On the evening of the third day of the ninth month in the year 775 of the Bai Cang calendar, a watershed moment occurred in the history of Biantang. From this day onward, Crown Prince Li Ce of Tang officially stepped onto the empire’s political stage and swiftly quelled the day’s rebellion in a manner entirely unlike his usual frivolous demeanor. Later generations gave this day an intriguing name—the Fox’s Transformation.
That night, the imperial forces of Biantang underwent an unprecedented purge. A bloody coup descended without warning upon the land of Biantang, long dominated by powerful aristocratic clans.
Escorted by the empire’s wolf soldiers, the Tang Crown Prince returned to Jinwu Palace and hosted a pacifying banquet to honor the commanders of the Central Army who had remained loyal to the nation that day. The banquet included not only all officers of the Central Army but also respected veterans with significant influence in the military.
No one doubted it—not even a whisper of skepticism was heard. Compared to Crown Prince Li Ce’s previous lawless antics, what was a mere banquet for soldiers in the palace after a major upheaval?
However, Li Ce did not attend the extravagant banquet that night. Instead, he casually issued an order. Upon receiving it, Lu Yunxi, who had temporarily taken over as commander of the imperial guards in Tie You’s stead, raised an eyebrow slightly and furrowed his brow but still replied solemnly, “I will not fail this mission!”
Sun Di then stepped forward with a frown and quietly suggested, “Wouldn’t it be more convincing to set the Crown Prince’s palace on fire rather than use this excuse?”
Li Ce let out an exaggerated gasp, turned around, and shouted, “Sun Di, are you planning to pay for the reconstruction of my palace afterward?”
Sun Di’s face instantly paled, and he straightened up, declaring loudly, “This subordinate said nothing just now!”
Soon, the well-dressed leaders of the Central Army were led into Jinwu Palace by palace attendants. Yet, what awaited them was not fine wine and delicacies. As the palace gates closed, arrows rained down. These soldiers, who had been supported by the empire’s highest salaries, bid farewell to their young lives, just as their earlier slogan had proclaimed—all for the honor of the empire!
That night, all the generals of the Central Army died collectively at the banquet. The cause of death… food poisoning…
When Sun Di once again couldn’t resist complaining about Li Ce’s terrible idea, Li Ce only responded with a cold, sly smile, like a cunning fox.
“No matter how they die, it will point to the same outcome. So, I might as well make it exaggerated and directly tell people that I took out these bastards.”
As he spoke, Li Ce was eating grapes—juicy, refreshing, and sweet grapes delivered by swift horse from Nanqiu. A beautiful courtesan knelt on the ground, peeling the translucent tender green fruit flesh for him one by one. The courtesan maintained a pleasant smile on her face, as if she couldn’t hear their conversation. In truth, she couldn’t. These courtesans in the palace were trained from orphaned deaf-mute girls—the most obedient and ideal playthings.
“In the end, our ability to rule the empire doesn’t rely on the people’s votes but on the power in my hands and the blades of the soldiers loyal to me.”
As he finished speaking, Sun Di nodded gently, but another voice suddenly rang in his mind—unexpectedly, like an alarm bell!"Killing them is no great loss. These men excel at feasting and stirring up trouble, but when it comes to military campaigns, they're nothing but incompetents. Relying on their family influence, they wreak havoc all day long. If the Central Army remains in their hands, major chaos will inevitably erupt sooner or later. However, these men all hail from powerful families, and dealing with the old guards when they cause trouble is quite troublesome. Let's stick to the original plan: anyone who dares to make trouble will be purged. The court also needs an infusion of fresh blood—this opportunity must not be missed."
Sun Di spoke gravely, but Li Ce seemed slightly dazed. Suddenly, he turned and asked, "Sun Di, have you ever heard the saying, 'He who wins the hearts of the people wins the empire'?"
Sun Di was taken aback, slowly furrowing his brow. After a long while, he murmured, "Are you joking? If that were the case, wouldn't it mean the monks in the temples should be in power?"
Li Ce was momentarily stunned, then broke into a sudden laugh of realization. "Haha, you're right!"
That night, the bloodbath proceeded as scheduled. Whether involved or merely observing, all factions were mercilessly eliminated. However, once the operation began, Li Ce made a slight adjustment to the plan: instead of execution, he replaced it with dismissal from office, confiscation of assets, and exile. To outsiders, the outcome seemed unchanged, but among the common people, the perception was entirely different.
"This is merely the empire dismissing officials who enjoy high salaries but do no real work—it is by no means a ruthless purge!"
