[Fantasy] The Harem is in Chaos (Complete) - Chapter 23

Chapter 89, A Bloodbath...

When Jinlu saw Jinwei's lewd hand touching Liyue's thigh, a surge of anger rushed to his head. His murderous intent was overwhelming, and he couldn't suppress it. He braced himself on the armrest of his chair to get up, but the thumb ring on his thumb struck the hard wooden armrest with a slight sound, startling him back to reality.

He paused, realizing that Liyue's influence on him had almost reached a point he couldn't control. At this critical moment, he had almost given himself away due to a loss of self-control—something that should never happen to him.

Barely managing to compose himself, he looked at Jinwei with an unprecedentedly cold gaze. Jinwei only needed to raise his head slightly to notice his abnormality, but unfortunately, he had no time to look up.

One hand lingered on Li Yue's firm, smooth thigh, while the other seemingly casually embraced her slender, supple waist. Jin Wei lowered his gaze to the tofu-like fullness half-covered by red silk, his eyes lewd and cold. He lowered his voice and asked, "Whose woman are you?"

Li Yue's gaze didn't even flicker. A bewitching, youthful smile played on her lips. Her slender, jade-like hand provocatively caressed Jin Wei's chest, her voice sweet and soft: "Whoever Your Highness says I belong to, then I belong to that person..." Before she finished speaking, her delicate fingertips suddenly blazed with light. Powerful inner energy instantly materialized into five sharp blades at her fingertips, piercing Jin Wei's chest.

The sticky sound of fingers rubbing against flesh reached his ears. Jin Wei was stunned for a moment, until the guard behind him cried out in alarm, "Your Highness!" Only then did he feel a sharp pain, a pain so intense it felt as if his heart had been ripped out.

Before he could even see the woman's reaction, the guards behind him rushed to his aid. He felt his legs suddenly empty; the woman was nowhere to be seen. He looked up in a daze and found the girl who had just been lying in his arms, smiling sweetly, now standing on the steps not far away. Her left hand, completely stained red with blood, cradled a still-beating heart, and she smiled seductively at him.

Was that…his heart?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when everything went black, and he collapsed onto the table, beginning his unconscious convulsions before death.

The girl who had been dancing like a fairy just moments before had, in the blink of an eye, plunged her hand into the Fifth Prince's chest and ripped out his heart. This unbelievable, dramatic scene stunned everyone in Chong'a Palace, except for Jinlu and her group.

"Kill!" Seeing Li Yue succeed, Jin Lu stood up, flicked her sleeves, and her eight guards split into two groups. One group rushed towards the bewildered guards behind Jin Wei, while the other group attacked the court officials in the hall who had sided with Jin Wei. At the same time, a loud "bang" rang out, and a flash of light appeared outside the window, as if a signal flare had been launched.

The palace coup had officially begun.

Jin Wei's side had many highly skilled martial artists who fought desperately, trying to escape the hall to report the danger. However, as soon as they used their internal energy, they were overcome with excruciating pain and collapsed before the enemy could even make a move.

Jin Lu stood before the dragon throne, a shy and innocent smile on her lips, watching her eight subordinates swiftly and decisively eliminate her political enemies in the hall. For the first time, she felt a sense of satisfaction.

Li Yue offered to help him kill Jin Wei, and he believed she had the ability. However, Jin Wei and his personal guards were no ordinary people, and he didn't want her to risk even the slightest injury. Therefore, he used the same trick again, sprinkling a colorless and odorless volatile poison provided by Su Yingge on the plum blossoms decorating the inner palace. As long as one inhaled the poison's fumes, there would be no harm without using internal energy; however, using internal energy would immediately damage one's meridians.

He and his guards had already taken the antidote, and as for Li Yue, he had already had someone slip the antidote into her lunch. He wasn't deliberately hiding it from her; he simply didn't want her to think he was too scheming, even if it was true.

Therefore, even if Jin Wei had time to react, he was certain he couldn't harm Li Yue.

The once peaceful and harmonious palace was instantly transformed into hell. Ministers fled in terror, crawling and writhing amidst the blood and corpses. Those who had already pledged allegiance to Jinlu quietly stood aside, watching. Those who had betrayed Jinwei were filled with regret, their heart-wrenching pleas for mercy failing to win Jinlu's forgiveness or their lives.

Liyue threw away the heart she held, ripped off her mask, and descended the steps, grabbing the trembling, bewildered Prince Ying, Yuan Qi.

Yuan Qi watched as his ministers were slaughtered like chickens and ducks, the butchers circling around him. He was on edge, fearing the blade would fall on his neck at any moment, his nerves taut. Suddenly, someone grabbed his collar. He naturally assumed it was an assassin, and instantly collapsed, his legs giving way as he knelt, weeping and begging for his life.

Looking at the man kneeling at her feet, weeping and pleading like a dog, Li Yue felt an overwhelming pain in her heart. She grabbed his collar and dragged him out of the hall.

Yuan Qi struggled to lift his head, and when he saw that it was Li Yue dragging him, his face turned ashen.

Outside the hall was nothing like inside. The moon hung high, and the wind was biting cold. On such a night, even wearing the thickest cotton-padded coat would feel cold, yet Li Yue walked out with her head held high, barely clothed.

She didn't feel cold; she only felt pain.

She hadn't even thought of crying on the day Fu Hongsha was buried, but now, she wanted to wail.

Looking up at the dark sky, she silently cried out: Sister Asha, open your eyes and look at this man! This dog-like man! What is there about him that makes you want to love him, to die for him? Before, you could have crushed him with a single finger, but for the sake of so-called love, you died at the hands of such a person. Do you know how much my heart aches? Even killing him a thousand or ten thousand times wouldn't be enough to ease this pain! Sister A-Sha, where can I find you now?

The palace and the city were already in chaos, with corpses, blood, and fighting everywhere. Li Yue ignored everything, dragging Yuan Qi towards the Ying Prince's mansion. No matter who stood in her way, she would strike without even looking.

On the east side of Sheng Yang's main street, she saw Ye Qianxun's shadow. In the snow, he and his Blood Shadow Palace followers moved like phantoms through the streets and alleys. His crescent-shaped blade spun like a silver plate, and with one turn, the heads of everyone in the alley would leap onto the eaves on both sides like fish, then tumble down. He stepped over the headless corpses, and with a demonic calm and eeriness, went to the end of another alley, repeating the same trick.

She glanced at it hastily and continued walking towards the Prince Ying's residence. The roads had clearly been cleared by Ye Qianxun; corpses piled up like garbage on the streets, crimson blood melting the snow, the pungent stench of blood carried by the cold wind into every household. Those who weren't asleep became even more restless, and those who were asleep were awakened.

Terror hung over the entire city; tonight, Sheng Yang was hell.

As Li Yue walked, a figure suddenly flashed before her eyes. She instinctively raised her hand to stab the person, but a warm cloak was draped over her face. "Are you crazy? Want to be buried with Fu Hongsha?" Su Yingge scolded, both angry and heartbroken.

Li Yue blinked, looking at Su Yingge's beautiful, white face in the night, and realized she was almost frozen, her skin stinging as if cut by knives.

"Let go!" She grabbed Yuan Qi, preventing Su Yingge from completely covering her with the cloak, and tried to slap her hand.

Li Yue released her hand as instructed. Su Yingge wrapped her in his cloak, picked her up, and turned to the two attendants behind him, saying, "Take him back."

The two attendants responded and escorted Yuan Qi towards the nearby Prince Ying's residence.

The entire Prince Ying's mansion was surrounded, and all the guards inside had been dealt with. The corpses were piled up into two small mountains in front of the mansion gate.

In a guest room in the mansion, Li Yue lay on the bed, and Su Yingge sat on the edge of the bed, poured some medicine into his palm, rubbed it to warm it, and then began to massage her.

This woman's skin was all blue from the cold; if it wasn't treated in time, she would definitely fall seriously ill.

