Chapter 126

Chapter 126: The red phoenix flies south, but it is better to return

Fingers gently traced the handsome face, moving across the brows, down the straight nose, to the cheek, where a 

small black mole was placed. Cheng Tian Yang's eyes were smiling, his gaze fixed on the man's face for a long 

time before he stopped teasing him.

A soft sigh suddenly echoed in the room.

Slowly sitting up, Cheng Tian Yang looked down at the sleeping man. After a long while, he struggled to get out 

of bed, his legs suddenly giving way, and he almost fell.

The usually alert man was not awakened by the noise. Cheng Tian Yang smiled faintly. This man truly cared for 

and trusted those he cared about completely… What a fool!

After struggling to get dressed, Cheng Tian Yang sat back down on the bed, silently watching the man, and thought 

of last night's passionate encounter. His hand unconsciously went to his lapel, and he could almost feel those 

warm, moist lips gently nibbling at him.

Gently tucking the blanket around him, Cheng Tian Yang leaned down and lightly kissed Si Cang Qing's lips.

"This parting may be forever, don't... forget Tianyang."

Yes, he was ultimately extremely selfish. Even last night's conversation was for his own selfish reasons. 

Si Cang Qing already had several people around him—that was an unchangeable fact, especially since... one of 

them was his most beloved elder brother. He couldn't possibly use any means against those people. But, at least, 

he wanted this person to never accept anyone else again...

Even if he himself would never return, he couldn't bear the thought of more people appearing in this person's life.

After last night's lovemaking, Cheng Tian Yang had remained awake, watching this person fall asleep. Just now, 

while this person was still asleep, he had pressed his sleeping acupoint.

In this life, he had always parted from those closest to him. This time, he didn't want to see him again, to 

experience another heart-wrenching pain.

Slowly pulling away from the man's lips, Cheng Tian Yang gazed at his sleeping face for a long time. Then, he 

sat up straight and removed the longevity lock he always wore on his chest—the only thing his mother had left 

him. He placed the lock into Si Cang Qing's hand, then abruptly stood up and walked towards the outer room.

Never looking back.

“Your Highness, everything is prepared.” Qing Yan hurried forward to report as Cheng Tian Yang emerged.

Nodding slightly, Cheng Tian Yang said in a calm voice, “Let's depart now.” Just as he lifted his foot, he suddenly 

turned to look at the simple bundle in Qing Yan's hands. “The Emperor's cloak hasn't been left behind, has it?”

“It's all packed!”

After a moment's thought, Cheng Tian Yang gestured for him to open the bundle. His eyes immediately fell 

upon the neatly folded white cloak, and he relaxed, saying no more as he walked toward the palace exit.

“Qingyan, go ahead and meet up with Consort Bi. I will join you shortly.”

Watching Qingyan depart at his command, Cheng Tian Yang finally spoke in a drawn-out tone, “Come out.”

“Your servant greets His Imperial Highness the Western Consort.”

Observing the silent man kneeling before him, Cheng Tian Yang spoke softly, “Why follow me instead of 

guarding your master?”

“Your Highness,” Feng Xiang replied solemnly, “You have yet to bid farewell to the master.”

Cheng Tian Yang chuckled lightly, studying the man. He hadn't expected this shadow guard of that fool to be so 

devoted... He then added, “I have already bid farewell. You needn't trouble yourself over this,” and turned to leave. 

“Oh, and before morning court, if His Majesty hasn't awakened, don't forget to rouse him.”

With that, Cheng Tian Yang departed without hesitation.

“Yang'er,” Cheng Tian Bi murmured, gazing at the gray, overcast sky outside the window, a hint of confusion in 

his voice, “Why the rush?”

Inside the carriage, sitting beside his elder brother, Cheng Tian Yang explained, “The sooner we leave, the sooner 

we return! Hongdu is too far from here. To make it back before the ninth day of the ninth month is a bit tight.”

Was that the reason? Cheng Tian Bi didn't press further, only saying, “I haven't bid farewell to Qing yet!”

