Lanting

Capítulo 129

My consciousness was hazy. I felt Xiao's hand gradually withdraw from my waist, and then I fell into an even warmer embrace. This person didn't have the heavy smell of blood or the rust of swords. There was even a faint scent of ink on his sleeves. I greedily took a deep breath.

What was shimmering in his eyes?

"You—" Even just one word made him tremble. His voice, calm and collected even after being pierced through the heart by a sword during a life-or-death battle on the battlefield, was now shaking. I coughed, and he watched in anguish as blood trickled from the corner of my mouth.

I grabbed his clothes with one hand, "Promise me, come home...take care of the children..."

He nodded, and I saw a profound despair in his deep eyes, a despair bordering on madness.

I nestled into his arms, reaching out to touch his lips, his nose...

"I'm tired. I've thought about leaving many times... because I still had so many things to worry about. Now... I have nothing to worry about."

In this life, I've made so many decisions that went against you... This time, I truly want to do one thing for you... My death, in exchange for your freedom, is worth it.

Lu Li remained as handsome and composed as ever. I slowly reached my hand towards his eyes, a warm current flowing down my fingertips, my fingers trembling slightly.

"You've tolerated so many things I've done... I promise you... in my next life... I'll only live for myself."

I drew the jade bell from my waist, tilted my head slightly, and slowly extended my hand towards Xiao Xuan. The blood-stained bell swayed in the wind, accompanied by soft chimes.

Xiao Xuan was stunned for a moment, his hand trembling slightly as he took it, and something flickered in his eyes for a fleeting instant.

“I… I owe you nothing anymore, Xuan…” I smiled slightly.

Xiao Xuan gave me a complicated look, then the drinking horse saber in his hand fell heavily to the ground. My smile felt somewhat cool in the summer breeze.

She took a deep breath and began repeating those words from years ago, "I think I really like you. The way you walk, the way you eat, the way you talk, the way you're quiet—I'm fascinated by every detail... I like chasing after you, going wherever you go... But what exactly do I like about you? I don't know."

He was trembling, no doubt about it, he was trembling, and the pain in his eyes seemed to tell me that he had remembered something...

"Zhao'er..." The voice trembled, hoarse, just like the low murmur of that boy in the little wooden house by the lotus pond many years ago... You've already remembered my name...

His face grew increasingly blurry, Lu Li's mouth opened and closed, but I couldn't hear anything. I gently closed my eyes, and for the first time, I felt so warm...

Countless speculations have been made that in the next life, I will not be born into a wealthy family, nor will I be the young mistress of a manor. I will not need to know etiquette, study music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, practice martial arts, or scheme. I will only need to spend my whole life by the side of the person I love, without having to worry about what I shouldn't love or what I should hate...

Let it end like this, with no more hatred and no more love that defies fate...

Lu Li called out with all her might, but the sound grew fainter and fainter. In the moment before she lost consciousness, she clearly felt a tear fall from above, slowly flowing down her lips...

He never knew how this frail woman had grown up in the desolate Nalan Manor. He didn't know when she had become so strong. He had tried to protect her in his own way, but then he realized that this woman had always survived on her own and didn't need his protection at all. Despite her strength, he couldn't help but feel heartache for her, because she never lived for herself. She would rather be wounded herself than not protect the ones she loved.

She accepted her fate before his father without hesitation, without being asked what she wanted. Being the leader of the martial arts world or the empress—none of those were what she desired. All she wanted was peace. At that moment, he felt pain, a deep, profound pain.

This woman had seen it all.

Such was their destiny; despite her immense reluctance, she married him without complaint, managing his palace, governing his harem, and bearing him children, even though… her heart was forever adrift.

Her expression was always so serene, without sadness or resentment, as if she had nothing at all, yet also as if she had everything.

No matter how deeply they hurt each other, the woman would still smile at him, whether the smile was kind or fake. She was too reserved, too strong, and was constantly hurting herself. He knew this woman didn't understand what love was.

No one asked her if she wanted to do it; she simply endured and accepted every request without ever...living a single day for herself.

No matter how hard he shouted, she wouldn't open her eyes; she was truly exhausted.

He picked her up, his robes stained with blood… He held her close to his chest, she was always so cold… She couldn't die…

He didn't even dare to check her pulse; he simply held her tightly in his arms. Her body was so light, as if she would be blown away by the wind if he let go... He had already lost her once; he couldn't afford to lose her again...

