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The Flame Emperor’s Seal, passed down from ancient times, bore nine fire spirits and was linked to the very lifeblood of the Flame Kingdom. The Flame Evil Monarch was the Seal’s guardian, appearing upon the new emperor’s enthronement and ritual sacrifice to Heaven, and perishing with the emperor’s death or abdication. Each reincarnation was controlled by the Flame Emperor’s Seal. Successive Flame Emperors, by controlling the Seal, thus controlled the Flame Evil Monarch, making him the emperor’s special guard.
When Xiao Qi led the Yue army to decisively defeat the Mufeng Kingdom, the former emperor, pressured by circumstances, reluctantly abandoned the idea of passing the throne to the Southern King. After his demise, the Monarch perished. Prince Wenzhu Chongxiao ascended the throne, and on the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice, the Monarch was reborn. The old faction ministers and Xiao Qi used this as a reason, claiming the new emperor was chosen by Heaven, suppressing many dissenting voices in the court. For nearly a century, border conflicts gradually decreased, and internal rebellions were all suppressed by Xiao Qi. The Flame Emperor’s throne remained secure, and no one questioned the existence of this special guard.
Who would have thought that the reincarnated Flame Evil Monarch would actually break free from the control of the Flame Emperor’s Seal!
The current Flame Emperor was arrogant and self-willed, and there were many grievances among the populace. Rebellions occurred year after year. If the secret of the Monarch breaking free from control were to leak out at this time, it would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the situation, especially for the Southern King’s faction, who would surely be delighted to see such a development.
Yan Chu half-propped herself up and asked, “How did you break free from the Emperor’s Seal’s control?”
Xiaoyan cooperated and explained, “The Emperor’s Seal has nine fire spirits, and I have nine evil fire spirits, which is why I am controlled by it. However, in this reincarnation, I found I had gained an extra evil fire spirit, so it can no longer control me.”
Possessing evil fire spirits, no wonder he was called the Flame Evil Monarch, Yan Chu mused, finding it even more incredible. An extra evil fire spirit appearing without reason suggested that the Flame Emperor had likely detected the anomaly and, while his powers had not yet recovered after his initial rebirth, had instructed Xiao Qi and his father to use the solidified snow stone to seal his heart and restrain him.
“But why didn’t he just kill you?”
Xiaoyan tugged at the hair on his forehead and said, “Because my existence is linked to his throne. How could he easily kill me?”
The Flame Evil Monarch had an unusual connection to the imperial succession. Did his breaking free from control already foreshadow future events? Yan Chu pondered for a moment, trying to keep her tone gentle: “Thank you for saving me. I want to rest now. Please go to the outer room for a bit.”
Xiaoyan blinked and said, “Master, you’re still injured. Let me stay and take care of you. I’m a filial disciple.”
After saying that, he got onto the bed and leaned over her.
Sensing his ill intentions, Yan Chu didn’t struggle: “Monarch, having experienced reincarnations, do you not know the meaning of ‘shame’?”
“Shame?” Xiaoyan stroked her face. “Men admire women, and perpetuating offspring in this way has been so since ancient times. What’s wrong with that?”
Yan Chu said, “We are master and disciple.”
“So what,” Xiaoyan said, “Master and disciple have no blood relation, yet you forbid union on the grounds of incest. What a strange rule.”
Yan Chu stated flatly, “I don’t think I want to unite with you.”
“As prey, forced intercourse and reproduction is also a form of inheritance, just like when you women marry, not all of you do so willingly,” Xiaoyan leaned on his hand, looking down at her. “Do you have any other choice, Master?”
This person’s appearance was beautiful and harmless, yet his methods were extremely cruel, and his words and actions were even more insane and irrational. How could Yan Chu dare to resist? She could only try to divert his interest: “Aren’t you curious about my story?”
Xiaoyan looked at her for a while, then smiled: “Your disciple has grown up and no longer wants to hear stories.”
That hand began to pull at the front of her clothes, carrying a slightly higher body temperature than ordinary people, a little hot. At this moment, let alone her internal energy being restrained, even if it wasn’t, she couldn’t escape. Yan Chu took a deep breath, and with a slight tremble, closed her eyes, seemingly giving up resistance.
His thin lips descended, even his kiss was hot.
