Chapter 83: And is she worth his effort? [One + two updates]

Chapter 83: And Is She Worth His Efforts? (Parts 1 & 2)

Jiang Yunran was, of course, unaware that Su Xue, without any guidance from her, had already begun to sow discord and had successfully regained her former standing.

After finishing her morning meal and receiving a generous array of gifts, she leisurely made her way back to Tingxue Palace.

Human adaptability is truly astonishing.

Initially, Jiang Yunran would need to rest for most of the day upon returning. Later, a mere morning’s repose was enough for her to fully recover.

Now, were it not for Jing Huayan’s insistence on a morning dalliance, she wouldn’t even need a rest today.

She even felt her stamina had improved.

Indeed, Zhao Tingfang’s words held true: regular exercise invariably benefits one’s health. No wonder Jing Huayan possessed such boundless energy, tirelessly active all day long—how could he not be capable?

"How did I end up praising him?" Jiang Yunran muttered to herself, letting out a dismissive huff.

Ruan Hanzhen, after all, dared not defy the Emperor. After Jiang Yunran returned to her palace and rested for half an hour, by the time she awoke, Ruan Hanzhen’s invitations had already been dispatched to every palace.

Under the pretense of her father’s military achievements, her brother’s success in the imperial examinations, and her mother’s presence in the palace for companionship, Ruan Hanzhen extended invitations to all the palace ladies for a banquet at Changchun Palace three days hence.

Jiang Yunran naturally received an invitation as well.

She gazed at the elegantly penned invitation and let out a faint chuckle: "Since she dares to invite us, we shall certainly attend and enjoy the feast when the time comes."

Qing Dai inquired, "Should we prepare a gift? The silk and tribute tea His Majesty recently bestowed have just been inventoried. Would you like to select any items you dislike? Your servant can package them as gifts."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunran couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"My Lady!" Qing Dai felt a touch of awkwardness but pressed on, "We absolutely shouldn’t give her anything useful to us; that would be like throwing meat buns to a dog."

Jiang Yunran nodded with a smile: "You are absolutely right; that’s precisely the principle. My Qing Dai is truly clever!"

After a moment’s thought, she said, "Those two bolts of brocade are too old-fashioned in color and don’t suit me. Wrap them up and send them over early the day after tomorrow. They can be a gift for Madam Liao."

Jiang Yunran curved her lips, a meaningful glint in her eyes: "After all, Madam Liao is the one truly in charge of the Ruan family."

The next day, Jing Huayan issued an imperial decree: Xu Ruhui, brave and fearless, a young talent of exceptional ability, was the primary contributor to the great victory in this battle. He was thus appointed Zhenguo General of the Second Rank and ordered to lead the Loyal Army back to the capital for commendation.

Furthermore, regarding the border conflict, although Xu Chuang had been negligent and misjudged the situation, resulting in the stripping of his title and reduction to commoner status, he later fought valiantly and achieved merits on the battlefield. Considering the circumstances, he was reinstated as a Zhonglang General and temporarily remained in Wucheng to assist the Wucheng Provincial Governor in settling affairs related to the Tatar refugees.

The title of Earl Zhongyi was gone, but the family remained. Thanks to Xu Ruhui’s bravery and fearlessness, he salvaged the Xu family’s reputation, ultimately stabilizing the precarious standing of the Xu clan.

Jing Huayan was not entirely devoid of sentiment for old ties. Had Xu Chuang not been so arrogant and disregarded the lives of the people, he would not have directly stripped him of his official position and title.

This outcome was now considered satisfactory for all.

As the victorious army returned, the citizens of Yujing eagerly awaited their arrival.

Seizing this joyous occasion, Jing Huayan issued an edict for a general amnesty, bestowing rewards upon all who had contributed merits.

Within the inner palace, Consort Xu was reinstated to her position as Moral Consort.

Consort Mei was credited with exposing the Bureau of General Affairs and was appointed Virtuous Consort of the Second Rank, granted residence at Feiyan Palace.

Jie Yu Murong was recognized for her effective management of the palace and was appointed Zhaoyi of Associate Second Rank, granted residence at Wangyue Palace.

Baolin Ruan, owing to her father’s achievements, was appointed Hui Pín of the Fifth Rank, granted residence in the rear hall of Changchun Palace.

