"She was originally a concubine, but since I haven't married a principal wife and don't often stay here, the servants basically treat her as the Crown Princess."
"I see. Now I'm in a dilemma. Is it more comfortable to be the Marquis's wife or more prestigious to be the Crown Princess?"
Xiao Lianjue raised her eyes, somewhat stunned, "Li Mu?"
I leaned back on the tatami mat, picked up a plate of Poria cocos cake, and started eating. They're talking a good game now, but once they've used me, they'll just kick me aside. Only a fool would believe that.
"Really? That person only has eyes for his sister, when has he ever been able to tolerate anyone else?"
"Is it really that strange? Isn't Qiuhe with him?"
"That was because the Empress Dowager saw that he was all alone and had no one to take care of him, so he took a concubine. How could he not listen to my sister's orders?" His tone was very contemptuous. "However, you are not simple to make him say such things."
"He's much more reliable than you. You can't believe eleven out of ten things he says."
"What are you saying? It's not as bad as you make it out to be. Do you think I'm joking with you?"
After finishing a piece of cake, I moved to a more comfortable position and leaned down. "What's the situation outside?"
Seeing that I was changing the subject, he chuckled, "You're such a double-edged sword. I think I've really angered Nangong Ling, but right now, it's not me who's suffering, it's Li Mu. The army is collapsing like a house of cards, and even the Empress Dowager can't protect him. I think even if he regains his command and launches a full-scale attack, the chances of turning the tide are slim to none. The Heavenly Clan has won a great victory, while my five thousand elite troops haven't even moved an inch. It's truly... even we spectators are on the edge of our seats, let alone Li Mu, who's directly involved."
No wonder he felt that Yun Zhi was hiding something from me. Instead of dealing with him, he turned his attention to Li Mu. What kind of show is this?
"I advise you not to waste your time trying to get information out of me. Trying to guess Nangong Ling's thoughts is just asking for trouble."
"Then what does it mean for him to just ignore you like this? To believe you? To believe you can escape and come back to him? You, Rong Lian, will one day be completely controlled by someone?"
Do you have to say everything that hits me where it hurts? I have my own bottom line; I don't need you to stir things up.
"You're free now, right? Would you mind taking me to see Juyi Manor?"
The way he looked at me was subtle; it seemed unintentional, but something just felt off.
"Since Miss Rong has spoken, there's no reason for me not to agree, is there?"
Thank you, but please don't flatter me too much. Sitting in the spotlight isn't comfortable.
Xiao Lianjue's initiative is so high that I feel like vomiting blood. I had just mentioned that I wanted to see Juyizhuang, and he actually called out a boat in the middle of the night.
So at midnight, I sat on the bow of the boat, drifting on Tinghu Lake, enjoying the night breeze. Luckily, I wasn't asleep yet, otherwise Xiao Lianjue would have taken a slap from me.
Juyi Manor was originally located in Xiaoshan. After Xiao Lianjue obtained the Fire Fuling Token, he moved all 564 people in the manor here and set up a space next to the Yeting Mansion to settle them.
The sedan chair was carried all the way to the front of the main hall and stopped. When they went inside, there was only one person waiting inside.
Dressed in simple clothes with light hair, her face was delicate and beautiful, like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and her clean and tidy appearance was like a clear spring flowing by.
"My Lord." Her red lips parted slightly, and a quiet, gentle voice, as serene as flowing water and falling petals, flowed out.
But this way of addressing him sounds like he's calling Nangong Ling, even though I know he means the master of Huofu Ling.
"why are you laughing?"
You even noticed that tiny upturn at the corner of my mouth? I'm telling you, Xiao Lianjue, Your Highness, could you please stop paying so much attention to me?
"You're certainly meddling in other people's business."
From the moment I entered this place, Xiao Lianjue's gaze was off. So, even if I had something that belonged to someone else, I would still be apprehensive. But last time, Juyizhuang sent just five people who almost wiped out Shui Tian. The second ring of Tianqi's center was broken, and it was still on the verge of collapse at least before I left. Isn't inflicting such a heavy blow enough to win your trust, Xiao Lianjue?
"Where have all the people gone?"