His warm palms felt like fire on Li Yue's back. The red silk had already been cut open, and his hands caressed her silky skin without any obstruction. Shoulders, arms, back, waist, hips, and legs—every inch of her was exposed.

Su Yingge had initially approached the massage with the professionalism and attitude of a healer, but as the woman's skin gradually changed from bruises to pink under his touch, his cheeks flushed and his breathing became unsteady.

It wasn't that he hadn't seen women, but he had never seen a woman with such an alluring figure.

The curves were so smooth and flowing, the roundness and fullness so captivating, truly making one's blood boil and heart flutter. Su Yingge inappropriately considered a question: could he try finding women with similar figures to cure those impotent men?

The thought arose, but he quickly dismissed it with a self-deprecating laugh.

With his status and experience, he had seen countless stunning beauties, but never such breathtaking curves. Not only was the visual enjoyment first-rate, but the feel was also first-rate; massaging her to dispel the cold was practically self-torture. A

helpless, bitter smile played on his lips as he deliberately massaged a few key acupoints, then had her turn around.

Seeing the two rounded, snow-white peaks that had slightly returned to their normal color, his face turned even redder, and he hurriedly grabbed the red silk that had fallen onto the bed to cover himself.

After a moment of calm and reassurance, Li Yue had already composed herself, her emotions on the verge of spiraling out of control. Seeing Su Yingge's embarrassed expression, she smiled indifferently, "It's not like I haven't seen it before, you hypocrite." The time she returned from Dongyi, she was covered in whip marks, and Su Yingge had already seen her naked while applying medicine.

Seeing her teasing her, Su Yingge glared at her and said, "Don't you have any womanly modesty?"

"Modesty? What's that?" Li Yue looked confused.

Su Yingge was speechless and simply stopped talking, pouring some more medicine into her palm, and once again openly taking advantage of her tenderness.

"Whose people are those outside?" Li Yue asked.

"Mine." Su Yingge didn't look up.

"Are all the people from the Ying Prince's mansion here?"

"They're all here."

Li Yue remained silent.

After a moment, Su Yingge looked up at her, only to find her staring straight at him.

He became a little uncomfortable and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"You're blushing." Li Yue teased, suppressing a laugh.

Su Yingge paused for a moment, but didn't argue. He solemnly lifted Li Yue's calf and placed it on his knee, using the massage motion to grab her ankle. Then, he suddenly started tickling her soles.

"Ah! Hahahaha... Su Yingge, you bastard! Hahaha..." Li Yue immediately wriggled on the bed like a snake, kicking and struggling wildly.

Su Yingge ignored her completely, forcefully trapping her calf in his arms and tickling her with great pleasure.

Unable to bear the tickling any longer, Li Yue forced herself to sit up and bit his shoulder, causing Su Yingge to scream.

...

After playing around with Su Yingge in the room for a while, Li Yue dressed neatly and went to Yuan Qi's room.

At that time, Yuan Qi was sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Hearing the door open, he shrank to the bed frame like a startled bird, his eyes wide open.

Li Yue glanced at the four burly men guarding him in the room, waved her hand, and said, "Go out. From now on, just watch outside the door. You don't need to keep watch inside."

The four men obeyed, left the room, and closed the door.

Li Yue looked at Yuan Qi and slowly walked over.

"Miss Qin, I was forced. Jin Wei forced me. She was carrying my child. How could I bear to kill her? It really was Jin Wei who forced me. You have to believe me." The man, who had been huddled on the edge of the bed, suddenly knelt down before her with a thud, explaining and pleading with her in a humble manner.

Li Yue remained silent, slowly sat down at the table, and after a moment, smiled slightly: "Don't be nervous. Sister A-Sha is the closest person to me in this life besides my own mother. She loves you so much. How could I kill you?"

Yuan Qi stared at her, somewhat stunned, unsure whether she was telling the truth.

“You saw it yourself. If I hadn’t brought you back, you would have died outside with Jin Wei and his lackeys long ago. So, don’t be afraid. Now that you’re home, just rest well. Eat if you can, sleep if you can. I won’t touch you, and those people outside won’t touch you either.” Li Yue’s expression was kind.

Yuan Qi was somewhat incredulous, but thinking about it, it was indeed true. If she wanted to kill him, she could have done it right there in the palace, but she didn’t. If she didn’t want to kill him, how could she let him go after he killed Fu Hongsha?

What did she want from him?

“Miss Qin, I know I’ve wronged you. I’m willing to do everything I can to make it up to you. Just say it, and I’ll do it. I only ask that you spare my life.”

Li Yue glanced at him a few times, a half-smile playing on her lips, and said, “Stay put.”

After leaving the Ying Prince’s residence, Li Yue sped towards the palace, leaping across rooftops. Although she could tell that Jin Lü was confident, who could guarantee that nothing would go wrong? She had to go and check.

Snow and moonlight illuminated what should have been a pitch-black night. The imperial palace gardens, once tranquil and solemn, were now a scene of carnage, stained with blood and corpses.

As soon as Li Yue landed within the palace walls, she discovered that, apart from a few imperial guards, the palace was teeming with white-clad members of the Tian Sheng Palace, running rampant and killing.

Startled, she used the chaos as cover to stealthily move through the gardens, trying to find Jin Lu. Could

Jin Lu have been taken into custody by the Tian Sheng Palace? But now that Jin Wei was dead, what was the point of the Tian Sheng Palace continuing to oppose Jin Lu? Could there be another prince to replace Jin Lu?

If Jin Lu was unaware of such a large force infiltrating the palace, then he deserved to die!

Li Yue gritted her teeth and quickened her pace. No matter what, she didn't want that boy Jin Lu to die like this. Putting everything else aside, his bewitching beauty was truly unparalleled.

Along the way, she captured five men in white and questioned them about Jinlu's whereabouts, but they all claimed ignorance. So she killed five of them, her anxiety only growing.

After sneaking around for about half an hour, she finally saw a large group of men in white guarding a rather magnificent palace in the inner palace, suggesting the presence of an important figure.

Liyue's eyes darted around, and under the cover of darkness, she silently crept into the bushes within the left palace wall, waiting patiently.

After a moment, a woman resembling a noble concubine was dragged out, half-dead, by the men in white. Behind her, a man in purple robes and a silver mask slowly pushed a wheelchair—none other than Yun Qian, the Palace Master of Tian Sheng Palace.

Liyue, like a cat gathering its energy, suddenly leaped up, like an arrow released from a bow, from the bushes, pouncing towards Yun Qian!

The white-clad men in front reacted almost instantly, abandoning their palace maids and slashing at Li Yue with lightning speed using two longswords. Yun Qian, however, stretched out his hand, and the two subordinates hurriedly withdrew their swords and rolled backward. At the same time, Li Yue's short blade was already pressed against Yun Qian's neck.

The white-clad men outside the palace noticed the commotion and surged in like a cloud.

Li Yue ignored them completely, the short blade pressed against Yun Qian's carotid artery, and asked warily, "Where is Jinlu?"

Yun Qian did not move, remained silent, his silver mask concealing his expression. The eerie night made it impossible for Li Yue to catch his gaze, causing her to feel uncertain for a moment.

"Speak! Otherwise, I'll kill you right now!" Banishing the chaotic thoughts in her mind, she focused her attention.

Yun Qian still did not speak, but raised his right hand and skillfully made several gestures that Li Yue could not understand. The white-clad men retreated like a tide, leaving only Li Yue and him in the vast palace garden.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, he called out in a muffled voice from behind his mask, "Sister Yue."

Li Yue was taken aback, blinked, and yanked off his silver mask.

Jinlu's enchanting face looked especially beautiful under the silvery moonlight, but Liyue had no time to appreciate it. She was both shocked and furious, raising her voice to ask, "You're Yun Qian?!"

"I'm not, Sister Yue, please listen to me..." Jinlu tried to explain innocently.

"Say what!" Liyue punched him without hesitation, causing Jinlu's nose to bleed profusely. She turned and stormed off.

