Ruan Ning, ignoring the wound on her neck, rushed to embrace Chu Yuan to comfort him. Several eunuchs instinctively grabbed her and drew their blades, causing more wounds on her body. Chu Yuan let out a howl, his eyes red, and grabbed the nearest eunuch, violently smashing him against the dragon pillar.
Amid the screams, the eunuchs were bloodied, but he continued, smashing the person against the pillar until the body became a mangled mess.
“Anyone who dares to hurt her must die!” he roared, losing control.
Chu Yanzheng began to fear, retreating. He never expected his son to be so unhinged. His own love for A Yuan still allowed him to maintain rationality, but Chu Yuan’s love was too pure.
“Yuan’er, stop! Ning’shi is fine!” Chu Yanzheng called, trying to calm him down.
Ruan Ning mustered all her strength, embracing the furious Chu Yuan. She urgently kissed him, saying, “A Yuan, I’m fine; don’t be afraid…”
She usually could soothe him, but this time she could not. The fear and violence deep within him were fully unleashed.
Chu Yuan was terrified and filled with hatred, feeling powerless to protect her. He believed that only by eliminating all evil could she be safe.
Amid Chu Xiang’s screams, he punched toward Chu Yanzheng’s head, and Chu Yanzheng died swiftly, his last words calling out, “Yuan’er, call me father…”
Ruan Ning stood frozen in shock, realizing that the emperor was actually Chu Yuan’s father, making his actions an act of patricide.
Chu Xiang urged her, “Why are you still standing there? Quickly comfort A Yuan!” He knew Chu Yuan could not bear this burden; his emotions were too intense.
In a panic, Ruan Ning embraced Chu Yuan, tiptoeing to kiss him, tears streaming down her face. Her compassion for him peaked as she comforted him, “A Yuan, wake up. It’s okay, look at me…”
By the time Chu Yanzheng fell, Chu Yuan had sobered, but it was too late. He numbly hugged Ruan Ning back, kissing her hair lightly, his voice dry: “Ning Ning, I’m sorry…”
Ruan Ning looked up urgently, asking, “A Yuan, what are you going to do?”
In the next moment, Chu Yuan collapsed on her shoulder, warm liquid flowing from his body and wetting her clothes.
