Gentle light filtered through the patterned window into the room, falling on the reclining figure. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her skin seemed free of even the slightest blemish. Luo Yu raised a hand to touch the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. A strand of graying hair fell loose, and he sighed softly.
People always grew old, yet his wife seemed to be an exception. Decades had passed, and she remained unchanged. Had her health not been deteriorating by the day, he truly might have thought she would endure forever in this mortal world.
Xishi sat up and leaned gently against Luo Yu's chest. He wrapped his arms around her soft, seemingly boneless body, and his heart inexplicably settled. Xishi said softly, "I will ultimately pass into obscurity, unlike you, my husband, whose name will shine forever in the annals of history."
Luo Yu lowered his head and chuckled. "My beloved always knows how to soothe her husband. You truly are a virtuous woman."
The burden on Luo Yu's shoulders was now immense. Maintaining a stable alliance, particularly while directing its course and balancing the interests of its members, was an exceedingly difficult task.
After Chong'er passed away and the new Duke Shuang of Jin succeeded him, the ministers arranged for him to present tribute to the Son of Heaven of Zhou and contact allies such as Luo State.
But Duke Shuang of Jin said, "Jin State has millions of people and hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers. With these, my predecessor commanded the realm. I ought to take pride in him and convene the lords in alliance."
Jin State's ministers remonstrated, "My lord, Jin State's strength was only one reason your predecessor could become Hegemon over the realm. Chu State is extraordinarily powerful, so