Chapter Thirty-Two: Tears of Blood in the Depths of the City, Heart of an Old Friend

  Taking advantage of the commotion all around, Qingchen quietly got up and left the banquet, walking alone to the depths of the Shaoguang Temple.

  Today, most of the palace maids were in the front hall, and behind them, people were quiet and sparse. Only the cherry blossoms bloomed in layers, like clouds and mist weaving brocade, falling petals scattered everywhere, and amidst the fragrant grass and beautiful mountain rocks by the lake, they revealed a lively scene.

  She slowly walked to the cherry blossom tree by the lake, perhaps because she had been too active just now, her heart was racing non-stop, almost bursting out. The strong wine was stuck in her chest, making her feel suffocated. Cherry blossoms were light and fluttering, falling all over her body. She leaned against the tree trunk for a while, and the discomfort in her chest felt slightly better. For the time being, she didn't want to return to the banquet, so she strolled along the cherry blossom path, taking slow steps forward.

  "I was wondering why I hadn't seen you around, turns out it's because I've arrived here myself." Just as he had walked not far away, someone suddenly said from behind him.

  You turned around to see the eleventh coming over. He was still wearing the white narrow-sleeved warrior suit from when he hit the ball earlier, and under the sunlight, he looked particularly handsome. As he walked, he casually picked up a few cherry blossoms that floated in front of him, and with a light flick, the flowers danced and fell. His smile seemed to convey an unspoken elegance. He glanced at your expression, suddenly furrowed his brow, and asked: "Why is your face so pale?"

  "You smiled and said: 'It's okay, the Tibetan wine is too strong, I can't take it.'"

  "Just had one sip." Shí Yī laughed and said: "I didn't think you had such a low tolerance for alcohol."

  "You're not staying at your seat, what are you doing coming out?"

  "The Crown Prince's right arm hurts severely, I accompanied him to the inner palace to rest and also asked the imperial physician to come and take a look. Now the Crown Princess and Ruan Fei are waiting on them, so I came out."

  It seems that the hero saving the beauty must pay a little price.

  Who would have thought that the eleventh smiled and raised his head in the front hall: "There is still a heroic rescue of beauty, who is still at the banquet, and has had three cups of wine with the Tubo Zanpu. The price must be very high."

  "Who?"

  Eleventh: "Who just helped you block that cup of wine, and yet you've forgotten so quickly? The Tibetan drumming team kept offering me toasts, I really couldn't take it anymore, so I hurriedly made an excuse to leave."

  You sat down on a flat stone beside you, looking at the dots of the lake in the garden, and the green grass was continuous.

  She looked at her expression and asked, "You and Fourth Brother have been lukewarm for a long time. You can't still be angry with him because of what happened at Yanxi Palace last time, can you?"

  "You shook your head and said, "No." The awkwardness of that marriage proposal had been gradually forgotten in the deliberate avoidance between her and Ye Tianling. However, since the last time she mentioned Lotus Concubine, every time she tried to discuss the same topic with Ye Tianling again, he would become exceptionally cold, and his attitude towards Lotus Concubine was always close to hostility, treating her like a stranger."

  You dust thinks that if it were herself, she would not be able to do any better for a mother who did not want to hold her since birth and openly showed disgust towards her. However, from Mo Bu Ping's words, she believes that Lotus Concubine has some unavoidable bitter intentions in her heart. She carefully tries to bring Ye Tian Ling and Lotus Concubine closer together, but each time ends with Ye Tian Ling's piercing coldness, which sometimes spreads between the two of them, making it seem like they are very unfamiliar with each other, as Eleven said, neither warm nor cold. Just now during the Flower Petal Order, except for that one sentence before entering, the two of them had not exchanged a single word, and Ye Tian Ling suddenly helping her block the wine was also somewhat unexpected.

  She raised her hand to press against a branch of cherry blossoms that stretched out in front of her, and when she let go, the petals couldn't withstand the force and fell down layer by layer. As the days gradually entered spring and summer, all the flowers competed to bloom, filling the garden with vibrant colors. In the warm and bright Dairen Palace, however, there was always a certain corner that carried the chill of winter, and it was unknown how long it would last.

