Chapter 352: Chapter 316: I, Flawless Throughout My Life! _2
"..."
This time, Shang Ruyi immediately understood.
A wave of bitterness surged in her heart, and her eyes slightly reddened — perhaps she had once felt relieved that Chu Yang had sent people to remove her from Yu Wenye’s side, sparing her from facing that heart-piercing pain; yet, bringing her to Jiangdu Palace meant confronting everything here.
Including their final moments today.
After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Your Majesty, I — I am here with Your Majesty today willingly."
"..."
Upon hearing this, a ripple appeared in Chu Yang’s slender phoenix eyes.
Willingly?
At this point, she could still utter the words "willingly." Did she not fear death? Not even the prospect of dying here with him?
He walked slowly to Shang Ruyi, sword in hand, looking down at her, "You, don’t you dislike me?"
Shang Ruyi looked at him calmly and said, "Between people, emotions aren’t limited to just liking."
"..."
"Your Majesty regards me as a confidante, and I am willing to repay such understanding with my life."
"..."
"If truly, Your Majesty today—"
At this point, her voice finally faltered, unable to sustain itself anymore. Even though she had already made her decision inwardly, prepared to face it all calmly, death was still death. Even having faced life-and-death experiences before, she hadn’t reached the point where she could face death calmly, let alone with a smile.
She was still afraid.
Even when lowering her head to gaze at the cold long sword in Chu Yang’s hand, the chill in her heart made her shiver uncontrollably.
She could only avert her gaze, only to see, at her feet, the exquisite and luxurious Feathered Immortal Shoes, rumored to transcend to immortality.
If tonight, they truly perish here together...
Shang Ruyi remained silent for a long time, clenching her fists before softly saying, "I am willing to leave with Your Majesty."
"...!"
Chu Yang’s eyes widened suddenly.
The long sword in his hand also flickered under the cold light due to his trembling hands — in his life, many had groveled at his feet pleadingly, and many had flattered him almost to the point of exaltation, yet regardless of their affections, they ultimately abandoned or even betrayed him, while the only one standing by him now was this delicate woman before him.
His confidante.
Chu Yang smiled slightly, "Confidante."
He smiled while nodding, looking at the vast, empty hall; the glistening Dragon Chair above, surrounded by the positions of the courtiers. Reflecting on the time since his ascension, with those civil and military officials lined up on either side, advising against his policies incessantly; in his eyes, they had always been shortsighted, while outside the hall, those brandishing swords at him with fierce eyes were even more dull and vile. It was these people who had abandoned and betrayed him.
Now, he only had this one person—
"Confidante, confidante..."
Chu Yang began laughing, louder and louder, more and more wildly, as if at this moment, the fear of death was no longer enough to quell him, nor could the assailants outside with swords intimidate him. He raised the long sword in his hand again, examining the sharp blade closely, suddenly reaching out to pull Shang Ruyi into his arms.
"Ah!"
Shang Ruyi let out a startled gasp, unprepared.
Meanwhile, Chu Yang took a stand, wrapping an arm around her slender waist, raising her hand, the two holding the sword’s hilt together.
This posture was the initiation of a Sword Dance.
Shang Ruyi immediately quieted down.
She turned her face sideways, looking at Chu Yang behind her. The two of them were now closely pressed together, even their breaths and heartbeats seemed to align. Chu Yang, as before, guided her movements, the sword in hand swirling into a pattern, suddenly flashing with a sharp cold light, unfolding into a magnificent tableau.
Upon this tableau, Shang Ruyi moved with him, like two performing butterflies, fluttering gracefully. With their prior Sword Dance, they were now even more in sync, as if they were twins.
At this moment, Chu Yang slowly began to chant—
"Three thousand guests below, civil and military officials above.
Singing wildly while intoxicated, only one person knows my heart..."
Shang Ruyi’s heart couldn’t help but tremble.
Her hand paused, yet Chu Yang continued to hold the sword hilt firmly, guiding her long arm to extend, and instantly, the sword moved like a shooting star, even producing a deep dragon’s roar in the air. Then, their arms slowly bent, wrists flipping, drawing the sword back, its cold light crushed by a gentle force, flowing and turning like a cosmic dragon.