A Shocking Dream

Chapter 194

Gazing out the window at the cold moon, she recalled the affectionate moments when Qin Rongchen chased after her mother and called out to her as a child. Then, looking at her cold, upright, yet taciturn figure in the court, she felt a wave of regret: If she had let him and Lin Bingshuang get together from the beginning, and let him live according to his heart, wouldn't all these tragedies have happened? Mother and son wouldn't have ended up in this awkward, estranged situation.

Whenever I think of this, tears fall silently, wetting the pillowcase, but regret is like a brand, deeply engraved in my soul, and it can never be erased.

"We're leaving the capital tomorrow, and you don't seem very happy." Late at night, Hanmei Villa was so quiet that only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the plum branches could be heard. Su Yijing strode into the courtyard, carrying a jar of strong liquor.

Qin Rongchen was seen sitting alone on a stone bench, looking up at the cold moonlight, like a stone statue in sorrow. The aura of loneliness emanating from his body could be felt even from several feet away.

Qin Rongchen heard the voice and slowly turned his head. The moonlight outlined his slightly haggard features. His brows were slightly furrowed, and there was an unrelieved depression in his eyes, but he still forced a smile: "Yijing, sit down. This capital... after all, there are some people and things that you can't let go of." His voice was hoarse and revealed a bit of fatigue.

Su Yijing walked over and slammed the wine jar on the stone table with a clang. He sat down and patted Qin Rongchen on the shoulder: "I knew you were holding something in your heart. Don't hide it in front of us brothers! It's just that emotional hurt and old grudges, and the knot between you and the Queen Mother. Now that I'm gone, out of sight, out of mind!" As he spoke, he pulled out the cork, and the strong aroma of wine filled the air instantly.

Qin Rongchen took the wine bowl handed to him by Su Yijing, gently swirled the clear wine inside, and seemed to be trapped in a whirlpool of memories: "I have loved, hated, and lost too much in this capital. Lin Bingshuang's blood feud, Yunshuang's innocent death, every one of them is like a thorn in my heart. And my mother... I used to respect and love her, but her airtight control destroyed half of my life's happiness." After that, he drank it all in one gulp. The strong liquor went into his throat, burning his eyes red.

Su Yijing frowned, snatched the wine bowl and refilled it: "Don't keep staring at the past! Think about it, outside the capital, the world is vast, there are plenty of places for us to be free. Go to the frontier and ride a horse, gallop in the desert smoke, and leave all these troubles behind; go to the water town in the south of the Yangtze River and be free."

Qin Rongchen smiled bitterly: "It's not that easy. Once I leave, I don't know when I can let go of the past, and I'm afraid of disappointing the expectations of those who died because of me. Although the capital city hurts me deeply, my roots are still here. The blood ties and the bonds of memories are inseparable and difficult to sort out." After saying that, he raised his eyes and looked towards the direction of the palace, his eyes were distant and complicated.

Su Yijing took a big gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, and said with a look of regret: "Qin Rongchen, don't be stupid! If you stay here, you will only continue to rot in memories. The Queen Mother's temper cannot be changed! If you don't leave, will you be manipulated again and repeat the same mistakes? Listen to my brother's advice and leave the city tomorrow. The road is long, forget it as you go, and when you come back to see the capital, your mood will be different!"

Qin Rongchen was silent for a long moment, the wind ruffling his hair, stirring a few scattered strands. His expression was filled with solemnity and desolation. "Yijing, from childhood to adulthood, you're my only friend," he said slowly, his voice low and sighing, as if carrying the weight of years' accumulated pain. "You're the Prime Minister, and I'm the Prince. The court is full of uncertainties, and the situation can change in an instant. You and I have been so close for so many years, it's inevitable that suspicion will arise."

Su Yijing frowned and was about to open his mouth to refute, but Qin Rongchen raised his hand to stop him and continued, "Things are different now. In the past, relying on my youth and arrogance, I could act recklessly and casually, thinking that friendship was more important than anything else. I didn't care about those prying eyes and whispered rumors. But after going through so many changes, I have seen through it. In this high position, every step is risky. If you are not careful, you will be doomed."

He then strolled to the plum tree in the courtyard, gently stroking its gnarled branches as if reminiscing about carefree days past. "Look at this winter plum tree, it blooms year after year, defying the snow and frost. But if an untimely snowstorm comes, the branches will be crushed, the flowers will wither, and it will be difficult to regain its former splendor. The two of us in this court are like this plum tree, seemingly flourishing, but in reality, we are perilous. In the shadows of the court, countless eyes are watching our every move, waiting to find any fault so they can uproot it."

Su Yijing's expression grew serious. How could he not know the stakes? They had been close friends for many years, and their friendship was deep and hard to part with. He muttered, "Just because of fear and suspicion, are we going to become distant? All those years of sharing hardships, studying together, and standing shoulder to shoulder in the court, are we going to throw all of this away?"

Qin Rongchen turned around, his eyes frank but with a hint of helplessness: "It's not that I've given up, but I'm temporarily avoiding the limelight. I'm leaving the capital tomorrow, which will be a relief for both you and me. You can display your extraordinary talents in the court without being constrained by me; I will go far away to find a free world, and I will also save you from putting yourself in danger to protect me. One day, when the court is clear and the situation is stable, it will not be too late for you and me to drink and reminisce about our old friendship."

Su Yijing's eyes were red. He took a few steps forward and punched Qin Rongchen on the shoulder. He said in a hoarse voice, "Qin Rongchen, you've got everything planned out! Never mind. Go ahead and don't worry. I'll take care of all the affairs in the court and won't give anyone a chance to use any of them against you. But you have to promise me that you won't act tough outside. During the holidays, at least send a message back to let me know if you're safe."

Qin Rongchen raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a long-lost smile, and nodded heavily: "Of course. Take care, brother. I hope you can achieve unprecedented achievements. When I return, I will compete with you in achievements." The two smiled at each other, and their laughter echoed in the courtyard, but it could not hide the sadness of parting. The moonlight shone down, stretching the figures of the two close friends into slender figures, as if to engrave the reluctance at this moment, waiting for their reunion in the future.

"Rongchen, you've really changed." Su Yijing broke the silence of the night, his eyes fixed on Qin Rongchen, complex emotions surging in his eyes: relief, emotion, and a hint of regret. "You are no longer the Qin Rongchen who was so obsessed with love that he was willing to make the whole world his enemy."

Qin Rongchen tilted his head slightly, letting the cool moonlight wash over his face, as if to wash away the traces of his past. After a long pause, he breathed a sigh of relief. "After so many experiences of life and death, what's the point of clinging to love? It only adds to the number of lost souls and harms the innocent." His voice was calm, yet it held a hint of self-mockery and insight.

Su Yijing took a step forward, raised his hand and placed it on Qin Rongchen's shoulder, patting him twice. "Yes, back then, for Lin Bingshuang, you were able to abandon everything, disobey the Queen Mother, and even disregard the interests of your family and country. That madness frightened me. But now... Yunshuang's death is like a thunderbolt that wakes me from a dream."