In Qianqing Palace, Shen Huiru had long sent away the Fake Emperor to the Inner Palace to frolic with the other concubines. She sat alone behind the imperial desk reading through a thick stack of morials[1]. Her deep-set eyebrows revealed a majestic aura that would take others by surprise.
Seeing his daughter like this, Grand Preceptor Shen was stunned for a while before his face showed a look of relief. Since childhood, his son and daughter were peerlessly clever with top-quality looks and personalities to match. Such prominent talent only deserved the best the world had to offer. If it werent for the fact that his sons future prospects were ruined, he wouldnt have been forced to choose this path. Still, recently it seed like he chose correctly. Great Zhou would soon be wholly in the grasp of the Shen family. Even if the Emperor regained consciousness, he wouldnt be able to do anything.
Relying on his small and nimble form and dark brown fur, Emperor Zhouwu followed the two figures to Qianqing Palace. Since they were scared of others discovering that Grand Preceptor Shen had entered the palace so late at night, Changxi had arranged for the guards to be sent away. This allowed Emperor Zhouwu to follow them inside smoothly. He hid himself in a corner and turned towards a crack in the door, stealthily observing the situation in the hall. Seeing Shen Huiru occupy his imperial seat looking happy and pleased with herself, his gaze imdiately turned icy.
This official greets Your Ladyship. Imperial Preceptor Shen bowed in salute.
Father, youve co. Catching sight of Imperial Preceptor Shen, Shen Huiru put down the imperial brush[2]and walked to the entrance to welco him.
Father and daughter sat facing each other while Changxi stood by the doorway to keep watch. Emperor Zhouwu retreated into the shadows in the corner. He pricked up his ears to eavesdrop on the pairs conversation.
Father, is ng Changxiong finally dead yet? Shen Huirus tone was slightly anxious and impatient.
Emperor Zhouwus ears moved slightly. Without noticing, he held his breath.
According to An Zhadas news, ng Changxiong isnt in their hands. They pursued ng Changxiong and Han Changping to the Muddy Shore before retreating. Its unknown whether those two are alive or dead. Imperial Preceptor Shen swept a cup cover across the desk. The grating sound of the edge of the cup scraping against the surface made one even more restless.
An Zhada was a top general under Yeluhan Wang[3]. Imperial Preceptor Shen was even in contact with him! His actions clearly showed that the Shen family has long been colluding with the enemy and betraying the country. He definitely had a hand in Duke of Protection ngs disappearance! Just fine! Emperor Zhouwu ground his teeth. Unconsciously, he arched his spine and all his fur stood on end.
Why did they stop their pursuit? If ng Changxiong doesnt die, how will they recover from their defeat? What a bunch of fools! Shen Huiru fiercely slapped the table and her tone was even more impatient. ng Changxiong is ng Sangyus biggest source of support. Only once ng Changxiong is dead could she relax and deal with ng Sangyu. ng Sangyu was a thorn in her side that she must get rid of at all costs!
Your Ladyship might not be aware, but the Muddy Shores are a famous place of death in the grasslands. That place is a vast wetland[4]and miasma is pervasive. Putting aside people for the mont, even birds do not dare to approach. Having entered the wetlands, ng Changxiong and Han Changping will surely die. Imperial Preceptor Shen sounded dead certain about this matter.
Emperor Zhouwu restrained the howl gathering in his throat with all his might. His blood-red eyes stared fixedly at two people beyond the crack in the door. How could he have trusted these two wholeheartedly in the past? He was so blind!
Without solid evidence, Bengong still doesnt feel at ease. Father, write to Xie Zhenghao and have him send people into the Muddy Shores to search for them. They must be found, dead or alive![5]Shen Huirus voice was brimming with killing intent.
Xie Zhenghao was the provincial commander of Gansu Province. He was one of the nineteen or so high-ranking provincial officials[6]and was also one of his trusted subordinates. He didnt expect that [Xie Zhenghao] had already been won over by Imperial Preceptor Shen. Emperor Zhouwu smiled bitterly. The monstrous killing intent in his gaze almost took physical form.
Alright, upon my return, Father[7]will write a letter to Xie Zhenghao. Now that ng Changxiong has disappeared, the army cannot go one day without a general. Tomorrow, Your Ladyship should issue an imperial edict promoting Xie Zhenghao to the position of Great General. Upon receiving the generals seal, he should launch an attack on the Barbarians imperial seat.
