Chapter 210: Encountering a Clear Day Chapter 187: Each Attends to Their Own Affairs, Each Is Responsible for Themselves

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Shaowei

Liu Qi

The crown prince before her eyes looked beautiful and harmless, pitiful and fragile.

His words were humble yet astonishing: "Tai Puzhe... no, Shaowei, I only want to listen to you, I only want to be with you, whatever you say I will do. I am Great Qian's crown prince... whatever you want can be obtained by using me, whatever you want to do can be done from now on!"

Words so blunt and unadorned, Liu Cheng was almost expressing his feelings in a posture of sacrificing himself.

He was drifting and uneasy, lost and helpless, attracted by her immense power and radiance, giving rise to a covetous desire to possess her, and for this he was willing to be her beautiful puppet, in exchange for the peace and satisfaction after possessing her.

"I know, I have many places where I cannot compare to Sixth Brother..."

Liu Cheng's mouth never stopped, as if afraid that once interrupted he would lose courage, his slightly red eyeballs filled with many bloodshot threads, one by one like winding lines, though fragile and easily broken, yet truly unwilling to let go: "But precisely because I do not have Sixth Brother's fickle deep scheming and killing methods, I will never scheme against you or threaten you, I will definitely be more obedient than him..."

Shaowei sank into a silence of shock.

She never denied that Crown Prince Cheng's temperament was more harmless, but now she understood, Liu Cheng's harmlessness was often because all bloody matters were done by others, so his hands were clean and spotless, and he could always look harmless and pure white.

Perhaps precisely because he had paid nothing to obtain everything at this moment, he was thus so uneasy, lacking an anchor of peace of mind.

He believed in her, wanting to make her his anchor.

The bloodshot threads in Liu Cheng's eyes seemed to want to wrap around the girl before him: "I am the legitimate crown prince, choosing me is the most cost-effective, no longer need to take risks or shed blood, and thus the world will be at peace... where exactly is there anything wrong?"

Eyes met, neither of the two moved again, the wind also seemed to stop.

And after hearing this last sentence, Shaowei, in a daze, as if touched some hint of fate.

After listening to Jiang Fu finish recounting the entanglements with Chiyang, she once asked Jiang Fu:

【Then who exactly is the Purple Star in your prophecy, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, or someone else from the Liu family?】

Jiang Fu at that time through a bronze mirror, looking into her eyes, told her a clear answer enough to immediately cause an uproar under heaven:

【Currently there is no heaven-destined Purple Star, Heaven's Mechanism chooses whoever, whoever is the Purple Star.】

Heaven's Mechanism chooses whoever, whoever is the Purple Star.

If she chose Liu Cheng, and Liu Cheng could listen to her words and be driven by her, then could war and chaos and a hundred years of turmoil be completely avoided?

Currently too many things had already changed, Ling Ke's protection of the Ling Family Army and the loyal and virtuous, the Jingji drought response was proper, no popular unrest occurred for people to make articles of, Liang Wang's treacherous intentions were exposed in advance, many abnormalities were terminated in advance, and even Liu Qi entered the capital early, making himself the situation, and in a sense also became a trapped beast...

Liu Cheng was the legitimate crown prince, choosing him naturally would have a smoother path than choosing Liu Qi.

Liu Qi in his previous life had traitors and rebels kill their way to Chang'an and anger the Emperor to death, requesting to die by her hand, and in this life, even if Liu Qi had not reached such a severely injured and dying state, but as long as she wanted to kill, she definitely could kill, he wouldn't even guard against her... she was probably the person in this world most skilled at killing Liu Qi.

In the unseen, this actually seemed like a fate of different paths leading to the same destination, as if the rebel Liu Qi accidentally entering the capital this time and establishing trust with her was just to make it more convenient for her to get rid of him.

Perhaps... this was a shortcut where all rebels are eliminated and the world can be completely at peace?

While Shaowei was amazed and pondering, she only felt herself imprisoned by the wind stagnant around her, like the hand of fate.