Additionally, Baolin Wei and Talent Lady Jiang were both promoted to Beauty of Deputy Fifth Rank, without relocating their residences.

With these imperial decrees issued, the palace immediately buzzed with excitement.

Moral Consort Xu’s restoration to her consort position had been anticipated by the palace ever since Xu Ruhui’s great victory, so it came as no surprise.

Virtuous Consort Mei and Zhaoyi Murong had remained in their original positions for many years, enjoying both imperial favor and strong family backing. Now, with repeated merits to their names, it was only natural to reward them according to their contributions.

Next was Hui Pín Ruan.

Though she had just entered the palace and had been an imperial consort for less than half a year, she had already risen to the rank of Pín, becoming a Principal Consort of her own palace.

Her promotion was due to a combination of opportune timing, favorable circumstances, and strong connections—extraordinary luck that others simply couldn’t match.

Finally, there were Beauty Wei and Beauty Jiang.

Beauty Wei had no imperial favor and had been in poor health for years without improvement. Her current appointment was likely because the Emperor intended to elevate the Wei family, showing early kindness.

As for Jiang Yunran, who became a Beauty of the middle third rank just three months after entering the palace, she relied solely on the Emperor’s favor.

The palace buzzed with discussions, but everyone had reached the same conclusion: Jiang Yunran’s promotion had no other reason than the Emperor’s profound affection.

The palace staff were astute enough to know how to serve this ever-favored Beauty Jiang.

There had been no advance warning about the consorts’ promotions, so with the sudden issuance of the decrees, the palace had to prepare thoroughly.

Especially for the Principal Consorts promoted to the rank of Pín and above, the promotion ceremonies were grand and complex, requiring meticulous preparation without any neglect.

Therefore, the banquet originally scheduled at Changchun Palace in two days was postponed, tentatively pushed back to early December.

While Hui Pín Ruan was riding high, preparing for her promotion ceremony, Jiang Yunran once again summoned Zhao Tingfang, and the two conversed leisurely in the bedchamber.

Winter offered few fruits, but several crates of apples stored in the ice cellar had just been delivered along with other rewards.

Zi Ye cut the apples into small pieces and arranged them on a crystal plate for Jiang Yunran and Zhao Tingfang to enjoy.

After taking a few bites, Zhao Tingfang set down her silver fork and said, "Since you’re currently taking medicine, you can eat fruit, but don’t consume anything too cold. Let it warm up first."

Jiang Yunran smiled and replied, "Understood."

"After checking your pulse just now, the prescription is indeed effective. If you continue using it until February, you should be mostly recovered. At the very least, it will make your periods painless and much more comfortable."

Jiang Yunran breathed a sigh of relief, feeling quite pleased.

"That’s good. Otherwise, enduring pain for days on end each month is truly unbearable. We can worry about other matters later."

Jiang Yunran wasn’t in a hurry about having children.

With the Ruan family still thriving and Ruan Zhongliang steadily climbing the ranks, though she wouldn’t act rashly or impatiently, she couldn’t quite feel at ease either.

Ruan Zhongliang was overly cautious. To completely dismantle the Ruan family required thorough planning.

Jiang Yunran naturally hoped that a child would come later.

As things stood, it seemed fate was on her side.

"Has Bò Ruò been put to use?"

Jiang Yunran nodded and said softly, "She is very clever and knows how to administer the medicine. Coincidentally, Liao Shuyan has entered the palace, and in the few days she has been serving, she has observed many new things."

Due to Ruan Hanzhen’s disdain, Su Xue was not previously given important duties. However, Su Xue had a clear objective—to make Ruan Hanzhen pay with her life for her sister. Therefore, even if she was humiliated, even if she had to abandon all her dignity, she was determined to become the most trusted person by Ruan Hanzhen’s side.

Lately, it was paying off.

"I instructed her to sow discord between Ruan Hanzhen and Liao Shuyan, to provoke and incite them as much as possible, so they would destroy each other and keep our hands clean."

"She has done very well, but she has also noticed that Liao Shuyan doesn’t dote on her daughter as much as the rumors suggest."

Zhao Tingfang sneered, "The Ruan family is adept at pretense. It’s no surprise to hear this."

Jiang Yunran nodded and said, "Previously, we only focused on Ruan Zhongliang and Liao Shuyan, but we overlooked one person."

