Chapter 225
The Saintess also left a deep impression on Lin Qingyang among the male lead’s harem, making Lin Qingyang once believe that her presence could bring healing to the male lead who was thoroughly criticized. After all, her arrival this time unintentionally saved the male lead’s life. This makes her the first woman among many female characters to actively save the male lead.
Later, when the male lead dealt with Tianheng Country, the country couldn’t resist the invasion, she stepped forward to seek peace. The male lead directly proposed a political marriage, asking her to marry him. This was considered an insult to Tianheng Country,, especially since she was a saintess who should maintain her purity for life.
However, by that time, there was no turning back. The Saintess agreed to the request and entered the imperial harem of the Great Zhou Dynasty as a consort.
However, the Saintess didn’t expect the male lead to go back on his word. While he took her as his consort, he continued to deal with Tianheng Country, albeit in a more covert manner. When the Saintess became pregnant, she fell victim to an assassin from Tianheng Country and suffered a miscarriage. It was at this critical moment that she learned Tianheng Country had been destroyed, with millions of people slaughtered. The people of Tianheng Country hated her, feeling that she hadn’t fulfilled her duty to protect them. Instead, they believed she had evaded the disaster by defiling her own identity and enjoyed wealth and peace alone.
In the depths of despair, the Saintess couldn’t bear this reality and began to hemorrhage uncontrollably.
As the male lead came to see her for the last time, the Saintess’s eyes no longer held their former sanctity; instead, they were filled with hatred as she confronted him.
“Why do you hate me? Wasn’t it your own people whom you wanted to protect that tried to kill you? I merely told you a lie.” The male lead chuckled lightly and asked, “Do you still believe in the superficial reputation, adhering only to benevolence as the guiding principle? Acting in secrecy before revealing one’s intentions, does mere slander truly harm?”
That was what the Saintess had once said to Yuan Ran, urging him to let go of past hatred and govern the world with benevolence: “When will the cycle of revenge end? Put an end to warfare and bloodshed.”
The Saintess probably believed she could influence and reform this great demon. In the spirit of sacrificing herself to save others, she willingly came forward. However, she never expected to be dragged into hell, accompanying him to taste the bitterness of hatred together.
In the end, the Saintess died from coughing up blood, leaving many readers who thought of her as the perfect woman to bitterly criticize the author for lacking compassion. Until this point, readers understood that there would be no further plot twists. The author intended for the male lead to remain entirely corrupted, never to turn back. Not even a saintly figure like the Saintess could sway him in the slightest. Who else could heal the male lead now?
The Saintess possesses a Buddha nature, not just a superficial facade. She cares for all the people of the world, and even the misfortunes of innocent civilians in enemy nations weigh heavily on her. If she had encountered the original Crown Prince Yuan Ran, perhaps the two could have mutually appreciated each other. After all, at that time, Yuan Ran may have lacked a Buddha nature, but he possessed the heart of a benevolent ruler.
Unfortunately, she encountered the tyrant Yuan Ran, and her attempts to reform him sealed her tragic fate.
The convoy of Tianheng Country slowly moved through the bustling streets of the capital. In contrast to the border residents’ hatred towards Tianheng Country, the citizens of the capital, who had not experienced the ravages of war, were more curious than hostile towards them.
Both the front and rear of the procession were adorned with typical guards attire, with only a large white carriage in the middle drawing particular attention.
Within the carriage, a white-robed woman sat, her figure appearing faint and elusive beneath the drifting white veil.
The woman sat in the middle like a Bodhisattva, her posture elegant and dignified. However, her face was obscured by a special veil. The white mesh veil hung from her forehead to her chin, allowing only a vague glimpse of her beauty while leaving her full appearance to the imagination.
“I wonder if she’ll keep wearing the veil even after arriving at the palace,” Yue Chen remarked regretfully.
“That should be the outward symbol of the Saintess,” Chu Lishu replied, his gaze coldly scanning the entire procession. Suddenly, his eyes paused.
Lin Qingyang was also curious about what the number one beauty looked like. When he heard Chu Lishu suddenly exclaim, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Chu Lishu furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze involuntarily fixing on a person. “That person seems familiar.”
The person was a member of the Black Feather Guard, who were specially assigned as the Saintess’s protectors. They rode on horseback surrounding the carriage, wearing veiled hats similar to the Saintess’s, except theirs were black. Adorned with crow feathers on the sides, they covered most of their faces.
Yue Chen immediately became curious and scrutinized the person, but their face was not easily discernible, and they didn’t seem particularly remarkable. He wondered if it was someone the Crown Prince had encountered on the battlefield.
