Chapter Twenty-Eight: Your mouth is truly annoying.
As Mu Cen lay dying, he stared intently at the back of Li Bao'er's neck, as if trying to see through her skin to her soul.
The old emperor paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Do you know what that is?"
"I know, it's the sword that Lady Xue brought from Mount Huaqing twelve years ago."
The old emperor remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger. "Since you know this, why did you decide to ask for this sword?"
Li Bao'er had already prepared her response, and said calmly, "Since childhood, I have been learning martial arts and body training with my uncle. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, my body has gradually weakened. But I have always longed for the way of the sword. The Moonlit Sword is a famous sword and is very suitable for women. Therefore, I wish to treasure this famous sword."
Mu Cenlin whispered in her ear, his hot breath carrying a suppressed tremor: "Is this all you wanted?"
Li Bao'er smiled slightly at him and mouthed, "A gift for you."
001 screamed wildly in her mind: [Host! The Demon King's corruption level is fluctuating wildly! 85%...80%...75% Oh my god!]
After a long silence, the emperor suddenly burst into laughter: "Good! I grant permission!"
He looked at Mu Cenlin meaningfully, "However, this sword is malevolent. When you have fully recovered, come with A-Lin to the palace to retrieve it."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
Before leaving, the Empress instructed Li Bao'er, "Girl, take good care of yourself. If Cen Lin treats you badly in the future, tell me."
After the group left, Li Yu, Xiao Han, and Ye Yun stayed behind.
"Sister, let's go home. I won't let Li Zhou's debt go so easily," Li Yu said in a somber tone, bending down to pick up Li Bao'er.
Before Li Zhou was mentioned, Li Bao'er hadn't even remembered that it was that kid who had provoked the tiger beast with an arrow, and suddenly a plan came to her mind.
She gently moved her bandaged left arm, a cold glint in her eyes: "He broke my arm, so it's only fair that I break his leg too."
Xiao Han spoke up at that moment: "The Imperial Preceptor will host a banquet at Longhua Temple in three days, and all the young men of the capital will attend."
Li Bao'er's eyes lit up, and she flashed a bright smile at Xiao Han: "As expected, Brother Xiao Han understands me the best!"
She caught a glimpse of the blood seeping from the other person's shoulder, and remembered the figure who had rushed to his aid without hesitation when he fell from his horse. Her tone softened slightly: "Thank you so much for today. Once my hand is healed, I'll cook for you myself to thank you."
Upon hearing this, Ye Yun immediately stepped forward, her almond-shaped eyes shining with anticipation: "Sister Bao'er, can I go?"
She recalled the barbecue she had at the Prime Minister's residence last autumn, the sizzling aroma of oil dripping onto the charcoal fire, and the tender lamb coated in a secret sauce—even now, the memory makes her mouth water.
"Of course." Li Bao'er pinched Ye Yun's cheek with her uninjured right hand. "Let A Yu pick you up ahead of time, and we'll have a good drink at Qingfeng Courtyard."
"Ahem."
A low cough abruptly interrupted the cheerful atmosphere, and only then did Li Bao'er notice Mu Cenlin in the shadows.
"Is Your Highness coming too?" Li Bao'er asked politely, though she was only being polite; in her heart, she was already certain that this noble Prince Jing would never participate in such a commoner's gathering.
After all, at the last palace banquet, she personally witnessed him only take one bite of the venison jerky that the imperial chef had carefully prepared before putting down his chopsticks.
"Go, come and fetch me then."
The tent fell silent.
Li Yu's eyes widened, Ye Yun's handkerchief fell to the ground, and even the usually composed Xiao Han frowned slightly. Who didn't know that His Highness Prince Jing hated banquets and social gatherings the most?
Mu Cenlin suppressed the inexplicable awkwardness in his heart, his face still cold and stern.
No one noticed that his left hand, hidden in his sleeve, was unconsciously rubbing against something.
