Chapter 8: Chapter 181: I Really Don't Have That Kind of Ability

Chapter 181: I Truly Don't Have That Kind of Ability

"Suddenly? Wasn't Duan Zirou's death within Consort Li's expectations?" The light voice was devoid of warmth, making it impossible to discern joy or anger. Ye Zixiao's narrow eyes squinted slightly, the light within them shifting between brightness and shadow.

"How can the Prince say such a thing? Could it be... Your Highness, please be discerning. Although Su Luan does not like the Princess Consort of Jing, she would never go so far as to commit such a heinous act. Moreover, even if Su Luan truly had such intentions, she wouldn't have the ability. Ever since Your Highness transferred Ling Yun away, Su Luan's path in the inner palace has been fraught with difficulties. She can barely look after herself; how could she have any spare thoughts for such trivial matters!" Yao Su Luan immediately declared her stance.

"This Prince naturally believes it was not Consort Li's doing; otherwise, I would not be here." Ye Zixiao's dark eyes gradually softened, and his raspy voice seemed to carry a hint of reconciliation.

"No one wishes to see the Princess Consort fall from a cliff, but since it has already happened, Your Highness should try to be more open-minded. There are more important matters awaiting Your Highness now. As long as Your Highness can ascend the throne one day, I believe the Princess Consort will rest in peace even in the underworld." Yao Su Luan wrapped her slender jade arms around Ye Zixiao's neck, comforting him in a soft voice.

His heart, at this moment, felt as if it had been pierced a hundred times by a dagger, bleeding profusely! Ye Zixiao had publicly announced that Duan Zirou died during an attack by bandits on her way to the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Aside from himself and Zhao Wu, only the killer knew that Duan Zirou had fallen from a cliff! But just now, he had clearly heard the words "falling from a cliff" come out of Yao Su Luan's mouth!

At this moment, Ye Zixiao felt such hatred. If it weren't for him provoking Yao Su Luan, how could Zirou have died!

"Your Highness?" Sensing Ye Zixiao's tense body, Yao Su Luan spoke instinctively.

"It's nothing... Consort Li is right. To ensure Zirou did not die in vain, this Prince truly should do something." Ye Zixiao suppressed the bone-deep grief and indignation in his heart, his dark pupils gradually overflowing with a brilliant light.

"Your Highness, Su Luan has a piece of happy news to tell you. I hope it can slightly soothe the pain of your loss." Yao Su Luan leaned into Ye Zixiao's embrace with self-satisfaction, her peach blossom eyes radiating brilliance on her charming face.

"Oh?" Looking at Yao Su Luan's snow-white, jade-like neck, Ye Zixiao truly wished he could pinch it, but he couldn't—at least not yet.

"Su Luan's father, the current Prime Minister Yao Zhenting, wishes to pledge his allegiance to Your Highness through Su Luan. He is willing to follow Your Highness's every command. As long as Your Highness gives the order, my father will certainly do his utmost." Yao Su Luan believed this news would be something Ye Zixiao was eager to hear. Even if her father had had some power stripped by the Emperor, his status and prestige remained.

"The Prime Minister is actually willing to join me?" Ye Zixiao's eyes flickered, a trace of ruthlessness passing through his heart. He had assumed that because Yao Su Luan had lived in the deep palace for so long, she wouldn't be able to find so many assassins in a short time. This now explained the mystery—it was that old rogue Yao Zhenting!

"Father also has keen eyes. He knows Your Highness is no ordinary man. With Su Luan mediating and persuading, Father naturally chooses a wise lord to serve." As Yao Su Luan spoke, her jade-like fingers slid into Ye Zixiao's collar like slender, smooth little snakes.

"With the Prime Minister's assistance, this Prince will be like a tiger with wings. Of course, this is also thanks to Consort Li's help. This Prince truly doesn't know how to thank Consort Li," Ye Zixiao said, seemingly unintentionally pulling Yao Su Luan's hand away as he rose from his seat.

"Is Your Highness leaving?" Yao Su Luan looked at Ye Zixiao in astonishment. At this time, Ye Zixiao would certainly not refuse her warm invitation.

"Tomorrow is the seventh day after Zirou's passing. This Prince must return to prepare." Ye Zixiao spoke indifferently, a flash of cold light vanishing from his eyes. He indeed had to prepare well. If he didn't give Yao Zhenting and Yao Su Luan a grand gift, how could he face Zirou! As for the throne, he had waited many years; waiting a few more wouldn't matter, but he could not afford to wait for Zirou's vengeance!

"I see... Although Su Luan cannot leave the palace, she will still eat vegetarian food and chant sutras to pray for the Princess Consort, helping her ascend to paradise early." Yao Su Luan put on an air of profound compassion.

