“Young lady, why are you not staying quietly in your palace? What brings you out here?” Seeing that face, Murong Youxue felt a bit flustered, and Mu Yao, noticing her trembling hand on her shoulder, was puzzled.
“Empress, I do not understand why you summoned me to the palace.”
“Hmph, I have my reasons, and you don’t need to interfere.”
“Oh, I see. So, being the Empress means you can detain anyone at will,” Xiaotu said leisurely.
“Guards, ‘escort’ her back to her palace.” Not knowing how to respond, could she tell her that her presence was a danger, threatening the stability of her throne?
“No need… I’ll go back myself.” With fists clenched, suppressing her anger, Xiaotu felt an uncontrollable rage about to erupt within her.
Chapter Thirty-Six: Headache
Back in her palace, Xiaotu’s head felt like it was about to explode with pain, her chest tight as if a fire was burning. In the empty palace, a figure wandered aimlessly, throwing things around. The urgent footsteps echoed in the hall as if to alleviate the inner turmoil.
“Ah…” She roared, the fire in her chest flaring up, ready to burst. Her jet-black hair turned white in an instant, her pupils turned golden, and the golden cherry blossom mark on her forehead slowly emerged, with silver poppies at the corners of her eyes gradually appearing. The entire palace seemed to sway in her vision, and the four pillars revealed their true form—four menacing golden dragons, their eyes glaring with ferocity, looking extremely terrifying.
“It hurts, so much…” She roared again, the pain in her head reaching its peak. Clutching her head with both hands, her white hair was a mess, and even grabbing at her hair did not alleviate the pain worse than death.
“A thousand years of slumber, awaken now,” a voice echoed in her mind for reasons unknown.
With a “whoosh,” the booklet on the table flew up as if it had wings, flipping its pages in front of Xiaotu, exuding a strong scent of cherry blossoms.
“Wanyue needs you to save her, wake up, wake up.” A very pleasant female voice, like a gentle stream, washed away the anger and the intense headache.
“Complete the mission I couldn’t finish, fulfill the wish I couldn’t achieve.” The pleasant voice continued in her mind.
“The thousand-year seal, it’s time to release it.”
“I wish to unlock the memories from a thousand years ago, please restore them to me.” Her voice was filled with endless sorrow.
“From now on, the wheel of fate will start to turn once again.” The last sentence seemed filled with endless emotion, and the pleasant voice gradually faded, leaving only a sigh.
At the moment the words ended, the four golden dragons on the pillars leaped out, soaring through the palace. The originally dilapidated palace gradually revealed its original appearance. Blood-red carpets, red dragon and phoenix candles, and large red lanterns hung high, narrating a sealed past. Guests gathered, celebrating together, all dressed in luxurious attire, including the four great elders.
“Where am I?” She muttered to herself, standing unnoticed in the hall. Suddenly, pain struck again, and the scene skipped a large segment.
The Milky Way, an endless expanse of stars, was beautiful. By the Milky Way stood a woman in silver, her white hair mixed with gold strands, gazing at the river. Suddenly, she knelt by the river, murmuring to herself, her trembling shoulders revealing…
“Please seal my memories, let me undergo the test of reincarnation.” Only this sentence was clear, filled with countless complex emotions. For some reason, the Milky Way began to ripple, and upon closer inspection, it was tears falling from the woman’s cheeks.
The headache struck again, “Thud,” she fell to the ground, curling up, unable to think, the pain was so intense her teeth were grinding, and cold sweat dripped down…
“Now, I will return your power to you.” An ethereal voice came from the booklet. The yellow booklet turned into a golden light, flying into the cherry blossom mark on Xiaotu’s forehead. The pain gradually subsided, but the last bit of strength seemed to be drained. Her white hair stuck to her face, cold sweat dripped from her chin as she fell to the ground, feeling extremely tired and weak…
The atmosphere was as desolate as before, the four pillars now devoid of their dragons, the once eerie palace now quiet. By one pillar, a white-haired girl curled up, sleeping uneasily…
The door opened, and a figure in white entered, bringing a hint of warmth to the cold hall with the sunlight. The white figure approached the curled-up Xiaotu.
“Why can’t I stop thinking about you?”
“Why do I feel a long-lost warmth when I see you?”
“Who are you?” It was unclear whether she was speaking to someone or just to herself, or perhaps confiding in Xiaotu…
As usual, Liu Rumeng remained indifferent to everything, sipping her tea, watching the three men with worried expressions, which she found amusing. “This tea is nice, is it Biluochun?”
“Drink, drink, drink, all you do is drink,” Qian Yuqian said, hands on hips, clearly annoyed. Xiaotu had been in the palace for many days, and everyone here was anxious, but this woman remained as leisurely as ever, strolling, drinking tea, and listening to music. Seeing her, Qian Yuqian was irritated.
“Hmm, these pastries are good too,” Liu Rumeng said, seemingly not hearing her.
“Eat, eat, eat, all you do is eat,” Gudong, standing beside, couldn’t watch anymore. She didn’t pay attention, continuing to snack and sip her tea. Suddenly, her hand trembled, and the tea spilled onto the floor, but her face was radiant with a smile, the furrows in her brow nowhere to be seen. It seemed they would soon meet again, Lingying. Who said she wasn’t anxious? But would being anxious help? If she were anxious, would Lingying be safe and sound? Who said she didn’t care? Heaven knows, she went out of the mansion every day to wait outside the palace, watching.
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Mask
“It’s you.” Opening her eyes, she saw the familiar handsome face, marked by that familiar blood-red lotus imprint. But now, it seemed almost blinding. “Who exactly are you?” Xia Yuye looked at her, as if talking to himself. Noticing that he was staring at her, she suddenly realized that her hair had turned completely white.
“A sister you once cherished,” Xiao Tu forced a bright smile, but in Xia Yuye’s eyes, it looked worse than crying. “Just a sister?” For some reason, hearing her answer made him feel an inexplicable discomfort. “Yes.” Even she herself didn’t know, was it really just the affection between siblings?
For a long time, there was silence. He looked at her pale, almost ghostly face, trying hard to recall memories of her, but there was only emptiness. “Why do I feel so familiar with you?” “Because I am your sister.” “No, that’s not the feeling.” Xia Yuye loudly denied, certain it wasn’t that kind of feeling, absolutely not. “Not? Then what is it? The feeling of lovers?” Xiao Tu laughed, for the first time, her laughter wasn’t so pure, tinged with self-mockery and the taste of heartbreak. “Lovers?” Yuye murmured to himself. “Don’t overthink it. Treat Princess Ying well.” She thought, that princess truly loves him, which is good, so she doesn’t have to feel guilty or force herself to face an emotion she can’t reciprocate. She wondered what had happened this year to cause such changes in everything.
“Ugh…” She suddenly felt a tightness in her chest and spat out a mouthful of black blood, which trickled down from the corner of her lips. With such a sudden surge of power, her body couldn’t handle it, and the magical energy was rampaging inside her, as if trying to destroy her internal organs. Seeing her spit blood, he quickly approached, gently wiping away the blood with his sleeve, his heart aching inexplicably. Who was she, really? Why, why did he feel so attached to her?