This brat, always pretending to be innocent and weak in front of her, who knows how many things he's hiding from her! she thought bitterly.

"Sister Yue, I'm really not Yun Qian, and I didn't mean to hide it from you, please listen to my explanation." Seeing her anger, Jinlu disregarded his bleeding nose, stood up from his wheelchair, and chased after her.

Liyue turned back and kicked him again, sending Jinlu hopping around, clutching his leg, but afraid to cry out in pain. Tears welled in his dark eyes, making him look pitiful.

"Get back there and wait. I'll deal with you when I have time!" Li Yue yelled, pointing at his nose.

*

Dawn, on the city wall of Sheng Yang.

The city guards, originally from Jin Wei's side, had long since been taken over by Jin Lu. Li Yue stood on the city wall, holding a monocular telescope and looking northwest.

Late last night, a group of loyal Jin Wei imperial guards received news and rushed from Weicheng to try to force the palace and rescue the city. They were intercepted halfway by Xi Wang's forces, and the fierce battle was still ongoing.

That guard force numbered 50,000, while Xi Wang's forces, to avoid attracting attention, only sent less than 10,000. After such a long battle, it was unknown how many they had lost.

Jin Lu's forces and the Blood Shadow Palace's men had swept through Sheng Yang and were rushing to its aid. Li Yue was observing the progress of the battle.

The distance was quite far, and the sky was still somewhat dim, so even with the telescope, she could only see roughly. Amidst the chaos, only two people stood out.

One was naturally Ye Qianxun. His crescent-shaped blade sliced off heads like harvesting spring leeks, felling many with a single swing, clearing a large area around him in no time.

Li Yue found it strange. Why did this man, with such intense bloodlust, become so shameless and clingy in front of her? Was this the difference between a man at home and outside?

Now she seemed to understand why so many women liked having affairs—because men outside were indeed more alluring! For example, if she had never met Ye Qianxun, he would undoubtedly appear to her as a demonic figure, a man who slaughtered without hesitation on the battlefield. Only cold-bloodedness and ruthlessness could describe such a man. She liked this kind of man, completely different from the one who shamelessly fawned over her at home.

With a sigh, she shifted her binoculars to the left front, where another equally striking man came into view.

He rode a horse, his weapon neither a crescent-shaped scimitar nor possessing the lethality of Ye Qianxun's. His weapon resembled a large sword, yet his ferocious, unrestrained killing intent, charging left and right as if through empty land, was utterly captivating. Like a seasoned general, calm and composed, his simple charges revealed strategic brilliance. His bravery and strength easily drew enemy troops from both sides, and his superb horsemanship meant that by the time the enemy closed in, he was already ahead. Then, his men, who had been following at a distance, would attack from behind, and he would execute a stylish spur-of-the-moment turn, forming a pincer attack with his men. Blades flashed like snow, blood spurted wildly, and in no time, the enemy was wiped out. (Advertisement: Still relying on your hands? How can that be satisfying? Forum reputation guaranteed! Healthy anti-premature ejaculation masturbation exercise device, real oral sex pleasure experience, hot recommendation!) Maintain the sensation of ejaculation for 30 minutes, experience intense pleasure, fully automated masturbation with 12 different sexual positions and vibration frequencies. Click to enter.

Li Yue frowned. She couldn't recognize the man who was so invincible on the battlefield, so effortlessly charming. He seemed familiar yet strange. Looking at his dashing figure and the black cloak billowing in the wind behind him, she guessed someone, but couldn't believe it.

Judging from the situation, the battle would be over in less than half an hour. Li Yue felt a bit cold, so she went down from the city to the Ying Prince's mansion. Su Yingge should have already prepared dinner and was waiting for her.

*

"Li Yue! Li Yue!" When Ye Qianxun excitedly arrived at the Ying Prince's mansion with a boastful expression and pushed open Li Yue's door, the scene he saw shattered his heart.

Li Yue was sitting on Su Yingge's lap, Su Yingge had her arm around her waist, and the two were chatting and feeding each other. Their intimate and sweet expressions were enough to make Ye Qianxun furious on the spot.

Hearing the noise, Li Yue turned around and found Ye Qianxun standing by the door, his face filled with shock and heartache. She chuckled awkwardly and tried to get off Su Yingge's lap, but Su Yingge reached out and grabbed her, looking at Ye Qianxun defiantly.

Ye Qianxun tightened his grip on the Sun and Moon Scimitar, his face hardening and exuding a murderous aura as he strode into the room.

"Ye Qianxun, what are you doing?" Li Yue asked, alarmed by his hostile intentions.

"Li Yue, whether you hate me or resent me, I will kill him today!" Ye Qianxun's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he strode to the table.

Li Yue hurriedly stood up, using her body to block him while pushing Su Yingge back, saying, "Get out of here!"

"Why should I leave? I still want to poison him! Li Yue, you don't mind, do you?" Su Yingge stubbornly stood behind her, refusing to budge.

The two men stood facing each other, sandwiching Li Yue between them, neither willing to give an inch.

"Li Yue, move aside," Ye Qianxun said calmly after a moment.

"To avoid accidentally hurting you," Su Yingge added from behind.

Li Yue glanced at the two men, moved her right leg slightly to the side, then a little more, but thinking that these two might cause a fatality, she suddenly darted back halfway. Unexpectedly, Ye Qianxun, who had already lost his temper, struck at Su Yingge with a palm. Seeing Li Yue dodge back, both of them were shocked.

Su Yingge grabbed Li Yue and tried to push her behind him, but when she took a step back, there was a stool behind her. She tripped and fell backward. Seeing that she was about to be pulled down, Li Yue instinctively reached out to pull Ye Qianxun to steady herself. However, Ye Qianxun was still slightly sore in the chest from forcibly withdrawing his palm and was emotionally unstable. When Li Yue pulled him, he fell forward as well.

And so…

Li Yue lay on her back, with Su Yingge's hard body beneath her and Ye Qianxun's hard body on top of her. She was like a sweet piece of minced meat sandwiched between two clam shells. It was an awkward and inexplicable position, yet why did she feel, with a wicked twist, that it was incredibly ambiguous?

Chapter 90, Such Revenge...

The three of them were piled on top of each other like a human pyramid, and before they could even react, the voice of Su Yingge's subordinate suddenly came from outside the door: "Reporting to the young master, outside..." The person paused, and then spoke again, his voice clearly carrying a hint of embarrassment and unnaturalness: "There is an old gentleman surnamed Yan outside who requests to see Miss Qin."

Su Yingge's handsome face immediately turned extremely dark. He knew without a doubt that his subordinate had already seen him in this unsightly state, and he was immediately both angry and resentful. He said in a short tone: "I know, go down!"

"I'm so heavy, get up!" Li Yue struggled to push Ye Qianxun away, rolled off Su Yingge, stood up, straightened her clothes, and turned to look at the two men who were still at each other's throats, threatening: "No fighting! Otherwise... Hmph! A cactus will be used!" After saying that, she went out to see Yan Ji. Yan Ji had come

to say goodbye to her. Seeing that the situation in Sheng Yang was settled, as a foreign army, it was not appropriate for them to stay here any longer.

Li Yue briefly inquired about their casualties, then packed several large boxes of gold and silver jewelry from the Ying Prince's treasury and handed them over to Yan Ji to take back, saying it was to reward the surviving soldiers and provide compensation to the families of the dead.

Yan Ji repeatedly declined, but Li Yue became annoyed and had no choice but to accept them.

Before leaving, Li Yue suddenly called him back, her expression hesitant as she asked, "Um, this time..."

Yan Ji stopped after she began, watching her, waiting for her to continue.

Li Yue finally smiled slightly and shook her head, saying, "It's nothing. Give my regards to A-Du when you get back."

Yan Ji actually knew what she wanted to ask, and hoped she would ask, but seeing that she ultimately didn't, he knew that the knot between her and Huangfu Jue was ultimately unresolved. He sighed inwardly and took his leave.

