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Upon returning to the palace, Lou Yu saw his cousin Lou Yan waiting for him in Yangxin Palace.
“Cousin,” Lou Yu said, feeling extremely irritable at the moment and not wanting to engage with her, so he simply greeted her briefly.
If it hadn't been for her strong persuasion to let go of Ye Chen back then, he would have left with Ye Chen. In that case, Ye Chen wouldn't be lost to him now, leaving him unable to find any trace of her. Who could have imagined that the parting from Ye Chen would turn out to be a permanent farewell? To this day, Ye Chen's fate remained uncertain, which only added to Lou Yu's frustration upon seeing Lou Yan again.
Lou Yan, however, was completely unaware of his feelings. She had planted spies among Lou Yu's servants and knew that he had just met with Pei Guanjing. Thus, she asked, “Did you meet with Pei Guanjing? Did he reveal where the remaining remnants of the rebel forces are now?”
“Hmm,” Lou Yu replied impatiently. “If you want to know the details, cousin, you can interrogate him yourself. There’s no need to come and ask me about it.”
Lou Yan fell silent for a moment; in truth, mentioning Pei Guanjing was just a pretext. What she really wanted to discuss was the matter of selecting concubines for the imperial harem. Now that Lou Yu had ascended to the throne, the harem was entirely vacant. With his position now secure, it was time to consider the important task of continuing the royal lineage.
Lou Yan tentatively said, “Ah Yu, although Ye Chen's fate is uncertain, as the founding emperor and Great Chancellor, you cannot leave the harem unoccupied. Here are some suitable candidates from Kun Ze that I have selected for you. Take a look and see if any catch your fancy. If so, bring them into the harem so that the ministers will no longer criticize you.”
Lou Yu raised his eyes and quietly stared at her without speaking.
Lou Yan continued to persuade him, “I know you’re not feeling well about this, but Ah Yu, you are the last bloodline of our Lou Family. If your lineage ends with you, what will your deceased uncle think? How can our ancestors rest in peace? You are no longer alone; you cannot be so willful because of one uncertain fate of Ye Chen.”
Suddenly looking at her with a smile, Lou Yu said, “Cousin, didn’t you say that once I reached this position I could have whatever I wanted? I should be happy then, but why does my heart feel heavier? Is this position what you want or what I want? Or are both you and Father forcing me into it?”
“Ah Yu!” Lou Yan’s voice suddenly rose sharply. “Are you blaming your cousin now? Wake up! If we hadn’t attacked the capital back then and if Pei Yongshang ascends to the throne later, you would undoubtedly die; our entire Lou Family would be doomed. Do you think this throne is easy to sit on? How many hidden arrows are behind you that I have blocked for you? And now you say such hurtful things—am I not good to you?”
Lou Yu suddenly lowered his voice and coldly said, “Cousin, sometimes don’t you regret being a Tian Qian?”
“What do you mean by that?” Lou Yan frowned tightly, her gaze fixed on him without moving.
Lou Yu smiled faintly before turning away elegantly and striding out. Yet in that instant of turning away, the smile on his face vanished completely, replaced by a shadow cast by darkness.
Kyoto Dungeon.
Pei Guanjing stared blankly at the bloodstains on the ground, his eyes devoid of life, his gaze hollow and dazed.
Half a month had passed since he was sentenced to death, yet he showed no signs of anxiety, only a shattered and desolate expression.
As the days slipped by, the once brilliant light in his eyes gradually dimmed.
Pei Guanjing pondered continuously in his heart; he had not yet appeared. Could it be that he was truly no longer in this world? Or perhaps even if he were alive, he simply did not wish to see him, feeling indifferent even if he were dead?
Once the Young Master of the Pei Family, like an exquisite orchid or a celestial being gracing the mortal realm, he had captivated all with his elegance. Yet now, he had fallen to become a prisoner, clad in filthy rags stained with blood and pus, exuding a nauseating stench.
At this moment, anyone who looked at him would find it hard to connect him with the spirited Pei Guanjing of yore.
Observing his lifeless, zombie-like demeanor, the guards suddenly grew interested and began to mock him mercilessly. When they saw Pei Guanjing remain silent, like a soulless puppet, they found it unsatisfying and lashed him with a few more blows. Once they had their fill of tormenting him and found it dull, they shifted their attention to the other prisoners in the cell and began to berate them instead.
While the guards were busy cursing at the other inmates, a new guard lowered his head cautiously as he approached Pei Guanjing with a food box in hand, taking slow and careful steps.
The box contained food for the prisoners. Since Pei Guanjing was a death row inmate, he was kept in solitary confinement, separated from the other prisoners. Thus, this new guard was only now bringing him his meal.
The guard glanced around cautiously; seeing no one else nearby, he suddenly leaned closer to the cell door and whispered softly, "Young Master."
The newcomer was Mo Sheng.
Pei Guanjing heard the voice but did not respond immediately.
Mo Sheng dared not speak loudly and stole a few more glances at Pei Guanjing, his hand trembling slightly without his realizing it.
Knowing that this place was not suitable for lingering, and disregarding the fact that Pei Guanjing had not responded, Mo Sheng hurriedly reported in a low voice about the arrangements he had made: “Our people have found the lady's whereabouts. She has already entered the capital.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Guanjing's previously dim eyes instantly sparkled with life. He abruptly raised his head and asked eagerly, “Is she still alive? Where is she now?”
Mo Sheng cautiously glanced back over his shoulder while turning away from the other guards. Seeing that they were still wandering elsewhere and had not looked this way, he continued in a low voice, “The lady is alive. The scout reported that she has been seen in the Jiangnan region. It seems she saw the notice about Young Master’s impending execution and rushed to the capital. Considering the time it took for the notice to be posted and her travel speed, it’s clear that she came to Kyoto as soon as she saw the announcement. Young Master, do you still want to...”
