"What's your name, Heng'er?" The Prince of Shi keenly noticed the unusual nature of Mu Yunhe's words. Mu Yunhe was actually calling Luo Zhiheng by her full name?! That was unbelievable, wasn't it? Even when the two of them had a disagreement, Mu Yunhe would never call her by her full name like that.
There really was a problem between them!
Mu Yunhe did not avoid the King's sharp gaze and said frankly, "I call her Luo Zhiheng!"
"How could you call her that?" The Queen reprimanded her subconsciously, but then she remembered Mu Yunhe's identity and toned down her imposing manner, though her attitude remained cold and hard.
Mu Yunhe retorted without hesitation, "Why can't I call her that? Isn't she Luo Zhiheng?"
"What are you saying! Of course she's Heng'er! Mu Yunhe, how have you changed? Are you still the same Mu Yunhe you used to be? Heng'er is currently facing the most difficult period, and you've protected her through three years of life and death. How come you've changed now that Heng'er is better?" The King found it unbelievable, and then, thinking of that female leader, a murderous glint flashed in her eyes: "Is it really because of that barbarian leader?"
"You're not allowed to touch her!" Mu Yunhe didn't try to hide anything. Since the Prince had spoken, and since he too had fallen for Ruilin, he disdained to conceal or lie. He glanced coldly at the Prince, his words carrying a subtle threat: "You'd better not even think of any way to deal with Ruilin. If a single hair on Ruilin's head is missing, I guarantee Luo Zhiheng will suffer the consequences!"
The Queen's expression changed drastically, and her heart clenched involuntarily. Her shock was immense. She asked Mu Yunhe in disbelief, "How could you do this? You actually threatened me for another woman, and used Luo Zhiheng as the target of your threats and harm? Mu Yunhe, are you crazy? That's Luo Zhiheng, your Aheng!"
The King absolutely did not believe that a person could change so much for no reason. No, for Mu Yunhe, the change was complete!
"I can't answer that question, because these words come from my heart. My heart is filled with the love for Ruilin, and I can't bear to see him suffer even the slightest harm. I can't control that feeling. Your Highness, I have no objection to you taking care of Luo Zhiheng, but please refrain from interfering in my affairs. As for Luo Zhiheng, give me a few days to investigate some matters. If what I find matches my suspicions, then I will tell you something on that day, and then you can decide your attitude towards Luo Zhiheng at home." Some things are better left unsaid, as they are too unbelievable and inconceivable. No one would believe them if I said them outright, so I will investigate myself.
The King was completely confused by Mu Yunhe. What did he mean by "this Luo Zhiheng in the house"? Did he mean there was another Luo Zhiheng outside the house? What illogical nonsense was this?!
"Fine, I don't care what you do, but Mu Yunhe, I must warn you. I think you understand very well what Luo Zhiheng means to the Silver Moon Kingdom. So if what you do will hurt her, then I will have to see it through. As for Ruilin, whom you've already taken a liking to, hmph, I can leave her alone for now, but you'd better know your limits!" The Queen didn't dare to push Mu Yunhe too far. Mu Yunhe was dangerous; she had always known that, even though Mu Yunhe had now lost all his divine powers.
"Also, please go see Heng'er. After all, she loves you so much. Even if you're just going through the motions, please at least maintain the facade of peace between everyone." After saying this, the King of the World pulled the Poison Saint, who hadn't had enough of the show, away.
Mu Yunhe lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then beckoned to Xiao Xizi and instructed him, "Go and buy a few skewers of stinky tofu. Remember, the stinkier the better, and be quick."
"Huh? Master, what do you need that for? It stinks." Xiao Xizi said with a disgusted face, and seeing Mu Yunhe's unpleasant expression, she quickly left.
The priest's residence had renowned doctors and miraculous medicines. Mu Yunhe's bruised and swollen face had recovered to its most significant state in just one day; at the very least, it was no longer noticeable that he had been assaulted. Holding the wrapped box of stinky tofu, Mu Yunhe walked steadily into Luo Ningshuang's courtyard. Upon entering the room, he saw the Prince speaking gently to Luo Ningshuang.
