‘Have you heard? The monster from Qinfeng Hall has bitten the Fourth Prince and inflicted serious injuries!’
‘The monster from Qinfeng Hall got down on all fours, climbed walls and rafters, and even killed the followers of the Fourth Prince!’
‘That monster from Qinfeng Hall ate another person, its mouth was dripping with blood…!’
…
As the saying goes, rumors are fiercer than tigers. By the next morning, these increasingly outrageous tales had spread to every corner of the Da Ao Imperial Palace, becoming well-known to every maid and eunuch inside its walls.
Most who had not witnessed the truth were all too eager to believe in this fierce tiger.
So, it was only natural that even those who used to bring Jiang Jingyue his meals stopped coming. Their timidity was as if merely setting foot in this doomed area would lead to their being devoured whole by this omnipotent monster, as described in the tales.
Without any food to eat, Jiang Jingyue sat under the locust tree in the side hall, watching with hopeful eyes as Gu Weizhou approached from a distance.
Over these past few days, Gu Weizhou had managed to learn a bit about cooking rice over a wood fire. The flame shouldn’t be too high or too strong. The simmering should be slow and after almost half an hour, a small pot of rice would be ready.
Seeing the first successful rice he had ever cooked in this world, Gu Weizhou was so moved he nearly cried. He only lamented that he didn’t have a phone at hand; otherwise, he would have taken a burst of photos to remember this historic moment.
As for accompanying dishes, Gu Weizhou chuckled. What’s that? He didn’t know how to make them.
So, holding the half-bowl of cooked rice, Gu Weizhou intended to reward himself for his morning’s efforts. However, just as he stepped out of the small kitchen, he felt a hopeful, yet strangely cautious gaze from nearby.
Behind his cold facade, Gu Weizhou glanced sideways and indeed saw under the distant locust tree a pair of bright eyes peeking out from disheveled hair and ragged clothing.
And those eyes were fixed squarely on the rice in his hand.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Jiang Jingyue from a distance quickly averted his eyes. His fingers fidgeted with the dirty hem of his clothes, making him appear rather pitiful for no apparent reason.
Seeing him in such a state, Gu Weizhou silently sighed and, while turning to head inside, said, “…Come in.” So that you won’t hold another grudge with that petty mindset of yours.
Upon hearing those words, Jiang Jingyue immediately perked up, gazing at the retreating figure of Gu Weizhou. He pursed his lips, and after a moment of hesitation, he slowly stepped into the house.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
This was the first time Jiang Jingyue had entered the person’s room. Although the room was somewhat bare, its arrangements reflected a serene elegance, much like the clear and cold-eyed man before him.
Mfamtlcu ybkir jcv mtbqralmxr, Xe Qflhtbe rfgnfv akb ybkir bo glmf. Vfflcu atf batfg wjc rajcvlcu ja atf vbbg ecwbnlcu, tf rjlv, “Jbwf rla jcv fja.” Ktfc tf yfujc ab fja tlr rtjgf.
Vajglcu ja atf rafjwlcu glmf bc atf ajyif, Aljcu Alcusef kjcafv ab ugjy j ybki. Lbkfnfg, atlcxlcu bo tlr vlgas tjcvr, tf tfrlajafv. Coafg geyylcu atfw bc j rilutais mifjcfg qjga bo tlr mibatlcu, tf mjgfoeiis abbx j ybki.
It was just plain rice without even the most basic side dish, but to Jiang Jingyue, at that moment, it tasted incredibly delicious.
Since he was a child, Jiang Jingyue had enjoyed all the fine delicacies in the world, but it seemed he had never realized that rice could taste this good—so good that tears unexpectedly welled up in his eyes and started flowing uncontrollably.
Life had been a rollercoaster of dramatic highs and lows for him. From donning splendid garments to becoming an outcast, from being the honored King Shun’s child to pretending to be a crazed monster merely to survive—the past half-year made him realize how wonderful the world he used to live in had been.
That world was one his parents had painstakingly built for him, sacrificing their own lives in the process. He now wished he had grown up in hardship instead. At least then, he wouldn’t suddenly discover that the world he had prided himself on was but a brittle joke in the eyes of those in power. At least then, he wouldn’t find out that he had been bereft of everything from the start.
“Tears are the most worthless thing because the strong never need them.” A calm and clear voice sounded beside him, as detached as ever.
Jiang Jingyue tried to hold back his tears as he hurriedly shoveled rice into his mouth. He knew he had to heed this person’s words, or he would lose even this last sliver of opportunity.
But no matter how hard he tried to control himself, he just couldn’t hold back the tears. The salty taste of his tears mixed with the fragrant rice in his mouth, made everything taste bitter—from his mouth to his throat, all the way down to his heart.
Just when he thought he could no longer stop the tears, he braced himself for being abandoned and was about to put down his chopsticks and run somewhere secluded to cry, he suddenly felt an arm wrap around him. Then, he found himself enveloped in an embrace that radiated a gentle warmth.
On his back, a large, gentle hand was softly stroking him. The warmth emanating from the palm seemed as if it were filling the entire world.
And along with this tender consolation came that person’s still icy voice.
“Cry for the last time. After this, you’ll no longer be the Jiang Jingyue who was once protected by his parents, living a life free from worries.”
Those words ruthlessly shattered all the memories of Jiang Jingyue’s past.
