She fantasized that He Shang would suddenly burst through the door and laugh, saying how fun the palace was. But after waiting until midnight, she experienced the bittersweet feeling of longing, and He Shang didn't even show up. After much deliberation, Shen Mo changed into light-colored clothes and lingered by the window for a long time. Perhaps Emperor Murong Yi wanted to show his appreciation for talent, so he didn't send any soldiers to watch outside. Only then did she grit her teeth and sneak out in the dark.
She didn't actually know where she was going; she just wanted to look around nearby and put her mind at ease. But she walked past one flowerbed after another, marveling at the palace's cultivation techniques. Then, after encountering the third identical flowerbed, a bead of cold sweat dripped down her forehead—she was lost!
rustling... There were footsteps, hurried footsteps! Could it be that someone had discovered him? Startled, Shen Mo hurriedly hid in the shadows of the flowerbed, but the other person was too fast, and with his own speed being slower, he didn't have time to hide and bumped into them head-on!
This must be a man, rushing with all his might as if he were fleeing for his life. He didn't seem to have expected that someone would be blocking his way. With both sides exerting force, Shen Mo was knocked out of the shadows of the flowerbed. When the moonlight shone on him, it created a situation where "the enemy is in the dark and I am in the light".
"You..." Before Shen Mo could ask what was going on, he heard another voice not far away, and there were actually other people!
"Don't make a sound."
Upon hearing those three words, Shen Mo's wrist was grabbed and pulled to the side of the sound. Once settled, he pulled her into his arms, covering her mouth and nose. Her wrist was gripped so tightly it hurt slightly. But Shen Mo didn't have time to care. They were now extremely close, and she stared wide-eyed at the breathtakingly handsome man before her.
It was clearly the Ninth Prince Murong Shi whom I had seen during the day!
After an unknown amount of time, the pursuers seemed to have disappeared into the distance. Murong Shi gradually released Shen Mo, finding her dazed expression somewhat amusing. "Could it be that you've fallen in love with me?"
"I am guilty for disturbing Your Highness." Shen Mo hurriedly bowed and apologized. Rong Yue had already reminded her of these basic etiquettes when they were at the Rong residence.
“Chen-Mo”.
Hearing Murong Shi pronounce his name word by word, Shen Mo felt a little guilty, after all, it was done without permission.
"I haven't met you today," Murong Shi said calmly, indicating he didn't intend to pursue the matter. But suddenly he stumbled, clutching his chest and taking several steps back.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Shen Mo thought that he was not mistaken. When he was holding her just now, Murong Shi had leaned some of his strength on him. Now that he was unsteady on his feet, something must have happened.
Murong Shi turned around, his bright eyes suddenly dimming in the moonlight. He seemed to be growing weaker and weaker, biting his lip as he instructed her, "Don't call anyone."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mo disregarded any difference in status and rushed to his side, covering his mouth and jaw with both hands, her expression unusually solemn.
The warmth of her hands eased the chill in his heart and lungs, and Murong Shi stopped backing away, letting her hold his hands.
"You are Shadowblade." After a moment, Shen Mo broke the silence. This was not a question, but a statement.
"What Shadow Blade? I don't know it." The smile on his lips remained pale. Coveting that warmth, Murong Shi followed Shen Mo's hand and pulled her into his arms. He used his last bit of strength to restrain the person in his arms, and he lost his footing, falling to the ground. He then leaned against the tree trunk behind him. "I was poisoned before, and the poison would flare up every now and then. My heart and lungs were as cold as ice, and you just happened to be the one who encountered me."
"Don't move, it'll be over in a second." Each word was spoken in a soft, compelling voice, almost like a spell, making one unwilling to move.
However, Shen Mo remained rational. Regardless of whether this person was the crown prince of another country, she could not allow Murong Shi to do whatever he wanted simply because of the separation between men and women.
"Let me go," Shen Mo tried to remind him.
...
"You should be glad I didn't take the opportunity to eliminate the enemy spy." Completely ineffective, she had no choice but to strike his waist pressure point with a chop. Seeing Murong Shi's grip loosen, she managed to break free. She was still capable of handling a pale man suffering from poisoning.
