What does it mean to love someone? Itâs actually pretty hard to describe, and itâs even more difficult to explain.
Qin Cheng has also been attracted to women with beautiful faces and sexy bodies before, itâs a perfectly normal reaction for a man when faced with this kind of beauty. However, âattractionâ has nothing to do with being in love. You can be physically attracted to someone, but that doesnât mean that you will develop feelings for them. This also depends on what your inclinations are.
A man wouldnât dislike a womanâs courtship, and Qin Cheng hasnât refused the âproposalâ of a woman until now. He has also dated women that had caught his eye, but he never had to choose between spending time with his girlfriend, or his archeological work.
Qin Cheng likes history, and he prefers to explore the ambiguous aspects of history, which means that heâs excited by the process of solving a mystery in archeology, and the process of confirming what was denied in history. Moreover, his lifelong wish is to know whether the Imperial Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor is really like what Sima Qian described: â Under the Three Springs, there laid the coffin made out of bronze .â He wanted to know whether there really were golden swallows inside, or if there was an actual river of mercury, or if there were any rare beasts inside at all, or whether there were secret arrow traps built by skilled craftsmen to protect the Underground PalaceâŠ.
It can be said that Qin Cheng was obsessed with archeology; obsessed with the process of exposing to the light the mysteries that history has hidden. However, this obsession of his extremely annoyed his ex-girlfriends to the point which was unbearable. Probably because all of his enthusiasm was put on archeology, in the end, he didnât have much interest in other things. Every time Qin Cheng remembered the reason behind each breakup, he would simply chuckle, after all, he wonât change what heâs passionate about.
Qin Cheng felt that it was absolutely impossible to be with someone if they canât understand each other, so itâs better to break up as soon as possible before the feelings of both sides become too deep to part ways easily. Qin Cheng always explained his own bland feelings this way. However, when he realized that he had started to fall in love with Su Jingmo, he told himself over and over that this relationship was impossible from the very beginning. But in the end, he found that he was wrong. His feelings werenât bland, itâs just that he hadnât met the person who would make him feel âpassionâ. Once he discovered that person, he found out that he was unable to control himself, and that the passionate love he was feeling at the moment, was making him lose his mind.
He had once imagined how his soulmate would be like, and at the time, he hadnât thought too much about their looks or personality, he just needed someone that would understand him and would value his work. His ex-girlfriends couldnât understand this. But now, Su Jingmo was the one telling him to not let down his talent. Su Jingmo was the one that could understand the true love he felt for his career. However, contrary to what Qin Cheng expected, he wasnât happy with this outcome, even though Su Jingmo could understand him so well.
He simply canât remember when he started to develop feelings. The first time Qin Cheng saw Su Jingmo, he was extremely surprised by how handsome and young he was, and the only thing Qin Cheng could be sure of, is that at the time, he didnât know he could be attracted to that kind of manly beauty.
Qin Cheng thought that he mightâve started to develop feelings when he unintentionally kissed Su Jingmoâs cheek, or perhaps when he saw Su Jingmoâs smile, or when he looked at Su Jingmoâs surprised expression every time he discovered modern thingsâŠ. Or it might be the fact that everytime he left the tomb, he knew he was leaving Su Jingmo behind, all alone, surrounded by darknessâŠ..
From his initial curiosity about Su Jingmoâs identity, to his interest in Su Jingmoâs way of talking and behaviour, to the heartache he felt after thinking that this man had died a long time ago. The more Qin Cheng discovered about Su Jingmo, the more he wanted to know; and what he wanted to know was no longer limited only by the history of the Dynasty behind Su Jingmo, but he wanted to know more about Su Jingmo himself.
â Which one is more important? â
Qin Cheng used to think that he could give up the idea of having a good relationship for the sake of his archeological research, for the sake of his life. But when he couldnât find Su Jingmo a moment ago⊠the mere thought of Su Jingmo disappearing made himâŠ.. almost go crazy.
