[Fantasy] The Harem is in Chaos (Complete) - 26

Chapter 98, Obedient to All...

When Jinlu returned, Liyue was listlessly resting on the chaise longue by the window.

He leaned down and looked at her with affection, noticing the spring-like blush on her delicate cheeks. He couldn't help but sigh, realizing that whether someone goes to heaven or hell is truly just a matter of a single thought.

Like his words in the bath yesterday, though it was a gamble, he had always intended to lose. Yet, unexpectedly, this little vixen still had feelings for him. His promise could give her many things, whatever she wanted, however, she seemed to want him more.

But wanting is one thing, being able to bear it is another. Thinking of her fragile appearance last night, unable to bear it, he couldn't help but chuckle. Seeing her begging for mercy, where was her usual arrogant and wild older sister demeanor? She was no different from a little girl experiencing love for the first time.

But could he infer from this that none of her other men were as old as him?

His gaze lingered on her beautiful curves. He thought: If only he could keep her here a little longer, preferably with his baby. That way, he could rightfully demand she stay by his side and even marry him. His

clear eyes fixed on her soft belly. Last night, he had planted his seed five times inside her. Could one seed have already taken root and sprouted?

Hmm, to increase the chances of success, the only way was to plant more seeds.

Feeling the butterfly-wing-like kiss on her cheek, Li Yue frowned and raised her small hand to slap him across the face.

Opening her eyes, she saw a certain devilishly handsome man looking at her with a wronged expression, his eyes sparkling and full of energy, looking exactly like a gluttonous cat that had stolen its fill of fish.

Li Yue was furious at the sight of him. Why? Why? Yesterday, he was the one who put in the effort, and she was just the one passively being put in the way.

Why was he so radiant and energetic today, while she was so weak and pathetic?

Is this the advantage of being young? Is there really such a big difference between being a year older than him?

Thinking of this, she pouted, seemingly both coquettish and dissatisfied, and said, "Still bothering me? You're practically breaking my bones."

Upon hearing this, Jinlu put away his aggrieved expression, picked her up, sat down on the chaise longue, placed her on his lap, and said with a smile, "Then shall I give Sister Yue a massage?"

"Get out of here!" Mentioning a massage made Li Yue furious. Last night, if he hadn't used a massage as bait to lure her, she wouldn't have stayed in his Longhua Palace. If she hadn't stayed in his Longhua Palace, she wouldn't have been tormented to the point of death all night. Although... cough, this kind of torment was indeed very intoxicating, the thought of writhing and begging for mercy under him when she couldn't take it anymore made her feel uneasy.

"Then how can Sister Yue calm down?" Beneath her long, thick, dark eyelashes, a pair of bright, clear eyes looked at Li Yue with a bewitching yet innocent expression.

Li Yue nestled in his arms, her slender fingers tracing the silver dragon on his court robes down to his chest. She tugged at a strand of his hair, pouting, and said, "Once my city is finished, every household needs furniture and bedding. You'll have to allocate those for me."

"Okay," Jin Lu readily agreed.

"I want to plant crops and fruit trees around the city, and raise pigs, sheep, horses, and donkeys. You'll have to provide me with seeds, saplings, and even piglets, lambs, ponies, and donkeys," Li Yue said.

"Okay, anything else?" Jin Lu smiled, looking every bit the perfect gentleman.

"The soldiers' families are scattered across various places. Order the officials in each region to bring them here safely."

"Okay, no problem. Anything else?"

"I need my own city defenses, and all kinds of weapons, including swords, spears, and halberds."

"I'll have people make them and send them to you."

"I also need money to open various shops."

"Okay, I'll give you as many as you need."

"I want to use the Grand Canal for transportation, not the imperial ones."

"Okay."

"I won't pay taxes."

"Okay."

"I can freely deploy my people."

"Okay."

"With Phoenix City as the center, all local officials within a radius of five hundred li are under my jurisdiction."

"Okay."

"Without my permission, you cannot come to my city at will, even if you become emperor in the future."

"...Okay."

"From now on, when you see Su Su, you must call him brother."

"Why?" The previous point had already made Jin Lu feel somewhat dissatisfied, and upon hearing this one, he jumped up.

"Don't you want to be with me for a long time?" Li Yue raised her crystal eyes to look at him.

"Of course I do, but why should I call Su Yingge brother?" Jin Lu was extremely unwilling.

“He was close to me first, and he’s older than you. If you can call me sister, why can’t you call him brother? When we’re together, there has to be a proper order of seniority. Or, do you simply not tolerate him, or are you thinking of killing him?” Li Yue narrowed her eyes.

“No.” Jin Lu hurriedly denied, her thoughts racing, “But I’m the emperor. If I call him brother, wouldn’t he be more important than the emperor? What kind of decorum is that?”

“I didn’t ask you to call him that in public. It’s only when we’re together. Do you expect me to act like an emperor when we’re together?” Li Yue asked seriously.

“Of course not when I’m with you, but with him…” Call Su Yingge brother? Good heavens, it would be more satisfying to kill him.

“What’s wrong with being a concubine? Concubines are pampered. If you don’t want to, I’ll have him call you brother, but you can’t complain if I pamper him more in the future.” Li Yue changed the subject.

Jin Lu was conflicted.

This little vixen's trick is too clever. If he agrees, he'll be unwilling; if he doesn't, she'll naturally treat Su Yingge better than him.

He has no choice but to agree first. As long as he can get more of her attention, he's sure he can squeeze that Su Yingge out. He knows all about his past romantic affairs. When the time is right, he can tell Li Yue about it, or... find one of his old flames to stir things up for him?

Thinking of this, Jinlu really wanted to smile, but remembering that Li Yue was still watching him, he immediately curled his lips, looking aggrieved and forced to bow his head under her power, and asked, "If I call him brother, will Sister Yue spoil me more?"

"Of course." Li Yue's eyes were sincere.

"Then... okay." Jinlu lowered his eyes and agreed softly, then quickly added, "Sister Yue has to keep her word."

"Okay, keep your word." Li Yue was overjoyed to see him agree, and pinched his nose to coax him.

Jinlu grinned and hugged her affectionately, saying, "Then, Sister Yue, could you stay here a few more days to keep me company? I haven't seen you in so long, and I don't want you to leave so soon."

Liyue: "..."

This kid is no pushover. He agreed to all the requests she made earlier, and now he's only making this one small request, which sounds genuine and reasonable. How could she find a reason to refuse?

But staying a few more days... why did just hearing those words make her feel so weak?

*

Three days later, while Jinlu was away at court, Liyue ran off alone, without even packing her bags.

She really couldn't take it anymore. She only wanted money and power, but this kid was after her life.

At least three times every night, and occasionally during the day when he was in the mood, he would force himself on any table or chair. Aside from that, he still attended court, reviewed memorials, and did nothing else… She racked her brains but couldn't understand where he got so much energy, finally concluding that he was exceptionally gifted and energetic in this area.

Feeling outmatched,

she had no choice but to flee. Running like a stray dog on her way to Phoenix City, she couldn't help but think that some perverted emperors, like Jinlu, had a reason for having three palaces and six courtyards. If he were to focus on one woman, she bet he would torture her to death within six months.

Such a large thing, every day, and more than once… even a god couldn't stand it!

Compared to him, Su Yingge and Ye Qianxun were practically normal.

Passing through Tianyi Island, she hesitated whether to visit Su Yingge.

Then she thought better of it. After half a month apart, this guy was bound to want to rekindle their old flame, but her body... it was strange, really. Even though that devilish Jinlu was constantly filling her with desire, she felt completely drained, utterly exhausted, with no energy left.

Thinking about it, it made sense. Every time they were together, he made her overflowing with desire; how could she not want to?

