Chapter 80

The rain kept dripping, drip by drip, as if hitting directly on Jinglian’s mind.

He stared fixedly at the thing in Sang Yao’s hand, the little booklet he had once cherished, carried with him day and night, and poured his heart and soul into creating, feeling as if he had been struck by lightning from head to toe.

He couldn’t believe that his precious treasure would appear in front of him in this way one day.

He couldn’t find any words to say.

Sang Yao noticed Jinglian’s complex expression as he stared at the thing in her hand.

At first, she didn’t quite understand, but then suddenly she realized.

Right, she remembered.

Jinglian might also be aware of this little booklet.

When Xie Yun and Jinglian came to the Ministry of Justice together before, Jinglian even asked her about this little booklet.

However, at that time, she didn’t reveal anything.

But things were different now.

Both Xie Yun and Jinglian would eventually see this little booklet, so there was probably nothing wrong with Jinglian seeing it today.

She whispered, “Jinglian, do you recognize this?”

Jinglian stood on the steps, after a moment of despair, he forced himself to adjust.

He pressed his lips together and tried to analyze the situation.

He was still alive and well, with no missing limbs or broken bones, which meant his master probably didn’t know about this booklet.

The booklet was unsigned, and he was sure he had never revealed any handwriting in front of Sang Yao, so the possibility of Sang Yao discovering it was small.

But then, thinking of this, Jinglian suddenly remembered that a few months ago, he had asked her about it at a palace banquet!

The events of a few months ago flashed before his eyes.

Since this booklet could appear in Sang Yao’s hands, it proved that this was the one he lost at the Ministry of Justice that day.

Later, Miss Sang found it, and when he asked, Miss Sang didn’t tell the truth.

…No one would tell the truth in such a situation.

Sang Yao must have read it, and thinking about what was written inside, Jinglian felt like he wanted to die.

If he hadn’t asked back then, since he asked, wouldn’t it be like Sang Yao proving that he knew about this booklet?

Who could save him!

Jinglian felt even more desperate.

What should he do?

He met Sang Yao’s gaze.

Sang Yao had a pair of beautiful almond-shaped eyes, which looked pure when she looked at him, as if she was just exploring.

So should he admit it or not?

Perhaps Jinglian hesitated for too long.

After Sang Yao finished speaking, she answered herself, “You definitely recognize it.”

…This is bad.

Sure enough, she knew.

Jinglian didn’t know how he could make amends.

He pressed his lips tightly and then painfully said, “Madam, I…”

Before he could even finish saying that he deserved to die a thousand times, Sang Yao interrupted, “Xie Yun doesn’t know that I found this. Don’t tell him for now.”

Jinglian’s expression stiffened for a moment, and he dumbly murmured.

What did she mean?

Jinglian asked, “Madam, are you saying…?”

Sang Yao said, “Have you seen this?”

Jinglian’s expression became complicated again.

Obviously, he had seen it, more than once. The cover was even worn out from his touch.

But he became increasingly confused; it seemed like Madam had no intention of blaming him.

But that didn’t feel quite right.

Sang Yao answered herself again, “You definitely haven’t seen it, right?”

Jinglian nodded solemnly, saying, “I haven’t seen it.”

Sang Yao also nodded, “I doubt Xie Yun would show you this either.”

She asked Jing Lian with interest, “What do you think Xie Yun is like?”

Jing Lian reluctantly tore his gaze away from the book that could potentially lead him to his demise and said, “I dare not make unwarranted comments.”

Sang Yao said, “It’s okay, I won’t tell him.”

Jing Lian always had an extraordinary trust and fondness for Sang Yao, making it impossible for him to refuse her requests.

After a brief silence, he replied, “I think Young Master Xie is talented in handling worldly matters, meticulous in nature, and very reliable.”

Seeing no change in Sang Yao’s expression, Jing Lian guessed that perhaps it wasn’t good to always praise Xie Yun in front of her.

He began racking his brains to find some flaws. In fact, there were too many flaws in his master to list.

However, he would never expose his master’s flaws in front of Sang Yao.

After a while, he picked out a relatively unimportant flaw and said, “It’s just that Young Master Xie doesn’t have many hobbies. Most of his time is spent on political affairs, so he might seem a bit old-fashioned at times.”

He quickly added, “But it’s only occasionally. Sometimes, the master can be quite humorous.”

Like when he scolds Jing Lian.

Sang Yao nodded, recalling Xie Yun’s stern face, and agreed, “Indeed, old-fashioned.”

As she casually flipped through the pages of the book in her hand, Jing Lian’s eyes were constantly drawn to the familiar handwriting.

