Shao Meng Is Dead
Xue Yu-Yan woke up and saw Jian Guozhi beside her. She was a little panicked to see him because Nianzu was the one in front of whom she fainted. So, did the Fourth Prince tell Jian Ge? The first thought that came up in her mind.
With the help of her elbows, she sat up while Jian Guozhi helped her. He forwarded the water glass towards her. She drank it and put it down. "Did Jian Ge bring me here?" She asked. Jian Guozhi took the water glass from her and put it on the table. He picked the bowl which had porridge in it.
"Start eating it," he said politely.
Xue Yu-Yan took the spoon and bowl from him. She started to eat it.
"Brother Nianzu brought you here," Jian Guozhi answered. "Eat it first, and then we will have a conversation," he stated.
"Did Jian Ge take his meals?" She asked him.
"No. When I woke up, I was informed that you fainted. The Royal Physician told me that you got weak because of not taking meals and drinking enough water," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
"I was missing your presence," Xue Yu-Yan replied. "Forgive me for troubling you," she said. "Let me call Zi Yi. I cannot eat when my husband has not eaten."
"Stay here. I will eat later. Have this porridge first," Jian Guozhi told her. When Xue Yu-Yan did not eat, he took the spoon from her and took a spoonful of porridge into it. He brought it near her mouth and told her to open it.
Xue Yu-Yan opened her mouth a little and Jian Guozhi pushed the spoon gently inside her mouth. "I didn't miss any of my meals thinking that my wife would be taking good care of her," he stated.
Xue Yu-Yan did not speak anything and felt guilty for worrying Jian Guozhi. She silently ate the food and soon finished it. Jian Guozhi put the bowl away and then again handed her the water glass. She thanked him for taking care of her. Jian Guozhi smiled and wiped her lips with his thumb.
"Jian Ge shall eat now," Xue Yu-Yan stated. He shook his head and showed her the letter
"Jian Ge, how did you--" she paused as she again started to panic. She did wrong by trusting Nianzu. She should not have told him, she thought.
"Calm down and tell me everything," Jian Guozhi told her politely. He caressed her hand and put the paper in front of her. Xue Yu-Yan was still reluctant about it. What if the man who sent this message to her would find it out? She clutched the material of her skirt tightly.
"Xue," Jian Guozhi called out her name. She came out of her thoughts. "Nothing will happen to me. If you think that you can fight with this all yourself, then you are wrong," he proclaimed.
Xue Yu-Yan started to weep. "Jian Ge, I never thought that something like this would happen. What if the Emperor finds out? He hates me already, and if he found out that I shared the map of the Palace with my father's bodyguard, he would kill me right away. Jian Ge, I did not want this to happen," Xue Yu-Yan said while panicking.
Jian Guozhi put his hands on her shoulders. "Nothing will happen, Xue. First, tell me what has happened? Tell me everything. I am your husband, and I must know what's going on!" He stated and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I am waiting," he said.
"When I married you, I stole the Palace's map from your chamber. That time, I thought to help your mother. I thought if I sent some spies through the secret routes to assassinate Sister Lili, then your mother would be happy, and your path would get cleared towards the throne.
I handed it to Shao Meng, in the hope that he would help me. However, Shao Meng got busy with my father's work, and my plan could not be completed. And then he was beheaded along with my father. I forgot about the map with time until a week ago, someone sent me this," Xue Yu-Yan narrated everything to Jian Guozhi and again started weeping.
"Is Shao Meng alive? Why is he doing this with me? Jian Ge, what if he harms you?" Xue Yu-Yan queried him.
"Nothing will happen to me. Shao Meng is dead. Also, whoever is threatening you must have some motives behind it. If he wanted to use the secret routes, then he would have by now. But he cannot. Why? Because it's not easy to get through those routes," Jian Guozhi explained to Xue Yu-Yan, who was a little relieved to hear that.
"Why did you go out alone? Where have you gone? Zi Yi informed me about this," Jian Guozhi waited for her to respond.
"I went to my home to find the map in Shao Meng's house. But the map was not there," Xue Yu-Yan replied. "Jian Ge, what if the person uses it against the Emperor and the Empress? I am terrified," she said in a low voice.
"I need to discuss it with the Emperor. He will definitely come out with a solution," Jian Guozhi told her with a confident tone.
"Please don't tell the Emperor. He will punish me to death," Xue Yu-Yan pleaded with him.
"Xue, it should not be hidden from Brother Sheng. Also, he won't punish you. I won't let it happen. Trust me," Jian Guozhi assured her and pulled her into a hug. Xue Yu-Yan buried her face in his chest and clung to him. She was feeling safe and secure. This past week was stressful for her.
Jian Guozhi pulled away and cupped her face in his palms. "Nothing will happen, Xue," he again told her and kissed at the top of her head.
'Who could be this? Shao Meng was loyal to Xue's father and Xue.. He would have not shared such a piece of important information with anyone unless someone got his hands on it,' Jian Guozhi thought.