"Yun'er, you're just too weak. If you could get to know Luo Zhiheng more, your father wouldn't have to worry about you being bullied after you get married." Duke Sun sighed. How could he not know that his daughter's cold personality was just an act?
Sun Yunyun was overjoyed by her father's words. Could she perhaps meet Luo Zhiheng through a platonic relationship? The thought of frequently meeting Young Master Luo in the future filled Sun Yunyun with shyness.
"Let's announce the results of the competition. Who do you think will take the top spot this year?" Seeing the judges looking so dejected, the emperor had no choice but to intervene.
The judges dared not be negligent and immediately gathered together to discuss the matter. Without a doubt, the champion of the competition was none other than Luo Zhiheng.
Luo Ningshuang was unwilling to accept this. She couldn't believe that someone of her status and everything she possessed could lose to Luo Zhiheng. She also couldn't believe that Luo Zhiheng would have such a unique and shocking idea. Of course, she wouldn't let her hard-earned reputation as a ten-time consecutive champion be ruined by Luo Zhiheng; otherwise, wouldn't she be shooting herself in the foot? But she secretly forced Luo Zhiheng to participate in the competition.
Luo Ningshuang cast a veiled glance at the crowd, and immediately someone shouted amidst the heated discussion, "She can't be the champion! Who knows if she's Luo Zhiheng? Luo Zhiheng has never had any real skills, and she's always wasting her time. Don't you find it strange that she can suddenly play chess and write calligraphy? This person might be an imposter!"
"Yes! She always came dressed to the nines and didn't shy away from people before, but today she's all wrapped up and doesn't let anyone see her face. It seems like Luo Zhiheng hired her to deceive people and win the competition in her place! How can someone like that be qualified to win the championship?"
"That's right! Yesterday, Luo Zhiheng wreaked havoc in front of Prince Mu's mansion, and the whole world knows that the young prince is in trouble. Something must have happened to Luo Zhiheng. She's an unlucky person, a jinx, and the young prince was cursed by her, which is why he didn't live past twenty! Now, the young prince is suffering misfortune because of this jinx, and yesterday he even faced a life-threatening situation. If something happened to the young prince, could Luo Zhiheng have escaped death? Something must have happened to Luo Zhiheng as well, and this person definitely isn't Luo Zhiheng!"
The appearance of these voices immediately steered the conversation in the arena. It misled the crowd and made those who had never seen Luo Zhiheng before begin to doubt whether this stunningly beautiful person was actually Luo Zhiheng.
Luo Zhiheng was both amused and exasperated. It was truly unbelievable that someone would actually use this to attack her. She glanced at Luo Ningshuang, who was sitting there calmly. Although she was very reluctant to admit their resemblance, she had no choice but to say, "You don't need to doubt whether I am Luo Zhiheng or not. Just ask Luo Ningshuang to take off her veil and you'll know. After all, Luo Ningshuang and I are twin sisters!"
These words silenced the arena once again.
Luo Zhiheng was telling the truth, and it was very effective. Although some people had seen Luo Ningshuang's true face, the most recent time was at least a year ago. While Luo Zhiheng's appearance was very similar to Luo Ningshuang's, their temperaments were completely different. Luo Zhiheng was so flamboyant, like a flame, while Luo Ningshuang was as soft as water. Even if the two were placed together, everyone could tell them apart at a glance.
"This girl is calm and composed in the face of danger, which doesn't match the rumors that she's impulsive and brainless," Zhan Hainan murmured, stroking his beard.
Some people shouted for Luo Ningshuang to quickly remove her veil, but how could Luo Ningshuang possibly do as Luo Zhiheng wished? She sat there aggrieved, looking at Luo Zhiheng with a desperate gaze, and asked a question that anyone could hear: "Are you really my sister Luo Zhiheng?"
With a loud bang, gasps of surprise erupted from the crowd!
Could it be that this stunningly beautiful woman, skilled in both literature and martial arts, is not Luo Zhiheng?!
People erupted again, hurling attacks, but not at her; instead, they attacked Luo Zhiheng, calling her despicable, shameless, and cursed. Some even went so far as to shout, "Is Luo Zhiheng dead? Could it be that the young prince is also gone? With the Mu Prince's mansion in such chaos yesterday, it's only natural that Luo Zhiheng, that jinx, would die—to be buried with the young prince!"
