Hearing him say this, Shen Zhui and Cai Quan didnt know what to do for a while. Fortunately, Xiao Jingyan didnt seem to be angry at being disobeyed. He just hesitated and said, Since Sir is interested, then Cai qing, please ask Sir for his views.
Cai Quan exchanged a quick aningful glance with Shen Zhui, then removed the record from his sleeve and passed it to i Changsu.
It wasnt very thick, approximately ten pages, neatly bound, its handwriting small and clear. After i Changsu took it, he looked towards Xiao Jingyan to inform him politely (that he was going to read it), then leaned against the back of the chair and casually browsed through it. But as he was browsing through the record, the other three present couldnt possibly look on foolishly from the side waiting for him to finish, especially not the one in the seat of honor, who was ultimately still an unrivalled and distinguished Crown Prince, so Shen Zhui quickly put his mind to finding a topic of conversation to fill in the awkward silence.
Your Highness, His Majesty celebrates his birthday next month. I rember that Your Highness presented His Majesty with a handso falcon last year which His Majesty liked very much. This year, Your Highness would probably give him an even better gift, hehehehe
For any child, the best gift is filial piety. As long as I cultivate my virtues and manage the governnt well, Father Emperor would like anything I give him.. Xiao Jingyan tried very hard to continue conversing with Cai Quan and Shen Zhui in a normal manner, but he would glance over at i Changsu from ti to ti.
i Changsu didnt pay any attention to their conversation, seemingly absorbed by the contents of the record. He browsed through it, page by page, deep in concentration, reaching out occasionally for his cup of tea. When Xiao Jingyan turned again to glance at him, he was just putting the teacup back on his table. When his finger accidentally brushed against the plate of pastries, he took a piece without looking up and absentmindedly put it into his mouth.
Shen Zhui and Cai Quan suddenly saw a blur before them. Xiao Jingyan had suddenly taken a big stride forward between them, grabbed hold of i Changsus hand, removed the piece of pastry close to his mouth, and thrown it far away.
This bizarre scene made everyone freeze. After doing this, Xiao Jingyan imdiately beca conscious that his actions were rather inappropriate and looked a little awkward. His eyes shifted about as he said, This pastry.is already stale.
To say that the pastries served to guests in the Crown Princes Eastern Palace were stale is actually similar to saying that they were too fresh. With the effect he achieved, he might as well not have offered an explanation at all.
i Changsus gaze slowly turned towards the small table beside him. Laid out on a fine serving plate was an assortnt of pastries including hibiscus cake, golden silk, walnut brittle, and..hazelnut pastry.
Judging from his expression, i Changsu didnt seem to be too shocked. He rely lowered his eyes slowly, his complexion turning gradually pale. One could not tell that he was at that present mont facing an internal turmoil of gut wrenching emotions. He had originally only intended to test his theory out, but now that he knew it for a fact, he felt an indescribable pain, and his chest felt tight and cold.
Xiao Jingyan was still holding on to i Changsus wrist. The wrist that had once been so strong and sturdy was now so weak and soft, trembling slightly in his grip. He felt like there was a boulder in the pit of his stomach. His grip tightened involuntarily, as if he would transfer all of his own energy over. But apart from that, Xiao Jingyan did not move an inch nor speak a word.
That was because the person sitting before him was his best friend, yet at the sa ti, he was not the friend Xiao Jingyan once knew. The Lin Shu who had undergone so much to return was no longer the Lin Shu who could take hits and falls as if he were moulded from iron. At this crucial mont, Xiao Jingyan did not dare to do or say anything wrong, and could only hold on to that hand in silence.
After a long while, i Changsu gently pried Xiao Jingyans hand away and slowly stood up, holding on to the armrest for support. He pressed his pale lips together then said softly, I still have so matters to attend to at ho. Please allow to take my leave.
Xiao Xiao Jingyan opened his mouth but finally did not dare to call out to him. He could only watch as i Changsu turned and walked towards the door, his gait slow and unsteady.
Shen Zhui and Cai Quan were watching dumbfoundedly from the sidelines with similar expressions, their eyes bulging and their mouths agape. But Xiao Jingyan had completely forgotten that they were there. After standing in the middle of the hall for a mont, he ran after i Changsu.
i Changsu was walking as quickly as he could, but he had only just recovered from a serious illness and was in an emotional turmoil. His limbs and face felt numb. Just as he reached the long flight of steps outside the corridor, his knees trembled and he had no choice but to stop, holding on to the banister to catch his breath.
Even though he did not look back, i Changsu knew that Xiao Jingyan was looking at him, so he gritted his teeth and pushed himself up, unwilling to display any sign of weakness in that mont. They used to grow up side by side, racing their horses together, sparring with each other, competing for glory in the autumn hunts, fighting together on fierce battlefields against hostile enemies. They led the vanguard to lure the enemy, and when an army ten tis larger than their own had surrounded them, they had fought back-to-back to carve a bloody way out together. The proud and stubborn Lin Shu could never have imagined that one day, Jingyan would rush up to him to support his frail and useless body, and ask in a voice full of sympathy and pity, Xiao Shu, are you all right?
It was unthinkable and unacceptable. So he had escaped, wanting to get out of there quickly, to return to the Su Residence to clear his head and slowly think things over, slowly co to a decision.
But after he had regained control of his breathing, he was unable to take another step forward because Fei Liu suddenly rushed in from the side door. His footsteps were a lot heavier than usual, and he carried a large grey wolf close to his chest.
Wont wake up! The youth carried Foya to Su gege, his tear-filled eyes alard and confused. Wont wake up at all!
i Changsu stroked the wolfs grey fur with fingers so pale they were almost transparent. The body beneath his fingers was cold and stiff to the touch, and his heart felt a sharp pain. Foyas eyes were closed and he seed at peace. Fei Liu tried to lift his head up a few tis but the mont he moved his hand away, it would drop again.
