It's really true!!
Luo Zhiheng only participated in this competition for Mu Yunhe, which is why she fought so hard and got so many injuries?!
Several elderly people, some nearing or even over a hundred, were shocked and trembled upon hearing this. They exchanged glances, each seeing a complex emotion in the other's eyes—gratitude and admiration for Luo Zhiheng's willingness to go to such lengths for Mu Yunhe.
But Old Master Tong immediately snapped out of his daze and asked with a grim expression, "What do you mean by completely curing the poison in Mu Yunhe's body? Completely, how much?"
"It seems there are at least a dozen types, but even I, the King, cannot accurately determine the exact number, as these poisons are very strange. I fear only the Poison Saint in the entire world could diagnose them. But only I have a way to cure Mu Yunhe." At this moment, the King was quite forthcoming, because he wanted to keep Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng there temporarily.
He couldn't leave the Southern Dynasty for a while, but Mu Yunhe wanted to leave. He knew that Mu Yunhe hated him, so Mu Yunhe wouldn't listen to him. Even if he told Mu Yunhe now that he and Luo Zhiheng were innocent, Mu Yunhe probably wouldn't believe him. Instead, he would think that this was just an excuse for him to get closer to Mu Yunhe.
King Shi always knew that Mu Yunhe didn't care about his own life, so he knew he couldn't stop him from leaving. He couldn't stop him before, and now that Mu Yunhe's mysterious identity was revealed, he was even less able to. Therefore, he could only let the Pharaohs know that only he could save Mu Yunhe, and only if Mu Yunhe stayed could he be saved. Before, Mu Yunhe was just a minor prince of the Mu Dynasty, and they might not have cared too much, only doing their best. But now, Mu Yunhe was of paramount importance to the Mu Dynasty, and even to the entire world. He couldn't afford the slightest mishap, and the Pharaohs would likely try every means to keep Mu Yunhe here.
As expected, the pharaohs' faces contorted with rage upon hearing that Mu Yunhe was poisoned in such a manner. Mu Yunhe certainly wouldn't be bluffing; after all these years of seclusion in the backyard of the royal palace, anyone capable of harming him must be someone close enough to get close to him. Yet, for so many years, Prince Mu and his consort had failed to catch the mastermind behind this, allowing Mu Yunhe to remain immersed in such deadly poison—a truly chilling prospect.
"Stop overthinking. Whoever poisoned the young prince must be a malicious person. The imperial physicians couldn't possibly diagnose the poisoning, and even Huo Yun only managed to make a diagnosis with great difficulty. There were a few poisons that Huo Yun could roughly identify, but he was shocked because they were very rare and difficult to obtain. Even ordinary nobles might not know about them." The Prince casually dropped another bombshell!
Old Master Tong's face instantly turned extremely ugly. The refined old man couldn't help but grit his teeth and say, "Not even ordinary nobles are allowed? Then only great nobles and old nobles are allowed!"
Old Master Tong was clearly thinking of the Li family, and Consort Li! 171.
Mu Yunhe's existence had always been a thorn in Consort Li's side, and she had wanted to get rid of him many times. The Tong family might not know this, but the Princess Consort never sought their help, and even if she did, the Tong family wouldn't interfere in the Prince's domestic affairs. Everything requires evidence, and they had none.
The only people who could poison Mu Yunhe, who had a reason and the will to eliminate him, and who possessed such power, were none other than the Li family, the former imperial family. Old Master Tong couldn't think of anyone else! Thus, Old Master Tong was enraged! For the first time, his anger was so intense that he wished he could immediately annihilate the Li family! King Mu Zhen.
"Since Your Majesty was able to save the young prince, then we beg Your Majesty to do your utmost to help. The Mu Dynasty, even we old folks, will never forget Your Majesty's great kindness," General Murong suddenly said solemnly. As long as Mu Yunhe could be saved, no price was too high. Because General Murong understood all too well what a diviner meant to a nation.
