Ехtra Chарtеr 4 - Unfinishеd Lоve
The histоriсal pеriod of thе Sеvеn Кingdоms witnеssed manу remarkable stories. Fоr instаncе, Yin Chеnbi, thе рrinсe оf thе Wеi Кingdоm who hаd once bееn a hоstage in the Wu Кingdom, led trоops tо аttасk Wu fivе уеars aftеr аscеnding thе thrоne, аvenging his раst humiliation. Аnоther еxamplе is Ye Yuqing, who held grеаt рowеr even during his time аs Сrоwn Prinсе. Аftеr bесoming еmрerоr, he wаs unable tо withstand thе might оf Wеi and fеll intо mеlаncholy, indulging in рleasures and neglеcting state аffairs.
When рeорle sрoke of these two, comparisons were inevitable, often accompanied by sighs of regret.
However, only those directly involved truly understood how things had unfolded. For example, Feng Yue knew the reason behind Yin Gezhi’s attack on Wu. Avenging past humiliation was secondary; the main issue was that she had been unable to conceive a third child. The Imperial Astronomer, after observing the stars at night, claimed that the location of Shadowless City in Wu was obstructing Lidu.
Feng Yue did not put much faith in such mystical matters. Seeing Yin Gezhi’s indifferent expression, she assumed he did not believe it either.
Yet, less than two years later, Wei attacked Wu. After three years of war, Wu surrendered.
Yin Gezhi took her to Shadowless City, shamelessly engaging in shameless acts within the enemy’s palace. Feng Yue intended to express severe condemnation for his behavior, but within two months, she found herself pregnant.
“Is this for real?” Looking at the imperial physician, Feng Yue was both amused and exasperated. “How could this happen?”
But such matters were known only to those directly involved. If word got out, the world would surely be thrown into chaos.
Yet, there were also those directly involved who remained unaware of the circumstances, such as He Chou.
Wu had been defeated. It surrendered its imperial authority to Wei, unified its currency, and standardized its writing system. Ye Yuqing sat on the dragon throne, glanced at the concubines standing beside him, and let out a low chuckle.
He said to her, “Fortunately, you don’t have to.”
So many years had passed. He Chou had always been a palace maid by his side. He stubbornly called her “Wangyou,” and she listened expressionlessly. They had been intimate but never affectionate. Ye Yuqing had his grand ambitions and his empire, countless concubines, but he had never valued her—at least, that was what He Chou believed.
However, on the day the palace gates were thrown open, he suddenly uttered these inexplicable words.
Don’t have to? Don’t have to what? He Chou did not understand. Finally, she turned to look at him, only to see dark blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Her pupils contracted. He Chou reached out in confusion to support his collapsing body. Ye Yuqing chuckled softly, as if relieved of a great burden, rested his head against her waist, and whispered a few words.
Then, the dragon robe, stained with blood, slipped from the dragon throne and fell to the ground.
Her hand remained suspended in mid-air, stiff and unmoving. He Chou slowly lowered her gaze and saw chaos erupting in the hall. Concubines wailed, and ministers trembled in fear.
Ye Yuqing’s gentle eyes and brows remained unchanged, the folding fan still clutched in his hand. It seemed as though, in the next moment, he would unfold it, hiding half his face behind it, swaying it gently beneath his spring-like smiling eyes.
“I am Ye Yuqing, at your service.”
The dazzling scene scattered like dust in the wind. He Chou snapped back to reality, looked down at the man lying before her, her eyes reddened, and finally burst into tears.
Fortunately, you don’t have to—she was a palace maid, not a concubine. So, fortunately, she did not have to be buried alive or sent to a mountain temple to become a nun. Was this what he had been relieved about before his death?
“He Chou.”
When Feng Yue found her, He Chou’s eyes were already vacant from crying. She looked up blankly, her lips trembling as she choked out, “He said he couldn’t bear to part with me.”"Hmm?" Squatting down to gently hold her, Feng Yue patted her back. "When did he say that?"
"When he was dying." Sobbing uncontrollably, He Chou cried like a child. "I don't know when he took the poison. Only when he was about to die did he finally say one sentence—that he couldn't bear to part with me."
I can't bear to part with you.
These were Ye Yuqing's final words. But if he truly couldn't bear to part with her, how could he just go and die like that? The Wu Kingdom had surrendered; he could still have been its ruler. There was no reason for him to die.
"Be good." Having become a mother, Feng Yue had grown very gentle. She patted her softly and said, "Even if he finally spoke like a human being at the end, don't forgive him."
If she forgave him, how could she go on living?
Ye Yuqing was never a good man to begin with—full of schemes and calculations, never making things easy for He Chou. Even in death, he caused her distress. He didn't deserve sympathy!
"Madam, you don't have to think of him as that bad."
When An Shichong and Xu Huaizu came to see her with complicated expressions, she sat in the room holding a cup of tea and said, "In our view, His Majesty truly cannot be said to have treated Miss He Chou poorly."
