Yu Ruyi's eyes widened in surprise. What had he just said? General Ma's third daughter, Ma Ruyi?
"General Ma's third daughter, Ma Ruyi, disappeared many years ago. Now that she has returned, shouldn't she be recognized as a member of the family?" Huangfu Xuan's thin lips curled up. "General Ma will definitely be very happy."
"Uh..." Yu Ruyi was startled. He was a Japanese... Just as he had said before, he was Princess Yu, the only Princess Yu!
"I don't care what your purpose is, but you are my woman. From now on, you are not allowed to use Fusang martial arts. You can learn the martial arts of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty for self-protection, but if you ever use Fusang martial arts, don't blame me for being ruthless and sealing all your martial arts!"
Yu Ruyi knew there was no room for negotiation with him, but she was truly content to be by his side.
“Tomorrow I will speak with General Ma and ask you to acknowledge your ancestors and return to your clan. When you return to General Ma’s mansion, do you know what to do? You have older brothers, so be extremely careful!” Huangfu Xuan’s lips twitched. “You won’t disappoint me, will you?” As he spoke, he pinched her chin, his eyes turning cold.
Yu Ruyi nodded.
Under the warm red silk tent, the man's body pressed down on the smaller one, and before she could refuse, another round of plundering had begun.
Nan Xuzong entered the secret room, then walked through a series of bends to reach another scene, which resembled a small restaurant.
He walked to a door and knocked, "Master."
"Cong'er?" The old man was packing his things when he suddenly heard a shout. He immediately put down what he was doing and opened the door. "It's so late, why aren't you resting yet?"
"I have something I'd like to ask Master," Nan Xuzong said, his face somewhat handsome.
The old man nodded, let him in, and then closed the door again.
"I want to know what I was in my past life," Nan Xuzong said at this moment. "What is the connection between her and me?"
"Has something happened? Otherwise, you wouldn't have suddenly come here to ask your master," the old man said.
"Yes," Nan Xuzong said. "Today, Beigong Jueshi and Yiyun Muchen came to the manor. Muchen is pregnant and chatted with Wushang. Afterwards, perhaps Wushang wanted to help check on the condition of the child in Muchen's womb, but unexpectedly, the child was very powerful. It seemed that some kind of magic power was transmitted into Wushang's body, and a blood lotus appeared on the lower back of Wushang's neck!"
"Blood Lotus!" The old man stroked his long beard. "The Blood Lotus appears, the Demon Lord is born. This is bad, very bad!" He wondered if it was too late for what he had asked Doctor Cui and the Ghost Doctor to do.
"When I was bathing, I couldn't help but look at her blood lotus, and I... I actually wanted to kill her!" Nan Xuzong looked at the old man with the medicine in anguish. "Master, I don't want to hurt her, why, why did I do this? I almost hurt her!"
The old man who made the medicine looked at him, sighed, and said, "In your previous life, you were the God of War who subdued demons, and in her previous life, she was the Demon Queen."
Demon-Subduing War God... Nan Xuzong smiled wryly, he really was overestimating himself!
"More than a thousand years ago, the God of War who subdued demons was ordered to kill the evil Demon Lord. Who would have thought that the two would fall in love with each other and be ordered to kill each other by the Heavenly Court. Later, they were converted by the Buddha and they were willing to cultivate for ten lifetimes to overcome this tribulation. However, you are only in your ninth lifetime in this life. Your cultivation is not enough. There will definitely be no result in this life. Continue in your next life. Perhaps there will be a result in the next life."
"How did Master know all this?" What Demon-Subduing War God? I don't want to know! I don't believe in any of this!
"This is a legend, and even I don't fully understand it." The old man Pan Yao took out a scroll from his packed luggage and placed it in his hand. "Take a look."
Nan Xuzong opened the scroll with a puzzled look, and sure enough, it contained a record of a thousand-year catastrophe. Nan Xuzong turned directly to the last page, which was torn out. Turning to the second to last page, he saw the Demon-Subduing War God standing high above, holding a demonic lotus in his hands.
"Master, what does this mean?" Nan Xuzong asked immediately. "The Demon Lotus, is it her true form?"
"Hmm." The old man of Panyao nodded. "The Demon-Subduing War God held the Demon Lotus in his hand, but the Demon Lotus had already fallen. This means that the Demon Lotus died in his hands! If it hadn't died, how could it have cultivated with him for ten more lifetimes? Buddha saves people, but he also saves them from reincarnation."
