Chapter 61

Yun Pianpian noticed Xiao Changyuan's fingers pause slightly, her heart immediately began to race.
Admittedly, her words were indeed rather shameless.
She had committed the crime of deceiving the emperor.
The tyrant, upon learning the truth, had not immediately torn her to pieces.
That was already a sign of his favor toward her, she should not take advantage of his affection for her to push her luck and say such brazen things.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, Yun Pianpian buried her small face in Xiao Changyuan's smooth, jade, like chest.
Her thick eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably.
Her slender, delicate fingers slowly clenched, turning slightly pale from the force.
She began to regret saying those words.
Suddenly, from above her head, came Xiao Changyuan's faint, almost imperceptible chuckle, tinged with a hint of mockery.
“My Pianpian is so timid, yet her ambitions are quite grand.”
His voice was cool and deep, his tone light and cold, like a chilly breeze on a summer day, making it hard to discern his mood.
Yun Pianpian couldn't tell whether he was angry with her for saying that or not.
A pale, slender hand with prominent knuckles suddenly pinched her chin.
Yun Pianpian was forced to lift her head and look into Xiao Changyuan's cold, profound eyes.
Xiao Changyuan stared at her, his expression aloof, the darkness in his eyes as dense as unfathomable ink.
“Pianpian, becoming the empress comes with a price.”
Yun Pianpian's heart tightened slightly, it felt as if someone had suddenly gripped her heart.
Her eyelashes trembled lightly, and her clear, bright almond, shaped eyes filled with fear.
“W-what price?”
Xiao Changyuan stared into her eyes and coldly uttered two words.
“Pleasing me.”
Yun Pianpian: “...”
That's it?
The fear in Yun Pianpian's heart instantly dissipated like a summer morning mist.
She even found Xiao Changyuan somewhat childish.
She had thought the tyrant would come up with some terrifying price to torment her, turns out he just wanted her to please him.
What she had been doing all this time was precisely pleasing him.
If not for wanting to please him and seek his forgiveness for her misdeeds, she would have long used her golden finger to push him away forcefully.
The author probably gave her this golden finger precisely to grant her the right to refuse.
It's just that Yun Pianpian loved him in her heart and wanted to beg for his forgiveness, so she didn't want to push him away.
She didn't want to embarrass the tyrant, didn't want to see that hurt look in his eyes again, didn't want to make things worse.
That's why Yun Pianpian had endured until now.
Perhaps the disdain in Yun Pianpian's eyes was too obvious.
Xiao Changyuan pinched her chin discontentedly.
“What kind of look is this, Pianpian?”
Yun Pianpian said coyly, “This is the look of begging for my husband's favor.”
As soon as she finished speaking, before Xiao Changyuan could react, Yun Pianpian reached out her slender, pale arms and wrapped them around his neck.
She lifted her head, wanting to kiss his thin lips.
Xiao Changyuan's pupils contracted slightly, a trace of unexpected panic even flashed through those dark, profound cold eyes.
He reached out, his pale, slender index finger pressing against Yun Pianpian's offered red lips.
Pushing her lush, tempting lips slightly further apart.
Yun Pianpian froze, not expecting her kiss to land on empty air.
The sensation was cold and hard against her touch.
It was his fingertip.
Her almond, shaped eyes misted over as she looked at Xiao Changyuan with some grievance.
“Didn't husband tell me to please you?”
If he wouldn't even let her kiss him, how was she supposed to please him?
Yun Pianpian felt as if Xiao Changyuan was rejecting her.
That sense of shame, like when the spider demon failed to seduce Tang Seng and got beaten back to her original form, surged in Yun Pianpian's heart again.
Before she could finish feeling sad, Xiao Changyuan cupped her jade, white nape, pulled her close, and fiercely captured her red lips with his.
“Because Pianpian cannot kiss me.”
The man's cool, husky voice came from between their lips, as if suppressing some turbulent, inexplicable emotion.
“Only I can kiss Pianpian.”
Yun Pianpian didn't understand what difference it made, she simply thought the tyrant's controlling nature was acting up.
Wanting to control her like a doll in his palm.
Yun Pianpian was kissed into a daze by Xiao Changyuan, her mind blank, so she naturally didn't notice that when she had tried to kiss him earlier, Xiao Changyuan's jade, white earlobes had suddenly flushed with an uncontrollable faint redness that still hadn't faded.
This time, Xiao Changyuan practiced his demonic arts rather fiercely.
The long night stretched on, bed curtains swaying, storm raging, not ending until late into the night.
The next day, Yun Pianpian rose sore and weak all over.
Just as she was about to complain to the tyrant, she suddenly heard his cool, deep voice.
“Pianpian, I'm taking you back to the palace.”
Yun Pianpian froze, immediately waking up completely.
“Can we really return to the palace?”
Xiao Changyuan said, “Yes.”
“Wonderful.”
Delight spread across Yun Pianpian's features, even making her forget her bodily aches.
She cheerfully began dressing.
The radiance overflowing from her almond eyes was brighter than sunlight.
