Eternal Night - Chapter 62
Yongye sat blankly by the window, his eyes lifeless.
The courtyard was packed with people. Prince Duan, supporting his princess, stared intently at Yongye.
"Your Highness, the young master is unharmed. I was merely trying to save my own life," Yuepo's voice came from behind Yongye.
"What a cunning thief, he actually managed to hide in my palace."
"I had no choice. If you let me go, I will naturally offer you the antidote."
Prince Duan suddenly laughed loudly: "How can I trust someone who doesn't even dare to show his face!"
The Moon Spirit slowly moved to the window and stood behind Eternal Night. His handsome features and white robes, now dusty, couldn't conceal his otherworldly air. He glanced at Eternal Night and said loudly, "Has Your Highness thought this through? I only ask for my life!"
Princess Duan clutched Prince Duan's robe tightly, her body trembling. Looking at Yongye like this, she was reminded of the Yongye of the past, lost in his own world, closed off and silent. Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, "Don't hurt him. I'll let you go."
Yuepo looked at Princess Duan in surprise, then couldn't help but glance at Yongye. No wonder he had sent her away from the valley before she had even finished her apprenticeship; it was all too similar.
How do I know you'll produce the antidote?
Yuepo laughed heartily: "Your Highness feels sorry for the young master, so you can only trust me."
Princess Duan tugged at the prince's robe. Killing him would be easy; the most urgent matter was saving Yongye. The prince tightened his grip, frowning as if deep in thought.
Moon Soul didn't seem to be in a hurry, sitting next to Eternal Night and waiting.
"Royal Uncle!" Li Tianyou's voice came from outside the courtyard, clearly indicating that he had arrived in a hurry. As soon as his voice reached his ears, Prince Duan waved his hand, signaling the guards to make way.
"You can leave now."
Yuepo felt a pang of sadness. He thought that once he went outside, there would be no way out. Inside the house, he could still keep Prince Duan from harming him, but outside… “I wonder if I’ll ever see the stars again…” he murmured to himself, and then walked out leisurely.
Just as he stepped out, he was surrounded by guards, separating him from Yongye.
Prince Duan stared at Yue Po and smiled: "Young people are like this. Tianyou, have you brought the person?"
Li Tianyou looked at Prince Duan in amazement, and had to admit that experience is indeed valuable. He respectfully replied, "Uncle, you guessed correctly. Tianyou would not disregard the safety of Yongye. Tianyou has already invited the Soul Returner from Youli Valley."
Yuepo stood calmly. The reputation of Youli Valley couldn't be ruined; she was sent by Youli Valley, and it would be strange if Li Tianyou couldn't bring her back to life. Her only consolation was… Yongye.
She sat there blankly, watching; she didn't need to know what was happening.
Seeing the familiar face and indifferent expression that flashed behind Li Tianyou, he knelt down and cried out, "Master!"
Huihun ignored him and walked over to Yongye to take a look. How could he not understand all of this?
In the eyes of Prince Duan and Prince You, it was Yue Po who had kidnapped the Crown Prince. But in the eyes of Youli Valley, it was Xing Hun who wanted to save Yue Po. He glanced at Yue Po, who wanted to laugh; he had actually received his master's praise at this moment. He was praising him for not revealing Xing Hun's secrets and for not ruining the valley's plan. He himself was already a pawn.
"It's alright, Your Highness. He was just under the influence of a mind-altering drug. He'll take the antidote and rest for a day."
Upon hearing this, Princess Duan lifted her skirt and rushed into the room, pulling Yongye into her arms. "Leave the antidote, and all of you get out! No one is allowed to touch her!"
Huihun paused, withdrawing his hand that had been about to touch Yongye's pulse, but then quickly relented. The princess was probably overwhelmed with worry for her son and had been agitated. It was just a numbing agent; she was fine. Huihun took a pill from his robes, placed it on the table, bowed to the princess, shook his head, and left the room.
He coldly stared at Yuepo, his most prized disciple, kneeling on the ground. He could do nothing, nor could he save him. Huihun reached out his hand to Yuepo.
