Ветер и дым

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He was breathless and sobbing so hard he could barely speak: "I... if I had known it would turn out like this, I... I would never have let you go and refine it..."

His tears, like water, melted into Tang Qiefang's heart, awakening the mist that had been hidden deep within her for seven years. The mist rose to her throat, and her voice became low and hoarse, "You don't have Hua Manyuzhen, and I don't know when you will be able to comprehend the mysteries of Yunluozhang... Congrong, you only have me, and I only have Tianxiang."

That low, harsh tone made her heart sink. Tang Qiefang took a breath, glared at her, and said, "Alright, you're all grown up and still crying? Are you even a man? It's only natural for the lord of the Imperial Pharmacy to refine Heavenly Incense. And since you know I'm doing this for you, you should think about me too. Get married and have children soon, preferably a daughter, and give her to me to adopt."

Tang Congrong simply shed tears.

He rarely cried; for a leader of the Tang Clan, tears were such a ridiculous thing. He stood at the very top of the Tang Clan, looked up to by everyone; how could he show weakness before those eyes that looked up to him and depended on him?

They are each other's only friends. There is no hierarchy or distinction of rank; they always stand by each other's side, and even if the sky were to fall, they would shoulder it together.

Only now did he realize that Tang Qiefang had always been the one carrying his burden.

The vulnerability that needs protection, and the security that is being protected, create an extremely bittersweet feeling, leaving one feeling utterly exhausted and wanting nothing more than to burst into tears.

Many women cry when something happens. Sometimes the crying isn't because of sadness or grief, but simply a way to release pent-up emotions, turning what the heart can't bear into tears and letting them flow out of the body, which makes them feel better.

Those complex and intricate secrets, those tangled and indescribable emotions, slowly flowed out with his tears. A sense of clarity gradually settled in his heart, and clear thoughts took shape in his mind. He raised his head, took a long breath, and his tear-filled eyes were clear and resolute. "Qiefang, you've only been practicing Heavenly Incense for a short time. It's not too late to stop now… Be a normal person, a husband, a father, let your wife be a mother—you can do all of these things—don't mention the words 'Heavenly Incense' again. Return to the Tang Clan, and I will immediately issue an order banning the practice of Heavenly Incense!"

Chapter Thirty-Five

Tang Qiefang rarely saw Tang Congrong so resolute. Tang Congrong was gentle, like water, her emotions flowing quietly, rarely showing such intensity. His intensity, like his tears, possessed the same power, making Tang Qiefang's heart sink as if shrouded in mist. "Congrong, you're too naive. Destroying Tianxiang is not the same as letting an outsider into the Tang Clan. Even if you are the head of the clan, you will still face opposition. You don't actually have the strength of Hua Manyu's Needles. Without Tianxiang, how can we protect the Tang Clan?"

“I have the Cloud Barrier,” Tang Congrong said. “The Knowledge Society will be held soon, and I will ask the knowledgeers about the secret of the Cloud Barrier. Tianxiang no longer needs to exist in this world.”

"You want me to give up halfway and waste all my efforts?" Tang Qiefang frowned. "I've already completed half of it. Even if I stop now, I won't be able to neutralize the poison. If you issue a ban, the elders will investigate, and the secret of Tianxiang will be exposed—have you considered the consequences?"

"Your poisoning isn't severe yet; there's still time to reverse it. If you continue this practice, even Luo Xue won't be able to save you!"

"Him?" Tang Qiefang smiled contemptuously. "No one can cure the poison of the Heavenly Fragrance."

"Qiefang, don't be so stubborn!" Tang Congrong looked at him. "Listen to me this once."

"Calm down, you're too naive. Even if I stop, I'm no longer a normal person. Why not go all out and refine myself into a heavenly fragrance?"

Their gazes locked. Tang Congrong's gaze was like two sharp blades, unstoppable, while Tang Qiefang looked at him without flinching, like the world's strongest shield.

He couldn't convince him.

He couldn't persuade him either.

The two of them will still act according to their own thoughts—no one knows this better than the two of them, and their desire to stop each other is even stronger.

Silence reigned inside the carriage.

Neither of them spoke.

Springtime weather is unpredictable; after the carriage had traveled for a while, a light drizzle began to fall.

Sometimes the wind would lift the carriage curtain, letting in a wisp of moisture.

Tang Qiefang suddenly said, "The lotus flowers in Tingshui Pavilion should be sprouting new leaves by now, right?"

His speaking indicates that the argument is over.

It's always been like this: after an argument, a casual remark can make everything disappear. Whether or not one refines Heavenly Incense is another matter entirely.

Tang Congrong didn't answer. Tang Qiefang leaned closer and saw that he had fallen asleep. His head was resting against the draft. Tang Qiefang helped him to the inside and let him lean against her.

The carriage bumped and swayed along the muddy road, and Tang Qiefang's heart seemed to sway along with it.

Tang Congrong opened her eyes briefly and saw his profile.

With a straight nose and blood-red lips, Tang Qiefang possessed an extraordinary handsomeness. A pearl crown with tassels cascaded down her temples, its luster alluring. Her cheek rested on his shoulder, the flowing cloud silk woven by Qian Chu herself was incredibly soft to the touch.

The rain outside the window is like a dream.

Tang Congrong slowly closed her eyes, "Qiefang."

"You're awake?"

"Do not touch the Heavenly Fragrance before I ask about the origin of the Cloud Barrier."

Tang Qiefang turned her face away and said vaguely, "Well then, let's see."

Tang Congrong looked directly at him and said, "Promise me."

Tang Qiefang couldn't persuade him, and chuckled, "You won't budge an inch? Fine, I promise you. But you also have to promise me that if even a scholar can't explain the origin of the Cloud Barrier, you won't interfere with my refining of Heavenly Incense, and you certainly won't issue any bans."

Chapter Thirty-Six

Now it was Tang Congrong's turn to hesitate.

Tang Qiefang stared at him intently, not allowing him to look away, "I'll only agree if you promise me."

Two pairs of eyes, clear and bright, black and white distinct. They had gazed at each other a thousand or ten thousand times, but this time, something seemed different. Tang Congrong realized she couldn't bring herself to meet Tang Qiefang's pearly eyes, and turned her head away. "...I agree."

It's settled then.

On a rainy day, the roads were muddy, and the carriage bumped along. Tang Congrong felt indescribably tired and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. He didn't know how much time had passed when the door creaked open. He woke up, heard the familiar footsteps, and knew it was Tang Qiefang. He drifted back to sleep.

Tang Qiefang lifted his bed curtains. "Congrong, get up and eat something."

Tang Congrong was extremely sleepy. He rolled over in the blanket, but Tang Qiefang held his shoulder. "Eat first, then sleep." There was only a thin layer of clothing on his shoulders, and the skin underneath was smooth and soft, which could be felt even through the fabric. Tang Qiefang looked at his palm with a little curiosity... When he was a child, catching butterflies and getting his hands covered in pollen, was this what it felt like?

"I'm not hungry..."

"You only ate half a pancake tonight, no wonder you're hungry. Get up and eat with me. Come on, I made your favorite red date and rice porridge."