I Rely On The Collapse Of The Character Setting To Survive In The Hands Of The Male Lead Chapter 215

Chapter 215

“Your Highness!” Huo Luo rushed forward to block Chu Lishu, but the out-of-control Chu Lishu had regained almost full strength, making it impossible to stop him. Huo Luo was struck by a palm and coughed up blood.

Yue Chen immediately rushed forward. “Huo Luo, step aside, let me handle this!”

However, Huo Luo pushed Yue Chen away and shouted, “Don’t get close to His Highness, it’s dangerous!”

Watching the three of them rush out, Imperial Concubine Huang turned her head in confusion to the anxious Chief Steward Hai and asked, “His Highness? Yue Chen and Huo Luo called that person ‘His Highness’? Which one?”

Chief Steward Hai could only finish his task before leaving. He approached with a cup of poisoned wine. “Niangniang, it’s time to depart.”

“I will drink, but tell me, who is he?!” Imperial Concubine Huang suddenly became excited. She had a strange notion. Judging from Chu Lishu’s reactions just now, as well as Yue Chen and Huo Luo’s attitude towards him, could it be that Chu Lishu was…

Chief Steward Hai sighed and said, “As unbelievable as it sounds, just as Niangniang suspects. Please hurry, Niangniang. This servant is worried about the master and must follow to see.”

“Heh… Heh… Hahaha, it’s him, he’s back! Yuan Ran! It’s actually Yuan Ran! The Empress was right, Yuan Ran… won’t be easily defeated. Truly a child to be proud of, but it’s a pity he came from that despicable woman’s womb. Killing the birth mother for the foster mother, hehe… pitiful.”

Imperial Concubine Huang burst into hysterical laughter, tears streaming down her face. Then, suddenly awakening, she exclaimed, “Will he spare my son? Will he… will he? The Emperor wronged him, our Wang family harmed him, he surely won’t spare my son, will he?”

Chief Steward Hai straightforwardly said, “From what this servant knows, the body brought back as the Crown Prince’s is unidentifiable. I believe General Huo’s intent to kill doesn’t require such complications.”

Imperial Concubine Huang’s eyes flickered, but ultimately, she covered her face in shame. “Yuan Ran… no matter how much he changes, he’s still Yuan Ran. It’s a pity that tonight he’s been driven to despair once again.”

Taking the poisoned wine into her own hands, Imperial Concubine Huang drank it down. Setting aside the cup, she slowly returned to her couch, lying calmly, awaiting death.

“Chief Steward Hai, follow him well. You’ll have a better future.”

“I understand.”

Blood began to trickle from the corners of Imperial Concubine Huang’s mouth as she muttered softly.

“All those years ago, those people ruined the future of a promising ruler for their selfish desires, causing the deaths of so many. Later, they destroyed themselves in power struggles. Our Wang family deserves its fate, the Pei family deserves death, and the most despicable of all is the Cheng family. Holding the position of the Empress wasn’t enough; for power, they even killed their own eldest daughter and grandchild. But now, he’s back for revenge. Pei, Cheng, don’t get too cocky. I’ll go down first and wait… wait for you, my husband. I want to see how long you can hold onto things that aren’t yours. I’ll… count… for you.”

Imperial Concubine Huang gazed outside, suddenly feeling a pang of reluctance. She had once loved that child deeply, hoping her own son could be as brilliant as him. But this person, who should have enjoyed all the beauty of life, might not even experience happiness and joy in this lifetime.

…

Chu Lishu learned the truth about the deaths of the late Emperor and Empress, understood the actions of his birth mother, and realized that Yuan Ye was his half-brother. Under the weight of such revelations, he once again went mad, rushing out crazily and killing indiscriminately.

The Cold Palace was secluded, with few people around. For a while, no one noticed the presence of a murderous fiend within its walls.

When Chu Lishu’s inner energy was depleted and his body suffered backlash, he finally stopped.

By then, around fifty to sixty innocent eunuchs, palace maids, and guards had died by his hand, staining several palace corridors red with blood.

Huo Luo and Yue Chen, both heavily injured, caught up and hastily hid Chu Lishu away, diverting attention from themselves by claiming they had encountered an assassin.

The harem fell into chaos, and Chief Steward Ning was reinstated to lead the hunt for the assassin. Every palace was to be searched. Unable to return and covered in blood, Chu Lishu, already the prime suspect for Chief Steward Ning, stabbed himself just as he was about to be found. He fell unconscious in a pool of blood, the knife left in his abdomen.

