Chapter 39 – A Cup of Tea Before Parting (2)

“So, I offer this cup to you. Thank you for being in my life…”

After saying this, Gong Jue could not say another word; he was too choked up with emotion. Gong Yi Mo was puzzled by his silence–there were too many indescribable emotions in the youth’s eyes.

Gong Jue never said much, but when he did, his words came from the bottom of his heart.

It was late, and their fleet of carriages was ready to resume their journey. The young prince looked forth with great determination!

Gong Jue put down his tea and walked to Gong Yi Mo’s side.

He was already so tall. Gong Yi Mo sighed to herself. She saw the youth reach out as if he wanted to embrace her!

Gong Yi Mo closed her eyes, waiting for his arms to wrap around her. If embracing her would help soothe the youth’s loneliness, then she was willing. However, after waiting for a long time, she still did not feel his embrace. Instead, Gong Yi Mo suddenly felt his hand pick a strand of her hair and then… use internal force to break it off!

Earlier, Gong Jue truly wanted to hold her in his arms. His hands lifted to reach out, but then he lowered them once again in restraint. His desire to surround her was so strong that it almost consumed him.

But having restrained himself all these years, he did not want to spoil everything because of a moment of impulse, so instead, he took a strand of her hair, and whispered into her ear in a low and very firm voice,

“Yi Mo, wait for me to come back.”

Afterward, he got on his horse and left without waiting for Gong Yi Mo to raise her head in astonishment.

Gong Yi Mo touched her hair while she stared on in shock, but soon, her vision was obscured by the dust that had arisen from Gong Jue’s departure.

On horseback, the boy fiddled with his hair as his lips lifted in a bitter smile.

She would never know how painful it was for him to leave. One one hand, he could have the happiness of accompanying her. On the other hand, he could chase after his ambition of earning a place at her side.

Both choices were as addictive as opium, but he chose the latter.

On that day, only Gong Jue noticed the joy and panic within Gong Che’s eyes as he left. He understood the Crown Prince’s sentiments towards the princess because he too had struggled deeply with his feelings for his blood-related sister. For that reason, Gong Jue was determined to not turn back on his mission.

If Gong Jue became the Crown Prince, he could gain her praise. If he became a high-ranking court official, he could become someone she wanted to be with. And if he became the emperor, he could obtain her dependence.

These things, he could achieve them all!

When he emerged out of the edges of the Imperial City, Gong Jue motioned his horse to turn around. He looked profoundly towards Gong Yi Mo’s direction.

Sister Gong, wait for me to return.

Meanwhile, in the palace, a bloody storm of conspiracy began to brew.

When she found out that the Ninth Prince’s procession had safely left the capital with the Crown Prince’s escort, the Empress was wracked with fury. Now, Gong Che kneeled guiltily before her.

Within the Feng Qi Palace, the tension in the air was so thick that it was almost tangible.

The Empress refused to look him in the eye. She rubbed her forehead, obviously angry.

At the moment, there were only two trusted confidants present. The curtain opened as a servant entered and whispered a few words into the Empress’ ears. The Empress’ eyes lit up with fierce light!

“Empress, please have mercy!” The maidservant quickly knelt on the ground, secretly sighing at her bad luck.

“Mercy?” the Empress sneered. Her phoenix crown reflected her bitter and disappointed frown. She said coldly, “Since you have ruined our plans to this point, no amount of repentance will make up for your mistake! After making such a mistake, why would I keep you as one of my people? Guards! Drag her out for execution!”