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墨書 Inktalez
Gradually, I came to realize that the reason Suda could live in the Cold Palace with such clarity was that she did not love the Emperor at all. Since she did not love him, she would not be hurt, would not have expectations, would not be driven mad by longing, would not choose to forget everything in despair, and would not deceive herself by living forever in the past.
Her entry into the palace was entirely a sacrifice for her family's interests; she never wished to be favored, did not want to please anyone, and certainly did not want to compete with those women for attention. Yet her striking beauty became the spark that attracted trouble. No man could remain indifferent to beauty, especially not a proud ice beauty like her. That challenge was irresistible; no man could resist it, least of all the most esteemed Emperor.
Clearly, the Emperor had failed to conquer this ice beauty's heart because she remained unmoved. Suda had only recently been framed and sent to the Cold Palace before I entered.
Finally, there was a moment when I was managing things for those ladies while she watched coldly. She scoffed, "These foolish women! The Emperor already has someone he loves; what are they still dreaming about? Not to mention them, even those concubines who think they are favored are utterly pathetic. The Emperor has never liked any of the women in this palace. Hmph, a bunch of idiots."
My movements froze for a moment. After a long pause, I mustered the courage to ask softly, "Then do you know who it is?"
She turned her head to look at me. "Who?! Are you talking about the one the Emperor loves?" She let out a cold laugh and finally said, "During that time when those boring women thought I was favored, the Emperor never touched me at all. He only summoned me to lie in bed while he drank wine and recited some poems I didn't even know. I still remember one line: 'Heaven born talent must have its use; when wealth is exhausted, it will return.' Surely, he loves the one who recites this poem? What I did was merely disguise myself; those women thought I had won the Emperor's favor and tried every means to..."
I didn't hear anything else she said; my mind went blank and buzzed painfully.
I stumbled back a few steps. My face was pale with fear.
Heaven born talent must have its use; when wealth is exhausted, it will return.
How laughable! How ironic! Was he always thinking of An Jin, who had been calling him brother? Always? But why could he never see An Jin as Xie Weiying? Why did he have to hurt me so deeply? My heart was already scarred beyond repair; I was exhausted and no longer wanted to struggle against anything. Everything seemed predetermined, didn't it? My remaining days were meant to be spent here. An Jin, what are you still hoping for? Shouldn't you be embodying that wild grass spirit, taking root and sprouting here, and managing your own life well?
"What's wrong with you?" She looked at me with concern for the first time, dropping her usual sharpness and mockery.
I shook my head and turned away in despair. I needed to rest properly. It must have been the exhaustion from several days of hard work that wore me out; there couldn't be any other reason.
I lay quietly on the bed, closed my eyes, and tears slowly streamed down my cheeks. My heart ached terribly. It felt like my chest was suffocating me. I pressed hard against my chest; old wounds throbbed faintly again. Perhaps I should see Azure Thorn; maybe he could cure this illness. My thoughts drifted aimlessly before I fell into a deep slumber.
As the ancients said: With drunken eyes open wide, gazing towards Penglai—half veiled in mist, half buried in clouds.
I have been lost in dreams for two or three years. The past is intoxicating, yet it deeply saddens those who remember it. Half of my heart is despondent, while the other half awaits life.
I quietly told myself: Do not fear the shadows; they merely signify that there is light nearby.
The moon in the tranquil sky shines softly, radiating a gentle glow; the stars hanging on this canvas twinkle, dancing to the rhythm of the night. In the solitude of the night, the occasional chirping of insects strums the strings of the dark.
I stood by the window, lost in thought for a long time, my mind tangled and unsure of where I had drifted off to.
"Young Master," Little Seven greeted softly.
Suddenly jolted from my reverie, I turned to look at Little Seven, feeling somewhat dazed. I couldn't understand why I had been zoning out more frequently lately. My mind was clearly blank, yet I found myself daydreaming.
I forced a smile and nodded at him. "Little Seven, it's been a while. How have you been?"
Little Seven smiled faintly; the once youthful boy had transformed into a silent and composed young man. Looking at Little Seven, who had grown taller than me, I felt a sense of comfort.
"Everyone from Jun Jin and all around has been looking forward to your return," he said respectfully as he bowed slightly.
