Chapter 68 Marriage at Will, Burning with Anger
She no longer wanted to be a puppet controlled by the birthing system.
That night in the military tent was humiliating for him, and it was also torture for her; otherwise, she wouldn't have woken up in terror from her sleep so many nights.
No matter how beautified the childbirth system is, it cannot escape the fact that it is just a tool.
It's still a reproductive tool with little choice.
But she was a living, breathing person with feelings.
According to Ji Qingwu's initial plan, she wanted to slowly develop feelings for her target, and when the passion was at its peak, everything would naturally fall into place.
She wanted to minimize the utilitarian aspect of this task and didn't want it to become a complete transaction.
However, a major blunder occurred during the mission; she had mistaken the person for someone else.
To save her own life, she abandoned all sense of propriety and shame, abandoned Wei Ting, and abandoned her infant son...
Because no one yearned for a free and vibrant life more than her; this was her greatest dream in her previous life, when she lay weakly in her sickbed all day.
Having completed her mission of giving birth, she murmured to herself, "Now it's time to live for myself."
Ji Qingwu's eyes were dry, but unlike before, they did not well up with tears.
Instead, his eyes were red and swollen, as if he were about to weep blood.
The man in front of her gave her enough time to think it over, and she finally spoke.
My voice is terribly hoarse.
Although her voice was hoarse, she spoke every word clearly.
"This humble woman wishes to ask whether that oral decree is valid?"
The verbal order was valid, meaning she was permitted to marry freely outside the palace.
Emperor Wusu's expression turned completely cold.
That's all you wanted to say.
Even without looking at him, Ji Qingwu could feel a bone-chilling coldness creeping over her, and her whole body stiffened as if she were in an ice cellar.
The overwhelming sense of oppression almost made her knees buckle and she was about to kneel down.
She could only hold onto the wall behind her with both hands to prevent herself from falling.
The wait for trial was always unbearable. Ji Qingwu was terrified, but she had no intention of bowing her head and giving in.
His eyes grew increasingly angry, turning dark and menacing, as if brewing a thunderstorm about to explode.
Ji Qingwu had made her stance clear—no matter what, she could not stay by his side.
Emperor Wusu raised his hand and forcefully gripped her chin, forcing her to tilt her head back until her entire field of vision was filled with his taut face.
His knuckles were white from the force he was using, and the rise and fall of his chest seemed to be searching for an outlet for his deep anger.
Ji Qingwu's heart was pounding, his ears were ringing, and his breathing became rapid and shallow.
Her consciousness began to blur, and all she could see was darkness; she could no longer see the people in front of her.
He seemed to whisper something in her ear, and then suddenly ripped off the jade pendant from his waist.
The jade pendant struck her, brushed against her waist, and slid to the ground with a crisp sound.
I don't know how much time passed.
Ji Qingwu regained her senses, squatted down, hugged her knees, and gasped for breath.
The room was empty; she had no idea when Emperor Wusu had left.
Her gaze returned to focus, landing on the koi fish pendant on the ground. The five-colored thread had broken in two, and the colorful silk threads were unevenly torn.
It's not just this wire that's broken.
Ji Qingwu carefully put it away, placed it in his bosom, and hid it in his chest.
A gentle evening breeze drifted in through the attic window; it wasn't cold, but it still made her shiver.
She turned her head to look; the bright moon hung high outside the window, it was almost midnight.
Oh no.
Ji Qingwu hurriedly ran out of the teahouse. The waiter downstairs saw her and said, "Young master, that gentleman from just now..."
She tossed a silver ingot over and ran off like the wind.
The young man, holding the silver in his hand, stared dumbfounded as the azure figure quickly disappeared into the night, but he hadn't finished speaking.
Lanzhi and Qiuqiu are still by the river.
When Ji Qingwu arrived at the place where the group had parted ways earlier, there was no sign of them.
I asked people on the street, and they all said they had never seen a woman in yellow holding a child.
