Chapter 105

"Then beat them until they submit!"

The emperor gave a death order, instructing the eunuchs to really beat the crown prince, but the eunuchs dared not actually kill him.

After only about a dozen blows, the skin on his buttocks was torn open, and red blood oozed out, staining his white undergarment red. The eunuchs became even more terrified. The two executioners exchanged a glance, dropped their sticks, and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing and begging for mercy on behalf of the crown prince.

"Your Majesty, we can't fight anymore, or people will die."

The eunuch remained kneeling and did not rise, exaggerating his words.

The court caning was divided into "real beating" and "deliberate beating". "Real beating" could save a person's life even if they were given eighty strokes, while "deliberate beating" only required ten strokes and the person would go straight to the King of Hell.

The eunuchs did this only because they were afraid that the Crown Prince was too delicate and that if he were seriously injured, they would be the ones who would suffer in the end.

Chen Zhen also knelt down and begged for mercy, not to mention Shen Yao almost cried herself to death. If Xu Xuan hadn't stopped her, she would have taken the knife for her lover this morning.

For various reasons, the emperor sighed deeply, then suddenly waved his hand and said, "Take him away."

"No--"

With a dizzy head and a numb body from the pain, Wei Luo looked at Shen Yao. Shen Yao wanted to go over, but was restrained by Xu Xuan, so she just watched him cry and shook her head.

The emperor shouted, "Take it away now!"

Two eunuchs grabbed Wei Luo, who was trying to resist, and practically dragged him away, leaving a trail of blood on the ground that stretched all the way to the outside of the palace.

The eunuch brought cleaning tools, cleaned up the blood, lit incense, and in a few moments, the marks of the court flogging disappeared completely.

The emperor sat at the head of the table, took the tea offered by the eunuch, sipped it, and glanced at Shen Yao with weary eyes.

He beckoned, and Shen Yao silently went over.

The emperor asked, "I watched you grow up since you were a child. In terms of kinship, you call me uncle. So how did you get involved with the crown prince?"

The teacup slammed onto the table with a thud, striking Shen Yao's heart as well. Her body trembled involuntarily as she murmured, "Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with each passing moment. The living can die for it, and the dead can live for it."

It is an explanation, and also a confession.

The emperor gazed at her, smiled, and nodded. "What a fine saying, 'The living can die.' In that case, I will grant your devoted heart. Die for the Crown Prince and see if you can live."

"Your Majesty—" Xu Xuan hurriedly knelt down, "I have something to say. My younger sister has been possessed by an evil spirit for a long time, which is why she is talking nonsense. Please allow me to take her back for treatment."

The emperor said, "Love drives people mad. Your sister is beyond redemption. Only death can set her free. Shen Yao, what do you say?"

Shen Yao knelt down in silence, kowtowed and smiled, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I would be more than willing to die for you."

"Shut up—"

Xu Xuan slapped her without hesitation. Shen Yao covered her cheek and looked at him, her eyes filled with tears.

Xu Xuan gritted her teeth and said, "Back then you said that our bodies and hair are given to us by our parents. Did you ever think about what would happen to Governor Shen and his wife if you died for someone else? Could you bear to see them, as elderly people, bury their children? And what about me—"

The voice was so soft it was barely a whisper, "If you die for him, what will become of me?"

Shen Yao shook her head silently, closed her eyes to force out tears, and tilted her head back like a swan offering its neck to be slaughtered.

Xu Xuan's expression froze. After a moment of contemplation, he gritted his teeth and pleaded with the emperor, "Your Majesty, Shen Yao is someone you've watched grow up. Please, Your Majesty, spare her life for the sake of the Imperial Concubine. I am willing to take her away from the capital and never return."

The emperor looked at the two men without saying a word.

Xu Xuan turned her head, her anger rising at the sight of the half-dead Shen Yao. She gripped Shen Yao's shoulders, forcing her to look up at her, and screamed, "Shen Yao, is this all you've become? Becoming less than human for a man? You're human, why do you live for others? So selfish and cowardly, you're simply—"

“The illness is terminal,” the emperor continued. “To be honest, this love is indeed admirable. But that person is the crown prince, and the burden he carries is too heavy. I dare not gamble with the empire.”

