Before dusk, Huo Wei took her to the hot - spring pool at the very top of the hot - spring palace.
When one first stood there and looked down,
roses and countless dark red roses were in full bloom under the golden sunset, shining brightly.
The passion and vividness of the flowers colored their pupils, and the fragrance of the flowers, pushed by the wind, covered the whole world.
The pool water rippled slightly, and there was a sea of red flowers on the mountains.
Only when Dugu Luanyue saw these bright flowers did she realize that Huo Wei had always planned for her to stay in the Northern Yan Dynasty. That was why he had planted so many dark red roses in the hot - spring palace.
Huo Wei's deep voice came:
"You said you liked roses, so I planted this sea of flowers for you to see; you said you needed roses, so I made all kinds of delicious rose - flavored food for you to taste."
Dugu Luanyue swallowed the sourness in her throat, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Huo Wei, please don't do this, okay?"
His love was already full of heavy vines, and she couldn't even give him anything in return.
And Huo Wei could only confine her in a high - walled mansion and forcefully stage an illusory beauty.
She felt sorry for Huo Wei, but she didn't even have the right to say it.
If she couldn't give him a love of staying together, she shouldn't even say it. She had to be heartless.
Huo Wei said, "What did I do? What have I done wrong to you? Why do you always want to go back?
The Southern Chu Dynasty has been running for two years without you. As long as the million - strong army of the Northern Yan Dynasty is behind the Southern Chu, no country will pose a threat to you."
Dugu Luanyue tried hard to hold back her tears, but they still rolled down her eyes.
The bright sea of roses, blown by the wind, sent thousands of petals flying up, just like her heart, shattering piece by piece.
"My love can't be compared with yours.
Compared with your sincere and passionate love, I have too many other concerns. It's unfair to you."
Huo Wei looked at the sea of red flowers below and smiled faintly. "No one in this world loves me."
He had to live a life of regarding the enemy as his father and be completely fixed in the identity of Murong Yao.
He couldn't get off this high platform.
Those who followed him all had families and pursuits in life. How could he just throw away the throne and leave without caring about anything?
Dugu Luanyue turned her head and saw that at this moment, Huo Wei was just like a wounded beast.
He seemed powerful, but in fact, he was already extremely vulnerable inside. His grievances and helplessness couldn't be solved by just a few words of comfort.
After staying in the hot - spring palace for about half a month, Huo Wei got up from the bed and said, "I have to leave for a few days. I'll be back in five or six days."
Dugu Luanyue asked, "Where are you going?"
Huo Wei said, "Back to the palace. Shen Guilan said that if I don't go back, he'll hang himself in the Zichen Hall. It's better than being exhausted to death."
Dugu Luanyue curved her lips. "Okay."
When he reached the door of the palace, he looked back at her. "If I find out that you try to escape, don't blame me for being cruel."
She wasn't that stupid. She had no intention of escaping at all.
The hot - spring palace was heavily guarded. No one from the Fengling Guards outside could get in. This was enough to explain the situation.
In fact, Dugu Luanyue also felt that it was quite happy to stay here with Huo Wei.
Huo Wei was diligent and liked to cook delicious food for her in various ways.
Every day they would hold hands, pick flowers around the palace, enjoy the scenery, take walks, soak in the hot spring, and chat about simple little things.
It was just like an ordinary couple getting along, a simple kind of happiness without schemes and intrigues. It was really relaxing.
Dugu Luanyue took the cloak from the hanger and handed it to him. "Since I can't escape, I'll look forward to your early return."
Huo Wei was away for almost half a month. One day, a strange maid came to the hot - spring palace. Her name was Cuiyan.
Cuiyan came straight to the point. "Your Majesty the Queen, I'm from Concubine Li.
Concubine Li said that I'm sure Your Majesty knows the power of the Wei family in the Northern Yan Dynasty. As long as Your Majesty is willing to cooperate, Concubine Li can send you and your confidants away."
Dugu Luanyue leaned on the beauty's couch and slowly raised her eyes. "Really have such an ability?"
Cuiyan nodded. "Please believe Concubine Li, Your Majesty.
That young master Sheng and the maid called Aunt Meijiang are now locked in an ordinary prison in the imperial city, starving. It's actually easy to release them.
The difficult part is Your Majesty's side. We just need Your Majesty's cooperation."
Cuiyan took out a medicine packet from her bosom and put it on the table in front of Dugu Luanyue.
Dugu Luanyue looked down and her face darkened. "Is this a sleeping drug?"
Cuiyan said, "Yes, it's the simplest sleeping drug, and it won't harm His Majesty's body.
After His Majesty falls into a coma, our people will come to pick up Your Majesty and take you to a safe place before returning.
This sleeping drug will make His Majesty sleep for three days. You don't have to worry about His Majesty chasing after you. Even if he does, it will be too late."
Dugu Luanyue got up from the beauty's couch, walked over, and picked up the sleeping drug. "Okay, I'll take it."
Two days later, Huo Wei sent a message that he was on his way back and asked Dugu Luanyue to wait for him for dinner.
When Huo Wei returned to the hot - spring palace, tired from the journey, the first thing he did was to look for her in the Huaqing Palace.
When his black eyes fell on her, he saw Dugu Luanyue reclining in the hot - spring pool, eyes closed, looking extremely lazy and charming.
Huo Wei walked closer. "I'm back. What would you like to eat? I've brought a lot of food and wine from the palace. Come and have a taste?"
Dugu Luanyue slowly opened her eyes. "Huo Wei, isn't the wedding robe for the emperor and the queen that you brought always kept in the wardrobe? Let's put them on tonight. Let's worship heaven and earth. It'll be like playing house."
Huo Wei's tense handsome face instantly relaxed a lot. There was even a hint of sweetness in his eyes, like a child who had got candy. "Sure."
The big red wedding candles were lit, and the vermilion wedding robes with leaping golden dragons and phoenixes were neatly spread on the ground.
Dugu Luanyue painted her eyebrows and put on bright red lipstick by herself, but Huo Wei put the phoenix crown on her head.
It was the first time Huo Wei had seen her in a wedding dress. His eyes were slightly stunned. Her beauty made the big red wedding dress pale in comparison.
Her charming appearance and amorous jade - like eyes had all grown into his heart, blooming bright and vivid dark red roses.
The big red veil fell. Her eyes were moist, and she peacefully placed her hand in Huo Wei's.
They worshipped heaven and earth in the Huaqing Palace, bowed to the green mountains and the sea of flowers, and finally bowed to each other as husband and wife.
When it was time to enter the bridal chamber, Dugu Luanyue picked up the wedding wine she had prepared earlier and handed the other cup to Huo Wei.
Huo Wei's black eyes flickered slightly. He held the wine cup tightly. He stared at Dugu Luanyue all the time and frowned. "Do you really want me to drink this?"
Dugu Luanyue nodded with a smile. "Yes. This is the nuptial wine. How can I drink it alone?"