Murong Chong placed the Dragon Talisman into her hand. Golden threads flowed with a lustrous sheen, cool to the touch.
It was evident it was a superior piece of ancient jade. This Dragon Talisman was crafted from exquisite Hetian jade, depicting half of a soaring dragon, complete with its head and upper body.
Presumably, the other half, depicting the dragon’s tail, was in the hands of the Imperial Guard Commander. As the capital’s garrison was subordinate to the Imperial Guards, command of nearly a hundred thousand troops rested with the Imperial Guard Commander.
“So, it is the Jade Dragon Talisman.”
“Yes. Fortunately, Prince Yun was here. Last night, he painstakingly selected this piece of ancient jade, perfectly matching its quality from nearly four hundred pieces.
Without him, an ordinary person would never recognize it. The genuine Jade Dragon Talisman emits a glazed light when the two halves are joined. However, this fake one, when combined with the other, produces no such effect, despite their identical appearance.”
Murong Chong’s clear and refined voice carried a gentle warmth. His deep eyes gazed at Yun Xiao, seeing that her mood was not affected by yesterday’s events, which finally put his mind at ease. He then remembered Murong Yingxue, wondering what to do about her.
Before his adoptive father passed away, he had indeed suggested that Murong Chong marry Murong Yingxue, but he had refused. He had his own mission to fulfill, and Murong Yingxue was not a woman he could accept.
His adoptive father had not forced him, only gently urging him to take good care of Yingxue for life before his death.
In truth, he had treated her as his own son. However, Yingxue misunderstood, mistakenly believing her father’s words meant she should marry him. He had also implicitly agreed, which was why she was always clinging to him.
He hadn’t paid much attention to it before, as he hadn’t met anyone he liked and didn't have the time to deal with her persistence. But things were different now.
As Murong Chong was lost in thought, Yun Xiao, standing beside him, took the Jade Dragon Talisman and walked out. “I’ll go see if Father can find any flaws in this. You go check on Miss Murong. She’s probably feeling wronged right now.”
Frankly, Yun Xiao did not wish for Murong Chong and Murong Yingxue to fall out. After all, Murong Yingxue’s father had saved her life. If something truly happened to Murong Yingxue, Murong Chong would likely carry a shadow in his heart.
“This?”
Murong Chong looked up at the woman who had already exited the hall, her graceful and delicate figure now obscured by the sunlight.
Very well, he would go see Murong Yingxue and, at the same time, convey his adoptive father’s true intentions to her, so she would stop cherishing unrealistic hopes.
A layer of indifference enveloped Murong Chong. His eyes were as deep and profound as an ancient well, piercing and chilling, making it hard to breathe. He shifted his stance and walked out.
Yingxue’s Courtyard.
Murong Yingxue had slept for half the day and was now wide awake, leaning on her bed, lost in thought. She felt listless, her head drooping listlessly.
She only heard the voices of young maids outside the door: “Greetings, Master.”
Steady, restrained footsteps echoed from beyond the jade-green screen. Upon hearing them, Murong Yingxue’s heart leaped with joy. However, she immediately prostrated herself on the bed, tears welling in her eyes, appearing to have been deeply wronged.
She hoped that Brother Murong would feel more heartache seeing her like this, and consequently, dislike that woman more.
A tall figure circled the verdant jade screen and walked in. A chilling aura filled the entire bedroom, causing her to shiver involuntarily. However, her slightly swollen face was covered in tears. She looked up at Murong Chong, heartbroken.
“Brother Murong, you’ve returned. If you hadn’t, Yingxue would never see you again.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Murong Chong’s icy pupils. His gaze shifted from Murong Yingxue’s face to her reclining form on the bed. It seemed she was also injured.
It appeared she had truly learned a lesson. He wondered if she had learned it well. Murong Chong’s lips pressed together, a cool, sensual line. He turned and walked to a side of the bedroom to sit down without a word. xxs壹贰
A young maid had already come over to pour tea. Murong Chong waved his hand coldly, and the young maid retreated obediently.
Seeing that Brother Murong wasn't pitying her, Murong Yingxue’s feigned tears instantly turned into real ones. She sobbed incessantly.
In the past, Father indulged her in everything. Since his death, she had become a pitiful waif. Brother Murong used to indulge her as well, but now, because of that woman, he was indifferent to her.
“Alright, why are you crying? This matter was your fault.”
Murong Chong finally spoke, his tone different from his usual coldness, carrying a hint of gentleness.
Upon hearing this, Murong Yingxue blinked, somewhat flattered. For a moment, she forgot to cry and simply stared at Murong Chong.
Murong Chong, indifferent to her admiring gaze, continued speaking.
“I once told my adoptive father that I would not marry you, but would only look after you as a sister. Yet, look at you, why can’t you come to your senses? You’ve been opposing Xiao’er at every turn. How can you become a family in the future?”
He was determined to marry Xiao’er and would not change his mind for anyone. If it weren’t for the life-saving grace of her father, he would have left the manor as soon as he recovered. He wouldn’t have stayed so long.
However, it was better to clarify things now, to awaken this girl so she wouldn’t overthink things all day.
“No, I don’t believe you. Father asked you to take care of me for a lifetime, and you promised.”
Murong Yingxue seemed shocked and shook her head in resistance, beginning to cry again.
Before Murong Chong could speak, she continued, “Brother Murong, I know you like that woman. If so, I won’t compete with her anymore. Since you will be emperor in the future, you’ll have many women. How about letting me accompany you? She can be the empress, isn’t that acceptable?”
Murong Yingxue believed she was being remarkably considerate by saying this. She thought Brother Murong would agree to anything. She had conceded the primary position to that woman; surely being a mere concubine was acceptable?
Upon hearing Murong Yingxue’s words, Murong Chong felt no joy. Instead, he became furious. A layer of hostility covered his silver mask, his eyes becoming even more chilling. He stood up with a grim expression.
“Murong Yingxue, what is going on in your head? I said I would treat you as a sister. If that day ever came, I would bestow upon you the title of Princess and arrange a marriage for you.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked out of the jade screen without looking back. His footsteps quickly faded into the distance.
Meanwhile, Murong Yingxue, seeing him ignore her, felt a surge of grievance, anger, and sorrow. She flew into a rage in the bedroom, grabbing whatever she could and throwing it, disregarding the pain in her posterior.
“Brother Murong, you’ve gone too far! I’m not fighting that woman anymore, so why treat me like this? I don’t care about being a princess; I want to be a concubine!”
Inside and outside the bedroom, a series of crashing sounds echoed. No one dared to speak.
Yun Xiao took the Jade Dragon Talisman to meet her father. Prince Yun examined it carefully and, upon confirming it was genuine, handed it back to his daughter.
This fake Jade Dragon Talisman could not be combined with the Jade Dragon Talisman held by the Imperial Guard Commander. However, their appearances were identical. If Shangguan Yao truly used the Jade Dragon Talisman, it meant he had engaged in a direct confrontation, and from then on, many things would be beyond his control.
“Xiao’er, take care on your journey. Father and I will wait here for you. As soon as we obtain the Jade Dragon Talisman, we will make our move.”