"Watch out!" Luo Zhiheng reacted quickly, stepping aside and stepping in front of Sun Yunyun's forehead. The two of them crashed into the carriage almost at the same time, but Luo Zhiheng's leg was hit while Sun Yunyun's head was hit. However, thanks to Luo Zhiheng's leg, Sun Yunyun was not disfigured or even injured. But Luo Zhiheng groaned, clearly in pain from the impact.
"Aheng!" Mu Yunhe's voice was urgent and brief as he pulled Luo Zhiheng into his arms, then burst into fury: "Are you stupid? Doesn't it hurt? Huoyun! Tell Huoyun to come here right now."
Amidst the chaos, it was alright if the young prince was angry, but if the young princess was injured and the young prince became angry again, then things would be in serious trouble.
"Lord Luo..." Sun Yunyun stared blankly at Luo Zhiheng, whose face had turned pale with pain. She didn't know what to feel; her heart was pounding wildly, sometimes sad, sometimes nervous, and sometimes filled with sweetness. 17281768
Young Master Luo was actually willing to get hurt for her! Young Master Luo just protected her! Does this mean that Young Master Luo doesn't actually dislike her? Thinking this, Sun Yunyun felt that her months of longing had finally paid off, that her efforts hadn't been one-sided. She blushed, her heart pounded, and she was filled with shyness.
The culprit standing to the side, far from feeling any remorse, instead sneered, "It was just a bump, what's the big deal? She's being too dramatic."
"How dare you speak like that? How can you be so unreasonable? You bumped into me first, and now that you've injured me, you don't apologize and dare to be so unrepentant? Your Li family certainly has good upbringing!" Sun Yunyun was usually indifferent when she wasn't facing Luo Zhiheng, but now that she was angry, she naturally didn't have a good attitude towards the person in front of her.
The person in front of them was none other than Li Xian'er, who had returned from the Southern Dynasty ahead of schedule!
The town of Lijiaxiang was in a state of chaos because of Mu Yunhe's identity, so who had the time to discipline Li Xian'er? At this moment, Li Xian'er actually dared to appear openly in front of Luo Zhiheng and Mu Yunhe. Apart from saying that she was ignorant and fearless, only the word "idiot" could be used to describe her.
Unaware of her own shortcomings, she recklessly charged forward. Looking at the indignant Sun Yunyun with disdain, she said, "So what if I bumped into you? Who told you to block my way? I need to see my cousin, and you, ungrateful and lacking any sense of propriety, just stood there. Who else should I bump into? Besides, Luo Zhiheng, she was the one who came forward and took that hit for you. Don't try to pin my mistakes on me. I'm not someone to be trifled with!"
Hearing that Li Xian'er had done something wrong, the crowd not only showed no remorse but also acted with righteous indignation, pointing and gossiping about her, offering various forms of ridicule. But for some reason, Li Xian'er didn't care at all. Instead, she looked at Mu Yunhe with fervent eyes, her gaze so intense it could melt anyone. Shamelessly, she used her actions to tell everyone how much she loved Mu Yunhe.
"You! Li Xian'er, do you even have any self-awareness? Is your face made of shoe soles?" Luo Zhiheng, who was being protected in Mu Yunhe's arms, laughed coldly.
Madam Huoyun was carefully examining her. Mu Yunhe was covered in a chilling aura that even standing in the sunlight couldn't dispel. Everyone was terrified. Those who knew that Mu Yunhe deeply loved Luo Zhiheng and would kill for her looked at Li Xian'er with the eyes of someone looking at a dead person.
Only Li Xian'er remained completely unaware of the monstrous disaster she had committed. Instead, she looked at Mu Yunhe with a pitiful expression. She was already beautiful, and now, with her aggrieved look, she was indeed quite pitiful. It was just a pity she had chosen the wrong person.
If this person is Mu Yunhe, then it proves that her painstaking efforts have been completely in vain. A single misstep can ruin everything.
"Cousin, I really didn't mean to. I didn't bump into Sun Yunyun on purpose either. It's just that I was so happy to see you, cousin, that I couldn't help myself for a moment," Li Xian'er said softly, looking at Mu Yunhe with admiration and shyness.
