At that moment, Zhuang Su felt his mind go completely blank.
A deep, heavy kiss. It felt as if it wanted to devour her entire soul. Zhuang Su's mind went blank; she slowly closed her eyes, unable to look directly into those eyes so close to hers.
The calm in Qingchen's eyes was no longer there; instead, a turbulent mix of emotions was swirling within him. He seemed still rational, yet he was no longer the same person who could laugh and joke about anything.
Zhuang Su didn't want to dwell on her speculations about him anymore; she just felt her breathing become erratic. For a long, long time, until she was almost suffocating, Qing Chen finally released her. His kisses followed her lips, slowly creeping up her smooth neck… inching their invasion.
“Qingchen…” Zhuang Su felt as if she didn’t know where she was, only that she was in a daze for a moment, which made her murmur softly, “Qingchen… I… like you…” She felt that she had lost her mind. From the moment this man’s kiss landed, she was destined to fall. The emotions that had been suppressed for too long suddenly surged out, and she subconsciously changed her address from “Alliance Leader” to “Qingchen”. When she uttered the next sentence, her mind suddenly went blank, and she froze.
Perhaps, regardless of whether this person was the enemy who killed her parents, in her eyes, he was always the one who raised her...
Zhuang Su closed her eyes tightly, feeling Qing Chen's movements seem to pause as well. Then, she heard a soft murmur in her ear: "Su Su, I like you too..."
Because it was so light, it felt somewhat ethereal. But in that instant, Zhuang Su felt that Qing Chen seemed genuinely happy, because even without looking at him, she could almost sense the slight upturn of his lips. Her heartbeat seemed to grow heavier and heavier in that instant. Zhuang Su had a very complex feeling, vaguely feeling that she herself seemed to be experiencing joy.
Qingchen's hands gently undid her clothes. They were the hands of a mature man, with long, slender fingers that were exceptionally beautiful. As he undid them, he continued to gently kiss her skin, his kisses falling slowly. The last layer of clothing was almost removed, and Zhuang Su, filled with uncertainty, had already gritted her teeth, but then she felt the man's movements suddenly pause.
She could still hear Qingchen's deep breathing, making her earlier infatuation seem real. However, those deep breaths gradually calmed down. Qingchen's body was still close enough to her, and this slight pause made the previous passionate embrace seem like an illusion.
Zhuang Su kept his eyes closed, so he couldn't see Qing Chen's clenched fingers, which revealed the subtle tension and translucency at the joints. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment, and when he opened them again, his eyes were as calm and deep as ever, with a faint smile.
"Susu, I like you too... Do you think I would say that?" His tone rose slightly, but at this moment, his smile was nothing but cruelty.
Zhuang Su's clothes were slightly open, and as he spoke, she suddenly felt a chill run through her body. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling as if the man's smile was a knife, cutting her skin. Was her current disheveled state merely to satisfy this man's momentary amusement? Zhuang Su's tightly clenched lips seemed to bleed from the pain.
She carefully straightened her clothes, not wanting to see the man's smiling expression on her face anymore. That expression made her feel ashamed.
Indeed, what right did she have to love him? This man was aloof and superior; all the kindness he showed her before was merely a pawn in his game...
“In a few days, when the new King of Chu ascends the throne, I will send you to the palace.”
When these words reached Zhuang Su's ears, her face turned deathly pale. She finally looked up and met his eyes, but instead of being angry, she smiled faintly: "Send me to the palace? Send me to Chen Jian? Alliance Leader, why do you think I should need to follow your arrangements? There is absolutely no relationship between us!"
Qingchen's expression was icy. She looked up at the sky and smiled slightly, "Didn't you want to go and be with him?"
Zhuang Su was momentarily speechless. Yes, Shen Jian in his current state certainly needed her by his side. But… she felt unwilling to be so easily “controlled” by him even at this point. Zhuang Su's hands gradually clenched into fists. She stood up and took a few steps back, a hint of desolation in her smile, yet resolute: “Qing Chen, rest assured, I will enter the palace with Shen Jian as you wish. But there is one thing you must remember—I have absolutely no connection with you anymore!”
She didn't look again; the moment she finished speaking, she simply turned and left.
Zhuang Su felt heartbroken.
