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Chapitre 56

"Yes! Right when you and Chu Xuyao were having a good time..."

"What did you say?!" As if struck by lightning, Rongyue looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with terror, and gripped Dongfang Yao's shoulders tightly with both hands: "Say it again! When was it?!"

Seemingly pleased with Rongyue's reaction, a mocking smile played on his lips: "Do you really think your husband is a fool?! That night you two were having a good time, I stood outside the door for half a day and a whole night, and I saw everything clearly..."

"Slap!" A resounding slap landed hard on that mocking face. With that slap, the tremor in Rongyue's heart vanished completely. It turned out that while she was being raped, her husband stood at the door, watching her helplessness and wretchedness as if it were a show, coldly observing another man's cruel assault on her! This was the man she had so devoted to! How laughable, how pathetic, how lamentable!

Staring incredulously at Rongyue's sorrowful face, he asked, "You hit me?"

She turned her face away, two lines of clear tears sliding down her pale cheeks in loneliness: "One slap severed the affection between us. From now on, we'll go our separate ways, each on our own. Old friends will meet but not recognize each other; from this day forward, all ties of gratitude and righteousness are severed!"

Severing all ties! Looking at Rong Yue's cold and resolute expression, Dongfang Yao's mind went blank, leaving only those four words constantly pounding against his fragile nerves…

After leaving the capital, the carriage sped off into the desolate mountains! The indignant Yu Yan didn't notice, nor did the heartbroken Rong Yue, and even the dazed Dongfang Yao was completely unaware…

When the carriage crashed into a large tree and came to a stop, the three of them finally snapped out of their daze. Rongyue's first thought was that something bad had happened! The flying needle was pressed against Dongfang Yao's neck again, forcing him to get out of the carriage with her.

The bright torches all around were like spider lilies leading to hell, as if hinting to Rongyue that it was time for her to go! Looking sadly up at the beautiful night sky adorned with jewels, Rongyue felt a pang of sorrow in her heart—was tonight the night of her demise?

Watching the soldiers approach them step by step, Rongyue, holding Dongfang Yao hostage, retreated with Yuyan until they reached the edge of a cliff where there was nowhere left to go.

"Liu Rongyue, I've thought it over. As long as you willingly sever your tendons and swear never to leave the palace for the rest of your life, I can pretend nothing happened! The past can be wiped clean! What do you say?" Standing against the wind, Dongfang Lie gazed at Rongyue on the cliff edge, his eyes revealing a hidden fervor. Liu Rongyue, this is my last chance for you; you must seize it…

Before Rongyue could answer, Yuyan, standing beside her, couldn't help but burst into a tirade: "You dog emperor, shut up! Our bodies and hair are gifts from our parents, how can you just ruin them like that! Besides, my husband only has this one amazing skill with flying needles. If you sever his tendons and cripple him, it's more cruel than killing him! What are you really thinking! You're more venomous than a snake, more ruthless than a wolf!! You beast!!"

The cold wind whipped across her face, biting and piercing, stinging like a knife! But Yu Yan's words brought her a little warmth, making her realize that she wasn't alone this winter; at least she had someone who cared for her wholeheartedly!

With a relieved smile, Rongyue turned her face away and said, "How embarrassing! Really, such a fierce temper isn't the style of a lady from a respectable family, is it? Be careful, if your husband gets scared one day, he might bring home a concubine to quell your shrewishness!"

"You dare!" Yu Yan brandished her delicate fist, feigning ferocity: "If you dare to marry them, I'll beat you up one by one, and if you marry both, I'll beat you up both!"

"Oh, oh, oh, my husband is scared..."

...

"Liu Rongyue!" Seeing the two flirting as if no one else was around, Dongfang Lie shouted sharply, but his voice trembled without him even realizing it. For some reason, Rongyue's current appearance made him tremble inexplicably...

Ignoring Dongfang Lie's stern warning, Rongyue stared at Yu Yan and her smile faded: "Yu Yan, are you afraid of death?"

"I'm not afraid! Aside from the fear of not being able to be with my husband, Yu Yan is not afraid of anything!"

Dongfang Lie and Dongfang Yao understood perfectly what Rongyue meant!

Looking down at Dongfang Yao, whose face was as white as paper, Rong Yue sneered: "Don't worry, although I hate you, I don't hate you to the point of making you die with me!"

Leaning close to Dongfang Yao's ear, Rongyue lowered her voice: "I reckon you're probably already dealing with the Liu family's affairs. As your husband, I'm giving you one last piece of advice: stop now! Otherwise, the day the truth comes out will be the most unbearable day of your life!"

