newbobooks Chapter 1160 I dare not trouble the queen's jade hands (180 million votes plus)
Chapter 1160 I dare not trouble the queen's jade hands (180 million votes plus)
This realization caused a very subtle ripple in Gu Jinxiao's heart.
It's not a disdain, but a touch.
It turns out that beneath her seemingly impeccable composure, she also hides the fears of an ordinary person.
This fear, in this dark and desperate situation, seems particularly real, even... a little fragile.
Gu Jinxiao's lips moved slightly.
He has always been self-disciplined and cautious in his words, and is not good at comforting people.
Especially in front of Concubine Chen, any words or actions that go beyond the rules would seem inappropriate.
After a while of silence...
Finally, Gu Jinxiao spoke again.
His voice was still low and steady, as if he was stating an ordinary official business, but his speaking speed was slightly slower than usual.
He tried to soothe her, but because he was not used to it, his tone was particularly stiff and dry: "Your Majesty... don't be afraid."
Those five simple words, dry and without any embellishment, or any promises or assurances, seemed pale and powerless in this dark cave.
Shen Zhinian was slightly startled, and his gaze moved away from the cave entrance and fell on Gu Jinxiao's profile illuminated by the firelight.
Those calm eyes were focused on the jumping flames, as if the clumsy words of comfort just now did not come from his mouth.
Gu Jinxiao still maintained his calm demeanor, observing the etiquette of a subject, and even his gaze did not stray a bit.
An extremely subtle emotion quietly passed through Shen Zhinian's heart.
Was it embarrassment that the fear that she had tried so hard to hide was seen through by this man?
Is it surprising that Minister Gu, who is known for his coldness, aloofness, rigidity and propriety, would try to comfort her?
Or... a subtle feeling that even she herself has not noticed?
Shen Zhinian couldn't explain it.
She was silent for a moment, without responding to Gu Jinxiao's dry words of comfort, and her gaze returned to the cave entrance.
The whimpering of the wolves outside the cave was still clearly audible, and every growl made Shen Zhinian's heart tighten slightly.
However, a subtle change in the atmosphere quietly occurred in the cave.
The uneasiness that lingered in Shen Zhinian's heart seemed... to be somewhat dispelled by Gu Jinxiao's dry words "Don't be afraid".
It's not because this sentence itself has any magic power.
But the person who said this was sitting here at this moment, trapped with her in this dark cave.
He was silent, but as solid as a rock.
He was so rigid and etiquette-conscious that he was almost inhuman, yet he risked his own life to light this life-saving bonfire for her.
He knew that there were dangers lurking outside the cave, but he still tried to give her some comfort in his clumsy way when she was frightened.
This realization was like a stone dropped into the lake of Shen Zhinian's heart, sending out silent ripples...
If she were alone... Shen Zhinian hardly dared to think too deeply.
Even though she had all the wisdom and strategies, the fear and despair of being isolated and helpless in this dark, cold and wild beast-ridden desperate situation was enough to completely destroy anyone's will.
At this moment, although the road ahead is still uncertain, at least... she is not alone.
The orange-red firelight danced warmly, casting a flickering shadow between the two people.
The cave was still silent, with only the crackling of the flames and the relentless growling of the wolves outside.
Shen Zhinian's tightly pursed lips seemed to relax ever so slightly at an angle where no one could see.
She was still alert to the movements outside the cave, but her body was no longer as tense as before. Instead, she relaxed slightly and moved closer to the warm campfire.
Gu Jinxiao didn't look at Shen Zhinian, but silently fiddled with the fire, making the flames burn more vigorously.
Shen Zhinian wrapped his thin cloak tightly around himself, and in the flickering firelight, his eyes subconsciously swept over Gu Jinxiao, who was sitting opposite him with his back straight.
This glance made her pupils shrink slightly.
On his crimson official robe, a dark brown stain appeared on his right arm, slightly above the elbow. The color was darker than the surrounding fabric, and the edges were slightly damp.
"Master Gu!"
Shen Zhinian's voice was a little hurried, and his body leaned forward subconsciously: "Are you hurt?"
Gu Jinxiao seemed to have just come out of some stagnant thoughts and looked at his arm following her gaze.
He frowned slightly and moved his arms. Under the influence, a trace of forbearance flashed across his always solemn face.
"It's just a minor scratch, nothing serious, don't worry, madam."
Gu Jinxiao's voice was low and steady, without any trace of pain, as if he was just stating a trivial fact.
However, Shen Zhinian could see clearly that the brown area was not small and was definitely not the scratch he mentioned.
She immediately pulled out a clean white silk handkerchief from her sleeve and frowned, "How can it be alright after losing so much blood?"
As he said this, Shen Zhinian was about to get up and go over.
"Miss!"
Gu Jinxiao's voice suddenly rose for a moment, and he almost immediately stood up and took half a step back. His movement was so fast that it caused a tiny airflow, making the already swaying flames shake even more violently.
His deep eyes stared directly at Shen Zhinian, filled with rock-hard stubbornness and a boundary that could not be crossed: "There is a distinction between ruler and subject, and etiquette cannot be abolished."
"I dare not trouble your Majesty's delicate hands."
Shen Zhinian's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, his fingertips pinching the soft silk handkerchief.
She looked at Gu Jinxiao's face, which was full of the word "rules", and the anxiety that had just risen in her heart was instantly replaced by a familiar feeling of powerlessness.
Yes.
How could she forget that the Minister of Rites, Lord Gu, was the most old-fashioned and polite person, and regarded rules as iron laws.
"Gu Jinxiao."
Shen Zhinian withdrew his hand, his tone tinged with helplessness, even a little annoyance: "This is a cave in the wilderness, there is no one else here."
"When lives are at stake, why bother with these empty formalities? If the wound isn't treated promptly, something terrible could happen."
Gu Jinxiao's answer was firm and decisive, leaving no room for maneuver: "Etiquette and law are the foundation of life, and must never be forgotten."
He no longer looked at Shen Zhinian, nor at the wound. He lowered his head and stretched out his left hand. Without hesitation, he grabbed the fabric at the hem of his robe and tore it apart!
"Shoot-"
The sound of cloth tearing was particularly harsh in the silent cave.
Gu Jinxiao's movements were quick and decisive, as if to emphasize his determination.
The torn strips of cloth were not neat, so he struggled to wrap them around the wound with one hand, using his teeth and left hand to tie a knot.
Clumsy movements.
When the wound was touched, beads of sweat oozed out of Gu Jinxiao's forehead.
His jawline was tense, but he kept his lips tightly pursed, not even making a groan of pain.
Shen Zhinian just sat there and watched Gu Jinxiao do all this alone.
The firelight reflected his focused and forbearing profile, as well as his fingers that were trembling slightly due to pain and exertion.
The white silk handkerchief in her hand was wrinkled from being clenched, and finally fell to her knees.