Lower-ranking censors from the Censorate, who represented the voice of the people, loudly proclaimed this, though their voices were soon drowned out by the roars of the nobility. Yet, the stance of the common folk was clear: seeing the noble lords driven out of the capital, stripped of their wealth and homes, excited them more than the New Year celebrations.
No blood was shed, and aside from the Central Army, which had caused major trouble, no military forces were involved. Thus, this upheaval evolved into a political issue, giving the remaining civil officials in the court another topic to bicker and clamor about.
The Tang Emperor sat on his high throne, gloomily cleaning up the mess his son had made. Watching the old men below, flushed with excitement, kicking and pinching each other in glee, he eventually closed his eyes and fell asleep. Grand Tutor Liu wailed loudly for over two hours before finally deciding to pause for a drink of water. In the sudden quiet of the court, a loud snore echoed.
Hearing this, Grand Tutor Liu nearly toppled headfirst down the steps. Just as he was about to throw himself forward and resume his wailing, someone behind him whispered, "His Majesty is diligent in governance and weary from state affairs, exhausted to this extent."
Immediately, everyone fell silent, grudgingly waiting for the great Tang Emperor to wake from his deep slumber. Poor Grand Tutor Liu remained kneeling on the steps. To avoid disturbing the emperor's sweet dreams, he had to stay there. By the time court was dismissed, this pillar of the state, a veteran of three reigns, could no longer stand.
In Biantang, where mist and rain painted a watery landscape, even a coup was as gentle and uneventful as a breeze.
Amidst autumn maples and crimson leaves, Li Ce sat among thousands of golden chrysanthemums, his robes flowing gracefully as he sipped tea. Suddenly, a eunuch hurried forward, knelt respectfully, and presented a golden-skinned edict bearing the imperial seal.
Li Ce opened it leisurely, but after just one glance, he nearly spat out his tea, his face instantly turning pale.Sun Di asked from the side, "What happened? What did the Emperor say?"
Li Ce wore a pained expression, nearly on the verge of tears. "His Majesty told me to wait."
Clearly accustomed to the absurd dynamic between this father and son, Sun Di laughed heartily. "Then, Your Highness, you shall wait."
That afternoon, Li Ce fled the palace with bundles large and small, his carriage procession stretching over a hundred paces, and shamelessly took up residence at the residence of Sun Di, the Minister.
The veteran court officials gathered at Senior Minister Liu's residence, chattering excitedly as they reported the latest developments. Senior Minister Liu, playing up his seniority, stroked his beard and said with an air of profound mystery, "The Emperor must be furious and intends to punish the Crown Prince, which is why the Crown Prince fled the palace. This proves that our forceful remonstrations have achieved initial success. Gentlemen, we must press on, strike while the iron is hot, and take it to the next level!"
Everyone nodded in agreement, clenching their fists and swearing oaths with the solemn demeanor of martyrs bearing deep grievances.
That evening, the pillars of the court bid farewell to Senior Minister Liu, each declining offers to travel together and instead fabricating various excuses to set off alone.
Half an hour later, the residence of Sun Di, the Minister, suddenly became bustling. The officials, one after another, crept up to the door like thieves, lowering their voices to whisper, "I have important intelligence to report to the Crown Prince!"
What a joke! After this incident, who could still regard this deeply reserved Crown Prince as a mere figurehead? Only stubborn old fogies like Liu Rucheng would fail to see the reality. Thinking they could use me as a pawn? Dream on!
One could be a loyal minister and remain upright, but if it meant sacrificing one’s life for the sake of reputation, then forget it. If you want to be a martyr, I’ll have to pass.
Fortunately, the young Minister Sun, who followed the Crown Prince day in and day out, was quite reasonable. He welcomed each of these officials into his residence, responding to their nervously delivered intelligence with a sweet smile and maintaining the highest respect for these loyalists who swore unwavering allegiance to the Crown Prince.
Thus, when they shamelessly requested once again that their visit that night not be publicized, Sun Di maintained impeccable decorum, showing not a hint of disdain or contempt.
These fence-sitters were moved! Truly, those around the Crown Prince were understanding!
They promised to continue lurking among the scheming hardliners, ready at any moment to relay information to the wise Crown Prince.
Sun Di happily agreed to their request and invited them into the main hall for tea, saying the Crown Prince was resting and would meet with them shortly.
However, when these secretly visiting informants entered the main hall, they were horrified to find the vast room nearly packed with people—all of them the very same staunch loyalists who had fervently sworn oaths at Senior Minister Liu’s residence earlier.
