There was no noise outside the carriage. When they got off the carriage, there were high steps in front of them. Above these steps was the place where the banquet would be held.
As officials and their families ascended the steps, they would turn back to look at Luo Zhiheng and her group, and a cacophony of whispers and exclamations would ripple through the crowd. For a moment, many people stopped to watch them.
Luo Zhiheng suppressed her irritation and whispered in Mu Yunhe's ear with a smile, "Handsome man, look at all those girls staring at you. I wonder how many girls' hearts you're going to steal away."
"Is Ah Heng angry?" Mu Yunhe leaned on Luo Zhiheng and walked slowly forward, his expression unchanged but his voice teasing.
Luo Zhiheng pouted and said, "What's there to be angry about? Anyway, you're mine now, and no one can take you away."
"Now?" Mu Yunhe frowned, clearly displeased with Luo Zhiheng's choice of those two words: "You mean I won't be yours anymore?"
Luo Zhiheng was speechless. Smiling, she helped him forward and asked worriedly, "These steps are so high, can you hold on?"
Glancing at the seemingly endless steps, Mu Yunhe's indifferent voice held a certain determination: "I can."
However, they had only taken a few steps when a eunuch carrying a soft sedan chair approached and respectfully said to Mu Yunhe, "Are you the young prince of the Mu Dynasty? We are servants from the palace of the Imperial Concubine, and we have been ordered to fetch you. Please get into the sedan chair, and we will escort you all the way to the main hall."
Luo Zhiheng frowned subconsciously. Although she didn't trust this Imperial Concubine, she couldn't deny that her thinking was quite thorough. Mu Yunhe's health was important, so they didn't refuse.
The main hall was already packed with people, but it was not chaotic. Tables were placed on both sides of the huge palace, laden with various fresh fruits and fine wines. People sitting behind the tables were exchanging pleasantries with each other. The officials sat in the front row, while their families sat in the back.
"You two may enter, but these two cannot." The general at the door suddenly blocked them, attempting to keep Xiao Xizi and the Poison Saint disguised as an old servant outside.
Luo Zhiheng frowned slightly and said, "They are all people who serve the young prince closely. If they cannot stay by his side, I'm afraid it will be inconvenient. Besides, Your Highness knows that my young prince is unwell and cannot be separated from others. Please forgive us and make an exception."
The guards looked at each other for a few moments, and in the end, they actually let them pass.
Luo Zhiheng whispered in Mu Yunhe's ear, "It seems like your older sister values you a lot."
Mu Yunhe smiled faintly and remained silent. The two were dressed in gorgeous and noble clothes, and their appearances were outstanding. When they walked together, they were naturally a perfect match. The moment they appeared in the hall, all the discussions receded as quickly as the tide, and the only sounds in the quiet scene were the gasps and exclamations of the people.
The announcement rang out loudly, and the names Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng resounded throughout the inner hall! Everyone was stunned. So that was the recently rumored number one handsome man in the world, and the desert goddess whose dance was breathtaking! They were truly a match made in heaven! Che Gongran Jiao Mu.
They accepted the scrutiny, yet remained calm and composed. Guided by the eunuchs, they walked to their assigned seats—the very first seat to the emperor, the closest to him on his throne! It seems this imperial concubine holds a special place in the emperor's heart!
The two sat down, and some of the people around them boldly came forward to exchange pleasantries, while others watched. Mu Yunhe remained indifferent and spoke very little, and Luo Zhiheng did not speak at all. Only Xiao Xizi was eloquent and eloquent, moving around in front of people.
Luo Zhiheng desperately wanted to block out the gazes directed at her. She keenly sensed that these gazes contained not only amazement, but also pity and mockery. Luo Zhiheng couldn't bear to see Mu Yunhe being looked at like he was a dead man, so her expression darkened slightly.
Similarly, Mu Yunhe was even more sensitive. From the moment he entered the hall, he felt an invisible gaze spying on Luo Zhiheng beside him. That gaze even followed him closely all the way. Mu Yunhe subconsciously frowned, and after sitting down, he finally looked up and instantly realized who was spying on his Aheng! 17.
