Night fell, the banquet outside had yet to be cleared away, while the grand feast inside was already lavishly spread out. Though Biantang was warm, the winter chill of the first lunar month still carried a biting cold. The night breeze swept in, and even with cloaks draped over their shoulders, a creeping chill rose from their feet, sending shivers down their spines.
A light rain had fallen at noon, only ceasing by evening, adding to the biting cold of the pitch-black night.
Yet the noble ladies in their resplendent attire and cloud-like coiffures still boldly bared their snow-white chests, their eyes seductive as silk, their jade arms intertwined. Occasionally, a bold lady would step forward to offer a toast, inadvertently revealing a glimpse of smooth, delicate calves.
Li Ce had drunk much wine, his eyes narrowed as he reclined in a soft chair. The doors of Roufu Palace were wide open, revealing a dazzling array of splendid palace lanterns. Painted boats carrying musicians playing various instruments drifted across the lake, their soft, decadent melodies carried by the cold night wind into the great hall.
Waists swayed like water snakes, dancing with agile grace, while long, slender legs occasionally performed alluring and provocative steps. A bold dancer, her honey-colored skin glistening with sweat, spun lightly and nestled into Li Ce’s embrace. Her eyes, outlined with gold powder tracing swirling cloud patterns from the corners, were captivating. Her lips were full, her neck slender, and her rounded bosom was barely concealed by thin fabric, through which a hint of pink could be glimpsed.
The dancer raised a cup of richly colored grape wine, her snow-white arm held high, then with a flick of her wrist, she poured it out. The wine cascaded down her swan-like neck, flowing into the alluring valley between her snowy peaks.
"Your Majesty, are you drunk?"
Truly a rare enchantress, her crimson lips parted, her voice seductive. The dancer, soft and boneless, brushed her bare shoulder against Li Ce’s chest, then slipped her hand inside his slightly open collar. Her delicate fingers trailed downward but stopped at the critical moment, her eyes lifting provocatively to challenge him.
This was Madam Ziming, who had enjoyed unwavering favor in Jinwu Palace for the past year. Li Ce was known for his fickle affections, rarely favoring a woman for more than a month. Yet Madam Ziming, born of a fallen noble family, had held his favor for a full year, a testament to her unique charm.
Li Ce’s slightly intoxicated gaze drifted downward. He wore a lavish blue-purple brocade robe, its collar trimmed with dark sable fur, slightly open to reveal a glimpse of his well-built physique. Under the flickering lights, his masculine form seemed alluring. He habitually narrowed his eyes, a playful furrow forming between his brows, while a quiet intensity stirred in the depths of his gaze, like a fox deep in thought.
On the dais, several young dancers continued their fervent movements. They performed the whirling dance of the Eastern Hu, bold and unrestrained, clad only in sheer gauze with minimal patches of leather covering their private areas. Their hips and breasts swayed seductively, their skin glistening with fragrant sweat.
"Your Majesty, it has been half a month since you last visited Roufu Palace. Have you forgotten me so quickly?"
Madam Ziming leaned in gently, her gaze as soft as water, fixed tenderly on Li Ce like a bewitching enchantress.
Li Ce’s eyes were drunk, and even his limbs seemed intoxicated, yet a sliver of sobriety lingered between his brows.The woman’s crimson nails trailed upward from his abdomen, winding their way to his brow as she leaned close to his ear, her breath fragrant like orchids, and drawled, “Who has displeased Your Majesty?”
Li Ce’s lips curved into a faint smile. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist, his fingertips caressing her intoxicatingly smooth skin as he chuckled softly, “You little enchantress.”
“Will Your Majesty be so cruel again tonight, leaving Ming’er to lie alone in an empty chamber?”
For a moment, Li Ce’s expression grew distant. A figure surfaced quietly in his mind, and he frowned in frustration, unable to maintain his usual composure.
Had he not been mad for half a month already? Must he continue this madness?
He turned to gaze at Madam Ziming’s charming face. A murky feeling rose from the depths of his heart, suppressing something—something bitter, yet tinged with longing. All joy and sorrow faded from his heart as a roguish smile returned to his lips, restoring his usual demeanor. He chuckled lightly, “When have I ever been anything but tender to flowers and jade?”
“Your Majesty.”
A calm voice suddenly sounded outside the hall. Li Ce looked up to see Tie You standing at the door. He beckoned him in with a smile. The armored guard commander strode into the hall, sword at his side, paying no heed to the women around him. Kneeling firmly, he declared in a resolute tone, “Your Majesty, Miss Chu has returned.”
Li Ce froze, his expression betraying nothing, yet the fine wine in his cup trembled slightly, nearly spilling.
