C211

"Ugh!" Zhao Qingyan choked on a few mouthfuls of water. She waved her arms, barely allowing herself to float on the water as she took a deep breath.

Zhao Shu looked around in panic, but could not find anything. He took off his outer robe and flung it towards Mo Wuji, "Brother Mo!"

Zhao Qingyan looked towards where the voice came from. He tried to grab it, but it only created some ripples on the surface. It didn't affect his clothes at all.

She took off another long robe and tried to tie the sleeves of the two pieces of clothing, but her fingers could not stop trembling. She failed to tie them properly several times in a row. He could only watch as Zhao Qingyan sank into the water and choked with saliva. He shouted anxiously, "Come on! Someone come quickly! "

"Young Master!" A white shadow flashed past, the tip of its foot touching the side of the bridge as it dived deeper into the lake.

Zhao Qingyan mumbled a few words and then choked on a few mouthfuls of water. His entire body sank into the water. After a while, he struggled to float. His eyes were filled with a stern look. "Go back!"

Ran Hao who was standing on the surface of the water and was still swinging his white jade appendix, bowed and gave it to him, "Young Master, grab me!"

Zhao Qingyan's mouth was filled with water, but no sound came out.

Seeing that he didn't reach out for too long, Ran Hao couldn't care less and reached out to grab his arm to pull it up.

"Be careful!" Zhao Shu only had time to give a warning before Ran Hao's appendix shook violently and fell into the lake. Ran Hao, who had just pulled Zhao Qing Yan up a little bit, had nowhere to run or hide. While he was still in a daze, he had already thrown Zhao Qing into the lake along with him.

Under his feet, Zhao Qingyan was thrown into the water.

The icy coldness of the lake water penetrated deep into his marrow; it was bone-piercing pain. The inner Qi that was originally quiet in his body, due to his master's relaxation and chaos, was biting the meridian. The pain and coldness that seeped into his bones shattered Zhao Qingyan's last bit of perseverance. He did not even have the strength to move his fingers. All he felt in his heart was a deep sense of exhaustion.

If he could really die like this … How good it must be.

His desire for death was actually much greater than his longing for life … Right?

Now that he thought about it, what was there to be reluctant about? What he was unwilling to part with was mostly just a burden. If he could use his death to understand everything, he wouldn't feel reluctant to part with it at all.

Furthermore, he was not at all curious about the appearance of this world after his death.

What do you mean by 'floating boat in the martial arts world'... The left was nothing more than an unattainable relief.

Because I am the crown prince, because I am the only son of the Qi King, because I am the most beloved nephew of my uncle, who has lost his son several times.

He clearly knew about his own death date and the days that he had spent less than a day away. Why did he still have to work so hard to live?

Why, ten years ago, would I, who had already been sentenced to death, live for them in such a cruel way?

When a canary is raised, it must obediently stay in a narrow cage and display its beautiful feathers.

To spread its wings, the eagle would rather stay in the untouched sky and wait for death.

Since he was born in the Royal Palace, whether it was a bird or an eagle, all he could have was a life imprisonment.

However, if he was born in a common household, perhaps, he wouldn't even have the time to grow such gorgeous feathers.

Who was it that allowed him to soar to such a height?

Who was it that deprived me of the right to spread my wings?

What right did he have to choose between the height he was born with and the freedom he could not pursue?

"..." No, no.

"Young master!" "Young Master!"

From the bottom of his heart to every inch of his skin, there was a bit more warmth. The voice calling in his ear was extremely anxious, very familiar, and also very unfamiliar.

"Brother Mo!" Catch! I'll pull you all up! "

"Young Master, please hold on for a while!"

"Use more strength!"

"Less... "Ugh …"

"Brother Mo, please wake up!"

"Young Master!"

Unable to be lazy any longer, Zhao Qingyan slowly opened his eyes. The scene before his eyes shook a few times before overlapping and becoming clear, "I am not dead."

Two anxious faces, with a lingering fear. Like... It was as if he was really going to die.

Ran Hao reached out his hand to help him up, but was at a loss for words on his usually indifferent face. "Young Master, are you alright?"

Zhao Qingyan only felt the taste of sand in his mouth and blood in his mouth. Lake water, blood …

Zhao Qingyan's pupils suddenly contracted. She bent down in pain and started to retch with all her might. She spat out the water that she had swallowed, but she didn't stop. It was as if she wanted to vomit all of her organs at once.

Ran Hao tapped his shoulder hard, and said hurriedly: "Young master, don't puke anymore! The water had been spat out! There's nothing left! "

"So disgusting …" It was unknown whether it was due to the cold or fear. Zhao Qingyan's shoulders trembled violently, and the sound he spat out fell to the floor.

Ran Hao, however, understood: "But this is the Imperial Garden, not the West Lake!"

Zhao Qingyan raised his hand to cover his mouth. With a trembling voice that could not be suppressed, he said, "The … The smell of blood."

Zhao Shu finally recovered from the shock. Hearing this, he stepped forward and pulled his hand away. His expression changed drastically. "Brother Mo, you vomited blood!"