Everyone in the room was delighted to see Mu Yunhe arrive, while Luo Ningshuang felt a mixture of joy and apprehension. Mu Yunhe's words and expressions before leaving still lingered in her mind. She couldn't leave the room, had no news of anyone, and could only live cautiously, observing people's expressions.
"See, see, this person is so sensitive to being mentioned. I was just talking about you and here you are. This girl is really outgoing; she gets anxious and misses you as soon as she can't see you. You're awake. Since you're here, then I won't be a nuisance. You two can stay here." The Princess was trying hard to win Mu Yunhe back. She was naturally happy that Mu Yunhe had come. She couldn't help but think, after all, they were husband and wife who had gone through thick and thin together. How could they just say that their feelings had disappeared?
Luo Ningshuang feigned shyness and called out to the King of the World. Amidst the King of the World's loud laughter, she led the Poison Saint, who still wanted to stay and watch the show, away.
"Yunhe, you've come to visit. Does that mean you're not angry with me anymore?" Luo Ningshuang asked cautiously.
Mu Yunhe approached the bedside expressionlessly, his voice devoid of emotion, and said, "You don't need to be so cautious. Weren't you very assertive towards me before?"
Luo Ningshuang was startled and chuckled awkwardly, "How can that be the same? I've never done anything wrong before. Now, I'm hiding such a big thing from you, aren't I? It's only natural that I'm afraid you'll be angry. I care about you! But now that you're here, I'm really relieved. Yunhe, I won't lie to you anymore. You can trust me."
Mu Yunhe didn't respond to her words. Instead, he presented the tightly wrapped stinky tofu to her, bent down, and whispered, "I brought you a gift. Do you like it?"
"Really? I'm sure I'll love everything Yunhe sent. Yunhe, you're so good to me. Open it quickly and let me see." Luo Ningshuang was genuinely delighted. She thought to herself with a touch of smugness, "It seems Luo Zhiheng really does hold a special place in Mu Yunhe's heart. Even though I slandered Luo Zhiheng so much, and Mu Yunhe was clearly so angry, in the end, wasn't Mu Yunhe still trying to please me with gifts? Hmph, it seems I was worrying too much before. With Mu Yunhe's affection for Luo Zhiheng, I'll have him completely under my control in the future!"
Mu Yunhe placed the object very close to Luo Ningshuang, so close that he could almost see the expression in her eyes. He watched as Luo Ningshuang's eyes widened in surprise, and his heart tightened with each movement of his hand.
Layer by layer, as the contents were gradually unwrapped, and as the pungent stench could no longer be concealed, Mu Yunhe saw disgust, aversion, and strangeness in Luo Ningshuang's eyes, but no surprise, no intense liking or longing in those eyes he remembered!
His hand froze instantly. Actually, this didn't mean anything, did it? But his heart still pounded wildly a few times. Finally, he opened the last layer of oil paper. When the golden and crispy fried stinky tofu was completely in front of Luo Ningshuang, the most genuine and undisguised deep disappointment and disgust in her eyes at that moment hit Mu Yunhe's head like a heavy hammer.
His head throbbed with a deafening roar. For a fleeting moment, he even felt a powerful urge to grab her by the neck and demand, "Are you really Luo Zhiheng? Even if you were in a coma for three years, even if you forgot some things, you're all better now, aren't you? Even if you've changed, will your tastes, your interests, your favorite foods change too?!"
But Mu Yunhe didn't ask the question. His heart felt like it was on fire, burning with pain. There were still many things he didn't understand or was uncertain about, and he wouldn't alert the enemy!
"What, you don't like this gift?" Mu Yunhe wondered if he was really the one speaking. How could he be so calm? Perhaps there was still a smile on his face, but from Luo Ningshuang's eyes, that smile looked particularly distorted.
Luo Ningshuang was also startled by Mu Yunhe's expression. Because Mu Yunhe was unhappy with her earlier dislike, she quickly expressed strong joy in her voice: "I like it! How could I not like it! I like everything you give me. As long as you like it, I will like it."