This means that in the event of war, the existence of a diviner could potentially reduce our soldiers' losses by tens or even hundreds of thousands. It means that in the event of disaster, the existence of a diviner could allow the people of this country to take preventative measures and reduce the chances of death. It means that in the event of a great calamity, the existence of a diviner could help people avoid the disaster.
How could the country not protect such a person firmly and securely, and how could it not try every means to keep him? Now they are facing the death of Mu Yunhe, which is absolutely unacceptable for them.
The Prince did not raise the price; he disdained to do so. "I don't need your gratitude. This is a promise I made to Luo Zhiheng. Luo Zhiheng has fulfilled her promise, and I will naturally fulfill my promise to her as well. The Poison Saint is traveling the world, and I have long since sent people to actively search for him. Just now, news came that the Poison Saint has been found and brought here. However, the journey is long, and the old Poison Saint has a strange temper, so it may take several days for him to arrive. It just so happens that I have chosen to immediately go into seclusion to cultivate my skills. It will take at least seven days and at most a month before I emerge. During this time, the Poison Saint will first help the young prince to regulate his body and detoxify. After I emerge from seclusion, I will immediately treat the young prince personally. Therefore, you must all persuade the young prince to stay here and wait patiently."
The pharaohs were thrilled. If Mu Yunhe could live a few more years, it would be a great blessing for the people. And with the World King bringing in the Poison Saint, they were even more confident, since the Poison Saint was known as the one who could cure any poison.
"But the King is not a doctor, so how could he detoxify a young prince? Why did he have to go into seclusion before detoxifying him?" The chess master asked curiously.
The King did not want others to know that his blood could cure all poisons, so he changed his words and said, "I have mastered a peerless martial art. Its unique feature is that it can cure poisons, but it requires the assistance of a peerless treasure to be refined. Only after Liancheng can I save Mu Yunhe. My seclusion is naturally for the final refinement."
"If I'm not mistaken, the thing that the King needs is probably among the championship rewards that the little princess received this time? Is that why you made that deal?" Old Master Tong knew that Mu Yunhe was saved, so he calmed down and said slowly.
"That's right." The King nodded.
"Alright, no matter what, we admire you for keeping your word, Prince Shi. You can focus on your seclusion without worry. We will do everything we can to keep the young prince here and await the arrival of the Poison Saint and your return from seclusion. We hope that day will come soon," Elder Tong said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
The king was relieved after giving his instructions and disappeared in a flash.
The pharaohs suddenly felt a heavier burden on their shoulders. Persuading Mu Yunhe wouldn't be difficult, but convincing the diviner seemed beyond their capabilities. They exchanged glances, and their attention turned to Luo Zhiheng. It seemed that Luo Zhiheng was the only one who could reassure Mu Yunhe enough to wait there.
From that moment on, the old men tried every means to get close to Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng. However, Mu Yunhe astutely noticed their strange behavior, watching them silently with cold glint in his eyes.
230 The Tragedy of an Imperial Lover! No Future!
Updated: 2013-08-04 12:46:50 Word Count: 7777
Imperial Palace, Imperial Concubine's Abode, Cabinet
A series of intermittent coughs sounded from behind the bed curtains, followed by steady and quick footsteps. A bright yellow figure flashed and lifted the bed curtains, sitting down on the bed.
"Why are you coughing so badly? Didn't Duanchang call the imperial physician for you?" The emperor's voice, cold yet tinged with concern, rang out.
"No, no need. It's just an old ailment. Your Majesty, I just feel a tightness in my chest. That child, I miss him so much, why won't he come to see me? How many times has it been? I've lost count of how many times I've invited him, but he's refused every time. Do you think Luo Zhiheng said something about me to him?" A weak, intermittent voice sounded, filled with suppressed sorrow and sobs.
