Chapter 57 (1/2)
Chapter 57
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Yan Xun froze. He could not see the young lady's expression, only hearing her words. He let go of her hand slowly. Either she did not understand or she might not have taken this matter into consideration.
Yan Xun nodded silently, ”Okay then. You be careful yourself.”
Chu Qiao nodded in reply. ”Don't worry. As for the banquet later, I will not follow you there. You're alone, remember to be extra careful.”
As she turned to walk out, Yan Xun's voice suddenly echoed deeply from behind, ”AhChu.”
The young lady was dazed and she stopped in her tracks.
”Anybody can betray me or leave me, but not you.”
Chu Qiao did not reply. She stood at her position silently. Then, she pulled the door open and exited the room.
Yan Xun closed his eyes slowly and leaned on his chair. He muttered to himself, ”If you left, I'd be left with nothing.”
There was light snow in the courtyard. The young lady wore a light green gown and the white robe given to her by Yan Xun. The wind lifted her long hair, making it fly about in the air. She turned behind, looking at the shadow on the window. It stayed there for a long time, not disappearing.
The mood outside Ying Ge court was very different from that inside. On the outside, many imperial clansmen were present and the mood was joyous. Colorful jade statues were placed in front of Ying Ge court, forming a row which led all the way to Duan Mu pavilion which was owned by the Eighth Princess Zhao Chun'er. Carpets were placed on the snowy ground. The palace maids on both sides were flamboyantly dressed, and the pavilion was brightly illuminated.
Early in the morning, everyone gathered at Duan Mu pavilion. The Emperor personally graced the occasion, and the guests were all in a happy mood. The noisy sounds of the sizhu drifted over from Duan Mu pavilion. On Chang Hua Road, whose atmosphere was cold and lonely, a war horse stood at the side silently. The young lady, dressed in a military-style outfit and a green cloak. She turned back and looked at the bright lights in the distance. Her expression was calm and plain.
The sky was pitch-black and the winds were icy cold. The world appeared lonely all of a sudden. The cold winds blew at the loose strands of hair on her forehead, making her face appear even frailer.
I chose this path for myself. From the start, this was a path of no return. The only way is forward. Life never gave me the power to regret. I will not let my emotions get in the way of your progress. Before revenge is exacted, the stability of the empire is not guaranteed. How could there be thoughts of future generations at this moment?
Yan Xun, I will not leave you. I'll stay by your side as long as you need me, waiting for the day that you conquer the empire. Only cowards feel sad and only incapable people complain. I will not. I am not sad and never have been.
The loud sounds of the clock echoed. Fireworks were set off into the sky. The sounds of the sizhu accompanied the clock echoes. Sounds of lively chatter from Duan Mu pavilion drifted towards her direction from afar, in celebration of this joyous occasion.
”Giddyup!” In the cold wind, the frail, young lady cracked her whip. She stiffened her lips and rode away into the distance.
The night was cold. In the lively palace, Yan Xun stood up and stared at the pitch-black sky outside, remaining silent for a long while.
In the cold, lonely Ying Ge court, a snow-white robe lay in front of a table in a room. It looked brand-new with no traces of dust.
”We've known each other for eight years. We've been through life or death together. Everything will end soon. When everything here is settled, we'll go back to Yan Bei and let's…”
Let's… Let's get married. Let's be together and never leave each other…
Those words and thoughts which had never been verbalized had never been made known. They were buried deep in his mind, never to be thought of. Destiny was like a big fire. Most of the time, there was only that one chance. Once it had passed, it could never be found again.
The interior of Sheng Jin palace was bustling with life. Suddenly, outside the palace, earth-shattering cries of agony echoed from the northwest direction! Zhao Che was shocked. He dashed out of the tent before putting his boots on, looking at the sky towards the northwest. It was chaotic. There was the sight of dangerous fires and massacres. The army, which had set out to repair the road, swiftly surrounded the Dauntless Cavalry Camp.
Something big had happened!
Zhao Che raised his eyebrows. He ordered the soldiers standing to his side, ”Fetch the weapons!”
”Hold on,” a cold voice suddenly commanded. Zhuge Yue walked out from the tent, and said, ”You cannot go.”