[Fantasy] The Harem is in Chaos (Complete) - 29

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

In the end, Li Yue couldn't get an answer from Murong

Juan. He remained silent about everything concerning her.

After running out of his room, Li Yue sat under the morning glory trellis in the courtyard, sulking.

She really wanted to forget him completely, as he had said; perhaps then her heart wouldn't be so troubled and suffocated.

But, being someone who could easily settle her heart and emotions, Qin Li Yue wouldn't have so many annoying men around her now.

Sometimes she thought, this blessing of having multiple wives and concubines wasn't something ordinary people could enjoy. Did those men with three wives and four concubines also have such troubles?

The patrolling guards spotted her from afar and shouted, "Who goes there?"

"Get lost!" Li Yue, full of resentment with nowhere to vent, shouted even louder than them.

The guards left, and Yan Huang arrived.

The east was beginning to lighten. He was neatly dressed and strolled leisurely, looking quite energetic, but Li Yue knew he hadn't slept all night.

Seeing him approach, Li Yue curled up on the bench and muttered, "Why aren't you asleep?"

"No one sleeps tonight," Yan Huang said, sitting down beside her.

It sounded rather amusing, but Li Yue wasn't in the mood to ponder it. She hugged her knees, burying her face in her arms.

"Don't blame him, it's all my fault for exhausting him," Yan Huang suddenly said after a moment.

Li Yue turned her head, revealing one eye as she looked at him, her desire for the truth unmistakable.

Yan Huang looked up at the guards patrolling in the distance, his voice soft: "He came back to help me. After Murong Xian's death, among the younger generation of the Murong family, he is second to none in both strength and prestige. However, he once defied the Empress Dowager. To return to the Murong family and to Yong'an, he must first obtain the Empress Dowager's approval. The Moon Gu is the means the Empress Dowager uses to ensure his loyalty." As he finished speaking, a slight anger lingered in his voice.

Li Yue was already half-stunned. She had thought that since the Moon Gu was developed by Jin Lü, Murong Juan's poisoning must be somewhat related to him. However, the facts proved that the person who poisoned him was actually... Empress Dowager Dongyi. Her...

She turned her head, stopping herself from thinking further. After sorting out her chaotic thoughts, she asked, "Where did the Empress Dowager... get the Moon Gu?"

Yan Huang shook his head and said, "She has her own unknown channels."

"Yan Huang, if one day you hold absolute power and rule the world, how will you treat the Empress Dowager and Prince Chen?" Li Yue suddenly couldn't help but ask.

Yan Huang's eyes were deep, and he calmly said, "That depends on how much I pay in the process."

Li Yue looked at his handsome profile, hidden in the dim morning light, and for the first time, she faintly sensed the cold aura unique to emperors on him.

*

After catching up on half a day's sleep at the Jade Tea Pavilion, Li Yue's first thought after getting up was to find Yu Wuchen.

The Moon Gu was developed by Jinlu. The only connection between the Empress Dowager and Jinlu is the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, Yun Qian. If the Empress Dowager was the one who administered the Moon Gu to Murong Juan, then Yun Qian must have been the one who gave it to her.

Experience makes one wise, and if it can be proven that Yun Qian could also develop the Moon Gu, then her motive for poisoning Su Tingsong is far greater than Jinlu's.

Su Yingge's poison-making and antidote techniques are unparalleled. To make him dedicate himself to combating a poison, the method is undoubtedly to infect his closest loved ones with it. Once he develops an antidote, besides Su Tingsong and Murong Juan, Yun Qian will also be freed.

However, unexpectedly, Su Yingge is also helpless against the Moon Gu. Thus, the second plan arose: to have Su Yingge exploit Jinlu's closeness to her and use it to poison her.

But Jinlu was only poisoned by a toxin that suppresses her internal energy. If they don't have further plans, this poison won't be fatal. When Jinlu ascends the throne, he will have no shortage of protectors. Even if he can never fight again, so what?

Therefore, they must have further plans targeting Jinlu.

Su Yingge is currently blinded by jealousy over Jinlu and probably won't tell the truth. So, why not change direction and test the waters with Yu Wuchen?

Besides, she has another idea: Yu Wuchen is quite interested in medicine. Although she's never seen him practice medicine, she's seen him research medicine, and they all seem quite effective. If she could get him and Su Yingge to work together, could they develop an antidote for the Moon Gu?

Hmm, with the plan settled, she freshened up and headed towards Linfeng Pavilion.

Before even getting close, a woman's spoiled shouts could be heard from afar: "...Why won't you see me? Are you ignoring me now that the main character is back? I won't argue with her. Let me in."

Chu Xiu's voice replied, "Miss Ruan, I've already made myself clear. Young Master isn't receiving guests today. If you wish to stay at Ban Hua Mian, Young Master won't send you away, but please respect your status. He's let bygones be bygones regarding the Xiaoyao Sect incident last time, but please don't repeat the mistake."

Li Yue found this amusing and couldn't help but step out of her hiding place in the banana grove. Her gaze swept across the area in front of Linfeng Pavilion, and she was momentarily stunned.

Was she seeing things? Why did she seem to vaguely see a shadow of her past self?

Chu Xiu was incredibly quick-witted; he spotted Li Yue the moment she appeared. He inwardly groaned, but outwardly greeted her with a smile: "Miss Qin, you've arrived."

The petite girl who was confronting Chu Xiu turned around upon hearing this. Wow, she even bore a striking resemblance to Chu Xiu. Her fiery, determined look was just like Chu Xiu's own from a few years ago—fearless, stubborn, and strong-willed.

Li Yue strolled over leisurely, looking at the woman surnamed Ruan and asking with a smile, "Oh my, who is this young lady? You are truly exceptionally beautiful."

Before Chu Xiu could speak, the girl approached, looking Li Yue up and down, and said, "You are Qin Li Yue? Yu Wuchen's sweetheart?"

Unperturbed by her rudeness, Li Yue smiled and said, "The first half of the statement is correct, the second half is debatable."

The girl waved her hand casually and said, "Don't try to fool me, my name is Ruan Xinhe. I have long admired Young Master Wuchen and have heard of you. Today, I finally have the chance to see you in person, and I challenge you." As she spoke, she took a step back and assumed a fighting stance. Her movements were clean, neat, and fluid, quite beautiful.

Li Yue chuckled again, sighing inwardly: Yu Wuchen, Yu Wuchen, you haven't created one Qin Li Yue enough, do you have to create a second one? But... judging from this little girl's appearance, she really does have a feeling that she has a successor.

"Hey, what are you laughing at? Afraid to take the challenge?" Ruan Xinhe raised her delicate chin and looked at Li Yue provocatively.

Li Yue shook her finger slightly and said, "Little girl, when women fight each other, that's called killing each other. When women fight men, that's real skill. If you fancy a man, and he has someone he loves, it doesn't matter. Good men are always in demand. What's the point of killing or defeating his lover? Martial prowess is a standard men use to choose their subordinates, not to choose their women. As long as his heart isn't with you, no matter how much you make a fuss, it's useless. That's called attacking the body is inferior, attacking the heart is superior, understand?"

Ruan Xinhe slowly lowered her stance, scratched her head, and asked, "Then, how do I attack the heart?"

Li Yue smiled and said, "Practice makes perfect. Try it with a few more men and you'll know." After saying that, she winked at Ruan Xinhe playfully and slowly walked into the hall.

Ruan Xinhe paused for a moment, then moved to the door, intending to go in but was stopped by Chu Xiu. She couldn't help but look at Li Yue's back and call out, "I don't believe you would give up such a good man as Yu Wuchen and go find another man instead."

Li Yue laughed, waved her hand without turning her head, and looked at her with an "believe it or not" attitude.

Ruan Xinhe stomped her feet in frustration, then remembered something and pointed at Li Yue's back, yelling at Chu Xiu, "Didn't you say Yu Wuchen wasn't receiving guests today?" Chu

Xiu replied innocently, "She's not a guest."

...

Pushing open the door, a refreshing mountain breeze carrying a hint of his Du Ruo scent wafted through the room, caressing her face and soothing her soul.

Li Yue was about to enter when suddenly a large, thin veil, as light as a cicada

's wing and as delicate as a breeze, billowed up, almost completely enveloping her. She frantically pulled the veil from her head, then traced its seemingly endless trail, past the outer room, around the moon gate, over the screen, and across the jade couch. When her gaze finally fell upon the ethereal figure standing by the window, Li Yue wanted to curse: Damn it!

