52 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

Chapter 52: Embrace "Master, why are you pulling me back?" Ning Song Wu didn't turn to look at Ran Fan Yin, feeling a sour and bitter ache in his heart. Ran Fan Yin opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. Snapping back to reality, she started to regret acting on impulse. What did this gesture signify? Was it an attempt to make him stay? How could she back down from this situation? Ning Song Wu tried to withdraw his hand, but Ran Fan Yin, sensing his movement, only gripped his hand tighter. "Master... what are you trying to do?" Ning Song Wu turned around, meeting Ran Fan Yin's gaze. Ran Fan Yin hesitated, her gaze evasive: "I... should be asking you that. Why are you out here in the middle of the night?" "Nothing much, I took a wrong turn, so I'm heading back now," Ning Song Wu replied calmly. "Mm..." Ran Fan Yin was momentarily speechless but didn't want to let Ning Song Wu leave, though she didn't know why. Dropping her eyes, she saw the Phoenix Feather Sword at Ning Song Wu's waist and asked quietly, "How does this sword feel in your hand?" Ning Song Wu was taken aback, his gaze lowering to the sword, causing a pang of pain in his heart. "Very good. Any sword given by Uncle Jiang Yue is naturally excellent." Ran Fan Yin sighed in relief but felt a twinge of sadness. Slowly releasing Ning Song Wu's hand, she said gently: "If you say it's good, then it's good. Don't laugh at me anymore." Ning Song Wu shook his head with a faint smile. "This is no laughing matter," Lin Yu Xue said, opening her plain folding fan and toying with it. "But there's something more important that I need to tell you... Besides enjoying ourselves on this trip, we must also keep an eye on the people there." Lin Yu Xue shared her earlier speculations with Ran Fan Yin and Ning Song Wu. "This matter is far from simple. The Burning Heaven Sect has secretly infiltrated the Central Plains for a long time and is now gradually pushing towards the northern borders. The extravagant patrons at the Floating Jade Pavilion may be connected to the Burning Heaven Sect. Zhongyang City, being the gateway between the northern borders and the Central Plains, is bustling with a mix of people, making it a rich source of information," Lin Yu Xue said slowly. "In that case, we need to gather more intelligence on those people," Ran Fan Yin pondered for a moment and then asked, "About the Floating Jade Pavilion you mentioned, what is it?" "It's a place for dining and entertainment. You'll know once you get there," Lin Yu Xue smiled. The carriage entered the southeastern corner of Zhongyang City and soon stopped in front of an opulently decorated building. It was already afternoon, and many beautiful women stood at the entrance of the Floating Jade Pavilion, their soft and sweet voices charming passersby. Lin Yu Xue was the first to alight, followed by Ning Song Wu, who helped Ran Fan Yin down. A young woman in red quickly approached, her face blooming into a smile at the sight of the three handsomely dressed youths. "Oh, esteemed guests! You must be here for the Floating Jade Pavilion. Please come inside and relax. Let me make arrangements for you." Ran Fan Yin glanced around and quickly understood what kind of place this was. The red-dressed woman persistently tried to grab her arm, but Ran Fan Yin shot her a cold look, making the woman pause and snort before turning to grab Ning Song Wu's arm, clad in blue. Ning Song Wu, surprised yet curious, stared at the heavily made-up woman in front of him, letting her hold his arm: "Sister, you are very beautiful." "This young master's words are so sweet, calling me sister warms my heart!" The red-dressed woman flirtatiously brushed Ning Song Wu's face with her handkerchief. "With your handsome looks, I'll find you the most beautiful girl in our pavilion." Lin Yu Xue stifled a laugh, thinking to herself that she had predicted this. She handed over some money: "Enough chit-chat. Find us a nice private room with good food and drink." The red-dressed woman took the money with a smile and led the three into the Floating Jade Pavilion. Inside, the pavilion was spacious and lavishly