Song Shuhao stirred, leaned in, and kissed Zhang Yu's neck. Then she raised her chin, shifting her attention to his ear, nibbling at his earlobe and licking his earlobe, her teasing and mischievous intent obvious. Zhang Yu knew she was awake—it was hard not to know she was awake.
He rather ungracefully pinched the buttocks of the person on his back and gently scolded, "Stop fooling around." Song Shuhao stopped and did not continue. However, Zhang Yu did not put her down, and she did not considerately get down and walk on her own. She remained on his back and whispered, "I had a dream."
Zhang Yu kept moving and responded. Song Shuhao continued, "There were many people in my dream. I dreamt that I was standing in front of His Majesty, as if I wanted to save him..." Her soft words drifted into Zhang Yu's ears, but they struck his heart heavily.
She didn't need to be very direct or describe things in great detail; just by saying it, Zhang Yu knew what she was dreaming about. The two of them were a little too close, and even though Zhang Yu's body stiffened slightly for a moment before quickly returning to normal, Song Shuhao still felt it.
Without waiting for Zhang Yu to speak, she said, "But I don't want to see it. I feel none of that matters, so I woke up. Your Majesty, have you ever done anything to betray me? Would you ever do anything to betray me?"
“I used to think that life is so long, and it’s not easy to be together peacefully for even one day. But what if I also develop the expectation of growing old together? When we’re both old, with gray hair and no teeth, we’ll still be together, even if we bicker and argue. But by then… Your Majesty might not be able to carry me anymore…”
Song Shuhao imagined the scene, and thinking about how she didn't know when Zhang Yu would carry her again, she tightened her grip and didn't want to get down even more. She didn't bother him much; it was just an occasional thing, a bit of fun.
Of course he wouldn't betray her, and Zhang Yu's lips curled into a smile, though Song Shuhao couldn't see it. Zhang Yu kept his eyes fixed ahead; they were almost at their destination. Hearing Song Shuhao's words, he chuckled again, "Even when you're old, you can still carry me. If you can't, it must be because you're too fat..." He immediately retorted, paused, and added, "It seems you beat me to some of these words..."
Song Shuhao didn't understand the second half of Zhang Yu's sentence, and Zhang Yu didn't explain. Even with his good stamina, carrying her up the mountain and walking such a long distance made Zhang Yu sweat. But when they stopped, Song Shuhao didn't see him panting. She took out a handkerchief to wipe Zhang Yu's sweat, but Zhang Yu glanced at the horizon and stopped her.
Following Zhang Yu's gaze, Song Shuhao looked over as well. The pale sky was hazy and indistinct, barely bright. Zhang Yu led her to sit down on the edge of the cliff and held her protectively against his chest.
Song Shuhao looked down and, through layers of misty white fog, saw vast expanses of vegetation beneath her feet, still bearing the bleakness of winter yet already displaying the fragrance of spring. A stream meandered through the woods like a swaying ribbon.
In the blink of an eye, the sky became brighter. In the blink of an eye, a red sun leaped up from the horizon, its rays radiating in all directions, piercing through the clouds and filling the sky with light.
She then understood why Zhang Yu had done this. Back at Jingyun Nunnery, she had once complained that the mountains weren't high enough and the sunrise wasn't beautiful enough—a thoughtless remark, yet he remembered it. Perhaps there were other reasons, perhaps it was specifically at this time.
Song Shuhao felt Zhang Yu's arms tighten around her. He rested his chin on her shoulder and began to speak to her slowly and deliberately. Inhaling the fragrance of Song Shuhao's hair and watching the beautiful sunrise, Zhang Yu spoke clearly, word by word, right in her ear.
Between heaven and earth, it seemed as if only the two of them existed; they had only each other, clinging to one another. Zhang Yu slowly recalled the past, speaking softly to the person in his arms. He still remembered the scene Song Shuhao had just mentioned; he truly didn't want her to recall the past.
Even without deliberately learning what she had been through, if he had thought more and felt more at the time, it wouldn't have been hard to know that she hadn't had any hope when she came to save him.
But for a moment, although Song Shuhao did something that he thought was foolish, or perhaps her purpose was not to rescue him, only he knew that for him, who at that time had no hope of living, it was a great comfort.
He was never associated with the word "good"; his hands were stained with blood, representing countless lives. Rather than being weak and easily bullied, he preferred to be seen as a violent and tyrannical figure.
Too many people wanted to bring him down from this position, and one wrong step could lead to certain doom. He knew every step he took was fraught with danger, but he refused to admit defeat. Even if it meant risking his own life and perishing together, he didn't care.
But now, he could no longer have such thoughts. He had something to hold onto, not a burden, but something that brought him joy. They met only once, and he forgot it immediately, but she remembered it all. However, she knew so clearly what she wanted and didn't want, and someone like him was not what she truly desired, so she pretended not to remember.
They were completely different people. He had no desire for romance, while she longed for the purest and most sincere affection. Time, instead of eroding the beauty hidden deep within her heart, made her more persistent. She once felt that he couldn't give her what she wanted. Perhaps she wasn't wrong.
But it's good that she's like this.