Everyone believed Chu Lishu had also fallen victim to the assailant’s blade, miraculously surviving. Unable to find evidence, Chief Steward Ning had no choice but to let him go.

Thus, Chu Lishu had to recuperate once again, enduring the torment of his Tianxuan Pill episodes amidst his recovery.

Yue Chen and Huo Luo couldn’t bear to watch anymore, but Chu Lishu felt it was just right.

Sitting on the bed, he smiled coldly, “This pain is necessary. Without it, I cannot stay calm. The enemies are multiplying. I must find a way to retaliate.”

He slowly looked up, his eyes crazier and more paranoid than ever, sending shivers down one’s spine. He was utterly and completely insane.

He was laughing, yet it seemed like he was crying, tears of blood streaming slowly down his cheeks.

Lin Qingyang felt suffocated, wanting to call for help but unable to utter a sound. Wanting to approach and embrace him, but unable to move, as if he was just a bystander, a mere observer.

Chu Lishu, don’t be like this… Don’t be like this… I’m here!

Lin Qingyang jolted awake suddenly, still in the dimness of the bed curtains. He realized that everything that just happened was a dream, a nightmare inspired by the plot of the original work. Terrified, he reached out beside him, only to find it cold.

Panicked, Lin Qingyang opened his eyes and looked around. Where was Chu Lishu?

Just then, there was a noise at the door, and Lin Qingyang immediately spoke up, “Who’s there?”

“It’s… me.”

“Lishu where… where did you go?” Lin Qingyang exclaimed, hearing the unsteady footsteps approaching the bed. Soon, he could see the blurry figure of Chu Lishu standing by the bedside, taking off his outer garments.

Chu Lishu didn’t answer but climbed onto the bed directly, like a child slipping under the covers, and wrapped his arms around Lin Qingyang, who was half-sitting. Lin Qingyang couldn’t sustain Chu Lishu’s weight in such an awkward position. He seemed weak, relying entirely on Lin Qingyang’s body, and soon Lin Qingyang was pinned down on the bed.

Chu Lishu remained still, maintaining the posture of holding onto him, lying on top of him.

Lin Qingyang was momentarily stunned. “Lishu, are you okay?”

“I’m sorry, I… just heard news that… Imperial Concubine Huang is to be executed. I meant to wake you, but you were sleeping so soundly, so I didn’t disturb you… I went alone… Please don’t be mad at me, don’t blame me. I promise I’ll take you next time.”

Lin Qingyang was completely baffled now, his brain struggling to process.

Chu Lishu went to Imperial Concubine Huang’s plot alone?

There was no smell of blood, no signs of injury, and no commotion outside. Did that mean nothing bloody had happened afterward?

Was he okay?

Wait… His tone just now, why did it sound so strange, almost anxious?

Lin Qingyang was extremely puzzled. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a wetness on his shoulder.

Lin Qingyang trembled all over, his pupils shrinking. He hesitantly reached out and hugged Chu Lishu, only then realizing that Chu Lishu had been trembling faintly all along. It was a tremble that seemed to come from deep within his bones, uncontrollable.

Chu Lishu… was crying. He was crying silently.

Lin Qingyang’s heart was instantly torn apart, the pain unbearable. Feeling lost, he hugged Chu Lishu tighter, sensing the fragility of the person in his arms at this moment.

He ultimately faced the cruel truth alone, reopening wounds that were already festering, delving into how those wounds had formed.

Lin Qingyang didn’t know whether to curse the world or the original author. But at this moment, the only one he could blame was himself. Why did he sleep? He should have stayed awake until dawn, staying by Chu Lishu’s side.

Even if he couldn’t shield him from harm, at least he could face it together with him!

But then, he felt frustrated again. What good was it to accompany him? Besides holding him, Chu Lishu wouldn’t even speak a word of comfort. Any words seemed insignificant in the face of Chu Lishu’s experiences, even mocking.

Feeling the dampness on his shoulder spreading, Lin Qingyang felt like crying.

“Lishu, if there’s anything you want to tell me, just say it. I’m here to listen anytime,” Lin Qingyang said cautiously, afraid of doing anything that might worsen Chu Lishu’s mood.

Yet the room remained silent, and just when Lin Qingyang thought Chu Lishu wouldn’t respond…

Suddenly, Chu Lishu spoke in a hoarse voice, devoid of any anger. “I… am so tired.”