“It's not like we're never coming back,” Cheng Tian Yang chuckled playfully. “Besides, His Majesty is terribly 

busy these days. He probably wouldn't have time to see us off anyway.”

Sensing something off about his mood, Cheng Tian Bi turned his head. He noticed a hint of pallor on his brother's 

face, faint circles of blue beneath his eyes. Concern crept into his voice. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Cheng Tian Yang paused slightly, unconcerned. “It's nothing, brother. Don't worry. I just didn't sleep well.” 

He stretched lazily, nestling into his brother's embrace. “It's been so long since I slept in your arms. I really miss it!”

Cheng Tian Bi smiled faintly, holding him close. “You! Since you didn't sleep well, rest properly now.”

“Brother, you're so kind!” Cheng Tian Yang's muffled voice came from deep within Cheng Tian Bi's embrace.

“Heh,” Cheng Tian Bi patted his back lightly and murmured, “Go to sleep.” His hand froze abruptly. From this 

angle, he could just catch sight of the man's slightly open collar...

Faint marks, suggestively scattered across the man's neck.

Sensing something off about his brother's mood, Cheng Tian Yang rolled over, tilting his head up to look at 

Cheng Tian Bi with a hint of confusion. “Brother, what's wrong?”

Realizing his mistake, Cheng Tian Bi offered a faint smile. “Nothing...”

Without giving it much thought, Cheng Tian Yang closed his eyes again, murmuring softly, “Brother, I'm going 

to sleep for a bit.”

“Mm.”

Watching his brother slip into deep sleep, Cheng Tian Bi raised his hand, paused mid-air, and finally let it fall. 

With a soft sigh, he turned to gaze at the carriage curtain swaying rhythmically with the vehicle's motion.

Has this child truly made up his mind? He still cares about those past experiences... But without Qing, he'll likely 

never find true happiness!

As his elder brother, how could he possibly help him?

“Yang'er...”

◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇

Silently leaning against the bed, Si Cang Qing lowered his gaze, staring at the delicate silver lock in his hand. 

He recognized it—this was the longevity lock Cheng Tian Yang always kept close to his body.

Had he left? But why depart while he slept?

Gently stroking the silver lock, Si Cang Qing suddenly called out, “Xiang!”

Feng Xiang entered silently.

“Depart immediately. Catch up to Yang. From now on, you will follow him.”

Feng Xiang glanced up at Si Cang Qing before quickly lowering his head again, replying respectfully, “My lord, 

you no longer have any Shadow Guards by your side...”

Si Cang Qing merely shot him a cold, dismissive glance.

All the words he wanted to say were swallowed back into his throat. Feng Xiang replied, “Your servant obeys 

your command.” Then he vanished from where he stood.

In the desolate valley, crows wailed mournfully. A small mound was overgrown with weeds. Perhaps too many 

years had passed; without being told, one would never have guessed it was once a grave.

Two brothers, each with his own distinct bearing, knelt before the grave, silently watching the joss paper burn to 

ashes.

“Brother,” Cheng Tian Yang turned his head and said softly, “Let's add some more soil for Mother.”

With that, they rose, each taking a sickle and carefully cutting away the weeds covering the mound. By late 

afternoon, they had not only cleared the grass but also added fresh earth to the mound.

“Mother,” Cheng Tian Bi murmured to the newly erected stone tablet, unconcerned with the dirt on his clothes, 

“Your son must depart now... Rest in peace beneath the earth.”

The evening glow painted the horizon.

“Brother, you must hurry back to the palace!” Cheng Tian Yang gazed at the setting sun, half-swallowed by 

the western mountain peaks. The golden-red glow remained somewhat blinding, causing him to squint 

involuntarily. “It is already the eighth month. If we don't leave now, we may not make it in time for the Grand 

Heavenly Sacrifice.”

“Yang'er!” Cheng Tian Bi regarded his younger brother with disapproval, his tone resolute. “You're returning 

with me!”

“Returning?” Cheng Tian Yang chuckled softly. “Brother, I am no longer the West Empress of Canghuan... 

That place is no longer where I belong. How can I return?” “Turning away, he gazed at the distant city gate. 

