Chapter 216: Cousin and Cousin Sister

Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Cousin and Cousin Sister

“Greetings, Cousin.”

Jiang Li’an was much more composed than Jiang Lile. He stepped forward and greeted Xiao Yunjing politely.

“How did you come here? Did something happen?” Xiao Yunjing asked the two after letting them sit down.

They had been out of contact with the Jiang Family in the Capital City for twelve years. How did these two end up here?

“His Majesty informed our grandfather that the general at Yanshan Pass is you, Cousin…”

Jiang Li’an told Xiao Yunjing everything he knew. Of course, he didn’t know Xiao Yunjing’s true identity.

“Oh.” Xiao Yunjing squinted.

It seemed a lot had happened while he was away.

“Cousin, where have you been? Uncle and Aunt have been worried sick about you!” Jiang Lile stared fixedly at Xiao Yunjing’s every move. After Jiang Li’an finished speaking, she eagerly asked.

Xiao Yunjing glanced at her. “I went to look for your cousin-in-law. You two go rest first. We just got back and have some matters to attend to.”

Jiang Lile’s heart sank. She knew Xiao Yunjing had married, but she had also heard Gu Qingli had disappeared. She had hoped her cousin wouldn’t find Gu Qingli. Yet, he had found her. Hearing Xiao Yunjing personally say the words “cousin-in-law” made her feel an undeniable sense of loss.

Jiang Li’an saw his sister’s expression but didn’t dwell on it. He simply assumed she was unhappy because it had been a long time since she’d seen Xiao Yunjing, and now, after only a few words, Xiao Yunjing had matters to attend to.

He stood up, pulled Jiang Lile, and said, “Alright, Cousin. Since you have matters to attend to, we’ll head back first. We’re all in the commandery administrator’s residence anyway, so there’s no rush right now. We’ll come visit you and Cousin-in-law another day.”

“Mm.” Xiao Yunjing responded coolly.

Jiang Li’an is a decent sort, knows when to press on and when to withdraw.

As for Jiang Lile, Xiao Yunjing wasn’t too fond of her. However, since she was his third maternal uncle’s child, he wouldn’t be harsh with her.

Jiang Lile followed Jiang Li’an out, her expression downcast. She knew Xiao Yunjing had just returned and had matters to attend to, so she couldn’t delay him.

Just as her brother said, they were all in the commandery administrator’s residence, so there was no hurry. There would be plenty of time in the future.

Once Jiang Li’an and his sister had left, Wuqing and the others brought food for Gu Qingli. After eating and freshening up, Gu Qingli lay down on the bed and comfortably fell asleep.

Xiao Yunjing shook his head, placed an affectionate kiss on her lips, and then went to find Yun No. 2.

「In Yun No. 2’s study.」

After exchanging greetings with Xiao Yunjing, Yun No. 2 reported on the current situation in Beijing County, as well as the conditions in various other regions and countries.

After listening, Xiao Yunjing asked, “You’re saying Qingchen hasn’t made any moves?”

Yun No. 2 nodded. “Yes, I also find it strange. I dispatched members of the Secret Sect to investigate. The intelligence they brought back indicates Qingchen has survived several assassination attempts.”

“Assassination?” Xiao Yunjing was perplexed.

Who would try to assassinate Qingchen? In all of Daqian, besides myself, who possesses both the time and the capability to make such an attempt? Who else could it be?

It couldn’t be Chu Xiong. He’s completely overwhelmed right now; how could he spare anyone to assassinate Qingchen?

“Yes. It started after the day the celestial omen appeared.”

“Omen? What omen?”

“On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, around mid-morning, the bright sky suddenly plunged into darkness, as if it were night. Above Qiyang County, a single star blazed brightly for about ten breaths, and then the sky returned to normal.”

“Such a thing happened?” Xiao Yunjing pondered Yun No. 2’s words.

Where were we that day? Logically, if the sky suddenly darkened during the daytime, we should have seen it from the Icefield.

Ah, right! Weren’t we in Chu Canghai’s tomb that day?

No wonder we didn’t see it.

But what did that omen signify?

