Chapter 473: A woman’s kindness will only bring disaster. Where does the affection in the royal family come from?
Three days later, outside Beijing, at Jingxin Villa.
The villa is built on the mountainside and has a quiet and beautiful scenery, but it is heavily guarded at this moment.
The troops of Qingmo Valley were spread all over the villa, with both visible and hidden sentries, layer upon layer, truly a dragnet.
In the main hall of the villa, the person in charge of Qingmo Valley in the capital, the middle-aged man with a sinister face, was standing respectfully in front of a young man in a black brocade robe, with a handsome face but an evil aura.
"Valley Master, everything has been arranged. Zhao Yunci can't escape even if she has wings." The middle-aged man said with a hint of pride in his tone.
The young man called the Valley Master was the supreme commander of Qingmo Valley. A cruel smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Very good. I want to see how much backbone this Great Jin Emperor can still have in his presence."
His eyes flashed with desire for power and madness to get it.
"As long as we control Zhao Yunci and issue an edict in his name, the world of the Eastern Jin Dynasty will be in the pocket of our Qingmo Valley." The middle-aged man echoed, his tone full of flattery.
The Valley Master paced slowly, his eyes sweeping across the tight security outside the window. He nodded with satisfaction, "Pass the order down, no one should slack off. Today marks the beginning of our Qingmo Valley's dominance over the world!"
"Yes! Valley Master!"
At the same time, within the capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the surface remained calm as before.
The morning court proceeded as usual, and officials went to court to discuss matters in an orderly manner, as if nothing had happened.
However, sensitive people have already noticed the tension in the air.
The palace guards were changing shifts more frequently than before, and the number of patrolling imperial guards had increased several times. They had sharp eyes and conducted strict inspections.
All the mansions were closed to visitors, and there were fewer pedestrians on the streets than usual.
Those old ministers loyal to the royal family had already contacted each other secretly, and the private soldiers raised in their respective homes had also gathered and were on standby, just waiting for a signal.
Some wavering fence-sitters are watching secretly, weighing the pros and cons, ready to turn to the winning side at any time.
In teahouses and taverns, there were occasional whispers, discussing the unusual atmosphere in Beijing in recent days, but they would soon be lowered or changed to other topics.
The storm is coming.
A showdown that could overthrow the Eastern Jin Dynasty and determine the fate of countless people has begun.
Everyone was waiting, waiting for the outcome of the "long heart-to-heart talk" at Jingxin Villa.
Also waiting for the coming moment of rebirth or destruction.
Three days later, at noon.
Zhao Yunci, surrounded by a team of Qingmo Valley "guards", boarded a carriage bound for Jingxin Villa in the suburbs of Beijing.
He was dressed in a moon-white casual suit, his hair tied up with a jade hairpin, his face was calm and his eyes were clear, as if this trip was not a deep expedition into the Tiger Cave, but an ordinary outing to visit friends.
The carriage rumbled out of the palace gate and passed through the slightly deserted streets.
Outside the car window, the disciples of Qingmo Valley, either openly or covertly, scanned the surroundings vigilantly to ensure that everything was safe.
Zhao Yunci closed her eyes and rested, tapping her fingers lightly on her knees, as if she was thinking about something, or just trying to kill the seemingly long time.
Jingxin Villa, secret room in the back mountain.
This place is darker than the front hall, with only a few candles flickering on the walls, illuminating the room with flickering light.
There was a faint scent of sandalwood in the air.
A figure in a black robe sat upright on the main seat, his body hidden in most of the shadows, leaving only a pale, slender hand exposed, casually resting on the armrest.
He is the mysterious master of Qingmo Valley, who is now quietly waiting for his "distinguished guest".
On both sides of the secret room, several core figures of Qingmo Valley stood solemnly, with a hint of excitement and anticipation that was difficult to conceal in their eyes.
The footsteps came from far away and were particularly clear in the silent secret passage.
"His Majesty has arrived!" A Qingmo Valley disciple announced loudly outside the door.
The stone door of the secret room slowly opened, and Zhao Yunci walked in calmly, "accompanied" by two "guards".
His eyes calmly swept over everyone in the room, finally landing on the blurry figure sitting in the main seat.
He did not show any panic or fear. Instead, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Uncle!"
Zhao Yunci's voice was clear and steady, ringing out in this quiet secret room with a hint of unexpected familiarity.
"This is the first time we, uncle and nephew, have met."
As soon as these words were spoken, except for the figure in the main seat who remained calm, the faces of the rest of the people in Qingmo Valley changed drastically, and they all showed expressions of disbelief.
He looked at Zhao Yunci, then turned to the Valley Master sitting in the main seat.
The Valley Master was a very secretive person, and his confidants only knew his last name, but had never heard of any connection between him and the royal family.
The figure in the main seat finally moved.
He slowly raised his head and leaned forward slightly. The face hidden in the shadows gradually became clearly exposed under the dancing candlelight.
It was a face that was about 50% similar to the late emperor, but thinner.
Although there is the handsomeness of a royal family between his eyebrows, deep in his eyes there is a strong resentment and cruelty that makes people shudder.
This person was none other than the King of Zhou who was spared by Princess Anyang against all odds during the "Rebellion of the Five Kings".
Zhao Yunci’s uncle—Zhao Chengyu!
Zhao Chengyu, or rather, the master of Qingmo Valley.
At this moment, he stared at Zhao Yunci with complicated eyes. The word "imperial uncle" was like a key that opened the floodgates of his memories that had been sealed for many years.
Back then, Princess Anyang withstood countless pressures and saved her brother who was involved in the rebellion.
She stripped him of all his titles and fiefdoms, demoted him to a commoner, and ordered him to stay away from the capital and never set foot there again.
She thought it was kindness, giving him a chance to reform.
But in Zhao Chengyu's view, it was a humiliation more unbearable than death!
He is a prince, but he has to live like an ant!
"Heh," Zhao Chengyu sneered.
"Back then, your aunt, my sister Anyang..."
Zhao Chengyu slowly stood up, his dark robe fluttering in the wind. He paced a few steps and walked to where the candlelight was brighter.
"She is warning me to stay within my proper place and not harbor any rebellious thoughts. Otherwise, I will be courting death."
He paused, his eyes sweeping across Zhao Yunci's calm face. "Does she think that I will be grateful and become a law-abiding useless person from now on?"
"She was wrong." Zhao Chengyu's voice suddenly rose, with a hint of crazy pleasure.
"The more she tries to keep me in peace, the more I will cause unrest in this world! She has stripped me of everything, so I will personally take this Zhao kingdom back from you!"
"This Qingmo Valley is the fruit of decades of hard work! I have been secretly chipping away at the foundation of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, cultivating my power, and waiting for this day!"
Zhao Chengyu's eyes were full of madness and an infinite desire for power.
"Anyang, Anyang, what do you think your 'kindness' back then could earn you?"
"You're just raising a tiger to harm yourself! Today, I will show you how foolish your decision was!"
His gaze refocused on Zhao Yunci, with a hint of scrutiny and cat-and-mouse playfulness.
"Yunci, my good nephew, have you thought it through and are ready to hand over the throne to your uncle?"
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