65.
Ever since his name had been known to the four corners of the continent, many people were trying to scheme their way towards him. Some would even send beautiful maidens to the Moon Pavilion, hoping that they would be able to receive his favor and become the female master of the Dark Palace.
Unfortunately, their efforts turned into waste. He, the Moon Emperor, did not even give face to those influential powers and killed the women who wanted to climb on his bed without blinking an eye. Since then, when others ask who the Moon Emperor was, the people would describe him as a ruthless and indifferent person. Coupled with his mysterious background and unknown face, the Moon Emperor was viewed as a phantom who would suddenly appear in a blink of an eye and would then disappear in an instant.
In reality, the Moon Emperor was indeed indifferent and cold. Because of his special situation, he grew up hiding in the shadows, concealing his true self and his ability. Since young, he had been accustomed of being spied at, making him wary of people who had ulterior motives against him. Due to an unexplainable event, every full moon, he would turn into a complete waste. If not for his good constitution and high qinggong, he would not be able to survive and endure the unimaginable pain that had always tormented him.
It was only by fate that he was saved by a person.
At first, when he saw her walking inside the hidden cave, he wanted to kill her immediately. Unfortunately, he could not move his body and could only look at her as she forcefully dragged her tired body on the secluded corner of the hidden cave. When he saw her perseverance and her desire to live, the Moon Emperor decided to spare her life. He did not expect that he would discover something strange related to his body.
When he woke up in the hidden cave, he found out that he no longer felt weak and the pain he felt had reduced to a certain degree. Wanting to know the reason of it, he ordered his men to find who she was and investigate her identity. He slowly schemed his way to her side, wanting to confirm if she could really cure his 'illness'. Regrettably, he had to leave her side for five long years.
Now that there was an opportunity to confirm his suspicion, the Moon Emperor did not waste any time and immediately spied on her after arriving at the capital. He was not planning on showing himself, but he did not expect that he would be shaken and would not be able to control himself when he saw her nakedness.
It was not the first time he saw a naked female body. Countless of beauties tried to jump on his embrace and would even resort to seduction, but the only thing he felt towards them were contempt and disgust.
But she was different.
She was not the same.
He did not know what happened but when she slowly undressed herself, he could not help but feel the burning desire coming from his heart, as if something was trying to forcefully go out of his body. If not for having a strong will, he would have jumped towards her and would have already forced himself on her. He tried his best to control his raging desire but the more he look at her petite and frail body, the more he felt that he was being bewitched by her. His rationality was starting to crumble and the only thing that was on his mind was her face.
He had to have her.
She was his.
Unable to suppress his desire, he subconsciously exhaled, announcing his presence. Without any other choice, he had to move fast in order to stop her from leaving. He just wanted to touch her once again, but the situation got more serious. He did not know what happened, but when he pulled her naked body towards his embrace, he felt something peculiar happened to him.
He was like a thirsty traveler who found an oasis in the middle of the desert. He felt like he was bathed in the light... that he was being cleansed.
"Ahhh! It hurts.."
The Moon Emperor was startled when he heard XuanRong's painful moan. He was momentarily distracted and subconsciously released her on his embrace.
*pa!*
Due to his carelessness, XuanRong broke free from his arms and threw a punch on his face. Unable to move away, XuanRong fist connected on his face.
Both of them were surprised. XuanRong did not expect that she would be able to hit him, while the Moon Emperor did not expect that he would be hit on the face.
*caw~* *caw~* *caw~*
The room was very still and silent, only the shrieks of the crows outside could be heard inside.
XuanRong and the Moon Emperor froze as they stared at each other's eyes.
"Huh? Why is it pitch-black? XiaoJie... have you fallen asleep??"
The two simultaneously turned their head toward the closed door.
The Moon Emperor slowly moved away, and like the way he arrived, he left without leaving any evidence.
*creaaaak*
"XiaoJie?"
When YuYing entered, she was carrying a lamp. When the entire room was illuminated, YuYing saw XuanRong standing outside the tub, stark-naked.
"Ah? XiaoJie? Why are you standing over there?"
YuYing stared at XuanRong confusedly as she placed the candle on the holder.
XuanRong did not respond. To be precise, she could not reply since she, herself, was also confused. She was currently having mixed emotions after what happened between her and her benefactor. It took her a few minutes to organize herself and answer YuYing.
XuanRong coughed, trying to clean her dry throat.
"Ha-ha-ha. Nothing. I was trying to get dressed and leave since the water has already turned cold."
YuYing's eyes slowly darted towards the clothes on XuanRong's feet.
XuanRong immediately picked the clothes and hurriedly wrapped it on her body. It fell on the floor when she escaped from his embrace and threw a punch on his face.
"Ohh.. So cold.. so cold.."
XuanRong shivered and coughed fakely, making YuYing anxious to death and forgot to ask further questions.