Directly opposite, a handsome young man was staring intently at Luo Zhiheng with a gaze that Mu Yunhe found completely unfamiliar. There was a strange and infatuated feeling in that gaze that Mu Yunhe couldn't quite put his finger on, but Mu Yunhe hated that kind of look!
He stared at the person opposite him with an unfriendly expression, his eyes filled with undisguised danger and coldness, so much so that everyone nearby noticed the powerful hostility that Mu Yunhe suddenly unleashed!
"What's wrong?" Luo Zhiheng sensed it too and nervously grabbed his hand, only to find the cane icy cold. She followed his gaze and suddenly met the handsome man's eyes. In that instant, Luo Zhiheng felt her stomach churning and wanted to vomit!
It was Bai Mingyue!
Luo Zhiheng understood what that gaze meant: it was aggression, possession, infatuation, and above all, filthy desire. She wanted nothing more than to overturn the table and kill him! Bai Mingyue's undisguised, naked gaze made Luo Zhiheng feel utterly disgusted. She picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and suddenly slammed the silver wine vessel onto the table with a loud bang that could be heard all around!
Her icy gaze, like the feathers of a phoenix, shimmered with a proud yet dangerously stunning light, coldly challenging her opponent and subtly warning her.
Bai Mingyue's expression froze. He hadn't expected Luo Zhiheng to give him such a cold shoulder so blatantly. He understood Luo Zhiheng's warning, but he couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart. He liked the way Luo Zhiheng looked at him at this moment. In his eyes, this gaze was unique. Luo Zhiheng had finally set her gaze on him!
"Mingyue! Be mindful of your status. Today is your big day. Don't let some scoundrels cause trouble." The old man beside Bai Mingyue warned in a low voice. He was the head of the Bai family, a man of noble status and ruthless nature, who directly controlled the White Tiger Hall and was known as Master Bai. He was also Bai Mingyue's father.
Bai Mingyue could not hide the joy in her eyes and could only lower her head slightly and say, "Yes, Father."
"Don't look!" Mu Yunhe's cold voice rang in her ears. He grabbed Luo Zhiheng's slender waist with one large hand, his domineering and tyrannical manner exuding an intense possessiveness.
Luo Zhiheng removed the frost from her face and chuckled, "Well, if I don't look at those rats, with such a handsome man by my side, why would I have the leisure to look at anyone else?"
Mu Yunhe looked down at her slightly. Her eyes and brows were full of trust and smiles. His inexplicable anxiety and anger instantly calmed down. He clearly liked Luo Zhiheng like this, but he impatiently retorted, "I'm not here for you to lust after! You little pervert."
Luo Zhiheng absolutely adored Mu Yunhe's awkward and secretly passionate nature, her sweet laughter echoing from several meters away as she nestled against his chest. Luo Zhiheng also intentionally wanted to display her affection for Mu Yunhe in public, but inexplicably, she couldn't stand the way those women looked at Mu Yunhe. It made her want to hide him away, yet also wanted to gouge out those women's eyes.
She asserted her dominance in her own way, lacking the reserve and restraint of other women. She acted spontaneously, boldly and naturally relying on Mu Yunhe, intimately embracing him. She peeled glistening grapes and fed them to him; she would feign anger and forbid him from drinking alcohol. Although Mu Yunhe would always coldly reprimand her, he never refused the food she offered. The doting affection beneath the reprimands was obvious! The two put on a fiery, real-life display of affection.
It wasn't just a group of seasoned womanizers who were provoked; it also provoked the group of infatuated women, and it was especially provoking Bai Mingyue on the other side!
Bai Mingyue had never seen such a passionate and bold woman before, and she was the woman he liked. Naturally, his feelings were different. Moreover, he imagined Mu Yunhe as himself, and that Luo Zhiheng was in his arms at this moment, feeding him and moaning sweetly to him.
That damned Mu Yunhe! He's just a sickly guy, how dare he get a beauty like Luo Zhiheng?!
Seeing that Bai Mingyue was about to lose control due to envy and jealousy, Old Master Bai said angrily in a low voice, "Shameless slut! Is she worth you being so nervous and concerned? Once you reach that position, all the women in the world will be yours if you want them. Why bother with this one? Mingyue, calm down."
