Eternal Night

Chapter 187

At that moment, I didn't hate Yuepo at all. If it weren't for him, how would I have known Yongye's heart?

I didn't have the strength to speak, nor did I have the strength to touch his face. But I knew he wouldn't be harmed by Yue Po; he wouldn't die like me.

People often think of many things when they are dying. I miss home so much, I miss my parents, my brothers, and even His Highness the Crown Prince. But I really can't go back.

Side Story: Princess Jade Sleeves

"Princess! A person is floating in the river!"

I looked in the direction the guard was pointing, and there was a man in black floating on the river, half-submerged. "Pull him out!"

This was a strange man; his features were striking, his brows furrowed, revealing a resolute determination. He had been struck by a poisoned weapon. I saved him.

He seemed to be mute; he wouldn't say anything when I asked him questions.

Just as Emperor Youqing's coronation ceremony was about to be held in the capital of Anguo, an unexpected person was rescued.

Last night, a fire broke out in the capital. I heard the Eastern Palace was burned to the ground, and the Crown Prince was executed for treason. Is this person related to that event?

I didn't want to ask any more questions. Regardless of whether it was related or not, my intuition told me that this person was useful.

Once the coronation ceremony was over, I was about to return to the State of Chen. I asked him, "Would you like to come with me, or leave?"

He looked at me blankly, as if he had lost his memory.

I sighed and said, "Then come back to China with me. I'll call you Xiaobai."

I took him back to the State of Chen.

He must know martial arts. When I was practicing my swordplay, if I made a mistake in one move, his gaze immediately fell on where the sword should have landed. General Yi was busy training the navy, so no one was there to spar with me. I took a sword and gave him a casual thrust. He parried reflexively, and I got more and more excited as we fought. He seemed to be trying to recall some memory, responding silently.

As the fight went on, I realized he was only blocking and never making a move. I yelled at him angrily, "What's the point of just parrying? Attack!"

As I spoke, I unleashed a cunning sword strike, aiming for his throat.

I saw a glint in his eyes, and I don't know how he did it, but he knocked my sword away and thrust it towards my chest. I was terrified and screamed.

His sword stopped an inch from my throat. He threw it down, said nothing, and quietly stepped aside.

What a strange person.

Not long after, General Yi entered the palace. After hearing that I had saved this strange man, he looked him up and down for a long time, and then said, "This general will spar with you. Perhaps you will find something you like."

I know General Yi is extremely skilled in martial arts; the sword that the strange man used to stab me shouldn't have been able to harm him. I really hope he can regain his memory.

General Yi's deadly moves terrified me. Xiao Bai's counter-attacks were also quite impressive. It seemed that only through sparring between masters could his potential be truly unleashed. It wasn't until after five hundred moves that General Yi finally defeated him.

He was covered in sword wounds, glaring at General Yi with a face full of defiance. That arrogant demeanor was quite pleasing to me. Yi Zhongtian was too arrogant; I wished someone would contradict him.

“Princess, although this person has amnesia, his martial arts skills are extremely high, and his origins are unknown. I feel that keeping him by your side would be dangerous, so it would be better to get rid of him.”

I refused, saying, "Xiaobai won't hurt me." As I spoke, I looked into his eyes, and his gaze was calm, yet he slowly nodded.

I was overjoyed and said with a smile, "General, go and discuss matters with your brother. Little White can keep me company while I practice swordsmanship."

I didn't notice the sinister glint in General Yi's eyes; he seemed to dislike Xiaobai quite a bit.

I bandaged Xiaobai's wounds using handkerchiefs I'd embroidered in my spare time. I tied them up in a colorful mess, and I laughed heartily.

Xiao Bai suddenly spoke up: "It's beautiful."

My laughter stopped abruptly. I looked at him in surprise: "Xiao Bai, you can talk?"

He paused, then fell silent.

From then on, I kept talking to him, but Xiaobai just listened and occasionally said a few words. He would stop talking as soon as he saw that there were outsiders around. This made me feel that he and I had a little secret.

My brother is seriously ill. He held my hand and said, "The Crown Prince is still young. If the throne is passed to him, Yi Zhongtian will seize power. He likes you. Only if you become the Crown Princess will he be willing to assist in governing and be subordinate to you. Yuxiu, you must hold on until the Crown Prince grows up."

I couldn't hold back my tears. The beautiful land of Chen must never be changed to the Yi family. I straightened my chest and swore to my elder brother, "After the Crown Prince comes of age, Yu Xiu will pass the throne to him. Yu Xiu will protect my sister-in-law and the Crown Prince!"

I have decided to remain unmarried for the rest of my life.

After my elder brother passed away, I ascended the throne as emperor.

Yi Zhongtian indeed supported it, and none of the court officials dared to oppose it. This one move made me realize how brilliant my elder brother's decision was.

I have hired the best tutors to educate the Crown Prince. The tutor I particularly want to hire is Yongye, because only her cunning and martial arts skills can teach a Crown Prince who can inherit the throne of my Great Chen Dynasty.

Yi Zhongtian entered and exited the palace as if it were his own home. He looked at me and said, "Yuxiu, if you never marry, Zhongtian will serve you for life. I will never have any other intentions."

I understand his deep affection, but I cannot accept it. For the sake of the Great Chen Dynasty, I nodded: "As long as I am emperor, I will never appoint a royal consort."

I will not marry, and I do not want to have children. If I have children, the Crown Prince's position will be in jeopardy.

I mumbled something to Xiaobai, but he just listened. Sometimes when I was so upset I cried, he would jump up and practice his swordplay. When I saw something good, I couldn't help but clap and cheer. He would turn around and look at me, his eyes filled with pity.

I attended the Zeya Poetry Gathering in casual white clothes.

During the banquet, I saw Yongye. Ignoring everything else, I ran towards her. As if to tease me, she deliberately tore my skirt. Xiaobai suddenly became angry, drew her sword, and fought her.

On the water, Xiao Bai and she fought fiercely. She was clearly inferior to Xiao Bai in martial arts, but her lightness skill was excellent. Xiao Bai was annoyed by her trickery and used a killing move.

I saw the legendary Little Li Flying Dagger for the first time.

Xiao Bai was stabbed by her, and Yong Ye left, but she swaggered around and quietly told me that the place where she took jobs in Zeya was called Yishuiju, and that I shouldn't interfere with her making money, because she would repay me a favor.

I naturally agreed, and from then on, she secretly entered the palace to teach the Crown Prince martial arts and some things I didn't understand. All I knew was that the Crown Prince seemed to have suddenly become enlightened, growing smarter and more sensible every day.