Chapter 43

Chapter 43

A crisp fragrance of wine slipped into her nose.

Sheng Zhaoning took the wine jar and gave it a gentle shake. The sound of liquor sloshing against the inner wall echoed beside her ear.

She lowered her head to smell it, then took a small sip. The sharp, mellow taste slid down her throat, burning all the way into her chest.

“When I was little, my master always kept a wine gourd hanging from his waist. Every now and then, without warning, he would take a drink. Once, I was curious and playful, so I stole his gourd and treasured it like some precious thing as I took a taste. I choked so hard my face was covered in snot and tears. Back then, I thought, how could anyone possibly like drinking something like this?”

Zhou Lingsheng sat beside her beneath the clear radiance of the stars and moon.

He spoke of the past slowly, as if telling a story.

“Later, I grew up and went down the mountain to gain experience. I met many people and drank all kinds of wine. Only then did I understand. The seven emotions, the eight sufferings, love and hatred, partings and separations-without some good medicine to temper it all, a lifetime is long, and one can only keep company with loneliness and hardship, never truly finding release.”

Sheng Zhaoning turned to look at him, and he looked back at her.

“What are you trying to say?” Her eyes were dark, like an endless night.

“Only one thing.” Zhou Lingsheng met her gaze and said slowly, “Do what you want to do.”

There were too many things in this world that made people regret. No matter what one chose, there would always be something left behind. Rather than compromise with the world and passively accept the choices placed before you, it was better to follow your own heart, to be bound by no one, to cast off the shackles of reason and convention, and live once for yourself alone.

Sheng Zhaoning stared into his eyes and found a field of starlight shimmering there.

For the first time in her life, her nose stung with the urge to cry.

“May you get what you wish for.” Zhou Lingsheng raised the wine jar.

Sheng Zhaoning smiled faintly and lifted hers to clink against it.

Under the moonlight, two shadows fell across the ground, quiet and peaceful.

The next morning.

After sobering up, Zhou Lingsheng’s head was heavy and aching.

Yesterday, the two of them had sat beneath the moon, drinking jar after jar for who knew how long. When he woke that morning, his waist and back were sore, his mind was muddled, and even his throat felt dry and painful.

Still half asleep, he got up and checked his own pulse.

A floating, tight pulse. Wind-cold had invaded.

Sure enough, he had caught a cold.

He casually picked out a pill from the jumble of bottles and jars and swallowed it, not forgetting to bring one for Sheng Zhaoning as well. Then, dragging his somewhat heavy steps, he slipped into the kitchen and cooked two bowls of medicinal food.

On the stove, he also simmered a dose of sobering soup.

Carrying the tray out, he walked to Sheng Zhaoning’s door and knocked lightly twice. “Are you awake?”

There was no sound from inside.

Zhou Lingsheng raised his hand and knocked twice more. He waited patiently for a moment, but still, no answer came from the room.

Only then did he sense that something was wrong.

Zhou Lingsheng set down the tray and shoved the door open.

The room was cold and empty, with no one inside.

Only a freshly broken branch of apricot blossoms sat by the window corner, swaying faintly in the sunlight…

Sheng Zhaoning had made her choice.

Of the two roads Wei Chengjun had given her-enter the capital, or marry Chi Yu-she would choose neither.

Since there was no third path for her to take, then she would carve one out herself.

For the past nineteen years, she had never once lived for herself. Just this once, she wanted to follow her heart and do what she truly wanted to do.

She was going to find Wei Yi.

A swift horse galloped through the forest.

Sheng Zhaoning sat on its back as the chilly morning wind struck her face, carrying with it a faint cold current. Before her eyes were mountains, woods, flowers, grass, and thin mist drifting everywhere.

Suddenly, the horse’s hooves froze to a halt.

Sheng Zhaoning’s brows paused, and a sharp edge flashed through her eyes.

She straightened and yanked hard on the reins. The fierce horse lifted its front hooves, rearing halfway up as it threw back its head and let out a long neigh.

All around her, the silence was strange.