She is alive! And she rushed to the capital upon seeing the notice! A Chen, you still have me in your heart! A wave of ecstatic joy surged within Pei Guanjing, illuminating his previously ashen face with vibrant color. His eyes sparkled as if a stone had been thrown into a still lake, sending ripples across its surface.
“No, I won’t. I will wait for her until she arrives. Mo Sheng, let her do what she wishes; just ensure her safety and assist her in whatever she wants to accomplish next.”
Mo Sheng acknowledged the order hurriedly and then turned to leave quickly.
Behind him, Pei Guanjing was filled with overwhelming joy.
For five years, he had traveled far and wide, searching everywhere but finding no trace of Ye Chen.
He had often speculated in his heart that perhaps Ye Chen had long since left this world. Yet every time he awoke from dreams filled with memories of their beautiful times together, he found himself dazed and lost, as if still caught in a dream, filled with longing.
A Chen, if you are no longer in this world, then what meaning does all I have done hold? What significance is there in my solitary existence?
Because of this, he meticulously devised plans that led to the fall of Kyoto, allowing himself to be captured by Lou Yu and imprisoned. As expected, to uphold national law, Chang Country announced throughout the land that one month later, he would be publicly executed in the bustling streets.
He was gambling.
If Ye Chen was indeed alive somewhere, then upon seeing the notice of his impending execution, she would surely appear. Even if she did not come, just knowing that she was alive would bring him peace of mind; he would no longer have to live in fear and anxiety day and night.
But if after a month there was still no news of Ye Chen, then perhaps she truly was no longer among the living. If that were the case, what meaning did it have for him to live alone in this world? Perhaps after the month’s deadline passed, he should simply follow her into the underworld.
He could only hope that at that time, on Naihe Bridge, A Chen would still be waiting for him.
Today, he finally learned that Ye Chen was alive and well. Moreover, Ye Chen still held him in his heart.
Pei Guanjing felt an indescribable joy swell within him; he longed to burst out of this prison cell and rush to Ye Chen's side. Yet, he dared not act recklessly, fearing that if Ye Chen discovered this was all a trap he had set, they would never see each other again.
So, he could only wait.
In this dark and damp cell, he quietly awaited his arrival.
A Chen, I am here waiting for you, waiting for you to come and take me home.
Ye Chen left Jiangnan and, with the help of spies under Liu Jin's command, safely arrived in the capital.
Upon entering the capital, everywhere he looked—on every street corner where notices were posted—there were announcements proclaiming Pei Guanjing's impending execution.
The common folk only knew that the war was about to end, so they blamed all the wrongs on Pei Guanjing. Regardless of whether he was truly responsible for any of it, he became the scapegoat for every fault, great or small; all the curses were directed at him.
Ye Chen hurried day and night; there were still two weeks until Pei Guanjing's execution—not too long, but not too short either. Ye Chen quickly contacted his hidden network in the capital, preparing to find an opportunity to rescue Pei Guanjing. If that failed, he would personally plead with Lou Yu. As for what might happen when he met Lou Yu, Ye Chen had no time to think about those consequences at this moment.
Five years ago, when Pei Guanjing turned away from him and their child to return to the capital and vie for power with Lou Yu, Ye Chen understood that the gentle and refined Pei Guanjing was merely a facade; the true Pei Guanjing would always be accompanied by power. He could not abandon his authority.
Even though he repeatedly told himself that he and Pei Guanjing had severed ties and were no longer companions who should cross paths again, he never imagined that Pei Guanjing would die.
He had considered the possibility of Pei Guanjing failing but never thought he would lose his life. With Pei Guanjing's intelligence and skills, surviving should have been a simple matter. Yet unexpectedly, he was captured by Lou Yu and faced execution.
Ye Chen had to admit that he was flustered and his mind was in turmoil. During his journey, the days were manageable; busy with travel left little time to think about Pei Guanjing. But at night, sitting quietly in the carriage with his eyes wide open unable to sleep for long periods, all he could see in his mind was Pei Guanjing's figure.
He couldn't understand why he couldn't forget Pei Guanjing. Clearly, Pei Guanjing had deceived him multiple times, and even after they were married, he still abandoned him. Yet, he found himself drawn to Pei Guanjing, willingly placing himself in front of him, allowing him to continue his deceit. But he truly couldn't afford to gamble; what if this time Pei Guanjing was really caught by Lou Yu? What if this time he truly died?
He couldn't take that risk, nor could he bear the loss.
Upon arriving in the capital, Ye Chen quickly sought out the location of the dungeon and contacted the Dark Guard, staying at an inn closest to Pei Guanjing.
At night, he gazed in the direction where Pei Guanjing was held, pondering how to rescue him.
Just then, he spotted a familiar figure appear downstairs.
Ye Chen paused for a moment before rushing down the stairs like a madman, grabbing Mo Sheng amidst the crowd. His voice was filled with urgency: "You... what are you doing here? You..."
Mo Sheng understood what he wanted to say and raised his hand to signal him to follow. "Madam, this way please. I have something to discuss with you."
Once they reached the teahouse, Mo Sheng offered Ye Chen a cup of tea and slowly began to speak.
He explained that due to a betrayal among Pei Guanjing's ranks, he had suffered defeat. Now that he didn't have Centaur in the capital and couldn't make a big show of it, he was unable to leave the dungeon. All he could do was sneak in food for Pei Guanjing every day and steal a few glances at him, treating it as a farewell of sorts and fulfilling his duty as a servant.
Ye Chen listened intently to Mo Sheng's words, but his mind was racing with thoughts about whether Pei Guanjing was alright in the dungeon. Was he seriously injured?
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