"XiaoJie! How can you be so careless?"
YuYing hurriedly helped XuanRong get dressed.
"Let's go. I am starting to feel sleepy."
"Yes, this servant understands."
YuYing opened the door and ushered XuanRong out of the room. YuYing noticed the spilled water on the floor, she could not help but wander her eyes around the entire room before closing the door.
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"Have you already found, His Highness?!"
Mu Qing anxiously asked one of the servants who he ordered to search for Xu Fei Yi.
"N-nucai[1] is unable to find His Highness."
Mu Qing inwardly pulled his hair due to frustrations. After they arrived in the capital, His Highness, Xu Fe Yi immediately went to the imperial palace to visit His Majesty. When they arrive, they saw Xu Ji An leaving the vicinity. It only took a few minutes before His Highness decided to return to QinWang Fu[2]. Unfortunately, Mu Qing only averted his gaze away from Xu Fei Yi for a 2nd before the man suddenly vanished in thin air, making him all anxious and worried.
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[1]. (This Servant)- Used by male servants in the residence
[2]. Prince of the First Rank's Palace or Residence
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66.
"Chief Mu! Chief Mu!"
Zhang Wu Li was panting hard while running towards Mu Qing who was anxiously pacing back and forth.
"Did you already find His Highness??" Mu Qing grabbed Zhang Wu Li's shoulders and shook him intensely."
"N-n-nucai[1]...please release this slave, Chief Mu.... Nucai is feeling dizzy."
Holding his breath, Zhang Wu Li felt like his innards were twisting and turning.
Mu Qing immediately let go of Zhang Wu Li when he realized that the poor eunuch's face was starting to turn blue. Mu Qing suddenly felt the sense of déjà vu as if the thing that was happening right now had already happened before. He could not just point it out.
"Argh!! Let's go to the Imperial Palace! We have to inform His Majesty that His Highness had already been missing for almost two shichen[2] and we could not find His Highness inside the Fu! We have to use the private army. His Majesty would definitely allow it! I'm afraid that His Highness was abducted by someone!"
Mu Qing was now regretting hard for not telling His Majesty sooner after they had found out that Xu Fei Yi was missing. If he had immediately informed the Imperial Palace about the situation, they could have found Xu Fei Yi already.
After deciding, Mu Qing immediately darted towards the door, planning to visit the Imperial Palace and inform the emperor.
When Zhang Wu Li heard Mu Qing's words, he repeatedly shook his head while pulling his arm, trying to stop him from leaving QinWang Fu[3] and going to the Imperial Palace.
"Chief Mu ah! What are you saying?! If you will do that, our heads will definitely fly off!! Neglection of duty is a major offense! His Highness' situation is a bit special and His Majesty had already told us a couple of times that if something happened to His Highness, we will be held accountable. We just need to find His Highness. His Highness might be hiding somewhere within the Fu, we just have to search every nook and cranny of the entire Fu."
Zhang Wu Li hold Mu Qing's arm as if his life depends on it.
"So, What?! It was my fault for not properly taking good care of His Highness! If I could exchange my life for His Highness' safety, this old man is willing to lie down and be killed! Move! Give way! I have to leave and inform His Majesty that His Highness has been missing ages ago!"
Dragging Zhang Wu Li, Mu Qing successfully opened the door of the QinWang Fu's hall. They were already at the Fu's garden. A hundred more steps and they would reach the
"No! No! Chief Mu ah! Think carefully!! We will all die!! Don't you understand? You and I will die ahh! Nucai is not willing to die! Nucai is afraid of death!!"
Zhang Wu Li jumped on Mu Qing's back, forcefully pulling him down on the ground. He had to stop Mu Qing! Or else, he would definitely not survive and get killed by that man.
"Argh!! Zhang Wu Li!! What are you doing?! Get off me!! I SAID, GET OFF MY BACK!!" Mu Qing roared. Unable to balance himself, Mu Qing slipped and fell on the ground. The two rolled a couple of times before Mu Qing stood up and sprung forward, leaving Zhang Wu Li who was eating soil. He could have killed Zhang Wu Li for trying to obstruct him, but he had seen Zhang Wu Li grow up together with His Highness. He could not bear to harm him in any way. Thus, he had no choice but to run away in order to avoid being blocked by him.
*Ptui!*
Zhang Wu Li spat a couple of dirt before standing up. His eyes sharpened while looking at Mu Qing who was frantically running away from him. Sighing, Zhang Wu Li picked a small stone and threw it to Mu Qing's calf.
*Baaam!*
Mu Qing once again fell on the ground. When Zhang Wu Li saw Mu Qing fell, he immediately sprung forward and jumped above him.
"Aiyo! Chief Mu, are you okay?"
Acting innocent, Zhang Wu Li half-leaned his body on Mu Qing's back, forcing the old man to face the ground.
