After being thoroughly violated, he ran away with the enemy emperor's child.

Say it again.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and Mo Yan's expression was displeased: "The Empress should live as long as I do."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, but Wu Xu took the lead and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty; Greetings, Empress."

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Empress!"

Under Wu Xu's lead, an even louder "Long live Your Majesty, Long live the Empress!" rang out, and Mo Yan was finally satisfied, nodding slightly.

"Everyone take a day to rest; the hunt will officially begin tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After receiving the reply, Mo Yan took Chu Junci's hand and entered the palace, where they settled in the largest palace in the center.

The place was decorated exactly like the Qiyue Palace, making Chu Junci feel as if he were still in the Zhao Kingdom's palace.

"Do you like it? I specially had it decorated."

Mo Yan, standing to the side, basked in the praise, while Chu Junci moved his lips and said, "Mm."

"If Aci is happy, that's good."

Upon reaching the courtyard, Mo Yan suddenly picked him up and placed him on the swing.

While gently pushing his back, he instructed, "There will be many people tomorrow, so Aci must remember to stay by my side."

This hunt was different from usual. For Mo Yan, the greatest danger was that the Yong Kingdom would also participate.

He didn't want his Aci to run into the Yong people. On the one hand, he was afraid they would speak ill of him, and on the other hand, he was afraid they would take Aci away.

So he added, "Tomorrow, you and I must stay together every step of the way, understand?"

"…Um."

Chu Junci didn't look at him; his body rose and fell gently with the swing.

He was being too perfunctory. Mo Yan frowned, stopped pushing the swing, and turned to stand in front of him.

The two stared at each other. Mo Yan gripped the ropes on either side, pulling them closer. "Is Aci just giving me the runaround?"

"no."

Chu Junci met his gaze. Thanks to his long-term interaction with Mo Yan, he could now lie without blushing or skipping a beat.

"real?"

"Um."

He gazed into Mo Yan's eyes, "Tomorrow I will stay by your side, never leaving your side."

Having finally received Aci's promise, Mo Yan raised his lips and said, "That's more like it."

He returned to Chu Junci's side, pushing him on the swing while chattering away. Chu Junci responded occasionally, lost in thought.

He had also heard that Yong State was going to participate in the hunt, and the purpose was obvious.

They came to rescue him.

With a soft sigh, Chu Junci gripped the rope tightly, casting aside all his hidden reluctance.

It's time to end this unreal, illusory dream, a dream whose true nature is unclear—whether it's good or bad, joyful or sorrowful...

It's time to end.

He only has one chance.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, there was no emotion left in Chu Junci's eyes.

"Mo Yan".

"Um?"

I want to sleep for a while.

He still drowsy, spending most of his day feeling sleepy.

"it is good."

Mo Yan responded, stopped pushing the swing, and carried him into the hall.

After removing his fox fur coat and outer robe, leaving him only in his undergarments, Mo Yan served him with a serious expression and ease.

Finally, he took off his boots and socks, and kissed his forehead: "Sleep now, I'll watch over you."

"Um."

Chu Junci closed his eyes. Mo Yan watched him for a while, and after seeing that he had fallen asleep, he quietly walked out of the courtyard.

Wu Xu was already waiting, and when he saw him appear, he hurriedly walked over.

"His Majesty."

"Um."

With his gaze still fixed on the hall, Mo Yan lowered his voice: "Tell me what you've been doing all this time."

"Yes."

Wu Xu nodded, and then said, "After I arrived at the hunting grounds, I first led some men to patrol the area, and among them..."

He said a lot, and Mo Yan listened quietly, occasionally asking a few questions, to which Wu Xu could quickly answer.

Gradually, Mo Yan felt relieved.

"Very good, you have done well this time."

"...Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Speak freely what reward you desire."

"This servant dares not."

Wu Xu lowered his head even further: "This is all a servant's duty."

"Then remember this for now, and you can bring it up again if you need a reward someday."

Wu Xu had served Mo Yan for many years, and the two had grown up together. In Mo Yan's heart, Wu Xu was not an ordinary servant.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wu Xu clenched his fist. "...This servant is suddenly feeling unwell and must take his leave now."

"Go."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Wu Xu left, Mo Yan returned to his bedroom and sat by the bed. Even when his Aci was asleep, she was so beautiful that he could never get enough of looking at her.

Mo Yan's gaze slid from Chu Junci's eyebrows to his lips, then from his chin to his forehead. He stared at him for a long time, his heart softening.

After an unknown amount of time, the person on the bed frowned, as if having a nightmare.

"Aci?"

Mo Yan called out to him, his face showing concern.

He watched as Chu Junci's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, then her red lips moved slightly, as if to say, "No..."

"Aci, what's wrong?"

Grasping Chu Junci's wrist, Mo Yan pressed it against his cheek: "Did Aci have a nightmare?"

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

"Don't be afraid..."

Mo Yan's words did not reach Chu Junci's ears; he was already deeply immersed in a dream.

This is a snow-capped mountain.

The endless expanse of white, with a biting wind that stings the cheeks.

Chu Junci walked ahead, followed by guards, and the group braved the snow.

A man approached him and said, "Your Majesty, the wind is strong and the snow is cold. Why don't we wait until the wind stops before we set off?"

"no."

Chu Junci shook his head, his brows furrowed with determination: "Mo Yan is almost here. We must find the Snow Lotus before him."

"Can……"

"No need to say more."

"…yes."

At Chu Junci's command, the group continued toward the mountaintop. The cold wind howled, blowing Chu Junci's robes. He shielded his face with his hand and continued onward.

When he reached the halfway point of the mountain, he saw the group at the foot of the mountain, and all the color drained from his face.

"Mo Yan... has arrived."

Trying to regain his composure, he looked towards the mountaintop: "Everyone, speed up! We absolutely cannot let Mo Yan succeed, otherwise..."

He didn't say anything more and silently took a few steps forward.

The guards followed behind him without a word of complaint. Even His Majesty had come in person and was walking in front of him, so what complaints could they possibly have?

Another quarter of an hour passed, and they rested for a while in place.

From afar, Chu Junci seemed to hear the commotion at the foot of the mountain. He bit his lower lip and said, "You all wait here. I will go to the top of the mountain alone."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Lin Chen dissuaded him, saying, "Your Majesty is the Emperor of Yong, how can you risk your life alone? I am willing to go in Your Majesty's stead."

"No."

Chu Junci refused his suggestion: "This matter must be done by me; it is the will of Heaven."