Zhang Yu thought, but she was so good to him, he couldn't bear to let her go.
"Ah Hao, it's lonely in the deep palace, would you like to keep me company?"
Finally, Zhang Yu whispered a question in Song Shuhao's ear, his voice low and deep. Birds continued to flit past their feet, their calls lingering. The sunset glow turned golden, falling on Song Shuhao's hair as if plated with red gold.
If she still refuses, he will definitely go along with her wishes. But he also wants to give her the best, even if it's not what she really wants.
But he was ultimately a scoundrel.
"Think carefully before you answer... Otherwise, I'll jump down with you in my arms," Zhang Yu added slowly, his threat blatant. Below them wasn't a bottomless abyss, but the hot spring where they had jumped was gone. If they jumped, even if they weren't shattered to pieces, they certainly wouldn't survive.
Song Shuhao glanced at Zhang Yu, her face showing doubt. "Didn't His Majesty already have the phoenix coronet and robes made? I heard the date has been set? The way you say that, I thought you were..."
Seeing Zhang Yu's dark expression, Song Shuhao didn't continue. She smiled faintly, looked at Zhang Yu, and said, "The palace is lonely, but I will keep you company. Even if we get drunk three thousand times, I will not say goodbye. I have seen Your Majesty's heart, and I believe in it."
"But can you promise me one thing? Think it over before you answer, or I'll jump down with His Majesty in my arms."
Zhang Yu: "..."
Author's Note: ... QAQ I feel like I'm a useless fish.
Chapter 99 The Grand Wedding
Although she hadn't deliberately inquired, and Zhang Yu hadn't brought it up intentionally, Song Shuhao already knew about his preparations and plans before he brought it up formally. Even though she had already made up her mind earlier and wasn't hesitant now, she could still sense that Zhang Yu was nervous.
From the moment they returned to Lin'an, Song Shuhao knew that Zhang Yu had begun preparations to marry her. Now, almost everything was in place, and he had finally brought it up, but what if she didn't agree? However, they both knew each other's feelings, and perhaps she shouldn't embarrass Zhang Yu but pretend not to know.
Leaning against Zhang Yu's chest and snuggling closer to him, Song Shuhao gazed at the beautiful mountain scenery before her, filled with joy. Regardless of how it began or how it would end, things had come to this point. She followed her heart, without forcing anything.
Zhang Yu was indeed nervous. He was afraid that Song Shuhao would think he had prepared everything without her consent, and he was also afraid that she would feel he was pressuring her, even though he knew she wouldn't think that way. He was increasingly understanding the difference between cherishing someone and truly cherishing someone.
The loss and subsequent return made him even more cautious, afraid of displeasing her. Zhang Yu looked up at the rising sun on the horizon, recalling how Song Shuhao often bantered with him now, and couldn't help but smile. She was no longer afraid or apprehensive, and had completely trusted him, which was why she acted this way. But what was she like back then?
"I feel I have been deceived."
Zhang Yu's voice was close to her ear; she wondered what he was thinking when he uttered those words. Song Shuhao pondered for a moment, then realized she understood, and said, "I also feel deceived..." She smiled, lowered her head, and fiddled with Zhang Yu's hand, deliberately saying, "After the army returned to the capital, you said we couldn't see each other all the time, but clearly..." they saw each other every day.
"I had some expectations."
Hearing Song Shuhao's low laughter, Zhang Yu reached out and pinched her waist, forcing her to press closer to him. He gritted his teeth and asked in a deep voice, "Expecting what? Expecting not to see me?" As he spoke, he couldn't help but bite her ear, but in the end, he didn't dare to bite too hard. "I was indeed deceived."
Song Shuhao turned around, put her arm around his shoulder, and kissed Zhang Yu, who had a stern face, on the lips with a smile, saying, "Looking forward to Your Majesty's surprise after this short separation, aren't you?"
He didn't even send someone to measure her for the new clothes, all to keep it a secret from her, but she still found out. However, keeping it completely secret wouldn't have been difficult for Zhang Yu. Was he afraid of turning a surprise into a shock?
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Yes." But his gaze fell on Song Shuhao's pink lips.
His lips curved slightly, concealing the passion in his eyes. He leaned in for a few light kisses, each one fleeting and brief, showing no intention of doing anything here. Song Shuhao, however, raised her hand and pressed his head down, deepening the kiss. Her tongue licked his lips, then slipped inside, entwining with his, clearly harboring wicked intentions.
Song Shuhao attacked fiercely, and Zhang Yu, mindful of their safety, didn't resist much, thus providing her with considerable convenience. Until she pushed him to the ground, and he saw Song Shuhao straddling him, Zhang Yu yielded, not scolding her for her indecent behavior, seemingly full of anticipation.
She leaned down and kissed Zhang Yu again, feeling the change in his lower body. Song Shuhao breathed into his ear, "Your Majesty, I'm about to go back. Would you like to lie down a little longer?" She smiled innocently and got off him, quickly standing to the side.
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. Fortunately, Zhang Yu didn't fall for it, knowing that Song Shuhao wasn't bold enough to mess around with him in such a place. He simply pretended to be stiff, got up, and without saying a word, the two of them went down the mountain together.