Chapter 438
**Chapter 436: [Extra] Mo Xun (3)**
Mo Xun felt a sharp pain in her heart, so intense that it brought tears to her eyes.
She thought angrily, “That scoundrel, the National Master! All this time, he’s treated me like a stand-in! No wonder he’s so skilled in bed; he must have had plenty of practice.”
She gazed at the woman in the portrait, refusing to believe she was any less than her.
Zhang He'an had other women in his heart, and Mo Xun had no intention of begging him to stay. She wouldn’t lower herself to compete for a man who was already tainted.
Mo Xun left the secret chamber.
The National Master was busy at the Si Tian Jian tonight and hadn’t returned. Mo Xun rushed to the storeroom of the National Master’s residence, tears streaming down her face as she swiftly rolled up all the silver notes she could find.
Before leaving, she picked up a brush and quickly wrote a divorce letter.
She was going to divorce Zhang He'an!
Leaving the divorce letter behind and taking the money, Mo Xun fled the imperial capital under the cover of night.
...
Mo Xun first returned to the Medicine King Valley, where she cried her heart out in front of the old Medicine King’s grave, cursing Zhang He'an for being inhuman and regretting ever having fallen for him.
After she had cried enough, she wiped her tears and steeled herself to leave the Medicine King Valley.
Disguised as a man, she traveled through the martial world, gradually gaining recognition for her exceptional medical skills.
Without Zhang He'an, she found that life could still be smooth sailing. She thought that from then on, she and Zhang He'an would have nothing to do with each other. But who would have thought that six months later, she would be wandering a small town with a wine jug in hand?
As she walked, a dark red figure suddenly appeared ahead.
She used to love how Zhang He'an looked in red.
Dark red, alluring.
But now, seeing that shade of dark red made Mo Xun step back in shock. She patted her head and muttered to herself, “I must be drunk! How could I dream of that scoundrel Zhang He'an! When I wake up, I’ll need to jab my head with silver needles; I shouldn’t be dreaming of him!”
She hurled the wine jug at him.
Smash—
The jug hit Zhang He'an’s shoulder, shattering into pieces, and the rich wine soaked his clothes. Mo Xun’s hazy mind cleared slightly, and realizing she wasn’t dreaming, she exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”
Zhang He'an stepped closer.
Mo Xun stepped back.
Moonlight spilled down, casting a layer of frost on the ground, their shadows overlapping.
At that moment, Mo Xun was fully awake, and she turned to run. But Zhang He'an’s guards, like phantoms, blocked all her escape routes.
Mo Xun was taken back to the State of Yue by Zhang He'an, back to the National Master’s residence. Feeling helpless, she tried to reason with him: “Look, you don’t even like me. It’s a mess for us to be together. I know you brought me back just because I look like the woman you care about. Just find someone who looks even more like her, and this will all be resolved.”
Zhang He'an tightened his grip on her wrist. “Don’t overthink it.”
Mo Xun felt a pang in her nose, a bit aggrieved. “How can I not overthink? Isn’t the portrait on the wall of your secret chamber real?”
Zhang He'an replied, “A Xun, this is a long story.”
Mo Xun scoffed, “Are you trying to tell me that the woman you like is dead and I’m her reincarnation? That kind of story might fool naive girls, but don’t think you can fool me. Do you take me for a fool?”
Zhang He'an, who was about to reveal the truth, was left speechless.
Mo Xun spat and slapped him. “Stop trying to deceive me! You’ve been looking for women who resemble your beloved for years! I’m just the one who looks the most like her. Zhang He'an, you’re sick! I don’t want you anymore; I’m divorcing you!”
But in the end, Mo Xun was still forcibly kept there.
For the first time, she witnessed the terrifyingly obsessive side of Zhang He'an. Beneath his cold, moon-like face lay a darkness that seemed bottomless.
No light could penetrate.
But Mo Xun was not a girl to be easily subdued. She vowed to completely distance herself from Zhang He'an. She racked her brains and used every means possible to escape the State of Yue time and again.
Yet Zhang He'an brought her back each time.
Time flew by, and years passed in the blink of an eye. Once again, Mo Xun successfully escaped, this time arriving in the distant State of Qing.
Far from home, Zhang He'an’s reach was limited, and Mo Xun found temporary relief. She roamed around Qing, indulging in food and drink, practicing medicine, and her reputation in the martial world grew.
One day, she met a girl named Sun Qingmei, the daughter of a military general. Sun was beautiful and skilled in martial arts, and Mo Xun quickly grew fond of her.
When she learned that Sun was to marry in Yanjing, Mo Xun generously gifted her three detoxification pills and taught her some basic medical skills.
After parting with Sun Qingmei, Mo Xun continued her travels in Qing. The internal affairs of Qing were relatively stable, with the old emperor having only three princes and having established a crown prince early on. Unlike the State of Yue, where numerous princes fought viciously against each other, the atmosphere in Qing was much more peaceful.