His long lashes brushed against her face, a little ticklish. He kissed very elegantly, very absorbed, and his actions actually revealed a hint of tenderness. If she hadn’t known his habit of pretense, she would surely have thought it was genuine affection.
Yan Chu stiffened all over, momentarily lost in thought.
It was strange, as if someone had treated her like this before. That feeling left her bewildered, wanting to follow it into her memories to search, but her mind became a blank slate, leaving only that peculiar sensation tugging at her heart. She only knew that person... was not Xiao Qi.
After a moment, Xiaoyan released her lips and kissed down her delicate neck. At the same time, his other hand suddenly clamped firmly onto her wrist. The silver hairpin, which had been pressed against his major acupoint, slipped away.
Yan Chu’s eyes snapped open.
“Master, you’re not being honest,” Xiaoyan casually tossed the silver hairpin far away. “You should be gentle and loving with your disciple; this will hurt him.”
Knowing she couldn’t win against him, Yan Chu gritted her teeth and gave up: “Help me accomplish one thing, and I’ll do whatever you want.”
“You want me to help you get revenge? That’s truly uninteresting,” Xiaoyan raised his face, seriously advising, “Hatred will damage your beauty, Master. You should learn to be tolerant.”
“Talk about tolerance when your entire family has been murdered,” Yan Chu curled her lips sarcastically. Seeing him ponder, she whispered, “That person used me, making my father and brother fight for him and his master. But in the end, he not only betrayed me, but also conspired with his master to kill my father and brother, taking everything from them. That person and his master are also the ones who imprisoned you. Why won’t you help me?”
“Ah, so that’s it,” Xiaoyan touched his forehead, then suddenly asked, “If your family hadn’t been harmed, they would have died eventually anyway. Is there a difference?”
Hearing such an absurd question, Yan Chu, enraged, laughed instead: “So, you’re saying I should thank them?”
Xiaoyan said, “As fellow victims, I can forgive. Why can’t you?”
“Because you haven’t experienced it, you don’t know the pain of loss,” facing a madman, one actually becomes more authentic because there’s no need to pretend. Yan Chu gritted her teeth, coldly spitting out a single word: “Get out!”
This kind of persistence might seem foolish to others, not worth it, but so what? She was unwilling—unwilling to have given so much only to be betrayed, unwilling for her loved ones to have died in vain, unwilling for the Yue army to be stolen by others, unwilling for herself to have lost everything while others enjoyed the Yue family’s possessions with clear consciences! The Feng Arrow and Ice Stream Cold Qi tormented her. In the first ten years, she could only find refuge in that stone cave in the Eternal Realm. Every time her injuries flared up, she wished she were dead. She had fainted and awakened countless times, dreamed of her deceased father and brother countless times. How could someone who had fallen to such a state be expected to watch her enemies live happily outside? This deep-seated hatred was something a heartless madman could never understand!
“Anger makes you rude,” Xiaoyan held her hand. “You get angry too easily, Master.”
Yan Chu turned her face away, too lazy to watch his act any further.
She had endured far worse pain; what else couldn’t she bear? As long as she was alive, she would reclaim everything, piece by piece!
His evil gaze lingered on her face, clearly seeing her as prey, considering where to begin.
Just at that moment—
“The Eternal Realm invites the Monarch as a guest.” The messenger’s voice sounded from outside the door.
These words were undoubtedly a godsend, a savior. Yan Chu looked up at the demon on top of her, anxiously awaiting his decision.
“The Lord of Eternity, worth meeting,” a light gleamed in his slender eyes. Xiaoyan seemed to recall something, finally shifting his interest away from her. “Master, allow your disciple to leave first.”
After Xiaoyan left, Yan Chu lay on the bed, her mind gradually regaining calmness, and she let out a soft sigh. It was truly unexpected that Lord Xiling would send someone to rescue her. The Eternal Realm never interfered in external affairs. Although he had shown concern because of that flower, she had caused such a huge mess and was still nominally a disciple of the Eternal Realm, so she had, after all, dragged him into it.
After this ordeal, her spirit suddenly relaxed, and Yan Chu felt the pain in her body intensify. She quickly called for someone. Knowing that Xiaoyan had left, Hongye rushed in with two young maids. The three carefully helped her undress, and nearly cried out in alarm at the sight of her injuries. Fearing Xiaoyan’s return, Yan Chu had them leave after they had cleaned her wounds and applied medicine.
