She desperately forced her body to stop trembling. Her heart was cold as ice, yet she made herself smile. “So what? Don’t you know? Where I come from, two strangers can spend a night in pleasure, then go their separate ways at dawn, not even remembering whether the other was beautiful or ugly… Such a thing, to me, counts for nothing at all. And why would I marry a man who harbors the intent to use me because of it?”
In all her life, what she hated most was being used—especially deception and exploitation in matters of the heart. Unfortunately, even dying once had not taught her a proper lesson. She had still strayed into this man’s tender trap.
Zongzheng Wuyou’s body went rigid. He believed that in that world there existed the kind of one-night affair she spoke of, but his instincts told him she was not so casual a person. Just like his mother, she regarded the body’s fidelity as the foundation of love. He suddenly released her. Without thinking too deeply about why he wanted to marry her, he only said to her in an unwavering, irresistible tone, “This prince has said before: in this lifetime, the only one you may marry is this prince! Whether you are willing or not… it is not up to you.”
How proud and arrogant this man was, believing everything in this world lay within his control. Manyao could not help laughing once more. For this alone, she would make him understand that even if all things in the world went according to his wishes, she—whether her person or her heart—would never again be under his control. And so she said, “I know Your Highness Prince Li wields power enough to cover the heavens, but the affairs of this world will not forever remain in the hands of you alone! There will always be one person whom you… cannot obtain no matter how you long for them. There will one day be one thing that, no matter how you, Zongzheng Wuyou, turn your hand to summon clouds or flip your palm to call rain, you will be unable to reverse!”
She stared straight into his eyes, deep as a cold pool, and sneered, each word, each sentence, ringing with incomparable force.
Zongzheng Wuyou was stunned for a moment. A violent gale suddenly swept in, fierce enough as if it meant to overturn heaven and earth, howling between them. Manyao used up all the strength in her body to finish saying those words. Unwilling to remain even half a moment longer, she turned her head, moved past him sideways, and hurried away, brushing shoulders with him. In the instant their backs faced each other, the tears she had endured for so long finally fell beyond restraint. Crystal droplets traced down that paper-pale face; the salty bitterness that slipped between her lips and teeth went straight to her heart. She bit her lip hard, forcibly blocking the sob that was about to burst out in her throat, swallowing it down into the depths of her heart, as if she had swallowed a steel blade that smashed open a deep, bleeding wound in her heart.
She still tried hard to lift one corner of her lips, smiling stubbornly, one step after another, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance, walking forward with extraordinary resolve. She never looked back.
The usually talkative Ninth Prince was unusually quiet at this moment. He stared blankly at the woman who passed by him, tears streaming down her face while she tried her utmost to smile, so shocked he could not speak. Only after the woman’s figure had disappeared from this rear mountain did he awaken as if from a dream and cry, “She cried! Seventh Brother, Liyue… she actually cried!”
It was inconceivable! He had thought that a woman like Liyue, so calm and indifferent, so skilled at hiding her true feelings, would never cry.
Zongzheng Wuyou shook at those words and abruptly turned back. Behind him, aside from the Ninth Prince, the beauty’s fragrant trace was already gone.
She had truly left! His heart inexplicably panicked. Zongzheng Wuyou instinctively wanted to chase down the mountain after her, but when he thought of her decisiveness and coldness just now, his feet could not move. He turned his head and ordered somewhere not far away, “Leng Yan, follow her.”
At that time, he thought that no matter where she went, she would never escape the palm of his hand. But he never imagined that letting go this once would bring him such an unbearable outcome…
In May, when it rained, it could still be bone-chillingly cold.
That afternoon, violent winds raged, dark clouds pressed overhead, and pouring rain washed the deserted road clean.
The woman wore only a single layer of clothing as she walked alone through the heavy rain. The icy rainwater struck her head and face in large, heavy drops, bringing a numb, stinging pain, yet her mind remained very clear. All of a sudden, she did not know where she should go.
