A beautiful woman was sitting in the house. She looked extremely similar to Yuancao Lan, but with more maturity and serenity. This person was Yuancao’s mother.
At this moment, a group of black-clothed men broke in. Each of them smiled maliciously. Their eyes flashed ruthlessly.
“ May I know what do you want from me?” The woman stood up.
“ We heard that your Sect is familiar with Ancient Tomb’s monster. Could you tell us where ‘ that thing’ is?”
“ The Ancient Tomb never spoke about that thing. I am afraid that you came for nothing.” Facing the crowd of people, the woman remained calm.
The sword’s light flashed and there was already a sword pointing at the woman’s neck. The man who was holding the sword even scratched lightly on that snow-white skin: “ Stop pretending, we already ‘a(chǎn)sked’ all the people in Ruthless. How is it possible that no one had an idea!”
“ Sect Brother, stop.” Another man said, but telling another two to limit the woman’s action: “ Left Guard of Ruthless, I am sorry, a lot of people in your sect said that thing’s secret is on you. If you don’t want to speak, then I have to make you speak.”
Finish speaking, the group of men walked up to her, unexpectedly breaking apart the woman’s clothes. Soon, there were full of red marks and bruises on the woman’s body, but she was still looking in the front quietly as if that body full of scars was not hers.
She knew that thing’s presence. Yuancao had told her that night, but that secret killed the Head of Ancient Tomb, her only friend. To this end, she did not want to push that naive girl into danger, even if the cost was her life and innocence.
Unconsciously falling into a coma, when she woke up again, still lying in the same place, only surrounding men turned into corpses.
Jinnan Sa stepped in. His clothes have already full of blood: “ Aunt, Nan came late, I’ll call the doctor right now!”
“ No, Nan, come here.” The woman’s voice was extremely soft but unquestionable. Jinnan Sa approached obediently.
“ Nan, borrow me your sword.” The woman looked at that still-unfolded sword in his hand.
“… No!” Seemed to get the woman’s intention, he wanted to retreat, but she already used her body stabbed into his sword.
“ Please… take care of Yuan…” She even remained serenity when she died, as if all the blood on the ground was not related to her.
“ Mom?” A girl stepped into the house. It was Yuancao Lan!
“… Brother Nan… Why…” Her question did not receive any answer, because he was already shaking and speechless.
No, not like this, it was her who stabbed herself…
Familiar words made all the sentences stick at his throat. Jianxue was the same back then…
He could not stop Yuancao Lan’s hatred towards him, but only betting that hatred on Jianxue Yang.
Because of Ancient Tomb’s existence, killing his father and her mother, so he would kill Jianxue Yang.
But for her, it was him who killed her mother, so she would kill him.
The day after Jianxue’s break, Kasuga explained an unexpected task to her.
“ Because of the cancelation of the contest, ministers are clacking about the General’s posterity again, so I would like to ask you to go out a short trip with Young Master Takatsukasa, the candidate of Principle Husband, making a feint of the General has the idea of having a child.”
Trip? She had no strength, so she should ride a horse, right? But…
“ To be honest, I never ride a horse before.” Since childhood, she walked around using Qinggong.
“ Excellent.” Unexpectedly, Kasuga smiled satisfactorily: “ This way it will trick them all.”
“ Um?” Wait, could it be…
“ Why should I take care of Iemitsu! Stay away from my horse!” Takatsukasa’s wailing resounded in the entire Horse Palace.
It certainly would become like this…
“ Because the General’s horse was sick,” Kasuga said indifferently.
“ Then stay in the castle! Why do you want us to go on a trip!”
“ This is your responsibility as a candidate of Principle Husband, Young Master Takatsukasa.”
“ Huh?” Hearing the words, he became furious: “ I do not remember that I wanted to be a candidate of what. Don’t use that kind of title to call me!”
“ I don’t care if you agree or not, but you have to join this trip.” Kasuga dropped the words, then turned to Jianxue, whispering: “ There are spies around. Go to a farther place.” Finish speaking, he left without looking back.
Jianxue was confused towards Kasuga’s words, but as long as he did not say more about it, she should have nothing to worry about.