External injuries caused a fever. Yan Chu didn’t use fire healing techniques, closed her eyes, and drifted into a hazy sleep. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she suddenly heard movement in the room. She was already a light sleeper and immediately opened her eyes to find Xiao Qi standing by the bed.
“How will His Majesty deal with me?” she asked proactively.
Xiao Qi said, “Although it was unintentional, you have committed a grave crime. His Majesty is awaiting Lord Xiling’s reply. Now that Lord Xiling is willing to protect you, it seems there will be no trouble, but you are still under accusation and cannot leave this place without permission. The news of the Monarch’s escape must not be leaked.”
Yan Chu thanked him and said nothing more.
Seeing her pale face, with an abnormal flush in her cheeks and signs of fever, Xiao Qi leaned down, wanting to touch her forehead: “Are you... alright? Do you want me to call a healer...”
“I’ve already taken medicine,” Yan Chu subtly turned her head away. “I understand. You were trying to save me earlier.”
Xiao Qi slowly withdrew his hand and sat down by the bed, softly saying as he gazed at the flickering candlelight on the table: “Dawn is almost here.”
His eyebrows were sharp, and his face was one no one could dislike. Not a murderer, but an accomplice. Everything began because of him, and he knew it all.
Yan Chu said, “You should go back.”
Xiao Qi looked a bit tired. He raised his hand, signaling: “You sleep. I’ll just sit for a while.”
________________________________________
On the Go Cliff, the sound of a zither drifted with the clouds and mist.
An attendant dressed in the Flame Kingdom’s palace attire stepped forward respectfully and bowed, saying, “Your esteemed Miss Yan Chu released the Flame Evil Monarch. His Majesty ordered me to ask Lord Xiling how best to handle this matter.”
His hand moved away from the zither strings, and the music immediately stopped. No emotion could be discerned in Lord Xiling’s dark eyes. He said, “An unintentional mistake. I will deal with it.”
The attendant hesitated: “This... the secret of the Monarch’s body is no small matter...”
Lord Xiling said, “This matter will not be leaked. I have my reasons.”
Earlier, hearing him dismiss such a significant matter as an “unintentional mistake” seemed overly protective, but fortunately, his phrase “I have my reasons” meant he had agreed to intervene and remedy the situation. The attendant finally breathed a sigh of relief, smiling flatteringly, “With Lord Xiling’s word, His Majesty can surely rest assured.”
After the attendant bid farewell and left, Lord Xiling stood up.
The Flame Evil Monarch breaking free from the Emperor’s Seal’s control had long foretold the change in the Flame Kingdom.
Xiaoyan didn’t return, which surprised Yan Chu. She had been bedridden for several days, her wounds had scabbed over, and there was no sign of him. Xiao Qi hadn’t visited Maple Garden since that night. Apart from being restricted from leaving the residence, Yan Chu’s life was no different from usual. She ate and slept as normal. Occasionally, she would encounter Liu Yu outside the garden. Although Liu Yu hated her to the bone, having been instructed by Xiao Qi, she could only avoid her from a distance.
Soon, Xiao Qi sent an attendant to convey the message to her: the Eternal Realm had agreed to handle the matter and guaranteed that the Monarch’s affairs would not be leaked. The Flame Emperor naturally chose to believe it was an accident.
This outcome was not difficult to predict. Xiaoyan being promptly invited away and the Flame Emperor delaying his order for punishment both indirectly confirmed Lord Xiling’s intervention. The Eternal Realm bore the consequences, allowing her to retain her life. Confirming these facts, Yan Chu did not feel relieved; instead, her mood grew even more anxious.
Finally, it was time to tend to the flowers again. The Eternal Realm sent an envoy to pick her up. The guards did not obstruct them, and the two successfully left the city.
Outside, it was the height of summer, but in the Eternal Realm, a light rain was falling. The drifting raindrops were cool and refreshing. Because the sky was so dim, lanterns were lit in all the towers and pavilions, their scattered lights adding a touch of desolation to the atmosphere. The person who came to meet her was the same white-clad envoy as before. Yan Chu had once heard him called Envoy Lan. He led Yan Chu onto the plank path, his expression as gentle as ever, and his words courteous.
Yan Chu asked as she walked, “Is Lord Xiling not here?”
