Chapter 157: Mountain Rain (4)

Among those who stayed behind to reminisce with the host family, there were only a few. These were either families who had been extremely close to the Qi family and could not avoid association no matter how they distanced themselves now, or individuals of humble origins without influential family backing or promising official careers—like General Pei Jian, the newly minted状元 (top imperial scholar) Li Wei, and several other low-ranking officials who had once been promoted by Lord Qi. Altogether, these dozens of people gathered in the courtyard, presenting at least a semblance of respect.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiao Ziyu dismissed her attendants to speak privately with Qi Ying.

It had been a long time since she last saw him.

Before he left for the north to negotiate peace, everything had seemed fine. But in the blink of an eye, everything changed. The eldest and third sons of the Qi family were implicated in a case and imprisoned. The Qi family immediately found itself in a precarious situation.

Brother Jingchen must be exhausted… He has grown thinner, and now wearing mourning clothes makes him appear even more desolate, yet still incredibly handsome, still captivating her heart.

Xiao Ziyu looked up at him, her heart aching beyond words. She knew that regardless of what the judicial investigation uncovered, the Qi family was doomed to suffer because her imperial brother had made up his mind to eliminate this family—and even worse… he wanted to kill Qi Ying.

The thought brought tears streaming down her face as she clutched Qi Ying’s sleeve and pleaded desperately: “Brother Jingchen, marry me…”

If you marry me, you’ll also become a member of the royal family. I will protect you with everything I have, living and dying together with you. Even if I can’t save your family, I can at least save you.

Save the person I love most.

During this time of life-and-death uncertainty, Xiao Ziyu’s words carried significant weight. She was challenging the Emperor’s authority with her status and even her life, attempting to save him under immense pressure.

After she spoke, the man she had admired for years gave her a look he had never shown before—gentle and subtly moved.

He was touched…

Xiao Ziyu’s heart melted into sweetness at his gaze, but she also felt stronger than ever, ready to fight for him, willing to abandon everything just to keep him safe.

She yearned so much for his love.

But then she saw him shake his head and say: “Your Highness, let us cancel our engagement.”

His expression was gentle, but his words cut like the sharpest blade, causing her unbearable pain.

Her tears fell harder as she asked: “…What did you say?”

Clad in mourning attire, he stood tall before her, still appearing distinguished despite their dire predicament, like a solitary pine standing firm.

He said: “My family and I are on the edge of a cliff. Your Highness reaching out might not solve anything but instead drag you down with us. What’s the point?”

He gazed at her, tenderly and with a sigh, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as though he had something more to say.

At that moment, Xiao Ziyu suddenly felt uneasy, sensing he was about to say something she didn’t want to hear. She quickly covered her ears and shouted: “Stop! Don’t say another word—”

She covered her ears and cried even harder, her vision blurred, unable to see his face clearly. He didn’t force her, simply standing silently, neither speaking nor wiping away her tears. When she finally lowered her hands, she heard him calmly say: “Your Highness, if we could transcend the boundaries of ruler and subject, I’ve always considered you a sister.”

With the most impassive demeanor, he plunged the dagger deeper into her heart.

“There have always been many complications between us, unlike the purity of our childhood days. Perhaps Your Highness hasn’t realized it, but ultimately, we can never be together.”

“If my family remains intact, I would naturally serve in the Privy Council as ordered, whether by the late emperor or His Majesty. Neither would allow me to remain idle. And if the Qi family falls, I wouldn’t survive alone. You couldn’t possibly marry a criminal. Our paths are destined to diverge.”

His explanation was clear and concise, leaving no room for misunderstanding—their marriage was nothing more than an illusion, impossible to realize.

But to Xiao Ziyu, his words sounded like an enigma—she didn’t understand. She only wanted to marry the man she loved and spend her life with him. Her father and brothers, rulers of Jiangzuo, could give her anything. Why, then, couldn’t she be with him?

His next words were easier to comprehend.

“Besides, my feelings for Your Highness are not romantic.”

He sighed faintly, seemingly relieved as if putting down a burden.

“Marriage is such a simple affair—a banquet, rituals—but the rest of one’s life is difficult to endure. I am deeply grateful for Your Highness’s affection but cannot accept it. It would be better to cancel our engagement. One day, when Your Highness finds someone truly meant for you, you’ll understand that mutual love is the most desirable thing in this world.”

His words were measured and sincere, particularly when he mentioned “mutual love,” revealing a sincerity she had never seen before. At the same time, it seemed he recalled someone or something, his eyes reflecting a faint longing.

Sparse yet lingering.

A tenderness she had never witnessed.

There she stood, alive before him, yet she couldn’t compare to the phantom in his heart that brought him joy.

How cruel.

How heartless.

Xiao Ziyu suddenly didn’t know what she was holding onto—for him, she endured her brother’s scolding and the derisive looks of others, while he always rejected her. In the past, these rejections were silent, allowing her to pretend ignorance. But now, he made everything painfully clear, leaving her no escape.

Brother Jingchen… why are you so ruthless to me?

Xiao Ziyu wiped away her tears, speechless before him, her eyes reflecting cold loneliness and an even deeper stubbornness.

She lifted her face to look at him and said: “I don’t care.”

“I don’t care if you see me as a sister or anything else, and I don’t care if you like someone else. I just want to marry you, to be by your side forever.”