“ Ugh…” Takatsukasa’s sigh pulled her back to reality.
“ I’m sorry for causing you to be misunderstood again.” Seeing his frowning appearance, she could not help but be distressed. He helped her a lot, but she always caused him trouble.
Was there a way to let him gain the freedom he wanted?
“… Why are you apologizing?” She got back mentally, and saw him stopping his unpleasant expression, smiling: “ You did nothing wrong.”
“ Takatsukasa…” He was comforting her.
“ Um…that…I think you also know clearly, that I don’t hate going out with you…” He said stuttering, looking away shyly.
“ Um, thank you.” She put aside the unhappiness in her heart, smiling in return.
“ You always have your way. Let’s go.” He smiled helplessly, jumping on the horseback: “ Here.”
He pulled her up on the horse, putting his hand around her waist, letting her sit in front of him. The unexpectedly close body made her face under the mask a blush. She could not help but be silent.
“ Are you all right?” His gentle voice came from behind her ear. She nodded blankly.
“ Tell me if you are scared/“ He smiled softly, making the horse walk, the other hand was holding her that he hugged her tightly. Her heartbeat with his movements, making her hold on to her hem at a loss.
But she did not hate this frustration, on the contrary, his fondness made her feel relieved, making her live like a normal person.
She looked up quietly, looking at his face. The words he said yesterday circled in her mind.
“ Why are you being so nice to me…”
“ Why? Because…”
What was he trying to say back then?
If she asked him again, what would he say this time?
There was a complex emotion that she wanted to know, but also did not want to know.
“ What’s the matter?” He was a little surprised when he noticed her gaze.
“… Nothing.” Realizing that she was looking dreamily, she quickly moved away from her gaze. He did not continue to ask.
There was a riverside in the wood. Takatsukasa took her off the horse. The breeze brushed over with the breath of flowers and plants, making her imagine her home.
“ Haven’t been here for a long time.” He beside her stretched.
“ You came here before?” She asked casually, taking off her mask, and washing her face at the riverside.
“ Um, I sometimes sneak out of the castle and come here.”
“ Ha.” She chuckled, watching the water ripples caused by her light touch, making her reflection fuzzy.
Clear river flew outside of her dirty soul, making her feel self-abasement for no reason.
She was an evil spirit who soaked in blood, but she was reluctant to part with the pure light on him.
However, even it was just a moment, she still wanted to forget her decay, trying in vain to stand in the same world with him.
“…” He looked at the girl by the river. Her every move fell into his eyes, including that smile trying to forget the pain.
“ Hey.” He called softly to the girl by the river: “ Before, I asked you if you to run away. You said you wouldn’t at that time. How about now?”
If she wanted, he could desperately take her getting away from this place. If she would be happy, he could do anything at any cost.
“ No, I won’t.” Her face emerged a shallow, fulfilled smile: “ I used to be angry about why Sister Iemitsu never told me the reason she left, but now, even if she just wants to take a break, I am willing to be a substitute.”
“ Look, the kidnapping was two days ago, but the General must show off the inherited will, and goes on a trip with someone like this. I just understand now that being a General is a drudgery.”
“… Don’t you hate Iemitsu?”
“ Sister Iemitsu didn’t become the General by her will, right?”
However, the difference was, that she was very grateful to Sister Iemitsu for letting her enjoy this luxurious light.
“ You… are such a strange girl.” He smiled without knowing whether it was laud or helplessness.
“ Really?”
“ Yes, but I don’t hate that.” The extra gentle voice made her heart fly past a trace of warmth.
He was way too gentle.
She could not look away from his smile. She knew that he had already become a special existence in her heart.
The two looked at each other silently, as if letting their figures become brands in their hearts. A just wind blew up her hair. He smiled suddenly, moving closer towards her.
“ Your hair is messy.” He combed her hair carefully.
“… Thank you.” Her face turned red again.
“ Oh? I never knew that people will come here.” A voice came from not far away. A traveling businessman walked towards them with a kind smile: “ Do you two want to buy something?”
