Chapter 458 Good Feng Shui

Chapter 458: Good Feng Shui

Cheng Ge looked at the row of men before him, feeling his head grow heavy with dread.

These were all the romantic entanglements he'd brought upon himself.

His lips moved slightly, as if he thought he should say something.

Before he could get the words out, Zhou Zhan rushed over.

His face was so close that Cheng Ge could see his swollen eyelids and the tears clinging to his lashes.

The crown prince, for all his nobility, had cried until his eyes were swollen like walnuts, tears still streaming down his cheeks, dripping onto the blanket.

"Muyu... can you see me?" His voice was thick and nasally from crying.

Cheng Ge looked at Zhou Zhan, who was weeping pitifully, and let out a soft sigh. He lifted a hand to wipe the tears from his face.

"Your Highness... are you hurt?" His voice was hoarse, as if his throat had been scraped raw with sandpaper.

Zhou Zhan's tears flowed even more freely.

Zhou Zhan shook his head desperately, tears spraying everywhere. "No... I'm fine... I'm perfectly fine..."

He gripped Cheng Ge's hand tightly, as if letting go would make him vanish.

Cheng Ge looked at him, the corner of his mouth twitching, as if he wanted to smile but didn't have the strength.

He didn't know what to say, but he couldn't say anything else.

His gaze drifted past Zhou Zhan to the imperial physicians kneeling in a row in the distance.

They lay prostrate, foreheads pressed to the floor, not daring to breathe.

Cheng Ge understood.

He figured this time, he was really going to meet the King of Hell.

But he didn't mind much. This illness had always been destined to cut his life short—he'd known it all along.

From the very first time the poison flared, he knew this day would come.

He blinked at the flickering candlelight, feeling oddly calm.

Now that the end was near, he didn't feel all that afraid.

He turned his head and saw Lin Nanshu there.

The man was half-kneeling by the bed, his bun coming loose, his clothes soaked, blood—someone's blood—smudged across his face.

All his usual composure was gone, leaving only bloodshot eyes and a tightly pressed mouth.

Seeing him like this, Cheng Ge's heart suddenly softened. He called out softly, "Yuli..."

Lin Nanshu's body jolted violently. He looked up. "Muyu... I'm here..."

His voice was hoarse, but he forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Seeing him like this, Cheng Ge's heart suddenly softened.

With what little strength he had left, he hooked his finger around Lin Nanshu's.

Lin Nanshu's fingers clenched abruptly, gripping Cheng Ge's hand even harder in return.

Cheng Ge suddenly broke into a grin.

His face was pale to the point of translucence, his lips colorless, yet the smile held a hint of foolishness.

"Yuli." His voice was so soft it seemed about to be swallowed by the sound of rain.

"I'm here... I'm here..." Lin Nanshu's voice was hoarse, his eyes red-rimmed and raw.

Cheng Ge looked at him and spoke slowly, as if recalling something.

"A scholar's charm is in his smile, a beauty's worth in his eyes. A million coins for a single word, a thousand gold for a glance."

His voice came in fragments, as if every word cost him great effort.

"Who cares for wild greens, who speaks of fair maids? I'd rather hold the embroidered quilt and share the southerner's bed."

Cheng Ge looked at him, his gaze tracing over his brows and eyes, over the bridge of his nose, over his lips.

"That day when I rode with the Grand Tutor, he told me to pay attention to the gentleman as fair as jade before me."

Cheng Ge took a slow breath, his smile deepening. "I've always been slow-witted and didn't understand at the time. I completely misread the Grand Tutor's intent."

"Muyu... please stop..." Lin Nanshu pressed his forehead against the back of Cheng Ge's hand, his back trembling uncontrollably.

Cheng Ge didn't stop. He looked at Lin Nanshu, the light in his eyes growing dimmer and dimmer.

But he still tried his best to keep them open, wanting to see the person before him more clearly.

"Now that I think about it..." He paused, the corners of his mouth curving slightly. "Only Lin Nanshu, whose fame fills the world, could truly be called such a gentleman."

He took a slow breath, his chest rising and falling faintly. "It's just a pity..."

Those three words were as light as a feather.

"My fate is shallow and my blessings few. I'm afraid I'll have to let down the Grand Tutor's good intentions."

Lin Nanshu's hand tightened suddenly. "Muyu... I beg you..."

His voice choked, broken and halting, as if every word required all the strength in his body.

"Don't say that... please..."

Cheng Ge looked at him, wanting to say something comforting, but before the words could leave his mouth, a rush of sweet, metallic liquid surged up his throat.

"Cough, cough, cough—!" He turned his head and coughed violently.

Zhou Yinyun quickly stepped forward and covered his mouth with a handkerchief. The cloth was instantly soaked red with blood, a jarring sight.