She wasn't unaware that Mu Yunhe disliked her, but it was all because of Luo Zhiheng's interference and Luo Ningshuang's foolishness that she had ended up in this situation. However, she considered herself extremely clever; she didn't need to worry about others. She could do it herself, and she would fight for what she wanted. She refused to believe that with her beauty and her feelings for Mu Yunhe, he wouldn't be moved. Once she moved him, coupled with her status and position, replacing Luo Zhiheng would be only a matter of time.
So she wasn't in a hurry. All she needed to do now was win Mu Yunhe's heart. Wasn't it said that pursuing a woman was like climbing a mountain, while pursuing a man was like piercing a thin veil? Well, she'd give it a try; one day she'd win Mu Yunhe's heart. Such an outstanding man—only she, Li Xian'er, was worthy of him. Ever since witnessing Mu Yunhe's immense power and the respect and admiration he commanded in the Southern Dynasty, Li Xian'er had been practically obsessed, vowing to possess him!
She vowed that if she could not have Mu Yunhe, and could not marry Mu Yunhe, she would not be human!
Mu Yunhe remained calm, as if he hadn't heard Li Xian'er's words at all. However, his gaze was even colder, his aura stronger, and his coldness was almost radiating outwards. The people around him were already feeling their teeth chattering, but Li Xian'er was still staring blankly at him like an idiot.
Luo Zhiheng chuckled, her gaze cold and her words sharp and sarcastic: "Cousin? You wouldn't be so carried away that you don't even recognize who your cousin is, would you? Mu Yunhe isn't your cousin, and given your status, you're not qualified to call Mu Yunhe cousin! However, your cousin is indeed in this group, but he's at the back. Isn't Mu Yunjin your cousin? Go find him at the back. Don't make a fool of yourself by randomly claiming relatives here."
A burst of laughter suddenly erupted from the onlookers; secrets couldn't be kept in the capital. They all knew the true nature of Li Xian'er and Mu Yunhe's relationship. This only made them find Princess Luo Zhiheng even more intriguing.
Li Xian'er was from Consort Li's maternal family, and by rights, she was Mu Yunjin's cousin; the two of them were legitimate cousins. However, Li Xian'er addressed him so affectionately as "cousin-ge," but it wasn't her actual cousin. What's even more ridiculous is that her real cousin was right there in the group. This is certainly intriguing.
Seeing everyone laughing at her, and with Luo Zhiheng's open mockery, Li Xian'er felt she had lost face and hated Luo Zhiheng even more. She raised her head and sneered, "You're wrong! The Mu Dynasty has always been about benevolence, filial piety, and etiquette. Although I am Mu Yunjin's cousin, my aunt is the concubine of Prince Mu. My aunt is, after all, the young prince's elder. We are relatives. What's wrong with me calling the young prince 'cousin'? Why do you, Luo Zhiheng, criticize me like this? Your words are full of hidden barbs; you're clearly trying to smear me and sow discord between me and your two cousins. You have the most poisonous heart of a woman!"
Li Xian'er spoke with conviction, yet her words carried a hint of girlish fragility and grievance. After she finished speaking, she looked at Mu Yunhe, her eyes reddening. She truly appeared as if she had suffered a tremendous injustice.
The tide of public opinion shifted slightly. The common people, being the most honest and straightforward, were unaware of the court's stance or Mu Yunhe's divine status; they simply sided with whoever seemed right. Now, hearing Li Xian'er's words, they felt that Luo Zhiheng was stirring up trouble, slandering and bullying Miss Li. In an instant, the discussion about Luo Zhiheng returned.
Luo Zhiheng hadn't felt like she was being talked about in a long time. She sighed inwardly; the Mu Dynasty truly was a battlefield—no smoke of war or bloodshed visible, yet enough to leave one without a burial place. Just these whispers and gossips were enough to leave her speechless. But fortunately, she was Luo Zhiheng—strong-willed, thick-skinned, and with Mu Yunhe as her unyielding shield, she wasn't afraid.
