Chapter 20
South Winds of change
A little far, yet also close to Prince Xiao Ce's courtyard on the east side, lies a small spring of water, serene and pristine. Small birds come and go, creating a joyful chirping sound.
Much like the small natural forest on the east side of his courtyard, the south side hosts gardens and vineyards where the Liang crown prince grows his own green tea leaves, grapevines, persimmon trees, and plum trees.
Xiao Ce is holding the publication of Yuwen Yue's official obituary, and his hands twitch as the paper crumples in his grip.
Xiao Ce has never been in such a state before, where he must take time alone to reflect on himself.
The Liang prince has been too busy seeing the forest and not the trees. His absence from the icy lake tragedy stemmed from his preoccupation with digging into the past of Chu Qiao, the subject of his interest.
Xiao Ce is the kind of ruler who loves to wear a mask.
This means he never lets people see him as he truly is. He may seem easy to read when judged from the outside, but he is like a book full of secrets, difficult to interpret once opened. Like his father, he doesn't stay on one side but always looks at both.
The Liang prince ensures that he remains behind the main characters and never seeks to become the central figure. On the contrary, he loves to steal the spotlight and draw all attention to himself whenever he is exposed, but only when it is good publicity.
He somehow believes that showing his face to the people brings them happiness and allows them to experience great beauty. He also believes in the saying: "The first impression lasts."
Initially, the prince agreed to become an expensive messenger to Wei, tasked with looking after King Tang's political affairs on behalf of his father. He had to come personally, showing himself to the Emperor of the Great Summer Dynasty and engaging with the two princes, Yuan Che and Yuan Song, for some amusement.
Not to mention, Xiao Ce's visit was also an opportunity for Wei State to nominate a suitable mate for the ever-single playboy prince. The Great Summer Emperor's first choice was for the Liang prince to marry his beloved Princess Chun'er, as both of their fathers maintained good political relations, even if they sometimes irritated each other. In the end, they always remained good friends.
The last time Xiao Ce visited was a few years ago when he was still a youngster. Now, as a fully grown man more mature in handling government affairs, he decided to accept the call. Although Xiao Ce despises traveling, in this case, he needed to see things for himself. For him, this journey felt like suicide. Many parties were also interested in the crown he bore, and if he wasn't careful, one state visit could cost him his life.
However, the dreary nature of his state visit to Wei changed when he met Chu Qiao.
To protect himself while traveling, he reinvented his image, making it seem as though he was riding in a luxurious royal palanquin with a beautiful parade of Liang's finest maidservants. Chu Qiao had already heard of how playful this Liang prince could be, but experiencing it firsthand was different from the stories she'd been told.
And so the story goes: it was playtime for the foxy prince and lunchtime for the Tiger General Chu Qiao. The scenes between them were amusing, though they left many bittersweet memories for the Liang prince. From the moment he first met Chu Qiao, Xiao Ce was struck by her. Ever since, he never allowed himself to relax around her, constantly pushing her buttons.
Every day, the Liang prince and Chu Qiao would engage in their playful sparring, with Chu Qiao never hesitating to give him a wake-up punch. With his flowery attire and foxy smiles, Chu Qiao loathed the prince, albeit in a humorous way. The prince's public displays of affection toward her were relentless, and they irritated her.
Despite hoping Xiao Ce would give up his playboy antics, he only intensified them, bringing her gigantic flowers and donning more extravagant, eyebrow-raising robes to meet her daily during his stay at the Wei Palace.
He even gave her the nickname "Qiao Qiao," an endearing term that only Xiao Ce, the sole prince, had the right to use.
At that time, Xiao Ce learned that Chu Qiao came from humble beginnings. She started as a maidservant in the Yuwen household before being transferred to Yan Xun's service, and now she had been absorbed by the Wei state as an archery coach.
Xiao Ce specifically requested that she serve as his personal bodyguard during his state visit. The playboy prince thought it would be challenging to secure her for his envoy, as Chu Qiao's previous and current masters held the same level of power he did.
Nevertheless, the foxy prince made his state visit meaningful, despite its short duration, never forgetting his objectives. The sophisticated allure of this wildflower from Wei, however, was hard to ignore, drawing his attention again and again, ultimately leading him to surrender his playboy heart, ready to be loyal.