The emperor's profile was gentle as he spoke softly, "Qingya, don't overthink it. You know Luo Zhiheng is unwell and still unconscious. Naturally, the young prince has to protect her; how could he bear to leave? Let's wait a few more days. When Luo Zhiheng's condition improves, we'll let them enter the palace. By then, they probably won't have any reason to refuse. They can't just leave without seeing their own sister, can they? Besides, your maternal grandmother is here, and Teacher Tong is a reasonable person; she'll persuade them."
"Is that so?" Mu Qingya's voice was filled with disbelief and hope. "I miss him so much. I only met him once when he was little. He was so cute and smart. He would call me 'sister' in his baby voice. When I held him in my arms, I felt like he was my own child. He's only a year younger than our son..."
Mu Qingya's voice suddenly disappeared, and the vast palace fell into a deathly silence. Occasionally, a breeze would blow, stirring the various crimson curtains, creating a sense of desolation and eeriness.
The emperor pursed his lips, and after a long while, he said in a hoarse voice, "Still can't let go? Rui'er has been gone for so many years after all."
Mu Qingya suddenly spoke in an extremely sorrowful, trembling voice, "Fourteen years! Rui'er died at the age of four, and it has been fourteen years since then. Your Majesty, can you remember clearly? I'm afraid you are too busy with state affairs to remember, but I remember, I remember so clearly. Even after fourteen years, even after fourteen years of suffering, I still clearly remember every scene of that day. I still remember the deep terror on Rui'er's face when she died, and those eyes that looked like yours wide open, her little face turning blue and purple! I can't forget it, it's the nightmare of my life."
The emperor was struck dumb!
He suddenly pulled her into his arms, but he could no longer find the gentle, lovely, and kind woman he had held in his arms before. All he felt was coldness and despair!
"Qingya, as long as you recover, we can have children again." These words were nothing short of self-deception, yet the emperor uttered them nonetheless. A day as husband and wife is worth a hundred days of kindness; a thousand years of cultivation brings them to share a pillow. Their affection wasn't spanned by fourteen years, nor by the despair of losing their son, but by nearly twenty years of marriage. Perhaps it began without love, merely youthful impulsiveness and naiveté. But now, nothing could change anything; they could only move forward, because looking back would be too painful.
"Your Majesty, why deceive yourself? If we could have had it, we would have had it long ago. When I gave birth to Rui'er, I was on the verge of death, barely surviving, only to be told that I would never be able to have children again. But Your Majesty, I didn't complain then, I really didn't. Because I had you and Rui'er in this life, and that was enough. I cherished the two men I loved most in this life, and that was enough. But why, why did Heaven have to take away my only child? He was only four years old, a child who didn't understand anything, and he died in my arms. Do you know how much pain I felt?"
"I understand, I know everything. So Qingya must be strong, for Rui'er's sake, to live well. He is a sensible and well-behaved child, and he must also hope that his mother can live happily. It was all an accident. Didn't you say you had let go? Then let's let go of the past, okay?" The emperor's deep voice was hoarse and strained, it was unclear whether he was comforting Mu Qingya or himself.
"An accident? Yes, it was an accident, an accident..." Mu Qingya's profile, nestled in the emperor's arms, was stiff, lonely, poignant, and gloomy! She murmured as she lowered her eyes and fell into a long silence.
Those who lick their wounds in solitude through the years will never understand the warmth of sunlight. They gradually succumb to gloom, swallowed by darkness, never to escape the cold, gloomy world. She smiles on the surface, but her heart bleeds; who knows?
"Your Majesty, I...miss my mother." After a long while, Mu Qingya finally spoke slowly, calling out to her long-lost mother. But this call of "mother" made her eyes dry, and not a single tear could flow. The sound was so stiff and faint, as if the very sound squeezed between her lips could easily take her life.
The Emperor stiffened. How long had it been since he'd heard Mu Qingya mention "mother" since Rui'er's passing? Once, her mother was the most perfect and gentle mother in Mu Qingya's youthful eyes; Mu Qingya loved her mother more than she loved her husband. But Mu Qingya's love and hate were equally intense!
