Chapter 271 The Nangong family will not risk their lives for an outsider.

271.

During the day, Emperor Qingyang was furious because the Taiyi Orchid Poison incident implicated Qingyang Yulan Si and Xuan Kui in collusion, and he berated the Sixth Prince and the people of Yulan Si.

Others either watched the spectacle or prayed they wouldn't get involved.

The Taiyi Saints in the Five Elements Academy know more than others.

The message from Wei Xizhen clearly told them that Ou Rushuang was currently in a state of near death, being protected by the power of the Earth's core.

Without the power of the Earth's core, Ou Rushuang would undoubtedly die.

What troubled these saints was not whether Ou Rushuang was dead or not, but that their students were also involved with the Lan poison.

Some students were tricked by Xuan Kui's people into using orchid poison to enhance their cultivation, while others were Xuan Kui's orchid corpses.

When news of Nian Qiuyan reached Changsun Zi, it was not confirmed that she was Xuan Kui's person, but it made Changsun Zi uneasy.

Deceived by Ou Rushuang? Changsun Zi knew her own disciple's character very well.

Nian Qiuyan couldn't possibly be so foolish as to be deceived by Ou Rushuang and not know that the Mirage was a base for producing Orchid Poison.

Changsun Zi was worried about her apprentice and lost the desire to go to General Zhongli's mansion. However, not long after, she heard that the young lady of the general's mansion had been attacked outside and fell off a cliff, and her fate was unknown.

Only then did they learn that Zhongli Que was a person skilled in magic.

"Isn't her father one of the three war gods of the military strategists?" Changsun Zi asked.

Yu Sheng, a Legalist, gazed at the golden bell outside the window and said calmly, "The Zhongli family has a pact with the Qingyang royal family that female members of the family are not allowed to cultivate. Those who disobey will be considered treason."

The old man standing by the window had snow-white eyebrows and beard, but his eyes were still sharp and bright.

Changsun Zi's eyes showed surprise; she had no idea.

People outside Qingyang Kingdom only know Zhongli Ci's reputation as a military strategist, but they are unaware of the plight of the women of the Zhongli clan.

Under Zhongli Ci's halo, everyone would only think that the women of the Zhongli clan were all noble ladies from aristocratic families, and few could match their family background alone.

People see the nobility of being born into a prestigious family, but they cannot see the threats hidden behind the prosperity.

Yu Shengwang said towards the direction of the palace, "The students of Taiyi will eventually return to their own countries. Perhaps the days they spent studying in Taiyi were the most carefree time of their lives."

Changsun Zi looked out the window with him, her expression hidden behind her veil.

Yu Sheng turned to her and said, "If you want to live in seclusion, you cannot interfere in anything outside of Taiyi."

Changsun Zi said, "Are you referring to my visit to the General's Mansion last night?"

Yu Sheng said calmly, "A single word or action of yours might cause Emperor Qingyang to have other ideas. You should know that emperors are suspicious."

Changsun Zi lowered her long, curled eyelashes and fell silent. After a moment, she asked softly, "Is Zhongli Ci willing to accept this?"

“Of course he’s unwilling,” Yu Sheng said, looking back outside. “That’s why His Majesty Qingyang is afraid now.”

Emperor Qingyang was reprimanding Yu Lansi for colluding with Xuan Kui in the main hall when news arrived that Zhong Lique had been assassinated at Shuiyang Mountain.

The assassination of the general's daughter, which was also related to the rebels in Canhai Prefecture, was undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire for Emperor Qingyang.

All the court officials involved in these two matters were severely reprimanded by Emperor Qingyang, who ordered that Zhongli Que be found immediately and that the rebels in Canhai Prefecture be executed.

Thus, the assassination attempt on Zhongli Que at Shuiyang Mountain was deemed an act of treason by Emperor Qingyang with a single sentence.

The officials from the Censorate rushed to the Military Academy under pressure to assist the other side in investigating the case, determined to resolve it by the end of the day, or else they would lose their heads.

The morning court session had ended, but no one dared to leave the main hall. Emperor Qingyang sat expressionlessly on the dragon throne, coldly watching the ministers below.

Suddenly, an urgent report came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, General Zhongli has returned with the ringleaders of the rebellion in Canhai Prefecture after suppressing the uprising!"

Emperor Qingyang remained expressionless as he listened, but the expressions of his ministers varied.

The crown prince frowned and asked, "Who sent him back?"

The Crown Prince only quieted down after the Right Chancellor coughed softly beside him.

