Chapter Twenty-Seven: Demanding the Return of Old Items
In her spiritual space, Li Bao'er floated cross-legged in the void, a deck of cards in her hand. Looking at the white ball of fluff 001 in front of her, Li Bao'er rolled her eyes: "A royal flush! Seriously, can your system please stop cheating? That King of Hearts was definitely a later addition!"
001's electronic voice sounded aggrieved: "Host, you're innocent! You were the one who peeked at the cards! And you're still in the mood to play cards? Your left arm is practically swinging like a swing!"
"Anyway, I'm not the one in pain right now." Li Bao'er threw out her last two cards, then suddenly pouted as if she remembered something.
"But Mu Cenlin's face must be as black as the bottom of a pot right now! Hey, why do I feel a warm sensation in my arm?"
001. Data panel displayed: [The Great Demon King is using his internal energy to help nourish your meridians?!]
Li Bao'er was stunned when she heard this. Suddenly, the image of the person who used to despise her appeared before her eyes, now carefully setting her bones.
Her ears inexplicably felt hot, and she quickly shook her head: "Pah, pah, pah, I must be hallucinating from blood loss!"
001 suddenly became serious. [Host, statistics show that you've been injured 27 times in the year since you transmigrated into the book, including 8 serious injuries. This body was originally projected to live to a ripe old age, but now that's uncertain.]
Li Bao'er paused, her hand holding the cards still, and said with a wry smile, "It's a miracle I survived to the end."
She looked down at her semi-transparent spiritual body, her left arm also unnaturally bent. "But this time it's really not my fault. Who knew that girl Mu Yunshang would repay kindness with enmity..."
Suddenly, 001 unleashed a fireworks display: [Congratulations, host, for unlocking the achievement "Perfect Damage Absorption"! Accumulated gains include: N instances of being manipulated by the Third Prince, N instances of being framed by the half-sister, and N instances of being accidentally injured by the male lead...]
"Shut up!" Li Bao'er was so angry that she tried to grab 001, but missed.
The space of consciousness suddenly trembled, and Li Bao'er was forcibly pulled out by the light.
"Awake?" A hoarse, cold voice rang out, startling Li Bao'er.
Her first reaction was to move her broken hand. Fortunately, although it was still aching, she had regained sensation and should not be left with a disability.
I looked up and was met with a pair of deep, dark eyes.
Mu Cen sat upright in the armchair by the bed. His purple brocade robe made his face appear even paler, and even his handsome face exuded a murderous aura.
As dusk settled outside the window, it bathed half of his silhouette in a dark gold, making him resemble a cold, divine statue.
"Yes, thank you for saving me, Your Highness." Li Bao'er tried to sit up, but paused when she met his eyes. This man had saved her time and time again; how could she ever repay such a debt of gratitude?
She had considered accepting the situation since she was already married.
After all, Mu Cenlin's appearance was exactly what she wanted: sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a narrow waist, long legs, and even the taut line on his jawline when he pursed his lips was just right.
But when she thought of his disgust for her, and that legendary "old friend," Li Bao'er gave up. She had already planned to quietly hide in her own courtyard after the marriage, and then propose a divorce when Mu Cenlin's beloved returned.
Her plan was to keep Mu Cenlin in check and prevent him from turning evil before his sweetheart appeared. She believed that the power of his sweetheart's love would definitely reduce Mu Cenlin's tendency to turn evil.
As for empathy, once Mu Cenlin's corruption level decreases, 001 will likely have a way to resolve it.
Mu Cenlin didn't miss the slight distance in Li Bao'er's tone. He frowned and his tone wasn't good either: "Are you planning to use the Symbiotic Curse to get rid of me for Mu Yuan? Coincidentally, today is the seventh day. Have you found a way to undo it?"
Li Bao'er was so taken aback by this bizarre train of thought that she almost choked. How could everything be related to her and Mu Yuan? She was exhausted and didn't want to explain anymore.
"I couldn't find it. I'm sure Your Highness has searched everywhere. Is there any solution?" Li Bao'er said weakly, looking like she was too lazy to argue with anyone.
Not content with that, she deliberately coughed twice, "Otherwise, with my frail health, I might die of illness before Your Highness even falls on the battlefield."
The air suddenly froze.
Mu Cenlin's eyes darkened, and he suddenly leaned over and grabbed her chin.
The warm breath mixed with the scent of ambergris wafted over her, startling Li Bao'er so much that she held her breath.
He pressed his thumb heavily against her pale lips, his voice low and dangerous: "You were the one who insisted on provoking me. Now our lives are intertwined; your fate is not in your own hands."
Startled by the undercurrent in Mu Cenlin's eyes, Li Bao'er hadn't recovered when she heard an even more chilling whisper: "Li Bao'er... no rush... wait until I've finished everything, then we'll die together."
These unexpected words made Li Bao'er's eyes widen, and a chill ran down her spine.
Who wants to die with him?!
At that moment, the curtain was lifted, and the eunuch's shrill voice rang out: "The Emperor has arrived!"
A bright yellow ceremonial procession surged into the inner room amidst the crowd. Just as Li Bao'er was about to struggle to get up and pay her respects, Mu Cenlin pressed her back onto the couch with one hand. His large palm pressed down on her knees through the brocade quilt, the force leaving no room for resistance.
The old emperor sat upright in the main seat, his gaze lingering on the two for a moment before he revealed a kind smile: "Li girl, lie down properly. I am aware of what happened at the hunting grounds today. Yunshang acted willfully and recklessly, and I apologize on her behalf. Since your father is not here today, I grant you one request."
[Great opportunity! Although I didn't get first place, I still got the chance to complete the requirements.] 001 appeared excitedly.
The old emperor raised his hand, and a eunuch immediately presented a gilded tray, saying, "I also bestow upon you one hundred taels of gold and ten bushels of pearls from the South China Sea."
The Empress stepped forward gracefully, her jade-like hand, adorned with nail polish, gently grasping Li Bao'er's fingers.
The Empress's eyes reddened slightly. "My good child, you've suffered so much." She stroked Li Bao'er's bandaged left arm. "When you marry Cen Lin, I will personally prepare your wedding dress."
Mu Yunshang was born to the Empress. Besides the Crown Prince, the Empress only had Mu Yunshang and doted on her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
The Empress patted Li Bao'er's hand with satisfaction. In the past, she did not have much affection for Li Bao'er's eldest daughter, but now it was different.
Mu Yunshang hid behind the nanny, but was forced to the bedside by a single glance from the Empress.
The little princess bit her lip, tears streaming down her face: "Sister Li... I didn't mean to."
She suddenly pulled out a crookedly embroidered sachet. "This is for you... I spent a long time embroidering it. I originally intended to give it to someone else, but now I'm giving it to you."
Looking at the sobbing little princess in front of her, Li Bao'er sighed for a moment, realizing how different people's fates truly are.
"The princess's sachet is beautifully embroidered, and this tiger... well, it's very fierce. I like it very much."
Mu Yunshang raised her tear-filled eyes, her nose red: "Really? Mother said my embroidery looks like a sick cat?"
Li Bao'er suppressed a laugh as she tied the sachet around her waist. "Look at this beard, so spirited!"
Mu Yunshang burst into laughter through her tears, but then heard the emperor cough lightly: "Li girl, have you decided what reward you want?"
The hall fell silent.
Li Bao'er could feel Mu Cenlin's gaze fixed on her back as if it were a physical object.
She took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, I dare to request a piece of your old belongings."
The old emperor raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"
Li Bao'er's heart pounded like a drum, and she said, word by word, "This humble woman desires the Moon, Radiance, Sword."
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