What is this veil? It's the hem of the gauze robe that Young Master Wuchen wears!

It's damn long!

Although Yu Wuchen was always particular about his clothes—he wouldn't wear anything that wasn't white, made of the finest materials, anything that wasn't weightless, anything that didn't feel like a baby's skin, or anything that would get dirty easily—he always valued simplicity and neatness. So

what was going on today? The hem of his veil seemed to float across a room, as if he wanted to transform into a white peacock, filling the room with his flamboyant tail feathers?

However, seeing him standing by the window, his snow-white veil and long black hair billowing in the air, reflecting the distant blue-green mountains, he was truly beautiful, like the sound of falling leaves. The flowing clouds in his palm seemed ready to ride the wind and ascend to immortality at any moment.

Li Yue gazed at him for a while, then asked, "What's going on today? A makeover?"

Yu Wuchen slowly turned to the side, his perfect facial features, his exquisitely shaped eyebrows and eyes, his jade-like skin… To be honest, she had been captivated by the beauty of three people so far: first, Yu Wuchen; second, Jinlu; and third, Huangfu Jue.

Of the three, Yu Wuchen possessed the most aloof and ethereal character. Conquering him would surely bring a greater sense of accomplishment than conquering the other two.

"If you don't change, I'm afraid you won't even see me standing right in front of you," Yu Wuchen said with a bright smile, his right hand still holding his small jade fan,

while he extended his left hand to Li Yue. Hearing the strong hint of jealousy in his voice, Li Yue assumed he was still resentful about her abducting Yan Huang yesterday, and walked over with a smile, saying, "So afraid of being ignored? There's someone outside jumping and shouting to see you, why can't you entertain them?"

"Besides you, have I ever cared for anyone else's favor?" He took her hand and pulled her into his embrace.

Burying her head in his warm, slightly damp embrace, Li Yue truly felt a sense of returning home. Five years! The memory of this feeling was too deep. While wandering outside, she thought she could forget it, but now, reliving this old dream, she realized that she had always longed for this moment.

Yu Wuchen felt a pang of sadness. He held her in his arms now, but who knew whose arms she would be in the next moment?

A person's energy is ultimately limited. He could handle one, but could he handle a whole group? After doing so many things, he was truly exhausted, both physically and mentally. Thinking back to the moment he let Li Yue leave, and then to the current elaborate scheme to bring her back, he had never so clearly realized that he was a fool who had created his own troubles.

But…

what could he do when his first love met again?

It was still that jade couch, still Li Yue straddling his lap, still their lips pressed together, but the feelings were completely different.

Li Yue's small hands rested on his shoulders as she kissed him intently. This man she had longed for for seven years was now truly at her mercy.

He was the least aggressive of the seven men she had ever kissed. His soft, smooth tongue obediently responded to hers, carrying a hint of half-hearted shyness, enticing her to repeatedly venture deeper into his embrace, only to be gently sucked and held in his mouth.

Hearing his usually steady breathing quicken because of her, Li Yue's heart stirred. Unwilling to let his tongue leave her weak and numb, she pushed him against the jade couch, sucked on his silky lips, and then looked up.

Her gaze, like a spring, flowed into his heart through his dark pupils, warm and nourishing, blossoming into a profusion of flowers.

Looking at his handsome face so close to hers, Li Yue still felt envy and jealousy towards his incredibly refined features. Extending her slender fingertips, she traced his perfectly styled eyebrows, then slid them to the tip of his delicate nose. Looking at his clear, translucent skin, she said with a troubled expression, "Yu Wuchen, could you put a few freckles on the sides of your nose to balance things out?"

Yu Wuchen's swollen lips, ravaged by her touch, parted slightly, revealing a few neat, white teeth. "Guess if I'll agree?" he said.

"I guess… if you don't agree… I'll bite you!" Li Yue said, wrinkling her nose in a fierce gesture.

"Come on!" Yu Wuchen reached out and embraced her, their lips meeting again.

But before he could fully savor the sweetness, a hand silently tickled his waist, making him burst into laughter. Like a fish, he leaped, and the two of them tumbled to the floor from the jade couch. Yu Wuchen used the momentum to press down on her limp body, pretending to faint and relying on his hands? How could that be enjoyable? [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 protrusions, close to female physiological structure, experience a more realistic feeling... rhythmic, irresistible! Click to enter.]

A man is a man after all. He usually looked light and ethereal, but once he pressed down on her, she realized his weight was far beyond what Li Yue could handle.

"Hey, Yu Wuchen, pretending to be dead? If you don't get up, I'll tickle you again!" Li Yue threatened, suppressing the urge to vomit blood.

Yu Wuchen laughed, looked up, kissed her cheek, and then obediently got up.

Little did he know that the hem of his gauze robe had gotten tangled in Li Yue's clothes. Halfway up, he was suddenly pulled by the hem, and caught off guard, he lost his balance and fell onto Li Yue, his face now pressed directly against her full breasts. Yu Wuchen's face flushed, and when he looked up, his cheeks were burning red.

Li Yue cried out in pain from the pressure, about to curse him for wearing such a long robe that it could be used to wrap a corpse, but when she opened her eyes and saw how red his face was, she belatedly realized he was genuinely shy.

She was truly surprised that the usually thick-skinned and unfazed Yu Wuchen would be so embarrassed by pressing against her breasts; she immediately found it quite adorable. She flipped him over, pinning him beneath her, and teased, "So you can be shy too."

"No way!" Yu Wuchen tried to deny it.

"Your face is so red, what else could it be but shyness?" Li Yue pointed at his face when he wouldn't admit it.

"That's because you poked me," Yu Wuchen lied through his teeth.

"Ouch?" Li Yue's eyebrows shot up. Did this damned man think her chest was made of stone? She'd teach him a lesson, or she'd be a bastard!

...

A moment later, under the table, a man and a woman, wrapped in the long hem of his robe like silkworms, were passionately kissing. Only when she felt something hard against her lower abdomen did Li Yue stop, panting. Looking at Yu Wuchen, who was also panting and dazed, pinned beneath her, she was momentarily stunned.

Wasn't she going to teach him a lesson? How come they were rolling around kissing so passionately again?

This guy was aroused. Although... she had truly longed for him for a long time and wanted to devour him to soothe her years of longing, but... she had just been tormented by Ye Qianxun last night, and her body was still sore and weak; she really couldn't withstand another round.

She immediately tried to retreat, but found herself and him tightly wrapped in his robe, and twisting a few times was futile.

"Don't move." Her movement brushed against his penis, making him feel somewhat embarrassed and pained. He reached out to stop her from wriggling around like an eel.

Li Yue naturally knew why he had stopped her, and her face flushed slightly. She punched him lightly, both embarrassed and annoyed, and yelled, "If you dare wear such a long dress again, I'll strip you naked in public!"

Finally, she tore Yu Wuchen's expensive veil to shreds before they were able to escape.

Yu Wuchen went to change his clothes.

After the absurdity, it was time to get down to business. Li Yue sat cross-legged on the jade couch, eating melon slices while pondering how to bring it up with Yu Wuchen later. This guy was as cunning as a thief; beating around the bush might only arouse his suspicion, so it was better to be direct.

"When did you meet Yun Qian?" After Yu Wuchen returned, Li Yue asked casually, chewing on a fresh, juicy melon.

He sat down beside her, reaching for his silver fork as he casually asked, "When you were expanding trade in Nanfo, what happened?"

"Just asking." Seeing his immediate answer, Li Yue's doubts lessened slightly. Honestly, she didn't want Yu Wuchen to be involved with Yun Qian; she loathed that damned man!

Yu Wuchen used his silver fork to pick up a slice of melon and held it to her lips. Watching her bite into it, his anxiety lessened somewhat.

Why would she suddenly ask this? Had she given herself away somewhere?

He certainly hadn't, so it must be Yun Qian. Hmm, he needed to call him over for a proper talk. After all, the biggest condition for agreeing to cooperate was that Li Yue couldn't know, but now, it seemed she was already suspicious.

"Hey, I know you're well-read. Have you ever heard of something like Moon Gu?" Li Yue turned her head, looking at him with interest.