From afar, the song of entertainers drifted in, its melody drawn-out like a lingering tune. The breeze over the lake was cool, carrying faint traces of delicate fragrance. Tall and well-built, with thick, dark hair, Li Ce stood strikingly handsome under the brilliant lamplight.
“When did this happen?”
“Just now.”
“Where is she now?”
“She has already returned to Mihe Residence.”
“Let’s go.”
Li Ce rose and strode out. Tie You was taken aback and hurriedly asked, “Where is Your Majesty going?”
“Mihe Residence.”
Li Ce’s voice faded into the gilded, extravagant night as Tie You swiftly led the guards after him.
Madam Ziming rose slowly, her soft gauze robes swaying gently in the night breeze, yet all her earlier allure had vanished. Her gaze was cool as she watched Li Ce’s receding figure, devoid of joy or sorrow.
“Madam.”
A maid approached cautiously. Taking a cloak, Madam Ziming draped it over her shoulders and waved a hand dismissively. “Dismiss everyone.”
The palace attendants dispersed like flowing water. Amid the lingering fragrance of wine and Zhi Lan incense, only the entertainers by the lake continued their melodious singing.
The lotus flowers on the pond had long withered, and the phoenix trees before the gate wore a desolate hue. A slender crescent moon cast its hazy glow, quietly spilling over the pristine stone steps.
Beaded curtains rustled softly as they brushed against each other, rousing Qiusui, who was keeping watch in the outer chamber. Li Ce raised a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture, and the young maid quickly bowed her head and knelt, not daring to make another sound.
The weather had turned cold, and the windows were shut tight, yet a faint moonlight seeped through the white window paper. Chu Qiao was asleep, tucked under a moon-white brocade quilt with only her small head visible. Her brows were serene, her expression unusually peaceful. Leaning against the doorframe, Li Ce tilted his head slightly and stood there motionless, utterly still.
Perhaps, that person truly was her best choice.Without such heavy burdens and responsibilities, nor such profound hatred and obsessions, one could leave with ease and freedom.
He gazed intently at her, his eyes glistening with a smooth radiance. The surroundings were so quiet that the faint light falling on the strands of hair at her temples carried a cold, gleaming luster. The wind drifted in from outside, and through the window, the swaying shadows of trees could vaguely be seen, like the lingering hands of a woman gently caressing this desolate palace.
"The young lady went to sleep as soon as she returned. She seemed very tired."
Outside, Qiusui spoke softly to Tie You, her voice delicate, yet it still reached Li Ce's ears.
Li Ce stood there, as if he had understood something. The charcoal fire in the corner emitted a faint warmth, and a nightingale perched on a tree outside the window let out a clear, melodious call.
"Whatever the case, if you're tired, you should rest."
Then, the man turned and walked out of the hall. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the vast, empty space.
Thump, thump, thump—
The night grew colder. Chu Qiao slowly opened her eyes. In the darkness, her eyes were like black stones. Her pale fingers clutched the brocade quilt, gripping it tightly.
Before long, the music and dance in Roufu Palace started up again, even more extravagant than before.
The night was as cool as water. She slowly closed her eyes, truly exhausted.
**
Three days later, she decided to leave Tang Capital without alerting anyone. She only brought Mei Xiang along and informed Li Ce of her departure.
At first, Li Ce did not mention seeing her off. Only when her carriage had passed through the gates of Tang Capital City did she see him waiting under the distant phoenix trees, where a clean and tidy tea house stood. Li Ce was accompanied by Tie You, Sun Di, and others. When they saw her arrive, they all greeted her with cheerful smiles.
After the crowd dispersed, Li Ce and Chu Qiao sat in the tea house, finally having their first conversation since her return.
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know."
Seeing Li Ce's doubtful expression, Chu Qiao suddenly laughed. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not brushing you off—I really don't know where I'm going."
"Then why leave?"
"I just want to go out and see the world." Chu Qiao took a deep breath, a smile on her lips as she admired the beautiful scenery around her. Her voice was clear and crisp as she said, "Look, the weather is about to warm up. Ximeng is so vast, yet I've never taken the time to wander freely. This time, I'll treat it as a vacation for myself."
Li Ce was meticulously brewing tea, his movements practiced. As he worked, he asked, "How long do you plan to be away?"
"I don't know. It depends on my mood. Perhaps one day, when I'm destitute, I'll come back and beg you for a meal. So, you'd better be a good emperor and not squander your fortune before I return."
Hearing this, Li Ce quickly picked up an envelope from the table, pulled out a stack of banknotes, and tucked more than half of them into his robe, muttering, "Only come back when you're destitute? Then I can't give you too much money. Who knows if you'll return as a toothless old woman?"
