BLPSG Chapter 41: Irrevocable betrayal

*Wipes sweat out of eyes*  Y’all can stop com…. Thank you Jujü女王Joō for the Kofi! Enjoy the triple-updatesssss! (ᵕ—ᗜ—)

 

In the solemn imperial tomb of Suzhou, where the sky seemed distant and the emperor even farther away, the guards stationed there would casually speak their minds when they had nothing else to do. Xie Bufeng had long grown numb to their crude remarks.

 

But now, he couldn’t even bring himself to utter a single ambiguous word in front of the person before him.

 

Xie Bufeng wanted Wen Qingci to know that his feelings weren’t purely platonic.

 

Yet, he feared that Wen Qingci would find out and refuse.

 

His mind raced, and in the end, he cautiously asked how he should proceed.

 

However, as he voiced this question, Xie Bufeng recalled Wen Qingci’s previous words: “I have no interest in so-called romantic entanglements. My heart is devoted solely to medicine. There are no other thoughts now, and I won’t have any other thoughts in the future.”

 

The first time he heard that statement, he felt relieved and faintly joyful. But now, it cut like a sword, piercing back at him.

 

His blood seemed to freeze in his veins.

He said nothing, opting to maintain the status quo, blending into Wen Qingci’s life, and staying by his side. Perhaps that was the best choice.

 

But Xie Bufeng was never one to settle.

 

He refused to bury his desires deep within his heart.

 

As he spoke, Xie Bufeng’s gaze remained fixed on Wen Qingci.

 

Wen Qingci instinctively wanted to feign ignorance and avoid the question, but the proximity between them was too close.

 

Every word the young man uttered landed clearly in Wen Qingci’s ears.

 

A brief silence allowed anxiety to spread rapidly within Xie Bufeng’s heart.

 

He clung to the hand beside him, feeling it weaken.

 

Only those amber eyes remained fixed on Wen Qingci.

 

Xie Bufeng’s words were unlike those of someone who would casually ask such a question without reason.

 

…Unless he had truly fallen for another man.

 

This subplot didn’t exist in the original work.

 

In “Supporting the Ming Hall,” the final big boss, Xie Bufeng, was a tool among tools, focused solely on his career and devoid of emotions.

 

Not to mention “liking men,” he hadn’t even experienced familial affection.

 

The variables of two lifetimes played out within him.

 

Wen Qingci’s breath faltered.

 

Unlike the original, where Xie Bufeng kept to himself, this time, since entering the palace, he had been constantly by Wen Qingci’s side. They were nearly inseparable.

 

…Except for Wen Qingci, Xie Bufeng had barely interacted with anyone else.

 

Let alone falling for someone.

 

Wait!

 

Wen Qingci wasn’t a narcissist. He instinctively wanted to refute this speculation.

 

But the next second, he clearly saw his own reflection in Xie Bufeng’s eyes.

 

Accompanying that reflection was a hint of caution and imperceptible vulnerability.

 

Wen Qingci’s heart ached.

 

…Is it possible for him to escape from the plot?

 

Is it possible not to follow the original script and send Xie Bufeng to the battlefield?

 

All the recent events flashed through Wen Qingci’s mind like a movie.

 

Then he realized:

 

Since the day he stood up in the court and revealed that the Third Prince had indeed brought a beast trap into the palace during the community festival and injured Xie Bufeng…he had become entangled in the court’s whirlpool. The Emperor now regarded him as a trusted confidant, and there was no turning back.

 

With his understanding of the plot, Wen Qingci can always “guess” the emperor’s thoughts, give him satisfactory answers, and say what he wants to say but cannot.

 

Over time, the emperor has come to regard this as normal.

 

Never mind that he couldn’t prevent the Emperor from making any decisions.

 

If he acted “abnormally” or “out of character” due to Xie Bufeng, it would raise the Emperor’s suspicions and unease.

 

At that point, the Emperor might change his plans and directly kill Xie Bufeng.

 

And then, the young man’s last chance at survival would vanish.

 

Wen Qingci belatedly realized that he might have embarked on an irreversible path.

 

…Perhaps from the very beginning, he shouldn’t have been so kind to Xie Bufeng.

 

That way, the subsequent events wouldn’t seem so cruel to him.

 

In his previous life, Wen Qingci had already reached his sophomore year.

 

But he was so focused on studying that he had no romantic experience.

 

Now, facing Xie Bufeng, Wen Qingci had no idea what to do.

 

As someone destined to betray him, perhaps he should keep his distance?

 

In a split second, countless thoughts raced through Wen Qingci’s mind.

 

He made a rational decision, even though he had overlooked one crucial aspect: what kind of feelings he truly harbored for Xie Bufeng.

 

Wen Qingci smiled gently at Xie Bufeng.

 

Pretending not to understand the implied meaning, he deftly changed the subject: “Your Highness, liking someone of the same sex is no different from liking someone of the opposite sex. Don’t overthink it, just let things unfold naturally.”

 

“Let things unfold…” Xie Bufeng suddenly smiled and slowly loosened his fingers.

 

What answer was he hoping for just now?

