"That's something others cannot achieve," he said, looking at her with a smile.
As he watched her radiant smile, he felt happy in his heart. Now that they were returning to the Star Moon Kingdom, he didn't have to worry too much anymore. She already had someone to protect her by her side.
Although it pained him to see them inseparable recently, it was better for her to face these difficulties alone. Su Zimo was capable, but she was still a woman who needed love and care. That was something he couldn't provide, but Mu Yunxuan could. Even if it meant his own suffering, he couldn't bear to see her facing danger alone.
"It's getting late, everyone should rest! If there's anything, we can discuss it tomorrow."
Everyone got up, exhausted after a long day.
Back in Mingyue Pavilion, after Su Zimo finished grooming herself and just lay down, Mu Yunxuan embraced her tightly.
Su Zimo sighed inwardly. Yunxuan really acted like a child. She knew he was upset because she hadn't agreed to go to the Li Xia Kingdom with him.
"What will I do if you leave me alone?" Mu Yunxuan's voice was filled with grievances as he held her even tighter.
"In the past, you were alone without me," Su Zimo replied, a bit stunned.
"Can you compare the past with the present?" Mu Yunxuan turned her body, making her face him.
"You! You're just like a child. Even though Ji Rui is dead, there is still Ji Yu and the Queen. The matters of Tianmen are still unresolved, and there's a new Ghost Palace. With so many things happening, I couldn't have been available either. But my parents have been waiting for over a decade. How can I disappoint them? Within a month, I will definitely return to the Haoyue Kingdom. During this time, the affairs in the capital of Haoyue Kingdom will be in your and Yunting's hands. Mingyue Villa is my pride, and I won't let anyone destroy even a fraction of it."
Su Zimo spoke sternly. Although Ji Rui had given her a poisonous pill today, her death would still be blamed on the Queen and the Duke.
"Ji Rui deserved to die. Mo'er, don't worry about it. You go to the Li Xia Kingdom with peace of mind. I will handle things here!" Mu Yunxuan gently kissed her forehead. He knew he would have trouble sleeping and eating after she left.
"Sleep now! Xiner will be back the day after tomorrow. It has been a month since we last saw her. I wonder if she is doing well?"
"Our Xiner will definitely be healthy and fine. Don't worry! Master Uncle's medical skills are superb, and he will definitely cure Xiner."
Saying that, Mu Yunxuan leaned towards Su Zimo's neck with his lips.
His actions made Su Zimo ticklish, and she instinctively moved her neck.
"Yunxuan, stop teasing." Su Zimo pushed Mu Yunxuan away, evading him, her tone somewhat annoyed.
"Mo'er..." Mu Yunxuan didn't give up. Instead, he held her tightly in his arms, keeping her close to his body.
In the end, Su Zimo surrendered and closed her eyes, enjoying the moment. Perhaps, love was as deep as the number of times one could tolerate. In Mu Yunxuan's case, she had made exceptions multiple times, not because she accommodated his personality, but because of her concern for him. Because of her tolerance, she had no boundaries with him.
The next day, Su Zimo once again immersed herself in a busy state. The Eight Stores were attacked by Tianmen's people, but the losses were not significant. Within half a day, Su Zimo had new merchandise in the stores and resumed business as usual. Such incidents were not uncommon, and the common people still came to buy what they liked.
By noon, news of Ji Rui's execution for impersonating the princess spread through the streets.
However, this news didn't last long as it was suppressed by the identities of Su Zimo and her two siblings, who were members of the Li Xia Kingdom's royal family. Rumors were still circulating on the streets.
Meanwhile, the Duke's residence was immersed in grief over Ji Rui's death.
Early in the morning, the Queen returned to the Duke's residence with the Crown Prince and Ji Rui's body.
The Duke glanced at Ji Rui's body covered with a white cloth, exhaustion evident on his face.
Looking at the Queen, he said desolately, "Just bury her anywhere. Why bring her back? Your health is precious. Why did you have to accompany her all the way?"
His heart was deeply pierced by the heartless words. He could never understand his grandfather's heart. No matter what, his aunt was still his daughter. Even if she had lost her value, now that she was dead, why was his grandfather so heartless? Was it because of their different statuses and fates?
"Father, Rui'er is still my sister. She was clever and intelligent since childhood. How did she end up like this? It's all that Su Zimo's fault. Rui'er disguised herself as Jun Yaoxi, and Su Zimo probably saw through her from the beginning, which is why she targeted Rui'er during the court session," the Queen said, glancing at Ji Rui's body. She felt empty inside. This was fate. Even though she was the Queen, she couldn't save her sister's life.
