Chapter 109: Love and Being Loved

Someone, amid the chaotic separation of war, broke a copper mirror in half, drifted for years, and then reunited as if new.

His hand felt light, without any weight. Wei Lingfeng jolted awake, looked at the empty bed beside him, looked up to the empty palace. He clutched a torn piece of clothing in his hand, a thin blanket covering his body…

Wei Lingfeng shifted his gaze and saw neatly arranged books on a nearby desk, as well as the weapon that killed Leng Qingya.

He stared blankly, then leapt up from the bed and shouted, "Someone, come!"

A few guards and palace maids rushed in, kneeling before him in a heap. The room's temperature dropped to the extreme, making them shiver uncontrollably.

Wei Lingfeng gave them a cold glance and asked in a deep voice, "Where is the Empress?"

"Empress?" The crowd lifted their heads, showing bewildered expressions, as if saying, "Isn't the Empress always with the Emperor?"

Wei Lingfeng felt a dizzy spell, barely steadied himself, waved his hand and ordered everyone out. When the palace fell silent, he suddenly barked, "Cheng You, get out for me!"

In a breath, Cheng You was already kneeling before him, silent, his face lowered, expression unreadable.

Wei Lingfeng took a few steps forward, stood before him, expressionless, his tone even, "Bing Yi?"

"Empress, before the hour of Mao, she went to find General Xuan." Cheng You lowered his head, seeing the purple gilt‑trimmed robe, slightly wrinkled, swaying before him. He suddenly closed his eyes and finished, "Empress, go save those commoners…"

His words were cut off as the hem of the purple robe swiftly rose, sweeping past his side.

"Your Majesty—" Cheng You inhaled sharply, and without changing posture, knelt again before him, trembling, "It's too late, already… too late. An hour ago, the Empress went to the city wall."

"Shut up!!" Wei Lingfeng kicked him hard, flipped him, lunged forward to grab his collar, and words sprang from his mouth, "You, Cheng You, one of the three great masters of Tianhe Continent, cannot even stop her?!"

"Your Majesty—" Xuan Tian's voice sounded from outside the door; Wei Lingfeng froze, slowly looking up at him.

Xuan Tian hurried forward, raised his long sword overhead, knelt on one knee, and in a hoarse voice said, "Your Majesty, this is not Deputy Cheng's matter. I alone took the Empress to exchange for the commoners. Please punish me."

Wei Lingfeng took several harsh breaths, covered his bulging veins with his wide sleeves, and managed to ask, "How long… have you been there?"

"Just now…" Xuan Tian's rough voice choked, hot tears dripping onto the marble floor, "Just now, the Empress was on the city wall negotiating terms with Fu Junmo… Fu Junmo agreed to everything… the commoners were released… the Empress then leapt down from the wall…"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!" Cheng You fell to his knees, clutching the purple figure tightly, crying, "Your Majesty! Even if you leave the city now, you cannot save the Empress!"

"Cheng You!!" Wei Lingfeng, like a madman, yanked the man's clothing, roaring, "Do you even know who devised this scheme? It wasn't Fu Junmo, it wasn't Yin Ziheng, but Xiao Yifei! Do you know how many methods Xiao Yifei has that leave people unable to live nor die?!"

"Bing Yi…" Wei Lingfeng paused, realizing his throat was hoarse and could not form sound; he forced a breath but still couldn't hide the unfamiliar choking in his voice, "Bing Yi herself killed Leng Qingya; how could Xiao Yifei possibly let her go…"

"Your Majesty…" Cheng You held his hand without loosening, repeatedly saying, "Regardless, this was the Empress's choice, her own decision!"

Wei Lingfeng reached out, suddenly snatching the sword from Xuan Tian's hand, and coldly stared at the person below, "Don't think I won't kill you; let go!"

"Your Majesty." Xuan Tian wiped his tears, stood up, completely ignoring the sword taken from his hand and the blood seeping from Cheng You's neck under Wei Lingfeng's blade, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Empress has something for me to deliver to you."

Purple Phoenix is Purple Phoenix. Wei Lingfeng stared quietly at the white jade in his palm for a long time, then finally set it down, took the letter marked "Wei Lingfeng personally opens," slowly retrieved it, and unfolded it gently.

Wei Lingfeng:

I am leaving. No one forced me, no one threatened me; I decided to depart on my own.

I know Xiao Yifei devised this plan, and I also know how tragic a fate would be if I fell into his hands. Yet I still gamble this time. Betting and exchanging are different, after all. So, please believe me, I am not playing with my life; I have my limits.

The tiger will eventually break its cage; whether Yinyi, Maochang, or Yinchuan, I believe one day you will bring them all back. Therefore, tomorrow morning, before everyone, in the name of Prince Qi, I will present conditions to Fu Junmo, asking him to release the people of the two cities. In doing so, they will remember your kindness and Fu Junmo's enmity. Consequently, the soldiers of Qi Kingdom will feel guilt toward you. Perhaps, this way, your path will not be as arduous as it is now.