She is not Luo Zhiheng! Absolutely not!!
Mu Yunhe's mind was churning with monstrous waves! Yet, amidst those powerful and subtle waves, he finally solidified a firm belief!
Although it was just some stinky tofu, it finally confirmed Mu Yunhe's unbelievable thought: the woman before him who looked exactly like Luo Zhiheng was definitely not Luo Zhiheng!
He imagined Luo Zhiheng's expression when she saw the stinky tofu. Her eyes would light up with surprise, and she would happily rush over to hug him and shower him with kisses. Because Luo Zhiheng was cheerful and generous, she never cared about reputation. She would grab these smelly things and eat them happily, her face showing a greedy and enjoyable expression, like savoring a delicious delicacy.
The woman in front of him reacted in the exact opposite way to Luo Zhiheng; she even seemed to despise the thing.
Most importantly, this is Luo Zhiheng's favorite snack, not Mu Yunhe's!
So this woman's single sentence completely exposed everything!
Who is she?! Why is she impersonating Luo Zhiheng? Where is the real Luo Zhiheng? Could it be her? What's going on between this woman and Luo Zhiheng? Did they swap souls? Or is it some kind of disguise or something else? If it's a soul swap, does that mean there's another diviner in the mortal realm? If it's a disguise, how come he can't tell? And he's been deceived for three years? Even though he's lost all his divine abilities, he should still have the ability to sense the soul of someone he knows, so why can't he sense anything unusual about this woman?!
One question after another made Mu Yunhe increasingly alarmed and restless. He instantly realized he was involved in a shocking conspiracy, and felt a chill run through his body.
What has he missed in these past three years? What has he lost? Ah Heng, where has she been these past three years?!
First update! There's one more update today, just wait a little while for the second one. Hua Sha will keep working hard, hehe. Remember that chapter dedicated to stinky tofu? Foreshadowing! Little Hehe is awesome! Please vote, leave comments, and give monthly tickets! Group kisses, my darlings!
490 Is the only familiar one her? (Bonus chapter for 76,000 recommendation votes)
Updated: 2013-12-11 16:09:15 Word Count: 3495
Having finally confirmed that the person before him was not Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe's long-standing guilt and strange feelings finally found an explanation. No wonder he felt nothing for this woman; had his love for Luo Zhiheng vanished for no reason? It turned out nothing had changed. He didn't lose feelings for Luo Zhiheng; it was simply that this person wasn't Luo Zhiheng at all!
So much guilt and remorse sank Mu Yunhe deeper and deeper into it, almost crushing him with those feelings of guilt, making him live such a tiring and escapist life every day.
But if this woman isn't Luo Zhiheng, then where is Luo Zhiheng? For three years, there has been no information or trace of nude photos around him. If he still deeply loves Luo Zhiheng, he couldn't possibly not sense her presence, unless she is in a place thousands of miles away from him!
Mu Yunhe had no interest in dealing with this imposter. Even though he had discovered this astonishing conspiracy, Mu Yunhe would not act rashly. He did not know what was hidden behind this imposter Luo Zhiheng, so he would not make any rash moves.
Investigate! Everything must be overturned and thoroughly investigated this time!
"Yunhe, Yunhe, where are you going?" Luo Ningshuang was terrified by Mu Yunhe's imposing aura and called out several times. But Mu Yunhe left without looking back, and Luo Ningshuang's heart sank. She tried frantically to get up, but her injuries were too severe, and she couldn't. Lying there alone felt like falling into an abyss. Only one thought swirled wildly in her mind: What's wrong with her? Could Mu Yunhe have discovered something? Why would he bring her a box of stinky tofu?
Mu Yunhe came to the general's mansion once again. This time, he also became a thief. Since he couldn't see Ruilin through the main gate, he didn't mind being despicable once more.
