It was raining heavily outside, almost blinding her eyes. She ran as fast as she could towards the Dali Temple. At this moment, she felt that the palace was too big and the road was too long.
The stone road was extremely slippery. Mu Zhuohua ran too fast and accidentally slipped from the stone steps and rolled down. Her arm hit the stone edge and her coarse cloth clothes were torn. It seemed that her skin was also scratched. However, she didn't care about the pain and quickly got up and ran forward again.
It's still in time... It must be in time...
Mu Zhuohua told herself in her heart that there was still a quarter of an hour. She ran as fast as she could and would definitely reach the Dali Temple before noon.
She was already soaked, the coldness penetrated deep into her bones, her lips were bloodless, and her legs were like lead, but at this moment she didn't feel any pain. It was as if a fire was burning in her chest, urging her to run forward.
Finally, she saw the gate of the Dali Temple. Calculating the time, it should not be noon yet. She breathed a sigh of relief and pushed open the closed door of the Dali Temple. She was panting and trembling. She looked around and saw Shen Jinghong standing next to her and washing his hands.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has an order..." Mu Zhuohua raised the waist badge given by Liu Chen and stared at Shen Jinghong, "Release Prince Ding!"
Shen Jinghong raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he was not as angry as Mu Zhuohua expected. He curled his thin lips and said, "Okay, I have asked someone to open the Tiger Prison. You can take him back."
"What?" Mu Zhuohua was stunned for a moment, and suddenly a strong sense of uneasiness surged in his heart.
Shen Jinghong said slowly: "The water clock broke today, and it's raining heavily outside. I don't know what time it is. I estimate that the time is about right. I have already executed him and made Prince Ding drink the poisoned wine."
Shen Jinghong looked at Mu Zhuohua's pupils that lost focus in an instant, and smiled slightly: "You can take his body away."
Mu Zhuohua loosened her hand, and the white jade token fell to the ground, making a crisp sound of breaking.
Her body swayed, and she was almost unable to stand. She supported herself on the wall and turned to rush towards the entrance of the Tiger Prison.
There were only a few torches in the Tiger Prison emitting a charming flame. Mu Zhuohua staggered towards the last cell. The door of the cell was wide open, revealing a dark hole that seemed to swallow everything.
Mu Zhuohua ran to the door panting, and saw Liu Yan sitting on the ground with his eyes closed in the faint firelight outside the door. He was calm and showed no pain. He sat quietly as if he was in a trance.
Mu Zhuohua couldn't help but slow down her pace, walked slowly to him and knelt down, stretched out her trembling hands to touch his cold and thin cheeks.
"Liu Yan..."
His eyelashes trembled slightly, and it seemed that he had to use great strength to open his eyes, and her embarrassed appearance was reflected in his eyes. He raised his hands with difficulty, wanting to hug her, but he couldn't muster any strength. He wanted to ask her if the wound on her forehead hurt, but as soon as he opened his mouth, hot blood could not help but gushed out of his throat.
"Liu Yan! Liu Yan!" Mu Zhuohua hugged his limp body in panic, crying and shouting, "Your Majesty has pardoned you, you don't have to die, I, I will take you home..."
Liu Yan's eyes gazed at her crying face gently. His little girl was smart, brave and strong, but at this moment, she was soaked and covered with wounds. It must have been very difficult for her to walk this way, very difficult...
He wanted to protect her for the rest of her life, but it was also himself who made her suffer the greatest harm.
Liu Yan used up all his strength to hold her trembling body. He had so many words to say, but they were blocked by blood. Every time he tried to speak, more blood stained her clothes.
"Liu Yan, cheer up, I'll take you back, I can cure you!" Mu Zhuohua's pale face was full of stubbornness. She wanted to carry Liu Yan on her back, but she was too weak and struggled helplessly. She could only watch his blood flow more and more, and gradually became cold in her arms.