The next moment, it was the questioning voice that had never left her heart that woke her up— but on what basis?

Let her choose Liu Cheng, kill Liu Qi, on what basis?

Even if she was sharp, she was one person, not a blade in anyone's hand, if this was Heaven's Mechanism's fate, then this Heaven's Mechanism was done too unpleasantly, uneasily, unsatisfyingly.

Shaowei looked at Liu Cheng.

Moreover, what did it mean that whatever she said he would do? If she told him to kill Rui Ze, would he kill? She swallowed her resentment, did she still have to mediate for him with the ministers and princes? Not to mention whether she had this ability, even if she desperately learned it, that would not only be unsatisfying, but simply being a sucker!

She was not a wooden puppet, if she lived in such a broken and fragmented state, was she still herself?

Shaowei couldn't help but feel anger arise.

She had recently possessed too much, feeling from the bottom of her heart that she should do something for this world, but she had always put her own matters first, only after she herself was satisfied could she have the strength to consider the world— she was such a person, not understanding the big picture was fine, not understanding great righteousness was fine, even not knowing gratitude, but it was with such a spirit that she had walked to now.

The "Immortal Water" on the Xianlu Pan, because it was no longer ordered by the Emperor to be taken, plus yesterday a rain had fallen, the water in the pan was now abundant.

Shaowei did not retreat again, stepping forward one step.

The formless wind binding her, because of her movement, flowed again.

The wind swept past the Xianlu Pan, the Immortal Water swayed, a string of water droplets fell like lines.

Between the two was only one step of distance, looking at the approaching girl, Liu Cheng held his breath.

"Your Highness." She opened her mouth: "I am not the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, I should not be responsible for teaching the Crown Prince how to be a ruler."

Liu Cheng was stunned, wanting to speak but not knowing how to respond, he didn't mean that, but she must have understood his meaning...

The girl's eyes at this moment were like mountain marvels, too close to look at directly, she seemed to see through his inner timid struggle, and said to him: "Crown Prince, no one can be accustomed to letting others bear everything for them, and yet still have their own wishes fulfilled everywhere."

"In this world, everyone attends to their own affairs and is responsible for themselves."

Shaowei finished speaking, and did not stay again.

What Liu Cheng said today was not like a ruler, at this moment Shaowei was not like a subject, she raised her hand to perform a salute, directly passing by the motionless Liu Cheng, and took her leave.

Quan Wa did not have such great audacity, seeing the situation took a detour, quickly went to chase after Tai Puzhe.

Liu Cheng stood in place for a long time.

Shaowei's words were not sharp, but pierced through all the courage he had mustered today, making him feel a shameful embarrassment.

He thought his status and sincerity could exchange for an opportunity to make a deal with her, but she fundamentally disdained using saving him to exchange for anything.

Everyone attends to their own affairs and is responsible for themselves...

He understood...

A person like her who kept rushing forward without stopping was destined to never look back at him, this coward who always hesitated, wandered, doubted himself, and was uneasy.

Perhaps only someone like Sixth Brother could catch up to her steps, and have a chance to be noticed by her.

But what about him? What exactly should he do?

Liu Cheng blankly turned his head, looking at the immortal statue holding the dew pan, Shenming Tai.

For a long time, his gaze withdrew, fell, and once again looked at his own shadow.

The shadow of the figure wearing the Crown Prince's wide and elaborate robes stood tall and proud, as if nothing could not be accomplished.

The girl's shadow, already far away, swiftly glided past the scenery along the way as her master strode forward.

Because her steps were large and fast, her sleeves and hair bun drifted backward with the wind, as if carrying an unbridled, unrestrained air of stepping out of the machinery of fate.

Having come this far, she should not live against her own heart all the more; precisely because she possessed so much, she absolutely could not lose herself—so-called heavenly fate and destiny, if not to her liking, should be broken just the same; she would rather perish together than betray her own will.

