Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 132: Chapter 122 Still a Section of Incense Remaining

Moxiang, his original name wasn’t Moxiang; that name was changed in an effort to fawn and curry favor.

Liu Yu rubbed his forehead and thought for a while, but he could hardly remember the youth’s birth name. “You were originally called Mo… Mo…” What was it again?

Moxiang calmly took over, “Mo Xiang.” It was originally a rather ordinary name with a touch of sharpness, yet due to the circumstances of his master, it turned into a softly lingering scent with the same pronunciation. Although he had now escaped from that environment, that carefree and innocent child from the past could never be found again.

“Right, Mo Xiang.” Liu Yu breathed a sigh of relief and looked fixedly at the young man, “From now on, you should go back to using your original name. I will create a household registration for you someday so that you can follow me. But before that, I still want to ask you,” he said slowly and emphatically, “What exactly is your purpose?”

When he had arrived here today, Moxiang had stopped him asking to meet. Seeing the youth’s extreme beauty and somewhat familiar face, he agreed to the meeting, only to be shocked by the news the youth revealed after stating his identity: The little emperor had summoned him to Jiankang not for the ancestor worship as stated in the decree but because he feared Liu Yu would vie for power and usurp the throne, intending to imprison him.

Although the news Moxiang brought was very surprising, how could he know if it wasn’t a trap leading him to his doom?

Looking at Moxiang’s smile that wasn’t quite a smile, even a little unfathomable, Liu Yu suddenly felt a surge of irritability. Who was he? The youth in front of him was nothing more than a concubine. What gave him the right to look at him like that?

He suddenly stood up, strode over to Moxiang, and grabbed his sharp chin with one hand, his fingernails almost crushing Moxiang’s bones. “Give me an honest account.”

As the pain seeped deep into his bones, Moxiang winced, but his eyes were smiling, “There’s no need to change the name; I’ve gotten used to this one anyway. What does it matter what I am called? Does Prince Xiangdong think that I, as I am now, would still fear death?” He immediately saw that beneath Liu Yu’s seemingly ferocious exterior lay immense insecurity.

Moxiang was a child who had survived the flames of war.

Years ago, a Prince had risen in rebellion, seizing Guangling City. After the city fell, his death was expected, but the then-ruling Liu Ziyue’s father issued an edict that the innocent civilians of the city must pay with their lives for a rebellion they had no control over. And the man who oversaw the massacre was Zong Yue.

Regarding the past, Moxiang had some very clear memories, while others had become blurred. However, he always remembered that year in Guangling City, when autumn had not yet ended, and a suffocating winter arrived prematurely.

It was truly grim.

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His father was a strategist who followed the rebellious Prince, not an important figure, initially only wishing to rely on a connection to the imperial family to provide for his family and lead a life of mediocrity. Yet, he found himself helplessly aboard the traitorous ship when the great tree he relied upon chose to rebel.

In any case, it was death. Following the rebellion might delay the inevitable, while not complying would mean death on the spot.

Moxiang had asked his father why they were rebelling. His father stroked his head with a troubled expression, reluctantly saying something about the Emperor being “unjust,” in a tone Moxiang thought similar to when he was forced to recite books.

At the time, Moxiang already knew a bit about the way things worked but did not understand: Was the rebellious Prince truly just? Before he could figure it out, the city fell, and armed forces burst in, slaughtering everywhere. Moxiang and his father hid in a concealed spot, peeking through a gap at the outside world. He saw Zong Yue, whose eyes were not as narrow as they were now, and whose blatant cruelty was more pronounced as he rode through the streets on horseback, decapitating civilians with his sword.

Blood sprayed wildly, reflecting on Zong Yue’s face brimming with satisfaction.

Latter on, Moxiang still couldn’t stay hidden. When a troop of soldiers passed by, his uncontrollable hunger pains betrayed his presence with a growl, leading to his ridiculous discovery. Then, together with his father and others in the city, they were rounded up, awaiting the slaughter.

At that time, he was actually too stunned to feel much fear, dazedly bound, dazedly pressed into the filthy cages with the other townspeople, dazedly pushed onto the execution ground.

