Chapter 28: The World Hardly Knows a Perfect Solution (28)

Chapter 28: The World Hardly Knows a Perfect Solution (28)

Zhen Shan sought solace by leaning against a tree, naturally avoiding the one beneath which the emperor had dallied with the minister's wife that morning!

Pitter-patter!

The sound of raindrops tapping against the leaves.

Zhen Shan's legs had grown numb from standing, and her figure swayed slightly. Raindrops splashed onto her face, yet her expression was serene to the extreme. After a long while, she finally raised her hand to wipe away the rainwater that had collected on her face.

The rain intensified, pelting down relentlessly. Zhen Shan stood there, gazing blankly at the curtain of rain that filled the sky, as something slid down her face, mingling with the raindrops.

Soaked through, she felt the biting cold of the spring evening seep deep into her bones.

She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, shivering in the rain, yet stubbornly refusing to move from that spot.

The drizzle had been falling for what seemed like an eternity. Zhen Shan slowly crouched down, hugging herself as she curled up, burying her face between her knees. Her shoulders trembled gently, the chill penetrating deep into her bones and reaching the depths of her heart.

Perhaps she was hoping that, just like last time, that warm haven would come to her side, offering solace and shelter from the storm.

"Nanny, Nanny, Wuchen is nearby. Why won't he come out?"

Qiao'er saw her nanny drenched and trembling in the cold rain, and her heart ached with worry.

"There's no reason. He simply doesn't wish or can't take me away!"

In contrast to her own pitiful shivering, Zhen Shan's voice was eerily calm and rational, as if she had anticipated this outcome and accepted it with composure.

Qiao'er tugged at her braids, filled with shock and confusion.

If that was the case, why did Nanny endure such hardship to come here?

Why could Nanny appear so vulnerable and helpless, as if she couldn't survive without care, yet be so rational and detached in her affection for Wuchen?

Qiao'er truly couldn't understand!

And she couldn't comprehend how...

Behind a nearby towering tree, Wuchen stood, soaked in the rain alongside Zhen Shan. His light-colored eyes were filled with compassion and guilt, his vermilion dot dull, his expression pained.

If he was so heartbroken, why didn't he come out? Why let her go from anticipation to despair all alone in the rain?

And why did she pretend not to know that he was there, even though she clearly did?

Ah!

Qian-er felt as if her head was about to explode. How could humans be so complicated?

The rain kept pouring down relentlessly. Zhen Shan seemed unwilling to leave, huddling under the tree with her slender figure, holding herself, her head bowed. In the dark curtain of rain, her expression was indiscernible.

Yet, the despair radiating from her entire being made the monk in the nearby robe hesitate several times, his steps almost moving towards her before stopping helplessly.

The rain continued to fall!

She spent the whole night in the rain beneath the tree by the lotus pond, and he accompanied her every moment.

Wuchen's hand holding the Buddhist beads hung limply by his side, while his other hand was clasped around the trunk of the tree, bleeding profusely - just like his heart, shattered into pieces that night.

A streak of dawn pierced through the darkness of the night, and the rain had finally ceased.

Zhen Shan slowly lifted her head, gazing at that ray of light that could no longer illuminate her heart.

Her face was as pale as paper, her phoenix eyes devoid of luster, resembling a fragile and desperate glass doll on the verge of shattering.

As the sky brightened, she leaned against a tree trunk and struggled to stand up, her feet long since numb.

Thud!

She stumbled, falling into a puddle on the grass, just like her shattered expectations and affection from the day before, both in utter disarray.

Zhen Shan's expression remained hollow, as if she didn't feel the pain from the fall. Slowly, she climbed back up, placing her hands on her knees and using a nearby tree for support, stepping away one by one.

From the forecourt of the National Temple, faint Buddhist chanting echoed, signaling that the monks had begun their morning rituals.

Upon hearing the sutra recitation, Zhen Shan paused in her steps. A profound sorrow washed over her pale countenance. She closed her eyes, and a tear rolled down to her lips, bitterly sour.

