Qingyao believed he would be alright; she absolutely would not allow anything to happen to him.
After all, the world was waiting for him to manage it. Besides him, she couldn't think of anyone else capable of running the empire so smoothly.
"Yes, you loved playing the xiao for me back then."
She didn't want him to know about the unhappy sacrifices of the past. Now, she only wanted to remember his good deeds.
In truth, leaving the palace that time wasn't entirely his fault. He had loved her from beginning to end. It was she who had been cowardly due to past emotional wounds. Now, she would not let go of his hand so easily.
Facing the storm together was much easier than facing it alone.
"Where is the xiao?"
He turned to search, trying hard to recall. Images seemed to surface in his mind: he enjoyed playing the xiao for someone, and he had even said he would only play it for her in this life.
It seemed she truly was his wife. With this thought, he pulled her closer, enveloping her within his embrace. "Wife, from now on, we will always be together, never to part."
"Alright, never to part."
Her words were filled with deep joy. She hadn't expected their true feelings to be revealed in such a situation, when he was as muddled as a young child. She wondered if he would still remember these words when he woke up.
As night fell, the moonlight cast a faint, cold glow. Shadows from the railings, piercing through the gaps between the palace walls, lay scattered on the white jade steps. The night wind rustled, cold and biting, as mist descended like a hazy gauze curtain, bathing the garden in a soft radiance.
Two thin, elongated shadows glided swiftly between pavilions and towers, landing in the garden, and in a blink, they reached the sleeping quarters of Fengluan Palace.
With a soft tap on the windowpane, Mochou cautiously approached and opened the window. Outside stood the Prince of Nan'an, clad in an jade-colored brocade robe, followed by Shen Yu, dressed in a dark blue robe. Both figures were merged into the night, like phantoms of the dark.
"Come in quickly."
Mochou spoke calmly. The two slipped inside, and she swiftly turned to scan her surroundings, ensuring no one was following or had discovered their secret.
Inside the sleeping quarters, the palace lanterns illuminated the room with a soft glow. The Prince of Nan'an's brow was tinged with the night's frost as he asked, "Your Highness, for what reason did you summon this minister to the palace?"
Qingyao stood up and replied plainly, "I want you to meet someone."
After speaking, she rose and lifted the palace's green silk curtain. Beyond the curtain, on a reclining chair, lay a man of exquisite beauty. His dark hair cascaded down like clouds, revealing a flawless face amidst the raven locks.
His narrow brows, long eyelashes shading sharp pupils, and fair skin, tinted with a faint blush from days of care, drew the eye.
A simple long robe enveloped his imposing physique, making it impossible to look away. This man was the Emperor of Xianyue.
"Imperial Brother?"
The Prince of Nan'an cried out in surprise. The sound startled the man on the reclining chair.
He suddenly opened his eyes, the depths of his pupils as profound as an unfathomable abyss, radiating extreme coldness. A chilling gale swept towards him as he gazed at the Prince of Nan'an with a stiff, emotionless expression, his voice stiff.
"Wife, who is he?"
His guarded and unfamiliar words caused the Prince of Nan'an to falter. He suspected he had misidentified the person. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed his imperial brother, but why didn't he even recognize him?
"Your Highness, who is this?"
"Prince of Nan'an, His Majesty's meridians are damaged, and there is a blood clot in his brain. Consequently, his intellect is stuck at the stage of a seven or eight-year-old child. However, the blood clot will be removed.
But the damaged meridians may be difficult to repair. He cannot use his inner strength for a short period. I summoned you here because I want you to take him away. He cannot remain in the palace any longer. If he stays, it is likely to reveal clues."
Murong Liuzun finally realized, albeit belatedly, that Qingyao intended to send him away. He panicked instantly. The cold indifference vanished, replaced by fear in his eyes. He leaped forward swiftly, tightly grasping Qingyao's hand. "Wife, I want to be with you. I don't want to leave."
He then pulled her into his embrace, burying his head in her neck. Outsiders might not understand his inner fear, but Qingyao knew he was rigid, not moving at all.
The months of suffering had left scars in his mind, and his intellect was still that of a seven or eight-year-old child. He found it difficult to accept those unbearable memories of pain.
Therefore, he held Qingyao tightly. No matter how she tried to coax him, he would not let go. A faint, sweet fragrance emanated from him, filling the entire sleeping chamber.
The Prince of Nan'an was stunned, gazing blankly at the scene before him. Something seemed to explode in his chest, a mixture of sourness and sadness. Seeing his imperial brother like this truly pained him, but seeing him interact so naturally with Qingyao, a touch of bittersweetness mingled with his heartache.
Unaware of the Prince of Nan'an's inner turmoil, Qingyao reached out and patted Liuzun's back, her voice growing slightly cold. "Liuzun, if you don't listen to your wife, your wife will be angry. When your wife gets angry, it's very serious. She will disappear and never look for you again."
She knew Liuzun's inner demons and that he was merely afraid of losing her. He was now like a frightened and helpless child, but she had to harden her heart to deal with him, otherwise, he would not obey her.
As expected, Qingyao's threat made Liuzun stiffen. He slowly released his grip, his clear eyes misting over. Gritting his teeth, he asked with great grievance, "Wife, you don't want me anymore?"
"No. Prince of Nan'an is your brother. He will protect you. Your wife will come to find you soon, and then we will be together, never to leave. If you are obedient and go with the Prince of Nan'an, your wife will find you soon."
"But I'm scared?"
He said no more, truly afraid of making his wife angry. Although he didn't fully understand the meaning of "wife" in his consciousness, he knew she was the person closest to him.
Only when he was with her did he feel at peace. Others were a barrier to him; even Xiao Yu'er was barely accepted.
The Prince of Nan'an understood the current situation. The palace was indeed dangerous. If that person learned the Emperor was still alive, the entire Xianyue might face tumultuous winds and rains. However, no matter how great the storm, he had an obligation to protect his imperial brother alongside his wife, lest Xianyue fall into the hands of others.
"Imperial Brother, I am Liuzhao. Come with me, I won't harm you."
The Prince of Nan'an spoke with genuine emotion. Murong Liuzun finally spared a glance at the Prince of Nan'an, but his expression was as cold as frost. He did not acknowledge Liuzhao's words, instead, a hint of ferocity rose in his brows, cast towards Qingyao.
"Wife, then you will come to find me soon?"
"Yes, very soon. As long as Liuzun listens obediently to Liuzhao, your wife will come to find you soon. I will definitely cure Liuzun's illness, and then we will fight our way back and personally eliminate those who harmed you."
The latter part of the sentence held little meaning for the current Liuzun. His attention was primarily on the earlier words. Finally, he reluctantly said, "Alright, wife, you must come and get me."
"Okay."
Qingyao watched him repeatedly urge her with an uneasy expression, her eyes clouding over. In truth, she didn't want to leave him. In his current state, she was truly worried about leaving him.
However, as long as she could preserve his life for now, she was willing to do anything. Today, Xi Men Xinyue had visited. Although she hadn't inquired about anything, she had already become suspicious.
And her current distraught state, coupled with Shangguan Hao's suspicious nature, might lead him to discover that the Emperor was still alive. If he learned that she was responsible, it would undoubtedly harm many people. Therefore, she could only remain in the palace with a calm demeanor, and he would have no cause for complaint.