HXC Chapter61

The night was bleak and desolate. A tall, dark figure silently opened the unlatched window.

 

Ji Zhen was in a groggy sleep when he felt a warm breath on the side of his neck. He thought a thief had broken in, and his spine went numb as he instantly opened his eyes. Before he could make a sound, a cool palm covered his lips. “It’s me.”

 

Shen Yanqing.

 

Ji Zhen’s hurried breathing gradually calmed, and in the darkness, he met a pair of clear, beautiful eyes.

 

This was a Khitan palace. Patrolling guards could kill anyone dressed in dark clothes and walking at night without question. Shen Yanqing was so audacious as to sneak into his bedroom in the middle of the night.

 

If Ji Zhen were to shout, Shen Yanqing’s attire would surely mean his death.

 

The hand covering his mouth slowly pulled away. Ji Zhen didn’t scream after all. He scrambled to the far side of the bed as he lowered his voice to threaten, “What are you doing here? If you don’t leave, I’ll call the guards to stab you into a pincushion.”

 

Shen Yanqing sat on the edge of the bed. “Go on, call them.”

 

Ji Zhen opened his mouth, but instead, he threw a pillow at Shen Yanqing, hating himself for not being ruthless enough to wish death upon Shen Yanqing.

 

He glared at the other party with hostility, angrily saying, “Last night you tricked me into talking. Are you trying to threaten me with that again? I won’t fall for your trap this time. I won’t tell you anything you ask.”

 

Hearing Ji Zhen’s suspicion, Shen Yanqing’s chest ached. He sat quietly for a moment, and only after Ji Zhen had calmed down did he say, “I just came to see you.”

 

Ji Zhen clenched his teeth. “Well, you’ve seen me. You can get out now.”

 

But Shen Yanqing didn’t say a word. He just kept looking at him, as if he couldn’t get enough.

 

They had only spoken a few quiet sentences when there was a sound outside the door. It was Ji Jue.

 

“Zhen Zhen.”

 

Ji Zhen was like a cat caught stealing food; all the hairs on his body stood on end. He glanced at Shen Yanqing in a panic, unsure whether to answer or not.

 

Shen Yanqing actually got up as if to open the door. Ji Zhen grabbed his wrist as quick as a flash and said softly, “Gege, I’m here.”

 

“Just now, I heard some noise on the eaves. I was afraid it was a wild rat on the roof tiles. It didn’t startle you, did it?”

 

Ji Zhen looked at Shen Yanqing and stammered in response, “No, it didn’t.”

 

Outside the door, Ji Jue’s eyes fell in disappointment. He then looked meaningfully at the tightly shut door, as if he could see the scene inside. He lifted his hand and rested his palm against the door but ultimately he didn’t push it open. Instead, he said, “Then go back to sleep.”

 

Listening to his elder brother’s footsteps fade away, Ji Zhen bit his teeth in guilt.

 

He knew he shouldn’t lie to his elder brother, but he didn’t want Shen Yanqing to reveal himself and cause an unnecessary misunderstanding. Ji Zhen dejectedly let go of Shen Yanqing and said, “I’m only hiding this once. Now, leave.” Afraid that Shen Yanqing wouldn’t listen, he added with great emphasis, “I’m not kidding. If there’s a next time, it’s you who will throw your life away.”

 

Shen Yanqing looked at him intently and asked, “I had a competition with Jiang Yunyu tonight. Did you worry about my safety even a little bit?”

 

Ji Zhen balled his hand into a fist. “No.”

 

Shen Yanqing’s pupils darkened inch by inch as if ink had been spilled into them, so black they seemed bottomless. His eyelashes half-lowered as he brought up an old matter. “On that day at the Third Prince Mansion, you asked why it wasn’t me, that question was carved into my heart. I’ll ask again now, Do you still hate and resent me in your heart? If I were to die, would you not feel a single bit of emotion?”

 

Ji Zhen thought back carefully and remembered the chaos and heartbreak of that day. At the time, he thought his elder brother had died from the plague without a complete body, which was heartbreaking, and that’s what caused him to be so distraught and speak out of turn. As much as he hated Shen Yanqing, he had never wished for his death.

