Xia Beisong looked at her with shock, anger, and heartache, tears welling up in his eyes. Before he could speak, he heard the wet nurse's voice again from outside the door: "Master, the female chieftain of the barbarians has come to visit!"
This chapter makes up for 4,000 of yesterday's 7,000-word update. That's all for today's update. I'll continue writing tomorrow with extra chapters. Love you all! Please vote, leave comments, and give me monthly tickets! My darlings, throw all your votes at me! Throw Yunhe back, bring him back to life, and make the little fox come back to life!
464. One slap! I want you to fall in love with me again!
Updated: 2013-11-27 17:10:37 Word Count: 7632
The wet nurse's voice interrupted the chaotic emotional atmosphere in the room, but it also stirred up three different emotions in the three people in the room.
A fleeting expression of surprise crossed Mu Yunhe's usually cold and handsome face upon hearing of the female leader's arrival, but it was only for a moment. After telling Luo Zhiheng those secrets about Mu Yunhe that day, Mu Yunhe had been asking himself why he had told the female leader. She was truly a stranger to him.
Luo Zhiheng was the one he should have loved the most, but he relied on Mu Yunhe's last remaining fragment of will and soul to protect Luo Zhiheng for three years. When Luo Zhiheng woke up, he didn't tell her the secret. Instead, he told the barbarian female leader when she was completely unprepared. Wasn't that too absurd?
Although he has completely lost his abilities and is now just a soft body formed from a trace of Mu Yunhe's obsession, he still has Mu Yunhe's thoughts. At least he is not an idiot. However, since he woke up three years ago, he has never had the intention to tell anyone about this, including Luo Zhiheng!
Was it really his carelessness that day, or a momentary lapse in judgment? Or was the female leader simply too dangerous, causing him to lose his composure?
Mu Yunhe couldn't understand it, so he was even more unwilling to think about the female leader, because that woman could disturb his mind.
When Luo Ningshuang heard the name of the barbarian female chieftain, her expression changed. She thought of the demon who had healed her from the barbarian witch. Although it wasn't that demon, they both came from the barbarian lands. In Luo Ningshuang's view, it wouldn't matter if the barbarian chieftain came instead of the witch.
She thought she had escaped one hurdle and would no longer have to face that crazy woman, but little did she expect that she still couldn't escape.
The thought of that rat being forcibly shoved into her mouth filled her with disgust, humiliation, terror, and horrification. All these negative emotions and fear made her look extremely pale and flustered. She instinctively screamed, "Don't let her in! Yunhe, please, make all the barbarians leave!"
Mu Yunhe was unmoved by Luo Ningshuang's request, but deep down he didn't want to ignore Luo Zhiheng. He didn't want to go against the deep love for Luo Zhiheng that Mu Yunhe had left behind, so he turned around and softened his voice: "Don't be ridiculous. That person can cure your illness. You should get better quickly so that you can be worthy of our feelings. You've forgotten everything, don't you want to remember me soon?"
Luo Ningshuang hated that strange witch to death, her eyes almost filled with madness, but her face had an expression like a white lotus flower, innocent, pitiful, and terrified. She crawled to the bedside and tried to grab Mu Yunhe's hand. Although Mu Yunhe did not move and she grabbed his hand, his expression was already full of indifference.
"No, I'll get better. Only you can heal me. Aren't you the one I love most? Everyone says we'll be together through thick and thin, that you'll protect me and never leave me, so use your sincerity to awaken my memories. I don't need anyone else to interfere. I just want you by my side. I don't want to see anyone else. I hate them."
Luo Ningshuang walked past Xia Beisong, looking at Mu Yunhe with expectant eyes. Her gaze was fixed solely on Mu Yunhe, completely oblivious to the deep despair and coldness on Xia Beisong's face, who was carefully protecting her beside her. Luo Ningshuang's words instantly wounded Xia Beisong.
What does it mean to only need Mu Yunhe? What does it mean to not want anyone else? She lost her memory, forgot everything, and when she woke up, she only recognized Mu Yunhe's goodness, only clung to Mu Yunhe, but ignored everyone and everything else. But even though she had lost her memory, she still insisted on Mu Yunhe.
Is this his misfortune? Or his tragedy?
"Aheng, calm down, don't be afraid..." Xia Beisong composed himself. He couldn't dwell on so much. He had been absent from her life for four years; he had no right to be jealous or critical. Although he hated and envied Mu Yunhe, it was undeniable that Mu Yunhe had wholeheartedly protected Aheng all these years. But he believed that now that he was back, as long as he tried his best, as long as he made an effort, Aheng would accept him again and see his good qualities.
