Wu Yang’s complexion was much better. Although still very frail, her spirits had improved considerably, though her body would require slow recuperation.
Early that morning, Luo Yi had informed her of Old Madam Yun and Yun Jinshu kneeling at the Flaming Flame Tower. She had hurried over. After all, they had been husband and wife, and it was best to part amicably.
In truth, she could imagine that this was Old Madam Yun’s idea as well. The Empress would surely target the Yun family, and that woman, who had always been high and mighty, could not tolerate the despair of ruin.
Even if Yun Jinshu was unwilling, she would have forced him to come. His compromise under her threats once again had thoroughly disheartened Wu Yang. She turned to look at her imperial brother and sister-in-law.
“Imperial Brother, let Wu Yang handle this. The matters between Wu Yang and the Yun family will end here. The loss of the Yun family’s assets is already the greatest punishment. After settling this, I wish to return to the capital immediately.”
Hearing Wu Yang speak calmly, Liu Liu knew her mindset had stabilized. She nodded in agreement and looked at Bai Han, “Bai Han, lead a few guards to escort the Princess and the Crown Prince back to the capital secretly.”
“Understood,” Bai Han bowed and accepted the order. However, thinking of Feng Luo and Lou Sijing still unaccounted for, he hesitated, “But Feng Luo and Lou Sijing are still missing?”
“Don’t worry about that. We have many people in Ye Lan City. You only need to ensure the safety of the Princess and the Crown Prince,” Liu Liu said in a deep voice. As long as Wu Yang and Mu Xing were safe, they could then deal with Feng Luo and Lou Sijing without restraint. This morning, in her drowsy state, she had already devised a brilliant plan.
“Yes, this subordinate will certainly complete the mission,” Bai Han nodded.
Since Wu Yang wished to handle this personally, everyone followed behind her as they walked forward. The further they went, the louder the noise became, a clamor that carried far.
Before the main entrance of the Flaming Flame Tower, the crowd was thick and impenetrable. As soon as Wu Yang and her companions appeared, the crowd automatically parted to make way. Many recognized the Princess, and were surprised to see how frail she looked, eliciting immediate sympathy.
As soon as Old Madam Yun saw Wu Yang appear, she began to kowtow on the smooth cobblestones, repeatedly pleading, “Princess, spare this old woman. This has nothing to do with Jinshu. Princess, spare him this once.”
The onlookers all looked towards the Princess, who was slowly descending the steps. Such a beauty, now with a waist so slender it was impossible to grasp.
They truly wondered what transgressions the Yun family had committed. Such a beautiful Princess, and they did not cherish her properly, even taking concubines into the mansion, and then having the Luo family daughter poison the Princess.
After such events, it would be considered lenient not to exterminate nine generations of their family. Yet, they dared to come to the Flaming Flame Tower to cause trouble.
Yun Jinshu raised his head and looked at Wu Yang. He loved her, but for some reason, their relationship had come to this point. His heart was filled with immense sorrow, his bright, clear eyes looking at Wu Yang with deep distress.
Wu Yang’s heart ached. This man she had once loved, who had taken all her strength, only to drain her blood and nearly cost her life. Now her heart was like dead water, no longer able to stir even the slightest ripple. Love was truly a terrible thing.
“Jinshu, have you yielded to her once again?”
She spoke softly, with a faint smile, just as she always did. Yun Jinshu suddenly felt a desperate fear. He had always thought she would be by his side, but now, seeing her so ethereal, as if she could leave him at any moment, his heart ached terribly. But was there any way to salvage this?
“Wu’er, it is my fault. Please, give me one more chance.”
As Yun Jinshu spoke these words, Liu Liu’s strongest urge was to rush forward and shatter his teeth. He had already been given one chance. Opportunities were not always available; a second chance was a gift from heaven, yet he did not cherish it.
Wu Yang said nothing. Old Madam Yun, who was kneeling beside them, grabbed Wu Yang’s arm and pleaded repeatedly, “Wu Yang, please spare Jinshu.”
Wu Yang remained silent, gazing steadily at the old madam. This woman was too overbearing. It was said that her deceased husband had committed suicide due to her assertiveness. Her treatment of her son was also like this. Wu Yang’s brows furrowed slightly. She still felt a touch of pity for Yun Jinshu, but there was no turning back for them.
“You single-handedly buried the love between Jinshu and me. Everything is beyond repair,” she said, then gently stood up. Because her body was still very weak, she stumbled slightly. Bai Han, standing nearby, immediately stepped forward to support her, saying softly, “Be careful.”
Under the sunlight, the handsome man and beautiful woman looked so perfectly matched. This scene struck Yun Jinshu, and he suddenly roared with despair, “Wu Yang, I have wronged you. Only in the next life can I atone for my sins.”
As Yun Jinshu finished speaking, a short sword plunged directly into his chest. Blood spurted out, his eyes widened, staring at the frail figure standing not far from him. He extended a hand, speaking with difficulty, “Wu’er, forgive me.”
Wu Yang said nothing, only speaking softly, “It is all in the past. Find a doctor to treat him and send him back to the Yun residence.”
“Yes, Princess,”
A guard immediately responded. Just then, Ah Bao, who was watching the commotion by the entrance, walked over to examine Yun Jinshu’s chest. It was not a serious injury.
Whether this man genuinely wished to die or was playing a final stratagem was unknown. His wound was simply bandaged, and he was ordered to be sent back.
Old Madam Yun was utterly desperate. Her son had attempted suicide. This brought to mind the scene of her husband’s death. Displeased with her autocracy, her husband had committed suicide before her eyes, and despite efforts, he could not be saved. That scene resurfaced in her mind. She let out a strange cry and fainted. However, no one paid her any attention. By the time Wu Yang walked into the Flaming Flame Tower, the crowd had dispersed on its own.
Bai Han accepted the order to secretly escort the Princess and the Crown Prince back to the capital.
The Luo family, the foremost of the five great families, lost Luo Xiangsi, while others were banished to the borders as slaves. The Yun family had also completely declined. Among the remaining three great families, the Lu family slowly rose. Liu Liu had ceded the salt trade of Jiangnan to the Lu family, in gratitude for their daughter saving Nangong Yue and the Crown Prince.
Regarding Nangong Yue and Wan Qing’s marriage, Liu Liu had originally intended to hold a grand ceremony. However, Wan Qing disagreed. She had already developed a secret recipe for curing the cold poison and wished only to find a quiet place to live a leisurely life with Nangong Yue. Liu Liu then gifted a property in the Seven Star Tower to Nangong Yue and Wan Qing.
“Since you are both determined, then I shall gift you Moon Crescent Island in Ming Lake. I will send people to escort you to the island,” Liu Liu said, looking at Nangong Yue. Memories flooded back, her emotions surging. Fortunately, her brother had forgotten the past. She hoped he was happy, and that his life was now entrusted to Wan Qing. She believed that only someone as understanding as Wan Qing could help him forget his past sorrows.
“Thank you, Liu’er,” he said softly. He always thought, how much he must cherish this sister. Because whenever he thought of her, his heart melted like a sweet confection. Just thinking that she was his sister made him happy and content, so he must have loved this sister very much in the past.
Liu Liu shook her head and respectfully placed his hand into Wan Qing’s, “I entrust him to you, Wan Qing. With my love, love him well.”
Wan Qing nodded forcefully. He was a gift from heaven to her. Although he held someone in his heart, that person was his sister, but his pure and honest nature was far superior to ordinary men. They would be happy. Perhaps heaven had sent her to this place precisely to wait for him.