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墨書 Inktalez
"Who?" I replied softly.
"It’s me, Your Highness. You are the only one who has survived in there. So you need not worry; the Emperor will surely let you out," the man comforted.
"Is that so?" I chuckled lightly, self-deprecatingly. "Call me by my name; I don’t even know if I can get out of here, let alone being called Your Highness. Call me by my name. Are you also a member of the Dark Gate?"
"Yes," he answered respectfully, but still surprised as he continued to ask, "Do you know about the Dark Gate?" I nodded lightly. There was nothing strange about it.
In the darkness, I looked at him; he was still dressed in his usual handsome and dashing guard uniform. I couldn’t see his expression clearly because the light in the prison was dim and yellowish. It was damp and reeked of foul odors, and from time to time, screams could be heard from other prisoners, revealing the torment they were enduring.
My consciousness felt a bit muddled, and I tried to make conversation: "Sorry, Du Guard, I may not have the chance to spar with you anymore." Du Shaotang fell silent. He didn’t know what to say to this woman he had always admired. He understood that she didn’t need sympathy, didn’t need comfort, and certainly didn’t need his pity. Even though she was in prison and had faced so many tragic events, she remained as strong as ever, her beauty captivating enough to make one linger around her.
Dressed in white, radiant like fresh snow, her smile as warm as a gentle breeze. She possessed a deeply alluring aura.
Just like when he first met her, the impression was unforgettable.
However, all he wanted was to silently protect her; just watching her from the side would be enough for him.
"Your Highness, no, Wei, Firefly... Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No need," I shook my head lightly, like someone on the brink of death choosing to wait silently for their end.
"Oh, right," I suddenly remembered there was something else I needed to do; perhaps I could leave behind a reason to spare the entire Xie Family from disaster. When I encountered Xiao Quanzi earlier, I had already instructed him to find Yun Ying and save her. As I left, I had seen them safe and sound; that reassured me.
"Do you have paper and ink?" I asked him.
"Wait a moment. I'll be right back." With that, his figure vanished into the darkness.
The air in the dark made it hard for me to breathe. I felt suffocated.
A wave of discomfort surged in my chest, and I couldn’t help but start coughing. The cough tugged at my wounds, causing pain to flare up.
Brother Sima, even if life is filled with hardships and solitude stretches endlessly before us; even if we are no longer ourselves and there is no return date, I will still keep my promise. A promise to give you all the wealth in the world and to protect this country for you.
Sometimes I think about how I crossed a thousand years to come here and met you. In your life, what do I mean? Am I your smile—a fleeting moment of beauty? Am I your sunflower—blooming brightly yet vanishing in an instant? Am I your Konghou—singing a love song alone? Am I your poison—making you fall into despair at first sight?
"Paper and pen are ready, Mother—Firefly." He passed them through the iron bars to me. I struggled and crawled over, kneeling on the ground. My hands found it difficult to grasp the pen. I had no choice but to bite down on the pen's barrel, then shakily wrote down the only words I wanted to say on the pristine white paper.
The tears I had held back for so long finally burst forth like a dam breaking. Scalding and searing, they dripped onto the clean paper, causing the wet ink to bleed into swirling patterns, spreading water stains that blossomed faintly around, blurring the words.
"Mother—" He suddenly exclaimed in shock, so close before me.
"What is it?" I mumbled, my nose feeling stuffy as I lowered my head to wipe away my tears.
"Your hair..." He hesitated to continue. In this palace, all women carefully cherished and protected their beauty, fearing that favor would not last long. Moreover, hers...
I set down the pen and let my disheveled hair fall freely, casually brushing it aside to smooth it out. When I noticed some strands of white mixed in, I froze slightly. White hair overnight? How could this happen to me? Was it because I had thought too much? Or had my long-term injuries weakened my body?
I idly twirled a few strands of white hair around my fingertips, pondering whether this sudden whitening was due to deep emotional pain or remnants of frailty that had aged my appearance overnight.
If I could survive and get out, Azure Thorn would surely develop a remedy to heal me. I wasn't worried.
I knew that at this moment, Du Shaotang's eyes were filled with concern, worry, and even a hint of sympathy. I smiled lightly: "It's okay; I don't mind. If I've turned white, then so be it. I don't even know if I'll make it out alive." My tone was casual, my expression indifferent. The pain in my heart was known only to me.
I pulled something from the inner layer of my clothing—it was the jade pendant he had given me that day, a beautiful shade of green and of high quality. I later inquired and confirmed that it belonged to the Queen of Jin State throughout generations, and he had gifted it to me on my birthday.
Today, I would return it to him.
Along with a letter. Just a few simple sentences carried an astonishing weight.
I had imagined many times how he would react upon seeing these things but dismissed each scenario one by one. As they say, those involved are often confused; it turned out I was one of them.
I handed the items to Du Shaotang, looking at him seriously for the first time—the only person willing to help me while I was imprisoned here; I couldn't help but trust him: "Please give these to the Emperor. Thank you." I smiled brightly at him. He was momentarily taken aback by my radiant smile.
Du Shaotang watched as her smile shone even in the darkness, illuminating the entire cell. Suddenly, he felt she resembled a star rising in the night sky—brilliant and dazzling like scattered Blossoms, reminiscent of dreams.
Du Shaotang stepped forward respectfully to take what I offered him. Upon seeing the Jade Spirit emblem, he paused slightly, his eyes filled with astonishment. As a member of the secretive circle, he naturally understood what he held in his hands.
"Who are you, really?" His voice trembled slightly, and he even began to doubt whether he was in a dream.
I smiled brightly, like an innocent child. "I am just me." Such a simple and ordinary answer moved Du Shaotang. To be truly oneself?
Some faces inevitably grow old, as if the years have fallen into the dust. Your journey will no longer witness my aging, Brother Sima.
I took out the pill I had prepared from my inner garment and swallowed it with a smile. Then I closed my eyes.
And on that piece of paper, it was written: When love reaches its depths, it turns to forgetfulness. With no resentment in my heart, only fragrance remains.
Wine flows freely, carefree returns. Born without joy for myself, dead without sorrow for myself; all are trivial matters of the world. We rush through this realm, cursing the heavens for their madness! Brother Sima, where is our true home?
Longing is a grand feast; you leave, and I remain to enjoy it alone. Brother Sima, we will eventually forget each other.
In the darkness, I saw a beam of light, thoughts drifting like intricate threads of silk, unable to find an exit. I smiled and contentedly closed my eyes.
In this life, knowing that you love me is enough.
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