Right then, because Mo Linyuan didn’t say anything, Zhao Mingyu also didn’t dare speak. She glanced at the official, who swallowed his food with difficulty and nervousness.
Mo Linyuan fed Ye Mu a piece of fried meat with his chopsticks. Originally, Ye Mu was very resistant. However, remembering Mo Linyuan’s previous words, she felt guilty and wanted to play along with his performance.
Besides, Mo Linyuan also said that if she didn’t want this woman to be stuck on him, she would have to help him.
With this in mind, Ye Mu ate the food he fed her. Mo Linyuan smugly asked, “Is it tasty?”
Ye Mu nodded, then pointed her finger arrogantly, “I want to eat fish!”
Mo Linyuan didn’t refute and simply picked up the piece of fish. He removed the bones before feeding it to Ye Mu.
Ye Mu looked at him and smiled. Her natural mannerism made it seem like Mo Linyuan had always fed her like this.
In truth, Mo Linyuan was truly ecstatic at that moment. He wanted to do this for a long time now, but little Mu’er never cooperated due to how embarrassing it was. Now, seeing how someone else was interested in him, she was willing to cooperate in order to warn off the enemy. Even though she wouldn’t admit to it, her behavior has long betrayed her true feelings.
On the other side, Zhao Mingyu could hardly swallow her food down as she witnessed how magnificent Mo Linyuan was. She couldn’t help but like him even more. Right then she had two thoughts running through her mind: Conquer Mo Linyuan and obtain the City Boundary Map.
In the past when she first saw him at the Imperial Court, she had hidden affections for him. If she didn’t truly understand her feelings and what exactly she wanted, she wouldn’t be able to sit there so calmly as she did.
She reflected intently: Could it be that Mo Linyuan summoned her here in order to let her see just how much the two of them were in love with each other?
Impossible. Mo Linyuan isn’t that simple-minded. Every move he makes has significance to it.
Or could it be… He realized that she wanted to make a move against Ye Mu, and so he wanted to show Ye Mu affections to warn her off…?
Realizing this, Zhao Mingyu trembled to the point that she almost dropped her pair of chopsticks.
At that time, Mo Linyuan was still feeding Ye Mu another bite.
Right then Ye Mu had a smile on her face, but her eyes were full of hidden signals: Enough already! She is going to die from all this sappy romance. Enough of this back and forth. She is not sure if the other person got the message yet, but she has reached her limit!
Mo Linyuan raised his eyebrows lightly, “You don’t like the soup? Then, what would you like to eat? I will instruct someone to make it for you.”
Ye Mu couldn’t help but smile pompously, “No, I like the soup, it’s good and all… It’s just that… you can drink it yourself….”
Only Mo Linyuan was aware of how she gritted her suppressed rage with the last few words she uttered.
However, Mo Linyuan pretended to not have heard it and laughingly said, “True, but I want you to feed me.”
Ye Mu really wanted to dump this small bowl of soup on him. How shameless! He still isn’t satisfied?
But, with Zhao Mingyu present, she sighed before taking the bowl in her hand.
“Ok… Let me.. feed… you!”
Choke on this!
Naturally, Mo Linyuan didn’t choke on the food. He lowered his head and happily drank the soup in her hand. His exquisite face with a loving smile, in addition to his tender action, made Ye Mu’s heart tremble. She suddenly felt like Mo Linyuan looked truly handsome then. Every move he made held indescribable charms.
In fact, Zhao Mingyu, who sat across from them, suddenly felt her heart being moved.
She couldn’t help but think, What’s so great about this Ye Mu? She simply followed Mo Linyuan for many years, but she couldn’t do anything with him since she’s just a child. She could only stay by Mo Linyuan’s side. What’s so great about that?
Perhaps Mo Linyuan himself may be the only person who truly enjoyed his time during this meal.
