Chapter 77: A self-fulfilling prophecy: "You actually want to give up? You're insane!"
Compared to the couple, Qi Baitong appeared excessively calm.
But Gu Shanyue held his hand and noticed that it was trembling slightly.
Gu Shanyue didn't quite understand what was going on, but she still gripped his hand tightly, giving him strength.
Li Jing opened his mouth but remained silent. He then looked at Fang Wanqing, whose eyes were red. She said gently, "Lin'er, you probably don't like Shengjing, right? You can go wherever you want in the future. I just hope you're happy. If you can exchange a few letters and meet with us while you're happy, I'll be satisfied."
In the past days and nights, the loss of her child was a knot in her heart, tormenting her in the middle of the night and preventing her from finding peace.
Now that her child has been found, hearing about Qi Baitong's past experiences, seeing the punishments he endured, and the missions he participated in, those cold words are tearing at her heart.
Having endured so much suffering, Qi Baitong has been pulled back from the abyss and is now living a happy life.
As an absent mother, she asked for nothing, only hoping to give everything to make him happy.
Li Jing wiped away his wife's tears, his own eyes slightly red, and said in a hoarse voice, "We won't stay in Shengjing for long. Our home is in Liaodong, on the vast grasslands. There's strong liquor, warhorses, and eagles there. That's your father's territory. I'll take you two there to ride horses. I guarantee it will be much more enjoyable than this cramped place here."
Qi Baitong listened attentively, looked at Gu Shanyue, and Gu Shanyue nodded. Qi Baitong said, "We will go."
Upon hearing this, Li Jing burst into laughter and patted Qi Baitong's shoulder forcefully, only to be slapped away by Fang Wanqing: "Go easy on me."
Li Jing covered his hands, deliberately making a bitter face to tease her: "Now that we have a son, your husband won't be as affectionate?"
Fang Wanqing slapped him: "You shameless old man, what are you saying in front of the younger generation!"
The couple, being older, were actually more boisterous than Gu Shanyue and her husband. Qi Baitong and Gu Shanyue exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with amusement.
Qi Baitong felt relieved. He had thought this relationship would be another shackle binding him, but it didn't seem to be.
As they were talking, a servant came to report that the Crown Prince had arrived, and they were all taken aback.
Gu Shanyue frowned slightly: "I'll go see him."
Qi Baitong stopped her and shook her head: "We only arrived in the capital yesterday. He may not be looking for us. Perhaps he has something to ask the prince."
When Li Jing heard the jarring words "Your Highness," his eyes widened, but he didn't react. He went along with him, saying, "That's right, I'll go and meet him."
"Three months is such a long time, and he still isn't getting married," Gu Shanyue rarely complained.
When Li Yuheng lit the rocket, Gu Shanyue promised to stay in Shengjing for three months to witness the ceremony before leaving. Little did he know that so much would happen in those three months; things had changed, and he still hadn't been able to witness the ceremony.
Before long, Li Jing returned with Li Yuheng, and the two chatted and laughed.
When Li Yuheng looked up and saw Gu Shanyue, his eyes lit up and his smile became even more genuine, which made Li Jing grind his teeth.
I used to laugh at the stories about the Crown Prince, Gu Shanyue, and the secret guards, but now that the secret guards have become his sons, it's clear that he's head over heels in love with Gu Shanyue.
Seeing the Crown Prince's inability to look away from Gu Shanyue, Li Jing felt a subtle sense of displeasure.
"Sister, why didn't you tell me you were coming back? Your yard has been all tidied up, just waiting for you to come home."
Li Yuheng walked over quickly and tried to take Gu Shanyue's hand.
Qi Baitong didn't stop him, but Gu Shanyue casually waved his hand away, saying in a flat tone, "I'm not going to the Crown Prince's residence; I'll stay here."
A glint flashed in Li Yuheng's eyes as he glanced over the group, his gaze lingering on Gu Shanyue and Qi Baitong's clasped hands. His words carried a hint of probing.
"We're not related by blood or marriage, wouldn't it be too much of a bother for you to stay here?"
Li Jing's expression changed upon hearing this. He had just reconciled with his son, and he couldn't stand hearing such words now. "What trouble? You can stay as long as you want."
