Chapter 89 In the end, she was still... in his eyes.
Wei Qin brought the "immortal peach" back to the palace. Before he even entered the sleeping quarters, he heard Emperor Shunren's impatient voice.
"Have you found it? Bring it to me immediately! Hurry!"
It was hard to tell whether the emperor was delirious or simply yearning for something he truly desired.
Wei Qin lifted the curtain and entered the inner chamber, holding a wooden box in one hand. He watched indifferently as Emperor Shunren ran barefoot off the dragon bed and rushed towards him with disheveled hair.
"Xiantao! Duzi, give it to me quickly!"
Wei Qin turned around on the spot, avoiding his father's menacing expression, and said, "Sit back down."
"You unfilial son, how dare you order me around!"
"Don't you want it anymore?"
Emperor Shunren, still fuming, sat back on his dragon bed, his eyes fixed on the mahogany box. It was obvious who had the upper hand in the power struggle between father and son.
Wei Qin opened the wooden box, took out the "immortal peach," and displayed it in front of him.
Emperor Shunren was greatly disappointed. "This is a fairy peach?"
"otherwise?"
"Don't try to fool me!" His hopes dashed, Emperor Shunren flew into a rage. "You unfilial son, how dare you mock me!!"
A fairy peach should be plump and round!
Wei Qin remained calm and composed, "Has Father Emperor ever seen the Immortal Peach? Or has any master sorcerer seen its true form?"
The Emperor Shunren, whom he had seen in his dream, choked, his anger turning to suspicion, his gaze fixed intently on the fruit in Wei Qin's hand. This brat had indeed led the officials of the Directorate of Ceremonial to search for it, making a huge fuss.
Wei Qin was certain that the emperor was lucid at this moment, but what good was lucidity? He was confusing reality with dreams and was not far from going mad. In addition, he had been taking longevity pills and hypnotic pills from sorcerers for a long time. According to the imperial physicians, his internal organs were damaged and he could die at any time.
Wei Qin felt no sympathy for him whatsoever, nor would he offer any sympathy.
He reaps what he sows.
"Does Father want it?"
"Give it to me."
"You believe me?"
In despair, Emperor Shunren preferred to believe in its existence. He wanted to restore peace, achieve immortality, and seize power. This "immortal peach" became his lifeline. He slowly got up and reached out his hand towards the "immortal peach," saying, "Give it to me, give it to me quickly."
But Wei Qin, right in front of him, imitated Jiang Yinyue, that little rascal, and ate it with a smile.
Giving hope only to extinguish it with your own hands is undoubtedly the cruelest thing to do.
Emperor Shunren's cheekbones trembled, his eyes widened in fury, and he roared as he lunged at the rebellious son in his eyes, but he was no match for him and was grabbed by the shoulders and pressed back onto the dragon bed by the rebellious son.
Wei Qin turned and left, his sleeves fluttering, revealing his cold-heartedness.
"Treason, come back, Trick! Ahhh!!"
Emperor Shunren lay curled up on the dragon bed, sobbing, large tears falling from his eyes.
What a tragic fate!
Cui Yinghan, your good son has come to report to the Emperor on your behalf.
Just as Emperor Shunren was in a sorry state, Empress Dong, led by a palace maid, entered the inner chamber and brushed past Wei Qin.
There wasn't even a word of greeting between the Empress and the prince.
"Your Majesty, I request..."
"Get out!"
Empress Dong held a list of candidates in her hand. She had originally come to report to the Emperor on the selection of concubines for the Crown Prince, but was embarrassed by the Emperor's angry outburst. She turned around and dismissed the palace servants, saying, "The selection of concubines for the Crown Prince is an important matter, and I must report it to Your Majesty."
With no outsiders in the inner chamber, Emperor Shunren grabbed a jade ruyi from his dragon bed and smashed it over the bed to vent his anger.
It struck Empress Dong's forehead squarely.
The Empress, with her delicate skin, had blood seeping from her forehead.
She closed her eyes, gripped the register tightly, and said in a cold tone, "The eldest prince has returned, harboring wolfish ambitions and threatening His Majesty's throne. His Majesty still needs to rely on the crown prince. Shouldn't you show some respect to the crown prince's mother?"
