Chapter 214 (1/2)
Chapter 214
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
At that time, even if Li Ce could protect Chu Qiao, it would have been impossible for him to protect the Xiuli Army unless he desired to completely fall out with the Xia empire. At that time, the Qinghai King suddenly raised the flag of the Xia Empire. Sending out missionaries, he had traveled over 4000 kilometers to defect to the Empire. It was only then that the world finally knew that the famous King of Qinghai was actually the fourth Master who was supposed to have died in Yan Bei two years ago.
The things that resulted were very natural. After returning to the royal capital, with his immense military power and the support from the Zhuge Family, he was able to replace Wei Guang as the head of the Grand Elder's Council, and became the Grand Marshal of the Xia Empire. With that, it was only natural that he was able to veto the military plans that were made against the Tang Empire.
Chu Qiao refused to think about how much blood underlaid such political upheaval. After dabbling in the road of politics, she knew very well how deep the water could be. Even if it seemed to be calm on the surface, there would be countless undercurrents sweeping beneath.
With countless lanterns floating on the lake, it seemed like a sea of golden lights. Lifting up her head, Chu Qiao's gaze was filled with a tinge of sadness. Looking at Zhuge Yue, she quietly asked, ”I heard that the Elm tree is divine, and the older the tree, the more strong its divinity. As long as you give it your treasured belongings as a sacrifice, it will be able to provide protection for your friends and family. I wonder if it is true.”
Zhuge Yue did not speak, and merely stood there silently.
”Do you believe?” Chu Qiao asked, quietly.
Zhuge Yue's long eyes narrowed. He lightly answered, ”No, I don't.”
Chu Qiao looked on at him, gently smiling. It was impossible to tell if she was happy or sad from his response. She slowly stretched out her hand, as her porcelain-like fingers opened up with her eyes shining like the stars. Yet, her heart ached a little as she softly asked, ”Do you really not believe?”
Lowering his head, Zhuge Yue immediately saw the pair of jade ornaments that shimmered in the light. Instantly, he was dumbfounded.
”Zhuge Yue, I thought that I no longer had the chance to see you.” Chu Qiao gently smiled, yet it felt as though one could see a gleam of a teardrop in her eyes. With her lips trembling, she continued, ”I thought that I could never repay you in this life.”
In the intense darkness of the night, Zhuge Yue's figure seemed ever so heavy, as though he was giving an overwhelming aura that squeezed the breath out of Chu Qiao. With his jet black eyes staring straight into hers, he did not speak, and merely gazed on, as though he wanted to see through her. Suddenly, Zhuge Yue heaved a heavy sigh, before stretching out his arms to hold her in an embrace, before calmly replying to her, ”Who asked you to repay?”
Just like that, Chu Qiao's tears fell. Obediently, she cowered in his embrace, with a myriad of emotions swirling around in her heart. Leaning on his chest, she could smell the familiar scent from his body, as warmth filled her entire body. Silently, she closed her eyes, as the night wind caressed their bodies. For the first time in her life, she felt that the joyous atmosphere was ever so close to her, as though she could feel the jubilance just by breathing.
Lifting up her head, Chu Qiao tenderly smiled, ”Zhuge Yue, it feels good to be alive.”
After hearing that, Zhuge Yue felt an ache in his heart. Yet, none other than him could understand the meaning behind that phrase other than him. Gently lowering his head, he kissed her forehead, and repeatedly muttered, ”Indeed, it feels good to be alive.”
With the lanterns shining everywhere, the new year was imminent. In this new year, everything seemed to be new. It was almost as though that the days they lived were stolen from the heavens.
When alone, Chu Qiao would occasionally drift off, as she quietly looked at the sun rise in the east and set in the west. With the darkness setting upon this land, again and again, the new year arrived, and soon past. Time seeped out from between her fingers, like a river water passing through her clasped hand. The initial excitement fated, as a new life begun. Looking at the birds that were flying back from the North, she saw them dashing across the sky, leaving behind a trail in the sky. She thought, ”Perhaps they are going home.”
She moved into Zhuge Yue's property in Xian Yang City. There were no reasons or excuses. Zhuge Yue merely asked if she wanted to spend the new year with him. After thinking about it, she agreed.
It was a rather mundane new year. There were no luxurious dancers, no melodic musicals, no sumptuous feast, yet there was a rare peace, serenity that came from the bottom of one's heart.
In the past few days, she had been to a lot of places with Zhuge Yue. They had passed by quiet alleyways, dilapidated mosques, and had eaten from roadside stores, shopped together in the crowded carnival, and even played with firecrackers on the day of the new years.
In the cracking of the firecrackers, it was as though time had turned back to two years ago, as she stood in the crowded streets, facing the multitude of lights before her. A longing sense of peaceful satisfaction filled her as she was surrounded by light. Standing before her, he shielded her from the incoming traffic, although occasionally he would turn around to chide her like a kid. With the beautiful fireworks blooming above their heads, the reflected lights illuminated his adorable face. Indeed, the fireworks were beautiful.
Chu Qiao's limited vocabulary could not find any other words to describe the view she was having. She seemed to be carried away by a gust from the battlefield into this surreal world. She saw gentle sunlight caressing the civilians, warm water of the lake, happy crowds, and Zhuge Yue, who had finally dropped his guard before her. This was a man who had been angry with her countless times, someone whom she viewed as her arch nemesis for a long time, yet he had helped her so many times she had lost count, and had even made a trip to hell and back for her. Right now, he was standing before her, admonishing her for her lack of common sense. Suddenly, she felt as though these moments were all stolen from the heavens. Every second suddenly seemed ever so precious. Even with all the luxuries of the world, her eyes seemed to be filled with an obsession for only him alone.
Like a massive amount of seawater had finally escaped from within her heart after the ice blockade melted, she felt such intense warmth that it was as though her frozen limbs were being nourished. At the end of her despair, she found a beautiful flower that blossomed on the rotting logs of the forests in her heart. Staring on the bank of the river of the afterlife, she contemplated, ”Perhaps, this would be considered a new life.” Even though she was looking at that scenery, it felt as though despair was already mere memories of the distant past.
With the door half open, he stood in the courtyard, with his bluish purple clothes that were full of embroideries of golden flowers. The silvery moon shone on his body, flickering from the clouds, it was almost dazzling. Looking at her, it seemed like he wanted to say something, but he did not talk even after a long while.
The moonlight seemed rather faint. Yet, one could hear the sounds of the festivals from afar, raising an auspicious cacophony. Even though she could not see the scene, Chu Qiao could already feel the happiness of the civilians as they dance ecstatically.
After a long while that seemed like a mere instant, Zhuge Yue finally spoke, ”Go and sleep.”