tallest building

Chapter 281 Each with their own intentions

Zhang Ma held Gong Chang'an tightly, showering him with affection; he hadn't seen Gong Chang'an for quite some time.

“Zhang Ma, you could have just waited for me on the mountain. Why did you come down? The mountain path is difficult to walk on,” Gong Chang’an said. “And your legs aren’t good.”

“Hey, what’s a little distance? Sang Er and I got down while we were talking. Getting back up is easy too, we just had them carry me up in a sedan chair. I was just thinking I could spend a little more time with you,” Zhang Ma said with a smile, the wind blowing through his graying hair.

Gong Chang'an then went up the mountain with them to see the Princess. The Princess pulled him over and hugged him, asking, "How is your mother? Knowing you were coming up the mountain today, she asked Zhang Ma to prepare more of your favorite foods. If it gets too late, you can stay here. I'll send someone to the palace to let you know. You're just a child, it's alright."

Gong Chang'an had grown up eating Zhang Ma's cooking, so naturally he wanted to eat there.

Inside the palace, Wen Mingqian tried his best to make delicious food for him, but his cooking skills were ultimately inferior to Zhang Ma's.

“My mother is well, but she misses you and can’t leave the palace. She asked me to bring all the incense she made for you, as well as a few embroidered items.” Gong Chang’an carried a small bundle, which was tied tightly.

“Tell her she doesn’t need to make these things for me. She’s busy enough serving the Empress in the palace, and she also has to take care of you,” the Princess said. “Don’t exhaust her.”

Gong Chang'an stayed in the Princess's room for a while before coming out with Sang Er and the others. Zhang Ma went to prepare the meal.

Gong Chang'an and Sang Er wandered around the mountain. It was his first time coming up the mountain, so he couldn't help but find it novel.

"Who's peeking around over there?" Gong Chang'an noticed someone looking this way from a pillar on the outer perimeter.

“Huh, they’re not from this mountain.” Sang Er had been here for a long time and recognized everyone in the Taoist temple on the mountain.

Although I couldn't see the person's face clearly, the clothes they were wearing were obviously not what I expected.

Seeing that he had been discovered, the person stopped hiding and came out directly; it was Ying Tong.

Gong Chang'an and Sang Erhu glanced at each other and then stepped forward to greet them.

"Why did you come here, Your Highness? Where are your attendants?" Gong Chang'an asked knowingly, taking advantage of his young age.

Ying Tong was indeed somewhat embarrassed. He coughed and said, "Chang'an, you're here too. It's been a long time. Don't you live in the palace anymore?"

"I'm still in the palace, but my mother sent me out today to deliver some things to the Princess. I didn't expect to run into the Prince here. Is the Prince doing well?" Gong Chang'an returned the courtesy.

“You still think of me, that’s good.” Ying Tong nodded. “Well… cough… go wander around somewhere else, Sang Er and I have something to talk about.”

Gong Chang'an understood his thoughts, but of course she couldn't expose him, so she agreed and left.

Ying Tong and Sang Er stood facing each other. Ying Tong mustered her courage and said, "You probably already know about my situation. At this point, I have nothing to say in my defense. In a few days, I will be leaving the capital with my parents. If I don't tell you some things soon, I'm afraid I may never have the chance again."

Ying Tong is unreliable. He left the capital for Longxi even earlier than I did. It's unlikely you'll ever see each other again in this lifetime..."

"What exactly does the young master want to say to this servant?" Sang Er sighed, quite helplessly. "I am just a lowly maidservant, how dare I inquire about the affairs between you two young masters?"

"What exactly do I want to say to you? Don't you understand my feelings? You are such a smart person..." Ying Tong was a little anxious and sad. The reason why he hated Ying Bai so much, and even went so far as to hurt him, was largely because of Sang Er.

But he couldn't tell Sang Er, because the incident was too tragic, and she would blame herself if she knew.

"Young Master, please spare me," Sang Er pleaded. "If people find out about you... what you did to me... alas! I won't have a good ending."

"I know, I know, that's why I ran away from home alone today," Ying Tong hurriedly said. "I just wanted to make my feelings clear to you before leaving the capital. No matter what, I will come back to find you." "Ying Tong! Stay away from Sang Er!" someone suddenly shouted from behind.

Ying Tong turned around and saw Yu Chao striding towards them.

Yu Chao was two years older than Ying Tong and was exceptionally tall. He rushed up angrily, grabbed Ying Tong by the collar, and pulled him away from Sang Er.

Ying Tong retorted, "Who do you think you are? Let go of me!"

These two had been at odds for a long time, and now they had completely broken off relations.

Ying Tong seemed to have given up entirely. He had been expelled from the palace, and many people said he was malicious and unfit for any important task.

He appeared indifferent, but in reality, he was bothered by it.

Yu Chao was very impolite and pushed him far away: "With your character, you think you can marry my sister? Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

Yu Chao liked Sang Er, so he naturally knew that Ying Tong also had feelings for her.

However, he also knew that the Zhao family was determined to form a marriage alliance, which was understandable. But Ying Tong shouldn't have been two-timing, and even more so, she shouldn't have fallen for the same woman as him.

Gong Chang'an quietly stepped forward to mediate, saying, "Both of you should calm down. It wouldn't be good if the Princess found out. She is the Emperor's elder, and if she were to scold you, you would certainly not look good."

In fact, Yu Chao was brought here by Gong Chang'an; otherwise, with such a large area on the mountain, how could he have found him so quickly?

Ying Tong was naturally unwilling, but after Ying Bai's incident, he also knew that his impulsive temper was no good.

It's easy to get angry, but not necessarily to have the ability to clean up the mess.

In a fit of rage, he shot and blinded Ying Bai, which also forced his family to relocate to the northern frontier.

The Empress was in a state of utter distress, and even her highly respected maternal grandfather had to worry about it.

His mother has cried countless times by now, and his father is depressed all the time.

Although he is not yet an adult, he understands all the principles that are necessary for him.

After they arrive in the northern frontier, they must get along well with the Fenyewang tribe. As for whether or not they will marry Zhuolahan in the future, that's another matter. But for now, they can't afford to make things too tense.

Thinking of this, he swallowed his anger and said, "I have something to do, so I'll be going now."

Then he said to Gong Chang'an, "Aren't you going to see me off?"

Gong Chang'an had no choice but to follow him down the mountain.

Upon reaching the mountain gate, Ying Tong pulled out a gold-inlaid jade amulet from his pocket: "I've worn this since I was a child, never leaving it. Now that I'm leaving the capital, please give this to Sang Er, and make sure Yu Chao doesn't see it. We've known each other for a while, and we might meet again someday, so you can surely help me with this, right?"

Gong Chang'an readily agreed and accepted the amulet.

He won't give it to Sang Er; let Ying Tong dream on!