The Princess and Her Rough-Rider Khan-Chapter 649 - 647 people died and there was nothing left (first update)

Chapter 649: 647 people died and there was nothing left (first update)

"I won’t let you see anyone until I get what I want," Li Rui said indifferently. "Besides, you have no right to negotiate terms with me."

Li Mu, frantic with rage, ended up in a violent coughing fit before finally conceding, "Fine, I agree to your terms. Let them all in."

Li Rui said ominously, "You’d better do exactly as I say, or those ministers will meet the same fate as you. You will not only doom yourself, but also those you care about—they will die too."

Although Li Mu was not a good Emperor, he deeply cared about familial bonds and that love he thought was unforgettable but was actually filled with lies.

Li Mu forced a bitter smile. He had seen Li Rui’s strength.

During that time, he had attempted to reveal the truth about being coerced to his close ministers. No sooner had he spoken a word than one minister was struck by a hidden weapon from an unknown direction and killed instantly.

After several attempts ended the same way, and with Li Rui’s men threatening the lives of Concubine Rou and several princes and grandsons, Li Mu finally gave up struggling.

Li Rui was even more inscrutable than he had imagined.

Nobles and key civil and military officials were summoned into the Emperor’s bedchamber.

The assembly looked upon the emaciated Emperor on the Dragon Couch, aware that a testament was to be left and a new Emperor would soon arise.

The Crown Prince puffed out his chest, confident of his imminent victory.

Li Mu surveyed the crowd, his gaze lingering on the Crown Prince.

Seeing grief etched on his face, the Crown Prince felt his heart drum with anxiety.

Could there have been some unexpected change?

In the next moment, his fears materialized.

Li Mu declared his intent to abdicate the throne to Li Rui.

The Crown Prince couldn’t help but step forward, "Father, are you out of your mind?"

But his protest was quickly drowned out by the clamor of the ministers.

Kneeling, they prostrated themselves and chorused, "Congratulations to the new Emperor."

The Crown Prince looked incredulously at the ministers who had previously been at his beck and call. When had they switched sides?

Those nobles who had previously looked down on Li Rui, seeing the tides shift, knelt as well.

A small number of nobles waited, but when Li Rui’s piercing gaze swept over them, they ultimately chose to kneel.

Realizing the situation was beyond redemption, the Crown Prince sat on the ground, defeated.

Qiu Qianyun waited anxiously in the Prince’s Mansion, until a young servant accompanying Li Rui hurried back with a message.

"Reporting to the Princess Consort, the Prince says he is unharmed and asks you not to worry. There are many affairs to attend to at court today, and he will spend the night inside the palace and not return. Please do not wait up for him."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Qianyun felt no relief, still fraught with worry.

That night, chaos ensued in the palace. Amidst arranging affairs, Li Rui received a secret letter from Houliang.

The letter stated that the Emperor of Later Liang had been in a coma for several days with no signs of waking.

Gazing out into the somber night, Li Rui clenched the secret letter, his hand’s knuckles white from the grip.

It was best if Murong Ce died.

If Murong Ce were still alive, how would he fulfill his promise?

...

When Murong Ce awoke, it was to an afternoon sky splashed with sunset.

He felt as though he had walked a very long and exhausting journey, finally reaching his destination.

During the days of his unconsciousness, he dreamt continuously.

He dreamt of his childhood, where he was mercilessly tormented by others.

He also dreamt of the first person he killed; he was only a few years old then, but he had already felt the thrill and satisfaction of crushing his tormentors underfoot and watching them struggle in agony.

He had killed many – those who deserved it, those who didn’t; there were too many to count. Anyone who stood in his way never lived to tell the tale.

Of course, the person who filled his dreams the most was Li Xianyun.

From the first time he saw her on the streets to every palace banquet encounter, he always savored the contentment and joy those moments brought him.

During those turbulent days of bloodshed, Li Xianyun was the only one who could bring him peace and tranquility.

Li Xianyun certainly felt their paths rarely crossed.

But she was mistaken, as nearly every day in Houtang allowed him glimpses of her, both openly and in secret.

He would often hide and watch her, whether by a street corner or covertly from inside a carriage after the banquet ended, watching Li Xianyun’s carriage depart...

His interest in Li Xianyun had evolved from mere curiosity to viewing her as prey to conquer, and finally to being utterly conquered by her.

Unconsciously, he had turned from an observer of the game into a piece upon the board.

Sometimes, when he had to travel far, the first thing he did upon returning was to see Li Xianyun.

Who would have imagined that he, the Crown Prince of Houliang, would actually scale walls and hide on rooftops or beside rockeries just to steal glimpses of Li Xianyun.

Watching her talk and laugh with her siblings, sitting in the courtyard sewing, or searching for that wayward white cat.

Once, he nearly revealed himself to her, even prepared to bare his heart to Li Xianyun.

Just as Li Xianyun was about to approach him, the fat cat with its shiny fur suddenly darted out from a nook.

Murong Ce watched as Li Xianyun walked away holding the white cat, stroking it as she went.

How he envied that cat; he too wished to be held by Li Xianyun like that.

These real events flitted through his mind, scene by scene, both vivid and elusive, embellishing those heart-fluttering days.

Murong Ce looked toward the canopy above the bed.

They say that as one nears death, they see the person they most desire to lay eyes upon.

He longed for Li Xianyun more than he had imagined.

If he died, he would gain nothing.

Thankfully, he didn’t die.

Yes, as long as one is alive, everything is possible.

An Imperial Physician sat dozing off on the footstool next to the dragon couch.

His head grew heavier and heavier, slowly drooping forward. As he was about to fall forward, he suddenly sat up straight, opening his eyes.

When the palace servant inadvertently glanced at the bed, he saw Murong Ce with his eyes open and sprang up from the stool, exclaiming joyously, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is awake! The Emperor is awake!"

Wen Yao hurried in from outside upon hearing the news, relieved to see his Emperor pale-faced but conscious.

"Quick, go call the Imperial Physician!"

The Imperial Physician waiting outside had already rushed in at the sound.

After a sequence of observations and inquiries, the Imperial Physician said, "Your Majesty, your body is no longer in grave danger. A period of recuperation should bring full recovery."

Murong Ce spoke indifferently, "Yet my head still aches considerably."

The physicians looked troubled, "This humble servant will spare no effort in treating Your Majesty."

Murong Ce let out a wry laugh.

That meant the Imperial Physician was out of options.

Li Xianyun’s medical expertise was far beyond these ordinary men, wasn’t it?

Murong Ce raised a hand.

The Imperial Physicians retreated to prepare the prescription and gather medicinal ingredients.

Murong Ce turned to Wen Yao, "Has anything occurred during the days of my unconsciousness?"

Wen Yao reported the latest happenings in the court.

Even though Murong Ce was unconscious, the power he had cultivated remained, with each member hoping for his unscathed return.

A collapse would scatter the monkeys by the falling tree; should anything happen to Murong Ce, they likely would meet with disaster too.

Therefore, those who wished most earnestly for Murong Ce’s awakening were none other than his loyal retainers.