"Yong'er, you must find happiness."
Jun Shao Chen approached, his gentle eyes smiling at her. He noticed that her smile had changed because of her transformation, and seeing Yong'er's heartfelt smile, Jun Shao Chen knew that she had truly let go.
"Imperial Brother, I'm sorry. Yong'er has never sincerely called you 'Imperial Brother.' I can never make up for the harm my mother caused you."
Yong Yue Rong looked at Jun Shao Chen with a face full of guilt, hoping that their departure would bring an end to everything.
"Yong'er, it's fate. There's nothing to apologize for."
"Yong'er, let's go."
Chun Yu Qing Hua looked at Su Zi Mo and the others with gratitude on his face. He took Yong Yue Rong's hand and turned away. Before long, their figures disappeared into the night.
"Yun Xuan, Lord Zhuang, I'll take my leave first."
He was somewhat worried about his own father. Today's events had greatly affected him.
"Take care, Your Highness!"
Su Zi Mo had wanted to show Jun Shao Chen the matter of the jade pendant, but it seemed inappropriate tonight.
Mu Yun Xuan held Su Zi Mo's hand, and the two of them strolled under the moonlight.
The moonlight elongated their figures filled with love.
"Momo, where do you think they'll go?"
In fact, Mu Yun Xuan was deeply moved today. For the first time, he felt pity in his heart.
"I don't know where they'll go exactly, but I believe wherever they are, as long as they have each other, they will be very happy."
Su Zi Mo looked into the distance and suddenly realized something. With him by her side, she hadn't had any seizures for quite some time. It seemed that the power of love was truly magnificent.
"Based on my understanding of the Chun Yu family, the men in the family have good character. However, starting from Chun Yu Qing Hua's generation, they will be completely cut off from the royal family."
Mu Yun Xuan felt a bit regretful. After all, several generations of the Chun Yu family had served the royal family.
"Yun Xuan, in the journey of life, we take deep and shallow steps. Sorrow and hope are on the road, joy and hatred are on the road. No one's life is always filled with sunshine and moonlight. Since we can pick it up, we must also let it go. Chun Yu Qing Hua had no choice. True feelings are revealed in times of hardship. When you see everything clearly, that's when you truly live freely."
Su Zi Mo picked up a branch from the roadside and waved it around.
Mu Yun Xuan smiled silently, hoping that their path would always be accompanied by sunshine and moonlight.
"Father."
When Jun Shao Chen returned to the Jiao Yang Hall, Emperor Haoyue was leaning on the soft couch, lightly tapping his eyes.
Jun Shao Chen knew he hadn't slept.
After a while, Emperor Haoyue slowly got up from the couch.
He looked at Jun Shao Chen and beckoned him over.
Jun Shao Chen walked over as instructed, his gaze scanning his father's weary face. It was the first time Jun Shao Chen felt that his father was truly tired.
"Chen'er, it's father's fault! Father failed to protect your mother. Father will make up for it all through you. I know you don't like this position, but Chen'er, only you can take on this role. Your kind-heartedness is just like your mother's. They say an emperor must be ruthless and poisonous, but I don't see it that way."
"Father, I never said I wouldn't take this position!"
Jun Shao Chen suddenly laughed as he looked at him.
"You little scoundrel, your brain finally opened up. Father is happy to hear you say that. Go and rest! Tomorrow morning, we still have to deal with the Ji family. Father will thoroughly investigate the events of the past and imprison everyone involved in the Tian Prison."
"In that case, let me escort Father back to the palace first!"
Overnight, the news of the Empress being thrown into the Tian Prison shook the entire capital city of Haoyue Kingdom.
Early in the morning, some were joyful while others worried.
The news of the Empress being thrown into the Tian Prison shocked the entire Haoyue Kingdom. The death of Princess Yue Rong added to the turmoil, causing the people in the capital city to become even more agitated. Following the imperial edict, all shops, restaurants, and brothels on the streets were closed. Every household hung two white lanterns on their doors.
Yao Consort, however, was the happiest and most bewildered among them all. She thought that the glorious moment for her Yao family had finally arrived! But having learned from past experiences, this time she chose to remain silent and not revel in others' misfortunes.
In her own palace, Yao Consort found joy secretly. With the Empress's death, she was now closer than ever to the position of Empress. Among the concubines in the palace, no one could surpass the prestigious background of the Yao family.
In the Duke Zhen's residence, Duke Zhen fainted as soon as he heard about the Empress being thrown into the Tian Prison.
Since Duke Ji Yu was not present in the residence, Duke Zhen's collapse left the residence without a leader.
Although Ji Hong was only twelve years old, he became the backbone of the entire Duke Zhen's residence.