Although Mo Linyuan mainly wanted to tease his little beloved, the warning also held great significance. Zhao Mingyu observing his affection for Ye Mu was greater than any fantasy she could imagine herself.
If she ever tried to make any move against Ye Mu, she would have to reconsider it.
Sure enough, the Zhao Country’s princess behaved a lot more following the meal. However, as Mo Linyuan tried to offer several proposals in exchange for the City Boundary Map, the Zhao official refused. They were at an impasse for several days.
Mo Linyuan’s patience was slowly reaching its breaking point.
One day, Mo Linyuan dispatched an imperial edict to the Zhao official. It stated that he no longer wanted the City Boundary Map, and simply told them to depart with a few gifts of appreciation.
Zhao Mingyu definitely didn’t want to leave! She hasn’t come up with a solution yet was told to return home. If she returns without accomplishing her mission, her prestige she acquired in the Zhao Country will be ruined!
Not knowing how to fix this, Zhao Mingyu couldn’t want any longer and privately discussed with the official for a plan.
One day after, Mo Linyuan met with the Zhao Country’s official. He listened as the official spoke,
“Your Majesty’s feeling for Miss Ye is truly the world’s most genuine love. Our princess understands this and she knows not to get in between you two. Therefore, she has agreed to accept Your Majesty’s proposal to find her a suitor in the Mo Country. However, the right suitor must be chosen for her before exchanging for the City Boundary Map. She simply hopes to give her hand in marriage for the sake of uniting the two great countries!”
Since the beginning Zhao Mingyu had no intention of marrying someone else. However, now she was willing to marry another. This woman was truly tricky. Yet, Mo Linyuan lightly smiled and agreed,
“Granted. It will be as the princess wishes.”
Seeing that Zhao Official obtained his goal so easily this time, he exclaimed joyfully,
“Perfect! This foreign minister will return to the Zhao Country tomorrow, as the princess will get married soon. Until then, I will have to trouble you to take good care of the arrangements during my absence!”
Mo Linyuan chuckled and nodded, “I will take care of it.”
The next day, the Zhao minister left. Mo Linyuan watched as the group left for the city walls in the distance, a smirk on his lips.
Ye Mu asked, “They totally surrendered to you, just so that they could find another method?”
Mo Linyuan nodded, “It doesn’t matter what they are scheming. Mu’er, let’s go back and take a look at the last piece of the City Boundary Map. Now that all the pieces are together, we need to find out where the treasure is.”
Compared to Mo Linyuan’s good mood, Ye Mu was obviously thrown off. She couldn’t believe it if she had heard him clearly. Did he say he obtained the City Boundary Map? Then, since she had arrived in the past, would she simply have to touch the map again to return to her time?
As she reflected on this, she couldn’t help but secretly peek over at Mo Linyuan. She felt something was off with him. He then looked back to meet her eyes, his eyebrows raised in question to inquire,
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah? Nothing, it’s nothing.”
Ye Mu lowered her head. Right then, she suddenly remembered a phrase she heard a long time ago: If the person you like also returns your feelings… when you are watching him, he will feel it and return your gaze.
Thinking of this, Ye Mu felt even more mournful. She thought, she must first help him find the treasure and avoid touching the map until then!
Presently in the Emperor’s palace, several people were working tirelessly to repair the map. With the piece given to them by the Zhao Country, the whole map was now completed!
Evidently, each piece of the map fragments were made of different materials. Therefore, they must be redrawn with a finer scale material.
Once Ye Mu arrived, they were almost done piecing it together. In the end, the final product was the unified map. Mo Linyuan slightly smiled and everyone retreated respectfully, as if Mo Linyuan had let out a wolfish howl. The upper right corner of the map had three big characters written: City Boundary Map!
Completing the City Boundary Map (2)
Seeing those three immense characters signifying completion, Ye Mu’s instantly felt conflicted.
She stepped back cautiously, wanting to stay away from the map. Yet, Mo Linyuan looked at her and chuckled, “Why are you so far away? Haven’t you been obsessing over this map? Come and take a look.”
