Listening to the old Taoist priest in the green robe, Yi Shangyun felt that the matter was far too complicated.
Or perhaps, she never intended to get involved in the bloody power struggles and intrigues that plagued the world.
"Guardians are sworn to protect the true emperor to the death; this is their mission! Your birth mother was so, and so are you. No one can change this, nor can anyone escape it."
The old Taoist priest's mouth was still opening and closing as he spoke, but it seemed that she could no longer hear a single word he said.
If what the old Taoist priest said is true, and if the price for her to go back is to participate in these things, then how long will it take for her to return to the modern world?
Having gone through so much here, she can't wait a moment longer!
Upon realizing this, Yi Shangyun suddenly became teary-eyed and slowly covered her ears.
He shouted loudly at the old Taoist priest in the green robe, "Stop talking! Stop talking!"
So he shook his head and refused.
"I don't want to be a guardian at all, and I don't know how to be one. I'm not as great as you think! I was just sick and accidentally collapsed in my apartment, which led me to this world by mistake. Now, I just want to go back to my own world, where someone very important is waiting for me!"
No matter what she said, the old Taoist priest stood with his hands behind his back and insisted, "Of course you can choose whether to do it or not. But if you want to return to your world, you must fulfill your mission. This is your duty here."
He paused, a hint of worry crossing his brow, and continued, "Now, the Eastern Ning Kingdom and the Southern An Kingdom can no longer hold back and have begun their own covert operations. A fierce battle is imminent. What should Western Qin do? At that time, the person you care about most here will surely fight alone for his people, but without the help of protectors, I wonder how long he can hold out?"
At this point, a flicker of emotion stirred in Yi Shangyun's heart, and she softly murmured, "Xuanyuan Han..."
But she truly couldn't understand: "Why me? In this vast world, among all living beings, why me of all people?"
The old Taoist priest in the green robe asked, "Miss, do you still remember the red birthmark on your face?"
Yi Shangyun frowned and nodded slightly.
The old Taoist priest in the green robe said slowly, "Legend has it that when a person dies, if a tear shed by their loved one falls on their body, it will turn into a red birthmark, which serves as a covenant to find their other half in the cycle of reincarnation. I have now said all this, Miss, you are so intelligent, do you still not understand?"
Yi Shangyun remembered that Yi Sanshao had told him the exact same legend.
But she always thought that it was just something Young Master Yi said casually to make her happy.
But that was clearly not what the old Taoist meant.
Could it be that Xuanyuan Han, he...
Then, Yi Shangyun said in disbelief, "You mean... me and King Xuanyuan Han of Qin..."
The old Taoist priest in the green robe prompted, "Miss, ever since you first met Prince Qin, Xuanyuan Han, have you felt that he seems familiar, as if an old friend has returned?"
Yi Shangyun seemed to finally understand.
"You mean..."
"King Xuanyuan Han of Qin..."
"He and Wei Mingxuan..."
"It's about past lives and present lives..."
The old Taoist smiled slightly and said with ease and open-mindedness: "The myriad phenomena of the mortal world are like a dream, an illusion. Once you awaken to the truth, the Tao resides in your heart."
At this moment, Yi Shangyun was truly incredulous.
For a moment, she was both crying and laughing.
"how so?"
"So that's how it is!"
“Wei Mingxuan…”
"King Xuanyuan Han of Qin..."
Seeing this, the old Taoist priest in the green robe pressed his advantage again, encouraging her: "Putting aside everything else, just look at the present situation. The misfortune that befell the original owner of this body in this space was all caused by you. Shouldn't you do something instead of just recklessly thinking about leaving?"
Yi Shangyunshang knew nothing about the affairs of the Yi family.
Hearing the sound, he snapped out of his daze and exclaimed in surprise, "What? What happened to the Yi family?"
The old Taoist priest in the green robe exhaled a breath of turbid air and said, "Emperor Jing was furious because you did not return to the palace after six months as agreed. In addition, the medicine girl was rescued by Prince Qin Xuanyuan Han. In a fit of anger, he took his anger out on the Yi family and put Yi Shangkun and his son Yi Shangjun under house arrest, trying to force you to show yourself."
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Shangyun gritted his teeth and said indignantly, "How can a dignified ruler of a country repeatedly resort to such despicable means?"
The old Taoist priest in the green robe said, "All the answers lie within the palace. Once you enter the palace, you will understand everything. At that time, you will know whether what I have said is true or false."
But despite his words, when it came to actually returning to the palace, Yi Shangyun clenched his fist tightly and hesitated again: "I..."
Seeing that she was still hesitant, the old Taoist in the green robe said, "It's alright! I believe you will make a decision by tomorrow morning."
Sure enough, it was still dark the next day.
After a sleepless night, Yi Shangyun quietly left the Taoist temple alone.
This day.
The Western Qin Imperial Palace.
Just after morning.
In the imperial study, wisps of incense smoke rose gently.
A rare ray of warm winter sunlight gently shone through the window onto a large desk in the hall.
Emperor Jing appeared calm and composed, completely absorbed in copying an ancient painting.
The chief eunuch suddenly rushed in and reported to Emperor Jing, "Your Majesty, Prince Qin has come again! For the past few days, he has come to the Imperial Study to request an audience immediately after the morning court session. Does Your Majesty really intend to refuse to see him?"
Without a second thought, Emperor Jing coldly replied, "I won't see him! He's not concerned about me at all; he just wants to find out about the situation of that father and son in the Yi family."
After receiving the order, the chief eunuch reluctantly withdrew hastily.
From the day they parted ways for the last time at the alleyway in front of the Yi Mansion, Xuan Yuanhan would come here to see Emperor Jing alone every morning after court.
Because even now, he still hasn't found any trace of Yi Shangkun and Yi Shangjun.
People in the palace also said that Emperor Jing only asked a few questions about official business and then ordered him to leave the palace that same day.
All of this happened so suddenly and mysteriously.
He wanted to personally sound out Emperor Jing's opinion, but to his surprise, Emperor Jing refused to see him.
Even the Yongning Palace where Yi Shangyun had been staying had been repeatedly investigated by his men.
Recently, no one has been entering or leaving Yongning Palace.
Now that things had come to this, Xuan Yuanhan was indeed somewhat anxious.
As the chief eunuch slowly emerged, he said to Xuan Yuanhan, "His Majesty has recently caught a cold and has been resting since the end of court. His Majesty is aware of Prince Qin's intentions, but since His Highness holds a high position and great power, His Majesty is afraid of passing on his illness to him, so it is best to avoid him! Today, it seems that His Highness Prince Qin will have made another wasted trip!"
Although Xuanyuan Han was anxious, he could not force his way in.
As he had done in the past few days, he could only politely reply, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Grand Eunuch!"
The head eunuch said, "What are you saying? Taking care of His Majesty is my duty. Your Highness is too kind!"
Just as he turned around, he suddenly tentatively said, "By the way, has the Grand Eunuch heard that Dongning Kingdom seems to be making some big moves recently? I'm just worried that if His Majesty's health doesn't improve, it might delay important matters!"
Sure enough, the chief eunuch paused slightly upon hearing this.
He then added, "With the Imperial Physician in Dongning, there shouldn't be any major trouble! The Emperor's health is also being treated by Imperial Physician Zhang, and I believe he will recover soon! These next few days, I'm afraid His Highness Prince Qin will have to work hard!"
After a moment's thought, Xuanyuan Han said, "In that case, that's good!"
After saying that, he turned around and walked away in a hurry.
Upon seeing Xuan Yuanhan finally appear, Cheng Liang, who had been waiting outside the door, quickly went up to ask him.
"How is it? Is His Majesty still avoiding seeing His Highness?"
As Xuanyuan Han walked, he said, "The more he avoids me, the more suspicious he becomes. Continue to have our men intensify their search throughout the palace; they must be trapped inside!"
Thinking about how everyone had worked day and night for the past few days without achieving anything, Cheng Liang frowned again.
"Has Your Highness found out the Emperor's attitude toward Dongning's recent actions?"
"Judging from the Grand Eunuch's reaction, on the surface, the Emperor still seems to believe in Yue'er's abilities! But I always feel..."
At this point, Xuanyuan Han felt that something was amiss.
"Such a big matter, there's no way he wouldn't have heard a thing. With such a formidable enemy at hand, his composure is remarkable; there must be something he's hiding. What exactly is his trump card?"
Unable to find a solution, he could only instruct Cheng Liang: "No matter what, we must make all the necessary preparations for battle as quickly as possible!"
Cheng Liang stopped abruptly, cupped his hands in greeting, and accepted the order: "Yes..."
However, given the overwhelming force of Mei Zhixuan's army, Cheng Liang still hoped that Yi Shangyun could step in and stop them, as her status might lead to the best outcome.
Then he couldn't help but think of the clouds on his clothes: "But I wonder where the Princess Consort is now?"
Xuanyuan Han thought for a moment and silently said to himself, "Since I've decided to leave, I should go as far away as possible, and preferably never come back!"
Just after the two left, their figures disappeared around the corner.
From the other end of the passageway, a guard also arrived in front of the Imperial Study looking hurried.
The guards were very careful, afraid of disturbing Emperor Jing, so they quietly called out the chief eunuch.
The head eunuch glanced at the guard, then quietly withdrew and asked, "What is it?"
The guard quickly leaned close to the chief eunuch's ear and reported, "Your Excellency, she's back!"
Upon hearing this, the chief eunuch's gaze froze for a moment, as if he had been startled. He then looked at him again to confirm, "Are you sure it really is her?"
The guard nodded affirmatively.
The chief eunuch asked again, "Did she come back alone?"
The guard said, "Indeed, she is all alone!"
The chief eunuch hesitated for a moment, then asked again, "The King of Qin just left; did they see him?"
The guard shook his head.
The chief eunuch then hurriedly ordered, "Go and bring her here immediately. Remember, cover her face and make sure no one sees her!"
"yes!"
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