She didn't turn around, but she vaguely felt that the man's gaze was always on her, watching her gradually disappear into the distance.
Qingchen's figure appeared exceptionally weathered in that instant. His previously upright posture suddenly trembled slightly, and he took a few steps back before seemingly sitting down on the stone platform. The lingering warmth from just moments before still lingered on it.
"What's wrong with me..." He suddenly lay down weakly, his fingers covering his eyes. The remaining light of the sky peeked through his fingers, but it couldn't penetrate his vision.
Perhaps it was just a momentary loss of control on his part, and Qingchen's only consolation was that, in the end, he remained rational. Only the Chu Kingdom's royal palace could guarantee her safety.
"Since that's the case...hate me, Susu..." Qingchen smiled faintly, but his lips were dry and bitter. Sometimes, perhaps a smile is the most helpless thing; he felt exhausted. Although it was a conscious or unconscious awareness, he vaguely sensed that Susu, to him, seemed to be more than just "Qingyuan's daughter"...
At that moment, all he could do was push her away.
A lone wild goose in the distance, its cries seeming to drape the vast sky in a lingering sense of desolation.
Chapter Thirty: A Quiet Change of World (Part 1)
The city of Luoyang remained eerily quiet. Many Luoyang residents were still shaken by the shocking events at the execution ground that day, whispering amongst themselves and speculating about the current situation between the One Leaf Alliance and the imperial court. However, just when things appeared calm on the surface but were actually turbulent beneath, a troop of soldiers suddenly arrived at the east gate of Luoyang and hung a conspicuous notice on the long-awaited bulletin board.
The notice board was quickly surrounded by a crowd. A few soldiers were left to maintain order, while the rest of the procession moved back to the Chu King's Palace in a grand procession. Many people came after hearing the news, pointing and discussing the notice.
This was a document proclaiming to the entire state of Chu. A bright red seal, personally drawn up by the Prime Minister, was prominently displayed in the lower right corner, suggesting it was not a forgery. The edict announced a public sacrificial ceremony to Heaven to be held in a few days, to be attended by the King of Chu in person to pray for the prosperity of Chu. This announcement was otherwise quite ordinary, but those with discerning eyes had already sensed a different meaning.
Quietly, among the crowd, two men wearing straw hats pulled their hats down further to conceal their faces and silently slipped away from the crowd surrounding the bulletin board. Their hasty departure from Luoyang went unnoticed.
As they left the city, a crudely made carriage sped in from outside, its wheels rolling, heading in an ordinary direction. They passed each other without noticing. Only when they entered the city did the curtain lift slightly, startling the commotion at the entrance, and the people inside looked out in surprise.
As the carriage drove away, Zhuang Su saw the scene at the notice board and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Shen Jian, the people of Chu are so enthusiastic!" She naturally knew that this scene was related to what had happened recently, so there was a hint of teasing in her tone.
Upon hearing this, Shen Jian glanced out of the car and gave a curt "hmm" before falling silent.
Zhuang Su lowered the curtain, feeling the carriage's swaying, and gently leaned against the side. "Gurgle—gurgle—" The sound of the wheels rolling made the atmosphere somewhat somber. Her gaze lingered on Shen Jian, subtly observing him. She sensed that the recuperation over the past few days had gradually improved Shen Jian's health; he no longer looked as haggard as when he was first brought in. The only thing that made her sigh was Shen Jian's feet; his kneecaps were shattered, and even with her exceptional medical skills, there was nothing she could do.
Zhuang Su pondered to herself, wondering where her old and unconventional master had gone. With his medical skills, perhaps there was still a sliver of hope. But since that day, Sai Huatuo had vanished as if into thin air, and there had been no news of him since… As Zhuang Su was pondering this, she heard a “whoosh—”. Only then did she realize that she had arrived at the gates of the Chu Palace.
Several palace servants came in to lead the way, clearly an arrangement made in advance. After only a brief stop, the carriage headed straight into the depths of the Chu Palace. The moment they entered the palace, Zhuang Su couldn't help but look back, only to see several people pushing the heavy palace gate shut little by little, the final slamming shut with a dull thud that made her feel vaguely uncomfortable.
