Broken Jade - Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Every step down the stairs was an ordeal for Sheng Zhaoning in her current state.

Her inner force had broken free of the restraints of her meridians and was rampaging through her body. Agonizing pain wracked every inch of her.

The strains of strings and flutes drifted endlessly through Mingyue Pavilion. At first, the surrounding clamor was still distinct, but it gradually began to fade.

Her hearing and senses were failing.

Once her inner force had completely dissipated, she would be no different from an ordinary person. In fact, the damage to her meridians would leave her even more frail. The slightest chill could make her fall ill.

Everything Sheng Zhaoning had tempered and accumulated through more than a decade of torment and suffering would vanish tonight.

Yet all she felt was relief.

The immense weight of Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion had borne down on her for far too long, like shackles from which she could never escape.

Now that those heavy shackles had fallen away, she finally dared to love him without restraint.

Dragging her leaden feet, Sheng Zhaoning descended from the tower one step at a time.

The secret passage was long and narrow, and every step was a trial.

She had no idea how long she had been walking. Cold sweat had long since soaked through her clothes, and her vision blurred intermittently.

At last, a patch of brilliant light shone in from the end of the passage, and a cold wind stirred the hem of her robe. Only then did Sheng Zhaoning stop. Leaning against the doorway, she carefully wiped every last trace of blood from the corner of her lips with her sleeve.

She did not want him to see it.

The blood disappeared against her black clothes, leaving no visible trace.

Moonlight shimmered over the surging crowd.

When she stepped out of Mingyue Pavilion, thousands of brilliant lanterns illuminated the mortal world before her.

She was going to find the man waiting on the bridge.

Cold slowly seeped into her limbs, and each step became increasingly difficult. She followed the crowd toward Queqiao. Countless people jostled her shoulders and bumped into her as they passed.

Sheng Zhaoning gritted her teeth. It took nearly all her strength just to remain standing. Fighting against the flow of people, she climbed the steps, each one slow but unwavering.

At last, everything on the bridge came into focus as she drew closer.

She saw the river lanterns drifting upon the water and the moonlight rippling in silver waves across its surface.

People streamed to and fro across the bridge, their clamor filling the air.

But the instant she saw the figure standing quietly by the bridge, waiting for her, everything else faded into gray obscurity, and all sound vanished from her ears.

She saw only that figure beneath the moon, straight and steadfast as a green pine. As though sensing her presence, he turned and raised his eyes to her. The moment he recognized her, the tenderness in his gaze softened into ripples as clear and gentle as water.

Only one voice remained perfectly distinct in her ears.

“Ningning.”

He held nothing back, pouring all his tenderness and longing into that single word.

Sheng Zhaoning did not have to endure the pain of taking even one more step. The instant Wei Heng saw her, he came to her without hesitation.

Wei Heng had never made her exhaust herself chasing after him. As long as she was willing to take a step in his direction, he would always meet her without hesitation and stand by her side, just as he did now.

The emptiness in Sheng Zhaoning’s heart was filled in an instant.

Suppressing the sting gathering at the corners of her eyes, she gave him a soft, tender smile.

“Ah Heng.”

Those two syllables were like bamboo shoots bursting forth beneath the spring rain, carrying boundless love as they grew with wild abandon.

Wei Heng stared at her in disbelief, afraid it was only an illusion. Even the belated ecstasy rising in his eyes was cautious and tentative.

He held his breath, his throat dry, and asked nervously, seeking confirmation, “What… did you call me?”

Wei Heng feared he had misheard her. He also feared that even she did not understand what those two words truly meant.

But Sheng Zhaoning did not answer him.

Under his trembling gaze, she slowly reached out and wrapped both arms around his waist. Nestling into his embrace, she buried her face deep in the hollow of his neck.

Her warm, damp breath brushed his throat, sending his heart into a frenzy.

Sheng Zhaoning held him tightly, letting his crisp pine scent envelop her as his warmth and heartbeat flowed into her.

Even Wei Heng’s breathing trembled.

He lowered his head, and the tip of his nose inadvertently grazed her hair, sending ripples of tingling sensation through him.

“Could you… say it again?”

Wei Heng asked with the utmost care. At that very moment, Sheng Zhaoning lifted her head.

She said nothing.

Her answer was the cool softness that pressed against his lips.

Sheng Zhaoning closed her eyes and rose onto her toes, winding her arms around his neck as she took the initiative to deepen their trembling kiss.

Endless astonishment filled Wei Heng’s eyes.

He felt the tentative movements against his lips and realized in a daze that the person before him was clinging to the back of his neck, holding his waist, and tilting her head up to kiss him with awkward, restrained longing.

Fireworks burst across the distant sky in a riot of dazzling color.

All their love surged free in that instant. Beneath the magnificent fireworks, Wei Heng finally received the certainty he had been waiting for. His unease and hesitation vanished. He locked an arm around her, lowered his head, and kissed her fiercely.

Their cool lips turned scorching hot, burning away reason and transforming it into an even more overwhelming tide of love.

Silver moonlight gleamed over thousands of brilliant lanterns.

Amid the bustling crowd, two hearts pressed tightly together, pounding like drums.

In the distance, Wei Yi stood alone by a window. The bitter wind howled, and moonlight shone into his eyes, illuminating the emotion within them.

Jealousy-enough to drive him mad.

…

After the Shangyuan Festival, all the government offices settled back into their usual busy routines.

At the Court of Judicial Review, the cases that had piled up before the New Year now came crashing down like mountains and waves, leaving everyone groaning under the workload.

Yet even under such crushing pressure, they were still quick to notice certain unusual developments.

For instance, the habitually aloof Lord Sheng had inexplicably grown somewhat gentler of late.

The Crown Prince, who handled state affairs far away in Wenhua Hall, had recently begun making frequent trips to the Court of Judicial Review.

The two of them were often seen walking together, talking and laughing.

And the food at the Court of Judicial Review had noticeably improved…

Everyone privately wondered what sort of relationship the Crown Prince had with Sheng Zhaoning. His favoritism was far too blatant.

Still, speculation was one thing; no one dared gossip behind their backs.

After all, when it came to the Heir Apparent’s conduct, no one dared criticize him even if he showed particular favor toward a trusted official.

Tao Song, however, knew that Wei Heng had always been fond of Sheng Zhaoning.

Using her Metropolitan Examination essay as his starting point, the Crown Prince had launched a sweeping attack on corrupt practices and purged the court. There was no telling how many sordid dealings hidden in the shadows had been dragged into the light. A group of corrupt officials had been severely punished, and the Court of Judicial Review had played no small part in the effort.

Tao Song had also always admired and valued Sheng Zhaoning.

That was especially true after the Shen Tongshu case. The ability and meticulousness she had displayed suited him perfectly.

Sheng Zhaoning dared to think and act. She had both resolve and skill, and could uncover the faintest clues in the smallest details. She neither feared offending others nor cared to feign amiability. She spared no one’s pride, following every lead until she had rooted out a vast number of people and left half the imperial court trembling. She was much like Tao Song himself in his younger days.

Tao Song was never stingy with those he thought highly of. He brought her directly to his side and taught her everything he knew.

After only two short months, Sheng Zhaoning was already capable of handling major matters on her own.