He tricked his amnesiac partner into becoming crippled.

Chapter 235 The Marquis Has No Clever Heart 12

Liang Jinglan's perception was about to be shattered. No matter how she looked at it, it was the same face, which couldn't be faked, but how could the gender have changed?

From that night onward, Liang Jinglan was restless for several days.

A glimpse of spring light sweeping across the roof tiles completely stunned him, and he often drifted off into a daze when working alongside Wen Yan.

Wen Yan noticed and tapped his palm with a ruler. He didn't resist and obediently accepted it, his eyes, weathered by wind and sand, filled with grievance.

Wen Yan sighed softly.

She moved closer, smoothing out the wrinkles at his collar, feeling the stiffness under her hand. His grievance was so obvious it couldn't be ignored: "What's wrong, Lord Marquis?"

“…Nothing much.” Liang Jinglan opened his mouth, his gaze falling to the ground: “Yuanjun, am I very dull?”

He sat alone on the military chair, his hands and feet bound, looking bewildered. His unrestrained posture seemed abnormally dignified in this day and age.

The Liang family were heroes of the Liu Kingdom. They followed the late emperor and conquered the vast territory that exists today, inch by inch. Their descendants also kept in mind their ancestral teachings and perished in wars.

Liang Jinglan is now the only one left in the once vast Liang family.

He was only nine years old when his parents died in battle. The little boy knelt in the mourning hall dressed in mourning clothes. After the mourning period, he was sent out of the capital by his father's subordinates and came to the northern frontier.

The wind from the blade has etched the resolute look onto his face.

He was only nineteen years old, yet he had already gone to the battlefield at a young age, risking his life to fight for a chance of survival amidst the clash of swords, only to have that chance of survival extinguished in the struggle between political parties.

“How could the Marquis be dull-witted? Your military strategy is divine; even the Xiongnu fear you, and even the princes cannot do anything to you.”

"you're good."

Wen Yan softened her tone, her eyes filled with tenderness that she herself didn't even realize.

She imagined many possible reactions from him after he discovered she was a woman: shock, secret delight, or at worst, suspicion and estrangement.

I never imagined it would be a grievance.

It was as if the adults were discussing important matters but deliberately kept it from him, excluding him from the discussion.

Even so, he still trusted her.

Her hair was combed straight, her clothes were neatly put on, and the military defense map was laid out on the table without any intention of hiding anything from her. The famous doctor she had gone to great lengths to find had entered the northern frontier and would arrive at the general's mansion in half a day.

Every single thing is a testament to trust.

Liang Jinglan had no idea what Wen Yan was thinking, and was completely absorbed in her praise of him.

This was the first time she had ever praised him so formally.

His heart skipped a beat, and his eyes trembled slightly: "Do you really think so?"

"Yes, it's not just me who thinks so. The sir, the marquis's soldiers, the Huns, and the imperial court all think so."

“But all I know is how to fight. I’m a brainless, naive brute who can’t even go home… I’ll get killed.”

The last sentence was so soft it was almost inaudible.

"When Uncle Changning sent me to the northern frontier, he kept it from me. When I heard the news again, he had already been beheaded. I don't understand why he still kept it from me when I'm already very strong."

"What else?"

Liang Jinglan was frustrated: "I still can't protect the people I want to protect, so I'm asking my uncle to go to the capital to share the risks for me."

Wen Yan poured a cup of tea and handed it to him, pondering for a moment: "My lord, academics have their own specialties. Everyone has different areas of expertise and does different things in their respective fields. Although there are shortcomings, we cannot deny their efforts, nor can we judge them as failures."

"If everyone is skilled in both literature and martial arts, then what's the point of distinguishing between civil and military officials? Those who write history, offer advice, and manage finances will all quit and take up arms to fight the enemy. Wouldn't that create chaos?"

"What kind of person should do what kind of thing is determined by their own strengths. It is dangerous for you to go to the capital, sir, but it is not dangerous for you to stay in the north to fight against the Xiongnu, lord?"

Wen Yan's voice was gentle, like a clear pool filled with fallen petals in spring, nourishing things silently.

Liang Jinglan's expression shifted slightly: "Then why can't you tell me some things, so I can share some of the burden?"

