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

As long as Aci is doing well, he... can control himself.

Using all his reason, Mo Yan waited patiently for news from Yong Kingdom.

The distance from the Zhao Kingdom's palace to the Yong Kingdom was shorter than the distance from the hunting grounds to the Yong Kingdom. With the help of carrier pigeons, Mo Yan received a reply from the Yong Kingdom six days later.

He reads very quickly, skimming through ten lines at a glance.

After reading it, he gritted his teeth and said, "Chu Ling!"

An uncontrollable killing intent spread from the bottom of his heart. At this moment, his killing intent towards Chu Ling reached an unprecedented level.

His reason was completely overwhelmed by emotion, and the words "I'll set you free" were thrown to the back of his mind. He immediately sought out Wu Jue: "Wu Jue, I have something to tell you."

"Your Majesty, please speak freely."

Mo Yan did not speak immediately, but looked at the letter, which read—

Three days ago, General Xie Yunzhou went to the palace to see Chu Ling. Half an hour later, the general was exiled to the frontier.

But yesterday, my subordinates saw the Empress in Chu Ling's harem.

It seems that the so-called "exile to the border" was just an excuse Chu Ling used to imprison the Queen.

**

Six days ago.

After the divine physician left, Chu Junci met with Xie Yunzhou.

"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Get up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xie Yunzhou sat down below, looking hesitant, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word.

"What's wrong?" Chu Junci glanced at him.

"His Majesty……"

Xie Yunzhou licked his lips: "On the day we returned to the palace, the prince said His Majesty was unwell, I wonder..."

"I am in good health, Xie Qing need not worry."

Instead of being appeased, Xie Yunzhou became even more hesitant.

After a moment's thought, he knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, I have a guess, but I don't know if I should say it."

"..."

Chu Junci remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Since you know you shouldn't speak, then don't speak."

"But……"

Xie Yunzhou looked conflicted, but finally steeled himself and said, "This subject suspects Your Majesty..."

"Shut up."

Chu Junci interrupted them, and a tacit understanding flashed between them. Xie Yunzhou's lips trembled as he said, "It seems His Majesty already knows."

"..." Chu Junci remained silent.

"Then Your Majesty..."

He wanted to ask Chu Junci how to handle the matter, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

His lips moved, but in the end he lowered his head: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and can handle things as you wish. I dare not interfere."

"But Your Majesty..."

His voice trembled as he asked, "Does Your Majesty know my heart?"

"I have admired Your Majesty for many years."

"Your Majesty once told me to give up this idea, but love arises unexpectedly and deepens over time; how could I possibly control it?"

"Your Majesty, your subject Xie Yunzhou admires you."

Having said that, he pressed his head to the ground, "Today, I dare to beg for a favor, Your Majesty, could you grant me...?"

"No."

Chu Junci showed no mercy: "Xie Yunzhou, I have told you that you are not allowed to harbor any more illusions, and you are not allowed to steal my portrait."

"But the facts prove that you are only paying lip service to what you preach."

If A-Li hadn't had someone switch the fake portrait that Mo Yan obtained in time, Mo Yan would probably have known his true identity long ago.

"If you put aside your delusions today, I can pretend I know nothing about it, after all, you went deep into Zhao Kingdom and saved me."

"..."

Xie Yunzhou fell silent.

Put away your wandering thoughts, put away your wandering thoughts...

He thought to himself: From the moment the delusion was born, he could no longer control himself.

After a few moments of silence, he spoke again, his voice weary: "Your Majesty, once a delusional thought arises, it is difficult to take it back; after all, spilled water cannot be gathered up again."

"Today, I request to serve on the frontier for three years. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

"...Three years of guarding the border, have you thought it through?"

"This is the result of my careful consideration."

Xie Yunzhou insisted, and Chu Junci curled her fingertips and agreed: "Granted."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After receiving the results, Xie Yunzhou stood up and said, "I have been gone for three years. I hope Your Majesty will take good care of your health and not overwork yourself."

"Um."

Looking into Xie Yunzhou's eyes, Chu Junci's feelings were complicated: "Go, be careful on the road."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xie Yunzhou left, leading his army to the border. Upon hearing the news, Zhao Kingdom's spies immediately gave chase, but found no trace of the Queen.

It wasn't until they risked their lives to sneak into the Yong Kingdom's palace that they finally saw their emperor and empress in the Yong Kingdom's inner palace.

The news reached Zhao Kingdom within three days. After reading the letter, Mo Yan instructed Wu Jue: "I will be away for a while. If there is anything, send me a message by carrier pigeon."

"His Majesty!"

Wu Jue was taken aback: "Where are you going?"

"Yong Kingdom".

"Yong Kingdom? Is His Majesty alone?"

"Um."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Wu Jue wanted to persuade him, but Mo Yan stopped him with a look: "Go and find Mo Chengyu."

"…yes."

Half an hour later, Mo Chengyu stood in the hall, his hands nervously clutching his robes: "Brother, are you looking for me?"

"I need to leave for a while."

Mo Yan got straight to the point: "You will be in charge of the affairs of Zhao Kingdom during this period. If you encounter any indecisive matters, then inform me."

"ah?!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Chengyu quickly shook his head and waved his hands, "No way! Royal brother."

"I'm a complete idiot, how could I possibly handle state affairs?"

"Wu Jue will... help you."

Mo Yan's tone left no room for argument: "I know you're a good-for-nothing. If we didn't share the same blood, I wouldn't have come looking for you."

"…oh."

Mo Chengyu scratched his head: "But..."

"No buts."

"I will leave some people for you; you just need to listen to them."

The emperor's attitude was firm, and Mo Chengyu had no way to refute it, so he could only nod reluctantly.

"When will my elder brother return?"

He really doesn't want to deal with state affairs!

"It's not certain yet."

After resting for more than half a month, Mo Yan's injuries had mostly healed, and he no longer had any worries about riding a horse.

"I will return after it is done."

"Done? What happened?"

Mo Yan glanced at him but did not answer.

"..." Mo Chengyu licked his lips, not daring to ask any more questions.

On the same day, Mo Yan rode Ta Xue to Yong Kingdom.

A cool breeze blew on his face, and Mo Yan's expression remained sullen, his rationality completely forgotten.

He suppressed the words "I'll set you free" deep in his heart; all he could think about now was: Aci, wait for me.

He would soon see Aci and smell the fragrance of lotus flowers; he had missed that fragrance for far too long.

Of course, what he missed most was Aci.

His words of apology.

Ah Ci, what will your expression be when you see me again?

Chu Ling has treated you so badly, you'll come with me, won't you?

Probably.

Mo Yan was unsure, but he couldn't care less at this moment. As long as Aci was willing to go with him, he would have no regrets even if he died.

Of course, he would be even happier if he could tear Chu Ling to pieces before leaving.

"Aci".

He murmured silently, "Chu Ling treats you badly, please don't like him anymore, okay?"

"Do you like me...?"