Hua Zhuyu was not unfamiliar with Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber. After the attendants brought her here, they bowed and withdrew. Before long, Huangfu Wushuang was carried in on a dragon palanquin by his guards, already unconscious. The guards helped him onto the bed, and Imperial Physician Ye had been summoned and hurried into the bedchamber.

Imperial Physician Ye, named Ye Ronghua, had a brother called Ye Fugui. Both brothers served as imperial physicians in the palace, but many years ago, his younger brother Ye Fugui had resigned from his position as imperial physician for unknown reasons and disappeared from court and society. His elder brother Ye Ronghua remained in the palace, deeply trusted by Emperor Yan. However, since Emperor Yan fell gravely ill, Ye Ronghua had devoted himself entirely to treating Emperor Yan alone, while other imperial physicians handled the ailments of everyone else in the palace.

This was the background information about Imperial Physician Ye Ronghua that Hua Zhuyu had sent people to investigate after encountering him some time ago.

After Imperial Physician Ye finished taking Huangfu Wushuang’s pulse and used his internal energy to help expel the poison, he slowly turned around, straightened his hunched back, and looked leisurely toward her.

On that face aged like orange peel, a pair of dark eyes were no longer cloudy but blazed with sharp light, piercing as lightning.

Hua Zhuyu suddenly smiled.

Last time, she had sent Kang to Liang Zhou to examine her father Hua Mu’s tomb, learning that the dead Hua Mu was not him at all. She suspected he was in the palace, but he had not appeared for a long time.

She could only assassinate Huangfu Wushuang, because she was certain he was the person behind Huangfu Wushuang. Once Huangfu Wushuang was in danger, he would certainly emerge. However, she had never expected him to be that Imperial Physician Ye.

Back in the military camp, whenever she suffered serious injuries, it wasn’t Tai who treated her wounds, but designated military physicians who were sent. When her injuries were severe, she was usually unconscious and had always thought it was Military Physician Ning who took her pulse, yet Military Physician Ning seemed unaware that she was a woman. Now thinking back, it probably wasn’t Military Physician Ning, but him! So his medical skills were this advanced – even serving as an imperial physician in the palace would be more than adequate.

“Yu’er!” Hua Mu removed the wrinkled disguise mask from his face, revealing a handsome, cold face with slight wrinkles. Having worn that false face for so long, his complexion was no longer the rough, dark appearance from the battlefield. Actually, disguising as Ye Ronghua was quite easy, because Ye Ronghua was reclusive by nature and advanced in years, his face full of wrinkles, and being hunchbacked, he rarely made eye contact with others. So the possibility of being exposed was very small.

Since Hua Mu had disguised himself as Ye Ronghua, the real Ye Ronghua was probably no longer among the living.

Looking at her father whom she hadn’t seen for many days, Hua Zhuyu felt no joy in her heart – only coldness. She had never expected that her father, who had been loyal and brave all his life, actually had ulterior motives.

She had suspected him before, but she had always hoped those were just her suspicions, not reality. Yet when the truth was finally confirmed, she was still shocked.

What exactly did he want? This Southern Dynasty, or the entire world?

“Ask whatever you want to ask!” Hua Mu looked at Hua Zhuyu indifferently, turned back to sit in a chair to one side, and said slowly.

“Jin Se was a chess piece you placed beside me over ten years ago, wasn’t she? On the day of the marriage alliance, you knew it was a trap, yet you still went along with it and let me go. To prevent me from escaping, you sealed my internal energy beforehand, and still not reassured, you secretly revealed that I had martial arts skills, causing Emperor Yan to bestow that cup of poisoned wine on me. Isn’t that right?”

“At Lianyun Mountain, you knew Emperor Yan would send people to ambush and kill us, so you had Jin Se die in my place, sent her to Ji Fengli’s side, and gave Jin Se the identity of a Northern Dynasty princess, all to bring down Ji Fengli someday. Isn’t that right?”

“Dan Hong – she’s actually a Northern Dynasty princess. You originally intended for her to go, but because she was devoted to me, you had her switch tasks with Jin Se, using her devotion to me to make her go to the palace and become Emperor Kang’s concubine. That secret letter Dan Hong stole claiming Ji Fengli framed you – you forged that, didn’t you?”

“After Emperor Yan was injured at the traveling palace, you treated his illness, then took the opportunity to control him with drugs. That Consort Liu was also your chess piece, wasn’t she? You used her to manipulate Emperor Yan, gaining control of the Thunder Cavalry’s military authority to help Huangfu Wushuang ascend the throne. Isn’t that right?”

“Your guesses are correct – they are all facts!” Hua Mu lifted the teacup from the jade table, slowly sipped some tea, and said lightly.

“I only want to know now – why did you help him?” Hua Zhuyu pointed coldly at Huangfu Wushuang lying on the bed.

He had secretly assisted Huangfu Wushuang, while she had openly assisted Huangfu Wushuang. Father and daughter had pushed Huangfu Wushuang to the emperor’s throne – but for what purpose?

“Because only he is worthy of ruling this world!” Hua Mu leisurely sipped another mouthful of tea and said coldly.

“Him? Why only him?” Hua Zhuyu asked with a bitter laugh.