 

The young man’s nose suddenly felt slightly sour.

 

He wanted to tell Wen Qingci that what he disdained most was to let things take their own course.

 

But facing the gentle gaze of the person in front of him, he couldn’t utter a word.

 

A little bit of indescribable bitterness spread in his heart.

 

Xie Bufeng was once grateful and happy that Wen Qingci treated him as “an ordinary person among millions of people”, but now he feels unwilling about it.

 

He wanted to be the most special one in Wen Qingci’s heart.

 

Wen Qingci’s words were like a gust of wind.

 

Not only did it fail to extinguish Xie Bufeng’s anger, it even made it even more crazy.

 

“…It’s getting late,” Wen Qingci looked up at the sky, “I’m going to see His Majesty in a while. If Your Highness has nothing else to do, I’ll leave first.” Wen Qingci said softly.

 

Wen Qingci exerted a little force and freed his wrist from Xie Bufeng’s shackles.

 

He didn’t dare look back at the young man behind him and hurriedly walked out of the garden.

 

From the corner of my eye he could see the young man’s hand still suspended in the air, and he could vaguely see the wool bracelet hidden under his sleeve.

 

Xie Bufeng seemed to cherish it very much, and until now, the bracelet has not been stained with any other color.

 

As white as the clouds in the sky.

 

Wen Qingci subconsciously touched his wrist. He wanted to hold the medicine jade tightly to cover up the nervousness and anxiety in his heart.

 

Then he remembered that he had just used it to tie up Xie Bufeng’s hair.

 

There was something missing from his wrist, and Wen Qingci’s heart suddenly felt empty.

 

He was determined to keep a distance from Xie Bufeng, so of course he couldn’t go back and ask for the medicine jade back.

 

After much thought, he can only wait until he return to the Valley of divine physicians in the future to make another string.

 

*

 

After arriving at Songxiu Mansion, Consort Lan felt a little unwell.

 

Not only did she suffer from insomnia, but she also had a loss of appetite.

 

Wen Qingci was not the only imperial physician accompanying the emperor on his southern tour, but he was the only one living in this mansion.

 

After taking the emperor’s pulse, Wen Qingci was taken to Consort Lan’s residence by Ming Liu.

 

“…There’s nothing wrong with Consort Lan’s health, she just has some difficulty adjusting to the climate here,” Wen Qingci put his finger down, picked up the pen and began to write a prescription. “She should feel better after taking the Li Pi Que Zhan Decoction,” he said softly.

 

Consort Lan nodded and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

 

After hearing Wen Qingci say that there was nothing serious, the wet nurse standing beside her finally handed Xie Fuyin, who was babbling non-stop, to her.

 

Although the little princess is young, she has a good memory.

 

She seemed to recognize Wen Qingci and smiled at the imperial physician dressed in moon-white.

 

She playfully poked her cheek and casually chatted: “We’ve arrived at Songxiu Manor. Wen Xiansheng, Would you like to visit your home or pay respects?”

 

Before Wen Qingci could respond, she asked, “By the way, I still don’t know the exact location of your home within Songxiu Prefecture.”

 

Wen Qingci’s hand, busy writing a prescription, paused involuntarily.

 

Throughout their southern journey, the Consort Lan had subtly inquired about his family, which posed a challenge for Wen Qingci, who lacked past memories.

 

Fortunately, he could answer this question.

 

He smiled and replied, “It’s a small village near Eryan Mountain.”

 

In a moment of unconsciousness, Wen Qingci glimpsed a childhood memory of the original owner collecting herbs with family on the mountain.

 

Before arriving at Songxiu Prefecture, he had no idea where it was. Now he realized that the nearby area consisted solely of Eryan Mountain.

 

With that, Wen Qingci lowered his head and continued writing the prescription.

 

Unnoticed by him, the Consort  Lan’s face turned pale at his words.

 

Only when the little princess in her arms began to cry did she realize that she had unintentionally held the child too tightly.

 

“It’s alright,” the Consort Lan soothed the little girl’s arm, hiding her strange expression behind a smile.

 

As Wen Qingci left with his medicine box, he coincidentally encountered Xie Bufeng, who had been summoned by the Consort  Lan.

 

In that fleeting moment, Xie Bufeng nodded at him as usual.

 

Then he swiftly departed, leaving no trace behind, like a passing breeze.

 

Hearing footsteps, Mingliu set down the pastries and informed the Consort Lan, “Your Highness has arrived.”

 

The Consort Lan looked toward the entrance and smiled, saying, “These pastries were sent by Songxiu Manor. Your Highness, please try them and see if you like them.”

 

Back in the Taishu Palace, Xie Bufeng had deliberately instructed the Consort Lan to maintain distance to avoid arousing the Emperor’s suspicions.

 

However, after the southern journey, the Emperor had other concerns.

 

Sensing Xie Bufeng’s subtle changes, the Consort Lan gradually altered her relationship with the young man.

 

“Come,” Xie Bufeng approached, and only then did he notice that the Consort Lan had been looking at a map.

 

Seeing Xie Bufeng’s gaze, Consort Lan’s smile suddenly faded.

