"You scoundrel, he's such a scoundrel!"
Only Mu Hansu remained, roaring behind Yuan Daren, but it was of no use.
The Crown Prince stood up and pulled at the ropes binding Mu Hansu. "We should go back. I fear Father Emperor will be waiting impatiently."
Mu Hansu wanted to struggle again, but he was bound tightly, and such struggles were futile.
When they returned to the Guande Hall with Mu Hansu, the sound of Yuan Daren's army's attack horns could be heard again from outside.
The sound of the horns made the Emperor, who was anxiously waiting in the hall, tremble: "What's going on? Are they trying to enter the palace again? Do they not even want Mu Hansu anymore?"
The Crown Prince pushed Mu Hansu towards the Emperor and shook his head. "That Yuan Daren is stubborn and unyielding. Father Emperor, I fear this fierce battle is unavoidable."
"Slap!"
Enraged, the Emperor stepped forward and slapped Mu Hansu fiercely across the face. "You scoundrel! How dare you do such a thing! Have I been too kind to you in the past?"
Now, no matter how the Emperor raged at Mu Hansu, Song Chaoyu didn't feel anything.
Mu Hansu's eyes turned red, but he did not argue with the Emperor. It was unclear whether it was because he dared not, or because he had lost all strength.
Meanwhile, Mu Changxi stepped forward and cupped his fists towards the Emperor. "Father Emperor need not worry. Everything outside has been arranged. The soldiers from the Southern Kingdom have also retreated, and the Empress Dowager's five thousand elite troops are now flanking them. I believe Yuan Daren's army will soon be routed."
The Emperor still harbored reservations about Mu Changxi.
Therefore, upon hearing his words, the Emperor merely nodded slightly, his gaze devoid of any warmth. "Now that things have come to this, I don't wish to say more to you. Let us first defeat Yuan Daren together. I will not let you off easily for other matters. Chang'er, you have disappointed me too much!"
Even with the Emperor saying this, Mu Changxi's eyes showed no other emotion.
Instead, Song Chaoyu couldn't help but lower her head and murmur, "When other fathers see their sons standing up, they are usually happy, aren't they? How can such a good thing now become a disaster?"
Her voice was not loud, but it was enough for the Emperor to hear clearly.
"Ayu, forget it."
Mu Changxi stepped forward, took Song Chaoyu's hand, and gently shook his head. "We knew this day would come. Haven't we both been prepared for it long ago? It's nothing major. The most important thing is the matter at hand."
Song Chaoyu understood that Mu Changxi wasn't letting it go, but simply felt it was unnecessary to dwell on it.
He was completely disappointed in the Emperor.
Since that was the case, why should Song Chaoyu still care?
She also lowered her head, then turned away, not looking at the Emperor again. "Fine, the most important thing now is indeed not this. We still need to find a way to deal with Yuan Daren!"
Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi's indifference made the Emperor appear even more petty.
But no matter how uncomfortable the Emperor felt, he couldn't say anything.
He suddenly realized that he was truly old.
Sitting on the throne in the Guande Hall, watching everyone around him busy, the Emperor had never felt such weariness.
It was as if he had lost nothing, yet also as if he had lost everything.
—
The horns outside continued to sound, and the shouts of battle seemed to reach the front of the Guande Hall.
This made everyone in the Guande Hall, already shaken and exhausted by days of fear, even more tense.
Even Mu Changxi took up his weapon and walked to the outside of the Guande Hall, standing at the very front with the Crown Prince, vowing to defend the Guande Hall to the death.
As for Song Chaoyu, she remained in the Guande Hall, not to cling to life, but to guard Mu Changxi's rear.
An Yang had always stayed by Song Chaoyu's side. Seeing Song Chaoyu's calm demeanor, she admired her. "I didn't like you before, but now I see you are truly different from other women. It's no wonder Prince Chang likes you so much. Even at a time like this, to be so composed, there are few women like you, I'm sure!"
She pointed to the concubines and noblewomen hiding in the side hall of the Guande Hall. "Look at them, every one of them is filled with fear. Even I feel uneasy, but you have given us courage. I think if you weren't here, we wouldn't know how chaotic it would be!"
Song Chaoyu hadn't expected to give them this impression.
She simply smiled slightly. "I am also afraid in my heart. How could one not be afraid when encountering such a situation?"
She sighed softly. "It's just that I understand better that fear is useless. Moreover, I believe in my Prince and in the Crown Prince. I also have people I want to protect, so fear doesn't seem important anymore."
An Yang nodded, her gaze on Song Chaoyu filled with even more respect. "I want to be like you! But I have a question for you. Did you know from the beginning that Prince Chang's legs were fine?"
An Yang was not foolish.
Song Chaoyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, I knew a long time ago."
An Yang then seemed to understand. "You probably knew when you married him, right? Did you meet before? If you hadn't, why would Prince Chang have specifically asked to marry you? I'm really curious about your past."
Those past events... felt like something from a past life.
No, it should be said that it was indeed something from a past life.
Song Chaoyu had never forgotten the three years of suffering, and her eyes became even more complex at this moment.
Seeing her like this, even An Yang realized she shouldn't have asked. She quickly waved her hand. "I didn't mean anything else. I was just asking casually. If there's anything you can't say, it's okay."
Song Chaoyu didn't answer her immediately, but looked at the raging fire outside. "Perhaps one day you will know all of this, but not now. Let's work together to do what we should do. Nothing else matters!"
Now, Song Chaoyu only hoped that Mu Changxi would return safely.
They still had so many things they hadn't done, so many places they hadn't visited.
A desire to escape this palace, and even this capital city, began to grow in her heart.
If they had been born in a village from the beginning, and lived half their lives peacefully and simply, how wonderful it would have been.
Then now, like ordinary people, they wouldn't have to worry about the palace, but would only guard their children and mother, living the life they desired.
Sometimes, perhaps, 평범함 (pingfán) was the most precious thing.