"So Shen Yao, you have two choices: either leave the capital or die in the capital. Think it over carefully."

"Let's leave, we're leaving."

Xu Xuan was overjoyed and hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude, while pulling Shen Yao to kowtow as well.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take my sister away from the capital as soon as possible."

On the brink of life and death, perhaps out of consideration for the imperial concubine, or perhaps out of fear of the crown prince's resentment, the emperor chose to separate the two in a gentle way.

It's not that we won't meet again in the afterlife, but that we are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers. Will you still think of me? Let time test this love. Will it last until death?

*

The Eastern Palace Sleeping Room.

Wei Luo lay on the bed, his face pale.

Liu Heng had just cleaned his wounds and changed him into new clothes; he is now asleep.

When Shen Yao came in, Liu Heng was about to wake Wei Luo, but Shen Yao quickly stopped him and said softly, "His Majesty only allowed me half an incense stick's time, so please don't wake him."

"But what will His Highness think if he finds out—"

Shen Yao shook her head slightly, "If he knew, I wouldn't be able to leave."

Given Wei Luo's temperament, he wouldn't allow her to leave him.

Liu Heng sighed, walked to the table, lit an incense stick, bowed, and withdrew.

The room fell silent instantly.

Shen Yao glanced at the burning incense on the table, then quickly walked over quietly, lifted the bed curtains and sat down. Seeing that the man was sleeping soundly, she bent down and lay down beside him, staring at him without blinking.

Wei Luo seemed to be sleeping restlessly, his brows were constantly furrowed, and his mouth was slightly open and closed, as if he was arguing with someone.

She couldn't help but mutter, "Why are you sleeping so soundly? If you don't wake up soon, you won't see me again."

She then reached out and gently stroked his brow, trying to soothe his sorrow with tenderness.

She carefully traced his eyebrows, eyes, and nose until she touched his pale lips, at which point her nose tingled and she couldn't help but shed tears.

Shen Yao quickly withdrew her hand and covered her mouth tightly, afraid that her crying would wake the sleeping girl.

Now, she only dares to quietly watch him, savoring every moment spent in the same room with him.

I dare not ask for anything more.

The incense burned down to half its original temperature, and the ashes fell onto the table.

The time for parting has finally come.

She planted a kiss on his cheek, then gritted her teeth and resolutely left.

*

Inside the Shen residence, Madam Shen held Shen Yao and cried for a long time, while Master Shen squatted on the ground sighing. Even Shen Fan, who was usually lively and talkative, remained silent.

A pall of gloom hung over the entire mansion.

Seeing everyone's worried faces, as if she were about to be executed, Shen Yao quickly comforted them, "Don't worry too much. Maybe I'll be back this time next year. As the saying goes, 'Where there's life, there's hope!'"

Madam Shen wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and asked in confusion, "What exactly happened? Why are you suddenly leaving?"

Shen Yao bit her lip and looked at Master Shen. Master Shen frowned and glared at Xu Xuan, his reproach obvious.

Xu Xuan did not flinch, but looked directly at Master Shen and said sarcastically, "What goes around comes around. Heaven spares no one. It's just a matter of retribution."

"Shut up—"

With a furious shout, a cup was smashed towards Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan reacted quickly and dodged to the side, causing the porcelain cup to smash to pieces on the ground with a bang.

Master Shen roared, "Boy, you dare to hide?"

Xu Xuan sneered, "Governor Shen, no, Father, I am now your son. If you want to be accused of patricide, go ahead and smash it, smash it here."

He pointed to his forehead.

Master Shen immediately retorted angrily, "You think I wouldn't dare?"

As he spoke, he picked up the porcelain cup, preparing to have another go. Madam Shen, who was nearby, quickly snatched the cup away, slammed it down on the table, and shouted at the group, "You're not children anymore, what are you doing? Have you gone mad?"

