Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 82 Miss Ning's Success!

When Yun Mo'er returned to her room to report to Ning He, Ning He had already finished bathing and changing.

In the misty air, Ning He's eyes drooped.

Thinking of Meng Lang that evening, a smile played on her lips as she combed her hair.

Seeing this, Yun Mo'er asked curiously, "Miss, what's making you so happy?"

Ning He immediately stopped smiling and asked Lu Zhiyan.

"How is the general?"

"Miss, the general just returned to the manor and found that there wasn't a single lamp lit. He seemed quite angry."

Yun Mo'er spoke with a hint of worry in her voice.

Ning He sneered inwardly. Lu Zhiyan had already gone out to find Su Yunjin, and she was still waiting for him with the lamp lit?

Do you think you're some kind of despicable person?

"Ignore him, I'm tired, you can leave."

Yun Mo'er agreed and bowed as she left.

Ning He looked at the girl who had served her since childhood and couldn't help but sigh.

She still thought that since they had grown up together, their relationship was different, and Yun Mo'er would always stand by her side.

But now it seems she was too confident!

Lu Zhiyan and Su Yunjin are taking advantage of her, but Yun Mo'er still feels sorry for Lu Zhiyan.

It must be because she's been with him for so long that she's developed feelings for Lu Zhiyan.

Fortunately, I am always quick-witted, and I noticed that something was wrong with Yun Mo'er, so I stopped trusting her.

Ning He kept things like sneaking out of the mansion to steal perfume and jade completely secret.

However, Xie Yuan is too shy to accept gifts with his imperial credentials, and Ning He has not yet succeeded.

To achieve your goal, you'll need to go several more times.

It's all for the sake of the children!

Ning He would never admit that Xie Yuan was somewhat charming.

……

For several days in a row, Lu Zhiyan did not leave the General's Mansion.

Ning He always said she was going back to her parents' home when she went out, and Lu Zhiyan didn't dare to ask too many questions, since he was in the wrong first.

Inside the Imperial Music Bureau in the capital.

In a quiet little courtyard, Xie Yuan was practicing calligraphy.

On the Xuan paper, his characters are vigorous and powerful, like pine and cypress.

Ning He pushed the door open and came in at that moment: "Practicing calligraphy again?"

"It is said that one's handwriting reflects one's character. Your calligraphy is of the highest quality in terms of style and integrity. If it were to spread, it would surely cause a sensation in the capital."

When Xie Yuan saw Ning He, a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes, but he said calmly, "There are countless people in the capital who are skilled in calligraphy, and masters are as numerous as hairs on a cow. My calligraphy is nothing special."

Ning He walked over with a smile and directly grasped Xie Yuan's right hand, which was holding the pen.

"Really? But I love your handwriting the most."

Xie Yuan immediately felt the calluses on Ning He's palms and knuckles as her long, slender fingers enveloped him.

That was left by Ning He when he practiced riding and archery since childhood.

Seeing Xie Yuan's gaze fall on the back of her hand, Ning He asked, "What's wrong? Is my hand ugly?"

"Yue Li and I have been playing in the training ground since we were little. Over the years, the calluses on our hands have never disappeared."

Xie Yuan blushed and whispered, "No, don't misunderstand, your hands aren't ugly."

Ning He smiled, took Xie Yuan's hand, and wrote two characters on the Xuan paper.

"Xie Yuan."

his name.

Ning He was the one who wrote these two characters. As she wrote, the rough calluses on her hands rubbed against Xie Yuan's hand.

The strange tingling sensation that started from the back of my hand spread along my arm and throughout my body.

A word came to mind for Xie Yuan.

Whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Then, he felt a pang of sadness and scolded himself for overthinking.

What is his identity, and what is Ning He's identity?

It was just writing two words together, and he actually wanted to be intimate with me...

Xie Yuan, you are hardly a gentleman.

Ning He stood behind Xie Yuan, watching his ears turn red and then gradually return to normal.

I chuckled softly. This person is really awkward.

"Xie Yuan, there were hidden circumstances surrounding the Xie family's case back then. However, the court was rife with complex and intertwined power struggles. Despite my father's best efforts, he was still unable to clear the name of the family..."

Before Ning He could finish her explanation, Xie Yuan interrupted her.

“Miss Ning, if it weren’t for the protection of the Prime Minister, my Xie family would have died out.”