Rongyue forcefully pushed Dongfang Yao far away, then grabbed Yu Yan from the side and walked towards the edge of the cliff: "When you cross the Naihe Bridge, you absolutely must not drink the Meng Po soup, understand?"

"What is Meng Po soup?" Yu Yan asked, her beautiful eyes wide with confusion.

"That's something that's deceiving children!"

"oh."

...

"moon!"

"daughter in law!"

The word "wife" sent a shiver down Rongyue's spine, causing her to pause as she stepped off the cliff. Turning to look at the trembling Dongfang Yao, Rongyue smiled: "Don't call me 'wife' anymore, I can't accept it! Prince Yao!"

"Wife, I don't want you anymore! Don't you want me anymore? I'm your Yao-gege! Wife, have you forgotten? You said you'd teach me how to fly a kite the other day! Wife, come here quickly, let's go home together, okay, okay..."

Dongfang Yao's soft, sweet, and coquettish voice touched the softest spot in Rongyue's heart. Her thoughts drifted away, wandering back to those beautiful late spring afternoons…

"Stop!" Noticing Dongfang Lie's stealthy approach, Rongyue snapped back to reality and shouted sharply, "Dongfang Yao, you are indeed incredibly clever! However, please don't imitate Brother Yao's way of speaking again, because you are not worthy!"

Sensing Rongyue's foot about to stomp down, Dongfang Lie was overwhelmed with panic: "Yue! Come back! I promised not to pursue your past, and I won't cut your tendons, as long as you come back! Yue, be obedient!"

Her smile grew colder: "I'm sorry, but I can't refuse your kind offer!" She quickly shifted her weight to her left foot, and Rongyue, holding Yuyan, plummeted towards the bottomless abyss like a kite with a broken string…

"moon!!"

"daughter in law!!"

At the edge of the cliff stood two heartbroken, nearly driven mad men…

Volume 1: Pear Blossom Courtyard, Melting Moon (Extra Chapter: The Capital City at That Time)

With his horse spurred on, Chu Xuyao's well-fed and strong steed sped along the official road like a needle striking the ground.

Having entered the imperial city and presented his token, he passed through Jingde Gate, Chongyang Gate, and Shenggong Gate without any hindrance...

"Whoa..." The reins tightened, and the thoroughbred struggled a few times before obediently stopping. With a graceful movement, he dismounted, quickly gave a few instructions to the eunuch tending the horse, and then eagerly strode towards the Qiankun Palace. He thought she must be there...

Although he had traveled a long and arduous journey, he didn't feel particularly tired. The thought of seeing that woman soon and settling scores with her filled him with inexhaustible energy! The Murong family fled at the first sign of trouble, leaving him empty-handed and empty-handed. Needless to say, the person who saved the Murong family from this calamity was none other than Rong Yue! How could someone as proud and arrogant as him have ever failed? His fury at that moment was unimaginable! But after the anger subsided, a sudden surge of secret joy and anticipation filled him, for he had found another excuse to ravage her. The alluring scene before his departure was still vivid in his mind—the suppressed moans, the smooth, naked body, the tight, secluded valley, and the captivating fragrance… Every inch of her body was intoxicating, making him itch with desire and his mind wander…

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and the heat emanating from his lower abdomen surged straight to his brain, constantly testing the last vestiges of his rationality. His long legs involuntarily quickened their pace and increased their frequency, wishing he could sprout wings and fly to Rongyue's side in an instant, imprisoning her in the most intimate and ambiguous of acts...

Pushing open the palace door with a single palm, a strong, pungent smell of alcohol immediately assaulted Chu Xuyao's face! His cold brows furrowed deeply, and with a swift stride, he stepped into the dimly lit palace.

What is Dongfang Lie up to? The room reeks of alcohol, and why aren't even the palace lanterns lit! Muttering to himself in suspicion, Chu Xuyao looked around, and when he saw Dongfang Lie kneeling by the bed, chugging wine, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in his heart...

Taking two steps at a time, Chu Xuyao strode up to Dongfang Lie. Upon closer inspection, he was astonished to find that Dongfang Lie, who was usually extremely particular about his appearance, was now disheveled and utterly dejected—his dragon crown was askew, his hair was messy and hollow, and his hands were holding a gray-black wine jar. He mechanically guzzled the strong liquor into his mouth, seemingly determined to drink himself to death, completely ignoring the wine dripping from the corners of his mouth, letting it relentlessly soak his bright yellow undergarment…

He had never seen Dongfang Lie like this before. Even when his father passed away and his mother died, he had never seen him so dejected.