Trapped
As night fell, Gu Youan gently pushed open the door. Moonlight shone on her, and she gazed silently at the distant, layered mountain peaks.
Xie Daoqing had decorated this place like the Xie residence. Could there be a secret room here? She stepped lightly out of the room, surrounded by swirling smoke.
She sensed something was wrong. There was a formation in the courtyard, her internal energy was sealed, and there were heavy guards surrounding her. She couldn't get out at all. Who was this formation used on?
Gu Youan frowned. Could it be that Xiao Junqi was in this courtyard? Xiao Junqi was the Crown Prince of Sheng Kingdom. If news of Xie Daoqing kidnapping the Crown Prince of Sheng Kingdom got out, it would surely arouse the anger of the people of Sheng Kingdom. They only dared to hide Xiao Junqi here.
The entrance is located at the core of the formation, but her internal energy is now sealed, so how can she open the core?
She stared intently at the point where the energy gathered at the center of the formation, then cut her wrist and dripped drops of blood into the center.
A wave of dizziness washed over her, and a person flew over and landed beside her, gently taking her hand and saying, "What are you doing?"
Beneath her pale face were her unfocused eyes. She looked at Tianji with a weary expression and said, "You still came."
Tianji frowned and said, "Are you out of your mind?"
Gu Youan gave a desolate smile and said, "I don't care about my life, Tianji. I just want to see Junqi laughing."
Tianji took out a piece of cloth and gently bandaged Gu Youan's wound. He sighed and said, "Don't hurt yourself. Dayong and Shengguo have nothing to do with you. You are a member of the Emperor's Ship."
Gu Youan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "My husband is imprisoned, I am imprisoned, and my fellow disciples are my enemies. Tell me what I should do, Tianji. Xiao Junqi is not only my husband, but also the Crown Prince of Sheng Kingdom. If he dies on the battlefield, there will be no turning back for Sheng Kingdom and Dayong."
A thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead. Tianji gently wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "I know you're worried about him. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, Xiao Junqi and Jiannan will be safe."
Gu Youan was taken aback. She looked at Tianji in surprise and said, "You knew all along that they had kidnapped Xiao Junqi?"
Tianji remained silent for a moment, then Gu Youan grabbed his collar and asked, "Why, why did you do this?"
Tianji's face was expressionless, and Gu Youan couldn't read any emotion from his expression either. Her hand slowly slid down, and her expression gradually calmed down.
"You've counted everyone in the world who survived that fire, are you going to aid and abet evil, causing widespread suffering and death?"
Gu Youan smiled and said, "Tianji, what exactly is the reason that you, as a member of the Emperor's Ship, are able to stand by and watch with indifference?"
Tianji remained silent and said, "Xuanji, don't ask. Just focus on your pregnancy."
Gu Youan pushed her away and said, "I'm going to see him today, Tianji. This isn't the first time you've met me. You know what I'm capable of."
Tianji sighed, took out his soft sword, and plunged it into the bluestone slab on the ground. Suddenly, a strong wind rose, and Gu Youan gently grabbed his arm. Suddenly, she and Tianji fell into the pit together.
Complete darkness enveloped her. In her panic, she gripped the hand of the person beside her tightly, her steps faltering as she steadied herself. She pulled a tinderbox from her bosom.
The dark room was suddenly illuminated, and Tianji smiled and said, "You really are going to see Xiao Junqi today."
A sigh echoed in the empty, dark room. Tianji said, "I'm afraid only you want to maintain peace."
Gu Youan frowned and looked at him, asking, "What do you mean by that?"
Tianji said, "Maintaining peace is indeed the important task of the Emperor, but with two emperors in the world, there will inevitably be no peace. Why don't we choose one person to be the emperor and unify the world?"
Gu Youan asked, "Who do you want to choose?"
Tianji laughed and said, "I want to choose you, Xuanji. You can activate the Emperor's Sword. You want peace and stability in the world. Without absolute power, no one will obey you. Only when you become the emperor of this world can you achieve the grand goal of the Son of Heaven."
Gu Youan stared at him blankly, her eyes filled with countless thoughts. She asked softly, "What is your purpose, Tianji? You have calculated everything under the heavens. Was my goal from the very beginning?"
Xie Daoqing killed so many people from the Emperor's Mansion, and Tianji sought refuge with the Xie family. Was this all just Tianji's scheme?
Her gaze swept across Tianji's face. Suddenly, she drew the dagger from her head and held it in front of Tianji, asking, "You are so resourceful, why are you willing to submit to the title of Emperor?"
There was a hint of inquiry in her eyes, and too many questions in her heart. Tianji remained calm, and Gu Youan stared at him blankly and said, "I will know everything I want to know. Don't lie to me."
Tianji said, “You have forgotten some things and developed feelings for the people here. When you remember everything, you will know that everything is just a passing cloud. In your long life, it is just a drop in the ocean. Xuanji, you are Xuanji and I am Tianji. You and I are of the same lineage. As long as one of us lives, I will not die.”
He gently placed his hand on her abdomen and whispered, "But now you want a peaceful world for the sake of a child. Have you forgotten our faith?"
Gu Youan chuckled and said, "Do we share a faith, Tianji? If you remembered that you were a member of the Emperor's Ship, would you still do this? War is cruel; one general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand. Why would you act this way, Tianji? Have you forgotten your origins?"
The people of the Emperor's Regalia have lost their families and homes because of the war. If war continues, the number of people who lose their families and homes will only increase, and refugees will flee. There will be more orphans in the world. No one can escape unscathed in this matter.
"No matter who becomes emperor, life goes on the same way. We can't let ordinary people sacrifice their lives for our ambitions."
Tianji shook his head and smiled, a hint of coldness in his eyes, and said, "Question me again after you remember all of this."
A faint breathing sound emerged, and the dim candlelight illuminated a figure. Gu Youan gasped as she looked at the person in the corner. Xiao Junqi lay weakly in the corner. Gu Youan rushed forward, and an arrow shot straight at her brow. Tianji pulled her away instantly.
Gu Youan looked at Tianji with a puzzled expression and asked, "What exactly is going on?"
“You’an…” Xiao Junqi weakly looked up. Gu You’an wanted to step forward, but Tianji held his arm tightly.
He threw out a few pebbles, blocking the mechanism, and released his arm. Gu Youan strode forward, squatted down, and gently lifted her hair, saying, "Are you alright?"
Xiao Junqi grabbed her hand and said, "This is not a place for you to stay. Leave here quickly."
Gu Youan shook his head and said, "Don't talk anymore, I will take you away from here."
Xiao Junqi waved his hand and said, "You'an, the person they want to capture is you. Never activate the Emperor's Sword under any circumstances."
He looked up at Tianji and said, "Take her out of here. She shouldn't be here."
Gu Youan touched his back, her right hand gently stroking it. Suddenly, she touched a hard piece of iron. Her gaze slowly moved backward, and a long iron chain was embedded in her back. Her lips trembled, and there was congealed blood on her hands. She turned to look at Xiao Junqi, who touched her face and said, "These are all low-level methods. Don't be afraid."
Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at Tianji and said, "Is this how you do things?"
Tianji looked at her indifferently and said, "Don't worry, she won't die. You are the Crown Princess of Sheng Kingdom, and your child is the only heir. As long as you agree to Emperor Huaming's abdication, I will release this Crown Prince."
Gu Youan laughed and said, "Don't even think about it. I will not submit to you."
She reached out and placed her hand on Xiao Junqi's chest, transferring her internal energy to him.
Tianji struck her with a palm, but she deflected it with her internal energy.
He stared at her with wide eyes and said, "You'll die."
Gu Youan sneered, "In your calculations, don't other people's lives matter?"
Xiao Junqi shook his head desperately, and Gu Youan's head was covered in sweat as she lay weakly on Xiao Junqi's body.
As his inner energy dissipated, Tianji stepped forward, picked her up, and looked down at Xiao Junqi, saying, "If you agree to our suggestion, she won't have to suffer anymore."
Xiao Junqi looked at him calmly and said, "It's impossible to make me submit by locking me up here."
A phantom appeared, a gust of wind passed, and Xiao Junqi stood in front of Tianji. He looked at Gu Youan's pale face, bent down and pulled on the iron chain behind him, Xiao Junqi's eyebrows furrowed together.
He said viciously, "She'd better be safe and sound."
Xiao Junqi sneered, "You only dare to threaten her, but Gu Youan is not someone who can be threatened easily."
As the last ray of light went out, Xiao Junqi touched the iron chains on his back and smiled. Gu Youan would not abandon him, nor would she abandon Shengguo.
After a bumpy journey, Xie Daoqing placed Gu Youan on the bed. Tianji stepped forward and pried open his mouth. He grabbed his hand and asked, "Why did she see Xiao Junqi?"
Tianji said calmly, "Since Xiao Junqi is here, she will eventually see him."
A cold glint flashed in Xie Daoqing's eyes as he asked, "Has Sheng Jingche been found?"
Tianji shook his head and said, "You'an is already pregnant. Let's talk about this after she gives birth."
Xie Daoqing suddenly became angry and said, "This child is already five months old. Only Sheng Jingche can save her life. I absolutely cannot watch her die."
Tianji placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Young Master Xie, You'an is my junior sister. I would never harm her. It's just that they have both disappeared at the same time, and Sheng Jingche can't possibly show up now."
Xie Daoqing sneered, "Then let's go find her. We'll search high and low, even if it means digging three feet into the ground. I'm determined to save her with Sheng Jingche's life."
He lowered his head and held Gu Youan's hand, channeling his inner energy into her. Tianji grasped his arm and whispered, "Let her rest."
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