When Zhuang Su turned around unintentionally, she noticed that Shen Jian was staring into the distance with a rather long gaze. She casually tucked the blanket covering his legs around him. When Shen Jian turned to look at her, she gave him a slight smile. Zhuang Su felt that she shouldn't be too nervous, because the person in front of her was obviously much more nervous than she was.
In Luoyang, the capital of Chu, many things were being secretly planned and carried out quietly, and the power structure was being transferred silently.
On the day of the sacrificial ceremony, King Dianyong of Chu had already been under house arrest in the Zhengde Palace for more than a month.
Since the shocking incident at the execution ground, Zhengde Palace had been surrounded by layers upon layers of guards, preventing even the smallest flying insect from entering. Only the daily eunuchs who brought meals were allowed to pass through, quickly departing without lingering. The place was exceptionally quiet, almost deathly so. But on that day, the chaotic footsteps of a troop of men suddenly broke the silence of Zhengde Palace.
Dian Yong, who had been sitting blankly on the stool, suddenly cleared his mind and hurriedly looked towards the door. Just then, a commotion broke out outside, the door opened, and the glaring light made him feel a little uncomfortable. But when he saw who it was, his face lit up with joy: "Prime Minister Liu? You've finally come to pick me up? How is it? Have those rabble from the One Leaf Alliance finally surrendered?"
Liu Kun only smiled and didn't answer. After a long while, he said, seemingly off-topic, "Your Majesty, I have already informed the country that there will be a sacrificial ceremony today. In order to appease the people's emotions, I wonder what Your Majesty thinks..."
The moment Dian Yong saw Liu Kun, he completely relaxed. Hearing this, he nodded and smiled, "It was arranged by Prime Minister Liu, so there must be a reason for it."
"Your Majesty, please." Liu Kun respectfully performed the courtier's salute. Two soldiers came to his side and led the way for Dian Yong. Dian Yong was in a good mood at the moment, his face full of smiles. He swaggered along with the soldiers, unaware of Liu Kun's ambiguous smile behind him.
Suddenly, there was a commotion among the trees outside, and several birds flew out abruptly.
The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven was to be held at the altar south of the Chu Palace. As the time drew near, the people of Chu had already gathered from near and far. The altar was heavily guarded, and the people were kept at a distance. In the center was a spacious square, and on the large stone table in the center were a dazzling array of rich and luxurious offerings. In the center stood a thick incense stick, which had been lit, and wisps of smoke rose into the air.
As the drumbeats subsided, Dianyong, escorted by his guards, stood on the central platform. His gaze fell upon all the common people, and a hint of arrogance appeared on his face.
"Your Majesty, this is the edict I have drafted. Please read it aloud." Liu Kun stood to the right rear of Dian Yong and presented the edict.
Dianyong nodded and accepted the edict. Since Liu Kun had always drafted it for him, he didn't elaborate, slowly drawing out the words as he read: "Due to the widespread war in the south, which has brought calamity to the people, I hereby offer sacrifices to Heaven and my ancestors today, praying for blessings. For several years, a prolonged drought has persisted, and misfortunes have followed one after another. Today, under the guise of offering sacrifices to Heaven, I hereby issue this edict to the world. I fear Heaven's resentment, and therefore have decided to pass the throne to… the Third Prince?" Upon reading this, Dianyong's face stiffened; he realized his mistake too late. Each word resonated with the people below, creating an uproar. The previous whispers fell silent; the entire sacrificial hall was deathly quiet.
"Your Majesty, please continue reading," Liu Kun said softly from behind, a sharp blade now in his hand, pressed against Dian Yong's back. They stood on the high platform, the people below far away, no one saw his movement, only Dian Yong felt the icy coldness of the dagger seeping up his spine.
"Liu Kun, are you perhaps planning to defect to the enemy?" Dian Yong dared not move and could only sternly rebuke, "Don't forget the ancestral precepts passed down through generations of the Liu family. Do you dare to betray me?"
"The Liu family's ancestral precepts only state loyalty to the royal family." Liu Kun's voice was somewhat hoarse, yet clear. He smiled helplessly and said, "Since Prince Dianchu is still alive, and he is also a descendant of the royal family, it doesn't matter which emperor I serve. Your Majesty, the trend is inevitable now, so just accept it."
