Chapter 78: I Can Make Ah Ruan Happier

Chapter 78: I Can Make Ah Ruan Happier

The wine that symbolized a year of good wishes and blessings had become Zhu Yan's nightmare, the catalyst for his drastic mood swings.

He didn't say it outright, but Wen Ruan understood.

Wen Ruan also recalled the day of the imperial decree granting their marriage, when he and Zhu Yan were trapped in the Ju Ri Tower. At the time, Zhu Yan had acted strangely, his emotions seemingly too full and impulsive to control. There had been an alcohol scent on him, but not from his mouth or nose, clearly indicating he hadn't drunk it, but rather, it had gotten on his clothes. At the time, Wen Ruan felt the smell of the wine was unusual yet familiar, but with the chaos of the scene, he couldn't recall what it was. Now, thinking about it, wasn't it precisely the Tusu Wine?

"You got some Tusu Wine on you, and you seemed a bit crazy."

"Still am," Zhu Yan looked down at Wen Ruan with a gentle yet dangerous gaze, "So please don't let me get any, not even during the New Year."

Wen Ruan nodded, "Then what happened back at the Ju Ri Tower..."

"It was Wen Yu," said Zhu Yan.

Wen Ruan was surprised, "How did he know?"

"I don't know either," Zhu Yan shook his head, "But it's clear that not only did he know, but he dared to splash wine on me, as if trying to bring us together..."

That's why he didn't pursue the matter further that day.

Moreover, this weakness was something he intentionally let others know about, allowing certain people to be aware of it. His emotions were indeed triggered by the events thirteen years ago due to the Tusu Wine, but how much they were triggered was controllable. However, every time, he made it seem like he couldn't control it. This way, when others plotted against him, he could have everything under his control.

He didn't tell Wen Ruan this... He would do so later.

The flickering candlelight reflected off lowered brows and eyes. Wen Ruan felt that the current Zhu Yan was very fragile, especially after being so honest and revealing his deepest secrets.

"You..."

"Now that Ah Ruan knows all my flaws," Zhu Yan gently stroked his forehead hair, "If you wanted to kill me, it would be easy."

Wen Ruan hugged him, "Our Prince Jian is so pitiful."

Zhu Yan's pupils widened slightly as he tightly returned the embrace, "Yes, so please take better care of me from now on."

Not feeling the least bit ashamed of playing the victim.

This hug was warm and long, neither of them speaking for a long time.

"What are you thinking? Hmm?" Zhu Yan's voice was a little hoarse.

Wen Ruan: "I'm thinking about where I stand in this whole situation..."

Favored concubine, palace intrigue, poisoning the empress, ambushing the crown prince... Many people were involved in these plots, such as Xia Fei and Mu Fei competing against each other, the bribed doctors, and the traitorous nursemaids.

He didn't believe Mu Fei could control everything. If she truly could, she wouldn't have perished in the fire alongside Xia Fei. Nor did he believe Xia Fei was entirely innocent, knowing nothing. Otherwise, how could her hidden pregnancy be explained?

And those assassins, the ambush at the palace gates, would certainly require someone with absolute authority to suppress and control the situation. The power of this person was so great that no other thought came to mind.

That night, did the emperor really go out seeking pleasure?

He created an alibi for himself, perfectly hiding in plain sight. Whether it was Mu Fei, who was used as a tool, or Xia Fei, who was set up as a target, or the empress and crown prince blocking the way, or even most of the people exposed on the surface, they all died. This move was foolproof and only benefited one person.

The depth of cunning, the intricacy of the design, and the patience of the layout were evident.

"...But what use am I here?" He pushed away slightly, looking into his eyes, "Have you checked what was stolen from the palace at the time?"

Zhu Yan nodded, "I did. Some palace attendants went missing, inevitably taking some private wealth with them, but it wasn't considered particularly important."

Wen Ruan: "But the chaos of the Lantern Festival doesn't seem unimportant."

"So it was just an excuse," Zhu Yan said, "Chasing through the streets and causing confusion was not the true purpose of this scheme."

"So the important thing wasn't the object, but the person?" Wen Ruan suddenly understood, "The palace wasn't missing invaluable treasures, looking for petty thieves, but rather, a person. Not just any insignificant palace worker who escaped, but someone specific?"

