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墨書 Inktalez
I suddenly recalled Consort Huan's words.
She looked at me meaningfully and said, "Everyone thinks I am just one of those special ones. However, aside from you, there is only that unruly, Flourishing youth, the unparalleled and stunning boy. The Emperor feels differently about you and him. To me, he only harbors feelings of youthful affection and guilt. The scholar I fell in love with back then was introduced to me by him, but that man suddenly vanished after we decided to elope, as if he had evaporated from the world. I could never find him again. Rui couldn't either. Rui has always felt guilty; if I hadn't taken him to see me, we wouldn't have met, and none of this would have happened. So Rui has always felt indebted to me and wanted to make it up to me. Not long after, I discovered I was pregnant, which was a thunderbolt out of the blue; I nearly sought death. In this era, an unmarried woman becoming pregnant is a grave matter, a disgrace to her family, and if discovered, she would surely be killed or expelled. When Rui learned of this, he pondered for a long time and resolutely decided to take me as his consort, though he worried it might be unfair to me. I had long lost hope and understood the warmth and coldness of human relationships; his self-sacrifice for my sake filled me with gratitude. Yet in the harem, he still ensured that I faced no grievances, accommodating me at every turn and protecting me. Others thought he neglected me; in truth, that tranquility was perhaps what I preferred. I was not his wife; the child wasn't even his. For him as an emperor to do so much for me left me with no way to repay him in this lifetime. He truly is a person of deep feelings; it's just that after years in the palace, he has seen through the deceitful nature of people and has become less trusting of others. This is something cruelly forced out by this world. As an emperor, he has many helpless situations and many things he must do."
She sighed softly.
Though my expression remained calm, my heart was already surging.
Were those two special ones referring to me?
I gazed at this woman with a serene demeanor, observing her face that seemed different from those other enchanting women vying for favor—her calmness mixed with sorrow. Perhaps love truly does age a person or allow them to be reborn.
"Are you still searching for him?"
She nodded, a look of happiness on her face—completely devoid of resentment despite all she had endured after being abandoned.
I frowned in surprise. "Have you ever thought about giving up the search?"
She smiled lightly and said, "Perhaps I've thought about it, but I've persisted." Taking a sip of tea, she continued softly, "Whether I find him or not is no longer important. What matters is that I've grown accustomed to recalling our past love while searching for him. That feeling is irreplaceable."
For the first time, I looked seriously at this woman—different from others of her time in her dedication and strength. At that moment, her face radiated an almost sacred glow—a blend of maternal care and the tenderness of a woman immersed in love. Suddenly, I understood why some say ancient women are the greatest and most sacrificial beings. They truly deserve admiration for loving their husbands and lovers so unconditionally.
Regardless of whether others have hurt them or whether the men they deeply love reciprocate their feelings—no matter how many women share that singular love—they endure everything... Their hearts are still broad-minded; they are just sometimes imprisoned by secular customs and patriarchal ideologies.
In that moment, I thought I began to understand what I should do.
Or perhaps, what I could do, what I should do.
So, I chose to stand here. Not as one of his women, Xie Weiying, but as Jin Shao. I would defend and protect this country that belonged to him, yet had nothing to do with me.
Maybe it was a bit of love for the house and its crow. However, I suddenly realized that I no longer missed the days of the past. It felt as if I had truly integrated into everything here.
I coldly gazed at the middle-aged man whose face was filled with shock, a slight smile gracing my lips; it was a smile that sent chills deep into the bones.
“How do you know he won’t appear?” My voice was soft, so soft it seemed not of this world. Yet it flowed into everyone’s consciousness like a gentle stream.
I quietly observed them, looking at the people who gazed up at me.
Suddenly, without any warning, one by one, those citizens and soldiers dropped their swords and spears, as if forming a silent understanding. They all knelt before me in silence, reverently and powerfully. I stared at them in astonishment; what were they doing? What merit did I have? I had merely done what I was supposed to do. For some reason, at that moment, I felt several beams of scorching light following my spine, causing my entire body to stiffen involuntarily.
Suddenly, Azure Thorn, standing behind me as if understanding my thoughts, exclaimed: “Young Master, perhaps you think you have only done what you should have done, but for them, it is a turning point in their lives. Their lives—no, even their destinies—have been changed because of your existence. That is why they kneel sincerely at your feet.”
Suddenly, Vermilion Bird King, Xuanwu King, and Azure Dragon King all knelt devoutly and respectfully said: “Young Master, we wish to follow you for eternity.”
The young man stood quietly on the vast plain like an immortal statue. More like a Divine Son from the heavens. Noble, elegant, with an air of independence from the world. That faint shadow floated like the light clouds in the sky, reflecting in the clean eyes of everyone present.
The citizens, soldiers, and even those ministers on the walls looked on quietly and admiringly at this flourishing youth—the legend of this continent—gazing fervently as if they had lost their way in a dark forest and suddenly found the guiding North Star above. They genuinely adored this young man who cared for the people of the world.
The young man smiled at them; a gentle smile that bloomed like fireworks suddenly bursting in the sky. “What I do is simply hope that everyone can live happily; that is the meaning of Jun Jin’s existence. This country is protected by all of us together. I hope that on the day An Jin is present, there will be no disputes, no misfortunes, no disasters harming anyone. I know these are not easy things to achieve; however, we will work hard together to do our best and fulfill our duties. For every person here who feels grateful for Jun Jin, know that Jun Jin is with you.”
A young man in a flowing white robe danced in the wind. Under the sunlight, he was enveloped in a faint glow. With a gentle gaze that flowed like water, he brushed past the crowd. With a heart full of tolerance, he embraced the world.
He was a peerless, captivating youth.
The devout worshippers knelt and softly proclaimed, "We will protect this country together... Jin Shao... Jin Shao..." Their voices thundered like drums, soaring into the sky, echoing above the land for a long time, refusing to fade.
Standing high on the city wall, Sima Rui watched the scene unfold with a complex and bitter gaze. When did his An Jin belong to the world? When did they stand so close yet feel worlds apart?
Li Jiu looked at this youth he had heard of but never seen before, this Jin Shao, and couldn't help but sigh. What a peerless youth! The boy's calm demeanor unconsciously reminded him of someone—an equally extraordinary and unique person. That quiet, unassuming woman.
Later generations would refer to this rebellion as the miracle that transformed the continent.
Because of Jin Shao's complete emergence. Because of Jin Shao's arrival.
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