Mu Yunhe said with a grim expression, "And what?"
"And she insisted on cutting ties with you completely, and she even cursed at you." Xiao Xizi's cheerful face was now all scrunched up, and her voice was so soft it was almost drowned out.
But Mu Yunhe still heard it, and his face turned pale instantly. After a moment of silence, Mu Yunhe suddenly roared with a cold laugh, "Then tell her to get out! Get out now! Don't put on airs in front of me, I don't need ancestors to serve me!"
Mu Yunhe had never roared like this in his life. His weak body unleashed an astonishing burst of power. The sound was weak but had great strength, and the roar carried far away.
Luo Zhiheng hadn't calmed down yet, and her rationality was still lacking. However, she had good hearing, so she was stunned when she heard these words. Then she suddenly jumped up, and this time no one could stop her. She rushed straight to the door and walked towards the courtyard gate with a gloomy face.
I can't afford to mess with you, so I'll just leave! I'm not going to put up with this humiliation anymore! Do you think you, Mu Yunhe, are some kind of ancestor? I'm done!
Luo Zhiheng walked with a swagger, and once her temper flared up, nothing could stop her. Her wet nurse was so frightened that her face turned pale. She grabbed Qi Wan, who was standing there dumbfounded, and shouted, "Qi Wan, what are you standing there for? Stop the young lady! The young lady can't leave. How can she leave after just a few words?"
Qi Wan didn't understand any of this, but she was obedient, especially since she was also confused at the moment, so she hurriedly tried to stop Luo Zhiheng. But Luo Zhiheng's eyes were red and her gaze was too lethal. She looked at Qi Wan coldly and said, "If you try to stop me today, you will never be my Qi Wan again, and you shouldn't follow me anymore."
Qi Wan immediately put down her hand, tears streaming down her face. She followed Luo Zhiheng timidly, not daring to leave her side for even a moment.
The wet nurse was so angry she slapped her thigh, but she couldn't stop Luo Zhiheng herself. Luo Zhiheng then stepped out of the courtyard gate, and the wet nurse hurriedly followed.
"Oh no, oh no, she's really gone! Master, what are you doing? The little princess is really gone, and she took her wet nurse and Xiao Qiwan with her!" Xiao Xizi clung tightly to the doorframe, finally bursting into tears upon seeing this scene. It was the first time in his life he had ever witnessed such a sight; it was terrifying.
Mu Yunhe didn't know whether he was angry or regretful; his chest heaved violently, and he gripped the blanket so tightly he almost twisted it. He knew he shouldn't have yelled those words, but Luo Zhiheng's fear of food had really provoked him. He knew in his heart that he didn't want to be separated from Luo Zhiheng, but Luo Zhiheng's stubbornness made him lose face and feel embarrassed.
After all, he was still a pampered prince who grew up in luxury. Even if his health was poor, he was still spoiled. His gentle temperament was just a facade. He also had pride and an unwillingness to bow his head, as well as a bad temper.
But now that things have turned out this way, what can he do but regret it? His agitated emotions were swelling and throbbing, and he didn't know what to do. Deep down, he was afraid that Luo Zhiheng would really leave, and Mu Yunhe could only hope that the gatekeeper would stop her from going out.
Seeing that Xiao Xizi was still lying there, Mu Yunhe's anger finally exploded. He yelled, "What are you still standing there for? Get out and check the situation! If... if Luo Zhiheng really is gone..." After a moment of silence, Mu Yunhe suddenly sneered, "I'll break your legs!"
Xiao Xizi was stunned, his face turned pale, and he cried out in grievance, "Why? The little princess was clearly angered by you and left, so why did you break my legs?"
"Stop talking nonsense! Get out there and go see for yourself, don't you want your legs anymore?" Mu Yunhe almost roared. What a pig-like slave! He couldn't even understand what he meant, and he was still crying here!
Little Xizi quickly wiggled her chubby bottom and dashed out, running, crying, wiping away tears, and thinking aggrievedly: Why did they break my legs? I have to run fast, otherwise I can't stop the little princess, and I won't be able to run anymore, waaaaah...
"Heng'er?" The princess happened to walk over from the side and saw Luo Zhiheng leading a group of people rushing forward in anger, but she didn't see her.
