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墨書 Inktalez
"What are you doing?!" I was furious. What did they think Shaoshao was?!
The people stopped in panic, murmuring, "It’s Consort Li who sent us to exorcise the spirits. The ghostly energy here is overwhelming; if we don’t drive it away, Young Master won’t survive." The one performing the ritual looked self-righteous.
I was so angry I could hardly speak. I rushed over and helped Shaoshao down from the makeshift altar they had set up. His face was pale, and he gave me a sorrowful smile. Was he feeling hopeless?
I steadied Shaoshao, and for the first time, I acted like a madwoman, throwing all their utensils and talismans to the ground, smashing and overturning everything. I couldn’t bear to see these things anymore. In a fit of rage, I coldly shouted at those nonsensical people, "Get out! All of you! If anyone lingers, I’ll kill them on the spot!" My expression was as cold as ice; there was no hint of jest in my voice. They fled in terror.
After destroying everything, my heartache hadn’t subsided yet. In my frenzy, I accidentally tripped over a broken chair on the ground and fell. Behind me, I heard Shaoshao’s worried voice. But I just slumped down on the ground, unresponsive for a long time.
Sima Shao looked at me sitting on the ground with my back turned, unable to get up. He anxiously called out, "Mom, are you okay?" Understanding why I had suddenly lost control, he forced a bitter smile and gently said, "Mom, you don’t need to feel sad for me. Shaoshao isn’t sad at all; he’s used to it. That person never loved me. I grew up alone for so many years; I’m used to it now. You don’t have to worry about me; really, Shaoshao is fine as long as he has you by his side."
Finally, the person kneeling on the ground began to cry louder and louder until he was sobbing uncontrollably, releasing all his strength and sorrow as if crying for someone else's grief.
I covered my face with my hands and suddenly realized that I too could feel helpless at times. My fingers covered my face one by one as I let out all the sadness within me along with Shaoshao’s pain. Why couldn’t I save him? I realized how small my power was; I wasn’t omnipotent—I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t!
Today was just a brief departure to discuss Shaoshao’s condition with Azure Thorn. When I returned, this was what had happened. Those shamans were nothing but frauds! Yet people in this world still held onto such superstitious beliefs, thinking that illness meant being possessed by ghosts and that performing rituals and burning talismans would cure them—how foolish! When I entered, I saw defenseless Shaoshao bound to the altar while they performed their rituals and forced him to drink that so-called "holy water"! How desolate my heart felt! That Shaoshao’s biological mother—what was her heart made of? Although Shaoshao never complained about anything, deep down, he must have yearned for maternal love; it wasn’t as indifferent as he appeared.
The more I thought about it, the more wronged and sad I felt for Shaoshao. It mirrored his calm face at that moment—a bottomless sorrow flowing like blood within him. That pain had nowhere to go; it felt like my heart was being sliced open with a knife—endless and without resolution.
Suddenly there was a loud rumble—a massive hole appeared ahead of me. My anger simmered down; inexplicably, I felt suffocated and extremely uncomfortable! I wanted to scream loudly! Weakly lowering my head to look at my hands that had just struck out.
It turned out there were still things in this world that one could strive for but never achieve. Despite all this time passing, Shaoshao’s condition showed no improvement since his high fever started two nights ago. We barely pulled him back from the brink of death then; now he was growing weaker by the moment. He had exhausted all his energy and was gravely ill—if Azure Thorn couldn’t come up with a solution soon...
It felt as if I were crying out of sheer exhaustion or perhaps crying for him instead. Sima Shao quietly watched the person sitting on the ground beside him—someone who insisted on staying by his side to care for him despite everything—someone who loved him dearly. Looking at this only familial bond he had in this life made him smile faintly. He knew how strong she was; even when mocked and ridiculed, she remained cheerful and carefree. Even when cast into the Cold Palace, she accepted her fate calmly—she never cried before; she never cried before! After all this time, he had never seen her cry like a child until now. Was this for him? His heart warmed at the thought. Enough was enough; if they parted ways in this life, it would be enough for him—he felt fulfilled knowing someone cared enough to cry for him.
"Shaoshao—" Her voice was gentle but hoarse from crying too long. The person who stood up and turned around had regained her usual calm demeanor; her expression remained unruffled except for her slightly reddened eyes that betrayed her earlier breakdown.
"Shaoshao—" After waiting long without an answer, I gently called again.
The young boy whom I had helped sit on a nearby chair seemed to want to respond but suddenly winced in pain that stifled his voice. His face turned pale and purple from agony; his expression twisted as his body convulsed. I hurried over to support him before he fell again, panicking as I exclaimed, "Shaoshao, what’s wrong? What’s happening?..."
