Одинокий город закрыт

Глава 51

He looked at me and finally revealed that long-lost, warm smile. His eyes were clear and bright, as if ripples were passing through them. His voice was gentle and warm, filled with deep affection as he said, "Such a light sleep is so wonderful!"

Before I could speak, he gently took my hand and rubbed his nose against mine. Seeing me frown involuntarily, he seemed relieved and sighed softly, "Weimian, you're really okay. You're really still by my side. I thought I was going to lose the most important person in my life again."

Looking at the person in front of me who seemed to have finally returned to normal, and listening to the distant sound of the flute, my heart was in turmoil.

Xi Lan took my hand and gently and carefully applied the medicine from the small bottle to my hand. It was cool and slightly fragrant. Then he switched to another small bottle and applied the contents to my left cheek. I smiled bitterly to myself. Although Tian Xinrong's slap wasn't very forceful, my skin at eighteen was probably still a bit sore. I wondered if it was swollen and red like a pig's head.

He put down the small bottle in his hand, took another small bottle, poured some of its contents onto the tip of his slender right index finger, and then carefully applied it to my lips. I secretly glanced at Tian Xilan; his expression was so strange, his eyes fixed intently on my lips, and he even seemed a little blushing. I've had two kisses before, and although that fox never blushed or gave me any warning beforehand, I had an exceptionally strong sense of foreboding when I looked at Tian Xilan.

Taking advantage of Tian Xilan's momentary lapse in attention, I leaped down from his lap, forgetting that I was wrapped in clothes instead of wearing them. As a result, I tumbled off Tian Xilan's knees and landed on my bottom, wincing in pain.

The feeling of melancholy and loss vanished in an instant. Xi Lan still smiled and picked me up, as if nothing had happened. She picked up the pipa on the side and handed it to me, saying in a voice that was hard to hear, "That flute has been played for a long time. Let Wei Mian play a tune to put his mind at ease."

I was speechless, but I was actually quite worried about the fox.

I held my pipa, but Xi Lan carried me out of the Little White House, then sat me on the flower trellis. The night wind was chilly, and a feeling I couldn't describe welled up inside me. Xi Lan, was he worried that my pipa music wouldn't reach the fox's ears? He knew all along, so why did he still go to such lengths? The pain in my heart right now must be less than a tenth of what Xi Lan felt. The sound of the flute still lingered in my ears, containing so much emotion, expressing so many unspoken feelings. The person playing the flute was so close, yet so far away.

I gently closed my eyes, tears quickly sliding down my cheeks. If it weren't for the impending war, so much would have happened. Fox, this song is for you, but this song is destined to be something I owe Xilan.

The notes flowed from my fingertips, and the scene at Qianzuiju vividly appeared, as if it were yesterday. I softly sang that song that had lingered in my heart a hundred times:

When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the heavens. I wonder what year it is tonight in the celestial palace. I long to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade towers and crystal palaces are too cold at such heights. I dance with my shadow, how can it compare to being in the human world?

The moon turns through the red pavilion, shines low through the embroidered window, illuminating my sleepless night. There should be no resentment, yet why is the moon always full when we are apart? People experience sorrow and joy, separation and reunion; the moon waxes and wanes, and this has always been so. I only wish that we may all live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart.

Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Two: Where Does the Vast Sky and Water Lead as the Army Marches at Dawn (Part One)

Chapter word count: 3440 Update time: 08-12-21 16:26

At Dawn, the Army Marches with Flute Playing (Part 1)

I slept exceptionally soundly, and when I woke up it was already noon. Xi Lan was sitting by my bedside, his clear eyes already showing signs of bloodshot. I sighed inwardly; he hadn't slept a wink all night. When he brought me back last night, he insisted on watching over me like this, refusing to leave my side for even a moment. No matter how much I assured him I was alright, he wouldn't listen. I was helpless, and finally, I was too exhausted to continue and fell into a deep sleep.

