Chapter 421: Disappearance (Second Update)

Situ Yan’s eyes widened in shock

“Rong Xiao! Are you mad!?”

The Empress was the mother of the nation; upon her passing, a national period of mourning must be observed!

As her son, Rong Jin ought to observe three years of mourning!

Even if there were some urgent reason, at least a year would be the bare minimum to make sense!

One month?!

Isn't that equivalent to holding a grand wedding while stepping over the Empress's coffin!?

Does he not care about his dignity anymore? Does he not care about his reputation!?

If he truly did this, let alone Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen bearing the stigma of being unfilial and treacherous, even the reputation of the entire Yao Chen Kingdom's imperial family would be affected!

“You may be shameless, but I, Situ Yan, still care about my dignity!”

Since he already knew that Rong Jin was not the true Chosen One, how could he agree to continue fulfilling the marriage engagement?

Situ Xingchen was the pearl of his palm, his most proud and beloved daughter! How could she marry a deposed Crown Prince like Rong Jin!?

Wouldn't that mean her life was ruined forever!

Seeing Situ Yan's exasperated and furious state, Emperor Jiawen felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

This old man had schemed and plotted time and again, only to end up shooting himself in the foot!

He was determined to win this round no matter what!

“This marriage alliance was proposed by you in the first place. Are you suggesting you want to break the contract now?”

Situ Yan felt a sharp pain in his liver from sheer anger.

“So what if we break it!?”

The moment Rong Jin ran into trouble, they would dissolve the engagement, and they would certainly face criticism.

But even so, it was better than throwing Situ Xingchen's entire life away!

Emperor Jiawen leaned back in his chair.

The events of this recent period had exhausted him, but seeing Situ Yan so infuriated finally eased his mood a little.

“This matter is not up for negotiation. The engagement stands as it is! In one month, Situ Xingchen will be married in the Imperial Capital. Rest assured, Rong Jin is after all my son; for this grand wedding, I will personally ensure that those below me organize it with great pomp and ceremony!”

Situ Yan’s vision went dark, and he nearly fainted.

“Rong Xiao! You! You—”

He had made up his mind to keep Situ Xingchen here until the wedding with Rong Jin was completed!

“Rong Xiao, do not go too far! Do not think that my Xingluo Kingdom fears you!” Situ Yan took a deep breath to calm himself, his face grim as he spoke, ”Elder Zong Ye is still in Xingluo. If he finds out you have done this...”

“Who are you trying to threaten?”

A trace of mockery appeared on Emperor Jiawen's face.

“Elder Zong Ye is indeed powerful, but do you think it will be enough just for him to step forward?”

“Do not forget, Elder Zong Ye represents the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain!” Situ Yan's eyes turned bloodshot.

“If you can invite people from the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain, do you think we cannot?”

Situ Yan froze, only then remembering that Rong Xiu had also stayed at the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain for many years.

Although outsiders thought Rong Xiu was merely a sickly invalid, he had once heard Situ Xingchen mention that Rong Xiu was actually not as the rumors suggested.

Most importantly, since Rong Xiu had stayed at the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain for so long, if he were willing, he could naturally call upon his own backers!

He might even be more powerful than Elder Zong Ye!

Using this as a threat was utterly ineffective.

The veins on Situ Yan's forehead bulged.

He had never been so belittled and insulted!

“Rong Xiao, do you truly want to start a war between our two nations!?”

Situ Yan spoke each word heavily and clearly!

Emperor Jiawen slightly raised his eyelids, interlaced his hands in front of him, and smiled.

“Situ Yan, do you dare?”

***

“Your Highness, your tea.”

“Come in.”

*Creak—*

The door was pushed open, and a young servant in gray clothes walked in with a bowed waist, carrying tea. He carefully placed the tea to the side.

Rong Jiu was wiping a blade.

He was extremely focused, performing every step with great seriousness.

This blade was actually just an ordinary saber, but he cherished it deeply.

Because it was the blade he used the first time he killed someone on the battlefield.

That was the first time he had personally cut off someone's head; as the blade fell, it could harvest a life in an instant.

Thick, fishy blood had splashed across his face.

Many people have different reactions after their first kill—some feel nauseated and vomit, others suffer from recurring nightmares.

But he did not.

On the contrary, he only felt a sense of exhilaration!

Many years had passed, yet this blade remained bright and sharp.

“Your Highness, the tea will not taste good once it gets cold,” the servant reminded him respectfully.

Rong Jiu's movements paused, and he glanced at him.

“Please enjoy it at your leisure. This lowly one shall take his leave.”

With that, the servant withdrew silently and closed the door.

Rong Jiu's gaze fell upon the cup of tea.

He set the blade aside, picked up the tea, walked to a bonsai plant, and poured the tea into it.

Then, he felt around the bottom of the teacup and gave it a light tap.

*Click.*

An extremely thin layer popped open, and a piece of paper fell out.

It turned out that the bottom of this teacup actually hid a tiny mechanism!

Although the paper was very small, the handwriting on it was extremely clear.

“Everything is ready!”

Rong Jiu's heart settled. With a flick of his finger, the paper was crushed, turning completely into dust.

With a light flick, it vanished into the wind.

***

Chu Ning had been so busy these past few days that she hadn't even returned home.

Chu Liuyue had not returned to the academy either, staying home alone.

After the news of the Empress's passing and the Crown Prince's deposition arrived, she had a vague premonition in her heart.

And Situ Yan's arrival had confirmed her suspicions.

—Emperor Jiawen already knew that on that day, Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen had secretly followed behind him into the Imperial Mausoleum.

This matter became the last straw that broke the camel's back, finally prompting Emperor Jiawen to take action.

The Situ family seemed to have been implicated as well; many people had been stripped of their positions, and some had even been imprisoned.

Anyone with eyes could see that this was absolutely related to the Empress.

The Situ family did not offer any resistance to this; they merely accepted everything in silence and kept a low profile.

The position of the head of the four great families was teetering on the brink of collapse.

But that was not what Chu Liuyue cared about most.

She just felt that one thing was very strange.

Since Emperor Jiawen knew that Rong Jin and Situ Xingchen had gone to the Imperial Mausoleum that day, he would surely follow that lead and find something.

The Empress's death was most likely related to Situ Xingchen.

But until now, there had been no news at all.

Instead, the Third Prince, Rong Jiu, had been unceremoniously smeared with filth, and the rumors were only growing more intense.

Almost everyone was convinced that he was the one most deeply involved.

Emperor Jiawen was not stupid; if he truly wanted to investigate, he would surely find something.

Yet, for now, he was actually allowing this matter to develop...

She heard that Rong Jiu had also been placed under house arrest.

No matter how Chu Liuyue thought about it, something felt wrong.

Furthermore, although that pyramid was currently within her body, she still had no idea what it was.

After thinking it over, she had no clues at all.

Finally, Chu Liuyue decided to personally visit Seven-Corner Alley once more.

The Empress must have known something. Now that she was dead, Situ Xingchen and Rong Jin could not be questioned, so she might as well go investigate herself.

However, when she arrived at Seven-Corner Alley, she saw corpses scattered all over the ground!

Those were all the Imperial Guards stationed there!

Chu Liuyue's heart sank, and she immediately pushed the door open and rushed in!

The blood-colored bronze tripod that had been placed in the middle of the courtyard before had actually disappeared!