Chapter 284: Chapter 261: Living Apart but Together Chapter 284: Chapter 261: Living Apart but Together After amusing the infant for a while, Chu Yu first organized her thoughts before methodically telling Rong Zhi everything she knew about the bracelet.

With her soft and slow voice, her slightly lowered tone melodically circled in the serene bamboo forest, beginning from the very start. She told Rong Zhi about her origin, her observations and speculations regarding Tian Rujing, the transactions they had made, and so on, sharing every detail with him.

After all, he had heard quite a bit about these matters last time when he feigned unconsciousness, so speaking more about them now wouldn’t hurt.

Chu Yu spoke very slowly, and whenever Rong Zhi didn’t understand something, he would interrupt her, asking meticulously until it was explained clearly before she continued.

Chu Yu watched the infant, Rong Zhi also watched the infant, and as they conversed about the same matter, it seemed as though they had an agreement not to look at each other, with their gazes crossing but never meeting.

It wasn’t until Chu Yu mentioned that she had discovered the bracelet had the ability to travel through time that Rong Zhi’s fingers trembled slightly. He turned his head to look steadily at Chu Yu and said, “Are you saying the bracelet can take you back to your original place a thousand years later?”

The mere thought of failing to return home threw Chu Yu into irritation and disarray. She hastily nodded her head and said, “It should be, I guess. I haven’t tried it myself, but theoretically, it should be possible.”

If only she could control the bracelet…

If only…

No more ‘ifs.’ She had given up the opportunity voluntarily the last time. Tian Rujing had become cautious, and taking him down was not going to be easy now.

Rong Zhi looked deeply at Chu Yu for a moment and asked, “In other words, the bracelet can transport someone a thousand years into the future? Is that so?”

Chu Yu was about to casually confirm when a thought struck her. She turned to look at Rong Zhi and said, “Is it possible for you to take possession of the bracelet?” Although the two of them were at odds now, it did not prevent Chu Yu from having immense confidence in Rong Zhi’s cunning and tactics. If he decided to do so, perhaps he could indeed achieve his wish.

Rong Zhi blinked and skillfully dodged with a light touch, “Let’s talk about that when the time comes, I’ll act within my capabilities.”

He neither agreed nor refused.

This question was left ambiguously unanswered.

Because she thought of the past, Chu Yu’s mood sank considerably. As there were no important messages left, she spoke briefly before preparing to take her leave. Before leaving, Chu Yu couldn’t help but glance at Rong Zhi, and after hesitating for a while, she still asked the question that was pressing on her heart, “Rong Zhi, do you… want to be an Emperor?”

This man, it seemed unlikely he could live beneath others for a lifetime. With his deep cunning and iron strength, he had already turned the tables in the Southern Dynasty. Though he had experienced a downfall due to an accident, rebuilding would not be too difficult. His kin controlled half of the Northern Wei politics, equivalent to being within his grasps. He could even keep the Crown Prince of Wei as a plaything. Now, still very young, there was no way he would stop here. What would be his next step?

One step further, and he would reach the ultimate power in this world, that of Emperor.

And at its most extreme, that meant the sole Emperor.

Rong Zhi smiled faintly and said, “What do you think?” He did not answer, merely returning the question back to her.

Chu Yu exhaled softly and hesitated for a while before saying, “You know I come from the future.”

“Yes.” He knew.

“I’m not lying.”

“Yes.” He believed.

“Rong Zhi,” Chu Yu looked at Rong Zhi, her gaze suddenly becoming somewhat sorrowful, a nameless grief that was not for her nor about her, “Rong Zhi, as far as I know from history, there has never been an Emperor with the surname Rong.”

Although her grasp of history was not strong, she could still barely remember the surnames of the Emperors from each dynasty and era. From now on, the standoff between the North and South would continue for decades or even a hundred years, until the Sui Dynasty unified the land under one rule.

History is like a magnificent and turbulent river, throwing up countless waves, yet among those, there was not a single one bearing the name Rong Zhi.

