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墨書 Inktalez
On that day, Xu Cangyuan arrived at Huai Wang Mansion. As he stepped inside, his eyes were met with a desolate garden, the once vibrant splendor now a mere memory, as if the passage of time had turned everything to dust.
The intricately carved beams and painted pillars had fallen into disrepair, overgrown with weeds that seemed to lament the cruelty of time.
"Rather than wallow in sorrow here, it would be better to burn the boats and achieve great ambitions."
A familiar voice suddenly rang out. Xu Cangyuan turned sharply, surprised to see Ilder standing at the entrance. Confusion filled his heart; how could Ilder have come to the capital?
Ilder noticed Xu Cangyuan's wariness and chuckled lightly as he approached him. "I'm not here to cause trouble, Xu Cangyuan. How about we make a deal?"
There was a glint of cunning in his eyes.
"What kind of deal?" Xu Cangyuan frowned, watching Ilder warily.
"I know you are not a man who would willingly submit to others. You have endured all these years merely seeking an opportunity to turn the tables. Now that Jiang Ruoshui has taken the capital and the emperor has vanished without a trace, your chance has come."
Ilder scrutinized Xu Cangyuan closely, not missing any hint of his emotional fluctuations. "No matter what Jiang Ruoshui does, she is still just a woman. Can she truly be an emperor? But you can."
Xu Cangyuan scoffed, "So can you." He looked at Ilder with disdain.
"I only want Jiang Ruoshui!"
Ilder's expression shifted to one of lewd desire, a flicker of greed flashing in his eyes. "I have stolen the Military Token. You can sedate Jiang Ruoshui and bring her to me, and I will hand over the Military Token to you. Becoming emperor will be as easy as reaching into your pocket. You get to be emperor while I get my beauty; we both get what we want."
The corners of Ilder's mouth curled slightly upward, as if he had already glimpsed a bright future.
"Is the Military Token that easy to steal?" Xu Cangyuan made his disbelief clear, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes filled with skepticism.
Ilder gritted his teeth and pulled a token from his robe, waving it in front of Xu Cangyuan. "Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, do you see it clearly?"
The token shimmered with golden light under the sun, the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon depicted on it vividly lifelike.
Years ago, Xu Cangyuan had seen this token when the emperor ordered the military. There was no doubt it was a Military Token.
Ilder took back the Military Token and noticed the hesitation on Xu Cangyuan's face. He continued, "This deal could make you an emperor; if you refuse, you'll just be a traitor. You have nothing left to fear." He tried to persuade Xu Cangyuan.
Xu Cangyuan fell silent for a moment, lowering his head with furrowed brows, caught in intense inner turmoil.
He was unwilling to hand Jiang Ruoshui over to Ilder, this rogue, even though Jiang Ruoshui had once regarded him as her male pet. Just like the existence of Duchess Manor carried a despised memory from his life, standing on the grounds of Huai Wang Mansion, his thoughts were still consumed by every blade of grass and tree at Duchess Manor.
Perhaps Jiang Ruoshui held an unknown significance for him; however, the immense temptation of imperial power felt like a fine net binding him body and soul, driving away any lingering ambiguity and leaving only an insatiable greed.
"I will act in two days," he said hoarsely, earning a satisfied smile from Ilder.
Watching Ilder's departing figure, a wave of sorrow washed over Xu Cangyuan. Perhaps Ilder was wrong; he was not entirely without possessions. Yet after this transaction, he knew he had indeed lost—he had lost Jiang Ruoshui. Though he had never truly possessed her, there lingered within him a feeling that she had once belonged to him.
Two days later, Xu Cangyuan entered Jiang Ruoshui's room in the Eastern Palace with a jug of wine.
His footsteps were heavy, each step seeming to drain all his strength.
“Xu Cangyuan?” Jiang Ruoshui held a brocade box, looking as if she was about to leave.
Seeing Xu Cangyuan, she was momentarily taken aback, not expecting him to come looking for her. A glimmer of surprise flashed in her eyes. When she noticed the wine jug, a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Are you here to drink with me?” Her smile seemed somewhat weak.
She had grown much more haggard—this was Xu Cangyuan's first impression.
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