Even though she never said it, the emperor could sense that Mu Qingya's mother seemed to have vanished overnight. When she returned from visiting relatives in the Mu Dynasty, she brought back not only Rui'er's untimely death and body, but also a completely buried past and sorrow.
Naturally, he also brought back a heartbreaking story!
"Very well, I will immediately order arrangements to bring your mother to the Southern Dynasty," the emperor said grimly. There were things he suspected, but Mu Qingya hadn't mentioned a word, so he couldn't interfere without permission, as this was his way of repaying Mu Qingya. Therefore, even though the answer lay in the distant Mu Dynasty, within his grasp, he chose to remain silent.
"Let Duan Chang go and receive him, after all, he came from there." Mu Qingya hugged the emperor even tighter, as if only in this way could she not be afraid, not feel alone. But only she knew that only in this way could she prevent the emperor from discovering the hatred and madness in her eyes.
A shadow crossed the emperor's eyes. Duan Chang, the name of that vampire-like eunuch, had come to the Southern Dynasty with Mu Qingya when Rui'er died. He had been in Mu Qingya's world ever since, staying for fourteen years, and it seemed he would stay for a lifetime. If the emperor hadn't confirmed with his own eyes that Duan Chang was a eunuch, he would have thought that Duan Chang's approach to Mu Qingya was not for any good.
"Let him go if you like," the emperor said indifferently, then ordered, "Bring in Duanchang."
Nalan Daibai pushed open the door and entered. He knelt respectfully on the ground, his pale face more terrifying than that of a dead man, yet his lips were as red as blood: "This servant is here."
"Go to the Mu Dynasty and bring the Imperial Concubine's mother to the Southern Dynasty. Remember, the sooner the better. Tell her that the Imperial Concubine misses her." The Emperor's cold and sharp gaze fell on Nalan Daibai, as if it were a knife.
Nalan Daibai suddenly looked up at Mu Qingya, then quickly lowered her eyes, concealing the last trace of surprise in them. She respectfully replied, "This servant obeys."
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, a full fifteen days, passing by anxiously amidst people's varying emotions.
The emperor's various gifts flowed into the Prince's Palace like a river, bestowing upon Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng under various pretexts, including some from the Imperial Concubine. However, they did not readily grant Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng permission to enter the palace.
Mu Yunhe remained in the Southern Dynasty for a simple reason: Old Master Tong casually remarked to him, "Luo Zhiheng is not suited for travel in her current state. Can the young prince guarantee that nothing will happen to Luo Zhiheng along the way? If her arm were to suffer an accident due to the bumpy journey, wouldn't you be saddened and regretful?"
It was just one sentence that made Mu Yunhe put down all his burdens and willingly stay to wait for Luo Zhiheng's injuries to heal.
After waking up, Luo Zhiheng naturally wasn't in a hurry to leave. She was determined to wait for the King and the Poison Saint to come and detoxify Mu Yunhe. Mu Yunhe was no match for Luo Zhiheng's coquettishness and whining. Besides, Mu Yunhe now doted on Luo Zhiheng, and even the slightest bump or bruise would cause him heartache and self-reproach. How could he bear to see her unhappy? So, he chose to stay, even if it meant humiliation, with a smile.
In the past two weeks, a new kind of song and dance has become wildly popular in the Southern Dynasty. It uses a narrative and low-pitched singing style of dance, and its popularity is simply astonishing. Another trend is painting, a shocking and unconventional method of painting, which has resulted in works that represent a groundbreaking advancement.
However, people only saw a glimpse of Luo Zhiheng's talent; she was far from being proficient. Her singing, dancing, and painting became a hodgepodge, which only further boosted her value. Now, the name Luo Zhiheng is worth money, and her paintings are extremely rare and highly sought after. Literary figures, nobles, and talented men and women who indulged in romantic pursuits and affected elegance all craned their necks waiting for Luo Zhiheng, creating an unspoken queue for her calligraphy and paintings.