 

“Please sit, Your Highness,” she sighed softly. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

 

After Mingliu served tea and discreetly exited with her attendants, the room darkened, leaving only the Consort Lan and Xie Bufeng.

 

She handed him the map, and Xie Bufeng saw that she had circled a half-circle on the southwest side.

 

“What place is this?” he asked.

 

The Consort Lan took a sip of tea. “This is where Physician Wen’s family resides.”

 

At those three words, Xie Bufeng’s heart trembled.

 

Suppressing the odd emotions, he focused on the map.

 

The Consort Lan held the most detailed and accurate version, marking not only the topography but also every village and station.

 

The place she had sketched, however, was devoid of anything.

 

The young man couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

 

Seeing Xie Bufeng’s expression, Consort Lan knew he had also realized something was amiss.

 

Then, Consort Lan retrieved a local chronicle from the side and quickly flipped through it. “Your Highness, look,” she said, “not only is there nothing on the map, but there’s also no record of it here.”

 

Her tone unintentionally rose, her voice suddenly tense, sounding somewhat nervous.

 

For days, Consort Lan had been poring over maps and chronicles, meticulously noting their contents.

 

In her memory, there were no inhabitants near Eryan Mountain.

 

After Wen Qingci left, she immediately verified this by examining books and documents.

 

Perhaps influenced by Consort Lan’s emotions, Xie Bufeng’s mood suddenly became anxious.

 

Countless jumbled thoughts surged in his mind, but the young man struggled to pinpoint the key issue.

 

“… What does Mother mean?” he asked.

 

Consort Lan snapped the book shut. “Your Highness, do you remember when I asked Physician Wen about his family?” she inquired.

 

Xie Bufeng nodded. “I do.”

 

“I asked him several more times afterward,” Consort Lan continued, “and only then confirmed that all of Physician Wen’s family members are indeed deceased, leaving only him.”

 

“Today, I discovered that the place he mentioned doesn’t even have traces of a village ever existing,” Consort Lan’s palms grew slightly sweaty as she spoke. “This means not only his family but the entire village has perished, even their existence erased completely…”

 

Her emotions escalated as she continued.

 

Taking a sip of tea, she regained her composure. “Only the Emperor could accomplish such a thing.”

 

In other words, Wen Qingci’s family’s deaths were directly related to the Emperor.

 

“Back in Songxiu Prefecture, significant events must have occurred…” Consort Lan trailed off.

 

“Why would he still trust Wen Qingci enough to invite him to the palace?” Xie Bufeng referred to the Emperor as “he.”

 

Consort Lan shook her head. “When Physician Wen entered the palace, he only claimed to be from Songxiu Prefecture, and the Valley of Divine Physicians was nearby. The Emperor likely subconsciously regarded him as someone who grew up in the valley. After all, the Valley of Divine physicians rarely interacts with the outside world, and the valley master wouldn’t accept outsiders as disciples.”

 

At this point, Consort Lan, who was unaware that “Wen Qingci” had already switched identities, felt a hint of confusion.

 

The Emperor was naturally suspicious, and whether or not he believed Wen Qingci’s story of growing up in the valley, he would investigate the man’s background.

 

When Wen Qingci entered the palace, he must have disguised himself.

 

But why did he truthfully answer her questions several times?

 

After a moment of silence, Xie Bufeng suddenly asked, “Did Mother summon him here just to ask about this?”

 

Unconsciously, his voice softened, carrying deep concern.

 

… Xie Bufeng seemed overly reliant on Wen Qingci.

 

While Consort Lan was grateful to Wen Qingci for saving her life, her primary concern was her own flesh and blood—normal maternal instincts.

 

Handing a pastry to Xie Bufeng, she didn’t directly answer his question but instead cautioned him, “I merely wanted to remind Your Highness that Physician Wen’s purpose in entering the palace is far from simple, and his intentions are unfathomable. After all, you… are the Emperor’s biological child. Be cautious in your interactions with him.”

 

Her tone conveyed her difficulty in saying this.

 

After speaking, she cautiously observed Xie Bufeng.

 

The young man’s expression remained unchanged.

 

He simply touched the rope bracelet on his wrist.

 

Xie Bufeng instinctively wanted to refute Consort Lan’s words, but then he suddenly realized… he had only heard Wen Qingci’s inner thoughts once.

 

Even then, Wen Qingci had focused on the situation rather than the person.

 

Despite knowing each other for so long, Xie Bufeng had never sensed any hint of resentment from Wen Qingci toward the Emperor.

 

Even when Wen Qingci diligently cared for the Emperor’s health, despite their irreconcilable enmity.

 

What kind of person is Wen Qingci, really?

 

Consort Lan’s well-intentioned reminder had unexpectedly left Xie Bufeng deeply unsettled.

 

As if something was gradually spiraling out of control.

 

The medicinal jade in his hair emitted a faint bitter fragrance, carried by the breeze to his nostrils.

 

At least for now, nothing happened…

 

Smelling the familiar scent, Xie Bufeng’s anxious heart finally calmed down a little.