She should go back to Phoenix City and recuperate.

*

Jinlu, that guy, still had a lot of integrity and a man's word to his name. One example was that Liyue had promised him she'd stay at the East Palace for ten days, but after only three days she left without saying goodbye. Yet, he still managed to send everything she wanted to her in Phoenix City as quickly as possible.

Fearing that Su Yingge would find out she was traveling by water and "invite" her to Tianyi Island again, Li Yue chose to return to Phoenix City by land. When she arrived at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, she found that after nearly two months, she could hardly recognize this once beautiful but desolate and impoverished mountain village.

A massive city had sprung up, like a giant dragon coiled at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, and large ships were moored along the riverbank not far from the city. People moved about like ants, carrying various furniture and household items, creating a scene of prosperity.

As she gazed into the distance from her horse, she exclaimed, "Lord City Lord!" A slightly surprised baritone voice reached her ears. Li Yue looked in the direction

of the voice and saw Niu Hong leading five or six men, who seemed to have come specifically to welcome her. "Lord City Lord, you've finally returned!" Niu Hong stood on his horse and bowed to her, followed by the others.

Li Yue dismounted, quite surprised: "How did you know I'd be back today?" Niu

Hong raised his head and said, "This subordinate didn't know, but after the city was built, this subordinate led men to wait at the city gate every day to welcome the city lord."

Li Yue glanced at him, said nothing more, and nodded, "Good."

Li Yue asked as she walked, "Have all the soldiers been settled?"

"They've all been settled. They were originally destitute, but now they have furniture, all thanks to the city lord's blessing." Gratitude showed in Niu Hong's eyes. To be honest, even now, he still couldn't quite believe it was all real. These rebels, who originally faced execution and had no other way out, not only had their own city and their own homes, but also the opportunity to start a new life.

"Hmm." Li Yue looked at the festive expressions on the faces of the people passing by, and heard the respectful and grateful "Lord City Master" addressed to her. A smile appeared on her lips as she asked Niu Hong, "After the city was built, have any merchants come to open shops in the city?"

Niu Hong replied, "Many, all under the Xiwu Yu Clan. We dare not make decisions on our own; we await the Lord City Master's return to decide."

Li Yue chuckled. Yu Wuchen was truly cunning; by opening his shop in her Phoenix City, he could use the pretext of inspecting shops to come here often.

But... let him come; she didn't dislike seeing him anyway.

"Hmm, make the arrangements. Soldiers who wish to open shops should be given priority. The rest can be filled by the Yu Clan's merchants." As she spoke, they arrived at the city gate. Li Yue looked up and saw that the city wall was blank.

"Why isn't the city name engraved?" Li Yue asked.

Niu Hong replied, "We are waiting for the Lord City Master's calligraphy."

Li Yue choked. Her calligraphy? Her... calligraphy?

"Ahem, well, okay, let's settle everything else first." Li Yue cleared her throat, feigning composure.

Entering the city gate, the neat rows of houses radiated outwards like arcs, and at a glance, her heart seemed to expand with those arcs.

She paused, then suddenly turned to Niu Hong and said, "Send someone to deliver a letter for me; I'd like to invite someone to dinner."

Chapter 99, Catching Adultery...

Li Yue's city lord's mansion was built right in the center of Phoenix City. For this mansion, entirely built by these men, Li Yue had no particular requirements regarding the environment or layout; as long as it had everything necessary and was habitable, that was fine. Arriving

at the spacious yet somewhat empty front courtyard's council hall, Li Yue sat down behind the ebony table on the steps, taking in the entire hall. She ran her hand over the table; it was spotless. Looking up, she saw that all the writing implements were present. Two thick books lay beside her. Li Yue picked them up and flipped through them, asking, "Niu Hong, what are these?"

"Lord City Lord, these are the laws, regulations, and military discipline of my Southern Buddha," Niu Hong replied.

"Why are you putting them on my desk?" Li Yue asked, puzzled.

Niu Hong scratched his head somewhat helplessly. "Lord City Lord, doesn't our Phoenix City... need laws and military regulations?"

"Yes, we do, but I don't need these." Li Yue tossed the two books on the ground and said, "Take them and burn them. The laws of my Phoenix City are naturally determined by ourselves."

Niu Hong, embarrassed, agreed and picked up the books.

"Four things, get to work immediately. First, I don't care what your unit's previous organization was like. From now on, I want you to divide them into nine independent brigades, select nine brigade commanders, number them, and bring them here to see me tomorrow. Second, find me a clerk; his handwriting must be beautiful. Also, find him an assistant; his face must be handsome. Third, there's a small town called 'Seven Blessings' on the banks of the Jiaye River. In that town, there's an inn called 'Maple Forest Evening.' In the inn, there's a big yellow dog named Tanlang. Send a few men with a few carts to bring him and his wife, children, and elderly parents here. Fourth, go and count how many of these soldiers are still unmarried." Li Yue gave the orders methodically.

Soldiers are efficient; after receiving the orders, the men immediately went to carry them out without a word.

Watching them disappear outside, Li Yue rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought for a while. She pulled a piece of paper from the table, picked up a wolf-hair brush, and began to ponder.

Who should she invite to dinner after the Phoenix City is completed?

Naturally, it was Ye Qianxun.

After the palace coup in Sheng Yang, how many people did she owe favors to? The Xi Prince's Mansion, the Blood Shadow Palace, Yu Wuchen… well, she could count on that.

The Xi Prince's Mansion—actually, she didn't owe him a favor. With Nanfo as his backer, the old fox Guandu was probably sleeping much more soundly these days. As for Yu Wuchen, he was going to Jiuhua Mountain in June anyway; his only contribution was preventing Shen Dongzhi's rebel army from receiving supplies, so it wasn't much of a favor. That left only Ye Qianxun of the Blood Shadow Palace.

Remembering how this guy insisted she choose between him and Su Yingge last time, causing her to leave in a huff, she wondered if he would come

this time she invited him. She was troubled; was she being too sentimental? She liked them both, couldn't let go of either of them, but Su Yingge seemed more likable because he never asked about her relationships with other men, and never forced her to choose. It was as if every moment she spent with him brought him more happiness.

She liked that about him the most.

And this was precisely what Ye Qianxun lacked most.

Regardless, she needed to have a heart-to-heart talk with him; dragging it out wasn't a solution. If he truly couldn't accept it, then she would have to say goodbye.

Even if it was hard to let go, it was the only option. As the saying goes, "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you," she didn't want to be forced by him, and naturally, she didn't want to force him either.

"Qianxun, the shad in the Jiaye River is delicious. I'd like to invite you to dinner. If you come, please bring me news within five days. Otherwise, I won't wait. I'm in Phoenix City. Liyue."

Phoenix City was a new term, but Liyue didn't bother to explain. With his Blood Shadow Palace's connections, finding this newly built city and her should be a piece of cake.

*

Jinlu methodically fulfilled his promise to Liyue. Furniture, grain seeds, fruit tree seedlings, livestock, and the soldiers' families floated steadily from the Jiaye River towards her Phoenix City.

The city was filled with jubilation, even more lively than during the Lunar New Year. And indeed, it was to be expected. Consider this: which country or city could distribute furniture, food, and money to every household every day? Even the people of the capitals of the Three Kingdoms probably didn't receive such generous treatment.

Only then did these soldiers, who had almost been beheaded, truly believe that they weren't dreaming, that they had truly been reborn, and that their city lord was none other than Guanyin, the goddess who had led them from hell to heaven.

However, they could never have imagined that their city lord, whom they revered like a goddess, was now, with her rosy cheeks propped up, staring with a lecherous gaze at the soldier grinding ink for her, making him blush deeply.

