Chapter 29 Separation

Chapter 29 Separation

The entourage of the Jingxi Emperor broke camp and began their return journey.

A Wu still rode with the Jingxi Emperor, nestling obediently against the emperor's broad shoulder, her eyes slightly closed as she breathed in his rich, steadfast aura.

She could sense that although this man still held her, his attention was drifting.

So she remained silent, simply leaning against him quietly.

As they passed a stretch of water, a flock of birds swept over the water ahead. A Wu noticed the Jingxi Emperor glance sideways.

Then, she heard him speak abruptly: "I told you before, I’m now in my thirties, yet I have just a single son and daughter."

A Wu hesitated. "Mhm."

Jingxi Emperor: "What do you think of this young master of mine?"

Her pulse quickened.

...An indescribable feeling.

After a moment of consideration, she replied cautiously, "I didn’t get a close look earlier, but from a distance, San Lang’s young master takes after San Lang greatly."

Jingxi Emperor: "Does he?"

A Wu answered vaguely, "Somewhat, I suppose."

Truthfully, they weren’t particularly alike—otherwise, she would have suspected his identity long ago. The father and son only shared occasional slight resemblances from certain angles.

Jingxi Emperor: "If there’s any resemblance, it’s only skin-deep. If he had even a fraction of my disposition, perhaps I’d feel more at ease."

Her stomach dropped—was this something she should be hearing?

Her eyes darted briefly before she ventured carefully, "San Lang… is there something troubling you?"

The Jingxi Emperor gazed at the endless wilderness in the distance and sighed softly.

"I was born into an aristocratic lineage, with a sprawling legacy to pass down. I only wonder if he can uphold the legacy our ancestors built."

A Wu’s heart trembled. "He must be able to..."

The Jingxi Emperor fell silent again.

To the rhythm of hoofbeats, A Wu stared ahead quietly, mulling over his words. It seemed he, too, was seething with discontent.

Dissatisfied with his empress, for theirs was a loveless marriage. It was likely that at sixteen, standing by the waterside, he had once considered rebelling—but in the end, he had accepted it, and to this day, it still rankled him.

—How pitiful. Even as emperor, he couldn’t decide his own marriage.

He was also dissatisfied with his crown prince, for his temperament and conduct did not meet his expectations.

Compared to him, the crown prince seemed too headstrong and unworldly, lacking the ruthless decisiveness and steel-clad resolve needed to wield absolute power.

—How pitiful. With so many women, he had sired only one worthy heir.

In the end, even as emperor, he had many disappointments.

Yet A Wu also thought—perhaps he was just being greedy.

You want everything, how is that possible?

A Wu clenched the reins, thinking, what a really greedy old man...

***********

That day, the Jingxi Emperor escorted A Wu back to the villa, shared supper with her, and made small talk.

The mountains were quiet, with silver charcoal glowing in the bronze brazier. The casual conversation about everyday life created a peaceful, beautiful moment, as if they were an ordinary couple.

But A Wu knew this was his final consolation before casting her aside.

She wasn’t especially good at reading people’s hearts, nor could she fathom the unpredictable thoughts of an emperor. Yet she knew this man’s heart was harder than his flesh.

This was a man who was steady and shrewd in court, with so many beauties in his harem. How much pity could he possibly have for a passing fling?

In truth, A Wu felt a sense of relief at being cast aside.

She barely sensed his lingering fondness—though not much—but perhaps enough to ensure her comfort, as long as he never found out about her affair with the crown prince.

Of course, perhaps she should play her role well in this last scene, to curry some favor for the future. If things ever came to light, she might still be able to appeal to his pity.

As she thought this, she raised her eyes to look at him.

He was dressed in a simple dark blue robe, his black hair loosely tied back, a scripture scroll resting casually on his knee. He looked elegant yet carefree.

The wilderness, the villa, the late night, a gentleman reading scriptures—it all felt like a hermit's retreat.

To wield the brush and govern the world, then set it down and embody the grace of an immortal—no one else could do that but him.

Upon closer inspection, his features were handsome, more mature and alluring than the rather brash crown prince, and more noble than the cunning Lu Yunjian. Truly, he was dangerously attractive.

