Chapter 2: Chapter 001: The Zhenlong Chess Game Decides Fate

After that incident, Murong Tong's temperament changed completely, as if she had undergone a complete metamorphosis. Her entire aura shifted; like a fish out of water returning to the stream, she had understood a truth—the truth of survival.

Murong Estate

The weeping willows hang low, brushing against the face as the wind passes. Ripples spread outward, as someone gazes at the moon from a distant pavilion. The reflection of a beauty scatters upon the water, a flying swallow skims across the lake's surface, and a single green leaf lightly brushes the cheek...

Sitting across from each other at the Moon-Watching Terrace, drinking, the chess game before them remains unbroken, as melancholy thoughts dwell upon the board.

"Tap, tap, tap." The sound of light, slow footsteps echoed, and a person appeared behind the two, watching their game.

"Tong'er, is something the matter?" Murong Jingxuan turned his head to look at Murong Tong, who stood at the doorway, and spoke indifferently. After experiencing those events, we had all understood many things; we were no longer as reckless or ignorant as before.

"Brother, I can face the matter of the marriage properly now. After going through so much, I understand that the fault truly lies with myself. I have been escaping and being arrogant, so much so that I even forgot what I was fighting for. Ever since Master took me last time..."

"Sigh! You are wrong. The one who took you to see those things was me, not your sister," Feng Liluo raised his head, sipping his tea with a look of leisure and speaking nonchalantly.

"Martial Uncle, you're playing tricks?" Murong Tong glared at Feng Liluo. That bastard Martial Uncle.

"If I hadn't played tricks, would you have woken up so quickly? After all, fate does not wait for anyone. Only those who grasp fate have the right to live," Feng Liluo nodded, placing his teacup on the table and pointing at the chess game before them.

"The Zhenlong Chessboard... did Martial Uncle prepare this specifically for yourself?" Murong Tong looked at the board, her expression darkening slightly as she spoke indifferently.

"That's right. As long as you solve this chessboard, I will let you marry. Currently, the right to marry is in my hands. Similarly, if either you or Ye Mochen solves this chessboard, I will agree; otherwise, I think you understand," Feng Liluo nodded, the corner of his mouth curling slightly. This was the beginning of deciding your fates!

"I understand." Murong Tong nodded and sat down. Looking at the pieces on the board, it was as if a real scene unfolded before her eyes—slaughter, struggle, glory, and more...

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"You're awake!" Mu Xinyue gave him a cold glance and flung the cup in her hand. The cup shattered into powder upon impact, scattering through the air. Facing her fury, it was clear that none of them could withstand it.

"Xinyue, you cannot blame your sister Jinyue for this!" Mu Tangfeng raised his hand, pleading for Jinyue with a sense of helplessness. Truly, this was not Jinyue's fault, but if Xinyue truly could not let go of her anger, then even if Jinyue did not die, she would be stripped of her skin. Given Xinyue's temperament...

"Please call me Imperial Noble Consort. Do not forget, from the moment you used every possible means to shove me toward the Crown Prince, I was no longer your daughter. Now, I am an Imperial Noble Consort, high above, comparable to an Empress," Mu Xinyue looked coldly at Mu Tangfeng. In her heart, she was reluctant, but for the sake of the greater situation, she had to harden her heart.

Both were stunned at once. Indeed! Now she was the Imperial Noble Consort; they had no right to interfere in whatever she chose to do. But, wasn't it I who helped push you up there?

Mu Jinyue's eyes reddened. She never imagined that what she had said back then would bring so much trouble to the family. She had naively thought she wasn't in the wrong and that they were. In the end, it turned out she was the one in the wrong. Now, how could this sister, who became arrogant upon gaining high status, help her? She even felt the urge to kill her.

Mu Xinyue glanced at Mu Jinyue, letting out a feigned sigh of regret before walking up to her. "Jinyue, reflect on yourself properly! I am sending you to the Sin Domain!"

"Xinyue!"

"How can you do that!"

"Do you think that once I have decided something, it will change? Aside from the Emperor, no one can command this Palace, and you are no exception!" Mu Xinyue said coldly. I know you are reluctant, but there is no other way. If there truly comes a day when I cannot save you in time, you must rely on yourselves! She was the eleventh; how could she bear to send her to the Sin Domain? A person must become strong themselves; if she cannot do it, she cannot be blamed!

Furthermore, I am also sending you to find something for me. To ensure nothing happens to me, I can only wrong you, my dear sister!

"Fine, I must pay the price for what I have done! But don't be proud too early. The person you hate most is about to marry into the Imperial Family. Just you wait!" Mu Jinyue lifted her head and looked at Mu Xinyue's retreating back. She knew this sister was no saint; she would do anything to get what she wanted.

"Jinyue!"

