Lu Fengmian returned, tracing his steps back and finding Tang Qingshan, who stood over a person kneeling on the ground. Tang Qingshan looked at Lu Fengmian.

"You're back? Were you able to catch the person?" Tang Qingshan asked, eyes looking up to glance at Lu Fengmian.

Lu Fengmian shook his head, "No, slipped away. Are you keeping that person alive to interrogate?"

Tang Qingshan nodded his head, brandishing his sword while looking at the person ahead of him. "That was the plan, but even till now, he is refusing to say a word."

Lu Fengmian took a closer look at the man. As he noticed something, he forced himself to keep calm. It was another fox demon, only this time, the male had a long gash and burns on his face, destroying his ethereal beauty. Lu Fengmian suddenly felt the man glance up towards him, widening his mouth in a smirk.

The man's mouth moved without a sound and that was when they realized that he couldn't speak. It was thanks to this that Tang Qingshan was not affected.

Lu Fengmian's eyes zoomed in onto the man's words.

'You are just like us.'

While mouthing this, the man stared straight into Lu Fengmian's eyes with a smirk, a light in his eyes that showed his evil intent.

Tang Qingshan furrowed his brows lightly. What did the man mean? Then, he glanced up at Lu Fengmian who also mirrored his confusion. Impossible, Lu Fengmian was not like what the man was saying.

Unfortunately, while Lu Fengmian's face did not betray his feeling, his heart ran wild. What was going on? First, he found out about the fox demons, then the original soul's memories that he was not given, and now this. Lu Fengmian didn't understand any of the things happening anymore. Without Fei Shang or the automatic system helping him, he couldn't comprehend anything.

"Do you know what he means?" Tang Qingshan first asked.

Lu Fengmian glanced up at Tang Qingshan, his elegant face filled with confusion, "No, I don't."

When the man heard this reply, his sneer grew even wider.

To Lu Fengmian, it made him even more scared. He couldn't help but clench his fist.

'Why lie? Are you afraid?'

Suddenly, Tang Qingshan had a fleeting emotion pass his heart. His eyes looked towards Lu Fengmian's own eyes with suspicion. Then, he stopped. No, Lu Fengmian was trustworthy.

The man stared at the two who were frozen, each with their own thoughts. He smirked, his hand moving secretly, grabbing a small bottle from behind him. When no one suspected it, he threw it.

Lu Fengmian and Tang Qingshan brought up their arms, facing the sudden attack. They covered their faces, shrinking back from the smoke rising. Lu Fengmian couldn't help coughing as a hand grabbed him and pulled him out of the fog.

While being grabbed, Lu Fengmian suddenly had a fleeting thought. What if Tang Qingshan harbored hatred towards the fox demon? What if there was something deeper that he didn't know of? As he was pulled away, a sudden feeling of fear rose in him, recalling the woman's words.

-

A man stood outside of the Tang Manor, an assistant standing next to him. The man's face was both elegant and graceful, his figure slim and leaning towards the thinner side.

Butler Xin appeared from the manor, smiling brightly, "Master Xu, you've finally returned."

The man smiled lightly, nodding his head. "Yes, it took me longer to return." His voice was soft and gentle, his demeanor gentle and graceful.

"Master Xu, let me lead you in. Madam has been waiting a long time for your return, Master Tang has too." Butler Xin was very polite, leading the man inside the manor.

The man smiled while looking at the manor, as if memorizing every part of it. His lips curved into a soft smile, his eyes gentle and kind. He was back.

-

Qi Longhai glanced up, his eyes widening slightly as he grabbed for a handkerchief, covering up his mouth with it as he stopped the blood from pouring out.

Yang Delun, who had just been speaking calmly, widened his eyes, panic overcoming him. "Longhai, are you alright?" Yang Delun stood right away and hurried to Qi Longhai's side. The hint of panic and fright was evident in the way his eyes shook, his brows furrowed, and the frown on his face.

Qi Longhai lifted a hand to stop Yang Delun, suppressing the coughs even as blood ran from his mouth. Soon, his coughs slowly went away, leaving only the blood as he wiped it away.

Yang Delun was distressed. Suddenly, something passed in his eyes. "Give me your wrist." He needed to check something.

Qi Longhai glanced up at Yang Delun with narrowed eyes as he wiped the blood from his mouth, but didn't stop Yang Delun as the man took his left wrist.

Yang Delun checked carefully, closing his eyes. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes in shock and pain, "Tomb Poison."

Qi Longhai, who heard his words, showed an exasperated smile. "I didn't know that Duke Yang was proficient in medicine too."

Yang Delun heard his words and couldn't help his own anger. This man, did he not care for his own life?

Who didn't know that Tomb Poison was a specific poison in this world that had only one cure? No, Tomb Poison was a poison made specifically to end the lives of two important people, forcing only one to live. It was a poison that forced two people to decide who could live, a poison that had only one cure when it had two portions of the poisons. This poison had gone extinct, no one should know of it, only what was written as the ingredients were too hard to comprehend.

