He could not understand why people in this world were always so full of schemes and machinations.
"Chu Chen." A deep voice called from not far away. Chu Chen snapped back to attention and saw a figure in black emerge from the darkness.
"Who are you?" Chu Chen frowned, staring at the man before him. A sense of unease stirred within him. "I don't think I know you."
The man's thin lips curved into a faint smile. "My name is Mo Yunqing. Chu Chen, I have something I wish to discuss with you in private."
"Oh," Chu Chen responded indifferently. "Then please wait a moment."
With that, Chu Chen walked towards the door, unaware of the dark, sinister gleam that flashed in the man's eyes behind him.
"Young Master." Outside the door, two guards respectfully cupped their fists in greeting.
Chu Chen raised a hand to signal them and then pushed the door open, closing it with a bang.
Mo Yunqing, with his hands clasped behind his back, slowly paced to Chu Chen's side. A wicked smile played on his lips. "I came to find you tonight simply to ask you one thing."
"Ask away," Chu Chen said calmly.
"You know what I'm going to ask. I'll only ask this one last time: was the girl that night the princess of Nanxi Kingdom?"
Chu Chen froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "How could you possibly know!"
"So it was her," a bloodthirsty glint flashed in Mo Yunqing's eyes. He let out a cold laugh. "She shouldn't have run back then. Now she wouldn't have to bear this pain."
Years ago, he had pursued the princess of Nanxi Kingdom, but his eyes had been blinded by hatred, leading him to even annihilate the entire Nanxi Kingdom.
Yet, he had never imagined that the princess of Nanxi Kingdom would escape, only to become a corpse.
And that princess of Nanxi Kingdom was his fiancée—Mo Qingwu.
"I don't know what you're talking about, sir. I don't know any princess," Chu Chen gritted his teeth.
"Heh heh," Mo Yunqing chuckled a few times. He slowly approached Chu Chen, asking word by word, "It doesn't matter if you don't know me. I only need to know, where is she now!"
Chu Chen watched Mo Yunqing with a pounding heart. He could feel an oppressive aura emanating from the other man, making it difficult to breathe.
But he held firm. He absolutely could not reveal Mo Qingwu's whereabouts! Otherwise, even if he died, his father and mother would not forgive him.
Chu Chen clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"You refuse to speak?" Mo Yunqing's voice grew colder. "Chu Chen, do you know the consequences of deceiving me?"
"I don't know! But if Prince Mo is disrespectful to me, I will report it to His Majesty," Chu Chen roared with a ferocious expression.
Mo Yunqing sneered. Instantly, an intense pressure surged towards Chu Chen like a tidal wave.
Chu Chen's body stiffened. Sweat soaked through his clothes, and his face turned deathly pale. Yet, he gritted his teeth and remained silent.
"Pfft!" Suddenly, Chu Chen coughed up a mouthful of blood. He staggered back a few steps and collapsed onto the ground, utterly defeated.
"Chu Chen, I advise you to confess honestly. If you don't, perhaps I can let you live. Otherwise, you will wish you were dead."
Mo Yunqing looked down at Chu Chen from above, a smile on his lips.
In this world, apart from his senior brother, he rarely admired other men. Chu Chen was the only exception, able to withstand even his oppressive aura.
"Hahaha," Chu Chen let out two laughter. "I'll tell you, sir. I'll tell you everything."
Looking at Chu Chen's expression, Mo Yunqing furrowed his brow.
Chu Chen's face was etched with fear, as if he were trapped in a terrible memory and unwilling to awaken.
"More than twenty years ago, Nanxi Kingdom was at war with Fengyun Empire. Fengyun Empire dispatched a large army to invade. My father led our troops to resist with all their might, but we were outnumbered.
Three days after the war ended, the Fengyun Empire's army occupied our country and slaughtered everyone, including my mother..."
He clenched his fists tightly as he spoke, his fingernails digging into his palms. The pain made him tremble all over. "My parents were brutally massacred, and I was lucky to survive.
From that day on, I vowed to restore Nanxi Kingdom!" Chu Chen choked back a sob at this point, unable to continue.
His eyes were bloodshot, and tears streamed down his handsome face, dripping onto his arm.
Mo Yunqing pursed his thin lips and after a long pause, continued to ask, "Is the imperial palace of Nanxi Kingdom built on Phoenix Mountain?"
Chu Chen blinked in surprise. "Phoenix Mountain? Sir, that place is too far from Beiming. Moreover, it's a forbidden area. No one is allowed to trespass without permission."
"Oh." Mo Yunqing seemed momentarily lost in thought, but quickly regained his composure. "You should rest now. Remember, no matter what I ask you, do not hide anything."
Chu Chen lowered his head, remaining silent. A sarcastic curve touched Mo Yunqing's lips as he turned to leave.
He looked up at the retreating, slender figure, his gaze growing colder. "I will not betray her."
Even if Nanxi Kingdom's destruction was related to him, he believed she was not someone so ungrateful.
Mo Yunqing strode into Fengqi Palace, a gentle smile on his handsome face.
"Wu'er, I've brought you some food."
Just as he finished speaking, a guard rushed in, kneeling frantically before Mo Yunqing. "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Consort has sneaked out of the manor."
"What!" Mo Yunqing's heart leaped. He quickly picked up the teapot from the table and poured a bowl of hot soup. "Quick, come with me to find her!"
"Yes, Your Highness." Mo Yunqing moved swiftly through the streets, the sweet and charming face of Chu Hanhan appearing in his mind.
His slightly lowered eyelashes obscured the light in his eyes. His heart throbbed violently, as if something were about to burst from his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
No, he could not lose Wu'er. He absolutely could not let Wu'er leave him!
At that moment, Mo Yunqing's pupils suddenly contracted, and he stopped in his tracks. He stared blankly at the group of fierce-looking youths ahead.
They were all dressed in military attire, their faces solemn, swords sheathed at their waists. A sharp killing intent emanated from them, causing fine beads of sweat to appear on his forehead.
Chu Chen, at this moment, was already terrified beyond measure. He stood rooted to the spot, his gaze blank and lost, clearly stunned by fear.
"Your Highness, you should return. Your subordinate will help you capture Miss Chu."
Mo Yunqing ignored the soldiers' words and slowly raised his gaze, his clear eyes falling upon the young man in front.
The young man appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, with delicate, refined features and a composure in his brow that belied his age.
His gaze met the man's calmly, a faint smile on his lips, self-possessed and unperturbed, as if he paid these people no mind.