He looked at everyone, his heart filled with gratitude and respect. He knew that all of this was because of Xu Yuehuai's support and companionship.
Xu Yuehuai looked at Bei Ye, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew that Bei Ye had many things he hadn't told her, but she believed he would make the right decision.
She decided to leave once Bei Ye's situation in the Mingyue Kingdom stabilized.
The envoy from the Great Zhou Kingdom approached Xu Yuehuai, bowed to her, and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor of our country has sent me to invite you back."
Xu Yuehuai looked at him and replied calmly, "I will consider it."
While everyone in the banquet hall was celebrating the joyous moment of the new emperor's ascension to the throne, Xu Yuehuai's heart was filled with contradictions and confusion.
Bei Ye approached Xu Yuehuai and asked gently, "What's wrong? Is something making you unhappy?"
Xu Yuehuai looked into his eyes and answered seriously, "I probably won't be able to stay in the Underworld Kingdom for much longer."
Bei Ye knew what Xu Yuehuai was talking about, and he was also hesitant and conflicted. But he couldn't let Xu Yuehuai go back to the Great Zhou Kingdom; he was afraid of losing her.
So he said firmly, "Stay here! I will always protect you and take care of you."
Upon hearing Bei Ye's words, Xu Yuehuai immediately refused.
"No, I still have a lover, family, children, and friends in the Great Zhou Kingdom and the Wuling Kingdom. I can't stay here."
A hurt look flashed across Bei Ye's eyes. He looked at Xu Yuehuai and said in a deep sense of helplessness, "Alright then, once I've fully recovered, I'll have someone send you back to the Great Zhou Kingdom."
Xu Yuehuai pursed her lips and said softly, "Thank you."
Bei Ye turned around and was called away by a minister from the Mingyue Kingdom. He left so resolutely that he didn't look back at Xu Yuehuai even once.
The oppressive atmosphere of the banquet made her feel suffocated. Xu Yuehuai found the banquet very dull, so she secretly slipped away to the garden at the back.
It was a quiet and beautiful place, her refuge. However, as soon as she sat down, a cold wind blew by, making her involuntarily tighten her collar.
Just then, she saw a figure flash by. The figure looked somewhat familiar, and she stood up to take a closer look. She realized it was the envoy from the Great Zhou Kingdom who had appeared in front of her earlier.
"What do you need me for?" Xu Yuehuai asked, puzzled.
The envoy stopped and slowly turned around. Xu Yuehuai froze when she saw his face. A smile appeared on the envoy's face, and then he changed his voice, saying in a familiar tone, "A-Yue, it's me!"
Xu Yuehuai's heart was in turmoil; she recognized Qi Guze's voice.
An expression of disbelief crossed her face as she stared wide-eyed at Qi Guze: "How could it be you?!"
Qi Guze walked up to Xu Yuehuai, his eyes filled with tenderness: "I knew you would come here, so I came along too."
Xu Yuehuai was stunned, her thoughts in complete disarray. She never dreamed she would encounter Qi Guze in such a setting. She stammered, "You...how did you end up here?"
Qi Guze gently grasped Xu Yuehuai's hand: "I came here to protect you. I know you are in danger."
Xu Yuehuai's heart raced, and she felt her face flush slightly. Qi Guze's words warmed her and made her feel at ease. She looked up at Qi Guze, her eyes glistening with tears: "How did you know I was here?"
Qi Guze said softly, "I have been looking for you. I know you were sent to the Underworld Moon Kingdom. I went to great lengths to sneak in here."
A warm feeling welled up in Xu Yuehuai's heart; she knew Qi Guze genuinely cared about her. Her emotions gradually calmed, and she gently withdrew her hand: "How could you risk coming here? What if we were discovered?"
Qi Guze smiled and said, "I'm not afraid of anything for you."
His gaze was firm yet gentle, making Xu Yuehuai's heart race once more.
The two of them stood quietly in the garden, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility. Although the surrounding environment was unfamiliar and dangerous, with Qi Guze by her side, Xu Yuehuai felt incredibly safe and courageous.
The moonlight, like water, gently spilled into the back garden of the Dark Moon Kingdom's palace, casting a faint silver hue over the entire space.
The back garden at night is devoid of the daytime hustle and bustle, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional chirping of insects in the distance.
As night fell, the fragrance of flowers seemed even stronger, silently permeating one's heart and lungs, making one want to take a deep breath of this rare freshness.
In this tranquil back garden, Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai stood facing each other. Qi Guze held Xu Yuehuai's hand tightly; his palm was slightly damp, revealing his inner tension and anxiety.
"I'll take you away from the Dark Moon Kingdom now! I've arranged everything. Once we leave the palace, someone will escort us back to the Wuling Kingdom!"
His tone was urgent, every word filled with concern and care for Xu Yuehuai. Xu Yuehuai looked into Qi Guze's eyes, those eyes that had once captivated her, now filled with determination and resolve.
A ripple of emotion stirred within her. Of course, she also missed her children in Wuling Kingdom, but she couldn't leave for the time being.
"I promised Bei Ye that I would stay here to help him for a while longer," she said softly, her tone tinged with helplessness and apology.
Qi Guze was stunned; he hadn't expected Xu Yuehuai to say that. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes, followed by deep disappointment.
“He was lying to you all along, even the poisoning was faked.” He blurted out, his voice trembling slightly.
Xu Yuehuai's eyes widened, her expression filled with shock. She stared at Qi Guze in disbelief.
"Have you investigated?" she asked in a low voice, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
Qi Guze took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, I've investigated. This is all Bei Ye's conspiracy; he wants to use you to achieve his own goals."
His voice was deep and powerful, each word like a hammer blow to Xu Yuehuai's heart. Xu Yuehuai felt utterly confused; she had considered countless possibilities, but never imagined she would fall into such a trap.
"I..." She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. Qi Guze looked at her shocked expression and felt a pang of pain in his heart.
“I know this is hard to accept, but it’s the truth.” He held Xu Yuehuai’s hand tightly, as if trying to transfer his strength to her. “We can’t let him use us, we can’t let him succeed.”
Xu Yuehuai was silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head and looked at Qi Guze. "You're right, we can't let him use us."
Her voice was firm and powerful, as if she had regained her conviction in an instant: "I will leave here with you now."
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