Bai Mingyue took a few deep breaths. Yes, as long as he could become the monarch of the richest country in the world, what woman wouldn't be within his grasp? Even Luo Zhiheng would be his! No rush, he was healthy, Mu Yunhe would die sooner or later, Luo Zhiheng would definitely be his, he wasn't in a hurry!
As tensions surged within the main hall, an announcement suddenly rang out from outside: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"
Everyone immediately stood up with their families to welcome the Emperor and Empress. Everyone in the hall knelt down except for Luo Zhiheng and her three companions, who remained standing. As guests of high status, they were not required to kneel.
The emperor and empress, dressed in bright yellow, walked in. The emperor had a refined smile on his face and held the empress's hand, as if they were very loving and in sync. However, the empress's face was haggard and pale, which no amount of rouge and powder could cover up.
The two stopped in front of Luo Zhiheng and the others. The emperor looked at Luo Zhiheng with a direct and ardent gaze, which carried a hint of frightening fervor: "It's really not easy to see you, but it's good that you still came. How are you feeling? Is there anything else that's bothering you? I'll have the imperial physician examine you again later. You must take good care of your health."
These words, however, were somewhat overly enthusiastic, giving the impression of ill intent.
Mu Yunhe's face tightened, and the Empress's pupils constricted. They both had only one thought: Could the Emperor have taken a liking to Luo Zhiheng?!
Subtly pulling Luo Zhiheng behind him, Mu Yunhe's cold eyes held a suffocatingly gloomy power: "Your Majesty need not worry, my wife is in excellent health."
The harsh words carried a strong sense of hostility. Mu Yunhe made no attempt to hide it; he disdained to hide anything. No matter who the other party was, no one could cross his bottom line.
The emperor was slightly taken aback. Before he could speak, the empress subtly shook off his hand and said coldly, "Your Majesty should not speak like that. Wouldn't it cause people to misunderstand the little princess's reputation?"
"You... Haha, I'm not that kind of foolish ruler who loves beautiful women. I'm just concerned about a descendant who deserves my care. Today I will announce something related to Luo Zhiheng. Then you will know why I care so much about Luo Zhiheng. I simply can't help but care." The emperor laughed inscrutably. But inwardly, he felt a bitter taste. How low was Murong Qianchen's trust in him now? Or was he being too enthusiastic about Luo Zhiheng? But anyone, upon learning that Luo Zhiheng might be that person's descendant, would probably be overwhelmed with joy and shock!
The Emperor and Empress, seated in the highest position, ordered everyone to rise and take their seats, and then said, "Why hasn't the Imperial Concubine arrived yet? Today is her special day, and it's a banquet she organized. How dare she be late?"
Everyone smiled kindly, knowing that the emperor doted on the imperial concubine, so how could they blame her?
The Empress's gaze was cold and aloof; she could no longer see through the Emperor. She said he hated Mu Qingya, yet he consistently doted on her; she said he loved her, yet he always remained clear-headed. When Mu Qingya acted out, he would watch without intervening. Loving such a man must be exhausting.
"Are you tired? Hang in there, we'll head back soon. The banquet won't last long." The Emperor's gentle voice rang in the Empress's ear, gentlemanly and considerate.
The Empress looked at him coldly and said, "Going back won't make me feel comfortable, because my heart is weary."
The emperor's eyes darkened, and he was about to speak when a voice announced from the doorway: "The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"
It's finally here!
Luo Zhiheng's expression was cold and aloof. This mysterious woman had finally surfaced. She instinctively tensed up, but suddenly found the large hand around her waist tightening. Luo Zhiheng looked at Mu Yunhe and saw that his thin lips were tightly pressed together and his face was slightly tense. She then asked softly, "Nervous?"
"No. That's my own sister," Mu Yunhe said stiffly, but the tension in his voice was unmistakable.
The two looked toward the entrance of the main hall and saw a woman in red walking slowly in the backlight, surrounded by palace servants. She was tall and slender, with an extremely delicate figure. Her fiery red dress was heavy and dark, and her long hair was flowing. Only when she got closer could her face be seen clearly.