Even the steward from Senior Minister Liu’s household had come, now holding a letter from Minister Liu as he awaited an audience with the Crown Prince.
In an instant, everyone’s faces turned as unsightly as could be.
They laughed awkwardly:
"Oh? You’re here too?"
"Yes, the weather is quite lovely tonight."
"Indeed, I couldn’t sleep and went out for a stroll. Never expected to run into so many familiar faces."
"Haha, the imperial city is so small. What a coincidence…"
…Stealing in with the night breeze, moistening all things in silence.
A murky political upheaval quietly drew its curtain under such circumstances.
That evening, Li Ce did not meet the senior officials who had sat in Sun Di's side hall all night, drinking cold tea and chatting idly. Instead, he and Sun Di crouched outside the window, poked a hole through the paper pane to peek inside, then clutched their stomachs, laughing like two quails.
Almost simultaneously, the Tang Emperor was having a late-night snack. His long-serving eunuch mustered his courage and softly advised, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry with His Highness anymore. He's even hiding outside, afraid to return."
The Tang Emperor, who was eating congee, looked up in slight confusion. "Who said I'm angry? Didn't he say he was going to visit friends and that it'd be more convenient outside the palace?"
The eunuch was taken aback, rendered speechless.
Early the next morning, over five hundred imperial wolf scout soldiers disguised as ordinary civilians shuttled inside and outside the city, fully searching for a woman depicted in a portrait.
Li Ce added the final stroke and handed over another portrait.
After the servant left the room, he leaned back slowly in his chair, closed his eyes slightly, and seemed to see again the pure, lovely smiling face of the woman among the lotus leaves in the clear pond.
A faint smile touched his lips as he murmured, "It's not without reason that those who win the people's hearts win the empire."
The sky was blue, the clouds white—the anticipated heavy rain never came. After the overcast clouds dispersed, another clear, sunny day emerged.
———————*—
Li Ce never imagined that while he was secretly searching the entire city, Chu Qiao was actually right under his nose, less than three hundred steps from Sun Di's Minister's residence.
In the tranquil guest courtyard, serenity prevailed. The night was cool as water, the moonlight bright and clear. A delicate Jiangnan-style pavilion was hidden among layers of blooming crabapple flowers. The bamboo window was slightly ajar as Zhuge Yue sat at the desk, drafting something. He sealed the envelope and handed it to Yue Qi, who stood nearby. Shooting him a sidelong glance, he said in a light tone, "Who has objections to the orders? Come in and let me see."
Yue Qi's face instantly paled. He lowered his head without a word, the subtext clear: Who would dare come in? That would be seeking death.
Zhuge Yue lowered his head, his expression unreadable, and said calmly, "Go out."
Yue Qi felt as if granted amnesty and hurriedly opened the door to retreat.
After a while, a soft rustling sound slowly arose. Zhuge Yue set down his brush and turned to see Chu Qiao leaning against the doorframe at the moon gate of the inner chamber. Dressed in a white men's scholar robe, she appeared even more gaunt, her face still somewhat pale, her dark hair loose, standing there quietly.
"You're awake."
Zhuge Yue spoke, pointing toward the inner chamber. "There's warm food there. Go eat something."
Seeing Chu Qiao remain motionless, he frowned slightly and said, "You're not fully recovered yet. Go back and lie down."
Chu Qiao still didn't move. The azure gossamer window curtains were as light as smoke, feeling somewhat chilly in this early autumn. The wind rustled through the leaves, sounding like a drizzling rain. She looked at him, quietly, without a word.
Zhuge Yue stood up and walked toward the inner chamber. As he passed her, he grabbed her wrist, feeling it bony and frail, as if it could break with a slight grip. His brow furrowed deeply as he pulled her inside."Zhuge Yue," Chu Qiao called softly, her voice even carrying a hint of pleading. Zhuge Yue's footsteps immediately halted, though he didn't turn around. Only then did Chu Qiao's voice slowly drift from behind him: "I'm leaving."
The night breeze blew, causing Chu Qiao's clothes to flutter. Though she was tall, Zhuge Yue's garments still hung loosely on her. Without paying it any mind, Zhuge Yue said sternly, "Things are tense outside right now. I have no female attendants here, so wear these clothes for now."
"Zhuge Yue, I really have to go."
Zhuge Yue turned to leave, completely ignoring her words: "Did you take the medicine the physician prescribed? If your fever hasn't broken yet, you should rest more."
