[Fantasy] The Captive Concubine's Tale (Complete) - 26

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Chapter 199, Is It an Old Friend Returning? (Part 2)

Holding a comb in her jade-like hand, Mingruo silently combed her flowing black hair before the dim bronze mirror. Her purple eyes appeared calm and serene, yet a turbulent undercurrent flowed within. Her exquisite and ethereal face was reflected in the mirror, like a masterpiece of jade carving.

A peach blossom rested quietly on the table, emitting a subtle fragrance.

"Legend has it that Consort Ming was unparalleled in both beauty and talent, possessing a face that could topple kingdoms. Her spirit was likened to the peach blossom, and people called her the reincarnation of the Peach Goddess, causing all other flowers to pale in comparison."

The voice was soft, gentle like a gentle breeze.

The ivory comb slipped from Mingruo's hand, its impact striking in the quiet night. She blinked rapidly, a thin layer of tears quickly forming on her long eyelashes. Her small hands rested on the dressing table, her body trembling beneath her clothes. She dared not turn around, afraid that what she heard was merely an illusion, but perhaps… it wasn't.

She should have known sooner.

Long before, when her second brother had taken liberties with her, she had vaguely sensed a familiar aura around her. After his death, she should have been even more certain, since she certainly didn't have the strength to kill him with just a white jade hairpin. But she never expected... never expected this person to actually appear... Mingruo lowered her head, finding herself already weeping uncontrollably. She clenched her fists, her smooth, dark hair obscuring her beautiful face, making her expression unreadable. However, from her trembling body and slightly heavy breathing, it was clear she was extremely agitated.

A slender hand reached out. Through her misty, tear-filled eyes, Mingruo saw only a hand that looked incredibly weathered, with prominent veins and knuckles on the back. With the man's movement, one sleeve was clearly empty.

She dared not cry out loud, yet she didn't want to see him either. She simply turned her back, unwilling to let him see her, unwilling to look at him. They had already become strangers nine years ago.

“Little Four, I still owe you a peach blossom from Lingkong Temple, do you still remember?” The man wasn’t in a hurry, his voice as deep and gentle as ever, softly recounting a promise from many, many years ago.

Mingruo raised her head, forcing tears back into her eyes, shaking her head: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, you

should go.” A warm hand gripped her shoulder, forcing her to turn back, then that hand moved up, hooking her chin, forcing her to look ahead. Mingruo’s tear-filled eyes met a haggard, weathered face. His features were still handsome, but fine lines were etched at the corners of his eyes. Even when he smiled, there seemed to be bitterness in his lips.

She involuntarily grasped the hand on her chin, its roughness like tree bark, seemingly devoid of life, leaving only a deep, deathly silence. “You…” As soon as she spoke, she realized her voice was hoarse, as if she could no longer utter words normally. “Are you alright?”

No, he wasn’t.

But Duanmu Yun still smiled and replied, "I'm fine, how are you?"

Nine years later, the former husband and wife met again, and all that remained was a pale, dismissive question: "Are you alright?" What difference did it make whether she was well or not? She was married to someone else, a mother; and he… was no longer the same.

Mingruo released his hand, forcing a hard expression: "You should go now. The Emperor will be back soon. If he sees you here… there will be no shortage of trouble."

Duanmu Yun simply stood there, staring at her blankly.

For nine years, he had heard nothing from her.

From the day they parted at Panlong Palace, nine whole years had passed, and he had never seen her again, not even a single keepsake from her.

Duanmu Yun drank for four years, living a life of drunken stupor, oblivious to everyone.

He went far away, and even visiting the home they had once shared became a luxury. He left nothing behind except the cotton robe she hadn't finished sewing for him years ago. He held it in his arms like a precious treasure, using his only hand as if he were holding her, unwilling to let go. Time slipped away in the desolation of years, day after day, like clouds turning into grey dogs; four years passed in the blink of an eye.

From beginning to end, he never saw that smiling, radiant figure again.

He had truly lost her. He knew where he had lost her, but he couldn't find her. Duanmu Yun had never hated his powerlessness so much. If he had made the decision sooner to take her away from the capital to live a carefree life, they would now be an enviable couple, instead of being like this, speechless in each other's presence, unable even to recognize each other.

Duanmu Yun thought his life would just pass like this. Living a life without Mingruo, without light, without a soul. If time could turn back, he would never again be a general. He would only wish to live a simple life with her, a life of hardship, yet sweet. What did it matter to him what the world was like, what the people were like, what others were like? All he wanted was Mingruo, yet he could not have

her even in death. She clearly belonged to him as his wife, so why did he have to give her away?

So he returned, and after five years, he was able to stand by her side again, in a way that no one knew.

"You should leave quickly... My son will be coming soon, and it won't be good if he sees you." Mingruo gently nudged Duanmu Yun, her head bowed, saying nothing.

"Your son... his name is Shunyuan, isn't it?" Duanmu Yun asked softly, as if the nine years that had separated them meant nothing at all. “I’ve seen him. He’s smart, handsome, and…like you.” Seeing Mingruo look at him with a startled expression, he hurriedly explained, “Don’t worry, I didn’t let him see me. I just…just peeked at him from the shadows, just one glance…he looks so much like you…” His features were more like that man’s shadow. Seeing Shun Yuan was like seeing his own heart riddled with holes, his prematurely aged appearance, and the despair of losing his beloved.

Mingruo closed her eyes and took a few steps back. “I’ve already said that we will never meet again in this life, and you should never come back to the capital. But you—why did you…” She had already hurt him enough, yet he still wasn’t satisfied? “Go, go, don’t come back—”

Duanmu Yun stared blankly at her, vaguely recalling nine years ago, when he knelt before her as she was about to give birth, wearing blood-stained prison clothes, disheveled, holding her hand. Her face was ashen, yet she still forced him to promise to leave and never return, even if they would never see each other again for the rest of their lives.

He didn't want to leave her anymore, he really didn't. He was terrified of this zombie-like existence. He didn't want to have nightmares every night, opening his eyes to find only coldness beside him, the room empty, filled with endless darkness. She seemed so close, yet he couldn't reach out and touch her. They were separated by an insurmountable distance, as if they would never see each other again in this life.

