Mercenary Princess - Chapter 53
His face was slightly pale, but the wolf-hair brush moved again on the paper: "Continue reading!"
"Don't complain that being alone is tasteless."
As he finished the last stroke, Dongfang Lie took a deep breath and calmed himself: "Is this your curse upon me?"
"A curse? Your Majesty, you flatter me. As the saying goes, where there is a beginning, there is an end; where there is life, there is death. Life and death are the laws of nature. When energy gathers, we become; when energy disperses, we become nothing. Why should the living rejoice, or the dead grieve? Everyone fears this mound of earth, yet everyone must walk towards it. No one can escape it. If Your Majesty truly takes this Zen poem as a curse from me, then I have no way to stop it." He himself is determined to bring me bad luck; can I blame her?
A thoughtful expression crossed his handsome face. After pondering for a while, he suddenly shouted "Good!" and picked up his pen again, rewriting the poem with great flourish.
Turning back to gaze steadily at Rongyue, who remained silent with her head bowed, Dongfang Lie's peach blossom eyes shimmered with an inexplicable gleam...
Meanwhile, Rongyue, who was keeping a low profile, was wondering about a problem that was making her feel uneasy—had her power declined? Otherwise, why couldn't she provoke Dongfang Lie no matter what she said?
"Royal brother! Royal brother!!" Just then, Dongfang Yao, who had not shown his face for more than half a month, ran over from outside the palace, panting heavily.
His sudden arrival caused Dongfang Lie's expression to stiffen, and also made Rongyue's supposedly numb heart ache again.
She thought her self-hypnosis was working, that her heart had gradually pushed him away, that she would no longer feel pain or hurt because of him. But in the end, she realized that self-hypnosis was nothing but a clumsy, self-deceptive trick! Only after actually seeing him did she realize that all her previous efforts to forget him were in vain…
Feelings are like superglue; once you're touched, you're stuck, impossible to shake off unless you tear it off completely, leaving a clear scar that will stay with you for life. She now truly understands the meaning of that saying…
"Brother! Look! This is so much fun! I just shot down two birds with this slingshot called 'Egg Centipede'!" Dongfang Yao proudly showed off his slingshot to Dongfang Lie, as if presenting a treasure.
Looking at the small slingshot in his hand, Rongyue felt a bitter taste in her mouth. He really had completely forgotten her. Everything related to her, he had forgotten completely! Even his favorite toy—he didn't remember a thing… Uh? This slingshot… why did it look so familiar? But she was certain she had never made this slingshot for him…
Patting Dongfang Yao's head, Dongfang Lie laughed and said, "So amazing? Where did you get it, Yao-di?"
*Slap!* Dongfang Yao slapped his forehead: "I almost forgot!" Turning around, he shouted towards the door: "Xiao Yan, come in quickly! Why are you taking so long!"
He rushed impatiently towards the door, grabbed the petite figure outside, and pulled her inside forcefully: "Hurry up! Why are you so clingy! Brother! Look, it's her, this egg centipede is hers..."
Against the light, Rongyue blinked, taking a long time to make out the outline of the woman Dongfang Yao had forcibly dragged over. With delicate eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a fine nose, and red lips, her temperament was refined and ethereal. Standing in the main hall, she was like a lotus emerging from the water, radiating a holy glow that made even the most precious flowers in the hall pale in comparison!
With two slender, fair hands hanging to one side, she gracefully and calmly bowed: "This commoner, Lu Xiaoyan, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
If her appearance brought shock to Dongfang Lie, then it brought Rong Yue even greater shock, along with fear and horror!
Volume One, Pear Blossom Courtyard, Melting Moon, Chapter Fifty-Six: Change (Part Two)
Glancing furtively at Rong Yue, whose face was pale and whose breathing was erratic, Dongfang Lie's handsome lips involuntarily curved upwards as his wicked peach blossom eyes gleamed. He slowly descended the cold jade steps, stroking his chin, and circled the pure and ethereal woman, scrutinizing her from head to toe with a critical gaze. Then, smiling, he approached Dongfang Yao and gently patted his shoulder: "Brother Yao has good taste; such a refined and gentle woman is indeed rare in this world!"
After chuckling foolishly, Dongfang Yao raised his slingshot again, beaming with pride, and said, "Brother, look! I have this fun egg-shaped centipede! You've never seen one before, have you? Hehe..."
Holding the exquisitely crafted slingshot in his hand, Dongfang Lie suddenly realized that Dongfang Yao had mentioned that this thing seemed to belong to the woman beside him...
A look of suspicion crept onto Dongfang Lie's brow as he handed the slingshot to the woman named Lu Xiaoyan: "Is this yours?"
Lu Xiaoyan quickly lowered her head and bowed her brows, replying respectfully, "Your Majesty, this item truly belongs to this humble woman..."
