Chapter 280: Chapter 257: Two Lands Worship the Emperor Chapter 280: Chapter 257: Two Lands Worship the Emperor Chu Yu walked out of the Willow Forest and arrived by the Luoshui River, where she unexpectedly saw a carriage parked on the shore, and Amman squatting by its side, half of his face buried in his knees, revealing a pair of bright, shiny eyes like those of an abandoned puppy.

When Chu Yu ran out of the Willow Forest, she had already considered that she might not see Amman here, after all, having delayed for so long, Amman might’ve been unable to wait for her and gone back by himself, but now he was still here.

It might be a bit foolish, but in any case, the feeling of always having someone waiting was truly wonderful, almost warming enough to fill her chest completely.

As Chu Yu approached, Amman saw her too, and with a swoosh, he stood up, nearly knocking the carriage beside him over. He approached her with a face full of joy, his previously dejected expression swept away, and said, “I knew you would come!” That’s why he hadn’t left when Guan Canghai told him to.

But recalling that Wang Yizhi had left, Amman’s face fell again, “But… the boat has already left.” When the boat had sailed away, he could only be held back by Guan Canghai, unable to even take a step forward, no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t affect Guan Canghai at all. It was then he realized for the first time how powerless his own strength was.

Chu Yu smiled reassuringly and said, “We won’t take the boat. Come back with me.” The boat and such no longer mattered, she had to make other plans now.

Just as on their arrival, Amman drove the carriage ahead while Chu Yu followed on foot behind, skirting along the edge of the Willow Forest, Chu Yu glanced toward the spot where Rong Zhi had previously stood, only to see no sign of him, presumably he’d also left on his own.

When she returned to Chu Garden, Hua Cuo, seeing her return after leaving, looked somewhat astonished, but said nothing. Chu Garden remained just as it had been when she left that morning, the rooms preserved just as they were, Chu Yu entered the bedroom and flopped down on the bed.

Turning over to relax for a moment, Chu Yu’s gaze gradually became vacant, she reached into her waist and fiddled for a while, pulling out a delicate pendant, a snow-white rectangle, like jade but not jade, wrapped in gold foil at both ends, with a thin cord on one side.

This was… the token that Rong Zhi, when in peril, had entrusted to her, telling her to pass it to Guan Canghai if she could not wait for him, but then many things had happened, and she had forgotten about this token, and it seemed Rong Zhi had also forgotten to ask her for it back.

Although she could have asked Guan Canghai to transfer it over the past year, she was always reluctant to do it through a third party, wanting to return it personally.

Although she had exposed Rong Zhi’s identity today, she was so blinded by anger that she’d forgotten this matter again.

Her palm clenched tightly, the hard rectangle pressing painfully against her palm, Chu Yu let out a bitter smile.

Why was she angry?

Because she was infuriated by embarrassment.

Rong Zhi deceiving her was certainly upsetting, but more so, it was directed at herself:
Before Rong Zhi’s identity was exposed, she had already developed a vague and blurry fondness for “Guan Canghai,” as if there was something about this person that was attracting her…

She’d actually fallen for the same trick twice!

The tree named Rong Zhi changed its name, dressed itself up a bit, and when it came before her again, she still unknowingly hung herself upon it!

What was this?!

Her heart secretly clenched in anger for a long while, Chu Yu suddenly sat up from the bed, gripped the token, and charged directly into the neighboring house. The servant next door had grown accustomed to her comings and goings, seeing her face looking like someone owed her millions, though curious, they did not stop her.

Chu Yu did not find Rong Zhi, but did find Guan Canghai under a tree. She carefully confirmed for a while, this indeed was the genuine Guan Canghai, with no signs of imposture.

Guan Canghai, hearing Chu Yu’s footsteps, smiled gently and asked, “To what do I owe this honor?”

This man, he was also an accomplice in Rong Zhi’s deception of her, so much for their fraternity disagreements, surely it was made up to deceive others. This pair of brothers, as thick as thieves, fit together all too well.

Chu Yu glared at him fiercely, inwardly cursing for a while, before finally asking, “Where is Rong Zhi?”

Guan Canghai lazily replied, “After he came back just now, he packed up and left. You’re just a step too late.”

Chu Yu narrowed her eyes, trying to discern the truth of his words, but seeing no clue on Guan Canghai’s face, she could only reluctantly give up, “I’ll take your word for it then, where did he go?”

Guan Canghai laughed, “Where he went has nothing to do with me.” He clearly had an expression of ‘what can you do to me?’, making Chu Yu’s teeth itch with frustration, her anger towards Rong Zhi even partly transferring to him. But as much as she was infuriated, Chu Yu knew deep down, she couldn’t really do anything to Guan Canghai, this man truly had genuine martial prowess.

Chu Yu thought for a moment, and said to herself, since she couldn’t find Rong Zhi, she might as well set it aside for now, since Rong Zhi, if really plotting something, would surely come forward to contact her on his own, delaying the return of the token to him after such a long deferment didn’t matter.

