When the procession stopped, it almost blocked the entire long street. One man rode forward and unfurled a military flag from behind with a whoosh. The flag fluttered in the wind, and a huge character for "King" waved in the dark sky. The man's voice was loud and booming: "Prince Mu has returned to court. Why don't you all pay your respects at once!"
The visitor's identity was revealed in a single sentence; he was none other than Prince Mu, who had suddenly returned from fighting abroad and was second only to the emperor in the Mu Dynasty!
Many common people did not recognize him, but all the court officials knew this prince. They had already bowed down and shouted, "Your Majesty, may you live a thousand years!"
The seemingly endless street suddenly lowered like a surging wave. People began to kneel from the very front, their shouts uneven. But when all the people on the street had knelt, a unified and reverent voice could be heard, piercing the sky: "Long live the Prince!"
The man riding ahead narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to see even a trace of awe in his son, who had been staring at him for so long. But he was wrong and disappointed. In Mu Yunhe's eyes and on his face, there was only cold arrogance, and perhaps a hint of annoyance that made him impatient.
Except for the personal guards that Prince Mu brought back, who did not kneel, everyone on the street prostrated themselves on the ground. Mu Yunhe held Luo Zhiheng's hand tightly, their backs straight, without fear or kneeling.
Just as Prince Mu was about to speak, a hoarse voice, filled with sorrow, rang out: "Father!"
Prince Mu was startled, thinking it was Mu Yunhe calling him. But upon closer inspection, Mu Yunhe remained calm, and the voice sounded too颓废 and lost, and it wasn't coming from the front. Prince Mu subconsciously turned halfway to look at the place he had always ignored. He saw Mu Yunjin, the child he had always valued and loved. Further down, he saw the person lying in a pool of blood.
The woman he once loved most!
King Mu's expression shifted dramatically in an instant, showing surprise, confusion, a surge of anger, and disbelief!
"How could this be?!" he murmured in disbelief, still unable to believe what he was seeing.
His eyes were fixed on the pool of crimson blood. Li Fangfei lay there, Mu Yunjin guarding her side. That place was called the guillotine; blood stained the ground beneath Li Fangfei. She was motionless. Perhaps… she was already dead?
"Fangfei..." There was no hysterical roar, nor an emotionally charged call, only a deep, gloomy murmur of the name. But the next moment, King Mu had already dismounted, his imposing body, heavy armor, and rapid steps clanging as he walked, stirring up a wave of murderous aura.
He rushed to the guillotine with almost lightning speed, but his steps became hesitant and heavy. When he stood in front of Li Fangfei, his expression was stiff. He slowly squatted down, but his hand didn't know where to touch Li Fangfei. He reached his hand under Li Fangfei's neck, but before he could lift her up, his arm suddenly came out from under her neck.
His strength was so great that the arm, which offered no resistance, almost struck his face. Consort Li's head rolled to the side once more, separated from her corpse, revealing its most tragic side before the man who had been so good to her.
This was their last meeting before death, yet it was so tragic and heartbreaking.
King Mu's eyes widened in fury. He couldn't quite describe the feeling, only a surge of rage! The concept and realization that Consort Li was dead rushed into his mind in that instant. In that same instant, King Mu seemed to be jolted awake, stunned and devastated, his fury and murderous intent surging forth!
"What...what happened?" His voice suddenly became hoarse as Prince Mu stared blankly at Consort Li's decapitated body and murmured to Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin's nose stung, and tears welled up in his eyes. He forced back his grief, but could only utter a hoarse and sorrowful utterance: "She... brought it upon herself!"
This was the most sincere sentence Mu Yunjin could utter without slandering or damaging her mother's posthumous honor, and without betraying her conscience. Because she had witnessed her mother's ugly and insidious actions, and because she had heard her mother's cruel and ruthless past, Mu Yunjin could not offer any explanation, nor could she utter any words of defense.
He could forget the harm his mother had done to him, forgive and forget, and never bring it up again, but how could he lie through his teeth? How could he say against his conscience that his mother had died unjustly? He couldn't do it.
"You brought it upon yourself?!" Prince Mu instantly raised his head, his face weathered and his voice finally rose a octave, chillingly cold: "You say your mother's decapitation today was her own fault?"
