The Emperor Mingde's voice was soft, tinged with the scent of wine and the faint aroma of dragon's saliva.
In her memory, he was still a youth, clad in snow-white robes, his features as exquisite as a painting, his disposition open and carefree.
Qing He used to enjoy seeing him, for he always brought news of the outside world into the Feng Que Tower, bringing the princess a moment of joy.
But now, he had shed his youthful awkwardness and his unrestrained laughter.
He appeared to be a composed monarch.
Yet, after a few drinks today, he had become like this.
His grip was strong, and Qing He, in pain, resisted and pushed him away.
"Fulu, Fulu—" she called out.
"Stop calling. I haven't sent anyone to follow. I just want someone to talk to," Emperor Mingde, stripped of his daytime authority, seemed deflated and slumped onto the ground.
He still knew not to let others see him like this; at least his reason was intact.
"I feel my imperial sister has changed. She used to be the closest to me, but now, I'm a little afraid of her. I don't dare speak frankly, for fear of displeasing her."
"She thinks of Xiao Shan in everything, as if she were born for him. I, her own brother, have been with her for over a decade, yet I can't compare to a man who appeared midway. Tell me, why is that?"
Why?
What else could it be?
What use was a decade of companionship if he didn't even know what the princess truly desired!
How could someone whose wings had been clipped not cling to the one who gave them flight?
"And you, Qing He, you've also become distant from me. I am the most distinguished man in Jingguo. In terms of status, appearance, what is lacking? They all want to send women to my side. Can't you see? Isn't it good to be with me? I bestow upon you the rank of Noble Consort, and besides the Empress, I shall take no other."
"Your Majesty, you are truly drunk. Qing He will pretend not to have heard these words today!"
Qing He no longer paid him any mind and walked away directly.
Utterly heartless.
Emperor Mingde gave a bitter smile and lay down on the ground.
What was so good about being an emperor?
A solitary figure.
He didn't know how his father had endured for so many years.
If only he hadn't grown up.
His imperial sister would still be the obedient and innocent imperial sister, his father would still be the diligent and benevolent emperor, and the world would be peaceful and calm.
"Little sister ignores me, you ignore me, and even Wen Tang doesn't have the mood to pay me any mind. They are all back, they are all back..."
A major incident had occurred in the palace, yet the Emperor was unconscious.
Fulu, holding a lantern, found the unconscious Emperor Mingde under the winter plum tree. He touched his body and found it cold. Without reporting anything, he rushed to carry him to the Taiyi Hall.
Song Beiting lost his temper, which was rare.
Fulu and the eunuchs dared not make a sound.
Everyone knew that the Emperor trusted the Commander the most, and Commander Song was not one to be arrogant due to favor. He usually performed his duties diligently and never overstepped.
His outburst today was naturally due to his deep concern for the Emperor. Fulu himself knew he had been negligent and was filled with regret and self-blame.
"Thieves broke in tonight. I, this Commander, will guard the Emperor here. You shall accompany the imperial physicians to brew medicine for His Majesty."
"Yes, Commander."
Song Beiting's eyes were deep, and his heart was restless. Just moments ago in the palace, he had watched helplessly as the black-clad thief snatched the young prince. The speed was so great that he only saw a blur of movement.
Xiao Shan and Ling Yao had already given chase, but the child was so young...
He dared not think about it.
He blamed himself again for his negligence.
Every corner had been searched tonight, yet where did the thief come from, other than the brightly lit main hall?
Emperor Mingde vaguely opened his eyes, his handsome face flushed, his voice hoarse, "Wen Tang, you haven't left yet?"
"Your subject requests permission to stay in the palace for the night."
Song Beiting withdrew his thoughts. Seeing his unusual complexion, he reached out and touched his forehead.
He had a fever.
"That's good then," Emperor Mingde smiled like a child. "At least someone cares about me."
Song Beiting furrowed his handsome brows, not understanding the meaning. When the medicinal soup arrived, he removed his armor and personally fed it to him.
Meanwhile, Xiao Shan and Ling Yao were relentlessly pursuing the black-clad figure ahead. The person was agile. Upon reaching the palace wall, someone was waiting to receive them, pulling them up with a rope. Then, they vanished.
Xiao Shan, carrying Ling Yao, was slowed down. After they climbed over the wall, Ling Yao sensed something and pointed in a direction to Xiao Shan.
"She is no match for me!"
Ling Yao did not recognize the person, but she had a feeling upon seeing her that they were of the same kind.
However, they were definitely not from the same sect; there was a feeling of being mortal enemies.
Moreover, her intuition told her that this person was much weaker than herself, and the person likely sensed it too, as her body trembled noticeably.
Xiao Shan had a plan.
"I will intercept first, you follow closely!"
He could not let such a hidden danger remain. This time, she had to be dealt with!
"Be careful!"
Ling Yao cautioned, and Xiao Shan had already vanished from sight at high speed.
The running black-clad figure suddenly stopped, finally sensing something was wrong.
After running for so long, why hadn't the child made a sound?
She opened the swaddling clothes in her arms, and a fierce look of being toyed with appeared in her eyes. This was no child, but merely a rice pillow!
How hateful!
She knew that the man surnamed Xiao was not that simple! And also, that divine maiden of Jingguo...
Enraged, she threw the pillow to the ground and stomped on it fiercely.
"Master, this place is dangerous, hurry and leave."
In the dark night, the woman's bewitching eyes glowed with a gloomy light, exuding a danger as if falling into an abyss.
The shadow reminding her involuntarily shivered and lowered its head, daring not to speak further.
Just then, a long saber pierced through the sky, whistling.
"Master, be careful!"
The shadow hurriedly blocked, but the saber's force was too great. The curved saber in the shadow's hand was no match, breaking into two pieces. It directly struck its shoulder, severing an entire arm.
The shadow rolled onto the ground, screaming. The woman, seeing this, had no time to escape. Xiao Shan came forward, his saber back in his hand, and delivered another fierce blow.
The woman let out a sharp, terrifying scream and shattered into pieces on the ground.
Shattered on the ground?
Xiao Shan saw the dark, broken clothes on the ground and, hearing the wind, quickly dodged.
The person before him transformed into a red robe, but the bewitching eyes revealed beneath the mask belonged to the same person.
This must be her other bewitching technique!
Xiao Shan dared not be careless and began to observe carefully.
The woman also made no move.
The man was clad in black, almost blending into the night. She couldn't see him clearly, only feeling that the person before her was like a fierce beast, full of danger.
"Xiao Shan, be careful!"
Ling Yao's voice came from behind. Xiao Shan turned his head and saw Ling Yao standing there gracefully, her eyes filled with concern. Her breathing was steady, her gaze clear, without a trace of fatigue.
Her body had recovered quite well, Xiao Shan thought to himself.
Although Xiao Shan turned his head, his ears were constantly listening for any movement, not letting down his guard at all.
Strangely, the woman made no sound?
He turned his head back, but the woman was nowhere in sight.
How peculiar, who could slip away from his sight without making a sound?
"Xiao Shan, something is strange."
Ling Yao moved closer, her chest almost touching Xiao Shan's back.
He could even feel the warmth of her body.
He had never been guarded against her, even in the most dangerous situations. She constantly stirred his nerves, alluring like a poppy.