From cute to empress

Chapter 338: The Victory of Love and Courage, Eternal Glory

The earth shook, the wind howled, and the aura of death enveloped the entire palace. I watched helplessly as he, the man I once knew, was consumed by madness and despair, my heart filled with grief.

"Mengmeng, be careful!" Zhen Youcai, regardless of his injuries, threw me to the ground and protected me with his body. The next second, a powerful shockwave blew us away. My vision went black and I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I found myself lying on the bed in the palace. Zhen Youcai was sitting beside the bed, looking at me with a worried look. "You're awake!" He held my hand, his tone full of relief at having survived.

"I... I'm fine..." I struggled to sit up, feeling sore all over and my head was dizzy. "What happened? How is he...?"

Zhen Youcai was silent for a moment before he whispered, "He was attacked by the power of the magic book and has already..."

My heart sank, and a deep sense of powerlessness washed over me. All of this was caused by me. If I hadn't been soft-hearted and let him go, perhaps today's tragedy wouldn't have happened.

"Your Majesty, you're awake!" At this moment, the high monk and the meteorologist hurried into the bedroom, their faces lit with joy. "We've finally found a way to control the magic book!"

I looked up suddenly, a glimmer of hope in my eyes: "Really?"

"Absolutely true!" the meteorologist exclaimed excitedly. "The magic book's power comes from the stars. As long as we can find the corresponding constellation, we can seal it!"

"But now the magic book has been..." I looked at them worriedly.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. We have found a way to seal it." The monk said calmly and firmly, "But we still need your and the general's help."

I nodded without hesitation: "As long as I can prevent this disaster, I am willing to do anything!"

Over the next few days, we studied the ancient texts day and night, and finally found a way to seal the magic book. This was an extremely dangerous process, and the slightest mistake could lead to eternal damnation, but we had no other choice.

Zhen Youcai and I stood side by side on the altar, following the monk's instructions and injecting our energy into the magic book. As time passed, the magic book vibrated more and more violently, and waves of terrifying energy spread out in all directions.

I felt as if my body was being torn apart, and the pain made it almost impossible for me to breathe. But I couldn't give up, I had to hold on, for this country, for all the people who loved me!

"Mengmeng, hold on!" Zhen Youcai held my hand tightly. His palms were full of sweat, but they gave me infinite strength.

Finally, at the last moment, we succeeded in sealing the power of the magic book. The dark clouds in the sky dissipated, and the long-lost sunshine once again shone on the earth.

I collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Looking at the devastated palace, I knew that everything had just begun...

"Your Majesty, look!" the meteorologist said excitedly, pointing to the distant sky. "That's...that's..."

I strained to open my weary eyes and looked in the direction the weather officer pointed. Suddenly, a brilliant rainbow appeared in the once gray sky. It spanned the entire sky like a colorful bridge, connecting the past and the future, a symbol of hope and rebirth.

"Auspicious! This is an auspicious sign!" The monk clasped his hands together and said excitedly, "The power of the magic book has been completely eliminated. The country will usher in true peace and prosperity!"

I smiled with relief. Yes, we succeeded! Zhen Youcai and I smiled at each other, our eyes filled with joy and pride.

In the days that followed, we set about rebuilding our homes and comforting the people. Zhen Youcai, for his distinguished military exploits and exceptional leadership, was officially appointed the Grand General of the Nation, assisting me in governing the country.

We worked diligently to govern the country, and the country has been revitalized. The people live and work in peace and contentment, and the haze of the past has been swept away. I finally understand that power, for me, is not a tool for pursuing pleasure, but a responsibility to protect my country and its people.

The love between Zhen Youcai and I has also grown deeper and stronger after weathering these trials and tribulations. We are no longer the naive young girl and impulsive boy we once were. We have experienced life and death together, protected our country together, and cherish each other even more.

"Mengmeng, look!" On a moonlit night with few stars, Zhen Youcai pointed to the brightest star in the night sky and said affectionately, "I have ordered that star to be named 'Mengmeng Star'. It will always protect you, just like me."

I looked at him with emotion. His eyes reflected the starlight and my figure.

"You're talented..." I snuggled gently in his arms, feeling his warmth and love.

During a grand celebration, Zhen Youcai and I stood on a high platform, overlooking the cheering crowd below, our hearts filled with happiness and pride. Colorful fireworks burst into the night sky, illuminating our happy smiles.

I know that as long as there is love and courage, the country will always prosper, and our love will remain forever...

However, at this moment, I suddenly felt a cold gaze staring at me from the crowd. My heart shuddered, and I subconsciously looked towards the source of that gaze. I saw a mysterious figure in a black cloak quickly disappearing into the crowd...

Colorful fireworks burst into the night sky, illuminating the joyful faces of my subjects and also illuminating the figures of Youcai and I standing side by side. The cheers surged like a wave, and I felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and happiness.

"Mengmeng, look!" Youcai held my hand and pointed at the starry sky. His eyes sparkled with a light brighter than the stars themselves. "I've ordered people to name that star 'Mengmeng Star'. It will always protect you, just like me."

I took his hand in return, interlocking our fingers. A wave of warmth welled up in my heart. After so many trials and tribulations, we finally found peace and tranquility. The once naive girl had grown into the ruler of a nation, and the once passionate young man had become my loyal subject.

"Youcai, thank you." I took a deep breath, letting tears of happiness well up in my eyes. "Thank you for always being by my side. Together we have protected this country and our love."

"Silly boy, why are you saying all this?" Youcai caressed the tip of my nose lovingly, his deep eyes filled with tenderness. "You and I have long been inseparable. You protect our country, and I protect you. This is my lifelong commitment."

We smiled at each other, each with only the other in our eyes, as if everything in the world had disappeared. At this moment, I just wanted to stay in his arms forever, feeling this peaceful and beautiful feeling.

However, at this moment, an inexplicable chill rose from the depths of my heart, as if a pair of cold eyes were watching me from the shadows. My heart shuddered, and I calmly scanned the celebrating crowd, trying to find the source of that gaze.

The faces in the crowd were filled with joy, with not a trace of abnormality to be seen. Was it my imagination? I wondered to myself, a faint unease welling up in my heart.

"What's wrong?" Youcai noticed that something was wrong with me and asked with concern.

"Nothing, maybe I'm a little tired." I forced a smile, not wanting to make him worry.

Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a dark figure passing by the edge of the crowd. He was wearing a large black cloak that obscured his face, and his movements were silent, as if blending into the night.

My heart sank. My intuition told me that this person was the owner of that cold gaze I had felt earlier. Who was he? Why was he hiding in the shadows? Could it be...

I stared at the black shadow and was about to remind Youcai, but I saw him suddenly stop, slowly raise his head, and look straight in the direction of Youcai and me.

Although I couldn't see his face clearly because of the crowd, I could feel the coldness and malice in his eyes, which was as chilling as a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue.

Then, he moved. He pulled something out of his pocket and held it tightly in his hand. The object reflected the moonlight, emitting a faint blue light...