It wasn't that she hadn't seen handsome men before, but compared to the men around her, this young man named Miao Haoyan couldn't really be called handsome. However, he truly had a young and vibrant face. Years of military service had given him a healthy tan, a well-proportioned and muscular physique, sharply defined features, delicate and clean-cut eyes, and a simple and pure temperament… well, to be honest, Li Yue simply liked him as a person, without any romantic feelings.

"Ahem, um, Lord City Lord, may we begin?" Niu Hong, who had been holding back for a while, saw Miao Haoyan looking at him with pleading eyes. As the second most important person in Phoenix City after Li Yue, he couldn't ignore his subordinate's pleas for help, so he coughed lightly to remind Li Yue.

"Oh." Li Yue snapped out of her reverie, straightened her expression, and praised Niu Hong, "Well done." She turned to look at the clerk sitting on the left side of the hall. This old man with a long beard was a private tutor that Niu Hong had hired from a nearby town. Hearing that the monthly salary here was twenty taels, the old man had abandoned his lifelong teaching of the Four Books and Five Classics and came running here eagerly.

From ancient times to the present, most of the wealth in the world has been controlled by wealthy merchants or the royal family. Ordinary people don't have much money. This income of twenty taels a month is more than the monthly salary of a county magistrate. Do you think the old man wouldn't be tempted?

"The laws of Phoenix City, write them down. The first one is that couples are not allowed to break things, kick down doors, or break down walls when they quarrel. Those who violate

this law will be punished by carrying manure at the horse farm for a month." Li Yue said. A cold sweat broke out on Niu Hong's forehead. He thought the law would start with the big things, but he didn't expect the first one to be this...

He would have to keep this law safe from now on, otherwise, outsiders would laugh at him to death if they saw it.

The clerk had no objections and quickly finished recording.

"Phoenix City Law, Article Two: No one, adult or child, is allowed to urinate or defecate in the streets. Those who violate this law will be forbidden from removing their pants for three days as punishment. If a child commits this offense, the adult responsible for their care will be punished in their place." Niu

Hong broke out in a cold sweat again.

No pants allowed for urinating or defecating… "Phoenix City Law, Article Three: If a resident of Phoenix City has a spouse who commits adultery, fighting is forbidden, and murder is strictly prohibited. A possible solution is for the other spouse to also commit adultery, to ensure fairness."

The clerk wiped his forehead with his sleeve.

"Phoenix City Law, Article Four: Phoenix City residents may not kill indiscriminately. If there is a compelling reason to kill, one must first report to the City Lord's Mansion and obtain approval before taking action. Anyone who fails to follow this procedure will be arrested and first subjected to castration, followed by caning ten days later, and then buried alive ten days later."

The clerk and Niu Hong simultaneously wiped their sweat.

"Phoenix City Law, Article Five: Phoenix City men may not commit the crime of sexual misconduct. Even if they covet a woman other than their wife, their first priority must be to make her willing. If that fails, they may try to entice her with money. If that still fails, they must not act recklessly. Otherwise, they will be subjected to the punishment of sodomy."

Such laws… truly a sight to behold!

Niu Hong, his old face flushed, stepped forward and bowed to Li Yue, saying, "Lord City Lord, I think I'll go inspect the city."

Li Yue's eyes darted around, and she said, "Hmm, the laws should be taken from the people and used for the people. Old Hu (the clerk's surname is Hu), Xiao Miao, take your writing materials, let's go with General Niu to the city."

Niu Hong: "..." It seems there's no way to avoid it.

Many soldiers' families who lived not far from here had already moved over, and the various shops under Yu Wuchen's command had opened for business on both sides of the main street of Phoenix City. Walking through the city, looking around, apart from having more men than women, it wasn't much different from the big cities outside.

"Phoenix City Law, Article Six: Collecting protection fees from shops is the City Lord's privilege. No commoner may attempt this. Those who violate this order will be punished by sweeping the streets for a month." It seems that integrating into the masses brings a lot of inspiration; look, she thought of another one just after leaving the City Lord's mansion.

Niu Hong continued to wipe his sweat.

Not far along, they saw an elderly woman with white hair leaning against a wall, basking in the sun. Li Yue pointed and asked, "Whose old woman is this?"

Niu Hong, acting as a good general, immediately named the soldier.

Li Yue nodded and said, "Phoenix City Law, Article Seven: Anyone who has cared for their parents to the age of seventy can receive ten taels of silver from the City Lord's Mansion every month as a reward."

After walking a few steps, she turned back and added, "Phoenix City Law, Article Eight: Anyone with a woman in their household who is about to give birth or has just given birth can receive free meat from the butcher shop, with the bill recorded at the City Lord's Mansion and settled monthly."

Niu Hong's expression returned to normal; at least these two laws were somewhat normal, not just normal, but practically divine pronouncements.

... The group continued writing down Phoenix City Laws as they walked, and in less than an hour, they had produced over two hundred chaotic articles. Niu Hong's facial expressions had probably changed too much during this time, and gradually his facial muscles became numb. He concluded that to serve this City Lord well, one had to be expressionless.

At noon, the four of them ate together at a restaurant in the city.

At the banquet, Niu Hong asked, "Lord, the grain fields, orchards, and livestock farms are all taking shape. Please advise on how to arrange the manpower for farming and animal husbandry."

Li Yue, without raising her eyes, ate and replied, "Get a red flag. Plant it anywhere—on a hilltop, a city wall, or across the river. Every ten days, select two brigades. No matter what method they use, the first to pull the flag gets to eat, drink, and have fun in the city. The losing side will be responsible for plowing the fields, fetching water, raising horses, carrying manure, cleaning the streets, and patrolling the city gates

. This will be a ten-day rotation. Note that when grabbing the flag, the entire brigade must be mobilized. Don't just send one or two experts to compete. Do you understand?" Brilliant! This is truly brilliant. It demonstrates fairness and is essentially a form of indirect combat training, further hardening the losing side through physical labor…

Niu Hong couldn't help but secretly observe Li Yue, still puzzled. This young girl, not yet twenty, had never been in the army, had no experience leading troops—where did she get so many ideas? If it's not due to nurture, then it seems the only explanation is that it's something one is born with.

After lunch, Li Yue felt drowsy and decided to return to the city lord's mansion for a nap. Before she even reached the gate, a golden figure pounced towards her from afar.

"Tan Lang!" Li Yue exclaimed.

After several months apart, Tan Lang seemed to have missed her terribly, jumping all over her and leaving her with paw prints. Finally calming down, Li Yue looked up at the mansion gate and saw a female dog, similar in color to Tan Lang but slightly smaller, standing on the steps. Beside her were four chubby puppies, their four tails wagging happily in unison, clearly trying to please her.

"Heh, perhaps you've found true love and are ready to settle down?" Li Yue looked down at Tan Lang in surprise.

Tan Lang lowered his head somewhat embarrassed, giving Li Yue a reproachful glance, the meaning clear: Why bring up those past scandals? What man doesn't have a past of philandering? "Don't mention it in front of my wife, okay? Didn't you see her wagging her tail slower?"

Li Yue understood, laughed, stepped onto the stairs, patted the mother dog's head, and praised, "Good eye! With my Tanlang following me, you'll be eating pork hock every day." The mother dog wagged her long tail with a flourish.

Li Yue picked up a plump, soft puppy and skipped towards the mansion, saying, "Let's go home."

Niu Hong, Lao Hu, and Xiao Miao watched from behind, feeling quite bewildered.

This city lord, you want to treat her like a child, but she's so imposing that you can't look her in the eye. Just when you get used to her majestic demeanor, she turns around and becomes a little girl skipping around with a puppy... After settling Tanlang's family, Li Yue returned to her bedroom, somewhat dejected.

In the drawer of her dressing table was a rectangular, silver-white brocade box. She took it out, placed it on her lap, and opened it. Inside lay six porcelain dolls neatly arranged.

She had personally drawn them a few days ago and commissioned a skilled craftsman in the city to make them.

Reaching out, she took out the short-haired, black-clad boy doll with a scimitar painted on his back. Li Yue stared at it for a long time, then sighed softly, "Ye Qianxun, my beloved is back, aren't you coming? You're never coming again, are you?"

Thinking of this, Li Yue felt a sudden pang of sadness, an urge to cry welling up, but she quickly bit her lip to hold it back.

From their first meeting in that rainy mountain cave, their relationship had been on and off, entangled for two years, and now, it had finally come to an end.

If he wouldn't come, then so be it. If she could find a woman devoted to her wholeheartedly, there would be no need to come here again. Whether it's fidelity in love or cooking skills, I, Qin Li Yue, am not very good at either.

Putting him back in the box, Li Yue's fingertips slid to the side. The one in the dragon robe, with a gentle face, was Yan Huang. How was he now? After the martial arts tournament, she would go to Dongyi to see him.

Should she go? If, as Guan Du claims, she is indeed the daughter of Empress Dowager Dongyi, then who is Yan Huang? And who is he? Jin Lu told her that Pei Yanxi had been released, but the truth is, Dongyi is still searching everywhere for him. That brat must have lied to her again. What kind of impact will Pei Yanxi's disappearance have on Yan Huang?

Actually, she didn't want Pei Yanxi to return alive. He was sent to her by Murong Juan, and if she were to return alive, then Murong Juan should die. Comparatively, she naturally hoped to exchange Pei Yanxi's death for Murong Juan's safety. Although she was her mother's biological daughter, she had enjoyed wealth and luxury for many years, showing no filial piety to her mother whatsoever. She felt no pity for her. Her

fingertips traced Murong Juan's face, dressed in a blue robe, and Li Yue smiled bitterly. Fate was cruel; a misplaced identity had finally severed the last thread of connection between them. Although she now knew it was all a misunderstanding, he was undoubtedly more suited to Huangfu Shuhua than to her.

While she couldn't say she and Huangfu Shuhua were particularly close, she did understand her personality to some extent.

Huangfu Shuhua had a nickname in court: "The Princess Beyond the Realm." What did "beyond the realm" mean? It meant she couldn't be bound by worldly etiquette. Her arrogant and discerning nature was evident.

If she took a liking to Murong Juan, she would be devoted to him wholeheartedly, and this was precisely what Murong Juan desired from her but couldn't obtain.

Wasn't that good enough?

Actually, Li Yue had hesitated about whether to make a porcelain doll of him. But then she thought, even if she couldn't give it away, keeping it as a memento would be fine. The time spent with him was like a small flower blooming in her memory, each recollection fragrant and delightful.

Her fingertips slid to Jinlu's delicate, flower-like face, and seeing his aggrieved expression, Li Yue couldn't help but laugh again. This brat, once appeased, was quite easy to manage. Like a piece of chewy candy, it looks tempting, but chewing it hurts your teeth. Only by licking it with your tongue

can you find it's still sweet. For him, the method determines everything. Her fingertips slid down to Yu Wuchen's face, who was dressed in snow. It wasn't even June yet, but this guy had already sent someone to deliver an invitation. Speaking of which, his handwriting was truly beautiful. If she were half as good as him, she could definitely have it carved on the city wall by Niu Hong.

Hmm, it's decided, let him write the words "Phoenix City.

" Finally, picking up Su Yingge's porcelain doll with its wickedly smiling right corner of its mouth, Li Yue poked his nose with her finger and asked, "So many days, not a word? Are you that busy? Are you going to the Martial Arts Tournament?"

Then she imitated his voice and answered herself, "I'm developing an antidote for my father. You don't even come to see me. If you did, I would go to Jiuhua Mountain with you."

Li Yue thought about it and realized that she didn't know how Su Tingsong was doing. Before going to Jiuhua Mountain, she should visit Tianyi Island first.

Immediately, she ordered Niu Hong to prepare some gifts and, along with Xiao Miao and several sailors, rowed a small boat to Tianyi Island.

Upon

arriving at Tianyi Island and disembarking at Nanpu, Li Yue naturally wanted to first visit Yingge Courtyard to see if Su Yingge was there. She had only gone halfway when Madam Su, breathless, came running to meet her, grabbing her hand and saying, "Yue'er, why didn't you give me a heads-up? Yingge isn't here. Come to my courtyard; I've been missing you these past few days."

Seeing her hurried expression, it seemed more like she was there to stop her from going to Yingge Courtyard than to fetch her. Li Yue immediately became suspicious, but outwardly remained calm, smiling and saying, "Oh, anyway, I came to see my uncle and aunt. Since he's not here, let's go to Aunt's courtyard."

Arriving at Madam Su's "Enlin Courtyard," Li Yue inquired about Su Tingsong's condition and learned that he had taken medicine and was basically fine, able to handle the affairs of the Canal Gang as usual. After a moment's hesitation, seeing that Madam Su seemed rather restless, Li Yue excused herself, saying she had business in the city and needed to leave.

Madam Su tried to persuade her to stay a few times, but Li Yue insisted on leaving, so she didn't insist. She personally escorted Li Yue to Nanpu and watched her board the boat before leaving herself.

Li Yue, however, ordered the boat to be rowed to the sheer cliffs on the side of the island, and using her superb lightness skill, she leaped up and stealthily made her way towards the Yingge Academy.

She wanted to see what was going on at the Yingge Academy and why Madam Su was so afraid of her coming.

Chapter 100, Taking Advantage of the Void...

No sooner had Li Yue left than the golden-embroidered ship moored on the banks of the Jiaye River beside Phoenix City.

Niu Hong personally went to the riverbank to greet him, his expression showing no sign of unease.

With the main road from the city gate to the City Lord's Mansion under lockdown, everyone in the city knew that His Highness the Crown Prince had arrived.

Tanlang, who was playing with his wife and children in front of the city lord's mansion, looked up and saw Jinlu walking towards them like a star surrounded by a large group of guards. His perked-up triangular ears drooped instantly, and he and his wife and children took off running down the street, disappearing around the corner in the blink of an eye.

Jinlu paused slightly upon seeing this.

Like father, like son; Liyue is so clever and mischievous, even her dog is so intelligent.

Back when he first met Li Yue on Tianyi Island, he had already recognized her through the gap in the dragon carriage curtain. Just then, this dog darted in, and he casually snapped its neck to make it easier to recognize Li Yue. Unexpectedly, the dog witnessed this, and it seems that the brutal scene of him snapping its neck was deeply imprinted in its mind ever since, causing it to avoid him at all costs. A

barely perceptible smile played on his lips as he ordered the guards to stand watch outside the mansion. He then led Li Shi and Niu Hong into the mansion to tour Li Yue's "lair."

"Hahahaha..."

"Pfft... Hahahaha..."

"Hahaha... Cough cough..."

Sitting behind the long desk in the council hall, Jin Lu flipped through the "Phoenix City Laws" drafted by Li Yue, laughing so hard he almost fell over. Niu Hong and Li Shi stood to the side, one sweating profusely, the other filled with curiosity. Li Shi, who had been by Jin Lu's side for a long time, had never seen anyone or anything make him laugh like this.

