Chapter 35 Climbing High
Inside the carriage, the man lazily lifted his eyelids, a hint of curiosity and profound meaning coloring the curve of his lips.
Hearing no sound from within, a glimmer of hope flickered in Wen Xueling’s eyes.
No refusal meant consent......There was a chance!
She boldly approached the carriage, and the moment she lifted the curtain, she once again met Wenren Yi’s dark eyes, which held a hint of amusement and self-satisfaction.
The black-clad guard driving the carriage lowered the step, and Wen Xueling deftly climbed into the carriage.
She sat in the side seat, pressed against the carriage curtain, saying nothing, allowing the man opposite her to gaze at her through his mask.
His gaze was very calm, like a serene, placid spring, without any uncomfortable scrutiny.
Instead, Wen Xueling’s unwavering gaze was fixed directly on his neck.
His Adam’s apple, a delicate and alluring spot, yet she still hadn’t seen the mole she was hoping for.
It was only because a small lock of dark hair covered it.
Wen Xueling couldn’t clearly see if there was the mark from her past memories.
If he was truly that masked man from her previous life......
Then in this life, could she, leveraging the memories of her past, harbor the extravagant hope of turning the Imperial Preceptor, who was above all but one, into a stepping stone to her own pinnacle of power......a high branch?
As the capital city’s lights began to illuminate the streets, the black carriage moved silently, like a phantom blending into the night, deliberately taking quiet, deserted alleyways.
Suddenly, a voice echoed within the carriage.
“Does it look good?” The deep, mellow voice carried a subtle hint of danger.
It landed in Wen Xueling’s ears, bringing with it a chilling pressure, like a surging tide.
Her lips curled slightly. She looked up and met those dark, deep eyes, unafraid of the coldness within them, and leaned forward.
Wen Xueling looked at him seriously and said, “It looks good.”
“Heh......So you like looking at it this much? How about I gouge out your eyes, and we can be together day and night?”
The aloof voice was tinged with coldness, and his eyes deepened, fixating on her fair face, as if trying to discern something.
She raised a delicate eyebrow, feigning thought, “I didn't expect the dignified and upright Imperial Preceptor to speak such vulgarities with such......ease.”
These disrespectful words made the heart of the black-clad guard outside the curtain clench. The movement of his whip momentarily froze.
The carriage suddenly experienced a slight jolt.
“My Lord, forgive me!”
Unbeknownst to them, the situation inside the carriage had changed at that very moment.
Wen Xueling, following the jolt, threw herself into Wenren Yi’s arms. Her exhaled breath stirred the wisp of dark hair on his neck, and she finally saw the small mole hidden beneath it.
......It really was him.
Her gaze was momentarily stunned, and when she lowered her eyes, a hint of joy entered them.
If there was one person who had offered her a modicum of warmth in her previous life, it was probably that elusive masked man.
He always appeared when she needed help.
Even if there might have been some unknown motives mixed in.
In her previous life, she dared not ask in the Slave City dungeon, fearing to lose her only aid.
In this life, she didn’t need to ask. After all, who would develop too many unnecessary emotions for a benefactor used to gain power over enemies?
Moreover, who in the world didn’t know the rumors of the Imperial Preceptor’s aversion to women?
This high branch appeared at just the right time.
The brocade robe in front of her was slightly disheveled. Wen Xueling’s hand rested on his chest, her movements light as she smoothed it for him.
“Your Excellency, Imperial Preceptor......my eyes......are not as interesting as I am.”
Seeing her feigned obsequiousness, a dangerous darkness flickered in Wenren Yi’s eyes. His hand suddenly pressed on her waist, and he felt her movements stiffen abruptly.
Wen Xueling hadn’t expected him to suddenly make a move and was momentarily stunned.
“What’s wrong? Didn't you say you were more interesting?” Beneath the silver mask, his lips curved into an intriguing arc.
She composed herself, noticed the interest in his eyes, and realized he was teasing her.
