The previous night, the Jinyiwei had searched the entire capital to arrest someone. There was a commotion across the whole city, and many people hadn’t slept well. In the morning, a civil servant opened the door of the government office and sucked in a deep breath. Just as his mouth opened wide, he stared, tongue-tied, and a scream resounded throughout the grounds.

Jiang Wang’s bloodied body could be seen lying at the entrance of the government office.

The news that Prime Minister Jiang Wang’s body had been returned caused an uproar. He Lan hurried over with his people, and found Qin Yu already there investigating with people from the Dongchang.

Qin Yu frowned slightly when he saw them coming and took a step back.

“What’s going on?” He Lan asked him habitually.

Qin Yu looked distracted, saying: “All of the bones in his body are broken, and he suffered ninety-eight stab wounds. He died with the last stab. It was a brutal killing.”

“Having been killed and sent back, there are only two directions of speculation to follow. One, it was for revenge, or two, it was to silence him. Since the killing was so brutal, it was likely revenge,” He Lan analyzed.

“But the timing isn’t right.”

“That’s right, the timing. To be able to sneak into the palace and kidnap him in front of Zhanyuan, Dongchang Director Zheng, and Commander He, it must have been a master. Such a master could have chosen any time to take revenge, but chose the most difficult opportunity. Therefore…..”

He Lan and Qin Yu exchange glances, tacit understanding lingering between them.

But in the blink of an eye, they were managing their own operations.

News quickly reached the palace. The corpse had been doubly confirmed by Zheng Wei and He Cong, so there was no need for Yuan Jue to identify it himself.

Looking at the two people below, Yuan Jue touched the jade thumb ring and said: “Then just bury him. He is the empress’s father after all, and must be given some dignity. As for palace security…..”

The two below couldn’t help but tense up.

“The Longevity Festival is soon approaching. The two of you must take more care.”

Just as he was speaking, someone from the palace came to report that the empress had requested an audience with the emperor.

Yuan Jue commanded the two of them to stand down, and stood up unhurriedly to go to the harem.

The noble empress was being held in her bedroom by palace officials. She was not allowed to go out, and no one was allowed to enter.

Not far away stood an anxious Yao Hua and Jian Shuang.

Yuan Jue first approached the Empress Dowager and the Taifei and greeted them: “Why are the Empress Dowager and the Taifei here? Has the empress disturbed you?”

Yao Hua wore a worried look: “Your Majesty, the empress…..she was not involved, and is suffering. She has been very upright and hardworking in the harem these years. Although Prime Minister Jiang’s crimes are unpardonable, she…..”

Jian Shuang suddenly coughed, interrupting Yao Hua, who quickly assisted her. Jian Shuang looked at Yuan Jue with a pale face and said: “Your Majesty, my jiejie and I have been in the harem at all times, and truly haven’t noticed the empress having any deceitful intentions. Asking the emperor to show mercy.”

“Empress Dowager, Taifei, rest at ease. As long as the empress obediently reflects on her mistakes, I will not embarrass her.” The emperor’s expression was still mild.

Yao Hua breathed a sigh of relief and said: “The emperor is merciful. After all, the Longevity Festival is approaching, and foreign envoys are on their way. It really wouldn’t be suitable to cause a scandal.”

Yuan Jue nodded: “It is as the Empress Dowager says. This emperor knows what to do. The two of you should hasten back while I have a few words with the empress.”

Yao Hua and Jian Shuang knew the emperor didn’t desire their presence here, and had no choice but to leave.

Upon Yuan Jue’s approach, the empress no longer made a racket, and just stared at him with bloodshot eyes.

The empress was a beauty, not the gentle type, but certainly majestic. She had pride in herself, and was strict with her subordinates. Although she had long been without children, she never treated the children of the concubines harshly. As Empress, she was very qualified.

At this time, the usually graceful and regal empress had lost all sense of nobility. Like a phoenix with broken wings that had fallen into the mud, she was in disarray.