  Eleven opened the stone and sat down, saying with a hint of depth: "Some things you can't blame Fourth Brother for, I never told you that he left Yanxi Palace early that night and returned to his residence alone. He must have been uncomfortable in his heart too. Growing up in the palace since childhood, Fourth Brother is actually a person with a strong sense of caution, and will not easily let others get close to him. Sometimes I am too." Qingchen turned his head to look at him, he smiled: "But I can see that Fourth Brother treats you differently, just like last time at Yema Bridge, do you still remember what he said in the end?"

  "You believe me."

  Eleventh: "No wonder, at that time in that situation, he would say such a thing, it's really surprising. And for the next few days you disappeared, he actually mobilized the Xuanjia guards, do you know, having led troops for so many years, Fourth Brother has never used the Xuanjia army before."

  You lowered your head and crushed a fallen flower petal with your fingertips, saying: "I know you and Fourth Brother are both very good to me."

  Eleven looked at her seriously: "I want to say that it's not just a good word, Fourth Brother cares about you deeply in his heart."

  These words made Qing Chen's heart tremble slightly, she let out a light sigh, and a smile escaped her lips: "I really didn't blame him, although it was very embarrassing at the time, but I knew he definitely wasn't intentionally trying to humiliate me. No matter what he thought in his heart, I wouldn't hold onto this small matter."

  She nodded at eleven o'clock and turned to ask: "Do you know about the Fourth Princess?"

  "Fourth Princess? You mean, Fourth Brother's wife?"

  "Hmm, I suppose," said Eleven: "That day, I heard Fourth Brother mention the Fourth Princess. She died under his arrow back then."

  You were taken aback: "What?" The pain that flashed in Ling's eyes that day and night reappeared.

  "No one dares to mention this matter in the Yanxi Palace, but after many years, there's nothing good to talk about anyway." The eleventh gazed at the cherry blossoms falling into the lake like rain, slowly recalling: "It was the 29th year of Shengwu, when Fourth Brother led his troops on a distant expedition to the north of the desert. The deputy general who accompanied him was General Tang Laoye and his eldest daughter, Tang Xin. Tang Xin came from a military family and grew up following her father in the army since childhood. She was skilled in horseback riding, fighting, and leading troops, comparable to any man. Tang Xin had been with Fourth Brother for many years in the army and had feelings for him. The Emperor also intended to arrange their marriage, but Fourth Brother always responded indifferently, and due to the changing military situation at that time, it was delayed. The leader of the enemy forces was Guli Wangye, the younger brother of Shi Luo Ke Han. He was a formidable opponent in terms of military strategy and tactics. Tang Xin led the vanguard troops in a nighttime raid on the enemy's grain supplies but fell into an ambush set by Guli and was captured. The next day, our army launched a fierce attack on Aksu City, but Guli resisted fiercely. He personally took Tang Xin to the city gate to coerce Fourth Brother into retreating, but unexpectedly, Fourth Brother shot an arrow that pierced through both of their hearts, killing them instantly. Without their commander, the enemy was defeated, and General Tang also died in battle. After breaking through the city, Fourth Brother led his troops northward, conquering all the way to Kedana, which then surrendered to our dynasty. Upon returning to the capital, Fourth Brother requested an imperial decree to posthumously confer the title of Wangfei on Tang Xin. At that time, the Empress Dowager strongly opposed it, but ultimately, the title was conferred. In the following years, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager repeatedly tried to arrange another marriage for Fourth Brother, but he always declined, even when there were suitable candidates. Everyone says that Fourth Brother has a cold exterior but is deeply emotional and sentimental, and that the late Wangfei died without regret."

  You listened dazedly to what Shiyi said, and when you heard the end, you sighed: "It's indeed a death without regret, but how did he shoot that one arrow?"

  After saying so much, Shiyi seemed to be tired as well and shook his head: "This, probably only the Fourth Brother himself knows. However, Tang Xun once shouted a sentence on the city wall, 'Rather than dying at the hands of the enemy, it's better to die under the arrows in the palace.' So, it seems that she shouldn't blame the Fourth Brother."

  Beauty perishes early, and it's indeed so tragic. Qing Chen has some admiration for Tang Xun, but also a few regrets.

  If he truly loved her, she wouldn't believe that Nie Tianyun could shoot that arrow, even with the title of princess, but ultimately couldn't get that heart. For a woman, what's the difference between life and death anyway?