Lin Qingyang’s breath caught, and he pushed Chu Lishu gently to sit up. Lin Qingyang, accustomed to darkness, could now see a bit more clearly.

He grasped Chu Lishu’s shoulders and lifted his head, only to see that pale face.

There was no expression of sadness or pain, and the silent tears seemed like mere decorations, continuously falling from the corners of his eyes. His eyes were lifeless, staring ahead without focus, not even breathing heavily, as if he might stop breathing the next second.

His entire being… was filled with a sense of brokenness, as if no longer whole.

Lin Qingyang’s throat tightened, and he stared blankly, unable to utter a word.

Suddenly, as if awakening from a trance, Chu Lishu’s gaze focused on Lin Qingyang’s face. He slightly curved his lips, not even noticing that tears had slid into his mouth. It was as if he couldn’t taste the bitterness.

At that moment, Lin Qingyang felt like he heard something breaking.

“What’s wrong? Don’t worry about me. You know I’m just… not feeling well,” Chu Lishu said.

“Chu Lishu, let’s go.”

Suddenly, Lin Qingyang heard himself speaking, his brain not catching up as he interrupted Chu Lishu’s words, staring almost blankly at his face.

“What?” Chu Lishu looked puzzled.

Lin Qingyang gripped Chu Lishu’s hand, increasing the pressure as if he wanted to hold onto this person tightly, preventing him from shattering.

“Chu Lishu, I’ll take you away from here. We’ll leave all the grudges behind and start a new life. I swear, I’ll make you happy every day, I won’t let you cry or feel sad anymore. I swear, I’ll take care of you, protect you, and never let you suffer again. I’ll treasure you like the most precious treasure in the world, and I’ll make sure you live the simplest and happiest life, far away from all worries and sorrows.”

Lin Qingyang felt like an obsession was driving him to speak out his innermost thoughts. He became more and more excited as he spoke, emotions surging, his heart almost leaping out of his chest.

Chu Lishu shouldn’t have to live the life he’s living now, shouldn’t have to endure this kind of pain. He’s already Chu Lishu, not Yuan Ran. How many times has he just lain peacefully and gently by my side? Lin Qingyang has wished countless times to preserve that serene picture, thinking that if Chu Lishu were his little cousin, he would treat him well and protect him.

Without the prestigious identity of the Crown Prince comes the absence of its burdens and sorrows. Lin Qingyang is certain that Chu Lishu is not someone who covets power. If it weren’t for those resentments, he would certainly be willing to treat Chu Lishu as his little cousin.

Today, seeing Chu Lishu injured like this, seeing him in tears, seeing him broken, Lin Qingyang originally thought he could accept it calmly. After all, it was an inevitable development in the plot. But in that moment, he realized he couldn’t accept Chu Lishu like this. At that moment, he truly wanted to… escape with Chu Lishu.

“Chu Lishu, come with me.”

Chu Lishu’s tears seemed to pause as if someone pressed the pause button. His black eyes turned as pure as black pearls, reflecting Lin Qingyang’s sincere and caring expression.

In an instant, the empty void in Lin Qingyang’s heart seemed to be filled. His wandering soul returned to its original place, and the lingering sense of pain gradually subsided. Though he was just engulfed in darkness, knowing that Lin Qingyang was waiting for him, he followed the light and found his way. However, he didn’t expect that the light from Lin Qingyang’s location would illuminate everything around him.

The cold, darkness gradually receded… and the out-of-control consciousness he had forcibly suppressed also faded away.

Lin Qingyang’s head hadn’t yet recovered its composure when Chu Lishu suddenly fainted, startling him. He quickly embraced him and checked on him, only to find that Chu Lishu had fallen asleep.

As Lin Qingyang looked at his expression again, it was no longer as frightening as before; it gradually became peaceful.

After observing for a while, Lin Qingyang realized that Chu Lishu had indeed fallen into a deep sleep. He could only lay him down and hurriedly fetch some hot water to wash his face. As he wiped Chu Lishu’s face, Lin Qingyang’s rationality gradually returned, and he suddenly felt confused.

What did he just suggest to Chu Lishu?

How could he make such a proposal!

Has he gone mad? Ahhhhh!

Lin Qingyang immediately pounded the bed in frustration. He wasn’t going crazy; his brain had just crashed, overheated!

Assisting Chu Lishu in ascending the throne was his ultimate mission! Not completing it would mean death! What was he thinking, just for Chu Lishu’s tears, forgetting even his own ultimate dream of survival! How could he think of taking him away?!

