Hundred Flowers City.
The whole city was vibrant with joy, each home decorated with the character for âhappinessâ and festive red lanterns.
It was obvious that Lin Xiheâs governance had won the peopleâs deep approval and that they were all celebrating on her behalf.
In just the past few days, guests had arrived in a constant stream. There were only a limited number of guest rooms in the city, so some of them had no choice but to stay in taverns or hostels.
âStop.â
A group of guards stopped Zuo Moâs carriage before the city gates. Because of Lin Xiheâs upcoming wedding, traffic into the city had increased dramatically, and the guards had to be far more cautious than usual.
Stomp stomp stomp.
A group of guards approached.
âPlease present proof of your identity.â
âHello, I am Zuo Mo, the head of the Zuo Family. Iâve been invited to attend City Lord Lin and General Zhaoâs wedding,â she said, pulling aside the curtains and passing them some papers. âThis is my invitation.â
The guards carefully looked the documents over a few timesâŠ.
âFamily head Zuo, I apologize if we offended you earlier. City Lord Lin ordered that upon arrival, you were to be led directly to her manor. Weâd like to ask that you follow us; otherwise, youâll encounter numerous similarly troublesome roadblocks.â
âSorry for the trouble,â she nodded, then returned to her seat, while Ye Zichen glanced out the window.
âThis is my first time in Hundred Flowers City. I hadnât realized how successful Lin Xihe was at her job. Look, the whole cityâs celebrating.â
âDonât change the subject,â frowned Zuo Mo. âEarlier, I asked you something, but you still havenât answered me.â
âWhat are you talking about?â
âPlaying dumb?â
âAre you referring to what you said earlier? About sparing Zhao Zizhao?â Ye Zichen shook his head and smiled. âHe hasnât committed any crimes, so whatâs all this talk about âsparing him?â If he really brings calamity to the Three Realms, then even if I donât punish him, others surely will.â
âYou know full well what Iâm talking about,â said Zuo Mo through knit brows. âWhy are you acting like this?â
Zuo Mo let out a long sigh and said, âIf Iâm not mistaken, during the wedding heâll contact the demons. Back then, the demons instigated a rebellion in the Immortal Region. Heâs most likely someone they left behind, their last chess piece.â
â......â
âEven if you donât say anything, I already know Iâm right,â she said decisively.
âItâs actually not good for a woman to be too smart,â Ye Zichen shrugged helplessly. âSince you know all this already, why are you asking me to spare him? Working with the Demon Realm is a major crime, and puts the entire Three Realms at risk. Youâre asking me to spare him, but can the world possibly forgive him?
âBig Sister Lin truly loves him. If you hurt himâŠ. I donât dare even imagine how sheâll feel. Zichen, youâre the Immortal Regionâs Yellow Emperor, and your words have weight in the other two realms as well. If you say âspare himâ, they wonât pursue the matter.â
âSurely you know the difference between private affections and duty?â
âJust take this as me begging you,â Zuo Mo suddenly shouted, âYou couldnât possibly understand what itâs like for a woman to wholeheartedly love a man. Given your way of looking at things, youâre definitely planning to kill him, right? But have you considered what will happen to Big Sister Lin? And your relationship with Xiyue should be pretty good, but have you considered how sheâll feel? Zichen, I, Zuo Mo, have never asked you for anything, but now Iâm begging youâŠ. For my sake, please, spare him just this once. â
ââŠâŠâ
Ye Zichen took a deep breath. Given all that Zuo Mo had said, he really didnât have it in him to sternly lecture her about righteousness or the people of the Three Realms.
After a while, he let out a long sigh. âIf his behavior isnât too harmful, then Iâll⊠let him go, just this once.â
âThank you, thank you!â Zuo Mo thanked him repeatedly, but the atmosphere within the carriage had changed.
On the way, Ye Zichen didnât say another word. He simply looked out the window at the peopleâs colorfully decorated homes and brightly lit lamps.
âFamily Head Zuo, weâve arrived,â said one of the guards. Theyâd led them all the way to the manor. Zuo Mo took out a small bag of money and placed it into their hands, telling them to go drink some tea.
They refused at first, but when she said this was to celebrate the wedding, they finally agreed to accept it.
âFamily head Zuo.â
An elderly woman was waiting for them at the entrance to the city lordâs manor. Ye Zichen and Zuo Mo nodded at her, then went inside.
Before theyâd taken more than a few steps, Lin Xihe came over to greet them.
âLilâ Mo, youâve finally arrived! Iâve waited for you for so long. Iâve reserved the biggest room in the manor for you. Many heads of powerful organizations have arrived, but Iâve still held onto this room for you. What do you think? Is your Big Sister good to you or what?â
Her big day was coming up, and Lin Xiheâs expression was joyful and charming.
When they were about to get married, women radiated happiness from head to toe.
âThanks, Big SIster. Iâve come here to be your bridesmaid.â
âOf course youâre going to be my bridesmaid, donât worry about that,â Lin Xihe laughed, then turned to Ye Zichen. âEmperor Ye has come too, what a surprise! And you even came with Lilâ Mo. Iâd heard that you twoâŠ.. When will I get to enjoy your wedding banquet?
âBig SIster Lin, stop with that nonsense,â said Zuo Mo, cheeks reddening.
âYou might call it ânonsenseâ, but youâre still so embarrassed,â Lin Xihe playfully teased Zuo Mo, then smiled at Ye Zichen. âEmperor Ye, why havenât you said anything?â
âYou two seemed to be enjoying your conversation; it seemed rude for me to interrupt,â said Ye Zichen with a calm smile. âSo, why havenât I seen Xiyue or the general Zhao, the bridegroom?â
âXiyue is out preparing things needed for the wedding. That girl, Iâm getting married, but sheâs even more excited about it than I am,â said Lin Xihe. âAs for Zizhao, heâs probably out teaching his little brother martial arts and should be back shortly.â
âWhat a pity.â
âIâm here now, arenât I?â
At that very moment, the side doors opened, and Zhao Zichao walked in. He was wearing cotton clothing and his hands grasped a long spear.
His body was drenched in sweat; it seemed he really had just returned from practicing martial arts.
âLook at you,â scolded Lin Xihe, âyou donât even know how to wipe off sweat properly.â She walked up to him and carefully wiped the sweat from his face with her handkerchief.
âA guest has arrived; I couldnât just leave you to greet them by yourself,â he said warmly, grasping her hand. âFamily Head Zuo, I didnât realize you had arrived. Just now, I was teaching that no-good little brother of mine and failed to greet you properly. I apologize for my rudeness. â
âMy relationship with Big SIster Lin is too close to worry about that sort of thingâ laughed Zuo Mo.
Zhao Zichao nodded to her, then turned to look at Ye Zichen.
He froze.
He was obviously startled, but he quickly got his emotions under control, then smiled and approached Ye Zichen.
âEmperor Ye, youâve arrived.â
âMmhm, Iâve arrived,â said Ye Zichen with a dull nod. âBut General Zhao, it seems you arenât too happy to see me?â
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