FRGNM -Chapter 250 Matters of the Heart

A light flicker danced in his eyes, as if he had been transported back to that day long ago. He had collapsed to the ground, powerless, and she—dressed in a flowing white gown, holding a white parasol—had knelt beside him, gently supporting him as they entered the luxurious archway.

Her name was Bai He, the top courtesan of Danhuai Tower, famed not only for her beauty but also for her talent. She excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, and painting, but what made her truly renowned was her singing voice and her dance. One of her performances could captivate an entire city, drawing countless admirers from far and wide.

A faint smile tugged at Dongyang Ze’s lips as he clutched the scented pouch in his hands. He continued, “When I woke, I realized it was she who had saved me. I wanted to leave immediately, but the madam discovered I had stayed a night and spent time with Bai He. She demanded a thousand taels of gold. In the past, I would have paid without hesitation and returned to the capital immediately. But at that time, I had nothing and could only stay at Danhuai Tower to work. I tried countless times to escape, but each time I saw her smile, every thought of leaving vanished… so I stayed.”

“I played the flute, and she danced with her twin swords. I cherished those days. But… I bore heavy responsibilities. With Jinqin Country in constant turmoil and countless incompetent ministers in the court, if I delayed any longer, the entire Yunshui Kingdom could have been lost. So I chose to leave. But I didn’t want to reveal my true identity to her. I knew she disliked nobles, so I told her I was going to the capital to take the imperial exams, to ensure she could live a better life. Bai He was kind-hearted. She sold many of her jewelry pieces to support me, telling me to study hard. If I failed, I would return, and we could live together with her singing and my flute playing.” His throat trembled as he spoke. Who wouldn’t long for such a simple, peaceful life?

Under that tree, the two of them—one leaning against the trunk, playing the long flute, the other dancing with twin swords—let time slip by, yet their bond remained unchanged.

“But… I never imagined, as I traveled to the capital, she forgot to give me the scented pouch. I reached the capital first, while she eked out a living performing, chasing after me. I returned to the palace and eliminated all who pursued me, only to be forced into a marriage by my father with a Miss Ran. I refused and planned to leave quietly, but fate intervened—I met Bai He performing on the streets.” Dongyang Ze’s expression darkened further, his grip on the pouch tightening. “I never imagined that Miss Ran would also appear there, claiming to be my wife. Bai He wouldn’t listen to my explanation—she threw the pouch to the ground and left. I never thought that would be our last meeting…”

“I secretly went to Danhuai Tower, only to learn she had died—poisoned, or humiliated into it. I wanted to tear that man apart with my own hands! But no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find him. It was as if he appeared from nowhere and vanished again. I couldn’t even find Bai He’s body. From then on, the tower still carried her voice, but no matter how I searched, I could not find her. It felt like she was always beside me, yet I could never touch her. Three months ago, I was sent on a campaign, leaving Bai He behind…”

This was why he hated anyone mentioning Danhuai Tower. That place belonged solely to Bai He; no one else had any right there.

He had purchased the tower, keeping it for Bai He alone. Yet she was gone, and even her final voice seemed to vanish. He had scoured every inch of Danhuai Tower, but the singer remained elusive.

“Give up. There is no Purple Bamboo there. As for why the Purple Bamboo was in the scented pouch, I don’t know.” Dongyang Ze turned his gaze away, drawing a deep breath.

Bai He’s body was missing—and yet there was still singing in Danhuai Tower?

“If you don’t go to Danhuai Tower to check, you really can’t be sure. Since the scented pouch has Purple Bamboo, it means she must have seen it once—you just didn’t notice,” Ling Ruoxi said with a faint smile. She reached out and touched the Purple Bamboo, enveloping it in her purple Dou Qi. In an instant, it was absorbed into the scented pouch. “I’ve infused it with my Dou Qi. As long as I live, the Dou Qi will not fade. No medicine can affect the Purple Bamboo now—you can wear it safely.”