Shen Mo, who had intended to leave, turned back and saw that Murong Shi's delicate face was lifeless, pale as a sheet of white paper.
"How did you manage in this situation before?" In the end, I didn't have that kind of heartlessness.
"If you're lucky, you'll get through it; if you're unlucky, you'll die." Murong Shi stared at her and smiled with relief, as if he were talking about tomorrow's weather, yet it gave people a strange sense of determination.
"What are you doing?" Murong Shi noticed that Shen Mo was suddenly biting his finger hard.
But the next moment, she was met with the soft touch in her mouth, a warm sensation tinged with the taste of blood. Shen Mo was actually feeding him her own blood!
"You're Xiao Yin's man, so you should know my blood has special effects, which saves me the trouble of explaining. Just drink it yourself, and I'll leave after you're done. I won't save you again next time." Since Emperor Murong himself brought in these outsiders, he'd let him deal with them himself, and he'd put his mind at ease and stop interfering.
Little did she know how ambiguous this action was. This ambiguity was so profound that Shen Mo only realized it when she saw Murong Shi smiling as he licked her fingertip to stop the bleeding. She calmed herself down, withdrew her hand, and prepared to leave.
When you encounter a fork in the road, always turn left.
Upon hearing Murong Shi's words, Shen Mo realized she was still lost. Suddenly remembering why she had come out, she turned around and said, "I have a friend named He Shang who unfortunately got lost in the palace. If she has offended anyone, I beg Your Highness to spare her life." Shen Mo deliberately emphasized the word "Your Highness." She had no fear of Murong Shi now, and after saying this, she felt a strange sense of relief that He Shang would definitely be alright.
"He Shang, your friend?" A flash of light appeared in Murong Shi's eyes for a moment, then disappeared.
Shen Mo did not answer again. He turned left and right along the flowerbed and disappeared into the night, disappearing from someone's sight.
Author's Note: Actually, I personally feel quite sorry for Murong Shi. He's a very strong, beautiful, and resilient man, the first character in this story who made me feel sorry for him. I hope to convey this feeling to everyone in the future. That's all for now. Five chapters completed. I'll take a few days off to recharge for "West China Normal University's Basketball." It will be released on December 12th. It's a lighthearted story with a time-travel theme, featuring beautiful women, handsome men, basketball, and of course, plenty of melodrama. Don't worry, I'll try my best to update here too. Bye-bye MUA!
Chapter Thirty-Three: Winning or Losing Differences
Because the emperor wanted to personally supervise the process, and feared attracting unwanted attention and disturbing the imperial procession, no one was allowed to observe the final examination on the second day.
After the eunuch arrogantly announced the imperial edict, Rong Yue raised his face with a profound look in his eyes. This was not the first time he had seen that person, but it was the first time he had seen the emperor, that so-called father.
"Ah Mo." Just before entering the competition hall, Rong Yue stepped forward.
Shen Mo took a step back and smiled sweetly, "Young Master, I'll be waiting for your triumphant return." If you return victorious, before the great cause is accomplished, it's best for them to maintain this safest and most advantageous distance. Rong Yue had forgotten this for a moment, but she hadn't.
Finally lowering his outstretched hand, Rong Yue composed himself and said, "I will not let you down." He then followed the eunuch into the palace with the other eight people. Shen Mo still remembered Zheng Donghe inside, and after looking around for a moment, she still couldn't see Murong Shi.
Yesterday's distress at Murong Shi's hands was still vivid in his mind. His face was so pale and his energy so depleted. Could he possibly show the same brilliance as yesterday in today's competition hall? Shen Mo shook his head violently. He was indeed overthinking things.
Something suddenly caught his eye. Shen Mo squinted and looked into the distance. It was a group of people, with a carriage in the middle. What caught his eye was the silver curtain on the carriage, through which he could see a pale face and beautiful, fox-like eyes. Suddenly remembering the icy touch of his body yesterday, even standing in the warm sunlight, Shen Mo couldn't help but shiver. This person must have been a demon in his past life, otherwise how could he possess such allure?