After seeing him off, Li Yue felt a little lost, unsure of what was causing her unease. She didn't dwell on it and returned to her room. The food was still there, the window was broken, and the two men were nowhere to be seen.

She didn't care; those two disobedient fellows could go wherever they wanted. After finishing her meal, she went to bed to catch up on sleep.

Just as night fell, someone climbed into her bed.

Li Yue woke with a start, only to see Ye Qianxun. She rubbed her eyes and asked, "Where's Su Yingge?"

Ye Qianxun pulled her close, kissing her cheek as he said, "Dead."

"What?" Li Yue was stunned, pushing him away and looking at him in disbelief. "You killed him?"

"Yes, he volunteered to fight." Ye Qianxun looked serious, not believing he had done anything wrong.

Li Yue stiffened, then kicked him off the bed, flipping over and kneeing him in the chest. Her gaze was icy as she grabbed his collar and demanded, "You really... killed him?!"

Ye Qianxun lay back on the cold floor tiles, looking at her silently.

For some reason, under that gaze, Li Yue gradually felt guilty. She suddenly realized she had been deceived. He couldn't have killed Su Yingge and then reported back to her so casually.

Perhaps he just wanted to see her reaction.

She slowly released her grip, got off him, and sat on the edge of the bed.

He remained lying on his back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. After a moment, he said, "Liyue, I'm tired."

Liyue didn't speak, so he continued, "Because I suddenly realized that no matter what I do, I may never be able to make you see and love only me, because I can't embody all the virtues of men."

He sat up, running a hand through his dark hair, combing it bit by bit, and sighed, "Since I met you, for you, I've constantly changed myself, constantly... doing things I would never have done before, saying things I would never have said before... Sometimes, looking back, I can't even believe it was me..."

Liyue looked at him; she knew he was telling the truth, because she could feel it too. She had originally felt she had a clear conscience, but seeing him like this now, she felt a sharp, piercing pain in her heart for some reason.

He stood up, turned his back, and said in a desolate and calm voice, "Li Yue, I only wanted to give you happiness. I never thought that you might be happy right now, while I am someone who has no reason to exist. Love is not about possession, not about entanglement... Is that why you care more about Su Yingge than me?"

He slowly turned his head, looked at Li Yue's star-like eyes in the dim light, smiled slightly, and said, "Indeed, he can do things I can't, but he may not be able to do everything I can. Li Yue, the choice is yours." After speaking, he turned and strode out the door.

After he disappeared outside the door, Li Yue fell back onto the bed.

She pressed her hand to her forehead, realizing that she had made another mistake.

People are, after all, people. If you want to control someone with emotions, first, you have to make them believe that you truly have feelings for them. This time, she obviously failed to make Ye Qianxun believe it. Therefore, his coming to Sheng Yang to help was almost the result of her deception. The mission was accomplished, and she had once again kicked him away for Su Yingge's sake.

Oh no, this thought made her feel ashamed; she hadn't originally thought this way.

She had feelings for him, so why couldn't he sense them? Was she too good at pretending, too good at hiding her true feelings?

After struggling with this for a while, she sighed.

It was good for them to separate for a while and cool off. She had the right to choose, and so did Ye Qianxun. She never considered herself the best woman in the world. With his status as the master of the Blood Shadow Palace and his own advantages, he had more choices than she did.

She had never been used to him loving her to the point of losing his dignity; now that he had this realization, it was for the best.

Love doesn't equal possession, it doesn't equal entanglement… Who said that? It perfectly suited her state of mind.

…

The next morning, Su Yingge returned, bruised and trembling. He had indeed been at a disadvantage this time, but Ye Qianxun hadn't killed him; instead, she had left him to freeze in the snow in the wilderness overnight. Within

a

month, the situation in Shengyang underwent dramatic changes. Following the Shengyang coup, news spread from Tiansheng Palace that Jinwei and his mother, Consort Rong, had been successfully rescued during the palace coup. To be on the safe side, Consort Rong's cousin, Yuan Junkai, the Prince of Wannan, who commanded 200,000 troops, was ordered to immediately send someone to fetch them.

Tiansheng Palace had always sided with Jinwei. Upon receiving the news, Yuan Junkai, without suspicion, organized his forces to return to Shengyang to seize power for his nephew Jinwei, while simultaneously dispatching his trusted confidants to Tiansheng Palace to welcome Jinwei and Consort Rong.

Eleven days later, Jinwei, disguised as one of Jinlu's men, successfully assassinated Yuan Junkai and, for the first time, conveyed the news of Jinwei's death to the soldiers stationed in Wannan.

Two days before the fake Jin Wei arrived in southern Anhui, Jin Lu had already sent an envoy to secretly persuade Feng Zhuo, the second-ranking Left Tiger General under Yuan Junkai, promising him the title of King of Southern Anhui if he would abandon his allegiance and help the court peacefully recover the region.

For years, Feng Zhuo had been held hostage by Shen Dongzhi, the Right Tiger General, who was Yuan Junkai's cousin and commanded Yuan Junkai's elite troops. Upon hearing of Jin Wei's death, Shen Dongzhi knew that maintaining his stance would only lead to his execution, so he immediately agreed.

On the day Yuan Junkai was killed, Shen Dongzhi, as the second-ranking general in Southern Anhui, rallied his troops to return to Shengyang to avenge his commander and the Fifth Prince Jin Wei. However, Feng Zhuo betrayed him on the battlefield, catching him off guard. With his elite 80,000-strong army, Shen Dongzhi led his troops out of Southern Anhui and directly attacked Shengyang.

Lacking supplies, the rebel army could only flee, burning, killing, and looting to survive. However, as time passed, the local people learned the army's route and hid their belongings long before the army arrived. Surrounded

by enemies ahead and pursued from behind, suffering from the freezing cold and lacking food and clothing, Shen Dongzhi, with nowhere to turn, remembered Yu Wuchen, the largest foreign merchant in Nanfo. He sent someone to contact him, hoping to trade for food and clothing, but Yu Wuchen flatly refused without giving a reason.

In his desperate situation, Shen Dongzhi, loyal to Yuan Junkai, still wanted to go to Shengyang to kill Jin Lü and avenge him. His elite force of over 80,000 men lost more than 20,000 in just one month. This was understandable; even with superior fighting strength, the cold, hunger, and lack of tents at night in the freezing cold severely hampered their offensive power and endurance.

Seeing this, Shen Dongzhi's two lieutenants knew that if things continued this way, there seemed to be no other way out but total annihilation. Shen Dongzhi was highly valued by Yuan Junkai and had enjoyed a life of luxury and wealth, while they, as his subordinates, had never enjoyed such things. Why should they follow him to be buried with Yuan Junkai? So, after a secret discussion, the two killed Shen Dongzhi that very night and surrendered to the court.

With the biggest threat successfully eliminated, Jinlu could now systematically eliminate the remaining collaborators one by one.

*

Su Yingge accompanied Li Yue, who had been practicing martial arts at the Ying Prince's residence for a month. That day, the cook came to see her, saying that it was almost done.

She went to the window to look. It was early January, and the coldest season in Nanfo had passed. The snow had melted, and the withered trees were sprouting new buds, giving a hint of spring.

Looking up at the azure sky, she placed her hands on the window frame and said, "Alright, let's leave it at that."

Turning around, she went to Yuan Qi's room.

For the past month, Yuan Qi had been confined to his room, spending his days eating and sleeping. His meals were decent, mostly meat buns and bone broth, yet he seemed to have gained some weight.

He had tried several times to see Li Yue, but the guards outside refused to announce his arrival. Today, seeing Li Yue arrive, still smiling broadly, he mustered his courage and asked, "Miss Qin, how are my family?"

Li Yue sat down at the table as before and said, "Sister A-Sha said you are a filial son, a man of deep affection. You have always taken good care of your parents, your four wives and concubines, and your three children."

Yuan Qi lowered his head. He dared not speak. If he admitted it, how would he explain what he had done to Fu Hongsha? If he didn't admit it, what if Qin Li Yue killed his family?

