instant, stopped in her tracks, and looked over quietly.
Those clear, black and white eyes seemed to see right through you, cold as ice.
She shuddered involuntarily and bowed respectfully.
"Yan Rong has met with Envoy Xue."
Feeling the cold gaze sweep over me, a faint voice finally rang out after a long while.
"You've come to visit Shuying?"
"Yes." She dared not utter another word. Despite being a young girl, she exuded an invisible pressure that instilled fear and dread.
"Go down."
She frowned as she watched the beautiful figure disappear into the distance.
"Silver Swan".
"Your subordinate is here." A figure quickly emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee.
"Has Shuying woken up?"
"I woke up half an hour ago."
"Give this to him."
Silver Swan caught the jade bottle that was thrown to him and only breathed a sigh of relief after the person had walked away.
"What is it?" Five figures quickly gathered and looked at his hand.
"Nine Heavens Wind and Dew?" The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment.
This secret elixir, crafted from dozens of precious medicinal herbs, can rejuvenate the skin and promote tissue regeneration, allowing wounds to heal themselves without leaving scars. It is a rare treasure reserved for the King and his four envoys, yet it was personally delivered by Jia Ye.
Recalling the scene of the two women confronting each other just now, Bi Jun blurted out.
"Oh no."
Reward
Despite their words, none of the scenarios they anticipated actually occurred.
Aside from essential matters, Jia Ye rarely left her room, spending most of her time resting. When she summoned Shu Ying for a meeting, nothing seemed amiss. Her heightened curiosity, finding no outlet, gradually subsided.
He was vaguely puzzled.
The initial period of quiet rest was understandable, but later, he spent a lot of time staying in his room and not going out, which was really strange.
There was nothing particularly special about going there. He flipped through the books one by one. A large pile of books was scattered on the table and bed, carelessly tossed aside, as if searching for something.
Sometimes I would sit in the room for a long time late at night, until dawn broke, leaving behind a carpet of fallen petals before returning to my room.
Nobody knows what she's thinking.
The only thing that was clear was that she and Qianming had begun meeting in private.
When he first heard it, he thought it was a misconception.
It wasn't until he saw with his own eyes that Mo Yao Lan Xiao and Qian Ming's shadow guards stood guard outside the house.
They talked in private for a long time. When the door finally opened, the man smiled mysteriously, turned around, and whispered something in Jia Ye's ear. His eyes were arrogant and burning, filled with an indescribable ambiguity, nakedly conveying desire.
Jia Ye's hair was ruffled by her breath, but she did not flinch, remaining expressionless.
If it weren't for the sight of her unconsciously clenched hands, one would have thought the two were already intimately close.
"sooner or later…………"
Before finishing his final words, Qianming smiled meaningfully and strode away in high spirits.
She stood frozen in the direction where the other person had disappeared for a long time, slowly opening her palm and silently lowering her eyelashes. Whenever she had something on her mind to plan, she always had this habit, as if trying to see through the mysteries hidden in the palm of her hand.
"what's on your mind."
After dismissing his subordinates, he asked in a low voice.
“…Let’s see if there’s any possibility of using it.” Jia Ye closed his palm and answered calmly.
"He is not someone who can be easily controlled."
"We have to give it a try."
"What price must one pay to profit from him?"
"Everything has its gains and losses; I know how to manage it."
"Things may become beyond your control."
“Dealing with a tiger for its skin is naturally risky,” she sighed softly. “There is no other choice.”
What do you want?
She remained silent for a long time before softly replying, "That's not something you should know."
"What will you offer in exchange?" To gain Qianming's assistance is tantamount to making a pact with the devil.
There was only one thing that Qianming had always been preoccupied with and longed for.
She smiled slightly, a hint of self-deprecation in her expression. "It's probably about what you guessed, but it won't be that easy for him to get what he wants."