So he didn't see an object, knowing where it was, but rather saw a person in a coincidental moment?

Wen Ruan felt more convinced as he spoke, "And that person knew their own importance! Not dealing with me at the time was because there wasn't enough time, being pursued, and simply no time or energy to do anything else. But later, remembering me, they felt my existence was a huge risk and needed to be dealt with? But I was just a child then, with a better memory for forgetting than remembering. After a few days, I would forget myself! How convenient!"

"Probably," Zhu Yan sighed softly, "You're the direct grandson of the Duke of Wen."

Other children might not be important, but the direct grandson of the Duke of Wen was another story. If he didn't forget, if he spoke casually about it, the risk would be enormous.

Wen Ruan was speechless, "So letting me wander off instead of hastily killing me was out of concern for the person being pursued? After barely escaping and finally finding safety, if they were caught by the Duke of Wen again, wouldn't it be a wasted effort?"

So the actions of that person were cautious and contradictory, seeming to want to kill him at any moment, yet not making a move.

Perhaps there had been some testing. If he forgot about the incident, then he, as a person, didn't need to be killed. There would be no trace left behind, no one chasing after him, making it safer.

"But this person didn't know that although I'm the Duke of Wen's direct grandson, I'm not that popular. Many people don't like me alive, and they're glad to see me wander off..."

Wen Ruan was speechless.

"And isn't this person a bit deranged? What they did when I was a child is one thing, but so many years have passed, and they're still testing, still holding on, secretly watching, sometimes enduring, absolutely not wanting to kill me, and other times wanting to act, feeling it must be done. Is this person insane?"

"It may also be related to their environment," Zhu Yan said, "When the surrounding environment is particularly dangerous, they wouldn't want to see you free and easy."

Wen Ruan: "...Makes sense."

When he was unhappy, he didn't want others to have it easy either, especially when there was a comparison point.

Now, thinking about it, when his life was particularly miserable, tiring, and difficult, he wouldn't encounter such hidden threats. It was mostly when he overcame difficulties, solved problems, relaxed, and wanted to live comfortably that he would run into such disgusting situations.

"No matter what, this person must be connected to the palace. The emperor probably knows who it is and wants to catch them. Clearly, they haven't been caught yet."

"And they must know the details of all the arrangements thirteen years ago," Zhu Yan's voice was indifferent, "They may have even participated personally. An ordinary person can't obtain the father emperor's token or command the palace guards."

Wen Ruan: "But the ones who wandered off that night were all palace workers. What kind of power could they have?"

Zhu Yan: "Aren't those with power all dead?"

Wen Ruan suddenly thought of an unlikely direction, his eyes widened as he looked at Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan clearly thought of the same thing but showed no change in expression, only nodding slightly, "I will investigate."

"Mm... Investigate thoroughly."

Wen Ruan reached out to pick up the wine cup on the table, drinking it in one gulp, the spiciness causing his brows to furrow, "But why go through all this trouble, insisting on 'kindly' letting me return to my roots?"

It was clear that the Duke's Mansion had not paid attention to any of his affairs and could only reluctantly accept him, taking him back. It was evident that the evidence provided was too solid to refute. Who could have given such evidence?

"Could it be they think it's easier to control me now that I'm back in the capital?"

"It might be because they discovered your abilities," Zhu Yan held Wen Ruan's hand, sighing softly, "Ah Ruan, you seem to always forget this point. Those who shine brightly can never be ignored. Those who see you would very much want to obtain you."

Regardless of his abilities or himself, he was so unique and dazzling.

"It's just that this person might also be quite conflicted, still considering their options."

After all, they had 'met' before, unsure if Wen Ruan remembered. What if?

Wen Ruan: ...

"Considering we're enemies, you still want to be friends?"

Zhu Yan: "Mm, wishful thinking."

"No, there's another matter, the name Bi Luhun mentioned in the woods," Wen Ruan reminded, "You haven't told me yet, uh... Can I know?"

He was talking about someone involved with the Empress Sect, someone embroiled in court affairs, possibly a high-ranking official. Gong Rongxue had mentioned something before, but what he knew wasn't too deep. Such secrets were only accessible to the level of the Venerable Envoy of the Pure Altar. He only knew there was such a person, but didn't know who, where, or what they did, or their name.

