Jun Mo didn't turn back, his cold gaze fixed on Jun Hui as he shielded the Emperor.
"Forgive this son, Imperial Father, for arriving late to your aid!"
The Emperor hurriedly said, "Not late at all, you've come at precisely the right moment. Old Seventh, seize this black-hearted beast for Us! We care not whether he lives or dies!"
Having almost been struck down by him, what father-son affection could the Emperor still consider?
Jun Hui's initial bewilderment morphed into shock. "Jun Mo! How did you find this place?!"
Jun Mo eyed him coldly. His Sixth Brother truly had gone mad with ambition.
For that position, he dared to even abduct their Imperial Father!
"But your timing is perfect. Since you've managed to find this place, then don't blame me!" Jun Hui said ruthlessly.
Jun Mo chuckled softly. "You didn't think I came alone, did you? Give up your futile struggle and beg Imperial Father for forgiveness!"
Jun Hui's expression darkened. Just as expected, Ye Bai burst in at that moment, covered in blood.
"Your Highness, flee quickly! The Crown Prince has brought the Imperial Guards; we have very few men left!"
The clang of clashing weapons outside grew steadily closer.
Jun Mo sneered, "Flee? I fear you won't be leaving today! Mo Yang, protect the Emperor!"
With that, he soared forward to engage Jun Hui in combat. The Mo Guards also clashed with Jun Hui's remaining dark guards.
"I never imagined Sixth Imperial Brother's martial arts were so excellent. You've truly been underutilizing your talents all this time!" Jun Mo exchanged blows with Jun Hui, finding a moment to sneer.
Jun Hui dared not be careless and focused entirely on dealing with him.
The two fought from inside the room to outside, their sword energy kicking up gusts of dust, and nearby trees snapped in response.
The Crown Prince, leading his men, had surrounded the area, and the Imperial Guards were fiercely battling the deathsworn.
Ye Bai saw his master gradually falling behind and shouted to the remaining dark guards and deathsworn, "Help the master break through!"
Instantly, all of Jun Hui's men charged at Jun Mo, fighting desperately to tear open an escape route.
"Master, quick, go! Go!"
Ye Bai shoved Jun Hui with a palm strike, pushing him several yards away.
"Hurry and go!"
Jun Hui gritted his teeth, swung his sword to cut down several Imperial Guards, seized a swift horse, and galloped away.
Jun Mo watched his retreating figure, picked up a bow and arrow from a nearby soldier, and aimed at the back of the figure on horseback.
Ye Bai's eyes widened in horror. "Master!"
He soared forward, blocking the arrow that had left the bowstring. The arrow pierced his body and still flew a considerable distance beyond him.
Ye Bai's body plummeted from mid-air. He watched Jun Hui's figure shrink into a tiny dot in the distance, then closed his eyes with a faint smile on his lips.
"Imperial Brother, I'll leave this place to you." With that, Jun Mo mounted a horse and rode off in pursuit of Jun Hui.
...
News of Consort Yun's sudden death arrived while Jun Mo was leisurely sipping tea across from Su Li.
"It's a pity Jun Hui got away," Jun Mo said with an air of nonchalance.
Su Li refilled his cup. "He's now a wanted criminal of the court, forced to hide and unable to show his face. The outcome is quite good, I'd say."
Though she said that, deep down, she felt it wasn't enough.
From a prince to a wanted criminal, a fall from heaven to earth.
In her previous life, his single word had caused the Duke Wei's Estate and the Su Family to be utterly destroyed, their families ruined. In this life, she wouldn't be satisfied until he had fallen into hell.
Jun Mo's brow relaxed as he chuckled lightly. "Since he enjoys plotting secretly from the shadows so much, then let him be a fugitive who can never see the light of day."
Su Li wasn't as optimistic as Jun Mo. From what she knew of Jun Hui, as long as he lived, his ambition would never die.
"Oh, by the way, Imperial Father said he wants you to enter the palace tomorrow. He intends to reward you handsomely," Jun Mo suddenly interjected.
"Reward me?"
Jun Mo nodded, looking at her with a smile. "Your contributions were indispensable in rescuing Imperial Father in time this instance."
That smile made him appear even more refined and ethereal, with elegant brows and handsome eyes, truly a man like jade.
Su Li thought, only a noble and detached woman like Consort De could have given birth to such a jade-like gentleman.
"I merely relied on my memories from my previous life. How did you explain this to His Majesty?"