The hall was empty. The young master, who was used to being surrounded by people, probably couldn't feel his vanity swell in the face of such a quiet place.
"They have their own affairs, and I cannot and do not want to interfere."
Xiao Lianjue nodded, though she was dissatisfied, she didn't say anything, then turned to look at me, "This is what you wanted to see, what do you think?"
You can't control them, that's my feeling, but it's best to keep those thoughts to yourself. Saying them out loud would hurt their self-esteem, and then I'd be the one who suffers.
"What can a person think when they see one thing?" This Yeting Mansion is built in a magnificent and resplendent style, completely different from his Eastern Palace.
He smiled, neither confirming nor denying. "I happen to have some things to attend to, so let Xiangrui show you around."
I couldn't be happier. I've seen this person more times in one day than I've seen Yunzhi in the capital. Just thinking about it makes me feel choked up. You, surnamed Nangong, don't expect me to have any peace this time.
Xiangrui led me to the backyard. Honestly, what was there to see? It was all the same old stuff, nothing new. I didn't walk far before finding a spot in the pavilion to rest. My head had been spinning and my fingertips were cold, but I'd kept quiet. Now that Xiao Lianjue was gone, I could finally feel better. I took out the sachet Nangong Ling had repeatedly told me to keep close to me, and after carefully inhaling its chilling aroma, I finally withdrew it. Once I calmed down, looking at the sachet in my hand, I suddenly felt incredibly weak-willed. I'd just made up my mind, and now I was thinking of that person again.
“This is…” Xiangrui, whom I had forgotten about, pointed to the sachet in my hand, his expression quite surprised.
"What's wrong?"
He opened his eyes wide, took a breath, and cautiously looked around. Then he stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and gave me a deep bow, leaving me stunned and speechless.
"The phoenix rises from the ashes and is reborn from the flames. When you see a phoenix, you should discard the fire and be reborn."
I didn't understand at first, but then I looked at the sachet in my hand and said, "Why make a sachet so elaborately? The gold thread and beads are so exquisite, especially the phoenix drawn on the sachet. It's so lifelike. Its outstretched wings and crimson tail seem to be about to break free from the gold thread binding it, be reborn from the ashes, and soar into the sky."
Are you just going to abandon Xiao Lianjue like this? Yunzhi, Yunzhi, this time you not only didn't make any mistakes, but you also included me in your calculations. How did you know I would come to Juyi Manor and that it was the Phoenix Token that Xiangrui happened to see?
"Get up, be careful, the walls may be listening."
Xiangrui stood up, still staring at the sachet in my hand. "I knew it. There was no one else but him who could lead those bandits."
“I’m the one holding the Phoenix Token now. Who is this ‘he’ you’re talking about?” As far as I know, Yun Zhi doesn’t usually see them easily, and even when he does, he’s always wearing a mask.
"It's just a token. Whoever holds it can become a king. People from Juyizhuang will still obey orders without question. But everyone knows in their hearts that as long as that person is there, one word from him is worth more than ten tokens. Although I've never seen his face, such brilliance is rarely seen again." Those eyes were clear and bright, filled with longing and admiration.
"..." I was speechless. What kind of person is someone who enjoys bullying others?
Chapter 116
Chrysanthemums bloom across the mountains and fields, the moonlight is just right, casting down a dazzling starry sky, and a bold stroke of ink paints a blood-stained landscape.
At that time, the sky was ablaze with scorching flames and the smoke of war filled the heavens. Under the bright moon, the Asura was reborn in blood, his hand covering the sky as he walked a thousand miles of bloody path alone.
The autumn night was heavy with dew, the moon was bright and the wind was gentle. A faint blood mist rose up and stained the white chrysanthemums on the hillside red. The wind and fire were fierce and the blood was vast.
I looked up and gazed at the desolate sky, my heart filled with bitterness, yet I remained silent.
What kind of hatred for one's country and family requires countless bones to wither before it can be forgotten, turning around to find only white bones and red faces? What kind of heart can instantly transcend life and death?
"how?"
"I don't understand why you're putting so much effort into me."
"Is he genuinely unaware or just pretending? If I don't bring you up, he won't confront me directly. No matter how much I suppress him in other matters, he remains calm and collected, simply proceeding step by step according to his own plan..."