Lin Qingyang, of course, couldn’t recognize them. “We’ll get a closer look once we’re in the palace.”
As the procession moved further away, Chu Lishu also withdrew his gaze.
“Where’s Huo Luo?” Lin Qingyang asked, puzzled.
“Yeah, he’s responsible for guarding, so he should be at the back of the procession heading to the palace. Why haven’t we seen him?” Yue Chen also became puzzled.
Though curious, there was no way to investigate, so they could only leave for now.
The street they were on was bustling with activity. Yue Chen and Lin Qingyang decided to buy some snacks to bring back home to their female relatives. However, as they strolled along, Yue Chen suddenly exclaimed in surprise and then turned and ran out.z
Lin Qingyang and Chu Lishu naturally followed suit and caught up. Around a corner, they saw Yue Chen standing in front of a dried fruit store, where Huo Luo was inside, holding onto a man dressed as a member of the Black Feather Guard.
“Little General Huo, I’m just buying some sweets on behalf of our Lord Saintess. There’s no need to apprehend me like this.”
“I don’t care what your identity is in the Tianheng Country envoy team. Since you’re here in our territory, you must abide by our rules. Acting on your own as soon as you enter the city gives me reason to suspect your motives.” As a military officer, Huo Luo didn’t have a particularly friendly attitude towards these individuals.
These individuals were supposed to enter the palace together for an audience. If they wanted to go out for a stroll, they would need to apply for permission. Sneaking out of the city right after arriving raised suspicions of espionage. So, as soon as Huo Luo noticed, he immediately gave chase. However, he hadn’t anticipated that this person was highly skilled in martial arts, and it took him quite some effort to track him down.
“Why are you being so unreasonable? I’m just buying some snacks. Is this how guests are treated in the Great Zhou Dynasty?” the man retorted.
“You…”
“The Black Feather Guard’s words are not entirely accurate. Without rules, there is no order. Although the Great Zhou Dynasty is hospitable, we cannot tolerate the unruliness of non-guests. The regulations were already set before your arrival, and deliberately causing disruption and disturbing the peace will be thoroughly investigated. However, considering it may be your first offense… Perhaps you’re accustomed to a more lax environment, but in our etiquette-oriented country, we naturally can’t overlook such behavior. Please, cooperate, Black Feather Guard, to avoid embarrassing your saintess.”
Yue Chen approached with a smile, gently patting Huo Luo’s shoulder.
Huo Luo glanced at him, knowing this verbal sparring match was best left to him.
The remark just now seemed to imply that the Black Feather Guard were all unreasonable and uncivilized, like lawless barbarians, inviting some ridicule from the surrounding crowd.
Yue Chen looked at the man, who stood tall and imposing, not inferior to Huo Luo in stature. Despite wearing the Black Feather Guard’s hat, which obscured his features, Yue Chen was surprised. Could it be that the Black Feather Guard by the Saintess’s side were all chosen for their good looks?
The black mesh veiling his face concealed a handsome visage, with chiseled features and deep-set eyes. Despite the mesh obscuring his eyes, they still managed to captivate attention effortlessly, especially when making eye contact. There was an indescribable sense of pressure emanating from him, particularly during such exchanges.
Smart individuals often sensed danger with just a glance.
Yue Chen instinctively took a step back, bumping into Huo Luo, who caught him with a curious look on his face.
The Black Feather Guard, despite the ridicule, didn’t show any anger. Instead, he smiled and said, “May I know, sir, who you are?”
Yue Chen finally adapted to the oppressive atmosphere and frowned slightly. “Yue Chen of the Inspection Court.”
“I see, Lord Yue. I’m Yuxi, a Black Feather Guard by the side of the Saintess. My behavior just now was inappropriate. It’s my first time here, and everything feels so fresh and amusing, I couldn’t help myself. My apologies to both of you. I’ll return now.”
Yuxi is the largest surname in Tianheng Country. In Tianheng Country, unlike in the Great Zhou Dynasty, even commoners can share a surname with the royal family without any taboo. Therefore, this name is quite normal.
Seeing Yuxi carrying bags full of snacks, Yue Chen felt somewhat speechless. It seemed like he was really here for sightseeing.
Yue Chen nodded to Huo Luo, who then said in a cold voice, “Come with me.”
Yu Suoxi immediately cooperated, appearing quite easy to talk to.
However, when Huo Luo left with Yu Suoxi, Yu Suoxi suddenly chuckled.