"Who dares to curse the young prince? Seize him immediately!" The emperor was furious and immediately shouted in a deep voice.
At the same time, Luo Zhiheng was also enraged and shouted, "You're asking for death!" She immediately used the huge calligraphy brush in her hand as a weapon and smashed it hard at the person who was talking nonsense in front of her!
Everyone was confused and angry at Luo Zhiheng's sudden outburst, but Luo Zhiheng brazenly made no attempt to hide her ruthlessness, pointing at the crowd with a sinister glint in her eyes and shouting, "I'll say it again! You can insult me, but anyone who dares to curse Mu Yunhe must spare his dog's life!"
She fought her way through countless battles, enduring humiliation and hardship. Despite her exceptional talent and learning, she deliberately resorted to witty banter. All her forbearance was for today's victory, not to allow people to repeatedly curse and humiliate Mu Yunhe! (The last sentence appears to be a fragment and doesn't translate directly.)
Luo Zhiheng's arrogant and ruthless words truly shocked everyone. The man who was hit on the shoulder felt like his bones were about to break. He roared angrily, "You're an imposter! If you've got the guts, let Mu Yunhe come out! If he's still alive, why isn't he coming out? If you really are Luo Zhiheng, why isn't Mu Yunhe coming out to prove it to you?"
Luo Zhiheng was speechless, feeling a tightness in her chest for the first time! Because she truly hadn't been able to persuade Mu Yunhe to come out. Without facts, no matter how much truth she spoke, it was all in vain.
Luo Zhiheng's gaze dimmed, but at that moment, a hoarse, cold voice pierced through the crowd, each word clearly reaching Luo Zhiheng's ears, its icy chill covering the entire scene: "Aheng, how about I tear this person who angered you to pieces and use him as a sacrifice to celebrate your victory?"
That cold voice, though understated, possessed an irresistible charm. People quickly searched for the source of the voice, and at the back of the crowd, on a magnificent carriage, a tall man stood with his gaze piercing through the sea of people, filled with amazement, shock, heartache, anger, and coldness, all rushing towards Luo Zhiheng on the arena!
That one glance was as tender as the sea!
149. Willing to bear all sins for her! Relying on each other! (Otaka, Ushio)
Updated: 2013-07-04 16:16:25 Word Count: 7750
Luo Zhiheng looked up in shock and disbelief. Standing on the raised arena, she immediately saw the man in brocade robes standing on the carriage. He was standing in the sunlight, bathed in the bright light, but the light dimmed at this moment, not as good as his elegant demeanor and stunning appearance!
He's here!!!
This realization made her heart pound uncontrollably. For the first time in both her lives, Luo Zhiheng experienced the feeling of her heart pounding like thunder. There was also a misty wetness in her eyes, a stinging sensation in her nose, and an irresistible joy overflowing her heart! Accompanying her was a sense of ecstatic joy and awe, as if she were walking from darkness into light!
She inexplicably understood his gaze. Even across mountains and rivers, even amidst a sea of people, the moment his complex and incomprehensible gaze pierced through the crowd, she understood! An indescribable warmth instantly enveloped her, a comforting feeling emanating from Mu Yunhe's protection and care.
The two looked at each other for a moment, and everyone in the room turned their attention to the source of the sound. Not only the common people, but also the centenarians, the high-ranking officials, the important figures hidden in the crowd, and even the emperor all turned their gazes, and were all shocked!
The man, clad in a python robe, exuded an innate kingly aura of coldness. His dark hair and robes fluttered in the wind as he stood tall atop the carriage, surveying the crowd below. For a moment, the entire scene fell silent, a sense of oppression settling in.
In the silence, how could the expressions on everyone's faces be described with just one word: amazed? Perhaps there was shock, perhaps disbelief, but more than anything, there was an inability to find words to describe the man's appearance, and a hint of either inferiority or admiration.
The man's features were exquisitely handsome, his thin lips slightly pursed in a cold sternness, and his slender eyes concealed a brilliance more dazzling than sunlight. His pale, almost translucent skin gave him an unreal, ethereal beauty. This man was bewitching and otherworldly! His appearance was not that of a human being.