More footsteps echoed from the side door. Lie Zhanying, who had been transferred to lead the Eastern Palace guards, rushed in, his forehead damp with perspiration. He was shocked to see the Crown Prince standing outside but before he could say anything, Xiao Jingyan motioned to him to stand aside and remain silent.
Foya was already seventeen years old. For a wolf, that was a long life. Though his death brought about sadness, for a mature and rational adult, it was not sothing that was difficult to accept.
But Fei Liu couldnt comprehend this. When he saw Foya being put into a coffin and ran over to have a look, Lie Zhanying had told him, Foya is sleeping. Based on the boys understanding, to sleep ans to wake up eventually. Just like when Su gege went to sleep, he would always wake up eventually, no matter how long he slept.
However, when he asked when Foya would wake up, Lie Zhanying had looked at him with sad eyes, saying that Foya would never wake up again.
This was the first ti Fei Liu realized that it was possible to sleep and never wake again. This terrified him, and he instinctively carried Foya and headed straight to Su gege.
i Changsu stroked the boys hair. He could see Feilius confusion and dismay but he was not in the right fra of mind to comfort and explain it to him. The Reapers black shroud covered him perpetually, so cold and so visceral that he was unable to explain to the boy what death was.
Feiliu, will you always rember Foya?
Yes!
As his friend, its enough for you to continue to rember him. i Changsu took Foya from Fei Liu, but because he could not bear the weight, he was unable to remain standing and sat down. Lifting the wolfs head, he pressed his cheek against it as a final farewell.
Su gege.. The youth was very frightened, but he didnt understand why. He could only move closer and squeeze into i Changsus arms like Foya.
Itll be alright. Stand up. Carry Foya and return him to General Lie. General Lie will bring him to a comfortable place to lie down. Go on. i Changsu placated Fei Liu with a soft voice, tugging at his black hair. But before Fei Liu could stand up and obey, another pair of hands had taken Foyas body off i Changsu.
Fei Liu leapt up to snatch it back, but once he saw who it was, he imdiately rembered Su geges most absolute order and didnt dare move.
Xiao Jingyan carried Foya with one arm, while his other arm was extended, palm facing down, fingers clenched loosely in a fist a few inches away from i Changsus right shoulder. After a few monts of silence, i Changsu lifted his eyes and t Jingyans gaze.
In that split second, the both of them felt the most incredible pain, and at the sa ti, they each also felt the pain the other bore in his heart.
Pain that could not be spoken aloud, for if they were to open their mouths, only blood would pour out.
Xiao Jingyans arm was still calmly extended, steady and unwavering. i Changsus pale face showed no emotion, but finally, he raised his right arm. Pressing it down on the arm that was held steady before him, he used it to support himself as he slowly stood up. Once he seed steady on his feet, that arm quickly withdrew, as if it had never supported him in the first place.
Fei Liu, were going back.
Ng!
Lie Zhanying, who was standing at the foot of the stairs, looked at the always well-mannered Mister Su with a puzzled expression. After standing up with the support of the Crown Prince, he didnt even say thank you, but instead, simply left with his young bodyguard. And Xiao Jingyan, who was still carrying Foya as his eyes followed them out. The sad expression on his face caused Lie Zhanying to freeze.
Zhanying..
Er.this servant, this servant is here!
Carry Foya with you. Prepare him well for burial. Tomorrow.I will observe his burial.
Yes!
Although Lie Zhanying had all sorts of questions in his head, he knew what to ask and what not to ask, so he hurriedly stepped forward to take Foya, quietly bowed and took his leave. Xiao Jingyans robe fluttered as he turned swiftly around and walked back to the hall like the wind was carrying him.
During his absence, Shen Zhui and Cai Quan recovered from their shock with so difficulty. They discussed the strange event that had transpired earlier, but because they lacked sufficient information, these two high-spirited nobles whose prospects were limitless, for whom no problem was too difficult, finally ended up exchanging superfluous words that were as good as not saying anything.
Cai xiong, what was that all about?
I was just about to ask you. What was that all about?
If I only knew. But really, what was that all about?
In the wake of their What was that all about?, they heard the sound of His Highness the Crown Princes approaching footsteps and imdiately kept silent, standing respectfully to attention.
Xiao Jingyans expression when he ca back was different from when he went out. He wore a tight frown, his face was gloomy and his eyes flashed with a cold, sharp light. When he began to speak, it was with a ferocity that they had rarely heard.
Shen qing, Cai qing, I have sothing important to say. Listen carefully.
Yes!
I have made up my mind on this matter a long ti ago. It must be carried out. What I am telling you today is not up for discussion, but for you to give your wholehearted support.
Shen Zhui and Cai Quan glanced at each other, then imdiately replied, Your ministers wait on Your Highnesss command.
Alright. Xiao Jingyan clenched his jaw, tightly gripping the dragons head carved into his armrest, and said in a cold and resolute tone, I.want to overturn the case of the Chiyan rebellion from thirteen years ago. Reinvestigate, rejudge, and have an imperial decree issued to the world to clear the nas of Royal Eldest Brother and the Lin Clan. We will never give up until we achieve this goal!
Afterthought:
I know this was a very sad and poignant chapter butThis pastry.is already stale.. This really made laugh my head off. AWKWARD MUCH.
But oh, MCSs pain on realizing that XJY had found out. Pain for XJY, pain for himself. And then Foyas death that reminds MCS of his own impending one. And the implicit acknowledgent of I know you know by MCS.
Pain that could not be spoken aloud, for if they were to open their mouths, only blood would pour out.
Nuff said.
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