If you can see a tiger when entering a room, you will be alert, but if you only see a human figure, it will be even more terrifying.
After all, who can know whether there is just a tiger or something else hidden under this human skin?
"I have seen your majesty."
He saluted respectfully, but before his knees touched the bluestone bricks of the bridge, he was interrupted by the other party.
"No thanks. I just have a few words to say and then I'll be leaving."
The emperor waved his hand gently, and the young eunuch and the palace guards retreated to the place where the light and shadow were ambiguous.
The bridge suddenly became empty, leaving only the two of them standing facing each other.
"Why didn't Lord Qinghuai show up for the appointment tonight?"
Xiao Zhun was shocked and could hardly hide the expression on his face.
"Lord Qinghuai, don't be alarmed. I know that Subei is good at expanding territory and conquering, but not at this." The emperor didn't look at him, his eyes fixed on the high platform not far away. "Three days before the festival began, every seat and every invitation sold by every restaurant on both sides of Yuehe River was thoroughly investigated. Tingfeng Tower chose to hold the sea bass banquet on the second day of the second month, so it was natural to investigate it as well. Knowing that two invitations had reached the Xiao Mansion through the hands of Yao Yi of Wangchen Tower was not difficult at all."
Having said that, why bring it up at this time?
After thinking for a moment, he said cautiously, "I had a last-minute appointment with Commandant Ma to discuss the selection of new military officers for the new year, so it would be inconvenient for me to go to Tingfeng Tower again."
"Oh, really?" The emperor seemed unsure of the answer. "Then I wonder if the Right General knows about this?"
Xiao Zhun's heart trembled again.
He vaguely guessed why the emperor came, but he didn't expect the other party to be so straightforward.
"My adopted daughter is unaware of this, but we'll have a chance to explain it later at the banquet. It's worth the time."
As they were talking, a fleet of barges quietly passed under the ancient bridge. The stern decks of each ship were filled with neatly arranged sky lanterns and fireworks. Although they had not been released yet, their spectacular appearance could already be foreseen.
"I anticipated you might not keep the appointment, so I prepared something else." The emperor watched the fleet docked beside the platform, his tone as if describing a perfectly ordinary event. "After the first month of the lunar year, fireworks are quite hard to find, so I had to ask someone to make them improvisationally. I wonder if Lord Qinghuai understands my intentions?"
If you ask someone else, there may really be no answer.
But Xiao Zhun knew that the other party was asking him the question on purpose.
Among the people he knew, only one person liked fireworks.
And she was the only person he didn't plan to keep a date with tonight.
The emperor's implication was so clear, but he could hardly believe it, let alone explain it.
"I don't understand..."
"In my opinion, you do understand." Su Wei's voice sounded cold, which was out of tune with the warm atmosphere around them.
"Your Majesty, I am not your subject, so how can you know my thoughts?" Xiao Zhun's eyebrows did not move, but his words were already somewhat tough.
The man chuckled upon hearing this, and the hoarseness in his voice made the emotions in his words seem unreal.
"The human heart is hard to predict, but it's only the human heart. To me, it doesn't make much difference." At this point, the laughter suddenly died down. "You lost your parents at a young age, feeling lonely. You adopted her simply as a place to hang your head. You tricked her into loving you, tricked her into being young and foolish, tricked her into not daring to disobey or overstep the mark. That's how you managed to keep a smooth facade day after day. But one day, when the show couldn't go on any longer, you pushed her away, regardless of whether she lived or died."
After a pause, the voice calmed down again, but it carried a kind of arrogance and coldness.
"Years have passed, and Qing Huai Hou still hasn't crossed the bridge. And now, who are you going to trap with you?"
Those few light words, like a spell, nailed Xiao Zhun to the spot.
Many years later, the same situation happened again.
He was still the same reckless boy as before, and he broke through his defense in a few moves and hit the vital point with a knife.
He knew he was burdened with too much, destined to live a life of loneliness and hardship, and couldn't really offer any promises. But for the warmth he longed for deep in his heart, he insisted on offering her shelter in the name of family. But how long could a bond that would dissolve at the slightest breeze protect someone?
A burst of loud laughter came from both sides of the high platform not far away. There were several green tents there. The candlelight cast the shadows of the actors changing clothes inside on the tents. The shadows were looming, as if a group of enchanting ghosts were about to come out in droves.
The emperor turned around, and the long hem of his robe dragged a shadow on the ground.
"Does Lord Qinghuai enjoy watching plays? Today's play is probably not easy to see on ordinary days. Don't miss the finale."
Xiao Zhun looked up and saw that the emperor's figure had disappeared in the interlaced light and shadow.
At that time, he only had a vague premonition, but could not really foresee what was about to happen.
It was only several hours later that he learned the cruel answer.
His thoughts were interrupted by a dull echo not far away. Xiao Zhun looked up and saw the towering palace gate slowly opening.
Ancient wood and bronze made a heavy friction sound on the stone floor. The sun had not yet risen, and the light only illuminated half of the door, while the rest was hidden in the shadows.
After a long time, a figure slowly walked out from behind the half-open palace gate.
The man was wearing dark ochre clothes and his hair was half loose.
She walked very slowly, each step was light and unsteady. It took her a cup of tea to cover a distance of just a hundred steps.
Finally, she stepped out of the shadow, and the morning light shone on her face, making it look as white as a piece of paper.
Xiao Zhun opened his mouth, but ultimately did not call out the other person's name. He just took his cloak and walked forward.
"Are you okay?"
Xiao Nanhui looked up hesitantly, and Xiao Zhun's anxious and haggard face came into his sight.
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