"But you've already given it to me!" Snatching it from the side, Dongfang Yao held the slingshot protectively in her arms, as if afraid she would change her mind and try to take it back. Her eyes were full of vigilance and she gripped the slingshot tightly with both hands.
Yu Rong blushed slightly and bowed slightly to Dongfang Yao: "This humble woman is lowly, how dare I touch something that Your Highness likes? This slingshot naturally belongs to Your Highness."
"Where did you get this little gadget, young lady?" Isn't this slingshot the one Liu Rongyue came up with on a whim? Why does she have it too? Who exactly is this woman? Could she have some ulterior motive...?
Seemingly anticipating his question, she remained calm and composed, replying, "My father and Uncle Murong, the head of the Murong family in Bucheng, are sworn brothers. A few days ago, my father went to celebrate Uncle Murong's birthday, and before leaving, Uncle Murong gave him this unusual object. I found it quite exquisite, so I asked my father for it. In my spare time, I would play with it, shooting at things around, but I accidentally shot Your Highness… I have offended Your Highness, and I deserve to die…"
"The Murong family of Bucheng?" He smiled knowingly, then leisurely glanced at Rongyue on the steps: "Then was this slingshot made by Murong Luo?"
"Your Majesty is wise. It was Murong Luo, the son-in-law of Murong Dabo, who did it."
......
After chatting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Dongfang Yao pulled Lu Xiaoyan away to shoot birds with great enthusiasm, leaving only Dongfang Lie and Rongyue in the magnificent hall once again.
With his large, well-defined hand, Dongfang Lie lifted Rongyue's chin and chuckled wickedly, "What's wrong? You look like a wilted eggplant, completely lifeless! Could it be that you're feeling uncomfortable seeing a woman a hundred times more beautiful than you standing next to Yaodi? Or... hehe, feeling ashamed of yourself?"
Her face was ashen, her expression panicked and bewildered. Rongyue was filled with confusion, repeatedly asking herself: How did she get here? How did she get here...?
To Dongfang Lie, Rongyue's expression at this moment was tantamount to acknowledging his words. His smile deepened as he traced his index finger around Rongyue's chin: "It seems Brother Yao is quite interested in that elegant and refined beauty! Hehe, it really does prove your saying, 'A beautiful woman is sought after by a gentleman!' Such a stunning beauty is a match made in heaven for Brother Yao, truly not unworthy of him! Liu Rongyue, it's completely over between you and Brother Yao, so you don't need to cling to your foolish hopes that he'll change his mind and remember you. Liu Rongyue, give up, the person Brother Yao loves will no longer be you!"
Liu Rongyue didn't hear a single word Dongfang Lie said. Her mind was a complete mess; her only wish was for him to finish quickly and let her go back so she could have a chance to figure out what was really going on...
"Absurd!" Looking at Huo Ming, who lay prostrate on the ground, Rong Yue felt the world spin. How could he act so recklessly! Judging by the time, Chu Xuyao would be returning to the capital soon. They had met before, so if he were to see her... would she still be alive?!
"I admit my dereliction of duty is a grave offense! But Miss Murong is threatening suicide, and I have no choice but to comply with her wishes..."
"No other way?" Rongyue's voice suddenly changed: "Nonsense! You can forcibly abduct her, or immobilize her pressure points, or even knock her unconscious with a single palm strike! At crucial moments, whatever means are used, as long as the goal is achieved! Do you think you, who have been in the martial world for so many years, don't understand such a simple principle! Huoming, don't think I don't know what you're plotting!"
A hint of embarrassment at being exposed in public flickered in Huo Ming's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute look: "Your Excellency is wise. I know this matter cannot be kept from you, but it is the only feasible way to rescue you with the least sacrifice! She has spent a considerable amount of time with you and understands your habits very well. In addition, you possess an incredible ability to disguise yourself... Now the key to the Xuan Tie shackles has been forged. Your Excellency, you are only one step away from escaping..."
"No!" Gripping the cold key tightly, Rongyue refused decisively.
"Please, Master, consider the bigger picture!"
"This matter is not worth discussing further! I cannot ask Yu Yan to sacrifice herself for me! We'll think of another way to escape. Oh, by the way, approximately how many more days until Chu Xuyao arrives in the capital?"
"About four or five days."
Four or five days...
Old Master Murong had arranged for Huo Ming to be stationed in the Southern Kingdom, and Chu Xuyao, unable to capture him, must be furious. She knew all too well what this icy man was like when he was enraged! If they hadn't escaped the cage of the palace in four or five days, she truly dared not imagine what their fate would be...
Now the die is cast, and there's no turning back! The only option now is to go all in!
"Notify the brothers outside to prepare everything. We will move out at midnight in two days!"
"Yes, sir!"