NFBE Chapter 112 Years in the Palace 20
Chapter 112 Years in the Palace 20
Lu San, who was still waiting for the mother and daughter to return home, was instead met by a group of soldiers in silver armor who took his entire family away without saying a word.
Even the villagers who were watching were all driven away; this group of people came and went suddenly.
Nobody knew what had happened; they all thought Lu San and his family had committed some crime and been arrested.
Later, the villagers never heard from them again. They just disappeared without a trace. That's when the villagers became even more certain that they had really done something wrong and were locked up in jail.
No one knows the truth.
half year later
The long-missed capital city is so bustling that it feels like a different world.
This southern tour actually took almost a year. In fact, the return trip was quite fast, but the trip itself took more than seven or eight months.
Liu Xingxing was the main reason for the extra month or two, although it was passive.
The culprit who caused her such a tragedy was found long ago; it was Zheng Xiulan, who had argued with her before she set off.
However, that girl was incredibly audacious, daring to openly kidnap a noble concubine like herself, while the guards seemed completely blind and knew nothing.
Zheng Xiulan's small frame certainly couldn't have carried someone as big as her so far. Her accomplice was quickly found; it was her cousin, who worked in the Imperial Guard, who helped her.
And coincidentally, the people guarding her tent were all her cousin's men; this Zheng Xiulan was indeed quite capable.
Of course, she made her subordinates do all the dirty work while she stayed in her own tent, keeping herself completely clean of the mess.
Her men originally intended to strangle her and throw her off the cliff, but in their excitement, they didn't know if they had strangled her or not, and they let go of her, letting her fall.
That day was dark and windy, and the cliff was deep. Those people were sure she was not going to make it, so they went back to claim credit with glee.
It was also her fault. She was already sick and in a daze. After escaping danger, she kept following the stream and getting further and further away from the base camp, causing many unnecessary troubles.
Fortunately, they stumbled upon Lu Xihan and his group, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.
Zheng Xiulan and her gang were captured by Jing Yanzhi less than two days after Liu Xingxing disappeared. However, they were not dealt with immediately, but were left to be dealt with by Liu Xingxing after she returned.
However, when Liu Xingxing saw her again, she had been tortured beyond recognition, yet she remained alive and refused to die. Her injuries were repeatedly treated and healed, and she was tortured in this way over and over again.
Looking at Consort Zheng, who was once so flamboyant, bright, and arrogant, but has now become like this, Liu Xingxing felt no sympathy whatsoever.
Why keep her around if you're going to hurt her like this over a little argument?
"Kill her. It's better to free her sooner. I've been merciful enough."
Liu Xingxing gave a casual instruction to the guards and then leisurely walked out of this place where there was not a ray of sunlight.
"Yes, your concubine."
……
During the year away from the capital, nothing major happened in the court. Although the heir was still young, the key ministers were not to be underestimated.
The southern tour went very smoothly, and they even managed to find the long-lost General Zhenyuan, which was also a joyous occasion.
Looking at her enormous palace, Liu Xingxing almost burst into tears of joy. After enduring wind and rain for more than half a year, she was finally free from the constant travel of the past.
This year has been truly awful! /(tot)/~~
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty has returned!"
"Her Majesty is back!"
The maids and servants waiting at the door were all incredibly excited. Liu Xingxing was so exhausted from the journey that she had no energy to celebrate with them. She instructed Chuchun to distribute the things she had brought back to them and then went back to lie down and die.
She didn't know when she fell asleep, but when Liu Xingxing woke up, it was already completely dark and quiet all around.
Just when I thought I was dreaming again, I saw Jing Yanzhi leaning against the edge of the bed at the foot of the bed, seemingly asleep or pretending.
At this moment, he had taken off his court robes and was sitting quietly with his arms crossed in only casual clothes. He was probably really asleep, as his head was tilted slightly against the edge of the bed, and his hair, which was usually combed very neatly, was a little loose.
