Chapter 68: Yun Ci's Farewell, Endless Tears of Mortal Parting (End of Volume Two)

As soon as Shen Yu received the message sent by the Yun household, he hurried back from the Prince Mu’s residence, not even bothering with a carriage—he grasped his horse’s reins and galloped home. Upon reaching the gates of the Yun estate, he saw Bamboo Shadow waiting. Shen Yu swiftly dismounted, asking, “What on earth has happened? How could Xia Yanran…”

Before he finished speaking, he caught sight of Bamboo Shadow’s grief-stricken face, illuminated by lantern light. His eyes were red, his voice hoarse, “Young Lord, please go to the Tranquil Heart Pavilion. The master… wishes to see you one last time.”

One last time! It was as if a blade had been driven straight through his heart. Shen Yu felt a violent tremor within, a pain that threatened to shatter him. Barely holding back the tremor in his voice, he pressed out a single word, low and heavy: “Go!” Without delay, he strode toward the Tranquil Heart Pavilion.

Along the way, Bamboo Shadow roughly recounted the events of the night. Shen Yu understood the underlying cause, and his sorrow deepened. If Yun Ci truly forced Han Chu to expel that bitter poison, then his own life was also at its end.

The poison of love combined with the Heart-Scourge Gu; only by severing all affection, abandoning love, and vomiting the blood of the Gu from one’s heart could the poison be cured. Yet, the Gu worms in both their hearts were entwined, living off each other; if one expelled the Gu blood to cure themselves, the other would… perish.

Life for life—this Gu poison truly destroyed both body and soul. How vicious, how cruel! Luan Qing and Yun Xian had only been in Jiang territory for a short three months, and already someone had planted the Heart-Scourge Gu in Yun Ci and Han Chu. Shen Yu could almost certainly conclude that the mastermind hid within this very household, and most likely, the instigator was a woman.

Only a woman could conceive such ruthless schemes.

The more Shen Yu thought, the deeper his grief and rage grew. By the time he reached the door of the Tranquil Heart Pavilion, his eyes were already red. Master Qu Fang, Fourth Lady Luan Qing, and Qian Yun were all present, each with mournful expressions. Shen Yu looked inside and saw, lying on the couch in the study’s inner chamber, a figure whose appearance nearly stopped him in his tracks—his feet felt weighted as if with iron.

The person on the couch wore white robes, the front soaked and stained with fresh blood. Clearly, life hung by a thread; his face was pale as paper, yet he still clung to his last breath, perhaps waiting to fulfill a final wish.

Shen Yu held back his sobs, drew a deep breath, and stepped inside, calling in a hoarse voice, “Wan Zhi.”

Yun Ci heard his voice and opened those deep, insightful eyes that once saw through hearts, gazing weakly at Shen Yu. “Today’s events were sudden… Pin Yan met a tragic fate… If I didn’t take advantage of this chance, I might have to wait again.”

Shen Yu knelt beside Yun Ci’s couch, grasping his hand that hung limp beside the bed, half in reproach, half in sorrow: “What’s the rush? You could have waited a little longer!”

Yun Ci managed a smile: “If I missed this opportunity, I would have to keep tormenting her—I couldn’t bear it…”

His breathing grew rapid, as if life itself were slipping away. After a pause, he continued, “I have always known I am short-lived. If I drag it out… she might meet the same end as Pin Yan.”

Hearing this, Shen Yu could no longer bear to listen, turning away, struggling to contain his pain. “Does Madam Dowager… know?”

“It’s still hidden from her,” Yun Ci sighed softly. “But I fear it cannot be concealed much longer.”

He coughed quietly, blood trickling from his lips. Shen Yu quickly wiped it away with his sleeve, forcing himself to say, “Speak slowly, I’m listening.”

“There’s no time.” Yun Ci’s voice was fading, everyone could see he was barely holding on. “I know my own body best.” He gripped Shen Yu’s hand with effort. “Mother has promised me herself—she will let her go. You… take her away tomorrow.”

