allendalepharm Chapter 191 One Sword Today
Chapter 191 One Sword Today
Both were stunned—neither of them had expected that this usually gentle and smiling man had two predestined marriages.
Han Fei's face was already as bitter as a bitter gourd, and he wished he could slap himself a few times. He cursed in his heart, "Why did I have to say that!" But then he couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, thinking to himself: At least this hot potato didn't fall on my head.
Lin Tian was publicly questioned by Zi Nu, whose tone was sharp and left no room for negotiation. A surge of irritation rose within him, and his manly temper flared, causing the words to spill out:
"Miss Zi Nu, this matter is probably not your concern!"
He wanted to explain things clearly, but—ten years! These two words were like an iron lock, leaving him no choice but to accept them, let alone change them.
The woman in purple robes fluttered in the wind, her purple hair flowed like a waterfall, her figure was as graceful as a willow swaying in the breeze, and her beauty was as stunning as the morning glow dyeing the clouds. In that instant, she moved!
The crimson sword was drawn from its sheath, its silver light flashing, aimed directly at Lin Tian's throat. Her eyes, pale purple, were cold and unwavering, fixed intently on him: "Lin Tian, say that again."
The change was sudden, and the whole room was shocked, with everyone frozen in place.
The first to lunge out was Honglian! With a strength that seemed to come from nowhere, she yanked Lin Tian away, standing firmly in front of him, her face flushed red: "Don't touch Brother Lin Tian!"
"Young Master Han Fei, it seems your sister has also fallen in love." Zi Nu glanced at Hong Lian, her voice cold and indifferent. "The humiliation Nong Yu suffered today will be the same humiliation your sister will experience in the future."
Han Fei rushed forward, grabbing his sister's arm and pulling her back, saying, "Little sister, step back!" But Honglian twisted her neck, struggled with her arms, and stubbornly shook off her brother's hand, refusing to move an inch.
On his high seat, Ying Zheng was so embarrassed that his fingers unconsciously tapped the edge of the table, and for a moment he didn't know whether to speak or pretend to be deaf.
Gai Nie quietly approached and whispered, "Your Majesty, please observe quietly—this matter is too complex to be rushed."
Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng nodded vigorously.
"Honglian, step aside. Let me handle this."
The moment Honglian shielded him, Lin Tian felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Though there was no romantic love between them, she truly protected him like a younger sister.
Hearing him speak, Honglian bit her lip and took half a step back, still glaring fiercely at Zi Nu: "You can't beat Brother Lin Tian! You bad woman, hmph!"
Startled, Han Fei rushed forward, covered his sister's mouth tightly, and dragged her to a corner.
Nongyu was about to get up when Yanlingji grabbed her wrist. She looked at Nongyu and said, word by word, "When it comes to men, I know more than you. If you don't trust him, don't even think about entering his household."
Nongyu froze, her lips trembling slightly. Yan Lingji's words were like a piece of burning coal, landing in her heart. Having spent so much time together these past few days, how could she not know how Lin Tian had treated her? She finally lowered her eyes and nodded gently.
"You want an explanation? You're still not satisfied?" Lin Tian took a step forward, leaving his seat, his gaze meeting Zi Nu's directly, seemingly oblivious to the tip of the Crimson Serpent Sword that was so close at hand.
Zi Nu coldly replied, "Of course."
"Alright. If you're so agitated, what's the point of talking about understanding?" Lin Tian suddenly reached out and firmly gripped the Crimson Serpent Sword!
Several bloody cuts were instantly made on his palm, and blood gushed out, but he did not move an inch. He pulled back his hand and the sword tip went straight to his chest, and then pushed it forward!
With a soft thud, the crimson ribbon pierced his chest!
"Today, I exchange my sword for a ten-year promise. I swear by staining your crimson vein with my blood—ten years from now, I will personally come to marry Nongyu. If I break this promise, may I be struck by lightning and suffer eternal damnation!" Lin Tian's voice was low and hoarse, but every word was as firm as nails.
……
"Are you crazy!" Nongyu exclaimed in shock, reaching out to snatch Chi Lian, but Lin Tian held her tightly, making it impossible for her to budge.
The room was completely silent, with only the soft crackling of the candlelight.
