Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Half-Moon Birthmark

Because Hua Ruomo saw him once again.

It was still at the summit of Mount Guming, still at the same spot as back then, only that three years had passed since their first meeting.

Three years ago, Hua Ruomo had stepped through the gates of the Prime Minister's manor with a heart full of joy and anticipation. However, what awaited her was not the warmth of a family, but a chaotic web of persecution. Hua Ruomo had once thought of leaving it all behind, but her biological mother, the Prime Minister's wife Chu Xinlan, had fallen critically ill at that very time. Possessing medical skills, Hua Ruomo naturally knew that Chu Xinlan was not sick, but had been poisoned. Therefore, she could not leave, and she could not leave.

Three years later, she escaped from the Prime Minister's manor and returned to Mount Guming, never expecting to see that immortal-like man once more. This time, although he still wore white clothing, he was entirely stained red by blood. He was still standing there, but he had to lean on a broken sword in his hand to support his body.

That was the first time Hua Ruomo knew the feeling of a racing heart; she was terrified that this man would truly die here, die right before her eyes.

It was also from that moment on that Hua Ruomo fell in love with white, yet grew to loathe red with all her heart, because red always reminded her of Qing Chen's blood-stained clothes.

Her Senior Sister had once said that the disciples of Mount Guming could not simply treat outsiders, but at that moment, she truly could not care about anything else. Her mind was gripped by only one thought: she had to save him!

Hiding it from her Master, hiding it from her Senior Sister, and hiding it from everyone, she did not close her eyes for seven days and seven nights. Just when she truly thought she was going to lose him again, that man woke up.

And gently took her hand.

Even many years later, when Hua Ruomo looked back, she could still feel the throb of her heart at that moment.

It was also then that Hua Ruomo learned the other's name: Qing Chen.

However, although the injuries on Qing Chen's body gradually improved and Hua Ruomo met with him regularly for follow-up examinations, two years ago, Hua Ruomo suddenly realized that a strange, deep-seated poison was hidden within Qing Chen's body. That poison had lain dormant for years and had finally flared up.

She had exhausted every possible method, scouring all the medical knowledge on Mount Guming, and even went to plead with her Master, Dugu Li. It took an entire year to find all the medicinal ingredients and finally refine them into a pill, only for it to be destroyed by Hua Ru嫣...

Hua Ruomo lowered her head, her fists clenched tightly in secret. How was she to face that person? How could she watch helplessly as he fell from joy into a deep abyss... However, now, the appearance of Jun Changqi made Hua Ruomo feel a slight sense of dread. Jun Changqi's identity was that of a Prince, and Qing Chen and Jun Changqi looked remarkably similar. It was impossible for two people who looked so much alike to appear in the world for no reason; this meant that that person's... identity was certainly not simple!

From the moment she entered Mount Guming, she had been clearly told not to involve herself in any relationship with the Imperial Family. In this Fengli Kingdom, which member of the Imperial Family was not a handful to deal with? Especially the current Emperor, Jun Changxi, whose methods were extraordinary... And now, she had no idea which one she had become entangled with...

"It seems Miss Hua considers this a tacit admission. What a pity. Imperial Brother originally said that at the Mid-Autumn Banquet in three days, he would select a pleasing woman to bring into the inner palace to bestow his imperial grace. If Miss Hua were to be accidentally chosen by Imperial Brother, wouldn't that mean a separation from her beloved man?" As Jun Changqi spoke, he shook his head slightly with a look of regret.

"The Prince overthinks. Ru嫣 has grown up in the Prime Minister's manor since childhood, devoting herself to the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. How could she have a beloved? If the Prince has nothing else, then Ru嫣 will take my cousin and take our leave first."

Before Jun Changqi could speak, Hua Ruomo took the lead in stepping forward. However, at the very instant she passed by Jun Changqi's side, a breeze happened to blow past, brushing away the strands of hair that had been veiling half of Hua Ruomo's cheek, perfectly revealing the vermilion crescent-shaped birthmark upon her jade-like neck.