Ji Qingwu walked along the riverbank in a great hurry, his feet aching and his calves hurting.
She had run at least ten miles today, but still couldn't find it. She leaned against a willow tree, bent over and panting, intending to rest for a while.
In the shadows on the shore, a low-key yet luxurious carriage was parked.
The man closed his eyes to rest, his expression cold and aloof.
"Sir, that... young lady is still by the river and hasn't gone back. The waiter probably didn't pass on the message."
When Duan Mingfeng saw the emperor and "him" being intimate in the teahouse, he realized after a moment's thought that the handsome young man was actually a woman.
On the other side, Ji Qingwu was by the river, unsure whether to go home first or continue searching here. She looked towards the opposite bank.
Someone walked up to her and blocked her way.
What came into view was the man's dark robe and gold-trimmed boots. Ji Qingwu looked up, her expression one of surprise.
Prince Yong smiled and said, "Fifth cousin."
"His Royal Highness King Yong."
Prince Yong scrutinized her attire, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
"I saw you strolling through the lantern market from the Jade Pavilion earlier, but I didn't dare to recognize you. It really is you."
He had been in the vicinity the whole time, so Ji Qingwu quickly asked, "Your Highness Prince Yong, have you seen my daughter?"
Her eyes were red and she looked pitiful. She was dressed in men's robes, and her gentleness was tempered with a resilient air. She had an indescribable charm, and Prince Yong was instantly aroused by her beauty.
“I haven’t seen that.” Prince Yong smiled and leaned closer to her, saying, “Fifth Cousin, you’ve gotten separated? Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to help you find her right away.”
"Thank you, Your Highness." Ji Qingwu took a step back, feeling uncomfortable, to create distance between them.
Prince Yong said something to the servant following behind him, then turned back and stared intently at her waist.
"Why don't you come with me to Jade Pavilion, Fifth Cousin? They will come to the pavilion to inform us when they have any news."
Looking into his flirtatious eyes, Ji Qingwu knew that Prince Yong was after her.
But she needed his help.
Seeing her hesitation, Prince Yong reached out his arm to put his arm around her: "It's chilly at night, let's go upstairs and wait, let's go together."
Suddenly, a jarring male voice was heard.
"This humble servant greets Your Highness."
Prince Yong, displeased at being disturbed, looked over.
The visitor was Duan Mingfeng from the Imperial City Guard.
"Duan Shisi".
The Imperial City Guard had very little interaction with Prince Yong, yet here he was, raising an eyebrow and asking, "What do you want?"
Duan Mingfeng cupped his hands and said, "This humble servant has heard that Your Highness has sent people to search for the whereabouts of the maids and children of the Ji family. They returned to the manor at Hai hour (9-11 PM), and this humble servant has come to inform you."
Upon learning that Lanzhi and Qiuqiu had returned home safely, Ji Qingwu breathed a sigh of relief.
She stepped forward, bowed, and sincerely thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Lord Duan."
Prince Yong said, "I have heard the news. My fifth cousin and I have something to discuss. Does Envoy Duan have anything else to say?"
His words were ambiguous. If the other party was shrewd, they should have left quickly to avoid incurring Prince Yong's wrath at this moment.
Duan Mingfeng, however, stood there like a stake and wouldn't move.
"I have something to say. This place has a beautiful view, and I would like to enjoy the flowers, plants, and trees here as well."
Ji Qingwu might have believed it if someone else had said it.
Duan Mingfeng, with that world-weary, sour face, was absolutely not convinced.
This Lord Duan was stern and unsmiling, with a fierce look in his eyes and brows. When he looked at the willow tree, it was as if he wanted to cut the trunk and branches into a thousand pieces.
He knew where Qiuqiu and Lanzhi were.
She was looking for someone by the river when he appeared just in time.
Who was Duan Mingfeng acting on his behalf?
Ji Qingwu felt as if the koi fish pendant hidden in her chest was heating up.
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