54 Ye Cheng Fu

 FlamingoBees 

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Ye Cheng Fu

 Chapter 54: 

 

Such a decisive and ruthless person, now looked at me like a young boy with tears in his eyes, speaking each word with painful clarity: “You were all deceiving me.”

Hearing those words, I knew it was all in vain.

I couldn’t escape; he was holding me captive, and I would become the most valuable tool for His Majesty to control my mother.

I couldn't help but laugh bitterly, feeling that rather than be a hostage, it was better to die. I threw caution to the wind and raised an eyebrow, saying, “Yes, I was deceiving you.”

Shen Ye said nothing, his fists clenched, and his whole body began to tremble.

“The deadly poison ‘Xiangsi,’ breaking hearts and bones…” He closed his eyes. “You… truly wish for me to die this way? You said that words can deceive, but the heart cannot. I thought… I thought you understood.”

“Understand what?” I laughed loudly. “I only understand that you approached me with ulterior motives, that you killed my friends and would continue to harm my family! You deceived me again and again… You took advantage of my sincerity to commit wrongs. How could I ever tolerate you! Shen Ye,” I struggled to rise, “do you think you’re the only one who can still like someone else?”

“Shut up…” He shouted, trembling. I saw the pale look on his face, and I knew he was in agony. I even felt a hint of satisfaction.

I was not the only one…

I was not the only one suffering from this longing.

I couldn’t help but smile more, moving closer to him, and said word by word, “I can also. I was never necessarily bound to you.”

“Shut up!” He suddenly lunged at me, pinning me down on the bed, pressing his lips against mine with the ferocity of a beast.

“You love me, and you cannot live without me.”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

I screamed and struggled desperately, but he pressed down harder, repeatedly calling my name: “Shu Cheng, Shu Cheng.”

“Get away! Get away from me!”

“Shu Cheng…” He held me tightly, and I couldn’t help but cry. Yet he finally settled, holding me close, his tears falling onto my face and then soaking into the pillow.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said softly as he held me. “I love you. I will protect you.”

“Go away…” I cried out in anguish. His touch was so gentle yet achingly naive. He pressed carefully against me, kissing me, calling my name in a hoarse voice.

“Shu Cheng.” In the end, he held onto me tightly as if I were the only lifeline he had.

I screamed, his sweat dripping onto my forehead as he kissed me, trying to comfort me. Sweat mixed with tears, flowing into my world along with his words.

“Give me a child,” he pleaded as he lay on top of me, trembling, holding me as if holding onto his last hope. “I’m going to die…” he said. “Give me a child. Let him take care of you for me. Shu Cheng.” His murmurs were so tender they were almost frightening, as if the name of his most beloved person was wrapped around his tongue, making the depth of his feelings palpable just in the utterance.

I had never felt such despair, as if wandering in a dark world without any light or color.

Unable to control myself, I covered my eyes with my hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

He was going to die. He was truly going to die. At that moment, I finally understood.

Yet even if he dies, I cannot survive. Between the one I love and myself, we both lose. I cried my heart out, and he held me once more.

“Don’t be afraid, Shu Cheng.” He kissed me, “I will protect you. You will have my child, and when he grows up, he will protect you. He will look like me and love you like I do. Even after I’m gone, he will be there with you.”

His voice had a strange, calming effect, and I felt myself settling down. I stared at him, as if there were fireflies surrounding him. He looked at me gently, his hand resting on my forehead, and said softly, “You will survive.”

He was like seaweed, tightly entwining me.

I don’t know how long it was before I opened my eyes again. The sky was already bright. The sounds of fighting and shouting came from outside. Shen Ye patted my head and said gently, “Don’t be afraid.”

Afterward, he went to bathe. Despite the increasing noise of the battle outside, he remained calm and spent a long time soaking in the bath.

When he emerged, a white robe was brought to him. The robe was as pure as snow, embroidered with gold thread in swirling cloud patterns, paired with a white jade crown, giving him an otherworldly appearance. After finishing, he turned to look at me, as if waiting for me to say something.

I couldn’t say anything. Though I knew what he wanted me to say, I was unwilling to voice it.

He stared at me for a long time, his gaze eventually dimming. With a self-deprecating smile, he took his small golden fan and left.

I had no idea what was happening outside, only hearing the relentless clashing of swords. The palace servants, looking composed, helped me out of bed and assisted with my grooming. With a broken leg, every movement was difficult, and the whole process took a full half hour.

When I was finally ready and waiting for my meal, Shen Cong came in and sat down beside me for the meal.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Unable to hold back any longer, I cautiously asked, “What’s happening outside?”

“Of course, it’s for you,” Shen Cong said coldly, his eyes full of displeasure. “The Empress wants to interrogate the officials.”

“Is it… is it happening so quickly?” I was stunned, then added, “If the Emperor wants to interrogate, then let him do it.”

“Lady Shu, just eat,” Shen Cong slammed his bowl down, his eyes filled with a murderous intensity. “Don’t make me angry with your brainless remarks.”