“But this is the second to last page, not the last page.” Nan Xuzong looked at him. “Then where is the last page?”
"When I received this scroll from my grandmaster, it was just like this. No one knew what was depicted on the last page, nor did anyone know who tore it out. Just like the murals you saw in the stone chamber, the later ones were blank. No one could know what they were."
"The last page," Nan Xuzong murmured, lost in thought.
"So that's why when I saw her blood lotus, I wanted to kill her, right?" Nan Xuzong looked at him and said, "Is this an instinct latent within me?"
"Hmm." The old man nodded. "You and she will eventually fight each other, which is why I advised you not to fall in love, to take everything back, and to leave her. Otherwise, when the time comes for you to fight, you will not be able to bear hurting each other. But, as you saw, in that last mural, the King of the Western Regions is helping her. Her power is definitely above yours. Your fate is uncertain, and the outcome is unknown."
"And you should know that once the Demon Lord begins to kill, he will have no emotions whatsoever; he will live only on blood," the old man Pan Yao added.
"Then why did the Demon Lord die at the hands of the Demon-Subduing War God?" Nan Xuzong asked, puzzled. Since the Demon Lord had unleashed his killing spree, he shouldn't have developed feelings for the Demon-Subduing War God. How could he possibly fall in love with the Demon-Subduing War God and die at his hands?
"Everything in the world has its weaknesses, and there are always things that complement and counteract each other. The Buddha-Demon War God initially wanted to use love to bind the Demon Lord's heart, to let her feel the love in the world instead of hatred and evil. Who would have thought that the two would fall in love so deeply that they couldn't extricate themselves. Because of the Heavenly Court's order to kill them, the Three Realms joined forces to attack them. The Demon-Subduing War God shielded her from too many dangers, and when he was on the verge of death, the Demon Lord deliberately died at his hands to save him, using her essence to protect his immortality. On this page, the Demon-Subduing War God holds the true form of the Demon Lotus and goes to the Western Paradise to beg the Buddha for salvation, willing to give up immortality to undergo ten lifetimes, and cultivate one lifetime to be with him."
Nan Xuzong listened, unable to calm down for a long time. His relationship with her... was so complicated! She was willing to sacrifice herself to protect his immortality, and he was willing to give up immortality and suffer through ten lifetimes in order to spend his life with her.
"This is your ninth life with her, and it is destined that there will be no outcome. There is no need to worry too much or force it. After this ninth life, you can cultivate for another life, and perhaps you can be together." The old man with the medicine tried his best to explain this truth to him.
Nan Xuzong nodded and put the scroll away. "Thank you, Master. I understand."
"So what do you plan to do?" The old man wanted to know his thoughts. Would he change his mind?
"Me?" Nan Xuzong suddenly smiled. "I believe I can definitely find a way to eliminate all of this. The Demon-Subduing War God and the Demon Lord are them, not me and Wu Shang. Now, many things are changing. Master, didn't you say there was no ending? It's precisely because there's no certainty that Wu Shang and I have to investigate. And this certainty is in my hands, in Wu Shang's hands. There are still many blank spaces in the murals of that corridor, which Wu Shang and I are meant to fill in. Although these pages have been torn, it means that someone doesn't want us to see the ending. Wu Shang and I will definitely be able to be happy."
Even if, as you say, she is a demon lord, she is very good and kind now. I have always been careful to protect her. I believe I can overcome my so-called instinct to hurt her, and I am even more certain that my instinct is to love her, not to hurt her.” Nan Xuzong said with a smile.
"Even if it's wrong, you have to keep doing it? What if you really will die? You reap what you sow!"
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded solemnly. "She and I will never be apart. Even if it's a tragedy, we will still never be separated!"
"Very well, since you are so persistent, then I wish you both well. Perhaps, as you say, you will be happy together. I have already sent Doctor Cui and the Ghost Doctor to find a medicine for you. If they find it, I will teach you the method to remove her Blood Lotus. If not, then it depends on your fate. The saying 'When the Blood Lotus grows, the Demon Lord appears' actually has a second part: 'When the Blood Lotus is gone, peace reigns.'" The old man shook his head and waved his hand. "Take care of yourself."
"Really? What medicine? Cong'er, go find it!"
"You won't find the Seven-Heart Lotus. Your body is too hot; if you get close to it, it will surely die. You'd better not get involved. Don't worry, I'll set off now and help you find it." The old man shook his head and tidied his luggage.
"Thank you, Master, for your life-saving grace!" Nan Xuzong bowed to him.
