Su Yang pursed his lips lightly as he lowered his head. From this angle, he could not see Jing Cheng's expression, but he could still tell that the man seemed rather unhappy. Or, to be more precise, he was in anguish.
But how can this be, Su Yang thought. Wasn't Jing Cheng the one who hurt him to begin with?
Su Yang drew back his hands. âThey said, the peak of summer in Yancheng, is very very hot,â he muttered. âEveryone is avoiding the heat, but I'm the only one who feels cold.â
Jing Cheng went still, his hands slowly curling into fists.
Su Yang added, âThey also said, my face is pale, like I have a serious illness, and that I may not live much longerâŠ..â
Jing Cheng suddenly looked up, a bloodthirsty light glinting in his eyes. He gritted out through clenched teeth, âWho are they? Who has been spreading malicious gossip in front of you? I will see to it that those who carelessly wag their tongues will never be able to open their mouths ever again!â
His eyes were filled with vengeful cruelty, as if he had found an outlet for which to vent his emotions. Su Yang tensed up in fear for a moment, then the rims of his eyes reddened as he stuttered, âDon't ask who, tell me, is it true? Am I-am I going to die?â
âNo!â Jing Cheng answered bluntly. With heavy emphasis on every word, he said slowly, âI will never allow that to happen.â
He stood up and tidied Su Yang's robes, which had fallen into disarray. The crazed light in his eyes gradually faded away.
âDon't think too much. You caught a common cold, that's all. And your body is delicate to begin with, it's inevitable for you to be more prone to sickness than the common folk. Wait till we return to Jianzhou, your husband will summon the Imperial Physician over to treat you. Very soon, you'll be just as healthy as before.â
He knew that what he was saying were lies. Even if the key is found, his little puppy will never regain his previous health. His body has already received too much damage. Even if he were to be fed with medicinal soup everyday, his lifespan may never reach that of a normal healthy person's.
But Jing Cheng is not one to be resigned to fate. Whatever it may cost him, he is willing to pay the price, all for a chance at seizing on to the slimmest thread of hope.
Su Yang stared at him numbly. He thought that, even now, Jing Cheng was still lying to him.
Jing Cheng sat down on the bedside and pulled Su Yang into his arms. âYou would rather believe in the nonsense you heard from outsiders, than believe in your FĆ«jĆ«n?â he asked.
Su Yang shook his head, a thin film of tears glistening in his eyes. He choked out, âYu-er believes FĆ«jĆ«n. So, so, FĆ«jĆ«n must not lie to Yu-er, alright?â
Jing Cheng was silent, but he tightened his hold around Su Yang.
Su Yang blinked away his tears as he whispered, âYu-er does not want to die. Dying means never seeing Mother, never seeing Granny, and never seeing FĆ«jĆ«n again. If Yu-er misses FĆ«jĆ«n, I won't be able to find you.â
Jing Cheng said, âLittle idiot, FĆ«jĆ«n will always be by your side, you don't have to worry about not being able to find me.â
Su Yang had more to say, but his lips were sealed in a heavy kiss. Somehow, he thought he could taste the bitterness from Jing Cheng's kiss.
After that day, Su Yang no longer saw those three people around. Jing Cheng arranged for his own men to be positioned in every corner of the relay station. Every bit of news about Su Yang, be it big or small, had to be immediately reported to him.
Su Yang could tell that Jing Cheng valued him deeply, but he still fretted about the days that lay ahead of him. The progress bar has reached 90%, and has remained stagnant there for the past few months. But his body was steadily deteriorating.
Although the system kept assuring him that as long as Jing Cheng continued to impart him with the TiÄngÄng's yĂĄng qĂŹ, he would live for several more years at least, he could no longer bring himself to trust this money-grubbing fraudster.
Before he learned of the truth, besides feeling cold, he had not thought that there was anything exceptionally abnormal about the body he was using. But now, he was constantly plagued with the niggling feeling that from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, everything felt wrong. He would often wake in a start at the dead of the night, his fragmented dreams scattered, and his clothes soaked in cold sweat.
He was not sure if it was due to his nightmares, or if it was some sign that his illness was worsening. Regardless of the reason, it began weighing heavily on his mind, festering like an untreated wound, and developing into a mental burden which sapped the strength from his already weakened body.
Jing Cheng watched anxiously as he slowly wasted away, and sent wave after wave of his secret guards to search for Great Master Jue Qing.
Back then, after handing over the TiÄnshÄn Lock to him, Great Master Jue Qing had asked him if he wanted the key. Jing Cheng had thought the question exceedingly ridiculous. His methods have always been ruthless and decisive, never leaving his opponents with a way out. What use would he have for a key?
