Though uncertain about their future, the feeling of escaping control made her heart flutter. With Chu Yuan beside her, she feared no mountain of swords or sea of fire.
Chu Yuan was in high spirits. Originally outside driving, he now entered the carriage, embracing Ruan Ning and kissing her passionately. Just as they were reluctant to part, the carriage jolted, almost throwing them out. Looking back, they saw the horses had run off the road to chew on tree branches, causing the carriage to crash into a tree trunk. Ruan Ning laughed and pushed him, saying, “Driver, focus!”
“I obey the Princess’s command!”
“Chu Yuan laughed, hugging her and kissing her again. “Ning Ning, I’m so happy!”
Ruan Ning panicked, worried about being seen in broad daylight in the wilderness. She pushed him away, finding an excuse. “I’m cold too; your hands are so chilly. Don’t make me catch a cold.”
“I’m very warm. Let me warm you up; I’ll make sure you don’t catch a cold,” Chu Yuan said, tightly embracing her, pinning her down so she couldn’t move, leaving her at his mercy.
The snow grew heavier, with horses under trees shaking off snowflakes. The carriage creaked and swayed, its sounds blending with the soft falling snowflakes into a pure white landscape.
Two days later, a deep blue trace appeared on the horizon. Chu Yuan lifted Ruan Ning high and pointed, “That blue trace is Hei Mountain. See how the mountaintop is white? They say it’s snow that hasn’t melted for a thousand years. Ning’er, Yumen Pass is at the foot of Hei Mountain; we’re almost there!”
Infected by his excitement, Ruan Ning became thrilled. They spurred their horses forward. After noon, they saw a magnificent fortress ahead. The wind grew stronger, the snow heavier, and amid the wind and snow, faint sounds of fighting could be heard.
A clear excitement showed on Chu Yuan’s face. These days with Ruan Ning had been peaceful, but he inherently had a bloodthirsty side.”
The brutality of battlefields stirred his heartstrings.
She quickly climbed onto the high city wall. Looking down from the battlements, the firelight and blood-red color transformed the open ground outside the pass into a purgatory, with Chu Yuan as its greatest demon, leaving nothing alive in his wake.
Ruan Ning was mesmerized. The first time she saw him, he had walked towards her through fire and blood, instilling terror that made her want to stay far away. Now, he made her heart surge, and she wished to throw herself into his arms and express her love.
Beside her was a drum. Ruan Ning raised the heavy drumsticks and struck the drum surface. In the thundering sounds, Chu Yuan seemed to sense her presence and turned to look at the city tower, meeting her gaze. They exchanged smiles, a hint of tenderness emerging amid the carnage.
The battle did not last long. An hour later, the barbarians fled in panic, abandoning a ground full of corpses. Chu Yuan’s bright red robe had turned deep red. He strode towards the wide-open gate, where Ruan Ning stood, his best comfort. He rushed to her, lifted her legs, and carried her, laughing: “Ning Ning, I’m so happy!”
Night fell, and warm lamplight blocked out the cold and war outside. In the brocade curtains, spring’s passion was boundless, and the intertwined bodies of a man and woman endlessly expressed their love.
Chapter 130: Grand Finale
Ruan Ning drowsily woke up around noon. In the past two months, she had mostly spent her time in a bumpy carriage. Entangled by Chu Yuan all night, her body felt crushed, and she didn’t want to move.
Chu Yuan leaned by the bedside with a food box and hot water. Seeing her awake, he smiled and kissed her, softly saying, “Are you tired?”
Ruan Ning leaned against him, dazedly staring at the curtains.
“Eat something; don’t starve yourself,” Chu Yuan said, concern in his voice. He lifted her onto his lap, helped her wash her face, and fed her half a bowl of meat porridge, chattering, “The food at the border isn’t as refined as in the capital; bear with it.”
Ruan Ning replied lazily, “Am I someone who can’t endure hardship? I’ve eaten cold flatbread with you for two months.”
Chu Yuan kissed her cheek, smiling. His expression became serious: “After this battle, the Emperor will soon know my whereabouts.”
“I only hope the Crown Prince can persuade him not to come looking for me.”
Ruan Ning wanted to ask about their strange relationship but quickly dropped the thought. If he wanted to tell her, he would; if not, why should she ask? Even between intimate lovers, some space should be left.
She nestled against him, saying softly: “Rest assured, it will definitely be as you wish.”
“I hope so too,” Chu Yuan kissed her again, his gaze tender. “I always thought my luck was bad, but then I met you. I think my luck can’t be too terrible. Heaven will watch over me.”
“Who will you make heir if you disinherit your son? A Yuan?” Chu Xiang’s eyes looked at him without fear. “Father, although A Yuan is your flesh and blood, his identity can never be proclaimed to the world.”
Chu Yunzheng’s vision darkened; too preoccupied to argue, he called out: “Someone, someone!”
“No one will come,” Chu Xiang stepped forward to support him, gently massaging his back, his voice calm. “Father has always been dissatisfied with his son, wanting to disinherit him and establish someone else. But has Father ever considered that in all dynasties, which disgraced crown prince could preserve his life? Father, A Yuan and I are both your flesh and blood. Why are you so biased, always thinking only of him and never caring about my life or death?”
If that’s the case, why did you give birth to me in the first place?”
Chu Yunzheng shook off his hand, feeling an unprecedented fear. Chu Xiang knew everything and harbored resentment. “You’ve been jealous of A Yuan all along! What have you done to him? Speak quickly!”
Chu Xiang replied, “Father overthinks. A Yuan was raised by me. He treats me like a father and brother, and I treat him sincerely. A Yuan is a natural military leader. Great Chu needs him, and I need such a brother. After I ascend the throne, I will treat A Yuan even better.”
“Really?” Chu Yunzheng asked suspiciously.
“Really,” Chu Xiang smiled. “But Father, what can you do now? You are truly alone.”
Previously, he operated in secret for self-preservation, but now he sought more. He never hated Chu Yuan, whom he raised and who was almost his ideal self. Instead, he hated the Emperor, the one making everyone unhappy.
Later that day, news spread that the Emperor was seriously ill and Crown Prince Chu Xiang was acting as regent.
At Jade Gate Pass, the news arrived over a month later.
During this month, the barbarians attacked several times but were repeatedly defeated by Chu Yuan, who had become famous in the Jade Gate Pass area. It was said that even the barbarians used his name to scare children. Ruan Ning often teased him as the “麻胡子” (Ma Huzi) of Great Chu.
When the official report reached Chu Yuan, he was with Ruan Ning, overlooking the snow-covered Black Mountain, persistently asking about Ma Huzi. After reading the report, his heart sank.
Ruan Ning nestled closer to him and softly asked, “What’s wrong?”
“The Emperor is seriously ill, and the Crown Prince is acting as regent,” Chu Yuan said after a long while, crumpling the report, his brow furrowed.
Though he had a complicated relationship with the Emperor, their feelings were profound. Ruan Ning hesitated and asked, “Do you want to go back?”
“I’m worried this might be the Emperor’s trap,” Chu Yuan said.
Chu Yunzheng was only in his early fifties and had always been healthy. Chu Yuan found it hard to believe he could become so ill in just over three months and suspected he was feigning illness to lure him back.
