I've Decided To Be This Tyrant's Dark Moonlight - Chapter 113

Heavy rain had fallen for days, making the soil muddy and the air humid. Even after the rain stopped, the sky remained hazy, covered in a thick layer of clouds.

Wei Ying felt suffocated and itchy all over. The moment the rain ceased, she couldn’t wait to go out and wander around.

The Emperor had decided to march on Changhe Valley in a few days. It was obvious to anyone with a clear mind that this was a foolish, suicidal decision, yet none of the battle-hardened generals objected. Instead, they were earnestly preparing for the upcoming war.

Wei Ying watched them excitedly talk about the future, saying they would go back and marry their wives after they won. She suddenly felt that the entire military camp was littered with death flags. She looked at the military flags flapping in the wind, rubbed her brow, and thought how the plot was pushing them all towards their doom, yet everyone was completely oblivious.

Unknowingly, she had circled back to the main camp.

From a distance, she saw Xiao Qianxue standing outside, looking dejected. She tiptoed up behind her and patted her shoulder. “Hey, why the long face?”

Xiao Qianxue turned around happily when she heard her voice. “Yingying! You’re up so early?”

Wei Ying covered her mouth and smiled. “Why do you say that like I sleep until noon every day?”

Xiao Qianxue blinked. “Isn’t that true? His Majesty ordered us not to disturb your rest, otherwise I would have woken you up long ago.”

Wei Ying’s lips curved into a smile. “Come in. I saw you looking so down from a distance. Who made you angry?”

Xiao Qianxue sat on a chair, her expression miserable. She took the tea Wei Ying handed her, took a big gulp, and then sighed heavily.

Wei Ying leaned against the table, hugging her arms. “The Noble Consort won’t let you go?”

Xiao Qianxue pouted and nodded mournfully.

Wei Ying smiled. “So, what do you think?”

“I’m already very powerful. The last time I fought with my brother, they couldn’t beat me,” Xiao Qianxue said, pouting. “I’m the strongest in my family!”

Wei Ying smiled faintly. “Okay, okay, you’re the strongest.”

Xiao Qianxue became even more miserable. “But Sister Noble Consort won’t let me go to the battlefield. She also won’t let me call her Sister Noble Consort anymore.”

Wei Ying: “Then what should you call her?”

Xiao Qianxue raised her round eyes and said earnestly, “She said military discipline is strict, and she won’t be returning to the palace. I have to call her General from now on, but she won’t let me call her Little General, even though everyone else does. So I can only call her Sister Pei.”

Wei Ying: “She won’t be returning to the palace?”

Xiao Qianxue let out an “ah,” realizing she had let something slip. She quickly covered her mouth, looking at Wei Ying with the startled, adorable look of a rabbit with its ears perked up.

Wei Ying smiled. “You have secrets from me now? Don’t worry, I won’t stop her. When she asked me if I was leaving Shengjing last time, I already guessed she wouldn’t come back.”

A bird that has flown from its cage will never return to a golden one. Besides, Pei Que was not a goldfinch to be admired but an eagle belonging to the sky.

Wei Ying paused for a moment, remembering when they first met a few years ago. She had asked Xiao Qianxue if she would return home if she had the chance. At that time, Xiao Qianxue had not hesitated, saying she wanted to leave the palace and be with her family.

She looked at Xiao Qianxue, her eyes narrowing slightly. After a moment, she said, “And… what about you?”

Xiao Qianxue’s eyes widened in panic. She glanced at Wei Ying, then lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly.

“Yingying, I, I…”

Wei Ying smiled. “You don’t have to say it. I know what’s in your heart. When you miss me, just write often, or you and Ah Que can come to Shengjing to visit.”

Xiao Qianxue nodded vigorously, her eyes curved into a smile. Her cheeks were faintly pink as she happily hugged Wei Ying. “Then Yingying, can you please plead with His Majesty for me? His Majesty likes you the most. Just say I’ve died of a sickness, or anything works.”

Wei Ying patted her. “I understand.”

There were a thousand ways to feign death; she was a professional.

“It’s just,” Wei Ying said, remembering something and smiling, “the palace will be lonely during the New Year from now on.”

Before, there were a thousand beauties like clouds. By the next New Year’s Eve, there would probably only be a handful left, fewer and fewer. The loneliness of the palace was like a desolate palace on the moon; it looked exquisite and grand from afar, but once you lived there, you realized the immense coldness at the top.

Xiao Qianxue’s lips curved. “But you have His Majesty to keep you company.”

Wei Ying: “His Majesty is just one person.”