Yu Wuchen looked into her eyes, his thoughts racing: Should he say he knew or didn't?

Time was of the essence; any further delay could create more openings. He subconsciously shook his head.

Even if he knew Yun Qian, there was no need to tell him about her being afflicted with the Moon Gu. Therefore, it was reasonable for him to say he didn't know.

"Oh." Li Yue was clearly disappointed. She paused, about to say something, when Chu Xiu's tentative voice came from beside her: "Young Master."

"Come in." Yu Wuchen was hoping someone would interrupt the conversation, so he put down his silver fork and looked towards the door.

"Young Master, something has happened at the Shouchun Pavilion. The Master and the Eldest Young Master are at the Feiluan Terrace. Madam wants you to go and handle it," Chu Xiu said.

The so

-called incident at the Shouchun Pavilion was actually: a servant from the manor who was cleaning the courtyard sneaked into Li Yue's room while she was away. Unfortunately, he was caught by Jinlu's men, and then he started shouting.

Looking at the trembling servant, Li Yue strongly suspected that Jin Lu was making a mountain out of a molehill, merely trying to use this incident to call her back after she hadn't returned all night.

"Young Master Yu, Young Master Yu, can you give a reasonable explanation? A servant of the prestigious Yuexiao Manor, sneaking into a room! Have I overestimated the rules of your manor, or underestimated our charm?" Jin Lu looked at Yu Wuchen impatiently, clearly looking for trouble and consumed by jealousy.

He couldn't help it; among so many men, only in front of Yu Wuchen could he not be confident in his appearance, especially since the other possessed an ethereal quality that he absolutely couldn't fake. He'd also heard that Jin Lu was Li Yue's first love.

Who else would he be jealous of but him?!

Yu Wuchen secretly sized up the servant before him. The manor's rules were extremely strict; if he were just an ordinary servant, he wouldn't dare sneak into a guest's room, let alone in the Shouchun Pavilion.

If it wasn't voluntary, then the question of who sent him arose.

Could it be Yun Qian? The operation against Jinlu will take place in the next couple of days. Should he send someone to scout ahead first?

Even if he were, he would never be caught red-handed by Jinlu's men; otherwise, wouldn't that alert the enemy?

Moreover, after scrutinizing the servant from head to toe, Yu Wuchen was certain he didn't know martial arts. Why would Yun Qian send someone who didn't know martial arts to spy?

Having ruled out Yun Qian as a suspect, he saw no need to protect this person, regardless of who sent him. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "The rules of the manor are indeed very strict. I don't know who instructed this fellow to dare to impersonate a manor resident and sneak in. Since Your Highness has caught him red-handed, please interrogate him as you see fit. I, Yu, will not tolerate this."

Jinlu felt a surge of anger rising within him, unable to vent his frustration. He immediately turned to Li Shi, who was standing to the side, and said, "Since Young Master Yu says so, Li Shi, drag him away. Even if it means skinning him alive or gouging out his eyes, we must find out who sent him."

Li Shi obeyed and took the servant away.

"Does Your Highness have anything else? If not, I'll take my leave," Yu Wuchen said amiably.

Li Yue rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

"Please go ahead," Jinlu said, annoyed and angry.

Yu Wuchen indeed left gracefully, and Li Yue followed, getting up to leave.

"Sister Yue, where are you going?" Jinlu suppressed his earlier impatience, instantly switching to his invincible, doe-like eyes, and took two steps forward, grabbing Li Yue's sleeve.

Li Yue brushed his hand away, saying, "Just wait for your father to pass away and inherit the throne. I'm going to see my friend who's been afflicted by the Moon Gu." Although she understood his predicament, she couldn't remain indifferent, thinking of the pain Murong Juan had endured when the Moon Gu flared up.

Even though she knew Murong Juan wasn't afflicted by him, if he hadn't developed this harmful substance, this troublesome situation wouldn't have occurred. Therefore, Li Yue remained resentful that he refused to provide the antidote.

“Sister Yue, you resent me.” Jinlu tugged at her sleeve again.

What did she mean by resentment? It meant she was torn between two equally dear friends, unable to choose.

Biting her lip, she turned and looked at Jinlu, saying, “I want some peace and quiet for a while.”

…

She left the Soochun Pavilion under Jinlu’s mournful gaze. At the entrance, she hesitated for a moment, unsure where to go first.

Yu Wuchen didn’t deny knowing Yun Qian, but claimed ignorance of the Moon Gu technique, clearly trying to distance himself from any deeper relationship with Yun Qian beyond mere acquaintance.

She didn’t want to doubt him, but instinct was beyond her control.

Yun Qian had come here, not showing herself anywhere, yet she had encountered her on that secluded path leading to the Linfeng Pavilion late at night.

What should she think? Was it necessary to visit so late, so discreetly, when they were just ordinary acquaintances?

After hesitating for a while, she decided to go to the Yuming Pavilion to find Su Yingge, hoping to get more detailed information about Yun Qian from him.

She noticed something amiss as soon as she reached the Jade Tea Pavilion; the guards Yan Huang had brought were gone.

A bad feeling rose in her heart, and she rushed into the pavilion, only to find it deserted, with only a group of servants cleaning the rooms.

Grabbing one of them to ask, she learned that Yan Huang and Murong Juan had left Yuexiao Manor an hour earlier, and they didn't know why. She

went to Su Yingge's room, but didn't see a soul there either.

Somewhat dazed, she leaned against the doorframe of Su Yingge's room, her mind in turmoil.

What could have made them leave in such a hurry without a word?

It must be something important, but she hadn't heard a thing. Had she been so busy flitting between these men these past two days that she was oblivious?

Going outside to check, she saw that it was almost evening, and the arena competition on the Flying Phoenix Platform should be over by now.

Without a word, she immediately went to find Ye Qianxun.

*

Night, Linfeng Pavilion.

"We can't make a move on Mount Jiuhua." Yu Wuchen sat on the jade couch, his eyes unwavering as he spoke to Yun Qian, who stood by the window, exuding charm.

Yun Qian's slender fingers traced the window frame as she looked up at the moon. "Are you backing out at the last minute?" she asked.

"I went to the Soochun Pavilion today. His spies are everywhere. He must have already discovered our plan and is on high alert," Yu Wuchen said calmly, leaning back on the jade couch.

"Spying and on high alert, yet he summoned you just because of a lowly servant? I'm more inclined to believe he's bluffing," Yun Qian said.

"I don't care if he's bluffing or not. In short, this plan is canceled," Yu Wuchen said, tossing down the book in his hand.

Yun Qian turned around, a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes. "I don't like people who go back on their word."

"I also don't like people who are careless," Yu Wuchen said, raising his eyes to meet hers.

Yun Qian paused for a moment, then laughed again: "What, she's become suspicious?"

Yu Wuchen looked at him, silent.

"What's a man's greatest enemy? A beautiful and overly intelligent woman. Yu Wuchen, you're doomed." Yun Qian's tone carried a hint of mockery.

"That's none of your business." Yu Wuchen's tone remained indifferent, showing no emotion.

Yun Qian's eyes darted around, "If she knew who the real culprit was who poisoned Su Tingsong, I wonder what she would think."

Yu Wuchen glanced at him, unfazed: "She'd probably believe me more than you."

Yun Qian stared at him, one hand resting on the window frame, her long fingers lightly tapping.

Yu Wuchen leaned back on the jade couch, watching him calmly.

This was a psychological battle; whoever showed signs of defeat first would lose.

Would Li Yue really believe Yu Wuchen more than Yun Qian?

No, she wouldn't believe anyone; she only believed the facts.

Was Yu Wuchen really not afraid that Yun Qian would betray him? Of course he was afraid. Once Li Yue became suspicious, she wouldn't give up until she got to the bottom of it. The reason he pretended not to be afraid was simply because he knew Li Yue's personality, while Yun Qian didn't.

The process was thrilling, but the outcome was undeniable: he won.

"Alright, as you wish," Yun Qian said, turning and walking towards the door.

This was his territory. Without his assistance, he had absolutely no chance of succeeding, and besides… compared to capturing Jinlu for the antidote, he seemed to have thought of a better way.

*

Ye Qianxun had absolutely no clue as to why Yan Huang and Murong Juan had suddenly left. Now Li Yue was even more worried. Ye Qianxun's alliance with the Murong family hadn't been severed, yet he hadn't received any news. That meant this was not only a major event, but a sudden and significant one.

