The crown prince opened his mouth, but his throat felt clogged and his heart ached.
Daoist Qiu answered for him, "Liang Yuzhou's top priority is Wan Chu, while yours is the great Zhou's territory and its people.
When Wan Chu fell off the cliff, Liang Yuzhou jumped after her without hesitation, but you stopped at the edge. From that moment on, you knew you had lost, didn't you?"
The crown prince's lips quivered. A flash of unwillingness crossed his eyes. "I can value Wan Chu as much as the country."
Daoist Qiu let out a soft laugh.
In his eyes, Lu Sihong was a precocious and solemn young man, yet he could say such things.
It seemed that he truly loved Wan Chu, but he was also too young and naive when it came to matters of the heart.
Liang Yuzhou had already gotten through that stage. The painful loss had made him mature.
The crown prince simply hadn't experienced enough.
Daoist Qiu was patient and coaxed him gently, "Let me ask you this. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty doted on Consort Yang, didn't he? During the An Lushan Rebellion, the troops mutinied. The soldiers accused Consort Yang of being a seductress who had brought disaster to the country. In order to appease the army, Emperor Xuanzong had no choice but to order her execution. What about you?"
The crown prince firmly denied it. "I'm not Emperor Xuanzong. I would never let such a thing happen!"
"Emperor Xuanzong was once a diligent and capable emperor. Did he ever think that one day he would be forced to make a choice between the woman he loved most and the soldiers who had shed blood for him?"
The crown prince fell silent. The frustration and sorrow in his eyes welled up like a tide.
"Am I doomed to be alone for the rest of my life?"
Daoist Qiu looked out of the window at the scenery that resembled an ink painting. Then he glanced meaningfully at the crown prince.
"Since you hold boundless power, you must also have the ability to endure boundless loneliness."
The crown prince buried his face deep in his arms.
"Can't I love Wan Chu whole - heartedly like an ordinary person?"
His voice was muffled, like a reluctant struggle.
"What you can offer is not what Wan Chu wants. Are you really willing to confine her within the high walls of the deep palace for the rest of her life, where she would have to engage in intrigue with other concubines? You love Wan Chu for her simplicity and purity, but that magnificent cage will transform every innocent and beautiful woman beyond recognition. If that day really comes, will you still love her?"
Every word Daoist Qiu said was like a fine needle, piercing the softest part of the crown prince's heart.
"Wan Chu is really not suitable to be your queen."
After a pause, he comforted the crown prince gently, "The love between an emperor and his queen is never pure.
The queen you need should come from a family with a profound background. She should be well - educated from a young age, generous, kind - hearted, and gentle. She should be able to set an example for the world and keep the harem in order. She should be able to help you balance various forces and listen to your troubles at the right time.
You may not fall in love with such a queen at first. You may just treat each other with courtesy, but as time passes, you will gradually see her good qualities. In the ordinary days of getting along, she will slowly steal your heart."
Although the crown prince listened attentively, his eyes gradually became empty.
"There will never be another woman like Wan Chu."
Daoist Qiu didn't comment. "Hong'er, your world is so vast. Why don't you open your eyes and take a look?"
He wanted to say, don't be like a gloomy mouse, always lingering around Wan Chu like she's the only good thing in the world.
But then he thought this was too harsh. The poor kid was already heart - broken. There was no need to pour salt on his wound.
When one is heart - broken, they need comfort...
Liang Yuzhou stayed at the post station for seven consecutive days while Daoist Qiu treated his injuries.
Shi Luohan had to complete the mission of escorting the coffin.
Shi Minglang returned to Yunzhou City. As the prefect, he couldn't be away from his post for too long.
After getting the crown prince's permission, the first thing he did when he got back was to go to the Chu family and inform them that Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou were safe.
As for the thrilling pursuit and the fall off the cliff, Shi Minglang downplayed it.
Most importantly, he had to convey the crown prince's message to Old Lady Chu.
The crown prince decided not to pursue the matter of the Chu family helping Liang Yuzhou take Song Wanchu away.
