I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 95 Negotiations Failed

"Restoration?"

Cao Wei chuckled, his smile filled with desolation and mockery.

He slowly shook his head, gazing into the distance as if looking at a bygone era.

"Miss Xu, over the years, I have long since given up the idea of ​​restoring the Moonflower Kingdom."

His voice was soft, yet it possessed a power that penetrated the heart:

"When the country was destroyed and my family perished, I was lucky enough to escape and lived in anonymity for 21 years. In those 21 years, I have seen too much and thought too much."

"Restoration? Easier said than done."

Cao Wei smiled bitterly, "The Yuehua Kingdom is too small. It's so small that on the map of the Nine Provinces, it's no bigger than a fingernail. It has been established for a hundred years not because of its strong army, but because it has been adept at navigating between the Northern Barbarians and the Great Qin, trying to survive in the cracks between them."

"Even if such a country were to be restored, how long could it last? A year? Two years? In the end, it would still be unable to escape the fate of being annexed."

He turned his head to look at Xu Qingxue, and for the first time, his eyes revealed genuine emotions.

It wasn't anger, nor was it murderous intent, but rather a profound, almost desperate sorrow.

"My only wish now is that this bloodline left by the late emperor can grow up safely and happily. I want to marry into an ordinary family, be a good wife and mother, and live out my life peacefully."

Cao Wei's voice trembled slightly: "I promised the late emperor that I would protect her. I promised Jiang Huaijin that I would let his daughter live like an ordinary person."

"But what about you?"

His gaze was like a knife, piercing Xu Fenghua fiercely.

"What have you done? You sent her to the most dangerous part of the palace, making her a pawn on your power struggles! Did you even ask for her consent? Did you consider her feelings?"

Faced with Cao Wei's questioning, Xu Fenghua remained silent.

The morning light streamed through the window, casting a play of light and shadow on her face.

A rare complex expression appeared on that beautiful and dignified face.

She slowly lowered her head, looking at her slender, fair fingers. Her hands were unadorned, and her nails were neatly trimmed.

"gentlemen,"

After a long silence, Xu Fenghua finally spoke, her voice revealing a hint of weariness for the first time.

"You're right. We didn't ask Qingxue's opinion, nor did we consider her feelings."

She raised her head, her gaze meeting Cao Wei's: "But sir, do you know how many people in this world are truly able to live according to their own will?"

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a cruel truth:

"My father can't, my brother can't, and neither can I. Even you, sir... haven't you been living in anonymity at Listening Rain Manor for twenty-one years?"

"We are all pawns."

Xu Fenghua said slowly, "The only difference is that some people are pawns in other people's hands, while others are pawns on the chessboard of their own destiny."

She paused, a resolute glint in her eyes:

"Since Qingxue was born as a princess of the Yuehua Kingdom, she was destined not to live like an ordinary person. This is her fate, and also her responsibility."

"Responsibility?" Cao Wei sneered.

"What responsibility does a princess, whose country was destroyed when she was only three months old, have? To restore a country that no longer exists? To pave the way for your Xu family's ambitions?"

"It's not for the Xu family," Xu Fenghua shook her head, "it's for the sake of the world."

She took a step forward, her gaze intense:

"Sir, you have lived in seclusion for twenty-one years. Do you know what the world has become? The Great Qin appears strong, but in reality, it is beset by internal and external troubles. The emperor is incompetent, the court is corrupt, and the people are suffering. There are constant wars in the north and west, and Liyang and Xiliang are eyeing us covetously."

"This kind of world needs to change."

For the first time, Xu Fenghua's voice revealed a burning flame.

"My younger brother is talented, ambitious, and determined to change this chaotic world. If he succeeds, the land will usher in true peace."

"And Qingxue," her tone softened.

"She will become the most important part of this transformation. Her identity, her wisdom, her... sacrifice will all be remembered by history."

Cao Wei listened quietly, the mockery on his face gradually fading, replaced by a deep sorrow.

He looked at Xu Fenghua, at this young woman who had already taken charge of Jiangnan and was planning for the future, and suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.

"Miss Xu," Cao Wei said slowly.

"You're right. The world needs change, and the chaos needs to end. But what does all this have to do with Qingxue?"

His voice was soft, yet every word pierced the heart:

"She's just a woman, a woman who should be enjoying plum blossoms, practicing swordsmanship, and embroidering in Tingxuexuan. What right do you have to place the heavy burden of the rise and fall of the world on her shoulders alone?"

Xu Fenghua opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found herself speechless.

Yeah, why should we?

Is it because she is the princess of Yuehua Kingdom? Because she and Xu Longxiang were childhood sweethearts? Or because... she is a woman, and should therefore sacrifice herself for a man's ambition?

A long silence fell over the waterside pavilion.

Only the morning breeze blowing across the lotus pond brings the soft sound of ripples on the water.

