Chapter 82 Inner Struggle
Xie Lingxiao saw that Shen Jingxuan had misunderstood him, and looked at him with an extremely sharp look.
He explained: "I didn't investigate you. I originally wanted to find out where your master is now, but I didn't find out where he is. I accidentally found out that you are his disciple."
Xie Lingxiao patiently told the truth, fearing that there would be a rift between him and Shen Jingxuan.
Shen Jingxuan knew he was not lying, so she slowly sat back in her chair and asked, "How is the Queen Mother now?"
Xie Lingxiao was worried: "When I entered the palace today, the Queen Mother was in a coma and seemed to be in great pain. The maid who served her said that the imperial doctors had gone several times but she never woke up."
Shen Jingxuan thought for a while: "When do you want me to enter the palace?"
It wouldn't hurt to go and take a look, just to repay Ling Xiao for his help several times.
"How about tomorrow?"
"Okay." Shen Jingxuan responded.
Xie Lingxiao noticed that Shen Jingxuan didn't seem to want to talk, and thought that she was tired today.
He stood up and said, "I'll pick you up tomorrow, you should get some rest early."
Seeing that Shen Jingxuan didn't respond, Xie Lingxiao climbed out of the window, closed it and left.
Shen Jingxuan sat quietly in the chair, but her thoughts had already flown far away.
What happened today reminded her several times of the time they spent together in the village.
Thinking of Xie Lingxiao's meticulous care when they were in the village.
When thinking of the Scarlet Flame Temple, Xie Lingxiao's aggressiveness was only because he didn't want to draw a line between them.
And she tried her best not to have any contact with him.
Shen Jingxuan stood up suddenly. She was dressed as a man at that time. Why did Xie Lingxiao treat her the same as he does now?
Could it be that he discovered it?
After thinking for a long time, Shen Jingxuan slowly sat back.
It shouldn't be, she checked it at that time and there was no change on her face.
Thinking of the first time they met, Xie Lingxiao had a cold expression and cold eyes, but now he treats her gently and considerately, Shen Jingxuan's lips curled up slightly.
In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight shone into the room, Shen Jingxuan slowly opened her eyes.
Looking at the scene in front of her, she was stunned for a moment.
At this time, Shen Jingxuan was lying on the table motionless.
Unexpectedly, she fell asleep on the table last night while thinking about her past with Xie Lingxiao.
"Miss, are you awake?" Chuntao knocked on the door.
Shen Jingxuan frowned tightly: "Come in."
Chuntao noticed that Shen Jingxuan's clothes were full of wrinkles and looked up at Shen Jingxuan.
When I saw her expression, I swallowed the words I was about to ask.
She went to find clothes for Shen Jingxuan and handed them to her: "Miss, please change your clothes. I will help you dress up later."
Chuntao didn't understand why Shen Jingxuan sat on the chair and didn't sleep all night.
Shen Jingxuan looked at Chuntao and said, "Chuntao, what would you do if your best friend left without saying goodbye?"
"I will never talk to her again." Chuntao said her thoughts without thinking.
Shen Jingxuan murmured, will he ignore her forever?
If it were her, she would do the same, right?
But if Xie Lingxiao knew that Hao Lin was her, I wonder what he would think?
Is it as she thought, that I no longer want to have anything to do with her and draw a clear line between us?
Unable to figure it out for a moment, Shen Jingxuan got up to change her clothes. Chuntao helped her do a simple makeup, and then the two of them went out.
Outside the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion, a carriage wrapped in expensive and exquisite silk slowly stopped in front of the door.
The carriage's windows, inlaid with gold and gems, were covered by a curtain of light blue crepe, preventing people outside the carriage from seeing what was inside.
When Shen Jingxuan walked out of the mansion and saw the carriage parked outside the gate, she knew that it was Xie Lingxiao who came to take her to the palace.
In the carriage, Xie Lingxiao was reading quietly with a book in his hand.
Shen Jingxuan sat opposite him, lifted a corner of the car curtain and looked out the window.
A line of sight fell vaguely on Shen Jingxuan, and she continued to look outside the car without making a sound.