Yuan Jue waved his hand and everyone left. Then he went directly to the empress and straightened her messy hair with his own hands, as he often did.

Yuan Jue was handsome, adept in both civil and military matters, and there was a kind of tenderness in his movements. The empress was always moved by such small tendernesses, but at this moment, her entire body felt cold. Suddenly, she reached out and pushed away Yuan Jue’s hands.

This was disrespectful to the emperor, but the empress no longer cared.

Yuan Jue’s expression instantly went cold. He stood up straight and looked down at the empress, and the pressure of his imperial aura made it difficult to look directly at him.

“Empress, your father was killed and his body returned. He was punished to a great extent. Do you know who did it?”

The empress hadn’t expected him to bring such news upon his arrival. Her beautiful phoenix eyes instantly welled up, as red as if she were about to cry tears of blood.

“My father is dead? This…..you!” The Empress said tremulously.

Yuan Jue said with a frown: “Empress, be rational. I was going to punish your father for the crime of rebellion, but he was kidnapped. Now that you know he’s been silenced, do you not want to avenge him?”

The empress stared blankly at Yuan Jue, then gave a short laugh.

“I understand. You suspect that my father had other accomplices? That is why you were willing to come see me? You’re using my father’s death just to upset me and trick me! Then you’re wrong. I have no idea what my father has been doing. All of my thoughts have been towards you. Have you no heart? Do you feel nothing?”

The empress shouted her questions, on the verge of crying blood.

Yuan Jue’s brow furrowed slightly. It seemed the empress truly knew nothing.

“Empress, pay attention to your deportment. Your father’s rebellion is not this emperor’s fault. I have been benevolent and tolerant toward your father, yet he’s done so many things behind my back. I turned a blind eye for many years, but he went too far. Disloyalty to the throne is a sin that cannot be absolved. I will not transfer his guilt to you, but simply penalize you to reflect on your mistakes in consideration of our relationship as husband and wife. Empress, do not let down this emperor’s lenience with you.”

“Lenience? Hahaha. Yuan Jue, if my father hadn’t sent someone to deliver me a letter last night, you would have still kept me in the dark. I would have let you blame me and lived in self-blame and guilt!

“What?” Yuan Jue frowned slightly.

“My father told me the truth about why I haven’t been able to get pregnant all these years!” The empress collapsed, shouting: “The incense you gave has been lit every time we’ve laid together. In truth, it makes me infertile!”

Yuan Jue’s eyes flashed. He didn’t deny it, just gazing silently at the empress.

“You don’t want me, the empress, to give birth at all. You are guarding against me, guarding against my father. I haven’t been allowed to give birth to any royal heirs since I married you, because you’ve been planning this for a long time. Sooner or later, you were going to take revenge on my father for the way he wavered between you and the Three Kings.”

Yuan Jue still didn’t deny it. The empress became increasingly desperate as she spoke.

“My father couldn’t help it back then. At least half the civil and military officials in the entire dynasty were the same way. If he hadn’t known from the bottom of his heart that you didn’t intend for me to have children, he wouldn’t have taken the risk. He originally wanted to help you! Why….why can’t you let go of things from the past! Why can’t you believe that we really just wanted to follow you!”

Yuan Jue said abruptly: “How did you father know?”

The empress was taken aback.

Yuan Jue narrowed his eyes slightly. He gleaned from the empress’s expression that she didn’t know, and dead men told no tales. He either discovered it himself, or somebody told him. It seemed that those behind the scenes were truly capable.

The empress stared dumbly at Yuan Jue. There was not a trace of regret on his face, nor a trace of hesitation. None at all.

The empress despaired. She rushed forward wildly to hit Yuan Jue, but was shoved away.

Sprawled on the floor, the empress shouted: “Yuan Jue, you repay kindness with enmity, you have no conscience, you…..”

