roccoschili Chapter 286 Liu Hongyan's shock: How come Qin Mu is on the throne of Liyang?
Chapter 286 Liu Hongyan's shock: How come Qin Mu is on the throne of Liyang?
The two walked one after the other through the dark corridor and out of the prison gate.
Outside the door is a long bluestone path.
The moonlight shone down, bathing everything in a silvery white light.
Liu Hongyan followed behind Gu Jiantang, walking step by step.
Her gaze swept subtly around her.
Observing the surrounding environment.
She saw the magnificent palace in the distance.
The vermilion palace walls and golden glazed tiles gleamed with a solemn and luxurious light under the moonlight.
That is the Liyang Imperial Palace.
Her destination on this trip.
At this moment, she is walking in that direction.
As a prisoner.
A complex emotion flashed through Liu Hongyan's mind.
Having lived in the North for so many years, what kind of grand scenes hasn't she seen?
He accompanied the Crown Prince in receiving countless envoys and participated in numerous important negotiations.
She thought she had already cultivated a heart as unmoved as a mountain.
But now, they were about to meet the legendary Empress Li Yang.
She couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
It's not because I'm afraid.
It's because of the unknown.
She didn't know what awaited her.
I wonder what Zhao Qingxue will say to her.
It's hard to say whether this "summons" will bring good or bad fortune.
Liu Hongyan took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.
She silently told herself—
No matter what happens, we must not lose the spirit of the North.
No matter what Zhao Qingxue asks, you must respond carefully.
We must find out Li Yang's true intentions.
I need to figure out why they arrested me.
want--
To secure the greatest possible benefit for His Highness the Crown Prince.
Thinking this way, the tension in her heart subsided a little.
Instead, there is a deep sense of determination.
......
Passing through layers of palace gates and walking along the long palace road.
Finally, Liu Hongyan was led to a magnificent palace.
Tianqi Hall.
The main hall of the Liyang Imperial Palace.
Liu Hongyan stood outside the palace gate, raised her head, and looked at the open vermilion palace door.
The hall was brightly lit by candlelight, and the outlines of the golden pillars with coiled dragons could be vaguely seen.
The moonlight shone in from behind her, casting her shadow long, long on the golden bricks inside the hall.
She took a deep breath.
Take a step and cross the threshold.
Stepping into the hall.
......
Inside the Tianqi Hall, candlelight flickered.
On the long sandalwood table, the light from the jade lamp remained gentle.
Liu Hongyan walked into the hall step by step.
Her gaze first fell on the figure behind the long table.
That is--
a woman.
A moon-white dress, long flowing hair, and an unparalleled beauty.
Empress Li Yang, Zhao Qingxue.
She stood there, on one side of the long table, side by side with the moon-white figure behind it.
Liu Hongyan's gaze lingered on Zhao Qingxue's face for a moment.
Then--
Her gaze fell on the figure behind the long table.
That moon-white figure sitting on the throne.
The figure was leaning back in the chair, resting his chin on one hand, in a languid posture.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating his face.
That handsome, ever-composed face.
Those deep, smiling eyes.
That face, that familiar, ambiguous smile.
Liu Hongyan's eyes widened suddenly in that instant!
Staring wide-eyed!
Deep within his pupils, there was an unbelievable shock!
Her steps abruptly stopped!
He stood motionless in place, as if frozen in place!
His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something.
But it felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping my throat, and I couldn't squeeze out a single word!
Only those eyes remained fixed on the figure seated on the throne.
She stared at that face she knew all too well.
Qin Mu!
Emperor of Qin!
That man whom the Crown Prince hates to the bone and vows to overthrow!
he--
What is he doing here?!
How could he be sitting on the throne in the Liyang Imperial Palace?!
Liu Hongyan's mind went completely blank!
Countless thoughts swept through like a raging blizzard!
But they couldn't catch a single one!
She could only stand there, staring blankly at the man.
Looking at the half-smile on his lips.
Looking into those deep eyes that were fixed on her.
He leaned lazily against the throne, as if he were the master of the place.
Time seemed to stand still.
I don't know how much time passed.
It may be just a moment, or it may be a long time.
Qin Mu finally spoke.
His voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the silent hall.
With a hint of amusement.
A slight smile appeared on his face.
A faint sense of nostalgia for reuniting with an old friend.
"Miss Liu."
"have not seen you for a long time."
......
Liu Hongyan stood still, motionless.
Her mind went blank.
Only those three words echoed wildly—
haven't seen you for a long time.
haven't seen you for a long time.
haven't seen you for a long time.
She had seen him before.
Of course I've seen it.
That was three months ago, in the North.
His Highness the Crown Prince hosted a banquet for the Emperor of Qin, and she, as his most capable assistant, was naturally present at the banquet.
She remembered that he was wearing a black casual suit that day, sitting in the guest seat, one hand supporting his chin, his posture as languid as if he were in his own palace.
Those eyes always held a smile, casually sweeping over everyone.
But when that gaze fell on her, she clearly felt a chill.
It was as if they were being watched by something terrifying.
Later, she heard that the emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty was very interested in her.
He even suggested that he wanted to take her as a concubine.
Liu Hongyan was startled.
But the crown prince refused.
He said she was his cousin, and it was inconvenient to promise her off to someone else.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
But now—
He appeared again.
appear here.
He appeared on the throne in the Liyang Imperial Palace.
She sat in the seat that should have belonged to Empress Li Yang.
And the Empress of Liyang stood beside him.
Like a maidservant.
A terrifying thought suddenly flashed through Liu Hongyan's mind.
A thought she dared not believe, yet had to accept.
Empress Li Yang, Zhao Qingxue —
Have they submitted to the Qin Dynasty?
The thought exploded in her mind like a thunderbolt!