He was a person whose entire being exuded an aura of darkness, possessing the air of royalty from the underworld. Yet, standing in the sunlight, he radiated light, his beauty unparalleled. Zhi Jingyu remained calm.
Gasps, exclamations, and frenzied discussions erupted. The old ministers were astonished, and even the emperor was stunned. How many people in this world would be fortunate enough to witness the splendor of the young prince of the Mu Dynasty's Mu Royal Palace? Moreover, at this moment, no one believed that the person before them was Mu Yunhe, for Mu Yunhe was a terminally ill man, someone who would definitely not live past twenty!
A person like that should be too sick to get out of bed. So who is this dazzlingly handsome man who calls himself "this king"? And what is his relationship with the woman who claims to be Luo Zhiheng?
Discussions erupted, and people became ecstatic. In the world today, the most handsome young man was none other than Mu Yunjin—this was universally acknowledged. Mu Yunjin's beauty was already legendary, and numerous paintings and portraits depicted him. But who could have imagined that a man suddenly appearing in this scene would possess a beauty a hundred times greater than Mu Yunjin's? Such unparalleled beauty—why had no one seen or spoken of him before?
Mu Yunhe stood there calmly, then, supported by Xiao Xizi's arm, slowly stepped down from the carriage. His steps were steady, and he showed no signs of weakness. Then, Xiao Xizi took out a blue-and-white oil-paper umbrella and opened it for Mu Yunhe. The two of them walked slowly to the carriage.
Everyone stared blankly as Mu Yunhe walked on the ground. Those closest to him lowered their heads after seeing his face, and no one dared to look at him any closer, as if looking at him would be a desecration.
Xiao Xizi was also dressed elegantly and dignifiedly today. Mu Yunhe had previously instructed that he should not be helped. So at this moment, he held up an umbrella with one hand and waved his other hand behind him. The soldiers following them rushed into the crowd and shouted: "Quickly seize the person who dares to confront the young prince and princess!"
The soldiers were more like a well-trained army; a group of fully equipped men, exuding a menacing aura, charged into the crowd, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a tense, critical point.
"What right do you have to arrest me? Everyone in the world knows that the young prince is dying. Where did you come from, imposter? There are so many imposters today! Ah, is there no justice left? Let me go right now! You have no right to arrest me! Let me go! I'm not having this! Is there no justice left?" The insolent man was unrepentant and continued to shout. It was hard to tell if he was genuinely stupid or just too arrogant.
But his sudden outburst sparked questions from the crowd: who was this person who claimed to be the king? How dare he be so arrogant?
Mu Yunhe raised his head and his cold, sharp gaze fell on the face of the struggling and shouting man. His words were cold, heavy, and arrogant: "Just because you spoke disrespectfully to me! Just because you dared to humiliate my queen! Just because you dared to speak ill of the royal offspring! Just because I am Mu Yunhe!"
With resounding words and a powerful presence, he declared his illustrious and noble status in the most straightforward and impactful manner!
The man was dumbfounded, everyone was dumbfounded, the entire scene was shocked! The women were dumbfounded, the ministers were dumbfounded, and the emperor was shocked!
He is Mu Yunhe?! How is this possible? Wasn't it said that Mu Yunhe was terminally ill? Wasn't it said that Mu Yunhe wouldn't live past twenty? Wasn't it said that Mu Yunhe suffered a severe injury yesterday? All signs and facts indicate that Mu Yunhe is about to die! Yet a person who is about to die is now standing before people in a shocking way.
A life that had almost vanished unnoticed along with the passing years, a person who had never appeared before anyone, suddenly appeared, completely overturning everyone's understanding. Even more suspicious is the coincidence of Mu Yunhe's appearance. Why did he appear at the very moment when Luo Zhiheng was being condemned and suspected by everyone? Isn't this all a deception?
Before the finals, rumors circulated that Luo Zhiheng was unlucky, and that the young prince was about to die; everyone believed Luo Zhiheng was a jinx. But on this day, the moment Luo Zhiheng stood up on the stage after defeating Luo Ningshuang, everything changed.
"No! He's lying. He can't be Mu Yunhe. Mu Yunhe is definitely going to die! Let me go!" The man, who had already been captured by the strong soldiers, was still putting up a stubborn resistance.