“I have no conscience?” Yuan Jue scoffed. “I might as well tell you. Whether or not your father chose rebellion, I would have never let him off. And not because he wavered between the Three Kings and me.”

Stunned, the empress stared at Yuan Jue.

“It is because your father intended to be the second powerful and domineering minister at my side.”

The empress’s expression changed at once. “Father…..Father was just the prime minister. He only wanted to assist you. Even if he had more power, he wouldn’t have been like Liu Zhenqing, who had overwhelming command over the court and the common people, and spoke beyond imperial power.”

Yuan Jue’s eyes flashed sharply: “Did you and your father think me a fool? Your father thought that after driving away the tiger, he, a leopard, could control the forest. He wanted to suppress me, the true dragon, and make me into a puppet in his hands. He would be a domineering minister first, and in the future, your child would take the position. His eyes were full of ambition hidden under an amiable facade. He intended to be an uncrowned emperor and control our Yuan clan! How could this emperor allow such a person to live?”

The empress wanted to refute in a fluster, but then she recalled what Jiang Wang had said to her when he came to the palace on occasion, and found that she couldn’t guarantee that Yuan Jue’s words wouldn’t have become true.

If the empress was allowed to give birth to a prince, and Jiang Wang discovered that Yuan Jue wasn’t as easy to control as he had imagined, then all that awaited Yuan Jue was imprisonment or death.

How could he naively expect a duplicitous person such as Jiang Wang to become loyal? Absurd! In the face of potential dangers, only those who struck first could survive till the end.

The empress was in a state of horrified disbelief as Yuan Jue grasped her chin.

“When the empress marries into the royal family, she should take the royal family into consideration. Your father loved you, but also wanted to take advantage of you. Do you think I shouldn’t have let him die? In any case, he didn’t die by my hand in the end. If you want to cast blame, then blame his own greed!”

Yuan Jue released the empress’s face. Seeing her turn pale with despair, he said coldly: “Empress, reflect on your misdeeds. Pretending to be sick or crazy is fine. For the sake of our relationship, this emperor does not intend to kill you. You will keep the title of Empress, but everything else will be handed over.”

“You might as well just kill me. There’s no point in living for me anyway,” the empress said spiritlessly.

Yuan Jue turned his head slightly and said: “This emperor has spoken. I won’t kill you, so you can’t die. At least, not in the short term. Someone will be sent to watch you. If you don’t want to suffer, then cooperate well.”

The empress’s expression couldn’t be uglier, but her body trembled even more at these words.

“You don’t want me dead? It’s come to this, and you still want to use me for your good reputation? Yuan Jue, you’re truly ruthless. Ruthless!” The empress broke down again in tears.

“An emperor is supposed to be ruthless. Have you not heard of this principle?” Yuan Jue said, moving to leave.

Watching Yuan Jue leave, the empress knew that once he was gone, she would never see him again. But she was unreconciled. She could not die in peace until she asked.

“I have only one question. Please answer it. As long as you answer my question, I will cooperate obediently with all of your arrangements.”

Yuan Jue revealed a look of surprise: “Speak.”

The empress raised her pale face and suddenly said with a strange smile: “Your Majesty, you didn’t suppress my father from the beginning, letting him be content with his lot and allowing him to slowly grow in power as you waited for the opportunity to act. Was this really out of caution?”

Yuan Jue stared: “What do you mean?”

The corners of the empress’s mouth turned up in an ugly way. In fact, in addition to the truth about her infertility, the letter Jiang Wang left behind also contained his reflections on Yuan Jue. That Yuan Jue felt he was on the path that Liu Zhenqing would have taken, but wasn’t able to.

Looking at Yuan Jue now and remembering his taboo against that person in the past, she seemed to have figured something out.

The empress sneered: “Was it for Liu Zhenqing?”

Murderous intent flashed through Yuan Jue’s eyes. This was really the first time his expression had changed since he came in, and the empress felt a twinge of pain in her heart. Nothing she or her father had done could change the expression of the person before her, but the mention of Liu Zhenqing could easily make Yuan Jue betray his anger. It was truly ironic.

