CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 156: THE SAINT WHO STILL BREATHES

I thought once that teasing remark was made, Lu Qing would surely retort immediately, yet I saw him closing his eyes, showing a look of not wanting to speak.

Yan Daoxin snorted, reached out and poked Lu Qing’s chest wound, neither too hard nor too light: "Playing dead might fool others, but not me, spare yourself the effort.

Isn’t that the bride the Emperor arranged for you? Caring about her is not something disgraceful, why are you being so secretive about it?"

Lu Qing, caught off guard, was poked in his wound and immediately broke into a cold sweat from the pain, he couldn’t help but glared at Yan Daoxin with open eyes: "The master named you Yan Daoxin back then to ensure you maintain a strict heart.

But you, as a cultivator, are now so concerned about mundane affairs, does your name do justice to what the master intended?"

Yan Daoxin chuckled, with an insistent attitude exposing every detail: "How is your fellow disciple an outsider? I’m just caring for the master’s beloved disciple!"

Lu Qing knew Yan Daoxin appeared passive but was actually more persistent than a dog-skin plaster; since he was curious, there was no avoiding it today.

Although he survived, he remained very weak and had no strength to negotiate circles with Yan Daoxin, so he didn’t dodge the matter, sighing slowly: "I have always been a thorn in Zhao Bi’s side since childhood, and narrowly escaped danger several times by luck.

Now that I’m determined to help Lu Chao achieve great deeds, the situation will only become more perilous.

How can someone who cannot ensure his own safety draw others into danger?

The future is uncertain, and I must leave her a way out."

After Lu Qing finished, looking at Yan Daoxin, he thought he would understand his intentions, but instead received a glare from him.

"Heartfelt and touching." Yan Daoxin clicked his tongue, "I’ll need to inform the master that his prized disciple is so compassionate, he’s a living saint, ready to ascend any day now!"

Lu Qing could clearly hear the sarcasm and criticism in Yan Daoxin’s words, frowning in confusion: "What? Is there something wrong with what I’m doing?"

"It’s not just something wrong; it’s wholly incorrect." Yan Daoxin shook his head without mercy, "If you truly want to give her a way out to avoid being dragged down, you should send her a divorce letter now, sending her back to her family in Shuo Country, letting everyone know Prince Xiaoyao and Prince Shuo Zhu Cheng are not on the same team."

"If she were Zhu Cheng’s most beloved daughter, like Lu Zhang’s new bride to the Jie King, I might indeed do so." Lu Qing shook his head, "Zhu Cheng will not consider her well-being, nor is he capable of protecting her completely. Returning her might worsen her circumstances."

"Mm, mm, mm, makes sense, makes sense." Yan Daoxin nodded gravely, even clapping his hands, "So one day, if you can’t protect yourself, by sending her, a woman, to some unfamiliar, remote place to hide her name, her situation would actually improve!

Her father, her husband couldn’t ensure her safety—yet once she’s left alone, she magically becomes safe!

Disciple, oh disciple, your consideration is indeed extraordinarily meticulous and flawlessly seamless!"

Lu Qing hadn’t anticipated such a statement and was momentarily at a loss for words.

He originally thought that if he couldn’t protect himself, he’d at least arrange a fallback for Zhu Yu, unwilling to see such a rare bright and brave woman perish due to him.

Now, upon hearing Yan Daoxin, he suddenly found himself speechless, unable to defend himself.

Yan Daoxin didn’t seem intent on letting Lu Qing off, continuing: "Lu Qing, oh Lu Qing, having known you for so many years, I never thought you’d be someone so eager for fame!

On one hand, you speak of pity, leaving a retreat for her, so only maintain a surface-level relationship as a couple.

On the other hand, have her masquerade as a man, utilizing all her skills for you.

How is it, inside out, you are the deep-feeling, rule-abiding, silently enduring one leaving a retreat for her, and simultaneously the wise talent-spotter, the insightful patron?

Zhu Yu bears the nominal title of Princess to facilitate your needs, and in the end, she owes you such a profound, overwhelming emotional debt.

I knew you were skilled in strategy, never expecting you’d calculate even your wife so finely!"

Yan Daoxin’s statement was utterly unforgiving, driving Lu Qing’s face into a sullen expression.

"I had good intentions, even if imperfect, surely it’s not as unbearable as you depict." Weakened remarkably, Yan Daoxin’s distortion stirred him, causing him to inhale sharply, sending an intense ache through his chest.

Seeing his face pale, Yan Daoxin quickly gestured to him and produced an elixir, placing it into Lu Qing’s mouth.

"Don’t get worked up! I only meant to wake you up, not gas you to death!" He switched back to a grinning expression, "Now you realize how aggravating it is not understanding others’ situations and speaking for them?

Tell me, has your planning for Zhu Yu’s retreat ever been discussed with her?"

Lu Qing was taken aback momentarily, then shook his head: "Never mentioned it."

"Then there you go!" Yan Daoxin smote his palm, spreading his hands wide, "You act like you’re thinking of her, yet from start to finish, you never considered her thoughts, imposing your decisions onto her.

In doing so, how do you differ from the Zhu Cheng you spoke so disdainfully of?

If Zhu Yu is a rare treasure, your wish to protect it from ruin or falling into wrong hands by hiding it is understandable.

But she is, after all, a living, breathing person.

I made interpretations of your considerations without asking your thoughts, and you couldn’t help but get upset—by making her lifetime decisions privately, can you be so sure your arrangements align with what Zhu Yu desires?"

After finishing, seeing a thoughtful look on Lu Qing’s face, realizing his words were absorbed, sighed gently, added, "I know you haven’t had an easy time these years.

Thus, the more you care about someone, the less you dare show closeness, fearing it would be exploited, appearing indifferent with Lu Chao despite mutual support, feigning unfamiliarity so no outsiders could detect anything suspicious.

Even with the master, you dare not be too close.

If it involves only you, sure, make decisions alone, but when involving others, always listen to their opinions as well."

He paused, unable to resist adding, "You took care, making sure she wears that precious golden silk armor.

Last night, you got hurt, and Zhu Yu’s worry and urgency were genuine.

So I advise you not to be too self-righteous; if you do care about someone, at least listen to their perspective."

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