Li Yuheng feigned sudden realization: "My uncle searched the entire Imperial Guard Command a while ago, and I also heard some rumors. Could it be that Lord Qi is my lost cousin?"
Li Jing glanced at Qi Baitong, who remained calm and composed, so he directly admitted, "Yes, he is Lin'er, my own son."
"I've heard that this matter has troubled my uncle and aunt for many years. Now that my cousin has been found and the family is reunited, it's truly a joyous occasion," Li Yuheng said, bowing respectfully.
Li Jing was very pleased to hear this, and waved his hand with a smile, saying, "Your Highness is too polite."
“Indeed, we’re all family,” Li Yuheng said with a smile as he turned to Qi Baitong, his smile gentle and refined. “Cousin, it’s been a long time.”
He looks exactly like a good younger brother.
But Qi Baitong remembered that Li Yuheng had bared his fangs at him countless times, and he coldly tugged at the corner of his mouth without saying a word.
Li Jing noticed the discord between the two, and his smile faded slightly.
The Inner Guard's records naturally wouldn't mention how the Crown Prince abused the secret guards. He only knew that Qi Baitong had been working in the Crown Prince's residence for the past few years. Now, seeing Qi Baitong's attitude, Li Jing understood the situation.
He knew the prince's methods, and he was afraid that Qi Baitong had suffered a lot under the crown prince's command.
Thinking of this, Li Jing's eyes turned cold. He exchanged a glance with Fang Wanqing, whose smile grew colder.
Li Yuheng keenly sensed the subtle changes in the situation, and his heart sank slightly.
At that time, while he was in Wanhua Diegu, he received a message from Shengjing and roughly guessed Qi Baitong's identity.
The Liaodong cavalry was strong and well-equipped. Before he ascended the throne, he had always been inclined to befriend Li Jing. However, things didn't go as planned. Unbeknownst to him, he had tormented Li Jing's precious son time and time again, which would likely lead to a falling out with the Liaodong forces.
What's even more infuriating is that despite all the methods he used, Gu Shanyue only drifted further and further away from him; he lost both his wife and his army.
Now that Qi Baitong has a new identity, he naturally holds his head high in front of him. He can no longer mock Qi Baitong as just a lowly bodyguard as before, nor can he beat or scold him at will, otherwise Li Jing will be the first to not let him off the hook.
Li Yuheng's eyes were cold and dark. He could no longer touch Qi Baitong, but he was unwilling to just watch Qi Baitong and Gu Shanyue live happily ever after.
“Uncle and Aunt, I had some misunderstandings with my cousin before, and I want to explain and apologize to him. You see…” Li Yuheng smiled apologetically, his meaning quite clear.
Li Jing glanced at Fang Wanqing, who nodded. Li Jing then cupped his hands in greeting: "Then my wife and I will go to the opera. You young people can chat."
Li Yuheng smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your understanding, Uncle and Aunt."
Li Jing was about to leave when he suddenly came back and hugged Qi Baitong, squeezing his shoulder with his hand.
"You've suffered so much over the years. As your father, it hurts my heart to think about how many injuries you've endured and how many people have looked down on you..."
Qi Baitong: "..."
Li Jing wiped his eyes, ignoring Li Yuheng's unpleasant expression, and said loudly, "Don't worry, from now on you are the precious darling of our Prince's Mansion. If anyone dares to touch you or disrespect you, your father will definitely stand up for you. Even if it goes to the Emperor's brother, I will never let it go, understand?"
Qi Baitong: "...Understood."
After uttering his harsh words, Li Jing left with Fang Wanqing, satisfied.
Seeing the couple looking back every few steps, and recalling the obvious protectiveness in Li Jing's words, Qi Baitong was still deeply moved.
After the two people had gone far away, Li Yuheng glanced at them. Gu Shanyue's expression was indifferent, while Qi Baitong's expression was even colder, and neither of them seemed to want to pay him any attention.
Li Yuheng suppressed his disappointment and sense of imbalance, rallied his spirits, and said to Qi Baitong, "Cousin, you are now the eldest son of the Prince of Pingliao, and also his only son. Congratulations on your rise in status."
These words were quite meaningful, and as he spoke, he kept his eyes on Gu Shanyue's expression.
As expected, Gu Shanyue frowned.
