Sheng Chumu lowered his eyes and Fu Rou could not tell what he was feeling. His tone was calm. “Then let’s go back.”
Fu Rou did not think anything was strange and thought that he had thought things through. “Okay, let’s not run anymore. Let’s go back together and courageously face any challenges posed our way. One day, we will be able to be together outrightly and receive everyone’s blessing. I will go and pack. We will leave after.”
“The hunter that saved you on Cangshan Mountain has the surname Yan right? Yan Zifang.” Sheng Chumu spoke coldly.
Fu Rou, who was leaving excitedly, was stunned as she turned back. “How did you know?”
“No wonder you keep wanting to return to Chang’an. No wonder you don’t let me touch you even after so many days.” Sheng Chumu ah Sheng Chumu. You are a fool.
He took out the Longevity Pendant and threw it in front of her. He turned in the other direction. “From now on, you can go on your way.”
Fu Rou chased after him. “Chumu, listen to me…”
Sheng Chumu spun around and grabbed ahold of Fu Rou’s shoulders. His gaze was menacing. “Stay far away from me. When I get angry, I can kill.” He then pushed her to the ground.
When Fu Rou got up, he had already disappeared before she could chase after him.
She stared blankly in the direction Sheng Chumu disappeared in as tears streamed down her cheeks. They supported each other the entire journey, fooling themselves and each other. She had been forcing down the guilt she was feeling. However, as she saw the officials use their power to bully them today and how Sheng Chumu had to suppress his anger, she decided that they could not carry on any longer.
They were the same. Although they were in Guangzhou, their hearts were in Chang’an. An invisible string was tied around their hearts, pulling on their conscience. The more it pulled, the more painful it became such that every step they took felt like a tear to their hearts.
If he cared about how she was feeling, then she was willing to be the bad person. She had to convince him to take the proper route and love each other openly. Only happiness obtained in that manner would be able to last a long time.
This time, he did not have to find her. She would find him. It did not matter if she had to chase, shout, beg or cling onto him without letting go.
Chapter 50.1: Request
In Fu Rou’s memory, when the jasmine flowers in Fan Square bloomed, summer was about to come. She loved to go there to look at the flowers and sketch them so that she could embroider them later.
A year had passed since she left Chang’an for Guangzhou and currently she was walking through her favourite square, smelling that familiar fragrance. However, she no longer felt the same as in the past.
She missed her parents, Fu Tao, who had joined the military, and Fu Yin, who was missing. She also missed the various palace female officials and palace maids in the Seamstress Department. She missed her good friend, Li Baolin and even Empress Zhangsun, who was often sick. Although she had entered the palace against her will, it was already part of her fate and she felt a responsibility to return and say her farewells properly.
“Eh, pretty lady. Why are you all alone?” A glib yet familiar voice floated into her ears.
Fu Rou pulled herself out from her reminisce. She looked up to see a plump face and did not know whether to laugh or cry. She never thought that she would see Chen You ever again!
“Oh, Fu Rou! I finally found you!” Chen You immediately recognised Fu Rou and immediately gestured to the people behind him to surround her.
A passerby saw that something was wrong and asked Fu Rou if she wanted help to report to the officials. Chen You shouted, “She is my officially wedded wife. Report it if you want, I still want to seek justice for myself. On the day of our marriage, she did not even step into my Chen family’s residence and went back to her own residence. She tricked my family of over a few thousand taels.”
“Since you claim that I am your wife, then show me the marriage certificate.” Fu Rou was not a weak woman.
Chen You froze as he recalled selling the marriage certificate. However, he pressed on after considering how many of his useless friends that he had with him today. “Who cares about a marriage certificate. On the day that you married me, all these people were present to drink the celebratory wine.”
Everyone agreed with him. The people around them thought that they were having a couple fight and did not bother.
They cornered Fu Rou and forced her slowly to a small alley. She started to panic as she saw Chen You’s claws about to touch her shoulder.
“Harassing girls in broad daylight. How bold of you.” Someone whacked Chen You’s claws away and stood in front of Fu Rou, with one hand holding hers.
Fu Rou recognised the voice as well as the back view and bit her lip lightly. She thought that she wouldn’t find him again.
“Who are you? Why are you holding my girl? Let go!” As Chen You saw how they were holding hands, his soybean-sized eyes jutted out.
Sheng Chumu raised his fist and punched the mud brick wall. A hole immediately appeared. Chen You and his bad friends gagged.
“Okay, I'm the one that is harassing ladies. Not you. This lady has caught my eye.” Sheng Chumu pulled Fu Rou away as soon as he finished talking.
It was then that Chen You took a step forward. Suddenly, a sword brushed past the top of his head. Sheng Chumu’s gaze was terrifying. “Is it worth it to put your life on the line for a woman?”
Chen You was frightened. “No no, I...I just wanted to ask. You...you are so impressive, may I know where you are from?”
“I am the famous…” Sheng Chumu coincidentally caught sight of the wanted poster of Hong Yide. “The famous Hong Yide’s...subordinate.”
Chen You was trembling in fear. “Very...very famous.”
Sheng Chumu smirked and led Fu Rou away.
A devious look immediately took over Chen You’s face. Great, so he is a bandit. It didn’t matter if he lost his wife, the reward money was good too. He was going to notify the officials!
As soon as Sheng Chumu walked into a safe place, he let go of Fu Rou’s hand and walked forward by himself. He counted in his heart. She would run after him. After all, she was the one that kept a secret from him, she should pacify him and coax him sweetly. However, after walking quite a distance, his ears were straining to hear something but he did not hear Fu Rou call for him. He did not even hear her footsteps.
He turned back to look but realised that there was no one behind him. He rushed back. As soon as he turned the corner, he saw her squatting on the floor. Fu Rou heard the noise and lifted her head. Her tears had yet to dry.
“It is not that I cannot bear to let you go. I am angry, very angry!” His words remained stubborn. “Let me tell you, I will not forgive you so easily--”
“I am sorry.” She suddenly got up and hugged him. “I should not have hid the things that happened on Cangshan Mountain from you. But there is an inside story, Yan Zifang and I…”
His expression changed from one of enjoyment back to its hardened state. “Don’t talk about him! You are not in the wrong. I was the one that forced you to elope. In the past, I was a hedonist, how am I worthy of marrying you? Yan Zifang had a childhood betrothal with you, Prince Zhou protects you in the palace, and Grand Prince Liang is of royal status. Even that good-for-nothing Chen You had a marriage certificate with you. What about me? I have nothing and am nothing to you!”
“Don’t say that. I shouldn’t have lied to you.” She had reflected.
“Forget it, I lied to you before. It serves me right to be lied to.” It was time to reconcile, he had been suffering as he resisted. “But you cannot do it again in the future.”