nashuaworldcup 第485章 1男5女，6人6马，开始仗剑江湖！
第485章 1男5女，6人6马，开始仗剑江湖！
Jiang Zhaoyue pushed open the door and stepped over the threshold.
Inside the hall, candlelight burned quietly in the lampshade, illuminating the room with a dim and warm glow.
When Liu Ruolan and the others saw Jiang Zhaoyue walk in, their expressions all changed.
They quickly went to the front of the hall and knelt down in worship.
Liu Ruolan knelt on the ground, head bowed, forehead touching the cold gold bricks, her long hair slipping from her shoulders and spreading across the ground.
Han Xin'er knelt beside her mother, her back straight, her hands placed flat in front of her, her posture respectful.
Han Qin'er knelt beside her sister, her little face tense, mimicking her sister's posture, not daring to move.
Yun Suxin knelt at the very back.
Her eyes held a complex mix of resentment and fear.
She didn't want to kneel.
She is the Moon Goddess, the Moon Goddess who commands hundreds of thousands of believers, a peerless powerhouse at the half-step terrestrial immortal realm. How could she kneel before a mere concubine of Qin Mu?
But when she thought of Qin Mu's face, his deep, all-seeing eyes, and his casual yet irresistible commands, she remembered them.
Her knees involuntarily bent down.
Jiang Zhaoyue looked at the four people kneeling on the ground, her gaze sweeping from Liu Ruolan's face to Han Xin'er's face, and then to Yun Suxin's face.
Her voice was soft; she said gently:
"His Majesty has decreed that we will depart for the Northern Border early tomorrow morning. Han Xin'er and Yun Suxin will accompany us."
Liu Ruolan suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.
The North?
Why did His Majesty send his daughter to the North?
This is so sudden.
She didn't understand what this meant, but she dared not refuse, dared not ask, and dared not even hesitate.
Liu Ruolan touched the gold brick with her forehead, her voice hoarse.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Han Xin'er's eyes flickered for a moment, and she quickly replied, "Yes. This humble woman obeys the decree."
Han Qin'er didn't understand what the Northern Border was; she only knew that her sister had obeyed the decree, so she would obey as well.
She lowered her head, mimicking her older sister, and spoke in a childish voice.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble woman obeys."
Yun Suxin replied in a low voice, "Yes... this humble woman obeys the decree."
Jiang Zhaoyue looked at them, nodded, and the smile on her lips deepened.
"Alright. Get up, everyone. Go back and get ready; we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
She turned around and walked towards the palace entrance.
Her steps were light, her skirt trailing on the ground with a soft rustling sound, like a cloud being blown by the wind.
The palace doors closed slowly behind her with a soft "bang".
Inside the side hall, four people knelt on the spot, remaining motionless for a long time.
.......
At night, the inner halls of Huaqing Palace were brightly lit with candles.
Xu Fenghua lay on the bed, eyes open, staring at the plain white silk cloth above the canopy, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
She turned over, lying on her side with her hand under her face, her gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window.
Moonlight seeped in through the cracks in the window, spreading a thin layer of silver frost on the ground.
The thought of returning to the North filled her with joy, but also mixed feelings.
She never imagined that she would return to the Northern Territory in this way, let alone that she would return to the Northern Territory with Qin Mu.
She didn't know why Qin Mu wanted to go to the Northern Border, what he was going to do, or what awaited her.
She had no idea what was going to happen next, after all, she was a complete unknown to Qin Mu.
She couldn't see through his thoughts, his plans, or his every move.
Xu Fenghua turned over and lay on her back. Her hand unconsciously covered her lower abdomen again, her palm pressed against the thin fabric, feeling the flat, warm skin.
A complex emotion welled up within her.
She hoped that this trip to the Northern Territory would allow her to meet her younger brother, Xu Longxiang, and tell him some news in person, so that she could help him gain more time and opportunities in front of Qin Mu.
She was afraid to see him, afraid that he would see the disappointment in her eyes when she stood next to Qin Mu, afraid that he would ask her, "Sister, how are you?", afraid that she would not be able to help but tell the truth.
Xu Fenghua set a task for herself.
Once we reach the Northern Border, we must find a way to meet Xu Longxiang, pass on information he doesn't know to him, remind him that Jiang Zhaoyue is no longer trustworthy, and let him know that Qin Mu is far more powerful than they imagine.
She took a deep breath and gradually suppressed her surging thoughts.
Xu Fenghua closed her eyes, forcing herself to sleep. She needed to be well-rested for her journey tomorrow.
At this very moment, in the side hall, candlelight burned quietly inside the lampshade.
Liu Ruolan sat on the edge of the bed, her brows slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed on Han Xin'er sitting opposite her.
