AEOGA CH14

Lu Xuechao spent half the day reminiscing with his parents and only saw the Chancellor and his wife off in the evening. Before departing, the Chancellor’s wife was deeply reluctant to leave, fearing his son might suffer grievances in the palace. However, upon remembering that His Majesty had managed to preserve his chastity for their son even while under the influence of a curse, he felt that he was simply overthinking things.

No matter how one looked at it, it seemed Lu Xuechao was the one who truly bewitched the monarch’s heart. Without needing any curses, he had already turned Xie Chongjin’s soul upside down.

Seeing that the Chancellor and his wife had departed, the close attendant Shuangjiang finally entered the room and said, “Your Highness, the Zhongxue Palace has been prepared. His Majesty asks if you would like to move over?”

“I won’t move,” Lu Xuechao replied. “I’ve grown accustomed to living here.”

The palace where empresses of successive generations resided was called the Jiaofang Palace. When an emperor favored a single person, it was referred to as “the exclusive favor of the Jiaofang.” Knowing full well Lu Xuechao’s disposition of refusing to share what was his, Xie Chongjin wanted to grant him a unique and unparalleled honor. Thus, he had renamed the “Jiaofang Palace” to “Zhongxue Palace,” drawing from their names, “Chongjin” and “Xuechao”—even a palace name had to manifest their commitment to never abandon one another.

After all, even the “Chao” in the era name Xichao was the “Chao” from Lu Xuechao’s name, so changing a palace name was hardly anything significant.

Renaming it was merely the first step. Xie Chongjin had originally intended to remodel the entire Zhongxue Palace, reshaping it entirely into the style Lu Xuechao preferred, rather than what an empress’s residence ought to look like.

Unfortunately, Lu Xuechao had stayed in the Zhongxue Palace for less than a day before being sent to the Cold Palace, so Xie Chongjin’s remodeling plan transformed into a project to renovate the Cold Palace. He understood Lu Xuechao’s preferences best; every plant, brick, flower, bird, fish, pavilion layout, and even the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, the incense burning in the burner—all of it was personally designed and commanded by Xie Chongjin. Moreover, this place was tranquil, secluded, and free from disturbances. Lu Xuechao naturally disliked bustling noise and preferred living here.

Shuangjiang nodded and gestured toward the outside. A group of palace servants immediately set up a cloud ladder, took down the plaque that read “Cold Palace,” and replaced it with the three characters “Zhongxue Palace.”

The strokes of the calligraphy on the plaque were sharp and forceful, flowing like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes, carving deep into the wood. One could tell at a glance that it came from Xie Chongjin’s own hand.

“His Majesty has commanded that if Your Highness does not wish to move, this Cold Palace shall be turned into the Zhongxue Palace, and the original Zhongxue Palace shall be changed back to the Jiaofang Palace. You may reside wherever you please.” Shuangjiang conscientiously acted as a mouthpiece. “His Majesty also said… if Your Highness wishes to reside in the Zichen Hall, His Majesty will certainly sweep the bed to welcome you.”

As for a place like the Cold Palace, it shouldn’t exist at all.

The unpleasant memories of countless lifetimes had left Xie Chongjin with a dense psychological shadow regarding the words “Cold Palace.” He wished for nothing more than to make this place vanish forever. Though he had been powerless to do so in the past, the moment he gained his freedom, he put his desires into action.

Lu Xuechao curled his lips into a light smile. “He certainly thinks of everything.”

Once the plaque was changed, the palace servants orderly brought in the evening meal, which as usual consisted of flavors Lu Xuechao favored. However, in the past, his heart had been filled with melancholy, and no matter how fine the dishes were, he couldn’t taste their flavor. From now on, things would be different.

I can eat with Huaiyun once again.

This was truly a joyous matter.

Lu Xuechao did not ask for much—just two people in one room, sharing three meals through the four seasons. Yet, simple as it seemed, it had been a monumental impossibility in the past.

Lu Xuechao harbored no taboos like “a gentleman stays away from the kitchen.” He possessed a discerning palate, and when the family cooks prepared meals that didn’t suit his taste, he went to learn culinary arts himself. Aside from physical labor, he was a quick study at everything; soon, his skills rivaled those of the imperial chefs in the palace, and he could even devise his own recipes. Xie Chongjin had tasted his cooking once and declared it far superior to the imperial feasts, frequently visiting the Chancellor’s estate to scrounge for food thereafter.

