El paisaje es como una pintura

Capítulo 143

Why did she want to hurt me?

“Because…because…” He stole a glance at Rongyue, whose expression was unreadable, and swallowed hard. “Because I…I want to marry you…as, as a concubine…”

Seeing Rongyue's face darken instantly, he was so frightened that he stammered, "I was wrong, I'll never do it again! Please forgive me, I won't do it again! I know I'm like a toad trying to eat swan meat, I'm not good enough for you, I'll never dare to have any thoughts about you again..."

Looking at the man with the fat, fleshy face, garlic-shaped nose, triangular eyes, and black moles all over his mouth, Rongyue felt nauseous. She turned her head away in disgust, turned around, and strode away through the crowd.

But after walking only a few steps, she suddenly stopped. Looking around, she saw a few dozen scattered households nestled against the mountain and beside the water, a picturesque landscape of clear water and lush mountains, a peaceful and serene atmosphere filled with the rich flavor of a mountain village, making one feel refreshed and at ease.

At another time, Rongyue would have thoroughly admired and praised this picturesque landscape. But now, she had no time for such things. Even the most beautiful scenery couldn't capture her attention, because she was filled with doubt and confusion, unable to understand what had happened three days ago. She wasn't in the palace, not with Tuoba Chen and the others, but alone in this sparsely populated, desolate mountain village…

The movement of the object in her arms woke Rongyue from her reverie.

Looking at the chubby pink baby in her arms, Rongyue slapped her forehead, suddenly realizing that she hadn't returned the baby to his parents yet.

Turning around, Rongyue shouted at the still-standing crowd, "Whose child is this?"

After he finished speaking, everyone was shocked once again.

They looked at each other, but no one answered Rongyue's question.

Impatience surfaced in Rongyue's eyes.

Just as she was about to ask a second time, an older woman wearing a gray headscarf stepped out from the crowd. Her weathered face carried a reproachful expression as she jogged up to Rongyue.

The woman gently stroked the baby's head and sighed, "No matter what, she's a piece of your flesh. How could you be so heartless as to abandon her? Besides, she's so adorable. I really wonder, what is it that makes you dislike her so much?"

The woman's words struck Rongyue like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned and unable to process what she had just heard for a long time.

"He...he's my son?" Pointing to her own nose, Rongyue's almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief.

Son? The woman looked up, touched Rongyue's forehead, and shook her head: "She doesn't have a fever, why are you talking nonsense... Gouwa, she's clearly a girl..."

A girl?! Staring in astonishment at the shiny bald head, Rongyue couldn't reconcile the image of the bald little boy with that of a girl.

Following Rongyue's gaze, they saw the bright roof gleaming in the sunlight. The auntie continued her nagging: "Really, even if the child is no good, you can't treat her like this! Look at her, you've tormented her like this. If her husband finds out in the future, who knows how he'll ridicule her! Sigh, alright, I know you won't listen to me... Forget it, let's go back. I guess Gouwa is hungry too. I'll make you and your daughter some ginger soup to warm you up and calm your nerves."

Without saying a word, she grabbed Rongyue's arm and led her along the forest path toward the distant thatched cottage.

The woman's sincere demeanor suggested she wasn't lying. If what she said was true, then this child really is...

A few flashes of inspiration struck her, and a bold guess formed in her mind.

"Auntie, I just drank some water and my head is a little foggy. Could you tell me which country this is and which emperor is in power?"

Stopping in her tracks, the older woman turned to look at her, surprised, "Looks like you've really been given water and your head isn't clear anymore. You don't even remember this? Gouwa's mother, have you forgotten? This is our Nansha, and now we're fighting for the Emperor Chenyue!"

Chenyue...

My heart skipped a beat, and my heart, pounding rapidly in my chest, felt as if it were about to leap out of my body!

“Chen Yue…the Emperor, he is the former Second Prince Tuoba Chen…”

"Shh—" She covered Rongyue's mouth in shock. She looked around and, seeing no one, lowered her hand with lingering fear.

"Dog Boy's mother, how dare we common folk discuss the emperor's name? If someone with ulterior motives hears this, they could be beheaded!" As she spoke, she gestured twice across her neck.

He swayed slightly and took a few steps back until his back hit a large sycamore tree, which helped him regain his balance.

Chen... he actually became the emperor...

She couldn't quite describe the feeling, because a myriad of emotions were mingled together, blending into a complex, indistinct mass, impossible to discern or articulate. The only distinct feeling was the sharp sense of loss that welled up within her—yes, loss, the kind of loss that came before, now separated from her by vast distances, a loss she could only yearn for but never attain…

Why become emperor? Once he becomes emperor, he no longer belongs to her, because he will belong to his country, his people, and his harem...

Her heart ached so much she could hardly breathe, yet a beautiful smile curved her lips: "When did he register?"

"Of course it was three years ago..."

Three years ago...

It turns out that she spent three days, while he spent three years...

Three days is insignificant, so short that it can be ignored;

But three years can change a lot of things, things that are impossible to ignore...

There was a three-year gap between them.

Who has been taking her place for these past three years?

Was this the original owner of this body?

Or is it someone else?

She wanted to understand what had happened in the past three years, but she was also vaguely afraid to understand. This conflicting feeling constantly challenged her seemingly strong mental fortress.

"Auntie, do you know why it wasn't the original crown prince who ascended the throne, but the second prince?"

"Alas, His Highness the former Crown Prince has long since passed away..."

He passed away...

No wonder……

Has Yu Yan settled down? A layer of worry appeared in her almond-shaped eyes.

"What should be done with the former Crown Prince's concubine?"