The room fell silent immediately.

Madam Shen, panting heavily, waited until she caught her breath before saying, "Ayao, tell me, what exactly happened?"

When her name was called, Shen Yao was about to step forward, but Xu Xuan pressed her hand down and said, "Madam, there are some things you'd better not know."

Madam Shen frowned: "What do you mean?"

Xu Xuan smiled and said, "It means—"

"Xu Xuan, stop talking."

Shen Yao interrupted him, looking at Madam Shen and said, "Mother, this matter is complicated, and there are many things that cannot be explained in detail. If it happens in the future, when I am still alive, I will tell you."

After speaking, she knelt down and kowtowed three times to her parents. "Tomorrow morning, I will take a boat to Hangzhou. It will be a year or several years away. I will eat and sleep well, and we will definitely be reunited in the future. Tonight is the last night of our family reunion, so let's not blame or scold each other, and get along well, okay?"

Madam Shen lowered her eyes and remained silent. Master Shen glared at Xu Xuan. The two disliked each other, but Shen Yao spoke up, so Master Shen nodded and said, "Good daughter, get up. We'll listen to you."

"Thank you, Dad."

The servants brought soup and rice, and the family sat together and ate dinner.

Shen Yao then went to the back courtyard to see Bi Luo.

Biluo sobbed in Shen Yao's arms, "It's all my fault, I didn't protect the token well, and he took it."

Shen Yao patted her shoulder to comfort her, "It's all fate, no one is to blame."

She looked at Biluo's neck and asked sadly, "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt. Xu Xuan was still holding back."

Shen Yao hummed in agreement, gently stroking the strip of cloth around Biluo's neck, her eyes slightly moist. "I'm sorry, it's my fault that you got hurt."

The master and servant hugged each other and cried, their eyes red and swollen.

After a moment, wiping away her tears, Biluo got up and went outside to get a birdcage, saying, "Miss, you should take these two parrots with you; they'll be a keepsake."

Shen Yao took it, looked at the lively birds in the cage, and nodded, "Take them with you, take them all with you."

The two packed their clothes together.

Shen Yao thought she would be back in less than a year after going to Hangzhou, but Bi Luo thought it would be a lifetime.

Biluo asked, "Don't you hate him, young lady?"

Shen Yao sighed, "I hate it, but it's useless. Father made a mistake in this matter. If I act recklessly and ignore it, the Shen family will be the one to suffer in the end."

Biluo asked in confusion, "Isn't Your Highness the Crown Prince? Why not just kill him?"

"Your Highness is not only the Crown Prince, but also a gentleman. There are some things that cannot be done, because once they are done, there is no turning back."

"But this is just too frustrating."

Bilu pouted and complained.

Shen Yao folded a stack of clothes, put them in the trunk, wiped her sweat, and looked at her with a smile, "Feeling stifled? It seems a little—"

"However, Xu Xuan didn't completely break off relations. After all, he didn't report his father's deception to His Majesty, and he voluntarily addressed me as his brother. So, it's alright."

Biluo snorted, "You've changed, young lady. You're even making excuses for him now."

Shen Yao smiled helplessly, "Ancestor, we still need to rely on him on our way to Hangzhou, so you can't afford to offend him."

"So what if I offend him? Does he really dare to kill me?"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

A sound came from the door.

It's Master Shen who's here.

His eyes were a little red, and Shen Yao stood up and called out, "Father."

Master Shen sighed, lowered his head and frowned, saying, "It's all my fault. I was blinded by greed and ruined you."

"Hey, it's all in the past, and I'm fine now."

Master Shen sighed.

Shen Yao continued, “Actually, my going to Hangzhou might not be a bad thing. Right now, His Majesty only knows that my relationship with His Highness is a private affair, and he hasn’t involved you. So my departure will ensure the safety of the Shen family. Therefore, Father, in the future, when I am not in the capital, you must not associate with the Crown Prince’s Palace, nor get close to Aunt. Protecting yourself is the right way.”