Kyoko had thick eyebrows and eyes with a deep yet clear light reflected in her pupils. What was most striking about her was her pale, almost translucent skin and fiery red lips! She was as alluring and seductive as a demoness!
Or perhaps, it's alluring!
This face lacked Mu Yunhe's stunning beauty, which was both sickly and domineering. Instead, it gave off an extremely bewitching feeling, as if every glance from her could steal one's soul. Whoever's gaze fell upon her became her prey, the next to die! Her bewitching allure was breathtaking, giving off a deadly danger and seduction. She was truly astonishing!
After so long, the veil of mystery was finally lifted, and Luo Zhiheng finally saw the legendary Imperial Concubine. In addition to amazement, there was only vigilance in Luo Zhiheng's eyes! She inexplicably felt that this Imperial Concubine was very dangerous. Her seemingly weak body, although being supported by others, seemed to take every step with great determination and effort, as if she was grieving for some kind of hatred, or as if she was riding on a body full of inexplicable resentment.
The Imperial Concubine walked slowly forward, her gaze seemingly accidental as it fell upon Luo Zhiheng at the front. That single glance, though seemingly unintentional, sent a piercing pain through Luo Zhiheng's body, as if pricked by needles! In that one look, Luo Zhiheng sensed the Imperial Concubine's immense hostility towards her! She was extremely confused, yet it also felt perfectly natural. If there was no hostility, why would the Imperial Concubine have been avoiding her all along?
The Imperial Concubine's gaze instantly fell upon Mu Yunhe, who was standing to the side. She seemed to freeze for a moment! Standing there, she looked at Mu Yunhe with disbelief and joy, her fiery red lips trembling slightly. Under everyone's amazed gaze, she carefully asked, "Are you Yunhe?!"
Beneath her surprised gaze lay a deep, hidden shock. She never imagined that, fourteen years later, seeing her younger brother again would be so breathtaking! Mu Yunhe had grown up beautifully; Mu Yunhe was still alive; Mu Yunhe could still breathe and smile; he could even look at her now. All of this left her in a daze. She had never imagined that one day she would see Mu Yunhe again!
Mu Yunhe was equally excited. His calm demeanor finally crumbled, and fragmented light flickered in his clear phoenix eyes. He released Luo Zhiheng and slowly walked uncontrollably toward Mu Qingya.
In Mu Yunhe's meager memories, Mu Qingya undoubtedly existed. On warm afternoons, her gentle hand would caress his sweaty face, softly scolding him, and she would wipe his sweat away with a sweet-smelling handkerchief. That gentle smile and gaze were a treasure trove of memories she left him from his childhood, allowing him to hold onto a sliver of sunshine in the gloomy royal palace.
Mu Yunhe's steps were a little unsteady, but he walked with great determination. He had let go of his crutches and did not want to appear so weak and helpless in front of his sister. A faint blush appeared on his pale face, and a gentle smile, like a lotus flower, bloomed on his face. The emotion of seeing his long-lost relatives softened all the sharp edges of Mu Yunhe's body.
As Mu Yunhe approached her with a clear, joyful smile, Mu Qingya's heart pounded with each step he took, a dull ache as if the scar on her heart was being torn open and crushed. Mu Qingya's eyelids twitched violently; for a fleeting moment, an indescribable, conflicting emotion surged within her. She felt, for a fleeting instant, that she couldn't face Mu Yunhe! She even wanted to flee. As Mu Yunhe drew closer, Mu Qingya's breath caught in her throat. She clenched her fists, about to speak, when suddenly Mu Yunhe stumbled, falling straight forward.
"Watch out!" Mu Qingya exclaimed instinctively, taking two steps forward and grabbing his arm with both hands to stop Mu Yunhe. However, the two siblings almost fell, but fortunately, the palace servants nearby reacted quickly and rushed over to protect them.
"Are you alright?" Mu Qingya anxiously checked Mu Yunhe's knees and arms, looking up to ask. In that instant, her eyes showed genuine concern.
Mu Yunhe's heart instantly burned with excitement, and he involuntarily called out, "Sister!"
Mu Qingya froze, her face turning deathly pale. Looking at the boy in front of her, who was excitedly calling her "sister," her mind went blank!
