Chapter 01 Another Chance to Love (Part 1)
Dried leaves gently rustled as the bleak autumn wind caressed the balding trees. The yellowish-brown hues across the land were like shades of depression, withering and lifeless. As the leaves fell off the branches, they drifted with the chilling breeze, fleeting through a small window into a prison cell. Within the cramped cell was Jun Lixuan. As the faint whistles of the wind echoed through the cell, a distinct heaviness weighed down on his heart.
He bore the accusation of planning a military coup. However, the Emperor did not immediately sentence him to death. Instead, he was imprisoned in the dungeon, awaiting judgement day. Deep down, Jun Lixuan knew that death was inevitable, even if he was wronged.
A jailer unhitched the heavy lock, and the wooden door of the cell creaked open. As usual, Ling Qiyang walked in with the food box in one hand and a copper basin full of water in the other. Then the lock fell again. Without a single word, Ling Qiyang squeezed dry a wet handkerchief and handed it to Jun Lixuan.
The Seventh Prince of the Ye Empire, Jun Lixuan, had unparalleled charm and was armed with both military might and academia excellence. Coupled with his countless achievements, he was one of the most promising candidates to be the crown prince. While he may be a prisoner now, he still maintained a clean appearance and dressing. The filthy and lowly prison conditions could not rein in his murderous aura rooted from an unwavering pride and dignity. Alas, all this seemed to mock the absurdity and stupidity of him planning a coup...
After setting down the food, Ling Qiyang sat on a shabby bench by the walls and watched Jun Lixuan eat. This scene repeated daily, and Jun Lixuan had gradually got used to it.
Since he was sixteen, Count Wangyang's second son, Ling Qiyang, had wanted to marry him. However, Jun Lixuan had never looked him in the eye directly. The awkwardness between them had ensued for a decade. Throughout the period, Ling Qiyang remained unmarried and was reduced to be the laughingstock of the entire Capital. On the other hand, countless suitors fluttered about Jun Lixuan, and there was never a shortage of men and women pouncing onto his bed.
Since birth, Ling Qiyang was extremely elegant, bewitching even. However, due to the Imperial Noble Consort's influence, Jun Lixuan instinctively guarded against him and refused to be with him.
After his fall from grace, except for his brothers, Ling Qiyang was the only person who cared for him. He visited his cell daily at the same time. Despite the daily visits, Jun Lixuan never once asked Ling Qiyang about the situation outside, nor did he question the court's discussion. All of these details were clear from Ling Qiyang's thinning and weakening complexion.
Putting down the chopsticks, Jun Lixuan said coldly, "You should also plan for your own future. I am practically dead, so don't wait anymore. Find someone worthy for yourself."
Ling Qiyang pursed his lips, and attempted his best smile, "Since the day you rescued me from the pack of wolves, my heart has been yours. Even though these years may have been tough, my heart has not changed."
Jun Lixuan frowned, "What?"
Ling Qiyang raised his eyes and looked at him. His glossy eyes tried to conceal his dismay. He said melancholically, "When I was seven, my father followed the Emperor to hunt in the paddocks. I went along and but got lost in the mountains. Then, the dusk had set, and the wolves came out. When the entire pack surrounded me, you heroically jumped down from the trees and killed the wolf who had pounced at me. Then, you fired the signal and called in the guards. Quickly, they annihilated the wolves, and you brought the trembling me back to the camp."
The ridges on Jun Lixuan's forehead deepened. While he remembered the incident, the details had long been diluted by time. He never expected his relationship with Ling Qiyang to begin from so long ago.
Ling Qiyang looked at the perplexed Jun Lixuan and smiled, "It's fine if you forgot."
"I never heard you mention it before." Jun Lixuan said.
Ling Qiyang looked down and smiled. He replied in a low voice: "You never gave me a chance."
Jun Lixuan fell silent. Now that he could no longer do anything for Ling Qiyang, the silence was the only thing he had left.
After clearing the dishes, Ling Qiyang packed the things and prepared to leave. When he reached the door, he stopped again. He turned his head and said sombrely, "I won't let you die." After which, he left without looking back. All that was heard was the sound of the jailer's lock falling.
In the afternoon, Jun Lixuan's biological brother, the Third Prince, His Royal Highness Yi, Jun Liyuan visited the dungeon. Since Jun Lixuan's accident, he and the sixth prince, Jun Liche, had been looking for forged letters that forced Jun Lixuan to rebel, but they never found anything. "Third Brother." Seeing the distressed Jun Liyuan, Jun Lixuan could not find words to express himself.
Jun Liyuan looked at his handsome younger brother. From what he knew, Jun Lixuan was well-blessed in terms of aesthetic, but there was a touch of hostility between his eyebrows. The hostility subconsciously forced people to keep their distance from His Royal Highness Ling, not daring to interact within him. Jun Liyuan thought to himself countless times. Is this constant aggression on his face the root of all disasters?
Some time ago, Empress Mother found the Eminent Monk, Master Qingyi, to analyse Jun Lixuan's physiognomy. The master said that the Seventh Prince must take a male wife to have a peaceful life. However, Jun Liyuan refused. Now, Jun Liyuan questioned: Was Jun Lixuan's fall from grace was due to his refusal to get a male wife...?
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aaaahhh first chapter and i already like it~~ thank u for the chapter!!
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