She lifted her eyes to look at the rain-misted road ahead. Her vision was blurred. In this world, she was nothing more than a lonely soul from another realm, without a home, without family, without warmth…
So it turned out she had nothing at all! Even this body was not her own, and this heart… She smiled miserably, actually laughing aloud. That incomparably desolate laughter mingled with the early summer storm, sounding especially sorrowful.
She walked on aimlessly like that, not knowing how long she had gone. Only when she stopped did she realize she had arrived at Tianshui Lake.
In the wind and rain, the swaying willow branches kept striking the shore. The sealing strips on the main gate of Longyue Tea Garden by the lake were already gone. She was slightly stunned, then could not help mocking herself. His goal had already been achieved; what meaning was there in continuing to seal her garden? She suddenly no longer wanted to approach that tea garden which had once carried her dreams. She could not forget that it was in that garden she had accidentally fallen into that man’s arms, leading to the outcome now, where she had been deceived and used.
She turned around woodenly. On the road devoid of pedestrians, she alone walked in solitude, with no destination, her entire person seeming as though it had been hollowed out, feeling so exhausted. When she truly could no longer move her legs, she found a relatively hidden corner by a wall, leaned against the cold, hard blue-brick surface, and slowly crouched down. Hugging her knees, she only wanted to stay there in a daze for a while—just a little while.
Closing her eyes, she quietly listened to the sound of rain splashing from the eaves into puddles, and felt that this rain had come so well! The whole world had become peaceful and clean.
When the rain was about to stop, she opened her eyes, preparing to gather up all her emotions and return to the place she ought to return to. But at that moment, a pair of black satin brocade shoes suddenly appeared before her.
Her gaze slowly moved upward. The owner of those shoes wore a fine azure brocade robe and held a pale gray oil-paper umbrella, raising it above her head. He looked at her with gentle eyes carrying a faint concern and extended his hand toward her. It was a man’s hand, the lines clear, the joints distinct, with dark calluses in the center of the palm.
Manyao stared fixedly at that hand without reacting.
The man smiled gently. “After years of campaigning on battlefields, I have held a sword too often, so calluses grew on my hands. You… don’t mind.”
Manyao shook her head and said, “I was only thinking that it seems every time I encounter the General, it just so happens to be when I am most in need of help. I wonder, is this Heaven’s will… or human design?”
She lifted her eyes to look at the man’s extraordinarily handsome face, her gaze sharp. This was the person who, two days later, would become her husband. From then on, she would be given his surname and spend her life by his side. But was this person truly as gentle and harmless as he appeared?
Fu Chou was slightly stunned. An unusual light flashed through the depths of his eyes and vanished at once. Very quickly, he smiled and said, “Naturally, it is human design. Where in this world could there be so many coincidences ordained by Heaven? My personal guard passed by nearby just now and happened to see you, so I came over to take a look. This place is not far from my residence. You are soaked through; why not come back to my manor first to take shelter from the rain, lest you catch a chill like last time.” As he spoke, he considerately bent down to help her.
Manyao had crouched for too long. Her legs and feet had long since gone numb and refused to obey her. Even with the man’s hand supporting her, she still could not stand.
Seeing how much she was struggling, Fu Chou tucked the umbrella into her hand and said, “Hold this. I’ll carry you.”
Manyao was just about to say there was no need, but her body was already lifted into the air.
The man’s embrace was very warm, his shoulders broad, his arms powerful and firm as he held her steadily in his arms. At this moment, her body and mind were both exhausted to the extreme. Suddenly, she no longer wanted to consider so much. What schemes and exploitation, what political chess pieces—forget it. If she was destined to marry, then let her marry. As long as she carefully guarded her own heart, nothing else mattered. Thinking of this, she relaxed her body, closed her eyes, leaned against the man’s neck and shoulder, and fell asleep without realizing it. The umbrella in her hand fell to the ground behind them, and she was completely unaware.
Fu Chou lowered his head to look at the weary face of the woman in his arms. His gaze shifted slightly, and unconsciously, he slowed his steps, walking even more steadily.