"Su Zimo, it's Su Zimo again." Ji Yaotian's tone was heavy. Since Su Zimo returned to the capital of the Haoyue Kingdom, their Ji family had not known peace because of this woman. First, it was Hong'er, and now it's Rui'er. Su Zimo, what a woman.
"Mother, we can't blame Su Zimo for this. It was Aunt's fault for impersonating the princess. Besides, Aunt is still under punishment and shouldn't have returned to the Haoyue Kingdom halfway. How can Father, as the ruler of a nation, tolerate such disobedience?"
Jun Shaochen didn't like the Queen's character of not distinguishing right from wrong at all. It was clearly her own fault, but why did she have to blame others?
"Shaochen, be quiet. How can you speak up for that despicable person, Su Zimo? Do you know how disappointed you made the Queen yesterday? How can you refuse the marriage proposal with the Li Xia Kingdom's princess in front of everyone? The King of Jun Tian has already taken action early this morning and went to the separate residence where the Li Xia Kingdom's princess is staying. What does that imply? It means that Jun Tian also has intentions of marrying the Li Xia Kingdom's princess. With Jun Tian's cunning, how could he miss the opportunity you don't want?" The Queen looked at Jun Shaochen with an iron expression.
Jun Shaochen turned his face away and coldly said, "Mother, I will never marry the Li Xia Kingdom's princess. Give up on that idea!"
After speaking, Jun Shaochen stubbornly turned and walked away.
"Shaochen, you..." The Queen stomped her foot in anger.
"Father, look at him, who is he following? Why is he so stubborn?" The Queen's expression was filled with frustration as she followed the Duke into the hall.
Jun Shaochen, who had returned, heard the words of the Duke and a hint of confusion flashed across his handsome face. He looked around, then secretly hid in the shadows.
"Wu'er, there is no one else here, and what Father said is the truth. Besides, you came here today for Rong'er's matter, right?" The Duke sat in the main seat, poured himself a cup of tea, and his hands, marked with age spots, trembled slightly.
"Father, even if that's the case, you shouldn't say such things." The Queen was naturally cautious, afraid of being overheard by others.
"Wu'er, you already treat Shaochen as your own son. Don't worry about Rong'er anymore. Let her marry the Crown Prince of the Zi Sang Kingdom as Li Manqi's daughter. As for Shaochen's identity, no one will suspect it. Your actions last night have already made the Emperor of Haoyue doubt."
"Father, rest assured! Even if the Emperor suspects, he won't find any evidence. But my heart is always uneasy. Sometimes, when I see Shaochen's words and actions, they are so much like Li Manqi. My heart is always restless, Wu'er..." The Queen bit her lip and didn't continue.
Jun Shaochen outside the window widened his eyes in shock, filled with disbelief.
"Wu'er, don't forget, the Emperor of Haoyue loves you so much not because of anything else, but because Shaochen carries the shadow of Li Manqi. His tolerance towards Shaochen, everything stems from that woman named Li Manqi. So, don't interfere in Rong'er's marriage anymore."
Jun Shaochen left the Duke's residence in a dazed and lost state. People were coming and going, but he paid no attention. He aimlessly walked, even if he bumped into someone, he didn't react at all. His mind was filled with the conversation between the Queen and Ji Yaotian.
He wasn't the Queen's biological son, but the son of that woman named Li Manqi, whom his father loved the most.
"Bang!" Moyue nearly fell to the ground after being bumped into.
"Moyue, are you okay?" Su Zimo quickly supported Moyue.
She looked at the person who bumped into Moyue.
"It's the Crown Prince, why is it you?" Su Zimo's eyes showed surprise. What happened to the Crown Prince?
"Your, Your Highness." Moyue's eyes flashed with shock, her body trembled uncontrollably, and her deep black eyes stared at Jun Shaochen intently.
"Nianner," Jun Shaochen looked at Su Zimo with a pained expression, never expecting to meet her here.
"Your Highness, you don't look well. The Mingyue Pill Pharmacy is just ahead. Why don't you go there and let Moyue take a look? Her medical skills are also excellent," Su Zimo looked at him with concern.
"Excellent medical skills," Jun Shaochen glanced at Moyue.
With a touch of sadness, he asked, "Then tell me, is there a medicine to cure the heartache that makes it hard to breathe?"
Upon hearing this, Moyue's hands trembled, and she lowered her gaze. It was Mu Yunxuan who spoke.
Jun Shaochen walked away in a dazed and lost state, coldly smiling and swaying.
"Your Highness," Su Zimo looked at his retreating figure with worry and confusion. What happened to the Crown Prince all of a sudden?