The room was as silent as death. Everyone looked at the Heartless Gentleman, who seemed truly liberated, his face at peace as he entered a world without worries.
But those of them who were alive were the ones in pain. Murong Liu Zun gave the order: "Let's go, escort him back to the peach grove."
The group escorted the Heartless Gentleman back to the peach grove. Mu Qingyao and Heartless were in one carriage. She insisted on accompanying him on his final journey. Hadn't he said he was afraid of loneliness? She didn't want him to leave alone and cold. At such a time, no one dared to stop her, so they let her have her way.
Emperor Xian and Little Fish rode in another carriage, while the others followed on horseback, all heading towards Heartless Valley.
Fifteen days later, they returned to the valley.
Everyone had learned of the young master's death. The entire valley was shrouded in grief. Over a dozen children, as well as the people of Fengchen Palace, were all saddened. Although Heartless was indifferent in personality, he had not been cruel to those around him, so everyone remembered his kindness.
A gentle breeze blew, rustling the peach blossoms. Petals drifted, their fragrance filling the air. Qingyao sat in the grove playing the zither. This was the first time she had played his zither. As she gently brushed the strings, a sound like flowing water arose. The pain in her heart was deep, and thinking of his past actions intensified it further.
The words she had spoken echoed in her mind again and again.
If only I could go back to when Heartless was young, and spare him so much pain. Now, I have only one wish: Heartless, if possible, be happy after your rebirth, strive with all your might for happiness.
I will offer you my blessings.
For the last time, Heartless, I am leaving Heartless Valley to return to Xian Yue.
Qingyao's eyes suddenly turned a deep, dark green, full of an eerie terror. "Heartless, I will avenge you. I will make that man wish he were dead."
She spoke with fierce determination, her fingers flying across the zither strings, faster and faster, imbued with a potent killing intent that pierced through the peach grove and soared into the highest heavens.
In the valley, Little Fish and Mo Chou exchanged glances. Their master seemed truly heartbroken. However, they were also heartbroken. But the dead cannot be brought back to life. The young master was gone, and they would remember him forever. He was as beautiful as an exquisite ceramic doll, a single glance at him evoking heartache, yet his life had been so arduous. Was it truly that heaven envied handsome faces?
Little Fish thought, then turned to Mo Chou: "I wonder when Mother will recover."
Before Mo Chou could reply, Qingyao entered the room carrying a zither and carefully placed the Phoenix Tail Zither in its stand. Her mood seemed to have calmed considerably.
Looking up, she saw Mo Chou and Little Fish gazing at her with worry. She spoke faintly, "What is it? Prepare yourselves, we are returning to our country."
"Yes, Master," Mo Chou replied quickly. It seemed their master had indeed managed to adjust her mood.
Qingyao slowly turned to look at the falling peach blossoms on the stone steps by the window. Some things were better kept in one's heart; what was the use of displaying them outwardly? She would not let that man go. A chill radiated from her.
Mo Chou walked behind the screen, then circled back and softly asked, "Master, what about those dozen or so children?"
"Bring them along. After we return to Xian Yue, I will arrange for them," her voice was cold and steady. Some things needed to be prepared.
"Yes, Master."
Mo Chou acknowledged and walked out. In the room, Little Fish approached Qingyao and spoke softly, "Mother, have you let go?"
Qingyao raised an eyebrow. "I keep him in my heart. Whenever I think of him, I still feel sorrow, great pain. But we are still alive, aren't we? And I want to avenge him, to destroy the Dan Feng Kingdom. I will leave that man with nothing."
She stated with certainty, her starry eyes glinting with chilling intent. Little Fish did not pursue the topic further, instead recalling something else.
"Mother, are we returning to the Xian Yue Imperial Palace?"
"To the Prime Minister's estate," Qingyao stated definitively. She had never considered returning to the palace. She was the one who had divorced him; how could she go back? She would return to help him unify the seven kingdoms, and also to help herself expand Fengchen Palace. Once everything was over, she would return.
"Little Fish, do you really like Father Emperor? If you want to return to the palace, I?"
Qingyao crouched down to Little Fish's eye level. She never stopped her from pursuing her preferences. If she wanted to return to the palace, she could do so at any time. And she was no longer the Empress of Xian Yue, but merely the third young lady of the Mu family.
"Mother, what are you saying? Of course, I'm going with you." Little Fish glared angrily at Qingyao. Qingyao smiled, straightened up, picked up the Phoenix Tail Zither, and led Little Fish out.
On the open ground in front of the gate, over a dozen children were already standing. These children had undergone training for days, and some of them had already developed considerable skills. Upon their return, she would adjust things and establish a small-scale armory. Previously, she had considered dividing them into an intelligence organization, but that was no longer necessary. She had already ordered Lin Simiao to transfer a small group to establish such an organization.
At the end of the long corridor stood a tall figure. His jade-like body was upright, and his mere presence exuded an innate dominance, his powerful aura enveloping the surroundings.
His pupils were as deep as a bottomless pool, a dark green that made it impossible to discern their contents, filled with an indescribable meaning. Only a hint of heartache touched the corners of his lips, his gaze following the woman in the open space, his body motionless.
Chang Ting and Duan Hun stood behind him, respectfully saying, "Your Majesty, we should return."
"Let's go."
Murong Liu Zun nodded, walked down from the long corridor, leading a few subordinates, and approached Qingyao. His gaze was deep as he looked at her, and he said with heartache, "Why don't you stay a few more days?"
He knew she was feeling unwell. He knew Heartless had treated her extremely well. Now that he had passed away, her yearning for him was only natural. Moreover, her forced smile truly pained him.
Qingyao looked up and smiled faintly. "It's alright, let's go."
After speaking, she turned to look at the peach grove, where two graves, one new and one old, rested. Heartless and Mei Xin. She silently murmured, "After I finish this battle, I will return to visit you."
"Let's go."
The wind rose, swirling fallen blossoms all around. Although it was spring, the peach trees were in full bloom, their blossoms scattering as if after a night of spring rain, carpeting the ground in a vibrant red, enchanting and resplendent, as if bidding her farewell.
Qing Feng and Ming Yue, leading a few subordinates, stood beneath the long corridor, watching their party depart.
A pang of heartache shot through him. Everything seemed like a dream. The dream had ended, but the young master was gone, leaving only a new grave. Qing Feng could not help but murmur softly, "Young Master, we will stay here and accompany you forever."
He knew the meaning behind the young master's last words, wishing him to protect her. But he only thought of the young master. And there were so many people protecting her, he was not indispensable. But the young master only had him and Ming Yue.
"Ming Yue, let's go back. Later, I'll play the 'Qing Feng Tune' for the young master."
"Yes," the two turned and left, walking directly into the room where the young master used to live.
Murong Liu Zun walked at the front, leading the group behind him, leaving Heartless Valley. Outside the valley, Qingyao gazed at the man-eating flowers on the marsh, alluring and stunning. She turned to look at Heartless Valley, her heart still aching for a long time. A tear slowly fell. "Heartless, I will definitely return to visit you."
Her fingers lightly touched the jade-colored Phoenix Tail Zither on her back. A chilling sensation traveled from her fingertips to her heart.
Mo Chou stood behind her, looking at her master's distressed expression with sorrow.
If the young master were still alive, perhaps their master would not be so heartbroken. At least it would prove he was still alive. But in the end, he had died. Who would have thought that Hua Wenbo would tamper with the antidote?
It should be said that he had threatened his own son.
Given such an antidote, the young master should have recognized it immediately. But he said nothing and took it. He only wanted release, never considering how guilt-ridden and heartbroken those left alive would be.