It’s over! What if Chu Lishu wakes up and agrees? Then he can’t break his word, or it’ll cost him his life!

Lin Qingyang tidied up Chu Lishu, his mind in turmoil, he walked out in frustration, wanting some time alone. However, he found Huo Luo and Yue Chen sitting in the courtyard, with Yue Chen helping Huo Luo treat his wounds.

“What are you doing here? What’s going on?”

“It’s all because of this fool…” Yue Chen tapped Huo Luo. Huo Luo clicked his tongue but didn’t retort, then looked up at Lin Qingyang. “How is he?”

“He’s asleep. Did you bring him back?” Lin Qingyang asked as he approached.

Huo Luo and Yue Chen glanced at each other, then Yue Chen thought for a moment before saying, “We just went together to escort Imperial Concubine Huang’s final journey and explore some secrets along the way. But later… your cousin seemed to have an episode of his old illness, got a bit out of control, and Huo Luo was injured. Fortunately, it didn’t attract attention inside the palace, so we just followed the others back.”

Lin Qingyang was somewhat surprised. It seemed that Chu Lishu indeed had an episode of his illness just now, but surprisingly, it passed so easily. It appears that Chu Lishu has undergone significant changes in mentality compared to the original plot.

He was lost in thoought when Lin Qingyang suddenly noticed that Yue Chen and Huo Luo were both looking at him.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Qingyang awkwardly touched his face.

Yue Chen chuckled, “Nothing much, just thinking that from now on, we should bring you along in such situations.”

Earlier, when Huo Luo couldn’t handle Chu Lishu, Yue Chen had a sudden realization. Remembering their earlier conversation about why Lin Qingyang hadn’t been brought along, whether they still wanted to conceal their identities, Chu Lishu had said he didn’t intend to hide anything, and Lin Qingyang hadn’t pursued it further. It turned out Lin Qingyang had actually planned to accompany Chu Lishu, and Chu Lishu had agreed, but Lin Qingyang had slept too deeply before they left. Chu Lishu hadn’t wanted to wake him and had planned to explain the situation to him when they returned.

So Yue Chen shouted at the out-of-control Chu Lishu, “Chu Lishu, Lin Qingyang is waking up! If he wakes up and finds you’re not here, you’ll break your promise. He’ll be angry and suspect you deliberately left him out and kept secrets from him. Don’t you need to go back and explain to him?!”

This persuasion managed to gradually calm down the previously frenzied Chu Lishu, and he started heading back towards the Wenbo Pavilion.

At the time, Yue Chen had tried it as an experiment, but he hadn’t expected it to work so well. It seemed that Lin Qingyang’s importance in Chu Lishu’s heart was even greater than he had imagined.

Lin Qingyang smiled bitterly and said, “Yeah, he should have brought me along.”

“Had he said anything to you?” asked Huo Luo, concerned.

“He just mentioned feeling tired, probably worn out by his old illness. Maybe a good sleep will fix it,” sighed Lin Qingyang, sitting down with a troubled heart.

“It’s indeed… very exhausting,” sighed Yue Chen.

As they were speaking, Chief Steward Hai discreetly approached them. Seeing that they were all fine, he felt relieved and then informed them that Imperial Concubine Huang had left.

Yue Chen, seeing that Lin Qingyang didn’t inquire proactively, curiously asked, “Did Chu Lishu tell you about the news he learned from there?”

“He fell asleep before he could say anything,” Lin Qingyang replied, not daring to ask further.

Yue Chen pondered for a moment and then said, “Well then, I’ll tell you. We have some time anyway.”

Chu Lishu might not necessarily reveal his identity, but since he was willing to take Lin Qingyang with him, it indicated that he could tell Lin Qingyang everything he learned from Imperial Concubine Huang. Yue Chen was also thoughtful; he didn’t want Lin Qingyang to ask out of curiosity, as it would be like opening Chu Lishu’s wound to see inside. It was better to inform Lin Qingyang first.

Lin Qingyang didn’t stop Yue Chen’s well-intentioned gesture, but he listened absentmindedly. His mind was still preoccupied with the proposal he made to Chu Lishu earlier. When he suggested it, he was sincere, but he truly forgot about the fact that he would die.

As he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly jolted him, making him shiver. He looked up at Yue Chen in astonishment and asked, “What did you just say? How did the former emperor and empress die?”