Until Nongyu staggered out, tears streaming down her face, and rushed to Lin Tian's side, trembling as she took his blood-stained hand in her hands.
Lin Tian loosened his grip, and Zi Nu immediately withdrew the Crimson Serpent. A few streaks of undried blood still clung to the blade, gleaming dark red in the moonlight. She stared at the glaring crimson, then looked up at Lin Tian—he still stood ramrod straight, his expression calm, his brow utterly undisturbed. But this calmness only made her heart clench. She dared not meet his gaze, only slightly turning her head away, her voice soft yet trembling almost imperceptibly:
"Okay, I hope you keep your promise."
Before she finished speaking, she had already turned and left, her skirt sweeping across the threshold, her figure disappearing into the night.
Yan Lingji immediately gave chase, her sleeves billowing in the wind. Lin Tian's gaze shifted slightly, and he said to Li Wu, "Keep a close eye on them, don't let anything go wrong right under our noses."
Li Wu nodded, lightly touched the ground with her toes, and immediately darted away.
"Is the young master well?"
"It's nothing, just a minor matter. It's embarrassing that you had to bear this embarrassment for me." Lin Tian smiled casually, a gentle curve appearing at the corner of his eyes.
The private banquet ended hastily. Ying Zheng ordered the imperial physicians to apply medicine and bandages to Lin Tian; their movements were swift and their words few.
Nongyu stayed by his side the whole time, serving him tea and handing him a towel, as quiet as a shadow. Lin Tian also opened up for once, telling her things that he couldn't say in public.
Finally, Nongyu's eyes darkened slightly, as if she understood but not quite, but then she suddenly lowered her eyes and said in a soft voice, "If you do not marry a proper wife, I am willing to burn incense and hold a broom to serve you for the rest of my life."
Lin Tian did not respond, but simply nodded slightly, then told her to go find Zi Nu. Nong Yu understood and withdrew, gathering her sleeves.
Honglian had been hiding under the eaves. Only after Nongyu's figure disappeared did she sneak in like a little sparrow.
She skipped and pounced to the edge of the bed. Lin Tian had just propped himself up when he saw her look up at him, her eyes sparkling: "You dare to trespass into the King's bedchamber? Aren't you afraid of losing your head?"
"This bronze token was given to me personally by the King. I can come and go as I please." She shook the heavy token at her waist and smiled smugly.
"What a coincidence! Sitting here is just killing time, and Ying Zheng needs to rest eventually. Let's leave the palace now." Lin Tian had just thrown back the covers and gotten up when Honglian rushed forward, grabbing his arms with both hands, her grip strong. Lin Tian chuckled, "It's not like I have a broken leg!"
She didn't care and gripped his sleeve even tighter, her fingertips almost sinking into his sleeve, as if she were supporting a sickly person who would fall over at the slightest breeze.
Lin Tian let her go—it wasn't helping her; she was clearly taking the opportunity to hold his arm, her palm slightly hot, unwilling to let go even a little.
"Red Lotus, now you... are truly homeless."
She looked up, her smile bright: "My only family is Brother Han Fei. Wherever he is, that's where my home is."
The night sky was clear, with scattered stars. The rain had just stopped, the air was cool and damp, and puddles of varying depths were still embedded in the mud. This mansion was originally the residence of a wealthy merchant. The backyard was paved with light gray pebbles, which were washed clean and shiny by the rain. They were slightly slippery underfoot, which added to its elegance.
Before returning to his residence, Lin Tian made a special detour to the Hall of State Affairs to find Ying Zheng and whispered a few words of advice to him.
The candlelight flickered in the hall, and he immediately spotted the eunuch standing with his hands at his sides in the corridor—Miao Du.
This man had long been secretly colluding with Lü Buwei, a fact known to all in the court and among the common people; he also had deep roots in the palace, with spies everywhere. Furthermore, due to the Empress Dowager's favor, he was transformed into the Marquis of Changxin, with a fiefdom spanning the two commanderies of Shanyang and Hexi. From then on, within the palace, all matters, great and small, were decided by his own hand.
Outside the court, Lü Buwei held absolute power; inside the palace, Miao Du wielded absolute authority. Through their collusion, they turned the still-ruling Ying Zheng into a mere puppet.