Luo Zhiheng could only stop and turn around to see that it was the princess. After paying her respects, she remained still and silent.
The princess hurried over and was startled to see her red eyes. She quickly asked, "What happened? Who bullied you? Is it about the competition? No, you passed the first competition, didn't you? Did something happen to Yunhe?" The princess's face changed as she spoke, and she quickly grabbed Hu Mama and said, "Quick, go see Yunhe."
Sure enough, her son is still the most important! No matter how much she sacrifices for him, she'll never get much recognition. What is she thinking? Didn't she know this from the beginning? What's there to complain about?
Luo Zhiheng wanted to sneer, but she was afraid that if the princess knew about her quarrel with Mu Yunhe, she would only blame her for being ignorant.
"Your Highness! The young prince is alright. It was just that Zhiheng had a little argument with him and was about to go out to calm down." Luo Zhiheng's tone was distant, and she had already calmed down by the time the princess appeared.
It's just Mu Yunhe, does he really think he can anger her? She's not angry; she would never punish herself for someone else's mistake. But even though she thought she wasn't angry, the voice inside Luo Zhiheng was still clenching her teeth and trembling.
Damn it! Her composure and rationality vanished in front of a morbid man like Mu Yunhe? Isn't that bizarre? Before, no matter who attacked her or what vicious words they used, she could always laugh and retaliate. She would leave the most painful marks on anyone who dared to offend her, one cut at a time. Wasn't that the real her? 12.
But today she acted like an idiot, arguing with an unreasonable and nonsensical man. It was just awful!
"They're just unimportant people. A transaction is easy; they're just getting what they need. She doesn't need to risk her life to spite Mu Yunhe!" Luo Zhiheng comforted herself in her heart, but this comfort also made her feel agitated and sad. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but in short, Mu Yunhe's behavior and words today really hurt her.
So this self-assured female warrior can be so vulnerable? She was actually injured by a terminally ill man—how ridiculous! But it doesn't matter; none of that matters. Because this is clearly a transaction. Once Prince Mu returns, she'll hand over the still-living Mu Yunhe to him after her death, and then she can gracefully retire, take a divorce decree, and fly away to live a carefree life!
But why do I feel a sense of resentment and bitterness when I think about these things now? 15461896
Luo Zhiheng laughed mockingly, her expression looking somewhat terrifying.
The princess was taken aback, noticing the distant way Luo Zhiheng addressed her in her previous address, when Luo Zhiheng always referred to herself as 'Heng'er'.
The princess smiled subtly, "So you were angry with Yunhe? Heng'er, don't be afraid, your mother will stand up for you. Your mother is not an unreasonable and wicked mother-in-law who deliberately makes things difficult for her daughter-in-law to protect her own son. You can rest assured. Come on, your mother will go and avenge you right now."
The princess addressed him as "Heng'er" and "Mother" repeatedly, showing her affection and kindness.
Luo Zhiheng sighed. This old woman was so smart and perceptive, and she knew how to win people's hearts, but how come she was so completely suppressed by Consort Li?
"Mother, let's not. I need to calm down right now, and the young prince probably doesn't want to see me either. He just told me to get lost, and I was wondering where I could go to appease him. I was even thinking of going back to my parents' house for a few days." Luo Zhiheng's expression had returned to calm, and she was still all smiles, but there was an undeniable sense of forced cheerfulness.
The princess sighed as she read the message. She knew Luo Zhiheng was genuinely unhappy, but Luo Zhiheng was truly good-natured. Even when angry, even when she tried to sow discord between Mu Yunhe and others, she still protected Mu Yunhe and prevented her, as his mother, from losing face. This kind of daughter-in-law made the princess like her even more.
"Heng'er, don't be afraid. Mu Yunhe is just confused from anger. Why would he go back to his parents' home? Wouldn't that make him a laughingstock? I'll tell him to go soon. You should go stay with me first, and we can have a good talk. It's been so long since I've had a chance to chat with you. Today is perfect. You can stay with me as long as you like. Mama Hu, please take your little princess back and make the arrangements. I'm going to teach that little rascal a lesson." The princess's words were incredibly tactful and perfectly diplomatic.
No matter how angry Luo Zhiheng was, she couldn't disrespect the princess. Moreover, the way she deliberately spoke to the princess meant that if she really left the palace in a fit of anger, it could become a source of criticism and leverage for her in the future. She wouldn't give anyone the opportunity to find fault with her.
