The pungent smell of blood filled the air.
Xiao Yu'er watched as Changsun Zhu and his father fought, then, his anger renewed, he spoke coldly, "Father, move aside."
Yinxuan swiftly dodged. As Xiao Yu'er's firearm discharged, Changsun Zhu dared not face it and leaped away to evade.
Yinxuan, moving like lightning, struck at Wen Yu, who had already been hit by a shot. He brought his palm down, striking directly at his chest with full force, piercing through his body in an instant.
Wen Yu flew out like a rag doll, spitting blood and plummeting to the ground. He lay there, his beautiful eyes fixed on Qingyao, a lingering affection in their depths.
Memories of the past flashed through his mind. If he had treated her sincerely back then, could he have moved her, could they have lived in seclusion? But all that was a distant memory.
"I'm sorry..."
With those words, he closed his eyes, a trace of relief on his lips. All worldly affairs were finally irrelevant to him, and she was alive. Knowing she was alive felt good, at least he wasn't the one suffering the most.
Changsun Zhu stared blankly at the scene before him, astonished that Wen Yu had been killed.
The remaining subordinates who had accompanied him quickly retreated behind him, ten of them watching this side with vigilance. He spoke in a low voice, "Crown Prince, let's return."
"Want to leave? Don't even think about it."
Yinxuan commanded in a cold, proud, and chilling tone. Since they dared to plot against them, they wouldn't get away unscathed. He would not let them go.
Faced with the current situation, Changsun Zhu knew that his and Wen Yu's plan had failed. In the final analysis, it was also due to Wen Yu's overwhelming infatuation with Qingyao, which made him unable to bear it and act rashly.
His original intention was to take her back to Yun Cang Kingdom and have a high monk brainwash her, simply wanting to keep her by his side. He hadn't expected this woman to be so clever, to see through his schemes, and even cause Wen Yu's death.
"If I die, Qingfeng and Mingyue of Wuqing Valley will have to be buried with me."
His voice was eerily cold. Qingyao clutched her shoulder, blood trickling through her fingers. Mochou supported her as she spoke with a dark expression, "I'll let you go today, but I hope you immediately release Qingfeng and Mingyue. Otherwise..."
"If you don't stop attacking Qingluo Kingdom, I will kill them."
Seeing Qingyao's hesitation, Changsun Zhu spoke with a chilling charm. Qingyao's lips curved into a mocking smile.
"Do you think they carry that much weight? When our Xian Yue conquers Yun Cang Kingdom, and Qingfeng and Mingyue have not yet returned to Wuqing Valley, then I can say this: the imperial family of Qingluo Kingdom will not survive. The palace will be slaughtered."
She spoke with a chilling aura, as wild and demonic as a Shura in the dark night, her bloodlust terrifying. Nothing in this world could threaten her.
"You?"
"I will use the imperial family of Qingluo Kingdom as their funeral escort. They will have died with honor."
Qingyao said coldly, finally suggesting in a deep voice:
"If you do not wish for the imperial family to die disgracefully, you can surrender. From then on, there will be no Qingluo Kingdom. The imperial family will cease to exist. You can retain the title of Prince and enjoy inexhaustible wealth for life, and it will not harm any of the common people of Qingluo Kingdom."
Changsun Zhu listened to Qingyao's words, his body involuntarily stepping back two paces. He steadied himself. Was Qingluo Kingdom truly going to surrender without a fight? He feared his father would not agree. He turned and strode forward, mounting his horse, his subordinates quickly following suit.
Yinxuan coldly watched the retreating figure, then turned back and said tenderly, "Let's go back to the camp."
"No, send me back to Wuqing Valley."
Qingyao said tiredly. She was exhausted from this ordeal and truly wanted to rest. If possible, she really didn't want to leave Wuqing Valley again. Everything seemed to have settled. As for Yun Cang Kingdom and Qingluo Kingdom, she would leave the command to Anding Feng.
"But your injuries..." Yinxuan reached out to support Qingyao, his eyes filled with endless worry and heartache.
This morning, he had received a letter from his subordinates, only then learning that she had begun to suspect Wuqing. The reason she agreed to return to Wuqing Valley with them was to force them to act.
If they had stayed in the camp, they would not have acted easily, thus leaving the hidden danger to fester.
"It's nothing. Let's go. We'll find a doctor in a nearby town. It's not a fatal wound, so it won't be serious."
After days of exhaustion, coupled with the sword wound, Qingyao's face was very pale. Yinxuan affectionately picked her up, leaped onto his horse swiftly, and Qingyao did not forget to instruct a few subordinates, "Bury him."
Even though Wen Yu was hateful, seeing him wearing Wuqing's face and his body left to lie in the wilderness, she still felt a pang of sadness, so she ordered her subordinates to bury him.
Yinxuan held Qingyao, cradling her in his arms. This was their first intimate contact in over two years, and it was because Qingyao was injured. Her face was pale, her hair disheveled, and she leaned softly against Yinxuan's chest, as quiet as a floating reed.
Even the strongest people need someone to accompany them.
Mochou led Xiao Yu'er, and the subordinates followed behind, galloping at full speed.
No one expected that Yinxuan was the current Emperor. Who dared to be careless any longer?
The group arrived at a nearby town and found a doctor for Qingyao. The sword wound had not hit a vital point, and indeed, it was not serious. The doctor prescribed medicine, bandaged the wound, and with a good night's sleep, she felt much better.
Physical wounds were far less tiring than mental ones.
Fifteen days later, the group returned to Wuqing Valley. The valley was still filled with blooming peach blossoms, the sun was bright, the sky was so blue, the clouds so white. The new grave had become an old one.
The once lively Wuqing Valley was now silent and desolate, with only a few servants sweeping. Upon seeing Qingyao, Mochou, and Xiao Yu'er return, they were overjoyed.
"Miss Mu, you're back. Where are Qingfeng and Mingyue?"
The servants began to weep. Their young master was gone, and now Qingfeng and Mingyue had been taken away. Wuqing Valley had lost all its vitality. They never expected their mistress to return.
"They will be alright."
Qingyao nodded, already extremely tired from the continuous journey. She waved her hand and said softly, "You may all go."
"Yes, Miss. Tell us if you need anything."
The servants retreated. Qingyao looked at Yinxuan and smiled slightly, speaking gently, "Your Majesty should return to the palace. I will be fine here."
This time, Yinxuan did not refuse. He nodded and looked at Mochou, carefully instructing, "Take good care of your mistress."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Mochou accepted the command. Yes, she would always accompany her mistress. She would not leave the valley, and she would not step out of the valley.
Yinxuan glanced at Xiao Yu'er, extended his arms, and hugged her. He spoke softly, "My daughter, Father has to leave."
"Father, I'll miss you. Come see me when you have time."