Lightly nodding her head, Gui Wan hooks up a smile in appreciation, this general who just always carries three points of coldness, has given her a type of inexplicable sense of security, even across half the hall, standing opposite one another, she still trusts him.
Li gong-gong looks towards Lin Rui En in blame, thinking to himself, how could he come clean like that; turning his head, he says to Gui Wan: “Madam Lou, now that the matter can be said to be unclear, yet we have accepted imperial orders, returning just like this would be difficult to explain, his majesty has said prior to departure, if Prime Minister Lou cannot be found, then we shall wait, if Prime Minister Lou is to not show up for one day, then we shall wait a day, if this brings along inconveniences to Madam’s daily life……”
“Li gong-gong means to leave behind imperial troops within the Prime Minister Estate to monitor me?”
Shadily sounding a laugh, Li gong-gong laughingly says: “If Madam wants to think that way, then there is nothing that can be done, I too am helpless ah.”
Tightly pressing her lips together, Gui Wan’s sitting body has already turned completely ice-cold, the power struggle today, she practically has no escape route, could it be that she really has to be kept under house arrest, waiting until the very moment Lou Che shows up? The skies seems to have gotten colder, her entire body turning numb.
Everyone within the Prime Minister Estate all reveals a look of anxiety, the situation is pressing, the Prime Minister Estate right now has no military power, there is no one that can help them, and can only be trampled on by others. The situation once again falls into freezing point, fixed in deadlock.
Outside in the courtyard, a tall and slim figure approaches, jogging along the way to the hall’s doors, walking up to Li gong-gong’s side, whispering something into his ears.
Lin Rui En walks closer into the living room, walking up to ten steps away from Gui Wan: “Madam, her highness the Empress has just laid down a decree, inviting you to stay in the palace for a few days to accompany her.”
Li gong-gong says from the side: “Madam truly is blessed with good fortune, to even receive her highness the Empress’ loving grace right now.”
Upon hearing this, Gui Wan was neither worried nor joyful, leisurely calm to the point where she practically showed no expression, carefully thinking about it for a while, up until that Li gong-gong had already revealed an impatient look, and only then did she gradually stand up, slowly stepping into the centre of the living room, a shallow smile as she replies: “That being the case, I shall stay in the palace for a few days then.”
Lin Rui En makes a little nod of his head, stepping away three steps, he takes a good look at Gui Wan face of fatigue, wanting to speak up, but in the end he does not say anything, turning around towards the courtyard, he orders for half of the imperial troops to stay guarding the Prime Minister Estate, the other half to return to the palace.
Gui Wan silently watches, purposely making a sudden glance at that Li gong-gong’s deep and shady eyes, beckoning her hand to call for Ru Qing, Ru Ming too make preparations. Within the hectic scene, she quietly organises her mood, this really is a last resort decision, rather than being trapped within the Prime Minister Estate, every step difficult to make, it is much better to go into the palace. First of all, the most dangerous place is also the most safest place, not to mention that she had already laid down some handiwork within the palace, half a year of resting and reorganisation has already given her a little bit of dependence; second of all, she really wants to know the truth behind this matter, and is also very curious at the same time, does the truth lie within the palace?
“Madam,” Lin Rui En walks up to Gui Wan’s side breaking off her endless streams of wistful thinking, lightly saying in a quiet tone, “A horse carriage has already been prepared outside, you can leave now.”
Regaining her composure, Gui Wan sweetly reveals a smile, “General, thank you.” Her eyelids half-down completely obscuring those deep, unfathomable thoughts, also overlooking the cold general’s moment of absence.
Li gong-gong breathes in and out the cold air, whilst taking the lead. General Lin and Gui Wan slowly walks out of the hall, stepping onto the path of the plum woods, within the darkness, even the plum blossoms loses its colours, the emptiness leaving only the clear fragrance that soaks into the depths of one’s heart, other than the dots of firelight, the entire universe seems to have sunken into the darkness, Lin Rui En suddenly lowers his body, Gui Wan stops in her steps, watching him gradually raise his body again, picking up an embroidered handkerchief from the ground, passing it to her.