"Hopefully it won't be too late, sigh!" I wonder if I can find it within these two months! The Seven-Heart Lotus blooms only once every hundred years, I wonder if I'll be able to find it at this time?
Nan Xuzong watched the old man with the medicine leave, then immediately thought of going to check on Beigong Minhao. However, after searching everywhere, he couldn't find Beigong Minhao anywhere. Seeing that it was getting dark, Nan Xuzong had no choice but to return the way he came.
Looking at Ji Wushang sleeping soundly on the bed, he smiled inwardly. She was his precious darling, and their ending would surely be perfect. Their wishes would definitely be fulfilled. He didn't ask for much; after all this was over, they would simply find a place to live a good life together.
Nan Xuzong rolled onto the bed and then held her in his arms as they fell asleep again.
A smile appeared on his lips. In his dream, he and she were living a sweet and peaceful life in a small village, surrounded by children—three children in total.
A few days later, Nan Jinxue's funeral took place, and the matter quickly became the talk of the town. The people in the Marquis's mansion, however, hadn't quite recovered from the shock and were all preoccupied with their own plans, refusing to present any difficulties for Ji Wushang. Although Zhao Yirou and Aunt Zhao harbored deep hatred for Ji Wushang, they restrained themselves somewhat, understanding the importance of long-term planning. Therefore, Ji Wushang enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
That morning, a eunuch came to summon Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong to the palace together, where the Empress Dowager had requested an audience. Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong rode together in a carriage towards the palace.
Upon arriving at the palace, they were greeted and taken to Cixin Palace together.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager was sitting to one side, while there were many concubines in the palace who came to pay their respects, including Empress Yao, Consort Ning, Huangfu Ting, Huangfu Xuan, Huangfu Jing, Huangfu Yu, and others.
After Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong went inside, they immediately bowed to the people behind them.
The Empress Dowager looked at Nan Xu Cong, a hint of disbelief flashing in her eyes. With the help of the old nanny, she sat up straight from the warm couch. "Cong'er?"
"Grandmother Empress," Nan Xuzong knelt and bowed.
"Please take a seat," the Empress Dowager said immediately.
Everyone around was watching, and Ji Wushang stood with his head down next to Nan Xuzong.
"I heard that your legs have healed, and seeing them today, it is indeed so," said the Empress Dowager.
"Thanks to the Empress Dowager's blessings, Cong'er has recovered," Nan Xu Cong said.
While they were chatting, someone delivered a letter to the Imperial Study.
Emperor Zhou was reviewing memorials when he saw the letter that had suddenly been brought in by his secret guards. He immediately dismissed everyone and then opened the letter.
Unexpectedly, after opening it, I couldn't believe it. Was this real? I never imagined it would be like this! That… he was actually my own son? And… he was right there in the Empress Dowager's Cixin Palace!
Emperor Zhou carefully put the letter away, his eyes darkening. "Someone, go to Cixin Palace."
"Yes." The eunuch waiting outside immediately stepped forward.
At this moment, in Cixin Palace, Huangfu Ting said, "I have heard that Prince Nan is skilled in martial arts and medicine, and my brother, the Crown Prince, has been lying in the palace for a long time due to illness. I wonder if Prince Nan could take a look at my brother?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Huangfu Ting. Why was he bringing up Huangfu Yun? He was already a mad, living dead man; even a god couldn't save him now.
The Empress Dowager's smile froze as she listened. Huangfu Yun said that he was her grandson, and it would be best if he could wake up and regain his senses. However, she couldn't force Cong'er. Cong'er wasn't a doctor in the palace, so why was Huangfu Ting inviting him like this?
Ji Wushang listened to Huangfu Ting's words and glanced at Nan Xuzong, wondering if he understood the implication. Huangfu Ting's decision to have Nan Xuzong treat Huangfu Yun was essentially setting a difficult task for him. If the treatment failed, Huangfu Ting could secretly kill Huangfu Yun, and the blame would fall on Nan Xuzong, inevitably leading to the downfall of the Jin Nan Marquis's mansion behind him. However, if the treatment succeeded, the dynasty would gain a powerless figurehead who held the title of Crown Prince.
This would create even more chaos in the court, while Huangfu Ting could draw everyone's attention to the Crown Prince's awakening, thus shifting the focus. This would give Huangfu Ting more time to vie for the throne.
This can achieve two goals at once.