Seeing that the usually eloquent Luo Zhiheng was rendered speechless by her arguments, Li Xian'er felt a surge of secret pleasure. She thought smugly, "Hmph, it's not just you, Luo Zhiheng, who can be so eloquent! Li Xian'er can be too!"
"Is a woman's heart the most poisonous? Tsk tsk, Miss Li, you really are an eye-opener. In terms of relationship, shouldn't you and Mu Yunjin be the closest? Yet you're happily clinging to Mu Yunhe. Since you already know that Mu Yunhe is returning to the capital today, then you should know that Mu Yunjin is also returning with him. Why do you only call him Mu Yunhe and not Mu Yunjin? Don't you know that Mu Yunjin is currently seriously injured and on the verge of death?" Luo Zhiheng's casual voice carried a calming power.
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone was shocked, and their gazes toward Li Xian'er were filled with disdain and contempt.
No wonder the Princess Consort dislikes Li Xian'er so much; the interest rate she's charging is outrageous! Her own cousin is on his deathbed, and she's still just infatuated? What kind of upbringing does the Li family have?
Li Xian'er's face paled slightly. She wanted to speak up and explain, but Luo Zhiheng didn't give her the chance.
Luo Zhiheng pressed on, "Since you're so enthusiastic and reasonable, why are you so cold to your own cousin, who's directly related to you by blood? Or are you actually worried that Mu Yunjin is dying, so you've set your sights on Mu Yunhe, who's already recovered? Do you think this is a tradition in your Li family—taking advantage of the good and kicking the bad aside? Abandoning family for profit and then throwing yourself at someone you don't even like?"
Luo Zhiheng's words were undeniably venomous! They utterly crushed an individual and even an entire family in just a few words, branding the Li family as hypocritical, opportunistic, shameless, and despicable.
Luo Zhiheng chuckled inwardly, thinking of it as a gift she was giving to the Li family upon her return.
Luo Zhiheng then exclaimed in surprise, seemingly casually, "I remember, Miss Li Xian'er, you are the only candidate for Mu Yunjin's fiancée! With your dual identity, shouldn't you be concerned about Mu Yunjin first?"
With a deafening roar, a chorus of accusations and sighs erupted from the crowd, their contempt for Li Xian'er reaching its lowest point. Li Xian'er, who had previously thought herself quite remarkable, was suddenly stunned. She couldn't understand how she had seemingly been led into another trap by Luo Zhiheng.
Second update! Hooray! That's all for today's update. I'll keep working hard tomorrow. Still asking for recommendation votes, comments, and monthly tickets! Hua Sha can finally go out on the street! Haha, so happy! Five months of being cooped up at home... it was so tough.
330 He brought shame upon himself and knelt down!
Updated: 2013-09-16 22:05:54 Word Count: 4562
Li Xian'er was more than just led into a trap by Luo Zhiheng. Luo Zhiheng is the kind of person who can lead people by the nose, making them involuntarily follow her rhythm. If she doesn't want to, no one can dictate her train of thought.
"Luo Zhiheng, stop spouting nonsense! Cousin Yun Jin has always been on the battlefield, protecting our country. How could he possibly be here as you claim? Cousin Yun Jin is a soldier, a very responsible person. He fought bravely for us on the battlefield. How could someone like that be so unruly as to come back without permission?" Seeing everyone criticizing her, Li Xian'er panicked and spoke with a stubborn and anxious tone.
She didn't actually know if Mu Yunjin was here, but she was certain he wouldn't be. Although she didn't understand battlefield affairs, she knew some military rules. How could a young general like Mu Yunjin return so easily? Their Li family were high-ranking officials in the court; their families would definitely know about military matters beforehand. If Mu Yunjin were to return, she would certainly know. But now she didn't know Mu Yunjin was back, which proved that Luo Zhiheng was lying.
It must be Luo Zhiheng lying on purpose to embarrass her and slander her. This woman is always so despicable and vile; what kind of lie wouldn't she tell? She won't fall for it!