"Father, after you understand what Mother did, I hope you will still cherish her so much." Mu Yunjin was speechless. Was he unfilial? Perhaps he was.
"I don't care what your mother did, that's for later. Right now, your mother is dead, and you just stand by and watch? You do nothing? Is this the way of a son? Did I misjudge you? Just how cold-blooded are you?" Prince Mu roared angrily.
"All I see now is your mother lying here all alone. I was only gone for a short time, and when I returned, my woman was dead! My woman is not someone anyone can touch!" A cold, ruthless smile appeared on Prince Mu's face.
"Hold your mother's head and come with me to escort her back to the manor." Prince Mu picked up Consort Li's body, instantly suppressing his anger and murderous intent, but his whole demeanor became even colder.
Mu Yunjin held Consort Li's head in his arms, his voice even lower and more bitter: "Father, we... have no home anymore."
Prince Mu abruptly stopped in his tracks, and when he turned around, his face could only be described as furious: "What did you say?"
"Our home is already..." Mu Yunjin wanted to say, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. Mu Yunhe had already killed his mother. If her father found out, and Mu Yunhe burned down the palace, her father would probably kill him in his rage. No matter how powerful Mu Yunhe was, could he withstand her father's anger?
"What exactly happened? When did you become so long-winded? Explain yourself to me!" Prince Mu roared in a furious and impatient voice.
"Your palace has been burned down by me! Burned to the ground, not a single tile left!" Mu Yunhe's cold voice suddenly rang out.
Prince Mu's sharp, furious gaze suddenly shot towards Mu Yunhe, his eyes blazing with intense rage and murderous intent. He roared through gritted teeth, "Mu Yunhe!"
When Prince Mu flew into a rage, the skin of everyone on the street tightened, and they all knelt even lower, afraid that Prince Mu would see their presence and bring disaster upon them.
"How dare you! You're so audacious!" Seeing that Mu Yunhe didn't seem to be lying at all, Prince Mu naturally believed the news. He was furious, and in his rage, he wished he could chop Mu Yunhe in half with his sword!
Mu Yunhe's anger flared, and he shouted sarcastically and contemptuously, "Why wouldn't I dare? There are so many filthy and sordid secrets in that filthy mansion. Do you know them all? I think you don't, do you? You are strict in managing your army, but you are a complete mess in managing your household, utterly defeated! Your woman? Is Li Fangfei your woman? But do you know how many terrible and despicable things this woman in your arms has done? Compared to her, if I am bold, then isn't she incredibly audacious?"
"Insolence!" Prince Mu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock and rage. No one had ever dared to speak to him with such an attitude and tone. And today, the person speaking to him with such an attitude and tone was none other than his most neglected and vulnerable son? How could Prince Mu accept this? He only accepted challenges and provocations from the strong, but that did not mean his son could challenge his authority.
Even if this son is no longer the same as before, has turned misfortune into good fortune, and has become a dragon in the heavens, he is still his son!
"The one who's even more outrageous is the woman you're holding! I don't regret burning down that damned, filthy palace at all. I even hate myself for not doing it sooner. Burning away the root of evil, burning everything, perhaps many sins wouldn't have extended to this day. You protect this woman so much, so when you know that this woman, in your palace, killed so many of your children, both born and unborn, will you still consider her your woman? Will you still hold her? Will you still protect her so shamelessly?" 19.
"The scourge you indulged, the one you couldn't eliminate yourself, I took care of it for you, shouldn't you be thanking me? Compared to those children who died tragically, oh, among these children was your eldest daughter, Mu Qingya's only child, your little grandson, all killed by this woman in your arms. You're holding an enemy who killed so many of your own flesh and blood, what are you grieving for a woman who disregarded you and poisoned your bloodline? Grieve that you've now lost the woman you love most?"
"Hahaha! This is utterly ridiculous! This is the first time I've ever seen a man who doesn't hold grudges or show hatred. Even if someone had killed your entire family, you would still love them wholeheartedly. Are you even a man? So many innocent and cruel children are your children. Don't you really know that? Or do you know, but you're cold-blooded and numb, caring about nothing, only concerned with satisfying your own selfish desires?"