How she wished to live was her own insight; even if she lived in chaos, it was still her own insight.

The question that had lately weighed on her heart, named "What exactly should I do," now had an answer, just as Jiang Fu said: she should only do what she wanted to do and do what she thought of doing; since she was naturally unsuited to be tamed, she herself need not tame herself in any way into a so-called qualified heavenly mechanism.

On the altar of Lingxing Terrace she found great audacity, yet because her heavenly mechanism identity was revealed, she gained an additional invisible shackle of contemplation. But now, after this self-realization, that invisible shackle was broken by her own hands; after great audacity, her heart suddenly gained great freedom.

A great wind rose between heaven and earth, and Shaowei walked faster and faster, her witchcraft attire fluttering, the hair and hair ribbon tied behind her floating and leaping; she could not help but run joyfully.

Quan Wa looked at that back in the wind and felt that the person and the great wind had merged into one, both being the most primal and natural creations of heaven and earth.

Just watching made one feel naturally delighted, and he could not help but be moved; Quan Wa also ran after her, but halfway he regained his senses, for palace attendants had the rule of not losing composure and running wildly without cause.

He could only laugh and call out: "Tai Puzhe, please slow down, this servant cannot keep up!"

Shaowei slowed her steps and turned her head: "You hurry up!"

"Eh!" Quan Wa laughed in response.

Shaowei walked quickly all the way, distancing herself from the "fate" behind her, heading toward the place she wanted to go, to see the person she had agreed with herself to go see.

Arriving at Taodang Gong where the Emperor was staying, Shaowei was invited into the palace courtyard, her steps still light; passing by a long corridor outside, she suddenly saw a deep green figure in the corridor.

That figure saw her even faster, had already stopped, and was precisely Liu Qi, who had intended to return and make up for lost sleep.

Shaowei walked along the outside of the corridor, while Liu Qi stood motionless within the corridor.

Flowers and plants were planted outside the corridor, along with plantains contributed from the land of Nan Yue; these plants were tended to be lush and thriving, and the two met across the corridor railing amidst the grass and trees.

Liu Qi watched Shaowei draw nearer; she had fine beads of sweat on her forehead, slightly raised her chin, with an expression of ease and pleasure, calm and soaring.

This suddenly appearing figure was like a bright wind blowing through cramped darkness, sweeping over his surface indolence and weariness, blowing away the resentment and ashes in the depths of his heart.

When closer, Liu Qi looked at Shaowei through the gaps in the unfurled plantain leaves, and Shaowei also looked toward him; behind the beautiful plantain leaves was an even more beautiful and vivid face, facing that beautiful young face, Shaowei sincerely revealed a hint of a smile, like a greeting, like comfort.

In a daze, Liu Qi instantly knew that she had come specially to see him.

Her pity was so precious; his resentment and sadness were not worth a single blow under her soothing, yet for some reason, a glint of cool water appeared in his eyes, while his face was clearly smiling.

Since she came to see him, then he should certainly let her look more.

Shaowei walked forward slowly, while Liu Qi retreated slowly within the corridor, one step, two steps, five steps, ten steps...

Originally going in opposite directions, they thus wonderfully walked side by side for a stretch of road; in the leaping light and shadow, in the tacit, soundless pursuit, a voice rose in Shaowei's thumping heart: he seemed to always have a way to walk with her.

Until there were no more plants to cover them, Liu Qi then stopped.

Shaowei finally looked at him, straightened her spine, raised her chin, like a certain kind of leading by example in high spirits, wanting to render him from afar.

Liu Qi glanced at the Zishou Yin at her waist, a smile in his eyes, as if teasing yet proper, raising his hand and bowing in salute to the Spirit Pivot Marquis.

A palace attendant had already gone in first to relay the message; the Emperor's mood in the hall seemed not bad: "Oh, my Spirit Pivot Marquis has come... quickly announce him in."