As she wept in sorrow, Wuchen, hidden in the shadows, bled from the corner of his mouth. Drops of blood, a testament to the irreparable pain and debt he carried in his heart throughout his life.

Buddha?

Haha!

...

"Miss, why are you..."

Que'er had just woken up, contemplating how to deal with the visitors who would come for Miss today, when the door to the meditation chamber was suddenly pushed open, startling her.

She saw Zhen Shan stumble in, covered in mud and looking utterly disheveled.

Que'er was alarmed and quickly rushed to support her.

Zhen Shan looked at Que'er, forcing a bitter smile on her lips. She was about to speak when she could no longer hold on and fainted.

"Miss!"

Que'er hurriedly helped her onto the bed, placing her hand on Zhen Shan's forehead. The scorching temperature filled her with both worry and shock.

Unable to resist, she set off to find Wuchen.

But then she remembered: last night, hadn't Miss Zhen Shan intended to depart with Master Wuchen?

How could this be?

Regardless, she couldn't let anyone discover the situation, or Miss's life would be in grave danger.

Que'er suppressed her concerns and anxiety, hastily fetching water to cleanse Zhen Shan and change her clothes. Then, she rushed out, intent on seeking Wuchen Master to attend to Miss's illness.

Just as Que'er exited the courtyard, she saw Wuchen standing outside, his face pale, no longer displaying the usual aura of detachment. Grief filled his eyes.

"Master Wuchen..."

"How... is she?" Wuchen's voice was harshly hoarse.

"Miss has a high fever. Please, Master Wuchen, see to her quickly."

At this moment, Que'er couldn't afford to inquire about what had truly transpired last night. She urgently pleaded.

Wuchen's fingers trembled slightly as he hurriedly stepped inside.

Upon the bed lay a frail woman with a face as pale as snow and furrowed brows, tugging at Wuchen's heartstrings once more with her vulnerability.

He crouched by the bedside, reaching out hesitantly, unsure if he dared to touch her.

"Master Wuchen!"

Que'er's voice pulled Wuchen back to reality, forcing him to compose himself. He grasped her hand, placing it on her pulse.

"Kindly fetch some ice packs, Wuchen," Dustless said softly to Que'er, glancing at her.

"Oh, alright."

After Que'er left, Dustless poured a glass of water and set it aside. He then sat on the edge of the bed, helped her sit up, and nestled her against his chest. From a porcelain bottle, he retrieved several pills and fed them to her with gentle care.

"Cough, cough," the pills grated against her parched throat, causing her to choke slightly.

Dustless promptly brought the water to her lips.

Zhen Shan instinctively sipped some water, then, perhaps due to the chill, nestled deeper into his embrace.

Unlike the last time when he was at a loss, Wuchen wrapped his arms around her tightly, gently nuzzling her forehead with his own.

Wisdom Heart!

That warmth brought a moment of clarity to Zhen Shan's mind. She blinked, her vision blurry as she looked up at him. Her fair face was blank as she murmured in distress, "I must be dreaming."

Wuchen's eyes trembled, and he spoke with pain, "Wisdom Heart, I'm sorry."

Tears welled up in Zhen Shan's eyes. Huddled in his arms, she felt extremely wronged and upset, "Wuchen, do you really have no feelings for me at all?"

Wuchen's breath caught.

The meditation room fell silent for a long while. The light in Zhen Shan's eyes dimmed completely as she lowered her gaze, mocking herself, "Sorry, it was just my wishful thinking!"

"No, it's not," Wuchen couldn't bear to see her so heartbroken. He tightened his embrace, gazing at her with his light-colored eyes, unable to hide his affection, "Wisdom Heart, this poor monk... I have feelings for you."

Thanks to Qing Mo, pxl, Huafen Mingzui, Math Makes My Head Bald, Yi, Never Parting, Liu Ying, Eaves Drip Brewing Pu'er Tea, ?S. Pavilion's Graceful Appearance, Bouncing Bunny Kitten Cutie, and all the other lovely readers for your donations, five-star ratings, and recommendations. Muack!