The Beauties of the Cold Palace A Subtle and Alluring Woman

Chapter 79

165. Exclusive Favor (Part Four)

"Your Majesty, she's back, isn't she?" Consort Heng's face was full of relief, without a trace of jealousy.

She wouldn't believe any of the speculations from the outside world. As long as it wasn't that person, even if it was a substitute, she wouldn't fall in love with him, unless it was really her who came back, unless she hadn't died.

But she saw her own cold body back then, she saw her stop breathing, she saw that he was truly dead. Why now...?

Moreover, she returned aloof and arrogant, unusually cold, as if she were detached from the mortal world, so different from Xie Weiying of yesteryear. Could this person be the real one? The real Xiao Jin? If all of this is true, then of course she was just pretending, and her kindness is truly admirable.

She still remembered that eerie night when the entire palace seemed to weep. When the concubines rushed to the main hall upon hearing the news, what she saw was him holding her dead body, weeping sorrowfully, murmuring, "Xiao Jin... Xiao Jin..."

It wasn't until then that she realized that Xie Weiying, who had always been by his side, was actually An Jin, the person he had always deeply loved. But why didn't she acknowledge him? Why did she choose to die quietly? The emperor had told her before leaving the palace that he would confirm something and inform her before returning, but after returning, he forgot everything. What exactly happened before the emperor left the palace that time?

All these questions became permanent secrets, unknowable secrets, with her mysterious death.

However, after so many years, when she reappeared in front of everyone as if in secret, she seemed to have become a different person. Moreover, she couldn't remember anything, she couldn't remember anyone, she was distant and deliberately kept her distance from everyone, indifferent and cold, even towards the emperor.

All sorts of strange things were intertwined, leaving her completely confused and bewildered.

However, she then smiled calmly. As long as she was alive and by his side, she believed that one day he would get what he wanted.

Sima Rui looked at her and said softly, "Her body is here, but her heart will never come back. She has drifted too far away and can't find her way back." His deep voice was a little hoarse.

Consort Hengxian looked at him with some heartache, who was extremely haggard, and said gently, "Does Your Majesty no longer believe me, or do you want to give up?"

Sima Rui gave a bitter smile. "I have no way out. The only thing I care about in this life is not the throne, but being able to be an ordinary couple with her. I have never loved anyone like this before, and I thought I would never have this in this life. But then I met her. She is my calamity in this life."

Consort Hengxian looked at him silently, without saying a word. Wasn't she the same? Ever since that unfaithful man left, she had secluded herself in this small villa and spent almost her entire life there.

Desire is an immeasurable calamity.

He was addicted, and so was she.

Ever since I woke up from that inexplicable fainting spell, that handsome and refined young man has been by my side. He calls me "Mom" affectionately every day, as if it were second nature. Gradually, I've also fallen for this young man, just like I've always treated him this way. He comes to Luoshuang Palace to see me every day. Today, I woke up to find the weather nice, so I decided to go out for a walk. I left Xiao Quanzi to guard Luoshuang Palace and went out by myself.

On my way to Jingyang Palace, I was suddenly stopped by a stranger. I stared at him coldly, not understanding why his gaze held a mixture of reverence and resentment. I simply looked at him calmly. He was no match for me, so I was not afraid.

Looking at my indifferent expression, he suddenly took a deep breath and realized that he looked familiar. He seemed to be the man in black who followed the emperor. What was he doing here?

He knelt respectfully on the ground, stubbornly saying, "Your Majesty, whether you have truly forgotten everything or simply do not wish to remember, Your Majesty, the Emperor's devotion to you over the years is evident to all. Please, Your Majesty, cease to torment the Emperor. I implore you. Moreover, the Emperor has done so much for Your Majesty..." As he spoke, he kowtowed vigorously, then paused at the end, his tone hesitant and troubled, as if unsure whether to continue.

"What? Go on." I frowned and said coldly. I'm not stupid, and I naturally sensed something unusual. He couldn't have come to see me secretly for no reason, especially not today when the emperor was traveling.

"Could it be... could it be that Your Majesty is really so heartless? ...Can't you remember anything at all?" His face was filled with sorrow and helplessness.

"What exactly did you say?" My heart started to spin again. Ever since I fainted that day, I'd refused to think about anything because my head ached too much, my heart ached too much, but... I stared at him coldly, a hint of anger in my voice.