Mu Zhuohua finally couldn't help crying: "Don't die, Liu Yan, you said you would love me forever, you said you would be together for a lifetime, you can't break your promise to me! Liu Yan, I promise you, as long as you live well, I will marry you, I will wear a phoenix crown and a bridal robe as your bride, as long as you are fine, as long as you are fine..." Liu
Yan's dark eyes were like a meteor in the night, lighting up in an instant, but disappearing in a flash.
It turned out that she liked him so much, more than he had ever expected...
Mu Zhuohua hugged his cold body tightly, and felt that at that moment, his body sank, cutting off all life.
She froze and buried her face in his chest, as if there was still a trace of warmth there.
In the silent and dark cage, they held each other tightly.
She heard her desperate and cold voice echoing in the darkness.
"Liu Yan..."
"Liu Yan..."
"Liu Yan..."
"We..."
"Go home..."
It was a dream that made people unable to wake up.
She saw herself standing in a flower field, with the spring breeze blowing on her face. There was a reassuring and nostalgic scent in the wind. The fragrance came from all directions, making her unable to find the direction she came from.
She pushed aside the flowers, but couldn't find the way. She didn't know how long she had been running. There was pain everywhere on her body, but the most painful part was the left side of her heart.
She was angry, stood there, and called his name over and over again with red eyes.
"Liu Yan, if you don't come out, I will ignore you!"
"I, I don't want you anymore!"
The voice echoed in the sea of flowers, lingering in her ears, but there was no response.
She lowered her head, choking with grievance and unwillingness: "You said you would protect me forever..."
Her shoulders twitched slightly, and she squatted down, hugging her knees helplessly with her hands, burying her face between her knees. The world is so big, and she is just a small ball. No one loves her, no one wants her. He picked her up and threw her away.
She even cried obediently, suppressing and forbearing, because there is only one person who can indulge her insolence and let her be spoiled.
Where is that person...
Suddenly a cape fell on her shoulders. She raised her head suddenly and saw the face she had been thinking about. With a meaningful and warm smile, he looked at her dotingly.
"Be good, don't cry."
Before he finished speaking, she threw him into her arms and fell into the flowers.
She buried her tear-soaked face in his neck, smelled his unique scent, and held him tightly with both hands, afraid that he would disappear again.
"I dreamed that you didn't want me anymore..." She complained in a hoarse voice, "Liu Yan, my heart hurts."
A warm hand patted her gently on her back and coaxed her.
"Zhuohua..." A gentle kiss accompanied by sighs and love fell on her heart.
"What should I do... So I love you so much..."
Then, she opened her eyes and saw that she was holding his clothes in her arms.
It was that day when he caught her in the medicine pool. She was soaked all over, so he asked her to change into his clothes.
She knelt in front of him and said, "The subordinate likes the prince.
" Mu Zhuohua suddenly smiled. It turned out that lies become true if they are told too many times.
The stars in her eyes dimmed, and she said in a hoarse voice like a dream: "Liu Yan... I dreamed that you came back..."
That day, Mu Zhuohua was soaked all over. After being sent back from the palace, she fell into a coma with a high fever. The imperial physician came several times and prescribed medicine for Guo Juli to drink. The fever subsided and came back again. After three days of tossing and turning, it still did not get better. Guo Juli heard her calling Liu Yan's name in a daze, and he was so anxious that he cried. Finally, he thought of a way and found the clothes she brought back from the Yaochi Villa that day. She grabbed the clothes as if she had grabbed a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood. She suddenly calmed down and her body gradually got better.
On the morning of the fourth day, she finally woke up from her dream and shouted to Guo Juli that she was hungry. Guo Juli cried and laughed at the same time, wiping his tears and said, "Miss, wait a minute, the porridge in the kitchen is still warm, I will go and bring it to you."
In the past three days and three nights, the porridge in the kitchen was always cooked and poured out, but there was always a pot of porridge hot, waiting for Mu Zhuohua to eat at any time when she woke up. Guo Juli hurriedly poured the hot porridge and soup medicine, and when he returned to the room, he saw Zhimo standing at the head of the bed and talking to Mu Zhuohua. They didn't know what they said, but Mu Zhuohua's pale face had a hint of life, and the hands holding the clothes were shaking.