Moon Soul silently took out all the poisons from her bosom.
After recovering his soul and removing the poison, he cupped his hands and said to Li Tianyou, "He has no further connection with Youli Valley." This meant that Yuepo's life and death were now in Li Tianyou's hands.
After saying that, he walked out.
"Halt!" Prince Duan glanced at Li Yannian, who stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides, and said, "If something like this happens again, the Peony Garden in the capital will have to close down!"
Huihun turned back and said, "Does Your Highness not trust the prestigious reputation of Youli Valley?"
Prince Duan's lips twitched, and he forced a smile: "Mr. Huihun has misunderstood me. I wanted to thank you for curing my child's stubborn illness."
Huihun glanced at Yongye, who was leaning against the princess, and couldn't help but recall the way she stood in the grass hut and waved to him: "Come here, Master Huihun, tell me what kind of all-purpose tonics you have here, I'm afraid I'll take the wrong one."
He seemed to see Xinghun and Yuepo again, innocently playing together in the herb garden. He recalled the inexplicable fight with the Green-Clad Monster in front of Cheng Dieyi's building. These two little ones had actually been watching with great interest from hidden in the grass. Humans aren't plants or trees; how could they be without feelings? He said dryly, "If Your Highness wants to repay your kindness, then let him die a quick and painless death!"
Yuepo felt a pang of sorrow in her heart and raised her head, saying, "Master, Yuepo believes she has done nothing wrong. Why does Prince You want to take my life for no reason? Was it wrong for Yuepo to want to save her life? Yuepo just wants to know the reason!"
Li Tianyou thought to himself, "How dare I say the reason?" But he sneered, "You colluded with a thief to break into my study and steal. The thief has already confessed. If you weren't from Youli Valley, I would have dealt with you long ago."
"What can I say when someone falsely accuses me to my face?" Yuepo suddenly understood. It must have been Xinghun who broke into the palace at night. This wasn't a mission from Youli Valley. What was she looking for? She must have been the one who stole the herbs that day, which was why she could enter and leave the thatched hut as if it were empty. Yuepo hadn't expected there to be another shadow following Xinghun.
Perhaps, his death would be a good thing for her. Prince You's suspicion stemmed from his unintentional revelation to Li Tianyou that adding sandalwood to night-blooming cereus creates a scent that hunting dogs can detect. He absolutely could not let anyone know the secret of Eternal Night.
Huihun said calmly, "Whether there's a reason or not, your life belongs to Prince You now."
"Yes, Master! Your disciple sees you off, Master!" He kowtowed three times to Huihun, thus ending all ties.
"Uncle, may I take this person with me?"
Prince Duan paused for a moment and then said, "When Yongye wakes up, come and take him away."
Li Tianyou glared fiercely at Yuepo; falling into the hands of Prince Duan would mean certain death, if not death. Looking into the room, his heart skipped a beat; the sight of Yongye helplessly leaning against the princess stirred something within him. His surprise was fleeting, but he quickly composed himself, took his leave, and departed.
As Yuepo was being dragged away by the guards, she couldn't help but want to turn back, but instead, she burst into laughter, "Your Highness, what a clever scheme! You knew my master would come, didn't you? To have my master use the Jade Purity Pill to dispel the bewitching powder, the young master is truly blessed. After all, Yuepo is his disciple. Yuepo overestimated herself and willingly admits defeat!"
Prince Duan approached and whispered in his ear, "You're wrong. I bet that you wouldn't hurt Yongye."
Yuepo was horrified and was about to say something when Prince Duan struck down with a heavy palm. Before losing consciousness, he heard Prince Duan order: "Keep a close watch, no one is allowed to see him."
After giving Yongye the antidote and helping her to bed, the princess impatiently took off her shoes and socks. Seeing that the flower was still blooming bright red on the soles of her feet, she breathed a sigh of relief, her whole body feeling weak.
After a moment, Yongye opened his eyes.