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"Truly, it confirms the saying, ’Worldly matters are as short as a spring dream, human feelings as thin as autumn clouds!’" The King said helplessly, "Back then, she ran to my side, begging me to save her!"

"You intervened!" Ye Xunhuan couldn’t help but say.

The King nodded, "Yes, I intervened. From the first time I saw her, I had a good impression of her. Now that she’s in danger and asking for my help, how could I stand by and do nothing?"

"Not just her, even if it were someone else, I couldn’t possibly walk away like that either."

Regarding this statement from the King, Ye Xunhuan didn’t have much doubt. Despite being despicable and pursuing his own goals by any means, the King was actually a decent person.

Moreover, he truly had loved deeply. At least during his many years as the Chief Protector, foreign forces dared not extend their reach into Huaxia.

If it weren’t for the King, would foreign leaders refrain from reaching into Huaxia?

Clearly, it’s impossible.

Therefore, the King is a very complicated person, so complex that one cannot fathom him fully.

"I saved her and took her away from that city," the King said softly. "Afterwards, she stayed with me, following me wherever I went!"

"Gradually, we developed feelings, she became my woman, but our identities were never on the same level," the King said bitterly. "We were destined not to be together, and at the time, I already had a wife!"

"So, you abandoned her!"

The King didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he took a deep breath to calm his emotions, and nodded, "Yes, after I recovered, I left, leaving only a note for her!"

"Since then, we haven’t seen each other or met again," the King exhaled a breath of frustration and said, "I originally thought we’d never cross paths in this life again, but who would’ve thought you’d bring out this handkerchief!"

"This handkerchief is..."

"She embroidered it during those years with me!" the King said softly. "I recognize the words on it!"

Indeed, there were words on the handkerchief, and Ye Xunhuan had seen them, though he didn’t pay attention at the time.

"Including the things on it, those were also my words that she embroidered!"

At this moment, Ye Xunhuan understood why the King was so agitated and lost when he saw this handkerchief.

It turns out this handkerchief was tied to one of his romantic affairs.

Moreover, from the King’s words, Ye Xunhuan could feel that, after all these years, the King had never forgotten this woman, only buried her deep in his heart.

Just like when he buried Su Guyan deep in his own heart, when others don’t mention or ask about her, it’s as if she’s not there. But if someone were to bring her up, it would be like a thorn, faintly pricking his heart!

"All these years, you never looked for her?"

"No!" The King shook his head immediately, "We are not people of the same world, so even if I found her, what then?"

"Instead of meeting only to hate, it’s better to miss each other!"

Ye Xunhuan very much agreed with the King’s statement. After all, the King himself left and abandoned the other party. If they found each other but couldn’t be together, love would inevitably turn to hate—better to reminisce.

The next moment, the King slowly focused his gaze on Ye Xunhuan. "Alright, I’ve said all I needed to say. Now, can you tell me how you came by this handkerchief? Could you tell me?"

"Or, you could tell me if she’s doing well!"

"King, although I detest you greatly because you’re so despicable," Ye Xunhuan didn’t answer immediately, but said with a tone full of disgust, "I must admit now that, in some respects, you are still human!"

"A person lives to be evaluated by later generations. Does it matter if they’re good or bad during their life?" The King said calmly, "Like Emperor Yang of Sui. Who didn’t call him a tyrant, lustful and reckless, back then? But in later years?"

"The Grand Canal of the Sui and Tang dynasties ensured his lasting fame!"

For this, Ye Xunhuan truly didn’t know how to respond.

"Merits and demerits, let posterity judge freely!" the King said softly. "Now, you only need to tell me what I want to know!"

"King, I really would like to tell you how that woman is doing, but I really cannot tell you how she is or whether she’s doing well..."

The King’s face changed dramatically, and his body started to shake uncontrollably, "Could it be... could it be... she... she..."

"I don’t know how she’s doing!" Ye Xunhuan could see instantly that the King assumed the woman was dead; otherwise, he wouldn’t react like this!

"What do you mean?"

"It wasn’t a woman who gave me this handkerchief, but a man," Ye Xunhuan said softly. "He told me, hoping you could remember past feelings and let it go!"

"A man?"

"Yes!"

"What man?"

"Does that still matter to you?" Ye Xunhuan said calmly, "Didn’t you already say that missing is better than meeting?"

"And I think she’s probably doing very well now, so why disturb her?"

Upon hearing Ye Xunhuan’s words, the King was taken aback, then smiled freely, "You’re right. If she’s doing well, there’s no need for me to disturb her or appear before her!"

"But the person who gave you the handkerchief—was it her husband?" the King asked softly. "Did she talk about me with her husband, and does she still know who I am now?"

"I don’t know!" Ye Xunhuan shook his head, "I just got this handkerchief; as for anything else, I really don’t know!"

The King slowly exhaled a breath, "Alright, you may go!"

The King absorbed Ye Xunhuan’s words and did not inquire further about who the man was or his name.

As Ye Xunhuan said, you are already parted; if she truly married someone else, what would meeting again accomplish?

Ye Xunhuan did not leave immediately but instead scanned the King up and down.

After looking at the King a few times, Ye Xunhuan didn’t say much more and prepared to leave with Qiu Ruoxi.

Just as Ye Xunhuan was about to leave, the King suddenly spoke again, "Ye Xunhuan, for the sake of old times, I let you have a peaceful New Year. After the New Year, only one of us can live!"

"Treasure it!"

"It will certainly be you who dies!" Ye Xunhuan retorted unceremoniously.

The King did not engage in verbal sparring with Ye Xunhuan, offering only a faint smile in response.

Ye Xunhuan left, taking Qiu Ruoxi with him, but also bearing a belly full of questions.

Could it be that Chu Ji’s mother was once the King’s woman?

If not, how did Chu Yunlong come by this handkerchief and hand it to me?