Chapter 315 Killing people and attacking the heart
In the Imperial Study, Lin Tu put down the Thousand Li Sound Transmission Device in his hand, his face ashen: “How dare he hide such a thing from me!”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your Dragon Body is important.”
An old eunuch with white hair and beard beside him quickly stepped forward to appease him. He was Eunuch Ma, the Vice General Manager of the Inner Mansion.
“Calm my anger? An Imperial Concubine died, such a major event, and Steward Zhong hid it from me. How can you expect me to calm my anger?”
Lin Tu questioned sternly.
“What? That Imperial Concubine… the Imperial Concubine died?”
Eunuch Ma’s face turned pale, and he stammered to confirm.
“Is it that strange? Since I ascended the throne, not a single Imperial Concubine has entered the palace alive.”
Lin Tu said self-deprecatingly.
Eunuch Ma didn’t dare to breathe, but after a few breaths, a hint of joy appeared on his face, and his chest movements gradually slowed. It was obvious that he had realized that this was definitely great news for him. The reason was simple: the Imperial Concubine was killed, and Steward Zhong, who was responsible for escorting her, would be held accountable and severely punished. Not only his official position but his life would likely be lost. As the Vice General Manager, he would be the biggest beneficiary.
“This old servant doesn’t quite understand. With a master like Steward Zhong protecting her, who could kill her?”
Eunuch Ma asked after calming himself down.
“It is said that a master attracted a Heavenly Tribulation, and the Imperial Concubine was unfortunately caught in the crossfire.”
Lin Tu said, taking a deep breath.
“Heavenly Tribulation? But none of the masters in our Xihui Dynasty need to go through a tribulation?”
Eunuch Ma’s face showed confusion.
“So, only Heaven knows if this is a Heavenly Tribulation or not.”
Lin Tu sneered.
“Your Majesty need not worry. Qi Huang is just a clone. Even if she dies, her soul will return to her main body. At most, when her main body breaks through to the Shentong Realm in the future, she can be given another body.”
Eunuch Ma quickly comforted him.
“It’s easy for you to say. Cheng Hong Ling has just entered the Huashen Realm. Even if she is a genius, it will take decades to reach the Shentong Realm. How can I wait?”
Lin Tu retorted.
Eunuch Ma was speechless and could only mumble and shut his mouth.
“A bunch of useless people, unable to handle even such a small matter. It seems I’ve been too merciful. This time, I must make an example of them.”
Lin Tu said with a gloomy face.
……
For the next ten days or so, Qi Huang secretly followed the Imperial Concubine’s escort team. When she had free time, she would seize the opportunity to cultivate, as this was the only way to get rid of those annoying flies.
Qi Huang cultivated particularly diligently this time, but even so, it took her a full seventeen days to cultivate True Qi again, which was a full seven or eight days later than when she was poisoned by Xieqisan and had to re-cultivate. It couldn’t even be compared to her first cultivation after being possessed by the Feminization Mask.
“What’s going on?”
Qi Huang was a little puzzled, so she discussed it with Cheng Hong Ling.
“I roughly understand the reason. When I created the clone before, I only gave Cheng Ling a face skin, so you can imagine how much spiritual energy it contained. Coupled with the weakening by the Xieqisan, it’s reasonable for your cultivation to become increasingly difficult.”
Cheng Hong Ling, being intelligent, quickly found the reason.
“That makes sense!”
Qi Huang suddenly realized, and she became more and more impressed with her foresight. If she had chosen to cultivate True Qi from the beginning, she might have only been able to fight with those low-level cultivator rookies her entire life, and she might have been captured and used as a breeding tool.
However, no matter what, Qi Huang had cultivated True Qi. This was her “pass” to be able to leave the Imperial Palace openly. If she could leave openly, who would choose to sneak away?
Eunuch Zhong and his group tried their best to delay time in order to live a few more days, but what was coming still came. After wasting more than twenty days, they returned to the Imperial Capital.
Outside the South Gate of the Imperial Capital, Eunuch Zhong lingered for a long time, and the other members of the escort team were also restless, like prisoners being taken to the execution ground.
“Remember, if His Majesty or anyone else asks about this matter, you will say that we encountered bad weather, and the Imperial Concubine went missing due to a thunderstorm. We spent a lot of time looking for her, so we are only returning now. Do you understand? Do not mention the Heavenly Tribulation, nor her death, otherwise none of you will survive.”
Eunuch Zhong, seeing that it was getting late, gave instructions.