 

But to get Shen Yanqing to leave sooner and avoid more trouble, he forced out a single word against his will: “Yes.”

 

The color drained from Shen Yanqing’s face instantly, and his lips moved, taking several attempts before a sound emerged. “I understand.”

 

Ji Zhen had the upper hand, but he didn’t feel any satisfaction at all. He wanted to get rid of Shen Yanqing, but the formerly taciturn Shen Yanqing was now speaking nonstop.

 

Everything he could and couldn’t say piled up, all to be poured out tonight.

 

“Before I left the capital, my mother asked me to pass on a message. She knows she didn’t treat you well before and wanted me to say some nice things to coax you home, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint her. You’re not willing to come with me.”

 

“His Majesty’s background is humble. I thought I was far-sighted enough to see through his intentions, so I followed the Third Prince. When I wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Wang family, you got in the way and disrupted the big picture. It’s true that I held a grudge and made things difficult for you, you have the right to blame me.”

 

“The night you used the Hibiscus Fragrance, I had a great chance to end our marriage, but even I didn’t know why I couldn’t let you leave the mansion. Thinking it over later, you are my wife, so how could I let you go to another man?”

 

“The fall of the Ji family, though it was the emperor’s will and unavoidable, I won’t deny that I was a part of the planning. But your father’s death had nothing to do with me.”

 

Ji Zhen wanted Shen Yanqing to stop, but as he listened to him recount the past, his eyes blinked, his throat tightened, and he couldn’t make a sound.

 

“Even a thousand words can’t express it all.”

 

“I’m just glad you’re still willing to hate me instead of treating me like a stranger.” Shen Yanqing laughed softly. “Then hate me forever. Think of me every day and swear at me whenever you feel upset. Whatever you do, don’t forget me.”

 

Ji Zhen covered his ears as if to escape. “I don’t want to listen anymore. Leave…”

 

Shen Yanqing leaned closer as he gazed at Ji Zhen’s pained expression. He seemed to have brought mostly tears and sorrow to Ji Zhen, which made the memories of the sweet smiles and gentle obedience he once enjoyed even more precious. He instinctively wanted to kiss away the tears on Ji Zhen’s cheeks, but as he moved closer, Ji Zhen looked up with his tear-filled eyes, staring at him in accusation.

 

Shen Yanqing’s lips parted, but in the end, he only placed a soft, gentle kiss on Ji Zhen’s forehead.

 

As if afraid of scaring Ji Zhen or getting lost in the moment himself, he quickly pulled away and stood up. He then took a piece of red cloth from his robe, lifted a corner, and covered it back and left the item on the bed. He stated with certainty, “Our marriage contract still stands. For my entire life, you are the only one for me.”

 

There was a glimmer of moisture in his eyes, reflecting the sight of the weeping Ji Zhen in the darkness, before he turned and leaped out the window.

 

Ji Zhen wiped his face and tremblingly opened the red silk.

 

The Shen family’s heirloom jade lay inside, emitting a faint, serene glow.

 

He looked towards the half-open window. Outside, a fierce wind had risen, and a night eagle cried out in a long, mournful cry.

 

—

 

The next five days were uneventful.

 

Both Ji Jue and Jiang Yunyu were busy with diplomatic affairs, accompanying the emissaries and working tirelessly. Shen Yanqing was the same, and Ji Zhen only saw them briefly at dawn and dusk. However, every day, small Khitan trinkets would appear on the window ledge of Ji Zhen’s room. Sometimes it was a colorful glazed stone, other times some delicious little snacks. Objects were left, but the person was gone. Shen Yanqing never climbed through his window again.

 

Ji Zhen didn’t take any of these things. He let the items pile up on the windowsill and gather dust, eventually closing the window tightly and not giving them a second glance.

 

Ji Jue assigned four guards to Ji Zhen, allowing him to explore the Khitan lands. Afraid of getting into trouble, he stayed in his room most days, only wandering around the courtyard at most.

