Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Helian Wei Wei fell silent for a moment, then she asked, âIf you kill these eminent monks who have achieved the Dao, your sin would be greater, right?â
âSo what.â Baili Jia Jue grasped onto his cold fingers. He was slightly regretting his decision of allowing Shadow to talk.
Huh, isnât it obvious?
He looked perfect on the surface.
In reality, he knew nothing but murder and political tactics.
Why does it even matter if he sinned or not.
If this was in the past, he would start a mass murder at whichever temple those monks came from.
But now...n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âItâs nothing much.â Helian Wei Wei smiled softly and interrupted his thought process, âI just feel like I should visit the Hidden Spirit Temple again and burn some incense for you.â Upon finishing her sentence, she looked up and took Baili Jia Jueâs hand in hers. She gave him a smile and said, âNext time, Iâll do these type of things for you. Your hands are pure and beautiful, donât let them get bloodstained. Moreover, those monks were after me. They came into the palace to cause chaos, so if you kill them, how are you going to explain it to the Emperor?â
âThis is what you want to say?â Deep in Baili Jia Jueâs eyes, it seemed as if layers of waves were rising aggressively, it was different from his usual icy coldness and fiery heat.
He did not believe it last time.
But now, he believed it.
In this world, there will be someoneâs existence that can make you forgive and forget all the hardships that you have been through.
To him, Helian Wei Wei was that existence.
Helian Wei Wei nodded, âDid I say something wrong?â
âItâs correct.â A smirk crept onto Baili Jia Jueâs lips. Then, he leaned in and pressed his lips onto hers.
It all happened too quickly.
Helian Wei Wei froze on the spot. Every inhale of hers was traced with a whiff of peppermint, the scent that only belonged to men. Her heart was racing.
There were still so many people around them.
Other than Little Seven, there was also Eunuch Sun and Shadow...
Right when Helian Wei Wei tasted the flavour of mesmerising yet chilling sandalwood, she reached her arms out and pushed him away. Her ears were bright red and she exclaimed, âCan you take care of your image, please.â
âYouâre the one who seduced me with your words.â Baili Jia Jue grinned malevolently and continued, âWhen the others hear of Shadowâs reports, they usually call me a monster or a devil. Youâre different. You defend a monster like me.â
Helian Wei Wei wiped off her smudged lipstick caused by his kissing and without lifting her head, she retorted, âWho would I defend if not you? You are my man.â
âOh?â Baili Jia Jue pursed his lips, and carried her off the ground, âThen thank you, my wife...â
Helian Wei Wei shrugged, âItâs not a big deal, really. But I donât think killing a few monks will solve the problem.â
âThe Princess Consort is wise.â Shadow coughed softly, having finally found his own voice, âThis time, the people from the Eldersâs Compound placed tremendous effort into this. They hired three batches of eminent monks at once, but we only killed the first batch. Even though we did not leave any trails, but to do that again will be difficult. Moreover, it was the Emperorâs idea to invite the eminent monks into the palace.â
Helian Wei Wei nodded, âCall the Shadows back. It is no longer necessary to kill those monks.â
âBut...â Shadow glanced toward Baili Jia Jue.
Baili Jia Jueâs slender fingers were carelessly intertwined in Helian Wei Weiâs locks. He gave a swift nod.
Only then did Shadow replied, âYes.â
âYou came in such a rush, I believe that this isnât the only matter, right?â Helian Wei Wei sipped her tea, smiled and added, âTell me about them, I am quite interested in His Highnessâs affairs.â
Shadow glanced at Baili Jia Jue once more before reporting, âThe spy from the army has news. There has been some commotion caused by the Empressâs former subordinates recently. Today they even had a gathering, what are they trying to achieve?â
âThe Empressâs former subordinates?â Helian Wei Weiâs pupils constricted and her voice deepened. Even though she was an outsider who came from somewhere else, but she still knew that in a situation like this, most of the time it meant that something was about to happen.
Chances are, there was going to be a rebellion to overthrow the Emperor!
The movement of Helian Wei Weiâs fingers paused, then she stood up facing the other direction.
Baili Jia Jue only observed her quietly, his handsome face displayed no change in emotion.
Shadow tested the waters by asking, âYour Highness, should we make preparations? Perhaps shift the garrison from outside the city to guard the Meridian Gate and await further instructions.â
âNo need.â Baili Jia Jue held his hand out and placed his teacup on the table. He calmly directed, âGo check on the Empressâs former subordinates. I want to know who the members are. The Fifth Prince is jailed, the Empress is locked in the palace, the whole Murong tribe fell apart, but now they are causing commotion. It seems fishy in every way.â
Shadow responded with a brief yes, but inside, he was conflicted and worried about the decision, âYour Highness, since there is a problem, they are bound to come prepared. Is it really practical to not shift the garrison into the city?â
âWe should not shift the garrison at this time.â Baili Jia Jue was calm and composed, as if this matter had nothing to do with him. He explained, âThe garrisonâs role is to protect the Capital. They should follow the orders of the Emperor. Even if I had the power over the military, and even if it was my intention to protect the Emperor from the rebels, the Emperor would still question the action. Even worse, the Emperor might even place the crime of rebellion on me, because a Prince was never meant to bring the military into the palace.â
Shadow was stunned upon hearing all that, âThe Emperor, the Emperor wouldnât possibly do something like that, right?â
âThere is nothing impossible about this. It is merely to use an incident to his advantage.â Baili Jia Jue slowly turned his sleeve.
Shadow began to panic, âYour Highness, what should we do now? We canât just stand here and watch as they invade the palace! When the time comes, the Emperor would say that youâre incompetent!â
âHe wonât just say Iâm incompetent.â Baili Jia Jue pursed his thin lips, âAlright, you may leave now. I have my own ways to deal with this. Tell all the Shadows that no matter what happens, do not move...â
Shadow did not respond anymore. Do not move?
Is this really okay?
Time ticked by. Within the palace walls, it was a breezy scene with peace and serenity, but behind those walls, the wind roared and even the rustling of the grass was amplified.
In a hidden teahouse at the west side of the city where there was little to no crowd, a few dark silhouettes gathered. It seemed like they were plotting something.
The general with a sword pointed at the scroll with a blueprint of the palace and whispered, âWait till the sun sets, the door will be opened beforehand for us. Then, we only have the sneak in and rush toward Chaoyang Palace! We can only succeed, no failures allowed!â
âYes!â
This was their only chance.
The Murong tribe lost their leader, and their Empress was banished into the Cold Palace.
The Emperor did not show any remorse while the Third Prince wanted their whole tribe gone as well.
So, they must make a move!
According to the eldersâ plan, they werenât afraid if they did not successfully overthrow the Emperor.
The moment the Third Prince sends the army against them, the Emperor would be furious and charge him with the crime of rebellion!
To be able to drag the Third Prince down makes everything worth it!