CHAPTER 365: CHAPTER 365: TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO JUN NING

Jun Ning glanced at Ye Ying and then pulled Lan Xi He towards the guest reception flower hall.

Ye Ying’s face, which had been clouded, instantly brightened upon Jun Ning’s arrival; he followed Jun Ning, gently saying, "Listen to Ah Ning."

Lan Xi He, ahead of them, turned incredulously to look at Ye Ying upon hearing his gentle tone of voice.

Having been Ye Ying’s disciple for many years, she was most familiar with Ye Ying’s manners and behaviors; she had never heard Ye Ying speak to anyone in this way.

Jun Ning was the first.

Furthermore, there was a trace of joy on Ye Ying’s face.

Is he... feeling joyful about Ah Ning’s arrival?

Lan Xi He bit her lip, withdrawing her gaze from Ye Ying, "Ah Ning, how many days are you staying this time?"

"As usual, I’ll leave tomorrow," Jun Ning didn’t plan to stay long, just came to check the situation to see if there’s an unresolved issue she could offer advice on.

Lan Xi He breathed a sigh of relief but turned to glance at Ye Ying behind her again.

Ye Ying seemed a bit unhappy about Jun Ning leaving tomorrow; his face, which had just shown some joy, instantly tensed up.

Lan Xi He: "..."

After sitting down in the flower hall, Jun Ning put a White Jade Crystal Bracelet on Lan Xi He’s wrist, and put the remaining one on her own wrist.

"Sister Xi He, I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling anxious and scared recently, afraid you’ll leave me."

"This bracelet is for you, so if one day you truly leave me, take it as me; seeing it is equal to seeing me."

Recently, Jun Ning not only felt anxious but also plagued by nightmares every night.

She often dreamt of Lan Xi He suddenly turning away and leaving her, no matter how she called out, she received no response.

Night after night in her dreams, she watched Lan Xi He’s back, without even a chance to say goodbye.

"Ah Ning, we are always good sisters; I will not leave you..." Lan Xi He looked at the White Jade Crystal Bracelet on her wrist, "I really like this bracelet; I will wear it always."

Jun Ning smiled, "I’ll wear it always too."

After talking with Lan Xi He, Lan Xi He left, and Jun Ning started reviewing Qianji Pavilion’s recent accounts and transactions.

She thought that because Ye Ying had left with her for so long, and winter was approaching, business at Qianji Pavilion would be a bit slow, and the incoming silver coin would decrease. But unexpectedly, everything was normal, and business hadn’t declined.

She supposed it was related to the downfall of Wushang Sect in the Imperial City.

"Ye Ying, you’ve worked hard these days..." Jun Ning praised him, then said, "The leave approved for you before hasn’t been realized, but now that winter is approaching, and it’s not so busy, you can take a vacation..."

It’s just that winter lacks beautiful scenery, which is regrettable.

Ye Ying smiled, "Alright."

"Is there anywhere you want to go?" Jun Ning asked, "Let me know."

If the place Ye Ying wants to visit is better suited for spring, summer, or fall, then he can go again in those seasons. As for the current vacation, it won’t be canceled; he’ll still have it and can go wherever he wishes.

"There is..." Ye Ying said, "Regarding recent events, I’ve heard there’s a possibility of war, making the Imperial City quite unsafe. Ah Ning, I wish to stay by your side, using all the leave you’ve given me."

Jun Ning had no immediate opinion on this, as Ye Ying’s words were truthful, and indeed, the Imperial City was unsafe recently.

And given her prominence, she indeed needed protection.

However, Lan Xi He, eavesdropping outside, had strong objections upon hearing this.

She couldn’t understand why, when she pleaded for Master to accompany her to the Black Market at the door, he was unwilling and used busyness as an excuse to refuse. But mere unseen crisis in the Imperial City made him want to stay by Jun Ning’s side all the time?

She and Jun Ning are good sisters; what makes her inferior to Jun Ning to be treated so differently?

Lan Xi He tightly clenched the fist hidden in her sleeve.

The bracelet on her wrist momentarily suppressed her anger.

She gazed at the bracelet on her wrist for a long time, and finally stood up and left, continuing her practice.

Jun Ning refused Ye Ying’s request, "Ye Ying, I have people sent by the Emperor to protect me; don’t worry, I won’t be in danger."

"Pavilion Master, your father, mother, and those brothers of yours, they don’t know you’re the Pavilion Master of Qianji Pavilion, right?" Ye Ying asked, "The people they assigned naturally wouldn’t follow you to Qianji Pavilion, so you must slip away from them every time you come over, right?"

Jun Ning did not deny this.

"Which means that each time you come to Qianji Pavilion, you’re on your own. You coming here alone is full of danger; how can I feel at ease?" Ye Ying was extremely uneasy, "Let me protect you?"

"Ye Ying..." Jun Ning still didn’t want Ye Ying to protect her, as Ye Ying had his own work to do and personal time.

But Ye Ying was very persistent, and ultimately, Jun Ning took a small step back, agreeing that she could be personally escorted by Ye Ying from Qi Mansion to Qianji Pavilion in the future.

Alright, this matter was settled, now onto another matter.

"Ye Ying, what do you think about Sister Xi He liking you?" Jun Ning asked, "Sister Xi He is my best sister, and I don’t want her to get hurt."

Ye Ying closed his eyes briefly, saying, "Ah Ning, I already have someone I like."

Jun Ning regrettably sighed, "Since that’s the case, find an opportunity to clarify this with Sister Xi He, so she doesn’t have any unfounded hopes towards you."

Ye Ying nodded, "I understand."

"Then I won’t say any more."

Jun Ning took a tour around Qianji Pavilion, and as daylight broke, she returned to Qi Mansion, escorted by Ye Ying.

To avoid studying, she stayed in Qi Mansion for seven whole days before returning. She thought that once she returned to the palace in seven days, her mother wouldn’t force her to study.

And indeed, things turned out as she wished, as Imperial Concubine Hua no longer pressured her to study. Due to the impending war, Imperial Concubine Hua was anxious, nervous, and afraid every day...

There’s little chance of victory in this war, how could she not know this?

Emperor Yongning was the same, tense every day.

The day Jun Ning returned to the palace, rumors spread that Emperor Yongning fainted; Jun Ning wasted no time, quickly heading to the Imperial Study Room, hoping to meet Emperor Yongning, but was stopped at the door, as Emperor Yongning didn’t wish to see her.

And to add insult to injury, difficulties never come singly, as fortune seldom favors the ship in distress.

Just then, Bei Xia sent emissaries to confirm the situation about finding a person; once it’s confirmed East Chu has not found the person, Bei Xia will wage war.

The emissaries inquired about the situation, but no one dared to answer, fearing their heads might roll.

Everyone in the palace with the good sense to meet the emissaries kept silent, saying nothing.

Until the emissary came to the Imperial Study Room, seeking an answer directly from Emperor Yongning.

Emperor Yongning suddenly fainted, naturally unwilling to meet him.

Anxious, the emissary turned his attention to Jun Ning waiting by the door of the Imperial Study Room.

"Are you Princess Anle? May I ask you a question?"