During his state visit to Wei, Xiao Ce also met Princess Xiao Yu, his half-sister. Born as rivals for their father's throne, Xiao Yu was the leader of Liang's elite spies, using her royal status and mastery of the Sky Shadow Sleeves martial art.
Xiao Ce confided in his maidservants that he suspected Xiao Yu of plotting something, and that he should teach her a lesson. Xiao Yu appeared sweet on the outside but was dangerous on the inside. The Liang princess had gone so far as to attempt to influence their father to grant the throne to her full-brother, thus dethroning or even killing Xiao Ce.
With his royal title and crown, Xiao Ce has never been surrounded by loyal or sincere people, not even his family. Due to his royal status, all those around him harbor ambitions, waiting for the right moment to chase after their own interests. Xiao Ce grew up on a bed of roses, but it was surrounded by thorns.
When it came to alliances, Princess Xiao Yu sent an anonymous letter to Yan Xun, hoping to expand her influence. While the temptation to accept external assistance was strong for Yan Xun, Zhong Yu warned him that it might be a trap.
Nevertheless, Yan Xun met with the Liang princess, and the two agreed to collaborate on their plans. Xiao Yu would help Yan Xun escape Chang'an, and in return, Yan Xun would assist her in assassinating the crown prince of Liang, Xiao Ce.
What's more positive about the vibrant Liang Prince is his advocacy for life and his strong stance against cruelty, particularly a practice ingrained in Wei's culture, the hunting of people, especially maids, as if they were animals.
He confided in Chu Qiao, saying that he had heard about the inhumane practice of maid hunting and was absolutely against it. He said this while they were riding their horses, touring the city of Chang'an.
The Liang Prince, accompanied by Chu Qiao, left the city of Chang'an, but after a while, they encountered a group of Xiao Yu's assassins who ambushed them. Chu Qiao, fulfilling her duty to protect her VIP, fought valiantly but grew exhausted as more assassins pursued them.
Yan Xun was informed by one of his servants that Chu Qiao had gone out to accompany the prince at the military garrison. Without hesitation, Yan Xun packed up and rode out to rescue Chu Qiao. If Crown Prince Xiao Ce were to die, the entire city of Chang'an would descend into chaos, presenting a perfect opportunity for Yan Xun to execute his escape plan. Yan Xun even briefly entertained the thought that Chu Qiao might have killed the crown prince, thinking to himself, "The heavens (Qians) are helping me."
Xiao Ce and Chu Qiao leaped into a lake to escape their pursuers, swimming to safety. Chu Qiao eventually passed out, and Xiao Ce helped her to shore.
Once they were safe and Chu Qiao was unconscious, Xiao Ce revealed his more tender side. He removed his royal robe, draping it over the "sleeping beauty," and remarked, "If I had died, it would have been good for you."
Xiao Ce then activated a flare or some kind of mechanism to signal for help, possibly from Liang's spy camp, but no one came to their rescue.
As he waited for Chu Qiao to awaken, Yuwen Yue, having learned from his guards that Yan Xun had left his courtyard, assumed command of a search party to find him.
When Chu Qiao finally opened her eyes, Xiao Ce was visibly anxious but quickly switched to his usual playboy attitude. He teased her about what would happen if he died in Chang'an, speculating that a war between Wei and Liang would shift the spotlight away from Yan Xun, allowing him to escape the city unnoticed.
Xiao Ce, testing Chu Qiao's loyalty, realized that instead of killing him, she had saved him, even injuring herself in the process. Like in a child's game, Xiao Ce metaphorically "shot the arrow," and Chu Qiao playfully told him to be quiet.
Chu Qiao quickly resumed her role as protector, instructing Xiao Ce to kill the assassin. However, Xiao Ce pretending its ignorance, claiming he didn't know how to wield a sword. Chu Qiao, exasperated, used a star dart to eliminate the attacker herself.
As they continued walking, Chu Qiao, severely wounded, asked Xiao Ce to find antiseptic herbs to treat her injuries.
After tending to her, Xiao Ce said goodbye to the wounded bodyguard. Despite leaving her behind, he misled the assassins into chasing him, sacrificing himself to ensure Chu Qiao's safety. Xiao Ce handed her the only weapon his father had given him for survival, one that, when activated, could unleash hundreds of needles in a 180-degree arc to kill enemies. Chu Qiao used the weapon, successfully killing many of the approaching assassins.