Nan Xuzong's lips curled up slightly as he said, "Your Highness is too kind to me. I only know a little bit about the basics. How can I compare to the imperial physicians in the palace? I am not very skilled to begin with. If I were to accidentally injure the Crown Prince, I would be a sinner for all eternity."
Everyone listened and looked at Huangfu Ting. Nan Xuzong's meaning was clear: he outwardly claimed he was less capable than others, but secretly revealed Huangfu Ting's scheme against him. Everyone knew the Crown Prince had been mentally unstable for a long time and had recently become like a living dead. He was beyond saving.
At this moment, Empress Yao smiled and said, "But what I have heard is that the Prince of Nan is a disciple of the Old Man of Panyao, and belongs to the sect of the Immortal Physician. I'm afraid the Prince of Nan is not worried about his lack of medical skills, but rather about the trouble that may befall him before or after the incident?"
The crowd was in an uproar. Were Empress Yao and Huangfu Ting going to openly challenge Nan Xu Cong?
☆、230 Returning to the Clan: The Fourth Prince's Clan! (Exquisite, with something to say)
Nan Xuzong smiled. "What calamity does Your Majesty speak of? Does Your Majesty mean that the Crown Prince will definitely not wake up? And that this calamity will then fall upon me, Nan Xuzong?"
Upon hearing this, Empress Yao's face turned pale. He had actually used such words to plot against her, and in front of the Empress Dowager no less!
"Enough! Do you think I'm dead? Treating Yun'er is the duty of an imperial physician. Does that mean everyone in the Imperial Medical Academy is dead? Why should Cong'er go? Who do you take Cong'er for?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I know my crime. Please punish me." Upon hearing this, Empress Yao immediately knelt down before the Empress Dowager.
Huangfu Ting also knelt on the ground, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. It was because I was too worried about my brother Crown Prince's injury that I came up with this idea. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
"Such an important matter as treating the Crown Prince should have been reported to Father Emperor, not decided here on your own," Huangfu Xuan said coldly. His meaning was clear: Empress Yao and Huangfu Ting dared to place themselves above Emperor Zhou and put pressure on Nan Xu Cong, showing no regard for Emperor Zhou whatsoever!
The Empress Dowager's expression changed upon hearing this; Huangfu Xuan was right!
Empress Yao quickly said, "Your Majesty, I was so worried about the Crown Prince that I was in such a hurry to find a way to cure him. But no one in the Imperial Medical Academy has been able to wake him up in all this time. So, I dared to ask if I could try some highly skilled doctors."
"How can the Crown Prince's precious body be touched by those so-called extraordinary people!" Huangfu Xuan sneered.
Empress Yao broke out in a cold sweat after hearing his words. Damn it, he actually joined Nan Xuzong in biting her!
The Empress Dowager gave them a cold glance, and was about to speak when a eunuch outside shouted, "The Emperor has arrived!"
Ji Wushang and the others immediately looked outside, all rising from their seats and kneeling on the ground. The Empress Dowager sat majestically on the chaise longue, gazing outside.
Emperor Zhou strode forward, scanning everyone in the hall. His gaze fell on Nan Xuzong, then shifted to Ji Wushang. His eyes darkened slightly. Emperor Zhou stepped forward.
"Long live the Emperor!" Everyone knelt and bowed. Emperor Zhou waved for them to rise, "Rise, all of you." He then immediately stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager, "Mother."
"Hmm, Your Majesty, it's been a long time since you've visited my palace. I'm overjoyed to see you here today," the Empress Dowager said, her tone a mix of sarcasm and praise.
"It is my fault for being unfilial and causing my mother worry." Emperor Zhou straightened up and smiled. "I will definitely visit my mother's Cixin Palace more often in the future."
"Hmm." The Empress Dowager couldn't possibly refuse to give Emperor Zhou face, and seeing that she had achieved her goal, she naturally let it go. "Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state, so naturally you have very little time to spend with me. I am already very happy that you come here from time to time." She waved her hand, and had someone quickly bring up a chair for Emperor Zhou to sit down.
Emperor Zhou looked at the people standing around him and said, "Why is everyone here today? Tell me all about it." Emperor Zhou looked at Huangfu Xuan, then at Huangfu Ting and Huangfu Yu, "Yu'er is unusually well-behaved today, going out outside for the first time."
"Father, it's because Grandmother's place is so interesting that Yu'er doesn't want to go out and wander around anymore," Huangfu Yu said with a smile.
The Empress Dowager said to him, "Then tell me, what is so interesting about this place that makes you reluctant to go out and wander around?"