He was surprisingly adept at seduction.
His eyes beneath the mask held a captivating allure that drew one in.
Yun Shu had always considered herself to have strong willpower, to be discerning about men, and especially after falling for Zhan Tianye, she had no interest in others.
Yet, upon hearing Zhan Tianye's deep, restrained voice, her heart couldn't help but tremble.
Zhan Tianye lowered his head, about to plant a kiss while their companions provided cover.
He had been thinking about it all day.
But as he lowered his head, he realized he was wearing a mask.
His voice grew even deeper, "I've remembered some things again."
In a moment, several scenes flashed through his mind.
They flickered past one after another.
His heart grew warm from these images.
Lost and found, and also a sense of relief that he had not lost her.
Yun Shu's beautiful eyes sparkled, as if gathering myriad stars, "That's wonderful."
"Really? Your Highness, this is truly wonderful! Your humble servant has dreamt of Your Highness remembering past events. Did Your Highness then remember your humble servant?" Qiu Lu asked, immensely excited and anxious.
He had been by his Highness's side every day before, involved in almost all of his affairs. Now that his Highness could gradually recall past events, he would undoubtedly be among the most excited!
"Can you shut up? Why are you involved in everything? Do you want everyone watching us from the shadows to know that Prince Ye can recall past events?" Jing Heng said exasperatedly, rolling his eyes and scolding.
Scolded, Qiu Lu received no response from his Highness and instead had a bucket of cold water poured on him, deflating him. "I didn't think that far."
Zhan Tianye's dark eyes swept over Qiu Lu, "The task I assigned you, you performed it very well."
With a simple sentence, Qiu Lu's eyes widened, and he became ecstatic, "Your Highness!"
His Highness actually remembered him!
He no longer looked at him with the completely unfamiliar gaze from before.
Yun Shu was genuinely astonished. Had her hypnosis training been too effective, or was his willpower naturally strong?
Applying a little something seemed to open a switch, allowing his memories to flood back continuously?
If this was the case, then Zhan Tianye was truly extraordinary.
And if the Emperor of Western Xia knew that all their painstaking efforts were ruined, would they be infuriated to death?
More than an hour later.
On a wall where no one passed.
Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye sat on the wall, seeming to blend with the night.
The moonlight was dim.
Even if someone passed by, they wouldn't be able to find them.
"Are you still continuously recovering past memories?" Yun Shu asked in surprise.
"Mmm." Zhan Tianye had already removed his mask and pulled Yun Shu into his embrace, as if he didn't want to let go for a moment. Among the things he remembered, only her appearance had brought him happiness. However, due to the sheer volume of fragmented memories flooding in, his head ached for a while.
At times, he even felt a sense of not distinguishing between dream and reality.
This caused him to tighten his grip, feeling Yun Shu's presence.
Yun Shu quietly accompanied him, not asking further questions.
With the continuous influx of memories, he must be in pain now.
However, she was very curious, who was the person who had made him let down his guard that day?
And, was he truly the son of the Emperor of Western Xia?
Li De and Old Master Qin's deaths were closely related, and avenging Old Master Qin by killing Gong was imperative. If Zhan Tianye had no connection to Western Xia, they could swiftly resolve these matters and leave.
While accompanying Zhan Tianye in reminiscing about the past, Yun Shu was also formulating various plans in her heart.
"Eat this."
Yun Shu noticed his heartbeat quickening and immediately took a pill from her person.
Zhan Tianye's dark, bottomless eyes stared at the pill on Yun Shu's fair palm, and he lowered his head, swallowing it directly.
The slightly sweet, not bitter pill spread in his mouth.
His limbs relaxed.
An unprecedented impulse arose, and he lowered his head, capturing her.
Yun Shu was stunned.
What was this?
Her mind gradually went blank, sinking with him.
After a long while, her breathing slightly labored, she leaned on his shoulder.
Zhan Tianye kissed Yun Shu's forehead several times. "The matter in the palace that day has been entirely resolved. I intended to reunite with you, but Zhan Tianhong tampered with my tea."
Yun Shu suddenly looked up, "What?"
That young emperor whom she had saved many times!
The Zhan Tianhong who had grown under Zhan Tianye's wing!
She had considered the possibility before, but had stopped herself from delving deeper.
That young emperor had experienced much. Although he had many selfish desires later, she felt it was just a teenager's rebellion, and he would know how to choose at a critical moment.
However, he had actually made a move against Zhan Tianye!
"He probably thought I was the son of the Emperor of Western Xia," Zhan Tianye said in a deep voice.
Yun Shu frowned deeply, "And are you?"
Zhan Tianye's tone was firm, "No."
"Then why is the Emperor of Western Xia so certain? Without absolute proof, he wouldn't be so sure." Yun Shu said with understanding, but still had some things she couldn't grasp.
Suddenly.
She thought of something.
She stared intently at Zhan Tianye, "You made him think so?"
Zhan Tianye looked at her, his gaze gentle, a smile on his lips.
"So, Zhan Tianyu is still the son of the Emperor of Western Xia?" Yun Shu continued to guess.
Zhan Tianye's eyes held even more indulgence and tenderness, "Mmm."
"Originally, I planned to inform the Emperor of Western Xia the day after you and I left the capital. With the Emperor of Western Xia's pride, he would surely be greatly disheartened by this matter."
Yun Shu suddenly understood.
No wonder!
This was a grand scheme.
It was just a pity that the one who made a mistake was that young emperor, whom they sometimes underestimated.
...
Dongning Kingdom.
The Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Study.
The night was deep.
The young man buried in a pile of memorials, after finishing the last one, stood up.
As he stood, he seemed to rush, his body swaying slightly.
He raised a hand to cover his mouth and nose, and coughed uncontrollably a few times.
The cough was somewhat rapid.
"Your Majesty, should I send for the imperial physician? Your Majesty seems to have been coughing more these past two days," a nearby palace attendant immediately stepped forward, asking with concern.
Zhan Tianhong raised his hand to stop him, "No need. The prescriptions they prescribed are of no use."
As he spoke, Zhan Tianye's heart suddenly jolted.
As if he had thought of something.
If...
Zhan Tianhong's lips pursed coldly, there was no 'if'.
"She should have met the person she wanted to see by now."
The palace attendant, hearing Zhan Tianhong's words, was somewhat confused. "Who is His Majesty referring to?"
Who met the person they wanted to see?
He was by His Majesty's side every day, and should know what His Majesty was talking about. How could it suddenly be so vague?
Zhan Tianhong's brows furrowed deeply. "It's nothing."