"I miss you..."

Mingruo's nose stung, and tears she had been desperately trying to hold back finally streamed down her face. She told him to leave, to never come to see her again, but he only murmured, as if talking in his sleep, "I miss you.

" "I miss you..." he repeated, his face unusually pale, one sleeve empty. Mingruo saw him as nothing more than a ghost. Duanmu Yun said nothing more, only murmuring "I miss you, I miss you" over and over again.

Yes, I just miss you, that's all. Nothing else.

Even if I die coming back this time, I want to see you one more time. Otherwise, what's the point of living this life in a daze? Besides, maybe this time, he can truly be with her, never to be separated again.

"I miss you... I miss you day and night. When I open my eyes, it's you; when I close my eyes, it's you; when I'm awake, it's you; when I'm asleep, it's you. It seems like you're everywhere, yet nowhere at all." He missed her so much that it was as if he were dead.

Mingruo covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. She looked at Duanmu Yun, who mechanically repeated "I miss you." He used to be such a spirited person, but now he seemed like a different person, his eyes filled with lifelessness.

Chapter 200, I Heard

“Ruo’er…” he called her name gently, his hand trembling as he grasped hers hanging by her side. “Don’t cry, don’t cry…” He hadn’t come to see her to make her cry.

Ming Ruo took a deep breath, but something seemed to be stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t utter a single word. Slowly, she pushed Duanmu Yun’s hand away from hers and whispered, “I’m sorry to you. I’ve hurt you to this extent. Duanmu, why did you come back?” She could save him once, but could she save him a second time? Those who were enemies of the Emperor, those who threatened the Emperor, those whom the Emperor disliked… none of them existed in this world anymore. Did he really not value his life by coming back at this critical moment?

A flash of pain quickly crossed Duanmu Yun’s eyes. Ming Ruo had refused, so he hadn’t touched her again. He wouldn’t do anything she rejected. “Ruo’er…” He just called her name, as if that was enough. "You're still so beautiful."

Mingruo listened to his words in a daze, then abruptly turned her back. "To you, I'm just an old friend. You should leave."

"He can't hurt me anymore." With these soft words, Duanmu Yun stepped forward and put his only arm around Mingruo's shoulder. "You don't need to worry about me anymore." "

I'm not worried about you. I'm just afraid that your return will cause the Emperor to misunderstand me." Mingruo hardened her heart and pushed Duanmu Yun's hand away. "You should leave quickly. Shunyuan will be here soon. If he sees me, I won't be able to explain."

"Even if you deceive the world, you can't fool me. These years have been hard on you." Duanmu Yun smiled slightly, as if all the hurt and unbearable things had never happened. They were still the perfect couple under the peach tree that year. "Now that I'm back, I won't leave. I just missed you, so I came to see you." But one day, he would come back openly and take her away. No one in the world knew better than him how soft-hearted and kind his Ruo'er was. She must have been in far more pain than him to utter such heartless words. "I...I'm leaving now, don't worry about me anymore." Still relying on his hands? How can that be satisfying? Forum reputation guaranteed! High-grade silicone video, Fan Bingbing's lower body realistically molded, highly realistic vulva shape, soft and delicate skin! Built-in large-particle protrusions, close to the female physiological structure, experience a more realistic feeling... Intense and irresistible! Click to enter .

The arm encircling her loosened gently, seemingly with immense reluctance. Mingruo didn't turn around; she knew he was gone.

It's better that he's gone, better that he's gone.

Parting is better than meeting.

She sat down on the ground, dejected, her black hair falling loose, her hands suddenly covering her face, not daring to shed tears, afraid that she would reveal something if Shunyuan and Emperor Xuli returned. Why did he come back, why did he come back! To die? If Father Emperor finds out, he's doomed, you know?

Let go of your feelings for her. She can't be with him anymore. She has Shun Yuan, and she can't leave her father. She's destined to be trapped in this deep palace until she dies of old age; there's no other way. Mingruo sat on the ground, lost in thought, unwilling to think about Duanmu Yun anymore. She knew in her heart that she and he were no longer connected, yet she couldn't help but worry about him. This feeling left her at a loss. Mingruo didn't know what Duanmu Yun was going to do, but judging from his tone, it must be something very important. She truly didn't want to see him do these crazy things for her, yet she was powerless to stop him. How could she tell him so he would understand?

She would never leave Emperor Xuli again, never.

Just as Mingruo was lost in thought, the beaded curtain was lifted, and Shunyuan skipped in. Seeing his mother sitting on the floor, he immediately sat down, throwing himself into Mingruo's arms and whining, "Mother, Mother, why are you sitting on the floor?"

She never showed any unusual expression when facing her son. "Mother sat on the floor to see if Shunyuan could see her at a glance," she said. She gently pinched his high nose and then his chubby cheeks. Seeing his little face, she felt that spending her whole life in the palace wouldn't be so bad. She had her father, Shunyuan; what more could she ask for?

"Of course! Shunyuan can see Mother anywhere!" The little boy proudly raised his chin, giggling as he snuggled closer to Mingruo. "Mother, do you know what? I met a strange concubine today!"

"A strange concubine?" Mingruo was surprised. Shunyuan was very averse to the concubines in the harem. He always thought that those people harbored ill intentions towards Emperor Xuli and would harm Mingruo. So it was better not to see them at all; if he did, he would make a scene. For nine years, she had never heard the little guy give any concubine a positive evaluation. "What's strange about her?"

"Hmm..." He stroked his chin, thinking seriously for a moment. "I think that concubine looks a bit like Mother, but Mother is much prettier than her~ And she lives in the Cold Palace, so Father must not like her and she can't threaten Mother."

Hearing this, Mingruo gasped. Could it be... could it be...? Afraid that Shunyuan would see through her, she quickly smiled and pulled him up: "Alright, alright, are you hungry? Let's have dinner together, okay?"

