Chapter 121

Si Yanmo buried her head in the crook of his neck, "Because that's better for you."

That's how you'll survive.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yanqing realized something and asked, "What did you see?"

"Seeing you makes me happy. Seeing your hair turn white, yet you can still practice sword dancing under the tree."

"How do you know that's happiness?" He cupped her face in his hands. "Is your presence there?"

Si Yanmo shook her head.

"Then I must not be happy." He lowered his head and kissed the person's forehead with tenderness.

Si Yanmo felt a little better after he coaxed her. Although her voice was still trembling a little, she was in the mood to joke with him, "How do you know that by then you won't have fallen for someone else?"

Zhou Yanqing didn't speak, but instead pulled her hand and placed it against her heart. "Then ask it, will it still beat for someone else?"

Those slender, pale fingers pressed against the man's chest, feeling the hot, fierce heartbeat within, as if saying, "I love you, I only love you."

A blush crept up Si Yanmo's cheeks. She tried to push him away, but he held her wrist tightly.

The man leaned close to her ear, his voice hoarse yet filled with intense love, "Tell me, what did you hear?"

Si Yanmo trembled at his words, her voice stammering, "It's... the sound of a heartbeat..."

He laughed, his chest rising and falling with the sound. "So... are you still angry?"

She shook her head, then seemed somewhat indignant that she could let him off so easily, and nodded again, "That can't change the fact that you promised you wouldn't take a concubine, and now you're going back on your word."

Seeing that she still wouldn't forgive him, Zhou Yanqing had no choice but to pick her up and carry her onto the horse, causing Si Yanmo to exclaim in surprise, "What are you doing?"

He spurred his horse and whipped it, while holding the person tightly with his other hand, saying, "I'll take you somewhere."

Soon, the black horse carried the two of them on a bumpy journey to the Digu Temple, the same Digu Temple where the two had gotten married.

What are you doing here?

This is also the place where Tan Muhe was killed. Now, there isn't even a trace of blood to be seen in the cracks of the stones on the ground, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

Zhou Yanqing pulled her to the statue of Emperor Gu. "Back then, I didn't swear that I would be with you for life. Now I want to make up for it."

He took Si Yanmo's hand, his voice solemn and serious, "Amo, I, Zhou Yanqing, swear to the Emperor that if I ever have any connection with anyone else in this life, may I die a horrible death."

Si Yanmo quickly covered his mouth, "Pah, pah, pah! What about all the effort I put into saving you? Why are you saying things like 'may you die a horrible death'?"

Seeing her concern for him, Zhou Yanqing smiled and pecked her palm. "Amo, I've discovered you're too easy to fool. What if you get deceived by someone else?"

She chuckled lightly, "Isn't that just a dead end?"

It's not like we haven't experienced it before.

The man's smile froze, and he tenderly stroked her hair. "Don't worry, I won't lie to you."

"That's hard to say, what if? Swearing won't do any good."

Yes, swearing won't help.

Even the Southern Emperor could utter such high-sounding words.

What's the point of making an oath?

Zhou Yanqing lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said to her, "Then give me your dagger."

Si Yanmo was stunned. She took the dagger that the Southern Emperor had "bestowed" upon her from her waist and handed it to him. "What do you need the dagger for? To swear a blood oath?"

He pulled her hand holding the dagger, said nothing, placed his own hand on the altar, and, holding her hand, cut off his little finger.

Si Yanmo was shocked and quickly took out her handkerchief to cover his wound. "Zhou Yanqing, are you crazy?"

The man's face turned deathly pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. His voice trembled, but he laughed, "It's not like you just found out I'm crazy."

He used his other hand to stroke Si Yanmo's cheek. "Is this enough of an apology? If not, I'll chop off this hand."

That's insane!

At times like these, she always sees the Prince of Qin, whom everyone says is capable of anything.

He was always different from others; when it came to expressing love, he was always stubborn and even obsessive.

Just like when they both fell victim to Ye Shengge, he would rather be covered in wounds than let her be humiliated.

"Enough, enough!" Tears welled up in her eyes, she really couldn't do anything with this madman.

“I’ll take you to find a witch doctor.”

On the other side, Zhou Junsong came out of Hechunlou and asked Guan Heng to take him to a vegetable shop.

There was only an old man in the vegetable shop. "Your Highness, I've taken care of everything you asked me to do."

He calmly hummed in agreement. "Where is he?"

"It's over here." The old man led him through the stalls in front, behind which was an inconspicuous little thatched hut.

When the door opened, Zhou Changning was massaging Consort Zhen's shoulders. Upon seeing him, she stood up and bowed.

"Thank you for your help, Third Prince," said Consort Zhen.

He raised his hand, "No need. You can leave the city with Uncle Cai's carriage tomorrow."

Consort Zhen nodded and replied, "Yes."

