Draft

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Mu Rong Hua wasn't afraid in the slightest, he coldly confronted Ming Jiasheng about what happened back then, but Ming Jiasheng was furious because of his subconscious protection of Lin Que. He directly admitted that the Gu was indeed done by him, his face distorted as he asked in turn if Rong Hua had been meeting privately with Lin Que all these years!

Mu Rong Hua couldn't believe that he'd go so far just to separate him and Lin Que. After Mu Rong Hua recovered from his shock and anger, he didn't want to say a word to him.

The periphery of the hall was full of archers. Knowing that he would definitely not let Lin Que go, Mu Rong Hua sneered, saying-

"Kill him, I was separated from him for so long because of you. Let us die in love, going to the Yellow River hand in hand!"

Ming Jiasheng became mad, but he knew that it wouldn't be impossible with Rong Hua's temper. He resisted his anger and threw away the sword, in the end, he didn't order Lin Que to be killed, but imprisoned him in the sky prison¹.

That night, Ming Jiasheng stayed in Mu Rong Hua's palace, he left with a gloomy face the next afternoon.

Within a few days, the colour of the mole on Mu Rong Hua's palm turned dark! Mu Rong Hua, who was said to be unable to get pregnant again, conceived. It was sadistically ironic. After Ming Jiasheng learned about it, he only gave a gift, and didn't come again for a long time. He probably didn't care about one or two children more because of the many heirs.

While Ming Jiasheng was busy receiving envoys from other countries, Mu Rong Hua quietly reached out to Lin Zhao's people and planned to secretly transport Lin Que, who was severely injured, from the Palace.

Lin Que firmly grasped Mu Rong Hua's hand and begged him to leave with him. Mu Rong Hua felt extremely sorry for him, but if he really left with him, then Lin Que would undoubtedly die. Mu Rong Hua didn't want to harm him more than he already did.

Moreover, not all of their troubles have been resolved, he can't even protect himself.

Mu Rong Hua didn't dare to delay any longer, he knocked Lin Que unconscious and handed him over to Lin Zhao to take away. As a result, Mu Rong Hua was blocked by a team of officers and soldiers who chased them down a road.

The leader of those soldiers was currently the most favored concubine Mu Gui Fei's relative. He was extremely rampant, saying that he came to kill him the fugitive in the Palace with orders from the Emperor. He ordered someone to shoot the guards around Mu Rong Hua dead, in that cruel decisive moment, they were unable to fight back.

Whether this order really qas given by Ming Jiasheng or not, Mu Rong Hua was already desperate. The Mu family was able to ride over other's heads so arrogantly because of his indulging grace.

He, a dignified Empress, was reduced to the point where even a small captain could stomp him to death. Everyone knew that the Emperor didn't take the Empress seriously, and they despised him for it.

Mu Rong Hua thought that it was sad and ridiculous.

Mu Rong Hua, the eldest grandson of Full Moon Villa's patriarch, how could his martial arts be sloppy? It was one against fifty, even though he tried hard to fight back, he had still been hit by two arrows when he finally got the upper hand. He was already severely injured, the pain from his stomach made him even more uneasy.

He was exhausted. Just when he thought that he was going to die tragically with the child in his stomach, Ming Jiasheng hurriedly rushed towards him, shouting at those people to stop.

Ming Jiasheng caught Mu Rong Hua who had fallen softly to ground, Mu Rong Hua fainted without sparing him a glance. The wounds on his body were bleeding and the cloth between his legs was dyed with blood.

The child was naturally lost.

When Mu Rong Hua woke up and learned the news, he felt that it was a good thing after being sad.

Ming Jiasheng, who was originally frustrated and heartbroken, became angry after seeing his plain reaction at losing such a miraculous child. He immediately attacked him, nervously forcing him to answer him if he never wanted the children, that if no one chased him today, would he have escaped with Lin Que!

Ming Jiasheng's temper has become more and more uncertain, it was elusive to many people. Maybe it began after the death of the Emperor. In the past, the Emperor was disciplined, and Ming Jiasheng feared and respected his father the most out of everyone. He barely restrained his temperament and acted like a cultured gentleman.

But ever since ascending to the throne of heaven, dominating and watching over the world, his true nature that had been concealed was gradually been exposed.