When Manyao woke, she was already in the Manor of the General Who Guards the State. She had been placed in a superior nanmu soft chair covered with snow-white fox fur. A numb, aching warmth came from her legs and feet. Lowering her eyes, she saw that the renowned young general, the Great General Who Guards the State who held the military power of an entire country in his hands, was at this moment actually crouching at her feet, gently massaging her numb legs and feet!
Manyao said in alarm, “General, what are you doing? Please stop at once. I cannot accept this!”
She hurriedly sat up and tried to turn away, but her foot was firmly held in Fu Chou’s palm. Her shoes and socks had been completely removed. Her slender, delicate jade foot was so small it barely filled his broad hand. The skin, lustrous and white as jade, showed a faint pink under his gentle kneading, exceedingly lovely. Fu Chou lifted his head and smiled at her. “It is no matter. It will be better soon.” After saying this, he continued what he had been doing.
Manyao stared at him blankly, unable to say a single word.
The sunlight after the rain was warm and gentle, pouring through the pure white window paper onto the contours of his handsome profile, adding a few touches of elegant softness to his straight nose and heroic brows. This man was not only considerate, but also so gentle and thoughtful. If not for the entanglement between her and Zongzheng Wuyou, then in this marriage of political schemes and power, to be able to marry such a man—she ought to be content. Yet why was she still unable to feel even the slightest happiness? It was truly difficult to imagine how such a mild, refined man had galloped across battlefields, commanded an army of a million, struck terror into enemy troops at the mere sound of his name, and given people the impression of being steeped in killing intent.
She pondered directly, staring at him without awareness, but unexpectedly, Fu Chou’s gaze, originally on her foot, suddenly lifted. Their eyes met, and both were stunned. Manyao hurriedly turned her face away and lowered her head slightly. Fu Chou laughed softly. “Stand up and try walking. Is it better?” As he spoke, he supported her hand, and the two stood together. She took two steps, and sure enough, the numb ache was gone. She could not help saying gratefully, “Thank you, General!”
Fu Chou smiled unconcernedly. “Hot water has already been prepared. It is inside. If you need anything, just instruct the maids here.”
Manyao smiled and nodded, then turned and walked toward the bath chamber. When she reached a carved jade screen, she suddenly stopped. Looking back, she saw Fu Chou still standing in place, smiling as he gazed at her. Unease abruptly rose in her heart, and her dark brows knitted lightly. “General, you brought me back to your manor like this… Are you not worried you will offend Prince Li?”
She believed it was impossible for Fu Chou not to know that someone had been secretly following her all along.
Fu Chou drew his brows together, seeming to think for a moment, then said half-jokingly, “I simply did not want you to fall ill. I did not consider so much… Now that you remind me, I really ought to think carefully about whether, after you bathe, I should personally escort you back to Prince Li’s Manor, lest I form a grudge with that prince who presently enjoys His Majesty’s great favor.”
For some reason, when he spoke of “that prince who presently enjoys His Majesty’s great favor,” Manyao keenly sensed a strange emotion brewing in those gentle eyes. As for what it was, she could not be certain.
Seeing Manyao staring at him the entire time, doubt flashing in her eyes, Fu Chou could not help raising his hand to touch his own face and asked with a smile, “What is it? Is there something wrong with my face?”
Manyao came back to herself and hurriedly said, “No. I just suddenly feel that your face… looks somewhat familiar, as if I’ve seen it somewhere before. I mean, before the inn in the eastern suburbs.”
Fu Chou was clearly stunned. A trace of strangeness flashed through his ever-gentle eyes, but he immediately smiled again. “Perhaps it is fate between us. Or perhaps… we truly did meet before, only you did not know me then. Go in quickly. If you delay any longer, you may not be able to bathe in peace.”
Manyao nodded, gathered her thoughts, and said, “If people from Prince Li’s Manor come in a while, help me block them for a time. I will think of a way to leave on my own and will not put you in a difficult position.” She paused, looked into his eyes, gentle on the surface yet hiding depth behind them, and added, “In two more days, you will marry Princess Rongle of Qiyun. Before the wedding, the two of you should spend more time together and deepen your feelings.”
