Chapter 5, Temptation

What? Why can't I eat? Qin Sisi was completely puzzled, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air, unsure whether to eat or not. However, the enticing aroma of the meat made it impossible for her to resist swallowing.

Tan Cangyu walked to the opposite side of her, casually lifting his robe as he took a seat: "The Lu family is not a prominent aristocratic family; it is merely a small clan located in Shangzhou. How is it that they can present freshly prepared dishes at a time that is not mealtime? They must have received news and have been waiting for us. Moreover, I have known Lu for many years; he should have been serving in the Shangzhou government office when we arrived. Why is he idling at home? Furthermore, from our brief conversation just now, I could easily discern the discomfort on his face.

He said whatever! Anyway, she wouldn't understand. Qin Sisi picked at the dishes on the plate with her chopsticks, feeling even hungrier. "But if you say that, can't he also see the discomfort on your face? After all, you have known each other for many years!"

"And let’s talk about her again..." Qin Sisi murmured softly. She did not understand why she had become curious about the woman who bore the same appearance as her. What kind of woman could be so extraordinarily talented, and why did she have such a tragic fate?

Tang Cangyu placed his hand on his chest, feeling the long hair in his embrace through the fabric. Cold and lifeless, yet this was the only evidence of her existence in this world. He vowed that by any means necessary, he would fulfill her final wish

At this moment, the sky has completely darkened

Is it because the pain has reached its peak that one can no longer feel greater pain

It is indeed remarkable that he has undergone such a drastic change within just a few days, having not only lost his former reputation and status but also suffered the painful loss of his beloved. Although Qin Sisi is somewhat lazy, she has a penchant for flights of fancy. Suddenly, an image of a handsome man and a beautiful woman embracing in the imperial garden appeared in her mind. However, no matter how she imagined it, the woman's face resembled her own, which was truly bizarre.

"Only those who are willing to draw their swords to help in times of adversity are true friends. Unfortunately, I fear I have hoped in vain," Tan Cangyu sighed deeply, expressing profound regret.

Tang Cangyu silently shook his head, and after ensuring that no one was eavesdropping outside the window, he sighed: "You haven't even heard of Princess Ya? Where on earth do you live? Princess Ya is the eldest daughter of the current emperor, born of the same mother as the Crown Prince. She has been well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood, able to compose poetry at the age of five, excelling in music at seven, and at ten, she was already admitted to the Royal Academy ahead of her peers. At thirteen, the emperor held a special court examination for her debut, and on that day, she engaged in a battle of wits with scholars, gaining fame both within and outside the court. If it weren't for the Crown Prince also being a pillar of talent, the emperor might have even considered passing the throne to Princess Ya, allowing her to become the empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty, just like Empress Chang Le!"

Qin Sisi licked her dry lips, unaware of when the atmosphere in the room had transformed into a suffocating silence. Her jeans in the stove were nearly burned through, the flames had dwindled, and the setting sun gradually disappeared behind the thick clouds, making the unlit room appear even darker. A sudden cold wind blowing in made Qin Sisi feel increasingly chilled inside, yet she hesitated to ask Tan Cangyu, who was standing by the window, to close it.

Tan Cangyu suddenly fell silent. It was at this moment that he realized that Xiao Ya, who had always been by his side, was truly separated from him, existing in a realm beyond reach. He wanted to grasp something, but his palms were empty; his nails dug deeply into his palms, yet he felt no pain at all.

Qin Sisi looked up at Tan Cangyu, who stood by the window, as the setting sun seemed to encircle him with a halo of light. He stood there, so serene and natural, as if he were a branch from Guilin or jade from Kunshan, untouched by the mundane world. From the brief exchange he had just had with Lu, one could easily imagine his former demeanor as a noble young man in the capital. He must have been spirited and extraordinary in appearance. From the brief exchange he had just had with Lu, one could easily imagine his former demeanor as a noble young man in the capital. He must have been spirited and extraordinary in appearance

After all, his expression is so lonely

As soon as he finished speaking, a flurry of footsteps began to echo in the courtyard, quickly surrounding the room they were in, leaving no room for escape

If I were you, I would not touch those dishes. Just as Qin Sisi had just picked up her chopsticks and was about to start, Tan Cangyu's cold voice came through.

Cang Yu, you must help Run Er reclaim the lost throne; this is my final wish

Like an eagle that has lost its mate

Testing? Qin Sisi looked at him with disdain. This man, it turns out, wanted to test whether his friend was a true friend. It is likely that his real intention was to see if this Lu Guo could be of assistance to him.

Tang Cangyu coldly snorted, walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and then extinguished the incense burner on the bedside. "If I am not mistaken, it was this incense that made you feel drowsy just now"

Tang Cangyu wiped his face, took a deep breath, and gently declined, saying: "I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it anymore." Because just mentioning her made his heart feel far more unbearable than he had imagined. He needed calm judgment now, and he must not let momentary emotions lead them both into an irretrievable situation.

Tang Cangyu was momentarily taken aback, unable to understand why his gaze could not shift away from her. From his perspective, she truly resembled Princess Ya, especially when she was silent and her expression was serene

The Empress? Qin Sisi was taken aback, as this Empress did not align with her understanding of history. She was completely stunned by the image of the elegant princess described by Tan Cangyu. Wow, it was indescribably grand! Was she going to impersonate her? That elegant princess whom the entire nation admired? Is that even possible?

Qin Sisi leaned back slightly, playing with the soft fabric of her dress. After a moment of hesitation, she said: "I was wondering... what kind of person Princess Ya really is? Now, don't get me wrong, you asked me to impersonate her, right? I just want to know what she is like so that I can better immerse myself in the role!"

Qin Sisi pouted in boredom, thinking how ridiculous this man was. Her curiosity had been piqued, yet he stopped speaking halfway through. Well, at least the drowsiness had been chased away by him, but now her stomach was starting to feel a bit hungry. Qin Sisi rubbed her protesting stomach and slowly got up to move to the round table inside the room. The once steaming dishes had already cooled down considerably, but they still looked exquisite enough to make Qin Sisi's mouth water.

Tang Cangyu contemptuously curled his lips and said lightly: "He will definitely be able to see through it. Therefore, I did not come here because I trust him, but rather to test him."

Qin Sisi put down her chopsticks and smiled apologetically. In fact, she was quite tired. However, this person was too suspicious, wasn't he? No wonder he opened the window as soon as he entered the room and stood in front of it the whole time. It turned out he was afraid of inhaling some kind of intoxicating fragrance. Qin Sisi couldn't help but pout and said, "Isn't it inappropriate to doubt a friend? Didn't you come to his house because you trusted him?"

Tan Cangyu observed the changing expressions on Qin Sisi's face—one moment sorrowful, the next joyful, and then awkward again. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he finally asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Sisi fell silent instead, staring at him without saying a word