Luo Ningshuang inwardly despised Li Xian'er's arrogance, but on the other hand, she was shocked by Li Xian'er's skills. She was able to stir up trouble in the Southern Dynasty. This woman seemed so naive on the surface, but she was actually quite cunning.
"Why did you come to the Southern Dynasty? Why did you do that to my sister?" Luo Ningshuang was still in the act, and she believed that Li Xian'er was no match for her.
Li Xian'er's expression suddenly changed, and she said through gritted teeth, "Why? Naturally, it's because of... Luo Zhiheng! I said I wouldn't let Luo Zhiheng go! Although Da Sa didn't completely ruin Luo Zhiheng's reputation this time, it doesn't matter, she shouldn't be seriously injured, right? I'm just here to tell you that Princess Aman of the Western Barbarian Kingdom is already on her way to the King's Palace and will be there soon. Luo Zhiheng has to complete the competition she agreed to with Princess Aman today, otherwise, Luo Zhiheng will be a disgrace to the Mu Dynasty. No matter what kind of reputation or achievements she has made before, it cannot offset her mistake of bringing shame to the Mu Dynasty."
Luo Ningshuang's expression changed, a deep sense of schadenfreude welling up inside her, but she said anxiously, seemingly unintentionally, "How could this happen? No way! My sister's arm might be crippled, and she's still unconscious. How can she possibly fight her? Ah! I didn't say anything."
Wang Zhang, he's half a king. Li Xian'er stared intently into Luo Ning Shuang's eyes, her expression momentarily shocked, then she burst into laughter, saying, "Serves her right! Karma! It really is karma! The higher you climb, the harder you fall. Let's see what she does this time, humph, does she think she's so great just because she got the title of number one in the world? Unable to fight, yet she still agreed to it, let's see how she embarrasses herself this time!"
Luo Ningshuang remained silent, but a surge of emotion and anticipation welled up within her. She truly hoped that Princess Aman could kill Luo Zhiheng, so that Luo Zhiheng would never again be a thorn in her side.
"I'm asking you, how is Mu Yunhe?" Li Xian'er suddenly asked Luo Ningshuang, her expression no longer as ferocious as before, but instead filled with infatuation.
Luo Ningshuang's heart skipped a beat. Li Xian'er was after Mu Yunhe! Just by looking at Li Xian'er's expression when she mentioned Mu Yunhe, it was clear she had fallen for him. A surge of anger rose within Luo Ningshuang. Mu Yunhe was her husband, rightfully hers, and now, seeing him becoming increasingly outstanding, even though he could still die at any moment, she desperately didn't want any other woman coveting him.
"I'm not quite sure," Luo Ningshuang replied dismissively.
Li Xian'er's face darkened. She glared fiercely at Luo Ning Shuang and said smugly, "If you want to deal with Luo Zhiheng, then you'll have to listen to me. Don't think I don't know your little schemes. My grandfather has already told me that Luo Zhiheng's marriage is clearly a setup, and you are the one who orchestrated it! You actually dared to let Luo Zhiheng marry Mu Yunhe; you're incredibly stupid. But it doesn't matter, I'll be marrying into the Mu family soon, and Luo Zhiheng's title as the little princess will have to be relinquished sooner or later. She doesn't deserve to be Mu Yunhe's wife!"
Luo Ningshuang looked at her with an unchanged expression, but a sense of unease crept into her heart. Why did the Li family tell Li Xian'er about this? Li Xian'er had clearly fallen for Mu Yunhe, and the Li family would never agree to it. But judging from Li Xian'er's words, she was very likely to replace Luo Zhiheng. Was she going to marry Mu Yunhe? How could that be?! How could the Li family agree? Even Consort Li would absolutely not allow it.
Luo Ningshuang, suppressing her shock, asked, "Miss Li, who else from your family has come to the Southern Dynasty?"
Li Xian'er glanced at her and said with a vain look, "My father came with me to relax." Look how much her father loves her; even in his busy schedule, he brought her to the Southern Dynasty to comfort her.
Luo Ningshuang instantly understood. If Li Xian'er could compete, so could her father. Li Xian'er's words clearly indicated that her parents had given their permission. It was obvious that something had changed her father's mind about marrying her to Mu Yunjin, and that thing must be related to Mu Yunhe's mysterious identity today!
Luo Ningshuang suddenly felt her heart bleeding; she seemed to have foolishly given up one of the greatest benefits.
Suddenly, the sound of maids' hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Hua Kai ran in excitedly and said, "They're here! Princess Aman is here to challenge Luo Zhiheng to a duel. She's outside challenging her and said that if Luo Zhiheng doesn't come out, she'll be a coward."
Li Xian'er immediately rushed out excitedly. Luo Ningshuang hesitated for a moment, then her eyes flashed and she said, "Foolish woman, you still want to compete with me? Hua Kai, let's go to Luo Zhiheng's place first."
"Why go to her place first instead of going out to see the excitement?" Hua Kai asked, puzzled.
Luo Ningshuang smiled slyly and said, "Naturally, I'm going to deliver the message! Of course, I'm going to deliver the message to... Mu Yunhe."
The master and servant rushed to Luo Zhiheng's room in a panic. It was quiet there; Qiwan and Xiaoxizi stood like two guardian deities, their faces pale and eyes red. Even before they approached, a deep sense of sorrow emanated from them. It was almost certain that Luo Zhiheng's left hand was crippled.
Luo Ningshuang was overjoyed inside, but her face was filled with sorrow as she choked out, "Sister!"
"Don't shout here!" Qi Wan shouted as soon as he saw Luo Ning Shuang, showing no respect for the Second Miss Luo.
Luo Ningshuang's eyes stiffened, a fierce glint flashing across them in an instant. She choked back tears and whispered, "Girl, how is my sister? I just found out. I'm so worried about her. You know I fainted yesterday. I need to go in and see her."
"No need, my young lady is perfectly fine! Also, my name is Qiwan, not 'maid'." Qiwan glared angrily, her bloodshot eyes looking terrifying, as if she had been crying and her face was swollen.
Luo Ningshuang cried, "Don't be like this. I know you're worried that something might happen to my sister. Don't worry, I just came to check on you. Also, when I arrived, I ran into some servants leaving. They said that Princess Aman has come to challenge my sister to a duel. What should we do? How can my sister go out to fight in her current state? But if she doesn't show up, Princess Aman will say some very hurtful things."
Xiao Xizi's expression changed. Qi Wan didn't understand these things, but Xiao Xizi understood the implications. Princess Aman was the eldest princess of the Western Barbarian Kingdom, and their statuses were different. The relationship between the two countries was already tense, and at this time, they couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. Xiao Xizi quickly turned around and went into the house. She came out a moment later, but this time she looked at Luo Ning Shuang with a cold expression and said, "Master said that since Miss Luo is so affectionate towards my little princess, so concerned and worried about her, and so afraid that my little princess will lose face, then you can go and fight in her place. Anyway, you look exactly alike, and as long as you don't say anything, that princess won't be able to tell the difference."
Luo Ningshuang was instantly stunned. Mu Yunhe... how could he treat her like this?!
227. A wise, gentle, and good man! He shot himself in the foot!
Updated: 2013-08-03 10:51:23 Word Count: 7923
Luo Ningshuang was about to make a scene, but the wet nurse came out with a set of clothes on her face with a gloomy expression. She said to Luo Ningshuang with a mocking and contemptuous look, "The young prince has ordered that Miss Luo change into the eldest young lady's clothes and go out to fight on her behalf. No matter who wins or loses, the young prince will not care."
"Why?!" Luo Ningshuang was truly dumbfounded. She exclaimed, she was furious, she was filled with despair. Why was this once gentle and refined man so cold and heartless today? Why did this man become so unreasonable and crazy whenever it involved Luo Zhiheng?
"Why? Just because you have the exact same face as our young lady? Is that reason enough?" the nanny said coldly.