Staring at them, Feng Yue said, "Do you really think I don't know?"
That lunatic Ye Yuqing indeed never mistreated He Chou. But he never treated her well either. Over all these years, many maids who entered the palace with He Chou had become consorts, yet she remained forever a palace maid—unrespected and never truly seen by him. Feng Yue had people inquire about He Chou's situation regularly. But every year, those who reported back said the same thing: Miss He Chou was a palace maid by His Majesty's side.
A palace maid, a palace maid, a palace maid. If he truly liked her, why would he treat her this way? But if he didn't like her, why go to such great lengths to keep her by his side?
She didn't like Ye Yuqing's temperament. Instead, she admired someone like Yin Gezhi—if you like someone, treat them well! If there are obstacles between two people, level them! If the path is severed, rebuild it! Once you hold someone in your heart, give it your all and leave no regrets. Otherwise, what's the point of dragging things out in pain and suffering? Better to let go early!
However, saying this, when she thought of their story, she still let out a long sigh.
"By the way, Madam. Where is Master?" Xu Huaizu perked up and asked, "I wanted to talk to him."
"Talk about what?" Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. "Talk to me first."
The two men before her fell silent simultaneously for a moment. Then An Shichong said, "Nothing, he's just talking nonsense. We're fine. We're just waiting for Master to return, to pay our respects before leaving."
Hmm? Why does this seem odd? Feng Yue narrowed her eyes, staring at them for a while, then suddenly remembered a question: "Haven't you two gotten married yet?"
Startled, An Shichong and Xu Huaizu hurriedly stood up, waving their hands in unison. "Who would marry him!"
Feng Yue: "..."
Her gaze swept strangely between the two of them. She said gravely, "What are you thinking? I was asking if each of you should have gotten married by now."
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. An Shichong pursed his lips and lowered his gaze, while Xu Huaizu looked up at the sky with a dry laugh.
Thus, when Yin Gezhi returned after handling matters, he saw his own empress flying toward him like the wind. "Your Majesty! Shocking news! Xu Huaizu wants you to grant him and An Shichong a marriage decree!"What? Gently catching her with an outstretched hand, Yin Gezhi pulled her into his embrace and looked up at the two disciples following behind.
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu were both frantic, their faces flushed as they ran over and stood before him, shaking their heads. "Master, Mistress misunderstood."
"That wasn't what I meant."
"I didn't mean that either!"
Narrowing his eyes at the two of them, Yin Gezhi protectively held his little enchantress close and said calmly, "From now on, you must abide by the rules of the Wei Kingdom."
Since the territory of the Wu Kingdom had already been incorporated into Wei, there was nothing wrong with this statement. Both nodded in agreement.
Yin Gezhi paused, his gaze falling on the swords at their waists. "The rule of the Wei Kingdom is that whatever the Empress says is right. If she says you want a marriage decree, then you must want a marriage decree."
An Shichong's face turned pale, and he stomped hard on Xu Huaizu's foot. Xu Huaizu winced in pain and said pitifully, "I was just joking. How can there be a marriage decree for two men?"
"There can." Gesturing with his chin toward the Unrepentant Sword and the Eternal Sorrow Blade, Yin Gezhi smiled. "These are originally blades for lovers, born together, equivalent to a marriage decree."
"You should go back and choose an auspicious day."
Feng Yue laughed heartily, watching the horrified expressions on their faces. She wrapped her arms around Yin Gezhi's neck and kissed him.
Shifting his gaze from the two disciples back to her face, Yin Gezhi's eyes instantly softened with tenderness. Ignoring the wailing and howling beside them, he leaned down and returned her kiss.
"My Empress, you look even more beautiful today. Would you accompany me to buy some mung bean cakes?" he asked softly.
"It would be my honor, Your Majesty." Linking her arm with his, Feng Yue smiled radiantly. Her eyes sparkled, her charm undiminished, and she raised a delicate finger as she said, "It must be the one at the end of Xiangyu Street."
"Here you go." Placing silver in her palm, Yin Gezhi led her forward.
A small silver ingot. It looked large, but its weight felt off. Feng Yue raised an eyebrow, pinched the silver, and cracked it open, retrieving a slip of paper inside. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a fortune-telling slip. After a long string of incomprehensible words, someone had added a line in brushstrokes, expressing Emperor Wei Xiao's deep obsession:
"Pray for a daughter, get a daughter. If no daughter comes, raise the next son as a daughter!"
Reading it aloud between laughter and tears, she punched him. "Be careful, or your son will be unfilial!"
Catching her hand, he kissed her open palm. Yin Gezhi shook his head without a word, clasped her hand, and continued walking forward.
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu stood rooted to the spot, staring dumbfounded at the two who acted as if they didn't exist.
As the sun set in the west, the two shadows drew close together, stretching long and far, looking utterly blissful.
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