Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The sunlight spilled over the bluestone bricks of Wolf Court, illuminating Muer's slender and frail figure, as if a gust of wind could easily knock him over.
The boy's delicate and profound features shone even more brilliantly in the sunlight, his pale pink lips quivering slightly, while his water-blue eyes, clear yet bearing the weight of hardship, reflected a sense of maturity beyond his years.
At that moment, Shilemod approached with long strides.
As a native of the grasslands, Shilemod stood nearly two meters tall, exuding a powerful aura. His long black hair was casually tied back, with a few stray strands falling beside his sharply defined cheekbones. His narrow eyes were slightly upturned, and a beauty mark at the corner added an alluring charm to his appearance.
Shilemod's lips curved slightly as he swept his gaze over Muer with a teasing flicker of his eyelashes.
“Muer, it’s been a while,” Muer said, pressing his lips together. His voice was soft but tinged with fatigue.
Shilemod raised an eyebrow and walked around Muer with an elegant yet mocking gait. He reached out to gently lift Muer's chin, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he nodded knowingly. “It’s been quite some time; it seems the Sixth Prince has gained quite a bit of weight. It appears that the food in Central Plains is indeed better than that in Wolf Court, enough to make such a picky eater like you forget your troubles for half a year.”
Muer didn’t want to engage further; all he wished for now was to return to his Crescent Moon Cottage and get some proper sleep. Since falling into Tianqi Military Camp, he hadn’t had a single peaceful night.
However, just as he turned to leave, Shilemod stepped in front of him with arms wide open, blocking his path. “What’s this? Little brother Muer isn’t planning to catch up with me? Or are you in such a hurry to join my good brother Zhuo Fan in some shady dealings?”
Muer frowned in annoyance; among the Wolf Tribe’s Tianqans who pursued him back in Wolf Court, Shilemod had been the most arrogant.
Every few days, he would come to the palace to tease Muer, managing to infuriate him each time. But now, Muer had lost that energy. He cast a faint glance at Shilemod; his water-blue eyes streaked past like a shooting star as he walked straight ahead.
Shilemod raised an eyebrow; this was the first time Muer had responded to his provocation with such indifference. Had he really suffered in Tianqi Military Camp to the point of changing his temperament? He reached out to grab Muer but found his hand blocked by Qingshan.
Qingshan stood tall and handsome but bore an air of sternness. His sword-like brows slashed across his forehead, and his deep-set eyes radiated calmness.
Seeing this, Shilemod let out a cold laugh and glanced sideways at him. “Zhuo Fan? I advise you not to be ungrateful. Although our father has recognized you, I still find you displeasing.”
Zhuo Fan? Qingshan was Zhuo Fan? Did that mean he was Shilemod’s brother?
Upon hearing this, Muer abruptly turned to face the two confronting each other. In just half a year away, Zhuo Fan had not only become General of the Left Demon Wheel but had also transformed into a noble scion of Wolf Court with centuries of lineage behind him. What on earth had happened?
Seeing Muer frown, Shilemod sneered coldly, "Muer, you still don't know, do you? The slave you bought from the market is the offspring of the Tianqi singer my father once favored. I never expected that after all this time, you’re still alive and have managed to infiltrate Muer’s side."
"I never intended to deceive Your Highness. Brother, please choose your words carefully. Prince Muer has been startled, and I need to escort him back to Crescent Pavilion. You should leave the palace early," Qingshan said, his brow slightly furrowed but maintaining his composure.
Shilemod snorted disdainfully, "What? Do you still think of yourself as Muer's bodyguard? As the Grand General of the Left Demon Wheel, it is inappropriate for you to stay overnight in an unmarried prince's chamber without reason. Even if you have a good relationship with Muer, the Wolf King would not allow it."
Muer understood then that Qingshan was a mixed-blood child of Shilemod's father and Tianqi Kun Ze, which explained why he was Shilemod's brother. Reflecting on Shilemod's words, Muer pressed his lips together and said, "In that case, Qingshan, you don’t need to follow me anymore. I still remember the way back to Crescent Pavilion. You can leave now." With that, he walked forward without looking back.