Eventually, Yuwen Yue found Chu Qiao near death. He offered her a pouch of water, but she refused. Undaunted, Yuwen Yue carried her and remarked, "You owe me a lot, and you can never repay me."
Suddenly, Yuwen Yue picked her up and ran. He laid her down in a safe zone where she could rest and watch as he fought off the remaining assassins. However, as Chu Qiao lay beneath a tree, a masked man dressed in black snatched her away.
The masked man, riding swiftly on horseback, turned out to be Yan Xun, her knight in shining armor once again. Yuwen Yue noticed the man in the mask but chose to let it go, knowing it was Yan Xun.
Yuwen Yue continued on foot and found the Liang Prince sitting alone in the forest, disheveled and unrecognizable. Breaking the silence, Xiao Ce tried to deflect attention by offering Yuwen Yue an address and a map. Yuwen Yue, cold and detached, took the map without comment.
The map was meant to divert Yuwen Yue and his guards to a location where they could discover what the address held. Later, Yuwen Yue realized that Xiao Ce intended to use them to capture his enemies, who had already fled.
Yuwen Yue, however, informed Xiao Ce that they already knew the identities and locations of his enemies.
"We've already recovered Tao Ye, one of Princess Xiao Yu's top spies in Liang," Yuwen Yue explained. He then ordered his subordinate, Yue Qi, to carry out a sweep to clean up the rest of Xiao Yu's spies in Chang'an.
As a result, they uncovered the names of Liang's spies deployed throughout the city under Xiao Yu's command, exposing their operations and hideouts. Yuwen Yue raided them all, and Xiao Yu responded by advising her spies to flee Chang'an.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ce paid a visit to Yan Xun, offering his assistance. He assured Yan Xun that once he escaped Chang'an, outside forces would ensure his safe return to Yanbei.
"I'm in control now," Xiao Ce declared, "after Yuwen Yue raided their secret repositories and captured Tao Ye."
Yan Xun realized that Xiao Yu's plans had been thwarted. Xiao Ce then revealed that he had been aware of the plot to assassinate him on the day he was with Chu Qiao, who had been gravely wounded.
Yan Xun glared at Xiao Ce and coldly warned, "If you let this happen again, I will make you pay for it."
Xiao Ce, maintaining his cold and cunning aspect, merely smirked in response.
As Xiao Ce departed, he felt empty, as though he had been speaking to a ghost. He revealed that he had manipulated everyone around him to ensure his safety, even framing Xiao Yu to redirect Yan Xun's wrath away from himself. But Yuwen Yue's arrival had ruined everything. Unable to maintain his cover, Xiao Ce realized that he could no longer hide his true intentions.
"He wanted to use me," Yuwen Yue remarked, "but I will teach him a lesson."
Xiao Ce understood that Yan Xun would do anything to protect Chu Qiao. All his actions earlier had been part of an elaborate act, a mask he wore to accomplish his goals while in Chang'an. In a moment of melancholy, Xiao Ce reflected, "I pity Qiao Qiao," with a sorrowful expression.
At this point, Xiao Ce realized that in his attempt to accomplish his goals using minimal resources, he had exposed more of Liang's secrets than he could recover. He had learned a hard lesson, not to play with fire when it involved Chu Qiao.
From that moment, the winds of change began to stir in the heart of the Liang Prince.
Before departing, Xiao Ce said to Chu Qiao, "Remember to see me when I leave." Chu Qiao nodded and smiled warmly at him.
Moments later, she greeted the Liang Prince as he rode off on his fancy white horse, Mermaid, along with the Liang palace guards as they made their way back to Jian Kang. He seemed a little gloomy, and Chu Qiao saw a different side of the prince.
When he saw Chu Qiao, the Prince turned his sad expression into a curious one and said, "Qiao Qiao, why don't you come with me? Let's get to know more about each other along the way."
Chu Qiao replied, "Although I can't read you, I know you're not as bad as you seem."
The Liang Prince took a deep breath, smiled, and said, "I am a nobleman, well-educated, how can I be read so easily? I'm losing face here."