“True love? Who can predict what will happen in a lifetime? Maybe you don’t like me now, but you might later… Like me, maybe I don’t like a hairpin today, but tomorrow I might adore it.”

She kept wiping her tears, interrupting him loudly before he could utter another refusal: “We must marry! Otherwise, you’ll regret it, and I’ll regret it too!”

Even if you don’t love me, I will marry you because I must save your life.

He understood her meaning, aware of her deep affection and intentions. He was moved and grateful but knew it wasn’t love.

He already had someone he truly loved and couldn’t reciprocate another woman’s affection.

Xiao Ziyu saw that he was about to persuade her again, but she had made up her mind, unwilling to let him drive the dagger deeper into her heart. For the first time in her life, she turned and walked away before him.

Fleeing hurriedly, defeated.

Qi Ying stood there watching Xiao Ziyu’s retreating figure. The light in his eyes grew dimmer, filled with helplessness.

But he didn’t stare at her departing figure for long. Soon, he turned and looked toward the shadowy corner behind the garden’s rockery, saying softly: “Master, please come out. I’ve been waiting for some time.”

As his voice faded, a figure emerged from the shadows behind the rockery.

Dragging his right leg, battered and scarred.

Xu Zhengning.

At midnight that night, all was silent in Jiankang City.

A lone rider galloped toward the city gate. The rider wore a long black cloak, their face concealed, the sound of hooves echoing clearly in the quiet night.

The guards at the gate naturally tried to stop anyone leaving at such an hour. But when the rider reined in their horse and revealed their face, it was none other than Xu Zhengning, Master of the Privy Council.

He pulled out a token from his chest and said coldly: “Official business of the Privy Council. Open the gate.”

The Privy Council…

The Privy Council was no ordinary office, handling countless secrets and critical affairs. Delaying its matters was unthinkable. The soldiers guarding the gate dared not hesitate and were about to open the gates when suddenly a voice laughed in the darkness: “Master Xu returned south not long ago, wasn’t he ordered to rest at home? What urgent official business brings him out at such an hour?”

Everyone present turned to look and saw armored soldiers, fierce and menacing, appearing silently in the night. Leading them was a tall, pale-faced man with a slight smile, calm and composed even amidst the tense atmosphere—it was Zhu Wei, one of the twelve divisions of the Privy Council, responsible for oversight.

Xu Zhengning frowned deeply upon seeing him.

These two men had known and worked together for nearly twenty years, relying on each other through life and death in the Privy Council, weathering countless storms. But tonight, facing off like this was unprecedented, truly novel.

Through the hazy night mist, Xu Zhengning looked at his comrade and asked gravely: “You’re stopping me?”

Zhu Wei smiled and replied: “Naturally.”

Xu Zhengning’s expression remained unchanged, but his tone grew icy: “Why are you stopping me?”

Zhu Wei’s smile didn’t waver as he bowed slightly toward the palace direction and answered: “By order of the Son of Heaven.”

Xu Zhengning fell silent.

Zhu Wei’s pale complexion appeared ghostly in the dark as he took a step closer, his tone uncertain: “Today, with so many people attending the Qi family’s funeral, it’s indeed easy to slip through unnoticed. But surely you and the Chief Secretary know best the capabilities of the Privy Council. Did you really think your secret meeting in the garden could escape notice?”

As Zhu Wei spoke, his gaze swept over what was hidden beneath Xu Zhengning’s cloak. Slowly extending his hand, he said: “Hand it over.”

His tone became cruel, but there was still a hint of pity in his eyes, as though remembering their years of camaraderie. He said: “Hand over what the Chief Secretary gave you, and this matter will have nothing to do with you. I will take full responsibility before His Majesty and ensure you aren’t implicated.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhengning smiled but said nothing, slowly drawing his sword from his waist.

Zhu Wei’s gaze turned colder, the perpetual smile at the corner of his mouth completely vanishing.

He stared intently at Xu Zhengning and sneered: “You dare to oppose the Privy Council? With your current disabled state?”

He looked disdainfully at Xu Zhengning’s right leg.

Unfazed by the remark, Xu Zhengning maintained a stern expression and replied: “Enough talk. If you’re going to arrest me, make your move.”

Seeing Xu Zhengning’s obstinacy, Zhu Wei snapped his sleeves angrily, his tone turning sharp as he demanded: “Xu Zhengning, let me ask you one question—are you a servant of the Son of Heaven and the Great Liang, or are you the private vassal of that man? Do you intend to abandon all rules and become his pawn just because he traded five provinces for your life?”

“For the last time,” Zhu Wei’s voice was as cold as ice, “hand it over, and this incident will be forgotten.”

This seemed like a final ultimatum and perhaps the last leniency from an old friend.

Xu Zhengning understood Zhu Wei’s goodwill—he was offering him a way out. But…

He sighed deeply, as though he had countless words to say, but in the end, they dissolved into a single sigh.

“No need to persuade me further.” Still holding his sword, he looked at Zhu Wei with a faint, almost relieved smile. “Make your move.”

Hearing this, Zhu Wei’s brows furrowed even more tightly. Then, the coldness in his eyes faded, leaving only endless sorrow.

He took one last look at Xu Zhengning, then slowly turned around, waving lightly to the soldiers behind him.

Instantly, the clash of swords and cries of battle erupted, turning Jiankang City in the night fog into a scene resembling the depths of hell.