“Alas, that child is in a bad state. His leg was injured by someone, and on top of that, he ended up poisoning himself while trying to poison the other party. Now, his entire leg is almost completely rotted away. Not just the leg—his body has also begun to decay. How are you? Why do you look so pale and distraught? Did that scoundrel Mu Zhenfeng bully you?”
Speaking of Hei Ya, can you guess who it is now? He was the black-clad man who appeared after Liu Shi was imprisoned in the Netherworld Garden, following her orders to protect her twin daughters while also kidnapping Uncle Zhong and Wanqing to confront the enemy.
“It’s all that wretched woman, that vile creature! It’s all because of her. Not only did she harm Ya’er like that, but she also did this to me.”
After hearing the man’s words, Liu Shi realized that Hei Ya had never returned since leaving here. Only now, upon hearing his condition, did she understand how dire his situation was. Thinking of how he had risked himself to help her deal with that girl, Liu Shi lamented with bitterness, tears welling in her eyes as she spoke of her own plight.
“Who is ‘he’? Tell me, and I will surely seek justice for you both. Rou’er, you’ve suffered. Let me first examine your condition. From your pulse, it doesn’t seem like poison, but your complexion and expression… What exactly happened? Tell your husband, and I will surely uphold justice for you.”
Seeing the hatred and ruthlessness in Liu Shi’s eyes as she spoke of that person, the man knew of her expertise in poisons, though he found it hard to believe. Considering her state and thinking of Hei Ya, who had returned injured, he couldn’t help but hold her hand tenderly, pressing for answers.
“Cuishan, we were separated as a family because of the sect leader’s orders. Ya’er is a child you adopted, but he is like half my own. How could I not be heartbroken seeing him like this? It’s all my fault, all because I was too careless. Alas…”
Far from showing displeasure at the man’s words, Liu Shi gazed at him with deep affection and guilt. Speaking of their adversary, she sighed softly and recounted her encounters with Wanqing in a low voice.
“You’re saying that girl, who was once so terrified she couldn’t even resist, half-witted back then, is now so formidable? If you hadn’t told me yourself, I’d hardly believe it. So, both Ya’er and you fell victim to her schemes. I’d like to see her for myself. But first, let me try to ease your pain with my inner energy—don’t move.”
“Alright.”
Liu Shi obediently followed his gesture, sitting cross-legged as he channeled his energy into her.
“Do you feel any better now?”
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the man withdrew his hands. Seeing Liu Shi open her eyes and look at him, he pulled her into his arms again and asked with concern.
“Much better. As long as you’re by my side, even suffering feels sweet. Cuishan, I’ve missed you.”
Looking up at the man embracing her, his gentle gaze fixed on her, Liu Shi blushed like a young girl, shyly reaching up to caress his face.
“I’ve missed you too—every single day. By the way, was that girl earlier Xia’er? Our Xia’er?”
The man, equally affectionate, kissed her forehead before recalling the departing Mu Wanxia.
“Yes, she’s our Xia’er. You know the sect leader ordered me to replace the eldest Miss Liu in this marriage. I took a special medicine to delay her birth, fooling Mu Zhenfeng.”
Liu Shi answered without hesitation, her eyes filled with tender love.
This man was Liu Shi’s lover before she was forced to marry Mu Zhenfeng in place of the eldest Miss Liu. Due to their sect leader’s mission—and their similar appearances—she had taken on the role.
Their conversation confirmed that Mu Wanxia was not Mu Zhenfeng’s daughter but theirs. As Liu Shi had previously claimed, she had gone to great lengths—even bearing another child—to secure what Wanqing possessed.
“Honestly, I wish she could live happily like an ordinary girl. I never imagined you’d teach her poison arts. And the struggles of the imperial court—none of that concerns her. We’re already trapped in this life, our family torn apart. Must you drag her into it too?”
Just as Liu Shi nestled against him, the man suddenly pushed her away, his expression uncharacteristically stern.
“Are… are you blaming me?”
His sudden shift from tenderness stunned Liu Shi. After a long pause, she looked at him with sorrow.
“Aren’t I right? Even if Xia’er holds the status of the Marquis’s daughter, do you intend to involve her in imperial power struggles?”
Seeing her distress, the man softened slightly but pressed on.
“Perhaps you’re right. But I only want the best for her. In her position, she should seek her own happiness. Besides, I taught her those skills not for her to thrive in court politics, but to protect herself. Is that so wrong?”
At his disapproval, Liu Shi gently pushed away, her voice bitter as she turned back with a desolate expression.
“Maybe I’ve been imprisoned too long to understand the outside world. But Rou’er, I know your heart. Don’t you think I also wish to give our daughter the best? Yet by encouraging her pursuit of that young Master Sun, aren’t you afraid that if the sect leader clashes with the imperial family, she’ll be caught in the crossfire? You know his temperament as well as I do.”
Tears welled in Liu Shi’s eyes. The man, anxious, stood and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. When she glanced at him reproachfully before turning away, he gently turned her shoulders back.
“I… I didn’t think that far. I just wanted Xia’er to be happy, to have what she desires. But your words make me reconsider. Perhaps it’s for the best—though the child may grieve for a while.”
Liu Shi’s pupils constricted at his mention of the sect leader. Weighing the risks, she finally relaxed against him, gazing at his profile.
“Better her heartbreak now than lifelong suffering—or worse. Besides, Xia’er is still young; she has her whole life ahead. Maybe that young Master Sun isn’t her destined one. Enough of this. After all these years apart, your love for me remains, and I—”
Cuishan comforted her, lifting her chin as his handsome face drew closer.
“Cuishan, I… All these years, my heart has belonged only to you. I know your feelings for me haven’t faded. But besides Xia’er, I also have another daughter with Mu Zhenfeng. I—”
As his lips neared hers, Liu Shi suddenly covered his mouth, her expression shadowed with rare sorrow.
She couldn’t bear to deceive him or see him hurt. Though unwilling, she had obeyed the sect leader’s orders. To fully deceive Mu Zhenfeng, she had submitted to him—even bearing another child. That child was none other than Mu Wanjun.
To be continued.
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