Scharlachroter Regen überflutet die Stadt

Kapitel 58

I rushed over and glanced at the house. Sure enough, those two precious masters had already left. They couldn't stand being in this place for even a moment longer.

I put down the broken teapot and silently walked into the courtyard. I knelt down in front of Lu Xiu, hugging my knees, and quietly looked at his face. Only then did I notice that his eyes were red and swollen. After waiting for a while, I finally smiled and blinked, "The water is all boiled. How about I serve you a bath?!"

He seemed dazed for a moment, then stood up, took my hand, and walked straight towards me, saying slowly, "You actually have such a kind heart?!"

It was just a joke!

I hurried over to him and stood there, intending to reply, but when I saw two lines of tears on his face, I was stunned.

I've never seen a grown man shed tears in front of others before. I looked at him somewhat helplessly, feeling as if his grievances were mine, and a wave of sadness welled up inside me for no reason.

"What happened?" I forced a smile. "Did a gust of wind get in your eyes?"

He smiled slightly, said nothing, and his eyes still held the same confidence and ease as before.

In the warm bathroom, I looked at the figure behind the curtain and asked, "Is the water temperature okay? Should we add some more hot water?"

After a soft patter of water, a light laugh followed, "You don't even dare to come in, yet you talk about serving me and refilling my water."

I ignored him and scooped hot water from the pot into the wooden bucket.

A voice behind him sounded somewhat forlorn, “I’ll probably be stuck here for three to five years, or maybe seven or eight. Actually… I’m terrified of this loneliness. Without you, these days will probably be even longer, but I know in my heart that I can’t keep you like this.”

My heart sank. I quickly turned up the volume of the water and shouted back, "What are you muttering about? Is the water getting cold?"

After saying that, I pushed the wooden bucket through the curtain and went inside. I turned around and went out. As soon as I pushed the door shut, tears started falling. My voice wasn't loud through the wooden door, but I knew he could hear me.

I said, “Eighth Master, this is my decision to come with you. It’s not that anyone forced me, nor that I forced myself. Just for you, ‘Rong Family Innocent,’ let alone three, five, seven, or eight years, even if it’s ten or twenty years, I will stay with you through it all, suffer with you, and endure your grievances.”

Chapter Eleven: This Farewell Never Ends

After washing up early in the morning, I opened the door and saw Eunuch Chang walking out of Lu Xiu's room across the street.

I was wondering why West Alley had become lively for two days in a row, with people coming and going. Could it be that someone else was about to come in?

Seeing me across from him, Eunuch Chang walked over in a few steps, beaming with a smile. “Miss, this is wonderful news! His Majesty woke up this morning and said that he had just seen you yesterday and even dreamt of you serving tea. He sent this old servant to escort you out. His Majesty is still thinking of you.”

I was taken aback. Before I could ask about my own affairs, I asked, "Did you come to deliver the Emperor's decree to the Eighth Prince?"

When Eunuch Chang's face darkened, I suddenly had a premonition.

"The Emperor abolished the Eighth Prince's mansion and sent his family back. Even the Eighth Princess was brought back to the palace by the Emperor. The Emperor said that this time he would choose a good husband for her and marry her off happily."

"I asked what would happen to Eighth Prince?"

Grandpa Chang remained silent.

I gritted my teeth and asked, "How many years?"

"Ten years..." Eunuch Chang sighed, "I haven't seen the Emperor so angry in so many years, he kept saying he didn't have such a son."

I left Eunuch Chang behind and ran to Lu Xiu's room in just a few steps. I finally managed to catch my breath and pushed the door open.

Lu Xiu sat leisurely at the table, fanning himself with one hand and holding a book in the other, reading the *Classic of Filial Piety*. He looked up at me and smiled. "I only understand it today. This book is quite interesting. You can leave these books with me."

Seeing him like this, I felt a deep wound in my heart. I couldn't help but blurt out, "Ten years is ten years. What's the big deal? We're not afraid. We'll still live a carefree and happy life here. Lu Xiu, with me by your side, I'll never let you be lonely."

He paused, not giving me the high five as readily as before. His gaze swept past me to Eunuch Chang, who was approaching. "Eunuch, didn't you tell this girl? She has fulfilled her duty of helping me recover and is now free to return to the palace."

My heart sank. I looked at Lu Xiu, my trembling slightly. "You—you've finally begged."

He turned his head away, deliberately avoiding my gaze. "Leave me your box of calligraphy and those books. First, to pass the time. Second, to keep me as a memento."

I tried to calm myself. I smiled slightly. "I won't stay in my room. Leave everything behind."

He frowned, then finally looked up at me. "You—give up on that idea. Don't come back. Even the Emperor won't let you come here again."