"alike……"
Liu Xingxing stared intently at his sleeping face.
The young man standing atop a field of mallows, sword in hand, laughing with such spirit, bears a striking resemblance to the person before you, if you only consider their appearance and disregard their age.
The only difference is that Yan Zhi in the painting has clear, bright, and flamboyant eyes, while Jing Yan Zhi in front of us has eyes filled with gloom and scheming tainted by power, making it impossible to see the bottom of his mind.
At this moment, he had his eyes closed and was just leaning there, yet he still exuded a hint of Yan Zhi's aura.
Liu Xingxing entered this illusion because of that painting, and there is someone in this illusion who looks so much like Yan Zhi. It would be hard to believe that they are not related.
As for what kind of relationship they had, Liu Xingxing really couldn't figure it out.
There's a possibility of past and present lives. Yan Zhi was this person in his previous life, then he died and was reincarnated as Yan Zhi. However, Yan Zhi went to cultivate immortality and could no longer be reincarnated, but he successfully ascended to the upper realm to become a god.
This guess is still the most reasonable. After all, this is just an illusion. Everything has already happened. Those who have strayed into this place are just experiencing what has already happened again, but some things will be changed.
"Yi'er, you've been staring at me for so long, is there something on my face?"
Jing Yanzhi slowly opened his eyes and joked with a smile.
"Has His Majesty remained awake?"
Liu Xingxing looked somewhat surprised, but there was no change in her eyes.
"Yes and no. I was indeed a bit tired from handling official business. Seeing that Yi'er was still asleep, I leaned back and dozed off for a while."
"Your Majesty has just returned to the capital and must have many important matters to attend to, but please do not overwork yourself. I am fine here, Your Majesty does not need to travel all this way."
Liu Baiyi chuckled softly, her face full of sweetness.
Jing Yanzhi glanced at her silently, and for some reason, suddenly leaned over and hugged her.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
Liu Xingxing was startled by his sudden action, unsure whether to raise her hands or hug him.
"Yi'er, I will always treat you well, so please don't stay so far away from me, okay? Please don't stay so far away from me..."
Liu Xingxing was completely bewildered by his nonsensical words.
She's only been missing for a month or so, how come this guy is acting like a completely different person? Before, although he would come to see her every few days, nine times out of ten it was just a dramatic performance, without any real emotion.
Ever since she was found, Jing Yanzhi has been coming to see her every day, looking at her more closely than at money, as if afraid of losing her again. He also says some strange things from time to time.
This guy...did he get so caught up in the acting that he got completely absorbed in it? =????(??? ????)？
Liu Xingxing suddenly seemed to understand something. She was about to pat his hand in a comforting gesture, but her hand froze in mid-air, and her face showed a truly thunderstruck expression.
Seriously? Seriously? We agreed it was all acting, why are you taking it so seriously?! ∑(°Д°ノ)
"Your Majesty, could you please release me? I can't breathe."
Jing Yanzhi gently released her: "I'm sorry, Yi'er, it's my fault."
"Your Majesty, um, I took a nap this afternoon and haven't had dinner yet. I'm a little hungry now, so perhaps..."
"Oh, it was I who failed to consider this. Guards!"
Jing Yanzhi immediately shouted.
The palace servants waiting outside immediately filed in, with Cao Sheng, the leader, respectfully greeting them and asking, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Yi'er is hungry, go and prepare some food right away."
"Yes."
After hearing this, Cao Sheng withdrew and calmly instructed the palace servants outside to carry out their tasks.
Before long, the meals were served one by one.
Such speed suggests that everything was prepared well in advance. Jing Yanzhi must have anticipated that she would be hungry; the timing was impeccable.
Liu Xingxing was just looking for an excuse to ease her embarrassment at knowing the truth.
But to be honest, she was indeed hungry. Maybe it was a lingering effect of her ordeal; whenever her stomach was even slightly empty, she would always want to eat something to fill it up.