The Prodigal Son

In King Yu Mountain.

After several days of rest, Huang Dengxing's injuries have basically healed.

These days have probably been the happiest days Huang Dengxing has had in nearly twenty years.

These days, Empress Dowager Wu has taken good care of him. Every day, despite the bitter and astringent taste of the herbs, she chews up the herbs he finds and changes his dressings.

Despite his advice, Empress Wu, who had been living a life of luxury for many years, found a cave in the mountains and decorated it as their little nest. She even planted a rhododendron sapling outside the cave.

Although their little nest was simple, it was full of warmth and comfort, making it more comfortable and reassuring than a luxurious palace.

He and Empress Wu seemed to have returned to the days when they were enjoying romantic moments under the moon and made vows of eternal love.

This time, no one bothered them, and no one could threaten them. They no longer needed to sneak around like thieves.

They no longer need to think about fame and fortune, nor do they need to care about anyone's feelings.

This is the kind of life Huang Dengxing (a nickname) longs for.

dusk.

Huang Dengxing sat on a hilltop near their little nest, with Empress Wu in his arms.

Empress Wu leaned against Huang Dengxing's chest, her gaze fixed on the setting sun, and said softly, "Fourth Brother, do you remember? Before we decided to elope, we said we would find a secluded place and watch the sunrise and sunset together every day..."

"I remember, of course I remember!"

Huang Dengxing hugged Empress Wu tightly, their necks intertwined, a look of deep reminiscence on his face. "Back then, we said we'd have men plow and women weave, plant your favorite azaleas in front of the door, and then have a bunch of kids. After a day's work in the fields, we'd sit under the azalea tree in front of the door, watching the children play and frolic around the house..."

Over the years, he has forgotten many things.

But he never forgot the little things between them.

He faced danger countless times, and each time he survived thanks to his belief in reclaiming his Liu'er.

He also told himself countless times that he must fulfill their vows of eternal love.

Now, the vows made in the past seem to be gradually coming true.

Unfortunately, they had no children of their own.

They will probably never see their children and grandchildren around them in their lifetime.

Empress Dowager Wu's face also showed a look of reminiscence, and she murmured, "Fourth Brother, do you regret it?"

"regret?"

The man on the yellow light, puzzled, asked, "What are you regretting?"

"You regret knowing me."

Empress Dowager Wu said softly, "If you didn't know me, you might already be living a life surrounded by your children and grandchildren. If you didn't know me, you wouldn't have suffered so much in your life..."

"No regrets!"

Huang Dengxing interrupted her, gently stroking her face, his voice incredibly tender: "If I hadn't met you, wouldn't my life have been wasted? Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life, Huang Silang's life..."

Life in the mountains has taken a toll on her skin, making it no longer as smooth and delicate as before.

But no matter what she becomes, she will always be the woman he loves most.

Hearing Huang Dengxing's sweet words, Empress Wu's face showed a girlish shyness.

Turning her head, Empress Wu gently kissed Huang Dengxing's face, her eyes filled with love.

Like a young girl experiencing her first love.

Feeling her loving gaze, Huang Dengxing couldn't help but kiss her lips.

However, Empress Wu raised her hand and covered his mouth.

Empress Wu's sudden refusal startled Huang Dengxing.

He looked at Empress Wu with a puzzled expression, wondering why she would suddenly reject his love.

Empress Wu reached out and gently encircled Huang Dengxing's neck, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes: "Fourth Brother, let me hold you tight."

"good!"

Huang Dengxing nodded gently, tenderly embraced Empress Wu, and teased, "You're still as clingy as ever..."

Empress Wu remained silent, simply holding Huang Dengxing close and whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

At first, Huang Dengxing was only focused on enjoying the sweet and intimate feeling, but as time went on, he suddenly realized that Empress Wu's emotions were a bit off.

"Liu'er, what's wrong?"

Huang Dengxing gently stroked Empress Wu's back, his face full of worry.

Empress Wu hugged Huang Dengxing tighter, her voice trembling as she said, "Fourth Brother, I so want to spend the rest of my life with you here! But, I..."