Hearing the footsteps of Guo Juli coming in, Zhimo stopped talking and turned to look at her.
"Brother Zhimo?" Guo Juli was a little surprised that he was here, and then he frowned and was a little unhappy, "Why are you here?"
She was afraid that Zhimo's appearance would stimulate Mu Zhuohua's emotions again.
Zhimo pursed his lips and said hesitantly, "I am ordered by the prince to stay here to protect Lord Mu."
"Protect?" Mu Zhuohua curled the corners of his lips, and a hint of sarcasm appeared on his bloodless face. "He is gone, but the funeral has been arranged quite well. Juli," she turned to look at Guo Juli, "where is the prince's body now?"
Guo Juli was stunned for a moment before replying, "The prince is a criminal and there is no funeral ceremony. Three days ago, His Majesty had the prince's body buried in the cemetery under Fuyun Mountain... Miss, do you want to pay homage to the prince?"
"Juli, people always have to look forward. Give me the porridge and medicine." Mu Zhuohua closed his eyes, and his weak and hoarse voice regained strength. "I have other more important things to do."
When Zhimo came to the study, Mu Zhuohua was already dressed and sitting at the table. She had a high fever for several days in a row and lost a lot of weight. The good complexion that Liu Yan had worked so hard to maintain was blown away by the rain and wind within a few days. The blue shirt hung on her thin body, as if it could not be broken.
Zhimo sighed in his heart, lowered his eyes and walked up to her.
"What do you want, sir?" Zhimo asked.
Mu Zhuohua looked at Zhimo's expressionless face and remembered the first time she saw him. This young man was skilled in martial arts and loyal. Although he was taciturn, he had a clear mind. Zhijian's martial arts was better than Zhimo's, but he was more impulsive and reckless, and difficult to discipline. Perhaps Liu Yan also understood this and kept Zhimo by his side.
Mu Zhuohua endured the pain in his heart and asked calmly: "Zhimo, do you know why I asked you to come?"
Zhimo glanced at Mu Zhuohua, lowered his head and said: "The adults have their own ideas, Zhimo dare not speculate, just follow the orders."
Mu Zhuohua smiled: "Whose orders are you following?"
"The prince is not here, so of course I follow your orders." Zhimo answered respectfully.
Mu Zhuohua held a thin piece of paper, and the corners of his pale lips curled up slightly: "Well, I want to overturn the case for the prince." Zhimo
was startled and looked up at Mu Zhuohua.
Mu Zhuohua said coldly: "Shen Jinghong framed the prince with seven crimes and framed him. He has lived a clean life and has never wronged anyone. I cannot let him bear the infamy and be infamous forever."
"Shen Jinghong is unfathomable. Your Excellency's move may make him a direct enemy..."
Mu Zhuohua said: "Shen Jinghong and I have long been enemies, not friends." She took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in her heart. "He dared to touch my people. I must settle this account with him!"
She, Mu Zhuohua, has always repaid kindness with kindness and repaid grievances with justice. No matter who owed her, she would make him pay double!
Mu Zhuohua took a seven-day leave due to illness. Liu Chen covered up what happened in the Dali Temple and did not let anyone know about Mu Zhuohua's involvement with Liu Yan. Everyone saw that Mu Zhuohua had indeed lost a lot of weight and had a sick look on his face, so they did not think much about it. The seat that originally belonged to Liu Yan in the hall was empty, as if this person had never existed there. He became a taboo among the officials, and no one dared to mention him too much. There were a few people who were close to Mu Zhuohua, who were secretly happy for her, saying that Mu Zhuohua had offended Liu Yan, and now that Liu Yan was dead, it was a good thing for her.
Mu Zhuohua didn't refute but didn't laugh when she heard others say that. People around her felt that Mu Zhuohua was a little different. She didn't seem to be as kind and cheerful as before. There seemed to be a layer of invisible frost on her face, which made people feel inexplicably cold.
After the court was dismissed, Song Lianxi went to see Mu Zhuohua, but saw her coming out of the household registration office.
"Brother Lianxi." Mu Zhuohua nodded and smiled slightly when she saw it was him, "Why are you here?"