As the crown prince, Gu Shanyue disliked him. Qi Baitong is now also a prince, similarly pulled and surrounded by power and influence; how could she possibly like him?
Qi Baitong instantly realized what was going on, his eyes narrowing slightly: "You knew about this back in the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers and Butterflies, didn't you?"
If he couldn't understand it back then, then the current situation is the right solution.
Gu Shanyue frowned even more deeply and questioned Li Yuheng, "You knew that back then? Why didn't you say so?"
“Sister, I don’t really know, I’ve only vaguely heard rumors in Shengjing. It’s such a big matter, I can’t just say anything carelessly. If I say something wrong, my cousin will be heartbroken,” Li Yuheng said earnestly, her face full of concern. “But fortunately, my cousin is my uncle’s son, and he will enjoy endless wealth and honor in the future.”
The words sounded like kind words, but they also sounded strangely barbed.
Qi Baitong knew what he was implying and didn't want to play games with him anymore, so she gave him the answer directly.
"Once A-Yue has fulfilled her promise to you, I will leave Shengjing with her and travel the world."
Li Yuheng's smile froze, like a smooth porcelain blank slowly cracking: "What did you say?"
“A-Yue and I will not stay in Shengjing. Wherever she goes, I will go. In other words, you will never have the chance to outshine me in front of her.”
Qi Baitong spoke each word with absolute certainty.
Li Yuheng's composed demeanor completely crumbled. His eyes widened in a frightening manner, and he raised his hand to grab Qi Baitong's collar, only to be casually brushed aside. He stumbled backward before finally stopping.
Without the Needle-Threading Gu and without the advantage of being the Crown Prince over the Dark Guards, he was utterly helpless against Qi Baitong.
But this blow couldn't compare to the shock he felt from Qi Baitong's words. He pointed at Qi Baitong in disbelief.
"What did you say? You couldn't possibly be unaware of the prestige of the Pingliao Prince's Mansion in the court and the military. You will inherit the title of the next Pingliao Prince. All of this, the wealth and power, will be yours. You actually want to give it up? Are you crazy?"
Qi Baitong wrapped his arm around Gu Shanyue's waist, glancing at Li Yuheng with eyes full of contempt.
"I don't want anything, I just want A-Yue."
Li Yuheng stared blankly at the two of them, while Gu Shanyue barely listened to their argument, her attention completely drawn to the stage not far away.
Qi Baitong looked at him coldly, her face showing only mockery and indifference.
It was as if he was the only one singing at the top of his lungs in this play. What he thought was a comeback was actually completely ignored by the opponent, who could control the entire game with a single finger.
While he was still basking in the illusion of victory, he had already lost everything.
Perhaps even earlier, when he deceived Gu Shanyue countless times, when he broke his promises time and time again, when he only paid attention to his mother's birthday when Gu Shanyue got angry... He was originally very important to Gu Shanyue, but he kicked himself out of the game little by little and pushed Gu Shanyue away with his own hands.
“Sister…” Li Yuheng murmured softly.
Gu Shanyue's ear twitched.
She heard it; she always had exceptional hearing.
Li Yuheng knew she had heard it, and she knew Li Yuheng knew she had heard it.
But she didn't turn around, still focused on the distant singing from the stage.
They could never go back to the way things were.
Just like the question he asked back then, it came true.
Now, Gu Shanyue may only care about his life and death, and nothing else can move her heart anymore.
Li Yuheng stared at her blankly, reaching out to touch her.
Qi Baitong's face was cold and stern as she brushed his hand away: "The power and wealth you value so much are just fleeting clouds to me, not even worth a hair on A-Yue's head. Don't you understand? You and we are not on the same path, never have been. Stop bothering her."
After saying that, Qi Baitong put his arm around Gu Shanyue, and the two walked side by side toward the stage.
Gu Shanyue raised her face, her eyes crinkling as she spoke to Qi Baitong. Qi Baitong lowered his head, his usually cold and aloof expression softening as he spoke to her gently.
The two looked like a loving couple, while he was just an anxious and hesitant outsider.
He never expected Qi Baitong's choice, nor had he ever thought of it.
He couldn't refute Qi Baitong's words.
So, he and Gu Shanyue were not on the same path at all?
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