Empress Wu was speaking when she suddenly paused.

Huang Dengxing's heart skipped a beat. He patted Empress Wu's back in confusion, "Liu'er, why are you suddenly bringing this up? Do you mean you want me to go...?"

Before he could finish his sentence, Huang Dengxing suddenly realized something was wrong.

He keenly sensed that Empress Dowager Wu's breathing was somewhat disordered.

"Liu'er!"

Huang Dengxing cried out in alarm and quickly pulled away from Empress Wu's arms that were around his neck.

Only then did he notice a trickle of black blood spilling from the corner of Empress Wu's mouth.

"Liu'er!"

Huang Dengxing was in a state of panic, helplessly wiping the blood from the corner of Empress Wu's mouth. "What's wrong? What happened?"

However, just as Huang Dengxing wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, more black blood gushed out.

Poisoned!

Huang Dengxing's expression changed drastically, and he roared menacingly, "Who did this? Who did this?"

Endless rage filled Huang Dengxing's chest. He quickly raised his hand to support Empress Wu's body, continuously pouring his true energy into her body, trying to force out the deadly poison from her body.

"Fourth Brother, don't waste your energy. This is... my own choice... cough cough..."

Empress Wu coughed up two mouthfuls of black blood in agony, and with difficulty grasped Huang Dengxing's withered hand, saying intermittently, "When I fled from Yuyang, I... I always carried poison on my body. I... I know you can't bear to leave me, so I thought that if we... really... really reached a dead end, I would take poison and commit suicide... cough cough..."

Before Empress Wu could finish speaking, she coughed up another mouthful of black blood.

Her body was also convulsing under the influence of the deadly poison.

"Why? Why did you do this?"

Huang Dengxing trembled all over, roaring with tears streaming down his face.

He could tell that the poison had penetrated deep into Empress Wu's internal organs.

Even if he were a master, he wouldn't be able to force the poison out.

Seeing Empress Wu coughing up blood continuously, Huang Dengxing almost collapsed.

They haven't had many good days yet!

Why did she choose to leave herself?

What's the point of living without her?

"Fourth Brother, I'm sorry..."

Empress Dowager Wu's face was streaked with tears as she choked out, "I want to abandon everything, regardless of Wu'er's life or death, and stay here with you... to spend the rest of my life in peace. But I am a mother, I... I simply cannot do it! But you have already... sacrificed so much for me in this life, and I cannot let you risk your life to save Wu'er..."

Her identity is constantly being pulled and shifted between her lover and her mother every day.

On one side is her fourth brother, whom she has loved all her life and wanted to spend her life with; on the other side is her son, whom she carried for ten months and with whom she shares blood ties.

She is enduring immense mental torment every day.

She knew that only death could bring her true release.

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

Huang Dengxing cried out in a heart-wrenching voice, "As long as it makes you happy, I'll save Yu Wu even if it means being pulverized!"

He thought he had convinced her.

He thought she had let go of that bastard child.

Little did she know, she was faking it all!

Her heart was tormented every moment.

She deceived herself so deeply!

Seeing Huang Dengxing's pained and near-collapsed appearance, Empress Dowager Wu felt a deep sense of guilt and heartache.

With her last ounce of strength, she struggled to raise her hand, wanting to touch his cheek.

"Fourth Brother, if there is... if there is an afterlife, Liu'er... will definitely stay with you..."

She said these words with immense difficulty.

Every word she uttered took all her strength.

Before she could finish speaking, a large mouthful of black blood gushed from her mouth, staining Huang Dengxing's clothes red.

Her hand fell limply to her side, and her pupils gradually became dilated.

Huang Dengxing froze, as if struck by lightning, his energy and spirit drained away in an instant.

As the sun set, the whole world suddenly turned pitch black.

The last glimmer of light in the world of yellow lights also disappeared.

After a long while, Huang Deng suddenly hugged Empress Wu's body and let out a heart-wrenching wail.

"Liu'er!!!"