Chapter 103

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Chapter 103: Title

“My lord, you’re lost in thought again. If you’re so free, why not visit Madam Dou for a while? It can’t go on like this,” a maid said. Since the young master went missing, their master hadn’t smiled once, which was hard for the maids to bear.

Zou Yuan stared at the cradle where Little Hong’er had been sleeping, then spoke hesitantly, “I wonder how that little one is doing with Gu Meisheng now. He will eventually talk, but I won’t be the one he calls ‘mother.’”

Seeing her melancholic expression, the maids wanted to console her, but she suddenly stood up. “I’m going out for a walk.”

"Milady,"

"There’s no need to follow me. I’m just going out for a walk," Zou Yuan said as she pushed open the door and stepped outside.

It had been a while since Zou Yuan attended court. Since the day of the incident, she had been ill at home. In just a few months, she had lost weight, sleeping poorly and eating even worse. She was plagued by nightmares every time she lay in bed, and the maids who helped her with her grooming recently discovered several gray hairs on her head. What to do? She did not know what to do.

Zou Yuan walked aimlessly, and when she grew tired, she stopped at a tea house to rest her feet, finding a spot by the window to daydream. She had lost count of how many times this had happened. Each time, either a breeze came to find her, or the servants brought Madam Dou along to look for her. Madam Dou once described the person who had kidnapped Gu Hengbo and Little Hong’er, but in such a vast world, where could she find them? The person had come for Gu Hengbo, yet took her child as well. What kind of heartless person would not spare a child? Every time she thought about it, she wished to have that person endure a thousand cuts.

"Isn’t it boring to sit alone, lady?" a cheerful voice said beside her, and the speaker sat down.

Zou Yuan barely lifted her eyelids and said, "Get lost."

Qin Qixian raised an eyebrow, "Lady, you have quite a temper!"

Zou Yuan gazed indifferently out the window, choosing not to respond.

It was afternoon, and the tea house was almost empty. The waiter had already dozed off at the counter, and upstairs, aside from the two of them, there was no one else. Qin Qixian twirled the folding fan in her hand and asked, "Don’t you want to know where your son is?"

Zou Yuan was lost in thought and was caught off guard by the question. After a long moment, she slowly turned her head to look at the person beside her. Dressed in pale blue robes, with long hair pinned up and eyes slightly upturned, she had a straight nose and a playful smile playing on her lips, gazing intently at her.

"Southern Emperor, that’s not how to joke," Zou Yuan replied calmly.

Qin Qixian arched an eyebrow, "Have you met me before?"

Zou Yuan turned back to gaze out the window and replied, "Yes."

Qin Qixian narrowed her eyes, "I have your son in my hands. Oh, and Gu Meisheng too. How do you feel about that?"

Zou Yuan glanced at her, "What do you mean?"

Qin Qixian thought to herself that she had waited a long time for this day, "Guess."

"I am an official of the Northern Region, yet the Southern Emperor refers to me as ‘lady’—who do you think you are?" Zou Yuan’s face remained calm, though the fingers hidden in her sleeves had clenched tightly.

Qin Qixian suddenly laughed, "Correct, I do want to take you as a consort. The first time I saw you, your Little Hong’er was right here." With that, she suddenly placed her hand on Zou Yuan’s abdomen.

Zou Yuan did not move and smirked, "To be favored by the Southern Emperor is indeed an honor."

Qin Qixian was visibly taken aback; she did not expect that reaction from Zou Yuan. However, the next moment proved Zou Yuan’s thoughts correct.

"Though the Southern Emperor is not incompetent, your notorious reputation for debauchery in the harem is well-known across the land," Zou Yuan said, her fingers gripping Qin Qixian’s neck. She nearly spoke through gritted teeth, "Don’t think you’re so great just because you’re the emperor. Do you believe I will take your life right now?"

Qin Qixian’s eyes filled with confusion, "How do you—"

Zou Yuan tightened her grip on Qin Qixian’s neck. "What about me? Can’t you tell I know martial arts?" Zou Yuan’s expression was icy, completely different from her usual cheerful self. Before Qin Qixian could respond, she struck a pressure point and popped a small red pill into her mouth.

Qin Qixian frowned, "What is this?" It seemed things had begun to spiral out of her control.

Zou Yuan released her grip and delivered a forceful strike to her chest. Qin Qixian, paralyzed and still seated, was pushed back far.

The pressure in her chest and the metallic taste in her throat nearly made Qin Qixian fall from her chair. She supported herself angrily and glared at Zou Yuan, "Are you out of your mind?"

Zou Yuan stood firm, coldly looking at her, "Where are you hiding those two?"

Qin Qixian felt a tumult in her chest from the blow. Just as she opened her mouth, blood trickled from her lips, and she tightly furrowed her brow, "Zou Yuan, you dare to plot against me!"

"Hmph! Why doesn’t the Southern Emperor admit to being outmatched?"

Qin Qixian suddenly looked up at her, "Why are you hiding yourself so deeply?" Even Lian Rong was not her match; how had this woman managed to do it?