Mu Yunhe's gaze was icy. Upon seeing his master's gesture, Xiao Xizi immediately took out a gleaming golden token from his waist and shouted in a loud, clear voice: "Prince Mu's token is here! The young prince is here in person! All commoners and officials must kneel in obeisance immediately! Anyone who disobeys or disrespects will be executed on the spot!" 146.
When the gleaming golden token appeared, everyone was left utterly astonished.
No one would be foolish enough to steal or use Prince Mu's token to cause trouble. Prince Mu is the current emperor's only younger brother, second only to the emperor in status, and the emperor holds him in high esteem. The appearance of Prince Mu's token is tantamount to Prince Mu's personal presence; even ordinary members of the royal family would kneel in reverence, let alone others.
Now, with a token and Mu Yunhe's identity, everything is beyond question.
Then, in the crowded arena, starting with the closest person to Mu Yunhe, someone knelt down. Then, like a chain reaction, one after another, people knelt down, one after another, respectfully and in a panic.
Before the emperor announced his identity, all the nobles in this arena combined were not as precious and honorable as Mu Yunhe, the only legitimate son of Prince Mu!
In the blink of an eye, the previously chaotic and oppressive arena was filled with a sea of black heads, and those kneeling before Mu Yunhe were shouting "Long live the Emperor!" along with the officials. The current emperor is called "Long Live the Emperor," Prince Mu is called "Long Live the Emperor," and Prince Mu's eldest son, the Little Prince, also has the right to be called "Long Live the Emperor!"
The noble, sublime, and irresistible imperial power, the most honorable status, and the most unique title instantly elevated Mu Yunhe!
Young Prince, may you live a thousand years! A thousand years! A thousand thousand years!!!
The sound, like ocean waves, roared up from the ground, instantly sweeping over everyone and every inch of land, etching the name Mu Yunhe deeply into people's hearts! Majestic, stunning, and undeniable!
The entire scene was one of absolute submission!
In the blink of an eye, Mu Yunhe stood there, undeterred by the barrage of words and doubts. Luo Zhiheng stood there, no longer needing to traverse the sea of people. It was as if a towering mountain range had suddenly collapsed between them, leaving only a flat plain before them, allowing the frail man to reach the woman he longed for without expending any effort!
"What a powerful presence! This little fellow has been silent for twenty years, but I didn't expect him to rise to prominence so quickly after making his move." General Murong glanced at Old Tong, who was staring intently at Mu Yunhe, and stroked his beard with a smile, saying enviously, "So you old fellow not only have a good great-granddaughter-in-law, but also a great-great-grandson who is truly remarkable."
"Hahaha, I think this is what they mean by 'birds of a feather flock together.' Look at Luo Zhiheng's arrogant little face, it's exactly the same as the young prince's domineering aura right now," Zhan Hainan couldn't help but sigh.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The young prince appears to be in good health, which relieves Your Majesty of a great worry." General Tong said excitedly. His nephew's remarkable achievements naturally made him, as the uncle, extremely happy.
The Emperor nodded, his smile tinged with deep astonishment. How could Mu Yunhe's body have suddenly recovered so quickly? What strange thing had happened?
"I remember someone dared to harm the little princess before. I asked my uncle to teach him a lesson, but it seems that in your hearts my punishment is laughable and can be ignored or touched at will, right? Since that's the case, then I have no choice but to show you once again with my actions that my Luo Zhiheng is someone you cannot offend!" Mu Yunhe's hoarse voice was filled with a cold gloom, but the three words Luo Zhiheng were gently crushed between his lips and teeth, lingering and revealed.
Luo Zhiheng's smile deepened. She stood there, listening to him speak and watching him act, no longer uttering a word or forcefully taking the lead in everything. Because her leader had arrived, all she had to do was obey and watch him do everything for her.
That feeling made her think she was living in paradise! This is the power and beauty of relying on and fighting alongside others!
Mu Yunhe wished he could fly to Luo Zhiheng's side immediately, but he wanted to eliminate everyone who threatened Luo Zhiheng. His cold gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on the general kneeling on one knee.
