Chapter 49: Laying Bare the Heart (Part II)

Meng Yuanheng was startled. Mo’er wanted to give up her affection for him and direct it toward someone else? The mere thought was unbearable.

He pulled Shen Qianmo tightly into his arms, his voice muffled: “I forbid it. Mo’er, you can only love me. You’re not allowed to love any other man.”

“So, you’re accepting my condition?” Shen Qianmo raised her brows.

“No matter what the condition is, I accept.” Even if it meant death, he could never tolerate Mo’er loving another man.

Shen Qianmo looked him straight in the eye and said, word by word, “My condition is this: a lifetime of mutual devotion, just the two of us. When it comes to love, I can’t stand sharing with another woman.”

She knew that in this era, such an idea was unconventional and perhaps unacceptable to society. Here, even commoners had several wives and concubines, let alone someone of Meng Yuanheng’s princely status. She’d once thought his physical impairment made such concerns irrelevant, but now it was clear he was perfectly fine. What reason could she give for him to marry only her?

Meng Yuanheng gazed at Shen Qianmo, who faced him so openly, his heart profoundly shaken. His Mo’er was indeed unique, always surprising him with her thoughts. And was it not this very uniqueness that he adored?

He cupped her delicate face in his hands, speaking to her with utmost sincerity: “Very well. A lifetime for just us two. I, Meng Yuanheng, will love only Mo’er for the rest of my life.”

Hearing his heartfelt confession, Shen Qianmo was moved. Though she couldn’t guarantee how long Meng Yuanheng would keep this promise, at this moment, he loved her and she believed him. That was enough.

The sea breeze drifted gently, waves softly rolled, and the golden afterglow of sunset warmly enfolded them. The two of them embraced in silence, as if they were the subjects of a breathtaking painting.

“Mo’er, I want to ask you a question,” Meng Yuanheng’s deep, magnetic voice sounded above Shen Qianmo’s head.

He had wrestled with this question for a long time; just now, Shen Qianmo had said lovers should be honest with each other, and he felt it was time to seek the truth from her.

“Hm?” Shen Qianmo nestled comfortably in his arms, playing with a piece of jade at his waist.

After a long pause, Meng Yuanheng finally spoke in a low voice: “Who is Yuan Lie?”

The question shocked Shen Qianmo, and she abruptly pulled away from his embrace, eyes wide. “How do you know Yuan Lie?”

So he does exist? Meng Yuanheng’s face darkened. He’d investigated for a long time but found not a single trace of anyone named Yuan Lie. He had hoped he’d misheard.

Shen Qianmo was indeed surprised. Yuan Lie was the captain of the criminal investigation unit in the Public Security Bureau—it was impossible for him to appear here. How could Meng Yuanheng know of him? She was sure she’d never breathed a word to anyone.

Seeing Shen Qianmo’s suspicious look, Meng Yuanheng had to explain: “That day… in the alley beside Yipinxuan…” His words faltered, worried she’d be angry at him for not stepping in to help. Heaven knew how much he regretted being a step too late that day and letting Feng Ze get there first.

If only he had arrived in time, Shen Qianmo would never have met Feng Ze, and he wouldn’t have suffered so much jealousy since.

Yipinxuan’s alley? Shen Qianmo recalled it now. She’d been harassed by some ruffians, and Feng Ze had come to her rescue. At the shock of seeing him for the first time, she had blurted out “Yuan Lie”—that must have been when Meng Yuanheng overheard.

“So, you were there at the time?” Shen Qianmo asked.

“Yes, but I arrived a step too late.” Meng Yuanheng’s words were tinged with frustration.

Seeing his disgruntled expression, Shen Qianmo couldn’t help but smile. He was truly attentive—he’d remembered that name she’d cried out only once. But how should she explain it to him?

“Feng Ze looks very much like Yuan Lie, and Yuan Lie…” Shen Qianmo paused before continuing, “Ah Heng, all I can tell you is that Yuan Lie… doesn’t belong to this place, and I was once his colleague.”

It truly was “once”—in that era, she might never return. Immersed in her own thoughts, Shen Qianmo felt a touch of sorrow.

Meng Yuanheng didn’t fully grasp what “colleague” meant, but he did understand one thing: Shen Qianmo, like this Yuan Lie, didn’t belong to this world. He’d long suspected it—she was too extraordinary, nothing like a sheltered young lady.

Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of insecurity swept over him. He pulled Shen Qianmo tightly into his arms, as if to embed her in his body, his voice trembling: “Mo’er, you mustn’t leave me. No matter what happens, you’re not allowed to leave me.”

