As she declared this, Jun Xiqing’s eyes were shining brightly, enrapturing him in their liveliness.
In response, all he did was raise his handsome brows. “Save your energy. Don’t bother struggling, you can’t escape.” With that, Lu Yeming released her and took off his black suit jacket, changing into another set of clothes.
Save my energy? Jun Xiqing didn’t move and continued leaning lazily against the wall. “West Duke, if you know that Murong Fu already has the intention to rebel, you should also know that he’s going to try and lure you into a trap with the Red Spider Lily. If he gets rid of you, the only one left in the Emperor’s bloodline, he will be able to secure his position. So if you go now, you’ll be in great danger. Knowing this, you still want to go?”
Lu Yeming turned when he heard this and stared at her silently. Jun Xiqing smiled and said, “I’ve already figured out most of your background. Why? Are you going to silence me?”
Steady fingers fastened his last button. Lu Yeming was clad in full black and stood tall and handsome, his narrow eyes shining brightly with cold light. “Knowing that just puts you in even more danger. Be careful Murong Ling doesn’t try to silence you.”
Opening the room door, he stepped out.
…
Liyuan Stage.
Located beyond a thick forest on a steep cliff thousands of meters tall, Liyuan Stage was a forbidden area in the palace.
A full moon hung in the sky as the doors to Liyuan Stage were opened.
From the moment Fan Men walked in, his eyes were immediately drawn to the Manjusaka. The stem of it was green and on top of it, the blood red Manjusaka bloomed in a wickedly enticing way.
“Master, the Red Spider Lily!”
Fan Men turned around as Lu Yeming walked in. He took off his farmer’s hat and handed it over to an underling, then walked towards the Red Spider Lily
“Master, I’ll walk in front in case there are any traps.”
Lu Yeming’s eyes landed on the Red Spider Lily and he spoke softly. “It’s fine.”
“Master!”
“Stand down.”
“Yes, Master.” Fan Men quickly retreated.
Lu Yeming raised his legs and walked towards the flower.
There were no traps set for him and he walked with calm and steady steps to where the Red Spider Lily was and stopped in front of it.
“Master, the Red Spider Lily is poisonous!”
It was rumored that the Manjusaka grew between the border of life and death and was the calling card of the grim reaper, so it had always been the symbol of evil and misfortune.
No one had ever dared to touch it.
The Manjusaka in front of him was enveloped in a dark cloud which seemed to scream toxicity in every way.
At this moment, there was movement outside. A hoard of horses and men rushed over and Murong Fu’s voice echoed from the outside. “Surround the entire Liyuan Stage right now. Someone has snuck into the palace tonight to assassinate the king, and I suspect he’s currently hiding in the Liyuan Stage. I want you to kill on sight if you see anyone leave the Liyuan Stage!”
“Yes, General Murong!”
Fan Men’s expression turned troubled. “Master, the Red Spider Lily is poisonous and Murong Fu’s men have surrounded the outside. Let’s leave for now.”
But Lu Yeming remained expressionless. Without even a frown, he suddenly reached out.
“Master!”
Lu Yeming had reached out to retrieve the Red Spider Lily. His fingers quickly turned black as the strong poison entered his bloodstream, seeming to seep through his skin. Soon, a streak of blood flowed down the corner of his lips.
He had been poisoned, but still he refused to stop. Pushing on, he continued reaching in to retrieve the flower. It was akin to reaching into the flames to retrieve a chestnut.
Fan Men dropped to his knees. Master was supposed to rule the world but he was about to throw his life away for the Red Spider Lily!
Everyone else knelt down as well and start shouting, “Young Master, let’s leave now!”
The poison was seeping deeper and deeper into his body. Even god wouldn’t be able to save him if he continued on.
A sheen of sweat appeared over Lu Yeming’s handsome face as his expression turned colder. Instead of letting go, he thrust his hands even harder into the dark cloud.
No matter what, he was going to obtain the Red Spider Lily.
He was going to save her.
His mind flashed back to all those years ago. Music from the 90s played in his ear as the scent of his grandma’s red braised pork wafted over from the kitchen.
That day, he had fallen sick with a fever of 42 degrees celsius. He had woken up and looked to the side groggily, only to see a delicate figure lying on his bed, her hand holding onto his tightly. He could see a sheen of tears on her eyelashes and she was speaking worriedly in her sleep, “Little Brother, don’t leave me…”
Ever since that fated day, she had taken her place in his heart. He had hidden this forbidden love as much as he could. All this time, he had never harmed anyone because of it. Didn’t everyone deserve to love whoever they wanted?
His wish was simple. All he wanted was to have a life-long companion. He wanted her to be by his side forever.
Lu Yeming’s thin lips curved upwards as his deep eyes turned gentle. He was going to get the Red Spider Lily.
But his hands were losing strength.
He took deep breaths, his exquisite chest moving up and down. His eyelids were heavy, so heavy he could barely keep his eyes open.
He was still made of flesh and blood after all and was about to pass out.
Mo’er…
Mo’er.
Mo’er!
His mind was filled with the image of her beautiful face. Was he not going to make it?
She was going to die if he couldn’t get the flower.
He started shaking as the music in his ears faded into the background. His eyes fixated on something in front of him as his fingers shuffled, trying to grab the hand that had held onto his all those years ago…
“Master!”
By now, his underlings were all frantic as they stared at him in horror. Lu Yeming was about to pass out. That ominous, dark cloud had enveloped him, enshrouding him in its clutches. At his moment, a small hand reached out to grab his large hands and pulled hard.
His eyes snapped open.
Mo’er?
It wasn’t Mo’er.
The person who had dragged him out of the dark cloud was close to him. When he looked at her face, he saw that it was Jun Xiqing.
Jun Xiqing!
Jun Xiqing was here.
Dressed in a long white dress, her jet-black hair cascaded down her petite shoulders, making her face seem especially beautiful. Slim, fair hands were clutching his large palms tight as she led him forward. Even now, she was surrounded by light even the black cloud could not obscure.
Suddenly, his fingers brushed against the Red Spider Lily. He narrowed his eyes as he plucked it out.
Lu Yeming stepped back and was promptly caught by Fan Men. “Master, are you alright?”
With eyes darting slowly between the Red Spider Lily in his hand and then at Jun Xiqing, Lu Yeming didn’t not respond. As she stood there in her long white dress, a dazzling white light seemed to surround her, giving out an ethereal glow.
“Why… did you help me?” he croaked.
Blinking owlishly, Jun Xiqing only said, “You think you’re the only person who loves Elder Sister Mo’er?”
She wasn’t helping him.
She was helping Elder Sister Mo’er.
After all, Elder Sister Mo’er needed this Red Spider Lily.
Ah, so that was it. Hearing this, Lu Yeming pressed his pale thin lips together and gave her a cold smile. He felt as though someone had invaded the space reserved only for him and Mo’er. “Aren’t you a hypocrite!”
