Hao Li took a deep breath, unsure if he felt relief or disappointment.
He wrapped his arms around Xu Qiu’er, refusing to let go. In her frustration, Xu Qiu’er bit Hao Li, and at that moment, he realized he was alive. In his confusion, he wondered if loving someone required a reason. Many decisions often happen in an instant, and now awake, he understood that much worry was unnecessary; one need not be overly cautious or hate oneself or others.
“You…?” Xu Qiu’er looked up at Hao Li. Gathering his courage, he said, “Let’s go.”
Ning’er entered and saw the young prince carrying the lady, both appearing off. She sensed something significant was about to happen, with Guan Yue and Cang Yue following closely behind.
A crescent moon hung in the night sky, its light like water, with a half-dark shadow visible in the disk. Childhood stories spoke of Wu Gang’s osmanthus tree, which he endlessly chopped, yet it always healed instantly.
If she was the proud plum flower by the broken bridge, he would completely break her.
He wanted her to remember so profoundly that she would never want to leave his side again.
Should he continue?
He had never left things half-done, especially after years of careful planning. Would giving up now mean failure?
But should he continue?
Those eyes, filled with self-reproach and tolerance, now showed a hint of isolation in that final moment in the bamboo forest, burning into his with a sense of being deeply wounded.
An inexplicable panic overwhelmed him again.
He wanted her. He only wanted her.
When Hao Li carried Xu Qiu’er into the courtyard, the Old Buddha awaited with palace maids and eunuchs. The Old Buddha lowered her eyes and asked, “At this late hour, Hao Li, where are you taking our Crown Princess?”
The empress dowager spoke with authority.
Hao Li’s heart sank, his expression shifting to shock, nervousness, and fear, yet he held Xu Qiu’er’s hand tightly. The empress dowager’s sharp gaze swept over their hands, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
“Old Buddha, please don’t force me…” Panic expanded into unease, a suffocating feeling in his chest, as if a massive net was descending upon him, sensing an ominous premonition.
The empress dowager instructed the servants: “What are you waiting for? Separate them.” The sight of their clasped hands reddened the Old Buddha’s eyes. Guards under her command quickly moved to restrain Hao Li.
Hao Li knew his chances were slim; he wanted to fight to prevent a repeat of the previous tragedy.
Xu Qiu’er froze, then knelt, screaming: “Old Buddha, please spare Hao Li…” Slap! The empress dowager’s nails dug into Xu Qiu’er’s face, her eyes filled with intent. “I underestimated you. I’ll decide for you right now…” Witnessing her fury, Hao Li struggled, bloodshot eyes roaring: “It’s my fault. Old Buddha, spare Qiu’er, spare us…”
The Old Buddha noted Hao Li’s resemblance to Xu Qiu’er. Supporting herself with Liu Nanny, she approached him, lifting his chin, coldly asking: “Repeat what you just said.”
Xu Qiu’er tried to interject: “It’s all my fault, all…”
“Be quiet.”
Hao Li repeated: “Grandmother, I am your grandson. Please spare us…”
Your tears scattered across the sky, I hesitate, should I stop? Afraid you’ll be resolute, Loving painfully, Leaving no way out…
I’m not afraid of hardship, only of not holding on, The warmth in your palm, If heaven demands I bear A lifetime of loneliness, I want you to hold me and cry…
Hold you and cry, day and night, Even if we were doomed from the start…
Loving so helplessly, happiness itself a mistake, Because from the beginning it could not end, I will never give up…
The text is set in a historical Chinese imperial court, involving characters named Hao Li, Xu Qiu’er, and an elderly empress dowager. It describes a tragic scene of torture and profound love, with themes of sacrifice, forbidden love, and political intrigue.
Even if it were doomed from the beginning…
Hao Li, we must die together. Qiu’er, I’m sorry. [Feng’s Rebirth: Narrow Love 19]
If heaven wants me to bear Loneliness for a lifetime, I only wish you would hold me and cry…
“Lord Gongsun,” Ning’er said with reddened eyes. Gongsun Jin Yu instructed Guan Yue, then entered the inner hall. Xu Qiu’er lay like a broken doll on the bed, entirely bandaged, her face devoid of color. Ning’er wept softly. Gongsun Jin Yu instructed, “The prince will probably return to the capital in a month. No matter what method you use, the consort must recover.” He turned away, his face cold, lips curling with a faint, emotionless smile.
Seeing Ning’er did not respond, a chilling anger seeped from his thin lips. He lowered his voice coldly, “Did you hear me?” Ning’er cried, “The consort doesn’t want to live at all. Lord Gongsun, what should we do? The empress will eventually find out, and the prince…”
“No one will know, as long as you protect the consort.” He half-lowered his long eyelashes, his expression calm like a still lake. His gaze fell on the smooth floor, lips pursing and then biting again. His calm face gradually cracked, saying, “Cang Yue…”
“This servant is here.”
“Tell her the information you obtained, not missing a single word.”
Cang Yue knelt before Xu Qiu’er’s bed. Xu Qiu’er looked like an angel, and without her faint heartbeat, one might believe she had gone to the heavenly city. Cang Yue spoke calmly: “Yesterday, when the young prince arrived at Fu Qiu Hall, Lady Xu was in the empress dowager’s palace. According to scouts, Lady Xu had already known the young prince’s plan. The old Buddha intervened.” Cang Yue lowered her eyes.
Ning’er suddenly remembered something important. “Lord Gongsun, the young prince…”
Gongsun Jin Yu replied, “Dead.”
“Dead…” Ning’er collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
Qiu’er, do not give up on yourself because of my departure. Live on with my share; I hope you live happily and healthily.
A tear fell from Xu Qiu’er’s eye.
Gongsun Jin Yu ordered, “Watch her carefully. She won’t die. If the empress sends someone to inquire, be clever.” His profile was dark like an overcast sky, while the sunlight was harsh, and the hall felt lifeless.
In the Empress Dowager’s Palace –
“Old Buddha…” Liu Nanny began, but the Empress Dowager wearily closed her eyes. “Everyone leave. Let me be alone.”
“Yes.” Liu Nanny sighed and withdrew, reflecting on the young prince’s stubbornness in committing suicide. The old Buddha would find this hardest to accept, and Liu Nanny pondered the cost of a single word of love. She recalled the prince’s plea to spare the Autumn Concubine, realizing the Autumn Concubine would likely never love the crown prince.
Under the starry sky,
The stars shine on your figure from afar.
Please gently let go, for I must depart.
Though fate will take my person, my heart will never part.
Watching clouds drift, sunset and moonrise,
I’ll cast the stars behind to illuminate your sky. Qiu’er…
The crown prince’s consort, who had been unconscious for seven days and nights, finally welcomed a new life at dawn, opening her hazy eyes. Xu Qiu’er tried to raise her hand but lacked strength.
The pain in her chest reminded her she was alive. Turning her head, she saw a blood-stained handkerchief by her bedside, containing her son’s life and Hao Li’s dream. Tears began to flow silently.
A figure appeared at the hall door, eyes rimmed with red. Crying and laughing, Ning’er rushed in and knelt by the bed: “My lady, you’re awake…”
Xu Qiu’er forced a smile, but moving slightly brought a bloody taste to her mouth. She spoke intermittently, “…Cang Yue… call… Cang Yue…”
Ning’er quickly went to find Cang Yue. Soon, Cang Yue entered the hall. “Repeat… what you said… that day…” Xu Qiu’er’s voice was hoarse, making the hall feel desolate.