Wen Xueling unexpectedly leaned closer to the area of his thin lips covered by the mask. As expected, she saw his expression change, and he leaned back.
Both were old foxes.
Whoever was more audacious would gain the upper hand.
The sudden proximity she created caused a dense web of pressure to form around Wenren Yi, enveloping them both.
Wen Xueling clearly saw his gaze turn sharp. She tugged at the corners of her lips, feigning innocence, “Your Excellency, Imperial Preceptor, why are you hiding?”
Since she had decided to climb this high branch, she had no intention of letting him go, nor did she exhibit any maidenly shyness.
Her directness......made Wenren Yi somewhat unable to fathom her intentions.
He didn’t tell her why he was hiding.
He had someone drop her off at the back gate of the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence and swiftly departed.
Wen Xueling watched the departing carriage, a smile playing on her face. He was far more interesting in this life than in her previous one.
She turned and quickly entered the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence.
The time spent in the imperial palace was longer than she had initially expected.
Mother must be terribly worried.
No matter what kind of treacherous place the Prime Minister’s residence was, she couldn’t leave before she completely ruined her scoundrel father, stepmother, and stepsister.
“Madam, please eat something, or Miss will worry when she returns.”
“I......I can't eat.”
Mu Qingyu and her maids were settled in the guest courtyard of the residence of the General Who Pacifies the Nation. The table was laden with delicious dishes Liang Jue had arranged for them to enjoy.
But Mu Qingyu, worried about her daughter, had no appetite.
“Mother—” Wen Xueling came running from the night, the wind blowing through her long hair, her face beaming with the joy of having triumphed over her scoundrel father.
Seeing the untouched feast on the table, she knew her mother was too worried to eat, so she said, “Mother, let's eat a little more together.”
“Slow down, don’t choke. Here, have some soup.”
As she sat down and devoured her food, Mu Qingyu, seeing her daughter’s hearty appetite, ate a few bites with her, then began serving her dishes and soup.
Granny Su and the sisters Tang Chun exited the room, leaving the space for the mother and daughter.
Except for what her four elder brothers did in her previous life, Wen Xueling had no intention of hiding anything else from her mother and told her everything in detail.
Hearing her scoundrel husband’s actions towards her daughter, Mu Qingyu’s hand holding the chopsticks tightened imperceptibly. She had still overestimated Wen Jingshu; he actually wanted to burn her daughter to ashes!
A snapping sound came from inside the room.
Under Wen Xueling’s surprised gaze, the chopsticks broke into two. “Mother, you......”
The nourishing medicinal soup given to her mother recently seemed to be quite effective!
She could continue brewing it in the future.
“Ling’er, Mother will definitely avenge you!" Mu Qingyu’s eyes were resolute. She vaguely felt a suppressed power surging within her.
Wen Xueling nodded and said with a smile, “Yes, with Mother here, Ling’er fears nothing.”
Before she left the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence, she planned to discuss the subsequent matters with Liang Jue, but then she heard Mu Qingyu’s hesitant words.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Wen Xueling looked at her with some concern.
Mu Qingyu had just entered the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence and immediately sought an audience with General Liang, wanting to ask for his help for her daughter.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he saw her, he froze, his eyes wide with shock.
He remained in a dazed state even after she left his study, which she found a bit strange.
Wen Xueling frowned. She trusted Liang Jue’s character, but her mother’s beauty was unparalleled. Her face darkened, and a hint of annoyance crept into her heart.
“Mother, don’t worry, I’ll just go say a few words and be right back.”
When she arrived at the study with a fierce demeanor, she saw Liang Jue in the same dazed state her mother had described.
Seeing her, Liang Jue’s expression immediately changed, and the way he looked at her also became strange.
That rough, bearded face instantly broke into a gentle yet stiff smile, and he asked her, “Ling’er, have you considered getting a new father?”
Wen Xueling: “?” What did he mean?
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