The summer sun blazes, a gentle breeze blows, and the nights are unbearably hot and humid.
Luo Qingshuang suppressed her icy inner strength, sweating profusely, unwilling to give up.
“Miss, Hong’er is Zi’er’s brother. Zi’er also doesn’t want anything to happen to Hong’er, but this matter concerns you, so Zi’er has to be careful and cautious.”
After careful consideration, Zi'er still could not agree to Luo Qingshuang's request to risk her life.
Luo Qingshuang paced back and forth, her mind in turmoil. On one hand, there was Hong'er's life; on the other, the endless trouble that would follow. Choosing one meant certain loss.
"Zi'er, how is Hong'er's injury?"
Luo Qingshuang shook her head. She'd deal with the future later; worrying too much was just needless anxiety.
Zi'er opened her mouth, her face showing a pained and ruthless expression. "The eight extraordinary meridians are sealed, the internal energy is unstable and completely blocked. Hong'er was also injured by Hu Miaotian's palm strike, and her injuries are serious. The only treatment is an extremely hot substance that is naturally grown in the coldest place - the Heavenly Snow Flame Lotus."
The Heavenly Snow Flame Lotus is a legendary healing elixir; a single petal can increase one's internal energy by thirty years. Those fortunate enough to consume an entire Heavenly Snow Flame Lotus, with unwavering will and fearlessness in the face of suffering, will surely break free from their cocoons, soar to new heights, and dominate the martial world in no time.
Such miraculous healing artifacts are extremely rare, and in Luo Qingshuang's memory, only one person possessed half a Heavenly Snow Flame Lotus.
After thinking it over, Luo Qingshuang said in a deep voice, "You don't need to worry about the Heavenly Snow Flame Lotus, Zi'er. The most important thing right now is for you to stabilize Hong'er's injuries. Once I have fulfilled the conditions proposed by Hu Miaotian, we will set off for Frost Snow Mountain immediately."
"Frosty Snow Mountain?" Zi'er looked puzzled.
Luo Qingshuang didn't want to explain too much, so she waved her hand and told Zi'er to leave.
After resting for a while, when the night was dark and the wind was high, Luo Qingshuang slipped away from the Crown Prince's residence. When she returned, she had an extra item on her person.
"Miss, are you alright?" The seven-colored guards hurriedly surrounded her to check on her.
Luo Qingshuang smiled and spun around, still being thoroughly inspected by the Seven-Colored Guardians from all angles.
Zi'er took Luo Qingshuang's hand and said as they walked, "Miss must be tired after a long night. Let her sit down and have a cup of tea to rest first, and we can talk later!"
Luo Qingshuang was touched by Zi'er's thoughtfulness and said something intimate to Zi'er, which instantly made the usually calm Zi'er blush. She paused for a moment, then angrily turned and left.
They played and joked until night fell. Luo Qingshuang, dressed in white like snow, had a dignified and aloof demeanor, colder than ice. When she sat still, a single glance from her was enough to freeze one's heart.
"Zi'er, take good care of Hong'er. We're going to Yanjue Palace now."
At Luo Qingshuang's command, the seven guards replied in unison, "Yes, Miss."
The eight figures flashed, moving as fast as lightning towards the Palace of Beauty.
Ji Xiaoxiao lay on her side on the chaise lounge, supporting her chin with one hand. Her faint aura of coolness vanished in the slightly warm breeze.
"You're here! I've been waiting for you!" Ji Xiaoxiao yawned.
As soon as the words were spoken, leaves fluttered down, and Luo Qingshuang and the others appeared out of thin air.
"Here you go." Without saying a word, Luo Qingshuang handed the item directly to Ji Xiaoxiao.
Ji Xiaoxiao held it in her hand and examined it carefully. After confirming that it was correct, she casually put it into her bosom.
"I've given you the item. Your Majesty, shouldn't you lift the sealing technique on Hong'er?"
Luo Qingshuang's words were icy, each one more chilling than the last.
So what if she returned the person to Luo Qingshuang? Luo Qingshuang still had to obediently and dutifully fulfill the conditions she set. Ji Xiaoxiao's acupoint sealing technique was wondrous and profound. Unless she personally intervened, if the delay continued, Hong'er would inevitably suffer from reversed blood flow and severed meridians, leading to her death.
Ji Xiaoxiao slowly sat up and said, "Put the person down properly." As she spoke, Ji Xiaoxiao glanced at the empty chaise lounge, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Zi'er, with her sharp hearing and keen eyesight, placed the unconscious Hong'er on the chaise lounge.
Ji Xiaoxiao's technique was extremely complex, so it took quite a while. Luo Qingshuang and the others waited for two full hours before Hong'er finally opened her blood-red eyes.
"Miss." Hong'er called out to Luo Qingshuang in a hoarse and weak voice.
Luo Qingshuang hurriedly pulled Hong'er into her arms, choking back tears as she greeted her. Hong'er was badly injured, and the two managed to exchange a few words before Hong'er fell into a deep sleep again.
"Hu Miaotian, the future is long. I, Luo Qingshuang, will repay Hong'er for all the suffering she has endured in the future." Luo Qingshuang held Hong'er gently, but her words were as chilling as a winter's day.
"We look forward to your arrival," Ji Xiaoxiao replied indifferently.
Luo Qingshuang glared at Ji Xiaoxiao, then hurriedly left with the seven-colored guards who had come in a hurry.
Leaving the Empress, they headed straight for the city gate, where several fine horses were three miles away.
"Mount up and travel day and night to return to Frosty Snow Mountain as soon as possible. Hong'er's injuries cannot be delayed any longer."
The sound of horses' hooves rose, dust billowed, the cold, clear moon cast dappled light and shadow, a mixture of light and shadow.
...
A month later, Hu Shao acted with great force and swiftness, seizing control of the court and consolidating power in a short period of time, burying alive most of the court officials who opposed him. For a time, officials and common people of Liang were filled with fear and trepidation.
The long night was filled with the bustling noise and lively atmosphere of Prince Rong's mansion.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is imprisoned in the Yanjue Palace and cannot enter or leave. The Emperor is indulging in wine and women and neglecting state affairs. Hu Shao has taken the opportunity to seize power, appointing his relatives and friends and persecuting loyal officials. If this continues, the country and the people will be in turmoil. The nation is facing a great calamity. Only Your Highness can turn the tide, save the people from suffering, and save the country from its crisis." The speaker was over seventy years old, with thick white hair. Instead of enjoying his retirement at home, he pleaded with Zheng Sa to uphold justice based solely on his patriotic heart.
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