Sang Yao looked at the romantic stories inside and said, “Jing Lian, let me tell you, your master is the best at pretending. He even fooled you.”

She pointed to the book in her hand and said, “He wrote this.”

Jing Lian: “…Ah?”

Sang Yao continued, “Don’t be fooled by that little old-fashioned appearance. In fact, he’s quite wild inside.”

“…”

Jing Lian really didn’t expect things to turn out like this.

Part of his little book was written from his master’s perspective, and part of it was his own description.

At first, he worried that if someone found this notebook, it might damage Xie Yun’s reputation, but later he thought it was unlikely.

But the harsh reality told her otherwise.

It was possible.

So the current situation was that Sang Yao thought this little book was written by his master.

Kill him! Jing Lian clenched his lips tightly, never feeling so tormented before.

He hesitated between continuing to conceal the truth or confessing.

He was a qualified attendant, loyalty to his master was inevitable, but this situation…

Jing Lian was struggling when he saw Sang Yao’s expression change, and then quickly hid the booklet behind her back.

Jing Lian was stunned for a moment, and in that split second, he suddenly understood why Sang Yao did this.

With a chill behind him, Jing Lian slowly straightened up and turned around slowly.

He saw Xie Yun.

In the misty rain, the man walked towards her with an oiled-paper umbrella.

His steps were light, there was a relaxed feeling about him, his voice was like being covered in mist, and soon he came in front of Sang Yao.

“What were you holding just now?”

The question was asked!

Jing Lian’s heart immediately tensed up, he even forgot to bow to Xie Yun at this moment.

Xie Yun’s gaze swept over him, making him feel like he had been stabbed in the back with a thorn.

Sang Yao said, “It’s nothing.”

“Aren’t you going to wait a while? Why are you back now?”

Xie Yun took back the umbrella and said truthfully, “You were still waiting for me.”

Such a thoughtful remark.

Jing Lian couldn’t help but think, things are different after becoming married.

If this had happened in the past, his master would have made a sarcastic remark about it.

Jing Lian reflexively smiled.

Xie Yun’s gaze returned to Jing Lian, and he glanced at him from head to toe, almost writing his suspicion on his face.

Then he said to Sang Yao in a slow voice, “Yao Yao, what are you doing here?”

Sang Yao’s sudden shout caught her off guard, and her cheeks flushed.

Then she reached out from behind her and said, “I’m reading here.”

Xie Yun’s gaze returned to Jing Lian, and then he said, “What book is it that you can’t show me?”

Instead, Jing Lian could see it.

He even saw it but still hid it.

With Jing Lian’s understanding of Xie Yun, he knew that in the end, Xie Yun would definitely find out about these things.

Jing Lian didn’t want to face it anymore, and he said in despair, “Master, I’ll take my leave.”

But Xie Yun did not agree, nor did he give him a chance to buffer.

Xie Yun had already walked in front of Sang Yao, just an arm’s length away from his treasure.

Sang Yao’s hem was stained with mud, and she straightened up and whispered, “Anyway, I can’t show it to you.”

After a pause, she added, “It’s for your own good.”

Xie Yun nodded, then asked, “Why say that?”

Sang Yao laughed twice and said to him, “I’ve already said, the evidence is in my hands.”

Jing Lian didn’t know what evidence this couple was talking about.

But he knew that once that thing was taken out, it would be the end of him.

This was the third time Sang Yao had mentioned this so-called evidence, and she seemed sincere, not joking with him.

Xie Yun finally became interested, he said, “Bring out your evidence and let me see.”

Sang Yao didn’t mean to hide it deliberately, but she was still a bit uncomfortable telling Xie Yun in person.

Under Jing Lian’s pleading gaze, Sang Yao said, “Do you really want to see it?”

Xie Yun nodded and said, “Honestly, I’m curious about what this evidence of love is.”

Jing Lian cleared his throat, about to speak up to stop it, but Xie Yun glanced at him.

The courage he had gathered so hard dissipated in that moment.

Jing Lian’s heart felt like ashes.

He silently retreated a couple of steps.

Sang Yao hesitated for a moment, but since things had come to this point, she couldn’t hide it anymore.

However, it wasn’t a big deal anyway.

She reached behind her and took out the little booklet, then holding it by the corner, she said to Xie Yun, “Does it look familiar?”

Jing Lian closed his eyes in despair.

Is there anyone who can take him away?

Xie Yun frowned, his gaze falling on the worn booklet.

Because it was hanging in the air, it swayed back and forth in front of them.

“What is this…?”

Sang Yao looked at Xie Yun and said, “It’s okay, I won’t laugh at you.”

Xie Yun really couldn’t remember at all.

He reached out and took it from Sang Yao’s hand, then casually flipped through it.