Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 101: Chapter 96 Each Own’s Bottom Line (Part 1)

Chu Yu had set up teak chairs in the flower hall, one on each side of the high-legged, lacquered square table, which was adorned with some dried fruits and snacks. In the center stood a sheep fat jade bottle, from which sprouted a sprig of lush new willow.

As soon as Chu Yu sat down, she eagerly turned to Tian Rujing and said, “It’s been many days since our last meeting. What have you decided?” Where once she would occasionally encounter Tian Rujing during her visits to the palace, these days she hadn’t seen him at all, presumably because he was deliberately avoiding her.

Now that he had come to her in person, it meant that he had made a decision.

Having made a decision—Chu Yu thought of this fact and couldn’t help but tremble slightly with excitement. Although she had long known that Tian Rujing would relent, the moment she could finally access the contents of that bracelet, her resolve fluttered uncontrollably.

What might be inside? Apart from historical records, could there be something else? Tian Rujing’s master, Tian Ruyue, had once crafted vessels similar to those used in chemical experiments, likely derived from the knowledge within that bracelet.

Tian Rujing lowered his gaze and said softly, “What do you want?” Instead of revealing his hand, he let her set the terms first.

Chu Yu tried to appear nonchalant, smiling as she said, “I’m not even sure what you have. What if my request is something you don’t possess? Wouldn’t that be terrible?” She slightly lowered her head, using the gesture to mask the eagerness in her eyes.

Although she tried to appear indifferent, Chu Yu knew she cared desperately. However, she could not show it. At this moment, whoever cared less had the upper hand.

Tian Rujing understood that she wanted something concrete then and there, or else the deal could not proceed. So he asked, “What do you propose?”

Chu Yu responded calmly, “I know that in due time, the Emperor will be killed by his treacherous officials, and an Imperial Uncle will be installed as Emperor. I want to see if this part of the Heavenly Book matches what I know. Only if it is precisely similar will I believe you.”

Currently, she hadn’t investigated what was in Tian Rujing’s bracelet and wasn’t about to foolishly guess at owning something non-existent. Chu Yu presented her most pressing question as a trivial matter in order to verify the authenticity of the Heavenly Book, prompting Tian Rujing to reveal the upcoming history.

She knew Liu Ziyue would die, but she couldn’t remember by whom or which Emperor would succeed him. This was Chu Yu’s greatest worry. If she could deceive Tian Rujing into showing her this part of the history, she could also accordingly strategize against the main players, ensuring she secured tangible benefits, regardless of whether the negotiation succeeded.

This was the cunning plan that Chu Yu had devised.

Her request seemed perfectly reasonable on the surface and appeared unobjectionable. However, Tian Rujing said, “I cannot agree to that. I can show you only the parts of the Heavenly Book from before this dynasty. For the parts that follow, the time has not yet come, and I cannot present them to anyone.”

Chu Yu felt a sudden sinking in her heart, but her face remained expressionless as she said, “Why not? I already know that the Emperor must die and the regime must change. Is it so bad to see if such records exist in the Heavenly Book?” She suddenly let out a cold laugh, her gaze piercingly sharp as she looked at Tian Rujing, “Events from before this dynasty are recorded in various classics. Why should I care about your Heavenly Book unless it doesn’t have records past this dynasty? Is your Heavenly Book entirely fabricated by you?”

Chu Yu bluntly accused Tian Rujing of lying, using a provocation strategy. Even though her words were harsh, Chu Yu didn’t hold much hope in her heart. Instead, it felt heavy, suppressing the excitement she had felt earlier.

Tian Rujing had come to her after thorough deliberation on all aspects. His bottom line wouldn’t change because of a few words from her, and the so-called provocation was unlikely to affect his cool and ruthless temperament.

Facing Chu Yu’s irresponsible slander, Tian Rujing’s expression did not waver in the slightest. He quietly looked at Chu Yu, neither disputing nor getting angry, just calmly staring with clear eyes that seemed to penetrate her soul. After a long time, he finally spoke softly and said, “I can’t show you that part of the Heavenly Book because you would try to alter your own fate and do something that goes against what the Heavenly Book records. I understand that well.”

Chu Yu gave a bitter smile, suddenly relaxed her body and leaned back in her chair, tilting her head back. She raised one hand to cover her eyes and softly said, “You are right.”

Concern leads to chaos, and now, the one in chaos was her.

Tian Rujing realized this; although her sudden attack a while ago had disrupted his thoughts and left him flustered for a moment, having calmed down over these days, Tian Rujing knew she did not fully understand what was to come. For had she known exactly who would kill the Emperor and who would seize the throne, she would certainly have tried to deal with that person for her own survival.

But she hadn’t because, among so many people, she simply could not find the right target.

This is why Tian Rujing would not let her see the part of the “Heavenly Book” that concerned her directly.

This was his limit.

Although his mind had become very firm after these days of contemplation, seeing Chu Yu this way, Tian Rujing couldn’t help but be a little curious. He wondered how much else she knew besides this and how she had come to know these things?

Furthermore, knowing she was destined to die, what were her feelings? What was her perspective on watching herself move step by step toward death?

The education Tian Rujing received since childhood was that the affairs of others were trivial and not to be concerned about, and over the years, he had grown up just like that. He could understand many things but never took them to heart; he watched other’s joys and sorrows, their emotional dramas, seemingly as if they belonged to another world, so indifferent.

But now…

Tian Rujing slightly furrowed his brows, but he began to feel a bit curious about the young girl in front of him; though it was only a bit, though it was only the beginning, it caused the young man who had never experienced such feelings before to feel somewhat at a loss.

What should I do? Master?

Tian Rujing silently asked in his heart: Master, the woman before me, named Chu Yu, who also knows about the Heavenly Book, can she be excluded from being classified as an ‘other’? Can she become someone who isn’t an ‘other’?

Tian Rujing looked at Chu Yu with her hand covering her eyes and asked, “Are you sad? Or desperate?” unable to stop himself, Tian Rujing heard his own voice and suddenly felt some regret.

“Sad? Desperate?” Chu Yu heard his question and suddenly laughed out loud, removing her hand and resting her elbow on the edge of the table, her eyes bright and curious, “What a strange question you ask. Why should I be desperate?”