"Zhuge Yue, I really..."
"If you don't want to eat this, just say so. I'll have someone make something else."
"Listen to me..."
"You've been in Tang Capital for quite some time. Have you been out? There are a few places with decent food—I'll have someone buy some for you."
"Zhuge Yue, listen to me," Chu Qiao grabbed his arm urgently, "I'm grateful you saved me, but I must leave now. I have to find Yan Xun. Yanbei's political situation is unstable—I need to return immediately. And that sly old fox Li—someone wants to harm him. He's been good to me, so I must warn him too. I..."
Before she could finish, Zhuge Yue shook off her arm and turned to leave.
Chu Qiao, startled, grabbed him again and cried out, "Zhuge Yue, I..."
"Zhuge Yue, Zhuge Yue! Are you quite done? Do I owe you money? Must you call me that?"
The man spun around, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed, lips crimson, eyes sharp as stars, roaring angrily: "You and Yan Xun, your Yanbei, you and that sly fox Li—your head is full of others! Has it ever held a thought for yourself? Has it ever held a thought for me?"
Chu Qiao froze. Zhuge Yue glared at her fiercely, his eyes seeming to spit fire. They stared at each other, and something that had always been carefully hidden suddenly broke through the ice, revealing just a corner of the iceberg. The atmosphere froze instantly. Their breathing grew heavy, yet neither could speak.
After a long while, Chu Qiao avoided the topic that made her deeply uncomfortable and said quietly, "If I don't call you Zhuge Yue, what should I call you? Fourth Young Master Zhuge? Zhuge? Yue?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Qiao felt a chill run down her spine. She uncomfortably rubbed her arm, as if goosebumps were falling off.
"Should I call you Fourth Brother instead?"
Zhuge Yue didn't even look at her, turning to leave as if desperate to escape this troublesome situation.
Seeing him about to go, Chu Qiao hurried after him but accidentally tugged on the tablecloth. Bowls of soup and dishes clattered to the floor, splashing all over her.
Chu Qiao grunted and collapsed onto the thick carpet. Zhuge Yue swiftly turned back, pushing aside the scalding bowls. He saw that her arm was already red and swollen from the burns, yet she endured without a sound.
Zhuge Yue's expression turned murderous. He scooped her up horizontally and strode out of the room, running through two corridors straight into the bathhouse. Ignoring his own soaked clothes, he ladled cold water and poured it over Chu Qiao's arm.
"Does it hurt?"
Chu Qiao bit her lip, shaking her head in silence.Her fair, tender arm was now red and swollen. Zhuge Yue said angrily, "How can you not be in pain when it's like this?"
Scoop after scoop of cold water was poured over it, but the swelling didn't subside. Just as Zhuge Yue was about to call for someone to bring wound medicine, he looked up and saw that Chu Qiao's upper garments were completely soaked, clinging to her curves. Below her snow-white neck, her figure rose and fell distinctly, her long hair cascading loosely, creating an especially delicate and alluring charm.
Chu Qiao also noticed Zhuge Yue's gaze and immediately crossed her arms over her chest, demanding angrily, "What are you looking at?"
Zhuge Yue felt slightly awkward but stubbornly retorted with sarcasm, "With your figure that's hard to tell if it's male or female, I wouldn't feel anything even if I looked."
Chu Qiao frowned, anger rising within her. Seeing that Zhuge Yue was about to stand up, she mischievously grabbed the hem of his robe and, taking advantage of his inattention, gave a clever, forceful tug!
The bathhouse was slippery, and with a loud splash, Zhuge Yue fell flat on his back, completely devoid of any dignity.
Chu Qiao burst into laughter, but as the saying goes, extreme joy begets sorrow. In his struggle, Zhuge Yue grabbed her calf. Weak from her recent illness, she lost her balance and, by sheer coincidence, tumbled right into the man's embrace.
The night was boundless. This bathhouse was enclosed by open bamboo sections, connected to a hot spring below. Looking up, one could see the brilliant stars in the sky. The lanterns on either side were not very bright, casting faint halos in the autumn breeze, while the moon was unusually silver and radiant, hanging distantly in the heavens. The night wind carried the fragrance of begonias, gently blowing in, intoxicatingly fragrant. The curtains draped to the ground, pale green tassels drooping on either side. The moonlight was hazy, and the surroundings were deathly still.
After a long while, a soft sound of a water clock dripped, as if to startle someone out of a dream.
