Chapter 336: Discussion (Third Update)

Si Yezhi had long anticipated that Si Ting would refuse, so he was not surprised. He advised patiently

"Si Ting, I know you have dealings with both Si Yang and Chu Liuyue. This matter should not be difficult for you. You—"

"Patriarch, Si Ting finds it difficult to obey your command."

Si Ting interrupted Si Yezhi's words, a rare occurrence.

Si Yezhi froze for a moment, only then realizing that Si Ting's resistance to this matter was not ordinary.

"But this time, it doesn't just involve Rong Zhen; it also implicates the Empress and Rong Jin! The Empress is a member of the Si family after all. If something happens to them, it will be a massive trouble for the Si family."

Si Ting glanced at Si Yezhi and asked calmly

"Rong Zhen is the esteemed Fourth Princess. If she went missing, the Emperor should have been informed immediately so the Imperial Guard could search for her. Why would the Empress secretly entrust this matter to the Si family? Furthermore, why is Chu Liuyue being inexplicably involved?"

He remembered that Rong Zhen and Chu Liuyue had never had much interaction; the only time was during Crown Prince Rong Jin's birthday banquet.

That time, Rong Zhen had publicly and intentionally humiliated Chu Liuyue in front of everyone, but in the end, it was Chu Liuyue who had dealt with her.

Perhaps Rong Zhen had harbored a grudge against Chu Liuyue since then.

Given her personality, it wouldn't be surprising if she had been making secret moves against Chu Liuyue after that.

But now that she was missing, what did it have to do with Chu Liuyue?

Si Yezhi found himself at a loss for words.

He could not tell Si Ting about the existence of Old Man Meng. However, Si Ting was stubborn; if he set his mind on getting to the bottom of things, then...

"These matters are complicated to explain. In short, even if it is for the sake of the Si family, what harm is there in you going to ask?" Si Yezhi felt a massive headache coming on. "As long as you don't let Chu Liuyue discover you are inquiring about Rong Zhen..."

"She will definitely know," Si Ting said decisively.

Chu Liuyue was unexpectedly intelligent; many times, even he could not see through what she was thinking.

"Patriarch, I have been classmates with Chu Liuyue for several months and understand her to some extent. If this matter truly is related to her, she will become instantly alert the moment I speak. Conversely, if it is not related, then... asking so abruptly will only arouse her curiosity and suspicion."

Therefore, no matter which way it went, trying to pry information from Chu Liuyue would be of no help.

Si Yezhi leaned back in his chair, falling into deep thought.

He knew Si Ting was not without reason.

But besides that, what other way was there?

Send someone else? He truly could not rest easy about it.

Si Ting looked at him, his gaze darkening slightly.

"Patriarch. Chu Liuyue has already been selected by Vice General Mu. Do you really intend to place the entire Si family in jeopardy for the sake of the Empress and the Crown Prince?"

Si Yezhi was jolted violently!

***

Mu Qinghe was resting in the room.

Hong Yao stood by the window out of boredom, occasionally preening its feathers.

The wounds left from the previous fight had healed, but it felt they had affected its image, so it had been staying obediently lately, planning to go out only after it had fully recovered.

"Learn from your mistakes. I have taught you this principle too many times. You never listen, and in the end, you are always the one who suffers the loss."

Mu Qinghe gave Hong Yao a faint glance and poured himself a cup of tea.

Hearing this, Hong Yao acted as if it hadn't heard a thing.

Mu Qinghe watched the curling white steam, his face expressionless.

"You are currently only a Grade Seven Demonic Beast, yet you actually dare to fight a Divine Beast?"

Hong Yao froze.

From beginning to end, it hadn't leaked a single shred of information!

How did Mu Qinghe know?

Seeing this reaction, Mu Qinghe narrowed his eyes.

"It seems it truly is so."

*I fell for it!*

Hong Yao realized instantly, feeling immense frustration.

Mu Qinghe had clearly just been guessing before, merely bluffing him!

Hong Yao glared fiercely at Mu Qinghe.

It was like this every single time; sooner or later, it was going to betray its master!

Mu Qinghe, however, picked up his teacup, slowly rubbing it in his hands.

"A Divine Beast... this place truly is..."

His voice was very low, almost inaudible.

Suddenly, Hong Yao sensed a familiar aura. Its eyes lit up instantly, its wings spread wide, and it flew toward the outside!

Mu Qinghe's eyelids lifted slightly, and he then looked toward the main gate with a meaningful expression.

***

Chu Liuyue looked up slightly, observing the courtyard before her.

This was Mu Qinghe's residence in the Imperial Capital.

There were no guards watching the gate, and even the adjacent streets were deserted and quiet.

She had walked all this way without encountering a single person.

To an outsider, arriving here might seem strange.

But since the resident was Mu Qinghe, everything became logical.

In the Imperial Capital, countless people wanted to visit Mu Qinghe to try and establish even the slightest connection with him.

However, no one dared to actually do so.

Even Emperor Jiawen did not dare to disturb him, let alone others.

It was said that Emperor Jiawen originally wanted to send a few people to serve Mu Qinghe, but he had refused them all.

Thus, in fact, there was not a single servant inside or outside this courtyard.

Mu Qinghe lived here alone.

However, a transparent barrier had been set up outside the main gate.

From a distance, one would not notice anything unusual.

But once one approached, they would immediately feel that powerful, overwhelming pressure!

Just as Chu Liuyue was wondering how to knock on the door, a cyan figure suddenly flew out from the adjacent courtyard wall, heading straight for her.

"Hong Yao?"

Chu Liuyue maintained a look of surprise on her face, but she thought to herself that Hong Yao's keen sense of smell was indeed the same as before; it knew it was her from such a distance.

Hong Yao flew joyfully in front of Chu Liuyue.

It had been bored to death these past two days!

It hadn't expected Chu Liuyue to actually come today!

"Hong Yao, your master—"

*Creak—*

Before Chu Liuyue could finish her question, the main gate suddenly opened from the inside.

And an entrance appeared upon the barrier.

Hong Yao flapped its wings rapidly, urging Chu Liuyue to hurry inside.

The corners of Chu Liuyue's mouth curled slightly as she stepped forward to walk inside.

Passing through the front courtyard and through the corridor, Chu Liuyue finally arrived before a room door.

The door was open, and Mu Qinghe was sitting inside drinking tea.

Just as Chu Liuyue was hesitating whether to speak, she saw Mu Qinghe say without even looking up

"Just come in."

Only then did Chu Liuyue follow Hong Yao inside.

"Greetings, Vice General Mu."

After the first time, performing a curtsy to Mu Qinghe again became much easier.

Mu Qinghe finally raised his eyes.

"If you find staying here stifling, go focus on your cultivation."

Chu Liuyue froze for a moment before realizing those words were directed at Hong Yao.

Hong Yao rolled its eyes in dissatisfaction.

It had heard such words countless times; if it were in a good mood, perhaps it would listen.

But right now—she was here!

How could it just be dismissed like this?!

Hong Yao landed right next to Mu Qinghe's hand and drank from his teacup.

Half of its head was almost buried in it. After drinking its fill, it lifted its head and shook it violently, splashing tea everywhere.

Mu Qinghe gave it a warning glance.

Chu Liuyue suddenly spoke

"Vice General Mu, I came today because there is something I wish to discuss with you."

(End of Chapter)