Chapter 298: Shadow in the Heart

Although her head ached, she still needed to face. Of course, Jing Wan has never thought about pretending to be an ostrich and not go meet him. On one hand, the consequences certainly will be even more serious, and on the other hand, in Jing Wans philosophy, if theres a problem, then it needs to be resolved. Dragging it on, or doing something else, was absolutely unacceptable. Moreover, that was her other half, seeing him uncomfortable and uneasy, Jing Wan was truly unable to be happy too.

As for the people that found them, how to explain to them, no matter what, all didnt need for her to personally appear, no?

Just, when Jing Wan found her way back, Li Hong Yuan wasnt in the room. Seemingly, this anger really was extraordinary intense.

After inquiring, turns out, no one knew where he went. The bodyguards that stayed behind, they all more or less had injuries on them, but this wasnt an excuse for them to rest. The reason why no one followed after was completely because a certain someone didnt allow it. That appearance like he was about to devour someone really wasnt something an ordinary person can withstand, and they usually will always unconditionally follow orders, so at this time, they can only hang their heads and stand before Jing Wan. However, whether or not it was their responsibility, to have not been able to guard by masters side, it was precisely their negligence.

Its not your fault. Send people to look around. Jing Wan rubbed her swollen temples.

Jing Wan and them rather werent worried, but for the people that just came looking, as soon as they heard Jin Qinw.a.n.g was missing, they just nearly crumbled. One has to know, precisely because of these last few days, facing the high pressure from above, one was practically about to have ones life thrown in, unable to eat well, unable to sleep well, the hair falling clump by clump. After seeing the person at last, their suspended heart finally returning to its original place, something like this happens. This heart of theirs really cant withstand anymore. Even if that breath still havent rested, they still hurriedly went searching for the person.

Because they werent familiar with the water fort, each and every one all were like headless flies scrambling about. The people of the water fort were confused, what were they doing?

Afterwards, they had the water fort turned inside out, yet still didnt see the person. When reporting back before Jing Wan, Jing Wan was extremely speechless, The people of the water fort are more familiar with the place than you all. With several hundred people, there should at least be someone that has seen w.a.n.gyes whereabouts, so dont you all know to open your mouth and ask? Instead you all just headlessly and brainlessly stumble as you randomly look around like this?

Everyones complexion was quite interesting. This purely was because they were too worried, and completely forgot. This while, they were too ashamed to even show their faces.

Just as expected, after randomly asking, they just learned Li Hong Yuans whereabouts, having left the water fort and entered the mountains. As such, they couldnt sit still anymore, urgently going to search again. Theyd came from the middle of the mountain ridge, and although they didnt enter very deeply, and for the most part, can be considered to have walked the shortest route reaching the water fort, they still deeply sensed the dangers inside.

In contrast, Jing Wan was actually very calm. Within a set range near the water fort, there certainly wont be overly dangerous things existing. Li Hong Yuans skills, she although has never distinctly witnessed before, she has seen him kill before, further having the accomplishment of singlehandedly fighting a tiger. As such, how can he be weak? Ordinary dangers simply were unable to affect him.

Jing Wan carefully inquired the situation in that direction, learning that that place was actually a col

[1]

, roughly two li in length. Not far from the end, there was a neither big nor small lake, and under normal circ.u.mstances, there were some small animals that roamed about. Because the people of the water fort frequently hunted, for the most part, within five li, there all werent any large beasts.

Jing Wan thanked them, and afterwards, found two other people to lead the way, entering the mountain together to look for the person.

According to their meaning, it was letting Jing Wan not go, but Jing Wan just replied with: Are you all sure you can have w.a.n.gye brought back?

Alright, they all made out Jing Wans meaning, finding wasnt the important part, but rather, letting him come back after finding him was the important part. For every single one of them, they all didnt dare to say a single word, so how can they let him come back. Moreover, anyone with a discerning eye could all tell, w.a.n.gye had overturned the vinegar jar, so if not w.a.n.gfei personally setting out, them going forward, that was a hundred percent looking to be skinned.

Jing Wan right now also wasnt wearing the c.u.mbersome formal gown. The entire suit of plain cotton clothing was tailored very cleanly. It was just going up a mountain, not like one needed to climb a steep cliff, small case.