Emperor Qingyang said in a deep voice, "Zhongli Ciping has returned to Canhai Prefecture, which should be a joyous occasion. Why can't I be happy?"

"With such a thing happening at the General's Mansion today, how can I face the victorious General upon his return from the battle!"

He raised his hand and slammed it heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne. A shockwave exploded from above the hall, causing everyone inside to shudder. Those with lower cultivation levels could not withstand the pressure of the shockwave and knelt down on the ground.

No one dared to speak.

Only when news came from outside that Zhongli Que and Gu Jun, who had fallen off the cliff, had been found, did Emperor Qingyang stand up from his chair and ask, "Where is the Great General?"

"The general went straight back to his residence."

Emperor Qingyang coldly said, "Summon him to the palace."

Qingyang Imperial Capital, General's Mansion.

Just past Shenshi (3-5 PM), it was already dark outside, and the gloomy sky made people feel very depressed. The movements of the military stronghold today have once again filled many people with fear.

The general's mansion was guarded inside and out by the Azure Dragon Army. Zhong Li Ci returned to the mansion first to visit his critically ill wife.

Before Zhong Li Ci entered the room, Madam Sun knew nothing. She was sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book, her expression calm and her complexion rosy, not at all like someone who was seriously ill.

Hearing the maid outside call out "General," Madam Sun looked up in surprise.

At this moment, a tall figure emerged from behind the screen. Time had made his once handsome face even more mature and charming. The once spirited young man, arrogant and unrestrained, had somehow become someone who could not show his emotions and whose thoughts were hard to fathom. Even his closest bedmate could not fathom his thoughts.

Madam Sun could not believe her eyes. The man had not had time to change his clothes and was still dressed in black armor. His eyes, beneath his dark eyebrows, were cold and sharp, staring intently at the woman sitting by the bed.

"You... how did you get back?" Madam Sun was a little flustered because it was so sudden. She tried to get out of bed, but Zhong Li Ci gently pressed her shoulder.

"The matter in Canhai Prefecture is over. I will stay in the capital for a while." Zhongli Ci spoke calmly, placing his large, comforting hand on her head and patting it gently, a gesture that filled Madam Sun with a sense of security. "I heard you fell into the water last night, and your health..."

Seeing him frown, Madam Sun quickly explained, "It's just a cold."

She told Zhong Li Ci the truth about his critical illness last night, and Zhong Li Ci was finally relieved.

"Go change your clothes first. I'll send someone to call Que'er over. She asked me the other day when you would be back." Madam Sun smiled and was about to get up when Zhong Li Ci stopped her. He lowered his head slightly, avoiding his wife for a moment, before looking back into her eyes. "Que'er was attacked when she left the city today and has not yet woken up."

Madam Sun was stunned: "What?"

Zhong Li Ci bent down and pulled the person into his arms, offering silent comfort.

Zhong Lique was taken back to the general's mansion, but he was still unconscious.

Su Feng and Gu Jun were unable to enter the mansion with her; one was summoned away by the Golden Armored Army from the palace, and the other was summoned away by Steward Qiu from the Prince's Mansion.

Several doctors who had accompanied the army were treating Zhong Lique in the house. After Zhong Lique's injuries had been properly treated, Zhong Lici brought Lady Sun to see her.

Madam Sun left in a hurry, and went straight to the bedside as soon as she entered the room. Her heart broke when she saw her daughter, who was in a deep sleep, with her brows furrowed. She was about to hold her daughter's hand to comfort her when she discovered that the girl's palm was wrapped in a thick layer of medicine.

Upon learning of Zhong Lique's hand injury, Madam Sun became even more heartbroken.

She was thinking that the child loved painting so much, but would no longer be able to hold a paintbrush for as long as before.

The others in the room wisely left, leaving only Zhongli Ci and Madam Sun.

A moment later, Zhongli Wei’s cautious voice came from outside: “Brother, there’s a letter from the palace asking you to come in.”

Zhong Li Ci said calmly, "Let him wait."

At this point, no one dared to urge Zhongli Ci to go to the palace.

Lady Sun gazed at her daughter's sleeping face, tears streaming down her face. After a moment, she wiped her eyes, turned her back to Zhongli Ci, and said, "Ever since she was punished for picking up an arrow that year, I have been very afraid. Fortunately, we have been safe and sound all these years. I never expected that today would happen... Why did it have to be her hand? Is this fate, or did those people do it on purpose?"

Zhongli Ci stood beside Madam Sun, silently staring at Zhongli Que's injured hand.