"You shouldn't be too surprise. No matter what, the well-being of the Emperor is something I would put above myself." Qi Longhai didn't go into details, only saying this much with a sorrowful smile and turning away from Yang Delun's eyes.

"Why?" Yang Delun wanted to ask more. He wanted to ask just how much Qi Longhai loved Mo Chou, how he could love that cruel man, even willing to save him and sacrifice his own life. Why did he love such a cruel man, who had chosen the throne over their own love?

"He is the Emperor, isn't that enough?" Qi Longhai replied. While saying this, his eyes looked away, hiding the bitter light in them.

Yang Delun revealed a face full of sorrow at these words, and on his own lips, a smile laced with distress was seen. Unfortunately, Qi Longhai wasn't able to see it. No, that wasn't it. Qi Longhai loved Mo Chou too deeply, that was the hidden meaning.

Yang Delun clenched his fist and stood up, his eyes resolute. He turned towards the door, "Xiao Qi, call my father and ask for a meeting. Call for a maid to bring me a basin of water and a towel."

From outside the door, Xiao Qi replied, "Yes, Master."

Qi Longhai turned to Yang Delun, his eyes questioning.

Yang Delun walked over to Qi Longhai, his eyes staring straight into Qi Longhai's, "Qi Longhai, I have sworn my loyalty to you. I will help you every step of your way, no matter what. Even though you are currently facing death, I will do anything in my power to cure you." Then, he got onto the ground, kneeling down. "I, Yang Delun, swear with my life to serve Qi Longhai, to protect you with my own life on the line until this life scatters away."

Qi Longhai furrowed his brows, the white cloth in his hand was still stung with red blood. But then, he could only shake his head. "Is this not treason to the Emperor?"

Yang Delun looked up, a soft smile on his face, "Then I will betray His Majesty."

In the silence, they stared at one another until Qi Longhai broke into a smile. "Alright then, I will await your words." Yang Delun, Qi Longhai wanted to see just what his objective was.

Spending some time with each other, Qi Longhai found that the hole left by Mo Chou was slowly mending itself. His worries and burdens have been lifted, spending a carefree life now.

"I will never betray you." Yang Delun said once more. I will never betray you, I have never betrayed you...

-

"Qi Guifei, please come and accept the Royal Decree written by His Majesty." Li Yu stood, a smile on his lips. As the Head Eunuch, he had his own maids and eunuchs that also followed him.

As a maid went to get Qi Meizhen, Qi Meizhen appeared from inside of her palace.

Seeing the decree in his hands, Qi Meizhen immediately bowed, the rest of the maids and eunuchs following.

Li Yu scanned everyone as he opened the decree. "Qi Guifei, the Noble Consort of the harem, mother of Yang Junwang and Jin Heshou, having disrespected the Empress, shall have her powers stripped. She shall return the Jade Seal to the Empress and shall also be banished to her palace for three months. She will be demoted to Qi Fei, losing the right to meddle into the affairs over the selecting of new concubines."

Qi Meizhen's eyes widened, her body shaking with anger. She clenched her fist, hiding the tremor on her lips.

"This is what His Majesty has personally decreed. Qi Fei, please accept the decree." Li Yu said, eyes narrowing as he held the decree in his hand.

To this, Qi Meizhen stretched out her hands with difficulty as Li Yu put the decree into her hands. "This consort... will obey His Majesty's decree."

Suddenly, Li Yu smiled, "Her Majesty also sent this servant a message to Qi Fei. Her Majesty stated that she holds no feelings against what you've done, but is merely following what His Majesty has stated. Qi Fei, that is all I have for you. This servant will take his leave." Li Yu did not wait for an answer as he walked away.

Qi Meizhen's body trembled with anger, standing up in a rush as she strolled into her palace. As soon as she got in, she glanced at all the precious glass on the table and couldn't help but smack them all down, a loud noise shattering from her room. So this was how Hui Yin wanted to play? Well, two could play at this game...

"Bingqing, do as you've said before. I don't care what you do, just make them all fall from their grace."

Qi Meizhen had fallen now, but she will drag everyone down with her.

Bingqing smirked, "I understand, Qi Fei. This servant will relay this news to Yue Junwang." Bingqing bent her back, her beautiful face hidden as Qi Meizhen turned to her.

During this time, Qi Meizhen's face had lost its beautiful glow. Her eyes were stained red, dark circles under her once mark-less skin. Not to mention, there was a thick sense of darkness looming over her, undisguised to the demons.

Qi Meizhen sat down onto her chair, in front of a copper mirror as she touched her silky hair. Her face was twisted as she thought of everything she was going to do... after all, she could possibly die if this was found out. But so what? Having been Mo Chou's first consort, she was never the one he loved. Wealth and status, power she had yet not the man she loved, for his heart was never her's. She gave birth to his children, giving him all her love yet his eyes was on a person who he couldn't be with, a person who could never be together with him in peace.