decorated. Red curtains with golden embroidery depicting peonies and phoenixes divided the main hall. An incense with a soothing fragrance filled the air. Despite being a place of revelry, the main hall retained a certain elegance. Turning a corner, Ning Song Wu saw an iron beast resembling a tiger but with a bull's tail guarding a private room's entrance. Curious, he asked, "Why is this strange-looking tiger here?" Lin Yu Xue smiled: "That's not a tiger. Didn't you notice its bull's tail? The Nan Ci Erjing records: 'To the east for five hundred li, there is the Floating Jade Mountain. Looking north, you see Juchu and looking east, Zhubi. There is a beast here, which looks like a tiger with a bull's tail and sounds like a barking dog. Its name is Zhi.'" Lin Yu Xue handed some more small tips to the red-dressed woman, who grew even more delighted and left contentedly. "According to her, the mysterious person should be in the Taihu Pavilion. Let's not rush; let's enjoy our time here for now and gather as much information from the ladies as we can. Wu Ji's people are around, and I've given orders that they'll follow your commands as well." Lin Yu Xue casually placed her fan on the table and started to toy with a white jade mask. "You never mentioned that the Floating Jade Pavilion was such a depraved place," Ran Fan Yin squinted at Lin Yu Xue. "Use your head," Lin Yu Xue responded with a smile, "The person we're after is smart enough to frequent a place like this to gather information. Don’t you realize how quickly news spreads here?" She shook her head and rose, heading out. "I have some matters to arrange; I'll be back." As soon as Lin Yu Xue left, the red-dressed woman returned, leading five or six beautiful women dressed in thin, alluring clothes, each wearing a seductive expression. "The one in blue left, so you two young masters get to choose from these ladies," the red-dressed woman said with a glittering smile. Ning Song Wu, recalling Lin Yu Xue's advice, quickly asked, "Which of these sisters is the most popular with the guests?" A woman in a yellow dress stepped forward with a charming laugh, bowing slightly: "I'm Duan Xi, favored by many. Young master, might you need my company?" "This little master is quite perceptive," the red-dressed woman laughed, "knowing that popular ladies are more skillful. Duan Xi, don't just stand there. Handsome young masters like this don't come by every day, go on." Duan Xi smiled charmingly and approached, her hands soft as feathers grazing Ning Song Wu's face, her presence intoxicating. She slid beside him, gripping his neck. The red-dressed woman sidled up to the long-silent Ran Fan Yin with a smile: "And for you, white-clothed young master..." "Leave," Ran Fan Yin placed her tea cup down, releasing a wave of true energy. Her cold gaze made the red-dressed woman shiver and snort in disapproval before leading the girls away. Duan Xi stayed close to Ning Song Wu, their breaths mingling. Her fingers delicately brushed his face, her expression enraptured, "Young master, you're more beautiful than any girl in this pavilion..." Ning Song Wu quickly grasped Duan Xi's hand, his face flushed. He glanced awkwardly at Ran Fan Yin, who grew increasingly tense, and gently pushed Duan Xi away: "Miss Duan Xi, please sit." Duan Xi pouted playfully, "Why push me? Don't you like my embrace?" She moved closer again, swaying her hips, trying to hold Ning Song Wu, who pushed back, tangling with her. Ran Fan Yin slammed her teacup onto the table, causing the tea to spill, drawing both Duan Xi and Ning Song Wu's attention. "The tea is cold. Get a new cup," Ran Fan Yin's icy voice commanded, pushing the cup forward. Duan Xi scoffed but complied, getting up to fetch fresh tea. Ning Song Wu worriedly reached under the table to hold Ran Fan Yin's hand, only for her to pull away swiftly. Feeling a sharp pang in his heart, Ning Song Wu quickly embraced her, pulling her into his arms. Ran Fan Yin instinctively resisted, but Ning Song Wu held her tight: "Don't move, let me hold you." Ran Fan Yin closed her eyes, her hands weakly hanging by her sides, consumed by guilt and struggling against societal norms. Tears stung her eyes as she shut