"How is Yue Nansang any of your business?" Chu Ming's brows furrowed, his gaze shifting from elsewhere to Yue Beiyang.
Yue Beiyang faced his cold glare without flinching.
"Don't you forget, she is the daughter of King Yue and Queen Cangyu!"
These words, repeated countless times over the years, had long been ingrained in his heart; he dared not forget them for a moment.
Everything he had experienced was because of that woman, Cangyu!
His father was an outsider, with black hair and black eyes, said to have come from the Central Plains and wandered into Anzhou.
At that time, Anzhou was very curious about outsiders, so when his father Chu Yu arrived, his presence quickly spread. King Yue summoned him to the palace for a long talk that lasted through the night.
Chu Yu hailed from Shengqi Kingdom. Not only did his appearance and demeanor greatly differ from the people of Anzhou, but his understanding of the world and his insights were astonishing.
He claimed to be a seeker of enlightenment, who, by chance, learned of Anzhou and, through a twist of fate, indeed arrived there.
Chu Yu also had a younger brother, Chu Ming.
"Do you still remember how your mother died?"
Yue Beiyang did not wish to recall this matter; no one in Anzhou dared to mention it.
Years ago, his mother met Chu Yu at first sight. One was an outsider, while the other was the daughter of a minister in Anzhou. Their union was considered a beautiful tale at the time.
However, happiness was short-lived. King Yue, captivated by her beauty, happened upon his mother. That depraved and tyrannical King Yue, in his desire to possess his mother, framed Chu Yu, tortured him relentlessly, and drove him to commit suicide.
His mother, pregnant, became King Yue's concubine.
For his sake, his mother endured everything in silence, becoming the most favored woman in King Yue's palace.
He was finally born, but the Queen, out of jealousy, colluded with the former Grand Tutor, accusing his mother of being a demon concubine and him of being a demon.
To conceal his misdeeds, King Yue banished them, mother and son, to the Dark Realm.
The memory abruptly ended. Yue Beiyang's face was grim, but Chu Ming seemed oblivious.
"Of course, I remember!"
Chu Ming let out a cold laugh. "Since you remember, then act according to my plan!"
Chu Ming's voice was like a Shura in the dark night, seeking a life, eerily sinister.
"Yue Nansang cannot be touched!"
Yue Beiyang stated firmly, his gaze towards Chu Ming leaving no room for doubt.
Chu Ming laughed in extreme anger. "It seems your wings have grown strong, and you no longer take me seriously..." His aura gradually weakened, but in an instant, he suddenly looked directly at Yue Beiyang.
"But relying on you alone, don't forget who brought you back from that Dark Realm. I can bring you back, and I can send you back!"
Chu Ming was a madman, his eyes and heart consumed by hatred for his elder brother, caring nothing that the person before him was his elder brother's only son.
The atmosphere between them had become extremely tense. Yue Beiyang said coldly, "If that's the case, then try it!"
He left with a flick of his sleeve, having spoken these words.
Chu Ming naturally knew Yue Beiyang harbored some feelings for Yue Nansang, but he had to uproot this feeling entirely. If necessary, he would kill Yue Nansang!
Emotion was the most useless thing in this world!
"Brother, Beiyang is like you, both tormented by love. But I will definitely make him sever this root of affection. Only then can he live!"
Soon after, a woman entered, the same one who had seduced Yue Beiyang when he was poisoned that day.
The woman smiled coquettishly, her charm intoxicating.
Chu Ming's expression remained unchanged. The woman walked towards him and said coyly, "Grand Tutor, I did my best..."
Chu Ming ignored her, but then, as if remembering something, his expression suddenly changed. "You're saying it was Xing Ru who interrupted you that day?"
The coy smile on the woman's face suddenly turned sinister and terrifying. Her eyes deepened, and she said, "Yes!"
Chu Ming, however, smiled. "It's okay if you're useless; finding someone useful is what matters!"
The woman's expression turned even more unpleasant. She opened her mouth as if to say something.
But Chu Ming gave her no opportunity.
"I know what you want to say, no need to elaborate. I have my own plans!"
With these words, he sat back down and continued to sip his tea.
The interrogation Qin Jiujiu had imagined did not occur. Instead, something unexpected happened – a few days later, Yue Beiyang was attacked and disappeared.
She did not see Yue Beiyang again before this.
"Adele! I need to go out!"
Adele was puzzled, but Qin Jiujiu had already changed her Princess Consort attire into the clothes of an ordinary woman, looking like a commoner.
"Your Highness, why are you dressed like this?"
Qin Jiujiu did not offer much explanation, only saying, "I may not be back for some time. Close the palace gates and say that I am praying wholeheartedly for the Second Prince's safety within the palace due to my worry for him, and that I cannot be disturbed..."
"System, is it absolutely necessary?"
The system replied sternly, "Host, it is absolutely necessary! This is a chance for you to break this illusory realm! This is an opportunity I specifically sought for you!"
The system said proudly.
Qin Jiujiu instinctively rolled her eyes. She really didn't want to be such a diligent transporter, especially when it meant saving the villain.
According to the system's information, Yue Beiyang should currently be suffering from amnesia due to an assassination attempt by Grand Tutor Chu Ming while searching for Yue Nansang.
He should have been rescued after falling into water and brought to Manluo Kingdom.
This was the opportune moment the system had pointed out!
Following the system's instructions, Qin Jiujiu also crossed the barrier and arrived in Manluo Kingdom.
This was the first time Qin Jiujiu felt the power of the system's golden finger, though she was not grateful!
"System, you're saying Yue Beiyang is inside here?"
Qin Jiujiu looked at the brothel before her, incredulous.
She reconfirmed with the system in her mind before stepping into the brothel.
Yue Beiyang had been brought to the capital of Manluo Kingdom by a passing merchant caravan, who then left. The amnesiac Yue Beiyang, with his good looks, had been lured into this brothel.
Qin Jiujiu stifled a laugh and walked into the brothel.
"System, where is Yue Beiyang now?"
She had expected to be stopped at the entrance as a woman entering a brothel. To her surprise, not only was she not stopped, but as soon as she entered, a group of women surrounded her.
The system replied, "Yue Beiyang should currently be undergoing training at the brothel..."
As soon as Qin Jiujiu heard this, she couldn't help but imagine the scene and let out a chuckle, drawing shocked glances from the women.
"Esteemed guest, would you like female or male companionship?"
Now it was Qin Jiujiu's turn to be bewildered. She was a woman, and her presence in a brothel was already strange. The fact that they so eagerly asked her if she wanted male or female companionship indicated that the customs of Manluo Kingdom were exceptionally liberal!
"I want a man!" she replied without hesitation.