"I, Xie Yuan, can never repay this kindness in my lifetime. The Prime Minister is getting old and is gradually retiring from the court."

"If it weren't for the Xie family's affairs, I would have already returned home in glory."

As Xie Yuan spoke, he looked up at Ning He, his eyes filled with gratitude and reluctance.

“Miss Ning, actually, I’ve always wanted to say that the Xie family matter… let’s just leave it at that.”

Ning He's expression showed a moment of surprise, followed by a gradual change to anger.

She abandoned her previous tender demeanor and said in a chilling tone, "Xie Yuan, how could you be so cowardly?"

“My father and Uncle Xie were close friends. Back then, when Lord Xie was wrongly accused of colluding with the Great Chu to betray the country, my father was the only one in the entire court who did not believe it.”

"Although the Great Chu was destroyed, your Xie family was sentenced to be executed. My father, bearing the crime of deceiving the emperor, saved you, a mere child, and hid you in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district).

"For more than a decade, he never gave up on exonerating the Xie family. Even with his temples turning gray, he continued to send people to search for old acquaintances from the Great Chu."

"And now you're saying this? The Xie family matter... is that it?"

"Xie Yuan, you have disappointed me greatly!"

Xie Yuan's eyes were dim, and tears welled up in them, but he tried hard to control his emotions, making himself appear indifferent and calm.

"Miss Ning, please don't be angry. This will not happen again in the future."

The tone of his words was calm, but Ning He sensed a deathly intent in them.

She couldn't hold back any longer and slapped Xie Yuan across the face.

Snapped!

After the crisp sound, red marks appeared, making Xie Yuan's face look even paler.

"Fine, Xie Yuan, if you want to die, then go ahead and die."

"I want to see how you, after hiding in this brothel for over a decade and achieving nothing, will face the unjustly deceased Xie family in the afterlife."

"Lord Xie was a strategist throughout his life, and he and my father were known as the two wise men of the Great Zhou. When all sides were vying for the Central Plains, it was because of Lord Xie and my father that the Great Zhou was able to finally win the throne."

"Now his only son is preparing to die in disgrace, carrying the Xie family's grievances."

Ning He became extremely emotional at this point, and her lips were trembling.

"Very well, Xie Yuan! It's all thanks to your Xie family's misfortune that I married such a coward. Otherwise, what hope would I have for this life?"

“I’m afraid you won’t stand up for me even if I suffer mistreatment or injustice from others.”

Ning He spoke as if she had already broken down emotionally.

As her shoulders trembled, tears streamed down her face.

Xie Yuan had never seen Ning He so vulnerable.

He panicked instantly, looking at Ning He's tears, feeling helpless.

"You...you mustn't do this, I misspoke..."

Ning He's tears were unstoppable; she sobbed intermittently.

“Our two families are close friends. If you were still alive, how could Lu Zhiyan dare to bully me?”

"Waaaaah... He brought Su Yunjin into the house and forced me to back down."

"Now that you're threatening me with my life, why should I live on?"

"I will not compete with Su Yunjin for the position of general's wife, nor will I get involved with you, Xie Yuan, in a way that would be despicable to you."

“I will go back now, tear off three feet of white silk and hang it on the roof beam to end this life’s suffering.”

Ning He's tone was resolute, yet fragile, as if it would break at the slightest touch.

Xie Yuan's hands and feet turned icy cold. Just imagining what Ning He had said made him feel as if he were falling into endless darkness.

Overwhelmed by panic, Xie Yuan found himself reaching out to touch Ning He's shoulder as if possessed.

Ning He's eyes lit up, and she threw herself into Xie Yuan's arms, sobbing softly.

Xie Yuan was tense all over, but he didn't dare to push her away.

All he could do was gently pat Ning He's back to comfort her.

Ning He raised her head as she cried, her face streaked with tears and her lips were bright red, making Xie Yuan's breath catch in his throat.

"Xie Yuan... Xie Yuan..."

As she was called softly, Ning He stood on tiptoe.

Under Ning He's deliberate guidance, Xie Yuan gradually lost his way.

Before Ning He's last shred of reason vanished, a smile appeared on her face.

"A woman's crying can also be a weapon."

Aunt Zhou is absolutely right.

She finally stole Xie Yuan, this precious gem!