Yama's Wedding
Jun Ruo felt a hollow emptiness within her. Her eyes were no longer the same as before; this time, she truly felt lost. It pained her to see herself like this, devoid of her former self.
She glanced at Mo Yi, and in her heart, she realized that there was no longer any turbulence in her feelings for him.
Was this expressionless Jun Ruo a result of having lost all love, allowing her to be so calm?
“Jun Ruo…” Mo Yi began, but he didn’t know how to continue. This moment felt like their first encounter of this kind.
Jun Ruo showed no reaction to his words, merely letting out a soft hum.
Seeing Jun Ruo’s cold demeanor made Mo Yi feel as though a piece of his heart had been ripped out, leaving him in pain. The Jun Ruo before him leaned against Yao Guang, unable to even stand steadily. This was not the Jun Ruo he remembered. He questioned himself about what the Jun Ruo in his memories was truly like. In his recollections, she was like bright sunshine; just watching her smile brought him endless joy. She radiated vitality, drawing people towards her effortlessly. He had been captivated by that warmth, longing for such brightness while living in darkness. Yet now, Mo Yi couldn’t understand why Jun Ruo could live so happily and carefree. Despite having a hidden identity and lacking wealth, she still managed to smile genuinely every day. Her happiness was so beautiful that it made Mo Yi feel jealous, even wishing to destroy such beauty.
Jun Ruo’s frail appearance compelled Yao Guang to pull her closer into his embrace, hoping to share more warmth with her.
In his memories, Jun Ruo always appeared as a heroic figure, dressed in red and leading the way for everyone else. But now, as he looked closely at her, he realized that she was no longer the same as he remembered. Her once-fitting clothes now fluttered in the wind, revealing how thin she had become; it seemed that if he squeezed her lightly, she would fall apart.
“Mo Yi, you have already killed Jun Ruo with your own hands. Even now, you still refuse to let go?” Yao Guang observed Mo Yi’s expression and assumed that he still intended to harm Jun Ruo.
“I…” Mo Yi wanted to defend himself, but thinking of what he had done to Jun Ruo made it hard for him to speak. No matter how much he tried to explain now, Jun Ruo would never forgive him. Moreover, these actions were indeed his doing; what face did he have to ask for her forgiveness?
“Mo Yi, the bride has already been killed by you on our wedding night. Later on, you brought people back to the forest and personally killed my soul again. If it weren’t for the spiritual energy of this mountain preserving my soul, I wouldn’t be here speaking with you now. My brothers and those children have all left; I only wish to depart quietly.” Jun Ruo spoke lightly, but each word struck Mo Yi like a whip, causing him sharp pain.
What had happened to him back then? How could he bear to kill everyone at Bandit Hideout right before Jun Ruo? If only he had been clearer-headed then and not so easily swayed by the national teacher’s words—wouldn’t he and Jun Ruo be in a different situation now? If he had simply married her properly back then, wouldn’t she have lived happily? Mo Yi recalled when he taught at Bandit Hideout; those children would gather around him affectionately calling him “Brother Mo Yi.”
Yet that night, he had killed them all without leaving a single one alive.
What good were these hypotheticals? If they held any truth, humanity might not commit so many mistakes.
“Jun Ruo, I… I…” He wanted to apologize so many times but didn’t know what could earn Jun Ruo’s forgiveness.
"Go away, I want to be alone in these final moments," Jun Ruo said softly, turning her head away. Although she no longer felt any love for Mo Yi, the things he had done to her were something she couldn't let go of. She didn't want to waste any more time on him at this last moment; all she wanted was to listen to the wind and gaze upon the land, not wanting to leave this world without appreciating her existence.
"Jun Ruo, can you let me stay with you?" Hearing Jun Ruo's words, Mo Yi's heart raced with panic. "Jun Ruo, I was wrong back then. I am a prince, the future crown prince. I have responsibilities to my country and my people. There are many things beyond my control. I just..."
Jun Ruo looked at Mo Yi as if he were a monster. She smiled and said, "There is nothing between us that requires apologies. My love for you was one-sided; now that I no longer love you, we have long since severed our ties." She no longer cared about what Mo Yi was doing; she had already understood everything when their relationship changed.
"No, you are my wife." Mo Yi refused to be cast aside like this. Being ignored by Jun Ruo made his heart ache painfully.
Upon hearing this, Jun Ruo narrowed her eyes. "Mo Yi, I think we both understand this clearly. I am not your wife; we never completed our vows that day, did we? If you are not here to kill me, then please leave me alone in these final moments. I do not wish to see you as I depart from this world."
Unwilling? Did she want to see him? Jun Ruo had grown to despise herself to such an extent. Mo Yi felt a sharp pain in his heart; closing his eyes seemed to ease the hurt slightly. It felt as if hands were stirring within him, making it hard for him to breathe.
He thought about how he had once killed this Jun Ruo twice with his own hands. How could he have been so cruel as to ignore her final pleas?
He realized he had brought this upon himself. Jun Ruo no longer wanted to see him, and he could no longer behold her beautiful face.
Looking at Jun Ruo in her white dress reminded him of their wedding day when she shyly called out "Husband" while blushing, yet he had failed to cherish that moment in his heart. He had not fulfilled the responsibilities of a husband.
"Fine, I'll go."
Jun Ruo watched Mo Yi leave, looking as if he had been struck by frost. Since hearing her words, he appeared like a lost soul, stumbling away.
As she continued to watch him depart, Jun Ruo finally shifted her gaze away from his retreating figure.
"Yao Guang, Young Master Xue, please leave me here. I want to enjoy this quiet time alone," she said with a smile directed at Yao Guang.
"Jun Ruo..." Yao Guang looked at her with concern.
"It's fine; I know both of you are extraordinary people. Knowing you after death is a blessing for me. It's a pity that we must part so soon after meeting. I am indeed a person of little fortune," Jun Ruo said lightly.
Her gentle words inexplicably made Yao Guang feel like crying.
"Alright." Xue silently observed everything, walked over, and brought Yao Guang to his side, only responding to Jun Ruo with a single word.
"Can you tell me who you really are?" Jun Ruo's voice came from behind Yao Guang and Xue. Curiosity lingered as to who these two extraordinary individuals were.
"The Ten Kings of Hell—Xue, Star Lord Yao Guang—Yao Guang." Xue paused for a moment before answering Jun Ruo, then continued walking with Yao Guang.
So they are celestial beings. I had sensed that these two were not ordinary, but I never expected them to be divine. It seems my life has not been lived in vain after all.
This was enough. Who could imagine transforming from a high-born princess into a nameless bandit? After much hardship, finding someone I liked only to discover he was the son of my enemy, and that he married me for my life.
In the end, I even encountered two deities—Yama and the Star Lord. If my life were to end here, would I still see Xue in Yama's Hall?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Jun Ruo found herself amused. With this perspective, life felt quite interesting after all.
Jun Ruo casually leaned back, letting herself fall onto the grass. The fragrant scent of the earth enveloped her as silence surrounded her.
It seemed she hadn't experienced such a feeling in ages; her heart had never felt so clear. It was as if she had returned to her mother's embrace—no thoughts, no actions required. All the happy moments and unhappy ones, the things she loved and hated no longer mattered. She returned to a primal state where it felt like she was the only one in this world.
In those times, she enjoyed lying in the Imperial Garden of the palace, quietly gazing at the sky. Often, her maidens would stomp their feet in frustration searching for her. After leaving the palace, she gained freedom but lost the chance to gaze at the blue sky without restraint and dream of a lifetime with someone special. (To be continued.)
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