Seeing that Luo Zhiheng and Mama Hu had left, the princess's face turned somewhat ugly. She took the hand of her maid and went to Mu Yunhe's room. Just then, Xiao Xizi was talking to Mu Yunhe with an undisguised look of joy on her face. Her beaming appearance seemed to be the happiness after surviving a near-death experience.
Mu Yunhe already knew that Luo Zhiheng had been stopped by his mother, so he wasn't so worried that she would really leave. Upon seeing his mother, he was still the same filial and gentle son: "Mother, what brings you here? Have you eaten?"
The princess couldn't bring herself to be harsh with her son, and sighed, "If I hadn't come, your wife would have run away."
Mu Yunhe looked somewhat uncomfortable. After holding it in for a long time, he said slowly in a low voice, "This is not Aheng's fault. I was just being stubborn and I don't know where the anger came from that I took it out on her."
Mu Yunhe said this, but in his heart he didn't think it was entirely his fault. He said it this way because he didn't want his mother to misunderstand or dislike Luo Zhiheng. Although he didn't know what being caught in the middle meant, nor did he know that there was such a thing as discord between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Mu Yunhe always acted with kindness and harmony. His simplest thought was that the two women he cared about in this life should live happily together.
"You were angered by her, and you actually spoke up for her? Yunhe, with a wife like that, maybe we should..." The princess was truly kind-hearted and wanted to provoke him, but before she could finish speaking, Mu Yunhe excitedly interrupted her.
"Mother! What are you saying? Aheng is my wife. Now that I've married her, I won't abandon her. If I really die one day, then you'll only have Aheng left. You shouldn't just treat her as your daughter-in-law, but as your own daughter. Only then will Aheng be more filial to you in the days to come without me. She's not a bad person. Whoever treats her well, she'll treat them even better! I can't ruin her reputation because of myself." Mu Yunhe's somber eyes were filled with deep sorrow and anxiety.
The princess was deeply saddened by his words. She was always afraid of outliving her child, and to make matters worse, her son used the word "death" to further upset her.
"What did I say that made you make such a big fuss? Haven't I been good to your Aheng?" the princess teased, feigning nonchalance.
The phrase "your Aheng" claimed ownership of Aheng, causing Mu Yunhe's ears to flush slightly. However, he couldn't help but smile, and he said in a coy, disdainful tone, "Who cares about her? But Mother, didn't you just mean for me to divorce Aheng?"
"Silly child, I like Heng'er too. I've also noticed that she has a strong will. The more difficult and dangerous the situation, the less afraid she is to rush forward. That's good. With her by your side these days, I feel that everything is bright. Even my Yunhe seems to have become more cheerful. I like her too much to ask. How could I let you divorce her?" The princess touched Mu Yunhe's face and said softly.
Mu Yunhe was taken aback. When his mother stroked his cheek, he felt only peace and warmth, nothing more. But when Luo Zhiheng touched his face and head, his heart would race, his whole body would go numb, and he would feel a tightness and hardness there.
Without comparison, one doesn't realize how different things can be. Now, with this contrast, Mu Yunhe's feelings for Luo Zhiheng are even more distinct. His mother's touch is warm, but he seems to prefer the way Luo Zhiheng touches him…
Mu Yunhe quickly interrupted his filthy thoughts. He was already furious with her, why was he still thinking about her? What a wicked woman who could turn on you in an instant!
"Mother, do you also think I should... gradually become radiant?" Mu Yunhe asked unwillingly.
The princess's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Of course! Would Yunhe like to go out for some fresh air? This room is indeed a bit dark. Yunhe can try to change it up. Look at your Aheng, running around happily in the sunshine every day. I dare say that even unhappy people will become happy when they see such a youthful and sunny girl. Don't you want to see your Aheng in the sunshine every day? Don't you want to be a part of her whole life?"
Perhaps it was because his mother's words were easy to accept, or perhaps Luo Zhiheng's previous outbursts had been too much, but Mu Yunhe was now able to listen. Yet, he still lacked the courage to live in the sunlight. Did someone like him, on the verge of death, deserve to live in the sunlight?