***

Ever since learning that Chu Moxin intended to come to Great Chu, Ye Junqing's mood had not been good.

"Actually, why must Your Highness worry needlessly? Perhaps after not seeing him for a few years, he will have grown into a gentleman!" Yao Mowan said words even she didn't believe to comfort Ye Junqing.

"Regarding this, this Prince is willing to bet with you, using my life to bet on Yin Xue!" Ye Junqing was full of confidence.

"Ahem... Mowan was only joking. Your Highness, just treat it as a joke and let it go," Yao Mowan gave a dry laugh and continued her meal.

"It is not that this Prince is afraid of him coming, but rather that I cannot figure it out. The relationship between Chu and Shu has always been tense. At a time like this, why would Chu Mobei send his brother as an envoy to Great Chu? It makes no sense! Could it be that he wants to use Chu Moxin to cause trouble, and subsequently find a reason to deploy troops?" Ye Junqing looked at Yao Mowan suspiciously.

"They are different from Feng Yihan and Feng Duo. As far as Mowan knows, Chu Mobei and Chu Moxin share the same father and mother and have an excellent relationship. Therefore, Mowan asserts that Chu Mobei would never provoke a dispute in a way that harms Chu Moxin. On the contrary, to ensure Chu Moxin's safety, Chu Mobei must have put in a great deal of effort." Yao Mowan spoke with certainty based on her understanding of Chu Mobei.

"Then this Prince truly cannot guess the purpose of Chu Moxin's trip." Ye Junqing finally decided to give up.

"Actually, why bother wasting your energy? Once Chu Moxin arrives, you'll know!" Yao Mowan spoke nonchalantly, unaware that Chu Moxin's purpose for coming to Chu was her.

***

On the second day after Duan Zirou's seventh day, Yao Zhenting received a secret letter from Ye Zixiao. The general meaning of the letter was that if Yao Zhenting truly intended to pledge allegiance, they should meet in the Purple Bamboo Forest behind the Royal Cemetery at the hour of the Rooster (5 PM - 7 PM) to discuss important matters. For Yao Zhenting, who had long wanted to show his intentions, this was simply a blessing from heaven.

Inside Guanjue Palace, Yao Mowan was calculating the days. In five days, Chu Moxin would arrive in Great Chu. Before that, would she be able to resolve the matter with Ye Zixiao?

"Your Highness, Ye Zixiao has begun his move!" The news brought by Yin Xue excited Yao Mowan.

"Where is the location?" Yao Mowan stood up abruptly and asked suspiciously.

"The Purple Bamboo Forest behind the Imperial Mausoleum."

"Oh? Ye Zixiao is quite bold... Come, accompany this Palace to watch a good show." For a moment, Yao Mowan felt gratified; it seemed Duan Zirou had not waited in vain.

It was already autumn. The hour of the Rooster had just passed, and the sky had darkened. When Yao Zhenting arrived at the Purple Bamboo Forest, the surroundings were pitch black. Because it was meant to be absolutely secret, Yao Zhenting had not even brought his personal guard, Yao Tu, and walked straight into the depths of the bamboo forest.

After about half an hour, Yao Zhenting seemed to hear a faint movement, so he quickened his pace. It was not until he reached the end of the bamboo forest that Yao Zhenting saw two figures.

"Who is it?" Yao Zhenting spoke alertly, instinctively stopping his steps.

"This subordinate pays respects to the Prime Minister. Please, Prime Minister, follow us!" The leader gave a respectful salute upon seeing Yao Zhenting, his voice powerful and resonant.

"You are..." Yao Zhenting intended to question them, but saw another person step forward.

"Prime Minister, we have waited for you for a long time. Please, come!" The man urged him with familiarity. The two immediately turned and walked toward a nearby hillside. Before Yao Zhenting could even voice his doubts, he followed them obediently. He was fully convinced that these two must have been sent by the Prince of Jing to meet him, so he had no suspicions.

Upon reaching a thicket of shrubs over half a meter high, one of them ducked inside and triggered a mechanism. The lush shrubs before them instantly split to both sides, revealing a stone door. Once the stone door opened, Yao Zhenting followed the two inside without a second thought.

Inside was a long secret passage, with torches hanging on both sides. After walking for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Yao Zhenting finally saw a light flickering ahead.

"What place is this?" Yao Zhenting asked suspiciously amidst his surprise.

"Don't be anxious, Prime Minister, we are almost there," one of them soothed him. Once they rounded a corner, Yao Zhenting was instantly awestruck by the scene before him. In the massive stone chamber, swords, spears, halberds, and blades almost filled the entire room. In terms of quantity, it was enough to serve as an arms reserve for a hundred thousand soldiers.