Chapter 108: Parting

Chapter 108: Parting

The two sisters discussion had come to an end, and so they paid for their tea and got up, preparing to go their separate ways. At this moment, the gate to the Su Manor opened and a small palanquin covered in plain white cloth was carried out. Qin Banruo recognized this as the palanquin Mei Changsu used often when he went out, and she immediately slipped out of the tea shop and began following it from a distance. Fourth Sister was by nature quiet and did not like to involve herself in matters that had nothing to do with her, and so, as Qin Banruo had not called for her to follow, she too left the tea shop and vanished silently into the streets.

Qin Banruo had initially thought that Mei Changsu had left by the back gate of his manor because he was on some covert mission and was trying to hide his tracks, but after following his palanquin for two entire streets, she was forced to admit that, in fact, he had left by the back gate simply because it was closer to the South Gates of the city, and made for a more direct route.

Outside the South Gates, the crowds were much thinner than they had been in the city. Qin Banruo was on the one hand rather tired, and on the other not a formidable martial artist, and so she dared not continue her tracking, but stopped and watched as the palanquin disappeared into the distance.

Qin Banruo could not have known that Mei Changsu would not go far. In fact, his little procession only ventured about two miles down the road south of the city before stopping at a pavilion at the top of a small hill. Mei Changsu emerged from the palanquin and entered the pavilion, sitting down on one of its stone stools to idly flip through a scroll he had brought with him, while his guards settled themselves outside with wine and tea.

Around an hour later, a plume of dust arose from the direction of the city. Li Gang, standing guard nearby, was the first to notice, and called out softly, Chief. Mei Changsu rolled up his scroll and stood to peer into the distance, where he could just make out two figures in horseback riding towards them, one in front of the other.

Li Gangs vision was a little better, and so while Mei Changsu was still trying to see if these were indeed the people he was waiting for, Li Gang had already recognized them, and said lowly, Chief, its them.Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

Mei Changsu nodded and did not speak, but Li Gang understood his intention, and was already leaving the pavilion to stand by the side of the road. The two riders came closer and closer, but they did not seem to have noticed Li Gang. He was just about to wave to attract their attention when suddenly, the rider in front swung his horse around for no apparent reason and stared back in the direction he had come from.

But the reason behind his action quickly became apparent. Out of the cloud of dust galloped a third rider, who cried out as he raced towards them, Jingrui! Jingrui, wait!

The rider beside Jingrui seemed agitated, and cried out herself, Dage, dage, lets go, quick!

Xiao Jingrui lifted his left hand and gestured placatingly at her, and not only refused to continue, but swung down off his horse.

Dage! Yuwen Nians voice was trembling.

Nian nian, Xiao Jingrui smiled at her sadly. My friend is calling for me, and I have heard him, how can I ignore him?

Butyou promised.

Dont worry, I promised you I would go back with you to visit him, and I will keep my word. But we are not running for our lives, and my friend has come to see us on our way, so what are you afraid of?

By this time, Yujin had arrived before them, his hair and clothes covered with dust, entirely bereft of their usual grace and elegance. He leapt off his horse and rushed over to Jingrui, grabbing his arm. Jingrui, where are you going?

Xiao Jingrui answered bluntly, To Ying, capitol of Da Chu.

Jingrui!

Nian nian received a letter, her father is gravely ill and wisheswishes to see me. My mother has given her permission and so, by rights, I ought to go pay him a visit.

Yan Yujin had originally come with the intention of forcing him to stay, but after hearing this, he found there was nothing he could say. The hand grasping Xiao Jingruis arm loosened, and after a long moment, he couldnt help himself and asked, Then, will you ever come back?

Xiao Jingrui lowered his eyes. Mother is still here, how could I never return?

Though his tone were indifferent, Yan Yujin felt a pain deep in his heart on hearing these words. And yet, Xiao Jingrui himself was keeping his calm, and it would not do for him to be the one to become emotional, and so he hurriedly bit his lip and controlled himself, and a long moment passed before he was able to say, Jingrui, ever since that day, I have been wanting to find you for a good long talk, but the time was never right. Jingrui, there are some things you really must not take too much to heart. After all, they are in the past now, and are the grievances of the previous generation, and have nothing to do with you at all.

Alright, Yujin, Xiao Jingrui cut him off gently. You dont need to continue, I understand what you mean. Butno matter what, you cannot say they have nothing to do with me. My father, my mother, my brothers and sisters these are ties that cannot be broken, not to mention all those years of affection, and the gratitude and loyalty I bear for everything they have done for me. None of this can be so easily torn away by some truth that has been revealed.