“I know I’m foolish,” I said sincerely and devoutly, “So you should say more, guide me. Aren’t you a prodigy?”

He said nothing, quietly picking up his food. His expression bore a striking resemblance to Shen Ye’s, which made me pause in surprise.

After eating a piece of vegetable, Shen Cong finally couldn’t hold back and looked up at me. “Is your heart blind?”

“Huh? Can you be more specific?”

“Shu Cheng,” Shen Cong’s eyes began to redden, “Is your heart blind? Can’t you see how my elder brother is protecting you, how he’s treating you well? You ask what’s happening outside… You ask why the Emperor shouldn’t interrogate you— it’s because my elder brother is protecting you! He’s afraid the Emperor will harm you!”

Hearing these words and seeing the redness in Shen Cong’s eyes, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m heart-blind…” I picked a piece of vegetable and put it into my bowl. “I don’t know what’s real and what’s fake. I used to believe I could feel Shen Ye’s affection for me, so no matter when or where, even though I spoke of distancing myself, I always believed in him and never truly intended to hurt him. But what about now?” I closed my eyes, chewing mechanically, tasting only bitterness. “Liu Lan is dead, I’m here, the Shu family is in jeopardy. I don’t know how to see or listen, I can only give up…”

Shen Cong looked at me for a long time, then lowered his head, supporting it with his hand, as if in deep distress.

I continued eating. I knew the only thing I could do now was to live well.

I had to survive, escape, and not become a puppet. Or die in front of my mother, so she would give up on me and not be constrained by me.

I stuffed more food into my mouth. Eventually, Shen Cong noticed something was wrong and abruptly pulled my bowl away, angrily saying, “Stop eating!” 

His shout left me shaken, and I ended up vomiting immediately. Shen Cong quickly supported me and inserted a silver needle into my hand, which made me feel significantly better. He forcefully gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

“I want to kill you,” Shen Cong’s eyes were filled with such fury that it seemed like they could burn me to ashes. “But you are a life my elder brother bought with his own. I can’t let his sacrifice be in vain. Shu Cheng, remember, your life is not your own.”

I stared at him, paralyzed with fear, unable to move. He suddenly released my chin, stood up, and instructed the others, “Keep an eye on her.”

Then he walked out with large strides.

The sounds of battle continued outside. By evening, the smell of smoke reached me. I recognized it—it was definitely an attempt at arson. However, the smell dissipated shortly after.

The two sides remained locked in a standoff outside. I didn’t know how many guards were inside the Yangxin Palace, nor how many were outside, nor even who was fighting whom or why. With a broken leg, I was confined to a chair, unable to move. The people around me, armed with swords, provided no information; they only stood guard. The uncertainty and lack of information left me restless, and by nightfall, I couldn’t sleep at all, sitting in the chair and listening to the sounds of battle outside.

In the middle of the night, the main hall door suddenly burst open, and Shen Ye rushed in.

He was covered in blood, his once white robe now entirely red, as if he had been soaked in blood.

I couldn’t tell if he was injured, but I watched him approach me swiftly, holding his small fan that reeked of blood.

Shen Cong entered with him, holding a long sword and also splattered with blood. They both approached me, and Shen Ye grabbed me, throwing me over his shoulder and saying, “Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” I tried to sound calm, but my voice trembled. Shen Ye reached up to press a pressure point, rendering me immobile. He held the gold-embroidered fan in one hand and carried me with the other, following Shen Cong toward the study.

“You need to complicate the mechanisms before dawn and prepare to withdraw. Don’t exhaust our resources.”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Shen Ye spoke rapidly, his urgency clear. Shen Cong responded calmly, which was surprising for someone so young.

“I’ll take her out through the secret passage first. Mu Dan and Wen Heng must not be harmed. If things get critical, retreat as early as possible.”

“Understood.”

“After the retreat, go assist the Shu family. Let Wen Heng guard Shu Rou; she must not be endangered. Also, inform her that Shu Cheng has been taken away, so she doesn’t need to worry about the empress. Have Mu Dan and her team detain Shangguan Yun and Shangguan Lin at the Shangguan residence; they must not be allowed to leave. Additionally, have Gu Qiangsheng keep an eye on the empress. If there are any movements, inform me immediately. I will hold out with Shu Cheng until the eighteenth. Once Shangguan Liuqing enters the city, I will reveal Shu Cheng.”

Shen Cong said nothing. His face was cold as he kicked open the door to the study, leading us inside.

“I may not survive,” Shen Ye’s voice trembled slightly. Inside the study, Shen Cong pressed several bricks, causing a wall to rumble open. Shen Ye, carrying me, turned to Shen Cong and said slowly, “A'Cong, take care of the Phoenix Tower people. If I do die, Shu Cheng…”

“I’ll kill her!” Shen Cong suddenly turned and shouted. It was then that I noticed the sixteen-year-old boy's eyes were filled with tears. He glared fiercely at Shen Ye, his voice hoarse with emotion. “If you don’t come back alive, I will slaughter the entire Shu family as your sacrifice!”