“What are you trying to prove by making my father go the same way as Liu Zhenqing? That if Liu Zhenqing hadn’t died, he would have eventually betrayed you as well? You want to prove that you weren’t wrong when you let others tack him onto the sinner’s column, isn’t that right? Has it been proven? Are you happy?”

“Shut up!” Yuan Jue said frigidly.

The empress raised her eyebrows and said: “Perhaps it isn’t just that. My father tried every means to fight against Liu Zhenqing before and after his death. Is it that you think my father harmed Liu Zhenqing, so you wanted to take revenge on my father for him and make yourself feel a little better? In fact, you care very much…..”

Before the empress could finish speaking, Yuan Jue grabbed her by the throat.

“I see that the empress really doesn’t want to live a good life anymore.” Yuan Jue looked down at the empress with sinister eyes.

The empress burst into tears once more. She wanted to laugh, but was unable to as the tears kept flowing.

Yuan Jue didn’t do anything to her, but after releasing the empress, he waved his hand and dark figures descended from all directions.

“The empress’s voice has become hoarse from crying. She is recuperating in the palace, and will see no one.”

As soon as Yuan Jue spoke, a figure stepped forward and grabbed the queen to force-feed her medicine. Soon after, the empress was unable to speak. She attempted to rush toward Yuan Jue, but was forcibly restrained.

Yuan Jue strolled out with a frosty expression, making calculations in his heart. 

Was it the same force or a different one? Who else could it be? Were they from the harem or the Imperial Court?

But Huo Fenglie had become increasingly abnormal. The apparent coincidence of the attack and their failure to catch the person was because his expectations of Huo Fenglie were too high. Was everything really a coincidence, or had Huo Fenglie actually changed?

. . . . . .

He Cong was in a rare state of ire when he returned, as if he couldn’t maintain his smiling mask. Once his anger had abated, He Lan walked in slowly.

He Cong finished reprimanding his subordinates and drove them away. “That person was taken away right under our noses, and now they sent him back. It’s simply a blatant provocation. Although the emperor hasn’t said anything, he’s angry. If it wasn’t for the Longevity Festival coming soon…..”

Seeing the state his uncle was in, He Lan said: “Isn’t there someone behind Jiang Wang? Just investigate slowly. In any case, now that Jiang Wang is dead, their power has suffered a heavy blow.”

He Lan touched his chin, saying: “Those people clipped their wings to preserve themselves. They must be very close to the emperor, so they didn’t allow Jiang Wang to leak a single word. Even though Jiang Wang claimed that he was responsible for everything, they couldn’t rest easy. Uncle, do you think King Jing is the most suspicious? If he secretly intends to rebel, it wouldn’t exactly be a change of dynasty, but…..”

“Do you think that what you come up with hasn’t already been considered by others? Evidence must be provided, ah. Apart from playing around in the capital, King Jing hasn’t even cultivated friendships with the ministers, and usually stays at home. At least on the surface, there are no clues to grasp. Forget it. Send someone to spy on him to rule out suspicion,” said He Cong.

He Lan nodded and went to execute the command.

“Wait. Yundu, you and General Huo are brothers, so you should be familiar with his martial arts skills, right? Everyone says he’s the top martial arts master, but I’ve only witnessed his skills a few times. What are your thoughts?” He Cong said.

He Lan said: “Naturally, he’s powerful. Nobody in the capital is capable of beating him.”

An odd smile appeared on He Cong’s face. He Lan’s expression changed slightly, and he said unhappily: “Uncle, what are you thinking, ah? You can suspect anyone in the world, but you can’t suspect Zhanyuan, ah! His friendship with the emperor is without match!”

The corners of He Cong’s mouth unconsciously rose with a hint of sarcasm: “Yundu, you must know that nobody in this world will side with someone forever. If General Huo is so powerful, why didn’t he catch the person last night?”

