When Hai Ru Yue heard about the Red Yang Fruit, she immediately grew anxious. Had Niu You Dao truly gone to the Ice and Snow Palace for the Red Yang Fruit? How brave must one be to do such a thing?
She had her doubts. Niu You Dao had said he would acquire the Red Yang Fruit for her. And now, this had happened at the Ice and Snow Palace.
However, upon careful thought, it seemed impossible.
Firstly, Niu You Dao hadn't given her the Red Yang Fruit. Secondly, he wasn't an idiot; he wouldn't immediately hand over the Red Yang Fruit to her. Furthermore, he must understand that if he were to steal the fruit from the Ice and Snow Palace, who would dare to accept it?
“Who spread this rumor? Who is trying to harm us?” Hai Ru Yue asked:
“Could it be the Shao family from Beizhou?”
The Shao family had already harmed them before, by revealing Niu You Dao to the Song family.
Li Wu Hua: “It doesn’t matter who spread the rumor. A righteous person fears no crooked shadow. If we are innocent, we have nothing to fear...” As he spoke, he gazed at Hai Ru Yue’s flushed, alluring body. He looked at her fair skin, her slender waist. Her entire being was a provocation. He watched her alluring chest rise and fall.
Hai Ru Yue, sensing the stirrings within him, noticed his hungry gaze and realized everything was fine. The matter hadn’t been taken seriously. This brought her inner peace.
Rolling her eyes at Li Wu Hua, she turned to leave.
But Li Wu Hua reached out and grabbed her. He pulled her close and, eyeing the bed, tossed her onto it...
Hearing the strange sounds emanating from the room, the maids standing by the door immediately pulled the doors shut. So that no one would see what they shouldn't.
In truth, everyone in the palace knew this open secret and wasn't surprised by the princess's escapades.
However, no one dared to reveal this outside the palace, for everyone cherished their lives.
Nevertheless, Hai Ru Yue was still young and beautiful. Everyone has their needs, and hers were understandable too.
At that moment, a stern voice rang out from outside:
“Who is it?!”
Inside the room, Li Wu Hua and Hai Ru Yue, already half-undressed, immediately sprang apart and began to compose themselves.
Li Wu Hua straightened his clothes and went outside. Above, he saw several enormous birds circling in the sky, while on the palace roof stood several disciples from the Wandong Heavenly Palace. Li Wu Hua also flew up there.
Two people sat on each bird. These birds must have been worth tens of millions. And here, three such birds had appeared, and they were quite large.
“Who are they?!” The disciples of Wandong Heavenly Palace were startled.
They initially thought the Zhao Kingdom’s imperial house had sent people. However, the newcomers showed no haste to attack.
The three birds circled in the sky, as if scouting for a place to land. Then, one by one, they descended into the garden.
The disciples of Wandong Heavenly Palace who had been on the roof also headed to the garden, while some remained at their posts to continue their vigil.
Li Wu Hua rushed to the garden and saw the people who had dismounted from the birds.
A woman in gray robes with streaks of white at her temples walked slowly through the garden, followed by a young woman and four men.
The woman in gray was simply dressed, yet she walked through the garden with an air of composure and freedom. She paid no heed to anyone, as if this were her own palace.
Not only the woman in gray, but the people following her also carried themselves with arrogance. As if no one here was worthy of their gaze.
Li Wu Hua grew wary. He stepped forward and asked:
“Who are you? From where do you hail?”
The woman in gray approached some flowers and admired them. Then, without turning her head, she calmly stated:
“Ice and Snow Palace. Hai Bing!”
Hai Bing? The one you hear much about but never see? The Chief Manager of the Ice and Snow Palace has personally arrived here?
The young woman standing behind her produced a wooden tablet, certifying her affiliation with the Ice and Snow Palace.
No wonder they appeared so! All the disciples of Wandong Heavenly Palace immediately quieted down.
Li Wu Hua also changed his fierce expression and submissively stepped forward. He cupped his hands and said:
“Elder of Wandong Heavenly Palace, Li Wu Hua, respectfully greets the Chief Manager of the Ice and Snow Palace!”
At this moment, Hai Ru Yue, along with Zhu Shun and the others, also arrived at the garden. Li Wu Hua immediately winked at her, signaling her to be polite. Hai Ru Yue, seeing how the arrogant Li Wu Hua had transformed into a submissive disciple, instantly understood that an important guest had arrived. She immediately waved for everyone to stop.
“Wandong Heavenly Palace?” Hai Bing murmured to herself. She released the flower she had been examining and asked:
“And where is the provincial ruler?”
Li Wu Hua immediately went to Hai Ru Yue and quietly whispered Hai Bing’s position to her.
Hai Ru Yue was instantly alarmed. She stepped forward and, cupping her hands, said:
“The widow of Qingzhou’s ruler, Hai Ru Yue, greets the Chief Manager.”
Hai Bing seemed to ponder something, then slowly turned her head. She assessed Hai Ru Yue with her gaze:
“How charming. So you are Princess Hai Ru Yue of the Zhao Kingdom?”