A Wu couldn’t help but sigh, thinking that if he were ten years younger and born by the eastern seas, she would have fallen for him, insisted on marrying him, borne him two daughters and two sons, mended his clothes, and waited on the shore at sunset, gazing longingly as he returned from fishing.

In the evening, they tidied the house together, put the children to sleep, and then spent the entire night in wild lovemaking.

Just then, the man lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Caught off guard, A Wu felt a moment of shyness. She didn’t want him to see her foolish fantasies, so she instinctively averted her eyes.

But soon, she overcame this impulse and met his gaze.

The Jingxi Emperor stared at her intently, taking in her barely hidden shyness and the blush spreading across her cheeks.

Outside, the mountain breeze lightly tapped against the window lattice, and the glowing silver charcoal whispered softly. The emperor felt a flame ignite in his chest, burning fiercely, mixed with longing.

At times like this, he couldn’t help but wonder—what if he weren’t the emperor?

But he was.

From the moment he was born, his shoulders bore the weight of the realm.

After a long, silent exchange of gazes, he stood up under her tender gaze, embraced her, and carried her to the bed.

This time, his movements were gentle and slow.

How to properly love a woman, he didn’t quite know—but he could try.

He lowered his eyelids, watching as her misty eyes gazed up at him like an innocent puppy, full of dependence and submission.

The Jingxi Emperor braced his hands on either side of her, leaned down, and murmured against her ear, "Do you like it when I treat you like this?"

A Wu whispered tenderly, "I love this."

The Jingxi Emperor gazed intently at her—strands of dark hair damp with sweat clung to her flushed cheeks.

Her soft, wet lips trembled as she confessed her affection.

Her voice trailed off softly, almost coy.

He asked gently, his tone low and husky, "Why?"

A Wu paused, then replied, "When you're with me like this, a part of you belongs to me. I've consumed you."

She had once claimed his son in this manner, and now, she claimed him too.

They were both handsome, noble, radiant with vitality—the finest men in the world.

When the Jingxi Emperor heard the word "consumed," his vision blurred with unexpected emotion.

In this lifetime, only one person would ever speak such words to him.

The dignity of an emperor, the sophistication of an elder—all fractured before her.

He had been claimed by a girl much younger than him, one he had once overlooked entirely.

He closed his eyes, sinking into her gradually, his strong and mature body settling over A Wu.

A Wu struggled slightly under his weight, frowning as she tilted her face up with a breathy gasp.

The Jingxi Emperor gripped her wrist with one hand while the other stroked her furrowed brow.

Then he moved with deliberate tenderness, as if handling something fragile and precious.

A Wu could feel his intentionally slow, meticulous care—like a mountain stream’s endless murmur, enduring and eternal.

Yet with each motion, the low, measured rasp of his breath fell softly by her ear.

In the overly quiet brocade canopy, the faint panting of a mature man was particularly stirring.

Her chest fluttered, warmth pooling low in her belly, her spine arching unconsciously, her toes curling.

Finally, in an accidental meeting of their gazes—like a spark landing on tinder—they were both ignited at once, consumed by a hungry inferno.

He claimed her completely with overwhelming force, and she consumed him utterly in return.

The world fell silent.

A Wu, dazed, closed her eyes, savoring what he had given her—an emperor’s gift.

Might she get lucky, bear a child like the Crown Prince or Princess De Ning, to share in their favor?

Then, A Wu seemed to hear the sonorous hum of a distant temple bell.

Her thoughts frayed like mist, only vaguely registering an inconsequential notion: the evening bell rang at dusk.

Realizing something, she shifted her gaze and saw that the Jingxi Emperor had composed himself, his robes restored to pristine order, no trace of their intimacy remaining.

She hauled herself up on trembling elbows, her shaking arm reaching out to fist the fabric of his sleeve.

His gaze pinned her. "Must I go?"

The man who had risen from the bed was cold and detached.

A Wu asked, "Won’t you stay with me?"

Her tone was almost childlike as she spoke.

Yet her eyes glistened with quiet allure, like swaying river weeds, tugging at one's heart.

The Jingxi Emperor studied her briefly before slowly lowering his gaze, his expression turning even colder.

He thought, if he were ten years younger, he would’ve lost his head over her.