The tone was as if he were interrogating a prisoner.
Emperor Shunren, now a caged bird, gritted his teeth and said, "What are you so smug about? If I hadn't favored my concubines over my wife, would you have your current position?"
As if someone had stabbed her in the heart, the pain was excruciating. Empress Dong put down the register, slowly walked towards the dragon bed, and looked down at him with a smile: "The one who favors concubines over wives is now blaming concubines? It was Your Majesty who was blinded by lust and pursued immortality, and was superstitious about the eldest son being born on an unlucky day, which is why you broke the rules for establishing an heir. How come in the end, it's all someone else's fault?"
"Shut up!!"
"To drive one's wife to her death and then put on a sanctimonious act, I find it disgusting."
"You wretch, I tell you to shut up!"
Unable to bear the provocation, Emperor Shunren lunged forward, grabbing Empress Dong by the neck and tightening his grip. "It was you who bribed the palace maids to cause Cui Yinghan to give birth prematurely! It was you!"
"I don't......"
Empress Dong, struggling to breathe, stepped back, her face flushed, and tried to call for help from the palace servants outside the hall, but she couldn't utter a sound.
Emperor Shunren stared with a ferocious expression, his forehead veins bulging, watching as his empress's face turned purple.
"Damn it, they all deserve to die."
"stop!"
A figure in white entered through the disheveled, swaying beaded curtain, exuding an imposing aura, all gentleness gone.
Wei Xichen grabbed Emperor Shunren's wrist and pried his fingers off.
"Mother!"
After pushing Emperor Shunren aside, Wei Xichen helped the swaying Empress Dong.
Empress Dong gasped in terror, her chest heaving. When she came to her senses, she grabbed her son's sleeve, sobbing uncontrollably, "Chen'er, your father has gone mad, mad!"
"I didn't!!!"
Wei Xichen's face was cold and expressionless, his hatred undisguised. He helped his mother up and left without looking back.
Among the commanders of the Twelve Guards, some worried that things might get complicated and that the emperor would retaliate. They repeatedly urged him to usurp the throne, but he did not want to do so. He was the crown prince and could act legitimately. Why should he suffer doubts?
At this moment, he wavered.
A madman should step down and make way for a more capable person.
Empress Dong covered the marks on her neck, still shaken. "My son, your most urgent task is to focus on selecting a concubine."
Wei Xichen had heard this so many times that he was tired of it, but he still neither refused nor warmly welcomed his mother back to Kunning Palace.
Alone, Empress Dong looked into the bronze mirror, the strangulation marks on her neck a shocking sight.
The phrase "favoring a concubine at the expense of one's wife" lingered in my mind.
In the end, she was still just a concubine in the emperor's eyes.
From childhood, Cui Yinghan was more dazzling than her, always overshadowing her. Now, seventeen years after her death, her spirit still lingers!
The selection of heirs must proceed to strengthen the connection between the Crown Prince's Palace and the Zhou family, in order to prevent Cui Yinghan's son from seizing the throne.
She's going to become the Empress Dowager!
On the day of the talent show, spring was in full bloom, the grass and trees were lush, and the blooming flower buds on the branches adorned the spring scenery.
The East Palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.
Empress Dong, dressed in her finest attire, sat in the main seat with the Crown Prince.
The guests present were all wealthy and influential, and several generals from the Twelve Guards were also invited, their daughters being on the guest list.
However, the main characters of this concubine selection banquet were nowhere to be seen. Despite Empress Dong sending people out of the palace to urge them, the Zhou family father and daughter did not appear.
The guests whispered among themselves.
Empress Dong's face turned cold. "What's going on?"
The last guard to return to the palace said sheepishly, "Your Majesty, something went wrong."
The Ninth Sister has vanished without a trace.
Grand Secretary Zhou Yujin is sending his servants everywhere to search for the person.
Empress Dong felt dizzy and leaned against the armrest, clutching her forehead. She glanced at the Crown Prince, who was equally shocked but remained composed, and asked in a low voice, "What do you think, Chen'er?"
Wei Xichen glanced at the nobles and ladies present, smiled faintly, and raised the rice wine, "The spring banquet will proceed as usual. May you all enjoy the spring scenery, immerse yourselves in the spring colors, and live a life as vibrant as spring."
