He strode to Haitang Residence and pushed open the slightly ajar doors, hoping to prepare the occupant, but he found an empty boudoir.
The Chief Assistant frowned. He searched the courtyard angrily but found no one, so he stepped outside and asked, “Where is she?”
The residence’s steward appeared, trembling. “Today, Miss Ruan’s parents came to the capital. Steward Mi took Miss Ruan to meet them outside the city.”
Lin Jie rushed over, attempting to push the door, only to find it bolted. His expression darkened as he shouted, “Ruan Ning, open the door!”
Author’s note: Successfully portrayed the image of a diligent and knowledge-seeking first assistant, hmm~
Chapter 20: The White Moonlight Becomes a Mother-in-Law
A “ding” sound, and the transparent panel appeared again: “So the female lead actually has a brain! Dropping a thunderbolt to wake her up.”
Ruan Ning was in tears. She just lacked experience and made a mistake momentarily; it didn’t mean she had no brain!
At the same time, Lin Jie’s voice came from outside: “Dismantle the door!”
Before Ruan Ning could react, there was a crackling sound, and the door hinges of Haitang Residence fell off. The two door panels swayed and threatened to fall.
Ruan Ning took a sharp breath, frustrated by the unreasonable actions of the feudal ruling classes.
Lin Jie shouted, “Watch out, don’t let it smash!”
With a loud bang, the door panels fell to the ground. Before the dust could settle, Lin Jie entered, hands behind his back, staring at Ruan Ning.
She lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze, her heart racing.
Lin Jie stepped closer, pinching her chin, and said, “Your courage is growing.”
Ruan Ning struggled free, mumbling, “What’s it to you?”
“Open the door,” he commanded, pointing to the main room.
“No,” Ruan Ning retorted.
She expected Lin Jie to react violently, but instead, he lifted her chin and looked deeply into her eyes. “Then do you want to stay here?”
Confused, Ruan Ning was taken off guard when he leaned down, his cool lips covering hers. Her eyes widened in surprise as his tongue forced its way in, breathing becoming difficult and shame overwhelming her.
She struggled to push him away, but he held her tightly. One hand fixed her chin, forcing her to part her lips, like a fish out of water.
The kiss was unreasonably long. At first clumsy, he soon gained confidence, guiding her as she melted in his arms, closing her eyes and softly panting.
Lin Jie wanted to close his eyes too but was reluctant. Her helplessness was as enticing as the kiss. He kept his eyes open, observing every subtle change in her expression. When he felt her cheeks burning, he reluctantly let her go, gazing at her flushed face and experiencing a sense of male conquest.
Ruan Ning collapsed in his arms, feeling weak. Suddenly awake, she pushed him away and ran into the room, leaning against the door. As he pressed against it, she quickly said, “Don’t come in!”
“Open the door,” Lin Jie growled, but then felt regret, wondering if he had scared her. Lowering his voice, he gently tapped the doorframe, “Open the door.”
“Won’t open,” Ruan Ning said, her face burning, realizing that doing and imagining were completely different.
She had described kisses, embraces, and intimate moments countless times, read many stories about physical attraction, and thought it wouldn’t be difficult – but now, it was very difficult.
The intense heartbeat during the kiss, that feeling of drowning, almost made her think she was falling for him. His passionate heartbeat nearly convinced her this was love.
But ultimately, she was just passing through someone else’s story, tasked with sending him to his death.
Ruan Ning steadied herself, pulling her thoughts back to the mission. She couldn’t let him succeed too quickly. First, she wasn’t prepared, and second, what comes too easily won’t be cherished.
She whispered through the door crack, “Go back, so many people are watching.”
Lin Jie responded, “Who would dare look with me here?”
“No, you always act recklessly…” Ruan Ning saw his eager, passionate expression in her mind, and her heart involuntarily skipped a beat. She couldn’t let this become real. She still needed to leave this fictional world.
Lin Jie was reluctant to leave, holding her in his arms. He was surprised; earlier, when she refused him, he had dismantled the courtyard door. Now, she just closed the door to keep him out, yet he didn’t plan to use force. Could a perfect kiss change so much?
Mi Yi’s voice sounded outside: “Sir, His Majesty has sent a messenger.”
The tender moment had to be put aside. Lin Jie gently patted the door, “I’ll be right back, wait for me.” After a while, a soft “hmm” came from inside.
Lin Jie quickly changed into formal attire. The incense table was prepared. The messenger was Zhang Yun, the head eunuch from Qingqing Palace, who said, “His Majesty’s decree: Please oversee the peace talks with the barbarian tribes. Depart with the delegation early tomorrow morning.”
Lin Jie inquired about the sudden change, to which Zhang Yun explained, “Deputy Assistant Wu fell and was injured after leaving office today. His Majesty trusts you most. You’ve been involved in the peace talks from the beginning. Please come with me to the Cabinet to handover documents.”
Given the urgency, Lin Jie followed him. Mi Yi, accustomed to his unpredictable schedule, began to pack, calling Ruan Ning to show her what Lin Jie usually needed to bring. Ruan Ning listened, contemplating whether she would have the chance to pack his luggage.
Lin Jie returned home at midnight and saw someone waiting inside. He thought it was Ruan Ning, and his heart leaped with joy.
But upon approaching, he found it was Lin Si, who looked at him with a devoted expression and said, “Adoptive father, are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Lin Jie, who had mixed in official circles for many years, quickly realized she wasn’t just there to see him off. He said, “Just speak directly if you have something to say.”
Lin Si, somewhat embarrassed, steeled herself to say, “I wanted to tell you tomorrow, but since you’re suddenly leaving, adoptive father, I have privately pledged myself to Wang Mengfu and hope you will grant your approval.”
Hearing this name, Lin Jie recalled the scene at the inn where he had lifted Ruan Ning into the carriage. A surge of anger rose in his heart, but he decided that from now on, Ruan Ning would belong only to him.
As his anger subsided, he said, “If you’ve made up your mind, ask Uncle Mi to help you prepare. I’ll see you off when I return.”
“Thank you, adoptive father!” Lin Si said joyfully, feeling a weight lift from her heart. Although Wang Mengfu had been entangled with Ruan Ning, she believed he was only after the Ruan family’s money. Now that she was the adopted daughter of the First Assistant, she was confident Wang Mengfu would be devoted to her.
Let him be completely smitten by her, unable to show his temper. She wouldn’t let him move around; otherwise, she would drive him out. He had to endure, waiting until she fell asleep before secretly kissing her lips, then moving to sleep by her feet. The chief minister, being ordered around by a young woman – even he couldn’t believe it just yesterday.
In a few days, everything had changed. From that night when she shed tears and he felt compassion, they had become evenly matched. After that kiss, she became the one leading. Surprisingly, he didn’t mind being led. Was it compassion turning into love or did she awaken his masculine abilities? Lin Jie couldn’t tell. However, beautiful women have a certain magic – otherwise, why would there be poems celebrating their allure? Even the emperor grows accustomed to beauty, let alone him, especially since he never tires of Ruan Ning.
