His eyes gradually welled up with tears, and he tilted his head back, pouring another cup of bitter wine into his mouth.
Seeing Jun Yilin's desolate appearance, Yao Biluo's heart began to ache again, and even her head ached. Those two voices kept echoing each other: "Zijin—Zijin—"
"Three years, you only have three years—"
What exactly happened? Yao Biluo clutched her chest, tears welling up in her eyes.
Jun Yilin noticed that something was wrong with her and said, "What's wrong? If you're not feeling well, then kneel down and leave!"
Yao Biluo felt a tightness in her chest, as if she had a lot to say but didn't know what to say. She just wanted to escape, so she obediently knelt down and said goodbye.
Looking at Yao Biluo's retreating figure, a hint of doubt flashed in Jun Yilin's eyes.
Back at Yuxiu Palace, Yao Biluo was still unwell, so she went to bed early to rest.
This sleep somehow brought together fragments of nightmares that had plagued him for the past year.
A cherry blossom grove, an endless sea of pink blossoms, a man in black robes stands with his back to the trees. Cherry blossom petals flutter and dance in the air, landing on his ethereal figure, which seems to have been banished to heaven. His white hair reaches his waist, his delicate face, his pure black robes, the petals dancing in the wind... everything seems like a fairyland, so distant, so tranquil!
The man turned around and smiled at you, saying, "You only have three years. Within these three years, you must find him and make him willingly give his heart's blood to nourish the Linglong Stone, granting you new life. In this way, you can obtain energy from his life and prolong your own. If you fail to do so, on this day three years from now, when the sun rises, your soul will be scattered, and you will have no chance of being reborn!"
Yao Biluo asked anxiously, "Who are you? What do you mean? I don't understand."
The man still smiled and said, "I am Xuan Yi! Remember, you only have three years—"
The man's figure gradually became blurry.
Yao Biluo's head throbbed. She closed her eyes tightly, clutching her head. Who was Xuan Yi? Why only three years? She had to find him within three years, but who was he?
A tender voice rang out: "Zijin—Zijin—why haven't you come back yet? I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Yao Biluo opened her eyes. It was Jun Yilin standing in front of her, gazing at her with eyes full of pain. He stretched out his hand: "Zijin—Zijin—why haven't you come back yet? I've been waiting for you for so long!"
Tears welled up in Yao Biluo's eyes: "I—I'm not Zijing! You've all mistaken me for someone else!" What exactly happened? What exactly happened?
Yao Biluo suddenly woke up, drenched in sweat, panting heavily, her hands gripping the blanket tightly. What had happened? Yao Biluo buried her face in the blanket and cried softly.
"Luo Luo, Luo Luo, what's wrong? Quickly open the window and let me in!" Jiang Yumin's anxious voice, deliberately lowered, rang out from outside the window. Why was he here so late?
Yao Biluo wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, opened the window, and Jiang Yumian jumped in. He gently cupped Yao Biluo's face and asked with heartache, "What's wrong? I was late today because I had something to do. I saw that you had already turned off the lights and was about to leave when I heard you crying. Luoluo, tell me, did someone bully you?"
Hearing such gentle words, Yao Biluo felt both touched and frightened, and sobbed softly, "I...I had a nightmare. I've been having this dream for a year now, and I'm so scared!"
Jiang Yumin felt relieved and said gently, "So that's how it is. Don't be afraid, tell me what kind of nightmare it was."
Yao Biluo recounted her dream in a fragmented manner, but Jiang Yumin's expression changed drastically after hearing it. Yao Biluo, with her head down, did not notice.
Jiang Yumin recalled what Lin Zijin had said about the black-clad figure in the underworld. It seemed this was more than just a nightmare!
He spoke with difficulty: "Is that white-haired man named Xuan Yi?"
Yao Biluo was somewhat surprised: "He—he did say his name was Xuanyi. How did you know?"
"Who do you think that man in purple looks like?" Jiang Yumin was unaware that her body was trembling.
Yao Bilu hesitated for a moment: "Although it's unlikely, I actually think he looks like—like the Emperor!"
