CHAPTER 25: THE MAN FROM THE PAST

In the Beirong Kingdom, there were only three foreign hostages and princesses, Xie Lianhua from the Nanxie Kingdom Kingdom, Yue Mingxuan from Dongyue Kingdom, and the hostage from Xieshang Kingdom, Shang Qinghua.

Although Xieshang Kingdom was a vassal state under Beirong, its power was only slightly weaker.

That was why Shang Qinghua received special treatment.

He was granted his own residence, with the same title and privileges as an Beirong prince. People called him Prince Shang.

This Prince Shang was quite a mysterious figure.

He rarely appeared in public or attended banquets.

It was said that he had gone to war at the age of twelve and he was a fierce unmatched warrior.

Although he’s a general by background, he was born stunningly beautiful, elegant and radiant, he was admired by countless young women and men from many kingdoms.

Rumor had it that once, when people heard Prince Shang would pass over a wooden bridge, so many girls crowded there just to see him that the bridge collapsed.

Some said just one look at him could make a girl lovesick for life.

Others had advised him to wear a silver mask to hide his beauty, but he only laughed and said, "Is being born beautiful a crime?"

But fate was cruel. When he was fourteen, he was poisoned while saving his beloved Empress Dowager. He lost all his martial strength and failed to save her life. Since then, his brilliance dimmed.

Afterward, he became moody and unpredictable.

Sometimes he’s quiet, sometimes he’s wild.

Over time, he fell into a life of indulgence and despair.

When Xieshang Kingdom was later defeated by Beirong Kingdom, their king sent this useless troublesome prince as a hostage to get rid of him.

Of course, all of this was gossip Sui He had told Yue Mingxuan on their way here.

She didn’t know if it was true or not.

If she had lived in the 21st century, Sui He would have been one of the top entertainment reporters.

Her gossip had stirred Yue Mingxuan’s curiosity and now, with his head slightly lowered, he rolled his eyes up to glance toward the hall entrance.

The golden sunlight fell like a thin veil over a tal elegant man.

His long black hair flowed like water with a white jade hairpin holding it in place.

His robe was pure white like snow. He looked like an immortal descended from heaven, he looked noble and untouchable.

A few stray strands of hair brushed gently across his face, hiding half of his features, but even that made him more alluring.

He lacked the arrogance of ordinary men, instead radiating calm grace that was so refined that he seemed otherworldly.

Especially his eyes, it’s deep and dark like black obsidian, framed by long lashes.

They curved beautifully and carried a mysterious depth, half-clear and half-shadowed, like ancient starless skies.

One glance could draw a person in, body and soul, never to escape.

Truly, he was like a god among men.

But as Yue Mingxuan met those deep eyes that swept over him casually, he suddenly felt a faint dangerous aura hidden beneath their calm surface...

But... did he know him? Had Yue Mingxuan ever offended this man before? He frowned slightly, trying to dig through his memory.

The man’s clothes and accessories looked unfamiliar, yet those long golden lashes, that tall nose bridge... the more he looked, the more familiar the man seemed.

Especially those thin, red lips and that sharp perfect jawline...

Then suddenly, a breathtakingly beautiful face flashed across his mind and Yue Mingxuan gasped sharply.

His legs went weak.

That face...

Wasn’t it the very same man he had once seen completely naked and even touched his black and big dingding?

The world seemed to spin.

Yue Mingxuan felt as if the heavens had collapsed upon him.

He even forgot to avert his gaze until Prince Shang walked past him.

Only then did he realize his body was trembling so hard he could barely stay upright.

All around him, the foreign envoys were gasping in amazement, whispering praise at Prince Shang’s beauty.

Only Yue Mingxuan stood there frozen and stunned as if struck by lightning.

His mind buzzed, completely blank.

Anyone who saw him at that moment would think he’d been possessed by some spirit of flowers and madness.

Those dangerous eyes, they flashed once again in his mind, it’s sharp and vivid, as if whispering directly to him: "If you dare provoke me, your death will be miserable."

Miserable... miserably so...

From the Yuehua Hall all the way back to Chiguan Palace, Yue Mingxuan didn’t even know where his soul had gone.

His head was filled with that man’s evil and beautiful eyes. His ears echoed with the same words, miserable... miserable...

He spent the whole day uneasy and frightened. When the sunset dyed the sky red, his mood was still terrible. He didn’t even attend the farewell banquet hosted by the emperor.

Not that it mattered.

The foreign envoys had no wish to see a "disgraced prince" like him and Yue Mingxuan had no desire to see that man again.

That man was admired by everyone as an immortal beauty, but who in truth made his heart shiver with fear.

After dinner, he sent Sui He away.

His whole body felt weak and tired, so he slid into the warm bath and leaned back comfortably.

At this hour, the farewell banquet must be at its peak.

Surely Prince Shang wouldn’t be thinking of him now.

He might as well relax.

A calm mind made for good skin, after all.

As he reached out for a wet cloth and was about to wipe off the heavy makeup on his face, he heard a faint sound from the courtyard.

Instantly, every sense sharpened.

He quickly stepped out of the tub while grabbed the robe hanging on the screen and wrapped it tightly around himself.

Just as he did, a cold gust of wind rushed through the window, followed by a shadow closing in from behind.