“Because his surname isn’t Huangfu!” Hua Mu set down his teacup, his gaze sharp as he spoke.

“His surname isn’t Huangfu?” Hua Zhuyu asked in shock. She turned to glance back, seeing Huangfu Wushuang lying quietly on the bed with his eyes closed, dark hair scattered, the dark coloring on his lips gradually fading, but obviously still not awakened from his poisoned stupor. “Then what is his surname? It can’t be Hua, can it?”

“Nonsense! What his surname is, I’ll tell you in due time. Yu’er, what you need to do now is peacefully serve as his empress.”

Hua Mu threw his teacup onto the table and spoke slowly.

“Very well, if you won’t tell me his surname, you should at least tell me what my surname is!” Hua Zhuyu looked up at Hua Mu, her clear dark pupils gleaming with a crystalline transparency like glass and a sharp edge like ice.

Hua Mu was transfixed by such a penetrating gaze, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked up indifferently, a trace of barely perceptible gloom flashing in his dark eyes. “Yu’er, why do you say such things?”

Hua Zhuyu smiled bitterly. Why did she say such things?

Could there be such a father-daughter relationship anywhere under heaven? From childhood, she was forced to practice martial arts with a group of orphans, forced to study music and dance with Madam Xuan. She worked very hard, always did her best, hoping to earn his praise, yet he was very stingy with it. No matter how well she performed, she seemed unable to meet his expectations. So she could only continue working hard.

When she learned she was to marry Ji Fengli, she was joyful – not only because she admired Ji Fengli, but also because she could finally stop mixing among men. Little did she know that this flower marriage would be the beginning of her misfortune.

“Do you know how heartbroken I was the night Jin Se was nearly violated? Do you know I was thrown into the military brothel camp in the Northern Dynasty? Do you know that this past year, I’ve faced death countless times?” Hua Zhuyu bit her lower lip as past humiliations and life-threatening fears surfaced again in her mind, pain throbbing in her chest.

“I know. Father had Jin Se give you that pendant precisely so you wouldn’t suffer in the Northern Dynasty, but never expected things would spiral out of control. That’s why Father sent people to the Northern Dynasty planning to bring you back, but unexpectedly, you were still captured and taken back by Xiao Yin. Father also knows you’ve suffered much this past year, but these experiences were necessary for you!” Hua Mu’s eyes flashed with a stern light, each word measured and striking like gold and jade, making one tremble to the bone.

“Why? By what right?” Hua Zhuyu asked word by word.

Hua Mu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: “There are many things Father cannot tell you now! Fortunately, everything is now under our control, and all these matters are behind us. In the future, don’t attempt to assassinate the Emperor again. Peacefully serve as his empress – he actually never intended to harm you.”

Under the candlelight, Hua Zhuyu gazed so clearly at Hua Mu’s features. That face which had always been stern with her now showed not even a trace of gentle, loving affection. Without any hint of a smile, he was cold to the extreme. This was the father she had revered and feared since childhood, yet now he only made her feel strange – so strange it frightened her.

Hua Mu rose unhurriedly and sighed: “Yu’er, perhaps you hate me now, but one day you will understand me! I’ll leave first – the Emperor is about to wake up. Tonight is your wedding night – Father won’t intrude.”

Wedding night? Only then did Hua Zhuyu realize she was in Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber, and today was the day he took an empress.

On the table in the bedchamber burned dragon and phoenix wedding candles. Over the bed hung bright red festive curtains. Everything was joyous and celebratory, yet her heart felt desolate.

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I will neither serve as his empress nor consummate this marriage with him.” Hua Zhuyu coldly threw down these words and turned to stride quickly toward the door.

Behind her came a deep sigh, and a cold, sharp wind swept toward her back. She gracefully turned, her wide sleeves dancing wildly as she met the incoming palm strike, blocking Hua Mu’s attack. As their palms clashed, through their crossed hands, Hua Zhuyu saw Hua Mu’s deep, profound eyes.

“Yu’er, do you intend to fight your father with fists and feet? Don’t forget – your martial arts were taught by Father. Even though you later learned much from other masters, Father watched you learn it all. Do you think you can defeat Father?” Hua Mu said slowly.

Hua Zhuyu smiled miserably. Yes, her martial arts were taught by him. Even when she later took other masters and learned new techniques, she practiced them daily before him. He was extremely familiar with her every move and stance. She naturally couldn’t defeat him, and she had never wanted to defeat him, because she had never imagined she would come to blows with him.

“But even if I can’t defeat you, I cannot willingly serve as your chess piece! Especially not a discarded pawn that’s crossed the river!” Hua Zhuyu said coldly.

“Child, you’re wrong. Father never intended to abandon you, and you’re not some discarded pawn. Though you’re not the player in this game of chess, you’re also not a chess piece – this entire game exists because of you.” Hua Mu’s voice drifted slowly to her ears.

In the bedchamber, sharp winds raged as the two exchanged several moves in an instant.