“ No, we…” Takatsukasa opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, but the businessman has spread out his luggage.
She looked at that hairpin with plum blossoms.
This flower was like him, like a warm color staying in the cold snow white.
Suddenly, a hand reached it from her side.
“ I want this.”
“ Thank you very much!”
He bought the hairpin quietly, handing it to her.
“ Gift.”
“ Why?” She took over the gift blankly.
“ There’s no ‘why.’”
“ There’s no ‘why?’”
“… Can’t I?” Although his tone was a little awkward, there was no unpleasantness in it.
Did he know that she wanted it, so he gave it to her?
“ Thank you.” Joy flooded up to her heart. She exposed a smile like kids eating candies.
“ Um.” He smiled and touched her head.
He wished that she could keep this innocence forever. That was the light in his heart.
She greedily draw the tenderness he gave. That was the warmth in her heart.
It has been a few days since the kidnapping incident. Jianxue also did better at work. She watched the ministers getting out of the lobby. Today’s meeting also ended smoothly.
“ You finally look like a General.” Kasuga seemed very satisfied.
“ Thank you, it’s because of Mr. Kasuga’s advising.”
“ But you haven’t stepped in Ooku at all in these days. What are you thinking? I heard that you don’t even attend the Daily Summon.”
Here it came.
Since she realized the chaos in Ooku, she never set foot in Ooku again. She knew that this would cause complaints from ministers, but she just did not want to do it.
She did not want him to save her, because that would take him farther and farther away from freedom, but she knew that if the incident happened again, he would come to save her.
So, she chose to refuse to touch that dangerous field, but that was not a long-term solution after all.
“ If you go to Ooku less often, ministers will start to be nagging again. Even if it’s daytime or one hour, you must go to Ooku tomorrow.”
“…” Jianxue silent, looking at Kasuga’s cold and not-to-be-refused eyes: “ I understand.”
The one who entered the gate of Edo Castle would lose their freedom.
She stepped out of the lobby, passing by Takatsukasa. Of course, she did not talk to him.
She needed his warmth so much. Even if it was a few words that could disperse the cold in her heart. He said that she could rely on him, but it was because of this, making her not want to bother him.
What she did not know about was that at this moment, he behind her was watching her figure tightly.
“ Do you care?” A voice came, and Ogata smiled mysteriously.
“ Eh? Ah… this…”
“ Do you care about her because her experience is smilier to yours?”
“… No.” Undeniable, as early as four years ago, there was a white figure living in his heart, that pure and flawless piece of snowflake even though it has bathed in countless blood.
“ I just think that she not only pretends to be brave, but also is a pushover, and also made a lot of mistakes. I always feel like if I don’t look after her, she will get hurt somewhere. I just can’t leave her alone…” Takatsukasa sighed helplessly.
“Haha.” Ogata could not help laughing.
“ What?”
“ I just think that you look like her guardian.”
“ Guardian?” Takatsukasa frowned.
“ Oh, are you against the word ‘ guardian?’”
“ It’s not like that.”
“There is another word that fits you better, but I’ll keep that secret for now.” Ogata looked at him meaningfully, then left.
“ Ah?” His head tilted wonderingly.
Evening, Jianxue came to the Bath Palace as always, and Natsu also sat inside.
“ Are you going to name me? ‘ General.’” Since Natsu found her real identity, every time she stepped into the Bath Palace, he would always ask her the same question.
“ No.”
“ Ha.” He only laughed, without behaving any dissatisfaction. Although his words were cold, he still stood at the door as she ordered in the beginning.
Seeing him look calm and relaxed, she could not help but wonder.
Although she refused him like this every day, he seemed not going to publicize her identity.
“ Mr. Natsu.”
“ What?” He still asked lightly.
“ Why don’t you mention my identity to anyone?”
He turned his head, staring at her with cold eyes: “ I just think that bargaining chips should be used at critical moments. It’s easier to threaten you to name me than to find a way to gain the General’s trust. You shouldn’t think for another reason than this.”
She only watched him speechlessly, without any emotion on her face.
Now no matter what he dais, she would never believe it anymore.