Father has already negotiated appropriate conditions with Yeluhan Wang: Xie Zhenghao will feign defeat. [Yueluhan Wang] will take advantage of the chaos of war to slaughter several senior generals under ng Changxiong on Fathers behalf. Ten cities around Suzhou will be given to him as a reward for his efforts. Xie Zhenghao will then push the bla for losing the battle entirely on the ng familys army. When the ti cos, you will issue an imperial edict to behead all of them. After that, well replace them with our own people. This way, the great one million-man army will fall into our Shen familys grasp.
Imperial Preceptor Shen sounded very smug. Outside the door, Emperor Zhouwus whole body shook from rage.
Shen Huiru nodded her head in agreent. She accepted the list of nas her father handed over and examined it carefully. The people on the list were all lieutenant generals[8]in the army that would soon be won over by Imperial Preceptor Shen. They were the perfect replacents for ng Changxiongs trusted subordinates.
Imperial Preceptor Shen carefully examined his daughters expression in the lantern light and moved his gaze to her stomach several tis. In a low voice, he asked, Its been over a month. Does Your Ladyship have any news yet?
Shen Huiru stared back blankly for a mont before understanding his aning. Her tone was stiff and cold as she replied, Its been three days since the expected date[9]. I am probably pregnant, but it will be a while before I know for certain.
Good, good, good! Imperial Preceptor Shen exclaid excitedly before carefully instructing, This fetus is the key to our Shen family winning the throne. Your Ladyship must protect him well. When the baby is born, it will be most convenient if its a boy. If its a girl, Father will prepare a baby boy in advance and have people send him into the palace to replace her. In a mont, Your Ladyship should allow Wanqing inside so that Father can give her detailed instructions on this matter. Your Ladyship need only concern yourself with safeguarding the pregnancy. Dont worry about other things.
Understood. Shen Huiru agreed in a heavy voice.
Emperor Zhouwu didnt want to listen anymore. He was scared that he wouldnt be able to control himself from charging inside and biting this father-daughter pair to death if he continued[10]. Colluding with the enemy, harming loyal subjects, throwing the imperial court into chaos, replacing royal offspring, plotting to usurp the throne any one of these cris was enough for the Shen family to die one thousand tis, no, ten thousand tis over!
Restraining the fury he felt, Emperor Zhouwu let out a low howl and turned around to leave Qianqing Palace.
Ah, where did this mongrel co from? A female voice broke the silence outside the chamber. It was unclear when Wanqing appeared in the corner, but she just happened to bump into Emperor Zhouwu as he was leaving.
[Bixiao Palaces ABao]. The five big glittering characters were especially eye-catching in the candlelight. Wanqings facial expression turned cold and she bent over to pick up Emperor Zhouwu. Using her hands to restrain his mouth and four limbs firmly, she brought him inside Qianqing Palace.
Your Ladyship, Virtuous Consorts pet ran inside. Paying her respects to the Grand Preceptor and her master, Wanqing adjusted her grasp around ABao, who was struggling in her arms.
Give it to Changxi to deal with. Co over here. Father has instructions for you. Shen Huiru took a sip of tea and replied without a care. Having occupied a high position for a long ti, she wouldnt vent her anger on a small dostic animal. In her eyes, ABaos life was less than trash.
Yes. Wanqing handed ABao over to Changxi and knelt at Imperial Preceptor Shens feet to listen to her instructions.
Changxi took the fiercely struggling ABao from her hands. He brought him far away to the open space in front of Qianqing Palace and threw him ruthlessly on the ground. He used his foot to step on his chest, slowly adding pressure. Changxi couldve crushed ABao to death in one strike, but since Virtuous Consort punished him because of ABao last ti, he had long gathered a stomach full of resentnt towards him and urgently needed to vent it properly. Watching ABao howl while attempting to struggle, his unwilling resentnt and powerlessness satisfied [Changxis] inner brute to the max. He continued adding pressure more slowly.
A loud cracking noise sounded from his chest. It was the sound of his ribs breaking. A violent pain seed to erupt from the depths of his soul, continuous and unending. Emperor Zhouwu used his blood-red eyes to glare at Changxi while repeating ng Sangyus na over and over in his mind. Those three characters that were engraved in his bones gave him boundless strength, not letting him die without a fight. If he died, what would happen to Sangyu?
Youre pretty tenacious for a mutt! Changxi sneered and suddenly increased the pressure with his foot.
