Chapter 309 - 282: The Vastness of Heaven and Earth_4
Gan Lin was Tian Rujing’s senior disciple, and had long served as Liu Ziyue’s guard. Although Liu Ziyue was brutal in nature, he treated Gan Lin quite generously. Gan Lin should have followed Tian Rujing’s instructions to remain uninvolved in the matter, but ultimately, he couldn’t let go of the years of kindness and secretly stepped in to save Liu Ziyue. He allowed Shou Jizhi to decapitate a young eunuch nearby, and smeared the blood on him to feign Liu Ziyue’s death.
Afterwards, Gan Lin escorted Liu Ziyue out of the palace and let him leave on his own, thus saving his life.
Only after losing the throne and leaving Jiankang did Liu Ziyue recall Chu Yu’s hesitant words during their last meeting. It seemed clear she knew of the rebellion, but she kept silent. Knowing his reinstatement was hopeless, the person he resented the most was Chu Yu.
"Sister." Liu Ziyue slowly began, uttering a name he hadn’t used for years, "You want wealth, I would give it to you; you want status, I would give it to you; you want men, I would also give them to you. Even if you wanted the realm, just say the word, and I would have shared the throne with you. But why did you betray me?"
His voice, much deeper than it had been years ago, now bore the tones of a grown man, revealing a concealed pain, giving the impression of someone who had endured many vicissitudes.
Chu Yu looked at him but simply smiled. She said carelessly, "What’s the use of explaining? Do you expect me to beg for your mercy?"
Back then, he was the Emperor, she was the Princess; now, he was a destitute wanderer seeking revenge, she was a disheartened drifter.
Now all she felt was emptiness; even life seemed trivial—anyone who wanted it could just take it.
Seeing this, Huan Yuan quickly moved to block in front of Chu Yu, but Liu Ziyue simply waved his hand and sent him flying through the air. Huan Yuan had been supporting Chu Yu with one hand; this throw knocked her down as well, though she did not fall as hard as Huan Yuan. However, she didn’t get up, just lay motionless in the snow, like a lifeless statue.