Chapter 49: Emerald Sea and Dan Xin

  "Your Highness..."

  Zhuang Dianru wore a cyan robe, his complexion slightly pale, with a few strands of neatly trimmed whiskers on his slender face, giving off an air of desolation. He sat in the soft chair near the stove, half-closing his eyes, and the hardships of the long journey did not show on him, only his voice was slightly hoarse: "What does it mean for Prince Qi to send this blank paper?"

  "Hmm..." A faint, cold laugh echoed, Chu Li was still dressed in a white robe and cloak, his long hair tied loosely, lacking the sharpness of his usual self, but with an added elegance and beauty, like a refined young noble. He held that thin piece of white paper, his voice low as he said: "He's telling me that this matter is now just a blank sheet of paper, how I draw it will determine its direction, only the words written on it must be clear and distinct."

  "Oh?" Zhuang Dianru was puzzled and said: "Is he trying to curry favor with Your Highness?"

  "Dong Qi is not a simple person, the king's body is strong and healthy, his death is still far away. The seven brothers of the Qi family are as harmonious as they seem on the surface? Now that I have confined the seventh brother, he and the seventh brother had joined forces with the people of Xiparty at Gu Yongguan in the past, if I were to expose this to the king, you would still be able to hold onto your position as crown prince like you do now? With this handle in my hands, how dare he make any reckless moves?"

  Chu Li coldly laughed and said in a deep voice, "He last time caused war between two countries for your daughter, his reputation greatly fell among the people. At this time, to be at odds with me is not a wise move. Moreover, Qin Xuan Wang just recently pacified the northern Yanmen Pass war, defeating the Xiongnu and making them retreat three thousand miles, in the prime of life in the Qin state. Qi An is not an idiot, if we let the Qin state recover its strength, our several states will all have to take the old road of the six warring states. At this time, even if he doesn't take the initiative to show me goodwill, I must put an end to this war."

  "Qin Xuanwang is truly a hero!" Zhuang Dianru sighed and said in a low voice, "If our country had such a god of war, the southern border would be worry-free."

  "There is a famous general below, and if he meets a wise lord above, there will be room for development." Chu Li disagreed and said: "Now the Qin state is in chaos, the emperor is incompetent, the treacherous ministers are in power, and Qin Xuanwang is struggling to hold on. He has been ill for a long time and it's already a miracle that he can last until today. You don't have to worry, now we just need our three countries to unite with other vassal states and add fuel to the fire, and the Qin state will surely be in great chaos."

  "What is Your Highness's opinion?"

  "Survival is all about taking advantage of the situation," Chu Li said with a faint smile. "Now that Qin Ye has gained power, I'll just add fuel to the fire and let his prestige rise even higher. The Emperor's suspicious nature is quite heavy, he doesn't even trust his own son. Let the internal strife in Qin continue."

  Zhuang Dianru nodded solemnly and said slowly, "No wonder Xichuan built the Temple of King Xuan on a grand scale, beautifying its name as thanking King Xuan for avenging the death of Xichuan's people at the hands of the Xiongnu, originally harboring such thoughts."

  "When many people gather firewood, the flames rise high. Yan Hui has always been skilled at stirring up trouble." Chu Li let out a cold snort and said calmly, "I called you here today to discuss another matter with you."

  "Please speak, Your Highness."

  "On the grand occasion, I will establish my queen."

  Zhuang Dianru's body trembled slightly, his eyebrows furrowed, and he said solemnly: "The establishment of the heir is the foundation of the country, the basis of the royal family's bloodline succession, it is a major national event. But I don't know who Your Highness intends to appoint?"

  "Your daughter, Zhuang Qingxia."

  Chu Li's voice was like a sudden clap of thunder that exploded above Zhuang Dianru's head, the white-haired old man's body shook violently, his eyes suddenly widened, and he said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, absolutely not!"

  "Heh heh, Mr. Zhuang," Chu Li said with a faint smile, shaking his head, "It's really worth letting those people outside who accuse you of being a spy sent by the Dong Qi faction hear what it truly means to be loyal to the king and love one's country."

  "Your Highness," Zhuang Dianru hastily stood up from the soft chair, knelt down on the ground and said in a low voice: "I have never dared to claim to be loyal to the king and love the country. It's just that Qing Xia and Qi An are too close, and over the years, you and I have been indulgent and spoiled, and we have already made a big mistake. Your Highness cannot do such a ridiculous thing because of pity for me."

  "Mr. Zhuang," Chu Li walked forward, his brow furrowed, and grasped Zhu Dianru's shoulder, saying: "In the past, sir gave me hope in desperate circumstances, took me away from a den of tigers and wolves, and for many years planned for my future. Without you, there would be no today for Chu Li. The bond between us as ruler and subject, teacher and student, will never change."

  The old minister's eyes were filled with tears as he said, "Your Highness is a heaven-ordained sage. Even without me, you would still be able to turn misfortune into good fortune and escape danger. I am merely a humble servant who has helped pave the way for Your Highness."

  Chu Li grasped Zhuang Dianru's shoulder tightly, smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying in a low voice: "However, sir, I want to make Qing Xia the empress today, but it's not to repay your kindness."

  "Your Highness?" Zhuang Dianru said in confusion.

  "Mr. Zhuang, if I say that I'm doing this for myself, do you believe me?" Chu Li's eyes were fixed firmly on the front, and he said affirmatively. "I don't know why, but despite all the evidence suggesting she's a spy sent by Qi An, I still believe she isn't!"

  "Perhaps she was before, but now I can be sure that she is not a spy for Qian." Chu Li's eyes sparkled as he slowly turned his head, his voice calm.

  Zhuang Dianru looked at Chu Li's eyes and sighed, saying: "Your Highness, why are you so certain? If Your Highness is wrong, Nan Chu will fall into a very passive situation. After all, the mother of a country is not a child's plaything."

  "Sir, from childhood to adulthood, everything I've done has been with the big picture in mind, not willing to leave any flaws behind. If there's even a hint of doubt, I absolutely won't take risks. Do you still remember Xiao Xiu who died at the age of 45 in Nanguo City during the Qi Wang's birthday?"

  How could he forget that year, Chu Li was only thirteen years old. When Shiyou Xiu accompanied Chu Li to practice sword fighting, he unexpectedly used the Swallow Sword Technique of Dong Qi's Red Hall Academy. Chu Li secretly remembered it in his heart. The next day, he set a trap and sent Shiyou Xiu to Nan Guo City, where he was beaten to death with sticks in secret. In fact, at that time, learning one or two moves of the Red Hall Academy's sword technique wasn't a big mistake, nor could it prove that Shiyou Xiu was a spy for Qi State. When he went to persuade Chu Li, all he remembered was that thirteen-year-old Chu Li slowly shook his head and said in a low voice: "I can't take this risk."

  Perhaps it's because he has been betrayed and sold out so many times that he has developed such a defensive mindset towards others.

  "Mr. Zhuang, maybe I was wrong that one time, but I don't regret it." Chu Li said slowly, his voice as rich and sonorous as the waves of the sea. The room was warm, with a large copper stove in the center, burning brightly to warm the space like spring. The young emperor, wearing a loose robe with wide sleeves, looked fixedly ahead, saying in a low voice: "But I know that this time, if I didn't do it, I would definitely regret it."

  "Your Highness..."

  "Mr. Zhuang, don't stop me. Maybe this is the last time I want to truly believe in someone. She risked her life to save me in the jungle, I don't think it's all just pretence." Chu Li suddenly stood up and walked slowly towards a side tent, "Even if I'm wrong again, I have to try."

  The moon was bright in the night, Zhuang Dianru slowly walked out of the military account, where his eldest son, Zhuang Qinglin, stood with his head down, and when he saw his father's shadow, he hurried to greet him.

  "Father, what's wrong? Why do you look so gloomy?"

  Zhuang Dianru looked at his only son and suddenly sighed, saying in a low voice: "Your Highness will be crowned Empress on the day after tomorrow's enthronement ceremony."

  "Enfeoffed as empress? Is this a good thing? I wonder which family's daughter has this great honor?" Zhuang Qinglin looked at his father with doubt, asking slowly.

  "It's your sister."

