He was concerned about his health but didn’t want to return to the capital, knowing Chu Yunzheng would seize any opportunity to control him.
When his mother had married and planned to escape with her husband after giving birth, he had tricked her back to the palace, keeping her under soft imprisonment until her death. He had always been unscrupulous in obtaining what he wanted. In the past, he might have risked confirming his fears, but now, with Ruan Ning, he dared not gamble.
“Never mind, we’ll stay here,” Chu Yuan embraced her, inhaling her subtle body fragrance, calming his agitated mood.
Despite this, Ruan Ning noticed he was often restless, concerned for the Emperor.
One day, while hunting outside the city, a severely wounded soldier grabbed his reins: “Your Highness, the Emperor has been confined by the Crown Prince and is on the brink of death, hoping to see you one last time!” He handed Chu Yuan a torn piece of imperial yellow silk and then collapsed. In shock, Chu Yuan opened the silk and recognized it as a fragment of the Dragon Robe, with Chu Yunzheng’s blood-written message: “Crown Prince harms me.”
Previously, he worried that Chu Yunzheng was faking illness to lure him back, but as Emperor, Chu Yunzheng would never tear his Dragon Robe and write such a message to deceive him.
“I must go back,” Chu Yuan anxiously embraced Ruan Ning. “I must go back…”
He couldn’t leave Ruan Ning behind in this war-prone area where she could easily be captured. Yet, taking her with him posed equal danger.
“I’ll go with you,” Ruan Ning said, wrapping her arms around his neck and gently kissing his lips. “No matter life or death, we’ll always be together.”
Chu Yuan’s heart tightened at her words, feeling an ominous weight. He held her tighter, whispering, “Don’t die. Let’s live together.”
Ruan Ning shed tears, having been in this world for over four months. The system stated each mission lasted a maximum of six months, but she didn’t want Chu Yuan to die, even knowing he would be reborn. She feared the pain of his momentary death.
“Don’t cry,” Chu Yuan said, nervously wiping her tears. “Nothing will happen. I’m here. Nothing will happen.”
He was comforting her and himself. What would he do if the Emperor and Chu Xiang were truly irremediable?
That afternoon, they hurried back to the capital. In early spring, the roadside trees were shrouded in green mist, full of vitality. But Chu Yuan could not appreciate the scenery; his thoughts were consumed by Chu Yunzheng and Chu Xiang—both people he cherished. What would he do?
At every post station, while changing horses and traveling day and night, Ruan Ning lost a lot of weight in just a few days.
Chu Yuan was heartbroken and insisted on resting for a day at the post station. Ruan Ning, sensing his anxiety, laughed, saying, “I finally lost some weight and look more beautiful, and you want to fatten me up again! Let’s go quickly, it’s nothing.”
Without hesitation, Chu Yuan carried her into the room and laid her on the bed, softly saying, “Sleep well, eat well, and don’t lose any more weight.” Covered by a thick cotton quilt, her tension relaxed, and Ruan Ning quickly fell asleep. Meanwhile, Chu Yuan held her hand and lay beside her, not sleeping all night.
More than ten days later, they finally arrived in the capital city. Chu Xiang’s sedan chair was quietly waiting outside the city gate, just as when the three of them first met.
When Chu Yuan’s horse hooves sounded, Chu Xiang stepped out of the sedan chair, smiling at him: “A Yuan is back.” Chu Yuan jumped off the horse, urgently asking, “Where is His Majesty?”
“Father is seriously ill,” Chu Xiang replied, “I’ll take you to see him.”
Chu Yuan, less skilled in intrigue, took out the blood letter and said publicly, “Your Highness, I want to know the truth.”
“The truth is as you see,” Chu Xiang said, taking the blood letter calmly. “A Yuan, which side are you on?”
He admitted it. Chu Yuan was in a sorry state.
He had never experienced such a difficult moment in his life and was unable to choose either side.