Chapter Fifteen: The Moment of Awakening

The box, hot water, gauze, everything was ready...

Lu Xiu stood quietly by the window. How was she? Why hadn't she arrived yet...? Would he still be able to see her quiet smile?

Upon learning that someone was injured in the Dorma Palace, he guessed it was her. Every time, she was so selfless; he knew it would happen. He didn't stop her; he knew he didn't have the power to stop her. All he could do was follow her.

The door was flung open with a loud bang.

Lu Xiu turned around abruptly and saw that still graceful figure standing at the door... This time... he was holding her in his arms. Lu Xiu looked at his face, which was always cold... Behind the coldness... was heartache.

Lu Li lowered his head and gazed at her as she slept, his cold gaze softening instantly...

He gently placed her on the couch, his gaze gradually shifting to Lu Xiu. He was pleading with him... to save her...

Of course he would save her… Even if everyone wanted her dead, he would still save her… Lu Xiu strode to the woman’s side, his gaze quickly sweeping over her thin face… His eyes lingered on her wound, where Lu Li was gently pressing. He dared not press too hard, afraid of hurting her, and worried that the blood would keep flowing.

"Let me see her wound—" Lu Xiu said without hesitation.

Lu Li gently moved his hand away. The wound had stopped bleeding and had already congealed. He gently parted the thin shirt clinging to her body; the wound was so deep.

Lu Xiu frowned, his gaze suddenly turning icy. He looked up at Lu Li: "You actually let...draw the knife."

Lu Li just stared intently at her, who remained fast asleep...

Lu Xiu stopped blaming her and hurriedly took her pulse. His brows suddenly furrowed. Lu Li saw the unease that Lu Xiu was trying so hard to hide. His heart skipped a beat, and his expression stiffened.

Lu Xiu gently lowered her hand and gazed quietly at her faintly smiling lips... His eyes trembled, as if something was about to fall... He managed to hold back in time... His brows lifted, and the misty tears before his eyes gradually dissipated... He stood up and slowly walked towards the window... After all, he had never shed tears in front of others before...

Lu Xiu gently leaned against the window, his back to everyone, his lips trembling as he raised a hand, tears quickly streaming down his face… He couldn't bear to look at her any longer; she was still smiling, a smile more serene than ever before… This time, she was truly satisfied…

Lu Li stood motionless, his eyes still deep and unfathomable, devoid of any misty moisture...

"She—" he looked at Lu Xiu, his voice hoarse and slow, "How is she?"

"Judging from her pulse," Lu Xiu took a deep breath of the cold air outside the window, trying to clear his mind. Perhaps he didn't want to admit it, but "her heart meridian has broken."

Lu Xiu's voice was as soft as a whisper, yet it pierced through Lu Li's very being... Had it already broken? He understood what that meant, but he still kept asking for confirmation...

"What...does this mean?"

He knew what it meant...

"That means—" Lu Xiu paused, then suddenly turned around, glaring at the expressionless Lu Li, his voice almost shattering every pillar, "She's dead, dead, you bastard—I said she's dead—"

After speaking, Lu Xiu slumped heavily against the window, half his body leaning against the sill. This was the first time he had ever cursed... It turned out he could curse too. The Eighth Prince, always so welcoming and always so warm-hearted, had become so hysterical in front of so many people.

Lu Li seemed to be stunned for a long time before finally exhaling and saying softly, "Is that so?"

Lu Xiu raised his head, his face streaked with tears. He didn't cry easily; he couldn't remember the last time he had shed tears.

"Are you in pain now? But—I'm in so much pain. You couldn't give her what I wanted, but you didn't even give me a chance—I wasn't selfish enough to try to possess her—at least you could keep her alive, let me watch her smile, just watch her—"

Lu Xiu could no longer control himself. For so long, he had endured, growing up in loneliness in the palace unnoticed, neglected by his father and mother, always retreating, always avoiding, until that girl entered his world. She walked right up to him, into his heart… When she gently took his hand at Qingfeng Tower, smiling brightly as she accompanied him in that play, she had already boldly barged into his heart… He never wanted to possess her; he only wanted her to agree to let him stay with her. He didn't care who she loved, or who she wanted to spend her life with… as long as he could be with her, even if it was just watching her secretly from afar…

He never dared to hope; he only wanted her to still smile at him... that was enough...

