Old wounds

Yongliu Villa holds Zhao Youyi's most cherished childhood memories, as well as his most painful ones.

Because her parents were away fighting wars all year round, she and her brother were entrusted to the care of their maternal grandparents. Her maternal grandfather was a well-known wealthy merchant in the area, and her maternal grandmother was a world-renowned divine doctor. She was poisoned in her mother's womb and had poor health since childhood, so she could only be raised by her maternal grandmother and carefully cared for. However, her parents still loved her and her brother, and would always take some time each year to take them to the border areas to play.

These two days were the days her mother was coming to pick her and her brother up. Since she didn't know the exact date, and Chu Huai Cong was not in a good mood because of their departure, she and Zhao You Li took Chu Huai Cong to the river to catch fish and fly kites.

"Brother Huai Cong! Look! How high my kite is flying!" Zhao Youyi looked at Chu Huai Cong with great interest, gesturing for him to look at the kite in the sky.

Zhao Youyi's kite was made by Chu Huaizong himself. He always loved to study these little gadgets. Zhao Youyi liked fierce white wolves, so he made one for her.

Seeing Zhao Youyi so happy, Chu Huaicong immediately felt that all the hard work of the past few days had been worthwhile.

“Very tall, Niao Niao is very impressive,” Chu Huai Cong said with a smile.

Seeing the two children's childish antics, Zhao Youli, who was catching fish by the river, couldn't help but roll his eyes: "Chu Huaicong! Stop playing with that little girl flying kites and come catch fish! This is the kind of game a real man should play!"

Zhao Youyi glared at him upon hearing this: "Zhao Youli! Don't call me little girl! You're not that much older than me, why are you acting like an adult! Besides, Brother Huai Cong is willing to play with me, so you can go catch fish by yourself!"

After saying that, she ran a few steps away and made a face.

Chu Huai Cong unconsciously smiled as he watched her. Zhao Youyi found a shady spot to sit down and waved to Chu Huai Cong: "Brother Huai Cong, come and sit with me!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Huaicong walked over and sat down, leaning against the thick tree trunk with her, enjoying the shade under the tree. "When are you and Brother Youli leaving?"

"Hmm... in the next couple of days," Zhao Youyi said casually, watching the kites in the sky. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Chu Huaizong's smile fading. "What's wrong? Is Brother Huaizong reluctant to part with us?"

Chu Huai Cong nodded silently and said honestly, "I can't bear to part with it."

"So, are you reluctant to part with your brother or with me?" Zhao Youyi looked at him with bright, expectant eyes.

Chu Huaizong lowered his eyes to avoid her probing gaze, "I can't bear to part with any of it."

"Liar!" Zhao Youyi shook his head and said, "You must miss me the most. Your brother practices martial arts every day and doesn't play with you. Only I keep you company. Don't you like me more than your brother?"

Because they were so close, Zhao Youyi could easily see Chu Huaicong's flushed cheeks. "Brother Huaicong, why are you blushing?"

"I like you more," Chu Huaicong whispered.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi jumped up with joy, "I knew it! You must like me more! After all, your brother has a sharp tongue, unlike me, who can make you happy every day."

Chu Huaicong nodded seriously, "Niao Niao, you are very good, very likable."

"Are you unhappy because we're leaving?" Zhao Youyi leaned down slightly and tilted her head to ask him.

Chu Huaicong met her gaze, remained silent for a moment, then turned his head away without answering her.

Zhao Youyi could tell from his expression that she had hit the nail on the head.

"Why don't you come with us?" Zhao Youyi thought she had come up with a good idea. "You haven't been out since you came to Jiangzhou, have you? The borderlands are a lot of fun!"

Chu Huaicong shook his head with a wry smile, declining her offer: "I'm sorry, Niao Niao, I can't leave Jiangzhou."

Zhao Youyi felt puzzled and subconsciously asked, "Why?"

“Because… I don’t know either, but they won’t let me leave,” Chu Huaicong said.

Zhao Youyi knew, of course, who he was referring to as "they"—the group of men in black who were always by Chu Huaicong's side. She had heard that they were sent by the Prince's Mansion to protect him, but she felt that they were more like surveillance, restricting him from doing this and that, as if Chu Huaicong were a prisoner.

"Then let's ignore them!" Zhao Youyi said instinctively. "Let's go secretly!"

Chu Huaicong smiled and shook his head, looking at her gently: "Niao Niao, this won't do. You and Brother Youli can go have fun. I'll wait for you to come back here."

Zhao Youyi pouted unhappily, but there was nothing she could do about it.

“Hey, it’s about time,” Zhao Youli shouted to the two of them as he climbed ashore. “Hurry up and go home for dinner.”

Chu Huaicong stood up first, then turned around and pulled Zhao Youyi up. Zhao Youyi still looked unhappy. Chu Huaicong smiled helplessly: "Niao Niao, don't be unhappy. When you come back, I'll make you a little windmill, okay?"

This was something Zhao Youyi had wanted a while ago; she had only mentioned it casually, but she didn't expect Chu Huaicong to remember it and even want to make it for her personally!

Zhao Youyi's gloom vanished, and she smiled, placing her hand in his. Zhao Youli walked over and, seeing this, couldn't help but say, "Niao Niao, how old are you? Why are you still playing hand-in-hand games?"