Xiao Qianxue snuggled close. “His Majesty as one person is better than many of us. I’ve long since figured it out. Before, even when we were by your side, Yingying wasn’t happy. It’s like you and we aren’t from the same world.”

Wei Ying tilted her head, scrutinizing the girl in front of her. Why did Qianxue suddenly stop being so silly after leaving the palace? Did she give Qianxue a debuff before? How terrifying!

Xiao Qianxue continued, “Yingying is always protecting me and making me laugh, but I want Yingying to be truly happy, but you’re always unhappy.”

That year they first met, osmanthus flowers were like clouds. The girl under the osmanthus tree was slender, her robes fluttering as if a gust of wind could scatter her.

Xiao Qianxue thought back to the past, racking her brains for a way to describe it. “Even though you were right by my side, Yingying, you always seemed so far away, like a cloud in the sky. I couldn’t reach you, but His Majesty can.”

“Maybe even you don’t realize it, but back then, when you were calling His Majesty ‘dog emperor,’ she was the one you held closest to your heart.”

Wei Ying pursed her lips, listening to Xiao Qianxue’s words slowly.

Maybe Qianxue was right… She had cared about His Majesty much earlier than she had realized.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but curve her eyebrows into a smile. “After all, His Majesty is so good. It’s only human nature to look at her a few more times.”

Xiao Qianxue: “Pfft, back then, you were half-blind.”

Wei Ying laughed even more happily, putting an arm around Xiao Qianxue’s shoulders. “Qianxue, now that Ah Que is on the battlefield and His Majesty is on the battlefield, how can we just stand by and stay here? Right?”

Xiao Qianxue said worriedly, “But Sister Pei will be angry.”

Wei Ying: “Oh, when a woman says she’ll be angry, it means she won’t be. When we snuck out, did His Majesty get angry?”

Xiao Qianxue felt that she had a point. Her head bobbed up and down like a pecking chick. “You’re right, Yingying, you’re right. Let’s sneak out and go help His Majesty and the General!”

Wei Ying’s eyes curved. She walked over to the weapon rack and threw a quiver to her.

Xiao Qianxue took out an arrow and saw that the arrowhead was a sinister-looking emerald green. She looked at Wei Ying in confusion, at a loss. “Yingying, this is?”

Wei Ying took her hand, put the arrow back, and smiled. “Just a little gift from the Empress Dowager.”

On the day of the march, they secretly put on their armor and blended into the crowd.

Wei Ying focused on the Emperor in front, while Xiao Qianxue looked around nervously, afraid they would be found out.

Wei Ying whispered, “What are you scared of? There are so many people; how could they recognize us?”

Xiao Qianxue said with envy, “Yingying, you’re so calm. You must have done a lot of bad things!”

That’s how she could be so composed in the face of danger, not flustered at all, and have such a good mental state.

Wei Ying: …

She couldn’t argue with that.

After thinking about it, Wei Ying counterattacked, “I’m not so bad. At least I’m not riding Mary Sue. What were you thinking, riding Little Pear Blossom out?”

Little Pear Blossom was as white as snow, with a glossy coat, clearly no ordinary horse.

Several soldiers passing by them couldn’t help but praise her. “What a fine horse!”

Just as they were talking, another person passing by looked at Little Pear Blossom, mesmerized. “What a beautiful horse!”

Xiao Qianxue gave a sheepish smile, leaning forward slightly, trying to block the Mary Sue aura emanating from Little Pear Blossom.

Wei Ying shook her head. “It’s a good thing the Noble Consort isn’t looking this way.”

Xiao Qianxue glanced at the horse Wei Ying was riding and said, unwilling to be outdone, “And you’re riding Thunder, the one His Majesty made a deep confession to. It’s a good thing His Majesty isn’t looking this way.”

Wei Ying patted Thunder, her chest puffed out proudly. “This is the fruit of our love. It’s only logical for Consort Ying to ride Consort Lei, isn’t it?”

Xiao Qianxue: ???

The two sides of Changhe Valley were steep slopes. As Wei Ying entered the narrow, gourd-shaped opening, she couldn’t help but think this was an excellent place for an ambush.

If even she could see it, Northern Qi would surely understand.

Only those controlled by the plot would foolishly rush into a dead end.

Sure enough, a series of shouts and war cries soon followed. A swarm of Northern Qi soldiers emerged from the bushes on the slopes. The leading general was on a horse, standing on a rock, looking down on them.

Yun Shao pulled the reins tight and looked up, her eyes meeting his.

