20 A Confession 2

Nangong Xuan was stunned. He had spent all morning talking to his future father-in-law and Zhan Mingting had told him a family secret that was known only by Old Master Zhan and him. Judging from Zhan Yunge's reaction, he had a feeling she knew about it as well.

"You are a sweet girl and everyone loves you. Why would you die?" Nangong Xuan had never felt this anxious in his life. It was the worst day of his life. Before he learned of the secret, he used to think he could accomplish anything. However, he was proven wrong today. Also, something was going to happen to the girl whom he loved with all his heart.

Zhan Yunge bit her lips and said slowly, "I will die when I am 16. I will encounter heavenly tribulation on my 16th birthday. It is unavoidable."

"Yunge, did you know all along?"

Nangong Xuan tightened his fists. She undoubtedly knew about it. He had forgotten that her sorcery was as good as anyone else's in the family. It was easy enough for her if she wanted to read her future.

When did she know about the heavenly tribulation? How could she hide it so well? Even he did not catch on all this time.

Zhan Yunge recalled her family was masters of sorcery. Since her grandfather was a highly skilled sorcerer, it came as no surprise he would know of her fate. Her grandfather had been keeping it from her all this time. After living through a few lifetimes, she was already accustomed to taking care of herself. Now that it was no longer a secret and someone was around to share the burden with her, her strong façade melted away immediately.

She raised her hand and rubbed his brow. "You have intense purple energy radiating from your brow. Ever since you were ten years old, your dragon energy has surpassed even your own father's. Now, it has started to take shape as a dragon. Before the year is through, it will manifest into a dragon. No one can stop you from being the emperor. This is your fate. For me, dying from a heavenly tribulation at 16 is my fate."

She cried so hard that it was impossible for Nangong Xuan to dry her tears.

"You say my heart is made of stone. Why should I try if there is no hope for us? I knew what would become of me right from the start. Why should I put any feelings into you? It would just end up hurting us both!"

Zhan Yunge cried uncontrollably. She kept causing trouble in the hope that the emperor would change his mind about their marriage. She was going to die when she was 16 years old and she simply did not want Nangong Xuan to face this by himself. Even though she was just a kid, she was much older inside, so she could naturally sense the feelings he had for her.

Nangong Xuan embraced her tightly. For the past 15 years, he was always with her and even shared the same room and bed with her. Even then, she always remained aloof towards him. She had a huge burden on her shoulders, but he was oblivious of it. It was the very reason she refused to open her heart to him.

"Your grandfather is the best sorcerer in Shengyu Empire. He has read plenty of fortunes in his life and lots of people have heavenly tribulations. After this passes, you will lead a long and happy life. Do not lose hope just yet. Even if the heavens are against me, I will never allow them to take you from me. Only one fate lies ahead for you. You are destined to be my wife."

For the first time in her life, Zhan Yunge found a safe haven in Nangong Xuan's arms. Even though she had faced this fate on her own for several lifetimes, she felt safe curled up in his arms. In that instant, her heart finally opened up to Nangong Xuan.

Since she was destined to meet Nangong Xuan in this lifetime, she ought to face it with an open mind. What use was it in avoiding Nangong Xuan? All these years, she had given him a lukewarm attitude and even that did not deter him from falling for her. In that case, why should she suppress herself?

Regardless of her fate and even if she had only one more year to live, she was determined to live without regret.

After the crying, she seemed to instantly feel better when she made up her mind to live without regret.

Nangong Xuan wanted to look at her when she stopped crying, but she placed her face buried against his chest and refused to let him look at her. Since she had just cried, she was certain she would look terrible. The moment Nangong Xuan wanted to hold her face, she covered it with both hands.

"Do you still care about your appearance?" teased Nangong Xuan.

"Why not?" answered Zhan Yunge furiously.

"Of course, you can. You can do whatever you want." He felt bad thinking about how sad she was just moments ago and could not bear to tease her.

"I want to wash my face." Zhan Yunge covered her face and refused to remove her hands.

"Okay. Let's go wash up." Nangong Xuan carried her and brought her to the bathroom.

After opening the bathroom door, he placed her on the ground and fetched her a basin of water. He left the room and closed the door behind him thoughtfully.

Zhan Yunge finally stopped covering her face and checked her face in the mirror. Sure enough, her eyes were red. She washed her face repeatedly with cold water until her eyes felt better and left the bathroom.

She saw Nangong Xuan sitting with her older brother when she came out of the bathroom.

"Big Bro?"

When did her older brother get here? Did he overhear her conversation with Nangong Xuan?

Zhan Yunge did not know that her family already knew about her heavenly tribulation. When she learned the truth from Nangong Xuan, she did not want them to know about her knowledge. She knew they did not tell her about it all this time so that she could lead a happy unburdened life.

"Grandpa wants you to go to the ancestral hall."

Zhan Yunshu was here to visit his little sister. When he got to the compound, he chanced upon their conversation. It was the first time he had ever heard about her heavenly tribulation. He was so shocked that he went straight to his grandfather to ask him about it.

His grandfather was shocked to hear that Zhan Yunge already knew about the heavenly tribulation she would face when she was 16 years old. He sighed deeply before sending Zhan Yunshu to call Zhan Yunge to the ancestral hall. He wanted to break the news to them both.

Zhan Yunge promptly knew her grandfather must have found out that she knew about the heavenly tribulation. Since her grandfather already knew about it, she may as well talk to him about it.

"Your Highness, can you please come with us?" asked Zhan Yunshu.

Nangong Xuan did not say no. Since he was invited to see Old Master Zhan as well, they clearly did not want to hide it from him. He did not want Zhan Yunge to continue hiding things from him either.

The three of them headed over to the ancestral hall.