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墨書 Inktalez
Three years later, in the spring of February.
"Madam Xiao Man, please eat a little!" The maid, holding a tray, looked troubled as she gazed at the pale woman lying on the bed.
Xiao Man shook her head, turning towards the inner side of the bed, and gently waved her hand. "You can go! I'm not hungry."
"You should still drink this!" Nian Gengyao walked in and took the white porcelain bowl from the maid's hands. "Although losing a child inevitably brings some pain, the doctor said that this medicine is from the palace's prescription and will help you suffer less..."
Xiao Man finally turned around slowly, tears streaming down her face unexpectedly. "Have you thought this through?"
Nian Gengyao's hand holding the spoon trembled slightly as he saw her eyes shining with clarity, as if she could see through everything. He couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. "The Emperor seems to be quite dissatisfied with me lately, accusing me of employing personal connections and forming factions... Xiao Man, I cannot allow myself to truly become a treacherous minister at this time."
"You could easily do so. You are General Nian, controlling the western frontier and holding military power; as long as you are willing..."
Nian Gengyao quickly covered her mouth, a hint of sorrow flashing in his eyes. "Xiao Man, don't force me!"
"Force?" Xiao Man's pale face revealed a self-deprecating smile. "You say I'm forcing you? Fine, I'll eat! But Nian Gengyao, from this moment on, I take back all my feelings for you. Even in the next life, I don't want to know you again!"
As she spoke, she snatched the bowl from Nian Gengyao's hand and began to shove food into her mouth like a cow chewing cud, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Nian Gengyao turned his face away, unable to bear looking at her expression at that moment. But then he heard her suddenly put down the porcelain spoon and laugh. "Back then, when I followed you to Qinghai for military campaigns, I saw how rigorously you commanded your troops and your bold personality. Every time I listened to your deployment strategies in the command tent, I felt like all my blood was ignited by your passion.
I thought, even that emperor who holds the world has so many worries and concerns; why can you, just a mere general, look down upon everything with such confidence..."
As she spoke, fresh red blood began to flow from her nose, tracing a path down her scar. Nian Gengyao momentarily lost his focus, and in that daze, he seemed to see Xiao Man in her military attire from that snowy day, speaking to him with a voice as delicate as a warbler.
“Xiao Man…” He hadn’t expected the effects of the medicine to take hold so quickly. He hurried to his feet, wanting to help her wipe away the blood streaming from her nose, but she pushed him away. “Leave! I never want to see you again. Go on with your glory and continue being your esteemed general!”
So it turns out, men are better after all! No wonder I was abandoned at birth. My parents despised me for being a girl and refused to keep me. Just when I thought I had found someone important, I was merely seen as a tool.
It wasn’t until I met you that I believed my life finally had hope. And what’s the result?”
Nian Gengyao lunged forward and held her tightly. “Xiao Man, don’t say that. If you weren’t the Emperor’s person, I would ensure you give birth to this child…”
Her entire body seemed to convulse uncontrollably, and Xiao Man gripped his wrist tightly, her long nails nearly digging into his flesh.
“Do you really think I’m foolish enough to believe there’s a miscarriage remedy in this bird’s nest?”
Blood stained Xiao Man’s lips, the color more vibrant than rouge. “From the moment you stood outside the door watching me for so long without coming in, I knew your decision was made. You don’t want me, you don’t want our child; you can’t bear to part with your wealth and status, nor can you let go of your reputation as General Nian…”
Thick black blood surged from her mouth and corners of her lips. “I thought that for my sake, you would be willing to fight for it all. But it seems I overestimated myself. You’re even unwilling to believe me, fearing that everything I’ve done is merely a test orchestrated by the Emperor, isn’t it?”
Nian Gengyao clenched his fists tightly, allowing her to grip his hand with such force while he silently lowered his head.
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