He suddenly stood up, met my gaze without flinching, and said with a hint of disdain, "Does Your Majesty still remember that ugly servant?"

“He…” I looked down, recalling his desperate gaze, his struggles like a trapped beast, and his silent growls.

"Has Your Majesty never doubted who he was? Does Your Majesty still remember how difficult it was for the Emperor to utter that hoarse, unpleasant voice at that grand assembly? His vocal cords were damaged by the medicine, and he may never recover," he said, his face filled with sorrow. "I have never seen the Emperor treat anyone like this before, never. For him, he willingly refrained from entering the harem for five years, bearing so much pressure. For him, he willingly took the corrosive medicine that nearly killed him, disfiguring himself, and even taking medicine that caused him to lose his voice. Yet, that person doesn't remember him. When he saved her, she went to another man. For him, who was almost dead, he almost took the place of the Xuanwu King, following the divine physician and becoming a monk. For him, for so many years, he has been unable to sleep day and night, suffering excruciating pain... Every day he sits in the Jin Garden, remembering the person who disappeared... Even though his eyes tell him that person is dead." He had thought it through, but he couldn't convince his own heart... He always hoped she was alive, even if she was just living quietly somewhere... He knew she had forgotten him, yet he still waited, kept waiting... This lowly subject couldn't understand, couldn't comprehend such silent love. Countless attempts to persuade him only yielded his faint words, "Even if I'm just one of the fleeting moments in her life, I will have no regrets..." He suddenly sobbed, "Your Majesty... If you've forgotten, then forget. We don't want to remember the things that hurt you, and we have no right to blame you... But why do you so readily ignore the Emperor's current efforts for you... His efforts... Your eyes aren't blind, your heart isn't blind, can't you really see anything, feel nothing?!" He finished, his voice low and angry as he roared.

I stared at him blankly, and suddenly, warm tears welled up in my eyes, falling onto the lichen-covered bluestone steps. My lips trembled slightly, and I finally managed to say, "What...what are you saying?"

Suddenly, I recalled the warmth and longing I felt while resting on that broad back.

Xiao Bai's words suddenly flooded into my mind like a tidal wave.

So, he really is him. Then, the strange person who spoke to me in my dream—that too must be him. Did Xiaobai really make him transform into his likeness to talk to me because he was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold on and would give up?

It turns out that the person who understands me best is Xiaobai, but why, why can't I remember anything? Why?

I suddenly squatted down, covered my head, and buried my face deeply in my arms. I felt so sad, so painful. But why can't I remember anything? Why?

I cried helplessly, alone, and silently.

166-167 is truly heartbreaking.

At the bottom of the valley, in a hidden cave, a handsome man surrounded by pure white light and an old woman with a hunched back and an ugly appearance gaze at each other silently.

"So many years have passed, why are you doing this?" Xiaobai's expression was sad and helpless.

"In your eyes, it's been so many years, but the scars etched in my heart will stay with me for a lifetime. The Celestial Master is right, the master that Feng Fei brought will also bring you." A strange mix of emotions flashed across the old woman's ugly face, an emotion that was hard to tell whether it was love or hate.

Xiao Bai's face remained calm and expressionless. "I was wrong about what happened in my past life, but that person is long dead. Now, I am just a divine beast. I came down from Kunlun Mountain only to assist my master."

"She is also my master, and my lifelong wish is to assist her in becoming an emperor. Since we share the same goal, why do you keep trying to stop me?" the old woman said angrily.

Xiao Bai sighed softly, "I thought I was unintentional, but after following her for so long and seeing all the sacrifices she made for Jin Kingdom, for her companions, and for the subjects who loved her, I couldn't help but be moved. Murong Yuan, you're not heartless, so why be so cruel to her? You know perfectly well that this isn't the kind of life she longs for."

Murong Yuan smiled coldly: "She was chosen by Feng Fei, so she must shoulder such a heavy responsibility and must not let personal feelings hold her back."

Xiao Bai looked at her sadly and said softly, "You have already altered Sima Rui's memories, making him forget that Xie Weiying is An Jin, causing a misunderstanding between them, and making Sima Rui regret it for the rest of his life. You are not enough, you also want to make the master willingly give up his memories for him. You are too cruel."

