Huo Wei gasped weakly, looking like a delicate beauty supported by maids. "Alas, I've made Young Master Sheng laugh. I'm not as lucky as you, Young Master Sheng. I've been poisoned by a snake and am so weak all over that I accidentally tripped the Queen."
Du Gu Luanyue pushed Huo Wei away forcefully, stood up from the bed with a cold face, and didn't say another word to Huo Wei. Then she turned to look at the other person. "Yun Qi, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Sheng Yunqi said, "Let's talk outside. This room is not clean."
Huo Wei glared at him sideways. "I think you're the one who's not clean. Did you invent that dirty word?"
Sheng Yunqi wanted to scold back, but found that after reading so many books of sages, he really didn't know how. So he could only hold back his anger.
Du Gu Luanyue was about to leave Huo Wei's room when someone grabbed her sleeve. "I haven't had my meal yet."
Huo Wei was half acting and half really had no strength. Du Gu Luanyue pulled back her sleeve and said coldly, "It's on the table. If you can eat, eat it. If not, then starve."
After saying that, she followed Sheng Yunqi out of the room. When Sheng Yunqi left, he even looked back at Huo Wei and sneered.
Serves him right. So what if he sucked the snake venom from his instep with his mouth? She still ignored him.
Du Gu Luanyue didn't go far. She only walked a few steps and stood in the corridor outside Huo Wei's room. "Speak."
Sheng Yunqi looked at Du Gu Luanyue's cold expression. In an instant, he felt her indifference towards him. He quickly stepped forward and hugged her arm from behind. "Luanyue, are you angry with me? You're mad at me for not saving you, right?"
Du Gu Luanyue shrugged off his hand. "Yun Qi, I came to Danyang City for something important. If you have something to say, say it. Now is really not the time for romance. Hurry up and speak."
Sheng Yunqi's moon - white robe fluttered slightly. He looked at her back silently. "I knew it. After Huo Wei saved you, you became cold to me."
Du Gu Luanyue looked back at him. The light in her jade - like eyes became sharp and cold.
"Yun Qi, now is not the time for love. If you want me to return to Southern Chu as soon as possible to inherit the throne, you should go back to Southern Chu early and enter the court as an official to strengthen Southern Chu's strength and compete with Northern Yan. Instead of lingering around me here.
We're no longer children. So - called love and dedication are no longer just a flower cake, a pick - up and drop - off, or a hairpin. They are the responsibility and courage that an adult should have, and the ability to protect the other person in times of danger."
Sheng Yunqi stood there, feeling a chill all over his body.
He looked at Du Gu Luanyue now and found that she seemed different from the one in his memory.
He said softly, "You seem to have changed."
Du Gu Luanyue's voice became low and clear, and there was a bit more heroism between her eyebrows.
"Actually, I haven't changed.
In the past, when we were in love and stayed together in the palace, it was because my father and mother were there to shield me from the storms. So I had the time, energy, and even the leisure to pour out my heart to you and be lovey - dovey.
At that time, I was really just a child.
But now it's different. My father and mother are getting old and will start to feel overwhelmed in political affairs. As the crown prince of Southern Chu, I should stand in front of my loved ones and even my country.
My marriage to Northern Yan and cooperation with Huo Wei were planned long ago. As long as Northern Yan doesn't send troops to Southern Chu in these years, my father said he would hold on for a while to build a stronger army for Southern Chu.
If my plan fails in the future, at least we won't just wait for Northern Yan to slaughter us.
My role is to solve the crisis for Southern Chu. If I can't, then it's to buy time.
I was the crown prince before, growing up in the Eastern Palace. I focused all my attention on the affairs of the court and was quite capable in many cases.
But after I married into Northern Yan, Murong Min never trusted me. He didn't even give me the phoenix seal in the few months after I got married.
Every step I took in the harem was extremely risky and difficult. I had to compete for the emperor's favor every day and fight with the concubines. I had no chance to display my former ambitions.
Moreover, my husband was cold - hearted and full of schemes.