Luo Ningshuang, terrified, flung her hand away from Xia Beisong's. She jumped off the bed as if startled, hiding behind Mu Yunhe, and timidly looked at Xia Beisong, saying, "Who are you? Don't touch me! Get away! You're all bad people, you're all trying to hurt me! I hate you all!"
Xia Beisong, why did you come back at this time? You're utterly useless and only cause trouble. Why didn't you die on the battlefield? If you had taken that bitch Luo Zhiheng away back then, she could be happily married to Mu Yunhe now, everything would be hers, and she wouldn't have suffered so much and almost died.
In your past life, weren't you and that vixen Luo Zhiheng flying together? How come you're now separated by death? Fine, great! You deserve it! But you shouldn't have come to cause trouble at this time. If you dare to ruin her carefully laid plans, don't blame her for turning her back on you.
Xia Beisong was struck dumb. Just looking at Luo Ningshuang's current expression and words, he felt heart-wrenching pain. He couldn't know the dark and despicable thoughts in Luo Ningshuang's mind at this moment, but he was already suffering unbearably.
Xia Beisong's handsome face was almost contorted with pain as he choked back sobs: "Aheng, what's wrong with you? I'm your cousin, don't you really remember me? Anyone in this world could hurt you, but your cousin wouldn't. Even if it meant I had to die for you, I wouldn't hesitate. Aheng, look at me properly, I'm Xia Beisong, your Beisong brother."
Once childhood sweethearts, now strangers, he's treated like a villain. What were all those vows of eternal love worth? Now they seem like nothing more than a pathetic joke of time passing by. Who can understand Xia Beisong's sorrow?
"Don't call me Aheng! You can only call me Yunhe by that name!" Luo Ningshuang shouted emotionally.
Her words startled Mu Yunhe, and memories of his past with Aheng flooded back. Mu Yunhe was still very weak then, and hadn't gone to the Southern Dynasty with Luo Zhiheng. They weren't even aware that they had fallen for each other. At that time, Mu Yunhe was already very domineering and willful towards Luo Zhiheng. He had once grabbed her hand and said, "From now on, only I can call you Aheng. It's my exclusive name. You're not allowed to let anyone else call you that. If you dare allow anyone else to call you that, I'll strangle you!"
Mu Yunhe seemed to vaguely see those innocent, sweet, and naive scenes from the past, from vibrant and lively to withered and frozen. He could no longer see what kind of expression Luo Zhiheng had back then.
A sharp, throbbing pain surged through his chest, finally stirring a ripple in his otherwise calm demeanor. His previously indifferent hand finally broke free from Xia Beisong's grasp, his sharp brows revealing impatience: "Please have some self-respect! Luo Zhiheng is my wife."
Luo Ningshuang gave Mu Yunhe a smug and excited smile, but it was fleeting, and her eyes were filled with gloom.
He said Luo Zhiheng was his wife, but he didn't say she was my wife.
In Luo Ningshuang's view, this is a fundamental difference. Although she is currently playing the role of Luo Zhiheng, her greater expectation and ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone who likes Luo Zhiheng will ultimately only be able to accept and acknowledge her. Therefore, she hates anything with the name Luo Zhiheng added as a prefix or suffix; she prefers to be referred to simply as "her," as that would make her feel more recognized.
At this moment, Mu Yunhe's words still revolved around Luo Zhiheng, and she felt that these words were not to protect her, but to emphasize once again that Luo Zhiheng was Mu Yunhe's wife, not her Luo Ningshuang!
Xia Beisong, already anxious and heartbroken, suddenly erupted in fury upon hearing this, unable to contain himself any longer. He abruptly stood up, his height nearly matching Mu Yunhe's, combined with the imposing physique and murderous aura honed by years of battlefield experience, making him appear even more enraged and menacing beneath his hard armor: "Your wife? Is this how you take care of your wife? Time and again, you've made her go through so much trouble for you, put her in danger with you, and clean up your messes! You couldn't even properly protect her or cherish her! You've made her suffer so much hardship and pain, what right do you have to call her your wife? Your wife and Penghu died because of you!"
Xia Beisong was furious, all his anger erupting at Mu Yunhe. He shoved Mu Yunhe violently, roaring with bloodshot eyes, "If you, Mu Yunhe, are incapable of protecting her and taking care of her, then step aside! Give Aheng freedom and happiness! If you can't give Aheng happiness, then get out of here, I'll give it to her! Aheng doesn't need a husband who can't even protect her!"
Xia Beisong's words revealed his feelings for Luo Zhiheng.