Turning her head to question Niu Hong with her eyes,

Jinlu received only a forced smile in return. She read through about half the book, noticing the words "To be continued," before pulling out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe away tears of laughter. Looking up, her lips still curved into a slight smile, she said to Li Shi, "Make me a copy of this 'Phoenix City Laws.' Looking at it makes me so happy." These strange laws—only that guy could come up with them; they were truly unprecedented and unparalleled treasures.

After leaving the council hall, Jinlu went to Li Yue's bedroom in the backyard. Since it was a bedroom, Niu Hong, Li Shi, and the others naturally couldn't go in.

Jinlu looked around the simple and tidy room, sat on the small bed, and then went to the dressing table, wanting to see what kind of jewelry this guy usually liked to wear.

Opening the dressing table drawer, she found a silver-white brocade box. Taking it out and opening it, she was stunned.

He had initially thought his immediate concerns were only Yu Wuchen and Su Yingge, but looking into the box, he realized his task was far more daunting.

Yu Wuchen, Yan Huang, Murong Juan, Ye Qianxun… and the empty compartment—he knew without a doubt who it belonged to. Reassuringly, he himself was in the box; surprisingly, Huangfu Jue wasn't there.

It seemed Li Yue didn't care about Huangfu Jue. In that case, his order to frame Huangfu Jue was pointless.

Looking again at the lifelike dolls in the box, he sighed. It seemed eliminating these rivals from the outside was unlikely. First, he couldn't possibly kill Yan Huang, the Emperor of Dongyi.

What to do? He could only learn from Su Yingge and win hearts and minds.

Thinking of Su Yingge, a cunning smile curved his lips.

Li Yue had gone to Tianyi Island; it must be quite lively there now.

Li

Yue climbed over the wall into Yingge Courtyard. The scenery inside was as serene as ever, without a trace of unease. A question lingered in her mind: was she perhaps being paranoid?

Passing several enormous canna lilies, she caught a glimpse of a white figure out of the corner of her eye. Her pupils contracted, and she instinctively turned to look. In the flower pavilion where she and Su Yingge often ate, sat a woman in snow-white robes, quietly reading a book. From Li Yue's angle, the woman appeared like a lotus emerging from water, beautiful and ethereal, her beauty and demeanor like a secluded orchid in a valley, untouchable and unapproachable.

Li Yue didn't know why she had been so captivated upon seeing her. Was it because of her ethereal beauty, or simply because she was in Su Yingge's courtyard?

However, before she could figure it out, the woman, as she finished reading a page and reached to turn the page, also saw her.

She paused only slightly before standing up, politely nodding to Li Yue. Her cherry-red lips parted, her voice like a nightingale's song: "The maids are in the back courtyard, and Young Master Su is in Tianyi Pavilion. Please make yourselves at home, Miss."

Ah, not only beautiful, but also with a sharp mind. Knowing she must be an acquaintance on the island to have entered, there was no need to inquire about her background. And besides Su Yingge and his maids, who else could she be looking for? Her words were concise and to the point; she was certainly someone of character. In

a short time, a smile appeared on Li Yue's lips. She turned and walked towards the pavilion. Upon closer inspection, the woman's features became even more delicate and beautiful, like a flower in full bloom. Her gaze shifted downwards, and Li Yue noticed the book in her hand was a thick volume on pharmacology. She remembered seeing this book on Su Yingge's bookshelf because of its weight.

Her heart felt like it was being pricked by thorns, yet a hint of surprise crept into her smile. Li Yue smiled and said, "I'm sorry to bother you. Actually, I came to see you. May I ask your surname, young lady?"

The woman seemed somewhat surprised, but out of politeness, she nodded slightly and said, "My surname is Lan. May I ask what brings you here?"

Li Yue sighed and said, "I have an uncle who has been seriously ill for many years, bedridden and unable to be cured despite consulting numerous doctors. I heard from people in the martial arts world that..." "Young Master Su's medical skills are exceptional; perhaps only he could cure my uncle. For the past six months, I've repeatedly sought his help, but he's always refused. Today, upon arriving on the island, I heard from Aunt Su that a distinguished guest has arrived at the Yingge Courtyard. Perhaps he can help persuade Young Master Su to change his mind, so I've taken the liberty of coming. Please forgive any intrusion, Miss Lan."

Upon hearing this, Lan You (the woman in the snow-white dress) blushed slightly, her face as radiant as a begonia. She lowered her eyes slightly, seemingly quite shy, yet not denying anything.

After a moment, she looked up and saw Li Yue staring at her expectantly. She composed herself and said, "Young Master Su is quite stubborn. If he refuses, I'm afraid no one can persuade him."

Knowing Su Yingge so well, their relationship certainly seems quite close.

Li Yue felt a lump in her throat, her expression falling with disappointment. "I've heard that Young Master Su is always averse to women, and no woman has ever been allowed to stay at the Yingge Courtyard in recent years. Since Miss Lan is here now, she must be extremely important to him. Are you perhaps unwilling to help? I will not let you work in vain. If you can persuade Young Master Su to lend a hand, I will reward you handsomely."

Lan You looked up, her clear, watery eyes falling on Li Yue's face, and said softly, "Please don't misunderstand, Miss. That's not what I meant. It's just that I'm truly not confident about this matter, so I can't act rashly." " I agree, Miss. However, if you trust me, could you please describe your uncle's illness to me?"

Li Yue asked in surprise, "Could it be that Miss Lan also knows medicine?"

Lan You nodded slightly, humble yet confident, "I know a little."

Li Yue first showed surprise, then hesitated, stammering, "My uncle is quite eccentric; he won't let anyone see him unless they are apprenticed to a renowned doctor. May I ask, Miss Lan, who your medical teacher is?"

Lan You's cheeks flushed red again, and she said, "It was under the guidance of Young Master Su that I learned a little about medicine."

...

Li Yue finally made an excuse, saying that she needed to go back and have the doctor who treated her uncle write a detailed list of symptoms and send it to Lan You for review. Lan You agreed and gracefully saw Li Yue off. As

they parted, Lan You occasionally glanced to the side, and Li Yue caught a glimpse of a faint crimson stain on her collar. Although she couldn't see the whole thing, as someone with experience, Li Yue knew exactly what it was.

Leaving the Yingge Courtyard, she rushed back to the small boat waiting for her at the foot of the cliff. Leaning against the gunwale, she gave the order to return to Phoenix City.

The blood-red setting sun quickly disappeared behind the distant mountains, and the river gradually darkened. Li Yue lowered her eyes, watching the rolling waves below the boat, her own heart churning with emotions. She

was deeply saddened, truly heartbroken.

Although she hadn't asked in detail, every glance and expression from the woman clearly told her that she and Su Yingge had a past, a story, perhaps a deep and unforgettable one.

Su Yingge even taught her medicine. How long would it take for such a humble and reserved woman to confidently say that she knew a little about medicine? She

was tormented like never before, but she couldn't ask Su Yingge. Not only could she not ask now, but she couldn't ask in the future, simply because she wasn't qualified.

Before, she had only liked Su Yingge's tolerance and forbearance, but today she truly understood how much heart and willpower it took to genuinely like someone and remain oblivious to their infidelity.

It was truly a heart-wrenching torment.

Knowing that there were others around, you couldn't help but wonder: would he hold her in his arms, whisper sweet nothings, and kiss her tenderly? Would he use the same hand that had comforted you to comfort her? Would he cook for her to please her? Would he personally prepare a medicinal bath and then carry her, bathed until she was as smooth as jade, to bed and eat her? …

Li Yue cupped her forehead, her fingers digging deep into her dark hair, and closed her eyes.

She thought she would no longer blame Ye Qianxun for his obsession. Only those who have truly loved know how painful it is to share. Unless the love is extreme, to the point where one feels they would die if they lost the other, she thought no one would want to share their lover.

