readsfreenovel Chapter 296
Chapter 296
The carriage was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Nalan Jingwen's eyes were dark and deep as he looked at her without saying a word.
After a long silence, he finally spoke: "No."
Xiao Congyu was taken aback. "Who is that?"
Nalan Jingwen did not answer, but Xiao Congyu could see the troublesome nature of the matter from her eyes and sensed something was wrong. His expression also became serious.
"Your Highness, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Everyone must be on high alert and not let their guard down. No one is allowed to approach with malicious intent. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without exception!"
His voice was cold and emotionless.
This is a death order. Who on earth made Nalan Jingwen so alarmed?
Xiao Congyu glanced at A-Nian, who was watching them from the corner, a complex look flashing in his eyes, before finally saying, "I understand!"
After she finished speaking, she bowed and stepped out of the carriage.
Ah Nian looked towards Nalan Jingwen and, seeing her grave expression, whispered, "Sister, did I cause trouble?"
Nalan Jingwen looked at him, reached out and patted his head. His tone was not as cold as before, but slightly calmer. "It's okay, you go to sleep. It's getting late."
Ah Nian can't stay up late and gets tired easily. He's already drowsy with his eyelids drooping, but he's forcing himself to stay awake and stay alert.
He knew it must be because of him that everyone had no time to rest and was rushing on their way so hastily.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel guilty and lowered his head, his fingertips unconsciously clutching his clothes.
"Sister, I'm sorry..."
Nalan Jingwen's expression softened slightly, and he raised his hand to pat his head. "It's none of your business. Go to sleep."
Ah Nian carefully hooked her fingertips together, timidly looking up at her, "Really?"
"Well, go to sleep."
He's just a child; there's no need to make him feel so guilty.
Ah Nian didn't believe it, but he understood, so he didn't say anything more. Instead, he held her hand tighter and asked softly, "Then... can I sleep next to you tonight?"
As if afraid that Nalan Jingwen would refuse, he immediately added, "I promise I won't bother you, sister."
"May I?"
Looking into his clear, bright eyes, Nalan Jingwen saw the faint expectation and pleading in them, and finally agreed.
"it is good."
The boy, delighted to receive her consent, moved closer to Nalan Jingwen, took her hand, gently rested his head on her shoulder, and closed his eyes. He moved carefully, as if afraid of upsetting Nalan Jingwen, but his lips under the veil slowly curved into a very slight smile.
Nalan Jingwen turned her head to look at his serene face, but said nothing.
That arrow was clearly aimed at Ah Nian's life, but the other party knew that Ah Nian was by her side, so they were even more fearless, knowing that she would definitely block the arrow. This was tantamount to a provocation. If she did not block it, Ah Nian would die just as that person wished.
As she recalled the contents of the letter, her eyes darkened, concealing a turbulent undercurrent.
Immortality.
How could she have forgotten her?
With Ah Nian dead, wouldn't Bai Ji be readily available to her?
It's no wonder Nalan Jingwen was so wary; Changsheng was simply too clever and unfathomable.
If the world is a game of chess, then she is the one who holds the pieces, secretly driving everything forward, scheming and plotting, having already laid half the groundwork before anyone else.
Given the palace coup in Qilin and the disappearance of Nangong Shiyu, Nalan Jingwen reasonably suspects that she was also involved. It would be strange if she didn't intervene.
There's still no news about Nangong Shiyu and Xue Qingheng, but no news is good news.
However, Changsheng is a truly troublesome person.
Moreover, how could Ah Nian's body withstand any more strain?
Nalan Jingwen frowned. The boy who was sleeping on her shoulder seemed to sense that she was in a bad mood, and he gripped her hand tighter. He was already tired and had fallen asleep as soon as he leaned on her, but now he seemed to be trapped in a nightmare, his beautiful brows furrowed and muttering something from time to time.
Nalan Jingwen sorted out her thoughts, casually picked up a blanket, gently covered him with it, and raised her hand to stroke his head.
"Go to sleep."
The calm voice gradually soothed the boy's unease and fear in his dream, dispelled all the gloom, and his tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed.
Outside the car window, the night was still and deep, the moonlight was lonely and desolate, and no stars were visible.
Sleep well, tomorrow is another new day.
……
For half a month, Nalan Jingwen and his group had been traveling in carriages. Now, with dangers lurking everywhere and everyone hiding in the shadows, they dared not let their guard down.
but……
Nalan Jingwen looked at the pale-faced boy in front of him and was speechless for a moment.
Knowing Nalan Jingwen's worries, A-Nian forced a smile and looked at her with guilt in his eyes.
"Sister, I'm okay..."
He speaks very softly now, as if he has no strength and is struggling.
In just half a month, he lost even more weight. His once loose robes now looked like an enormous piece of cloth, hanging loosely on his body. With just a slight movement, one could see his extremely thin wrists in the wide sleeves, skin and bones, so fragile that they seemed to break at the slightest touch. The jade cloud-patterned bracelet still hung on his wrists. His thin hands were as thin as paper, revealing the unevenness of the veins.
Beneath the loose robes was a thin body, faintly showing mottled bluish-black skin.
In the past two weeks, in order to keep up with their journey, they not only did not stop to rest, but even sped up their progress, just to reach Baiji as soon as possible.
Throughout the entire ordeal, A-Nian didn't utter a single sound. Every time she appeared in front of Nalan Jingwen, she forced a smile, as if nothing was wrong. But behind that smile lay more than a dozen sleepless nights, a trembling body hidden beneath her robes, and lips bitten until they bled.
"...It's okay, sister."
Nalan Jingwen's hand was gently hooked by cold fingertips. He looked down and caught a glimpse of the wrist, which was so thin it was almost bony.
She looked up and gazed into those pure, clear eyes, which, like glass, reflected the solemn expression on her face.
Nalan Jingwen grasped his hand, "Does it hurt?"
Ah Nian shook her head gently, her movements a little stiff, her voice obedient.
"Sister, it doesn't hurt."
Feeling his trembling hands and unsteady body, Nalan Jingwen finally lifted the curtain and said to the outside, "Let's find an inn to rest for the night and set off again tomorrow!"
"Yes!"
Ah Nian paused, her reaction somewhat slowed by the pain in her body. Her long, raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled, and her lips parted slightly.
Nalan Jingwen moved closer to him, "If you're really feeling unwell, lean on me."
Seeing this, Ah Nian didn't say anything, but leaned on her with the last of his strength. He was in so much pain that every part of his body ached, and he didn't even have the strength to speak. This simple action had already exhausted all his strength.