Luo Ningshuang was somewhat wary of her wet nurse, but she wouldn't give up on upholding her dignity and rights at this moment. She stated bluntly, "No! I don't believe the young prince would do such a thing. How could such an absurd thing be an order from the young prince? The young prince wouldn't treat me like this just because I look like my sister. This is forcing someone to do something they don't understand. I'm not as strong or skilled in martial arts as my sister. If I went into battle, I would quickly be exposed. This would only make the princess of the Western Barbarian Kingdom think that we don't respect her and that we are deceiving her, which would further escalate the conflict between the two countries! With the young prince's wisdom, he wouldn't have overlooked this. So this definitely wasn't the young prince's intention."
At the crucial moment, Luo Ningshuang's rationality and intellect also performed exceptionally well. As expected of a woman who has lived two lives, her analysis was naturally very logical and insightful.
The wet nurse looked at her with contempt and coldness, and said without any politeness, "Why are you so adamant that it wasn't the young prince's order? Do you think you know the young prince well? What are you doing here shouting? Everyone in the palace knows that the young lady is still unconscious, and no one has come to report what happened earlier, because they all know that the young lady will definitely not go into battle today. So why did you come? What are you up to! Don't tell me you don't know that the young lady is seriously injured and unconscious. You'd better not say such a joke, it will only humiliate you."
Luo Ningshuang was so angry she almost cursed her wet nurse as a treacherous scoundrel! But she suppressed her anger and said with a sorrowful expression, "I really didn't mean anything by it. I only came to remind my sister and the young prince that the princess from the Western Barbarian Kingdom is too arrogant and said such awful things. My sister will be very angry when she finds out and will definitely not let her off. She is also provoking the Mu Dynasty, and the young prince will definitely not ignore it."
"Are you trying to read my mind?" Mu Yunhe's voice, devoid of emotion, suddenly came from inside the room; it was cold and gloomy.
Luo Ningshuang's eyes lit up. She never knew that one day even hearing Mu Yunhe's voice would make her heart race. Concealing her joy, she quickly said in a soft, sweet voice, "Your Highness, please understand. I was just being impulsive in my haste. I truly had no intention of offending you. It's just that the relationship between the Western Barbarian Kingdom and our Mu Dynasty is already tense. That Barbarian princess keeps provoking and shouting. If you don't go out to fight, wouldn't that be a disgrace to the Mu Dynasty? I really don't want to see that happen. Every citizen of the Mu Dynasty should do their part for their country."
"Then why must it be Aheng who has to make the effort, and you can't? Wasn't Aheng's effort on the field enough? What were you doing at that time? You couldn't help at all, you were just watching the show from the sidelines, weren't you? Since you have such a strong sense of national honor and mission, and are so patriotic, then why don't you refuse to take Aheng's place in the battle to uphold the dignity and national dignity of the Mu Dynasty? Luo Ningshuang, are you truly patriotic, or do you love yourself more?" Mu Yunhe's sarcastic words drifted over, carrying a strong sense of contempt and coldness.
Mu Yunhe ruthlessly pushed Luo Ningshuang into a desperate situation.
If she agrees, she will have to go into battle, which will put her life in danger. If she doesn't agree, she will probably not get any benefits from Mu Yunhe, and Mu Yunhe will think she is hypocritical.
For the first time, Luo Ningshuang felt like she had shot herself in the foot, leaving her in pain and embarrassment, and now in a dilemma.
Just as Luo Ningshuang hesitated, caught in a dilemma, Mu Yunhe's impatient voice rang out, giving her no room to maneuver as he directly commanded, "Didn't you keep saying it was for your sister? Didn't you say you cared a lot about your sister? Then, for your sister's sake, for the dignity of the Mu Dynasty, go out and fight in her place. As long as you don't say a word, just casually deal with that Western Barbarian princess a couple of times, and no one will notice. I don't care about victory or defeat, as long as you uphold the honor of the Mu Dynasty. Go, and don't disappoint me."
The words, brooking no refusal or resistance, pushed Luo Ning Shuang to the brink of collapse. She cried out in panic, "No, Your Highness! I'm not skilled in martial arts! If I go out, I'll be exposed, and won't that just embarrass my sister?"
