The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 180 I’m sorry, Jue Ling!

Inside Linkang Prefecture, Princess Jue Ling's residence was filled with a faint medicinal aroma. The fragrance, almost imperceptible, yet refreshing, lingered quietly in the air, as if soothing Princess Jue Ling's wounded heart. Ever since the shock of the assassination attempt, Princess Jue Ling had been weakened, requiring constant medication. Bowls of dark, bitter medicine, a potent remedy for illness and life, were swallowed with difficulty by Princess Jue Ling.

"Sister Xiao, this time it's all thanks to you, otherwise, I'm afraid..." Princess Jue Ling struggled to sit up, wanting to express her deep gratitude to Sister Xiao Cen, but she was unable to do so due to her weak body.

Upon seeing this, Cen Jiexiao quickly reached out and gently pressed Princess Jue Ling's shoulder, indicating that she didn't need to do so.

"Jue Ling, you're too kind. Protecting you is my duty as a minister of the Great Zhou," Cen Jiexiao said calmly. Although it was a play she directed and performed herself, Princess Jue Ling had been unknowingly endangered and deeply frightened. Guilt outweighed concern in Cen Jiexiao's eyes, but no matter how you put it, her concern for Jue Ling was genuine, practically written on her face.

"I know exactly what happened this time. If it weren't for you, I would have already gone to hell..." Princess Jue Ling's voice was choked with sobs. She knew the danger of this assassination attempt, and if it weren't for Sister Cen Xiao's desperate rescue, she would have perished long ago. She wanted to express her gratitude to Sister Cen for saving her life, and to promise that after the sacrificial ceremony, she would help Sister Cen ask for a reward from her brother, the emperor, but she was interrupted by a sudden cough.

She quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief. Her face was pale and her breath was weak. The sudden cough seemed to tear her thin body apart.

"Cough cough cough..." Princess Jue Ling's cough echoed in the room, and Cen Jiexiao's heart tightened. She hurriedly patted Princess Jue Ling's back gently, trying to make her breathe smoother.

"Jue Ling...you'd better have a good rest and take care of yourself. It's not too late to talk about other things later." Cen Jiexiao looked at the woman in front of her with an unfortunate fate, and thought about how she had used her, and suddenly her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

She knew some of the past between Princess Jue Ling and Mo Lei. Jue Ling was carrying too much and should not bear so much responsibility and pressure. She needed rest and time to heal the trauma of her body and mind.

"By the way, Jue Ling, these are new clothes designed by the students in the sixth group of art design class in the academy's craftsman department. I asked them to make two sets according to your size." In order to divert Princess Jue Ling's attention and to make her happier, Cen Jiexiao took out two modern-style princess dresses.

These two dresses were specially designed by Cen Jiexiao for the students of the sixth art design class in the Academy's Artisan Department. She hoped to bring some freshness and surprise to Princess Jue Ling. The bright and lively colors and intricate patterns evoke a youthful and energetic vibe. What's more, the two dresses feature a pattern of golden-feathered peacocks, symbolizing a hundred birds paying homage. After traveling to the Great Zhou, Cen Jiexiao learned that the women of the Great Zhou primarily worshipped the peacock, using it as a totem, particularly the golden-feathered peacock.

"Thank you, Sister Xiao, thank you for being so kind to me. This is the first time I've seen such beautiful skirts." Princess Jue Ling looked at the two novel and exquisitely crafted skirts in front of her, a glint of surprise in her eyes. She gently stroked the soft fabric of the skirts, feeling the warmth and care from Sister Cen Xiao.

"Jue Ling, take good care of yourself. When everything is over, I will hold a fashion show just for you, as long as you like it?" Cen Jiexiao comforted and assured her. She hoped to see Princess Jue Ling recover her health and see a bright smile on her face again.