Dian Yong's expression suddenly darkened, but all eyes were on him, and with a dagger pressed against his back, he could only stand stiffly amidst the crowd's upward gaze.
"What's wrong, Father? Are you feeling unwell?" Shen Jian's cold voice rang out. He had appeared on the altar without anyone noticing. Due to his leg injury, he was in a wheelchair, which Zhuang Su pushed to their side. Shen Jian looked up at Liu Kun, then down at Dian Yong, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Father, everyone is watching you now. What kind of expression is that? You should be smiling. You should be smiling..."
Upon hearing this, Dian Yong instinctively looked down at the audience, only to be met with a sea of intense gazes. Everyone seemed intently watching his every move. Dian Yong forced a smile, managing only a strained, almost forced expression that looked strangely unnatural, though those in the distance couldn't see it clearly. A heavy, oppressive feeling suffocated him; if he hadn't wanted to avoid becoming a laughingstock, he might have already collapsed to the ground.
"Father, please continue reading." Shen Jian's words sounded icy.
Dianyong paused, then shakily raised the imperial edict in his hand.
"The Third Prince, Dianchu, was a hostage in Han from a young age. He was fortunate enough to escape Han and survive, but for the sake of the Chu imperial cause, he deliberately spread the news of his 'death' throughout the world, hiding his identity and risking his life to infiltrate Han. Dianchu, under the guise of 'Flying Cavalry,' endured humiliation and hardship for the country. Now that he has grown powerful, I feel old and...unwilling ern. Therefore, today...I hereby proclaim to the world that the Third Prince will succeed to the throne...truly—the Mandate of Heaven..."
After the lengthy imperial edict was read aloud, the hall remained silent. Suddenly, someone shouted, snapping everyone back to reality, and the entire hall erupted in cheers.
The Flying Cavalry General of Han was none other than the Third Prince, Dian Chu! And now, the throne of Chu had changed hands without warning. Although many were still bewildered, they instinctively began to cheer. Dian Yong was already unpopular; the people only knew the Flying Cavalry General as an exceptionally powerful figure. Even though they could only see the blurry outline of the man in the wheelchair on the altar from afar, they felt he was far more imposing than Dian Yong standing beside him.
"Father, thank you." Shen Jian glanced at the scene below the stage, his lips pursed slightly, but the smile did not contain much gratitude.
After the ceremony was held in a hurry, Liu Kun ordered people to "escort Dian Yong back to the palace." Shen Jian raised her hand to her forehead, seemingly a little tired, and said, "Su Su, let's go back."
"Mm." Zhuang Su responded obediently, and with a gentle push, she propelled Chen Jian's wheelchair. In the instant she turned around, she glanced into the distance. Below was a dark mass of figures, indistinguishable from one another, all dressed in the same coarse clothes—they were all people of Chu.
Are these Shen Jian's subjects...? Zhuang Su was momentarily lost in thought, feeling as if something was pressing on her chest. She knew she didn't like the feeling of power, but at this moment she had already "obeyed" Qing Chen's arrangement and followed Shen Jian into the Chu Kingdom's palace.
Zhuang Su had no idea how she had inexplicably ended up in this situation...
She sighed softly, then looked no further and thought no more. She had always accepted her lot and accepted whatever came her way.
Chapter Thirty: A Quiet Change of World (Part 2)
The Chu kingdom changed hands, and the very next day, Shen Jian implemented significant reforms in the court. During the morning court session, when the imperial edict was read aloud, many officials' expressions softened slightly. Overall, Shen Jian didn't make many changes to the veteran ministers, and ultimately, everyone's gaze fell with pity on Liu Kun.
"Prime Minister Liu, do you have any objections?" Chen Jian's voice floated in the empty hall, sounding somewhat somber.
Liu Kun stood to one side, his sleeves hanging low, making it impossible to discern his expression. After a few moments of silence, his reply was surprisingly indifferent: "Your Majesty, I obey the decree and thank you for granting me permission to retire to my hometown." He did not look at the man beside him, the one who had always been under his control.
Liu Su, dressed in a long, dark ink-black robe, appeared even more fair and translucent. With a single document, Chen Jian dismissed Liu Kun from his post and appointed Liu Su to replace him. For the officials of Chu, it was unprecedented for someone of Liu Su's age to hold such a high-ranking position.