It blew her away!
The explosion made her dizzy and disoriented!
It blew her apart!
If Empress Liyang submits to the Qin Dynasty—
Then what about her alliance with the Crown Prince?
What about the alliance between the Northern Border and Liyang?
So, regarding her arrest—
Liu Hongyan's fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeve!
My fingernails dug deep into my palm, sending a sharp pain through me!
But that pain was nothing compared to the turbulent waves churning in her heart!
She looked at Qin Mu, at his smiling, handsome face.
Those deep eyes were also looking at her.
With a smile.
Meaningful.
It was as if they were admiring prey that had finally fallen into their net.
Liu Hongyan's heart sank completely.
She knew she was finished.
The alliance between the North and Liyang has ended.
Her life is over.
But she didn't understand.
I really don't understand.
Everything was fine when she left the North.
The Crown Prince said that Li Yang had tentatively agreed to the alliance.
The Empress's attitude towards him, while not exactly enthusiastic, was still quite polite.
How could this be...?
How could it have changed so much in just a few days?
Liu Hongyan opened her mouth, as if to say something.
I want to know why, I want to know what happened, I want to know...
But she couldn't get any information out of her.
Because those questions seem so pale in the face of these irrefutable facts.
So powerless.
That's ridiculous.
Qin Mu's smile deepened as he looked at her.
He leaned back in his chair, one hand supporting his chin, his posture still languid.
"Miss Liu."
He spoke again, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
"What's wrong?"
"Don't you recognize me?"
Liu Hongyan's body trembled slightly.
She looked at Qin Mu, at that smiling, ever-composed face.
The turbulent waves in my heart gradually subsided.
Instead, there is a deep sense of powerlessness and resignation.
She took a deep breath.
"His Majesty."
She spoke, her voice hoarse but exceptionally clear.
"This humble woman greets Your Majesty."
The moment the words fell—
She gracefully bowed down.
Forehead, touching the ground deeply.
The gold brick floor was icy cold, but she was completely unaware of it.
He simply knelt there, awaiting his verdict.
Inside the Tianqi Hall, candlelight flickered.
The moonlight, like water, fell upon Liu Hongyan, who was kneeling.
Her lake-blue brocade dress was crumpled up in the moonlight, making her look particularly disheveled.
Qin Mu looked at her, at her kneeling figure.
Looking at her slightly trembling shoulders and her back taut from exertion.
He smiled softly.
He didn't rush to speak.
He simply leaned back in his chair and watched her.
The moonlight shone on his face, illuminating his handsome features in a half-light, half-shadow.
The candlelight flickered inside the lampshade, illuminating the entire Tianqi Hall in a dim and intermittent manner.
Qin Mu leaned back on the throne, one hand supporting his chin, his gaze fixed on Liu Hongyan kneeling on the ground.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting dappled shadows on his face, illuminating his handsome features in a half-light, half-shadow manner.
The corners of his mouth held a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.
"Miss Liu."
"You seem quite surprised?"
Liu Hongyan knelt on the ground, her forehead touching the cold gold brick.
Upon hearing this, her body stiffened slightly.
surprise?
How could you not be surprised?
This is the main hall of the Li Yang Dynasty's palace, the place where she came to discuss the alliance on the orders of the Crown Prince.
She thought she would meet Empress Li Yang and engage in a battle of wits and words with the legendary Empress.
She made thorough preparations, mentally rehearsing countless possible scenarios.
But she never expected—
Pushing open the door, I was surprised to see Qin Mu.
Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty.
The man whom the Crown Prince hates to the core.
The man she had seen in the North three months ago, the one who had stared at her with that terrifying look.
At this moment, he was sitting on the throne of Empress Li Yang.
And the Empress stood right behind him.
Like a maidservant.
In Liu Hongyan's heart, endless waves of turmoil surged.
But her face quickly regained its composure.
She took a deep breath, her forehead still touching the ground, her voice respectful and steady:
"This humble woman dares not."
Qin Mu smiled.
"You've come to the Li Yang Dynasty," he began, his voice casual as if chatting about everyday matters, "what brings you here?"
Liu Hongyan's heart skipped a beat.
That's a very direct question.
It was so direct that she had almost no way to avoid it.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.
lie?
Unrealistic.
Empress Li Yang stood respectfully behind Qin Mu.
Does anyone know what their relationship is now?
Who knows if Zhao Qingxue told Qin Mu everything?
If she lies and is caught red-handed, the consequences...
Liu Hongyan dared not think any further.
But if I tell the truth—
She came to form an alliance.
They were discussing with Li Yang how to jointly deal with the Qin Dynasty.
It was a conspiracy with Empress Li Yang to overthrow Qin Mu.
How could she say such things?
I'm afraid I'll be dead if I say it.
Liu Hongyan's heart tightened.
She knew she couldn't panic at this moment.
必须冷静。
We must come up with one—
A statement that can get by without putting oneself in a desperate situation.
Countless thoughts flashed through my mind like shooting stars.
In the end, she caught one of them.
She took a deep breath.
Then, open your mouth.
The voice was steady and submissive, devoid of any emotion.
"Return to Your Majesty."
She paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:
"This humble woman has come to pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
"seek--"
She gritted her teeth:
"alliance."
The hall fell silent for a moment as soon as the words were spoken.
The candlelight still flickered, and the moonlight still streamed in through the window.
Qin Mu looked at her, at her lowered face.
She smiled softly.
"alliance?"
He repeated those two words, his tone slightly playful.
"Did Xu Longxiang send you?"
Liu Hongyan nodded.
"Yes," she said.
Looking at her submissive appearance, Qin Mu suddenly sighed.
It's boring, really boring.
She answered every question without any resistance, which took away a lot of his fun.