Chapter 23: Are's Love Story

  After watching, please give me a thumbs up and leave your precious vote. Your support is my motivation, thank you.

  The cool night wind carried a hint of chilliness and swept across the flowing clouds, making him feel as if he was really going to get drunk.

  Taking a deep breath, his depressed mood eased slightly, and Liuxing couldn't help but think about the issue of war in the great hall.

  "Nalan is right, the dark clouds of war are about to envelop this continent. Empire, can you still win this war?" Liuyun thought of her father and brother, and a sense of worry grew in her heart.

  As a pillar of the empire, the Cade family will inevitably play an important role in this war. This also means that the loved ones of Liú Yún in this world will be drawn into the flames of war and face an uncertain fate.

  "What should I do?" Lying on the long chair in the garden, looking at the dark night sky, Liu Yun's heart was very confused.

  "Cloud, you are the best warrior. Can these things defeat you?" Amidst the daze, Flowing Cloud heard Moon's voice echoing in his heart.

  Facing Liuyun's gaze, Naya felt a sense of panic for the first time. Liuyun's words had deeply pierced her heart.

  All along, she had been proud of being an imperial princess, and that innate superiority made her forget many things. His words also touched the kindness in her heart, and even made her feel ashamed. It turned out that the elegant life of the nobility was just a fig leaf covering the noble's face, hiding the painful lives of the lower people.

  This unexpected turn of events left her mind in a whirl, with mixed emotions. Many people in the hall, although not agreeing with Liuxing's words, were also unable to refute them for the time being. The atmosphere in the great hall was extremely heavy, just like everyone's mood.

  "The topic just now was too heavy, it seems not very suitable for tonight's dinner party. Why don't everyone talk about something more relaxing or show off your talents?"

  Naya saw that the atmosphere in the hall was heavy, so she smiled and said. After hearing Liuyun's words, she also didn't have the mood to continue discussing it anymore.

  Then, the talented people in the hall began to show off freely. The topics of wind, flowers, snow and moon were brought out one by one. Performances such as poetry, musical instruments, calligraphy, etc. were also brought out. Anyway, they made every effort to show off their talents intentionally or unintentionally in front of everyone.

  Watching the performance of the crowd, Princess Naya sighed secretly: "These people are like clowns on stage. On the contrary, he dares to say a few words of truth. As a nobleman, he is unwilling to fight for the nobility, his thoughts are novel and bold!"

  Are and Jiraiya sat bored, waiting for their runaway brother to return.

  "Second brother, honestly! He ran away without even calling me. It's suffocating here. The third young master of the illustrious Cade family is actually going to be suffocated to death here, heavens!" Jing Lei spent most of his time practicing martial arts and had no interest in the performance currently underway on stage.

  "Later, we'll fix him together, humph!" Are also said with a hateful tone, although she was very satisfied with her second brother's performance today, but she still couldn't forgive her second brother for leaving her behind and running away alone.

  "Are you okay, sister? Why are you sitting there without saying a word?" The princess suddenly spoke up when the room fell into a brief silence. "As people say, 'those who live with vermilion will be stained red', I wonder what kind of person she is, being so close to him?"

  "My sister is young and inexperienced, I dare not offer her imperfect skills." She stood up and curtsied to the princess, saying calmly.

  "That won't do." The princess clearly had no intention of letting her off. You ran, I'll find your sister, the princess thought to herself. "Shall we see the splendor of the Imperial Capital's genius magical girl?" Naya said, turning to face the people in the hall.

  Aretha is extremely popular among young nobles, and everyone cheered loudly at the news.

  After a moment of contemplation, Are said: "Well, I'll tell you all a story about love then."

  Princess Naya was taken aback, and so were the others. "She's indeed his sister, also so different from the rest." Princess Naya thought to herself.

  Although the empire has an open culture, it's still surprising for a teenage girl to talk about love stories. So everyone quietly waited to see what kind of story the little girl would bring.

  A long, long time ago, there was a spiritual jade stone beside God. During the time spent with God, it cultivated into a young boy and became a servant by God's side. Outside the palace where God lived, there was a small river, and on its bank grew a sacred grass. Every day, the servant would go to the riverside to water the grass, talk to it, and share his joys and sorrows with it. When wind and rain came, he would also guard it by the riverside until the storm passed.

  Many years later, the immortal grass also became human and transformed into a beautiful girl. The immortal grass said to the surprised boy: "I have today, it is your credit for watering and protecting me for many years. If there is a next life, I am willing to stay with you forever, using a lifetime of tears to thank you for your kindness." The immortal grass knew that the servants by the god's side could not get married. So, Jade Stone and Immortal Grass made a promise for their next life. Because they were one jade stone and one immortal grass, and it was made in their previous life, later generations called this promise "Wood Stone Pre-Alliance".

  The god, having learned of the matter, summoned the two before him. He said to them: "Since you have made a promise for the next life, go and be reincarnated in the mortal world to fulfill it. However, after reincarnation, you will lose everything you currently possess; are you willing?" The god had forgotten that after reincarnation, these two people would no longer retain memories of their past lives, and from then on they would forget each other, while that love would become a moon in the mirror, a flower in the water.