The old woman's sallow face was pale, but she still said coldly, "If you won't do it, someone else should. Since you're unwilling to be the bad guy, then I'll have to do it myself." She sighed deeply, "Everything I've done is for her own good. She'll understand."

Xiao Bai remained silent. Looking at this stubborn woman, he no longer knew what to say.

Moreover, in his past life, he owed her. To cultivate, he transformed into human form seven times, undergoing forty-nine tribulations before achieving enlightenment. Each time, the plot and ending were predetermined, and in the final life, he was the one who wronged her. Unexpectedly, she learned of his secret return to the mortal realm, and even managed to find him.

As someone who helped her unify the continent, I never expected her to be so extreme. I used so many methods to make her truly cold-blooded, ruthless, and indifferent, someone who only cared about the affairs of the Jin Kingdom. Aside from the person who followed her and her daughter Yijun, she cared almost nothing about anyone else.

During that grand assembly where all nations attacked Jin Kingdom, he was truly afraid that she would go mad for Yi Jun and destroy the balance of the entire continent.

Her arrival had already disrupted the balance of the continent. If she were to further distort the course of history, she would surely be punished by heaven. Therefore, she was always worried that she might do something extreme.

He disagreed with Murong Yuan's idea; only a person with love in their heart can truly be a good master, one who truly cares for the world and all their subjects.

Finally, Xiaobai glanced at her calmly: "Since we can't reach an agreement, let's each do what we want. The premise is that neither of us can harm our master. Is that alright?"

Murong Yuan stubbornly looked back at him, pursed her lips, and finally said coldly, "Fine."

I stood up calmly, my face expressionless. Apart from slightly moist eyes, there was no other sign of anything amiss.

I looked at him and finally said softly, "If this is what you wanted to say, then I understand, you can go now."

His sorrowful gaze swept over me like a sudden, surging wave: "You really forgot...forgot..." He said no more, turned and stumbled away.

I stood there and suddenly burst into loud, strange laughter. I laughed so hard I almost choked, as if I had heard the biggest joke in the world. I couldn't stop, but why did my laughter sound so mournful and aged?

I collapsed to the ground, clutching my stomach, and laughed for a very, very long time. I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

The sky was a clear, deep blue, so transparent it seemed to reflect my face. It was very quiet, so very quiet. This was a secluded place; I dislike crowds and had deliberately chosen a quiet, secluded path. All around me stood blooming flowers, a riot of colors. A profusion of blossoms, yet why did I appear so haggard?

Even if I were just a fleeting moment in her life, I would have no regrets.

Do you really have no regrets? I closed my eyes, and a tear rolled down my cheek.

He returned to Luoshuang Palace in a daze.

I had Xiao Quanzi find a lot of plum wine, and I sat on the ground in the courtyard, gulping it down by myself.

Seeing that I wouldn't listen to any of his advice, Xiao Quanzi shook his head, sighed a few times, and left.

But soon after, I saw Shao Shao running back. Although he was calm and composed when he got to me, I could still see his anxiety. The jade pendant hanging at his waist was swaying in the wind and had not calmed down as much as he had.

He looked at me with a smile as I sat on the ground drinking, looking somewhat childish.

I looked at him, my eyes slightly blurry with drunkenness, and said, "Shao Shao, you're here."

He nodded, walked over, sat down next to me, silently picked up a jar of wine, and then downed it without hesitation.

I looked at him and said with a coquettish smile, "What are you drinking, little brat? Put it down."

He turned to me, looked at me intently, and then cupped my slightly flushed cheeks in his hands, forcing me to look him directly in the eye. Then, gazing into my eyes, he said, word by word, "Mom, watch me closely. I've grown up. I'm no longer that child who can be bullied. Now, I'm capable enough to protect you, Mom."

Sima Shao gazed at this woman of unparalleled beauty. Ever since his childhood, when she had disregarded everything, shouting that she would never abandon her family to rush into Jingyang Palace to care for him and save him with her own blood, he had silently thought that if he hadn't died, if he had survived, then for the rest of his life, he would follow her and love her forever.

His tone was so earnest, as if he were making a promise. I stared blankly at this transformed young man; he had truly grown up, so very much. He was no longer that child.

I smiled and stroked his face, which now had more defined features. Although it wasn't as soft and smooth as I remembered, it was a sign that he had finally grown up.