Ye Mu stuttered nervously, “It’s ok. What’s there to see on a map anyways? I only care about the treasures. Now that the map pieces are all together, let’s go find the treasure…”
She smiled softly, and said emotionally, “I didn’t expect us to unify the pieces so quickly…”
Seeing her hesitation, Mo Linyuan raised his eyebrows, “Come over here.”
Ye Mu quietly walked over. The City Boundary Map was right in front of her. She couldn’t believe that it could be such a mystical object, that just by touching it could make her travel through space and time.
Although she didn’t think it was the same piece of artifact, she still hesitated and didn’t dare to touch it.
Mo Linyuan was keenly aware of Ye Mu’s guarded behavior. He raised his eyebrows and asked, “You seem to be afraid of this Map… Why is that? Does it bite?”
Ye Mu didn’t know how to reply. Mo Linyuan was a smart guy. If she said anything, it may be catastrophic.
Mo Linyuan waved his hand to dismiss everyone. He then took Ye Mu’s hand.
“Hm, why do you seem to be afraid to touch it…?”
Ye Mu quickly denied it, “No, I-I have no problem with it…”
If she said she was afraid, Mo Linyuan might destroy the City Boundary Map as soon as he found the treasures.
Mo Linyuan scrutinized her; he was doubtful of her words.
“Litte Mu’er, we’ve known each other for 8 years now. How could I not know you by now? Tell me the truth: what are you afraid of?”
Ye Mu simply gazed at the map and refused to respond. She wasn’t sure yet if the map worked like before… but to be sure, she didn’t want to risk it and return this moment.
“I… you’re overthinking it. I just didn’t sleep well last night. I-”
As she rambled she tried to pull her hands out of Mo Linyuan’s, but he held on tightly.
“How… How could this be!”
Could it be the voice from before was lying to her? She could never return home?!
“How could what be..?” Mo Linyuan asked quietly as he stood behind her. Right then, his expression was hidden in the darkness. But, with a cold voice, his next sentence caused Ye Mu to shiver fearfully,
“So, in order for you to return to your place of origin… you would need the City Boundary Map?”
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Ye Mu was speechless. Right then, her mind was in chaos. This contradicted all her previous knowledge from before. She felt her body collapsing as a her brain held chaotic thoughts,
What if she obtained the City Boundary map, and still couldn’t return… Then all her hard work was for nothing, and it would have all been a joke…
Why am I not able to return? Why?!
She couldn’t figure it out. Seeing how stunned she had become, Mo Linyuan quickly grabbed tightly on her shoulders,
“Ye Mu!”
Ye Mu mournfully glanced over at Mo Linyuan, but her eyes were glazed over.
“Look at me!”
Mo Linyuan was more grave than ever, which caused Ye Mu to refocus on him.
“Don’t you want to know, why is it that you cannot return?”
He originally wanted contemptuous, but when Mo Linyuan saw how devastated she looked, his lips held an inexplicable bitterness instead.
Ye Mu pursed her lips and looked at him with red eyes. She truly wanted to know, why is it that she cannot return!
Mo Linyuan let out a long sigh
“That’s because this piece of the City Boundary map is a counterfeit. Of course you cannot return with it.”
Ye Mu immediately became more sober!
Counterfeit? This piece of the City Boundary map is fake?
Seeing how doubtful Ye Mu was, the formidable Mo Linyuan let out another long breath of sigh.
“Think about it, the Zhao Country already knew I was looking for the last piece of the map. Suppose they found it: why would they give it to me so easily?”
Ye Mu paused, then turned to peek at him, “Then this portion of the map…”
Ye Mu sighed. She had already hurt Mo Linyuans feelings. At this point, she would simply make it worse if she spoke anymore on the matter.
A while later, Mo Linyuan suddenly retreated a few steps.
His retreat was a reflection of his attitude then.