He turned to leave, but was stopped by Zhou Changning as soon as he stepped out the door. "Third Imperial Brother!"

“You should no longer call me Imperial Brother, young lady.” He took out a handkerchief, covered his mouth, and coughed twice.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Changning understood. "Yes, Third Prince. But I don't understand why you would take such a risk to fabricate the deaths of me and my mother?"

He turned around and asked, "Then I'd like to know, if this hadn't happened, would you have tried to marry the King of Qin?"

Zhou Changning thought for a moment, "Yes, I like him."

Zhou Junsong raised an eyebrow. "So, I don't like you. The reason you're alive is because your uncle... who is also your biological father, once helped my mother's family. Consider it repaying a debt of gratitude."

"You mean if this hadn't happened, my mother and I would have died in that fire, is that right?"

"What else did you think?" he sneered.

This laugh sent a chill down Zhou Changning's spine. "You like Princess Qin? You stand up for her."

Zhou Junsong's smile widened, but this time it was laced with sarcasm. "No wonder someone like you, who can't see the bigger picture, becomes his pawn."

He didn't want to waste any more words with this person, so he turned and left, saying, "Live well."

A person whose mind is only filled with love and romance will probably never know how well he played this move.

Zhou Junsong glanced at the handkerchief in his hand, a confident smile curving his lips.

Now that the Emperor's reputation among the people has been ruined by the Tan Muhe incident, Si Yanmo, this useful pawn, will not fall into the Emperor's hands. Zhou Yanqing... should thank him for helping him solve this big problem, it's like killing three birds with one stone.

All he has to do is conserve his energy and, when necessary, place the pieces in their proper positions to finish the game.

But what he didn't know was that things were quietly spiraling out of control...

Si Yanmo and Zhou Yanqing had seen a shaman and asked him to help stop the bleeding. After that, she couldn't help but scold him again, "Are you stupid? Once your finger is broken, it can't be put back on!"

Zhou Yanqing still had a carefree smile on her face. Although her face was still a little pale, she was in less pain after taking the medicine.

He pulled her into his arms. "When I have time, how about I make you a pendant with that severed finger?"

Si Yanmo was absolutely furious at his nonchalant attitude. "You're really insane! What's with using a severed finger as a pendant? Even in death, your spirit will linger?"

"What are you saying?" Zhou Yanqing rested his head on her shoulder and nuzzled her. "It's to remind myself that I can't hurt you anymore, and it's also to tell my Amo how much I love you."

"I think you're trying to scare me to death." Si Yanmo's eyes were full of pity; she couldn't do anything about this man.

How does this person manage to act pitiful at the same time, and also act crazy?

Zhou Yanqing, however, said with a serious expression, "Amo, I'm serious. I swore an oath that if I do anything to wrong you, you can kill me."

"Alright, stop saying things like that." She raised her hand and rubbed the man's face. "I am a little angry, but not to that extent. When I calculated it, I was even happier because... I knew you would be alright."

She took a deep breath and composed herself. "Since there are risks involved in everything, I want to choose a path that will keep you safe."

Outside, the sound of the wind blew in, stirring up Zhou Yanqing's heart.

“So…Amo loves me very much now, right?” he said in a low voice.

Si Yanmo seemed to admit defeat, rubbing her nose against his with her own, her voice gentle: "Yes, I love you very much."

Zhou Yanqing was overjoyed. He wrapped his arm around her waist with his uninjured hand, leaned forward, and kissed her.

A gentle breeze ruffled Si Yanmo's hair. Afraid that she would get cold, Zhou Yanqing pulled his own robe over her and continued to kiss her lips.

"Amo, let's not be apart..."

"Um……"

Time passed second by second, and night had already covered day. Only then did the two of them fall onto the bed and snuggle together.

Si Yanmo took his hand, "Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore." He used his other hand to pull her into his arms, his gaze fixed on Si Yanmo's slightly red and swollen lips. His eyes darkened, and he stroked that spot with his fingertips. "Amo...so beautiful."

Si Yanmo playfully slapped his hand away, "Am I pretty, or is someone admiring their own masterpiece?"

He laughed, his voice tinged with a hint of languor, "Maybe both."

The two leaned against each other, and Zhou Yanqing suddenly remembered something, "You mean... Consort Zhen and Chang Ning are really alright?"

"Why is Your Highness Prince Qin still concerned about your fiancée?" Si Yanmo feigned jealousy.

He quickly tried to appease her, "It's all in the past, why bring it up again? Didn't you promise to forgive me?"

"I never said I forgave you."

The man sat up. "Should I cut off another finger? Or should I cut off my whole hand?"

Si Yanmo quickly pulled him back, "Can't you think about anything normal?"

She sighed, "Alright, alright, I was just teasing you. Don't worry, they'll be fine. It's just..."

"Just what?"

“If you and Zhou Changning can’t get married, then your fate will return to its original state.” The woman’s brows were full of worry.