Chapter 124

"What deal?" the man asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Didn't Your Majesty want a fortune teller? I regret my decision and am willing to be your fortune teller. I am confident that I can refute Your Majesty's 'rumors'."

She deliberately spread rumors about Tan Muhe, making it clear that she was willing to stand on his side.

The Southern Emperor was moved, but worried that this woman might be up to something. "Why should I trust you?"

"Just as I can tell you, Chen Xiangbu has made many deals with Prince Qi. There is a secret room in his study containing account books of their transactions. Your Majesty only needs to bring these out and then pin the matter of the Imperial Temple on Prince Qi. Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?" she laughed. "In this way, the Third Prince's plan will have an even better reason."

The Southern Emperor's eyes flickered slightly; he hadn't expected her to be able to foresee this.

It turned out that when he interrogated Zhou Junsong that day, Zhou Junsong cleverly extricated himself from the situation, saying that not only was the King of Qin planning a rebellion, but Qi Gu had also been preparing to launch one for a long time, and he was just someone caught in the middle, forced to act as an accomplice.

"However, I have a way to kill two birds with one stone."

The Third Prince proposed that Qi Gu and Zhou Yanqing face off. King Qi had long coveted the Qin territory, and if they could be pitted against each other, it would be a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, while the fisherman benefits.

However, Qi Gu had always wanted to be the one to benefit, and he couldn't rashly join in. Just like now, the King of Qi completely disregarded the fate of Nandu.

Si Yanmo did provide a good reason.

"It all depends on whether His Majesty wants an obedient King of Qin or a traitor."

The Southern Emperor pondered for a moment, then said, "I think you just want me to shift my attention to Qi Valley."

“Your Majesty is right, but this way I am your hostage, and you can also transfer this ‘rumor’ to Qi Valley. We both benefit, isn’t that good?” Si Yanmo put on a weak appearance. “Your Majesty should know that I was first the Princess Consort of Qin, and then the Mo Wubu. What I want is not high office and wealth, but my husband’s safety. Similarly, I believe that my husband also wants these things.”

The Southern Emperor believed this. Everyone could see how much Zhou Yanqing cherished Si Yanmo, and having her as a hostage would indeed make things much safer.

As long as Zhou Yanqing is willing to denounce Qi Gu, and the two sides clash, whether he lives or dies afterward is none of his business.

After pondering for a long time, the Southern Emperor felt that although this move was somewhat risky, if it succeeded, it could completely turn the cash situation around, making it a worthwhile gamble.

He agreed to Si Yanmo's suggestion and released her from the prison, but to prevent her from escaping, he also assigned Zhou Junsong to watch over her.

He said with a kind face, "I was afraid that other people would feel uncomfortable if they came, so I specially invited the Third Prince and the Third Prince's wife to come."

Si Yanmo gave a slight smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He was incredibly thoughtful.

However, now that they're out, their chances of escaping are much greater than if they were still locked up in that prison.

The sun is shining brightly today, warm and pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.

Si Yanmo sat down next to her sister and teased her little nephew, saying, "You're growing up pretty fast."

Seeing her calm and composed demeanor, Si Yunyun couldn't help but feel a little guilty. "Mo'er, I..."

“Sister, you don’t need to say it, I know everything.” She raised her hand to interrupt her sister.

So what if he just lied to Zhou Yanqing?

It's just a means of self-preservation.

If it were her, she might also lie to Zhou Junsong to protect Zhou Yanqing. They were never really on the same path to begin with, and now that disaster is upon them, they will naturally go their separate ways.

Hearing her say that, Si Yunyun felt even worse. "But Mo'er has already persuaded His Majesty, and everything will be alright soon."

"Will everything really be alright?" She looked at her sister, her eyes slightly red. "He had Consort Qin drug Zhou Yanqing. So many days have passed, perhaps it has already succeeded. Did you really think I had come up with a foolproof plan? I just wanted to escape while there was still no news."

“But you can’t leave now.” Si Yunyun sighed, she had no other choice. “His Majesty will not let you go, and my husband… he will not let you leave either.”

Si Yunyun felt utterly exhausted, realizing that marrying into the royal family was such a tiring experience.

She had read those plays before and knew the saying that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

But they never imagined that one day they would have to kill each other.

She and Si Yanmo were siblings born on the same day, and had taken care of each other for over a decade. Now, however, because they married different people and were driven by different interests, they seem like strangers.

She had no idea how long it had been since she and her sister had slept in the same bed and had a heart-to-heart talk.

Si Yanmo caught the hesitation in her eyes and grasped her hand. "Sister, do you think I escaped to help him rebel? I'm just worried. I don't know how he is, whether he's still alive. I just want to find him, I want to see him. If it were the Third Prince whose fate was unknown, could you remain calm?"

Her words were filled with anguish, and by the end, her voice was trembling with tears, which moved Si Yunyun deeply.

"I know, but there's nothing I can do right now."

