A Shocking Dream

She knew that Lu Yao had a deep friendship with her sister Lin Wunian. These days, Lin Wunian had gone out alone to gather information and had not returned for a long time. Lu Yao was like an ant on the hot pan, anxious and uneasy.

Kankan pulled Lu Yao to sit on the carved stool, handed her a cup of freshly brewed tea, and said with a smile, "Sister Lu Yao, please don't worry. I have been with you since I was a child. She has always been prudent and always plans before doing anything. She will never act rashly and cause people to worry for no reason." After saying that, she took a sip of tea, looking leisurely, as if she had full confidence in Lin Wunian.

Lu Yao took the teacup, but had no intention of drinking. She just sighed helplessly, "Of course I don't know Wu Nian's temper, but the undercurrents in the martial arts world are surging right now, and the matter she's investigating involves a wide range of people. Various forces are eyeing her covetously. I'm really uneasy."

Kanan put down her teacup, folded her hands on her knees, tilted her head slightly, and said seriously, "That's why my sister is so cautious. Think about it, since she dared to take on such a difficult task, she must have made thorough preparations. I'm guessing that maybe she's already got the key clue and is rushing back. Maybe tomorrow morning, when we open our eyes, we'll see her standing at the door unharmed."

Lu Yao was amused by Qianqian's words and raised the corner of her mouth slightly. She said with a slight frown, "You are the only one who can say that. I hope it's as you say. If she returns safely this time, I will definitely not let her go if something dangerous like this happens again in the future."

Kanan smiled playfully and blinked, "Then I'll have to put in some effort to talk to her. You know her temper. Once she makes up her mind, even ten oxen can't change her mind."

"While I'm worried, I also naturally trust her ability to get things done," Lu Yao muttered to herself, looking up at the blood-red sunset in the sky. Lin Wunian had been gone for over three days, with no news from her. Even Lu Yao, known for her composure, couldn't help but feel a tinge of anxiety.

"You are going to leave Beijing for a trip tomorrow? Without anyone with you?" Emperor Ansheng Qin Ronghuan was a little surprised when he heard his brother Qin Rongchen's request in the imperial study.

Qin Rongchen was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his hair tied up with a jade crown. He stood tall and straight, his expression revealing an uninhibited look that was rare in his daily life. He bowed slightly and said, "Brother Emperor, that's right. The affairs of the court are so complicated, and I feel exhausted both physically and mentally lately. I want to go out for a walk alone, to get some fresh air, and find a quiet place to sort out my thoughts."

Qin Ronghuan stood up from the dragon throne and slowly walked to Qin Rongchen, his eyes scrutinizing him. "You've always been a carefree and spontaneous person. Why are you suddenly leaving the capital alone? Is there something hidden? Why do you need to hide it from me?"

Qin Rongchen's lips curled up into a faint smile, and he raised his eyes to meet his brother's. "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. There is really no other reason. It's just that in this capital, facing those tedious rituals and court disputes every day is really boring. Besides, I will only be away for a month or so. With Your Majesty in charge of all matters in the capital, I am sure there will be no mistakes. I hope Your Majesty will help me."

Qin Ronghuan frowned, remained silent for a moment, and sighed softly, "You've had your own ideas since you were little. I know you're unhappy being held captive in the capital. But how can I be at ease with you being all alone? What if you run into a bad guy, or get injured along the way, there's no one around to look after you."

Qin Rongchen waved his hand quickly: "Royal brother, although I am a little weak, I have practiced martial arts for a few years, so I am more than capable of protecting myself. Besides, I have been hiding my identity and keeping a low profile, so I won't be so unlucky as to run into a bad guy. As for injuries, I have prepared medicinal herbs, and there are clinics along the way, so I will definitely be able to take care of myself."

Qin Ronghuan still looked hesitant. He paced back and forth in the hall a few times with his hands behind his back before stopping. "Never mind, I'll do as you say this time. But you have to promise me that you'll send a message every five days to let me know you're okay. If you encounter any difficulties, you must return immediately. Don't be stubborn."

Qin Rongchen's eyes flashed with surprise, and he quickly responded, "Don't worry, my royal brother. I will obey your command."

"Before you leave, go see mother. You haven't seen her since Yunshuang was assassinated last time." Qin Ronghuan hesitated for a moment, and when he said this, his eyes revealed a trace of concern and helplessness of a brother.

Qin Rongchen stiffened slightly, the unruly look on his face instantly fading, replaced by a trace of guilt and bitterness. Mentioning Yunshuang's assassination, the thrilling night seemed to come alive before his eyes: the cold gleam of the blade, the splatter of blood. He had argued with the Queen Mother over Yunshuang, nearly severing their mother-son relationship. The scene of that intense confrontation still pierced his heart like a sharp thorn.

"Royal brother, I..." Qin Rongchen hesitated, his hands unconsciously clenching the corners of his clothes, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Emperor Ansheng, Qin Ronghuan, looked at his brother in this state and sighed softly. He took a step forward and raised his hand to pat his shoulder, but Qin Rongchen subconsciously dodged, and finally, his hand was suspended in mid-air before slowly withdrawing.

"Brother Chen, don't keep torturing yourself by dwelling on the past. Mother was also furious at the time, and you know very well that your safety is what she cares about most. Yunshuang was assassinated, and she was afraid that something might happen to you, so her words were a bit extreme, but how can the blood relationship really be severed?" Qin Ronghuan's voice was low and gentle, trying to melt the ice in Qin Rongchen's heart.

A bitter smile appeared on Qin Rongchen's lips: "Royal brother, you have not heard with your own ears the decisive words that the Queen Mother said that night. She accused me of disregarding myself and the reputation of the royal family for a woman. She said that she would rather not have me as a son than allow me to have anything to do with Yunshuang again..." Recalling the Queen Mother's angry eyes and every word she said was like a knife, his eyes turned red and his throat felt sore.

Qin Ronghuan frowned. "My mother was just speaking in anger. After she woke up, she cried many times and regretted it. She has been bedridden these days, and when she was unconscious, she kept muttering your nickname. How could she really bear to sever ties with you?"

Qin Rongchen raised his head, took a deep breath, and tried hard to hold back the tears. "But since then, every time I close my eyes, I see the tragic sight of Yunshuang injured and falling to the ground, bleeding, and the disappointed and angry look in my mother's eyes. These two kinds of pain are intertwined together, making it hard for me to breathe. I don't have the courage to face my mother, and I don't know how to make amends to Yunshuang..."

Qin Ronghuan's eyes were solemn as he grasped Qin Rongchen's arm. "Escape is not a solution. Before you leave, go see the Queen Mother and speak your mind. As for Yunshuang, the dead cannot be resurrected, and hatred between mother and son should never exist. The dead are gone, and if this unresolved knot causes the Queen Mother and you to live in pain and regret for the rest of your lives, is that what Miss Yunshuang wants?"

Qin Ronghuan paused, his eyes fixed on Qin Rongchen's sorrowful face, and he spoke slowly, "I know Yunshuang's death has hit you hard. Why do the living hurt each other? Rongchen, when you were young, you liked Lin Bingshuang. I didn't tell you that those immature feelings were hidden deep in my heart. They were the ignorant thoughts of a young man.