Li Xian'er said with a pained expression, "Luo Zhiheng, I know you're unwilling to accept this. You want to hurt me, you want to use Cousin Yun Jin to provoke me, don't you? Even if we've had our disagreements, why don't you take them out on me? Why hurt innocent Cousin Yun Jin? He's like your father, serving his country on the battlefield. Your words are tantamount to saying that Cousin Yun Jin didn't return from his post and left the camp without permission. You're trying to kill Cousin Yun Jin! How could you be so vicious?"
Li Xian'er's performance was so excellent that it was incredibly infectious. She was also secretly delighted. Looking at Luo Zhiheng's cold face, she completely assumed Luo Zhiheng was just putting on a brave face. Pretending to be a righteous person? Li Xian'er could do that too!
Seeing that Li Xian'er spoke so confidently and frankly, everyone suddenly felt that her words made a lot of sense.
How could a young hero like Mu Yunjin return so easily? The battlefield isn't a civilian's home; you can't just come and go as you please. People looked at Luo Zhiheng with reproach, feeling she had been too willful, that she must have done this to deal with Li Xian'er. How could she joke about a soldier's honor, using it as a bargaining chip for spite? It was outrageous.
Luo Zhiheng remained calm in the face of the accusations, sarcasm, and contempt from the crowd. As she said before, what might be devastating to others was utter nonsense to Luo Zhiheng, who lived a life of constant danger, challenging humanity and becoming ruthless in the pursuit of survival! Utter rubbish!
No one should try to use the so-called power of public opinion to attack or even harm her!
She stood beside the aloof Mu Yunhe, her tall figure ramrod straight, her face radiating heroic spirit. Her sharply angled eyebrows almost hinted at a smile, and her delicate lips held a touch of defiance and stubborn defiance: "I'm not lying! Mu Yunjin is in this group, he is! You're the one lying!"
Li Xian'er's eyes lit up, because Luo Zhiheng's words were extremely suspicious. Luo Zhiheng was always calm and confident; when had she ever spoken in such a tone? Perhaps Luo Zhiheng was just putting on a brave face but being weak inside? 1.1
Li Xian'er felt she was right; Mu Yunjin couldn't possibly be here. Luo Zhiheng was only feigning composure because her lie had been exposed! Excited, she feigned grief and accused, "Luo Zhiheng, why would you slander a soldier who serves the country like this? Mu Yunjin is your husband's older brother. How can you defame your brother-in-law in front of your husband? Don't you think you're despicable? Besides, he's not here. Why did you have to lie? How can someone with such character be a princess?"
A hint of fierceness flashed across Mu Yunhe's brows. Just as he was about to speak, Luo Zhiheng subtly grasped his hand.
Luo Zhiheng's face clearly showed anger, along with a hint of embarrassment and rage. Her voice was slightly sharp as she said, "I'm not lying. Mu Yunjin is in our group. I didn't slander him! As his fiancée, how can you be so indifferent to him? What face do you have to stand here and speak so shamelessly? Fawning over other men? Aren't you afraid that your aunt and your cousin Yunjin will see you like this and call you a hypocrite?"
A hint of smugness flashed in Li Xian'er's eyes. She was convinced that Luo Zhiheng was all bark and no bite. She said even more firmly, "Hmph! My relationship with Cousin Yun Jin is naturally very good, so I know that Cousin Yun Jin is definitely not here. Don't even think about smearing my cousin."
"What if Mu Yunjin were here?" A glint of malice flashed in Luo Zhiheng's eyes, cold and mocking. On her face, however, she appeared outwardly strong but inwardly weak, even somewhat lacking in confidence.
Li Xian'er urged Chen Sheng to pursue, knowing she couldn't hold out much longer, so she raised her voice and said, "If Cousin Yun Jin is really here, I, Li Xian'er, am at your mercy! Hmph, but I firmly believe that Cousin Yun Jin is not here. I know my cousin best; he is the most responsible person."