"Xin'er, we're leaving tomorrow. Mother has a few words to tell you."
Han Xin'er sat on the embroidered stool, her back straight, her hands folded on her knees, looking calmly at her mother.
"Please speak, Mother."
Liu Ruolan reached out and gently took her daughter's hand.
"Once you reach the Northern Territory, you must be careful with your words and actions, and never anger His Majesty. No one can fathom His Majesty's thoughts; a single wrong word could bring about your death."
Han Xin'er nodded, her voice steady. "Mother, I understand."
Liu Ruolan sighed and said earnestly:
"Mother knows you are smarter than Mother and know better how to please His Majesty. Mother actually trusts you quite a bit. But... but Mother can't help but say it."
Han Xin'er's lips curled up slightly, a faint smile that carried a reassuring certainty.
"Mother, don't worry. I will take good care of myself."
Liu Ruolan's eyes reddened slightly as she reached out and gently stroked her daughter's cheek.
"You've always made your mother's life easier since you were little. Your mother is sorry for making you suffer with her at such a young age."
Han Xin'er shook her head, her voice very soft.
"Mother, it's not about suffering. It's about living. As long as we're alive, there's still hope."
Liu Ruolan's tears finally welled up and silently slid down her pale cheeks.
She reached out and pulled her daughter into her arms, holding her tightly.
Han Xin'er didn't struggle, but just leaned on her shoulder, closed her eyes, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Han Qin'er was curled up at the innermost part of the bed, hugging her pillow, her little face buried in the pillow, already asleep.
On the other side, in a corner of the side hall, Yun Suxin sat on a chair with her hands folded on her knees, her gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window.
Her brows were furrowed, and her heart was filled with equally complicated emotions.
She didn't know what awaited her in the North, whether Xu Longxiang would recognize her, or how she would explain herself if he did.
She had no idea whether Qin Mu took her to the Northern Border out of trust or as another test.
At last,
Yun Suxin sighed.
She closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and stopped thinking.
Thinking about it won't help.
What's meant to come will come.
The next day, before dawn, a palace maid knocked on the door.
Liu Ruolan hadn't slept all night. Upon hearing the knock on the door, she immediately stood up from the edge of the bed, straightened her clothes, and pushed the door open.
A palace maid stood at the doorway and gave a slight curtsy. "Madam, His Majesty has decreed that everyone must assemble at the palace gate in preparation for departure."
Liu Ruolan nodded, her voice hoarse. "I understand. Thank you."
She turned around, walked back into the hall, and woke up Han Xin'er and Han Qin'er.
Han Xin'er rubbed her eyes and sat up, her long hair disheveled, and the creases of the pillow still imprinted on her small face.
She quickly regained consciousness, got off the bed, walked to the copper basin, and scooped up some cold water to wash her face.
Yun Suxin stood up from the chair, straightened her clothes, and tucked the stray hairs behind her ears.
Her face was pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes, clearly indicating that she hadn't slept all night.
Han Xin'er looked at Liu Ruolan and Han Qin'er and said softly, "Mother, Qin'er, I'm leaving."
Liu Ruolan's eyes reddened slightly as she whispered, "Xin'er, you must always remember what your mother told you."
Han Qin'er, her eyes also filled with tears, looked at her sister and said in a trembling voice, "Sister, you must be careful and come back safely."
Han Xin'er's originally calm heart couldn't help but ripple, and her eyes reddened slightly.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself, nodded, and said, "Okay, I will."
Finally, Han Xin'er bid farewell to Liu Ruolan and Han Qin'er.
Following the palace maids, Yun Suxin and others walked through the corridors and palace gates until they arrived at an open space outside the imperial city.
The morning light spilled in from the east, bathing the entire imperial city in a pale golden glow.
Six horses were parked in the open space.
All six were fine steeds from the north, with glossy coats and well-proportioned frames, gleaming with a dark reddish light in the morning sun.
The saddle was new, the reins were made of cowhide, and the stirrups were polished to a shine; it was clear at a glance that they were quite valuable.
Qin Mu stood at the front, dressed in a moon-white robe with a jade belt around his waist, holding a folding fan in his hand, and a half-smile playing on his lips.
Jiang Zhaoyue stood beside him, dressed in a moon-white outfit, with the Frost Moon Sword hanging at her waist. Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail, and she looked heroic and dashing.
Yunluan also rode a fine horse, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her back ramrod straight, her gaze cold and stern.
Xu Fenghua was on Qin Mu's other side, wearing a lotus-colored dress with a matching cloak, her long hair tied into a cloud-like bun, with a jade hairpin inserted in her hair.
Her expression was calm, revealing no emotion.
Qin Mu turned his head, his gaze falling on Han Xin'er, then on Yun Suxin's face, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"You're here? Let's mount our horses."