Hua Mu’s words left Hua Zhuyu confused, yet she no longer dared believe his words. She knew she was no match for Hua Mu, and even if she could defeat him, she couldn’t overcome the imperial guards outside. Tonight, if she wanted to leave the palace safely, there was probably only one path. While fighting with Hua Mu, she quietly moved toward the side of the bed, wanting to take Huangfu Wushuang hostage so she could escape from the palace. Avoiding Hua Mu’s sharp attack, she suddenly pulled back the bright red gauze curtains.

In that instant, a stream of flowing red light filled her vision as her head was covered by flying red gauze, and a pair of powerful arms tightly embraced her. Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped in alarm. Earlier, she had listened to Huangfu Wushuang’s breathing and clearly sensed he hadn’t yet awakened from unconsciousness. Given the current situation, he had probably held his breath and pulse, deliberately pretending. His poison, it seemed, had been completely removed by Hua Mu.

She heard Hua Mu’s voice seeming to drift from the void: “This humble subject takes his leave.”

Night deepened, wind grew colder. Moonlight spilled from the eaves of the nine-fold palace towers, casting countless winding shadows on the palace garden grounds.

Ji Fengli walked with leisurely steps, leading Nalan Xue and several Yue Shi attendants along the palace garden paths toward Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber. Bright red glass lanterns cast their festive glow on his mask, that alluring mask carrying a touch of coldness that made his entire being appear extremely frigid.

“How dare you! Who goes there trespassing!” A squad of imperial guards instantly surrounded them, their long swords gleaming with piercing cold light.

An attendant beside Ji Fengli smiled and raised the token in her hand, saying sweetly: “His Majesty was injured in the great hall. Our prince has excellent antidote medicine here. This is the token His Majesty bestowed upon our prince, commanding us to deliver it! Otherwise, on such a dark night, our prince wouldn’t bother going!”

The head of the imperial guards saw clearly the mask on Ji Fengli’s face, gestured for everyone to lower their swords, and asked with raised eyebrows: “So it’s Prince Nalan – our apologies. But why is there no attendant leading the way?”

The attendant said angrily: “There was a eunuch leading the way, but just now he was called away by people from Noble Consort Wan’s palace. Don’t know what urgent matter happened there – he left quite hastily. We got lost because of it. Fortunately we met this gentleman – could you please tell us how to reach His Majesty’s bedchamber?”

“Follow this road and turn left,” the guard captain gestured.

“Thank you, sir!” The attendant threw him a flirtatious glance and then strolled away with Ji Fengli.

The group soon arrived before Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber, where bright red lanterns hung high everywhere, illuminating the open space before the hall in a wash of red.

Ji Fengli slowly stepped up the stairs before the hall entrance. Eunuch Ji Xiang, who was keeping night watch under the corridor, hurried over with several young eunuchs, asking with a smile: “Prince Nalan comes here so late at night – what matter brings you here?”

Ji Fengli’s lips curved slightly as he said slowly: “His Majesty was poisoned, and this prince feels greatly concerned. This is antidote medicine produced in our Yue Shi nation – this prince specially came to deliver it. Please show accommodation, Eunuch.”

Ji Xiang waved his whisk, saying in a high, thin voice: “Many thanks for the prince’s kind intentions. However, His Majesty’s poison has already been cured and he has now retired. Today is His Majesty and the Empress’s wedding night – Prince Nalan might as well leave the medicine with this humble servant, and tomorrow this servant will certainly present it to His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Ji Fengli’s heart lurched, his fingertips turned cold, and in an instant his heart felt as if it had been hollowed out. His normally calm mind went briefly blank, and when he finally understood the meaning of those two words “wedding night,” the overwhelming pain that threatened to drown him made him unable to breathe for a moment. A fish out of water, a clam without water – they too must gasp in such agony! This pain gave him a feeling of approaching death. She was even more important to him than he had imagined.

“Wedding night? Isn’t His Majesty’s empress the Northern Dynasty’s Princess Zhuo Ya? The Empress is clearly still in Qianqing Hall accompanying the Northern Emperor – how can she have a wedding night with His Majesty?” an attendant behind Ji Fengli asked with a sweet laugh.

Ji Xiang narrowed his eyes: “You don’t understand – Princess Zhuo Ya was only a substitute bride. She’s not the real empress.” Ji Xiang paused. “In any case, His Majesty will issue an edict tomorrow, and then you’ll all understand. It’s late – Prince Nalan, please return! The banquet has ended and the palace gates will close soon.”

Ji Fengli’s lips slowly curved, amusement appearing in his eyes. Behind that amusement lurked depths that revealed an intimidating majesty and murderous intent that made one afraid to look directly at him. However, under his natural noble bearing, some failed to notice this danger.

“Eunuch Ji Xiang speaks truly. Since it’s His Majesty’s wedding night, this prince naturally should withdraw. Please trouble the eunuch to present the medicine to His Majesty tomorrow.” Ji Fengli said slowly, turning back to nod slightly at Nalan Xue and the attendants behind him.

Nalan Xue drew the medicine from his sleeve, saying with a charming smile: “Please accept this, Eunuch!”