They divided into two groups, the majority scattering ahead first to go look for Li Hong Yuan, while the people behind protected Jing Wan as she followed after.

They originally thought that the party behind would be very slow. After all, a w.a.n.gfei, n.o.ble and esteemed, very much delicate, walking along in the mountains, how can she be quick? Perhaps after walking a few extra steps, shell be gasping for breath. As a result, they very quickly just discovered, theyd thought too much. Jin w.a.n.gfeis speed wasnt slower by much.

Jin Qinw.a.n.g might have not walked along the col, but rather went up the mountains on the two sides. However, this kind of a.s.sumption didnt happen. The people in front very quickly just pa.s.sed on news that theyd already found the person, right by the lake. However, they didnt dare to disturb him.

The vegetation in the col were all relatively short and small, but as they got closer to the lake, the trees started to become tall and lush. However, at most it was just about a few feet tall, far from the giant trees that reached the sky.

Pa.s.sing through between the trees, Jing Wan also vaguely saw Li Hong Yuans figure, bending one leg as he sat on a rock by the lake, strangely feeling a bit desolate. Jing Wans heart subconsciously clenched, and her pace also instinctively increased. As for the others, they all perceptively stopped, dispersing all in directions, ensuring that they cant see and also cant hear, having all dangers separated out.

Towards the sound of Jing Wans footsteps, Li Hong Yuan couldnt be more familiar, but he still motionlessly sat there. However, the emotions, as well as malice and calculations that flickered through his eyes, only he himself knew. Actually, he was very clear, regardless of whether it was Sun Yi Lin or Chen Zheng Min, all cant die. At least, they cant die in his hands. Between Jing Wan and him, there werent any barriers to begin with originally. If he were to kill them, it would instead create estrangement. Perhaps it wont go as far as to be impossible to reconcile, but in Jing Wans heart, there certainly will be a knot.

Moreover, just as Jing Wan said herself, she probably really will remember for a lifetime, and how could he allow such a thing? As such, the conflict would only grow more and more deep, and towards the end, it might even grow out of control. This definitely wasnt something he was willing to see. Whoever makes him annoyed, if he cant kill, then hell just payback by ten-fold, a hundred-fold.

Have to say, Li Hong Yuan right now was the most insane, but also the most rational. A lunatic wasnt scary, and a rational person also wasnt scary, but a rational lunatic was nevertheless quite scary.

Jing Wan approached, reaching out and putting her hand on his shoulder, Ah Yuan

Li Hong Yuan was still aloof.

Still angry? Jing Wan was actually a bit helpless. She clearly knew what he cared about, but this problem, at present, simply had no way of resolving, so no matter what was said, it was all useless. Extending her hand, she hugged him from behind, her cheek leaning against the side of his head, Sorry.

Li Hong Yuan blanked, Why? The one that didnt have any reason to apologize the most was precisely her. At least it wasnt likely to be for Sun Yi Lins sake, because that way, hell really want to kill the person. Would Wan Wan be this stupid?

As a wife, to be unable to let ones husband have a hundred percent sense of security, could it be that its not my fault?

Truthfully speaking, towards the phrase sense of security, Li Hong Yuan wasnt able to comprehend all that well, at most just roughly guessing according to the context. If he were to understand it completely, he probably really wouldve exploded. Nothing to do with Wan Wan. I shouldnt have taken my anger out on you. The one that should say sorry is me, but Wan Wan, I cant control myself. I cant allow anyone to peep at you. Even if knowing that they absolutely cant take you away from my side, I still wont allow it.

(T/N: sense of security, this is a relatively contemporary phrase, so as an ancient person, Li Hong Yuan wont really know the word.)

En, I know. In reality, as a man raised under the traditional Confucian teachings, nine out of ten men afraid all werent able to tolerate this kind of thing, and would even, because of this, take their anger out on women, not trusting women, doing something that made one very much despise, and afterwards, uselessly repent in hindsight, a look of deeply regretting, too painful to continue living, just like for example, Le Cheng Emperor, truly making one very much disgusted.

Li Hong Yuan pulled over her hand, and Jing Wan conveniently stepped on the rock, walking in front of him and cuddling in his embrace.

