Chapter 262: So Angry—Kept at a Distance
Whether the National Preceptor attended morning court or not depended entirely on his mood. Seeing that he hadn’t fully woken yet, Nan Xun didn’t disturb him. Instead, she had the small kitchen prepare hot water and breakfast first.
That way, once the big boss woke up, he could have hot tea and freshly made food right away.
When she finally heard movement from the inner hall, Nan Xun began making preparations.
As soon as the door creaked open, she immediately carried in the hot water.
“My lord, let me help you wash up,” Nan Xun said, soaking the brocade cloth and reaching out to wipe his face.
Gong Mo Ran slightly turned his head, avoiding her hand. He took the cloth from her and said calmly, “I’ll do it myself. You may leave.”
Nan Xun froze.
Ever since becoming the big boss’s disciple, she had helped him wash his face and change clothes plenty of times. He’d never refused before.
Could it be because of what happened yesterday? Was the big boss embarrassed?
But Nan Xun quickly realized it wasn’t just embarrassment. His attitude toward her had practically reset to square one—distant to the extreme.
She had worked so hard preparing breakfast, yet the big boss didn’t even glance at it before leaving, only saying he had business with the emperor.
This time, Gong Mo Ran didn’t take her along—only Gong Da.
Nan Xun burst into tears toward Little Eight. “I’m done for. I’ve got a feeling the big boss’s evil-thought value is going to be stuck and not move at all for a while.”
Little Eight was baffled. “Why? Wasn’t everything fine yesterday?”
Nan Xun lay sprawled on the table, her face squished flat. “Who knows. Something probably made him spiral.”
Because of Gong Mo Ran’s change in attitude, Nan Xun decided to take a risk on this full-moon night and go check on him.
She knew someone suffering backlash from sorcery was extremely dangerous and might not even recognize loved ones—but sometimes, taking a risk could bring unexpected results.
She’d thought through every possible consequence, except one: on the night of the full moon, she couldn’t open the inner hall door at all.
Gong Mo Ran had locked it from the inside.
Listening to the increasingly painful low growls and ragged breathing from within, Nan Xun suddenly felt a sharp ache in her heart.
All these years… had he always endured it alone?
Twelve months a year, every single month, suffering inhuman torment. And how many years had he already lived like this?
She couldn’t help knocking on the door. “My lord! My lord, can you open the door?”
The man’s suppressed, pained roar paused—then he suddenly shouted at her, “Get the hell away from here!”
“I won’t! My lord, let me see you, please! I’m just worried about you!”
Bang!
Something was hurled against the door from inside, making it shudder violently.
“I said get lost! Did you hear me?”
Nan Xun’s expression darkened. She really did listen and “rolled away”—just not very far. She rolled back to her own small bed and buried her head under the blanket.
Serves you right. Hurt all you want.
Little Eight was puzzled. “With your personality, shouldn’t you have kicked the door open and rushed in? Why did you actually leave him alone?”
Nan Xun replied calmly, “Why go in? To offer my head on a platter? The big boss is way too dangerous right now. If I really kicked that door open, I’d be dead.”
After a pause, her voice dropped. “Even if I went in risking my life, I still couldn’t help him—not yet…”
Gong Mo Ran’s deliberate distancing from Gong Nineteen was felt by all the disciples of Mo Ran Hall. Some were happy; others were worried.
The huge weight in Gong Da’s heart finally lifted, while Gong Seventeen worried that the little rice bucket would be crushed by the blow.
With fewer and fewer chances to see Gong Mo Ran, Nan Xun was increasingly shut out. Even when they rested in the same hall at night, one door in between meant she could see nothing.
Though somewhat depressed, Nan Xun still ate when it was time to eat and slept when it was time to sleep—remarkably thick-skinned.
By contrast, the National Preceptor now had faint dark circles under his eyes, clear signs of insomnia and overthinking. Everyone said he’d been burdened with too many matters lately.
Seeing Nan Xun so carefree, Little Eight grew anxious. “Darling, you just eat and drink every day and don’t care about anything?”
Nan Xun spread her hands. “What else can I do? Damn it, he doesn’t take me anywhere, locks himself in the inner hall every night, and only gives a few perfunctory replies when I ask through the door. What am I supposed to do?”
Little Eight said, “You can’t just do nothing.”
“Relax. I’m waiting—waiting for an opportunity. You know about the big happy event recently, right? After Qi Hengqing returned, the Eastern Lin king immediately sent word to the Southern Yun king. The two old foxes want to form a marriage alliance. The engagement candidates are Princess Yao and Seventh Prince Qi Hengqing. It’s basically a done deal—Princess Yao will soon be the Seventh Prince’s consort.”
Little Eight wasn’t interested. “Who cares about them? Princess Yao’s just another beauty with a short fate. She’ll die in Eastern Lin eventually, becoming one of Qi Hengqing’s stepping stones.”
Nan Xun clicked her tongue. “Looks like this world’s chosen one isn’t just lucky—he’s also incredible at charming women. Princess Yao was madly in love with the National Preceptor not long ago, and now she’s happily preparing to marry Qi Hengqing.”
Little Eight asked, “So the opportunity you’re waiting for—does it have something to do with that woman?”
“Yes,” Nan Xun said. “I learned a bit of mind-reading from the big boss. Princess Yao looks dignified on the outside, but she’s petty and vindictive inside. She suffered a loss at my hands, so before leaving, she’ll definitely want revenge. She’s marrying into Eastern Lin in two months—watch it. Within two months, she’ll make a move.”
Little Eight let out an “oh” and instantly felt reassured.
This version of Nan Xun was so worry-free. It had thought she was just loafing around, but her inner算盘 was clacking away nonstop.
Nan Xun didn’t expect the wait to last a full month.
A chief eunuch came to Mo Ran Hall with an edict from the empress dowager, inviting Gong Nineteen to the palace for a small gathering.
Nan Xun followed the eunuch to the empress’s palace and, sure enough, saw Princess Yao there.
The empress looked Gong Nineteen up and down, growing more satisfied by the second. Holding her hand, she smiled and asked, “Miss Nineteen is sixteen this year, right? Same age as Yao’er. Yao’er is about to be married, yet you’re still unbetrothed.” She paused. “Do you have someone you admire? If not, what do you think of my second son? I can’t promise you the position of principal consort, but I can grant you the position of secondary consort.”
Nan Xun’s expression changed slightly. She immediately said, “I’m flattered, Your Majesty, but I dare not aspire so high.”
Princess Yao giggled. “Miss Nineteen, my second imperial brother is truly exceptional. Could it be that you find the position of secondary consort beneath you and want the principal consort’s place?”
Turning to the empress, she coquettishly added, “Mother, why not grant Miss Nineteen her wish? Though she was once of low status, she’s now the National Preceptor’s disciple—her identity is no longer the same. Giving her the principal consort position would be fitting.”
The empress’s face immediately darkened at Princess Yao’s words.
Nan Xun: …