Zhao Qingyan's eyes were downcast as he looked at the blood on his palm. "Blood..." Is this my blood? "

Zhao Shu was at a loss. "I'll find someone to take you to the hospital."

"No …" "I'm not going …" Zhao Qingyan used her hand to grip her neck, tightening her grip inch by inch. "This disgusting thing..." "Spit it out and it will be all right …"

Zhao Shu watched as Ran Hao struggled to pry his fingers apart, his pale fingers as fragile as if they could break at any moment. Watching him vomit with all his might, Zhao Shu stepped back as blood dripped to the ground from the corner of his mouth. He said in a trembling voice, "Brother Mo, you … don't you puke anymore …" "That's your own blood …"

Zhao Qingyan grabbed the hair on her forehead with her other hand and stopped vomiting. However, her voice carried a sobbing tone, "Qingfeng, I'm afraid. I'm afraid …" "Hao..."

Ran Hao held him tightly in his arms, using his internal power to warm his meridians and said, "I'm here."

"Royal brother, I really hate the West Lake …" I don't want to go to the West Lake anymore... Why did I get into trouble when I went to the West Lake? "I hate that place …" Zhao Qingyan was curled up as he faced the nightmare of the past. Fear left him at a loss as to what to do next.

The death of the marquis had once again deepened his fear of the West Lake. The fear that had never faded in the slightest only became more and more intense in his heart.

Zhao Shu held his hand and said softly, "Alright, we're not going to the West Lake. Let's not go."

Drops of water slid down his cheeks like sad tears. A person who hadn't cried for a long time couldn't help but feel grief.

He was helpless, like a nine year old child.

Perhaps it was only now that Zhao Shu knew how much sorrow and fear he had hidden in his heart. Enough to destroy a person. Too Many... To be able to cause pain to such a strong person.

Zhao Qingyan's hand trembled violently the moment she was enveloped by the warmth, but she did not break free of Zhao Shu's hand. Her empty eyes were beautiful, but they didn't have a trace of luster to them.

"Brother Mo." A pained look appeared in Zhao Shu's eyes. He reached out to wipe away the water droplets on his face and held him against his chest. "Don't be afraid. It's over." Already... It doesn't matter. No one here will hurt you or anyone you care about. Everything will be fine. "

Zhao Qingyan was as though she was dead, allowing him to hold her tightly. After a long time, the despairing voice finally spoke in an extremely low voice, "The people I care about are all homeless now."

Zhao Shu froze.

Zhao Qingyan cried, "Hao and Qing Han, they don't have a home anymore …" Their most important home was destroyed right in front of my eyes; their most important family was killed right in front of my eyes … Royal brother, look, my eyes are all red, and they're all bloody colors … It's their blood, it's the fire that destroys their family, isn't it! "

The pain in Zhao Shu's heart corroded the last bit of calmness he had struggled to maintain as he watched him cover his eyes with his bloody palm and leave a fresh and cruel red mark on his pale face. His hands could not help but start to tremble as well, "Brother Mo, don't be like this, don't be like this... You've already done your best, so it can't be blamed on you, it can't be blamed on you! "

Ran Hao's green lips opened and closed a few times, and said with a trembling voice: "Yes, young master, you have tried your best."

"I did not! I didn't! I could have saved them! " Each word was filled with blood and tears. "I am the prince, the Crown Prince Qi, am I right? If I had been able to stand under the guillotine, they wouldn't have dared to kill me, right … If I stand in front of them, they won't dare to kill me, right? Why... So weak, so timid, so incompetent? "

When Zhao Shu's gaze inadvertently met Ran Hao's, she saw heartache and a sigh in his eyes.

That's right, as the crown prince, if Zhao Qingyan insisted on staying under the guillotine blade, it would actually save Ran Listening Pupil. After all … No one would kill an innocent child, no one dared to kill the king's son.

However, everyone knew that this was only the self-blame of Zhao Qingyan – the self-blame that blamed him for not asking any questions.

They understood that it was impossible for Zhao Qingyan not to understand. But he couldn't forgive himself.

Ran Hao pursed his lips and said seriously: "Young master, by your side, is my home."

Zhao Qingyan buried his face in Zhao Shu's arms, but his shoulders were still shaking. "At that time, if only I could do something …"

Zhao Shu patted him lightly on the back, as if comforting him many years ago. "You've done well enough. Really well enough."

"Royal brother, can you stay with me forever?"

Zhao Shu was slightly startled. He had heard these words many times, but it had been many years since he had heard them. Perhaps, when his younger brother Mo Di grew up, he would no longer act like a spoiled child and ask such a question.

After a moment of blankness, Zhao Shu came back to his senses and asked softly, "Why?" Why did he suddenly ask such a difficult question?

"Nothing." Zhao Qingyan slowly sat up and calmed down. The smile on her face was a bit tired and a bit helpless. "I just don't want to lose anyone important."

Zhao Shu looked into his waiting eyes and carefully digested every word in his heart. Then, he slowly nodded. "Alright, I promise you."