Madam Sun said sadly, "I know I am too weak and powerless, so I often remind myself that as long as I don't cause you any trouble, that's enough. But sometimes, shouldn't you tell me what you really think?"

Zhong Li Ci remained silent.

After a long silence, he said to Lady Sun, whose eyes were red from crying, "I should go to the palace now."

Madam Sun sniffed and said, "Go ahead."

She still didn't turn around.

Zhong Li Ci looked at her for a while, then left silently.

Madam Sun turned around and looked at the man who walked to the door. Many times, she could only see the man's back as he walked further and further away, witnessing that his back becoming more and more lonely.

"Be careful," Madam Sun finally couldn't bear it.

Zhong Li Ci responded and walked outside.

Su Feng was forcibly taken back to the Prince's Mansion by Steward Qiu. He remained silent with a cold face in the Lanxiang Courtyard. Steward Qiu and the others did not dare to provoke him and could only wait for Madam Hui to return to resolve the matter.

They waited and waited, but couldn't see a single person.

Su Feng's patience ran out, and he stood up, asking, "When is my mother coming back?"

Steward Qiu replied with a bitter face, "Madam never said that."

Su Feng asked again, "Where did she go?"

Steward Qiu: "I've taken the gifts to see the old lady."

Su Feng walked out expressionlessly: "Then I'll go find my grandmother."

Steward Qiu reminded him, "Second Young Master, you should change your clothes first, so as not to frighten the Old Madam."

Su Feng then looked down at his sleeves, which were stained with Zhong Li Que's blood.

Bright and dazzling colors.

Looking at the bloodstains, Su Feng recalled Yu Sui's words and his eyelids twitched: "You mean Madam Su also went to Grandmother's?"

"Yes, Madam Su will go first, followed by the lady... Oh, Second Young Master!" Before Steward Qiu could finish speaking, Su Feng turned around and used his wind manipulation technique to leave, making it impossible to catch up.

Although the old Nangong residence is also within the Fourth Street of the capital, it is in a very quiet area. The surrounding houses and mansions have all been bought by the Nangong family to prevent noise.

Grandmother Nangong lives a secluded life and has been appearing in public less and less in recent years, so the younger generation has not dared to come and disturb her often.

Madam Su's carriage was parked in front of the old mansion's gate. Even people from the Nangong Prince's Mansion could not enter without being notified.

While waiting, a maidservant approached her and whispered in her ear that Zhong Li Ci had returned. Madam Su's eyelids twitched, and her anxiety intensified.

Why did Zhong Li Ci return at this time?

Having followed Nangong Ming for so long, she had come to know Zhongli Ci quite well. That man was indeed very strong, decisive and invincible on the battlefield.

Nangong Ming had also told her that Zhongli Ci's thoughts had become increasingly difficult to fathom over the years.

He hides his emotions too deeply. You can't be sure whether he will prioritize his family and ignore the situation or retaliate in anger when his wife and daughters are hurt.

If Zhongli Ci really rebels, it will be a great threat to Qingyang.

Emperor Qingyang must be prepared to quickly suppress Zhongli Ci's rebellion. If Qingyang is plunged into internal strife, and for a long time at that, it will be detrimental to Nangong Ming's plans.

Perhaps what has trapped Zhongli Ci all these years is Qingyang, not the Zhongli family.

As Madam Su pondered the current situation, a maid came out of the old house and said, "Madam, please come in."

Madam Su stepped down from the carriage and followed her maid inside.

Taiyi.

Yu Sui stayed in her dormitory; she didn't plan to go anywhere else today.

Mei Liangyu brought her lunch right on time after he left in the morning. Yu Sui wasn't in the mood to eat, but she didn't stop him.

"Do you want to say something?" Mei Liangyu sat opposite her, playing with the wind-listening ruler and replying to other people's messages.

Upon hearing this, Yu Sui sat up slightly and looked at Mei Liangyu.

Mei Liangyu didn't even look up, and said in a lazy tone, "I think you're having too much trouble keeping it all to yourself. If you need me, I can listen and then forget about it."

Yu Sui rolled her eyes: "Senior brother."

Mei Liangyu said, "I can also give you some advice."

Yu Sui pursed her lips, and had to admit to herself that she had indeed felt the urge to confide in someone.

For the first time in over ten years, I wanted to say something to someone.

In the past, she could only talk to herself in her heart, or have a crazy conversation with the strange fire.

Yu Sui stared intently at Mei Liangyu: "Senior brother, I can let you know about my family in advance."