Two years ago, he would still respectfully listen to the teachings of the Empress Dowager, but now the Empress Dowager was very sick, she spent most of her day asleep than awake, unable to control him anymore.

Mu Rong Hua completely despised Ming Jiasheng now, he didn't want to say a word to him. Facing his questions, he ignored the pains from the wounds on his body, adjusting his posture to cover his ears and turning his back to him to sleep.

However, Ming Jiasheng couldn't be ignored, he wanted to know why. Mu Rong Hua turned around and said coldly to him: "I don't want the children? I want to escape? Can I escape? Full Moom Villa and Xue Yao are both trapped in the palm of your hands, I was stopped on the way back to the Palace. Didn't the person you sent say that I should be killed as a fugitive from the Palace?? Why are you asking me this??"

Ming Jiasheng heard his word and suddenly it became quiet. He watched him with a terrible look in his eyes before suddenly turning around and leaving silently.

It took Mu Rong Hua two days to find out that of the 21 remaining soldiers that day, 19 were killed by being impaled on a stick, two of the officers surnamed Mu were pulled apart by horses. According to reports, Jiasheng asked Guifei Mu to go watch the scene, Concubine Mu became ill was unconscious when she went back that day.

Mu Rong Hua would sometimes want to recall the Ming Jiasheng he first met, even the Ming Jiasheng in their first few years of marriage, but found that his mind almost couldn't remember. The truth of this man was getting more and more unpredictable.

While Mu Rong Hua was lying in bed to recuperate, Ming Jiasheng visited him several times. He did the same thing every time, sitting on the side and quietly looking at his face without saying a lot.

Only when it was this peaceful could Mu Rong Hua vaguely find a shadow of the Ming Jiasheng he used to know.

Mu Rong Hua tried his best to calmly discuss with Ming Jiasheng, saying that he would give up the position of Empress to Mu Guifei. He was even willing to take Xue Yao out of the Palace and live in reclusion. Ming Jiasheng, who was still normal the moment before, became upset in an instant. His face instantly changed, and he angrily smashed everything on the table.

When leaving, he said to him: "That woman coveted the Empress's seat and harmed you. I've already dealt with her. And you Mu Rong Hua, even if you die, you'll still die as my Empress! You won't go anywhere I don't want you to go!"

Mu Rong Hua vaguely knew his stubbornness at heart. He didn't expect him to agree, he just wanted to upset him to make him stop coming to himself.

Concubine Mu quickly became a thing of the past, there became a new favoured beauty in the Palace. Mu Rong Hua kept his ears by the window outside, staying in his own temple, Mu Rong Hua could stay by the bed for a whole day.

A few months later, the Empress Dowager's body could no hold on, and he passed away.

The Empress Dowager had always felt sorry for Mu Rong Hua, and he held onto Mu Rong Hua's hand and wept before he died. However, Mu Rong Hua didn't blame him at all.

For Mu Rong Hua, this Palace's inner court, the Empress Dowager, and Xue Yao were all the warmth his heart wanted.

Grief lingered in him, however, what Mu Rong Hua didn't expect that as soon as his front foot moved to send the Empress Dowager away, his back foot would become paralysed² from Xue Yao leaving him due to an sudden illness.

In such a short period of time, Mu Rong Hua soul and life seemed to have been all taken away. Now that's left was just a shell.

After the funeral was over, Mu Rong Hua didn't talk to Ming Jiasheng. He directly moved from Yongning Hall to the extremely remote Chun He Hall. Every day he would dress like a monk, like a pond of stagnant water, passing by life without a ripple.

Mu Rong Hua moved far away because he didn't want to see Ming Jiasheng again, but after he moved, Ming Jiasheng came to look for him more frequently. Mu Rong Hua would occasionally came out to bask in the sun, and when he turned his head, he would find him standing next to the palace gate peeking inside. He sometimes wore court clothes, he sometimes wore ordinary clothes, he wouldsometimes came and sit, he would sometimes stand and leave.

Mu Rong Hua rarely paid attention to him.

One night, Mu Rong Hua was about to sleep, when Ming Jiasheng coated with the smell of alcohol, suddenly came. He held him and wanted affection, Mu Rong Hua directly slapped him without mercy.

Ming Jiasheng seemed to sober up, he was momentarily taken aback, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he watched Mu Rong Hua start to cry in a daze, asking him questions.