Envoy Lan replied, “The Yi Lord has a guest today. He asked me to tell Miss that he will speak with you next time we meet.”
Yan Chu had already seen that he held Lord Xiling’s trust and proactively apologized, “I deeply regret implicating your esteemed sect.”
Envoy Lan simply smiled as expected.
The Eternal Realm was originally a quiet place of Taoist cultivation, but now, being implicated by a completely unrelated outsider and forced to exert effort, it was false to say that the cultivators didn’t mind. Yan Chu remained silent and followed him into the snow cave to feed the flowers. This time, the flower leaves seemed to have grown a bit taller and greener, though the flower bud itself hadn’t changed much.
To her surprise, the broken flower in the adjacent pot was gone.
Yan Chu couldn’t help but ask, “Why is one pot missing?”
Envoy Lan hesitated, then replied, “The Yi Lord gave it away.”
Yan Chu didn’t press further upon hearing this. She cut her wrist and fed blood to the flower, then followed him out of the snow cave and returned to the Go Cliff. Behind them, clouds surged, and the plank path quickly disappeared.
Envoy Lan said, “I’ll escort Miss back to the residence.”
Yan Chu suddenly said, “Was that pot of flowers given to the Flame Evil Monarch?” The Flower of Reincarnation was enough to pique Xiaoyan’s interest.
Envoy Lan merely assumed she felt guilty and comforted her: “The flower is broken and has neither grown nor withered for years. Keeping it is useless. Miss, you don’t need to worry about it.”
Yan Chu, however, eagerly asked, “Does the envoy know where the Flame Evil Monarch is now?”
Envoy Lan shook his head: “Although I don’t know, Miss can rest assured, he will certainly not offend you again.”
It seemed she would have to wait until she met Lord Xiling again. Yan Chu was filled with disappointment and was about to leave when her gaze unintentionally shifted to the peak opposite.
Clouds drifted, faintly revealing a small, precarious pavilion, steadily embedded halfway up the cliff. Outside the pavilion stood an ancient pine tree, and two lanterns hung under its eaves. Inside the pavilion, two people sat opposite each other at a stone table. Although they were far away, Yan Chu recognized the light blue figure at a glance and was momentarily stunned, her steps halting.
Rain mist drifted, illuminated by the lantern light, making the figure appear even more desolate.
Envoy Lan called her twice without a reply, then looked in the same direction and explained with a smile, “It’s the Yi Lord.”
Yan Chu recovered, feeling slightly embarrassed: “Is that distinguished guest opposite him?”
Across from Lord Xiling sat a person who appeared to be an elder, dressed in rather opulent clothes. However, they were too far away for her to clearly discern their features or expressions.
Envoy Lan said, “It’s the Earth Master of Wuse Dixiang.”
Yan Chu was first surprised, then relieved.
Jing Shuimingqiu, the Earth Master of Wuse Dixiang, was the priest of the Earth God Altar, responsible for various imperial sacrificial ceremonies. He held extremely high prestige in the Earth Kingdom, so it was not surprising that Lord Xiling had an acquaintance with him.
The situation in the Earth Kingdom was intriguing. The new emperor had just ascended the throne, and would the powerful Prince Xiang truly remain content?
Yan Chu couldn’t help but glance at the Earth Master again before following Envoy Lan down the Go Cliff.
________________________________________
It was drizzling in the Eternal Realm, but outside, the sun shone brightly. Maple Garden was heavily shaded. When Hongye saw her return, she busily ordered the young maids to fetch water to serve her and laid out fresh melons and fruits for her to taste, all rare delicacies for the season, specially sent to Maple Garden by Xiao Qi for her.
Sunlight shone through the maple leaves, each like emeralds. Yan Chu walked alone through the forest, growing increasingly agitated.
“What’s making you so anxious?” Without any warning, a pair of hands wrapped around her waist, lifting her. “Is it for me?”
The one who understood people’s hearts best was always the demon. Yan Chu was worried about his whereabouts, but who would have thought he would appear on his own? It was practically effortless. Yan Chu barely suppressed her surprise and said, “You’re back?”
“This is my home,” his long lashes fluttered slightly, and a few long strands of hair on his forehead swayed with them. Xiaoyan said, “Master, your disciple missed you.”
Yan Chu allowed him to hold her, carefully stroking his messy hair: “Master missed you too.”
