Looking at the man before him, his face completely changed and utterly unrecognizable from his previous appearance, Emperor Rui choked out, "Huo… you, you are truly Yuan, Brother Yuan…?"
Huo Qiyuan stared at the man, who was both shocked and disbelieving. A smile suddenly appeared on his previously expressionless face, yet his eyes held no trace of mirth, instead appearing somewhat chilling.
"I am merely a wanted criminal of the Great Yu Dynasty, reviled by all, a traitor who colluded with the enemy and committed heinous crimes. I am not worthy of the title 'Brother Yuan' from Your Majesty, Emperor Rui!"
"I… Brother Yuan…" Emperor Rui's mouth opened and he called out again, but then he didn't know what else to say.
The Huo Qiyuan of his memory was not only accomplished in both literary and martial arts, but also had a good temperament and disposition. He was very fond of smiling in front of familiar people. He appeared sunny, cheerful, and full of youthful energy, always brimming with vitality, and was the most popular noble young master in the capital at that time.
But the man before him now bore no resemblance to the person in his memory.
His expression was cold, and his tone was even more so. As he uttered a few words with no fluctuation in his voice, Emperor Rui felt as if venomous snakes were crawling all over him, not only baring their fangs but also hissing and flicking their tongues at him.
Emperor Rui stared at Huo Qiyuan for a long time. Huo Qiyuan's gaze was complex and conflicted, with two selves battling within his mind. In the end, the rational self won over the impulsive self.
After making his decision and enduring a long period of psychological preparation, Huo Qiyuan stiffly walked over to the chair beside the dragon bed and sat down next to Su Muqing.
After Huo Qiyuan moved away, the powerful, suffocating pressure dissipated somewhat. Emperor Rui breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief, then braced himself and sat up on the edge of the bed.
He looked up at the person sitting on the chair. It was then that Emperor Rui noticed there was also a small figure sitting beside Huo Qiyuan.
From her silhouette, she appeared to be a young woman. She was currently sitting quietly with her eyes closed, not speaking. Sensing Emperor Rui's gaze, Huo Qiyuan's oppressive gaze fell upon him again. Emperor Rui retracted his gaze and lowered his head.
The vast bedchamber was silent. Emperor Rui sat by the bed with his head bowed, his supporting arms trembling subconsciously.
In reality, Emperor Rui felt no fear at all. Perhaps it was because he had expended too much energy in his nightmare, or perhaps it was due to the overwhelming guilt and shame in his heart that made him tremble uncontrollably.
He had increased the imperial guards out of fear, but at the same time, he had hoped for this day to arrive sooner. After all, no one wished to have a sharp blade constantly hanging over their head.
Therefore, when he heard Huo Qiyuan identify himself, Emperor Rui felt a sense of relief.
Ever since he learned that Huo Qiyuan was still alive, and had even helped Huaxia capture several cities from Great Yu, Emperor Rui had anticipated such a day.
He just hadn't expected this day to arrive so quickly, and so suddenly!
Until Su Muqing's internal energy had been sufficiently regulated and she opened her eyes, neither party had spoken first.
She speculated that perhaps it was due to her presence that Emperor Rui was too embarrassed to admit his mistakes. After all, as an emperor, he surely valued his reputation.
Just as Su Muqing was considering whether to excuse herself, her hand was firmly grasped by Huo Qiyuan beside her. He gripped it tightly and with great force, causing her pain.
Su Muqing felt Huo Qiyuan's body trembling. She looked up at him and saw that the man was gritting his teeth, his expression one of controlled restraint. After a long while, he lessened the pressure on her hand.
Huo Qiyuan was indeed restraining himself. The moment he saw Emperor Rui open his eyes, he thought of his parents and the innocent people who had met a tragic end, and he longed to personally torture Emperor Rui to death, to console their souls in the afterlife!
However, remembering that Su Muqing had only just managed to save the dog emperor's life, Huo Qiyuan forcefully suppressed the raging inferno within him.
He clenched his fists tightly, unwilling to look at Emperor Rui's face any longer. After returning to Su Muqing's side, and only after she had recovered and opened her eyes, did Huo Qiyuan dare to reach out and take her hand.
It seemed that only by doing so could Huo Qiyuan find inner peace and a sense of security. Su Muqing sensed the lessening of his grip and tightly squeezed back, offering her silent support.
A warmth surrounded the two of them, while another person endured torment. Finally, after a prolonged silence, Emperor Rui could bear it no longer.
"I'm sorry…" a faint apology echoed in the vast bedchamber.
This was an apology years too late, but it held little meaning now.
Emperor Rui harbored regret and guilt, but when it truly came time to face this moment, he had still undergone a long period of internal struggle.
Huo Qiyuan and Su Muqing remained silent, and Emperor Rui, without waiting for their response, began to speak again, "It was I who listened to slander, who failed to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, that led to the downfall of Prince Bingjian's mansion, the deaths of your parents and those innocent people!"
Once a crack had appeared, many things and many words became less difficult to say…
"I know that no matter what I say now, you will no longer believe me. But I still hope you know that I truly had no intention of causing their deaths! Whether it was your parents, or those innocent people who were implicated."
Emperor Rui spoke with difficulty, clutching his head. He never imagined that what he had experienced in his nightmare would have to be replayed in reality.
"Years have passed, but I have not truly lived a single peaceful day. I often have nightmares, dreaming that Father Emperor wants to kill me, dreaming that your parents and those who died unjustly want to kill me. In the end, I am too afraid to close my eyes…"
"I know I am guilty! But those were not my intentions. I was truly deceived. It was Huo Qixiao! Yes! It was all because of him… because he hated you and your father, hated your mansion, that he used me to eliminate…"
Emperor Rui was unaware that his sleep-talking murmurs had been overheard by the two. He looked anxiously at Huo Qiyuan, expressing his analysis.
He was not trying to shift all the blame onto Huo Qixiao; he merely wished for Huo Qiyuan to believe that what he had done was truly due to deception by treacherous individuals!
Huo Qiyuan's voice, filled with coldness, rang out, "Where are my parents' remains?"
He really did not want to hear any more of Emperor Rui's words, as he had already heard the details of the events from Huo Qixiao.
Even if Huo Qixiao had indeed instigated it, if Emperor Rui had never harbored such thoughts, or if he had not harbored any intention to use this matter to deal with his father, then the situation would not have reached this point.