"Do you want to see them?" Li Yue suddenly asked.

Yuan Qi looked up, his eyes conveying longing even before he spoke.

"Let's go, I'll take you." Li Yue stood up.

Yuan Qi was both surprised and delighted, and quickly followed her.

Upon arriving at the courtyard where his parents lived in the east of the mansion, Yuan Qi was immediately hit by a stench of blood and a faint putrid smell. His heart clenched. Looking at the woman to his left, who seemed completely at ease, he clenched his sweaty hands, trying to reassure himself as he continued following her.

The closer they got to the main hall, the stronger the stench became, almost nauseating. Yuan Qi slightly raised his sleeve to cover his nose, his unease intensifying.

Reaching the gate, Li Yue said to the two guards standing by the door, "Open the gate."

As the two large sandalwood doors slowly opened, Yuan Qi's expression gradually froze.

What appeared before him was not the family he had longed for and worried about for the past month, but... a living hell.

The entire lobby floor was stained crimson with blood, filth everywhere, and a stench filled the air. Ten chairs, arranged in a semi-circle, sat ten people of varying sizes… no, to be precise, they could no longer be considered human. They had no eyes, no noses, no lips, no ears, no arms; their hair was shaved off, their clothes stripped off, and they were covered in blood, looking like ten human skeletal remains.

Yet, even so, they were still alive. They trembled incessantly, their mouths, revealing white teeth through their severed lips, emitting terrifying "clucking" sounds…

Li Yue turned and glanced at the dazed Yuan Qi, saying, “Look, your family is all here. They’re all alive. What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?”

Yuan Qi’s expression turned heart-wrenching. “Why did you do this?!” His eyes were bloodshot, and his roar was deafening.

Li Yue smiled calmly, saying, "If not this way, where do you think those meat buns and bone broth you eat come from? The cook said you never waste a single bite, you eat them all cleanly. Wouldn't it be better if I made your family a part of your flesh and blood, forever with you?"

Yuan Qi froze, then suddenly knelt on the ground, vomiting violently as if tearing out his own heart and lungs. It was as if he was about to vomit out his internal organs.

"Why...why? They are innocent, innocent!" Yuan Qi vomited until his face was deathly pale, his fists clenched, and his eyes finally blazed with boundless hatred.

"Innocent? What did my sister A-Sha do wrong? What did the child in her womb do wrong?" Li Yue grabbed him and slammed him against the wall, her gaze like a snake. "I don't offend others unless they offend me, but if they do, I'll repay them tenfold! Yuan Qi, you've messed with the wrong person!"

"You devil, you devil!" Thinking that he had actually eaten his own parents, wife, and children, Yuan Qi truly experienced what it meant to be worse than dead. She remembered that when he first took Fu Hongsha away from Tianyi Island, she had indeed warned him that if he wronged Fu Hongsha, she would make him wish he were dead.

She did it, and even went further.

"A devil?" Li Yue smiled faintly. "How can a devil compare to me?" With that, she grabbed him and dragged him out of the mansion.

Arriving at the place where Fu Hongsha was buried in the suburbs, Su Yingge was already waiting there with her men.

Yuan Qi was heartbroken; he had nothing left, and his mind was blank.

Li Yue released him and said, "Open the coffin."

Several men jumped into the deep pit they had dug and carefully pried open the coffin lid.

Several months had passed, and Fu Hongsha's body had already begun to decompose, a stench of decay filling the air.

Li Yue looked on expressionlessly and said, "Sister A-Sha, you love this man, and you don't want your child to be born without a father. Here, I've brought him to you. He's all alone. In this life, the three of you can live well together. Learn from your mistakes and don't spoil him anymore." She then reached out and pulled Yuan Qi over, saying, "She's been waiting for you for a long time. Go."

Yuan Qi looked at the decaying, unrecognizable woman in the coffin, and his numb heart suddenly trembled with fear. He struggled to shrink back, muttering, "No, no..."

Li Yue didn't waste any more words with him. She pressed his pressure points and personally placed him beside Fu Hongsha's rotting corpse, making sure he wouldn't crush her. Only then did she jump onto the grass and say, "Seal the coffin."

After the grave was built, Su Yingge dismissed her subordinates and stood with Li Yue in front of the grave.

"Let's erect a tombstone," Li Yue suddenly said after a long silence.

"What should we inscribe?" Su Yingge asked.

"Love." Li Yue turned and walked towards Sheng Yang.

She avenged Fu Hongsha, yet felt no joy.

She knew all along that what's lost is lost, and nothing could bring it back. She would never see Fu Hongsha again, never taste her roasted whole lamb again, never be patted on the head and called "little girl" again…

Su Yingge followed behind her, watching her stiffly walk forward. After about ten meters, she suddenly turned around and threw herself into his arms, murmuring, "Let me hug you." She suddenly felt a cold emptiness, wanting someone to warm her.

Su Yingge hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her. After a long while, he said, "Let's not erect a tombstone."

"Why?" Li Yue buried her face in his chest, suppressing her heartache as she asked.

"Love is still alive," Su Yingge said. On the way

back

to Shengyang, Liyue saw many soldiers escorting a large group of prisoners towards a secluded area in the suburbs. She asked Su Yingge, "What's going on?" "

Yuan Junkai's surrendered soldiers have all been sentenced to death for treason. Nearly 60,000 of them. It'll probably take two months to execute them," Su Yingge said calmly.

"Nearly 60,000 people sentenced to death? Who sentenced them?" Liyue asked in surprise.

"What do you think?" Su Yingge countered with a question.

"Wait for me at Fenghui Tower," Liyue said, and then ran towards the East Palace.

In the East Palace garden, Liyue blocked Jinlu, who was about to leave.

"Hey, Sister Yue, you're here. I was just about to look for you," he said, still looking innocent, and affectionately took Liyue's hand.

"Enough with the small talk. Immediately order the pardon of Yuan Junkai's surrendered soldiers," Liyue said bluntly.

"Ah? This is an order from Father. I have no authority to pardon them," Jinlu said.

"Fine, you're ruthless." Liyue turned and left without another word.

“Sister Yue, don’t be angry.” Jinlu pulled her back. “Tell me what you really want to do?”

“If Nanfo doesn’t need this army, give it to me.” Liyue turned around and said.

“Give it to you? What do you need an army for, Sister Yue?” Jinlu asked in surprise.

“What do you care what I do with them? Even if they’re just laborers, it’s better than you killing them all.” Liyue said irritably.

“I already said it’s not me who wants to kill them, it’s my father.” Jinlu explained aggrievedly.

Li Yue reached out and grabbed his ear, saying, "How can a dying man be so bloodthirsty? Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Jin Lu cried out in pain, begging for mercy as he said, "Sister Yue, I confess, I confess! It was my strategist who advised me to kill all these rebels to prevent future troubles. Since Sister Yue wants them, I'll hand them over to you."

Chapter 91, Li Yue's Conferment of a King...

In the Dragon Flower Hall of Donghua Palace, the night was hazy.

Jin Lu sat at his desk, flipping through the thick stack of documents. The orange candlelight reflected a rainbow of colors on the gold trim of his sleeves, illuminating his cold, star-like eyes, dazzling yet chilling.

After about half a cup of tea, he pushed a large pile of documents in front of Li Shi, who was standing to the side, and said, "Kill all these people, exterminate their entire clan." He then pushed another small portion of documents over, saying, "Arrange for these people to come to the East Palace to see me. Starting tomorrow, ten each day."

Li Shi accepted the order.

Jinlu rubbed his forehead, his face, devoid of any playfulness, cold and aloof, keeping everyone at a distance.

Li Shi suddenly envied Qin Liyue, because perhaps only she would never have to face Jinlu's expression at this moment. To be honest, although he had followed Jinlu for a long time and knew that he was only seventeen this year, sometimes, seeing his cold and unpredictable expression, he still couldn't help but feel a chill.