What could a sudden and significant event be? Could she be overthinking it?

As the Palace Master of the Blood Shadow Palace, Ye Qianxun also keenly sensed the unusual nature of the matter and immediately sent people to investigate.

After failing to get an answer from Ye Qianxun, Li Yue was still unwilling to give up and thought of going to Jinlu to inquire about the situation. Before she even reached the Shouchun Pavilion, she was blocked in her way.

She looked up and saw Guan Du, who hadn't shown himself since arriving at Yuexiao Manor.

"Three days ago, Prince Chen of Dongyi led troops to force the palace in a coup. Yong'an is in dire straits, and the Empress Dowager's situation is precarious," he said, speaking when no one was around.

Li Yue was startled. "Is the news true?"

Guan Du nodded and said, "Prince Chen, Pei Bangqing's intentions are unclear. Yan Huang's return to the country is uncertain."

"Is the news true?" Li Yue was clearly confused, asking the same question twice.

Guan Du looked at her for a long time, then sighed softly and said, "I brought some men with me to Jiuhua Mountain this time. If you want to go to Dongyi, have them escort you."

Li Yue turned around, reaching out to grab a willow branch beside her, her heart conflicted.

Going meant facing the Empress Dowager of Dongyi. She was tormented by the thought of not going, worried about Yan Huang and Murong Juan.

"If you decide to go, just go down the mountain; they'll follow you," Guan Du said, turning to leave, wanting to give her some time to consider. Unexpectedly, Li Yue suddenly called out to him, asking, "Should I...should I go?"

Guan Du turned to look at her. She was unlike anyone before, so helpless and lost, like a child lost in the darkness.

A warmth rose in Guan Du's heart. At this moment, she thought of asking for his opinion, undoubtedly treating him as a trustworthy elder.

"Since you're conflicted, it proves you can't let go. Would you have hesitated to move forward because of something in the past? I think not. Therefore, this matter seems particularly special and important, at least for you now. Will putting this matter aside make you feel at ease?" Guan Du said quietly.

Li Yue's confused gaze gradually cleared, and her hand, gripping the willow branch, clenched into a fist.

Yes, she shouldn't be afraid, because she had a clear conscience. Even if she were to be afraid, it should be of those who felt guilty.

She wanted to protect those she cared about, no matter what awaited her ahead. Since she couldn't let go of her conscience, she could only charge forward.

She didn't want to reveal her true identity; Jinlu, Ye Qianxun, and Yu Wuchen didn't know it. Therefore, borrowing the forces of the Xi King's Mansion was the most suitable option.

"Thank you, Adu," Li Yue said sincerely.

"Take care on your journey," Guandu instructed.

Li Yue nodded, turned, and dashed off, disappearing into the hazy night.

*

Despite Li Yue's hurried pace, she still couldn't catch up with Yan Huang and his group, who had set off half a day earlier.

Five or six days later, the early summer rainy season arrived, making the roads muddy and impassable. She had no choice but to stay in the inn and wait for the rain to stop.

Li Yue was extremely frustrated, yet helpless. The damned rain just wouldn't stop, driving Li Yue crazy, when two uninvited guests arrived at the inn—Yu Wuchen and Ye Qianxun.

When they appeared before her, both soaking wet and disheveled, she was momentarily stunned.

It turned out that the day after Li Yue left, Ye Qianxun received the news and, impatient to wait for the various sects to slowly rank themselves in the martial arts competition, jumped onto the stage and shouted, "Anyone who wants to be the martial arts alliance leader, come and have a go!" While

others dared not step forward, Yu Jiuxiao naturally did, only to be defeated by Ye Qianxun in less than a hundred moves.

Just when everyone thought the title of martial arts alliance leader would go to the Blood Shadow Palace this year, Yu Wuchen, the second young master of Yuexiao Manor, who was successful in trade but virtually unknown in the martial arts world, leaped onto the stage with a breathtakingly beautiful movement.

For an entire afternoon, an unprecedented and unparalleled duel between masters captivated the martial arts world, leaving everyone speechless and mesmerized. They forgot to eat and sleep, watching from noon until midnight. Finally, taking advantage of Ye Qianxun's exhaustion, Yu Wuchen feigned an attack and lured him into his trap, winning by a narrow margin. The outcome

caused a sensation throughout the martial arts world.

Yu Jiuxiao, who had been the favorite, was utterly defeated by Ye Qianxun after only a few rounds, while the previously unassuming Yu Wuchen transformed from his ethereal, otherworldly image into that of a first-rate master, fighting Ye Qianxun for thousands of rounds before ultimately winning by a clever strategy.

The moment Yu Wuchen stepped onto the stage, many noticed a look of astonishment on Yu Zhanhua's face, leading to speculation that this unassuming young master might have even deceived his own father.

The birth of a new martial arts alliance leader was somewhat unexpected, but Yuexiao Manor still firmly holds its position as the number one manor in the world.

For Yu Wuchen, his sole purpose in participating in the battle for the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader was to defeat Ye Qianxun.

This man was not only his family's sworn enemy but also his rival in love. Ever since discovering Yu Wuchen and Li Yue's secret rendezvous in the mountain cave that night, Yu Wuchen had harbored a desire to compete with him.

He wanted Li Yue to know that he was not only more handsome than him but also no less skilled in martial arts. As for what Yu Wuchen could do for Li Yue, he could do it too.

Therefore, after their fight, the two rushed to find Li Yue, but unfortunately, their strength seemed too similar; they did almost everything simultaneously. So, to avoid falling behind their opponent, they appeared before Li Yue without even changing their wet clothes.

Seeing the two lively characters still dripping wet, Li Yue was stunned for a full ten seconds before roaring, "What are you doing here?!"

...

Despite Li Yue's reluctance, Ye Qianxun and Yu Wuchen stubbornly stayed.

Although these two, one the number one and the other number two in the martial arts world, certainly provided a sense of security, the thought of what she would face in Dongyi dampened Li Yue's spirits.

On second thought, she decided to let them go; in case of trouble, they might be able to help.

Thus, although Ye Qianxun and Yu Wuchen disliked each other intensely, they remained relatively safe due to Li Yue's domineering presence.

A month and a half later, the group arrived near Yong'an.

Since entering Dongyi, Li Yue had sensed something was amiss. Everything she saw and heard along the way was peaceful and tranquil, unlike anything that had just witnessed chaos. She wondered if the coup had been suppressed, and the surrounding areas hadn't yet reacted, with only those near Yong'an noticing anything amiss?

Yet, the cities surrounding Yong'an remained peaceful and prosperous, without a trace of disorder.

Could Guan Du's information be wrong? But Yan Huang and Murong Juan had indeed left without saying goodbye. What was going on?

Li Yue, along with Ye Qianxun and Yu Wuchen, settled into an inn in Yong'an City, planning to investigate the situation there after dark.

However, shortly after their arrival, a eunuch arrived at the inn with an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, escorted by a large contingent of imperial guards. The edict stated that the Empress Dowager invited Li Yue to the palace.

The Empress Dowager?

If this edict was genuine, it meant that Prince Chen's attempt to seize power had failed and he had been suppressed by the Empress Dowager? Based on her speculation, if Yan Huang was indeed Prince Chen Pei Bangqing's son, Pei Bangqing's rebellion should have implicated Yan Huang. What had become of Yan Huang and Murong Juan?

If the edict was fake, then Pei Bangqing knew she was the Empress Dowager's daughter and wanted to lure her to Yong'an to eliminate her completely.

With their martial arts skills, it would be easy for the three of them to eliminate the imperial guards and escape, but…

Li Yue defied all advice and chose to go to Yong'an alone for the appointment. Before Li Yue,

who intended to establish Empress

Li Yue, left, she instructed Ye Qianxun and Yu Wuchen not to act rashly. But how could these two restless individuals obediently listen? They followed her the moment she left.

Under the cover of night, they stealthily made their way to the outskirts of Yong'an City. Suddenly, Ye Qianxun's subordinates caught up, saying that the Murong family had sent him an urgent letter.