But not now.

Expressionless, he said, "I’m returning to the capital."

To A Wu, his cold and indifferent face felt distant.

It reminded her of the lofty statues of temple guardians in Yanxiang Temple, fearsome under flickering candles and swirling incense.

She bit her lip, her voice tinged with disappointment and hurt as she replied, "Fine, then go."

The Jingxi Emperor reached out, tucking a damp lock of hair behind A Wu's ear, studying her intently.

Still flushed from their lovemaking, her cheeks glowed with an entrancing warmth.

He sighed softly before finally stepping away from her.

"If the day comes when you wish to leave Nanqiongzi, tell me," he said. "Or if you face any hardship, let me know."

A Wu understood this was his promise to her.

She ought to be happy—this outcome was the best she could hope for. A few days of pleasure in exchange for a lifetime of wealth. He would not mistreat a woman, even one bound to him by nothing more than a passing fling.

Yet at this moment, her mind drifted—like a ship vanishing into the open sea, never to return.

As if seized by sudden inspiration, she felt compelled to act.

She kneeled upright, bringing her gaze level with his as he stood before her.

Lifting her face, she pleaded, "Since you're leaving, kiss me. A Wu wants a kiss."

She had noticed long ago—he never kissed her lips, only her forehead, and even then, with awkward restraint.

The Jingxi Emperor’s light-colored eyes fixed on her as he asked hoarsely, "Why?"

A Wu whispered, "I just want you to kiss me!"

The Jingxi Emperor cocked his head, as if considering something.

After a pause, he said, "You've kissed others like this before, haven't you?"

A Wu fell silent.

The man’s honey-brown eyes were so unwavering that she couldn’t bring herself to lie or conceal anything under his gaze.

The Jingxi Emperor understood from her reaction.

This meant nothing special to her. She was merely like a pup, craving warmth from whoever could provide it.

But he couldn’t.

He gave a careless smile. "You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to know."

With those words, he turned and walked away.

He walked slowly, perhaps hoping against hope in his heart. When he reached the door and his fingertips brushed it, he paused and glanced back.

She sat there, hugging her knees, her small face buried in her arms, a loose strand of hair resting on the hem of her loose white satin pantaloons.

She looked like an abandoned child.

The Jingxi Emperor regarded her in silence.

Outside, Fu Tai, hearing the movement, had been waiting, holding his breath, standing respectfully and cautiously.

Having served the emperor for so long, he knew the emperor’s mind was unfathomable—one thought from him could alter countless lives, and a shift in his mood might occur in an instant.

He dared not disturb him.

After a long while, a breeze stirred, swaying the glass lantern by the window. The Jingxi Emperor withdrew his gaze and stepped out.

Fu Tai cautiously glanced back at the woman on the bed before quickly following with small, hurried steps.

**************

After the Jingxi Emperor left, A Wu was taken away from Yikun Garden and settled in a secluded Qiong estate. It didn’t seem to belong to the emperor but was rather an ordinary retreat.

The estate wasn’t particularly large, but it was tastefully furnished, with maids attending to her carefully. A Wu lived comfortably there.

The retreat was guarded by sentries. At first, A Wu didn’t dare to wander freely, only strolling within the courtyard.

Her rear window was adorned with a few banana plants, and a crabapple tree stood in the western corner. When idle, she would admire the flowers and scenery, whiling away the days.

Sometimes, watching the sun rise and set, she felt time was both brief and interminable. She thought living a life of luxury like this was quite pleasant.

Yet she also found it dull, and inevitably, her mind wandered to the past—her father, mother, elder brother, the boy next door, and the fleeting faces that had briefly crossed her path.

But dwelling on it was pointless. She had long accepted that life was unpredictable, and as a fragile beauty, merely protecting herself was already a blessing. There was no use pondering further. Now, living each day peacefully was what mattered.

When bored, she would pick flowers, mash them into paste, and try making her own ointments—not aiming for perfection, just to pass the time.

To gather flowers, she occasionally ventured outside. Perhaps as time passed, the guards became more lenient, allowing her to step out.

There wasn’t much to guard against, after all. This was the imperial Southern Qiong Garden, a royal retreat with strict security. No common thief could penetrate.