A spring banquet? How did the concubine selection banquet turn into a spring banquet?
Another round of whispers broke out among the guests.
Empress Dong composed herself, forced a smile, and invited everyone to enjoy tea and admire the flowers.
A moment later, the mother and son had a disagreement in the empty inner bedroom.
“My son, do you know that most of the guests who have come today are here to form an alliance with the Crown Prince through marriage, in order to oppose the First Prince, especially the commanders of the Twelve Guards?”
"It is unreasonable to hastily select other positions when the principal wife has not yet been chosen."
Empress Dong felt a tightness in her chest, more suffocating than if the Emperor were choking her. She knew all too well what the Crown Prince was thinking; he was simply still harboring designs on Jiang Yinyue and was using this as an excuse to halt the selection of concubines.
As the eldest princess said, the crown prince's temperament will hinder important matters.
Late at night, after the guests had left, Empress Dong returned to the courtyard of Kunning Palace, unable to relieve her pent-up frustration.
Zhou Yujin did not appear to apologize, probably because he was ashamed and did not want to see anyone.
Instead, three commanders of the Twelve Guards came together.
"If His Highness the Crown Prince continues to hesitate and the First Prince gets there first, we may all lose our heads!"
Their initial palace coup was based on the fact that the Crown Prince was the sole heir to the throne and had no rivals. Even though the Third Prince was favored, he was not considered a threat. Now, however, a First Prince has suddenly appeared who can rival the Crown Prince, causing the three of them great anxiety.
"The Crown Prince wants to ascend the throne legitimately, but nothing is perfect. The First Prince is eyeing us covetously, so we must be on guard! We share the same thoughts as the Eldest Princess: the palace coup must be decisive, and we must strike first to prevent any unforeseen complications!"
Empress Dong looked troubled. "What do the three commanders mean?"
One person makes a throat-slitting gesture.
"If Empress Yide dared to use her imperial edict to call upon her confidants to protect the imperial heirs, what is there that Your Majesty the Empress wouldn't dare to do?"
**
Several days later, Wei Qin, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared in the back room of the Jiang residence.
"Go in and speak."
Once again, Jiang Yinyue blocked him at the door. Wei Qin was used to it and remained unfazed even after making unreasonable demands.
Jiang Yinyue initially wanted to make things difficult for him, but seeing the slight dark circles under his eyes, she realized he must have been without rest for many days, and her heart softened, so she stepped aside to let him pass.
Wei Qin closed the door, getting straight to his goal, embracing his mistress and drawing in her fresh breath, as if he regarded Jiang Yinyue as the blazing sun and the spring, while he was nothing more than a weed under the blazing sun and beside the spring.
He held down the fidgeting Jiang Yinyue, tightened his arms, closed his eyes, and said, "Give me another hug."
Jiang Yinyue was forced to look up, resting her chin on his shoulder. "I've been feeling uneasy these past few days."
Having heard some rumors from her father, the woman raised her arms and wrapped them around Wei Qin's neck, forcing him to lower his waist to match her size.
Some are itching to make a move, while others remain inactive; the game is nearing its end.
Jiang Yinyue was waiting for the answer to be revealed, and she was always nervous before the reveal.
Wei Qin patted her back, saying, "No matter what, Miss will be safe and sound, year after year."
Jiang Yinyue muttered, "You must stay safe too."
Wei Qin buried his face in the crook of her neck, using the tip of his nose to touch the throbbing veins on her snow-white neck, feeling her presence. "Okay."
"Stay tonight..."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qin tightened his arms around Jiang Yinyue, making it difficult for her to breathe. He kissed the woman's cheek, then gently nibbled on her right earlobe. "Okay."
Jiang Yinyue narrowed her right eye. "Stay for a late-night snack. What are you thinking about?"
Wei Qin laughed, a muffled laugh, "I was thinking that it's rare for Miss to take the initiative."
With a creak, the door opened and closed, and Wei Qin, who had been kicked out, stood on the veranda. He hadn't even had a late-night snack, but he was still smiling, with a hint of shyness in his expression.
At the second watch of the night, after the hustle and bustle had subsided, Wei Qin, who had left the Ministry of Personnel, nodded to the guards stationed at the office and walked alone toward the stables.