He opened it and saw that the handwriting was flamboyant and powerful. The gist of the letter was that the Empress Dowager was regency and intended to depose the Emperor; Yan Huang had already raised an army in Xiongzhou to counterattack Yong'an;

and Murong Juan, using their alliance, invited him to Xiongzhou to assist Yan Huang in this grand undertaking. Although Ye Qianxun valued integrity, with Li Yue's entry into Yong'an fraught with uncertainty, how could he possibly leave? He immediately ordered his subordinates to go to Xiongzhou to meet Murong Juan, while he continued to follow Yu Wuchen towards Yong'an.

*

Yong'an Imperial Palace, Xuanwu Hall.

"Your Majesty, Xiongzhou is only about 500 li from Yong'an. General Longwei, Hu You'an, disregarded the Emperor's grace and launched a rebellion. Although he used the Emperor's name, you are still the Emperor's mother. This act is disloyal and unfilial, and his heart is worthy of condemnation. In addition, although Yong'an is under martial law, assassinations continue. More than a dozen loyal ministers have died innocently in their homes, and the entire court is in a state of panic. If this continues, I'm afraid that before Hu You'an leads his troops to attack, there will be no one left in the court to advise Your Majesty. I urge Your Majesty to make a decision as soon as possible, eliminate the rebels, cleanse the court, and restore peace to the world." Several old ministers who had relied on the Pei family since the previous dynasty trembled their goatees and knelt in the hall, looking like devoted ministers who would do their utmost to advise the emperor.

Above, Pei Qingyao, dressed in luxurious clothes, sat upright. The series of misfortunes of the past few days had made her eyes gloomy, but her spirit remained unchanged. Any movement or glance from her was enough to make these old men of the previous dynasty tremble.

That's how the women of the Pei family are; the greater the pressure, the straighter their backs. Unless they're dead, no man can make them submit.

Power—what an alluring scepter! Its glory can drag anyone into the abyss of sin.

Eighteen years ago, to secure her position in the palace and protect her family's status, she didn't hesitate to exchange her daughter for her son. Unexpectedly, she trusted a treacherous person who used a substitute, causing her to not recognize her own daughter and miss them for eighteen years.

Eighteen years later, her brother, Pei Bangqing, not content with his son becoming emperor, also wanted to force her to reveal Yan Huang's true identity, changing the surname of the empire from Yan to Pei.

How could she agree? Even though she herself bore the surname Pei, her daughter did not. For her own selfish desires, she had already deprived her daughter of the right to enjoy maternal love; she could not allow herself to be deprived of the pride of being Princess Dongyi as well.

Pei Bangqing had been plotting for a long time, but he dared not act rashly while Yan Huang was in the palace, fearing that if he forced Yan Huang to abdicate, she would control him. Therefore, taking advantage of Yan Huang's departure from the palace to Xiwu, he launched a coup, hoping that when Yan Huang returned, she would hand him a Pei-surname Dongyi and news that her biological father was still alive.

However, he did not know that even if he had not acted so hastily, even if he had been well-prepared, he would have been doomed to failure.

What made Pei Qingyao stand out in the late emperor's harem and eventually become the Empress Dowager? It wasn't just the son she gained, but more importantly, her intelligence and methods.

Except for the matter of her daughter, where she was blinded by concern, overestimated You Shi's loyalty and underestimated her courage, leading to the tragedy of mother and daughter being separated, she had never failed in anything in her life.

After the late emperor's death, she worried that Pei Bangqing might one day succumb to the temptation of power and rebel. Therefore, she planted her own spy by his side early on—none other than Pei Bangqing's wife, the person who could most easily lower Pei Bangqing's guard.

As for why Madam Pei was willing to betray her husband and become completely obedient to Pei Qingyao, the reason was simple: Yan Huang was in her hands.

As a woman with overwhelming maternal instincts, her son held far more weight in her heart than her once-loving husband. A mother would stop at nothing to ensure her son's safety.

As for Yan Huang, she had long seen that beneath his gentle exterior lay a heart of ruthlessness no less than his father's, perhaps even surpassing it.

She knew he was secretly cultivating his own power, but because he was always under her watchful eye, she let him do as he pleased. After all, he was her nephew and the current emperor. If he truly lacked ambition and was merely a figurehead, she might even question the reliability of the Yan family's empire in his hands.

But she hadn't expected that he would be able to secretly persuade Hu Youan to join him, even though Hu Youan was someone she had personally helped to rise to power.

And then there was Murong Juan of the Murong family, who, despite being afflicted by the Moon Gu, dared to betray her again—he was willing to risk his life for Yan Huang's power grab.

She knew Yan Huang hadn't originally intended to launch such a hasty uprising; his patience far surpassed that of his biological father, Pei Bangqing. However, Pei Bangqing's coup had triggered a nerve. Although he was unaware of his own origins, he should know his mother, the Empress Dowager, very well. He knew that after Pei Bangqing's actions, she would be on her guard, and if he wanted to lie low and wait for an opportunity, he didn't know how long it would take. Therefore,

he decided to gamble everything and fight a desperate battle. His usual cautious and meticulous approach was likely fueled by a sliver of hope. He believed he was her only son, and he gambled that she wouldn't kill her only son for power.

But what he didn't know was that he wasn't her son at all. He claimed to want to preserve the Yan family lineage for his ancestors, but his ancestors' surname was Pei, not Yan.

She had only wanted to live peacefully. Although he wasn't her biological son, he was still her nephew and the adopted son she had raised for many years. Suppressing him was meant to toughen him up; she would eventually die before him, and she couldn't take power with her.

And perhaps she wouldn't even have to wait until her death. Perhaps she could find her biological daughter, find her a good husband and happiness, and have a grandchild to hold. She might relinquish power then, as long as he doesn't harm her daughter.

Now, he has truly risen up and rebelled, but she is bewildered.

Not being her own child, no matter how deep the affection, there is still a barrier.

It was at this moment that a bold idea, unprecedented in its kind, sprouted in her mind.

Depose Yan Huang and install her biological daughter as the first female emperor in the history of Dongyi? She would personally assist her, granting her absolute power and allowing her to enjoy all the riches and honors, giving her whatever she desired, to compensate for the eighteen years of neglect she had caused her.

If she wanted to, she had the ability.

"...Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager..." Lost in thought, she was startled awake by the tentative calls of several old ministers.

"I have my own plans for this matter. You may all leave now." Having received news of Li Yue's presence in Yong'an City that morning, she had already sent someone to invite her. If the journey hadn't been delayed, she should be arriving soon. Thinking of her impending meeting her biological daughter, and recalling the suffering she had endured in the palace due to

a series of unfortunate events, she felt both excited and apprehensive. She had no time to waste with these old ministers and waved them away. Although the old ministers received no reply, seeing the Empress Dowager dismiss them, they dared not linger and left with long faces.

Pei Qingyao sighed, thinking that if it weren't for Pei Yanxi's disappearance, and the subsequent investigation into everyone she had met and everything she had done in the past six months in order to find her, which led her to Changhuai County by chance, where she learned of a courtesan named Qin Susu who resembled Pei Yanxi, and that Qin Susu had a daughter named Mo Liyue, and considering Liyue's eyebrows and sideburns that resembled the late Emperor's, as well as the tattoo on her right shoulder… who knows how much longer it would have taken for mother and daughter to recognize each other.

She was a courtesan, and her daughter had been raised by one. Over the years, she must have suffered countless hardships to forge such a hardened and resolute character. The

thought always pained her.

The price of her inflated lust for power should be paid by her, not by her daughter.

She had to make it up to her; from this moment on, she would do everything in her power to repay her.

"Empress Dowager, Miss Qin has arrived," Wu Jia announced softly as she entered from outside the palace gates.

Pei Qingyao paused, then checked her clothes for neatness and cleanliness. She adjusted her hairpins, hurried down the steps, and stood in the hall, asking Wu Jia, "Is everything alright?"

Although Wu Jia was Pei Qingyao's confidante, she was unaware of the matter concerning Li Yue. Seeing the Empress Dowager taking such a serious matter for a mere young woman, Pei Qingyao was somewhat puzzled, but still said, "Your Majesty's appearance is impeccable."

Pei Qingyao composed herself and said in a deep voice, "All of you, step back and invite her in. Close the palace doors."

The palace maids and eunuchs who had been standing in the hall responded in unison and, along with Wu Jia, withdrew from the hall.

*

Inside the palace, beneath the lush walls outside Xuanwu Hall. Yu Wuchen

arrived first, hiding atop the canopy of the tallest phoenix tree, watching Li Yue enter the hall alone, and then the doors closed.