 

After the lesson of being tricked into talking by Shen Yanqing, he was now secretly on guard with anyone who spoke to him besides his elder brother and Jiang Yunyu. If Shen Yanqing were to ask if he had eaten, he would probably reply that the scenery of Khitan was truly beautiful.

 

On the seventh day, the Khitan king invited the emissaries to a hunt on the grasslands.

 

Khitan was a kingdom on horseback, living as nomads for centuries. The Khitan people were powerful men who took pride in who could capture the most fierce beasts.

 

It was already autumn, and soon everything would fall into a deep slumber. This was the last major hunt of the year. The Khitan warriors were filled with fervor, donning their armor and holding long spears and bows, eager to show off their skills today.

 

Ji Zhen was not a good rider, but with his elder brother and Jiang Yunyu by his side, he also changed into riding gear, ready to give it a try. He didn’t expect to hunt any wild beasts and wasn’t good with a bowstring anyway. He just took a slingshot and a bag full of pebbles, which would be fine for catching a few rabbits or sparrows.

 

The brawny Khitan king, still spry despite his age, joined the hunt with his eldest son, Yelu Qi. The bloodthirsty Khitan warriors let out raucous shouts, and when the horn sounded, they brandished their long whips and charged out fiercely.

 

A dry, biting wind whistled past his cheeks. Ji Zhen followed closely behind his elder brother. Looking up, he saw Shen Yanqing in riding clothes to his left, who, amidst the thundering hooves, drew his bow and aimed at a flock of migrating swans.

 

The southward-flying swans formed a V-shape in the vast sky, bravely flapping their dark brown wings, unaware that a swift, cold arrow had already locked onto them.

 

Shen Yanqing’s expression was calm. With a whoosh, he released the fully drawn bowstring. The sharp arrow cut through the air, striking the slender neck of the lead swan.

 

As the swan fell, the startled flock sensed the threat of death and scattered in all directions.

 

Seeing the swan fall to the ground, its body covered in blood, Ji Zhen was inexplicably reminded of Shen Yanqing. Startled by his own absurd association, he looked away and refused to see the tragic end of the bird.

 

The hunt continued in full swing. Ahead, a herd of deer was stampeding, and the warriors were chasing them relentlessly while shouting.

 

One gray deer after another was pierced by sharp arrows as it fell to its knees with cries of agony while the people cheered and happily cutting down the vulnerable deer with their knives. The brutal slaughter shattered the peace of the grassland. The air was filled with the mournful cries of the weak creatures, and these sounds of pleading only seemed to incite human cruelty.

 

As Ji Zhen watched the bloody scene before him, his initial excitement was slowly replaced by pity, and he slowed his horse.

 

All things are born, all things perish. Some become butchers, some become captives. Life and death turn in cycles, and none can know upon whom the next blade will fall.

 

Knowing Ji Zhen’s nature, Ji Jue slightly blocked the view ahead with his body and gently called out, “Zhen Zhen.”

 

Ji Zhen came back to his senses with a jolt and softly hummed in response.

 

Jiang Yunyu put away his bow and, seeing Ji Zhen’s pale face, suggested, “How about we go into the woods and catch a few snow rabbits for you to keep as pets in the military camp?”

 

Ji Zhen had no desire to hunt. He nodded slightly, and together with his elder brother and Jiang Yunyu, he steered his horse in the opposite direction.

 

Before they could enter the woods, a sudden commotion erupted from behind. The Khitan people were shouting, “Protect His Majesty—”

 

Ji Zhen instinctively turned to look and saw Shen Yanqing’s agile figure leap from his horse. In the fierce wind, he drew the soft sword from his waist and pointed it directly at the Khitan King.

 

The swans in the sky were startled into flight by the bloodshed. On the vast grassland, Shen Yanqing was surrounded by thousands of Khitan warriors.

 

The herd of deer, seizing the chance to breathe, fled for their lives. And the only prey left on this vast plain was Shen Yanqing, all by himself.

 

The author has something to say:

Are you really that in love, Lord Shen?

P.S. Just treat the political plot as fun and don’t overthink it. Its main purpose is to add drama to the story.