It's Mother, it must be Mother... Mingruo held Shunyuan's little hand, called for someone to bring the meal, and then sat down at the table to ponder. Over the years, she hadn't seen her mother, and Granny Duan seemed to have vanished without a trace. Emperor Xuli didn't like her being close to anyone other than him, so she didn't disobey him. Actually, not seeing her was fine; without longing, there was no heartache. Besides, she was too cowardly to face the disappointed looks of her mother and Granny Duan. They loved and doted on her so much, yet she had ended up in such an awkward position. Sharing a husband with her mother… it was utterly absurd and laughable! How could she? How could she go see her mother and Granny Duan? "Shunyuan, be good.

When you see this concubine in the future, spend more time with her, okay?"

Shunyuan nodded. Just then, the palace maids began to serve the meal, and the little one picked up a piece of pastry and held it to Mingruo's lips. "I played there this afternoon~ This concubine is very nice, and she told me a lot of stories. Oh, Mother Consort, I used to have an older sister!"

Mingruo was taken aback. Seeing her expression, Shunyuan thought she wanted to hear more, and began to chatter on and on: "What's her daughter's name... Mingruo, she's Father's fourth daughter. I heard she's not as pretty as the other older sisters~ But she married..." "That's the best, Mother! Is that General Duanmu Yun really as powerful as everyone says? Why do Eunuch An and this concubine both speak so highly of him? If he's truly a good person, why did he kill my third brother? If he's so powerful, why did he suffer defeat in several major battles? And how did he end up colluding with martial arts practitioners to escape from the imperial prison? But there are still a few things I don't understand… He's gone, but what about my fourth sister? Is she really dead? I always feel the rumors aren't very credible… But that's what that concubine said~"

With each sentence he spoke, Mingruo felt as if her heart was being cut. In this lifetime, she could never let Shunyuan know the truth. She couldn't imagine what would happen if her precious child knew all this; her heart would break. "Alright, eat your meal obediently. It's all in the past, there's nothing to talk about. Your father will be back soon, and he'll teach you martial arts later."

Hearing about martial arts practice, the young boy became excited, his face covered in rice grains. Mingruo smiled and wiped them away for him, but her heart was heavy.

When Emperor Xuli returned, Shunyuan had only eaten halfway through his meal. Seeing him, he merely waved his chopsticks, not even bothering to bow. However, Eunuch An,

standing behind him, chuckled, "The little prince has a very good appetite; he'll surely grow taller tomorrow." Shunyuan loved being praised for his height, and immediately gave Eunuch An a cute smile. Emperor Xuli sat down next to Mingruo, and Eunuch An, with keen insight, signaled all the palace servants present to leave, leaving only the family of three to enjoy their meal together.

(Volume 3

, Chapter 201, The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

) Mingruo had something on her mind, so her appetite was naturally poor, and she ate very little. Shunyuan, on the other hand, was carefree, and his little belly was round and full. Being young, he was very active and had a large appetite; Mingruo couldn't outeat him. After finishing his meal, the little one ate some fruit and then pestered Mingruo to tell him stories. Mingruo, helpless, could only hold him and sit on the edge of the bed, pinching his little nose as she told him stories.

Being a child at heart, the little one soon lost patience, jumped down from Mingruo's arms, rushed to Emperor Xuli's side, and tugged at his sleeve, asking, "Father, Father—"

Emperor Xuli was in a rare good mood. He rubbed Shunyuan's little head and chuckled, "What is it?"

"Father, can you tell me the story of General Duanmu? Mother won't tell me." The little one was very aggrieved. "All I heard in the palace was about how powerful and clever General Duanmu was, but why did he lose the last few battles? Why didn't Father help him?"

He touched his son's little face, took his little hand and led him to the bedside, sitting down next to Mingruo. Then he picked Shunyuan up and placed him between the two of them, pinching his nose: "Duanmu Yun is indeed a pillar of the state, but... his achievements are too great and threaten the emperor. Shunyuan should understand this." He was a child who would become emperor in the future, and he should have understood these principles long ago.

Shun Yuan pouted, a hint of confusion on his chubby little face: "Your subject understands, but he's already lost the battle, so why is everyone still praising him? Can someone really be so forgiving even in defeat? And why did he kill my third brother?"

"Because your third brother tried to take liberties with your mother." Emperor Xu Li smiled faintly.

"What?!" The little guy immediately bristled. "He deserved to be killed!"

Emperor Xu Li looked at him with a half-smile, glossing over the matter, not intending to explain further: "You'll understand when you grow up, your father will tell you later. Now, say goodbye to your mother and go back to your palace to rest. I'll have Eunuch An escort you."

Shun Yuan was very dissatisfied, snorting through his nose: "No, I want to go by myself." Saying this, he knelt on the bed and stood up, kissing Ming Ruo on the forehead: "Goodbye, Mother." Then he kissed Emperor Xu Li on the cheek. "Goodbye, Father." After saying this, he jumped off the dragon bed and ran away in a flash.

Mingruo watched the small figure disappear in an instant, swallowing back the words "be careful" before she could even utter them. This child, always so impulsive. Her eyes were filled with doting affection, a slight smile playing on her lips. She looked up and met Emperor Xuli's gaze—he was staring at her with a strange look. "...Father?"

"Ruo'er, did anything happen today?" he asked casually, his tone unreadable, like a routine question, similar to asking about the weather.

Mingruo shook her head: "No, nothing happened." Under Emperor Xuli's gaze, she shrank back slightly, her face pale, afraid he would see through her.

"Then why did Ruo'er cry?" Cool, long fingers touched the corner of her eye; the tear tracks had long since dried, but they still couldn't hide it from Emperor Xuli. "If you didn't have something on your mind, why were you so perfunctory with Shunyuan tonight?"

"Really, nothing, Father, don't you believe Ruo'er?" Afraid of his suspicion, Mingruo could only tell the truth halfway. “It’s just that when Shun Yuan came back, he asked me about Duanmu Yun. I didn’t know how to answer, and I was thinking about the past, so I became a little sentimental.”

