Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]-Chapter 118: Buds of A Marigold — XIII

[Bonus 3]

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Watching the empty husk of the man he had loved so deeply that it hurt to even think of him, Li Xinyuan — to some extent — understood what was the type of love Hu Lijing had for Long ZhenHai, and how could he not, the said man had been a sweetheart if everything that Hu Lijing told him was not a lie.

So yes, watching the lifeless, soulless husk of that man, watching his corpse burn up to cinders as the flames that had birthed the nine-tailed fox spirit devoured his lover, swallowing and swallowing; plundering and incinerating him until there was left nothing of him but the drifting smoke and cooling ashes.

The surgeon’s heart ached fiercely as he watched the look on Hu Lijing’s face, the raw heartbreak and sheer agony, not to mention the wet glimmer of barely concealed tears blanketed under the thin and trembling veil of his eyelids whilst the long lashes, laden heavy with tears, shook ever so softly.

Alas, as times have proven far too many times, eventuality must always come to pass. The ever moving wheel of time always held little care for the misgivings of all beings, its meandering unobstructed.

As they left the realm, Hu Lijing, barely composed himself enough to open up a portal for their exit, spoke not a word, his hands wrapped around a silver urn, his fingers splayed on it, strength concealed and his grasp around it ginger as can be. His body trembled still, arms shaking with tremors of his withheld rue.

Watching him in silence, the surgeon occasionally spared the silver urn a glance or two. Every time he saw Hu Lijing’s arms tremble, he felt as though his own heart trembled too. With every shake, he feared for the worst, worrying silently over the nine-tailed fox’s well being as well as keeping an eye on the urn should the fox spirit drop it by accident.

Fortunately for both of their mental well-being, Hu Lijing did not drop the urn.

It had been a draining ordeal, Li Xinyuan could feel the strain of the cross-realm travel weigh down on his person. He sat heavily, a sigh dropping off his lips as he leaned back on his arms, refraining from making a noise too loud.

Cautiously, he stole a glance at his mourning companion, the dull pallor of Hu Lijing’s face not escaping his notice as he pursed his lips together into a thin line. Several times, his mouth moved, lips opening and closing in hesitation. Ultimately, he uttered not a word for some time

Just silently, he observed, golden eyes watching with slight sympathy as the fox spirit hugged the urn to his chest, now holding it tightly as if he was afraid it might disappear should his grasp loosen. Li Xinyuan pursed his lips, unable to look away nor watch more.

It was a heartbreaking sight to see.

Hu Lijing’s amber hair spilled forward, curtaining his face without a care, though even through the thicket of those locks, the surgeon could make out the tightly pressed line of his pale lips.

Just a moment ago it seemed as though Hu Lijing — a creature of flames through and through — was being scalded by merely touching the silver urn with his hands alone, it had appeared as if the heat from the ashes within it were unbearably hot. But now, as he embraced the urn as if his life depended upon it, it seemed farthest from it.

Li Xinyuan gave him time to grieve, to stew in the rue that plagued his heart. But eventually, the silence became unbearable. Thus, against his better judgement, Li Xinyuan broke the silence as his lips parted, his words accompanied by a soft sigh, his words spoken lacked in levity.

"Lijing, say, rather than going back and simply staying with the Divine Phoenix, would you like to accompany me around JiangHu?" He paused, giving his words some more thought before adding. "I think roaming around for the time being rather than simply staying in one place would be better for both of us. What I intend to say is that both of us would benefit with some fresh air."

A few moments passed, Hu Lijing said nothing, the surgeon wasn’t too sure if the fox spirit was even listening to him, if at all. Not minding it, however, Li Xinyuan continued to speak as if he was holding a conversation with himself, not letting the silence bother him. At least on the surface.

When even after a long pause, the surgeon did not receive an answer, he couldn’t help but sigh. He had expected Hu Lijing to be despondent, but not to this extent. Thus, instead of pushing the matter, he shook his head slightly and murmured. "It’s okay, you don’t have to give me an answer immediately. You can slowly think it over and then inform me of your decision." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

While it might seem insensitive of him, trying to strike a conversation with a grieving man: but all Li Xinyuan wanted was to do something that might help take Hu Lijing’s mind off the urn he was holding so close to himself. If the surgeon was able to take off his mind from all the grief, even if partially, he would be relieved.

And just like that, in a blink of an eye, another night passed by, the subdued hues of the darkened veil melting away to draw a path for the first streak of the daybreak.

When Li Xinyuan awoke, his eyelids fluttered open in a slow motion, to clear away the fog of his vision, he blinked a few times, a quiet groan dying at his throat as he stretched his arms above himself, rolling his neck and shoulders as he sat up from the grass, the scent of the nature around them assaulted his nose immediately, forcing a sneeze out of him.

When did he fall asleep...?

But sooner than later, his eyes fell on Hu Lijing who loomed above him, eyes hooded and lips pursed.

Overall, he seemed to have come down from the roller coaster of emotions that he had been riding on the first row the previous night. He looked a lot more calm, his complexion had somewhat restored to normal.

"You seemed to have slept soundly, Master." This man! He even had the gall to say that so sarcastically.

However, this attitude of his caused a huge tidal wave of relief to wash over Li Xinyuan. Not that he had any plans of overtly expressing them. Instead, the surgeon snorted, sending a stink eye up, aiming it towards the nine-tailed fox spirit as he let out and covered a yawn behind his palm.

"Why, yes—" Li Xinyuan nodded, letting his unabashedly judgemental eyes rake over the fox spirit’s face "—I had quite the fulfilling sleep. You, on the other hand—" he stood up, dusting off the blades of grass clinging to his clothes and looked at the grim-looking dark circles around the amber-haired man’s eyes, accompanied tastefully by some heavy eyebags. Overnight, the latter seemed to have turned decades older "—forget it." he waved.

He was not about to make fun of Hu Lijing’s state. Instead, he asked, failing to fully keep the notes of concern out of his voice. "Are you feeling well now?"

Hu Lijing simply flashed him a smile filled with fatigue and self-derision. "I cannot say that I’m quite well just yet, but I will be. Eventually."

Seeing that the nine-tailed fox spirit didn’t want to say much else, Li Xinyuan nodded in understanding and nodded, ready to leave the matter behind them for the time being.

He turned around, folding his arms behind himself and made his way towards the river wanting to take a dip. Just as he took a few steps towards the riverbank, with his reflection on the water within sight, he let out a yawn; only to swallow it down at Hu Lijing’s question.

"Master... Were you serious when you said you wish to roam around Jianghu?"

Li Xinyuan looked over his shoulder and nodded firmly, standing just at the edge of the running water. "By all means."

Hu Lijing rubbed his face and nodded in silent contemplation. "Is it because you might not be as free to go out once you are married?"

Li Xinyuan slipped and fell into the water with a great splash. "Where did that come from?!"