Jun Mo said, "Naturally, I wouldn't tell him the full truth. I recalled a type of bee that can track people, though they are very difficult to raise. So I told him that you happened to be raising these bees, and by smelling that person's scent, they could be tracked."
Su Li was silent for a moment. "And His Majesty believed it?"
"He believed it, Li'er. You don't know, but in everyone's eyes, you are now a divine physician capable of bringing the dead back to life and regrowing flesh on bones. There's nothing you can't do. If he wishes to reward you, then accept it; it's what you deserve. Your contributions were truly indispensable, and this prince cannot usurp your credit."
Su Li laughed. "The type of bee you mentioned is called 'Mì Xiāng.' They're actually not difficult to raise, but they aren't as miraculous as the legends say. They can only track within a radius of ten li."
Having said that, she suddenly remembered something and hastily asked, "Oh, right, how do you plan to handle the Thousand-Faced Saintly Hand?"
Jun Mo looked somewhat troubled. "Huang Yang is a fickle individual, shifting between good and evil, making him very difficult to control. Yet, he is indeed very capable, which is also a source of distress for this prince."
Su Li smiled. "I've heard of this person. He's not considered utterly heinous; most of what he does is robbing the rich to help the poor. This time, he committed a grave mistake merely to repay an old kindness from Jun Hui.
Furthermore, during these past few days of the Emperor's disappearance, it was entirely thanks to him impersonating the Emperor that the court remained stable. One could say he performed meritorious service despite his crimes. Although the wrong he committed was grave, it's not a capital offense."
Jun Mo nodded in agreement. "This prince also thought the same, but I believe Imperial Father will not let him off lightly."
Su Li could understand the Emperor on this point.
After all, if it weren't for Huang Yang, the Emperor wouldn't have suffered so greatly this time.
Moreover, how could the Emperor feel at ease knowing there was someone in the world who could perfectly imitate him without a single flaw?
Just as Su Li felt a pang of regret, Jun Mo spoke again. "However, bringing Huang Yang under control isn't difficult either. This prince can arrange to swap him out for a death row prisoner."
Su Li frowned. "Wouldn't that be a bit risky?"
Jun Mo replied, "As you said, Huang Yang is talented, and this prince cherishes talent."
Su Li felt a surge of emotion.
Huang Yang, due to his talent, was not tolerated by the Emperor, yet also due to his talent, he was saved by Ziyan. Who could truly comprehend the karma of the world?
Jun Mo took her small hand into his, holding it in his palm, and looked at her. "Li'er, your great revenge is avenged. Is there a reward for me?"
Su Li froze for a moment, then, realizing his meaning, shot him a playful glare.
"What kind of reward do you want?"
"Naturally..."
Jun Mo exerted a gentle pull, and the beauty tumbled into his embrace.
Su Li let out a small gasp. Before she could react, her lips were already captured.
For several days, he hadn't been able to properly be intimate with her. First, Consort Yun had sent assassins, surrounding Su Li's courtyard with soldiers day and night. Then, he had been busy running errands concerning the Emperor.
Their lips met, like a parched land meeting a long-awaited rain. Both trembled.
So close were they that they could hear each other's thunderous heartbeats.
This kiss was dominant and urgent. As their passion intensified, Jun Mo's large hand unconsciously slipped beneath her clothes.
His fingers kneaded lightly or firmly, the sensation beneath his hand nearly causing Jun Mo to lose control.
A soft moan escaped Su Li's lips, and Jun Mo's eyes deepened.
Just as he intended to go further, Su Li abruptly pushed him away, fleeing his embrace as if escaping.
Su Li hastily straightened her clothes, her head bowed, cheeks flushed crimson. She was so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into. In broad daylight, he...
Jun Mo, whose body felt on the verge of exploding from a certain discomfort, saw the beauty look at him with a mix of shyness and reproach. Her beautiful eyes were moist, carrying a hint of desire. That single glance nearly took Jun Mo's life.
Jun Mo gritted his teeth, picked up his teacup, and gulped down several cups of tea, only then feeling a little better internally.
He stared at the teacup in his hand, avoiding her gaze.
His self-control, which he prided himself on, crumbled before her. A single glance from her was enough to send him into disarray.
"Are you... alright?"
Jun Mo lowered his gaze. "I'm fine."
"Um, how about a game of chess?" Su Li suggested.
Jun Mo nodded.
The two sat before the chessboard. Jun Mo's fingers traced the jade chess pieces in his hand, the sensation...
Jun Mo abruptly stood up.
"I have something to attend to today. I'll be leaving first!"
As his voice faded, only a bewildered Su Li remained in the room.
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