Chapter 33.1 – Instigation

Ji Ling looked at Carlos in shock. His scalp tingled with fear. How could Carlos have appeared in the palace? There was no way Jing Sui would invite him!

What did he want to do?

Carlos looked at the horror in the youth’s eyes. His heart was chilled with icy pain, but he put on a gentle expression. He whispered to Ji Ling: “I just wanted to say a few words to you. Don’t make a fuss, and I’ll let go, all right?”

Ji Ling heard those warm and gentle words, and immediately calmed down. Since Carlos was willing to put on a play with him, he definitely wouldn’t hurt him. All he had to do was listen to what the guy wanted to say. And so, Ji Ling blinked his eyes and showed that he was willing to listen.

Carlos released his hold, as his gaze fell over those lips that had been kissed red by Jing Sui. Holding in his agitation and jealousy, he looked at Ji Ling with a hurt expression, saying hoarsely: "Do you still blame me?”

Ji Ling gave him a distant stare, appearing extremely distrustful.

Carlos said: "I miss you so much."

Ji Ling lowered his voice and said coldly: "Did you know I almost died on Celestial Star?”

Pain flitted through Carlos' eyes. After a long pause, he smiled bitterly: "I knew His Majesty would tell you that, but none of it is true. I would never sell you out.

How could he possibly believe Carlos? He looked at Carlos with a disappointed expression, and shook his head, saying: "His Majesty was afraid that I’d be saddened and didn't say anything. Gabriel was the one who told me. He said that the one who gave him news about me was you, Uncle Carlos…"

Carlos saw the disappointment in the youth’s pained eyes, and felt even angrier with Gabriel in his heart. He had gone back to think about this matter for a long time, but still couldn’t come up with the purpose behind Gabriel’s actions. Why would Gabriel set him up in front of Ji Ling?

What did this man want this time?

Although he couldn't grasp Gabriel's motives or goals at the moment, that didn't prevent him from speaking with Ji Ling today. Carlos said slowly in a deep voice: "What Gabriel told you may not be the truth. How are you so sure that he was the real Gabriel?"

Ji Ling was taken aback. He had no idea what Carlos was implying with this.

Carlos said lightly: "Everyone knows that Gabriel has black hair, black eyes and wears a silver mask. However, no one knows what he truly looks like. Wouldn’t it be extremely simple for someone to wear a mask and pose as him?”

Ji Ling said in surprise: "You’re saying that the one I met wasn’t the real Gabriel?"

That’s impossible. I've dealt with Gabriel in my last life, and I'm quite sure that that wasn’t someone in disguise. He looked at Carlos suspiciously, waiting to see his next tricks.

Carlos looked at Ji Ling, and his eyes suddenly turned sharp and dark. The chill in them was blood-curdling. Clearly and slowly, Carlos enunciated: "If I had Gabriel kill someone for me, then that person would never come back alive."

Ji Ling was startled by the sudden iciness in his tone of voice. He leaned against the tree behind him, and seeing that he had no way of escape, his face turned pale. He didn’t understand why Carlos would completely change colors all of a sudden. Hadn’t he always pretended to be harmless in front of him?

Carlos looked straight into Ji Ling's panicked eyes. His own eyes were deep and calm, laced with a terrifying indifference to life and ruthlessness: "If I was really the one who had Gabriel kidnap you, then how could I have let him tell you my name and let you go safe and sound afterwards?”

Ji Ling: …

Crap, what this old rascal is saying actually sounds quite reasonable.

But that was definitely Gabriel…

Ji Ling racked his brains and thought for a bit… Or it’s like last life. You ratted me out, but Gabriel wasn’t willing to kill me in the end. As for giving your name out, maybe it was simply an accident? Ji Ling really didn't know how to keep finding excuses for Gabriel’s actions…

Carlos raised his hand and pressed down on Ji Ling's shoulder. The coldness in his eyes was once again covered by worry and concern. He sighed helplessly saying: "That person wasn’t necessarily the real Gabriel. The reason why he kidnapped you and then let you go was to frame me. Do you understand now?”

Ji Ling didn't believe a word of this, but he pretended to waver, and asked confused: "Why would he do that…?”

Carlos sighed. "Think about it. Who would be the biggest beneficiary?”

Ji Ling: ?

I don’t think anyone benefits. Only you lose out and fall into this pit. Although I don't know why Gabriel wants to get you this life, maybe he just doesn't like you? After all, Jing Sui's political views are more in line with his interests.

