The Nether Acupuncture Needle struck Xia Wulei without a sound, completely unnoticed by anyone nearby.
While it wouldn’t kill him for now, it would rob him of any chance to break through to a higher level.
When the time was right, he could activate the Nether Acupuncture Needle and cause Xia Wulei to perish completely, body and soul.
It was one thing to covet his woman, but to try and take her by force? ’Does he really think I’m a pushover?’
He recalled the events of many years ago. Back then, he was still a dashing Crown Prince, and he had met Pan Mo at a poetry gathering.
Later, he had inadvertently saved her family, which led Pan Mo to pledge her life to him, willing to attend to his every need.
In both his past life and this one, it was the first time Xia Wuyang had ever seen a woman so elegant and captivating. She was like a lady from a classical painting, truly stirring his soul.
They had been together for decades. If he hadn’t been deposed, their bond would have remained as strong as ever.
Even though he had hurt her many times since then, Pan Mo had never left his side, treating him just as she always had. To this day, the memory filled him with shame.
’Just a little longer. It won’t be long now. This will all be over, and everything will be different.’
At this thought, Xia Wuyang glanced at the Fourth Prince, Xia Wulei. "Fourth Brother, you must be joking. Second Class Attendant Pan is my consort. What is this talk of letting you have her?"
"Xia Wuyang, don’t pretend you don’t understand what I mean!" Xia Wulei shot to his feet and violently smashed the chair beside him. "Don’t be shameless when I’m trying to be civil! Do you think you’re still the Crown Prince you once were? You’re a dying man. What right do you have to make Second Class Attendant Pan be buried with you?"
The words had barely been spoken when a clear, resonant voice came from outside the hall. "I am willing!"
The voice was resolute and firm, leaving no room for argument. The deep affection it carried was enough to move anyone who heard it.
He looked toward the voice and saw Pan Mo, who had appeared in the Sleeping Palace at some unknown moment. She wore a simple, elegant gown, a White Jade Hairpin adorning her hair. She had a classic, gentle beauty that was truly captivating; seeing her was like witnessing the spring rains of Jiangnan.
But at this moment, her exquisitely beautiful face bore an expression of undisguised resolve.
"Second Class Attendant Pan..." Xia Wuyang’s heart jolted. He suddenly felt unable to continue his act and subconsciously pushed aside the Palace Maids next to him.
Pan Mo walked slowly into the palace. She first offered a graceful curtsy to Xia Wuyang, then glanced at Xia Wulei. "Fourth Prince, my mind is made up. In life, I belong to the Crown Prince; in death, I will be his ghost. I must ask Your Highness to abandon this notion and not make things difficult for me."
"You’d cast my affections aside like a worn-out shoe for a ridiculous, heartless old fool like him?" Xia Wulei pointed at Xia Wuyang, his face contorted with rage. "Is he worthy? Does he deserve it? This old fool abandoned you all first! Why are you doing so much for him? He’s about to die!"
"Then I shall accompany him," Pan Mo said, her voice calm but carrying an unshakeable conviction. "Someone has to accompany the Crown Prince on the road to the Yellow Springs."
Xia Wulei was so livid he turned pale, rendered speechless for a long moment.
When he finally collected himself, he pointed at Xia Wuyang’s face and snarled, "Xia Wuyang, if you have even an ounce of affection for Second Class Attendant Pan, you should give her a chance to live! All you have to do is write a letter of divorce and betroth her to me. I swear I will treat her well."
As he spoke, the Guard behind him immediately produced dozens of bottles, all filled with Dragon and Tiger Elixir, and tossed them in front of Xia Wuyang.
"Consider these my betrothal gifts. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll obediently write that letter of divorce. Otherwise, don’t blame me for..." Xia Wulei left the threat hanging, but his meaning was perfectly clear.
With that, he strode straight outside, casually shattering the great doors of the Sleeping Palace as he left. His sheer arrogance was on full display, showing he had no respect for the Crown Prince whatsoever.
Once Xia Wulei had gone, Pan Mo waved her hand, dismissing everyone.
The Palace Maids and eunuchs hurried out of the hall, not daring to stay any longer for fear that Xia Wuyang would vent his anger on them.
Once everyone was gone, Pan Mo curtsied. "I have caused trouble for Your Highness. Please, Your Highness, punish me."
"My dear consort, what have you done wrong?" Xia Wuyang sighed. "This is all because of that aggressive scoundrel, Xia Wulei. It has nothing to do with you."
Pan Mo lowered her head. "If I had handled this properly, Xia Wulei would never have come to make a scene before Your Highness. It is all my fault."
As she spoke, Pan Mo produced an already-written letter from her sleeve. "I beg Your Highness... to divorce me. I will return home immediately. That way, Xia Wulei will not vent his anger on Your Highness."
Xia Wuyang accepted the letter. It was written in Pan Mo’s elegant script. Though the words seemed cold and formal, they were heavy with deep emotion. "I, of the Pan Clan, am without talent or virtue, and thus unworthy of the title of Second Class Attendant of the Eastern Palace. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant me a letter of divorce..."
He couldn’t finish reading. Xia Wuyang’s heart ached so much he couldn’t bear to look at it any longer.
Tears streamed down Pan Mo’s face. She had planned to stay with Xia Wuyang until the very end, and after he passed, she would follow him into death.
She never thought Xia Wulei would be so aggressive, not even granting them these last few months together.
"Your Highness, please rest assured," Pan Mo said, sobbing. "After I return home, I will never do anything to bring you shame. I will live out my days in a nunnery, praying for you."
But using the Soul Capturing Technique, Xia Wuyang had already seen her true intentions.
’This foolish woman...’ He realized she planned to get the letter of divorce, find a secluded spot, and end her life to prove her devotion. That way, she could protect him and preserve her own innocence.
As for her claim of "returning home," she had already been cast out by her family for repeatedly begging them to help Xia Wuyang search for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. They no longer acknowledged their married daughter. She had nowhere to go.
Xia Wuyang couldn’t help but grab her hand. "Mo’Er, this has nothing to do with you. It’s all my fault. If I weren’t so old and frail, how would Xia Wulei dare to be so insolent?"
"How could I possibly blame Your Highness?" Pan Mo’s vision blurred with tears. "If it weren’t for what happened all those years ago, you would never be in this state. It’s all because I’m useless and can’t cure you." Her bright, clear eyes, like autumn pools, overflowed with an immeasurable depth of love.
Using the Soul Capturing Technique, Xia Wuyang clearly perceived her surface thoughts.
’If my death can buy His Highness a few months of peace, I will die with no regrets!’
’I hope I can meet His Highness in the next life. If I do, I’ll marry him much sooner.’
’Your Highness, take care. Mo’Er will go on ahead and wait for you on the road to the Yellow Springs.’
Xia Wuyang was speechless. He couldn’t help but pull her into an embrace.
"Silly Mo’Er," Xia Wuyang sighed softly. "Do you really think that scoundrel Xia Wulei would dare to do anything to me?"
Pan Mo sobbed uncontrollably. "But Xia Wulei has always been radical. Your Highness has no way to protect yourself now, so why would he hold back?"
"Even Xia Wuchen and Xia Wushang wouldn’t dare do anything to me," Xia Wuyang sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "No matter how radical Xia Wulei is, can he possibly compare to them?"

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