Just like Takatsukasa’s tenderness melted the glacier in her heart, she felt that he was changing, although she did not know why.
She believed in that “ another reason.”
“… Naive.” He sighed helplessly, then turned away from her.
Was it just she was too naive?
After she left, Natsu started to clean the Bath Palace.
“ Too naive.” He looked at the water in the bath, murmuring irritably: “ There is no chance… to have another reason…”
A cruel voice echoed in the Bath Palace, but slightly trembling fingers has betrayed his thought.
“ Um?” Natsu looked at the corner of the corridor. A group of ministers is enclosed in a circle. They seemed to discuss something.
“ If the General does not appoint the Principle Husband, it will be the end of the government!”
“ She doesn’t even step into Ooku, it’s such a headache…”
“ Since the incident last time, the General must be afraid of men, Ah! What was the guard doing? Such garbage!”
“ If she is scared, we’ll just let her have an experience, isn’t that simple?” A minister exposed a nasty smile.
“ This, this…”
“ We are just letting the General understand that men are not scary, right?”
“… I see.” Although there was still hesitation on their faces, the ministers were gradually persuaded.
Natsu, who was eavesdropping on the side, narrowed his eyes suddenly.
After the ministers dispersed, Natsu stopped the last one: “ Oh, it’s you.”
“ Oh! It’s, it’s Young Master Natsu… Thank you so much for helping me with the account book.” That minister revealed a panic look, but immediately posed a fake smile: “ Thanks to your well-organized report, I finally finished that task.”
“ Your welcome. Just some simple jobs, I can help you at any time. Anyway, could you explain what you guys were just talked about?” Although his face was smiling, his eyes were as sharp as swords.
The next morning, Kasuga made an exception and suspended the Daily Summon, but it still could not change Jianxue’s fate that she must visit Ooku.
She was standing in a daze in the Yuling corridor.
She look at her slightly trembling fingers, smiled helplessly.
When did she become so timid…
“ What are you doing?” There was suddenly a voice coming from behind, scaring her to gasp.
“ Jianxue Yang?” Takatsukasa called.
“… Um.” Her appearance different from usual was immediately noticed by Takatsukasa. His face merged a worried look, making her heartfelt tight.
No, this would make him into trouble…
“… I was just thinking about something. Sorry for blocking your way…”
“ Hey.” When she was about to leave, he catch her hand.
“…”
“ You are shaking.”
“ … Um.”
“ What do you mean ‘um’…” He sighed heavily: “ It’s because of you acting like this, I have to worry you so much.”
Hearing the words, she slightly raised her head, looking into his eyes.
“ Why do you always have to constrain yourself? Even if you feel frustrated, no one will blame you.” He smiled gently.
“ I…”
She could not hide anything from him…
Looking at his smile, she couldn’t help but blurted out: “ I… don’t want to go to Ooku…”
“ You don’t have to.”
“ It’s the only way to let everyone shut up.”
“ Just blame me.” He looked at her slightly surprised eyes: “ You only have to say, that while you are depressed because of that incident, I threatened you, making you afraid to step in Ooku. It’s simple as that.”
“… You will be convicted.”
“ It’s better to be convicted.” He said casually: “ I want to let them think that I’m not qualified to be the Principle Husband.”
She was silent.
Yes, if she did that, she could get away from Ooku, and he would also get closer to freedom.
But…
“ No.”
“ Why?” He frowned dissatisfied: “ Are you asking me like others, forcing me to be a good candidate?”
“… No. If I do that, you will lose your credence.”
She met his surprised eyes, rippling gentle smile: “ Whether it’s Mr. Kasuga or Mr. Ogata, they all trust you so much. I don’t want to let them think, that you are the person who does those things. I don’t know if you are a good candidate for the Principle Husband, but the Takatsukasa I know will never do these.”
He was still watching her. The strength of his hand slightly loosed.
“ Then, see you later.” She smiled as if wanting him to be relieved.
He was her light. She did not want him to stain with darkness because of her.
“ Wait!” Unexpectedly, he urgently catch her hand that was about to leave.
Takatsukasa?
[To Be Continued]
Jinnan Sa
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