As soon as he learned about the Empress's situation, he immediately sent a message to Ji Yu. Except for Ji Yu, no one else could save the Empress.
In Mingyue Villa, as Su Zimo opened her eyes, she saw a pair of affectionate black eyes.
Su Zimo smiled softly and asked, "Did you wake up early today?"
"Yes! You've been tired recently, so I had the kitchen prepare a soup for you."
Mu Yun Xuan smiled gently and said.
Su Zimo lazily smiled, and a touch of gratitude flickered in her slightly lowered eyes as she slowly got up. "You're so good to me! I'm getting addicted."
"I want you to be addicted to me. Among all the women in the world, apart from you, Su Zimo, no one has the honor like you."
Mu Yun Xuan chuckled and pinched her smooth face, showing boundless doting.
Su Zimo shook her head and laughed. This kind of Mu Yun Xuan could truly captivate a woman.
Today, he wore a black silk robe, and his cascading ink-colored hair was not completely tied up, which added a touch of elegance to his handsome appearance.
In fact, black suited him well, but Su Zimo preferred to see him in white clothes. It made him appear less cold and added a sense of gracefulness.
Mu Yun Xuan watched her get off the bed and went to the wardrobe to pick a white dress for her. He rarely saw her wearing white dresses, and the thought that one day she would leave him made him feel upset. He didn't know how to spend the next month.
After finishing Mu Yun Xuan's loving soup, Su Zimo and Mu Yun Xuan had just stepped out when they encountered Mo Niang.
They saw Mo Niang in the courtyard, looking down, as if searching for something.
Su Zimo and Mu Yun Xuan exchanged a glance, as if they knew what Mo Niang was looking for.
"Mo Niang, did you lose something?"
"Oh!" Mo Niang nodded, looking anxious as she glanced at them.
Suddenly, she saw the black and white pair and couldn't take her eyes off them.
Mo Niang quickly regained her composure and asked urgently, "Momo, have you seen a jade pendant? Did you find it?"
Mo Niang was nervous. If the jade pendant was found by Momo and the others, then... it would be her fault for being careless.
"Mo Niang, are you looking for this?" Su Zimo looked deeply at Mo Niang, holding the jade pendant in her hand. The jade pendant glittered under the sunlight.
Mo Niang's eyes showed a hint of surprise when she saw it. She couldn't hide her panic and said, "Momo, it's the jade pendant. I accidentally lost it yesterday."
Mo Niang walked to Su Zimo's side, about to reach out her hand, but Su Zimo suddenly held the jade pendant in her palm.
"Mo Niang, this is a jade pendant exclusively used by the royal family, right? And if Yun Xuan is correct, this jade pendant should belong to the Crown Prince."
Su Zimo knew that Mo Niang was usually calm and would not be as nervous as she was just now.
"Mo Niang..."
Mo Niang lowered her head anxiously. She realized that they had guessed it right. It was natural for Yun Xuan's mother, the Grand Princess, to know about the royal family's exclusive jade pendant. It was not that they didn't tell her, but they wanted to inform her later. The royal family would once again be in turmoil.
In just two years, she had grown tired of the life in the harem.
Su Zimo took a few steps forward, looking straight into Mo Niang's eyes.
There was definitely something Mo Niang was hiding from her, as Mo Niang had never looked like this before.
"Mo Niang, last night, Jun Yue Rong returned to the palace. The Empress has been thrown into the Tian Prison, accused of murdering Li Consort and orchestrating the theft of the Dragon-Turning Phoenix-Feather Fan. Either of these crimes could lead to the Empress's death."
Su Zimo told Mo Niang about what happened last night. She knew that Mo Niang had waited late into the night, eager to know what was happening in the palace. Afraid of raising suspicion, Mo Niang restrained herself from asking and came early today, partly to find the jade pendant, but more importantly, to learn about the events in the palace.
After listening, Mo Niang felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. The long years of torment seemed to find release.
But the exposure of the past meant that Chen'er also knew that the Empress was not his birth mother. The kind-hearted child would surely feel heartbroken and sad.
"Mo Mo, let's go inside and talk."
Mo Niang silently gazed at Su Zimo. She was intelligent, and even if she didn't reveal the truth, Mo Niang would quickly figure it out. After more than two years, she had come to understand Su Zimo well.
They considered each other family, and there was nothing they couldn't say to each other. Since the moment Mo Niang decided to return to Haoyue Kingdom with Su Zimo, she had prepared herself for this day.
Back in the hall, Su Zimo poured a cup of tea for Mo Niang.
Looking down, she saw Mo Niang deep in thought.
"Mo Niang, if you don't want to say, I won't force you..."
