Chapter 85

Chapter 85: The Two Entered the Room Arm in Arm After comforting the little girl, Gan Qiongying dragged her weary body back, with Manyue accompanying her all the way. Manyue never got in the way when unnecessary but always supported her exhausted body when needed. Gan Qiongying squeezed Manyue’s hand, deeply moved. Since arriving in this lonely, unfamiliar world, when she thought about it carefully, the only one who stood unconditionally and wholeheartedly by her side, accompanying her every moment, was Manyue. Gan Qiongying suddenly wanted to properly thank Manyue. She turned to look at Manyue for a moment, thinking it over, and decided to give her the most practical reward. She said, “Your monthly allowance is doubled this month.” Manyue was actually quite young, her worldview not yet fully formed. As a loyal servant raised in a feudal society, she had been taught from childhood that her master was her entire world. She naturally emulated Gan Qiongying. When Gan Qiongying was arrogant and domineering, Manyue followed suit, looking down on everyone. As Gan Qiongying began to change, Manyue followed in her footsteps. During this time, having been instilled with various novel ideas by Gan Qiongying, she had essentially become a complete little money-grubber, just like her mistress. Hearing that Gan Qiongying was going to increase her monthly allowance, Manyue happily squatted down immediately to bow. “Thank you, Princess!” “Ouch!” Gan Qiongying had been leaning all her weight on Manyue, so when Manyue suddenly squatted down, Gan Qiongying fell directly to the ground. Manyue, quick-eyed and swift-handed, hurriedly helped her up, her face beaming with a bright smile. But then Gan Qiongying rubbed her sore bottom, and the emotions stirred by the desolate night vanished into the pain of her fall. She glared at Manyue and said, “Your money is gone.” Manyue’s face instantly stiffened, her little features drooping. “Princess…” Gan Qiongying continued, “Poof, just like that, gone…” Manyue’s pout on the way back was so pronounced it could have tethered a donkey. The walk back was slow. After the turmoil of the evening, Gan Qiongying needed some space to do meaningless things and sort out her thoughts. However, as soon as she reached the courtyard, she found Lihua waiting for her. She took a breath of the chilly night air, but a wave of warmth surged within her, as if a pale painting had been colored in. Lihua stood quietly in the courtyard under the night sky, the dim lamplight casting his tall, handsome figure into silhouette. Since he stood with his back to the house, his shadow stretched toward Gan Qiongying—tall and imposing, like a silent mountain range. He held no lantern and had no servants accompanying him. Unsupported and alone, he waited quietly in the night for her, not knowing when she would return. Even he had forgotten how long he had been waiting. Gan Qiongying thought of how Lihua had defended her earlier, risking himself for her sake. She stopped at the moon gate of the courtyard and quietly watched Lihua. Remembering how Lihua had said he couldn’t sleep earlier and had held her tightly, Gan Qiongying lifted the corners of her mouth, quickened her pace, and rushed forward, throwing herself into Lihua’s arms. The two embraced in the courtyard. The moon climbed the treetops, and neither of them spoke, holding each other for a long time. Manyue, who had followed Gan Qiongying back, saw the two embracing and didn’t disturb them. Instead, she ran off to complain to Tianjiao, lamenting her monthly allowance, which vanished faster than a woman’s youth. "It was so dangerous just now, and your leg isn't convenient. Why did you run into the middle of it all? What if you got hurt?" Gan Qiongying lifted her head from Lihua's embrace. "I know you've always been warm-hearted and kind, but you should also consider your own situation." Lihua didn't argue. Zhongli Zhengzhen wouldn't let him be in danger. Moreover, Lihua had seen Zhongli Zhengzhen's guards stopping Gan Qiongying and guessed that Zhongli Zhengzhen must have given some orders. Zhongli Zhengzhen loved to act on his own, proceeding with his arrogant self-understanding. That he would act this way was still due to Lihua's deliberate guidance last night. Lihua was very dissatisfied in his heart; he would make that meddling guard captain remember this. He would also make Zhongli Zhengzhen remember. Therefore, Lihua just looked at Gan Qiongying with a faint smile, then tightened his arms a little more. The two entered the room intimately embracing. That night, they slept in each other's arms. Perhaps because the day's events had been too exhausting, Gan Qiongying slept exceptionally soundly, not even feeling Lihua's hand constantly stroking her hair. However, this night was destined to be sleepless for many. Those young masters from noble families sent their servants back to the Imperial City overnight to seek help from their families, pulling strings everywhere to avoid imprisonment. Early the next morning, officials from the Dali Temple arrived. Their expressions were stern; though they were polite to the young masters, they were armored and armed, interrogating and recording each of their actions one by one, showing no favoritism whatsoever. Even the Regent was questioned. The Dali Temple mobilizing troops so grandly and escorting back to the Imperial City all these scions of noble families was unprecedented. After entering the city, the entire Imperial City's commoners buzzed with discussion, speculating endlessly about what crimes those young masters had committed. The Regent had changed his clothes. It seemed the injury on his leg from last night was somewhat serious. His face was pale, his expression gloomy as he boarded his carriage. Zhongli Zhengzhen's neck wound had been bandaged, but the injury on his waist was more severe. Supported by Song Ci, he scanned the crowd as he passed but didn't find the person he wanted to see. Those young nobles were not so composed. Their hair was disheveled, having stayed up all night in fear, their faces uniformly pale and haggard. They hung their heads in silence, as if they had truly committed some heinous crime. The only consolation was that the Dali Temple had at least spared them some face by not making them ride in prisoner carts; they all returned to the city in their own carriages. In truth, their entry into the Dali Temple would at most be a formality. Once the Dali Temple officials investigated clearly and recorded the events, they would be released. But through this ordeal, they had lost all face. Gan Qiongying's actions were no different from a slap fiercely striking the faces of all the noble families. And Gan Qiongying, at this moment, was completely unaware of the immense impact of what she had done, nor did she know that since last night, after those young nobles sent word back to Yindu, she had already "made a name for herself in one battle." Last night, holding her 37-degree treasure, Gan Qiongying slept particularly well. Waking up in the morning, she felt refreshed and clear-headed. Lihua told her that their things were already packed. Supported by her maids, Gan Qiongying heard that the Dali Temple officials had arrived and even ran over to watch the commotion, thoroughly embarrassing those young nobles. Two with lower psychological resilience couldn't hold back their grievances and wiped away tears. After watching, Gan Qiongying laughed quite wickedly and even pointed them out specifically to Lihua. Princess Hui'an would be resting here for another two days. Gan Qiongying took Lihua to bid farewell and boarded the carriage at the gate of Haoyue Villa. The carriage moved swiftly, gradually overtaking other carriages on the road. Wherever it passed, no one dared to block its way. This time, the group truly feared Princess Duanrong.