Hai Ru Yue bowed slightly and said:
“Indeed.”
Hai Bing examined her closely, then nodded and said:
“This is not our first meeting.”
Li Wu Hua was surprised. They had already met? Why hadn’t Hai Ru Yue mentioned it?
Hai Ru Yue nodded:
“My mother said you saw me when I was still very young.”
“Indeed!” Hai Bing sighed:
“Seeing you, I realize how old I’ve become. It must have been thirty years ago. Back then, I visited the Zhao Kingdom with my master. Your father had just ascended the throne. You stood by your father. You were this tall then.” Hai Bing raised her hand slightly, indicating a small height.
“In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown. Even then, at a single glance, I knew you would become a beauty. And indeed, you’ve blossomed into one.”
Only now did Li Wu Hua understand how they had met.
Hai Ru Yue quickly replied:
“Chief Manager, I merely powdered my face earlier.”
Hai Bing: “I heard you have a son. And that he is quite ill?”
Li Wu Hua and Hai Bing immediately widened their eyes. Had something truly happened with the Red Yang Fruit?!
Hai Ru Yue grew inwardly anxious and replied: “Indeed! My son has been constantly ill.”
Hai Bing: “I wish to see your son.”
“Very well!” Hai Ru Yue dared not refuse. She waved her hand at Zhu Shun, signaling him to bring the people.
Zhu Shun departed, while Hai Ru Yue prepared to arrange tea for Hai Bing.
Hai Bing waved her hand, indicating she had no interest in drinking tea. She slowly strolled through the garden, with Hai Ru Yue and the others following behind her. Hai Ru Yue and the rest felt immense pressure. Although they knew the reason for her visit, at the same time, they believed they had nothing to hide. But who knew what decision the Ice and Snow Palace would render?
It wasn't long before Xiao Tian Cheng was led in, dressed in warm clothes despite the summer weather.
Looking at the young man's pale face, one could immediately tell how much suffering he had endured in his life.
“Is this your son?” Hai Bing immediately asked.
Hai Ru Yue understood what she implied. She was wondering if they were trying to deceive her.
Hai Ru Yue replied: “This is my son. Many in the city have seen him.”
Hai Bing nodded. She thought it unlikely these people would dare to deceive her. She extended her hand to Xiao Tian Cheng and, with a warm smile, said:
“Little one, come here. Give me your hand.”
Xiao Tian Cheng already knew from Zhu Shun who had arrived and understood that even the Zhao Kingdom wouldn't offend this person. So, pursing his lips, he obediently approached her.
Hai Bing grasped his wrist and closed her eyes. She stood for a moment, probing his pulse, then released him and looked at Xiao Tian Cheng with pity. She also patted his head and said:
“Poor child.”
Then, turning her head to Hai Ru Yue, she spoke:
“It hasn’t been easy for you, my dear girl.”
Hai Ru Yue tensed. At these words, she truly felt on the verge of tears. For all she had endured in her lifetime, her eyes merely reddened.
Seeing her like this, Hai Bing seemed to ponder for a moment, as if making a decision. Then she said:
“After thirty years, we meet again; it must be fate. In some matters, I am not the master and cannot interfere. But in others, I can assist. My dear girl, if you wish to cast aside certain things and return to the capital, I can put in a good word for you. Then you will be allowed to live peacefully and will not be disturbed.”
Upon hearing this, Li Wu Hua’s eyes widened, and he looked at Hai Ru Yue. If she returned to the capital, their relationship would simply end.
Zhu Shun also looked at Hai Ru Yue. He didn’t know what she would decide.
Hai Ru Yue bit her lips. She both wanted to and hesitated.
She naturally understood what Hai Bing was offering. However, Hai Ru Yue had once been without power and knew what it was like to dance to someone else’s tune.
She didn’t want to know that feeling again. Moreover, she herself had tasted power, so it would be quite difficult for her to relinquish such temptation.
Is it easy for a person who has tasted power to give it up?
She didn't know what future awaited her then. Hai Bing could guarantee her temporary peace, but not for life. And who knew what winds would blow later?
“The Xiao family’s property is here. A hen follows the rooster, a bitch follows the dog. I shall enjoy happiness, and I shall endure suffering!” Hai Ru Yue tilted her head and said. She still refused the offer. She rejected Hai Bing.
Hai Bing looked at her meaningfully, then nodded her head. She did not try to persuade her. Hai Bing patted Xiao Tian Cheng’s head again:
“Very well. It seems the road has brought me here. I’ve seen an old acquaintance, now it’s time to depart.” Having said this, she turned and left.
Hai Ru Yue quickly followed her:
“Chief Manager, why the hurry? Allow Ru Yue to offer you some hospitality...”
Hai Bing raised a hand, interrupting her:
“There’s no need. My presence here makes you uncomfortable.”
With that, she and the others leaped onto the birds, soaring into the sky.
Watching them depart, Hai Ru Yue looked lost.
Zhu Shun silently led Xiao Tian Cheng away.
Li Wu Hua and the others exchanged glances. They relaxed. It meant everything was now behind them.