Chapter 73: Tempted by Beauty

Chapter 73: Tempted by Beauty

The red oil in the pot bubbled incessantly, releasing a pungent and spicy aroma.

She finally regained her composure, touching her flushed cheeks as she took a deep, uncomfortable breath. Was that really her, staring at someone so intently just now? She tried to act nonchalant while picking up meat from the pot, inwardly acknowledging that beauty truly could lead one astray.

Gongye Chu's smile vanished as quickly as it appeared, as if it had all been an illusion.

Shangxing's hand stealthily reached for the Peach Blossom Drunkenness, only to have his attempt intercepted. Seeing the bottle in his father's hands, he could only gaze longingly at it helplessly.

Being a young man who had just tasted alcohol for the first time, he naturally wanted more, driven both by curiosity and a desire to prove his maturity. After waiting for a while and seeing no sign of Gongye Chu giving in, he reluctantly gave up on the idea.

While they were not paying attention, Pei Yuanxi took a deep breath, slowly easing the awkwardness. She decided to have a serious conversation with her son later about what had transpired.

At the very least, she wanted to know if she had done anything particularly outrageous or embarrassing.

Shangxing playfully winked at her, but she didn't immediately understand his gesture. Upon noticing her son's bashfulness and the anticipation in his eyes, she began to grasp his hidden meaning.

Generously praising her son, she used words like healthy, cheerful, optimistic, resilient, and kind. Then, she expressed her gratitude to Gongye Chu for teaching their son so well.

With a modest expression, Shangxing beamed with delight at the compliment.

Gongye Chu's eyes were half-lowered, seemingly gazing at the boiling red broth in the pot. "There's no need to thank me. Half of the credit goes to you. I merely raised him according to your 'Child Rearing Manual.' You wished for him to have a joyful childhood and even composed a book of bedtime stories for that purpose. So, you should actually be thanking yourself."

She had heard about the 'Child Rearing Manual' from her son before, and now there was mention of bedtime stories. It seemed that her former self knew her time was running out, otherwise, why would she prepare these two things in advance?

Chong'er had clearly said they had no idea about the cause of her death. Since her demise had been so sudden, without any prior signs, Gongye Chu suspected foul play and thus killed many people as a result.

She was even more perplexed, unable to figure out the real reason behind her previous self's death.

While they conversed, Shangxing couldn't help stealing glances at Gongye Chu's Peach Blossom Drunkenness. His bright, slightly tipsy gaze flickered with mischievousness, like a mischievous child about to do something naughty behind his parents' back.

When Gongye Chu left, Shangxing held her hand and accompanied her in bidding farewell. He happily counted his steps, his face flushed red as he skipped along like a child.

After sending Gongye Chu out of the palace, the mother and son watched as the man in his official attire walked ahead without looking back. His aura suited the cold winter air, and his chiseled features became even more stern. The black cloak billowed, and his imposing presence resembled a storm, exuding grandeur and dominance with every step.

Puzzlement stirred in Pei Yuanxi's heart. Wasn't he supposed to love her with his life? This decisiveness to leave without a second glance didn't exhibit any trace of love or reluctance. She cast a doubtful glance at her son and whispered, "Was your father always like this?"

Shangxing was confused. His father had always been a man of few smiles. "Father has always been of such a temperament. I've never seen him laugh. If not for coming here, I wouldn't have known that he could smile."

Recalling that fleeting glimpse of his smile, she was truly captivated. Even Chong'er had never seen him laugh, indicating that he indeed seldom smiled.

However, not smiling didn't equate to a lack of emotion.

Those deeply in love would inevitably betray their feelings through their gaze and actions. If someone truly loved another, especially when they were once husband and wife, wouldn't there be unconscious behaviors that only couples exhibit?

She didn't exhibit them because she wasn't the later version of herself, but why didn't he?

"Considering his temperament, were we really a loving couple?" She genuinely doubted it, wondering if everything was just hearsay because she was dead.

"Very good, excellent," Shangxing hurriedly replied, fearing she might not believe him. "After... your passing, Father refused to bury you. He built an ice chamber behind his palace and spent every day by your side, talking to you."

Speaking to the deceased was indeed a profound display of affection.

Yet, she didn't sense such sentiment from that man. He remained as cold as before, even though he spoke more. His aura still radiated an 'untouchable' vibe.

Moreover, his increased verbosity didn't come with any tenderness or intimacy. If he was deliberately distinguishing her from the later version of herself, his behavior could make sense.

