Tan Hua - Chapter 75

Hu Yue’er, still in a daze, nearly lost her life at the hands of Jun Qiyu and was shaken to the core.

 

Yet, the Jun Qiyu who had just been seething with rage now calmed down, staring intently at her lips…

 

“Your Highness…”

 

Hu Yue’er was confused.

 

“Don’t move.”

 

Jun Qiyu noticed a drop of blood that had dripped down to her chin and frowned, then swiftly reached out a finger to wipe away the blood.

 

That was close; it had almost fallen onto Song Liqing’s wedding gown.

 

Fortunately, it hadn’t gotten dirty.

 

As Hu Yue’er felt his finger touch her chin, a chill ran down her spine. The same person who had wanted to kill her just moments ago was now making such an intimate and tender gesture.

 

Hu Yue’er was completely bewildered; she couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.

 

“Your Highness… I know I was wrong. I didn’t know this wedding gown wasn’t meant for me.”

 

Terrified, Hu Yue’er felt her knees go weak.

 

With tears in her eyes, she was about to kneel down to confess her mistakes, hoping to save her life first.

 

But Jun Qiyu grasped her shoulders, preventing her from kneeling.

 

“Take off the gown,” Jun Qiyu ordered.

 

“Okay, okay!”

 

How could Hu Yue’er dare to disobey? She hurriedly took off the golden crown from her head and fumbled to undo the buttons. But the more anxious she became, the more she struggled to unbutton it, trembling in fear as she pulled at the buttons.

 

“Slow down.”

 

Jun Qiyu watched her anxiously and tightened his grip on her shoulders.

 

Hu Yue’er’s thin shoulders ached as if her bones would break.

 

“Understood…”

 

Finally, Hu Yue’er managed to remove the gown and handed it back to Jun Qiyu, wiping her tears in fright.

 

Jun Qiyu hung the gown on his arm, carefully smoothing out every wrinkle.

 

“Your Highness, if you dislike that I got it dirty, I can wash it for you myself.”

 

Hu Yue’er quickly tried to ingratiate herself.

 

Jun Qiyu finally lifted his gaze, his eyes as deep as an abyss.

 

According to his temperament, he should have executed this reckless woman without hesitation, especially since the gown was now filled with a chaotic scent of spices.

 

Hu Yue’er felt a prickling unease, as if her feet were nailed to the ground, unable to move.

 

“Why are you still standing here?” Jun Qiyu said coldly. “Get away from me.”

 

Though his tone was unfriendly, at least she had escaped with her life. Hu Yue’er felt as if she had been granted amnesty and stumbled as she bowed, fleeing as if her life depended on it.

 

Jun Qiyu sat at the edge of the bed, the fragrance clinging to the gown took a while to dissipate.

 

“Liqing, I know you don’t like me killing recklessly… If you were here, you would definitely have made me spare her.”

 

“On such a good day, let’s avoid bloodshed.”

 

Jun Qiyu lay down, holding Song Liqing’s gown to his chest. It no longer carried the elegant scent that belonged to Song Liqing, but Jun Qiyu seemed to think he could still smell it.

 

A tear fell from the corner of his eye.

 

In this sleepless night, Jun Qiyu allowed himself to drown in his longing. The next day, as he stepped out of the main courtyard, there was not a hint of fatigue on his face; instead, he looked invigorated, like a groom who was truly joyful about his wedding.

 

When he reached the study, Xiao Di presented him with a wax-sealed letter.

 

“Your Highness, this is a letter from a messenger from Loulan that arrived early this morning. They insisted that you open it yourself.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Jun Qiyu opened the envelope, revealing an invitation.

 

“A wedding invitation?”

 

He was stunned for a moment, then placed the invitation back in the envelope and tossed it onto the table.

 

“Pei Xingxu is getting married and has invited me to celebrate…” Jun Qiyu frowned, “He has found someone to marry so quickly? I thought he loved Liqing deeply and would be unwavering until death.”

 

Xiao Di quietly asked, “Is the King of Loulan going to marry a queen?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Jun Qiyu felt a tangle of emotions; without Pei Xingxu as a rival, he should be happy.

 

Yet he felt an inexplicable anger.

 

Xiao Di also appeared disappointed, saying, “Prince Pei used to treat… treat Master Liqing very well. I didn’t expect he would already forget her.”

 

“Some people only speak sweet words,” Jun Qiyu sneered, “Being faithful isn’t something that can be accomplished with just a few pretty phrases.”

 

Xiao Di murmured, “Why is Your Highness so angry?”

 

“I’m angry that he could abandon Liqing in just two years!”

 

Jun Qiyu suppressed his voice, stating that Pei Xingxu’s actions seemed to imply that Song Liqing was dispensable; over time, one would naturally forget him and find someone to replace him.

 

“Ha!”

 

Jun Qiyu felt ridiculous.

 

Why was he so agitated and angry?

 

“Well, they’re from the royal family of Loulan, and their lifespans are short. They should hurry to marry and have children, or their royal line will die out. It’s not surprising that he’s marrying a queen. I should send him a grand gift to congratulate him.”

 

Jun Qiyu had people prepare many priceless treasures, filling two large chests, which he then took with him as he left Jing State for Loulan.

 

Since Jun Qiyu was close to the Qilin Mansion in the northwest, he arrived at the royal capital of Loulan three days later.

 

Upon seeing Pei Xingxu for the first time, Jun Qiyu was taken aback.

 

They hadn’t seen each other for over a year, and Pei Xingxu looked… quite unwell.

 

He used to be a majestic and graceful member of the royal family, exuding a certain charm. Now, his face was pale, his spirit was dull, and his dark hair looked dry, tangled, and lifeless.