Old Lady Chu had gambled on the crown prince's rationality and benevolence, and she had not misjudged him.
The crown prince was clear - headed when it came to important matters and was worthy of great responsibility.
The Chu family invited Shi Minglang to stay for dinner. He really wanted to, but thinking of the backlog of official business, he politely declined.
On his way back, his attendant approached the carriage and whispered, "My lord, there's a tail behind us."
Shi Minglang became vigilant. He lifted the curtain and glanced back casually.
There was a maroon horse pulling a carriage with a smoke - pink curtain. A delicate palace lantern was hanging on the front of the carriage, with a rose painted on it.
The corner of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.
He put down the curtain and ordered the coachman, "Stop at the Moon - Picking Tower. I'll go up for a cup of tea before going back to the yamen."
When they arrived at the Moon - Picking Tower, the boss personally arranged a private room for him.
He told his attendants to go back first. He wanted some peace and quiet.
After the attendants left, he deliberately left the door ajar. He poured himself a cup of tea and sipped it slowly.
Sure enough, after a while, a round little head peeked in furtively through the crack of the door.
Suddenly, the door opened. Shi Minglang feigned surprise, "Cousin Ying'er, it's you! What a coincidence! Are you also here for tea?"
Chu Yueying felt so embarrassed, as if she had been caught doing something wrong. She wished she could find a hole to hide in.
Her big, bright eyes didn't know where to look, and her pretty little face turned as red as a cloud.
Shi Minglang's heart skipped a beat.
"Um, cousin, I..."
Shi Minglang opened the door wider and said generously, "Cousin, if you have something to say, come in."
Chu Yueying knew the rules. A young lady shouldn't be alone with an outside man in a room.
Seeing her hesitating, Shi Minglang glanced at the people behind her.
Her wet nurse and her maid Chunzhi.
"It's cold outside. Nurse Lian and Chunzhi, come in and have a cup of hot tea too."
Chu Yueying was surprised. He even knew the names of her wet nurse and maid?
Nurse Lian was a respected servant in the Chu family and an elder.
With her around, she and Shi Minglang wouldn't be considered alone.
Shi Minglang's thoughtfulness made Chu Yueying feel warm inside.
Inside the room, Nurse Lian and Chunzhi sat at a small table by themselves.
Separated by a screen, Shi Minglang and Chu Yueying sat facing each other.
"I just wanted to ask you, cousin, is Sister Wanchu okay? Is she safe?"
She had heard that the crown prince had even sent out cavalry in order to chase Sister Wanchu. The commotion was huge.
Chu Yueying was really worried, but when Shi Minglang had briefly mentioned it at the Chu family earlier, she hadn't dared to ask more in front of the elders.
So she had secretly followed him out.
"She and Liang Yuzhou suffered some minor injuries. They're fine."
Shi Minglang patiently reassured her, "The crown prince didn't do anything to them. They'll be back in Yunzhou to celebrate the New Year in a few days."
Chu Yueying's eyebrows relaxed. She smiled brightly. "That's good. Cousin, I'm sorry if I was being too forward."
"Not at all." Shi Minglang picked up his teacup to hide half of his face and secretly smiled.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Suddenly, he let out a melancholy sigh, "I wish I could go back to the capital to celebrate the New Year this year, but as the prefect of Yunzhou, I can't leave for a single day."
Chu Yueying didn't think much. She blinked her big, bright eyes and said, "Cousin, come to our house to celebrate the New Year. Our two families are relatives. It's just like being with family."
"I'm not sure if that's appropriate." Shi Minglang pretended to hesitate. "Do you really want me to come?"
"Of course!" Chu Yueying nodded eagerly.
Cousin was a really nice person.
Shi Minglang curled up the corner of his mouth. "Then I'll have to impose on you."
"Cousin, don't be so polite." Chu Yueying said sincerely, "Grandma, Father, Mother, and all the siblings in the family like you very much."
"What about you? Do you like me too?" Shi Minglang stared into her eyes and asked.