When he finally regained his senses, he turned his head to see the person on his left, who was screaming—it was his father. His father’s head had rolled onto the ground; his shoulders flattened, covered with a lot of fresh blood.

This is… death.

Moxiang’s uncontrollable fear erupted in a shrill scream. Hearing his voice, Zong Yue took a keen interest and walked over, drawing his sword, “Let me have some fun with this one.” Moxiang knew he was going to be killed, but he was bound, his body stiff, without even the strength to fall and roll away…

Later, he still did not die, because at that time Shen Qingzhi had beseeched the late Emperor to decree that children under five feet could be spared from death. He was short in stature as a child, appearing two to three years younger than he actually was, which also enabled him to luck out of the disaster.

But not dying wasn’t a lucky thing after all, as his beauty caused him to be constantly trafficked and peddled by others, waiting to sell at a high price, time and again being taught by whips and instruments of torture how to submit, how to ingratiate.

The last time he was passed on, it was when he was bought by Liu Yu and given to the Princess, the most favored concubine of the present day, as a birthday gift.

At that time, the whole world was bleak; no matter what, he couldn’t see any hope, and he thought he would spend his life like this.

Watching Liu Yu calmly, the smile on Moxiang’s face grew coyer, his eyes as gentle as a lover’s knife—so soft, yet so sharp, “Prince Xiangdong, I’m not afraid of dying, really, not at all; if you have the resolve, draw your sword from your waist now and kill me.” In his early years, he had suffered severe damage to his muscles and bones, and although he had been recuperating in the past two years, he was still weak and unable to practice martial arts, with very little capacity for self-defense. Just a slightly stronger person could kill him.

Liu Yu searched long in Moxiang’s eyes but never found a trace of fear. Ultimately, he let go in frustration, his voice heavy, “What exactly are your motives? Unless you explain, I will not believe you. If I remember correctly, a concubine who was rumored to carry a unique fragrance died in the Princess Mansion not long ago. Was that you, and how did you survive?”

Although the information he received was not precise, Liu Yu was not completely in the dark.

The soldiers who had followed Zong Yue out and heard that ballad had already been secretly executed, yet Moxiang’s death was merely covered up with the pretense of illness by Chu Yu, who did not try to hide it much.

Moxiang chuckled, “It was quite easy. I once inadvertently saw a child who looked very similar to me, so I took care to nurture him for this purpose. That day, when His Majesty came to the Princess Mansion with Zong Yue, I seized the opportunity when Zong Yue had to accompany the Emperor out and told him that I was a wronged spirit from Guangling City. Afterward, I let my double take my place and found a chance to have Zong Yue kill him.” He then promised the youth enough money for his family.

It was twilight then, and the light was dim. Even if there were minor differences in facial features, they could be mistaken for distortions caused by pain or issues with the light and shadow.

Chu Yu, who knew Moxiang best, could not bear to look closely at that time.

And Moxiang, arriving at the Princess Mansion ahead of time, had also made certain preparations for the switch.

“Prince Xiangdong, please be assured, even if I did not come to meet you, would you not ultimately enter Jiankang? Regardless of whether what I say is true or false, given the current situation, you must go. If the Emperor does not harbor those thoughts, then there is no harm in going, but if he does, and you don’t respond to the summons, would it not give the Emperor a pretext to say you harbor treason? Why not pretend to know nothing and act accordingly?” Bending slightly, Moxiang lowered his head, concealing his smile, yet feeling a surge of pleasure inside, “I have come to convey a message now, just to make you believe in my ability. If Prince Xiangdong is willing to place his trust in me, I can not only preserve your life and status but also assist you to greater honor.”

He slowly said, “I now possess certain skills, and I want to exchange them for something.”

After much hesitation, Liu Yu reached out to help up the inscrutable youth, “If I can one day live in peace and honor… the highest office shall be yours to choose.”

With his head still bowed, Moxiang sneered, “Thank you, Prince Xiangdong… no, Master.”

To utter those words, is it a great honor? By throwing an invisible bone, does he expect one to act as his dog? Do not forget, sometimes, even dogs pick their masters.

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In the month of July, the three princes arrived in Jiankang.

Not one was absent, and in fact, there was one extra.