Chu Qiao, with a sly smile, responded, "The Wei Emperor wants to make peace through marriage. Did he agree to let you leave?"
Xiao Ce replied, "He wanted me gone as soon as possible. When I told him, he immediately sent me away as if I were bad luck. Besides, I don't like any of his daughters, they're ugly. I won't marry any of them. In the City of Chang'an, you were the only one who caught my eye, but you chose the wrong person. You risk your life for Yan Xun instead of enjoying wealth and happiness with me. You broke my heart."
Chu Qiao, her eyes stern but her cheeks flushed, asked, "If Wei goes to war with Yanbei, will you help the Wei state?"
Xiao Ce answered, "No," with confidence. Even if Chu Qiao reversed the question, he still wouldn't help either state. Chu Qiao then said that they were friends going forward.
Xiao Ce also invited Chu Qiao to visit him in Liang if she ever felt cold in Yanbei, and Chu Qiao invited him to visit Yan if he felt bored in Jian Kang, to experience the grasslands and the beauties of Yan.
Xiao Ce gave a flirty smile and said, "You know me well. Sometimes, we are both puppets of destiny, there are times you can see the beginning but cannot see the end."
With a sad look, Xiao Ce added, "Qiao Qiao, I hope you can escape successfully. We'll meet again if there's another chance."
With that, Xiao Ce led his horse away. Chu Qiao nodded and watched him disappear into the distance.
Just when you thought that was the end of their story, the Liang Prince did not stop seeking information about Chu Qiao's whereabouts. Though he put on a facade of saying goodbye, his heart had not let go. Xiao Ce had always been open about his feelings for Qiao Qiao.
Unfortunately, Chu Qiao did not reciprocate Xiao Ce's feelings. The Liang Prince later met Zhan Ziyu, a wealthy businessman and boat owner who accepted private jobs from nobles.
Zhan Ziyu, sipping his drink, coldly looked at Xiao Ce and asked, "Your Highness, did you call me here just to drink and talk about women?"
Xiao Ce turned his back to Zhan Ziyu, smirked, and replied, "You are a boring man; I wouldn't find you just to drink." Xiao Ce sat down, pulled out some papers from his sleeve, and showed them to Zhan Ziyu.
"Chu Qiao works for Yan Xun. She's been quite popular lately. The Wei Emperor is offering 100 taels of gold to kill her. Do you know her, Your Highness?"
Xiao Ce raised his hand, as if about to beat a rhythm, and said, "She's a beautiful woman I met in Chang'an," flashing his flirty smile and sweet eyes.
Zhan Ziyu smiled slightly and remarked, "Your Highness is quite the romantic. She must have offended you in some way. So, have you decided to kill her?"
Xiao Ce, remaining cool, responded, "No."
Looking directly into Zhan Ziyu's eyes, he said, "On the contrary, I want you to save her."
Zhan Ziyu, now intrigued, smiled at Xiao Ce and said, "I, Zhan Ziyu, only kill people. I've never saved anyone."
Xiao Ce, sensing the rejection, smirked and replied, "I will not mistreat you." He paused and added, "I have a message, and it's important for you."
Zhan Ziyu listened carefully.
"You've been looking for someone named Xia Chong."
Zhan Ziyu, now visibly interested, asked, "Your Highness knows where she is?"
Xiao Ce said, "She's in the secret prison of Liang state."
Zhan Ziyu's face lit up with interest, and it seemed Xiao Ce had sealed the deal.
Some time later, when the Liang Prince learned that Zhan Ziyu had taken care of Chu Qiao, he began planning his next move. The Prince himself became a spy, keeping a close eye on Chu Qiao and deciding to protect her.
When Chu Qiao fell off a cliff while being pursued by Wei Shu Ye, Xiao Ce didn't hesitate to expose his position. He appeared in a black palanquin, devoid of a horseman, and opened fire from the window.
The roof of the palanquin opened, revealing a masked figure who caught Chu Qiao mid-air and sprinted off with her. When they stopped, Xiao Ce removed his mask and, seeing his beloved Qiao Qiao near death, embraced her, tears welling in his eyes.