“No, you can do it.” Si Yanmo leaned closer to her and whispered a few words in her ear, “This method will not involve my sister and brother-in-law. I just want to find Zhou Yanqing. I want to see him safe and sound with my own eyes.”

Si Yunyun was eventually persuaded, and that night she brought two bottles of good wine and pulled Zhou Junsong aside, saying she wanted to have dinner together. Si Yanmo was also there.

Zhou Junsong glanced at the wine jar and immediately became suspicious. "Is Auntie up to something again?"

"Brother-in-law, you're overthinking it. It's just a meal." She smiled and set out the bowls and chopsticks. "I also have some questions for you, brother-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Junsong finally sat down.

"Just say what you have to say."

Si Yunyun also sat up and poured a glass of wine for each of them, saying, "Let's eat and talk, there's no need to be so formal among family."

Watching his wife carefully maintain the relationship between the group, Zhou Junsong had for the first time wondered if he was being too selfish. He took Si Yunyun's hand and whispered, "Okay."

Si Yunyun was both surprised and delighted by his sudden action.

He usually acts like that, but when other things get involved, he focuses all his attention on them, and she is always secondary.

This is the first time that he has been willing to comfort himself, even though he is already besieged on all sides.

Si Yunyun felt a warmth in her heart and grasped his hand in return.

Si Yanmo was shocked by the two's actions, but she couldn't help but worry even more about Zhou Yanqing.

Perhaps Zhou Junsong's life in this life is indeed somewhat different from her previous life, but she doesn't care. She just wants to know how Zhou Yanqing is doing.

The group ate, drank, and chatted, and Si Yanmo finally found the time to ask Zhou Junsong for his thoughts.

This man was always unpredictable to her; he would stand here one moment and there the next, making him impossible to believe.

"What exactly was the reason for the deaths of Zhou Changning and Consort Zhen that day, Your Highness?" It seemed like he was helping her, but it didn't seem that simple.

Zhou Junsong countered, "I thought Auntie would know. Didn't you want to report the prophesied person to Father? I know, it was me."

Si Yanmo frowned. When she talked to the Southern Emperor about it, it was only a short while ago. It was impossible for him to have arranged everything in such a short time.

"You knew what I was going to say all along?"

Zhou Junsong tilted his head slightly in response, "Otherwise what? You're not really going to stay, are you? If you really are going to stay, then she deserves to die even more."

He couldn't possibly let her side with the Southern Emperor.

"It's a pity that even with all his scheming, His Highness didn't anticipate this."

Si Yanmo lowered her head and ate her food, her tone not sarcastic, but rather one of regret.

After chatting for a few more minutes, the effects of the medicine soon took hold, and Zhou Junsong fainted in a daze.

Si Yunyun quickly changed her into a palace maid's clothes and led her out through the back door.

The two went around through a small gate in the courtyard and saw a narrow palace path, which was usually a path for transporting vegetables to the imperial kitchen.

"Take this." Si Yunyun handed her a palace talisman. "Go straight here. There are only two guards at the entrance of this shop. Just show this to them and you can leave the palace."

Si Yanmo nodded and hugged her sister tightly, saying, "Sister, take care."

"Okay, let's go." Si Yunyun waved to her.

By the moonlight, the two sisters took one last look at each other. Si Yanmo turned around, preparing to leave.

Just then, a familiar soft cough came from behind. "Where are you going?"

Si Yunyun turned around abruptly and saw a moon-white figure standing at the small door.

In the pitch-black night, his expression was obscured; only the moonlight revealed his slightly upturned lips.

Si Yanmo thought to herself that something was wrong and wanted to leave quickly, but two guards appeared in front of her. When she came to her senses, there were two more guards.

They were attacked from both sides, and their paths in and out were blocked.

She cleared it out; forcing her way in was no longer an option.

She could only look at Zhou Junsong, praying that he still had a shred of reason left.

"What Your Highness wants is not to be an obedient prince." Her voice was not loud, but it was enough for the people present to hear clearly.

Zhou Junsong naturally understood what the woman meant, and didn't hide anything from her. "Auntie should also know that I can only be an obedient prince now."

"No."

Si Yanmo simply walked closer to him, but the two guards in front of her, fearing what she might do, drew their swords to stop her from advancing.

"Let her come over." He really wanted to hear what shocking things this woman would say next.

Upon receiving the order, the guards sheathed their swords and each took a step back, making way for her.

Si Yanmo walked up to him. Although she was half a head shorter than him, her imposing manner did not diminish when their eyes met.

"You're not without a choice, you're just used to doing things in secret, used to being a coward."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Junsong's usually calm eyes flashed with anger, but he still tried to remain composed. He forced a smile, but found that he couldn't manage it, and said coldly, "Does Auntie think she's some kind of reckless hero?"

“I’m not either.” Si Yanmo shook her head. “But at least I know what I want to do and what I don’t want to do. I, Si Yanmo, will never be a coward who clings to life.”