Their eyes met, and Zhao Tingfang pondered, "Are you referring to Ruan Handong?"

"Precisely. The Ruan family has always lauded Ruan Hanzhang, proclaiming her the talented lady of Qingzhou, proficient in poetry and literature, and portraying her as the perfect, flawless official’s daughter."

"Meanwhile, Ruan Handong remained obscure, devoted solely to studying the classics, never even attending an academy or school outside, only studying within the Ruan clan’s private school."

Everyone, including Jiang Yunran herself, had been too caught up in the situation to see clearly.

Now, deep within the resplendent nine-layered palace, Jiang Yunran realized that everything the Ruan family had done was for Ruan Handong.

Or rather, for the future of the Ruan family.

Daughters would always marry into other families, and no matter how outstanding they were, they would become someone else’s daughter-in-law. Unless the Ruan family designated Ruan Hanzhang as the heir, allowing her to study for the imperial examinations and become an official by taking a husband who married into their family—that would be true affection for a daughter.

But the Ruan family did none of that.

They incessantly extolled Ruan Hanzhang’s value and cultivated her reputation solely so she could enter the palace as a consort and become an asset to the Ruan family.

Meanwhile, the obscure Ruan Handong, hidden in the background, needed only one provincial examination to rise to prominence.

Although Jiang Yunran had schemed to take Ruan Hanzhang’s place and enter the palace, if Ruan Zhongliang and Liao Shuyan had truly cared for their daughter, they would not have risked such an audacious swap, carrying out this deceitful plot.

Later, when the fake Ruan Hanzhang in the palace "died," the real Ruan Hanzhang, renamed Ruan Hanzhen, was still sent into the palace by her parents.

On the surface, it seemed they were acting in her best interest, meticulously planning for her, but in reality, what they could not relinquish were the benefits that came with being related to the imperial family.

With Ruan Hanzhen in the palace, Ruan Zhongliang was smoothly transferred to the Censorate to investigate the Zhao family, proving his loyalty to the young Emperor.

At the same time, Ruan Handong devoted himself to his studies, rising to prominence in that year’s provincial examination and becoming a rare, talented youth.

Every step was so meticulously planned.

After analyzing it all, Zhao Tingfang could not help but sigh, "Ruan Zhongliang indeed possesses remarkable ability to have risen from a humble background to where he is today."

Jiang Yunran nodded and said, "Liao Shuyan was not outstanding when she was unmarried. Even though she was the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Nan’an and came from a noble family, the Earl of Nan’an was stationed in Guinan Province suppressing bandits at the time and was not in the capital."

"Her mother died early, and the Nan’an Estate was managed by her stepmother. If she wanted to secure a good future, she naturally had to exert considerable effort."

Zhao Tingfang sighed and said, "So, at that time, Ruan Zhongliang was her best choice."

"Yes," Jiang Yunran tapped the square table. "The romantic tale of 'snatching a groom from the exam rankings' not only imbued this marriage with a touch of romance but also spread Ruan Zhongliang’s reputation."

"If he hadn’t been sufficiently talented and handsome, a noble family like the Nan’an Estate would never have chosen a husband for her so hastily."

Zhao Tingfang closed her eyes, carefully recalling, "The current Earl of Nan’an is the youngest son of the old Earl, the son of Liao Shuyan’s stepmother. Liao Shuyan’s own younger brother, the former heir to the Nan’an Estate, fell from a horse at the age of twelve, broke his spine, and died from his injuries."

"So, it seems her goals now align with Ruan Zhongliang’s."

Jiang Yunran smiled faintly and said, "Yes."

"She wants the Ruan family to surpass the Nan’an Estate in glory, to see her son reach the highest ranks of officialdom, achieving boundless prestige."

Therefore, for Liao Shuyan, the most important person is Ruan Handong.

Jiang Yunran looked up at Zhao Tingfang.

"Birds of a feather flock together. Ruan Zhongliang is selfish, cold-hearted, ruthless, and cruel—is Liao Shuyan not the same?"

"Over all these years, she has aided him in his wicked schemes without a hint of reluctance. I even suspect she revels in it."

"For her, a son is more valuable than a daughter, so she cares more about her son’s future, while her daughter is merely a means to enhance her son’s value."

This was also why Jiang Yunran found Ruan Hanzhen’s personality so peculiar.

