Don't forget your words, a strong pressure came over her. Zhou Xian silently recited these four words in the dim light. The darkness around her was like a huge quilt covering the whole sky and earth, making it difficult to breathe and there was nowhere to escape.
She turned her head to look north, in the direction of Jiangning City, and a sense of pressure came over her. Li Yu must not have slept now, as he was waiting in despair for the result of his desperate gamble. Closer, Liu Liuyao was also waiting, even forcing himself to seize the opportunity to assassinate tonight. Those four words "Do not forget your words" were an urgent and serious reminder, because it was very risky and not easy to convey them.
Zhou Xian's heart seemed to be tightly twisted together. Thinking of Jiangning Mansion, Li Yu's desperate, struggling and helpless face seemed to be right in front of her, and she felt pain again; that person had placed everything on her. Even if he was very heartless, if she didn't help him, he would really die and there would be no redemption.
The scene of the night of separation reappeared in Zhou Xian's mind.
That day was Zhou Xian's last night away from Jiangning Mansion. She knew that this trip was a farewell forever. No matter whether the assassination attempt succeeded or not, she didn't think she could return to Jiangning Mansion alive. She had been married to Li Yu for several years, but she was sent away by the person who loved her most. She was heartbroken. Such an ending was undoubtedly a denial of her entire life. For more than 20 years, she had given her whole life to Li Yu.
There will be no more choices. No matter what kind of person he is, Zhou Xian has no way to deny it. Moreover, Li Yu was not the first betrayer, so she cannot blame others. She is the one who should bear the consequences of all the suffering.
She remembered that she had packed up Li Yu's usual clothes and things he often used, and told the female official who was sent back to take care of his daily life one by one. She told him in great detail.
Doing those chores was also the last time she could do something for Li Yu, and she would never be able to take care of his life again. After doing those things, she had completely walked into the coldness and darkness, like death.
I have made countless vows to each other, why didn't I keep them, why did I betray you
Two lines of tears slid down Zhou Xian's cheeks. She thought silently: If I hadn't given myself up so easily and let Li Yu betray me, Li Yu wouldn't have doubted me and treated me like that. She felt that she had ruined everything with her own hands.
She gritted her teeth and said silently: I hate you, Guo Shao
Now, suffocating despair has enveloped Zhou Xian's body, and her mind is a mess. In this hopeless moment, Zhou Xian secretly made up her mind: since we are all going to die anyway, I will sacrifice myself to save my younger sisters Jiamin and Zhou Ermei from danger; to fulfill Li Yu's glimmer of hope, and it can be regarded as a redemption for the unforgettable love in the past.
Sacrifice means offering one's life and soul to show one's piety to some kind of deity.
Zhou Xian raised her sleeves and wiped her face vigorously to dry her tears. She felt that she had never been so brave in her weak and fragile life. She calmed down, gently reached her hand to her hair, pulled out a golden hairpin, and held it tightly in her hand.
When Guo Shao fell asleep, a golden hairpin could kill him.
Killing him would make him buried with him, and once he died, he would be able to finally relax. Zhou Xian felt really tired, exhausted from the bottom of his heart.
After a long time, it was late at night, Zhou Xian didn't hear any movement outside, but there was still light outside the curtain, probably that person didn't turn off the light when he slept. She walked forward timidly, towards the curtain, and found that her legs were numb after moving a little, which was really caused by standing there for too long.
The light coming through the gap in the curtain was hazy, and it was like the color of dust and fog. Zhou Xian seemed to see the underworld, and walked along the long dark road with the Black and White Impermanence, and then saw the slightly open door of the terrifying underworld. There were ghosts and unknown terrors in the door, as well as dark and cold light. There was no way back.
Zhou Xian walked behind the crack without making any sound and leaned over to take a look. Suddenly he saw a young man sitting at the table. He hadn't gone to bed yet. What time was it? Why was Guo Shao still staying up late
In the firelight, Guo Shao opened his mouth and yawned, then gently placed the brush in his hand on the inkstone and stood up.
Zhou Xian thought: He is going to bed now
Unexpectedly, Guo Shao did not intend to leave his seat. He just turned around to look at the blueprint hanging on the wooden shelf next to him. He stretched out his finger and stroked a certain place on the blueprint carefully and slowly.
Zhou Xian was stunned. He had never seen a man with such eyes. Guo Shao's eyes were a little tired, making him look a little pitiful, but his eyes were extremely focused, even giving people a very affectionate feeling. He was not looking at the map, but examining the mountains and rivers of China with emotion. Zhou Xian couldn't help but be distracted: If a woman was looked at with such eyes, how would she feel
At this moment, there was a sudden movement at the door, and a general lifted the thick cloth at the door of the tent, which scared Zhou Xian.
The general coughed softly and cautiously, and when Guo Shao turned his head, he bent down and said: My lord, Shaoqing Zuo requested to see you overnight.
Guo Shao turned his head and glanced over here. Zhou Xian's heart tightened again, worried that he would find out that he was not asleep. But Guo Shao whispered: Let him in, and tell him to speak softly, the people inside may be asleep.
When Zhou Xian heard such caring words, he suddenly felt a mixture of emotions in his heart, which was very unpleasant. Guo Shao still cared about him all the time.
Soon, the civil official Zuo You walked into the tent. He looked like a thin young man under 30 years old. Zhou Xian had been in the same carriage with him when he went to the river. Zuo You came in alone, without any courtesy at all, and said in a deep voice: My Lord, you must not stay here tonight.
Guo Shao frowned and said: Didn't I order Lu Chengyong not to act rashly? My words in the army have no authority.
Zuo You said: If my lord thinks that I have disobeyed orders, I will gladly be killed.
The two men looked at each other immediately, and Zuo You did not avoid Guo Shao's gaze. Zuo You said again: If my lord insists on doing this, cut off my head and put it beside your bed, and I will watch over it for you all night.
Guo Shao let out a sigh of relief: You are just being spoiled and arrogant, you know I can't do anything to you, right
Zuo You said: I really can’t figure this matter out, and it’s not my intention to disobey orders.
Guo Shao said softly: I trust that woman, don't worry, when have I ever misjudged someone
When Zhou Xian heard this, he realized another problem: the reason why he had the opportunity tonight was entirely because of Guo Shao's trust. This trust was so great that he was willing to entrust his life to him.
Zhou Xian's heart was churning, and she felt that she had really misjudged Guo Shao before. She thought that a person who climbed up from a humble status would do whatever it took to value everything he had already obtained; but the fact was completely the opposite. It was not surprising that a person with nothing would entrust his life to someone else, but when a person in a high position with great power in the world would do this for a woman, it was very rare.
The two of them kept talking in low voices. Zuo You frowned and said: "It's better to be safe than sorry. Besides, that woman is suspected of being a spy. Why is the lord so sure?"
Guo Shao pondered for a moment and said: To be honest with you, that woman is Zhou Ehuang.
Zuo You was surprised.
That's right, said Guo Shao.
Zuo You was silent for a long time, as if he was thinking about the relationship, and then he said: "The Queen is indeed a rare beauty in the world, and it is not surprising that heroes love her. However, now the Southern Tang Dynasty is about to fall, and the beauty is already in his pocket. If the lord likes her, it will be easy to take her into his room in the future, so why should he be punished at this time?"
This is not dangerous, so it cannot be called giving him a handle. Guo Shao paced a few steps, slapped his forehead and said, Mr. Zuo, come closer, I have thought of how to explain it, let me show you.