"Hmph! Ah Heng is seriously injured and can no longer fight. You don't need to be stubborn. Just give it a try. But..." Mu Yunhe's cold voice paused here, then suddenly became elusive and dangerous: "If you dare to let Ah Heng deliberately embarrass herself or deliberately expose yourself to be discovered, I will never forgive you! Wet nurse, take her down to prepare."
Mu Yunhe was extremely cold and sinister, never showing his face from beginning to end, but his decision was ruthless to the extreme.
Such a gentle man, naive to the ways of the world, indifferent to all worldly affairs, for whom intrigue and scheming were nothing but fleeting clouds, never leaving a trace in his clean and clear eyes. But no one knew that beneath his seemingly calm and clear surface lurked the most ferocious and brutal beast.
He is the most ruthless one! He can elevate those he loves to heaven, and cast those he despises into hell. A single thought can make all the difference; it all depends on his whim.
Luo Zhiheng is undoubtedly in heaven, while Luo Ningshuang is in hell.
Fate is unchangeable. Luo Ningshuang foolishly tried to defy fate and schemed and plotted with great difficulty, but in the end, those with good fortune will turn danger into safety and misfortune into good fortune, no matter how dangerous the situation they are in.
Luo Ningshuang was led away, feeling resentful and resistant, but mostly filled with fear. For some reason, she was terrified of Mu Yunhe, whom she had never met before. Mu Yunhe possessed a mysterious veil that made him both radiant and unfathomable, and the more she tried to uncover it, the more she became captivated and unable to extricate herself. She was awestruck and attracted by Mu Yunhe's mystery and the power hidden beneath his seemingly weak exterior.
Inside the room, Luo Zhiheng lay on the bed, her face deathly pale. Gone was her usual lively, playful, and cunning expression. She lay there quietly, her breathing barely perceptible, making one think that a corpse was lying in front of her.
Mu Yunhe's dark blue robe was already soaked with cold sweat. The thin brocade clung to his body, perfectly showcasing his slender figure from head to toe, outlining it breathtakingly! He lay on his side next to Luo Zhiheng, his chest slightly open, revealing his delicate collarbone, his black hair alluring, and his dark pupils revealing no emotion. He just stared at Luo Zhiheng with infatuation, exuding a deadly languor and seductive charm.
Lady Huoyun was once again dazzled by Mu Yunhe's breathtaking beauty. She sighed inwardly at his enchanting appearance, yet couldn't help but sit aside and observe this unfathomable young prince.
At first glance, his fragility and pallor evoked pity and regret. At second glance, his resolute madness filled one with horror and melancholy. And yesterday, his ruthlessness and nobility were both unfathomable and awe-inspiring.
This man seemed to change every day, each change enough to drive everyone crazy, yet he also seemed unchanged, because the way he looked at Luo Zhiheng remained the same—clean, clear, and fervent. Perhaps there was a change, though: his gaze towards Luo Zhiheng grew brighter and more tender, his eyes following her intently, sparing her even a glance.
Sighing at the coldness and warmth of human relationships, I vaguely thought of King Shi. We are all human, yet true love falls unfairly and selectively upon people. Some can withstand the tests of true love, the trials of various hardships, misunderstandings, and gossip, like Mu Yunhe and Luo Zhiheng.
Seeing Luo Zhiheng in such a disheveled state, her innocence clearly in jeopardy, Mu Yunhe, despite his own pain, torment, and despair, still held her tightly, refusing to leave her side. Even with the pressure from his mother and the constraints of societal norms, he remained steadfast in his commitment to Luo Zhiheng; wherever she was, he was willing to be there. This affection likely transcends ordinary love. Because of his unwavering devotion and compassionate protection, Mu Yunhe will ultimately achieve the most beautiful outcome. One can imagine how overjoyed Mu Yunhe will be on the day the King allows the truth to be revealed.
