Chapter 8: The Mad Li Yunrui! Taking Li Changsheng Away!
Li Yunrui’s figure stood like a ghost at the entrance of the Taiping Courtyard.
Her gaze swept across the courtyard.
The first thing that caught her eye was the bodies of black-clad assassins lying in pools of blood.
Then, there was Ye Qingmei, lying quietly on the ground.
That once lively and cunning face was now pale and lifeless.
Beside her was a pitch-black cat.
It lazily licked its paws.
Its posture was elegant, yet carried an indescribable eeriness.
Finally, her eyes locked onto something.
A small swaddled bundle beside Ye Qingmei.
There was actually a living baby left?
Li Yunrui’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
She stepped forward, walking slowly into the courtyard.
Her footsteps were light, soundless.
Her black robes trailed behind her like flowing shadows.
She stopped in front of the bundle.
Looking down, she studied Li Changsheng.
The Empress had sent assassins to kill Ye Qingmei.
She had mobilized such a large force.
Yet they failed to kill this newborn child?
Li Yunrui’s expression grew complicated.
This was Ye Qingmei’s child.
Also the Emperor’s child.
She examined the baby’s face carefully.
Delicate and fair, with refined features.
He looked so much like that woman.
And faintly carried traces of that man.
An inexplicable emotion surged in Li Yunrui’s heart.
Perhaps even a trace of pity she couldn’t quite define.
Killed in the very palace schemes she had despised most.
Dead in a conspiracy silently permitted by the man she had once loved, but now feared.
And this child was the only bloodline she had left behind.
The corner of Li Yunrui’s lips curled into a strange smile.
Half-mad, half-mocking.
She was about to do something insane.
An idea grew wildly in her mind.
She would take this child away.
She would raise Ye Qingmei’s son herself.
Even Li Yunrui couldn’t fully explain it.
Perhaps it was revenge against Ye Qingmei?
To have her only blood raised by her enemy?
But maybe not entirely.
She simply found the idea… amusing.
It stirred something in her long-frozen heart.
Her gaze flicked to the black cat.
She didn’t fully grasp the terrifying power it had displayed earlier.
All she knew was that the Empress’s men had failed.
And this cat seemed to be some kind of guardian.
But right now, her mind was fixated on one thing—taking this child.
The thought was overwhelming.
Li Changsheng stared at the woman who had suddenly appeared before him.
He could clearly sense the complex aura radiating from her.
And a kind of madness he couldn’t comprehend.
This woman is insane.
He made the judgment instantly.
Yet he also understood his current predicament.
He was just a newborn.
Completely powerless.
Her body growing colder by the second.
If he stayed here, without food, without warmth…
He would freeze or starve to death sooner or later.
Even with the black cat guarding him, it couldn’t solve the fundamental problem of survival.
This madwoman before him might be his only chance.
Even if that chance was fraught with unknown dangers.
She reached out and carefully lifted Li Changsheng into her arms.
Her movements were oddly stiff.
As if she had never held something so fragile before.
Because she didn’t exude obvious killing intent, the black cat merely lifted its eyelids to glance at her.
It seemed to know who was a true threat.
“From now on, you are my child.”
Li Yunrui held Li Changsheng close, her voice soft but unyielding.
Her eyes gleamed with a mix of excitement and madness.
He was completely dumbfounded.
Li Yunrui wants to adopt me?
One of the Emperor’s most hated women… is going to raise the child of the Emperor and Ye Qingmei?
This was the most absurd thing in the world.
Cradled in her arms, he caught the strange, cold fragrance clinging to her.
Mixed with the faintest trace of blood—likely from the assassins earlier.
He studied Li Yunrui’s face, now inches from his own.
Stunningly beautiful.
Yet chilling enough to make his heart tremble.
Her eyes seemed to hold endless abysses.
One misstep, and he’d be swallowed whole.
This woman is absolutely unhinged.
Didn’t she loathe Ye Qingmei?
Or some twisted possessiveness?
Li Changsheng couldn’t figure it out.
A baby with an adult’s soul.
Right now, he could only accept this passively.
Li Yunrui turned, carrying him out of the courtyard.
Her movements were still somewhat rigid.
But her hold on him was unexpectedly steady.
As if she had practiced countless times.
Or perhaps it was instinct.
Behind her, the black cat silently stood.
With elegant steps, it followed like a shadow melting into the night.
Leaving behind the Taiping Courtyard—now filled with death and sorrow.
The night wind grew colder.
Li Yunrui walked along the silent palace path, Li Changsheng in her arms.
Her pace was neither fast nor slow.
Her black robes swayed gently with each step.
Li Changsheng lay against her, feeling the temperature of her body.
Cool, like polished jade.
All he could see were the outlines of palace walls and halls rushing past.
And above, the vast, starless night sky.
The air carried the suffocating weight unique to the imperial palace.
Is this where I’ll live from now on?
By this madwoman’s side?
His emotions were in turmoil.
The road ahead was uncertain.
Danger lurked everywhere.
But he had no other choice.
After what felt like an eternity, Li Yunrui finally stopped.
Before them stood a grand yet desolate palace.
A plaque hung above the gate:
This was Princess Li Yunrui’s residence.
The eunuchs and maids at the entrance bowed deeply upon seeing her return.
Their faces held reverence.
But none dared to look too long at the baby in her arms.
Li Yunrui strode inside.
Guangxin Palace was brightly lit.
Yet permeated with an unshakable coldness.
The air carried the same chilling fragrance as Li Yunrui, only stronger.
She carried Li Changsheng to the inner chamber.
Placing him gently on a soft brocade couch.
She took two steps back.
Standing over him, she looked down with that eerie smile again.
And brimming with inexplicable excitement.
She extended a finger.
Tapping Li Changsheng’s cheek lightly.
Her fingertip was ice-cold.
“From today onward, this is your home.”
“You will be the most noble child in the world.”
“I will give you everything.”
“Better than anything Ye Qingmei could have given you.”
Her words sounded like a proclamation.
Or perhaps a monologue.
Li Changsheng watched her.
Watched the madness lingering in her eyes.
This woman really is flaunting this in some twisted way to the dead Ye Qingmei.
Or maybe… this is her own private revenge.
Meeting his gaze at eye level.
Her breathtaking face drew closer.
Close enough to feel her breath.
“What should I name you?”
She tilted her head, as if seriously considering it.
But her eyes were distant.
“How about… Li Changsheng?”
Suddenly, she giggled.
Yet tinged with hysteria.
In the silent palace, it was jarring.
Li Changsheng remained expressionless.
But inside, he was speechless.
Even naming me is part of her sickness.