The man stared at Yun Shao for a long time, his gaze complex. He said coldly, “I didn’t think you’d be so stupid as to actually come.” He laughed a few times and continued, “Then again, if you didn’t, the whole world would know what you’ve done, wouldn’t they, Little Shao?”

Yun Shao pressed her pale lips together, looking around. It was as if she only now realized something was wrong. A hint of confusion appeared in her eyes, and she rubbed her aching brow.

Why had she come here?

She remembered she had discussed this with Pei Jian before, that they must not fall for the trap of entering Changhe Valley. Once ambushed, it would be a near-certain death. But… why had she still come?

She was no longer afraid of Yun Shan’s threats. She never cared what the world thought, only Yingying. As long as Yingying didn’t mind, she could abandon the throne and let Da Sheng perish. She didn’t care about any of it.

She had just finally confessed her feelings to Yingying. Why would she come to her death so easily?

Now that her dream had come true… how could she be willing to die?

Yun Shao frowned slightly, a glimmer of water appearing in her dark eyes. She quickly looked around, analyzing how to escape the danger.

Both sides were steep slopes. The enemy had a numerical and positional advantage. Northern Qi cavalry was always fierce. A charge from above would cause massive casualties. Besides, they could also throw rocks and shoot arrows from above, giving them a complete geographical advantage.

Yun Shan: “Do you know how many years I’ve waited for this day? Soon the world will know your true face, know that you killed…”

Before he could finish, an arrow shot through the air, grazing his cheek and burying itself in the bush behind him.

Yun Shan dodged frantically, looking down with both shock and anger. He saw two beautiful girls standing side by side where the arrow had come from.

One of them was on a black horse, holding a bow and arrow, and raised an eyebrow at him. The lively and beautiful face made Yun Shan’s head spin for a moment. He felt a stir of desire in his heart and a hint of unwillingness, thinking that such a beauty should have been his.

When he took back his throne, the beauty would naturally belong to him again.

But soon, his attention was drawn to the girl beside her.

That person was on a white horse, with bright and clear features, looking like an old acquaintance.

For a moment, Yun Shan forgot everything else. His heart pounded like a drum, and he murmured, “Teacher…”

Xiao Qianxue didn’t notice Yun Shan’s gaze. She looked at Wei Ying’s archery in astonishment. “Yingying, you’re so brave.”

Wei Ying: “I’m super brave, aren’t I?”

At this moment, the Emperor and Pei Que both looked back, seeing the two of them among the thousands of soldiers. Pei Que was both anxious and angry. She wanted to approach them on her horse, but Wei Ying’s arrow had caused the Northern Qi army to begin their attack. Rocks rolled down, causing the horses to neigh restlessly.

Wei Ying held the reins tightly, her lips pressed together, waiting.

The plot was trying to make one last desperate move to switch the male lead, but if that happened, her palace drama goal would definitely not be fulfilled. The system would not allow that to happen and would surely give out another mission.

Sure enough, the Palatial Intrigue System’s voice rang in her ears. “Mission issued: Protect the Emperor amidst the thousands of soldiers and horses. Reward: The final part of memory integration, and a hidden reward.”

“A hidden reward?” Wei Ying narrowed her eyes, looking up and seeing the Emperor squeezing her horse through the chaotic crowd, moving towards her.

Arrows fell like rain from above. She looked up. Yun Shan seemed to have no intention of coming down, instead planning to use falling rocks and arrow rain to eliminate the main forces, then charge down to finish them off. Wei Ying thought for a few seconds and said to Xiao Qianxue, “Qianxue, shoot him.”

Xiao Qianxue obediently pulled out an arrow and aimed for Yun Shan, but they were at the bottom of the valley, with no geographical advantage. There were too many obstacles, and the arrow still only grazed Yun Shan, failing to hit him.

However, Yun Shan, seeing the girl who looked so much like his teacher aiming a weapon at him, couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. He waved his hand, ordering his soldiers to begin the next round of arrows. Pei Que organized her soldiers to both fight back and cover the Emperor’s escape. After a long time of covering, she looked back and saw…

Where was the Emperor?

Wei Ying surveyed the situation, understanding that she couldn’t let Northern Qi launch another round of arrows. She thought for a few seconds, her gaze falling on the green horse Yun Shan was riding. Her lips curved into a smile.

Card used: Infatuation at First Sight

Card description: When the Lord sees me, He is infatuated. Thus, I am moved. The applicable target will be infatuated.