Fu Chou smiled. “That is reasonable. Then I will go out first.”
Behind the screen, mist curled, steaming into the air.
Manyao soaked in the warm water for a long time before her icy body gradually warmed again, but her heart could no longer grow warm. The pain of her first experience in intimacy had already faded, yet that person’s presence seemed to linger in her body. She lowered her head and looked at the dense kiss marks upon her snow-white skin. They were like indelible evidence of a crime, accusing her of rashness and foolishness.
Averting her gaze, she looked numbly at the curtain beside her, which gathered the mist. Water vapor condensed into droplets and slowly trickled down along the patterns, dripping onto the white floor tiles and winding into lines. Suddenly, the curtain moved—very, very slightly, almost imperceptibly. The doors and windows all around were tightly shut. Where had the wind come from?
Her eyes flashed. She swiftly grabbed the clothes by the edge of the bath and, without hesitation, stuffed them into the water. Her body, leaning against the side of the pool, slipped down toward the bottom. The warm water covered her chest inch by inch, then her neck, her eyes and nose, the top of her head, without stirring the slightest ripple. Her entire body pressed against the bottom by the side of the pool, her ear tightly against the jade wall. There was the sound of wind sweeping past—the sound of clothing slicing through air as supreme qinggong was deployed. In the blink of an eye, it vanished, and calm returned.
Manyao did not immediately surface. Instead, she maintained her original posture, quietly feeling the air in her chest being drawn away bit by bit. This method of bidding farewell to love amid the suffocation of approaching death was also not a bad choice. She had to make herself remember firmly: deceit and exploitation were everywhere in her world. If she did not want to be hurt, she had to temper her heart until it was hard as iron.
Only when she held on until the very last moment, when the suffocating pain in her chest felt as though someone had torn her apart alive, did she finally burst out of the water. Amid splashing droplets, she lifted her head and opened her mouth wide, breathing with all her strength, unexpectedly feeling exhilarated. There were always things in life worth lingering over—such as this air. She raised her lips in a faint, cold smile.
The rain gradually stopped. The sky cleared, and the clouds dispersed. Prince Li’s Manor, washed by the heavy rain, carried an even colder air than usual.
In Manxiang Pavilion, Zongzheng Wuyou’s phoenix eyes were lightly closed as he leaned lazily against the soft couch. The index finger of his right hand unconsciously stroked a chess piece engraved with a red character in his left palm, as if he were waiting for something. After a long while, he suddenly said, “A’Man, why haven’t you placed your piece yet? You’re taking longer and longer to think. If this continues, we won’t finish a single game even if we play from morning until night!”
When he spoke, his eyes were still closed as he quietly waited for a response. However, after waiting for quite some time, it was so silent across from him that he could not even sense breathing. He opened his eyes in surprise. There was actually no one there. His heart shook. A habit had formed so quickly! Looking at the chess piece in his hand, he frowned tightly and called with slight irritation, “Leng Yan.”
A cold-faced man dressed in black fitted attire immediately appeared. Zongzheng Wuyou asked, “Where did she go?”
Leng Yan replied, “The General’s Manor.”
Zongzheng Wuyou’s gaze darkened. “What did she go to the General’s Manor for? Did anything else happen?”
Leng Yan shook his head. “She was personally carried to the General’s Manor by General Fu. This subordinate spent some effort before infiltrating, but I did not find her, so I arranged for people to keep watch around the General’s Manor.”
Zongzheng Wuyou’s expression changed the instant he heard that Fu Chou had carried her to the General’s Manor. The image of that woman held in another man’s arms immediately surfaced before his eyes. At once, he grew restless, and an indescribable sourness coursed through his heart. Unable to sit still for even a moment, he abruptly rose and said, “Take one hundred brocade guards to the General’s Manor. We’re going to demand her return.”