bullyxtreme Chapter 97 Life is full of regrets, like water flowing eastward forever.
Chapter 97 Life is full of regrets, like water flowing eastward forever.
Chapter 97 Life is full of regrets, like water flowing eastward forever.
Although Yangzhou had survived the ravages of war and was not subjected to widespread slaughter, it still exuded a sense of desolation, as if it had survived a catastrophe.
After Zhao Dezhao returned to Yangzhou, his tense nerves finally relaxed, and he fell asleep immediately, sleeping for a whole day and night.
It wasn't until the evening of the following day, when the setting sun streamed into the room through the window, that Zhao Dezhao finally woke up.
He rubbed his throbbing temples, shed his travel-worn clothes, and changed into casual attire before heading straight for the side courtyard on the west side of the government office.
That was where Zhou Ehuang and her sister were imprisoned.
In a room in the side courtyard, candlelight flickered.
Zhou Nuying was tied to a chair to the side. Although there were still tear stains on her face, the initial confusion in her eyes had faded.
She was still young, and her feelings for Li Congjia were mixed with a young girl's admiration, far less profound than her sister's. As her fear and apprehension gradually dissipated, her inherent arrogance and liveliness resurfaced.
Seeing Zhao Dezhao push open the door and enter, her almond-shaped eyes widened, her voice still filled with lingering anger: "You've finally come! Untie me at once! I am a noble lady of the Southern Tang Dynasty, how dare you treat me like this!"
Zhao Dezhao glanced at her but ignored her completely, only calling out towards the door, "Someone come here."
Two maids entered in response and stood to one side with their heads bowed.
"Take her downstairs, untie her ropes, and keep her safe in the study. Do not misbehave."
"No!" Zhou Nüying struggled to get up, but was gently held down by a maid. "I want to stay with my sister! You wicked scoundrel!"
She scolded him petulantly, resisting with both hands and feet, but it was all in vain in front of the two strong maids.
Zhou Ehuang kept her eyes down the whole time, seemingly oblivious to the commotion around her. Only when Zhou Nüying was dragged out the door did her empty eyes twitch slightly, but she still didn't say a word.
Once only the two of them were left in the room, Zhao Dezhao pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Zhou Ehuang.
The candlelight illuminated her disheveled hair, and the dust could not conceal her stunning beauty. Her eyes, which had once been filled with gentle smiles, were now only filled with death and indifference.
The greatest sorrow is a broken heart; nothing is more poignant than this.
Zhao Dezhao broke the silence first, letting out a light laugh, and said pointedly, "I did my best to save you from the fire, and you didn't even say thank you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ehuang finally slowly raised her eyes, a trace of sadness flashing across her gaze as she looked at Zhao Dezhao. Then, she curled her lips into a bitter smile.
She thought she understood what Zhao Dezhao meant.
If it weren't for this battle, she would never have imagined that her usually gentle and sweet-talking husband could be so resolute in the face of life and death!
But in reality, she still didn't understand what Zhao Dezhao meant.
In the public's perception, Zhou Ehuang and Li Congjia, also known as Li Yu, were indeed a deeply loving couple.
But in reality, she, who would later become the Empress of Southern Tang, died a very unjust death.
While Empress Da Zhou was seriously ill, her husband secretly developed feelings for her younger sister and spent every day together.
Historical records state:
Later, when she fell ill, Xiao Zhouhou had already entered the palace. She happened to lift the curtain and saw her, and exclaimed in surprise, "When did you arrive?" Xiao Zhouhou was still young and unaware of the suspicion, so she replied, "Several days ago." The empress was furious and never looked outward until her death.
Therefore, Zhao Dezhao's words were not entirely wrong.
He did indeed save Zhou Ehuang from dire straits.
Seeing that Zhou Ehuang remained silent, Zhao Dezhao added, "Do you think Li Congjia will try everything to ransom you?"
Zhou Ehuang slowly turned her face away, her gaze falling on the flickering candle flame in the corner of the wall. She remained silent, but even though she tried not to think about it, she already had the answer in her heart.
Of course not.
Her father, Zhou Zong, had long since passed away, leaving only her and her younger sister as orphans in the Zhou family. Without family support and all their backing, and further burdened by their capture by enemy forces—
To the future ruler of the Tang Dynasty, she was no longer worthy of being empress, and thus had no value.
Moreover, in the Southern Tang court, countless people were eyeing the position of Crown Princess and even the future Empress. The entire court wished that she would never be able to return, so that their own daughters could fill the vacancy.
Her very existence was a thorn in the side of many people. Now that she has become a prisoner, those people will only try their best to prevent Li Congjia from rescuing her, and may even take the opportunity to slander her and cut off her chance of returning.
Thinking of this, a wave of despair washed over her. If she hadn't been bound by Zhao Dezhao with specially made soft ropes, she probably would have already taken her own life and ended it all.
Zhao Dezhao took in the changes in her expression and naturally guessed what she was thinking. He then slowly asked, "I heard that you and Li Congjia have a son?"
These words struck Zhou Ehuang like a thunderbolt, instantly shattering the numbness in her eyes.