Tomorrow! So soon? Shen Yu, a physician, could see the gravity of Yun Ci’s injury; he nodded repeatedly. “Rest assured, rest assured… From now on, Han Chu is my life—I’ll risk everything to protect her.”

“No, no…” Yun Ci hastily confessed, unable to hide regret and sorrow in his gaze. “Zi Feng, I have wronged you… When I saw those paired daggers, I knew you truly cared for her. It was I… who stole what you loved.”

Shen Yu shook his head in denial. “No, it was only my own unrequited affection. If not for me… you wouldn’t have been dragged into this. It all began with your efforts to save me…”

At this, Shen Yu finally shed tears, falling drop by drop onto Yun Ci’s hand, like a river of blood, unbearable to witness.

Yun Ci felt the warmth cooling on his hand, then smiled faintly. “I should thank you for letting me meet her. This life… has been worth it.” His face grew paler, outshone even by the candlelight; the moment of death was near.

Yun Ci’s eyes narrowed, his gaze shimmering more than ever, as if remembering something. “She suffered much. He Lian Qi failed her, and I couldn’t protect her… You… take care of her from now on.”

He entrusted Han Chu to him… Shen Yu knew Yun Ci’s words, though gentle, weighed more than mountains. Yun Ci was entrusting the woman he loved, whom he had guarded with his life, solemnly to Shen Yu.

How many men in this world would give their life for another? Especially one of Yun Ci’s status, who had so much more to lose: his family, his duty, his kin, his position—all severed without regret, just to exchange for Han Chu’s life.

She was Yun Ci’s woman, his true wife. And now, the woman he loved more than life itself, loved beyond all else, was handed over completely—to be trusted as a wife. How could Shen Yu ever betray such trust?

“Wan Zhi…” Shen Yu could no longer hide his guilt and heartbreak. A thousand words condensed into the tight grasp of his hand, and three heavy words: “Rest assured!”

Yun Ci smiled as if comforted, continuing his instructions: “Pin Yan was pregnant recently, the Xia family came to visit. I’ve already discussed with her parents… Chu Xiu will be adopted as a daughter. The Xia family is a scholarly lineage, and the Wen Chang Marquis’ household is also a family of ministers… Chu Xiu, as an adopted daughter of Xia, will marry you as your official wife—it won’t disgrace the Marquis. I believe your father will have no objections.”

Xia family’s adopted daughter… Shen Yu had not expected Yun Ci to quietly arrange everything, paving the way for his and Han Chu’s future, sweeping away every obstacle so she wouldn’t suffer even a moment’s wrong.

At this point, Shen Yu had to admit, Yun Ci surpassed him not only in character but also in depth of feeling and foresight for Han Chu. He had originally thought he would have to argue with his father and the Marquis for Han Chu’s rightful status. But Yun Ci had already settled everything ahead of him.

How could he not feel ashamed, not moved?

All Shen Yu could do was gather his emotions and solemnly promise, “Wan Zhi, you entrust her as your wife—I will not fail her. If I break this oath, may I fall eternally into the deepest hell, never to be reborn!”

A barely audible laugh came from Yun Ci, his lips weakly curved. “I trust you—why make such a harsh vow? Though you seem unruly in daily life, in crucial times… cough, cough…”

He broke off in a fit of coughing, blood flowing again, blooming at the pillow’s edge like flowers of the underworld—beautiful, unreal, fatal.

This cough would not stop. His chest heaved uncontrollably, alarming everyone present. Qu Fang stepped forward to check Yun Ci’s breath, then shook his head in defeat, sighing, “Marquis, do you wish to see Madam Dowager one last time?”

Yun Ci slowly closed his eyes. “Yes.”

