"Alright, stop worrying. Spend these days learning martial arts from me. I, the master of this valley, guarantee your safety. How about that?"
Hearing Ji Yunsheng's words, Gu Jiangyue finally let go of the anxiety that had been weighing on her heart.
Xie Jiuan originally also wanted to teach Gu Jiangyue some self - defense moves, but the fact that he knew martial arts could no longer be concealed. Moreover, Xie Yuwen seemed determined to stand against Xie Jiuan.
Taking advantage of the emperor's absence recently, Xie Yuwen had caused Xie Jiuan a great deal of trouble. Since Xie Jiuan wanted to protect the common people, he had to endure it for the time being.
Fortunately, the public opinion in the capital had changed. Driven by Gu Yanwu, Xie Jiuan's reputation had gradually improved and even overshadowed Xie Chengrui. This might be the reason why Xie Chengrui couldn't hold back and was going to act so soon.
"That's more like it. Any progress on Xie Yuwen's side?"
Gu Jiangyue couldn't help but roll her eyes at Ji Yunsheng, but the next second she regained her seriousness. Gu Jiangyue didn't dislike Ji Yunsheng. Now was a critical moment, and only Ji Yunsheng could make them relax a bit.
"I remember where I saw the poisonous insects that Xie Yuwen has been raising. They were recorded in the secret manual of the former valley master. Those insects are extremely evil and can control the minds of the people they are cast on."
What Ji Yunsheng had to do was to snatch the spiritual herbs and keep an eye on Xie Yuwen's every move. Xie Yuwen was from the Medicine King Valley, and Xie Jiuan didn't know him as well as Ji Yunsheng did, so he entrusted this matter to Ji Yunsheng.
Ji Yunsheng was quite eager to have a match with Xie Yuwen to see what made this son of the former valley master so extraordinary.
"I probably won't have much time recently. Xie Yuwen has openly caused opposition in the court recently. The back - and - forth in the court implies too many things. They were already at odds, and with Xie Yuwen's deliberate instigation, it has become even more out of control. I guess he wants to wait for the two sides to fight each other and then reap the benefits as a third - party."
Xie Jiuan looked a bit exhausted. He rubbed his head and then looked at Gu Jiangyue and said,
"You all need to be more careful so as not to be taken advantage of."
These words were obviously a reminder to Gu Jiangyue, and she kept them in mind and nodded obediently.
She had also heard Gu Yanwu talk about these things. Xie Yuwen was deliberately provoking the opposition between the civil and military officials.
The two factions had never gotten along well. With Xie Yuwen's interference, the court had become completely at odds. For the stability of the court, there must be a balance between the civil and military forces. If it tilted towards either side, it would be bad.
Xie Yuwen was interfering in order to first incite the struggle between the civil and military officials, causing continuous political reforms and wars, leading to chaos in the court and the suffering of the people. Finally, he would cast the insects on everyone, thus stabilizing the court and winning the hearts of the people.
Everyone was a pawn in Xie Yuwen's game, and he was both the black and white player. However, Xie Yuwen's arrogance made him overlook a crucial point: his pawns were far from as easy to control as he thought.
Everyone had been very busy these days. Zhi Yuan was busy finding people to make Gu Jiangyue's dowry every day.
Ji Yunsheng had almost figured out Xie Yuwen's details. The rest of the time, he was teaching Gu Jiangyue martial arts. Gu Jiangyue was smart, so she learned quickly.
Gu Jiangyue hadn't seen Xie Jiuan and Gu Yanwu for a long time. Now the two of them were the backbone of the court, pulling everyone's deviated thoughts back on track again and again.
Xie Jiuan was secretly gathering people, and Gu Yanwu was busy explaining the situation to the familiar officials so that they wouldn't be led by the nose by Xie Yuwen.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner until the day before Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue's wedding. It was completely dark. Gu Jiangyue was wearing a white inner garment and standing in front of the window, looking up at the moon outside. Tomorrow was bound to be unstable, and she couldn't fall asleep.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Someone gently knocked on Gu Jiangyue's door, and her wandering thoughts were gradually pulled back. Although she didn't know who was outside, she had a vague answer in her heart.
"Come in."
Gu Jiangyue's voice was calm. The door was pushed open as she responded. Just as Gu Jiangyue was about to turn around to see who it was, she felt someone pull her into their arms, and a head was buried in the crook of her shoulder.
"It's cold. My lady, don't catch a cold."
A familiar voice sounded. It was Xie Jiuan. Next to the head on her shoulder, Gu Jiangyue smelled a hint of alcohol.
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
This was the first time Gu Jiangyue had seen Xie Jiuan since that day. She turned around and looked Xie Jiuan up and down. She found that he had lost a bit of weight.
Xie Jiuan was looking at Gu Jiangyue in the same way, with his hands around her waist. He smiled and whispered,
"The wind is strong tonight. I missed you, so I came to see you."
Even if Xie Jiuan didn't say it, Gu Jiangyue understood in her heart that tomorrow would be a fierce battle. If they won, it would be a happy ending, but if they lost, they might be separated forever.
This might not necessarily be their last meeting, but they should cherish every encounter, for it had come so hard.
Gu Jiangyue lowered her head and let out a soft sigh, then said,
"You must be more careful tomorrow. If I'm no longer around, you must take good care of..."
Before she could say the words "take care of him", Xie Jiuan directly put a finger on her lips.
"Don't say such things. You will surely be fine."
Although Xie Jiuan said so, Gu Jiangyue knew in her heart that Xie Jiuan was good at both martial arts and strategy, and his chance of survival must be greater than hers. Thinking of this, Gu Jiangyue just met Xie Jiuan's eyes. Under the moonlight, Xie Jiuan's eyes were deep, as if he had seen through what was on Gu Jiangyue's mind.
Gu Jiangyue gently shook her head, shaking off all her previous thoughts. She smiled with her eyes curved and looked at Xie Jiuan and said,
"Okay, I will surely be fine."
The next moment, Gu Jiangyue felt Xie Jiuan lower his head and move closer to her. She closed her eyes, and Xie Jiuan's slightly cold thin lips touched her warm ones.
As their lips and teeth met, the faint smell of alcohol on Xie Jiuan's body lingered around them. For a moment, the air seemed to thicken.
After the kiss, Gu Jiangyue collapsed limply into Xie Jiuan's arms, gasping for breath. She only felt her cheeks getting hot. She didn't know if it was because of the intoxicating alcohol or shyness.
But Xie Jiuan's breathing remained steady. A smile played on his lips. His usually good - looking peach - blossom eyes looked a bit enchanting under the moonlight. Xie Jiuan moved his lips close to Gu Jiangyue's ear and whispered,
"This time it was too hasty. After tomorrow, how about I marry my lady again? Not for saving all sentient beings or the country, but just for you."
The warm breath sprayed on Gu Jiangyue's ear. She shivered all over, as if an electric current had passed through her body. Her voice was also trembling slightly, looking extremely pitiful.
"Okay, I promise you."