The two were currently bantering when someone spoke behind them.
"Mu Qing? Wu Li? Ah? Are you playing?"
When Mu Qing heard the familiar voice behind them, he immediately froze. Turning his head abruptly, Mu Qing saw Xu Fei Yi standing behind them, holding a small kitten.
"Your Highness!!! You are safe!"
Pushing Zhang Wu Li away, Mu Qing stood up and grabbed Xu Fei Yi's shoulder. He immediately checked if he was harmed or not.
Noticing a small bruise on Xu Fei Yi's cheeks, Mu Qing felt like his soul went away.
"Your Highness! What happened to your face!!"
Xu Fei Yi lowered his head while tightening his embrace on the kitten.
"I... I saw a kitty strolling in the garden. I wanted to pet her, but it ran away. I also ran and followed her. When I was trying to catch the her, I did not notice a large branch and collided with it... Mu Qing, I'm sorry."
When Mu Qing heard Xu Fei Yi's explanation, he could not help but sigh in relief. At least, His Highness was not abducted.
"Your Highness! Please do not do it again! Do you know how worried we are when you went missing?"
Xu Fei Yi bit his lower lip, feeling aggravated.
When Mu Qing saw his pitiful look, he sighed and shook his head.
"Never mind. His Highness let's go back. I bet you are sleepy now."
"En!"
Zhang Wu Li looked at Xu Fei Yi and exhaled in relief.
Finally, his task is over.
---------
Days passed, and it was the second day XuanRong arrived in the capital. Today, she was planning to visit her maternal grandfather and talk with him about the recent issues related to the upcoming power struggles between the living princes.
She was currently riding a carriage together with YuShen and YuShang. YuYing was currently helping Zou mama organize the servants in her courtyard. Xiao Lou had been managing the entire Xiang Fu ever since her mother died, the loyalty of the servants under her were very hard to buy.
XuanRong was afraid that Xiao Lou would place spies on her courtyard like what she did with YuLi. It was better to be careful.
"Hooo!"
The carriage slowly stopped while the coachman pulled the reins.
Sensing the sudden stop, XuanRong immediately asked, "Why did you stop? What is happening at the front?"
"Replying to Da XiaoJie, a carriage was obstructing our way. The path is very narrow, only once carriage could pass the road but the carriage in front of us is not moving."
XuanRong's eyebrows arched upward and glanced at YuShen.
Sensing her XiaoJie's message, YuShen immediately left the carriage and walked towards the carriage at the front.
XuanRong closed her eyes, waiting for YuShen's return when she heard a scream.
"Kyaa! Let go of me, you beast!!!"
XuanRong immediately opened her eyes and jumped out of the carriage.
On the outside, XuanRong saw YuYing who was trying to pull herself away from the young man who was holding her wrist.
XuanRong moved forward, planning to help YuShen when she saw the young man's face. Her steps stopped, and she was frozen on the ground.
'Baili... Chen.'
XuanRong paled.
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[1]. (This Slave)- The way male servants refer themselves.
[2]. 1 shichen is equal to 2 hours in Modern Time
[3]. Prince of the First Rank Palace or Residence
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67
'Baili... Chen.'
When XuanRong saw the man holding YuShen's arm, she froze. She could not help but took a couple of steps back. Beads of sweat were starting to show on her face, dripping continuously on her cheeks.
XuanRong's hands started trembling as she fearfully looked at the man who she always saw in he dreams.
"ha... ha... ha..."
XuanRong stated hyperventilating. Suddenly, she felt like she could not breath and stated gasping for air.
"No... No..."
While muttering, XuanRong placed her shaking hand on her ears, trying to cover it. She started hearing her own voice screaming for help and begging for mercy. XuanRong A distant memory suddenly floated at the back of her mind. XuanRong felt like the surroundings turned blurry and she had suddenly fallen somewhere else. When she opened her eyes, she saw herself standing beside a tall tree while watching 'herself[1]' being humiliated to death.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! P-please! *sob* Please I beg you- Ah! Ah! Ahhh!! Stop! *stop* S-stop.. it hurts.. it hurts... Ji..An.."
XuaRong saw 'herself' being ridden like a horse, humping up and down against her will. 'She' was treated like an animal, being forced to swallow the grievance in her heart.
She saw 'her' eyes filled with pain, shame and unwillingness. She saw that 'her' heart kept on being broken over and over again as she uttered the name of the man she loved... the name of the man who betrayed her.
"HAHAHAHAHAH! Look at this bitch! Even after being fucked senseless, she still keeps on calling His Highness' name! What a loyal moron! Are you unsatisfied with this Young Master's performance? Ha?! Fine! This Young Master will definitely give you a special service!"
After speaking, XuanRong saw Baili Chen grabbed the whip that was on his side and started whipping 'her'. 'She' screamed when the whip hit her delicate skin.