She suddenly looked up at Zhao Dezhao, and for the first time, a strange emotion appeared in her eyes.
For any mother in the world, her children will always be her Achilles' heel.
Zhou Ehuang was perfectly aware that even if Li Congjia was defeated in this battle, he would definitely inherit the throne of Southern Tang in the future. As the eldest son of the legitimate wife, her son was already in the eye of the storm.
In the past, with her protection, they could still live in peace. Now that she has become a prisoner, her son is completely helpless. What will become of him? It goes without saying.
Throughout history, there have been quite a few imperial grandsons who died suddenly.
She remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, her voice hoarse and dry: "What do you think?"
Zhao Dezhao smiled, leaned forward slightly, and said bluntly, "I'll give you two choices. First, if Li Congjia is willing to pay the price, cede territory, pay reparations, and offer up treasures, I will let you go back."
"Secondly, I can find a way to bring your son out of the Southern Tang and protect him for the rest of his life."
"You choose."
The candlelight cast interplay of light and shadow on Zhou Ehuang's face, and she fell into a long silence.
She knew in her heart that she had already become a prisoner, and even if Li Congjia really spent a lot of money to ransom her, it might not be a good thing.
The court and the public will never allow a woman who was captured by the enemy and whose fate is unclear to become the Crown Princess, let alone the future Empress!
At that time, she will lose her position as empress and her power. Not only will she be unable to protect her son, but he will also be ostracized by others.
To frame someone.
After this incident, her relationship with Li Congjia could never return to what it was before.
After a long while, she slowly raised her head, looked directly into Zhao Dezhao's eyes, and asked, "Your conditions?"
"Talking to smart people is simple!"
Zhao Dezhao clapped his hands and laughed, saying meaningfully, "I have heard that the Southern Tang is wealthy, with a full treasury and countless treasures. I would very much like to see it for myself."
Zhou Ehuang was incredibly intelligent, and she immediately understood his intention.
After a moment of silence, he finally nodded: "You mean what you say."
"Your Highness, please rest assured," Zhao Dezhao said with a smile.
On the other side, Zhou Nuying was led by a maid to the study in the backyard.
Upon entering, her face flushed crimson, a mixture of shame and anger. She couldn't help but snap at the maid, "Untie me right now!"
I have no idea how the thief tied the rope so tightly. Not only was it so shameful, but the more I struggled, the tighter it became.
With Zhao Dezhao's order given, the maid dared not delay and quickly stepped forward to cut the rope with a knife.
-
Once freed from the ropes, Zhou Nüying breathed a sigh of relief, stretched her wrists, and then commanded in a spoiled manner, "I'm hungry, go find some food!"
The maidservant acknowledged and withdrew, leaving her alone in the study.
Zhou Nuying originally wanted to take the opportunity to find a chance to escape, but seeing the guards waiting outside the study, she could only purse her lips in frustration and turn around to wander around the study.
On the desk in the study was a stack of Xuan paper with some faint writing on it. Curious, she picked it up and gently unfolded it.
I've heard that spring is still beautiful at Shuangxi, and I intend to take a light boat there, but I fear the small boat on Shuangxi cannot bear the weight of so much sorrow—
After reading the sentence, Zhou Nuying was stunned.
Unlike her sister, who was skilled in music, she was interested in poetry from a young age.
The reason I admire Li Congjia so much is because he is exceptionally talented; his poem "Huajian Ci" is almost unparalleled in the literary world of Jiangnan.
But only after seeing this phrase today did she realize what it meant to have heavens beyond heavens.
Her idea wasn't wrong.
After all, Li Congjia had not yet experienced the pain of national subjugation at this time, and his writings were only about romance and nature, so he naturally could not write such timeless masterpieces.
"Do not say it is not heartbreaking; the west wind rolls up the curtain, and the person is thinner than a yellow flower—"
"In my drunken stupor, I pick up my lamp to examine my sword; in my dreams, I hear the bugles echoing through the camps—"
As she read through the poems, Zhou Nuying's eyes grew increasingly shocked, and a storm raged within her.
In her view, these poems are all exquisite and moving; any one of them could become a timeless masterpiece.
The sorrow and integrity conveyed in those words are something that no ordinary writer could have captured.
She flipped through the Xuan paper, and the last poem caught her eye, making her freeze in shock: "The flowers have faded, spring's beauty gone too soon; helpless against the morning's cold rain and the evening's wind."
"Tears of rouge, lingering in drunkenness, when will we meet again? Life is inherently full of regrets, like water flowing eastward forever."
'
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After reading it, Zhou Nüying remained silent for a long time, her eyes instantly reddening.
Since Cuiping Mountain was abandoned, all the grievances, fears, and disappointments that had accumulated in my heart burst forth in front of this poem.
"Life is inherently filled with regrets, like water flowing eastward forever—"
She kept repeating this sentence to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks, dripping onto the rice paper and blurring the ink.
It wasn't until the maidservant pushed open the door with the wine and dishes that Zhou Nuying realized what was happening. She quickly and carefully folded the piece of Xuan paper and put it in her bosom.
She didn't know who wrote the poem.
But she really wanted to meet this person.
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