There was already anger on He Lan’s face: “The wider the world, the more talented people there are. We’ve been ambushed and encountered martial arts masters. It’s really inappropriate to suspect Zhanyuan just based on something like this.”

Seeing that He Lan was truly angry, He Cong dropped the subject and said with a smile: “You’re still young. Go on. I was just talking casually. After all, the emperor hasn’t said anything about him, has he?”

He Lan was still a little upset, but he said no more and turned to attend to his work.

. . . . . .

On the other side, in King Jing’s manor, King Jing suddenly kicked a stool away out of fury at Zheng Wei, who was kneeling before him.

“What are her intentions? She wants me to wait again. How long does she expect me to wait?” King Jing’s face was full of violence. His impatience had reached its peak. 

“Your Majesty, please calm down. Our forces have just suffered heavy losses, capital security is entirely in the hands of Huo Fenglie, and even Jiang Wang is dead. There is a real lack of manpower, and the death of Prime Minister Jiang has made her ladyship suspect that there are other forces at work. Now is truly not the time to take action.”

“Not the time, not the time. This is the excuse every time. We’ve cultivated our strength for so long, so must we be this cautious? Changing plans again and again, perhaps she doesn’t actually plan to go through with it!”

“My Lord, you should know that from the moment her ladyship stopped helping Prime Minister Jiang, she planned to let him take the blame for everything. Although there were some discrepancies in the plan, this does prove that her ladyship doesn’t plan to take action for the time being. My Lord, for the sake of safety, will you leave the capital?” Zheng Wei carefully persuaded, “You have waited for over ten years. Why not wait a little longer?”

King Jing grew even more furious when he heard this: “I think she doesn’t intend to rebel at all. She has succumbed to her peaceful life, and isn’t thinking about me! Now that it’s come to this point, how could Yuan Jue not suspect me? If we don’t take the first step…..”

Just as he was speaking, Qin Yu suddenly climbed over the wall and reported: “My Lord, from my observations, the Jinyiwei have placed merchants near the manor. I’m afraid they have already begun to monitor you.”

King Jing’s expression changed several times. In the end, he said darkly: “For so many years, Yuan Jue has taken the throne that belongs to me. I really can’t wait any longer!”

Zheng Wei’s eyes flashed. His tone was somewhat awkward: “My Lord…..”

“Zheng Wei, are you on my side or hers?”

Zheng Wei immediately knelt down and said: “My Lord, this servant is of the Dongchang, so he is naturally loyal to the true dragon emperor!”

A confident smile graced King Jing’s face at last.

Qin Yu soon left King Jing’s manor. Not long after, he sensed someone behind him and knew it was He Lan. The first time the Jinyiwei wanted to surveil someone, it would be He Lan who was sent to investigate. If he hadn’t gone to draw He Lan away just now, his foster father would have been in danger of being discovered.

Very soon, He Lan stopped Qin Yu, who looked at his gloomy expression without reacting. He said directly: “What is it?”’

“You came out of King Jing’s manor. What were you doing?” He Lan had already adopted an interrogative tone. After all, when he saw Qin Yu come out of there at such a sensitive time, many terrible conjectures flashed through his mind. Qin Yu had indeed been very strange recently.

Face with such a question, Qin Yu had already thought of an answer: “The same as you. Are you the only one capable of coming up with this idea?”

He Lan breathed an instant sigh of relief, feeling that the Dongchang also suspected King Jing and had sent someone to investigate.

“What did you find?” He Lan asked.

“There is nothing on the surface,” Qin Yu said. “But I see you’ve already begun surveillance, so our Dongchang won’t bother with it.”

Having said this, Qin Yu was about to leave when He Lan grabbed him unthinkingly. After all, it was rare for them to see each other in private. Looking at those familiar yet unfamiliar features, he had some thoughts.

“What else do you want to ask?” Seeing the way he was looking at him, Qin Yu felt uneasy and impatient.