Zhao Youyi made a face at him upon hearing this, "Hehe, are you jealous because nobody wants to play with you? Who told you to be so cute and charming!"

Zhao Youli rolled her eyes at her, "You narcissistic brat."

Zhao Youyi turned a deaf ear. Zhao Youli had always loved to tease her since they were children. Although he treated her very well, his mouth was still very sharp, and he didn't spare her even though she was his only sister.

Chu Huai Cong couldn't help but laugh as he watched the brother and sister bickering. The three of them returned to Yongliu Manor amidst their playful banter.

As soon as Zhao Youli stepped through the gate, he keenly sensed that something was wrong. There was a faint smell of blood in the air, and in the distance, he could hear the sound of swords clashing.

He is now fourteen years old and already a little adult. The next second he sensed something was wrong, he instantly shielded his younger siblings behind him.

Seeing his expression, Zhao Youyi and Chu Huaicong behind him also cautiously looked around. None of the three dared to speak, but quietly moved closer to the backyard.

The smell of blood grew stronger, and Zhao Youyi witnessed a scene she would never forget in her life.

Her mother protected her maternal grandparents, fighting against more than a dozen men in black with a sword by herself. Blood stained her snow-white dress, and the corpses on the ground included servants and men in black.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Youli quickly handed Zhao Youyi to Chu Huaicong, instructing him to take Zhao Youyi and run away. He then drew his sword and charged into the battle.

Chi Mi's eyes widened for a moment when she saw her son join the battle. Although Zhao Youli was exceptionally talented, how could a fourteen-year-old boy possibly defeat a group of well-trained assassins?

"Take your sister and run!" Chi Mi shouted at him.

"Huai Cong has already run away with Niao Niao, Mother, don't worry, I'll help you!" With Zhao Youli's help, Chi Mi was obviously much more relaxed. Although she was highly skilled in martial arts and had been on the battlefield for a long time, it was still a bit difficult for her to fight ten people at once.

Chu Huaicong pulled Zhao Youyi toward their hiding place at Yongliu Manor, but the men in black rushed toward them as soon as they saw them.

Chi Mi's eyes sharpened, and she hurriedly chased after them. She had thought these people were her or her husband's enemies, but she didn't expect their target to be the child who was with Zhao Youyi.

"You stay here and protect your maternal grandparents." Chi Mi said this to Zhao Youli before hurriedly leaving with her sword.

Zhao Youli had no choice but to stay and take care of her seriously injured and unconscious grandparents, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Chu Huaicong hid Zhao Youyi in the secret cave and comforted her: "Niao Niao, don't be afraid. Those people are probably after me. They won't do anything to you."

He couldn't escape, he couldn't let more innocent people lose their lives because of him. Perhaps he was, as the rumors said, a jinx! Wherever he went, he brought misfortune to others.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youyi anxiously grabbed his hand: "Brother Huai Cong, what are you doing? No! Chu Huai Cong! I won't allow it!"

Chu Huai Cong ruthlessly shook off her hand, picked up his sword and strode away, not forgetting to block the entrance to the secret cave before leaving.

Zhao Youyi watched his figure gradually disappear, feeling her tears burning intensely.

She cried? Why?

Helplessly wiping away her tears, she pushed open the door with all her might. She wanted to get out, even if it meant dying with her loved ones!

Chi Mi felt a headache coming on as she looked at the child walking out from not far away. The young boy was carrying a sword and was full of murderous aura, but his hand, which was not holding the sword, was trembling.

The men in black swarmed Chu Huai Cong like wolves around a rabbit, their attacks ruthless and deadly. Even though Chu Huai Cong was highly skilled in martial arts, he was only a twelve-year-old child and gradually became outmatched. Chi Mi could not stand idly by and had no choice but to join the battle.

But those people were highly skilled in martial arts, and even with Chi Mi's help, it was to no avail. As sweat dripped from her forehead, Chi Mi heard the child say, "Madam, you should leave. They only want my life. You are innocent. Take Niao Niao and leave."

Chi Mi belatedly realized who this child was. He was the legendary second son of the King of Chu, whose bloodline was not pure. He had been raised in his maternal grandfather's estate since childhood. But who Chu Huai Cong was did not matter. She only knew that he was a citizen of Jin, and she was a soldier whose duty was to protect every citizen of Jin.

Seeing that she was determined to persist, the man in black showed no mercy. Just as the blade was about to pierce Chu Huai Cong's chest, he was suddenly shoved away by a force, followed by the sound of the blade piercing flesh.

Zhao Youyi saw this scene as she escaped from the secret cave: her mother was being stabbed by dozens of swords, and the person protecting her behind her... was Chu Huaicong.

"Mother!" Zhao Youyi cried out, crawling over almost on all fours. But despite the short distance, she couldn't reach the end. As her blood surged, she suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood.

Finally, in the midst of the dizzying moment, she heard her brother's desperate shouts and the sounds of swords clashing and fighting. It seemed that a new group of people had joined the battle. She felt as if the sky and earth were collapsing at that moment, and all she could see in her mind was the image of her mother lying in a pool of blood.

Before she closed her eyes, she saw Chu Huai Cong stumbling towards her, his face filled with tears, hatred... and guilt.

The last thing she saw was Chu Huaicong's face.

From then on, nightmares plagued me, as if I had fallen into an ice cave.