Weariness of Spring Flowers — Epilogue

In the grand history of Dayan, during its 850th year, Emperor Wu, who revived the empire, was hailed by historians as one of the most legendary emperors in history. Of course, this legend wasn't just because he unified the entire Xuanhuang continent during his lifetime, ending its long era of warlords and chaos, but also due to his iron-fisted rule and his autocratic ways. The unique political reforms he introduced are numerous and noteworthy, but two of his actions became particularly famous: granting his most favored chief eunuch, Qing Yan, permission to marry a man, and having only one wife for his entire life.

Naturally, Murong Jing He was unaware of these future judgments, and even if he were, he wouldn’t care. Since he had made those decisions, he knew people would talk, especially considering his position. The strong act, while the weak talk; such is the way of the world. He wanted enough freedom, and to achieve that, he needed to be strong—very strong. So, in the end, he dared to openly challenge age-old traditions, allowing Qing Yan and the Corpse Ghost to openly become partners and ensuring that his own woman would never suffer any indignity.

If he ever heard the word “legendary,” he would likely scoff. He might think that if another emperor had been foolish enough to carry around the corpse of a complete stranger for days, that emperor would become a legend too. After all, viewed from a different perspective, being legendary often means leading a life filled with more intense suffering and tragedy than others. Like him, like the War God, King of Cangzhong. As a young man, Murong Jing He had only been infatuated with the thrill of battle, never envying or aspiring to that solitary, high throne. And as for the King of Cangzhong, that founding hero of Dayan...

One day, as a few of them were drinking tea and chatting under the wisteria trellis in the Sleeping Spring Courtyard, the Seer suddenly announced, "I must leave."

The surroundings fell silent in an instant.

Seeing their confused expressions, the Seer smiled.

"Someone has come to find me." He paused, then looked at Murong Jing He. "And it’s someone you know."

A tall, broad-shouldered man, dressed in coarse cloth, stood outside the Sleeping Spring Courtyard. On his back was a long, cloth-wrapped object. His face was rugged and stern, exuding an aura of power.

"I was once the Seer of the Heiyuan lands," the Seer began, his clear eyes filled with the distant light of memories. "Back then, foreign tribes stirred up demons, creating a disaster that destroyed my people. With divine power, I transformed the disaster into a curse. The curse afflicted bamboo until it withered, and pines until they scorched. I consumed the curse, binding it to my body and entering a deep sleep.”

There are no records of Heiyuan in the history books, so what he said was akin to a myth for those present. But his abilities were indeed different from ordinary people, so even if they didn’t fully understand, no one doubted him.

“Then one day, his intrusion awakened my consciousness. Seeing him die in the underground cave, filled with unyielding resentment, I used my power to bind his soul and accompany me in that dark place. It wasn’t until you arrived and took the cursed creature away that I could be reborn. He remained attached to his skeletal remains, unwilling to leave, but he didn’t expect you to bring them out." The Seer said this while looking at Murong Jing He.

Murong Jing He’s expression remained unchanged—he had already guessed who the man was. During his return to Zhongshan Stone Forest, he had sought to discover a shortcut from Anyang to Zhongshan, and to find the King of Cangzhong. He found the military insignia of the Cangzhong King on him, a relic recognized by the descendants of the Bingdao Army. Anyone possessing that insignia could command the army, which explained why Murong Jing He was able to control the elusive Bingdao Army. However, he hadn’t anticipated that the King’s soul was attached to the insignia, later inhabiting a recently deceased body. It took years for the soul to fully integrate with the body before he sought out the Seer.

These events sound like something out of a fairy tale, but the world is full of mysterious and inexplicable phenomena.

As Murong Jing He watched the two figures gradually disappear into the mountain cherry blossoms and wild vines, he suddenly reached out and pulled Mei Lin into his arms, holding her tightly from behind.

Throughout it all, the man didn’t utter a single word. He didn’t mention the past that had filled him with resentment and bitterness, nor did he seek to hold Murong Jing He accountable for using the relic. He simply followed the Seer in silence, like a taciturn servant rather than a figure who once commanded the battlefield.

"Huahua, do you know the name of the Holy Ancestor?" Murong Jing He whispered into Mei Lin’s ear, biting it playfully.

Mei Lin's brow furrowed, and she tried to push his face away. "I don't know. And don’t call me Huahua."

Murong Jing He made a few noncommittal sounds, dodging her hand before leaning in again. "Huahua, let me tell you a secret—the Holy Ancestor's given name was Qian."

Mei Lin’s hand paused, her mind going blank for a moment as he held her hand.

"Qian? Murong Qian?"

She recalled the four words etched with deep hatred on that skeletal remains: “Qian the Traitor Betrayed Me.” Could it be... She turned to look at the man clinging to her, her gaze filled with uncertainty.

Murong Jing He kissed her on the forehead, then gave a slight nod, confirming her suspicions.

According to Murong Jing He’s theory, the founding Holy Ancestor, out of fear of the King of Cangzhong's power, devised a plan to strip him of his military command. He secretly ordered the King to lead a force into the stone forest to eliminate the remnants of the Hu tribe. Once the King and the tribe were locked in battle, the Holy Ancestor’s men surrounded the forest, setting it ablaze with poisonous smoke, killing everyone inside. The stone forest became a cursed, burned wasteland. It was a plan that killed many birds with one stone.

Of course, this was only his theory. The real truth likely lies buried deep within the memories of that silent man.

“So that’s why you made me bow to him?” Mei Lin shivered involuntarily, realizing just how terrifying an emperor’s mind could be.

Murong Jing He held her tighter and hummed in agreement. Though there was an element of reverence in those bows, they were primarily to atone for his ancestors' sins. Perhaps the man knew this, and seeing Murong Jing He personally bury those three corpses led him to allow the use of the insignia to command the Bingdao Army.

“But just now... won’t he be a threat to you?” Mei Lin asked, worried, as she recalled the man’s inscrutable expression.

“Who knows? Huahua, are you worried about me?” Murong Jing He didn’t seem troubled at all. In fact, he seemed quite pleased.

Mei Lin fell silent, then suddenly said, “You still owe me a favor.” If he hadn’t brought up the past, she would have forgotten.

Murong Jing He paused, his mind racing with the fear that she might ask for something that would take her away from him. Smiling, he replied, “What’s this talk of one favor or two? All my favors are yours—you can’t refuse even if you want to.”

“Scoundrel!” Mei Lin looked up at the sky, letting him plant playful kisses on her forehead, her face expressionless. She knew all too well that he had countless ways to refuse anything he didn’t want to do, no matter the evidence.

Surrounded by his scent and warmth, her gaze softened.

The clouds drifted lightly above, the courtyard was filled with blooming flowers and lush trees, and in the distance, the mountains were gentle, with occasional glimpses of people’s homes. This place, too, was wonderful.

Anywhere he was, that place was wonderful. 

[The End]

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