Eternal Night - Chapter 151
If she had known it would turn out this way, she would have preferred never to investigate Youli Valley. She would have preferred them to capture her, even if they imprisoned her, rather than let Qiangwei die!
No one tried to persuade her, and no one pulled her away. The sound of Yongye's weeping drifted silently across the square until she cried herself to sleep, clutching the rose.
The Eternal Night Overturns the City (Part 1)
Autumn winds blow, and leaves fall.
The autumn wind blew away the clouds, revealing a clear, clean sky. It also blew away the colors from the heart of the eternal night, leaving only deep darkness.
Gazing at the falling leaves outside the window, she thought, she had never met a girl as innocent as Rose. From the age of six, she had said she liked her, and had never stopped loving her. What good was loving her? She would only dump her time and time again, each time with a small trick, enough to send her far away. She had never given Rose any hope, yet Rose had never given up hope. Even the slightest kindness towards her would fill her with ecstatic joy.
Rose didn't want to marry Li Tianrui, and when she ran away, she was still wearing that soft red dress. He threw away a dress that she had casually pointed to.
She lied to her, saying she was poisoned by Yue Po, and when she served her food or asked if she was alright, she would be so moved that she would burst into tears, leaning on the table. She still remembers that face; it was as beautiful as a flower after the rain.
Before going to Chen with Yuepo, she remembered Qiangwei smiling sweetly and saying, "Brother Yongye, don't worry. I will protect him even if it costs me my life until I get the antidote. If he doesn't die, you won't die either."
However, Yuepo didn't die, and neither did I, but she did.
She kept calling him "Brother Yongye" in the alley and courtyard.
Even on her deathbed, Rose called her Brother Yongye.
She died without ever knowing that the woman she had fallen in love with was her lover. She never even had the chance to tell her the truth about herself, nor did she ever have the chance to hold her hand and go shopping together for hairpins, jewelry, and dresses.
She said she wanted to go home.
Feng Yangxi's angry laughter echoed in my ears.
The moon's faint gaze fell upon my heart.
The tunnel behind that stone door was both so close and so far away. If she chased after him, would she see him? If she did see him, would she still have this regret?
Yongye dared not think about it, nor could he.
Moonbeam's gaze was as gentle as the moonlight that shone on the rose that night. It was the softest spot in Eternal Night's heart, so tender that even a gentle breath would feel like a knife scraping across it, causing pain.
Scenes, with unparalleled impact, flooded Yongye's mind uncontrollably, making her regret and hate.
"Miss!" Yihong and Yin'er looked at Yongye with concern.
Yongye has been back for three days. After sending someone to deliver Qiangwei's coffin back to Anguo, Yongye has been sitting by the window in a daze.
Yin'er glanced at Yi Hong and said, "Young Master Hong is alright now. The imperial physician said it was all external injuries and he'll be fine after a few days of rest. He didn't want to stay and has already left."
"Where is Master Feng?" Yongye asked quietly. Actually, she didn't need to ask. With Feng Yangxi helping Prince Yan so much, Prince Yan would find the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Herb to cure him of the poison. He was highly skilled in martial arts and would definitely be fine, but she couldn't help asking.
He was poisoned, yet he persisted. Without him, Yongye wasn't sure he could have escaped unscathed, even after he summoned Prince Yan. Was he only persisting to destroy Youli Valley?
"I'm asking you a question! Where is Master Feng?" Yongye asked again.
Yin'er lowered her head and stammered, "In the Heavenly Prison."
"Huh?" Yongye wondered if he had misheard.
"I heard from Lord Ma that Master Feng's poison has been cured and he's fine. But the Emperor is furious, saying he seduced... saying he eloped with the young lady, and then..."
Yongye suddenly stood up, "Summon Lord Ma!"
The Eternal Night Overturns the City (Part Two)
Yongye strode towards the front hall. How could Prince Yan repay kindness with enmity and do such a thing? How many times had Feng Yangxi helped him? Yongye was furious.
Lord Ma is in the front hall.
Lord Zhao of Qi was also in the front hall.
Yongye coldly looked at Lord Zhao and said sarcastically, "Is Lord Zhao here to deliver another imperial decree?"
Lord Zhao smiled and said, "Princess Yong'an, accept the imperial decree!"
Yongye glared at him, then knelt down straight.
"By imperial decree, Princess Yong'an of Anguo is hereby appointed as the Crown Prince's principal wife of Qi, and to preside over the Eastern Palace's Luan Hall. She is granted a jade tablet and a golden seal! This is the imperial decree!" After reading the decree, Lord Zhao turned and gestured.
A eunuch entered carrying a jade book and a golden seal. The object on the yellow silk startled Yongye, who jumped up: "What does this mean?"
"His Majesty says good things come to those who wait. The princess has been in the capital for nearly two months. Although she did not enter the palace for the Mid-Autumn Festival, it has already been announced to the world that the princess is now the Crown Princess of Qi. Today, he instructed me to send the jade book and golden seal. Please prepare yourself, as someone from the palace will come tomorrow to escort the princess to the palace." Minister Zheng said humbly with a smile, "Princess, please accept the decree!"
Yongye stared at the jade book and golden seal as if they were facing a raging flood. She had no intention of marrying Crown Prince Yan, much less entering the Qi palace at this time. She took a half step back and said proudly, "I will not accept."
Lord Zhao seemed to have anticipated this, and smiled, "This humble servant relayed His Highness the Crown Prince's message. His Highness said that the princess may not accept it if she does not care about Feng Yangxi's life. This humble servant has delivered the message and will take his leave."
The eunuch respectfully held the jade book and golden seal and did not leave.
Enraged, Yongye slapped the tray over, remembering his father's words: "Qi has more than one prince. Anyone who becomes crown prince is no less capable. Yongye, don't blame your father for not warning you. Don't underestimate anyone." Was Crown Prince Yan the kind of seemingly refined and gentle person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals?
The eunuch was so frightened that he went to pick up the jade book and gold seal, while Lord Ma could only shake his head and sigh at Yongye's temper.
Yongye coldly stared at the eunuch, her thoughts drifting to Feng Yangxi. She asked, "You haven't left yet. Did His Highness the Crown Prince instruct you?"
The eunuch quickly knelt down and replied, "His Highness said he is waiting for the princess outside the post station."
Yongye snorted and walked out.
Prince Yan, mounted on his horse, gently invited Yongye to get into the sedan chair.
Yongye scrutinized the Qi prince once more. His pale, frail face, gentle smile, and slender figure—aside from the black robes with red trim and dragon patterns—made him appear entirely unlike a prince. He looked exactly the same in the Chen palace as he did now.