Song Lianxi walked closer and said in a gentle voice: "I didn't believe it when I heard that you were sick a few days ago. Today, seeing how haggard you look, I have to believe it. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell me. If there is any way I can be of use, I will not refuse."
Mu Zhuohua smiled gratefully and said, "Thank you, Brother Lianxi. I just had a minor illness and I'm recovered now. Thank you for your concern."
Song Lianxi is a calm and honest person. Although he doesn't talk much, he is very thoughtful. He has a wife and children at home and lives a happy life, so he also hopes that his friends around him can live a happy life.
"Before the morning court today, I... I saw that you and Lord Shen seemed to be unhappy, but is there any misunderstanding?" Song Lianxi hesitated for a moment, but still spoke his mind, "He is now in the emperor's favor and at the peak of his career, why do you have to confront him?"
Mu Zhuohua smiled faintly: "Brother Lianxi, I know you are doing this for my own good, but the relationship between Lord Shen and me is not something that can be explained by the word misunderstanding."
After hearing what Mu Zhuohua said, Song Lianxi knew that it was useless to say more. He sighed softly and said, "You two are both young heroes with extraordinary talents. Just treat me as meddling. "
Mu Zhuohua said: "Brother Lianxi, you are too polite. Among all the officials in this court, I respect you the most." This was said sincerely. Song Lianxi seemed to be low-key, but he was calm and reliable. "You came at the right time today. I just want to ask you something. You are closer to Lord Shen. Have you ever heard him talk about his family affairs?"
Song Lianxi shook his head and said: "I only heard that Lord Shen's parents died and he was born in poverty. He is alone and there is nothing much to say."
Shen Jinghong had a miserable life, so naturally no one would be ignorant enough to ask about his affairs and touch his wounds.
Mu Zhuohua lowered his eyes and thought: "Does he have any other close friends?"
Song Lianxi smiled: "The poor scholars all take him as their leader, but when it comes to close friends, forgive me for being honest, Lord Shen is not a person who is easy to confide in. I thought... you two are a match made in heaven."
Mu Zhuohua laughed, thinking of the misunderstanding of Xiao Qin Gong, and shook his head: "I did respect him for not fearing the powerful and being upright, but other than that, I didn't have any extra thoughts. What happened in Xiao Qin Gong that day was purely a misunderstanding. Everyone saw me, Lord Shen, getting along privately and thought that there was something going on between him and me. In fact, I was drunk and found a place to rest, and accidentally ran into Lord Shen and Miss Yunzhi making love. Miss Yunzhi ran away out of shyness, leaving Lord Shen and me there. , and was caught by colleagues who came to look for someone, so everyone talked nonsense. "
Mu Zhuohua was in the court, surrounded by men. She always knew to keep a distance from others to avoid causing trouble. The only thing she was disrespectful to was one person, and she only provoked one person...
Song Lianxi had indeed never seen Mu Zhuohua and Shen Jinghong have any intimate behavior that crossed the line, but when he heard Mu Zhuohua clarify the matter of Xiaoqin Palace, he was incredulous: "Lord Mu, you are joking, you left early that day so you didn't know. Not long after you left, Miss Yunzhi was called away by a senior official of the Taichang Temple. Seeing that Lord Shen had no intention of keeping her, she left sadly. How could Lord Shen go to the backyard to be intimate with her again?"
Mu Zhuohua was stunned when he heard this, and recalled the scene of that day in his mind.
She was half asleep that day and had indeed never seen the woman's face. She only heard Shen Jinghong's low and hoarse voice. From the way he spoke, it seemed that he had some affection for the woman...
"Could it be that Lord Shen has other lovers in Xiaoqin Palace?"
Song Lianxi said, "That's impossible. Lord Shen has always been chaste. He has long declared that he would never get married unless he became a first-class official. Although he sometimes went to Xiaoqin Palace with his colleagues to listen to music, he never let other women get close to him."
Mu Zhuohua lowered her eyes and smiled thoughtfully, "It seems that I misunderstood."
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