AMLFS Chapter 74
by VolareThe next morning, Song Huaixi was awakened by a burst of noise.
Sitting on the bed, Song Huaixi listened to the sounds outside with some confusion.
He looked around the room, but no one was there.
He tried calling out twice, “Chun Hua, Zhao Lu!”
No one responded. He glanced out the window and saw that the sun was already high in the sky. Usually, Chun Hua and Zhao Lu would be in the room serving him at this hour.
Today, something was unusual.
He got out of bed and walked to the door, preparing to open it, when it was pushed open from the outside.
The spring sunlight poured in.
Song Huaixi took a half-step back. After his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw the person standing before him clearly.
“Zhao Fangye…”
A sudden pang hit his nose, and tears fell without warning.
Song Huaixi seemed still somewhat disbelieving, rubbing his eyes as he looked at the familiar, tall figure before him.
He wondered if he was still dreaming: “Zhao Fangye… you… you’re back?…”
Zhao Fangye looked down at his tearful eyes, reaching out to gently wipe them away.
His tender voice entered Song Huaixi’s ears, bringing a sense of reality: “Yes, I’m back. Huaixi.”
“Zhao Fangye!”
It wasn’t a dream! He really was back!
Song Huaixi threw himself into Zhao Fangye’s arms, his voice choked with sobs.
The worry, helplessness, and fear of the past few days finally had an outlet.
Song Huaixi cried in his embrace, his voice coming out in broken fragments. It was enough to break Zhao Fangye’s heart: “Waa… Zhao Fangye… you’re back… boo… I was so scared…”
“I’m back, Huaixi. It’s my fault for being late, I’m sorry.” Zhao Fangye held Song Huaixi, leading him into the room.
He looked at the person in his arms, crying until he was gasping for breath, his eyes swollen and red like walnuts.
Zhao Fangye felt a dense, aching pain in his heart.
That night, when he pinned Song Huaixi beneath him and asked if he wanted to be a vase or a prince’s consort, he had already foreseen the dangers Song Huaixi would face by staying by his side.
But he was so despicable. Even knowing what entangling with Song Huaixi would entail, he couldn’t bring himself to stay away from those innocent eyes that only held him. Instead, he chose to drag him into the abyss.
If it weren’t for him, the Song family wouldn’t have suffered such a disaster. Song Huaixi wouldn’t have had to endure all this, and would still be an innocent young man.
“Good boy, don’t cry.”
Zhao Fangye settled him on the soft couch. He knelt down in front of him, holding his hand and comforting him in a low voice. His eyes were filled with heartache.
After a long while, Song Huaixi finally managed to vent all the grievances he had been holding in for the past few days.
He stopped crying, hiccuping as he said, “Zhao Fangye… Father, Mother, and Brother… can you bring them out? There’s so much blood in there… it’s so scary…”
“Yes.” Zhao Fangye didn’t hesitate at all, but then he added, “I will bring your parents and brother out. But you must promise me one thing.”
Zhao Fangye’s sharp eyebrows were etched with fatigue as his gaze fell on the red corners of Song Huaixi’s eyes. He reached out and gently caressed his face, filled with reluctance: “Huaixi, can you go to the Northwest and wait for me?”
“Northwest?”
Song Huaixi was stunned. He had heard from his parents that the Northwest was very far away.
He grabbed Zhao Fangye’s hand, feeling confused and anxious: “Why? I don’t want to go. I want to be with you…”
The Song family had been accused of treason and collaboration with the enemy. The Ministry of Punishments would not release them so easily. Moreover, this was all a conspiracy against the Song family.
With the situation already set, there was no room for change. Besides, their original goal was to use Song Zigen to smear him. The Song family was merely a pawn in their scheme to target Zhao Fangye.
If Zhao Fangye wanted to save the Song family, it would undoubtedly confirm his own rebellious intentions.
This would be tantamount to declaring war on the imperial court.
Before that, he had to settle Song Huaixi. Song Huaixi was his weakness and constraint. Only if Song Huaixi was safe would Zhao Fangye have no worries.
“Huaixi, listen to me.”
