Eyes Charming

Глава 81

Although I don't know why they separated in the first place, Mo Jun, you only have yourself to blame. Since you've already left, why did you come back to find Qing'er? Why did you come back to 'take away' Qing'er, knowing that she is now my wife and the mother of the Crown Prince? Are you too confident in yourself, or too arrogant? Do you think that with your extraordinary wisdom, your power to control the universe, and your 'past' with Qing'er, you can stand against me? You underestimate me too much! I want to see whether Qing'er will ultimately choose you or me.

"Your Majesty, Jun is my... uh, my best friend. We haven't seen each other for so long, and I was just too excited!" Aoxue glanced at the completely stunned officials and her father's slightly worried eyes, wiped away her tears, and spoke gently with the air of an empress.

Having just met the Emperor, she was so excited that she forgot the occasion. The entire court was present, and for her, as the Empress, such behavior was truly inappropriate. It undermined Xiao Xuanzi's dignity, and she couldn't allow him to lose face before the officials because of her. Their playful banter was commonplace, but this time it had gone too far. Most importantly, Jin Xuan's words reminded her that the Emperor was dressed as a man. Even for an ordinary person, let alone the Empress, such a public display of affection with another man in front of her husband would be condemned by everyone. While she could ignore what others said, she couldn't let Xiao Xuanzi lose face, couldn't let him lose face before the officials. How could he govern the country then? How could he command their respect? And looking at Xiao Xuanzi, she saw such deep hostility in his eyes. Did he harbor hostility towards the Emperor? His appearance reminded her of Nangong Jun. Could it be...? So that's how it is... Then don't blame us. If you offend the Ling sisters, you'll suffer the consequences!

Xiao Xuanzi was overjoyed, and his face softened considerably. He knew that Qing'er's true love was him, and that she would still care about him. However, before he could finish being happy, Ao Xue spoke again, completely plunging him from heaven to hell.

"Your Majesty, I wish to have a proper chat with you, so please allow me to take my leave." Ao Xue's eyes flashed, and she took Ao Jun's hand and said softly. On the surface, she was very respectful, but before the emperor could speak, she was already pulling Ao Jun away.

"My lord... today is my birthday, and the officials want to see how to play basketball, so you may stay! As for catching up, that can be done anytime!" Jin Xuan stepped forward, grabbed Ao Jun's sleeve, and said as if to negotiate, but his gloomy face showed that he could not refuse.

"I've waited too long for this day, and I can't wait a moment longer. Farewell." Ao Jun pulled away from Jin Xuan's hand, feigning excitement and urgency, and instead took Ao Xue's hand. The two exchanged a smile, ignoring the brothers' murderous glares, and strode away. How could she not have missed the cunning glint in Xue's eyes just now? Knowing Xue as she did, whenever Xue made that expression, she was always up to something. Although she didn't know what Xue was going to do, she would still cooperate with her as always.

Watching the dashing young master Mo Jun depart, all the daughters of officials and many young officials gazed at her with admiring eyes. Some of the daughters even stared enviously at the two clasped hands, wishing Mo Jun were holding their hands instead. As Ao Jun walked, she felt many burning gazes fixed on her, but she didn't want to pay them any attention. To be honest, she still had a lot to say to Xue!

"My lord..." Jin Xuan stared in disbelief at the receding figure of Ao Jun, murmuring his name. He hadn't expected her to reject him so ruthlessly, to so brazenly leave with the Empress. My lord, where do you place me? If you truly have no feelings for me, why do you keep surprising me? Do you know that after today, I can never let you go? And yet, you deliver such a fatal blow, so resolutely leaving with another before my very eyes. Why Yu Qing of all people? If it were anyone else, what could I do? But with Yu Qing, I can't even harbor any hostility towards my 'rival'? Hah... how ironic! My former lover and the one I love now? My lord, this is truly a cruel joke played on me by fate!

"Qing'er, come back to me!" Zheng Xuan finally couldn't hold back any longer. Just as Ao Jun and the other person disappeared into the backyard, Zheng Xuan leaped into the air and used his lightness skill to go in the direction they disappeared. In the blink of an eye, he had already disappeared into the backyard, which showed how high his martial arts skills were.

"I have other matters to attend to. Please make yourselves at home, gentlemen." Seeing his elder brother fly away, Jin Xuan, who had been hesitant, suddenly made up his mind. With a gloomy face, he said coldly. He gathered his energy and was about to use his lightness skill to leave when he suddenly turned around. His face was majestic, and his sharp eyes swept over everyone. Everyone couldn't help but shiver deeply. The eyes that had been following Ao Jun's figure lowered, and they dared not look up again.

"Today is my birthday, and I am very happy. My only regret is that the Empress cannot come because she wants the Crown Prince to pray for blessings. But I still hope that all of you will come in high spirits and leave in high spirits." Jin Xuan looked at the reactions of the court with satisfaction. As soon as he finished speaking, he flew away. He believed that they, being so shrewd, would know what he was talking about.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, but they quickly came to their senses and understood the meaning of the prince's words. If word got out about what happened today, they would have to prepare for their own demise.