Xiaoyan said, “Really?”
Yan Chu whispered into his ear: “You’ve been confined in that dungeon for so many years, don’t you want to see what the outside world is like? It’s much livelier and more interesting out there than here.”
Xiaoyan said, “Exposing your intention to use me so quickly, Master, you disappoint me.”
Yan Chu no longer pretended: “As long as you go out and let the world see that you’ve broken free from the Imperial Seal’s control, that person won’t be able to hold onto the throne, and Xiao Qi will surely fall with him. This could be considered revenge for your years of imprisonment. You wouldn’t even have to lift a finger, so why not?”
“You’re right,” Xiaoyan said, feigning regret. “However, faced with the temptation of profit, I’m willing to abandon hatred.”
“Profit?” Yan Chu was surprised, then sneered slightly. “What profit did the Eternal Realm promise you? That withered flower?”
Xiaoyan burst into laughter: “Angry? The premise of my gaining profit is to hinder you from achieving your goal.”
It seemed useless to try to persuade him. Yan Chu knew her only recourse was through Lord Xiling, so she lost patience for the charade and voluntarily pulled away from his embrace: “Many people are eyeing the One-Leaf Flower. Aren’t you going back to guard it?”
“That’s an external possession; Master is more important,” Xiaoyan reached out to touch her face.
Yan Chu evaded him: “Don’t forget your promise to Lord Xiling: you won’t offend me again.”
Xiaoyan touched his own face instead: “I’m considering whether I need to keep it.”
“You will,” Yan Chu said. “I trust him.”
The fact that Lord Xiling could ensure Xiaoyan wouldn’t reveal himself publicly indicated that he had the upper hand in their contest. He must have grasped Xiaoyan’s weakness. She couldn’t recall anything he hadn’t been able to resolve.
Xiaoyan didn’t get angry; he simply adjusted his long lashes: “Do you know what I’m looking forward to?”
“What?”
“You’ll soon stop trusting him. I look forward to that day.”
________________________________________
In the following days, more barbarian envoys from the Western Frontier arrived in the capital. This time, the Barbarian King sent his own uncle as an envoy, intending to propose marriage to the imperial family. The Western Frontier barbarians were exceptionally fierce, and they offered countless tributes to the court every year. Successive Flame Emperors had always sought to win them over, and princesses marrying into their ranks was historical precedent. This time, the Flame Emperor placed even greater importance on the matter. Xiao Qi entered the palace at the beginning of the辰時 (7-9 AM) every day and returned at the end of the酉時 (5-7 PM), with no leisure time.
Turning two corners, ahead was Changqing Pavilion, a place where noble ladies in the capital often bought jewelry.
Liuyu turned and ordered several guards to wait at the entrance, taking only two maids inside. Soon, she walked out alone through the back door, entering a secluded alley. In the alley, a woman in purple sat in a wheelchair, her opulent adornments indicating her unusual background.
Liuyu scrutinized her: “Who are you?”
“You don’t need to know that,” the woman in purple said. “The fact that you came to see me means we can cooperate.”
“I haven’t agreed to listen to you.”
“Xiao Qi is no longer entirely yours.”
Liuyu said nonchalantly: “That’s none of your concern. What exactly do you want to say?”
No matter how well she pretended, the anger in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. The woman in purple gave a cold smile: “I came to you because our objective is the same.”
Liuyu was surprised: “You…”
“I want her dead,” the woman in purple said, her voice filled with undisguised hatred. She extended her hand, a letter clasped between her slender fingers. “Your task is to deliver this letter to the Flame Emperor.”
Liuyu hesitated.
“The Eternal Realm does not interfere in external political affairs. As long as she exposes her intentions, there will be reason to kill her, and the Eternal Realm cannot protect her,” the woman in purple said. “It’s one chance; whether you use it is up to you.”
Liuyu bit her lip tightly, as if making up her mind, then quickly stepped forward to take the letter. Upon seeing the seal on it, she gasped: “You… who are you?”
“Who I am isn’t important,” the woman in purple turned her wheelchair. “Removing someone who knows the Flame Evil Monarch’s secret, I believe His Majesty the Flame Emperor will be very pleased to cooperate. However, to execute this plan, Xiao Qi must be kept in the dark.”
