"You, you said..." the boy's voice was hoarse and difficult, "If I'm alive, you can take me away."
The boy's head must have been hit. Blood flowed down his forehead and into his eyes. His expression was unchanged, his ink-black eyes fixed on Shen Yue.
Shen Yue found it amusing. She had never promised the boy she would take him away, only that she would find him after his illness had healed. This could only be considered an empty promise. Given the boy's status, it was impossible for him to meet someone like Shen Yue. He would likely have been mistaken for a beggar and driven away at the gate.
Shen Yue had only been acting on a whim at the time, and had forgotten about it days later.
Yet, the boy, with sheer perseverance, had found his way to Chang'an City. Moreover, judging by his appearance, he must have known Shen Yue was in this carriage, which was why he deliberately rushed forward.
He did have a sharp mind.
Regardless, he had managed to capture Shen Yue's attention.
The carriage curtain was pulled aside, revealing the face of the person sitting inside. Dressed in a dark xuanyi robe, she leaned back lazily. Her long, slender eyelashes were thick and curled, and the tear mole on her face resembled a dab of cinnabar. The warm light seemed to fall on her ethereally, as if she were a deity from the heavens, pitying all beings.
"Come here."
The boy blinked slowly. His face had been set in a stern expression all along. Despite his young age, his towering aura was formidable and bloodthirsty, his eyes like those of a wolf.
When Shen Yue actually called him over, his face was anxious. After a moment's hesitation, he bent and entered the carriage.
The boy was a wanderer; from birth, he had been an abandoned soul.
He had never seen the resplendent imperial palace before. No matter how mature he was for his age, arriving in such a grand place made him somewhat constrained.
A noble, elegant person in a deep robe took his dirty hand.
Her eyes held a faint smile, her dark, moist eyes as tranquil as a lake in autumn.
"From now on, you will be called Huo Dao."
Huo Dao was the first name he received in this life.
—
Huo Dao began to live a life he had never even dared to imagine. He no longer had to endure the cold, hunger, or fight wild dogs for food.
No one dared to verbally or physically abuse him anymore.
In addition, someone specifically taught him martial arts.
Fu An, who always stayed by Shen Yue's side, had never treated him kindly. When handing him over to the secret guards, he had coldly instructed them to "take good care of him."
This was, of course, no ordinary care.
But Huo Dao was a child who had grown up with the wolf king. Bloodlust and brutality emanated from his very bones. In just a few short months, he had surpassed the teacher who taught him martial arts.
His height also increased dramatically, and he grew considerably taller.
—
Because of that absurd night in Xuzhou, Cheng Qian Gong had not slept well for several months. He felt he had not done enough, yet for someone like Shen Yue, it seemed to be what she deserved.
But Shen Yue was, after all, a woman...
Even recalling it now filled him with shock, yet it also felt inevitable. For some reason, a surge of anger ignited in his chest.
Shen Yue was a woman, and so beautiful... She was surrounded by burly guards. If, by any chance, she was discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.
If he were to tell the Crown Prince about this, it would be Shen Yue's fatal weakness. He was aligned with the Crown Prince's faction and should have reported this matter truthfully, yet he had never entertained such a thought.
Because he knew that if the Emperor found out, Shen Yue's fate would be certain death.
The scene from that night resurfaced in his mind.
Red lips, white skin, the sweet scent of sweat, and that luxurious, hoarse voice, calling his name over and over again.
"She brought it upon herself,"
Cheng Qian Gong thought to himself, appearing outwardly calm.
A foreign restlessness slithered through Cheng Qian Gong's body like a venomous snake. His ears turned subtly red. He desperately suppressed this impulse, clenching his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms.
But...
He felt he might have gone too far.
Cheng Qian Gong had not seen Shen Yue for several days during court sessions and began to worry. However, when she finally returned to court, he started to avoid her, not even daring to meet her gaze.
After the court session, Cheng Qian Gong was summoned by the Crown Prince to the East Palace to discuss some matters. Unknowingly, a long time passed. As he walked along a familiar path, Cheng Qian Gong suddenly felt a hint of hidden anticipation.
His gaze uncontrollably drifted towards the hibiscus tree. The flowers were budding but not yet fully open, resembling roses. The hibiscus bloomed abundantly, and the cicadas chirped in the deep midsummer.
It was a pity that there was no one beneath the tree to admire the flowers.
A sudden, overwhelming sense of loss that Cheng Qian Gong found inexplicable washed over him. He composed himself and regained his composure. Just as he was about to leave, behind the rocky outcrops where willow catkins danced, he saw a familiar figure, and his steps suddenly halted.
"Fourth Brother, little turtle needs more sunlight to grow."
Shen Yao Jin's innocent and cheerful voice was filled with great joy.
Shen Yue had very few close companions; only this simpleton particularly enjoyed clinging to her.
Shen Yao Jin had been beaten by the Crown Prince, his face bruised and swollen, and he dared not see Shen Yue. This was the only thing he could do for his Fourth Brother. He didn't want to disappoint his Fourth Brother, and as soon as his injuries healed, he joyfully came to find Shen Yue.
Shen Yue understood the entire situation and knew that beneath the simpleton's clothes were many unhealed bruises.
After all, he was just a simpleton and posed no great threat, while also frustrating the Crown Prince. Shen Yue's demeanor towards the simpleton softened slightly.
This left Shen Yao Jin almost overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Turtles live in water," Shen Yue said, propping her chin with one hand, gazing down at the motionless turtle lying on the ground. She then looked at the inexplicably happy Shen Yao Jin, calling him a "simpleton."
Although her tone was casual, it lacked its previous coldness and malice.
Cheng Qian Gong knew he should leave, but he had never heard Shen Yue speak with such gentleness. For a moment, he forgot to move.
Shen Yao Jin was innocent and cheerful. Previously, Shen Yue had been cold, often scolding and hitting him, so he didn't dare to get too close, fearing he would anger her. However, recently, he had clearly noticed that Shen Yue was treating him a little better. Shen Yao Jin was the type to seize any opportunity, especially when given an inch. In just a few days, his dependence on Shen Yue deepened, and he began to act spoiled without realizing it.
Shen Yue maintained a cold expression, her eyelashes long and curled, her eyes indifferent. However, she did not resist the simpleton's closeness, as if offering a silent form of tolerance.
A few flower petals landed on her black silk robe embroidered with golden lotuses; she casually brushed them away.
The petals fell onto her ink-black hair, adorning it and filling the air with fragrance.