Lately, A Wu had noticed a nearby flower garden growing various autumn peonies, including rare varieties. Some were even called "Little Yao Huang" or "Little Wei Zi"—names borrowed from famous strains to command premium prices. This piqued her interest, and she visited often.

The gardeners were Qiong households appointed by the court. They cultivated flowers, paying their dues in silver and offering tribute blooms, but the rest they could sell themselves.

Since the nobles favored "Little Yao Huang," the garden refused to sell it, offering only "Little Wei Zi" and other varieties at a thousand coppers per cutting. Expensive, but A Wu didn’t care—it wasn’t her money.

The last man to want for money was the emperor. Since the old emperor was keeping her for free, she might as well live lavishly.

One morning, a light rain fell, bringing a sharper cold. A carriage arrived, delivering trunks and cases.

When A Wu opened them, she found a fox-fur cloak lined with sable, marten-fur ear muffs, a marten-fur coat, and various silks from the southern weavers.

There were also other daily necessities, everything one could need.

This surprised A Wu. She knew the Jingxi Emperor wouldn’t return after leaving—his departure that day had been a permanent parting.

Little did she expect that he would still make such thoughtful provisions for her.

Touched by this, a maid handed her a list detailing all the items delivered this time, signed at the bottom by the Southern Qiongzi Office.

Upon further inquiry, she learned that she had now been registered in the Southern Qiongzi's records. These supplies were standard-issue from the Southern Qiongzi Office. This time, not only was she provided for, but also the Taoist temples, Buddhist halls, and other establishments under Southern Qiongzi's jurisdiction—though her share was way more than the standard allotment.

She saw her name on the register listed under the title of "widow under imperial welfare."

A Wu guessed that they had probably pinned some random label on her—one that would allow her to be supported for life?

Clearly, the people around the Jingxi Emperor covered their tracks well. The Southern Qiongzi staff had no idea she had once served the emperor. This way, if she ever wanted to leave, she could walk away anytime.

Thinking about this, she felt a mix of emotions. Indeed, even if one relied on beauty to survive, it was crucial to choose the right patron.

Allying with Lu Yunjian had left her in constant fear. Following the crown prince had led to humiliation and expulsion. But serving the emperor had secured her future.

Even if she were confined to the cold palace for life, never to see him again, he had still arranged her livelihood clearly and thoroughly.

Now, she was officially supported by the state, living comfortably without having to sleep with an old man.

Wealthy, powerful, generous old men were truly wonderful.

She’d take a dozen like him!

******

That day, after tidying up and draping herself in her cloak, A Wu decided to visit the neighboring flower garden again to buy some blooms. Keeping a low profile, she only brought along a few servants and two maids.

Yet when she arrived, not only were the prized *Little Yao Huang* and *Little Wei Zi* peonies unavailable, but other fine varieties were also withheld—apparently set aside for the palace.

A Wu frowned. "With so many flowers cultivated here, are they all destined for the inner court?"

The flower seller, casually trimming weeds, replied, "Better safe than sorry. We can't say for sure how much the palace needs. If they suddenly demand them and we're unprepared, we’d be in trouble."

Disappointed, A Wu inquired further and learned that Princess De Ning was celebrating her fifteenth birthday—her coming-of-age ceremony. The emperor, doting on his only daughter, intended to host a grand and lavish banquet.

Longingly eyeing the peonies, A Wu reluctantly settled for common blooms and had her maids carry them back. She wandered to unwind nearby.

But as she reached a pavilion and paused to admire the scenery, she noticed someone lurking in the distance, peering furtively in her direction.

A chill ran down her spine.

The usual visitors here were registered flower growers or hunters—honest, simple folk who had lived here for generations. This stranger was unlike anyone she’d seen before.

Her instincts screamed danger. Hiking up her skirts, she turned to leave, about to call for her attendants—

When suddenly, someone rushed from behind, clamped a hand over her mouth, and without a word, shoved her into a burlap sack. No matter how she kicked and struggled, it was futile.

A Wu seethed!

She was a registered resident of Southern Qiongzi, living on state support! In broad daylight, what was this madness?!

Aaaaah—she was the emperor’s mistress!

The emperor’s mistress!!