He couldn't believe he could be so heartless and cold-blooded, falling in love with every woman he met. From the very beginning, he had a strange sense of familiarity with Ruilin, an irresistible attraction from the start. In the past three years, only Ruilin's appearance had stirred such a ripple in his heart; no one else could have possessed such power.
From familiarity, to irresistible attraction, to having her in one's heart, everything came so intensely and uncontrollably, yet it all felt so natural.
Mu Yunhe had never dared to think about it before, nor could he imagine it, but at this moment, he seemed to harbor a dream, a dream that could determine whether his future would be in heaven or hell. After confirming that the woman at home was not Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe's first thought was to find the real Luo Zhiheng.
He didn't know what to do after finding Luo Zhiheng; his mind was a complete blank, he only knew he had to find her. If Ruilin really was Luo Zhiheng, then everything would make sense! He felt anxious and panicked, a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe.
The only person he could think of who was suspicious was Ruilin. So, his next step was to confirm Ruilin's identity and whether he was the person he was looking for.
Finally arriving at the backyard of the General's Mansion, Mu Yunhe walked around as if he were in his own home in broad daylight, easily finding Ruilin's room. When he went in, Ruilin was lying on the bed. He didn't know if she was asleep, but his steps unconsciously became lighter.
Suddenly, Luo Zhiheng turned her face away from the ceiling and looked at him. Her eyes, hidden behind the mask, were cold and clear, seemingly redder and clearer than ever before. She seemed to have known he would come all along, and she wasn't surprised to see him. She only glanced at him before looking away from the ceiling, a complex and indescribable sadness emanating from her.
Mu Yunhe's heart ached for no reason. He half-squatted by her bedside, stroking her long hair and cheeks, his voice heavy and hoarse, trying to soothe her: "How about we go for a walk together?"
Luo Zhiheng remained unusually silent, but then spoke up, "You promised me in court that day that you would help me get grain and persuade your emperor to agree to a ten-year ban on the barbarian lands paying taxes. When will you be able to do that?"
Mu Yunhe said cautiously, "Don't worry, I don't have time these few days, but I will definitely do what I promised you. Ruilin, would you like to go for a walk with me?"
"Why should I go out with you? Is this the condition for you to help me?" Luo Zhiheng looked at him coldly, her voice no longer carrying the intimacy and affection she had shown Mu Yunhe before.
A strong sense of alienation made Mu Yunhe feel inexplicably uneasy. He grabbed Luo Zhiheng's hand, almost pleading, "It's not a condition. I'll do anything for you without any conditions. As long as it's what you want to do, as long as you're happy, I won't make any demands. This is my own willingness, you have to believe me. Just come for a walk with me, just for a little while, okay? Ruilin, I'm begging you!"
Luo Zhiheng was startled by Mu Yunhe's hoarse and sad voice. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on him, trying to find out what was wrong with him that made him so sad and lost.
"What happened to you?" Still feeling sorry for him, Luo Zhiheng softened her tone, stroking his face. Faint bluish bruises remained, indicating the severity of his injury. She knew very well how effective Madam Huoyun's medicine was. The fact that marks remained after using the medicine proved the injury was indeed very serious.
"Why won't you see me?" As soon as Luo Zhiheng softened her tone and attitude, Mu Yunhe's grievances could no longer be contained and he burst out. His most childish and stubborn side was only revealed to Luo Zhiheng without any concealment, and now he was just as unconcerned in front of her. Mu Yunhe had a vague answer in his heart, and because he finally had an answer, he felt even more aggrieved.
If she really is her, why won't she acknowledge him? Why won't she tell him everything? Why torture him like this? Why make him live in constant torment, torn between loving her and feeling guilty towards her? How could she bear to see him suffer? He wouldn't dare to make her sad at all, so how could she be so cruel to him?
Luo Zhiheng felt wronged, sad, and at a loss. She refused to see him simply because she truly didn't know how to face Mu Yunhe. How could she face Mu Yunhe while recalling the most painful memories of the past? She was afraid she would lose control of her emotions and hurt Mu Yunhe; she was afraid she would go insane; she was afraid she would completely break down!
