Golden branches and jade leaves

Chapter 29 Dripping water into ice
Time passed in the quiet waiting, and a figure emerged from the entrance of the cave.It was Ni Tingxuan who came back.Thinking that the last moment of her life was actually spent under the eyes of the son of the enemy, Su Mi laughed at herself.

When he came in and saw Su Mi's ashen face, Ni Tingxuan was taken aback, he hurriedly stepped forward to help her up, just as he was about to raise his true energy, his dantian felt pain like a needle prick, and his figure couldn't help shaking.

Feeling the warm breath behind him, suddenly, Su Mi got some strength and swung it violently.

"Don't touch me!" Her voice was shrill and desperate, "Don't touch me!" She didn't want the slightest bit of this person's kindness.

Before touching her body, the palm was thrown away violently.Even though the strength was not much stronger than that of a kitten, the determination and disgust in it were still conveyed very clearly, which made Ni Tingxuan's heart tighten slightly. Sure enough, after she woke up, she would not allow such rudeness from an ordinary man.

She tried to push him away, far away, but the body that had completely lost its strength only struggled weakly a few times, like a kitten rubbing against him.

Ni Tingxuan felt sad for a while, he was so disgusted by others that she let her reject him like this.He stepped back a little as he said, and covered Su Mi's clothes.

After barely taking a few breaths, Su Mi turned her head and looked at him vigilantly. Only then did she realize that he had just gone out for a while, and there were some scratches on his body. Was he just looking for a way out?Want to jump off a cliff?What a fool, that's just a waste of energy. With his kung fu, there should be no problem waiting for the rescue.

I am just an ordinary concubine, although the rescue this time is not effective, according to Qi Taki's temperament, I am afraid that his position as the commander of the guards will be lost, but with his father who has made great military achievements, his life will definitely be safe. After a few years, you can be promoted back up again, why bother with such effort, what is more important than life?

The blood on his body was scattered due to being soaked in water.Almost all of his clothes were soaked. From the sound of his footsteps when he walked out just now, Su Mi could clearly hear that he was no longer as brisk and natural as usual, and seemed stagnant. He must have suffered serious internal injuries.The thin clothes cling to the young and straight body. Although there is no trace of trace on the outside, but according to his injury, I am afraid that every step will be painful.

My heart suddenly softened, saying that when people are about to die, their words are good, forget it, I am about to die, any hatred, any arrogance, will disappear with my own life.He also said that he could not be favored by the enemy even if he died.

She felt like she was exhaling what little life force she had left with every breath she took.She tried her best to keep herself awake, but the ubiquitous cold surrounded her like invisible hands, pulling her, making her unable to break free, and she was about to sink again.

She wanted to shake her head to show that she was awake, but the lingering sense of exhaustion still began to envelope her.

No, she can't die, she can't die like this, how should she see her relatives below.

Feeling that Ni Tingxuan's eager eyes fell on her body as if in reality, Su Mi suddenly smiled, "Tell me about yourself, Deputy Commander Ni." She said softly.

He was surprised by the sudden words for a moment, and then the words of Deputy Commander Ni made him feel unspeakably bitter.

"I..." He stared blankly at Su Mi, unable to react for a while, "My matter?"

"Yeah, tell me and I'll listen." Su Mi said casually.If there is nothing to attract my attention, I will pass out like this, and I will never be able to wake up again.

"Are you Ni Yuan's eldest son?" Su Mi asked.

Unaware that Su Mi was addressing his father's name unceremoniously, Ni Tingxuan nodded: "I am my father's first son, but I am not born in the same family. My mother is..." Ni Tingxuan hesitated for a moment.

"Isn't your mother Princess Jingchang?" Su Mi asked unconsciously.

Ni Yuan's wife is the daughter of the Wu family, one of the most famous families in Daqi.Ni Yuan was originally a well-known young hero of the Liang State, who was born in a wealthy family. More than 20 years ago, before the Liang State was destroyed, he married Princess Liang. Not long after the wedding, the Qi State attacked the Liang State. The respected Ni Yuan actually surrendered to Daqi, and the princess he had just married naturally died in the chaos of war "naturally".

At that time, the situation was tense, and in order to win over this surrender, Emperor Wu of Qi specially granted him a marriage.Originally wanted to marry a princess, but unfortunately there were no unmarried princesses of the right age in the court of Daqi at that time, and the Wang family, the No. They chose a young lady, made her Princess Jingchang, and gave Ni Yuan a marriage.This princess is Concubine Ni's biological mother, and Su Mi has also met her before. She often visits Ni Yelin in the harem. She is a beautiful, wealthy and arrogant woman.

"My mother is not such a noble woman," Ni Tingxuan smiled bitterly, and continued: "My mother came from a humble background..." Suddenly, this kind of heart that even his close friend Mu Qinghan had never mentioned His secret was uttered smoothly in this way, and he couldn't help being surprised in his heart.

