"What do you think of this palace?" Situ Jingyan looked at the palace not far away, a hint of domineering smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with ambition to conquer the world.
Shen Qianmo smiled gently, "What Jingyan renovated must be good."
This palace, with its imposing grandeur, clearly belongs to someone of exceptional talent. Jingyan, oh Jingyan, your ambition lies in the world. A dragon like you will one day soar to great heights; the world is more important to you than I ever imagined.
If the world and I were to truly clash, would you really choose me over the world? Even if you were, I cannot stand by and watch you lose your dream.
Situ Jingyan arranged a secluded courtyard for Shen Qianmo and Qianqian in the palace. The courtyard was surrounded by pine and cypress trees that remained evergreen through the winter, their verdant green contrasting beautifully with the snow-white blossoms. Inside the courtyard were several artificial hills and winding paths; though not large, the courtyard appeared quite secluded and tranquil.
"Does Mo'er like this Rumeng Pavilion?" Situ Jingyan reached out and stroked a rockery, a gentle smile on his lips, and asked.
"I like it," she replied, moved.
Like a dream, like a dream, all that has passed is like a dream. Was he telling her to forget all her unhappiness and weave a dream for the future together?
"master."
Following the sound, a pretty figure stood a few steps away from Situ Jingyan. Her expression was very respectful, her face indifferent, but she couldn't hide the worry and anxiety in her eyes.
With a faint smile, the woman, dressed in bright red with chrysanthemums embroidered on her clothes, smiled.
Rumor has it that the four guardians of the Blood Demon Pavilion are: Green Pine, Green Bamboo, Red Chrysanthemum, and Red Plum. This woman calls Situ Jingyan "Master" and has free access to the palace, knowing Situ Jingyan's other identity. She must be someone Situ Jingyan trusts. Judging from her clothes, she is undoubtedly Red Chrysanthemum.
But why did her eyes hold such anxiety and worry?
"What is it?" Situ Jingyan's tone was indifferent and aloof, and he stood in the wind like a cold statue with a stern smile on his face.
"The one at Qifu Palace has fallen ill again." Hongju's tone was somewhat anxious as she looked up at Situ Jingyan, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears.
The three words, "Palace of Prayer for Blessings," seemed magnified infinitely, like a sharp thorn piercing Shen Qianmo's heart.
She had heard the rumors circulating among the people of Tianmo that Emperor Situ Jingyan of Tianmo had no concubines because he had fallen in love with a woman of exceptional beauty, and that woman lived in the Qifu Palace.
Originally, she had her doubts. But Situ Jingyan's sincerity forced her to believe him. Since she loved him, she didn't doubt him, so she didn't inquire about the Qifu Palace, treating it as just a rumor circulating among the people.
But just now, Hongju said that the one at the Qifu Palace had fallen ill again?! So there really is someone like her living in the Qifu Palace. Is she still the same frail and sickly woman?!
Judging from this, Situ Jingyan must care about her a lot, right? Otherwise, why would his subordinates be so anxious? And what about Shen Qianmo? What is she anyway?!
"Damn it!" Situ Jingyan cursed under his breath, a hint of panic and guilt flashing in his eyes.
"Jingyan." Shen Qianmo grabbed Situ Jingyan's hand in a fluster.
Jingyan, don't go! Is there really another woman in your heart?! I don't care if it's gratitude, love, affection, or some other responsibility; I haven't accepted it. Jingyan, you should understand me. Stubborn as I am, obstinate as I am, fragile as I am, how could I bear to accept another woman?!
What happened to your promise of one love for life?! Situ Jingyan. You're not allowed to go.
"His body can't wait any longer. Mo'er, it's not what you think. I'll explain to you in a moment." Situ Jingyan glanced at the palace servants not far away, as if he had something difficult to say. He gave Shen Qianmo a deep look before leaving in a hurry.