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Northern Wei Capital, Ping City.

Ping City, the capital of Northern Wei, was very magnificent and impressive, in comparison to the gentle Jiangnan, it was a sight to behold, perhaps because it was located at the feet of the Emperor, even though it was late spring, the air still carried a bit of chill.

It was again beneath the feet of the Emperor. Huan Yuan faintly smiled with a hint of sarcasm.

Jiankang was also beneath the feet of the Emperor.

However, this Emperor was different from that one. After Huan Yuan arrived in the Northern Wei Capital at the request of Moxiang and met Tuoba Hong, the current Emperor, he found that this Emperor, even a few years younger than Liu Ziyue, was unexpectedly mature and commanding.

Tuoba Hong was only fourteen or fifteen years old this year, about the same age as Liu Sang, but no one could detect any immaturity in this youth’s face. His gaze was resolute and sharp, with ambitions often twinkling in his dark pupils.

After a conversation with Tuoba Hong, Huan Yuan thought to himself that if he were a Northerner, he might sincerely serve this man as his subject.

During his time in Northern Wei, not only had he met Tuoba Hong, but he had also encountered two old friends from the Southern Dynasty.

One of them was naturally Tian Rujing, the real purpose of his visit, but Tian Rujing always appeared so ethereal and detached. Huan Yuan couldn’t discern his intentions for the time being and could only wait and see.

The other person was a former prince of the Southern Dynasty who, due to Liu Ziyue’s suspicions and with the help of Chu Yu, had fled to Northern Wei, Liu Chang. Upon his arrival in Northern Wei, the Northern Wei Imperial Family had arranged a marriage with a Princess for him and appointed him to a high position, and he had been living very well since then.

Perhaps because they were both from the Southern Dynasty, they were quite close. Also, since Liu Chang had an understanding of poetry, he often invited Huan Yuan to his residence. Today, after a long conversation, as they were parting, Liu Chang hesitated before speaking, looking as though he wanted to say something but stopped. After a while, he finally said, “Huan Yuan, there are some things I wonder if I should not say.”

Huan Yuan smiled and said, “What should not be said between you and me? Please speak.” Liu Chang was not a bad person; it was just that his personality was too hesitant, just like now, clearly having something to say, yet he needed someone else to encourage him.

Liu Chang hesitated for a moment and then said, “Huan Yuan, there are some people you should not touch. Do not touch them.”

Huan Yuan was somewhat confused and continued to inquire, but Liu Chang shut his mouth and refused to speak anymore.

After leaving Liu Chang’s residence, Huan Yuan walked home. His place was not far from there, and he did not need a carriage.

He was dressed in a white, wide-sleeved robe, with delicately embroidered designs of grass on the cuffs and hem, which fluttered elegantly. Each time he walked on the street, he attracted a lot of attention.

Ping City was the capital of Northern Wei, and especially in this area, many Xianbei Nobles lived. It was not rare to see people dressed in Xianbei attire on the streets, but ever since Huan Yuan arrived, more and more Xianbei people, admiring his grace and poise, had abandoned their traditional clothing and switched to Han attire.

This was naturally something Huan Yuan had not anticipated.

As he walked slowly, Huan Yuan’s thoughts drifted to Luoyang, thousands of miles away. He wondered how Chu Yu was doing now, whether she was still well. Perhaps he should send someone to check on her, or maybe, send her a letter.

But what to write in the letter?

As he pondered, Huan Yuan faintly heard someone calling his name but did not pay much attention. The voice called a second time, slightly louder with a hint of laughter, piercing through the air: “Huan Yuan!”

That voice was…

Huan Yuan’s heart jolted, and he turned toward the sound, looking up only to see a young woman dressed in men’s clothing, standing at the chilly spring street corner, beaming with a smile, as radiant as a beautifully blooming flower.

With the traffic bustling around like streams of horses and carriages, Huan Yuan stood frozen, his surroundings seemed to blur into a fog, and the only clear image in his eyes was her. When he truly saw her, he realized how abruptly his longing had surged.

Chu Yu laughed and said, “What? Have you forgotten me in just these few days?”

The person who should have been a thousand miles away appeared before his eyes.

Was it a dream? Or not?

What differences between Han and barbarians, what struggles for power, what renown of Jiangnan, what conflicts between the Southern Song and Northern Wei, what ancient grievances of forefathers, what upholding of moral injunctions — at this moment, all collapsed and disintegrated into ashes.

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The other day, I slipped on water in the corridor, and ended up hitting my shoulder hard against the wall. Fortunately, I did not fall to the ground, and it seemed fine at the time. However, I’ve started feeling some pain in my shoulder these past few days… I am considering whether or not to see a doctor…

Additionally, Volume Five concludes, and the next chapter begins with the final volume ^_^
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