Tan Hua - Chapter 58

The servant presented the gifts offered by Wu’er Shan.

Pei Xingxu took them, opening the scroll while speaking.

“I admire the calligraphy of the Central Plains. After visiting Jingguo, I also gathered some famous works. Wu’er Shan, you’ve catered to my tastes well; you clearly put thought into it.”

Wu’er Shan’s heart sank. He wasn’t sure if the Loulan King was truly knowledgeable or just pretending.

He watched the Loulan King’s expression.

The Loulan King slightly raised the corners of his mouth, seemingly with a trace of irony.

Wu’er Shan’s heart skipped a beat, but the Loulan King remained silent, leaving Wu’er Shan feeling uneasy.

“Wu’er Shan, you’ve been deceived.”

Pei Xingxu closed the scroll and smiled.

Wu’er Shan’s eyes widened in panic, “Your Majesty, I… I bought this from someone else. I spent a lot of money, and that person assured me it was genuine. I don’t understand these things and had no intention of deceiving you…”

“I understand your sincerity, so I don’t blame you.”

Whether Wu’er Shan was genuinely clueless or deliberately deceitful, Pei Xingxu didn’t want to investigate further. He was merely offering a way out for both parties.

“However, I’d like to meet the person who wrote this piece. Can you introduce him?”

“Meet him?”

“Yes,” Pei Xingxu sighed, “The skill of the person who wrote this is considerable. The imitation is almost perfect, but he didn’t need to imitate others. The final line shows his own calligraphy skills are high and refined. He’s probably talented but unrecognized. I’d like to meet him.”

Wu’er Shan lowered his head, his eyes shifting.

“What’s wrong?” Pei Xingxu asked. “Is there a problem?”

Wu’er Shan, looking apologetic, said, “I bought this from someone else, and I don’t know the writer.”

“Oh, that’s a pity,” Pei Xingxu said pleasantly, “I’ll accept this piece.”

“Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty.”

Wu’er Shan returned to his seat, looking gloomy.

Pei Xingxu, having dealt with the day’s guests and made allies where possible, was exhausted. Once the ceremony and banquet were over, he wearily sat on the throne.

“Father, is it true that the bloodline of the Loulan royalty is doomed to early demise?” Pei Xingxu spoke to himself, “I’m actually not suited to be a ruler. I’d rather be a carefree wanderer.”

Pei Xingxu picked up the calligraphy piece again and admired it for a long time.

“Someone who can write like this should have upright and noble character. They wouldn’t engage in deceitful acts…”

Pei Xingxu thought of Song Liqing, who was indeed such a person.

A maid came in to announce that the Crown Prince of Jingguo wished to see him. Pei Xingxu set the calligraphy aside.

After two months, Pei Xingxu almost didn’t recognize Jun Qiyu.

Jun Qiyu no longer had the arrogant, fierce demeanor. His eyes were heavy with sadness, and his changed demeanor made him seem even more dangerous. His previous open temper was now completely restrained, making him appear more like a sage emperor.

Pei Xingxu had to admit that Jun Qiyu seemed more like a ruler than he did.

“Are you still searching for him?”

Pei Xingxu’s voice was heavy, filled with anguish at the thought of Song Liqing.

“I will keep searching until he appears.”

Jun Qiyu was stubborn and persistent. Once he had made up his mind, it was hard to change.

He came to the Loulan capital with little hope, driven only by a faint chance, and had come personally.

“I should congratulate you on becoming the ruler of Loulan, but I came empty-handed. I’ll make up for it next time.”

“No need for pleasantries. I don’t really want to see you,” Pei Xingxu said sincerely, “Every time I see you, I’m reminded of how Liqing fell ill and lost his sight because of you. If he hadn’t been blind, he wouldn’t have lost…”

Pei Xingxu’s throat tightened with emotion, choking him up.

He stopped speaking, knowing it was too late for any words now.

“I hate myself more than you do.”

Jun Qiyu said flatly, but there was a hint of defeated frustration in his tone. He sat there, looking nothing like his former proud, spirited self.

“I was too immature… My eyes were so shallow that I only saw the superficial kindness and failed to see the true care. I was stubborn, thinking only of myself and believing my own desires. If only… if only I loved him even a tenth as much as he loved me, we wouldn’t be facing such regret today.”

Jun Qiyu finished speaking dejectedly and stood up.

“Ha, I should have saved these words for Liqing,” Jun Qiyu said with self-mockery, “Farewell.”

“Jun Qiyu.”

Pei Xingxu reminded him.

“Remember our bet.”

“Mm.”

Jun Qiyu glanced sideways as he was about to turn away, his eyes catching the final line of the calligraphy beside Pei Xingxu.

He froze, his whole body going rigid as his breath nearly stopped.

“This line… this line…”

He murmured, his eyes suddenly reddening, trembling as he moved forward. At that moment, all he saw was that line of writing.

He was profoundly familiar with it.

No other calligraphy could be more deeply engraved in his heart.

It was written by Song Liqing; it had to be him.

Jun Qiyu could not forget. Song Liqing reviewed documents beside him every day, using this exact script…

Since Song Liqing’s disappearance, he had managed to find a few remaining pieces of paper in the Qilin Manor, which he cherished and looked at daily as if they were treasures. How could he possibly be mistaken?

“Liqing…”

Jun Qiyu’s voice grew hoarse. After searching for so long, he was so overwhelmed that his voice tightened.

For months, he had been in silent darkness, his calls unanswered. Today, he finally had a response.

“Liqing!”

Jun Qiyu held the calligraphy with a bittersweet smile on his face.

“It’s Liqing! It’s him! He’s still alive; I knew it, he must be alive!”

Jun Qiyu felt as if he had come back to life, breathing, heart beating!

He nearly crushed the paper with his grip, then carefully smoothed it out again, afraid of ruining or losing this lifeline.

“Jun Qiyu, you…”

Pei Xingxu was bewildered by his sudden frenzy.

“Where did you hide him?!”

Jun Qiyu demanded in a deep voice.

“Hid him? Do you still think he’s in my palace?”

“This is his writing! It’s his calligraphy! Where exactly have you hidden him?”

Jun Qiyu’s rage intensified, his fists clenched as he struck Pei Xingxu’s face.

Pei Xingxu staggered back, stunned. He had only seen the calligraphy as neat and delicate, without recognizing it as Song Liqing’s work, as he had never seen Liqing’s handwriting before.

It was only due to this lack of understanding that he almost missed it…

“You! Where! Is! He!”

Jun Qiyu roared, word by word.