Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Mo Xier was startled, her eyes widening in surprise. "Empress Dowager, what did you say?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Mo Xier weakly, her gaze profound. "Mo Xi'er, I intend to support your marriage with Night Star."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
She stood up and hurriedly knelt on the ground, bowing her head in deep gratitude.
The Empress Dowager observed her with an increasingly intense gaze. Suddenly, Mo Xier remembered something and paused, raising her head to look at the Empress Dowager with a troubled expression. "It's just... I have a request."
"You are now my daughter and should not refer to yourself as a commoner," the Empress Dowager said gently, looking kindly at the young woman before her. "Speak, what is it?"
After hesitating for a moment, she finally decided to voice her thoughts. "Mo Xi'er wants to return to the Night Family." Her voice was very soft, carrying a sense of calmness devoid of desire or sorrow, even tinged with a hint of timidity.
"Return?" The Empress Dowager frowned, looking at her with questioning eyes.
Nodding, Mo Xier continued, "Empress Dowager, I have been in this palace for quite some time now. I want to go back with Night Star to the Night Family, to take good care of him and prepare for our marriage."
As she spoke, a radiant glow suddenly spread across her face, imbued with a sweetness unique to young girls.
The Empress Dowager stared blankly for a moment before recalling her own youth—when she was adorned in red makeup and enveloped in sweetness. What kind of deep affection was that?
Sighing, she waved her hand. "Go then, return home. Don't forget to visit me whenever you can."
In an instant, a warm current flowed slowly through Mo Xier's heart. In a daze, she felt a tinge of sadness as she looked at the Empress Dowager's kind and gentle demeanor. She suddenly realized that this elderly woman was not as bad as she had imagined; she was not as harsh or difficult to deal with as she had thought.
He nodded, his voice hoarse, "I will definitely do it."
The next day, Night Star opened his eyes to find a decree from the Empress Dowager. The gist of it was that Night Star had been wronged and severely injured, and as compensation for the general, he was awarded two hundred thousand taels of gold.
He quickly packed up and headed home, waiting to choose an auspicious day to marry his adopted daughter, Mo Xier.
This imperial edict left him momentarily dumbfounded.
Surprise surged from nowhere, and at that moment, even the wound on his chest no longer hurt!
He hurriedly gathered his things and took Mo Xier in a carriage, allowing the driver of the Azure Dragon to smoothly return to the Night Family, with the warm breeze greeting them.
In the Imperial Study, upon hearing this news, the Emperor slammed a bamboo scroll onto the table and angrily shouted, "They don't treat me as an emperor at all! Such a big matter and they didn't consult me!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Zhang Zehai was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and dared not speak. Li Qingfeng, seeing the Sovereign's displeasure, still did not back down and stepped forward to say, "Your Majesty, do not let matters of women distract you!"
"As the Son of Heaven, My Lord, you judge for yourself. What have I not sacrificed for the people? Am I not allowed to have even one woman?!"
"Sovereign, one must not force matters!"
Li Qingfeng advised with shifting eyes and then took out a memorial from his sleeve, presenting it to Zhang Zehai. "Our army is engaged with the Three Major Tribes; we are at a stalemate. What should we do?"
Upon hearing this news, the Emperor furrowed his brows. "Can we not defeat the Three Major Tribes?"
His sword-like brows raised with a tense aura as he looked at the gentle yet strikingly handsome man below. The man's appearance was exceptionally refined, almost too beautiful to be real, with overly delicate eyes that carried an excessive softness.
"Yes, but the suffering of the people makes me fear their backlash!"
Li Qingfeng said with embarrassment, his expression troubled.
"Kill. There will be no backlash in the territory I want to occupy. If I were afraid, I would not have sent troops from the very beginning. Pass down my decree: tell Liu Qiankun to mobilize his troops quickly and stop wasting military resources. We need a swift resolution."
"Understood." Li Qingfeng lowered his head and replied.
"Also, why is Night Star still alive this time? How am I supposed to deal with the Chancellor now that the Empress Dowager is protecting Night Star?"
The Emperor suddenly asked, lacking some of his usual imposing presence, as if he were discussing it with him.
Li Qingfeng was taken aback; he looked at the Emperor in surprise, noting that today he wore a splendid purple robe adorned with intricate patterns.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a design of two dragons playing with a pearl. This totem held deep meaning; as the saying goes, Dragon's Nine Offspring each have their own characteristics, and the image of two dragons playing with a pearl carries a significant story here. It was unexpected that the Emperor would wear such a totemic garment, revealing his ambitious nature.
He quickly lowered his head and averted his gaze, fearing that the Emperor might discern his thoughts. He then spoke softly, "Your Majesty, I believe that Freezing Three Inches of Ice Takes More Than One Cold Day.
We should start from unseen angles, gradually placing our people within the Chancellor's influence. At that time, we can strike together and catch the Chancellor off guard, leaving him without any chance of recovery."
After pausing for a moment to think, he continued, "A Centipede Dies but Does Not Stiffen; if we only act on the surface, things may become difficult."
"My Lord is correct. It seems we should plan this out in detail," the Emperor nodded, revealing a half-smile.
In the Imperial Study, Heart-Nurturing Incense burned brightly in the Incense Burner, its fragrant smoke swirling through the room, accentuating the two handsome figures who floated like ink.
