The Emperor's uncle loves me! My paranoid wife, don't run away

"No matter how hard you try, you can't kill him. His life is as hard as a piece of polished black iron."

Luo Mosheng's eyes flickered, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a meaningful sneer.

He took the foxtail grass from his mouth, flicked it lightly, and let it drift away with the wind, disappearing in the blood-red setting sun. He raised his hand to tidy up his loose long hair, turned around and disappeared into the deeper shadows.

The night on the border is desolate. The air is filled with the smell of blood. The wind blows up the dust on the ground, bringing with it a deadly cold silence.

Luo Mian sat in his tent, his expression calm, yet a hint of fatigue was revealed.

His eyes fell on the letter on the table, and his fingertips gently stroked the texture of the paper, as if he could touch the temperature that had not yet dissipated, and as if he could still feel Shen Runing's unique fragrance.

It was a letter from a few days ago. He had already memorized the contents, but he still read it over and over again.

Although the words were brief, each one seemed to be branded on his heart by fire, leaving an indelible mark.

"Ning'er..." Luo Mian murmured softly, his voice hoarse but full of endless tenderness.

The candlelight flickered, the light and shadow changed constantly in the tent, the insects chirped, bringing a sense of desolate loneliness. The evening breeze lifted the curtains, causing the letter on the table to tremble slightly. Luo Mian reached out and pressed it, his eyes deepened.

The door curtain was suddenly lifted, and the evening wind blew in, disturbing the candlelight.

Mu Shan hurried in, holding a small bamboo tube in his hand, with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

"Master, there is news from Cang Ai."

Luo Mian raised his hand to signal him to come forward, and said calmly: "Give it to me."

Mu Shan nodded and handed the bamboo tube to Luo Mian. Luo Mian took the bamboo tube, applied a little force with his fingers, and gently turned it. The lid of the bamboo tube slid open, revealing the neatly rolled letter paper inside.

He pulled out the letter, unfolded it in the candlelight, and scanned the words on it, his expression gradually becoming serious.

Suddenly, the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a rather smug smile.

Mu Shan stood aside, carefully observing Luo Mian's expression, not daring to speak.

"My brother is such an old fox."

Luo Mian seemed to be in a good mood. While talking, he poured himself a cup of tea. The tea was fragrant and he took a sip.

He continued, "Just now a pigeon was sent to tell me that His Majesty had summoned him and to act according to the plan, and then he let Imperial Concubine Jing control Ning'er?"

Jinshizhai is no pushover. Those who think they can control everything in this game of chess ultimately underestimate Luo Mian's scheming and methods.

Luo Mian smiled and let out a long sigh, his eyes deep and a little teasing.

He gently folded the letter and placed it on the table, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table, as if playing a prelude to victory.

"Brother, brother, I guess you would never have thought that the jade seal is already in my hands." His voice was low, but revealed a sense of certainty.

Mu Shan stood aside, holding his breath. He roughly guessed the content of Cang Ai's letter.

"Master..." Mu Shan just opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Luo Mian's voice before he could finish.

"Mu Shan," Luo Mian casually picked up the teacup, but after taking a sip, he changed the subject, "You've been running outside the military camp all the time recently. What are you busy with?"

These words came unexpectedly and hit Mu Shan's soft spot, and he was stunned for a moment.

In just a few seconds, his face heated up rapidly, from pale to pink, and finally turned red like a ripe persimmon.

Luo Mian frowned slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but there was a hint of teasing at the corners of his mouth. "It's hot?"

Mu Shan was speechless for a moment. He stammered, scratched his ears and cheeks, and looked like he had difficulty speaking.

"Master, I..."

"that……"

"Um……"

He lowered his head and eyes, like a child who had made a mistake, and his voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.

Luo Mian looked at him like this, put down the teacup with interest, and there was a hint of teasing in his eyes.

"Hey, Mu Shan, you..."

"…Is this your first love?"

Mu Shan's face turned even redder, and he was speechless but unable to refute.

Luo Mian couldn't help but chuckle.

"The girl at the border?"

When Mu Shan saw Luo Mian smile, he was no longer so nervous.

"My Lord... No, not the girl from the border."

Hearing Mu Shan's answer, Luo Mian suddenly became interested, "Isn't she a girl from the border?"

"Is he from Kyoto?"

Mu Shan was about to scratch his head to pieces because of himself.

"I stayed in Kyoto for a while..."

"What is your name?"

Mu Shan replied with a red face.

"Summer Solstice."

……

The door curtain was lifted again, and Yunshui trotted in. His hurried footsteps interrupted the rather brisk conversation between Mu Shan and Luo Mian.

"Master, there is news from the Golden Scale Nation."

"Tonight at midnight, when the guards change shifts, we can sneak into the prison."

"Song Yunxuan is imprisoned there."

Luo Mian slowly put down the cup in his hand, looked at the flickering candlelight, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"My uncle killed my father and usurped the throne, and he himself was thrown into prison. He went from being a high-ranking prince to a prisoner."

"Song Yunxuan can be our sharp sword."

Mu Shan and Yun Shui looked at each other and then said in unison.

"Understood, Master."

Luo Mian's mouth corners slightly raised.

"By the way, how is Shennongmen?"

"Master, Li Fan is dead. Zhou Hui knows all the truth, and the conflict between him and Old Monster Li has become intense."

Luo Mian nodded slightly.

"Okay, tell our people to protect Old Monster Li and don't let him die. His life can be used for other purposes."

"Understood, Master."

As the night deepened, the sky became dark as if it had been stained with ink. Not even a trace of starlight or moonlight remained. It was as silent as a trial.

This deep darkness was even crueler than the unbearable past that Luo Mian had experienced, but he was no longer afraid. The years he had endured alone had already tempered him into a person who was not afraid of the night.

At this moment, Kyoto is shrouded in another invisible dullness.

The night wind gently blew over the high walls and deep courtyards, passed through the vermilion gate, and swept across the palace road paved with blue bricks. In the distance, a solitary lamp swayed weakly, casting a dim halo, while the entire imperial city was as quiet as a silent painting.

The room was filled with the delicate scent of sandalwood, and the bed curtains swayed gently.

Prince Xiang sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes slightly closed, as if in meditation. Ever since he was summoned into the palace that day, he never set foot out of the palace again. The house arrest order was like an invisible shackle that locked his actions and thoughts.

On the table, there were several simple yet extremely exquisite dishes. The ceramic bowls and plates reflected a warm luster under the candlelight. However, the King of Xiang did not pick up his chopsticks.

The wind slipped in through the open window, playfully ruffling the bed curtains and blowing up a few strands of hair on his forehead.

Suddenly, a light sound of footsteps came from outside, slowly approaching and stopping at the door.

King Xiang opened his eyes, his vision clear. He did not speak, but looked at the door, waiting for the man to announce his purpose.