“Thinking about the past, so you cried?” Emperor Xu Li’s tone slowly turned somber, and a hint of displeasure seemed to gather in the air. Ming Ruo’s heart skipped a beat. Afraid that he would misunderstand, she quickly put on a sweet smile and rushed into Emperor Xu Li’s arms. She raised her delicate face, revealing her picturesque features, which were light and faint, like a deep and distant ink painting, exquisitely beautiful and elegant to the extreme: “How could that be? Ruo’er was just thinking about Mother and Granny Duan. I wonder how they are doing now, so I couldn’t help but worry, so… so…”

Emperor Xu Li bit her cheek, still with a half-smile: “So, you little darling cried? How big of a girl are you now? You’re always crying at the drop of a hat. Are you a little baby?”

Her face turned red from his teasing. Ming Ruo covered her bitten cheek and hid in his arms, feeling both nervous and relieved. She wasn't sure if Emperor Xuli truly believed her, but for now, she could only try to deceive him. It wasn't because she had any lingering feelings for Duanmu Yun; she simply didn't want him to die. After all, he was someone she knew, and he had treated her so well in the past. If she were to put him to death now because of her, how would she be any different from an ungrateful beast?

Emperor Xuli seemed to believe Mingruo's words, pulling her into his arms and rolling her down into the soft bedding. His high nose rubbed against her face as he chuckled, "The Wuhuan will send someone in a few days. We'll attend together, okay?"

"Wuhuan?" Mingruo was taken aback. "Is it that King Shaluo from back then? He's coming again? What about my eldest sister? Is she coming too?"

"Eldest sister?" He seemed to have completely forgotten that he had a daughter who had been married off to a foreign land for political reasons. "This matter is one of the reasons why Shaluo came to Da'an this time. Queen Shaluo seduced a high-ranking Wuhuan general and was caught red-handed by King Shaluo. He wanted to depose her, but he didn't get my permission, so he took this opportunity of tribute to bring it up."

"Depose the queen?" Mingruo exclaimed. "But what will happen to my eldest sister after she's deposed? Will she be sent back?"

Emperor Xuli chuckled: "Send her back? I'm afraid she won't be able to. Shaluo is a very cunning man, a ruthless fellow who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Those who betray him never have a good ending. On the way back, the caravan might encounter bandits or brigands, and everyone will be silenced."

Mingruo could hardly believe what she was hearing. After all, Shaluo and my eldest sister had been married for nine years. How could that man be so heartless? "Then, what should we do?"

"What should we do? What should we do?" Emperor Xuli raised an eyebrow. "Her life and death are her business. What does it have to do with us? Let Shaluo think his plan has succeeded. The people beyond the borders are nothing to fear."

She didn't actually like her eldest sister either, after all, she had been bullied since childhood. But thinking about what awaited her eldest sister in the future, Mingruo couldn't help but sigh. The saying "Emperors are ruthless" was indeed true. But… seducing a high-ranking official? Had her eldest sister gone mad?! "Father, is there nothing else for King Shalue's visit to the capital besides this matter and paying tribute? I know… the Wuhuan are growing stronger every day, much stronger than the Jiang Kingdom that Father destroyed a few years ago. His visit to Da'an must be with malicious intent." She truly didn't understand Emperor Xuli's twisted sense of humor. Someone wanted to devour his kingdom, and he not only wasn't afraid, but deliberately turned a blind eye, letting it grow stronger until it became a threat enough before he was interested in playing with it. Such a man—no wonder Shun Yuan was so eccentric.

"Ruo'er is truly clever; let him play around. He won't cause any big trouble anyway. He's gotten used to a life of ease these past few years, and Father is just worried about not having a chance to teach Shun Yuan military tactics." Now, someone willing to risk their life has offered themselves up; he's overjoyed, so why would he worry?

Chapter 202, Conspiracy (Part 1)

Ming Ruo wasn't worried about Emperor Xu Li at all. Compared to him, Sha Lue was like a docile kitten. She shook her head, feeling waves of weariness washing over her. What she had seen and heard that night had completely exceeded her capacity. She wanted to rest and forget all this mess. Emperor Xu Li noticed her weariness and didn't make advances. He simply held her, undressed, and went to bed.

The next night, Ming Ruo dressed up for once, a rare occurrence. She wore floral decorations on her forehead, her hair styled in a bun, and the gold hairpins made her feel like her head was about to fall off… Usually, she wore simple palace attire, but tonight she wore twenty layers of formal wear! If Emperor Xuli hadn't been leading her, Mingruo would definitely have been pushed to the ground and unable to get up.

Leading her to the main seat, Mingruo felt a little uneasy. She dared not look at the Empress sitting to the side, feeling as if daggers were constantly piercing her back.

Emperor Xuli held her small hand, gently squeezing it. Mingruo forced a smile, her exquisitely painted lips as vibrant as newly blooming flowers.

Mingruo was completely ignorant of the palace's intricate rituals, and Emperor Xuli didn't need her to. He had spoiled her too much, letting her live in the deep palace as if she were in her boudoir.

By the time the formalities were over, Mingruo was already a little dizzy. She pursed her lips and looked at the assembled officials in front of her, feeling as if her eyes were about to blur.

Emperor Xuli first raised his cup to everyone present, then took a small sip. No one dared refuse, and they all downed their drinks. Mingruo looked around idly, her gaze meeting that of a man. He looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place him. After a moment, her eyes widened slightly – it was Shaluo of the Wuhuan!

Emperor Xuli was always extremely patient, the type who wouldn't move even if the enemy made a move. His aura was powerful, and no one in the hall dared to look him directly in the eye. The few who did meet his gaze for a while lowered their heads, sweating profusely. Shaluo, however, stood up, raised his cup, and laughed heartily: "Your Majesty, nine years have passed, yet Your Majesty remains as radiant as ever, showing no signs of aging. Shaluo will drink this first!"

His purple eyes shifted slightly, the candlelight in the hall shimmering within them, radiating an incomparably wicked and demonic aura. Saliph looked at him, his voice hoarse, and his eyes began to dart away. But he was no ordinary man; a veteran of countless battles who had witnessed the brutality of war. It was truly shameful that he was so frightened. He held the wine vessel with both hands, tilted his head back, and drank it down. Emperor Xuli watched him drink, his expression unchanged, but his gaze drifted to the faceless man beside Shalue, who wore a bronze mask. "This... must be General Hai Dongqing, who has become famous throughout the land in just a few years? King Shalue is truly fortunate to have such a capable general."