Yuwen Yue was nearly frantic, searching for Chu Qiao after she ran away from him. With anger written on his face, he hastily interrogated Wei Shu Ye, who claimed that Chu Qiao was dead. Back at Yuwen Yue's camp, while he and Yue Qi were discussing the situation, an arrow shot through the air and hit a post. Yuwen Yue grabbed it and read the letter attached.
Xiao Ce, knowing he needed outside help, reached out to Yuwen Yue, having cared for Chu Qiao in his palace while waiting for Yuwen Yue's arrival. In the meantime, Chu Qiao slowly regained consciousness, opening her eyes just enough to recognize Xiao Ce.
The Crown Prince, worried all day, smiled again and said, "Qiao Qiao, you're awake. I told you I'm the only one who can save you from the cliff in times of emergency."
He flashed her a sweet smile.
He even joked, "How do you feel now? Can you move? Feel like marrying me now?" But when Chu Qiao coughed, Xiao Ce's expression turned concerned, and he ordered his servant to bring her some water.
Chu Qiao, still coughing and startled by Xiao Ce's joke, asked, "Where am I?"
Xiao Ce didn't answer her directly. Instead, he asked, "What would you like to eat? You look pale, you need to regain your strength."
Chu Qiao attempted to stand, but Xiao Ce gently laid her back down and hushed her, saying, "Don't worry, you're safe now that you're with me. Hard times are always followed by good luck. You don't need to worry, I'm by your side."
A servant entered the room and informed the Prince, "Your Highness, Yuwen Yue has arrived."
Xiao Ce smiled at Chu Qiao and said, "I'll be back soon," giving her a debonair smile before he left.
As Xiao Ce walked towards the courtyard, he remarked to himself, "So fast," before meeting Yuwen Yue.
Xiao Ce greeted him with, "I just sent my letter, and you've already arrived in such a short time."
Yuwen Yue got straight to the point, "Where is Xinger?"
Xiao Ce gave Yuwen Yue a bored, cold look and asked, "Xinger?"
Yuwen Yue, without blinking, said, "Qiao Qiao."
Xiao Ce quickly closed and opened his eyes before replying, "That sounds better."
Yuwen Yue expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for helping her."
Xiao Ce, with a hint of sarcasm, responded, "Why thank me for her name? Who are you? Her old master or the general of Wei?"
Both men grew serious, and Yuwen Yue didn't bother to answer the Prince's question.
After a long pause, Xiao Ce said, "Follow me," and they headed toward Chu Qiao's villa.
When Chu Qiao saw Yuwen Yue, she asked, "How did you find me?"
Yuwen Yue replied, "It wasn't hard to find you."
Xiao Ce made a gesture, and Yuwen Yue approached Chu Qiao's bed, lightly tapping her shoulder. The two exchanged glances. Afterward, Yuwen Yue and Xiao Ce stepped outside to talk privately.
Xiao Ce asked, "Did you know she's been poisoned?"
Yuwen Yue responded, "Of course."
Xiao Ce added, "This isn't the first time."
Yuwen Yue recounted a story about their encounter with assassins, to which Xiao Ce asked, "Were there three of them?"
Yuwen Yue nodded, "Yes."
Xiao Ce remarked, "That fits."
Yuwen Yue then asked, "Do you know who they are?"
Xiao Ce asked in return, "Have you heard of the Afterlife Camp?"
Yuwen Yue replied, "I've come across them once or twice."
Xiao Ce explained, "It's a mysterious assassins' guild. I've heard that only three people can pass the Nirvana Kill at a time, becoming Afterlife Campers. They are extremely skilled in poisons, and finding a cure is nearly impossible. A few years ago, one of our ministers was poisoned with the same symptoms as Qiao Qiao."
"After the virulence ends, the victim experiences severe stomach pain and falls into a coma, eventually dying in agony. Judging by her condition now, I'm afraid she doesn't have much time left."
Yuwen Yue fell into deep thought and asked, "Where is the Afterlife Camp?"
Xiao Ce replied, "I don't know."
"Who is their leader?"
Xiao Ce answered, "I don't know that either."
Frustrated, Yuwen Yue asked, "Then what do you know?"
Xiao Ce sighed and said, "I suspect that their leader has connections to someone, Zhan Ziyu, the biggest boss controlling water transport in Xiangyang. Whatever you need, he can make it happen."