She also wouldn't blame Su Yingge. He had tolerated her, and she naturally had a responsibility to tolerate him as well, although she still needed time to adjust her mindset, or perhaps decide whether to continue being with him.

Looking up at the vast, desolate sky, she thought that perhaps she should be more tolerant of the men around her. The men who stayed by her side because they loved her must be feeling the same pain and reluctance she was experiencing now.

And those men who chose to leave because of her infidelity had also truly loved her. If it weren't true love, who would care whether she had only one person or a group of people by her side? They left helplessly because they couldn't bear the pain of sharing, and they must be suffering too. She only needed to consider the pain she would feel if she ultimately abandoned Su Yingge because of that woman to know the extent of her suffering.

People may have different perspectives due to differences in gender and experience, but the heart in love is likely similar for everyone.

Her right hand reached into her bosom, touching the warm porcelain doll. She had originally intended to give it to Su Yingge…

A sudden wave of desolation washed over her. In the end, would these six porcelain dolls be all that remained by her side?

*

Phoenix Mountain is very close to Tianyi Island; whether it was Su Yingge's deliberate arrangement or an unintentional discovery, she didn't know. Li Yue left Tianyi Island in the evening and arrived in Phoenix City late at night.

Upon returning to the City Lord's Mansion, she found Tan Lang and his family of six standing anxiously waiting at the gate. Li Yue assumed they were waiting for her and didn't think much of it. After taking them inside, she instructed the servants to prepare some food for them and then returned to her bedroom.

Just as the lamp on the corner of the table was lit, something stirred on the bed, and someone groggily called out, "Sister Yue, you're back."

Li Yue was startled, her mind preoccupied with Su Yingge, so much so that she didn't notice anyone in the room when she entered.

Love truly makes one lose their mind; such a fatal mistake was something she would never have made before.

Looking at Jinlu, who lay on her bed, sleepy-eyed yet alluring, she asked, "What are you doing here?" When she returned, she saw his dragon boat moored on the riverbank, but she was in a bad mood and didn't bother to look for him. She hadn't expected this guy to be so shameless, coming here to warm her bed himself.

"I came to see Sister Yue, but you weren't here, so I had to wait for you here." Jinlu lay on her small bed, her bright eyes twinkling like stars.

Li Yue sat wearily in front of the mirror, letting her hair down as she said, "Go back to your boat to sleep. Where am I supposed to sleep with such a big lump crammed into my bed?"

"It's so late, and the road is so far. Sister Yue, do you really have to send me back?" the devilishly handsome man pouted, looking aggrieved.

It was indeed late, but the road was far… Li Yue glanced back at him.

The devilishly handsome man quickly moved further into the bed, shrinking into a small ball, and said, "Sister Yue, I'll be good, and I won't take up too much space. Please let me sleep here."

Li Yue looked at his devastatingly handsome face, thinking: If I sleep alone tonight, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep. Having him beside me will help distract me.

With that thought, she quickly washed up and got into bed, lying down with her back to him.

Behind her, the demon moved cautiously. As Li Yue felt the other half of the pillow sink slightly, she heard him ask, "Sister Yue, may I hold you?"

She remained silent, a tacit consent, but in her heart, she thought that if he took advantage, she would kick him off the bed.

Unexpectedly, he was very obedient; after warmly holding her in his arms, his breathing became steady, and he stopped moving.

Li Yue closed her eyes, her mind filled with the aloof elegance of the woman surnamed Lan. She couldn't help but wonder if, at this very moment, Su Yingge was also holding her from behind, sleeping together on the bed.

This thought tormented her. She knew that she, sleeping in another man's arms, had no right or reason to suffer, but she couldn't control herself.

"Little pinkie, are you really not bothered that Su Yingge is here with me?" In the flickering candlelight, Li Yue asked quietly.

Jinlu was silent for a moment, then said, "It's not that I don't mind, it's just that the desire to be with you overcomes everything else, so when you're only with me, I don't think about anything else."

"How can you do that?" Liyue asked.

"Because I have deeply experienced the pain of loss. Compared to the despair of never being able to get it back, all self-torture is bearable. My mother died when I was three years old. I will never have a mother again in my life. I often think that if she were still by my side now, I wouldn't care if she were a prostitute or a beggar, as long as she was there. For those who have never lost their mothers, the identity of a mother might be something they care about to some extent.

Since I was old enough to understand, I have been surrounded by prosperity, but I have only felt coldness and darkness. Sister Yue is the only lamp in my life that can give me warmth and light. No matter how many people this lamp attracts to seek warmth, what I care about most is that you will never go out. I want to take good care of you, shelter you from the wind and rain, and keep you shining forever." Jinlu's voice was gentle and soft, like a lullaby in Liyue's ear.

Such a humble and simple wish came from the mouth of someone who was about to ascend to the throne. Liyue's heart softened and melted without any resistance.

It turned out there was someone by her side who loved her more than anything. Perhaps he had been cunning and calculating, but if the opportunity to have her all to himself was before him, as someone who loved her, he had no reason not to seize it, right?

She turned around, looking at Jinlu's flawless face so close to hers, and asked, "Little pink one, in the future, will you marry an empress and have a harem of concubines?"

Jinlu's eyes flickered, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly. He didn't answer directly, only saying, "I'll listen to Sister Yue."

Liyue was stunned for a moment, then reached out to pinch his high nose, saying, "You're so cunning."

Jinlu hugged her tighter in a coquettish manner, pouting, "I said I'd listen to Sister Yue, how is that cunning?"

Liyue sighed inwardly: Oh well, she had said it before, no expectations, no disappointments, no demands, no grievances. As long as someone loved her, she would be happy every day. Even if she was left alone in the future, she could still smile and listen to the wind and bask in the sunlight.

...

As dawn approached, the red candle on the corner of the table had long since burned out. With a sharp, delicate moan, the bed curtains, which had been swaying for nearly an hour, finally stopped. The sweet, intertwined breaths of the man and woman filled the dimly lit room.

Li Yue was exhausted. The devilish man begged for her pleasure, but she declared she would only allow it once. So, the devilish man changed his signature "once-and-forth" approach to a prolonged battle.

She was drowsy, but the devilish man was still deeply embedded in her, holding her and kissing her neck affectionately.

She tried to push him out, but quickly realized that with his current length and hardness, there was no way she could succeed except by squeezing him until he felt secretly satisfied.

"Pink and tender, you should marry a crown princess first," Li Yue murmured weakly, slumped on the bed.

The devilish man, who had been slowly calming down, froze upon hearing this and immediately began to withdraw from her again.

"Hey, you said it would only be once!" Li Yue cried out, pressing against his chest.

"I haven't come yet. I was just being considerate of Sister Yue and taking a break." The devilish man looked innocent, his movements continuing.

Li Yue was so angry she couldn't speak. He had clearly ejaculated, yet he had the audacity to say it was to be continued?

But before she could curse him, the devilish man's soft, round lips had already tenderly sealed her mouth.

The main text will not be finished until the next day

. Everyone has a tendency to be lazy, and Jinlu was no exception.

Before, in the Eastern Palace, he was always concerned about attending court early every day, and no matter how tired he was, he would always get up before dawn. But this time, sleeping in the Phoenix City, knowing he didn't have to attend court early, he lingered for half the night, and when he woke up it was already broad daylight.

Looking beside him, he saw no one; Liyue had gotten up sometime earlier.

Jinlu stroked the fine creases where she had slept, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

Last night, this little one had been howling and crying under him, then simply fainted and pretended to be dead. He had thought she really couldn't take it anymore and had let her go. Unexpectedly, she had gotten up earlier than him; it seemed she still had good stamina.