Mo Xun leisurely made her way to the imperial city of Yanjing in Qing.
She had heard that a new pastry shop called “Wei Yan Ji” had opened in Yanjing, known for its delicious treats. Dressed as a man, Mo Xun confidently walked into the shop.
The shopkeeper, a beautiful girl named Ye, greeted her warmly.
Plates of exquisite pastries were brought into the private room, and Mo Xun couldn’t wait to taste one. Her eyes lit up instantly.
“Delicious! So delicious!” Mo Xun devoured the pastries and even packed some to take away.
Over the years of traveling, she had tasted delicacies from all over, but only the pastries from “Wei Yan Ji” in Yanjing brought her an indescribable delight.
So good!
So good that it felt oddly familiar!
As if she had eaten similar pastries somewhere long ago. Mo Xun resolved to stay in Yanjing for a while to savor the local treats.
After leaving “Wei Yan Ji,” Mo Xun strolled leisurely down the street with her takeout box. As she walked, she sensed someone following her.
Mo Xun felt annoyed.
Could it be Zhang He'an again?
She couldn’t understand why, as a mere stand-in, Zhang He'an wouldn’t let her go.
Mo Xun ducked into a secluded alley, planning to use her medicine to incapacitate whoever was following her. In the alley, the person trailing her revealed their true identity.
To her surprise, the guard was clad in iron armor, exuding a murderous aura, with tiger stripes on his sleeves. He was one of the Tiger Guards raised by the Prince of Yan in the State of Qing, not a pursuer sent by Zhang He'an.
Mo Xun entered the Prince of Yan’s residence and met the rumored Prince Li Yuanjing. He was a promising young prince, handsome with a high nose, and he explained his intentions to Mo Xun.
It turned out that the crown prince of Qing was gravely ill, and Li Yuanjing had been searching for the renowned Mo Shenyi, hoping she could cure his elder brother.
Mo Xun was quite surprised. In the royal family of Yue, the princes fought to the death, turning brothers into enemies; yet in neighboring Qing, the Prince and the Crown Prince shared a deep bond, which was truly rare.
Mo Xun gladly agreed to treat the crown prince, proposing that Li Yuanjing prevent the National Master of Yue from coming to Yanjing.
It was also in the Prince’s residence that Mo Xun met her lifelong friend, Shen Wei. At that time, Shen Wei was just a lowly maid in the Prince’s residence. When Mo Xun first saw Shen Wei, she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness.
So close.
As if they came from the same world, sharing common topics and worldviews.
Mo Xun took the initiative to approach Shen Wei, wanting to befriend her. But after spending some time together, Mo Xun began to doubt her initial impression—Shen Wei seemed too gentle and soft, like a beautiful flower with no temper, her eyes only ever on the Prince of Yan.
Clearly, Shen Wei was a complete romantic.
Mo Xun felt a bit disappointed.
But she respected Shen Wei’s nature; after all, Shen Wei was just an ordinary girl, and Mo Xun couldn’t impose her own standards on her.
Out of goodwill, Mo Xun gently reminded Shen Wei, “You’re in the royal residence, so don’t be too naive. You like the Prince, but you also need to take care of yourself, understand?”
Women in the royal residence are not simple; romantic fools don’t last long.
Shen Wei chuckled and replied, “I know.”
...
Mo Xun stayed in Yanjing for a while before being caught by the keen-eyed Zhang He'an, who brought her back to Yue.
Zhang He'an told her that the situation in Qing was unstable, with the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Heng secretly vying for power, and that Qing would soon be in turmoil.
Staying by his side was the safest option.
Mo Xun retorted, “Safest by your side? I found that outside your protective umbrella, it’s not even raining.”
Zhang He'an fell silent.
Later, the political landscape in both the courts of Yue and Qing underwent significant changes. With Zhang He'an’s support, the ninth prince of Yue, Tuoba Hongchuan, emerged victorious in the fierce struggle for the throne, becoming the new emperor of Yue.
Meanwhile, in the distant State of Qing, Prince Li Yuanjing also ascended to the throne, becoming the new emperor of Qing.
Both nations welcomed a new era.
The two emperors, both strategic and far-sighted, chose to seek peace. The new emperor of Yue, Tuoba Hongchuan, even lowered himself to propose marriage to the Princess Zhaoyang of Qing.
After Princess Zhaoyang married into Yue, Tuoba Hongchuan prepared a grand ceremony to crown her as empress. Mo Xun, still trapped in Yue, attended the coronation, watching from afar the beautiful princess of Qing, feeling a twinge of envy.
The emperor, even in love, could offer a unique affection to a foreign princess. In stark contrast to Zhang He'an’s despicable behavior, it was truly disheartening.
Not long after, Mo Xun managed to drug Zhang He'an in bed and successfully escaped.
...
The State of Nanchu was still embroiled in internal strife, and the small State of Donglin was not an option, so Mo Xun chose to run to Qing.