Since she got on the carriage, Xie Lingxiao has not turned a page of the book, but every time Shen Jingxuan looked over, he lowered his head to take a look.
Shen Jingxuan lowered the car curtain and looked at Xie Lingxiao: "Just say what you want to say, no need to hide it."
Xie Lingxiao probed: "Didn't you get enough rest last night?"
Seeing that she looked bad and listless, Xie Lingxiao was puzzled.
When I left last night, I saw that she was sleepy, but why didn't she rest?
Shen Jingxuan looked outside the carriage again: "I guess so. I fell asleep on the table and didn't sleep well."
Xie Lingxiao was puzzled: "Why? Did something happen?"
What kind of thing would make her unable to sleep well?
"It's not a big deal. I'm just thinking about someone." Shen Jingxuan said truthfully.
She felt it was a bit awkward for the two of them to ride in a carriage, so she answered whatever Xie Lingxiao asked casually.
However, she didn't expect that the person opposite her would change his expression instantly, and this change made Shen Jingxuan feel strange.
She hadn't gotten enough rest because of Xie Lingxiao's behavior, thinking about their relationship, and he actually gave her a cold look?
Looking at Xie Lingxiao's sour face, Shen Jingxuan was too lazy to pay attention and continued to look out the car window.
Xie Lingxiao's face suddenly turned cold. Until he arrived at the palace, he didn't even look at Shen Jingxuan, nor did he speak to her anymore.
The two got off the carriage and walked towards the Queen Mother's palace.
In the Imperial Garden, Lu Jinxuan accompanied the Queen as they took a walk and admired the flowers.
Lu Jinxuan hasn't left the house for a long time. She doesn't know what her brother has said to her father and mother. No matter how much she begs or makes a fuss, they won't agree to let her leave the house.
If she hadn't gone to the palace to accompany her aunt at a fixed time every month, she still wouldn't be able to go out today.
The queen held Lu Jinxuan's hand affectionately and said, "Jinxuan, it's a good thing you're here to accompany me, otherwise I'd be bored."
Lu Jinxuan smiled and said, "Aunt, if you are bored, you can send a message to the mansion. I want to come and accompany you every day."
The queen reached out and poked her head: "You are the most lovable one. Your aunt loves you well."
"Jinxuan, where is your brother? I haven't seen him for a while."
"I haven't seen you for a few days." Lu Jinxuan lowered her head, the smile on her face gone.
Ever since the last time when she was going out of the house to meet the Regent, and what she said to the maid was heard by Lu Zhenyu, Lu Zhenyu was furious and did that to her.
After that, he often sneaked into her yard at night, and sometimes stayed there for several nights in a row.
At first he would restrain himself, but gradually, Lu Jinxuan discovered that Lu Zhenyu had a special hobby.
Every time he tortured her to the point of unbearable pain, she begged for mercy continuously, but what about him?
He seemed to enjoy torturing her over and over again.
Especially when he heard her screams and pleas for mercy, he seemed to be encouraged and tortured her in even more shameful and cruel ways.
Seeing her wanting something but not being able to get it, Lu Zhenyu laughed crazily and continued like a madman.
He will not stop asking until he can't bear it anymore, and will keep asking until he is satisfied.
Whenever she thought of it, Lu Jinxuan trembled with fear, but she had to endure it.
She had indeed not seen her brother for a few days, and these days were also the quietest days she had ever had.
Lu Jinxuan raised her head and looked in the direction: "Aunt, I don't know what my brother has been busy with these days."
"Wait for me..." Lu Jinxuan suddenly stood there in a daze.
Looking from afar, two figures entered the sight.
The woman was wearing a turquoise long skirt with densely embroidered cloud patterns on the hem. She had a simple white jade hairpin on her head, which did not look plain but made her face look even more beautiful.
The man was wearing an indigo-blue waisted brocade robe embroidered with gold patterns, which made him look calm, dignified and noble.
The man slowed down his pace, deliberately matching the woman's pace and walking side by side with her.
Lu Jinxuan seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move, her eyes fixed fiercely at the person in the distance.
"Jinxuan? Jinxuan?" The queen called out several times.
However, Lu Jinxuan seemed indifferent as if she hadn't heard it, which made the queen frown.