The moment the card flew out, the green horse suddenly raised its head, its eyes burning, piercing through the thousands of soldiers and horses, and landing on Little Pear Blossom. Little Pear Blossom was as white as snow, looking extraordinary in the rolling dust, like a beautiful goddess, summoning a knight to come.

The Mary Sue aura came rushing forward.

The green horse was instantly excited, letting out a whinny: “Ho! Hoho!”

At this moment, Yun Shan raised his hand, preparing to have his soldiers push down the ready-made boulders to crush the Da Sheng army. “Hurry-”

Before he could finish, the green horse he was riding suddenly let out an excited cry and charged towards the Da Sheng army below.

The Northern Qi soldiers looked at each other, seeing the back of the Prince Consort charging ahead. Thinking he was leading the charge, they also followed suit.

In an instant, the sounds of battle shook the heavens, and dust flew everywhere.

The Northern Qi cavalry was always fierce and brave. When they charged down the slope, they created a powerful momentum.

Even the fearless Pei Que’s face turned pale at this sight, feeling that death was certain. She gripped the long spear in her hand, ordering her soldiers not to retreat, and stared at the tall horse charging towards her.

Wei Ying took out a second card, the Substitution Card, and looked at the mission, “Protect the Emperor amidst the thousands of soldiers and horses,” and neatly changed the word “horses” to “pigs.”

Palatial Intrigue System: ???

Wei Ying clapped her hands. Protecting the Emperor amidst the thousands of soldiers and pigs. The mission difficulty just dropped.

The sound of hooves thundered, and dust rolled. Pei Que gripped her spear nervously, watching the black mass in the dust getting closer and closer. She thought to herself, “It’s just death. It’s an honor to die for my country, to be wrapped in a horse’s hide.”

The black mass got closer and closer. The Northern Qi cavalry was about to charge in front of her. Pei Que looked at the approaching things, her eyes widening in surprise.

A pig charged in front of her horse and began to root in the dirt. “Oink, oink!”

Pei Que: ???

One pig, two pigs, three pigs…

She was horrified to find that they were surrounded by pigs!

The Northern Qi soldiers were all thrown off their pigs’ backs when the horses turned into pigs. They got a mouthful of dirt and screamed in pain, but Yun Shan held on and continued to charge towards Little Pear Blossom.

The green horse under him, even after its species changed, was still infatuated with Mary Sue. It trotted with its four hooves, charging forward.

Xiao Qianxue saw a big man riding a pig charging towards her and couldn’t help but scream in terror. “Ah ah ah ah ah, don’t come any closer!”

Yun Shan: “Ah ah ah, who the hell wants to come closer?!”

Little Pear Blossom quickly took off running: “Hoh hoh hoh!”

The green pig chased after it relentlessly: “Oink oink oink!”

Amidst the chaos and fierce battle, the sight of a horse and a pig chasing each other was particularly bizarre.

Little Pear Blossom was forced into a corner, its back against the mountain wall, neighing in panic. Xiao Qianxue watched the pig getting closer and closer, screaming “ah ah ah,” as she pulled out the arrow from her back and shot it towards Yun Shan.

The emerald green arrowhead shot into Yun Shan’s chest. He stared, his eyes wide in disbelief, and fell from the pig’s back.

Wei Ying: Yes!

Infatuation at First Sight, forever a godsend!

Amidst the pig squeals and fighting, she searched for the Emperor’s figure. She rode past many people but still couldn’t find the familiar person. Just as she was getting anxious, she suddenly heard a soft “Yingying.”

Wei Ying turned back and saw Yun Shao standing on the ground, a bloody dagger in her hand, her face covered in dirt.

Yun Shao raised her head, wiped the dirt from her face, and smiled at Wei Ying.

Wei Ying couldn’t help but smile as well. She got off Thunder and slowly walked towards Yun Shao, taking her hand.

She said, “Your Majesty, I have a treasure for you.”

Yun Shao tilted her head. “What is it?”

Wei Ying smiled and used the [Hundred Birds Adoring the Phoenix] card.

The clear and beautiful singing of a golden oriole suddenly echoed through the forest. At first, the sound was faint, but then it grew louder. Sparrows, thrushes, magpies… all sorts of birds flew out of the woods, circling above their heads, their calls rising and falling, singing in harmony.

The soldiers stopped fighting, and all looked up at the strange sight.

The sky seemed to be on fire, and a bright light appeared. Golden clouds formed a carpet, spreading across the blue sky.

A giant, beautiful firebird flew across the sky. The clear cry of a phoenix echoed through the valley. All the birds circled and flew, following it.

The hundred birds adored the phoenix, and the hearts of the people were united.

