The White-Haired Imperial Concubine

Chapter 29 Whose Heart is Falling? (1)

The bright moonlight was reflected off of the black strands, making them look extremely dazzling. The nights in the beginning of summer still carried a tinge of chill. Man Yao stared at the spring water in front of her and took a deep breath. She spoke softly towards Zongzheng Wuyou who stood behind her, “This is the place you wanted to bring me to?”

Zongzheng Wuyou took a step forward to stand next to her and turned his head to look at her when he gave a light laugh, “How is it? This place…isn’t it beautiful? Do you like it?”

Man Yao slowly bent down, reaching out a hand to touch the spring. The beads of water slid down between her fair and jade-like fingers, illuminated under the light of the moon to look like crystal clear pearls. The warmth of the water penetrated her heart, and her tumultuous mood from being betrothed just now in the great hall became calm after experiencing this quiet solitude. Zongzheng Wuyou sat down in the grass next to her and laid down with his hands behind his head. He spoke in a light voice, “It’s very beautiful isn’t it? When I first came here, I had the same feeling as you, speechless, only wanting…to just peacefully experience all of this.”

After a beat, Man Yao replied softly, “Thank you, Wuyou.”

Zongzheng Wuyou slightly tilted his head. Under the gentle moonlight, her clear eyes were as bright as the stars in the night sky. He lightly laughed, “Are you tired? It’s easy for people to relax in a quiet place, especially for someone like you…someone who doesn’t even let others see how exhausted they are.”

Man Yao started. That’s right, she was the type of person who didn’t like to unload her burdens onto others, but wasn’t Zongzheng Wuyou the same? He was also cautious and put up a facade to cover up his true nature. Think this, she slightly frowned and retorted, “You’re no better.”

Just as her words fell, both of them couldn’t help but burst out into laughter. Man Yao slowly stopped as she gazed at Zongzheng Wuyou, the unexplainable bitterness in her heart beginning to rise up again. Would she still have such simple and peaceful days in the future? She who was a lonely soul that traveled through thousands of years, in this world where she had no kin, was it fate that she was able to meet a person like Zongzheng Wuyou who would discuss with her the matters of the past and present and also agree with her modern views? It’s just, this fate had also forced them to their present situation. If Zongzheng Wuyou knew that she had lied to him, how would he react? Her heart was in pain and she didn’t dare to think of the consequences, only falling into a daze.

Zongzheng Wuyou felt it was odd when he didn’t see her speak so he sat up and reached a hand out to grab her chin, forcing her to look at him, “What’s wrong?”

Man Yao’s crystal eyes stared straight into his, her gaze carrying hints of sorrow as if she were waiting for an answer of some sort from him. Zongzheng Wuyou’s heart could not help but slightly tremble, and he gently caressed her face. Man Yao stared at him for a very long time, and after she seemed to make a decision, she spoke with much difficulty, “Wuyou, if…I’m about to marry someone, would you be happy for me?”

Zongzheng Wuyou was momentarily startled, his eyes measuring her as he gave a light laugh, “Oh? You’re getting married? To who?” His finger was tracing her lips, and the soft feeling caused waves in her heart as her mind was in turmoil. Zongzheng Wuyou only softly smiled as he looked at her, a light flashing through his eyes as he patiently waited for her answer. Man Yao didn’t expect for him to be so direct and clenched her teeth, “I, I…”

Zongzheng Wuyou gave a sigh as he softly spoke, “Ah Man, I know the person you’re marrying.” Man Yao was astonished and looked up at him only to see Zongzheng Wuyou acting as if he was suddenly possessed, his eyes were shining and he gave a sinister smile as he clearly and confidently spoke, “Because the only person you’re allowed to marry…is me!”

Finished, Zongzheng Wuyou pulled her down onto the grass and Man Yao gave a sound of surprise. Both of their faces were extremely close to each other to the point where they could feel each other’s breaths. Her heart was furiously pounding as one of his arms was wrapped around her slender waist and his other hand was gently caressing her face. He spoke very gently, “Ah Man, you’re mine, you can only be mine.”

Man Yao’s heart was thrown into chaos. All of this happened so suddenly that she wasn’t able to fully digest everything. Her mind was telling her that she should keep her distance from this man, but her heart kept wanting to get closer to him. She liked it when he would get jealous because of her and act childishly to show his displeasure. As if the seeds of spring had sprouted, Zongzheng Wuyou could no longer resist and kissed her. Her unique fragrance filled his nostrils as he felt his inner force silently go berserk as if it was fighting a great battle.

Near the mist rising from the spring, the man’s clear taste accompanied the fresh grass and mixed together. She drowned in his fragrance and Man Yao gently closed her eyes, instinctively responding to him. Her hands were pressed against his chest, and through his clothes, she could feel his heart beating. Her heart trembled as she recalled the first time she touched him was when an assassin pushed her towards him. At that time, his body was ice-cold and her face was against his chest, yet she could not hear a single heartbeat. However right now, although his body was still ice-cold, she really felt his heart pounding! With this realization, there was a sudden burst of sweet happiness inside her, causing her to tremble slightly.

He said, ‘Ah Man you can only be mine!’ For the Zongzheng Wuyou who abhorred women, what…did this mean? In this moment, she didn’t want to think of anything else. What marriage, what general, what betrothal, all of these were thrown to the back of her mind, only leaving him who was in front of her…Zongzheng Wuyou, when was it that he slowly burrowed his way into her heart?