Chapter 72: with translation of chapter title

Du Shanü is sincere.

Du Shanü......

Such sincerity is rare.

Chinu didn't shed tears today, but his brows and eyes drooped; each eyelash felt like a cut in her heart.

She knew she was about to make a great oath.

An oath that would take a lifetime to fulfill.

But she couldn't stop.

She wanted to tell Chinu that all the past had already faded with the bright moon.

Chinu, you deserve better days.

Rather than, on some autumn morning, a single word would recall the past, even reopening the wound and causing a high fever again.

She wanted to tell Chinu that from now on, every path would be like the rising sun.

Chinu, clad in rosy clouds, naturally shines.

She will surely gain the world; even if Chinu later rides on her head, acting high and mighty, she will still be tolerant.

There's no meat that can't be eaten, no grievance that must be endured......

To meet her is to choose her.

It will surely be the most correct decision Chinu makes in his life.

However, however.

In the past, when Du Shanü studied principles, she only heard how they were spoken, never how they came to be.

For example, as soon as the protagonist of a story appears and speaks, it seems they are born with an extra measure of principle compared to others.

But no one ever told Du Shanü what to do if, one day, she herself had her words seized and didn't know how to respond.

Du Shanü heard it.

She truly heard it.

Chinu seems truly in great pain, with a high fever.

He still lowered those eyes, naturally bearing a hint of allure, dazed for a moment, then his thin lips opened and closed as he said to her:

"But, you came not early enough."

"Moreover...... others have also met you."

Among those six refugees at the time, not only did he have them, but also the Young Emperor, Tannu, the blacksmith, and even a pair of false father-and-son born in a foreign land.

His appearance couldn't compare to the Young Emperor's striking looks, and his temperament wasn't good enough.

Now, in order to recruit subordinates, gentle words naturally come to her lips.

He won't believe it.

Long ago, he already knew that anything he cared about in the world would never belong solely to him.

The same.

Now, it's the same.

She took a liking to the Young Emperor at first sight, cherishing him as if holding him in her mouth.

She took a liking to Ouyang Yan at first sight, entrusting him with the finances.

If anyone else were here today, she would say the same and would not stand idly by......

Chinu is in pain, Chinu is very much in pain.

His wound never fully healed; any slight movement brings a fine, persistent pain that follows him like a shadow.

Besides, after running all night last night and catching a chill, he really is, somewhat not up to it.

Chinu labored to breathe; only then did Du Shanü realize what she had actually heard——

Chinu......

Chinu seems to be seeking love from her.

She finally understood why, despite her sincere earnestness earlier, Chinu remained unmoved, even speaking of 'seizing the Xian Xie,' which was merely the first step of a loose promise.

Because Chinu does not choose a lord merely based on the ruler's ability.

He, he is very special.

He, he chooses a lord based on his own perception of whom he loves!

【In this world, only you treat me well; I am willing to give my life for you】— hearing this sounds like a pitiful love‑crazed brain driven mad by emotion.

But, 【Your Majesty has shown me kindness; I am willing to lay liver and brains on the ground for Your Majesty, ten thousand deaths without hesitation】.

This sentence sounds like it comes from the mouth of a loyal, righteous, patriotic minister and general whose name will endure through the ages.

Few people know that these two sentences are essentially the same.

Chinu is a born servant.

A servant fixes his gaze on only one person—that is, the Son of Heaven.

They love the Son of Heaven they have chosen, resent the Son of Heaven they have chosen, hate the Son of Heaven they have chosen.

From ancient times to the present, only they cannot distinguish between husband and wife and ruler and subject; they most like to compare themselves to a wronged wife, knowing full well what the ruler seeks, yet still willingly be used, drained, and discarded by the ruler......

If the ruler again favors another, they might even write sorrowful poems, sing lamentations, and, tears in their eyes, jump into the river.

If after death they become a ghost and see the ruler regretting their own death beyond remedy, that is again a reckless cycle of loyalty unto death.

This is what they like to do most.

Chinu, too, is the same.

Du Shanü finally understands this, but really doesn't know how to respond.

She indeed hadn't thought of all that before.

She always thought worldly affairs were like the endless river destined to flow east; she never imagined Chinu would have such a temperament.

In the past, she only felt Chinu was like an old fox, like a bad fox-spirit...

But only today did she discover that he is actually a hard-shelled clam.

Its exterior is extremely hard; only when the shell opens slightly does one faintly see the soft interior.

Du Shanü can't stand this.

Du Shanü really can't stand this.

She never realized she is the type who yields to softness but resists hardness.

She could only fumble for a handkerchief, discovering it was already stained with blood, and could only awkwardly pull up her sleeve, hastily wiping Chinu's face where no tears existed.

No tears, just heat.

He seemed, again, to be a sign of a serious illness.

Du Shanü could only hurriedly pour water and wipe, trying to help lower his temperature.

But even this small thing, she couldn't manage.

After Chinu's emotions flared, he seemed to indeed run a high fever and also become terribly confused.

Wiping his brows and eyes with cold water made him somewhat clear-headed.

Afterwards, his gaze had a moment of clarity, restoring his former appearance.

He seemed somewhat surprised that Du Shanü was so close; his slender fingers pressed against her tiger's mouth, his thin lips slightly parted, and he sneered:

"...... You touch me like this; when you go home later, how will you face your future 'husband'?"

He emphasized the two words "husband" heavily.

One couldn't tell whether it was teasing, mockery, or a deliberate reminder.

But it was nevertheless effective enough.

That day, he slowly woke, and the warbling in the forest grew ever more cheerful.

The earlier heartbeat...

Had long been drowned out by the various sounds in the dense woods.

That indistinct warmth between their skins, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over them from above, suddenly cooled.

Among the three moles on Chinu's face, the most important has never been "suitable for wife" or "lascivious"...

but rather, 【jealousy】.

Chinu, it turns out, is extremely jealous by nature.

He cannot tolerate anyone else.

Du Shanü released her hand, saying nothing.

Chinu let out another cold laugh, leaning his head against the trunk, wearing an expression of "as expected."

This scene is truly a mess.

Du Shanü gritted her teeth silently, but saw that the other's eyes, which had been somewhat clear, gradually lost focus again.

Moreover, Chinu slowly curled up, as if enduring pain.

How come you first give dates, then strike with a stick, and now you want to give dates again!

Du Shanü couldn't bear it, yet she couldn't just leave Chinu here; she moved closer again, trying to straighten his face and wipe him once more.

However, this time Chinu became a docile Chinu.

Du Shanü reached out her hand; before the shadow fell, Chinu seemed to think she would strike him, and instinctively flinched for a moment.

Du Shanü didn't know when this reaction of his had left a wound; her heart felt empty.

Exactly then, Chinu finally came to his senses, and in a dazed manner brought his bewitching, moon-like face to her palm.

In that instant, there was scorching heat, and also a slight chill.

The scorching was his skin; the slight chill was his hand gripping the back of hers.

Chinu held her hand, rubbing it gently, and said softly:

"Master...... please be kinder to your slave, okay?"

Compared to others, he has nothing.

The love that the Young Emperor was born with, he may never obtain in his lifetime.

But he is smart, he is very smart.

So why, why can't we just choose him?

He is clearly, very useful.

In the future, he will be even more useful.

?? Eating dates will finish, sooner or later it will end.

? This chapter, when read together with Chinu's character illustration, will be better appreciated...