The members of the Imperial Concubine’s escort team looked at each other, not understanding.
“Steward Zhong, I can understand you saying the Saintess went missing. You want to reduce the severity of the matter, but why would you say the Heavenly Tribulation was bad weather? Everyone saw the situation at the time, that was definitely not ordinary lightning.”
Feng Wuwei, who was beside him, stepped forward and asked in confusion.
“Feng Wuwei, have you been stunned by the lightning? Bad weather means Heaven is angry, and Qi Huang has done something wicked and has been struck by lightning. How would we mortals dare to defy Heaven? His Majesty considers himself to be appointed by Heaven, so he cannot punish us, right? As for the Heavenly Tribulation, it is a man-made disaster, and we will be held responsible for not protecting the Imperial Concubine. Don’t you understand such a simple logic?”
Eunuch Zhong rebuked helplessly.
“Oh, oh, oh, Your Grace is wise! This subordinate has learned a lesson.”
Feng Wuwei’s eyes lit up, and he flattered continuously.
The gloom on the faces of the other members of the escort team quickly disappeared, and a hint of admiration appeared in their eyes.
Indeed, although “weather” and “Heavenly Tribulation” only differed by one word, their essence was vastly different. Lightning storms were Heaven’s anger, irresistible, while Heavenly Tribulations were “man-made disasters” that could be avoided. If His Majesty truly believed it was due to bad weather, then everyone had a slim chance of survival.
“Alright, remember what I said, let’s go!”
Eunuch Zhong waved his hand and then led the Imperial Concubine’s escort team towards the city gate.
…
“This damn old eunuch, he actually said I was struck by lightning.”
In a small forest two li away, Qi Huang held the Recording Mirror and cursed through gritted teeth.
“I think he said it very well! It makes people feel awe-inspiring!”
Yaoyao said gloatingly.
“What’s so good about it? How dare he curse me? Then I won’t go out. I must make him suffer first.”
Qi Huang gritted her teeth.
“What a petty woman.”
Yaoyao couldn’t help but taunt.
“As you said, I am a woman, and my heart is not that broad. Whoever offends me, I will surely retaliate.”
Qi Huang gritted her teeth and walked towards the city gate.
“Look at your chest. It’s so big that it’s almost dragging on the ground. Isn’t it broad and big enough? I suspect you’ve done something shameful behind my back and started producing breast milk. I must let my clansmen taste it another day.”
Yaoyao said enviously and jealously.
“No need to let those cats taste it. If you want to taste it, we can discuss it.”
Qi Huang said teasingly.
“Shameless little slut.”
Yaoyao couldn’t help but curse angrily.
Thus, Qi Huang entered the Imperial Capital while bickering with the cat girl. Of course, she had changed into a simple dress and deliberately wore a veil.
…
Eunuch Zhong and the others arrived outside the South Gate of the Imperial Palace and then stood there like old trees taking root for a long time before they braced themselves and walked in.
“Crack… crack… crackle…”
As Eunuch Zhong stepped through the gate, a piercing sound of firecrackers reached him. He was already on edge and was startled.
‘Who the hell scared this old eunuch.’
Eunuch Zhong cursed inwardly, then followed the sound. He saw a luxurious eight-bearer sedan chair parked by the roadside. Three women stood beside it, and the firecrackers were set off by the middle-aged beautiful woman in a phoenix robe among them.
Eunuch Zhong’s face changed, and he quickly put on a smile. He bowed and walked forward, bending over to salute: “Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!”
“Eunuch Zhong, you traveled a long distance on imperial orders to pick up the Imperial Concubine. You must be tired. I am here specifically to welcome you.”
Empress Zheng said with a false smile.
‘Welcome? You’re trying to kill me with kindness.’
Eunuch Zhong was stunned on the spot. Even if he were an idiot, he would understand that those inexplicable Heavenly Tribulations must be related to the women in the harem, and Empress Zheng, standing before him, was definitely capable of orchestrating such a grand scene.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. But serving His Majesty is our fortune, not hardship.”
Although Eunuch Zhong resented it in his heart, he still maintained his composure.
“His Majesty is fortunate to have you as his trusted subordinate. It is the fortune of the court and the people.”
Empress Zheng flattered him hypocritically again, then looked at the sedan chair beside her and asked with feigned curiosity: “I’ve heard that this Imperial Concubine is as beautiful as a country and a city. Can you please ask her to come out and let me see her?”
