A Stolen Romance - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Confessing Feelings

The first light of dawn broke through the clouds, filtering through the carriage window and casting a warm glow on Shi Yuning’s lowered eyelashes. In a daze, Shi Yuning rubbed her eyes, forcing open her eyelids that felt as heavy as lead. She looked toward the light. It was morning.

Shi Yuning pushed the window open a little, took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, and stretched with all her might. She massaged her stiff neck and shoulders. As her body warmed up, her mind began to clear.

“Awake?” Xie Zhaoran asked with a gentle smile, having quietly watched Shi Yuning’s entire morning routine. The previous morning, she had thought Shi Yuning was awake when she rubbed her eyes and had talked for a while, only to realize she hadn’t been listening at all. Today, she was much more experienced.

Sure enough, after the routine, Shi Yuning’s senses began to perceive her surroundings, and she could process information normally again. She turned to look at Xie Zhaoran lying in the carriage. Meeting her smile, Shi Yuning felt a warmth in her heart, as if the sunlight had reached her soul.

Shi Yuning reached out to gently massage Xie Zhaoran’s leg for a while, knowing that a night of lying still would have made her muscles sore. “I can’t believe we fell so far from the capital. We’ve been traveling for two days already,” Shi Yuning said with some annoyance. She regretted that they had to take the long way by carriage. If she’d known, she would have climbed back up the cliff to take a shortcut.

But she quickly let go of the thought. Xie Zhaoran’s leg couldn’t climb the cliff. Besides, Xie Zhaoran wanted to conceal her whereabouts, and the only way to do that was to hide in the carriage. Over the past two days, they hadn’t left the carriage unless absolutely necessary. When they needed to use the restroom, her father had to send everyone away first. Thanks to the careful concealment by Shi Yuning and her father, no one traveling with them had realized that more than one girl was returning to the capital.

“We’re almost there, just bear with it a little longer,” Xie Zhaoran said, thinking Shi Yuning was tired of the journey. She had woken up earlier than Shi Yuning and had already seen them enter the capital’s territory.

Shi Yuning was delighted by the news. Once they reached the capital, Xie Zhaoran’s injuries could be properly treated. Her father had promised to ask her grandfather to find a military doctor. Military doctors were the best at treating sprains and fractures.

However, after they entered the city gates, when Shi Yuning invited Xie Zhaoran to come home with her, Xie Zhaoran refused. “I need to go to the palace first. Ningning, you go back with your uncle, and I’ll come find you later,” Xie Zhaoran said in a lower voice, seeing Shi Yuning’s unhappiness.

Shi Yuning shook her head. “How can you keep jostling that leg around? Is what you’re doing so important? Can’t you come home with me and have your wounds looked at first?”

Xie Zhaoran knew Shi Yuning was worried about her, but she had a more important matter to attend to. She also didn’t want to show up at the Shi family’s home in such a disheveled state. It was her first time visiting her beloved’s family, and she hadn’t even prepared a gift.

Seeing her insistence, Shi Yuning guessed there was something important going on and relented. But before they parted, she repeatedly reminded Xie Zhaoran that her leg injury was the priority. “If anything happens, you have to let me know. And don’t keep running around. Just send someone to get me, and I’ll come to you.”

“Alright.” Xie Zhaoran’s heart was filled once more. It felt good to be constantly cared for and worried about.

After parting with Shi Yuning, Xie Zhaoran went to the Moon-Gathering Pavilion and contacted the hidden guards she had stationed there. She had them send a message to the Princess Regent that she had returned. When Xiao Lijun received the message, she couldn’t believe it. The message she had received said only Shi Yuning had been found.

It wasn’t until she saw Xie Zhaoran in person that Xiao Lijun’s anxious heart finally settled. However, her questions only grew. If Xie Zhaoran was fine, why did the message say only Miss Shi had been found? Xiao Lijun hugged her friend, whom she had almost lost, her eyes welling up with tears. “I knew it. How could you die so easily? Tell me, what happened? Why did the message say only Miss Shi was found?”

Xie Zhaoran didn’t hide anything. “It was my idea. I had my reasons.”