"Keep talking, don't stop," Su Mi said, her almost moaning voice was mixed with rapid gasps.

"My mother is a very gentle woman, she..." Ni Tingxuan's clear and slightly hoarse voice continued to sound.A strange atmosphere spread. In this isolated cave, there were no masters and servants, no concubines and guards, only two people who were in trouble together, whispering the memorable past.

"...Father is very strict with me. When I was young, I learned martial arts from my father. His requirements have always been very strict." Ni Tingxuan's words were slightly stagnant. In fact, Ni Yuan has two sons. , or doting mostly, seldom reprimanded and scolded, only myself, who was almost harshly demanded since childhood, no matter whether it is martial arts, art of war, or knowledge in all aspects, if there is a trace of burnout, ranging from scolding to scolding, to beating, punishing and kneeling .Regarding his younger brother who was not a few months younger than him and his younger sister Ni Yelin who was born later, Ni Yuan never had too high demands, and his attitude was always pleasant.

In the cold winter, the younger siblings enjoy the consolation and refreshments of their wife in the warm room together.But he has been practicing and studying in the cold snow.Only very rarely would Ni Yuan be satisfied with his performance.

"Yeah," Su Mi let out a soft cry. For the first time, she realized that perhaps she deeply hated the enemy, and that Ni Yuan, whom she had always wanted to kill, was also a person, a person with joys, sorrows, sorrows, and relatives. rather than just an abstract symbol.

"...Later, they arranged for me to enter the palace as a bodyguard, and stayed in the palace all the time." Ni Tingxuan said flatly.

In fact, he was arranged to enter the palace to become a bodyguard. Compared to his younger brother who followed his father in the army to fight and kill, and made meritorious service, his future was of course much bleak.Mu Qinghan even often complained that he didn't know how to fight for it, but he had a great family background and opportunities, but he just entered the palace and became the bodyguard of this suffocating man, annoyed by a group of eunuchs all day long.

Now the state of Qi is in a period of rising. At this time, military merit is the most important. Wealth and wealth are sought in danger. Once outstanding military merits are achieved, even if the background is a little inferior, it is no longer a matter of being named a marquis and Jinjue. The history of the Wang family and the Wu family seems to be The long-standing Daqi famous family, if you get to the bottom of it, isn't that how wealth and titles are created?

Mu Qinghan's dream is to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds, to revitalize the family, and she is often indignant about the unfair treatment her friends receive.On the contrary, Ni Tingxuan himself did not have any complaints about this. He originally hated those battlefield killings and those unnecessary bloody fights, and this was also what Ni Yuan was most dissatisfied with, often saying that he was not domineering enough.

But not long after he went to the battlefield, Ni Tingwei, his dear brother who was loved by his family, died on the battlefield. Although he was also decreed by the emperor himself afterwards, he was posthumously named Wu Shenghou, and he was buried in a grand burial, but people cannot be resurrected after death. I don't know if it's because of this, Ni Yuan has become more and more strict with him recently.Let yourself not even have time to serve your mother.He couldn't help thinking of his mother, although she wasn't Ni Yuan's wife and was always ignored at home, but...

"My mother..." Ni Tingxuan's tone was vague and warm, "She was very kind to me, although her background was very humble," Ni Tingxuan's tone trembled a little.

When he was young, he didn't remember anything, but when he grew up, he realized that his mother was a prostitute that everyone despised. It is said that she came to his father's door when the grand wedding that caused a sensation in Qi Jing to marry a famous daughter from Da Qi was going on. Yes, with a child like himself who is not yet full moon.It was quite a discussion.

As for why Ni Yuan didn't even have doubts about identification, he immediately recognized the son of a lowly prostitute as his own flesh and blood, which caused many servants to whisper, and also made the new wife very dissatisfied.

But Ni Yuan didn't explain anything. As long as he can remember, he and his mother lived together in a small courtyard in the back garden of Ni Mansion. Sometimes Ni Yuan would send someone to call him over to teach him martial arts carefully. , to teach him the art of war, but he has never once entered the courtyard where he lives, and has never seen his mother again.

He also suspected more than once that he might not really be his father's biological son, but why, his father didn't explain anything, and he didn't even send anyone to investigate, only relying on the words of a humble prostitute, he believed his own What about identity and lineage?

Doubts about the whispers of servants, and contempt for his own blood, made him suffer a lot in childhood, especially after his aunt gave birth to younger brothers and younger sisters one after another.

But with the reincarnation of the years, the discussion about whether he is Ni Yuan's biological son gradually and naturally subsided, and the same profound and outstanding facial features and handsome appearance have clearly told everyone his bloodline.

Trapped in memory, he hesitated for a moment, and said, "Mother used to be a happy woman who leaned on the door to sell her laughter." He didn't dare to look at Su Mi's thoughts, deeply fearing that he would be looked down upon in those bright eyes. filled with disgust.