A young eunuch reached out to receive it, but Nalan Xue suddenly raised his hand, and a cloud of white mist rose up, drifting everywhere and instantly confusing everyone’s vision. Ji Xiang and the young eunuchs strained to open their eyes wide, seeing several figures slowly walking past them through the mist. Their minds suddenly became muddled, and looking ahead with squinted eyes, they suddenly didn’t know who they were or what they were doing – they just stood under the corridor with smiles on their lips.

Nalan Xue coldly swept his gaze over the group of eunuchs who looked confused and dazed, saying with a smile: “The Tang Sect’s hallucinogenic powder is indeed formidable!”

Inside the bedchamber, all was quiet. Hua Zhuyu struggled to push away, but the arms around her waist seemed embedded in her bones and blood, holding her impossibly tight. At her neck, burning breath drew near as Huangfu Wushuang’s voice, tinged with magnetism, rang out like a demon’s whisper in her ear: “Little Bao’er, do you think you can escape from my bedchamber? Even if you could flee, I would still find you and bring you back. I told you long ago – you are mine, and sooner or later you will be mine!”

Hua Zhuyu stopped struggling, feeling the red gauze on her head being lifted away bit by bit by Huangfu Wushuang. Her vision brightened as she saw Huangfu Wushuang’s face close before her, his dark eyes staring at her unblinkingly, two flames burning in their depths. He extended his finger, running it along Hua Zhuyu’s eyebrows and eyes down to her lips. He relaxed his brow, his lips curving in a smile that bewitched the heart.

“Huangfu Wushuang, release me first so we can talk properly!” Hua Zhuyu smiled charmingly.

Huangfu Wushuang domineeringly held her waist, their skin pressed together. In the silence, they could seemingly hear each other’s heartbeats. He stubbornly pursed his lips, his flawlessly handsome features pure to the point of being almost demonic.

“I won’t let go. Little Bao’er, I will never let go! When I learned you were a woman, I knew you were Hua Zhuyu – the one he spoke of, my empress.” Along with his words, his arms tightened further. His lips wandered down along Hua Zhuyu’s neck.

Hua Zhuyu frowned slightly, a cold light flashing in her eyes as she raised her hand to strike hard at his neck. Huangfu Wushuang caught her hand, a trace of unwillingness flashing in his beautiful dark eyes: “Little Bao’er, we are legitimate emperor and empress – why do you still refuse me!”

“Huangfu Wushuang, don’t forget – you didn’t marry Hua Zhuyu, but Nie Yiren. And even Nie Yiren, you didn’t truly marry.” Hua Zhuyu laughed coldly.

“So what? I’ll immediately issue an imperial edict declaring you my empress!” Huangfu Wushuang leaned down, pressing Hua Zhuyu onto the bed, his dark eyes unblinking, filled with indescribable deep affection as he gazed at her.

“Little Bao’er, don’t refuse me, please?” he said softly, his voice no longer the duck-like harshness of before, but low and seductive.

“Don’t even think about it!” Hua Zhuyu rolled over, pushing Huangfu Wushuang away forcefully.

“You refuse me like this – are you still thinking of Ji Fengli? He’s already dead, and you killed him with your own hands!”

So Huangfu Wushuang actually knew she had Ji Fengli in her heart. Her chest suddenly throbbed with pain. Yes, he was dead, and only she remained alive. A bitter smile curved her lips – then what meaning was there for her to continue living?

With a ripping sound, her dance costume tore apart, fragments flying in chaos. Huangfu Wushuang rolled over, pressing Hua Zhuyu onto the bed again. Hua Zhuyu shouted coldly: “Huangfu Wushuang, what are you doing?”

“Little Bao’er, do you know the feeling of loving someone you cannot have? Do you know the feeling of missing someone every day? Don’t treat me like a child – I’m about the same age as you. Do you know that when I still thought I liked Wan’er, when I still thought you were a eunuch, I had already fallen in love with you? I want you, little Bao’er. This way you’ll be mine, belonging to me forever and ever.” Huangfu Wushuang spoke slowly, word by word, his low voice containing heart-wrenching desolation.

Hua Zhuyu had never seen Huangfu Wushuang so serious and affectionate, and for a moment she was somewhat stunned.

“You are mine, little Bao’er!” Huangfu Wushuang murmured softly, his tall frame pressing firmly against Hua Zhuyu’s body, so tightly there wasn’t the slightest gap. His gaze focused intensely on Hua Zhuyu’s face, as if afraid that with one blink, she would disappear.

Hua Zhuyu moved but couldn’t break free from his embrace. Having lost much of her internal energy, she was naturally no match for Huangfu Wushuang now. But she absolutely could not consummate this marriage with Huangfu Wushuang.

She slowly took a breath and smiled charmingly at Huangfu Wushuang, saying softly: “Wushuang, I naturally like you. You’re right – besides marrying you, who else could I marry? Don’t be so hasty – take off your clothes first.”

“Are you telling the truth, little Bao’er?!” Huangfu Wushuang’s dark eyes suddenly brightened, dangerous flames clearly visible dancing restlessly in their depths. “Little Bao’er, I knew you liked me.”

Huangfu Wushuang gazed at Hua Zhuyu’s jade-like smooth shoulders and collarbones, his eyes suddenly becoming profound, his breathing growing rapid. Hua Zhuyu waited for him to rise and remove his garments so she could escape. But unexpectedly, he refused to release her and wouldn’t remove his clothes, instead burying his head to trail burning kisses down her neck, caressing every inch of her skin with his lips.