The soldiers put down their weapons, their will to fight gone. They knelt down under the circling divine bird. Only Wei Ying and Yun Shao stood side by side.

Wei Ying seemed to hear a clear sound, as if something was slowly breaking. The plot that had influenced countless people’s fates shattered, and the book that recorded the original story turned to dust in an instant.

The shackles of fate were finally released.

She heard the sound of the mission being completed. In the midst of the bright light, she remembered the last piece of memory.

The sun dappled through the grape trellises, falling on her bloodstained body. She covered her mouth. The poison of “Joyful Meeting” churned in her guts, causing blood to continuously drip from the corners of her lips. Her consciousness gradually became blurred, and all she could hear was the desperate sobbing of a young girl.

In her hazy vision, she suddenly saw the girl pounce on the stone table, picking up the unfinished half-cup of poisoned wine. Without hesitation, she raised her head to drink it.

Gathering the last of her strength, she grabbed Yun Shao’s wrist. “Don’t seek death.”

The girl looked at her with sorrow, tears streaming from her eyes. She choked out, “I want to taste the same pain as Teacher.”

She took a step back, leaning against the grape trellis, and for the first time, she saw the affection hidden within Yun Shao. It was more passionate and profound than any of her previous mission targets—

She was willing to live for her, to die for her without hesitation.

To follow her to the ends of the earth, to accompany her in life and death.

Wei Ying was shocked. It was as if there was a surge of heat burning in her chest. She had traveled through so many worlds, and this was all she ever sought. But now that she had it, she felt a sense of pity and heartbreak.

She chuckled softly, wiping the blood from her mouth. “Shao’er, if you really follow me… you won’t see me again. I am a person of the heavens. I won’t die… Wait for me. Maybe I will come back…”

So six years ago, His Majesty was willing to die for her;

So six years ago, she had promised to return;

So…

You were born and died for me, and I died and came to life for you;

Unknowingly, this love had reached its climax.

The memory flashed before her eyes. Wei Ying tilted her head and met Yun Shao’s soft gaze.

Yun Shao had been looking at her, as if her eyes could only hold her and nothing else.

Wei Ying’s heart softened. “Your Majesty, don’t love me so much. Give some of that love to yourself, okay?”

Yun Shao’s eyes turned red. She said softly, “This is the only thing I can never do, Yingying.”

Wei Ying’s eyes also became moist. She touched Yun Shao’s forehead and said, “Then let me love you.”

Wei Ying was holding Yun Shao, getting emotional, when she suddenly felt something tugging at her skirt. She looked down and saw a little girl who looked about seven or eight years similar to her.

The little girl was like a doll carved from pink jade, wearing a dress and holding a doll. With a cold face, she spoke with the Palatial Intrigue System’s voice. “This is a hidden gift. I can only stay here with you, you dog host.”

Wei Ying looked at the little robot she had lost and found again and couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Yun Shao followed her gaze and looked at the little girl. She looked at the girl on the ground, then looked at Wei Ying, suddenly taking a few steps back. Her eyes widened, and she asked in surprise, “Yingying, is this…?”

Wei Ying smiled. “Family.”

The Palatial Intrigue System held her doll, lowering her head to hide the embarrassed look on her face.

Wei Ying felt that the Emperor’s expression was a little off. She leaned over and asked, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

Yun Shao shook her head, biting her lip. Her tone was a little wronged. “It’s nothing.”

At this moment, Xiao Qianxue finally got rid of the pig chase and trotted over on Little Pear Blossom. When she saw the little girl Wei Ying was holding, she showed a strange expression. She got off her horse and circled Wei Ying and the little girl a few times. “Where did this child come from?”

Wei Ying shrugged. “She appeared out of thin air.”

Xiao Qianxue looked at the little girl, then at Wei Ying, and suddenly realized. “Yingying, is this your illegitimate daughter?!”

Wei Ying: ???

Wei Ying subconsciously looked back at Yun Shao. The Emperor was already on the verge of tears.

“Your Majesty, listen to my explanation-”

The Palatial Intrigue System stood next to Xiao Qianxue, holding the doll that had once been thrown into the junkyard, and let out a cold, vengeful laugh. “You’re getting your comeuppance, you dog host! Ptooey!”

Xiao Qianxue lowered her head. “Hey, are you really Yingying’s illegitimate daughter?”

Palatial Intrigue System: “…No.”

Xiao Qianxue: “Then who are you?”

The Palatial Intrigue System, with a doll-like face, said expressionlessly, “I am her mission.”