In those memories, there was his innocent self, who believed the world was always bathed in sunlight, who thought the emperor was a benevolent figure, who felt that He Yue was the one who cared for him the most, who saw the imperial palace as a delightful playground…
All those once-believed truths now pierced him like shards of sharp glass, cutting him all over.
His father was gone, his mother was no more, his home had been taken from him, and even his own life was perpetually at risk…
Tears flooded out like a broken dam. He tightly clutched the garment of the person holding him, crying uncontrollably in their embrace.
Jiang Jingyue told himself that this was the last time he would cry. After this, he would strive to become strong, and strong does not need tears.
Under the midday sun, in a simple courtyard, the young boy cried his heart out, for what he believed would be the last time in his life.
…
The emperor was previously said to become bedridden due to being ‘overwhelmed by grief’. Yet, somehow, whispers and rumors began to spread secretly within the palace that the emperor’s paralysis was divine retribution for killing the King.
The rumor spread rapidly. Even Gu Weizhou in the side hall had heard these speculations. Faced with such superstitious chatter, Gu Weizhou was silent for a long time, only remarking to 001, “As a successor of socialism, I feel very proud right now.”
The ancient people, who were unaware that the emperor’s paralysis was due to pure alcohol poisoning leading to a stroke, blamed it on the omnipotent gods and spirits. Eventually, this rumor reached the emperor’s ears.
That day, the paralyzed emperor ordered the execution of a hundred people by hitting them with a cane. The stench of fresh blood lingered in the imperial palace, casting a shadow of death over everyone.
Compared to the chatterbox servants, a handful of favored officials who flourished in the intricate palace politics became extremely crucial during the emperor’s furious moments.
Knowing well the emperor’s taboos, they did not confront him directly but began to divert everyone’s attention.
The emperor’s birthday is approaching!
With this announcement, predictably, all eyes in the palace, which had been trembling with fear, were drawn away.
For everyone in the palace, neither the ‘monster’ of the Qinfeng Hall nor the mass execution mattered as much as the emperor’s birthday. Therefore, in a short time, the entire imperial palace was engulfed in preparations and celebrations for the grand event.
Regardless of the bustling world outside, the side hall, separated by a single imperial decree, continued to bask in its peaceful passage of time.
In July, under the fiery heat, the branches of the locust trees showcased unparalleled beauty, with clusters of brilliant leaves resembling the blazing clouds at sunset.
Beneath the tree, two people sat on stone benches. Gu Weizhou held a pair of scissors, tending to the messy locks of hair that had grown unkempt due to a recent act of feigned madness.
It had been a considerable amount of time since any outsider had visited this side hall. Due to the celebration of the emperor’s birthday, the spies and eyes that had previously been stationed here were all recalled. Everyone’s attention was now focused solely on the emperor at the very top.
With those people gone, Gu Weizhou began to contemplate giving his companion a new look. After all, the spies had observed over these days that this so-called ‘monster’ seemed particularly receptive to Su Qingli’s words. For Su Qingli to help him change this unkempt appearance was not an unusual move.
While trimming the hair, Gu Weizhou voiced out, [I have an idea to change the world…] How about giving him a rustic punk look?
[…This is ancient times. Believe it or not, he might be dragged out and beaten to death for such a look.]
With a cold expression, Gu Weizhou responded, [I haven’t even spoken fully, how do you know what I’m thinking?]
[Heh heh…] With your limited mindset, apart from seeking trouble and satisfying yourself, what else of significance could you possibly think of?
Jiang Jingyue sat quietly, occasionally noticing strands of his black hair falling into his view. A deep sense of indifference and tranquility filled his eyes.
These days, he had started to familiarize himself with the art of war and had slowly learned to mask his genuine emotions. Although the other always said he had made significant progress, he knew he had to move even faster.
Because the moment the emperor dies, his tranquil life might be completely shattered. By then, he couldn’t guarantee what path might lie ahead. More crucially, he needed to consider how to reconnect and collaborate with his late father’s old loyalists.
On a silent afternoon, the only sound breaking the calm was the soft rustling of hair being occasionally snipped by the scissors. Even though there was no conversation, there was a sense of serene tranquility.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Gu Weizhou set down his scissors and announced, “Done.”
With the gentle voice echoing in his ears, Jiang Jingyue stood up.
Having shed his unkempt locks, the young man’s determined brows and eyes were now visible. His once youthful appearance was now gone; his face now radiated a restrained vigor.
Looking at the man seated on the stone bench not far away, Jiang Jingyue said, “…Thank you, Master.”
Quite pleased with his own craftsmanship, Gu Weizhou gazed at the freshly cut black hair and lightly arched lips, suggesting, “Clean it up, and then I’ll help you tie it up.”
Tying a ponytail is something I know. The real question is whether to tie one, two, or many.
Although his face remained as impassive as ever, there was a hint of unperceived softness in his eyes.
Collecting his thoughts and hiding the emotions in his eyes, Jiang Jingyue didn’t refuse. He went straight to a nearby well, using soapnuts to wash his hair clean of all the dirt.
honestly i’d consider giving him the renowned bowl cut with a pair of thick glasses (damn i can’t stop laughing just imaging itt)
…shouldn’t you first wash your hair and then cut it? Ew… also, I feel there’s a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter. I can practically smell the dog blood flowing in streams…
Thanks for the chapter~
“The boy cried his heart out, for what he believe would be the last time in his life”
En,en sure, yeah totally.
This is such a flag