When Luo Ningshuang suddenly saw two men locked in a tense standoff over Luo Zhiheng—two men who had both once stirred her heart—she was consumed by jealousy. They were calling out Luo Zhiheng's name repeatedly, fueling her rage. But then she reassured herself, "It's alright. They're doing this for me, Luo Ningshuang, because I am Luo Zhiheng now!" And Luo Zhiheng, well, that despicable man's bones are probably already rotten to the core.
Mu Yunhe is, after all, just an ordinary mortal now. He did not dodge Xia Beisong's push. Now, he seems to have returned to the most simple and pure nineteen-year-old, who was bedridden and weak.
Damn it. He staggered and almost bumped into the cabinet not far behind him, but Luo Ning Shuang was right behind him, just watching him almost fall down in a sorry state without making any move to help him up. She seemed to be terrified.
But if Luo Zhiheng were standing behind Mu Yunhe today, she would rather be smashed to pieces than let Mu Yunhe suffer any harm. Luo Zhiheng did the same three years ago, and she does the same now!
Just as Mu Yunhe was about to inevitably crash into the cabinet, Luo Ningshuang let out a sharp cry of alarm: "Yunhe, be careful!"
A fragrant breeze suddenly swept through the air, almost intoxicating everyone's soul. Luo Ningshuang only felt a flash before her eyes, and gorgeous, butterfly-like, dazzling colors fluttered by, leaving no trace, yet filling the room with fragrance. Upon closer inspection, she was stunned, her eyes filled with a deep gloom.
Having been watching the commotion from the sidelines, Luo Zhiheng, who had somehow already entered the house, rushed over the moment Mu Yunhe stumbled. Her speed was astounding, her body light and agile. However, even with her speed, there was still a limit. Her hand only managed to grab Mu Yunhe's sleeve, tearing off a large piece just as she tightened her grip. This demonstrated the immense force she exerted, the severity of Mu Yunhe's fall, and the extreme cruelty of Xia Beisong's push.
With a muffled thud, Mu Yunhe crashed solidly into the cabinet behind him. Luo Zhiheng felt his face change color instantly. She rushed over and, as she supported him, she could clearly feel him trembling. Before she could speak, her hand on his back felt a dampness.
As she drew her hand, a shocking flash of red greeted her eyes. Luo Zhiheng's ruby-like, brilliant eyes instantly turned bloodshot!
With a sharp crack, Luo Zhiheng turned around without hesitation and slapped Luo Ningshuang hard across the face. The force of the slap made Luo Ningshuang stagger backward, her pretty face immediately turning red and swollen.
The room fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Mu Yunhe didn't even react at first, but after he did, he only frowned slightly. Luo Zhiheng had been beaten in front of him. Given Mu Yunhe's feelings for Luo Zhiheng, he would probably be furious and immediately kill the person who dared to hit Luo Zhiheng. But at this moment, he was only slightly annoyed and did not have the furious mood of Mu Yunhe in his memory.
Mu Yunhe instantly panicked and felt guilty. Had he really become so heartless? That was the woman he loved. She had been beaten and wronged. How could he remain indifferent?
Luo Ningshuang was also stunned, but the pain on her face clearly reminded her that she had been beaten, that she had been beaten in front of Mu Yunhe and Xia Beisong! This was not just a matter of face, but also a matter of her status in the hearts of these two men!
Her face was numb with pain. Luo Ningshuang covered her face and roared in grievance and anger, "Why did you hit me? What are you?"
Even a golden mask couldn't conceal Luo Zhiheng's rage. Her fury was like a fiery serpent, erupting forth and giving the dark gold mask an even stronger sense of nobility and majesty, making her bloodshot eyes even clearer and more malevolent: "Hit you? Did I hit you? I just turned around and didn't see you clearly. Besides, I just lost my footing and walked past you. I turned around and my hand accidentally rose, and I bumped into you. My hand hurts too. What's the big deal? Moreover, I couldn't see you behind me when I was in front of you. If you were behind me, couldn't you see me turn around? Why didn't you move away? You were just getting in my way, and you still dare to accuse me of hitting you. You woman are full of lies, so pretentious and fake that it's disgusting!"
Luo Zhiheng's twisted logic was presented with unwavering conviction and eloquence, yet her demeanor and aura were brimming with provocation and contempt, as if she were arrogantly declaring to Luo Ningshuang, "I'm going to mess with you, I'm going to beat you up, who told you to be so cheap!"
Luo Ningshuang was so angry she was about to unleash a torrent of curses, but when her eyes met Luo Zhiheng's crimson gaze, she shuddered, took a step back in fright, and pointed at Luo Zhiheng's eyes, exclaiming in shock, "Ghost! Ghost! You're a ghost! Your eyes, your eyes are red!"