Hua Zhuyu took advantage of Huangfu Wushuang’s distraction to quietly bend her knees bit by bit, planning to catch him off guard with a strike. Just then, a breeze came from somewhere, stirring the thin hibiscus gauze curtains over the bed. In the air, it seemed as if a string was being drawn tighter and tighter.

“Who’s there?” Huangfu Wushuang suddenly released Hua Zhuyu and threw back the hibiscus curtains.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped in alarm. Her clothing was already torn, so she quickly grabbed the brocade coverlet from the bed and pulled it over herself.

The wind came through the window, and the person stood by the window. In the room’s red and seductive light and shadows, the misty light enveloped a tall, upright figure. The wind made his clothing flutter loudly, and he slowly turned around, the candlelight illuminating the alluring mask on his face.

Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber was filled with guards, eunuchs, and palace maids everywhere – how could this person have entered his bedchamber without alerting anyone? But regardless, this person’s arrival was very timely, allowing her to escape.

Huangfu Wushuang leaped up from the bed, quickly jumped down, and said without expression: “I wondered who it was. So it’s Prince Nalan – what brings you to my bedchamber in the dead of night?”

Ji Fengli chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over Hua Zhuyu before his dark pupils suddenly contracted. He raised an eyebrow and said lightly: “Just stealing a bride!” His tone was casually mocking, yet carried an undeniable authority and certainty.

“Just you! Don’t joke around! I truly never expected Prince Nalan would be so bold as to come steal my empress. Guards!” Huangfu Wushuang shouted coldly, but after his words fell, no one entered.

Huangfu Wushuang’s expression changed instantly. He suddenly leaped forward, lunging for the Dragon’s Roar sword hanging on the wall. Since someone had entered his bedchamber without anyone noticing, the attendants and palace maids outside had probably all been eliminated. However, his shadow guards had been ordered to keep their distance tonight because it was his wedding night.

Hua Zhuyu took advantage of the two men fighting to slip out from under the brocade coverlet. She reached out and tore off a piece of the hibiscus bed curtains to drape over herself, instantly shrouding her entire form in red gauze. She quietly got down from the bed, planning to sneak away.

Ji Fengli seized the moment when Huangfu Wushuang went for his weapon to turn and quickly step before her. Hua Zhuyu suddenly felt warmth as a black cloak embroidered with gold patterns, carrying the warmth of body heat, enveloped her completely.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly trembled. She looked up at him – so close, a pair of eyes hidden behind a golden mask, and in that boundless depth, despair faintly showed through, making one’s heart break at first sight.

“You… what are you doing?” Hua Zhuyu instinctively moved to push away the cloak covering her. For some reason, she felt this person held no hostility toward her. But she also couldn’t allow a stranger to embrace her like this.

“Protect the Emperor!” Huangfu Wushuang’s shadow guards finally detected the danger, emerging from somewhere. Several men shielded Huangfu Wushuang behind them, all raising their swords to strike at Nalan Xue.

Just then, distant rumbling could be heard from the palace gates, and the ground beneath their feet trembled slightly.

The smile froze on Huangfu Wushuang’s lips, his face in shadow turning completely dark.

“Who are you? You’re not the young prince of Yue Shi!” Huangfu Wushuang said coldly.

Ji Fengli glanced at him coldly without speaking, embracing Hua Zhuyu as he moved to leave.

“Your Majesty, Commander Nie Ning is leading troops in rebellion!” A heavily armored imperial guard rushed in, reporting with sweat pouring down his face.

Huangfu Wushuang frowned: “What’s the current battle situation?”

“The troops led by Nie Ning are no match for the Thunder Cavalry and were already being repelled. But somehow, an unknown army is now attacking the four gates of the capital. The Thunder Cavalry had to divide their forces to defend. Those armies are now engaged in fierce battle with our forces outside the palace. We suspect… they are the Wind Cloud Cavalry!”

“Wind Cloud Cavalry?” Huangfu Wushuang exclaimed, his handsome face instantly freezing as a sharp gleam flashed in his dark eyes.

The Wind Cloud Cavalry was an army as renowned as the Thunder Cavalry. In the past, it had been led by the former Empress Xie. Since Empress Xie’s death, the Wind Cloud Cavalry had disappeared without a trace. He had never expected that tonight, the Wind Cloud Cavalry would appear.

“Do we know who leads the attacking forces!” Huangfu Wushuang asked in a trembling voice.

“We heard… we heard it’s the late Crown Prince of the Former Emperor,” the reporting soldier said, cold sweat streaming down.

“Who?” Huangfu Wushuang asked coldly.

“The former Crown Prince… Huangfu Wuxiang!” the soldier reported with difficulty.

Huangfu Wuxiang – the legitimate prince of Former Emperor Yan, the only son of Empress Xie. It was said he was exceptionally gifted, composing poetry at four and mastering martial arts at six – a rare prodigy. However, years ago, Huangfu Wuxiang had died young of illness. Former Emperor Yan had been bedridden for days in grief, and all officials lamented that heaven envied his talent.

