Chapter 83 The Azure Phoenix Returns
As soon as she asked the question, Bao'er almost held her breath, waiting for his answer.
At almost the same time, I felt a violent and erratic heartbeat.
Mu Cenlin's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Was this sudden pang of heartache his own? Or... hers?
"001! What's going on? Why is my heart beating so fast? Is this my heartbeat or his?"
001: [Data is in disarray... Unable to pinpoint the source... but heart rates are definitely soaring! Host, this looks promising!]
Mu Cenlin finally lowered his head slowly. He looked at her, at her eyes that were exceptionally bright with nervousness and anticipation, at her slightly clenched lower lip, her thin lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something.
However, just as he was about to speak, "Whoa!"
Suddenly, the coachman's urgent reins and the neighing of the horse's hooves came from outside the carriage! The carriage jerked to a halt!
Immediately afterward, Feng Li's surprised voice rang out from outside the car window, breaking the tense and ambiguous silence inside the carriage:
"Your Highness! There's trouble ahead!"
Mu Cen's words were abruptly interrupted, the subtle flicker in his eyes instantly replaced by a cold glint as he glanced displeasedly out the car window. Li Bao'er was also startled by this sudden turn of events, followed by a wave of disappointment. She hadn't even heard his reply yet! Who was so inconsiderate!
"What's the matter?" Mu Cenlin's voice was clearly impatient.
Feng Li's voice outside the carriage window was tense, yet tinged with disbelief and astonishment: "Your Highness! It's...it's Yi Zhi! Xiao Yi Zhi is back! He...he's with a woman, and they're blocking the road!"
Xiao Yizhi?!
Mu Cenlin and Li Bao'er were both taken aback!
Last time, Xiao Yizhi took it upon himself to ambush Li Bao'er. He hates nothing more than others acting on their own initiative, so he sent Xiao Yizhi to guard the border. This time, Xiao Yizhi returned to the capital without being summoned? And with a woman in tow?
Li Bao'er's heart also tightened. She had not forgotten Xiao Yizhi's hostility and murderous intent towards her, and the memory was still fresh in her mind.
Mu Cenlin suddenly lifted the carriage curtain.
Not far ahead of the carriage, Xiao Yizhi, looking travel-worn, stood there. Months of wind and sand on the frontier had made him look somewhat haggard, but it couldn't hide the stubbornness and complexity in his eyes. What was even more eye-catching was the woman standing beside him.
The woman wore a frontier-style dress, had a slender figure, and her face showed the weariness of a long journey combined with a timid curiosity. When she raised her head, her gaze timidly fell upon the carriage.
Li Bao'er's breath hitched!
That face...it actually bore a striking resemblance to her, about three or four points! Especially the shape of her eyebrows, eyes, and face!
Mu Cenlin's pupils also contracted slightly.
He recognized the woman at a glance: Qingluan.
Years ago, while patrolling the streets of the North, he rescued her from being forced into marriage. He saved her then because, in that fleeting glimpse, he saw a familiar shadow in her face. He settled her in the border town, providing her with shelter, but never harbored any other thoughts.
After the war subsided, Xiao Yizhi told him that Qingluan had left without saying goodbye, but he didn't take it seriously.
Providing her with shelter was also a decision forced upon Xiao Yizhi. He believed that as a woman of decent appearance, she would surely be bullied by others if she wandered alone. Since the encampment had no shortage of food, Xiao Yizhi decided to keep her.
Leaving might be because the border region is harsh and cold; if they can't endure the hardship, they might as well run away...
He hadn't expected Xiao Yizhi to bring her back! And why did Xiao Yizhi look so determined?
Upon seeing Mu Cenlin, Xiao Yizhi immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a hoarse voice filled with indescribable excitement: "Your Highness! I have returned to the capital without authorization, a crime deserving death! But I had to come back! I heard news of Qingluan, and that she has been suffering all these years. I couldn't bear it... so I took it upon myself to bring her back to the capital."
His gaze swept over Li Bao'er behind Mu Cenlin, a barely perceptible hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He then looked at Mu Cenlin, his tone becoming meaningful: "Only now do I understand why my lord has been so tolerant of certain people since returning to the capital. Now that Qingluan is back, there is a way to alleviate your headaches at night."
When they were still some distance from the capital, Xiao Yizhi heard the news of the prince's wedding. He never expected that he would be taken advantage of by this despicable woman in such a short time!
How could such a fickle and capricious woman be worthy of the prince?! If Qingluan hadn't disappeared all these years, the position of princess would definitely belong to her.
Li Bao'er sat in the car, listening to Xiao Yizhi's meaningful words, looking at the woman outside the car who looked somewhat like her, and recalling Mu Cenlin's past attitudes that were sometimes cold and sometimes unpredictable.
My heart sank straight down.
So... that's how it is?
All those special gestures, those occasional displays of protectiveness, even that passionate kiss just now… could it all be because of… this face?
Seeing Mu Cenlin's gloomy expression and silence, Xiao Yizhi assumed that he had hit the nail on the head, which further confirmed his guess. He quickly pressed his advantage: "My lord! It is truly pitiful for Miss Qingluan to be all alone in the border town. She has traveled thousands of miles to follow me back, and all she asks for is a place to stay. I implore you, my lord, to consider our past relationship and allow her to stay in the Prince's residence temporarily!"
Mu Cenlin's cold gaze swept over Xiao Yizhi, who was kneeling on the ground, and then fell on Qingluan, who was standing timidly. Finally, through the lifted carriage curtain, he secretly observed Li Bao'er's expression, but her face was calm and without any ripples.
He felt a surge of inexplicable irritation! What exactly did she mean by asking about his attitude just now?
Mu Cenlin's voice rang out, "The Prince's residence has never hosted any female relatives of other surnames overnight."
"There was none in the past, and there will never be another one except for the queen I have married through proper channels."
These words were like a resounding slap across Xiao Yizhi's face, causing Qingluan beside him to tremble violently, her face instantly losing all traces of color.
Xiao Yi looked up in disbelief: "My lord! You..."
Mu Cenlin didn't give him a chance to speak again, and directly ordered Feng Li outside the carriage: "Send Mr. Xiao and his men to the post station for accommodation! Without my order, they are not to set foot in the palace!"
"Your Highness!" Xiao Yizhi exclaimed anxiously.
Just then, Qingluan, who was standing next to him, suddenly let out a very weak moan, her body swayed softly, her eyelids rolled back, and she fainted directly in Xiao Yizhi's direction!
"Qingluan!" Xiao Yizhi exclaimed in shock, rushing to support her while urgently calling out to Mu Cenlin, "My lord! Look how weak she is! She's traveled all the way from the border to the capital; she can't possibly hold on any longer! Please, for the sake of our past relationship, at least let her into the manor to see a doctor! The Prince's manor is right in front of us!"
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