Jing Cheng had not thought that there would be a day when someone could soften his heart and make him feel as helpless as he did now.
If he had knownâŠ. if he had known, he would have held the boy up to the skies in worship from the very beginning, never letting any harm befall him, never hurting a single hair on his head.
He hugged Su Yang tightly and said, âWhen we return to Jianzhou, let's hold another wedding ceremony. Previously, I was held back at the Eastern Palace by Jing Sheng and missed the chance to escort my bride. We have not held the ritual to bow to Heaven and Earth either. We'll do it all over again properly, alright?â
{T/N: Wedding ceremony where the bride and the groom bow to heaven and earth, to their family's elders, and lastly to each other.}
Su Yang shook his head and answered peevishly, âYu-er doesn't want to.â
Jing Cheng smiled. âIs Yu-er angry with your FĆ«jĆ«n? I arrived late the last time, it was my fault. Let FĆ«jĆ«n make it up to you, alright? This time, I promise I will not keep you waiting. FĆ«jĆ«n will always stay by your side.â
But Su Yang kept shaking his head, and muttered, âGetting married is very tiring. I'm not allowed to talk, and not allowed to eat. The wedding robes has many many layers, it takes too long to wear them, and it's difficult to walk in themâŠâŠâ
Jing Cheng's thoughts drifted back to the day he returned from the Eastern Palace, to discover his little puppy missing from the side palace hall. Then he found out that the little puppy had actually scaled the garden's dividing wall and had snuck into his own quarters. Under the moonlight, the youth had been sprawled on the ground in resplendent crimson robes, with his dark hair gleaming like watered silk as it framed his lovely face and spilled over his shoulders. Those eyes had been glistening as they stared at him in panic, and it felt like his soul had been captured with that gaze.
At that moment, his heart had suddenly thudded against his chest, seemingly foreshadowing this moment. Back then, if he had listened to his heart, and reconsidered his options, how much grief he could have spared himself.
His pride and willful arrogance had overridden that one moment of doubt. He had been offered a priceless pearl, but he had treated it as a fish eye.
{T/N: To pass off fish eyes for pearls, is a Chinese idiom for passing off fake products as genuine. The eyes of a cooked fish will turn shrink and turn white, and hence resemble a âpearl'. Pic}
He suppressed the aching sorrow that rose in his chest, and said gently, âYu-er looked very beautiful in the wedding robes.â
Su Yang scrunched his brows, immediately pulling on an aggrieved expression as he complained, âLast time, after getting married, you, you locked me up. I waited for you everyday in the room, but you never came. When the sky turned dark, I was so afraid.â
Jing Cheng pressed a light kiss to his fingertips. âI was wrong, I won't do it again in the future.â
âThis bracelet, I don't, don't like it either.â Su Yang shook his wrist and said, âCan't you take it off?â
Jing Cheng spoke consolingly, âWait a few more days. Once Deputy General Cao returns, I'll take it off.â
Su Yang asked, âThen, Cao Cao, he, when is he coming back?â
Jing Cheng took in a deep breath, then sighed it out. âHe'll be back soon, very soonâŠ..â
The war ended before Cao Rui returned. The hostile forces at the South China Sea have been defeated. As what Jing Cheng had previously stated, in less than half a year, he had completely annihilated the Wokou pirates's forces, beaten them back, and forced them to agree to his terms of surrender. They were now vassals of Greater Ming, and had to pay a handsome sum as yearly tribute.
Amidst the cheering and singing of the Yancheng folk, the troops withdrew and set off to return to the Imperial City in triumph.
Unlike the peaceful and high-spirited atmosphere in the city of Yancheng, right now in Jianzhou, everybody was in fear for their lives. No one could have foreseen that Wu Xingde would immediately stage a rebellion after Jing Cheng left, and had the entire Imperial City surrounded.
Jing Qian was seated on the throne, blustering with false courage, âWu Xingde, zhĂšn has always treated you fairly and generously, how dare you repay zhĂšn this way!â
{T/N: zhĂšn (æ) â I, imperial}
Wu Xingde was heavily clad in armor, his eyes filled with hate and enmity.
âVery generous indeed!â Wu Xingde drew his double edged sword and brought it down on the Emperor's desk, cleaving it in half. Then he pointed a finger at Jing Qian and spat, âThe territory that you Jings are lording over, half of it was fought and won by me, Wu Xingde. Jing Ming is the one who should be indebted to me!â
âWu Xingde! How dare you speak the late Emperor's name!â Jing Sheng shouted from the side.