As Shaowei stepped onto the stone steps, an official happened to come out from inside the hall; that official held a bamboo slip memorial in his hands, sighing in a low voice: "All sixteen commanderies are submerged in water, becoming the so-called unstoppable heavenly calamity... will there ever be a day of rest for the people's hardships..."

This official with white hair at the temples seemed not to have obtained the result he wanted from the Crown Prince, and came specially here to present a memorial, but still did not get the response he wanted, was sent away by the Emperor, and at this moment was somewhat dejected and disappointed, not even bothering to exchange greetings with the girl coming toward him.

Shaowei was also happy to be lazy and relaxed, but after brushing past him, she heard the official as if just regaining his senses, reacting to her, yet helplessly complaining in a low voice: "The talk of spirits and ghosts prevails, but only delays matters; how can it last long..."

This was originally a mutter to himself, but Shaowei's ears were extremely sharp; she retreated several large steps, reached out a hand to stop the man: "Sir, are you speaking of this Marquis?"

The official, obviously from the Confucian school, was startled; just as he was about to speak, he saw the girl reach out and snatch the memorial he was holding, browsing through it as if no one else was present.

"You, you little..."

He originally wanted to say "you rude child," but dared not offend this hot-headed, terrible child.

But this child suddenly asked: "Is it still that Yellow River flood that submerged Chenliu Commandery and others?"

Ji Jin originally left Taoxi Township precisely to rush to govern this flood that the Court had left unattended.

Lately Shaowei had been waiting for news from Ji Jin.

Through Liu Qi's spies in the Zheng Clan's rebel army in Huaiyang, she had roughly confirmed Ji Jin's identity; now what Shaowei was waiting for was news personally sent back by Ji Jin, so that it would be certain and reliable information.

And just on the night Shaowei finished reading this flood memorial, she finally received the news she had been hoping for.

It was a family letter personally written by Ji Jin.

Shaowei was overjoyed at the sight of the handwriting; upon seeing the contents clearly, her face was full of pride and honor; the next day at dawn, she left early for duty; Jiang Fu, just getting up and yawning, sighed again: "Still such that leftover buns cannot be hidden in a dog's den..."

Running into the shrine, Shaowei showed the letter to Qing Wu.

Qing Wu was overwhelmed with excitement, tears in her eyes: "That the person is safe and sound is already great fortune; unexpectedly, he has also achieved such great merit, truly unimaginable... Father is also safe, truly thanks to the protection of Di Mu Niangniang! We must hurry to offer thanks and burn incense!"

But before offering thanks to the deity, Qing Wu happily and gratefully embraced Shaowei: "Fortunately, you, little sister, took the trouble to seek him; fortunately, Shan Gu received your letter and paid attention to Ah Jin... only then could there be such a good result!"

"When Mother finds out, she won't know how happy she'll be!"

This letter was handed by Ji Jin to Shan Gu, and Shan Gu, through the wandering knights Shaowei had sent to look after him, delivered it back in advance, one day earlier than the Huai Yang Guo victory report sent back by military horses.

That afternoon, the victory report entered the capital; the Zheng Clan rebellion in Huaiyang was quelled.

And in this war to quell the rebellion, there were two young meritorious officials who were particularly key and outstanding figures.

?? Good night, everyone.

? (As for the character Shaowei, I actually thought that she had already grown a complete soul when this book was halfway written, so whether her state of mind changes or not, I will unconditionally side with her between the standard progression of the novel and her choices.)

? (Including Volume Three, even the identity of the heavenly mechanism cannot become her shackle of "saving the world"; this is Shaowei's story, not an absolutely correct courseware; from the beginning I clearly refused to label her as a strong female lead, and the more I write, the more I feel it is right, as it best preserves her spirituality. Shaowei grows completely freely, unbound, need not be omnipotent; she is the girl I love, without a standard shape; she will forever be untamed and forever herself, on the basis of maintaining her animalistic instinct, and then in her own way, bestow chivalry and righteousness upon this world.)