them. "Master, have you healed?" Ning Song Wu asked softly at her ear. "Yes..." Ran Fan Yin bit her lip hard, fighting the urge to cry every time Ning Song Wu touched her. "Who was that person earlier? The Young Master? Are you close to him?" Ning Song Wu's voice was gentle. "He has nothing to do with you," Ran Fan Yin answered, her voice trembling from the emotions she struggled to contain. Ning Song Wu smiled faintly: "Nothing to do with me... nothing ever does..." Ran Fan Yin pushed him away forcefully: "Enough, leave." Ning Song Wu's eyes reddened, holding back tears. He stepped forward, grabbed Ran Fan Yin's shoulders, and pushed her against the wall, his face inches from hers. Ran Fan Yin didn't resist, her chin trembling. Her eyes, closed tightly, allowed a tear to escape and trail down her cheek. Ning Song Wu's nose was so close to touching Ran Fan Yin's, yet it stopped just short. Was she pushing her master? She loved her master so much, it pained her to see her suffer. And now, she was the one causing her this turmoil? "I'm sorry..." Ning Song Wu's voice choked with emotion, her hands trembling as she cupped Ran Fan Yin's face, pressing her forehead against hers, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." "Ning Song Wu..." Ran Fan Yin opened her eyes, revealing her soft, light-brown pupils that resembled withered tea leaves, "Lin Yu Xue... she's just my friend..." "..." Ning Song Wu hugged Ran Fan Yin, burying her face in her shoulder. It was a gesture she had done many times as a child, seeking solace in her master's embrace when she was at her most vulnerable. Ran Fan Yin gently patted Ning Song Wu's back, feeling her pain. She, too, felt sorrow, but didn't know how to address it, how to face it. It had been too long since she had properly spent time with Ning Song Wu. She had overlooked so much, neglecting Ning Song Wu's struggles, forgetting that she was still just a child, and ignoring her growth from a child to now. "It's very late. Stay at Rongku Pavilion tonight and rest," Ran Fan Yin whispered soothingly. She didn't respond, just took another bite of the candied hawthorn from Ning Song Wu's hand. After a moment, with the hawthorn still in her mouth, she muttered, "Do you... find me boring?" Ning Song Wu chuckled, "You asked me this when you first came down from Kunlun. Do you really care that much about this question?" "In the past, I've heard many people say similar things." "Then why were you never concerned before and only now care about it?" "In the past, it was them. Now, it's you," Ran Fan Yin's voice softened, tinged with a hidden warmth, "But I... after all, have been the sect master for so many years..." Ning Song Wu knew what Ran Fan Yin was trying to say and interrupted, "Then tell me, what am I to you?" Ran Fan Yin contemplated for a moment, replying, "My disciple." Unable to help herself, Ran Fan Yin let out a soft laugh and shook her head, "Why are you being so ridiculous? If you're not Ning Song Wu, then who are you?" “It's not the same. That's just my name; I could have many names," Ning Song Wu suddenly stopped, pulling Ran Fan Yin to a halt as well, "But I have only one identity." Ran Fan Yin stopped in her tracks, quietly looking at Ning Song Wu's face. Her expression was like the surface of a lake in early winter, covered with a thin layer of ice, but beneath it flowed warm, gentle waters. Most people only saw the ice, but one person saw the delicate softness beneath. Ning Song Wu glanced around with the corner of her eye. It was early, and the small path was deserted. She closed in on Ran Fan Yin, pinning her against an ancient brick wall, their bodies tightly pressed together. She used her chin to rest on Ran Fan Yin's shoulder, her lips lightly grazing her ear, and in a low voice, she whispered: "I am your wife." Ran Fan Yin's ears turned bright red from the moist heat of her breath. "I love you, so you don't have to worry about being boring. I love everything about you. You can be the sect master to everyone else, but you are only my wife. The one person you don't need to worry about is me. Because I love you, I can spoil you, protect you, and forgive you unconditionally." Ran Fan Yin closed