In that instant, Shen Qianmo felt the smile on her face crumble bit by bit. Was that woman really that important? Situ Jingyan had never refused any of her requests. Even when she asked for Qi Yue's capital, he simply smiled and agreed.
But now he says her body can't wait any longer. Ha, was she being willful?! Her health isn't good, after all. And what am I even fussing about?
"Qianqian, I'll be right back." Shen Qianmo watched Situ Jingyan's departing figure, and suddenly felt a pang of pain in her heart. She followed Situ Jingyan out of Rumeng Pavilion.
She simply wanted to see who this woman, who held such an important place in Situ Jingyan's heart, was! And what kind of entanglement existed between them. Of course, she believed that Situ Jingyan loved her, but... but what was this woman's place in his heart?
She had thought that even though she loved him, she could still leave gracefully if he treated her badly. But now, she was probably wrong. He went to see another woman, and she was already in so much pain. If she were to leave him, it would be an unimaginable, heart-wrenching pain.
Little did she know that one day, she would find the excruciating pain to be sweet, all for him.
She followed Situ Jingyan all the way to Qiyue Palace. Seeing Situ Jingyan hurriedly enter a room, Master Shen Qianmo felt a pang of pain in her heart.
She had known him for so long and had never seen him so flustered. Was this woman really that important to him?
"Jinghao. How are you?!" Situ Jingyan's slightly anxious voice came, and Shen Qianmo was stunned. He was calling for Jinghao?!
Could it be that the person living in this house is not a woman, but Situ Jinghao?! But Situ Jinghao clearly has his own residence, so why would he be living in the palace?
However, rumors circulate that Situ Jinghao dislikes going out, and people rarely see this handsome man. Many admirers gather at the door, but none have ever been able to catch a glimpse of him.
So, Situ Jinghao had actually been living in the palace all along!
She chuckled self-deprecatingly. Shen Qianmo, oh Shen Qianmo, when did you become so easily jealous and upset? If Situ Jingyan knew you were jealous of his sixth brother, wouldn't he laugh his head off?!
However, she was still somewhat curious about this Situ Jinghao, after all, he was the most handsome man in Tianmo.
She peeked into the house, and in just one glance, she could hardly look away.
How can one describe the man's picturesque face?
It's not that I haven't seen men of unparalleled elegance and charm—Shangguan Jin, Shangguan Che, Yan Xiuling, weren't they all dashing gentlemen?! But compared to this man, they were like a small stream compared to the ocean. Even a man as devilishly handsome as Situ Jingyan couldn't compare to the man before him.
It's not that I haven't seen women of unparalleled beauty before—Shen Qianxin, Yao Ruoqin, each one a first-rate beauty. But if they were placed before this man, they would probably all feel utterly ashamed. Even I, seeing such a face, would feel inferior.
But what truly shocked her wasn't his stunningly beautiful face, but rather his eyes and his lips.
His eyes, like a clear pool, were so clear you could see right into his heart, yet they were shrouded in mist, as if a deep, pent-up sorrow lingered, carrying a profound despair that was hard to dispel. His lips, however, were only slightly upturned, a pale smile, as serene as moonlight reflected on flowing water.
That desperate sorrow and serene tranquility blended perfectly within him.
Situ Jinghao truly deserves the title of the most handsome man in Tianmo. Indeed, as Yan Xiuling said, if he were a woman, she wouldn't even be able to match him.
"Ugh." The handsome man inside the room groaned, his delicate eyebrows furrowed as if he were enduring some excruciating pain. Situ Jingyan helped him up, seemingly wanting to use his internal energy to heal his injuries, while Hongju's eyes were filled with deep reluctance and love as she walked reluctantly towards the door.
Shen Qianmo stood at the door, not avoiding Hongju's gaze. Hongju only glanced at Shen Qianmo silently without saying a word.
Shen Qianmo secretly praised her. She was well-mannered and knew how to advance and retreat. No wonder she was one of the four protectors of the Enchanting Blood Tower. Hongju's wit and ability were probably even greater than Qingsong's.