Yuwen Yue, in a warning tone, replied, "Alright, you can keep Xinger for now. But once this is over, I'll come to get her. Remember, behave yourself. Don't do anything that makes you look bad."
Xiao Ce smirked and asked, "What do you think I am?"
Yuwen Yue replied coldly, "I'm saying this because I know exactly what kind of person you are. You went to great lengths to save Xinger and find me. You want me to deal with the Afterlife Camp for you. Whatever your intentions, I'll take care of everything. Just mind your own business."
Xiao Ce lowered his eyes, swallowing Yuwen Yue's harsh words for Chu Qiao's sake. Though Yuwen Yue believed Xiao Ce was using Xinger to manipulate him, the Liang Prince's feelings for Chu Qiao were genuine. Still, Xiao Ce chose to maintain his mask, letting Yuwen Yue think the worst rather than reveal his true intentions.
Yuwen Yue bowed his head slightly toward the Liang Prince, remarking, "What a good scene."
He acknowledged that Yuwen Yue's feelings for Chu Qiao were sincere, something Xiao Ce knew he couldn't compete with. As much as the Crown Prince wanted to be Chu Qiao's savior, he realized his limitations, his royal duties prevented him from doing what Yuwen Yue could for Xinger.
From that moment, Xiao Ce revealed his true self to Yuwen Yue, recognizing why Yuwen Yue held such power in the Wei state, something that Liang Princess Xiao Yu and even Yan Xun had failed to break.
Secretly, Xiao Ce began to admire Yuwen Yue, but his desire for Chu Qiao only grew stronger.
Now that Chu Qiao was staying in his courtyard, Xiao Ce couldn't bear the thought of anyone, especially Yuwen Yue, taking her away. But when Yuwen Yue retrieved the Dengxian Pill antidote from the treacherous path of the Afterlife Camp on Kong Sang Mountain, Xiao Ce knew it was time to let her go.
It was another heartbreak for him, as Xiao Ce had hoped Chu Qiao would remain safe in his palace and perhaps choose to stay with him.
Yuwen Yue stormed into the Liang Prince's inner courtyard, and Xiao Ce chased after him to Chu Qiao's bedroom, only to find that she was gone.
"I told you she's gone," Xiao Ce said, trying to discourage Yuwen Yue.
"Where could she go? Where else could she go?" Yuwen Yue searched every corner of the room.
"To Yanbei, of course. Or should she go back to Chang'an and have her head cut off?" Xiao Ce continued to push, hoping Yuwen Yue would believe him.
"Who told her to leave?" Yuwen Yue asked, his voice anxious.
"She can leave whenever she wishes. Who can stop her? She's taken the pill you sent, and she's healthy and lively now. No reason for her to stay here."
Yuwen Yue, looking dejected, lowered his gaze to the floor.
"Don't be so sad," Xiao Ce continued, still trying to persuade him. "You two aren't meant to be together. Forcing it won't bring a happy ending. I know you're a good person. How about this, I could introduce you to some other girls?"
Xiao Ce was trying to convince Yuwen Yue to give up on Xinger, but Yuwen Yue, still respectful of the Prince, knew Xiao Ce had feelings for her.
As Yuwen Yue turned to leave, Xiao Ce chased after him and called out, "I'm not finished yet! Where are you going? Listen to me..." His voice carried a childlike tone of desperation.
But then, a soft voice called out, "Yuwen Yue."
Yuwen Yue stopped in his tracks, lifted his head, and saw Xinger. It was as though he hadn't seen her in years. Time seemed to stand still.
Yuwen Yue's typically cold expression softened as he looked at her like a god before his goddess. Everyone around them watched, holding their breath for the moment that was about to unfold.
Xinger smiled and stepped closer, stopping just a step away from Yuwen Yue. Unconcerned with anyone else, Yuwen Yue closed the distance and pulled her into a tight embrace, as if he would never let her go. Xiao Ce's heart skipped a beat, but despite his own feelings, he was happy for them.
Later, Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue spoke privately in her room. Xiao Ce didn't interrupt, letting them have their sweet reunion. The story ended with a kiss, Yuwen Yue's first intentional kiss with Xinger, and he whispered, "I need you too. Can you feel it?"