Originally, he should have been fumingly angry. However, he already knew in his heart that anger wouldn’t solve the problem. When conflicting views arised, he had to come up with a conflicting solution. That way, he would be able to devise the most suitable response to solve it and avoid producing the opposite of his desired result.
“Do you know why I fabricated this fake map…?”
Mo Linyuan abruptly changed the subject, which made Ye Mu feel relieved and a little burdened at the same time.
“…You want to wait for Zhao Minyu to try and steal it?’
Mo Linyuan shook his head, “Zhao Mingyu doesn’t need to steal. What she wants is to acquire my trust. Right now, I can deduce that the emperor of the Zhao Country sent her because she has talents that others don’t have…”
Mo Linyuan pretended to think over the matter that happened before and intently analyzed the situation with her,
“… Maybe Zhao Mingyu is good at martial arts and can take us off guard… Maybe she has photographic memory and can easily memorize the map with one glance… Regardless, in preparation of what’s to come, I prepared this deceptive counterfeit here to see.”
Ye Mi truly didn’t know how to reply. She simply muttered, “You are truly a genius.”
“Of course. From the piece gifted by the Zhao country, if it was fake, the edges wouldn’t have matched with other pieces. Although I’m guessing it is 80% fake, just based on the edges and how well they fit together, we can conclude that the people of Zhao do in fact possess the true City Boundary Map.”
Ye Mu asked, “Then is it possible that… It is in Zhao Mingyu’s possession?”
Mo Linyuan nodded, “That a possibility cannot be ruled out.”
Ye Mu pondered about Zhao Mingyu and her character. She seemed to be very tough at first impression. If they tried to use force, it would be difficult to resolve.
Right then, Mo Linyuan suddenly took a step closer. She was once again trapped between him and the dragon desk.
“You…” Why are you suddenly in my personal space?
Ye Mu made eye contact with him. She knew she was in danger then, but didn’t dare to escape.
Mo Linyuan said earnestly, “Little Mu’er, once you reach marriageable age, let’s get married, alright?”
“What?!”
Ye Mu looked at him in astonishment. She didn’t expect the subject to change so rapidly.
Mo Linyuan spoke sincerely, “If one day you truly have to return, and I cannot stop you… then I hope at least before you leave me, your body and mind, all of you… will belong to me.”
“There’s no way!” That would be so unfair for him!
“You don’t have to think about what’s fair and not fair. This matter is something I have decided on. I want to be able to have you, in any way that I can.”
Right then, a servant came by,
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Princess Zhao wishes to see you!”
Ye Mu quickly tried to bury her emotions and pushed Mo Linyuan away. Mo Linyuan rearranged some stuff on the desk before he replied, “Let her in.”
On her way here, Zhao Mingyu already guessed that Mo Linyuan must have the unified in his possession. Although the copy she provided was fake, Mo Linyuan couldn’t be aware of that. Therefore, she would have to be considered an honorary individual who contributed to completion of the map. There was no way he wouldn’t agree to her request now, right?
A smirk emerged from the corner of her lip. The reason why the Zhao Country sent her was, not only because of her talent in writing and martial arts, but also her superb memory.
Any writing she has seen, she could even recite it backwards. Although a map is more challenging, she had already trained herself before coming here. She only needs to get one glance in, and she will be able to obtain the completed map in memory!
Although Zhao Mingyu was mentally expecting the best outcome, her expression didn’t give anything away. She bowed respectfully in greeting before she stood up.
Mo Linyuan asked with a smile, “What could have happened to have Princess visit so unexpectedly?”
Zhao Mingyu deceitfully discussed with Mo Linyuan concerning her prospective marriage partner. She then asked with a smile,
“Now that Your Majesty has finally collected the whole City Boundary Map, the Country of Mo will prosper even more in the near future. I was not sure if I may have the honor of possibly taking a look at the legendary left behind by the empire?”