He asked: "Mu Rong Hua, have you ever loved me? Have you? Even a little bit?"

Mu Rong Hua replied decisively, "No."

Mu Rong Hua sneered and said, "You can go with your new love, I'll stay here silently recalling my old love. I don't need love, because there's no love between you and me."

Ming Jiasheng was already in his thirties. He was known outside as a figure full of hostility and inspired fright, but looked uncomfortable after hearing those words. He cried out sadly, and said with a horse voice, "I know, I know... You've never give me your softness or bowed your head for me even once. It's because you've always resented me in your heart. You blame me for threatening you with your family. In your heart I'll always be a sinner. On the surface, you treat me gently, but no matter how hard I work, or how well I treat you, you will never have feelings for me. You'll only ever think about Lin Que, and all you'll ever care about is him! You don't love me at all, you don't even want to talk to me, you stab me coldly with your words every time we quarrel, you never take me to heart... Fortunately, I noticed it a long time ago. Fortunately, I wisely let myself learn how to gradually get away from you, instead of being abandoned by you like a lovesick boy!"

After crying like a child who has been wronged by the world, Ming Jiasheng fell into his arms into his arms.

"..... Look at him, how proud he is, how he brilliantly can he weigh the pros and cons. Even his feelings can be calculated so clearly." Rong Hua's eyes were wet, he laughed at himself: "Being with him was my biggest mistake."

Ming Jiasheng, who was standing next to him, soon had a forehead covered in sweat. He suddenly trembled all over, he tried to move his lips with great difficulty when blood suddenly began to overflow from the corners of his mouth. It fell to the ground ticking along his chin.

Rong Ci noticed his movements and glanced sideways at him, but didn't intend to undo his acupunctures.

Rong Hua downed the last drop of wine from the flask, his breath was faintly mixed with the unique scent. His long eyelashes were wet from tears, and his pale cheeks were stained with crimson. He paused for a long time before continuing to talk about the past.

The last few years were relatively peaceful for Mu Rong Hua. He lived alone in Chun He Hall, isolated and remote. It was like the Cold Palace, but he lacked for neither food or clothing. He drank tea every day, basked in the sun, and watered and fertilised the flowers and plants.

Ming Jiasheng also gradually stopped wandering in the harem. He went to Mu Rong Hua more and more frequently, as if he wanted to show his good intentions.

Maybe it was because he was growing olderr, but he began to yearn for a quiet place to have peace of mind. Mu Rong Hua, the person who has been with him for the longest time, was undoubtedly the best company.

The two of them have been entangled for most of their lives, Mu Rong Hua didn't bother trying to spend more time with him. He was sometimes cold, other times warm, but only one thing was very insistent, Mu Rong Hua never allowed Ming Jiasheng to stay overnight.

Sometimes Ming Jiasheng would come too late, and he would want to stay in a shameless manner. He'd take off his shoes and socks and get in the bed, yet he'd still be blasted away by Mu Rong Hua.

If he doesn't go, then it would be Murong Hua who'll go.

Mu Rong Hua's rejection was physical and psychological, making Ming Jiasheng both angry and depressed. Ming Jiasheng ordered Mu Rong Hua to move back to Yongning Hall several times, but it all fell on deaf ears. Ming Jiasheng quarreled with him, he'll just blocked his ears with cotton balls, and there was nothing he could do about it.

It was then that Ming Jiasheng suddenly realized that unpleasant words weren't the most hurtful thing, it was indifference.

Ming Jiasheng never learned to give up. Whenever he'd visit the temple, he'd always be slapped. Once he was hit too hard, it took a long time to recover.

That's to say, ever since then, Ming Jiasheng had been ill for three or two days in end. His body was always uncomfortable here and there, and the headaches were the most serious. Often times he'd punish others with a dozen sticks for breathing too heavily.

He changed his previous diligent style of administration and began to be lazy. He went to Chun He Hall to recuperate. It was common for him to not go to court for days. He also began to listen to the slander of some treacherous ministers, allowing them to control the government, leading the dynasty to experience six years of corruption and turbulence

When the rebel army forced its way into the Palace, Ming Jiasheng finally sobered up. He realized all he had done over the years!

The rebellion was stamped out, but there were countless casualties. A river of blood flowed down the Palace steps, and mixed with them was Mu Rong Hua's.