But since he was the latter Gongye Chu, why did she feel no difference? Wouldn't he also involuntarily lose his composure or become dazed when looking at her face?

Yet, he didn't, and that was what made it perplexing.

"I sense that perhaps the situation is not as it appears on the surface."

"Mother, you've confused me," Shangxing said, lost in his joy. "Uncle Liu Ze said that those who appear the coldest can actually love deeper than anyone else. Father might not express it much, but he is the most emotionally attached. He teaches me everything according to what you've written, and he eats the things you like every day..."

In that case, it does seem like something only someone deeply in love would do. And then there's Liu Ze, that ubiquitous witness, whose presence seems to confirm the depth of Gongye Chu's affection for her.

Indeed, it is a maze of mysteries.

As the mother and son were returning, Shangxing mentioned that he still had unfinished studies. Pei Yuanxi, without giving it much thought, accompanied him to Zhengde Hall before proceeding to Ren'an Palace.

The scent of the hotpot within the chamber had already dissipated. Chunyue hastily attended to the ashes of the burned incense. This incense was indeed efficacious, capable of swiftly dispelling any strong odor.

The tranquility of the palace, devoid of intrigue and backstabbing, was something Chun Yue could never have imagined before. The palace secrets she had heard were always riddled with deadly schemes and cutthroat competition. Now, she dared say that life in the palace was incomparably more liberating than in the Marquis's residence.

With nothing of significance to attend to in the afternoon, Pei Yuanxi followed her usual routine and took a brief rest.

Spring Moon attended to her young miss as she dressed and styled her hair. The reflection in the mirror was that of a serene and beautiful maiden, but who could have imagined that half a year ago, her young miss was still a naive and simple girl?

"You look truly beautiful, Miss."

Pei Yuanxi smiled wryly at her reflection in the mirror, and the young maiden within it did the same. That smile held self-deprecation and bewilderment, for she wondered if their union with Gongye Chu was solely due to each other's allure.

She slept until the ninth hour of the day, and upon opening her eyes, she momentarily lost her sense of location. The luxurious golden-threaded canopy overwhelmed with images of phoenix birds.

This was the Ren'an Palace, the most coveted abode for women across the land; those who resided here were the ultimate victors in the harem's power struggles.

Voices of palace attendants echoed outside the hall. Hearing the word "Your Majesty," she promptly rose to her feet. After summoning someone to inquire, she learned that Chong'er had gotten drunk and was weeping in the Zhengde Hall.

With no time to waste, she hurriedly instructed Chunyue to help her change and prepare for the day. With a simple yet elegant hairstyle and cloak draped over her shoulders, she hastened to the Zhengde Hall. Before reaching her destination, the heart-wrenching cries of a youth reached her ears.

The young one was crying bitterly, so much so that he didn't allow anyone to put his shoes back on after they had gone missing. He sat sobbing at the entrance of the Zhengde Hall, resembling an abandoned child.

Upon seeing Pei Yuanxi, he flew into her arms like a returning fledgling.

"Mother..."

His cry of "Mother" was imbued with equal parts sorrow and grievance.

The servants all lowered their heads, pretending to be dead.

Pei Yuanxi comforted him, coaxing him into the palace hall. His immature face was flushed red, and his body reeked of alcohol. He looked at her with a dazed expression, suddenly breaking into laughter while crying.

"Mother, Mother, is it really you? Am I not dreaming?"

"It's me, you're not dreaming." Pei Yuanxi helped him sit down.

He began to cry again. "Mother, where did you go? Why haven't you come to see Zhong'er? Why do you always sleep in such a cold place? You don't even play with Zhong'er anymore..."

How much alcohol had he consumed?

Pei Yuanxi felt a sourness in her chest. He was crying for his mother. Perhaps it was because he missed her so much that he dared to venture alone into this unfamiliar realm at such a young age to find her.

If there was anything to be grateful for in his future life, it would likely be this child.

Shangxing leaned on her, hugging her tightly. "Mother... please believe me, I'm a good child. I'll listen to you, listen to Father, don't leave me. I don't want to be an emperor or a crown prince, I just want to be with Father and Mother every day..."

"Mother won't leave you."

"Sob... I'm so scared. I'm afraid that when I wake up, I'll be back to the past, with Mother in that cold ice chamber... Father is always unhappy. I'm so scared, I really am..."

He clung to Pei Yuanxi, weeping bitterly.

Then, a chill entered with the tall man – it was Gongye Chu. His men were everywhere in the Tai Ling Palace, so it was no surprise that he received the news promptly and hurried over.

