Chapter Twenty-Four: Preserving One's Innocence

The purple figure in the distance suddenly stopped, and Mu Yuan's face instantly turned ashen.

The air around them seemed to freeze, and the onlookers unconsciously held their breath.

Li Bao'er's shout was earth-shattering, attracting the attention of not only those nearby, but also the emperor and his entourage in front of the imperial tent in the distance, who cast inquiring glances in this direction.

"You're never allowed to leave me again!" Li Bao'er caught up with Mu Cenlin breathlessly, her slender fingers gripping his taut arm tightly.

She could clearly feel the bulging muscles beneath the fabric.

Mu Cenlin's heart skipped a beat.

Does she... know what she's saying? Isn't she afraid that Mu Yuan will be hurt by this?

He slowly lowered his eyes and saw that the girl's eyes were red. Perhaps she had run too fast, or perhaps the autumn wind had brought out her natural tears. Her wet eyes were like those of a frightened fawn, making one's heart soften involuntarily.

As if possessed, he raised his hand to touch the corner of her eye, gently wiping away the moisture with his thumb, his deep voice carrying a hint of danger: "Aren't you afraid Mu Yuan will misunderstand?"

See? She knew it!

Humans are possessive, and even the Great Demon King is no exception.

Li Bao'er tilted her head back and said confidently, "I don't care what he thinks. I'm your queen now. Besides, Mu Cenlin, would you believe me if I said I've never liked him?"

001's voice trembled with excitement: [Host! The Demon King's corruption level has dropped to 80%! My God! What you just said was like a miracle cure!]

Before Mu Cenlin could respond.

A palace attendant rushed over.

"His Majesty has decreed that all distinguished guests proceed to the hunting grounds immediately!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Li Bao'er tugged at Mu Cenlin's sleeve, afraid that he might get upset and leave again.

On the hunting platform, the emperor sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone, lingering for a moment longer on the clasped hands of Li Bao'er and Mu Cenlin.

A doubt flashed through my mind: weren't these two supposed to be irreconcilable enemies?

"This autumn hunt, I will change the rules. Everyone will form their own teams, with no more than five people per team. The team that hunts the most game today will be rewarded with a golden bow by the Emperor, and will have one request granted."

The audience erupted in uproar.

The imperial gift of a golden bow was already an unparalleled honor, let alone receiving a promise from the emperor! This reward was simply enviable.

001 screamed wildly in Li Bao'er's mind: [Host! An opportunity! The Moonshine Sword, a token of the Great Demon King's birth mother! This sword is of extraordinary significance to the Great Demon King!]

If we can win the match, maybe my "darkening" level will drop even more.

001 transmitted to her a memory about Mu Cenlin's birth mother. Consort Xue was the savior whom the emperor had saved during his private visit to a famous place. She was once a disciple of the Sword Sect of Huaqing Mountain.

Consort Xue's most treasured possession was the Moonlit Sword, a precious sword she brought from her sect. The young Consort Xue, dressed in white, would dance with the sword under the moonlight, the sword's light as clear as water, reflecting her gentle smile.

The scene shifts to young Mu Cenlin kneeling outside the imperial study, his forehead pressed against the cold blue stone floor tiles: "I beg Father to bestow Mother's Moonshine Sword upon your son," but he is cruelly refused.

"I want to team up with you." Li Bao'er tugged at Mu Cenlin's sleeve, her voice not loud but unusually firm.

Mu Cenlin raised an eyebrow at her, but before he could respond, Li Bao'er had already turned and waved to Mu Yuan: "Third Prince, would you like to team up with me?"

Li Yu, who had been following Li Bao'er, couldn't help but cough out, dumbfounded. "My older sister is so good at this!"

A glint flashed in Mu Yuan's eyes; he knew Li Bao'er still cared for him: "How could I refuse Bao'er's invitation?"

Mu Cenlin's face instantly turned ashen, and 001 screamed wildly in Li Bao'er's mind: [Host, are you crazy?! The Great Demon King's corruption level is about to skyrocket again!]

