Luo Zhiheng slammed her cane against her chest and let out a sharp breath. She turned to look at the bed; Mu Yunhe was still fast asleep. He never drank, but today, he had passed out in her arms. Luo Zhiheng knew that if Prince Mu didn't come today, chaos would ensue when Mu Yunhe woke up at dawn.
Mu Yunhe's patience had run out. Prince Mu's reckless provocations and attempts to embarrass her would only draw more people into Mu Yunhe's ruthless schemes. They were unaware of Mu Yunhe's viciousness. Therefore, she would find a way to stop them before they realized it.
Luo Zhiheng left the room, where her wet nurse was already waiting in the courtyard. She asked, "Have you found where Prince Mu is staying now?"
“We’ve found it, but it might not be appropriate for the young master to go at this time, would it?” the wet nurse said hesitantly.
A smile seemed to flash across Luo Zhiheng's face, but it was so cold: "I seem to be getting more and more soft-hearted. I can't bear to see rivers of blood flowing and families killing each other. I can't bear to see Mu Yunhe suffer. If he doesn't get what he wants after he wakes up today, I'm afraid some people will really be in grave danger. Today is his deadline, the last chance he's giving Prince Mu. If things don't go as he wishes, no one will be able to stop his methods."
She descended the steps one by one, saying coldly, "I don't care about those people's lives or deaths, but I don't want Mu Yunhe to become a monster who killed his father and brother, who has lost all morality and humanity. I don't want him to die a horrible death, I don't want him to be depressed. It's just groveling and begging for help, nothing special. If he doesn't come, I'll go find him myself, as long as Mu Yunhe is alright."
Perhaps knowing someone too well isn't a good thing. Luo Zhiheng knew Mu Yunhe too well, so she knew his bottom line. Because she knew, she dared not wait; she was afraid of losing him. If she hadn't heard Mu Yunhe's words last night, hadn't known that Mu Yunhe had actually considered killing Prince Mu, and hadn't known that Mu Yunhe would die if he killed Prince Mu, she wouldn't have gone to find Prince Mu today.
"If the young prince finds out that you were the one who went to see Prince Mu, even if Prince Mu comes, the young prince won't be able to resolve his inner conflict," the wet nurse said worriedly. Not only will he not resolve it, but he might even resent his young master as well.
Luo Zhiheng glanced back at the door and smiled slowly, "It's alright, we'll take it one step at a time. No matter how angry he is or how much he resents me, I know he will always know that I only care about him and that I will do anything for him. He will also know that no matter how he treats me, I will never leave him."
First update! Sorry, the power went out around noon and didn't come back on until 4 PM. Ugh, even on National Day, the power's out! So frustrating! There'll be one more update today. Even though it's late, I'll make sure the quantity and quality are up to par! Please vote, leave comments, and give me monthly tickets! Group chat, muah!
373 With imposing presence as a blade and sharp eyes as a sword, his words are so intimidating that they can terrify even the most powerful!
Updated: 2013-10-07 12:02:15 Word Count: 7650
The sky was only a faint bluish hue; the darkness before dawn was the most oppressive.
"The most beautiful sight is the red one." Luo Zhiheng stood in front of the gate of Prince Mu's villa and couldn't help but sneer. As expected of Prince Mu, how could he be homeless just because a mansion was burned down? Look at the scale of this villa, it's almost no less than Prince Mu's mansion. Perhaps the biggest difference is that this villa doesn't have his wives, concubines, or children.
It wasn't exactly a late-night visit, but it was even more surprising than a late-night visit. As Prince Mu's daughter-in-law, Luo Zhiheng couldn't possibly have climbed over the wall and acted cunningly. At the very least, she should have visited Prince Mu openly and honestly.
The gatekeeper opened the gate impatiently, but upon hearing that it was the young princess requesting an audience with Prince Mu, he showed no sign of obsequiousness or panic, only coldness and disdain. 17129739
"Come back when it's light. Even if you are the Prince's daughter-in-law, it's not right for you to come looking for your father-in-law in the middle of the night. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed if you say you won't come? You may be of low status and disregard your reputation, but our Prince is a prince, and his reputation must be respected." Even a gatekeeper showed no respect for Luo Zhiheng, speaking without any politeness.
Without Prince Mu's permission, how could such a thing have happened? Prince Mu probably already anticipated that Luo Zhiheng would come. That's why we are witnessing this scene now.
What was he trying to do? Deliberately embarrass her? Make her lose face? Or did he want her to beg him even more humbly? Or was he using this method to provoke and suppress Mu Yunhe?
Luo Zhiheng couldn't figure it out, but one thing was certain: Prince Mu was not stupid. He had already anticipated her arrival and was quite confident in delivering the humiliating words to the gatekeeper in advance.
"Since you know my identity, then hurry up and go in to report. By shouting like this, aren't you just spreading this matter around? I'm afraid it's not me who's losing face, but you who are losing face for your prince," Luo Zhiheng said bluntly.
"Stop your whining and get out of here. The prince is resting and won't see you at this hour," the gatekeeper snorted impatiently, then retreated back inside and was about to close the door.
Luo Zhiheng sneered, rushed forward, and unexpectedly kicked the gatekeeper in the stomach with such force that he was sent flying backward. Then, she confidently pushed open the gate and stepped inside.
Now that she's here, she won't leave easily. She won't give up until she sees Prince Mu and achieves her goal!
The wet nurse followed closely behind, twisting the neck of the guard who tried to get up and resist. With a snap, the guard screamed and fell to the ground, his face unable to turn. Although injured, thanks to Huo Yun's miraculous medicine and the wet nurse's own formidable skills, she was already mostly recovered. Dealing with this group of small fry was a piece of cake.
The master and servant rushed into King Mu's villa with unstoppable force.
Before they even entered the second gate, a large number of guards rushed out, carrying torches and swords, surrounding the two of them from all sides. They were all tense, their presence imposing and menacing. Clearly, they had been prepared.
“Young master, we may have been tricked.” The wet nurse immediately realized the situation, her eyes darkening. She stood close to Luo Zhiheng and whispered warily.
"As expected of a general who leads troops into battle, what a brilliant move of retreating to advance, luring the enemy into a trap. I never imagined that the dignified Prince Mu would have the leisure to study the personality of a mere woman like me." Luo Zhiheng remained calm and composed, her words filled with sarcasm and fearless arrogance.
The scene before her made Luo Zhiheng instantly understand. From the deliberate provocation at the door, to closing the door to block her, and now being surrounded after rushing in, Prince Mu had calculated everything perfectly, anticipating all her reactions and actions. The wet nurse said they had been tricked, but in Luo Zhiheng's view, it was simply because she had underestimated Prince Mu and was careless on her part.
But she wasn't afraid. If Prince Mu dared to scheme against her, why would she be afraid of being schemed against herself? What hadn't she experienced? What kind of people hadn't she met? How many times had she been schemed against and framed?
"Since you are all here, please ask Prince Mu to come out and meet us. Let's not waste everyone's time," Luo Zhiheng said calmly.
A lieutenant, his face cold and stern, shouted: "You think you're worthy to see the Prince? You vixen, how dare you trespass into Prince Mu's villa! All officers, listen to my command! This vixen is lawless and has no regard for the law. She has trespassed into the Prince's villa and intends to commit wicked deeds. Her actions deserve to be punished! Hear my order, seize this vixen! If you cannot capture her alive, execute her on the spot!"
At the lieutenant's command, a hundred generals responded: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Luo Zhiheng's expression changed. Prince Mu actually wanted to kill her? Without Prince Mu's order, these people would absolutely not dare to do anything to her. It seemed that Prince Mu was also blaming her for the death of Consort Li. That made sense. No matter how bad things were, he was still his son. Besides, given Mu Yunhe's status, he couldn't be beaten, scolded, or killed. Prince Mu was angry, so naturally he wanted to create a scapegoat to vent his hatred. She naturally became the target of his anger.
But it doesn't matter. It's better to hate her than to hate Mu Yunhe. She doesn't care about Prince Mu, so she won't feel heartache.
The soldiers swarmed forward, their swords and blades aimed at Luo Zhiheng, clearly intending to kill her. The scene was incredibly dangerous, with flashing blades and clashing swords.
The wet nurse unleashed her full power, and the group was no match for her. A faint light emanated from her hand, intense and dazzling, as her miraculous martial arts reappeared, instantly annihilating a large number of the menacing soldiers.
The soldiers seemed stunned by the wet nurse's astonishing methods, momentarily speechless. The next instant, even more soldiers swarmed forward, with more pouring in from all directions. They seemed determined to kill Luo Zhiheng. Prince Mu had made up his mind about this matter, demonstrating the depth of his self-hatred and how much he cared for Consort Li.
But no matter how many people came, it was the same. The wet nurse was invincible. Under the fierce and dazzling offensive, she was not at a disadvantage at all. On the contrary, she fought with ease and was very powerful, defeating the enemy and making them flee in disarray.
Under the almost all-around protection of her wet nurse, Luo Zhiheng stood there calmly and seemingly detached, coldly watching the chaos and battle around her. Everywhere she looked, there were soldiers lying on their backs, screaming in agony.
"Tell me where Prince Mu is. Continuing to fight like this will only cause you greater losses," Luo Zhiheng said, grabbing the lieutenant who had already been beaten to the ground.
The lieutenant said arrogantly, "Go ahead and kill me if you dare. I won't tell you."
"Having guts is a man's business. I may not have guts, but you do. If you don't tell me, I can make you just as spineless as I am." Luo Zhiheng's gaze fell on the man's crotch, her voice sinister. 197.
In such a large courtyard, how could she possibly find Prince Mu? If he didn't cooperate, she could grant him his wish to be a woman.
The lieutenant's expression changed, but he still stubbornly refused to speak. Luo Zhiheng snorted coldly, threw the man to the wet nurse, and said coldly, "Wet nurse, cripple him! Let him know what a spineless eunuch feels like!"
Luo Zhiheng would never do such a thing herself; she found it disgusting.
The wet nurse didn't even touch the person who was thrown over. A scream rang out, and the deputy general's groin was instantly turned into a bloody mess.
The wet nurse's move terrified the soldiers and officers, with some even instinctively covering their crotches, fearing that the woman might kick their manhood to pieces at any moment.
This is terrifying! What kind of daughter-in-law does the prince have? She's so fierce and ruthless. Her servants are just as frightening.
"I'll give you one more chance. Will you tell me where the Prince is? If you don't want to end up like him, I advise you to give me the answer I want right now, or you'll die!" Luo Zhiheng's cold gaze swept over the group of people. Torches fell to the ground, crackling and popping. Her face, illuminated by the flames, was bewitching and cold.
The soldiers were stunned and speechless. Just as Luo Zhiheng was about to lose patience and start a massacre, Mu Yunjin appeared.
"I'll take you to see my father. Please stop killing people."
Mu Yunjin emerged from the shadows, supported by his loyal subordinates. He walked with such difficulty that it seemed as if a gust of wind could knock down this young hero who had once fought on the battlefield.
He was so haggard, tormented by physical and emotional trauma. But at this moment, when Luo Zhiheng saw Mu Yunjin, she felt no sympathy or pity whatsoever. She and Mu Yunhe were fools; their sympathy and pity had not brought them even the slightest good, but instead had sown seeds of trouble.
How could they forget that Consort Li's final words were merely an attempt to cover up the enormous mistake she was about to commit? In her final moments, although she thought of considering her son's future, she was absolutely not genuinely repentant.
She knew perfectly well that Linglong was in danger. If Consort Li truly repented, truly knew she was wrong, and truly let go of everything, then he should have told them about the danger to the princess on his deathbed.
But Consort Li didn't. Only then did Luo Zhiheng realize how foolish she had been, how ridiculous her overflowing sympathy had been. Perhaps Consort Li was thinking as she died, "Even if you kill me, what difference will it make? You still can't save the Princess. If I die, the Princess will die with me."
