Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Fragrant Orchids, Secluded Lan Ze (1)

Long Yue Li, with a dangerous glint in his eyes, stepped forward and pinned her against the pillar once more, "I am annoyed with him right now. If I killed him, would you be heartbroken?"

"You dare?" Leng Jiu's eyes turned sharp, "I won't allow you to touch him!"

"Not allow?" Long Yue Li's sneer deepened, "Last time I wanted to kill Hua Jinxu, you didn’t even blink. Even when he was injured and nearly lost the use of his leg, you showed no concern. But now, I just mention someone with the surname Gong, and you get this agitated, even threatening me. Jiu'er, have you really fallen for him?"

"Whether I have fallen for him or not is none of your business, but I won’t let you touch him!"

"Ha ha!" Long Yue Li's mocking laughter rang low, "You say I have no right to meddle in your affairs, so what gives you the right to order me? There’s nothing I want to do that can be stopped by anyone!"

Leaving these harsh words behind, Long Yue Li disappeared like the wind, leaving a sorrowful air behind. Leng Jiu, gripping the curtain, had a complex expression in her eyes.

After a simple bath, Leng Jiu summoned Qingling and ordered her to ensure Gong Yu Wei's protection, sensing that Long Yue Li was not making idle threats this time.

Falling onto the bed, Leng Jiu couldn’t describe her feelings. Perhaps she shouldn’t have shown so much concern for Gong Yu Wei, but hearing Long Yue Li’s words, she had reflexively countered. By the time she realized it, it was too late to retract. Thinking of that outwardly cold but inwardly pure-hearted young man, Leng Jiu closed her eyes heavily, hoping he could avoid danger.

Leng Jiu slept fitfully that night, waking at the slightest sound outside. In the middle of the night, Qingling suddenly entered to light the candle, "Empress Dowager! Lord Gong was attacked on the street on his way back home. Fortunately, his guards intervened in time to save him. However, one of the assassins, a skilled fighter, killed two of Lord Gong’s guards and wounded him in the shoulder. Our people followed them, but they lost track."

Leng Jiu sat up abruptly, almost grinding her teeth, "He actually dared?"

Qingling looked at Leng Jiu for a while before asking, "Does the Empress Dowager have any other orders?"

Leng Jiu came back to her senses, waving her hand weakly, "You may go rest."

"I shall take my leave!"

After Qingling left, Leng Jiu heavily collapsed back onto the bed, closing her eyes but finding herself unable to fall asleep again.

In her previous life, she had several lovers, but they never made demands on her. She was generous with money and power, but never with her emotions. They were with her for their own purposes, perhaps fond of her, but the feelings were too faint to lead to conflict. They were aware of each other's existence and wouldn't act out of line even when together.

She never sought their emotions, always believing in mutual consent in love affairs. If they wished to leave, she never insisted on holding them back. She could say she had never been troubled by men before, let alone been so deeply concerned.

She could feel that her feelings for Gong Yu Wei were different – a genuine fondness. She accepted this fondness and wanted to treat it well, but it wasn’t enough to change herself for him, to become an ordinary, subdued woman. Therefore, she accepted Long Yue Li and even indulged his presence in her world, but now she realized that everything was not as stable as she had thought.

She had always thought of Long Yue Li as carefree, unlike the men of this world. Even if he cared more than her past lovers, she didn't expect him to fall too deeply, understanding their relationship was purely physical without any emotional burden. But at this moment, she realized her mistake, and it was a significant one. Long Yue Li's feelings for her had crossed the line she could tolerate. Whether it was more of affection or possessiveness, it was bad news for her.

She didn't dislike Long Yue Li, but that didn't mean she liked him. Now, he had truly made her dislike him. So be it, then. It was as if they had never met.

Sitting on a branch of an old tree outside the capital, Long Yue Li's face was hidden by leaves, invisible even in the moonlight. Beside him hung a sword with two drops of blood on its tip – Gong Yu Wei's.

Long Yue Li looked up at the sky, then let out a cynical, cold laugh, mocking either others or himself.

Suddenly, he clutched his chest as if he had lost something important. The hollow feeling made him anxious, more insecure than ever before. After a long while, he laughed again, this time filled with a desolate sadness, "Jiu'er! You indeed are the most heartless one."

After a sleepless night, Leng Jiu looked tired. She applied light makeup to appear less haggard.

Qingling came in to adjust Leng Jiu's dress and reported, "News from outside says that Lord Gong's injury is in the shoulder and didn’t damage any bones or tendons, so there’s no threat to his life. The Emperor was furious upon hearing this and sent the Imperial Physician to Lord Gong's residence last night. The physician confirmed it's not serious, and he should recover with half a month's rest."

Leng Jiu responded quietly, "Hmm."

Leng Jiu had no mood for anything today. She didn't want to leave the palace or do anything. She thought she should visit Gong Yu Wei, but now she was unsure what to do or say, as his injury was because of her.

While Leng Jiu was in her somber mood, Lan Ze arrived with Princess Lan Xiang.

Leng Jiu was slightly surprised to see Lan Ze visiting so openly, "Why have they come?"

Zi Yu explained, "It's Princess Lan Xiang. She said the Regent had once mentioned that the Empress Dowager saved his life. He never had the chance to express his gratitude, and she also wanted to thank the Empress Dowager. So, they came together, and the Emperor approved."

Leng Jiu, without further questions, said, "Let them in."

Today, Lan Ze changed from yesterday's attire, still donning light blue but in simpler clothing. His hair was tied up with a hairband as usual, and he looked exceptionally handsome. Princess Lan Xiang was dressed similarly to the day before. Together, they made a striking pair, a handsome man and a beautiful woman.

"Lan Ze pays respects to the Empress Dowager!"

"Lan Xiang greets the Empress Dowager!"

"You may dispense with formalities," Leng Jiu said with a slight gesture, "Please, take a seat."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!" Lan Ze sat down to the right of Leng Jiu, while Lan Xiang chose a seat very close to Leng Jiu's left, gazing at her unblinkingly.

Leng Jiu met Lan Xiang's gaze and smiled slightly, "Why does Princess Lan Xiang stare at me so? Is there a flower growing on my face?"

Before Lan Xiang could speak, Lan Ze cautioned her in a low voice, "Lan Xiang! Show respect!"

Lan Xiang closed her mouth, shooting Lan Ze a look of aggrieved resentment. Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow slightly at this; she found this woman quite likable.

Lan Ze turned to Leng Jiu, noticing her weary expression, and couldn't help but ask with concern, "Does the Empress Dowager have something troubling her?"