A Shocking Dream

Chapter 195

Qin Rongchen's body stiffened slightly, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes, but quickly disappeared. "Lin Bingshuang is someone I owe. She died before my eyes, and I was powerless to save her. At that moment, I looked at her gradually dimming eyes, and my heart was filled with despair and regret. I finally understood that I had been obsessed with my own love and ignored the many responsibilities around me. I can no longer let down those who have suffered and endured hardships because of me."

Su Yijing nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval. "Now you know how to take responsibility and understand that the meaning of life is not limited to romantic love. This is enough. In the court, you took the initiative to handle government affairs, water conservancy, people's livelihood, border defense, and military affairs. You worry about everything. Your seriousness has made the ministers look at you with admiration. When the people suffered, you went to the disaster areas in person, provided porridge and food, and comforted the people. The people praised your good deeds and called you a kind-hearted prince. It is in this way that you live up to your princely appearance and live up to the expectations of the people of the world."

Qin Rongchen smiled bitterly, "I used to think love was everything in life, but now I know that serving my post, pursuing my policies, and protecting the country and its people is the path I should truly take. The souls of those who died in vain because of my obsession appear in my dreams every night, like tearful questions, spurring me on. I can no longer escape. Even if the road ahead is full of thorns, I will forge a bloody path and find peace and tranquility."

Su Yijing patted him on the back and smiled heartily: "Good! With your awareness, you will definitely achieve great things in the future. With our brothers working together, we will definitely be able to sweep away the haze in the court and restore the glory of Daqi. When you are successful and famous, looking back on today, these hardships will be medals. Tomorrow you will leave the capital to venture out, and I will work for you in the court. Let's work together internally and externally to reach this prosperous home!"

Qin Rongchen's eyes were burning with fighting spirit. He looked at Su Yijing and clenched his fists: "It's a deal! When I return, I will not let down my oath today." The two figures were like two sturdy mountains in the moonlight, standing tall in the cold night, with confidence and enthusiasm for the future, not afraid of the road ahead that was about to dawn but still chaotic.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's talk about your feelings, Yijing. I think that girl from the Liu family is quite interested in you." Qin Rongchen raised his eyebrows slightly, a teasing smile playing on the corner of his mouth, and cleverly changed the subject, trying to dispel the solemn atmosphere. When the girl from the Liu family was mentioned, a rare mischievous glint flashed in his eyes, as if he had found a bright spot and temporarily forgot the heavy entanglements of family and country.

Su Yijing was startled, and his usually calm face was instantly stained with a faint blush, just like the clouds in the sky quietly spreading. He coughed twice and flicked his sleeves pretending to be indifferent: "Don't joke, I'm already overwhelmed by all the affairs in the court, how can I have the leisure to care about these romantic affairs." Having said that, the mind couldn't help but emerge with the charming appearance of Miss Liu - her eyebrows were curved, her eyes were full of smiles, and every time she ran into him, the blush on her cheeks was more beautiful than the flowers in spring.

Qin Rongchen refused to let her go. He leaned against the plum tree, folded his arms, and jokingly said, "Oh, Prime Minister, when did you become so hypocritical? I've seen Miss Liu chasing after you several times, the love in her eyes almost solidifying into something real. How dare you say you didn't see it?"

Su Yijing's ears turned red and he glared at Qin Rongchen: "It's just a normal greeting, stop talking nonsense. Miss Liu has a good upbringing and is well-educated, don't ruin her reputation." Although there was a reprimand in his words, his tone was not sharp at all.

Qin Rongchen's smile deepened as he stood up and moved closer. "How could I possibly ruin her reputation? It's clear that you two are a match made in heaven. Miss Liu is exceptionally talented, her zither music lingers for three days, and her poetry is renowned among the talented women of the capital. She's a perfect match for you, the learned Prime Minister!"

Su Yijing shook his head helplessly, but he couldn't hide the slight smile on his lips: "Your mouth is really getting more and more unruly. I am now fully focused on assisting the king, rectifying the administration, and eradicating the accumulated malpractices in the court. How can I have the time to talk about love? It's not too late to talk about it after the court is stable."

Qin Rongchen suppressed his smile and looked at him sincerely, "Yijing, I understand your ambitions. But life is short, don't miss out on your soulmate because of your busy schedule. Miss Liu's sincerity may be a warm home for you amidst the ups and downs of your career. With her by your side, even if there are countless difficulties and dangers, when you return home, there will always be a light on for you, and your heart will be at peace. Just like I have come to realize now, love is not a terrible thing. If you grasp it properly, it can also help you move forward."

Su Yijing lowered his eyes in thought. After a moment, he looked up at the stars in the night sky: "Your words have made me think a lot. It's just that undercurrents are surging in the court, and the situation is changing rapidly. I am afraid that she will get hurt... Well, let's go and see. Fate cannot be forced." Although his tone was still hesitant, it was a little more relaxed, as if the tightly closed door of his heart was quietly pushed open a crack, revealing a few strands of beautiful warm light. In the fragrance of plum blossoms on this cold night, a different kind of warmth is lingering, as if the long road ahead is quietly covered with a layer of beautiful expectations because of this unknown emotion.

"As for you, you must be disappointed that Lin Wunian didn't write to you. She may also know that the prince has told you her identity. It is inevitable that the old feelings will be rekindled when you meet old friends in Yingzhou this time?" Su Yijing's eyes were sharp, and he caught the fleeting disappointment in Qin Rongchen's eyes when Qin Ruoyu delivered the letter that day. At this moment, he couldn't help but tease him, trying to break the solemn atmosphere, but he also hid some genuine concern.

Qin Rongchen's body stiffened slightly, as if his secret was exposed. The bitter smile on the corner of his mouth was suppressed before it could take shape. He pretended to be nonchalant and said, "It's not a big deal. It's just a past event when I was young and ignorant. Why should I hold on to it?" But the clenched and unclenched fingers revealed his uneasiness.

Su Yijing sneered, leaned against the stone table, filled two bowls of wine, and pushed one bowl in front of Qin Rongchen: "You are just being stubborn! Can you really be as calm as water when you go to Yingzhou this time?"

Qin Rongchen picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The strong liquor burned his eyes red as it went down his throat, but he suppressed the bitterness. "She has already made her choice, so why should I bother to linger on? She left without saying goodbye, and we've already cut off the past. Even if I know her identity now, to me, it's just an old friend and a bygone story. It won't stir up any more waves."

Su Yijing raised an eyebrow in disbelief: "Are you really that open-minded? Yingzhou is not close, and the mountains and rivers along the way are enough to bring back countless memories. If you run into her, and she's tearful and looking so pitiful, can you guarantee that you won't be soft-hearted? Don't forget, you were the one who made a big fuss just for Lin Bingshuang back then."

Qin Rongchen put down his wine bowl, his expression complicated as he gazed into the night sky. "Time has changed, and I've experienced so much. I'm no longer the reckless young man I once was. Lin Wunian, it's just a reunion of unfinished destiny. As for our feelings... they've long been worn away by time. Besides, I'm in Yingzhou on important matters, so I don't have the time to dwell on romantic relationships."