Chapter 54: Descent to Despair

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Sorry for not updating these past few days! I had to prepare myself well for the chapters that are too come and I don't want to disappoint y'all >.<
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It was a night of unrest for different parties.

Inside the palace, the Emperor and Empress of Great Han feared the looming presence of Huo Ai over their heads. The mysterious country became an unimaginable power in their eyes.

Meanwhile, Mao Zhu was in charge of night duty in the palace. But his mind was preoccupied as he was contemplating all the things that happened. It was still too much to absorb.

He believed that his fiancé was murdered and he had to hide it from her family because they might be implicated. But then, she returned as a different person who saw him as nothing but a stranger.

All these years, he felt that even though Hong Chun wasn't as affectionate as other ladies, she still held him in her heart. Otherwise, why would she wait for five long years?

His thoughts were disturbed by one of the imperial guards, "Captain, there are movements in the eastern garden."

Mao Zhu replied that he would check it.

Upon arriving at the garden, Mao Zhu realized that it was the Empress strolling.

"Your Majesty, it's against the rules to linger outside of your palace at this time. Please go back."

It was his duty to ensure the safety of the Emperor and the Empress so he couldn't tolerate it if they didn't follow the palace rules. Anything could go wrong just because of neglecting harmless rules.

"Oh, it's the upright Captain Mao. I can't sleep so let me walk for a few minutes."

Nuo Ying Su was holding a small lamp and she was wearing a thick coat but her hair flowed smoothly down her back, unimpeded by the daytime ornate decorations.

Mao Zhu didn't know why both husband and wife rarely used their appropriate pronouns when talking to him.

Noticing his silence, the Empress thought that still wouldn't allow her to stroll as she liked. "It's okay, nothing will happen."

She stopped by a small pavilion and sat inside. Captain Mao remained outside, a considerable distance away from her. Since becoming an Empress, Nuo Ying Su found that people maintained that distance no matter what whether they were allies or enemies.

It was strange but she found it lonely sometimes. If she didn't have Yi Ran, she might go insane. But in the first place, it was Long Yi Ran who gave her this power. Being the Mother of a nation was something that could only exist in her dreams if she was still living the life of Nuo Ying Su, the office lady.

Living in this world brought her a lot of joy and great pains as well. Now, there was a small life living inside her. Her husband lived to serve his people but she was a woman who would do anything to keep her child safe.

Nuo Ying Su was gazing at the twinkling stars. Maybe it was because this era had unpolluted air but the heavenly bodies seemed so near. However, it wasn't the time to appreciate their beauty.

She wished to know more about Lady Huang and here was a person to ask.

"I heard how in love you are with your fiancé but it turns out she's a child of a foreign nation... do you think that she knew of her identity all these years?"

Mao Zhu thought of that possibility but he didn't want to dwell on it because that would mean the memories he shared with Hong Chun-- would they be considered fake?

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