Because whenever this happened, he couldn't help but wonder what Jinlu was thinking? Why did he have this expression? If he couldn't guess, that was fine, but if he guessed and showed it in his eyes, then his death was imminent.

"Hmm, it's time to hold the civil and military examinations. The court is short of people." After a long while, Jinlu sighed.

Li Shi looked at the thick stack of documents and thought, "With this kind of killing spree, it's no wonder there's a shortage."

"There aren't many imperial physicians left either, and Father is in need of people right now. How about this, let's appoint Su Yingge as an imperial physician first. Is he still in Sheng Yang?" Jinlu asked.

"Your Highness, he is at Fenghui Tower," Li Shi replied, but in his heart he thought that the situation in Nanfo was not yet fully stable, the Canal Gang could not be touched, and Su Yingge was inseparable from Miss Qin. It seemed that the Crown Prince was really anxious, which was why he came up with such a bad plan.

"Very good." Jinlu spread out a yellow silk, wrote an imperial edict in a flamboyant style, stamped it with the emperor's seal, and said, "Send someone to deliver the edict first thing tomorrow morning."

Li Shi took it, thought for a moment, and still couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are you really going to hand over Shen Dongzhi's army to Miss Qin? That is the most elite army in southern Anhui. If Miss Qin can't control it, releasing it will cause chaos again."

Mentioning this, Jinlu's mood improved, and the corners of her mouth curved up. She said, "How do we know she can't control it if we haven't tried? Compared to death, people always hope to live. As long as we send people to guard the perimeter and strictly control the supply of food, once someone riots or escapes, "If they were truly so reckless, they wouldn't have surrendered that day."

Li Shi understood. The Crown Prince would support Qin Liyue's every wish unconditionally and without regard for consequences. This was understandable; when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Qin Liyue would likely become Empress. As Empress, even a private guard of 60,000 men wouldn't be excessive. He realized he had spoken out of turn and hurriedly suggested, "Then, Your Highness, would you consider granting Qin Liyue an official title? Otherwise, without a title or position, it would be difficult to gain the respect of the people."

Jin Lu glanced at him approvingly, "That's a good suggestion. Let me think… Tomorrow, go and summon her to see me."

*At Fenghui Tower, Liyue and Su Yingge talked late into the night by candlelight, only returning to their room to rest when they were half-drunk.

Lying on the cold bed, her stomach churned, and she felt sad again.

She thought of Asha, Ye Qianxun, Yu Wuchen, Murong Juan… She felt her life was like a broken net, with people constantly falling in, falling in, until the net grew emptier and emptier.

Previously, she didn't understand why things were this way, but tonight, Su Yingge's seemingly drunken words awakened her.

He said, "Qin Liyue, do you know, sometimes you really are like a man!"

A man, yes, she also felt that over the years, she had lived like a man.

No matter what happened, she always habitually confronted things head-on, not caring about being bruised and battered, hurting herself and others, in order to achieve her goals. Thinking about it carefully, did she really not care about gains and losses? No, of course she did, but she was never used to expressing it. She wouldn't allow herself to feel wronged, wouldn't allow herself to be sad, wouldn't allow herself to be weak, wouldn't allow herself to compromise... Everything a woman could express, she wouldn't allow herself to do.

Living like this was tiring and painful, but she always ignored the wounds in her heart, using habit to numb herself.

Tonight, she seemed to have a sudden, enlightening realization.

She was a woman, so why couldn't she live like other women? Why did she suppress herself and torment herself? Looking at her mother, looking at Fu Hongsha, how short and tragic their lives were! She had already grieved for them; must she turn around and griev for herself as well?

Life is short…

How should she define herself? What kind of lifestyle is best for her?

…

Live like a summer flower. Bloom passionately and unreservedly when it's time to bloom; wither without demanding or clinging when it's time to fade. Perhaps only in this way, even if there is pain in this life, can she end without regret.

Yes, starting tomorrow, she will be a woman who lives like a summer flower—neither flattering nor suppressing, neither indulging nor holding back. She will wear the most beautiful makeup and the most beautiful clothes in the world, truly becoming a vibrant and alluring woman.

As for those men who have entangled her heart for so long… let them be butterflies that have attracted her attention. Come, accept; leave, let go. Even if no butterflies come, she can still stand on the hilltop, smiling at the changing winds and clouds, quietly basking in the sunlight.

Thinking this way, her heart gradually brightened and relaxed, and she soon fell asleep. Waking up, she rubbed her eyes and sat in front of the mirror, wondering how to dress herself. However, upon closer inspection, she realized her eyebrows were like wisps of smoke, her lips pink as cherries, her skin snow-white, and her cheeks rosy—there was no need for any unnecessary makeup. As for clothes, it seemed anything looked good on her.

Admiring herself for a moment, she made a face at her reflection and muttered, "Sigh, naturally beautiful, there's nothing I can do about it." Then she laughed heartily. After washing up, she went to find Su Yingge as usual, but he wasn't there. She had to go downstairs to the lobby for breakfast alone. Not long after she sat down, several guards brought over a burly man in prison clothes. The middle-aged man at the head bowed to Li Yue and said, "Miss Qin, the person you wanted to see has been brought to you." This man was Jin Lu's subordinate; Li Yue had seen him before at the Eastern Palace. Hearing this, she nodded, glanced at the handcuffs and shackles on the burly, dark-skinned man, and said, "Untie them." "Miss Qin, this..." The middle-aged man hesitated. He didn't know how skilled Li Yue was in martial arts; he only knew that this man was skilled in martial arts and quite strong, and he was afraid that he would hurt Li Yue. "Untie them, then go outside and wait." Li Yue raised her eyes, her tone calm but revealing an unyielding authority. The middle-aged man had no choice but to obey, deliberately giving the man a glaring look, the threat in his eyes unmistakable. Once the handcuffs and shackles were removed and the officials had left the restaurant lobby, Li Yue finally looked up and carefully examined the burly, dark-skinned man. His tall, muscular physique and dark complexion made him look like a sturdy iron tower. His worn prison uniform was stained with blood, and his face bore several wounds of varying ages. His cheeks were sunken, and his lips were cracked. He had clearly suffered inhuman torture in prison, yet his face showed no pain. Only his bloodshot eyes stared at Li Yue without any emotion, as if resigned to his fate. "Sit down," Li Yue said.

He didn't move, even shifting his gaze away.

"Your tens of thousands of brothers are waiting to be beheaded in prison. I can spare their lives with a single word. Aren't you interested in talking to me?" Li Yue propped her chin up with one hand, smiling brightly.

The burly, dark-skinned man paused, his steely, cold aura softening. He kicked aside the stool and sat down with a swagger.

"Waiter, bring a bowl of porridge and two steamers of buns," Li Yue called out to the waiter.

Soon, steaming hot porridge and buns were served. Li Yue said, "Eat first."

The burly, dark-skinned man didn't stand on ceremony, picking up the porridge and buns and starting to eat.

To be honest, it had been almost two months since they raised their army after Yuan Junkai's death, and they hadn't had a proper meal. Since being escorted back to Sheng Yang, more than three thousand of their brothers had been beheaded, starving to death.

Now, as he drank the piping hot porridge and ate a large, meat-filled bun, and thought of his suffering brothers, tears welled up in his fierce eyes.

This was what it felt like to be alive! But… who knew how much longer they had to live?

For them, they were soldiers; they followed whomever the court commanded. They had followed Yuan Junkai, and for years they had never slacked off in defending the country's borders. Now, however, they were losing their lives because they had chosen the wrong side in the princes' struggle for the throne. How unjust!

But what could they do? The court had convicted them of treason! Treason! Such a charge not only cut off their lives but also condemned their families to eternal damnation.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he choked and coughed, spraying crumbs of bun all over the table.

Li Yue put down her chopsticks, took out a handkerchief, calmly brushed the filth he had sprayed onto the back of her hand, and raised her eyes, saying, "Eat slowly. If you're not full, have the waiter bring more. Come find me in the tea room upstairs when you're finished."