The door was blown open by the wind once more, letting in a rush of air. Lu Li sat there abruptly… He had rushed here as soon as he learned she was about to face danger, but he was still too late… Her skills were undoubtedly exceptional; perhaps she wanted to die by that man's sword… He couldn't fathom this woman's thoughts… When had she made that decision…? Perhaps it was when she smiled knowingly and said she could marry him, but not love him…

The room was deathly silent, save for the low sobs of a few palace maids…

Unlike Lu Xiu, he wasn't excited. He knew they would meet again sooner or later... Having fulfilled her request, he would go to be with her... He had already decided this the moment the sword was plunged into her body...

"Why is it so eerily quiet in broad daylight?! Can't the living and the dead come out and greet me?"

A seductive voice rang out, and everyone except Lu Li couldn't help but look over...

What a stunningly beautiful woman! Her tall, slender figure shone brightly, her resolute beauty almost heart-wrenching. She moved with delicate steps, slowly approaching the bedside…

"Don't touch her," Lu Li's voice remained cold.

The woman glanced at him, chuckled softly, and casually peered at the woman on the bed…

"Broken?" The woman's brow furrowed, then quickly smoothed out. She sat slowly on the edge of the bed and sighed softly, "What a pity..."

She was truly no ordinary woman; with just one glance, she knew her heart meridian was severed…

"This girl always causes me so much trouble..."

The woman lifted the person on the bed, staring at the woman's cold lips, and smiled gently. Her alluring lips slowly met the woman's… The people in the hall stared blankly… Rong Zhaozhi's face regained a little color, then quickly faded… The woman gently touched her wound, her eyes flickering for a moment.

"Why can't you hold your breath every time... why can't you leave yourself any room for maneuver..." A faint sigh escaped her lips.

Suturing, applying medicine, bandaging… it all seemed to be done in one smooth motion. The woman seemed satisfied, like she had completed a piece of embroidery. She smiled faintly, gazing at the person on the bed, a hint of affection in her eyes. She wiped the fine beads of sweat from her temples… Everyone secretly observed this woman. Her medical skills were extraordinary, but what was her purpose…?

That night, Lu Li sat motionless by the bed, watching the person on the bed for the slightest change, his eyes never closing. The woman, meanwhile, rested her head on her hand against the table, taking a nap... When she woke up, it was broad daylight. She walked over, glanced at the person on the bed, and then stared at Lu Li...

"Go and rest for a while," the woman said softly.

I'm not tired.

If I save you

"How will you reward me?"

"what ever!"

"Really?" The woman glanced at Lu Li out of the corner of her eye, a faint smile playing on her lips—a smile that could captivate countless men...

"I have no intention of lying to you!" The man trembled, his eyes turning cold... The woman was gently stopping him at that moment...

The warmth and fragrance of jade wafted from behind him, and the woman's tenderness cascaded down her long hair in front of him.

"You..." he asked in a low voice, when suddenly the woman's hand, which had been around his neck, slowly unbuttoned one of his buttons. He quickly grabbed his collar, "What are you doing?"

"I—want—you," the woman whispered in the man's ear, a seductive laugh escaping her lips. "You look like...a little girl about to be raped."

She gently spun around from behind and fell into his arms. Looking into his eyes, she leaned against him with a sweet smile, having already unbuttoned three of his shirt buttons...

He finally stood up, leaving her behind...

"Stop fooling around, Nangong," he said coldly, his back to her. "I don't like men, and I especially don't like men who act like women!"

The woman laughed... "I'd better not tease this idiot anymore..."

What's that scent in the air? A faint, lingering fragrance of peach blossoms...

The swaying peach blossoms, petals falling one by one.

Petals fluttered down, scattering across youth, while sorrow lingered through the long years...

Walking along the path, beneath the most beautifully blooming peach tree stood a young man in white, with a little girl beside him. The figure was incredibly familiar; her peach-colored clothes and the smooth, white jade pendant hanging at her waist... it seemed to be a younger version of myself.

The young man in white took a petal and smiled gently, "Fallen flowers offer sacrifices for eternity, scattering silently, where can one find rebirth?"

The little girl smiled and said, "Brother, are you a fairy under the peach tree? So, men can be fairies too!"

He smiled calmly, "My name is Xiao Xuan... little girl."

"My name is Qingqian... Nalan Qingqian..." The little girl was still smiling.

"Little girl, let's make a deal..."

"What?"

"Four years later, you're waiting here... waiting for me to kill you..." The boy spoke gently, as if telling a joke.