Chapter 16: The Emperor's Lingering Fear

Xia Rongyu stepped forward and placed the small figure wrapped in a handkerchief on the table, his voice calm: "I will leave the rest to the Director."

Wang Xuanzhi opened the handkerchief, revealing the small figure dressed in imperial robes. A flash of joy appeared in his eyes: "You actually found it."

"Rest assured, just leave the next steps to me."

A blood curse had been placed upon this small figure. Although the curse had been broken, a lingering baleful aura remained.

A ritual was required to dispel it.

After taking the figure, Wang Xuanzhi began chanting incantations and performing spells. It took quite some time of exertion before he finally cleansed the baleful aura from the figure.

By the time the matter was handled, the bells of the fifth watch rang outside the palace.

Qiao Niannian looked out the window; the sky was already beginning to pale with dawn.

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Furui stepped forward to wake the Emperor.

The Emperor woke to Li Gonggong's calling, feeling incredibly refreshed. He hadn't slept such a restful sleep in a long time.

Turning his head and seeing three extra people in the room, the Emperor finally remembered the events of the previous night.

His expression instantly tightened.

He hurriedly checked himself, finding that no part of his body had exploded, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

It was truly strange. He clearly hadn't wanted to sleep last night, but then he had felt extremely drowsy, and he didn't know how he had fallen asleep.

However, now was not the time to dwell on that.

He was more concerned with: "How was last night? Did the opponent make their move?"

Wang Xuanzhi stepped forward to answer: "It was just as Nian-yaotou thought. Fearing discovery, the opponent struck early. They had their escape prepared, intending to harm the Emperor and then flee."

"Fortunately, the Crown Prince and Nian-yaotou appeared in time to kill this menace and brought back the figure used for the spell. This official has already removed the baleful aura; it will pose no threat to Your Majesty."

After speaking, Wang Xuanzhi handed the figure to Li Gonggong.

Li Furui took it and presented it before the Emperor.

The small figure wore imperial robes and was tied with several strands of hair. The entire figure was soaked in blood and wore a distorted, hideous expression; just one glance made one feel extremely uncomfortable.

Thinking that this person behind the scenes had nearly caused him to die from his body exploding, the Emperor's face darkened instantly.

"Such audacity! Just who is it that dares to harm me?"

Li Furui was so frightened that he knelt directly on the ground.

As for the other three, their expressions remained calm.

Xia Rongyu, knowing the full story, took a step forward and recounted the matter regarding Qin Sang.

When the Emperor heard that the master behind Qin Sang even harbored delusions of unifying the world, he was absolutely incensed.

"Presumptuous! As long as I am alive, this treacherous rebel actually thinks of unifying the world? What does he take me for?"

"Crown Prince, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Xia Rongyu was the heir apparent.

The Emperor intended to cultivate him, so he would consult his opinion on many matters of state.

This Qin Sang incident was not only heinous but also an affront to the dignity of the Imperial Family; the Emperor also wanted to test his son.

Xia Rongyu proposed: "This is a special incident. It would be better to hand it over to the Imperial Astronomer's Bureau to investigate and find the master behind Qin Sang. As for the Imperial Palace, your son can conduct a thorough inspection on your behalf."

The Emperor nodded.

This proposal appealed to him deeply.

"Good, let it be done as the Crown Prince suggests."

"Director Wang, the task of finding the master behind Qin Sang is entrusted to you. You must find the person for me. I will give you three months; if you cannot find them within three months, I will hold you accountable."

"And Crown Prince, you are responsible for inspecting the Imperial Palace and supervising the Imperial Astronomer's Bureau to complete their task."

Xia Rongyu and Wang Xuanzhi bowed to receive their orders.

After assigning tasks to the two men, the Emperor turned his gaze toward Qiao Niannian, and his expression softened instantly.

He knew that if it hadn't been for Qiao Niannian, he might have been killed by the traitor's scheme.

In this matter, Qiao Niannian deserved the primary credit.

Thinking of how the young girl had not rested all night, the Emperor spoke with immense kindness.

"Nian-yaotou must have worked hard all night. I grant you a Plum Blossom Garden, a hundred acres of fertile land, and a golden tally, allowing you free entry and exit from the Imperial Palace."