Having scrounged far too many meals, the Crown Prince resolved to return the favor. He personally entered the kitchen to wash his hands and prepare soup for him, but unfortunately, his skills were lacking, and the results were hard to swallow. Lu Xuechao did not possess the resolve to lie for the sake of love and declare it delicious; to him, that was a form of self-torture. Thus, after tasting it and meeting Xie Chongjin’s expectant gaze, he said calmly, “You did well. Don’t do it next time.”

Xie Chongjin: “……”

After their marriage, the two never separated for their three meals, and Lu Xuechao frequently cooked, allowing Xie Chongjin to feast to his heart’s content. Had it not been for his diligent daily martial arts practice to maintain his figure, he would have eventually been fed into a round shape of marital bliss.

Unfortunately, before that bliss could last long, the nightmare descended. Xie Chongjin could no longer see Lu Xuechao, nor could he taste Lu Xuechao’s culinary skills.

Xie Chongjin was dubbed by players of the Concubine Route as “the hardest emperor to romance in the history of palace intrigue games” precisely because his favor stat was extremely difficult to grind. To curry favor with the emperor, players would max out various skills, among which was culinary expertise. However, even if one ground their culinary stat to a maximum of 100, the Emperor would only offer a simple “acceptable” after tasting it, with his favor stat symbolically increasing by +1.

Players: …Are you truly that stingy?

Didn’t the guide say the Emperor’s preference is that he loves to eat???

What the guide failed to mention was that Xie Chongjin loved to eat—specifically, he loved to eat what Lu Xuechao made.

He only loved what Lu Xuechao cooked.

Unable to see Lu Xuechao, everything he ate lost its flavor.

The dishes were fully laid out, but Lu Xuechao did not pick up his chopsticks; he was waiting for Xie Chongjin to arrive.

He had grown used to dining alone, and he had grown used to the reality that no one would come.

But today was different.

He knew Xie Chongjin would definitely come, just like three years ago when they were together day and night, never apart.

The incense in the burner burned away inch by inch, and the dishes on the table grew cold bit by bit, yet there was no movement at the doorway.

Xie Chongjin did not come.

Lu Xuechao’s gentle eyes gradually turned cold, and his fingers tightly gripped the robes over his knees, betraying a trace of mounting anxiety.

He will come, Lu Xuechao kept telling himself.

Huaiyun had already regained his free will; it was impossible for him not to come and accompany him for dinner.

Just wait a little longer.

After waiting a while longer, still no one came.

Lu Xuechao’s fingers began to tremble slightly. Attempting to remain composed, he asked, “Where is His Majesty?”

Shuangjiang answered truthfully, “His Majesty is at Cuiwei Palace…” currently discussing matters with Noble Consort Liu.

Lu Xuechao’s countenance turned instantly pale.

He lowered his eyes and sat in silence for a moment. Suddenly, he violently flipped the tablecloth. In an instant, the bowls, chopsticks, and plates shattered all over the floor. The spilled hot soup scalded his hand, turning his fair skin instantly red—a striking and alarming sight.

Lu Xuechao remained entirely oblivious to it.

Shuangjiang cried out in terror, “Her Highness the Empress!”

“It’s a dream again, it’s a dream again…” Lu Xuechao let out a laugh, murmuring to himself neurotically. “He still has no freedom, he still has no release…”

The memories of countless lifetimes blurred his perception of the present. Lu Xuechao began to lose his grip once more on what was real and what was artificial, only feeling that this scene before him was entirely too familiar—so familiar that it was driving him mad.

He knew it far too well. Sitting alone in the palace watching a table of food grow cold, only to hear that Xie Chongjin had gone to someone else’s palace. Preparing fine wine with the intent to invite his beloved to drink together, only to learn that Xie Chongjin was currently summoning someone else to attend to his bed.

…He was simply far too familiar with such scenes.

He was still trapped within this endless cycle of reincarnation. All the beauty from yesterday until now was merely another unrealistic dream.

Has Huaiyun been controlled again?

Or did he never break free from the control from the very beginning, and it was all just another illusion of his—imagining that they could escape this ridiculous destiny?

“Your Highness! Her Highness the Empress!” Shuangjiang was at a complete loss and immediately commanded loudly, “Someone, summon the imperial physicians, and go find His Majesty!”

Cuiwei Palace.

Xie Chongjin was currently conversing with a man dressed in green robes when he suddenly saw someone rush inside in a frantic manner. Recognizing the person as a palace servant from Qingshu’s side, he immediately halted the conversation, knitted his brows, and asked, “What is the matter?”

The newcomer said in a panic, “Your Majesty, Her Highness the Empress is unwell! It seems… a sudden loss of sanity.”