"Consort Li is a human being, but aren't those little children, my brothers and sisters, human beings? Aren't your little grandsons human beings? Aren't those unborn children souls? She should have died long ago. She's full of sins, yet she's lived for so many years. She should be grateful, grateful that such a wicked woman could receive the undivided love of a fool like you. However, I will no longer tolerate this vicious woman continuing to live in this world. Her sins should end here! Like that royal palace, she should be buried in a sea of fire, burned alive."
Mu Yunhe had never spoken so much before. His emotions were no longer calm and indifferent, but filled with anger and contempt. His accusations were trembling, yet his voice was so clear and his gaze so piercing. He had exploded in anger at his father's confusion and madness.
Even in front of everyone, Mu Yunhe was unwilling to show any mercy to this foolish man, Prince Mu, because he was not worth it!
With the phrase "my woman," he acknowledged Consort Li's identity but denied the existence of any other women in the palace, including his mother. Such cruelty, such cold-bloodedness, such callousness—what else did he have to hold back? 17130099
Mu Yunhe is inherently arrogant and ruthless, no different from Prince Mu. They are both people who can be ruthless if they want to do something. This applies to enemies as well as to unworthy family members!
Prince Mu listened, almost numb, his mind buzzing, his thoughts in turmoil. A question kept recurring in his mind: What was he saying? What was this brat doing? Had he gone mad? And what he said couldn't be true. Fangfei wouldn't do that; how could she bear to hurt his child? How could she be so heartless as to kill someone?
"You don't believe me? Then ask your most valued son. By the way, don't you have secret guards in the Prince's mansion? But you probably never let them monitor your women, right?" Mu Yunhe sneered contemptuously, took Luo Zhiheng's hand, stepped off the execution platform, got into the carriage, and left calmly.
As for Prince Mu, who is homeless, let him go wherever he wants. But how could Prince Mu not have a few luxurious villas?
The father and son were already at loggerheads the moment they met, and it was easy to foresee what kind of situation they would face in the long years to come.
Once inside the carriage, Mu Yunhe could no longer maintain his cold and elegant demeanor. His expression was so gloomy it was almost like a blizzard, he gripped Luo Zhiheng's hand tightly, exuding a violent, chilling aura, and a sinister, suppressed rage.
How could he not be furious? Even at this critical moment, Prince Mu was still protecting Consort Li. Mu Yunhe had already shown leniency, yet no one thanked him; instead, his father looked heartbroken. For countless days and nights, he had witnessed his mother secretly weeping. He had thought his father was a heartless man, but now he knew that his father was devoted to only one person.
But now, it seems that man's feelings were both pathetic and laughable. He doted on an executioner. What's even more hateful is that if he loved Consort Li, why did he still marry other women? One concubine after another turned the entire palace into chaos; what was he after?
If Prince Mu had been certain from the beginning that he truly loved Consort Li, he would have simply stayed by her side, and all those messy things wouldn't have happened later.
Mu Yunhe grew angrier the more he thought about it, and his grip tightened. Luo Zhiheng's hand ached from the pressure, but she couldn't utter a single word. At this moment, she felt an unprecedented panic and irritation, a sense of guilt washing over her as she dared not face Mu Yunhe. The return of Prince Mu was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
She pondered in her troubled mind, wondering whether she should tell Mu Yunhe about the agreement she had made with Prince Mu. That way, she wouldn't have any major secrets between her and Mu Yunhe, and even if Prince Mu used this matter against her, she wouldn't be afraid. As long as Mu Yunhe believed her, that would be enough.
But would a powerful figure like Prince Mu resort to such underhanded methods to deal with her? Or perhaps Prince Mu harbors resentment towards her because of Consort Li's death, and thus secretly plots against her?
This was the first time Luo Zhiheng had felt so conflicted. She wasn't suited for this situation; she wanted to tell Mu Yunhe. But how could she bring it up? The past was different from her current thoughts. Their hearts were not the same back then. It was understandable that she wanted to leave, but she was afraid Mu Yunhe would react negatively.
But keeping quiet is also a potential problem. To tell or not to tell? Luo Zhiheng's brows furrowed in a dilemma.