  "Qing Xia?" Zhuang Qinglin was shocked and pale, saying in a low voice: "How can this be? Qing Xia has always been devoted to Prince Qi. It's already fortunate that she can keep her life, how can she ascend to the throne?"

  "It's my fault, to be honest. She was able to get close to Qi An because I allowed it and even encouraged it on purpose. Otherwise, we wouldn't have gained the trust of Prince Qi back then, and our escape from the state of Qi wouldn't have been so easy. But now that she's returned, she's become a treacherous minister, and it's all my fault." Zhuang Dianru sighed as he spoke.

  "Father, is there no room for turning back in this matter?"

  Zhuang Dianru slowly shook his head and said in a low voice, "Yesterday's sneak attack, we had already detected it beforehand. Originally, we just wanted to take advantage of the situation and pull out the wings of the 13th King and the Duke of Nanhuai. Your Highness knew it was a trap, but still chose to follow Qingxia into the dense forest with 8,000 soldiers, taking this opportunity to test her strength. Do you think there's still room for maneuver?"

  "That Green Summer..."

  "I can only wish her good luck then." Zhuang Dianru walked out of the military camp with heavy footsteps, his old figure hunched over. The next day was Chu Li's coronation ceremony, and the officials from the Imperial Observatory were working through the night to prepare for it. All the local governors and generals had rushed back to the capital to attend the ceremony, and 300,000 soldiers were guarding the city, everything seemed to be in order. But at this time, Chu Li rode a horse with only a few guards, came to the Lake Heart Pavilion in the south of the city, and knocked on Qing Xia's door.

  Charcoal fire was burning in a small pot, brewing clear wine. Several home-cooked dishes were placed on the book table. Qing Xia pushed aside the travel notes she was reading and sat down at one end of the book table, picked up the wine jug, and poured a cup for Chu Li.

  Chu Li was still wearing the same white cotton robe, having taken off his armor and seemingly washed away some of his sharp edges. His wide sleeves fluttered as he moved, giving him a somewhat elegant air that was quite different from the usual sharp and bold South Chu prince. He took the clear wine from Qing Xia's hand and tilted his head back to take a sip. The wine wasn't strong at all, with a pure and clean taste, a smooth mouthfeel, and a hint of fragrance. As he flipped through the travel notes and miscellaneous books on Qing Xia's desk, he asked in a soft voice, "How did you have the leisure to start reading these?"

  "With nothing to do, I'll just flip through it casually." Qing Xia said softly, putting down the book and standing up to put it on the bookshelf, then sitting back down beside the small table.

  This time narrowly escaping death, it seemed that something had changed between the two of them. The atmosphere in the air was heavy and carried a hint of an indescribable flavor. They no longer calculated and pretended as they used to, but not pretending made it seem like they suddenly didn't know what to say. Qing Xia hung her head, using a small spoon to scoop up warm water, gently pouring it over the white jade-like wine bottle, watching as the mist rose between them, and their vision gradually became blurry.

  "Have you always hated me?" Chu Li looked at Qing Xia who was sitting in front of him, seemingly nonchalant, and suddenly spoke up. His voice was light, yet with a hint of subtle repression. "Hating me for bringing the Zhuang family from Qi to Southern Chu, hating me for taking you away from Qi An's side, hating me for not letting you become the princess consort of Qi?"

  Qing Xia raised her head in doubt, her eyes slightly raised, and looked at Chu Li. If it were really Zhuang Qing Xia, she should be resentful. But what about Tang Xiao Shi? From the first day she arrived here, she seemed to have already become enemies with this man, plotting to escape from his cage, but there was never a clear reason. In fact, even she herself had no clear goal in living in this world, so how could she hate or not hate?

  "If so, why did you save me repeatedly yesterday?"

  Under the lamp light, Qing Xia's whole body was radiating a holy glow, her pale face had a halo of dim yellow light. She thought for a moment before speaking: "You didn't abandon me in the end either, did you?"

  The sound was faint, as if it were the light flutter of a butterfly landing on a flower, emitting a hint of fragrance. Chu Li's heart skipped a beat, and he picked up a cup of wine to drink, while the cow oil lamp in the corner burned quietly, occasionally bursting into sparks.

