Amorous S*ave Girl - Chapter 34
Chapter 34 : Dust Settles
*Langyue Villa*
The Fifth Prince knew his cause was lost. Sitting calmly before a red sandalwood table set with fine porcelain wine vessels, he remained silent for a long moment before speaking to the maid Tao'er standing beside him:
"Tao'er, you may leave Langyue Villa now! This prince restores your freedom. Henceforth, the vast skies and seas are yours to roam."
Tao'er stared in disbelief. "You...you're truly letting me go?"
A flicker of sorrow passed through the prince's bright eyes. "Of course. It seems that you are really happy to be able to leave me! Before you leave...might you pour me one last cup of wine?"
"I can pour your wine, but before I go—" Tao'er's beautiful eyes pleaded earnestly—"promise me you won't rebel. Live well—for your mother, for your royal brother. Live happily!"
The prince's heart warmed. However she truly felt about him, this concern alone would let him die without regrets. To ease her departure—and because he could no longer protect her—he forced a radiant smile. "This prince promises. No rebellion. I'll live well. If there's a next life...would you float lotus lanterns with me?"
"Why wait for next life? We can do it next Lotus Festival! I'll make you the most beautiful lantern myself!" Tao'er vowed joyfully.
"Next year..." The prince murmured mournfully.
"Your Highness?" Tao'er noticed his strange tone.
Instantly the prince's brilliant smile returned. "Nothing. This prince is simply greedy—not just next year's festival, but every Lotus Festival in every lifetime after, I wish to float lanterns with you."
Tao'er smiled. Who knew the prince would be so devoted to this folk tradition? Gracefully, she moved to the table and filled his cup. "Your Highness, I must go now."
Suppressing the urge to beg her stay, the prince spoke through clenched pain: "Outside the gates awaits a carriage. The driver is my maid Zijuan—skilled in martial arts. Henceforth she serves you, protecting you with her life..."
"But I don't need—"
"Have you forgotten your identity?" the prince interrupted. "The Demon Lotus Cult hunts you. If exposed, countless schemers would exploit you for their vile ends. Not all can resist the temptations of treasure and immortality elixirs. Perhaps...you should return to Han Shiping's side. Only he can protect you now." How can life be so helpless to give the woman you love to another man to protect? The Fifth Prince's heart ached.
"This servant..." Tao'er was about to speak, but was interrupted by the Fifth Prince again, "You're no servant, you're free. The Chen family...has no hold over you. From now on, you're simply Tao'er, beholden to none." He pressed thick stacks of banknotes into her hands. "Buy a quiet estate. Hire skilled guards. Spend as you please—just stay safe. Trust no one lightly. Understood?"
"This servant underst—"
"Hmm?" The prince arched a brow.
Tao'er hastily corrected: "I mean, Tao'er understands!"
Clutching the banknotes, the prince gazed at her with desperate intensity. "Promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Whatever you may learn of me in days to come...do not hate me. The world may despise me—only you, I beg, must not."
Tao'er had never seen him like this—so sorrowful, so despairing, so imploring. She nodded firmly. "No matter what I learn, I could never hate you!"
The prince crushed her into a fierce embrace, inhaling her scent deeply before abruptly releasing her. Snatching up the wine cup, he drained it in one elegant motion. Turning with jade-tree grace, he gifted her a smile breathtaking as a midnight-blooming cereus—so beautiful it stole breath away.
"Go now, Tao'er."
As she walked away, halfway across the courtyard, she nearly turned back—
"Don't look back!!"
His roar froze her. She didn't turn. Step by hesitant step, she moved onward.
Even the most glorious cereus blooms but once. The prince's spring-bright eyes, fixed on her retreating form, gradually dimmed. The world darkened; sound faded. Dark blood spilled from his lips as courtyard roses withered in the wind. Slumping against the doorframe, he collapsed.
Perhaps he should resent no one. Resent only the misfortune of being born royal...
*The Dowager Empress's Chambers*
The poisoned dart the Dowager intercepted for General Han had reached her heart. No physician could save her now. They knelt trembling, not daring to lift their heads.
"Incompetents! Out!" The emperor's grief-stricken roar sent them scrambling.
Suddenly—a resurgence. The Dowager's eyes flew open. "Your Majesty!" General Han rushed forward. With her final strength, she seized his hand, whispering words only his martial-trained ears could catch:
"Ping'er...don't hate your grandmother...I wronged you..."
Shock coursed through him. So the Dowager had known his true parentage—meaning the emperor did too! Before he could respond, her grip slackened. Eyes closed.
"Your Majesty—!" The general's anguished cry broke forth, tears falling. Two loved ones lost in one day—he felt utterly shattered.
"Mother—!" The emperor collapsed weeping at the bedside.
"The Dowager Empress has ascended to heaven—!" Eunuch Liu announced through tears.
Doors opened in sequence. Physicians, maids, eunuchs knelt in rows outside, mourning.
National mourning commenced. Weddings and celebrations were banned. Court suspended for three days while emperor and ministers kept vigil. The emperor permitted General Han to return home to arrange his mother's funeral rites. Families of officials slain in the rebellion and soldiers fallen in its suppression received generous imperial compensation.
***
If you want to get notified of the new updates and announcements, you can join us on Discord (code- 92TUsC9jDA)
And Support us with ☞Donations!!
Posts
No comments