"Aheng!"
A loud shout jolted Luo Zhiheng out of her nearly knotted emotions. She stared in astonishment at the worried face before her, and instinctively forced a smile, but there was an unsightly and stiffness in that smile that she didn't realize.
Mu Yunhe sensitively noticed Luo Zhiheng's unease, and tenderly kneaded her wrist, blaming himself, "It was my carelessness. Does it hurt a lot? Why didn't you tell me?"
Luo Zhiheng shook her head and nestled into his arms: "It's alright. I know you're upset, but since we've already talked it out, there's no use regretting it now. It's better to accept and face it calmly. Your father isn't a truly stupid person. He can lead thousands of troops, so he must have his own intelligence. You don't know that women are all masters of acting, natural-born actresses. When they lie, they're all moved to tears. If your father is a chivalrous man, it's not surprising that he can fool him."
Mu Yunhe sneered and said disdainfully, "Isn't he just a chivalrous man who pities women? But in his eyes and heart, there has always only been Li Fangfei. Other women are probably not even worth a pile of weeds in his eyes."
Luo Zhiheng remained silent, feeling extremely disdainful of Prince Mu's so-called infatuation. However, she couldn't say it aloud. Mu Yunhe was her son, and she could say whatever she wanted. If she spoke, Mu Yunhe would inevitably be unhappy.
Suddenly, Mu Yunhe lowered his head, his lips almost touching Luo Zhiheng's neck. The ambiguous movement made her feel a little itchy and numb. She flinched, but he wouldn't let her escape. He held her tightly, put his hands inside her bosom, and mischievously chuckled, "Are all women born masters of lying and acting? Do your tears have this power? Tell me, has Aheng ever lied to me or acted?"
Luo Zhiheng's eyelids twitched, and a thought flashed through her mind. She tentatively asked, "Little Hehe, if one day you find out something wrong with me, it might make you very angry. Would you forgive me?"
"You mean lying? If you shed tears for me too, I'll be merciful. But what kind of act will you put on for me? A slippery steamed pigeon?" Mu Yunhe chuckled casually, his ambiguous tone brimming with wicked teasing. His hand had already covered the softness he loved, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
Luo Zhiheng was so aroused by his erotic actions that her body went weak. She hummed and decided to act coquettishly, wrapping her arms around his neck, widening her eyes, and threatening him with feigned ferocity: "Listen to me carefully, if one day you dare to hold a grudge against me for anything, refuse to listen to my explanation, misunderstand me, or hurt me, I will drown you with a knife! And then I will abandon you and fly away."
"So ruthless?" Mu Yunhe feigned shock, his eyes widening in alarm. His handsome face was filled with panic, but his large hands continued to knead her flesh without showing any weakness. He pouted as if afraid and said, "Fine, as long as you don't leave me, I'll do whatever you want with me."
"You promised me. So I have something to tell you. It's a complicated matter, and it might be a little hard for you to accept, but you can't be angry. The past doesn't define the present, right? I didn't understand that back then either. Don't be angry when I tell you." Luo Zhiheng seized the opportunity and immediately climbed onto Mu Yunhe's lap, speaking softly.
The sooner the better, the sooner it's over and the sooner she'll be reincarnated. By saying it out loud, she won't have to worry about any further slip-ups or trouble.
Mu Yunhe smiled, his large hand supporting her buttocks as he moved her freely, his expression slightly expectant. He hummed, "Speak, I'm listening."
"Then you have to promise me you won't be angry." Luo Zhiheng sacrificed her looks, deliberately taking advantage of him in an ambiguous way, rubbing against his lower abdomen back and forth.
Mu Yunhe hummed comfortably, completely lacking any backbone, and nodded without hesitation: "I promise you, I won't be angry. I'm doomed for you for life. You little vixen."
Luo Zhiheng paused for a moment, bit her lip, and spoke with a death wish: "Before your father went to war, I had..."
At the critical moment, a panicked voice came from the other side: "Young Prince! Something terrible has happened! The Princess Consort has fallen into the water and is now unconscious!"
Luo Zhiheng's words were abruptly interrupted, and this only chance to explain in advance vanished amidst the shocking news.
