Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Upon returning to the Regent's residence, Ye Chen consistently turned his face away from Pei Guanjing. The latter's fingertips brushed against his sleeve several times, but ultimately curled into a fist and withdrew into his wide sleeves.
As the carriage rattled over the cobblestones, Pei Guanjing recalled their conversation from a few days prior in the eastern courtyard.
The Regent was toying with an emerald ring, the map on the wall behind him flickering in the candlelight. "Though Liu Chen is the only son of King Huai'an, he is merely a Kun Ze. As long as you mark him, he will be bound to you, and King Huai'an will not oppose his future son-in-law; he will only lend us the troops from Chongzhou.
However... when Liu Chen leaves the capital next month, you must mark him and leave your imprint on him. This way, our alliance with King Huai'an will be even stronger. I trust you don't need your adoptive father to teach you how to do this."
The Regent's gaze was particularly sharp as he looked into Pei Guanjing's eyes. He placed a heavy hand on Pei Guanjing's shoulder and said earnestly, "For over ten years, I have raised you; do not let me down!"
He had already caused enough harm to A Chen; he could not do so any longer.
Pei Guanjing clenched his fingers tightly, his pale fingertips catching Ye Chen's attention. However, Ye Chen was not in the mood to concern himself with Pei Guanjing.
His friend and Chef Wang, who had done him a favor, had both died indirectly because of him. How could he come to terms with that? Moreover, his actions today with Captain Li only highlighted his own coldness and ruthlessness. How could he kill someone he had spent a year with? Especially when he had already said it was none of his business and that he would no longer hold grudges—yet he still went ahead.
Truly, a face like Guanyin but a heart like a viper.
After returning to the palace, the two seemed to have agreed silently not to speak to one another.
In truth, Pei Guanjing wanted to talk to Ye Chen. However, every time he thought about how Ye Chen had stood up to him for someone he had only met a few times—Tian Qian—his heart felt sour and swollen with anger that refused to subside.
If he was so soft-hearted towards someone like Li Wangcai, what would happen when he faced Lou Yu head-on in the future? Would he still plead for mercy?
In the following days, Pei Guanjing left early and returned late.
Often, when Ye Chen fell asleep at night, Pei Guanjing had yet to return. By the time Ye Chen woke up the next day, it seemed that Pei Guanjing still hadn't come back; he hadn't heard the sound of the door opening on the other side of the room for several days.
It appeared that Pei Guanjing was also intent on giving him the cold shoulder.
For several consecutive days, Ye Chen confined himself in the west chamber. Without stepping outside, he was unaware that the world outside had changed dramatically.
After news spread that Lou Yu had exchanged himself as a hostage for Prince Yong, public sentiment gradually began to shift in Lou Yu's favor. Meanwhile, Cangzhou raised the banner of "Qing Jun Ce," revealing evidence of Regent's harm against Crown Prince Xiao Feng and mobilizing troops northward towards the capital.
Pei Guanjing fiddled with the jade pendant at his waist while listening to reports from scouts regarding military affairs. He had never been interested in this vast territory nor had any desire to contend for it; however, due to his cautious nature, he had secretly cultivated many loyal supporters across various states. Thus, he received news of movements in those states promptly.
His fingertips traced the vermilion mark on the map, and he suddenly recalled events from a few days ago.
Now that Lou Yu had defected and slipped away from the capital, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, no longer worrying about Lou Yu sneaking off to find Ye Chen. But soon, a frown creased his brow again.
The military forces of Lan Prefecture were under the command of Feng De, and the border with the Wolf Tribe was a line that could not be crossed. This was Tianqi's last stand; even as various states vied for supremacy, they could not allow the Wolf Clan Members to take advantage and breach their defenses.
So, when Pei Guanjing stumbled upon Ye Chen swinging in the courtyard and saw him trying to avoid him, he quickly stepped forward and clasped his slender waist. Pei Guanjing fell silent for a moment before lifting his gaze with determination and saying, "Since there is no place left for us in this world, A Chen, I will claim this vast land for both of us. In this way, the whole world can be our home."
Ye Chen's angry expression froze instantly. He couldn't understand why Pei Guanjing had suddenly changed; just days ago, he had spoken of marrying him and living a peaceful life, yet now he was voicing such ambitious words. Just as he was about to ask, he remembered they were still in a cold war.
"The first to speak loses." Ye Chen silently challenged himself, ignoring everything Pei Guanjing said.
Pei Guanjing merely smiled gently, reaching out to stroke Ye Chen's still swollen cheek, coaxing softly, "Once I have pacified the world, I will build a palace of glazed tiles for you. From now on, you can go wherever you wish. How does that sound?"
Ye Chen felt troubled. He knew that once Pei Guanjing made up his mind, it would be hard to change it—especially now that his eyes were slightly red and his expression frenzied; any words of advice would likely fall on deaf ears.
In the end, Pei Guanjing left him in the care of a maid and hurried away with Mo Sheng.
Ye Chen watched his lonely figure grow distant and felt an absurdity wash over him. The person who once vowed to protect him was now ready to slaughter countless lives for power?
The autumn wind swept through the corridor with dry leaves swirling around. Ye Chen touched his swollen lips and murmured to himself, "Are you fighting for the world for me or using my name to satisfy your own desires?"
He looked down at the swaying shadows of trees on the ground and suddenly found it hard to distinguish whether the person before him was his beloved or a shura cloaked in human skin.
What Ye Chen did not expect was that soon an unexpected turn of events would separate him from Pei Guanjing.
The day to return to Chongzhou drew closer, and Pei Guanjing personally escorted him to the city gate.
Along with him was the Regent, whose presence surprised Ye Chen. The Regent stared at Ye Chen for a long time before addressing Pei Guanjing, "Guanjing, aren't you going to spend a few more days with A Chen before sending him away so soon?"
Pei Guanjing lowered his head and replied, "A Chen is still an unmarried Kun Ze; being too close with me would tarnish his reputation. Coincidentally, King Huai'an has been sending letters these days expressing his longing for him. I thought it best to send him back to Chongzhou to reunite with his father."
The Regent gazed at Pei Guanjing for a long while in silence, seemingly disappointed. He waved his hand, allowing the guards at the city gate to let Ye Chen leave.
There is always a parting when sending someone off.
The first snow fell suddenly, signaling the arrival of winter.
As he pulled back the curtain, his heart told him not to look back, yet his instinctive action was to linger on Pei Guanjing.
Standing at the city gate, Pei Guanjing saw a pair of clean hands parting the curtain, his expression as clear and transparent as the bright moon, gazing directly in this direction. If only Ye Chen would turn around, he would see that he had been standing right behind him all along.
Unfortunately, Ye Chen did not look back at him.
A Chen, are you truly unwilling to forgive me?
In an instant, it felt as if something had fallen within his heart, leaving an empty void. The biting cold of the ice and snow pierced through him, yet it was nothing compared to the chill that resided in his heart.
It was only when the long line of people disappeared into the distance with the falling snowflakes that Pei Guanjing reluctantly turned to leave.
This time, he had dispatched more than half of his elite shadow guards to escort Ye Chen to Chongzhou. Once they reached Chongzhou, King Huai'an would naturally ensure his safety. As for now...
Pei Guanjing raised his gaze and scanned the bustling streets filled with people; he needed to eliminate any potential threats for A Chen.
It was still too early to tell Ye Chen everything. But that was alright; he had plenty of time ahead to share it all.
Comment 0 Comment Count