Hearing the silence outside, he put on his brocade robe, got out of bed, opened her dressing table drawer, took out the brocade box, and opened it. Sure enough, Su Yingge's porcelain doll was back in its original place. She

hadn't been able to give it away after all.

He closed the box, feeling much better. After dressing herself, she felt something was missing. Upon closer inspection, she discovered her Crown Prince's Token was gone.

That guy must have taken it again. He'd given her anything she wanted, so why would he steal the token?

Just as she crossed the back courtyard and climbed the steps to the back door of the council hall, she faintly heard Li Yue's voice from inside: "...Remember, all the officials must personally lead their men to go door-to-door doing ideological work, distributing leaflets, telling unmarried women, widows too, that marrying into my Phoenix City will bring good houses, good clothes, and meat to eat. The men of my Phoenix City are handsome and strong. Oh, and Niu Hong, later replace all the soldiers guarding the city with the most handsome and best-built men in the army. In short, while I'm gone, you have only one task: get married, consummate your marriage, and have children. Do you understand?"

The men roared in response. Such a seductive order was like a voice from another world.

"This Crown Prince's decree can only be used to command officials, not to abuse power. If I find out you're using it to line your own pockets, don't blame me for kicking your manhood to pieces! Alright, all of you, get out!" After scolding, Li Yue waved her hand, dismissing the group of men from the hall. Turning around, she saw Jin Lu leaning against the back door with a smile, his bright eyes looking at her.

Today, she wore a long, flowing red dress, its wide sleeves giving her a more languid and alluring look than her usual simple and neat style. The deep red dress made her skin look like snow, and her pink lips curved into a smile. Her dark eyes narrowed, and her smile was captivating.

Jin Lu walked towards her without resistance, praising, "Sister Yue, are you trying to seduce me?"

Li Yue tilted her head back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and stared at him with honeyed eyes, whispering with a soft smile, "Would you like to be seduced by me?"

This was blatant seduction, a provocation!

Jinlu's soft, red lips curved upwards. He pulled her slender waist close, pressing her against his body, and whispered in her ear, "If Sister Yue can take responsibility, I'd be more than happy to." Before he finished speaking, he spun her around and pressed her down onto a long ebony table.

"Hahaha..." Li Yue laughed, kicking her legs wildly as he lunged at her like a leopard, pleading, "Alright, alright, let's get ready and go to Xiwu."

Jinlu stopped, blinked his large eyes, and asked, "Why so early?"

Li Yue sat up, saying, "Isn't it boring being cooped up here? What, don't you want to travel around with me?"

"Of course I do!" Jinlu smiled, his smile as bright as a hundred flowers.

"Are you waiting for me here or back on the ship?" Li Yue asked.

"Here." Jinlu also sat down on the ebony table, smiling.

Seeing his childlike nature, Li Yue pinched his nose with a mixture of indulgence and helplessness before turning back to her bedroom to pack her things.

Why was she in such a hurry to go to Xiwu?

Because she was uneasy.

Yesterday, although she hadn't introduced herself to the woman surnamed Lan, with Su Yingge's intelligence, how could he not guess it was her?

Every time she thought about it, she regretted not making up an excuse to leave when she saw that woman yesterday, why did she go up and chat with her, asking all sorts of questions?

She knew he had a past relationship from the first time she was intimate with Su Yingge; otherwise, how could he be so skilled and adept?

She just hadn't expected the difference between seeing it and imagining it to be so great.

Now, if he came after her, what could she expect him to say?

If he didn't come, she was torn and miserable.

Whether he came or not, it was torture for her now, so she wanted to escape, to leave.

She needed some time to think things through.

As they left Phoenix City, the impeccably dressed royal guards followed behind, while Jinlu walked hand in hand with her. The radiant couple stunned everyone along the way.

This incredibly impressive scene put the minds of many soldiers in the city at ease.

It turned out that their city lord had such a close relationship with the current crown prince, the future emperor. As long as they flattered their city lord, not only was a secure life possible, but a rise in status was not out of the question.

*

Jinlu, that kid, was like a dog that had gone mad from its cage. Once released, he ran wild, forgetting all about status, etiquette, and upbringing. He entered every city, strolled through every street, sampled every local delicacy, and seduced every beautiful woman he encountered.

Along their journey in fine clothes and elegant attire, Li Yue had observed that this young man only needed a few glances to successfully seduce a woman. At most, a slight smile would suffice. No matter how cold or aloof the woman initially appeared, her face would flush with desire, and she would be playing hard to get. Just as she was about to resist, this young man would turn around and call out to Li Yue, who was watching the spectacle with her arms crossed, "Wife, let's go."

For this, Li Yue had earned countless jealous and resentful glares from other women.

She wasn't annoyed; on the contrary, she felt that this willful, unrestrained personality was exactly what he should have been like. So she let him do as he pleased, sometimes even feeling like his older sister.

However, because she enjoyed taking advantage of his tenderness so much at night, she would often feel a pang of guilt. They

soon arrived in Xiwu. Out of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a minister from Xiwu was waiting at Tongxuan Pass to host a banquet for Jinlu. However, since Li Yue had no intention of lingering, Jinlu politely declined and went directly to Zhuwu Gate.

The Prince Xi's Mansion did not send anyone out of the city to welcome them. A deliberate welcome would have been seen as currying favor. Instead, sending someone to invite them after they had settled down would have made it seem like a very close relationship and would have been more likely to mislead the enemy.

Guan Du calculated the time, estimating that Li Yue and her group had rested enough, before going to Yi Qing Ju to invite them.

When he arrived, Li Yue and Jin Lu were chasing and playing in the courtyard. The reason was that Jin Lu had snatched the melon slice that Li Yue had first set her sights on.

Last time, Li Yue had come to Zhu Wu Men to find him because of the mystery of her origins, and had left devastated and heartbroken. But this time, seeing her again, she was back to normal. He knew she could get through it; the hardships she had endured in these eighteen years were comparable to a lifetime for an ordinary person. The further she went, the fewer obstacles she couldn't overcome.

It was a pity that the prince had missed out on such a woman.

Seeing Guan Du arrive while playing, Li Yue let go of Jin Lu and went to the arched bridge to greet him. Jin Lu took the opportunity to lean against a tree, happily munching on a melon.

Guandu had only ever heard of Jinlu but never seen him. This was their first meeting. Seeing his jade-like face and innocent expression, and recalling his past actions, he knew this man was a master of deception, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Out of courtesy, he bowed to Jinlu from afar. Jinlu, with a melon in his mouth, mumbled, "No need for formalities."

Liyue turned around and scolded, "Are you going to die from eating that?"

Jinlu nodded hastily, leaving Liyue speechless with exasperation.

Li Yue turned around and smiled at Guan Du, "He didn't even attend the banquet hosted by the officials of Tongxuan Pass, so the Xi Wang Mansion doesn't need to bother."

Guan Du thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "Alright, to be honest, it's a bit unrealistic to say we should be the best host at this time."

Li Yue glanced at Jin Lu in the distance and asked in a low voice, "Your Emperor of Xiwu is quite patient, not making a move for so long. Is he waiting for the martial arts alliance leader to be chosen?"

Guan Du said, "Probably. If the martial arts alliance leader is still inherited by the Yu family, it will undoubtedly give him another advantage. If not, he first needs to make sure that the martial arts community won't side with my Xi Wang Mansion before he can make his move. The power of the martial arts community is often not to be underestimated."

Li Yue pondered for a while and said, "That's really hard to predict. Are you going to Jiuhua Mountain?"

"We want to go, but we'll need Miss Qin to lead the way." In front of Li Yue, Guan Du knew he didn't need to hide anything.

