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Farewell My Concubine
墨書 Inktalez
Strange events were never in short supply in Kuaiji City.
For instance, there was a beggar who had appeared at the foot of the city wall, ragged and starving, yet he wore a sword at his waist and refused to accept even the slightest charity from others.
Then there was the city's most beautiful woman, Yu Ji. Though she looked like a celestial being, she was as cold as ice. People said that this woman was born without the ability to smile.
Now, this aloof Yu Ji happened to be returning from outside the city after paying her respects when she passed by the beggar.
Hearing the growl of his empty stomach, her indifferent yet kind nature prompted her to send her maid to buy a steamer of buns. She then bent slightly and gently placed the buns in front of him.
The beggar glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, a hint of disdain in his gaze, before kicking the buns aside with his foot.
Yu Ji frowned slightly and said, somewhat angrily, "If you don't want to eat them, why insult someone else's goodwill?"
"You owe me nothing," the beggar replied coldly.
After saying this, he stood up and casually brushed off the dust from his clothes before walking away in another direction.
At that moment, Yu Ji realized just how tall this handsome young man was; she would have to stand on tiptoe to reach his shoulder.
"Wait a moment," Yu Ji called out to him from behind, her voice clear and bright. "You don't seem like a beggar. Why do you sit here doing nothing every day?"
The young man's steps faltered for a moment, his body stiffening slightly. "I killed someone and fled here."
"I've never heard someone kill and still be so unapologetic about it."
Yu Ji walked up to him, her steps light. "I have a suggestion. Why don't you come work at my house for a bit? That way, you won't have to worry about food and clothing."
The boy stared at her, his gaze fixed on her face. It wasn't until he saw her cheeks flush with embarrassment that he coldly replied, "I have a suggestion too. I see you're frowning; it seems you've run into some trouble. How about I help you solve your problem first, and then I can accept your offer? That way, we won't owe each other anything."
Yu Ji was taken aback for a moment, blinking her eyes. "You can't solve my problem—besides, if you keep going hungry like this, you might find yourself in big trouble before you can even help me."
The boy hesitated for a moment, then suddenly turned and walked quickly over to pick up the bun from the ground, devouring it hungrily.
Yu Ji bent slightly to watch him and felt a stir of compassion. She asked, "What’s your name?"
"Xiang Yu," the boy replied without looking up, his mouth full of bun, making his words muffled.
"Xiang Yu, I'll remember you."
As Yu Ji turned to leave, Xiang Yu quickly reached out and grabbed her hand. "Wait! Since I've eaten your bun, I’ll help you solve your problem."
"No need," Yu Ji said lightly as she gently but firmly pulled her hand away. "No one can solve my problem."
After finishing the bun, Xiang Yu stood up and patted the sword hanging at his waist. "With this, there’s no problem in this world that can't be solved."
Yu Ji was stunned again, then a smile crept onto her lips.
This was the first time the world had seen her smile. They had never encountered such a beautiful smile, like the first ray of sunshine in spring that instantly melted the snowflakes falling from the sky.
Many years later, when Xiang Yu was defeated at Gaixia, he asked her, "Why do you still follow me?"
She replied, "Because you taught me how to smile."
At that moment, Yu Ji reined in her smile and looked seriously at Xiang Yu. "I am unhappy because in a month, I will enter the palace. The Emperor has heard of me and wishes to take me as a consort. I do not want this, but I have no other choice. No one can defy the Emperor in this world..."
"Unless you replace him," Xiang Yu interjected casually, his eyes revealing a hint of dominance.
Yu Ji was startled. She instinctively glanced around quickly and said, "This is not something to be taken lightly!"
Xiang Yu smiled and said, "Qin Ershi is cruel and tyrannical; it is time for a change in leadership. To be honest, I fled here after killing the county magistrate who oppressed my hometown. Within ten days, I will rise up here. When Kuaiji is in chaos, the Emperor will have no mind to think about taking consorts anymore. I am certain of this."
Yu Ji seemed frightened by his thoughts; she stepped back in a flustered manner and then turned to flee hurriedly.
Xiang Yu watched her graceful figure retreating and murmured to himself, "If one day I become Emperor and wish to take you as my consort, would you be willing?"
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