"Mother." Murong Shengrui rushed towards the woman adorned in splendor, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't catch up. The back he had always followed, moving further and further away, was truly abandoning him.
"Mother, don't leave me, I beg you, don't leave me." Murong Shengrui's expression was pained, and he struggled with all his might. He had studied hard, practiced martial arts diligently, and strived to be a good emperor, all to make her happy and to stay by her side forever. Yet, she intended to leave him, and he would not allow it! Su Dan Novel Network
"You are not allowed to leave, I forbid you to leave. You are mine, mine alone."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please wake up." Wei Wuji saw Murong Shengrui's pained expression and constant mumbling, realizing he was having another nightmare. He tried to wake him.
Murong Shengrui chased the receding figure, crying out. Suddenly, the figure stopped, as if hearing his cries. Murong Shengrui's face lit up with joy, and he ran forward quickly, just like he did as a child, lunging into the embrace that carried a faint floral scent.
However, instead of the expected gentleness, he was met with a cold, sharp dagger piercing his body. The woman who had smiled so tenderly and playfully now wore a cruel expression and icy eyes. He could no longer see any trace of affection or doting in her gaze; there was only indifference.
"Murong Shengrui, from this day forth, we shall go our separate ways and never meet again!"
"No, don't!" Murong Shengrui jolted awake, cold sweat drenching his clothes. The words "never meet again" lingered in his mind like a curse, causing him such heartache that he couldn't breathe, and he clutched the front of his robe involuntarily.
"Your Majesty, you had a nightmare," Wei Wuji said softly, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. "I will have someone bring you a fresh set of clothes. Your current ones are all wet."
Murong Shengrui grabbed Wei Wuji's hand. "Where is she?"
Wei Wuji bowed his head respectfully. "At this moment, she should be at Yangguan."
"Have you found out her identity?" Murong Shengrui asked calmly after composing himself.
"Not yet," Wei Wuji replied slowly. "However, I have a guess."
"Speak."
"This person is very likely the former Saintess of Wuyue, Bai Ling."
Murong Shengrui frowned. "Bai Ling?"
"Yes. The Crimson Feather Iron Cavalry first appeared to save her," Wei Wuji said gradually. "Moreover, the changes in Wuyue... doesn't Your Majesty think it resembles someone's style?"
"I want to see her! I want to see her now!" Murong Shengrui said stubbornly. He wanted her back by his side; he only wanted her back.
"Your Majesty, she is currently at Yangguan and is surrounded by many experts. Seeing her will not be easy," Wei Wuji advised. "If she is truly the Wuyue Saintess, she will eventually return to Wuyue, as it is her base. Why doesn't Your Majesty go to Wuyue and wait for her?"
Murong Shengrui fell silent. He understood that it was impossible for him to see her at this moment. After all, she had numerous skilled guards, and Yangguan was a place that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. If he forced his way, he would not only fail to see her but also risk his own life.
"You may go. Leave me to myself for a while."
"Your servant takes his leave." Wei Wuji exited the room and closed the door, only to see Wen Moyu standing under the eaves.
"Eunuch," Wen Moyu cupped her hands in a salute.
"Miss Wen, it's so late. Is there something you need?"
"I heard that His Majesty was injured, so I came to pay my respects."
"His Majesty has already retired for the night. Miss Wen should come another day," Wei Wuji said with a cold tone. Wen Moyu's ambition was evident on her face, but her ambition was misplaced. Having seen many women around the Empress Dowager, he didn't think much of someone like Wen Moyu. As for their Emperor, apart from the person he cared about, everyone else was the same in his eyes.
"Is that person Xiao Man?"
"No," Wei Wuji's tone remained cold. "Xiao Man is indeed heavily injured and unconscious. I personally verified it."
Wen Moyu frowned. Xiao Man was seriously injured and unconscious, wasn't this a good opportunity to strike?
"Don't even think about it. Although she is heavily injured and unconscious, she has many experts around her, not to mention that old bald donkey Wuyou guarding her personally. If you dare to go, you will surely not return," Wei Wuji said slowly. "However, if you wish to seek death, I will not stop you."
"Wuyou is just an old monk on his last legs," Wen Moyu said disdainfully.
"He is no ordinary old monk. I brought thirty hidden guards up the mountain, and only His Majesty and I came down. You have seen how formidable His Majesty's hidden guards are," Wei Wuji coughed twice. He had fought with Wuyou and was injured by him, and had not yet recovered. The old monk's martial arts were truly unfathomable.
Wen Moyu knitted her brows. After defecting to Yun Qi, she had lost contact with that person. She didn't know how Yushheng was faring. She had only heard that some prefectures and counties in Yushheng had suffered floods recently. She thought Yangguan would run out of supplies due to the floods, but they were completely unaffected.
"Eunuch, why didn't you kill Xiao Man at that time?" Wen Moyu asked abruptly.
Wei Wuji shot a stern gaze at Wen Moyu, who shivered slightly. "This subordinate has overstepped."
"I don't want to ask about your grievances with Xiao Man, nor do I want to know. However, do not involve His Majesty in your disputes, or I will not be polite to you."
"This subordinate understands."
"You may withdraw."
Wen Moyu gritted her teeth and left. He was merely a eunuch who had gained some power and was now so arrogant. No matter how arrogant, he was still an incomplete eunuch!
"Miss."
"Is there any news from Yushheng?"
"The Crown Prince of Yushheng made a mistake and was placed under house arrest. Now, the King of Chu and the King of Qi have entered the court. The Prime Minister's mansion and the General's mansion remain neutral. The Duke of Chen's mansion supports the King of Chu. Our spies have been arrested, and the King of Yan has fallen."
"That old lecher, the King of Yan, has been ruined by women his entire life," Wen Moyu said disdainfully. "Is there... any news of Wen Mohan?"
"Wen Mohan is currently in Jiangzhou. Jiangzhou suffered from floods, and Wen Mohan went to Jiangzhou to provide disaster relief. He was ambushed by the prefect of Jiangzhou and is trapped in Zhang County, which is infected with a pestilence. The court has sent people to rescue him. Although the epidemic has been controlled, Wen Mohan has been infected with the plague and appears to be in a bad state."
"Wen Mohan is infected with the plague?"
"Yes."
"Retribution, it's truly retribution!" Wen Moyu laughed heartily. "He treated me so heartlessly back then, and now he's suffering retribution so quickly. My good brother is going to die, should I go and see him?"
Xiao Man sat on the city wall, gazing at Pingxi City in the distance. Murong Shengrui had actually come to Pingxi City. As a ruler, he had risked his life to appear on the battlefield, and then secretly went to the Imperial Capital to test her. Why?