  "Qing Xia, I'm about to ascend to the throne, and many things will be different from now on. Just forget about what happened in the past."

  Qing Xia slightly narrowed her eyes, looking at Chu Li's expression as if hinting at something. A strand of hair in front of her forehead slowly fell down from her head, blocking her dark eyes.

  "What Zhi An can give you, I can also give you; what he can do, I can also do."

  Chu Li's voice was soft and gentle, yet carried a hint of firmness. He slowly stretched out his hand, gently brushing the stray hairs from Qing Xia's forehead to behind her ear, and said in a low tone: "The world is vast, if you have nowhere to go, why not stay here?"

  Something seemed to have been broken in silence. A soft thread suddenly surged through Qing Xia's heart, and she raised her eyelids, staring straight at Chu Li. Tonight's him was different from usual, no longer sharp, no longer ruthless, no longer plotting and scheming, no longer domineering. He sat in front of her with a relaxed expression, saying softly, "If you have nowhere to go, why not stay here?"

  In Tang Xiaoshi's short life, the word "home" seemed to have never existed in her dictionary, but when she came here and got entangled with this man, she heard such words.

  "Chu Li, didn't you always suspect that Zhuang Qing Xia was a spy? You kept me by your side, aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"

  "Are you talking about the past Zhu Qing Xia?" Chu Li's voice suddenly rose in the air, Qing Xia's eyes widened instantly, looking at Chu Li's smiling face in disbelief.

  "Qīng xià, is it that my acting skills are too good, or am I really that foolish in your heart?" Chǔ lí smiled bitterly. "I don't know where the problem lies, I've sent countless people to investigate your background, but couldn't find a single flaw. But how can I explain the drastic change in your temperament, explain how you suddenly became agile and skilled in martial arts? What exactly happened that I'm not aware of, or were you just pretending in front of me all along?"

  Qing Xia was tongue-tied, not knowing how to explain. Chu Li looked at her and smiled self-deprecatingly, saying: "Just like I said, forget about past events. I don't want to investigate anything about you either. I just hope that from now on, you can stay in Nan Chu, stay by my side. Qing Xia, it's been a long time since I've trusted anyone. This time, I want to give it a try."

  Qing Xia slowly lowered his head and finally asked in a low voice: "Aren't you afraid?"

  "Scared," Chu Li paused slightly, "so don't betray me."

  Chu Li stood up and walked slowly to the door. Qing Xia quietly got up and suddenly called out: "Chu Li!"

  Chu's son stumbled and fell, so he stopped in his tracks.

  "If one day I really betray you, will you kill me?"

  Time seemed to have stopped in an instant, everything became blurred, after a long time, Chu Li said faintly but firmly: "I will, so I will kill all the people who may make you betray me, and let you have no chance to leave me."

  The carved wooden door was slowly pushed open, and the attendant outside helped Chu Li put on his cloak. The figures of the group gradually disappeared into the cold night colors.

  Qing Xia stood still, the wind in the darkness blew gently on her body, she suddenly remembered what Princess Jia Yun said that morning, and silently laughed: Would he kill everyone who might make her betray him?

  Among the attendants who followed Chu Li, there was indeed no sign of Yang Feng.

  Under the moonlight, a vast expanse of desolation, the entire land is covered with a thick layer of winter frost.

  "Xu Quan," Chu Li, who was riding on horseback, suddenly laughed and called out to Xu Quan, asking: "You say your master rushes into the Qi State's residence right now and kills Qi An, what would happen?"

  "Your Highness!" Xu Quan was greatly shocked, and suddenly tightened the reins of his war horse. He jumped off the horse in an instant, knelt down on the ground, and said in a deep voice: "When two countries are at war, they do not kill envoys who come to pay respects. How can we harm the Crown Prince of Qi, who has come to offer congratulations?"

  "Haha!" Chu Li burst out laughing, seemingly as if he hadn't laughed so freely in twenty years. His voice was filled with unbridled joy: "Look at how scared you look."

  In the dark of night, Shen Yue's warhorse suddenly neighed and galloped away. Chu Li burst out laughing and said: "One day, I will surely take his head with honor!"

  I updated 5,000 words today, can everyone encourage me a bit~~~~