As the carriage drew closer and closer, until it was about to pass by, a clear voice, unlike yesterday's harsh tone, gently called out, "Stop!" The voice was gentle and genuine.
Shen Mo had already retreated to the corner with the others. She wasn't so narcissistic as to think they were talking to her, but she still didn't know what was going on. The guards next to her were terrified when they heard this. At this time, outsiders had entered the palace, and they were afraid that they might accidentally attract assassins and lose their heads.
"Oh dear, Ninth Brother, you're so naughty! Yaoyao was just worried you wanted to go in and take a look. It's so embarrassing for her to expose you like this." A petite figure jumped out from the group of guards, clinging to Murong Shi's arm without any hesitation and acting coquettishly. The guards nearby breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a slight headache coming on from this person. They immediately knelt down, "This servant greets the Princess."
"Silly girl, if you want to go in, you can just openly tell your father. Why dress up like this? If your father sees you like this, you'll be accused of damaging the dignity of the royal family." Murong Shi patted her head, his doting affection evident to everyone.
"I only know that Ninth Brother is the best. Hey, what are you all standing there for? Make way, we need to go into the hall." The little girl was overjoyed to hear this. She threw off her hat, revealing a head of black hair. After tidying it up a bit, she pulled Murong Shi into the hall, completely ignoring the chaos behind them.
The guards were busy picking up her hat and brushing off the dust, or carrying the carriage. Of course, most of them stood in front of Shen Mo and the others, scolding them and saying that anyone who dared to make unwarranted comments about the royal family in front of outsiders would be killed without mercy! Shen Mo and the others kept quiet, already knowing in their hearts that this was probably the Princess Taoyao that Mr. Lechang had mentioned.
Since ancient times, a mother's status has risen with her son's. In the Qitian Dynasty, which only has three princes, the princess is no exception. Her mother is the Empress of the Celestial Empire, so one can imagine Princess Taoyao's position among the princes. I've heard from Lechang that she's lively, well-behaved, and adorable, and that her position in the Emperor's heart is comparable to that of the princes. Today I've witnessed it firsthand. But was Murong Shi's performance in front of these warrior families a mere coincidence, or...?
Head bowed, watching Murong Shi's white robe disappear bit by bit, he looked up again to see the thoughtful expressions on the faces of the people beside him. They, like him, were followers who had come with their master to compete for the "battle flag." Seeing the intimate scene between Murong Shi and Princess Tao Yao just moments before, they probably already had the idea of going back to persuade their master to choose sides. Murong Shi truly had the heart of a worker—that fox!
"Clang clang..." "Thump thump..." As the sun gradually rose higher, it was almost noon, but the sounds of fists and bones colliding could still be heard from inside the palace from time to time. One would expect that the soundproofing of the royal palace would not be very bad, but the fact that it could still be heard clearly from outside the palace showed how intense the battle inside was.
Shen Mo's fingernails were almost digging into her flesh. Every time she heard a sound from inside, she clenched her teeth a little tighter. It wasn't just because she was worried about Rong Yue's life, but also because of that ambitious dream.
"She's out! She's out!" someone shouted. Then the vermilion gate creaked open, and the first sound heard was a woman's sobbing, her soft moans filled with sorrow.
But what Shen Mo saw was a man with disheveled hair, unsteady gait, and a face covered in bruises, who was walking towards him with a smile, wiping the blood from the corner of his lips. This distance took him twice as long as others.
Shen Mo stood there motionless until Rong Yue walked right up to him before he dared to confirm that this was indeed Rong Yue.
"Ah Mo..." Unable to hold on any longer, Rong Yue leaned against her, hooking his arm around her shoulder. "I know you don't like to cry, but at least... show some happiness." Blood dripped from the corner of his lips onto Shen Mo's plain white dress, but Rong Yue could no longer feel the pain.
Through his shoulder, a group of people walked towards them. Accompanied by Princess Taoyao's low sobs, and Murong Shi's face, which was even paler than when he arrived, his charming eyes seemed to glance in her direction, but he was lifeless. His faint smile revealed no emotion, but his injuries were no less severe than Rong Yue's.