Now, someone who had clearly died young was leading troops again?

“Preposterous!” Huangfu Wushuang suppressed his fear and laughed coldly: “I think those rebels are delusional to fabricate such lies. I’ll go out and meet them myself. Someone prepare – I’m going to the city walls to oversee the battle!”

“I think you shouldn’t go to the city walls!” Ji Fengli smiled coldly and waved his hand lightly as several figures quickly burst in from outside.

Huangfu Wushuang stared at Ji Fengli: “You think these few attendants can stop me? I’m very interested to know why the young prince has come to the Southern Dynasty to meddle – what exactly are you after?”

Ji Fengli narrowed his cold eyes, his thin lips pressed together coldly as he spoke word by word: “As Nalan already said – stealing a bride!”

The first time he mentioned stealing a bride, Hua Zhuyu thought he was joking and paid no attention. Now that he mentioned it again, she couldn’t help but wonder. Why did he want to steal a bride? Why steal her? She roughly guessed that this young prince of Yue Shi had already allied with the so-called Huangfu Wuxiang to seize Huangfu Wushuang’s throne. If so, his coming to Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber must be to capture Huangfu Wushuang. Taking her was probably to use her as a hostage. But somehow, Hua Zhuyu felt things weren’t as she suspected, because this person seemed to harbor no ill will toward her. Regardless of the truth, she wouldn’t go with him, nor would she stay with Huangfu Wushuang.

She struggled to break free from his embrace, only to discover that though he seemed to casually hold her waist, he actually used considerable force. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t budge his arm. Sensing her struggle and detecting her intention, he tightened his grip, holding her firmly in his embrace as if wanting to meld her into his bones and blood. His voice rang magnificently in her ear with a hint of magic: “Want to escape? Unless you kill me!” Each word carried adamant certainty like a verdict.

Hua Zhuyu was stunned by his forceful and domineering tone. Who was he? His voice was clearly unfamiliar. Yet his embrace was warm and tender, making her feel very secure. Feeling secure in a stranger’s embrace puzzled Hua Zhuyu greatly.

“You misunderstand – I didn’t say I was escaping. I’m quite willing to go with you!” Hua Zhuyu smiled charmingly, her smile like a rare udumbara flower blooming, intoxicating and delightful. She suddenly raised her hand with lightning speed to lift the mask from his face, while bending her elbow to strike his waist’s pressure point.

If he dodged her attack, she would succeed in removing his mask. But unexpectedly, he didn’t dodge at all, instead catching her raised hand just as her fingers touched the cold mask.

Hua Zhuyu was somewhat annoyed. She didn’t want to be controlled by anyone, so she struck out with her palm to fight him.

“Little Bao’er, come to me! You’re in danger beside that person! Come quickly, don’t get entangled in battle!” Huangfu Wushuang’s eyes widened with worry.

The commotion outside grew louder, and inside the hall, a palace lamp suddenly fell, crashing heavily onto a table.

Huangfu Wushuang was concerned about the battle outside but was trapped in the bedchamber unable to leave. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes as he leaped up, his long sword striking toward Nalan Xue.

The shadow guards and imperial guards inside the hall began fighting with the people Nalan Xue had brought.

After Huangfu Wushuang and Nalan Xue began fighting, Hua Zhuyu withdrew from the battle and quietly moved toward the hall entrance. Suddenly she heard a whistle, and an arrow shot into a pillar inside the hall. Then countless arrows rained in like raindrops. Countless heavily armored imperial guards poured into the hall. The leader, whom Hua Zhuyu could see clearly, was An, who served as deputy commander of the imperial guards in the palace.

“Protect the Emperor! Guard His Majesty!” An calmly gave orders, and immediately many imperial guards surged forward.

Hua Zhuyu smiled coldly – An was indeed working for her father.

Seeing more and more imperial guards pouring in, Ji Fengli showed no panic. He swung his precious sword, cutting down an imperial guard.

To capture the thief, first capture the king. In the current situation, they could only safely leave the hall by capturing Huangfu Wushuang.

His sword, carrying sharp sword energy, pointed directly at Huangfu Wushuang’s throat, stopping suddenly half an inch from his neck. Wisps of sword energy penetrated his skin, bringing coldness and severity.

Huangfu Wushuang’s heart filled with chill as he shouted: “Everyone stop!”

Hearing this and seeing Huangfu Wushuang threatened by the sword point, the imperial guards were shocked and all withdrew their hands.

Wind rose, and the hall fell silent.

Huangfu Wushuang frowned: “You may leave now. I won’t make things difficult for you!”

Ji Fengli narrowed his eyes, his lips curved in a knife-like smile, cold and merciless. The dangerous aura emanating from his entire being made Huangfu Wushuang somewhat breathless.

“Not make things difficult for us? I think that’s unnecessary. Huangfu Wushuang, listen carefully!” he said lightly.

Huangfu Wushuang’s face paled, and Hua Zhuyu’s heart also jumped. They heard earth-shaking sounds from outside. Through the wide open hall doors, they saw countless torches winding like long serpents, illuminating the open space outside Huangfu Wushuang’s bedchamber bright as day, revealing panicked eunuchs and palace maids fleeing and masses of approaching soldiers in silver armor.