“I plan to ask Zhanyuan about that martial arts master who was able to take someone away under his nose. Will you go?” In a flash of inspiration, He Lan found a suitable excuse.

Sure enough, Qin Yu was moved and accompanied him to the General’s Manor. However, they didn’t find anyone in the end. It was so late, and if he wasn’t here, he would definitely be at Liu Manor.

Thus, the two of them went to Liu Manor. They habitually didn’t take the normal route, but climbed over the wall to find him.

They had just determined Liu Zhenqing’s courtyard and were lying on the wall, about to go down, when they heard a low moan. Before he could react, Qin Yu was held down by He Lan, who covered his mouth before he could speak.

He Lan widened his eyes and signaled for Qin Yu to pay attention to the situation. Qin Yu’s gaze shifted toward the lounge chair and blanket in the courtyard below. Liu Zhenqing was seated on top of Huo Fenglie, the two of them embracing as they kissed.

Liu Zhenqing placed his hands weakly on Huo Fenglie’s shoulders, and Huo Fenglie held an arm around him so that he wouldn’t fall backward. There was no doubt about what a hand was doing between those arms.

“Er-gou, I…..I can’t. I won’t tease you anymore, I’m just happy today.”

The evidence that Jiang Wang had persecuted Bai Yu had been handed over to Bai Su. Liu Zhenqing didn’t let Bai Su know they were the ones who had done it, so he should just think it was a righteous person who upheld justice. At least he would know that his brother had been avenged, and that the blood in the cemetery was his atonement.

Huo Fenglie kissed Liu Zhenqing and held him tightly, then looked up at the far wall in displeasure.

Neither He Lan nor Qin Yu dared to look at him, and immediately jumped down in tacit understanding.

As soon as they landed, they received a warning attack. It seemed someone else had discovered them and was driving them away.

“Who is it!” Qin Yu said in alarm.

He Lan pulled Qin Yu to hide in a small, distant alley. When he no longer sensed danger, he stopped and explained to Qin Yu: “It was probably Liu Zhenqing’s bodyguard.”

“Bodyguard?” Qin Yu seemed to have seen him wearing a mask before, but his martial skills were so…..

Qin Yu was about to discuss it with He Lan, when he was suddenly pulled into the other’s arms…..and felt something. “He Yundu! What are you doing?”

He Lan was silent at first. Then he smiled and said: “I thought you didn’t feel anything when you saw that scene, but isn’t this a reaction?”

“I’m a eunuch.”

“I know exactly how a eunuch reacts,” He Lan said with an air of experience. “You can’t lie to me.”

“So what?”

He Lan’s body gradually heated up as he held Qin Yu. They had just witnessed such a scene and were now alone in a dark alley, unable to see each other’s expressions as they breathed. How could He Lan control himself? “You smell so good. I missed you.”

Although He Lan had acted like a scoundrel the last time they met, Qin Yu was stunned by such a straightforward statement.

As Qin Yu stared blankly, He Lan took the opportunity. Qin Yu tried to push He Lan away again, but He Lan had already pressed him against the wall and kissed him.

As for the question of who the martial arts master was, it was thrown out of Qin Yu’s mind by He Lan’s ministrations.

When Qin Yu returned to his senses, he was about to refuse when he heard He Lan say: “We’ll seek Zhanyuan out later. In fact, my cousin was a little suspicious of Zhanyuan today. He thinks the person who kidnapped Prime Minister Jiang is…..”

Qin Yu’s heart constricted. As his thoughts went wild, he forgot to stop He Lan. When he was able to react, He Lan had already tasted him again.

It was just that he was a little rough at first, like he was angry, or like it had been too long and he couldn’t control himself. Qin Yu couldn’t tell clearly, and was only somewhat annoyed that he himself was unable to resist to the end.

Two hours later, they appeared before Huo Fenglie.

Liu Zhenqing was already asleep in the back room.

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Chapter 132 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 134