The only thing he knew at the moment, was that he has long been caught in a whirlpool called love. Even if the other person stood on the shore coldly watching him struggling like this, Qin Cheng still doesnât want to leave. He fell in love with the Emperor that died 1600 years ago, before he could even noticeâŠ..
âEventually, you will let go.â Su Jingmo lowered his eyes and laughed lightly: âYouâre deeply invested in Zhen at the moment, so itâs only natural that you will say so. However, when Zhen leaves, within a few years youâll definitely get married and have children. This is inevitable, no matter how deep you think your feelings are, they canât stand the vicissitudes of time, and as time goes by, some things you used to feel and think, will naturally disperse with the wind.â
âJust like you did to Lin Qing?â
Once Qin Cheng mentioned Lin Qing, Su Jingmoâs smiling face didnât change, but his eyes werenât smiling anymore as he looked at Qin Cheng: âWhy do you mention her? Her soul has long since reincarnated, several times Zhen presumes, over the last 1600 years. Besides, the Lin Qing Zhen used to know, no longer exists in this world.â After he said this, Su Jingmo sneered. âAt the present, you can swear all you want that you canât let go of your feelings for Zhen, but this oath is only worth a lifetime, a hundred years at most. However, this vow will disappear once your soul reincarnates. Can you even guarantee that you wonât forget the person, whom you promised this undying love to, in your next life?â
Su Jingmoâs words left Qin Cheng speechless. How could he remember what he said to someone is his last lifeâŠ.?
When he saw that Qin Cheng didnât reply, Su Jingmoâs face became a little gloomy: âPeople reincarnate every 200 years, so for the last 1600 years, you mustâve reincarnated eight lives. Naturally, youâre a different person than you were in your last lifeâŠ. so, whoâs the one that you canât forget? You donât have to cling to this.â
Su Jingmoâs words were clear. It doesnât matter who Qin Cheng is with or who he loves, that person can never be Su Jingmo. After all, Su Jingmo has stayed in the world of the living for 1600 years without reincarnationâŠ.
Qin Cheng was still a bit dazed. He didnât have the slightest idea of what had happened in his past life, and he canât even begin to imagine it. Even though he wanted to refute Su Jingmo, he doesnât know how, because what Su Jingmo said to him wasnât even wrong to begin with. The world is unpredictable, and Qin Cheng canât foresee what will happen in the future. He doesnât know when Su Jingmo will leave this tomb, nor does he know when Su Jingmo will disappear from his sight, never to appear in front of him again. Since he wasnât able to know what will happen in the future, Qin Cheng isnât really sure whether he would find someone to spend the rest of his life with or not.
âZhenâŠ. Zhen just wants you to think clearly. Itâs impossible for you and Zhen to be together. Besides, it isnât even the right time to be concerned about thisâŠ..â
âI knowâŠâ Qin Cheng lowered his head and nodded slightly, but he didnât speak again.
The sudden silence added an even more depressed aura to the already dead silent tomb. After a long while passed, Su Jingmo finally turned around and walked towards the stone table. He then picked up a brush, left behind by Qin Cheng some time ago, dipped it in the ink, and started to draw the location of the Imperial Mausoleum of Great Xu from memory.
âThe Imperial Mausoleum of Great Xu was built by digging up a mountain. The peak of the mountains isnât high, but it stretches for hundreds of miles. It was once called Heduan Mountain <sup>1</sup> , because the Fen River <sup>2</sup> crossed its peak, flowing through Heduan Mountain. The Imperial City of Great Xu was located at the east side of the Fen River, and at the south of Heduan Mountain.â
Su Jingmo drew a diagram of his era, and explained: âZhen is afraid that the Zhongdu City has long been destroyed. There are many mountains located in that area, so Zhen donât know if you will be able to find it.â
From afar, Qin Cheng looked at Su Jingmo, who no longer wanted to talk about their personal issue, and shook his head. Then he slowly approached the stone table and looked at the diagram drawn by Su Jingmo. Qin Cheng was sure that Zhongdu City should be around Pingyao. The most important thing about Pingyao County, was the ancient city of Pingyao, which was founded by King Xuan in the Western Zhou Dynasty, which gradually approached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
âIs Zhongdu City the place where King Xuan of Zhou founded his city?â
Qin Chengâs remark aroused Su Jingmoâs interest. After glancing sideways at Qin Cheng, Su Jingmo asked: âIs the city built by King Xuan of Zhou still there? Arenât you a so-called âarcheologistâ? But you canât even figure that out? As far as Zhen knows, that city no longer exists, and in the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Jin didnât build any city there. However, Pingtao County was there during the Qin Dynasty.â
Su Jingmoâs words made Qin Cheng feel slightly embarrassed. The current investigation can roughly estimate the location of the city back then, since the cityâs location is still not very clear. To say the least, the things he said in front of Su Jingmo could be regarded as displaying his own incompetence in front of an expert.