“It depends on the situation.” Wen Yan sat down next to him. “Some things are private and people have to be willing to talk about them; some things are barbed and will hurt people if they are told; and some things are responsibilities. If none of the above apply, then it’s just not the right time.”

“My lord, some things are not about deception, but about protection.”

The last sentence was spoken while looking him in the eyes.

Liang Jinglan was jolted awake.

For the first time, he felt intelligent, having actually understood what she hadn't finished saying, and his whole being came alive.

"So not saying anything doesn't mean you treat me like an outsider; it just means the time isn't right, or there's something you can't say, right?"

Is this what he cares about?

Wen Yan nodded and smiled slightly.

Liang Jinglan's eyes lit up instantly. He stood up abruptly, snatched the teapot, poured a cup of clear tea, and said with a satisfied tone, "Yuanjun, this cup of tea is cold. You should drink the one I poured."

Wen Yan noticed the change in his form of address, but said nothing. She took the tea he offered, sipped it, and then put it down.

He's not one to keep secrets; sometimes it's better for him not to know, but it would be a loss if unnecessary things caused a rift between them.

"Your Excellency, you have done very well."

Liang Jinglan paused, her hand about to grasp the bow, and turned back in confusion: "What did you do well?"

Wen Yan: "You've grown a mouth now, you can ask questions."

Liang Jinglan wondered what was so important that this was something to praise?

He shrugged: "Isn't this something everyone knows? What if you don't ask yourself and just speculate, and then misunderstand?"

Having said that, he regained his youthful general's spirit, picked up his bow and crossbow, lifted the curtain, and strode out.

A voice came a step behind: "Yuanjun, I'll go fetch the renowned physician first. Don't wait for me for dinner!"

In the middle of the night, Liang Jinglan arrived with a renowned doctor.

Wen Yan had a headache, and with a blank expression, she threw off the covers and got up.

She was determined to correct his night owl habit, she vowed!

The famous doctor's surname was Su, and he was known as Doctor Su. He was a direct disciple of the deceased Medicine King.

After much anticipation, Liang Jinglan finally saw the person arrive and immediately led her to the General's Mansion, to Wen Yan's courtyard.

The dark and deserted courtyard was lit by candlelight because of his arrival.

Dr. Su was old and dizzy from traveling all afternoon, so he couldn't tell whether he or Wen Yan looked more like the patient.

Liang Jinglan stayed close to Wen Yan, and seeing that she was dressed in thin clothes, he went inside to find a fox fur coat for her to wrap herself in.

"Yuanjun, your health is not something to be taken lightly."

Doctor Su: ...Me, an old man with such a physique, joking around? My lord, don't you see how exhausted I am, my eyes rolling back in my head?

Despite his inner grumbling, he still raised his hand to take her pulse, upholding medical ethics. The moment Wen Yan lifted her wide sleeve, Liang Jinglan quickly placed a piece of cloth under her arm.

Dr. Su and Wen Yan both turned to look at him.

"Cough cough cough, the wind is strong at night, I'm worried that Yuanjun will catch a cold, so I'll find a cloth to cover her with to keep her warm."

Liang Jinglan looked very serious, as if he was genuinely worried about catching a cold; however, no one knew what he was really thinking.

Wen Yan's gaze was deep and unwavering. She did not refuse, but placed a plain white cloth on her fair wrist, covering a section of her snow-white skin.

Liang Jinglan's heart was pounding. She turned her head to look at the courtyard, but it was dark and there was nothing to see.

He turned back to watch as Dr. Su took his pulse, prescribed medicine, and prepared the medicine...

He pays special attention to even the smallest things.

More meticulous than anyone else.

Wen Yan lifted her eyelids and paused slightly when she saw him holding a steaming bowl of medicine: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Marquis."

After saying that, he reached out to take it, but Liang Jinglan raised his hand to avoid it. He touched the edge of the medicine bowl with the back of his hand, and it was a little hot. So he looked up and said, "Yuanjun, wait a moment. This medicine is hot. Let me blow on it for you."

Dr. Su, who was blinking incessantly beside him: ...

He glanced left at Wen Yan, who was resting with her eyes closed, and right at Liang Jinglan, who was diligently blowing medicine.

He sighed inwardly.

Lord Hou is truly a man of great loyalty and righteousness.