her eyes, tilting her face to touch Ning Song Wu's lips in a restrained, tender kiss. Ning Song Wu slightly opened her eyes, observing the trembling of Ran Fan Yin's eyelashes seriously. She had perhaps foreseen something, so she said she would forgive her unconditionally. She was comforting Ran Fan Yin and also hinting to herself that this was the woman she loved, and she should not be angry with her no matter what happened. The thought buried deep in her heart felt like a young sprout trying to break through the soil, waiting for the right moment or a long enough time to fully emerge. Ning Song Wu lightly bit Ran Fan Yin's lips, the soft and cold touch laced with the sweetness of the sugar coating from candied hawthorn, making it impossible to apply more force or to stop at a mere taste. Loving to the extreme, and thus feeling the most heartache. Ran Fan Yin pondered for a moment and asked, "The missing ones are all skilled in martial arts?" "Not just that, they are highly skilled." "Don't jump to conclusions. In any case, I will surely accompany you to Luanhua Valley and address it there." Lin Yu Xue nodded, a bitter smile on her face. "My father's health is deteriorating, and there are many matters in the valley. I..." "You're so young, yet you've taken on so much responsibility. It's truly tough. Ordinary women your age are already married with children, living carefree lives. And yet you, more than many men, have so many worries." Ran Fan Yin patted Lin Yu Xue's shoulder. Lin Yu Xue looked at Ran Fan Yin's hand and after a moment, turned and smiled, "Are we friends now? If we don’t see each other for a long time, will you forget me again?" Ran Fan Yin smiled back, "Of course we are friends. I don’t have many friends, so I won't forget easily." "I saw you once when I was a child, and again many years ago, but you didn’t remember me. Now, I just wish that when we meet again, you'll still recognize me, and I'll be content." Lin Yu Xue looked away, her voice soft. "In the future, you'll be the master of the largest sect in the Central Plains, and everyone will know you." As they spoke, Ning Song Wu came down from the carriage in fresh clothes. She wore a moon-white, crested patterned dress, her long, loose hair like black obsidian. Her maturing features exuded a serene elegance and gentleness, a hint of noble grace emerging, like the sun veiled by clouds—radiant but not blinding. She held her long hair in one hand and a wooden comb in the other, smiling from afar at Ran Fan Yin: "Master, help me comb my hair." Ran Fan Yin's gaze softened as it fell on Ning Song Wu. She walked over and stood in front of her. Ning Song Wu glanced at Lin Yu Xue in the distance, "I just saw a stream off the road. I'd like to wash my face there, just a moment. Could the young master wait?" Lin Yu Xue nodded in silent agreement. Ning Song Wu smiled at Ran Fan Yin, and the two walked into the woods by the carriage, heading toward the stream. Reaching the stream, Ning Song Wu found a clean spot to sit, splashing water on her face without drying it. She then dipped her slender feet into the water. Ran Fan Yin stood behind her, gently combing Ning Song Wu's long hair. Her hair was so long that it draped over the clean rocks behind her. She tilted her head slightly, sunlight filtering down, casting a glow on her wet eyelashes and making even the fine hairs on her sideburns appear clearly defined. "Master, what did the young master say to you?" Ning Song Wu asked. Ran Fan Yin focused on Ning Song Wu's slightly tilted face and answered slowly, "Recently, some events in her valley seem related to the Burning Heaven Sect. She wants me to go to Luanhua Valley to assist her." "This trip was intended to go to Luanhua Valley anyway." Ning Song Wu leaned back into Ran Fan Yin's embrace, tilting her head with a happy smile. Ran Fan Yin's long hair draped down, brushing against Ning Song Wu's brow. "Sit properly; your hair isn't finished," Ran Fan Yin tapped Ning Song Wu's forehead. "Master, when was the last time you helped me comb my hair?" Ning Song Wu rubbed her head against Ran Fan Yin's embrace, eyes closed in comfort, "I love it when you comb my hair, even though you're so