A flicker of joy crossed Liuyu’s eyes. She whispered, “I understand, but I’m afraid she won’t fall for the trick easily…”
The woman in purple interrupted her: “I have my ways.”
A maid came to push the wheelchair away. Liuyu watched the mistress and servant disappear, then turned to return to the residence.
________________________________________
Maple Garden was heavily shaded. Yan Chu lay half-reclined on a couch, enjoying the cool air, her eyelids slightly lowered. She was either asleep or lost in thought.
Passing the garden gate, Liuyu caught sight of the scene and involuntarily stopped.
Without extravagant adornments, the woman possessed an innate, enviable beauty. It wasn’t soft, yet it captivated all eyes.
On the small table lay fresh melons and fruits, gifts from a governor from the south who had visited the capital a few days prior. Xiao Qi had specially sent them in for her to taste, yet he hadn’t forgotten to leave a portion for Maple Garden.
Liuyu knew very well who could better grasp Xiao Qi’s heart. If it hadn’t been for her being there first, if it hadn’t been for that life-saving kindness during difficult times, it was hard to say who Xiao Qi would have fallen in love with.
It was precisely because of this that she felt unwilling.
This was all because of her! Liuyu clutched the letter in her sleeve and swept her clothes as she departed.
________________________________________
The Imperial Guard Commander departed as ordered. The Flame Emperor stepped out of the pavilion and returned to the hall.
If he had entertained some intention of winning that woman over before, then after she released the Flame Evil Monarch, his intention had completely transformed into a desire to kill. How could such a major matter be dismissed with a mere “unintentional mistake”?
Lord Xiling’s promise was good, of course, but only a dead person could truly put one at ease.
Moreover, this woman’s identity was suspicious. Simply being so similar to the Princess Consort meant she would always be a potential source of trouble if left alive. Collusion with an enemy state was the best excuse. Even if it was investigated later, Lord Xiling wouldn’t blame him. Someone was willing to provide such a meticulously planned scheme on his behalf. It seemed the Eternal Realm wasn’t as peaceful as the legends claimed.
There were Xiao Qi’s people in the palace; he should receive the news soon, right? The Flame Emperor smiled, leaning back against the couch to rest. After a short while, an attendant came in to report that Consort Ying had arrived. He lifted his eyelids, signaling her to enter.
“What makes Your Majesty so happy?” Consort Ying stepped into the hall, feigning displeasure at his expression.
The Flame Emperor naturally put his arm around her waist: “Guess, my dear consort?”
Consort Ying glanced at the letter, surprised: “This is…”
The Flame Emperor didn’t answer, scrutinizing her.
Her charming eyebrows and eyes, her perfectly sculpted face—even when playfully pouting, there was a hint of detachment in her seductive demeanor. She wielded power in the harem, slandered court officials, and constantly targeted Xiao Qi. Now, who in the entire court didn’t know the name of the ‘demonic consort’? This woman was wreaking havoc on his empire, yet it was thanks to his indulgence.
His fingers caressed her delicate face. The Flame Emperor pulled her into his embrace, forcefully pinning her beneath him.
To receive the emperor’s favor, how many women envied her?
Half an hour later, the Emperor finished his business and rose, his footsteps gradually fading into the distance. Consort Ying opened her eyes and slowly sat up on the couch to straighten her clothes. She glanced at the table; the letter was indeed gone. An attendant came in and whispered a few words into her ear. Consort Ying’s face instantly changed dramatically, and she quickly stepped off the low couch and walked towards the door.
The attendant hurriedly said, “His Majesty ordered that Your Ladyship stay here and not go anywhere...”
Before he could finish speaking, he lost consciousness.
________________________________________
In the Prince Ding’s study, Xiao Qi put down his dispatches and rubbed his temples.
The matter of the Barbarian King’s marriage proposal was finally settled. Princess Huiling had been chosen, bestowed the title of Princess, and would marry far into the Western Frontier. With the envoys dispatched, he could finally relax a bit.
His gaze naturally fell towards the door.
The air was muggy, without a breath of wind. The leaves on the branches hung limply; it seemed the weather was about to change.
Xiao Qi hesitated slightly, called a subordinate to give a few instructions, and then strolled towards Maple Garden.
Hongye greeted him with a bow: “Your Highness, Miss hasn’t returned yet.”
Xiao Qi frowned: “It’s going to rain. Why haven’t you sent an umbrella?”
