newbobooks Chapter 244 Seven days later, the grand wedding with Empress Li Yang!
Chapter 244 Seven days later, the grand wedding with Empress Li Yang!
The moonlight, like water, quietly spilled onto the palace path outside Qingxin Pavilion.
Qin Mu took Zhao Qingxue's hand and walked out of the courtyard gate.
That hand was long and strong, the palm was warm, and the texture with thin calluses was completely different from his usual lazy and aloof image.
Zhao Qingxue let him lead her without struggling or responding.
However, her slightly stiff fingertips betrayed that her heart was not as calm as it appeared.
After taking a few steps, Qin Mu stopped.
He turned around, and the moonlight shone in from behind, gilding his moon-white robe with a silver edge.
Those deep eyes fell on Zhao Qingxue's face, with a smile in them.
"Zhao Qingxue," he called out.
Zhao Qingxue raised her head and looked at him.
The moonlight and his figure were reflected in those deep purple phoenix eyes.
Looking at her like this, Qin Mu's smile deepened.
"Seven days," he said.
Zhao Qingxue's brows twitched slightly.
Qin Mu continued, his voice soft, yet each word clear:
"I will set the wedding date within seven days."
He paused, his gaze lingering on her face:
"In the meantime, contact the Li Yang Dynasty as soon as possible."
"Hand over the matters and what needs to be prepared."
His tone was casual, as if he were giving an order for something extremely ordinary.
But each word was like a stone thrown into the still lake in Zhao Qingxue's heart.
It stirred up ripples.
Seven days.
wedding.
Handover matters.
Prepare things.
These words surged through her mind.
She certainly knew what that meant.
This means she has to personally write a letter to the Li Yang court and tell those old ministers.
Your Majesty is getting married.
She married Qin Mu, the emperor of the Qin Dynasty.
From that time on, the Li Yang Dynasty and the Great Qin Dynasty were united as one.
She, Zhao Qingxue, will no longer be just the Empress of Liyang, but will become the Empress of the Great Qin Dynasty.
What kind of uproar will this news cause when it reaches Liyang?
How would those loyal old ministers react?
What would Gu Jiantang think?
Will Zhang Julu be so angry that he faints on the spot?
And then there were the royal elders, and those forces that had always been dissatisfied with her…
Will they take this opportunity to cause trouble?
Countless thoughts churned in my mind, eventually turning into a silent sigh.
Zhao Qingxue took a deep breath.
The breath she inhaled, carrying the chill of an early winter night, made her feel more awake.
She looked up and met Qin Mu's gaze.
There was no emotion in those deep purple phoenix eyes at that moment.
There was only peace.
It was as calm as a stagnant pool.
"I understand," she said.
The voice was very soft and faint, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
Qin Mu looked at her like this and smiled gently.
The laughter was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
He didn't speak immediately, but just looked at her quietly.
They looked at it very carefully.
It's as if you're admiring a work that's finally finished.
It was as if it was waiting for something.
Zhao Qingxue felt an indescribable discomfort rising in her heart as he looked at her like that.
But she didn't move or speak.
She simply stood there quietly, letting him watch.
for a long time.
Qin Mu finally spoke.
"It seems you're not entirely willing," he said.
The voice was soft, yet carried a meaningful smile.
Zhao Qingxue's eyelashes trembled slightly.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something.
But Qin Mu didn't give her a chance.
"It's alright," he said, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
"I am willing to wait."
He paused, his gaze falling into her eyes, deep and unfathomable:
"Wait until the day you're willing."
Zhao Qingxue looked at him, not wanting to say anything.
"Oh, right," Qin Mu suddenly said.
Zhao Qingxue looked at him.
Qin Mu looked at her and said calmly:
"During this time, I will have Yunluan handle things for you."
He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:
"With her by your side, you will have no obstacles in your travels within the Qin territory."
Zhao Qingxue's eyes flickered slightly.
Yunluan.
The woman in the dark blue outfit.
The leader of the Dragon Shadow Guard who severed Sister Hong's right hand with a single sword strike.
The woman who hadn't uttered a single word from beginning to end, yet whom she deeply feared.
Let someone like that help her handle things.
Is it assistance or surveillance?
The thought flashed through Zhao Qingxue's mind, but she didn't say it aloud.
She simply nodded.
"Thank you then," she said.
The voice was very soft and faint, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
Qin Mu frowned as he looked at her.
He took a step closer to her.
He leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear.
A warm breath brushed against her earlobe.
"Call me 'husband' and let me hear it," he said.
Zhao Qingxue's body suddenly stiffened.
Her pupils contracted slightly, and her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
But it felt like something was blocking his throat, and he couldn't say a word.
Husband.
These two words were completely foreign to her.
It was so unfamiliar to her that she never imagined she would say it herself one day.
Zhao Qingxue's fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeve.
She took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
Those two words were stuck in my throat, and I couldn't squeeze them out no matter what I did.
I can't shout it out.