“They were strangled to death with white silk by the current Empress Cheng and the Crown Princess Jing Rouyin,” Yue Chen said, shaking his head in disbelief as he spoke.

Lin Qingyang was dumbfounded. It was true, he was completely stunned. He remembered vividly from the original plot that it was Empress Cheng who drove her own sister to suicide.

Yes, Empress Cheng was responsible for her sister’s death. But there was a vast difference between forcing her to hang herself and strangling her to death.

Lin Qingyang slumped over the table, feeling utterly defeated. Chu Lishu must have felt so powerless at that moment. One was his birth mother, the other the woman he had chosen to marry.

Lin Qingyang felt a surge of sympathy for Jing Rouyin at first, but now, he couldn’t believe it. So, when she had her breakdown and confessed to killing someone, was she referring to former Empress? Did the male lead in the original story know about this? Did he later deal with Jing Rouyin to avenge the former Empress? Lin Qingyang couldn’t wrap his head around it anymore. After all, the original plot was just words, and he couldn’t determine the truth behind it.

Now, Lin Qingyang felt even more heartache for Chu Lishu.

Once they confirmed everything was fine, and dawn was approaching, Yue Chen and Huo Luo left.

Lin Qingyang returned to the room and saw Chu Lishu sleeping peacefully. Unable to resist, he lay down on the bed, facing him.

Chu Lishu seemed to sense the familiar presence and warmth, turning his body towards Lin Qingyang’s direction, like a vulnerable little creature seeking comfort.

Lin Qingyang’s arm instinctively wrapped around him as he gazed absentmindedly at Chu Lishu’s face. Unable to contain the emotions in his heart, he gently kissed Chu Lishu’s forehead, filled with tenderness and concern.

As Lin Qingyang slowly pulled away, he was startled to find that Chu Lishu had opened his eyes at some point.

Lin Qingyang’s body tensed up with a sudden sense of guilt. He hadn’t taken advantage of the situation, had he? His actions were just…

“Awake… you’re awake? About what I just…”

Chu Lishu blinked slowly, his black eyelashes fluttering like little fans. His eyes were filled with a hazy dampness, and as his gaze gradually focused, he smiled softly. “You’re here.”

Seeing him still half-asleep, Lin Qingyang’s heart rate immediately stabilized, feeling a sense of relief at not being caught doing something wrong.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Chu Lishu moved his neck as if finding relief from exhaustion, exuding a lazy demeanor all over. He even reached out to brush away the hair clinging to Lin Qingyang’s cheek. “Sorry to have worried you. I’m fine now.”

Lin Qingyang felt a tug at his heart, unable to resist his feelings any longer. He spoke up, “Do you remember what I said to you earlier?”

Chu Lishu’s movements froze, staring at him in astonishment. His eyes, crystal clear, focused on Lin Qingyang’s face, while a blush gradually tinted his cheeks. To Chu Lishu, those words were the most beautiful confession he had ever heard. How could he forget? He would remember them for eternity, etched into his soul and marrow.

Lin Qingyang took a deep breath. “My previous proposal stands. If you’re willing, we’ll leave.”

He would arrange everything for Chu Lishu, find a way to negotiate with the system to buy more time. There must be a way to find a balance. As long as Chu Lishu truly wanted to leave, he would make it happen. He couldn’t selfishly keep Chu Lishu here just to save his own life.

Lin Qingyang felt a surge of guilt, knowing that he didn’t want to die either. But the scales had already tipped, and he couldn’t bring himself to do something against his conscience.

Suddenly, Chu Lishu lifted his arm and took Lin Qingyang’s hand, gently kissing it.

Lost in his own thoughts, Lin Qingyang didn’t pay much attention to Chu Lishu’s gesture.

“Even though I’m exhausted, I have to see this through. Will you blame me for not leaving with you?”

Lin Qingyang was taken aback.

Chu Lishu’s eyes seemed to shine, as he said, “As long as you’re with me, it doesn’t matter how tired I am. As long as you’re by my side.”

Lin Qingyang closed his eyes slowly, feeling a pang of guilt. He realized he was hoping Chu Lishu would refuse because he wasn’t ready to die.

But…

“As long as it’s what you want to do, I’ll be with you. And if one day you’re tired and want to leave, I’ll be with you then too. I’ll keep my word.”

Chu Lishu raised an eyebrow, smiled gently, and wrapped an arm around Lin Qingyang, planting a tender kiss on his hair.

“Yeah, we made a promise.”

“Yeah, we did.”

If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of coffee for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!