"AHHHH!!! HELP!! HELP ME!! JI AN! JI AN!!" XuanRong saw 'herself' kept struggling, wanting to break free from Baili Chen and the other men's forceful grip. Unfortunately, 'her' strength was not enough. 'she' could only scream and call Xu Ji An's name repeatedly, hoping that he would arrive and rescue her.
*Slap!*
"Shut up! You keep on calling another man's name while being pressed under this Young Master's crotch! How dare you, you slut! HAHAHA! Let me tell you a secret. A secret that would definitely make you go insane.. The man you keep on calling, the man you dearly love, the man you thought that would save you from this hell, was the one who ordered us to humiliate you!! His Highness The Crown Prince was the one who wanted you to die this way! He was the one who personally told us to fuck you over and over until you die! He was the one who brought you to hell!! HAHAHAHA!!"
When 'she' heard Baili Chen's words, XuanRong, saw that 'she' was petrified, unable to move.
"No... impossible." 'She' whispered as she silently cried.
That was the time when 'her' heart died.
It died due to Xu Ji An's betrayal.
XuanRong wanted to scream, she wanted to scream on 'her' face and tell 'her'that Xu Ji An was a scum. That he was not worthy of 'her' love--- both 'their love'[2], but she could not speak, she could not move. Like an audience who was watching a play, XuanRong could only look at 'herself' being violated to death.
"-----Jie! XiaoJie!"
XuanRong could barely hear YuShang's words. She frightfully stared at the front while her gaze was unfocused as if she was currently locked in a deep thought.
When YuShang saw the abnormal reaction coming from XuanRong, she could not help but be frantic.
What happened to her XiaoJie?
Why was she acting like that?
Did her poison body had a relapse?
YuShang saw XuanRong started shaking while her dress was starting to get soaked with her sweat. She did not know what happened, but she was sure that it was related to that man who was harassing YuShen Jiejie. YuShang wanted to help YuShen but she could not leave XuanRong's side. She and YuShen were both good with martial arts and YuShen should be able to handle a small ruffian. Since she was not able to move away from that young man's grip, it would only mean that the young man in front was also well versed in qinggong[3] like them.
YuShang was currently in a dilemma when An Wei suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
'That's right! How could I forget Master An Wei?'
When YuShang saw An Wei, she immediately opened her mouth, wanting to ask him to take care of XuanRong. But before she could even speak, An Wei suddenly blocked XuanRong's eyesight with his broad chest and pulled her on his embrace.
YuShang knew that An Wei deeply cared for their Young Mistress. Without missing the beat, YuShang immediately took action and left XuanRong to An Wei's care.
"Use the Chen Family's token." An Wei unceremoniously pulled the token that was hanging on XuanRong's waist and threw it towards YuShang.
Without any delay, YuShang caught the token and ran forward, leaving XuanRong in An Wei's care.
Looking at the young woman who was shivering on his embrace while clutching his clothes tightly, An Wei felt like his heart had been torn to pieces. He had seen her take poison every day without blinking an eye. At 1st, he thought that she was an unfeeling person. A person who was cruel and ruthless, but as the years passed by, he saw her laugh with them, he saw her acting cute and playful with YuYing and the rest, he saw her cried in front of her master's dead body... but he never saw her act like this... he never saw this side of XuanRong. This pitiful and broken side of her.
An Wei swiftly pulled XuanRong and carried her back inside the carriage.
"Young Miss..."
An Wei could not help himself but touch XuanRong face.
"Young Miss... Young Miss!"
Not being able to receive any response, An Wei had no choice but to gently shake her.
"XUANRONG!"
Feeling anxious, An Wei could not help but call her name loudly.
*gasps*
XuanRong felt like she had been submerged in a frozen lake. When she recalled her senses, the first thing she saw was An Wei's face that was being covered with a veil. Although she could not see his expression, she could tell that he was very worried. His eyes told everything. Warmth suddenly filled XuanRong's heart. The pain she felt for being abandoned and betrayed slowly vanished.
That's right.
She was not alone anymore.
She had her maternal grandfather and the Chen Family.
She had YuYing and the rest.
And of course... she had An Wei by her side.
And although her master already left her, she knew that she would always be her master's disciple... her master's child. That was why, she was not alone.
Not anymore.
So why would she dwell on the past and be afraid of the beasts in her dreams?
She could not change what happened on her previous life and she could only carry the burden and hatred forever, but it would not mean that she had to bind herself in the shadows of the past, unable to move on. She had to face her fear one by one.
She must!
She had to strengthen herself because in this lifetime, she would not let those people succeed!
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[1]. XuanRong was referring to her previous self.
[2]. A/N: XuanRong was saying that Xu Ji An does not deserve 'her' love whether it was the past/previous XuanRong or the present one.
[3]. Chinese Martial Arts.