Such phenomena usually foretell something, but unfortunately, none of them understood celestial omens.

Xiao Yunjing surmised the omen was related to Qingchen raising an army; otherwise, why would so many people be trying to assassinate him? It just so happened that Qingchen was mustering his forces in that very direction.

This matter didn’t concern him, so he didn’t dwell on it. He only considered that Qingchen remaining inactive was completely out of character. He must be planning something in secret.

Presently, he said, “Yun No. 2, have our people in the Capital City keep a close watch on Chu Xiong. I suspect Qingchen will target him directly.”

Yun No. 2 had a flash of understanding. “I will have someone monitor him immediately.”

They already had agents in the Capital City; they just hadn’t considered that Qingchen might secretly target Chu Xiong directly.

It seemed he had been too simplistic in his thinking and had underestimated Qingchen’s methods.

「Meanwhile, in the Daqian Imperial Palace.」

Chu Xiong found himself at Huayang Palace yet again. Lately, he had been unconsciously drawn here every night.

Huayang Palace was home to one of his consorts, Concubine Mei. Speaking of Concubine Mei, she had been in the Imperial Palace for five years but had rarely attended to the Emperor. Chu Xiong had all but forgotten her. Although beautiful, Concubine Mei had a cold disposition, even towards him, the Emperor. As time went on, Chu Xiong eventually stopped visiting her altogether. The palace was never short of beauties of every kind. Subsequently, even if Concubine Mei’s name plaque was chosen, Chu Xiong would simply set it aside.

Recently, however, Concubine Mei had inexplicably shed her former coldness. She became attentive towards Chu Xiong, inquiring solicitously about his well-being. Coupled with her beauty, her devoted service in attending to him allowed the perpetually frustrated Emperor to relax. This genuinely surprised Chu Xiong. And so, as night fell, he found himself visiting her once more.

Arriving at the palace entrance, Chu Xiong entered directly without waiting for a palace maid to announce him. Concubine Mei was already there, having waited for a long time.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

Chu Xiong took a few steps forward and helped Concubine Mei up. “My dear consort, there’s no need to wait outside. It’s cold; don’t catch a chill.” As he spoke, he helped her adjust the large cloak around her shoulders.

Concubine Mei smiled shyly at Chu Xiong. “Your servant no longer feels cold upon seeing Your Majesty.”

“You, hahaha…” Chu Xiong’s spirits lifted whenever he saw Concubine Mei. He laughed heartily, patted her gently, and led her by the hand into the bedchamber.

“Your Majesty, shall your servant give you a massage?” Upon entering the bedchamber, Concubine Mei guided Chu Xiong to sit on the bed. She then removed her shoes, climbed onto the bed, and postured as if to massage his head.

Chu Xiong squinted. “Excellent. We particularly enjoy Our dear consort’s skillful hands.”

Concubine Mei smiled, then got onto the bed and began massaging Chu Xiong’s temples. As she did so, a subtle, alluring fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Inhaling the scent, Chu Xiong felt exceedingly comfortable.

However, in a place unseen within his body, an insect egg was beginning to hatch.

Concubine Mei was, in fact, one of Qingchen’s hidden operatives within the Imperial Palace. Anything Qingchen wished to know about matters in the palace, he would undoubtedly learn. The egg implanted in Chu Xiong had been laid by the King of cursed insects. Once hatched, it would become a Mind-Control cursed insect. This particular Mind-Control cursed insect was dozens of times more potent than those cultivated by Xi Chenqing. No matter how profound one’s cultivation, they could not resist this Mind-Control cursed insect. Once afflicted by it, the victim would be entirely at the mercy of its implanter, no different from a puppet. Yet, when interacting with others, they would appear completely normal. Therefore, even though Chu Xiong was now under the curse’s influence, he remained oblivious.

Qingchen’s plan was to have Chu Xiong issue an imperial edict, first to officially recognize Qingchen’s ancestry and welcome him back to the clan, and then to abdicate the throne in his favor. This way, his claim would be legitimate. Since he was the prophesied Emperor Star, he could not afford to tarnish his own reputation.

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