Cheng Ge coughed fiercely, his whole body trembling, as if he might cough his lungs out.

Yun Xunyu supported his back, gently patting it to help him breathe.

Finally, the coughing slowly subsided.

Cheng Ge gasped for air, flecks of bloody foam still at the corners of his mouth. His face was even paler than before—pale to the point of translucence.

He paused for a beat, then lifted his head to look at Zhou Yinyun.

Zhou Yinyun knelt before the couch, one knee on the ground, his clothes caked in blood and grime, his face showing the wear of exhaustion.

Cheng Ge looked at him—a face so different from the fuller, softer one he'd first met.

His features had sharpened, as if the last few months had carved them out.

Cheng Ge watched him, and a sudden pang of guilt hit him.

His voice was soft, careful, almost fragile.

"Prince Heir..."

Zhou Yinyun raised his head.

Cheng Ge looked at him, an apologetic smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Deceiving you at Cuiyun Tower that day—that was on me."

He paused, catching his breath.

"I just hope you won't hold it against me, Your Highness."

Zhou Yinyun's lips pressed into a thin line as he looked at Cheng Ge's eyes, which were still fighting to stay open.

He shook his head. "How could I ever hold that against you?"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Whether you're a man or a woman—"

"Whether you're Muyu or Caicai, I don't care."

"Even if you lied to me."

"Even if you hit me."

He stared into Cheng Ge's eyes, saying each word slowly and deliberately.

"I don't care."

At that, Cheng Ge broke into a grin.

The smile was bloody, but in those half-lidded eyes, a rare glint of mischief flickered.

Zhou Yinyun's lips pressed into an even thinner line.

He looked at Cheng Ge, then—all of a sudden—turned his face away.

The move was fast—so fast it was like he was afraid of being seen.

But Cheng Ge caught it anyway.

Caught the trembling line of his jaw on that turned-away face.

Cheng Ge's smile slowly slipped away.

"Prince Heir..."

Zhou Yinyun didn't turn back, keeping his face turned away so no one could see his expression.

Outside, the rain kept falling.

"...I'm sorry." His voice was so faint it was barely there. "For making you sad."

Cheng Ge looked at him, wanting to say more, but another wave of that sweet, coppery taste rose in his throat.

He swallowed it down, his gaze drifting away to land on a figure nearby.

Zhou Mingqi stood nearby, still looking a bit pale, but his eyes never left him.

Cheng Ge's mouth twitched. "Your Majesty..."

Zhou Mingqi took two steps forward, stopped by the couch, and leaned down a little. "Go on."

Cheng Ge blinked, as if trying to keep himself awake.

"Did Your Majesty happen to see a gray falcon?" He paused. "With dull gray feathers and a copper ring around its foot..."

Zhou Mingqi hadn't expected that question. "No, I haven't."

Cheng Ge was caught off guard for a second, then a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He figured Grey Cloud, that bird, must have had a GPS failure and gotten lost.

He didn't say anything else, but the faint light in his eyes dimmed anyway.

Maybe he was getting tired; his eyelids felt impossibly heavy.

His words were getting harder to get out. "Your Majesty... could you come closer? Your subject has a few things he wants to say."

Zhou Mingqi didn't hesitate, bending down to put his ear right by Cheng Ge's mouth.

"Wuliji..." He gasped for breath. "He's tucked in the corner behind the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Your subject drugged him and hid him under a wooden crate..."

Zhou Mingqi's brow furrowed slightly.

Cheng Ge went on, each word seeming to take the last of his strength.

"Your subject begs... send someone to save him... let him live..."

"He's a Di man, but he came into the Great Zhou with no bad intentions... I hope Your Majesty won't hold it against him..."

He drew a breath.

"When he's better... let him go back to the Northern Di..."

His voice got softer and softer.

"Tell him... I don't want to see him... Don't let him know I'm dead."

Zhou Mingqi said nothing, staying in that position without moving.

After a long moment.

He nodded.

"Understood."

The corner of Cheng Ge's mouth twitched, like he was trying to smile.

He paused for a moment, then spoke again.

"Your Majesty..."

Zhou Mingqi looked at him, and Cheng Ge gently tugged at his robe. "Your Majesty... bury me at the foot of the North Mountain..."

His words came out in broken fragments.

"The feng shui there is good... I've already had someone look at it..."

"Make the funeral as grand as possible... bury all my possessions... along with me..."

Zhou Mingqi did not respond. He just looked at Cheng Ge, watching the light fade ever dimmer in those eyes.

Cheng Ge waited, but no answer came.

He thought for a moment, then let out a barely noticeable sigh. "Never mind, keep it low-key, then..."

He looked at Zhou Mingqi with a hint of a resigned smile.

"Those belongings... better leave them for Sister Lvrou..."