If they truly cared for their daughter and valued her, they would not have raised Ruan Hanzhen to be so extreme in character.

What they desired was a tool—not overly clever, not overly perceptive, yet ruthless enough to carve out a path in the palace.

Having analyzed this far, both felt the path ahead had become clearer.

"Since Deng En is hard to track down, let’s first observe Ruan Handong and see what clues we can find from his side. A young genius doesn’t emerge solely from diligence—otherwise, I’d be envious of Ruan Zhongliang, as if his ancestors’ graves were blessed."

Jiang Yunran lowered her voice and said, "Today, I will have someone tell Su Xue that she can use Ruan Handong to sow discord between mother and daughter."

She paused, then Jiang Yunran curved her lips.

"They deliberately raised Ruan Hanzhen to be so selfish, eccentric, extreme, and vicious—it’s practically a godsend," she chuckled. "Perfect for making her useful to us."

————

Lately, His Majesty the Emperor has been in exceptionally good spirits.

One night, after their exertions, Jing Huayan stroked her sweat-dampened hair and said, "The date for leaving the palace has been set—three days after your promotion ceremony."

Jiang Yunran was still trembling, her breathing rapid, her voice soft and husky, as if imbued with spring rain.

It took her a long time to finally purse her lips and say, "I’m thirsty."

She had discovered that Jing Huayan enjoyed it when she acted coy.

Whenever she deliberately acted up, he would always curve his lips, an almost-smile playing on his face.

So she indulged him, bossing him around to her heart’s content.

Jing Huayan never got annoyed.

This was when he was in his best mood.

After feeding Beauty Jiang a sip of water, Jing Huayan asked, "Shall we bathe?"

Jiang Yunran nodded, slumping against him limply, refusing to get up.

Her skin was soft and smooth, like fine mutton-fat jade, irresistible to touch.

Jing Huayan massaged her lower back as he instructed the palace servants to prepare the bathwater.

"Is it just me you’re taking out of the palace?"

Jiang Yunran looped her arms around his shoulders and whispered in his ear.

Jing Huayan chuckled softly.

"Who else?"

"If Your Majesty plans to bring someone else along, then I won’t go."

Jiang Yunran’s eyes sparkled with a coquettish charm, her tone full of playful complaint: "Your Majesty can only take me."

It was rare for her to be this coquettish, and Jing Huayan found it quite amusing.

His hand wandered lower, only to be abruptly swatted away by Beauty Jiang.

"Your Majesty!" Jiang Yunran shot him a glare. "We agreed, otherwise how could I possibly…"

Do something so embarrassing.

Jing Huayan’s lips trailed down her cheek, leaving a distinct bite mark on her neck.

"This Emperor keeps his word," the young Emperor said with a laugh. "Since that’s the case, I’ll have you come to Danruo Hall again tomorrow to make up for today."

Jiang Yunran: "..."

She had discovered that when it came to this matter, Jing Huayan was unbelievably stubborn.

He would not rest until he achieved his goal.

He even insisted on making up for it another day.

Jiang Yunran’s hands also grew restless.

"The warming room is warm, but the bedding is all soiled."

She actually agreed to it.

And so, when the two of them were engaged in their activities in the warming room, Jing Huayan’s energy was even more intense than before.

Jiang Yunran had never felt the water so warm; she thought her entire body had turned completely red.

At times facing each other, at times back-to-back, until finally Jiang Yunran could only lean on the man.

In a flash, everything happened so swiftly, drawing them in, leaving them unable to snap back to reality.

Yet the more she relied on him, the deeper their mutual connection felt.

In her daze, Jiang Yunran felt as though she were floating on clouds.

"Your Majesty," she gasped, "you haven’t taken any forbidden drugs, have you?"

His endless energy made Jiang Yunran somewhat worried about the Emperor’s health.

What if, because of her, he met an untimely demise? What would people say about her in the history books?

Although Beauty Jiang didn’t care much about what happens after death, she still had some pride to maintain.

Jing Huayan almost laughed out of frustration.

He suddenly gripped her slender waist, and she floated in the air like a kite.

A gust of wind blew, the kite tugged by its string, and then, suddenly, it dropped rapidly.

"Mmm."

The kite string thrashed about, and Jiang Yunran’s tears welled up.

"What did you just say?"

The man could even speak while catching his breath and exerting himself.