His cracked ribs pierced his lungs and punctured his heart. Droplets of blood gushed from the corners of his mouth. Emperor Zhouwu t his end while howling [in protest]. His pitch-black eyes gradually misted over with blood. In a trance, the faintly discernable sound of a Buddhist chant could be heard in the air. A strand of gentle power pulled his soul out of ABaos body and guided it towards the void. He was unwilling to close his eyes. His blood-covered mouth and nose let out his final breath.
Dead already? How boring! Seeing that the little mutt beneath his feet wasnt moving anymore, Changxi hatefully stomped on him twice more. Only then did he call over a younger eunuch to take ABaos body and dump it randomly in Qianqing Palaces garden to beco fertilizer.
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-A quiet and secluded house sowhere in the capital-
The room was filled with countless eternal lamps[11]that burned brightly along with the thick sll of sandalwood. A solemn and respectful white-eyebrowed, pale-faced, old Buddhist monk slowly stopped chanting. He told the man standing at the doorway with a vicious aura that this patrons[12]soul had already returned to its original body and that they would wake soon.
Really? The man raised his eyebrows, his tone skeptical. The miracle doctors who he had invited to co were all at a loss of what to do, yet this old monk ca and only took one look before saying one sentence, Everyone has their own destiny. In a few days, his soul will return. He then began to light lamps and recite scripture. His manner was so relaxed how could the man believe him? However, thinking of that strange note, he could only put his trust into this old monk and let him do as he pleased.
While the two were speaking, the handso man surrounded by lanterns groaned and gradually opened his eyes. He gazed at a snowy white ceiling. In a daze, he was imdiately conscious of the fact that this was not the Imperial Palace. The palaces do ceilings are all painted with majestic frescos. How could they be so plain?
He inclined his head to scan his body and directly t with an astonished face. The lines of that face were cold and casting a baleful look around. If that wasnt that guy, Yan Junwei, who else would it be?
Junwei? Emperor Zhouwu was surprised to hear his hoarse voice. He froze for a mont and examined both of his hands in disbelief. These are human hands? His soul actually returned to his body?
The patron is already in good health. He only needs to drink so herbal dicine for several days to build up his strength. This humble monk will take his leave. The old monk read a line of Buddhist scripture before strolling towards the entrance of the room. Once he reached the doorway, he stopped again to put his palms to together[13]and prudently reminded them, This humble monk will not breathe a single word of this matter to anyone. Patron should not forget your original promise to construct a gilded Buddha in this monks temple.
This humble Yan[14]bows in thanks to Great Master[15]! The construction of the gilded Buddha will definitely be completed within one month. Yan Junwei hurriedly bowed and agreed. When this old monk requested the construction of the Buddha, he had initially thought that it was a scam to cheat them out of their money. He didnt expect that he actually had any real skill. Buddha be praised[16]! Luckily, he noticed that the old monk seed to have a saintly aura and let him stay.
The old monk recited another line of Buddhist scripture before leaving, satisfied.
Emperor Zhouwu wasnt in the mood to consider these two peoples dealings. He stared fixedly at Yan Junwei and opened his mouth to ask, Did you send people to protect Sangyu?
Sangyu? Yan Junwei was dumbfounded for a mont before asking hesitantly, Virtuous Consort?
Did you see the note that Zhen left you? Emperor Zhouwu asked in a heavy voice.
That note was really from Your Majesty? Wasnt it just scribbles? Why is the writing all crooked, and what is this paw print all about? Yan Junwei fished out the note from his chest, spread it out and pointed at the small paw print.
Emperor Zhouwu rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. His tone of voice was rather helpless as he replied, First, imdiately go send people to enter the palace to protect Sangyu. Zhen will slowly explain the matter of this note to you. Initially, he didnt want to have to tell Yan Junwei about his soul possession, but he couldnt help this guys stubbornness. He always had to get to the bottom of things. If you didnt give him a satisfactory answer, he would pester you to the ends of the earth about it. He couldnt delay the matter of Sangyus safety by a second.
Rest assured, Your Majesty. From the mont this subordinate received this note, this one already assigned people to Her Ladyship Virtuous Consorts side. Allegedly, Virtuous Consort has a beloved pet nad ABao Yan Junwei paused in his speech and gave the paw print on the note a aningful look. He was only throwing out a wild guess, but he still hesitated on whether or not to go and fetch this dog. However, the old monk said everything was going according to nature and that the patron would wake shortly. He asked him not to intervene at random lest he disturbs the patrons destiny.
All things considered, in this short ti, His Majesty had a fortuitous encounter! He was most interested in etings of fate! It wasnt a waste to read all the mysterious and supernatural tales in the study!
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