"What a wonderful festival today! It's a pity Her Majesty the Empress didn't get to see it!" After realizing what was happening, a minister who looked very shrewd exclaimed.

Upon hearing this, the other ministers echoed his sentiments:

"Yes! But Her Majesty the Empress has gone to great lengths to travel a long distance to pray for the Crown Prince's well-being. She is truly virtuous and kind! It is a blessing for the entire nation to have such an Empress!"

......

"Uncle Zhu, His Highness is busy with official business, and we have troubled you for a long time, so we will take our leave now," Xiao Qiyuan said to Uncle Zhu beside him, his meaning clear.

“Yes! Yes! The Prime Minister is right. We will take our leave now. Please trouble the steward to tell the Prince.” Another minister echoed Xiao Qiyuan.

"Farewell," all the ministers said in unison at the opportune moment.

"Then this old servant will see you gentlemen off. This way, please." Zhu Bo followed the ministers' lead and led the civil and military officials away. The once noisy and crowded backyard was now silent and empty, as if the commotion had never happened.

From that day on, the world's number one strategist—Young Master Mo—was embroiled in even more vivid and exaggerated tales. Every word of praise that could be uttered was used. Some said that even the most beautiful words in the world were insufficient to describe Young Master Mo's divine appearance. Some said that the combined wisdom of all people in the world could not match Young Master Mo. Some said that even the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden descending to earth was not worthy of Young Master Mo. Some said... all sorts of rumors circulated.

Just as Ao Jun and Ao Xue were about to enter Ao Jun's room, Zheng Xuan caught up and blocked their way, angrily saying, "Xiao Yuqing, don't go too far."

"I'm being unreasonable? Am I being unreasonable or are you being unreasonable? Ouyang Zhengxuan, I'm asking you, why did you trick me into leaving?" Aoxue's anger erupted under Zhengxuan's unfriendly tone, and she gave him a forced smile as she glanced at him sideways.

Yesterday she found it strange that Xiao Xuanzi would ask her to go to the temple to burn incense for no reason. But since it was for her son, she thought it was better to pray. The more gods you pray to, the more gods will protect you. However, while burning incense, she overheard a palace maid whispering about Jin Xuan. Out of curiosity, she pulled up her ear to listen carefully. What she heard made her furious. It turned out that today was Jin Xuan's birthday, and Zheng Xuan was obviously trying to get rid of her. Although she didn't understand why Xiao Xuanzi was doing this, she was angry that he was hiding something from her. Moreover, if she didn't come today, when would she ever see her husband again?

"Why did you try to deceive me? Fine, since we've come this far, I'll tell you plainly: it's because I don't want you to meet your 'old lover,' Xiao Yuqing. Do you think I want to do this? Can't you understand my feelings at all?" Zhengxuan shoved away Aojun, who was holding Aoxue, and grabbed Aoxue's shoulders tightly with both hands, shouting loudly.

Because Zhengxuan mentioned "old lover," Ao Jun was momentarily stunned and was pushed aside by Zhengxuan. Fortunately, just before she was about to make intimate contact with the ground, a pair of strong hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her up. After she stood up, those hands showed no intention of letting go of her waist.

"Jinxuan, you can let go now." Aojun said somewhat awkwardly to Jinxuan, who was staring intently at her, a faint blush rising on her face. Her gaze darted nervously towards Aoxue. Ever since Jinxuan confessed his feelings to her, she hadn't been able to face him as naturally as before, especially when he held her, his deep eyes gazing at her with affection. Although his embrace was truly warm, even warmer than the 'jade flute' that could warm the body, and she was reluctant to leave, Aoxue was there, and she didn't want her to see anything; it would make her feel embarrassed.

"Let go? I've said it before, I will never let go of you again in this life, even if you find your former 'lover'." Jin Xuan still gazed at Ao Jun with loving eyes, his face resolute, and held Ao Jun tightly in his arms. He was expressing his determination to love Ao Jun with his actions and words.

"'Lover'? You mean Xue?" Ao Jun automatically ignored Jin Xuan's deep affection. Hearing Jin Xuan say this, she looked at Ao Xue, who was currently so angry that her neck was thick, and asked in confusion.

"Snow?" Jin Xuan frowned and repeated. Could it be that Jun has another lover named 'Snow' besides Yu Qing? How could she be so affectionate? Or perhaps it should be said that she is heartless.

"Uh... it's Yuqing." Aojun finally realized and explained. She had almost forgotten that Xue's name in the Longxuan Dynasty was Xiao Yuqing, not Ling Aoxue. She just really didn't understand why her brother-in-law, the emperor, would call her Xue's 'old flame,' while Jinxuan would say that Xue was her 'lover.' Could it be that the two brothers had misunderstood something?

