Chapter 105: Never Yield (Second Update)

Dan Ying, how much longer will you waste your time here? Even if you take her away, the journey is long—won’t she become a burden? Isn’t this just asking for trouble? Zuo Qiu Liye continued, his words full of provocation.

Dan Ying remained silent, seemingly unmoved.

“I believe the Crown Prince of Dan is a wise man. Do you truly wish to become an enemy of our Wu Kingdom?” Someone approached slowly, their footsteps crunching on the snow. He wore a robe the color of moonlight, blending almost seamlessly into the snowy surroundings. “The Dark Pavilion nearly arrived late; please forgive us, Your Majesty.”

The newcomer was Elder Yue of the Wu Kingdom’s Dark Pavilion, a man as serene as moonlight.

“Just in time,” said Zuo Qiu Liye, his delicate features tinged with a shadowy gloom.

He looked at Xue Xue’s pale face, her calm demeanor unruffled even as they surrounded her from both sides.

Good. He would let little Xue see clearly, between himself and Dan Ying, who was the one she should choose.

“It seems the King of Wu came prepared,” Dan Ying replied coldly, sensing their people all around—his opponents were not to be underestimated.

“You’d best consider your situation, and don’t say I didn’t warn you—lest you lose both the girl and your fortune.” He watched them with an air of leisure, as if viewing prey too weak to resist, ready to toy with them at his pleasure.

Xue Xue listened to their exchange with a sigh; she hadn’t expected to find herself so torn. Dan Ying hadn’t yielded yet, but as Zuo Qiu Liye spoke, she sensed his wavering resolve.

How awkward.

At last, Dan Ying set Xue Xue down, her feet landing on the cold snow. In that moment, she understood.

In the end, she could only rely on herself.

“Xue Xue, wait for me—I’ll come back for you,” Dan Ying whispered in her ear, his voice soft, tinged with guilt and unwillingness.

What did that mean?

Xue Xue was puzzled. Why would Dan Ying say such words?

She didn’t reply. Dan Ying owed her nothing; they were merely using each other.

Dan Ying left. Xue Xue stood in the snow, conflicted.

Suddenly, cold fingers lifted her chin. She knew that Zuo Qiu Liye’s gaze was both triumphant and icy. This man was surely a tyrant: those who submit thrive, those who defy perish.

“Little Xue, tell me—how should I punish you?” His voice was light and casual.

Xue Xue clenched her fists inside her sleeves; she desperately wanted to strike Zuo Qiu Liye. What right did he have to treat her as his possession? But this was not the time. Amidst this endless snow, she might escape for a moment, but how could she find her way out?

“You won’t speak? Little Xue, how many times is this now that you’ve ignored me?” Zuo Qiu Liye’s voice was deep, yet carried a hint of pleasure.

What could she say? Anything she uttered would feel like a waste of breath.

“Very well, little Xue—let’s go back.” Zuo Qiu Liye looked at her thoughtfully. He took her hand and began to lead her forward.

Her feet pressed into the snow, leaving uneven footprints behind. The cold pierced her bones; she wore no shoes, and when Dan Ying had set her down earlier, she’d stepped onto his cloak to buffer herself from the snow. Now, her feet were numb with cold.

“Little Xue, if you’re cold, you must tell me, understand?” His voice was malicious yet gentle, as if he were a gentle scholar.

But—

“Does Your Majesty feel cold? I actually feel rather warm!” Sometimes her stubbornness flared uncontrollably.

Did he expect her to yield? Impossible!

Elder Yue followed behind them, gazing at Xue Xue’s petite, stubborn figure and shaking his head. Their king truly had no pity for beauty.

White snow covered the ground, marked by footprints of varying depth.

Her hair hung loose, tousled by the wind.

Her feet ached with cold, and now she’d lost all feeling in them. When the chill reached her bones, she didn’t even feel cold anymore. Perhaps this was the strange resilience of the human body.

“Are you alright, little Xue?” Zuo Qiu Liye asked, seemingly concerned.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s care—I’m quite well.” Physical torment was nothing; on the contrary, her spirit grew stronger.

But Ji Wu Qing, when would you finally arrive?

Her thoughts crystallized as her feet reached their limit. She stiffened, falling directly into the snow. Zuo Qiu Liye released her hand, watching with cold eyes as she knelt in the snow, utterly disheveled.

“Interesting.”

Kingdom of Ji, Hui Study.

The bamboo grove was bright, with dry leaves skimming the gray path, drifting into the emerald pond and swirling, sending ripples across the water. The ripples traced circles on the surface.