Upon seeing his biological father, Shangxing seemed to snap back to his present memories. "Father, is it you? You've really come? Am I dreaming? Sob... I want to be with Mother. I found her... But I also miss you, Father. I want to be with you too. If I suddenly vanished, would you be very sad? You lost Mother and couldn't find me. What would you do? Sob..."

What a child, so emotional and kind. He didn't resemble Gongye Chu's offspring, nor did he resemble hers. Neither of them were as innocent as he was.

He held onto Gongye Chu's hand, linking all three hands together tightly. "Father, are you not leaving anymore? Please don't go... I want our family of three to stay together forever. I can stop bathing altogether... But I really want to take a bath too!"

The teenager's words were jumbled, yet they tugged at one's heartstrings.

Five years had passed, and he must have refrained from bathing out of fear of being transported back. Pei Yuanxi recalled his initial appearance – he was crouched on the wall with a large cloth wrapped around his head. He likely feared that the durian roasting scent would cling to his hair and be impossible to wash off, hence the cloth covering his head.

Later, he cut his hair short, looking much more refreshed.

"About Master Diviner Ye..."

"I'll send someone to look for her," Gongye Chu replied, his gaze still lingering on Shangxing with that intricate expression.

Shangxing was still weeping, "Father, why don't you smile more? Mother won't like you like this... Mother doesn't know anything. She's the only one who's unaware of what has happened. I'm so scared she'll reject you."

Pei Yuanxi glanced surreptitiously at the man beside her. His expression seemed to remain unchanged no matter the situation. It wasn't that she didn't want him; it was that she dared not have him.

How could she possibly handle a man like this? She began to admire the version of herself they spoke of – truly fearless and oblivious to danger.

The child's sobs subsided intermittently, his words jumbled. Eventually, he insisted on having them all sleep together, claiming that his greatest wish since childhood was to have his parents lull him to sleep.

The dragon bed in the Zhengde Hall was vast, spacious enough to accommodate seven or eight people.

She cajoled the young boy, but he clung to her arm obstinately, "I don't care, I want to sleep with Mama and Papa. Does Mama not like me? Am I a burden to you? I miss Mama so much, I dream of being with you in my sleep. I miss Papa too, I just want both of you by my side, our family will never be separated again..."

In the end, she and Gongye Chu both sat by the bedside, coaxing the restless child to sleep. The young boy's childish face was flushed as he pouted, demanding to hear a story.

"Story," he whined.

Pei Yuanxi looked at Gongye Chu, her expression somewhat enigmatic.

This tale must be one of those bedtime stories she crafted. Considering Gongye Chu is raising his son alone, it's plausible that he's accustomed to soothing his child to sleep.

"Daddy, I want to hear a story." Unfulfilled, Shangxing tugged on his father's sleeve, insisting with childlike persistence.

Gongye Chu hesitated for a moment but eventually began narrating the tale. Pei Yuanxi was intimately familiar with the story, a classic fable that everyone had heard before. His voice was neither too high nor too low, and his tone was measured and precise. It didn't feel like he was telling a story, but rather reciting words that were deeply ingrained in his memory.

"A new tale, I wish to hear," the young boy grumbled with dissatisfaction. "Mother is the one who weaves these stories, she must have others to share. Mother, Ren wants to hear a new story..."

He tugged on Pei Yuanxi's hand like a child seeking candy, as if he were no longer a teenager but had reverted to his much younger self from many years ago.

Perhaps it was due to the intoxication, or perhaps a trace of his innocent childhood self still resided deep within him. It could be related to the absence of maternal love in his early years, or maybe he was seeking to make up for the regrets of his childhood through alcohol.

Either way, it was enough to pierce Pei Yuanxi's heart with sorrow. How could she not respond to such a situation?

The tale she recounted, he couldn't be sure if he had heard it before. Yet, the way she narrated it was vivid and captivating, a world apart from Gongye Chu's robotic recitations.

"Mama tells it so beautifully, I want to hear more," the young boy cooed, his eyes closed in playful indulgence.

One tale led to another, and in succession, four stories were told. The young lad's breaths grew steady and deep, his lashes casting a gentle shadow beneath, giving him the harmless appearance of a sleeping prince.

Pei Yuanxi gazed at his sleeping form, her heart melting with tenderness. Reflecting on their bittersweet fate of meeting only to part as mother and son, she felt a pang of sorrow.

He must be an exceptionally handsome child, she mused. If only she could witness him in person, she would undoubtedly adore him for his true appearance.

"Whom does he resemble?" she inquired.

"Me," Gongye Chu replied.