 

When Pei Xingxu saw Jun Qiyu, he forced a lukewarm smile.

 

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”

 

Pei Xingxu couldn’t help but feel emotional. Every time he saw Jun Qiyu, the latter had changed significantly. Perhaps it was due to age; Jun Qiyu no longer had a youthful demeanor, his bearing was steady and restrained, though a hint of sorrow lingered in his brows.

 

“You arrived early, Your Highness. My wedding is still ten days away.”

 

Jun Qiyu smiled and replied, “I wanted to show my sincerity by coming early. After all, we can be considered half acquaintances, and I couldn’t possibly arrive late. It’s also a good opportunity to meet your… queen.”

 

Pei Xingxu’s emerald eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained.

 

“There’s no rush; there will be plenty of opportunities.” Pei Xingxu gestured for him to sit. “After your long journey, please take a seat and enjoy some tea.”

 

Jun Qiyu picked up the tea and took a sip.

 

It was black tea imported from Jing State, but the people of the Western Regions didn’t like the bitter taste of tea, so they added sugar and milk, resulting in a bizarre concoction. Jun Qiyu had drunk it often while in the West, and it used to fill him up, but now he found himself increasingly disliking its overly sweet flavor and set the cup down.

 

Noticing this, Pei Xingxu quickly called for a servant.

 

“Bring a pot of osmanthus tea.”

 

The servant promptly complied and soon presented a steaming cup of tea.

 

“The fragrance is rich, and the flavor is elegant,” Jun Qiyu commented after tasting it. “This is from the Xianglan Tea House in the capital.”

 

“Your Highness has a keen eye,” Pei Xingxu chuckled. “It’s not easy for me to buy it from the tea house in the capital, and I can’t bear to drink it. One jar lasts me half a year.”

 

Jun Qiyu replied, “Osmanthus tea isn’t considered a top-quality tea, nor is it rare.”

 

“When it comes to tea, the taste is secondary; it’s all about the mindset while drinking,” Pei Xingxu sighed. “I often reminisce about my days studying in the capital of Jing State, which are vivid and unforgettable. I still remember that in August, the capital was filled with golden osmanthus, and the osmanthus pastries made from freshly picked flowers were the best… cough, cough!”

 

Pei Xingxu covered his mouth with a handkerchief as he started coughing.

 

Jun Qiyu understood that he was not missing the osmanthus pastries but rather the person who enjoyed them.

 

Hearing the rasp in Pei Xingxu’s throat, Jun Qiyu realized that his illness had not improved and was becoming increasingly severe.

 

“It seems you haven’t found any blood cistanche,” Jun Qiyu said in a dull tone.

 

“Ha…”

 

Pei Xingxu let out a short laugh.

 

Jun Qiyu couldn’t help but feel disheartened.

 

They had searched for so long, dispatching troops from the northwest to scour the entire desert of the Western Regions, offering rewards of gold and silver, yet even now there was no news of blood cistanche.

 

Instead, there were some deceitful people bringing fake blood cistanche in hopes of claiming the bounty, all of whom Jun Qiyu had sent away with punishment.

 

“No wonder you want to establish a queen to carry on your lineage.”

 

Pei Xingxu waved his hand dismissively.

 

“I will have no heirs.”

 

“Hmm?” Jun Qiyu waited for further explanation.

 

Pei Xingxu stood up and took a small child from the wet nurse.

 

The child was only one or two years old, just beginning to babble. Pei Xingxu deliberately allowed him to support himself at the table, and the little one staggered forward to grab some fruit pastries from the table.

 

Jun Qiyu saw that the child’s face was rosy, his eyes bright, and he was chubby all over. The little chubby hands grabbed a piece of pastry, and when he opened his mouth, he revealed tiny baby teeth, his eyes crinkling with a cheerful giggle.

 

A softness grew in Jun Qiyu’s previously numb heart; this child was simply too adorable, endearing everyone around.

 

“I married not for the sake of lineage,” Pei Xingxu said, bringing the child over. “My throne will pass to my adopted son.”

 

Jun Qiyu was somewhat surprised; the child looked exquisitely cared for, which showed that Pei Xingxu had invested a lot of effort into him.

 

“But you Loulan people value surnames and bloodlines; he is a person from the Central Plains.”

 

“That is precisely my dilemma,” Pei Xingxu said solemnly, looking at Jun Qiyu. “I may have to rely on you, the Prince of Jing State, to support him in holding onto the throne, which is also helping me safeguard Loulan.”

 

Jun Qiyu smiled and shook his head.

 

“Truly absurd, asking a prince of an enemy nation to help you hold onto your kingdom.”

 

“It is indeed quite absurd,” Pei Xingxu laughed, “but who else can I turn to? Of course, if you decide to take Loulan for yourself one day, feel free to do so; I would be powerless to stop you. For you, it would be as easy as reaching into a bag.”

 

Jun Qiyu’s brows furrowed slightly as he replied, “You seem quite open-minded about this.”

 

“What else can I do? The sages say that in life, nine out of ten things don’t go as we wish,” Pei Xingxu sighed. “Loulan has long been on the verge of collapse, and its fate is already sealed. It just so happens that it fell into my hands. My father also knows that I’m not suited to be a king; he probably won’t blame me too harshly.”

 

Seeing that the child was struggling to bite off a piece of pastry, Pei Xingxu helped him break off a small piece.

 

“And you, Jun Qiyu,” Pei Xingxu raised his head to ask, “are you going to keep waiting like this?”

 

“I have never wavered,” Jun Qiyu replied without a hint of hesitation. “Even if I must endure the endless night, I will wait for the dawn that may never come.”

 

The author has a word to say:

 

Sorry for the long wait!