"Don't say anything more. Sister, I want to wait until your enemy, Murong Tong, is married before I go." Mu Jinyue reached out to wipe away her tears. She had to become strong. Moreover, she wanted to see just how powerful her sister's enemy truly was!

"Very well. Remember, I will not help you with anything again in the future." Mu Xinyue opened her eyes, the sadness in her gaze suggesting she had already anticipated something, though she felt she was not worthy of being sentimental over this person.

The next day.

Red silks hung from branches, and colorful flowers bloomed. Early in the morning, the Murong Estate and the Prince of War's Estate were both draped in red. Red ribbons hung from the trees, fluttering slowly in the breeze. Although it was a joyous occasion, some could not find happiness.

Mo Han sat on a high pavilion, looking down with eyes full of sorrow. *You still walked this path. I am powerless to stop it, after all, it is related to me.* Mo Han picked up a wine cup, wanting to drown himself in alcohol once more!

"Han, you are forcing yourself, and you are forcing her!" Qing Yumo snatched the wine from his hand and spoke indifferently. If she were to find out that all of this was related to you, I think it wouldn't be a matter of you explaining and receiving forgiveness; on the contrary, you would likely die at her hands.

"I believe Tong'er will not blame me! Even if she does, I have ways to make her forget all of this!" Mo Han clenched his fists and spoke coldly, though in truth, he wasn't entirely sure.

"You intend to use a Gu on her?" Qing Yumo crushed the wine cup in his hand, looking coldly at Mo Han. He did not understand how this man, who loved her so much, could be so cruel to her. Having clearly obtained what he wanted, he still chose to make a deal with a demon.

"If necessary, I will!" Mo Han paused for a moment before finally speaking indifferently.

"That is not your style."

"Style? These legs of mine prove that I am not worthy of her. Once my legs can walk again, she will naturally return, return to my side." Mo Han clenched his fists. Absolutely, no one will take you away.

"You will regret this!" Qing Yumo shook his head and stopped speaking to him, instead looking at the situation below. Red wedding attire... what is being destroyed by this red finery? And who has set this massive scheme for whom!

Black hair turns white, red finery flies through the night rain, a single figure in the cold, ending half a lifetime. Returning to dreams at midnight, there is only one person—the person of yesterday, now a bride for another. Whose fault is it, and whose hatred is it!

Murong Estate

Dressed in a red robe, with a cinnabar mark between her brows and purple tassels hanging, her purple eyes were vacant yet hidden with a murderous intent. Sitting before the dressing table, she took one last look at herself, stood up, covered her head with the red veil, and waited for the matron to arrive.

As her kin, they could only offer silent blessings. Watching her marry, the best blessing and gift they could give her was safety! As the matron entered to take her out, Murong Tong left behind a crucial letter!

"Miss Murong, once you enter the Prince's Estate, remember not to let your guard down, and do not fall in love with the Prince. This old servant can do no more than this." Matron Rong whispered. After saying this, she escorted Murong Tong onto the flower sedan. *Sigh! This is all I can do. I hope Miss Murong will be well.*

As Murong Tong sat inside, her eyes were filled with confusion. Why would she say that? It was as if Ye Mochen were a fierce beast, as if those who entered could never come out. However, her warning could not be a coincidence, but she had known Mochen for so long, she wouldn't...

Murong Jingxuan stood by the window, watching the wedding procession depart, his eyes filled with worry. It was not just injury, but unease! *Tong'er, brother will wait for your return, return safely.*

"It is time to go. Murong Jingxuan!" Feng Liluo closed his eyes. *Murong Tong, do not blame us. I believe you will be fine, you will return, and you will understand.*

Yesterday's chessboard had two different methods of solving it. I wonder who will win and who will lose in the end. Whether winning or losing, you will both lose the most important thing.

The Imperial Palace

"Father, I must go to the Sin Domain. Take care of yourselves! Do not ever beg the Imperial Noble Consort again." Mu Jinyue wiped away her tears. *Murong Tong, I will definitely rescue you from that swamp; I won't let you be harmed by my sister's people. You must wait for me!*

Having spoken, before they could stop her, Mu Jinyue opened the forbidden gate leading to the Sin Domain and vanished from their sight, acting as if she didn't care about them at all. In truth, in Jinyue's heart, her mother was the one she cared about most.

"Go on! As for her, nothing will happen to her. It is merely a place to train, to strip away that air of a pampered young lady," Mu Xinyue said coldly upon seeing Jinyue leave. *Murong Tong, wait for me, I will make your life a living hell!*

"Imperial Noble Consort, I hope you are a woman of your word and not just empty talk. And do not forget, if anything happens to Jinyue, I have the ability to push you up, and I have the means to pull you back down. Watch yourself!" After Mu Tangfeng finished speaking, he turned and walked out of the great hall.

"It seems your position as Imperial Noble Consort is not very stable indeed!"