She nodded gently. Chong'er had mentioned resembling his father. Given Gongye Chu's striking looks, their child must have been endearingly lovely in his infancy. She suddenly felt a twinge of regret for not having seen her son's true visage.

Their tangled relationship, though complicated, demanded attention. Seizing this opportunity, she resolved to have a sincere conversation with him.

Exiting the inner chamber, Gongye Chu dismissed the attendants from the outer hall. In the vast Zhengde Hall, they stood alone - one with hands clasped behind his back, the other seated in a chair.

Each passing second seemed to crawl like a snail. Despite the brief interval, it felt as if an eternity had passed. Clearly, she was still grappling for the right words.

"Haven't you something to say to me?" he prompted.

"Yes, I wish to have a serious discussion with you, my lord," she deliberated. "It concerns the three of us. You're aware that this matter is intricate."

He gazed at her, inviting her to continue.

She took a deep breath and continued, "Chong'er comes from the same timeline as you, so the two of you share memories of your father-son relationship. But I don't have any such recollections. Setting aside what you've told me, we could essentially be strangers. The reason I can accept Chong'er is because I believe that no matter the distance in time or the cycle of reincarnation, the bond between blood relatives cannot be severed. However, my familiarity with you, Your Excellency, is quite limited."

The candles in the palace hall illuminated him with a gloomy radiance. He was like a priceless sword imbued with boundless power, his hidden sharpness still exuding an imposing presence that made one feel intimidated.

This was the him she knew.

"So, what are you trying to say?" he asked.

"I want to say that even if, due to future events, Your Excellency will see me as your wife, I cannot regard you as my husband. Your sudden intimacy takes me by surprise and leaves me at a loss. Therefore, I hope our relationship remains as it was before."

Looking at her, he seemed distant and cold. Despite being so close, she couldn't sense his love or affection for her.

If they were truly a loving couple, his reaction shouldn't be like this, even if she wasn't the future version of herself. In a loving marriage, intimacy comes naturally and unintentionally. No amount of pretense or restraint can completely conceal it.

Unless, they didn't truly love each other.

She slowly stood up, pretending to sway dizzily to one side. From the corner of her eye, she saw the man's figure seem to waver slightly, but he quickly regained his composed expression.

Did they love each other? Clearly not.

His reaction spoke volumes.

She regained her balance, feeling a strange sense of loss. Not for herself, but for Zhong'er. Everyone had always told him that his parents' love was unwavering. He longed to find her and reunite the family, only to discover that their relationship was not as deeply rooted as he'd imagined.

"However, there's one thing... we don't need to be overly formal in front of Zhong'er."

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, dispelling the chill. "You mean we should put on an act for him?"

"Yes, not too intimate, just as usual."

"In this world, so many are deceitful, able to play any role, making life itself a theater. You seem to understand this well. May I ask, if someone were to express love for no apparent reason, what could be the motive?"

Ha.

Was he mocking her for pursuing him? Where was the supposed love that was supposed to be deep and obsessive? It seemed it was all a lie. She knew from the start that with his temperament, he couldn't comprehend love, and with her own character, she wouldn't fall for him either.

"Saying 'love at first sight' is often misleading. Your Excellency's extraordinary demeanor would captivate any maiden before learning your true identity. It's only natural for us to be enchanted."

"Is that so?" he asked, though it was unclear whether he was addressing her or himself. "So it was lust at first sight."

What else could it be, he wondered.

"My words are spoken. Have a good journey, Your Excellency." She made a slight bow, respectfully seeing him off.

With a gentle stride, he moved not towards the palace gates but closer to her.

With a heightened sense of alertness, she poised her heart, rationality urging her to flee, but her body froze, unable to respond promptly. His hand hovered a mere half-inch from her cheek, two slender fingers gently grasping her chin.

His grip was powerful, forcing her to lift her gaze and meet his, filling her with both astonishment and fear at the intensity of his stare.

What kind of eyes were those? Cold, wicked, and wildly disdainful, like an abrupt storm on frozen ice, shrouded in dense fog where the wind had no origin, and the mist had no beginning.

The wickedness in his eyes intensified, as dark crimson currents swirled within. His frigid aura grew more potent, his aloof demeanor transforming into an imposing dominance. After the deep red came an endless abyss, spreading across the sky and earth as if to demolish everything in its path.

The exquisite beauty before him seemed so close that it could be consumed with a mere scoop.

Or perhaps, crushed effortlessly with a gentle pinch.

"Given that you were tempted by beauty before, why didn't you feel the same way this time?"