Huo Luo looked at Yu Suoxi with displeasure and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Yu Suoxi turned back to glance at Yue Chen and then at Huo Luo, their eyes filled with amusement. “General Huo is a descendant of the Huo family army, and Lord Yue must be affiliated with the Yue family. Truly, talent emerges in every generation. It’s a great honor to meet the two young talents of the Great Zhou Dynasty on this occasion.”
Yu Suoxi was warned with a glare by Huo Luo. Both he and Yue Chen had reputations that preceded them, so it wasn’t unusual for people from enemy countries to inquire about them. However, he disliked the way Yu Suoxi looked at him and Yue Chen, as if they were amusing objects, which made him feel uneasy.
Carrying snacks, Yu Suoxi didn’t walk as formally as the other Black Feather Guards as he followed Huo Luo outside. His mouth was incessantly chattering, about to say a few more words when suddenly he stopped in his tracks.
Huo Luo naturally noticed and turned to look at him, only to find him staring fixedly in one direction. A group of onlookers stood there, among them were two people he recognized.
Just as Yue Chen approached, Chu Lishu and Lin Qingyang were waiting behind the crowd for him.
Suddenly, Huo Luo’s entire body tensed up, his reflexes moving to intercept before his mind could catch up, but all that remained in his place was the snack package, as he had already swiftly moved away.
The overwhelming sense of danger hit Chu Lishu immediately, prompting him to instinctively pull Lin Qingyang behind him.
Before them, the Black Feather Guard who had just caused a disturbance almost flew right in front of them.
Chu Lishu was tense all over, his arm hanging down with the dagger already in his palm, ready to face danger at any moment.
Yue Chen was also greatly alarmed, but seeing Huo Luo following closely behind and reaching out to grab the other person’s shoulder, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Black Feather Guard, Yu Xi, what are you up to?” Yue Chen demanded sharply.
But before he could finish his words, he saw that this person seemed to be completely oblivious to their surroundings, with eyes fixed unwaveringly on Chu Lishu.
Those eyes seemed as though they could devour the person in front of them.
Chu Lishu squinted slightly at Yu Suoxi, feeling inexplicably… tense.
That instinctual feeling of entering a defensive state wasn’t something Chu Lishu could control.
Unless he encountered a formidable assassin, surrounded by a murderous aura, would he feel this way.
But the person in front of them didn’t exude any killing intent, yet still enveloped them with a powerful aura, which made Chu Lishu feel repulsed.
Yu Suoxi remained silent, only gazing at Chu Lishu, as if unable to believe it, wanting to scrutinize every detail on his face. That face, those eyes, which he had caressed affectionately several times. Although each time ended in an attack, he seemed to enjoy it as if teasing a cat with sharp claws.
His most beloved pet, how could he possibly be mistaken?
But why… those eyes… wait, why isn’t that beautiful, crazed red there anymore?
He’s not insane anymore? Doesn’t recognize him anymore?
This… is truly fascinating.
Yu Suoxi gradually relaxed his body, allowing Huo Luo to capture him, but he smiled and said, “It’s a misunderstanding, misunderstanding. I just found this young gentleman exceptionally handsome. Whenever I see something beautiful, I can’t help but want to take a closer look. Young sir, you’re truly the most beautiful I’ve ever seen…”
Suddenly, someone stood in front of Chu Lishu, blocking Yu Suoxi’s almost glued gaze on him.
“This is not a polite behavior. Keep staring, and you might lose your eyes!”
Lin Qingyang’s words not only startled Yu Suoxi but also surprised everyone else. They rarely witnessed Lin Qingyang displaying such hostility toward someone he had just met.
Because Chu Lishu’s current appearance was indeed attractive, both men and women were drawn to him. Occasionally, situations like this would arise, although not expressed as blatantly as by this person. However, Lin Qingyang rarely got angry.
But now, he was genuinely furious.
Yu Suoxi looked at the person he had been ignoring, compared to others, Lin Qingyang was relatively inconspicuous. Yet, he dared to speak such threatening words so shamelessly. It had been a long time since Yu Suoxi had heard such words. This little brat who wasn’t afraid of death, didn’t he know he could end up crying bitterly after being thrown into his menagerie?
He smiled faintly, “This young sir has quite the temper. I was giving a compliment, why don’t you like hearing it? Besides, I was referring to the young gentleman behind you. What does it have to do with you?”
“I just don’t like it when others speak of my cousin like that,” Lin Qingyang said coldly.