clumsy. It used to take forever just to make one simple hairstyle." "Insolent," Ran Fan Yin smiled slightly, pinching Ning Song Wu's cheeks. Ning Song Wu removed a hair tie from her wrist, handing it to Ran Fan Yin: "Here, this is the first one you ever used to tie my hair." Ran Fan Yin accepted it, only to have Ning Song Wu grasp her wrist. Ning Song Wu held Ran Fan Yin's slender wrist, frowning at the evident scar in the sunlight. Ran Fan Yin chuckled at her expression, "What, do you find it ugly?" "Yes, I despise it," Ning Song Wu wrinkled her nose, bringing Ran Fan Yin's wrist to her lips, gently nibbling on it. "Stop that, it tickles. Sit properly, or I'll get angry." Ran Fan Yin continued to comb Ning Song Wu's hair, her voice tinged with amusement. "Angry about what... It's when you talk to other women that I get angry..." Ning Song Wu mumbled. Ran Fan Yin walked towards her bedchamber, noticing Ning Song Wu still following her. She turned back: "Why aren't you going to your own room to sleep?" Ning Song Wu stared directly at her, saying nothing, her eyes red like a rabbit's. Ran Fan Yin sighed, "Come in." Obediently, Ning Song Wu followed Ran Fan Yin into her bedchamber. The maids in Ran Fan Yin's quarters were accustomed to Ning Song Wu's frequent visits and knew what to say or not say. Without waiting for instructions, they sensibly withdrew. "Get to bed quietly, and don't say a word," Ran Fan Yin instructed briefly. She glanced at Ning Song Wu, hesitated, then slowly reached for her own garments, gradually removing her outer robe. Ning Song Wu considerately looked away, also unfastening her own outer robe and carefully placing the Phoenix Feather Sword aside on a chair. Feeling awkward, Ran Fan Yin watched Ning Song Wu and then, equally uneasily, climbed into bed. They had shared a bed many times before, but that was when their relationship was purely innocent. Now, with Ning Song Wu having openly expressed her more complex feelings, it felt so strange... As Ning Song Wu finished removing her robe and climbed into bed, Ran Fan Yin awkwardly suggested, "Perhaps... I should call for another quilt for the maids to bring..." "Is Master that averse to me? Didn't we always share one quilt before?" Ning Song Wu retorted nonchalantly, slipping under the only quilt on the bed without hesitation. Ran Fan Yin found herself at a loss for words and could only quietly lay down, maintaining a distance of a palm's length between herself and Ning Song Wu. The atmosphere grew quiet and tense. After a long while, Ning Song Wu lightly sneezed, her voice plaintive, "Master, why are you so far away? The quilt let the wind in. The nights here in the north are much colder than those in the Central Plains." Hearing this, Ran Fan Yin moved closer to Ning Song Wu and silently reached out to pull the quilt tighter over her. In an instant, Ning Song Wu grabbed Ran Fan Yin's hand, letting out a soft exhale, "Your hand is so cold, and you're still worried about me?" Ran Fan Yin felt her ears heat up again and instinctively pulled back slightly. Ning Song Wu, holding Ran Fan Yin, flipped over and nestled into her embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around Ran Fan Yin's slender waist. Through the thin fabric, she could faintly feel the well-defined, attractive contours of her abdominal muscles. "Master... is my body warm enough?" Ning Song Wu murmured softly. Ran Fan Yin, touching her own burning cheeks, dared not answer, but also didn't pull away from Ning Song Wu's embrace. "If you're satisfied... then just hold me and sleep peacefully..." Ning Song Wu whispered, finding a comfortable position in Ran Fan Yin's embrace, closing her eyes to fall asleep. After a long time, Ran Fan Yin still could not sleep. However, she could hear Ning Song Wu's deep and steady breaths, indicating that the little heater in her arms was already sound asleep. Ran Fan Yin exhaled deeply, gently lifting her head to tuck Ning Song Wu's exposed arm under the quilt, carefully adjusting the edges to keep the cold northern winds at bay. Finally, Ran Fan Yin rested her hand lightly on Ning Song Wu's back and closed her eyes quietly. No popup ads, permanent website address.