Mo Linyuan and Ye Mu looked at each other. Everything was going as Mo Linyuan predicted.
However, he wasn’t going to make it easy for the opponent. Otherwise, the enemy would become suspicious. Therefore, he laughingly said,
“Although the completed map has been repainted, there are still many parts that have not been confirmed yet. Once this monarch is sure that there are no issues with the treasure map, I will naturally let you take a look as an honorary contributor.”
That that would already be too late!
Zhao Mingyu originally thought that she would marry Mo Linyuan and gain his favor. That way she could easily get a chance to take a look at the City Boundary Map. Not only would she have been able to gain more insights, she would also be doted on by Mo Linyuan, before she finally made an escape having gained all that she needed.
Right now she was still in danger. It was difficult to leave at this moment, but it wasn’t a big problem. She must help Mo Linyuan help find the treasure, so that the Zhao Country could snatch it right in front of Mo Country’s eyes. If Mo Linyuan already caught her red handed, then it would be too late to achieve this.
Meanwhile, she gave a forced smile, “Although I am uncertain, may Your Majesty permit me to help you a little?”
“Oh?” Mo Linyuan looked at her suspiciously, “How does the princess plan to help?”
Zhao Mingyu replied, “I was once taught by a FengShui master the art of landscape reading. The imperial treasure must be concealed in certain FengShui landmarks. Rather than Your Majesty seeking blindly, I could help you take a look at it. I’ve heard that it could be located where the Dragon’s vein is; I may be able to point it out.”
Clearly, she had prepared this response ahead of time. Mo Linyuan wasn’t sure if the other person could actually read FengShui landscapes. Since he had already changed many parts of the map itself, if she could, she would be able to decipher that something was wrong with the map.
Before coming here, her father promised her that if she obtained the map of the Imperial treasures, then he would give the throne to rule over their empire even as a Princess once he left the throne!
Just the thought of herself becoming the first Female Emperor in the continent made her excited with anticipation.
Ye Mu was intently observing Zhao Mingyu’s movements. She seemed fairly calm and collected, but her hands hidden underneath the sleeves were trembling. Ye Mu had already guessed that Zhao Mingyu didn’t know anything about FengShui, rather she most likely had phenomenal memory instead.
Zhao Mingyu slowly unfolded the rolled up scroll. She noticed the ink was still very new. It would seem she definitely came at the right time. This painting hasn’t even been preserved yet.
Her eyes filled with greed, but she worked to suppress it. As she analyzed it, she then frowned,
“Your Majesty, could this map… be a counterfeit?”
Mo Linyuan and Ye Mu were stunned. However, Mo Linyuan was quick to respond, “That’s impossible. With the exception to the piece you gave, every single piece came from the original and cannot be fake.”
He said it so confidently… Zhao Mingyu simply wanted to test him. After all, she herself gave a fake piece of the map, it wasn’t for certain if the opponent would also give her a forged copy as well.
They were testing each other, both of which were masters of deceptions.
Zhao Mingyu heard him, but regardless she still put on the act,
“Really? I just notice that the mountain ranges seem to have ruptures, which was why I asked.”
Mo Linyuan paused before finally saying, “I apologize Princess Zhao, this monarch does not understand FengShui. But no matter, I will ask a FengShui Master to come and help this monarch take a look at it and check that it is not falsified. After all, I have gone through such painstaking trouble for this.”
Zhao Mingyu was using various methods to stall. Sometimes she would say this was incorrect, or that there were problems. Eventually, Mo Linyuan became deeply doubtful of this City Boundary Map’s authenticity.
That was the effect that Zhao Mingyu was looking for. As long as he had doubts, that would mean he wouldn’t rashly go treasure hunting. What’s more, he would first want to confirm if the City Boundary Map was real or fake. That way, her country would have enough time to go search for it.
At last, she was able to memorize all the details of the map. She then placed the map down and said soberly,
“My apologies Your Majesty, maybe it was me who didn’t study enough. I cannot find the Dragon’s vein in this map.”