Old Master Shen's gaze towards Shen Yao suddenly deepened. After a long silence, he nodded, sighed, and said, "I understand now. I never imagined that after all my life's efforts, I wouldn't be as insightful as a young woman like you. From now on, your father will spend his days drinking tea, reading newspapers, chasing dogs, and cockfighting—a wealthy but idle man, hahahaha~"

Shen Yao smiled, and the father and daughter chatted about trivial matters, discussing Hangzhou's climate and food.

Hearing the clapper sound in the middle of the night, Master Shen hurriedly took out a letter from his pocket. Shen Yao saw that it was addressed to the prefect of Hangzhou.

Master Shen said, “I once did this prefect a favor. If you encounter any trouble in Hangzhou, or if Xu Xuan mistreats you, go to the prefect for help. Also, the prefect’s wife is a kind-hearted person, and her daughter is the same age as you…”

Master Shen gave a long list of instructions before reluctantly leaving, turning back every few steps.

As Shen Yao watched his retreating figure, she clutched the letter tightly, her eyes welling up with tears.

That night, probably no one slept well.

The next morning, before dawn, people came to the palace.

Three or five Imperial Guards and two eunuchs waited outside the gate for Shen Yao.

These people were to watch them leave the capital and return to report to the emperor.

Xu Xuan loaded all the luggage into the carriage and stood outside the mansion gate. Shen Yao and Bi Luo knelt on the ground again, kowtowed to Master Shen and Madam Shen, and said goodbye with words such as "take care of your health".

Shen Yao tugged at Shen Fan's sleeve and said, "While I'm gone, please take good care of Father and Mother, brother."

Shen Fan said, "Don't worry about us, just take good care of yourself."

Shen Yao nodded vigorously. As she looked up, Xu Xuan walked over and said, "You don't need to worry. I will take good care of Shen Yao. I swear on my life."

Shen Yao gazed at him and smiled, which served as a response.

As dawn approached, the Imperial Guards urged them to set off.

Holding hands, we gazed at each other with tearful eyes; it was time to part.

The three of them boarded the carriage one after another and headed towards the Datong Bridge Wharf.

The pier was still packed with people.

The Imperial Guards and eunuchs helped carry the luggage onto the ship.

Shen Yao and Bi Luo stood by the dock. The morning breeze was still a bit chilly, and as their clothes fluttered, Shen Yao couldn't help but shiver.

Xu Xuan walked over and draped the cloak over her shoulders.

Shen Yao adjusted herself and smiled at him, saying, "Thank you."

Xu Xuan said, "You're welcome, sister." After a pause, she added, "He's injured and probably can't come. You'd better not expect it."

Shen Yao was taken aback, clenched her fists, and said softly, "I didn't wait for him, the luggage isn't finished yet."

Xu Xuan said, "It's all moved."

He looked down at her and smiled, "Let's go."

Shen Yao said "okay," and as she was about to leave, she couldn't help but crane her neck to look into the distance.

Even though I say I'm not looking forward to it, I'm actually looking forward to it.

Xu Xuan saw it all but remained silent.

The two walked toward the ship, with Biluo following behind.

Just as my feet were about to step onto the deck, a sudden commotion arose behind me.

It turned out to be a huge horse-drawn carriage galloping towards them.

Upon closer inspection, the driver turned out to be Liu Heng!

Biluo danced with joy, shouting, "It's Your Highness! Your Highness has arrived!"

Shen Yao opened her eyes wide and stood frozen in place for a long time, afraid that it was all a dream and that she would wake up if she moved.

The horse neighed and stopped in front of them. Liu Heng jumped off the carriage, approached, and said with a smile, "We've arrived."

He looked at Shen Yao, gestured for her to enter, and said in a serious manner, "Miss Shen, please grant us an audience with the distinguished guest inside."

"I, I..."

Shen Yao was too excited to speak. Bi Luo glanced at Xu Xuan, whose face had turned pale, and hurriedly pushed Shen Yao into the carriage with a smile, saying loudly, "Your Highness, the young lady has delivered it to you."