  But then Eleven said, "A few days ago, I also asked Fourth Brother about the marriage arrangement. He just said, 'Why bother involving others?' and I was confused. Anyway, you know his temperament, that night wasn't intentional."

  "Uh-huh." Qīng Chén smiled: "So I'm not angry, and I also believe him."

  Eleventh heard the words stunned, immediately revealed a smile, and said: "So good, I have to go see how the prince is doing, what about you?"

  "Feeling suffocated at the banquet, I want to get some fresh air here, you go first."

  After Eleven left, Qing sat alone for a while, thinking about what Eleven had just said. Her heart felt somewhat sorrowful. She didn't know how many things Night Sky was carrying on his cold back that others couldn't understand, but she could empathize with the feeling of having something weighing on her heart, unable to be spoken or expressed, just like the emotions she held in this world before her eyes were also hard to convey to anyone.

  How did I think of these things? Can't think, at least not now, or else I'll lose control. She shook her head and suddenly stood up, but a sudden dizziness came over her, and she almost fell before being caught in a firm embrace under the cherry blossom tree.

  The dizzy feeling passed in an instant, and she turned her head to see Ye Ling Zheng supporting her with one hand, looking at her face with his head lowered. As she raised her eyes, she met his gaze, and for some reason, she felt that his eyes were exceptionally bright and dark, as if they had absorbed all the sunlight in the sky and reflected a faint golden light, dazzling and piercing, making people almost dare not look directly at him. In the depths of that brightness, there was unconcealed concern and worry, "What's wrong, are you uncomfortable?" he asked.

  You dusted off your forehead and smiled: "Got up too quickly, or perhaps this Tubo wine really has such a strong aftertaste?"

  "Can't drink alcohol, just now still want to show off. Turned around and didn't see your shadow, didn't think you'd be here."

  You felt a little surprised, and suddenly saw his sharp lip corners lifted up, not like the usual faint and silent, with a very obvious smile. Only then did she realize that even if people with thin lips were ruthless, they would still be so touching when they smiled, just like in the snow-covered ice-enclosed wilderness, suddenly revealing a hint of green, which could make the world lose its color in an instant, just like the lonely and steep peak after the clouds broke open, the golden light shining everywhere, the mountains and rivers were beautiful, the clouds were light and the wind was clear.

  A gentle breeze blew across, and a few soft cherry blossoms seemed to deliberately flutter and fall on Ling's shoulder. In his clear-cut face and slender figure, a rare warmth was integrated, making Qingchen feel as if he had seen flowers for a moment. After a pause, he said, "Just met Eleven, and chatted with him for a few words here."

  "What's up?" Ye Tian Ling asked casually.

  "Talk..." Qīng Chén thought for a moment, then looked up at him, and he saw her stop talking, so he asked with a sideways glance. A sharp glint flashed in Qīng Chén's phoenix eyes, suddenly sweeping across his eyes, followed by a faint smile that was elegant and refined. She slowly said: "Talk about the imperial marriage bestowed on me that day at Yanxi Palace."

  Ye Tianling's expression paused for a moment, and a hint of abnormality flashed across his eyebrows. Qing Chen's eyes looked at him with a long and unyielding gaze, this was the first time one of them had actively brought up the topic, the imperial marriage to Yanxi Palace. Before this, the two of them had tacitly avoided it, their coordination was incredibly harmonious.

  It was also the first time that Ye Tianling took the initiative to avoid Qingchen's gaze and cast his eyes elsewhere.

  She saw him purse his lips slightly, a familiar sign that he was about to turn cold. Her heart skipped a beat and for a moment she regretted saying those words. But only for an instant, as Ye Tian Ling turned back to her, his seemingly calm eyes stirring with subtle ripples, shining with a clear light that left one bewildered. He gazed at her quietly for a while before suddenly grasping her hand: "Come with me."

  "Where are you going?" Qing Chen asked.

  Ye Tianling didn't respond, and took her out of Shao Guang Hall, saying: "Wait for me here for a while."

  You dust stood still, after a while, heard the light and quick sound of horse hooves, white shadow flashed, Feng Che had already arrived in front of him, Ye Tian Ling stretched out his hand: "Get on the horse!"

  You were dusted by him on horseback, he took a secluded side door and quickly left the Xuan Sheng Palace, going straight to the Baofu Mountain.

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