Knowing that Qin Cheng was embarrassed at the moment, Su Jingmo smiled, and continued: âHowever, even though my Great Xu is not there anymore, it shouldnât be that far away. If you know the place where modern Pingyao is located, then it will be easy for you to find the Imperial Mausoleum.â
Su Jingmo then described the location of Qinâs Pingtao County: âGreat Xu abandoned the old city and built a larger new one named Zhongdu City, 20 miles at the west of Pingtao. The Imperial Mausoleum is located at the north.â
The map was drawn so clearly that Su Jingmo even marked out the general location of where the Imperial Mausoleum of Great Xu was located. He even drew the location of the city built in Pingyao during the Qin and Han Dynasties. This map could be described as an extremely accurate archeological map, so much that its mere existence was enough to drive the archeological field into madness!
Qin Cheng carefully picked up the map, and with a fixed gaze, he looked at the location of the Imperial Mausoleum drawn by Su Jingmo. At this, he couldnât help sighing: âWho wouldâve thought that a mountain could hide such a great secret for thousands of years?â After Qin Cheng said this, he carefully folded the map, and said: âAre you sure itâs alright for you to tell me the location of the Imperial Mausoleum?â
Su Jingmo looked at Qin Cheng and replied with a smile: âAfter thousands of years, thereâs no need to care about such things. Besides, if Zhen doesnât tell you, then how can you find that big tomb all by yourself?â When he thought of this, Su Jingmo frowned slightly: âItâs just that⊠Zhen only knows where the Imperial Mausoleum is, and where the previous Emperorâs graves are located within the Imperial Mausoleum. However, Zhen has no idea where the location of the following Emperorâs graves are. Besides, Su Jingyan buried Zhen in Changâan, a city thousands of miles away from there. Perhaps, his own tomb isnât even located inside the Imperial Mausoleum of Great Xu.â
Qin Cheng shook his head and stared at Su Jingmo: âItâs alright, the map is enough. I should be able to find some clues once I get there. Iâll leave Xiâan and travel to Shaxi soon.â
However, Qin Chengâs words didnât make Su Jingmoâs slightly frown to loosen.
âWhatâs the matter? You donât have any more questions?â
Su Jingmo looked at Qin Cheng and sighed: âZhen doesnât know the mechanism design of the late Emperorâs tomb. Zhenâs Imperial Mausoleum doesnât have any mechanism to prevent theft, but Zhenâs fatherâs tomb does, and the rest of the previous Emperorâs tombs as well. Also, Zhen canât be sure if the previous Emperorâs tombs are full of ghosts as this one isâŠ.. So, you should be very careful.â
After listening to Su Jingmoâs words, Qin Cheng didnât answer. He just looked at Su Jingmoâs face all the time. When Su Jingmo noticed his gaze, Qin Cheng finally said with a mocking smile on his face: âAre you worried about me?â
Su Jingmo quietly looked at Qin Cheng while he spoke, and their eyes were staring at each other. However, Su Jingmo was the first one to look away from Qin Chengâs smiling face and turned his back to Qin Cheng. Su Jingmo would habitually hide his hand behind him as he walked forward a few steps.
Qin Cheng couldnât see Su Jingmoâs expression, but he was able to hear Su Jingmoâs playful voice as usual: âIf you die, Zhen will be a bit worried.â