Sheng Zhaoning’s gaze turned wary. Ahead of her in the forest, a long rope stretched across the road, its threat plain as day.

“Who is it? Come out.”

Her cold eyes brimmed with killing intent.

After a moment of silence, a huge net dropped from above, hurtling swiftly toward Sheng Zhaoning.

She sprang into the air and leaped down from horseback. The instant her feet hit the ground, a violent pain shot through the bones of her legs. Sheng Zhaoning swayed, gritted her teeth, and rolled several times, narrowly avoiding the net sweeping down over her head. The pain made cold sweat break out all over her body.

With their plans failing one after another, the people hidden in the forest surged out all at once.

“Seize her!” Dozens of black-clad men surrounded her on every side.

Sheng Zhaoning had no weapon on her. The sharp agony in her leg bones made it almost impossible for her to move, and the healthy color she had spent so long recovering vanished from her face in an instant.

She clenched her teeth and forced herself to endure the pain, dodging again and again, but before long, her strength began to fail.

Cold sweat dripped into her eyes, and her vision blurred abruptly.

Suddenly, a fierce gust from a blade came sweeping in from behind. Sheng Zhaoning gritted her teeth and used every last bit of strength to twist away, only to hear an urgent voice ring out behind her. “Keep her alive!”

The heavy saber changed direction at once. The blade flipped, its sharp edge turning upward while the back of the saber smashed hard toward the nape of her neck.

Sheng Zhaoning let out a muffled groan and lost consciousness.

…

Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion, Northern Garden.

When Wei Yi heard the news Han Xu had sent back, he crushed the teacup in his hand. So furious he laughed instead, he said, “Ask for her hand?”

Han Xu nodded. “Yesterday, His Highness went with Young General Chi to Zhou Lingsheng’s place.”

In truth, Wei Yi was not the only one enraged by this. Even Han Xu found it somewhat astonishing.

He had never imagined General Chi would personally ask His Highness for someone on Chi Yu’s behalf, much less that His Highness would not refuse, but would instead take Chi Yu to see Sheng Zhaoning.

There had never been a precedent for a Shadow Guard leaving the Wei Clan.

They carried far too much with them. Every covert mission was carried out by the Shadow Guard, and they held all the Wei Clan’s secrets.

His Highness would never let a Shadow Guard leave easily.

To leave was the same as betrayal.

“What about Sheng Zhaoning? Did she agree?” That was what Wei Yi truly cared about.

Han Xu lowered his head. “I don’t know. The people we planted there were all cleared out by His Highness.”

Wei Yi’s eyes were so red they looked as though they might bleed.

His face was filled with hostility, and the aura around him was gloomy and terrifying.

Well done, Chi Yu.

He had thought locking Chi Yu up would keep him from stirring up any trouble. He had not expected the man to have a few tricks after all.

Wei Yi could not quite explain what he was feeling. He only knew that Sheng Zhaoning absolutely could not marry Chi Yu. She could only remain forever trapped at his side, forbidden from leaving him by even half a step.

If one day she wanted to leave, then he would kill her with his own hands.

“Go. Bring Sheng Zhaoning back to me!” Wei Yi ordered through gritted teeth, his expression icy.

He wanted to see Sheng Zhaoning. Right now.

That woman had been away from his side for far too long. Perhaps even her heart had grown wild. Perhaps any random person could coax her a little, and she would wag her tail and sidle up to them.

Chi Yu wanted to snatch someone from his hands? What a fool’s dream.

What belonged to him was not to be touched by anyone else, even if he had to destroy it!

Han Xu accepted the order and turned to leave.

Zhao Quan stood at the doorway, then braced himself and went in.

“Your Highness, Young Master Li from the Prefectural Office has sent an invitation, asking you to meet him tonight on a painted pleasure boat…” He carefully watched Wei Yi’s expression and tested the waters. “Should I decline it for you?”

Wei Yi swept a cold laugh toward him, his gaze dark and venomous. “Go. Why wouldn’t I go?”

She was only Sheng Zhaoning. Did she really think she was worthy of spoiling his fun?