  Without any hesitation, Xian Cao and Yu Shi chose to reincarnate into the mortal world. Yu Shi was born into a noble family, while Xian Cao was born into a declining aristocratic family. Strangely, Xian Cao's family and Yu Shi's family were relatives, and Xian Cao had been fostered in Yu Shi's household since childhood due to changes in her own home. As they grew up, Yu Shi and Xian Cao fell in love, but neither of them retained any memories of their past lives or the promise they once made.

  Fate did not favor this poor couple, but instead played a cruel joke on them. Yushi's family had arranged for him to marry the daughter of another wealthy noble family, which his family called a golden marriage. The weak Yushi could not resist the arrangement. Desperate Xiāngcǎo cried every day, and on the day Yushi was about to marry that girl, she died with tears streaming down her face. Before dying, she suddenly remembered everything from their past life and sighed sadly: "You only envy the golden marriage, why can't you pity our poor love in the previous life?"

  The jade stone that came in a hurry, holding the icy body of his loved one, also remembered the various things of his past life. After burying the immortal grass with tears, he gave up the golden opportunity and started a solitary ascetic life away from home. He made a vow to God, willing to exchange a lifetime of ascetic practice for not missing her again in this life.

  The god was moved by his sincerity and came to his side, saying: "Foolish child, can't the hardships of two lifetimes make you give up? Take this Three Lives Stone, carve your name and hers on it, and when you meet again in the next life, you will remember each other and won't miss each other again." Yu Shi carved their names on the Three Lives Stone with a knife, then stabbed himself in the chest and followed Xian Cao.

  Later generations erected a large stone called "Sān Shēng Shí" (Three Lives Stone) at the place where Yù Shí died, and this Three Lives Stone later became a sacred place for young lovers to admire. They would carve each other's names on it, praying that they would not be separated in life or death.

  Are's story has ended. She seems to have been moved by this story as well, with tears in her eyes.

  The people in the hall were all immersed in the story, Are's story touched their souls. Seeking fame and fortune, vying for power and status had long made them forget:

  It turns out that there is such a beautiful feeling in the world, it turns out that true love is so beautiful to this extent. Everyone has had such thoughts in their hearts, and even the princess is no exception: If I could meet someone like that, have a romance like that, then this life would be enough.

  "This story was told to me by my second brother."

  Aria's words echoed softly in the hall, but they exploded like a thunderclap in the princess's ears.

  "You guys don't look down on my second brother, I'll give you a good scolding." The little girl thought with satisfaction.

  She also learned the word "闷棍" from Liú Yún. When Liú Yún found out that she was going to participate in the Imperial Magic Martial Arts Competition after New Year's, he told her that having learned close combat skills was a matter of utmost secrecy, and that at the competition, she should use her hidden moves to knock out her opponents.

  Are asked curiously what is a blunt stick, Liuyun explained that it means "silently not making a sound, and at the right time giving the opponent a heavy blow on the head". Like this, a good girl was led astray.

  "It is said that a good marriage is like jade and gold, but I only remember the vows made in front of wood and stone." Naya softly repeated the words from Are's story. "A good marriage is like jade and gold, vows made in front of wood and stone, a good marriage is like jade and gold, vows made in front of wood and stone... so it was actually like this?"

  Naya was lost in thought for a moment.

  At the same time, another banquet was being held in the palace.

  "Your Imperial Majesty, I offer you a toast. May the new year bring you good health and prosperity to the empire, with favorable weather and happy citizens." Joseph stood up, raised his glass and spoke to the Emperor.

  Joseph was about fifty years old, the only brother of Emperor George IX, and was made a prince after George's accession. This prince is said to be extremely skilled in martial arts and has been leading troops for a long time, with a military status that only Yan Tian can match. At this time, the second and fourth legions of the empire were both under his control.

  Although the emperor was also worried about Joseph's control of two major legions, and hinted at it to the emperor, the emperor seemed to trust him extremely and did not make any adjustments. Fortunately, Joseph was a clean and self-loving person, extremely loyal to King George IX, and fought bravely in many wars, making great military achievements for the empire.

  "My dear brother, I wish it were so. But the state of the Empire seems to leave little room for optimism." George IX raised his glass and touched it lightly against Joseph's, saying this with a worried expression.

  "Brother, you're absolutely right. Although we've had a few years of peaceful life, I'm also very clear that the footsteps of war are approaching."

  Joseph knew George had already begun making preparations for the impending war and so spoke out.

  "But brother needn't worry, if it comes to a fight, this old bone of mine can still withstand a few years of turmoil." Joseph said with a smile.

  George's gaze fell on Joseph. He was very satisfied with this brother. After his accession, George did not suppress or suspect this younger brother, but instead trusted him more and more, vigorously cultivating him, avoiding the tragic fratricide while also cultivating a great general for the empire.

  "Joseph, these years have been hard on you. My brother also offers you a toast." George said emotionally to Joseph.

  "My brother's words are heavy, what I have done is just a matter of course, and it is also what your younger brother should do." Joseph also raised his cup and said.

