Chapter 327: Scolding (Fourth Update)

“Yes!”

The palace servants were also terrified, hurriedly responding in unison.

Just as they were about to leave, the Empress shouted sternly again

“And another thing! This news must absolutely not be known to anyone else! If it reaches His Majesty's ears, watch your lives!”

“...Yes!”

The many servants scurried away in haste.

The Empress's expression was terrifyingly grim as she stood in place for a long while.

Where could Rong Zhen have gone?

Her original core was currently shattered, leaving her with no cultivation whatsoever. Relying on her own strength, it would have been impossible to avoid so many people and leave silently.

Unless—

The Empress suddenly thought of something, and her heart sank!

Could it be that Old Man Meng had taken Rong Zhen away?

She hurried back into the room, leaving the servants outside.

After confirming there was no one around, she took something out from her bosom.

It was a thumb-sized jade seal; she usually used this object to communicate with Old Man Meng.

She gently twisted the seal.

*Click.*

A faint sound echoed.

She looked at the bottom of the seal.

To her disappointment, there was no response.

The Empress frowned.

Even if Old Man Meng had taken Rong Zhen away, he should have been able to receive this message.

In the past, he would always respond quickly, but now...

She paused for a moment and tried once more.

Still, there was no movement.

The Empress grew increasingly anxious.

Old Man Meng had followed her for many years, and such a situation had never occurred before!

This filled her heart with a profound sense of unease.

She couldn't help but scan the room once more.

Everything was normal, except for the absence of one person.

The Empress felt a splitting headache and rubbed her brow.

Where on earth could Rong Zhen have gone...

Today had already been eventful enough, yet Rong Zhen had to go and cause trouble at this exact moment!

If His Majesty found out... he would surely blame her, as the Empress, for failing to fulfill her responsibilities!

Their current situation was already difficult enough; what madness was Rong Zhen possessed by?

Once she found her and brought her back, she would have to teach her a proper lesson, no matter what!

*Bang!*

Suddenly, the seal in her hand abruptly exploded!

Startled, the Empress threw the object away!

The already fractured seal rolled a few times on the ground before completely disintegrating.

“Empress Majesty? What happened?”

Hearing the noise, the servant outside the door hurriedly asked.

The Empress shouted instinctively

“It’s nothing! No one is allowed to enter!”

As she spoke, she hurried over to pick up the seal, which had shattered into several pieces.

Her eyes widened, staring at the object in her hands in disbelief; it took a long time for her to regain her senses.

This was... this was...

Old Man Meng was dead!?

Her body trembled uncontrollably from shock and terror.

Old Man Meng was actually dead... He was a Fifth-Order Martial Artist!

Over the years, he had done so much for her without a single mistake. How could he suddenly be dead!?

The Empress froze.

Wait!

If it really was Old Man Meng who took Zhenzhen out, and now he was dead, then wouldn't Zhenzhen—

Thinking of this, she stood up quickly.

If Zhenzhen was truly in danger, she had to send people to rescue her as soon as possible!

But halfway there, she stopped again.

Telling His Majesty was the fastest and most effective method; after all, His Majesty could mobilize far too many people. If she blindly sent people to search, who knew when they would receive news?

However, how could she explain how Rong Zhen had slipped out so silently?

Once His Majesty conducted a thorough investigation, he would definitely find Old Man Meng! Even if he was already dead!

When that time came, let alone Rong Jin, even whether she could keep her throne as Empress would be in question!

She hesitated, caught in a dilemma.

After much internal struggle, she finally decided to keep this matter hidden for now.

If she could find Rong Zhen quickly, everything would be fine.

If she couldn't... at a life-or-death moment, Rong Zhen would surely find a way to protect herself, as she still carried the Silver Flying Child.

Now, mother and daughter could not afford to cause any more trouble...

***

The Chu Family.

Chu Ning followed the wooden vine to the Chu Estate.

Standing before the entrance, looking at this all-too-familiar gate, his thoughts were myriad and his emotions complex.

He had once taken pride in the Chu family and had once exhausted himself to give everything for them, but in the end, all the Chu family left him were memories of endless pain.

If it weren't for the Head of the Family, he would never step foot through this door again!

The guards standing at the gate saw him from afar and immediately bowed respectfully

“Welcome home, Eldest Young Master!”

They were extremely solicitous, their faces wearing flattering smiles.

Even during Chu Ning's most glorious days, he had never been treated with such fervor.

It was just that the smiles on their faces only made Chu Ning feel an intense irritation, even a sense of nausea.

He still clearly remembered the kind of faces these people had used to treat him and Yue'er a few months ago.

How long had it been for things to turn out like this?

Truly, the tides of fortune turn.

Ignoring them, he walked straight through the main gate.

Crossing the courtyard, he headed toward the main hall.

However, before he even reached the destination, he saw that the members of the Chu family had already gathered outside the hall.

Upon seeing his figure appear, someone immediately stepped forward to greet him.

“Big Brother! You've finally returned!”

Looking at the man smiling with such enthusiasm, Chu Ning frowned

“Chu Ji?”

Chu Ji came from a branch of the Chu family and had always been at odds with him.

When Chu Ning was at the height of his fame, Chu Ji had been filled with jealousy, always feeling that he had stolen his reputation and glory.

Later, after Chu Ning had fallen from grace, Chu Ji had frequently tripped him up in the shadows.

A cold sneer curled at the corner of Chu Ning's mouth.

“Chu Ji, that 'Big Brother' is quite a long-lost greeting. It seems... you haven't called me that in ten years, right?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Chu Ji's face, but he quickly squeezed out an eager smile again, reaching out a hand to grab Chu Ning's arm

“Hahaha! Big Brother is indeed as fond of joking as ever! Please, come inside! Everyone has been waiting for you for a long time!”

Chu Ning easily evaded his hand and then looked at the crowd before him.

He quickly scanned them, sneering inwardly.

*Heh.*

It wasn't just Chu Ji; the influential figures of the Chu family were all here.

Standing in the very center, who else could it be but the First Elder, Chu Xiao?

However, compared to the eager and enthusiastic expressions of the others, his own face remained far from pleasant.

“We are all one family, why are you standing here? Why haven't you come in to talk?”

Chu Xiao said sternly.

Chu Ning smiled.

To be able to say something resembling a compromise was likely the greatest concession Chu Xiao could make.

However...

He had not returned to the Chu family today to continue reading Chu Xiao's expressions!

“First Elder Chu, you seem to have forgotten something. Yue'er and I severed all ties with the Chu family long ago. As for being 'one family,' we truly don't count, do we?”

Chu Xiao's expression turned cold.

“Presumptuous!”

With one hand behind his back, Chu Ning said indifferently

“First Elder Chu, if you have something to say, just get straight to the point. But spare me the lecturing!”

(End of Chapter)