“Cousin?” Yu Suoxi raised an eyebrow. Although he still wanted to see his pet, he was truly blocked by Lin Qingyang.
Yu Suoxi glanced at Yue Chen and Huo Luo, confirming their acquaintance, which made things easier. He then obediently stopped causing trouble and followed Huo Luo as they left.
However, as he left, he couldn’t help but feel reluctant. When he looked back, he felt a strange sensation in his heart. He saw Chu Lishu smiling at Lin Qingyang.
His little pet could smile? And with such a gentle expression.
It seemed he needed to find a way to help his pet. Help him… regain those beautiful red eyes.
And make him remember that leaving home didn’t mean he was free; his owner was still here.
Meanwhile, Chu Lishu looked at Lin Qingyang with a puzzled expression, the previous unknown anxiety instantly replaced by sweetness.
“Oh, Lin Qingyang, why were you in such a hurry just now? You looked like a rabbit about to bite someone,” Yue Chen teased.
“It’s not that. It’s that person who was impolite,” Lin Qingyang’s cheeks reddened involuntarily. He didn’t know why he suddenly got so agitated just now, a surge of anger that he couldn’t control.
“Where was he impolite? Wasn’t he just complimenting?” Yue Chen chuckled. “Do you think your cousin isn’t good-looking?”
Lin Qingyang choked, then saw Chu Lishu also looking at him with a questioning expression, making him even more embarrassed.
“He’s good-looking… but I don’t want that kind of person to casually look at him.” Lin Qingyang didn’t like the way that person looked at Chu Lishu, as if… as if he was looking at his own belongings, it was simply perverse!
“Yeah yeah yeah, he can only be looked at by you.” Yue Chen burst into laughter.
Lin Qingyang wanted to retort but felt too embarrassed to say anything. He didn’t dare to look at Chu Lishu’s face either, wondering if he had overreacted. But then again, it was just his secret crush persona; Chu Lishu wouldn’t find it strange, right?
Soon, Yue Chen became serious again. “Huo Luo seemed very wary of that person just now. I reckon his martial arts must be formidable enough to unsettle Huo Luo, and I don’t think this person is as simple as he seems. He doesn’t look like a genuine Black Feather Guard. What is the Tianheng Kingdom up to?”
“He’s indeed not simple. He behaves as if he’s not afraid of causing trouble, which is definitely not a quality of a subordinate. He seems more like someone in a high position… Yu Xi… Yu Suoxi?” Chu Lishu’s expression changed as he analyzed the situation.
Yue Chen was also taken aback. “That’s impossible. Yu Suoxi is the regent of the Tianheng Kingdom, right? Their country’s young emperor isn’t ruling, so as the regent, he can’t possibly leave the country to attend the birthday celebration in an enemy nation. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Chu Lishu nodded in agreement with Yue Chen’s viewpoint. “It could be one of the regent’s confidants, perhaps. In any case, we should be cautious of him.”
Yue Chen thought for a moment, feeling uneasy, and decided to stop playing around. He hurried back to investigate.
Lin Qingyang watched Yue Chen leave and couldn’t help but speak up. “Just now… does that person know you?”
Chu Lishu turned back to smile at Lin Qingyang. He thought the little fool was blinded by jealousy. “Maybe we’ve met before.”
Based on the reaction of the person just now, as well as the words spoken by the Master in Wuxin Mountain, it’s very likely that this person has encountered him during his moments of loss of control in the Tianheng Kingdom, perhaps during the time when he was involved in slave trading.
However, considering the person’s reaction just now, they didn’t outright mention it on the spot. Unless there’s another motive, it could also be that they aren’t completely sure. After all, at that time, he had just consumed Tianxuan Pill, causing significant changes in his appearance. Additionally, four years have passed since then, and there have been noticeable differences. Moreover, back then, he was insane, which is entirely different from his current demeanor. Even if someone were to grasp evidence of his past in the Tianheng Kingdom, Chu Lishu has already prepared countermeasures and isn’t particularly worried about it.
However, Lin Qingyang was worried. After all, the past events about the male protagonist’s encounters in the Tianheng Kingdom were not mentioned in the original plot. Bringing them up now could have unknown consequences.
Back in the palace, in the place where envoys were received, Yu Suoxi eagerly arranged for people to investigate Chu Lishu as soon as he returned. Just as he was getting excited, someone arrived. It was the Crown Prince Baya of the Western Moon Kingdom, who had come ahead of schedule.
Yu Suoxi had actually summoned Baya, of course, with the intention of having some fun.
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Things getting heated. I hate this feeling