"What?!" Mu Yunhe sat up abruptly, placed Luo Zhiheng on the couch, and flung open the carriage curtain angrily, demanding, "What's going on?"
"Young Prince, the Princess Consort has fallen into the water for some unknown reason. She was just rescued, but she remains unconscious. We have summoned the Imperial Physician, but he says her condition is dire. The Princess Consort is likely... Please, Young Prince, return quickly, lest she..." The servant's words were halting and hesitant, but the danger and unease were obvious.
Mu Yunhe's expression changed drastically. He had just dealt with Consort Li, his mother's lifelong thorn in his side, and had just publicly criticized Prince Mu, the source of his mother's lifelong resentment. He hadn't even had time to tell his mother the good news, nor had he had time to feel joy, when this devastating news from his mother completely ruined his good mood.
It took Mu Yunhe a great deal of effort to control himself from roaring. How could he let his mother, who was his only companion, leave this world like this?
"Hurry, hurry back!" Mu Yunhe roared, his eyes already red.
Suddenly, the carriage sped up, and Mu Yunhe was jolted back into his seat by the rapidly moving carriage.
Mu Yunhe's expression was also not good. She didn't care about mentioning her own affairs anymore. She took Mu Yunhe's hand and comforted her, "Don't be nervous, everything will be alright. The princess is a lucky person and will definitely get through this."
Mu Yunhe nodded haphazardly, his mind already wandering. His face remained calm, but he was no longer listening to anything else.
Luo Zhiheng opened her mouth, but no longer had the courage to say what she hadn't finished speaking. The timing was wrong; saying it now would only add fuel to the fire. She looked at Mu Yunhe's tense profile, her heart clenching with indescribable irritation and unease.
Upon returning to the General's Mansion, Mu Yunhe, for the first time, did not personally carry Luo Zhiheng off the carriage, but instead rushed off the carriage alone.
Luo Zhiheng watched Mu Yunhe's hurried departure, secretly clenching her fist. Thankfully, she hadn't spoken ill of the Princess, nor had she targeted her. Judging from Mu Yunhe's demeanor, he clearly cared deeply for his mother. And rightly so, after so many years of mutual support, they had been each other's hope and source of strength. Even now, the Princess probably still saw Mu Yunhe as her hope for survival.
Luo Zhiheng followed behind, pondering carefully. Judging from the servants' words, the princess was likely in grave danger this time. The ancients valued filial piety highly, and the princess had fallen into the water at the general's mansion. If she truly died there, she wondered if Mu Yunhe would harbor resentment.
As she walked along, she didn't immediately catch up with Mu Yunhe. Instead, she found the steward and the people who rescued the princess and carefully inquired about the princess's fall into the water. Once she heard what they said, Luo Zhiheng was stunned.
"You bastards! How could you let all sorts of scoundrels into the General's Mansion? Have you caught that person?" Luo Zhiheng roared.
"We've caught him, and he's currently locked up in the woodshed," the steward replied cautiously.
"Keep a close eye on her. If the princess is alright, I might spare her life. But if anything happens to the princess, let her family be buried with her!" Luo Zhiheng said, then turned and left.
When Luo Zhiheng arrived at the princess's residence, she heard Mu Yunhe's cold voice: "If you can't cure the princess, you will all be buried with her!"
"Young Prince, spare us!" The imperial physicians weren't alone; each one pleaded in terror. Judging from their cries, the princess was truly beyond saving.
Luo Zhiheng's pupils contracted, followed by Mu Yunhe's roar and the sound of tables and chairs being smashed. She steadied herself and went inside.
"You may all leave. Xiao Xizi, quickly go and invite Lady Huoyun to treat the Princess." Luo Zhiheng dismissed the imperial physicians, then gently soothed the agitated Mu Yunhe, saying, "Don't get agitated. The servants don't know of Lady Huoyun's existence, have you forgotten as well? We still have Lady Huoyun, who is not stingy with her medical skills. The imperial physicians may be helpless, but Lady Huoyun may not be helpless either."
Chapter 1 is here! There will be one more chapter today. Huasha will keep working hard! Love you all! Please vote, leave comments, and give me monthly tickets! Group kisses! Please give Huasha your support and motivation, my darlings!