Hongye quickly assented.
Xiao Qi shook his head and walked out of the back garden again. As soon as he reached the front, an attendant rushed to report: “Your Highness, the guards accompanying Miss Yan Chu have returned, saying they... lost her.”
Xiao Qi was startled and immediately said, “Go search quickly!”
The attendant bowed and left. Xiao Qi stood in the corridor with a grim face, feeling inexplicably uneasy. With the Eternal Realm’s promise, and from the Flame Emperor’s demeanor, it seemed she had been pardoned. Thus, he hadn’t overly restricted her freedom these past few days. He hoped nothing had happened.
“Does Big Brother care?” a magnetic voice asked.
Seeing the newcomer, Xiao Qi said sharply, “She is your sister-in-law! What are you doing again?!”
“Big Brother is truly forgetful, don’t you remember what you’ve done?” Xiaoyan rubbed his forehead. “She hates you, she wants revenge on you. Do you still want to protect her?”
Xiao Qi said, “That’s my business.”
“Big Brother’s rejection of my concern saddens me,” Xiaoyan sighed, his tone turning cheerful. “Once she’s dead, you can rest easy. You should be happy.”
Xiao Qi’s heart tightened: “What do you mean?”
Xiaoyan simply lay in the tree, laughing.
Knowing he wouldn’t get an answer from him, Xiao Qi stopped pressing and hurried to the front hall. Before long, an attendant came in and whispered a few words. Xiao Qi’s face changed dramatically upon hearing them.
________________________________________
Outside the capital, on Jingshan Mountain, dark clouds pressed down, signaling an impending downpour. A faint, inexplicable腥味 (fishy or rank smell) hung in the humid air, making it feel oppressive.
Yan Chu stood alone on the mountaintop, gazing into the distance.
Lord Xiling’s sudden invitation to meet her was unexpected, but she had also wanted to see him.
Saving her, taking her in, and then saving her again—his protection of her far exceeded the relationship of master and flower keeper. She, in turn, held him in awe, respect, gratitude, and trust, perhaps because he didn’t seem so terrifying, or perhaps simply because of the name “Xiling Fengqi.”
But this time, she was destined to betray his good intentions.
The clouds overhead grew thicker and thicker. The mountains undulated below, yet no one was in sight. Amidst her tension, Yan Chu began to feel uneasy—the two messengers who had just informed her were complete strangers, but they carried the Azure Jade Talisman, a token of the Eternal Realm, so it shouldn’t be fake...
As she hesitated, there was suddenly a stir at the foot of the mountain. Many soldiers appeared from nowhere, swarming like ants at the base of the mountain, surrounding the entire peak.
Imperial Guards! Yan Chu recognized the distinctive emblem, her face changed, and she immediately darted behind a rock to conceal herself. Cautiously, she peered out again, only to see a surging mass of people below, all converging on her position. It seemed they had already identified their target.
Amidst her alarm and suspicion, Yan Chu didn’t ignore the movements around her. She spun around sharply: “Who!”
The newcomer did not answer, but came forward and pulled her to leave.
Seeing who it was, Yan Chu couldn’t help but grip that hand tightly, unable to utter a single word, and followed without hesitation.
Silent gratitude, and unconditional trust.
Consort Ying wore an inconspicuous green gown. There was no excitement of recognition, not even a salute; she simply pulled her along, hurrying down the small path behind the mountain to escape. Her voice was no longer seductive, clear as water: “His Majesty has a secret letter from Mufeng Kingdom, and the rendezvous point on it is this Jingshan Mountain, along with the seal of the Mufeng Kingdom General’s Residence.”
A bucket of cold water was poured over her, and Yan Chu finally understood the truth.
Over there, a secret letter from Mufeng Kingdom was discovered, and here she was, coincidentally also at Jingshan Mountain. Once captured, she would be branded with the capital crime of colluding with an enemy state. The Flame Emperor was eager to get rid of her and clearly intended to act first and report later. While a secret letter alone might not be convincing, it would suffice to deal with accountability from the Eternal Realm; at most, it would be a mistaken execution.
But how meticulously planned this scheme was! To frame her, the perpetrator had even resorted to using the seal of the Mufeng Kingdom General’s Residence and a token from the Eternal Realm to lure her out. The seal of an enemy general’s residence, the Azure Jade Talisman of the Eternal Realm—how could these two items be so easily obtained? Who possessed such great capability? Who was it?
