Chapter 612: Private Conversation

Chapter 612: Private Conversation

The moment Shen Yuansong saw the small holes, a sense of crisis surged up his spine. He hurriedly dodged, barely avoiding the darts that shot out from the holes in the nick of time.

Just as he thought he had escaped and finally let out a sigh of relief, the darts unexpectedly returned. Two of them grazed his arm, leaving a deep gash.

Pain surged through him as Shen Yuansong clutched his arm, staying on high alert. After several evasive maneuvers, he finally managed to avoid all the returning darts.

By the time he looked back, the carriage was already far ahead.

"Shen Nan!"

He gritted out the name.

Yet, he couldn't suppress the shock in his heart.

Even the ordinary carriage she rode in was rigged with traps!

Was she herself skilled in the art of mechanisms?

No wonder she had seen through his booby-trapped teapot at a glance!

Had he known this earlier, he would never have been so careless, and he wouldn't have put his elder sister in danger!

Shen Yuansong's arm was still bleeding, but he couldn't control the overwhelming sense of regret. He slammed his fist against the wall, making his arm bleed even more heavily.

In the Shen residence.

With the absence of the outsider, Young Miss Shen Nan, it seemed as though the Shen residence had returned to its former tranquility.

However, a heavy gloom seemed to hang in the air, and the servants could no longer recapture the light-hearted atmosphere of the past. Every day was gloomy.

In the room, Shen Zhuyu sat in the bathtub, her fair fingers vigorously scrubbing her shoulders, leaving deep red marks.

"Young Miss..." Banxia, with a slap mark on her face, was crying.

Shen Zhuyu gave her a cold glance, and she immediately fell silent.

"Clean your face and leave."

Banxia quickly nodded, holding ice to her face. After a while, she retreated from the room.

Alone in the room, Shen Zhuyu suddenly raised her hand and slammed her hand into the water, sending water splashing everywhere. After a moment, she slowly exhaled a breath of hot air, her calm eyes masking a storm of turbulent emotions.

"Zhuyu."

A hand suddenly reached out from behind her, resting on her shoulder, caressing it gently, as though it were a priceless treasure.

"I will kill them for you."

The man spoke slowly, his voice filled with heartache and affection.

"Zhuyu, marry me. I want to marry you."

Shen Zhuyu didn't move.

After a long while, as the bathwater grew cold, she gave a slow nod.

"Yes."

Meng Ziyu's eyes lit up with sudden surprise and joy: "Zhuyu, are you really willing?"

This was something he had longed for, almost obsessively. Even if it meant killing or defying the entire world, he would do it for her.

Shen Zhuyu bent her arm, reaching back to grasp the man's hand on her shoulder. Though silent, her gesture spoke volumes.

Meng Ziyu embraced her from behind, nuzzling her steam-reddened earlobe.

The grand banquet ended, leaving the emperor seething with fury. The palace atmosphere was as tense as the Shen residence.

"Tuoba Xiao, you brat... The emperor's upset. Why don't you go in and cheer him up?" Prince Bei grumbled indignantly outside the hall.

Tuoba Xiao, lost in thought, ignored Prince Bei's words.

Just around the corner, and the woman vanished.

Instead, Helian Lin caught up.

They didn't fight, but Helian Lin's familiar aura disgusted him.

Could they really be Xie Yuan and Su Youyue?

If not, how could two lookalikes appear in the Holy City right after they vanished?

He had to know for sure.

The wind tousled his short hair, strands brushing his thick lashes.

"Tuoba Xiao, are you listening to me?" Prince Bei finally snapped, seeing him so distracted.

His brother had always indulged him, treating him better than a father would. Yet Tuoba Xiao acted like an ungrateful wolf cub.

If not for his brother's protection, he'd have chopped him and his wolf to bits!

Tuoba Xiao's blue-green eyes finally flicked to Prince Bei: "What was that, Your Highness?"

Prince Bei nearly choked. Had he been talking to a wall?

How utterly infuriating!

Just as he was about to say more, a eunuch emerged from the hall.

"His Majesty summons Prince Bei and General Tuoba."

Prince Bei, cheeks puffed with anger, flicked his sleeve and entered.

Forget it.

This brat's been like this from the start.

The two entered the emperor's chambers, where Prince Bei saw Emperor Xuanming rubbing his temples, seemingly in great discomfort. He couldn't help but step forward with concern: "Brother, is your headache acting up again?"

Emperor Xuanming looked at him, his furrowed brow relaxing slightly: "It's nothing, just an old ailment."

Prince Bei frowned with worry: "I wonder where that divine physician Ji has gone. It's been a year, and we still can't find her. If she were here, you wouldn't have to suffer from these headaches."

Emperor Xuanming smiled at his concern, but his gaze soon shifted to Tuoba Xiao: "General Tuoba, you're quite hard to summon back after your trip."

His tone carried no reproach; instead, he waved his hand and dismissed everyone else in the hall.

"Imperial Brother, do you have something to discuss?" Prince Bei, noticing Emperor Xuanming's increasingly grave expression and seeing him dismiss the palace attendants for the first time, assumed a more serious demeanor and inquired.

Emperor Xuanming gazed at them for a long moment before speaking slowly.

"Imperial Brother, General Tuoba, I require the two of you to unite your efforts..."

"To kill the Pope."

"Imperial Brother..." Prince Bei stepped forward, agitated.

"This humble servant accepts your command," Tuoba Xiao lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable, but suddenly clasped his fists in acceptance of the order.

Having said that, Tuoba Xiao appeared poised to depart, turning toward the exit.

Emperor Xuanming, as if seeing through his intentions, suddenly called out to him, "My dear Xiao..."

Tuoba Xiao's steps halted.

Prince Bei, taken aback by this unexpected term of endearment, looked at the two in surprise.

"My dear Xiao... all these years, you have endured much. Once this matter is concluded..."

Before Emperor Xuanming could finish, Tuoba Xiao's paused steps suddenly quickened, and in an instant, he had already exited the hall.

The sunlight outside was brilliant.

He stood silhouetted against the light, casting a glance back into the hall, whether at Emperor Xuanming or Prince Bei, it was unclear.

After just one glance, he quickened his pace again, as if escaping something he could not bear to face.