Jiang Yumin slumped onto the stool, her back covered in cold sweat. It really was you, Zijing! But why, even though I met you first this time, why did I still have to let go?
Seeing that Jiang Yumin looked off, Yao Biluo asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Yumin forced a smile, looking up at her. Three years? Half of that's already passed, there's still a year left. Let me selfishly have you for one year! Just one year!
"I'm fine, don't be afraid anymore. It's just a normal dream! When you marry me, I'll be with you, and you won't be afraid anymore!" Jiang Yumin forced a smile, trying to distract Yao Biluo.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Yao Biluo forgot her fear, spat at him, and blushed before falling silent.
“Young Master Jiang, I am very grateful for your kind words, but haven’t you heard? I have already—already—” After a long while, Yao Biluo couldn’t help but speak.
"Already what? Betrothed to Jiang Sikong?" Jiang Yumin asked with a smile.
“Since you know this, you should understand that the imperial decree cannot be disobeyed, and we—cannot be together.” Yao Biluo said sadly.
"I've told you, I'll take care of any difficulties you encounter in the future. Don't worry, I'll handle everything. Just stay here and relax, and you'll understand when the time comes!" Jiang Yumin patted her head. "Go to sleep, it's getting late!"
Yao Biluo could only nod.
That night, a thin figure stood quietly outside Yao Biluo's window, the wind carrying endless loneliness, motionless until dawn.
The next day, Yao Biluo received a letter from Prefect Yao. The letter was simple, praising her achievements and expressing great admiration for her upcoming marriage to Minister Jiang, which he considered a brilliant move. He instructed her to firmly grasp the heart of the most important official in the court and reassured her at the end that her mother's affairs had been settled and that she could enter the ancestral temple to pay homage to her mother when she returned home.
With a sudden burst of strength, he crumpled the letter into a ball, feeling a wave of nausea.
Did he really think that he had used a scheme to marry Jiang Sikong? Was he going to spend his whole life as a tool for Jiang Sikong's advancement?
There's only one month left until the Emperor's wedding. As a subject, I cannot marry before the Emperor's wedding, so there are at most two months until my own wedding! Jiang Sikong—what kind of person is he? Why isn't Young Master Jiang worried? Is he planning to abduct the bride?
My thoughts are in turmoil, so I've decided to stop thinking about it.
☆、Eight、Marriage
Inside the Imperial Study.
"I want to get married sooner! This month!" the masked man demanded rudely.
The man in purple looked at him disdainfully and said, "You've already forgotten him? Fine, I promised him I'd take care of you, so I'll grant your wish!"
Jiang Yumin ignored Jun Yilin's faint sarcasm, her eyes resolute. "Jun Yilin, I only have one year left, but you have decades. Don't blame me for hiding it!"
When the imperial decree bestowing the marriage arrived at Yuxiu Palace, it caused another commotion among the palace maids.
"This is against the rules! How dare a subject marry before the Emperor's wedding?"
"You don't know this, but although Minister Jiang doesn't attend court often, the Emperor grants him every request! If it weren't for Minister Jiang's honest appearance—people would probably have suspected he and the Emperor were—"
What is it?
The palace maids who had been there earlier dared not speak, so they simply tore open their sleeves with their hands, their eyes filled with ambiguity.
"Ah!" The palace maids covered their mouths with their hands. Broken sleeve!
Upon seeing someone approaching, the palace maids scattered and went back to their work.
"Sister, don't listen to their gossip. What's the point of a man being so handsome? The key is to have a high position and power so that women can enjoy honor!" Yao Bile said gloatingly, but pretended to comfort her.
Yao Biluo ignored her. Were they getting married this month? So soon?
Without noticing, I bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry, it was my carelessness!" Yao Biluo quickly apologized.
"Oh, isn't this Madam Sikong? What, you're getting married soon and you've become arrogant?" It was Gu Qinglu. She had always secretly envied Yao Biluo's outstanding qualities, and today, after being bumped into, she couldn't help but speak sarcastically.