Upon hearing this, Mei Liangyu chuckled and placed the Wind-Listening Ruler on the table, indicating that she was listening attentively and that he could speak freely.

“When I was little, I would only go to the old house to see my grandmother on New Year’s Eve. After the appointed time, I would leave the old house with my father and the others and go back to the Prince’s Mansion. I would not stay overnight at the old house.” Yu Sui gently stroked the cold surface of the ruler with her fingers and recalled, “My grandmother treated the children of the Nangong family equally and did not show any particular favoritism to any of them, because she did not seem to care much about her own children.”

Mei Liangyu asked, "Your father?"

Yu Sui said, "My grandmother was not my father's biological mother, but she raised him from a young age."

Mei Liangyu looked slightly enlightened.

“My grandmother doesn’t go out often. She spends most of her time in the old house. Even when we want to see her at the old house, we have to get her permission to enter the gate.”

Yu Sui said leisurely, "If she hadn't been injured, she probably would have come out for walks quite often."

Mei Liangyu: "Who is so bold and reckless as to dare to lay a hand on the grandmother of the Nangong family?"

Yu Sui shrugged and said, "I don't know about that. I only know that my grandmother's spirit was injured and she needs a long period of rest."

Mei Liangyu pondered: "Isn't Grandmother Nangong a thirteenth-level master of the Ghost Daoist school? The Ghost Daoist school values ​​the soul very highly. The probability that it was a Ghost Daoist sorcerer who could seriously injure her soul is very high."

"Senior brother, let me tell you a secret. My grandmother is not a thirteenth-realm master, but a saint of the Ghost Dao family." Yu Sui said with a half-smile. "Because she was injured, my grandmother also needs the Breath Soil to heal her. And by needing the Breath Soil to heal her, we can find out that the one who seriously injured her was a farmer sorcerer."

Mei Liangyu's eyes showed surprise, and Yu Sui added casually, "When we were little, the adults didn't avoid suspicion, so I ended up hearing these secrets."

However, Mei Liangyu could never have imagined that the "childhood" Yu Sui mentioned was when she was one or two years old.

This is what Yu Sui heard from Nangong Ming. When Madam Su tested the old lady's cultivation level with Nangong Ming, Nangong Ming did not give an answer, so Madam Su did not know these things.

Lady Su was unaware that her grandmother, Nangong, had already broken through to become a saint, that her grandmother needed the Breath Soil to heal her injuries, and that her grandmother disliked the agricultural sorcerers.

Nangong Ming's decision not to let her know was, in a way, a form of protection.

Protect Mrs. Su from being foolish enough to make a move on the old lady.

Now that the land has been split in two and may never be able to reunite, there is no hope of healing for Grandmother Nangong's injury.

Whenever she sees Madam Su, she will be reminded of the Breath of Earth and her own injuries, and she will probably feel terrible.

Mei Liangyu pondered and said, "Since your grandmother treats all the children of the Nangong family equally, if Madam Su goes to beg her now, perhaps she will spare Qingkui from dying outside because she is a child of the Nangong family?"

“I bet Grandmother knew about Qingkui’s existence from the beginning,” Yu Sui said. “I had someone deliver a message to her, telling her that Qingkui’s identity had already been exposed in Taiyi, so it would be pointless for her to interfere.”

Grandmother Nangong might help prevent Qingkui from dying in Chongtai Third Prison, but she won't intervene to restore Qingkui's identity and allow her to return to the Nangong family. This is the decision Nangong Ming should make.

Yu Sui's intention in doing this was simply to make Madam Su suffer at the hands of Grandmother Nangong, making her even more anxious and heartbroken.

"Furthermore, if Zhongli Ci hadn't returned to the capital, perhaps my grandmother would have softened and helped my mother out of her pleading. But now that Zhongli Ci is back, she won't cause trouble for the Nangong family first. If Qingkui wants to get out of Chongtai Three Prisons, she can only wait for my father to return."

Mei Liangyu understood; she wanted Nangong Ming to take action personally.

Yu Sui casually fiddled with the Wind-Listening Ruler and said, "Back then, I was personally brought back from the top of Luoshan by my father, so of course my elder sister should also have him personally bring her back."

There was one more thing she didn't say.

Grandmother Nangong's refusal will make Madam Su extremely anxious.

Out of love for her daughter, she would reveal Chu Jin's identity herself, so that the three prisons of Chongtai would not dare to harm Chu Jin.

When Nangong Ming returns, he will have no choice but to take his daughter back.

Yu Sui had a slight smile on her lips, but there was a hint of regret in her eyes.