Seeing Yun Pianpian so overjoyed, Xiao Changyuan couldn't help but frown slightly.
“Do you really want to be the empress that much?”
Yun Pianpian was taken aback and replied somewhat guiltily, “Every woman wants to be the empress. The empress is the most noble woman in the world.”
In truth, she didn't want to be the empress at all, she just wanted to return to Luojing.
With Prince Rui about to ascend the throne, Xiao Changyuan would inevitably have to deal with the rebellion once they reached Luojing.
By then, she could seize the opportunity to pack her bags and slip away.
Xiao Changyuan took her words at face value and didn't suspect a thing.
He simply said calmly, “Pianpian, you'll be the empress very soon.”
Yun Pianpian nodded.
She packed all her clothes, jewelry, and silver notes into her bundle.
After finishing her preparations, Yun Pianpian took one last look at the room.
She had lived in this simple, rustic earthen, walled house for over half a year, often complaining about its lack of elegance and luxury. But now, as she thought about leaving, she felt a pang of reluctance. She had grown attached to every brick and tile here.
As if sensing her reluctance, Xiao Changyuan said softly, “If you like this place, Pianpian, we can come back someday.”
Yun Pianpian nodded. “Alright.”
But she knew she would never return.
Yun Pianpian placed her bundle on the ox cart and said to Xiao Changyuan, “Husband, I want to say goodbye to Cuicui.”
Xiao Changyuan frowned slightly but didn't refuse her.
“Go ahead.”
Yun Pianpian ran to Jiang Cuicui's house and saw a person wrapped entirely in bandages sitting in a wooden wheelchair, basking in the sun in the courtyard.
Just then, Jiang Cuicui came out from inside.
“Pianpian, what brings you here?”
Yun Pianpian said, “My husband and I are leaving this place.”
Jiang Cuicui was startled and led her into the house. “Why are you leaving so suddenly?”
Yun Pianpian whispered, “My husband and I still have some unfinished business in Luojing.”
After the two chatted for a while, Yun Pianpian suddenly remembered the person she had seen sunbathing in the courtyard and asked curiously, “Cuicui, who was that person in the courtyard just now?”
Jiang Cuicui replied, “That's Brother A'Yu.”
Yun Pianpian was taken aback. “How did he end up like this?”
Jiang Cuicui replied, “A few days ago, Brother A’Yu’s home was suddenly robbed. The thieves broke his bones. Luckily, the children from the private school found him at his house and rushed him to Uncle Zhou for treatment. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Brother A’Yu can’t move now, so Grandpa brought him to our home to take care of him. Uncle Zhou said it will take at least half a year for his injuries to heal.”
Yun Pianpian froze for a moment, then suddenly thought of something, her expression turning strange. “When exactly was his home robbed?”
Jiang Cuicui said, “It was the morning of the heavy rain, the thunder was especially terrifying, with lightning flashing everywhere.”
Yun Pianpian’s face stiffened.
It was indeed the day Xiao Changyuan regained his memories.
That morning, Xiao Changyuan had suddenly left and returned with an odd expression.
He must have had a conflict with Jiang Sheyu that day.
That was why Xiao Changyuan had regained his memories.
Yun Pianpian gave all the chicks she had raised to Jiang Cuicui, along with the five acres of fruit trees and the plum blossom tree in the yard. The two talked for a long time before Yun Pianpian reluctantly left Jiang Cuicui’s home.
Jiang Sheyu, wrapped in white bandages, sat weakly in a wheelchair, idly basking in the sun.
He had been beaten black and blue by Xiao Changyuan, his face completely swathed in bandages, with only his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose visible. No one could see what lay beneath the bandages.
Just then, Yun Pianpian walked out of the house.
Jiang Sheyu slowly lifted his eyes, his gaze settling on Yun Pianpian.
His once gentle, jade, like eyes instantly turned cold.
Why hadn’t Yun Pianpian withered yet?
Why did she still look so innocent and carefree?
Jiang Sheyu’s eyes darkened, his handsome face hidden beneath the bandages gradually contorting.
He had made such a great sacrifice, deliberately exposing himself to Xiao Changyuan, all to shatter her innocence.
He wanted her to wither, to dim, to fall apart.
But in front of Yun Pianpian, he had suffered a crushing defeat.
Jiang Sheyu despised all things beautiful, the bright sunlight, every person who found happiness.
Why did Yun Pianpian seem so happy?
She should be the one crying right now.
His heart brimmed with destructive urges. The gentle, refined demeanor he usually displayed was nothing but a deceptive facade.
He delighted in tearing apart all that was beautiful, making everyone suffer as he did, he reveled in the sight of others in pain.
Normally, he had to carefully conceal this destructive desire beneath his gentle exterior.
But now, his body was wrapped in bandages, no one could see the expression on his face.
He could freely gaze at the radiant Yun Pianpian with his destructive eyes, indulging in his greed.
In this world, no flower remains in bloom forever.
One day, he would personally pluck this flower named Yun Pianpian in a more elegant and captivating way.