Xiao Lijun released Xie Zhaoran. She had just seen Xie Zhaoran’s leg wrapped in splints. She helped her sit down. “I’m so relieved. That’s all that matters.”

Xie Zhaoran smiled. “I haven’t seen the Princess unite the world yet. How could I die just like that? What a pity that would be.”

Xiao Lijun smiled through her tears but quickly became serious. “Let’s not talk about that for now. Ever since His Majesty learned of your fall, he’s been in shock, and his health has not been well. He’s just hanging on with medicine.” When Xiao Lijun said this, her eyes grew even redder.

A pang of pain shot through Xie Zhaoran’s heart, and her voice was filled with worry. “Take me to see him.”

Xiao Lijun nodded, knowing Xie Zhaoran didn’t want anyone to know she was alive. She made some arrangements and had a small sedan chair sent into the palace. Once they reached the Emperor’s bedchamber, she used the excuse of wanting to personally care for him to send the servants outside, leaving only the Emperor’s trusted servant, Eunuch Lin. Eunuch Lin was initially puzzled by the Princess’s actions, but he understood when he saw her helping Xie Zhaoran out of the sedan chair.

He excitedly bowed to Xie Zhaoran, then stood up and leaned into the Emperor’s ear, his voice filled with joy. “Your Majesty, wake up and see who has come! It’s Miss Zhaoran. She’s here! She didn’t die! She’s alive!” Eunuch Lin knew how much his master cared for Xie Zhaoran. For days, the Emperor had kept looking toward the door, hoping she would return safely.

Sure enough, the Emperor, who had been in a coma, slowly woke up when he heard Eunuch Lin’s words. He managed to open his eyes with great difficulty. Xie Zhaoran moved closer. Eunuch Lin noticed her leg injury and quickly brought over an embroidered stool for her.

Emperor Hongjing was still a little dazed at first, his vision blurry. After a while, his eyes finally seemed to focus. His cloudy gaze slowly cleared, and his eyes flashed with surprise. He looked more spirited. “Zhaoran… this is great… you’re not dead…”

Seeing how difficult it was for him to speak, Xie Zhaoran’s heart ached. “I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Emperor Hongjing tried his best to lift his hand slightly. “No… it was my… my fault…” Lying in bed all these days, he had thought a lot. If it weren’t for his constant leniency and indulgence in the past, Prince Yu wouldn’t have become so reckless and out of control. Xie Zhaoran understood what he meant and comforted him. “You were just too kind.”

Emperor Hongjing gave a bitter smile. He knew Xie Zhaoran was comforting him. He knew he was wrong and that he shouldn’t have ignored her advice so many times in the past. Xie Zhaoran sighed. There was no point in talking about that now. “Let’s not talk about this anymore. I’m fine. You need to take care of yourself and get better soon.”

Emperor Hongjing tried to shake his head. “I’m afraid… I can’t… I’ll leave it to… you two… to… to take care of Daye for me…”

Xie Zhaoran and Xiao Lijun both understood what the Emperor meant, and their eyes turned red. “You will get better.” “Yes, you must rest well. Your sister is waiting for you to get better.”

Emperor Hongjing knew they were trying to console him. But he wasn’t afraid of death. He had known for a long time that his body wouldn’t last past twenty. He had lived his life as he pleased, so he didn’t have many regrets. He looked at Xie Zhaoran, his eyes filled with a complex emotion. “Miss Shi… does she… know your feelings?”

The sadness in Xie Zhaoran’s heart grew even deeper. She knew he was concerned about her, even in his condition. Thinking of the storybooks he had given her, telling her to be more proactive, Xie Zhaoran smiled and nodded. “She knows.”

Emperor Hongjing’s eyes lit up with satisfaction, and he pressed on, “And her feelings?” His desire for gossip made both Xie Zhaoran and Xiao Lijun burst into laughter. Their laughter was mixed with tears, as if they were back in the days of their childhood, when the three of them would get together and talk about palace gossip.

Xie Zhaoran’s lips curled into a smile, and she winked at Emperor Hongjing. “You don’t have to worry, Your Majesty. It turns out she likes me too.” Her proud, joyful tone made everyone else in the room happy.