Chu Qiao couldn't help but laugh. "Look at you—how can you act like an emperor?"
"Who says an emperor can't be stingy? You have no idea how frugally I live. If I even think about spending a little more, those old ministers start whining about poverty, saying there's a drought in the east and people starving in the west. They practically want me to eat cabbage stalks every day. Not a single one of them is any good. This money—I saved it by pinching pennies. Instead of being grateful, you're here making fun of me?"The skies of Biantang were exceptionally clear, cloudless for miles, with sunlight spilling into Li Ce's fox-like eyes, making him appear even more cunning.
She sighed on behalf of all Biantang's civil and military officials: "With an emperor like you, who knows how many generations of bad luck they've accumulated."
Li Ce shook his head with dramatic sighs: "Qiaoqiao, you're so cruel. Leaving without a word like this—He Xiao and the others will fight me to the death."
Mentioning He Xiao, Chu Qiao suddenly froze. After thinking for a long time, she slowly said: "Li Ce, the soldiers of Xiuli Army... I must entrust them to you."
"They're all men, why entrust them to me?"
Ignoring his nonsense, Chu Qiao continued: "These past few months, I've been constantly wondering—was I wrong? Was I too naive? I thought I could change this society, establish a relatively more civilized social system. Not like the Great Alliance Society's ideal of 'the world as common wealth.' I just wanted the poor to have food to eat, to not have to be slaves, hoping you rulers could establish laws for the lower-class commoners—that no one could kill arbitrarily. I know society won't leap forward rapidly, but someone must try to guide it forward one small step at a time. As long as we take small steps one by one, eventually we'll make great strides."
"In the beginning, I didn't have such grand ideals either. I just wanted to escape and live well on my own. But then I met Yan Xun, heard him talk about Yanbei, and my heart gradually came alive. I thought, perhaps my coming to this world has value too, perhaps there's divine will in the Netherworld. But my hopes were still shattered—because I was too arrogant. I thought my power was great, that I could change many things, protect many people. Yet in the end, I discovered my power is small. My loved ones and friends left me one by one—not only could I not protect them, but I caused many deaths."
Li Ce furrowed his brows, wanting to speak, but Chu Qiao stopped him. Looking at him calmly, she said: "Li Ce, I'm not a good leader. The Xiuli Army soldiers have no faith—their faith is believing in me. Yet my existence repeatedly plunges them into danger and war, making them bleed and die, while the system and life I promised remain beyond my reach. I only saved them once—I shouldn't have been so selfish, making them charge into battle with me, covered in wounds. Now I think, if I had obeyed Yan Xun back then and disbanded Xiuli Army, perhaps many of them wouldn't have died. They could have married, had children, lived well."
Chu Qiao's voice trembled slightly. She pressed her lips together, her eyes slightly red, yet she still smiled and said: "Living isn't necessarily about achieving great deeds. Marrying a wife, having children, growing old happily—that's also a way of life. It's just too bad I realized this too late. They're dead—no matter what, they can't come back to life. My hands are stained with blood that can never be washed clean."
"Qiaoqiao?" Li Ce's brows tightened as he said gravely: "None of this is your fault."
"But I bear responsibility that cannot be shirked."Chu Qiao whispered, "They trusted me, followed me, yet I couldn't protect them. They died one by one, and I couldn't even give them a proper burial. Do you know? Every night, I hear them crying in the cold wind. They say they want to return home, to see their elderly parents. They were so young—some only fifteen or sixteen, an age when they should still be acting cute before their parents. But for my sake, they died on the desolate icy plains."
Not a trace of jest remained on Li Ce's face. He looked at her with concern, his heart aching faintly.
"Li Ce, help me, take good care of them. If you're uneasy, you can separate them, give them some leisurely work, let them marry and have children on your land, live well. Don't send them to the battlefield anymore. For soldiers, there is no victory on the battlefield—victory belongs to the generals. What belongs to the soldiers is only slaughter and death."
Li Ce nodded with difficulty. Gazing at the pale, frail woman, he asked softly, "What about you? Do you still hate Yan Xun? Will you return to his side?"
"I don't hate him anymore."
Chu Qiao shook her head slightly, smiling calmly like a gentle breeze by a lake in March.
"Actually, none of you know—he is the one who has suffered the most. I've witnessed his hatred and pain with my own eyes, seen the humiliation he endured. Those things aren't something bystanders can comprehend. The depth of his resentment is beyond my measure. Now that he has come to this point, even if his methods are wrong, it was fate that forced him here. Everyone has the right to choose their own path. That is his road; though I cannot agree with it, I respect his choice. In this world, who can claim to be entirely right, and who can say others are completely wrong? It's just that we each have our own convictions and bottom lines. We can no longer walk together, but that doesn't mean we must become enemies."
