Chapter 90 (1/2)
Chapter 90
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Zhao Song frowned and continuing to listen to Chu Qiao ramble on in a low voice.
”What exactly is justice and governance? Is your royal family the only family that reigns supreme? Do your words carry so much weight that no one is supposed to oppose them? The battle at the capital should not be considered treachery! There is no right or wrong—only winners and losers. Back then, your father deceived his friends, massacred the people of Yan Bei, and killed Yan Xun's family. How should we settle this score? Over these eight years, how many murders and assassinations have you witnessed yourself? You still dare proclaim that Zhao Zhengde cares for Yan Xun, and is his benefactor? All these things, the marriage, was but a scam to deceive the masses. If we did not rebel that night, we would have died in the hands of Ba Lei and Wei Shuye. Today, all you would see is two tombs, two lumps of soil. Zhao Song, you have been lying to yourself. You really think that closing your eyes will prevent you from seeing the Xia Empire's oppressive rule, and that blocking your ears will drown out the agonizing cries of the civilians? Why don't you think about this? How could a small rebellion like this have led to the disintegration of the Xia Empire? I don't deny that I have let your trust down, and disappointed you despite caring for me all these years. However, I have no regrets betraying the royal empire and triggering this conflict. We were destined to be opposed from the start, without any room to salvage the situation. If I could do this all over again, I would make the same choice.”
The words of steel resonated in the air. Zhao Song sneered and shook his head. He said, ”AhChu, I perceived you wrongly.”
”You did not. It's just that you did not know the real me,” Chu Qiao replied deeply. ”Zhao Song, being born in this era is our tragedy. Kindness should be repaid with kindness. Eight years ago, Yan Xun helped me when I was driven to desperation. When I decided to follow him into Sheng Jin Palace, our fates were destined to oppose each other. You are a prince of the Xia Empire, but I am bent on ousting it. We were going to be enemies on the battlefield sooner or later. Everyone in the Xia Empire knows that the Emperor is not going to let Yan Xun off, except you who have been living your life in oblivion. During these eight years, I have been trying to hint to you, and distance myself from you. You refused to acknowledge the truth and naively believed that your father would spare Yan Xun. Zhao Song, I never wanted to deceive you from the start, let alone betray you. However, I did hurt you. I will remember the kindness and care that you have showered upon me all these years. If I have a chance in future, I will definitely repay you.”
”Looks like I deserve what has happened to me. I've been too naive.” Zhao Song laughed, looking forlorn. He turned away decisively, saying, ”I will not let you have the ability to repay me. AhChu, please leave. I hope that I will never see you again.”
”Zhao Song!” Chu Qiao hollered. Zhao Song stopped his horse, but did not turn back.
Chu Qiao thought for a long while. Taking a deep breath, she asked, ”How is Yan Xun?”
Zhao Song's back stiffened at this instant. As the cold wind blew, the look in his eyes turned cold.
”If he wasn't driven to desperation, he would not have hurt you! If he was not seriously injured, he would never have allowed those people to escort you back! You critically injured him, didn't you?” Although it sounded like a question, it was more like a statement. Chu Qiao uttered this sentence with conviction, making it seem like a conclusion instead of a hypothesis.
”Yes!” Zhao Song uttered, his back facing Chu Qiao. ”He won't be able to live for long, but you can get back in time to send him off.”
The voice behind him suddenly disappeared, leaving low, panting sounds. After a long while, a hoarse voice echoed out from behind, ”Thank you for telling me.” As she finished her sentence, the crisp sound of horses' hooves echoed out from behind. Before she had time to say farewell, which she might have considered unnecessary, she turned her horse around and dashed swiftly towards the northwest.
As the person behind him departed, Zhao Song remained in his original position. His horse scraped at the ground with its hooves. As the wind blew, the man's sleeve fluttered in mid-air, reflecting his melancholy and sadness.
AhChu, all that you said was true. How could I be naive enough not to understand? Over these eight years, I have been worried about what would happen. However, I could not bear to let you go. How could I not know? I just did not want to admit it. I thought that with more hard work, I could keep you by my side. I deceived myself for so many years, to the point where I believed my own lies. The Xia Empire is about to crumble. I maintain that Yan Xun betrayed the empire. What I'm most sad about is, you gave up on me! Although, I guessed that this would have happened.
You went to such lengths, not questioning anything. However, you knew everything, you guessed everything, all due to your unwavering belief and trust! AhChu, I thought that I was of equal standing to him in your heart. Even if I lost out to him, it would not be by much. However, I now realize how wrong I am.
Zhao Song looked up and laughed bitterly, closing his eyes. His efforts over half of his life had come to naught.
Intense sounds of horses' hooves echoed out. Zhao Song looked up, seeing Zhao Chun'er and Zhao Che dashing towards his direction. They were accompanied by an army of Xia officials, totalling 300 people.
”Where's Chu Qiao?” Zhao Chun'er probed, her expression serious. She was positioned at the front, devoid of her old weak self. Stopping her warhorse, she shouted, ”Thirteenth Brother, where is she?”
”She left.”
”Left? How could you let her go?” The Xia Princess frowned and shouted, ”Where did she go?” Seeing that Zhao Song remained silent, Zhao Chun'er was enraged. ”Thirteenth Brother! Have you forgotten what they did to us?”