Despite the same tests of love, King Se's emotional journey was fraught with difficulties. He stumbled and fell along the way, and what was meant for him did not come to him. As the years passed, the wounds of love seemed to fade, but in reality, they had formed thick scars in his heart that no one could see. King Se suffered in the darkness and was lonely in the world.
The road of love is full of ups and downs, so Mu Yunhe can still protect Luo Zhiheng, and Luo Zhiheng can still protect Mu Yunhe. Isn't this a simple kind of happiness for two people like this? Even though they are covered in wounds, they still rely on each other.
"Am I good-looking?" This was the calmest of the few words Mu Yunhe spoke to Lady Huoyun.
What did Mu Yunhe say before?
You don't need to heal her, you must heal her. If her arm is crippled, I'll cut you off. Why aren't you awake yet? If you don't wake up, I'll kill you...
These words were uttered by Mu Yunhe intermittently after Luo Zhiheng fell into a coma. Each sentence was filled with a storm of malevolence and rage, hysteria, and despair.
Lady Huoyun smiled faintly and said, "You are very beautiful." Her attitude was not distant, but it was respectful enough.
Yes, respect!
Now, anyone who knows Mu Yunhe and has even a little understanding of the Divination Palace would dare not respect him. I'm afraid no one with a clear head would dare to treat Mu Yunhe with the same respect one would show to a noble or royal family member.
Mu Yunhe slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth, seemingly smiling, but it was unpredictable. Just as Madam Huoyun was also trying to figure out Mu Yunhe's personality and was dealing with him cautiously, Mu Yunhe suddenly said in a low voice, "Thank you."
Lady Huoyun was taken aback and quickly sat up straight. An old man actually said to Mu Yunhe respectfully, "Your Excellency is too kind. It is my responsibility to do my best to treat the little princess. There is no need for you to thank me."
Lady Huoyun was secretly shocked. Mu Yunhe, such a great figure with an extremely noble and hidden identity, could easily thank people even after his identity was made public and he was able to look down on all the countries in the world. This completely overturned Lady Huoyun's thinking and made her feel uneasy and restrained. She could accept thanks from others, but she dared not accept thanks from this person so easily.
Mu Yunhe gently stroked Luo Zhiheng's cheek. It was delicate and warm. Although she was pale, the warmth made his cold heart feel warm. So he slightly raised the corners of his tightly pursed lips and said in a cold voice, "You have taken good care of her. You deserve it."
Lady Huoyun dared not utter another word, but in her heart, a raging storm was brewing.
He was truly thanking Luo Zhiheng! For a dignified high priest to be willing to lower himself for a mortal woman shows how important Luo Zhiheng is to Mu Yunhe! Luo Zhiheng is so lucky to have stumbled upon such a wonderful opportunity, a dragon meat pie at that.
“Aheng’s left hand…” Mu Yunhe’s cold voice suddenly stopped.
Madam Huoyun understood and quickly replied respectfully, "Your Excellency, rest assured, the little princess's left hand is completely fine and will not be crippled. With careful care, she will be fully recovered within a month."
"Well, don't tell anyone yet." Mu Yunhe nodded indifferently, then suddenly raised his eyelids to look at her and said, "Don't even tell the King."
"I will obey Your Majesty's orders." Madam Huoyun quickly lowered her eyelids, not daring to look directly at Mu Yunhe's face, and said respectfully.
Lady Huoyun understood Mu Yunhe's meaning. Luo Zhiheng was currently in the eye of the storm. Sometimes, being too outstanding could be a sin; good fortune might be followed by misfortune. Luo Zhiheng possessed formidable strength, seemingly proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and her dance was truly breathtaking.
She was also the most talented woman in the land this year, offending princesses and nobles from various countries. Although Mu Yunhe's identity was now public, there were certainly people trying their best to prevent and conceal it. It was likely that, apart from a very few people, most nobles still didn't know Mu Yunhe's true identity. To avoid future troubles for Luo Zhiheng, Mu Yunhe was now creating a sense of incompleteness in people's minds. In this way, jealousy would decrease, and trouble would naturally follow.