After a long while, Cao Wei slowly turned around, his back to Xu Fenghua.

"Miss Xu,"

His voice regained its calm, but beneath that calm lay a bottomless abyss of ice.

"From this day forward, the agreement between us is null and void."

Xu Fenghua's pupils contracted: "What do you mean, sir?"

"What I mean is," Cao Wei said without turning around, "I will no longer serve the Xu family. I will also no longer live at Tingyu Manor."

He paused, a hint of resolve in his voice:

"I will go to the capital. I want to see Qingxue. If she is willing, I will take her with me. If she is not willing... at the very least, I want to make sure she is not mistreated in the palace."

Xu Fenghua's expression changed slightly: "Sir, you mustn't! Your identity is special. If it's exposed, not only will you be in danger, but Qingxue will also be implicated!"

"That's my business," Cao Wei said calmly. "As for Qingxue..."

He slowly turned around, his gaze landing squarely on Xu Fenghua's face: "If she suffers any mishap in the palace, Miss Xu, I, Cao Wei, swear—I will spend my entire life making the Xu family pay the price."

These words were spoken very softly, yet they carried a chilling, eerie quality.

That wasn't a threat, it was a vow.

A vow made by a Celestial Realm expert after enduring 21 years of hardship.

Xu Fenghua looked at Cao Wei, at the cold flame burning in his deep brown eyes, and suddenly felt a chill.

She knew that Cao Wei was telling the truth.

If Jiang Qingxue really does get into trouble in the palace, this seemingly gentle and refined but actually unfathomable old man will truly spare no effort to take revenge on the Xu family.

"Sir..." Xu Fenghua wanted to persuade him again.

But Cao Wei had already raised his hand, stopping her from saying anything more.

"No need for further explanation."

He turned and walked out of the waterside pavilion, his steps steady and his back straight. "I will leave Tingyu Manor within three days. Miss Xu, take care of yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, he walked out of the waterside pavilion, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the winding corridor.

Xu Fenghua stood alone in the waterside pavilion, gazing in the direction Cao Wei had left, remaining motionless for a long time.

The morning light grew brighter, shining on her red dress, but it couldn't dispel the heavy gloom between her brows.

She slowly walked to the chessboard, looking at the empty board and the warm, smooth jade chess pieces.

After a long while, she reached out, picked up a black piece, and placed it on the center position of the chessboard.

"Smack."

The chess piece landed with a crisp sound.

"Sir," Xu Fenghua murmured to herself, her voice filled with complex emotions, "do you think you can still call the shots in this game?"

She slowly raised her head and looked north.

That's the direction of the imperial city.

That's also the direction Jiang Qingxue is in.

"Qingxue..."

She murmured the name softly, a rare tenderness flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolute determination.

"I'm sorry. But there's no turning back now."

She turned around, her red dress fluttering in the morning breeze.

"Someone come here!" Xu Fenghua called out.

Soon, a maidservant hurried into the waterside pavilion, bowed, and asked, "What are your orders, Miss?"

"Send a message to the North,"

Xu Fenghua's voice regained its usual calmness, "Tell the Crown Prince that Cao Wei has harbored treacherous intentions and wants to go to the capital. Tell him... to make plans as soon as possible."

The maid's expression hardened: "Yes!"

"Furthermore," Xu Fenghua paused, "we need to send more people to keep a close eye on Tingyu Manor. I need to know Cao Wei's every move before he leaves."

"yes!"

The maid acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Inside the waterside pavilion, silence returned.

Xu Fenghua stood alone by the window, gazing at the red carp swimming in the lotus pond, her eyes filled with longing.

She knew that from this day forward, many things would change.

Cao Wei's departure meant that the Xu family had lost a crucial trump card.

But this also means that some conflicts that were originally hidden in the shadows will surface ahead of schedule.

"That's fine too," Xu Fenghua murmured to herself. "What's meant to come will come."

She turned and walked out of the waterside pavilion.

The red figure gradually receded into the morning light, eventually disappearing into the depths of the garden.

Meanwhile, in the "Bamboo Retreat" on the other side of Tingyu Villa, Cao Wei stood by the window, holding a warm, white jade pendant in his hand.

The jade pendant is carved in the shape of a crescent moon, with two tiny ancient seal characters engraved on the back: "Zhaoyue".

This was placed on Jiang Qingxue's head by Emperor Jiang Huaijin of Yuehua Kingdom when she was born.

It was also the only thing Cao Wei had carried with him for the past twenty-one years.

"Qingxue..." Cao Wei murmured the name, his fingertips gently stroking the jade pendant. "Wait a little longer. The master... will come to pick you up soon."

A resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

That light, like a star in the dark night, though small, was enough to illuminate the way forward.

No matter what lies ahead, whether it's a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire, or an abyss.

He wants to go.

Because there are people he promised to protect.

With him in this world, he is the last remaining connection.