Chapter 72 (1/2)

Chapter 72: A Heartless Man

Jun Huang let Wan'er hold her, but she didn't lay a hand on Wan'er herself. She knew she must not give Wan'er false hope. She was a woman. She could never marry Wan'er. Wan'er's obsession must not go on.

Time went by. The ground was covered with fallen leaves. The blue stone stairs emitted a sense of calmness. The behemoth tree by the stairs shook in the winds. In the horizon was a mountain range, sitting at the bottom of the vast blue sky.

”You should go, princess,” Jun Huang said quietly. Wan'er nodded and let go reluctantly. She looked up at Jun Huang's aloof face. She found herself unable to say anything sentimental now. She turned around, daintily lifted her dress, and entered the temple.

Jun Huang watched her go. A woman like Wan'er shouldn't waste time on her, but she didn't know what else she could do. Jun Huang was terrible with words when it came to love. She could only come up with excuses for so long.

She didn't follow Wan'er in, lest they disturb the peace of the temple. She walked along the discreet path outside the gate, seeking hidden beauty in the world like people in the past used to do.

Her robe was elegant, and her fan dignified, while the bamboo forest and undiscovered trail were fascinating in their own ways. Did her robe contrast with the bamboo and make it more vibrant, or was it the other way around?

Not far away, Nan Xun was watching her. Every move of hers was made with a grace unique to her alone.

No one else was around to see Jun Huang. Nan Xun wanted nothing more than to keep this ethereal being to himself and prevent others from catching a glimpse. A one of a kind woman like her, however, would never be willing to be caged away by anyone. She was the chosen one. She was sure to achieve great things in her life.

The gaze on her was so heated it was impossible for Jun Huang to not notice. Under her broad sleeve, she took out a poisoned needle. Is it a friend, or a foe? She didn't want to show her hand until she knew what was going on.

The owner of the footsteps came closer and stopped right behind her. She whirled around with the needle in her hand and barely stopped herself from attacking once she saw who it was. She let out a relieved sigh and put away the needle.

”What are you doing here?” Jun Huang wondered out loud. She brushed her dark hair back and smiled faintly at Nan Xun.

Nan Xun watched her without a word. Behind her, bamboo shook lightly. Jun Huang's face was a little pale. Wind blew through the forest and brought her hair and the tail of her robe up in the air. She was like a piece of white jade standing tall and alone in this dark and gritty world. Funnily enough, if Nan Xun hadn't known that Jun Huang was a woman, he would have questioned whether or not he was attracted to men.

Seeing that Nan Xun was staring at her silently again, Jun Huang frowned and waved her hand before his eyes. Nan Xun took her wrist suddenly.

For a moment, everything but the two of them faded away.

There was a rustle in the forest. Leaves fell from above their heads, none of which landed on them. Jun Huang looked up at Nan Xun and her mask of impa.s.siveness fractured, showing a trace of her surprise.

The moment Nan Xun took Jun Huang's wrist, he felt his heart skip. Her arm was alluringly delicate, but too thin to be healthy. Nonetheless, his heart was beating so fast it could burst out of his chest any moment.

Jun Huang suddenly felt like her skin was burned by something that wasn't meant to be touched. She broke out of Nan Xun's grip and hid her hand under her sleeves.

Nan Xun was charmed by her reaction. It was in stark contrast with her usual mature demeanor. He preferred this Jun Huang much more. She felt more real and less untouchable.

”If Your Highness is here for Princess Wan'er, she's in the temple,” Jun Huang said cooly, breaking Nan Xun out of his trance.

Nan Xun chuckled and took a step closer, his eyes as dark as a bottomless lake. ”What if I told you that I'm here for you?”

It may be that Nan Xun's voice was deeper and hoa.r.s.er than usual, it may be that he was standing too close to her – the moment their breaths tangled, Jun Huang's face went deep red. She pushed him away, but she couldn't stop her heartbeat from quickening.

”Alright, no more teasing,” Nan Xun said with a laugh. ”I'm here to ask you about the situation with Wan'er. Qi Chen wanted you to talk to Wan'er in person and turn her down. How did that go?”

Jun Huang quickly regained control over herself, schooling her expression into one of impa.s.siveness. She took a deep breath and shook her head. ”I've tried all I can to convince the princess, but she isn't willing to give up. I don't know what else to do.”

Nan Xun sighed. He hadn't expected Wan'er to be so determined to marry Jun Huang. If she wouldn't let go, there wasn't anything he could do, either.

They stood face to face silently, watching the beautiful scenery in the bamboo forest, but their minds were occupied with different thoughts.

Wan'er strolled into the temple palace. The gold-plated statue of Buddha stood tall and above everyone. A monk was playing a wooden fish1 as he chanted sutras. All her frustration seemed to drain away as she entered. She knelt down on a mat and put her hands together in prayer, her expression devoted.

”Wan'er is here today to pay back for my wish…” She spoke with her eyes closed and her head low.

Afterwards, she didn't get to her feet immediately. Instead, she let Feng Baiyu occupy her thoughts. That man was like a G.o.d. Heartless, but philanthropic. Sometimes she was content with seeing him leading a happy life. Sometimes there was nothing she wanted more than to share a life with him.

She hadn't realized how deeply in love she was. They were strangers who happened to cross paths. She had quickly fallen into a lonesome love, while Feng Baiyu remained distant and untouchable. Her heartache was hers alone.

When she opened her eyes, the palace was filled with veil-like smoke and the black silk curtains fluttered in the wind. The monk, who had been silent previously, opened his mouth and said, ”The almsgiver has lost yourself to obsession. Why don't you give up?”