Seeing that he was about to cry again, Zhao Fangye got up and sat beside him, comforting him.
“The Northwest is my fiefdom. Only if you are safe can I save your parents and brother without any worries. Be good, go first, and I will bring them out and come find you immediately.”
Seeing Zhao Fangye’s serious expression, Song Huaixi knew that there was no room for negotiation. Tears welled up in his eyes again.
He had only just seen Zhao Fangye.
Why did they have to separate again?
He hugged Zhao Fangye tightly around the waist, resting his head on his chest. Song Huaixi’s voice was filled with deep attachment: “Do I really have to go? But you just came back… I don’t want to… leave…”
Reaching out, Zhao Fangye cupped his lowered face and kissed his swollen eyelids.
Zhao Fangye’s heart was also filled with reluctance: “Be good, your safety is more important than anything. Don’t cry, Huaixi. I promise you, this is the only time. We will never be separated again.”
Since there were so many obstacles standing in their way, he would flatten them all. His eyes shouldn’t be tainted by the filth of this world.
This time, it was his mistake. He should have been vigilant when he noticed people from the Crown Prince’s faction frequently appearing near his study. He didn’t expect that they would fail to frame him, and instead caused the Song Minister to suffer an undeserved disaster.
“Really? Don’t lie to me.”
Song Huaixi looked up, his dark eyes reflecting the outline of Zhao Fangye’s face.
Although Zhao Fangye looked somewhat tired, his eyes were still gentle: “Huaixi, when have I ever lied to you?”
Hearing this, Song Huaixi still felt very sad. But he knew that Zhao Fangye must be doing this for his own good.
He understood that he didn’t know anything, and couldn’t do anything if he stayed here. Zhao Fangye was definitely doing this for his sake. Thinking of this, Song Huaixi wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve.
He couldn’t cry. His father had said that crying was a sign of weakness. He had to be strong.
Song Huaixi lowered his head, resting himself in Zhao Fangye’s arms again: “Alright then, I’ll be good. When will I leave? Is the Northwest very far?”
Kissing the top of his head, Zhao Fangye felt that he was so well-behaved that it broke his heart: “You’ll leave today. The sooner you leave, the sooner I can save the Song family. The Northwest is very far. Huaixi will have to endure the hardships of the journey.”
“Today…”
Song Huaixi hadn’t expected the time to be so rushed. He leaned in his arms, gripping his clothes tightly, his fingertips turning white.
He tried hard to restrain himself from crying.
After a long while, Song Huaixi finally raised his head. His eyes were still teary: “I understand, I’ll be good. Zhao Fangye, I’ll wait for you.”
Zhao Fangye’s light-colored eyes flickered as he lowered his head and kissed his lips. The longing of many days apart and the reluctance of the upcoming separation were both sealed in the kiss.
But they didn’t have time to linger. Every day of delay meant more danger for the Song family.
Chun Hua and Zhao Lu had packed all the necessary items and entered the room to report.
Zhao Fangye was feeding Song Huaixi.
A faint sense of sadness permeated between the two. Song Huaixi lowered his head and ate the porridge that Zhao Fangye fed him in silence. The tear stains on his face hadn’t dried yet, glistening on his fair skin.
“Your Highness, everything is ready.”
“Okay, call Deputy General Sun in.”
With everything prepared, Zhao Fangye led Song Huaixi out the door.
As they passed the courtyard gate, Little Wolf came up to him, wagging its tail and circling around Song Huaixi’s feet. Seeing it, Song Huaixi’s low mood improved a little.
He bent down to pick up Little Wolf and said to Zhao Fangye, “Zhao Fangye, can I take Little Wolf with me?”
Chun Hua and Zhao Lu, who were following behind, hesitated to speak. It might be a bit troublesome to travel with a dog.
Song Huaixi’s wet eyes were full of pleading, which softened Zhao Fangye’s heart. He nodded, “As you wish, take it with you.”
After putting Song Huaixi on the carriage and watching him leave, Zhao Fangye immediately summoned his personal troops.
A coldness filled Zhao Fangye’s eyes. Since the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s faction were so worried about him plotting treason day and night, then he might as well do it! It was time for the world to change masters!