The night passed quickly, but it was an extremely agonizing one for Mu Yunhe. He couldn't sleep all night, not because of the usual painful sleeplessness, but because the soft, fragrant little body beside him was gone. The quiet loneliness made him feel desperate. He resisted, yet couldn't help but hug the pillow that smelled of Luo Zhiheng, unable to sleep at all.
As soon as it was light, Mu Yunhe sat up and called for someone to come in and clean the room so he could wash up. Today, Luo Zhiheng was going to participate in her second competition, which was also a very important series of matches. He knew that Luo Zhiheng would not give up the competition easily, so she would definitely come back to change her clothes or something.
Should he apologize to her? He'd thought about this all night but couldn't figure it out, but that didn't diminish his burning desire to see Luo Zhiheng. When she came back, he wouldn't say anything, just steal a few glances at her. And there was the lucky kiss; she'd said yesterday to continue today. Knowing her personality, maybe she wouldn't be angry after a night's rest, and would just let it go like before, clinging to him for a kiss.
Mu Yunhe forced himself to think positively about everything, and his heart almost flew away to see if she was already on her way back.
Sure enough, a sound came from outside a moment later. Mu Yunhe's spirits lifted, his phoenix eyes narrowed with an indifferent arc, but his gaze couldn't help but be fixed on the door. However, the person who entered made Mu Yunhe freeze.
"Young Prince, the Princess Consort asked me to come back and fetch what she needs." The wet nurse greeted her respectfully, her attitude no longer as enthusiastic as before.
Mu Yunhe's heart sank, and his expectation shattered on his face. He pressed his lips together, not allowing himself to say anything against his conscience or anything that would anger Luo Zhiheng even more. He could only suppress his anger and let out a soft hum.
Then the wet nurse started packing things up efficiently. As she took more and more, Mu Yunhe's fear grew stronger. Perhaps the word "fear" is a bit weak when used to describe a man, but Mu Yunhe was terrified that Luo Zhiheng would really not come back and would really abandon him. He was scared to death.
"She really wants to stay with my mother all the time? How thick-skinned does she have?" Mu Yunhe said coldly. He had churned these two sentences in his mind several times before daring to say them, afraid that if he said them too softly, Luo Zhiheng would not understand, and if he said them too harshly, Luo Zhiheng would be even angrier.
The nanny paused, almost laughing. Young people might not understand these complex emotions, but she, having experienced them, knew perfectly well. Mu Yunhe's obviously insincere words were clearly meant to stop her from taking the things. Why stop her? If the things were all taken, Luo Zhiheng would have even more reason not to come back. This young prince was clearly worried that the young lady wouldn't return, wasn't he?
With a stern face, the wet nurse said expressionlessly, "He may be staying for a few days. Young Prince, please rest. I've got everything ready, I'll be leaving now."
Watching the wet nurse leave with a large pile of things, Mu Yunhe was a little dumbfounded. He was so angry that he threw Luo Zhiheng's pillow, but after a long while, he struggled to get up, silently picked up the pillow and hugged it to his chest, his face sullen and no one knew what he was thinking.
After a while, Xiao Xizi returned and said, "Master, the little princess has already gone out."
Mu Yunhe snapped out of his daze and, noticing Xiao Xizi's odd expression, exclaimed, "Has something happened outside?"
"Yes, the rumors are getting worse. They're saying all sorts of things, and some reckless people have even started making things up about you! Didn't you hear? These rumors are so malicious they could drive someone to jump into the sea! How can these people be so malicious? I don't know who started these rumors, but why are they attacking the little princess like this?" Xiao Xizi said angrily.
Mu Yunhe grinned sinisterly, "They dared to spread rumors to attack Luo Zhiheng, hoping to frighten her, unsettle her, and cause her to fail the selection. But they don't know that Luo Zhiheng is incredibly generous; their rumors are nothing compared to that. It's just a drop in the ocean. I'm afraid they'll end up suffering the consequences at Luo Zhiheng's hands."
Xiao Xizi didn't understand what his master meant, but he probably meant that those who harmed the little princess would eventually be dealt with by the little princess.
"You damned woman, if you don't get my lucky kiss today, don't blame me for losing. It's your own fault for not coming back today." Mu Yunhe glared at the big pillow and muttered fiercely and resentfully.
"What did you say, Master?" Little Xizi scurried forward and asked, tilting his head to listen.