Stepping out of the palace, I saw the outer room densely piled with all sorts of gifts. King Tianqing stood amidst this dazzling array of jewels, casually picking up a large pearl and playing with it. Recalling what had happened last night, and seeing the undisguised smugness on King Tianqing's face, I felt an indescribable mix of emotions, far more than just anger.

"Xiyue greets Father Emperor. By the grace of Heaven, I am able to see Father Emperor again in this life. I am deeply grateful." I bowed slightly. Although I knew that it was not a wise move to anger the Azure King at this time, how could I pretend that nothing had happened and greet him with a smile?

"I know you were wronged yesterday, so I came to see you as soon as court was over today. I personally selected these things to give to you. Xiyue, you can't be unaware of your father's intentions, can you?" He wasn't angry. He looked at me, then at Tian Xilan beside me. His brows were unusually kind, but at this moment, they felt particularly irritating to me.

The two alliance documents were sent to Longyao and Wangyue respectively. One of them would inevitably break the agreement. The initiative was still in the hands of Tianqing King. However, according to normal judgment, Tianqing King would definitely choose the alliance document from Longyao Kingdom, which had much better terms.

"Xiyue thanks Father Emperor." I lowered my head and replied in a low voice.

"Actually, I really like Xiyue. Although I have now adopted her as my goddaughter, if one day she can become my daughter-in-law and I hand over the Phoenix Seal of the Six Palaces to her, I can then abdicate with peace of mind and enjoy my old age." He looked at me, and his tone and expression seemed extremely sincere when he said this. However, after he finished speaking, his expression turned serious, as if he had endless worries. "Today, I originally ordered Dai Cunren to lead the troops into battle, but I did not expect that Minister Dai would suddenly fall ill and be bedridden. Last night, I also received a secret letter from the Prince of Hanxing. He hopes that I can send the Fourth Prince into battle. Xiyue, what do you think I should do now?"

I've never been so angry before! Does the Azure King not seem to be satisfied until he drives someone mad? Rather than asking me, he's more like observing Xi Lan's attitude.

Sure enough, Xi Lan grabbed my hand, stepped forward, and said calmly, "Father, I am willing to lead the troops into battle to share your burdens."

"No!" I finally lost control, flung Xi Lan's hand away, and no longer caring about the Azure King, I grabbed Xi Lan's clothes and yelled, "Xi Lan, what are you saying? Do you even know what you're saying?"

Xi Lan, how could he agree to go to war? How could he go along with the Azure King's wishes? That would only lead him step by step into the life the Azure King had laid out for him. Xi Lan's hands were stained with my blood just yesterday; how could he let them be covered in blood again for my sake?

"I only ask that Father grant me one request," Xi Lan said calmly to the Heavenly King, gently grasping my hand that was tugging at his clothes.

"Speak." King Tianqing didn't look at Xilan, but stared at me thoughtfully.

"I beg Father to grant my request and allow Xiyue to accompany me on the expedition."

My hand slipped from Xi Lan's clothes, and I almost lost my balance. Xi Lan quickly steadied me. I looked up at him, speechless.

"Military campaigns are not child's play; how can one bring a woman along?" Perhaps not expecting Xi Lan to make such a request, King Tianqing was furious and spoke to Tian Xi Lan sternly for the first time.

"If Father Emperor does not agree, then please forgive your son for risking his life to bring Xiyue out of the palace and never set foot in Tianqing Kingdom again." Tian Xilan took my hand and said with utmost determination.

The Azure King remained silent, radiating a suppressed rage. After a long while, he finally spoke: "You are only worried about her safety, worried that what happened last night will happen again when you are not here. I promise you that such a thing will not happen again. Xiyue is here and will not suffer any more grievances or harm."

"Please forgive my rudeness, but I can only feel at ease when Xiyue is by my side," Tian Xilan insisted.

"What about Xiyue? Does Xiyue not believe that Father can protect you either?" King Tianqing pointed the finger at me. Did he want me to persuade Xilan to change her mind?

But after what happened last night, King Tianqing, do you still expect me to continue pretending to be stupid? Or do you think I'm really willing to risk everything, even my own life, for the sake of an alliance? Even if I could risk my own life, I can't let Xilan sacrifice herself because of me.

