CH 255

—–

“N-No. That’s impossible. H-how could he be dead?” Le Yao Yao’s headpiece was shaking nonstop. Her voice sounded like it was breaking.

Then, a roll of crystal tears rolled down from Le Yao Yao’s pale cheeks. She seemed so weak. It was as if she was going to vanish into thin air.

Seeing this, Xue Ping and Xue Li quickly held onto Le Yao Yao. They were deeply saddened by the death of Prince Rui, but even more so, they were concerned about Le Yao Yao’s physical wellbeing.

All of a sudden, Le Yao Yao stormed up to Mei and seized his collar. She shrieked, “You’re lying! You’re lying to me! Yu wouldn’t die. He wouldn’t die like this! He said he will come marry me!!”

Le Yao Yao was acting like an insane person. Mei didn’t move at all and allowed her to vent. Le Yao Yao wouldn’t stop shaking him.

Then, her eyes rolled back and she collapsed into darkness.

—–

Nothing is more painful than anticipating for your wedding then finding out your lover has died.

The almighty Prince Rui got into a battle with the last remaining members from the evil cult just before his wedding and unfortunately fell to his death.  (tl: I thought they were already dead. What the heck, author?)

This news shocked the nation. After all, the common people considered Leng Jun Yu as a God-like figure. He was like a majestic mountain that would never topple. Who would’ve expected such a man would meet such a sad fate?

As a result, the Heaven Yuan dynasty had three days of silence to show respect.

Prince Rui’s body was never found. Most likely, his corpse had already been eaten by wild beasts. So, his coffin were filled with all the items he had once used.

Since Prince Rui had done so much for the country, on the day of his funeral, all the common people stopped their work to bid farewell to their hero.

—–

It was a scorching hot and blinding day. From the ground, a layer of smoke could be seen rising. The green tree leaves couldn’t handle the heat and curled together as the branches hung low.

Despite this, Le Yao Yao felt like she was in the middle of a blizzard. She couldn’t feel the slightest warmth. It was as if she was in an icy cave; her blood streams had solidified.

Le Yao Yao didn’t want to see people’s pitiful glances. Because, to her, it was a reminder that Yu was dead. He will never come back again…

“No! Yu, how could you lie to me?! Why? You promised that you will marry me. I have been patiently waiting. Why must you leave me?” sobbed Le Yao Yao.

Le Yao Yao felt as if her heart was being ripped apart. She buried her face into her knees as she wrapped her arms around her knee.

On the outside, the Emperor, the Empress, and the twins were pleading for her to open the door. But Le Yao Yao covered her ears. She didn’t want to hear or see anyone right now. She only wanted to be left alone.

She was like a wounded animal, silently licking her wounds at a corner.

Her tears wouldn’t stop running. By now, everything around her was blurry. She couldn’t see clearly anymore.

Everything turned black and white. Then, it would go dim from time to time. Perhaps, she had cried too much.

Again, someone tried knocking on the door. Le Yao Yao was surprised the door was still intact. Honestly, the people from the outside could forcefully break in if they wanted. But no one dared to do so. Instead, they kept pleading for her to come out.

Currently, she was too tired. She was so tired that she just wanted to sleep eternally. That way, she will be able to be with Yu forever…

—–

When Le Yao Yao woke up, she recognized the familiar medical scent.

“You’re awake?”

That voice was calm and soothing. It belonged to no other than Dongfang Bai.

“Why are you here?”

Le Yao Yao’s throat was burning. It felt like there was a fire crackling inside of her.

But this pain was an indication that she was still alive. Before she lost consciousness, she thought she was going to die.

To her, death was a release. Because now that Yu was dead, her world had already lost all of its colour. Being alive was equivalent to being a walking corpse. There was no point.

Perhaps, Dongfang Bai could read Le Yao Yao’s thoughts. He sat down next to her and scrunched his brows. Concern could be seen all over his face. But, he didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he poured Le Yao Yao a cup of tea and personally held her up.

“Here, drink some water first. Your throat must be burning. I’ve already cooked the medicine. After you drink some water, you can take the medicine.” he gently directed.

Hearing this, Le Yao Yao nodded. She could feel the cup against her lips as she swallowed down the content.

Suddenly, Le Yao Yao smelled the strong medicine and crinkled her nose.

“Here, Yao Yao, let me feed you medicine.”

Le Yao Yao looked around and realized everything around her was pitch black. No matter how wide she opened her eyes, she couldn’t see anything at all.

She came to a realization. “Am I blind?” she whispered.

“It’s only temporary. You locked yourself three days in the room and wouldn’t stop crying. You refused to eat or drink anything. Your eyes are blinded by your tears. Don’t worry though. As long as you go through treatment, you will be able to regain your eyesight.”

Hearing this, Le Yao Yao didn’t feel anything. She was numb to emotions. After a period of silence, she stated, “Honestly, it doesn’t matter whether I can see anymore.”

Because, without Yu, her world is already in darkness. 

“Yao Yao! I won’t allow you to think like this! What do you mean it doesn’t matter whether you can see anymore? I know Yu’s death is a huge blow to you. You’re depressed and see no more hope. But Yao Yao, you must understand that you’re not the only person suffering. How about Yu’s family? The Emperor and the Dowager Empress are all very devastated as well. Will being sad bring Yu back? Also, do you know how selfish you are acting right now? You are not the considerate and positive Le Yao Yao from the past.” Dongfang Bai’s tone was very harsh.

Le Yao Yao mumbled, “I’m selfish?”

“Yes! You are selfish! Do you have any idea how worried your parents were when you locked yourself in the room for three days? When I had arrived, your mother had fainted multiple times because she was too emotional. She almost lost her eyesight like you. Even if you don’t care about yourself, you have to think of your parents. How could your parents bear to see you like this? Also, you’re going to be a mother soon. By giving up on life, what will happen to your child? Yes, Yu is dead. But are you going to give up on the child now that he is no longer with you? If Yu is watching down from Heaven, how would he feel?”

Dongfang Bai said everything in one breath. It was as if he was setting off firecrackers.

True. Yu is dead. But she still has her family and her child. Her child…

“Brother Bai! How’s my child? Is he ok? Please, make sure you protect my child!”

Le Yao Yao began to frantically wave her arms in front of her. It was as if she wanted to grab hold of something.

Dongfang Bai instantly held out his arm for Le Yao Yao to hold on.

“Brother Bai. Please make sure my child will live. This child is the only thing that I have left from Yu. He’s the only bloodline left of Yu’s.” cried Le Yao Yao.

Le Yao Yao’s eyes began to turn misty again. Seeing this, Dongfang Bai used his handkerchief to help her wipe the tears away. “Yao Yao, don’t worry. As long as you won’t give up on yourself and your child, I will make sure to hold you both tight no matter what. Be good. Stop crying. Your eyes are already damaged. No more tears, alright? Or else, the damage will be permanent and I won’t be able to do anything about it. If your eyes are permanently damaged, you won’t be able to see what your child looks like in the future.” Dongfang Bai consoled as he patted Le Yao Yao’s back. His voice was like a spring breeze that brought in a ray of light into her dark heart.

“Mm. Brother Bai, I will listen to you. I will make sure to live on and raise my child. That way, Yu will feel relieved in Heaven!”

Yu, without you, I’ll still live well. 

I’ll take good care of myself and our child. 

I love you. 

Forever and always. 

This will never change.