I don't understand. I don't understand how someone who told me yesterday that he wanted to live a carefree life in the martial arts world could turn around and beg his father to send me away.

"Am I really that lowly? Why am I bothering Eighth Master like this, making him go through the trouble of getting rid of me?"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain, "You know—my feelings."

I know your feelings; you don't want me to suffer with you for the next ten years. But do you really know my feelings? Besides spending those ten years with you, what can I offer in return for your imprisonment?!

My heart shattered into dust, bit by bit. "Because I know, that's why it hurts, that's why I hate myself for not being able to stay with you for ten years. I said it before, this is the path I chose myself, and I did it willingly—"

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiu swayed slightly and instructed Eunuch Chang to wait outside the courtyard, leaving only the two of us inside.

He stood up and walked towards me step by step, his voice soft yet firm. "Before, you were my seventh sister-in-law, and I considered you a confidante. We shared our hearts and minds, and brought each other carefree joy. Today, I understand even more clearly that you are not only a confidante, but also a righteous woman who has shared joys and sorrows with me, Lu Xiu. Once we met, we are confidantes for life. How could I not wish for you to share a drink with me, to talk about life, and to spend these ten years of sorrow and separation together? But in this world, I know you. Even though you are heartbroken and will not return to my side, you cannot forget the bond we shared as husband and wife. There is no reason for me to keep you by my side. Your cautious return to the palace is all for the sake of the Rong family's injustice. You may be able to wait ten years, but the wronged souls who cry every night will not allow you to wait. I hope you will be careful and achieve your heart's desire as soon as possible, and live a carefree and happy life. If that day truly comes, you will share my happiness as well."

I was completely drained of strength and stared blankly at him. "You, Lu Xiu, have always known me. It's all worth it to have such a friend in life."

He smiled slightly, his clear eyes revealing a mysterious and captivating quality I had never seen before.

"Promise me—don't come to see me, because I'll come to you. I'm still waiting for you to take me on a carefree journey."

I nodded, heavily.

It's not the season yet, but it's already snowing.

The cold winter in West Alley must be unbearable. I don't know how this hellish place will torment this pampered gentleman. I don't know when I'll see him again, and I don't know if he will still be as radiant and smiling as he is now.

"Winter clothes are in the bottom box, along with a hand warmer. Don't put too much firewood in the fire, and don't fill the water tank too full when boiling water, or it will boil over."

I am standing outside the courtyard, separated by the fence. I never thought it was so high or sturdy before, but today I realize that it separates our lives.

I gave him my instructions one by one, afraid that I might forget something.

"Alright, alright, I'm tired of hearing this." He still had that indifferent look on his face, which usually made me angry, but today it made my heart ache.

“I will wait for you… wait until you are free and carefree, then come find me. Don’t forget your promise.” I smiled at him.

He nodded with a smile, memories of the past swirling in his mind. He forced back his tears, bowed to him, and turned to leave.

The moment my hand touched the carriage, I felt an overwhelming sense of reluctance to leave, and I couldn't lift my foot to get on.

She suddenly let go, turned around and ran to the fence that isolated the world, reached out and pulled on Lu Xiuluo's snow-covered robe, and tears finally streamed down her face.

He froze for a moment, then reached out and gripped my hand tightly, whispering, "Be careful, stay alive."

I nodded, and the two of us gazed at each other in silence. Then, Eunuch Chang called out from behind, "Miss!"

I smiled at Eighth Master, and he nodded slightly at me. I turned around and ran back quickly.

He huddled up, burying his face in his hands, and sat quietly for a long time. He lifted the back curtain and peeked out to look behind him. A person stood on the other side of the empty fence, their figure already blurred. Even from this distance, the sorrow and loneliness still weighed heavily on his heart.

Suddenly, I realized that the past few months of living and working together, sharing joys and sorrows, were nothing but a fleeting illusion before our parting. Lu Xiu bid me farewell in his most familiar way, and whether this farewell would last ten years or a lifetime, I didn't know. Just as I didn't know how I could survive in the cold, desolate palace, I didn't know if my heart's desire would come true. Could I really walk out of those high palace walls alive and roam freely in the world? Lu Xiu was just comforting me; perhaps he understood the difficulty of this promise even more than I did…

I reached out to try and hold onto that figure, but all I grasped was the falling snow, nothing more.

That noble figure in bright yellow still sat reclining on the heated platform.

I had changed into my sandalwood palace dress, styled my hair in the style of a palace maid, and knelt beneath the heated platform. The aroma of tea wafted between my fingers as I held the tea tray high above my head. "This servant is back."

Chapter Twelve: The Southern Study

The Emperor reached out and took it, sipping it lightly and smiling slightly. "It's been a long time since I've had tea with yours. Indeed, it's still the girl's tea ceremony that matters. It's the same White Crane Immortal Tea, but it's different when it comes from the girl's hands."