“That’s right, isn’t your sister-in-law the most important person to you, as you said? Isn’t it because of her that you’re determined to protect Long Xuan with your life? Isn’t she the person you love the most? Isn’t it because of her that you rejected me? Isn’t the reason you came back this time to take her back from your brother?” Jin Xuan asked a whole bunch of questions, his eyes filled with pain, and he tightened his grip on Ao Jun’s arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

“Yes, but…” Ao Jun stammered, unsure of what to say. Jin Xuan’s words were right, but also wrong, leaving her momentarily speechless. Yes, Xue was the most important person she had ever told him, and it was for Xue that she had been so determined to fight back against the Liao Kingdom. But to say that Xue was her most beloved person, and that she was going to take Xue back from her brother-in-law, the Emperor? Where did that come from? She wasn’t a GL (Girls’ Love) and this was incest, wasn’t it?

“Jinxuan is right, Jun, don’t be shy.” Just as Ao Jun was about to ask for clarification, Ao Xue walked over with a bright smile, pulled Ao Jun back from Jinxuan’s arms, and said ambiguously, but her eyes intentionally or unintentionally scanned back and forth between Zheng Xuan, who was pale-faced, and Jin Xuan, who was also pale.

Hehe... Interesting. So the person Jinxuan was talking about was Jun! That's great! I'll definitely make sure they get together this time, hehe... Jinxuan, you're definitely going to be my brother-in-law, but before I can bring you two together, you and Xiaoxuanzi have to pay the price for your previous actions. Don't think you can bully the children of the Ling family. From what Xiaoxuanzi just said, she roughly understood that Xiaoxuanzi and Jinxuan had been preventing them from meeting all along.

"My lord!" Jin Xuan was in so much pain that he couldn't speak. He could only express his deep affection with his eyes once again. My lord, look at me. Qing'er is already my brother's wife. Can you please let go? Please turn around and look at me. I really can't live without you. Jin Xuan kept shouting in his heart, but his manly dignity wouldn't allow him to do so.

"Xue, you..." Ao Jun looked at Ao Xue's chilling smile, completely baffled by her intentions. She knew Jin Xuan and the others would misunderstand if she said that. Seeing Jin Xuan's pained expression, her heart clenched, and she desperately wanted to tell them that Xue was just joking. She wanted to tell them she was a woman and they were sisters, but a single look from Xue stopped her.

"My lord, I have so much to tell you. Shall we go inside and talk?" Ao Xue smiled gently at Ao Jun, winking at him sweetly. Zheng Xuan's hands were already bleeding from clenching his fists, and Jin Xuan looked like he was about to collapse.

"Okay." The exceptionally clever Ao Jun was always very obedient in front of Ao Xue, and besides, she was quite curious to know what kind of mischievous ideas Ao Xue was up to.

"Jun, you're so good to me!" Ao Xue clung to Ao Jun, pouting sweetly.

"Let's go in!" Ao Jun smiled indulgently, put her arm around Ao Xue, and turned to walk towards the room. Sometimes she even wondered whether Xue was the older sister or she was the older sister.

"Mo Jun, put Qing'er down." Zheng Xuan finally lost his mind, his eyes bloodshot as he struck Ao Jun with a palm strike, the powerful gust of wind rushing straight towards Ao Jun's face.

"Jun..." The distraught Jin Xuan was jolted back to his senses by the powerful palm strike. The moment he came to his senses, he witnessed a scene that made his breath catch in his throat: Zheng Xuan, as if possessed by a madman, was about to strike Ao Jun with a palm. Jin Xuan momentarily forgot that Ao Jun possessed unparalleled martial arts skills and, without thinking, tried to rush over to stop him, but it seemed too late.

When Ao Jun unleashed his palm strike at Zheng Xuan, he sensed a powerful internal force and was shocked: he hadn't expected his brother-in-law, the emperor, to have such strong internal force, seemingly even surpassing Jin Xuan's.

Just as Zhengxuan's palm was about to strike her, amidst Aoxue's exclamation, she picked up Aoxue, spun around, and flew away, dodging Zhengxuan's attack, before slowly landing behind him.

"Jun, are you alright?" As soon as she landed, Ao Xue anxiously checked Ao Jun from head to toe. She regretted not taking back her joke, which almost cost Jun his life. But... Jun, Jun actually managed to dodge Xiao Xuanzi's palm strike. She knew how high Xiao Xuanzi's martial arts skills were. If that palm strike had really hit Jun, would Jun still be alive?

"It's nothing," Ao Jun said softly.

"Oh, you...you know light-body skills?" Hearing Ao Jun's words, Ao Xue was immediately relieved. She suddenly looked up, staring at Ao Jun as if he were a monster. Just now, Jun really had been carrying her and floating! That's right, floating. Xiao Xuanzi had mentioned before that this was the highest level of light-body skills.

"Hmm." Ao Jun simply nodded slightly. Xue's reaction seemed to have slowed down; she only remembered now, hehe... It seems her brother-in-law, the emperor, really took good care of her, letting her live too comfortably.