"This is Hongdu, this is my home."

“Why must you insist...” Cheng Tian Bi sighed softly, watching the solitary figure retreating into the distance. 

“Didn't you once say, ‘If you want something, fight for it’? Why this sudden timidity now?”

“Who said that?” Cheng Tian Yang suddenly turned, smiling brightly. “Brother, you know I've always hated 

being cooped up in the palace. Now that I'm finally free, why would I willingly crawl back into a cage?”

“Enough, enough,” Cheng Tian Yang cut him off before his brother could continue. “Brother, don't try to persuade 

me... Tonight, let's just enjoy our time together. Once you leave tomorrow, I doubt we'll see each other again 

anytime soon.”

“Don't worry about me,” Cheng Tian Yang murmured softly. “I know what I want... Brother, I just want to see you 

happy.”

Cheng Tian Bi stared blankly at him, a thousand words caught in his throat.

The next morning.

Beyond the long pavilion, Cheng Tian Yang stood alone for a long while, watching the galloping carriage 

gradually vanish from sight.

“Your servant greets Your Highness!”

Seeing the figure suddenly appear before him, Cheng Tian Yang couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. 

“It's you?” His thoughts shifted. “Did... did His Majesty send you?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Feng Xiang seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking. “My Master is concerned 

about you and specially dispatched me to follow.”

A faint smile touched Cheng Tian Yang's lips, yet he said, “You may return. Tell His Majesty I am well and need 

not worry.” He glanced at Feng Xiang and added, “His Majesty has only you as his shadow guard. How could I 

possibly have you follow me?”

Feng Xiang remained utterly still. “This subordinate never disobeys the master's orders.”

Cheng Tian Yang snorted in disdain. “A wooden block breeds wooden blocks!” His gaze shifted to Feng Xiang, 

a hint of amusement playing on his lips. “Then you should be protecting me in secret. Why reveal yourself?”

Feng Xiang's voice was solemn. “Your Highness, I request permission to take you to a place.”

His curiosity piqued, Cheng Tian Yang asked, “Oh? What do you wish me to see?”

“This way, Your Highness!”

Surveying the bustling laborers and the nearly completed structure before him, Cheng Tian Yang clenched his fists. 

He whipped around to stare at Feng Xiang. “This place...”

“Your Highness, this is the reconstruction of Tianxiang Pavilion. Every layout matches the original structure 

exactly.”

His suspicions confirmed, Cheng Tian Yang suppressed the storm raging within and walked slowly forward. 

Between the half-built buildings stood a modest pond, with a pavilion and rockery suspended above it—identical 

to his memories.

Running his fingers lightly over the white jade railings, tracing the intricate patterns, Cheng Tian Yang murmured 

softly, almost to himself, “When did this begin?”

“The Master ordered it upon his return to the capital.”

“Fool,” Cheng Tian Yang scolded. “The war has barely ended, and he's already indulging in such extravagance!”

“Your Highness,” Feng Xiang defended his master, “it is precisely because of the war that the people struggle to 

survive. The master is undertaking this construction project here, using funds from the national treasury, to provide 

shelter for displaced refugees with nowhere else to go.”

Hearing this, Cheng Tian Yang broke into a smile and sighed. “That is indeed a way to soothe the people's hearts, 

but...” His gaze shifted slightly, fixing on Feng Xiang. “If this was to be prepared in secret, why did you inform 

me ahead of time?”

Feng Xiang's expression remained impassive as he calmly replied, “My Master is concerned for Your Highness. 

Therefore, this subordinates implore his highness not to disappoint his intentions.”

“Are you lecturing me?”

“This subordinate dare not!”

Cheng Tian Yang shot him a glance and said indifferently, "I will not be returning. Your Master understands this 

well. You needn't trouble yourself...“ His gaze shifted back to the half-built structure, and a faint smile touched 

his lips. ”Since we're rebuilding the Tianxiang Pavilion, I shall oversee the work myself!"

With that, Cheng Tian Yang strode away, carefully inspecting the progress of the construction.

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