Wei Lingfeng, do you still recall what I said to you by Lake Yueyang? A monarch's exclusive affection is a disaster. In hindsight, it was merely a laughable excuse, a lie that deceived others and oneself. All this year, I've been wondering: if the one who decides to dominate the world is Qiran, and if the one who cannot relinquish power is Qiran, would I still stay by his side?

The answer is affirmative. Because I love him, I unconditionally tolerate all his dreams; because I love him, even though my body and mind could easily flee, my heart is trapped beside him, unable to move. In this world there is no "if"; there will never be an "if" that occurs. Thus, some words may be cruel to utter, but they must be said.

Wei Lingfeng, I'm sorry, I don't love you.

Wei Lingfeng's hand trembled lightly, and a sheet from the stack of letters was blown away, flipping several times before landing at his feet. Was it "I'm sorry" that was blown away, or… "I don't love you"?

Wei Lingfeng swayed slightly; he knew he could no longer stand. So he leaned on the table edge, slowly sat into that pear wood chair, the very chair that yesterday Bing Yi had lain on.

He lowered his head, gazing. Why were those characters so blurred, black as a lump? He steadied himself; the paper's corners were deeply folded, and he continued to recite silently:

Loving is painful; being loved is blissful. In the realm of emotions, it truly is unfair. Those who love first inevitably suffer injury, pain that pierces the heart; those who are loved can comfortably enjoy tolerance and care. Then, saying a sentence, "I'm sorry, I don't love you." Everything vanishes like smoke.

But what should I do? How can I act so as not to hurt you? I find no way, nor can I tell you I will stay by your side. So all I can do is this—lay a brick, however insignificant, on your path to greatness.

For some reason, these past days I keep recalling the passage quoted by Qiran: "A man, standing between heaven and earth, must accomplish a magnificent undertaking, benefiting the people, blessing all living beings. Only then, acting true to his nature, can he not be ashamed of walking this world."

Xiao Qixuan, that is Xiao Qixuan's wish, that is Xiao Qixuan's ideal, yet I never heard a word from Wei Lingfeng's mouth. You have hidden those youthful dreams behind an inscrutable smile, burying them so deep that no one realized Xiao Qixuan has always been in Wei Lingfeng's heart.

Did you see the handwritten book on the table? Remember, in Chengqian Hall, I spoke of the three‑part Wei Shu Wu? That story actually hasn't ended. Over the past month, I've been organizing medical techniques while recording the story in my mind, until tonight it's all complete. It's messy, perhaps useful, perhaps not, but I hope it offsets the ridiculous revenge in Chengqian Hall.

Also the warship design drafts, female medic training… 【HT】

Wei Lingfeng loosened a somewhat stiff hand, moved the blue‑covered handwritten book beside him. The elegant script and orderly narration made him feel as if he returned to the original Chengqian Hall, watching that radiant girl, her face clear, attire simple, yet the amber light flashing in her lively eyes captured his soul.

He turned the pages, one after another; the later characters became extremely fine, gradually messy and scribbled. One could imagine her anxiety and worry; Wei Lingfeng's grip tightened, and the pale hand back clearly showed blood seeping.

He suddenly wanted, really wanted to tear these books, these drawings, but…

His hand slowly released, carefully smoothing the folded corners. His crystal‑clear, slender ten fingers gently, again and again, brushed over the cover, the drawing.

It's not that he refuses, nor that he cannot, but… he is reluctant. Reluctant to destroy the heart's blood that Bing Yi left for him, the only blood left for him.

He took the last sheet of paper, spread it before him, and continued reading:

Wei Lingfeng, do you truly wish to unify Heaven and the Continent? Do you truly want the commoners to be free from war and live a stable life? Yet you never speak of it. Even if I misunderstand you as using others, cold and ruthless, you never defended yourself even once.

Qianqian said, this person, no matter the circumstance, always pretends to be strong, yet turns away to lick his own wounds alone.

Cheng You said, although it's only five short years, I have personally watched the Emperor become cruel, numb, scheming within the palace. In these five years, I've seen all his expressions, yet before the Empress appeared, I never saw a genuine smile from the Emperor.

Qiran said, I never knew the Great Imperial Brother subtly shielded me from so many harms.

I said, Wei Lingfeng, you are a human, not a god. As a human, you have moments of fragility; as a human, you rely on others. Even an emperor is the same.

I said, Wei Lingfeng, stop shouldering the sky alone in silence. At least before those who truly care for you and protect you, it's okay to be weak occasionally.

These are also the only things I can do for you.

Finally, and most importantly. Remember the watermark reveal method I told you? Soak the paper, write with a sharp object before it dries; once the paper dries, the characters vanish completely. To view them, simply soak the paper again. This is a common, simple means of transmitting information; please be sure to remember it.

Lastly, above all, Wei Lingfeng, I wish you happiness!

Tianhe, Year 1261, June 24 – Water Bing Yi left

(End of chapter)