Yu Jingchen was silent for a moment.
"It's still no good..." Nan Zhiyun lowered her head, a hint of self-mockery in her voice.
To her surprise, in the next second, Yu Jingchen gently embraced Nan Zhiyun. Nan Zhiyun looked up at him in disbelief, "Your Majesty?"
"Continue speaking," Yu Jingchen did not answer directly.
"Your Majesty, in this story, there is a boy named Xing Yan. All his life, he only wanted a hug. But he never received one until the day he left this world," Nan Zhiyun said.
"You are not him," Yu Jingchen stated.
"Yes, this concubine is not him," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"In this story, Xing Yan was born into nobility and was exceptionally talented, a celestial being adored by all, with a bright future ahead. Xing Yan was as gentle as jade, admired by many young ladies from official families, yet he did not love any of them."
"Later, unable to defy his parents' wishes, he married a virtuous, intelligent, and beautiful young woman according to their will. However, on their wedding night, Xing Yan was caught in flagrante delicto, his clothes disheveled."
"This in itself was not a major issue; the indiscretion of a talented man was often dismissed with a few lighthearted remarks. The person with him, however, was the foremost Qin player in the realm—Xuan Yue, renowned not only for his musical skill but also for his homosexual inclinations."
"That day, Xing Yan's parents forced him to deny any involvement with Xuan Yue. But Xing Yan uttered words that shocked everyone. He said, 'The sound may leave the strings, but the star shall not leave the moon.'"
"After that day, the star fell from the heavens. Everyone scorned him; even his parents were ashamed of him. The favored son of heaven was utterly ruined. He only had Xuan Yue left. But... his Xuan Yue, to protect Xing Yan, hanged himself. Thus, Xing Yan was left with nothing."
"Xuan Yue's death did not change the world's perception of Xing Yan, nor did Ru Yu's departure alter his feelings for him. Yet, despite this, he was reviled by all. His parents loathed him, his teachers insulted him, and his peers looked at him with strange eyes. Xing Yan was no longer radiant; he dared not even appear before others."
"He confined himself to his room day after day. Later, he began to play the Qin in Xuan Yue's former haunt. Because he wore a mask, no one recognized him. They loved his music, but one day, when his identity was discovered, they smashed the music hall. He became like a rat crossing the street, hated by all."
"Xing Yan could endure no longer, and so, he ultimately chose the same path as Xuan Yue, leaving this world that held only those who loathed him. Before he died, he spoke a sentence: 'The star was originally held high by all, rushing towards the moon. But when the star truly rushed towards the moon, both the star and the moon became a sinful light. The star can never embrace the moon, and similarly, the star and the moon will never be embraced.'"
"Your Majesty, why is that impossible?" Nan Zhiyun leaned against Yu Jingchen.
"Perhaps it is because they all believe that both the star and the moon should be divine beings, shining alone, unblemished. But they do not realize that it is only the star beside the moon that truly shines, and while no one can embrace the star and the moon, the star cannot leave the moon."
"Then, Your Majesty, do you think the star and the moon are sinful?" Nan Zhiyun asked.
"Then, do you think that if a flower blooms, the flower and the leaves growing on its stem are sinful?" Yu Jingchen countered.
"People will admire the blooming flower, but no one will appreciate the leaves. Too many leaves will be pruned, and the flower will always be plucked," Nan Zhiyun replied.
"Those who truly love a flower will only let it bloom freely, for that is its duty and mission. Those who falsely claim to love flowers will pluck the blooming, vibrant blossom, while also resenting the leaves that disturb its growth. Therefore, the flower and leaves are blameless, but when they encounter someone who dislikes flowers, everything becomes an annoyance."
"It is the same with stars and the moon. Some people love the vast expanse of stars, others adore the solitary moon. But there are always those who cannot bear to see the stars and moon shining together, for it offends their sight," Yu Jingchen replied.
***
Roses journey towards the stars and sea, and someone will watch you from the shore as you embark on your journey ♡
There, when you take your final bow, they will present you with a bouquet of roses ♡ The roses became stars, but they also once bloomed ♡, blooming so brightly and beautifully, as if the whole world's flowers had bloomed ♡♡