Chapter 3: Entering the Palace 1

“Please, Miss Xue, save my young lady!” Mu Ya shouted at the top of her lungs, as if she had already anticipated this.

As her voice fell, a residual shadow swept in, snatching the girl from Qin Yihan's arms. Then, laying her flat on the ground, a golden needle was accurately and unerringly plunged into the Qihai acupoint. Subsequently, internal energy flowed slowly from between the fingers, merging into the golden needle and gradually permeating the meridians.

“To think I’ve disturbed the Lan family...” The technique of 'transferring energy through needles' was a unique acupuncture method belonging to the Lan family, the lineage of Medical Immortals.

Lan Qingxue turned her head, her dark, deep eyes reflecting an unusual, crystalline brilliance. Her gaze, sharp as a blade, possessed a breathtaking beauty. With a mocking smile, she said, “I do not represent the Lan family this time; I come only for Xiyan. If you insist on taking her back to the Chiyan Capital, then take me back as well. The women of the inner palace are as numerous as cow hairs; just give me some inconspicuous identity and let me enter the palace to accompany her, alright?”

“Nonsense...” Yue Xiyan’s weak voice drifted out slowly.

Glancing warily at Qin Yihan, she whispered into Yue Xiyan's ear, “Do not be willful. You have no way of suppressing the cold poison in your body. Once it flares up, it could take your life at any moment. With me here, I can sustain your life when the poison erupts.”

“The old saying goes, 'Once you enter the palace gates, it is as deep as the sea'; how many people would rather never have been born into a royal family for all eternity. You fool, you actually want to follow me into that sea? Just how does your brain work?”

Watching that bold, peerless woman finally gradually awaken from her coma, her heart finally settled. Looking at her own hands and recalling the icy sensation from just now, she wondered: how could a person's body be this cold? For Lan Qingxue to want to stay by Yue Xiyan's side, it seemed things were not that simple. In that case, it truly was the cold poison.

“If you are willing to be used by him, why bother doing so much?” Lan Qingxue withdrew the golden needle and helped her up.

Yue Xiyan gave a bitter laugh and asked, “Then why do you bother?”

The two spoke in words that only they could understand, but on Qin Yihan's side, he was already filled with rage. These two women were being far too dismissive of him as the Emperor.

A moment later, Yue Xiyan looked over: “Your Majesty, may Xiyan bring Qingxue along?”

Qin Yihan looked over disdainfully. “Yue Xiyan, are you negotiating terms with me? Do not forget your status. Your Yue family are criminals of my Chiyan, traitors.” Years ago, if it hadn't been for Yue Xiyan's grandfather defecting on the battlefield, his Chiyan would have long since pacified the world. There would have been no need for such great effort.

“In order for Xiyan to live well and enjoy Chiyan's retribution, Your Majesty must naturally take Qingxue. In Xiyan's view, let Qingxue live in the palace under an assumed name as my maid; it will save much trouble. Unless, Your Majesty's appetite is so large that you wish to bring the next Medical Immortal, Lan Qingxue, into the inner palace as well.”

The Lan family Medical Immortals possessed the power to bring spring back to life, to raise the dead, to help people increase their cultivation, or to inadvertently destroy a lifetime of cultivation in an instant. In short, the Lan family had been mythologized by the world and was a target for all the various powers in the realm.

If it were truly as she said, there was no doubt that the eyes of the world would focus entirely on Chiyan. At that time, their outward strength would be revealed as hollow. Conversely, if he did not bring Lan Qingxue, Yue Xiyan would surely die. Then, Lichuan would undoubtedly use that as an excuse to send troops to attack. With a wolf in front and a tiger behind, Chiyan would be in peril!

“As you wish!” Weighing the pros and cons, he finally agreed.

Even if the road ahead was long, there would eventually be a day when the destination was reached. The end of her life was in Chiyan.

Yue Xiyan let out a deep sigh, knowing in her heart that in this life, she likely could never go back. Even though she held a deep attachment to Lichuan...

The Capital was in an uproar, the streets emptied of people. The commoners swarmed like a tide, eager to catch a glimpse of the War God Emperor's splendor. It was an extreme flow of people, like a great river flowing east, ceaseless and unending. It seemed to possess a magical power, making everyone unconsciously step forward to follow. Their Emperor had won a great victory, Lichuan had proactively sought peace, and the small southern barbarians were intimidated and dared not invade. From now on, the people could live stable lives. Today was destined to be a day of universal celebration and drunken escapism...

When the grand, imposing procession appeared in the people's sight, the officials and citizens knelt in welcome: “We welcome the Emperor's triumphant return!”

The scene could only be described as magnificent. It was evident that Qin Yihan was truly beloved. From the way the commoners spontaneously welcomed his victory, one could see that Qin Yihan was not merely a man who understood warfare.

The accompanying carriage came to a halt, and a jade-white hand appeared before Yue Xiyan's eyes. She recognized this hand; it was Qin Yihan's. It was slender, fair, and carried a hint of warmth.

Yue Xiyan reached out her left hand, placed it in his palm, and obediently followed him out. The sunlight spilled over her, dyeing her in a faint golden halo, a radiance so bright one dared not look directly at it.

A pair of red eyes, flashing with a cold light and carrying despair and heartache, swept across the crowd. Then, the woman's lips curled slightly into a desolate, pure smile. Slowly, she stepped down from the carriage.

Though it was only mid-autumn, she had already put on a thick fur cloak. Even so, it could not bring her the slightest bit of warmth. Looking at that pale face and those almost frozen lips, Qin Yihan felt a surge of pity once again. Along this journey, his emotions had been constantly influenced by her. He seemed to have gradually grown accustomed to it...

Just as they entered the palace gates, they were intercepted.

“Ya Yun welcomes the Emperor's triumphant return. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager commanded me to await your imperial carriage here...” As she spoke, her gaze cast a casual glance at Yue Xiyan. Then, with an imperceptible smile, she continued, “The Empress Dowager wishes to see Your Majesty and Princess Xiyan!”

“Mm!” Qin Yihan merely gave a nasal grunt and walked forward alone.

Yue Xiyan passed by Zhuang Ya Yun's side, gave a slight nod, and followed.

“Consort Yun, that enchantress...” The maid beside her looked at her expression and whispered to ask Zhuang Ya Yun's thoughts.

Zhuang Ya Yun's eyes were full of jealousy as she said through gritted teeth, “You're right. Indeed, she is an enchantress.”

Inside the Cining Palace, Yue Xiyan knelt on the ground, smiling faintly. Her blood-colored eyes looked at Zhuang Ying, appearing extremely calm.

Empress Dowager Zhuang sat there, scrutinizing Yue Xiyan, and nodded in praise: “Like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without artifice. Exquisite, marvelous!”

Zhuang Ying wore a dark red palace robe embroidered with large gold-red peonies, with fine silver threads outlining the exquisite patterns, looking dignified and noble. Yet, it also subtly revealed her well-maintained, slender figure, her skin as white as snow and seemingly delicate enough to burst at a touch. Though she was already forty, due to proper maintenance, she still looked like she was in her early thirties. If Yue Xiyan was an enchantress, this woman could perhaps be called a femme fatale.