On the surface, the Liu family remained highly regarded, but those with discerning eyes knew that the internal workings of the Liu family were not so simple. While many secretly observed, Liu Su's eyelashes drooped slightly, and he merely echoed Liu Kun's words, "Thank you for your great favor." His neither humble nor arrogant attitude only fueled further speculation. Shen Jian was not angered by his indifference; instead, he simply dismissed the court session.
Several officials gradually withdrew, leaving behind only an empty palace, allowing people to slowly adjust to this change.
As Liu Kun walked away with the crowd, the area was unusually quiet, devoid of the people who used to fawn over him. However, he then heard someone call out "Father," and turned around.
Liu Su's expression remained gentle, but the official hat he held in his hand subtly added to his air of refinement. Liu Kunnai observed him for a moment, and seeing that Liu Su didn't speak first, he continued, "What is it, Su'er? You are now the head of all officials, is there any other question?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Su's eyes darkened slightly, and she replied, "I still have many things I need to ask Father for advice on."
"Really?" Liu Kun chuckled and said, "I think you've done much better than me. I always thought you were genuinely dull-witted and clueless about many things. I didn't realize you were just putting on an act. Now it seems you're far more capable than that older brother who was exiled to the frontier."
Liu Su was appointed Prime Minister, while Liu Ye was dispatched to the border to defend against the Han Kingdom. In fact, with the revelation of the true identity of the "Flying Cavalry General," Liu Ye's presence was no longer necessary, so the word "exile" was not without reason. Liu Su was unconcerned by the sarcasm in his words, and simply smiled: "Father, I have already made arrangements regarding the placement of Mother's spirit tablet in the mourning hall."
"You can arrange it," Liu Kun said after looking at him for a long time. He gave Liu Su a deep look, then turned and left. There wasn't much respect in his words. Liu Su watched him leave, his expression gradually becoming distant.
"Why, even now, do you still refuse to look me in the eye..." Liu Su's soft, misty words landed on Liu Kun's back, but did not reach his ears. Looking at him now, Liu Su felt that his back seemed somewhat hunched, and in just a few days, he seemed to have aged considerably.
Liu Su felt a little sentimental, and finally let out a soft sigh, her expression forlorn.
In truth, he should never have thought that this person would change much for him. In Liu Kun's life, there was only the word "Liu family." Now, he agreed to let his mother's memorial tablet be placed in the ancestral hall, only because he had finally been able to "achieve success and make a name for himself."
The Chu palace appeared subtly desolate because of this quiet but unexpected upheaval.
When Shen Jian was escorted to the palace gate by the palace maids, he saw a woman in plain clothes holding a medical book, idly reading by the window. Just then, she looked up, saw Shen Jian, and couldn't help but smile slightly: "The court session is over?" The palace maids who had been escorting Shen Jian consciously stepped aside, letting Zhuang Su take the cake from the wheelchair.
"Are you tired?" Zhuang Su tucked the bundle on Shen Jian's lap and asked.
Shen Jian's expression softened slightly, and he said, "I'm not tired."
Zhuang Su glanced up at his face, but didn't expose him. She simply asked, "What do you want to do now?"
"The leader of the One Leaf Alliance has arrived. Would you like to go see him?" Judging from Chen Jian's tone alone, one could not discern his true emotions.
Zhuang Su's hands suddenly stopped moving. Speaking of Qing Chen, she had been in the Chu Palace for some time, and had not seen her since leaving the Prime Minister's residence. Although she had vaguely heard about his ruthless methods outside, Zhuang Su had always told herself that she had nothing to do with this person anymore.
This small, seemingly insignificant meal was enough for Zhuang Su to smile faintly and say, "Since an old friend has come, of course I'll go; otherwise, it would be a bit impolite." In truth, Zhuang Su herself couldn't tell whether she still vaguely cared or was genuinely acting out of courtesy. She simply felt that her smile was natural and that it pleased her.
Shen Jian simply responded with a faint sound.
When the two arrived in the courtyard, the elegant man in white was drinking. The surroundings were a scene of lush greenery and intermittent shadows, which partially obscured the view, yet his silhouette remained clearly defined.
Zhuang Su pushed Chen Jian closer and closer, her gaze falling on him, and she gradually saw him clearly.