Chapter 438: Weighing Both Sides and Choosing the Heavier One (Fourth Update)

If anyone else were present to hear these words, they would undoubtedly be struck with immense shock.

This matter involved deep complexities, yet Emperor Jiawen was actually asking about it so directly! It was a testament to his trust in Rong Xiu!

Rong Xiu’s phoenix eyes opened slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his gaze.

"Did Imperial Father call your son here specifically for this matter?"

Emperor Jiawen looked at him with a heavy gaze, remaining silent.

The corners of Rong Xiu’s lips curled slightly, a faint glimmer dancing in the corners of his eyes and brows.

"Does Imperial Father harbor doubts regarding Yue'er?"

Emperor Jiawen rubbed his temples.

"Rong Xiu, you have always been the smartest."

He had to admit that Elder Zong Ye's words had indeed shaken him.

Last night, he had barely slept a wink, thinking incessantly about this matter.

Why, out of so many people, did they specifically point to Chu Liuyue?

Furthermore, judging from Chu Liuyue's various astonishing performances during this period, it wasn't impossible that she truly harbored some secret.

Even though Elder Ye had promised to go and question Chu Liuyue personally, he still felt uneasy in his heart.

However, Chu Liuyue's identity was special; he could not, and was unwilling to, move against her lightly.

Therefore, he could only call for Rong Xiu.

Rong Xiu pondered for a moment before suddenly saying

"There is one thing that Imperial Father seems unaware of."

Emperor Jiawen sat up slightly straight.

Rong Xiu still wore a smile, yet a layer of playfulness colored his brow.

"Situ Xingchen... once admired your son for several years."

Emperor Jiawen froze instantly.

Soon, he understood something.

Could it be that Situ Xingchen was exceptionally hostile toward Chu Liuyue for this very reason?

Emperor Jiawen’s brow slowly furrowed.

"Even so, she shouldn't go so far as to deliberately frame her... After all, she already has an engagement with Rong Jin. What benefit would provoking Chu Liuyue bring her?"

The smile on Rong Xiu's lips deepened, but it was tinged with a layer of coldness.

"As for the nature of her engagement with Imperial Brother, Imperial Father knows best."

Emperor Jiawen fell into deep thought.

"I wonder if Imperial Father still remembers, on the final day of the Qingjiao Assembly, your son went to the arena."

Emperor Jiawen nodded.

"Naturally, I remember."

"That day, your son originally went to ask Yue'er for a favor. While I was below the stands, I encountered Situ Xingchen. I inadvertently discovered that the cloud patterns embroidered on her sleeves were almost identical to the ones on my own clothes."

Rong Xiu's tone was slightly chilled.

Emperor Jiawen's heart skipped a beat.

Rong Xiu had indeed been extremely fond of those unique cloud patterns in the past, having many clothes specially embroidered with them.

"...Perhaps it was just a coincidence?"

"After returning that day, your son thought it over and felt somewhat uncomfortable, so I ordered the servants in my manor to burn all the clothes bearing those cloud patterns."

Emperor Jiawen's expression shifted.

He had some impression of this matter, but he hadn't paid it much mind at the time, assuming Rong Xiu simply wanted to change his mood after recovering from a serious illness by throwing those clothes away.

He hadn't expected there was this underlying reason.

"And that day, Situ Xingchen also arrived outside the Prince of Li's Manor and witnessed this scene. After leaving, she went to a secluded alleyway where she personally slaughtered several cultivators, dismembering them into a pile of bloody pulp before she was finished."

Rong Xiu spoke in a slow, measured manner, yet the content was heart-stopping!

"Does Imperial Father think... this is also a coincidence?"

Emperor Jiawen could no longer sit still; he abruptly stood up.

"How did you come by this information?"

Rong Xiu smiled calmly.

"Imperial Father, your son is in the Imperial Capital. If I did not even know who had visited the Prince of Li's Manor or what kind of attitude people held toward me, how could I possibly survive?"

Emperor Jiawen looked at him with a complex gaze, remaining silent for a long while.

"...Indeed! I almost forgot..."

Though Rong Xiu's body was frail, he was extremely intelligent.

Having stayed at the Bright Moon Heavenly Mountain for so many years, if he lacked even this much capability, it would truly have been a disappointment.

"Those people usually frequented various gambling dens and pleasure quarters in the capital, so they were quite hated. No one cared once they were dead. This matter was simply suppressed. However, if Imperial Father wishes to confirm it, it would be quite easy—"

"No need to say more. I believe what you say."

Emperor Jiawen waved his hand wearily and leaned back into his chair.

Rong Xiu fell silent.

The room fell into silence once again.

Thoughts surged in Emperor Jiawen's mind.

Anyone could hear that something was wrong with this matter.

For all these years, in the eyes of the world, Situ Xingchen had always been high and mighty, gentle, and elegant.

But from this incident, it was clearly evident that she was not like that at all.

In fact, while dealing with Situ Xingchen these past few days, he had already developed this feeling in his heart.

He just hadn't expected that her ruthlessness would exceed his imagination...

By connecting these events, many questions were instantly resolved.

"...So, Situ Xingchen turned her love into hatred, which is why she repeatedly targeted Liuyue?"

If that were the case, Situ Xingchen's involvement in Rong Zhen's affairs and her inexplicable accusations against Chu Liuyue now had a logical explanation.

Rong Xiu gave a faint smile.

"Your son did not say that. As for right and wrong, Imperial Father will have his own judgment in his heart."

Emperor Jiawen opened his eyes, looking deeply at the Rong Xiu before him.

"I did not expect that the first time you chose to be honest with me, it would be for the sake of Chu Liuyue."

By saying these things, Rong Xiu was essentially admitting that he possessed his own power within the Imperial Capital! He was far from the person who sought no conflict with the world as he had previously portrayed!

He could not be unaware that this was a great taboo for an Emperor!

"Are you not worried that I might grow wary of you?"

Emperor Jiawen asked, word by word.

Sunlight spilled in from the window, reflecting in the depths of Rong Xiu's eyes like a brilliant field of stars.

He said

"Your son merely weighed two sides and chose the more important one."

And she was his most important, and only, choice.

***

Almost at the same time, Chu Liuyue, within her own courtyard, awaited Elder Ye's arrival.

So much had happened the previous night; Situ Xingchen would certainly identify her and would definitely leak everything to Emperor Jiawen.

Therefore, she had long been prepared.

However, she hadn't expected that it would be her own master who came.

Chu Liuyue greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Master, what wind has blown you here?"

Elder Ye looked at her and suddenly asked in surprise

"Eh? When did you break through to a Third-Stage Martial Artist?!"

If he remembered correctly, hadn't this girl only just broken through to the Second Stage at the Qingjiao Assembly?

How could she be so fast—

Furthermore, the aura on her body seemed somewhat different from before...

If Elder Ye were to carefully examine Chu Liuyue's original pulse, he would know that this subtle change was caused by the increase in the level of the original pulse within her body.

Chu Liuyue's eyes curved into crescents.

"I happened to break through these past two days. I learned quite a lot in the library of the Taiyan Academy previously, and when I attempted a breakthrough recently, I was indeed successful."

Elder Ye thought about it carefully and felt it made sense.

He had long known that the abundance of original force in Chu Liuyue's body was not low; a breakthrough was only a matter of time.

"As expected of this old man's disciple! Haha!"

Seeing Elder Ye's face full of joy, the corners of Chu Liuyue's lips curled as she gave a seemingly casual reminder

"Did you come to find your disciple today for some particular reason?"

Elder Ye's laughter came to an abrupt halt.

(End of Chapter)