Rong Zhi, such a person, regardless of when or where, in any situation, could not possibly be buried in mediocrity. As long as he was able to exert his abilities, he would inevitably leave his mark in this world, unless he died.

Unless he died before he truly bloomed.

After his death, all traces of him would be buried, erasing the fact of his existence from history entirely.

That was history, immutable, and she had once tried to escape this destiny, but still had to yield to that unseen trajectory. Upon arriving in Luoyang, she had Huan Yuan inquire about news of the Southern Dynasty, only to find out that she was dead–as Shan Yin’s Princess she died, but as Chu Yu, she lived on quietly.

Whether it was the politician’s rule or some other reason, Shan Yin’s Princess died as in history, leaving behind nothing but a notorious reputation for indulging in male concubines. Her beauty, her grace, her musical talents–nothing remained.

Just as she said in years past, a small stream in a river wished to break away from the current, but her own strength was too small, and she was swept away by the mighty river, irresistibly carried along its original course.

She was like that.

Liu Ziyue was like that.

Both those who had died and those who luckily survived were like that.

Fate, unescapable and inevitable for all.

From hopeful beginnings to now pessimistically drifting along, the changes affected not just her identity and surroundings but also her mindset. Now, if she was able to live out her life in peace and quiet, that was enough to satisfy her.

These thoughts she could have kept inside, as they didn’t really concern her, but after much hesitation, she still couldn’t bear it, couldn’t bear to watch Rong Zhi walk towards his inevitable tragic defeat.

The moment Chu Yu’s words ceased, a terrible silence fell upon the bamboo forest, punctuated only by the oblivious babbling of an infant, which made the silence seem all the more eerie.

It was uncertain how much time had passed when Rong Zhi finally spoke slowly, “The history you speak of is also made by people–it may not be unchangeable.” His face was undisturbed, as if Chu Yu’s words had no effect on him.

Chu Yu shook her head slowly, responding, “But you must also know, history isn’t created by just one person.” It’s a product of countless, numerous factors intermingling. One never knows when, which person, or which event might become a fatal variable.

Rong Zhi fell silent again for a long while, pondering. Finally, he revealed a faint smile again and said softly, “I appreciate your concern.”

Appreciated, but merely appreciated.

Chu Yu was somewhat disappointed, but she also knew this was the inevitable outcome. She couldn’t persuade Rong Zhi–for someone as resolute and steadfast as him, it was impossible to waver just because of a few words, even if he was fully aware that what lay ahead was a mountain of swords, a sea of fire, a thorny hell, he would still walk through it calmly and with composure.

Although she knew that change was impossible, Chu Yu couldn’t help but feel a faint sense of sorrow. Just then, someone entered the courtyard; a maid and an attendant, one of each. They first bowed to Rong Zhi, then the attendant said, “Young master, everything is ready.”

Rong Zhi nodded slightly, and the maid stepped forward to pick up the infant. Rong Zhi stood up and gave Chu Yu a faint smile, saying, “I’ll walk with you.”

Chu Yu hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. Side by side, they walked out, followed carefully by the maid holding the child.

Leaving Liu Chang’s residence and walking further, they arrived at the doorstep of Chu Yu’s own house.

Chu Yu’s mood was somewhat somber. It was not until she reached her doorstep that she remembered to tell Rong Zhi not to escort her any further, but when she turned around, she suddenly saw a long line of people following Rong Zhi, all carrying or lifting household utensils, as if… they were moving in?

At the very front were the maid and attendant who had entered the courtyard earlier.

She was dumbstruck and couldn’t help but ask Rong Zhi, “What are you doing?”

Rong Zhi blinked, a trace of barely detectable slyness coloring his dark eyes, “I’m naturally moving into your home. In Ping City, I have no permanent property, and the only house I had was already given to you. I can’t stay in Liu Chang’s residence forever… surely you can’t bear to see me homeless on the streets, right?”