Chapter 120 (1/2)
Chapter 120: A Stroll under the Moonlight
Jun Huang hadn't dropped her pensive expression ever since they left Prince Duan Manor. She was so focused on her musings that she failed to notice the b.u.mps on the road. She stumbled and almost fell. Fortunately, even though Nan Xun was preoccupied as well, he had been keeping an eye on Jun Huang. He quickly caught her.
It took a moment for Jun Huang to recover. She awkwardly pulled away from Nan Xun's warm embrace and put some distance between them. In the dim light it was difficult to get a clear look of his expression, but Jun Huang could tell that Nan Xun was smiling.
Insects chirped from both sides of the road. The sound was faint, but it was audible. It somehow softened the chilly night where the sky was free of neither stars nor moon. A tender feeling snuck up on them, unbidden. They both pretended to not notice.
Jun Huang looked at the scenery surrounding her. A sense of rue crept into her heart. Many have spent their lives pursuing the throne, but sometimes she wondered if being an emperor was a good fate for anyone. The mantle was a shackle that one had to wear for life. Only in death would the burden be taken away. Would someone like Qi Yun be able to shoulder such weight?
Nan Xun didn't know what Jun Huang was thinking. He a.s.sumed that Jun Huang was upset with their brief physical contact. He wondered how he should apologize, but he couldn't find the words. He ended up looking into the distance like Jun Huang was, as if a solution would pop up if he stared hard enough.
The dark clouds in the sky gradually dissipated, revealing the crescent moon. Silver light covered the mossy green stone road with a layer of white glow. From afar, it looked like a fog had risen from the ground, adding a touch of mystical feel to the path.
It felt wonderful to stroll under the moonlight. Jun Huang's steps were slow and relaxed. She wanted to enjoy the scenery as long as she could. Nan Xun wasn't going to deprive her of such a simple joy. He stayed at Jun Huang's side.
Finally, Jun Huang broke the silence. ”What do you think about Qi Chen and Prince Duan?” She tilted her head to face Nan Xun.
Nan Xun gave it some thoughts, but couldn't give her an answer. Jun Huang fell into deep contemplation, stroking her chin. Qi Chen and Prince Duan's relations.h.i.+p wasn't what it appeared to be.
”Qi Chen is Consort Zhen's son,” Jun Huang continued. ”Consort Zhen used to be Prince Duan's lover, and was taken away by the now emperor. Not only did Prince Duan not hold a grudge, but he also let Consort Zhen get every one of his unborn children killed. And he maintained a close relations.h.i.+p with Qi Chen. It doesn't make sense.” Jun Huang scoffed. There was a simple answer that could explain everything. The speculation was a bold one. She didn't have enough proof yet, so she kept quiet about it.
”What do you think?” Nan Xun asked, coming to a stop.
Jun Huang narrowed her eyes at the dark alley next to them and pointed at it. ”Don't you think Prince Duan resembles a beast lurking in a dark alleyway? Hidden in shadow, his agenda remains unknown to anyone. But he is still there, a threat that we must not ignore.”
Jun Huang's words weren't baseless, but for now, Prince Duan had not yet shown his hands. They couldn't do anything but to wait for Prince Duan and Qi Chen to slip up. Then they could eliminate the two in one swift attempt. The mantis had not yet caught the cicada; the oriole could only wait patiently.
The street broadened gradually as they walked. Soon, they had reached the main street where there were more activities. Jun Huang noticed a blus.h.i.+ng young woman and a poor scholar who followed after her. He held the poem he had written for the woman in one hand, and the hairpin the woman had gifted him in the other.
Jun Huang watched them curiously. Nan Xun wondered if she was envious.
”One day, someone will treat you the way the scholar treats his lover,” said Nan Xun. ”Someone will hold you dear to his heart. He sees you and only you.” He spoke as if he was telling a joke, but in truth, he was speaking from the very bottom of his heart.
Jun Huang threw him a glance, her heart beating as steady as it had ever been. She hadn't expected Nan Xun to say something like that, but her surprise was quickly masked by a lopsided smile. ”Your Highness is truly an expert in romantic affairs.”
She fell silent. The couple had disappeared from her view.
When they were approaching Jun Huang's house, Nan Xun suddenly asked, ”If there is a way to cleanse the poison in your body, will you put off making Qi Yun the emperor and put aside the schemings that followed, and instead focused first on treating your ailment?”
Surprised, Jun Huang looked at him with her brows furrowed. In her calm eyes there were reflections of the bright moon. Her expression was as distant and faint as a half-forgotten memory.
She didn't usually dwell on the fact that her death was less than a year away. If Nan Xun hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have spared her fate any thoughts. She curved her lips into a smile. ”I know about my condition. I have ordered a few people to try to find a cure; it's just that – ”
”What? Tell me if you have encountered any problems. I may not be clever like you are, but I can help you.” Nan Xun's tone was hurried. He barely stopped himself from grabbing Jun Huang's hands. He wanted her to take better care of herself, to not tire herself for others' sake to this extent.