"You really want me to do whatever I want with you? Fine, if Mu Yunjin is really here, then you'd better kneel down in front of me and kowtow three times, and curse yourself three times: 'I'm a vixen, I want to climb the social ladder, I'm vain, I abandoned my childhood sweetheart for a new love, I'm utterly shameless and promiscuous!' Li Xian'er, do you dare?" Luo Zhiheng's brow furrowed, her resentful and stubborn tone shifting to one of extreme provocation and arrogance. She looked at Li Xian'er with disdain, seemingly already picturing Li Xian'er wetting herself, tears streaming down her face, unable to accept the bet.
Luo Zhiheng portrayed a character as arrogant, domineering, and disdainful to the fullest extent, completely enraging the already easily angered Li Xian'er. 17357815
Without saying a word, Li Xian'er immediately shouted, "Fine! We'll do as you say! Do you think I, Li Xian'er, am someone you can easily scare? But if Mu Yunjin isn't here, hmph, then you'll have to say those words in public and kowtow to me to admit your mistake! Do you dare?"
"Dare! What wouldn't I, Luo Zhiheng, dare to do?" Luo Zhiheng's eyes blazed with fire, her tone melodious.
There was a palpable tension between the two women, a tension that seemed to be simmering.
A hint of sarcasm flashed across Mu Yunhe's lips as he lowered his eyes to look at Luo Zhiheng, his gaze filled with deep doting and indulgence.
A commotion arose in the crowd as Li Yufeng, son of the Li family, galloped in. He had been rushing for a long time, warning Li Xian'er not to stir up trouble at such a dangerous moment, but he was clearly too late. Li Xian'er had already gotten herself into even bigger trouble!
The family's decision was indeed correct. Upon learning that Li Xian'er had instigated Luo Ningshuang to target Luo Zhiheng while in the Southern Dynasty, the Li family wanted to abandon Li Xian'er, so they wouldn't tell her anything. The first person the Li family wanted to abandon was Consort Li. How could the Li family dare to have any connection with someone who was practically an irreconcilable enemy of Mu Yunhe? Therefore, Consort Li is now also isolated by the Li family, and the poor Consort Li is completely unaware of this.
Luo Zhiheng hardened her resolve, yet her smile grew even wider. She raised her voice, a hint of sarcasm in her tone, confident and expectant, saying, "This princess has always been kind, gentle, considerate, and generous; I would never do anything so cruel as to break up a loving couple. Since Li Xian'er claims to know and be certain that your cousin Yun Jin isn't here, then bring Mu Yun Jin up here and let them see if I, Luo Zhiheng, am just spouting nonsense!"
A moment of silence fell over the crowd, all eager to see who would ultimately prevail in this farce.
When the king's men stripped away and forcibly controlled Mu Yunjin's confidants, and carried Mu Yunjin out of the carriage, people's expressions went from astonishment to shock to realization, and then they burst into discussion.
Mu Yunjin was a young hero who had appeared before people since childhood. He was also known as the most handsome man in the Mu Dynasty, so naturally, many people had seen him. Therefore, as soon as he was brought out, people immediately recognized him as Mu Yunjin.
Although Mu Yunjin is now bruised and battered, and looks disheveled, his appearance remains unchanged. Upon closer inspection, it is undoubtedly Mu Yunjin himself!
In an instant, the place was filled with noise.
When Li Xian'er saw Mu Yunjin being carried in front of her, she was instantly stunned, her eyes wide with shock. She stared blankly, not knowing what to do, pointing at Mu Yunjin's face, which she had once deeply loved, but she couldn't utter a single word.
Only two questions echoed in her mind: How could this be? How could he be here?
Luo Zhiheng dropped her acting demeanor and reverted to her sharp and assertive self, pressing forward relentlessly with each question. Her voice was clear and beautiful, yet it carried a kind of fierce and pure spirit that few women possessed, sharp and forceful, striking directly at the heart: "Didn't you know your form? Didn't you grow up with Mu Yunjin? Wasn't you the wife your aunt had arranged for Mu Yunjin? Didn't you say unequivocally that this man wouldn't appear? What does that mean then? Is it proof of your infidelity? Is it evidence that you've stopped caring about this man? Or do you just enjoy slapping yourself in the face? Well, those slaps you gave each time were loud enough that I felt pain for you just listening to them."