Consort Li might have thought, "They're just two immature kids, what makes them think they can fight me?" With a simple explanation and a few kind words, she made them grateful, but weren't they still being manipulated by Li Fangfei? Look at her schemes and tricks; she not only made her son have some influence in their hearts, making them feel guilty and treat her son well, but she also managed to take the princess's life without leaving a trace.
In this contest, it turned out that Consort Li was one step ahead.
They spared Consort Li's body, unable to bear the thought of harming Mu Yunjin. However, they faced peril, the possibility of being tricked, the threat of father and son turning against each other, husband and wife becoming enemies, and the possibility of the princess losing her life.
Consort Li, ironically, became the biggest winner. She was confused her whole life, but unexpectedly, she was so glorious in her final moments and after death, outmaneuvering everyone else.
Luo Zhiheng gritted his teeth, managing not to immediately berate Mu Yunjin. Why should he appear weak and vulnerable in front of her now? He was very strong; wasn't Mu Yunjin the biggest beneficiary right now? Everything had been protected for him, even his reputation remained unaffected. On the contrary, the prince would feel guilty and heartbroken, and thus value Mu Yunjin even more, thus neglecting Mu Yunhe even more.
Despicable person! Rotten person! Shameless person!
While her Yunhe was suffering terribly at home, not knowing what to do, Mu Yunjin was being nurtured by her father's love while simultaneously playing the role of a victim, gaining countless sympathies. Mu Yunjin had taken away all of her father's love, leaving her Yunhe all alone, almost an orphan. Some of the uninformed people were even cursing Mu Yunhe. Who was truly more pitiful?
Mu Yunjin had already walked up to Luo Zhiheng. In the darkness, he couldn't clearly see the expression on Luo Zhiheng's face, but he could feel the anger emanating from her. Mu Yunjin's throat tightened, and his gaze was fixed on her: "Don't be angry, don't be upset. Father didn't mean to target you. He's just too heartbroken. Mother has passed away, and it's understandable that Father is saddened. Father values relationships the most..."
Luo Zhiheng suddenly couldn't hold back any longer. Her anger and mocking laughter made her voice extremely sharp and cold as she laughed, "Heartbroken? What is there for him to be heartbroken about? Is his heart not too biased? His wife is on her deathbed, hoping to see him one last time before she dies, and he's here being heartbroken? Who is he heartbroken for? Your mother? What is your mother? Just a lowly concubine! He can be so loyal and devoted to a concubine, so why is he so cruel and heartless to his wife? Don't talk to me about loyalty and devotion. That word is a disgrace to Prince Mu!"
"Luo Zhiheng! Watch your words! After all, Mother has passed away. You shouldn't humiliate her like this. What could be more heartbreaking than the death of someone? Mu Yunhe wouldn't be so ignorant as to not understand this. Why would he let you cause trouble?" Mu Yunjin couldn't stand Luo Zhiheng's sharp words. Even if her mother had done many wrong things, she was already dead. Why couldn't they let it go? Hadn't they already forgiven their mother? They even agreed not to dismember her body. Why had they suddenly changed their minds?
"Mu Yunjin, stop yelling at me! I don't need your lectures and accusations! You and your mother are both hypocritical and disgusting! I feel disgusted just looking at you. You have no right to mention Mu Yunhe's name. You are the least qualified person in the whole world!" Luo Zhiheng couldn't control her turbulent emotions. She glared at Mu Yunjin, her gaze as fierce and sharp as a jackal or tiger.
"What's wrong with you?" Luo Zhiheng's gaze made Mu Yunjin feel cold all over. This shouldn't be the case. Luo Zhiheng had personally said to let Consort Li go that day. He thought that the hatred between them had vanished with his mother's death. Why was Luo Zhiheng so sharp and incisive today? The intense hatred and anger in her eyes made Mu Yunjin feel suffocated, oppressed, in pain, and sad.