We've endured three years of hardship, how can we let it all be ruined in an instant?
Her two deepest wounds are twofold: one irreparable, the other she's desperately trying to salvage. They are the two things she least wants to lose, yet both seem so far away. She's grasped what's right in front of her, unwilling to let go, yet she feels utterly powerless and helpless. She can see it, but she can't hold onto it; who can understand her despair?
"So what if I see you? Haven't you already chosen her? Aren't you no longer related to me? You say I'm a fickle woman, you say I'm fickle, you say I'm heartless..." Luo Zhiheng stared wide-eyed at Mu Yunhe, both shocked and amused.
This guy suddenly covered her mouth, preventing her from speaking.
“Those words were just something I said in a fit of anger. They were really infuriating and awful. If you’re angry, you can beat me up, but you’re ruthless. You ignored me and wouldn’t let me in to see you. The worst part is that you knew that bastard Luo Zhiwu was trying to kill me, and you just stood by and watched. Tell me, who’s more despicable?” Mu Yunhe also widened his eyes and stared at her, becoming more and more self-righteous as he spoke.
Luo Zhiheng suddenly bit his hand hard, causing Mu Yunhe to cry out in pain. But she still wouldn't let go, her mouth full of blood. Mu Yunhe felt like a piece of his flesh was about to be bitten off. He gritted his teeth and said, "You still have the nerve to talk back? Bite, bite harder, you might as well bite me to death."
Luo Zhiheng slapped his hand away, sat up, and fiercely wiped the blood from her mouth, angrily saying, "Are you out of your mind?! Don't men just cover a woman's mouth with their own when they don't want her to talk? Why did you cover my mouth with your hand? Your hands smell like dirt, it's disgusting!"
Mu Yunhe was able to follow Luo Zhiheng's train of thought, but he couldn't keep up. After realizing what was happening, he stammered anxiously, "How about I do it again? Say something and I'll shut you up."
Mu Yunhe's brain always seemed to fail him in front of the real Luo Zhiheng; he'd quickly lose his composure. He stared longingly at Luo Zhiheng's bright red lips, both envious and anxious. He secretly cursed himself, thinking, "What an idiot! Why didn't I use my mouth to shut her up? I missed such a good opportunity to take advantage of her; no wonder this girl looks down on me."
Luo Zhiheng was both amused and exasperated by his adorable, bewildered expression. For a moment, she forgot all about that dark period. She quickly put on her shoes, stood up, and walked outside.
Mu Yunhe froze for a moment, then suddenly stood up, his expression changing drastically, his voice turning cold and deep: "Where are you going?"
Luo Zhiheng opened the door, turned around, and glared at him: "Didn't you say you wanted to go for a walk? What, you're not going?"
"Go away! Then I won't kiss you?" Mu Yunhe reflexively replied, actually saying what was on his mind. After realizing what he was thinking, and seeing Luo Zhiheng's teasing smile, Mu Yunhe's ears turned red, and he awkwardly turned his head away from Luo Zhiheng.
"Hurry up if you're going, or you'll miss your chance," Luo Zhiheng's smiling voice came from outside.
Mu Yunhe noticed that the voice sounded much more relaxed and cheerful than before, and his mood inexplicably improved as well. He quickly chased after her and saw Luo Zhiheng swaggering towards the door. He immediately grabbed her and said righteously, "You can't go to the door, it's dangerous there!"
Luo Zhiheng was completely confused: "Why?"
Mu Yunhe's jade-like cheeks also felt a little hot, and he said awkwardly, "I didn't come in through the proper channels, I went through the back door."
Luo Zhiheng finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes filled with complex emotions of emotion and heartache. Three years had passed, and time had truly changed everything. But it was good that her Yun He hadn't changed at all! Deep down, he was still the same man who could be shy and flustered because of her.
Second update! That's all for today! Hooray! Please vote, leave comments, and give monthly tickets! Group chat, muah!
491 In the depths of a narrow alley, a passionate kiss seals the soul's vow!
Updated: 2013-12-12 14:46:51 Word Count: 7989