Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 344 Dispelling Sorrow

Even after the city gates closed, Nianyao was nowhere to be seen, and Luo An's expression grew increasingly grim. The spring chill was biting, and General Wei touched his forehead, feeling a cold sweat.

Even though Luo An hadn't said or done anything, and it was clearly none of his business as a bystander that the couple was arguing, General Wei still felt an inexplicable sense of oppression, a feeling he had never experienced even when the Crown Prince was present.

Luo An wandered the streets alone, while groups of people came and went. He had always disliked crowds. But now, for the first time, he felt what it meant to be utterly alone, what it meant to be utterly lonely.

The ways to dispel loneliness are nothing more than drinking in brothels and listening to storytelling in teahouses. Luo An had no interest in any of those, so he took two jars of wine and went to Nanfei's grave.

Luo An sat cross-legged in front of the tomb, arranging the wine pot and cups, drinking one cup and spilling another, one cup for each of them. He wasn't good at confiding his feelings, drinking one cup after another. As the alcohol took effect, a phrase suddenly popped into his mind: drowning his sorrows in alcohol!

So even he had days when he drowned his sorrows in alcohol. How did he cope with those low times before? He practiced medicine, played chess with Qin Jiu, had Nan Fei as a companion, and spent time with Nian Yao…

Luo An had very few people he could call friends. Nan Fei was one, and Qin Jiu was another. Now they were both dead, not from old age, but from the prime of their lives.

That day at the Duke's mansion, Qin Jiu avoided letting Luo An take his pulse, probably not wanting to put him in a difficult position. Did Qin Jiu expect Luo An to save him? Did Qin Jiu ever consider that he might die?

If he hadn't invited Qin Jiu to play chess at Xi Zhai that day, but instead went to the Duke's Mansion with Nian Yao, Nian Yao would have understood the ins and outs when she saw Qin Jiu acting strangely again.

He ignored his friend's plight and became an accomplice in his friend's death, even helping to cover it up after his friend's demise... He was such a despicable and incompetent person! He couldn't save An Jingchen back then, and now he can't save Qin Jiu.

Nianyao must have been very disappointed in him, right? Before leaving, she invited him to leave with her, probably hoping to find a chance to forgive him, but he didn't seize that opportunity.

Nianyao has never been one to hesitate or be wishy-washy; she is straightforward and strong-willed. Years of life in the Dahe Gang have not diminished her commitment to family and friendship, but she puts love last, giving him no time to hesitate or listen to his explanations.

With both jars of wine empty, Luo An lay on his back in front of the grave, gazing at the sky. The gloomy sky mirrored his gloomy life.

I thought I could get drunk and forget everything. But I couldn't. Those people and those events kept replaying in my mind like a revolving lantern.

The emperor only said Qin Jiu couldn't be spared, so Qin Jiu had no choice but to die. But he didn't expect that the one who directly took action would be Gu Yu. With so many capable people, why Gu Yu of all people?

He didn't use the art of rulership, but he understood it; loyalty was the most important thing for an emperor. Gu Yu had been in Xi Zhai for many years, always obeying Luo An and following his lead. The orders of others had to be secondary, even those of the emperor and the crown prince.

Now that Gu Yu is returning to the Imperial Guard, she will no longer be Xi Zhai's person. Before that, this is a test of Gu Yu's loyalty. So, who is the Emperor wary of? Who does he distrust?

Gu Yu hadn't told him about such a big matter. In this precarious situation, with her departure imminent, Gu Yu was in a very awkward position. Even if she had told him, even if she hadn't gone, the outcome wouldn't have changed.

Luo An had always thought that Qin Jiu would only be trapped in Bianjing and would not be in any danger to his life. He ultimately underestimated the hardships of the world and the wickedness of people's hearts.

Luo An only felt tired, a kind of tiredness that emanated from the bottom of his heart, a tiredness that had nothing to do with physical exertion.

The spring rain was like oil, slippery on one's face, and like the first sprouts of reeds in spring when it fell into one's eyes. Luo An didn't have the strength to get up, so he simply closed his eyes.

If someone could openly commit murder in the palace and escape unscathed, it would mean the palace was poorly guarded and completely unsafe. That's impossible!

Liang Qingcheng, Jing Ze, Su Hexiang, and Gu Yu were merely executors. The real culprit was the one who came up with the idea.

Nianyao seeks revenge, and the Emperor and the Eldest Princess will undoubtedly be wary of her. An Liangchen will also not allow such a dangerous person to remain under his nose. Nianyao has no choice but to leave as soon as possible.

"I'm leaving Bianjing now. Will you come with me?"

Nianyao knew perfectly well that Luo An wouldn't just leave with her, but she still asked the question, her voice filled with despair and pleading.

So, Nianyao must have left the city. But how did she get out? Where did she go? And who was helping her?

The person who helped her held a very influential position in the palace, and could even influence the checks conducted by the soldiers guarding the city...

Who is it? A name is stuck in my throat, wanting to come out but unable to. It's like waking up from a nightmare, the cold sweat still clinging to me, the dream's imagery blurred.

His face was soaked and cold from the rain, which showed no signs of stopping. Luo An knew he should get up and get down the mountain as soon as possible. Catching a cold and fever was a minor matter; freezing to death or being devoured by wolves and tigers was a serious matter.

It's not really a big deal, and life doesn't seem to have much meaning anyway.

Has the rain stopped? But I can clearly hear the pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the leaves. Am I hallucinating so quickly?

Luo An covered his head with both hands, letting out a low, painful groan: "My head is throbbing!"

A soft handkerchief wiped the rain from his face, and Luo An instinctively reached out to grab it: "Nianyao?"

A gentle, pleasant voice rang out: "Awake?"

It's not Nianyao!

Luo An opened his eyes with a frown. The first thing that caught his eye was a light-colored silk umbrella embroidered with flying phoenixes in silver thread. The umbrella moved slightly, and the phoenixes danced with it.

Luo An was drunk, and both his movements and senses were much duller than usual. He felt that the umbrella looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before.

Luo An stared at the umbrella, trying hard to think, and for a moment forgot to look at the owner of the umbrella.

Nan Hua handed the umbrella to Yang Hua behind him and helped Luo An up: "Let's go back!"

With Nan Hua's help, Luo An swayed as he stood up. He glanced at Yang Hua standing behind Nan Hua and suddenly came to his senses: "You're the one who escorted Nian Yao out of the city?"

It's Nan Hua! There can't be anyone else but Nan Hua!

Nan Hua helped him walk towards the carriage: "Nian Yao will go to Dongshan City first, then return to Penglai. You can meet her in Penglai after the Lantern Festival."

Luo An pushed her away: "When did she leave the city?"

The Crown Princess has plenty of ways to send someone out of the city. The problem is, since Nan Hua is sending Nian Yao out of the city, he must know he's guarding the city gate. Why is he avoiding him when sending Nian Yao away?

The two stood facing each other, Yang Hua shifting the umbrella back and forth, unsure of who to shield: the Crown Princess was a delicate noblewoman who should be protected, but Luo An was almost soaked through.

Yang Hua said anxiously, "Your Highness, Young Master, let's talk in the carriage. Young Master needs to change his clothes, otherwise he'll get sick."

Nan Hua calmly replied, "We'll talk about it when we get back."

Luo An insisted, "Let's make this clear first."