While hesitating, he suddenly felt his heart go empty. Looking back, Ruan Ning, who was once sitting on the horse, was gone.
“A Yuan, I’m afraid you can’t decide, so I’ll borrow your wife for now,” Chu Xiang said, holding his hand. “Don’t worry, once I ascend the throne, you’ll see her again.”
Exhausted and in pain, Chu Yuan became furious, grabbing Chu Xiang’s throat and roaring, “How dare you touch her?!”
Chu Xiang was immediately choked, veins bulging. The attendants drew their weapons, pointing them at Chu Yuan. Chu Xiang weakly waved them off, then grasped Chu Yuan’s hand, his voice calm but intermittent: “A Yuan, you know me. I never harm what you love. I’ll give you freedom.”
Freedom… Chu Yuan blankly loosened his grip, lost in thought.
In a daze, Chu Xiang gently pried open his hand, leading him to sit in the sedan chair and patting his back like when they were children. “A Yuan, don’t worry. You’ll meet her soon. I’ll officially confer her as the Princess of Ning.”
“Release her immediately. I won’t interfere in your affairs, and I’m returning to Yumen,” Chu Yuan said irritably, breaking away from him and gripping his throat again. “Big brother, you know my temper. Don’t touch my bottom line.”
“Chu Xiang was silent for a moment, then nodded: ‘Okay, I’ll take you to see Father. After seeing him, I’ll send you both away.’
Chu Yuan’s hand did not move away. Amid intense emotions, he had a splitting headache and struggled to suppress his urge to kill. Chu Xiang let him grip his throat, trying to help him relax, but he couldn’t without Ruan Ning.
In the royal chamber, Chu Yuan saw Chu Allowright, who had lost a lot of weight, his hair and beard now half white, coughing: ‘Yuan’er, kill this rebellious son for me!’
‘I’m here to see you, then I’ll return to Yumen,’ Chu Yuan released Chu Xiang, pressing his temples to control his mood. ‘Between you two, I won’t help either.’
‘Yuan’er, I’m your own father!’ Chu Allowright coughed, gasping, and vomited blood. ‘The rebellious son has poisoned me. Quickly kill him, and I’ll pass the throne to you!’
Chu Xiang laughed softly: ‘Father, you forced the Princess of Jingyuan to suicide. How can you still call yourself A Yuan’s father?’
‘Rebellious son!’ Chu Allowright, struck by his words, vomited more blood, struggling to hit him. ‘I’ll kill you!’
Chu Xiang stood still, letting him strike, his fists weak and powerless. Chu Xiang shook his head and sighed lightly: ‘Father, you’re old.'”
Chu Allowright spat out another mouthful of blood, staining his beard and messy hair, appearing weak and crazed.
Chu Yuan’s headache intensified, feeling as if countless swords were breaking free in his chest. In rage, he punched the vermilion dragon pillar: “Enough! I just want Ning Ning!”
The punch cracked the dragon pillar, and Chu Allowright laughed. “Yuan’er, you are indeed my child, loving only one woman. Kill him, and I’ll let you see Ning Ruan.”
Chu Xiang’s face changed slightly. “A Yuan, Ning Ruan is with me.”
“No, she’s in my hands,” Chu Allowright laughed. “Though temporarily controlled by you, I have cards you don’t know. If Ning Ruan dies, do you think Yuan’er will kill you?”
“Shut up!” Chu Yuan roared. “Anyone who touches Ning Ning, I’ll kill them!”
Chaotic footsteps entered the hall, and the head of the Eastern Palace’s guards knelt, reporting: “Your Highness, the Princess of Ning has been kidnapped!”
Chu Allowright laughed even louder, dark purple blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. “Now you know, I have the perfect strategy!”
Chu Xiang finally showed panic. He wouldn’t harm Ruan Ning, but the Emperor might.
With Chu Yuan’s temperament, if something happened to Ruan Ning, he would go crazy. He hurriedly comforted him: “A Yuan, don’t panic, the Princess will be fine…”