These squadrons of soldiers had armor clearly different from the imperial guards in the palace. From a distance, in the torchlight, Hua Zhuyu could see large characters embroidered on the front of their armor – “Wind.”

Wind Cloud Cavalry!

It was said that the Wind Cloud Cavalry differed from the Thunder Cavalry – while the Thunder Cavalry was known for brave fighting, the Wind Cloud Cavalry was famous for swift combat. Every soldier in the Wind Cloud Cavalry had excellent lightness skills, and their armor was also renowned for being lightweight. In every battle, they achieved victory through surprise attacks, swift as the wind.

So the Wind Cloud Cavalry had reached the palace interior – the capital had been breached by the Wind Cloud Cavalry!

Hua Zhuyu was shocked – the Wind Cloud Cavalry truly lived up to their reputation.

Huangfu Wushuang’s gaze swept coldly over the Wind Cloud Cavalry pouring in from outside, a cold light flashing in his dark eyes. He turned his head slowly: “They broke through so quickly – is the Thunder Cavalry that useless?”

“Huangfu Wushuang, it’s not that the Thunder Cavalry is useless, but you’ve simply forgotten whose army the Thunder Cavalry really is,” Nalan Xue said slowly, his light tone carrying a chilling coldness.

The soldiers in the hall probably all knew whose army the Thunder Cavalry was – Former Emperor Yan’s army. When Huangfu Wushuang seized the palace, it was the Thunder Cavalry and imperial guards working together who forced Huangfu Wushang from the throne. Later, the Thunder Cavalry came under Huangfu Wushuang’s control. But if Emperor Yan gave orders, Huangfu Wushuang’s commands would likely be ineffective.

Did Nalan Xue’s words mean Former Emperor Yan had given the orders?

“Impossible! Isn’t he… isn’t he ill?” Huangfu Wushuang said incredulously.

Ji Fengli slowly withdrew his sword, smiling as he looked at him: “He is indeed ill, but that’s physical – his mind has recovered.”

Hua Zhuyu knew Emperor Yan had previously been controlled by her father. Hearing Nalan Xue say this, it seemed Emperor Yan had broken free from control. This puzzled her greatly – Hua Mu was still in the palace, and that poison couldn’t be neutralized overnight. Could it be that Nalan Xue had been giving Emperor Yan antidotes for some time?

She had no time to think about these matters. Regardless, she couldn’t stay in the palace or she would be in danger.

Hua Zhuyu frowned and moved around the nine-fold screen in the hall to leave. A sharp wind swept beside her as Huangfu Wushuang’s toes touched lightly and he suddenly lunged toward her. With his long sleeves billowing, he had already caught her in his arms. He pressed something somewhere, and the screen suddenly moved aside, revealing a dark opening behind it.

As she fell into the opening, Hua Zhuyu saw Nalan Xue rushing desperately toward them. The mask on his face gleamed coldly in the lamplight, but this cold gleam couldn’t match the shock and fury blazing in his eyes.

A Wind Cloud Cavalry soldier closest to Hua Zhuyu and Huangfu Wushuang raised his weapon to strike at them both. This soldier had obviously seen Hua Zhuyu’s red dress under her cloak and guessed she was Huangfu Wushuang’s empress. So this blade showed no mercy.

Worthy of being a Wind Cloud Cavalry soldier, this strike was extremely fast, ruthless, and precise. The dazzling blade light accompanied by fierce killing intent slashed toward Hua Zhuyu’s legs.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped in alarm as she hurriedly pulled back her legs. Just then, she heard a sharp cry: “Stop!”

Nalan Xue’s sword met the Wind Cloud Cavalry soldier’s blade. At the same time, Hua Zhuyu and Huangfu Wushuang fell into the tunnel. During the descent, Hua Zhuyu’s face was turned upward. She saw Nalan Xue lunging toward her, saw him grab the hem of her clothing, saw the fabric tear with a ripping sound, saw him suddenly bend over as blood gushed rapidly from his mouth. Her heart suddenly ached for unknown reasons. The stone slab that had opened quickly closed, separating Nalan Xue outside.

Wind whistled past her ears, and after a moment, her feet touched ground. The stone slab above closed, plunging the tunnel into darkness. Fortunately, the night pearl embedded in Huangfu Wushuang’s jade crown emitted a gentle glow, illuminating the small space before them.

Hua Zhuyu pushed away Huangfu Wushuang’s arms and laughed coldly: “You even dug a secret passage in your bedchamber – how thorough of you!” She had to admit, Huangfu Wushuang was truly prepared for all contingencies. With this tunnel, he could successfully escape from the palace. Since she had originally planned to leave the palace anyway, she didn’t mind crawling out through a tunnel. Remembering that person’s verdict-like words in her ear earlier, she knew clearly he wouldn’t easily let her go.

Huangfu Wushuang removed the night pearl from his jade crown, turning to look at Hua Zhuyu. The gentle pearl light illuminated his eyelashes, even more delicate and dense than a girl’s. He smiled faintly: “If I hadn’t thought thoroughly, we would both be in the hands of that Yue Shi prince and Huangfu Wuxiang by now. I’m afraid we couldn’t have lived to see tomorrow’s sun.”

