The outcome is already decided.
Ning Chanyuan had been drowsy and had a poor appetite for the past few days, vomiting whatever she ate. The Emperor quietly checked her pulse and breathed a sigh of relief.
Ning Chanyuan asked, "Are you afraid I might be pregnant?"
The Emperor said, "I'm afraid."
In the past, even if he were slapped twice more, he would have coaxed Ning Chanyuan to give birth to the child in her womb, so that he would have a place to belong. But now, her health has just improved, and if she is really pregnant, how can she bear the demands of a child?
Ning Chanyuan smiled and touched his face, saying, "Don't be afraid."
at night.
The emperor was worried that something might happen to her, and also afraid that the light would keep her awake, so he turned off the light, sat on the ground alone, leaned against the bed, and stayed up night after night.
One night, Ning Chanyuan broke out in a cold sweat.
He hurriedly got up and sent someone to call Teng Yanshuang, but Ning Chanyuan grabbed his hand. She hadn't liked to do her hair these days, and always handed him the comb so he could comb it. He had never combed a woman's hair before, and holding the comb, he could only manage to smooth her hair.
At that moment, her hair floated lightly across the back of his hand, elusive and impossible to grasp.
He patted her head and said, "Yuqu, are you feeling unwell?"
Ning Chanyuan shook her head and said, "Chu Liu, I dreamed about you. I wanted to hug you."
Chu Liu hesitated for a moment, then remembered Teng Yanshuang's instructions and sent someone to ask Teng Yanshuang. After receiving a reply, he reached out and hugged Ning Chanyuan, stroking her hair and saying, "I'm sorry, I've mistreated you these past few days."
Ning Chanyuan shook her head again and said, "No."
The food, clothing, and daily necessities in the royal palace were already of the highest quality, and those used in Ning Chanyuan's room were of the highest quality of the highest. Even a single pearl from the beaded curtain could fetch a considerable price. Moreover, Ning Chanyuan's palace was guarded by the Golden Armor Army and secret guards; no one could enter.
There were few maids, and Chu Liu personally handled most of Ning Chanyuan's affairs.
He used every rare medicinal herb to treat Ning Chanyuan's illness, and he also managed the affairs of the Ning family in an orderly manner. Ning Chanyuan once wondered, "You don't care about so many important matters in the court, but why do you personally handle such trivial matters in the Ning family?"
Chu Liu smiled, patted her head, and said, "After all, I'm the one who brought you here."
If it were a matter of being mistreated, Ning Chanyuan really didn't feel that way. She didn't like going out in the first place, and usually stayed at home in the Ning residence as much as possible. Only when she really couldn't refuse would she sigh, get dressed, and go out.
Ning Chanyuan touched Chu Liu's face, chuckled twice, and then said, "Chu Liu, give me a kiss."
Chu Liu frowned again, as if he was about to send someone to inquire with Teng Yanshuang again, which made Ning Chanyuan laugh while leaning on his shoulder, "Alright, it's late, don't disturb them. Just one kiss, okay?"
After hesitating for a moment, Chu Liu finally kissed Ning Chanyuan.
He kissed her again.
"Aren't you going to hold me while we sleep tonight?" Ning Chanyuan asked.
After a long silence, Chu Liu finally said, "Okay."
Ning Chanyuan woke up from her dream with a start, and soon fell asleep in Chu Liu's arms. However, Chu Liu couldn't sleep. He held Ning Chanyuan and traced her eyebrows and eyes with his gaze, feeling that every moment he looked at her was precious.
Once Ning Chanyuan was truly asleep, Chu Liu whispered, "She's not a vixen, nor has she brought ruin to the country. Our Yuqu is doing just fine."
Yesterday's sun has already set, but tomorrow's sun is about to rise. Wu Qi and Yi Shen arrived in the capital at midnight. The capital is cooler than Changru Town, making it more suitable for summer living.
Lin Kuo and Song Yinxing stood at the city gate to greet them.
The first thing Ning Xunxu did was to plant his own people at the city gate. Only now can they stand confidently at the city gate, waiting for their friend, who is more than family, to return.
Teng Yanshuang doesn't usually stay up late, but she insisted on coming along today to see the Wu family's lady and Young Master Yi. She leaned against Ning Xunxu, feeling drowsy, and almost fell over.
Ning Xunxu put his arm around her shoulder and said, "Lean closer."
Teng Yanshuang said, "What? You're upset that I fell?"
Ning Xunxu said, "I feel sorry that no one is treating my sister's illness."
Lin Kuo and Song Yinxing exchanged a glance. Lin Kuo closed his eyes, took on the responsibility of the older brother, and punched Ning Xunxu. He then said to Teng Yanshuang, "Don't be angry. Little Divine Doctor, our Han Su never lets women get close to him. Let alone leaning on him, he won't even allow you to get a little close to him."
After saying that, he added, "Of course, of course. In his heart, people like Zhiyun, Yaoling whom you are about to meet, and the other ladies from noble families are all like his own half-sisters."
Upon hearing this, Ning Xunxu said, "Am I something that can't be sold?"
Lin Kuo gave him a fake smile twice, then turned to Teng Yanshuang and said, "How about this, I'll take the initiative to transfer all the money he left in Langyue Tower to your name as an apology. What do you think?"
Teng Yanshuang nodded and said, "That's right."
“I don’t have much money.” Ning Xunxu dodged Lin Kuo’s punch and said seriously, “The people are here.”
A carriage drove into the capital city not far away, leaving at night and returning at night as well. Yi Shen pinched Wu Qi's cheek and said, "Little Qi, we've arrived in the capital."
Wu Qi slowly woke up, snuggled in his arms for a while, and only after the carriage came to a stop did she lift the curtain, wave to the people waiting beside the carriage, and say with a smile, "I'm back!"
Several people stood by the window and waved to the two of them. Teng Yanshuang wanted to see Wu Qi, but she was at the edge. Fortunately, Ning Xunxu stepped back, and she was able to see Wu Qi's group clearly. She thought to herself, "Another rare beauty."
As soon as he got out of the car, Wu Qi hugged them one by one.
When it was her turn to hug Teng Yanshuang, she was not reserved at all and hugged her immediately, saying gratefully, "You must be the goddess doctor Teng Yanshuang. Thank you for treating Sister Yuqu."
"You're welcome." Teng Yanshuang hugged her and said, "I've long admired your name, the Hundred-Victory Little General."
Wu Qi became famous in one battle, but then he was imprisoned for assassinating Wei Si. Unexpectedly, a fire broke out in the prison, and when everyone saw Wu Qi again, they found that he had been burned alive. Only his face was still the same as the young lady Wu in their memories.
The Wu family and the other four great families were devastated, especially the third young master of the Yi family, who was in love with the young lady Wu and was suffering from illness and refused to go out.
After that day, no one in the capital ever saw Young Master Yi again, so rumors spread that he had committed suicide for love. This story, when written into folk tales, became a poignant tale.
In the eyes of the world, Wei Siwei Luanhua was a man whose death was not worth regretting, but he died at the hands of Wu Qi, who had made great contributions in battle. Helplessly, when Wu Qi was mentioned again, all that was left for people was regret and the phrase, "A genius's life is short."
Teng Yanshuang glanced at the burned female corpse and knew that the person had used a disguise technique and was not Wu Qi himself. To be honest, she did admire Wu Qi, but she had no interest in his whereabouts. It was only after Ning Xunxu told her that Wu Qi and Yi Shen would be returning to the capital tonight that she decided to see Wu Qi and came along.
For Yu Tengyanshuang, calling Wu Qi "the Little General of a Hundred Battles" was no exaggeration, and Wu Qi was worthy of it. However, Wu Qi waved his hand and said, "It's just an empty title."
Yi Shen asked, "How is it?"
Lin Kuo replied, "Ready."
Wu Qi also replied, "Feng Yu is ready as well."
Yi Shenyao looked at the darkness fading into the night and said, "Operate at dawn."
Lin Kuo asked in bewilderment, "Why is it dawn?"
Yi Shen replied, "Let Sister Yuqu get a good night's sleep."
As dawn broke and the people of the capital were still fast asleep, Lin Kuo and Ning Xunxu led a troop of soldiers, killed people, opened the palace gates, and entered the royal palace. At the same time, the other troops led by the students of the Imperial Academy also opened the remaining palace gates and entered the royal palace in one fell swoop.
Panic gripped the palace, and the soldiers hastily prepared for battle. Someone came to report this.
Chu Liu kissed Ning Chanyuan in his arms and said softly, "Let's go, go back to sleep." As usual, he got up early to go to court. This time, he was too lazy to wear court robes, so he opened the door wearing the clothes he had worn to sleep with Ning Chanyuan yesterday.
The door closed, and Ning Chanyuan opened her eyes.
She shrank back, clutching the silk book that Chu Liu had somehow slipped into her hand. Then she heard him command, "Those people will not harm Yuqu. No one but those people is allowed to step into this palace."
The blankets still held warmth as Ning Chanyuan clutched the silk book and buried her head in them.
The students of Cizi Pavilion, regardless of gender, charged into the palace with swords drawn, their momentum unstoppable. They kicked open the palace door, only to find it empty. After walking a few steps, they saw Chu Liu sitting on the steps.
He was never as serious as an emperor; sometimes he would squat or sit when he met people.
Today, as Chu Liu opened his eyes, the golden-armored soldiers appeared out of nowhere, surrounding him. He glanced at the youths not far away and said, "It seems I made a good choice back then."
He was the one who built Cizi Pavilion, and the students in the pavilion were also carefully selected by him after much deliberation. Now they are pointing their swords at him, which is somewhat unkind and unjust, and naturally disloyal.
But in chaotic times, heroes from all over the world use their skills and abilities.
The person who ascended to this position is by no means a good person.
Once you've ascended to this position, you'll be the one to determine right and wrong. All the previous methods, whether they were conspiracies or open schemes, will be recorded in history books and commented on by future generations—that's all another story.
Chu Liu asked, "What about Yao Ling and Weichong?"
Lin Kuo replied, "Yao Ling is outside the palace; only Chong will soon step into this place."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Shen stepped into the palace carrying Mei Chu. The golden-armored soldiers surrounded them, but they deliberately left an opening for Yi Shen to enter.
He walked up to the crowd and said, "The chaos of the times is not your fault. I apologize."
The world had already rotted when it was in the hands of the late emperor. On the surface, people lived in peace and prosperity, but in reality, the system had long been rigid. If it weren't for the appearance of Bei Kun, which blocked an attack from outside and protected Si Hai, the person sitting in this position in the capital today would not be one of their own.
The late emperor feared Bei Kun and resented the prestigious reputation of the aristocratic families. He killed his daughter and was then killed by his son, leaving Chu Liu with a mess to clean up. This man, who should have been spending his time in theaters and restaurants, sat on the throne and seized everything.
Chu Liu laughed and said, "The winner is king and the loser is a bandit, it's not your fault."
In his view, seizing power for the one he loved was by no means wrong; on the contrary, it was commendable courage. If it weren't somewhat inappropriate, he would have stood up, patted Yi Shen on the shoulder, and praised him.
He said, "However, I should always strive to prove myself, so that I may have some merit."
The secret guards poured in, and the golden-armored army pressed forward step by step. Chu Liu stayed outside the encirclement, seemingly far away from the fighting and killing, feeling extremely comfortable. But he was thinking: Will this awaken Yu Qu?
Boom! —
The noise outside the hall startled everyone. Chu Liu seemed to have figured something out, waved his hand and ordered the guards and golden-armored soldiers, "Split into two groups and go check outside the hall."
The palace doors were wide open, and as soon as these people stepped out, they heard the sound of cannons firing. The well-trained guards and golden-armored soldiers gritted their teeth and remained silent until their deaths, which made the sound of heads rolling inside the palace all the more loud.
Chu Liu looked at the heads rolling on the ground and said, "Alright, a few deaths are enough. The rest of you, step down."
The guards and golden-armored soldiers inside the hall looked at Chu Liu with some confusion. Chu Liu helplessly repeated, "Step back."
The outcome is already decided; there's no need for too many people to die.
Eighteen students from the pavilion stood on either side. Yi Shen pointed his sword at Chu Liu's head. Chu Liu was still sitting on the steps as before. Passing through the palace gate, he saw that it was much brighter. Normally, Yu Qu would not wake up at this time, but today's commotion would probably wake her up.
Footsteps suddenly echoed in the silent hall. Everyone turned to look and saw Wu Qi stepping in. She was backlit, making it impossible for anyone to see her face clearly; all they could see was the silhouette of a woman carrying a silver sword.
She stepped from the sunlight into the shadows.
Wu Qi walked to Yi Shen's side and said to Chu Liu, "Long time no see."
Chu Liu said, "Yao Ling, it has indeed been a long time since we last met."
Wu Qi asked, "Why didn't you use the cannon fin?"
Chu Liu replied, "That's not something I developed."
After a moment of silence, Wu Qi asked again, "Are you ready?"
Chu Liu chuckled, then, remembering Ning Chanyuan who was still asleep before he left, said, "I wasn't quite ready, but you can kill me."
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