Li Hong Yuan deliberately controlled himself, from beginning to end, not letting Jing Wan notice his eyes. Although he couldnt see himself, he was still very clear that his eyes at this very moment were very scary.

After quietly sitting for a while, Jing Wans attention finally s.h.i.+fted away from him a little, The scenery here is not bad.

Li Hong Yuan swept a glance, En. He nonchalantly replied. No matter how beautiful the scenery, it still cant cover up his gloomy heart.

The time wasnt considered early to begin with, so this while, the sky actually formed beautiful fiery clouds, and when inverted upon the lake surface, it appeared exceptionally beautiful.

Seeing this scenery, Jing Wan momentarily forgot the vexing matters, just that quietly, occasionally saying a few words, time quietly pa.s.sing, the sky darkening more and more.

Ah Yuan, lets go back.

Alright.

Seeing their movements, the people in the surrounding also slowly gathered together. The two of them walked in the very front hand in hand, and the others followed behind them, maintaining a distance of more than ten feet.

When they returned to the water fort, the starry lights were already lit. Seeing them return, everyone was all quite happy.

At night, Li Hong Yuan met with the high-ranking military officers for this expedition, neither saltily nor dully encouraging a few words. Because theyd long heard of Li Hong Yuans Enma-like behavior, this time, they were instead in reverence from fear, overwhelmed by the sudden favor.

Li Hong Yuan declined to comment. He wasnt someone that would consider someone elses mood, Already let someone inform your superior?

Yes, at the latest tomorrow morning, they will come pick up w.a.n.gye.

After this many days, have you all investigated clearly who attacked this prince?

That military officers forehead was somewhat drenched in sweat, Replying to w.a.n.gye, this lowly officer, along with Regional Inspector Sun, is in charge of Speaking to here, he suddenly recalled, that Gentleman Sun was constantly thinking about Jin w.a.n.gfei, causing Jin Qinw.a.n.gs jealousy to explode. Mentioning him now, was it wanting to die, or wanting to die? But these words also cant be said halfway, so one could only, harden ones head and continue, .searching for w.a.n.gyes whereabouts. The other matters, this lowly officer temporarily doesnt know, asking w.a.n.gye to please forgive. In reality, its not that he didnt know, but rather, there wasnt the slightest progress. The colleagues in charge of this matter, as well as the various high ranking officials, their hair were already white from worry. Fortunately, Jin Qinw.a.n.g had immense good fortune, having yet to suffer injury, else his Majestys fury, they really wont be able to withstand.

Why dont you withdraw.

Yes. It was just over with like this? The military officer that retreated out let out a breath. A gust of wind brushed by, just feeling his back cold and chilly. Turns out, itd long been drenched by sweat.

This while, Jing Wan had already went to sleep. Li Hong Yuan gazed upon the lantern fire, somewhat lost in thought.

The Pei clan leader wished to meet.

Perhaps having nothing to do, Li Hong Yuan actually met with him.

The Pei clan leader perfunctorily bowed, All say Jin Qinw.a.n.g is free-spirited and likes beauties, yet turns out, to be an infatuated kind. This truly is surprising, even to the degree where you need to wrong yourself. All say, the endless pa.s.sionate romance, the heros short breath

[2]

. When reflecting on Jin Qinw.a.n.g, one cant help but feel disappointed.

Disappointed towards this prince, so the surviving members of the previous imperial family, presumably has made Pei clan leader very satisfied.

The Pei clan leader was startled, This old man doesnt know what w.a.n.gye is saying. Although making every effort to conceal, he truly was quite alarmed.

Get lost!

The fist in the Pei clan leaders sleeve tightly clenched, w.a.n.gyes mood must not be good, as such, this old one will take ones leave first.

[1]

Col

The lowest point on a mountain ridge between two peaks, also known as gaps. The literal translation of its chinese name is mountain indention.

[2] Similar to the phrase, the warm gentle home, the heros grave; the meaning is roughly how being immersed in romance will kill ambition, mainly for men. The concept is roughly based on how a hero is someone who is revered and looked up to, so they shouldnt sink down to the same level as an ordinary person and immerse in romance, hence romance will cause a hero to be short-lived. The line comes from Record of the Sh.o.r.e () by Xu Zi Chang of the Ming dynasty.