Emperor Hongjing laughed sincerely. “That’s wonderful, truly wonderful.” He felt that the box of storybooks he had sent her wasn’t a waste after all. He turned his head with a smile to look at Xiao Lijun. “Imperial Sister… what about you… do you have… anyone in your heart?”

Xiao Lijun was still happy for Xie Zhaoran when the topic suddenly turned to her. Seeing the concern in her brother’s eyes, Xiao Lijun thought for a moment, then nodded seriously. “Yes.”

Emperor Hongjing winked at Xie Zhaoran, looking as if he had known it all along. “That’s so good… so good…” Hongjing thought. This way, he wouldn’t have to worry about his sister being lonely after he was gone. Gradually, his eyelids grew heavier. He was tired and needed to rest.

Eunuch Lin wiped a tear and checked Emperor Hongjing’s pulse. “His Majesty has spoken enough. He’s tired now and has fallen asleep.” Xie Zhaoran and Xiao Lijun both sighed in relief, no longer disturbing Emperor Hongjing’s rest.

Back in Xiao Lijun’s palace, the two of them tacitly avoided talking about Emperor Hongjing. The most urgent matter was to find Prince Yu and rescue the hostages at Hemin Temple. When Xie Zhaoran heard that the Duke of Xie was the one holding them hostage and heard Xie Zhen’s words, she was silent for a while. Xiao Lijun wanted to console her but didn’t know what to say. Should she tell Xie Zhaoran to let go of her feelings, that her father had abandoned her for the greater good?

“I’m fine. Call Qiangdi. I have something to tell him.” Xie Zhaoran had long since detached herself from the Xie family. Nothing they did now could hurt her. The top priority was to rescue the hostages, which included Shi Yuning’s mother.

On the other side, after Shi Yuning returned home, her grandfather, Shi Chao, was overjoyed to see his son and granddaughter safe and sound. He had almost thought he would have to bury his own child in his old age. “It’s good that you’re back, it’s good. Now all we need is Chunhua.” Shi Chao told his son and granddaughter to rest at home while he led his troops to Hemin Temple. He was determined to bring his daughter-in-law back so their family could be reunited. Shi MinDa and Shi Yuning wanted to go too, but they knew they would only be a hindrance, so they anxiously waited for news at home.

Shi Yuning remembered Xie Zhaoran’s words before she left: not to worry, that she would bring her mother back safely. She believed Xie Zhaoran.

Shi Yuning looked at her father. She had been debating for a long time on the way home. She was determined to be with Xie Zhaoran. Although she had planned to use her hardships to soften Tu Chunhua’s heart, she wasn’t very confident. This matter seemed to be on a completely different level than her previous mistakes. Shi Yuning looked at her father and thought, I might as well win him over while Mom isn’t here, and then we can go convince Mom together.

“Dad, after this incident, I finally understand what you mean by ‘an inch of time is an inch of gold.’ Life is short, and you never know when an accident will happen.”

Shi MinDa nodded. He had said those words to Shi Yuning to encourage her not to waste time. After this incident, his Ningning had finally come to that realization herself. “That’s right. From now on, our family being together and safe is better than anything.”

Seeing her father agree, Shi Yuning quickly followed up. “Dad. You know what happened this time. If it weren’t for Xie Zhaoran, I probably would have gone to see the King of Hell a long time ago.”

Shi MinDa agreed completely. When he learned that his daughter had survived an assassination attempt and that the Xie family’s daughter had protected her, he was filled with gratitude for Miss Xie. “When your mother comes back, our family will thank her properly.”

But thanking her wasn’t what Shi Yuning wanted. “Dad, can we invite Xie Zhaoran to live with us permanently in the future?”

“Of course! She’s our great benefactor. She can live here for as long as she wants.”

“What if it’s for a lifetime?”

“Fine, as long as she wants. It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks.”

“Dad, I want to be with her.”

“No problem.”

Shi MinDa answered out of habit, without thinking. After he spoke, he realized something was very wrong.

“Huh?! What did you say?”

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