Wei Luo lay in the carriage, reached up to lift the curtain, tried to reply with a "okay," and pulled Shen Yao inside.

The moment they met eyes, seeing his affectionate gaze and hearing his clear voice, Shen Yao couldn't help but tear up.

She wanted to reach out, but dared not touch him. She only touched her lips to his and murmured, "Does it hurt?"

Wei Luo snorted coldly and said, "It hurts, of course it hurts, but I didn't hear you say it hurt when you left!"

He tilted his head slightly, getting closer to her. Smelling her familiar scent, Wei Luo gritted his teeth and questioned, "Why didn't you call me last night? Why did you leave quietly? Do you know that if Liu Heng hadn't told me, I would never have seen you again?"

When he learned that she was leaving, he was filled with extreme hatred, anger, and resentment. Now, seeing the girl he loved, he felt even more intense hatred, annoyance, and love.

He said, "Shen Yao, you have no heart! You say you love me, but you don't give your lover a chance to say goodbye. This is more despicable than anything else in the world."

Shen Yao looked at him, and tears instantly streamed down her face.

Just like yesterday, she lay beside him, only this time she cried loudly, cried unrestrainedly, and cried out all the grievances, vulnerabilities and resentment in her heart.

She said, "Parting is the most painful thing, and with my beloved still suffering, I cannot bear to see the king shed tears again."

The king also wept, looking aggrieved, "You are not me, how can you know that physical pain is not as painful as heartbreak?"

He raised his hand to wipe away her tears, gently wiping them away with his sleeve.

Shen Yao let him have his way.

After wiping it clean, Wei Luo said, "You're not allowed to leave. You're not allowed to go anywhere without my permission."

Shen Yao shook her head and said softly, "Your Highness, this time is different. This time I must leave. His Majesty has already shown leniency. Only if I leave will Your Highness be safe, and only then will the Shen family be safe."

Wei Luo suddenly became furious. "What about me? Are you just going to dump me here alone?"

Shen Yao smiled at him and said gently, "We will meet again."

Wei Luo asked, "When?"

Shen Yao looked directly at him, her tone firm, "This time next year."

How did you know?

"I just know."

Wei Luo shook his head. "But I don't believe it."

He said, "Jiangnan is far away. Hangzhou may be a paradise, but it's hell for me because it will trap you. Ayao, I won't let you go. I don't like it there."

Shen Yao said, "I like it: going to Yangzhou in March, Hangzhou in April, Suzhou in May, and so on..."

She paused, then smiled faintly, “These beautiful landscapes are all in Jiangnan. Since Your Highness cannot go there, I will go, which means Your Highness has gone and seen them. Your Highness, residing in the high halls of power, should govern this beautiful land well; I, living far away in the Jianghu, will go and see this beautiful land on Your Highness’s behalf.”

"Your Highness is me, I am Your Highness—"

She declared this, her eyes curving into crescents as she gazed at him; while his eyes, filled with sorrow, gazed back at her.

The two gazed at each other for a long time, then Wei Luo pressed his forehead against her face, making his breath audible.

He choked up and said, "You say it so beautifully, but... but I still can't bear to let you leave me."

"I am also reluctant to part with Your Highness, but parting is for the sake of meeting again."

Wei Luo's voice was aggrieved, "But time is really long, not a day, not a month, but a year, or even longer... I'm afraid, afraid that you'll get lost in the mountains and rivers, afraid that you'll fall in love with someone else, and even more afraid that you'll forget that there's a poor person in the capital who's waiting for your return."

"The world is so vast, and the palace is so small. After you have seen the vastness of the world, will you still keep me in this cage?"

Shen Yao said, "I will. No matter how vast the world is, it is not home to me without Your Highness!"

Wei Luo smiled softly and kissed her deeply.

After a long silence, he said, "I'll wait for you."

Shen Yao said, "Very well, I will explore the nine provinces for Your Highness, and Your Highness will govern all the lands for me—"

[End of article]