It was a new day, the sun shining brightly, and the little birds nestled on the branches, the colorful tiles of the Jade Palace gleaming.
Not far from the wide palace gate, a carriage clattered by, slowly stepping out of the deep walls and courtyards, leaving the palace. Mo Xier's mood suddenly became exceptionally bright.
Just thinking about becoming the general's wife filled her heart with joy, which was reflected on her face, making her look particularly delightful. Night Star gently tapped her little nose, "You're so happy."
"Of course, you wouldn't understand, you old blockhead."
Mo Xier rolled her eyes at him, then carefully pulled back the curtains in his broad and warm embrace to look outside. The streets were bustling with people, vehicles coming and going, and the air was filled with the sounds of vendors calling out.
"Tsk tsk, the little girl has something on her mind. Is there really something I can't understand?"
The man stroked his chin, pondering as he looked at the petite and charming woman beside him. Her delicate features shone under the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly. Originally beautiful, she now wore a bright smile that made her resemble a vividly blooming rose, dazzling and captivating.
He placed his hand on her slender shoulder and gently turned her towards him, pulling her into his embrace. Suddenly, he spoke softly, "Girl, do you know how scared I've been these days about not being able to see you?"
His voice was light and gentle, as if it had floated over from a distant dream.
"Huh?" Mo Xier was taken aback by his sudden sweet words. What was this old blockhead talking about? Why was he saying such embarrassing things that made her cheeks flush?
Unconsciously, her face turned red as she shyly buried it in his chest, a strong herbal scent wafting into her nose.
The faint smell of traditional Chinese medicine was surprisingly comforting.
"When I was stabbed in the chest by Dun Zhu with a dagger, the first person I thought of was you. Please don't be angry with me anymore, okay?"
"I don't want to have you and still argue with you like everyone else does. Mo Xi'er, do you know? People only truly understand what they want when they are about to die."
His voice was gentle and light, like the soft glow of stars appearing in the night sky, faint yet incredibly comforting.
She quietly rested her head against his solid chest, listening silently.
"When I was on the brink of death, what I thought of was you. The thing I feared and worried about the most wasn't my own death, but yours. Girl, I received news from my men that you were gravely injured and summoned to the palace by the emperor. I was worried about your situation, and at that moment, I was especially, especially afraid..."
His voice was hoarse and wet, pausing for a long moment before he spoke again; it was a voice that came from deep within his soul.
"I fear that without me, you will be scared. I fear that you will be sad and hurt... Mo Xi'er, it doesn't matter if I die; I hope you can live well even without me... Do you understand?"
Night Star gently stroked her thick hair, which flowed like seaweed, his eyes shining with a star-like brilliance—cold yet soft. It was a gaze Mo Xi'er had never seen before, one that was even somewhat difficult to comprehend.
Yet that gaze unexpectedly made her feel very comfortable and deeply saddened.
"Don't say such nonsense!" she said sharply, covering his cool lips with her hand. Tears filled her eyes, mixed with a hint of anger as she fiercely pinched the flesh on his thigh and scolded him, "What will I do if you die?
Night Star, do you have no conscience? I've waited for you until now, and you're willing to give up with just one word? I don't want to curse; didn't ancient people say that a woman's honor is as important as life? Let me tell you now."
As she spoke, she pointed to the sky. "I, Mo Xi'er, swear by heaven that in this life I will marry no one but you. If Night Star dies, then I won't live either. My honor has long been given to Night Star."
Her voice was firm and her tone strong, leaving the man before her at a loss for words.
"I'm really a jerk for saying these things," he said as he hit himself hard, his voice carrying a hint of regret.
As they spoke, the two had already arrived at Night Manor, where the servants were waiting outside.
They got off the carriage and walked into the estate.
Liu Xuxin was already standing at the entrance, having instructed the staff to prepare the finest tea and pastries to welcome the general's return. Mo Xier lifted her gaze to look at her and noticed that today she was dressed in exceptionally bright colors, making her appear radiant.
Her naturally delicate beauty was enhanced by a floral silk gown adorned with tassels, and her hair was loosely styled in a flying fairy bun on top of her head, resembling a beautifully blooming night-blooming cereus, even more enchanting.
She glanced up and saw Liu Xuxin blushing as she looked at Night Star. Turning to the man beside her, she noticed that Night Star appeared cold and indifferent, as if he hadn't seen anything.
"Cousin, you're back! Have some tea; this is fine fragrant tea I brought from home."
Saying this, Liu Xuxin bashfully offered a cup of tea with gentle hands.
Night Star's expression remained icy as he did not reach for it.
Mo Xier smirked wickedly, stepping forward to take the cup. "I'm a bit thirsty too. If you won't drink it, I'll have it for you. This tea is specially prepared for you by my cousin; it surely can't be poisoned."
Liu Xuxin's expression darkened instantly, the tenderness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a cold demeanor. "You... how could you..."
Angrily pointing at Mo Xier, she wanted to say something harsh but recalled that the general was still standing before her, looking intently at her. She immediately withdrew her hand, covering her chest, and softened her voice insincerely. "Just drink it; just don't burn your tongue."
Comment 0 Comment Count