Mu Yunjin subconsciously reached out to grab Luo Zhiheng, but Luo Zhiheng forcefully shook her off. Mu Yunjin's voice turned cold: "Luo Zhiheng, what are you making a scene for? My mother is in mourning, and you come here to cause trouble. How can you be so inconsiderate?"
Luo Zhiheng laughed in anger, barely suppressing the urge to slap Mu Yunjin twice, and angrily cursed, "You heartless bastard, worse than a pig or a dog, selfish and self-serving!"
"You insulted me?" Mu Yunjin's gaze turned icy. He shook off the person supporting him, staggered forward a few steps, grabbed Luo Zhiheng's wrist, and pulled her close to him. His eyes held conflicting love and hate as he said fiercely, "Explain yourself clearly. How have I been heartless, worse than a dog, selfish and self-serving? If you can't explain yourself clearly today, you won't even be able to leave this gate, let alone see my father!"
"Mu Yunjin, don't threaten me! Take your filthy, cold-blooded hands off me, you heartless bastard just like your father. Do you think I, Luo Zhiheng, was raised to be intimidated by you two wolf-like father and son? I'll show you the true meaning of being human! You have a mother who's worse than a beast, and a father who's cold-blooded and heartless. No wonder you're so reckless and can't distinguish right from wrong!" Luo Zhiheng glared, her eyes wide, and shouted fearlessly.
"Luo Zhiheng!" Mu Yunjin roared. She had repeatedly insulted his mother and father. Mu Yunjin's fists were clenched so tightly that they cracked, and he barely managed to restrain himself from smashing her beautiful face in his anger.
"Your mother was absolutely not allowed to have a complete corpse according to the imperial decree, didn't you know that? It was only because Mu Yunhe was kind-hearted that he made an exception. Otherwise, do you think I could really have allowed your mother to have a complete corpse after death with just a word? Do you think I really have the ability to withstand the emperor's wrath? What Mu Yunhe did for you, he fulfilled your filial piety and the reputation of being filial, and he didn't get anything for himself. Isn't he a benefactor to you?"
"When I first arrived here, didn't I politely ask someone to announce my arrival? It was your pack of dogs who blocked my way, saying utterly inhuman things. I was courteous, but they turned on me like soldiers. Why should I be polite to them? Yet you keep saying I'm here to cause trouble. Am I here to cause trouble? Do you think I, Luo Zhiheng, would come to your den of wolves in the middle of the night to make a scene? Am I the one who's sick, or are you?"
"When you accuse me without even asking what happened, did you ever think about how I risked my life that day to plead for your mother and bear the emperor's wrath all by myself? How much do you really know about how your mother treated me? How many times did she frame, coerce, and even try to murder me and Mu Yunhe? I even put aside all my grudges just because you are Mu Yunhe's brother and he couldn't bear to see you suffer. I was willing to compromise, but dare you say that my compromise that day wasn't out of loyalty to you?" Luo Zhiheng's words were forceful and clear. Her hatred was intense, and her love was distinct. Her gaze was bright and sharp, and her words were aggressive and reasonable, leaving no room for rebuttal.
Ke Luo Zhiheng continued, her anger transforming into sharp words that invisibly pierced Mu Yunjin: "When I saw you today, did you mention that the Princess Consort was critically ill? Did she just want to see the Prince one last time? Your mother is dead, and you know how much you care, value, and grieve. But have you ever thought about Mu Yunhe, who was kind and righteous to you, and your own brother who showed you compassion and mercy? His mother is also hovering on the brink of death. Perhaps at any moment, his mother will also leave this world!"
"You only care about your grief, you only care about your mother, you only know that your father is loyal and righteous, but look at how you treat Mu Yunhe now! Do you dare say you're not heartless? Do you dare say you're not worse than a pig or a dog? Do you dare say you're not selfish? Do you dare? Mu Yunjin, touch your conscience, touch your own heart, is it the warmth of a human being or the coldness of a beast?!" Luo Zhiheng pressed closer, her fingers poking at Mu Yunjin's chest, forcing Mu Yunjin to retreat repeatedly. Luo Zhiheng did not back down. Her shouts were not loud, but her aura was immense and her power astonishing. The soldiers were shocked by what they saw, and Mu Yunjin's face turned deathly pale.