Shalue laughed along. "Your Majesty is absolutely right. It took me several years to persuade Hai Dongqing to come out of seclusion! With him, the conquest of the Western Regions by the Wuhuan is not just a pipe dream!"

"Oh?" Emperor Xuli swirled the wine cup in his hand, lifted Mingruo's chin with his little finger, and gently kissed her lips, his voice teasing. "Even the most capable general cannot compare to the peerless beauty in my arms."

"Your Majesty is right. Consort Mingruo is indeed more beautiful than ten Hai Dongqings!" Shalue was also extremely rugged and bold, not minding the subtle teasing in Emperor Xuli's words. "Don't even mention His Majesty's unwavering devotion to the Empress for ten years; even a rough old man like me would be moved!" He then threw his head back and laughed heartily.

Emperor Xu Li stroked Ming Ruo's smooth face. The rouge on her lips was incredibly vibrant, and the floral decoration on her forehead exuded a captivating charm. Her eyes sparkled, displaying a captivating allure, yet there was a hint of confusion in them. He chuckled and waved his hand: "King Sha Lue's words are very well said; they resonate with my heart."

"It's an honor for Sha Lue." The wine cup was raised again, and Sha Lue downed another cup, his eyes never leaving Ming Ruo's face. Ming Ruo felt that this man's gaze was even more aggressive than it had been nine years ago. She was truly besieged on all sides. The Empress was giving her sharp glances from behind, and Sha Lue was staring at her relentlessly from the front—was he not giving her any chance to survive? And this man… where did he get the audacity to so brazenly linger his gaze on her face in front of her father!

Mingruo felt increasingly uncomfortable. She shrank back and hid herself in Emperor Xuli's arms. Emperor Xuli touched her forehead, but strangely didn't respond to Shalue's gaze. He simply summoned Eunuch An and ordered him to escort Mingruo back to Panlong Palace to rest. Eunuch An obeyed and took Mingruo away. Shunyuan immediately jumped up from his seat, wanting to follow, but as the crown prince, he couldn't leave his seat without permission. At Emperor Xuli's signal, he finally sat down dejectedly. Palace lanterns lined

the way, and the closer Mingruo got to Panlong Palace, the faster her heart beat. Eunuch An, as always, didn't go in with her, but waited outside for orders. She walked in with light steps, and sure enough, a tall figure stood there with his back to her, quiet and still, as if he didn't exist. Mingruo sighed softly, "...Why are you here again? Didn't I tell you not to come here anymore?"

The man slowly turned around, revealing himself to be Duanmu Yun in a long robe: "Ruo'er."

"Why did you ally with Shaluo? When did you develop such ambitions? If it's because of me, then please let go as soon as possible, while you can still extricate yourself, otherwise—" "

Otherwise what? You're still worried about me, aren't you?" Duanmu Yun walked over, but Mingruo subconsciously stepped back. He realized this and didn't speak again, only the smile on his face was unbelievably bitter. “To win you back, I must regain control of the military. Shaluo found me when I was heartbroken. He spent four years persuading me, and I spent four years deciding whether to do something that could almost be called treason. Ruo'er, I am just your Duanmu Yun. In other people's eyes, I am Hai Dongqing, the general of Wuhuan. This time, I will take you back from Emperor Xuli honorably and never let you leave me again.”

Mingruo didn’t know what to say. Looking at the familiar madness and burning in Duanmu Yun’s eyes, she felt waves of pain in her heart. She didn’t understand how things had suddenly turned out this way. It seemed that everything was wrong, and the right path was no longer being followed: “Don’t be crazy, I won’t go with you. I have Shunyuan here, and, and I… I can’t bear to leave Father Emperor…”

“You’re lying to me!” Duanmu Yun suddenly became agitated. He coughed violently when he became agitated, and his empty sleeve swayed wildly. Mingruo felt even more pain and closed her eyes, unwilling to look at him anymore. "Ruo'er, if you knew what Emperor Xuli had done to your mother and Granny Duan behind your back, would you still be so steadfast?"

Chapter 203, Conspiracy (Part 2)

An ominous premonition enveloped her. Hearing Duanmu Yun's words, Mingruo suddenly turned around, her eyes wary: "What do you want to tell me? How are my mother and Granny Duan?"

"Ruo'er, don't you find it strange that Emperor Xuli has never allowed you to visit them all these years, and hasn't even revealed any news about them to you?" Duanmu Yun asked softly, a strange light flashing in his eyes. He seemed to be struggling, torn between telling the truth and wanting her to leave Emperor Xuli and be with him. In any case, once he said these words, Mingruo would definitely be hurt. "They are no longer in this palace." Mingruo

shook her head: "You're lying to me. Shunyuan told me the other day that he saw my mother in the Cold Palace. She can't be gone."

"I'm not lying to you." His eyes were very sincere. He never lied to her. She knew better than anyone else. “Then why, in nine years, would the lively Shun Yuan only discover the Cold Palace now? Given his personality, shouldn’t he have explored the entire palace by now?”

Ming Ruo felt a pang of panic, a sense of despair creeping in, yet she still refused to believe what she was hearing: “Don’t talk nonsense. If they weren’t in the palace, Father wouldn’t have kept it from me.”

“They’re dead, Ruo’er.”

“Shut up!” Ming Ruo roared. “I don’t want you to spout this nonsense. Please leave.” She turned away, trying to calm herself, but her chest churned violently, even breathing felt strangely painful.

Duanmu Yun stepped forward and took her hand, his expression still gentle and tender. To him, it didn't matter how Mingruo treated him, as long as she still had him in her heart, as long as he was alive, then nothing else mattered: "The people in the Cold Palace are fake. Ruo'er is so intelligent, she should know that. They've been dead for a long time. If I hadn't come to the palace this time to visit them, I wouldn't have found out. I think Emperor Xuli was afraid that you would find out, be sad and angry, so he kept it a secret. Ruo'er, come with me, don't stay here anymore, this place is not suitable for you at all."

Mingruo shook off his hand, her expression stiff: "Go."

"I won't force you, think it over carefully, Ruo'er." Duanmu Yun released her hand as instructed, took a few steps back and stood still. “If I’m not mistaken, Mother and Granny Duan probably died within the last few days, but I don’t know why. Only a few days before their deaths, Emperor Xuli visited them. What exactly happened in between? Ruo’er, don’t you really want to know at all?”

“…Let’s go.” After a long silence, Ming Ruo finally spat out these two words through gritted teeth. She didn’t want to hear Duanmu Yun say these disturbing things. She could barely think straight. Mother dead? Granny Duan dead? How could this be! If something so terrible had truly happened, Father wouldn’t have kept it from her, he definitely wouldn’t!

Duanmu Yun gave her a deep look: “I will come back.”

The palace seemed to fall silent the moment someone's breath was absent. Mingruo stood stiffly in place, her lips pale, her once vibrant and alluring makeup now tinged with an eerie sorrow.

She stood there for an unknown amount of time until a pair of strong arms reached out and pulled her into an embrace: "What's wrong? You've been back so long and haven't even changed your clothes before standing here like an idiot. Come here." He then took her cold little hand and led her to the bed. Mingruo numbly allowed Emperor Xuli to loosen her hair and remove her clothes, feeling a chill creep through her body. In this early summer, she felt as if she were in an ice cellar. "...Father, Ruo'er has something to ask you."

"What does Ruo'er want to ask?" Emperor Xu Li raised an eyebrow, his hands still moving methodically as he untied Ming Ruo's belt. Her elaborate palace dress immediately slipped down, her black hair cascading down, revealing her slender figure. Ming Ruo before him was like a beauty who had stepped out of a painting, incredibly thin and delicate, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

"I want to see my mother and Granny Duan, is that alright?" She lowered her eyes and asked softly.

What kind of person was Emperor Xu Li? He immediately sensed something amiss in Ming Ruo's words, his purple eyes narrowing: "Ruo'er, who said something to you?"

"Never mind who said what to me, just answer me, can I see them?" Ming Ruo gripped his index finger, preventing him from changing the subject. Being with him was exhausting; she had to be careful about the consequences of every word she uttered, even questioning him required caution, because no one knew when he might lead her to some remote mountain village.

His long eyebrows furrowed slightly, the peaks curving into a sharp point. Even so, Emperor Xuli remained breathtakingly beautiful. He smiled lightly, his thin lips curving upwards. "What does Ruo'er want to see them for? Nine years have passed without incident, why the sudden urge to see them today?"

"I just miss them, Father. Just tell me, will you let Ruo'er see them or not?" Ming Ruo's voice was slightly hoarse, a result of extreme restraint and fear.

Emperor Xuli remained unfazed, simply smiling. "Ruo'er, do you believe your father?"

Ming Ruo didn't speak, only nodding stiffly and hesitantly. He then said, "A few days ago, they mysteriously disappeared from the Cold Palace. I was afraid you would ask, so I deliberately sent people in to impersonate them, and even deliberately let Shun Yuan play there. But don't worry, I will find them soon."

"Are they really missing..." Ming Ruo murmured. "Didn't Father kill them?"

"Ruo'er!" Emperor Xuli unusually lowered his voice to call her name.

"Didn't Father Emperor kill them?" Mingruo asked again, her eyes already brimming with tears. She abruptly pushed away Emperor Xuli's arms that were holding her, retreating to what she thought was a safe place. Shrinking back, she slowly squatted down, tears streaming down her face, falling to the ground and disappearing into the thick carpet. "I don't understand, why won't you let them go? If I didn't know, were you going to keep this from me forever? You always say I don't trust you enough, but how can I trust you after what you've done! Give me back Mother and Granny... give them back to me..." She buried her face in her knees, her petite body curled into a small ball. Emperor Xuli reached out to hug her, but withdrew his hand, stiffly setting her down. "First Duanmu Yun, then them... why can't you let me live a little easier... why did you kill them, why..." She just cried, just asked, unable to release even a trace of anger, as if she were completely dead, devoid of any emotion.

Throughout, Emperor Xuli didn't utter a single word in his defense. He simply sat on the bed, quietly gazing at Mingruo. After a long while, he asked, "Did Duanmu Yun tell you? I should have known. When you returned early and I wasn't there, that person would take advantage of the situation."

Mingruo ignored him, her shoulders trembling.

"You believe everything he says, not even Father's words?" Emperor Xuli asked softly, his words carrying something Mingruo couldn't understand.

She still didn't respond, so Emperor Xuli walked over and gently grasped her shoulders.

Chapter 204, Shun Yuan Can Protect His Mother

"If I say I didn't kill them, would Ruo'er believe me?" His tone remained as calm and cold as ever, but only Emperor Xuli knew how much hope was hidden within it. How much he longed to hear Mingruo say "I believe you," how much he longed to see her run into his arms without hesitation, but unfortunately, all these years, he had never been able to fulfill his wish.

Mingruo didn't respond, simply burying her head in her knees, unwilling to look at him, even less willing to respond. She felt a sharp, throbbing pain in her heart, each pang feeling like a piece of flesh being ripped from it—her mother who had given her life and raised her, and Granny Duan, who loved her dearly. He had killed them so easily, and even fabricated such a lie to deceive her!

Tears streamed down her face. Mingruo didn't know how to face Emperor Xuli. Nine years ago, when Duanmu Yun was harmed by him, she could still save her; at least nine years later, Duanmu Yun was still alive and well. But now? She didn't even know when her mother and Granny Duan had died! For nine whole years, he wouldn't let her see them, so she obediently stayed by his side, refusing to go anywhere else. But why did she receive the same fate in return? She didn't understand, she didn't understand.

She cried silently, lost in her own grief, unaware that every tear she shed falling into Emperor Xuli's heart felt like it was tearing his soul into a thousand pieces. He stood before her, his face cold and indifferent, his eyes devoid of emotion, yet who knew the deep despair and pain hidden

within his heart? Mingruo didn't know how to face Emperor Xuli. She staggered to her feet and walked towards the palace entrance, only to be grabbed by Emperor Xuli. Mingruo resisted his touch fiercely, pushing him away vehemently. Emperor Xuli didn't speak, silently releasing her, watching her petite figure disappear from sight, his eyes filled with pain. Judging from his expression alone, you would think this man was a born emperor, so cold-hearted, yet his hands, hanging at his sides, trembled almost imperceptibly. "Fu'an, follow her and guard her well."

Eunuch An had only mustered the courage to enter after Mingruo left, and Emperor Xuli gave the order the moment he stepped into the palace. He accepted the order, but still hesitated, glancing at Emperor Xuli: "Your Majesty... are you alright?"

"She's still young, how could I possibly argue with her? Go."

Hearing Emperor Xuli's words, Eunuch An finally felt relieved, completely disregarding the fact that the usually self-willed Emperor Xuli would ever explain himself to a servant like him. He bowed and hurriedly followed, leaving Emperor Xuli alone in Panlong Palace.

He looked at his hand—the hand that Mingruo had just pushed away so forcefully. No matter how many years had passed, she still couldn't give herself completely to him. As long as Duanmu Yun appeared, she would forever be influenced by him. This silly girl, why didn't she understand? She hadn't wronged Duanmu Yun, why should she feel guilty towards that man? Not enough, not enough, what she gave him wasn't enough. He wanted more than just this; this little bit, merely nine years and a son, was far from enough to satisfy him. He wanted her to sever all ties with him in the years to come. He wanted Duanmu Yun and Consort Huai to no longer be able to control her emotions. He wanted her heart to belong entirely to him, every inch of it bearing his mark.

Duanmu Yun… he really had a knack for it, completely seizing Ruo'er's weakness, making her obediently take the bait, even abandoning him, her father. He really should have treated her differently. Nine years ago, his actions were too drastic. He thought it wouldn't matter if Ruo'er knew everything, since he was transparent to her anyway. But now it seemed he was foolish back then. If he was going to do it, why not do it more discreetly? He was perfectly capable of making that silly girl devoted to him when she obediently threw herself into his arms, and then things wouldn't have turned out this way.

But it doesn't matter, admitting mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue.

Emperor Xuli looked at the brightly blooming peach blossom on the dressing table, walked over, picked it up, and gently twirled the tender petals with his fingertips.

In just a moment, the peach blossom was crushed into dust under his palm, leaving not even a trace.

This palace is so vast, where else but Panlong Palace could she find a place to stay?

Once Mingruo leaves Emperor Xuli, who else would care?

Staggering along the path, Mingruo didn't know where she was going. She only knew she couldn't stay in that suffocating Panlong Palace any longer. After a few steps, her head throbbed with pain, and she couldn't help but slide down a tree for support. The early summer night wind was still chilly, cutting her face like a knife. She breathed softly, as if asleep.

Eunuch An, hiding in the shadows, was terrified and didn't dare disturb her. After much deliberation, he gritted his teeth, glanced at Mingruo, ran a few steps towards the main road, grabbed a young eunuch, and ordered him to go to the East Palace to summon the young crown prince. He repeatedly urged him to hurry, then continued to crouch in the flower bushes, watching over Mingruo, his heart filled with anxiety and worry.

Not long after, Shunyuan appeared in his sight. The little boy saw his mother at first glance and was about to rush over, but fortunately, Eunuch An caught him quickly. Shun Yuan's face turned red with anger, but he restrained himself when he saw it was Eunuch An: "Grandpa An?"

"Little Crown Prince, let me tell you... Go and persuade the Empress. She had a little argument with the Emperor. This old servant couldn't hear what happened outside, but it seems quite serious. You must not mention the Emperor in front of her, understand?" Afraid that the little guy wouldn't understand, Eunuch An explained patiently, then looked at Shun Yuan expectantly. It was quite a sight to see an elderly man, well over seventy, staring at a child with such expectant and pleading eyes.

Shun Yuan wisely didn't ask any more questions and nodded: "I understand."

Ming Ruo leaned against the tree trunk, gazing blankly at the sky. Although she had knocked away Emperor Xu Li's hand when she ran out, she couldn't stop him from putting a cloak on her, so she wasn't cold. But how could a body that wasn't cold prevent a heart that wasn't cold?

A warm little body suddenly nestled into her arms. Mingruo turned her gaze in surprise, and her son's handsome face appeared before her. How could she let Shunyuan know these things? Whatever had happened, it was between her and Emperor Xuli, and had nothing to do with anyone else. She immediately smiled and said, "Shunyuan, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Mother..." The little boy hugged her tightly, his voice a little hoarse, "If Mother wants to cry, just hug Shunyuan and cry. Shunyuan can protect you."

Mingruo was taken aback, then smiled and stroked his soft head. Perhaps she had gotten up in a hurry, as her hair wasn't even properly combed and was now loosely disheveled. She said softly, "Shunyuan can protect Mother now, Mother is so happy." Saying this, she stood up and took his little hand, "Shunyuan, would you like to accompany Mother for a walk around the palace?"

Shunyuan nodded, gripped Mingruo's hand tightly, and obediently let her hold it.

Eunuch An followed behind.

Chapter 205, Kidnapping

"Mother, what are we doing in this Cold Palace?" Shun Yuan tugged at Ming Ruo's hand, looking up at her with a puzzled expression, but still obediently stayed with her.

Ming Ruo, of course, wouldn't tell him the reason, only managing a forced smile: "Mother just wanted to take a look. This palace is so big, and Mother hasn't seen it all yet."

"There's nothing fun here!" Shun Yuan scratched his head. "How about Mother takes you out to play? I know there are many fun places in the palace!"

Seeing his boundless energy, Ming Ruo felt relieved. Shun Yuan wasn't like her, which was good. He was always at ease, never seeming to feel uncomfortable in such situations. Ming Ruo smiled slightly, taking his little hand and easily leading him into the Cold Palace.

This was where her mother had lived for nearly thirty years. Ming Ruo stared blankly at the cabinet, now covered in a thin layer of dust, her eyes shimmering, yet she refused to shed a tear. She glanced at him a few times and was about to turn and leave with Shun Yuan, but as soon as she turned around, she was startled by the man who appeared before her like a ghost. It was none other than Duanmu Yun.