Xie Chongjin’s expression shifted drastically. He rose immediately and rushed outside, lacking even the time to bid farewell to the man in green.

The man in green watched him leave, his brow furrowing slightly. “I have never seen His Majesty look so frantic.”

If he hadn’t misread it, upon hearing that something had happened to the Empress, the expression that flashed through the Emperor’s eyes… was terror, wasn’t it?

……

Xie Chongjin rushed all the way to the Zhongxue Palace with absolute urgency, only to see the palace servants kneeling all over the ground. The floor was an absolute mess, with soup, rice, and shards of plates scattered everywhere. Lu Xuechao’s white robes were stained and dirty from the food, his hand was scalded red, and his frame looked remarkably slight. His gaze was hollow, his expression fragile and helpless.

“Qingshu!” Xie Chongjin’s heart constricted. He rushed forward immediately and pulled him into a tight embrace, completely ignoring how the mess would soil his own clothes.

“All of you, clear out!” he barked coldly, refusing to let Lu Xuechao’s distressed state remain on display before so many people.

The palace servants felt as though they had been granted a great reprieve and immediately retreated outside.

Suddenly finding himself within a warm embrace, Lu Xuechao’s eyes still lacked any focus. Biting his lip, his body kept trembling uncontrollably.

Xie Chongjin’s tone softened. “Qingshu, it’s me. Look at me, I am your Brother Huaiyun.”

Lu Xuechao slowly raised his head to look at him, as though looking at a stranger.

“You’re lying to me.” Lu Xuechao’s voice was hoarse. In his palm, he gripped a sharp piece of white porcelain, appearing practically unhinged. “Brother Huaiyun wouldn’t go find someone else. You are a player, you aren’t him—get out! Get away from me!”

He suddenly became hysterical, like venting a lifetime of bitter resentment, like offering a tearful accusation. “Why must everyone fight me for him? He is my lover, I only wanted to live a peaceful and stable life with him for the rest of our days! Why won’t you let us go in every single lifetime? Why won’t you let us go even once! I don’t want to be killed by him time and again, and I certainly don’t want to kill him time and again!”

The sharp shard was squeezed tightly, and blood gradually began to seep from his palm.

That splash of crimson pierced Xie Chongjin’s eyes. The images of Lu Xuechao dying before his eyes across countless lifetimes resurfaced in his mind, causing Xie Chongjin’s own body to shudder.

“……Qingshu.” Xie Chongjin held him tighter, his voice trembling as he offered comfort. “I didn’t go to find anyone else. I went to see Liu Yansheng to discuss transferring the authority over the harem to you, and also to disband the Common Consorts, leaving only the Plot Consorts related to the storyline… I have already broken free from the control, have you forgotten? We have already seen hope. We are finding ways to change the plot; we will remain free forever.”

“Don’t be afraid, Qingshu, don’t be afraid.” Xie Chongjin didn’t know whether he was comforting Lu Xuechao or comforting himself.

…His terror at this moment was not a fraction less than Lu Xuechao’s.

Lu Xuechao froze, the color in his eyes gradually turning clear as his grip on the shard loosened further and further.

“I’m sorry, I am so sorry, Qingshu. I will never leave you behind in the future. Whatever I do, I will tell you in advance and accompany you every single moment.” Xie Chongjin coaxed him over and over without a trace of impatience. “Those things will never happen again.”

“Brother…” Lu Xuechao dropped the shard and buried himself in his embrace, sobbing. “I can’t keep pretending, I can’t even pretend for a single day. I am so terrified. I am afraid that the moment I wake up, I’ll find it was all just a dream again, afraid that you will be controlled by someone else again, afraid that once this lifetime passes, we still have an endless stream of next lifetimes…”

“I can’t bear it, I truly cannot bear it.” Lu Xuechao repeated a single sentence, “I cannot bear it even once more…”

Xie Chongjin wiped away Lu Xuechao’s tears, his heart aching as though undergoing a slow execution. Spotting the burns and the cuts from the porcelain shard on Lu Xuechao’s hand, a fierce hostility welled up in his eyes.

Clinging to each other amidst the utter mess, they resembled drowning souls holding onto a piece of floating timber—two entirely battered individuals huddled together for warmth right before freezing to death, desperately seeking a way to survive.

“Your hand is injured. Let me tend to your wounds first, and then I’ll feed you, alright?” Xie Chongjin said softly.

Lu Xuechao remained dazed for a moment, looking at Xie Chongjin with slightly reddened eyes, before slowly nodding his head.