"Besides the kid... she still has to feed Dahuang, that bottomless pit... she probably can't afford it..."

"Besides... if it's too showy, grave robbers might get ideas. I don't want my grave dug up."

Cheng Ge paused. "Just bury me in a few sets of clothes..."

"When I'm down there... when you get the chance... burn me some spirit money and stuff..."

His voice grew softer, until it was almost inaudible.

"Let them know... I've got connections... up above..."

The imperial physicians lay prostrate on the ground, foreheads to the floor, not daring to breathe.

A bolt of lightning split the night sky, its pale light flooding the entire hall in an instant.

The candle flames flickered violently, and the room grew heavy with a stifling tension.

Cheng Ge's lashes trembled slightly, and his fingertips dug hard into his palm.

He slowly turned his head, leaning an inch closer to Zhou Mingqi's ear.

So close they were almost touching. "Your Majesty..."

Zhou Mingqi did not move.

Cheng Ge's lips nearly brushed his earlobe, each word drifting in softly, one at a time.

"I saw it all... in that box."

Zhou Mingqi's pupils constricted sharply.

For that instant, he stopped breathing entirely.

Cheng Ge acted as if he hadn't noticed.

He just leaned against Zhou Mingqi's shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of resignation, a hint of tenderness.

"Your Majesty's kindness... I'm deeply grateful."

"In this life, I wasn't blessed with that fortune..."

He paused for two breaths, as if mustering his strength.

"If there's a next life... I'll surely receive this heavenly grace."

Zhou Mingqi's hand suddenly clenched.

He lowered his head, looking at the face against his shoulder. Those eyes were already half-closed.

He turned to look at the man standing by the bed, still wearing full armor.

Cui Ji's armor was still stained with blood, and his face bore bloody marks, but his eyes had never left him, never wavered.

"Cui... Ji..."

Cui Ji's legs felt as if they were filled with lead, as he struggled to move forward.

Everything in front of him made him feel like he was back in that night years ago.

That night, he had lost everyone he loved.

And now, the familiar scene was starting to replay before his eyes.

He couldn't even muster an expression anymore. He just moved forward mechanically, drawing closer.

Cheng Ge raised his hand, using the last of his strength to wipe at the armor on Cui Ji's chest.

Bloodstains clung to it, already dried, impossible to wipe off.

"Cheng Xiao..." His voice was barely a whisper. "My... Cheng Xiao."

Cui Ji's lips trembled violently as he gripped the hand Cheng Ge had placed on his armor.

Cheng Ge looked at him, his gaze tender, as if looking at something precious.

"I failed you... I can't grow old by your side..." Tears suddenly welled in Cheng Ge's eyes, spilling down his cheeks.

"The fine sons of Great Zhou are like peach blossoms in spring... In the days to come... Cheng Xiao will find another beloved... to spend the rest of his life with..."

Cui Ji's temples bulged with straining veins, tears streaming down his face, one hanging at the tip of his nose, trembling precariously.

His whole body was shaking, the hand gripping Cheng Ge's, knuckles white enough to be scary.

Cheng Ge's eyes moved with difficulty, looking at Cui Ji, at that tear-streaked face.

"Cui Ji... Cheng Xiao... you have to live..."

The warmth from Cui Ji's fingertips seeped into him, scorching hot, as if desperately saying—I'm here, I'm still here.

"Say something... promise me..."

Cheng Ge suddenly arched his back, curling into a tight ball.

"!!!"

Everyone surged forward at once.

"Muyu—!"

Zhou Zhan's scream was gut-wrenching, his face instantly turning pale, his legs nearly buckling under him.

Lin Nanshu lunged to the bedside, his hand shooting out but freezing mid-air—

He didn't know where to touch, what to do—he could only watch helplessly as Cheng Ge trembled before his eyes.

Zhou Yinyun's hands were trembling, his whole body trembling.

Cui Ji gripped Cheng Ge's hand, his nails nearly sinking into Cheng Ge's flesh.

But he felt no pain—only the violent convulsions of that hand.

Again and again, as if something were charging wildly inside that body, trying to tear it apart.

Cheng Ge's nails dug deep into Cui Ji's flesh.

They sank so deep, as if he were pouring every last ounce of his strength into Cui Ji.

He clawed frantically, nails raking across the bed, across the blanket, across anything he could grab.

"Muyu—!"

Yun Xunyu wrapped his arms around him from behind, holding him tight as if to become his armor.

"Baby... baby..."

His voice was shaking, his whole body trembling.

Cheng Ge felt as if a thousand needles were piercing his flesh all at once.

Not one by one, but all at once—from the cracks of his bones, from his veins, from his organs.

They churned, ripped, and burned inside him, as if trying to grind every inch of his flesh to dust.