The scene was strange. Even the judges of the competition were kneeling down. Only the group of white-robed old men who were between him and Luo Zhiheng were still sitting. Beside the old men, an old man looked at him with a kind face. Mu Yunhe felt a sense of familiarity from that man. Although the face was old, it still vaguely resembled his father's.
Mu Yunhe was quick-witted. Although he found it unbelievable, he still figured out that this person must be the current emperor.
Because of his serious illness, he had never seen the Emperor, and because of the Emperor's previous bestowal of honors upon Luo Zhiheng, he harbored deep resentment towards the Emperor. Therefore, this feeling of unfamiliarity and rejection led him to ignore the Emperor and pretend he hadn't noticed him. However, among those close to the Emperor, there must be one who was his maternal uncle.
"Is General Tong here?" Mu Yunhe suddenly spoke, his gaze landing precisely on the general closest to the emperor.
Even though he didn't know his uncle, Mu Yunhe still accurately identified him based on his intuition and reasoning.
General Tong immediately looked up, a hint of excitement in his usually iron-blooded gaze. His eyes met those of his nephew. General Tong glanced at the emperor, who nodded, and he immediately clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "General Mo is here!"
Mu Yunhe's lips curled into a faint, confident smile. His eyes grew brighter, and his voice was ruthless and resolute: "I ask General Tong to help me one more time to personally execute this man today! I want to use his blood to celebrate my wife's victory! If anyone dares to bully and humiliate Luo Zhiheng again, then next time I will personally kill that person to avenge Luo Zhiheng."
A deafening roar filled the air! Everyone felt a dark cloud looming over them, a storm brewing. They were all people who had humiliated Luo Zhiheng. Mu Yunhe had revealed his ruthless side; if he were a petty person, every one of them here today would likely be dead! In an instant, those who had been so quick to speak turned ashen-faced.
General Tong admired Mu Yunhe's ruthlessness and bloodthirstiness; this was a true man! He laughed heartily, "This rabble. Why should you dirty your hands by personally fighting them? General Mo wouldn't mind killing these fools for the young prince his whole life!"
General Tong drew his sword and stepped forward. Mu Yunhe wasn't joking, and neither was General Tong; the atmosphere instantly became tense. Would this thrilling competition, which had shocked everyone, really end in bloodshed?
Before they could think further, Mu Yunhe smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Uncle! I'm afraid my wife and I will have to go on a killing spree in the future, and we'll have to rely on you a lot from now on."
General Tong laughed bloodthirstily, "Easy! Just say the word, and your uncle will carve a bloody path for you!"
Mu Yunhe looked calmly at the man whose face was ashen with fear, and said in a melodious voice, "Those who offend Luo Zhiheng will be beheaded!"
Almost as soon as Mu Yunhe finished speaking, General Tong raised his knife and brought it down, splattering hot blood as the man's head rolled a long way! A small commotion broke out among the nearby crowd, everyone becoming even more tense and terrified, afraid to move, and crawling even lower.
He is a truly ruthless killer who doesn't blink an eye, yet fiercely protective of his own!
The fact that Mu Yunhe went to such lengths for Luo Zhiheng today is not only shocking, but also unbelievable to men and makes women extremely jealous and envious!
Why does Luo Zhiheng deserve such protection and care from a man? Why would he go to such lengths to ruin his reputation and make him infamous?
However, rational people would first think of Luo Zhiheng's previous actions. When Mu Yunhe had not appeared, and when Luo Zhiheng was fighting bravely under pressure that ordinary people could not bear, Luo Zhiheng had two outbursts, and each time it was not for herself, but for Mu Yunhe!
Luo Zhiheng only broke out in the news because someone cursed and humiliated Mu Yunhe.
So it wasn't that Mu Yunhe was particularly protective of Luo Zhiheng, but rather that Luo Zhiheng had first and foremost protected Mu Yunhe. Everything about Mu Yunhe was unequivocal and deeply concerning to her. She even repeatedly declared to the world: humiliation was acceptable, but anyone who dared to curse or humiliate Mu Yunhe would not only have their ancestral graves dug up and their life spared, but their bones would be ground to dust!
What kind of relationship is this? It seems so ordinary, and even now, the couple only exchange brief glances without exchanging a single word. Yet, they completely protect each other through their actions; perhaps it's a form of protection, as they absolutely don't want either of them to get hurt.