Jiang Yunran only felt a buzzing in her ears; the water in the bathtub was like a stormy sea, nearly capsizing the small boat.

"N-nothing."

The usually stubborn Beauty Jiang yielded.

She had no choice but to yield.

In the end, she could only act cute: "Your Majesty is so impressive, Your Majesty possesses amazing skills, Your Majesty is a true man."

"No need for medicine!"

Jing Huayan’s eyes darkened, narrowing like a venomous snake fixed on Jiang Yunran’s sweat-beaded back.

"You still dare to say it."

The Emperor sighed: "Originally, this Emperor had softened and wanted to show compassion to my beloved concubine."

He shifted forward, pinning her against a corner of the bathtub, leaving her no escape.

With a splash, water spilled out of the bathtub.

"Ah!"

Jiang Yunran truly couldn’t hold back her cries.

Jing Huayan leaned down, his hot breath in her ear: "Since my beloved concubine praises me so much, how could I let you down?"

Jiang Yunran: "..."

She swore to herself that she would never tease the Emperor again.

This man simply could not take a joke.

By the third watch, after the candle had been replaced once, Jiang Yunran finally lay on the freshly changed brocade quilt.

Her body was clean, having been attended to by the man.

In this regard, he was quite considerate.

Her inner garments were also brand new, seemingly prepared in advance by Xue Yan, fitting her figure perfectly.

Jiang Yunran lay lazily on the soft pillow, listening to the man’s footsteps grow closer.

Soon, a warm body pressed against her from behind, holding her firmly in his arms as usual.

A warm kiss landed on her ear, and the man said: "Sleep."

Jiang Yunran responded. She was drowsy, but her mind was still on serious matters.

"Your Majesty, can consorts visit Guanghan Palace?"

Jing Huayan, who had his eyes closed, slowly opened them upon hearing this.

In the darkness, he could only make out the soft glow of Jiang Yunran’s pearly earlobe.

"You wish to visit Commoner Wang?"

Jiang Yunran paused before replying, "I have some questions for her. I don’t believe she was jealous of me."

The man behind her breathed steadily, as if it didn’t matter to him.

After a long silence, Jing Huayan finally said, "In this palace, aside from the Taiji Hall during morning court, there is no place off-limits to you for now."

Jiang Yunran’s heart stirred.

She wriggled around in his embrace, lifting her head to look at him.

The canopy bed was too dark, the bed curtains blocking all light. She couldn’t make out Jing Huayan’s expression, but she knew he was quietly gazing back at her.

A pang of emotion struck Jiang Yunran’s heart. She reached out, slowly tracing the contours of Jing Huayan’s face—first his eyes, then his nose, finally resting on his lips.

Jing Huayan had naturally thin lips. Though exceptionally handsome, they gave him an air of cold detachment. Yet, in that moment, Jiang Yunran suddenly felt he was a decent man.

At the very least, every promise he made, he kept.

He was far more sincere than those who wore false faces of loyalty but harbored treachery.

Straining to lift her head, she found his unyielding, thin lips near her hand.

She kissed him lightly and tried to pull away, but he pulled her tight against him.

His breath deepened, their lips and tongues entwined, leaving her no escape.

The kiss in the darkness was long and tender. Only when Jiang Yunran’s lips grew numb did he slowly release her.

She felt her mouth wet, her cheeks burning with shyness.

"Your Majesty."

Jing Huayan gave a low murmur in response, his large hand stroking her back as if to soothe her.

"Good girl. Now sleep."

Jiang Yunran slowly closed her eyes and sank into sleep.

Only after she fell asleep did Jing Huayan slowly open his eyes and look down at her.

He’d trained since boyhood to see in the dark. Though he couldn’t see clearly now, he could still make out the shape of her brows, eyes, and red lips.

The glimmer of emotion in Jiang Yunran’s eyes earlier—in the depth of night, it couldn’t have been an act.

It must have been genuine.

Had he been good to her?

Good enough to move someone as cool and distant as Jiang Yunran?

When he chose her, it was partly because he liked her appearance, and partly because she seemed resolute, much like himself.

Neither had a heart.

Heartless people don’t cause trouble; they remain calm and detached for a lifetime.

But that glance moments ago made Jing Huayan uncertain.

