Chapter 426: Threat (Second Update)

*Creak—*

The sound of a door opening echoed through the dim, cramped space.

Trapped within the iron cage, Situ Xingchen abruptly raised her head!

Her exquisite hair bun had long since fallen apart, with several strands hanging in disarray, making her look utterly wretched.

The patches of dirt and grime on her face and body only added to her disheveled state.

In all her years of living, she had never fallen into such a predicament!

Footsteps gradually approached.

A man walked in, standing three paces away from the iron cage.

In the entire space, only two candles burned upon the mottled walls, casting a flickering, weak light.

Situ Xingchen could not clearly see the newcomer's face, but the moment she saw his silhouette, she immediately recognized his identity!

It was none other than Emperor Jiawen!

She rose almost instantly, rushing forward to grab the iron bars and shaking them violently.

"Let me out! Let me out! My Imperial Father has already arrived, hasn't he!?"

Emperor Jiawen took a step back and waved a hand in front of his nose.

Situ Xingchen was instantly overcome with humiliation, her face burning! She involuntarily let go of the bars, wishing she could crawl into a crack in the ground!

Since being locked here, all her eating, drinking, and waste had been handled within this tiny space; she couldn't even leave this cage.

One could imagine exactly what kind of state she was in now.

She didn't know how long she had been imprisoned, because time here felt like years!

With every passing moment, she felt herself stepping closer to a total breakdown!

From the moment she was born, she had been the incomparably noble Eldest Princess of the Xingluo Kingdom; when had she ever endured such torment!?

She had lost count of how many times she had cursed Emperor Jiawen in her heart!

If given the chance, she would surely hack him into a thousand pieces!

But at this moment, she was still on his chopping block, so she naturally did not dare to be too insolent.

Emperor Jiawen sneered

"He has arrived, but by now, he should already be on his way back, shouldn't he?"

The expression on Situ Xingchen's face froze instantly!

It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over her head, extinguishing all the hope and longing in her heart!

"Impossible! My Imperial Father would never abandon me! You're lying to me!"

Situ Xingchen screamed in disbelief.

Her Imperial Father had always doted on her most; how could he possibly leave her like this?

"Rest assured, he only went back to prepare for the grand wedding between you and Rong Jin. You are his most beloved daughter; of course, he would not abandon you. Oh, right, the date has been set for half a month from now."

Emperor Jiawen spoke unhurriedly.

"Once the Empress's funeral is concluded, your grand wedding will be held. It was originally set for a month from now, but your Imperial Father seemed quite urgent, so it has been moved up by half a month."

Situ Xingchen was utterly stunned.

"Wha—What!?"

Her grand wedding with Rong Jin!?

She had already sent word to her father that Rong Jin was a fake Chosen One!

Her father's visit this time was intended, on one hand, to cancel her engagement to Rong Jin, and on the other, to take her away from this place!

But now, what on earth was going on!?

"Time is tight, so some aspects are inevitably overlooked. But fortunately, since Rong Jin is no longer the Crown Prince, many of the complex and lengthy rituals can be omitted."

Emperor Jiawen's tone was relaxed, as if he were truly happy for them.

Situ Xingchen trembled with rage.

Deliberate!

Emperor Jiawen was clearly doing this on purpose!

He was using this opportunity to thoroughly humiliate them!

"You! You!"

Having reached this point, Situ Xingchen finally tore off her last layer of pretense.

Her shrill voice echoed within the dark space, sounding more like the piercing wail of a female ghost.

She stared fixedly at Emperor Jiawen, trying to discern something from his blurred features.

But—there was nothing!

The way Emperor Jiawen looked did not seem like he was lying at all!

Situ Xingchen's heart finally sank!

She knew that Emperor Jiawen was forcing her hand!

***

The moonlight was bright, and the evening breeze was gentle.

The Imperial Capital at night seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber, shrouded in silence.

Chu Liuyue followed the mysterious person all the way.

Soon, she discovered that the direction the person was heading was actually toward the Imperial Palace!

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a moment of hesitation.

It wasn't that she hadn't been to the Imperial Palace before; she knew clearly that the entire palace was actually one massive profound formation!

And outside the palace, there was an invisible barrier!

Given her current strength, it would be extremely difficult to enter silently.

But the person ahead seemed completely unconcerned, continuing to move forward rapidly!

Chu Liuyue took a deep breath and ultimately followed!

No matter what, she had to get to the bottom of this today!

After about fifteen minutes, the two finally arrived outside the palace walls.

This area was quite remote; aside from the patrolling Imperial Guards, there were no other people responsible for guarding it.

Yet, standing beneath the wall, Chu Liuyue could clearly feel the pressure of that barrier!

She looked up at the mysterious person.

She saw the person reach out, a flash of starlight passing through their fingertips!

A clean cut instantly appeared upon the barrier!

Furthermore, it didn't cause any disturbance whatsoever!

Chu Liuyue's eye twitched violently!

That kind of move... she had seen it before!

It had helped her quite a bit in the past; she hadn't expected it today...

*Swish!*

The barrier opened, and the person had already leaped over the wall, entering the Imperial Palace!

Chu Liuyue only caught a glimpse of a black hem fluttering over the wall.

She took a few steps back and then rushed forward quickly! Her foot landed upon the wall!

Then, her body ran parallel to the ground, and she actually charged straight up the wall!

With a light flip of her body and her legs slightly bent, she landed easily on the ground!

Looking up, the person had already continued moving forward!

Chu Liuyue pursed her lips.

Does this person not worry at all that she won't be able to keep up...?

But she had no time to think too much and quickly pursued them!

The two of them were like night cats, completely hidden within the thick darkness of the night.

However, Chu Liuyue was soon shocked to discover that this person seemed incredibly familiar with the layout of the palace!

Under the person's lead, they easily dodged all the patrolling guards and palace servants, making a direct intrusion!

Chu Liuyue became increasingly confused.

Why was this person so familiar with the Imperial Palace, as if they had been here countless times...

Especially as they went further, they moved into more remote areas, yet the person's speed remained consistent, every step taken without the slightest hesitation.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the person finally stopped.

Chu Liuyue came to a halt as well, hiding in the shadows and looking forward.

When she clearly saw the three words "Youhe Hall" on the plaque, her brow furrowed slightly.

Why come to this place?

It didn't look like—

Suddenly! Chu Liuyue's gaze sharpened!

Something was wrong!

Around this Youhe Hall, there were actually several obscure auras!

There were people inside!

While she was wondering who would be here so late, the mysterious person suddenly walked forward!

(End of Chapter)