"En," Su Mi responded slightly, without any emotion.
Ni Tingxuan turned his gaze anxiously, and looked at Su Mi's expression nervously. There was no trace of contempt in those clear eyes, so he felt relieved.

For the life experience that Ni Tingxuan just mentioned, Su Mi didn't have the strength to criticize or despise. Even if she had strength, she didn't have such thoughts.
For prostitutes, she doesn't have any condescending thoughts. What she is doing now is different from that of a prostitute. She is selling her luster and youth, pleasing men in exchange for her own survival.Moreover, what a prostitute earns is just money from customers, but what she wants is power and life, wealth and country.She is more unbearable and greedy than a prostitute.

Ni Tingxuan didn't hear the emotion contained in that voice, and then continued: "Before..."

Suddenly a severe cough interrupted his words, and Su Mi's face suddenly became strangely rosy.

"Stop talking." Knowing that her vitality was almost exhausted, Su Mi's thoughts became ethereal and empty, and she looked outside at the blue sky.

Perhaps the only thing to be thankful for is that he died outside the palace walls.However, she didn't want to die, she had survived countless times of life being worse than death, why did she fall down here?
All the sounds from the outside became blurred, and I vaguely heard Ni Tingxuan shouting something in my ear.

At this time, waves of light rippled on the distant lake, and a figure dressed in white snow lightly descended from the sky and landed on the lake, with an elegant demeanor, floating out of the dust, like a swan falling into its nest.

Is it a fairy or a black and white impermanence?Come pick me up into the underworld?Or was it a hallucination before his death?
Su Mi wanted to smile, but she lost the slightest bit of strength in her body, and the corners of her mouth seemed to be frozen, and she soon fell into a deep darkness.I just remember that in the end I fell into a warm place.This time, she didn't struggle to resist, and snuggled softly into the embrace of the person behind her.

Ni Tingxuan looked at the face in his arms, then raised his head blankly at the lake in the distance.

The monk who suddenly descended into this deep valley like a banished immortal, looked at the scene in front of him from a distance, and let out a long sigh...

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In the Palace of Mercy Ning, the Empress Dowager sat up straight and asked with a solemn expression: "What, you said you didn't see the corpse?"

"Yes, both of them fell off the cliff at that time. Although the villains also sent people to look for it, it was just that there was a cliff valley, and there was no way to find it. Objects like cables took too long, and it was inconvenient for me to wait for a long time, so after leaving a few smart people to investigate, the rest of the people evacuated back." The person kneeling at the bottom of the hand reported, Wearing an ordinary bodyguard uniform, he looks smart and capable.

"What about the rest?" asked the Queen Mother.

"It's all been resolved, no one is left alive, it's guaranteed to be flawless."

"Seamless clothes?!" The queen next to her yelled, and she asked sharply: "The two most important goals are not to see people alive and dead bodies. If the two of them survive, even if those things are irrelevant What's the use of taking care of all your slaves?"

"Well, ma'am, that cliff is more than a hundred feet high, and the terrain is dangerous. If you fall down, you may be crushed to pieces immediately. Moreover, the weather was as cold as ice, and Ni Tingxuan was seriously injured. It can't last for a day or two, even if people are sent to rescue immediately, there is no way to go to the cliff, and unless there is peerless lightness kung fu, there is no way to reach the bottom of the cliff in a short time. When the emperor sends people to go, they will just collect the corpses." The guard argued.

After hearing this, the queen felt a little calm.

The queen mother also nodded, and asked, "How are the traces at the scene handled?"

"The scene has been properly arranged according to the original plan. Those who planted the blame on the Donglianghui will definitely make Ni Yuan dumb and eat Coptis chinensis this time. I can't tell the pain."

In order to avenge the failed assassination of the last time, the members of the Dongliang Society searched and hunted the whole city. It is only reasonable to assassinate the imperial concubine Chejia this time. It can not only make Da Qi lose face, but also solve the son of the big enemy Ni Yuan , and the concubine who happened to meet at the meeting can only be considered unlucky.Naturally, it would kill two birds with one stone for the Wang family, not only getting rid of Su Mi, but also killing Ni Tingxuan.

"Well," the queen mother smiled with satisfaction, "that's very good, you go down first."

The guards under him bowed to leave.

The queen hesitated for a moment, then said, "My queen, I always feel uneasy."

"That's true. It's up to people to plan, but it's up to God to make things happen. Now that we haven't seen the bodies of those two people, we can't easily rest assured." The queen mother nodded and said: "It's been three hours since the end of the operation. In half a day, the emperor will know the news, so you go there in person to find out what the emperor has said, and learn about the situation by the way."

The queen stood up, and the queen mother said again: "If the emperor wants to go to Hanshan Temple to check in person, you can find an excuse to accompany you and play by ear."

The queen bowed her head and went away.

(End of this chapter)