Chapter 2

She had thought Prince Yi would be a gentle and refined man. Never had she imagined that he was actually the tyrant from her previous life—the ruthless devil who would eat people alive without even spitting out their bones. Why had that damned tyrant left the imperial palace and come here?! Memories of her past life flooded her mind. He had once pulled her into his arms, viciously squeezing her chin and forcing her to watch as another person was torn apart by five horses. “A-Rou, if you run away again, how about I grind your bones into beads one by one and hang them around your neck?” The horrifying scene instantly surged into her mind. The agony she had felt before death seemed to roll through her entire body once more. Without giving it another thought, she immediately turned her horse around and rode away. In this life, she had to stay as far away from that tyrant as possible! Although the woman’s delicate profile was stained with blood, the sight of her back falling into Ling Mochen’s eyes caused his pupils to contract sharply. That figure overlapped perfectly with the one buried deep within his memories. In his ears echoed the woman’s coquettish voice from the past. “Your Majesty, I’m so scared. Will you kiss me?” She had always been so delicate and charming, unable to bear even the slightest pain. She should have obediently stayed by his side! Then why had she plotted against him and fled? By the time he had sent people to find her, all that remained was her cold, mutilated corpse. That night, he had slaughtered the entire capital. He had always believed that, as an emperor, he would never allow himself to become attached to anyone. Yet the moment he learned of her tragic death, his heart had been torn apart, and he had washed the capital in blood. He possessed the entire world, yet in the end, he had been unable to protect the woman he loved. After losing control and succumbing to the poison, he vomited blood and fell unconscious. When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the time when he had first ascended the throne. This time, he would break both her legs and imprison her at his side. He would never give her another chance to escape him! Just then, a furious roar suddenly came from not far away. “Don’t let her escape! She must die today!” The steward led a group of attendants toward them menacingly. To conceal their identities, they had deliberately changed into ordinary household servants’ clothing. However, the moment they burst out of the woods, they saw the unassuming carriage parked among the mountains. The dragon patterns hidden within its intricate design clearly revealed the noble identity of its owner. “Withdraw!” The steward’s pupils contracted, and he shouted in panic. He had served in the Yuan household for so many years. How could he possibly fail to recognize the emperor’s personal carriage when he saw it outside the palace? Ling Mochen sneered. In an instant, he shot out of the carriage. With one hand, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming directly toward Yuan Qingyi. Yuan Qingyi immediately felt a chill run down her back. Without hesitation, she leaped into the air and twisted sideways to evade. But the arrow had not been aimed at her. It pierced straight through the steward’s neck. The steward’s body crashed heavily to the ground, never to move again. Ling Mochen’s icy voice sounded beside her. “Except for the woman in red, kill everyone. Leave no one alive.” The next moment, Ling Tianyi ruthlessly raised his hand. A rain of arrows tore through the air, mercilessly ending the lives of everyone in their path. “Kill—!” One figure after another was violently thrown from their horses and crashed to the ground. With her back turned to everything behind her, Yuan Qingyi’s petite figure remained motionless. She coldly watched the steward die without displaying the slightest emotion. If he had not sent people to surround and hunt her in her previous life, how could she have ended up dying such a miserable death? Yuan Qingyi stood quietly where she was. Once the rain of arrows finally ceased, she dismounted. Although her body was weak and even walking was difficult, she still picked up a blade without hesitation and viciously plunged it into the bodies of the Yuan family’s men, ensuring that none of them had any chance of survival. In her previous life, all her suffering had begun today. In this life, it would all end here. “Miss, my master would like to invite you into the carriage for a word.” At that moment, Zhang Qi walked up behind her. Who could have imagined that such a young girl could be so ruthless when she killed, leaving not even the slightest room for mercy? Yuan Qingyi let the long blade fall heavily to the ground before turning around and walking toward Ling Mochen. Even though she wanted nothing to do with this tyrant, she had nowhere else to go at this moment. “Thank you, Young Master, for coming to my aid. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay this kindness. However, men and women should keep their distance, so I will not enter the carriage.” Yuan Qingyi stood calmly to one side. She did not know why Ling Mochen had saved her today, but she would remember this favor in her heart. Ling Mochen stared coldly at the woman before him and gave a mocking laugh. The next second, he reached out and forcefully dragged Yuan Qingyi into the carriage. Her hair was disheveled, and she fell to her knees inside. Ling Mochen’s expression remained cold and stern, but there was a strange glint deep within his eyes. “Who are you? Raise your head.” “This humble girl comes from a lowly family. I fear that revealing my name would offend Your Noble Self’s ears.” Yuan Qingyi lowered her head as she spoke. Her voice was respectful, yet there was not the slightest trace of fear in it. Ling Mochen sneered. Then, without warning, he reached out and tightly gripped her chin, forcing her face upward. His large palm brushed against Yuan Qingyi’s cheek, slowly caressing it. Yuan Qingyi’s heart trembled. She hurriedly concealed the nervousness in her eyes. Based on everything she knew about Ling Mochen, he was ruthless by nature and had never been one to show tenderness toward women. There was no way he would suddenly make such an intimate gesture. There was only one possibility. He had been reborn too! A chill ran through Yuan Qingyi’s heart, and she became even more careful not to reveal the slightest unnecessary emotion. The bloodstains on the woman’s face were completely wiped away, revealing a delicate and beautiful face. Though her features still carried a trace of youthful innocence, there was already a hint between her brows and eyes of the peerless beauty she would one day become. Ling Mochen’s expression darkened. With a wave of his hand, he shoved her aside. The figure was unmistakably similar to hers, yet it was not her. Moreover, she had fallen in love with him at first sight in her previous life. Even if she had lost her memories, there was no way she would treat him with such coldness. Yuan Qingyi stumbled and fell to the ground, unable to help but breathe a sigh of relief. In her previous life, her face had been completely ruined. She had used a secret technique to take on another person’s appearance, so there was no way he could recognize her true identity. “Your Noble Self, I still have matters to attend to at home, so I shall take my leave. I will certainly remember the kindness you showed me today.” Yuan Qingyi spoke softly. Seeing that Ling Mochen did not respond, she immediately stepped out of the carriage without looking back, her footsteps noticeably lighter. A flash of shock crossed Zhang Qi’s eyes. He had never imagined that someone could disturb the emperor so boldly and still leave completely unharmed. “Continue forward.” Ling Mochen sat lazily inside the carriage, his fingertips lightly tapping against the back of the seat. Something was wrong. That woman’s legs were clearly unharmed, yet when she dismounted, her right foot had landed noticeably later than her left. That was clearly a habit caused by an old leg injury. And that habit was exactly the same as hers. A woman’s alluring voice drifted through his mind. “Your Majesty, you’ve stolen my heart, so my legs no longer obey me. Will you carry me, Your Majesty?” Ling Mochen abruptly opened his eyes. “Stop the carriage. Follow the woman from just now.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhang Qi knew that this was inappropriate, but he did not dare disobey the emperor’s command. Just then, the hurried sound of hooves came from the distance. A man could be seen riding toward them at full speed before dismounting and kneeling on the ground. “Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my duty and found the woman you were searching for. She will arrive in the capital tomorrow morning.” Ling Mochen’s expression tightened slightly. Perhaps he had simply been overthinking things. After all, the two women looked completely different. “Return to the palace!” Yuan Qingyi casually mounted a horse and swiftly made her way toward the Huo residence. If she did not show up, how could the good show possibly begin? At that moment, the Huo residence was decorated with bright red lanterns and fluttering red silk, overflowing with the joyous atmosphere of a wedding. The eldest daughter of the Yuan family and the eldest son of the Huo family had already completed their wedding rites. Guests filled the residence, moving back and forth amid the bustling festivities. Dressed in a magnificent scarlet wedding robe, Huo Beidong looked handsome and distinguished as he stood in the front courtyard, warmly welcoming the honored guests.