{T/N: ćèźł (mĂnghuĂŹ) â A naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and within the Chinese cultural sphere. Not respecting the appropriate naming taboos was considered a sign of lacking education and respect, and brought shame both to the offender and the offended person. The general populace is expected to avoid or even change their names, if the name characters match with the Emperor's)
Wu Xingde's lips lifted in a sneer. âTo speak of that beast's name is to sully my own mouth. Once, he and I were sworn brothers, and we treated each other as such. All that fatuous drivel and promises about sharing the land and nation between us, but in the end, he begrudged the Death exemption plate and the Tiger tally in my possession! My two sons died such wretched deaths ah, they were only seventeen and eighteen years old. Now that the trees planted over their grave-sites have already grown tall, it is also time for you to go down to meet them.â
{T/N: è珊 (hÇfĂș) â two-piece tiger tallies (pic), were used by the Emperor/official to command and dispatch the army. The right piece was retained in the central government while the left piece was issued to the local officials or commanders. If someone wanted to dispatch the troops from a certain area, he had to show the right piece of the tiger tally in order to obtain authorization; both pieces of the tally had to match each other.}
Jian Qian's face turned ashen from terror. He scrambled down from the throne and pointed a shaky finger at Wu Xingde. âGeneral Wu, for every debt there is a debtor, all those were done by the late Emperor, you would gain nothing from killing zhĂšn ah!â
{T/N : Idiom, when settling disputes, one should not involve third parties}
Jing Sheng chimed in, âGeneral Wu, ever since my Imperial Father ascended to the throne, he has always treated you courteously, and deferred to you for all matters big and small. By biting the hand that feeds you, how are your actions different from the late Emperor's?!â
Wu Xingde's sharp eyes swept over the father and son, and the corner of his mouth tilted up mockingly.
âChild, you are quite shrewd, but you mistake me for a good man. Did you think that I am not aware of your intentions to make use of me to go against Jing Cheng? After having eliminated the RĂłng QÄ«nwĂĄng's army when they return, your next step would be to wipe out the entirety of my Wu family!!â
His voice suddenly rose to a roar. Jing Qian's terror made his legs turn weak. Jing Sheng, who was after all, still young and inexperienced, broke into a cold sweat on the spot.
Jing Qian's voice quivered. âGeneral Wu, General Wu, please calm down, zhĂšnâŠâŠ zhĂšn did previously think of taking take back the Tiger tally, but if you're not willing to part with it, zhĂšn will obviously not force you. What's moreâŠâŠ what's more, your Wu bloodline, was not ended by zhĂšn, but by Jing Cheng ahâŠ.â
Wu Xingde narrowed his eyes at him in suspicion and barked, âSpeak clearly.â
Jing Qian trembled and said, âPreviously, zhĂšn sent some people to invite Young Master Tao to the Imperial Palace for a chat. In the palace hall, he suddenly collapsed for no reason. ZhĂšn was very worried, and requested the Imperial Physician to check on him. ApparentlyâŠ.. Young Master Tao did not seem to have a pulse, it was very peculiar. According to the Imperial Physician, it is known asââ dead pulse!â
Wu Xingde's expression changed, and he pressed his double edged sword against Jing Qian's neck. His eyes burned with rage as he demanded, âWhat is this dead pulse? You tell me clearly!â
âGen-General Wu, the blade has no eyes, youâŠâŠâ He turned pale, and stammered, âDead pulse is-is-isâŠâŠâ
{T/N: Means, be careful how you wield that thing.}
Jing Sheng spoke up from his side, âGeneral Wu, according to the Imperial Physician, dead pulse is an extremely fatal type of pulse. In short, the person no longer has a life force, and could die anytime.â
Wu Xingde's face was ugly, and the blue veins on his hands stood up in sharp relief. "If the both of you spoke a single word of untruthâŠ..â
Jing Qian immediately swore, âMay we be damned to die without an intact corpse! General Wu, Young Master Tao has been living in the Rong WĂĄng's residence all this while. Given how he had previously grievously offended Jing Cheng, who could believe what the masses say of him being favored by Jing Cheng. I'm afraid that it is more likely that he has been suffering abuse and persecution instead!â
{T/N: A body buried with missing limbs/pieces is believed to affect the fate of their descendants. That, and it's horrible to look at.}
Wu Xingde withdrew his double edged sword, and thundered, âMen, look well after these two, on the day Jing Cheng returns to the Imperial City, have them publicly beheaded!â
âYes, General!â
Wu Xingde left the Heaven and Earth palace hall, and mounted his horse. Without further delay, he rushed over to the RĂłng WĂĄng's residence.
If what was said was true, Jing Cheng, you and I will be enemies for life!
Note: Two more chapters till the end of this arc guys!