Bingqing smiled softly, her eyes dark. "Qi Fei, this servant shall take her leave." As Bingqing left, she gently closed the doors as other servants passed her, Liang, taking a second long look before turning away. Once all the servants were away from her, Bingqing smirked widely, eyes full of ridicule. Well, humans were quite interesting. As she thought this, her eyes turned into a dark color.

-

Shan Mingxia smiled softly, her eyes glowing as she looked at the man in front of her. "You're finally back."

"Yes, Mother. Unfortunately, this trip took a while longer but I was able to make it back. I heard that A-Shan had won the war and so I hurried to make it back as soon as I possibly could." The man calmly said as Shan Mingxia handed him a cup of tea.

"Here, your favorite drink, Peach Tea. I had collected some fresh fruits given from a merchant in the South and was able to make some pieces for fresh tea. I also made a new cloak for you as it has recently become cold." Shan Mingxia was smiling quite brightly, a true smile that made her eyes shine and her face appear brighter.

The man could only lightly shake his head with a smile, "Mother, I told you to rest during this time. It seems that you have been busy yourself even though Nianzhen told you to rest."

"You know that I can't rest at heart. Everything has been well since you've been here so you don't have to worry." Shan Mingxia replied in kind.

The man looked up as he asked, "Mother, how has A-Shan been lately?" There was a warm light in his eyes, an understanding of how much this person meant to him.

"How could he be hurt? Of course, he has been well. He also met some new subordinates who helped him win the war. One of them is a young man, Lu Fengmian. He is a fine young man, smart and caring. I have spent some time with him and even taught him how to play the qugin. He also has an older sister, Lu Yingyue, who is currently staying at Nianzhen's manor and she helps as a commanding officer for Qingshan's army." Shan Mingxia was very earnest while explaining this.

Suddenly, from the door came Butler Xin.

"Master Xu, Madam, Master Tang has returned along with Young Master Lu."

The man looked up at this, a bright smile flourishing on his face at this name.

Li Fengmian walked with Tang Qingshan, smiling as they both conversed. Having spent a long time calming himself, Lu Fengmian chose to believe in his heart. After all, he loved the man too much and he wanted to believe that the man loved him in turn too.

"A-Shan!" From the door came a male's voice, loud and filled with joy.

Tang Qingshan paused for a second before turning his head to the door in a hurry, a look that Lu Fengmian had never seen before came onto his face and Lu Fengmian's own heart ached.

The man had disposed of his elegant manner, running towards Tang Qingshan and hugging onto him tightly. Lu Fengmian stood to the side, a thought came into his head that he hoped was not the truth, the reality.

Tang Qingshan smiled brightly as he held the man and the man, who was half a head shorter, relayed the same smile. "A-Shan, I'm back."

"You're finally back, Wei'er." The smile on Tang Qingshan's face was truly warm, so warm that Lu Fengmian's heart ached even more.

Mustering up a smile, Lu Fengmian fought to keep his emotions in control, his voice a bit shaky as he asked, "Qingshan, who is this?" He clenched his fist... biting his lips.

Tang Qingshan brought the man to Lu Fengmian, holding his hand as he said, "Fengmian, this is Xu Weiyuan. He... is my husband."

Lu Fengmian's heart pulsated in pain, his smile almost cracking into a thousand pieces at that very sentence. No... that was impossible. Right?

Suddenly, the words replayed loud and clear, everything the woman had said from before. No, wasn't this the man who said he would love only him? Or was it because only he held the memories that Lu Fengmian thought so?

Suddenly, the words repeated itself.

"Don't be a fool like me."

"Once you end up like me, you will realize that human's are fickle, their hearts evil. Don't be a fool and give your heart so easily."

A suffocation came over Lu Fengmian, a panic and pain even worse than when the man he loved most had died in front of him. No, this was a different pain.

He had seen it, all the signs were laid in front of him, but Lu Fengmian had refused to acknowledge the truth. He had known long ago that someone was in Tang Qingshan's heart, but he wanted to play blind to it all.

Now, the truth was coming to force him to awaken from his dream.

And Lu Fengmian could do nothing but smile even as his own heart shattered. Even as he wanted to lash out, to cry and ask why the man loved someone else, he knew that Tang Qingshan could not remember their past.

So he held it in, his heart slowly dying.

Lu Fengmian smiled, a smile that covered the pain he was going through, as if he was not hurting inside. "Oh, is that so? My name is Lu Fengmian, I am... Qingshan's subordinate."

Right, if they could not be lovers, then subordinates should be alright.

It didn't hurt... it just... it just felt like dying for a short moment, that was all.

After all, he was a demon too. Even if they did fall in love, one was a human and the other a demon.

If they were already married, he could only be happy for them...

This much pain... he wouldn't die from it.

It was alright, it didn't hurt that much.

It just... it just felt like he had died.

That was all... it just felt like he was slowly dying, his heart shattering.

It was just... it was just that he had never expected this day would come......

So now, was it his turn to suffer forever?

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