At this moment, Xia Beisong also reacted. He stepped forward and pulled Luo Ningshuang into his arms, glaring at Luo Zhiheng, but still showing the tolerance of a man: "This must be the female chieftain of the barbarians, right? I wonder why you would treat my cousin so severely? If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, even if you are a distinguished guest, I'm afraid I won't let this go!"
Luo Zhiheng's feelings for Xia Beisong were not complicated; he was just a brother she knew from her memories. As for the relationship and events between Xia Beisong and the former Luo Zhiheng, they were none of her business. Although Xia Beisong had promised her before he went to war that he would find a way to take her away when he returned, all of that was in the past. From the moment she fell in love with Mu Yunhe, those promises no longer held true.
When Xia Beisong returned today, Luo Zhiheng felt a mix of emotions after witnessing his protectiveness and care for Luo Ningshuang. She didn't know whether to be grateful to him or to mock him. He was trying to protect her, but everything he did today didn't benefit her, and he even hurt Mu Yunhe.
To Luo Zhiheng, the current Mu Yunhe is simply the Mu Yunhe of the past returning. He lacks powerful divine abilities, and even his soul is incomplete. He appears healthy, but he is just as frail and lonely as the Mu Yunhe of his most vulnerable moments.
Today, Mu Yunhe is not even capable of protecting himself; anyone could kill him easily. 179.
She had witnessed Mu Yunhe at his most powerful and prosperous. What woman doesn't love a hero? But she was the woman who could accompany Mu Yunhe from his devastation to his glory. She could accept and embrace Mu Yunhe's darkest period of life and times. She could enjoy Mu Yunhe's glory and perfection at his peak. So today, she could also bear to see Mu Yunhe go from being perfect to having nothing.
Today's Mu Yunhe is an even more fragile existence than the Mu Yunhe of the past. He is the last remaining remnant soul of Mu Yunhe in this world, making him exceptionally precious and unique to Luo Zhiheng.
If she loses even this last Mu Yunhe, then she will truly have nothing left. So, from the initial panic and despair to the later realization of reality, and now to the firm hope, it is a seemingly simple yet extremely difficult psychological journey. She has walked this path, accompanied by heart-wrenching and bloody footprints.
Her final act, Yunhe, must not be harmed by anyone!
But Xia Beisong, who was completely unaware of the situation and devoted solely to Luo Zhiheng, had injured Mu Yunhe today. Luo Zhiheng was torn between killing Xia Beisong and letting him go. In the end, she could only choose to ignore it.
Luo Zhiheng walked to Mu Yunhe's side, wanting to help him, but Mu Yunhe took a slight step back. Although his face was pale, his back was still straight. He was distant and indifferent towards Luo Zhiheng: "Excuse me, I need to go and deal with this first."
Luo Zhiheng wasn't angry. Her gaze burned as she stared intently at Mu Yunhe's departing figure, the blood behind him finally coming into clear view. The bright red blood stained his white, lotus-like robe, a shocking sight. Luo Zhiheng's aura suddenly turned icy cold; Xia Beisong sensed it, and even felt a chill run down his spine.
Luo Ningshuang only realized that Mu Yunhe was injured when she saw the bloodstains behind him!
She frowned inwardly, her eyes filled with panic, frustration, and an unavoidable hint of disdain and mockery. Wasn't he supposed to be so formidable? How could he get hurt so easily from just a push? This man was utterly incompetent! Could Mu Yunhe even protect her?
Seeing Luo Ningshuang's expression, Luo Zhiheng could guess what Luo Ningshuang was thinking. Her anger surged. This despicable woman! Yun He was injured because of her, and instead of reflecting on her mistakes and feeling sad, she was still looking down on Yun He.
But then, Luo Zhiheng cheered up again. This was perfect! Let Luo Ningshuang's selfishness run rampant. The worse she acted, the less heartbroken Yun He was, the more opportunities she had. She would definitely make Yun He fall in love with her again! No matter what kind of Yun He he was, he would definitely fall in love with her!
And you, Luo Ningshuang, will slowly savor the pain she brings you. She will make you lose everything once again. Every day will be filled with anxiety and panic, every day you will worry that you will lose what you have worked so hard for. She will make you watch as Mu Yunhe, who can give you all the wealth and glory, slowly falls in love with someone else, making you lose even the last bargaining chip you had to use to take advantage of Luo Zhiheng!