Ye Qianxun, standing behind a banana tree not far from the tree, also saw this. Looking up at Yu Wuchen, who had occupied the perfect observation point, he felt displeased. He quietly approached the tree, drew his Sun and Moon Scimitar, and silently began cutting the trunk.

Yu Wuchen quickly realized he was unsteady and landed lightly, just in time to see Ye Qianxun pull the Sun and Moon Scimitar from the tree trunk. He was instantly enraged, glaring at Ye Qianxun and whispering, "Don't you have any sense of public decency?!"

Although Ye Qianxun greatly admired Yu Wuchen's martial arts, he still harbored resentment over Yu Wuchen's cunning victory at the martial arts tournament. Hearing this, he replied indifferently, "You did, you were peeping!"

Yu Wuchen felt a tightness in his chest from Ye Qianxun's words. For some reason, being ridiculed seemed to particularly irritate him. After a long pause, he managed to utter, "The pot calling the kettle black, I despise you!"

Ye Qianxun didn't reply, only staring at the hem of Yu Wuchen's clothes as if he were looking at a pile of dog excrement. Yu Wuchen couldn't help but seriously suspect that there was something dirty on the hem of his clothes.

Just as he looked down, Ye Qianxun suddenly delivered a lightning-fast kick, sending him flying out of the bushes.

The Imperial Guards reacted with lightning speed, immediately noticing the commotion and rushing towards the scene while sounding the assassin alarm.

Yu Wuchen, exposed by the trap, angrily rushed back into the bushes, only to find Ye Qianxun nowhere to be seen. Looking back at the guards so close, he realized that if he caused trouble alone, he would inevitably be punished by Li Yue later.

He immediately fled without regard for his image.

*

Inside Xuanwu Hall.

Pei Qingyao and Li Yue stood facing each other. Having learned the truth, both were somewhat absent-minded upon meeting again. They stared at each other for a long time without speaking, until the alarm outside, signaling the capture of the assassin, jolted them out of their reverie.

They simultaneously averted their gazes, their actions and expressions identical.

Li Yue was somewhat flustered. She had thought she could face her calmly, but that brief eye contact had successfully dispelled the last vestige of doubt in her mind regarding her origins.

She, the Empress Dowager Dongyi, was indeed her mother. Otherwise, she wouldn't have looked at her with that... that look of sorrow, excitement, and deep affection.

Her mother... her biological mother...

why did she feel a bittersweet feeling in her heart...?

Pei Qingyao was initially unsure how to begin, but seeing Li Yue's expression, she knew she was aware of her origins. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to be direct: "Your original name should be Yan Xi. I am your mother."

Although her tone contained a hint of probing and guilt, it seemed more like a matter of course.

This immediately ignited Li Yue's rebellious spirit.

Eighteen years, mother and daughter separated by vast distances, how could she so readily claim to be her mother?

The bitterness and sorrow that had been churning in her heart were instantly replaced by resentment and anger. Li Yue raised her eyes and said coldly, "My name is Qin Li Yue, and my mother's name is Qin Su Su."

Pei Qingyao was taken aback by her cold and unyielding attitude, which seemed to indicate no intention of acknowledging kinship. She then felt somewhat embarrassed and changed the subject, saying, "I know you've suffered all these years. It's understandable that you hate or resent me. Let's sit down and talk..." After looking around, she stopped speaking, beginning to hate the layout of this grand hall for the first time.

The place was spacious and resplendent with gold, but there were no chairs, except for the one at the very top.

"Your Majesty, there's no need to be so polite. I've come here only to know one thing: how are Yan Huang and Murong Juan doing now?" Li Yue interrupted her unease.

Pei Qingyao looked up at her and asked, "What is your relationship with Yan Huang?"

"You should know better than I do," Li Yue replied, averting her gaze. She didn't want to see the sorrow in Pei Qingyao's eyes, the kind of unrecognizable sadness that tormented her.

"That's right, you are indeed cousins. I'm asking about anything beyond that relationship." Li Yue's avoidance gave Pei Qingyao a glimmer of hope in her already dejected heart. She stared at her.

"What exactly do you mean? Just say it." Li Yue looked at the lifelike bronze crane on the steps to her right, feeling inexplicably agitated.

"Yan Xi, come back. I'll help you become Empress. Only if you take over the Yan family's empire can I feel at ease." Pei Qingyao looked at her hopefully.

Li Yue froze, then abruptly turned to look at Pei Qingyao. Her eyes shone not with surprise, joy, or disbelief, but with genuine anger!

"Eighteen years ago, you removed Yan Huang and me from our respective positions, replacing us with new identities and new fates. Did you consult us then? Now, because you are dissatisfied with Yan Huang and feel guilty towards me, you suddenly want to put us back in our places. Do you think we will cooperate with you as we did eighteen years ago? Since you only care about power and yourself, why did you become a mother? What gives you the right to think that as a mother and Empress Dowager, you can arbitrarily overturn other people's fates?!" Li Yue could not control her emotions, and her impassioned tone echoed forcefully in the empty hall.

Seeing her strong reaction, Pei Qingyao became anxious and argued, "How could I only think of power and myself? Back then, it was a helpless act. The late emperor's early death was a foregone conclusion. If I had no son to inherit the throne, once the empress ascended the throne, my Pei clan would surely be exterminated. At that time, whether it was me, you, or Yan Huang, we would all become victims of someone else's blade. Not wanting to sit and wait for death, the only option was to use any means necessary, disregard fairness, and strike first. For so many years, I thought Pei Yanxi was you, showering her with affection and care. I always thought..." "You're the one I cherish most. As my mother, you are my only daughter, my only child in this life. Who else could I have in my heart but you? Even my insistence on wielding absolute power is for your better protection. Your father passed away early. As a woman, how easy is it to gain a foothold in a court that has always been dominated by men? But I can't back down. If I back down, who will protect my daughter? It's just that we were plotted against by treacherous people, and we were separated for eighteen years before we were finally reunited. Why... why do you reject me like this?" Tears welled up in her eyes.

Hearing her words, Li Yue felt as if needles were piercing her heart, and her vision blurred. She bit her lip, forcing back her tears, and said, "Perhaps the replacement of Yan Huang was a last resort, but since it happened, why reveal the truth? You've kept it a secret for eighteen years; what's wrong with keeping it a secret forever? Yan Huang was never born wanting to change his surname to Yan, never wanting to be emperor. You put him on the throne and made him worship the Yan ancestors, making him believe that the blood of the Yan clan flowed in his veins. This surname has become an innate pride, ingrained in his life. His mind is filled with thoughts of how to revitalize the Yan clan and preserve the Yan dynasty. For this, he even included his biological father, Prince Chen, in the ranks of enemies. Once the truth is revealed, all his eighteen years of persistence and belief will be overturned, tantamount to telling him that everything he has done in his life was wrong, meaningless. How can you expect him to bear this? You've ruined his life, but what wrong has he done? What innocence has he committed?!"

"I can't care about others, I only care about your future!" Pei Qingyao became agitated, her motherly tears now tinged with her characteristic coldness. "He's a wolf, a tiger. I've kept him locked up for eighteen years and still can't control his wildness. Who knows what he'll become after I'm gone? Perhaps he has feelings for you now, making you risk everything for him, but he grew up in the palace, sitting on the throne. He's used to being an emperor, and his thoughts and actions are all from an emperor's perspective. An emperor means he'll have countless concubines and palaces. A few years ago, when I still thought of Pei Yanxi as you, I wanted to marry you to him and make you empress, so I could keep you in check in the harem. But you..." "It will be painful. But now I've changed my mind. I've spent half my life fighting with those women in the palace, and I'm already exhausted and fed up. I don't want my daughter to follow in my footsteps. The only way to ensure your happiness is to let you decline and seize power, to make you so powerful that everyone has to bow down to you, so that you don't have to fight for a man's favor but instead have men fight for yours. Only then can I die in peace."

Li Yue looked at her, her emotions overflowing, and said after a long while, "If you really care about me, then treat Yan Huang as your own son. Give him everything you want to give me. If you're afraid he'll have many concubines and treat me badly, then I won't marry him. If you're afraid he'll harm me, then I'll never set foot in Dongyi again!"