“You…” Dongyang Ze was momentarily stunned. He picked up the pouch, furrowing his brows. “However, there’s something very strange.”

“What is it? Tell me,” Ling Ruoxi nodded. Since he had chosen to trust her, she had no reason to doubt him. She was willing to help.

Dongyang Ze clenched his hands tightly, brow furrowed, and whispered, “After reaching the border, I first fought alongside the princess of Jinqin Country. She, like your people, wore a mask, but dressed in male clothing. I thought she was a man and engaged her directly. She could not match me, and I tore off her mask—then I realized she was a woman. I also felt… her aura was familiar, though I had never met her before. She took the initiative and fired an arrow at my heart. When she saw me wounded, she shed tears. I felt… she knew me.”

“That’s impossible. How could she know you? Or did you meet as children?” Silver Wolf asked, puzzled. Perhaps they had been childhood friends.

Shaking his head, Dongyang Ze clenched his fists. “No. I had never met her, nor heard of this princess before. Jinqin Country has only one prince. I heard this princess had recently been found, abandoned elsewhere. To honor her deceased foster mother, she changed her surname to Shen, not using the royal surname of Jinqin.”

“Really? But a woman fighting on the battlefield… that’s the first I’ve heard of it. Her father really let her lead troops?” Silver Wolf raised an eyebrow, shaking his head.

“Because the sole prince must inherit the throne, someone had to lead the army. Jinqin Country’s leaders were cowardly, unwilling to let the prince fight, so they found the lost princess and put her on the frontlines. It also boosted the soldiers’ Dou Qi. That’s why she kept her surname and faced no opposition.” Dongyang Ze sighed. Achieving such skill clearly came from enduring many trials.

Due to his concerns, the war between the two countries dragged on for nearly half a year. Shen Qing did not take repeated chances to attack. Both sides remained cautious and restrained—a small-scale conflict, perhaps.

“Now, Jinqin Country has arranged her engagement—to Yelü Hanxin, the fierce general you saw. He was sent to the border; if victorious, the princess would be given to him. That’s why he attacked us so eagerly, seeking advantage.” Dongyang Ze shuddered. Yelü Hanxin was ruthless and brash. If the princess married him, she would suffer endlessly.

His frown deepened. Why did he care so much about that princess?

“Cowardly men, yet sending women to fight…” Silver Wolf muttered, scratching his ear, exasperated. “Where I come from, men protect women. That’s their duty. Sending women to war makes no sense. How can women willingly marry men with no ability?”

“You see, that’s human nature. With wealth and power, it doesn’t matter if you’re even a eunuch; you can still marry a beautiful woman,” Green Robe said, shaking his head. Indeed, many women only wanted a secure life. Even if the man had multiple wives, they would still marry into wealth and comfort, chasing stability over true connection. Material gain often overshadowed genuine life.

As for him, he needed none of that. Freedom and leisure were far better than wealth or rank.

“Can’t understand humans?” Dongyang Ze glanced at Silver Wolf, slightly puzzled. He continued, “In any case, Yelü Hanxin was humiliated by your medicine this time. Next time, he’ll be wary—he won’t be so easily fooled.”

“Even if he comes next time, I can’t do much. The precious herbs we gathered are all used up. No more can be made,” Green Robe said with a shrug. Actually, most of the herbs were rare, used for other high-level medicines. Using them for this was extravagant, even wasteful. Any other medicine doctor would have been shocked.

Dongyang Ze nodded, standing. “Understood. I must prepare for their attack. As for you, leave this place. Find the Purple Bamboo as you wish.”

Bang! No sooner had he spoken than a loud explosion rang out.

Soon, soldiers rushed in, bowing. “Your Highness! Something’s wrong!”

“What… did Yelü Hanxin attack?” Cold light flickered in Dongyang Ze’s eyes. He grabbed his sword immediately, ready to assess the situation himself.