That will be the time when she delivers the heaviest blow to you! Luo Ningshuang, how could she bear to let you die before she's had her fill of playing with you?
Luo Zhiheng didn't want to stay in the room, so she went out seductively, completely ignoring Xia Beisong and Luo Ningshuang.
Xia Beisong's face was extremely ugly, but seeing Luo Ningshuang's frightened and regretful appearance, he softened: "Aheng, don't worry, that person is just the leader of the barbarians. Her eyes are red, which may be some kind of disguise. Didn't you see that she is also wearing a mask? Maybe she is too ugly and dares not let others see her, afraid of being laughed at, so she covers herself up."
Upon hearing this, Luo Ningshuang immediately felt a little better. Perhaps it was because Luo Zhiheng's figure was too good and alluring, and she had a very special fragrance. Moreover, her voice was so seductive and charming that she subconsciously thought that this woman must be an ugly monster, otherwise how hateful she would be.
She wondered again, who was this woman? Why did she seem so nervous around Mu Yunhe? Could she possibly like Mu Yunhe? Of course, a man as handsome as Mu Yunhe was rare indeed; what woman wouldn't be attracted to him? Luo Ningshuang suddenly felt a powerful sense of crisis. She recalled the woman's wanton behavior and alluring figure, and immediately grabbed Xia Beisong's hand, exclaiming, "Who exactly is she? Why is she here in this mysterious place? Could it be that she and Yunhe have something going on?"
Xia Beisong felt a pang of sadness, but was still pleasantly surprised by her closeness to him: "Aheng, did you remember me?"
Luo Ningshuang was startled, her heart skipped a beat. She had been careless! How could she have forgotten her amnesia in her haste? She quickly let go of his hand, about to refuse, but then she remembered how powerless she was now. If she could have someone to help her, that would be wonderful. Who could be more suitable than Xia Beisong? She knew very well what Xia Beisong's feelings for Luo Zhiheng were like; using Luo Zhiheng's identity to use Xia Beisong would be like adding wings to a tiger.
Luo Ningshuang's attitude changed. She hesitated and shook her head, but deliberately smiled innocently at him and said, "Although I don't know you, you just protected me, so I know you must be a good person. Are you really my cousin?"
Seeing that she was no longer so resistant to him, Xia Beisong was overjoyed and nodded heavily, saying, "It is me! Ah Heng, we've been childhood sweethearts. You promised me that you would elope with me when I came back, but I didn't expect to be a step too late. Things on the battlefield are beyond my control. I couldn't come back when you had the accident. Every day I was anxious and worried that something bad might happen to you..."
Luo Ningshuang inwardly pursed her lips, but outwardly she said with gratitude, "Cousin, it's good that you're back. Will you protect me from now on? Like today, helping me chase away the bad guys?"
Xia Beisong hadn't expected that Luo Zhiheng, who had been in a coma for three years and had lost her memory, would have a changed personality upon waking up. The former Aheng was quite arrogant and domineering. He nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, I will never abandon Aheng again. I will protect Aheng well from now on and never let Aheng get hurt again."
Luo Ningshuang was satisfied, and her smile became even more innocent. She begged Xia Beisong to take her to find Mu Yunhe, because she was worried about Mu Yunhe spending time with that vixen.
Luo Zhiheng sat boneless in a chair in the front hall. She leaned back casually, and her lazy and carefree posture had a fatal charm and attraction. She seemed to care about nothing, but sitting quietly, she had an amazing and undeniable aura.
When Luo Ningshuang arrived and saw this scene, she found it quite jarring. She warned herself to adopt Luo Zhiheng's imposing manner and imitate her, because she was now Luo Zhiheng, the mistress of the Divine Official's Mansion!
Luo Ningshuang stood condescendingly in front of Luo Zhiheng, who didn't even lift her eyelids. Luo Ningshuang's anger flared, and she said in an unfriendly tone, "Please leave my house. You are not welcome here!"
Luo Zhiheng lazily shifted her posture, propping her head up with her hand on the armrest, tilting her head to look at Luo Ningshuang. Her eyes, which held a half-smile, were filled with deep sarcasm and contempt: "Your home? Where in this enormous mansion is your name written? What right do you have to drive me away?"
Luo Ningshuang was disgusted by her contempt and disrespect. Her voice rose and her manner became fierce, truly mimicking Luo Zhiheng's demeanor and personality: "Because I am the mistress of this divine official's mansion!"
First update! There will be more updates today. Hua Sha will keep working hard. My darlings, use your recommendation votes, comments, and monthly tickets to bombard this shameless woman, Luo Ning Shuang! Don't worry, Hua Sha will deal with her later.