"Never set foot there again... For him, you can even abandon me?" Pei Qingyao's eyes were filled with shock and sorrow.

"You don't need me anyway." Li Yue turned her face away.

"Of course I need you, I'm your mother!" After saying this for a long time, seeing that Li Yue was still unmoved, Pei Qingyao became somewhat hysterical.

"I have a mother, her name is Qin Susu!" Li Yue raised her head and shouted at Pei Qingyao.

Pei Qingyao froze, then retorted angrily, "I won't allow you to call that woman your mother! She's a prostitute, she doesn't deserve to be your mother!"

"She doesn't deserve it, then who does? You?" Li Yue usually narrowed her eyes when she was angry, but she couldn't now, because her eyes were full of tears, which would slip away if she closed them. So she forced a stiff expression and said, word by word, "Let me tell you whether she deserves it or not. When I was four, to keep me from starving and freezing, she gave up her usual principles and dignity and started taking clients every night like other prostitutes. When I was five, she used the money she had saved to buy herself a place in the

prostitutes and took me to find my father. She said that even if she couldn't give me a complete family, she should at least give me a normal living environment so that I wouldn't end up like her. When we were traveling, she carried me in her arms, her feet covered in blisters. When the wind and rain were raging, she wrapped me in her arms, her own body soaked through." But I still caught a cold and had a fever. She cried and apologized, saying she hadn't taken good care of me. Her

last bit of money was used up on my medical treatment, and her search for her husband was over.

She was young and beautiful then, and many people didn't even mind that she had me as a burden; they were willing to take her as a concubine so she would have no worries about food and clothing. She refused them all, saying she didn't want to let my father down, but I knew she was just afraid I would be bullied if I remarried with her.

I wanted to eat hawthorn berries, but we had no money to buy them, so she went into the mountains early in the morning to pick them, getting scratched all over by branches and wild grass, but she still happily brought back a bagful for me.

I wanted new clothes, so she washed clothes for others to earn money. To save money to buy me cloth and clothes, she couldn't even afford to buy herself food, and she lied to me, saying that people were providing meals, and ended up developing stomach problems from hunger…

…

The hall was silent, only Li Yue's slightly choked voice slowly dissipated in the air, recounting memories that seemed like a past life. Unconsciously, tears were already streaming down her face.

As Pei Qingyao listened, her previously sinister and angry expression gradually calmed, replaced by an indescribable mix of complex and shocking emotions.

"...When I was six, I killed someone, and she took the blame for me. Even on her deathbed, she apologized, saying she gave birth to me but couldn't raise me to adulthood, begging for my forgiveness...

In my eyes, she was nobody; she was just a mother. She nurtured and warmed me with her not-so-strong arms, giving me everything she could, even her life. Her love is the pillar of my life. No matter who I am, no matter what hardships I encounter, I will always remember that there was once someone in this world who gave everything for my love, including her life. That person is my mother, Qin Susu.

You say she doesn't deserve to be my mother, then who does?" Li Yue finished speaking and then stared intently at Pei Qingyao.

The main text is a shocking piece of bad news

. On the side of the solemn and towering dragon-head eaves of the Qin Zheng Hall, which is backlit, Yu Wuchen lay on the cool and smooth glazed tiles, his arms behind his head, leisurely looking at the crescent moon in the sky, chewing on sweet and fragrant candied lotus seeds.

Not far from the hall, Ye Qianxun perched on a treetop, gazing at the imperial guards patrolling the Xuanwu Hall with torches. Looking back at Yu Wuchen, who lay leisurely on the roof, he couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Aside from his martial arts skills, he seemed unlike anyone else in the martial arts world. And although he had competed with him for the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader, Yu Wuchen clearly didn't care about the crown. One indication of this was that after the tournament to determine the leader, there was a coronation ceremony immediately following. As Yu Zhanhua's son, he couldn't possibly be unaware of this, yet he completely disregarded it. After the fight, Yu Wuchen left, and so did Ye Qianxun.

It seemed that his goal was more about defeating him than obtaining the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader.

Thinking of this, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Ye Qianxun. He remembered that during their fight, Yu Wuchen's palm had bled, but he hadn't injured it. Could it be that the bloodstains left outside the cave that night were his?

If it were him…

Before he could figure it out, an unusual clash of swords drew his attention. He turned to see chaos in front of Xuanwu Hall. The Imperial Guards who had been searching for them were now locked in a fierce battle with men in black who had appeared out of nowhere.

The silent intruders were clearly superior in combat; nearly half of the hundred Imperial Guards fell in no time. In the chaos, someone blew the alarm whistle, and torches from all directions converged like dragons in the darkness, centered on Xuanwu Hall.

But at that moment, several intruders emerged from the blood-soaked path to the gates of Xuanwu Hall.

Ye Qianxun and Yu Wuchen rose almost simultaneously and sped towards them like lightning.

Seeing two more arrive, the Imperial Guards immediately split up to deal with them. Those who could guard the Empress Dowager were no ordinary men; while they weren't a match for Yu Wuchen and Ye Qianxun, they slowed them down. The two women watched helplessly as five or six figures pushed open the gates of Xuanwu Hall and entered amidst the flickering light.

The sounds of fighting outside had already alerted Pei Qingyao and Li Yue inside. However, having already heard cries for the assassins outside, and being fearless themselves, neither showed any panic. It wasn't until someone pushed open the hall door and a strong stench of blood assaulted their nostrils that Pei Qingyao, facing the door, showed a hint of surprise.

Li Yue, seeing this, assumed she was incredulous that anyone would dare to break in, but when she turned around, she too was stunned.

Wearing a silver dragon robe and a black jade belt, his flamboyant black hair and imposing aura blurred his once gentle features with a hint of wind and thunder, exuding a solemn and sharp kingly aura that made people tremble involuntarily, wanting to kneel at his feet and beg for forgiveness.

He walked out of the night, stepping on blood, as calm and composed as when he stepped onto the imperial palace. Li Yue had never seen Yan Huang like this before. Behind him were four or five agile and composed experts, the one on his right with a slightly pale face was clearly Murong Juan. Pushing open the palace door, Yan Huang and Murong Juan were obviously stunned to see Li Yue in addition to Pei Qingyao. In that moment of surprise, two corpses crashed into the palace from outside, the whooshing sound causing Yan Huang and his group to instinctively dodge. Two figures, one in black and one in white, immediately flashed into the palace, standing like the Black and White Impermanence on either side of the palace door, none other than Ye Qianxun and Yu Wuchen. The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Tonight, Xuanwu Hall was certainly bustling. Yu Wuchen, clad in snow-white robes, seemed untouched by worldly dust, yet his face lacked this self-cleaning ability. Two specks of blood splattered on his jade-like cheeks, like red plum blossoms blooming in the snow—exquisitely beautiful. He, however, felt utter disgust, observing the situation within the hall while constantly wiping his face with a handkerchief. Outside the hall, guards swarmed at the entrance. Many only now realized that the intruder was none other than His Majesty the Emperor. With the Emperor and Empress Dowager inside, these armed guards dared not enter without orders. "All of you, retreat!" After a brief silence, Pei Qingyao shouted sharply. The guards outside, hearing this, meekly retreated to a distance. "Good, very good. It seems I underestimated you after all," Pei Qingyao said, looking at Yan Huang, each word distinct. Yan Huang remained silent, his probing gaze falling on Li Yue, who stood to the side. Li Yue also looked at him; the situation tonight was giving her a headache. Just then, Pei Qingyao, who was already very close to Li Yue, suddenly swayed, grabbed Li Yue, and pressed a gleaming short blade against her neck, shouting, "Everyone except the Emperor, get out!" Ye Qianxun, Yu Wuchen, and Murong Juan were all startled. They wanted to rescue her, but seeing that Li Yue's hands were free, they figured she could easily resist, yet she showed no sign of resistance. Unable to figure out what was going on, they dared not act rashly. Yan Huang's gaze shifted to Pei Qingyao's face. After a moment, he turned to Murong Juan and his party, saying, "You all step back." Murong Juan looked at Li Yue. Li Yue hadn't made any move or uttered a single word throughout. Her dark eyes simply swept across the faces of Murong Juan, Ye Qianxun, and Yu Wuchen. Without further hesitation, the three turned and left the Xuanwu Hall. The hall doors closed again, leaving only Pei Qingyao, Li Yue, and Yan Huang inside. Yan Huang, his initial intimidating aura gone, stepped forward, bowed respectfully with a composed posture and gentle expression, and said, "Mother, this matter between us has nothing to do with her. Please release her." Pei Qingyao remained unmoved, only coldly saying, "Don't come any closer! Mother? Hmph, you come to pay your respects to me with the blood of your mother's guards stained on your feet?" "I came to pay my respects to Mother, and I never intended to draw my sword, but since swords are placed before me, I have no choice but to block them," Yan Huang said obediently. "You thought of coming back to see me before you acted, which shows your thoughtfulness, but..." Pei Qingyao glanced at Li Yue, whom she held in her arms, and said, "Now, what do you plan to do?" Yan Huang looked at Li Yue, and Li Yue looked back at him. From the moment Pei Qingyao attacked her, she had guessed her intentions, and now she was very worried that Yan Huang would say or do the wrong thing. Yan Huang shifted his gaze to Pei Qingyao and said, "I wonder what Mother Empress wants to exchange her for?" Pei Qingyao sneered and said, "I'd like to know what you can exchange her for. Why do n't you tell me yourself?" Yan Huang's expression was calm as he slowly said, "I know very well what I'm doing right now, but Mother Empress seems less so. Tonight, I've used the palace tunnels, which were completed over a year ago, to come here for the first time. I'm not trying to force you to abdicate, nor am I trying to coerce you. Power is in your hands, and you insist on not giving it to me. Would I kill my own mother? In the past month or so, I've done many things and killed many people. I've come here tonight simply to prove to you that I am not..." "You're not a fool, but a good-for-nothing. Perhaps in your eyes, everything I've done is just petty squabbles, with only one outcome: failure. But that doesn't mean my wisdom and perseverance are much less than yours. It only proves that no matter how much I struggle, in my heart, you are always more important than power, more important than the empire. My life was given to me by you. Even if I kill the whole world, even if I kill myself, I cannot kill you, my mother. Tonight, I came here, prepared to accept whatever the outcome. But you shouldn't have, you shouldn't have captured her." At this point, a cold glint flashed from his sleeve, and a finely crafted dagger appeared in his hand. "Besides this life, which I can use to exchange, everything else is yours. Mother, is this what you're trading?" He pressed the dagger against his neck without hesitation. "You're really willing to die for her?" Pei Qingyao asked angrily.