Li Bao'er, however, remained calm and tiptoed to Mu Cenlin's ear, whispering, "Mu Yuan is an excellent archer and horseman. If we let him team up with other experts, our chances of winning will be slim."

"I have something I want that I must ask His Majesty for."

Before she could finish speaking, she clearly felt the large hand she was holding suddenly tighten and then pull away.

Li Bao'er reacted quickly, immediately adopting a pitiful expression. She changed her slender fingers into an interlocked shape, gently shaking Mu Cenlin's arm and beginning to whine, "Your Highness~ Your Highness~ Cenlin~" Each address was drawn out.

"Only His Majesty can give me that item; I just want to win."

Mu Cenlin was annoyed by her sudden intimacy. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, but his tone grew even colder: "Li Bao'er, from the moment you received the imperial decree, you were destined to be Mu Yuan's sister-in-law. Don't try any of these little tricks on me."

He narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint in his voice, "Or do you think I can't defeat him?"

"I know, I've done a lot of wrong things in the past, and I've had a change of heart," Li Bao'er swore, she just wanted to make sure she could win.

Although it was rumored that Mu Cenlin was an expert in archery and horsemanship, she had never witnessed it herself since he returned to the capital, so she had to ensure that everything went perfectly in this competition.

Just then, Mu Yuan strolled leisurely to Li Bao'er's side, deliberately standing very close, and said with a provocative smile, "Royal brother, the marriage hasn't even taken place yet, aren't you meddling a bit too much?"

He paused deliberately, giving Li Bao'er a meaningful look. "Or perhaps you lack confidence in yourself? But I can understand, after all, Bao'er has loved me for years."

At this point, he deliberately smiled at Li Bao'er, his eyes crinkling, "This isn't something an outsider like you can get involved in. Bao'er, don't be angry with me, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Li Bao'er immediately took a half step back, distancing herself from Mu Yuan, and said solemnly, "Your Highness is overthinking it. I have long since stopped arguing with you."

Just as she was about to continue explaining that she no longer had any other feelings for Mu Yuan, she heard 001 suddenly exclaim: [Host, be careful! The Great Demon King's corruption level is fluctuating wildly! Currently 75%...78%...81%...]

Mu Cenlin coldly observed the scene, a mocking smile curving his lips: "Ha, Mu Yuan, have you lost your mind?" His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a knife. "A woman you wouldn't even look at, why do you think I'd treasure her? I won't play along."

Before he could finish speaking, he abruptly pulled his hand away from Li Bao'er's grasp, the force causing her to stumble.

With her purple robes fluttering, she turned and left.

"Pfft"

A sharp, mocking laugh pierced the air.

Li Yan covered her face and mocked mercilessly, her eyes flashing with malice: "My dear sister, so this is how His Highness Prince Jing dotes on you? I'm so envious!"

The last syllable of her voice was drawn out, causing a group of young ladies behind her to burst into laughter.

Li Bao'er stood there, stunned, feeling a buzzing in her ears.

She stared blankly at the receding figure, feeling as if she had been stabbed in the chest.

She only snapped out of her daze when Li Yu tugged at her sleeve worriedly.

Whispers surged from all around like a tide:

"I heard she used to relentlessly pursue the Third Prince."

"And now he's been publicly humiliated by Prince Jing..."

"This has utterly disgraced the Prime Minister's residence..."

Mu Yuan watched this scene with satisfaction, and the frustration in his heart, like having his toy taken away, finally dissipated a bit.

He looked down at Li Bao'er and said in a condescending tone, "Now do you see clearly? Who truly cares for you? This is the last time I'll forgive your willfulness, Li Bao'er."

As they brushed past each other, he suddenly lowered his voice, his warm breath brushing against her ear: "Remember, marrying Mu Cenlin will keep an eye on him for me. But if you dare let him touch you, it's all over between us."

Li Bao'er suddenly grabbed Mu Yuan's arm, "Mu Yuan, have you enjoyed treating me like a dog all these years?"