amaotonovel Chapter 407
Chapter 407
The night was as dark as ink, thick and impenetrable. The mountain wind howled like ghostly wails, adding an eerie touch to the tranquil forest. A mysterious woman, clad in a black robe, her hem fluttering in the wind, spoke her chilling words, then turned and walked gracefully into the cave. A faint mist filled the cave, and a dim glow shimmered on the walls—the light emitted by an unknown type of moss—illuminating the entire cave in a dreamlike state.
She approached the futon and sat down slowly, her movements as light as a falling autumn leaf. She gently closed her eyes, placed her hands clasped on her knees, and her aura instantly became calm and mysterious. Time seemed to stand still at that moment; the only sounds in the entire cave were her even breathing and the faint fluctuations of spiritual energy, as if she were communicating with heaven and earth, drawing upon the mysterious power of nature.
"Get out..." A cold shout shattered the tranquility of the cave.
Just then, two tall men in black appeared like ghosts. They were dressed in black, their faces covered with black masks, revealing only a pair of cold eyes, like two bottomless pools of ice, devoid of any warmth. They moved steadily and silently, arriving in front of Ye Jingchu. Without giving him any time to think, they stretched out their strong arms, one on each side, and roughly pushed him out of the cave like a chick.
Caught off guard, Ye Jingchu was thrown off balance by the sudden force, his body lurching forward uncontrollably. He instinctively tried to brace himself with his hands, barely managing to stay upright. He stood up shakily, brushing the dust off his clothes, his heart filled with humiliation and resentment. He clenched his teeth, making a grinding sound until his lips bled, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes wide and fixed on the cave entrance, silently vowing to repay everything he had suffered that day tenfold.
Deep in the desolate mountains, Ye Jingchu began his arduous return journey. The mountain paths were rugged and treacherous, overgrown with thorns. His clothes were torn in numerous places, and his arms and face were covered in cuts and scratches. When hungry, he would gather wild fruits to eat; when thirsty, he would drink from mountain streams. At night, the cries of wild animals echoed through the mountains, forcing him to find a secluded spot and vigilantly endure the long, dark night. After countless hardships, he finally returned to the capital three days later.
The city gates of the capital still stood majestically, bustling with people. On the streets, vendors' cries rose and fell, shops were filled with a dazzling array of goods, and people's faces beamed with smiles, as if nothing had changed. But he was unaware that a cataclysmic change had taken place within the imperial palace.
Emperor Ye Erxiao, following repeated petitions from his ministers, assumed that Ye Jingchu had already died outside and issued an edict deposing Ye Jingchu from his position as crown prince. When Ye Jingchu learned of this news, he was thunderstruck.
"Damn it, damn it! Father actually deposed me from my position as Crown Prince! Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Ye Jingchu clenched his fists, his knuckles white, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, his eyes flashing with a sinister light, like a wild beast enraged. He paced back and forth in the room, quickly calculating a plan to regain power. He knew he still had some loyal followers in the court, and he had to contact them as soon as possible. Familiar faces flashed through his mind—those were the ministers who had once stood with him in court. At the same time, he was also thinking about how to smear the current Crown Prince and incite his father's displeasure. He thought of some of the Crown Prince's minor transgressions, planning to exaggerate these things and spread them, then bribe some spies in the court to whisper in the emperor's ear.
Because Ye Jingchu was deposed as crown prince, his marriage to Dongfang Mingzhu was hastily arranged. Originally, the wedding was planned to be the grandest celebration in the capital, with streets decorated with lanterns and throngs of guests. But now, the wedding venue is deserted; what should have been a lively affair has sparsely attended.
Looking at the scene before her, Dongfang Mingzhu showed no sign of dejection. Dressed in red, she resembled a blooming rose, vibrant and beautiful. "It's nothing serious. I believe in Brother Jingchu. His mother is the Empress, and the Crown Prince's position will be his sooner or later!" She secretly resolved to use her family's power to help Ye Jingchu return to the center of power. The Dongfang family was a force to be reckoned with in the court. She planned to go home first to discuss it with her father, persuading him to mobilize the family's connections and resources to advise Ye Jingchu and smooth things over.
Chrysanthemum and Wanyao exchanged a glance, gently closed the door, and quietly left. As the personal maids of Dongfang Mingzhu, they had served their mistress for many years and were well aware of her thoughts. They knew of her deep affection for Ye Jingchu and understood her plans. Therefore, they also quietly began to work towards their mistress's scheme. Chrysanthemum used her connections in the marketplace to gather negative information about the current crown prince; Wanyao was responsible for relaying messages within the Dongfang residence and coordinating matters between various parties.
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Dongfang Wan'er felt a sharp pain in her neck, as if she had been struck by a heavy hammer, and her head was spinning. She opened her eyes groggily, her vision blurry for a while before gradually clearing. She found a pair of familiar eyes gazing at her affectionately.
"Ye Jiuchen, you're not dead! Am I dreaming?" Dongfang Wan'er exclaimed in surprise, jumping up and rushing into Ye Jiuchen's arms like a joyful little bird. She held him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear again.
Ye Jiuchen's eyes crinkled with a smile, a smile as warm and gentle as the spring sun. He gently pulled Dongfang Wan'er into his arms, feeling her body temperature and heartbeat. "Wan'er, you're not dreaming. I'm not dead. I've woken up!"
When Dongfang Wan'er heard Ye Jiuchen refer to himself as "this king," she was slightly taken aback. Why was this guy calling himself "this king" in front of her again? Didn't he refer to himself as "I" before? However, at this moment, she was filled with the joy of Ye Jiuchen waking up, so she didn't think about it anymore.
"That's great, Ye Jiuchen, you're finally awake! But I have some bad news for you: we've been wanted by your good brother!" Dongfang Wan'er looked up at Ye Jiuchen, her eyes filled with worry.
"Is that so? I was unconscious, and I killed his son, and he's in such a hurry to take my life!" Ye Jiuchen's lips curled into a cold smile, a smile tinged with mockery and disdain. His eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them, as if he were pondering how to deal with his elder brother's pursuit.
"There's another piece of bad news: Ye Jingchu isn't dead!" Dongfang Wan'er bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then revealed the news.
Upon hearing this, Ye Jiuchen frowned slightly, lost in thought. Ye Jingchu wasn't dead. Was his past self really this unreliable? Hmph, but it doesn't matter. He'll deal with him personally. He gently patted Dongfang Wan'er's back, comforting her, "Wan'er, don't be afraid. Since your brother is so eager..."