Chapter 129 (1/2)
Chapter 129
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Chu Qiao frowned slowly. ”How long have you been standing here?”
”Just a little while.” Li Ce stumbled over and took his seat beside her. He held a silver wine bottle in his hand and said, ”Any for you?”
Chu Qiao shook her head and replied, ”I don't drink.”
Li Ce shrugged. ”Your life is boring.”
”Instead of sleeping, are you here just to tease me?”
Li Ce took a mouthful of wine. His liquor tolerance was not very good. With a few mouthfuls, his face had turned slightly red. He looked at Chu Qiao, then pointed at a small island at the center of the lake, saying, ”Do you know how long that tree has lived?”
Chu Qiao was stunned, not expecting him to talk about this suddenly.
Li Ce answered his own question and said, ”Over 400 years. Bet you didn't expect it. It has lived longer than the Xia Empire.” Thereafter, he pointed at a small flower beside the wooden bridge and said, ”Do you know what flower this is?”
The flower was pale purple in color and small in stature. It fluttered about in the wind, looking like it could be dislodged anytime.
”This is the Youyan. It blooms in the night and wilts at dawn. It only blooms once in its lifetime for a few hours, but has to wait one year for this.”
There were flower patterns on the silver wine flask, similar to that of the Youyan. Li Ce took another mouthful of wine and turned around, saying, ”Qiaoqiao, life is short and hard. Before you know it, time will pass and we will turn old. When you can enjoy it, enjoy it. Don't waste the youthful times.”
Chu Qiao shook her head slowly, saying in a low voice, ”If I was given a choice, I would rather be like the Youyan flower, instead of that tree, busy its entire life.”
”Hurhur.” Li Ce smiled radiantly. ”Every living thing has its own way of survival. The Youyan flower mocks the tree for being busy all its life, and for being dull. However, it does not know that existing for a long time amidst the difficulties is an attractive virtue in itself. Being resilient all these years and coming out unscathed is a capability in itself. How can living a short life prove the beauty of time?”
Chu Qiao turned around and saw the bright look in Li Ce's eyes. His smile remained radiant. She asked, ”How about you? Would you rather be like the flower or the tree?”
”Me?” Li Ce turned around and smiled. ”I'm an ambitious person. I aspire to live for a long time like the tree, but with the excitement of the flower, haha.”
Chu Qiao shook her head slightly and replied, ”One must enjoy the good times, instead of just sitting back to appreciate the moment.”
”Good poetry!” Li Ce laughed, looking up to take another mouthful of wine and saying, ”Qiaoqiao, I did not expect you to be well-versed in literature.”
Chu Qiao smiled, choosing not to rebut him.
”Qiaoqiao, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should.”
Chu Qiao smiled and replied, ”If you treat me as a friend, go ahead.”
The Li Ce tonight was different from his usual self. Although they were in conversation, he was not cheerful. Instead, he appeared solemn while sitting under the moonlight, shrouded by the trees. His tone sounded more serious than usual with more clarity. The wind blew lightly across both of their sleeves, causing the pearl and green colors to entangle. It added a tinge of warmth to the situation.
Chu Qiao tidied up her hair which had been messed up. Li Ce looked at her, the look in his eyes becoming more serious.
”Although the Xia Empire is in a mess with the various dukes and civilians stirring up rebellions, it is like the tree. Its foundation is stable. Although there is a storm now, as long as the boat is stabilized, it is easy for them to retaliate. However, looking at the situation in Yan Bei, although it is powerful enough to force the Xia Empire into submission, it is politically unstable. The power is unevenly distributed. The Quanrong people are waiting for a chance in the north while the Xia Empire is waiting in the south. Also, it is not acknowledged by the various political powers in the world. It is an uphill task. With a slight mistake, the entire country could collapse.” Finishing his sentence, Li Ce smiled and plucked out the Youyan flower, continuing, ”Yan Bei is like the Youyan flower while Xia is like the ancient tree. The night is temporary. When dusk breaks, the winner will be revealed.”
A gust of wind blew past, carrying the purple flower with it. After a while, it landed in the lake.
Chu Qiao looked at Li Ce. Suddenly, she felt like a layer of fog appeared in front of her eyes. She could not make out what was happening in front of her.