Chapter 57

After going through quite a few twists and turns, the Prince Jiang Mansion finally settled down to a degree. The banquet hall was filled with guests, and Jiang Xili drifted among them with a wine glass in hand. With a slightly flushed face, he watched Bingxiao’s figure disappear into the distant corridors of the estate, yet his heart felt utterly empty.

In the darkness, Fu Yanjin walked deeper into the woods. The further he went, the clearer the intermittent sounds became—a steady dripping noise, resembling the rhythmic striking of a wooden fish used in Buddhist chants, though with a duller echo as if it were traveling up from the riverside.

Shuiqing truly had no idea how to advise her. Was she supposed to suggest that Yunyun attempt a life-risking bungee jump? At such a critical, life-or-death juncture, should she seriously realize that life offered more than just one path?

Following the damage inflicted on their vanguard, the rebel forces seemed to have deployed their inner-camp troops as well. According to the customs of roving bandits, only the most elite and trusted soldiers were assigned to the old camp—that is, the inner camp. Beneath the inner camp were the regular cavalry, followed by the infantry, and lastly, the ordinary, coerced starving commoners and peasants.

Moreover, ever since he learned of the old man’s physical condition, he had harbored this intention: once the elderly man was rescued, it would mark the very beginning of their moving away from this dwelling.

If things truly unfolded as everyone predicted and the rebel forces led by Zhang Xianzhong were completely annihilated within a year or two, then not only would his position as Grand Secretary remain secure, but rising to the rank of Senior Grand Secretary and truly wielding supreme authority over the Ming Empire for a decade might not be an impossibility at all.

Roaming rebels and Eastern Jurchens rose and fell alternately; the imperial court suffered from insufficient tax revenues and inefficient administration, while popular support gradually evaporated. Both the gentry and the common people were slowly drifting away, and everyone felt that the moment for a once-in-three-centuries upheaval had arrived, though none knew which faction would ultimately bring about the fall of the court.

Had the people of Yan Cheng County known that Qin Yang had already shattered numerous records long ago, they likely would not have been so astonished.

"What? Zhao the Black?" Liu Fufeng never expected her to say such a thing. She was so startled she nearly choked, leaving both her and Fat Pig staring in blank astonishment.

By this time, Yao Xia had also discerned Liu Ruyan’s intentions. Being the eldest among them, even a year older than Liu Ling, she had never thought of having Liu Yu entirely to herself. As long as she could see him every day, and he occasionally kept her company, she would be completely satisfied.

This was a question no one could answer. The few of them stood in stunned silence, completely at a loss for how to tell Black Tiger what to do.

Lost in thought, she walked up to a grandmotherly woman in her fifties. The old woman looked remarkably healthy, appearing far younger than her years, and above all, she was exceptionally warm and welcoming.

The elders chattered over one another, growing increasingly agitated. The older people grew, the more terrified of death they became. Furthermore, the Transcendence Realm was intimately tied to the future balance of power, making it a matter of utmost importance. Had Ao Chen not been currently hiding within the imperial city, they likely would have gone out to capture him and extort answers by force long ago.

Chief Steward Maggie and Guard Commander Maya quickly ran over, accompanied by six guards. Placing their right arms across their chests, they simultaneously bowed in greeting to the princess and the assembled crowd.

The people nearby also stood up one by one to introduce themselves; they were former production team leaders or foremen, along with a few employees who were in urgent need of money.

"No matter what, our entire family is deeply grateful. Truly, thank you both," Xu Rui expressed his heartfelt thanks once more.

Sun Yishan had woken up early, strapped on his saber, and set out for the address written on yesterday's note. Last night, he had hesitated considerably over whether or not to inform Sister Ru. Sun Yishan suspected that there was a strong possibility Sister Ru herself was behind the act. If Yuan Ping had been kidnapped by Sister Ru, then everything she had told him was a lie.

"It's fine, it's really fine! You guys don't need to worry about me!" Lan Weixun appeared composed on the surface, but inwardly, she was already shaken to her core.

Without needing to guess, Ziyao knew what he was thinking. The time was simply not right yet; for now, it was enough to let him know how deeply she cared for him. This sentiment required time to test its true worth.

Why are you always appearing and vanishing like a ghost? This is the imperial palace! How on earth did you manage to get in here?

The layers of guards around the Heavenly Prison were exceptionally strict, especially since such high-profile prisoners were being detained there, prompting even tighter patrols and surveillance personally overseen by Murong Xu.

Unable to speak at the moment, he could only send a brief message to explain the situation. Naturally, he omitted any mention of encountering Rusu here or the terrifying strength of the assassin.

"You don't need to try and persuade me. Qi'er was raised by the Prince; his temperament mirrors the Prince's, and he will never consent to me remarrying," Li Jia'er said, shaking her head.

"Elder Bai, are you still not going to step in and subdue this audacious wretch!" the stooped old man raged angrily.

Even the musical accompaniment and performances hired for the occasion were second-rate. The tunes played and the dances executed were as painfully awkward as they could possibly be.

"Sixth Sister, didn't our cousin get along very well with the eldest young master of the Li family a while ago? How come there's been no news of them lately?" Zhuge Yu asked Zhuge Qi.

"What on earth are you trying to do?" Long Yuqi simply could not fathom why Gu Xiao was acting this way. Suddenly, it was as if his entire personality had shifted overnight; he was nothing like the person she used to know, nor was he that eccentric, whimsical, and mischievous Gu Xiao, let alone that damned, befuddled ruler.

Fang Xiangyuan directed operations from the side, though the overlapping voices of Ziyao and Shou Gong ringing in his ear grated on his nerves. Turning back to cast a light glare at Ziyao, he let out a soft huff, causing Ziyao to rub her nose.

As for the present, she could actually carve out some time to learn how to ride a horse. After all, it wouldn't take all that long, and there was a vast open space behind their house. While it wasn't large enough for a full gallop, mounting, dismounting, and leading a horse around for a couple of rounds was entirely feasible.

Right at that moment, a butterfly beating its crystal-clear wings, which resembled exquisitely crafted folding fans, fluttered directly toward Feng Aoyue.

Su Hao could never have imagined that such an eerie, bone-chilling voice was coming from someone who looked so ice-crystal cute right before his eyes.

The pickled vegetables already carried a hint of salt, so Mu Sixi only added a minimal amount more. Once the aroma of the pickles was thoroughly stir-fried and released, she added water to simmer the dish.

The filming had been proceeding smoothly when Qin, Qi, and Dong were suddenly summoned away by the producer, leaving the rest with no choice but to wait until Director Qin returned.

Not long after, a middle-aged man carrying a leather briefcase walked over to Qiong Lin's car and tapped on the window glass beside her.

"My fault. I miscalculated the other party's reaction; I never expected them to respond so swiftly," the man lowered his head quickly to confess. He hadn't forgotten that a portion of the payment had yet to be collected, and now was not the time to offend her.

Zhong Xin didn't even have enough time in his mind to process the order to kill him before his neck was severed by a single blade, separating his head from his body.

Yet, for some reason, the deeply furrowed brow on Feng Aoyue’s delicate face slowly relaxed. An inexplicable feeling washed over her, one that paradoxically made her feel increasingly at ease.