I really can't shout it out.
She tried three times.
Each time, those two words reached my lips, but I swallowed them back.
It was as if something was blocking the way.
Seeing her like this, Qin Mu didn't urge her.
I just stood there quietly, waiting.
The moonlight shone on the two of them, casting their shadows on the ground, where they intertwined.
The night breeze blew, lifting Zhao Qingxue's long, loose hair.
Strands of hair brushed against her cheeks, obscuring the complex emotions in her eyes.
for a long time.
Zhao Qingxue finally spoke.
The voice was hoarse, yet exceptionally clear:
"My husband..."
"Would they beat his wife like that?"
She raised her hand.
Under the moonlight, red marks from being strangled by ropes still remained on those wrists.
His sleeve slipped down slightly, revealing the shocking bruises on his forearm.
That was left behind when he was hung up yesterday.
That was caused by Sister Hong hitting it with a wooden stick.
That is……
Thanks to him.
Qin Mu's gaze fell on those wounds.
He reached out and gently took her raised hand.
My fingers gently traced the bruises.
The movements were very light and slow, as if caressing a precious piece of porcelain.
Then, he raised his head and said calmly:
"There's no other way. When the lady disobeys, we have to beat her."
Zhao Qingxue looked at Qin Mu, at his smiling, matter-of-fact face.
She opened her mouth, really wanting to curse.
Shameless.
She had never seen anyone so shameless.
He was the one who humiliated her, tormented her, and allowed that crazy woman to treat her in the most vicious way.
Now she speaks of it so casually, as if it were all her fault.
It was as if she deserved to be beaten.
It was as if he did this out of the ordinary.
But those two words, which were on the tip of her tongue, were swallowed back down.
She didn't dare.
Yes, I wouldn't dare.
This man is terrifying.
It was so terrifying that even after she had been released from that cell and had agreed to his conditions, she still dared not act recklessly in front of him.
Zhao Qingxue took a deep breath.
He forcefully suppressed the surging emotions within him.
When he spoke again, his voice had returned to its usual calm.
"Take me to see that Sister Hong," she said, emphasizing each word.
"I'll make her pay tonight."
Qin Mu looked at her, at the flames burning in her eyes.
The smile on his lips deepened even further.
He released her hand and stood with his hands behind his back.
"Why go through all that trouble?" he said softly, yet with a matter-of-fact ease.
"I'll have her come over."
Qin Mu spoke, his voice very soft:
"Yunluan, go and call Xiaohong over."
"Yes."
A single, simple word, cool and crisp.
Then Yunluan turned around and disappeared into the night.
soon.
Footsteps finally echoed at the end of the palace path.
Zhao Qingxue raised her head and looked in that direction.
Sister Hong was escorted by Yunluan and stumbled into the courtyard of Qingxin Pavilion.
Under the moonlight, her figure looked disheveled.
Her dark red dress was crumpled and covered in mud and grass clippings. Her hair was disheveled, and her face was stained with a mixture of tears and dirt.
The gauze wrapped around the severed wrist was loose and loose, with a faint yellow liquid seeping out.
Her legs were shaking.
She had been trembling ever since Yunluan found her.
"Your Majesty... what business does Your Majesty have with me...?"
She kept asking questions the whole way, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
Yunluan did not answer.
They simply escorted her through numerous palace gates and along long palace paths, finally arriving at this secluded little courtyard.
At this moment, she stood in the courtyard, the moonlight shining on her pale face.
Her gaze immediately fell on Qin Mu.
It landed on that moon-white figure standing with his hands behind his back.
Instantly, boundless light surged in those eyes.
There was fear, confusion, ingratiation, and an almost morbid excitement.
His Majesty summoned her; there must be something he wants her to do.
They must be getting back at someone again.
Her gaze began to sweep around.
Then, she saw it.
He saw the figure standing three steps to Qin Mu's side.
Under the moonlight, the figure was slender and straight.
Although her moon-white dress was tattered, it still couldn't conceal her innate, domineering aura.
Her long, flowing hair swayed gently in the night breeze, yet it couldn't conceal her stunningly beautiful face.
Those deep purple phoenix eyes were now fixed on her.
calm.
Icy.
There was no emotion whatsoever.
Upon seeing Zhao Qingxue, Sister Hong thought to herself, "Is she here to punish this wretched maid again?"
A hint of excitement flashed in her eyes.
Sister Hong fell to her knees with a thud, her forehead hitting the bluestone slab heavily.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
"This humble woman...this humble woman greets Your Majesty!"
Qin Mu looked down at her.
The moonlight shone on his face, illuminating his handsome features in a half-light, half-shadow.
The corners of his mouth held a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.
He didn't speak.
He simply turned slightly to look at Zhao Qingxue.
That gaze was gentle yet resolute.
"The person has been brought here," he said, his voice soft but each word clear.
"You can do whatever you want."
The moment the words left her mouth, Sister Hong's body stiffened abruptly!