Furthermore, if outsiders were to see the nude photos of her arm, it would be disastrous. Even if Princess Aman's challenge today was arranged by the two of them yesterday, Princess Aman would be seen as unreasonable. Because Luo Zhiheng is currently seriously injured and unconscious, such an inhumane challenge would be seen as a provocation, unreasonable and illogical. Even if Luo Zhiheng doesn't fight, Mu Yunhe will have a reasoned argument, the power to silence public opinion, and will be in an invincible position. This way, Luo Zhiheng's reputation is protected, and the dignity of the Mu Dynasty is upheld—a win-win situation.
This alone demonstrates Mu Yunhe's immense wisdom, making him no less capable than those seasoned veterans who have spent years navigating the power struggles. Mu Yunhe's meticulous planning and flawless execution make him undeniably mysterious and alluring.
Lady Huoyun suddenly gave a mocking laugh. Everything was so flawless, yet Luo Ningshuang, that fool, dared to come to our doorstep. Mu Yunhe cleverly pulled Luo Ningshuang, who had come to our doorstep, into the battlefield, showing no regard for the fact that Luo Ningshuang was Luo Zhiheng's younger sister. He watched helplessly as Luo Ningshuang was sent to her death and humiliation.
Mu Yunhe knew perfectly well that Luo Ningshuang was weak, and that she had previously vomited blood and fainted, yet he still showed no mercy to her. This showed the extent of his disgust for Luo Ningshuang, and it also showed that Mu Yunhe probably couldn't care less about anyone else besides Luo Zhiheng.
Suddenly, Luo Ningshuang's noisy voice came from outside the door. Madam Huoyun clearly saw Mu Yunhe's usually calm and composed brows furrow slightly. Luo Zhiheng also seemed startled by the noise, her whole body jerking as if disturbed from a deep sleep. Mu Yunhe's face instantly darkened. Although his large hand was gently patting Luo Zhiheng's body, his cold voice rang out: "Get her out of here!"
The noise outside the door suddenly quieted down, followed by a short exclamation from Luo Ningshuang, and then the courtyard returned to an eerie silence.
Mu Yunhe gently lay down in front of Luo Zhiheng, their breaths mingling. Seeing that Luo Zhiheng's delicate brows were furrowed with unease, Mu Yunhe's eyes held an unfathomable gloom. He gently raised his hand and lightly smoothed away the unease between her brows, coaxing her in a tender tone, "Aheng, be good, it's alright, go to sleep."
In the quiet room, a rich, sweet fragrance seemed to flow through it instantly. Dreamlike bubbles rose up and surrounded the two, enveloping the stunningly beautiful couple in a beautiful, unreal way.
Luo Zhiheng, still half-asleep, relaxed her brow but didn't open her eyes, muttering something like, "Little Hehe..."
Lady Huoyun suppressed a smile that barely formed on her lips before it instantly turned to shock. All because…
Mu Yunhe's gloomy and handsome face instantly brightened because of that incongruous address. His profile was extremely three-dimensional, with deep contours and narrow eyes. The tightly pursed lips beneath his high nose bridge slowly turned up, and even his voice was pleasant and clear: "Yes, I'm here. Ah Heng, sleep well, I'll stay with you."
It was utterly shocking! At that moment, even Lady Huoyun's aged heart seemed to be rekindled with a longing for love. Was love truly so magical? Could it make such a noble man so enraged and delighted by a single word from his beloved?
Mu Yunhe seemed to have forgotten the existence of Lady Huoyun, and kissed Luo Zhiheng's cheeks aimlessly. The light kisses landed on her forehead, the corners of her eyes, her eyebrows, and the bridge of her nose with care, tenderness, and meticulousness.
Lady Huoyun was instantly uneasy and awkwardly looked away, but her opinion of Luo Zhiheng underwent a complete change.
Mu Yunhe said that Luo Zhiheng was his bottom line, and now it seems that this is indeed true. It's just that from now on, the problem won't be avoiding offending Mu Yunhe, but rather avoiding offending Luo Zhiheng!