Jing Xi concealed herself in the darkness and quickly made her way towards the palace. She was on high alert the whole way, because the closer she got to the palace, the more guards there were, both in the open and in the shadows. She had to be careful with every step she took.
By the time Jing Xi successfully entered the palace, the moon was already high in the sky. She hid in a tree in the palace and cautiously surveyed her surroundings. The palace was very large, and if she searched through each room one by one, she didn't know when she would find it.
Just as Jing Xi was feeling troubled, a noise suddenly came from under the tree. Two palace maids were passing by, and one of them whispered, "Do you know the Moon Lin Palace in the east? Strange screams come from there every night, it's really creepy. Don't you think there might be..."
Before the palace maid could finish speaking, another palace maid hurriedly interrupted her, "Stop talking! It's so late at night, it's too creepy. I have to go there to work tomorrow, what am I going to do?"
"Then you should be careful, I heard..."
The two palace maids walked further and further away, and their voices slowly faded into the wind.
Jing Xi jumped down from the tree, glanced thoughtfully to the east, and then disappeared into the darkness.
There's something strange going on to the east. She'll go check it out first. Playing tricks is interesting. She doesn't believe in ghosts or gods. After all, what's more terrifying than ghosts and gods is the human heart.
Jing Xi quickly arrived outside the Moonlin Palace. She discovered that the number of guards here was twice that of other palaces, suggesting that there must be some secret hidden here.
She had to find a way to get inside and take a look. Then, Jingxi noticed a rockery in the corner of the wall on the right. Taking advantage of the moment when the patrolling guards passed by, she jumped directly into the rockery.
——
Inside the Moon Kirin Palace.
Jiang Bai was tied to a cross, his body already covered in wounds. He looked at the people in front of him with a mocking expression, determined to defy their wishes.
The old emperor, who was at the head of the group, looked coldly at Jiang Bai, who was tied to the cross. Beside the old emperor was He Ran, who was Cang Ling, who had threatened Jiang Bai in the Northwest. Now, he was holding a whip, and blood was still dripping from the whip. Obviously, it was Jiang Bai's blood.
Cang Ling walked up to Jiang Bai with a smile, and advised him with a bloodthirsty and vain tone: "Jiang Bai, just agree to His Majesty's request and obediently hand over all of the Jiang family's assets to His Majesty. Maybe then you can save your worthless life."
Jiang Bai spat out a mouthful of blood onto Cang Ling's face, gritting his teeth as he said, "I will never hand over the Jiang family." Then, he turned his gaze to the old emperor and angrily rebuked him, "If a dignified ruler of a country resorts to banditry to seize the wealth of others, what difference is there between him and a bandit?"
The old emperor scoffed and said, "Rob? Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king. Everything in this Yin Kingdom is mine, why bother robbing? If you obediently hand over the Jiang family's assets to me, I will certainly treat you well."
Jiang Bai was amused by the old emperor's shameless words. He realized that those in power could be so shameless. They wanted to take everything from others with nothing, yet they would tell him from their high position that it was an honor to have your things taken, and that he should be grateful and give them everything he had.
Jiang Bai gave a mocking laugh and said, "But I remember that the emperor who is currently in charge of the court is not you, but your eldest prince."
"presumptuous."
*Snap*
The old emperor stepped forward and slapped Jiang Bai hard across the face. Jiang Bai's face quickly swelled up, which showed how much force the old emperor used and how angry he was.
After all, he was forced to abdicate by his own son, a disgrace he would never forget.
The old emperor was somewhat taken aback by Jiang Bai's words. After all, he had been high above the world for so many years and had never been so humiliated. Now, he was being mocked by a mere brat, which was why he was so angry.
Blood trickled from the corner of Jiang Bai's mouth. He licked his lips with a smile. Now, he was too lazy to maintain his gentle and refined image. Although he was a prisoner, he still looked on with amusement at the old emperor's livid expression.
Because he knew that the other party could not possibly kill him.
On one hand, it's because he possesses what they desire, such as the Jiang family's assets. On the other hand, Jiang Bai, looking at the old emperor whose chest heaved with anger, felt another reason lay with him.
The old emperor waved his hand, signaling Cang Ling to leave. Cang Ling clasped his hands in a fist salute, put down his whip, and obediently left. Only Jiang Bai and the old emperor remained in the room.
Silence fell over the room as the two faced each other in silence, neither speaking first.
Seeing Jiang Bai's stubborn expression, the old emperor had no choice but to play the emotional card, hypocritically asking, "You've been in the Jiang family for so many years, how has Jiang Yan treated you?"
The old emperor thought to himself, if Jiang Yan hadn't been in Jiangnan, he wouldn't have had the chance to capture Jiang Bai. After all, Jiang Yan was much more obedient than the boy in front of him.
Young people can be so tough and stubborn.
Jiang Bai answered without hesitation, "My father is naturally very good to me."
Since he arrived at the Jiang family, his parents have treated him extremely well. Although they are not his biological father, they treat him better than his own. In Jiang Bai's heart, he has long regarded Jiang Yan as his biological father.
The old emperor retorted, "Jiang Bai, you are my son, not Jiang Yan's son. Don't forget your roots."
Jiang Bai was stunned for a moment. He looked at the old emperor in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. In the past, he had always had doubts about his identity, but he didn't dare to ask for confirmation.
Over the years, he had some idea of his identity, but now that it had been laid bare, he found it hard to accept.
Since he was adopted by Jiang Yan, Cang Ling, as his contact, had been coming to give him the antidote every month. He had been poisoned and needed the antidote monthly. Each time, Cang Ling came to see him under the guise of Prince An, but he hadn't heard Prince An summons while he was in the Northwest, which was clearly unusual. If Prince An knew that his man was planted in the enemy's camp, he would definitely want to see him.
But he didn't receive any summons. Moreover, over the years, the person he contacted had only seen Cang Ling. He had also heard other people who worked with him mention Prince An, but he had never actually seen Prince An. So, over the years, the military funds he was supposed to give to Prince An had been supplied to unknown people.
Every time Cang Ling saw him, she would subconsciously say a few words about the emperor or the court. It was astonishing how powerful Prince An's henchmen were, knowing so much about what was happening in the court.
Therefore, Jiang Bai guessed that his identity was not simple and that his biological parents might have a high status in the court. However, he never expected that his father was actually the former king of the country.
Jiang Bai looked at the old emperor in front of him. It seemed that the military expenses he had been supplying to Prince An, whom Cang Ling had mentioned, had all gone into the old emperor's pocket.
Jiang Bai said directly, "How did you convince Cang Ling to serve you? Or is Cang Ling one of your men, and the military funds I've given to Cang Ling over the years were taken by you?"
When Jiang Bai said this, it was a statement of fact, not a question.
The old emperor simply stopped pretending and admitted directly, "That's right, you are very smart. Cang Ling is my first chief of secret guards."
So that's how it is; Jiang Bai got the answer he expected.
"Then why did you use Prince An to send me a message, making me mistakenly believe that I have been working for Prince An all along?" Jiang Bai asked directly, voicing his doubts. There must be a bigger conspiracy behind this.
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