The courtyard was swept clean; snow had been carefully piled to one side. It was tranquil and serene.

Inside, the sound of the wooden fish echoed rhythmically, its tone melodic.

The Empress Dowager had truly entered a life of abstinence and prayer; the Hui Study was filled with the crisp sound of the wooden fish, calming all who heard it.

Yet beneath the serenity lay unrest and peril.

“Your Majesty, the king has decreed several days of rest. The ministers at court are deeply worried, but none dare disturb him.” Eunuch Yun Dao reported the news he’d gathered in a low voice.

“I know,” the woman replied, eyes closed, seemingly unmoved and focused on her prayer.

After some time, she paused, having finished a chapter. She opened her eyes—calm, yet darkness lingered within. “I know. Xue Xue is not in the palace, and he himself is gravely poisoned. Ha! It seems heaven has gifted me an opportunity.”

Zuo Qiu Liye had sent her word in secret; now Xue Xue was in his grasp, and Ji Wu Qing was powerless, unable to help himself.

Yun Dao opened his mouth, hesitated, but ultimately said nothing.

“So, my plan can proceed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yun Dao replied.

“By the way, send word to Consort Yu to visit the king. After all, he and I are mother and son.” With that, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes and resumed chanting.

“Yes.” Yun Dao accepted and hurried away.

He delivered the Empress Dowager’s instruction to Jade Harmony Palace. Yu Xiao was dazed for a moment; she couldn’t recall how long it had been since she last saw him.

To see him, she changed into plain clothing, her makeup understated—perhaps this would allow him to notice her.

“Your Majesty, I pay my respects.” She bowed respectfully, stealing a glance at him. He seemed thinner, more haggard. Was it for the queen, or because war with Wu was imminent?

“Rise.” Ji Wu Qing was buried in his books, not sparing her a glance. His voice was flat, nearly indifferent.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” She felt disappointed but showed no sign of it. “Your Majesty, you must rest more. The Empress Dowager ordered me to bring you this ginseng soup; she’s deeply concerned for you and urges you to take care.”

“The Empress Dowager is thoughtful,” Ji Wu Qing finally responded, and the clever young eunuch accepted the soup, placing it by the table.

“Consort Yu, return and tell the Empress Dowager that I’ve received her kindness. Please ask her to devote herself to her practice for now.” He lifted gentle eyes, locking gaze with Yu Xiao, his words carrying layers of meaning.

Yu Xiao’s heart trembled, and she quickly lowered her eyes.

“I understand,” she replied, her words tinged with bitterness.

She left the study with a sense of defeat. What was the point of all this? The king knew everything!

Inside, Ji Wu Qing stared at the steaming ginseng soup in silence.

How much longer must he play the role of a false king…

“Your Majesty, the young prince is here again.” Outside, a young eunuch hurriedly announced, followed by an unrestrained voice. “Old man, I’m here!” She pushed open the door, dressed in pink, and ran in.

Ji Wu Qing couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile, then seemed to realize something. “Shouldn’t you be at the academy today?” He straightened his face, trying to appear authoritative.

But to Xiao Xi’er, it meant nothing; she was too young to care for such subtlety.

“No classes today! And since you’ve taken so many days off, I want to rest too.” She clung to Ji Wu Qing’s excuse, her little face full of mischief. “Let me think—when I see mother, I’ll tell her you’re a lazy king now.”

Ji Wu Qing rubbed his forehead; perhaps he’d grown too close to Xiao Xi’er these days, spoiling her into boldness.

Thinking of the king’s relationship with Xiao Xi’er, it shouldn’t have been so unrestrained.

“By the way, why hasn’t Uncle Miao Jian returned yet? I haven’t seen him in so long.” She swept her big eyes around the study, searching with curiosity and disappointment.

“Why do you always ask about him?” Ji Wu Qing was startled, puzzled.

She always asked after Miao Jian.

“Because I miss him!” Xiao Xi’er pouted, showing a troubled expression. “Why do I feel like you’re becoming more and more like Uncle Miao Jian? Even your stern expressions are exactly the same. Look, look—when you’re confused, you furrow your brow just like him.” Xiao Xi’er threw herself onto his knee, hugging his leg as she looked at him.

“Xiao Xi’er, go to your room and practice your calligraphy.” Ji Wu Qing suddenly smiled gently, though a bit forced, as if he was using the last of his patience with her.

“See? Just like Uncle Miao Jian!”

…

The story continues.