"No, Mo Mo, this matter has been hidden in Mo Niang's heart for over twenty years. It's time to speak out. Because of meeting you, Mo Niang was able to exact revenge effortlessly."
As she spoke, Mo Niang's voice choked, and her eyes, filled with sorrow, were slightly lowered.
Su Zimo could sense Mo Niang's internal struggle. A tinge of nervousness flashed across her beautiful face. Because she cared about Mo Niang and wanted to know everything about her, she would do her best to help her.
"Mo Niang..."
"Mo Mo, in fact, Mo Niang is Li Manqi."
"What?"
Su Zimo exclaimed in surprise, and both of them were left shocked and bewildered.
"Mo Niang, how...?"
Su Zimo couldn't comprehend. If Mo Niang was Li Manqi, why did she wait so many years to come back for revenge?
"We met when the Emperor and I were on a training journey to the Bu Gui Mountain. The young Haoyue Emperor was handsome, diligent, and outstanding. He was the beloved crown prince of the late Emperor and ascended the throne effortlessly. At that time in Bu Gui Mountain, he saved me, and we fell deeply in love. At first, I didn't know he was the Haoyue Emperor. It was only when we were in love that he revealed the truth to me. Unfortunately, by that time, I had already fallen for him and married into the palace, despite my parents' opposition. Even with three thousand beauties in the harem, the Haoyue Emperor continued to favor me alone and elevated me to the position of Noble Consort, breaking tradition. As a woman, I felt content."
As Mo Niang spoke, tears silently streamed down her face.
Su Zimo's heart tightened. So Mo Niang had such a unique background. This meant that the Crown Prince was Mo Niang's son.
Mo Niang composed herself and continued, "But good times don't last. It was Consort Ji Wu who schemed and led the Haoyue Emperor to the beds of other women, betraying me. Before I entered the palace, I was already prepared for this. He couldn't be mine alone. Not long after, both Consort Ji Wu and I announced our pregnancies. The Haoyue Emperor, feeling guilty for betraying me, promised that if I gave birth to a crown prince, he would grant him the position of the heir and secure my place as the Empress. Unfortunately, she didn't understand me. I married him not for these glorious titles, but for his love alone."
Mo Niang's tears continued to flow, and Su Zimo, influenced by her emotions, couldn't help but shed tears as well. It was evident how much Mo Niang had suffered and endured over the years. As a mother, the separation from her child was more agonizing than death.
Muyun Xuan looked at her tear-streaked, radiant face and felt the pain in his heart. He would never marry another woman in his lifetime. He only wanted her.
"Mo Er..."
Muyun Xuan's warm hand tightly held hers.
Su Zimo lowered her gaze and quickly wiped away her tears.
"Mo Niang, let's not talk about it..."
"No, Mo Mo, let me finish. It has been over twenty years, and I have never found anyone I could confide in."
Mo Niang smiled at Su Zimo and swiftly wiped away her tears.
The sorrowful smile, filled with sadness, made Su Zimo feel even more distressed. "As our bellies grew day by day, Ji Wuer would visit my chambers almost every other day to keep me company and chat. I was aware of the intrigues within the imperial harem and couldn't fully trust her or open my heart completely. I remained cautious, but it proved futile. Ji Wuer had already made her preparations. Even before becoming the Empress, anyone had a chance to claim that position as long as they gave birth to a son. When Ji Wuer learned that I was experiencing labor pains, I don't know what happened, but she started experiencing the same pain a day later, despite being with me just a few days ago. It coincided with the day when a group of demons suddenly invaded the capital, and Emperor Haoyue personally led his men to drive them away. When Ji Wuer felt the pain in her belly, I became more vigilant, instructing my personal palace maid to be extra careful. Unfortunately, the Emperor's favor for me didn't extend to powerful figures in the court. When the Empress learned that I had given birth to a son, she became extremely anxious. Disregarding the danger, she gave birth to Yue Rong after me. At that time, Ji Yaotian wasn't the Duke Zhen Guo yet, but he already held great power in the court. With Ji Yaotian's assistance, the plan to switch the babies went smoothly. Even the midwife and palace maid who attended the birth were arranged by Ji Yaotian beforehand. That's why they received the news of my son's birth immediately. When I woke up from my exhaustion, I witnessed them taking away my child, and no one stood up to stop them. That's when I realized that everyone in my palace was under Ji Wuer's influence. In that moment, I felt hopeless and wanted to die. I resented the person I loved because they weren't by my side at that time. I knew in my heart that Ji Wuer wouldn't spare me to silence me. Before they could harm me, I had taken a fake death pill in advance. It was personally refined by my master. It would make a person appear dead for five days, and afterward, there would be no impact on the body. In the end, I pretended to die from hemorrhage due to childbirth and became a true dead person."