No sooner had he spoken than hurried footsteps sounded outside. Madam Dowager, supported by Nurse Chi, entered—hair disheveled, streaked with frost, aged ten years overnight. Tears streamed down her face as she trembled to Yun Ci’s bedside, bitterly reproaching, “You would sacrifice your life for a woman, putting the Yun clan at risk!”

As if he had anticipated his mother’s reproach, Yun Ci kept his eyes closed, sighing, “Forgive me, Mother… I die without regret.”

“Die… without regret…” Madam Dowager’s chest heaved, uncertain if she was crying or laughing, gazing at her son’s ever-paler face in anguish. “You planned this, didn’t you? You intended to die for her all along?”

At the end, Yun Ci no longer hid anything, his lips moving in honest reply, “Yes.”

With a crash, Madam Dowager tore the bead curtain by the bed, her nails digging into her palms. “You father and son! Both dying on this bed! Both for women! I married well, raised a fine son!”

Her words echoed desperately in the room. No one replied. The silence made her heart tremble even more, clutching the fallen beads in rage and grief. “You were determined to die—why make her abort the child? Even if you resent me, must you cut off the Yun bloodline?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Ci opened his eyes again—now void of light, only darkness remained. His lips curled in cold mockery, “If the child was born, would you let her go? Even if you allowed her, she’d pine for the child and wouldn’t leave… I couldn’t let her remain a widow in the Yun household.”

“Yun Ci!” Only in extreme anger did Madam Dowager use his full name. Now, she was lost between anger and sorrow.

Yun Ci kept his faint sneer, as if purposely provoking her. “Don’t forget, you promised to let her go. Now… I beg you not to go back on your word.”

Ah! Madam Dowager paused, recalling that she had indeed promised. The day after Yun Qi teased Chu Xiu, after dreaming old memories, she herself proposed expelling Chu Xiu, but Yun Ci refused, saying the time was not right.

She had not expected that today would be the right time—using his own life to buy a prostitute safe passage out.

“For her, you abandon your life? Don’t forget, Yanran is your wife!” The thought of her son calculating his own death for a woman chilled her to the bone.

“My wife is only one.” Yun Ci did not specify whom, suddenly shifting topic, sighing, “Mother… forgive your son for saying an unfilial word before death. As Lady Xie, you have no equal; but as wife and mother, you have failed utterly.”

He seemed to glimpse her staggering, and reflecting on his own lack of filial piety—uttering grievances to his mother even at death—he felt sorrow, closing his eyes again. “Pin Yan’s death is suspicious. She loved fine clothes, yet her body was plainly dressed, resembling Chu Xiu… There was little blood on the cloak, surely put on after death…”

Yun Ci paused, sighing deeply. “If I am right, Pin Yan likely disguised herself as Chu Xiu to meet someone, then met with tragic misfortune… Please, Mother, keep an eye on the second branch and give the Xia family an explanation.”

“Who will give me an explanation!” Madam Dowager cried out again in anguish. “Widowed in middle age, losing my son in old age, no sons or grandsons—who will explain to me!”

She tried to rush to Yun Ci’s bed, as if to vent all her grief. But Shen Yu and Bamboo Shadow quickly blocked her, barely restraining the mad mistress of the Yun household.

Lady Xie nearly collapsed, leaning heavily on Bamboo Shadow, her voice torn with anger and pain: “Ci’er! I raised you for twenty-one years, put all of Yun clan’s hopes on you… and you throw it away for a prostitute! How can you face me, or our ancestors?!”

“For her, I’d betray the world.” This time, Yun Ci’s smile was wan but sincere, full of contentment and relief. “As a son of Yun, I am exhausted. Only with her did I feel truly alive.”

His words were candid yet apologetic; his gaze grew vague. “Don’t blame me, Mother. Let the third brother take the burden, or choose a son from another branch to adopt and raise. With your ability, Yun can last another twenty years…”

“Twenty years…” Madam Dowager finally broke down in tears. “White-haired mother burying black-haired son—how can I live twenty more years!”

