Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Upon arriving at the palace gate, the Empress Dowager ignored the servants' attempts to stop her and pushed the door open to enter.

The first thing that came into view was Xiao Muyao reclining on the couch.

Her breath hitched, and her heart leaped into her throat.

She staggered quickly to the bedside, her gaze darting anxiously over Xiao Muyao, her eyes filled with tenderness and fear.

She choked with sobs, unable to speak for a long while before finally managing to utter, "My son, what have you suffered? Who is this damned bastard who dares to do such a thing?"

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks, wetting her clothes.

After carefully examining Xiao Muyao and confirming that his injuries were not life-threatening and that his complexion was relatively normal, the Empress Dowager finally calmed down a bit.

But her hands were still tightly gripping Xiao Muyao's clothes, as if he would disappear if she let go.

She tried to calm herself down, and said through sobs, "My son, you scared your mother to death! How could such a dangerous thing happen in the palace? We must be more vigilant in the future."

Xiao Muyao grasped the Empress Dowager's hand and said gently, "Mother, please don't worry. I only suffered some minor injuries and am fine now. I just need to recuperate for a while. I have entrusted the affairs of state to my uncle, Prince Xiang. Once I recover, I will resume my personal rule. Mother, you don't need to worry about the affairs of state."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and gently patted Xiao Muyao's hand: "I know you will make proper arrangements. I am just worried about your health."

Afterwards, the Empress Dowager gave her some more detailed instructions, and only then did I feel at ease.

…………

After making a series of preparations, Xiao Muyao left a stand-in and quietly left the capital to find Lingyan.

He was determined to find Yan'er and bring her back.

Lu Yanqing went back last night after making arrangements regarding the Shadow Division.

Using the excuse that there was a major case outside Beijing that he needed to handle, he quickly left the capital.

He Jingchuan was the same.

He made proper arrangements for his duties last night.

Today I explained the matter to my younger brother and said goodbye to him before leaving the capital under the pretext of traveling.

The three of them all headed west.

They assumed that Lingyan must have gone to Western Chu with Chu Xiyao.

Moreover, while on the way, they all thought about why she had left at this time.

He Jingchuan shared the same thoughts as Lu Yanqing and Chu Xiyao, and they all understood Ling Yan very well.

But they were still very sad and heartbroken that she had abandoned them both.

Once we find her, we must explain to her properly that they are willing to give up their status as subjects of the Great Zhao for her sake.

That way, she would have no reason to abandon them anymore.

Xiao Muyao felt even more distressed.

He recalled some of the things she had said when he was drunk at Liuchunlou that year.

She said at the time that she really couldn't bear to part with him.

He didn't think that much about it.

Now I finally understand.

It turns out that she had been thinking about leaving him since the first year of their marriage.

Thinking of this, he was plunged into a deep abyss of grief.

Immersed in the mire of memories, painfully sorting through every detail of the past.

Only now do I realize that there are many other things that I was completely unaware of at the time, and now I feel that there were signs all along.

Thinking of this, his heart felt as if it were being repeatedly pounded by a heavy hammer.

Each strike was accompanied by deeper regret and self-blame.

Why am I so oblivious that I didn't notice anything at all?

These memories were like a poisoned blade, repeatedly tearing at his heart.

Each memory intensifies the pain in my heart.

It felt as if countless fine needles were piercing deep inside, the pain penetrating and continuous.

He deserves it!

It was because he didn't realize it sooner.

That's why she's leaving him now.

So he was determined to find her and tell her that he was wrong.

His mistake was failing to notice her emotions and thoughts.

His mistake was his arrogance.

His mistake was his blind self-confidence.

Because he thought...

But in the end, it was just what he thought.

…………

Meanwhile, Lingyan was heading east.

That's right, they didn't head west to Western Chu, but instead went to Eastern Ling.

Because Lingyan had already guessed that they would think she was heading to Western Chu, she naturally wanted to avoid them.

Because she knew that Lu Yanqing and He Jingchuan must be heading west to catch up with her at this moment.

But they definitely couldn't catch up with her, since they were going in the wrong direction.

Moreover, all three of them were disguised as they traveled.

Even after they realized what was happening and went to Dongling to catch up, they still couldn't find them.

Xiao Muyao was certainly not the kind of brainless monarch who would launch a war and lead hundreds of thousands of troops just to fulfill his love for a woman.

Therefore, he cannot find her, and he will never take any action against Xi Chu because of Chu Xiyao.

Because he was rational enough, and also someone who valued the country and its people highly.

Therefore, she had no need to worry about implicating Western Chu or other countries.

As for him trying to force her to show herself by arresting her family or people she cares about and threatening their lives, he would not do that.

Putting aside the fact that she believes she has no family at all.

Even if it were possible, he wouldn't do it.

Not to mention her sisters.

He certainly wouldn't touch them in the slightest.

Because he respected her, he wasn't so rude.

In addition, these people are all very important to her.

A man who threatens and coerces her like this just to find her—she will only feel disappointed and disgusted by him.

Because this is not love at all, it is just invasion and possession.

Otherwise, why would she hurt the people she cares about?

Fortunately, Xiao Muyao wouldn't be so tasteless.

Then she can leave in peace without any worries.

However, she was still very sad and reluctant to part with it.

She wasn't just reluctant to part with the three of them, but also with her sisters and friends.

However, no matter how reluctant she is, she will not regret it.

Because the reluctance is only temporary, it will pass in time.

The three of them were staying at an inn in a small town.

The three of them lay side by side on the bed to rest at night.

Looking at Ling Yan, who had been completely silent the whole way, Chu Xiyao finally couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Or, shall we go back?"

Shen Qingchen also gazed at Ling Yan and nodded in agreement, saying, "You've been suffering so much these past few days. If you can't bear to part with them or forget them, we can go back."

Ling Yan shook her head upon hearing this, and replied with a firm expression, "I can't forget them right now, but I'm sure I'll be able to forget them in time."

Chu Xiyao pursed his lips and said, "Even if you can never forget it for the rest of your life, it's okay. You don't have to force yourself like this."

Lingyan insisted, "No, I want to forget! I can forget! I can definitely forget them all. I don't believe I can't do it. It just takes time. After all, the three of them have been with me for so long. I can't be so cold-hearted and have no feelings at all. But I know I can forget them."

Since she didn't love them, she could naturally forget them.

It just depends on whether she wants to forget or not.

If you want to forget, you can definitely forget.

It just takes time to forget.

After all, she had spent eight years with them.

Moreover, the three of them treated her with utmost sincerity, deep affection, care, and consideration, without reservation.

But she didn't want to spend her whole life thinking about them and torturing herself with that thought.

Naturally, you should forget about it and start a new life.

Therefore, she was determined to completely eradicate them from her heart, leaving not a trace.