Yuwen Yue waited for a response, but Chu Qiao remained silent. Realizing that the heart before him was colder than his own, Yuwen Yue stepped out and left her.
Back at his tent camp, Yuwen Yue drank liquor, hoping to forget the moment earlier. Meanwhile, Chu Qiao, feeling lonely and sad, stayed in her room, avoiding any further interaction after her meeting with Yuwen Yue.
The Liang Prince, back to his playful, childish self, brought dinner to Chu Qiao's room. But she was just staring at the wall, not wanting to speak or let Xiao Ce intrude on her private thoughts. Xiao Ce entered anyway, insisting, "Have some food, my dear General. You're about to embark on a long journey, you can't set off hungry."
Chu Qiao, avoiding his gaze, replied, "I don't feel like eating."
Sitting on his knees with the food tray on his lap, Xiao Ce blinked and looked at her, sensing the rejection in the air. He inhaled deeply, then placed the tray on the table. Like a man begging for attention, he spoke to her, "I wanted to cheat, to make him leave, so you wouldn't feel sad if you hadn't met him. Qiao Qiao, there are many roads in life. If you choose one, you must give up the others. You're a silly girl, you chose a rough, challenging path while the other is safe, warm, and straight. So, when you stand at a crossroads, it's not surprising you feel sad. You can't change that. Do you believe in yourself?"
Chu Qiao responded, "Of course I do."
Xiao Ce asked again, "Do you believe in Yan Xun?"
Chu Qiao simply replied, "Yes."
Xiao Ce then said, "Then make your rough road warm and shining. When you do, you'll find that everything you've sacrificed will be worth it."
Suddenly, Chu Qiao felt a lift in her spirits.
Xiao Ce sat beside her and added, "As for Yuwen Yue, you just need to give him time. Time is the best healer. If the wound doesn't kill you, it will heal. In this world, everyone can live with or without others. As smart as he is, he will figure it out."
Chu Qiao looked into his eyes, and Xiao Ce reassured her, "Don't worry." She gave him a sweet smile in return.
Xiao Ce continued, "On the other hand, Yuwen Yue was restricted too much by his family. He hadn't known many women before." At this, Chu Qiao's face brightened, and the gloom disappeared. Xiao Ce playfully pointed to her cheeks, saying, "Look at you, you're incredibly thin. You've developed well in two unimportant areas, your cheeks."
Chu Qiao laughed and said, "What are you saying? Am I that bad?" She gently pushed Xiao Ce's hand away.
"I'm not joking," Xiao Ce replied with a foxy smile. Then, in a softer tone, he said, "Okay. Finish that noodle and get some sleep early." He paused and turned serious, "I've seen someone watching the palace recently. I suspect they're men from Yan Xun. You should leave with them tomorrow."
Chu Qiao nodded, understanding the situation. Xiao Ce, not wanting her to see the sadness in his eyes, stood up and, with a cold voice, added, "By the way, don't bother saying goodbye this time. I want a full night's sleep."
He smirked at her, and she smirked back.
Xiao Ce, hiding his sorrow, walked away from his Qiao Qiao and returned to his room, tending to his aching heart.
Alone, Chu Qiao whispered, "Xiao Ce, thank you."
Xiao Ce had never been this wise or freely offered advice to someone, especially when he may not be able to untie the emotions bound in his heart. This was all new to him, even being kind to Yuwen Yue for the sake of his Qiao Qiao. He had never seen himself in this light until today.
He realized that although he felt like a tool, it was the only way he knew to express his love for Qiao Qiao. Letting her go back to Yan Xun pierced his heart.
And now the Prince returned to his sleepless nights.
Outwardly, his words were calm and breezy, but inside, he was burning with a fire he could no longer hide. Chu Qiao could not reciprocate the Liang Prince's feelings for her.
Xiao Ce longed to keep her, care for her, and give her the good things in life, but Chu Qiao seemed not to need any of them. What could he offer to make her stay?
Though Chu Qiao eventually left his palace, the Liang Prince found it hard to give up on her. During his sleepless nights, he continued to think of Qiao Qiao and looked for ways to win her over. However, he knew his competitors, Yuwen Yue, Yan Xun, and even Yuan Song, were equally powerful and smart. He resolved to do his best.
Xiao Ce thought this might be his only way to surpass Y
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