"Your Highness, I can stay! I have already... asked for Your Highness’s hand from the Wolf King, and he has agreed," Qingshan shouted urgently.
These words struck like thunder, causing Muer to freeze in shock, halting his steps. Shilemod also incredulously released his grip on Qingshan’s collar and looked at him in disbelief, "What did you just say?"
As Muer, being the legitimate brother born of the same mother as the Wolf King, had been pampered since childhood. Even without a marriage alliance, the Wolf King would never betroth him to someone of slave origin. Moreover, everyone knew that Qingshan had been picked up by Muer during his years serving at Crescent Pavilion.
Anger flashed in Shilemod's eyes as he forcefully grabbed Qingshan's clothing and pulled him close, gritting his teeth and saying, "You should know what a crime it is to falsely convey the king’s decree!"
Qingshan calmly nodded, "Of course my brother knows; there’s no need for you to worry about that. If you don’t believe the king’s decree, you can confront him at the front lines."
Muer suddenly turned around, his lips trembling: "How could my elder brother betroth me to you? He... he promised me that I could choose my own husband. Are you lying?"
Qingshan remained silent for a moment before stepping forward to steady Muer’s shaking arm: "Your Highness, you just had a miscarriage and have yet to recover your strength; please do not get angry again. I know it is presumptuous of me..."
"Wait a minute, what did you just say? Muer had a miscarriage?" Shilemod keenly seized upon this crucial piece of information.
Muer forced a bitter smile; he had thought that returning to Wolf Court would mean his brother would care for him despite any anger. But now he was being betrothed to Qingshan—did his brother see no value left in the incomplete Kun Ze?
Muer felt his mind go blank as if a powerful force was dragging him into a quagmire. He closed his eyes and nearly fainted. After steadying himself against a nearby pillar, he looked at the two men and suddenly shouted: "Now you both want to see me as a joke! Shilemod, go ahead and say it out loud. After all, I Muer am already tainted by the Heavenly Enlightenment People as Kun Ze and am pregnant with their child—a traitor who betrays the Wolf Tribe and bears children for the enemy. And you too, Qingshan! I treated you like family and like a brother; how can you marry me? Or do you mean that now I can only marry someone like you? That makes sense; otherwise, why would my brother betroth me to you?"
Shilemod was stunned.
Throughout their lives together, while Muer often lost his temper with him over trivial matters, this was different. Now that Muer had returned from Tianqi—marked and having lost a child—he was loudly causing a scene in the corridors of Wolf Court.
The surrounding guards turned their heads in shock, clearly taken aback by Muer's words.
Qingshan hurried forward and embraced Muer tightly. "No, Your Highness. It is because I admire you that I made this vow. As long as I can bring you out of Tianqi Military Camp, the King will agree to this marriage. The King does not undervalue you; he is just overly concerned for your safety, which is why he made this agreement with me. Please don’t think too much about it. You are currently unstable, and I will take you back to the palace to rest. Let’s not discuss this any further."
Without waiting for Muer's response, Qingshan quickly sealed Muer's mute acupoint and lifted him in his arms, striding towards the Crescent Moon Cottage. Before leaving, he glanced back at Shilemod and gave him a knowing look, then surveyed the surrounding guards.
Shilemod stood dazed for a long time; he had always harbored feelings for Muer. Even if Muer did not marry him, she would be betrothed to the most outstanding member of the Wolf Tribe by the Wolf King. But now, with Muer marked by the Heavenly Enlightenment People, it was a tremendous disgrace for a member of the Wolf Clan. Moreover, she had been pregnant before; even if she had terminated it, washing away the mark and uniting with another Tianqian in the future could make it difficult for her to bear children.
Marrying Muer to Qingshan, a low-born new noble, was undoubtedly the best choice.
Shilemod soon snapped back to reality, glancing at the surrounding guards and commanding loudly, "Come here!"
"Yes!" The guards lined up neatly in front of Shilemod.
A cold glint flashed in Shilemod's eyes as he swiftly drew his soft sword from his waist. In an instant, a cold light flickered, and blood sprayed forth as he sliced across the necks of the guards.
Shilemod turned around, staring thoughtfully in the direction where Qingshan was carrying Muer away.
Comment 0 Comment Count