He was completely overwhelmed by Luo Zhiheng's words, yet his heart ached.
The veins on her neck were bulging, and her anger and words were the sharpest swords. No matter how invulnerable you were, you would feel ashamed and dare not utter another word in the face of her sincere, reasonable, and empathetic words.
"I don't expect you to have Mu Yunhe's benevolence and kindness, but please don't be so selfish! Your mother monopolized the prince's affections her whole life, leaving the princess lonely and miserable. And you, too, have monopolized the prince's favor to this day, causing Mu Yunhe to never know what fatherly love is. He hates your father, he hates you, but he can still make the most correct, rational, and convincing decision between emotion and morality. But what about you? What about your father? Do you and your mother take it for granted that you monopolize Prince Mu's affections?"
"That person you keep calling your own brother, have you seen him? He's always in the corner, lonely and forlorn, watching you and your father without a trace of jealousy. Have you ever thought about it? Do you know how much your brother longed for his father to look at him more, to love him more, in places you don't know? You don't know, and you don't want to know, because you're selfish, because you take everything you think belongs to you for granted."
"You heartless thief! You stole what should have been fairly enjoyed by everyone, and you clutched it tightly in your arms like a child, unwilling to share it with anyone! You're not deaf; you couldn't have missed what I just said, yet you didn't ask the Princess a single question, nor did you mention Mu Yunhe. You only spoke of your own suffering, your mother's innocence, and your father's goodness. You so clearly refused to share your father. Do you think I'm a fool? Do you think I can't see through you?"
"Mu Yunjin, how could you be so selfish? You have completely betrayed Mu Yunhe's kindness towards you! You are not worthy to call Mu Yunhe your brother, because you have not done anything a brother should do! You are not worthy to be Mu Yunhe's brother. So please, just be selfish to the end, that way, Mu Yunhe will no longer be kind to you, and even if you die at our hands, we will not feel the slightest guilt or sadness!"
Luo Zhiheng forcefully pushed Mu Yunjin away. Her last words were so harsh and resolute, and her mocking gaze was filled with deep disgust. She had completely despised Mu Yunjin. All the pity she had for Mu Yunjin on the execution ground that day had vanished at this moment.
Mu Yunjin's mind went blank after hearing Luo Zhiheng's sharp and venomous words. She said a lot, and he seemed to have heard it all, yet it was also as if he hadn't heard anything at all. But his heart was in turmoil. He felt cold, aching, and suffocated.
Luo Zhiheng calmed her intense emotions, closed her eyes, and forced back the tears that were about to spill. Her tears were for Mu Yunhe, for his unworthiness and his painstaking efforts. But the Mu family father and son were utterly despicable and heartless. Since they were unkind, they shouldn't blame them for being unjust in return.
"Nanny, let's go home!" Luo Zhiheng suddenly changed her mind. What difference would it make if she didn't see Prince Mu? What difference would it make if the Princess didn't see Prince Mu? Such a cold-blooded man, she was afraid she wouldn't say anything nice to him. She even worried that if the Princess saw the Prince, she would die even faster.
Luo Zhiheng walked out first, without hesitation, just as determined as when she came. The wet nurse followed behind, and the person standing or lying on the ground in front of her immediately retreated as if she had encountered a venomous snake.
Strangely, the group of people no longer dared to stop her. It was unclear whether it was the wet nurse's martial arts skills that were too lethal or Luo Zhiheng's words that were more intimidating. In any case, at this moment, the Mu Wang Villa was deathly quiet.
"Mu Wang's villa, do you think you can come and go as you please?" A deep voice suddenly rang out in the night, just before dawn, sounding hollow and echoing.
Luo Zhiheng whirled around and looked up sharply, following the sound. There, on a high platform not far away, stood a tall, imposing figure, silently. She didn't know how long he had been standing there, but he seemed to have merged with the last vestiges of darkness fading away behind him, so lonely and silent.