Suddenly, an official burst in, kneeling heavily, “Your Majesty! The Emperor of NingYue Kingdom seeks an audience!” I was shocked. Shang? Why is he here? Yimo stood up, “We know. We will go now! You may leave!”
(Shang is here? Could he know I escaped into the palace? What should I do? Will I be caught and charged with deceiving the monarch? Ah~ I’m going crazy~)
Just as Yimo was about to leave, he turned back and smiled at me: “Han’er, stay here obediently. I’ll be back soon.” “Okay.” Obediently stay? Who does he think I am? Hmph! Only a fool would stay! If he won’t let me follow openly, I’ll follow secretly!
I grabbed my precious bundle and luggage, tiptoeing behind him, but he discovered me. “Han’er, stop hiding. If you want to follow, come along.” “Yay! Yimo is so nice!” I cheered, walking to his side.
With Yu Mo smiling at me, I remarked, “Didn’t you say I was terrible? Why the change now?” I stuck out my tongue at him: “Sometimes good, sometimes bad, both exist.” Yu Mo felt embarrassed. When Yu Mo met Shang, I hid behind the screen of the imperial throne and saw Shang’s familiar face.
“I wonder what important matter brings the Emperor of Yue Moon Country to our nation?” Yu Mo’s resonant voice echoed in the hall, and Yu Mo suddenly seemed strange to me, exuding a sense of authority. Shang’s brow was tightly furrowed, expressing his troubles, “I am here to find someone.” Upon hearing this, I was startled—was it me?
Yu Mo feigned surprise, “Oh? What kind of person is so important that you would personally come to search?” Disdain flashed in Shang’s eyes, “You know.” Yu Mo’s insincere smile contained provocation, “I do not know.” I watched their tense exchange, breaking out in cold sweat.
Shang was silent for a moment, then said, “Ling Xiaohang.” Yu Mo’s brow furrowed, “Who is she to you?” Shang smiled softly, “The person I deeply love, and simultaneously, a criminal who has committed a mistake.”
I was somewhat shocked—was Shang confessing? But the mistake I committed wouldn’t be the crime of deceiving the monarch, right?! Why is he still thinking about it?