I walked over and helped him up. "Little Seven, I miss you all too, but I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It feels like I've left something behind somewhere that I need to retrieve before I can go home."
Little Seven looked at me in confusion.
I shook my head, smiled lightly, and cheerfully said, "Let’s not dwell on these troubling matters. Tell me about Jun Jin's recent situation."
"Yes," he nodded. "The comic series is a bestseller. Although the court is making moves to ban it, they still cannot suppress the demand from readers. Even the nobles in the capital have started to embrace this trend. Those wealthy men with multiple wives are passing around these comics among their concubines, constantly warning those who think themselves clever enough to stir trouble; their schemes have become laughingstocks in your book, mere trifles that no one would dare use to cause a ruckus. The men have also begun to pay attention to the conflicts among women and are seeking ways to coexist harmoniously. Now everyone is eager to read it; even the court can't control it anymore. Plus, I've managed to smooth things over with the relevant officials, so there shouldn't be any trouble regarding this matter. You can pursue your interests freely. As for other businesses," Little Seven said with a confident smile, "you need not worry at all. However, there is one thing—"
I raised an eyebrow, signaling him that he didn’t need to be so formal every day; he could just speak plainly.
He frowned slightly. “Recently, there have been troubling rumors in the martial world, claiming that Jun Jin has a close relationship with A Bead of Pearl. Many with ulterior motives have begun organizing alliances to denounce Jun Jin. It seems to me that these schemers are stirring up trouble, aiming to bring down Jun Jin.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Find out who is behind this and inform me. I will ensure those people can no longer utter any slander.”
“Yes, I understand,” Little Seven replied, his expression turning serious.
“By the way,” I pulled out a piece of paper from my sleeve and handed it to him. “Prepare these items for transport to the palace. Just find Yun Ying and deliver them to me. Remember, do not alert anyone; everything must remain secret.”
He accepted it without question, carefully storing it away without asking why. Over the years, what pleased me most was his nature—his absolute trust and obedience towards me, never asking too many questions. He simply focused on doing each task diligently.
This was undoubtedly why I felt at ease with him.
Thinking of his loyalty made me smile lightly. “Little Seven, do you know why I came today?”
He looked puzzled and instinctively shook his head.
“You fool,” I lightly tapped his head. “Have you been so busy that you forgot your own birthday?”
He froze in surprise, and seeing his adorably bewildered expression, I took his hand as we walked along. “I made a cake for your birthday celebration! Come on, let’s go find Azure Thorn and Auntie to celebrate together. I even prepared a gift for you; let’s see if you like it!”
He let me lead him, and after a while, his eyes turned slightly red as he choked out, “Little Seven thanks Young Master Xie.”
“Fool, why say thank you? We’re family! Of course, we should love and care for each other,” I said, looking at him earnestly. “Little Seven, you’ve done so much for me.”
His expression changed, and he said with joyful tears, "Little Seven is doing this willingly."
I looked at him with emotion and replied, "It's because of you that I feel I owe you so much. Little Seven, you will definitely be happy. Trust me."
He answered earnestly, "I believe." He had always believed. He firmly believed that someone like Young Master would surely find happiness in the future.
When we arrived at Little Seven's mother's room, Ma Mother and Azure Thorn were already inside. We smiled as we entered, and Azure Thorn exchanged a knowing smile with us, a silent understanding among us.
We lit twenty candles, and I happily taught them to sing the birthday song. Then I urged Little Seven to make a wish. After he made his wish, he began to blow out the candles.
I would never know that Little Seven's wish was: no matter what price I have to pay, no matter what happens in the future, I will always be here to protect Young Master and ensure his lifelong happiness.
Ma Mother's weathered face was now filled with smiles—smiles of comfort and happiness—because she had such an outstanding son. I hugged the kind-hearted Ma Mother, who had always treated me well, and gently said in her ear, "Thank you, Ma Mother, for bringing such an excellent person into my life. Thank you."
Ma Mother embraced me back and smiled kindly, "Silly girl, why speak like an outsider when we're family? I should thank you on behalf of Little Seven; if it weren't for you, how could he have today?"
Azure Thorn, who had been quietly watching us with a smile, gently said, "On such a happy day, let's not talk about unhappy topics. Let's taste Young Master's cooking."
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