Chapter 39: What are you being greedy for life and afraid of death?

"Is this really feasible?" Pei Shangyan asked the Imperial Physician uneasily.

"This..." Whether it works or not still depends on heaven; the risk is too great!

The Imperial Physician couldn't bear to glance at Mu Yuanzhi.

Even knowing these people had no scruples for Pei Yunxi, Mu Yuanzhi was still shocked; their words were like the sharpest ice shards scraping in winter, a chill shooting straight through her limbs.

Blood exchange... How could Pei Shangling have thought of that!

Pei Yunxi was already poisoned, a nine-deaths-one-life situation; exchanging blood or not is dangerous.

But why should she, for no reason, bear double the danger—having to exchange blood with Pei Yunxi and also suffer the poison originally meant for him?!

Not a single person has objected so far; these people are inhuman enough to make one's hair stand on end!

"No, how can sister risk such danger? No need, she'll surely find a detox method." Pei Yunxi, anxious, started crying again.

The Virtuous Consort, however, disagreed: "She is your sister; we are one family, and family shouldn't be divided."

At this moment, another family member came with moral blackmail? Mu Yuanzhi ignored what they said, staying silent; she could never agree.

What else could they do? Lock her up in Forever Lane again? No justification. Torture her in secret? They still need her to make the antidote, so that's impossible too.

"Yuanzhi, say something, so Yunxi can be at ease." Pei Shangyan said.

Mu Yuanzhi pretended not to hear, lowering her eyelashes.

Pei Shangling, seeing this, flared up again: "At bottom, it's all because you and Xiao Chuchu were scheming against each other that caused little sister to fall into the lake; otherwise, how would she have been bitten by the Red Spider? This matter originated because of you; giving little sister a blood exchange is justified! What are you being greedy for life and afraid of death?!"

His words landed in everyone's ears; many nodded inwardly, indeed it was so.

Mu Yuanzhi smirked inwardly; could this also be blamed on her? She glanced at Pei Yunxi out of the corner of her eye, thinking Pei Yunxi must have had this idea in mind.

Could the Southern Border Red Spider also have been deliberately placed in Vermilion Bird Lake by Pei Yunxi? And then this poison too was intentionally inflicted on her?

No, even if Pei Yunxi were stupid, she couldn't possibly do something that harms the enemy a thousand while damaging herself eight hundred.

Amidst these doubts, Mu Yuanzhi still couldn't figure it out for now.

At this moment, the Son of Heaven, who had been silent in thought for a long time, spoke: "Yuanzhi, come over; Father Emperor has something to say to you."

Everyone was puzzled; Mu Yuanzhi didn't know what the Son of Heaven wanted to say to her privately, and she felt uneasy.

As she rose and followed the Son of Heaven away, Mu Yuanzhi could still hear several princes and the Virtuous Consort comforting Pei Yunxi, telling her to rest easy, that after the blood exchange she'd be fine.

Hah, disgusting!

Mu Yuanzhi followed the Son of Heaven to the Side Hall; he turned his back to her, let out a long sigh: "Yuanzhi, you've been by Father Emperor's side for sixteen years."

"Yes."

What, he's also playing the family card? Him specifically summoning her to the Side Hall can't be that simple, can it?

"I still remember the first time I saw you on a day of heavy snow; the entire Capital was buried under snow, unable to breathe; the triumphant returning troops didn't bring back your parents; only you, newborn and tightly wrapped, were escorted back by your father's officers, and you smiled when you first saw me."

The Son of Heaven spoke with a deeply nostalgic tone.

Even if it weren't this moment, Mu Yuanzhi wouldn't feel the slightest stir, nor would she fantasize about any warm, unguarded moments she once shared with the Son of Heaven.

The beauty of memories hurts the most.

She knew the Son of Heaven's intention in bringing these up now was merely to use them as a bargaining chip, or as a prelude to what he would say next.

Mu Yuanzhi said nothing, silently lowering her head to listen.

The Son of Heaven seemed not to need her answer, continuing on his own: "Your parents are heroes of the Empire; they gave their lives for the state, wrapped in horsehide, dying on the frozen soil of the Splendid Severe State, buried abroad in a foreign land, which truly grieves me!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuanzhi's heart clenched tightly.

This is her greatest regret across two lifetimes—her parents cannot return their souls to their homeland!

Although the Splendid Severe State has fallen, its national strength remains strong; they have detained her parents' remains, refusing to return them no matter how negotiations go.

"I know you certainly feel this pain more than I do, so you must also wish they'd return to this land, leaves returning to their roots, right?" The Son of Heaven had now approached Mu Yuanzhi, taking her hand: "I have a way to bring them back for a grand funeral, fulfilling your wish."

Really?!

A single brief sentence from the Son of Heaven stirred up a storm in Mu Yuanzhi's heart!

Nothing could excite Mu Yuanzhi more than the prospect of her parents returning to their homeland for burial; she had thought it impossible in a lifetime, yet now it was within reach.

Feeling the hand he grasped trembling, the Son of Heaven curled the corner of his mouth.

The overwhelming joy didn't numb Mu Yuanzhi's thoughts; she knew what the Son of Heaven meant—he wanted a one-for-one exchange: he would bring back her parents, and she would have to exchange blood with Pei Yunxi.

She certainly was willing!

She had to be willing!

Even in a nine-deaths-one-life situation there is hope; even if it were ten deaths with no life, she would still be willing!

She was essentially already dead; this life she earned is worth it for her parents!

"Father Emperor, I know what to do, but I want you to set up evidence for this request—isn't that reasonable?" No matter what, she needed assurance; between them, they were no longer the intimately close father and daughter they once were.

The Son of Heaven's eyes darkened slightly, then he smiled satisfactorily: "I knew you understood the bigger picture."

He grasped Mu Yuanzhi's shoulders: "Rest assured, I will immediately draft an edict as proof; I will surely bring back your parents!"

"Your subject thanks you, Father Emperor." Mu Yuanzhi subtly shifted her shoulder away, maintaining a proper distance as she bowed in gratitude.

The Son of Heaven personally drafted the edict, as if fearing that even a slight delay would make her change her mind.

Watching his retreating back, she couldn't help but feel sorrowful.

Her parents were great heroes of the Empire, yet for this reason, their loyal sovereign was willing to spare no effort to bring them home.

Mu Yuanzhi took the Imperial Decree; over there everything was ready, able to begin at any moment.

She lay on the couch, thinking of nothing; the room had only the Imperial Physician, while the Son of Heaven stood outside for a moment before re-entering uneasily; the physicians could only comply, he sat beside Pei Yunxi, extremely nervous.

Pei Yunxi coquettishly whined at him, saying with the Father Emperor present she feared nothing.

Mu Yuanzhi had once said the same, after which the Son of Heaven would tell her: "I will guard you, Zhier, for a lifetime."

"I will guard you, Xier, for a lifetime." The Son of Heaven stroked Pei Yunxi's head.

Mu Yuanzhi closed her eyes; their words had always been believed only by her.

Blood exchange is extremely dangerous and complicated; a slight mistake will cost one's life! Therefore, no one dared to go in and disturb; everyone waited outside, and the people with various thoughts said nothing.

Pei Shangling was the most restless; he several times wanted to sneak a peek at what was happening inside, but Pei Shangyan pulled him back each time.

Just when their anxious and uneasy emotions were about to reach their peak, the door opened!