I asked again and again, but the person in pain collapsed to the ground, curling up into a ball, unable to answer me. I could only watch anxiously, helpless to assist him, merely witnessing his suffering. Suddenly, he turned his head, gazing at me with watery eyes and giving me a warm smile. Then, he coughed up a mouthful of blood onto my white clothes and fainted. Even in his unconscious state, he continued to vomit blood, each spurt more alarming than the last. I hurriedly carried him to the bed, grasping his icy little hand and rubbing it repeatedly, hoping to warm him up. Yet, in his dreamlike state, he just kept bleeding.
His face was as pale as the snow on a winter morning, and tears streamed down my cheeks. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to hold onto him, afraid he would vanish just like that. Suddenly, the enchanting tattoo on my arm burst forth with an eerie glow as if something within it was awakening, growing hotter by the moment.
Feeling a chill in my heart as I looked at Shaoshao's increasingly pale face, I made up my mind. I searched around for a sharp dagger and without hesitation drew it across my wrist. Instantly, thick drops of blood began to flow out—deep crimson with a hint of alluring fragrance. I brought my wrist to Shaoshao's lips; he seemed to crave it like a refreshing stream of fragrance, sucking eagerly. I felt my strength ebbing away little by little, but knowing that my blood was reaching Shaoshao brought me some comfort. A warm smile crept onto my lips.
I had no idea how long it had been; everything before me gradually blurred as my strength waned. I felt exhausted and longed for rest. As darkness enveloped me, I lost all awareness.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. After being in darkness for so long, I struggled to adjust to the bright light. My eyelashes fluttered and cast beautiful patterns reflected in my pupils, sparkling with lovely glimmers.
I gazed around at the floating pink curtains—ones I had just changed into not long ago. The surroundings were eerily quiet; it felt strange as if I were no longer in this world.
I touched my slightly aching forehead and murmured, "How long have I been asleep?"
I thought no one would answer me, but then a man dressed in white, strikingly handsome, gently replied, "Little Girl, you have been asleep for a full seven days."
My muddled mind began to clear bit by bit as joy surged within me. "Old Buddy!"
He walked over slowly and sat beside me on the bed, smoothing out my slightly disheveled hair. "Girl, you always like to scare me."
"I'm sorry." I felt a bit ashamed; he must have rushed here after receiving Xiao Quanzi's message. Suddenly, a flash of realization struck me. "Master, what about Shaoshao? Is he alright?"
Sang Qin gazed at me with a complex expression and spoke softly, "Don't worry; he's fine now. Your blood saved him." He paused before continuing, "You fainted while giving him your blood; everyone thought you had contracted the plague and were terrified. But they found that you showed none of its symptoms; it was as if you were merely asleep." He gently caressed my cheek with concern. "You must be exhausted."
Feeling the warmth of his palm brought me some relief; I felt lighter instantly and smiled softly.
"Master, you're still the best to me," I said sweetly.
He looked at me with an expression of helplessness before suddenly becoming serious. "Sigh... I know that during this plague crisis, you will undoubtedly do your part. How about this: all forces of Sword Sage Villa will be at your disposal; you can do anything you wish. Just don’t overexert yourself—I don’t want to see you harmed. Do you understand?"
I obediently nodded. "I understand." As I looked at his face, I wondered why after all these years of growing up, he still looked unchanged—still flourishing and peerless like a divine son standing tall amidst the winds.
He took my hand gently and said, "You've slept for so long; it's time to get up and stretch a bit. I'll take you for a walk in the garden."
I obediently got up, still wearing my usual white nightgown. He picked up a cloak and draped it over my shoulders.
"Be careful not to catch a chill," he said with concern. I stood there, dazed, watching him tie it around me with a tenderness that felt like flowing water.
As we walked, we spoke very little, simply savoring the rare tranquility of this moment. Why is it that when I'm with him, everything in the world feels quiet? It was just the two of us, with nothing else around. The world seemed to fall silent in an instant. How peaceful it was, filling me with hope.
Feeling his warmth, I softly said, "Old Buddy, your palm is so warm."
He smiled faintly at me, tightened his grip on my hand, gazed into the distance, and gently said, "Girl, the road ahead is still long. You can take your time. Just hold my hand... and don't get lost."
I looked at his gentle face and felt a stir of emotion.
Holding hands... just don’t get lost.
Is this the simplest and deepest form of love and happiness?
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