Su Ziluo did not look back, but his expression abruptly changed – it reflected remorse and guilt. That change was a ripple on his calm expression. Hidden underneath his wide sleeves, his hands curled up into fists.
After a long while, he finally uttered, “Your Highness should know that life is a winding road. There are many crossroads and you can’t tread on all of them. Some things are bound to be lost as you gain other things. This is an undeniable fact since olden times; this is life. Don’t you think so?”
This is life. Although his words did not directly answer his question, Jing Rong still understood the real meaning behind Su Ziluo’s speech – that man was Ji Pei.
After a moment, Jing Rong got up and quietly walked to Su Ziluo. He also looked at the peach trees, which were shockingly gorgeous in full bloom.
“Are you really willing to part with her?” He asked.
Su Ziluo faintly trembled. His hands stroked his thighs as he bitterly laughed. “Look at my current state. Do I still have any qualifications to talk about whether I am willing or not?”
“You know she doesn’t care about that!”
“But I do care!” His tone came out forceful.
Jing Rong glanced at him but did not add anything.
“Your Highness was by her side on the journey from Jinjiang to the capital. She has long been aware of your feelings. At present, the only qualified person to stand at her side is your Highness. From now on, I want to trouble your Highness to take care of her. Please overlook her mistakes, and forgive her for her wrongs.”
“Even if you didn’t say it, this Prince will stay at her side regardless of anything.”
“I hope you can do what you say.” His words contained a deeper meaning which only the concerned party could understand. A silence ensued, before being broken by Su Ziluo some time after. “Our meeting today shouldn’t be known to her.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you very much.”
After Su Ziluo left the Peach Blossoms Spring, the attendant, who was pushing him, stopped and came in front of Su Ziluo. He used his hands to make several signs. Su Ziluo frowned a bit. “Li’er, you don’t understand.”
The attendant called Li’er did a few more hand signs. He appeared very worried. After he was done, he squatted down, looked up at Su Ziluo and let out some incoherent sounds. Li’er was a mute.
Su Ziluo reached for his head and rubbed it with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m fine because it was a decision I made two years ago.”
Li’er lifted his hands and gestured a few more times as his eyes reddened.
“Li’er, you don’t understand. My father has not been avenged, and the matter our king has entrusted me with has yet to be achieved. Besides, everything is ephemeral, and so are my feelings, which now belong to the past.”
“Ah, ah…”
“Enough. Don’t mention it again. Remember well, I am Su Ziluo, so you must not let Shu’er find out. Understand?”
Regardless of how much Li’er felt distressed for his lord, he was still a servant, who worked for Su Ziluo ever since the latter had returned to Qujiang two years ago.
He nodded before getting up and resumed pushing the wheelchair.
……