I said with relief, "You've finally grown up, but Mom is getting old, Shao Shao. Even if Mom isn't by your side anymore, you have to take good care of yourself. And, let me tell you something," I leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "you have a younger sister in this world. If you ever meet her, remember to treat her well for Mom's sake. Okay?"

He looked at me, who was slightly drunk, with some confusion, not understanding what I meant, but still obediently nodded and said, "Okay."

"That's good." I pushed him away, then took another swig of wine and laughed heartily, "Come on, let's drink! We won't leave until we're drunk."

When the phrase "we won't go home until we're drunk" came on, it seemed familiar. I paused for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.

He smiled, raised the jar, and began to drink as well.

A gentle breeze blows as two figures sit side by side, laughing unrestrainedly, abandoning all pretense and worries. Though the past may have been beautiful, they drink only for today, and get drunk only for today.

Sima Shao dragged the woman, who was ridiculously drunk, back to her room.

Xiao Quanzi followed silently behind. Sometimes Sima Shao had a strange feeling that this seemingly lowly servant, if ignored, was like a silent statue, forever remaining in the same place, waiting for only one person. That kind of silent devotion made him stand out.

In her dream, she kept murmuring, "Why... I'm sorry..." As she spoke, tiny tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. Her brows were tightly furrowed. She seemed to be dreaming of something terrible, and even her expression was filled with pain.

Who is this apology for?

Sima Shao sat by her bedside, stroking her slightly flushed cheeks. He sighed softly, then finally got up and left.

"Mom, why are you so good to others, but forget to be good to yourself?"

No one answered in the empty hall. Only the gauze curtains, fluttering in the wind, silently watched the solitary figure standing quietly in the lonely night.

After he left, Xiao Quanzi quietly went out, silently pulled the blanket back up for her, then filled a basin with warm water and carefully wiped away her sweat and the wine stains on her face.

Just then, a pair of strong hands suddenly reached out and took the clean white towel from Xiao Quanzi's hands. To Xiao Quanzi's astonishment, he made a slight shushing gesture, then sat down on the edge of the bed and gently wiped her down. It was as if he were a rare treasure in the world, afraid of accidentally hurting her. His carefulness touched Xiao Quanzi. He remained silent for a while, then turned and left, not forgetting to close the door behind him.

It also shut out the shattered moonlight scattered on the ground.

The woman in her dream felt the comfortable wiping on her face, let out a satisfied groan, and then slowly opened her eyes, which were hazy and intoxicated. Those eyes were filled with a captivating allure that no man could resist.

She seemed to be awake, because her eyes were watery and crystal clear, yet she also seemed not to be awake, because there was a rare tenderness in her eyes, like a crescent moon reflected in water, shrouded in a faint mist.

Sima Rui gazed at her tenderly, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek. Suddenly, in the darkness, she smiled alluringly, like a peony blooming in an instant. Then, she abruptly raised her head, leaned close to his lips, and pressed a deep, firm kiss to them.

Sima Rui gasped in surprise before asking rationally, "Are you drunk or sober?"

A strange glint appeared in the girl's eyes as she giggled. Then, she rolled over, catching Sima Rui off guard, and he was pinned beneath her. A bewitching smile suddenly appeared on her rosy cheeks as she lowered her head and pressed her full lips to his.

Sima Rui's eyes grew increasingly dark. "Are you playing with fire?"

The person, who seemed like a completely different person, tilted her head and looked at him, as if she didn't quite understand what he was saying.

His desire was aroused by her, this little vixen. He knew perfectly well how much he wanted her for so long, but he didn't want to force her because of her aloofness. So he kept enduring it.

Her alluring face, her ambiguous expression, her captivating beauty, her enchanting bloom, her rare initiative—all these made Sima Rui, who hadn't touched a woman in five years, unable to resist any longer. Even if she was drunk, even if she would regret it when she woke up tomorrow morning, even if she loathed him, he wouldn't stop. With that thought, Sima Rui let out a soft growl, turned and pinned her beneath him. He gazed deeply at the woman he had loved for so long, this woman of unparalleled beauty, the one he would never find again in his life, his eyes filled with deep affection and love. For the first time, he abandoned his imperial pride, admitting that he had already groveled at her feet, admitting that she was the only one in his heart. He would no longer back down, no longer hide his love.

If this is his inevitable tribulation in this world, then for her sake, he is willing and resolute.