Zou Yuan stepped closer, "I don’t mind telling you, hiding so deeply is to find a man and settle down. Is that answer satisfactory, Southern Emperor?" She gripped Qin Qixian’s chin forcefully, leaning in so their faces were nearly touching. "Whether it’s Gu Meisheng or my son, if anything happens to them, I will make sure you never have a moment’s peace!"

Qin Qixian stared into Zou Yuan’s cold eyes and suddenly laughed, "If you have the ability, take my life now. If you do not agree to return to my palace, you will never see them again."

Zou Yuan tightly grabbed her neck, saying, "I actually want to take your life." Her eyes were red and a bit frightening. "What have I done to you? Why do you powerful people think you can have whatever you want? Power is just nothing, not even worth a single toe of mine!"

Qin Qixian looked at Zou Yuan, who appeared a little hysterical. This woman always seemed carefree and generous to her. She rarely paid attention to anyone, for in the court, no one could just look after themselves, much less stay completely honest.

She was that kind of person, not exceptionally beautiful, yet likable.

Ex-husband. Qin Qixian suddenly remembered that Zou Yuan had an ex-husband, and she had almost forgotten about him. It seemed he left with another woman, the prince, the prince of Tianyuan Country.

*

In the palace of the King of Xiliang, a woman dressed in black listened to the conversation with a blank expression. If one looked closely, they would notice that she was Tang Fang from Jiulong Villa. Beside her sat a man in similar attire, whose cute face made people want to pinch it, and his smile only made the others wrinkle their brows more.

Helan Yin stood up and clasped her hands toward the King of Xiliang. "Father, the Flower Young Master makes a good point. Our Xiliang, no matter how powerful, is still a small country. Have you forgotten the attitudes of Tianyuan and Jiang Ying back then?"

Since the return from Dongyin, the King of Xiliang, for some unknown reason, allowed his youngest daughter to listen in on discussions of important matters, regardless of her opinions; she was just meant to hear, and now, she could no longer hold back.

The King of Xiliang smiled at her. "Yin’er, your father knows you still care for Prince Rong, but this matter is not trivial."

Helan Yin first froze, then her face burned. She glanced at the other two still sitting across from her. Although it was just them at this moment, being spoken to like this by her father in front of outsiders, was still quite embarrassing for a young lady. She shot a glare at the man at the head of the table. "Father, you know very well that I did not mean it that way."

The King of Xiliang put away his smile and motioned for her to sit down, then turned to the other two. "My conditions are not high. Once the matter is settled, Prince Rong must help our Xiliang conquer Tianyuan and Jiang Ying. How do you both see it?"

Tang Fang and the cute-faced man did not look at each other, and without needing to communicate, both spoke at the same time, "Just as King of Xiliang says."

Now it was the King of Xiliang who was taken aback, but he did not show it, only smiling and nodding. "That sounds excellent. Prince Rong is straightforward." Surely, Lian Rong had anticipated this, or else the two would not have agreed so quickly, but, "I have one more thing to ask; I wonder if you two can convey it."

The cute-faced man smiled with his eyes squinted, showing a set of white teeth. "King of Xiliang, please speak freely."

The King of Xiliang glanced at his daughter. "Prince Rong’s residence is still lacking a crown princess, right?"

Before Tang Fang and the cute-faced man could respond, Helan Yin had already stood up. "Father!"

The King of Xiliang waved his hand dismissively. "Sit down."

Helan Yin reluctantly returned to her seat, her face flushed.

The cute-faced man did not mind and carried a hint of apology. "We might have a say in other matters, but concerning the prince’s household decisions, that is beyond our power. Also, I need to clarify that the crown princess is fine; thank you for your concern, King of Xiliang."

The King of Xiliang was taken aback. Wasn’t it said she had died? How could she be fine again? He coughed lightly. "I see. Does Prince Rong have plans to take a concubine?"

"Father!" Helan Yin stood up and walked towards the exit, utterly frustrated.

Naturally, this matter ended without resolution. The King of Xiliang felt a bit disappointed. Although she was a girl, if Yin’er liked him, she should marry him. Who knew…

"Father, you’ve gotten old and confused. Do you think Lian Rong will just marry because you want her to? Your daughter wishes to marry, but the other person may not want to. Wasn’t her attitude clear enough from the beginning?" After Tang Fang and the cute-faced man left, Helan Yin began to scold her father, looking like she was filled with a sense of urgency.

The King of Xiliang smiled and patted her head. "Look at what you’re saying; I think my daughter is great. She’s far better than that Prince Rong’s princess."

Helan Yin held her forehead in pain. "You really have a high opinion of your daughter." She understood their situation much better than her father did. Although she was young, she knew this much: "Father, please do not interfere in this. Let Yin’er’s marriage be decided later; for now, we should focus on the matters of Xiliang."

The King of Xiliang sighed upon hearing this and patted his daughter’s shoulder. "Yin’er has grown up."

Helan Yin turned and buried herself in his embrace, murmuring softly, "With mother gone, it’s hard to avoid growing up with you, an old man."

After saying that, both of them laughed together.