A Shocking Dream

Chapter 162

But now, all that beauty was like a bubble, shattered in the whirlpool of fate's impermanence. Qin Rongchen's eyes flashed with pain and struggle. After a long moment, he sighed deeply, as if to let out all his sorrow, and muttered to himself, "Forget it. Feelings can't be forced." Though his words were soft, they seemed to exhaust all his strength. Each word carried a sense of relief and helplessness, echoing lingeringly in the empty courtyard, startling a few jackdaws perched on the plum branches. They croaked and flew off into the leaden sky, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

Uncle Chen stood aside, quietly watching Qin Rongchen's changing expression, his heart aching, wanting to speak but holding back. He knew the prince was deeply in love, and this separation must be heartbreaking. However, in this world, if love lacks the bond of fate, even a thousand reluctances and tenacious persistence will only leave regrets.

Qin Rongchen slowly strolled to the edge of the plum grove, raising his hand to gently stroke the rough, cracked trunks of the plum trees. His hands, once filled with tender, delicate petals, now bore only the vicissitudes of time. "Uncle Chen, there's no need to guard this villa anymore. Let it go. Perhaps it's destined to preserve only memories, not the future." His voice was calm, revealing the open-mindedness of a man who had experienced many things. Only the slight trembling of his fingertips betrayed the still-burning flame of attachment in his heart.

Uncle Chen's eyes were red, and he bowed and replied, "Your Highness, I understand, but this ending is really regrettable. I watched you and Miss Lin get to know each other, and I was hoping that you would have a good ending, but who would have thought..." As he spoke, his voice choked and tears streamed down his face.

Qin Rongchen turned around, patted Uncle Chen on the shoulder, and forced a wry smile: "Nine out of ten things in this world are not as we wish. There is still a long way to go. Now that I have let it go, you don't have to be sad anymore. Although Hanmei Villa has lost its former warmth, it has witnessed our past, which is enough." He looked at the mountains in the distance. The dusk deepened and the outlines of the mountains blurred, just like his feelings for Lin Bingshuang, which were slowly being buried by time. Although it was painful, he could only follow the tide of fate.

"How come you've seen so clearly after a trip to Linzhou?" A teasing voice drifted across the breeze, instantly severing the thread of Qin Rongchen's thoughts. He looked up and saw Su Yijing approaching with a smile on his face. His azure shirt fluttered in the breeze, like a willow tree in spring, a carefree and uninhibited presence. The jade pendant at his waist swayed gently, making a crisp sound, adding a touch of agility and playfulness to their reunion.

Qin Rongchen saw it was him, and a smile crossed his face, like a ray of light casting a shadow upon a dark lake, shimmering with warmth. The smile spread from his eyes and brows, dispelling the slight sense of loneliness that surrounded him. "Yijing, you're still as sharp-tongued as ever. I've simply been through some things and become more careful." Qin Rongchen's words were filled with the joy of reuniting with an old friend after a long absence. His posture remained straight, but his demeanor had become more steady and profound, as if the hardships of Linzhou over the past few months had worn away some of his youthful arrogance, leaving only the clarity of time.

Su Yijing took a few quick steps, and when he got closer, he raised his hand and patted Qin Rongchen's shoulder forcefully. The force was familiar and intimate, and his eyes were full of mischievous smiles. "Hey, don't be perfunctory with me. Linzhou is a place that lingers on the edge of hell. You must have wandered between life and death several times before you realized this truth of life."

The two walked side by side towards the stone table. The lines on the stone table were like the veins of time, hiding the marks of past laughter, anger, and long conversations all night long.

"Uncle Chen, please make a pot of tea." Qin Rongchen shouted, and his voice spread into the main room. Uncle Chen's wrinkled face was full of smiles, and he responded quickly: "Hey, Your Highness, please wait a moment, I will go to prepare tea. This year's new pre-rain tea is just right for today's beautiful occasion." After that, he turned and went into the kitchen. After a while, the sound of the tea kettle and the ladle touching each other came from inside, the sound of water boiling, and the faint fragrance of tea wafted out.

The two of them gazed at the flying flowers all over the yard, their eyes following the dancing trajectory of the petals, as if they wanted to follow the dancing path and trace back to the carefree days when they wore fine clothes, rode horses, and indulged in poetry and wine.

Back then, the morning moon, nestled among the treetops, often shone on the road as they galloped side by side, their horses' hooves shattering the clear light. Wherever they passed, taverns and teahouses were filled with hearty chants. But time flies, and now, each with their own mission, they navigate the treacherous world of war and chaos. Their youthfulness has faded, replaced by a calm demeanor and a glint of wit in their eyes.

A long silence followed, broken only by the sound of wind and the rustling of petals. Su Yijing finally spoke first, breaking the solemn stillness. His voice was low, laced with meaning, "Rongchen, after your experience in Linzhou, the person in the palace seems to be much more confident in you." He raised his gaze, his eyes as sharp as a torch, as if to penetrate Qin Rongchen's eyes and discover the political schemes hidden behind the secrets of Linzhou.

When Qin Rongchen heard Su Yijing's slightly tentative words, a faint smile slowly appeared on the corner of his mouth. That smile was like thin ice in spring, three parts self-mockery and seven parts open-mindedness. But when you look closely, his eyes are so deep that they seem to hide endless secrets, full of indescribable complex feelings.

"Don't worry? Yijing, how could you not know that this 'don't worry' is just a temporary balance." Qin Rongchen raised his hand and let a petal fall into his palm. His fingertips twisted it lightly, as if he was dismantling a past dilemma. His voice was not loud, but it echoed heavily in this quiet courtyard. "The one in the palace has always been afraid of my so-called 'rebellious' blade. My Qin family's generations of meritorious service, in his eyes, may have long been a hidden worry that would threaten the emperor." Speaking of this, his eyes penetrated the flying flower curtain and looked towards the direction of the imperial city, as if he wanted to see through the unpredictable heart of the emperor behind the red walls and high tiles.

Su Yijing's brow furrowed, his hands unconsciously clenching around his wine glass. He knew Qin Rongchen's words were true. The current emperor, a naturally suspicious person, maintained a strict control over the balance of power at court. A man of Qin Rongchen's distinguished family background and exceptional talent naturally found himself at the center of this storm, constantly scrutinized by suspicion. "Rongchen, you've always been dedicated to serving your country, yet you've been subjected to this unwarranted suspicion. It's truly unfair. But you saved the Linzhou plague, saving the people and solidifying the foundation of the court. His Royal Highness, it's time for you to understand your loyalty," Su Yijing sighed softly, his eyes filled with both discontent and hope for his friend's plight.

Qin Rongchen chuckled to himself, his laughter echoing across the petals, sending more petals fluttering. "The Linzhou plague was like a death talisman, a test of loyalty and treachery. The plague ravaged the city, turning it into a purgatory, the people wailing everywhere. If I had made even the slightest mistake, not only would Linzhou be irretrievably destroyed, but those with ulterior motives at court would have accused me of failing to provide adequate disaster relief, neglecting the people's livelihood, or even deliberately inciting disaster and seeking power." He paused, remembering the devastated streets of Linzhou, the bodies of the sick scattered across the city, and a pang of pain cleaved his heart.

Su Yijing nodded, his expression solemn and admiring: