Last resort
Before she knew it, tears streamed down her face. Deep within her heart, in a desolate place where no one had ever been, a sudden pain arose.
Throughout her life, she herself never looked back.
The chattering sounds resumed, and the bright red between her brows became even more dazzling.
She felt a splitting headache and a shattering chest. It was as if another self was inside her, churning and struggling, trying to break free.
"Oh dear, what is this?" "It's so long, a red rope?" "What's that end connected to?"
As soon as "they" finished speaking, everything suddenly fell silent.
For a long time, there was no sound or movement in this area.
Two figures, one in green and one in white, leaped in from the left and right, as if descending from the sky, but they stopped abruptly when they saw the scene in front of the prison gate.
A man with flowing white hair, wearing a black jade mask, sat cross-legged on the ground, holding A-Qiu in his arms. He extended his right hand, with two long, slender fingers that were clearly defined, and placed them on her pulse. He seemed to be enveloped in a faint glow, and even his fingers seemed to be tinged with a silver light.
The white-haired man stood up, but showed no intention of putting A-Qiu down. Judging from his expression, he intended to take A-Qiu away.
Xiao Chang'an was the first to shout, "Put him down!"
With a flick of his purple bamboo flute, a cluster of blue bee needles shot out.
The white-haired man seemed oblivious, casually flicking his wrist, and the Green Peak Needle immediately flew back, shooting towards Xiao Chang'an's face.
Shangguan Yuqi spoke up to stop her, saying, "Senior, this is our dynasty's Minister of Music. The dance competition between the Northern Qiang envoys is imminent, and we cannot do without her. Where are you taking her?"
The white-haired man's back stood like a mountain, and after a moment he said calmly, "In that case, you may come along too!"
After hesitating for a moment, Shangguan Yuqi leaped up and chased after his retreating figure.
Without saying a word, Xiao Chang'an also gripped the purple bamboo flute and followed closely behind.
The white-haired man turned his head to the side and said calmly, "What, aren't you going to help the emperor? This is a great opportunity to gain favor and honor."
Upon hearing this, both Shangguan Yuqi and Xiao Chang'an were slightly taken aback.
In fact, Shangguan Yuqi had already seen Xie Lang collapse to the side, but as a martial artist, she knew that Xie Lang was originally a military general and should be fine. This white-haired man of unknown origin and strange appearance was openly trying to take A Qiu away, and her primary instinct was to stop him from taking A Qiu away.
Xiao Chang'an glanced hesitantly at Xie Lang on the ground, while the white-haired man simply stood still, waiting for him to make a decision.
Xie Lang brought only A Qiu with him to the prison this time, and cleared out all irrelevant people. Xie Lang himself was a military general, and with A Qiu's martial arts skills, which were currently chasing Gu Yi, dealing with the seriously injured and dying Zhao Lingying was more than enough. However, Consort Chen and Mu Huaying were still worried. This was Zhao Lingying's farewell to Xie Lang, and they should not interfere. Therefore, they ordered Shangguan Yuqi and Xiao Chang'an to follow and protect her from a distance.
But when they arrived, they found Xie Lang unconscious to the side, and the white-haired man about to take A Qiu away.
Shangguan Yuqi is devoted to sword cultivation and regards power and position as nothing. For her, she does whatever is important and doesn't care whether the person is the emperor or A Qiu. But for Xiao Chang'an, rescuing Xie Lang alone at this moment is an excellent opportunity to win favor with Xie Lang and Consort Chen.
However, if both Flying Phoenix Guards abandon Xie Lang and leave without a trace, they will likely also be held accountable.
Shangguan Yuqi has always been indifferent; she's even been to the Yeting prison. But Xiao Chang'an probably can't so easily take power lightly.
Xiao Chang'an gritted his teeth and said resolutely, "Where are you going? Let's go!"
The white-haired man then carried A-Qiu and continued walking slowly, not forgetting to tease her, "Young Marquis Xiao has always been power-hungry and will fight for every inch of land, yet he is willing to give up such an opportunity for promotion."
A cold glint flashed in Xiao Chang'an's eyes as he shouted, "Who exactly are you?"
The white-haired man simply shrugged nonchalantly, without answering.
Xiao Chang'an sneered, "One emperor isn't that important. If my Northern Dynasty's Xiao family wants, we can have as many emperors as we like."
His words were utterly rebellious, completely revealing his arrogance and sharpness, as well as the Xiao family's trump card. Although Xiao Chang'an was originally cynical, he wasn't usually this flamboyant; these words were entirely a result of the white-haired man's mockery igniting his rebellious nature.
If he had said these words to anyone else, it would have been a capital offense. However, the white-haired man merely smiled slightly, while the White Feather Sword Immortal Shangguan Yuqi remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard a word.
The white-haired man, carrying A-Qiu, swiftly flew across the palace walls and courtyards, disappearing behind a clump of trees in an instant.
Without another word, Shangguan Yuqi quickly followed after them, displaying her agility.
Xiao Chang'an had no choice but to follow.
After they left, Lie Changkong, a black-clad warrior with a hundred swords tied around his waist, appeared at the entrance of the Heavenly Prison. He sighed, picked up Xie Lang, and ran towards the Cloud Dragon Palace without looking back.
Unaware that she was crying the whole time, the unconscious A-Qiu was completely oblivious.
As she was carried back by the white-haired man, her tears soaked a large patch of his shoulder.
When she opened her eyes, she found that her pillow was also wet, and she was in the side hall of Liyang Palace.
She rubbed her eyes, feeling a sense of bewilderment, as if she had just woken up from a dream.
In her dream, she was unaware that she was a guest. Why was she so heartbroken? Was it only because of Yanxiu?
Even for Yanxiu, she shouldn't shed so many tears. Yanxiu was a person of the past, a person recorded in history books. She dared to love and hate, so why should a younger generation grieve for her?
Two voices rang in her ears at the same time, saying, "You're awake!"
A voice came from Shangguan Yuqi, who stood a few feet away from the bed, her usually calm and serene eyes filled with concern.
The other was Xiao Chang'an, who, as always, leaned against the door with a half-smile on his face, gazing intently at her.
But the first person A-Qiu had to pay attention to was the one sitting calmly in the chair in front of the bed.
This should be the first time she has seen the true face of "Lord Liyang".
But it was as if I hadn't seen them at all, and it was no different from before.
His silver hair flowed like snow, and a pair of gray, crystalline eyes were hidden beneath the Shan Xuanyu mask, as deep and unfathomable as a still pool, intently observing her.
He was surrounded by a kind of profound tranquility, like the quality of deep mountains and vast marshes, and it was this quality that made people feel at first glance that he was indeed different from ordinary people.
But the moment she saw him, a vague sense of familiarity flashed through her mind, though she couldn't be sure.
She tried hard to recall all the men she had ever known, wanting to know where this feeling of familiarity came from.
She wanted her senior brother Gongyi Xiu, Mo Yimingyue, her master Wanqiqing... and then Gu Yi.
But she suddenly realized that after only a few months apart from Gu Yi, she couldn't remember what he looked like at all.
Lord Liyang gazed at her intently and slowly asked, "Do you recognize me?"
If you don't listen carefully, you won't notice the slight tremor in his voice.
A-Qiu stared at him blankly for a long time, searching her memory for a long time, but she couldn't recall any old friend whose description and demeanor resembled him. She could only answer truthfully: "The Divine Lord is a reclusive master, and A-Qiu has no chance to meet him."
As she uttered those words, she felt a sharp pain deep within her heart, as if connected by a red thread.
Lord Liyang subtly shifted his gaze away, saying indifferently, "Oh."
Mortals revere the gods, and Shangguan Yuqi, as a sword immortal, views all things as equal and fearless. However, she sensed something amiss in this conversation and asked, "May I ask, senior, does Lady Si Le perhaps know you?"
Lord Liyang glanced at Aqiu again and said calmly, "I just thought that I have been in the palace for a long time and have met many people, but I don't remember them all. Perhaps she has seen me before, who knows?"
He then changed the subject, saying, "Have you thought about the question I asked you last time?"
A-Qiu was surprised to face this problem so soon after waking up and was speechless for a moment.
All because of his question: "Will you marry me?"
In the past, she would have felt unfamiliar with this question. But now, when the question is raised again, she can picture the last emperor, Sima Yan, drawing his sword and roaring in the Qiwu Palace, and Xie Lang's hoarse howl in the illusion of flames.
"Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns! I can't start over!"
Once upon a time, Zhao Lingying said something to her.
"One of the most important things my best friend taught me is that you should never marry someone you don't love."
Otherwise, they will be condemned to eternal damnation in hell.
Seeing the strange situation between the two, Xiao Chang'an could no longer contain himself and asked, "What question did you ask her that made her so embarrassed?"
He muttered again, "If it's really difficult, you can ask me the same thing. I can handle it for her. There's nothing the Xiao family of Lanling can't do."
As soon as A Qiu gave him a warning look, Lord Liyang said casually, "Even if you're willing to do this for her, I will absolutely not agree. Because what I want her to agree to is marrying me."
As he finished speaking, he looked meaningfully into A-Qiu's eyes again. A-Qiu, unable to meet his gaze, immediately lowered her head and looked away.
These words had a startling effect. Xiao Chang'an and Shangguan Yuqi both changed color.
Xiao Chang'an flew into a rage, shouting, "You old fool, how dare you harbor such delusional thoughts! Who is she? She is..." He hesitated, then fell silent. He realized he had no reason to stop Lord Liyang from making this request.
Shangguan Yuqi interjected, "She is the only successor of the Junior Master and the Crown Prince's junior sister. If she wants to get married, she needs His Majesty's approval."
Lord Liyang said nonchalantly, "I didn't see you showing such respect to your Emperor just now." Even the usually composed Shangguan Yuqi was speechless.
In truth, she didn't know why she instinctively opposed A Qiu marrying this Lord Liyang. She just felt that this man was secretive and had a mysterious background, and she absolutely could not allow A Qiu to marry such a suspicious person.
Lord Liyang turned to Aqiu, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said, "Are you still thinking that the great witch Qiluo can help you restore 'Shao' and 'Wu'? But she willingly offered herself as a sacrifice to cleanse the injustices in the palace. After that spiritual sacrifice, you will never see her again in this world." His tone carried a hint of melancholy as he said, "So perhaps, I am the last way for you to obtain 'Shao' and 'Wu' in this world."
Shangguan Yuqi said without giving a chance to argue, "A Qiu, let's go. Even without 'Shao' and 'Wu', if we go to the battlefield with real swords and spears, we are still capable of defeating the Northern Qiang."
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