Li Bao'er said softly, "Ayu, you all go out first. I have something to say to the Prince."
Li Yu was a little worried, but seeing her sister's calm expression, she reluctantly got up and instructed, "I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything, I can teleport to your side instantly."
Li Bao'er nodded gently. After everyone left, only she and Mu Cenlin remained in the tent.
As dusk fell, their shadows were cast onto the tent wall, overlapping and creating an illusion of tender intimacy.
Mu Cenlin couldn't help but ask, "Why do you want to give this to me?"
Bao'er said softly, "To thank Your Highness for healing me today, and knowing that I have done many things to hurt you in the past, I want to do my best to make amends."
Mu Cenlin's eyes flickered slightly as he watched her slender fingers unconsciously tighten their grip on the brocade quilt.
"Besides, I know you hate me, and this marriage is a constraint for you, so don't worry, I won't restrict you in anything, nor will I require you to take on the responsibilities of a husband for me."
Outside the tent, the autumn wind swirled fallen leaves, rustling against the tarpaulin.
"Just remember that I will never hurt you again, and I hope you live a happy life... that's all."
When Li Bao'er said these words, her eyes were clear and her tone was sincere. What she didn't say was that she hoped Mu Cenlin could truly find happiness.
Putting all the mission aside, Li Bao'er felt sorry for Mu Cenlin. He was so much like her before she transmigrated, and loneliness was always with them.
She used to feel guilty when she bullied Mu Cenlin, but she had no choice; she had to survive.
That's why when she wounded Mu Cenlin's horse, she secretly ordered someone to place the best ointment at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, and while spreading rumors that Prince Jing was cruel and ruthless, she also boasted about his glorious achievements on the border.
Mu Cenlin stared at the woman in front of him, the woman he had once hated to the core, and suddenly couldn't understand her heart.
She seems to have really stopped liking Mu Yuan. Is it possible to truly let go of someone you love in such a short time?
Or is it true, as she said, that she never liked Mu Yuan?
But what she said was about clarifying her own stance; she didn't like Mu Yuan, nor did she like herself...
He could sense, through empathy, that every word she was saying came from the bottom of her heart.
There was no scheming, no pretense, and not even any attempt to curry favor out of a survival instinct.
So he wasn't happy; in fact, he felt even worse.
"you……"
His Adam's apple bobbed a few times, but he couldn't continue speaking.
He suddenly remembered the little girl who had bandaged his wounds by the mass grave when he was nine years old, with the same clear, innocent eyes. What had she said back then?
"Don't be afraid, I won't let you die."
The nine-year-old girl and the woman before her overlapped at this moment.
He had wondered countless times if she would have recognized him if he had returned to Beijing earlier, and if they would still be as close as they were in childhood.
Will I fall in love with myself...?
Mu Cenlin clenched his fists tightly. The pain brought him to his senses, but he couldn't suppress the turbulent waves surging in his heart.
His voice was terribly hoarse, "Li Bao'er, do you know what you're saying?"
The sound of Li Yu pacing impatiently outside the tent made the silence inside seem even more eerily quiet.
Mu Cenlin suddenly approached, his massive figure looming over you. "When did you become so heartless? Is everyone just a passerby in your life?"
He lifted her chin with his fingertips and touched a wet patch.
He then realized that she had been crying sometime during the night, and her tears had soaked his fingertips, burning him with an alarming heat.
His anger dissipated in an instant.
An alarm blared in Li Bao'er's mind: [The Demon King's corruption level is fluctuating wildly!]
Mu Cenlin simply stroked the tear tracks on her face, then suddenly asked, "Why are you crying?"
"You bumped into my hand when you came over, and it hurts." Li Bao'er didn't mean to, but her hand, which had only recently regained sensation, was very sensitive to pain!
Mu Cenlin's face darkened instantly, and he pressed his thumb against her rapidly throbbing carotid artery. "Your mouth is truly annoying."
The second half of the sentence was lost between their touching lips.
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