“If she lives, I don’t want to die; if she dies, I don’t want to live either. Mother, you choose.” He never joked, and although the current situation seemed unbelievable, Pei Qingyao knew he was serious.

After a long while, she suddenly laughed and said, “What a touching love.” Then she released Li Yue.

Yan Huang strode to Li Yue’s side, but before he could make a move, Pei Qingyao said, “If you can marry her as your empress and promise never to take another concubine besides her, I will retire to the inner palace and let you rule in your own right. What do you say?”

Yan Huang was stunned, and Li Yue looked at her in surprise.

Pei Qingyao and Li Yue looked at each other. Yes, she could agree to Li Yue’s request—not to tell Yan Huang the truth about his origins. However, in return, she also offered Li Yue her condition: stay in Dongyi, stay by her side. As long as she married Yan Huang, she would still call her Empress Dowager.

Yan Huang snapped out of his daze, not rushing to confirm with Pei Qingyao whether her words held true, only saying, "Mother, your request is nothing to me, but I need to consult her first." He looked at Li Yue.

Li Yue was experiencing firsthand the ruthlessness of her own mother for the first time.

Just before Yan Huang arrived, the two of them had been arguing fiercely in the palace about whether or not to reveal their true parentage. Now, all the controversy was over, and Pei Qingyao had directly given her the choice.

To marry, or not to marry? To reveal the truth, or not to reveal it?

Li Yue struggled internally. She dared not turn to meet Yan Huang's gaze, fearing he would see through her, even though he might already sense something amiss.

"Miss Qin, are you willing?" Pei Qingyao asked calmly and opportunely.

Li Yue quickly cleared her mind of the chaotic thoughts, simplifying the matter as much as possible. To marry Yan Huang, or to cause him unbearable pain. A choice between the two—how to choose?

The answer was undoubtedly yes.

She smiled slightly, glanced at Yan Huang standing beside her, and replied to Pei Qingyao, "Of course I'm willing."

*

On the very day Li Yue agreed to marry Yan Huang, Emperor Huangfu Zaichun of Xiwu dispatched troops to attack Prince Xi, Huangfu Jue, on charges of treason. When the imperial army arrived at Zhuwu Gate, they found the Prince Xi's residence deserted. Xiwu was thrown into turmoil and chaos.

That very night, devastating news spread throughout the Three Kingdoms.

Li Yue was getting married! To Yan Huang!

This news, once announced by the Dongyi court through an imperial edict, quickly spread throughout the land in various ways.

Ye Qianxun didn't believe it, Yu Wuchen was stunned. Murong Juanyue's Gu poison flared up, and Su Yingge, who happened to be bringing him medicine, poured the entire bowl of medicine on him. Jinlu, who had learned that Liyue was trapped in the Dongyi Imperial Palace, was preparing to send a large army to force Dongyi to release her. Upon hearing the bad news, his hand trembled, and the jade military tally shattered on the ground. As for Huangfu Jue... his whereabouts were unknown, so

it was unclear whether he had received the news. For a time, the men in Yong'an, except for Murong Juanyue, treated the walls of the Dongyi Imperial Palace as their own, going in and out countless times throughout the day, searching everywhere for Liyue. But the culprit who had caused so much trouble had disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead.

The men were anxious all day. As evening approached, a servant came to invite them, saying that a young lady surnamed Qin was inviting them to drink at a tavern next to the waterwheel in the ancient city.

Upon hearing this, the men rushed there like lightning, and sure enough, Liyue was already in the tavern.

Seeing that not only were the three handsome men present last time, but also a new face who was just as good-looking, Mo Ling suppressed the urge to have a nosebleed, served the food and wine to the group as Li Yue had asked, and then went to the backyard to calm down.

After Ye Qianxun and the others arrived, the tavern closed its doors to customers. The small, dimly lit space was crammed full of several standing men. Li Yue sat at the table, and after a while, when none of them came to sit down, she looked around and said with a carefree smile, "I knew you wouldn't come to my wedding banquet, so I'm hosting you here in advance. What, do you think this place is too simple?"

The fact that she could say such a thing showed that she hadn't been forced to agree to this marriage, and the group was immediately speechless.

At this moment, Murong Juan was the most normal-looking. Hearing this, he stepped forward from the group, walked to the table, and sat down opposite Li Yue.

Li Yue looked at the other three, raised an eyebrow, and said, "You lot, why don't you come over here?

You want to be kicked?" After they slowly sat down, Li Yue poured wine for them one by one, and poured one for herself as well. She raised her glass and said, "I know that you are all more or less unwilling to talk right now, so listen to me. The first glass is to you, those I have loved, those I love now, and those I will love in the future. Thank you for the joy and sorrow you have given me. It is because of these joys and sorrows that I, Qin Li Yue, am Qin Li Yue, and not anyone else." After saying that, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, without looking at their reactions, and then poured herself a second glass of wine.

Raising her head, a bright smile on her face, she said, "Perhaps because I was born in a brothel, I, Qin Liyue, have never known the meaning of fidelity. I only know that if I love, I love, whether it's one person or several. Feelings may vary in depth, but they have no distinction between true and false. I suppose you have all deeply resented my fickleness, at best throwing tantrums, at worst breaking up with me. However, this fickleness is an inherent flaw in my very being, Qin Liyue, and unless I die and decay, I fear I can never change it in this lifetime. But now, finally, someone has forgiven the past and is willing to marry this scourge of mine. So, this second cup is still a toast to you all, congratulations on finally escaping this sea of suffering." She then drank it all in one gulp.

Hearing her words, the men's turbulent emotions gradually subsided, but another strange emotion emerged, leaving them somewhat bewildered and saddened.

Just as Liyue was about to pour the third cup, a knock came at the door. Puzzled, she saw Moling running from the backyard, her eyes asking Liyue if she should open the door.

Li Yue nodded and said, "Open it."

Yan Huang opened the door and walked in with a bright smile. After looking around, he said, "How unfair! Such a grand banquet, and you didn't even invite me?"

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