  "Your Majesty, on this fine day, I have a special gift to present." Yan Tian's loud and clear voice rang out in the hall, drawing everyone's attention.

  "Oh? You old fellow, bring out something good quickly." George IX said with a smile, jokingly.

  An attendant carried a silver platter and walked up to George IX. The emperor opened it, and his eyes were immediately drawn in.

  "This painting on the box is indeed a masterpiece of our time. And what's more, there's fine wine inside! Let everyone take a look." George waved his hand and the waiter held out the tray for all to admire.

  "After everyone finished watching, George IX smiled and said: 'Yan Tian, the wine you brought is indeed good stuff. However, there's only one bottle, how can we share it with everyone?'"

  "There are only three bottles of wine left, but there are indeed only three bottles." Yan Tian smiled wryly and ordered someone to bring the remaining three bottles of wine, which were poured for the people in the hall by the servant.

  After finishing drinking, when everyone was still savoring the taste, a thin old man got up and walked to Yan Tian's side.

  "Old lion, this wine, you must still have some hidden away, right?" Davin whispered in Yan Tian's ear.

  "Old monkey, I'm really out of it. If Your Majesty is happy, in the future this wine will not be lacking for you to drink." Yan Tian said helplessly. Dawen was the Imperial Minister of Finance, a clever and refined person, as well as being clean and incorruptible, holding the lifeline of the empire's economy, without taking a single penny, but usually liked to "skim oil" from his colleagues' bodies. In his own words: "I can't skim the empire's oil, if I don't skim some from everyone else, I'll starve to death."

  "Ah? Don't try to fool me." Davin said with a sly smile.

  "What am I deceiving you for? If you can't get a drink later, come find me," said Yan Tian.

  "Your Majesty, this wine is beautifully packaged and at first glance it makes one's blood boil with excitement. Upon tasting it, it also makes one feel carefree and relaxed. The name of the wine is General's Tears, which carries a heroic spirit of the battlefield. If the production volume of this wine is sufficient, we can procure some for use in the Imperial Army." Chancellor Slothe pondered for a moment before speaking up.

  "The Chancellor and I are of the same mind. I wonder what you think, Ye Tian?" George IX asked with a smile.

  "I think it's great too!" Yan Tian laughed loudly.

  "Then let Davin attend to it," said George IX.

  "Old monkey, now we have something to drink, right?" Yan Tian said with a smile to Davin.

  "I never took advantage of the Empire, this wine is on you." Davin said with a smile.

  When the flowing cloud woke up, she found an extra quilt on her body.

  "Having another dream." Liú Yún rubbed her face hard to wake herself up.

  Just now, when he was dozing off, Liuyun had another dream about his Moon. He even saw her walking towards him clearly. Immersed in excitement, Liuyun's eyes were filled with hot tears as he hugged her tightly, and the soft, warm, and fragrant feeling made him wish to never wake up from this dream. In the dream, he whispered to her ear about his longing, missing, loneliness, and pain in this world. She just leaned against him quietly listening to him, then softly told him that she hoped he would be stronger and bravely move forward.

  "Yes, I must be stronger. Thinking about it, after I left, she lived strongly too." Liú Yún stepped towards the great hall, just arriving at the entrance when everyone had already come out. After handing over the blanket to the maid, Liú Yún searched for her younger brother and sister and another person's figure in the crowd.

  One on the left and one on the right, two people grasped Flow Cloud's arm.

  "Second brother, how could you just throw us off and leave by yourself?" A Lei's discontented voice sounded in his ear.

  "Yes, Second Brother showed off and then ran away by himself, almost suffocating us inside." Jing Lei also spoke up.

  "Hey, Second Brother must have had too much to drink and ran out to clear his head. If he stayed inside any longer, who knows what other crazy things he would say." Liuyun rubbed his temples, recalling the words he spoke in the great hall, even he thought himself a bit mad.

  "Please stay, Prince Nalundo." Liú Yún shook off the two men's hands and suddenly shouted loudly at a figure.

  Naruto stopped in his tracks and looked around curiously towards where the sound came from.

  Liu Yun walked up and whispered a few words in Nalundao's ear, then Nalundao looked at him with half-doubtful eyes for a moment, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.

  When they came out of the palace, Iverson and Walker had been waiting outside for a long time. Although it was already late, Liu Yun and his party decided to take a stroll on the street to see the beauty of the New Year's Eve in Beijing.

  "Second brother, how do you have a fragrance on your body?" Arei asked in a low voice, sniffing Flow Cloud's body with force. When they came out of the main hall, she had already faintly smelled the light and elegant scent on Flow Cloud's body, and now she finally confirmed it.

  "Oh, really?" Liuyun lifted his sleeve and sniffed, "Indeed it is."

  "Second brother, I think you left the hall to have a secret meeting with which young lady?" Jing Lei said with a smile, looking like a mischievous little ghost.

  Liu Yun thought for a moment, "I was lying on the garden chair to rest, and when I woke up, there was a woolen blanket covering my body. It must have been covered by some passing maid. The fragrance might be from the blanket."