Gu Er Ya Tou

Chapter 262 Past Events (Extra Chapter One: Yun Yao Yao & Sheng Huai Zhi)

Yun Chao Imperial City.

"Yaoyao?"

In the dark small room, without a flicker of candlelight, a boy of seven or eight years old stood outside the door, calling into the interior through a small opening in the wall.

But in the dim room, there was no sound.

"Yaoyao, it's your brother."

Gradually, a rustling sound came from within the room.

"Brother, Yaoyao is so scared..."

A small figure, hidden in the darkness, felt the sting of her wounds more acutely.

"Yaoyao, don't be afraid, your brother is here with you!"

Crown Prince Yun Yanqing was born to the Empress, but the Empress died tragically and young. Therefore, Yun Yanqing was raised by Consort Shu from the age of seven or eight.

The Emperor of Yun Chao had few descendants, only one son and one daughter. Yun Yanqing was made Crown Prince at a very young age, which silenced public criticism.

In reality, the Emperor of Yun Chao had only two daughters. Yun Yanqing was raised as a boy from birth and, due to his heroic appearance and masculine demeanor, no one suspected anything.

"Brother, Mother Consort, what if Mother Consort knew..."

Consort Shu, outwardly a gentle and quiet woman, was in fact cruel-hearted. When Yun Yaoyao was young, she vied for favor with her, and because Yun Yaoyao was not a boy, she heaped all her misfortunes upon her.

"Yaoyao, it's alright, your brother will plead with Auntie. She will surely let you go, you... are her own daughter after all."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yaoyao became even more fearful.

"Brother, don't! Although my mother consort is sisters with Empress Niang Niang, their temperaments are completely different. If you go to plead, I..."

She feared she would be punished even more severely.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

It was the maidservant of Consort Shu.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, what are you doing here?"

"Hurry back!"

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince had only just arrived at Consort Shu's palace and had discovered this secret chamber.

If Consort Shu found out, she herself might not escape punishment.

"Auntie, why don't you let Yaoyao out? She's been locked up for so long!"

Yun Yanqing was furious, he stood up and asked the maidservant.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince should pretend to know nothing and go back!"

"If you don't let her out, I'll ask Father Emperor!"

Yun Yanqing had always been forthright. As the Crown Prince, the maidservant dared not act rashly.

"This servant will immediately ask Consort Shu Niang Niang to let the Princess go, alright?"

"Then hurry!"

Yun Yanqing showed no intention of leaving. The maidservant, caught between a rock and a hard place, had no choice but to return to Consort Shu's chambers.

After a while, the maidservant indeed returned, bringing the key.

Yun Yaoyao had spent a lot of time in this secret room.

...

"Your Highness the Princess, today is the state banquet, you must attend in full regalia. Do you remember what Mother Niang Niang taught you?"

It was the same maidservant from that day, a confidante of Consort Shu, Su Ru.

Although Yun Yaoyao was only six years old, she was extremely adorable, clearly a future beauty.

Su Ru changed her into a red dress. At this state banquet, she had to be eye-catching.

So eye-catching that she would immediately attract the attention of Master Sheng.

The Emperor of Yun Chao was now over forty, his health failing, said to be due to his excessive indulgences in his youth. He now sought immortality, further weakening his body.

Currently, most of Yun Chao's empire was in the hands of the Sheng family.

General Sheng was in his prime, and his eldest son, at a young age, had followed his father on campaigns, becoming a general. For a time, the power of Yun Chao was entirely controlled by the Sheng father and son, with no one able to match them.

Although the little princess was only six years old, Consort Shu had already placed her on the chessboard.

If she could gain the attention of the eldest son of the Sheng family, she would be a valuable piece.

Looking at the little girl before her, a shallow smile was enough to captivate anyone.

Su Ru smiled, "Your Highness the Princess is doing very well."

At the state banquet, amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation.

Consort Shu, now the ruler of the harem, sat beside the Emperor, looking towards the Sheng family's seating.

The Sheng father and son had already taken their seats, but Yaoyao had not yet arrived.

"Where is Su Ru?" she asked a palace maid beside her, her face showing displeasure.

"This servant will go find her immediately."

Then the little palace maid quietly left the banquet.

"Where is Huaizhi? Why don't I see him?"

The Sheng father asked, noticing his younger son was missing for a long time.

"He's probably off playing somewhere..."

The eldest son of the Sheng family resembled his father, but lacked his composure. At only fifteen years old, he possessed more heroic spirit than other men of his age.

"Go find him."

"Yes! Father!"

In the darkness, a young boy was holding a cat, his eyes vacant, lost in thought.

This boy was about seven or eight years old, with deep, dark eyes and a fair complexion.

"Meow~" Suddenly, the cat in his arms meowed.

The boy seemed to recall something and tightened his grip.

The cat struggled violently, trying to escape his embrace, to free itself from the little devil's grasp.

But no matter how it struggled, it could not break free.

"Meow..." The sound was helpless and shrill, sounding quite chilling.

After a series of piercing cries, silence returned.

Yun Yaoyao was drawn by these sounds, even disobeying Consort Shu.

She had a feeling that something interesting would happen if she went there...

Yun Yaoyao walked, step by step, closer and closer.

"Ah!" Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. Yun Yaoyao cried out as if startled.

Her voice was sweet and soft, tinged with endless fear.

Her eyes instantly became moist, like a wounded fawn.

"Are you a ghost or a human?" she asked the shadowy figure.

Sheng Huaizhi seemed to find it amusing. "If I were a ghost, what would you do?"

Yun Yaoyao fell silent but walked towards him, step by step.

Beneath the moonlight, a pair of deer-like eyes met Sheng Huaizhi's dark gaze.

Little by little, they devoured his darkness.

A glimmer of light gradually entered his heart.

"You are human!"

Yun Yaoyao's small hand grabbed Sheng Huaizhi's wrist, and the warmth that came from it reminded him of the cat.

What would happen if this little person were also choked by him?

Sheng Huaizhi's hand slowly extended, moving towards Yun Yaoyao's neck.

"Ah~" The girl's voice was delightful, soft and sweet, as if it could melt a person, unlike the noisy, sharp voices of other girls.

The desire to strangle her and see her struggle as she died grew even stronger.

Yun Yaoyao suddenly grabbed his hand, and Sheng Huaizhi froze.

"You're hurt~"

The girl quickly took out a handkerchief and slowly wiped away the scratch marks from the cat.

Her lips drew near, her warm breath falling on his hand, on the wound.

A tingling sensation.