"Young Master, congratulations!" Shen Mo breathed a sigh of relief, trying his best to support him, half-embracing him and whispering, "Can you still hold on?"
With a slight smile, Rong Yue turned her face, her expression as bright as the sunny day. "What do you think?"
"Your Excellency, this servant will go and prepare a carriage for you right away." The eunuch next to him immediately fawned over him, revealing his snobbish nature.
"No need, I'm fine." Rong Yue waved his hand and stood up straight as if nothing was wrong, walking briskly by himself, maintaining his usual strength and bravery. Only Shen Mo could feel that the force with which Rong Yue gripped his shoulder was a little strong and trembling.
Back at the Yonghe Palace, where the Emperor had arranged for them, Shen Mo carried out two basins of bloody water from his room! "Hiss..." He poured it all into the flower garden behind the room. It was said that some flowers could be reborn when exposed to blood. Shen Mo stared at it blankly for a moment, then shook his head violently. The flower garden in this palace was really annoying!
He turned and ran, but out of the corner of his eye he suddenly caught a glimpse of a piece of light green silk, which was the clothes He Shang had been wearing earlier!
"He Shang!" After checking her breathing, Shen Mo let out a long sigh, but couldn't help gritting her teeth. How could Murong Shi bear to leave her here?
Hearing a faint noise beside him in the middle of the night, Shen Mo, who was already a light sleeper, was startled and sat up abruptly. "He Shang, you..."
The He Shang before me was completely devoid of his usual boisterousness and laughter. His eyes were unusually unfocused, and he sat quietly by himself with his arms wrapped around his knees. Anyone would feel sorry for him.
"Tell me about you and Murong Shi." It wasn't an accident that He Shang chased Ying Ren at Juhua Pavilion that day, nor was it an accident that He Shang chased Murong Shi yesterday, and He Shang's expression today doesn't lie.
"His name isn't Shadow Blade, nor is it Murong Shi." He Shang spoke calmly, leaving Shen Mo stunned. Just how many identities did this person have? What did he want? Unexpectedly, He Shang suddenly lay down, resting his head on his hand, his expression returning to normal. "You're Rong Yue's man, I can't tell you that much. Go to sleep!"
"He Shang, you wouldn't happen to be from the bottom of the cliff too, would you?" Shen Mo frowned.
"Pah!" He Shang jumped up. "Don't lump me in with the bottom of the cliff. I hate Xiao Yin my whole life. If I have the chance in my lifetime, I will definitely kill this man with my own hands!" He Shang clenched his fists and almost ground his teeth to powder.
He Shang would never stoop to such a deceptive tactic, and Shen Mo, having always known this, felt reassured. Knowing that He Shang would never say what she wouldn't, Shen Mo watched as He Shang hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to tell her, "The Ninth Prince... lost."
He Shang paused for a moment, then chuckled, "I knew this would happen a long time ago."
"What?"
"What do you mean, what? Even if you haven't heard of the Shadow Blade in the martial arts world, you should have heard of the story of him single-handedly defeating three hundred enemy cavalry to save the emperor. Even Xiao Yin needs drugs to control someone, how could your proud young master easily defeat him?"
"I don't believe it! The Ninth Prince's injuries are clearly more severe than the Young Master's. That kind of weakness can't be faked... He Shang, what are you doing?" Hearing this, He Shang suddenly became unstoppable, grabbed her coat, and ran outside. Shen Mo, panting, chased after her to the door, regretting his lack of martial arts skills, and could only let her disappear into the night, thinking to himself that he really shouldn't have said those words. This was definitely going to cause trouble.
The next day, as I was fetching water to help Rong Yue wash up, I heard a hearty laugh coming from inside the house from a distance. Then I heard Le Chang's voice, "Brother Rong is truly a great warrior, and I admire your perseverance in shedding blood."
"You flatter me, sir. Your brilliant performance in the literary contest is truly a great honor," Rong Yue replied with a smile, his voice still tinged with weakness.
