Chapter 210 (1/2)
Chapter 210
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the piercing sunlight, her palm felt as though it had been burnt by fire, as if words had been engraved on her hand. Blood had filled her vision, as the mountains and lands collapsed before her eyes. She seemed to be witnessing some sort of surreal catastrophe, with weed overgrowing, the grounds split to give way to an ocean beneath. She had been abandoned alone, standing on a plain with fire burning all around her as the vast avalanche and the tsunami shadowed over her and buried her beneath. She was so tired, as she closed her eyes and sank towards that catacomb of darkness.
When Chu Qiao woke up, the rain had just stopped. The moonlight poked out from behind the clouds, spilling its gentle glow onto the bedroom of Mihe Residence. If felt as though it was in the peak of autumn, as the dewdrops fell on the sycamore leaves with crisp echoes. The palace was empty and deserted, and it was as though the entire world had died, with only her left. Slowly moving her body, the dry and cold wind pierced her body, reminding that she was still alive.
From the Rou Fu Palace, there were loud sounds of musical instruments playing. That was the nightly party that Li Ce held with his harem. Every night at this time, there will be some form of celebration that decorates this grandiose palace.
When Chu Qiao was first rescued, the court had a strong wave of opposition. The hundreds of officials endlessly expressed their disdain for Emperor Li Ce's actions. After debating with them for over ten days, Li Ce finally flipped, and kicking down the throne, he bellowed that he did not want to be the Emperor anymore, and that whoever wanted to could take the throne from him. The officials lost their composure. Only after kneeling outside the Chang Xin Palace for two whole days did they manage to convince this Emperor who had skipped over 70 days of work in merely two years after being throned. Since then, no one dared to mention Chu Qiao again.
On the other hand, Li Ce's behavior was comforting to the officials. Apart from how he had paid particular attention to Chu Qiao in the first few days, he had mostly returned to the playboy he was. With him returning to normal, the officials finally heaved a sigh of relief. Deep down, many thought that this Yan Bei woman must not have that much attractiveness anyways. The very fact that Li Ce even went ahead to save her was probably on a whim anyway.
When Li Ce entered, Chu Qiao had not made any noise, so he thought that he was still sleeping. Carefully tiptoeing, he acted like a burglar, resulting in the amusement of the maidservants who were watching. Covering their mouths, they did not dare to laugh out loud. After lifting up the veil and seeing Chu Qiao, who was sitting on the bed, Li Ce was slightly taken aback as he smiled and walked over. Holding an intricately made basket, he acted as though he was presenting some kind of treasure as he said, ”Someone brought fresh pomegranates, do you want to eat?”
Chu Qiao did not reply. She still seemed drowsy, as though she had not fully woke up. Li Ce sat beside her and looked at her still pale and skinny face. His brows furrowed up very slightly before relaxing again. Picking up a pomegranate, he peeled it open, revealing the crimson pearls inside. Looking over, he smiled and brought it over to Chu Qiao's mouth, and opened his mouth, as though telling her to open up and eat, before saying, ”Qiao Qiao, open up, like me. Ahhh…”
”Li Ce, I have fully recovered.” Like a pool of undisturbed water, her voice was exceedingly calm.
Looking at her, Li Ce would often get the misconception that it was three years ago when she lived in his palace, and nothing had changed. Yet, he started to realize that things were already different. She would no longer confidently tell him about her dreams and ambitions, and would no longer talk about that man with a sparkle in her eyes, and had no longer had hopes and wishes for the future. Even her pair of eyes lost the shine she used to have, as though her crystal clear irises had been covered by a blanket of mist, completely muddled.
”Yes, you are recovering already.”
”I want to leave.”
Li Ce was completely unsurprised that she would say that. With much curiosity, he inquired, ”Where will you go?”
Chu Qiao shook her head, seemingly still undecided, and honestly admitted, ”I still do not know. But the world is so big. I am sure there will be a place I can stay. If I really cannot find anywhere, I will head to the barren lands beyond the borders.”
”Is there any difference between heading beyond the borders and staying here?”
”Li Ce, the Xia Empire will not let me off. As long as you let me remain here, it will eventually lead to disaster for you. I killed countless Xia soldiers and caused the failure of two of their northern campaigns. What's more, I personally killed the Third Prince, Zhao Qi. Even though there is no war between the Xia Empire and the Tang Empire, the moment they free up their troops will mean trouble for you.”
Li Ce did not speak but merely looked at her. The playfulness in his eyes faded away and had turned to serenity and peace. After a long hesitation, he started to ask her, ”For the Jing Family, you became the enemy of the Zhuge Family. For repaying your gratitude to Yan Xun, you followed him for eight years in Sheng Jin Palace living as a slave. For the Yan Bei civilians, you went through life and death countless times. For the Southwest Emissary's Garrison, you got angry with Yan Xun. For Zhuge Yue, you hid from worldly matters for two years. For the Da Tong Guild, you completely fell out with Yan Xun. Now, for not dragging me into the fray, you are going to head beyond the borders into the barren lands?” The man's voice turned deep with a tinge of fatigue that he could not seem to hide anymore. Quietly, he asked, ”Qiao Qiao, in your life, will you ever start to do things for yourself?”
Chu Qiao was utterly stunned by that question. With the night wind blowing past, lifting up her fringe and clothes. Li Ce lightly held onto her shoulder, and with his other hand, gently clasped her head. So naturally, he pulled her into an embrace without any sense of lust. Lightly, he heaved a sigh, and whispered, ”Qiao Qiao, there are many ways to live in the world. You can live your life in poverty, but that is still one life. You can live your life enjoying all of the worldly pleasures, and that is still one life. You can live your life aimlessly without doing much, yet that is still one life. You can also live your life accomplishing great things that will leave your name in history forever, and even then, that is still one life. But despite so many ways, why do you forever choose the way that makes life the hardest for you? Look at you, even the normal civilians probably lead a better life than you.”
Li Ce's voice slowly entered her ears and crept into her mind. Chu Qiao leaned on his chest, and even her entire thought process froze up. She suddenly felt that his words were so true. If she really lead a simple life like a normal civilian, she would certainly not have gone through so many ups and downs, without so many killings and sadness, without betrayals and backstabbing, lying and abandonment, and she would definitely not be so heartbroken, with no place to go.