Zhuge Yue's hand was warm, resting on Chu Qiao's shoulder. The fine arrow patterns on his sleeve occasionally brushed against her neck, tickling her.
The night breeze whispered, and the distant begonias were a deep crimson, as if they had fallen into a fleeting dream. Zhuge Yue's eyes were like dark gemstones, locked intently on Chu Qiao's. Then, he gently leaned forward an inch. Startled, Chu Qiao immediately struggled to pull away, pushing against him, but her lower abdomen suddenly stiffened, as if pressed against something.
Both their faces flushed crimson with embarrassment!
Chu Qiao quickly sat up and moved aside. The chilly autumn wind swept between them, carrying an awkward silence that felt like an endless darkness devouring them.
Chu Qiao wanted to break the unbearable awkwardness with words, her voice tinged with anger: "Didn't you say you couldn't tell if I'm male or female? Why are you like this?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Chu Qiao immediately wished she could dig a hole and bury herself. This was only making things worse.
Zhuge Yue's expression was also unpleasant, but he stubbornly snorted and said, "I can't tell if you're male or female, but it's quite clear that I am male."
Chu Qiao finally exploded in fury: "You're utterly shameless!"
Zhuge Yue glanced sideways at her: "You haven't seen the truly shameless side of me yet."
Their exchange of insults served as a flimsy cover to restore some semblance of normalcy, making the situation slightly less awkward. Just then, the night wind grew colder. Unless they intended to jump into the hot spring, it was best not to linger here any longer.
Zhuge Yue stood up and asked, "Can you walk?"
Chu Qiao's clothes were half-soaked. Walking wasn't a problem, but as for her dignity—well, it was inevitably a little awkward.The man cursed under his breath, took off his outer robe and threw it to her, then strode ahead alone with a rather dashing posture. But after a few steps, he realized the person behind hadn’t followed at all. He immediately turned back and snapped, “Are you coming or not?”
Chu Qiao was putting on the clothes, her movements unavoidably slow due to the burns on her arms. Annoyed by his shouting, she retorted angrily, “What are you yelling for?”
Seeing her like that, Zhuge Yue frowned and walked back, squatting down to dress her quickly before tugging at her sleeve and heading toward the bedroom. Chu Qiao stumbled from his pull and said impatiently, "Can you slow down? Did you eat gunpowder or something?"
"You dare say that again?"
"I said it, so what?"
...
After fetching the medicinal ointment, Zhuge Yue sat on a chair, pulled Chu Qiao's hand over, and carefully applied the milky-white salve layer by layer with a medicine brush.
"Apply it twice a day, morning and night. It'll heal in two days. Avoid getting it wet and cut back on spicy food."
The medicine brush, made of fine animal hair, brushed against her skin, raising tiny goosebumps. Zhuge Yue's chair was slightly higher than the bed. Sitting there, his robes shimmered with a pearlescent glow under the lamplight, his handsome features somewhat hazy, yet his expression was intensely focused. Dipping into the ointment, he applied one layer, then another.
"Zhuge Yue, I really... I must leave."
Zhuge Yue looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Chu Qiao. The woman's expression held no trace of jest; she was looking at him earnestly, her eyes clear and unwavering.
"I know a simple 'thank you' means nothing. You've helped me multiple times, even going so far as to oppose your own country and disregard your family's interests. The risks you've taken, the pressure you've shouldered, the sacrifices you've made—I understand it all."
Zhuge Yue remained silent, setting down the medicine brush and slowly closing the lid of the ointment jar.
"But I have no other way to repay you, nor can I ever repay you adequately. So all I can say is thank you. Do you understand?"
Zhuge Yue's expression remained unchanged as he stood up, turning to leave. Chu Qiao grabbed his hand and said urgently, "Zhuge Yue, I beg you, let me go. I suspect this matter won't end so simply. This incident couldn't have been orchestrated by Zhao Chun'er alone. There must be a mastermind behind it, deliberately exploiting the conflict between Yanbei and Daxia, using me as a pretext. If Yan Xun learns I'm in Tang Capital, no matter the circumstances, he might easily fall into someone's trap. Moreover, they might also provoke conflict between Biantang and Daxia, using war as their goal. This person is deeply cunning—Zhao Chun'er is merely a pawn. Now that she's brought such disgrace upon Daxia, if Emperor Xia becomes enraged, a major war could break out. I must return to Yanbei immediately. Winter is approaching, and Yanbei lacks clothing and food. The Great Alliance Society is internally unstable, and without my presence to suppress them, the Southwest Garrison Commander is highly prone to mutiny. With so many tangled issues, I must—"
"Have you lost your mind?"Zhuge Yue abruptly turned around, his eyes bloodshot as he tightly gripped Chu Qiao’s chin, his voice low and fierce: "Look at yourself. You were besieged by so many people, nearly killed several times, covered in wounds, and gravely ill. Outside, there are people hunting you—not just Li Ce, but also scheming officials in Tang Capital, Daxia’s spies in Biantang, Zhao Chun’er’s forces, the feudal lords from Daxia who came to offer birthday congratulations, and even bounty hunters hoping to claim your head for a reward in Daxia! At a time like this, you still want to go out? Do you really believe Li Ce can protect you against the opposition of the entire nation? Don’t you realize that once you’re exposed, even the Tang Emperor cannot ignore the relationship with Daxia? Once you fall into someone else’s hands, you’ll have no chance of survival! Are you insane?"