Li Yue had only drunk half a cup of tea upstairs when the man came up. After eating and drinking his fill, he seemed to be in better spirits. Standing by the door, he looked at Li Yue and said, "As long as you can save our brother's life, we'll do anything you ask."

Li Yue smiled and asked, "What's your name?"

"Niu Hong," the man replied.

Li Yue's expression stiffened, then she suddenly spat out a mouthful of tea, laughing so hard she almost fell over. She asked, "So arrogant?"

Niu Hong, however, was serious and replied solemnly, "You could say that."

"Alright, what's your rank?" Li Yue wiped her mouth, suppressing a laugh.

"Deputy General," Niu Hong said.

"After Shen Dongzhi's death, are you the one in charge of the army now?" Li Yue asked.

“Yes.” Niu Hong had just spoken when he looked at Li Yue and added, “For now.”

Li Yue looked at him, thinking that this man wasn’t beyond redemption.

“Come sit down.” Li Yue gestured to the person opposite him. Niu Hong

obeyed.

“Do you feel wronged or aggrieved?” Li Yue asked, looking at him. Niu

Hong lowered his head and remained silent.

“That’s often how things are in this world. Originally, you weren’t at fault, but you’re the one who has to bear the punishment. This punishment might be separation from your wife and children, the destruction of your family, an unexpected disaster, or dying with resentment…” As Li Yue spoke, she suddenly realized that she was somewhat lost in thought, because she thought of herself. Since childhood, she had been enduring all kinds of punishments from fate. Where had she gone wrong? If she had any fault, it could only be that her birth itself was an unforgivable mistake.

She composed herself, looked up at Niu Hong, smiled faintly, and said, "A few years ago, I joined a caravan, following the boss to rob and plunder for a living. Even now, I still fondly remember those carefree days of chivalry and adventure. Unfortunately, no caravan can satisfy my taste anymore. So, I'm thinking of creating my own. Would you like to join me?"

"A caravan?" Niu Hong stared, somewhat incredulous. Did this woman mean she wanted them to join her as bandits, ruling the mountains and robbing for a living?

"What's wrong? Don't want to?" Li Yue raised an eyebrow.

"N-no, it's just..." He stammered. From the moment they met today, he had been trying to figure out the identity of this young woman who looked to be under twenty. Since she had managed to get him brought out of death row to see her, she must have some status and power. But now she was saying she wanted him to lead over fifty thousand men to join her as a caravan for robbery? This was too absurd. Even if they didn't care about their reputation for survival, how could the imperial court agree?

Seeing his stunned expression, Li Yue laughed heartily and said, "Worried about your reputation? You can refuse. Anyway, I only asked your Crown Prince to spare your lives on a whim."

"No, it's not that I'm unwilling, I'm just worried the court won't agree." Thinking of the tens of thousands of brothers' necks still hanging over their heads, Niu Hong hurriedly said.

"That's not your concern. Since you have no objections, I will try to set up a separate camp for you today. You can gather your troops and tell them that those who want to stay can stay, and those who don't want to stay can leave. Come and tell me the result in three days," Li Yue said.

*

After Niu Hong left, Li Yue strolled leisurely to the East Palace to find Jin Lu. Just as she entered the garden, she saw Su Yingge coming out of the Longhua Hall.

"Hey? What are you doing here so early in the morning? I've been looking for you everywhere." Li Yue asked in surprise.

Su Yingge smiled leisurely and teased, "How about it? Now you feel like you've missed me for three autumns if we don't see each other for a day? What are

you going to do in the future?" "Get lost!" Li Yue punched him and asked again, "What do you mean, what are you going to do in the future? Are you leaving?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has given me an official position. I'm going to the palace to become the Chief Imperial Physician. Naturally, you won't see me for a long time." Su Yingge's smile remained unchanged.

"What?" Li Yue jumped up and said angrily, "Trying to steal my man? Don't you want to live anymore!" She turned and rushed towards Longhua Palace.

Su Yingge turned back to look at her, a smile appearing on her lips, revealing a hint of cunning and sweetness, as she gracefully left the East Palace.

"Ah! Sister Yue, what did I do to offend you again? Why are you pulling my ear again? It hurts!" In Longhua Palace, Jinlu was being pulled by the ear and pressed onto the bed by Li Yue, crying with a wronged expression and tears in her eyes.

"You're not allowed to let Su Yingge go to the palace to become some lousy Chief Imperial Physician, do you hear me?" Li Yue said.

"Why? My father is seriously ill, you know. Only Su Yingge might be able to prolong his life by a few more years." Jinlu was filled with jealousy, but on the surface, he appeared infinitely aggrieved, putting on the act of a filial son.

"Don't give me that. The sooner he dies, the sooner you can ascend the throne. Dragging on like this, half-dead, is exhausting for both sides. What's the point? Besides, if you send Su Yingge to serve your father, who will serve me?" Liyue tightened her fingers, making Jinlu howl.

"Sister Yue, I'll serve you, I'll serve you!" He pleaded, covering his ears.

"You? You can cook? You can prepare medicine? Or you know massage and conditioning?" Liyue asked.

Massage? That Su Yingge gave her a massage?

He wanted to kill her again.

"If Sister Yue likes, I can learn," he said.

"By the time you finish your studies, I'll be old. I don't care, Su Yingge is mine, and you're not allowed to transfer him away. Imperial Physician, does the vast Southern Buddha Temple really need just one more person? Find someone else." Li Yue released him and sat down angrily to the side.

After a long silence, she turned her head and saw that the certain devil was sitting on the edge of the bed, covering his ears and silently shedding tears.

If there is anyone in this world with such an expression that can soften her heart every time she sees him, the answer is undoubtedly Jin Lu's expression at this moment.

Li Yue herself found it strange. She always considered herself heartless, so why was she so unaffected by this devilishly handsome man? After much thought, she attributed the reason to their accidental encounter seven years ago. She had saved him, and from the first moment he appeared before her, he had been a delicate, beautiful, and lovable little boy. Even after all these years, that impression remained etched in her heart.

She froze, finally unable to remain indifferent. She walked to the bedside, looked at the silently sobbing devilishly man, and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying again?"

"Sister Yue, you bullied me! You pinched me so hard!" the devilishly man choked out in a low voice.

"Let me see." Li Yue pulled away his hand covering his ear. And indeed, his white jade-like earlobe was pinched until it was bright red, like a ripe cherry—it looked painful.

Actually, she hadn't used that much force; this devilishly man was simply too inexperienced.

Seeing the glistening tears and aggrieved look in the devilishly handsome man's dark eyes, she coaxed him like a child, "Okay, Sister Yue will rub it for you, it won't hurt anymore." She gently stroked his soft earlobe with her fingers.

"Sister Yue, if you don't like me summoning Su Yingge to be the imperial physician, I won't. Why are you so mean to me? You know I'll agree to anything you ask." The devilishly handsome man carefully tugged at her sleeve, tilting his tear-stained face up, his soft red lips pouting in grievance.

"Uh..." Li Yue looked into his deep, dark pupils, momentarily lost in thought. Why was he so mean to her? She didn't know either.

"Sister Yue, do you hate me?" Jin Lu, seeing her silence, became anxious, as if a single nod from her would cause him to die of grief.

"Don't talk nonsense," Li Yue said.

"Sister Yue, do you really not hate me?" Jinlu suddenly hugged her tightly, burying his face in her chest, and said in a muffled voice, "Since the day of the palace coup, you haven't come to see me. I know you're angry that I kept it from you. Actually, I didn't mean to hide it from you; it's just that this is a long story, and I was afraid you wouldn't have the patience to listen. I took control of Tiansheng Palace a few years ago. I made them pretend to support Jinwei, just to dig out any court officials and other forces that might betray me and wipe them out in one fell swoop. I've been motherless since I was young, and my father has shown me little love. I can only protect myself. I'm wary of any potential threat. I'm just afraid, just afraid..." His voice lowered, and his body trembled slightly, as if he remembered those terrible nights from his childhood, when he hid alone in a dark corner of the palace, shivering with fear and cold.