"That's just the kind of person he is. What's the point of bringing me here?"
"You can treat it as watching a show."
The starlight lit up the night sky, and the man's pale, blood-red profile was as cold as frost. Scattered blood splattered his pale clothes, like a red lotus blooming in fury after drinking blood.
His hands were trembling so much he could barely hold the reins. What good was a leisurely ride if he couldn't ride at full speed and experience the thrill of the ride with him?
That man hasn't held a sword in years, hasn't had blood on his hands in years. Why force him to this point? Do you even know how much he hates seeing blood?!
I finally understood why he didn't deal with Xiao Lianjue first but instead targeted Li Mu. He was afraid that if I really left and went with Xiao Lianjue, he might accidentally hurt me in his anger.
"...Let's go."
"Don't you want to say a few words to him?"
Whatever he says, if he sees the two of us together with no one else around, I have no idea what he might do.
Fortunately, I did not choose to be your enemy.
A white horse slowly walked up to the man's side. From my angle, I couldn't see the man's face clearly, nor could I hear his voice, but I could read his words from his lips.
Looking at Xiao Lianjue, his expression changed the moment he saw the horse, let alone understand the sentence. The dim firelight made his face look like a ghost.
Who is it?
"Tianchen, the king of the Tianzu Kingdom."
Oh, I see. No wonder you looked so pale. How does it feel to not be trusted?
"It seems this trip wasn't in vain; at least there was an unexpected gain."
Xiao Lianjue pursed her lips and then smiled again, "I could guess, but I didn't expect him to have the guts to do it. Isn't this forcing me to bite him?"
"Excuse."
I stopped laughing halfway through. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that the people down the mountain had turned around and were looking in our direction. My heart pounded. Hidden behind the trees in a dark place, they probably wouldn't be seen.
But why did his gaze seem to have discovered something? It was so sharp it made one's heart race.
I tightened my grip on the rope. If I didn't turn around and avoid their gaze, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to resist walking out. But then I thought, if I moved, wouldn't I be exposing myself?
As the stalemate continued, the person suddenly started walking towards us, each step feeling like a blow to my heart, making me tense and my palms sweaty.
Upon seeing his face, I felt a sharp pain in my chest, and then I felt nothing more. His eyes, which seemed to be stained with blood, and his sharp, pointed face, along with his deep, hoarse voice, were like sharp blades piercing my heart, leaving no part unscathed.
The purpose of the Guanghan Powder he gave me before was to prevent me from leaving, but now it seems that he can't live without me or I can't live without him?
Xiao Lianjue did not dodge. After a moment of silence, she walked out first, her expression unreadable.
He suddenly turned around halfway through the walk and said, "What are you daydreaming about? Come out."
After saying that, he reached out and took my horse's reins. I gasped, but it was too late to stop him.
Actually, when I went out and saw that person's face more clearly, I calmed down. I hadn't done anything to wrong him, and I had a clear conscience, so I should stand up straight and walk out with my head held high.
The man saw no surprise in my eyes, but the tension at the corner of his mouth softened instantly, and a faint smile on his lips dispelled the murderous aura that filled the mountain. But it was the smile of an Asura.
The wind stirred up scattered sparks, floating in mid-air like a red dragon coiling around that person, as if it were roaring to the heavens, ready to ride the wind and ride the clouds away at any moment. My heart tightened, as if something had squeezed it tightly.
Xiao Lianjue led the horse slowly down the road. The dark, cold fragrance mixed with the stench of blood seeped into my bones. This road wasn't long, but it felt like I had walked for a lifetime.
I tried to dismount, but Xiao Lianjue grabbed my arm. "What are you doing?!" I glared at him, completely forgetting that he had used me as a hostage.
"Don't rush to throw yourself at him. In his current state, do you want to become one of the corpses in the massacre?"
Xiao Lianjue's serious demeanor was quite intimidating. I smiled and shook off his hand. "Your Highness is indeed concerned about the people and cares about everything. I know what's right and wrong. Nangong Ling is courting death. Why don't you go and do something about it?"
"I'm more concerned about your life."