“I am me, you are you – not ‘we’!” Hua Zhuyu snorted coldly.

“You’re my empress – do you think they would spare you?” Huangfu Wushuang said with a smile.

The tunnel was somewhat cold. Hua Zhuyu pulled the cloak tighter around herself. The cloak still carried a faint, elusive fragrance. She remembered the look in the Yue Shi prince’s eyes at the last moment, and her heart suddenly tightened. What kind of person would care so much about her? In that split second, he had blocked that blade for her.

“What are you thinking about?” Huangfu Wushuang raised the night pearl near her face, asking leisurely.

Hua Zhuyu moved past him and walked ahead: “I’m wondering where this tunnel you dug leads.”

Huangfu Wushuang followed behind her with the night pearl, explaining as they walked: “This tunnel already existed. The original entrance was at the artificial mountain in the back garden. I thought escaping from the artificial mountain was too inconvenient, so I connected it to the bedchamber. I’ve explored this tunnel – it leads to a dry well outside the palace!”

“Do others know about this secret passage? If they know the exit and block us there, wouldn’t we be trapped?” Hua Zhuyu said coldly.

Huangfu Wushuang glanced at her sideways: “This passage did exist before, but after I discovered it, I changed the exit. Up ahead there will be a fork. If they want to block us, they’re probably waiting at the original exit! But we still need to hurry – they should soon follow us through the tunnel.”

The two stopped talking and silently continued along the winding tunnel. Because the light was dim, they didn’t walk very fast. After about half an hour, the path ahead was suddenly blocked, but overhead, a huge stone appeared. Faint daylight filtered through, unlike the darkness of the tunnel interior.

Huangfu Wushuang held up the night pearl to look around, smiling: “We’ve arrived!” He moved forward and felt around somewhere at the tunnel opening. The huge stone moved aside by itself. The two used lightness skills to climb out of the opening, finding themselves indeed in a dry well overgrown with weeds.

They leaped out of the dry well and looked around, discovering they were in a remote alley rarely visited by people.

Huangfu Wushuang grabbed Hua Zhuyu’s hand tightly, his low voice carrying a hint of pleading: “Come with me!”

Hua Zhuyu coldly shook off Huangfu Wushuang’s hand. By the dim starlight and pearl light, she looked coldly at Huangfu Wushuang. Seeing his usually mischievous face now solemn, his pointed chin clenched tight, making his complexion somewhat pale with a greenish tinge. She frowned slightly. Actually, she had always regarded Huangfu Wushuang as a child. He had more than once said he liked her, but she had only taken it as momentary childish nonsense, never seriously. But this matter of making her empress made her realize that perhaps everything he said was true. However, she would never like him.

Assassinating him in the great hall was indeed to draw out her father, but for a moment, she truly wanted to kill him. She hated his cruel ruthlessness, hated that he had harmed Ji Fengli.

“I won’t go with you!” Hua Zhuyu struggled but couldn’t shake off his hand. She frowned and suddenly pulled a hairpin from her head, stabbing hard at his wrist. The dull sound of the hairpin piercing flesh could be heard as blood flowed from the wound. Huangfu Wushuang endured the pain but still gripped Hua Zhuyu’s wrist tightly. He held so tight that his fingernails cut into the skin of Hua Zhuyu’s wrist, drawing blood.

“Little Bao’er, you said you liked me earlier,” Huangfu Wushuang said with narrowed eyes and a dark expression.

Hua Zhuyu endured the pain in her wrist and laughed coldly: “Huangfu Wushuang, I said that to confuse you so I could escape – you actually believed it? Perhaps I did like you a little before, like liking a mischievous child who doesn’t understand things. But now, even that little bit of affection has vanished completely. You should leave quickly. I dare say the entire city is now searching for your whereabouts. Looking like this, if you don’t hide quickly, you’ll probably still be caught!”

She spoke each word clearly and coldly, then grabbed Huangfu Wushuang’s injured wrist and pried his fingers open one by one before turning and walking away gracefully.

Huangfu Wushuang stood frozen in place. Only when Hua Zhuyu was about to leave the alley did he stiffly turn his head, watching her black cloak flutter in the wind by the faint moonlight. He finally reluctantly withdrew his gaze. He understood clearly how dangerous his current situation was – he had no time to entangle with her now. He slowly walked along the alley in the opposite direction from her, feeling all his limbs empty and powerless. He walked somewhat bewildered, having lost both his throne and her! The dim moonlight only reflected in his eyes, and even his mood seemed bleak.

He recalled every moment with her – her every smile and frown, her every anger and joy. Huangfu Wushuang’s heart felt sometimes desolate, sometimes resentful, and finally he grew vicious: “Hua Zhuyu, little Bao’er, who told you to come provoke me in the first place, helping me, assisting me, managing me, only to abandon me in the end? Between you and me, it’s a dead end – if you want to resolve it, wait for the next life! You will willingly return to my side, very soon!”

Moonlight filtered through the sparse branches and withered vines in the alley, illuminating his young, handsome face in dark, gloomy shadows.