"Good morning, Mr. Lechang." Shen Mo knocked on the door and walked in, his eyebrows curving into a smile. "You two are in high spirits, offering your congratulations so early in the morning."
"Good morning, Miss Shenmo. I believe your support has given Brother Rong a lot of motivation." Knowing their relationship, Lechang never treated Shenmo like a servant, unlike others, and spoke his mind without any reservations.
"What are you saying, sir? I'm terrified." Shen Mo glanced at Rong Yue, put down what she was holding, and left. "If you two have something to discuss, I'll go down first." She didn't forget to close the door behind her when she came out. She vaguely heard Rong Yue say, "I will not accept the emperor's reward for the time being." He stood tall outside the corridor, with dark clouds rolling overhead. It seemed that things were about to change.
The next day, before the Emperor's reward arrived, Rong Yue's injuries worsened, and the situation of the flag bearer in the palace became uncertain. People in the palace spread the news, knowing that this was a person whom the Emperor and even the country would rely on in the future. The Imperial Hospital was immediately thrown into chaos.
Three days later, Rong Yue's face turned pale, his breathing became irregular, and his lips remained bluish-purple. None of the imperial physicians could diagnose his symptoms! At noon, the Emperor personally visited him in Yonghe Palace, his face showing concern and anxiety. Everyone envied his great favor.
Just then, when Shen Mo went to the well to fetch water, she overheard several palace maids discussing a strange incident that had occurred in the palace two days prior: a woman had trespassed into the Ninth Prince's bedchamber and was caught by Princess Tao Yao. The woman then fought with Princess Tao Yao and was eventually captured. The princess intended to bring her back to the palace for questioning, but she vanished in the blink of an eye, disappearing without a trace. Despite searching everywhere, she found no trace of her. Although Princess Tao Yao was too preoccupied with the Ninth Prince's awakening, this was the first time they had ever seen a woman dare to attack Princess Tao Yao.
Author's Note: I have to yell, I'm never using the "black box" again! They swallowed my manuscript!!! I rewrote the second half of this chapter twice! I'm done with this! I don't know if I can finish the other chapter today. I'm getting really frustrated with the "black box." I'll try my best. If I can't finish it tonight, I'll definitely have it by tomorrow morning.
Chapter Thirty-Four: Half-Relying on Each Other
He Shang's impulsive rush into Murong Shi's bedchamber made Shen Mo frown, unable to understand what was going on.
"His Majesty has arrived!" The eunuch's shrill voice interrupted Shen Mo's thoughts about He Shang and Murong Shi. She composed herself and joined the imperial physician in shouting "Long live the Emperor!" She realized that helping Rong Yue deal with the situation at hand was the most important thing.
"How is he?" Murong Yi seemed to be in a bad mood. She had been inside for a while and didn't seem to intend to tell them to rise. Her question was clearly directed at the people inside the room.
"Your Majesty, this old minister will do his utmost to treat Your Excellency." Sensing the emperor's anger, the old physician was covered in cold sweat.
"Do your best, do your best, it's that phrase again!" Murong Yi flicked his dragon sleeve and strode towards Rong Yue, not intending to let them get up.
A faint smile curved Shen Mo's lips. The Emperor couldn't possibly be unaware of the rumors Rong Yue had secretly spread about his origins. His current attitude clearly showed that he didn't reject Rong Yue's idea of restoring his true identity. He shifted his knees; his legs were a little numb.
"Listen up, I don't care what methods you use, if anything happens to Minister Rong, you will all be buried with him!" The authoritative voice suddenly rang out, startling Shen Mo. He had never seen such an aura before, as if it were an overwhelming force that would tear people apart. No wonder it was a role that everyone dreamed of, even Rong Yue.
"Why is Father Emperor so angry with them?" A gentle voice came out without warning. Everyone else strictly followed the palace rules and dared not raise their heads. Only Shen Mo glanced at the crowd and saw that he was as pale as ever. It was clearly Murong Shi.
The culprit behind Rong Yue's injuries was Murong Shi.