Zhao Qingyan's eyes lit up once again. Then, she smiled and said, "Thank you." Years later, tonight's promise might be a joke. However, at least for the moment, he was willing to believe — believe in himself, and never lose someone he cared about.

No matter how smart or calm a person was, there would always be times where they would deceive themselves.

If it was possible, Zhao Qingyan really wished he could lie to him for the rest of his life. However, he still had to wake up.

"Hao, let me lean on you for a bit." Zhao Qingyan's curled up body shrank even tighter. She leaned against the warm embrace and slowly closed her eyes.

For a moment of confusion, before I wake up, let me enjoy myself to my heart's content — just for a moment.

"Mo …" Zhao Shu couldn't help but shout out when he saw the hairs on Zhao Qingyan's hair start to freeze. However, he was interrupted by Ran Hao's gaze. Ran Hao gently shook his head. Zhao Shu held back the words she was about to say and waited silently.

This sickly person would always ruin his body like a small child. However, looking at the serenity on his face, he couldn't bear to break it.

Let him rest for a while.

"Mo'er!"

The anxious shouts interrupted the originally brief peace.

Zhao Qingyan's eyelashes fluttered. She opened her eyes slightly, and her eyes were filled with grief. However, in the end, he had to hold back the emotions in his eyes. Slowly sitting upright with the support of Ran Hao, he looked towards the source of the light: "Father, Ninth Uncle, Thirteenth Uncle …"

Zhao Shu quickly stood up and saluted. "Fourth Uncle, Ninth Uncle, Thirteenth Uncle."

The eyes of the Qi King paused on his son for a moment, then he clasped his hands and bowed back, "Your Highness, there is no need to be so courteous."

Duke Huan, however, had his heart set on his precious nephew, and hastily returned the half-hearted greeting before striding to Zhao Qingyan's side. He took off his clothes and draped them over Zhao Qingyan's body: "How do you feel?" He had trained in martial arts all year round and had a strong body. Even on a snowy day, he had not put on a thicker set of clothes during his long hours outside. At this moment, he could only surround his nephew with a thin piece of cloth.

The Qi King looked behind him, but no one had prepared any spare clothes. He took off his cloak and handed it over to Zhao Shu. "The chill invades my bones. Your Highness should wear some clothes first."

Zhao Shu refused, "I'm fine. Let's put it on for Brother Mo. Mo Di is weak, don't freeze him to death. "

"I'm not worried." Zhao Qingyan took a lantern from Chen Huayi's hands and hugged it to his chest. With the light shining on his face, he said, "Imperial Brother has already been frozen for a long time. If I were to suffer from a cold because of this, I would really feel guilty for a long time."

Zhao Shu hesitated. "This …" Seeing that the Qi King and Brother Mo were insistent, he thanked them profusely and took the clothes over his body.

The messenger was wearing a cloak that had been specially found by the palace maids on their way here. He had already untied it and carefully tied it for Zhao Qingyan. "Fourth Brother and I are not as young as Thirteenth Brother. It would be useful to wear one more robe."

Knowing that Ninth Uncle was afraid that he wouldn't intentionally make a joke out of it, Zhao Qingyan didn't brush him off with his good intentions. He only smiled: "It's also a shame that I could take my life."

"You can fall into the lake just by walking properly. You really can't get your life back by accident." The Qi King's words were harsh, but after seeing the blood at the corner of his son's mouth, he could not help but soften his tone. "Can you stand up? I'll help you to the hospital. "

Prince Huan did not care that Prince Qi was Zhao Qingyan's father and brother. He immediately said, "Mo'er, how can you possibly stand up?"

The Xin Wang said, "Hold on a little longer, we'll carry you over."

The Qi King shifted his gaze from his son's face to his legs. "Then, remove the support frame?"

The Duke Huai and Duke Huai looked at each other and immediately fell silent.

The brace was attached to Zhao Qingyan's leg and had more than twenty buckles. Without taking off most of her clothes, it would be impossible to remove them. In this land of ice and snow, in front of all the guards, it was impossible to take off the support frame.

However, carrying Zhao Qingyan, who was still covered in ice, all the way to the hospital was a test of strength.

At the very least, it was impossible for the king to do so.

Prince Huan gritted his teeth. "I'll take Mo'er with me." Then he saw his two brothers looking at him silently and added, "I can give it a try. If not, I will trouble you again, fourth brother."

When Prince Huan's back was facing Zhao Qingyan, Zhao Qingyan took the chance to sneak a peek at his father. When he saw the faint smile on Prince Huan's face, Zhao Qingyan simply closed his eyes and fainted.

There were naturally people who wanted to think about what would happen next. After forcing himself to endure for a long time, it was about time for him to rest.

Seeing that his brother's gaze was off, Duke Huan turned to see that Zhao Qingyan had fainted. He didn't have time to ask his brother about his decision. He bent down to pick up his nephew and walked outside in large strides. "I'll take Mo'er back first. I'll come over right away."

The Qi King stepped aside, "Then I'll be counting on Thirteenth Brother."

Prince Huan didn't have time to reply and quickly left.