"My Lord!"
After the eunuch finished reading the imperial decree, he presented it with both hands. Ji Jinmo's slightly lowered phoenix eyes fell upon the eunuch. The overwhelming power radiated from him like a stormy tidal wave, crashing towards the eunuch. Cold sweat trickled down the eunuch's temples, quickly soaking through his entire robe. The eunuch's outstretched hand and arm trembled uncontrollably, and he could barely hold the light imperial decree.
Just then, a biting cold wind swept up, and the imperial decree was inexplicably blown to the ground.
The eunuch, terrified, immediately knelt and kowtowed. Dropping the imperial decree onto the ground was equivalent to a grave offense, a crime punishable by death.
"This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death."
Facing the direction of the imperial city, the eunuch repeatedly struck his forehead against the ground until it was bloody and mangled, yet he dared not stop.
Nan Shiying stood up and picked up the imperial decree. Seeing Ji Hong's handwriting, she was slightly startled.
His handwriting was vigorous and skilled, elegant and strong, the ink applied with fluidity and a consistent spirit. If one were to judge solely by the script and not the person, it conveyed an image of a wise, experienced, and dignified elder with a broad mind and vision.
This was Ji Hong?
She looked up at Ji Jinmo.
"Get out!"
Nan Shiying walked to Ji Jinmo's side, her expression arrogant as she flicked her sleeves and pointed at the eunuch, ordering him to leave.
The eunuch felt as if he had received immense grace. He quickly kowtowed his thanks and, with a group of imperial guards, swiftly departed from the Regent's Estate. Only after they had gone far away did the lingering killing intent slowly dissipate.
The eunuch wiped away the cold sweat, ignoring the blood dripping from his forehead, eager to return to the palace.
The eunuch returned to the palace to report. Seeing the blood on his forehead, the Emperor asked nothing more. He merely bestowed some riches upon him and sent him away.
Nan Chaoyin had already left with the eunuch. In the imperial study, only the sound of the wind whistling past the window frames remained.
Ji Hong, thinking of the eunuch's appearance, suddenly laughed.
...
"What is the Emperor of Linyuan's intention?"
At the post station, the envoys from Dali, having received the decree, exchanged bewildered glances. For a moment, they couldn't fathom the Emperor of Linyuan's thoughts. Not only had he not prevented excessive contact between Dali and the Regent, but he seemed to be actively encouraging it. Did he truly not fear they would join forces?
Princess Huian, holding the decree, pondered for a long time. For the Emperor of Linyuan, why would he make such a move? Was it genuine fearlessness, or was he trying to lure something out?
Could it be that he wanted to facilitate some agreement between her and Ji Jinmo, and then use imperial authority and public opinion to frame Ji Jinmo for colluding with foreign enemies?
Was that all?
Or was there some deeper meaning she was unaware of?
She had initially dismissed Ji Hong, believing him to be merely a fortunate recipient of the throne. But now, considering how long this fortunate recipient had held onto his imperial seat, did he possess no other remarkable qualities?
She couldn't fathom it for the moment.
Facing the inquiries of the Dali envoys, Princess Huian tossed the decree onto the table and said with a smile, "Even if it means going through mountains of knives and seas of fire, we must go."
"Baolan, pack up. We're going to the Regent's Estate."
"You all should pack up too!"
The Emperor of Linyuan was not just allowing her to stay at the Regent's Estate, but was ordering the Dali envoys to reside there as well. What was this? Protection? Or surveillance?
However, upon thinking of Yu Chengxuan's imminent arrival, Huian felt that this arrangement wasn't too bad.
...
The contingent from Dali proceeded in a grand procession towards the Regent's Estate. The common people of Linyuan soon received the news, and couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
With the people from Dali residing in the Regent's Estate, did His Majesty intend for the Regent to marry the princess from Dali?
Was this possible?
Or was it truly just for the safety of the Dali delegation?
Rumors began to spread, and no conclusion was reached.
...
"What? Asking the Prince to marry that Dali princess? On what grounds! Is she worthy!"
Qin Yushan was beside herself with madness. Upon hearing this rumor, she smashed everything in the room. The furnishings in the room had been replaced three or four times. Ever since Qin Yushan was brought back from the palace banquet by Qin Qiancheng, her emotions had been fluctuating, sometimes weeping silently, sometimes erupting in rage. Even Qin Qiancheng was at a loss for what to do, only able to let her vent.
After all, at the palace banquet, it was he who, in order to protect the Qin household, personally ruined her reputation.
Delusion!
In the eyes of others, this was madness. What normal family would marry a woman with such a condition?
At least for the next few years, no one would come to propose marriage. Once past the marriageable age, who knew how many potential unions would be missed. His two daughters, whom he had doted on his entire life, one's fate was unknown, and the other had lost her reputation. And the chief culprit responsible for their miserable state was the Ji Jinmo to whom he had pledged his allegiance for half his life.
If not for his excessive favoritism towards Nan Shiying, why would his daughters have fallen into such a predicament!
Every time he thought of this, Qin Qiancheng felt an unspeakable anger and unwillingness.
Did he hold no value in the eyes of the Regent, that he was so lightly disregarded, that he wasn't even worth protecting?
He had initially thought that once Ji Jinmo ascended to the throne, he would have earned merit for supporting the emperor. If his daughters had been more ambitious, becoming the empress might not have been a distant dream. But now, it had all dissolved into an illusion.
How could he be content?
Qin Qiancheng held his wine cup, draining it one after another. The searing liquid flowed down his throat, burning his esophagus. As intoxication set in, the anger in his eyes intensified.
"What's wrong with General Qin?"
Suddenly, a mocking voice echoed from the study. Qin Qiancheng looked up abruptly, his bloodshot tiger eyes filled with surging ferocity, charging towards the source of the sound.
Seeing the suddenly appearing stranger, Qin Qiancheng's mind was instantly on high alert. He suddenly stood up, his hand instinctively reaching for his waist, only to realize that his sabre had already been removed and placed on the sword rack.
"Who are you?"
He suppressed the urge to shout a warning and cautiously, in a low voice, inquired.
Observing Qin Qiancheng's reaction, the newcomer couldn't help but feel a trace of admiration. He began to clap leisurely, "The General is indeed a fierce warrior who has fought on the battlefield. Just this courage alone surpasses that of others."
"I am He Wei, greetings, General."
"He Wei?"
Qin Qiancheng frowned, racking his brain. He couldn't recall any information about this name.
"I am merely an insignificant individual, so it is natural that the General would not know of me."
The newcomer smiled slightly, not in false modesty. He was indeed just a small figure who could only operate in the shadows.
However, the words he spoke next sent a chill through Qin Qiancheng: "His Majesty has ordered this humble servant to ask the General: Is the General unwilling? Would you be willing to shift the stake you have placed on Ji Jinmo?"