The first day passed uneventfully. Di Jingyuan's condition remained relatively stable. There was no unusual activity from Cai Ning's side either; no one came looking for her.
Cheng Er led his men to sneak into the Jokhang Temple in the middle of the night. As soon as they entered the temple, they sensed an unusual atmosphere.
Liu Xinqi's room was brightly lit, and he sat calmly at a low table, sipping tea. Cheng Er and the others surrounded the room, all dressed in black.
Cheng Er pushed open the door, and the night wind rushed in, causing his robes to sway and adding to his cold and austere air. Liu Xinqi's flowing hair brushed against his moon-white brocade robe, and his hawk-like eyes smiled as he looked at Cheng Er at the door: "Would you like to sit down and have a cup of tea, sir?"
Cheng Er watched as Liu Xinqi skillfully brewed tea, showing no sign of panic, his eyes deep and unfathomable, remaining silent. What exactly was Liu Xinqi up to?
"What, you're afraid to drink? That's understandable." Liu Xinqi smiled, tilted his head back and drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, then stood up.
"Take them down." At Cheng Er's command, the guards behind him moved in.
Liu Xinqi's eyes flickered slightly, and from a hidden corner, someone appeared and began fighting with Cheng Er and the others.
"Hand over the antidote." Cheng Er held a knife to Liu Xinqi's neck and said coldly.
“Okay, but I have a condition.” Liu Xinqi didn’t make a move; he just wanted to see Di Jingcheng.
Cheng Er narrowed his eyes slightly: "Go see my master first." He stepped forward and easily restrained Liu Xinqi, then flew away with his men. The remaining guards subdued Liu Xinqi's men; the battle seemed to have ended far too easily.
Liu Xinqi finally met Emperor Jingcheng. In the Qianyuan Hall, Emperor Jingcheng looked at Liu Xinqi, who had been brought back by Cheng Er, with a blank expression.
"Speak, what will it take for you to hand over the antidote?" Di Jingcheng didn't want to waste words with him.
"The antidote certainly exists, but I have conditions." Liu Xinqi seemed fearless.
Tell me about it.
"There's a palace maid named Cai Ning in the laundry department; I want to take her with me."
Emperor Jingcheng was puzzled. When did Liu Xinqi fall in love with a palace maid? It was impossible for Cai Ning to be a spy sent by Bei Xiang, as his background had been thoroughly investigated. If the two had developed feelings for each other, could it be that they were involved when Consort Wu hired an assassin? Strange, very strange.
If that's the case, then how did Cai Ning and Li Li meet?
"Give me a reason. You can't say that the Emperor of Beixiang is secretly having an affair with a maid in our palace and has developed feelings for her."
"That's right. During my previous diplomatic mission, I met that palace maid by chance at the Xijing Palace and fell in love with her at first sight. I wonder if Your Majesty Xijing would be so kind as to grant my wish?"
Di Jingcheng almost laughed. Why could this man so brazenly make demands of him, as if nothing had happened? Was he truly unafraid of death? Was he so certain that Di Jingcheng would be kind-hearted? Or was he just a fool?
"Do you think you can get out of my palace once you've entered it?" Emperor Jingcheng sneered, this man was simply overestimating himself.
“I didn’t intend to leave smoothly either, but Prince Yuan’s life seems to be in imminent danger. Your Majesty Xijing, are you really willing to sacrifice your beloved Empress, especially since she is pregnant!” Liu Xinqi went straight for the heart of the matter.
"What a joke! Sacrificing a Prince Yuan to take over Beixiang effortlessly? I would only think it's too good to be true."
"So His Majesty Xijing is refusing? Then the antidote..."
"I know you won't hand over the antidote easily. Cheng Er, bring the person up!" Emperor Jingcheng said coldly.
A moment later, Cai Ning was thrown in. She was just about to go to sleep when she was captured by the guards. She felt like the unluckiest transmigrator in history.
"Ouch, can't you be gentler?" Cai Ning got up from the ground, but Liu Xinqi didn't even come forward to help her.
She stood up, sensing the unusual atmosphere, and couldn't help but shiver. The first person she saw was Liu Xinqi, whom she knew well, followed by the emperor, who made her feel quite pressured.
"This servant greets Your Majesty!" She bowed respectfully, knowing that she was now a palace maid named Cai Ning, not Mu Wanyu.
The next second, Cheng Er pulled a sharp dagger from his sleeve, the tip of which was pressed against Cai Ning's carotid artery, and her breath caught in her throat.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!"
Di Jingcheng found it rather strange. Liu Xinqi had just seemed so affectionate, so why was he so calm now?
"I am not so foolish as to think you would enter this palace alone. Speak, what is your true purpose?"
Liu Xinqi glanced at Cai Ning. He still couldn't be 100% sure if this person was Mu Wanyu or someone planted by Di Jingcheng to confuse the issue.
"The million-strong armies of Beixiang and Dongyang are pressing in, and Yang Mingyue has already sent men to surround your palace. I think it's time for you to beg me." Liu Xinqi's tone was full of confidence. Although he had previously looked down on Yang Mingyue, he had no other choice but to continue cooperating with him.
Since the battle of Nanling, the two have been secretly plotting to take over Xijing. Coincidentally, Emperor Jingcheng has been away from the palace for half a year, spending all his time chasing after a woman.
Therefore, although the assassins sent by Liu Xinqi did not play a significant role, they did manage to distract Emperor Jingcheng.
Now that everything is ready, although Yang Mingyue and Liu Xinqi are in Xijing capital, a million troops from both countries launched an attack on the Xijing border as early as yesterday.
Therefore, this is why Liu Xinqi dared to enter the palace alone today.
"Liu Xinqi, you don't think I dare not kill you, do you?" Di Jingcheng was not as flustered as Liu Xinqi had expected. He looked up at him with a calm expression that made Liu Xinqi uneasy.
Even Cai Ning found these two incredibly capable; no wonder they were both destined to be emperors! But right now, she didn't want to die! She just wanted to live!
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