The Southern Dynasty has been more bustling than ever before in the past two weeks, but it is also more fraught with danger and hidden dangers. Merchants and tourists from various countries have been arriving in the Southern Dynasty one after another. Everyone seems ordinary, but under the close surveillance of the Southern Dynasty's emperor and pharaohs, everyone has come with a purpose.
They came here solely for Mu Yunhe!
Even though they wanted to keep it a secret, the great secret of the diviner priest was still leaked. After all, with hundreds of thousands of people present, rumors could spread far and wide in just half a month. Those with knowledge could naturally guess what was going on and wouldn't miss this legendary figure. Thus, it inadvertently propelled another grand event since the founding of the Southern Dynasty, truly a gathering of heroes and valiant figures from all over the land.
Beneath the surface of bustling activity lies a turbulent undercurrent.
Mu Yunhe knew, and Luo Zhiheng knew too, but they were both currently recovering from their injuries, and nothing else concerned them. After experiencing a series of events, both of them were enjoying a rare moment of peace and tranquility.
Madam Huoyun's medical skills are truly excellent; she has treated Luo Zhiheng very well. Now, Luo Zhiheng can lift light objects without any problem, and the wound on her shoulder blade is healing very well. Madam Huoyun said she would be fully recovered in a month, and Luo Zhiheng thinks she will be almost completely healed in another five or six days.
Mu Yunhe's health improved somewhat under Luo Zhiheng's insistence and the treatment of Lady Huoyun, but there was still no significant improvement. The pharaohs seemed to be all smiles every day, and Luo Zhiheng spent all her time with Mu Yunhe, but beneath every smile lay anxiety.
Because the Poison Saint still hadn't arrived. The World King hadn't emerged from seclusion, but Luo Zhiheng wasn't worried; after all, the World King had given him a deadline—he would definitely come out within a month at the latest. But what about the Poison Saint? Everyone said this old fellow was a strangely temperamental and deadly poison master. Some even said that encountering him, even without a word, just a glance might kill one—they'd be poisoned to death. Few could control him, so why could the World King? As the Poison Saint disappeared day by day, Luo Zhiheng sometimes even wondered if the World King was deceiving her.
"Why are you frowning again? Are you feeling unwell?" Suddenly, someone wrapped their arms around her from behind. The long, slender arms weren't very muscular, but they made Luo Zhiheng feel safe and secure. It was a familiar scent and a clear, crisp voice.
Luo Zhiheng blinked, and all her bad mood vanished. She twisted her body and said, "The wound on my back is a little itchy. Can you scratch it for me?"
"No, your wound is scabbing over now. If you scratch it, it will leave a scar. Bear with it." The voice was cool and aloof, with Mu Yunhe's unique arrogance, yet it also carried a thousand threads of warmth and care.
Luo Zhiheng pouted and glared at him, turning her head to look at him: "I'm itchy, are you going to scratch it for me or not!"
A fleeting, starlight-like smile flickered in Mu Yunhe's clear, cold eyes, utterly captivating. Seeing her so full of life, Mu Yunhe could finally feel her real existence; she was no longer the cold, trembling woman she once was, no longer the blood-soaked figure she once was.
His complexion was ruddy, his eyes bright, his aura imposing, and his tongue sharp. His Ah Heng had finally returned!
He couldn't help but cup her smooth face in his hands and kiss her full, tender lips deeply. His kiss was urgent, tender, filled with lingering fear, pity, and joy. His complex emotions were fully revealed in this passionate but shallow kiss. His breath was ragged and unsteady, yet there was a delicate and captivating tenderness about him.
Luo Zhiheng was captivated by his occasional domineering nature. Her clear eyes suddenly became misty, and her face gradually flushed deeper. Her breath hitched as he kissed her, and her arms involuntarily climbed onto his shoulders, slowly deepening the kiss.