"Okay, then, it's a deal!" A charming blush graced Princess Jue Ling's pale face. She gently raised her slender arm, as graceful as a willow branch on a spring day. Her hand, white as snow, seemed carved from the finest mutton-fat jade, radiating a warm luster in the sunlight. Her fingertips moved slightly, as if hesitating, yet also as if expecting.

Finally, she slowly stretched out her little finger. Her little finger, as white as jade, was like a bud about to bloom in early spring, tender and juicy. It drew a graceful arc in the air, and stopped in front of Cen Jiexiao with a hint of shyness and expectation.

Looking at the pitiful woman in front of her, Cen Jiexiao felt a warm feeling in her heart. She seemed to see the innocence and kindness deep in Princess Jue Ling's heart.

She smiled slightly and stretched out her little finger. It was a slender and strong finger with distinct knuckles, and it had a heroic air, forming a sharp contrast with Princess Jue Ling's slender little finger.

The two fingers were gently hooked together, as if two originally parallel lines of fate intersected and entangled at this moment, forming an unsolvable knot.

At that moment, Cen Jiexiao felt as if her heart was gently touched by something, and a strange feeling came over her. It was a promise, a responsibility, and an indescribable bond, as if it was the arrangement of fate that tied them closely together.

Princess Jue Ling also felt Cen Jiexiao's sincerity and determination. A touching smile appeared on her pale face. That smile was like the warm sunshine in winter, illuminating Cen Jiexiao's heart.

"It's a deal!" Cen Jiexiao stared at the delicate Princess Jue Ling with deep eyes, and the penetrating power of that look seemed to reach directly into Princess Jue Ling's heart.

As night fell, the entire palace was enveloped in a hushed silence. Shai Zhen dismissed his attendants and went alone to the Imperial Garden, seeking a moment of peace and quiet.

Moonlight poured down like water, casting shadows on the flowers and trees in the imperial garden and gilding Shai Zhen's figure with a faint silver glow. He walked aimlessly along the bluestone path, his tall figure looking particularly lonely in the moonlight, as if out of place in the beautiful night.

"Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest." The concerned voice of the eunuch chief Li Dehai came from behind, with a hint of caution, for fear of disturbing the emperor's thoughts.

Chai Zhen stopped but did not look back. He just sighed softly, his tone full of fatigue and helplessness: "I can't sleep..."

He raised his head and gazed at the bright moon in the sky. The bright moonlight was like a bitter medicine, reflecting the anguish and struggle in his heart. "Tell me, am I really useless?" Chai Zhen's voice was low and hoarse, as if he was talking to himself, but also as if he was questioning Li Dehai beside him.

"You are the Son of Heaven and possess supreme power, but you can't even protect the people around you..." His tone was full of self-blame and pain. Thinking of everything that Princess Jue Ling had experienced, his heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible big hand, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"Your Majesty..." Li Dehai opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Chai Zhen's impatient wave of his hand.

"I know what you want to say," Chai Zhen said with a self-deprecating smile, his smile full of bitterness. "You mean to say that I am the Son of Heaven and should put the country first, not for a woman..."

His voice paused, and a trace of struggle and pain flashed in his eyes. "But, I am also a human being. I have seven emotions and six desires. I also feel heartache and sadness..."

Chai Zhen's voice became lower and lower. Finally, he simply squatted down and buried his head between his arms. His shoulders trembled slightly, as if he was trying his best to suppress the surging emotions in his heart.

Li Dehai didn't dare to say anything when he saw this. He could only stand aside silently and accompany him. He knew that at this moment, any words were pale and powerless. Only time could slowly heal the pain in the emperor's heart.

After an unknown amount of time, Chai Zhen finally raised his head. He looked at Li Dehai and said something firmly.

"Pass on my order. Tomorrow, I will go on a private visit in disguise to meet someone..."

Li Dehai was shocked when he heard this and asked quickly, "Your Majesty, who are you going to see?"

"Cen Jiexiao." Chai Zhen's tone was firm and decisive, as if he had made an important decision.