Xiao Changyuan drove the ox cart, slowly leaving Jiangjia Village.
Chen Fashan happened to be visiting Jiang Cuicui’s home to see Jiang Sheyu when he noticed Xiao Changyuan’s ox cart piled high with bundles.
Puzzled, he turned to Jiang Cuicui. “Why are they carrying so much stuff?”
Jiang Cuicui said, “Pianpian and Shitou are returning to Luojing.”
Chen Fashan was stunned. “Returning to Luojing.”
Upon learning that Xiao Changyuan had left this place, Chen Fashan's first reaction was not disappointment, but a sense of relief and secret delight.
Logically, after Xiao Changyuan's departure, Chen Fashan had lost his chance for revenge and should have felt disappointed. However, during this period, he had been shrouded in fear of Xiao Changyuan, especially after that inexplicable incident in the farmland when Xiao Changyuan interrupted his intimate moment with Jiang Cuicui. That fear had peaked, and soon after, Chen Fashan fell seriously ill.
During this time, it was Jiang Cuicui who secretly came to Chen Fashan's home to take care of him.
Rather than seeking revenge on Xiao Changyuan, what Chen Fashan now wanted most was to marry Jiang Cuicui.
But Jiang Cuicui's ungrateful family refused to let her marry him.
“Jiang Sheyu, what was the method you mentioned the day before yesterday?”
Two days ago, Jiang Sheyu had suddenly told Chen Fashan that he had a way to help him marry Jiang Cuicui, but before he could ask for details, Jiang Cuicui's parents had chased him away. Today, taking advantage of their absence, Chen Fashan specifically came to ask Jiang Sheyu about it.
Jiang Sheyu looked up at Chen Fashan: “You can take the imperial examinations. Once you achieve success and earn an official rank, they will naturally agree to let you marry Cuicui.”
Chen Fashan was taken aback, he had never considered taking the imperial examinations.
Because this was the Kingdom of Mo.
As the emperor of the Kingdom of Chen, how could he participate in the imperial exams?
Seemingly sensing Chen Fashan's hesitation, Jiang Sheyu said, “I've pointed out the path for you. Whether you take it or not is up to you.”
Chen Fashan returned home, thought it over for a night, and finally said to Zhou Qiren, “I am going to take the imperial examinations.”
Xiao Changyuan drove the ox cart to the county town, sold it, and rented a horse, drawn carriage from a carriage shop.
Qingcheng County was over two thousand li away from Luojing. Traveling day and night by carriage, it would take five days to reach Luojing.
On the fifth day, Xiao Changyuan and Yun Pianpian arrived safely in Luojing. At the foot of the imperial city, it was far more bustling and prosperous than the remote and impoverished Qingcheng County. Xiao Changyuan took Yun Pianpian to an inn, settled her there, and instructed, “Wait for me to return.”
Yun Pianpian deliberately asked, “Husband, aren't you taking me with you?”
Xiao Changyuan frowned. “If you come along, you will surely have nightmares.”
Yun Pianpian pretended to be afraid and nodded. “Then I won't go. Husband, be careful on your way.”
Just as Xiao Changyuan was about to leave, Yun Pianpian suddenly called out to him.
“Husband, you must be careful of someone named Chu Yi.”
This was the second time Xiao Changyuan had heard that name from Yun Pianpian's lips.
He frowned and said, “I know.”
Today was precisely the enthronement ceremony for Prince Rui.
The Imperial Astronomers had calculated months ago that this day was an auspicious occasion.
The Ministry of Rites prepared incense, candles, and offerings for the worship of heaven and earth, placing them on the incense altar.
The music began, grand and majestic with bells and drums.
The enthronement ceremony officially commenced.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites performed rituals to heaven and earth, announcing to the late emperor that a new ruler was about to ascend the throne.
Prince Rui, dressed in luxurious dragon robes, slowly ascended the altar.
Civil and military officials knelt on both sides of the imperial path.
Chu Yi knelt at Prince Rui's feet, he was soon to achieve his dream to become the youngest chancellor in the history of the Kingdom of Mo.
“Present the imperial seal.”
A eunuch carried the imperial seal and slowly approached Prince Rui.
An official from the Ministry of Rites began to chant, “The new emperor ascends the throne, bow…“
A satisfied smile spread across Chu Yi's face.
However, the nightmare repeated itself once more.
A cold arrow suddenly pierced through the imperial seal held high by the official.
The seal shattered into pieces, falling to the ground just like Chu Yi's beautiful dream.
Everyone looked up, searching for the source of the arrow.
“The new emperor ascends the throne?”
Xiao Changyuan stood tall and poised on the glazed golden tiles of the palace, his black robes as dark as ink.
The strong wind rustled, lifting his dark hair gently.
He curled his thin lips, his gaze icy as he looked at Prince Rui, revealing an arrogant, mocking sneer.
“Did you seek my permission?”
In that moment, the civil and military officials were reminded of the fear of being dominated by Xiao Changyuan.