Mu Yunhe seemed in no hurry, teasing her with light, fleeting kisses that occasionally deepened, as if he wanted to stifle her breath, forcing her to rely solely on him for sustenance, like a fish out of water. Yet, at other times, he would lightly pull away from her lips, gently pecking at her, denying her even when she involuntarily desired it. 173.
Mu Yunhe has undoubtedly changed. He has become more complex and difficult to understand, more profound and captivating, and more adept at control and domineering. In his hands, Luo Zhiheng is like a fish that cannot escape his control. She can live carefree as long as she swims in his pond, but if she wants to leave him, she can forget about dying.
"Hmm." She finally opened her eyes in dissatisfaction, glaring at him with a muffled glare, her eyes misty and adorable.
Mu Yunhe couldn't resist placing a kiss on her beautiful eyes. His warm lips and tongue gently touched her eyes, revealing that the mist inside was sweet. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, his low, gentle laughter resonating in his chest, deep and melodious.
"What are you laughing at?" Luo Zhiheng finally noticed his nonchalance and the mockery in his eyes. Her face flushed, she gritted her teeth, and feigned a fierce anger. 16607509
"Do you like me kissing you that much? So the rumors that Aheng is a little pervert are true." Mu Yunhe teased her with a smile, and with great foresight, he grabbed her arm first, making it impossible for her to resist.
Suddenly, Ge Zhiheng cried out, "It hurts! It hurts so much!"
These few words made Mu Yunhe's face turn pale instantly. He quickly removed his hands and carefully hugged her, his cold voice tense and anxious as he said, "Did you hurt her? And you still dare to cause trouble! Should we call Madam Huoyun?"
"Are you scolding me or feeling sorry for me?" Luo Zhiheng looked at Mu Yunhe with teary eyes and asked pitifully. But the sly smile that appeared in her eyes was so obvious.
Mu Yunhe knew he'd been tricked at a glance. He pinched her cheek and said with a cold, ruthless tone, "Can't you see? I'm disgusted with you, utterly disgusted with you. Feeling sorry for you? You'll have to wait until your next life."
Luo Zhiheng immediately cried out in pain, almost rolling around on the bed, and howled as she rolled, "It hurts so much! Mu Yunhe despises me! You ungrateful wretch! You're actually going to abandon your wife! I don't want to live anymore!"
She portrayed the shrill crying of a shrew with remarkable realism, screaming and wailing at the top of her lungs while pounding the bed with her right hand. Her vividness stemmed entirely from her bandit-like sister-in-law; whenever she argued with her brother, she would invariably resort to this tirade, drawing everyone to watch the spectacle. Then, the brother, unable to bear it any longer, would angrily berate her, trying to demonstrate his manly prowess. But she would only wail even louder, threatening to die and jump into the well with the child. Each time, the brother would be terrified and rush back inside, coaxing and cajoling his wife.
Mu Yunhe found Luo Zhiheng's behavior novel and amusing. How could a girl cry like this? It was simply...unseemly.
But when it comes to Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe is bewitched, feeling that Aheng is beautiful no matter what.
Luo Zhiheng wailed for a while, but Mu Yunhe didn't come to comfort her like her second brother. She secretly opened one eye to look at him and saw that he was looking at her with a leisurely, half-smiling expression. She didn't blush or feel embarrassed at being exposed. Instead, she became thoughtful. Was it because she hadn't cried loud enough? Had she not attracted anyone else? So Mu Yunhe wasn't afraid like her second brother?
Mu Yunhe has changed a lot lately, especially in a way that makes her feel a little elusive. Sometimes she even has to think things through under Mu Yunhe's guidance, which is not good. How can she, a dignified female bandit, be defeated by a little white rabbit? She has to regain control, she must win over Mu Yunhe, and find the innocent and adorable Mu Yunhe she used to be.