"I’m not!" Chu Qiao shouted. "I know what I’m doing."
Her chest heaved, but her eyes held an unyielding resolve: "I’ve always been like this. The whole world is my enemy. From the moment I followed Yan Xun into the Holy Gold Palace, I anticipated this day. But so what? So many people want me dead—should I cower in fear and hide forever? Hiding will only make me weaker, and they’ll hunt me down even more ruthlessly. I’m stepping out now so that one day I’ll have the power to protect myself!"
"Zhuge Yue, I’ve told you—I have my own beliefs."
"To hell with beliefs!" Zhuge Yue snarled, his voice filled with immense fury and barely suppressed emotion. His eyes were pitch-black as he stared intently at Chu Qiao, almost gritting his teeth as he growled, "Beliefs? Are they important? More important than your life?"
"Yes," Chu Qiao replied, looking straight at him, enunciating each word clearly. "You don’t understand. This is the only reason I live. Someone needs me—I must go."
In that instant, it was as if a storm swept through his already chaotic mind. Zhuge Yue roared like a suppressed beast, lunging forward and pinning Chu Qiao beneath him. With a kiss filled with resentment, fervor, and unwillingness, he pressed his lips fiercely against hers.
It was as if a raging fire burned in his chest. His kiss was deep and forceful, leaving Chu Qiao utterly stunned. A familiar scent filled her nostrils—the man’s presence seeped into her like ivy, enveloping her, overwhelming her, surrounding her. Their bodies burned, their blood ran hot. This was no ordinary kiss; it carried too many unspeakable emotions, collapsing and pouring out, running wild.
Chu Qiao panicked, pushing and resisting with all her might. The taste of blood filled her mouth. Finally, the pressure gradually softened, retreating with helplessness, despair, and sorrow. The man gazed at her with dark eyes, letting out a self-mocking sneer: "Haven’t you realized? I need you too!"
Chu Qiao froze. A heavy gloom lingered in the room. The thick candles on the stand had burned halfway through the night, their wax dripping down in rows, congealing and piling up like crimson coral.
Her throat felt clogged, suffocated, making it hard even to breathe.Zhuge Yue's gaze was profoundly somber. He looked at her without speaking, myriad scenes flashing through his eyes—the bygone years, the youthful days of innocence, the awkwardness of not knowing how to express oneself, and the happiness that slipped through their fingers after that arrow was loosed, leaving them separated by vast distances.
Chu Qiao took a deep breath, gradually concealing the shock, fragility, and reluctance in her eyes. Finally, swallowing all her pent-up emotions, she whispered, "I beg you..."
The candlelight remained as bright as a torch, yet a dim glow seemed to settle over everything. Behind the layers of green gauze, the man's face was cast in shadowy silhouette. His features appeared more refined than usual, but at this moment, they were weighed down by a heavy gloom.
He rose briskly, letting out a cold laugh. "In the end, it was I who willingly degraded myself. The door is wide open—stay or leave as you please. Farewell."
With that, he swept his sleeves and departed without a trace of lingering attachment.
The moonlight was cool as water, the stars pure and bright. Chu Qiao sat on the bed, the green gauze fluttering and the candlelight casting a warm glow. Suddenly, she felt utterly exhausted; even her exhales carried the full weight of bitterness and worldly sorrow.
"Be strong!"
In the silence, a woman's voice slowly emerged, so faint it tugged at the heartstrings.
"Time will fade everything. As long as you endure, all will pass."
She nodded, as if persuading herself, then stood up. Gazing resolutely toward the northwest, she affirmed, "I must go to Yanbei."
——————Separator——————
18 minutes late, hehe
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