Chapter 207: Final Farewell and Healing

Yue Mingxuan accepted them without ceremony and smiling happily as he did so.

Days passed one after another like this.

Because of Gongsun Xing’s restrictions, Yue Mingxuan could only learn about Shang Qinghua’s and Rong Qinglei’s conditions through the medicine boy Gongsun Xing sent daily.

Hearing that they were improving bit by bit each day, his heart gradually settled as well.

On this particular day, as Yue Mingxuan lay languidly against a soft couch, an inner attendant came to report, “Your Highness, Prince Rong has come to visit.”

Hmm? What was he here for?

Upon hearing Rong Tieshan’s name, Yue Mingxuan nearly forgot such a person even existed.

After a brief pause, he said, “Let him come in.”

Moments later, Rong Tieshan entered with the attendant.

He appeared more mature than before, yet there was also a noticeable weariness between his brows.

Thinking of the recent turmoil at court caused by the struggle between him and Rong Qinglei, it was clear that life had not been easy for someone standing at the eye of the storm.

“What brings you here?” Facing his “former fiancé,” Yue Mingxuan remained wary of gossip and impropriety, wishing only to send him away quickly so as not to invite further trouble.

Sensing Yue Mingxuan’s impatience, the weariness between Rong Tieshan’s brows deepened. “Mingxuan… do you truly hate seeing me that much?”

Yue Mingxuan rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

By rights, Rong Tieshan had grown up in the palace and should understand the danger of public rumor better than anyone, yet his actions and words suggested otherwise.

“Prince Rong, surely you understand that people’s tongues are to be feared?”

Hearing this, Rong Tieshan’s gaze dimmed noticeably.

In just a few short months, had things between them truly grown this distant?

“Mingxuan, my mother has already told me everything that happened. I came here to thank you… In truth, you didn’t need to do so much for my sake. I cannot bear it.”

Hearing Rong Tieshan speak like this, Yue Mingxuan almost wanted to throw the bronze mirror at hand straight at him and make him take a good look at himself.

Although Rong Tieshan did look decent enough, did he really have to be this self absorbed?

“Uh… about that, what Prince Rong is saying, I truly don’t understand it,” Yue Mingxuan said. “My cooperation with Imperial Consort Hua was simply a matter of mutual benefit. Prince Rong really doesn’t need to keep it in mind.”

Is that so? Rong Tieshan let out a bitter smile. So in the end, it was merely his own misplaced affection.

“Mingxuan, you’ve changed a great deal.”

Yue Mingxuan nodded.

“Yes. The former Yue Mingxuan is already dead.”

He did not say the rest aloud, that person had loved Rong Tieshan until death, yet he had failed to cherish him back then.

Rong Tieshan clearly misunderstood the meaning behind Yue Mingxuan’s words.

After a moment of silence, he said, “I understand.”

Hadn’t he known this all along?

Hadn’t he already known that he shouldn’t harbor any extravagant hopes?

Then why did his heart still ache, still feel, still cling to faint expectations?

Yue Mingxuan did not speak.

He merely lifted the teacup beside him.

Given Rong Tieshan’s intelligence, he should understand what it meant to serve tea to see a guest out.

Seeing Yue Mingxuan’s action, Rong Tieshan did not linger any longer.

Watching his retreating figure, Yue Mingxuan recalled the first time he had seen him after arriving here.

Rong Tieshan had once been “his” emotional refuge and attachment.

Now that person was already gone; he had spoken the truth plainly, yet Rong Tieshan still remained confused.

Suddenly, a dull ache rose from a corner of his heart.

Yue Mingxuan pressed a hand to his chest.

Was this body shedding its final tears and bidding a last farewell to its former love?

His face felt damp.

When he raised his hand, he found it covered in tears.

This was the last time.

He told himself silently.

This was the final time he would compromise with “him,” and the last time he would allow “his” emotions to surface within his heart.

From now on, he was Yue Mingxuan, and Yue Mingxuan was him.

There would no longer be that foolish prince, no longer that youth who chased after Rong Tieshan.

Inside Chengqian Palace, Rong Qinglei and Shang Qinghua were still staring at each other wide-eyed.

Thanks to Gongsun Xing, the two of them had been living together for half a month already.

Over these two weeks, Rong Qinglei had been forced to grow accustomed to Shang Qinghua’s icy expression, while Shang Qinghua had been compelled to tolerate Rong Qinglei’s occasional habit of acting cute in front of Gongsun Xing just to get a chance to see Yue Mingxuan.

As soon as Gongsun Xing entered today, he immediately sensed the low pressure hanging between the two of them.

Over the past half month, out of fifteen days, there had been at least ten like this already and he had long since grown used to it.

After instructing the medicine boy to place the bowls of medicine on the low table to the side, he cleared his throat and said, “How are the two princes feeling today?”

Toward Gongsun Xing, the two of them shared a rare sense of united hostility.

After a long pause, Shang Qinghua finally replied in a muffled voice, “Although I still don’t have much strength, I should be about the same as an ordinary person by now.”

Even though he did not like Gongsun Xing, he had to admit that this man’s attainments in medicine were truly remarkable.

The fact that, his body could recover this quickly had completely exceeded his expectations.

“Miracle Doctor Gongsun, I’m feeling much better too,” Rong Qinglei followed up immediately after hearing Shang Qinghua speak. “When will Mingxuan be able to come and see me?”

Heaven knew he had already been traumatized by Gongsun Xing’s so called “balancing of yin and yang.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep