[Fantasy] The Harem is in Chaos (Complete) - 10

page views:1 Publication date:2023-08-20

Chapters 42-43: Two Foxes...

Returning to the East Palace, they lost track of time, only noticing the moon had already set.

Kicking awake the dozing eunuch on night watch, they ordered a tub of hot water. Li Yue soaked comfortably in the tub and drifted off to sleep. At

the other end of the East Palace, in a magnificent yet dimly lit palace, the wall behind the large purple-gold dragon bed, inlaid with a large jade leaf and peony pattern, suddenly split open from the middle.

Jinlu, dressed in a dark robe, emerged, his long hair flowing freely, his expression cold and aloof, a stark contrast to his wild and untamed appearance during the day.

After he had fully emerged, the wall slowly closed again, perfectly shut.

Li Shi, waiting in a dark corner, hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.

Jinlu flicked his sleeve, tossing a stack of approved intelligence reports into Li Shi's arms, asking, "How was she tonight?"

Beads of cold sweat appeared on Li Shi's forehead; he hesitated, unsure whether to answer.

Jinlu walked to the table, turned around and saw his expression, and said, "Speak frankly."

"Yes." Li Shi bowed slightly and said, "After nightfall, Ye Qianxun came and was very intimate with Miss Qin. Then the two left the palace. Because Ye Qianxun's martial arts were extremely high, my subordinates dared not follow too closely, so we don't know what they talked about. But Chrysanthemum Red reported that the two went there and specifically asked to see the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden. Just as the two were about to fight, Miss Qin for some reason pulled Ye Qianxun away again. After leaving Chrysanthemum Red, the two went to a grove of trees in the east of the city. Because they were far away, we don't know what happened there, but we heard..." At this point, Li Shi stopped and glanced cautiously at Jinlu.

Upon hearing the name Ye Qianxun, Jinlu's brows furrowed, and he remained deep in thought. Li Shi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he wasn't listening, but unexpectedly, Jinlu interrupted as soon as he stopped, "Did you hear groans?"

Knowing he couldn't hide it, Li Shi nodded reluctantly and continued, "An hour later, Ye Qianxun left, and Miss Qin returned alone."

Jinlu turned his head to look out the window, one hand resting on the table, his thumb pressing down on his other four slender fingers, making a crisp "crackling" sound, his expression calm and his gaze cold.

After a moment of silence, Li Shi tentatively said, "Your Highness, although the Blood Shadow Palace is powerful, Ye Qianxun is used to acting alone. As long as the arrangements are thorough and the plan is meticulous, killing him shouldn't be difficult."

Jin Lu didn't raise her eyebrows and said, "There's no need to lose troops for him now." She paused and then asked, "Have you found out why he came to Nanfo this time?"

Li Shi reported, "We've found out. It seems to be for the Third Miss Yu Lianqiu, who ran away from Yuexiao Manor. Her purpose is still unclear."

Jin Lu glanced sideways and asked, "What about Yu Wuchen?"

Li Shi said, "News came from Tianyi Island that he left the night Qu Liushang left, and he left in such a hurry that he didn't even have time to say goodbye to Su Tingsong. It was his servant who stayed behind to apologize to Su Tingsong."

Jinlu smiled slightly upon hearing this, her bright face in the dim light like a quietly blooming epiphyllum. She said softly, "There's a saying that killing someone is the lowest form of murder, but destroying their spirit is the highest. This time, I'll play along with him." After speaking, she beckoned Li Shi closer and gave him some instructions, which Li Shi nodded repeatedly.

*

As dawn broke, a yellow sparrow landed on Liyue's window frame, chirping incessantly.

Tanlang was the first to wake up and hopped around to chase the sparrow away.

In the bathtub, Liyue trembled and suddenly woke up.

She had just had a dream, a dream of the scene of Liushang and Huangfu Jue fighting that night. Huangfu Jue's blade flashed like snow, while Liu Shang's weapon, resembling both a whip and a sword, rippled with silver light.

Silver light…

Ye Qianxun said he only saw a flash of silver light in the last move… Liu Shang said he would kill Ye Qianxun…

Heavens, could it be Liu Shang? She had only assumed Liu Shang had left temporarily because he was angry with her; she never imagined he would go to find Ye Qianxun.

She thought he was just saying it, never considering that he truly possessed the strength to contend with Ye Qianxun.

If it really was him…

She scooped up the now-cold water and splashed it on her face, trying to clear her head.

However, her worry deepened.

Ye Qianxun had almost died; he said the other's situation wasn't any better than his…

Oh, heavens, what if it was Liu Shang? Last night, she had been so confused by that beast that she had forgotten to carefully ask about the situation.

Thinking of this, she couldn't sit still any longer. She stood up from the bathtub, hastily put on her long dress, and strolled into the cool garden.

What to do? Should she go back to Tianyi Island to see if he'd returned, and how his injuries were?

But if he hadn't, what if only Su Yingge, that sharp-tongued man, was left on Tianyi Island? It seemed his androgynous lover was quite formidable, daring to accept Ye Qianxun's challenge. Her plan to subdue him and threaten the sharp-tongued man would likely have to be temporarily shelved.

But if she didn't go, and Liu Shang returned injured to find her gone with Jinlu, wouldn't he be even more heartbroken?

Ugh, so annoying, what should she do?

She looked up and noticed a tree beside her, its blossoms like snow, exuding a captivating fragrance. She

raised her hand, intending to pluck the closest blossom, but as soon as she lifted her hand, she realized her waist was incredibly weak. She was inwardly cursing Ye Qianxun, that beast, when Jinlu's clear, cheerful voice came from behind her: "Can't reach it, can you? Sister Yue, you're so clumsy, just step on your right foot with your left!"

Li Yue's lips curled into a helpless smile as she turned to look at him.

A delicate young man in brocade robes, bathed in the soft morning light, was as radiant and beautiful as a celestial being who had strayed into the mortal realm.

Li Yue's eyes lit up, then dimmed again.

This guy, if he wasn't truly stupid, who in their right mind would think of using the "left foot stepping on the right foot" method to elevate themselves?

As for his proficiency in bed? Perhaps it could be explained by the instinct of "food and sex."

Jinlu walked closer, easily plucking a large white flower, looking at it with apparent disdain: "Sister Yue, why did you pick it? It's not even as pretty as you."

Li Yue looked up at his serious expression, deciding to stop guessing. It was too difficult, and she had no mood for it now. She simply said, "Little pink-haired boy, can you prepare a fine horse for me?" She had to go back to see Liu Shang; she absolutely had to.

Jinlu was stunned for a moment, then happily said, "Sister Yue, you're going out to play? I'll go with you."

Li Yue sighed, saying, "Can't you just stay here obediently?"

The pink-haired boy fell silent.

Li Yue looked up and saw that his large, bright, pink eyes were once again brimming with tears. He looked utterly aggrieved: "Sister Yue, why are you leaving me all alone? Who is it that you can't bear to part with?"

Couldn't bear to part with? Hearing this word, Li Yue was lost in thought.

Yes, when had she become someone with attachments? Since her mother's death, she had always been carefree and indifferent, indifferent to worldly affairs. In this vast world, the only person she cared about, the only person she needed to take care of was herself.

But now, she was actually starting to worry about Liu Shang. Why was that?

Looking down and thinking carefully, she understood somewhat.

Of the several men who had appeared in her life, Yu Wuchen had been her prey from the beginning. To her, he represented a challenge; success or failure was the final outcome.

Ye Qianxun was her bed partner. From being forced into bed by her at the beginning to his desperate counterattack and then to last night's similar confession, to be honest, she hadn't had time to think too much about him.

Huangfu Jue was her creditor. From the beginning, he kept chasing her to demand the jade pendant back. Later, as she entered the palace, conflicts arose constantly, and she grew to despise him more and more.

As for the enigmatic little pink-haired girl in front of her… she meant nothing.

Only Liu Shang, from the very beginning, was a friend with whom she shared a similar temperament. Since they met, apart from the two times she made him jealous and leave, he had never hurt her. The memories he left her were almost perfect, which destined him to be absolutely special in her heart. Therefore, it was only natural and reasonable for her to care about him.

Although his identity was a bit mysterious, mysterious men are more intriguing, aren't they?

Having figured this out, she felt cheerful and looked up at the little pink-haired girl, saying, "Yes, there is indeed someone that makes my sister worry." Saying this, she called to Tan Lang, who was hiding not far away, and turned to run towards her room.

Rather than standing here and continuing to chatter with this devil, she might as well go outside and buy a horse herself. She almost forgot that she still had tens of thousands of taels of silver on her. What kind of good horse couldn't she buy?

Jin Lu turned around and looked at her back. From her pensive expression just now, he could tell that she didn't care about him. Who did she care about? Ye Qianxun? Qu Liu Shang? Or Yu Wuchen?

He tilted his head back, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.

Well, his decision to repay her life-saving grace by marrying her was wishful thinking; she had the freedom to choose. But eliminating those eyesores should also be his freedom.

Let's take it slow; he's only fifteen, she's only sixteen—there's plenty of time.

*

Xiwu, Zhuwu Gate, Xiwang Mansion.

In the study, a handsome young man stood respectfully to one side, Guan Du holding a painting, and Yan Ji peering out from the side.

After looking at it for a long time, Guandu turned to the young man beside him and asked, "Lin Jiu, are you sure this is a portrait of Qin Susu, the famous courtesan of Changhuai?"

Lin Jiu bowed his head and said, "Yes, this portrait was painted by a scholar who admired her. I went through many twists and turns to obtain it, and I also went to Xiangchun Garden to verify it. It can't be wrong."

Upon hearing this, Guandu turned to look at Yan Ji beside him and asked, "What do you think?"

Yan Ji looked at the portrait that resembled Dongyi Pei Yanxi, stroked his long beard, and said, "It's getting interesting."

Guandu put down the scroll in his hand and picked up another scroll on the table. He unfolded it and frowned slightly.

The man in the painting was handsome and dashing, and looked somewhat familiar.

"Was this Qin Susu's first lover?" Guandu asked Lin Jiu.

Lin Jiu scratched his head, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to Father, because so many years have passed, the people of Xiangchun Garden don't quite remember what this person looks like. This is a drawing based on the memories of the madam of Xiangchun Garden and a few people who were close to Qin Susu at the time. After it was finished, I showed it to them, and they said it was pretty much like this."

Guan Du nodded, waved for him to leave, and then said to Yan Ji, "I should know this person."

Yan Ji smiled and said, "Murong Xian, the third leader of the Dongyi Murong family, who doesn't know him?"

Guan Du thought for a moment, his eyes deep, and said, "You once said that Qin Liyue was born with a noble bone structure, and now seeing these two paintings, I can't help but make connections. Even if it's a coincidence, it can't be this coincidental."

Yan Ji nodded in agreement and added, "Except for being struck by lightning, all coincidences can ultimately be attributed to human intervention."

"If it's really as we think, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Your Highness," Guan Du calculated.

Yan Ji stroked his beard: "The premise is that the girl surnamed Qin is on our side and learned the truth later than us."

Hearing this, Guan Du seemed somewhat troubled. Seeing

this, Yan Ji smiled but didn't, saying: "I think she trusts you quite a bit, entrusting such a rare item as the Ice Silk Blood Spirit to you for safekeeping."

Guan Du said: "This item certainly doesn't belong to her. If it weren't too hot to handle, why would she entrust it to me for safekeeping? Speaking of keeping her, even if I could keep her, it would only be for a while. To keep her for a long time, I would need Your Highness to intervene."

Yan Ji laughed and said: "With Your Highness's personality, unless Qin has never seen a more handsome man than him, otherwise..." He didn't finish his sentence, because both of them understood what he meant.

Guan Du sighed, "Yes, it's fortunate that Princess Hanyu isn't here now. The Prince might feel a bit empty..." At this point, he seemed to suddenly realize that it was inappropriate for an elder to fantasize about his junior behind his back. He coughed lightly, straightened his expression, and put away the two paintings, saying, "Don't let the Prince know about this. He can't keep secrets. That girl surnamed Qin is a cunning one; if she finds out, no matter what secrets are hidden, we won't be able to use them. " (The rest of the text appears to be unrelated and possibly spam

/advertisement .) Upon entering, seeing the two scrolls Guan Du was holding, which he hadn't had time to hide, he asked, "What are those?" Guan Du calmly replied, "The Emperor said he would arrange a marriage for you and sent several portraits of eligible young ladies. Yan Ji and I picked out two of the better ones for you to look at." Huangfu Jue's thick eyebrows furrowed, his handsome face instantly clouded with anger and disgust. He said, "I won't look!" So Guan Du put the portraits away with a clear conscience and cut to the chase: "Your Highness, I think you should personally go and bring Miss Li Yue back." Huangfu Jue had just sat down and taken a sip of tea when he heard this. He choked on his words, took a long time to catch his breath, and then remained expressionless. Expressing his opinion earnestly, Guan Du said, "I can't think of any reason to go to her." He bowed his head, speaking very seriously, "Your Highness, whether in life or in work, a man should shoulder his responsibilities. If you abandon her just because she's a weak woman with no status and no support, the Dowager Consort would be extremely disappointed if she knew." Huangfu Jue was stunned for a moment, then jumped up and shouted, "I have nothing to do with her! I haven't even touched her! How can you say I abandoned her?" He even dragged his mother into it! This was outrageous! "Oh—" Guan Du drawled, looking as if he had just realized something. A glimmer of hope had just appeared in Huangfu Jue's heart when he suddenly turned to Yan Ji and asked, "Do you believe it?" "Well, hehe, perhaps, hehe, it's worth investigating." Yan Ji chuckled dismissively, but his face clearly showed an expression that said, "I'm not stupid, of course I'm not going to believe it." Looking at the two of them like that, Huangfu Jue would probably be scratching his head in frustration if he hadn't been born into the royal family and raised well from a young age. He was depressed for a moment, then suddenly asked Guandu, "Didn't you just see that woman when you went to Tianyi Island? Did she say anything to you?" Guandu shook his head and said, "She didn't say anything, she just asked about the Prince and Princess Hanyu's recent situation with a mournful expression, saying that she hoped her departure would make the Prince happy." Huangfu Jue was speechless, then looked up helplessly, covered his forehead with his hand and looked at the roof beam above. After a while, he clenched his fists and shouted almost fiercely, "I really didn't touch her! Really didn't! Didn't!" Yan Ji looked leisurely, gently stroked his long beard with one hand, and recited in a drawn-out tone, "The wind is howling, the Yi River is cold—" Guandu, with the same expression and tone, tacitly chimed in, "The debt you owe must be repaid—" Huangfu Jue looked at the two of them, speechless, and after a while, he snorted angrily, turned around and disappeared out of the study.

In the following days, whenever Huangfu Jue encountered Guan Du and Yan Ji, he couldn't help but hear the sounds of "The wind is howling..." and "The debts owed..." And because these two phrases came from the mouths of these two influential figures in the palace, they gradually began to be passed around among the other people in the palace.

One day, Huangfu Jue was leading a patrol of the city when five or six children with snot hanging from their noses, playing with windmills, ran past him, singing fluently: "The wind is howling, the Yi River is cold, the debts owed, you must repay them; the wind is howling, the Yi River is cold, the debts owed, you must repay them..." They were treating these two phrases as a children's song. Huangfu Jue's handsome face, as dark as Bao Gong's, turned around and returned to the palace.

Yan Ji and Guan Du were playing chess under the eaves as usual. Seeing him rush back, Yan Ji quickly put down his chess pieces, stroked his long beard, and before he could speak, Huangfu Jue angrily asked, "Where is that woman? I'm bringing her back for a confrontation!"

A carriage slowly traveled along the mountain road leading from Sheng Yang to Jia Ye Jiang.

Li Yue looked at Tan Lang slumped inside the carriage, feeling immense resentment at its slow speed.

She was frantic, wishing she could ride as fast as she could back to Tianyi Island to see if Liu Shang was safe. However, because of this horse-sick dog, she had to huddle inside this snail-paced carriage.

In utter desperation, she glanced out the car window and spotted a town in the distance. A plan formed in her mind, and she grabbed Tanlang's ear, saying, "Tanlang, can I ask you something? You see, I'm in a hurry to get going, and as a loyal dog, you wouldn't want to hold me back, would you? There's a town ahead; I'll find the best inn and leave you there. I'll have the innkeeper feed you well every day, and I'll come back for you after I reach Tianyi Island, how about that?"

Tanlang snorted in dissatisfaction, turning his head away in refusal.

Liyue forcefully turned his head back, coaxing him gently, "How about this? I'll have them make your favorite braised pork hock every day, an unlimited supply, as long as you can eat it all. And at night, I'll have them find you several beautiful young female dogs to keep you company, how about that?"

The lustful beast's eyes began to gleam, and he remained silent.

Seeing this, Li Yue happily said, "Okay, it's settled then."

Arriving in the town, she casually left the carriage at the city gate and led Tan Lang to find the best inn.

Passing an inn called "Maple Forest Evening," a familiar figure emerging from within made Li Yue stop.

Turning her head for a closer look, she saw a tall figure, a fiery red dress, and a dashing, heroic air… it was none other than Fu Hongsha!

"Sister A-Sha!" Li Yue smiled and rushed over.

"Li Yue, what are you doing here? Didn't you say you went to Sheng Yang?" Fu Hongsha was somewhat surprised, but the joy of the unexpected encounter seemed to carry an even greater weight.

"How did you know I went to Sheng Yang? Did you go back to Tianyi Island?" Li Yue asked.

Fu Hongsha nodded, then seemed to remember something, her cheeks slightly flushed.

With her mind preoccupied with Liu Shang, Li Yue paid no attention to Fu Hongsha's unusual behavior, only asking, "Is Qu Liu Shang on the island?"

Fu Hongsha thought for a moment and said, "No, he said he left more than half a month ago and hasn't returned yet."

Li Yue felt a pang of disappointment. Qu Liu Shang hadn't gone back. If he was injured, where else could he have gone besides back to Tianyi Island?

She didn't know.

Or perhaps, she was overthinking it? Was it actually him who fought Ye Qianxun?

Amidst her turbulent thoughts, Li Yue glanced up and saw the twenty-odd burly men who had followed Fu Hongsha out of the inn, standing beside their horses, ready to depart. "Sister A-Sha," she asked, "where are you going?"

Fu Hongsha sighed, "Last time in Huan Dong County, I had already found the Third Miss Yu, but unexpectedly she escaped again while I wasn't paying attention. This time, I heard she's fallen into the hands of the Murong Clan of Dongyi. The leader, out of respect for Yu Wuchen, had already sent men to rescue her, but unexpectedly, Ye Qianxun of the Blood Shadow Palace is also involved, so he sent us to assist."

Ye Qianxun? Li Yue's heart skipped a beat. Knowing where he was was best; she wanted to ask him who had hurt him.

Wait, Ye Qianxun… Yu Lianqiu… Thinking back to their first meeting when he single-handedly stormed Jiuhua Mountain, could it also be for…

Hmph! She'd ask both questions at once!

Having considered this, Li Yue said, "Sister A-Sha, wait for me a moment, I'll go with you." She led Tan Lang into the inn.

As promised to Tanlang in the carriage, Liyue meticulously instructed the innkeeper. The innkeeper, his face darkening, was about to refuse when a ten-thousand-tael silver note floated before him. His dark expression instantly transformed into a blissful glow, and he nodded repeatedly, asking Tanlang with a fawning expression, "Master, would you like to eat now?"

Liyue turned away, but instantly returned with Fu Hongsha's waist knife, holding it to the innkeeper's neck, squinting as she said, "If even a single hair is missing, this precious lump on your neck will have to be thrown into the river to feed the fish."

Just moments before she had been smiling, but now she resembled a ruthless, bloodthirsty demon. Seeing the girl's rapidly changing expression, the shopkeeper broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly promised, "Don't worry, miss, if it loses even a single hair, you can skin me alive."

Li Yue laughed and said, "Skinning is something I'm an expert at. Alright, either serve it like a master, or you and your whole family will be waiting. That's all, I'm leaving."

Tan Lang escorted her all the way to the city gate, and the shopkeeper, worried about it shedding fur, followed them all the way to the city gate.

Once Li Yue and her entourage were far away, the shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his brow, touched the ten thousand taels of silver notes stuffed in his chest, and smiled broadly. Looking down, he saw Tan Lang staring blankly at a small female dog not far away, its body entirely white except for a few flower-shaped yellow spots on its rump.

The innkeeper, understanding the unspoken message, instructed his servant, "Go, take that little bitch back to the inn."

Tanlang, upon hearing this, was moved to tears; the blissful life he had waited for for years was finally about to begin…

*

Fu Hongsha and Li Yue's group traveled by land and water, day and night, and after half a month, they finally arrived at their agreed-upon destination with the Canal Gang—the Sacred Realm Xuan City.

The Sacred Realm was the territory of the Heavenly Sacred Palace, independent of the Three Kingdoms, and its area was about one-sixth the size of Nanfo. Yun Qian, the Palace Master of the Heavenly Sacred Palace, was its uncrowned queen.

There was no army here, only a few thousand disciples of the Heavenly Palace, yet no one in the Three Kingdoms dared to covet it. One reason was that it was once a universally recognized sacred place, the birthplace of imperial tutors. Although its status had declined, it remained a symbol of nobility and holiness in the hearts of the people.

Another reason was that if the Sacred Realm were invaded, Nanfo would defend it with all its might; declaring war on the Sacred Realm was tantamount to declaring war on Nanfo.

Thirdly, although the Heavenly Saint Palace only has a few thousand disciples, each of them possesses profound martial arts skills, making their combat power comparable to a formidable army of tens of thousands. Furthermore, the Heavenly Saint Palace boasts numerous talented individuals and masters, with various Five

Elements and Eight Trigrams techniques flourishing. In the event of war, invading armies would likely be trapped and perish within various wondrous and profound arrays before even reaching the heart of the Holy Realm. Because there is no imperial court or law here, only the Heavenly Saint Palace Master and its rules, as long as you don't provoke the Heavenly Saint Palace members or violate its rules, regardless of your nationality or whether you come to settle or trade, the Holy Realm welcomes all.

Consequently, the border cities of the Holy Realm are generally quite chaotic due to the gathering of fugitives and merchants from various countries.

Xuan City is a border city of the Holy Realm, located right next to Nanfo.

Fu Hongsha had gone to meet up with her buddies from the canal gang

. Li Yue stood at the second-floor window of a teahouse facing the street, looking across at the grand mansion across the street, supposedly the temporary residence of the Murong family. She'd heard that Yu Lianqiu was imprisoned there.

Li Yue ate some melon seeds for a while, then a gust of wind blew by, and she instinctively pulled her coat tighter. Before she knew it, it was early winter, and the weather was getting cold. Turning around, she had just taken a sip of hot tea when Fu Hongsha entered.

"How did the discussion go? When will we make our move?" Li Yue asked.

"I heard that Murong Xian, the third head of the Murong family, has come in person. Once we clash, it might cause a huge commotion, so we need to consult the Tian Sheng Palace first." Fu Hongsha frowned.

Li Yue smiled. She knew Fu Hongsha's personality; she liked to make decisive decisions and cut through the mess quickly, never dragging things out. This roundabout affair had clearly made her impatient.

"What is the relationship between Murong Xian and Murong Juan?" Li Yue had always been deeply interested in that young, talented assassin. Hearing that his clansmen were here, she couldn't help but ask.

"Murong Juan is the fourth son of the second son, Murong Qing, so Murong Xian, who is the third son, should be his third uncle." Fu Hongsha stood at the window, looking across the street.

"Sigh, I'd rather see his promising young nephew than this uncle!" Li Yue sighed.

Fu Hongsha gave a helpless smile, then looked out the window again, her expression suddenly tightening. "He's out," she said.

"Who's out?" Li Yue asked curiously, moving closer to her. Following her gaze to the gate of the opposite courtyard, she froze as if struck by lightning when she saw the middle-aged man mounting his horse.

"Murong Xian," Fu Hongsha's voice was like the still waters of a winter lake, chilling Li Yue's heart, which was almost stopping.

Li Yue stared blankly at the man. They were only a few feet apart, so she could see him clearly. The face before her gradually overlapped with the portrait her mother had left her, supposedly of her father.

Although the man before her was older than in the portrait, his eyebrows, eyes, lips, nose, and posture were almost identical.

How much her mother must have loved him, etched him into her heart, into the depths of her soul, to be able to paint him so vividly from memory alone.

This man, this man named Murong Xian, was…her father?

The meaning of the word "father" was no more familiar to Li Yue than to the man before her.

From childhood, she only knew him as a man, a man her mother waited for but never saw, a man who should have cared for her and her mother, yet had never appeared in her life.

His only achievement was sleeping with her mother, who was famous for her beauty, without spending a penny, successfully impregnating her, and then leaving behind a lie and never returning.

She recalled the days before she was six, those hellish years, how much her mother suffered. In the most unbearable times, besides tears, her mother's favorite thing to do was wonder where this man was, and why he hadn't come to pick her up. Was he sick? Had something happened at home? Or… was he too busy?

Unlike her mother's deep affection, in her young heart, there was only one reason she could forgive this father who never showed up—he was dead, and that's why he hadn't come to pick them up.

She never dared to say this to her mother, because her mother had already suffered enough; she didn't want to torment her.

Now, it turns out that the reason this man hadn't appeared was simply because he didn't want her mother anymore, and incidentally, he didn't want her either, someone he probably never even knew would come into this world.

After leaving her mother, she had intentionally or unintentionally searched for this man in the crowd, a search devoid of any emotion. This was because, before her death, her mother, at the other end of the prison pillar, said that there were only two things in her life that made her die with regrets: first, not being able to raise her herself; second, not being able to wait for the day her father would come to take them both.

Mo Xinwu, Mo Xinwu—she had always felt the name was a bit strange, but now she suddenly realized that Mo Xinwu actually meant "Don't Believe in Me." It's a pity that her poor, tragic mother, throughout her life, never understood the true meaning of those three characters.

When her mother was alive, she named her Mo Liyue; after her mother's death, she changed her name to Qin Liyue. Looking back now, how ridiculous it would be if she hadn't made that decision on her own. Her mother's surname was Qin, her father's surname was Murong, but her surname was Mo—wasn't that making her a bastard?

Well, she was, after all, a nameless and illegitimate child.

Looking up, her gaze coldly fell on the man riding a tall horse who had already covered half the street—the man who had abandoned her mother after their affair, the man who had given birth to her but hadn't raised her. She silently bit her lip.

Strangely, seeing her biological father for the first time in her life, she felt no excitement, no thrill, no relief; only unfamiliarity and a lingering resentment.

Not wanting Fu Hongsha to notice anything amiss, she quickly composed herself and casually said, "I'm going downstairs for a stroll." She turned and left the teahouse, following Murong Xian.

*

Brothel.

In broad daylight, he walked alone through two streets, his destination a brothel.

Li Yue stood in the corner, watching the madam and prostitutes rush out to greet him with familiar faces, her expression blank.

She wondered how long he had been here to become so familiar with the people in this brothel? She wondered if, as he embraced other courtesans, he ever thought of the woman sixteen years ago, in Xiangchun Garden of Changhuai County, Dongyi, whose youthful beauty had taken a liking to him and offered herself to him. She wondered if, as he left these women, he had also sworn a tender vow to the heavens, "In this life, I will never betray you."

Watching him enter the building with one woman on each arm, Liyue leaned back against the wall, looked up, sighed, and felt a chill run through her.

The sky was a clear, pure blue, untouched by any blemish.

Was her mother perhaps on that cloud? Seeing this, she must be devastated. She was such a fragile woman.

Liyue stared at the cloud, and in a daze, she seemed to see her mother sitting there, just as she had when she sat wearily on the green stone by the stream after chopping wood, her eyes filled with tears and her expression sorrowful.

"Mother, did you see him? Do you still love him? Do you still want to be with him?" Liyue silently questioned the heavens.

A cold wind swept by, ruffling her hair.

Passersby frequently turned to look, captivated by her stunning beauty and moved by her sorrowful expression.

At this moment, in the bustling world, amidst the rolling dust of life, no one was more lonely than her.

Murong Xian didn't emerge all night.

Li Yue also stood at the corner of that brothel all night, lost in thought.

When the first rays of dawn shone on her slightly pale face, she suddenly felt an overwhelming loneliness in her life.

Warmth was everywhere in this world, yet she couldn't feel it. Perhaps, born in an icy abyss and forced into hell, she couldn't accept the sunlight. This gave rise to a profound understanding of life, natural and logical, and she felt she had to do it for her mother, for herself.

Simply because no one could offer her salvation, not even herself.

Her life stemmed from lies, her tragedy from fate, and the culprit was the man named Murong Xian.

If not for him, her mother's life might have been entirely different. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have come into this world to wander alone.

Her mother died with resentment, she lived a miserable life, while he, on the other hand, lived a carefree and happy life as if nothing had happened.

Why?

Since there was no redemption, then why not continue to sink into despair?

Chapter 44, Redemption in Blood...

Under the bright sunshine of early winter, Li Yue stood in the middle of the street, her face shy and her eyes blank as she looked up, squinting slightly at the man on horseback she had stopped.

His martial arts skills were superior to hers, perhaps much superior.

That was her first impression.

On his way back, Murong Xian was suddenly blocked. Initially impatient, he quickly changed his mind when he saw that the person blocking his way was a stunningly beautiful young woman in her prime. His impatience turned into curiosity and a hidden joy. His eyes, accustomed to countless women, lingered on her face and body, secretly assessing where she ranked among women.

Aside from the youthful innocence on her face, her body and face alone should place her in the high tier. If she were a little more alluring and mature, she wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Having reached this conclusion, his interest in the girl deepened.

Unless you've experienced it firsthand, you absolutely cannot imagine how disgusting it is to have your own father lewdly eyeing you with a predatory gaze.

Li Yue endured it, stubbornly maintaining her innocent girlish demeanor as she looked at him, waiting for him to speak first.

Murong Xian, having finished his daydreaming, leaned forward, one hand resting on the horse's mane, his demeanor both dashing and alluring. His expression was calm as he spoke, "Young lady, why are you blocking my way?"

Li Yue, somewhat flustered, twisted her small hands, her head slightly bowed, her eyes darting shyly at him, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. She stammered, "Uncle... Uncle, you look... a lot like my father."

Murong Xian's expression stiffened, then he straightened up somewhat listlessly, his expression haughty and disdainful. He said, "Then young lady must have mistaken me for someone else. I only have one son, no daughter, and for now, I have no intention of adopting a goddaughter." Given his status, he was used to striking up conversations with women under various pretexts; he clearly considered Li Yue one of them.

*So, no daughter!* Li Yue thought coldly.

Seeing him about to ride past, Li Yue turned around, looking at his back with a cold gaze and a soft voice: "Uncle, aren't you surnamed Mo? My father's name is Mo Xinwu, and my mother's name is Qin Susu."

Murong Xian's body stiffened, he paused for a moment, then turned his horse back, looking at Li Yue with surprise and some doubt.

The girl in front of him didn't look like Qin Susu at all, nor did she look like him. Yet she could say the pseudonym he used in Xiangchun Garden and Qin Susu's name, obviously knowing about his romantic past with Qin Susu.

Who was she? Could she be a spy sent by his rivals to plant by his side using this past?

But thinking it over, his trip to Changhuai County back then was on a whim, the identity he used and the words he spoke in Xiangchun Garden were all false, and he didn't meet any acquaintances. Who could know about his past?

Seeing his shifting gaze and suspicious expression, Li Yue knew he didn't believe her, so she softly added, "I've never met my father, but my mother left me a portrait of him before she died so I could use it to find my family in the future. I'm sixteen this year, my birthday is March 16th."

Murong Xian recalled that, based on age and birth month, it was indeed true that she was his daughter, but the key was... this girl didn't resemble him or Qin Susu at all.

Could she be Qin Susu's child with someone else? Later, when she learned he was from the Murong family, she made up this lie to try and climb the social ladder by marrying him?

Seeing that he showed no emotion upon hearing the news of her mother's death, still looking at her with suspicion, Li Yue felt an extreme pain in her heart. This man had no feelings for her mother whatsoever! It's said that even a day of marriage brings a hundred days of kindness, but now it seems that this saying depends on the person.

"Uncle, please don't overthink it. I mean no harm. I just want to know if my father is still alive. I've been living on Tianyi Island all these years, and I have a loving partner. He's the young master of Tianyi Island, and his future should be worry-free. But if I can't find my father, my life feels rootless, and I can never feel at peace..." Li Yue's expression was sorrowful, her eyes filled with tears.

Hearing her say that she had been living on Tianyi Island and was on good terms with the young master of the Cao Gang, he finally showed some emotion. A hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes, which turned into a warm smile with hidden cunning. He asked, "Since you've been on Tianyi Island all this time, how come you're here? Has the young master of the Cao Gang come too?"

Li Yue knew that the Cao Gang was going to help Yu Wuchen rescue Yu Lianqiu, and Murong Xian couldn't possibly have been unaware of it. Therefore, she was sure that this trick would keep him in suspense, and sure enough, it worked.

“I heard that Yu Lianqiu, the third young lady of the Yu family of Xiwu, was captured by the Murong family of Dongyi. The gang leader sent people here to rescue her. I came with my friend; the young master didn’t come,” Li Yue said sincerely.

Hearing her say this, Murong Xian’s suspicions lessened slightly, as what she said matched the information he had received.

After a pause, he asked again, “Then, do you know about their rescue plan?”

Li Yue became cautious, asking warily, “Uncle, why are you asking this?”

Perhaps her expression was too genuine, making the whole affair flawless from the beginning. Therefore, Murong Xian thought that whether she was his daughter or not could be discussed later; the most urgent thing was to take her back.

If what she said was true, then as the lover of the young master of the Cao Gang, she could undoubtedly save him a lot of trouble.

If what she said was false, then capturing such a wonderful woman would be more beneficial than harmful to him.

Thinking this, he said, "I am indeed Mo Xinwu." Seeing Li Yue's eyes light up with barely suppressed excitement and joy, he continued, "But whether you are my daughter, I need to verify further. How about this, you come back with me first; I need to know more about your birth and your experiences over the years."

Li Yue breathed a sigh of relief, but her face was full of anticipation and longing for finally being recognized as her ancestor, as she followed Murong Xian.

Arriving at the Murong family's residence, Li Yue deliberately glanced at the teahouse across the street, not seeing Fu Hongsha, which made her even more composed.

After entering the courtyard, Li Yue appeared casual, but secretly observed from all sides. To her surprise, the garden wasn't as tense as she had imagined. Although she sensed people hiding in some bushes and corners, the total number shouldn't exceed twenty. Or perhaps, the renowned assassin family that shook the Three Kingdoms was truly extraordinary; could these people, plus him as the third leader, be fearless?

Li Yue didn't dwell on these thoughts, because that wasn't what concerned her.

The garden was fully staffed with servants and maids. Murong Xian had a room arranged for her to rest before leaving.

Li Yue hadn't slept all night and should have been tired, but she felt no sleepiness.

Servants brought her food, which she poured into a vase in the room, then scattered the dishes and cups on the table in a mess.

Although she knew the food might not be poisoned, she hadn't yet accomplished what she wanted to do and couldn't risk it.

That night, a maid came to call her, saying Murong Xian was waiting for her in his study.

Li Yue composed herself and went to keep the appointment.

The study wasn't large, and only Murong Xian sat inside. The warm orange light shone on his face, but it couldn't warm the coldness in his eyes.

He leaned against the table, one hand supporting his chin, his expressionless face and deep gaze scrutinizing the young woman standing in the doorway, his demeanor completely different from his expression on the street during the day.

Perhaps he felt that since he had already lured her here, he no longer needed to pretend.

"Your mother is dead?" After a long silence, he asked emotionlessly.

"Yes." Li Yue looked at him, her voice trembling with sadness.

"When? How did she die?" he continued.

"Two years ago, she died of illness," she answered.

"And how did you meet Su Yingge?" Murong Xian's expression became languid.

Having spent a whole day alone in her room, she had already prepared answers to the questions he might ask. In any case, everything would be settled tonight, and she wasn't afraid of him investigating.

"After my mother died, I became a courtesan. One day, the young master came, he liked me, and redeemed me, taking me back to Tianyi Island." As she spoke, a slight blush rose on her cheeks, revealing a charmingly girlish demeanor.

"How much do you know about the Grand Canal Gang?" Murong Xian cut to the chase.

This man, unconcerned about whether she was truly his daughter, only wanted to extract the gang's secrets from her. He truly had no feelings for her.

Come to think of it, he had a family, a wife and children. His mother was nothing more than a courtesan to him; how could he possibly have feelings for her, the bastard child born of a courtesan?

Li Yue wasn't sad at all, because she had never dared to hope for the affection of this father who only lived in her mother's tears. Even in her dreams, she had never entertained such an unrealistic fantasy.

Therefore, in her eyes, his behavior was perfectly reasonable.

Thinking of this, she raised her eyes, hesitantly stammering, "Uncle, you…"

"I am your father," he said indifferently, to make it easier to know what he wanted to know.

Very well, it's good that he admits it.

Li Yue's heart hardened, but her outward expression betrayed a mixture of surprise and doubt. She said, "My mother said Father has three small black moles on his armpit, about the size of sesame seeds."

Murong Xian was taken aback. Clearly, he didn't know if he had any on his armpit either.

He rolled up his sleeve, and there indeed were three sesame-seed-sized black moles on his armpit, forming a small triangle.

Such a small feature, even he himself hadn't noticed it, yet her mother had. What kind of love was this?

But was this man worth it?

Murong Xian looked at the three tiny black moles, somewhat moved. Perhaps, only now, did he begin to recall the courtesan from Xiangchun Garden.

Li Yue looked at the three black moles, wanting to cry very, very much. Not because she had finally found her biological father, but because of her poor mother, who had long been betrayed and forgotten.

Her heart was filled with anguish, yet a smile appeared on her lips. She cried out excitedly, "Father, you really are my father!" Tears welling in her eyes, she threw herself into his arms.

Murong Xian froze, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. At the same time, a pang of emotion stirred within him. Qin Susu had noticed those three easily overlooked black moles—what did they signify?

This girl… really was his daughter…

Before he could fully comprehend it, a life-crushing pain shot from his back, piercing straight into his heart.

He stared in shock, then struck the girl in his arms with a palm strike.

He had fallen for her trap! This girl had come to assassinate him!

As the blade formed from his true energy pierced deeply into his heart, two large tears finally slid down Li Yue's cheeks.

Yes, this was the choice she had made after finding her biological father—a choice made in blood.

The fatal blow brought unbearable shock and pain, directly affecting the speed and power of his attack, but his rage and the belief in revenge drove him to unleash the full force of his palm strike.

Sensing the powerful force that could easily take her life, Li Yue instinctively shifted her body, but in the blink of an eye, she abandoned the attempt to dodge.

A muffled thud, followed by a streak of blood slicing through the air, rang out abruptly in the quiet room.

Like the last autumn leaf swept away by a fierce wind, Li Yue, with a blank expression accepting her predetermined fate, flew straight out, crashing into the opposite wall with a thud before falling heavily to the floor.

The immense pain left her almost completely blank; crimson blood, like a burst dam, gushed from her mouth and nose.

At this moment, she knew she had succeeded.

This was the result she wanted; only blood could redeem the sins of blood. Only by dying at his hands could she die a worthy death; her life, given to her by him, would end with him.

She could only retaliate against this unreasonable and unkind fate in such a resolute way.

Murong Xian, his face contorted in agony, pale with the death of his soul, slumped back in his chair, sweat pouring down his back. The flowing blood soaked his clothes and the chair beneath him, trickling down the chair legs to the floor, forming a small pool of blood that gradually widened.

"You...you're not my daughter..." He gasped for breath, remembering that over twenty years ago, his elder brother, Murong Qiao, had half-jokingly told him that with his womanizing ways, he would surely die at the hands of a woman.

He had never taken those words to heart, nor had he ever imagined that he would die so inexplicably, at the hands of this seemingly weak and vulnerable woman. He hadn't even seen what weapon she used; there was no weapon in her hand, nor on the ground around her. So, what had she used to assassinate him?

"Ugh...cough..." Li Yue lay on the ground, glancing at him sideways, trying to speak, but coughed up a mouthful of blood. A weak smile tugged at the corner of her bloodied lips as she spoke haltingly, "I...am indeed your...daughter, but...I'm grown up, I don't need your...care anymore. Mother waited for you...my whole life, you should...keep your promise...and marry her..."

"You...you actually murdered your father!" Seeing that she was on the verge of death, and knowing that lying was pointless at this point, Murong Xian was utterly shocked.

"All you gave me... was this life, and now... you've ended it all with your own hands. I... owe you nothing..." At this point, Li Yue's chest convulsed, and a torrent of blood gushed from her mouth, soaking the floor tiles beside her cheek.

Murong Xian stared at her, his face growing paler and his eyes increasingly unfocused, but until his last breath, he remained fixed on Li Yue, unable to utter a word.

Li Yue, however, was not dead. She strained to keep her eyes open, looking at the lifeless man on the chair, a mixture of sorrow and relief filling her heart—a relief she had never felt before.

It was over. Everything was over. From now on, she would never feel lonely again, never feel guilt again, never crave love again, and never fear loss again.

If she could be reunited with her family, that would be good. Although she didn't like this father, at least she could see her mother.

She had little to regret about this life, nothing to summarize, yet why couldn't she rest in peace?

Was there something she had forgotten?

Qu Liushang, ah, I'm sorry. If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have become friends with you in the first place, let alone let things develop to Tianyi Island. I hope you won't be too sad for me. Just remember my fickle nature.

Sister Asha, I'm entrusting Tanlang to you from now on. Without me, this girl who always gives you headaches and leaves you helpless, you must be bored.

Ye Qianxun, you really will never see me again. Will you miss me? Then miss me well. This is what you owe me.

Finally… I want to know, Yu Wuchen, when you hear the news of my death, will the smile on your lips, unchanged for eternity, still remain?

Her body was numb with pain. She had no ability to resist and could only let the excruciating pain invade her incredibly fragile nerves, bringing waves of dizziness, waiting for the moment when she completely lost consciousness, ending this tragic life.

The door suddenly opened.

She heard the faint sound of wheels rolling. No one spoke. In the quiet air, only Li Yue's intermittent, weak, and rapid breathing could be heard.

She knew someone was approaching, but she no longer had the strength to react.

Her mind grew increasingly hazy, her eyelids heavier, yet a growing joy filled her heart.

In the instant before she closed her eyes, half a beautifully crafted silver wheel and a small purple robe vaguely appeared in the corner of her eye…

(Chapter 45, Repeating the Same Mistake…

Tianyi Island, Yingge Academy)

Beneath a fiery red maple tree lay a bench, upon which a pale, handsome man lay supine, covered by a thin quilt. His clear eyes were listlessly fixed on the azure sky above, fragmented by the maple leaves.

A fiery red maple leaf twirled down and landed on his chest.

He withdrew his gaze, his slender fingers picking up the leaf, examining it closely. Its alluring color reminded him of someone, and his expression gradually became dazed.

Su Yingge, twirling a purple jade flute in one hand and carrying a tray with a small medicine bowl in the other, strolled over from the other end of the garden with a nonchalant smile.

"Master Qu, can you please stop abusing your body like this? With such a serious injury, you still come out into the wind. Do you think it's easy for me to brew medicine and take care of you?" he complained in a shrill, sarcastic voice as he approached.

Qu Liushang looked up at his unserious face, flicked the maple leaf from his fingertips speechlessly, and said, "I'm much better."

"Really? Then why don't you get up and run a few laps?" Su Yingge placed the medicine cup on the low table beside the bench, raising an eyebrow at him.

Qu Liushang ignored her, picked up the medicine cup, and drank it all in one gulp.

"I don't want to know about your fight with Ye Qianxun. I'm just curious, how did you manage to come back alive from Yu Wuchen's hands after taking a blow from Ye Qianxun?" Su Yingge leaned against the maple tree, looking at him with a smile as she asked.

Qu Liushang was too lazy to pay attention to him.

"Hey, tell me, you were seriously injured and certainly didn't pose a threat to his life, so how did you force him to give up?" Su Yingge lifted her leg and nudged his shin with her toe.

"I disfigured him," Qu Liushang blurted out.

"Disfigurement?" Su Yingge suddenly raised her voice, paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, leaning against the tree trunk with one hand and pointing at Qu Liushang with a trembling hand, saying between laughs, "No way, you actually came up with such a shameless and despicable trick? That's not like you!"

Qu Liushang snorted without any remorse and said, "If he comes to you, don't heal him."

Su Yingge resumed her nonchalant demeanor and said, "Why would he come to me to heal him after he hurt you? He's not brain-dead."

Qu Liushang remained silent.

Su Yingge glanced at him and said with a gloating tone, "Oh dear, I didn't expect Yu Wuchen to be interested in that pig demon, and that kid Jinlu..." He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over Qu Liushang's face, which was dark and bluish.

A mocking smile played on his lips as he continued, "Speaking of which, this pig demon has been following Jinlu for over a month. Given Jinlu's character and abilities, she might already be pregnant. Do you think I should offer her some medicine to help with the pregnancy..."

Before he could finish, Qu Liushang glared at him with a murderous look and snapped, "Shut up!"

"I'm just stating the facts. Hey, I'm telling you, this pig demon is clearly a promiscuous woman. You either stay put and keep your cuckolded ways, or just dump her. If you keep going on like this, you'll end up losing your life sooner or later," Su Yingge rambled on.

"I told you to shut up! I'll beat you up if you say another word!" Qu Liushang snapped.

"Fine—I won't say it—honest advice is hard to swallow—" Su Yingge drawled, sighing as she turned to leave.

"Last night when I came back, I saw the Xi Wang Mansion's ship docked at Nanpu. What are they doing here?" Qu Liushang suddenly asked.

“Just passing by, resupplying for food. Who are you paying attention to?” Su Yingge stopped and turned around, her face full of inquiry.

“Huangfu Jue is up there?” Qu Liushang’s gaze was deep.

“I didn’t see him, only two old men and some guards. What? Does Huangfu Jue also like that pig demon? Heavens, I don’t understand what kind of taste you men have? Have all the beauties in the world died?” Su Yingge looked sorrowful and incomprehensible.

“Disappear immediately!” Qu Liushang waved him away with great annoyance.

Su Yingge glanced at him, looking utterly despondent. Just as she turned around, a carrier pigeon fluttered over and landed on a maple branch to her right. Her expression turned serious.

She reached out and grabbed it, removing the small bamboo tube tied to its claw. She took out the note, glanced at it, and her face immediately turned even darker than Qu Liushang’s. He

glanced at it a few more times, making sure he wasn't seeing things, then angrily crushed the note into dust, jumping up and down in a rage, roaring to the sky, "Why did this have to happen to me! Why, why!"

Qu Liushang looked at him in surprise.

Although Su Yingge's expressions were usually changeable, they were generally just an act, rarely revealing his true emotions. But now… looking at the strands of hair fluttering behind him without wind, he knew that Su Yingge was truly enraged.

He knew that Su Yingge had contact with a rather mysterious person, and that he would leave the island for a period of time every time a carrier pigeon arrived. Su Yingge never mentioned this, and he never asked. Even friends can't be completely without secrets; sometimes, not letting the other person know might be a form of protection.

He understood and respected his privacy.

Su Yingge flew into a rage for a moment, still unable to control his anger. With a flick of his jade flute, he struck the head of a carrier pigeon that hadn't yet managed to fly away, cursing, "Why didn't you die halfway?!" The poor pigeon fell to the ground, whimpering.

Tsk, he actually takes his anger out on a pigeon; he must be really furious this time. I wonder what could have caused him to be so hostile. Qu Liushang thought to himself.

Su Yingge continued his rampage for a while, successfully destroying half a flowerbed and a plum tree, before finally calming down.

A short while later, he suddenly turned around. Although his face was pale, he had at least regained some semblance of normalcy. He said to Qu Liushang, "I'll be away for a while. From now on, my maid will take care of you. Don't do anything reckless until your injuries are fully healed. There's an ingredient in the medicine that should be avoided."

Qu Liushang was stunned. Wasn't this guy in a fit of rage? How could he think of that?

Seeing him turn to leave, he hurriedly said, "Hey, can't you send a servant to attend to me?"

"If you want a male concubine, just tell my maid, and she'll grant your wish." Su Yingge waved without turning back and disappeared into the garden.

Qu Liushang choked on his words. This guy, you can never expect him to be serious.

*

On the banks of the Jiaye River in Dayuan City, there is a luxurious inn called "Jade Kirin," owned by Yuexiao Manor. Whenever Yu Wuchen comes to Nanfo to inspect trade, he always stays here if he passes through.

In a room decorated in the same style as the Linfeng Pavilion and Huayun Pavilion, Yu Wuchen removed the white veil hat from his head and turned his face slightly to look at himself in the mirror. On his left cheek, there was a thin wound, about an inch long. If it were on an ordinary person's face, it might be insignificant, but on his flawless, porcelain-like face, it looked shocking.

Chu Xiu stood behind him, watching, feeling she should say something to comfort her disfigured master. She said, "Is Qu Liushang really a man? He fights like a woman, even scratching his face?!"

"Jealousy, this is naked jealousy! But there's nothing I can do. Even with this wound, I'm still better looking than him." Yu Wuchen looked for a moment, then picked up a small porcelain bottle, poured some milky-white ointment onto his fingertip, and gently applied it to the wound.

"Young Master, will this... leave a scar?" Chu Xiu asked hesitantly.

"As long as we can get back to Jiuhua Mountain before the scab falls off, it won't leave a scar. There's medicine in the manor." Yu Wuchen said, then looked up at Chu Xiu in the mirror and asked, "Did the eldest young master go to the Holy Realm?"

Chu Xiu nodded, saying, "The eldest young master went with three of the Nine Dragons. With the help of the Canal Gang, they should be able to get the Third Miss back."

"The premise is that the people from Tian Sheng Palace don't interfere." Yu Wuchen put away the porcelain bottle and said calmly. Chu Xiu

thought for a moment and said, "Young Master, will you still kill that scoundrel Qu Liushang in the future?"

"Once the matter of Lian Qiu is settled, I'll leave it to the Eldest Young Master. This is what he owes me in return." Yu Wuchen's face showed some resentment. Chu

Xiu naturally understood. If it weren't for the Eldest Young Master's poisonous scheme, Qin Liyue wouldn't have left him, and naturally wouldn't have gotten involved with another man.

"Young Master, forgive my bluntness, but sometimes, I really feel that the Eldest Young Master's feelings for Miss Lian Qiu are deeper than his feelings for you." Chu Xiu bowed and said.

"Lian Qiu is a woman, so naturally she's more likable." Yu Wuchen said.

"But Young Master, don't forget, Miss Lian Qiu is born out of wedlock. Even if Madam is magnanimous and treats her as her own daughter, the Eldest Young Master can't be without resentment. Moreover, isn't there a rumor that Miss is..." Chu Xiu stopped cautiously at this point.

Yu Wuchen frowned slightly, and upon reflection, he realized there was some truth to it. He tilted his head slightly, looking at the intricate mandala pattern on the frame of the bronze mirror, and said, "Don't worry about those rumors. Just say what's on your mind."

Chu Xiu paused, then boldly said, "I was thinking that next year is the quinquennial martial arts alliance leader selection conference, and since Master is considering stepping down, is Young Master worried that you might compete with him for the position?"

Yu Wuchen rubbed his forehead and said, "I've already said I have no interest in this."

Chu Xiu said, "But Young Master might not believe me. Young Master's power has gradually expanded over the years..." It had long made him uneasy. Ultimately, the reason he devised that two-birds-with-one-stone scheme to kill Miss Liyue was because she had once attacked his subordinate Long Xian, and Miss Liyue was also a capable lieutenant under the young master.

Yu Wuchen looked up, closed his eyes, and said weakly, "Don't say anymore."

Chuxiu, however, seemed somewhat agitated, saying, "The young master values family above all else, everything he does is for the manor, for the Yu clan, but some people don't appreciate it..."

Yu Wuchen closed his eyes and remained silent.

Seeing this, Chuxiu finally fell silent.

*

The surging yet gentle true energy, like a gentle stream flowing through the field of life, warmly nourished her aching meridians and bones, gradually gathering into a powerful force, protecting her fragile heart.

Who? Whose hand was on her back? Don't save her, she doesn't want to live!

With the thought of struggling, Liyue felt a pain in her chest, let out a low gasp, and woke up.

The moment she opened her eyes, she involuntarily gasped, the pain in her chest unbearable. Realizing someone had infused her with a large amount of internal energy, and that she was temporarily out of danger, she forced a helpless and desolate smile. She

shouldn't have dodged. She hadn't wanted to, but having grown up in the martial world, accustomed to a life of constant danger, her reflexes had become unparalleled. The instinct to avoid danger was independent of her conscious mind, and although she immediately suppressed it upon realizing it, it had still gone awry.

If she hadn't dodged, and that palm strike had hit her heart, she would have died instantly.

Recalling the scene before she fainted, a mix of emotions welled up inside her. The fact that she was awake again left her somewhat bewildered, unsure of what to do.

Her vision was blurry, and she felt a swaying weight beneath her. She forced herself to stay awake, deciding not to think too much and to first figure out what was happening.

The cramped space, made of wood, appeared to be a large wooden crate. The crate swayed slightly and tilted to one side, as if being carried up a mountain or slope.

Several small ventilation holes were drilled around the sides, allowing intermittent light to stream in. Li Yue saw a woman opposite her.

Although she had never practiced hidden weapons, Li Yue's eyesight was always excellent. Despite the poor lighting inside the crate, she could still make out the woman less than a foot away. It was

Yu Lianqiu, the third young lady of the Yu Clan Manor.

Large patches of dark stains, seemingly blood, covered her body. A strong smell of blood permeated the crate. A few streaks of blood appeared on her beautiful but slightly frail face. She leaned against the crate wall, eyes closed, motionless. A

strong wind seemed to be blowing outside, whistling through the holes, making it impossible for Li Yue to hear her breathing or determine whether she was alive or dead.

Turning her gaze away, she inadvertently glanced at her own skirt and paused, startled.

The pattern on the skirt was unfamiliar; it wasn't her original one.

Realizing this, she then noticed that her clothes were clean and she felt refreshed. Before fainting, she had vomited a lot of blood, wetting her face and hair, yet her face wasn't tight or sticky now, as if someone had thoroughly cleaned and changed her clothes after she collapsed.

Who could it be?

Silver wheels, purple robes… if she remembered correctly, these were two items possessed only by Yun Qian, the Palace Master of Tian Sheng Palace.

But… she had an accident at the Murong family's residence; why was Yun Qian there? And why would she offer her help?

Could it be because she saw her and Jin Lu in bed last time and assumed their relationship was unusual, so she wanted to revive her to threaten Jin Lu?

But, as far as she knew, Jin Lu's mother had no powerful backing and was already dead, and the deposition and establishment of the Southern Buddha Crown Prince depended entirely on his word. If he was truly dissatisfied with Jin Lu, he could simply demand that the Southern Buddha Emperor depose her; why bother with this roundabout and arduous process?

Furthermore, if she's with Yu Lianqiu now, then who exactly is she in? Yu Lianqiu was originally in the hands of the Murong family. If the people carrying this box outside are from the Murong family, they have no reason to spare her life after she killed Murong Xian.

If she were already in the hands of the Canal Gang, Fu Hongsha and the others would never have carried her and Yu Lianqiu in a box.

But if she's in the hands of the Tian Sheng Palace, why would they put her and Yu Lianqiu together, and where are they taking them now?

Her severely injured body couldn't withstand such intense mental activity; after only a moment, she began to feel dizzy, and her limbs ached terribly.

She immediately abandoned these chaotic thoughts and closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.

She had sought death but hadn't died—was this another cruel joke fate was playing on her?

But now, what could fate do to her besides death? Having committed patricide and matricide, what else did she have to care about?

Before she could think further, the box swayed slightly, followed by a feeling of weightlessness, as if it had been pushed down from a height. Then it jolted again, swaying slightly from side to side, as if suspended in mid-air.

Apart from the whistling wind, the surroundings became quiet.

Li Yue hadn't eaten a single grain of rice since the afternoon before yesterday. Although her body ached terribly, it wasn't enough to dispel the excruciating hunger. Driven by the instinct for survival, she strained to tilt her body slightly to one side, leaning towards the nearest ventilation hole.

This tiny movement sent a rush of blood to her chest. She quickly stopped, knowing she had already lost too much blood. Without replenishment, all she could do was not lose any more.

Trying to steady her breathing, she slightly turned her head and looked out through the small hole.

She could vaguely see blue stone walls and weeds. As the wooden box spun unsteadily, she saw the dark silhouette of distant mountains.

If she wasn't mistaken, she was hanging on a cliff.

Unable to understand, she simply stopped thinking about it.

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Yu Lianqiu opposite her. If all the blood on her clothes was hers, then… she should also be on the verge of death.

She remained unmoved.

If she hadn't broken ties with Yu Wuchen, she might still have felt some pity for her, but now…

She closed her eyes, quietly gathering her strength for a long time, then laboriously reached for her belt.

Although her clothes had been changed, the chances of her belongings not being taken were extremely slim, but she still couldn't help but want to check.

Her slender fingers slowly probed into her bosom, her fingertips feeling a thin, hard object.

Her eyes lit up—the Lotus Token was still there?!

Ye Qianxun, you bastard, would you be nearby?

This was the only chance she could think of now, and regardless of success or failure, she had to try.

Gripping the thin tube, she silently gathered her strength, and after a long while, suddenly raised her hand, put the Lotus Token to her lips, and blew hard.

A high-pitched, clear whistle, with unparalleled penetrating power and a faint echo reverberating through the valley, carried far and wide.

This action exhausted all of Li Yue's remaining strength. Her right hand fell limply to her side. Her body trembled, a metallic taste rising in her throat. She quickly bit her lip, forcing down a mouthful of blood.

Almost limp, she leaned against the side of the crate, closing her eyes to try and calm herself.

All she could do now was wait.

Life or death, she could only leave it to time.

Fate seemed to suddenly become kind. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she felt the wooden crate beneath her being forcefully pulled upwards. After landing safely, a loud "crack" sounded above her head, and dazzling sunlight streamed in.

Li Yue squinted, and after a moment of adjustment, she saw that familiar, slightly dazed, handsome face.

Ye Qianxun, he really came!

Remembering his heartfelt words of love during their last meeting, this reunion warmed Li Yue's cold, empty heart. This warmth gradually surged within her, quickly moistening her eyes.

Was this… the legendary feeling of finding someone to rely on?

She was never used to revealing her true feelings to others, but at this moment, she couldn't hold back; she wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.

However… before she could do anything, the man bathed in golden sunlight, who, like the sunlight, brought her warmth, suddenly bent down, picked up Yu Lianqiu opposite her, looked at her, paused, and then turned and left without a word.

Her smile froze on her lips, her mind blank.

Her severe injuries had dulled her usual reflexes, and for a moment, she didn't understand what had happened.

The mountain wind howled, blowing through her hair and through her heart.

After a long while, she looked up at the empty sky and smiled silently.

The man who said he couldn't bear to leave her even on his deathbed, heard her cries for help and came, but abandoned her to save another woman…

She couldn't imagine anything more ironic or ridiculous in the world!

Qin Liyue, when you left Yu Wuchen, didn't you swear that you would never again be presumptuous? Why did she repeat the same mistakes with different men?

Tears welled in her eyes, but she tried her best to hold them back, for her tears were precious, and she didn't want to waste a single drop on unworthy people.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but the intense emotional turmoil made her frail mind dizzy again, and suddenly a tall figure appeared in her blurred vision.

She struggled to open her eyelids to look at the person.

She was slightly stunned when she saw that sullen, icy face.

Seeing her weak and tearful appearance, Huangfu Jue was also somewhat stunned.

Filled with resentment, he rushed to where she might be, relying on the carrier pigeon he had sent with Guandu.

After arriving at the Holy Realm, he didn't know where she was. Earlier that day, the Cao Gang and the Blood Shadow Palace had fought fiercely, and he had seen Ye Qianxun, followed her, and indeed found this woman.

Along the way, he had thought countless times that once he saw her, he would ignore everything and fight first, but unexpectedly, what he saw was… this fragile, dying state.

What should he do now?

For the first time in his life, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head because of his dilemma.

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