"Your Majesty, it's just that there's an additional cooking method involving snow-fried ingredients."

"oh?"

"It was also my good timing to come back just in time for the first snow of the year. I had someone shake the first snow from the treetops and put it in a pot to boil in the stove. It was just one extra step."

"Tea brewed with snow in the dead of winter, wine made with green plums." The Emperor nodded. "How charming. No wonder the Eighth Prince dotes on you. You've been away for quite a while this time."

"Yes," I answered calmly.

The Emperor nodded and looked me over. “Although you have lost weight, you look more serene than before. You must be having a good time with the Eighth Prince.”

I smiled faintly and replied, "Your Majesty, it is indeed a delightful experience."

"Do you blame me for summoning you back?"

"This servant dares not, this is His Majesty's kindness to this servant." After hesitating for a moment, she added, "It is also Eighth Prince's kindness to me."

"Hmm, you were right about the latter part," the Emperor replied calmly, lowering his teacup back onto the raised tray.

After serving the tea, I went out of the side hall to get some refreshments. I encountered Fifth Master walking towards me. He seemed surprised to see me and awkwardly stopped. I gave him a faint smile, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, Fifth Master!"

He was taken aback. He reached out and helped me up. "No need for formalities."

I was about to walk past him when I heard him ask softly, "How have you been these days?"

"Reporting to Fifth Master, I have been doing well these days. Thank you for your concern."

And so it ended quietly. Those entanglements ended peacefully. No more hatred, resentment, or a faint warmth in the heart.

Fifth Master went inside and stayed there for a short while. I waited outside the warm pavilion with tea and snacks, ready to be summoned at any time.

Suddenly, a loud crash was heard from inside the pavilion, as if a cabinet full of jade and porcelain artifacts had fallen and shattered on the floor. Everyone in the room seemed to have fallen to their knees with a thud. The Emperor's fury almost made the entire Chaoyang Palace tremble.

As I watched Eunuch Chang crawl out on his knees, his expression a mixture of shock, fear, and hurt, I knew I couldn't ask anything, nor could I say anything.

The Emperor was furious because the Third Prince had suffered a crushing defeat in the Great Mongol campaign, and had been captured himself.

In this battle, Lu Hong truly unleashed his hatred for his father and displayed his own formidable spirit.

The entire court no longer dared to underestimate the once weak and refined deposed crown prince. They were extremely afraid of him, as well as the fierce Mongol cavalry behind him.

In a short time, memorials seeking peace, marriage alliances, and the dispatch of envoys filled the Chaoyang Palace.

For three days, the emperor neglected court, spending his time in his warm chambers berating his sons. None of them escaped his unwarranted scolding. Perhaps he was venting all the anger he had accumulated in this few days. When he lost his temper, he acted like a child. Sometimes, looking at him, one felt both pity and amusement. It was amusement that he feared his empire would fall to the Mongol cavalry, yet he didn't realize that this empire would ultimately be destroyed by his own hands.

This time, Lu Hong also considered the bond between father and son, and only managed to defeat the enemy army in one fell swoop, without allowing the Mongol cavalry to set foot in the Central Plains even an inch.

One day, Lu Hong will return with his army, not the Mongol knights, but the army of our dynasty.

Grandpa Chang was worried that we would be implicated, so he didn't make us serve him for a few days. Xiaoyu and I were left with nothing to do.

Xiaoyu seems to have found someone she likes, and she's always sneaking around and nowhere to be seen. When I have nothing to do, I often go to the South Study to ask for a couple of books on tea ceremony to read.

I sat in the South Study's library for a whole afternoon. This was the quietest time in the South Study, when there were the fewest people. I picked out a few books and was about to leave when I saw the rows of books in the innermost room arranged in an orderly fashion. I had never been to the innermost room before, and since I had some free time, I went over to see what was going on.

On the other hand, there were rows and rows of books on military strategy and tactics. I've read quite a few military books, but the one I read the most was the "Hundred Strategies of War" compiled by Nangong.

His gaze fell on the rows of books, and he was taken aback when he saw the four characters "Hundred Strategies for Battle".

He reached out and took it down. The only difference was the handwriting, but the content was almost identical. He could tell from the handwriting that it was Lu Li's handwriting.

"What, are you quite interested in the book I copied?" A familiar voice came from behind.

I frowned; encountering him in this situation was definitely not a good thing.

"Seventh Master." I hurriedly bowed and tried to leave.

"This is a book called 'A Hundred Strategies for Warfare.'" Lu Li walked over, took the book from my hand, and put it back in its place. "This is not something a little girl should read."