"What about Zhuge Yue? Why aren't you with him? He has done so much for you. Don't you love him?"
"Love? Perhaps."
Chu Qiao chuckled lightly. "Truthfully, I don't even know what true love is. But loving someone doesn't necessarily mean being together. Sometimes, letting go is also a form of love."
Chu Qiao tilted her head up slightly. The wind brushed against her smooth forehead, and in that moment, Li Ce seemed to see a dazzling radiance flash through her calm eyes—so brilliant, so mesmerizing.
"After all, he is the Grand Minister of Daxia, equivalent to the Minister of Defense. How could he be with someone like me?"
She murmured, "I know that if I were willing, he would abandon all these honors for me. But Li Ce, would that truly be good? He has endured immense suffering, overcome countless hardships, and finally shattered the disgrace forced upon him to attain what he has today. He and I are different. Even if the nation is corrupt and his family cold, he still has a home and a country. I understand that sense of responsibility, that burden that overrides love and freedom. If he were to abandon everything just for me now and wander the world with me, do you think he would truly be happy in the future? No, he wouldn't. He is a man; men should have their own sky. As he gradually matures and ages, he will understand all this and feel grateful for the choice he made today.""Besides, I'm tired."
Chu Qiao lowered her head, smiling as she looked at Li Ce. "I've worked hard for over ten years. I don't have the courage to continue down a path I can't see clearly anymore. I'm a woman too, and there are times when I want to rest."
"Qiao Qiao,"
Li Ce sighed helplessly. "I can't stop you, can I? You've made up your mind to leave, haven't you?"
"Yes."
Chu Qiao said very seriously, "Don't worry about me. I'll live well. In this world, it's not only the powerful imperial relatives and nobles who can live. I'll be an ordinary person, living without burdens or responsibilities. Life will be very relaxed. I can do whatever I want and go wherever I please. I've yearned for such a life for many years."
"Will you come back then? To visit me occasionally?"
"Of course." Chu Qiao laughed, speaking as if it were obvious. "You're my most important friend."
Li Ce smiled bitterly, reaching out to ruffle her hair haphazardly. With a wry smile, he said, "You... you're making me sentimental."
Chu Qiao stood up and walked over to Li Ce, who also rose to his feet. She opened her arms and hugged him, whispering, "Li Ce, I'm leaving. The situation in Ximeng is getting increasingly chaotic. You must take care of yourself. Don't make me worry."
Li Ce's heart felt heavy, but he still spoke in a light tone, "What could possibly happen to me? I'm the great emperor of Biantang, after all. Who would dare do anything to me? Besides, I'm so dashingly handsome and peerlessly elegant. Who would dare mistreat such a treasure? Probably only you in the entire world don't appreciate my worth."
Chu Qiao couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, alright, you're dashingly handsome and peerlessly elegant. Even Leonardo would be so ashamed he'd jump off a building."
"Who's Leonardo? What a strange name. Is he a foreigner?"
Li Ce frowned as he asked.
Chu Qiao laughed again. "Yes, a foreigner. A very handsome foreigner."
"Comparing me to a foreigner? You're utterly improper."
Chu Qiao laughed heartily, the sound echoing in her chest.
"It's getting late. I should go."
Chu Qiao didn't ride a horse this time, but instead rented a carriage with Mei Xiang.
Li Ce stood smiling under the phoenix tree, dressed in a red robe, looking just as he had described himself—uniquely dashing and peerlessly elegant.
"Qiao Qiao, be careful on the road. If you can't marry before thirty, you can always come back to me."
Chu Qiao boarded the carriage, lifting the curtain to wave at him. "I'll take that as your blessing. I'll definitely marry before thirty."
The carriage gradually moved away, the blue cloth curtain finally closing as it disappeared at the end of the withering phoenix tree road.
"Your Majesty, should we send someone to follow and protect Miss Chu?"
Sun Di, who had been silent for a while, finally asked in a deep voice.
"No need."
Li Ce slowly shook his head and turned to walk toward the city gate.
Everyone has the right to choose the life they want. Qiao Qiao, go ahead.
————Divider————
The revisions for these seven chapters are now complete. Since these are revisions, some chapters might be slightly shorter in word count. I apologize for this here. If you have any further suggestions, you can leave comments for Dong'er in the message section.
Additionally, I repeat: these are transitional revisions. The future direction of the story will not change, so there's no need to worry.Thank you all for waiting these past two days. Dong'er will continue to work hard.
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