Upon hearing this, Li Xian'er's face turned pale and then red, her astonished eyes finally turning into anger: "This is impossible! How could my cousin be here? And why is the club in such a state? It must be you, you vixen, who used some tricks again. How could you be so despicable!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Zhiheng sighed softly, rubbing her forehead in frustration. "What methods could I possibly use? Do you think I'm a god? How could I possibly know that you, Li Xian'er, would stop our car like a mad dog today? How could I possibly know that you would shamelessly call my husband, who has absolutely no connection to you, your cousin? Or would I possibly know that we have a bet here today that involves your cousin, and then bring your cousin here beforehand? Are you too naive, or have you been so crushed by harsh reality that you've lost your mind?"
"Me!" Li Xian'er was stunned by Luo Zhiheng's words and wanted to say something, but Luo Zhiheng did not give her the chance.
"Tell me if this person is your cousin Mu Yunjin or not," Luo Zhiheng asked, raising her eyebrows. The wicked smile in her eyes was so rampant that it made Li Xian'er feel both hatred and dread.
Knowing full well that there must be a conspiracy, Li Xian'er couldn't deny it, after all, Mu Yunjin wasn't the only one in his life.
With a forced smile and through gritted teeth, he said, "It's Cousin Yun Jin."
Luo Zhiheng clapped her hands and laughed loudly, "That's settled then. It's the real Mu Yunjin. If anyone doesn't believe it, they can come and verify it for themselves. Come on, I don't mind."
Some of the onlookers couldn't help but twitch their lips. You don't care, it's not you who's getting a medical checkup.
Mu Yunjin was still unconscious, but the commotion had woken him up. However, before he could even open his eyes, Luo Zhiheng's infuriating words nearly made him choke and suffocate. A fire of rage burned within Mu Yunjin, but he tensed his entire body and refused to open his eyes.
Without even looking, he knew he was being watched and gossiped about like a monkey. If he opened his eyes now, wouldn't he be faced with an embarrassing scene? However, he blamed it all on Luo Zhiheng. He had never felt so humiliated! Luo Zhiheng, we've really got a grudge now!
"Since you've already admitted that this is your dear cousin Yun Jin, why don't you kneel down, kowtow, and berate yourself?" Luo Zhiheng said with a smug smile, her lips curling into a seductive grin.
Li Xian'er's face was pale and ashen. She gritted her teeth and said, "Luo Zhiheng, don't push your luck!"
"Oh? Did I go too far? Who stopped our carriage? Who was it that brazenly called me a wicked person? And who was it that swore they were willing to bet? Now that they've lost, they say I'm going too far? You're such a sore loser. If that's the case, then why are you still showing off? Get as far away as you can and stop embarrassing yourself in front of others. You shameless bastard, okay?"
“I’m not an idle person like you. I have a large family to take care of, and I’m very busy. I can’t always patiently and gently teach you the most basic manners and morals when you lack upbringing. I also can’t always lecture you about the difference between humans and animals, can I? If a person wants to walk the path of humanity properly, they can’t always think about their animalistic nature. Over time, they will go astray and become animals instead of humans. That’s not good, is it?”
Luo Zhiheng, her pretty face resting on her hand, spoke earnestly and with heartfelt concern, but a wicked glint shone in her eyes. She had perfected the art of insulting without using vulgar language.
Li Xian'er trembled with rage, while the people around her joined in the jeering, urging her to kneel and utter those self-humiliating words. Li Xian'er was still unwilling to speak, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in her calf. She knelt down before Luo Zhiheng with a thud, wanting to curse in her shock and anger, but the words that came out were: "I'm a vixen, I want to climb the social ladder, I'm vain, I abandoned my childhood sweetheart for a new love, I'm utterly shameless and promiscuous." (The last sentence is a nonsensical, coded message.)
An eerie silence fell over the entire room!
That's all for today's update. The reason for the late and short update is explained in the pinned comment. Please forgive me, my darlings. Love you all, goodnight!