Qiao Niannian bowed in greeting.

The Emperor waved his hand: "Enough, dismiss yourselves! Rongyu, escort Nian-yaotou back."

Xia Rongyu did not object.

Seeing the two of them about to leave, Wang Xuanzhi also hurriedly took his leave of the Emperor and followed them out.

Having resolved the great matter weighing on his heart, the Emperor felt more spirited; even when he went to the morning court, he wore a rare, gentle countenance.

On the other side, Wang Xuanzhi caught up with Xia Rongyu and Qiao Niannian: "Nian-yaotou, do you have any clues regarding the person behind Qin Sang?"

Qiao Niannian shook her head: "No. However, the followers of this master all worship a statue. The Crown Prince saw it as well; the Director can have an artist paint it."

Wang Xuanzhi nodded; that way, they wouldn't be searching like headless flies.

After their conversation, Wang Xuanzhi was still unwilling to leave. He rubbed his hands together and spoke up again with thick skin: "Nian-yaotou, regarding your sudden disappearance earlier, did you use a Teleportation Talisman?"

Qiao Niannian nodded: "Yes."

Wang Xuanzhi's eyes lit up; the Teleportation Talisman had long been lost to time.

He had only read about them in books; he never expected someone would actually know how to draw them.

Wang Xuanzhi became incredibly excited.

"Nian-yaotou, can I buy a Teleportation Talisman from you?"

"You don't even have to pay in silver; as long as you give me one, I'll meet any condition you set."

Qiao Niannian shook her head: "I've used up all my Teleportation Talismans."

Wang Xuanzhi hadn't given her much talisman paper. She had used them all to draw charms, and now she only had two Truth Talismans left in her hands.

Hearing this, Wang Xuanzhi felt nothing but regret!

Why hadn't he brought more talisman paper!

Knowing Qiao Niannian had none, no matter how much Wang Xuanzhi lamented, he could only turn and leave.

Left behind, Qiao Niannian walked through the morning Imperial Palace with the Crown Prince, watching the sunrise together.

The two walked side by side along the palace paths, watching the fiery red sun rise above the city walls. The orange-red light enveloped the entire palace, adding a sense of vitality to the magnificent structures.

As the sun slowly rose, the palace became increasingly clear and majestic.

This was a scene Xia Rongyu had seen countless times and had long since grown accustomed to.

However, this was the first time Qiao Niannian had seen such a sight. The spiritual energy was most abundant during sunrise; she didn't waste a moment and immediately took several deep breaths.

Qiao Niannian's eyes brightened. As expected of a place where Dragon Qi gathered, even the spiritual energy was better than at the Marquis's manor.

Xia Rongyu did not know what Qiao Niannian was thinking. Seeing the young girl's eyes full of joy, he thought she simply enjoyed watching the sunrise.

He lifted his phoenix-like eyes to look at the warm, orange-red sun in the sky, feeling that today's sun was exceptionally different.

It seemed brighter than usual.

He escorted her all the way to the entrance of the Marquis's manor, and only after seeing her enter the gates did he speak coldly.

"Return to the palace."

This time, he intended to conduct a thorough sweep of the Imperial Palace.

For a sorcerer to enter the palace so easily meant the palace guards were likely too idle.

The guard's expression stiffened, feeling that the Imperial Palace would likely not be peaceful for the next few days.

Qiao Niannian was unaware of this. Once she entered the manor, a maid immediately informed Qiao Chushan and Lady Huo.

Upon receiving the news, the two rushed out in a hurry.

Seeing their daughter return safe and sound, they were nearly moved to tears.

"Niannian, you're finally back! Nothing happened, did it?"

After saying this, Lady Huo leaned closer to Qiao Niannian and whispered: "Did the Emperor make things difficult for you? Did he force you to answer anything?"

It wasn't that she was narrow-minded, but this was Qiao Niannian's first time entering the palace, and she hadn't even met the Tenth Princess. The Emperor saying the Tenth Princess wanted to see Qiao Niannian felt eerie no matter how one looked at it.

(End of Chapter)