“Alright, he and I will stay here for a day. Go back and make some preparations, and have your people come with us,” Li Yue said.

Guan Du thanked him, left gifts as usual, and returned to the Xi Wang Mansion.

As soon as he returned to the Xi Wang Mansion, Huangfu Jue hurriedly came to greet him, a hint of expectation in his expression.

Guan Du noticed this and feigned curiosity: “Your Highness, where are you going?”

Seeing that there was no one behind him, the slightly uneasy light in Huangfu Jue’s eyes dimmed immediately. He cleared his throat, changed the subject, and said, “I’m looking for Lin Jiu.”

“Oh.” Guan Du pretended to understand.

Huangfu Jue was secretly relieved that he had gotten away with it, but then he saw Guan Du look up and call out behind him, “Lin Jiu, don’t you know His Highness is looking for you? What are you scratching your head for?”

Lin Jiu walked up with a puzzled look on his face and said, “Your Highness, I’ve been behind you the whole time.”

Huangfu Jue’s handsome face turned red and white, with some embarrassment at being exposed. He called out in a low voice, “Come with me to the study!” He turned around and ran away in three steps.

After the two disappeared around the corner of the corridor, Yan Ji stroked his beard and walked over from the other end of the courtyard. Looking in the direction Huangfu Jue had disappeared, he said, "Your Highness is acting strangely today. Ever since you went to Yiqing Residence, you've been pacing back and forth in the courtyard."

Guan Du nodded and said, "I noticed, but... isn't it a bit late for you to start acting strangely now?"

The two were silent for a moment, then Guan Du said, "This trip to Yiqing Residence made me suddenly come to a conclusion."

Yan Ji looked up at him, his gaze questioning.

"Children without mothers grow up quickly." Look at those two at Yiqing Residence, one eighteen and the other seventeen, both motherless at a young age, both shrewd and calculating.

Yan Ji pondered for a while and said, "A wise saying. After the Dowager Consort passed away, Your Highness has matured quite a bit."

Guan Du sighed and said, "He's just freed from constraints and burdens, no longer needing to compromise and suppress himself for the Dowager Consort, allowing his true feelings to surface. It's just a pity that if he had done this earlier, he probably wouldn't be wandering alone in the garden path now."

...

Study.

Huangfu Jue tossed aside the military strategy in his hand, rubbing his forehead in frustration. After a moment, he suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked up at the sky.

It was the same night, the same wind, the same stars, the same moon, yet why couldn't his heart find peace? Why did his chest feel stuffed with cotton, making him want to howl at the heavens?

He knew, he knew, that person had come, to that mansion called "Yiqingju" just two streets away, with another man named Jinlu…

His head throbbed with pain, and a wave of unease washed over him, making him want to punch himself.

He tried to distract himself, but what in the study could distract him?

He went to the bookshelf, flipping through books haphazardly, but found none of them interesting.

He picked up the thirteenth book, and after flipping through a few pages, something fell from the pages and landed on the floor.

He glanced down, his gaze freezing.

After a moment of stunned silence, he squatted down and picked up the small piece of forsythia.

The slender branches were long since withered and yellowed, and the once vibrant flowers, pressed between the pages of a book for so long, were flattened like the tips of a dead butterfly's wings.

Memories flooded his mind.

He thought, he remembered that string of forsythia.

On that bright, warm, and pleasant spring afternoon, when that fair-skinned, beautiful girl appeared before him, she wore a bracelet made of forsythia on her wrist. As for why it was tucked between the pages of a book and hidden on the bookshelf…

He leaned against the bookshelf and sat on the floor, looking up, staring blankly at the shelves above. After a long while, he finally closed his eyes helplessly.

He had to admit, he had fallen in love…

He had thought he was just unable to resist her seduction, unable to control his desires, which was why he had repeatedly slept with her. However, the truth was that it wasn't like that at all. Faced with the seduction of other women, whether they were strangers or acquaintances, he had no reaction, not even a hint of wanting to sleep with them.

He had thought he loved Jiang Hanyu; having grown up with her since childhood, he should love her. But ever since that time she tried to seduce him in the study and failed, only to be met with no response when she confronted him, he began to question whether he truly loved her. He used a simple method to test his feelings: imagine if a man with excellent qualities in every way proposed to her—would he be jealous? Would he feel hurt?

The answer was unexpected yet somehow predictable: no.

It turned out he didn't love her at all. They had been together for too long, understood each other too well, and their feelings had long since transformed into a sibling-like affection. Before meeting Li Yue, he had never studied the difference between sibling affection and romantic love, which was why he mistook his feelings for Jiang Hanyu for romantic love. Ultimately, he had simply never loved before, and didn't know what love truly was.

Another thing that had troubled him for a long time was why he had said those things to Li Yue that day, immersed in the grief of losing his mother.

He thought about it for a long time, but couldn't understand. He only vaguely remembered feeling immense pain and suffering; he hoped she could give him an explanation, hoped to see similar pain in her eyes, hoped she… could offer him a few words of comfort. But she remained silent, her eyes showing nothing.

So he acted impulsively and spoke without thinking…

As for why he had hoped for her in that way back then, he couldn't understand it. He only knew that at that time, he held such hopes for her, but not for Guan Du, Jiang Hanyu, or anyone else.

Looking back, he found it strange and incomprehensible, yet he didn't feel he had done anything wrong. The only thing he felt was wrong was saying those words to her. For

over a year, every time he thought of that scene, he felt immense remorse. A single misstep can lead to eternal regret, but a slip of the tongue is far more terrible than a misstep. If he had a misstep, he would bear the consequences himself; but the consequences of a slip of the tongue are borne by others.

He wanted to apologize to her, even though he knew it might not make up for the harm he had caused her, but at least it would let her know he knew he was wrong and that he was remorseful.

But he didn't have the chance. There were always other men around her; she didn't even look at him now. Was he supposed to forcibly stop her and apologize to her in front of other men?

…

Let's go to Jiuhua Mountain. She and Jinlu should be going to Jiuhua Mountain too. The journey isn't too short or too far; she'll find an opportunity to apologize to her privately.

*

As night fell, Jinlu, that brat, played with Liyue for half a day before finally going to bathe. Liyue was finally able to sit quietly by the clear pond, drinking and watching the stars.

She didn't like her words and actions being constantly monitored, so Jinlu's guards stayed outside the mansion, never daring to enter the courtyard without orders.

In June, the courtyard was filled with dazzling flowers and a subtle fragrance.

Liyue, however, held the wine pot, lost in thought. If she didn't come, who would these flowers bloom for? Who would smell their fragrance?

But they were always ready, to bloom in their season, alluring and unreserved. Even if they didn't get that fleeting glimpse, so what? At least they had been beautiful and fragrant.

Women should be like flowers, not adorning themselves for those who appreciate them, but living vibrantly even after their youth has faded…

Just as she was pondering this, something suddenly shot towards her like lightning from the distant flower bushes.

Li Yue reacted with lightning speed, catching the object between her fingers and leaping to her feet. In two bounds, she arrived at the rose bush behind the bamboo grove. The flowers swayed gently, but no one was in sight.

The newcomer possessed incredible lightness skills, moving so quickly.

Something soft touched her fingertips. Li Yue looked down and realized it wasn't a hidden weapon but a folded note. Unfolding it, she read: "Moon Baby, tonight at midnight, I'll be waiting for you by the lake in the east of the city. Don't be late."

Su Yingge, he still came after her.

To go? Or not to go?

Li Yue hesitated.

"Sister Yue, where are you? Want to play hide-and-seek with me?" A sweet, seductive voice rang out from the other side of the pond.

Hide-and-seek? Yes, Qin Li Yue never played such silly games.

So, she would go.

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