Shen Ye was taken aback, but after a moment, he gave a gentle, sorrowful laugh. He used the hand holding the gold-embroidered fan, still stained with blood, to pat Shen Cong’s head, as if soothing a child. He murmured softly, “Silly A'Cong… She is your sister-in-law, my life. I know you won’t.”

Shen Cong trembled all over, tears streaming down his face.

“I hate you…” He cried out through his sobs, his voice rising in fury. “Shen Ye, I hate you! I hate you! Go die with her! I won’t care about you anymore!”

Shen Ye said nothing. He shook his head and carried me into the secret passage.

“Take good care of Mu Dan and Wen Heng. Retreat if necessary; don’t force yourselves.”

His words echoed in the passage, accompanied by Shen Cong’s sobs. Shen Ye did not look back. He tapped a stone near the entrance, and the door of the passage closed behind us, leaving only the two of us inside. Shen Ye turned to me by the flickering candlelight and asked softly, “Shu Cheng, are you afraid?”

I stared at him quietly, unable to penetrate his inner thoughts, only able to see his smile, gentle as the spring water in March.

I opened my mouth and finally spoke hoarsely, “I’m not afraid.”

Looking at this man in front of me, it felt as though all past grievances had vanished. He was the man who had accompanied me into the secret passage, killed the fire qilin, and carried me out of that labyrinth. There was no empress, no Shu family, no blood contracts. Here, it was only Shu Cheng and Shen Ye.

With Shen Ye here, Shu Cheng was not afraid.

Shen Ye carried me and walked out of the secret passage. He seemed injured, stopping frequently to rest. I dared not ask too many questions. At this point, whether he was a good man or a bad man, it was already a hurtful matter for me.

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

I remained silent, and so did he. After what felt like an eternity, I finally noticed light streaming in. When we emerged, we found ourselves at the edge of a mountain.

He pulled out a rope from his pocket, tied it around himself, and then leapt out. He grabbed a vine and began climbing up the mountain.

The movement was not particularly difficult for someone with his skills, but he struggled greatly. He had to rest frequently. I became worried and hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’ll pull the rope; you climb.”

I could tell he was running low on energy.

He said nothing but nodded. I pulled on the vine, and we climbed up together.

By the time we reached the top, I was nearly out of strength. I intended to suggest he take a break, but before I could speak, he carried me into the dense forest.

He did not use lightness skill, but took slow, heavy steps. The journey was arduous. I wanted to tell him to let me down, but as a lame person, I would probably move even slower.

The morning star had risen by now. He carried me through the dense forest, and I felt the warmth of his body. I wasn’t sure how long we walked, but by the time it was fully light, he found a cave, pushed aside the grass at the entrance, and led me inside. He set me down, covered the entrance with more grass, and sprinkled some orpiment around the entrance before sitting down next to me.

At this point, I noticed his face had turned even paler. I hesitated for a moment before asking, “Are you injured?”

“It’s nothing,” he replied, shaking his head, though sweat beads formed on his forehead.

I made my way over to him, supporting myself with my hands, and reached out to touch him, whispering, “Let me help you bandage it…”

“Don’t touch me!” The moment I made contact, his face contorted with pain, and he gasped for breath. 

He tried to endure, closing his eyes and speaking softly, “I’m sorry for being harsh. But right now, any touch hurts a lot. Please rest for now, don’t worry about me.”

Shen Ye was someone who didn’t fear pain. In my memories, he rarely spoke about suffering. But now, seeing his pale face, I could tell his pain was severe. I remained silent, looking at his stricken face. After a while, I tried to shift his focus by asking, “Do you know about my mother’s plan?”

“I have a rough idea,” he said through trembling lips, his teeth chattering.

"After the Empress knelt before the ministers outside the study, she personally took over the case. The next day, she announced that you would be stripped of your noble status, have your limbs severed, and be rendered a cripple. That same night, soldiers from Jingzhou who had served in the past entered the city. Each of them carried ancestral tablets and marched through the streets, kneeling at the gate of the Supreme Court. They presented a blood-written letter signed by thousands, accusing the former Minister of War, Chen He, and others from the Yuan De Year, and requested clemency for the masterminds behind the embezzlement.

"That night, every household received notes about the events from that time. The commander of Jingzhou, who came from a poor background, was overshadowed by the commanders of Yun and Hui, who were from noble families. Therefore, the military supplies were allocated to Yun and Hui. Jingzhou, which was on the frontline, received its supplies last. When Jingzhou was in crisis, the remaining provisions could barely last three days.

"One day, Jingzhou received ten thousand taels of military funds, which were used to purchase enough provisions to get through the most difficult period. Afterward, the commander of Jingzhou informed the soldiers that those funds were not provided by the court but by a noble named Shu. If it hadn't been for this noble named Shu, Jingzhou would have fallen long ago."

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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