Carlos looked at the youth’s blank expression. The boy appeared as if he couldn’t come up with anything at all, showing him pitiful and helpless eyes. Carlos said deeply: “Originally, I would’ve preferred you hating me to telling you the truth, but I really…cannot bear to see you hurt and manipulated any more.”

Ji Ling: …

With deep regret in his eyes, Carlos finally lamented slowly: “His Majesty is the biggest beneficiary."

Ji Ling widened his eyes in disbelief. How the heck was Carlos going to bend this?

Carlos stared at Ji Ling intently. His tone was sincere as he said slowly: “His Majesty used to be indifferent and dismissive towards you. Everyone knew that he didn't like you…but his attitude changed completely overnight, and now he dotes on you so much. Have you never suspected that something was wrong with this?”

In his heart, Ji Ling knew the reason all too well. It was because Jing Sui was reborn. However, this was a secret he could never say out loud. Putting that aside, umm… there really might be something wrong.

Ji Ling appeared to hesitate. He looked like he was wavering, but because he didn't want to doubt Jing Sui, he could only move his lips slightly: “His Majesty, he…”

Sympathy appeared in Carlos’ eyes, and he seemed to genuinely feel bad for Ji Ling. However, he still said: “The real reason His Majesty suddenly changed his attitude towards you is to obtain the support of your father’s faction for the implementation of the genetic evolution agents policy to come. However, because he had never treated you well, he was afraid you wouldn’t accept his change and even trust in me more. That’s why he had to go through with such a plan… He would have some so-called Gabriel kidnap you and deliberately tell you that I was the mastermind. Then, he would rescue you out of that frightening situation so that you would misunderstand and alienate me, while at the same time, increase your love and gratitude for himself. Moreover, he could naturally pin the guilt of cooperating with the rebels on me and use this as an excuse to suppress my power in the subsequent political struggle, therein killing three birds with one stone."

“Consider it carefully. Everything that happened was planned by him, otherwise, how would anyone be able to capture you so easily from his side? Obviously, he had this done on purpose… What's more, if it wasn't him, how would Gabriel not silence you? He just gave my name out, pretended to intimidate you and then let you go? His Majesty just rushed over to play hero saving the beauty so conveniently? How could there be so many coincidences in this world?" Carlos remarked sadly: “All these moves were carefully calculated by him. He isn’t sincerely good to you at all. He just wants to use you. Once his purpose is achieved, he won’t hesitate to abandon you. "

Ji Ling’s mouth gaped open in shock.

My gosh, this old rascal’s tongue is as smooth as silk. His reasoning was extremely sound. He could spin his lies to sound more truthful than the truth. If I wasn’t so clear on his character, and unaware of his rebirth, I might have really believed him. What he said is completely flawless!

Carlos reached out his hand, and gently brushed Ji Ling's cheek, saying with a pained expression: "Do you understand now? His kindness to you is fake. He has been deceiving you the whole time, and taking advantage of your feelings for him… For his own goals, he doesn’t hesitate to put you in harm’s way, not caring for your fear or injury. "

Ji Ling pretended to be overwhelmed with shock and sadness. The corners of his eyes reddened as he said: "It can’t be… His Majesty wouldn’t do that to me…"

Carlos’ voice sunk deeper. He gave a wry smile, as if he was pained, as he said: "I am the one who has always been good to you. I have never hurt you, so would you rather believe in a ruthless person who used to despise you than believe in me who has always cared for you sincerely?"

Ji Ling: "…"

But you’re not sincerely good to me either. It’s just that you’ve always been putting on this facade…

Ji Ling almost wanted to refute him, but his mouth gaped open and made no sound. Suddenly, an unprecedented idea came to him, and his heart beat excitedly.

This…This was actually a breakthrough for him!

Hadn’t he been worried about how to refuse Jing Sui all this time and get out of this fatal situation? Now Carlos had set down the perfect excuse right in front of him!

Putting aside the secret explanation of "rebirth", everything else sounded completely logical! In fact, even Ji Ling sometimes couldn't understand the purpose behind Gabriel’s actions. It really looked like he had just gone there to dig a pit for Carlos and help Jing Sui out… If he wasn't already so sure that Jing Sui wouldn't do this to him, even he would suspect that Jing Sui had cooperated with Gabriel.

Translator’s notes

*I just modified an English quote by Henryk Sienkiewicz for this, but the (modified) meaning is quite similar to the Chinese line from an ancient poem. Basically, when you’ve reached the scenery of despair, you look beyond the shadows of the willows and see hope.