"Hey, what are you saying? My sister has already apologized!" Yao Bile shouted angrily.
Yao Biluo quickly pulled her sister back, hinting that she shouldn't get involved.
To everyone's surprise, Gu Qinglu said, "I've heard that Lord Sikong's appearance is one in a thousand! No wonder you're so overjoyed to marry such a husband, you don't even look where you're going! Hehe!"
Yao Biluo's expression also changed. How could this person speak so recklessly! Just as she was about to retort,
"Oh? Have you seen my appearance before, my lady? How do you know I'm one in a thousand?" A cold voice came from behind Yao Biluo.
Everyone turned around and saw a man dressed in the robes of a high-ranking official, wearing a mask. He stood there coldly, exuding an imposing aura!
Yao Biluo's mind raced. Could this be Lord Sikong?
Gu Qinglu was somewhat timid, but still maintained an arrogant demeanor.
"Why are you silent? You're bullying my wife here. Aren't you worried about the consequences?" Jiang Sikong said coldly.
Gu Qinglu's legs trembled slightly: "You—you're just a subject, but I'm the Emperor's woman. What can you do about it?"
"Hehe!" Although he was laughing, everyone shuddered. "You've got some nerve!" Jiang Sikong turned to the servants behind him and said, "This young lady has a bad character, so let her go to the Cold Palace to reflect on her mistakes!" He spoke as if he were talking about the weather.
The attendants behind her didn't seem to notice anything amiss and quickly directed two palace maids to take her away.
"Are you crazy? I am the Emperor's concubine! How dare you?" Gu Qinglu panicked when she was grabbed by two palace maids.
"Heh, there's nothing I wouldn't dare to do! Take her away!" Jiang Sikong's eyes were filled with coldness. If she weren't the Emperor's woman, he would have already beheaded her!
Everyone was stunned by the sight!
Jiang Sikong walked towards Yao Biluo, his tone suddenly becoming gentle: "Are you alright?"
Yao Biluo was also a little scared. She shook her head. Was this masked man her beloved? What did he look like under the mask? He didn't seem to have a very good temper! But why did that voice sound so familiar?
Ignoring everyone else, Jiang Sikong took Yao Biluo's hand and walked towards her bedroom.
At this point, who would dare to criticize Jiang Sikong's rudeness? No one, no one would want to die! Thus, the two entered the house without incident.
Jiang Sikong gently helped Yao Biluo sit down, his eyes crinkling with a seductive smile behind his mask: "Why aren't you saying anything! I've finally gotten revenge for you, Luoluo!"
Yao Biluo was shocked: "You—"
Jiang Sikong removed his mask, revealing a face scorched by fire. Yao Biluo couldn't help but gasp softly.
"Are you scared?" Jiang Sikong asked.
Yao Biluo shook her head and asked, "Does it still hurt?"
Jiang Sikong burst into laughter: "I knew you wouldn't be afraid." With that, he gently peeled it off, revealing a human skin mask!
Yao Biluo was truly taken aback!
Jiang Yumin squatted down, rested her head on Yao Biluo's lap, and said ingratiatingly, "How are you? You weren't scared, were you?"
Yao Biluo stood up, suddenly realizing, "You—it really is you, Young Master Jiang? Minister Jiang? I never expected this!"
Jiang Yumin gently embraced Yao Biluo: "We're getting married soon, are you happy?"
Yao Biluo felt conflicted. Was she happy? A little, perhaps! After all, she didn't want to enter the palace, and the man she was to marry was so good to her! And she didn't dislike him either!
"Why are you—" Yao Biluo gently pushed him away and pointed to the human skin mask in Jiang Yumin's hand.
"This?" Jiang Yumin raised her hand and smiled. "It's a long story, I'll tell you later, but you have to keep it a secret for me!"
Yao Biluo nodded.
Because everything felt like a dream, so unreal, Yao Biluo vaguely felt that Jiang Yumin had said many things to her, but she couldn't remember a single word when she tried to recall them that night. She only vaguely remembered his warm hand and the promises he kept making to protect her in the future! This feeling—it wasn't bad!