Mo Niang finished speaking in one breath, her trembling body revealing the depth of her hatred and sorrow at that time.
Su Zimo stood up and walked to Mo Niang's side, opening her arms to embrace her. "Mo Niang, everything is fine now. The Empress has been thrown into the dungeon, and even with Ji Yaotian's abilities, he can't save her. Soon, you'll be reunited with your son."
"Mo Mo, not everyone in this world can confide in each other with their hearts. Passing sceneries and fleeting encounters are mere passersby. But we were able to meet each other, and that is fate. Mo Niang can confide in you like this, and now Mo Niang feels relieved. Since that day, Mo Niang has never felt so at ease."
Mo Niang also tightly hugged Su Zimo. Over the past two years of living together as mother and daughter, the pain and resentment in her heart gradually faded.
"Mo Niang, I'm sorry, it's Mo Mo's fault! You said you had no family, and Mo Mo really thought you had no family anymore. So, what are your plans now, Mo Niang?"
Su Zimo let go of Mo Niang and sat in the chair next to her.
"Mo Mo, from holding your hand and growing old together, Mo Niang no longer has the same obsession as before. Mo Niang just wants to live a peaceful and ordinary life like this."
As for acknowledging Chen Er as her own, she did think about it, but the Li family now only had her alone. After accepting Chen Er, she wouldn't be able to provide anything for him. It would be better for Chen Er to live peacefully, thinking that she was already dead. She just wanted to see him safe and sound.
"Mo Mo, Mo Niang wants to visit Ji Wuer in the dungeon."
"She wanted to go and see, to wipe away Ji Wuer's lofty demeanor and witness how he would appear as a prisoner. A hint of concern flashed in Su Zimo's eyes. 'Mo Niang, I'm worried about you going alone. Let Mo Mo accompany you.'"
Gratefully, Mo Niang grasped Su Zimo's hand. "Mo Mo, don't worry about Mo Niang. With Mo Niang's cultivation, a prison cell can't hold her back. It has been over twenty years, and Mo Niang wants to see Ji Wuer's reaction when he sees me."
After speaking, Mo Niang reached behind her ear and removed a human skin mask. Underneath was a beautiful face with delicate features, surpassing any woman Su Zimo had ever seen. The eyebrows resembled distant mountains, the eyes were like autumn water, and the soft pink lips resembled flower petals. It was an ageless appearance that revealed no signs of aging.
Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan were both stunned as they looked at Mo Niang. Beautiful, incredibly beautiful—those were the thoughts running through their minds.
"Mo, Mo Niang, you look like you're in your twenties, really," Su Zimo stammered. Mo Niang was already in her forties, but she looked nothing like it.
It was then that Mu Yunxuan realized that he had seen a portrait of Mo Niang in his uncle's palace kitchen when he was a child. The resemblance to the current Mo Niang was striking. Such a beautiful woman, no wonder his uncle had been obsessed with her all this time. In the early years, no one dared to mention Consort Li's name in front of his uncle, even the name 'Li' was never brought up.
"Mo Mo, Mo Niang is an alchemist. She has been taking beauty-enhancing pills for years, so her appearance now is not much different from before," Su Zimo's surprise flashed briefly in her eyes. That's right! How could she forget about the beauty-enhancing pills in this era? They were much safer than cosmetic surgery in the 21st century.
A crescent moon hung in the ink-black night sky, emitting a faint and gentle light. Its shimmering rays spilled over the solitary and somewhat helpless figure in the courtyard, adding a touch of melancholy.
Mo Niang revealed her true face, donning a bright red dress. Despite the profound gaze in her eyes, there was an overwhelming sadness.
"Mo Niang, do you really have to go to the dungeon tonight?" Su Zimo walked to her side, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"Yes, Mo Mo," Mo Niang turned around, a faint smile appearing on her lips. It was her final wish, the lifelong desire she held.
"Mo Niang, be careful, Mo Mo will be waiting for your return." Looking at Mo Niang's true appearance, Su Zimo felt a certain difficulty in calling her name.
"Mo Mo, you should go back to your room. It's chilly at night, and you're dressed too lightly," Mo Niang looked at her, a sense of indescribable heartache in her eyes. Mo Mo was also a child who had suffered hardships, working hard and achieving so much. Mo Mo had endured a lot.
"Mo Mo, don't worry about Mo Niang. Haven't you forgotten? Mo Niang is not only the number one assassin but also the disciple of the top alchemist in Haoyue Kingdom. Nothing will happen to her. If Mo Niang hasn't returned by midnight, Mo Mo will enter the palace to fetch her."
"Okay." The smile on Mo Niang's lips deepened. She turned around and quickly disappeared into the darkness of the night.