Jing Huayan didn’t know, but he was acutely aware that as Emperor, he had not treated her well enough.

She was still only a Beauty.

Throughout history, those who became a true favorite had to at least hold the rank of Consort.

Unless an Emperor was incompetent, he would eventually elevate his true love to the position of Empress. If her rank remained low, it could never be true love.

At this thought, Jing Huayan’s breath caught.

When had he become so sentimental?

To get caught up thinking about notions of love and imperial favor—it was almost laughable.

His mother’s dying words echoed in his ears. Though he’d been only four years old at the time, the scene of blood was forever etched in his memory.

When he closed his eyes, he still saw the harsh glare of palace lamps and the sound of weeping.

In the familiar canopy bed of the Kunhe Palace, only one color remained.

His mother lay in a pool of blood, her face as pale as paper, the blood gushing like a spring.

The four-year-old Jing Huayan was terrified, kneeling beside her and crying.

Servants hurried back and forth, the imperial physicians' faces grim, and outside the bedchamber, his father raged.

"If you cannot save her, all of you will be buried with her!"

But what use was rage?

His mother’s life continued to slip away with the flowing blood.

She had already fallen unconscious, her breathing faint. Suddenly, Jing Huayan scrambled up from the floor, a small figure darting between countless palace attendants and physicians until he reached his mother’s bedside.

He clambered onto the footstool, standing on it to touch his mother’s face.

It was cold.

Jing Huayan let out a wail.

"Mother Empress, Mother Empress!"

The child’s cries reverberated through the opulent bedchamber.

His Majesty the Emperor held the Empress in the highest regard. The palace housed red coral from the depths of the distant oceans, and on the display cabinet stood a one-of-a-kind celadon vase from the official kiln, standing in quiet elegance.

On the wall hung a painting of farming and weaving from a century past, the old ox still vivid and lifelike.

By the red sandalwood baibu bed, the jewelry before the dressing mirror was a dazzling array—a testament to the accumulated glory of the Great Chu over a century.

Yet none of it could retain a wandering spirit.

Only the cries of her own child roused the Empress on her deathbed.

With great effort, the woman opened her eyes; her mind was hazy, and her vision was blurred.

But her child’s cries were so familiar—from the moment he was born, through countless days and nights, it was she who had comforted him until his tears subsided.

"A Yan."

Her voice was so faint that the busy palace maids and physicians could not hear, but her child heard her call.

"Mother!"

Jing Huayan tenderly touched her cheek, his cries filling the room.

"A Yan is here with you."

Slowly, a spark returned to the woman’s eyes; her gaze wandered until it found her child’s tear-streaked face.

She even managed to lift her hand, wiping away the tears on her son’s cheek.

"A Yan, don’t cry, don’t cry."

Her voice was as light as spring willow fluff, ready to drift away in an instant.

"Mother, Mother, don’t leave me."

Born into royal lineage, reared in luxury, Jing Huayan possessed opulence unattainable by ordinary people—yet with it came a hundred times more sacrifice and danger.

At four years old, he already understood what death meant.

He did not want to lose his mother; he did not want her to die.

But he was too young, and fate was too powerful—there was no way for him to defy it.

The woman let out a weak chuckle.

Her cheeks were white as a sheet, her lifeblood nearly spent, her fingers icy cold—yet they were the last warmth Jing Huayan could hold onto.

"A Yan, your sister is gone, and Mother must leave you too," her voice so soft only the child by the bed could hear. "Promise Mother you will rely on yourself and live a good life."

Jing Huayan shook his head fiercely. "Mother, Mother, don’t leave A Yan."

She did not want to leave; she wanted to protect her son as he grew, to shelter him from storms. He was still so young—how could he face this predatory palace?

But she had no choice.

They did not want her to live any longer.

Tears trailed from the corners of her eyes, crimson as blood.

"A Yan, remember, remember."

The woman repeated those words again and again.

"Rely on yourself, rely on yourself!"

Jing Huayan’s breath caught; he shut his eyes abruptly, refusing to remember any further.

It was the most painful memory of his life.

In the years that followed, he did indeed survive by relying on himself—an apparent blessing, yet in turn, he lost the ability to love.

For over two decades, he trusted no one, dared not rely on anyone.

And now…

Jing Huayan looked down at the lovely one asleep in his arms.

Could he still become a whole person?

And was she worth striving for?