"Who are you?! How dare you trespass into the palace!" Shun Yuan reacted faster than Ming Ruo. He quickly spread his arms, standing protectively in front of Ming Ruo, staring at Duanmu Yun warily. His beautiful eyes blinked, and it was unclear what mischief

he was plotting. Duanmu Yun chuckled and bent down. As he approached, Shun Yuan's wariness grew even stronger. He was prepared to bite hard if this man reached for his mother. But who knew that this man... would touch his little face! "...He looks a lot like you." Duanmu Yun's voice was a little hoarse. He smiled slightly at Shun Yuan: "Hey, you don't need to be so wary of me. I won't hurt your mother."

Shun Yuan still stared at him, disbelieving.

"Don't even think about calling for help. Although Eunuch An is outside, he won't step into the Cold Palace. This place is practically forbidden." Especially after Mingruo became a concubine, no one was allowed to enter or leave the Cold Palace, precisely to prevent anyone from seeing Consort Huai or leaking information about Mingruo.

"Hmph, my father will be here soon. If you don't want to die, you'd better leave here." Shunyuan, despite his young age, was incredibly domineering, showing no fear of Duanmu Yun.

His dark eyes were slightly unfocused. If they were still husband and wife, perhaps Shunyuan would be their child. "Ruo'er... I've come to take you away. Are you willing?"

Mingruo glanced at him expressionlessly, then shielded Shunyuan with her hands, pulling the struggling boy behind her. Seeing her actions, Duanmu Yun shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Ruo'er, you know I wouldn't hurt him. He's your child, your blood flows in his veins, how could I harm him?"

Mingruo didn't answer, and after a while, she said softly, "Go, I'm fine."

Duanmu Yun shook his head, "If you were fine, why would you be here at this time? Ruo'er, come with me, let's live like before, okay? Didn't you say you wanted to live a carefree life, farming and tending flowers? Let's leave here, what do you say?"

It was a very tempting suggestion, but Mingruo had already given up on it: "Don't talk nonsense, my son is still here, don't ruin my reputation. Besides... I don't want that kind of life anymore, there's nothing wrong with being in the palace." She had dreamed countless times of living a simple life, but as time went on, she realized that such a life was a luxury for her, something she could never have. It was a dream, just a dream. Without that dream, she still had to live the same life.

"Ruo'er—"

"Stop talking, let's go quickly, or I'll call for help." Mingruo's face turned cold, and she took Shunyuan's hand to leave, but after only a few steps, she felt a numbness all over her body, an indescribable weariness washed over her, and she instantly collapsed. Shunyuan cried out in surprise and hurriedly reached out to catch her, but Duanmu Yun beat him to it. He gritted his teeth and glared at the man in front of him who was taller and stronger than him, vowing again and again in his heart to practice martial arts diligently and never let his mother be bullied again. But just as he was about to shout, he opened his mouth but couldn't say anything, his eyelids were incredibly heavy, and all he could see was the man's slight smile, warm and infinite, like a spring breeze.

ooxxooxxooxxooxxI am a pure dividing lineooxxooxxooxxooxxooxx

When Mingruo opened her eyes, she couldn't quite adjust to what she saw. She sat up, holding her forehead, and realized that she wasn't covered by the usual brocade quilt, but by a thick fur coat. This… wasn't the palace, but a military camp! She flinched, memories from before she fell into a deep sleep flooding back. Duanmu Yun… it was Duanmu Yun! Her small hands clenched into fists. Mingruo didn't know how he had brought her out of the palace, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was where her Shunyuan was! Where had Duanmu Yun taken her Shunyuan?!

She jumped out of bed, not even bothering to straighten her clothes, and ran towards the camp entrance. But she had only taken a few steps when she collided head-on with a tall figure. Mingruo couldn't withstand such an impact; she lay on the ground for a long time, feeling dizzy and seeing stars.

The man stood up and quickly came to help her. Mingruo looked closely and realized it was a woman—a very tall and strong woman with dozens of small braids, dressed in heavy, patterned clothing, looking like a Wuhuan person. Mingruo took a deep breath. She saw that the woman seemed very excited to see her awake; she even put down the basin of water she was carrying, grabbed her hand, and started babbling something incomprehensible. Mingruo couldn't understand it, nor did she want to. She only wanted to see Duanmu Yun, only wanted to ask him: Where was her Shun Yuan?!

Seeing Mingruo's expressionless face, the woman, in her anxiety, even began to gesticulate wildly. Mingruo then realized that she seemed to be asking if she was hungry. She shook her head, about to speak, but remembering that the woman couldn't understand, she stopped, simply sitting back on the bed, her hands resting on her knees, a chill running through her body. What kind of fury would her father unleash upon discovering her disappearance? And why had Duanmu Yun brought her here? Lost in thought, the tent flap was lifted, and Duanmu Yun entered. Mingruo immediately stood up: "Where's Shunyuan? Where did you take Shunyuan?! And where is this?!"

Duanmu Yun patted her head, signaling the woman from before to leave, then pressed Mingruo's shoulder to calm her down: "Shunyuan is taking a nap with the camp commander next door. You're weak; Shunyuan woke up a long time ago, but you slept for three days and three nights."

Three days and three nights… she actually slept for three days and three nights! Mingruo brushed Duanmu Yun's hand away: "I want to see Shunyuan."

"You will see him. Come, change your clothes first." Duanmu Yun chuckled, and Mingruo noticed that he was holding a set of fine clothes, still Wuhuan attire. She shook her head: "I won't change." Duanmu Yun's

smile deepened: "Then let me change for you?" The implication was that this wasn't the first time.

Ming Ruo suddenly clutched her clothes, only then noticing that she was wearing Wuhuan clothing: "You...you took off my clothes?!" A strange feeling of humiliation washed over her. She clenched her fists and pursed her lips tightly.

"It's not like we haven't done marital things before, Ruo'er, why are you still shy?" Putting down the clothes in his hands, Duanmu Yun hooked his finger and opened her clothes, his smile seductive: "Quick, change your clothes, I'll take you to see Shun Yuan."

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