There was no time for further thought. The sounds behind them grew clearer. The trees on the mountainside were sparse, and Yan Chu, unfortunately, was wearing a white gown, making her extremely conspicuous. The Imperial Guards, well-trained, were rapidly encircling them.
Yan Chu finally stopped: “Qiuying...”
No sooner had she uttered those two words than she felt a numbness spread through her body, her acupoints immediately restrained.
“It will release itself later. I’ll lead them up the mountain, you just hurry and leave,” Consort Ying stopped her from speaking. “Miss, you can do more than I can.”
She quickly shed Yan Chu’s white robe and put it on herself, then draped her own green outer robe over Yan Chu, and finally pushed Yan Chu into a hidden spot behind a rock.
“Qiuying has been investigating in the palace for many years. The truth of that year is exactly as Miss suspected.”
She took two steps, then stopped, turning back to look at Yan Chu, a hesitant expression on her face.
“There’s something I don’t know if I should tell you, Miss, but if I don’t, you might never have the chance to know. Your old illness... actually happened over two hundred years ago. You secretly ran off searching for something, disappeared for three years, and later, the General found you unconscious on Yueyi Mountain. During treatment, he learned that your heart meridian was injured by a lost ancient art, and furthermore...”
She suddenly turned her face away: “Who knew you would remember nothing after waking? The General feared you would be sad, so he lied, saying you had been ill since childhood and had only just awakened after many years of sleep. He always blamed himself for this, which is why he doted on you so much. He only told me when you were about to marry.”
Every time she sought medical treatment and medication, it was arranged by her personally. The truth about her heart condition was actually like this!
It wasn’t that Yan Chu hadn’t noticed the hidden meaning in her words. If it were before, she would have turned that face and pressed for answers.
However, at this moment, she merely looked expressionlessly at the person in front of her.
In her ears, human voices approached.
Consort Ying glanced at her, then lowered her gaze slightly: “Please... take care.”
Those four short words weighed a thousand catties.
Take care, she must take care.
Without another word, the white figure darted out, rushing towards the mountaintop.
Wind and clouds surged rapidly. Amidst the rolling thunder, the heavy rain finally poured down. The sounds of the pursuers grew closer, then faded in the rain. Beneath the rock, Yan Chu gripped the vines numbly, her fingernails unknowingly cracked, tendrils of blood seeping out, quickly washed away by the rain.
May the General’s great revenge be avenged.
Please take care.
For years, approaching the Flame Emperor to investigate the truth, sowing discord between monarch and minister, openly challenging him only to dispel the Flame Emperor’s suspicions, using flowers to send messages to save her from traps...
Everyone knew her as the demonic consort, but who knew of the promise behind it all?
She still remembered that year, by the riverside filled with falling leaves, under a high-hanging moon. She put away her treasured blade, smiling as she looked at the quiet girl in front of her. The girl was very pretty, and she had a pair of silent, enduring eyes.
“What’s your name?”
In the lamplight, the girl lowered her gaze and replied, “I don’t remember.”
“How can you not remember?”
“The General saved me and avenged my family. I serve Miss to repay the General.”
She paused, then took the girl’s hand: “Good, forget all that.”
The girl glanced at her, then lowered her head again.
She pointed to the moon’s reflection in the river: “I heard your surname is Jiang. Then let’s call you Qiuying.”
________________________________________
The person was forced to the edge of the cliff, still refusing to surrender. Xiao Qi finally ordered the Imperial Guard Commander, whose face was filled with difficulty, to retreat. Having received the news, he rushed there, but this outcome was no better than expected.
In the pouring rain, Consort Ying’s clothes were soaked, and her disheveled hair clung to her face, a far cry from her former glamour, appearing extremely disheveled.
Her eyes showed no fear, staring coldly at him. After discovering his relationship with Liuyu, she began to suspect. The Yue family’s current plight started with this man.
Xiao Qi remained silent for half a day, then said, “Do it yourself.”
Going back would certainly mean torture.
Consort Ying did not thank him. She turned her face to glance in the direction of Yueyi Mountain.
A ball of fire lit up, then was suddenly extinguished by the rain. The ashes were quickly washed down the cliff by the rainwater, leaving no trace, only a clean stretch of rock.
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