Yan Yi, who was fast asleep with a foxtail grass in his mouth, was awakened by the sound of footsteps. He spat out the foxtail grass, led out two horses, and said, "Young Master, are you done with your work?"
"Um."
"Mo Hao sent someone to say that everything is fine and that the young master need not worry."
Wei Qin glanced into the deep night, as if gazing at his departed good brother.
The small house was quite far away, so the two of them raced one after the other through the empty, deserted streets.
As we entered the narrow alley, a black cat hissed at us from the top of a wall and then disappeared.
As Wei Qin crossed the alley and merged into another long street, his horse's vision was suddenly obstructed by something. It neighed and reared up.
Wei Qin calmed the somewhat startled Zhui Feng, brushed away the petals that had fallen on its left eye, and stroked its head.
"drive!"
Yan Yi laughed and said, "You're quite timid."
"hiss!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Yan Yi’s horse neighed and collapsed to the ground.
The horse was hit by an arrow in its hind leg.
"Young Master, be careful!"
Yan Yi leaped into the air, landing on the ground as he drew his sword and deflected several cold arrows.
But there were too many arrows, making it impossible to defend against them all, and the young man was hit in the left arm by an arrow.
Wei Qin leaned forward, grabbed Yan Yi by the back of the neck, and flung him behind him, while simultaneously urging Zhui Feng to run wildly through the dark streets.
"Kill Wei Qin, and you will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver!"
"Chase!"
With his back to Wei Qin, who was riding a horse, Yan Yi shielded himself from the arrows and cursed, "They only rewarded you with ten thousand taels of silver, young master, they don't take you seriously!"
The reward should be at least ten thousand taels of silver!
The talkative and hot-tempered young man used the tip of his knife to deflect the first assassin who had come after him, and then swung it at a group of assassins behind him.
Without looking to the side, Wei Qin darted into the alleyway facing the street, attracting a large number of assassins to appear.
The other party came prepared, and he was also well-prepared.
The burly men in gray and black outfits leaped out to intercept the assassins.
The secret guards trained by the Cui family were all exceptionally skilled.
The two groups clashed violently, swords drawn, shattering the tranquility of the night.
Wei Qin fought his way through the clash of swords, but his brow remained furrowed.
The assassin's target is him. Could the crown prince be among the masterminds behind this?
Killing him would benefit the Crown Prince the most, but Wei Xichen values his reputation. Would he kill his brother instead of his father?
"drive!"
Yan Yi was only angry that his horse had been shot and wounded. Otherwise, he could have charged forward to defend himself and show his prowess. "Damn it, they dared to touch my mount! I'll skin them alive afterward!"
The pain from the arrow wound was overshadowed by his anger. If he hadn't been protecting his young master so closely, Yan Yi would have insisted on joining the fight and having a good fight.
The young man broke the arrow with his bare hands, wincing in pain.
"Could it be the Crown Prince? Or one of those old scoundrels around him?"
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"ah?"
Wei Qin's mutterings were no longer important; whether the Crown Prince had any schemes or not, he was now implicated. Judging by the number of assassins, they were more than ten times the number sent by the Eldest Princess; the Crown Prince had no time to clear himself of involvement.
On the path to the throne, the schemes of subordinates represent the will of the prince they support. Whether the prince is willing or not, he is put on the fire.
When Wei Qin carried Yan Yi back to the alley where the small house was located, he turned his horse around as soon as he stepped into the alley.
"Young Master?"
"There's an ambush!"
A second group of assassins emerged.
Yan Yi clenched his fist. "Xie Jinchen, hang in there for me."
A cunning rabbit has three burrows, and the small house has a secret passage; the three old masters should have already left.
Wei Qin shook off the pursuers, pulled on the reins, and stopped the horse. He looked around in the night and realized that he could neither go to the Cui residence nor the Jiang residence, as both would be lurking with assassins.
The mastermind behind this was targeting him. They wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke the Grand Tutor and his son, as well as the Minister of Justice. They would simply lie in ambush near their residences and strike unexpectedly.
Surrounded and "with no way out," Wei Qin suddenly curled his lips slightly, his phoenix eyes shining brightly.
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Author's Note: There will be a second update.
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