Imperial Treasure

Chapter 1449: Chapter 845: The Fifth Life (Part 2)

That was her life of aimless wandering, she retained the clarity unique to the High Priest, yet carried a bewilderment of not knowing whence she came nor where she would go...

On that day, a full ten years later, she returned to the Royal City.

The bustling prosperity remained, though it was tinged with a scent of decay and sorrow.

The Royal City’s splendor held no charm for her, leading her horse along the wide road, few gave her any attention, perhaps because her travel-worn and unkempt appearance was too inconspicuous, or perhaps ten years had indeed changed her too much, allowing her to recognize the Royal City, which no longer recognized her.

Beyond the end of the street stood the towering palace, reaching into the clouds.

That was where she had lived since childhood.

A place where she felt uneasy, very uncomfortable.

And after her death, she never returned again.

Suddenly, she heard captivating music coming from a door beside her... the sound so enchanting.

She halted, vaguely sensing familiarity.

Turning around, she saw big red lanterns and charming beauties.

The most hedonistic place in the Royal City—Swallow Tower.

The crowds surged, yet the song was so clear...

She hesitated for a moment, then walked in.

Moving past the people, she entered the seductive glow of the glass lamps...

On stage, the most lavish red silk carpet across the land, a ten-mile long dress turned into flowing lights in everyone’s eyes, she was the star towing the lights behind her, with red lips and vermilion, she glided with grace, what emerged from her lips was not song, but the soul-gathering allure of Sea Demons, her eyes reflected the brilliance and the quiet desolation of this Royal City, this Nation...

Until she saw beneath the stage, a figure in a gray robe, tall and slender.

All the splendor and desolation turned into blank dead silence.

Then transformed into the glowing lamplight in the room where two people were alone.

She was silent, asked nothing, hence there was no answer.

How could she explain?

How does one transform from a noble daughter proud in the Royal City, into the most famous, historically renowned Oiran of Swallow Tower?

Her skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were all perfect, praised by nobility back then, yet now, those same nobles still praised her.

The precious child of a powerful Chancellor, once beneath only the Emperor, her talent remained Dominating...

These years, she dominated more than just talent.

That body...

"The Chu Family’s Ye Zui is the pearl of the world, her appearance indeed beautiful and graceful, filled with charms."

A man who had once been merciful and respectful before her father said so to other officials with laughter...

A loud laugh echoed in response...

Among those listening in the VIP seats below, powerful people without reservation said the same as she sang...

Some claimed they’d had her in their beds, left satisfied, others said: "What counts as the Chu Family’s pearl? Nowadays, the fame of Swallow Tower Oiran Ye Zui far surpasses that of old... that is true utilization of talent..."

Utilization of talent.

Was she just a thing?

Turns out she was a thing...

Ultimately, it was all yesterday’s matters.

She added fragrance with her crimson sleeves, witnessing red candle wax drip down onto her fingertips, burning them.

Amazingly, it still hurt.

She must have heard it all too.

Turning to see the figure standing at the window, his form somehow thinner than a woman’s.

Ten years...

All waits have become today’s silent gaze.

"Your Highness."

Sui Yi turned around, looked at her, his gaze slightly dazed, rising and falling like the rippling lake outside, impossible to see its depths.

"Ah Zui... it was my mistake."

She acknowledged her error.

"The mistake your Highness speaks of, is it the unfulfilled marriage ten years ago, or today’s return?"

Whether it was leaving or returning.

For her, it was all wrong.

For the Prince who should have been her husband, it was probably wrong too.

Ye Zui gently placed the Flintstone on the table.

Soundless.

That day was the happiest of her life, and also the most painful.

The grand wedding...

Ten miles of red equipment.

But he alone was absent.

"Ah Zui... I..."

"Rather than any of your hardships, I would prefer you do one thing for me."

Bang bang bang~!

Outside, those irked officials, throngs with henchmen stormed in.

Noise and clamor.

And danger.

Chu Ye Zui smiled, like a beauty of wrath.

"Kill them, take me away."

"But if you kill them, then the Seventh Prince who once fled civilization to avoid competing for the throne would no longer enjoy leisurely days... thus..."

She pushed the window open, pointed to the vast world outside.

"Leave."

Never come back.

No sooner said, her hand pointing outside was grasped, then she saw the person she had resented for ten years pull her, decisively opening the door, drawing the sword, killing from top to bottom of the building, blood flowed like a river, heads scattered, then held her, leapt onto a horse, galloped through the bustling city she thought she could never escape...

The wind howled, yet all passed by the person up front, shielding her safely, not a speck of bloody dirt tainted her, her small hand cautiously gripping his sleeve, gently resting her face against his back, indulging herself, saying: "Go there..."

The riverbank flowed quietly, a lone boat drifting across the landscape.

This was her boat, she had purchased it years ago, but never been aboard.

The thought itself seemed a joke.

Sui Yi paused in surprise upon seeing the boat.

In youth, the city’s noble youths and royal scions would ride together in packs, the most beloved Seventh Prince never liked such noise, even if he had to join them, he often walked alone.

Until by the bustling Willow River Bank she saw a graceful shadow, amazed that he didn’t join their play, yet felt he was somehow meant to be like this.