Ne vous appuyez pas contre la rambarde ouest pour profiter pleinement de l'automne clair

Chapitre 133

After speaking, he clapped his hands three times, and three attendants carrying gold, silver, jewels, antiques, and jade artifacts walked from the east pavilion around the front hall and stood beside Lu Feiran, respectfully presenting the contents of the tray to him. Behind him, two alluring beauties followed closely, their eyes half-revealed with shyness and half-open expectation as they gazed at the tall and handsome Lu Feiran. Their rosy cheeks were flushed with spring, their beautiful eyes filled with affection, and their gentle, spring-like charm was intoxicating.

"Palace Master, what's wrong...?"

"Gold and silver jewelry may be a bit vulgar, but people, especially men, naturally can't do without these things. As for these two beauties, they are the finest beauties I specially selected from the palace maids of the Loulan Imperial Palace. Although their beauty is slightly inferior to those in my harem, they are still virgins and very clean, so they have a unique flavor. Left Envoy, are you satisfied with my reward?"

"I am deeply grateful for the Palace Master's kindness. However, they..." As he spoke, Lu Feiran looked at the two beauties beside him with difficulty, his reluctance obvious.

"Could it be that the Left Envoy dislikes my taste?"

"Your subordinate dares not?"

"That's for the best." His fingertips inadvertently brushed against something in his sleeve. A thought flashed through Tuoba Jie's eyes, a strange glint in them: "Left Envoy, I'm giving you a task. Do everything in your power—appeal to her emotions, reason with her, coerce her, seduce her—use every method at your disposal to persuade that woman to assist me in unifying the land!"

Lu Feiran's face was a little stiff, and a little bitter: "Your subordinate obeys."

Inside the Qin'an Palace, Rongyue leaned against a mahogany pillar, staring blankly at the purple tassels hanging from the bright yellow gauze curtain, an overwhelming sense of melancholy washing over her.

Is there really no other way?

Looking at Dongfang Yao lying on the bed with a face as transparent as thin ice, Chu Xuyao and Tuoba Chen had heavy and complicated expressions. They seemed unable to bear to look at Rong Yue's distraught expression and turned their faces away.

Her head slumped back against the cylinder, Rongyue murmured repeatedly, "How could this happen... how could this happen..."

“Although most of the poison has been expelled, the remaining toxins remain in his body, spreading and invading his internal organs. If there is no antidote…” Chu Xuyao paused slightly, “I’m afraid he won’t make it through the night…”

I shuddered.

I can't get through this night...

My gaze involuntarily turned to that quiet, peaceful, pure, and serene handsome face, from the full forehead to the tightly closed eyes, the straight nose, the pale lips, the clean chin, lingering and repeatedly surveying it, as if trying to permanently etch this face into the depths of my mind...

Perhaps, after tonight, this face will completely disappear from her sight, disappear from her life...

They had clearly said they would break off all ties, so why did the sorrow in my heart become unbearable when I learned that his life was about to end...?

It turns out that love isn't a call transfer, and the feelings invested can't be completely severed with a single, clean break...

With her eyes closed and taking several deep breaths, Rongyue shifted her body slightly to one side, grabbed the pillar behind her, and struggled to stand up, gripping the pillar tightly with both hands.

Seeing Rongyue swaying as she was about to walk toward the desk, Tuoba Chen and Chu Xuyao quickly took a few steps forward and supported her on either side.

"moon."

"The mistress."

The two men glared at each other with deep hostility, their eyes blazing with fury as they looked at each other. If Rongyue hadn't been in a low mood, the two would have definitely started fighting without any restraint.

After being helped to the desk, Rongyue spread out the paper, glanced warily at the palace gate, and then quickly picked up the silver brush and scribbled a few lines. In no time, the framework of the Loulan Palace was sketched out by Rongyue on the spot.

"Around midnight, given your skill level, the effects of the muscle-weakening powder should wear off. Chu Xuyao, you must memorize this palace map, especially the secret passages I marked. Remember them well, as they can be a lifesaver in a critical moment! After midnight, you will begin your escape from the palace."

Chu Xuyao's expression shifted slightly: "Is this why you wouldn't let me make a move earlier?"

"Indeed, you possess exceptional martial arts skills and unparalleled power. However, even the strongest fists cannot defeat a multitude of hands. The fact that they were able to storm the Imperial Palace indicates that they have already occupied the inner three gates, which means they have no fewer than several thousand men. Of course, this does not even include the outer three gates. With thousands of people against one person, what are your chances of escaping? But with this map, things will be very different. I know exactly where the palace is hidden and where it is most connected to the outside world. With the cover of night, I believe that escaping the palace and escaping Loulan should not be a problem for you..."

"But why should I run away?"

He looked at Chu Xuyao, whose face was gloomy, in astonishment: "Why don't you run away? Are you just going to watch the two countries kill each other and let Tuo Jie's conspiracy succeed?"

Chu Xuyao suddenly pulled Rongyue into his arms and declared domineeringly, "Don't even think about leaving me behind! You are my woman, so even if we have to escape, I will take you with me!"

"Let go of the mistress!"

"Chu Xuyao, let me go..."

Chu Xuyao's expression suddenly hardened: "Someone's here."

Upon hearing this, Rongyue and Tuoba Chen's expressions turned serious. They broke free from Chu Xuyao's embrace, quickly tidied up the papers, and Rongyue sat down, leaning on a chair, closing her eyes and appearing weak.

Tuoba Chen and Chu Xuyao leaned against the desk on either side, closing their eyes as if to rest.

The thick wooden door creaked open, and the three of them opened their eyes almost simultaneously, turning their gazes toward the source of the light.

"Ye Fan, how dare you show your face here!" Tuoba Chen's eyes were bloodshot as he watched Lu Feiran stride towards him with an expressionless face, looking as if he wanted to tear him to pieces.

Rongyue's face was ashen as she silently stared at Lu Feiran as he walked towards her step by step, her expression remaining unchanged.

Standing a few steps away from Rongyue, Lu Feiran looked up to meet her gaze, his tone cold and devoid of any warmth: "My name is not Ye Fan, I am Lu Feiran, the Left Envoy of the Blood Lotus Palace."

Although the words seemed to be addressed to Tuoba Chen, Rongyue understood that he was not only speaking to Tuoba Chen, but also to her.

A cool, aloof smile, like a snowflake just beginning to bloom, drifted into Lu Feiran's eyes.

"Yes, Left Envoy Lu. May I ask, Left Envoy Lu, what brings you here today?"

"I, the Left Envoy, have come to persuade you to stop being so stubborn, to obey the Palace Master, and to help the Palace Master complete the great cause of unification..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Feiran was struck hard on the face by Tuoba Chen.

"Lu Feiran, you're not worthy of being called a human being!"

Taking a few steps back, Lu Feiran wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a bitter feeling flashing through his heart, but his face remained expressionless.

Ignoring the furious Tuoba Chen, he looked at Rong Yue, his tone as cold and hard as ever: "Even if you don't think of yourself, can you bear to watch others suffer for you?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the man on the bed, whose breath was faint, out of the corner of his eye.

Sensing the hidden meaning in his words and noticing his intentional or unintentional glances at Dongfang Yao, Rongyue's eyes flickered.