Inside the cabin by the deck, Feng Ze sat on the floor, leaning against the door, eyes shut to hide the deep pain within.

Finally, he understood why Shen Qianmo had been so kind at their first meeting, and why she’d disguised herself as Moxin to help him find the real culprit when he was imprisoned. It was simply because he resembled someone she once knew.

A bitter smile tugged at his lips. He raised the wine jug and took a long swallow of strong liquor, trying to wash away the ache in his heart.

After more than ten days at sea, the warship finally docked at the Suzhou pier.

Thanks to the seasickness medicine provided by Situ Gong and Meng Yuanheng’s attentive care, Shen Qianmo’s symptoms on the return journey were not severe. Though a little pale, she was otherwise in good spirits.

Their carriage had been waiting at the dock for some time. Shen Qianmo pushed Meng Yuanheng’s wheelchair as they slowly disembarked.

Situ Gong had decided to begin detoxifying Meng Yuanheng. For this period, Meng Yuanheng could no longer use his internal strength and would have to rely on the wheelchair for mobility.

“Miss!” a joyful cry came from afar, and a young girl in green, light as a bird, darted toward Shen Qianmo.

“Miss, I missed you so much!” Green Bamboo clung to Shen Qianmo, crying and laughing in her excitement.

That day she’d been kidnapped by the Wuji Cult in the chaos, so this girl must have been terribly worried. Shen Qianmo patted her soothingly. “There now, I’ve come back safe and sound, haven’t I? Don’t cry—tears don’t suit you.”

Green Bamboo wiped her tears, stomped her foot, and pouted, “Miss, you’re teasing me again.”

Shen Qianmo laughed, amused by her girlish petulance.

Suddenly, Green Bamboo let out a shriek. “Miss, your face… the scar on your face is gone!”

Shen Qianmo was helpless—this girl was always making a fuss. “Yes, so you needn’t sew any more veils for me.”

Green Bamboo grabbed her hand and jumped for joy. “That’s wonderful! Miss, you’re even more beautiful than before—this is wonderful!”

Green Bamboo’s commotion left Shen Qianmo a little embarrassed. At that moment, Leng Aoshuang, dressed all in white and ethereal as a fairy, approached. Her usually cold, elegant face now clearly showed her delight.

“Qianmo, I’m so glad you’re back safe!” she said.

“Aoshuang.” Shen Qianmo was genuinely happy to see her as well. Though Leng Aoshuang always appeared aloof and distant, she was pure-hearted and sincere. Shen Qianmo found her easy to get along with.

Xie Mingyu, together with Feng Ze and Lu Ziqing, walked behind them. Leng Aoshuang cast a fleeting glance in his direction. Shen Qianmo, quick to notice, thought to herself: I wonder how things are progressing between these two quiet souls—perhaps I should help move things along.

The others who had come to welcome them soon gathered around, offering greetings and courtesies, making for a lively scene.

After disembarking, Yun Yi led the people from Woyun Villa away, Zhang Xian returned to the admiralty, while Feng Ze and Lu Ziqing, having urgent matters in the capital, departed in haste.

Before leaving, Feng Ze bid farewell to Shen Qianmo, giving her a long, lingering look before turning away, heavy with reluctance and heartache.

Soon, only the members of the Prince Xuan’s household and the Xie family remained.

The representative from Prince Xuan’s household was a tall, imposing middle-aged man who saluted Meng Yuanheng before bowing to Shen Qianmo as well. “Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Shen Qianmo nodded awkwardly, then turned to glare at Meng Yuanheng. Why did the people from Prince Xuan’s household always address her so? She wasn’t officially the princess consort yet!

Meng Yuanheng gave her an innocent look. Don’t blame me—it’s their habit, not my doing.

Xie Mingyu, witnessing their silent exchange, gave a quiet laugh and stepped forward. “Mo’er, let’s go.”

He was well aware that Prince Xuan wanted to bring Mo’er to his own estate, but he was quite certain she wouldn’t agree.

As expected, Shen Qianmo instructed Changdong and Situ Gong to look after Meng Yuanheng, then prepared to return to the Xie household with Xie Mingyu.

“Mo’er!” Meng Yuanheng shot an unhappy glance at Xie Mingyu, then gazed at Shen Qianmo with longing.

After spending so many days together at sea, he truly couldn’t bear to be apart from her. If possible, he wished he could hold her always, drawing warmth from her presence—for only then did his cold heart seem to come alive.