It's a pity we couldn't see the family of three reunited.

The old house in Nangong.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a wall covered in wisteria blossoms, and a path paved with bluestone. The old house has few tall buildings, but many ancient trees reach for the sky, casting large shadows on the ground and giving the house a rather gloomy atmosphere.

Led by her maid, Madam Su walked deeper into the old house. Behind the green wall was the old lady's residence.

A huge wisteria tree grows nearby, its vines reaching up to the green wall and roof, and it looks like it has already encircled the green wall twice, it is very lush.

The room was filled with a strong medicinal aroma, which was initially astringent but could be detected as a hint of sweetness after a while, and was refreshing and invigorating.

Madam Su stopped at the door but did not go in.

She looked up into the room and saw a wisteria screen, an exquisite screen embroidered on both sides. From Madam Su's side, she could see the flowers in full bloom, while from the inner room, she could see the wisteria buds just beginning to open.

Through the gauze screen, Madam Su could only see a blurry figure sitting in a high position behind her.

Grandmother Nangong's slightly hoarse and indifferent voice came through: "What is it?"

Madam Su immediately knelt down and said, "I beg you, Madam, to save someone."

The person behind the screen remained motionless, only slightly raising their eyelids to look in the direction of Madam Su, their dark eyes revealing neither joy nor anger.

“Back then, on the summit of Mount Luo, I was bewitched and sent Kui’er away, claiming to the outside world that she died at the hands of the Rakshasa sorcerers who were chasing her.” Madam Su’s voice trembled slightly. “But she did not die. She has been raised by the Prince all these years and only came to the capital this year, using the alias Chu Jin.”

Grandmother Nangong merely moved her eyes, and the maidservant waiting beside her understood and stepped forward to whisper, "Today, Physician Chu attempted to assassinate Miss Zhongli at Shuiyang Mountain under the guise of the Canhai Prefecture rebels, causing Miss Zhongli to fall off a cliff. The Qinglong Army went out of the city to search and, while capturing the Canhai Prefecture rebels, also exposed Physician Chu, who has now been captured by the Second Prince and imprisoned in Chongtai Third Prison."

The maid's voice wasn't loud, but everyone inside and outside the room could hear it clearly.

When Madam Su realized that Grandmother Nangong already knew about Chu Jin's whereabouts, her heart trembled, and she realized that the old lady had always known about her eldest daughter's existence.

The grandmother's indifferent voice came: "This child is a bit reckless to use the rebels to assassinate the young lady of the general's mansion."

Madam Su lowered her head and said, "Old Madam, no matter how reckless she is, she is still the Prince's child."

A maidservant walked in from outside, stood at the door, bowed, and said softly, "Lady Hui requests an audience."

Grandmother Nangong replied to Madam Su, "Since he is the prince's child, let's wait until the prince returns before making any decisions."

Madam Su looked up in surprise: "Old Madam?"

Grandmother Nangong: "See the guest out."

"Madam, please." The maid turned to Madam Su and said.

Grandmother Nangong said calmly, "Let Madam Hui in."

Madam Su knelt on the ground in disbelief: "Madam! She is now imprisoned in the Third Prison of Chongtai, and is also accused of assassination by the rebels. If she is inside..."

“Until the Prince returns to the capital and personally acknowledges it, you only have one daughter, Princess Nangong, who is far away in Taiyi.” Grandmother Nangong’s voice remained cold, yet carried an undeniable sense of pressure. “The Nangong family will not take risks for an outsider.”

Madam Su's face paled. She hadn't expected that Grandmother Nangong would refuse to save Chu Jin even after knowing his identity.

An outsider? How could she be an outsider!

A maid stepped forward and whispered to Madam Su, "Madam, you should go back first. The Prince will be back as early as tonight."

Tonight? There are still several hours until tonight! Who knows if Zhongli Ci will immediately rush to Chongtai Third Prison to torture Kui'er!

Madam Su gritted her teeth and got up from the ground. She said to Grandmother Nangong, "The Nangong family will not take risks for outsiders, but she is my daughter. I will not let her die in Chongtai Third Prison."

She turned and left.

Grandmother Nangong closed her eyes indifferently, already guessing what she was going to do next.

When Madam Su left, she saw Madam Hui on the road. Madam Hui was about to ask her a few questions when she saw that Madam Hui looked pale and walked past without even glancing at her.

Lady Hui was puzzled and asked her maid, "What's wrong with her? Did the old lady scold her?"

The maid gently shook her head and smiled, "Please hurry over, the old lady is waiting."

[Author's Note]

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!