This time, she was smarter. Mo Xun slipped directly into the palace, leveraging her relationship with Shen Wei to become an unrestrained court physician.
Previously, Mo Xun had thought Shen Wei was a complete romantic, a rule-abiding girl with no guile. But after spending time with her, Mo Xun was astonished to discover that beneath Shen Wei’s gentle and beautiful exterior lay a heart as dark as night.
Shen Wei was not a delicate flower; she was full of cunning!
Shen Wei had always been goal-oriented, relentless in her pursuits. She manipulated herself and those around her, using everything to her advantage.
Shen Wei provided Mo Xun with protection, and Mo Xun used her medical skills to help her navigate palace intrigues. Their collaboration was smooth and mutually beneficial.
Mo Xun admired Shen Wei.
Shen Wei was truly a friend crafted by heaven for her, their thoughts resonating deeply.
In the palace of Qing, Mo Xun enjoyed a brief taste of freedom—until one day, she inadvertently passed by a secluded palace called “Qiu Liang Gong.”
This was the residence of Princess Taihua from a century ago. Princess Li Qingxun was a renowned empress of Nanchu, leaving a significant mark in history during her short life of thirty-five years.
Mo Xun sneaked into Qiu Liang Gong, finding it desolate and overgrown with wild grass in spring. She spotted a tall, flourishing silk tree, its branches heavy with clusters of blooming flowers.
“How strange...” Mo Xun gazed at the towering silk tree, her soul stirred.
That night, she secretly brought her bedding and slept under the silk tree in Qiu Liang Gong. The palace was desolate and eerie, with strange winds howling at night, and the palace maids dared not approach this ominous place.
But Mo Xun was unafraid.
She had always been audacious.
Lying beneath the silk tree, she felt as if she were a fish returning to its bay, and that night she had a peculiar dream.
[In the dream, the sun shone brightly, and a man and a woman were conversing in the courtyard.
The woman said, “I planted a silk tree for you, hoping for a hundred years of harmony with Lord Zhang.”
The man remained silent.
The woman personally dug the soil and planted a small sapling.
The wind rustled their garments as they both gazed at the little tree.]
When dawn broke, Mo Xun yawned and woke up, having forgotten most of the dream, only remembering the two people planting a tree.
From that day on, Mo Xun often sneaked into Qiu Liang Gong to sleep. Previously, when chased by Zhang He'an, her mind was heavy, and she couldn’t sleep soundly. But since sleeping in Qiu Liang Gong, she could sleep soundly until dawn.
After some time, Mo Xun helped Shen Wei with a significant task and received an old book titled “Taihua Notes” from her.
Clutching the aged sheepskin book, Mo Xun rushed back to Qiu Liang Gong. Leaning against the tree, she eagerly opened the mysterious century-old tome.
The writing inside was crooked, seemingly penned with charcoal. The characters were strange, yet for some reason, Mo Xun could directly understand the words in “Taihua Notes.”
“Weapon diagrams... physics formulas... diary entries.” Leaning against the silk tree trunk, Mo Xun read line after line of familiar text, feeling utterly bewildered.
These were the writings of the Nanchu empress, Li Qingxun.
But Mo Xun’s intuition told her that these were also her words.
Mo Xun had been an orphan, raised by the old Medicine King, and had only been exposed to the culture of Yue. Yet she could clearly understand the bizarre content of the book.
[September 12, Rain
Nothing much today, just hanging out in the cave with Zhang He'an, researching new positions. At this rate, I’ll end up pregnant.
Ah, forget it, no need to overthink. When soldiers come, I’ll fight; when water comes, I’ll block it. Having a child wouldn’t be so bad. Ancient times are so boring; I can’t dare to think of going home, so I’ll just use Zhang He'an to mask my inner restlessness. Oh dear, Li Qingxun, you’ve fallen! Men are trouble!]
[September 13, Rain
It’s raining, sleeping in the cave, changing positions. Li Qingxun, you can’t be so debased! What about your great ambitions? Don’t get lost in a man! Men will only slow down your draw!]
[September 14, Clear
The weather cleared up, took Zhang He'an to the riverbank, heh heh, excitedly rubbing my hands.]
After reading several diary entries, almost every one mentioned a person named Zhang He'an.
Mo Xun murmured, “Zhang He'an...”
The National Master of Yue was also named Zhang He'an.
Could this be a coincidence?
But the empress of Nanchu was a significant figure from a century ago, long deceased. Zhang He'an was from Yue; how could he possibly be connected to the empress of Nanchu from a century ago?
Mo Xun continued to flip through “Taihua Notes.”
She examined it carefully, not missing any detail. The more she read, the more engrossed she became, until she was completely immersed in the book, losing track of time. Three days later, under the silk tree, Mo Xun had a long dream.
Perhaps influenced by “Taihua Notes,” she recalled the old stories about “Li Qingxun.”
She was Li Qingxun.
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