Li Yue could imagine his situation, so she reached out and gently embraced him, saying, "Alright, now you are the Crown Prince, and in the near future, you will be the Emperor. You are the most powerful in Nanfo, and no one can hurt you anymore."

"Sister Yue, I'm still scared, so scared," he whispered.

"Scared of what?" Li Yue gently pushed him away and asked.

He lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Scared that you will leave... I know you will definitely leave, but I just can't accept this reality." He raised his head, his dark eyes shimmering with tears, and looked at Li Yue, saying, "Sister Yue, I can't control myself. These days, I think of you every moment... But I also know that you will leave sooner or later. I envy Su Yingge for being able to stay by your side, but I can't do that..." As he spoke, two large tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Silly boy, in the future you will be the Emperor, why are you afraid of being alone?" Li Yue raised her sleeve to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, but found that she couldn't wipe them away.

Jinlu lowered his eyes, shook his head slightly, and said, "Sister Yue, you don't understand. In my heart, no one can replace you." He then lowered his head again, silently weeping.

Hearing his heartfelt words, Liyue couldn't help but feel saddened as well. She sat down on the edge of the bed, reached out to wipe his tears, and coaxed, "Alright, stop crying. If people see you, the Crown Prince, crying all the time, where will your imperial dignity be?"

"I don't care what they think, I only want Sister Yue." He hugged Liyue tightly, burying his face in her shoulder and sobbing uncontrollably.

Liyue sighed helplessly, patting his back, and said, "Don't cry, or I won't like you anymore."

He paused, sniffed, and asked softly, "If I don't cry, will Sister Yue like me?"

"Yes," Liyue replied.

"Really?" The devilishly handsome man suddenly released her, his eyes wide with a mixture of expectation and disbelief.

"Really." Seeing his childlike expression, Li Yue let go of her reservations. Some things are better left unsaid; she didn't like things complicated, simplicity was best, like this.

The devilish man smiled through his tears, then hugged Li Yue tightly, muttering, "Sister Yue, you're so good."

Li Yue was about to push him away when his lips pressed warmly against her neck, his soft, wet tongue gently licking it. Li Yue felt goosebumps rise on her sensitive neck and couldn't help but exclaim, "Little pinkie, what are you doing?"

"Sister Yue, I often dream of kissing you at night, am I being a pervert?" He lowered his head and whispered.

Li Yue stared blankly at his slightly flushed cheeks, never imagining she had become the object of his erotic dreams. She immediately pinched his arm with two fingers, coaxingly asking, "Besides dreaming about kissing me, what else did you dream about?"

The devilish man's face flushed like a peach blossom, his watery eyes glancing at Li Yue as he asked, "I'll only tell you if you're not angry, Sister Yue."

"I'm not angry, go ahead and tell me," Li Yue said with a forced smile.

The devilish man hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

Li Yue had wanted to pinch him, but the more he spoke, the redder her face became. She imagined the erotic scenes he described, and his warm breath touched her sensitive earlobe. Before long, she felt weak and hot all over.

"...Sister Yue, in my dream, your face was just as red, like a pink peach blossom in March, so beautiful." Finally, the devilish man, who had been having many erotic dreams, ended his provocative description with this sentence.

Li Yue turned her head, not expecting that he didn't pull away after he finished speaking. So, their lips met as Li Yue turned her head, and both of them were stunned.

Jinlu was the first to react, tentatively taking Liyue's soft lips into his mouth.

Liyue opened her eyes and looked at his long, thick eyelashes. Seeing that he missed her so much that he dreamed of making love with her every night, her heart softened, and she did not refuse.

Just as the two were getting into the swing of things, Li Shi's voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Liyue was startled, and came back to her senses, pushing Jinlu away and looking towards the palace door.

Jinlu was in the throes of passion, and after a rare display of emotional drama that seemed poised to seduce Liyue into bed, he was abruptly interrupted. He was furious, but with Liyue present, he couldn't show it. He wiped his tears with his sleeve, stood up, and said, "Come in."

Li Shi entered and saw Liyue sitting on the edge of the bed, her face flushed. Looking at Jinlu's unsatisfied, cold, dark eyes, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He knew he'd come at the wrong time, but since he was already in, leaving now wouldn't be appropriate. He forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, Bao Liangxu requests an audience."

"Then I'll be going now, little pinkie. Um, I'm thinking of setting up a camp for Shen Dongzhi's team in the suburbs. You don't mind, do you?" Liyue stood up.

"Of course I don't mind. I'll have it arranged immediately," Jinlu fawned.

Smiling, Jinlu saw Liyue off from Longhua Palace, then turned around and pinned Li Shi to the ground, giving him a thorough beating. She said angrily, "Why did you have to come at this time of year? You really know how to pick your moments!"

"Your Highness, could you put a signal flag outside the palace next time? That way I'd know what's going on," Li Shi said, aggrieved.

Honestly, how was he supposed to know they were doing *that* inside in broad daylight?

"How dare you talk back!" Jinlu kicked him, then turned and kicked over the table, angrily smashing the chair around. After a while, she finally calmed down, straightened her clothes, and said nonchalantly, "Clean this place up, then call him in."

*

Due to Liyue's interference, Su Yingge ultimately avoided the misfortune of becoming a royal physician in the palace, and continued to spend every day with Liyue to cultivate their relationship.

Three days later, Niu Hong arrived, this time finally wearing clean clothes and looking much neater.

"Well? How many people are willing to come with me?" At that time, Liyue had just finished playing around with Su Yingge, her pretty face flushed with a smile, which startled Niu Hong. He only came to his senses when Liyue turned to look at him. Fortunately, he had dark skin, so the blush wasn't noticeable. He answered firmly, "Reporting to Your Highness, we are all willing to follow you." Nearly 100,000 garrison troops were watching the camp from the outside, ready to kill anyone who tried to leave. Under such circumstances, who would dare to leave?

They had also realized that, apart from following this woman, they had no other way to survive. Abandoned by the court, even if they could return to their respective hometowns, they would be bullied and unable to hold their heads high for the rest of their lives.

Although she was a woman, she was still a queen appointed by the court, so following her wouldn't be beneath them.

The day before yesterday, Jinlu had sent someone to inform her that she would be granted the title of Queen of Nanfo, so that the army could be legitimately handed over to her. As for the fiefdom, she could choose it herself.

Hearing Niu Hong call her "Your Highness," Su Yingge laughed first, and Li Yue also felt uncomfortable, saying, "From now on, call me City Lord, not Your Highness."

Niu Hong scratched his head in confusion, "City Lord?" What kind of title is that?

"Since you're willing to come with me, go back and have everyone prepare. We'll set off in two days," Li Yue said.

"Where to?" Niu Hong asked.

"Wherever we end up," Li Yue said.

Niu Hong was stunned again.

True to her word, Li Yue set sail two days later. Fifty large ships carrying over fifty thousand soldiers sailed down the Kassapa River in a grand and imposing procession, attracting crowds of people on both banks who watched and discussed the spectacle, mistaking it for the emperor's northern tour.

*

In Yong'an, Dongyi, Pei Yanxi, after months of anxious waiting, finally devised a clever plan to secure her position.

She knew her father—please allow her to still call him that—Pei Bangqing, had always hoped to marry her to Yan Huang and make her empress. Previously, she had only refused because she loved Yu Wuchen, but now, with this situation, she had to secure her future.

Marrying Yan Huang and becoming empress, bearing him a child as quickly as possible, meant that even if the truth came out, as the queen mother, she wouldn't be punished. Besides, she was a victim in the matter of her birth, not the culprit, so she figured the blame wouldn't fall on her. Now, her fear is only of losing everything. If she could become empress and have children to solidify her position, she would no longer be afraid.

Although Yan Huang disliked her, she knew that as long as her father agreed, she might be able to achieve her goal.

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[Fantasy] The Harem is in Chaos (Complete) - Chapter 23

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