If at this time I didn't even have someone to help me, someone who could speak a word for me and Southern Chu in the court, wouldn't my life be even more difficult?"
At this point, Aunt Meijiang, who was standing at the end of the corridor, heard it all. Her heart ached, and her eyebrows knitted tightly.
Du Gu Luanyue was isolated and helpless in Northern Yan. She had no chance to display her talents and ambitions. She could only rely on selling her beauty to gain favor and seduce men regardless of ethics.
For the once - proud her, every day was like a slow torture of her heart. She never really had a happy day.
Sheng Yunqi stared at her blankly. His throat tightened, and he didn't know what to say.
Du Gu Luanyue's jade - like eyes gradually turned red.
"I rarely cried in the past, but I don't know how many times I've shed tears since I came to Northern Yan.
I'm so helpless and alone. I'm worried about so many things. I'm afraid that I haven't fulfilled my responsibility as the crown prince and will bring disaster to the people of Southern Chu.
Yun Qi, I haven't changed. I have no choice. All these things are what I must do. This is my responsibility.
You say I've changed. I think you're the one who has changed. I don't think you love me as much as before."
Sheng Yunqi's pupils trembled, and he looked a bit excited.
"We've known each other for more than ten years. How can you doubt me like this? If I didn't love you, why would I risk my life to come to this lousy place?"
Du Gu Luanyue just looked at him quietly.
"If you really love me, go back to Southern Chu and enter the court as an official to assist my father. You're the designated imperial husband. It's your duty to share the court affairs with your father - in - law, instead of constantly ruining my plan in Northern Yan.
Huo Wei is very important to me. If you keep interfering like this, do you want to push me into the fire pit?"
Sheng Yunqi's breathing became low. It seemed as if ice had frozen his chest. He took a weak step back.
"Luanyue, I didn't mean to harm you. I'm just afraid that you'll fall in love with Huo Wei and never return to Southern Chu."
Du Gu Luanyue said, "Tell me first. What important news did you bring from Southern Chu?"
She was tired. She didn't want to keep talking about love when the future was so uncertain.
Love has always been a rare thing that only the rich and idle can afford. It doesn't belong to her now.
Sheng Yunqi straightened his expression. "There is indeed important news. Your father and mother have set off for the border and may arrive in a few days.
Your father got sick after the spring. There are a lot more gray hairs on his temples.
The imperial doctor said that this illness came on fiercely and had a great impact on the emperor's body. I'm afraid the two elders were afraid they wouldn't know when they could see you again.
When they learned that you were in Danyang City, which is on the border, they decided to come and see you secretly."
When Du Gu Luanyue heard that her father was sick and had a lot more white hair, waves rose in her heart. The mist in her jade - like eyes spread continuously, and her voice was a bit choked.
"Okay, I know. I'll find a way to see them."
Sheng Yunqi said worriedly, "But it's clearly written in the peace - marriage agreement between Southern Chu and Northern Yan that if the princess of Southern Chu steps out of the border again after marrying the emperor of Northern Yan, the entire peace - marriage contract will be null and void. The risk is extremely high. Have you come up with a plan?"
Du Gu Luanyue raised her head and held back her tears.
She knew her proud father very well. If he wasn't very sick, he would never take such a big risk to see her.
Because the old man must be afraid that this would be their last goodbye.
She said tremblingly, "I'll come up with a plan. No matter what means I use, I will definitely go and see them."
After saying that, Du Gu Luanyue endured her tears all the way back to Huo Wei's room and closed the door.
Huo Wei had placed all the food trays on the table but hadn't taken a single bite. When he saw her come back, he said, "What's with that face? If you don't want to have a meal with me, I won't force you."
Du Gu Luanyue sat down next to Huo Wei. Although Huo Wei had angered her today, he was poisoned because of her. So no matter how uncomfortable she felt in her heart, she still came back.
She had been holding back her tears and not letting them fall. Her throat was sour as she said, "Eat. I'm not forcing you."
Huo Wei stared at her with a slanting look for a while. Suddenly, he put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his arms.
"Cry. After you cry, tell me what happened. This time, I'll still help you."