Zhu Yan: "Mm, it's the Chancellor, Yuan Weiang."

Wen Ruan knew there might be some surprise, but he didn't expect to be this shocked, "Chancellor? The Chancellor?"

This person's rank was comparable to that of a prime minister. If corruption had reached this level, what would become of the country!

Zhu Yan remained calm, "We can't rule out the possibility that Bi Luhun lied to me. For the Northern Di, the more chaotic we are, the happier they are. But at that time, Bi Luhun was on the brink of life and death, knowing the consequences of lying to me... So even if Yuan Weiang isn't that person, there must be significant issues."

Wen Ruan murmured, "I understand now, why the Empress Sect's points in the capital were so easily transferred, and why there hasn't been particularly outstanding reconstruction yet, because there's a larger information channel here..."

How could they be so powerful?

"Alright, let's work together. You still have regrets about the events thirteen years ago, and I must root out these people to ensure our safety. Let's see if we can give each other a satisfactory and comfortable future?"

"Good." Zhu Yan looked into Wen Ruan's eyes, his gaze softening, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we won't be able to have a good New Year this year."

Because... they had to work hard?

Wen Ruan thought for a moment, "Although it might be a bit busy, but since we're together, it's probably not too bad?"

They were already married, and there were no pressing matters outside the capital...

"There's nothing better than this."

Zhu Yan hugged Wen Ruan, taking a deep breath, "I want to spend it with you, wanting to see you every day. I never want to experience the days when we were apart again."

His arms couldn't help but tighten, his heart pounding, his breathing slowly becoming rapid. Some things couldn't be suppressed under the night sky.

"Ah Ruan..." His voice hoarse, he kept calling Wen Ruan's name, "Can I?"

Wen Ruan was also feeling warm, his voice low, "I have two questions I want to ask you."

Zhu Yan's nose kept lightly brushing against his neck, "Go ahead, ask."

Wen Ruan swallowed, controlling his breathing, "The pill you made me take in the cave... Do you remember? I've been very concerned about it, was it a poison pill?"

Zhu Yan paused, laughing, "Do you think I could bear it?"

So it was just a joke back then! How could he be so mischievous, scaring him so seriously!

Wen Ruan gritted his teeth, "So what is it?"

"Qi-nourishing pill," Zhu Yan said, "I usually have a bad temper and am too easily provoked. Lan Tian found a trustworthy doctor to prescribe qi-nourishing pills, which I carry with me and eat from time to time."

Wen Ruan closed his eyes, "And the marriage contract..."

Zhu Yan: "I lied to you. I never intended to make any contract with you; you were the one being so proactive... Our imperial edict granted us marriage, following the three letters and six rites, making us true husband and wife."

Wen Ruan: "Then why didn't you tell the truth..."

"It was my fault. I wanted to be good to you but didn't want you to see my flaws. There were already enough rumors outside, I didn't want to scare you."

Zhu Yan's voice was low and dark, but his eyes burned with intensity, "I didn't want to admit to you that those rumors, like my temper, mood swings, and killing in front of my father, were true."

"I didn't want to be honest, only to find myself growing further away from you. I was fighting with myself, getting angry at myself. What I truly wanted was to meet you regardless of everything, to look at you smiling and talking to me, accepting the tea I poured for you, and my embrace. I knew what you liked, but it went against my usual habits..."

He kissed Wen Ruan's hand, "Prince Imperial warned me that people shouldn't be too proud, especially in front of their loved ones. Indeed, once I admitted my pettiness and didn't mind you knowing about it, I felt much lighter—"

"I realized that making you happy makes me even happier."

"Is it really that difficult to make me happy?" Wen Ruan smiled, receiving his kiss, "I'm actually quite strong, few things can trouble me. Prince Jian, why don't you try opening up more?"

Zhu Yan's breathing became disordered, his voice even deeper, "I can make Ah Ruan even happier, let's try, hmm?"

Wen Ruan reached out to wrap his arms around his neck, "Then you'll have to work harder."

Prince Jian worked very hard, and Wen Ruan's happiness that evening...

Unprecedented, it defies elaborate description.