Chapter 77: studying poisons and you
Li Jun watches the vapor rising from the tea. That witch told him that she would be waiting for him, but she still left.
The soldiers guarding the room where Li Jun left Mo Wei were found to be unconscious. It seems that someone released gas in the air and the soldiers were knocked out unconscious. Even after 24 hours, they didn't regain consciousness. It seemed like they were simply asleep.
Li Jun is suspicious of the whole thing. Though nobody was harmed, his soldiers were put to sleep. The witch had no power because of the curse. Someone helped her leave.
He sent people to search for her again. The capital and the surrounding cities were thoroughly searched. This time, there was no news even after a week. Even her shadow wasn't seen.
The news that the 13th princess poisoned herself and the second concubine disappeared again spread like fire. The people gossiped and criticized him for being rash and unable to handle his women. He didn't care. He would not even look at Wu Qiuyue.
Wu Qiuyue is disconcerted by his behavior, but she is also that Mo Wei can't be found. She's sure that he will go back to his usual self after some time.
Li Jun hasn't been eating or sleeping well. The feeling that he wouldn't see her again is becoming stronger with each passing moment. Mo Wei came to his life like a tornado that left him after destroying his peace and world. His world can't function the same way again. Nothing is the same anymore.
He doesn't even know her real name. She didn't even leave any word or message. Was there nothing in her heart? Did she despise being his woman that much?
Perhaps, he should have taken that offer when she asked him to kiss her in compensation for kissing him.
***
At Wu Yixing's mansion, Yoori is reading a letter. It's from Kyuri.
'By the time you receive this letter, I will be on a ship to another country. Don't worry about me. The timekeepers helped me escape. I won't be able to visit you any time soon. If you find happiness, don't look for me. Don't try to change anything. My curse won't break even if you try. I will take care of everything. I will be fine. You know that I can't die. You must grasp the happiness that comes your way. If you are not happy, I will meet you at the crossroad and take you away."
Only Kyuri knows about the crossroads of their lives. Yoori lets out a defeated sigh. It seems like her niece is pretty sure that she will find happiness with Wu Yixing. If she doesn't find it, Kyuri will come and steal her away from Wu Yixing. Her niece will be there for her.
She places the letter on the table. She gazes out with an absent mind. Wu Yixing is helping Li Jun to deal with the emperor's temper. The emperor is mad after hearing that the 13th princess poisoned herself. Li Jun is also irrational. He keeps looking for Kyuri. Things are becoming complicated. The empress is going to take this opportunity to strike Wu Yixing down.
"What are you thinking?"
She snaps out of her thoughts. Wu Yixing is sitting in front of her with a wide smile on his face. She purses her lips unhappily. He has time to see her now?
"How are things with Li Jun and the emperor?"
Wu Yixing's face is devoid of any distress despite the worries in his mind. "Wu Qiuyue doesn't hold an important place in the emperor's heart. The old emperor is being moody because of Li Jun's actions. At most, Li Jun will be going to the borders to take care of the invaders for some time."
He peers at the letter in her hand. He knows who the sender is. The copy of the content is already sent to Li Jun.
Yoori folds the letter and places it inside her sleeve. "The empress... can you tell me what you want me to do? I want to get the antidote soon."
He furrows his brows slightly. "I want her to make a mistake."
"Do you want to take the throne?" She asks him directly.
He chuckles lightly. "Of course, not. I want to spend the rest of my life studying poisons and you."
"Insane," Yoori mutters under her breath and looks away. She is peeved that he mentioned poisons too. But, they aren't close enough for them to prioritize each other the most.
She glares at him. "What's there to study me?"
He smiles at her coyly. "Your body, your expressions, your heart, soul, the workings of your mind, the sounds that you make, the rhythm of your breaths..."
H pauses for a moment and scratches his chin thoughtfully. "And the reasons why you seem captivating to me... you aren't the prettiest woman in the empire. You are not too smart or skilled. Your background is shady. It's strange why you occupy most of my thoughts. I only cared about poisons before, but a human being has started to disrupt the chords of my heart. "
Yoori tries her best to keep a poker face while her erratic heart is trying to leap out of her body. It will be difficult to not get mesmerized by this misfortunate prince.