Chapter 117: Disgust
“Gongzhu, where did you go?”
As night fell, Yin Xin, who had been pacing and worrying inside the Fenghe Palace, finally saw Li Xuanyue appear. Her eyes filled with immense relief.
“Why are you completely soaked?”
Once her initial excitement passed, Yin Xin noticed that Li Xuanyue was drenched from head to toe. Not even a strand of hair had been spared. Panicked, she quickly pulled Li Xuanyue further into the palace.
Inside Li Xuanyueâs mind, the words Hua Shan had spoken to her earlier that day in the Xihe Palace were still echoing.
Because of this, she remained silent throughout the entire processâwhether Yin Xin was helping her bathe, changing her clothes, or drying her hair, she didn’t utter a single word.
Her distant, soul-wandering state did not go unnoticed by Yin Xin.
“Gongzhu, whatâs wrong?”
Having finished her tasks, Yin Xin finally had a moment to crouch before Li Xuanyue and ask with genuine concern.
“Did something happen?”
The aura surrounding Li Xuanyue today was incredibly low, as if she had lost interest in everything.
It wasn’t until Yin Xin spoke to her that Li Xuanyueâs eyes, which had been frozen in their sockets, finally showed a flicker of movement.
“I just wandered around outside all day. Iâm simply a bit tired.”
Li Xuanyueâs words were light and airy.
They didn’t sound like the truth.
Yin Xin lowered her gaze, though she didn’t press further.
“Then let nu bi help you to bed to rest.”
Li Xuanyueâs complexion did indeed look poor.
Yin Xin worried she might catch a cold, so after helping her into bed, she ordered a maid to brew a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the chill.
“Come, Gongzhu. Drink this, then have a peaceful sleep.”
Li Xuanyue looked at the ginger soup Yin Xin offered. She initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the girl’s sincere care, she swallowed the rejection.
“Alright. Youâve been busy all evening; go and rest yourself,” Li Xuanyue instructed softly after handing the empty jade bowl back to Yin Xin. “Tomorrow, Ben Gong has other important matters to entrust to you. Don’t be delayed.”
Yin Xin nodded, asking no questions. After tucking in the covers, she turned and left.
That night, Li Xuanyue was destined for a sleepless rest.
Images of Hua Sangâs pale, bloodless face as he lay on the bed repeatedly flashed through her mind.
Then, those images would shift, replaced by Hua Shanâs sinister, contorted face as he issued his warnings.
This internal turmoil eventually led her into a very strange dream.
In the dream, she saw Hua Sang. He was like a crystal butterfly, dressed in pure white robes, dancing gracefully before Hua Shan.
His steps were elegant, his movements light. Every stride seemed to tread upon the heartstrings of others, causing an involuntary throb and tremor of the soul.
Yet, the dancer’s gaze was fixed entirely on Hua Shan alone throughout the performance.
The youth’s fair, exquisite face carried a smile of unprecedented happiness.
Once the dance concluded, he was pulled forcefully into a tight embrace by Hua Shan.
“Youâwhat are you doing?”
Hua Sang was like a cat that had its paw stepped on; he was so nervous he didn’t know where to put his hands.
His lively eyes darted around anxiously.
He was terrified that someone might appear and witness this scene.
Hua Shan, however, didn’t care at all.
Instead, he used his index finger to tilt the youth’s chin upward.
“Don’t be afraid. It is only the two of us here,” his deep voice whispered into Hua Sangâs ear, offering constant reassurance. “This dance of yours… I like it very much.”
Because of Hua Shanâs praise, the tips of Hua Sangâs ears instantly turned a rosy red.
“You… didn’t you say you had matters to attend to today and couldn’t come?”
Hua Sangâs voice was significantly weaker than Hua Shanâs.
If one didn’t listen closely, it sounded like the cry of a newborn kitten.
Hua Shanâs eyes flickered. “You don’t want me here?”
Hua Sang lowered his head shyly, remaining silent.
“The situation is settled. I plan to return to the Phoenix Clan with Feng’er in two days.”
The smile that had just graced Hua Sangâs face froze completely upon hearing Hua Shanâs next words.
“Is what she said true?”
Hua Sang asked with trembling lips.
His lively eyes stared at the other man unblinkingly.
He seemed to be trying to discern from Hua Shan’s eyes whether the words were true or false.
“Do you truly intend to go to the Phoenix Clan to be her Junhou?”
Facing Hua Sangâs interrogation, Hua Shan lowered his gaze. “The Crane Clanâs foundation is unstable right now. Fu Huang hopes I can help him resolve this issue.”
Hua Sang looked as if he were about to collapse. “Then what about me?”
He had been by Hua Shanâs side for at least a hundred years, if not two hundred.
During all that time, his entire world had revolved around Hua Shan.
He had never once imagined a day when the man would abandon him.
If he hadn’t heard the news of Hua Shan following Li Feng to the Phoenix Clan from the man’s own mouth today, Hua Sang likely would have continued to believe that the rumors outside were merely idle gossip.
“My Lord, have you never truly kept Hua Sang in your heart?”
Otherwise, why would he wait until today to tell him this outcome?
A sharp glint flashed in Hua Shanâs dark eyes. He had indeed hidden his selfish motives.
He did this because he didn’t want the youth to overthink things.
He knew Hua Sangâs temperament well.
If the boy had learned the rumors were true earlier, he might have left him.
Hua Shan didn’t want to take that risk, which was why he hadn’t stepped forward to explain and waited until now.
“I will take you with me.”
This was the only guarantee Hua Shan could offer Hua Sang at the moment.
It was also the only promise he could give.
As for anything else, he truly could not provide it.
The light in Hua Sangâs lively eyes seemed to vanish in an instant.
Then, the scene shifted to the Phoenix Clan.
This time, Hua Sang appeared inside a secret chamber.
He sat there, staring blankly at the stone door.
His posture was no longer light and graceful; his entire being was wreathed in a deathly stillness.
The liveliness from before was gone, as was the happy smile seen in the previous vision.
“My Lord, please, just take one bite.”
The maid taking care of him watched his refusal to eat or drink with great anxiety. “If you don’t, when the Junhou comes, he will kill nu bi!”
Hua Sangâs eyes, which had been fixed on the door, finally fell upon the pleading servant girl.
“When is he coming here?”
His voice was dry and hollow.
Since the last time Hua Sang and Hua Shan had parted on bad terms back in the Crane Clan, Hua Sang had been knocked unconscious and brought here in secret.
Staying here, he lost track of time.
He only knew that every few hours, a maid would bring food and set it on the table.
Then, he would be made to wash and lie down to rest.
The repetitive nature of this existence filled Hua Sang with disgust.
His only thought now was to see Hua Shan and tell him that he wanted to leave.
He didn’t want to be imprisoned here anymore.
He wanted to forget himâto ruthlessly forget everything they had ever shared.
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