“You will…” Yun Ci spoke with trust, soothing her. “Yun clan can’t always stay neutral. Bei Xi is now ruled by ministers. Mother, let’s support Nan Xi.”

“If you have such ideas, get up and lead yourself!” Her tears scorched her cheeks, soaking her collar. “You unfilial son! You…” Her endless reproach dissolved into blood and tears, finally calling her son’s name: “Ci’er…”

This was the outcome of all her life’s efforts! Her husband said she was a hen crowing at dawn, now her son would abandon her… How could she resign herself to this fate?

Yun Ci, hearing his mother’s sobs, had no strength left to answer. His vision blurred, consciousness fading. Yet, with his last breath, he gave one final instruction: “Zi Feng, you must take her away.”

Shen Yu nodded solemnly.

Though unable to see his friend’s response, Yun Ci relaxed, speaking softly: “Bamboo Shadow, I know you care for Qian Yun. In future, let Mother arrange your union… it is the bond between master and servant.”

“Master…” Bamboo Shadow and Qian Yun spoke together, Qian Yun biting her lip, not daring to cry, only shaking her head. Sadly, the one in her heart could never see her again.

It seemed Yun Ci had finished all his instructions. Suddenly, he felt cold, as if plunged into a lake without movement. Yet his heart was warm—the heart born for love burned like fire, sustaining him to this moment.

For love comes sorrow, for love comes fear. So this was fate. Heaven let him meet that woman, drawing him from a life of tranquility into the depths of worldly passion.

If possible, he would have stayed in the Rainbow Pavilion, ignoring the world, simply living with her. But he did not foresee the thorns ahead; thought he could forge ahead, but in the end, left only blood and endless pain…

From now on, he would never walk life’s long road beside her; he could only watch from this abrupt halt as her graceful figure faded into the distance…

He would guard her from the heavens, protect her in the unseen. If there was another life, he would return with a healthy body free of illness, shielding her from all storms.

No wish for wealth or glory—only to remain together to the ends of the earth.

“Wan Zhi…” Shen Yu’s voice called again, “Do you wish to see Han Chu one last time?”

One last time? Yun Ci sighed, barely audible. He could no longer see—how could he view her? Besides, his dying visage was not something he wished her to witness.

“No need.” Yun Ci forced a smile, peaceful. “If I see her again, I might not be able to die…”

No need, for he had never truly left.

When first they met, she played the zither in the night, shimmering with sorrow and indignation;
When they met again, she dipped her brush in ink, writing, “I have no name”;
When he learned slender gold script in secret, she told him the flower script lacked backbone;
When she miscarried, she drank the medicine without a word, red blossoms blooming beneath her skirt;
And those last two nights—entwined in love…

“Chu Xiu…” Even though darkness was all around, her visage was clearer in Yun Ci’s heart than ever. Her every word and smile were the most precious treasures of his short life; in life or death, whenever he remembered, it was as vivid as yesterday.

His fingers tightened, trying desperately to grasp something. Yet there was nothing—only the bedsheet trailing from the couch, smooth as her dark hair.

Ah! With love and protection for her, let him die. The love and affection of their year together was enough to warm his soul beyond death.

He believed Shen Yu, master of the affairs of the heart, would settle for her and treat her well. Let her continue to hate him, resent him, and gradually forget him in another man’s arms.

His final, faint sigh was Yun Ci’s endless sorrow and longing. The early spring night wind was warm yet cold, bursting through the door and scattering desolation. The dim candlelight flickered with the wind, its flame briefly bright before burning out.

Just as Yun Ci’s life—oil spent, lamp extinguished.

The brilliant white-robed immortal, the youngest and earliest departed Marquis Li Xin of the Yun clan, closed his eyes in the boundless darkness and departed from this world.

After the wind passes, life is but a dream. Flowers bloom and fall, colors fade and blur.

Farewell to Yun Ci—there will be no more passionate souls in this world.