“tide Yue just feels that Xi Lan shouldn’t go on the expedition. As for the Fourth Prince’s matter, after last night, Father has a good reason to return to Han Xing Wang, and Han Xing Wang can only regret it. Tian Qing is full of talented people. General Dai is unwell, so Father can send another capable person.” I didn’t reply to him, but insisted on not letting Xi Lan get involved in this mess.

"What if I were to issue an edict ordering Lan'er to lead the army?" Although he asked me, I knew he really would. Why would Tian Xinrong want to lead the army? Because it was a golden opportunity, a chance to win and achieve great merit. Xi Lan had never been involved in court affairs. If the King of Tianqing wanted him to succeed to the throne, now was the fastest and best time. If Xi Lan led the army to a great victory, and the strength of the Tianqing Kingdom increased dramatically, then Xi Lan would have made great contributions, gained military power, and given time in the court, coupled with the King of Tianqing's careful planning, his succession would be a natural progression.

"I ask myself, in Father Emperor's heart, tide Yue is not even a fraction as good as Consort Duan!" I said coldly. If Prince Tianqing really dares to do this, I will have no choice but to stand on the same side as Xi Lan.

"Insolence!" King Tianqing roared in anger, suddenly rushing in front of me and raising his hand to slap me. I looked up fearlessly at him, and his hand, suspended in mid-air, did not fall.

"Don't think that just because I favor you, you can be so outspoken and lawless!" He lowered his hand and said coldly.

"Father dotes on me? Didn't Father only take me in as his goddaughter from the beginning because he thought I still had some use? I never dared to dream that I could actually rise from a sparrow to a phoenix!"

"And what about you? From the very beginning, didn't you just want to use Lan'er to get close to me?" King Tianqing looked at me, sneered, but his eyes held an unfathomable light.

Xi Lan tightened her grip on my hand. I took a deep breath and thought, "Let's just make things clear right here, right now."

"Meeting Xilan was purely accidental. Rather than wanting to use Xilan, I wanted to exploit Father's selfish desire for Xilan to inherit the throne. However, I know Xilan's heart has never been set on power, so I never wanted Xilan to change her truest thoughts for me. I confessed to Xilan early on that my approach to Father was not for any ulterior motives. As Father sees it, it was simply to give Father another option and to give Tianqing a stronger opportunity that could benefit both sides with Longyao. I ask myself, apart from not being able to reciprocate Xilan's feelings in the same way, I have never harmed Xilan in any other way, and I have always been respectful and fearful towards Father. But what about Father? You actually tried to provoke Xilan by hurting me, to make him change his consistent ideals and thoughts, and to force him to do things he didn't want to do. Father is the one who has truly hurt Xilan!"

"He is my son, the only son in my heart. I want to give him this world. This is something so many people dream of. What's wrong with what I'm doing?" He finally spoke his mind without hesitation, in front of me and in front of Xi Lan. At this point, didn't he want to speak any longer through the layers of mystery?

"What thousands of people dream of is not what Xi Lan wants. It's like how you, Father, love to eat Eight Treasures Fish, but Xi Lan can't stand the fishy taste. You force him to eat what you think is the most delicious thing in the world, thinking that this is for his own good, but for Xi Lan, it might be torture. You personally extinguished his desire for power, making him understand the bitterness of possessing the world but not being able to protect the one he loves most when he was still young, making him understand the helplessness of having power but not being able to take revenge, making him understand the hypocrisy, coldness, and madness of power and politics. You made him completely despair of power, you made him lose warmth from childhood, forced him to leave the palace, forced him to indulge in the beauty of nature. When he finally let go of all of this, you want him to taste this bitterness, this pain, this helplessness again. Father, how can you bear it?" Xi Lan held my hand tightly, and I held his hand tightly in return. Seeing the King of Tianqing's face getting worse and worse, I didn't hesitate to say everything I wanted to say.

"Should I make him taste this bitterness, this pain, this helplessness again?" He looked at me, his eyes half-closed, making it impossible to discern his emotions.