Mu Rong Hua blocked a sword for Ming Jiasheng, he was seriously injured and almost died. Although he was rescued by imperial doctors, they all said that he wouldn't be able to live long.

After this rebellion and Mu Rong Hua's struggle between life and death, Ming Jiasheng felt like a bucket of ice had been poured over his head. His originally hazy mind was completely awake, and he also realized what that had troubled him for most of his life.

While trying his best to save the situation in court, he posted imperial listings everywhere to look for geniuses that could treat Mu Rong Hua's injuries. He personally served the seriously injured Mu Rong Hua, taking care of him in every possible way, the tenderness from when the two were happily married seemed to have reawakened inside him

Whether drowsy or awake, Mu Rong Hua didn't react much to his actions. His eyes always showed a sense of indifference.

God didn't give Ming Jiasheng a chance to regret it for too long. Mu Rong Hua stayed in bed for more than two months, but in the end, he couldn't survive, passing away and putting an end to thirty-seven years of life.

Rong Hua suddenly propped up his body and sat up, he turned his head slightly and looked at Ming Jiasheng. His eyes were washed by tears but they were also clear and calm. His tone was very stable: "What I said to you before my death, have you forgotten? I told you not to misunderstand the reason I blocked that sword, it's not because I still loved you, but because I wanted to completely end the relationship that made me miss the life destined for me. I also said that if there was ever another life, you should stay away from me. Don't you remember?"

After hearing Rong Hua's whole story, Su Jingyang felt like he had experienced a long dream. At that time, he heard that Jiasheng had lost Rong Hua's feelings, but this was much more complex than falling out of love, this was simply torturing others for a lifetime!

Su Jingyang had also vaguely guessed that Rong Hua and Ming Jiasheng could be the protagonists.

But if Rong Hua and Ming Jiasheng really were the protagonists... He would rather die trying to collect enough energy than waste his time matching them, otherwise he'd slap himself hard with contempt!

Ming Jiasheng was so selfish and cold, Su Jingyang didn't know how Ah-Xuan could've raised such a son!

Ming Jiasheng had just been released Rong Ci, he hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Rong Hua, I was wrong, I known clearly that I was wrong, I..."

Rong Hua sneered at him, his expression didn't have the slightest warmth. "The relationship between you and Mu Rong Hua is over. I'm Rong Hua now, the saint of the Rong Clan. I have nothing to do with you."

Ming Jiasheng stared at him with red eyes, saying: "Do you blame me for being too late? But the dynasty of the Ming family can't be buried with my hands. I really came to find you. Those five years where I left were years I tried to rectify everything and prepare the Crown Prince. I wanted to see you sooner."

"See me, then what? Start things all over again?" Rong Hua smiled sarcastically. It was cold and harsh, Ming Jiasheng was startled. Rong Hua then asked: "I was tortured and trapped by you for a lifetime, how much do you hate me to refuse to let me go? Why should I suffer this?"

"I'm not asking you to forgive me, I just want to be able to see alive again..."

Rong Hua suddenly stood up, his hair swayed as he walked barefoot towards Ming Jiasheng. He looked at his tear-stained and blood-stained face, saying coldly and sternly: "Ming Jiasheng! I've been married to you for eighteen years. Do you think I still don't know you? Do you think I'll believe your nonsense? If I hadn't chosen to restore my memory, what story would you make up to deceive me?"

Ming Jiasheng's face was pale and ashen, and he looked at him, "I don't have..."

"You didn't, because I remember everything, and I don't want anything to do with you anymore! This is my new life, not your chance for redemption!" Rong Hua's eyes and tone were almost terrifying resolute: "Mu Rong Hua once belonged to you, but you didn't cherish him. You can have two lives, but I have only one chance."

Rong Hua raised his finger at the direction of the door, "Leave, don't show up in front of me in the future. If you fulfill this, I'll let you go!"

Rong Hua stopped looking at him after speaking, he turned around blankly and began to pack all his clothes and money. He seemed to have made up his kind to leave.

Although Su Jingyang didn't know where he was going, he figured that he needed the time out to relax, so he ran to help him.

Ming Jiasheng looked at the already impatient Rong Hua. His hands slowly clenched and his breath sank suddenly, he closed his eyes and said in a low voice: "No need to look for him... in this life, Lin Zhao died soon after he was born. There'll never be a Ling Que."