Mei Changsu watched as the young man turned and left, and it was not until he had walked to the edge of the pavilion that he asked softly, Jingrui, why do you not hate me?

Xiao Jingruis figure halted, froze for a moment, and then he turned and looked straight at Mei Changsu. What could I hate you for? You did not create my mothers past. You did not arrange the circumstances of my birth. The unjust deeds of Mar- Marquis Xie were his own doing, and were not schemed or designed by you. You and I both understand, what caused me unmeasurable pain was the truth itself, and not the hands that uncovered it. The events of the past have no relation to you, and I would not be so absurd as to cast my anger on you, and hold you responsible for wrongs that were committed by other people.

But I had the power to keep the truth concealed, and instead I let it erupt, and erupt with such ferocity. I did so without the slightest regard for your feelings, and without regard for the friendship between us. For this, you must bear some anger, no?

Xiao Jingrui shook his head and smiled sadly. To tell you the truth, I was once very upset by what you did. But I am no longer an arrogant child, and I understand that there are choices each of us must face. You chose what you believed to be important, and gave me up. This was only a decision you made, nothing more. I cannot hate you because you did not choose me, especially sinceyou had no responsibility or obligation to prioritize me, and although this was something I once hoped for, in the end, it is not something I can demand.

It is true that I did not have to prioritize you, but ever since we met, you have always treated me with the utmost sincerity, and in this regard, I owe you.

I was sincere towards you because I wished to be. If I could gain something by that sincerity, certainly I would be glad, but if I cannot, then neither do I bear any regrets.

There was sorrow in Mei Changsus eyes, but he still bore a small smile on his face. Though you bear no regrets, the friendship between you and me is no more, and we cannot be friends again.

Xiao Jingrui lowered his head silently. Ever since the two had met, he had always admired Mei Changsus talent, looking up to him as a teacher and friend, and had taken great care to preserve their friendship. He had never imagined that, step by step, they would journey to a point where they could no longer call each other friend.

In fact, aside from a little heartache, there was not any true enmity between them. But after everything he had experienced, Xiao Jingrui finally felt the truth of the words Yan Yujin had spoken so long ago that he and Mei Changsu simply were not of the same world, and the inequality between them was so great that there could be no grounds for a true friendship.

To bear neither hatred nor anger towards one another was already the best ending they could have hoped for.

Perhaps, in the future, growth might bring about change. Perhaps, in the future, there could be encounters as yet unimaginable. But, for the present at least, just as Mei Changsu had said, they could no longer be friends.

Jingrui, Mei Changsu stepped forward, gazing warmly into the young mans eyes. You are the most forgiving child I have ever known. The Heavens have granted you such gentleness and kindness, and such a disposition for forgetting hatred, perhaps to offset the pain and suffering you must experience. I truly hope with all my heart that, in the future, you can preserve this sincere and earnest heart of yours, and that you may find peace and fortune, because it is what you deserve.

Many thanks. Xiao Jingrui took a deep breath, and then blew it out again slowly. There was much in his heart he wished to say, but when the words rose to his lips, he found that they were useless, and so he merely composed himself, and then turned and quickly left the pavilion.

Yuwen Nian and Yan Yujin were waiting for him at the bottom of the hill, and the three only exchanged a few simple words of parting before Xiao Jingrui and his sister mounted their horses and rode off towards the south. Yan Yujin watched until their figures disappeared into the distance, his face sad, then turned and looked up at the pavilion again. He hesitated, and then decided to go over to pay his greetings.

But this was a poor circumstance for small talk, and the two were not in such a mood in any case, and so after a few polite words, Yan Yujin took his leave and rode back towards the city.

Chief, the wind is fierce here, shall we return as well? Li Gang asked lowly, gathering up the wine pot and cups as he spoke.

Mei Changsu nodded his assent and got up slowly to leave the pavilion. Just before he entered his palanquin, he turned and looked in the direction Xiao Jingrui had gone, standing still for a long moment, as if in deep thought.

Chief? Chief?

Mei Changsus long thin brows furrowed and he sighed. Da Chu is not without danger. Pass on my orders to send Zhu Xi over, and have him look after them in any way he can.

Hai Yans Notes: Jingrui can take a temporary rest. Readers who love him say goodbye for now, and in a little while, Hai Yan jiejie will go and bring him back ~~~

Translators Notes:

This chapter broke me. Why cant they just cry. I want to cry.

#letmysunshineboyscry2k19