If it weren't for what happened fourteen years ago, then fourteen years later, there would be an equally handsome and outstanding boy, playfully calling out to his mother with a smile!
But there are no "what ifs." Fourteen years ago, tragedy struck. She lost her beloved son, but he survived. He can still stand here and smile, calling her "sister." But her only son vanished without a trace. His young soul remained in that cold pool, reeking of conspiracy, while his frail body was buried in the gloomy imperial mausoleum...
A tearing pain shot through her heart, and in that instant, all the fragile kinship was replaced by hatred and resentment, shattering the last shred of humanity. Mu Qingya closed her reddened eyes slightly, and when she opened them again, her eyes were clear. She gently and joyfully embraced Mu Yunhe, and whispered tenderly in his ear, "I really missed you, my little brother."
Mu Yunhe couldn't contain his excitement, his eyes brimming with joy. He wrapped his tall frame and strong arms around Mu Qingya, his voice hoarse and choked with emotion: "I missed you so much, sister, and Mother missed you too! It's so good to see you."
Mu Qingya's pupils constricted! The word "mother" was like a sharp blade, instantly piercing Mu Qingya's heart, which was filled with hatred. Pain, accompanied by immense regret, swept over her, and when it reached her limbs, she felt as if she was about to be killed by hatred. Her stiff body lay in Mu Yunhe's arms, and blood almost welled up in Mu Qingya's eyes.
Do you miss me? What do you miss about me? Do you want to have another son so he can be a scapegoat for your mother and son? Or do you miss my innocent son becoming a victim of your mother-son rivalry?
How ridiculous it is to miss someone!
I miss you all so much. Thinking of you makes me wish I could make you taste that excruciating pain and hatred right now! I desperately want your mother to watch helplessly as her child dies before her eyes, bit by bit, without breath, without sound, without heartbeat! To leave this world forever, to become the past forever!
But things are much better now. Fourteen years of torment—it wasn't just me who suffered, but also you and your son. Starting today, our hatred will be settled. Mu Yunhe, the sister you miss, I will take back everything you made me lose, bit by bit. Are you ready?
This is the first update. It's thundering outside, so scary! I'll continue writing later. There will be more updates today. I'll come back to write and update as soon as the thunder stops. Love you all! Please vote, leave comments, and give me monthly tickets!
242 A Battle of Wits! A Mysterious Scroll!
Updated: 2013-08-09 16:31:26 Word Count: 4524
After Mu Qingya settled Mu Yunhe in, this touching reunion between the siblings began the banquet. Qingdun smiled strangely.
Mu Qingya sat to the emperor's right and looked at Luo Zhiheng with a smile, "You must be Luo Zhiheng, right? You are indeed a celestial being. No wonder my brother would do anything for you. However, my brother has always been weak and cannot withstand any great storms. You will have to be careful around her from now on."
The Imperial Concubine's opening remarks were an insinuation that Luo Zhiheng was not content with her lot.
Luo Zhiheng frowned, and before she could speak, Mu Yunhe interjected, "Sister, you misunderstand. Aheng is very good. She took good care of me. If it weren't for Aheng, I wouldn't be alive now."
Mu Yunhe desperately wanted his sister's approval of Luo Zhiheng. To him, his sister was someone whose memory was hazy, but who became incredibly important once they met. He loved his sister's gentleness, and he loved Luo Zhiheng, so he hoped his sister would feel the same way about her.
Isn't it because of Luo Zhiheng that you're still alive? If Luo Zhiheng hadn't interfered halfway through, you would have been dead long ago. Why would she have gone to such lengths? You deserve to die, but Luo Zhiheng deserves to die even more!
Mu Qingya's mind raced, a shadow of gloom flashing in her eyes, but she smiled and said, "Is that so? Then I really must thank her properly. Don't worry, I won't mistreat her. I invited her to the palace before, but I didn't have time to see her. She was in such a hurry to leave that I really didn't know. Even my head eunuch couldn't stop her, which made me think that Luo Zhiheng was unhappy. Luo Zhiheng, you're not upset that I didn't have time to see you, are you?"