Mo Linyuan frowned and waved his hand in dismissal, “No harm done. Thanks to the Princess’s reminder, this monarch shouldn’t go treasure hunting yet until after he has checked that this map is indeed genuine. That way no one would get injured on the treasure hunt.”
Zhao Mingyu’s eyes held a glimpse of arrogance, “In that case, I will no longer bother Your Majesty. If this was indeed authentic, please do let me know as I am also very doubtful about it. I would really want to see for myself what the treasures look like.”
Mo Linyuan nodded, “Definitely. The completion of this map was also thanks to Princess Zhao. If you are willing, maybe we may go treasure hunting together when the time comes.”
Zhao Mingyu softly smiled, “In that case, I must thank Your Majesty in advance.”
“Sure.”
Mo Linyuan answered absentmindedly.
Mo Linyuan heard her, and his eyes shined brightly!
“That’s right, why didn’t I think of that before?!”
He quickly walked over to the dragon desk and laughed evilly, “If so, I must also give her a little gift of my own!”
Evidently, Mo Linyuan was eagerly writing a secret degree on a scroll.
On the other hand, Zhao Mingyu was drawing a copy of the map.
She drew quickly, mindlessly, for two straight hours… As she tirelessly copied down the whole City Boundary Map in which she saw before.
Looking at the map in front of him, Zhao Mingyu breathed a long sigh of relief. Now that the City Boundary Map has been obtained, the method to take it away has become the biggest problem.
She is now in the Mo Country. Not only did she not receive Mo Linyuan’s favor, but she also took the risk of looking at the City Boundary Map. With her martial arts, she found that the people guarding her had doubled because of her actions. She can’t leave right now, so how would she send out the map?
Or would it be better to wait a few days, and give the betrothal gifts that her good Imperial Brother will send to her?
Waiting for Imperial Brother to come is undoubtedly the safest way. However, she wants the throne, and Imperial Brother is also a competitor. If she could, she would prefer to give the City Boundary Map to the spies hiding in Mo Country all these years. People who belonged to her Emperor Father not only would bring her peace of mind, but they also won’t steal her credit.
But how can she leave the palace?
Zhao Mingyu’s thoughts were complicated.
After everything was arranged, Mo Linyuan embraced Ye Mu as they slept at night. Perhaps because of everything that happened during the day, Ye Mu did not do much to resist. At this time, the skylight above their heads was open, and the two of them could see the stars outside.
This skylight was built by Mo Linyuan for Ye Mu. He hoped that Ye Mu could experience unfettered freedom in the palace like when she was outside.
Mo Linyuan asked suddenly after a while.
“Xiao Mu’er, you said last time that someone is waiting for you to save them, can you elaborate on it?”
He originally didn’t really like this topic, but after consideration, only by knowing himself and his opponent, can he enter the battle without losing.
Ye Mu thought to herself, since he knew that with the City Boundary Map she can return, it really didn’t matter if she told him.
So, she told him everything from beginning to end.
Including that sentence, that if she got the City Boundary Map, she could arrive at the original time and return to the original time.
Mo Linyuan’s mood was very complicated, because in Ye Mu’s mouth, he is a figure in the history books, a man who has been weathered for thousands of years, and has long since passed during ancient times. No wonder Ye Mu behaved incompatible with the world at the beginning, because she was originally incompatible with this world.
He frowned, is there no one way to get the best of both worlds?
He was sad, thinking of his ending, and suddenly felt it was very reasonable.
“You said that after I dominate the Country, I will die in my forties? Then, I probably know why I died.”
Ye Mu froze, and then she felt Mo Linyuan behind her, hugging her tighter.
“If I lose you, even if I get the world, it doesn’t mean anything. If I die young, isn’t this ending very normal?”
Ye Mu suddenly felt sad. She had pondered the reasons before, but she had never thought that the reason was actually because of her.