"Get out!" Mu Yunhe shouted coldly, startling Xiao Xizi, who quickly covered his ears and fled.
Luo Zhiheng's heart is indeed very big, but even the biggest heart cannot contain overly vicious and sharp words.
For example, some people are spreading rumors today that Luo Zhiheng is a demon who can create a celestial phenomenon like a rainbow, and that Luo Zhiheng should be burned to death!
For example, when General Tong came to request instructions yesterday, Mu Yunhe's words and defense were seen by everyone as Mu Yunhe knowing that he was about to die and feeling guilty for leaving Luo Zhiheng to live a life of widowhood at such a young age. So he stood up for her, thinking that Luo Zhiheng would have a better life after he died.
Therefore, the rumors surrounding these two points have intensified today, with some even suggesting that Luo Zhiheng dares to be so arrogant because she has the backing of the young prince. They claim that this sickly, long-hidden prince might have been coerced or threatened by Luo Zhiheng into stepping forward to help her. This further suggests that Luo Zhiheng might be a monster!
Luo Zhiheng was unaware that her soul's arrival in this world was called transmigration. She had always believed herself to be a ghost who had possessed this body. At one point, she even thought she would be very afraid of light, and she was terrified of being burned at the stake as a monster. Now, hearing people mention the words "monster burned at the stake," even the strong-willed Luo Zhiheng couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
The rumors that Mu Yunhe might be dying and that Luo Zhiheng was pressuring her to support him only fueled Luo Zhiheng's irritation. She didn't know what was bothering her; she just felt incredibly agitated and wanted to kill someone whenever she heard someone say Mu Yunhe was dying!
"These people are despicable! If they were truly a monster, would such a beautiful rainbow have appeared? They're still alive and well, and yet they dare to spout nonsense. How come it's considered natural for others to win, deserving of cheers and admiration? But our young lady is a monster just because she won? Deserving to be punished by heaven? How ridiculous!" The nanny said with a sinister laugh.
Madam Wang was also helpless about these rumors, but looking at Luo Zhiheng, who was dressed the same and sitting there calmly with a veil for three days, Madam Wang couldn't help but secretly admire Luo Zhiheng's great composure.
"Don't worry, the competition has its own rules. All strange phenomena have their reasons. As long as the competition doesn't believe those rumors, that's fine. As for the idea that the young prince is being controlled by Miss Luo and is unconsciously protecting her, don't worry, the competition won't believe such supernatural theories," Madam Wang said with a smile.
Luo Zhiheng was already losing her composure. For the first time, she truly felt the power of rumors to drive someone to their death. Clenching her fists, she tried to compose herself, but the moment she stepped out of the carriage and saw the magnificent scene of a sea of people and flashing swords, her expression shattered!
Just as Luo Zhiheng's carriage began to move, countless layers of people, men and women, entered, each carrying either kitchen knives or torches, some even wielding sophisticated weapons. They all stared at Luo Zhiheng, their expressions a mixture of coldness, cruelty, terror, and fear. But without exception, their weapons were all pointed at her!
They genuinely saw her as a monster! It was truly because Luo Zhiheng's performance of the Heavenly Rainbow Blade yesterday had shocked the world. But how could everyone have suddenly united in their thoughts and equipment to target her?
Someone must have played a key role in this; this person was deliberately targeting her from the very beginning!
Who is this person?! Yunheshengbanmen.
Luo Zhiheng's gaze gradually hardened. Targeting her again and again, did she really think she was a saintly figure reborn, weak and easily bullied? Perhaps it was fate and nemesis, but Luo Zhiheng spotted Luo Ningshuang waiting on the field at a glance. Dressed in white, she stood at the back of the crowd, so conspicuous, so...gloomy!
The two sisters, separated by a sea of people, by the clash of swords, and by their differing thoughts, gaze at each other from afar, neither able to see the full depth of emotion in the other's eyes.
Luo Zhiheng's eyes were filled with barely suppressed anger and a final act of forbearance.
Luo Ningshuang's eyes were filled with a mixture of triumphant smugness and murderous intent.
First update! There will be another update today. The side story about the stepmother has started updating, focusing on Brother Shang Tian. You guys will have something to read, hehe. Please vote, leave comments, and give monthly tickets!